#hello here is a thing. you're welcome. now to gif actual scenes

[moonisdead]

ACHTSAM MORDEN ☯ murder mindfully -> Season 1 Title Cards

[callmelittlesunshinefics]

Hello, Little Girl (Part One)

Logan Howlett (Wolverine) x Reader

Summary: You have been living at Xavier's school for a few years now, feeling slightly out of place as a Nephilim from another universe but welcome nonetheless. When something pops up that has no business being in this universe you're sent gearing up for a mission that you would rather leave the X-Men out of, but an anxious endless and overprotective step-uncle-devil insist on this being worked as a team.

A/N: The title is an Into the Woods reference for no good reason other than that I couldn't help myself. We're also loosely using X2 Logan purely because of the kitchen scene, but in reality it's an AU.

Some quick background, the reader (Y/N in fic, described with she/her pronouns) is based off of an OC I tend to pull out pretty frequently. Half human, half angel, displaced from their home universe and dropped into this one, with characters from Lucifer (show/comics) and The Sandman (show/comics) making appearances despite not existing in the Marvel Universe. *shrug* TW: Alcohol use, swearing, mature/explicit themes down the line in subsequent chapters so MDNI

Feedback/questions/comments HUGELY appreciated as it took me a long ass time to say f it and post this <3

Pairing: Logan Howlett x Reader

Word Count: 3,437

It was late when you arrived, but that was part of your plan. You didn’t want too much of a fuss and had plenty of groceries to put away, everyone made a big fuss out of missing your cooking when you announced your departure, so you were sure to come back with all the essentials you knew you’d be asked to make in the coming days. It was late to start cooking, even by your standards, but the silence in the house was so deep that you were certain starting some baked goods wouldn’t be the cause of any commotion. You got to work with plenty of butter, flour, sugar, and eggs on hand. All of the basics you would need to make as many things as possible. 

You got started on big batches of basics; chocolate chip cookies, brownies, dough for cinnamon rolls to serve tomorrow morning. You had several bowls in various stages of prep when you fell silent, realizing you were no longer alone. 

“If I had known you were here I swear I wouldn’t have started,” you turned, explaining yourself to the only person it could be, “You’re the only one who could’ve heard any of this from three floors away.” 

Logan shook his head in the negative and unlocked the fridge that stored alcohol for the adults of the mansion, grabbing two beers. He held one out to you that you accepted, and he took a large sip of his before explaining. 

“I was up as soon as you landed in the kitchen,” he referenced your unique method of travel, shrugging, “You might be flying too fast to see, but I heard you.” 

You smirked, “Yet you waited until the cookie dough was just about ready…” 

He shrugged, “Figured you’d be so happy to see your favorite in the house you’d be more likely to sneak me some extra.” 

“Were you even asleep?” You cut through the bullshit, and Logan chuckled, “And so confident you’re my favorite?” You teased, “What if it’s Scott?” 

He actually growled and wasn’t ashamed of it, “Don’t say things just to wound me, darlin’.” 

You chuckled to yourself but relented, sharing the cookie dough with the wolverine with an extra spoon you pulled from the drawer as soon as you realized who was snooping. You took a long sip of the beer and hummed, relenting without much of a fight. 

“How many are still here?” He knew what you meant without clarification. 

“Not many, but they’re all older so no one complains about these,” He gestured to the beers between the two of you, “But all of this will be gone by tomorrow.” He meant all of your baked goods and you shrugged. 

“That’s what they’re for, Old Man.” He glared at you, shoveling more cookie dough out of the bowl.

“How long are we going to do this little dance?” He asked looking you dead in the eye. It took a lot to throw you off balance, but Logan was better at doing it than most. 

“Is it your hip? Need a seat, grandpa?” They were coming out half-hearted even to you, and he leveled you with a look to tell you as much as he continued to wait, “Alright look, I’ll admit those weren’t my best, but if you don’t want to keep up the dance how about you just ask me whatever it is you want to know?” 

Logan looked genuinely surprised and you snorted, getting back to work you started to roll out dough that had finished resting for the cinnamon rolls. Logan sat down to watch, sipping his beer and enjoying your company while he worked out how to ask you everything he was thinking without scaring you off. 

He sighed, “When you left you said you couldn’t tell us much, and I understand needing to leave the past in the past better than most.” 

You waited for him to continue as you spread the filling across the dough. There were long silences sometimes between the two of you, but they never felt awkward. Logan didn’t have the gift of gab, but you weren’t in any rush. You learned early on that it was best to give him his time, but you also realized equally early that sometimes Logan sitting down and trying to talk about his feelings was like trying to recite a poem he’s never heard in a language he doesn’t speak.

“If I’m being totally honest, and I will be since it seems like that’s what you’re getting at, I don’t really know if I fixed anything or if I just…” You trailed off and Logan nodded, scooping up more cookie dough. This was the point you realized Logan really wasn’t leaving without more answers from you, any other day and that cookie dough would be a fond memory by now. 

“If they’re sending you for intel it must be pretty bad, huh?”

You finally got a genuine laugh out of him, “No one sent me, bub. The reason I waited for this to be ready first,” he gestured to his snack, “Is because I could smell the stress on you miles away. Whatever sent you runnin off hasn’t let you alone since, matter of time before you accept the fact you need help.” 

You squinted, “Can you actually smell stress or is that an exaggeration?” It may have sounded like a joke but you were genuinely curious and he knew, deciding to humor you. 

“More complicated than I made it sound, but bottom line is yes, bub. Is it my turn to ask a question?” He threw you a signature smirk as you both nursed your drinks, cinnamon rolls temporarily abandoned. You took a deep breath. 

“You’re no stranger to the fact that there are other worlds out there, some like the ones I came from, some much closer than that within this universe.” Logan sobered up quickly, sitting up straighter. He thought it would take more prodding, he didn’t expect you to casually toss him into the deep end. “Does the name Morepheus mean anything to you?” 

Logan shook his head in the negative and you nodded, but he interrupted before you could continue, “Do you want me to wake the professor?” 

You smiled sadly, “I’m going to tell him everything too. But is it alright if I just tell you first, we’ll consider it a first draft. I really have no clue how I’m going to explain this to-” 

“I’m gonna get us some proper drinks, don’t get too ahead of yourself kiddo.” You rolled your eyes and took the break as an opportunity to finish spreading the filling and roll up the cinnamon rolls to rest ahead of slicing and baking. 

Opening up to Logan first thing upon your arrival wasn’t on your bingo card for how your return was going to go, but it wasn’t unwelcome either. Your friendship with Logan was an easy one, but you couldn’t pretend it didn’t get strained in your absence. He knew you weren’t a mutant and that some part of you felt you didn’t belong at the school, didn’t deserve it, but he would be the first to remind you that didn’t matter. Of course, you weren’t fully human either, so what that made you to the team was always a question mark in your own mind. 

Logan returned and began covering your many bowls before you had a chance to tell him what went where, “I take it you’re forcing me into a break?” 

“And some sleep if I’m lucky.” He meant it as a joke but regretted it as soon as he saw your face fall, “But for now moving us into the study with the whiskey.” 

You got the kitchen mostly in a state of order before heading down the hallway to meet Logan by the fire, plate of brownies in hand. If you weren’t painfully aware of the bad news you were about to deliver, it might even feel romantic, huddled near the fire with chocolate and alcohol. You kicked your shoes off and collapsed onto the small couch beside Logan, enough space between the two of you to feel intimate without being crowded. You closed your eyes and leaned backwards into the plush cushions of the couch, taking a deep breath as you tried to pinpoint the start. 

“Now hon the first thing you need to understand is that nothing sent me off running. It may have seemed abrupt to everyone here, except the professor that is, but I was gone the second my head hit the pillow that night. I shut my eyes here and opened them in another world.” You took a deep breath as Logan stared back at you looking like he wasn’t entirely certain if you had completely lost it or were telling him something of dire importance. Once the shock wore off and he remembered who he was speaking to, a nephilim from another universe, he decided if you told him you were pulled into another world, he had no reason to doubt it as fact.

“Do you know where you were?” 

You nodded and pointed to your empty glasses, “It’s not like you to be stingey with the liquor, ever plan on helping a girl out?” 

He rolled his eyes but eagerly poured you both what looked to be maker’s mark. Not your favorite but for the conversation ahead anything would do. You weren’t a lightweight, but you couldn’t be called a drinker either, so you surprised yourself and Logan when you downed the double shot he poured before refilling your own glass and topping off his. You expected a snarky joke or more disapproval of your behavior, but instead the Wolverine just continued to watch you as if he were studying for a test he wasn’t entirely prepared for. 

You didn’t need his heightened senses to see that your behavior was putting him on edge, and you quietly admired this as one of his most underrated abilities. He might not know what you were about to tell him, but his instincts knew before you said the words that you were gearing up for a fight. 

“Have you ever heard of the Endless?” You asked Logan and he slowly shook his head no, “I didn’t think so, at this point most people think of them as myths. Stories that got lost to time and all that. But my Uncle Lu had a few run ins with the family, not all of them good, but you know how he could be…” You wandered off for a bit and Logan felt a chill, as much as he would try to deny it. You mentioned him so casually, your “Uncle Lu”, Lucifer Morningstar, the devil himself. 

“Dream of the Endless dropped in at Lux to see if Lucifer was behind a hex bag found in the dreaming.” You pulled a leather pouch from your pocket and Logan felt all the hair on his arms stand at edge, “It’s unusual here though, this type of magic. Even some of the most powerful magic users in this world haven’t seen anything like it, but to be fair it’s some creative work.” You pulled the drawstrings slightly to open it just enough for Logan to see inside. 

“Bones? And..” He squinted at the bag and you nodded as he finished, “Sand.” 

“It belongs to Dream. Also known as the Sandman, never seen without a raven,” you gestured to the bones in the palm of your hand, “and his sand. They contain fragments of his power, even in this state.” You stared at the item in your hand that weighed on you more heavily than the literal weight of its contents. You felt yourself veering towards tipsy but reached for your glass anyway. 

“The irony of who I’m saying this to isn’t lost on me, but you seem pretty quiet, even for you.” You threw a playful elbow nudge in Logan’s direction and completely missed, he caught your shoulder before you could fall over him onto the couch. His hand stayed on your arm as he shook his head as if to clear his head. 

“Have you seen anything like it?” Logan asked cautiously. If he was being completely honest the direction of this conversation was unsettling him for reasons he couldn’t place, it was a new feeling entirely. 

“That’s the million dollar question,” You smiled sadly, “I’m gonna need a favor, Lo.” You stood up and began  throwing all your strength into sliding the small couch you and Logan had just occupied out of the way, lifting the edge of the rug it had been resting on. You gestured to a particular floorboard, “Can you lift that one?” 

You expected another question or any hesitation really, but Logan stood and did as you asked. You reached into the opening as soon as the board was cleared and pulled out a small bag that looked nearly identical to the one you had shown Logan. 

“I have a feeling I’m not gonna like where this is goin’.” Logan huffed as you returned the floorboard and started to climb back into your seat. 

“Everyone told me the kind of things in the world I came from didn’t exist here, but even when I was with Lucifer and then came here, I couldn’t just…let my guard down?” It sounded like you were asking him a question but you just kept going, “I had been on the run for years, Logan, and everyone was telling me I was safe here, but-” 

“You were stuck in survival mode.” He said it as matter of fact, and you closed your eyes and nodded, “So you hid these here for…protection?” Logan was giving you a break, filling in the gaps he came to understand from what you were telling him and what he already knew about you. 

“Some are for protection,” You nodded, “Some of them actually act as little safeguards too so that if someone or something comes waltzing in here that shouldn’t be, it can bind them to the spot.” 

Logan chuckled, the way you delighted in your clever tricks not lost on him, “Can’t say we couldn’t have used a few of those before you got here,” 

“To be honest, I wasn’t even sure if they would work here. Still not totally sure, can only tell you that this one,” you pointed to the one fallen open with sand and bones, “Managed to work in the dreaming without Morpheus detecting anything.” 

You didn’t need to tell Logan you were scared, your heart rate was erratic enough for him to start to wonder if he should change the subject, shit on Scott for a while or something else guaranteed to get a chuckle out of you. This time a few years ago he might’ve done that, when you were both still new and he didn’t know how quickly you would become pivotal to his life, to everything he knew about who he was, not that he ever said as much. When it came to you Logan wasn’t prepared to take the easy outs, he needed you to tell him everything.  

“How does it work?” It was a careful question asked quietly, vague enough to keep you talking, but not specific enough to spook you. 

“It was basically hijacking some of Dream’s power. Whoever made this used it to create a little pocket dimension for themself deep in the dreaming, the only reason Morpheus found out at all was an increasing number of dreams and nightmares stumbling upon it only to be transported back to Morpheus’s castle with no memory of their hours before.” Your voice was just above a whisper, and you startled a bit when Logan snorted. 

“This guy has a castle?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“You know, some would call this a castle, Logan.” You getured to the mansion you were seated in, tucked away in the cozy study that screamed wealth, intentional or not, “But yes, Morpheus, Dream of the Endless, King of Dreams and Nightmares. No one has that many names and doesn’t have a castle.” 

Logan caught the mocking tone and was grateful to hear it, “So are you telling me you ditched us to go hang out in a castle, Princess?” 

He smirked at you and your heart stuttered for a different reason entirely. Logan being insanely, ridiculously attractive was by no means new to you, but huddled next to the fireplace and calling you ‘Princess’, even jokingly….well, you took a deep breath and tried to laugh off just how flustered his comment made you. 

He knew, of course he knew. Any other night Logan may have finally taken the plunge, grabbed you by the chin to look him in the eye and ask if the two of you were ready to stop dancing around your feelings. But then again he had been telling himself that for months already, and the night of your return showing up being chased by ghosts from your past was probably not the best night to add more to your plate. 

“Something like that. I actually haven’t gone to the dreaming yet, Lu didn’t think…well, he thought-”

Logan stiffened and his mind started racing a thousand miles a minute while screaming at himself that he’s a fucking idiot, that he should have caught on to what this all meant sooner. 

“He thinks they’re coming for you?” It was growled through his teeth, but he needed to ask it. 

“He thinks…” you chose your next words carefully, not wanting to put Logan any more on edge than he already was, “That we don’t know enough yet to rule it out, and me prancing right into the dreaming, even with him and Morpheus-” 

“You need backup.” Logan finished for you as you nodded. 

“As much as I don’t want to involve any of you in this, I’m afraid I don’t have much of a choice. Logan, I,” you struggled with this next part, trying to figure out how to explain it. 

“Just say it, kid, don’t worry about how it sounds on my account.” 

“Logan, the best case scenario would actually be that they’re coming for me.” You whispered as Logan began to snarl, you continued talking faster, “The alternative is that someone with a lot of knowledge they shouldn’t have is trying to destabilize the dreaming. If that’s what’s happening, I’m not the only person in danger. Human and mutant alike, we’re all tied to the dreaming. If the dreaming dies…” 

“Alright kid, look,” Logan sat up in his chair and took your hands, that you hadn’t realized you were wringing anxiously, in his, “I’ve lived a long time, alright? Until I met you I didn’t know about all of this celestial bullshit, hell I still don’t understand half of what you’ve told me tonight.” You chuckled, acknowledging it was quite a lot to handle in general let alone around 3 am, “But you know what, bub? I’ve been in more wars than I’d care to count, we’ve been in battles with imperial space birds, and I’ve had to time travel enough that Chuck sometimes has to fill me in on what’s changed when my consciousness returns to the present.”

You looked at him quizzically, not having been aware of that last one and he shrugged, “You can be nosey about it later, my point is everyone under this roof has stopped the end of the world a few times by now, don’t go losing sleep before we even know what we’re up against. Give us some credit.” He winked at you and squeezed your hands before returning them to your lap and finishing his drink. 

You released a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding and smiled sweetly at him, a little too sweetly in fact, “That was quite the pep talk Lo, gotta be careful, some might say you’re starting to sound like Scott.” 

You expected a glare, maybe even an actual growl as you compared Logan to the ever present thorn in his side but instead he shrugged, “You tell anyone I said this and I’ll deny it, but one thing Summers and I agree on is tackling the big bads as a team. From this universe or whoever the hell else is stupid enough to come knocking.”

There were a few beats of silence as what Logan said soaked in, and even though your instincts were still screaming at you to run, when Logan told you you would face it and beat it as a team, god help you, you believed him.

[askhermesgrian]

Welcome to CAMP HERMITCRAFT! (Text Adventure Event) 01

(STARTING POST , PREVIOUS POST , NEXT POST , POLL AT THE END!)

Art by @ahllohehn Writing by @askhermesgrian (asst. @ahllohehn)

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LAST POLL RESULTS

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When you had said that phrase, the 'angel' was less than amused. He slowly backed off from you to properly flash you a judgmental glance at a distance safe for him.

"Even if it were to be heaven, you would've been kicked down to hell immediately if you were to attempt that with an actual angel," he said. (-1 rep)

"You're almost as bad as...." he mumbled then trailed off as he stood up from his kneeling position next to you, having seen enough of your now conscious state.

You had to sit yourself up without his help, which was an uncomfortable action to do when you could feel the heavy judgement bearing down from one side of you while having to deal and ignore the dizziness you have to deal on your own because you decided to flirt with a stranger first thing after you woke up.

With a better view of your surroundings, you can finally see that you weren't anywhere you knew. Rather than the cityscape you were used to, you were at a nature-esque scene of what seems to be a.. summer camp?

Sensing your confusion, the kid beside you spoke up to explain, "I dragged you to our camp. Safer to wait for you to wake up here than to leave you on the streets. Mortals tend to be more monstrous than actual monsters..." He mumbled the last part as softly as possible.

You tilted your head and asked "You didn't leave me?"

"Don't get me wrong. I would've left you there if I could, but you..." he looked down at you and frowned, "Well, let's just say the Fates hadn't like the idea of cutting your thread yet."

You express that you appreciate his decency, opting to ignore his weird wordings and references as you assumed he just liked speaking funny.

"I would've preferred to be dragged for treatment on possible amnesia rather than left in the grass," you had said lightheartedly.

The teen's expression took an awkward turn at that joke, avoiding your eyes, "Sorry. Dragging you further into camp would've been... dangerous for me."

Dangerous, huh? Considering that you woke up to him panicking about possibly murdering you, you assume that he was scared of getting in trouble with whatever leadership they had here rather than fearing that there's actually anything dangerous further into this camp.

You supported yourself by the heel of your palm and attempted to stand up, shakily pushing yourself up with whatever energy you were able to rejuvenate at the short amount of time.

As you were busy doing so, a call rang out from the foot of the hill.

"Oh, Griaaaan! You're back early?"

When you looked over past pseudo-angel, a brunette kid rolled up from the foot of the hill with a big smile that immediately dropped in surprise, their weird winged wheelchair coming to a stop when their emerald eyes landed on you.

They seemed to hesitate on what to do or say for a while before deciding to wave to you in greeting, "Why, hello there!"

You nodded in greeting, making the other smile wide before returning his attention back to who he was initially calling for.

"You didn't tell us you were bringing a new one, G!"

Grian.. or G's face went all wrinkly as he grit his teeth sheepishly, "Well, I didn't seem to tell myself either."

At that, the kid on the wheelchair raised an eyebrow, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I might've made a mistake that could possibly land me doing a week paperwork for Dionysus again, Scar," Grian replied with a hint of sarcasm and also a tiny bit of worry.

'Scar' went silent, looking back and forth towards you and his friend over and over, "What exactly happened?"

Grian didn't reply immediately, firmly shutting his mouth and turning his head away guiltily, "Maybe... Mayhaps... I may have perhaps possibly hit them in the head with the package I was meant to be delivering to Empires."

Scar gasped, "The Pandora's box?!"

"Pandora's box?!" you exclaimed after in fear, causing the dirty blonde teen to roll his eyes at both you and Scar's dramatics.

"It's not actually Pandora's box. I think," Grian mumbled the last part unsurely, "But it was definitely a package that shouldn't be used to knock people out."

That wasn't reassuring at all and even Grian knows so with the way he sheepishly scratched the back of his head awkwardly like he's at a loss for how to repair this situation.

"Is the package still fine then?" Scar asked.

The red cardigan wearing teen hunched over himself guiltily, "Right, about that..."

Grian turned his head to look at the messenger bag abandoned on the grass to the side, picking it up and rummaging through it before bringing out a intricate looking box covered by a cloth. He put the cloth aside, preparing to open the box.

Scar widened his eyes and reached out to stop him, "Wait, that's--!" But Grian had already opened it anyway.

Scar shut his eyes and brought his shoulders up to his ears as if expecting something, but nothing came. You both look over to the open box, Scar looking on in disbelief while you tilted your head confusingly.

It was empty?

"Oh, gods, Grian that's not---"

"Not good. Not good. I know!" Grian sighed exasperatedly, shutting the box and shoving it back into his bag angrily. He glanced at you and mumbled something unintelligible.

"Are you okay?" Scar checked on you directly after bearing the news that whatever was in their package was apparently gone. Unlike Grian, this Scar person was a lot more welcoming and gentle with the way he spoke.

Though his sparkling eyes seem to say he was interested on finding out another thing rather than your actual well-being.

"Anything magical? Feel anything special?" Scar asked eagerly.

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PLAYER STATUS Watchers' notes: This is where you can all check your status as one collective player. Please pay attention.

General Status: Possible amnesia. One side of your head still feels numb from getting hit by a blunt force.

Reputation Status: 9/10 (-1 from Grian.)

Current Run Notes: - (!) Grian is wary of you. - (!) Scar is curious about you - ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ||'∷ᒷ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑╎リ⊣ ᒷᔑ⊣ᒷ∷ꖎ||.

[cbsghostsmetasandtrevor]

CBS Ghosts - Hello! - Sam's Confrontation of the Ghosts - Part 1

Warning - Spoilers will appear.

I took a second gif focusing on the ghosts reaction. Mainly because I wanted to talk about what they're doing here.

Trevor appears to be dancing - to what, I don't know, but he's not the only one. It also appears that he and Isaac are making moves to get up and I don't get why.

Isaac and Alberta are both freaking out apparently.

Flower's doing some sort of dance for Thor.

and Hetty and Sass were talking/dancing IDK.

And Pete, naturally, was announcing her presence.

I can't help wondering if they were attempting to 'look busy' like they weren't just sitting there waiting for her to return. When that is OBVIOUSLY what they were doing.

Speaking of, they've all moved around from their previous positions in the last scene and they LOOK like they're trying to be nonchalant, so I can ONLY assume that they were staring out the window and then rushed to these positions to make it seem like they were not staring out the window - it makes sense with Pete's sudden appearance in the car in the previous scene (and how worried they were).

They're like students who were told to sit and wait for the teacher's return quietly and absolutely didn't listen and are now PRETENDING they did.

Okay, okay. You have to admire Sam's gumption here.

She walks into the room - goes 'yeah, yeah, you're here - I admit it, now go the Fuck away' (I'm paraphrasing). I LOVE it. She CAN stand up for herself, I feel like she's lost this along the way as she actually has grown to appreciate them, but I have to admire her here and hope she gets this gumption back.

Also, Jay's side-eyes in the back are SO FUNNY. To him, she's talking to an empty room, and just like - what is going on here?

Side note, I love how they're like 'well, at least we're moving in the right direction'. Also, Trevor and Isaac speaking to respond to her.

Trevor tells her that it's a good step and calls her babe - I'm guessing it's because he's heard Jay call her that and thought it was cute instead of annoying. Kind of like throwing around Sweetheart or Honey, which I hear sometimes. And I sometimes throw around. Oops?

Isaac asks, "Well, what is happy?" - I wonder if he's thinking that because he's still annoyed about the Hamilton thing and is not exactly Happy.

Also, I love how they're mirroring each other with body language.

Anyway - Sam's not having it and just continues with "GO THE F AWAY."

LMAO - Sam makes this great speech hoping to send them off to play, but is met with LAUGHTER.

Poor Sam. She's yet to understand what's happened in her life. Can you imagine what she's THINKING right now - she probably hyped herself up for the whole car ride about this, maybe she figured the ghost doctor was cool so these ghosts would be chill about it?

Also, they all have such different laughs. Love it.

Poor Sam, being laughed at.

It's funny that while laughing, Trevor's like "She's funny too" as if she planned that to be a joke. Was Isaac the one to say "that's great"? He's looking at Trevor as if he agrees. I wonder what Trevor/Isaac's bond is like? It seems rather... interesting.

I should do metas on Trevor's relationships. ... ANYWAY.

I love that Alberta (still the only one to introduce herself as far as we know) is the one to point out that if they COULD leave, they absolutely would. (and some part of Sam had to realize that - why ELSE hang out in a broken old mansion? Especially with such VASTLY different personalities).

Interesting question - IF the ghosts could be anywhere, where would they want to live? (Jay should totally ask that and put it in his ghosts' notes).

Then, as if they rehearsed this, Thor jumps in with "where you die", Flower with "How you die" and Pete with "It's a classic haunted house."

The by play of this bit here sounds like something they've explained before - perhaps to Stephanie? Maybe to Trevor? Maybe it's part of "The welcome ceremony" that Pete's references with Isaac's speech in TP?

Or maybe they figured they'd have to explain to Sam and practice this while they were waiting... OMG, yeah, they probably did. THESE DORKS.

It's interesting that they expected her return and for her to acknowledge them.

Still, I love it - it's an example of how you spend too much time with someone that you begin to finish their sentences.

In the words of Sass, "They have lived there way too long."

I love how Hetty's the one to say this.

It's so interesting that in the last two episodes she's yoyo'd so much.

First, she didn't like her "harlot hair". Then she admired her or at least felt touched for her after the fight with Jay when she said she could 'see building a family here and connecting to the place'. She was so upset when Sam was taken away.

BUT almost as soon as she returns, Hetty's been against her again - not enough to help with the whole 'driving her crazy' plan, but she was one of those against her staying.

And as the lady of the house, I bet she wanted to be the one to kick her out. It's HER house - Sam must leave. Although, I am surprised it isn't Isaac. I do like his face though, he looks ... IDK how to describe it.

It's interesting how Flower and Alberta seem to be agreeing here, since initially they were on board with her staying. Love the hand motions.

Anyway. Sam's response is killer.

LMAO - Sam's like "Fuck no - we got no money and I'm NOT about to let this stand".

And She's right - no matter what she does here, she's screwed! She has two options - A) make peace with the ghosts and cohabitate peacefully or B) leave and hopes she finds better ghosts to deal with.

The second option isn't viable because Jay made it clear they're in a TON of debt by his choice while she was in the hospital. So basically, she's like "We only have one option" and then - she's like ... how can we make this work?

It's a great approach to the problem. If you can't get rid of a problem, find a way to deal with it.

Also, poor Jay - so freaked out and Pete's side-eye is so funny.

If there's one thing I wish had stuck from this confrontation - It's Sam holding her ground. We see that it does last in a few more episodes, but by Season 2, she's a pushover.

Hopefully, she starts doing better in Season 3 about standing her ground.

This, though, is badass. She doesn't know if they can do anything to her and they outnumber her terribly, but she is SO over it that she stands her ground and says "Let's make a deal."

I put the demands in the next post, but I do wanna address something real quick - I LOVE that they establish some long-standing storylines with this scene.

Thanks for Reading :)

Anyway, feel free to chat :)

[littlegodzilla]

Hello! I'm so glad that your requests are finally open, gawd I've waited for this day 😭❤️.

So I would like to request a Norman and Reader smut where reader is also a part of the TWD cast and her character is paired opposite Daryl's in the show and while shooting for Daryl and Reader segs scenes under the sheets Norman actually makes her come 😏🤓

Hi anon!!

Sorry for taking me so long! But I was pretty busy with my work and my mini series. I'm really sorry! I hope you are still here!

I hope you'll like it!!

Enjoy!!

≈≈≈≈≈≈

Under the sheets.

Norman Reedus x Reader.

Anon request. One shot.

Warnings: Smut. Not much plot.

Words: 3470.

Taglist: @phoenixblack89 @browneyes528 @lilythemadqueen @darylsgarden @thefemininemystiquee @green-eyedladywrites @hail-yourselves @ruinedbythehobbit @xxtinasxxblog @ravenwings73 @spenciepoo338 @b-tchymoon @minervadashwood @darylssluttt @let-love-bleeds-red

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

You're a little nervous, you've been going over the script for several weeks, but finally the scene has arrived. The Walking Dead was a great opportunity for you, even though you started in the middle of the show, but you soon fit in with the cast, everyone welcomed you as one of them, they helped you with the complicated scenes.

