#he helps make a metal umbrella to keep her safe from the fight and then proceeds to fix her toy for her anyways in the end

[jaybirdsandbabybats]

i am very passionate about pre-retcon jayvik and jayce giopara in general bc their dynamic was so funny to me

[shiorihyugawrites]

Steadfast Hearts

In the aftermath of global war, alliances are forged, and new bonds are tested. Dr. Tiana Belrose, a brilliant Androsian engineer, arrives in Paradis with cutting-edge technology, her country's hopes on her shoulders, and a guarded heart. Her brilliant inventions are the reason why Marley invaded and ravaged her country, but Tiana refuses to sit back and do nothing.

Assigned to be her personal guard, the stoic and battle-hardened Captain Levi Ackerman is known for his discipline, but as they spend countless hours together, he finds himself drawn to the woman he’s sworn to protect.

In the midst of battles against Marley, political intrigue, and the weight of their responsibilities, an unexpected romance begins to blossom between two unlikely hearts. As tensions rise on the battlefield and within their own ranks, Levi and Tiana must navigate their feelings in a world that doesn’t allow for weakness.

Love was the last thing either of them expected to find in the midst of war, but it may be the only thing that saves them. (Levi x Black OC)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Levi stood just outside Tiana’s workshop, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze fixed on her as she bent over her workbench, tinkering with a contraption that looked both intricate and, quite frankly, dangerous. The device was a jumble of gears, wires, and small metal parts, all connected in a way that seemed almost haphazard. Next to her, Demetri hovered, his mechanical eyes flicking between the contraption and Tiana’s face, his expression one of curiosity mixed with a hint of apprehension.

Levi’s brow furrowed, a familiar knot of concern tightening in his chest. He had seen Tiana work on countless inventions before—gadgets, tools, even small machines that could make life a little easier. But this… this looked different. It looked unstable, unpredictable. Dangerous.

“Are you sure that thing is safe?” Levi asked, his voice carrying a note of caution as he stepped further into the workshop, his eyes never leaving the contraption. 

Tiana glanced up, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a hint of mischief. “Of course, it’s safe,” she replied with a grin, waving a hand dismissively. “I know it looks a little… unconventional, but trust me, I’ve got it all under control.”

Levi’s expression remained skeptical, his gaze shifting from the device to Tiana and back again. “I’m not so sure about that,” he muttered, his tone dry. “It looks like it could blow up any second.”

Tiana laughed softly, shaking her head. “Oh, come on, Levi,” she teased, her voice light. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

Levi’s frown deepened. “I prefer to keep my adventures outside of your workshop,” he replied, his tone flat but his eyes glinting with a touch of humor.

Tiana chuckled, her hands deftly adjusting a small dial on the side of the contraption. “Relax,” she said, her voice soothing. “I’ve done this a thousand times. It��ll be fine.”

But as soon as she said it, a loud pop echoed through the workshop, followed by a burst of sparks. Tiana’s eyes widened, and Levi’s instincts kicked in. He moved forward, his hand reaching for the fire extinguisher mounted on the wall just as a small flame erupted from the device.

“Get back!” he ordered, his voice sharp as he yanked the extinguisher off the wall and aimed it at the flames. The white foam sprayed out, coating the contraption, but the fire seemed to resist, growing larger, licking up toward the ceiling.

Demetri, ever the observant assistant, quickly assessed the situation. “Deploying emergency sprinklers,” he announced, his voice calm. And with a quick click, the sprinklers embedded in the ceiling burst to life, raining down a steady torrent of water over the entire workshop.

Levi continued to fight the flames with the extinguisher, his jaw set, his focus unwavering. But as the water poured down, soaking him to the bone, he couldn’t help but notice that Demetri had somehow managed to produce several umbrellas, which he held strategically over himself and the nearby tech equipment, keeping both dry. Tiana and Levi, on the other hand, were left fully exposed to the downpour.

Tiana sputtered, water dripping from her hair and clothes, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and incredulity. “Demetri!” she exclaimed, her voice half-laughing, half-scolding. “You couldn’t have at least covered us?”

Demetri’s mechanical eyes blinked, his expression unchanging. “Water is not fatal to humans, Dr. Belrose,” he replied matter-of-factly. “Protecting the sensitive equipment takes precedence.”

Tiana stared at him for a moment, her mouth hanging open, and then she burst out laughing. The sound was bright, infectious, filling the water-soaked workshop with a kind of absurd joy. Levi, still holding the fire extinguisher, couldn’t help but feel a smile tug at the corners of his lips. He hadn’t seen her laugh like that—so freely, so genuinely—in a long time.

He set the extinguisher down, the flames now completely out, and turned to Tiana, his eyes softening as he watched her laugh. Her hair was plastered to her face, her clothes clinging to her body, and yet she looked… beautiful. Radiant, even. 

Tiana caught his gaze, her laughter fading into a soft chuckle as she took a step closer to him, her eyes shining with a mix of amusement and something deeper. “Well,” she said, her voice still light, teasing, “that didn’t go exactly as planned.”

Levi shook his head, his smile widening just a fraction. “You think?” he replied dryly, his tone warm despite himself.

Tiana moved closer, the distance between them shrinking. Her eyes searched his, her expression softening. She reached out, her hand tentatively touching his forearm, her fingers lightly brushing against the wet fabric of his sleeve. She could feel the firmness of his muscles beneath, the strength that seemed to radiate from him even in the most unexpected moments.

Levi stiffened slightly at the contact, his breath hitching. He wasn’t used to being touched—especially not like this. It was… different. Her touch was soft, almost hesitant, yet there was a warmth to it, a familiarity that made his heart beat a little faster.

Tiana’s fingers slowly moved up his arm, tracing the contours of his muscles, her touch gentle, almost reverent. She felt a thrill of excitement, a mix of curiosity and desire. She wanted to be closer to him, wanted to feel the warmth of his body against hers. She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the hesitation, and it only made her want to reach out to him more.

“Levi,” she whispered softly, her voice barely more than a breath, “it’s okay.”

Levi’s eyes met hers, his expression guarded but not unkind. He could feel his heart racing, could feel a strange, unfamiliar warmth spreading through him at her touch. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know how to respond. This was new territory for him, uncharted and unsettling.

But as he looked into her eyes, saw the sincerity there, the quiet understanding, he felt something inside him shift. He wanted to trust her, wanted to let her in. He wanted to explore this, whatever it was.

Tiana took another step closer, her hand moving up to his biceps, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said softly, her eyes never leaving his. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Levi swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry despite the water still dripping down his face. He could feel her warmth, could feel the closeness between them. He didn’t know how to navigate this, didn’t know how to be… close. But he knew one thing: he didn’t want her to stop. He didn’t want her to pull away.

He took a slow, steady breath, his hand lifting slightly, hesitantly, until it rested on her waist. He could feel the damp fabric of her shirt against his skin, could feel the warmth of her body beneath. It was… strange. Unfamiliar. But it wasn’t unpleasant. It was… comforting.

“Tiana,” he said softly, his voice steady, his eyes searching hers. “I’ve… never done this before.”

Tiana’s expression softened, her smile gentle, understanding. “I know,” she whispered, her hand moving up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. “And that’s okay. We can take it slow. We don’t have to rush anything.”

Levi nodded slowly, his hand tightening slightly on her waist, drawing her just a fraction closer. He could feel her breath against his skin, could feel the warmth radiating from her. And for the first time in a long time, he felt… at peace. 

Tiana took a slow, steady breath as she stepped closer to Levi, closing the small gap between them until her chest was pressed against his. She could feel the warmth of his body seeping through the wet fabric of their clothes, could feel his heart beating in time with hers. Her own heartbeat quickened, a soft flutter in her chest as she felt the firmness of his muscles against her softness. She wanted to be close to him—closer than she had ever been to anyone before. 

Levi stiffened at the contact, a flash of heat shooting through him as he felt her soft breasts press against his chest. His mind was suddenly overwhelmed with memories—vivid, unbidden images from that day in the shower when he had seen her naked for the first time, her skin glistening with water, her body so breathtakingly beautiful. He had never allowed himself to dwell on it, had pushed the memory aside, buried it deep where it couldn’t distract him. But now, with her pressed so close, he couldn’t help but remember.

His breath hitched, his hands hovering awkwardly in the air beside her. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know where to put his hands, how to respond. He wasn’t used to this—wasn’t used to being touched, to being this close to someone. He had spent so long keeping people at a distance, building walls around himself to keep everyone out. And now… now she was here, so close, so warm, breaking through those walls with a gentle persistence he wasn’t sure how to handle.

Tiana sensed his hesitation, saw the uncertainty in his eyes, the way his hands hovered unsurely at her sides. She felt a surge of tenderness, a deep, aching empathy for this man who had never known the comfort of another’s touch, who had never allowed himself to be vulnerable. She wanted to show him that it was okay to let go, to trust, to feel.

“It’s okay, Levi,” she whispered softly, her voice soothing, her hands moving up to gently guide his around her waist. “You can touch me. It’s okay.”

Levi’s fingers tightened around her waist, his grip tentative at first, then firmer as he felt the solidness of her beneath his hands. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts. He could feel her warmth, her softness, the steady rise and fall of her breath. It was… overwhelming. Overwhelming in a way he had never experienced before. 

Tiana’s hands moved up to rest on his shoulders, her fingers lightly tracing the lines of his collarbone. She could feel the tension in his muscles, the way his body seemed to tremble under her touch. She wanted to ease that tension, to show him that it was okay to let himself feel, to let himself be vulnerable.

“Just breathe,” she murmured softly, her voice a gentle whisper. “It’s just a hug, Levi. Just… breathe.”

Levi tried to focus on her words, tried to steady his breathing, but it was hard. His mind was racing, his heart pounding in his chest. But as he held her, as he felt the softness of her body against his, he felt a flicker of something—something like a distant, long-forgotten warmth. A memory of his mother, holding him close, her arms wrapped around him in a gentle embrace. It was a memory he hadn’t allowed himself to recall in years, a memory that had been buried beneath layers of pain and loss. But now, with Tiana in his arms again, it came rushing back once more, vivid and raw.

He tightened his grip on her waist, his arms wrapping more securely around her, pulling her closer. He could feel her breath against his neck, could feel the softness of her hair brushing against his cheek. It was… comforting. More comforting than he could have ever imagined.

Tiana felt his arms tighten around her, felt the way his body seemed to relax, just a fraction, against hers. She smiled softly, her head resting against his shoulder, her own arms wrapping around his back. She could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, beneath her cheek, could feel the way his breath came in slow, steady exhales. 

“You’re doing great,” she whispered softly, her voice barely more than a breath. “You’re doing just fine.”

Levi closed his eyes, letting her words wash over him, letting himself sink into the moment. He had never felt this before, this strange mix of vulnerability and comfort, this unfamiliar warmth that seemed to spread through him, easing the tension in his muscles, calming the storm in his mind. He didn’t know what to do with it, didn’t know how to process it. But he knew one thing: he didn’t want this to end. 

He rested his chin on top of her head, his eyes still closed, his breath steady. He could smell the faint scent of her hair, could feel the softness of her skin against his. It was… nice. More than nice. It was something he hadn’t realized he needed, something he hadn’t allowed himself to want.

“Tiana,” he said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, his lips close to her ear. “I… I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know… what I’m supposed to do.”

Tiana smiled against his shoulder, her fingers lightly tracing the lines of his back. “You don’t have to do anything, Levi,” she murmured softly, her voice gentle. “Just… let yourself feel. Let yourself be here. With me.”

Levi took a slow, steady breath, his grip on her tightening slightly. He could feel his heart racing, could feel a strange, unfamiliar warmth spreading through his chest. He didn’t know what this was, didn’t know where it would lead. But he knew one thing: he wanted to explore it. He wanted to see where this could go.

He tightened his arms around her, pulling her even closer, his breath steady, his mind finally quiet. He didn’t have all the answers, didn’t know what the future held. But in this moment, with her in his arms, he felt… whole. He felt… alive.

…

The night was quiet, the stillness of the Scout Regiment headquarters broken only by the distant sounds of wind rustling through the trees and the occasional creak of wooden beams settling in the cool night air. Levi stood just outside Tiana’s quarters, his back against the stone wall, his arms crossed over his chest. He stared out into the darkness, his gaze unfocused, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and sensations.

He was supposed to be focused, supposed to be alert, keeping watch for any threats that might approach. But tonight, his mind kept drifting back to the workshop, to that moment—that hug. 

He could still feel it, still feel the way her body had felt pressed against his, the way her softness had molded against the hard lines of his frame. He had never felt anything like it before. It had been… overwhelming. Disorienting. And yet, at the same time, it had been strangely comforting. 

Levi closed his eyes, letting out a slow, steady breath. He could still feel her arms around his neck, the gentle weight of them, the way her fingers had brushed against the nape of his neck, sending a shiver down his spine. He had never realized how sensitive he was there, how much a simple touch could affect him. 

He swallowed hard, his throat tight, his heart beating a little faster at the memory. He could still smell her, that subtle, lingering scent of lavender and something else—something uniquely hers. It had filled his senses, wrapping around him like a warm, comforting blanket. He had never noticed how much he had missed that—missed the scent of someone close, the warmth of another body near his. 

The way she had pressed against him, her chest flush against his, her heartbeat steady and strong beneath his touch. It had been… intoxicating. He had felt a heat spreading through him, a strange, unfamiliar sensation that had started in his chest and radiated outward, flooding his veins, warming him from the inside out. He hadn’t known what to do with it, hadn’t known how to handle it. But he hadn’t wanted it to stop. 

He had felt her breath against his skin, soft and warm, each exhale a gentle caress that sent a shiver down his spine. It had made him feel alive in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time, in a way he hadn’t allowed himself to feel. He had spent so much of his life building walls around himself, keeping everyone at a distance, never letting anyone get too close. But with Tiana… it was different. She had a way of breaking through those walls, of reaching him in a way no one else ever had.

He opened his eyes, his gaze drifting to the door of her quarters, the soft glow of candlelight visible through the small crack beneath. He wondered if she was still awake, if she was thinking about the hug, too. He wondered what she thought of him—what she saw when she looked at him. Did she see the same hardened soldier everyone else did? Or did she see something more? Something deeper?

He didn’t know what to do with these feelings, didn’t know how to process them. He was used to burying his emotions, to pushing them down where they couldn’t distract him. But now… now it felt like they were bubbling to the surface, refusing to be ignored. 

He thought back to the way she had looked at him, the way her eyes had been so soft, so full of understanding. She had seen through him, seen past the stoic exterior, past the hardened soldier. She had seen the man beneath, the man who had spent so much of his life alone, who had never allowed himself to be close to anyone. 

And she hadn’t pulled away. She hadn’t pushed him aside or turned him away. She had reached out to him, had offered him something he hadn’t even known he needed. Comfort. Understanding. A connection.

Levi’s fingers tightened slightly on his arms, his breath steady. He didn’t know what to do with that. He didn’t know how to be close to someone, how to let someone in. It was new, unfamiliar territory. And yet… he wanted to explore it. He wanted to see where it could go. 

He glanced back at the door, his gaze lingering on the soft glow of candlelight. He wondered if she was thinking about him, if she was lying in bed, unable to sleep, her mind racing with the same thoughts, the same feelings. He wondered if she felt the same pull, the same connection.

Because for the first time in a long time, he felt… something. Something more than just the weight of his duty, more than just the burden of his responsibilities. He felt… alive. And he wasn’t going to let that go.

Not for anything. 

As he stood there, the night stretching on, the quiet enveloping him like a comforting blanket, he allowed himself a small, tentative smile. He didn’t know what the future held, didn’t know where this would lead. But he knew one thing: he was ready to find out. He was ready to take that risk.

And as the hours passed, the stillness of the night settling around him, he kept his watch, his mind still filled with thoughts of her, with the memory of her touch, her warmth, her presence. 

~

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[captain-kinda-trash]

Never (Michelangelo x Fem!Reader)

!!Disclaimer!! This one-shot contains extreme spoilers for the future TMNT comic; The Last Ronin, so please keep that in mind!! The gif above belongs to me, so please don't steal!!

Grab your tissue ladies, gents and others, cause it's about to get angsty 🌫

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

“Put the sais down… It’s just me.”

Her voice, broken and tired, floated gently up the walls of the dark streets, rebounding off of the golden street lamps, an unfamiliar warmth against the cold rain pattering against his skin. 

Metal clattered against asphalt, echoing loudly in the dark. And the silence that followed afterwards was even louder. Other than the unclenching of his jaw, the flexing of his scaled fingers, the softening of his hard eyes, he didn’t move.

“It’s not safe out here.” He muttered, “I almost hurt you.”

“I...I know…but I had to make sure it was… you.”

He stayed silent. She really did care. And so did he. But he couldn’t let his guard down, couldn’t fix his mistakes and let her in. It hurt too much.

“Please… just let me see your face. It’s been too long.” She called from under her umbrella, clutched tightly in both of her hands.

The hood, dark, dripping with rain, sticking to his slick skin, shielded the top half of his face, and he lifted his bandaged hands to pull it back from his head, allowing the rain to patter against his scales. She didn’t gasp, didn’t yell, didn’t say a word. Just stared at his scarred complexion. Drank in the sight of the cuts, the pale scars, the elongated scratch across his left eye. His once orange bandanna was gone, now replaced with black, a symbolism of his turn to hurt and suffering.

The young, persistent, energetic fire once aglow in his sapphire eyes was blown out, now shadowed with something less innocent, more vengeful as he avoided eye contact. There was no way he could look at her misty eyes, the eyes of judgement.

Because he had become the exact thing he never wanted to. A monster.

“It’s been a while.” He stated, not sure of himself, or the emotion he was trying to put behind those words. Though, he was never sure about anything anymore.

“You look… different?” 

The ninja chuckled, very abruptly, just loud enough for her to hear, and a soft smile spread across her face. Then it was quiet again.

He reached for a pocket on his chest, digging his hand inside, and then pulled out a colorful mass with a tenderness that no other could replicate.

His hand opened, revealing a lotus flower, made of old fabric, dirty, tattered around its edges, darkening as it soaked up each tiny raindrop with relish. Each petal was a different color; Scarlet, Azure, Violet. Made of the salvageable scraps of their masks. His brother’s masks.

“Oh, Mikey…”

He hadn’t been called that name in forever. One of her hands slipped away from the umbrella handle, reaching forwards and grazing against the cool wetness of his own, then pulling it back when he flinched.

“I’m gonna kill him. I’m gonna make him pay.” He sneered, staring down at the polyester lotus, and the tear that fled his eye disappeared amongst the water trickling down his face.

“Don’t blame yourself for this, Mike.”

When she reached up, setting her soft fingers against his scarred jawline and stroked his cheek with her thumb, the terrapin couldn’t help but lean in to her touch.

“How can I not, Y/N?”

“Because they were right by your side fighting. And they’ll always be.”

Michelangelo bore into her eyes a heavy memory, the thought of happiness, family, warmth and the sweet taste of togetherness, all wisped away with the mere thought of his brothers’ and sodden smiles. He began to sob, lip curling in distaste and then he captured her in a sudden and strong embrace. His toned arms, scratched and bruised, crossed over the tops of her shoulders, entangling themselves around the back of her head and she wrapped her frail hands about his cloaked frame.

He cried, hard, into her hair, grasping helplessly at the thought of returning to something normal, like it used to be. Craving for his old ways, his old self.

The happy, boisterous, pizza-loving Mikey that he once knew. That she once knew.

“Just for one night…” The girl breathed into his shoulder, “Come to my place. Get some rest, eat a decent meal. You could use it buddy.”

“I have to go…” he sniffed, “Make sure that the city is safe. It’s my job.”

“Well that’s too bad, because I’m not letting you go.”

He smiled, for the first time in years, at her remark. She’d always been stubborn. A quality that he and his brothers adored about her.

“You don’t have to be alone Mike. I’m here to help. Come on. Let’s get you to my house,” She pulled away reluctantly, slipped her hand into his and then tugged his tired body under the umbrella, “I’m not gonna lose you again.”

“Never?” The desperation in his voice was all but unapparent, as she led the way down the cold streets.

“Never.”

[polaroid15]

Guy in the Chair

Summary: Having a superhero for a best friend isn’t easy. But with the help of Mr. Stark, Ned things he might just be able to swing it.

Or, 5 times Ned was there for Peter and 1 time they were there for each other.

Read on Ao3 here.

-----

Ned hates funerals.

But mostly he hates seeing Peter in so much pain.

He sits beside his friend now, silent and relieved to be hearing him breathe evenly. The service for Ben had ended less than an hour ago. Overwhelmed, Peter had let Ned guide him away from the grave. They’re close enough to see May kneeling beside the freshly upturned dirt, her head in her hands, but far enough away that Peter no longer hyperventilates.

The cement bench they sit on is freezing. Snow comes up to their ankles. Both are shivering but too numb to move.

“Peter?”

Nothing.

Expecting it, Ned looks to his friend. Peter is curled in on himself, eyes open with frozen tear tracks running all the way down to his chin. He doesn’t give off any external cues that he’s heard Ned’s prompt, his sight unseeing.

“Peter?” he tries again, and when it still doesn’t elicit a response, he reaches out cold fingers to rest on Peter’s arm. Lightly, carefully, like he’s touching something fragile. “Hey man. You with me?”

Eyebrows creasing, Ned watches as a glimmer of coherence returns to Peter’s eyes. And with it, pain. Sharp and raw. Peter sucks in a long breath that rattles in his chest- like it’s the first real breath he’s taken in hours. It blows out in a puff of air that obscures the grave ahead of them.

