#hes vulnerable when he’s a charging station

[baconcolacan]

Can never forget that Tom is just a cryptid. A creetur.

Like wha you mean his visor connects DIRECTLY INTO his eye sockets??? And my brain came up with the worst explanation, being that there was a lot of confusion on how they were going to get it to work, going ‘what if we just…?’, placing the wires in, and hearing a click

And it works. I refuse to be the only one with this mental image

I LOVE THAT ACTUALLY HASHAHSH his eyes are weird, we also have to remember he can be used as charging station too, something in that noggin of his reacts well to tech

[leyavo]

Wife/girlfriend series, I wanted to do some more for the other TF 141 guys after doing Ghost’s, Gaz & Soap. John Price is much older than the others and a bit set his ways….

[masterlist] [Wife/Gf masterlist]

Price is on his third wife, you.

The last one bled him dry in the divorce, but that still didn’t put him off marriage.

His family not bothered to get to know you as much as the first and second wife. As if they know you’ll get fed up with him and his ways.

You can tell why he hasn’t had any luck with women. The man is terrible at doing laundry, grumbles to himself instead of talking and smokes like a chimney. Set in his ways, he finds it hard to break away from it.

“Breath of fresh air, darling,” he says to you as you chuck his dirty laundry at him.

“Clean your own crap, I’m not your maid or your mother!” You snapped, taking the cigar from his lips and smushing the end into the ashtray.

John Price just kept pushing and pushing, liking that you set boundaries with him and unintentionally made him get his shit together. He loves it when you tell him what to do.

You never wanted him to change, just wanted him to get a grip on his life.

“I have a career too, I might not be a bloody captain, but what I do matters too.” You work for a social impact company, helping young kids and teens going through poverty in your county. The same kindness John loves as he watches you interact with the people around you.

You were once that kid, struggling to get by and caring for your mother. The one thing you didn’t want, was for everything to fall on you like it did as a kid. You’re firm with it, telling John exactly how it felt. How his actions made you feel.

Well you did break up briefly, only for him to come crawling back. He still has his moments, a little mopey and lazy whenever he’s back from a long mission, but that’s normal.

He likes that you understand his vulnerability, likes the way you whisper that he is safe and protected whenever a nightmare tears him awake. It’s small quiet moments where he loves you most. The brush of your fingers over his knuckles or you palm over his chest as he tries to catch his breath. The way you giggle as his beard and moustache tickle your neck as he kisses you there.

And John gives you a home, security. One thing no one else has. The reassurance that there’s always food stocked up in the fridge and a set schedule for the heating to come on when the temperature drops. That if you can’t do something he’ll help you do it. So nothing has to be on just your shoulders.

Helps you down at the soup kitchen now and again when he’s back home, cleaning all the dishes so that your hands don’t get a rash from the washing up gloves. Little things that make your heart swell.

How he learnt how to knit during the autumn, so he can help you make hats for the homeless. It helps him distress, sometimes even does it in his room back at base to wind down. Currently knitting you some socks too.

Even in charge of the laundry when he comes home, loves the scent of detergent that he grumbles when it’s discontinued and he has to get used to another.

“Bloody found it.” The first thing John says to you as he unpacks his gear. Accidentally letting slip where he was stationed and how he got the discontinued detergent in another country.

And when you ask why he can’t just let it go. “Smells like you, darling.” He’s liked it since the first time you did his washing. Reminds him of home when he puts his civilian clothes back on, always a set put to the side for him to wear home.

When you meet the guys you’re surprised about the dynamic. How John easily gets them to listen and lay down the rules before they enter the house. Shoes come off straight away etc. no smoking indoors but on the patio outside. Watch out for the two chihuahuas running about the house and check underneath the blankets before you sit on the sofa.

One particular chihuahua not moving from Simon’s lap, that he stays in the armchair for ages till the dog wakes up. Johnny and Kyle telling you the most embarrassing stories of the captain, that one time his trousers split in an important briefing and no one told him, but everyone noticed. John doesn’t mind though as he likes the sound of your laugh.

[tteotlma]

craving control

— neither of you could resist what was always meant to happen.

alpha!bucky x omega!reader (9.2kw)

TW: 18+ MDNI; nsfw, dubcon a/b/o dynamics, possessive behavior, biting/marking, power dynamics, including praise kink, size kink, rough intimacy, physical restraint, sexual tension, emotional dependency, desperation, and themes "feral, uncontrollable need.", elements of mating/claiming, explores intense feelings of vulnerability and submission.

a/n: honestly,, i have no words -- weeks in the making and im not satisfied w how this turned out. like when you stare at something for too long. and it starts to look weird

———

On the day of Bucky’s arrival, it was safe to say the only one truly excited was Steve. The air in the compound felt charged, heavy with anticipation and unspoken tension.  

Tony walked up beside you and Nat by the massive window, the sharp scent of machine oil mingling with his expensive cologne as he wiped stubborn grease from his hands. Years of working together had made their commanding presence familiar and comfortable, like the steady hum of lab equipment around you.  

The window shook as debris kicked up from the descending helicopter, which was landing in the middle of the field. Tony inhaled deeply, his dark eyes meeting yours and Nat’s with a characteristic assessing look that instinctively made others straighten their spines. Nat smirked and raised an eyebrow, prompting a small smile from you, though you couldn't fully shake the flutter of nerves in your stomach.  

The helicopter door slid open in slow motion as Steve emerged, his broad shoulders and confident stride capturing every gaze in the vicinity. He turned and, stepping out behind him, a dark figure followed—a stark contrast, night to Steve's day. The moment Bucky appeared, the air seemed to shift—a raw, untamed energy that made your breath catch and your pulse quicken. Even from a distance, there was something different, something dangerous about him, that made your skin prickle with awareness, and your fingers curl tightly around the tablet in your hands.  

"Disperse, disperse," Tony muttered, his natural authority causing everyone to instinctively move as he turned away. The others followed suit, including an omega technician who stumbled in their haste to appear busy at their station.  

You turned back to your workstation, pressing your palms to the cool steel table to ground yourself. You could feel Steve and his companion approaching—Steve’s familiar warmth contrasting sharply with the newcomer’s intensity.  

The familiar scents of solder and circuitry should have been calming, but they couldn't quite mask the oncoming storm of Steve’s sunlit warmth mixed with something darker and wilder—like pine needles and leather and crisp winter air.  

When the main doors opened, the room was flooded with alpha energy, subtle yet impossible to ignore, like fog rolling in at dawn. "Guys, this is Buck," Steve said, the sound of his hand landing on leather echoing in the sudden quiet.  

"Bucky," came the correction—a voice like gravel over silk, sending a shiver down your spine as you gripped your soldering iron tighter, the metal warm against your suddenly trembling fingers. It wasn’t their presence that unsettled you; it was the way your instincts responded before you could think.  

Nat’s silent approach gave her the air of a predator as she circled closer. "Barnes," she acknowledged, her voice cold and steely. The space between them crackled with unspoken assessment, neither yielding nor challenging.  

"Good to see you again, Robocop," Tony called out, his voice cutting through the tension. His hologram's blue glow cast shadows over his face as he peered over his glasses. "Make yourself comfortable, but not too comfortable." His words, casual yet sharp as ozone before a storm, hung in the air.  

“The rest of you, back to work—we have a deadline,” Tony added with a wave of his pen, and like magic, the lab resumed its rhythm, though the atmosphere had fundamentally shifted.  

You bent over your work, hyper-focused on the tiny components scattered across your station, but every nerve seemed attuned to Bucky’s presence. The familiar lab scents—hot metal, coffee, and sharp electronics—were muted beneath this new awareness.  

"Y/n~" Steve’s warm, knowing voice rolled through the space, and your fingers stilled on the circuit board, your heart stuttering. The approaching footsteps seemed to echo with your pulse, each step tightening the coil in your shoulders. That scent—leather and pine now mixed with something metallic and sharp—grew stronger, drying your mouth.  

You managed a confident smile and turned, only for Steve to pull you into an embrace, lifting you slightly off your feet. His familiar scent—soap and sunshine—wrapped around you like a blanket, momentarily drowning everything else.  

"Missed ya, kiddo," he murmured, affection coloring his tone. Warmth bloomed in your chest, and you relaxed into his comforting presence.  

"Missed you too, Cap," you managed with a breathless laugh as he set you down. Movement caught your eye—Bucky shifting behind Steve—and that new awareness crashed back like a wave. You met his gaze for a split second before he looked away, but that brief connection felt electric. His storm-gray eyes held something untamed that made your knees weak.  

“Buck, this is Y/n,” Steve introduced. “Y/n, Buck.” The contrast between them was dizzying—Steve's golden warmth beside Bucky's winter-sharp presence. Suddenly, your workspace felt too small, the air heavy with unspoken things.  

"Bucky," he repeated, his voice rougher up close, sending an involuntary shiver down your spine. He stepped closer, hands at his sides, yet his presence seemed to fill the entire space around you. The fluorescent lights reflected off the plates of his metal arm, casting shifting shadows. Your throat felt dry, and you resisted the urge to fidget with your tools.  

Steve’s voice cut through the thick tension, either unaware of it or ignoring it. "Listen, I tried the magnets again," he said, the sound of leather hitting steel making you jump slightly as he tossed his gloves onto your workstation. His worn leather scent mingled with Bucky’s, making focus difficult.  

You raised an eyebrow, grateful for the distraction. "And...?"  

"And I hate it." He rolled his shoulder, trying to ease the tension. "It's just not the same."  

You glanced between the gloves and Steve's sheepish expression, ignoring how Bucky’s gaze seemed to track your every movement. Even without looking directly at him, you felt his attention like static electricity, raising goosebumps along your arms.  

"Think you could just yank 'em out for me?" Steve asked with that irresistible smile, though your attention kept drifting to Bucky, who stood silent and watchful.  

You scoffed and shook your head, stepping around the counter to switch on the table light. Sitting on the stool across from Steve, you shot him a look.  

“Fine, fine,” you said, picking up the gloves. “Guess you still have a chance to dread the day I say no.”  

Steve grinned. “I don’t even wanna think about it.” He gestured subtly towards Bucky. “Figured you could handle this too. Bucky’s got some gear that might need adjustments.” It wasn’t a command, just Steve’s assumption that Bucky would be sticking close.  

“Sounds good. I’ll find some time this week to schedule you in, so we can see what I’m working with,” you said, motioning to his arm.  

“Okay,” Bucky replied, his voice low with a hint of warmth.  

---

That was two weeks ago. Since then, you’d been buried in projects with Tony and Banner, testing prototypes and troubleshooting quirks in Stark’s tech.  

Missions came and went, but you mostly stayed at the compound—tuning weapons, running diagnostics, and keeping Stark's experiments from exploding (again). The lab had become your sanctuary, where complex problems could be solved with enough focus. Yet lately, your normally steady hands trembled at unexpected moments, your concentration slipping at the sound of familiar footsteps in the corridor.  

There wasn’t much time for that one-on-one work with Bucky you’d promised, though you occasionally glimpsed him around the compound. Still finding his footing here, he was a shadow at Steve’s side, quiet and watchful. Tony would drag him into the lab occasionally to discuss modifications—if he wanted any.  

You tried not to notice how his eyes found you whenever he was in the lab, lingering until you accidentally met his gaze. At first, he’d look away, jaw tightening as he focused on whatever Tony was explaining. But minutes later, you’d feel it again—his attention like a compass pointing north.  

In brief hallway encounters, your greetings came out softer than intended, his response a quiet rumble that stayed with you long after he walked away. One time, both of you reached for the lab door handle simultaneously. His fingers brushed yours, sending electricity up your arm. He pulled back, muttering an apology before disappearing around the corner, abandoning whatever awaited him in the lab.  

It was ridiculous how such small moments left you distracted for hours.  