Your character is part of The Kingdom, at the beginning your character doesn't interact much with Daryl, your affinity is linked to Carol, your first scene together was in Shiva's cage, you were already there and Daryl hides there looking for a moment of solitude, but he is surprised to find you next to the tigress.

The idea of the screenwriters is to form a relationship with you and Daryl, at first you are not convinced, Daryl is a beloved character, but it is not something forced, little by little your bond and your shots together are more frequent and as time goes by, people are comfortable with you around the archer.

Your relationship with Norman developed as slowly as your character's relationship with Daryl. At first you would stand on the sidelines on one side of the table to eat, you would share small conversations with the group, on the other side Norman would talk to Andy and Melissa, he didn't purposely ignore you, he tended to surround himself with the people he knew and felt more comfortable with. But you couldn't help but watch him, you tried to be discreet, you admired from a distance the way he acted, how he took the script and studied it until he became the Daryl he wanted to show the world. As your characters interacted, so did you and little by little you began to trust each other, to spend more time together, you no longer sat on one side of the table, Norman made room for you near his group and even though you all talked, you felt special for being there.

A year ago your character confessed to Daryl, after all the bad things Alexandria and its inhabitants had been through, your character couldn't take it anymore and told Daryl everything she felt. Your characters shared their first on-camera kiss.

It was the first time you kissed Norman.

Since then, a year ago, you feel Norman fooling around with you more evidently than you thought, it was nothing special, he didn't have any magic phrase, or anything like that, Norman is patient, he looks at you, he smiles at you, he jokes and talks to you, he makes it natural, easy and that's what has made you crazy about him.

That's why now you're shaking like a flan.

Your characters' relationship has been well accepted, so the producers want to go a step further and show some intimacy between you and Daryl, they wanted you to have a moment of peace and passion after so much pain and suffering.

The room is set up to shoot the scene, it's the room you share almost from the moment you arrive in Alexandria, when your character gets him to let his guard down. The lighting is dim, it's hot, hotter than it usually is in Georgia, there are several cameras, but you are relatively "alone". Norman appears in the room then dressed in Daryl's clothes, hair disheveled, but he was clean, neat, which was odd to his character, but the producers are excited.

"Alright guys, let's get started, remember, you're the one who starts the action." He looks at you indicating what to do. "We all know Daryl needs that push, take it easy, don't get overwhelmed."

"Okay..." You throat clear and put your script aside then face Norman.

You stare at each other, Norman immediately takes his stance as Daryl, but before you start to speak, he slyly winks at you and your cheeks redden.

"Daryl, stop it." You ask him nervously. "We have peace again." You walk up to him, resting your hands on his shoulders.

"Ya dunno that..." He's changed his voice to the gruff, growling tone so characteristic of Daryl. "What if they come back, what if another Negan shows up, another Alpha...?"

"Stop, no, don't think about that." You hold his face so he'll look at you. "Alexandria is safe again. We can relax, a little, take care of our people... be happy." You whisper without taking your eyes off him.

"Death is still out there..."

"And we'll keep fighting it, but..." You lick your lips, closing your eyes for a moment. Giving it a dramatic touch, remembering your phrases. "I love you, Daryl, I need you here..." You whisper once more and wait.

Norman has a line there, you know it, he has to reciprocate your feelings and then you should make the first move, but Norman says nothing, doesn't move. He bites his lip nervously, hair covering his eyes, avoiding your gaze. Your hands brush his cheeks before resting them on his shoulders again and then you stand on tiptoe, your lips meeting.

It's just a peck, your lips against his, you wanted to break away fast, but you feel his lips move under yours and you freeze. It's just a touch, you feel his lips press against yours, but you forget what you were going to do, your sentence, the kiss is getting long and awkward and uncomfortable. You curse mentally and pull away from him.

"S-sorry, I..." You stammer wanting to stop the scene, but Norman won't let you.

He holds your arm so you don't pull away, he pulls you in, his hand cradles your cheek and his lips trap yours in an intense kiss. He catches your upper lip at the same time his hands hold your face, a moan escapes you as his teeth scrape your lip and his tongue darts into your mouth, your fingers tremble in your grip on his wrists. The kiss becomes more intense, Norman dominates the kiss, you're sure he's stopped thinking like Daryl as you kiss. You yourself forget that you're not there alone, that you're kissing in front of a group, cameras and lighting maintaining that atmosphere, but you're not able to think of anything every time his tongue tangles with yours, when his hand plays with your hair between his fingers, tugging it lightly, keeping you glued to him, making you sigh once more.

Your brain kicks in once more, without letting your lips part you begin to unbutton his vest, pulling it down from his shoulders, your body vibrates as your hands rub his broad shoulders running up and down his arms. Norman leaves your mouth to kiss your jaw and neck, your body slams against the wall of the room as his hands tighten on your waist massaging your skin, squeezing your buttocks between his fingers. You moan uncontrollably as you quickly undo the buttons of his shirt and pull it off until it falls to the floor. It's his turn, he leaves your ass to grab your shirt and pull it over your head, you're wearing several layers which he quickly peels off until you're down to your bra. Your bodies part a few inches apart, Norman watches you intently, his bare chest rises and falls in a deep breath, his eyes are hidden under his hair but you can feel them pierce through you staring at you. Your mouths meet once more, the kisses become wild and you feel yourself struggling to keep up with him. Norman grabs you by the thighs and, helping himself to the wall, lifts you off the floor. You can't hide your surprise, but you wrap your legs around his waist before he starts walking to the bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress. You settle onto his lap, untangle your legs from his waist to rest your knees on the mattress, Norman helps you, his hands not letting go of your ass, he sticks you to his crotch and you rock your hips, you gasp against his mouth and look at each other, his package is hard and the very prick just smiles and winks discreetly at you before he goes back to kissing your neck, biting your skin, licking and sucking, leaving a small mark on it. Your judgment clouds again, your hips swaying on their own, your skin crawling with goose bumps as his hands caress your back and unclasp your bra. You bite your lip nervously as he undoes your garment, his lips that were playing with your neck, down your collarbone to your chest, your arms wrap around his shoulders, your fingers tangle in his hair, Norman kneads your breasts between his hands, his tongue brushes against one of your nipples and you close your eyes throwing your head back.

"Focus closer." You hear it in the room.

Your body tenses all at once, so hard and obvious that you tremble in Norman's arms, your fingers stiffen between the strands of his hair and your hips hang in suspension as you're rubbing clear against him. Norman grunts against your skin before snaping in annoyance. He lifts his head from between your tits and looks over your shoulder at the group filming the scene.

"Can we cut away for a moment?" He says, you still unable to move.

"Is something wrong?" one of them asks, concerned.

"No, but understand that this scene is complicated." He makes a hand gesture pointing to the camera you have just inches away from you. "We're trying to get into the role, it's already uncomfortable having someone hanging around, if you talk..."

"Yeah, right, sorry Norman, you're right. The truth was looking perfect." Laments another. "Continue where you were, we'll cut out shortly so you can get inside the bed for a little jump into the action."

Norman nods and seeks your gaze again. You're nervous, not even able to kiss him when he does it again, his hands pulling you to him, his lips brushing your neck to your ear.

"Relax..." He whispers barely moving his lips so it doesn't show on camera. "Ignore them..."

Of course, since that's so simple. You nod your head still feeling your body tremble, he bites your ear moving down your neck again, his fingers play with your nipples, squeezing them lightly sending a stream of pleasure throughout your body. Slowly your hips move again, he is still hard and tight against his pants. You sigh as he lowers your hips so the friction is more, he moves you against him, following his rhythm, his forehead rests against yours and he sighs against your lips.

He's enjoying himself, he really is, it's not just a performance anymore, it's not just a scene from the TV series anymore. The flirting and innuendoes are long gone, now he is totally aroused, enjoying that intimate moment so he can touch you. You're sure you would feel violent and uncomfortable if it were someone else, another situation, but Norman wants you and that's the proof. Still it's crazy, you're not alone in that room, anyone could notice and maybe Norman would know how to get out of the situation, but you're sure you just wanted the Earth to swallow you up.

You feel and hear him unbutton your pants, his lips that were still tracing your neck make a small wet sound as he pulls away and stares at you. His pupils are fully dilated and he licks his lips.

God is he going to kill you.

"Okay, let's move on to the scene inside the bed." They cut the recording again pulling you out of your reverie.

"Can you give us a few minutes?" Norman asks looking back over your shoulder at them.

"Yeah, sure, we know these things are sometimes a little awkward. Let us know."

The crew leaves the room, you're amazed at the power Reedus comes to have over the people on set, and off set. You stare at him, still not off his lap, but his hands tightly gripping your buttocks won't let you either. Your eyes connect for a few seconds, neither of you say anything, his breathing is heavy, controlling himself unlike you who's heart is racing. He brushes your cheek with his thumb and leaves a softer kiss on your lips.

"I-I think..." You stammer, but he gestures for you to be quiet.

"We don't have much time and talking isn't what I want right now."

"N-Norman, that's crazy, they're..." But you can't finish the sentence, his hand slips inside your pants and his fingers move against your clit.

A moan escapes between your lips and you hold tightly to his shoulders as he increases the intensity of his fingers against your sensitive muscle. It's only a few seconds, his fingers are lost lower, between your folds, wet since you've started the whole scene. You gasp and he grunts as two fingers ease their way into your pussy, he moves them in and out then pulls them out leaving you wanting more, totally aroused, your pussy clenching against nothing wanting something to fill it again. You shiver as Norman licks his own fingers tasting you and hums.

"Ya taste so fuckin' good." He growls in Daryl's voice and for a second you think you've cum just with his voice.

"This is crazy..."

"Maybe, do you want me to stop?" he stares at you, intently, his hands on your waist again, his thumbs stroking your skin.

You are unable to respond even though your brain is screaming at you that yes, you should stop him. Norman smiles mischievously lifting you off his lap, he pulls your pants and underwear off and hides them under the bed, opens the sheets for you to get inside as he gets rid of his clothes and does the same with yours. Hiding under the covers Norman kisses you again, as he has been doing throughout the recording, intense, wild, dominant, his tongue bursting into your mouth, moving his hips, his naked cock rubbing against your folds, brushing against your clit.

"T-they're going to figure it out..." You try to put some sense into all this.

"It's possible, but we'll have had our fun." He smiles mischievously and you know you're lost.

"Can we go in now?"

"Yes." He says sitting up, covering your nakedness from the waist down with the sheets, you cover your breasts with your arms as you were protected by Norman's body before, but now everyone is looking at you. "I thought, she should be on top of Daryl." He speaks again and you look at him opening your eyes wide.

"I like it, her showing him how it's done and then Daryl can take the control" Says one of them and tells the cameraman where to stand.

You two move at the same time to change positions, the sheets remain wrapped around your waist so that nothing is visible while still being sensual and erotic, but without bordering on pornography. Norman places his cock under the sheets between your folds but doesn't push himself inside you, his tip pressing against your clit, your hands shaking against his chest, your knees resting on the mattress is the only thing visible outside the sheets, with your feet and Norman's legs, your naughtiness is well hidden.

"All right, everyone ready? Action!" they shout next to you.

Norman shakes his head, his bangs revealing his blue eyes, he wiggles his hips under you, his tip pushes against your clit and you have to close your eyes for a second. When you look back up at him the challenge is still shining in his eyes, mischievous and aroused. You take a deep breath, if you're really going to get caught at this, at least you're going to have fun. You lean over his body to kiss him, he reciprocates the moment, you push his hair away from his eyes and break the kiss to settle back on top of him. You slowly move your hips, your pussy sliding down his length, your folds moistening his cock as you rock on him. You sigh at the sensation of his tip rubbing your clit sending waves of pleasure throughout your body, you rest your hands on his chest as you move faster, gasping and letting out some moans. Norman lifts his hands to your tits, massages them and squeezes your nipples drawing a louder moan from you. You look at him and discover that he hasn't taken his eyes off you, his half-open mouth lets out an almost imperceptible gasp, there's a half smile forming on his mouth, enjoying it all. You see him close his eyes, grimacing in even greater pleasure as your folds wrap around his tip only to slide back down his entire length. You smile in satisfaction, but your moment of glory only lasts a few seconds.

Norman incorporates under you, his mouth slams against yours so desperately it hurts, his teeth bite your lips and his tongue chokes you as it thrusts into your mouth. One of his hands rests on your lower back on the sheets, the other is hidden between your bodies and you feel his tip slide into your pussy. You both gasp at the same time, your nails scratching his cheek as you feel him slowly fill you.

"Fucking tight..." He huffs through his teeth sitting up fully on his crotch.

You need a moment, you can't move yet, you need to adjust to his size, but you know you can't stay like this for long otherwise they'll notice. You look up to find Norman still staring at you, he's breathing heavily through his nose, his hand is lost in the sheets rubbing your clit again, you tense around his cock for a moment, Norman hisses and you start to move over his lap. Norman holds your ass and helps you move over him, you moan as you feel him go in much deeper, your walls tighten and clench around his cock each time you bounce on his body, the pleasure increases as his fingers don't stop. You know you are about to cum, you look at him urgently and can't hold back any longer. Your mouths collide again, drowning your moan inside his as pleasure explodes through your body. Norman grunts, he grabs your ass and pulls you backwards on top of you, your waists still wrapped in the sheets covering your nakedness, he places one of your legs over his shoulder and begins to fuck you through your orgasm, thrusting hard and deeper seeking his own relief.

"Norman, hold her hand." You hear beside you and you tense up again.

You hear Norman moan in your ear as your walls tighten around him, he is about to cum, but he still has the lucidity to reach for your hand and grip it tightly, the camera moves to that position and your fingers become entangled. Norman uses your hand and the edge of the mattress as a foothold and pushes back inside you, twice more, before pulling out and cumming on your stomach as he hides his face against your shoulder and trembles slightly on your body.

"And cut! Fuck that was perfect, very good scene, guys." They congratulate you two and you burst out laughing.

Norman slowly recovers and gets up on the bed moving you with him, sitting back on his lap, you feel the strands of cum from your belly roll down your skin, staining you both more. Your gaze and his meet again, you can see a glint of apology and shyness in them and it surprises you. Where is all that bravery now?

"Love ya..." You say trying to make a masculine voice. Norman looks at you with a slight frown, confused. "You've forgotten your line, Reedus." You joke with a smile full of mischief and he snorts through his nose.

"Shit, you're right." The team, who were already packing up, then stop to look at you. "Looks to me like we're going to have to repeat the scene. All of it." He smiles, too, raising an eyebrow.

You look at the recording crew who are looking at you in confusion and a new laugh comes over you resting your forehead on Norman's shoulder, you hear him and feel him chuckle as he strokes your hair, not getting off his lap yet.

You don't quite know what's going to happen when they leave, when you leave that room, you don't know what it means or where it all leads, but....

You wouldn't mind repeating the scene again.

***

The End.

****

I hope you liked it!

See you in the next stories!!

[reidsbuckley]

mike's s4 body language (vol2)

hello everyone, and welcome to vol2 of my mike s4 body language analysis! before I start, I would just like to thank you guys for all of the love on vol1. it truly means the world to me, and feel free to submit any other things you'd like me to do an analysis on. now onto the analysis.

-

vol2 was a whirlwind, to say the least. I know many people (including myself) couldn't watch the rest of the volume without thinking of the painting scene and how they'd used will being gay to further/"help" mlvn (something that I'm still seething about), but in vol2 we actually see a lot deeper into mike's mind that people think. let's go in order, starting with the painting scene.

-

now I don't know about you, but this scene hit me like a ton of bricks (me being a will kinnie jumped out). will crying, mike not picking up what will was putting down, jonathan catching on to what was happening through the rearview mirror. all of it was just so intense, so let's take it step by step, line by line, screencap by screencap, and really get a sense of what's going on.

"Can I...show you something?"

in the painting scene, obviously will asks mike if he can show it to him, and mike just nods. his eyes are glued on will's face, only shifting to the painting when we also have it in view, but his eyes quickly go back to will's face. when will hands it to him, mike looks back and forth between will and the painting, a way of asking "...for me?" (despite will literally having asked if he could show him something).

as soon as mike sees that it's a painting, his face lights up. this is the happiest he has been the entire season, and all because of a painting.

"This is amazing. Did you paint this?"

so Mike lacks critical thinking skills, hooray, but one thing I noticed about this line is that he uses his Will Voice™ (and if you remember from my last analysis, mike only ever uses this voice when talking with will, to will, about will, something that, in this scene, becomes widely important).

also, the pure joy on his face and hopefulness...it's almost like he needs for this to have come straight from will (something that brings me back to mike's life falling apart after will had moved, the one consistency in his life being him having kept up all of will's artwork...).

"Yeah, yeah. I mean, El...asked me to. She commissioned it, basically. I mean, she told me what to draw."

The second that mike hears will say that it was el's idea, his excitement over the painting dwindles. he was wanting it to be from will (and it is, but he's so caught up in so many things that he's not able to put 2 and 2 together in the moment).

"Anyway, my point is, see how you're leading us here? You're guiding the whole party, inspiring us. Tha- that's what you do. And see your coat of arms here? It's...it's a heart, and I know it's sort of on the nose, but that's what holds this whole party together— heart— because, I mean, without heart, we'd all fall apart."

this part of will's monologue is about mike (obviously), and mike looks deep in thought, like he's hanging on to every word that will is saying, really taking it all in, living in how will feels about him, how will views him, but then...

"Even El. Especially El."

...will mentions el and suddenly mike seems less interested in the conversation, slight confusion coming over him. after all, will had just been saying how he felt about mike, but then started talking about how el feels about him. but mike already (or should) knows how el feels about him, so he's not interested in hearing it again. not when he hasn't heard will tell him how he feels towards him in such a long time (discluding their fight, of course).

"These past few months she's been...so lost without you. It's just, she's so...different from other people, and when...when you're different...sometimes...you feel like a mistake."

in this scene we can clearly see through jonathan's pov in the rearview mirror that mike isn't as in tune with what will is saying anymore, like he's trying to distance himself from the conversation now, that is until will says "and when...when you're different...sometimes...you feel like a mistake", mike is looking directly at will, and his facial expression goes from disinterest to worry and concern, glancing up and down, like some outside force is causing will this pain (most likely wanting it to be an outside force because he's fought outside physical demons before, but helping will fight his inner ones would prove to be much harder, even if it can be done, him wanting to be able to sooth will and make him feel okay), and his expression stays this way through the rest and up until the end of the monologue.

But you- you make her feel like she's not a mistake at all. Like she's better for being different, and that gives her the courage to fight on.

at this, mike raises a brow, showing the slightest bit of relief wash over him. "okay, so, will isn't totally miserable, he's not entirely okay, but he's not entirely not," like an "I can deal with this, I can help, I can do something. just being here I am doing something. okay. good. this is good." it is so clear that, in some respect, even if that is subconscious, he knows that (at least a part of) this is about will still.

If she was mean to you or- or she seemed like she was pushing you away it was probably just because she was scared of losing you, just like you're scared of losing her.

with this line, will loses mike again just a little bit. the person will saying these things about not clicking in mike's mind. he knows that what will is saying about el isn't true, because el wasn't being mean to him. she wasn't pushing him away. in fact, she was trying to get them to be closer, wanting him to say one word. one. but he couldn't/wouldn't (at this point). and mike isn't stupid. he may have his dumb moments, and he may be clueless and oblivious half the time, but he is not stupid. so he knows that what will is saying isn't about el, but he's just not clicking that will is talking about himself.

And- and if she was going to lose you, I- I think she'd rather just get it over with quick. Like ripping off a bandaid.

mike takes a big gulp at this. he swallows hard, glancing at will up and down again, the short relief he had leaving just as quickly as it came. he's worried and scared because he knows that will isn't talking about el, but with mike not having been able to put 2 and 2 together quite yet, it is so clear that he is terrified of losing whoever it is that will is talking (whom we all know is will, but mike doesn't).

So yeah, El needs you Mike, and she always will."

when will says "el needs you", mike's takes a deep breath in and it appears that it gets caught in his chest, it having risen but not quite fallen. we don't see his reaction to "and she always will", but when we do see his face again, it is so clear that something has clicked inside of him. he knows something, even if it's not everything that will was trying to convey, but he knows at least some of what will meant, possibly even knows (again, even if that is subconsciously) that will was talking about himself.

"Yeah?"

the Will Voice™. I can not stress this enough, this is the most will voice that his will voice has been the entire season. like, it's as soft as it was when he said "yeah. yeah, I really do" back in season 2 when he was reassuring will that everything was happening for a reason. and something I like to say about this "yeah?", this specific moment he uses his Will Voice™, because it feels like the only way to really get my point across (and it's something that came to me when I mentioned to my twitter gc for the first time that he used his Will Voice™ in this scene): the yeah was yeahing.

but that's not all. he doesn't just use his Will Voice™ here. no. it is so much more than that, because he's also smiling. a worried smile, sure, but a smile nonetheless, that excitement from when he saw the painting coming back to him because things are starting to click.

so not only did he use his Will Voice™, which he only uses when talking to will about will, but he smiles. take a minute to let that sink in.

"Yeah."

mike closes his cheesy grin to a tight-lipped smile, just like the one from season 2 when he'd said the infamous line of "crazy together". the same. exact. smile, only BIGGER, and then he goes right back to ogling at the painting.

-

now I'm going to skip over the monologue, because I don't feel like watching it again, because there's too many different theories that everyone, regardless of ships, has talked about or come up with, and I'm not getting in the middle of that. this is a fan/ship war free zone, so let's skip straight to the cabin scene, shall we?

-

so the cabin scene, one that we'd been anticipating since about halfway through the month of june when we got those two photos and a gif leaked (what a time, what a time, what a time). let's start pre-couch.

"Did she...talk to you at all?" "Not much. I mean, a little bit."

So Mike has just confessed his love to his girlfriend, something that she's waited almost an entire year for, but then she doesn't talk to him at all...? and he does seem genuinely distressed over it, which is good, but it comes off more as annoyance than anything else (at least to me, but you can view that bit however you'd like).

"Dr. Brenner says she wasn't ready, and she's starting to think he's right." "That's crap. If it wasn't for her, if she hadn't left the lab, Max wouldn't be alive right now." "I know. She's um...she's never lost before. Not like this." "She'll have another chance." "Let's hope not. Let's hope One is dead and rotting."

Once again, a byler heart to heart starts off as something else, not having anything to do with them and their relationship (and it doesn't at all, but it does show how strong their connection is, and I'll explain why).

"He's not."

Mike immediately snaps his head to look at will. you can see as the gears begin to turn, as everything starts to come back into his mind, as he starts to think about everything that he's seen will go through (after all, he was there by will's side the entire time, all up until they left to go exercise the Mind Flayer out of him and he was forced to stay behind).

Now that I'm here, in Hawkins, I can feel him. And he's hurt. He's hurting. But he's still alive. It's strange, knowing now who it was the whole time, but I can still remember what he thinks...,

we get to see mike's face again after this, and he is terrified. the way he's look at will is with pure fear and worry. he is so afraid and so worried because he doesn't want to have to see will go through all of that again (not to mention his own trauma that goes along with that).

when will says "this whole time", mike even quirks a brow, and you can see that there's anger that begins to bubble up in that fear and worry, because now mike knows, too, that this whole time it was Vecna who had been messing with will's brain, not the mind flayer (because vecna is controlling the mind flayer).

"...and how he thinks...and he's not going to stop. Ever. Not until he's taken everything and everyone. We have to kill him."

at this last bit of will's THIRD monologue this season, we see mike in deep thought, like he's already coming up with a plan while also trying to push down all that emotion he was feeling before and we get to see as that switch flips from clueless and oblivious to protector mode. we get to see as he gets, as finn said, kicked into gear, which is only furthered by the 5 words he says in response.

"And we will. We will."

once again, Mike pulls out the Will Voice™, this scene being a direct parallel to in season 2 when he says "we won't let him" in regards to the mind flayer spying back, and instead of a handhold, we get a shoulder touch. but he's holding onto will's shoulder for dear life. like, look at this:

like, that has got to hurt. I mean, mike is digging his nails into will's shoulder, all the while his thumb is there in a more comforting manner, and if you pay attention to it he rubs his thumb against will's shoulder lightly, his grip slowly relaxing as will relaxes, too.

mike is trying to hard to make will feel okay here. he is more worried with will in this moment than anything else. he even glances at will up and down again, like he's watching all of will's nervous ticks and watching his breathing, wanting nothing more than for will to be okay. that's what this entire scene is, because it's from his point of view. mike's point of view.

-

my basic conclusion is, mike started out this season not being himself, struggling without his best friend by his side, but when he sees his best friend he still struggles. there's something more we're not seeing. as the season unravels, he's split in two. one part of him solely focused on el, the other just seeming off. but then the painting scene happens and it becomes clear that he, one some level, feels the same way will does, only furthered by his reaction to what will said at the cabin. all of this tied with what we've been told so far about will's role in season 5, I think that mike himself will have an arc in s5 that covers not only his internal thoughts and realizations (everything from him that we didn't get so see this season), but also his trauma and survival.

[astoryisaloveaffair]

Fix You - Chapter 12: Free Fallin’

Pairing: Frankie “Catfish” Morales x Fem!Reader

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Chapter Summary: You and Frankie have to look inwards when you get into a fight

Word Count: 9500

Rating: 18+, Explicit, Lemon

*If you click Keep Reading, that means you agree that you’re the age to handle mature and explicit themes, kinks, and violence. Additionally, you understand and acknowledge warnings may not be present to avoid spoilers for the story*

Chapter Warnings: age gap (10-15 years), cussing, drinking, ANGST, PiV, oral (m rec), exhibitionism, SOFTNESS, Frankie being a dick

A/N: Hello and welcome BACK my friends, I couldn’t leave you hanging that long without posting so here we go! LETS GET INTO IT! Shit’s really picking up now so prepare for multiple scene shifts. We are also getting a Santiago POV!! This chapter does have more of a limitation on where reader lives, but it had to be this way because it’s significant to the story. BIG big shoutout to my babe @musings-of-a-rose​ for being a cheerleader, sounding board, and for making the chapter moodboard I AM IN TEARSSSS. I also dedicate this chapter to @moralesfish​ who made an amazing fancam for this fic last week! Go check it out pleassseee!

Suggested Songs: “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Yellow” by Coldplay, “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Let Down” by Radiohead, “Where It Stays” by Charlotte OC

“What the fuck are you doing?”

You freeze, your heart dropping in your chest. Shit. You turn to face him and grimace, sloppily shoving the paperwork back into the dresser without even looking to see where it was going.

It’s hard to look at him. His jaw is clenched so tight you swear you can hear his teeth grinding as the muscles twitch and shift in his cheeks, his entire body is stiff as a board, hands at his sides in fists, opening and closing, fingers twitching. His eyes…are so wide, his brow so furrowed, it makes you look away because keeping eye contact with those hard black eyes staring angrily in yours actually physically hurts. 

“I asked you a question.” Somehow, him not yelling made it sound even worse.

You look at your feet. “I was…just trying to help.”

“By snooping through all my shit and trying to find all the things you can fix about me?!”

You jerk back at the jab, the harshness of it making you feel like you were shot in the chest. “No! Frankie…I meant I was just trying to help you with your laundry! I didn’t know there was anything even in there. It was an accident!” You can feel the tears welling in your eyes and you subtly pinch the bridge of your nose to keep them at bay, playing it off like it’s an irritated tic. You heave a sigh and return your gaze to Frankie’s. “Look, I was just putting your clothes away and I got a papercut and I was wondering what —”

He cuts you off, his voice cold and stern. “I don’t need you to clean up after me. I’m not a child.”

“Um. I know that, I thought I was doing you a favor. You don’t need to be condescending. Why the fuck are you being so mean? Throwing the things I told you back in my face? I told you that in confidence, I don’t do that anymore.”

“Yea, you told me in confidence, and I didn’t show you this at all, so if you’re mad, maybe you can understand how the fuck I feel.”

You could never have prepared yourself for how this anger would feel when it was directed at you. It swells and burns, and when the pangs in your chest abate and your chest swells, you realize you're getting angry too. Before you can stop yourself, you snap back. “Well, who hides something in a dresser drawer?! And why are you hiding shit anyways? I don’t have any secrets from you. But I’m starting to feel like you do.”