“Peter.”

With some confusion, Peter swivels his head. He reaches a trembling hand to his face and uses his fingertips to feel the ice on his skin. “N-Ned?” he stammers. “I- when did we... I don’t remember coming over here.”

“It’s okay man. We came after the service.”

“May?”

“Over there. She’s okay.”

Breathing deep again, Peter’s eyes shine with new moisture. He buries his head deep into his elbow and leaves it there, his knuckles white where they clutch at his coat. “Sorry,” he murmurs. “God, I’m going crazy.”

Ned’s stomach hollows out. “Don’t be sorry.”

“I am,” Peter sniffs. “It’s cold.”

“It’s not that cold.”

Peter lifts his head and offers Ned a weak smile, though it falls fast. He hopes it isn’t permanent. “I just- I can’t believe he’s really gone.”

Ned bites his lip. He hadn’t known Peter when his parents had died, but he knows well enough from their sleepovers that he wakes up in cold sweats. He also knows that Peter has a tendency to blame himself for things that aren’t his fault, that he walks as if the world is on his shoulders.

And Peter had been there. In the alley. He had tried to keep Ben alive as he bled out.

And it didn't work. God, why couldn’t it have worked?

“Me either.”

Peter chokes on his next breath. Holds it. “What- what are we going to do without him?”

“Peter-”

“May can’t…I can’t-” Peter breaks off, gasping. “He can’t be gone.”

Words are impossible. Ned reaches deep within himself and whispers, “I’m sorry Peter. I’m so sorry.”

Peter’s lip wobbles. His eyes fill until there’s nowhere for the tears to go but out. At the same time they reach for each other, and Ned holds onto Peter as if it’s his sole purpose in this life. “It’s my fault Ned,” Peter sobs into his shoulder. “I couldn’t save him. It was me. He’s d-dead because of me.”

“That’s not true and you know it.”

“We had a fight,” Peter continues, delirious in his grief. “We had a fight and he died and I should’ve been able to save him.”

“It’s not your fault, man. What happened to Ben was terrible, but it wasn’t your fault, okay? He wouldn’t have wanted you to blame yourself. You know that.”

Peter tries to speak but is crying too hard for Ned to make out the words. So instead he pats Peter’s back and hugs him as hard as he can. He holds on. He whispers ‘he loved you’ and ‘it’s not your fault’ in between Peter’s sobs. He’s not sure how long it goes on for. He feels like a skipping record, his condolences an endless loop.

Eventually, Peter’s head lolls against Ned’s cheek. He stops crying. Stops everything. “I’m sorry,” he says. Then, more sure, “you’re a good friend, Ned. Thanks- thanks for being here with me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Always,” Ned says. It’s a promise, a vow. “No matter what.”

And with every nerve in his body, he means it.

------

Peter is Spider-Man.

In a way, Ned still feels the aftershocks of the surprise. It hits him over and over again whenever he sees Peter with a limp or a bruise, or a cut that he can tell from it’s scar Peter had stitched himself.

But it’s nothing in comparison to Homecoming.

What’s supposed to be a fun night turns into a full out adrenaline high with life or death stakes. Instead of dancing, he fires Peter’s web shooters and works tirelessly in the computer lab. Being the guy in the chair.

And then there’s silence. An awful, consuming silence.

Ned expects Peter to come back to the party, and when he doesn’t, he tries calling. All thirteen calls go straight to voicemail.

He tries again now.

“Hey, it’s Peter. I promise I’m not ignoring you. Uh, leave a message. Thanks.”

Failing to ignore his worry, Ned drags his aching feet home. His mom is working a late shift at the hospital so he unlocks the door to his apartment and flicks on the lights, rubbing at his face in exhaustion.

He barely makes it two steps before he hears it.

A thud, like something heavy hitting hardwood.

Ned grabs the item closest to him, an umbrella propped up in the corner by the door and walks with caution towards his bedroom where the noise came from. Not for the first time that night, his heart beats viciously in his chest. Did Liz’s dad figure out he was helping Peter? Did the guy from the bus lot follow him home?

“Hello?” he calls, wincing when his voice shakes. He holds the umbrella a little tighter, the thin metal sticks digging into his palm. “Who- who’s there?”

When there’s no answer he pauses outside his door and cranes for clues. Hearing nothing, he braces himself before kicking open the door. The first thing he sees is his open window, and then-

“Oh my God! Peter!”

His friend is slumped under the glass, pale and covered in sweat and blood. Though his eyes are half lidded, he smiles at Ned when he sees him. “Why’re you holding an umbrella?” he slurs.

Ned dips his head to look at the makeshift weapon before tossing it to the side. His hands are shaking horribly. “I thought- I thought someone broke in!”

“Well technically,” Peter coughs, wincing, “I did break in.”

“It’s different,” Ned says, his legs like jelly as he stumbles forward. He kneels beside Peter and holds his hands out gingerly, sure whatever part of Peter he touches will shatter. “What the hell happened to you?”

Peter frowns. There’s too much blood. “I crashed Mr. Stark’s plane,” he says.

“What?”

“Liz’s dad was trying to steal it. I stopped him though.”

“You’re hurt.”

“I get hurt all the time.”

“Not like this,” Ned argues, and Peter’s eyes darken.

“I’m okay,” he whispers.

Grinding his nails into his knees, Ned shakes his head. Peter hasn’t moved since he found him, his arms curled tightly around his chest. “Why’d you come here?”

Gaping, Peter pales further. “Oh. I didn’t... I’m sorry-”

“No,” Ned says quickly. “Not like that. I mean, isn’t Mr. Stark supposed to help you with stuff like this?”

Peter closes his eyes, his face shadowed. “Mr. Stark doesn’t want to see me anymore. He ended things, remember?”

“But if he knew you were hurt-”

“Ned.”

“You’re bleeding really bad. I don’t know how to help you.”

Peter smiles again, but it’s sad. Broken, like the day of Ben’s funeral. It makes Ned feel sick. “Can I use your shower?”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Definitely. I’m covered in sand and ash and concrete-” Peter shudders, eyes becoming distant for a moment. “Please?”

“Right. Of course, man. Whatever you need.”

“Thanks.”

Peter tries to stand but needs Ned’s help in the end. They limp to the bathroom together and Ned helps Peter pull the top half of his suit off because Peter can’t lift his arms above his head. Peter is quiet during the process, but Ned doesn’t miss the way he sways and bites his lip.

When the suit is finally stripped away, Ned is sure he’ll have nightmares of for the rest of his life. Impossibly dark bruising covers nearly every inch of his friend’s skin, puncture marks still leaking blood and surrounded by countless smaller cuts and scrapes. He notices that Peter doesn’t look in the mirror. He doesn’t even look down, his hands shaking as he stares in determination at the opposite wall.

It’s only now that Ned truly understands the weight of what Peter is taking on. That having superpowers comes with a cost.

I just wanted to be like you, Peter had told Mr. Stark.

And I want you to be safe, thinks Ned, aching.

“Peter,” he whispers. He feels strangely detached from his body, as if he’s viewing the massacre through someone else’s eyes. “This- this is really bad. Like, hospital bad.”

Peter doesn’t argue, which Ned knows is a bad sign. Instead, his eyes glisten as if he’s about to cry. “I heal fast.”

“But-”

“I’m going to shower now.”

“Peter.”

“Ned please. I know you mean well, but- but I can’t think about it right now, okay? I just need to shower and then I’ll be okay.”

Ned stills. Swallows. Then, with great reluctance, he nods. “Okay.”

Looking weak with relief, Peter gives him a watery smile. When he speaks, his voice cracks. “Thanks man. I- I really owe you one.”

“It’s nothing. Guy in the chair, remember?”

“Thanks Ned.”

After their handshake, Ned leaves. It takes a minute of standing by the bathroom door and breathing intently through his nose to get his heart to calm. When it does, his pocket vibrates. He pulls out his phone, expecting it to be his mom.

Instead, it’s an unknown number.

With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Ned answers, making sure to move away from the bathroom. “Hello?”

There’s staticy silence. Then, heavy breathing. “Is this Peter’s friend?”

“Who’s this?”

“I’ll take that as a yes. This is Happy Hogan. You called me earlier.”

An unexpected surge of anger makes his ears hot. Hand tightening around the phone, Ned doesn’t try to keep the annoyance from his voice. “What do you want?”

Happy sighs. “Peter. Have you seen him?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Now. He’s at my apartment.”

More silence. Ned paces.

“How is he?” Happy asks finally.

“Why do you care?” Ned snaps. His heart is beating fast again. He can hear it in the base of his eardrums. “I tried to warn you earlier and you hung up on me.”

“Kid, listen-”

“He’s not okay,” Ned interrupts. “He’s hurt really bad. And he wouldn’t be if you had just listened.”

Ned expects deflection, but Happy’s words surprise him with their concern. “Wait. Peter’s hurt?”

It leaches his anger. “Yeah.”

“Can I talk to him?”

Ned opens his mouth to respond but pauses at the sound of a muffled conversation on the other end of the line. There’s a short struggle and then a new voice fills his ears. One that he’s more than familiar with.

“Ted, right?” Tony Stark asks. “Put Peter on the phone. Pronto. ASAP.”

“I- I-”

“He’s with you, isn’t he?” the man urges.

“I- yes.”

“Well then?”

Ned, despite how freaking cool it is to be talking to Iron Man, can’t help but feel a streak of protectiveness for his friend. “He didn’t call you for a reason.”

Tony is quiet, which Ned doesn’t expect. He plows on. “He thinks you don’t care. And maybe you don’t. But you can’t just choose when you want to help him. He’s here and he’s hurt, and I’m just about the least qualified person to be helping him. There’s blood on my floor and my mom is going to freak out-”

“Take a breath kid,” Tony interjects, his voice pinched. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Just let me talk to him.”

“He’s in the shower.”

“We’ll come pick him up, then. What’s your address?”

Ned closes his eyes, feeling two seconds away from a breakdown. He should be excited, but instead he just feels hollow. How did this become my life?

He rattles off his address and hangs up before Tony can respond. Then he sits on his floor beside Peter’s blood and cries silently into his hands.

-------

Ned tries to talk to Peter about Homecoming, but his friend just defects. Ned tries not to let it bother him.

But it does.

Physically, Peter recovers quickly. The ugly cuts and bruises disappear after the weekend, but the weariness that accompanies them never really leaves. The dark circles under Peter’s eyes get worse everyday and it’s harder to get a genuine smile out of his friend.

It all comes to a head on Wednesday.

They’re in the hall grabbing textbooks from their lockers between classes. Peter has been especially quiet today and Ned has done his best not to say anything about it. He’s reaching for his physics binder when it happens.

A loud crash, the sound of metal hitting the floor. Heart jumping, Ned spins to see a table flipped on its side beside a group of snickering kids. He exhales, shaking his head. “Man, that scared me.” He turns to Peter to laugh it off and freezes, insides turning to ice.

“Peter?”

His friend has lost all the color in his face, his eyes wide, unblinking, and staring out at nothing. When he doesn’t respond Ned takes a step forward to nudge his arm and Peter flinches back as if burned, hitting one of their classmates who scowls and pushes him off.

Peter barely manages to catch himself, his chest heaving like he’s just finished running a marathon. More careful this time, Ned grabs Peter’s elbow and steers him away from the hall and towards the bathroom. When they get there Peter detaches himself from Ned’s grip and stumbles until he hits the wall, sliding down to curl into a ball on the dirty tile. Now that it’s quieter, Ned can hear just how strained his breathing is.

“Peter?” he asks softly, squatting down to his level. “You’re scaring me man. What’s going on?”

Peter looks up at him helplessly, clutching at his chest as he pales further. “S-sorry. Just- ah. Gimme a minute.”

Ned opens his mouth to argue but closes it decidedly. The door to the bathroom swings open behind them and Ned shoos the freshman who appears away with his hands.

Peter’s upbeat ringtone cuts through the tension. Obviously not coordinated enough to answer, Ned helps Peter pull it out of his pocket and stills at the contact.

“It’s Mr. Stark,” Ned says in awe. “What- what do I do?”

“Don’ answer it-”

But his thumb is already on the green. He gives Peter a panicked look of apology before yanking the device up to his ear. “Hello?”

“Ted? Why do you have Peter’s phone?”

“It’s Ned. And he- he can’t really talk right now.”

Tony curses. “Is he with you? His watch sent me a spike in his vitals. Don’t tell me he’s actively bleeding out.”

Peter must hear what he’s saying because he groans, his breathing becoming increasingly laboured. He sticks his head between his knees and digs his knuckles into the tile until tiny cracks appear under the pressure.

“He’s not bleeding out,” Ned assures. “He’s- well, I don’t really know what’s happening. He said he can’t breathe.”

“Damn it. Damn it. Okay. He’s having a panic attack. Put me on speaker.”

“But-”

“Now, Ned!”

Gulping, Ned obliges. He holds out the phone between himself and Peter like some sort of offering and feels some distant part of him relax as Tony takes control.

“Pete?” Tony asks, his voice sharp and clear. “Focus on my voice kiddo. Alright? Imagine that I’m there with you.”

“Mr. St-Stark-’

“Shh, kiddo. It’s okay. I’m going to help you breathe. I need you to tell me five things you can see. Can you do that?”

Eyes gaining some clarity, Ned watches them wander. “Uh, Ned. The phone. The- the sinks. A mirror. And- and, uh. Paper towel.”

“Bathroom. Classy. Alright, now four things you can touch.”

“Ground. Wall. C-clothes. Backpack.”

“Good, kiddo. You’re doing so well. Keep breathing. Three things you can hear?”

“You. Ned. Kids outside.”

With every answer, the tension in Tony’s own voice seems to ease. For some reason, it softens some of the resentment Ned’s been holding against the man ever since the ferry incident. He continues with urgency. “Two things you can smell?”

“Soap. Sweat.”

“Good. And one thing you can taste?”

Peter exhales, long and slow. He closes his eyes. “Spearmint.”

“That’s great,” Tony encourages. “Feeling any better?”

At this, Peter’s face scrunches up as if he’s about to start crying. Instead, he relaxes more fully against the wall and reaches up to wipe his eyes. “Yeah, Mr. Stark. That’s better. I’m really sorry-”

“Nope,” Tony interrupts. “Gonna stop you right there kid. We’ll talk in person. I can be there in twenty.”

“What?” Peter stalls, eyebrows drawing together. “I have class.”

“Not anymore. See you soon. Ned, can I talk to you real quick?”

Another shot of adrenaline spiking through him, Ned fumbles with the phone until it’s off speaker and pushes it up against his face, though he knows full well Peter will still be able to hear. “Yeah Mr. Stark?”

A short pause. “Has this happened before?”

“Not at school.”

“And not at school?”

Peter looks down at his shoes. Ned frowns. “I don’t know.”

Tony sighs. “Thanks for watching out for him. Do you know what triggered it?”

“Um. A table got flipped over. It was really loud.”

“Yeah, that’ll do it. Damn it. Can you stay with him until I get there? Give him water and make sure he doesn’t fall asleep. You got that?”

“Yeah. Yes. Of course.”

He doesn’t get a response, the line going dead. He pulls it away in disbelief and sets it on the floor. Peter smirks weakly at him from where he’s slumped against the wall. “It’s okay,” he mumbles. “He hangs up on everyone.”

------

For a while, it gets better.

“Ned! Oh my God- MJ said yes! I’m freaking out man!”

Stomach dropping with excitement, Ned spins a full 360 in his room, hands reaching up to his hair. “No freaking way! I told you!”

Peter’s excited rambling continues through his phone. It makes Ned’s heart soar. “What do I do? Where do I take her? The movies? The park?”

“Swinging through New York,” Ned offers with a smile, and Peter laughs.

“No, seriously. It needs to be perfect.”

“Laser tag?”

“Don’t forget that I’m broke, man.”

“How about the Pride Parade? That’s happening this weekend. Seems like her kind of thing.”

Peter pauses, warmth filling the other end of the line. “That’s perfect! God, you’re a genius. Thanks man!”

“You owe me,” he teases.

“I so do. We still on for the death star 2.0 tonight?”

“Wise is Yoda the most?”

Peter laughs again. It’s nice. “Right. See you soon.”

“See you.”

When Ned hangs up, tears bite at his eyes.

He doesn’t remember the last time he’s heard Peter so happy.

--------

Of course, it doesn’t last long.

Ned gets the text during band practice.

It’s from Peter and the empty seat next to him feels more pronounced. He almost ignores it, feeling, despite reason, a deep bitterness for his loneliness. But the message is short.

Help.

Ned nearly tilts out of his chair, his mouth adopting a strange metallic quality and his stomach dropping down to his toes. Before he can even get his shaking hands to cooperate another message lights his screen.

Bleachers.

Ned stands before he can process how strange it must look. His teacher, Miss Gregerson, raises her pencil thin eyebrows. “Ned? What is it?”

“Bathroom,” he blurts, and parts the music stands blocking his exit before she can say another word. He hears laughter follow him but can’t find it within himself to care, his heart beating loud in his ears as he jogs through the empty hallways. Peter needs you. Something is wrong.

He had thought having a best friend for a superhero would be cool. But the longer the time stretches, the more Ned realizes how much sleep he’s been losing over his friend’s safety.

Please don’t be dying.

Ned bursts through the back doors and trips his way down the hill to the track. The yard is empty, filtered with pink and orange light from the sinking sun. It’s warm and the air is still, but the deep sense of foreboding doesn’t leave him.

“Peter?” he calls, even though the bleachers are distant and his throat is closing with fear. He walks faster and it’s only when his feet hit the red dirt of the track that he sees Peter’s hunched form. He’s sitting on the lowest step of the bleacher, his face pinched and the edges of his suit showing from his open backpack. He’s pale and covered in sweat, and when he sees Ned, he sags, his eyes fluttering with what can only be a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

“Peter,” Ned repeats, skidding to his friend’s side. His hands hover, unsure again what to do or how to help. Assess the problem, his mind supplies. Find out what’s hurt.

It doesn’t take long. He follows Peter’s tense posture to his hand, which is clamped down hard over his side. His skin is painted red underneath, the material of his dark shirt shining in the fading light. There’s a cut on his temple that bleeds too, and Ned notices how hard Peter is trying to concentrate on his form, his eyes seeming incapable of adjusting.

“Hey man,” he croaks.

“Oh my God,” Ned breathes. His whole body is shaking now. Weak. Because he’s not equipped for this. “What happened?”

Peter struggles to process his question, blinking heavy and biting hard on his bottom lip. Then he swallows, sways, and musters a weak smile. “Stabbed. Long knife.”

When Peter falls to the side, Ned has to lunge to catch him, supporting his entire weight against his body. The new position allows him to see the blood that’s been pooling on the metal where Peter’s been sitting. A distant part of his brain wonders if the stain it’ll leave will be permanent.

“You need to go to a hospital,” Ned says. Peter’s head is pressed hard into his rib cage. They’re both shaking, their breaths uneven and loud.

“No,” Peter says. “You can help.”

“I can’t.”

“Please.”

It’s desperate. More desperate than Ned’s ever heard his friend. Even after Homecoming. “Peter-” he starts, but there’s no words to convey the weight in his chest.

“We can fix this,” Peter says. “We can fix it.”

“You’re bleeding too much.”

“I just need some help.” Peter lifts himself away with Ned with trembling arms. He’s even more pale, his skin close to translucent. He struggles with the side pocket on his backpack before revealing a small sewing kit. He transfers it into Ned’s palm where it leaves a thick smudge of red. He stares at it for a long time and won’t realize until much later that he’s in shock.

“What?” he stutters, transfixed by how much blood is on the sewing kit.

“My hands... my hands are shaking too much to thread the needle.”

Ned stares. He’s numb.

“Ned?” Peter prompts. He reaches out a hand and bracelets Ned’s wrist in his blood. “Can you- can you thread the needle for me?” he pauses, and almost sheepishly, he smiles. “I need my guy in the chair.”

It’s like a damn breaking. Ned snaps back into awareness, sad, angry, and unable to fully comprehend why. Guy in the chair.

“I’ll help you,” he says, “but not in the way you want.”

Before Peter can protest, Ned pulls out his phone. He dials in the number and tries to ignore the way Peter’s chest falls, or how a tear cuts a line through the grime on his face.

“Mr. Stark?” he asks when the line connects. “I need your help.”

In the background, Ned can already hear the mechanical thrum of what can only be a suit being activated. Mr. Stark doesn’t question it. He doesn’t waste time. “I’ll be there in three minutes,” he says, and then the line disconnects.

Peter blinks slow. His lip trembles. “I wish you didn’t do that,” he says.

And then he collapses.

Ned cries out as he catches him. His shirt will be ruined. Peter’s head lolls sickeningly against his neck, his arms going limp at his sides. Acting on instinct alone, Ned reaches to put pressure over the still bleeding wound in Peter’s side. It’s warm and he gags. His eyes burn with tears.

“P-Peter?” he cries, but Peter remains still against him. He wonders if this is how Peter had felt when Ben had died, and for the first time understands the guilt Peter had pinned on himself. “Wake up, man. Mr. Stark is coming. He’s going to- he’s going to help.”

But Peter doesn’t wake up. He doesn’t even twitch until Mr. Stark hits the dirt hard beside them, his suit retracting from his face to reveal a look of complete terror. It catches Ned off guard, but not as much as the way Mr. Stark gently maneuvers Peter out of Ned’s arms and into his own lap.

“Hey Underoos,” Mr. Stark says. His voice is soft but urgent. He taps on Peter’s face and brushes back his hair. “This isn’t a good look, kiddo.”