Then one morning, Tony burst into the lab, with Steve following closely behind, practically dragging a reluctant Bucky.  

“Hey, kid,” Tony called out, startling you. You lifted the magnifying goggles off your face, welcoming the cool air. Banner, hunched across the table with identical goggles, glanced up briefly.  

“Please tell me we have Barnes’ baseline readings from when he got here,” Tony said, his tone implying a slight scolding. You looked at Banner, embarrassed. When you shook your head, Tony groaned dramatically.  

“Seriously? Three weeks and—“ He took a deep breath, hands on his hips as he surveyed the cluttered lab, evidence of recent activity. “Okay, that’s on me. Fixed. Now.” He practically pushed Bucky onto the stool beside your workstation.  

“Do your thing. Science, data, all that—" Tony trailed off, looking at Banner, who took the cue and clumsily exited, engaging Tony in a transparently forced conversation about a new gadget. Steve left shortly after, flashing an encouraging smile that made your cheeks burn.

The moment they left, the lab felt impossibly smaller. Bucky shifted slightly behind you, and though he was quieter than quiet, his presence seemed to fill every inch of space around you. He kept a respectful distance, but it didn’t matter—you could feel him, each breath and subtle movement stirring the air, making your skin prickle with awareness.

Your hands trembled slightly as you pulled up the diagnostic programs. "I'll need to..." you began, voice softer than you intended, "run some basic tests first. It might take a while." Turning toward him, you found his storm-grey eyes already fixed on you, dark and intent.

“Okay,” he replied, his gaze heavy and unrelenting, as though he was trying to read the thoughts you couldn’t quite form. Your throat tightened under the weight of his stare, and your hands instinctively curled into fists to ground yourself.

“I’ll need you to…” You gestured vaguely, your voice catching. “You’re gonna have to take off your sh-shirt. Just... so I can get a better look.” Your voice faltered, and heat bloomed across your cheeks.

For a beat, Bucky didn’t move. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached behind his neck, tugging the navy henley over his head. The fabric slid away, revealing his broad shoulders and sculpted chest, veiled by the thin fabric of his white tank. The subtle shift of his muscles as he moved sent a quiet jolt through your system, making your breath catch.

He tossed the henley carelessly over his shoulder, and you tried—desperately—to stay focused.

“Extend your arm for me,” you murmured, the words coming out softer than intended. He complied with that same quiet grace, his frame stiffening as you gently adjusted his arm.

Without thinking, you stepped between his legs, close enough that your hips grazed his thighs. The heat of his body radiated toward you, and the scent of pine, winter air, and leather curled around you, heavy and dizzying.

Bucky shifted again—a slow, unconscious movement as he spread his legs a little wider, as if making room for you without realizing it. The gesture was likely nothing, but to you, it felt far too intimate, and it took all your willpower not to react to the heat pooling in your belly.

You focused on the smooth metal of his arm, running your fingers along the seams and joints, marveling at the precision of its construction. His hand found your waist. The touch was light at first, perhaps just to steady himself, but his palm lingered, broad and warm over your lab coat.

The weight of his hand sent a shiver up your spine, your pulse fluttering beneath your skin. His thumb brushed the hem of your coat where the white fabric met your wine-colored shirt, as if testing its texture. Your breath caught involuntarily.

Slowly, your gaze traveled from his fingertips up the seams of his arm to his face. When you looked up, his eyes were already on you—dark, intense, unreadable, but consuming. His gaze dropped briefly to the curve of your collarbones peeking through your shirt before flicking back to meet your eyes, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.

The room shrank around you, the tension pulling taut—an invisible thread tugging you closer. Neither of you spoke; neither of you moved.

The air between you stretched, heavy and charged, the weight of his hand on your waist making it impossible to focus on anything but him. His thumb grazed the edge of your shirt again—soft, deliberate—and you swore the world slowed down, teetering on the edge of something inevitable.

The comm system beeped, loud and sudden, shattering the moment. Both of you jerked slightly, like surfacing from deep water.

"Y/N?" Tony’s voice crackled through the speaker. "Banner needs you in the main lab—now."

Bucky’s hand slipped from your waist, his jaw clenching as though grounding himself. You took a step back, heart pounding, the absence of his touch making the space between you feel colder and emptier than it should.

Clearing your throat, you looked anywhere but at him. “I–uh, I should go.”

He nodded once, slow and unreadable, as you turned quickly, your hand dragging hesitantly down his arm, slipping out of the room before the tension could pull you back in.

You slipped out of the room, heart still racing, Bucky’s presence clinging to you like static electricity. Even as you tossed and turned in bed later that night, the moment lingered—his hand on your waist, his scent in your lungs, and the weight of his gaze heavy on your mind.

That evening clung to you like a live wire beneath your skin, but the next few days brought subtle shifts in the compound's atmosphere. Where Bucky once moved like a shadow, now he inhabited spaces differently. During morning briefings, you noticed him leaning against workbenches instead of standing guard by the wall, his gaze still watchful but carrying something new—curiosity, maybe.

Since that evening in the lab, you buried yourself in projects with Tony and Banner, testing new prototypes and troubleshooting quirks in Stark's tech. Small out-of-town missions came and went, but you remained rooted at the compound—tuning weapons, running diagnostics, and preventing Stark's experiments from turning into full-blown disasters (again). The lab had become your sanctuary, where complex problems could be solved with enough focus. Yet, no matter how hard you tried, focus had become a luxury you couldn't afford. Your usually steady hands betrayed you, trembling at the worst moments, especially whenever familiar footsteps echoed down the corridor.

If Bucky did come into the lab, there weren’t many opportunities for one-on-one work, though you’d catch fleeting glimpses of him. He still seemed to be finding his footing, a shadow at Steve’s side—quiet and observant, as if measuring every person and place before stepping too close. Occasionally, Tony would bring him into the lab to discuss possible modifications, though Bucky seemed reluctant, deflecting with grunts and unreadable glances.

But it was impossible to ignore how his eyes always sought you out. Whenever he entered the room, your senses sharpened, drawn to him without permission. His gaze lingered a second too long—enough to make your stomach flip, your pulse flutter beneath your skin. But whenever you met his eyes, he’d glance away, his jaw tightening as if wrestling with something unspoken. Yet, moments later, you’d feel the pull again—his attention returning like a compass that couldn’t help but point north.

This awareness began to happen outside the lab too, in brief, inconsequential encounters that left you unraveled. Once, passing each other in the hallway, your soft greeting was met by his low, rumbling reply, curling around your senses long after he’d disappeared. Another time, reaching for the same door handle, his fingers brushed yours, the shock of contact sending electricity racing up your arm. He pulled back as though burned, muttering an apology before vanishing without explanation. You stood there, stunned, wondering how such a fleeting touch could leave you restless for hours.

Each day made it harder to maintain composure. It was as if your body had developed a traitorous awareness of him—heart stuttering beneath your ribs, skin flushing at the slightest thought of him, senses sharpening to track his movements before your mind even registered he was near. No matter how hard you tried to lose yourself in work, even Tony’s endless stream of projects couldn’t silence the way your pulse leapt whenever Bucky’s footsteps echoed down the corridor.

These changes appeared in fragments—a barely-there smile when Tony's prototype backfired, sparks shooting across the lab; the way his shoulders lost their rigid set when Steve drew out his dry humor during mission prep. Each small victory revealed another layer beneath the soldier’s facade.

Your paths began crossing more often. Sometimes, he’d appear in the kitchen during your late-night tea runs, nursing coffee while reading news on a tablet. His silent nods evolved into a new half-smile that never failed to make your heart race. His scent—pine and leather—began to carry warmer notes, softening from sharp winter to something more approachable.

Then, when Sam suggested movie night, every instinct screamed at you to decline. The thought of being in an enclosed space with Bucky—away from the clinical safety of the lab, surrounded by comfortable, dim intimacy—made your stomach flutter with anxious energy. But before you could find an excuse, Nat flashed you a knowing smile, firmly pulling you from your workstation. You barely had time to protest.

Now, nestled between Nat and Sam on the couch, you tried to focus on the movie, but your attention kept drifting across the room to him. Bucky sat in an armchair like he owned the space, his relaxed body only making him look more dangerous. His legs were spread wide, one arm draped over the back, the other resting on his thigh—a casual pose that somehow felt deliberate.

You told yourself to stay present, to engage with Nat and Sam’s easy banter, but Bucky’s presence made it impossible. His scent—faint but unmistakable—hovered at the edge of your awareness, a mix of pine, leather, and something deeper that spoke to a part of you beyond reason.

Then it happened. During a lull in the movie, when everything fell quiet, you felt it—his gaze.

A pulse of heat spread through your chest, as if an invisible thread had tugged you toward him. You risked a glance, only to find him already watching you. Even in the dim light, his storm-gray eyes were locked on yours, intense and unwavering. His expression was unreadable, but there was a weight to his stare that made your pulse stutter and breath catch in your throat.

The flickering blue light of the TV softened the sharp lines of his face, but it did nothing to dull the tension humming between you. For a moment, it felt like the room had fallen away, leaving only the two of you in the dark—silent, secret, caught in a moment neither dared to acknowledge.

You tried convincing yourself he wasn’t really looking at you, that maybe he was watching Sam or had drifted off into thought. But the flip in your stomach, the way your pulse fluttered beneath your skin, told a different story.

Bucky didn’t look away. His stare held steady, as if something deep and instinctual was keeping him tethered to you—as though he was drawn to you in the same way you were to him. The connection between you wasn’t just a passing glance. It felt ancient, inevitable, as if some unseen force had been guiding you to this moment long before either of you realized it.

The air between you felt heavy, charged with something you couldn’t quite define, and you were certain that even if you could name it, neither of you was ready. Your scent, warm and sweet, had changed in subtle ways—just enough for Bucky to notice, to make his chest tighten with a growing certainty. This wasn’t just attraction; it was recognition. Instinct. Raw instinct clawed through him, responding to the quiet, subtle shift in yours. You were close—too close—and every part of him, from the deepest part of his mind to the tension winding through his muscles, felt it.

The spell broke when Steve shifted on the couch beside him, dragging you both back to reality. You blinked, heart hammering as you tore your gaze away, heat blooming beneath your skin, spreading like wildfire, a faint sheen of sweat on your brow.

You swallowed hard, trying to refocus on the movie, but the moment lingered like a phantom touch. Even as you stared straight ahead, you could feel the weight of his gaze, its memory humming along your nerves, leaving you restless and aching in ways you didn’t understand.

When the movie ended, you escaped as quickly as you could, muttering a rushed “good night” and fleeing to your room, hoping the familiar comfort of your own space would ground you. But even surrounded by your belongings, wrapped in your own scent, you couldn't quiet the hum of awareness thrumming beneath your skin.

Bucky's scent clung to you, lodged in your senses like a memory you couldn’t shake. Pine, leather, and something darker—something wild that kept teetering you on the brink of losing control. There was something building inside you, a slow-burning awareness you weren’t ready to acknowledge, hoping no one else could sense the change taking hold of you.

Each encounter with him pulled at something deep within you, like a tide responding to the moon. His scent overshadowed everything, lingering in your senses long after he was gone.

And Bucky—you noticed everything now, every detail sharp and vivid, though you tried to convince yourself you were reading too much into it. The way his eyes lingered a second too long—but of course, people always stared at him. The slight flex of his fingers when you passed by—a habit, surely. The barely audible catch in his breath when you were near—probably just your imagination, heightened by whatever was happening to your body.

Maybe you were imagining the way his carefully controlled demeanor seemed to slip around you—those tiny cracks in his composure you couldn't stop noticing. After all, a man like him, always so disciplined, wouldn’t be affected by someone like you… would he? Yet, something raw beneath his surface called to you, making your heart race whenever he was close. The air felt electric between you, crackling with possibility—even as you tried to tell yourself it was just his effect on everyone, that you weren’t special, that it was just your body playing tricks.