“Get out.” His eyes are completely hollow, devoid of any emotion whatsoever. You almost don’t even process what he’s saying. Your heart drops into your stomach, throbbing as you stand and stare at him. “What?”

“Get out of my house.”

“...Are you serious?”

Still no emotion. He looks like a robot, but not the cute Wall E kind. More like Hal 9000. Or an IG-Series. 

He continues. “I don’t like having to repeat myself.”

Who is this person? You grit your teeth to stave off the tears once more, swallowing thickly before you look up at him and fix him with a glare to match his own. “Fine.”

You push past him to the bedroom, grabbing the overnight bag you’d set down in there when you came to the house a few hours before, not making any eye contact as you stuff your things back in and zip it up. You can feel the tears finally swelling and cresting over your lower eyelids and you would rather die than let him see it, so you stare at the ground and hustle past him without a word. You manage a shaking goodbye to Gabi as you rush past, opening the door and shutting it with a slam just to piss him off as you stomp to your car, get in, and leave.

All you can feel is rage as you drive, and you try to calm yourself by surfing your Spotify shuffle, choosing some vintage Eminem and screaming the lyrics in your car. You feel like you’d never been so pissed in your entire life, the fact that Frankie chose to take something you told him with trust and throw it back at you sets you into such a violent temper that you actually kind of want to drive back over there and barrel your car right into his truck or something.

Okay, so maybe you should just turn the music off. You smack the dial to switch off the sound transmitting through your aux cord to your phone, releasing a heavy sigh. How the fuck did that even happen? Everything was fine, so incredibly domestic, only to devolve into that? You’d imagined how cute he’d be when he came home exhausted to find his things washed and put away, clutching you close to his chest as he presseskisses all over your face. 

But instead he flipped out like a fucking psycho over some papers you didn’t even understand, and why? He’d just told you he trusted you. You’d been completely open with him, fuck, you let him tie you up and fuck you rough and raw with the amount of trust you had in him. Why didn’t he trust you? What was he hiding?

You simmer on the drive home, and as your anger abates, the lava of it melts and oozes, sliding off your heart and exposing once again the real source of your ire. 

This really fucking hurts.

You don’t text Frankie the rest of the night and none the next day, but he didn’t text you either so it didn’t feel vindictively fulfilling for you.  You’d cried yourself out that night, burritoed in your bed, but now you just sit in various places glaring at your phone, hovering between wanting him to contact you and not, you texting him or not. You finally just turn the damn thing off and veg out catching up on shows.

Late in the evening when you finally turn it back on, you feel a rush of happiness to see Frankie in your banners, and you hate yourself for it. You hate yourself even more when you see the messages.

Frankie 🐈🐟: Are you coming for your shift tomorrow or should I find someone else

Frankie 🐈🐟: Please let me know ASAP

You pull your lips into a hard line, the muscles of your jaw churning, seizing with tension that travels down your neck and shoulders and worsens the mini headache already starting to form from crying all day. All business. No acknowledgement of what happened. No apology. No request to talk it out. Just what you can do for him. Fuck. Him. It makes you almost sick to your stomach and you consider telling him to fuck off, but you don’t. You like the job. You love Gabi. You want the pay.

Yep. I’ll be there.

You wait, hoping maybe this would leave the door ajar for him to reach out and say something, but as the seconds slip by and you get no response at all, you finally get impatient and throw your phone across the room. At the exact time that it chimes.

“Son of a bitch…” You crawl back to your phone and flip it over, wondering what he said. A thumbs up. And nothing else for the rest of the night.

You can be petty. You know it. It’s not your favorite thing to admit about yourself but sometimes just being sooooo fucking petty makes the hurt sting less, makes the anger feel like it has been fed. 

When Frankie opens the door for you Friday evening, you breeze through without acknowledging him at all, ignoring his hardened expression while he stares at you with an open mouth. You do the absolute most greeting Gabriela, more dramatic than your normal greeting, but she doesn’t seem to notice or care, running towards you with a shout as you lift her into your arms. 

“Hi baby” You murmur into her soft curls. After putting her down you start setting up a movie for the two of you facing away from Frankie, who is still standing frozen at the front door.

“Hey..” His voice is low, and incredibly soft. It makes your heart lurch, an uncomfortable twinge radiating through your heart to your arteries and out through your body like you’d been stabbed with a knife and severed them. It would be so easy to relent, turn around and run to him, hug him, tell him it’s okay, but your stubborn streak flares up instead. You did nothing wrong.

You completely ignore him. 

He slams the door on his way out.

“Remind me again what it was she found?” Santiago leans back in the booth, flinging an arm across the seat top. 

“My paperwork. My suspension, trial date, all that.” Frankie refills his glass with another round of beer from the pitcher.

Will’s brow furrows. “I thought you said you’d already told her about that.”

“I did, but it’s another thing completely to be looking through my things and reading what a fuckhead I am on paper.” The table goes silent, the tension so thick it’s like they can feel it compressing them even as they sit. Frankie has been unbearable the past few days, cranky and irritable, morose and slightly paranoid in a way Santiago hasn’t seen in a long time. Usually he understands. This time, it pisses him off.

“I think you’re creating drama when there doesn’t need to be any, as usual.” Santiago says pointedly, shrugging nonchalantly at Frankie’s answering glare.

“What?”

He puts his hands up, his palms facing Frankie in the universal sign of calm. down. “Consider this. Take one second and use that dumb ass brain of yours and consider the fact that she might just have been cleaning up your house to make your life easier, like a good girlfriend, and she wasn’t snooping around. That what she said is true.”

“I’m not a dumbass.”

“You kind of are, because every time something gets fucked up, it’s you that did it. You sabotage your own damn self and you’re doing it right now. So I gotta call it out.”

Frankie bristles for a second at the insults, but quickly settles back down, slumping into the seat back of the booth, cupping his palms around his mug. “Yea. Yea…I — I know…I flew off the handle and then I guess I dug my feet in and got stubborn because I didn’t want to look like a dick for yelling at her, and now she won’t even talk to me. I did it to myself.”

“You’re fucking stupid.” Says Benny.

“Fuck you Ben, you haven’t been able to keep a girlfriend for more than a month.”

“Not all of us have had the perfect fucking girl dropped right in their lap. And she actually likes you back! You!”

Frankie stands up abruptly, his hips colliding with the table and jostling it, shaking their beer and spilling some of it across the bar top. He slams his palm down on the surface and gets right in Benny’s face. “Hey, fuck you man.”

Benny stands up too, shoving Frankie back. “Nah, fuck YOU!”

Santiago is done. “HEY. SIT THE FUCK DOWN. BOTH OF YOU. AND SHUT THE FUCK UP.”

Both men turn and stare at him, as well as several other customers in the bar. Their chests heave and swollen like some ridiculous pompous birds that haven’t even attracted a mate yet. Frankie opens his mouth to argue but Santiago cuts him off.

“No. That’s it. I’ve fucking had it. This is absolutely ridiculous. Benny, learn some tact. Frankie, get your goddamn tail between your legs and go fucking talk to her. You’re fucking wrong. Right now. Get the fuck out of here.”

“I —”

“Get out of here or I’ll bitch slap you. MOVE OUT.”

Frankie jerks, an audio trigger response buried deep within before giving him a soft nod, his lips twisting about his face as he throws some money on the table and slides out of the booth.

The drive home is agonizing. What does he even say? How can he even explain how he reacted? How can he explain that sometimes he gets so mad in the moment he can’t see just how completely and utterly wrong he is. That when he realizes it, sometimes he still won’t admit it, because he doesn’t want to feel the shame and guilt of being wrong. That he’s completely fucked up and creates his problems himself, then runs away from accountability because it’s easier. That you should find someone who’s better, nicer, less stubborn, who has a stable temper and doesn’t have all his baggage. That he might never change, but he’s too fucking greedy to give you up.

He doesn’t even get an opportunity. The moment he opens the door you’re up, your crossbody already slung across your chest so you could get away from him as fast as possible. And it shatters his heart. As you drive away he realizes, you didn’t even take your pay. You’d been that desperate to get away from him.

I ruin everything.

Luckily for you, that had been your last shift before Gabi went to Lex’s for two weeks. Two weeks. Maybe enough time to calm down and process what happened. You almost spoke to him that night. You wanted to, but once you realized he was trying to reach out you decided instead to dig your heels in. No you cannot talk to me. Sit in your fucking feelings for a bit, like you did to me.

He texts you for days straight.

Frankie 🐈🐟: Baby

—

Frankie 🐈🐟: Please talk to me

—

Frankie 🐈🐟: I love you

—

Frankie 🐈🐟: I’m really sorry

But after a week, nothing. And not the day after, or the day after that. After several more silent days, you hear from someone else.

Dali🌻: Hey babe, what you up to today? I’m bored.

So were you. You’d done nothing but sit around your apartment watching bullshit. You were growing tired of maintaining the anger.

Not doing anything. Wanna come over?

She does, giving you a tight hug when you open the door for her. “I brought wine, fancy cheese, and Pride and Prejudice!” She declares. 

“BBC or Keira Knightly?”

She scoffs. “Keira Knightly, obvs. I can’t be here all week.”

You laugh and hug her again, stepping aside so she can deposit everything on your kitchen counter, not wasting any time before breaking open the wine. She offers you the first glass, then pours herself one, before pulling out all the cheese and crackers she bought, arranging them neatly on a plate.

“I’m such a whore for a charcuterie board.”

“MMmm me too.”

The two of you bring your wine and snacks to your coffee table, settling in a giant blanket together for the movie, only pausing once to order some pizza.

“Thanks for coming over.” You mutter as the credits begin rolling.

Dali smiles softly. “Of course. Are you okay? I know you and Frankie are in a weird place, but you haven’t answered anyone else either.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. We just care about you. Benny’s pretty beside himself though. Look…we don’t have to talk about it if  you don’t want but I love you and I’m here for you—”

“I think I ruined it.”

“What do you mean?”

“He…he reached out to me last week, a lot. I ignored him. And he isn’t anymore. I was just so mad. He told me to ‘get out of his house’. I…that really shocked me. He’s never talked to me like that before. It was like he was a different person. Who talks to someone they love like that?”

“Maybe a rough mess of man who cares so much about what you think of him that he has completely irrational reactions to stupid shit he thinks will change your opinion of him but he did that on his own by being an asshole.”

You stare at her. “Dali…what the fuck.”

She shrugs, taking the last sip of her wine. “I’m dating someone very similar. But I don’t think yours choked a guy out in the grocery store.”

“No— but. Wait WHAT?!” 

She widens her eyes, her lips resting on the rim of her wine glass as she nods, then takes a big gulp. “You didn’t know? I’d figured Frankie would have told you.”

“No. I mean, I could tell there was something in Will’s past but Frankie thought it should be up to him to tell me, and I never asked. Now the barbecue we had on the Fourth makes so much more sense.”

“He wanted to keep that side of him a secret from me too. I mean, I get it. His fiance’ left him soon after that. But he’s getting better, and I don’t give a shit what he did in the past. I care about who he is now. And he’s never going to be perfect.”

“I didn’t ask for perfection, I asked for honesty. And I want respect.”

“I know…”

You sigh, leaning back against the back of your couch. “Fuck.” You pause, pursing your lips as you try to articulate what you’re thinking. “I think…I probably pushed the ‘ignoring him out of spite’ too far and he’s done with me anyways.”

“I can tell you with absolute certainty that he is not.”

“Yeah?”

“Yup. He is so fucking in love with you, talks about you all the time. Quite annoying actually.” She teases. You stick your tongue out at her. 

The two of you end up crushing almost two bottles of wine and watching movies late into the night, finally collapsing in a giggly heap in your bed, dead to the world. 

What only feels like minutes later, several loud dings yank you right back out of that sleep, and you moan dramatically as you flop onto your back, rubbing your face. Dali is sitting up next to you, texting furiously.

“Hey, morning!”

You groan. “You are way too chipper for this morning.”

“Hangover?”

You groan.

“I have a remedy. You like pancakes?”

You and Dali meet up with Will and get breakfast, the sweet carb and protein goodness doing wonders to settle your head and stomach. Maybe it’s Will’s presence, or maybe it’s the pancakes, perhaps it’s even both, but by the end of the meal you’re feeling much better. There’s something about Will that is just so comforting to fold into when shit hits the fan. He just seems so solid, so mentally strong, you can see why Frankie confides in Will the most about his sobriety.

“I don’t understand how you can get shot in the stomach and just be like, ‘okay well that was a small annoyance, let me continue on with my day.’”

Will smirks, lifting his shoulders in an uneven shrug. “Non-vital organs. That time. Headshot was worse.”

“Fuck.” You murmur. “I…don’t really know what to say to that other than that sucks and I’m really sorry you had to go through that.

“It is what it is. I’m here. That’s all I can ask for.” 

Dali reaches out her hands, threading her fingers through his. You look down at your plate, not wanting to intrude on an intimate moment, lifting your eyes when you hear him speaking again. 

“We’ve all been through a lot. Shoulda died many times. Fish too. Kinda puts stuff in perspective that some shit just ain’t that important. He made a mistake. He’s really sorry. You should talk to him.”

You scrub your face with your hands. “Yea, alright. I know. I’ll go over there after this.”

After several hugs and more words of support, you jump in your car and head to Frankie’s. It’s a rainy day, somewhat gloomy, and a light fog permeates the semi swampy neighborhood Frankie lives in. His truck is there when you pull up, but the lights are dark, so you decide to knock on the door rather than just burst in. 

It takes a few knocks for him to answer the door.

“God dammit Pope— oh.” The irritation on his face shifts immediately, eyes widening into that puppy dog look like his eyelids are just drooping down his face. “Hi.”

“Hey. Ummmmmm can I come in?”

He blinks several times before almost jumping out of your way. “Yea! Yea…please come in, you don’t have to ask.”

You step inside and lean against the back of the couch. “Well, last time I was here, you kicked me out.”

He swallows. “Yea…look I’m really sorry. I thought something else was happening and I completely overreacted. And then I didn't wanna admit I was wrong. But I was.”

“Why did you do that?”

“I dunno. I guess I think you’re gonna find something you hate about me and be done with me.”

You bite your lip, raising your gaze to look at him. He looks like shit. Still handsome, but also like shit. His hair is disheveled and slightly matted, he’s got huge bags under his eyes, and it looks like he may have been wearing the pajamas he was in for an entire week. 

You bring his attention back to you. “Look, Frankie. I know it’s hard to trust people but please try. I’m not trying to find a defect in you. The only person that can push me away is you. But when you flip out like that, it makes me think you’re hiding something. Are you?”

He looks at you, the hurt so plain on your face, the sheer disappointment, and he can’t bear to ever see that look from you again. It’s too much. Too similar.

He lies. “No.” He steps forward, lifting your hand from your thigh and holding it in his. “There’s nothing else, I swear.”

“Okay. I’m sorry too.”

“For what?”

“For ignoring you. That was wrong too. I shouldn’t have done that. I was just really hurt, and mad.”

“Oh.” He looks down, not able to look you in the eyes. He can’t even understand why you think you would need to apologize to him, but here you are, doing just that. He glances up at you again, starts towards you then halts, hovering awkwardly in front of you instead. “Baby, can I…please hold you? Is that okay?” And fuck, when he looks like that you just can’t say no, you can’t resist that sad, droopy face and those pouty lips, those warm brown eyes, the coziness and warmth radiating off him. You step into his arms. He releases a stuttered breath, his arms wrapping around you and molding you into him, burying his face into your neck. He definitely has not been showering regularly, but you find you don’t much care. He still smells good. He smells like home. 

He says your name. “...I love you. So fucking much. I’m really sorry.”

You thread your fingers into his matted curls. “I love you too. But please don’t ever talk to me like that again.” He nods and squeezes you harder.

Today was super important. Not as important as the suspension review next week, but definitely very important. Frankie was going to take you on the best date ever. He can’t stop beating himself up over your fight and how he talked to you, so he decided that he was going to make a grand gesture to show you how much he loved you and how sorry he was. He can feel the adrenaline pumping in his veins when you pull up to his house, bright and early.

You open the door of your car dramatically with your leg, heaving yourself out of the car. “Alright! I am here! At 8:00 AM! On a Saturday! Now tell me what we’re doing.”

He’s already bounding down the steps of the porch and all but skipping to you as you shut your car door, again with your foot. “Nope!” He opens his arms to you, bending at the knees and wrapping his strong arms around your thighs, lifting you up with a squeal as he rumbles with love-sick giggles. As he puts you down, he plants wet kisses all over your face and your neck, suckling one little spot and releasing it with a pop. He has stupidest grin on his face. It’s adorable. “It’s a surprise.”

His mood must be infectious cause you giggle back and step towards him, pinching his little tummy fat with your nails before swirling them out towards his hips. 

He pushes you back with a chuckle. “No no no! None of that. Come on, hop in the truck, I’m almost done loading up.” On your way, you stand on your tiptoes to look over the bed of the truck and then the cab backseat, which is completely full, a blanket resting over everything and hiding it from view. Whatever he had planned, you knew it would be worth the wake up call. It was Frankie. If you were with him, you were going to have a good time.

The two of you stop at Starbucks for your caffeine fix, then hit the road. You spend the two hours chatting, arguing amicably about TV shows or movies, and singing along to a playlist that Frankie made for the trip that is solely made up of Tom Petty songs.

You’re not from Florida, you don’t really pay attention to where you’re going or the signs that pass, content to relax in Frankie’s beloved truck with your feet up on the dash, the sun shining on your bare legs and your hair tousled about by the wind, humming along to “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”

When he finally pulls to a stop with an ecstatic grin, you’re even more unsure of where you are.

“Frankie, why are we in front of a random house?” He says nothing, letting you figure it out, which doesn’t take long because there’s a sign on the lawn saying exactly what it is. Your mouth drops when you notice it, your heart lurching up into your throat and you jerk your gaze to Frankie, who is watching you with the softest fucking expression, and you just can’t help it, you start crying because Frankie has driven you to Gainesville and has brought you to Tom Petty’s childhood home. 

A broken sob of joy and disbelief escapes your lips as you fling yourself to him, wrapping your arms around his neck and crying into the fabric of his shoulder. “Baby!” He chuckles. “Why are you crying?!”

You pull back, not even caring your face is a mess as you sniffle. “Because! You brought me to his house?! This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me!” You press yourself back into his neck, and he reaches an arm over to undo your seatbelt and drag you the rest of the way over to him and into his lap. He cups the back of your head and presses his nose into your hair, inhaling and exhaling with a sigh. “I love you so much babe.” You talk back to him but your mouth is still muffled by the breadth of his shoulder and the fabric of his shirt, and the only thing he hears is the cutest little muffled mumbling sounds. He slides the hand from the back of your neck to your cheek, cupping the other with his other hand, and pulls you back a little to look at your tear-stained face. 

You’re starting to calm, and he swipes a tear away with his large thumb. “What was that?”

You sniffle. “I love you too.” 

He pulls you to him with a hum, not caring about the salty taste of your lips from your tears. “Well, do you wanna get out and look around or not?”

The home is small and modest, with light gray paneling and a dark brown wooden door, a steel column on each side completely covered in pretty cascading ivy vines. The entire property is overflowing with plants, whether it’s from whomever lives there now or someone maintaining how it was when he lived here. 

After leaving Tom’s house, Frankie takes you into downtown Gainesville, a pretty main street with little shops and even a Farmer’s Market. He’s patient as you meander up and down the aisles to visit every booth, even though you know he is bored out of his mind. 

“Here.” You turn to him as you walk side by side. “Open your mouth.” He does, and you pop the most delicious and warm apple cider doughnut into his mouth.

“Oh fuck.” His moan is absolutely sinful, and you can feel your body responding to the sound as he grabs the baggy from you and stuffs two more into his mouth at one time.

“Frankie!” You chide, yanking the bag back. “You’re going to make yourself sick.” He whines like a baby and you laugh, ending up returning to the donut stall to get a bag for the house.

As the day fades to evening, Frankie hustles you to the truck to take you to your final destination. If you weren’t a blubbering mess before, you certainly are now. Frankie pulls into the parking lot of a massive park named after Tom Petty after he died, handing you warm insulated tote bags and ushering you forward deeper into the park. He urges you to sit as he whips out a picnic blanket and then starts emptying the tote bags with a ridiculous amount of food. Fried chicken, salad, biscuits, his world-famous mac and cheese he’d been promising to make you, and a homemade pie. You’re so overwhelmed with emotions you can’t even say anything.

After stuffing yourselves silly, you pack everything back up and put it back in the truck before taking a slow walk around the park, observing the sunset and just enjoying each other’s company. You tell Frankie about how your dad introduced you to the music, and it reminds you of him when you listen, a welcome comfort living so far away.

Your heart sinks as the sun disappears and the darkness falls, because you know that must mean it’s time to leave. But Frankie surprises you again, spreading some blankets for cushioning into the bed of his pickup, and he helps you up into it, strong hands squeezing into your waist and leaving goosebumps on your arms. 

It’s where you are now, lying back in the truck, whispering and giggling to each other while eating more pie directly out of the tupperware. 

“I ate so much I got my pregnant belly.” Frankie observes, patting his puffier than normal stomach.

“I told you not to eat all those donuts.” You tease. 

“I thought you loved my tummy.”

You roll towards him, your hand resting on top of his belly as you skate your fingertips around his belly button and hip dips, eventually slipping your hand under his shirt and running your fingers through his happy trail. “I do.” He relaxes under the attention, letting you rest your head on his arm as he gazes at the night sky. The quiet is comforting and welcome, like with the closest of friends, you could simply be together without having to talk.

You realize that this man has ingrained himself in you so deep that you consider him your best friend, as well as the love of your life. You don’t think you’ve ever had that before. You scold yourself once more for being vindictive and almost ruining this. You turn to look at him in the dark, admiring the way his profile cuts into the darkness of the night. He is so fucking handsome.

“Do you know any of them things?” His voice is husky from disuse.

“What things?” 

“The astrology.”

“Constellations?”

“Yea.”

“Kind of, I had this cool little app that would tell you where everything is when you point your phone at it. Did you not have to know them for the Army? Er—Delta Force?”

“Some. The North star and the Little Dipper.” He points to them.

“Mmmhmm and Ursa Major is attached to them.” You trace the line of it with your finger for him, temples pressed close together. 

“Do the app thing.” You oblige, pulling out your phone and re-downloading the app, then spend the next hour letting Frankie aim your phone at different sections of the sky, revealing which constellations lay hidden there. 

“What’s your sign again?”

“Catfish.”

You roll your eyes, poking him in the side. “No, I mean your zodiac. Your sun sign.”

“I don’t know what all that means, but I'm a Virgo.”

“Oh yea. September. Hmmmmm. Reliable. Logical. Hard-working and observant. Completely accurate.” You scan the sky for his constellation and show him, then find yours, as well as Venus and very weak Mars, your favorite constellation Draco, and Orion’s belt. When you’ve had enough of stargazing you snuggle closer against him, closing your eyes and just taking in the sounds of the night, of the crickets and frogs, of Frankie’s heartbeat pressing against your ear. 

“It was my stuff for my suspension hearing.”

“Hm?”

“What you found. It’s my original suspension and the notice of the hearing, and some letters of recommendation. The hearing is next week.”

“Suspension of what?”

“Um, my helicopter license.”

“Oh. OH! Of course! Frankie, I already knew you were suspended.”

“Yea, I know. It’s just…the paperwork is just really…damning. I didn’t want you seeing it. And I’m nervous about the hearing too, so I was a dick. I’m sorry.”

You wrap your arm around his waist. “That makes sense. I wouldn't worry about it though, I’m sure you’ll get it back.”

“You think?”

You nod. “Yes. And you better take me in one when you do.”

He raises his eyebrows, thankful for the topic change, and he uses his strength to flip you so his body is pressed atop yours. “Oh yea? Can’t wait to get in my cockpit, hm? You know, the joystick vibrates.”

“Oh my god you are such a dork.”

“Mmmm but you love it.”

You wouldn’t have even argued that even if you could, because your attention is completely taken by the feel of Frankie’s stubble rasping against your cheek down to your neck as he lays a trail of soft kisses from behind your ear to your shoulder blade.

“Cat…” You sigh, and he takes advantage of your open mouth and sinks into your lips with a groan, massaging your lower lip with his tongue, then sliding it in to meet your own. You wrap your arm around him as the kiss deepens, tugging on his hair with the fist of your hand as you whine into his mouth. He tastes like pie, and salt, and Frankie.

He wriggles against you, pressing himself in between your thighs, and you open for him instinctively. You can feel him rising for you, and he starts to lightly grind against your thigh as he tries to find some relief. You can already feel that familiar tingle, your body always so reactive to his. But this time it’s just…not right.

“Frankie…we can’t. It’s a public park.”

He lifts his head, looking around in the dark. “There’s no one else here. We’re fine.”

“No, I can’t explain it. I’m not comfortable. It's just too open.”

He halts his kissing immediately. “Oh. Truck?”

You pause, considering as you rub your arm up and down his toned forearm. Plenty of room. The car is facing a dark mass of trees. His windows and the back cab window are blackout tinted. And you haven't fucked in it yet. “Yes.”

He takes your hand with a grin, pulling you up off the blankets on the bed of the truck, holding your waist once more as you jump down, landing so close you're pressed together and you can feel his hot breath caressing your face. He lunges for your mouth, can’t help himself, and you whimper at the ravenousness of it as he slides his hands up the back of your thighs, grasping your ass with his hands. You’re wearing incredibly short shorts that expose just a tease of your plump cheeks and sliding down the truck bed didn’t make them any longer, the fabric riding up so your cheeks are almost entirely exposed. He hums appreciatively at your lack of clothes and presses you into him so he can show you just how bad he wants you, the fat bulge of his cock against your stomach, belt buckle pricking into your soft tummy flesh. 

He groans as he pulls away and looks at you, taking in how disheveled you probably look but you’ve never felt sexier, and you swear, even in the dark, you can see his predatory eyes blown out black with lust, looking you up and down, licking those pouty lips until they’re wet and shiny. You want to suck on them. Bite on them.

“Look at you…” He husks, before taking you by the hand and pulling you to the cab, helping you up into the seat. He hops in right after you and you reach for him, tracing the line of his zipper. His hips buck up toward your palm. 

“I want to suck your cock.”

“Jesus.” He exhales sharply, chest heaving as he pretty much rips open his belt buckle, the metal jingling as he pulls his pants down just enough for his dick to spring free. You slide your shorts off too, the lights of the dashboard emitting enough of a glow that he can see the wet spot gathering where your juices are leaking out of you. It’s almost too much, he squeezes his cock to calm himself down, but the sight of him touching himself is doing something you never thought could be so fucking hot. 

You urge him on. “Don’t stop. Keep touching.” 

His breath hitches and his eyelids are hooded and he rests his head back on the headrest as he lazily slides his hands around himself, slow tugs morphing into longer strokes. His eyes never leave yours as he touches himself, breathing in and out heavily with how good it feels. The eye contact makes you nervous with anticipation, but you don’t look away, and you can feel yourself clenching involuntarily at his expression. You join him, sliding your hand into your panties and rubbing your clit, the sound of the wetness between your folds commands his attention, and he can't stop staring at you. “Hey. C’mere.”

He sounds so pretty and you don’t want to make him wait, so you pull your hand out of your panties and slide forward again to reach for him. He hisses as you grasp him, his eyes slamming shut and his head thumping back against the headrest. You bend down, making sure he would be able to see himself in your mouth before poking your tongue out and swirling the tip of your tongue around the head of his cock, continuing until your tongue dips into the little hole and you lick up the pre-cum already gathering there. His right hand grasps the back of the flannel shirt he put on you when you got chilly and clenches it in his fist as he struggles not to thrust up into your mouth, to let you take control while he just takes.

In the safety of his truck he feels comfortable to be loud, the beautiful sounds of his moans, pants, and whispers spurring you on as you slide the head of his cock in between your lips, suckling it like a lollipop, the salty tang of more pre-cum oozing into your throat. After torturing him a few minutes you finally take his cock fully into the heat of your mouth, enveloping him, slowly bobbing up and down as he continues to struggle not to buck up into you. You moan around his cock every once in a while so he can feel the vibrations around him, can feel just how much you love sucking his cock, because you do. You wrap your hand around the parts of him you can’t reach, pumping him slowly, then twist up his shaft in a corkscrew and back down. When you look up at him through your eyelashes he is a vision, eyebrows tilting up, mouth slack, eyes heavy lidded and trained on the sight of you. He licks his lips when you make eye contact with him, groaning loudly and bumping the back of his head against the seat’s headrest again, giving you a nice view of his strong corded neck muscles. He pulses beneath you, and suddenly you feel his fingers taking you by the hair and gently tugging. You sit up with a hum and wipe your mouth. 