Ned is frozen. Stuck. He feels the tacky wetness of blood on his hands and is unable to look at them.

“Pete,” Mr. Stark continues, louder this time. “Wake up. That’s an order.”

Ned holds his breath as Peter’s eyes open to slits. They’re hazy, confused, but his lips manage to quirk up into a smile that betrays the pain in his eyes. “Tony,” he whispers.

Mr. Stark sags and Ned can practically see the relief leak out of him. He plays with Peter’s hair, his free hand pressed down hard against the worst of the bleeding. “You never do things halfway, do you kid?” he asks with a smile that even Ned can tell is for Peter’s benefit alone. “If it weren’t for Ned, you’d be six feet under right about now.”

Peter’s eyes drift to find Ned. His smile widens when they connect. “He’s my guy in the chair,” he slurs.

Tony hugs Peter tighter and Ned is struck just how paternal the hero is acting. Like Peter is the most important thing in the world. A lot has changed since Homecoming, he realizes. “Let’s get you some help, buddy. You up for a flight?”

But Peter doesn’t seem to hear. His eyes are still glued to Ned. He doesn’t speak, but Ned understands anyway.

Tony stands, bringing Peter up with him, and Peter goes limp once more. Ned doesn’t miss the way Tony’s breath hitches or the urgency in his movements. He stops before he takes off, regarding Ned with a look of gratitude. “Happy is on his way to pick you up. Wait here for him, okay?”

Ned can only nod, and when they both disappear into the air, he sinks to the ground. It takes hours for the blood on his hands to wash off, and when he finally makes it to Peter’s room in medbay, he finds Tony Stark with his head pillowed on Peter’s thigh. They’re both sleeping, their arms linked.

And for the first time, it all makes sense.

------

It’s been two weeks since the blip’s reversal.

They’re back at school. Ned shuffles awkwardly at his locker, uncomfortable, like his skin is on too tight. Graduation pictures of his classmates hang on the wall.

Five years.

A deep, unrelenting sadness pulls at his heart. He should be happy to be back, but he’s not. Not really. His little sister, who what seems like yesterday was half his height, now reaches his chin. The calendar in his room is useless.

So much time.

Across the hall, he sees Peter. It calms the sharp edges of his anxiety and as if mirroring his own relief, he sees his friend’s shoulders lose their tension. Ned begins walking towards him and Peter drifts too. It’s slow, cautious, like everything will vaporize in a moment if they move too fast.

But at last, they meet. And in the middle of the hall, surrounded by faces Ned no longer recognizes, they hug. Peter’s grip is strong. Almost bruising. It reminds Ned of Ben’s funeral and the heaviness in his chest doubles.

Peter sniffs. He trembles like he’s cold.

“Are you okay?” Ned whispers in his ear.

Peter is quiet. Ned can hear his measured breathing, an exercise taught to him by Mr. Stark shortly after the incident in the school bathroom.

Mr. Stark, who had died to save them all.

“Not yet,” Peter says after some time. They still haven’t pulled apart. “I just- I really miss him, Ned.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Peter’s fingers curl into his hoodie. People are staring at them, and for the first time in his life, Ned can’t bring himself to care.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Peter says, and Ned feels his eyes sting.

Five long years.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you either.”

Finally, Peter pulls away. He wipes his sleeve across his cheekbones and takes in a rattling breath. “Wanna help me with my web shooters after school? May’s making lasagna. Pepper and Morgan are coming over, too.”

Ned smiles. Because after all the injuries he’s seen Peter sustain over the years, he’s seen them all heal too.

He’ll heal.

They both will.

“That sounds great, man.”

After a particularly sloppy handshakes, they walk to class with their shoulders bumping.

And though it may just be a trick of the light, Ned swears he sees Mr. Stark standing in the crowd of students, a wide smile on his face as he looks at them.

And just like Ben, Ned knows that Peter has Tony forever.

[dreamescapeswriting]

Betrayal ~ KTH [Request]

↬↬↬Word Count: 4K

↬↬↬Genre: Ansgt, Mafia Au, no fluff, no happy ending.

↬↬↬Pairing: Mafia!Taehyung x Fem!Reader

↬↬↬WARNINGS: Mentions death, gun wounds, blood, being chained against will, guns

Thunder clapped from the outside of Taehyung's office and you jumped a little as you attempted to do up the buttons of your shirt, your husband had invited you over for lunch but you hadn't known that lunch was you.

"Are you going back home?" He questioned with a frown on his face, he hated the thought of you driving home in the thunderstorm that was happening outside...He hated you driving alone anyway he would much rather have one of his guards escort you home bur after years of being married to you he realised that was never going to happen. You knew you walked around with a target on your back since you were married to one of the leading Mafia families in Seoul but you didn't care for being watched constantly, you felt like you were being babysat.

"I'll be fine Tae, I'll call you when I get back home?" The sound of thunder happened again but you didn't jump this time, you just slid yourself off Taehyung's desk and straightened out the black skirt you were wearing.

"Will you please just take Namjoon? Just to get you home-" He was cut off when your lips touched his, you did this whenever you could to calm him down. You knew what his problem was which made you feel guilty for turning him down on this but it had been years since Soobin had ever been heard about.

"Tae...I will be fine." You promised him leaning across to give him a kiss on the lips, trying to set his mind at ease a little more than it was but it was impossible. He was always going to worry about you whether you liked it or not.

"Fine. Just make sure you take it easy, the roads are slippy when they get wet." He was started to sound panicked, who would have thought it. A Mafia gang leader who'd killed a million people to get where he was today was worried about you,

"I promise." You whispered taking your keys and heading towards his office door, as soon as it opened his henchmen all stood to attention and awaited orders from him as if he was a general in the army.

"At ease boys." You joked patting Jimin on the chest as you walked past him, they all kept their heads straight knowing better than to gaze off after you. Taehyung was far too territorial for that to ever happen.

"Call me!" He yelled out not caring about coming across as worried in front the boys, they'd already seen him at his low points so he had nothing to hide.

"Sure!" You called out to him walking towards the elevator with your head hanging low so that no one would notice you.

"Here, let me help." You turned to your left to see a boy that couldn't have been any older than 18 standing next to you holding out his hands to take the umbrella for you - you were having trouble with it. Out of habit, you looked around nervously to make sure that he was alone,

"Sorry...Do you work here?" You didn't mean to stutter, stuttering was a form of nervousness and you didn't want to come across nervous.

"Yeah, Taehyung hired me a couple of weeks ago. I'm Kai," He held out his hand for you to shake and you smiled shaking it as he opened up the umbrella with ease.

"I'll walk you to your car, can't be too careful Mrs Kim." He looked so innocent and cute that you didn't have the heart to turn him down, he must have been one of the new recruits that Taehyung had been hiring over the last few weeks.

"Thank you," You whispered, he held the umbrella for you as you walked.

"Did you say Kai? I'll have to tell Tae next time I see him what a good job you're doing. Not many people would have stopped even if I was Mrs Kim." You smiled softly at him feeling a little more at ease once you got closer to your car and you knew you would be at home snuggled up on the sofa in no time.

"I could see you struggling and I know what it's like getting your hair wet when you really don't want to." He chuckled waiting for you to unlock the car door before he would make his move, he didn't work for Taehyung but you didn't have to know that right now.

"Thanks again-" You were cut off midsentence when a cloth was placed over your mouth, you threw your head backwards trying to hit him for placing something over your mouth but the more you fought the weaker your body grew. The strong scent of chloroform waved through your nose making it harder for you to keep your eyes open, it was like a heavyweight had been placed on them and it was a struggle to fight the urge to sleep.

When you woke up again you were in the back of a van, your bag was still attached to your hip so you quietly began to look through it but it was hard with no source of light. The van driving you around hit a pothole sending you flying against the back door, you winced holding onto the side of your head as you tried not to cry out in pain.

"She still asleep back there?" The voice you knew belonged to Kai asked, you closed your eyes quickly trying to look as out of it as possible, if they knew you were awake you wouldn't have time to look for your phone in your bag - if they hadn't already searched it that was.

"Out cold." Another voice answered back to him but you didn't know that one, Kai sighed looking out onto the road as he drove you along.

"What do you think he'll do to her?" He sounded worried which was strange for someone who had just kidnapped you, you pushed it away and began looking for your phone but it was gone. They'd either taken it from you or you'd left it in Taehyung's office, either way, you were fucked until they decided to tell you what was going to happen.

"Any news?" Taehyung paced back and forth in his office, he'd been waiting for your call for the last three hours. It was pitch black outside thanks to the autumnal time of year and the rain that had begun hammering down.

"Nothing, should we send someone to the house?" Jin questioned looking at his boss who was starting to look sick, his eyes were sunken with worry and he was beginning to sweat at the thought of this happening all over again. It was how it happened the first time. His first ever love had gone missing one night with no phone call and she was found dead within a few hours of being gone.

"I'll go to the house, Jin you come with me and have the boys search for her car." He ordered out picking up his phone and trying to call you for the 100th time that day but it was going straight to voicemail instead of ringing which meant it was dead or turned off.

"Call me when you get this, please be okay." He was panicking as he rushed out of the building, he knew he should never have let you get your own way with going home he should have sent someone with you.

"I'm sure she might have just fallen asleep at home, you know how tired she gets." Taehyung knew Jin was just trying to make him feel better but it wasn't working. Nothing was going to work until he knew you were safe and sound.

Chains were rattling as you struggled against them, your legs were bound together at your ankles and your wrists were chained together and hanging over a hook. All you could smell was metal and sea air so you were probably on the docks,

"Look! I don't know what you want but you won't get it! Taehyung doesn't care about me!" You knew the drill if you were ever taken act as though you and Taehyung had fallen out, had a fight anything to make sure the bad guys didn't know he was in love with you.

"We both know that's a lie so let's not try that one." A machine turned on to your right and the hook you were attached to began to lift from the ground, you screamed out in shock as you legs were left dangling off the floor your toes barely touching the ground.

"Please let me go, I'll get you whatever it is you want." You whimpered looking around the room for someone to come into sight but there was no one there. It was just a voice coming from somewhere in the building.

"Stop looking, I'll come out and face you when I'm ready." That voice that was speaking you could have sworn you'd heard it before somewhere but you couldn't place where you knew it from or who it could have been.

"Kai where's her phone?" Footsteps were approaching from behind and you hissed as someone touched your head where you'd come into contact with the side of the van.

"You said Taehyung doesn't care about you? How would you explain all of these voicemails and calls?" The voice was closer this time and you struggled against the chains, they were started to dig into your skin and irritate you now that you were being held above the ground. Just as the man was about to hit play on the voicemail the phone began to ring,

"Here he is now, let's have a little fun. Make one wrong move and you die." Something cold was placed against your lower back and it didn't take a genius to work out that it was the barrel end of a gun.

"Taehyung?" You whispered out as the man finally came into view, he was tall taller than Taehyung and he had blue light blue hair.

"Baby?! Where are you?! We got home and you weren't here!" You swallowed the lump in your throat as you looked at the man for instructions, you had no idea what to do.

"I-I'm fine, just got lost-"

"She did not get lost, she's with me." The hook was lifted higher again and you cried out as the chains caused more friction from the sudden movement,

"What are you doing to her!?" His voice came out panicked as he heard your cries in the background of the call, Soobin smirked looking at you up and down as if he was studying you.

"I had a surprise for you since I'm back in town I wanted to give it to you but then I saw Y/n here and I couldn't resist the urge for old times sake." Old times sake? You looked at him closely this time, the way he paced around in front of you with a limp and the small scar he had on the side of his cheek. The harsh reality began to set in on what was going to happen to you,

"Are you done yelling at me? I think my new toy is eager to learn all about me now." The phone was slammed shut but not before Taehyung could trace the destination and start moving to get you.

"I already know all about you." You whimpered out as he came closer to you, he nodded his head.

"Told you all about Mina did he?" He questioned running his hand over your cheek as he reached up to touch it,

"Yes, he did. I was there to look after him after what you did." You spat at him and he chuckled darkly nodding at Kai to lower to the hook again. Once your feet were flat on the floor you let out a breathy sigh only to whimper again when Soobin grabbed onto your face and forced you to look into his eyes.

"Did he tell you she was dead? Died in his arms while he cried out for her to stay with him?" You nodded your head slowly, you knew better than to ignore someone like him when they were talking directly to you. Cooperation was better than being killed on the spot, you weakly looked at him in the eyes and he smirked.

"Did he train you or did you learn from one of his henchmen?" He threw your face away but you only rocked on the hook as you fell backwards.

"Acting like you're not afraid won't get you anywhere, besides it's not you that I want." You frowned until you heard the familiar sound of tires screeching outside,

"Quicker than I thought they would be, I barely had any time to rough you up a little." Soobin tutted at himself but sighed,

"Anyway! Kai! Up!" The hook above you roared to life and you began hissing as you were lifted up into the air once again, your feet just touching the floor as it stopped in the correct place.

"Go and get the other one." He ordered the younger male as he sat down on the steps across from you, he was just watching you closely while he waited.

"How long have you and Taehyung been married?" You fought against the chains that were locking you in place, it was no good but it was better than just hanging around for whatever plan Soobin had cooked up.

"Seven years." You mumbled to him looking him in the eyes as you waited for some kind of sarcastic comment to come back at you.

"Long time to be together, does he love you as much as he loved Mina?" You stayed silent, you knew Taehyung would never love anyone as much as he had loved Mina it was impossible.

The building was easy enough for Taehyung to find it was almost as though Soobin was going out of his way to make this easy for him,

"Long time to be together, does he love you as much as he loved Mina?" The name rang through his ears memories of him and Mina came flooding back to him, all of the happy ones and then the last one of him holding her in his arms promising that everything would be okay.

"I love her more than I loved Mina." He answered as the door pried open, his eyes locked onto your as you yelled out his name. He was met with panic as he saw you hanging there like a pig ready to be slaughtered.

"What do you want Soobin?" He'd do anything if it meant you not being hurt, getting you out of there was the first priority he'd given to the boys telling them he didn't care how they did but it was there only main concern to focus on.

"Where are the boys? I'm assuming some are waiting in the getaway car you have ready for Y/n," Soobin knew everything that was going to happen, he'd planned every possibility out but so had Taehyung, he'd counted on Soobin knowing what was going to happen.

"What do you want from me?"

"I told you I had a surprise for you! Sit down and enjoy yourself!" He chuckled going up to Taehyung and rubbing his shoulders,

"Look I'll even let Y/n down if it'll make this cosier for you." The machine roared and you were flat on the ground,

"Untie her Kai, I'd had to have a lady tied up like this." Everything seemed off, Soobin wasn't acting like himself and Taehyung could sense something wasn't right.

"I want a truce, I knew the only way to get you to talk to me was to take something of yours." You were freed from the chains on your ankles gave way underneath you and you sunk down onto the metal flooring but

"She's yours, but I do have one more thing to show you before we start talking about a truce." A truce? Why would Soobin ever want a truce? The last time he'd seen Taehyung was when he killed Mina and told Soobin he'd never stop until everything he had was his own. Then everyone assumed he was dead because his body had been reported on the news, along with having a huge funeral.

"Beomgyu?" A set of double doors opened behind Taehyung but he was focused on helping you up he hadn't bothered to turn around and look just yet.

"T-Taehyung?!" A female voice called out and as soon as she came into the light you knew her from the photographs that Taehyung had around the mansion back home, Mina.

"Mina?!" She was thrown down harshly onto the floor and he sprinted over to her knocking you down in the process, your heart shattered as you watched the way he looked at her. He'd never looked at you that way, with love so deep in his eyes you could tell just how much he loved you from one glance.

"Yes, Yes, she's alive, weepie." Sarcasm seeped through Soobin's voice as he watched Taehyung embrace Mina in a hug and then glanced back at you with a smirk, you struggled against the chains around your wrist and Soobin walked towards you bending down to help you stand up and lean you against his body.

"This isn't just some happy gift-giving Taehyung." Taehyung turned to look at you and Soobin side by side and he avoided your gaze checking to see if Mina was okay instead of you.

"You have a decision to make Taehyung," A gun was pulled from his pocket and placing it against your temple,

"You get one not both-"

"Mina!" He answered without even stopping to hear the rest of what Soobin had to say,

"What?" You stuttered out watching as he stared down into her eyes, both of them just looking at one another like they had been the ones married for the last seven years.

"T-Tae?" You whimpered when the gun was turned away from you and onto him, Soobin couldn't believe he hadn't even stopped to hear the full question.

"You're an idiot Taehyung," Soobin scoffed glancing between Taehyung and you but ti Taehyung it was as if you weren't even in the room anymore he brought Mina into a loving kiss while Soobin was trying to talk to him,

"LOOK AT ME WHILE I'M TALKING TO YOU!" A warning shot was signalled into the air and you screamed out covering your ears as best you could with your wrists still bound together. Jimin and Jin rushed into the room aiming their guns until they saw Taehyung clutching Mina closer to his body, they lowered their weapons but Jimin's eyes locked onto you but they quickly went back to Taehyung.

"Would you please listen to me?" But it was as if Taehyung couldn't hear anything outside of his Mina sized bubble, watching the way they held onto one another was tearing your heart to shreds. The way he was clutching her face and staring into her eyes,

"Taehyung can't you see what you're doing to everyone around you?" Eyes landed back on you as you realised you were crying, Taehyung looked straight through you as though you weren't sitting there chained up his eyes went back to Mina and Soobin lost it. Aiming his gun at Taehyung and cocking it back,

"NO!" You screamed out jumping in front of Soobin right as he pulled back the trigger, three gunshots sounded out you watched Soobin turn as the bullet entered his head and hit the floor but you dropped down beside the space where Taehyung had been standing.

"Y/n!" Jin's hands made their way to hold onto the right side of your neck trying to get you to stay still but your body was shivering due to the sheer intensity you were feeling in your neck. It was like a burning sensation as you felt a warm liquid began to pool down your back and along your neck,

"J-Jin." Your voice was hoarse from where the bullet had entered your neck and left through the back of it, Jimin was standing beside Soobin and nodded that he was gone.

"Save your voice Y/n," Jin whispered applying pressure to your neck but you shook your head,

"T-Taehyung." You croaked out begging to see him one last time but Mina was clutching onto him terrified something would happen to her next,

"Taehyung! Your wife!" Jin boomed out clearly annoyed at how the man was acting,

"I know it hurts Y/n but you have to hold on okay, Jimin called an ambulance." But he knew there was nothing they could do, your neck was spilling out blood like it was a tap on full.

"I-It doesn't hurt," You whimpered looking at him in the eyes, you were started to see double thanks to the blood loss working its way through your body, a hand was placed over yours and you looked to see Taehyung looking at you. Tears in his eyes as he held onto you,

"It's okay, I'm okay." You whispered to him trying to reassure him that this was fine,

"I-I didn't- I just-" Your hand weakly reached up to cover his mouth and he sighed looking at you.

"You have to hold on okay? We'll get you out of here and back to normal in no time." You shook your head at his words, you knew that you weren't going to make it out of there any time soon so you swallowed the lump in your throat and looked over at Mina.

"L-Love her with everything you've got Taehyung," He shook his head at you, he wasn't about to let you talk about his relationship with Mina as though yours was nothing between you.

"T-Taehyung I can see how much you love her," The bullet wound wasn't burning anymore and you were starting to shiver from the cold you were feeling. Sirens filled the air but your body was starting to go into spasms from the shock you were finally feeling,

"Jin! Do something." But Jin slowly lifted his hands away from your neck when he felt your pulse stop beneath his fingers, he looked at you and your eyes were glazed over.

"She's gone Tae." He whispered looking at Taehyung who was also covered in your blood, Jin began stripping out of his jacket trying to cover you up until the paramedics got to the scene but Taehyung was staring down at your hand that was still locked with his.

"No! No, she's alive!" Mina walked over to him slowly pulling him away from your body so that the paramedics would be able to do their job as soon as they entered the room but there was nothing they or anyone else could do.

"She saved my life!" He yelled throwing his fist into a metal contain nearby, they were out on the bay near their cars while you were being carried out to be taken to a coroner.

"Tae calm down." Mina rubbed his shoulders but he shoved her away, it wasn't her touch that he wanted to comfort her right now. He wanted you to be the one that was comforting him, holding him but you were gone. He was watching you being wheeled into the back of an ambulance.

"FUCK!" He screamed out throwing his fist into the side of the container once more but this time breaking his knuckles, he cried out silently as he clutched his hand in his other one. Still stained in your blood he sobbed dropping to his knees as the ambulance pulled away, everyone gave him space knowing that being around him right now was bad news. He needed time to be alone and go through everything he needed to alone right now. Mina begrudgingly got into the car that Jin was starting up, she didn't want to leave him there to deal with this alone but he needed to in order to get over you.

Tagline: 

@writingdreamsnottragedies​ @snowy-meowl​ @jooniesdarlingdimples​ @lynnthevirgo​ @lyoongx​ @callingmyangel​ @fan-ati--c​ @mitzwinchester​ @rjsmochii​ @kneel-begyourpardon​ @taestannie​ @innersooya​

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

Klaus x Powered Reader

Summary: Reader is part of the umbrella academy but came when they were 12 due to parents needing help for them, ya know controlling powers and whatnot. They can shapeshift into any animal and their senses are heightened n such.

Warnings: bloody, fighting bad guys, bit of Klaus fluff

You know that moment in a movie where they freeze frame and then the character says something like “you’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation.”

Yeah with Klaus you have those moments more times then you could count. In fact, if you had a dollar for every time Klaus has gotten you into a freeze frame moment. (And you’ve thought about this often.)