After tonight, you couldn’t deny it any longer. During movie night, his stare had lingered like phantom touches, and your skin had felt hypersensitive, every nerve ending alive with awareness. Even in the sanctuary of your room, surrounded by familiar scents, you couldn’t escape the memory of pine and leather.

And as days passed, it only seemed to worsen. When Fury assigned you to oversee the team’s training equipment and Tony ensured you continued working with Steve, observing Bucky was already inevitable. Watching him felt different than those first weeks. You’d glimpsed the man beneath the careful control—caught fragments of dry humor in mission briefings, witnessed quiet camaraderie with Steve. The dangerous edge remained, but now it felt more… intentional. Like he was choosing to let people see beyond the soldier’s facade, revealing glimpses of the man underneath.

These glimpses made training observation even more daunting. Because now you knew what lay beneath his cool exterior—had witnessed the subtle humor in his eyes, the careful way he was learning to exist in spaces without defending them.

Your fingers trembled against the tablet's smooth surface at the thought of watching him work. Being that close to him during combat training, with his presence at its most intense… The thought alone made your mouth go dry.

Training sessions became their own kind of exquisite torture. Your role was simple—monitor the team’s gear, run diagnostics, and ensure everything functioned. But watching Bucky spar was anything but simple.

Between rounds, you brought him water—a straightforward task that became anything but as his eyes tracked your movement across the training room. Your fitted jacket clung to your curves, and you felt the weight of his stare as you approached. It was refreshing, seeing him like this. The quiet, brooding soldier was still there, but lately, there had been glimpses of something else—a playful charm that felt both dangerous and irresistible.

"Tryna’ keep me hydrated, doc?" His voice was rough from exertion, teasing in a way that sent heat pooling in your stomach. This was the Bucky emerging more and more lately—the one who’d somehow found his footing again, letting his guard down just enough to allow a trace of Brooklyn charm to slip through.

"Can’t have our best asset passing out from dehydration," you managed to reply, proud of how steady your voice remained. When you handed him the bottle, his fingers brushed yours, sending electricity skittering across your skin.

"Our best asset, huh?" He tipped his head back to drink, and you couldn’t help but watch his throat work, beads of sweat trailing down his neck. His eyes met yours over the bottle, darkening as they drifted to where your jacket dipped low. "Like what you see?"

This was dangerous territory—this newfound confidence of his, the way he was testing the waters between playful and flirtatious. "Just making sure you’re drinking enough water," you murmured, but the slight tremor in your voice betrayed you. You wondered if he could hear how your heart stumbled in your chest, if he sensed the hitch in your breath when he licked a stray drop from his lower lip.

He moved with a predator’s grace—smooth, controlled, and lethal. Each punch, each fluid shift of his body, sent a pulse of heat through you. Your throat felt dry as you watched the muscles in his back ripple beneath his fitted shirt, the metal of his arm gleaming under the lights. You told yourself this was normal, that anyone would be affected watching him move like this—but deep down, you knew this was different.

At one point, he had Steve pinned to the mat, his arm flexed, holding Steve in place with ease, chest heaving with exertion. His gaze flicked to you, locking eyes for a split second that sent butterflies surging in your stomach—and a darker, more primal flutter somewhere lower. That slow-burning awareness inside you flared hot and urgent.

Your fingers slipped, and your tablet clattered to the floor with a loud thunk. Everyone turned to look, including Steve, but all you could focus on was the faint grin curling at the edge of Bucky’s mouth. Your face burned with embarrassment, but there was no mistaking the glint in his eyes—a look that made you wonder if he could sense the changes in you, if he could feel how your body was betraying every attempt at control.

You couldn’t bear to face the team after that display—after dropping your tablet like some starry-eyed recruit. Your skin felt too tight, too warm, your body thrumming with an energy you couldn’t contain. You retreated to your room, but even buried in your own blankets, you couldn’t escape the memory of his knowing smirk, the way his eyes held yours like he knew exactly what was happening to you.

The next few days passed in a haze of mounting tension. Your skin felt hypersensitive, every nerve ending alive with awareness. Even in the sanctuary of your room, surrounded by familiar scents and belongings, you couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental was shifting inside you. Sleep became elusive, your body alternating between feverish and chilled, leaving you restless and aching for... something.

By the time you wandered to the kitchen at 3 AM, exhaustion clung to you like a second skin, but sleep remained just out of reach. The compound was eerily quiet at this hour, the hum of electronics the only sound as your slippers whispered across the cool tile.

You sat at the kitchen island, elbows resting on the countertop as you flipped through your options—tea or coffee. Settling on tea, you rose to grab your favorite mug from the cabinet. The dim lighting softened everything, making the space feel smaller, more intimate, as if the night itself carried a promise of something unspoken.

You were so focused on your task that you didn’t hear him approach.

"Can't sleep?"

His voice, low and rough with sleep, startled you enough to make you gasp softly. You whirled around to find him emerging from the shadows, stepping into a sanctuary—one where, in this moment, it felt like only you and he existed. The dim light traced the sharp lines of his face, deepening the shadows beneath his cheekbones and along his jaw.

He wore soft sleep pants that rested low on his hips, and the black shirt clung to his frame, leaving little to the imagination. The kitchen suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier with something you couldn't name—something that thrummed between you, waiting to be acknowledged.

"I…" Your voice faltered, throat dry under his gaze. You cleared your throat and tried again. "Just wanted some tea."

Bucky stepped further into the room, his movements slow and deliberate, like a wolf closing in. For someone so large, he moved with unsettling grace—silent and fluid. "Having trouble sleeping?" he asked, though his question held a depth, as if he were offering more than conversation.

You turned back to the cabinet, reaching for your mug, but your fingers trembled. Before it could slip from your grasp, his hand wrapped around your wrist, steadying you.

"You okay?" His voice was closer now, concern threading through the rough edges.

"Yeah, I’m—" you began, but stopped as you felt his thumb pressing unconsciously against your pulse. The gentle pressure sent electricity dancing up your arm, and you couldn’t help but track how his throat worked as he swallowed.

"Hey," he murmured, voice low. His eyes darkened as they searched your face, and you watched something shift in his expression—recognition, maybe, or realization. His nostrils flared slightly. "You’ve seemed… off lately."

"I'm fine," you managed, but your voice came out breathy, unconvincing. "Just haven’t been sleeping well."

He held your gaze a moment longer, then stepped back slowly, as if it took effort to put distance between you. The absence of his touch left your skin tingling, aching for contact you couldn’t afford to want.

"Maybe some chamomile, then," he suggested, his voice rougher than before. You noticed his fingers curling into fists at his sides, his jaw clenched as he worked to maintain the distance.

You managed a small nod, turning back to the cabinet with unsteady hands. Though he’d released your wrist, he hadn’t moved back far—still standing between you and the island, leaving you caught between his body and the counter. His presence lingered, heavy and warm, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating from his chest.

The small space between you crackled with electricity, making it impossible to focus on the simple task of making tea. The kettle felt too loud in the silence, steam rising like a physical manifestation of the tension thickening the air.

When you finally turned back around, gripping your mug like an anchor, you found his eyes stormy, his jaw set as if he was fighting something within himself. He took a deliberate step back, creating distance that somehow made the air feel even heavier.

"I should…" he started, voice rough. "Let you get some rest." But he didn’t move immediately, as if reluctant to leave.

Something in you wanted to tell him to stay, but the words stuck in your throat. The space between you felt charged, like the air before a storm. His scent—pine and leather—wrapped around you, stronger now, making your head spin.

He moved first, turning toward the entryway with careful control, his movements almost rigid. But he paused at the threshold, his metal hand gripping the wall frame with enough force to make the material creak softly.

"Get some sleep, doll," he said without looking back, his voice carrying something dark and hungry that made your skin prickle with heat. Then he was gone, leaving you alone with the cooling tea and the phantom sensation of his touch still burning around your wrist.

After standing frozen in the kitchen for what felt like hours, you finally forced yourself back to your room. Your skin felt too tight, every nerve hypersensitive as you stumbled through the doorway. The trek down the hallway was torture—his lingering scent clung to your clothes, your skin, leaving you dizzy with desire.

You barely made it to your bed before your legs gave out. The sheets felt rough against your fevered skin, and you kicked them off with a frustrated whimper. Your wrist still burned where he touched you, the memory of his thumb against your pulse making your breath hitch.

Rolling onto your back, you pressed your palms against your eyes, trying to ground yourself. But behind closed lids, all you could see was the way his eyes had darkened in the kitchen, the tension in his jaw barely contained. Your body thrummed with awareness, chest rising and falling with shallow breaths as waves of heat washed over you.

You forced yourself to breathe deeply, counting each inhale like Banner had taught you during training. One breath, then another, even as your skin prickled with need. The steady hum of the air conditioning became your focus, not the memory of Bucky's voice, rough and low in the darkness.

Slowly, exhaustion won over the fever burning through your veins. Your muscles ached from fighting against the tension, and eventually, your body surrendered to the pull of sleep. The last thing you registered was the ghost of pine and leather clinging to your shirt before darkness claimed you.

Consciousness returned slowly, like surfacing from deep water. The first thing you registered was warmth on your face—sunlight streaming through your windows, casting everything in hues of honey and gold. Your room looked almost dreamlike, dust motes dancing in the amber rays.

As your vision focused, you noticed signs of Banner’s care—a bowl of soup on your nightstand, now cold; several water bottles arranged within reach; and a damp cloth on your forehead, long since losing its coolness. The quiet thoughtfulness of it made your chest tighten with gratitude.

You sat up gingerly, testing your body’s response. The fever hadn’t broken—if anything, it burned hotter now—but the rest had given you enough strength to make you restless, to make the walls of your room feel like they were closing in.

The water bottles mocked you, lukewarm and useless against the heat coursing through your veins. Ice. You needed ice. The thought became an obsession, driving you to your feet despite shaky legs. You pulled on a thin robe over your sleep clothes, ignoring how even the silky material felt too rough against your sensitized skin.

The hallway stretched before you, bathed in that same golden light that made everything feel surreal. Your slipper-clad feet made no sound on the cool floor as you made your way toward the kitchen. The compound felt different—eerily still, as if everyone had vanished. No voices from the labs, no footsteps down corridors. Just silence, with the strange amber glow making everything look softened, dreamlike.

You moved as if in a trance, your body feeling both heavy and weightless. The fever made everything hazy, like you were watching yourself from a distance. Each breath drew in air that felt too thick, too warm, despite the steady climate control.

Your feet carried you forward without conscious thought, your path wavering slightly as you trailed a hand along the wall for balance. The golden light streaming through the windows turned the hallway into something otherworldly, making the simple journey feel infinite.

Then it hit you—pine and leather, winter air and something darker. Your body responded before your mind could catch up, drawn to his scent like a moth to flame.

As you reach the living room, your destination becomes hazy, forgotten. The room opens before you, bathed in honeyed light pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows. The hardwood floor gleams like liquid amber, stretching toward where Bucky sits, his broad frame sunk deep into the plush sofa, seeming to melt into the cushions.

His eyes lock onto yours over the book he’d been reading, and even through your fevered haze, you see the way they darken, storm-gray deepening into something darker. Neither of you moves. The air between you feels charged, heavy with unspoken words.

"Y/N," he breathes, your name a warning. His whole body tenses as if to rise, but something keeps him frozen, fingers white-knuckled around the forgotten book. You watch his throat work as he swallows hard. "You shouldn’t—you need to go back to your room."

To him, you must look like something out of a dream—or a nightmare, depending on his self-control. Your silk robe catches the light as you move, revealing glimpses of your tank top and shorts underneath. One sock has slipped down your ankle, and your hair falls messily around your face. Your cheeks are flushed, lips parted in shallow breaths.