“You gotta stop or I’m gonna blow my load in your mouth, and I want to fuck you.” He gasps.

You chuckle softly and he grabs you around your ribcage, pulling you to him and settling you in his lap. You can feel him hard and waiting underneath you, pressed against the small strip of the thong’s fabric covering you from him. You wrap your arms around his neck, pulling his hat off his head and throwing it to the side. He leans in and nibbles along your jawline, your neck, nosing at your ear.

“Can you ride me like this?”

“I think so.” You whisper back, and you lift yourself to hover over his lap as you reach for him, pushing your panties to the side, sliding him through your wetness and sinking down on him. 

His head tilts back once more, a low, guttural “Fuuuuuccckkkk.” releasing from his mouth as you take him to the hilt. He pulls you to him as close as he can, your back arcs into his body as he burrows himself into your chest, pushed towards him from the bend of your spine. He nuzzles into you, placing open mouthed kisses all over the tops of your breasts, occasionally squeezing them over your tank and bra. When it’s no longer enough, he pulls your flannel, tank top, and bra down your arms and chest to rest on your stomach, exposing your breasts to the air of the cab. 

He pulls back and watches you as you rise and fall slowly onto him, your tongue between your lips and your eyes screwed shut as you figure out your rhythm. He cups your breasts in his palms, squeezing softly, thumbing your nipples as you start moving faster, eventually pushing them together so he can take both nipples in his mouth at the same time. 

“So fucking beautiful.” He lathes and suckles, nips and pulls, your moans pitching higher, your pace increasing. The sensation soon becomes too much and you lean back, resting against the wheel, careful not to hit the horn. Frankie helps support you, one arm around your back, the other runs flat up your stomach in between the sweaty valley of your breasts as he watches you impale yourself on the thick girth of him.

You never knew “Mmmmmm”s and “Yea”s could sound so fucking sexy but you also knew that Frankie’s deep rumbling voice made anything sound hot as fuck, and you whine against him as you slide back and forth on his cock, basking in the sound of his coos and praises. He’s transfixed by the sight of himself entering and withdrawing, more of your juices on his cock each time he slides out, and he grips your hips and tilts them so he can see better.

Your thighs are growing tired and he can feel them quivering against his own, so he gives you room to lean forward once more, your arms braced on the headrest, and he eagerly resumes touching you all over your chest. He helps relieve some of the work, his hands placed firmly around your waist as he bounces you on his cock, your tits jiggling in his face. He pulls you forward even more so you’re pretty much smothering him in them, but you can hear how much he enjoys it as he moans against them, tasting you wherever he can reach as he thrusts up to meet your hips with his own.

He suddenly has to kiss you, and he angles his head up and pulls you into him by the back of your neck, kissing you frantically as your bouncing shifts to a grinding roll of your hips while you chase your peak. You return the kiss just as fiercely, licking into him and moving your head so he can delve further into you, your whole reality becoming only this kiss and the fullness of him inside you. 

“Frankie…m’gonna cum.”

He hums under you, taking you once more by the hips as he all but yanks you back and forth on him, grinding your clit on the coarse hair above his cock. His belt buckle is jingling and the metal is cold against your ass and his hair is soft and wet from sweat as you finger it, his mouth gaping open as he watches you take your pleasure, and just the idea that watching you can fuck him up so much, the constant desire to always make sure you are taken care of first causes you to shatter over him, lurching forward into his chest as you quiver in his arms, your slick gushing out and soaking his lap. 

You don’t even notice him flipping you to your back onto the seat until you’re already there, your mind hazy and mouth gasping to regain your breath. When you open your eyes, he is on his knees above you, or as much as he can in the space of the truck. His cock is stilled partially inside you, and he’s just looking at you, your heaving chest, your wet hardened nipples, your pussy being split open by him. He meets your eyes. “You’re the most beautiful girl in the world.”

Your cheeks burn under his warm scrutiny, and you squirm under him hoping to spur him on. But he takes his time, his hands leaving your hips down to where you’re joined. He circles your clit softly with the pad of a thumb, the other hand opening you up further to him. He sighs. “So small. So fucking pretty.” He presses down harder on your clit.

“Frankie…please move.”

He meets your eyes again and smiles shyly. “Sorry. You’re just so fucking pretty.” He starts moving slowly, the heavy slide of him allowing you to feel every ridge and vein. “And mine. Yea?” 

Your eyes roll back in your head as his hands move back to your hips, your eyelashes fluttering against your cheeks as you reply purely on instinct. “Yes. Only want you…don’t want anyone else. Ever.”

He moans, his heart palpitating like a million butterflies exploded out of it. “I fucking love you. I love you so much.” He drops his head to watch himself fuck into you, the white creamy buildup of your cum gathering along his shaft. His pace is leisurely, he can feel the grip of your pussy and the way it tries to pull him back when he withdraws.

“Love you too…please don’t stop. Just like that. It’s so good.”

“Yea? Want me to keep fucking you like this?”

“Yessssss.” 

“Tell me. Tell me I’m the only one that fucks you this good.”

Your brain suddenly switches back on and you look up at him and bite your lip with a smirk, your hand reaching down to touch your clit, thinking of what things you can say to make him explode. Frankie loves praise. He likes to hear how big he is, how much better he is than anyone else. How you’re his. It’s all true. “Mmmmm no, no one else has fucked me so good. They were all little boys. I needed a man.”

He whines and moves faster at the praise, the tops of his thighs hitting the back of yours as he pulls you onto his cock. You can hear the squlching of your slick as he slides in and out, the sound seeming so much louder in the small space of the truck cab.

You bite your lip. “Yea…a big, scruffy older man with a thick cock. Takes such good care of me.”

“Oh shit. Ho fuck…”

You smirk as you deliver your coup de gras, hoping the risk lands. “Give it to me, fuck me daddy.”

“Oh-my-god-jesus-fucking-christ!” Frankie pulls out of you with a roar, pushing your ass down flush to the leather of the seat. You hiss at the loss but he doesn’t make you wait long, bending your knees up to your chest as he pushes back into you all the way to the hilt, the new position allowing him to amp up his pace, punctuating each word with a thrust. “You fucking…filthy, dirty little girl. FUCK!” He can see everything. The slide of his fat cock forcing itself into your tightness, your body expanding just for him, pulling him and hugging him into your warmth. 

“Frankie has a daddy kink.” You whisper, a light giggle escaping as he pinches your ass. 

“It’s…about the care.”

“DILF.”

“Dad you love fucking.” He laughs with you, his hips stuttering a little before you both regain your rhythm. You rub your clit furiously, determined to cum again. He loves how you’ve become so comfortable taking what you need, how vocal you are now and how you fit him so perfectly. He can feel you clenching around him, you are impossibly tight, and he finds himself slowing down to long strokes so he doesn’t cum before you can. You’re hovering on the edge, your body tensing and your back tics up into a mini arc as you try to get there, but he can see you need more. Frankie pushes your legs into your chest further, allowing him to grab your jaw and make you look at him. You open your mouth for him, he pushes his thumb into your mouth for you to suckle as he presses deep into you. Your eyebrows are pinched and your eyes slam shut as you sloppily chant his name over and over. 

“That’s it baby doll. Come on. Take daddy’s cock.”

Your eyes snap back open and he’s sending that shit-eating smirk right back to you, but you can’t even say anything snarky back because you are suddenly fucking cumming hard. You throw your head back, exposing your neck as you wail for him, waves of pleasure exploding from your core, rushing out onto him until you’re shivering and shaking under his restraint, and in the back of your mind you tease yourself. Holy shit, that made me cum, that actually, really made me cum. 

He swallows the end of your cry with a kiss, you hadn’t even noticed he’d settled between your legs to cover you, his broad body and comforting weight pulling you back from the brink to the present. The weight should be too much but it isn’t, it’s warm and exquisite, and safe, and overwhelming, and the smell. It’s just Frankie.

He grabs your leg and pulls it up to his plush waist, his pace relaxed but the sound of wet slapping still permeates the entire cab of the truck. You reach down and grab his little ass, pulling him deeper into you as he buries his face in your neck, his hot breaths prickling the skin there. His other arm rests beside your temple, a soft flannel sleeve pushed up to the elbow to anchor him as he moves. You turn your head and lathe your tongue against the flexing muscles. The sweat of your back pulls against the leather of the seats with each connection and withdrawal, but you find the prickling sensation welcome. You pull his face to you, cupping his cheeks as you bring him to your lips to kiss him sweetly. “Wanna make you cum.” You whisper against his lips. “Want you to cum in me and make me stain this leather.”

He can’t even speak, just lurches forward with a groan as his hands curl around your shoulders for leverage. You wrap your legs around him as he focuses on himself, his cries hitching higher and louder, his hips lifting and rutting back into you one, two, three more times until he pushes in deep, his hips pressed firmly against you as he tries to burrow his cock in you as far as possible, spilling himself inside you with a low groan. 

He collapses into your arms, nosing at your neck, his panting breath causing goosebumps to rise along your skin. You drop your legs to the seat and wrap your arms around him, your fingers sinking into his sweaty curls and carding through them just as he likes while he catches his breath.

You’re about to relax and doze when a single thought rushes to the front of your mind. We are in a public park. In the dark. Naked in a truck. “Frankie!” You hiss. He whines grumpily, you can tell he’s shaking his head in your neck, his nose dragging back and forth across the skin there. “Frankie, We should get dressed. We’re pushing it. And I don’t think getting arrested for public indecency is a good idea for you especially.”

He responds to that, jerking his head up to the window to peer into the dark. The two of you scramble to put your clothes back on amongst giggles and frantic looks in every direction, settling back into the seat to catch your breath from the rush.

Frankie looks towards you in the dark. “Well, at least we—”

A sudden knocking on the window behind him jolts him upright with a yell, followed by an annoyingly bright light trying to illuminate the inside of the truck. Frankie lowers his window with a sigh.

A park ranger is standing there, but he politely lowers the flashlight once the window is down. “Park’s closed.”

Frankie clears his throat. “Uh yea. Yea, we were just leaving. Sorry.”

“It’s alright. Y’all have a good night.”

The two of you nod quietly, sitting shock straight until the ranger gets far enough away and Frankie starts the car. Your eyes creep to his as he pulls out of the lot and onto the main street to head home.“Okay. He definitely knew.”

“Yup. Sure did.” He makes eye contact with you quickly before reverting his eyes back to the road, flexing his pointer finger from the hand gripping the top of the steering wheel. “No one needs to know we did that. It never happened.”

“Aw, what about the daddy thing.” 

“No. Especially that.”

You sigh.

“Special occasions.”  He winks at you and reaches his hand to yours, intertwining them together.

You’re completely passed out by the time Frankie pulls into the driveway, and he carefully and quietly brings the leftovers inside, shoving them quickly into the fridge before coming back to you. He chucks you lightly under the chin. “Baby doll, we’re home.”

You moan softly and reach out for him, your intention clear. He undoes your seatbelt, grabs your bag, and hauls you up and into his arms to carry you inside. 

Oh, fuck does this feel almost as good as sex. Frankie holding you, supporting you, taking care of you, the texture of his tee shirt soft against your cheek, his neck warm against your arms, that intoxicatingly comforting scent of him cocooning you. Musky spice. A little bit of sweat. Cinnamon. A forest. The coconut shampoo of yours he started using since it was already at his house.

You help him with the door so he doesn’t have to put you down and he heads straight to the bedroom, his cheek pressed to your head. He whispers to you, soft nothings and coos, a long press of a kiss to your head, and then you’re on the bed. You pull off your shorts and shoes as he undresses too, ripping your bra off to sleep in your tank and panties because putting on pajamas would take too much effort. The bed dips as he lays beside you.

“Reminds me of the last time.” He murmurs.

You press your forehead to his. “What do you mean?” 

“When you fell asleep at my house that time, before we were together. I picked you up just like that and carried you to bed, you were holding me so tight and I kind of wanted to die because I wanted you so bad. I kissed you on the head.”

“You’re so fucking cute…” Your voice trails off as you slip into sleep, a soft smile on your lips. 

When he knows you’re asleep, Frankie pulls away from you, sitting against the headboard as he scrubs his face with his hands.

I’m not cute. I’m a fucking liar.

»»———————►

Post A/N: Me - “I’m not going to have a daddy kink in here.” Also me - “here is some daddy kink”. Also, I’m one of those people that constantly makes up new nicknames for my partner at random times so Frankie and Flower doing so isn’t weird for me. Sometimes that shit just pops out lmao.

[supercap2319]

Golden Light & Shields Chapter 3

Ikaris x Male Reader

A/N: Chapter 3 is here. Writing helps with the stress of school lol.

The next morning was spent on what to do with Ajak. She had her color back but was still weak from having her energy drained by the Deviant. There was debate on whether to leave her here on her farm, or take her with them to Mumbai, to Kingo. “She's been injured. There's no way we could take her,” Sersi said.

“That's true, but we can't just leave her. That Deviant followed us here from London and could come back and Ajak won't have the strength to defend herself,” Y/N protested. They all turn to Ikaris. He looks at them confused. “What?”

“You’re the leader now, Iceberg. It's your decision.”

Ikaris sighed. “We take Ajak with us. It's better she's with us than on her own.”

After packing a bag for Ajak and a quick breakfast, the Eternals and Y/N set out for a flight out of South Dakota, and to Mumbai, India. Y/N’s thankful for his passport and visa. After spending 16 hours and 39 minutes on an airplane, they finally landed in Mumbai. Ikaris and Y/N helped Ajak and carried her stuff as they found a place for her to stay, while they went to go find Kingo.

They found themselves on the set of a movie being made. There was a woman singing about a ‘Nach, mera hero.’ Several women in long dresses dance around with a piece of cloth in their hands as they twirl and move off to the side. The lights turn on in the center of the set are several men dressed like guards, as a man with dark hair and skin is dressed like Ikaris. He and the other males begin to dance to the beat of the music. Y/N and Sersi look on in wonder as Ikaris and Sprite look disturbed.

“That's Kingo, right?” Y/N asks Ikaris, pointing at the man in the middle.

“Yeah, that's him,” Ikaris responds.

“Why is he dressed like you?”

“No idea.”

They continue to watch as the men dressed as guards move off to the side as the women take center stage and begin to dance as Kingo walks around the side. A man comes up to them. “Welcome. I am Karun Patel. Kingo’s valet,” Karun says. “It's truly an honor to be in the presence of the great Eternals and a mighty Avenger.” The final dance number is coming up as Kingo and his leading lady continue the last part of their dance, red and white petals falling on them as they stop and so does the music.

“Cut! Okay, everyone, that was good. But we could do 10% better,” Kingo says. “That was beautiful. Very, very, good. Really so good.” He takes notice of Ikaris, Sprite, and Sersi.

“Ahh, my friends from college are here.” He hugs Ikaris. “Hello, boss! Perfect timing. Welcome to the set of…” He speaks in Hindi. “Legend of Icarus. I'm playing you! You like the costume?”

“We need to talk,” Ikaris says as Kingo keeps talking. “Tell the director I have some notes for him–”

“–We need to talk to you in private,” Y/N interrupts.

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Kingo asks, looking at Y/N.

“My name is Y/N Maximoff, an active member of the Avengers, codename: Prometheus,” Y/N said.

“Dude, you're an Avenger? Do you know Thor—of course you know, Thor. Why would you be an Avenger and not know Thor?”

Y/N chuckles. “Yes, I know Thor quite well.”

“Awesome, the name’s Kingo,” Kingo held out a hand for Y/N to shake. “Nice to meet you, Kingo. Ikaris has told me all about you.”

“Oh, really? What did he say about me?” Kingo eyed Ikaris suspiciously.

“All good things, I promise.”

“We need to talk to you in private,” Sprite says, pointing a thumb at Karun.

“Oh, Karun. He's worked with me for 50 years. I trust him completely,” Kingo says. “Actually, when we first met, he thought I was a vampire, and he tried to stake me through the heart.”

“I have apologized so many times,” Karun chuckled.

“Not quite enough times. Very close, though. I'll let you know. Oh, I have to get ready for the next scene. Come to my tent, we'll talk there. You guys are gonna love the next scene. I come in on a wire 'cause, you know, I can't fly. Wait, are we getting back together?”

“We need to talk,” Sersi said as they followed Kingo to his tent. “I've been waiting for the day the world learns the true identity of the Shadow Warrior—”

“—Ajak was almost killed,” Sprite said.

Kingo froze, then looked at them through the mirror. “What?!”

“It was a Deviant. The Deviants are back. We don't know how many there are. You need to come with us,” Ikaris places a hand on Kingo’s shoulder. Kingo gets up and walks out of his tent, obviously disturbed by the news. He heads toward the exit of the set. He looks at the poster for his movie. “I can't just go. I mean, all of these people depend on me. We just started shooting this movie. It's the first of a trilogy. We just got BTS to do a cameo…”

“Sir, may I say something?” Karun asks.

“Please don't say anything.”

“I think you should go.”

“I just said don't say anything,” Kingo said.

"Life affords no greater duty than to protect one's family!" Remember? It's your favorite line from The Shadow Warrior 2: Voyage of Time. Your family needs you,” Karun reminds him.

Kingo sighs.

….

That's how they all found themselves on Kingo’s private jet as they headed to Australia to find Thena and Gilgamesh. Ajak was doing better and Kingo was so happy to see her again. It’s been what? 7,000 years?

“Seven thousand years. That's how long the battle between Eternals and Deviants has raged for. You think I'm a movie star? Well, I am. But I am also... an Eternal,” Kingo says dramatically as Karun records him with a camera.

“Kingo, what are you doing?” Sprite asks, annoyed.

“I think we should be remembered, so... I am making a documentary about us. You are about to meet my fellow Eternal Sprite.” Sprite looks at Sersi for help. “Sprite, tell them about yourself.”

“Oh, wait,” she says as she flips Kingo off and disappears.

“I wonder who taught her that one?” Ajak said.

“Okay, well, we'll circle back to her. This is Sersi. Sersi, tell them about yourself.” The camera is on Sersi, who looks uncomfortable. “Uh…”

“We're rolling.”

“Well, uh... I can change a rock into water. Uh, I could turn a rock into wood. Or a rock into metal. Actually, one time, I turned a rock into air,” Sersi states honestly.

“Cut. Um, you know what? Why don't you think about it, and we'll get back to you, okay? Let's go,” Kingo said as they headed to the back.

Y/N’s hand inched towards Ikaris’s drink as he was munching peanuts and wasn’t looking. Just as Y/N was about to grab it, Ikaris grabbed it without looking at him. He turned to Y/N and smirked. “And just what do you think you're doing, hmm?”

“Come on, Ikaris, I'm thirsty,” Y/N said.

“Well, why do you grab yourself a fancy water or soda or something?”

“Why can’t I have that?” Y/N pointed to Ikaris’s alcoholic drink.

“You’re underaged and the last thing I need is a drunk boyfriend,” Ikaris said.

“But I can’t get drunk. Not even Thor’s Asgardian home-brewed liquor can get me buzzed,” Y/N protested. “I’m about to turn 21.” Ikaris gave him a look. “In like a year from now, but the point is I’m an adult.”

“Sorry, Duckling, but this is not for you,” Ikaris kissed Y/N on the cheek and walked and sat down next to Sersi as Y/N pouted.

Sersi was looking down at her phone, texting. “Sprite says you're addicted to this thing,” Ikaris says.

“Oh, this?” She holds up her phone. “Look at this.” She uses an app that changes Ikaris’s face to what he would look like as an old man. “Whoa.”

“You know, seeing as we don't age. I think you look quite good. Don't you?” She takes a picture as they both chuckle.

“Nobody ever wonders how you managed to be the leading man for over 100 years?” Sprite asks Kingo. They were in another part of the plane.

“Oh, I don't know what you're talking about. That is my great-great-grandfather, that is my great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and me. I'm part of the greatest dynasty in the history of Bollywood. Pretty impressive, right?” Kingo says, referring to him in all the posters.

“You abandoned me in Macedonia.”

“Okay, I got sick of moving every five years. People freak out when they notice that you don't... age.”

“I thought we were friends,” Sprite told him.

“Do you know why I love movies? Because of you. I missed sitting in the audience, listening to your stories, watching your illusions. We should've all stayed together. It would have been better that way,” Kingo said.

They make it to Australia as they walk in the Outback, dirt flying all around. A Deviant is dead on the ground. “This is the Deviant you fought in London?” Kingo asks.

“It's different. There must be more out there than we thought,” Ikaris says.

“Oh. Is... Is this a Deviant, sir?” Karun asks.

“Yep.”

“It's a beautiful creature.”

“What? This? This? No. It's hideous. You've never had one try to bite your head off. Roll,” Kingo said.

“Oh,” Karun begins to roll the camera. As Kingo narrates what’s going on. “You're about to meet two of the greatest warriors the world has ever known. Thena, legendary, deadly, fashionable,” Kingo says. “And her trusty friend…” He points towards the door. “Door. ... a mighty powerhouse of strength.” Ikaris knocks on the door. “The fearsome Gilgamesh!” Ikaris and Y/N give Kingo a pointed look. No one comes out.

“Gilgamesh!”

Someone opens the door as Gilgamesh comes out wearing an apron. He looks at Ikaris. “What took you so long?” he waves for Karun to turn off the camera. He looks at Sprite as he walks by. “You look younger today, Sprite.”

“I have the same apron,” Karun notes.

Gilgamesh looks at him. “Who the hell are you?”

“I'm Karun. Kingo's valet.”

“Oh, valet. Like Alfred in Batman.”

“Gilgamesh. The Deviants are back,” Ikaris says.

“No shit. I could have used some help.”

“We were attacked by a Deviant in London, too, and on Ajak’s farm,” Sprite said.

“Ajak’s here?” Gilgamesh asked as the leader of the Eternals walked up to him and smiled warmly. “Hello, Gilgamesh. It's been a long time.”

“Yeah, no shit. What about the Deviant?”

“Ikaris couldn't kill it,” Sersi said.

“You couldn't?” Gilgamesh teased.

“I was distracted,” Ikaris protested.

“Sure, man.”

“It took both of us to stop it,” Y/N said.

“Who are you?” Gilgamesh asked.

“This is Y/N Maximoff. Ikaris’s superhero boyfriend,” Sprite said.

“Boyfriend?!” Kingo and Gilgamesh asked at the same time.

“That's right,” Ikaris said. “Is that a problem?” He brought Y/N closer to him.

“Not a problem at all, boss,” Kingo said.

“He’s cute,” Gilgamesh said as Y/N blushed. “Hey, you guys wanna try my pie?”

“I do,” Y/N said, grabbing the hot pan from Gilgamesh with his bare hands. “It smells good,” Y/N said as Gilgamesh stared at him, shocked.

“Something wrong?”

“Doesn't that burn your hands?”

“Not really. Invulnerable skin,” Y/N said.

“Cool.”

Ikaris looks out into the distance at a tree. Sersi follows his eyes and sees a white figure underneath it. Y/N sets the pie down on the table as Sersi begins to walk towards the tree. “Sersi. The attack triggered her. She's no fun to be around right now,” Gilgamesh warns.

They all walk towards the tree, with a woman with long blonde hair dressed in a white dress sitting underneath it. She’s drawing with oils and pastels a picture of a Celestial. It's either Arishem or Tiamut. “Hey, Thena. Look who's here. Give me your hand.” Thena turns around but instead of giving Gilgamesh her hand, she projects a spear made out of cosmic energy as she attacks Gilgamesh, but he blocks it with his own cosmic energy of exoskeleton. “Thena.”

“Everyone in Centuri-Six is going to die,” Thena said.

“Give me your hand,” Gilgamesh says.

“It's too late. We can't save them.”

“Thena.”

Thena creates another weapon in her other hand as she takes a defensive stance. Sprite uses her own powers of illusions to create an environment that resembles their ship. “Thena. We came to Earth together on our ship.” Sprite waves her hands and there’s a lifelike illusion of Arishem, Thena, and a Deviant. “You're an Eternal. The greatest warrior of Olympia. The legendary protector of Athens. The goddess of war. Remember who you are.” Thena puts her weapons away as she holds on her hand for Gilgamesh.

He links his hands with hers as her eyes go back to normal as Sprite’s illusions melt away. “Remember.”

Thena smiles.

“Thena,” Ikaris says.

“Hi,” Kingo said.

“Hello,” she says.

“Hey, who's your gardener?”

Ajak steps forward. “Hello, Thena, it's wonderful to see you again.”

“Hello, Ajak,” Thena says, as Ajak pulls her into a hug that Thena hesitantly accepts. They pull back as Thena looks at Y/N. “And you are?”

“Hello, Thena. My name is Y/N. It's lovely to meet you,” Y/N said.

“Likewise,” she smiles as she heads back to the hut. The others follow her as Y/N whispers to Ikaris. “She’s kind of hot.”

“She’s too old for you,” Ikaris said.

“Technically, you're too old for me as well,” Y/N smirked. “Someone’s jealous.”

“I'm not jealous, but let me tell you something. You’re mine and only mine,” Ikaris says as Y/N giggles.

….

“This is just what you guys eat every day? Yeah, this is amazing,” Kingo said. They were all eating food prepared by Gilgamesh.

“Every day.”

“Thank you for this,” Ikaris said.

“Oh, you're welcome. Help yourself.” Gilgamesh holds up a jug. “This one is a trio of wine, beer, and mead. Made for all the soldiers in the battle of Troy,” Gilgamesh smiles.

“That's so thoughtful,” Karun said. Thena stares at him as she eats a bite of her food. Kingo looks at her. “Should she be drinking?” Gilgamesh leans in close. “No, hers is non-alcoholic. For kids.” Thena takes a drink of her cup.

“I gave you the same thing, Y/N, Sprite,” Gilgamesh said. He begins to chuckle, and so does Kingo. “For kids.”

Y/N and Sprite glared at Gilgamesh. Sprite waves her hand and an illusion of baby clothes forms around Gilgamesh. “I was just kidding. Your is a secret brew Odin taught me as a thank-you after we helped defeat Laufey's army in Tønsberg.” The others began to chuckle at the way Gilgamesh was dressed. He frowns.

“What? Oh.” he looks down and sees what he’s wearing. “I'm a big baby. Very mature. Can you stop? Stop.” Sprite breaks the illusion.

“Speaking of Odin... Thor used to follow me around when he was a little kid. Now he's a famous Avenger and won't return my calls,” Kingo said.

“Really?” Y/N asks him. Thor never told him that.

“Oh, yeah. He followed me like a little puppy dog.”

“So, now that Captain Rogers and Iron Man are both retired, who do you think is gonna lead the Avengers?” Sprite asked. They all looked at Y/N, awaiting an answer.

“Umm… Well, Steve has been training me in more leadership types of roles, but I'm sure someone like Sam, Bucky, or Carol is more qualified than me to lead. Maybe a Young Avengers or something with Peter.”

“Well, maybe I could lead them. I figure I'd be good at that,” Ikaris said.

“Yeah, you would,” Kingo said.

“I could ask Steve and see what he says,” Y/N offered.

“As long as you're by my side, dearie,” Ikaris smiled.

“How are you to them when you couldn't even lead us?” Gilgamesh said.

“Whoa.”

“Ouch, Gil. Ouch.”

“Harsh.”

“I'm gonna let that one slide because, you know, you've always been bitter that I can fly and you can't,” Ikaris said.

“Oh, so what, you can fly? I'm better-looking, everybody knows that,” Gilgamesh said.

Ajak was silent throughout the whole meal. It was obvious she had something on her mind. They were all almost together except for Druig, Makkari, and Phastos. Maybe it was time she was honest with all of them and told them the truth about who they really are. “I have something to tell all of you,” she said.

“What is it, Ajak?” Sersi asked.

Y/N looked at Ikaris worriedly. She was going to tell them the truth. Ikaris’s face was unreadable.

“What's been happening to the Earth? These earthquakes. I know what's causing them.”

“What?” Sprite asked.