You could probably afford a real nice apartment with actual food in its fridge. Instead of living at the Academy with some apples and Klaus’ latest alcoholic beverage.

But alas, here you are in a back alley as Klaus’ bodyguard waiting for some Italian mafia members to come get their money that he owes them. Well that’s what you’re assuming but Klaus insists they’re just some moody tough guys. Okay sure.

You watch Klaus as he paces back and forth in front of you counting his cash for about the 50th time in the past 10 minutes.

Klaus stops abruptly and turns to you with a smile, “You know what I love about you, Y/N, every time I think things could get worse I look at your pretty face and I know you got me.”

Sighing in knowing annoyance you look up at him, “Are you short.”

Klaus snorts, “No actually I’m pretty long.” He says with wink.

You look up to the sky trying not to crack, you couldn’t give him the satisfaction even if it was funny, not the time or place. Especially considering his dumbass is short some cash he definitely owes very soon.

You look over to Klaus again and raise an eyebrow.

“Alright how much?”

He twiddles is fingers while avoiding your curious gaze. “Oh you know...a couple hundred or so.”

“So that’s why I’m here, emotional support my ass”, You say rolling your eyes a bit amused nonetheless.

Klaus may be an idiot but he’s funny and kind and you love him. Also you do enjoy beating up gangsters or whoever these thugs of the hour are.

Folding your arms while giving Klaus a smirk you tell him, “Well your friends better get their asses here cause when they do. I’m gonna knock their teeth in for making us wait in this shit ally. I’ve been suppressing the urge to vomit for 10 minutes.”

He nods in agreement, glad you’re not about to rip him a new one for his latest antics.

“Wait, does it really smell that bad, I mean the dumpster is at the other end of the ally.” He says in confusion.

You put your hands on your hips glancing at the dumpster and then focusing on Klaus.

“I’ve got the whole animal kingdom inside me Klaus, I know you can kinda smell that dumpster from here, but listen. For me it’s 1000x worse and let me tell you it doesn’t smell like a bath and body works around here.”

Klaus laughs scratching the back of his head, “Right, right, sorry.”

Suddenly a sketchy looking black car rolls into the ally, coming to a halt as three angry looking men walk out. Clearly hiding something within their coats, the “leader” it seems steps up and speaks.

“You betta have that 1,000 you owe us right fucking now you little theif, I don’t appreciate you takin’ my mother’s gold necklace, rest her soul.” He growls.

Klaus raises his hands up, “Listen buddy, you stole that from your own mother at her funeral...and let me tell you she’s not to happy about it.” He says looking to his left where you assume this guys dead mother is standing.

The bald guy behind him shakes his head and says, “So fuckin what? We needed that shit for other important purposes raccoon eyes.”

Klaus now lost as to where this situation is about to turn looks over at you clearly needing assistance. While mouthing “help me”.

Walking past him you hold your hands up showing you have nothing to hide, “Now that’s not very nice, a real shit personality, your mother would be very disappointed in how you’ve turned out. Cause let’s be honest it’s not like your looks are doing anything for you either.” You say snickering trying to see how they’ll react.

The first guy smirks reaching into his coat to pull out a nasty looking knife. “See this right here, I’m a good old fashioned man, I don’t believe in guns.”

You raise your eyebrows at him, “Oh well in that case we should all be quite relieved then.”

Looking behind him you notice as his two friends pull their own weapons out, which consists of a hammer and some type of meat hook.

“Klaus couldn’t have picked an easier bunch of idiots to fuck up then these psychos.” You thought.

The bald one begins to move brushing past the first guy looking like he’s seeing red.

“Jesus, man I didn’t mean to offend, I’m just making friendly conversation.” You muse.

Baldy begins to charge holding up his hammer ready to strike. “Come here you bitch, that’s my husband you’re talking to.”

He swings as you side step him, tripping him as he falls directly onto the concrete. Conveniently dropping the hammer in the process. Klaus being the ever troublesomely fantastic sidekick, picks up the hammer and throws it at you.

Gripping the hammer tightly, baldy rises from the ground faster then you’d expected mouth bloody and boiling with rage.

But in a hot second his bearded buddy in crime sprints towards you with his meat hook seemingly out of nowhere.

Klaus yells for you to watch out but you didn’t even need to look, this guys heart beat is louder then a firework and you’re faster then a viper, your senses on overload. As you turn around in record time to grab the guys right arm with the meat hook.

With your left hand tight around this guys beefy one you hold on and push his assault giving him more power. Effectively fulfilling your plan and leading the hook right into baldys chest. Who was fortunately running towards you.

A split second later with the hammer in your right hand you swing it forcefully into the guys shins. Hearing a sweet sickly crunch sound and the wild howls protruding from your assailants throat.

“Sorry I didn’t know you were married.”

“Fuck you!” He screams.

You look up hearing the sting of metal being swung in the wind, to see a knife heading straight for your throat.

With lighting reflexes you grab his wrist, the knife inches from your vulnerable skin.

Klaus gasps in the background terrified and relieved at not getting your throat slit.

You turn your fingernails to sharp cat-like claws that dig dangerously into his flesh, causing hot blood to drip out. The man drops the knife and grimaces in pain.

“I don’t know about you but I don’t think my boyfriend owes you three motherfuckers shit.” You growl, eyes beginning to glow an electric blue while the whites of your eyes shift to black, something that happens when you start to use your power.

“Fuck you, and fuck that thieving piece of junky shit crying in the corner.”

Your mood darkens, “Wrong answer.”

Letting go of his bloody wrist you grip his throat with your left hand lifting him off the ground. He begins to choke and struggles against your tight grasp.

“I know you’ve heard of me from other friends of yours, so listen very closely. If you touch Klaus again or anyone else around here who’s just trying to survive in this city. I won’t be so generous next time. Or maybe I should rip your fucking face off right now.” You squeeze tighter drawing blood.

“Y/N.”  Klaus says softly.

“Let’s go home.” He asks with pleading eyes and you snap back to reality smelling the iron scent of blood on your hands.

Sometimes you can get carried away feeling the rush of the hunt, a taxing side affect of your power, one you’ve always struggled to control.

Letting the man go he slumps to the ground coughing and sucking in straggled breaths.

“ Alright, me..me and the boys...won’t do nothing....you have my...my word....no bullshit nothing....I swear.”

“Good cause your friends are gonna need more then some stitches.”

You quickly leave the ally and start walking down the street towards the Academy.

Breathing heavily, you look up at Klaus who’s at your side as you start to feel a bit embarrassed that he saw you lose it a little.

He holds onto your arms stopping you, “Don’t worry, we’ll have a bath and watch some movies...hey you like that Museum one?”

“The Night at the Museum.” You say smiling still feeling off.

Klaus’ face lights up, “Yeah that one, with the big T-Rex skeleton and President Roosevelt on a horse.”

He links your arms together and you both begin walking again.

“Y/N, I’m not afraid of you, you know. I never have been, I actually find it pretty sexy of you to beat up bad guys for me and keep the neighborhood safe-er. Ben thinks so too, minus the sexy part of course. Only I get to enjoy that.”

You relax more into his side and once again start to feel a bit more at ease with yourself.

“Oh wait a second, here put these sunglasses on, your eyes are still playing mood rings with us. Don’t wanna freak out the civilians” He laughs.

“Thanks, I did wonder why that kid back there looked like he just saw a ghost.”

Klaus winks, “Maybe he did, cough cough..Ben...cough cough.”

“You’re an ass.” You say while rolling your eyes

“Yes indeed my love but remember I deal with the supernatural of all sorts, from ghosts to monsters, nothing phases me.” Klaus states proudly.

You laugh, “ Okay Van Helsing, this monster wants a bath with her hunter then.”

Klaus kisses your cheek, “That can be arranged my dear.”

Smiling up at him you hold him tighter and think to yourself how weird your life is, but you wouldn’t change it for anything.

- okay wow alright, first story ever I hope it’s good or at least some people like it. It was honestly fun to write ngl.

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Satisfied, Part 50

First

Previous

Next

~~~

She watched all the chaos unfold below her and cringed internally as her eyes landed on Jason and Penguin.

It was a good matchup in theory: they were the only two using guns as their weapons, while everyone else was using mostly nonlethal weapons (sure, they could all technically beat each other to death, but that was much slower than a gunshot).

But it was still an unfair fight.

Jason was trying to keep bystanders safe, which was considerably harder than taking everyone down with a machine gun; even if most people had the sense to stay out of their way, some were in shock and he was forced to get them out of the line of fire. On top of that, the umbrella Penguin was using was reinforced with some sort of metal, making every shot Jason managed to get off pretty much useless.

She bit down on the inside of her cheek and tore her eyes away. She couldn’t watch them, she needed to wait until someone on the Rogue side went down before she intervened. Then she could drop the transformation without suspicion and go down as Ladybug. Just a little bit longer, Duke and Cass were making quick work of Scarecrow --.

And then Jason’s corner went still.

Her eyes snapped back to see what had happened. Her face drained of color. Jason had been shot, if the way he was clutching his stomach on the ground was any indication. Penguin advanced on him slowly, as if he had all the time in the world.

Marinette bit the inside of her cheek.

Please please please someone win please --.

He raised his umbrella to Jason’s head.

She covered her eyes with her hands. She didn’t want to see, even if it would be pretty difficult to from so far away.

Beep!

His comm had stopped transmitting.

A strangled cry escaped her lips as tears threatened to blur her vision. She wiped her eyes with one hand, and the other dipped into her pockets for the final miraculous she’d brought along.

Marinette pulled it over her head. “Tikki, Kaalki, Trixx, unify.”

She had brought the flute to her lips before the transformation had even ended. White light swirled around her and she looked down at herself. Good, she looked solely like Ladybug, no hint of the other costumes in sight outside of the necklace and mask. That was fine. They wouldn’t notice.

She attached the flute to her back and pulled out her yoyo, power and adrenaline surging through her veins.

“Lucky charm,” she said softly, and a pistol was dropped into her hands.

She attached it to her belt to make sure it didn’t drop and then hooked her yoyo on a streetlamp. She vaulted herself off the roof, a tiny whoop leaving her throat as she swung her way down.

Her foot connected with Penguin’s chest and she heard a loud crunch as he was launched back into a wall. She smiled faintly at the way the stone cracked around him.

He slunk to the ground slowly.

She hummed lightly, pulling her yoyo tight. The streetlamp buckled under the force and then snapped, crashing down on the already cracked walls. She smiled brightly as it crumbled. People nearby began rushing out into the streets.

She noticed movement out of the corner of her eyes.

Marinette turned her gaze on Penguin again. He was conscious, surprisingly, though badly hurt. He was crawling out from under the rubble, using the hook of his umbrella to drag himself out.

She hooked her yoyo around his umbrella and pulled it out of his hands. A humorless laugh escaped her as his shoulders slackened, a silent ‘oh I’m screwed I give up’. She weighed the umbrella in her hands and tipped her head to the side.

She walked over slowly and pressed the umbrella to his back. She didn’t exactly know how to use it, she’d never touched a machine gun before, but she’d certainly figure it out.

He was shaking, she noted, and quite badly. Crying, actually, if the muffled sobs were anything to go by. He looked quite pitiful like that -- face buried in the grass, covered in rubble and dust.

She looked at the gun in her hands and hummed lightly, wondering if it was just a normal point-and-shoot. One way to find out --.

A hand rested on her shoulder and she turned to see Damian. She raised her eyebrow at him.

He reached out and tugged on her mask and she let him pull her glasses off. The portals flickered and faded. Somewhere in the courtyard, Catwoman cursed as her stolen weapon disappeared.

She looked back down at Penguin, at the loaded umbrella in her hands, and tensed. “I…” She swallowed thickly. “I don’t know what came over me,” She lied. She quickly peeled off her necklace as well and set it and the glasses in an empty pocket of her utility belt. “Sorry.”

She didn’t even know who she was apologizing to.

Marinette looked down at the umbrella in her hands and snapped it in two. She tossed the pieces aside.

She and Damian dragged him out from under the rubble as a team and she looked down at Penguin. After a moment’s thought, she stepped on his face, reveling a little bit too much in the way his long, crooked nose crunched under her foot.

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Damian. “Think he’s out enough?”

“Probably. I’ll cuff him. Can you…” He glanced back at Jason and winced. “... help him?”

She nodded slightly, her hand going to the lucky charm she’d summoned. She looked at the pistol and winced lightly. She hadn’t really thought about what she’d wanted, just summoned the first thing that she’d thought of. It was the same model Jason had given her a while back. She ran her thumb along the barrel, biting the inside of her cheek.

“Miraculous Ladybug.”

Ladybugs swirled around the courtyard, but she only found herself caring about one part.

She was at Jason’s side in seconds, checking him over. Sure, the ladybugs would have gotten rid of all the injuries, but she couldn’t help but stress a little.

He gave her a weak smile, reaching up and patting her face. “Y’know, Mari, I think Dami and I are hogging all the deaths. We should share more.”

She gave a quiet laugh, because she knew that was what he was looking for, and pressed a short kiss to his cheek. They couldn’t afford to ‘waste’ much more time, but she would make sure to talk to him about it later if he wanted.

She smiled. “You’re on civvie duty.”

“You’re benching me?” He asked incredulously as she helped him up.

“Yup. Now, go.”

He stuck his tongue out at her and she grinned, then turned back to Damian. She sent him a tiny wink.

“Ready?”

They looked around carefully from their spot by the gate. Harley had been taken down by Damian before he had come over. Bruce was pretty close to pinning Catwoman down. Cass and Duke were high-fiving over Scarecrow, who was bound under their feet. Tim and Dick were fighting off Poison Ivy. Chloe was helping Jason get any stragglers out of danger.

The partners frowned at each other.

“Where’s…?” Damian began, but he trailed off. His eyes widened, focused on a spot over her shoulder, and she turned around to what was going on.

A needle pricked the side of her neck and a curse slipped from her lips. Even with her blurred vision, she could make out the green and black suit.

Riddler.

She didn’t even notice she’d passed out until she woke up, groaning to herself as she peeled her eyes open. She looked down at the damp floors and frowned, her brain struggling to catch up.

She slowly brought her hands to her eyes to try and wake herself up, only to hear a clanking sound. She looked at her wrists and blinked a few times as the shackles came into view. She tugged on her wrists, trying to slip her hands through, but to no avail. Then she noticed something else.

She wasn’t in her suit.

She snapped to attention, her eyes darting around wildly to take everything in. She was in what seemed to be a well, the moonlight above them the only thing keeping them from total darkness. A few feet away, Damian was in the same position as she was: costumeless and in chains.

She realized he was still unconscious and sighed. “DAMI!” She hissed, kicking his leg.

His head shot up and he looked at her for a minute, blinking a bit, then he frowned. “Where…?”

“Riddler got us.”

He groaned and rested his head back against the wall. “Kwamis, damn it.”

“Hello!” Said a voice from above. They looked up to see Riddler leaning over the rim. “Welcome to your escape room! You’re both a little short for this ride, but don’t worry! Together you’re just the right height!”

She and Damian met each other’s eyes before looking back up.

“You have everything you need for one of you to escape!”

They frowned at each other and then looked down for something they could use. Between them was a rock. Great. How useful.

Water crashed down on them and they gasped at the sudden rush of cold, leaning forward as far as they could to get away from it. They knocked heads and cursed, but continued to stay curled towards each other to avoid getting soaked right off the bat.

After a little bit the water slowed, but it was still rising way too steadily for either of their likings.

“You have exactly thirty minutes! Good luck!”

~~~

Jason the plant died and I was like ‘I made a promise’ but then I felt bad so ummmmmm

~

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<3

[holdin-out-for-a-hero]

Desperate Measures- Carlos Oliveira X Reader

Warnings: slightly graphic, lots of blood talk

A/N: The lack of Carlos content on my own blog was disturbing, so I had to fix it. I’ve got a few more ideas for him as well! Also, I’m no medical professional, this may not be completely accurate.

The pain was burning, searing at your side like nothing you had felt before. You had trouble focusing on it though, on anything at all, because the loss of blood had made you lightheaded. You didn't want to die, not like this. Not when you were so close to making it out alive.

To think, in a city infested with flesh-hungry zombies, you were going to die by gunshot. Oh, the irony. Carlos's superior, Nicholai you think, 'accidentally' shot you instead of the zombie a few feet to your right. That was BS, and you knew it. You were there with Jill when he took out one of his own, surely he’d have no problem taking out you too.

Somehow, despite the pain, you managed to kill the creature that was after you. Nicholai was no help. He left you, all alone, hiding from the undead with a bullet in your side. Thank God Carlos had found you when he did, you didn't think you'd make it much longer if he hadn't.

The hands tending to your wound pushed down harder to slow the blood pouring out of your side, causing you to curse in pain.

"Could you be any more gentle?" You groaned. Carlos let out a breath he was holding; it had been a while since you last spoke and he was getting a little worried.

"Sorry, but we’ve got to stop the bleeding," was all he said. He was too focused on the task at hand to think of anything witty.

You didn't respond, because if you did, it would be something unintentionally mean and you didn't want to be an ass to the man who was saving your life.

For now, you focused on your breathing. In, hold, and out. In, hold, and out. Just like your therapist had taught you. You were gonna be ok, right? He was gonna save you... right?

You shook those thoughts away. Of course he was. And then you were gonna shoot Nicholai in the dick. You smiled at the mental image.

"I'm gonna lift your shirt up, is that ok?" He asked.

"Now is not the time to be respectful, Carlos," And there you were, being mean to the man who was saving your life.

He didn’t seem phased, though. He laughed, peeling up the bloody fabric from your skin. His hand stopped just above the wound, and upon looking at it, he shuddered. It didn't look good. You were losing a lot of blood, and it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. He needed to find a way to stop the bleeding, and fast.

Racking his brain for any solutions, he remembered something he was taught during his guerrilla days, way before he was recruited by umbrella. But it was a pretty drastic procedure, only to be used in dire circumstances. He looked back at your wound, watching the blood pool around his fingers. These were dire circumstances.

Looking down the alleyway, a fire engulfed one of your only exits. That would work for a heat source. Now all he needed was something metal. He pulled out his knife, still shiny and unused.

"How good are you with pain?" He asked.

"Why? What are you gonna do?" He didn’t respond at first. He kept looking at his blade, at your wound, and then to the fire. “Carlos, answer me!”

"I'm gonna cauterize your wound."

You had a vague idea of what that was, and the mere thought of it made you queasy. But you couldn't protest, you knew you wouldn't make it if he didn't do something drastic. You were already starting to feel dizzy from the lack of blood.

Carlos made his way to the fire and placed his blade into the flame, waiting for the metal to glow with its own heat. The crackling embers radiated across his hand, an almost unbearable sensation. He hesitated before taking the blade out, though; for when he did, he would have to press it onto your wound right away. He really didn’t want to do it, but he also didn’t want you to die.

"You got something to bite on?" He asked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" You replied. He smiled, for even in dire circumstances, you had the same attitude he had grown to love. He’d only known you for a few hours, but he knew that he wanted to keep in touch after this was over. Whether it was just as friends or something more. But in order for that to be a possibility, he’d have to really hurt you to save your life. Maybe this would make for a great story in a couple years, if you ever talked to him again after this.

He had a handkerchief with him, he realized, and with his other hand, he tossed it to you.

"You're gonna need it to bite on.”

Taking the blade from out of the fire, he approached your crumpled form. Your eyes met with the hot metal, widening at its dull glow. This was gonna hurt like hell, and you knew it. Rolling up the handkerchief, you placed it between your teeth. Still, you couldn’t keep your eyes off of the hot metal. The breath work you had just done was for nothing, because the object in his hands made your heart race and breath heavy.

"Hey, don't look at it. Look at me. Look into my eyes," Carlos said, and you did as you were told. He smiled at you, "They're dreamy, aren't they?"

Before you had a chance to scoff or laugh, the scalding piece of metal made contact with your skin and you cried out in pain. It had only touched your skin for a second before he removed it, but then he pressed into your skin again.

He continued this process a few more times, and it felt like each time was more painful than the previous. You couldn't handle it, there wasn't even enough time in between each contact for you to take an adequate breath and brace yourself. Tears pricked your eyes and your jaw was sore from biting down so hard. And though Carlos tried to comfort you, distract you from the pain with his words, you couldn’t ever listen to what he was saying anymore. Your dizziness was getting much worse now, as brown clouds settled over your vision; you couldn’t make out Carlos’s face anymore.

"It's almost over, Y/N. I'm almost done," Carlos reassured, making sure you kept eye contact with him. He noticed your eyes glazing over, though.

He peaked down at your wound, and with one more pulse of the knife, the wound was scabbed over. He put the knife down and looked back up at your face.

Upon seeing your eyes closed and head rolled to the side, his heart skipped a beat. He put his two fingers up to your neck. There was a pulse, thank God.

"Just scare the hell out of me, y/n," he said to himself.

Your face, though scarily pale, looked peaceful, Carlos thought. A few stands of hair stuck to your sweaty forehead, and he gently pushed them away.

"You're gonna be just fine." The words fell off of his tongue, though he knew you wouldn't hear it.

With the wound cauterized, he had to clean it up or else risk infection. With the first aid supplies he carried on him, he disinfected your wound and wiped your abdomen clean of dried blood. Then, he made quick work applying gauze to your stomach and then wrapping your side up in bandages.

You still hadn't stirred, and he just had to check your pulse one last time. Feeling the heartbeat under his fingertips, he gave a satisfied sigh, before slumping next to you against the brick wall.