You take an unsteady step into the room, looking as if you’re floating across the hardwood, each faltering step a deliberate tease. When you reach the armchair, your robe slips further off one shoulder as you grip the chair for support. "I needed…" The words trail off. Did you need ice? Water? Everything feels secondary to the pull you feel toward him.

The room sways slightly beneath your feet. Bucky shifts, fighting the instinct to reach for you. You watch his chest rise with a sharp breath as your scent reaches him, sweet and heavy in the golden air. A bead of sweat trails down your neck, disappearing beneath your tank top.

"You're burning up," he says roughly, his voice holding a darker edge that makes a heat pool in your stomach. His pupils are blown wide as he tracks every small movement of your body.

You attempt to lower yourself into the armchair, but the world tilts. Your knee catches the edge of the coffee table as you stumble, a breathless giggle escaping your lips at your own clumsiness, and your robe slips down to reveal more of your shoulders.

"Shit," Bucky mutters, finally breaking his careful stillness. "You're gonna hurt yourself." He rises in one fluid motion, crossing the space between you in two strides. His hands hover near your arms, not quite touching. "Let’s get you situated."

"M’okay," you insist, though your legs feel like jelly, and you sway into him unconsciously as your robe slips off completely. His hands finally make contact with your bare arms, and the touch sends electricity racing across your fevered skin. "Just needed to sit..."

"Yeah, I can see that." His voice is strained, almost amused, but you hear the concern underneath. He tries to steady you, guiding you toward the chair, but your knees buckle in that moment.

"Alright—" He catches you against his chest, the sudden contact drawing a small huff from you. You feel more than hear his sharp intake of breath. “You alright?” he asks, peeling you off him, holding you at arm's length.

“Mm—” Your body aches at the loss of heat, eyebrows scrunching in annoyance. You sigh, dragging your gaze up Bucky’s large frame until you meet his darkened eyes. “Yeah, m’fine.” Huffing, you look away.

“Don’t lie.” He steps closer, pulling you in. Your breath hitches.

“I’m not…” Sweat beads on the back of your neck, and a lump forms in your throat. You try to take a deep breath, but with Bucky so close, it’s unbearable. Unknowingly, you grab at Bucky’s shirt, fisting the fabric in your hand.

“Tell the truth.” His gaze drops to where your hand grips his shirt, and something unreadable flickers across his face. He gently pries your fingers from the fabric, his own hands lingering on yours a moment too long. His voice is low, almost a growl. “You don’t know what you’re doing to me, doll.”

The nickname makes your throat tighten, pulse jumping, skin prickling with awareness. You should step back, say something to break the magnetic pull between you, but the words stick in your throat. Instead, you lean in closer, closing the small distance between you. God, you wanted him so badly, and it was excruciating.

He inhales sharply, his hands settling on your shoulders, as if to steady you—or maybe himself. “Doll…” The word escapes him again, rough and raw, like he’s barely holding back. ��Say something—tell me to leave.” The command is more a plea, his voice thick with barely contained desperation, brows drawn tight in concern.

He watches you, his words hanging in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. You feel their weight pressing down, his warning wrapped within the plea. Your mind races, considering every reason to step back, every way this could complicate things.

“I—” You rake your hands up his torso, fingers dragging lightly against the fabric of his shirt. Snaking your arms around his neck, you pull him impossibly close, sharing the air between you. Neither of you speaks, neither of you moves. You feel his chest heaving against yours.

“Y/N…” he whispers, almost painfully. His hand, still warm on your arm, travels up to cradle your neck, thumb on your jaw as he tilts your head. His hooded eyes linger on your lips, and you unconsciously lick them. He sucks in a sharp breath.

The golden light streaming through the windows catches in his dark hair, turning the loose strands framing his face into threads of amber. Your hands slide up, fingertips brushing the back of his neck, where his shoulder-length hair falls free, some pieces tucked carelessly behind his ear. You let your fingers tangle in the soft strands, feeling them slip like silk between your fingers. You hesitate for only a second before you whisper, “I need to know I’m not the only one.”

For a heartbeat, he’s utterly still, his eyes searching yours, and then his hand tightens just slightly on your waist, with a tenderness that steals your breath. “You’re not,” he murmurs, nuzzling his nose against yours, his voice rough and honest. “Not even close.”

The moment his words register, your last thread of control snaps. You finally, finally meet his lips with all the desperation that’s been building for weeks. A rough sound escapes him, vibrating through your chest as his other hand finds your waist, pulling you flush against him. The kiss is devastating in its intensity—wild, demanding, and absolutely consuming, like you’re both trying to devour each other whole.

His lips press firmly against yours, the scrape of his stubble rough on your heated skin, and a pained whine escapes your mouth—whether from pain or need, neither of you can tell, but it spurs Bucky on. He deepens the kiss, his hands pressing you closer, tighter.

Your fingers, tangled in his hair, tug at the strands as you push yourself up on your toes, arching into him, your body ignited by his touch. A wave of need crashes through you, driven by every instinct you’ve been holding back, and you’re already pushing him back toward the sofa, your movements frenzied as his hands trace the curve of your waist, his fingers firm and possessive.

As you push him toward the sofa, a flicker of guilt pierces through the fog clouding your mind. It’s quick but sharp, cutting through the pull that’s been building for weeks. Everything’s moving too fast, crossing boundaries you haven’t even had time to define, and the uncertainty knots inside you. But your body refuses to listen, as though it recognizes him in a way your mind can’t fully grasp, holding you close.

You stumble back with him until his legs hit the edge of the sofa, and he sinks down, pulling you with him until you’re straddling his lap. His hands slide up to grip your hips, steadying you as you settle over him. The moment you feel his body beneath you, hard and solid, a fresh wave of heat surges through you, causing you to grind your hips against his slowly, testing the waters.

The guilt slips through the haze once more, cutting into your thoughts like a knife. You press your hands to his chest, fingers splaying over his muscles, and pull back enough to see concern flicker in his eyes.

“Buck,” you whisper, caught between confession and apology. “I wanted us to take our time…” Your hands drift lower, grazing just beneath his shirt’s hem, brushing over the coarse hair trailing downward. The warmth of his skin under your fingertips makes your breath hitch, and a shiver runs through you as you continue, voice softer, more vulnerable. “To let this mean something.”

Your fingers trace over the waistband of his pajama pants, then dip lightly between the open buttons, your touch featherlight, drawing a sharp intake of breath from him. His body jolts beneath you, jaw clenching in response. His hands flex on your hips, holding you steady, his gaze dark and hungry, struggling for restraint.

“I can’t… I can’t stop myself,” you murmur, voice thick with need. Yet, your hands betray any hesitation, moving slowly, steadily, opening each button, exposing his skin inch by inch, the heat radiating from him only spurring you on. The admission escapes your lips, almost a whimper. “I feel like I’m losing control.”

Bucky’s breath comes out ragged, his fingers pressing into your skin as he fights to stay steady beneath your touch. “Then lose it,” he murmurs, voice rough with desire, his thumb tracing slow circles over your hipbone, sending warmth through you. “Take control, baby.” His tone is a low, commanding murmur, yet open, a willing offering beneath you. “I’m here to give you exactly what you need… use me, all of me.”

“God, you’re unbelievable…” You laugh breathlessly, but with his words, all your anxieties dissolve, the tight knot inside loosening as he smirks and pulls you down for another heated kiss.

With his permission, something inside you snaps, all restraint dissolving as his hands guide your hips down onto his, pulling you in close. You both let out a guttural moan as you sink into his lap, the thin layers of fabric between you doing nothing to dull the intense pressure of his thick length pressing up against you. Heat radiates from him, his arousal straining beneath his pants, sending a dizzying surge of need through you, leaving you breathless.

With each roll of your hips, you’re consumed by him, the ache pulsing through your core, tethering you to the warmth of his body and the intoxicating pull of his scent. He presses against you, hard and unyielding, a promise of everything you crave, every inch of him driving you closer to surrender. A shiver runs down your spine, every nerve alive with anticipation; it’s too much, yet somehow not enough.

A low chuckle escapes him, his chest vibrating beneath your hands as he watches you grind on him, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. His hands wrap firmly around your hips, guiding your movements in a possessive grip that leaves no doubt he’s claiming you in every way. “Look at you,” he murmurs, voice dark and rich, gaze sweeping over every inch of you. “Such a needy little omega, strung out and desperate, aren’t you?” The words ripple through you, sparking heat that surges through your body, making your heart pound, filling you with a warmth that blurs your vision.

A soft whimper escapes your lips, each grind amplifying the tension clawing through your chest, and it’s overwhelming—almost too much. You’re losing yourself, each moan growing louder, desperate, until Bucky’s thumb presses over your lips, quieting you.

Bucky’s hand covers your mouth gently, a warning smirk tugging at his lips. “Keep it down, sweetheart,” he whispers, his tone edged with danger, but you can’t help the needy sound that slips past his hand, your body bucking in response. You pull back slightly, eyes wide, voice a breathless murmur as you ask, “Where is everyone?”

The gleam in his eyes darkens, and he grabs your jaw, pulling you close until his breath brushes your lips. “Forget them,” he growls, voice low and possessive, “Focus on me. Eyes on me, omega.” His grip tightens, his words sending a rush of warmth through you, making your hips grind harder, a needy whimper spilling out as he pulls you into a hungry, messy kiss. Teeth graze, tongues tangle, his control evident in the way his hand holds you in place, claiming every shiver, every gasp.

“Alpha… please…” you gasp, voice cracking as you press yourself harder against him, slick soaking through the fabric, feeling the thick, throbbing bulge of his knot beneath you. “Need you… need it so bad.” Your words spill out, desperation lacing every syllable, your body responding to his presence in a way that both thrills and terrifies you. The pressure, the heat, his intensity—it’s everything, almost too much, yet somehow not nearly enough.

“That’s right, sweetheart,” he growls, voice dark with possession as his hands slide up to grip your waist, fingers pressing with a force that makes your skin burn. “You’re mine, all mine… dripping for me just from grinding on me.” His words spark something wild and primal, your body moving without thought, surrendering to the rhythm, feeling yourself unravel beneath his gaze.

But as the tension mounts, something inside you starts to break. It’s overwhelming, an aching need so intense that your chest tightens, a gasp escaping as tears begin to blur your vision. It’s too much—the pressure, the pleasure, the helplessness of being so completely in his hands, needing him but unable to take it all just yet. A single tear slips down your cheek, and then another, and soon you’re trembling in his hold, soft, helpless sounds falling from you as you press closer, uncertain if it’s pain or pleasure overtaking you.

Bucky’s eyes narrow as he notices, his thumb brushing over your cheek, his gaze softening for a moment. “Look at you, all worked up,” he murmurs, voice low and rough, yet laced with something almost tender. “Can’t handle it, can you? My little omega, so sensitive.” His words make the ache worse, the tears coming faster as he leans in, pressing a possessive kiss against your lips, swallowing the soft, broken sounds you make.

“Shh… you’re okay, sweetheart,” he murmurs, voice dark and rich in your ear, a shiver coursing through you as his hand steadies you, grounding you in his hold. “Not yet, but soon. I’m going to give you everything,” he promises, his tone thick with possession as he presses you firmly to him. “Fill you, claim you, mark every inch of you until there’s nothing left but us, nothing left but me inside you.” His grip tightens, his words a dark promise, and your pulse quickens.

Slowly, Bucky shifts, guiding you back as he leans forward, tilting you until your neck is exposed. Your breath hitches, anticipation winding tight within you, thinking for a split second he’s going to mark you. But instead, he presses a hot, lingering kiss to your collarbone, his lips grazing down your skin as his hand holds you steady. Each soft kiss along your collar sends a thrill through you, his mouth tracing up to the nape of your neck, where he lets his teeth graze lightly, nipping just enough to make you shiver.