Ajak looked the other Eternals in the eyes. “It is a side effect of the Emergence.”

“The Emergence?”

“It is time for you to learn the true purpose of your mission. You were sent to Earth to bring forth the Celestial Tiamut. Every billion years, new Celestials must be born. Arishem planted Celestial seeds into host planets across the universe,” Ajak said.

“The planet Earth was chosen to host the Celestial Tiamut. In order to grow, Tiamut needs vast amounts of energy from intelligent life. The Deviants prevented this by consuming humans until the Eternals eliminated them. Now, the human population of the planet has reached the required amount. The Emergence has begun.”

“You knew the truth, and you didn't tell us?” Sersi said.

“It wasn't just Ajak who knew Sersi,” Ikaris said. “Y/N and I knew about it as well.”

“You both have been lying to us?” Sprite asked.

“It wasn't a lie. Just a secret we couldn't say,” Y/N told her.

“Right, because that's so much better,” Kingo said.

“But... Everyone on Earth will die.”

“Right, but we won't let that happen,” Ikaris said. “That's why I came looking for you, Sersi. To find you and Sprite.”

“What about our home on Olympia?”

“There is no Olympia. Your true home is the World Forge. It is here that Arishem built and programmed the Eternals,” Ajak said.

“Everything dies except us because we were never alive. Why don't we remember any of this?” Gilgamesh asked.

“Because your memories are erased and reset after each Emergence,” Ajak said. “Arishem created the Deviants, and he lost control of them. He built and programmed us, the Eternals, to be synthetic beings incapable of evolution, to correct his mistake.”

“So, you're saying we're basically fancy robots? And our past memories are stored somewhere in space?” Kingo said.

“And Arishem made the Deviants,” Sersi said.

“I'm sorry, Thena. You tried to warn us,” Gilgamesh said.

“The last time Arishem reset your memories, something must have gone wrong,” Sprite said.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, that's what Mahd Wy'ry is, isn't it? All this time, Thena was remembering all the other planets we were sent to and everyone dying during the Emergence,” Sprite said.

“Exactly,” Ajak said.

“I thought we were heroes. Turns out we're the bad guys,” Gilgamesh said.

“You’re not the bad guys, Gilgamesh. Just misguided,” Y/N said.

“Why should I believe anything you say?” Gilgamesh looked at Y/N. “You're a liar.”

“Leave him alone, Gil,” Ikaris said.

“Or what, Ikaris?” Gilgamesh said.

Ikaria got to his feet, eyes glowing gold as Gilgamesh summoned his cosmic exoskeleton.

“Stop! Both of you!” Ajak said. “It's understandable that you feel angry and hurt, but if you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me. Not at Ikaris or Y/N.”

Gilgamesh huffed and dropped his cosmic exoskeleton.

“Every time innocent lives have been sacrificed for the greater good, it turns out to be a mistake. We have to stop the Emergence,” Sersi said.

“Sersi, we have no right to stop the birth of a Celestial,” Kingo protested.

“Maybe you don't, but I do,” Y/N said. “I protect this planet and if there’s a way Tiamut can emerge without destroying the Earth, so be it, but if not I'm not going to let him destroy everything I care about.”

“We just have to delay it until we figure out how,” Sersi agreed.

“Could Druig control its mind? Maybe put it to sleep?” Gilgamesh asked.

“"Put it to sleep?” Are you serious?” Sprite said.

“Gilgamesh asked Druig to put me to sleep once,” Thena said.

“So I could take a vacation to Fiji, you know?” Gilgamesh said.

“We’re talking about a Celestial, okay?” Kingo said.

“We have to try. Come on, we’re not gonna let everyone on Earth die, right?” Y/N asked.

“Right,” Karun said. “I’m human. I’m a little biased.”

“The world is ending. You need to go home,” Kingo says in Hindi.

“And do what? Watch TV?” Karun asks Kingo.

“He’s got you there,” Y/N said.

“When I could be with the Earth’s original superheroes and its latest as they try to save the world?”

“Fine. If you want to, stay,” Kingo says, taking a drink of his mug.

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“Gilgamesh, could you please get rid of the saliva beer?” Kingo said.

“I thought you liked it, man,” Gilgamesh said.

“We need to go. Now. Find the others,” Ikaris said. “Once we’re all together, we’ll decide what to do about the emergence.”

….

They all journey to the Amazon in search of the one Eternal who might be able to put Tiamut back to sleep. Druig. They’re deep in the forest and find a small village with a bunch of people and animals like llamas. A little girl walks with her parents as she waves at Y/N, who waves back.

“Buenas Tardes,” a woman says as she passes by Kingo.

“It’s very nice here, sir,” Karun says.

“Don’t be fooled. Ignorance is bliss,” Kingo warns.

“Oye, estamos buscando a Druig. ¿Está aquí?” Sprite asks a man if he knows where Druig is.

“Sí. ¿Cómo conoces Druig?” He asks her.

“Somos amigos… De la universidad,” Y/N said.

The man turns to Y/N and Sprite, his eyes glowing eerily. “Hello, Sprite.” A man walks out of a little building as the people of this village gather behind Y/N, Karun, and the Eternals. “I missed all of you,” Druig smiled. “Please, make yourselves at home.”

They all follow Druig inside the building and tell him everything that’s going to happen. Druig stands in front of them, searching their eyes and maybe even their minds for any indication that this is a trick or bad joke. He looks at Ajak.

“You’ve given me a lot of bad news in one go, my lady.”

“Will you help us?” Ajak asks.

“I am glad that…”

Sersi’s phone begins to ring, interrupting Druig mid-sentence. It plays Juice by Lizzo as she tries to turn it off. It’s Dane calling her. She puts it on silent as she blushes, glancing at Ikaris, who smirks.

“Hey, what’s your service?” Kingo asks curiously. “I’m not getting any bars.” Thena hits a sleeping Gilgamesh awake.

“Do you all remember this forest?” Druig asks. “Beautiful.” He walks around the room. “It was the last place we all lived together.” He stops in front of Thena and Gilgamesh. “I’ve protected these people for 20 generations now from the outside world and from themselves.” Kingo tells Karun to stop rolling the camera as Druig comes up to them.

“Your kind, my friend, you will be responsible for your own extinction one day,” Druig tells Karun. “Don’t you think?”

“I think we must learn from our mistakes and do better, sir. You must not give up hope,” Karun tells him. Druig’s eyes flash gold and there’s a humming sound as Karun’s eyes flash the same color as he throws the camera against the wall. Druig is controlling him. Y/N speeds over to him and pushes him against the wall.

“Let go of him, now,” Y/N demands.

“You’re gonna have to make me,” Druig grins at Y/N. “If you wanna stop me, you’re gonna have to kill me.”

“Oh, don’t think I won’t,” Y/N warns.

Druig’s eyes flash again and Y/N can hear a buzzing sound in his head. Druig is trying to mind control him. Druig frowns as his eyes go back to normal. “That’s not possible.”

Y/N grins. “Sorry, but I’ve had my mind controlled by my sister once and wasn’t a fan of it. She forced me and Ikaris to play house in a sitcom show, so don’t think that’s going to work on me.” Y/N lets Druig go and he lets Karun go as well.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Karun said.

“Don’t apologize, it’s not your fault,” Kingo said. “You are not a God. You know that, right?”

“How ironic. Kingo, the movie star,” Druig said.

“I’ve directed some things, too.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what?”

“Some Internet content.”

“How many views?”

“I don’t do it for the views,” Kingo said.

“He’s wasting our time,” Ikaris says, walking towards the door.

“We need him,” Sersi said.

“Ikaris,” Druig walks up to him. “I missed you. Are you gonna charm me or threaten me like your boyfriend over there?” he points to Y/N.

“I mean, there’s a third option, if you prefer that,” Ikaris says evenly.

“It must be heartbreaking to find out that your boyfriend is just as evil as his sister. A destroyer of Worlds,” Druig says, grinning at Y/N’s shocked face. “I may not be able to control your mind, but I can read you like a book. And let me tell you, Y/N. You’re very open about it.”

“The only evil one here is you, Druig,” Ikaris says angrily. “A spoiled and selfish brat.”

“Sticks and stones, Ikaris.”

“Druig, this is serious,” Sersi says.

“I’ll tell you what’s serious. I’ve just been told I’ve been sent on a suicide mission for the past 7,000 years, and that my entire existence is a lie. So, excuse me for not giving a shit about your plan right now,” Druig says as he walks out the door.

“Druig sucks.”

“He does, sir.”

Ikaris and Y/N flew high above the clouds in the night sky. Usually Y/N love to fly, it always made him feel better and cleared his mind, but tonight his mind was elsewhere. Ikaris sensed something was off with his young lover.

“What’s wrong, Duckling?” He asked.

“What?... Oh, it’s nothing,” Y/N said.

“You sure?”

“Actually I’m not okay. What Druig said—”

“— Druig is a down right bastard,” Ikaris said. “Don’t listen to him.”

“What if he’s right?” What if I really am evil?”

Ikaris shook his head. “That’s nonsense.”

“Is it? Agatha told my sister she would destroy the world as the mythical Scarlet Witch. And told me I have that same darkness inside me,” Y/N says. “She said I’d either use my powers to protect mankind from her, or help her destroy it.”

Ikaris was silent for a moment and Y/N was afraid he scared him off. That’s when he spoke. “If that was true then why would you risk coming here to help us stop the Emergence?”

Y/N looked at him. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“Exactly, Y/N,” Ikaris said. “Because your heart is pure and you would rather sacrifice yourself for those you love. That’s not what someone who’s evil would do.”

“But I—”

“— No but’s. I don’t care what an evil witch or a bastard Eternal says. I know you better than they do. You're not evil.”

“Are you willing to bet your life on that?” Y/N asked him.

“Always.”

“I love Ikaris,” Y/N said. It took a second for the

Avenger realized what he had just said. “Wait— That’s not what I—what I meant was—”

“I love you too, Y/N,” Ikaris smiled sweetly. “I always will.” Ikaris leaned down for a kiss and before Y/N could meet him, something hard and heavy slammed into them as Ikaris let Y/N go as he fell to the ground below. “Y/N!”

The last thing Y/N saw while he was plummeting to earth was Ikaris being carried away by a Deviant.

“Ikaris!”

[shezzaspeare]

Pilot/Episode 1: Patching Things Up With Pastiche & Fanfiction

Hi, hello, and the wait is finally over! My name is Blessie, and welcome to the first episode webisode log installation I've decided to call these things an episode for now because why not also let me know what do you actually call these things episode of The Science of Fanfiction, where we take a closer look into our beloved works of fanon because we've all got plenty of time to spare till Season 5. Before I continue, I would like to thank everyone who's liked and reblogged the last few posts before this one. It means a lot for a small and growing Tumblr user like me, and your support is something I cherish more than my modules. You guys rock!

Anyways, like with most things, we have to talk about the boring and bland stuff before we proceed with the fun stuff. For today, we are going to settle the difference between a couple of things: first being the confusion between pastiche and fanfiction; then the distinctions between tropes, clichés, and stereotypes, which we'll tackle the next time. It's important for us to establish their true meanings in order for us to really understand what fanfiction truly is, even if it's merely just a work done for the fandom. I know – it's boring, it's something that shouldn't be expounded that much, but I believe that all forms of writing (unless it's plagiarised) is a work of art — and fanfiction is not something we always talk about. I hope that by the end of this, you'll learn about what they really are as much as I did. Let's begin to talk about the—

[Image ID: A flashback of John (left) and Sherlock (right) finding an elephant (not in the screen) in a room in The Sign of Three. End ID]

. . . I did say that this GIF will always have to make an appearance here, didn't I?

So, just as with Sherlock Holmes, all other works of fiction have their own pastiches and fanfiction, and many more original works out there have taken inspiration from them to create their own books. Although they've gained popular attention, this will not be possible if they did not have taken inspiration from the materials their writers had at the time.

[Image ID: Various actors as Dracula. Jeremy Brett in 'Dracula' (1978) (upper left), Adam Sandler in a voice role for 'Hotel Transylvania' (2012) (upper right), Gary Oldman in 'Dracula' (1992) (lower left), and Bela Lugosi in 'Dracula' (1933) (lower right). End ID]

For instance, Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' (the second most adapted literary character, next to the consulting detective himself) has been portrayed on the screen over 200 times — from Gary Oldman to Adam Sandler — and has spawned off numerous books and pastiches of its own such as Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot'. Its cultural impact served as a basis of how we see vampires today, since some characteristics of the Count were made by Stoker himself. Stoker's creation is the brainchild of his predecessors and inspirations.

[Image ID: Vlad the Impaler (left) and a book cover of 'Carmilla' by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (right). End ID]

Other than the ongoing hysteria over dead back then and the existing vampire folklore, Stoker also took his inspirations from the published books on vampires he had at hand. He is said to have taken inspiration from Vlad the Impaler, a Romanian national hero known allegedly for having impalement as his favourite method of torture. He is also said to have been inspired by the J. Sheridan Le Fanu's 'Carmilla', a Gothic lesbian vampire novella that predates Dracula by 26 years. I could go on, but hey, we're going back to Sherlock Holmes now before I deviate any further. However, if you want to know about Dracula's literary origins, I suggest you watch Ted-ED's videos about the subject matter such as this one or this one.

Very much like Stoker, ACD didn't just conceive Holmes on his own. He took his own inspirations from what he had available at the time.

[Image ID: Dr Joseph Bell (left) and Edgar Allan Poe (right). End ID]

As we all know, ACD's biggest inspiration for Sherlock Holmes was one of his teachers at the Edinburgh University, Joseph Bell. He was famous for his powers of deduction, and he was also interested in forensic science — both characteristics which Holmes is greatly known for. He also drew inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's sleuth, C. Auguste Dupin ('The Purloined Letter' & 'Murders in Rue Morgue'). As ACD himself has said at the 1909 Poe Centennial Dinner: "Where was the detective story until Poe breathed life into it?" Some other writers he took after are Wilkie Collins, Émile Gaboriau, and Oscar Wilde.

Now, what does this say about us Sherlockians/Holmesians (depending if you're the coloniser or the one that was colonised)? Basically, ACD laid the groundwork for us with Sherlock Holmes: his humble abode 221B that he shares with his flatmate Dr. John Watson, his adventures, memoirs, return, casebook, last vow, and all that. Now that we have this material at hand, we can now make our own versions, takes, or even original stories featuring the characters of the Canon. Our inspiration comes from ACD's Sherlock Holmes, and we now get the chance to make our very own stories/conspiracy theories about them.

As I have mentioned earlier, Sherlock Holmes is the most adapted literary character in history. He has been adapted in over 200 films, more than 750 radio adaptations, a ballet, 2 musicals; and he's become a mouse, a woman, a dog, even a bloody cucumber. On top of all that are numerous pastiches and fanfics, and finally, we have arrived at the main topic of our post!

Fanfiction and pastiche are often confused together since they have three common elements: they take after the original work, they usually use the characters in that original work, and more often than not do are they set in that same time frame/period or not long after that. The common misconception is that pastiche are printed fanfiction, which is only partly true. While pastiche is definitely fanfiction in some ways and vice versa, there are fanfictions out there that aren't necessarily classified as pastiche that have been published.

Let's get on with our definition of terms to clear up the confusion a little more. Pastiche, according to Literary Terms, is:

. . . a creative work that imitates another author or genre. It’s a way of paying respect, or honor, to great works of the past. Pastiche differs from parody in that pastiche isn’t making fun of the works it imitates – however, the tone of pastiche is often humorous.

A good example of a pastiche is Sophie Hannah's 'The Monogram Murders', which is her take from Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot.

[Image ID: A book cover of 'The Monogram Murders' by Sophie Hannah. End ID.]

Although this was a commission from Christie's estate, it's still considered as a pastiche as:

It's takes after Christie's writing style;

It is set in the early years of Poirot's career (1929), which is still within the time frame that the author wrote him in;

It features Poirot and;

It pays respect to Christie in a sense that it stays true to her (Christie) characters and way of storytelling.

Meanwhile, our good and slightly unreliable friend Wikipedia defines fanfiction as:

. . . is fictional writing written by fans, commonly of an existing work of fiction. The author uses copyrighted characters, settings, or other intellectual property from the original creator(s) as a basis for their writing. [It] ranges from a couple of sentences to an entire novel, and fans can both keep the creator's characters and settings and/or add their own. [ . . . ] [It] can be based on any fictional (and sometimes non-fictional) subject. Common bases for fanfiction include novels, movies, bands, and video games.

To avoid any copyright infringement issues if I ever use a popular fanfic in the fandom, we'll use my (unfinished and unpopular) Sherlock Wattpad fic, 'Play Pretend'. You can read it here.

[Image ID: The second self-made book cover of Blessie/shezzaspeare's 'Play Pretend'. End ID]

Why is it considered a fanfiction and not a pastiche?

It takes after an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes (BBC Sherlock) which is a TV show, not the ACD canon itself;

The author (in this case myself) uses her own writing style and does not take after the original story's style;

Although it is set well in modern-day London and after Season 4, it also features scenes decades before the actual fanfic is set and outside of London;

I added a considerable number of characters, i.e. siblings to canon characters;

I had my own take some of the canon characters' personality especially after the events of Sherrinford;

It is written by a fan – myself. It is a work of fan labour and;

It is only a work of fanon, and isn't likely going to be considered by the show as its writing style is different from the actual show.

To put it simply, you can have more freedom in a fanfiction as it does not necessarily restrict you to follow or take after the original stories. Alternate universes (AUs) such as Unilock and Teenlock are perfect examples of this thing.

So can a pastiche be classified as fanfiction? Yes.

Can a fanfiction be classified as pastiche? Not all the time.

What's the difference? While yes, they share the basics, pastiche is technically leans more onto the original work's fundamental elements whereas fanfiction is a broader range of works inspired by the original work but doesn't necessarily follow all or any of its fundamental elements.

In order for us to understand it more, I'll give another example.

[Image ID: The 'Enola Holmes' title card (upper left) and Henry Cavill as its Sherlock holmes (upper right). Underneath it is a a scene from the opening titles of BBC Sherlock (lower left) and Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes in A Scandal In Belgravia. (lower right) End ID]

Most of you are familiar with these 21st-century adaptations of Holmes: the 2020 adaptation of Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes books and BBC Sherlock, which needs no further explanation – but for those who don't know, it's basically Holmes and the gang if they were alive today. I specifically chose these two as they are the ones that I believe would get my points across best. Though both are considered as wonderful pastiches with a well-rounded cast and awesome visuals, if we break them down bit by bit, we'll see which one is more of a pastiche and which one is more of a fanfic. (Yes, I know they're both screen adaptations. However, as Enola Holmes was based on the books and BBC Sherlock's fanfiction has the show's scenes written out in most fanfics, hear me out.)

They share these characteristics of a pastiche:

They feature characters from the Canon (Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes, and Lestrade);

They have additional characters added by the writers (Including but not limited to Molly Hooper, Eurus Holmes, and Philip Anderson for BBC Sherlock while Enola Holmes has Lord Tewkesbury, Eudoria Holmes, and Enola herself) and;

They pay respect to the original Canon as their stories are based on the cases (BBC Sherlock) or simply what was going on around them (Enola Holmes).

They also share these characteristics of a fanfic:

They are made by enthusiasts of Sherlock Holmes (Moffat has called himself and Mark Gatiss 'Sherlock Holmes geeks', while Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes books are not just one or two but six);

They follow a common trope (we'll discuss these tropes in the following episodes) that goes on in the fandom (Sherlock's Sister & Modern AU)

They are based on a fictional subject (Sherlock Holmes);

They used characters and story elements that are copyrighted by the author/author's estate (fun fact: prior to the production of Enola Holmes, the Conan Doyle Estate filed a lawsuit against Springer & Netflix over Sherlock's emotions since he was more 'sympathetic' than he was portrayed in the Canon – this was later dismissed by both parties) and;

Their writing styles don't necessarily follow ACD's.

Despite these similarities, there are very obvious differences between the two that separates them from being a pastiche and a fanfiction.

Enola Holmes embodies pastiche more as it doesn't stray far away from the original elements of the Canon. It's still set in Victorian England. While Springer added characters of her own and definitely twisted the Canon to suit her series, she didn't necessarily place them out of the social construct that was going on around the characters. It follows ACD's writing style more as Enola Holmes' setting still remains within the Canon's original setting.

Meanwhile, we can safely say that BBC Sherlock is a work of fanfiction. While it did give us The Abominable Bride, the main series focused on Holmes and Watson in 21st-century England, which is drastically different from Victorian England. There are phones, black cabs, and cellphones — things which ACD Sherlock Holmes doesn't have. It also diverted from the Canon in the characters themselves, which is mostly seen in the names: Henry Baskerville became Henry Knight, Charles Augustus Milverton became Charles Augustus Magnussen, the H in Dr Watson's name stood for Hamish and Sherlock's full name is actually William Sherlock Scott Holmes. They also changed the personalities of some Canon characters: Mary was actually an ex-assassin, Mrs Hudson was an exotic dancer who drove a kick-ass sports car, Irene Adler is a dominatrix, to name a few. Moffat and Gatiss created a world of their own featuring the characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which is really what most of us fanfic writers do with Mofftiss' rendition of Holmes.

In conclusion: while pastiche and fanfiction could have been the same thing, they're actually not. There's more to them that just printed fanfiction or pastiche e-books, and we all should take some time to see and observe them in a closer perspective.

And that's it for our first episode! I hope you enjoyed it. It was a lot fun for me to write this, especially now that I'm only starting. I would also like to note that while intensive research has been done on this series, some parts of this comes from my own observation and opinion, which may vary from yours. I am very much open to criticism, as long as it is said in a polite and civil manner. I'm still young, and to be educated as I go is something that could really help me with this series.

Like and reblog this you like it. It helps out a lot. Be sure to follow me as well and the tags underneath if you want to see more of TSoF.

See you soon!

Blessie presents – The Science of Fanfiction: A Study In Sherlock (2021) • Next

Follow me! • My Carrd | My YouTube Channel

SOURCES • Pinterest, Google Images, Wikipedia, Literary Terms, Conan Doyle Estate, Definitions, The Sherlock Holmes Book, and Google

[verobatto]

Destiel Chronicles

Vol. LXXXIX

It was a love story from the very beginning

"You, me... And Sam."

Hello my friends!!! How are you? I feel much better now thanks to all your asks and your memes and your cracks, I adore them all!

Okay, putting that to a side, and still dreaming about how Jensen will give us the ending we all deserve, let's continue with this analysis, because is time to talk about the mixtape.

From butterflies in the stomach and Foreshadows of the new God

When the episode starts, there's a hint of what Jack's mission is. But coming out from Dagon's mouth, it became like a real bad future.

Dagon: Yeah. And he's not gonna stop there. Every sad, weak human, every tight-ass angel, every sniveling demon they'll all be consumed. So go ahead. Play your games. But whether you're healthy or sick, filthy or clean, He will be born. Good times.

Is almost the contrary to what Jack will actually do for the world. He will consume but it will be Chuck's powers until the last drop of it. And against Dagon's speech, he will save each demon and angel and restore everything.

Now, let's talk about CAS coming back to the bunker...

Gif credit @godshipsit

I think his face is saying everything here. The one entering in the bunker after go MIA, was Cas', so, Dean's face is scandalous.

Imagine that suddenly your disappeared crush enters through the door without previous announcement. Of cour we can read the bumping heart allnover Dean's cheek, his eyes went wide, in surprise. 'Is CAS!'

He was so worried this whole time, thinking the worst could happen to him, and now CAS is there, alive.

But his reaction to it will be completely different to Sam's reaction. This was settled to make us see the difference between how a friend would react and how a lover would react. Blatant.

Sam: Hey. You're all right. Um – Where have you been?

Sam is asking as a friend, but Dean, Dean doesn't...

Dean: Let me rephrase that for Sam. Where the hell have you been? And why have you ignored our phone calls?

Okay, let's just stop here, this is the way a wife will ask her husband. But because we are talking about Dean, we can see his shield. His shield is US/WE, his shield is SAM, because he wants to drag his brother into the feeling of being desperately worried. Because recognize that DEAN WAS THE ONLY ONE ALMOAT LOOSING HIS HEAD TRYING TO KNOW IF CAS WAS ALIVE OR WHWRE HE WAS IA SHOWING WEAKNESS, IS SHOWING HIS TRUE FEELINGS FOR THE ANGEL. So, the theme of the I/ME vs the WE/US is perfectly written all over this episode.

Castiel: Where I was, the – the reception was, uh, poor.

Dean: No bars? No bars. That's his excuse. Wow.

Castiel: I was in Heaven. I was working with the angels. When I saw Dagon had captured Kelly, I-I thought they could help.

Okay Castiel is proving he is lying by himself here, because he said first he had not signal, and now, he heard one of the so many voice mails Dean had left in his phone.

Sam: And?

Castiel: Nothing.

Sam: Well, at least you're back. We're glad you're back

And be prepared again for the difference between the friend and the JILTED lover.

Dean: Really? No, I'm sorry. Okay, 'cause while you were striking out in Heaven, we had a shot at Dagon, and we lost.

Maybe Dean was waiting Sam to second him in his anger. But it was only in Dean's heart, the deception, and the recalling of so many days be worried about CAS. Because that's what romantic love makes you be.

Castiel: I know. I received your messages.

This was like a bomb for Dean...

Dean: Oh, you did – you did receive the messages? Okay, that's good.

Sarcasm...

Castiel: Dean.

Gif credit @starlightcastiel

Dean can't handle the pain in his heart of being rejected and ignored by Castiel, so he searches for his shield again: We/Us/Sam and me.

Dean: So not only were you ditching us, but you were also ignoring us? That's great. 'Cause we really could've used the backup. But, uh, you were too busy with, um (Clicks tongue) What was it? Nothing?

Castiel: Dean, I –

Dean: What the hell is wrong with you, man? You know, whatever. That's (Chuckles) Yeah. Welcome back. (walks away)

Dean is so mad with CAS. And is blatant that his reaction is totally different to Sam's.

The Mixtape as a way to reciprocate Castiel's confession, and the desperate attempt to make CAS to stay by his side.

Okay, we are now in the scene. I'm sure this scene had been dissected by many meta writers. I won't say new things, but i will point a little to their body languages.

Okay, the scene starts with Castiel knocking at Dean's door to give him back the mixtape, so jus aknowledged there that Dean gave CAS a freaking mixtape, which doesn't have another meaning that ROMANTIC. But we can assume Castiel doesn't get this human's customaries, also, we can assume he does, because boop culture that Metatron out at once in his head... So...

After Dean, without looking at him, because he is mad and now he has to handle this angel lack of knowledge about WHAT GIFTING A MIXTAPE MEANS, he said "It's a gift, you keep those."

And Castiel gets nervous.

Gif credit @stardustcas

The swallow and the way he opens his mouth again to breathe and maybe to say something else, but he stopped himself. Castiel is nervous. I thought at first because he has to find the Colt, and he knew Dean kept it in his room. But we know now that it wasn't just that. He was flustered because the intimacy of the situation with the man he loves.

Castiel looks around before attempting to leave, maybe searching for the Colt, but then Dean starts talking:

Dean: Cas, you can't – With everything that's going on, you can't just go dark like that. We didn't know what happened to you. We were worried. That's not okay.

And in the middle of the intimate scene, awkward moment, Dean needs his shield more than never.

Castiel: Well, I didn't mean to add to your distress. I – Dean, I just keep failing. Again and again. When you were taken, I searched for months and I couldn't find you. And then Kelly escaped on my watch, and I couldn't find her. And I just wanted I needed to come back here with a win for you. For myself.

This speech is so important, because it shows how depressed Castiel felt, how uneasy. How unworthy. He needed to be useful. So he decided to start alone this dangerous journey that will end in his death. He also mentions the win. Because he didn't know he will be always Dean's win, as we will see in episode 13x06 when CAS comes back to Dean alive.

After they talk about Dragon, and Cas' asks if Sam and Dean are willing to kill an innocent, because that's dirty work, that's the mission CAS had taken in his own shoulders, Dean says this...

Dean: We will find a better way.

Castiel: You mean, we?

Gif set credit @deanwinchestrs

Cas points at Dean with the mixtape, because he wants to clarify if Dean is referring to them, to JUST CAS AND DEAN. YOU AND ME. THE TWO OF US. And Dean is now the flustered one. Look at Dean's face, being in just one spot, recognizing that the shield can be broken, that he is talking about CAS and him. Is too intimate. Too different. So his face is burning. And even so, the words are out. 'Yes, dumbass, we.'