He sat there a few minutes, listening to the crackling of the fire and the distant groans of the undead. Though it was nice to take a breather, he knew he wasn’t safe here. You weren’t safe either, and you were in no shape to fight off the creatures that filled the streets.

“Where’s Jill?” You asked. You had just regained consciousness, and your voice was rough and weak. He looked over his shoulder at you, taking your hand and squeezing it.

“Don’t worry, I’m gonna find her. I promise,” he said, “But let’s get you out of here first.”

He got to his knees, pressing and holding down the button on his radio.

“Tyrell, you still alive?” Carlos asked.

“Somehow,” a voice came through the static.

“Meet me up at the hospital. You’ve got some babysitting to do.”

“Babysitting?”

“Yeah. But I don’t think you’ll mind watching this lovely lady.”

“Is it Y/N? Is she ok?”

“She’s not doing to hot. Look, I’ll tell you more when we meet up.”

“Ok. Meet you there.”

Carlos let go of his radio, looking back at you. A pained expression graced your face as you fought back tears. The burn he gave you was still excruciatingly painful.

He moved to your side, sliding his arms under your knees and back, before picking you up with a groan.

“Tyrell’s gonna take good care of you, Y/N. Don’t worry,” he said, adjusting you in his arms so that he wouldn’t be aggravating your wound,

“How are you feeling right now?”

“Like hell.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

In your half-alert state, you found yourself curling into Carlos’s warm torso. You were so, so cold, probably because of the blood loss, and too out of it to be embarrassed. Carlos noticed it too, how frigid your skin felt against his own, and pulled you a little tighter into his chest.

“You owe me a drink after this,” your words slurred together a little. Carlos may have stopped the bleeding, but he was still scared to death of your current state.

“It’s a date then,” he said. Though he was worried for you, he didn’t let that show in his demeanor or in the tone of his voice. Because you didn’t need to see that. He didn’t want you to worry either.

With you in his arms, he looked around the corner and onto the Main Street. Bodies swayed under the city’s fluorescent lights, some groaning and dragging themselves along the concrete. At the very edge of the horizon he spotted the hospital. And to get there, he’d have to get past all the bodies. His hands were full, there was no way to use his weapons. That meant he could only rely on speed to make it there in one piece. This was going to be fun.

[angst-fairygodmother]

Light Fingers (The Umbrella Academy)

Diego’s vigilantism brings him repeatedly across the path of a young cat burglar. But as he finds himself developing feelings for the thief, he begins to wonder if there’s more to her than meets the eye, and whether they’re really on opposite sides. And as their relationship deepens, it brings with it a plot involving his estranged adopted father, and threatens to destroy all of them.

CHAPTER 8: TIRELESS

Word Count: 2347 Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Reader Rating: E Content Warnings: canon-typical violence, unprotected sex, public sex Cross-posted to AO3: here

Previous Chapter: Heist, Heist Baby || Masterlist

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

The source of the scream, it turned out, was a young woman a few blocks away, surrounded and being menaced by three local goons. You looked at Diego, who nodded, miming that you should circle around to one side and he would go the other. The pair of you moved in an unpracticed but smooth synchronicity as you circled the would-be attackers and then struck. 

In a blink, Diego had pinned one assailant in a headlock, slowly crushing his windpipe until he passed out and lowering him to the ground. You focused the light you had been gathering into as fine a point as you could, searing the second man and causing him to cry out, doubling over in pain. Turning sharply to face the third man, you watched out of the corner of your eye as the woman looked between the men and you and Diego, gave another short shriek, and ran off.

The last of the ruffians charged at you only to be cut off by Diego stepping into his path and tripping him, sending him sprawling. He rolled deftly back to his feet and swung a wild haymaker at Diego, who dodged. Fairly sure he could handle himself, you turned yourself back to the man you burned, seizing his arm roughly, fingers digging into some of the injuries you’d already caused and making him yelp as you twisted it behind him to keep him from rejoining the fray. 

“Shit luck man,” you mocked as you leaned out of range of the half-hearted thrashing of his head and shoulders. 

“I’ve got a pretty bitch pinning me down,” he sneered. “I’m still in a better position than your friend.”

You rolled your eyes on instinct, before letting your attention turn back to the combat, doubt creeping cold across your neck. Your heart lurched in your throat as you watched the other man not only hold his own against Diego, but actually get in a couple of solid, painful looking hits. Diego stumbled back a couple of steps, movements more sluggish than they should have been. Diego swung, missing wide and opening himself up to a sharp jab to the stomach. He doubled over; his opponent took another swing, catching the side of Diego’s head as he struggled to straighten.

You called on your power again, flickering the lights at the head of the alley, hoping it caught Diego’s attention enough to hint at what you were planning. You watched him only narrowly dodge again and decided that it didn’t matter as much as putting an end to the fight as soon as possible. Quickly you flicked the light forward in a blinding flash, watching Diego duck his head away while his opponent shouted and threw up his hands, rubbing at his eyes. Taking advantage of the moment, Diego swept his legs out from under him and sent him sprawling.

Unfortunately, you were too focused on their fight, and the man you had incapacitated took advantage of the moment and his larger size to throw you off. For a split second he had you pinned to the ground, alcohol-laced breath hot and sour on your face before he thought better of whatever he might do and shoved instead, battering you against the uneven pavement and climbing to his feet. Grabbing his compatriots, the first one just now stirring and the third still blind, he took off running. 

As soon as they had disappeared, you and Diego rushed to each other. He clutched at you, hands and eyes roaming in search of injury. 

“Diego, relax,” you murmured, running a soothing hand over his cheek, careful to avoid the areas that already looked puffy and like they might bruise. “I’m okay. I’m more worried about you.”

“Me?” he asked, frowning, aggravating the small split in his eyebrow. “Why would you be worried about me?”

You gave him a disbelieving look. He chuckled. 

“It takes more than a few hits to hurt me,” he insisted. 

“Right, that’s why I just had to save you before he handed you your ass,” you scoffed. 

He opened his mouth to protest, reconsidering when he caught sight of the slight frown creasing your brow. He pulled you into a hug, arms wrapped tightly around you and pinning you flush against him. You buried your face in his neck, comforted by his hold on you, arms sliding up under his to splay across his back.

“I promise,” he murmured against the top of your head. “I’m alright. Are you?”

You took a deep breath, shuddering slightly as you tried to calm your still racing heart. “Yeah. Yeah I’m good, now.”

Diego slipped one hand under your chin, turning your face up to kiss you. His thumb stroking lightly across your jaw, he slowly deepened the kiss as you gave way before him, giving in to his every touch and action. He kissed you like he was trying to consume you, and you returned it with wholehearted willingness to let him. 

Tugging you gently further into the alleyway, he toyed with the edge of your shirt, making you gasp as the pads of his thumb skimmed over your bare skin. The fire his touch lit drove you with a need for more, to be closer, to surrender further. You needed to feel him, to know that he was there: real and solid and safe and yours.

Shifting your grasp so one hand clung to his shoulder and the other hooked around his neck, you lifted a leg and wrapped it around his hips, dragging your clothed core across the growing bulge in his pants in the process. Smirking, he slid one hand down to your ass, supporting your weight so you could jump up, effectively straddling his waist in this standing position and creating even more friction between you. His free hand found its way into your hair, tugging gently to angle your head in exactly the way he wanted. 

“Y/N,” he breathed, trailing his lips along your jaw, seeking out the point that made you cry out and focusing his attention there.

“I need you, Diego,” you begged, rolling your hips slowly against him. 

He pulled back to meet your eyes. “Are you sure?”

You fell silent for a moment, just trying to focus on what you were feeling. Any hesitation you’d had before was gone, replaced by that overwhelming desire. You wanted this. You wanted him, more than anyone else in your life. 

“Yes,” you murmured, nodding. “Absolutely sure.”

“Right now?”

“It’s not like there’s anyone else around…”

He smiled. “Your wish is my command,” he hummed, leaning in to kiss you again, even more passionately than before, if that were possible. 

Moving steadily, he brought you to rest on the rungs of a fire escape ladder, the metal cold against your back. Your balance more stable against the fixture, Diego’s hand was free to trail across your hip and down between the two of you to deftly open your pants. You gasped as his fingers glided over your skin, lifting your hips to assist him in sliding your jeans down your legs. 

You brushed your lips along his jaw, placing little kisses as you made your way to the sensitive spot behind his ear, sucking and nipping at it to draw out a needy moan. You whined as his hand slipped beneath the cotton of your underwear, quickly finding your clit. Dropping your hands from around his neck you unbuttoned his pants, unceremoniously shoving them, and his boxers with them, downward.

“Shit,” he breathed, continuing lower to tease your folds. “You’re so wet. Is all this for me baby?”

“Diego, please,” you begged, voice muffled against his skin. You bucked against his touch, needing more, needing him. 

“Say it, Y/N,” he growled. “I need you to say it.” 

You bit your lip, leaning in to make sure your lips brushed the shell of his ear. “Fuck me, Diego. Please.”

No more words needed to be exchanged. Diego locked eyes with you for a moment, some unfathomable tenderness in his gaze despite the situation. Then, with one hand cupping the back of your neck, he pulled you into a kiss at the same time his other hand moved your panties to the side so he could enter you. 

You keened against his lips, legs squeezing tighter around his waist as he slowly bottomed out inside you. He returned his hands to your ass and lower back, supporting you away from the rusted metal beneath you. Your hands clawed and gripped at his back, arms, shoulders, neck, anywhere you could, desperately seeking purchase as he increased his pace and you met thrust with counterthrust, rutting against each other and chasing your highs. His mouth was hot and insistent on yours, tongues tangling together, hungrily swallowing down gasps and moans. 

As he backed off to breathe, you couldn’t help but stare at him, silhouetted above you in the pink, dawning sky. 

The world felt like it was spinning, hurdling at impossible speeds and only his touch anchored you. 

“Oh fu--,” you mewled, unable to finish the exclamation as your orgasm shattered through you, toes curling in your boots and his name cried out, uncaring of the volume. 

Your body’s reaction, tensing and jerking against him, muscles gripping and fluttering, and the sound of his name screamed that way made him groan. His fingers dug bruisingly into your skin as he gave a few final, sharp thrusts before pulling out completely, spilling himself on the ground. 

You both practically collapsed against the ladder, gasping for breath and trying to pull yourselves back together. 

“That was…” Diego started, trailing off as he looked at you, flushed and panting and disheveled beneath him. 

“Amazing?” you finished, smiling dazedly up at him, running your fingers over his neck and the marks your nails had left there. 

He chuckled, nodding in agreement before heaving himself up and offering you a hand. You shivered, feeling the cool air rush over your heated skin where contact was lost. You let him pull you to your feet and the pair of you quickly dressed, righting yourselves as best you could. 

“We should…get out of here,” he murmured, even as he pulled you close to kiss you softly again. 

“Mhm, probably for the best. We’ve caused quite a bit of chaos in the neighborhood,” you laughed, lacing fingers with his and scooping up your bag. 

You leaned against his arm as you walked, one might even call it strolled, toward where you had left the car. You felt light, like you couldn’t possibly be happier if you tried. For all that the night had started out a mess - and you fully intended to investigate how things in the warehouse had gone so sideways - it was ending better than you could have dreamed.

“Back to yours?” Diego asked when you both climbed into the car. 

A sudden idea flashed in your mind, and you shrugged, deciding to just go for it. You could always play it off as a joke when it didn’t fly.

“We could,” you said, the tone of your voice making him turn to you, catching the mischievous glint in your eye.

“You have something else in mind?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“It’s totally stupid, but I was thinking…”

You took a deep breath and explained your thought process, closing your eyes until you were done so that you couldn’t be stopped short by his reaction. You loved him. You had been in love with him for a while and had just been too scared to say it. You wanted to tell the world. You wanted him, for now, forever, for as long as he’d have you. You trusted him, beyond reason or logic. There was no one else you had ever felt like this about, and you were sure that there never would be. 

“I know it’s nuts, and makes no sense, and we don’t have to do it, I just...it suddenly hit me so I thought I’d say it.” You kept your eyes pinched shut, afraid of what you’d see when you opened them, expecting it to be horror or fear or judgment. 

“Y/N,” he murmured, catching your chin again. “Look at me?”

“I’d rather not. The darkness is much better, easier to wallow in shame for my stupid, impulsive mouth.” You laughed, the sound strangled and bordering on desperate.

“Please, baby?”

The pleading in his tone was too much to resist and slowly you cracked first one eye open and then the other. The total love and devotion and trust in his eyes as he stared back sent your world spinning again. 

“Are you serious about this?” he asked. 

“I…” you opened your mouth, trying to force out a denial so that you could both laugh it off as a joke and go home, never to discuss it. But you couldn’t. Because you were serious, and you were sure. 

“Yes,” you answered sheepishly, cheeks heated in a blush. 

He smiled, slowly creeping across his face until he practically glowed. “Then let’s do it.”

Your heart leapt, dancing wildly in your chest, composing a whole ballet in an instant. You smiled back.

“We’ll need to pick up a few things, and I have to call in a favor,” you said slowly, carefully calculating all of the necessary details, stomach turning giddily.

Diego started the car, slowly driving away from the warehouses and deserted buildings, headed back for the center of the city, one hand still laced in yours as he drove.

“So let’s split up,” he suggested, “and meet back at the park under the gazebo in...how much time do you need?”

“It shouldn’t take more than an hour, if things are open and we don’t have to do any waiting. And if we’ve got spare time, maybe we could find something a little nicer to change into than,” you gestured to what the pair of you were wearing, now looking rather worn from the busy night’s work. 

“Alright,” he said, “what’s my shopping list?”

[themangledsans0508]

Entering the Dungeon because Bonnie said so

Read on Ao3

Summary: Marceline came to Bonnie's aide when she called for Finn and Jake. She didn't expect to be going down a hundred floors while dealing with a shady princess.

Basically, I played Enter the Dungeon over the past two weeks and I have been writing this since the second night of playtime. Trying to write things before I forget them and it is following the canon of the game with some creative liabilities taken.

Words: 3616, Oneshot

Warnings: General Depictions of Violence

Characters: Bonnibel Bubblegum, Marceline Abadeer, Flame Princess

Ships: bubbline

Additional Tags: quests, dungeons, childhood trauma, swearing, adventure, conflict, kind of resolved kind of not, I feel like marcy and phoebe would have a neat dynamic, I've never seen them interact so, some of these scenes were legit my reaction, see: screaming

"Well, it looks like Ice King will be hanging around the Candy Kingdom now," Bonnie sighed. Marceline glanced at the dark entrance to the dungeon and shrugged.

"It's better than down there. At least up here, he can't get hurt," she decided. Bonnie looked at the hole as well and then back to Marceline.

"Marcy, I think you should let the boys handle this one," she stated seriously. Marceline shifted the umbrella in her grip and unfolded her legs to touch the ground.

"Why? I'll be fine."

"Well, asides from the fact that you have been returning up here frequently covered in wounds and the fact that Death is seemingly hunting you down, those aren't just any ancient ruins down there."

"How bad can it be?"

"Mushroom war. If my associations are correct from the information you've given me, then the same city you used to live in” Marceline stiffened. "Finn and Jake can deal with this, you just take a breather, okay?"

"No," Marceline shook her head. "I can take care of it. Just some old relics, nothing a woman like me can't face." Bonnie eyed her warily.

"If you're sure," she said slowly. "Please be careful."

"Send me down, Bonnibel."

~

"What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck!" Marceline shrieked.

"Marcy are you okay?" Bonnie's crackly voice asked, her projection appearing from the holo-pendant. Marceline leaned against the stone wall, her breathing heavy staring at her punctured legs that were bleeding.

"Just fine," she said sarcastically. "Almost got staked by some rusty metal pipes. Bonnie, this is post-war technology. What did you do?"

"I have important research down there, I had to defend it at least a little bit."

"The thousands of lost souls weren't enough?"

“It’s to protect it from them,” Bonnie snapped. “If these criminals got their hands on it, the Candy Kingdom would be in danger.”

“Oh, yeah, if the political prisoners found evidence you were a corrupt leader then you’d be overthrown.”

“It’s a real threat!” Marceline rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. I wished my healing worked down here.”

“Bodily magic doesn’t work because some of those creatures down there have natural magical prowess.”

“Too bad that there are tons of magic weapons down here.” The spikes retreated and Marceline pushed herself up, floating slowly around with her axe prone and ready. “What about the plants?”

“They’ve mutated to become immune to the limitation,” Bonnie explained.

“Speaking of plants, there’s one now.”

~

Marceline felt the wind leave her body as she was knocked against the wall, the deer’s antlers puncturing her legs and it licked her.

“Gross! Back off!” She kicked the deer’s underbelly and pushed it off her, slamming her axe down on the deer’s neck. She shakily stood up and was grabbed, a muzzle rubbing against her neck. She hissed as she felt new instincts override her other ones. She pushed herself up and slid under the wolf, standing up to hit it with the neck of her bass causing it to recoil. She slashed across its chest and took a deep breath, stumbling towards the stairwell.

She watched as a green portal opened and Death stepped out, a brown satchel on his waist and he tipped his cap towards her.

“I see you,” he said and Marceline braced herself, taking in the area and how much space she had. She dashed to the left and hugged the wall, growling when she felt skeletal fingers wrap around her forearm. She was jerked backwards and she felt Death’s skull touch her cheek. She could practically feel the energy drained from her as she struggled before she finally got her arm out of his grasp.

She dived for the stairs and fell down them, at the bottom turning back to look. Death stood at the top and made finger guns towards her.

“Kiss of Death, baby.”

“Fuck you,” Marceline hissed.

~

“Bonnibel, how did you get lava down there,” Marceline asked as she watched the wounds heal. Bonnie handed her a vial of a purple liquid that she drank, whatever cursed her fading away.

“Various tunnels and educated usage of pressure and-”

“It was more rhetorical. But I did get burned. And stabbed. And shot. And kissed without my consent.”

“What? Who kissed you?” Bonnie exclaimed.

“Death. He was blocking the stairs so I tried to duke him but he caught me. I did manage to get down the stairs though.” Marceline tapped her cheek in the spot that Bonnie assumed she was kissed. “Good thing I’m already dead.”

“Death shouldn’t be hanging around in the dungeon,” Bonnie muttered. “It’s interfering with the mortal realm and not allowing the natural flow to keep order.”

“Well, you’re throwing people in a dungeon and barring magic. That messes with the natural flow,” Marceline pointed out.

“Shut up,” Bonnie snapped. “Have you found any signs of the hoomans?”

“None. I’m going to head back down though, I’ll find them.” Bonnie grabbed her wrist and locked eyes with her.

“Marceline, you’re getting close to a bad place. A place that you were nine-hundred ninety-nine years ago. I really think you should stay up here this time."

"Bonnibel, it will be fine. Send me down."

~

Marceline stared at the ruined food truck, a flood of emotions overwhelming her. She listened to the sea of growling and heard a soft humming mixed in. She picked up a rock and threw it at the truck, the old voice box still working. The red siren turned on, illuminating the maze in red light. Her breathing became unsteady and rapid when the oozers began to glow, and she spotted a hooman among them. The hooman saw her as well and started happily skipping towards her.

She took out her axe and started swinging at the oozers, their green insides spilling out onto the ground. When the hooman was close enough, she grabbed her wrist and bolted, bringing her to the fence and kicking open the gate. She looked over at Susan’s grateful face and to the entrance of the maze and sighed.

“I’m booked for this, aren’t I?”

~

“Marceline! Marceline are you okay?” Bonnie grabbed her arm and started looking over her body, circling her and checking over the exposed skin and where the clothes were ripped.

“Bonnie, I’m fine. I can’t believe they’re still down there.” Bonnie stopped and stepped back.

“I couldn’t get rid of them. If that green goop even touches you that’s it. I just thought if I buried them then that would be the end of it. How the hoomans even got down there I don’t know.”

“Probably something to do with that buff cat chick,” Marceline jabbed her thumb towards Susan.

“Maybe. I’ll ask her later. But Marcy, that one got really dicey. Everyone made it out safely, but you almost didn’t. That swarm could have easily overwhelmed you. Can you please let Finn and Jake take care of this? I really don’t want you to get hurt.”

“And I don’t want them to get hurt,” Marceline mumbled. “I’m the best choice for this. I can teleport back to the surface, I know how to fight, I’ve been in all these places before. Plus I can literally eat the red bullets.”

“If you insist,” Bonnie sighed. She pulled her necklace and started fiddling with it. “What floor?”

~

“Marce, that one was close. This is the seventh time,” Bonnie scolded. Marceline shrugged and leaned on her.

“I’m exhausted,” she complained. “Magic Man hit me with some bullshit.”

“A strength-sapping spell,” Bonnie murmured. She pulled a herb out of her bag and placed it on top of Marceline’s head. “Stand still,” she instructed and counted under her breath before removing it. “You need to rest for at least three hours.”

“No,” she slurred, backing up and swaying on her feet. “I can keep going. I just…” She started falling forward and Bonnie caught her, sighing.

“Will you just go take a nap or something?” she asked. Marceline groaned.

“Don’t let anyone else go in there. I can deal with this myself,” she ordered and Bonnie pushed her back, keeping one hand on Marceline’s shoulder and crossing over her chest.

“Cross my heart,” Bonnie smiled. Marceline raised her umbrella in the air.

“I am going to the corner,” she announced and wandered off towards Choose Goose.

~

“Marceline, things are looking really dangerous. You keep having to retreat back up here,” Bonnie said softly. Marceline shrugged.

“Whatever, I’m still making it out,” she stated. Bonnie crossed her arms.