Then, with a low growl, he pulls you closer, thrusting hard against you as his teeth sink into your skin, just shy of a mark. The sharp bite sends you over the edge, your body trembling, every nerve igniting as you come undone in his arms, shaking as he holds you steady, his possessive touch grounding you through each wave of pleasure.

Your body quakes in his hold, tremors rolling through you as you cling to him, breathless, every pulse of pleasure leaving you weightless, completely taken. Bucky’s arms stay wrapped around you, grounding you, his lips brushing tenderly over the spot he just bit, his tongue soothing the faint sting as you gasp softly against him.

“There we go… that’s my girl,” he murmurs, his voice thick and velvety as he strokes your back, one hand pressing into the small of your spine, holding you close as your breaths slow. His eyes are dark, filled with satisfaction as he watches you, savoring the sight of you so vulnerable, so utterly his.

Your body settles against him, the intense high fading into a soft, hazy warmth. Almost instinctively, you continue to move your hips in slow, gentle circles, soft whimpers escaping as you melt into his shoulder, eyelids growing heavy, drifting somewhere between bliss and sleep.

His hand strokes up your spine, grounding you with each possessive touch. “You feel that?” he whispers, his mouth brushing your ear, his words sending another shiver through you. “This is just the beginning, sweetheart. You’re mine, and I’m far from done with you.”

A small, needy sound slips from your lips as your hips press against him, despite the exhaustion pulling at you. He smirks, fingers tracing slow, possessive patterns along your waist. “Good girl,” he murmurs, his voice a low, satisfied growl. His hand grazes your hip, drawing gentle circles. “But I want more. Think you can handle that?”

You manage a nod, a sleepy, eager response, melting further into him as your eyelids flutter shut. Just as you’re drifting toward sleep, he chuckles softly, pressing a warm kiss to the top of your head. “First, let’s get some rest, sweetheart,” he whispers, voice a gentle command as he lifts you effortlessly, cradling you against his chest.

The golden hour light that once bathed the room has deepened into the cool, quiet blue of night, shadows settling around you as he carries you to the bed. The ache in your body has softened, replaced by a warmth, a certainty that relaxes you in his hold, knowing you’re exactly where you belong.

As he lowers you onto the sheets, your fingers instinctively curl into his shirt, needing to keep him close even in your drowsy haze. His hand brushes tenderly over your cheek, the glint in his gaze a promise that makes your heart race yet leaves you calm, knowing he’s yours, that you’re meant to be right here in his arms. The last thing you feel is the weight of his touch grounding you, a promise of what’s to come as sleep finally pulls you under.

---

a/n: all i feel is frustration

[wandering-winchesters]

First Moments: Kiss

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader Summary: The first time Dean Winchester kisses you Word count: 861 A/N: I am debating on making this a series, covering different "Firsts" with Dean.. Any interest in that? Let me know!

The first time Dean Winchester kisses you, it happens in the least romantic place imaginable—an old gas station parking lot on the outskirts of nowhere. The sun is setting, casting an amber glow over the cracked asphalt and the Impala parked nearby, her paint gleaming like polished obsidian. The faint smell of gasoline mingles with the crisp scent of impending rain, a storm brewing in the distance.

It wasn’t planned. Nothing about Dean ever feels planned, really. He’s a mess of contradictions—cocky and self-assured one minute, guarded and vulnerable the next. You’ve been riding shotgun with him for weeks now, chasing down leads, salt-and-burning restless spirits, and fighting things most people wouldn’t dare to believe existed. Somewhere along the way, you became more than just hunting partners. You don’t know what to call it yet, but there’s a connection between you, an unspoken pull that you’ve both been too stubborn—or scared—to acknowledge.

Until now.

It starts with an argument. Of course it does. Dean has this way of pushing your buttons, and tonight he’s doing it with the precision of a master.

“You can’t just run in there without a plan!” you snap, your arms crossed over your chest.

“And what was your plan, huh?” he shoots back, his voice rising. “To stand around and wait until the ghost decides to play nice? That’s not how this works.”

“It’s called strategy, Dean. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of going full kamikaze every damn hunt!”

He scoffs, dragging a hand down his face in frustration. “You know what your problem is? You think too much. Sometimes you just gotta act.”

“And you think too little!” you retort, your eyes narrowing. “One of these days, your impulsiveness is going to get you killed.”

The words hang in the air, sharper than you intended, and for a moment, Dean just stares at you. His jaw tightens, and there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—hurt, maybe, or regret—but it’s gone before you can be sure.

“Fine,” he says, his voice quieter now. “If you’ve got it all figured out, why the hell do you even need me?”

It’s not the first time you’ve fought, but there’s something different about this one. The air between you feels charged, like the storm rolling in above. You don’t answer right away, and Dean takes a step closer, his boots crunching against the gravel.

“Why, huh?” he presses, his tone softer but no less intense. “Why do you keep sticking around if I’m such a screw-up?”

Your heart pounds against your ribs, a wild, erratic rhythm that matches the storm clouds overhead. You open your mouth to respond, but the words catch in your throat. Because it’s not that simple. Because you don’t stick around in spite of his flaws—you stick around because of them. Because Dean Winchester, for all his faults, is the kind of person who will throw himself in harm’s way without a second thought to save someone else. Because he’s loyal to a fault, fiercely protective, and has a smile that could light up the darkest corners of the world, even when he doesn’t believe it himself.

“Dean…” you start, but his name barely makes it past your lips before he moves.

It’s not hesitant or tentative—it’s sudden, like he’s been holding himself back for too long and finally snapped. His hands cup your face, rough and calloused but somehow gentle, and then his lips are on yours.

The kiss is everything you didn’t know you needed. It’s not perfect—Dean’s lips are a little chapped, and the angle is slightly awkward at first—but it’s real. There’s an urgency to it, a raw, unfiltered emotion that leaves you breathless. His hands are warm against your skin, grounding you even as the world seems to tilt on its axis.

You don’t know who moves first, but suddenly your hands are fisting in his jacket, pulling him closer as if the space between you is unbearable. He responds in kind, deepening the kiss with a low, almost involuntary sound that sends a shiver down your spine. It’s like the dam you’ve both been holding back has finally burst, and there’s no going back now.

When you finally break apart, you’re both breathing hard, your foreheads pressed together. The storm is closer now, the first drops of rain starting to fall, but neither of you seems to notice.

“Wow,” you murmur, your voice barely above a whisper.

Dean chuckles, a low, self-deprecating sound. “Yeah, uh… sorry about that. I probably should’ve—”

“Don’t,” you interrupt, your fingers still gripping his jacket. “Don’t apologize.”

His eyes meet yours, and for once, there’s no wall, no mask, no bravado. Just Dean.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” he admits, his voice soft and almost vulnerable.

You smile, your heart swelling in your chest. “Took you long enough.”

He laughs, the sound warm and genuine, and the tension between you finally seems to ease. The rain starts to pick up, but neither of you moves. For once, the hunt can wait. For once, the only thing that matters is this moment—messy, imperfect, and absolutely perfect all at once.

Tag List: @roseblue373 @hobby27 @jc-winchester @whump-loverz @pizzagirlxnsfwx @king-of-milf-lovers @jollyhunter

[yandere-sins]

Ivy I came up with some theories due to platonic yan König, romantic yan Ghost, and KorTac op reader our writing, you know. Can we play a game where you check if it's true or false 👀

• Ghost definitely eyefucks his darling a lot because in the fic it's mentioned that he stares with lust, and I feel like it always gets stronger everytime due to him not being able to indulge in his darling yet! Because of his duties and ofc, König, and his darling not being from the UK military.

• You said that darling is given a lot of tasks to ISOLATE her from the others, my possible theory is that König trains her more too; to isolate and to make sure that she survives in the worst-case scenario where he can't be with her. Perhaps that is why in the fic Ghost mentioned about his lovie's eye bags.

• No soldier of Kortac has thought of König's relationship with darling being romantic, even if some might do so at first they look at the looooong list of tasks and how darling's uniform always looks neat before and after leaving König's room so there's definitely nothing romantic going on. Probably seen as overworked.

• You wrote that König invades every mission his darling his in. So König's way of being a platonic yandere is by taking advantage of his rank and power over the ones in charge of administration and deployment. Even if there are people of higher rank than König, he's talented so technically they have to keep him happy too 😭

• Also there are times when König absolutely cannot get stationed in the same place with his darling; perhaps the reason for those rare events is that there is another soldier who is more compatible in darling in battle OR, the mission requires non-gigantic soldiers 💀

• My other guess is that when König tells someone to fetch darling, it's usually lower ranking soldiers or those familiar with him. Like those from the KSK, younger soldiers, or newbies. Why? Most KorTac operators are very outspoken and direct, will definitely voice their disapproval.

Sooo true or false-

Took me a while to reply, but lets do this!!

»»———————————— ♡ ————————————««

❥ True, Ghost definitely stares a lot! His eyes are the only thing visible of his face, so when he looks at you, it feels much more intense than anything else! He also has the habit of looking after you whenever he has the brief mercy of chatting with you, and you can feel his stare even long after turning corners and leaving the building, that's how incisive it is. But really, he merely studies every single movments of yours, the swaying of your hips and cocking of your head. You have no idea what talking to you or even just smelling your shampoo does to him. The man needs as much inspiration as possible if he wants to imagine that his hand resembles you when he's overcome with need. It's not enough that he knows exactly how you look when you yawn. Ghost always needs new materials for the times he can't have you, but he needs you. So he stalks and watches you, undressing you and cutting you open with his eyes, hoping to be the only one that gets to see you even in your vulnerable moments.

❥ True! At least, Darling gets a lot of special treatment. So much so, it's uncomfortable. Do you know how many people get to fight the Colonel? Well, not that anyone wants to, but it's one person: you. Of course, he still makes sure everyone gets the training they need and should have, dutiful as he is. But you? Your training schedule is so packed and messed up, sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. Your day starts at the same time as König's, and you have to take the same runs and stretches he does. You eat breakfast with him, and after some office work, he picks you up to train your body. Is it his training plan or is it yours? Who knows. But it's not like you can ever defeat him either, König training himself to evade you at the same time while he makes sure you know how to fuck other soldiers up that come too close to you. It's a win-win, although it makes you a social outcast since he clearly favors you.

❥ Half-true, because even those who think you are trying to get with the Colonel, know you are unsuccessful in that. It's obvious that König's behavior towards you makes others uncomfortable. Because either 1. You are his overworked, underpaid, pushover assistant and have no backbone. 2. You really want to get with him, so you do everything König says and spend all your time in service. 3. He wants something from you, but you keep brushing him off, so he makes you do all the extra dirty work as punishment. However, as you said, they have never seen you two actually being suspicious around each other, although you seem to be a bit less composed and more nervous when he's close, which really could be because of any of the reasons above. So while the theories go wild, rumors spread, and a lot of the others don't want to get too close to either of you two and risk their job, at least no one knows how inappropriate your relationship with König actually is.

❥ True. As odd as he is, he can be surprisingly convincing when he puts his mind on taking over a mission. Superiors are surprised, but by all means, König has proven himself capable, and if he takes some work off their hands, why would they complain? You rarely get to decide which squad you are assigned since most of the time, it's the one that König needs to go with, not the one best suited for you. By now, no one is surprised to see you. And if they are surprised, then because they didn't know the Colonel was going to join! At least that means you get to take unscheduled breaks since König is looking out for you, but it also feels like going on a school trip with your mom.