What was this? This was an attempt coming from Castiel to get to know Dean's feelings. Pointing with the mixtape to just Dean and him. Not Sam here. Not shield. And Dean goes for it. Goes for that WE: YOU AND ME.

But then, Dean backtraks

Gif set credit @stardustcas

He starts explaining the WE, avoiding Castiel's gaze, he goes... 'You, me...' and then he tilts his head, and adds the shield back again: 'and Sam.'

The second gif is showing Dean backtracking, Because is too intimate, is too risky, he is standing on the edge between friendship and something else. He can't cross that line. Mostly because he is not sure about Castiel's feelings for him, and more now, after seeing how CAS ignored him for so long. Dean is like:

"What am I doing? Let's mention Sam here, and turn this into no homo conversation."

But the nervousness is all over the scene, i got nervous watching it because the awkward moment!

Gif set credit @stardustcas

More nervousness. Dean's flustered eyes. The swallowing. The attempt of staring into those blue eyes of the man he loves. (The butterflies in the stomach, the heart beating fast, the dry mouth) trying to make the conversation more normal, but their faces are loud.

Vas says he likes that and then Dean is more frustrated than never and his dry mouth is asking for a beer, or maybe he find a way out from the awkward moment, the gay moment. He needs to breathe. He almost let his guard down with this angel. And the desperate way to say STAY WITH ME. DON'T GO AWAY AGAIN. To his angel.

Castiel engages with a seductive look in the middle of the sexual tension

Sam: I mean, how did Cass even get the Colt out of the safe in the first place?

Dean drops his head. Sam raises an eyebrow

Sam Dean, you – you put the Colt back in the safe, right? Dean?

Dean: It was under my pillow. It – I like to keep it close. (Sighs) He came into my room and he played me.

Okay i can even explain the intimacy of this. Even if CAS didn't know about this and he just went searching all over Dean's room. Mention this after the huge scene full of romantic tension, has a meaning. Again: INTIMACY. And adding the "He played me" to all of this is another symbol way to show theme audience this was like that scene between the guy and his crush, in wich his crush takes advantage of it and plays him by stealing something from him. Yes.

Finally, when they find CAS... This scene...

Gif credit @stardustcas

Dean is mad, very mad at him. Because Castiel really played him. But... Look at the scene. Look at Castiel's gaze: PURE SEDUCTION. He maybe is aware of the effect he causes on Dean. And after the mixtape scene, he goes for it. Seduction as if they were in their first seasons together. And Dean is muted, and stares at him, then checks him out, and they're in their own sexual tension world, until Sam calls him. But he has to calls him twice because his brother is too embedded into Castiel's hot behavior.

But don't forget Dean is mad at him. So now, is Dean the one playing around with CAS. Throwing the keys at him and making him almost loose his stability to reach them.

Closing the circle

When Dean and Sam reach Castiel again in the middle of a battle with Dragon, Dean's desperation when Dagon is about to smite Castiel is high level.

But then Jack saves the day, not just showing CAS the future (the ending of season 15) but also, Jack gave him powers to finish Dagon.

Then, the scene in wich Castiel heals Dean is full of intimacy again. The lingerie touch, rubbing fingers. Because Dean is moving his hand slowly away from CAS touch but he ended by letting his hand to feel Castiel's rubbing his fingers. To let Castiel to heal him.

And then, CAS is gone again.

To Conclude:

12x19: The Future has Destiel all over it. Dean mad at him, reaching the level of a JILTED lover. Dean way to protect himself from another rejection using the WE/US/SAM shield. Just because he can't handle it. The doubts about Cas' feelings, and the way the angel always find to go MIA, makes his heart stutter.

The mixtape scene is one of the most emblematic. The nervousness is all over their faces, and Misha and Jensen transmite perfectly the romantic tension between the two characters and goes straight to our hearts, making us feel awkward and flustered too.

Hope you like this meta. See you in the next one!

Tagging @magnificent-winged-beast @emblue-sparks @weird-dorky-little-d @michyribeiro @whyjm @legendary-destiel @a-bit-of-influence @thatwitchydestielfan @misha-moose-dean-burger-lover @lykanyouko @evvvissticante @savannadarkbaby @dea-stiel @poorreputation @bre95611 @thewolfathedoor @charlottemanchmal @neii3n @deathswaywardson @followyourenergy @dean-is-bi-till-i-die @hekatelilith-blog @avidbkwrm @anarchiana @dickpuncher365 @vampyrosa @authorsararayne @mybonsai1976 @love-neve-dies @dustythewind @wayward-winchester67 @angelwithashotgunandtrenchcoat @trashblackrainbow @deeutdutdutdoh @destiel-shipper-11 @larrem88 @charmedbycastiel @ran-savant @little-crazy-misha-minion @samoosetheshipper

@shadows-and-padlocked-hearts @mishtho @dancingtuesdaymorning @nerditoutwithbooks @mikennacac73 @justmeand-myinsight @idontwantpeopletoknowmyname @teddybeardoctor @pepevons @helevetica @isthisdestiel @dizzypinwheel @jawnlockwinchester @horsez2 @qanelyytha

@destielle @agusvedder @spnsmile @shippsblog @robot-feels @superlock-in-the-tardis @superduckbatrebel @2musiclover2 @madronasky @anon-non2 @cea1996

If you want to be added or removed from this list, just let me know.

If you wanna read the previous metas from season 12, here you have the links:

Vol. LXXV, LXXVI, LXXVII, LXXVIII, LXXIX, LXXIX, LXXX, LXXXI, LXXXII, LXXXIII, LXXXIV, LXXXV, LXXXVI, LXXXVII, LXXXVIII.

Buenos Aires, November 24th 2020, 9:36 PM

[btssk]

Ms. Dokkaebi - Part One

Series Summary: You are the nanny for J-Hope’s older sister Jung Ji Wo. And while you’re great with her kids, best friends with J-Hope, and considered apart of his family, you seem very rude and stand-offish when it comes to the rest of BTS. There’s a tense relationship between you and the other members but when shit hits the fan, they'll realize just how wrong they were about you. But will it be in time.?

Notes: I’m new ARMY who doesn’t know everything there is to know about BTS as individuals so I may not accurately depict them in my writings, but as a FanFic writer who’s found her new muse, i’m just jumping right into it! This was originally going to be a one shot but then I started having too many ideas and points to touch on so I’m turning it into a series. And heads up, i write longgg posts regardless. I’ll probably comb through this a few times after I post to tweak some things. Also, this is obviously written in english but imagine that they're speaking Korean. This is my first BTS fanfic,

Hope you enjoy!

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Pairing: (Platonic) J-Hope x Reader

Summary: You've come to visit your very own personal ray of sunshine Jung Hoseok while on vacation. Despite his unbridled joy at your arrival, the other members of BTS struggle to understand how such terrifying opposites could be attracted to each other.

Warning: swearing, violence

"Here, place these on the table, Canola flowers are her favorite." Hoseok wipes the remnants of soil off his hands and smiles proudly at his personal efforts. "Their train should be arriving shortly, if you still plan to meet them at the station sir." "Right, i'll leave first then. Thank you ladies." The maids bow as he gives his final nod of approval before rushing to the waiting car. "Step on it Dae-Hyun, we can't be late." "Of course sir." "Dae-Hyun," "Yes sir?" "How do I look?" The driver smiled at the multimillionaire international superstar, sweating and squirming in the backseat. "She's going to be thrilled to see you sir."

…

"Does that mean I don't look good?"

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"We're here! Everyone come welcome our special guests!" Two little kids fly into the house faster than Hoseok could finish announcing their arrival. Next came their frantic mother scrambling to collect them and scold the poor manners they were presenting.

Jin gets up from sitting in the living room with both arms open wide, inviting the kids to jump into them. "It's okay Ji Wo, i've missed my little feathers." "We're not little feathers!" "Of course you are! See, I can do this!" He starts spinning around as fast as he can. Hoseok stands besides his sister smiling at his niece and nephew flying in circles. "Too fast!" "No more Ahjussi!" Jin stops spinning, "Ah-Ahjussi? Ahjussi?! Who are you calling Ahjussi? You think i'm so old that I deserve to hear such things?! Ya! You think you'll be young forever?" Jin begins tickling and shaking the two until they're begging him to stop. "You'll be my age soon and let’s see how you like being called Ahjussi! I'm not even that old!"

Jin's signature 'eldest-rant' calls the rest of the members into the living room. "I don't know Jin, i'm starting to see some grey hairs." Jungkook joins in on Yoongi's joke, "Oh, there on the sides right?" "Mm, yeah." "Stob it!"

By the time you entered the room, everyone had already shared their hello's with Ji Wo. Her kids were outside running around with Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jimin. Jin was still fuming over being called Ahjussi despite Namjoon's best efforts to calm him down, while Yoongi stood by doing his best to turn Jin into a talking tomato.

Busy helping his sister move the luggage to the guest house, Hoseok left your welcome party in the hands of dumb and dumber, plus one. The three kept at their bickering until Namjoon finally noticed you. You dropped two large duffel bags at your feet and wore all black, head to toe. No makeup, hair in a half-assed updo, and shoes still on after entering the home? You weren’t here to impress and currently, were not impressed either.

Namjoon straightened up his appearance before nudging Jin and Yoongi to follow suit. Yoongi hid his smile and offered a very sweet and shy apology. And while Jin was obviously embarrassed to have been caught acting so childish in front of a stranger, this fact presented a dilemma. Why was there a strange woman in his living room? An American woman, with a very unpleasant look of irritation and disapproval on her face? 'Does she not see how handsome I am?' Remembering that he was in his own home and the eldest person present, he chose an informal tone. "Ya. Who are you. How’d you get in here?" No response. The only change being your eyes now solely locked onto Jin. A slight relief to Namjoon and Yoongi. "Did you hear me? Who are you, what do you want?"

"...."

"What you don't speak Korean?"

Silence.

"Aishh," Jin put his hands on his hips, "So, You American came to Korea just to step into a Korean household and not only refuse to address your senior, to state your business, or atone for these things, but can't even speak Korean to begin with? Unbelievable." After another chance to explain yourself, yet remaining silent, Jin rolls his eyes and grabs his phone. "Fine. I'm calling security." Now you looked pleased, almost amused. Did you understand what he had said? Clearly not since you were smiling, but, did you? The three members wait with you in the deafening silence.

A couple minutes and guards storm into the room scanning for the intruder. Jin immediately starts yelling and pointing for them to take you away. Yet you don't move an inch as the guards surround you. Instead, you smile sweetly in return for their low bows. The member's are stunned as the head of security addresses you and you only. "Our apologizes for this mishap Ms. Y/n, it won't happen again." You nod, accepting his notion, and Jin couldn’t take it anymore, "What! what is this?! Who is she that she can enter my home uninvited with more authority than me?!" The guard's explanation is interrupted by Hoseok's return. "Oh good, you've met y/n!" He smiles at his friends indifferent towards the scene he interrupted. "Y/n hand me your bag i'll carry it," he gives you his other arm to escort you outside, "Ji Wo and the kids are already unpacked. I'll help you with your stuff. I made sure your room had those pillows and comforter set you really liked from last time-oh! And I have a surprise for you! I went and picked them myself, your favorite! Then we can talk about what you want for dinner tonight..." The three ‘men’, who were correctly feeling as less than such, watched you step into the guest house as if you owned that too.

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

"Explain."

"Oh good, I needed a second opinion! I like the yellow shirt but it's a bit much for dinner at home right? Then there's the blue but it doesn't compliment my eyes very well. Maybe the white one then? You can't go wrong-"

Jin slaps the shirts out of Hoseok's hands.

"No! Explain the woman who just walked into my home with zero etiquette, highjacked my home, security team, and is now downstairs with her bare feet on my coffee table!"

"So you're thinking the blue one."

"Hobi!"

"Jin can you keep it down, i'm trying to take my pre-dinner evening nap," Yoongi throws himself on the bed, "But to his point; Who is she?"

Hoseok picks up the blue shirt and pulls it on. "Uh, well that's a loaded question. I know that she can be very, well, i'm sure you've noticed,"

"Yes, continue."

"But, I guess, she's my best friend." Every remaining member bursts through the door, silently threatening him to say it again. Even Yoongi twisted his head, "The hell did this bitch say." Jin takes the lead scolding Hoseok's blasphemous comment, with the others suddenly becoming faithful followers of their beloved Ahjussi. Once finished fiddling with his shirt, Hoseok addressed the room full of crybabies. "Maybe 'best friend' wasn't the most appropriate label, but she IS someone very special to me. So please, all of you go get dressed and be ready to eat dinner in an hour. I need this to be perfect. It's important, please." He hurries out of the room to find you, leaving his very much so established and unquestionably best friends unsatisfied with his explanation.

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"Tell me to hurry up...look nice...feet on my table!...she's the mean one...I don't even like spicy food...Will you come help me already you see me struggling!" Namjoon was certain his hands were going to fuse with his face if he listened to this for another second. He gladly stood up to help Jin with his tie, "If it'll end your ranting about y/n-"

"Stupid name"

"You met her once for five minutes; you don't even know her." "Ah, five minutes was ten minutes too long." "That still doesn't make any sense," Namjoon grumbles for the billionth time since meeting his friend, "There, done."

"And why are we wearing ties anyways? We're at home! Ji Wo's family! I'm expected to look Grammy's ready for that…that Dokkaebi!?" Yoongi sits up from Jin's bed laughing, "That what?" "When did you get there?" "Did you just call y/n a Dokkaebi? I haven't heard name calling like that since primary school." Jin charges at Yoongi shaking his finger, "You know it! You were there, both of you! You saw her smiling at us; like a blind person winking. Just, empty." A chill runs up Jin's spine that Namjoon and Yoongi have to admit they also felt. "Hear me, that goblin will only cause us problems." "You're overreacting-"

"Her.bare.feet! On.my.coffee table!"

"Look she's special to Hobi, that means she can't actually be that bad right? And again, we only met her for five minutes-" "That was ten minutes-" "DO NOT say it again it makes NO sense! We didn't make a very good first impression either, so let's consider dinner a fresh start." Namjoon and Yoongi guide a still disgruntled Jin down to dinner. They can hear the kitchen is already crowded with conversation, children laughing, and food on the stove. Namjoon takes a deep breath, "Fresh start boys. Be nice." They round the corner to see your eyes already baring deep into their souls. Jin leans into his friend’s tiger grips on him and whispers, "See, see! Some of her goblin tricks already. Evil little mi-chin nyeon-" "You sure you want to finish that sentence." Your comment draws Hoseok’s attention to his friends, "Hey guys! Come have a beer, we're almost done cooking." The trembling mice men find a safe distance from you on the other side of the island and Hoseok hands them each a drink. But Jin’s eyes never leave yours, except to make sure that the knife in your hand is still chopping vegetables and not plunging into his chest. "So, you can speak Korean." "Of course, what kind of American would I be to come all the way to Korea, enter a Korean household, and not be able to address my senior. The honor is mine, Ahjussi." You throw in a lopsided bow at the end but Jin is far from impressed. Namjoon grabs another beer, "Here we go..." Before he has the chance, Jin's attention is on his legs. "Do the funny walk!" "Yeah, the funny walk!" "Oh, I think i'm too old, now that i'm 'Ahjussi Jin'." The twins plead with him until they're disappearing down the hallway, holding on for dear life as he flails his legs as much as possible. You finish cutting the vegetables and hand them to Ji Wo at the stove. Before you have a chance, Hoseok takes the dishes from your hands, "I can clean these too y/n, you go grab a drink and hang out while Ji Wo and I finish up. Your seat is right there next to mine!" If he could walk for you he would, even if he didn't have legs himself. Annoying and embarrassing at times, like now, but at the end of the day you loved that about him; so unashamedly sweet to you like no one else would dare to be.

You go slip into your Hoseok-assigned seat at the table next to Yoongi and count how long it’ll take him to grow a pair and say what's on his mind.

"So y/n,"

27 seconds,

"how do you know Hobi?" "I work for Ji Wo." "Oh, like a secretary?" 'The fuck?,' "Or not. Then, some security guard? No! Not that i'm saying you’re manly or anything, you're very attractive-not that i'm attracted to you-NOT that there's a reason I shouldn't be!" Yoongi chokes on his words long enough for you to respond. "I'm her nanny." You see the first unpetrified emotion cross Yoongi's face since meeting, "Really? You…like, kids?" "Of course. They're adorable." He'd have an easier time believing you if you didn't look like you were recounting the hells of war. Lost on how to continue the conversation, Yoongi tries a new approach.

He moves a tray of assorted fruit towards you, "Here. Do you like fruit? We bought all of this fresh from the local market." "I already had some." "Oh. Okay, good.. Um, I love the tangerines. I bought a whole bundle...where'd they go?” Yoongi notices that his dozen of tiny orange babies are the only fruits missing from the tray. Once again your eyes were waiting for his to catch up. "Did you-" Without breaking eye contact, possibly without breathing since Yoongi’s doubting you even have a heart right now, you peel the last tangerine. You do it slow enough that if you listened closely, you could hear it crying for 'papa Yoongi' to save it. "My...you ate...all of them." The poor boy looked like he went bankrupt with a wife and kids to feed back home. Ironic maybe? He tried his best to swallow his emotions, "That's okay. You're our guest; I'm happy to share anything with-" You pop Yoongi's last little baby into your mouth and he snaps, "That's it. Who hurt you. I demand to know." A slightly sweaty Jin joins the stand-off over his friend’s shoulder with the same scowl on his face, "See...Dokkaebi." Yoongi swears his loyalty with a single word. "Dokkaebi.."

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"Y/n i'm going to the restroom, can you-" "Got it." "Thanks!" Ji Wo runs around the corner leaving you in charge of the children. All, of the children.

Most are taking their seats, Hoseok is practically in your lap talking your ear off, and Jin is trying to shake off the two urchins still stuck to his legs. "Please!? Where is your mother it's been hours, days even!" The twins laugh at his joke and Namjoon again tries to convince Jin that he doesn't make any sense.

"No, more more!"

"Yeah more!"

"More!"

"More! MORE!"

Hoseok eventually nudges you, "Come on y/n, enough fun, the foods going to get cold." 'We never do what I want.' You snap your fingers and point to the chairs across from you. The two tumble over each other trying to see who could be the fastest. So competitive. You were proud. "Whoa, could you train Yeontan to be that obedient?" "You calling my kids dogs." There's a slight breeze behind you that could only be from Hoseok's frantic motions for Taehyung to stop talking. "I, no...nevermind."

Ji Wo comes back and sits next to her son, "Okay, let's eat!" Everyone starts to fill their plates and converse amongst themselves. Hoseok is making your plate while you're busy making the kids'. Sitting on the other side of the twins is Jungkook. He gives himself a pep-talk until he's confident that he's about to do the right thing. Yet, across from him, Yoongi and Namjoon shoot him every desperate facial expression that they know. Whatever Jungkook is about to do, they're sure it's a bad idea. 'What are they mouthing? "Dok...Dokkaebi?" What? That doesn't make any sense.' He gives them a curt 'I got this' smile so the two give up.

'Poor bastard.'

'It's always the innocent.'

Jungkook grabs the bowl in front of him and holds it out towards you. "Y/n, I made this dish specially for you. It takes a few hours to prep and another two for cooking, but Hoseok spoke so fondly of you I knew it was worth the time." You feel the pride radiating from Hoseok when he places his hand over yours. The whole thing's silly, but you let your little sunshine have his moment. "The sauce is my grandmother's secret recipe and I made the noodles from scratch. It's always a crowd favorite when I make it. I'd love it if you had some! Let me put some on your plate." "No thanks." Jungkook stops mid-reach across the table and his doe-eyed smile falters. "I, uh, promise you'll love it. It's the best dish on the table! Please, just try it-" "You trying to kill me (?) I said no" "But-" "And I won't say it again."

A pained silence falls over the group, but nothing compares to the hurt on Jungkook's face. Defeated and humiliated, he slides back down into his chair too embarrassed to lift his head. Then, "I want some!" the little girl next to him slaps a smile back on his face. "Of course sweetie, here!" This time Hoseok and Ji Wo are the ones quick to speak up in a panic. "No hun, you can't." "Jungkook don't-"

*CLINK!*

Your eyes snap to the spoon still spilling pasta on the plate. The sound rings out and fades away without a single interference. Jungkook's frozen in fear, everyone is, as they should be. You can feel Hoseok desperately squeezing your hand, silently begging you not to cut off his friends'. Ji Wo's face is pleading the same case. You listen to Jungkook's heart beat out of his chest for a few more seconds, watch his life flash before his eyes to truly remember this moment by. Removing your hand from Hoseok's, then placing it over his, is reassurance that he and Ji Wo can stop shaking. As for everyone else, they're nothing more than deer caught in headlights. "There's shrimp in that. She, and I, are both allergic to shellfish. If you feed her that, she'll die in minutes, and then you would die in seconds. Am.I.clear." There was another silence while Jungkook struggled to keep his soul from leaving his body. He couldn't believe what he had almost done and begged forgiveness from Ji Wo, "I-I'm so sorry! I had no idea, honest I wouldn't have-" "It's okay Kook, I know that you didn't know. It was an accident," her eyes drift towards you, "right y/n."

She's weary. She can tell that you haven't calmed down, not enough at least. You take your job very seriously; you love her kids as if they were your own. And if you ever did have kids of your own, then god save us all. You really were like a second parent to the twins. The kids once asked if the two of you were going to get married some day. You and Ji Wo were both laughing your asses off until you realized that Eun had fallen out of her chair. Her face was turning purple and her throat had nearly swollen shut. She laid motionless on the floor with her eyes digging into y/n's, begging for help. But no one saw what happened and didn't know what to do. Y/n took a gamble since it was their first time having lobster and gave her her epi-pen. As relieved as Ji Wo was to hear her daughter start breathing again, it would be a few weeks for her, and you, to completely move past what happened. That was the first and only time Ji Wo had seen you so unnerved; truly afraid. And right now she saw that same memory flash over your eyes in a blinding loop. She tries again, "Y/n, it was an accident…It's okay now."

"Y/n," Hoseok's gripping your fist with both of his hands, "She didn't eat any, she's okay. Jungkook knows now, they all do. Right." Every head at the table shook furiously, but you saw none of it. Your eyes locked onto Jungkook and debated which fingers to break first.

Then you felt Hoseok's grip on you change. It loosened, and his fingers gently ran over the back of your hand, something that always forced you to relax. "Angel," One of your biggest weaknesses, "please, for me." was hearing him beg. 'And that dang pet name.' You let out all of your pent-up energy into one labored sigh, finally releasing the dinner guests as hostages. Yoongi jumps from his chair as you abruptly stand. "What did you learn Jungkook." "She's-you both!-are allergic to shellfish," poor thing had been on the brink of crying this entire time, "I swear that I will never forget it-" "No. You don't question me. Ever again."

While you're turned to grab a clean plate for Eun, "Chin-hae don't stand on your chair-!" you hear the sweetest voice back you up. "Yeah! You don't ask y/n questions!" He's all but using his sister's head as a prop while sticking his sticky finger in Jungkook's face, “giving him the business” about not asking anymore questions or trying to kill his sister again. You motion for him to sit down once you're back and shoot a wink. 'That's my boy.'

——————————————————————

"Again, Ji Wo, I am so sorry for earlier at dinner. I still feel absolutely awful about it."

"It's okay Jungkook, honestly. Y/n always carries an epi-pen for both of them. Even if Eun had eaten some, she would've been okay."

"So then, that whole "she'll die in minutes, you'll die in seconds" thing was y/n just messing with me, right?"

"Of course, no chance she'd let Eun get even close to dying."

Jungkook relaxes just enough sipping his coffee to choke on it when Ji Wo continued, “But she might still kill you, that wasn't a joke." Jimin smacks his friend's back until he settles.

After dinner, you took the twins to the guest house to get ready for bed. Everyone else stayed behind and congregated towards the living room to properly catch up with Ji Wo. Before getting married, the boys saw her around all the time. Since then, they only see her on the rarest occasions. It sucks, but that's the way it has to be.

"Anyways, thank you all for letting us stay here. I know it's not everyday you guys get the chance to go on vacation."

All of you were staying at BTS's vacation home out on Daecheong Island. Technically it was Jin's vacation home, but since he always said yes when the member's wanted to use it, no one bothered listening to his empty protests anymore.

The island is located in northern South Korea; just west of Seoul. The home was well secluded, on the coastline with plenty of space and privacy, about an hour or so from the nearest town. It was a favorite place for the boys to get away since they had true privacy while there, but could still feel like they were at home. And rarely if ever would they draw attention while in town. The locals knew who they were but lived their own lives on the island and didn't care to bother them.

Namjoon pats Ji Wo's back, "Don't worry about it. We're happy to have you." "Yeah. No filming, practices, recording schedules," Jin stretches back in his chair, "no responsibilities what so ever. Plus now, you and the little ones are here? Talk about a good time." He turns towards Ji Wo though, momentarily becoming serious, "And no one knows where we are. Promise." The rest of the group offers reassurance to Ji Wo.

Hoseok leans in close to his sister, "You didn't tell anyone where you were going right? Didn't have any issues?" She shakes her head no. Anyone else would think that the boys were worried about people finding out where they were. But Ji Wo knew the truth. They wanted to make sure no one knew where she was. Especially her children.

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

Flashback

You remembered the first and only time that you had met Ji Wo's ex-husband. It was the twins' third birthday party and the first of many without their father. Ji Wo pulled out all the stops to try and make it as special as possible. There ended up being just enough commotion for him to sneak in through the side gate.

You'd heard plenty about how he lost custody of the twins due to his alcoholism, and how more than once it led him to put his hands on the them. Not to mention the few screws he had loose in the head. He'd never do anything less than swear he loved his children more than anything and just wanted to be a family. But after putting Ji Wo and the twins in the hospital, twice, he didn't stand a chance in court. At the final hearing he reeked of alcohol and rambled on about making Ji Wo pay for stealing his children from him. He was detained for disorderly conduct and Ji Wo won sole custody.

There wasn't a word from him after that so no one expected him to show up that day.

You didn't know what he looked like, but the new stench of alcohol in the air and screams from Chin-hae was more than enough information. "Oh come on son, I brought you a present...I think?" The drunk stumbled around trying to feel for the nonexistent gift. Every child ran to their parents as you ushered them all inside the house. Ji Wo didn't have security then, and this was the moment to change that.

Chin-hae and Eun clung to Ji Wo's legs, remembering enough of their father to be afraid. "Seo-Jun. What are you doing here." He acted genuinely offended by her comment, "Is it not my children's birthdays? Their father should be here." He staggered closer and Ji Wo struggled not to shake more than she already was. "N-No. You, should leave. The restraining order-" "TO HELL WITH THAT PIECE OF PAPER!" His outburst even made you jump. You needed to hurry and make sure everyone was safe inside before going to help Ji Wo. Only a few more people and then you would be free to kick his pasty ass.

"Seo-Jun please, you're drunk; you're scaring the kids." "Oh, well then," his posture straightens and eyes go dark, "i'm suddenly feeling very sober. No need to be scared now. Come on kids, give your dear old dad a big hug." Only a sour breath away from them and both kids were soaked in their tears. They cried "Mom no! Don't make us!" "We'll be good! PLEASE!!" "MOM!?" Ji Wo clung onto them as hard as she could without hurting them. She took two steps back for every one Seo-Jun made. "Come on guys, you're not being very nice. You can't still be mad about last time right? I said sorry. And hey! I have some new friends for you to meet." Three men entered the backyard with eyes glued to the kids. "Seo-Jun please! Don't do this!?" "Ji Wo. Honey, you know I won't ask again," he holds out his arms, "Hand them over." When the men start advancing Ji Wo drops down to her knees to shield her children as best she could. But she was crying just as hard as they were, just as terrified.

One man had his hand on Eun's flailing leg for less than a second before being drop kicked by you running at full speed. He didn't get up until the ambulance arrived. Without hesitating you go after the next one, throwing hit after hit until he falls and doesn't get up. The third pulls out a knife and you see red. Knives, real knives like these, sent you into an unstoppable rage. You had plenty of reasons to hate them, and even more to hate Seo-Jun. The man took a few swipes at you before taking a misstep and gives you the opening you need. A single move and you get ahold of the knife, toss it, and start breaking as many of his bones as possible. This wasn't just about stopping a kidnapping anymore, it was making sure they suffered as much as time allowed you.