“You almost aren’t,” Bonnie scolded. “Do you want some help?”

“Bonnibel Bubblegum fighting in a dungeon? I don’t know.” Bonnie rolled her eyes.

“No, a token per se. Something that’ll protect you.” Marceline shook her head aggressively.

“No. I don’t need any help. None! Send me down!”

“If you say so,” Bonnie sighed.

~

“Will you accept my offer now?” Bonnie asked, placing her hands on her hips. Marceline put a hand on her forehead and clenched her jaw.

“Fine. Yes. What do you have.”

“Pep-but! Grab the sweater!” Bonnie called. Peppermint Butler came running with a knitted pink sweater folded in his arms. “Thanks, Peps. Marcy, arms up.” She took the sweater from his arms and held it. Marceline used her free hand to motion towards herself.

“Umbrella.”

“You have telekinesis.”

“Oh, yeah.” She let the umbrella float above her slightly higher and she raised her arms. Bonnie slid it carefully over her head and adjusted her collar. Marceline scratched at it.

“This is tight, Bons,” Marceline complained. Bonnie smiled shyly.

“It’s made of the strongest magic out there,” she said quietly. Marceline quirked an eyebrow.

“O-kay. I thought you thought magic was a sham.” She tugged at the hem of it and frowned, her eyes narrowing at Bonnie. “Why can’t I take it off?”

“Well, you see, I had a feeling you might try to take it off, and for your own safety, I may have had it engineered so that you couldn’t take it off until you were in a sound state. Since you’re going back in, it recognizes that you are going to be in harm’s way.”

“I should have known there’d be a catch,” Marceline grumbled.

“It’s in your best interest,” Bonnie stated.

“That doesn’t make it right. Look, I’m just going back down. I’m getting to the bottom of this.”

~

Marceline carefully pulled the pink sweater over her head and slid it over the umbrella handle.

“I’m not putting that back on,” she growled and sighed. “Everything is covered in your gum down there, you’ve been having fun without me? And since when did you have a giant pink cat thing and a huge gryphon eagle thing?”

“Goliad and Stormo? I’m glad they’re still balancing each other out.”

“I’m not getting an explanation? I should’ve expected that.”

“Also, I’m sorry but your corner is occupied now. I thought you could all use a break from the dungeon and while you may not enjoy the opportunity, the Nightosphere offered a challenge for anyone who felt so inclined. Maybe while everyone does that you can rest?”

“Why are you pushing me to slow down? I’m in my groove right now. You’re not my mom,” Marceline snapped.

“I’m not trying to be your mom! I care about you and I’m worried you’re pushing yourself too hard!”

“Well geez, it’s nice of you to care after all this time! I know my limits! I’ll show you! I’m going to the Nightosphere!”

“Marceline!”

“Don’t come after me,” she snapped and stalked off. Bonnie hugged herself and grimaced.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

~

“Are you going to calm down now?” Bonnie asked. Marceline kicked the dirt angrily.

“No. But I think I give up for now. That whole jam is ridiculous. There’s so much going on at once. I think the normal chaos is what I prefer right now. You know, I think it’d be cool if you came down too.” Bonnie shifted uncomfortably.

“Someone needs to stand guard here.” Marceline motioned towards the banana guards to either side.

“Found two,” she pointed out.

“It has to be me,” Bonnie insisted. She leaned over and whispered so only Marceline could hear. “You know how incompetent these guys can be.”

“Whatever you say P-Bubs.”

~

“So, how’d Flame Princess get locked down there, in the lab that belongs to you trapped in a machine you made.” Bonnie shrugged.

“No idea.”

“You can’t keep trying to ruin Finn’s relationship, girl. It’s an unhealthy obsession.”

“It’s not an obsession, it’s a coincidence! It’s a coincidence that she got trapped in my machinery

“You aren’t confirming it or denying it.”

"I don't need to. I'm not that cruel a woman that I would trap a child for a science experiment."

"Actually-"

"Don't." Bonnie held a finger out to stop Marceline from continuing. "There's no reason for me to lock Flame Princess up, especially when she herself is the biggest threat to the Candy Kingdom. It isn't wise to poke the bear with a stick, you know what I mean?"

“Yeah, I guess. She really wants to join the travel party now, so she might still be gunning to destroy the kingdom.” Bonnie placed a nervous hand on her cheek and glanced warily towards Flame Princess, who appeared to be trying to explain something to Finn.

“Could you keep an eye on her?” Bonnie asked.

“I’m not a babysitter,” Marceline snapped and sighed, “but yeah, I guess. I’d rather all of Ooo not be lit on fire. I’ll take her with me.” Bonnie smiled gratefully. “Anything I need?”

“I recommend a fire-resistance charm, in case you get caught in the crossfire.” Marceline nodded and dropped some gold in her hand. “I’ll use the charm, and that armour Finn hates too. Also, let Flame Princess use whatever token she wants, I don’t care.”

“Flame Princess! Marceline wants you to come with her!” Bubblegum shouted and the teen came running, small fires dotting her every step.

~

“That was exhilarating! So many things happening at once, so many creatures and questions! I knew that Bubblegum was no good!” Phoebe exclaimed.

“Hey, cut her some slack. She’s been at this for a long time,” Marceline growled. Flame Princess looked at her in confusion.

“You can’t honestly look at all this and tell me she’s not evil or at least bad. Look at all this stuff! Living beings forced to stay down here to the rest of their lives. Why? Is what they did really bad enough to deserve this?”

“Yes!” Marceline snapped. “And you don’t know Bonnie like I do.”

“Well, how do you know her so well?”

“I know her so well because-”

“You have done well to come this far,” A voice echoed, startling both girls. Marceline and Phoebe both looked to the speaker.

“Bonnie? What are you doing all the way down here?” Marceline asked.

“Something evil I bet,” Phoebe spat and Marceline whacked the back of her head, ignoring the burning sensation. Bonnibel frowned.

“This is my dungeon,” she said plainly. “And this room is the bottom of it. So, great job! You can go home now, back to the surface or whatever.”

“I don’t think so. There’s probably something in here that you’re hiding,” Phoebe hissed. Marceline raised an eyebrow.

“This doesn’t make sense. What’s down here, Peebs?” Bonnie chuckled nervously.

“Nothing! This is the bottom. That’s it. But just to be safe,” she glared discreetly at Phoebe “I need you to promise me you will not touch my desk back there. It has important research on it that you could mess up. This could be your final quest in this adventure, just promise me. Royal promise. No touchies.”

“I’m not promising anything,” Marceline insisted. Bonnie shook her head.

“You have to.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Fine! Whatever!” Marceline threw up her arms in defeat. Bonnie smiled. It wasn’t one of her normal smiles, not one of the ones Marceline was used to. It was empty and cold. Her eyes were unreadable.

“I think we’re done here then. Thank you for solving the mystery.” Marceline looked her up and down and walked past her, looking down at the table. Phoebe walked up beside her and glanced at Marceline.

“These papers are unreadable,” she whispered. Marceline absentmindedly picked up one of the papers, seeing the words were faded and the pictures were half-erased. Then the wall in front of them opened, showing a dark pink gum tunnel.

“Are you serious? What the fuck is wrong with you! Where does this even go?” Marceline shouted. She spun around to face Bonnibel and scowled at the expression on her face. An expression she hadn’t seen in centuries, since they had broken up. Her eyes were narrowed and she had a slight frown. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her and she straightened her back to look at them like she was above them.

You’ll never know where it goes,” she said slowly, “you broke a royal promise. And you know what that means. I’m sorry girls, it’s business.” Marceline saw out of the corner of her eye a fireball that Phoebe had thrown before they both teleported above the kingdom, standing on a cotton candy cloud and looking up at the Gumball Guardians.

“I told you,” Phoebe shouted. Marceline growled and readied her axe.

~

“Well, at least I’ll get a metal song out of this,” Marceline mumbled. Phoebe scoffed.

“You’re thinking about music? I’m thinking about revolution!” Her hands lit up and she prepared to attack before Bonnibel ran out in front of them.

“Wait! You don’t understand! I know this thing looks like a monster, but you have to listen to me! It doesn’t want to hurt you! It just-” A gum tentacle swung out and grabbed her, causing both Marceline and Phoebe to jump back.

“Bonnie! You’re not getting out of this that easily!” She lunged forward only to get hit in the face with a metal ball, knocking her back. Phoebe dragged her to her feet.

“Think smart!” She barked.

~

Marceline was angry at Bubblegum, but seeing everyone else rail on her for something she herself had done as well, made her get a bit protective. She’d deal with the lying later.

“Wouldn’t you lie to protect your weird old parents too?” Marceline snapped. She floated down and wrapped her arms around Bonnie’s shoulders, glaring at the entire crew. She glanced at Bonnie for a split second and saw her small smile and she flashed one back. She was still holding her when the mass of gum began to separate.

~

“Thanks for helping me out, I do wish you could’ve done it without killing my parents though,” Bonnie said. Marceline raised an eyebrow.

“They aren’t dead. We can go catch them if you want.”

“No, no. They’ll come back if they want,” Bonnie sighed. “Marceline, come inside. I want to speak with you privately.”

“Okay, sure.” Marceline followed her up the candy steps and through the winding halls, ending in Bonnie’s room. She motioned towards the bed.

“Sit down,” she ordered and Marceline obliged, sitting down with her arms crossed. “I want to apologise to you.”

“For what? For sending me on a wild goose chase? For trying to get your gumball guardians to murder me? For lying to me and tricking me? For literally putting all of us in mortal danger? Which one is it?” Marceline snarled. Bonnie winced.

“All of that, listen, Marceline, I didn’t want to do all that! But responsibility demands sacrifice and the cost kept escalating. I didn’t expect it to get so out of hand before it was already there. I was running out of ways to stop you.”

“Maybe the best way to have stopped me would have been to tell the truth? Did you ever consider that?” Marceline snapped. “Everyone could have died, get that through your thick skull! All of us could have died!” She stood up and sat back down, pinching the bridge of her nose and taking deep breaths. “I don’t even know how long it’s been, all I know is you haven’t changed a bit. You put your own pride over the actual lives of other people.”

“Marceline-”

“No, Bonnie, listen. It’s been like this for centuries. It’s exhausting. I had thought you were different now. I really did. But I guess old habits die hard.”

“I’m trying to change. I really am Marcy. I just- I was scared. You know what it’s like to have to face the potential of losing your parents. You know what it’s like to lose them. I don’t. I just had to come head-to-head with it today. It’s not okay that I did all that, but I panicked,” Bonnie rambled. Marceline stood up and shook her head.

“I’m going home. I have a killer headache and I’m tired. I got up to come help and I did, so my job’s done.” She rubbed her temple and walked to the door, reaching for the handle only for her hand to be grabbed.

“I’m sorry. I want you to know that. I really am sorry.” She hesitated. She looked to Bonnie and inhaled sharply. She did look remorseful, but sometimes remorse was not enough.

“Sorry doesn’t fix this,” she mumbled. Bonnie looked away.

“I understand.” She quickly hugged Marceline and backed away, walking to filter through her closet. “It’s okay if you never forgive me. I wouldn’t blame you.”

“I’ve forgiven you for worse,” Marceline stated. “But this one will take me a bit. I’ll text you eventually.” She strolled out and narrowly avoided Peppermint Butler who was coming into the room, getting called some harsh words as she opened her umbrella to make her way home.

[psychemeanscure]

PART 17 { A little spoiler; This part involves phone calls so I intentionally highlighted it as bold ones. Anyways, happy reading y’all~}

When did things became awry with their plans really? When did it started from the first place? Because for her it was that night surely. She was bound to travel for a prior business that time when she received an overseas call from her foster mother that even her supposed to be exhausting expression change into jovial in a split of time. Thus she accepts the call after coming out from her premise.

“Mamá!”

“Mi hija…”

“You called. You missed me, aren’t you?”

She can already read her mother’s heart indeed for she heard its defeating chuckle from the other line while much curve smile came into her than before. “I knew it! I miss you too mamá. How was home?”

She may not see its reaction yet she knew that a mocking scolding will come upon her after. “Miss? Ah, really?... If you miss me then why you have to wait for me to call you than calling me first? Tu niña, really. And home? Well except that its spelling consistently stands as M.A.D.R.I.D. We’re still alive, yes.” 

For it was her turn now then to laugh. She’s used to it anyway for she usually been given an earful and of course, the quirky jokes of her mamá that will never get old every time it calls nor surprised from its not so timely timing of bothering choosing a right time in calling. Whether late nights or dawns in Spain just like today, she doesn’t care. Its decision of hearing her hija’s voice when she misses it, is a must. Even she’s always against it.

“Perdon mamá, It’s just that things been busy for me these days that I hardly had a chance to call. But believe me, I really am missing you too though.”

Sigh has been heard from her foster parent then. “Hija, please take care of yourself. Don’t get me worried for you when we’re so far away por favor. Hm?”  

“No te preocupes mamá. I’m taking care of myself, okay. Speaking of we, how was papá? I missed him too... And mamá, did I told you many times to please not pester yourself in calling me late nights or dawns? You’re not getting any younger, please take care of your health as well oh?”

“Tss. You are just like your sleeping papá, really. Can’t you two stop bullying me for once?”

That a chuckle came after her realizing its defeating banters once again. “So papá is sleeping? Mamá, you can’t blame us okay… Calling for missing me isn’t an excuse. It can wait, you know I can always answer you right away even when I’m busy. Right?”

“Okay, okay. I lose. As if I can win over you. But hey, it’s your fault anyway why I can’t really sleep this time. Did I also told you that I’ll never welcoming your idea of hiring men around our home? Then what am I watching right now huh?”          

And it was enough for her to stiff by her carseat the moment she steps in the driver side. “Come again, mamá?” urging her mamá to repeat what seems to be deaf in her. “I said, your men were so diligent guarding 24/7 that It feels uncomfortable already. Four sedans, for real Amilia dear? That’s too much for a protection mi hija.”

She was already dumbfounded by what she was hearing. She did admit that she suggested it once for her to monitor their safety, considering their health worried her that if something may go wrong while she wasn’t around taking care of them. She loved them as much as her biological parents, and if being overprotective is the only choice to do then she must. But she long trash the idea for she respected her mamá’s decision of not pursuing it, she’s just too private liking it.

So whoever is behind this thing, she surely needs to know for she can’t risk the danger her foster parents might face when it happens. They shouldn’t be involved as they do not even know about anything. ‘Mierda!’

A curse she had to thought for once before covering a safe response that will not worry her mamá. “O-oh. Is that so mamá? Uhm, when did they started? Perhaps, can you send me a picture of the them as well? You know, just want to make sure how they good they were with their job.” Followed by her fake chuckle then.

“Three days up to now I think. Psh, you didn’t even deny it. You and your business tactics really. Okay, I will.”

“Thank you mamá.”  

Thus the latter send the picture she wanted after few more how are yous there and then. “Mi hija?”

“Hm, mamá.”

Her foster mother’s last catch of her name before quite silence did. “Mamá?” for it was her turn to get its attention. “Be safe for us, please.” as guilt came after that she had to silently clear a throat to hide it. “Si, mamá.”

Thus that’s how they end their call then as she hastily checks the picture after. There she saw what how it basically described. Four sedans indeed park on their front gate while two or more were outside. She even tried to zoom it in but it was just too blur for her to clearly see a possible clue she may get. She was about to give up either if not for the video it intentionally records for her. Thanking fully to her foster mother for more as it was a zoom in vid then. Good thing her mamá is somehow a detailed person that every bit of it were clearly shoot.

Till she finally found it. A clue that was so familiar for her. The initial logo on its car hood she can always see. She saw it, right in front of her eyes. The word Ziar, carved in a metallic steel. The last four letters of her enemy’s last name. “Veeros Alcaziar.”

Her mere utter with its name from the outside, but a trembling cold dumbfounded on the inside. She feared for her parents’ safety. Her foster parents who have loved her with all their might. One wrong move and it will be the end. If she needs to sacrifice something, she will as long as she can assure the safety of her parents.  “No...” she starts pouring droplets of tears then. “No. No, not them please.” She didn’t see this coming, she admits.

She wasn’t even aware of her phone falling from her hold. Driving her energy through her office instead of fleeing to her original agenda. Rummaging to every possible evidence that could counter the son of a bitch. Only to hear Jang Taeyoung and Zilo Alcaziar’s conversation from her voice recorder instead.

Beep!!! ----

For she ends up beeping her car horn when stepping once again to her car after the confirming vague talk from Jang Taeyoung. She can even sense the uproar she did from the way she can hear the nosy mouths of the passerby as even him saw it himself from above. The continuous horning of her car which still stayed from the entrance way of the Casino Hotel.

But the heck will she care either. Her mind was already messed up for her to include them. “Mierda, mierda, mierda! Don’t make me choose please!” Brushing her face from the frustration she needed to outburst.

She thought to choose wisely just a while ago yet here is him, stirring her own decision-making for a crazy plan he planted. He was supposed to help her but here he is. “F*ck, Jang Taeyoung. You’re not helping!” as another beep from her car horn was heard.

It was then indeed. The misconception of their tangled thoughts.

~

That for some time she starts to notice a cryptic car following her every travel that even her own apartment isn’t exemption. That’s when she knew, she has been supervised by the old Alcaziar. Days passed, she received a proposal from an industrial corporation she’s too familiar with. She may be involved with corrupt officials but she has never been approached by illegal scheme when it comes to business unless she’ll do it but now.

Strange it is so she begins to dig in then. Reading every details of its investors and shareholders that might possibly connected from the old geezer. Even used her connections to monitor their every move, including the former till she found one. The image of the bulldog prosecutor in the enemy’s den. “What a loyalty you have Mr. Kim.” For she decided right then to might as well get use of him.

That’s when she became aware of everything. The hidden backstabs, the conspiracies, the possible framing. And she played with it. That even all the information she had gathered she still act naïve. Before she realized, she’s tending through the fire already for she purposely accepted its offer to erase suspicions, to divert the risk of her parents. All for them even if sacrificing him is the only thing needed.  

Yet throughout her silent journey of fighting she can’t still guess its motive on doing that. She even thought that it could just be an assurance for its business not being sabotage or anything. Or rather searching a flaw he’s planning to keep in hand. As none of it came close till Jang Taeyoung confirmed it himself. That all along, it was her who the geezer is after with.

Sinking each details, she had consumed. The obsession she hasn’t seen coming. As today isn’t different either. Those guarding hidden eyes around her, she will not mind any of it from this day on. She’s screwed anyway.

Freely visiting her biological mother even after Jang Taeyoung’s reminder of leaving it for now. Still she managed to come. On this columbarium, in front of her mother’s spot, rains heavily pouring over the umbrella she is holding. She could not much be surprised if something happened on her after this for she long accepted her consequence.

“We’ve finally met mom.”

Her first word after a long time. “I’ve missed you.” Followed by her longing how are you.

“We’ve missed you. Dad is, so please meet each other up there as well. You don’t have to worry about me here, I’m doing fine.”

Before silence did for her. “But mom…” as she’s starting to get unaware of her words. Letting out the struggle she wanted to fade away. “Can I ask you to take care of me first? Just this time. Guide me please, mom.” for an incoming tear planning to drop into her eyes, turning her head to the side as if not wanting her mom to see it to herself. “I-… I’m scared, mom. And it fears me, so please be there when it happens, oh?”

With the last wipe of her tears and a caress to her mom, she left. As so it did…

Her consequence.                                    

[blood-and-lilacs]

I wrote a thing with Wren! Maybe I’ll even write more of it later! We’ll see!

Contains: hostage exchange, re-capture, handcuffs, implied beating, black eyes, drug reference, kneeling, compliant whumpee, vampires

They made the exchange on an old stone bridge, in a little-trafficked area, at night, in the rain. It seemed appropriate. Her limo was parked lengthwise on the far side of the bridge, cutting off both lanes. Wren parked the team’s Rav4 the same way on their side of the bridge, and turned on the hazard lights. In the strobe of the hazards, they got out of the car into the misting rain, all three of them – Wren, Niyah and Pearl. He wished there had been a way to leave them behind, but somebody had to be there to take care of Danny once they got him back.

Wren stepped forward onto the bridge without pausing. He didn’t want to give Niyah and Pearl a chance to protest, to claim there was another way to solve this, or to get emotional about letting him go. They didn’t like the plan, but there was no choice, as he had explained to them repeatedly over the last forty-eight hours. They couldn’t let these monsters keep Danny, and they didn’t have the resources to fight them. So this was the only way.

He could see them on the other side of the bridge, if only hazily through the rain. Hulking shapes of two not-quite-human guards, holding onto the much smaller shape that belonged to Danny. And off to the side of them, the only shape carrying an umbrella, the sleek black silhouette of the vampire, Sabine.

As Wren walked to the middle of the bridge he watched Sabine signal to the guards, watched them remove cuffs from Danny’s hands and push him stumbling forward out onto the bridge. Wren stopped when he reached the middle of the bridge and waited for Danny to reach him. As Danny got closer Wren could make out the bruising on his face, the black eyes, the limp in his stride, the wincing as the back of his shirt touched wounds underneath. Even so, Wren knew what Danny was going to say when he reached him.

“You can’t do this,” said Danny when he came level with Wren. “We have to fight them. We can do it.”

Wren couldn’t help but laugh, both at how ridiculous the idea was and at how predictable Danny’s response was. “Those guards have got guns pointed at us. They probably have snipers on that roof there too. Everything’ll be loaded with silver. We don’t have a chance.”

“But you can’t just – ”

“I can just. My job is to take care of all of you. Your job is to listen to me. So GO.”