❥ True, even though it's rare! Letting you go on a mission alone is more than just a risk—it's thousands of them. If you absolutely must and the orders are absolute and unshakeable, then you can bet your cute ass that König is in the commando central of the mission, telling you how well you are doing and to watch out constantly like a nagging mother hen. Don't you dare get along with your fellow soldiers too much. You learned the hard way just how easy it is to transfer or kick them out. And also hearing König huff into your ear angrily because you said thank you to someone refilling you water, is so damn embarassing, you almost don't want to go on missions alone anymore. Maybe you should start thinking about quitting since you just can't win!

❥ True, and it has a very simple reason you haven't mentioned yet: these young soldiers are eager to please. You rarely get to see how manipulative König can be since he's pretty upfront with you while in the workplace. But with his somewhat cold and unapproachable reputation, imagine how good these rookies feel when they get his recognition. How much a shoulder pat or a "good work" does to them. And fetching you really isn't a hard job! Not when the Colonel gives them a thumbs-up when they see each other in the cafeteria afterwards. Older, more experienced members would laugh in their Colonel's face with such a request, only taking real orders. Also, this minor work is just way below their pay grade. It's a fact that they simply don't fear him and have no personal connection to him. They'll still tell you that he wants to see you if they pass you by on accident, but they wouldn't beg and plead with you to go with them, unlike the newer soldiers. You wouldn't want such a young light to be transfered to somewhere much shittier just because of your insubordination, right?

Hope that answers your questions! ♥

[sallowsire]

Megumi Fushiguro x Y/N

Dual POV Enemies to Lovers

PART 1

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Megumi’s POV]

They clashed in the way wildfire clashes with a winter storm—opposite forces born from different elements, neither willing to yield.

Megumi wasn’t sure when it started. The irritation. The tension in his jaw every time she walked into a room. The low burn of frustration that crept in whenever her voice got too loud, or when she charged headfirst into another cursed spirit without a damn plan.

She was chaos.

And Megumi hated chaos.

He remembered the first day she arrived at Jujutsu High—shoulders back, smile bright, energy coiled like a spring. She wasn’t nervous, like most newcomers were. She didn’t tiptoe around the others, didn’t hesitate before speaking. She had walked in like she belonged.

That, more than anything, had thrown him off.

She’d settled in quickly. Too quickly. Within days she was laughing with Yuji like they were lifelong friends. Sparring with Nobara like she was a regular. Winning over Gojo with that same bold, infuriating grin. It was like the space she occupied had always been waiting for her—and she knew it.

Megumi didn’t adapt like that. He never had. He carried the weight of expectations, of past sins, of the Satoru Gojo-sized shadow he never asked to be born under. Fitting in hadn’t been easy. It still wasn’t.

But she? She didn’t fit in. She changed the shape of the room until it wrapped around her.

At first, he told himself it didn’t matter. That she could do whatever she wanted so long as she didn’t get in his way. But then came the missions—paired together once, then again. And again. And every time, she did something that made his blood pressure spike.

No strategy. No hesitation. Just instinct.

He remembered one mission too clearly. A cursed spirit was wreaking havoc in a train station, civilians screaming, chaos bleeding into the air. Megumi had paused just long enough to count the exits, gauge the threat, plan how to contain the spirit and keep collateral damage minimal.

Y/N didn’t wait.

She’d already moved—fast, decisive, messy. It was reckless. Stupid.

But it worked.

To Megumi, Y/N represented everything that made his blood boil. She was unpredictable, impulsive, and reckless in the way she hurled herself into danger without a second thought. She didn’t think about consequences—only results. While Megumi believed in order—strategy, structure, control—Y/N functioned on gut instinct and raw power. She broke rules. Bent protocols. Took risks like they were currency. And somehow, everyone admired her for it.

That was the problem. She didn’t fail. She succeeded—brilliantly, explosively, without permission.

She was good at what she did.

And Megumi hated that even more.

But what grated at him the most wasn’t her recklessness, or even the way she tore through his carefully crafted plans like paper. It was her kindness. That absurd, infuriating kindness that she wore like armor. She trusted people too easily. Spoke to everyone like they deserved a second chance. Gave out forgiveness like she had an endless supply.

Megumi didn’t understand that kind of softness—couldn’t. He’d learned long ago that kindness could be a weakness, that caring too much could get people killed. That hope was dangerous.

But she made it look noble. Powerful, even. Like it wasn’t naive to believe in people. Like vulnerability was something to be proud of.

And that made him angry.

Because he could never allow himself to be like that.

He couldn’t afford to be kind.

And yet, despite all the things he hated, she lingered.

She was in his thoughts more than she had any right to be. He told himself it was because she was a liability. Because someone had to think through the plans she didn’t bother to make. Because someone had to clean up after her impulsiveness.

But he watched her.

Even when he didn’t want to. Even when he told himself to look away. In battle, in briefings, even during lunch breaks when she threw her head back and laughed like nothing in the world could touch her—he noticed.

He noticed too much.

The sharp gleam in her eyes when she was focused. The way her fingers flexed before a fight. The faint scar near her collarbone she never explained. The way her smile faltered, just slightly, when she thought no one was looking.

It was infuriating. The more he tried to keep her at arm’s length, the more she seeped into the cracks of his mind like smoke.

She unsettled him.

He was used to silence. To control. To solitude that didn’t ache.

But she made the quiet feel loud.

And he didn’t know what to do with that. ______________________________________________________________

[Y/N’s POV]

From the moment she met him, Y/N knew Megumi Fushiguro didn’t seem to like her.

He didn’t like most people, but there was a special kind of disdain reserved just for her. The way he looked at her—like she was noise. A distraction. An unpredictable variable in the structured life he clung to like a lifeline.

She hated that look.

That cool, detached gaze. Like she was some puzzle he didn’t have the patience to solve. Like everything about her—the way she spoke, the way she fought, the way she felt things—was a nuisance to be tolerated, not a person to be understood.

He was cold. Distant. Always measured, always guarded. He spoke like he had something to prove but didn’t care if anyone listened. Every movement, every word, every exhale felt rehearsed. Controlled. Perfectly inoffensive. It wasn’t shyness—it was deflection. A wall built too high and too thick for anyone to scale.

And he reminded her, painfully, of the kind of people she had been running from her whole life.

The teachers who told her to lower her voice. The relatives who called her “too much.” The instructors who praised restraint and labeled her instincts as disobedience. People who believed emotions were meant to be caged. That fire should be snuffed out before it spread.

Megumi was that mindset in human form.

He was everything she had learned to push back against.

Where she leapt, he hesitated. Where she cracked jokes to ease the tension, he tensed further. She trusted her instincts in battle, let her emotions sharpen her focus. He calculated everything like he was terrified of making the wrong move. He fought like he had something to protect and everything to lose.

And yet, despite their differences—or maybe because of them—he got under her skin.

She told herself it was just irritation. Just the way he acted like he was above it all. Just the way he dismissed her input during missions or rolled his eyes when she laughed at something stupid Yuji said. He barely spoke to her unless he had to, and when he did, it was clipped and cold and always followed by some tightly veiled insult masquerading as logic.

But still.

She noticed him.

Even when she didn’t want to. Especially when she didn’t want to.

The silence around him was loud. She could feel it pressing at the edge of every room they shared. Not empty—but brimming. With thoughts he wouldn’t say. Feelings he wouldn’t show. She found herself watching him during training sessions, waiting to see if he’d slip—if the mask would crack just a little.

It never did.

But sometimes, she swore she caught him watching her too. Just for a second. A flicker of something in those cool eyes before he looked away like nothing had happened.

And that pissed her off more than anything.

Because she didn’t want to care what Megumi Fushiguro thought of her. She didn’t want to notice the way his jaw tensed when she got too close, or the way his hand hovered over his shadow technique like he was bracing for something she hadn’t even said yet. She didn’t want to lie awake after missions, replaying the way he had snapped at her for being reckless, only to silently back her up moments later when things turned ugly.

She didn’t want to think about him.

But she did.

Too much.

And that was the worst part of all. ______________________________________________________________

[Megumi’s POV]

The missions didn’t stop—at first.

In the beginning, they tolerated each other. Barely. They’d finish the job, part ways, and pretend it never happened. But with every assignment, every clash in strategy, every snide comment disguised as a tactical observation, something in Megumi’s patience began to crack.

She wouldn’t listen. She acted on impulse, never waiting for backup, never thinking through the risk. And when he pointed it out—when he tried to correct her—she’d snap back like he was the problem. Like logic was the enemy.

And maybe, Megumi thought bitterly, to someone like her, it was.

But still—he watched her during those missions. Closely. At first, it was to anticipate her next reckless move, to cover for her when she strayed too far, or stepped into danger without backup. That’s what he told himself.

But it became something else.

It was the way her expression shifted when things got serious—the way the lightness in her voice disappeared the moment lives were on the line. The way her body moved through a fight with instinct, yes, but also precision, raw and honest in a way Megumi had never allowed himself to be. She was unpredictable, but she wasn’t careless. And that realization gnawed at him.

Once, she’d taken a blow that was meant for a civilian. She shrugged it off like it was nothing, but he’d seen the bruises later, blooming under her collar like violent violets. He hadn’t said anything, but it haunted him long after the mission ended. Long after she walked away with that damn grin that didn’t reach her eyes.

Eventually, he started turning down missions with her name attached. Quietly, at first. A polite, “I think Nobara would be better suited for this one.” Or a simple, “Send Yuji instead.” Gojo never questioned it—if anything, he found it amusing.

And Y/N? She didn’t protest. She just stopped showing up on shared briefings altogether.

It should’ve helped. Should’ve calmed that low burn of irritation in his chest.

But it didn’t.

Because the silence between them only grew heavier. And Yuji noticed.

He started organizing casual outings—training field lunches, movie nights, team sparring rotations that just so happened to place Megumi and Y/N on the same side. Megumi saw through it immediately. Yuji was as subtle as a falling brick. But he showed up with that hopeful smile and stubborn optimism, and Megumi—reluctantly—let it slide.

Y/N didn’t make it easy.

She tried to be civil. For Yuji’s sake. Forced smiles, short conversations, polite nods. It almost worked the first time.

Then she said something flippant. He corrected her—automatically, defensively. She rolled her eyes, called him uptight. He snapped. Again.

The argument was short, quiet, but vicious. And it happened again. And again.

It became routine—Yuji trying, Y/N pretending, Megumi reacting.

And every single time, he left more unsettled than before.

It wasn’t just frustration. That’s what disturbed him. He didn’t understand why her words stuck with him. Why he kept replaying the way her voice rose when she was angry, the way her expression shifted when he said something that landed too close to the heart. He didn’t understand why he cared so much.

Why it mattered whether she rolled her eyes at him or looked genuinely disappointed. Why it got under his skin when she brushed him off like he didn’t matter. Why, despite how much he hated their arguments… a part of him looked for her when he entered a room.

Maybe he just wanted the last word. Maybe he just wanted her to see he was right.

But maybe… it wasn’t about being right anymore.

She lingered.

Even when she was gone, she lingered—in his thoughts, in the tension in his shoulders, in the silence he used to value but now felt unbearably loud.

And the worst part?

He couldn’t tell if he wanted her to stop looking at him like he was the enemy…

…or if he wanted her to keep looking at him, just so he didn’t disappear altogether. ______________________________________________________________

[Y/N’s POV]

At first, they still did missions together.

Barely. Begrudgingly.

They’d go in, do what needed to be done, and then part ways like strangers who happened to fight in the same war. No post-mission debriefs. No high fives. No acknowledgment. And she was fine with that.

Until she wasn’t.

Because somewhere along the line, the silence stopped feeling like peace and started feeling like punishment.

The more they worked together, the more it cracked at her. He corrected her constantly—always calm, always cold, as if every choice she made was another item on a list of reasons he thought she was a problem. As if her instinct was a flaw. As if she was a flaw.

And god, he made it so easy to snap at him.

The way he spoke, like every word cost him. The way he watched her during battles—not with trust, but with suspicion, like she was a ticking bomb waiting to explode in his carefully calculated plans. Every time he opened his mouth, it was like he was holding back something worse.