This would be the first time Ji Wo and the kids see you fight; see you turn into a monster, "Y/n?" and Hoseok. The look on your face must have terrified him because he stumbles back before being able to focus on the situation. Hoseok runs to help Ji Wo, taking Chin-hae so the four can make a faster break for the house.

Seeing his plan go to shit, Seo-Jun makes a last ditch effort to grab at least one of the kids. He takes after Ji Wo and Eun but luckily he's a lot slower than you are. You drop the near lifeless body you'd been breaking and sprint after him. He sees you coming and his desperation overtakes logic. Seo-Jun reaches into his jacket, "You're not taking them away again bitch! Let's see how you like it!!"

*CLICK*

"Y/N!!"

*BANG!*

A silent cry forces its way out. You're hands radiating fire from the new hole in the side of it. Your panicked reflex led to sloppy technique in redirecting the barrel of the gun from Eun. you can't let it slow you down. A left hook and solid kick to the side of his knee and Seo-Jun crumbles. Working through the pain, you knock the gun out of his hand and jump on top of him, hitting him with everything you've got; every punch you know with all the strength you have left. You couldn't feel anything from your right hand up to your elbow, 'guess I'll just have to keep going until it comes back.'

-

You don't know how long it's been, could be minutes maybe only seconds, but Seo-Jun had stopped moving. You know that you should probably quit now, but hearing Eun scream for you a moment ago was far too close to home. You knew that sound; you're brother made that sound. And the more you remembered it, the more it seemed this high you were on would never end. You didn't want it to. You hated Seo-Jun for everything he's done and for everything he reminded you of. The life you fought through Hell to escape from. If he lived through this, you swore you'd finish him off for good one day.

Your ears were still ringing from the gunshot but a voice fought it's way through. "y/n...Y/N! You have to stop! It's okay now! You need to calm down! Please!" If Hoseok would be honest with himself, he was too afraid of you to do more than scream from a safe distance, let alone try and touch you. The way you weren't letting up on Seo-Jun's body even for a moment. He looked over at the man you had been beating up when he arrived. His body was crumpled and folded over like a distorted carcass. It was inhumane; indigestible. He knew parts of your past but seeing it manifest in front of him? he didn't imagine being this afraid of you. Would you ever hurt him? How thin was this line you toed? Did he know you at all- "AHH-!"

*BANG!*

Hoseok doesn't move when blood splatters across his face. He can't even will his tears the courage to fall. He had been too lost in thought to realize the second man you attacked had gotten up. How he had only been step or two away from him, gripping his partners knife. He didn't notice how swiftly you turned and shot him with Seo-Jun's gun. Square between the eyes without blinking your own. You killed a man without hesitation, totally relaxed with zero remorse.

The only thing strong enough to pull you out of your rampage was someone you loved being in harms way. No amount of rage could trump the urge to protect them, and only once they were safe would you feel yourself come back to earth. You stood up, back in reality, but Hoseok was still lost in the clouds. Only a few moments ago he was debating the origins of your soul, now he knew you were his guardian angel. If not for you he would be a pile of sliced meat right now, or Ji Wo, or even the twins. They could have been taken like Seo-Jun wanted or worse, also like Seo-Jun wanted. Ji Wo was helpless to stop it and he arrived too late regardless. You knew all of this already, that's why you fought for them. With all of your heart you protected Hoseok's family; his whole world, and now him too. He'd never be able to repay you.

"D.I.P.D.! Drop the gun! Hands up both of you!"

"Backyard is secure."

"Roger that. Civilians are all accounted for and inside of the home is secure."

"We've got four bodies; call for another ambulance." "Yes sir."

"Check for pulses and take those two into custody already!" "Sir!"

The next month was nothing but back to back court hearings, being shuffled to and from your holding cell, and meeting with lawyers before and afterwards. Everyone who was at the birthday party had to testify in court, then they were free to go. But almost every one stayed throughout the entire trial. Your motives weren't lost on them; they knew what a monster Seo-Jun was and it was obvious what he was there to do. Each testimony painted you as the selfless hero who saved the day. Mounted against Seo-Jun was a multitude of eye witness testimonies, means and motive, forensic evidence, the crime scene report, and the irrefutable security camera footage. Seo-Jun's remaining accomplices got 18 months by accepting a plea deal while Seo-Jun himself received 3 years, eligible for early release after 2 on good behavior.

Normally with the amount of evidence against Seo-Jun, this case would have been open and shut in a matter of days. But in private you were being psychologically evaluated and cross examined by both teams and the judge personally, to determine your own fate. Your personal file, although sealed from the public and PI Investigations, had to be taken into consideration. In the end you were cleared of all charges and free to go. If anyone asked, the delay in your release was due to some "administrative issue with the paperwork or whatever" and so you spent that time just sitting in your cell counting sheep.

During your release, "We know who Seo-Jun is y/n. Be careful," the judge leans in close as you walk past her and whispers, "stay close to those kids." That decided your fate, whatever that may come to be. This wasn't over; Seo-Jun would be back, so not a day would go by that you weren't by their sides.

You were prepared for the worst when you saw the Jung's again. You thought they'd call you a monster and tell you to stay away. But tears poured from your eyes when Chin-hae and Eun crashed into your legs and refused to let you leave them again. Ji Wo's hug surprised you most, you two had never hugged before. She immediately hired you as the kids' personal bodyguard but if anyone asked you were their nanny. (A secondary role you fell into). She moved you into one of the spare bedrooms of her new undisclosed address and location home, just down the hall from the kids' rooms. She told you to do what you want with the room; paint it, rearrange it, knock out a wall, you name it. Then gave you a personal black card to use how you like. You told her it was all too much, trying to remain humble and modest, but it just made her cry. She couldn’t comprehend how else she could repay you for what you did for her and the kids, not that she felt this even amounted to enough.

Next you hand picked her new security detail. Each candidate had to fight you in hand-to-hand combat as the final test, and whoever didn't go down in 30 seconds made the cut. One of them managed to land a hit and became head of security, also your fill in whenever you weren't around.

Hoseok hadn't come around the first few days after your release. 'Why would he, he saw what I can really do. What i'm really like.' Ji Wo would tell you not to worry or think too much, that he probably just needed a bit more time to process some things.

You woke up on morning and were instantly suspicious, "What?" Ji Wo just kept smiling ang giggling to herself on the couch, "Oh, nothing. Just a funny book." "You're not reading a book-" "Oh the door! I wonder who that could be." You turn to the guard stationed in the main hallway, "She hasn't been drinking has she?" "No ma'am."

Ji Wo prances back into the room, "It's for you!" then off into the kitchen. "Ji Wo I know you're pretending; you haven't cleaned a single dish in 6 years." "Just go to the door?!" You shuffle down the hall, "I hope your mystery guest doesn't mind me looking like hell!"

"They don't,"

you stop.

"They think you always look pretty great actually."

"Hoseok..."

He stood at the door holding your favorite flowers and dressed to the nines, "What is this, what are you doing?" He stepped through the threshold, "Can I come in? I don't want to end up like the last guy who didn't ask you." His joke was stupid and inappropriate but he laughed like a goofball all the same. You tried to smile but couldn't stop the frown from forming. You look down at your feet suddenly feeling ashamed and embarrassed in front of Hoseok. He closes the door and puts down the flowers. He holds your hands in his, "What's wrong?" "Nothing I," 'I was afraid you hated me,' "I just missed you. You haven't been around since..." The words were stuck in your throat and you were at a loss at how to get them out. "I thought..." He understood, "Hey no, no. I'll admit I did need some time to process what happened but, I could never..." 'I'm not afraid of you,' He cupped your face and lifted it to make sure you heard this next part, "I owe you my life y/n. You saved all of us, and that's not something that a bad person would do. I could never be afraid of you; I love you." You wiped a stray tear and playfully punched Hoseok in the shoulder, "Hobi don't," "What? I don't mean like that!" You both laughed. It was a relief to feel like things were back to normal between the two of you.

"You know what I mean." "Yeah I do. I love you too Hoseok. Now seriously, what is all of this; what's with the get up?" "Oh, well I was worried that you might be feeling a little down so I wanted to treat you to a day out! Starting with breakfast at that fancy restaurant you like." "The one with the giant fish tank? And we get to pick out which fish we want to eat?!" "Yes now hurry up and go get dressed, our reservation's in 45 minutes." Your sprint towards your room looked the exact same as the twins. Passing the kitchen you hear Ji Wo, "He's feeding you isn't he." "YUP! My favorite!" “Bring me back some-" "Absolutely not!"

20 minutes later and you're speeding back down the stairs dressed and ready to go. "There's no need to pull me out the door like this! We have a reservation; we won't have to wait to eat-"

"But all the good fish could already be gone! I want one so fat and juicy it has rolls!"

"Fish don't have rolls-y/n you're drooling on my sleeve-Ew it's on my hand! Let go already!"

You shove his body into the car and jump in after him, "Let's go Dae-Hyun! Get us there in 10 minutes and i'll get you whatever you want to eat." "Deal."

"Don't you mean i'll get him-?"

"Not now Hoseok I have to focus. Momma's going fishing."

Hoseok rolls his eyes at your theatrical evil grin, "For someone with a shellfish allergy you're too excited to eat fish."

"What can I say, I go wherever the spirits lead me."

"You're not spiritual."

"I am when they lead me to fish."

End of Flashback

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

"Good night honey. Sweet dreams." You had already finished tucking Chin-hae into bed and now it was his sisters turn. "Sweet dreams y/n. You'll be here when I wake up right?" "Always." You kiss her forehead and turn off the lights when you leave. You went down the hall to your room to change into something more comfortable before heading back out to the main house. Security had already been stationed around the guest house, so you felt okay leaving the twins here alone for a while. On your way out, you passed by the kid's room once more, 'Eun must have been really tired. How has her snoring never woken up Chin-hae before.’

You smile thinking about those rascals on your walk back to the main house.

Jung Chin-hae and Jung Eun.

Your favorite people in the whole world. A fact that hurt Hoseok's feelings even though he felt the same way. He never knew if because of his lifestyle, he would ever actually find true love, get married, and have children of his own. So his niece and nephew were the closest that he was going to get, and he loved them with all of his heart.

Ji Wo chose Chin-hae's name because it means 'depth of the ocean.' Going to the beach and being on the water was something that she craved constantly while she was pregnant with them. It was her escape and sense of peace while she faced struggles in her personal life. She had recurring dreams about sailing off with her children, away from their problems, and starting new lives as mermaids living happily in the sea. When they were born Chin-hae came out first, technically making him older, and it's how he acted. He was a textbook caring and protective big brother to his sister. His emotions could sometimes get the better of him (as demonstrated at dinner) but he had the biggest heart and was so thoughtful. Especially when it came to Eun.

Eun's name was chosen without a second thought. As soon as she opened her eyes, she looked up at Ji Wo with shining silver eyes. As beautiful as they were, there was concern. The doctors did some tests and found out that Eun was colorblind. They explained, in laymen's terms, that the parts of the eye that perceived color hadn't developed and therefor lacked pigment. That's why her eyes looked silver, and how Ji Wo chose her name.

When the two got older, Ji Wo tried explaining that Eun was colorblind, but Chin-hae didn't understand and thought that she meant Eun was completely blind. This misunderstanding created many memories that you'll never forget. You laugh to yourself thinking about one of your favorites. Chin-hae was constantly by his sister's side since learning that she was 'blind'. He was always holding her hand, trying to do everything for her, even tried brushing her teeth every now and then. One time you had called them to dinner but heard the two yelling at each other in the other room.

"Careful Eun! You have hold my hand, there's a step, you'll fall!"

"No I won't! I do it myself!"

"You can't! You're blind!"

"Nu uh! I see you!"

"No! You not see anything!"

Eun gasped, "I not see you?"

"No!"

She immediately started bawling her eyes out, "No oppa, I not see you!"

Chin-hae did his best to comfort her and grabbed her hand, "Hush Eun, it's okay. You always just hold me, like this."

He walked her over to the table and sat like nothing had happened but you couldn't wait to relay it all to Ji Wo. It was the sweetest thing watching him make her plate and then try to feed her. Ji Wo had to explain things a few more times before they finally understood what she meant. Even so, he still describes every color that he sees to her whenever she asks. You often daydream that that's how things could have been with you and your brother.

You let the bitter-sweet memory fade away when you enter the living room and take a seat next to Hoseok. ‘Of course he was saving me a seat next to him.’ He nuzzles himself into your side and carries on talking about the upcoming festival on the island. No one listens to a word he says because how could they? Did he just willingly throw himself into the lions den? What were you going to do they thought,

‘is she going to gouge out his eyes?’

‘Stab him for invading her space?’

‘Pull out his hair?’

‘Use his bones to make her bread-? Oh wait no that’s Shrek.’

Your only reaction though is to put your arm around him and listen to his rambling about this festival. You never bored of your ray of sunshine. You could always count on him to lift you up or calm you down. Of everyone you knew, no one was able to explain how the two of you could be so close. With seemingly nothing in common, you were total opposites and not in a cute Christmas romcom type of way. But maybe that was why you loved him so much.

The expectation is that the people who’d like you would look just as scary, be just as off putting, just as much a monster as you knew you really were. Yet it was someone like Hoseok to welcome you into his life. He saw the sliver of a good heart that you still had and spoke life into it.

“You’ll never leave us again.”

“We owe you our lives.”

“You’re not a bad person.”

“I love you y/n.”

Even though you weren’t into holding hands, snuggling on the couch, or going to whatever festival Hoseok was talking about, you’d do it for him. For all of them. So you let him snuggle into your side while you run your fingers through his hair like he liked, and Hoseok plays with your free hand. “-that sound good to you y/n?”

‘God knows what he’s talking about’

“Yeah sounds good Hobi.”

[blackacre13]

Hello dear! I love all of your work and all of your thoughts about Lou and Debbie. I wanted to ask, which ending did you like more the one from the script or the one they used in the movie? And what scenes from the script would you have wanted they kept

Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying it all!

Ooh this is an interesting/tricky question! (There's a lot of word vomit here, so you're welcome or I'm very sorry)

As far as the ending, there’s like three variations that I know of.

Movie ending we see with Debbie going to see Danny at the mausoleum “you would’ve loved it”/Lou headed on her California-bound bike trip

The deleted scene where Tammy is leaving the loft and tells Debbie that more than one thing could make her happy

Script Tammy telling Deb she’s in for the next round and she wrote Debbie a letter “if you get back to New York maybe we could…”…Deb dodges her advances…Deb and Lou are the last ones on the train

With version one that we get, I do like it for the most part honestly. My biggest qualm is that I want Danny to be alive. Like a simple: “You would’ve loved it” vs. “I did, Deb” and him walking out. Then my next wish in an ideal world or instead of that would be Lou waiting outside the mausoleum again like she did post-jail showing that symbolism of she’ll always be there for Deb/wait for her (romantic or not). A lot of people joke about like “Where’s Debbie?!” When Lou is on her bike and of course I love our heist wives and am all for them having an adventure, but as I’ve written and a lot of people in the fandom seem to have also written agreed with, is even if Lou and Deb are together or end up that way, Lou needs that trip alone for herself or Debbie encourages her or Debbie is still on parole and can’t leave the state, etc. so that doesn’t bother me as much. But I like that we get to see what each woman plans to do in their next phase of life as a snippet!

The deleted scene I don’t like. It seems really unnatural and rushed and doesn’t match the rest of the Debbie/Tammy banter and interaction we get throughout the film at least in my opinion. HOWEVER! 1—Debbie and Tammy are talking in the doorway in the outfits they’ll be wearing or just wore on the subway AND Lou’s bike is still in the loft when the camera pans out—SO if this is to say that Tammy is saying “hey more than one thing can make you happy” aka LOU and it encourages Debbie to talk things out with Lou and go after her because Tammy knows they have a history, then I would’ve loved some version of that. But I don’t like the actual scene, like Debbie jokes that her face hurts when she tries to think about that or that she’ll start thinking about it now…it would definitely be a more serious/deep conversation.

The script version: I hate one part and I love the other. Tammy and Debbie have an exchange that makes it seem like they have a past, Tammy wants to try things again and Debbie is over it. I’ve never been a fan of Tammy/Debbie and think it’s more of a situation where they have a flirty relationship but nothing more or Tammy was more of an exploration on Debbie’s journey to be with Lou, so I’m not missing that layer at all honestly. BUT, then there’s the scene where the women leave the subway one by one and Lou and Deb are still there and Lou tries to be like “Alright then” and Debbie brushes her off so Lou makes to leave and Debbie tells her to wait. That alone would’ve given me some hope for them ending wise showing me that they’re headed somewhere the two of them. BUT then it continues and shows them side by side at a casino (where they met in the original script, so like everything comes full circle, friends) and Lou calls Debbie’s new plan (which we don’t hear) stupid but then Debbie says: good right? And Lou just closes her eyes. And I’m a bit smitten with it honestly but more for the reason that Debbie wanted to break away from Danny and do something big on her own, she did it, and then she went back to her roots for her victory lap with her partner by her side.

In general, scenes I wish existed in just some sort of way

—How Debbie and Lou met (like more Bingo era/deleted Vegas scenes we saw in the trailer) threaded throughout

—Lou sending out one of her “girls” to get her a line around the block for her club/wrapping a scarf around her (there’s just something about the unnecessary Cate Blanchett flirting with younger women a la wiping off April’s mouth that we all love but I feel like also fits the Lou aesthetic well)

—Lou’s “people who steal aren’t trustworthy”

—Post Claude: Why would you do something like that/I had to/No, you didn’t (THE DRAMA)

—Lou trying to get Debbie to take a breather on Fire Island and not go through with the plan

—the more intense beach scene…like Lou literally screams “Fuck you!” And says “I’m out” and is just dripping with sarcasm and also DEB EXTENDS HER HAND. LEAVES IT OUT THERE FOR AN ETERNITY. (That’s gay, Deb)

—Lou telling Debbie not to trust Claude because she doesn’t and actually being offered to be a part of the art plan but saying she’s out

[msmarvelwrites]

Vienna Waits

Summary: The reader has a hard time around the holidays because it brings up a lot of unhappy memories. Bucky knows trauma all too well and he’s always there to lend some Christmas cheer. 

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Warnings: mentions/flashbacks of assult, ptsd, 18+, swearing, but truly a fluff piece...

Word Count: 2.5k

Authors Note: Hi again! It’s ya girl, back at it again with the plot all to based on her own predicaments. Please read the warnings because the last thing I’d ever want to do is trigger anyone- but at it’s core I wrote this as an aid. Like My Girl, this was written to bring us together, because we are so much stronger that way! This is also my first submission to the Merry Hoemas Challange, so with that please enjoy! Sending love and light to all you beautiful holiday babies.

Thank you to @amythedvdhoarder  @chrissquares @drabblewithfrannybarnes @pumpkin-and-pine and @starlightcrystalline for hosting this holiday challange!

It was, of course, the most wonderful time of year. Christmas Eve at the Avengers Compound. 

The snow cascading from the dark sky acted as a sheet of white as you nervously sipped on your tea, checking the time once again. Your best friend was supposed to be back from his solo mission hours ago, and yet here you were, alone and completely overwhelmed. 

He was always better at these things. Always knowing how to avoid the holiday slump with ease. Bucky was who you turned to when you needed a quick coping mechanism. 

Christmas with the world's mightiest heroes had its perks for sure, but this was certainly not one of them. The joyous holiday music echoing through the Avenger hq living room was doing nothing to settle your nerves. In fact, quite the opposite. It lingered around you, pulling memories you buried deep down in the back of your mind. 

“I really think it’s better if I just head home… It’s getting really bad out there and…”

His lips cut you off, lazily trailing down your neck as the taste of bile rose into your throat. He was just drunk, you thought. So were you. You had given him the wrong idea. If you just explained you didn't want him to touch you… 

He would understand, you thought… You really did. 

“Honey, I’m home” Bucky called, cackling to himself as he shook off the snow caked to his winter coat. His voice shot you back into the dimly lit living room you now resided. 

You lunged from the recliner, spinning around the corner to find Bucky, hands full of gift bags and a candy cane dangling out of his mouth as a goofy grin tugged at the corner of his lips. 

“Where the hell have you been?” You tried to sound angry, but he was just so damn cute.

“Okay, first of all, you're welcome.” He scoffed sarcastically, gesturing to the gift bags as he placed them on the floor. “And second, you're the one who sent me out in the middle of a snowstorm for last minute christmas presents… So, you get what you get.” He chuckled. 

“No, no, I appreciate you- it… I appreciate it so much Buck.” You stumbled, though you didn't let the blush creep onto your cheeks before you spoke again, “You know how I get this time of year.” You sighed, crossing the room to help him with his bags of gifts. It wasn't lost on Bucky that the holiday season was difficult for a lot of the team, including yourself. Though he didn’t know everything about your past and how it brought you here, to the team, and one of the most ruthless fighters the Avengers had ever seen, he did know it was rough and dark and definitely off limits to talk about. Bucky didn't mind, however. As long as he had you by his side. 

“Ya know, if you help me wrap these gifts there might be a Christmas movie marathon in your future.” He wiggled his brows causing you to laugh. 

“That really sounds like a lose-lose on my end here, Buck.” you giggled.

“Are you by any chance at all into hot chocolate?” he bribed, though you would have caved regardless. Any time spent with Bucky was all you wanted for Christmas. 

Once all the presents were wrapped, Bucky was true to his word, puttering into the kitchen, whipping up his famous hot chocolate recipe. Honestly, if the world knew the famous Winter Soldier was as jolly was he is, they probably wouldn't believe it. Something about Christmas just brought out the best in him. 

“So,” You started as you sipped on your whip cream topped hot chocolate. “What is it about this holiday?” You pried, looking up at Bucky as he wiped a dollop of cream off the tip of your nose. 

“I don’t really know. Getting my memories back after all that time, Christmas with my Ma and sisters was always so clear…” He paused, his eyes fixing themselves on the floor. “I guess it’s one of the only really decent memories I have.” 

You only stared at Bucky for a moment as you let the words sink in. He never really spoke about his family and what, if anything he remembered. You never pushed him, thankful that he respected you the same. Though you had only been friends for a year now, those things just aren't privy to your relationship. 

“You never told me that before.” You finally spoke, watching as his eyes met with yours. 

“Yeah well, it’s hard to talk about sometimes. But… I don't know. I trust you, doll. More than anyone, I think. You kind of pull it outta’ me.” He sighed into that goofy smile you loved so much. You wanted to tell him that there was no one in this world that you trusted more, that you could and would be an open book for him, if that's what he wanted… But you supposed it went without saying. Instead, you rested you head on his shoulder, sinking back into the couch as you watched whatever sappy Christmas movie Bucky had picked out for you to watch. 

It wasn't long before the compound started to buzz with disembodied voices and echoing footsteps. A team was getting back tonight, and soon the living room would be filled with your friends booming laughter. 

You let your mind wander, tiptoeing into the darkest parts of your unconscious as the movie faded further and further away…

Your body shook, hard. You heard yourself plead, begging him to stop. Could feel the tears wet and hot as they rolled down your cheeks pooling onto your chest as he wiped them away. Such an act of kindness in such a nauseating scene. Your whole body ached with how hard you were trembling. So weak. You knew it, and now he did too-

Wanda was the first to round the corner, plopping herself down on the couch between you and Bucky, almost sitting right on your lap. 

“Good evening!” She chimed, resting her head against your shoulder in a complete and utter disregard of yours and Bucky’s closeness. Wanda was always the best at diffusing tension you hadn't even realised was there. Though now, as she sat there, it was very apparent that's exactly what it was. However you were thankful for her halting your train of thought. 

“Hello, darling.” Bucky chuckled as you wrapped your arms around her.

Tony rounded the corner next, snickering when he saw the three of you bundled up on the couch together. “Well, isn't that sweet. The trauma triplets are back together.” 

“Dont hate us cause’ you ain’t us, Tony.” You sang, watching as he rolled his eyes and puttered off to his lab. 

“So, any plans for this evening?” Wanda asked, grabbing your mug of hot chocolate without a second thought and taking a sip. 

“This is kind of it. Most of the team is back home with their family.” You explained, looking behind Wanda's head to Bucky, “Do you have any plans with Stevie?” You asked.

“Nope.” He popped the P. “Just us tonight. Steve’s out on a solo mission until tomorrow morning.” 

“About that… Nat is actually setting me up tonight. A double date, I think? So, it's just you guys tonight.” Wanda spoke sheepishly. 

Bucky and you both gapped at her before you finally spoke, “Traitor.” You glared while she only chuckled, shoving you playfully.  

“You guys will get along just fine without me. Just don’t watch The Holiday until I’m back! You guys know that’s my favourite”

As the compound quieted down for the night, you and Bucky fell into your daily routine of  comfortable silence. It was just like every other day, or at least that's what you tried to tell yourself as the end credits of another holiday movie started rolling onto the screen. 

“So,” Bucky finally spoke, shifting in his seat to reach for something out of your eyeline. “It’s technically christmas now… And, I know we said no gifts, but I saw this and it was just so you. I had to pick it up.”

Your eyes landed on the small velvet box in his hands, your breath hitching in your throat for a moment as your brain forze. You could feel your body trembling as he held it out, waiting for a reaction, but all you could do was stare. 

“Such a good little thing.” He finally spoke. Your eyes were so glazed over you couldn't quite tell where his voice was emulating from. You could hear his belt, feel his hands on either side of your face as he whispered in your ear. “Happy Christmas, baby.” He chided, dropping the small velvet box in your hands as he left the room. 

You couldn't bear to touch it, whipping it across the room as it shattered open, the small diamond necklace rolling across the hardwood floor as it tumbled to the ground with a harsh crack. Your fingers burned where the rough velvet had been, and you remembered thinking you'd feel this way forever. 

“Y/n?” Bucky spoke your name and it shocked you back to reality. You blinked at him, tears welling in your eyes as you stared at him. He looked absolutely terrified and it broke your heart. Absolutely tore you apart that you could ever be the reason for that face. 

“Hm? Oh, yes. I’m so sorry, I was so far away there for a moment.” You reached out but before you could take the small box, his hands covered your own and he let his thumb stroke your skin, sending a shiver up your arms and all around your neck. 

“You know I would never judge you, right?” He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. “God knows you've never judged me. I’m here. Whatever it is, it’s not your fault.” 

The words hit you like a ton of bricks. ‘Not your fault.’ Did he know? There was no possible way. You had Fury burn your physiatric evaluation from when you first started a year ago. No one knew. This was a fresh start, and there way no way that- 

“I can see your mind turning, and I just want to assure you, we are good. Okay? You and me, that's easy. It’s always been that way. Whenever you're ready, if you ever want to talk… I’m here, alright? Always.” His voice melted over you like a warm bath, calming you as you met his gaze. There was a sweetness you haven't seen before. It was new and yet there was something familiar about it. Had he always looked at you that way? Surely you would have remembered as it sent butterflies to explode in your stomach. 

He dropped the rectabled box in your hands and you finally felt the weight of it. Definitely heavier than a necklace, though you guess that wasn't really Bucky’s style anyways. 

You slowly clicked the box open, your eyes falling on the small black object resting on the pillow inside. 

“It’s a knife?” You spoke, just above a whisper as your hands traveled over the cool metal looking up at Bucky in surprise. 

Bucky chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as he explained. “Remember that mission a year back? I think it was one of our firsts.” 

“Vienna.” You chimed, the memory coming back to you now. 

“You stole my knife.” He laughed, shaking his head at the memory. “I remember, I had it in my hand, you ran out of ammo and in a flash it was in your hands. Those Hydra punks didn't see you coming. God, doll. That had to be the hottest-” He blushed, clearing his throat, “I mean, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen. Been trying to find you one like it ever since.”

“Oh, Buck.” You signed, gripping the knife in your hands and effortlessly flipping it through your fingers as it sparkled in the dim lighting. 

“Do you like it?” He hummed. 

“Like it? I absolutely love it… I feel like such an ass for not getting you anything.” You confessed, averting your eyes to the floor. 

You flinched as Bucky’s cool metal fingers tipped your head up, and he tried not to notice, though the reaction wasn't lost on him. He really didn't know about your past, but trauma knew trauma. 