Wren had been in charge of the team long enough that when he used that tone, whatever was happening, they listened.

Danny touched him on the shoulder, looked like he wanted to say something else but didn’t, and walked on to where Niyah and Pearl waited for him. Wren waited and watched until Danny had gotten to them and they put arms around him to hold him up. All safe together again. Good. As far as Wren was concerned, the hard part was over. All he had to do now was – go home.

Still, as he crossed the rest of the bridge, every step was a battle between the part of him that was more scared of this than of anything in the world, and the part of him that he’d shut away for years, that still wanted this more than anything in the world. But whether he wanted or feared it more was irrelevant now – he simply had to, and so he did.

He glanced back once before he reached the other side, and saw the three shapes of Niyah, Pearl and Danny standing so close together they almost blended together, all three faces turned toward him. He wished they would just leave. They didn’t need to see this.

He stopped directly in front of the vampire and stood there, hands in pockets, eyes meeting hers steadily.

“You know what to do,” Sabine said, a lilting voice with a wisp of a French accent. “Unless you’ve been gone so long you’ve forgotten your manners?”

Wren shook his head. “I know what to do,” he said, and he tried not to say the next word, tried to shut his mouth and bite down on his tongue to stop it from coming out, but now that he was here in front of her, it was like he had been gone minutes instead of years, and the sentence hung empty and naked until he finally let himself finish it – “I know what to do, Mistress.”

Still, he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not with his team watching him from the other side of the bridge.

Then she snapped her fingers, and the sharp sound cut through every reluctance. He responded immediately, unconsciously. He dropped to his knees without regard for the hard paving stones or the puddle that he half-landed in. His hands left his pockets and locked together behind his head. His eyes were still fixed on Sabine’s face, but there was nothing in the look but attentiveness, waiting for the next order.

The next order, however, was for the two hulking almost-human guards. She gestured to them and they came up behind Wren and clapped cuffs onto his wrists. He hissed in a breath at the touch of the metal – silver, of course.

“I said I’d cooperate,” he blurted out as the guards yanked him to his feet and half-dragged him toward the car. “You don’t have to do it this way.”

Sabine cast a derisive look at him. “You’ve defied me for five years,” she said matter-of-factly. “It’ll take a lot more than this for you to prove yourself trustworthy again.”

Wren swallowed hard as the shoved him into the limo, knocking his head probably intentionally against the top of the door as they did so. Part of him had hoped it would be that easy, that she would just be glad to have him back. But underneath he had always known that coming home would be a lot harder than that.

The guards helped Sabine into the seat across from Wren, with surprising gentleness considering the manhandling Wren had just gotten from them. Then both the guards got in the front, started the car, and started off into the night.

“You don’t trust me, but you’ll sit back here alone with me?” Wren couldn’t help but ask.

Sabine laughed. “I don’t trust you, but I hardly think you’re a threat to me, especially in those cuffs. But if you want to spend the rest of the drive in the trunk, we can arrange that.”

“No thank you, Mistress.” He winced as the word slipped out again, without even a fight this time. “Like I said, I’m going to cooperate. I just think you’re being inconsistent.”

It didn’t surprise him at all when she slapped him. Honestly, he knew he was asking for it.

“If you want me to believe you’ll cooperate, then you might start by keeping your mouth shut.”

Wren shrugged, nodded, and kept his mouth shut.

Sabine reached across the narrow space between them – narrow enough that their knees knocked together – and touched his face. He flinched away from the touch, and she slapped him again. The next time she touched his cheek – warm now from the slaps – he held still. She ran her fingers down his jawline, swept a thumb over his lips, and then let her hand drop to his neck. He held his breath and clenched his bound fists as she unbuttoned the collar of his shirt and pulled it aside to see the twin puncture marks he had spent years hiding. She traced a finger over the outlines of the marks, never quite healed in all this time.

“Do they know? Your teammates?” Sabine asked softly.

“No, Mistress.” He couldn’t even pretend not to say it anymore, not with her cool hand against his neck, not when he knew at the core of his being that it was what he was supposed to say. “I mean, the Boss knows, she was there when they rescued me. But nobody else.”

She nodded. “And how have you handled the cravings? Alcohol? Drugs? God?”

“Synthetic venom. We have a scientist who makes it and the Boss gives me just enough to get by. I don’t know what she tells the scientist it’s for.”

“Why the secrecy? Are you ashamed of what you are?”

“Of course I am.”

“You shouldn’t be. You’re a beautiful thing – or you were, before they stole you, and now you will be again. Understand?”

He shuddered and his throat was dry as he answered. “Yes, Mistress.”

[6blackfilin9]

Just decided to show that I'm still alive over here

So guess it's LongShitpost Time

A very long post about The Batman's (2004) Penguin

And well, I've been thinking about making it for about a year, so.. here we are, watching me behaving like an easily surprised kid babbling about Oswald and how much I admire him and why

Actually nothin' important or highly moral here. If you still wanna read then just forget it's talk about a character from a kids show, I take this sh🐧t seriously and barely speak English

I like to take a lot of screenshots but can't use here all of them uuUUuUuuUUUUUGH

It's all about the 1st episode of 2nd season of The Batman (mostly, I also mention other my two fav episodes with Oswald)

I like it so much cuz this all just starts with "cat-mouse play" kind of cooperation which leads to "well guess you two will be chillin' in jail in pure mammalian harmony" and ends up with "oh no no no, this is your thievish girl, so you take her back"

"— You two pointy-ears make such a cute couple: his and hers."

"— Hm, made for each other."

I just crack up at this plot line so much

But well, being more serious, this episode unveils some of Oswald's personality traits quite vividly.

Going back to the first episode when he appeared, from the first sight it looked like the most of the time he acts like a mindlessly arrogant jerk who has no clue about what he’s doing, as most of kid-show villains, and tends to lose his temper fast , but if you look closer you’ll see that huge amount of his conduct lines are just a part of the games he plays

Like, he came to the Bruce's party just to take the damn list of guests, that’s the goal

But because of his behavior in public's eyes he wasn't the "strange quiet guy who's been looking around for all the time, than took the list of rich guests from butler and than left while there are robberies of rich people occurring in the city". He was "arrogant snobbish freak who thinks he's some sort of royalty (despite his family lost its place at the top of Gotham's society) so he acts around them as if they were peasants", so, for everyone it looks like the only thing he came for was attention, plus, influenced by negative emotions, people didn't notice such a potty movements as putting some paper in his jacket. I mean none even managed to notice that he stole the motherf🐧cking tray

(Well, for sure Oswald's quite snobbish about his family and it's "blue blood", can’t deny that, though he doesn’t behave that defiantly all the time and the only time when he completely loses it, cracks and explodes about this was when he became enraged hearing Alfred's words whom he took hostage in Bruce's house. That was a very bad day for him)

And come on, Oswald had patience and intelligence to figure out how to teach different predatory birds like ravens and owls, who actually tend to be wayward and even agressive time to time, to steal damn stuff from houses and how to make those f🐧cking badass high-tech umbrellas himself

So, cool man

If that episode showed his enormous arrogance, devotion to his family, resourcefulness, intelligence and hidden potential, this one shows how cunning, selfish, cold, ruthless and at some point insightful he can be

Back to the episode, it literally opens with the start of the strategy competition between Oswald and Selina

First they meet they start with a direct verbal flight for the Cat statue, which Oswald wins. So Selina, willing to get what she wants, desides to get down on a more manipulative subtle level playing love interest

So, of course Oswald gets stunned at first, I guess not every girl treats him this way every day, but he effectively uses this state to figure out his following plan and actions, and immediately starts behaving as a school boy in love.

So the man literally changed his tactics in a couple of seconds and figured out the new plan with the new “puppet” involved. Selina didn’t even notice anything thinking that she managed to hook him up easily so she now can manipulate him as she wants.

(guess Bruce was right, these two are worth each other: both prideful as heck)

So later their game enters the new fervent phase: they both play love interest in front of each other, and Oswald nailes his role just perfectly, making Selina even more convinced of his naivety so she reduces her alertness completely.

But guess he enjoyed this at some point. Like, Selina is a charming beautiful woman able to maintain a pleasant conversation with couple of dry sarcastic notes, so, I think this shade of sincerity helped him to play his part

And well, for quite huge amount of time Oswald makes that devil face with crooked grin which makes him look like a f🐧cking Satan, or just beings grumpy hardened journalist who had seen some shit which makes him look like he's about to have a severe breakdown, but here as he is around Selina in the first part of the episode he's completely calm like a damn fat cat, serious, focused and straight-faced, that's just gorgeous

He cracks up a bit ahead of time just once, when she manages to get the Bird statue

But as it goes to the showdown he doesn’t show even a hint of genuine sympathy or regret, he’s just like “well get reked Selina” and takes English leave

Well, I know it’s a kids show, Bruce saves the day and stuff, but Oz did literally put the bomb in the f🐧cking handcuffs so in case one of the two tries to put them off before the police arrive they actually f🐧cking die. I mean, that's kinda rough. But at the other hand it’s quite nobly but shortsighted of him to leave his enemies alive having a chance to interfere him later

And well, maybe Oswald isn’t good at etiquette, but he have never beaten Selina or any other lady if it came to close fight, while Batman did. Ozzie is a gentleman, shame on ya Bruce

And just to be said, the motherf🐧ucker didn’t even blink when the f🐧king half of his god damn umbrella was cut off right in front of his f🐧cking face. And oh my god, how f🐧cking firm Oswald's grip is that the hella heavy umbrella all made of f🐧cking metal didn't even swayed from the impact in the most stout place. Badass.

And just for a second, Oswald managed to dig to the bottom of that legend about the Bird and Cat statues and started putting the plan into action only after he had found all the necessary information about it (which he had to translate himself from ancient Egyptian), so that the first time he used it, it didn't turn out that he missed something and summoned some ancient shit so now the whole world is in danger (as it happens with villains in movies sometimes).

(The saddest part is that the only single thing that prevented the shit from happening was immense amount of luck. mean Bruce has all kinds of gadgets for literally any situation and knows literally everything just in case. Like, it was very useful of Bruce to study ancient Egyptian just in case someone decides to use egyptian artifacts for evil stuff. And they were so f🐧king lucky the the birds weren’t hungry and didn’t try to peck their faces off while they were climbing the god damn lighthouse which is already hella dangerous even without the maniac birds trying to knock you down)

Well, what do we have so far

Even if Oswald does have some temper issues, he's capable of making some keen psychological tricks, making strategies and keep his head above water, the only thing that actually hampers him is his own pride (like in the episode with Team Penguin. He does have some leadership qualities but he turns from leader into boss quite quickly thinking of himself only)

And, importantly, he is being at some level realistic and objective realizing that none actually takes him seriously.

He understands that for most of the people he’s just a deformed and depraved man with a funny voice, who’s also a descendant of the aristocratic family which ran out of money and lost former authority.

And he uses it for his own good. He couldn't if he didn't, otherwise he'd choose way less twisted ways of behavior

He knew what would the people at the party see in him, so he could predict what behavior would cause the result he needed.

He understood Selina wouldn’t take him as a serious opponent, seeing him as a lonely slow-witted man or whatever, being sure that she can hook him as any other in such an unpretentious way she thought she would be able to make him do all the work instead of her. His awareness made her plans all exposed and clear

But all this negligence combined with his pride does hurt him though, no doubt. There’s a whole episode about it, when he occupied Bruce’s house.

He has his own reasons to envy and hate Bruce, by the way. They both are from rich families, both intelligent, strong and talented, but Bruce is more young and handsome, plus, his family business remained successful. At this point he is much more luckier than Oswald

I mean even if it gets to falling Bruse safely falls on tent and Oswald falls on the dirty ground through hell, fire and high boiling water (I don't give a shit that it had been made for the comedy matters)

Basically, the only thing Oswald is doing is trying to restore not only the family’s honor, but also his own with help of money and growth of his authority. Maybe even to show others and himself that he’s something more than just a garbage. That he's something more than he seems to be at the first sight

But as far as I can see Oswald has never been that type of poor kid with low self esteem crying in a shower with the lights off and who then starts to hide behind the wall of arrogance as he grows up. I mean right in this episode he says that his mother had always told him that he was a handsome one, so I think his parents loved him, maybe even spoiled at some point, and gave him confidence and warmth he needed.

Though well, to be fair, children are cruel, and of course they would react to the child who lookes like a victim of a crazy geneticist's experiment in a very specific way. Some would avoid him no matter what it takes, for sure some would get used to him and communicate normally, but some would mock and bully him severely. So of course he would start to protect himself

But sadly he went in wrong direction, since his confidence became arrogance and his ways became much more twisted and radical

Even as an adult he’ve chosen a really slippery slope, though. He could've chosen a different path, but (as I guess) he couldn't overcome his sense of injustice and his resentment towards people around him, who actually neglected and loathed him. So he just sank in his negative experience and sharpened himself as the lone survivalist, which made him egotistical to the point when he doesn't care about the others and can actually stumble in some situations, being sure he can't be wrong

His actions can't be justified, but they can be explained. Oswald is really very understandable character

So

There is actually no moral of the post

Just me coming to conclusion that The Batman's Oswald appears to be quite deep in the first seasons

Yes, I just wasted about 5 minutes of your life, and you can't take those back

But I can leave you with a question besides frustration

Why in the bloody hell are they holding each other?!

I mean come on

Few hours ago they revealed mutual betrayal, he almost killed her, dropped her on the froor so she couldn't run away with the thing he needed, and now they hold each other flying away on a jet-umbrella

And don’t f🐧cking tell me they do this because of the fear that if one of them falls the other will too

No f🐧cking way

Just imagine flying on the f🐧cking jet-umbrella, you will cling to it so tightly that one day you will take it into your grave with yourself because you will not be able to unclench your f🐧cking fingers after a single flight, but instead of holding the motherf🐧cking umbrella they hold each other

So is it a weird joke or a very thick hint?

Who knows

[chilling-seavey]

Passchendaele - XIV

A/N I wrote this chapter in my backyard on a beautifully sunny day...I got my first sunburn from that...

T/W Mentions of death

Daniel kept his arms crossed over his chest, staring out the window at the grim yet sunny surroundings as Christian drove them back towards the Ypres Salient to prepare for the advance. His mind was focussed on Elizabeth and his heart ached with how much he missed her even after only just parting. She might have been safe in the hospital, about to be sent back to England, but it didn’t make leaving her easier. Daniel leaned his left arm against the door of the truck, the uneven terrain making it difficult to even sit still and he pressed his hand to his eyes to keep from crying, wishing he never enlisted in the first place.

“Men don’t cry, Seavey.” Christian snapped from the driver’s side, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched with aggravation as he stared straight ahead.

Daniel ignored him, his anger near boiling over with how much he despised this new version of his brother he was given when he was sent over. He was no where near what he was like back home and the intensity of him made Daniel sick with hatred. Hatred that he forced onto his brother as a subconscious projection of his own internal feelings.  

“You better get rid of this mood swing before we get to camp. You’re acting like a woman.” Christian grumbled.

“Shut up.” Daniel said through his teeth. “I came with you, didn’t I? That’s what you wanted.”

“I wanted one of my men but instead it appears I left with nothing more than a hormonal female. Man up, Private, this war has no room for your tears.”

Daniel jumped out of the truck before Christian could even put it in park, slinging his rifle over his shoulder as he stormed off towards camp where more of the soldiers were packing up, the tents and supplies already loaded into trucks. Zach and Corbyn were tying a tarp over one of the truck beds, Zach holding it down as Corbyn stood on top of it, shirtless, a cigarette balanced between his lips has he tied the rope securely. He glanced up at Daniel who was approaching them quickly.

“How’s the sweetheart?” Corbyn asked, sending him a crooked smile.

“Fine.” Daniel answered dryly. “How can I help?”

“We are actually done here, I think.” Corbyn jumped onto the ground and took a step back to admire his handiwork. He rubbed his hands together before taking the cigarette from his mouth and took one last drag before stomping it out on the ground.

“Elizabeth is okay, right?” Zach asked quickly, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked up at Daniel.

“She’s fine, yeah. They’re sending her home at the end of the week.” Daniel said, setting his hands on his hips but kept his stare on the loaded truck.

“That’s good then.” Zach mumbled, glancing over to Corbyn who shrugged in response to Daniel’s obvious edge.

The three made their way to the transport truck, piling in with other men from their battalion in preparation to move farther inland to their next destination. Daniel couldn’t deny he was relieved to leave Ypres as it had not treated them nicely although it was a given that wherever they were taken next wouldn’t be much better either.

The morale had generally gone down amongst their group after spending almost two months in the battlefields, exposed to the elements and the utter brutality of humans. The drive without Jack’s usual witty humour was not the same and everyone seemed to sit in silence for most of the drive. Daniel bit the inside of his cheek to keep his emotions at bay, his eyes focussed forward out of the front window of the truck as they drove steadily northwest. The low-lying clouds in the distance were dark grey and flashes of thunder could be seen over the generally flat land in front of them. The short drive took much longer than it should have as navigating No Mans Land by truck wasn’t an easy feat.

The craters that littered the upturned earth were terribly deep and most were filled with rainwater, unclaimed waterlogged bodies rotting in the mud and now home to the rats and other creatures infesting the open flesh. It barely even phased them anymore, Daniel’s eyes barely giving a second glance to the plentiful dead along their trip. It was also getting hard to navigate around them, the driver ending up having to roll right over the bodies, each excess bump simply keeping the men on board that much more silent. There was simply nothing to speak about.

The rolls of thunder got louder as they drove right towards the heart of the storm, the grey skies starting to engulf them. Daniel reached into his jacket and pulled out his metal tin, opening it to reveal the photograph of Elizabeth over top a few stacks of blank parchment. He smiled softly as he ran his fingertips over the image; already missing her terribly, especially after such a rushed goodbye. He honestly couldn’t wait to be on the boat home to her.

He remembered Lieutenant Marais speaking of dispatches before Christmas if the Ypres Salient went well and if the Germans were retreating back towards Passchendaele…wasn’t that the best news yet? Where were their dispatches? Daniel closed his tin a bit harder than intended with annoyance and tucked it back into the inside pocket of his uniform jacket. He didn’t want to curse the dead but his frustration of still being forced through the war was nearly eating him alive and the sense of false hope was certainly no help.

They were five minutes from their destination, the rain coming down steadily around them as they gathered their things, falling against the fabric covering the truck with heavy drops like a drum rolling with anticipation.        

“Why is it always raining when we travel?” Zach grumbled as the truck came to a stop and they started filing out, joining the other soldiers along the rain-soaked ground.

“God is spiting us.” Corbyn sighed, ducking his head as he stepped out of the truck into the cold rain.

“God is testing our strength.” Daniel corrected softly, following the men into the beginnings of the trenches. At times like this, faith seemed to be the only thing Daniel had left but even that seemed to be dwindling sometimes.

The Lieutenant Colonel led them farther along the line as the sun began to set behind the rain clouds, the mud under their feet squelching with each step as if trying to pull them under. Daniel kept his face straight-lined, staring daggers into his brother’s back as they walked on, his hair plastered to his forehead with rain that dripped along his cheeks and down his back as Christian walked under a black umbrella.

The New Zealanders and Australians had taken that station of the front-line weeks earlier, fighting long and hard from those same trenches and a few of their remaining men stared at the British as they passed.

“We will be repairing the trenches and the duckboards.” Christian halted and turned to face his men, a few of them bumping into each other with the sudden stop. He tapped his boot against the pieces of wood that lined the bottom of the trench, mostly being swallowed up by the mud and not achieving their purpose. “Be careful when pulling these pieces from the ground…shipments are tight and there are no new supplies. We must reuse all we have.”

No one protested, the line up of men staring at their officer through the sheets of rain, uniforms soaked through.

“Get on with it.” Christian snapped, stepping to the side to encourage them on.

Daniel didn’t even look at him as he walked past to find an empty place to start, Corbyn and Zach following him. The three knelt down in the soft mud and began pulling wood from the ground and stacking them up, the rain rinsing the planks with ease. They worked quietly, the thunder and heavy rain drowning out any possibility for conversation and the waning hours demanding all their energy.

Zach’s sudden shriek had everyone looking over at him as he fell back against the soaked ground, a half rotten hand topping next to him from where he had been digging.

“Bloody hell, what is that?” he cried loudly, the first voice heard in a while.

“You came across a grave, Private Herron. Just deep digging.” The Lieutenant Colonel ordered coolly, stomping right past them, splashing mud over the men’s uniforms and faces.

“Bastard.” Daniel spat under his breath, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. It didn’t do much to clean him, only smudging more dirt over his already soaked through skin. From his peripheral vision he could see Christian stop a moment and turn to look down at his brother, but Daniel kept his head down, not giving him the satisfaction to know he was getting to him. He just kept working, digging his hands into the cold ground as the rain plummeted around them. 

Christian’s tired sigh couldn’t be heard over the sound of the rain as he continued walking down the line. 

[caffeinated-mendes]

Failed Mission - Peter Parker & OC - Chapter 3

masterlist

previous work

previous chapter

synopsis:  Eliza Brooks, an eighteen-year-old Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and friend to Tony Stark is given a mission after Tony’s death: Attend Midtown Tech and keep an eye on Peter Parker. With the use of her mysterious powers, Eliza had never slipped up on her assignment. That is until Peter’s life is in danger, and she has to save him. The cost of her exposing her identity could very nearly mean the end of her mission, and the ending of her chance to become an Avenger.

word count: 2.3 k

a/n: hi guys! i hope you're all staying safe <3 here's chapter three to hopefully get stressful things out of your minds!! love you all! comments, likes, and reblogs are always appreciated :)

warnings: none

*if you prefer, you can read this on my ao3 instead of here

“What’d you get on your chemistry midterm?” Eli asked Peter as they walked onto the El Train. Peter opened up his phone, grabbing onto the rail above them. 