It made her feel like she was wrong just for existing.

So she pushed back. Harder than she needed to. Bit back with sarcasm, with sharp-edged words she pretended didn’t sting her too. And when the assignments started rolling in, pairing her with Yuji or Nobara instead, she didn’t ask why.

She already knew.

Megumi had started avoiding her.

And fine. Whatever. Let him hide in his fortress of judgment and superiority. She didn’t need him. Didn’t need his approval or his passive-aggressive little stares or his “this could’ve gone smoother if you had just—” bullshit.

But then Yuji got involved.

Of course he did.

Sweet, hopeful, painfully obvious Yuji, who showed up at her door with snacks and that “we’re-all-a-team” speech like she hadn’t heard it a hundred times already. He never said it outright, but it was always the same pattern. “Just a quick spar with everyone.” “Let’s all go out for lunch after training.” “Hey, we should do a movie night—Megumi might come, too.”

Might. As if he wasn’t the reason for the invite in the first place.

Y/N wasn’t dumb. She saw it for what it was.

But she said yes anyway.

For Yuji.

And every time, she promised herself she’d keep it civil. Just a hello. Just small talk. Just be cordial, for once.

And every time, it fell apart.

Because Megumi couldn’t help himself. And maybe she couldn’t either.

It always started small. A question, a comment, a look that lasted a second too long. Then something in her voice would rise, something in his jaw would clench, and suddenly they were arguing again—low and sharp, like they were trying not to make a scene but failing miserably.

And it wasn’t just what he said.

It was how it felt.

Like every word they threw at each other wasn’t about the mission or the training exercise or whatever excuse Yuji had crafted that week—but about something else. Something neither of them had the guts to name.

It frustrated her.

Because she couldn’t understand why it mattered. Why he mattered. Why his opinions were the ones that stuck with her at night, repeating like static. Why she caught herself glancing over during sparring sessions just to see if he was watching. And if he wasn’t—why that left an ache in her chest that felt like disappointment.

He was cold, unreadable, always ten paces away emotionally. And yet—

He made her feel like she was on fire. Like every conversation was a battle she had to win, even when she didn’t know what she was fighting for.

And when they weren’t speaking—when he wasn’t looking at her at all—that was somehow worse.

She told herself she hated him.

But hate was supposed to be clean. Sharp. It wasn’t supposed to be confusing. It wasn’t supposed to come with this flutter in her chest every time he said her name. It wasn’t supposed to feel like she was waiting for him to see her. Really see her.

And she hated that more than anything.

Because if he did?

She didn’t know what she’d do with that kind of attention. ______________________________________________________________

Yuji Itadori had never claimed to be the smartest in the room.

He wasn’t the most strategic, or the most experienced. But when it came to people—when it came to reading the emotional undercurrent of a room—he was sharper than most gave him credit for.

Which is why, one late evening in the Jujutsu High faculty lounge, he found himself pacing in front of Gojo Satoru with that mix of desperation and dramatic flair only Yuji could manage.

“They’re going to kill each other,” he said, half-joking, but the concern in his voice was very real. “Or worse—they’re gonna kill the vibe.”

Gojo blinked over his sunglasses, sipping casually from a can of sparkling melon soda. “And we can’t have that, now can we?”

“I’m serious!” Yuji stopped pacing and flopped down across from him, arms crossed. “It’s getting bad. I can’t even hang out with both of them at the same time anymore without it turning into World War Three.”

Gojo hummed. “Exaggeration. More like a passive-aggressive snowball fight. With knives.”

Yuji groaned. “That’s not better!”

He’d tried everything. Group dinners. Joint training sessions. Partner work during sparring. Even movie nights, hoping maybe a little popcorn and action sequences could bridge the gap between Megumi’s brooding and Y/N’s barely-contained rage.

Nothing had worked.

“They hate each other,” Yuji muttered, raking a hand through his hair. “And it didn’t even start over anything real. It’s not rivalry, and it’s not about grades or strength or any of that stupid crap. They’re just... completely different.”

Gojo smiled faintly, a glimmer of something thoughtful in his expression. “Opposites.”

Yuji narrowed his eyes. “You’ve noticed too, huh?”

“Oh, I noticed long before you did.” Gojo leaned back lazily in his chair, resting his ankles on the table like he didn’t have a care in the world. “It’s hard to miss when Megumi looks like he’s trying not to set the room on fire with his mind every time Y/N breathes.”

Yuji hesitated, then said cautiously, “...But he doesn’t actually hate her, right?”

Gojo didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took another sip of soda, thinking.

No, Megumi didn’t hate her. Not really. Gojo had been watching the two of them for months now, and while the bickering was constant, it was never thoughtless. There was heat to it—energy. Megumi paid attention to her, far more than he did with others. And Y/N?

She fought with him like she was trying to get under his skin, but only because it mattered when she did.

They didn’t ignore each other. They couldn’t.

Gojo had seen true dislike before—quiet, dismissive, detached. What Megumi and Y/N had was... different. Messy. Raw. Alive.

And somewhere in that mess was the kind of potential Gojo couldn’t resist poking at.

Yuji, still waiting for a response, frowned. “Gojo-sensei?”

Gojo set the can down and folded his hands together, suddenly a little too pleased with himself. “You know, I have been thinking...”

Yuji leaned forward warily. “Oh no.”

Gojo grinned, the same grin he wore right before suggesting something absolutely unhinged. “Maybe we stop trying to separate them... and instead give them something they can’t run from.”

Yuji blinked. “Like what?”

“A mission.” His tone was too casual. “A real one. High stakes. High tension. Just the two of them.”

Yuji sat bolt upright. “You want them to kill each other?”

Gojo laughed. “I want them to work through their issues in a... let’s say, character-building environment.”

“That's not character-building, that’s emotional warfare.”

Gojo waved a hand, completely undeterred. “Look, if they really can’t work together, they’ll learn that the hard way. But if they can?” He smirked, eyes glinting beneath his blindfold. “Well, then we’ll see what happens when that tension finally snaps.”

Yuji didn’t like the sound of that. Not one bit. “This is going to blow up in our faces.”

“Exactly,” Gojo said cheerfully, already pulling out his phone to draft the mission details. “Which is why it’ll be fun.”

[tf2occontest]

The Mecha VS Cherry - Scout

(Full matchup list here)

Alright team, here's a recap: This is a contest to determine who amongst you will take the top of the leaderboards and be hired at TFI! Simply put, whoever gets the most votes gets to move on, and whoever doesn't... Well. They'll be put down swiftly and cleanly. :}

So, mann your stations, because here are your next contestants! Vote for your favorite mercenary who you want to win the TF2 OC Contest! - P

OC INFO UNDER THE CUT!

We highly encourage you to take a peek to make your decision!

The Mecha

@clovert3a

Image credit: @/clovert3a

Meet The Mecha!

Born around Osaka, Japan, the Mecha is the not-so-typical nerdy girl with her gigantic robots and mech suits and a reserved personality. When you need a tank to absorb bullets and protect a team, she is one of your best bets. With her 20-foot mech suit, her shield, and machine gun, she can become quite a threat to the enemy team. She is best used to lead a charge and absorb potential damage for her teammates, with her mech’s HP being 400 (overheal being 550).

Mecha’s main weakness is (like Heavy’s) her lack of speed. Because of her large mech size, she is unable to run off quickly from danger (especially when firing her machine gun or spreading her shield). But! When she uses her ability, Auto-Pilot, this isn’t an issue anymore.

Auto-Pilot is Mecha’s ultimate ability and must be charged up by the amount of damage she shields from her teammates. Auto-Pilot is when Mecha puts her mech on “auto-pilot” and jumps out of her mech to fight in the battle on her own. She isn’t fully vulnerable though, as her speed is only slightly lower than the Scout’s (120%) and she has her trusty Tachi sword which can do a lot of damage in the right circumstance.

Mecha’s typical primary weapon is her machine gun (while in mech), out of mech her primary weapon is a Glock 17 (full-sized handgun). Mecha’s typical secondary weapon is an AR-15 (in mech and out of mech). Her typical melee weapon is either her Tachi sword or her Katana.

Mecha was born in Osaka, Japan. The exact location is unknown, even to Mecha herself. She has lived only with her single father, and Mecha has been told that her mother passed away from childbirth and her father doesn’t like talking much about it, so that’s all she knows. She was raised with the intention that one day she’d become a mercenary. And that is what happened. She started doing mercenary work alongside her father at the young age of 13. She would use her high intellect and passion for robotics and machinery to aid her in battle. Things she’d create such as new and “improved” weapons she had stolen from her dad, drones, etc.

After years of her mercenary work she one day, at the age of 16, presented her first ever mech suit to a robotics fair in Tokyo and was asked to move to Australia and learn more about robotics and engineering there. She took the offer and stayed in school for 3 years. After 3 years of schooling, she surprised her dad one day by visiting him and telling him how she’d continue mercenary work with his help.

Now her father after a few years of working with him, wants Mecha to go off on her own without him. Hence why she's now applying to work at the RED team!

Cherry - Scout

@reptil-enjoyer

Image credit: @/reptil-enjoyer and Rory-exe

Being made as a literal personification of a class role is a difficult thing to manage by, so why not try out your abilities in a tournament? He was made to kill afterall! and he doesnt lose anything if he loses, he can respawn!

Currently he lives making videoblogs to try and get to know what he actually likes at all, living with a group of other freaks like him, he's supposed to be a scout, a mercenary, he tries to not feel alienated from not knowing anything about being an actual human person like everyone else

[the-aleator]

endeavour musings vi

featuring: quartet s5e5, Bright + Thursday I just want to highlight this scene:

BRIGHT: I don't want to have to raise my voice in front of the men, but this station is currently under review. THURSDAY: They wouldn't simply shut Cowley down, though, would they, sir? BRIGHT: Results, Thursday. Results. We shall live or die by our achievements… or the lack of them. THURSDAY: To be honest, sir… ..I'm not sure I've got the miles left in me to start over at a new nick. Particularly if it meant a new guv'nor.

It actually doesn't need any highlighting, because Lesser + Allam convey a lifetime's life in less than 2 minutes. Everything about this scene is gorgeous: Bright's confidence in Thursday about the review (as compared "to the men"), Thursday's honesty and doubt about the political machinations of upper management, Bright's honesty and doubt in return ("or lack of them"), and then Thursday doubles down on that honesty with a straightforward, not sentimental loyalty.

I love that Bright's cynicism here about "results," as the gauge of a successful review, and how that contrasts with the emotional onus of the rest of their conversation: the men, the station, governors (people vs systematic measurements) I love the earthiness of Thursday's metaphor ("got the miles") as if he were a beast of burden, and the vulnerability when he says a "new guv'nor." Thursday intimates to Morse that it doesn't matter who the man in charge is, but that isn't really true: where Box tempts Thursday further down the path of self destruction, Bright only ever calls him back. They've seen each other through a lot already, and there's more to come! Compare it to when Thursday mentions putting in his papers to Morse: it's because he's "too set in his ways" and he won't do "cloak and dagger" coppering. It's the spirit of the same thing he says to Bright, but Thursday can't or won't be vulnerable to Morse in the same way -- Morse is too young to understand (as Bright will), that Thursday's tired of this life.

And also worried that all of this has meant nothing. The whole exchange between Bright and Thursday is roiled underneath by that worry, by both men, that their life's work is being thrown on the scrape heap, and that it was worthless.

I love that the show acknowledges that even though Bright is older than Thursday, Thursday has a lot more mileage. The toll of being a copper has fallen on them unevenly, mostly because of class but also personality. And Bright cares about that, and him. They value each other regardless. It fits into the enlisted man-officer dynamic and surmounts it.