“Darling, this…” He motioned to you, “This is all I need for Christmas.” His voice was like honey in tea, warm and sweet and so smooth. 

“You flirt.” You giggled, shoving him playfully as you placed the knife back in its box and resting it on the coffee table.  

“I would never.” He sarcastically gasped, causing you to laugh at his dramatics. Bucky wasn't truly himself around the others, but you wished sometimes they could see his goofy side. Though it warmed your heart he reserved it for you. 

“What do you say? One more movie before we call it a night?” You asked, relaxing into his shoulder as you clicked through the options. Bucky’s silence caught your attention, pulling you back to his gaze. He stared at you as if startled by your words. 

“What?” You chuckled nervously, raising a brow when he didn't speak. 

“You're willinging requesting we watch a Christmas movie? Are you feeling okay?” He jested, lifting his flesh palm to your forehead as if to check your temperature. You swatted him away, rolling your eyes as you did so. 

“I’m fine. I just…” You watch him carefully as his laughter faded and he focused on you. “I never really thought I could enjoy Christmas. Someone stole that luxury away from me a very long time ago, but with you… With you it comes so easy. I know it must be hard, but you never let it show. I honestly can't tell you the last time I’ve properly laughed like that during the holidays. God, it's been years and yet here we are. You just pull it out of me.” 

Bucky smiled softly, holding his hands out for yours and you quickly accepted the gesture. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned pulling you into his chest as he hugged you. It was something that was very new, and yet just felt right. Like this was how your bodies were meant to be, fit together like puzzle pieces. 

“Doll, I’ll pull it out for you whenever you want.” He cooed, sarcasm lacing his words and your head fell back, laughter bubbling out of your chest. 

“God, I love you.” You finally got out, but as soon as the words left your lips you knew how impulsive you had been. Bucky stilled beside you but you kept your eyes trained on the ceiling above, terrified to meet his gaze. It wasn't a big deal, just two friends admiring each other. You knew, however if you were honest it was much more than that. Bucky felt it too. 

“Darling,” He murmured, so low you almost didn’t hear him. Your eyes slowly returned to his as your heart nearly jumped from your chest. “You’ve had me wrapped around your finger since Vienna. You’re it for me. Always have been, I think.” 

You stared at him for a moment, unsure of where your voice went as your mouth ran dry. 

“As if I even need to say it, I love you too.” 

Divider made by the wonderful @chrissquares 

Thank you 3000 to my amazing friends @cutie1365 and @sweeterthanthis for their endless support and constant grammatical corrections. I’d be forever dyslexic without you guys... (I kind of will I think, but ya’ll make it a hell of a lot easier on me)

Taglist:

@sweeterthanthis​@cutie1365 @whateveriwant @drabblewithfrannybarnes @amythedvdhoarder @chrissquares @pumpkin-and-pine @starlightcrystalline @kalesrebellion @projectcampbell @calwitch @sycochick @sassy-pelican @mollygetssherlockcoffee​ @amateuratheart @officialmarvelbaby @a-really-bi-girl @fairislesheets

[kerie-prince]

We're Worlds Apart (5)

Draco Malfoy x American No-Maj!reader

series m.list | general m.list | previous chp

warnings: cursing, mom being a dick :/, accidental peeping eyes, jealous draco

summary: Draco Malfoy is a pureblood wizard. Magic runs through his veins and has been since his birth. You're a Wiccan No-Maj; a non-magical being with ordinary blood through your veins, but practices what you call magick. And this very practice upsets your neighbor.

a/n: omg, i had to rewrite this WHOLE THING again. but now i know to write things in my google docs first

(gif cred)

Everyone at the table was silent. Your mother sat processing what had just occurred moments ago. I practice, too. You always wondered why your brother never talked too much about her whenever you were on long phone calls with him. He was pretty vague about Stephanie, and now you knew why.

Actually, it made complete sense as to why he didn't tell your mom about Stephanie being a practicing witch, but you? That was what really confused you.

“So,” you decided to break the silence, “how long have you practiced?”

Stephanie had an excited glimmer in her eyes when you asked. “I'm still a baby, I started earlier this year.” Something about her aura was soothing and pure. You scooted your chair closer to her and continued your conversation. “So you’re a Wiccan? Or do you practice something else?”

“I practice Gardnerian Wicca,” she declared. From the corner of your eyes, you could see your mother holding back a scoff. Surely she was thinking Why the hell is she encouraging this?

The ding of the oven sounded like church bells to her as it gave her an excuse to leave the room and focus on anything else. The situation was quite hysterical. But questions were in order. As Stephanie left to use your bathroom, you pulled your brother aside. “Dude, why the hell didn’t you tell me anything?”

He flinched away from your hand and started massaging the pain away from your grip, “I didn’t think it was my business to tell.”

“But you told her about me?” You asked with crossed arms. Your brother’s logic was lacking. “It… might’ve slipped, but I only told her after she told me that she’s a witch. I don’t go around campus saying ‘Hey, I’m Y/B/N Y/L/N. I’m a communications major and y’know what? My sister’s a witch.’” You weren’t upset that he told his girlfriend about you. You weren’t ashamed at all. And you weren’t really upset that he didn’t talk to you about her. Because, in a sense, he’s right.

But you like being dramatic, so you figured that while you've got your brother in your house you’d act like a petty sister. “Whatever, man. But you could’ve told Mom beforehand,” you scolded with your arms crossed. He had a scoff in his laugh, “Tell Mom? We’re thinking of the same person, right? You know she would freak.”

“She’s freaking out right now! I’d have rather her freak out earlier before she made my house look like some stupid picture in a Martha Stewart kitchen advertisement,” you whisper yelled. To think that your house could have looked as it normally did annoyed you. Grandma’s tapestry you whined internally.

Stephanie found you two in your hallway and froze in an awkward stance, “Is everything okay?” You and your brother put on your best smiles. “Yeah, just wanted to see how my baby bro is doing,” you reached up to pinch his cheeks to which he swatted you hand away. It started a playful fight that made your guest laugh in amusement. The sound of your mother announcing that dinner was ready brought the little fight to a halt. “I’ll beat your ass later,” you challenged him, fingers doing an ‘I’ve got my eyes on you’ movement.

—

He couldn't believe it.

Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini stood at his doorstep with their bags. Theo had his wand pointed out with confetti spurting out the tip. “Surprise!” he yelled.

Draco pulled them in quickly and nearly sprained his neck as he looked around to make sure no one saw his friend. “What part of 'muggle neighbors’ did you not understand” he scolded.

“Oh shit, sorry mate. I forgot.” Theo scratched the back of his head. He then glared at Blaise knowing that with his brilliant memory, he let Theo make a big mess of things. Theoretically and literally. An enchanted broom swept up the confetti on the floor.

“What are you guys doing here, I wasn’t expecting you two for another week?” Draco asked as he pulled each wizard in for a welcoming hug.

“Merlin, mate. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you’re disappointed to see us,” Blaise teased.

“That's not what I meant and you know that. I’m happy… just surprised.” The blond wasn't isn't used to showing this kind of side to himself. “What brings you two here early?”

“Have you ever known Theo to be patient for anything? Bloody git nearly dragged me out in the middle of work,” Blaise expressed. The Slytherin trio laughed as the two friends followed Draco through his new home. “Well, here’s the guest room. Set your things down and I’ll grab some drinks.”

For the first time since getting his phone and learning about take-out, Draco had ordered a couple pizzas to be delivered. Blaise and Theo were genuinely impressed by the whole thing. “Muggles sure do think of everything,” Theo observed.

“Almost shocked that Malfoy here adapted pretty well to them,” Blaise had a smirk on his lips before stuffing his mouth with his first ever slice. “Salazar, this is amazing.” Draco raised his eyebrows in agreement. The three men sat in the living room eating and caught up with each other.

The night was filled with laughter and tipsy hiccups. It was arguably Draco’s best night since he first moved to America. He hadn’t realized how much he missed their shenanigans since Hogwarts before it all went to shit thanks to a certain Dark Lord. He was ecstatic and couldn’t wait for them to meet his new friends.

In the middle of their laughter, Theo was seen squinting his eyes in a direction, “Oi mate, who’s that?” The two others followed his eyes which looked out a window. Sort of blurry due to the alcohol, Draco leaned forward to focus on what it was Theo was talking about.

When his vision cleared, he saw some heads moving around. And… arms flinging about? The sight was strange to say the least. Draco didn't exactly know what was going on, he watched as you stood in your living room in front of who he recognized as your mother. Sitting on your couch was some woman, and in between you and your mother was some guy.

“Is that the muggle neighbor you told me about?” Blaise observed.

“Yeah, and her mum. Don’t know the others, though.” Draco stated. He shrugged his shoulders and sat in a comfortable position. Blaise continued to look at the weird scene next door. The only pieces he could put together was that you definitely weren’t happy and neither was your mother. “She’s kinda fit, don’t you think?”

“No,” Draco didn’t hesitate to answer. His irritated voice was indication enough to not press on the matter more. And seeing as it was their first night in America, Blaise didn’t want to risk getting hexed before bed.

Draco looked at the clock on the wall which read 10:57 pm. “Shit,” he whispered. “I’m turning in. I have a meeting in the morning.” Theo was already passed out on the soft couch and Blaise walked himself to the guest room to claim the bigger bed. Once in his room, Draco chugged a bottle of water that was on his nightstand and went to sleep.

—

She finally went home. After the huge fight that broke out after dinner, your mother grabbed her things and left. Poor Stephanie had witnessed the mess and regretted coming. As much as she was glad to finally meet a fellow practicing witch, she underestimated your mother entirely.

It actually surprised you that your mother acted in such ways. Growing up, your mom never really made too much of a fuss of your Craft. But just out of nowhere, she’s making comments of this and making complaints of that. You wanted to forget Thanksgiving night all together.

Currently, you were pacing in your kitchen debating on whether or not to call Stephanie and make sure she was alright. She was nothing but sweet and kind. Didn't deserve to come home with your brother and have some woman blow up. Your mother hit some random nerve in the middle of your conversation that you carried on about what Steph’s practice consisted of and yelled about her whole family getting full of ‘damn weirdos’.

The best thing to come out of it was that you were able to bring back all your original decorations and stored all the stuff your mother bought in the garage.

Thinking about it started to give you a migraine. You walked to your bathroom and started to fill the tub with the hottest water you could take. As it filled, you went to the comfort of your room and undressed. You opted out on bath salts and oils; just the warmth of the water would be enough to settle your nerves.

Before you could remove your bra, you felt a weird shiver up your spine. Something in the air made you feel tense. You wanted to assume that it was negative energy that your mother left behind, but it felt different than that. No, you felt a presence in your home. Or worse, from somewhere else.

You turned around and widened your eyes in horror. A man that you didn’t know nor have ever seen before looks at you from the window of your neighbor, Draco’s room. As soon as it processed to him that you were looking back, he quickly shut the curtains again. At that moment, you wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. You were so caught up in your thoughts that you forgot to shut your blinds.

You sat in your bathtub still shocked that a complete stranger almost saw you naked. Had you even gone further a couple seconds or ignored your instincts, he could have seen everything. You dunk your head into the water and scream under it. This day can’t get worse you thought.

But oh, how it can. You performed your house cleansing spell and as soon as you set the censor dish down, the doorbell rang. You opened the door and was face to face with the same man who saw you. “Hello,’ he said. You recognized the accent, how it sounded like Draco’s.

Shyly, you nodded your head and said a soft ‘hi’.

“Listen, I just wanted to say that I am so sorry for… for what happened,” presumably Draco’s friend apologized.You stood there a bit shocked and flustered. “I swear I’m not a bloody pervert. Mate doesn't have any light in his room so I’d thought I’d do him a favor. Guess that didn't turn out so well,” he sheepishly chuckled. It made you laugh as well. It was decided that it was just an honest mistake.

“It’s okay. I should’ve closed my curtains so I guess it goes both ways,” a blush was spread across your cheeks. The more you looked at him, the more you studied his gorgeous features. “I’m Y/N. You must be Draco’s friend,” you extended your hand out for him to shake. He took it in his and you nearly melted into his smooth skin.

“Yes, I am. I’m Blaise.”

—

Draco returned home with a pounding headache and stiff neck. He had never felt more tired than he did in this moment. He saw Theo sitting on his couch reading the Daily Prophet with one hand and holding a cup of tea in the other. It was funny to Draco because he explicitly remembers Theo promising that he would never become his father who did this exact thing.

Looking around his surroundings, he noticed how his other best friend wasn’t around. “Where’s Zabini?”

“I think he went out for a walk,” Theo guessed. “Think he’s been gone for about an hour now that I think about it.” He put his paper down and mirrored the look of curiosity that was also on Draco’s face. Seconds later, the devil himself walked into Draco’s home. The look on his face was the same he had back in Hogwarts. A look Draco and Theo knew all too well.

“How? Actually no, scratch that. Who?” Theo pressed on instantly. Draco was also interested as to how Blaise somehow seduced a woman a day into his vacation in the foreign country. “You gits really want to know who?” They both nodded. He stood hesitantly but kept the smirk on his face, “Your muggle neighbor, Y/N.”

Theo stood up and gave Blaise a high-five, “You still got the magic touch I see.”

“Please never say that again,” Blaise sighed. He went on to explain everything that just happened, how he accidentally saw you, how he went over and how you invited him in for coffee and talked for about an hour. Well, mainly flirted. Then he talked about how he acted coy and wanted to know whatever was nice in town and when you told him about a French restaurant uptown, he used it as a way to ask you on a date.

Blaise was explaining everything, but it all sounded quiet to Draco. He couldn’t hear a word out of his friends mouth after he said your name.

“Mate, you alright? You look pale,” Blaise looked concerned.

Draco snapped out of it and lied through his teeth, “I’m fine. Just tired and slightly hungover is all.” Lie? Why would I be lying about this? Wait… why am I lying about this?

“Oh, well I can make the thing my mum makes for hangovers if you’d like,” Theo offered.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll just get some rest.” Draco walked to his bedroom and removed the necktie around his collar. As he walked in, he saw how his curtain wasn’t fully closed. He opened it slightly and as he looked across, he saw you sitting in a chair in your bedroom. You seemed to have been in a haze before you looked up and met your eyes with his. You waved gently and Draco, as he always does now, nodded his head and closed the curtains.

This can’t be real.

—

next chp

(っ◔◡◔)っ taglist: @beiahadid @malfoy-styles-wife @fivenightslaughter @juneballoon999 @leydileyla @fangirlanotherjust @originalsoulcollector @opiomancy @lipstickandloveletters @ninacotte @daedric-sorceress @frecklesandfirecrackers @hahee154hq @disartrous @oh-those-barricade-boys @bornforfangirling

[20moonchild21]

Gif by @hoseokb

ꨄ•๛Gentleman [Hyung line]

Pairing: BTS x female!oc

Warnings: mild swearing

Words: 1400+

                                         ッ

๛匕нє σиє ωнєяє тнє вσχѕ нανє gσσ∂ мαииєяѕ∙ꨄ

♕

J̸in

Jin took a deep breath. The fresh air flooded through his body, and it felt so good. During the lockdown their balcony was the only place where he could be 'outside', but still this felt different.

It took him a while to convince his manager to actually let him go alone to the grocery story, but somehow he did it. Beside the bodyguard that walked next to him he even was almost alone. Bur he didn't mind.

As the two of them finally reached the store, Jin pulled his hat further down his face and his mask further up right under his eyes. Lucky for him, all the people had to wear those Marks now so he wouldn't stand out anymore.

"I will wait outside." His bodyguard said to him.

Jin went over to grab a shopping card and went inside the store. Slowly and step by step he went through the small list Namjoon had wrote for him this morning.

"Milk, sugar and ehhmm...." He looked over the shelves. "Ah, there they are. Noodles."

After 45 minutes he finally put the last package of flour into the shopping cart and made his way over to the checkouts. Lucky for him again, this day there weren't much people in the super marked so he wouldn't have to wait long.

"Uuurrrg...." A noise met his ear and confused he turned around to find the source, but he saw no one. As he was about to start walking he heard it again. "Coooommmeeee ooooonnnn...urrrrrg!"

Slowly, he made his way over to the passage the noises came from and what he saw made him chuckle inside.

In front of him stood a small, blonde haired girl. She stood on her tiptoes, in front of the noodle shelf, and was reaching for the last package of spaghetti which was located on the top of the shelf. Obviously, too high for her to reach because her fingers didn't even were close to the hight of the noodles.

Still chuckling, he walked up behind the small girl and easily reached for the noodles. As he passt it towards her, she smile shyly.

"Thank you. They should put some stools next to the shelves. For the small people." She joked softly and took it out from his hands.

"You're welcome." He said and smiled, too. "If you need some more help, I Am here."

"Actually, the rice was put up pretty high, too." She shyly mumbled.

y̸̸̸oongi

The award show had been successful for the boys and their management. So 3 awards, a long speech and a afterparty later, the boys found themselves in their dressing room. All of them empty of energy and tired.

"Oh man." Jimin groaned as he stretched out his legs. "I just want to sleep. Those afterparties are stressing me out."

The boys were waiting in their dressing room for the rest of their management that had accompanied them the whole evening. Those included their social media manager, bodyguards, fashion designers, some stylists, their manager and his two assistants.

"Alright, guys come one." Their manager stepped into the room and motioned for them to stand up. "Last challenge of the day: Make it out alive. Let's move!"

Together, the group made their way through the hallways and outside of the big studio the award show had took place in. Outside of the big foyer, a very large stair was leading down towards the waiting cars.

Yoongi was on of the last of the group to step through the giant doors outside. The fresh night air hit his face. It was cold but not too cold. He started walking again and as he was about to walk down the steps of the stairs, he suddenly heard a small curse behind him. Looking around he saw one of the assistant of his manager.

The small girl was wearing a beautiful gown that reached the floor and decent make up. When she stood on top of the steps, she lifted the hem of her dress and began to carefully walk down those steep stairs. Yoongi saw her struggling to keep her dress up and not fall over that heels at the same time.

Immediately, he turned around and held out his arm for the girl to hold on. Unsure what to do, she first looked at his outstretched arm and then at his face, before she carefully wrapped her right arm around his left one.

"Thank you." She shyly said while the duo made their way down the steps.

Yoongi, the man with few words, didn't made a scene out of it. He simply smiled and nodded politely.

(I laughed so hard when I found this picture)

h̸oseok

It was the time of the year the company held their yearly group dinner which basically means that that whole stuff crew came together for lunch or dinner.

The boys were all wearing their suits and currently waiting in front of the restaurant for their interpreter to show up.

Yes, for this dinner the boys needed an interpreter because many of the cooperation partners that would join them this evening were foreigners.

"Urrg!" Yoongi groaned while he tapped his feet nervously on the ground. "I hate those dinners. Honestly, why do they need us there? They are just talking about business stuff."

"Because you are the face of BigHit, Yoongs." The small girl, their interpreter, said and laughed at the boys eyes rolling.

She wore a beautiful dress that reached her knees, along with some heals und decent make up.

A few minutes later, the group found themselves inside the restaurant that was completely reserved for this company dinner.

"Okay, guys." Their manager had came up to them. "Your table is over there. I want you too behave and show your best side. We need these cooperations. No noodle slurping contest, no fries in the nose and I don't want you to test who can put the most chicken nuggets in his mouth. I am serious! Grace, you watch them, right?"

The girl nodded but even she couldn't hide her smile at those memories. After all, she had been with the boys from the beginning.

When the eighth of the reached their table, Hoseok suddenly made a big step next to her, reached for her chair and pulled it back gesturing for the girl to sit down. Surprised by this gesture, she blushed  a little bit but smile.

"How obliging of you." She said quietly while he sat down next to her. "Thank you, Hobi."

n̸amjoon

Heavy rain drops fell down on earth and Namjoon. Jin had told him this morning to be back by 1 o'clock or else the rain would catch him, which is exactly what was happening right now.

Lucky him, the reception woman at the BigHit building had something like a spare umbrella for him to use. He had pulled the collar of his coat tighter around his neck, before he opened the umbrella.

He walked faster through the street of Seoul and with every step you could hear the squishy sound of his heavy shoes hitting the wet ground. As he was halfway home, the tall boy noticed something in the corner of his eyes.

Waiting at a traffic light was a girl. She was way shorter than him, but that wasn't the only thing that caught his attention immediately.

The small girl had wrapped her arms tightly around the thin coat she wore while her blonde hair (he assumed she had blond hair but because it was soaked by the rain it looked much darker) sticked to her head and face.

Namjoon chuckled a little bit to himself: It seems like he wasn't the only one that got surprised by this weather.

Without thinking much, we walked closer to the girl and when he was close enough he reached out his arm to hold his umbrella over he body.

For a short moment the girl looked confused at the stranger that just had showed up next to her, but when she realized what he was doing, Namjoon could see a small shade of red spreading over her cheeks.

"You looked like you needed it, too." He smiled friendly down at her, while taking a step closer so he could stand under the piece of fabric, too. Though, he always paid attention to not step too close toward the stranger girl.

"Thank you." She politely said back and bowed her head a little bit.

———————————/////—————————

Hello!

I had so much fun writing this!

Maknae line is following!

Having any recommendations, requests or anything else? Please don't hesitate to write me!

Stay healthy and safe

~ M.

[shelby-love]

KELLY SEVERIDE

Good to be back.

Requested: yes

Prompts: none

Warnings: none

Authors note: Sorry for dissappearing! Writers block is an absolute b and it still isn't gone but I guess it's enough to get me back on track. Much love everyone! 💕

"Good luck sis." Your older brother says behind you. The deep breath you tried to hide pushed through and makes you exhale loudly. After turning your body to face him you make your way to hug him once more.

After a decade of being away from the magnificent city of Chicago, the one you were born in, you finally came back.

Firehouse 51 looks intimidating as you stand before it. "Alright. I'll see you at home."

Your brother leaves you be by entering the car and driving away. With your duffle bag thrown over your shoulder you start walking towards the massive house.

You see several vehicles parked in the driveway, one of them being your new ambulance vehicle. Your eyes roam around your surroundings.

"Hey can I help you somehow? I'm Joe." A good looking man comes up to you. His dementor is friendly and he makes you relax instantly.

"Yeah... Um actually I'm here as the new PIC. Ambulance 61?" You state, unsure if you actually came to the right house.

"Y/LN right? Yeah Chief told us. Come let me show you to his office." He starts walking rapidly fast while talking about all the rooms and people at the house. You struggle to keep up with the information so you decide to just watch and memorise the rooms.

"This is Connie. Connie this is our new PIC." He instructes you to the lady that sits at the desk. She looks really intimidating. She just shoots Joe a look and says, "I know. Hello Y/N. Welcome to firehouse 51."

When Joe tries to open the door Connie stops him, "He's busy right now. But he'll be done in a minute and th-"

Her words are cut off by the office door opening. Two men stride out wearing dark blue shirts meaning that they're lieutenants. The man that comes out second makes your heart beat faster instantly. He just seems really fimiliar to you.

When Kelly exited the office, the last thing he thought he would see was you. Literally the last thing.

"Y/N?" His mouth worked faster than his brain. All it took to get your mouth on the floor was him recognizing you after a decade.

He changed. A lot. He wasn't the boy you saw 10 years ago anymore. He grew up, handsomely too.

"Hey Kelly."

"Casey let's go I need to talk to you." He stated monotonous, acting like he didn't even know you anymore. Your name felt bitter in his mouth and you knew it.

As soon as the duo dissappeared Joe didn't try to hide his discomfort, "Well that was...wierd."

Joe wanted to comment more but his words were cut short by the bataillon chief. "Y/LN you can come in. Thank you Joe for showing her the way."

With a small salute Joe took this as his cue to leave. He wondered what was up with Severide, he never acted like that towards anyone new. When he saw him sitting at the squad table he debated whether to press him to get information or just stay put.

"Please Y/N take a seat. Make yourself comfortable." You couldn't really get comfortable until you got the green light from everyone...but after seeing Kelly you knew that wasn't going to be possible.

"I will keep this short. Leslie Shay is going to help you get settled in the ambulance but I'm sure you'll have no problem."

"Ambulance 61, truck 81, squad 3. Truck collision. South Clark 56."

Just great, you thought. Still not fully trusting your orientation in the firehouse you make your way outside with the chief. Once you spot Kelly next to the squad truck you hesitantly smile at him but he breaks contact and jumps inside.

"Hey I'm Shay? You okay if I drive?" A pretty blonde comes up to you. Your eyes are still locked on the squad truck and so the words slip just slip out. "Yeah sure."

"Oh my God! Finally someone with some sense," She rambles on happily while you sit in the passenger seat. "I mean it might take a while for you to get used to this... But take the wheel whenever you want! Or don't. Please don't. But I mean you can. Obviously..."

Fits of laughter overcome the nervousness in the ambo. "I'm Y/N."

Her eyes flash with something unknown to you. It's like she's trying to remember something... Or someone.

"Well nice to meet you partner." She smiles and makes a turn. "A little heads up. Collisions aren't that bad here in Chicago. We just have to squeeze into the vehicle. But don't worry! The guys make sure nothing happens to us."

Aren't that bad, she said.

Her words were proven to be false when you arrived at the scene. It was a terrible sight.

Two big loaded trucks smashed right into each other. The bigger truck now hanged over the cliff with the driver in his seat.

"Squeeze in you said Shay." You repeat her words and exit the ambo.

Where you lived you never had calls that big. You now doubted your abilities. Especially because you don't know anyone to ask for help except for Kelly who gave a honest impression that he doesn't like you anymore.

"Okay squad, truck, let's get them out!" A man who's uniform read Casey announced. You grabbed the jump bag and followed them. The man that didn't hang from a cliff seemed to be lost in his thoughts when you came to him.

"Y/N I got him." Shay suddenly appeared beside you. "They need you there."

Confused about her words you told her, "But I don't know them or how they work."

"You're the PIC though," She held the man's head to protect his neck. "Look I know about you and Kelly and trust me when I say that he'll come back to his senses soon. But you can't let that affect the job. Go!"

You didn't have to be told twice as you detached yourself from the truck and ran towards the huddle. "Where do you guys need me?" You asked. To your suprise Kelly ignored the tension and walked towards you.

"We need you inside with him he's in pretty bad shape." He explained and grabbed the ropes, his rough hands and strong arms connected you to his ropes securely. No matter how much you tried you couldn't ignore the different type of connection that was growing between you.

"I'm sorry I left Kelly." You spoke truthfully.

He glanced up at you before putting his hand behind your back and walking you through the plan. "Just be safe."

***

"Sir stay with me okay?!" You were trying to keep him stable while Kelly connected ropes to him as quickly as he could. He won't be able to make it unless you get him out now. "Kelly we don't have a lot of time!"

"Done! Cruz get him out now!!" Both squad and truck were trying hard to get him out without putting too much weight onto the hanging vehicle. After they get him out the two of you were next and until then you were stuck inside.

"You know I didn't have a choice?" You tell him. You want him to know you didn't just abandon what the two of you had.

"Y/N now is not the time."

Words were forming in you brain but before you could say them the weight of the truck shifted and the two of you sank with it. Before you could grab onto the rope your body shifted backwards and you almost flew through the broken window.

"Hey!" Kelly reached out and grabbed you. The look of fear in his eyes was evident and made you realise that this is the right time.

"You do realise we're only going to say what's on our mind not that we're closer to death than life?" Your words are meant to be a bit sarcastic and you voice is supposed to sound light but it turns out to be none of those things.

"Stop joking," Kelly sighs and helps you settle back in as carefully as possible. "You wanna know why I'm acting the way I am?"

You only nod.

"Because you left me when I wanted to tell how much I love you."

You're so struck by his words that you forget where you are.

"And because you left and made me think that I did something wrong."

He tries to avoid your eyes by looking back at the rest of the firefighters that are getting the patient safely on the ground.

"Kelly..."

"No forget it." He waves his hands but you aren't letting it go. Instead you do what you wanted to do for years and years. You lean in and kiss him.

With that one careful kiss you apologise for everything that happened.

You're scared Kelly will pull away but he only returns the kiss. He pulls away only when the other ropes arrive gives you his famous smile that made you fall for him all of those years ago.

"We're not done yet." He starts connecting more ropes to your body and the tension is higher than it ever was before. "You still have a lot to apologise for."

You wonder how to do it and smile.

Six words: It is good to be back.

MASTERLIST