The train roared to life, the rails screeching as their school moved further out of sight. “Ninety-two. What did you get on your physics one?”

Eliza scooted closer to Peter, as a big, burly guy bumped into her back. “Eighty-nine. I’m really mad my teacher didn’t round it up.”

“Well, you’re not going to college anyway right? I mean, if everything works out-”

“Say that any louder, Peter.” Eliza rolled her eyes.

“Sorry.”

She laughed, looking at Peter’s saddened expression. A small grin broke out on his face. Tomorrow, they were headed off to Portugal, so she’d only have tonight to pack for her mission, and then she’d meet up with Peter at his Aunt May’s. “You and me are gonna spar after this is all over.” Eliza knew that to say that was to assume they were going to succeed during their mission, but all she had was hope. If she messed up, her whole life, her dreams, would be gone in the blink of an eye. “Let’s hope you watch MMA fights.”

“I’m sure I’ll hold my own.” Peter shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh, yeah?” Eliza eyed Peter, “You’re on.”

Peter put in an earbud, and turned his head away from her.

Eliza said goodbye to Peter as her stop came around. She exited out onto the cracked pavement after stepping down a flight of stairs, watching the train above her whisk away. The clouds above her only darkened as she tried to get home faster. Eliza hadn’t brought an umbrella, and she could hear thunder in the distance. Drops of metallic water fell onto her face, and she gladly stepped inside her apartment building. SHIELD had given her a studio to live in, which wasn’t so terrible, since she was by herself. When she stepped through the doors, it didn’t feel cozy inside. The feeling of coldness was familiar to her as she arrived on the second floor, opening the chipped brown door with her key.

Every time Eliza set her keys down on her kitchen countertop, she felt an overwhelming feeling of longing. Suddenly, she was transported back to Chicago. Her view of life was closer to the ground. The yellow glow coming from the kitchen meant mom was cooking her favorite food for dinner, and her dad would push her inside their loft, telling her if she did her homework first, she’d be able to watch her favorite TV show when it came on later. 

But the shuffling sound of her taking off her shoes and nothing but the city sounds in the background made her eyes sting, but she’d never cry. She’d already done it enough. Eliza heard another voice in her head, a familiar one. One she would hear every Friday and Saturday afternoon. If she closed her eyes, she could almost see the green, sea-foamey eyes trained on hers. Remember, Eliza, you’re the one who controls your fate. The decisions you make could cost you your life. Or save it.

Eliza chided herself, it could be worse. She could be living on the streets. She could be dead. Eliza walked straight from her doorway to the left side of the apartment, where a queen bed sat, taking up nearly a fourth of the apartment. To her right was her bathroom and kitchen. The red brick walls of the building gave some color to the room, and the big windows behind her bed helped, too. She turned to the dresser next to the bathroom, and lugged a suitcase out from under her bed. She had to pack light, since she and Peter weren’t briefed on where they were staying.

Two and a half hours later, with a full stomach and suitcase, Eliza finished packing. After watching enough TV on her phone to melt her brain, she got herself into bed and pulled the covers over her. She didn’t think she’d fall asleep quickly, but it seemed that the exams and packing made her pretty tired. The thunder and rain patter lulled her mind to stop thinking cohesive thoughts. Soon enough, everything faded before her into black.

Aunt May’s Apartment, the next day

Aunt May seemed to be in a flurried frenzy as Peter opened the door for Eliza. His aunt walked in out of the kitchen and ordered Happy around as he awkwardly complied. Happy managed to convince Fury that he could take care of Eliza and Peter, so they were going on a Stark jet to Portugal. Eliza grinned at the sight of them. She pulled her suitcase behind her, and Peter took it and rolled it next to his at the doorway. May finally seemed to settle herself as she handed Eliza and Peter each a brown paper bag. “Aunt May,” Peter began, “We didn’t need for you to pack us lunch-”

“Peter, since when have I sent you off on a mission with an empty stomach? I won’t have two of them jetting off to Portugal.” Aunt May put her hands on her hips, looking very stern in her jeans and white button-up blouse. “Hi Eliza, it’s good to meet you. Peter told me you hate tomatoes, so I didn’t put any on your sandwich.”

Eliza smiled, “Thank you. You really didn’t need to do that.”

Aunt May waved Eli off, “Don’t worry about it. Do you both have your suits?”

“Yep.” Peter and Eliza said in unison.

“Toothpaste, extra clothes, socks?”

Peter put his hands on May’s shoulders. “We’re gonna be fine. We have everything.” May pushed her glasses up her nose, and zipped up Peter’s jacket. She began to smooth it out, but she stopped herself and pulled him into her arms. 

“Be safe,” She murmured, putting her hand on the back of his hand. “You too, Eliza.” Aunt May gave her a hug, which surprised her, but assured her nonetheless. In ten minutes, Happy ushered them out the door as they made their way to the Stark airbase. 

Eliza had been on many flights before, so she was quite relaxed, but she’d never seen Peter so jumpy. Happy had whispered to her as they boarded the plane that Peter had only been on one other flight, and the battle that he fought in later that day was very messy.

Eli’s nerves began acting up as soon as they had passed most of the Atlantic Ocean, so she changed into her suit to comfort herself. The black and navy blue fabric made her skin feel electric. It was much easier to turn invisible in the suit, for some reason. Tony must’ve done something to it, Eliza guessed. She looked at herself in the spacious bathroom mirror. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, making her eyes look startlingly blue. She wrung her mask in between her fingers, adrenaline beginning to pump through her body. She was ready for this. She had to be.

The door clicked behind her as she stepped back into the lounge area, where seats sat across from each other with tables in between. Peter wore his classic suit, and Happy sat at the front of the plane, manning the controls. “You ready?” Peter asked. 

“Yeah.” Eliza slid across from him, putting her hands on the table. From here, she could see the expanse of the ocean, looking as if it never ended. The waves glittered blue and green. 

“Can I ask you something?” Peter’s eyes bore into Eliza’s. Eliza motioned for him to continue, “How’d you get your powers? Were you born with them?”

Eliza’s breath hitched, but she made herself take a deep breath to make up for it. “It was, uh- a radioactive blast. Mixed with a bunch of other bad things, too.” She knew Peter could tell that she didn’t want to talk about it, so he asked a different question. 

“Did you learn how to fight after that, then?”

Eliza couldn’t help but feel a smile tug at her lips. Her belt brushed against her leg, and she was reminded of the feeling of training. “No. I learned before then. My parents, they worked for SHIELD. They had some connections, and I got trained.”

“No way! Who taught you?” Peter seemed to almost jump in his seat. 

Happy answered the question for her, “Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow 

herself. Now stop asking questions, Peter. We’re almost there.”

Peter sputtered a few more times as Eliza brought herself to the door of the jet. No one could see them from the outside, but Eliza willed herself to turn transparent, the tingling feeling subsiding. 

“Alright, Pete. You and Eliza are gonna scout the town for any signs of an entrance to some sort of hideout. All SHIELD knows is that the enemy is underground, but they can’t pinpoint their location. Once you find it, you radio me or SHIELD, and they’ll have backup coming, too. Once you two put on your masks, you’ll be able to talk to each other, no matter where you are.”

Eliza nodded, and pulled the mask over her head. Happy stayed in his seat as he landed the plane. Peter shook his head, but got up to stand next to her. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me that.” He grinned, and pulled his mask on, too. “Hey! I just guessed where you were standing, but now I can see your outline through the mask!”

Eliza suppressed a giggle. “Okay. When the door opens, make sure you get high ground as soon as possible. You don’t want people seeing you. I’ll go and scout on the streets, and we’ll tell each other if we spot anything.” Peter nodded.

She opened the door with a click, followed by a creak. The sun blinded her temporarily, but her eyes adjusted. Eliza was amazed by the sights around her. Happy landed them in a grassy field that overlooked an entire town square. The architecture was beautiful, with high, domed ceilings on the bigger buildings and red clay-tiled roofing on the houses. Beautiful bricked pavement ran along the stretches of the city. Little kids ran around a fountain, and parents talked together on benches. Dogs sat next to people under a pavilion filled with tables for a restaurant.

Eliza stepped down the retractable stairs, the wind whipping the blades of grass around her and Peter. The jet behind them vanished, blending in with the surroundings, and made its way into the clouds.

Peter nodded to Eliza, and turned the other way, running down the hill and beginning to scale what seemed like a cathedral. Eliza made her way along the alleys that led to the square. She did a three-sixty degree turn, and once Eliza saw no one around, she morphed herself into a stray cat. She’d already seen a few of them skulking past her, so she figured that was the best disguise. 

She bolted to the sides of the fountain, scanning the surrounding buildings. Eliza could see her reflection in the mosaic tiles. She looked like a normal tabby cat, except her eyes glowed strangely, like Peter had told her before. The blueness of them looked familiar, like she’d seen that exact shade before. 

Eliza heard Peter through the intercom, “I’m not seeing anything super suspicious.” Eliza scrambled to another alley and hid behind a dumpster. She transformed back again to herself, and then willed her body to be invisible again.

“That’s because these guys are underground. I’m sure there’s an entrance somewhere.” Eliza checked the square again, leaning against the metal of the bin.

“What if they’re in the fountain?” Peter asked, “Like Harry Potter? Come on, the Chamber of Secrets?”

“Oh my god, Peter, no one would ever do that. That’s only movie stuff.” Eliza rolled her eyes. Then, she caught sight of a man with a dark, buzzed head exiting the restaurant across from the fountain. He was tanned and muscled, and little kids moved out of the way for him instantly. He wore black jeans and a gray t-shirt. In his fist poked out the end of a flash drive. Eliza watched as he turned a hard left, and walked nonchalantly as he dropped the flash drive on the ground, next to a bench. “Did you see that?”

“Yeah,” Peter responded, “I’m gonna go in.”

“No. Not yet. Wait for my cue.” Eliza stood, and walked out of the alley, into the square. The man stepped into the cathedral that Peter sat on top of.  Eliza ran, and slipped into the door behind him. The man began to walk down the pews, but stopped abruptly, turning. Eliza froze and held her breath, not moving a muscle. He turned back around, but still didn’t move. Eliza wanted to call Peter in right at that second, but if she made a sound, the man would know she was there. 

The man snapped his fingers, and withdrew a gun. Eliza jumped backward, but fell hard into another person’s chest. She couldn’t turn, only scream as he gripped her arms. Her body reappeared, atom by atom, and she cried, “Peter, now! Help!” The person behind her crushed her and the man in front put the gun down. The person behind her pulled her mask off, and the man in front reached into his pocket, and threw some kind of dust at Eliza. She held her breath, but it still got into her eyes, making the world buzz around her. 

Everything was static.  “Eli! I’m coming! Eliza?” Peter screamed across the intercom, but her mask sat on the ground, the yelling distant. Eliza closed her eyes, falling into nothingness.

[readingwritingcrying]

I have a prompt- This is first the first time submitting anything so I hope I'm doing it right. Anyways, can you write a fic where the whole family gets stuck somewhere and then klaus, the one nobody expects anything from, saves them with his telekinesis/levitation/whatever?

It’s 3am in the morning and I thought I would not this quick but then I got invested in the plot I made, and man I don’t know how buildings work so please suspend your disbelief and thank you @iwillsacrificeeverythingforklaus for the awesome request!

“Shit, Klaus, get down!” Ben’s voice rang in his ears and itwas all Klaus needed to dive away from the action. He was pretty good at thatto begin with, not used to his powers being of any help in close combat.  He narrowly missed the blast coming theirway, his mind instantly sent back to Vietnam. Focus, Klaus, focus. Not now.

Blinking away the images of war and dead soldiers, he couldhear Ben talking to him. His siblings.They were still cornered on the edge of the roof.

“Ugh, Ben, why do the baddies always have to be so dramatic?I mean, waiting for the Umbrella Academy to be back – I didn’t see that coming,by the way – it just a little much!” Ben shot him a grin.

“Sounds about right,” agreed Ben. Klaus looked back to the restof his siblings. Five was popping in and out, trying to evade the man anddistract him. He was ugly, in a very boring (but very, very dangerous)mechanized suit, shooting at Five. Klaus knew he couldn’t last much longer.Luther was injured, but still defending them, and Diego – well, his knives didn’tpierce through metal, so he was doing as much defense as possible.

Vanya wasn’t there, so that was their strongest person gone(she wasn’t ready for the world to realize who she was, didn’t trust her ownpowers in high-stress situations). Allison was preoccupied in fighting as well and making sure Luther didn’t bleed to death.

Ben was a ghost.

Things weren’t going too well! “Boy, we’re a little out ofpractice, aren’t we?” laughed Klaus. “You think you could go in there and help them,favorite brother o’ mine?” Klaus’ voice could never take on a serious tone,even in situations like this. Scratch that, especially in situations like this.But he knew Ben would understand – and looking at his brother’s slow nod, heknew he was right.

Klaus never liked to make Ben release the Horrors, not afterso long that he hadn’t needed to worry about them. But when they needed it, he wasthere. Klaus took a deep breath, channeling his power. He was more than gratefulhe had gotten far enough away from the fight to focus, it made everything amillion times easier. He didn’t need to look to know that it was working, thesounds the tentacles made were enough, followed with the groaning crunch ofmetal.

Thick thuds followed by sickening cracks, and Klaus knewthey had retaken the fight. The Horror threw the man from the building, manglednearly beyond recognition. The machines had been destroyed.

“Klaus!” shouted Ben, his voice panic-laced. Klausturned, his stomach dropping as he saw the expression of terror on Ben’s face. Heknew it from when they were kids. From when Ben took things too far when hecouldn’t get them to stop, from right before he –

Klaus let his powers slip, but the damage was done. The citybuilding was badly damaged, cracking, and Klaus was no architect but he knewthat couldn’t be good. His siblings were recovering but Five was passed out andKlaus knew he wasn’t dead, he would be able to tell, but it was so wrong to seefive so small and so… still.

The cracks were increasing, Klaus noticed, edges of thebuilding crumbling. Shit, would they have to pay for that? At least there was daddy’sinheritance money.

“Guys!” Klaus ran towards them. “Get out off there! You’regoing to fall!” As he ran closer, he felt someone stop him. Ben, looking scaredbut tentacles safely packed pack in his tummy.

“Stay back Klaus,” warned Diego. Klaus shook his head, strugglingfrom Ben. Why couldn’t he get free? They were his powers and they needed tolisten to him, needed to make Ben’s grip ghostly rather than corporeal so hecould do anything to stop this.

Allison was walking towards him, slowly, but the ground underher shifted. She fell, and Klaus watched in horror as the building was crumbling.

“Ben, can you grab them?” Klaus turned to his brother. Hiseyes were frantic, he couldn’t breathe. He felt like breaking down then and therewhen his brother shook his head.

“I’d kill them if I tried, Klaus,” said Ben. His wordscracked under guilt, and it broke Klaus’ heart, but they needed to do something.

“Ben! Ben, let me go!” Klaus shouted desperately, struggling.His brother’s grasp was firm, and Klaus cursed himself for having powers sotied to his emotions.

“Klaus you’ll just get hurt!”

Klaus couldn’t hear him. Tears gathered in his eyes as hetried to yank away, his arm outreached. Everything felt far too fast and yet hecould see every detail as his siblings fell away, fell down, he wasn’t going tobe able to live with himself after this, dammit, Ben!

“…Holy shit, Klaus,” said Ben, grip loosening.

Klaus stood frozen.

In front of him were his siblings. Floating. Not themselves,but on a giant slab of concrete.

“Klaus? A-are you doing this?” Allision’s voice was soft,but it felt earthshattering all the same. He didn’t understand, why wouldAllision think it was him? Of course, it was then that he noticed his outstretchedhand glowing the same eerie blue that seemed to be in a haze around the concrete.

He looked at Ben, who shrugged.

Klaus burst out laughing. There were still tears streamingdown his face and he was shaking, but holy shit. Like, holy shit. He wouldn’t believe it if he couldn’t feel the drain itwas having! “Fuck if only dear Father saw me now! I guess that bastard was reallyonto something, huh!” He couldn’t help the giggles breaking through his bittertone.

“Klaus, you need to get us – yourself as well – down safely,”instructed Luther. Normally his stupid self-righteous tone was more annoying thananything, but at that moment Klaus would have given anything to keep himtalking. Anything to give him direction; distract him from the very real possibilitythat his grip on this new…. Power, thing, could slip, sending his siblings to ayoung death.

“Great plan Luther, anyone have any tips on how the holyhell to do that?”

“Just focus on what you’re doing now Klaus,” said Diego,butting in. He was kneeling, holding Five’s unconscious body, and making eyecontact with Klaus. There was something like trust in his eyes, and it terrifiedhim. Still, Klaus nodded.

He was coursing with power, with adrenaline as slowly heattempted to lower his siblings down. He barely noticed when he was starting tofollow.

“Jesus, Klaus, you’ve been holding out on us,” muttered Diego.

And oh my God (the bitch) he was floating, he was in the airmoving slowly towards the ground with his siblings who were at least on a slabof concrete unlike him actually in theair – Klaus gasped as he slipped, dropping an inch.

“Klaus!” shouted Allison, grabbing tightly to Luther as theydropped. Klaus shook his head, eyes wide.

Less time being surprised about powers and more time spent tryingnot to die. Ben seemed to agree, or at least Klaus thought he would because whilehe followed, he didn’t say a thing.

The decent was spent in a thick, tense silence. His siblingswatched as his breathing became heavier, body shaking with exertion. When the ex-roofscraped against the ground, Klaus finally let go.

His feet hit solid ground, and he crumpled.

Within moments, Allison was at his side. “Klaus, Klaus, areyou alright?” Klaus looked up at her, giving a weak nod. He could hear sirensquickly approaching. He felt his sister’s grip on him, just as tight as Ben’s hadbeen, and thank god she was okay.

“Guys, Five’s awake!” Diego moved was helping adisorientated Five sit up. Already, his forehead had turned a nasty shade ofpurplish-greenish-blue.

“Five, I’m so sorry,” Ben’s voice cracked, but Klaus knew hewas the only one to hear him.

“Five,” said Klaus, gathering what energy he could, “Bensays he’s sorry.”

Five looks up, confused before slow realization finallyovercame his expression. Definitely a concussion, at least, then. He waved themoff. “No permanent harm done… you saved our ass’s there,” he paused. “Both ofyou.”

For a second, there was silence in their small bubble of theworld, despite the commotion going around behind them as police and ambulances finallypulled up.

“Five, let’s get you to a medic,” said Luther, popping the bubble.Allison returned to him.

“And don’t forget about yourself,” reminded Allison, voicelaced with concern. Luther stiffened, then nodded, helping Five out of Diego’shands.

Klaus watched them walk off from his rather comfortable spoton the ground. It was Diego that came to him next. “Do you need to get checkedout, bro?” He asked in a voice so soft, Klaus swears he’s only heard it when Diegotalks to Mom.

He shook his head.

“Klaus, they can look you over here, you won’t even need togo to a hospital. No ghosts,” assured Ben. Still, Klaus shook his head.

He smiled softly. “No, it’s alright Ben – Diego. Not hurt,just… exhausted,” he admitted. Diego nodded.

“Alright then, well, you can sleep in the car and Mom willlook you over when we get home. And we can talk about… whatever the hell thatjust was. Not complaining,” said Diego. Klaus could see him come up with theplan, nodding just barely to himself as if to confirm it while he spoke. “Allison,do you think you could…?”

“Deal with the police,” supplied Allison, once eyebrow raised.“I’m pretty sure that’s the most practical thing I can do. Take him home, I’ll be alright from here.”

Diego nodded. “Make sure Five and Luther are alright.”

Klaus felt almost dizzy just trying to keep up with the conversation.When Allison left to give her answers, he stood with the help of Diego. (Well,mostly Diego was carrying him while he went through the motions of walking, andit was cute that his brother thought he of all people might be embarrassed bysomething like being scooped up like a bride).

“That’s going to take some getting used to,” commented Ben.Klaus giggled.

“What?” Diego asked.

“Oh nothing,” said Klaus, “Just that I never thought Dadmight’ve been onto something with the mausoleum!”

Diego’s pace stuttered. “The what?”

Ben was looking at him, concern heavy in his gaze. Klausstuck his tongue out at his ghost brother. It was the worse way to go about it,but how many times have his powers been induced by stressful situations?

Klaus remembers Diego’s question. Ah, right, the detail wherehe didn’t actually tell anyone, Just his, Ben’s and their father’s littlesecret! Well, Dave too. Also Pogo. And probably Mom.

But that hardly counted.

Klaus waved him off, although the gesture was hardlyrecognizable. He felt too shaky and weak t do just about anything properly. “Longstory, not the time,” he settles on.

Diego doesn’t seem satisfied, but they’ve reached his car,but he doesn’t press Klaus on the matter anymore. Some part of Klaus hopes he’llforget it, but he has a feeling there was going to be a lot of things to talkabout once he had his nap.

So for now, he focused on the warmth of Diego’s hands as hehelped Klaus into the back of the car. “Go to sleep, Klaus,” said Diego gently,watching him from the mirror.

“They’re all going to be okay now,” reassured Ben.

“Thanks, guys…” Klaus mumbled. Finally, he let the exhaustionsweep over him, and slept.