The layers on layers here is stunning: the two steaming cups of tea, the comfortable English ritual, punctuating the vulnerability of the confidences between them.

(Strange calls their meetings "Morning Prayers," at one point and I love that description and its connotations to bits.)

Final note: Bright's friendship for Thursday is the parallel of Max's for Morse. Neither has the all-or-nothing character of the friendship between Thursday & Morse, which at times is pointlessly self-sacrificial to destruction's sake, but it is lovely and beautiful and bright (yes) all the same.

Cf: Coda, Prey

[glamorizethechaos]

Sweet Surrender - Part 2

part one: trouble

Summary: A patient in the ER brings back difficult memories for Claire.

Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch & Original Female Character

Warnings: mention of sexual assault, fluff, (eventual) smut, alcohol, anxiety & ptsd

Vulnerable

Claire tossed and turned all night, the excitement and sorrows of her first ER shift playing over and over in her head. Just as she dozed off, her alarm went off. When she walked into ER that morning the air was heavy. Dana, the charge nurse swiftly pulled her aside. 

"This is the anniversary of Dr. Adamsons death, Dr Robby might be a little on edge, just dont take anything personal, okay?" Claire swiftly nodded, Who was Dr Adamson? she thought to herself. She walked up to the nurses station and greeted Dr. Robby and he only raised his head slightly and looked back down at his computer. She nodded awkardly and grabbed her first chart.

It was a woman who was dying with cancer, and her husband had been waiting all night to hear about her end of life care. Another busy night left him waiting next to his poor wife. Claire knocked on the door softly and walked in, a few minutes later Dr. Robby followed to observe and answer any other questions Claire may not have the answered to. He watched as she sat next to the man and spoke in a soft, caring tone.  "Mr. Reynolds, it may be worth considering putting her on hospice at home. She has denied all further treatment. She can be comfortable at home where she is familiar. I can have our hospital social worker come meet with you and discuss all your options." she whispered. Her demeanor was calm and by the look in her eyes you could tell she really cared. When she turned she didn't expect to see Dr. Robby standing in the corner, she hadn't heard him come in. She walked to the nursing station to ask where Kiara the social worker was. 

"Who'd you learn your bedside manner from?" Dr Robby asked. She turned, another chart already in her hands, eager to tackle on another patient. 

"Huh?" she furrowed her brow. 

"Where’d you learn to deal with patients like that? You act like you've been doing it for years."

"I wasn't taught." She just did what she felt was right. She was always good with people. She didn't go into medicine for the money, she went into medicine to help others, as cliche as that sounded. She didn't want her patients to feel like a file. Sure the medical aspect was fascinating to her, it gave her a thrill, but her favorite part was the patient interaction. Helping patients through their most difficult and vulnerable times. 

"Just be careful? Okay?" he said. She knew what he meant by that. He didn't want her getting to emotionally involved with patients, or she wouldn't survive as a doctor. 

"It'll probably come back to bite me in the ass, but for now I think I'll stick to the compassion." she felt him staring at her, almost looking through her, and she began to blush. He finally snapped out of his daze when EMT's bring in a young girl. 

"Some people found her in the park, seems to have been assaulted. She wont say anything to us. We found her purse at the scene, name is Jessie Monroe." Claire stomach dropped as the EMTs rolled her into the room. Robby watched as the color drained from Claire's face. He looked at her and furrowed his brow, silently asking if she was okay. She nodded and helped the girl into the hospital bed. 

"Hi Jessie, my name is Dr. Hawthorne and she is Dr. Robby. You're safe here, okay? Can you tell me what happened or where it hurts?" the girl looked at Dr Robby and then are Claire, her eyes void of all life. As Dr. Robby took a step closer, the girl jumped, a Claire put her hand up to stop him. She pulled up a chair next to Jesse and sat down, 

"Jessie sweetie, the paramedics told us there was some indication of sexual assault. Do you remember what happened? Did anyone force you to do something you didn’t want to?" Claire asked once more, trying to get the girl to speak, but she only nodded. It wasn't much but it was progress. Claire stood and lead Dr. Robby into the hallway, informing him it was probably best if he waited outside. Jesse told Claire everything after Dr. Robby left the room, her hands trembled and she fought to catch her breath between the tears. 

"Jessie, its not your fault," Claire whispered, her voice cracking slightly, "3 years ago…. 3 years ago I was raped at a party. Someone put something in my drink. I only remember bits and pieces. I remember trying to fight him off of me but being too weak. I blamed myself for going to the party… for not watching my drink good enough… for not staying close to my friends… for everything. And then one day… I was back at home and I my mom decided to pull out some old photos. I saw a picture of myself as a kid. Bright eyed and smiling. Not a care in the world. I realized that if I blamed myself, I was blaming her too. If you can look at your young self and say if was her fault for what happened… then I don’t know. But I couldn’t, and it completely shifted my perspective. I wish I could say it gets easier. I still have flashbacks sometimes, but I’ve found ways to cope." 

Dr. Robby stood outside the door in stunned silence. He listened as Claire shared such a difficult piece of her story, it was rare doctors were so personal with their patients. When Claire finished she walked out of the room and jumped, not expecting to find Robby outside the door. Her eyes were a bit glassy and she was pale, before either could speak she ran to the bathroom to throw up. The stress of the whole situation bringing back painful memories. She stood in front of the mirror, leaning against the sink and trying to catch her breath. She wiped her mouth with a paper towel and fixed her makeup. She tried her best to keep it together for her next patient, but after draining what was the biggest abscess she had ever seen, she ducked into the stairwell, completely losing all composure. 

She sat on the step, trying to muffle her sobs that echoed through the stairwell. Her breath seemed to get away from her and before she knew it she was hyperventilating. She heard the door swing open and she jumped up to find a stunned Dr. Robby.

"I-I’m s-sorry d-d-did you n-need something?" she tried to wipe her tears away. Robbys stomach sunk to see her like this, he didn't exactly know what to say, if he should say anything at all. 

"No, no. I don’t need anything. I just came to…" 

"I-i d-d-don’t want y-you to think I c-can’t do this j-job" she turned away from him, sitting back down on the steps, burying her head in her hands. He hesitated but sat down on the step below her. Her breathing was fast, too fast, and her face was pale again. 

"Hey. Look at me. You need to slow down your breathing. Slow and steady, alright? I need you to do a slow exhale and hold it." he spoke softly, and listened as she let out a long shaky breath.

"I'm s-so" she tried to apologize but couldn't, her eyes were shut as she tried to focus on her own breathing, but her hands still trembled. He took a risk and put her hands in his to steady them. 

"Dont apologize, just focus on the deep breaths. Slow and steady. You’re doing really well. We’re almost there. In and out. " he whispered, trying to keep her calm. Coaching her through her breathing. She nodded and with each slow exhale, her breathing slowed. Her eyes fluttered open, looking extra green as the white of her eyes turned pink from crying.

"You can’t honestly think I think you’re incapable of doing this. You just shared a very personal piece of yourself and helped a kid through a very difficult situation. You’ve been running around this ER, handling every and all patients we’ve seen today. That takes a hell of a lot of strength."

"You h-heard that? Oh god!" she sobbed, which echoed so loudly through the stairwell that it made her jump.

"I did. That was incredibly admirable of you to share like that. That couldn’t have been easy at all." he put his hand on her shoulder. Everything came flooding back to her, everything she had repressed for 3 years. He pulled her into a comforting hug and rubbed her back. She sobbed into his chest, grabbing onto his sweatshirt. He offered her a comforting shhhh and he continued to rub her back in slow circles. She felt so small and vulnerable in his arms. It was so unlike him to react to something this way. He always put up a front in the ER, to protect him. It's almost as if Claire's compassionate demeanor rubbed off on him. 

Unable to finish her shift, Dr Robby grabbed her things and let her sneak out the stair exit doors, under the guise that she was sick. He was worried about her, hardly sleeping that night wondering if she was okay. He thought about sending her a text message, but felt it was inappropriate for him to be texting his med student.

The next day when she walked in wearing her glasses, her eyes too swollen for her contacts. Despite everything, she was determined to get back to work, and he admired that. He also liked her glasses, a lot. He spent the day reminding himself to stop staring. She was his med student after all. 

As the week went on, Claire slowly began to feel like herself again, but this time as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. A 3 year weight. Something she had kept to herself was finally out in the open, even if only two people knew was a complete stranger and Dr. Robby . She felt her secret was safe. She felt safe. She felt protected.

Her last shift of the week came to a close and she decided to celebrate her first week of her ER rotation at Schaffer's bar with her roommates. She walked in and ordered a drink, glancing to her right she noticed a familiar face, 

"Dr. Robby?" 

[nayziiz]

Speed | CS55

Summary: In a chance encounter at a gas station, a mysterious woman on a Yamaha YZF R6 catches the attention of Carlos, a charming Ferrari driver. Little did they know the journey they would both go on.

Warning: Smut, fluff

Pairing: Carlos Sainz x OC (Lola)

Masterlist

Chapter 11

From the moment they shared their first intimate encounter, Lola found herself utterly addicted to Carlos's touch. It wasn't just the physical sensations that left her yearning for more; it was the way his fingers danced across her skin with an almost reverent tenderness. Each brush of his fingertips was a silent declaration of his desire and affection, leaving her breathless with anticipation for what was to come.

As he lifted her Ferrari t-shirt over her head, his touch ignited a fire within her, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her veins. His hands moved with a practised, gentle precision, as if he was afraid to break the spell they were under. The cool air against her bare skin was a stark contrast to the heat of his body, heightening her senses.

Carlos’s eyes, dark and intense, traced every curve of her body, making her feel both exposed and cherished. His gaze was like a physical touch, creating a path of warmth and desire wherever it landed. The way he looked at her, with a mixture of hunger and adoration, made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

He leaned in, pressing soft kisses along her collarbone, his breath hot against her skin. Each kiss was a promise, a wordless assurance of his devotion. Lola arched into him, craving more of the connection that only his touch could provide. His hands continued their exploration, tracing the line of her spine, eliciting a gasp from her lips.

Their movements became a dance, a rhythm of give and take, of unspoken understanding. Lola felt her world narrow to just the two of them, the outside world fading away. It was in these moments that she realised the depth of her feelings for Carlos went beyond mere attraction; it was something deeper, more profound.

Carlos paused, his lips hovering just above hers, their breaths mingling. The anticipation was electric, a charged silence that spoke volumes. When he finally closed the distance, capturing her lips in a searing kiss, it was like coming home. His kiss was demanding yet tender, a perfect blend of passion and care.

And when his fingers curled perfectly over the waistband of her jeans, pulling them down along with her panties, Lola couldn't help but surrender to the exquisite pleasure that washed over her. In his hands, she felt both vulnerable and cherished, as if every touch was a promise of his unwavering devotion.

But perhaps what truly captivated her was the way Carlos looked at her – not as an object for his pleasure, but as a goddess to be worshipped. Even in the throes of desire, his gaze held a depth of admiration and respect that left her feeling cherished and adored.

As Lola straddled him, she felt a surge of desire coursing through her veins, igniting a fire that burned hotter with each passing moment. With Carlos sitting upright, his arms wrapped securely around her, she pressed her naked bust against his bare chest, revelling in the intimate connection they shared.

Their bodies moulded together seamlessly as they kissed each other with a fervent passion that seemed to consume them both. Lola's arms were draped around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair as she surrendered to the intoxicating sensations that washed over her.

In that moment, there was no space for doubt or hesitation, only the undeniable pull of desire drawing them closer together. With each kiss, each touch, they reaffirmed the depth of their connection, lost in the ecstasy of their shared intimacy.

As Lola pulled away from their passionate kiss, a moment of tranquillity enveloped them, allowing her to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. Gazing at the flustered man pressed tightly against her, she couldn't help but feel a surge of affection and desire coursing through her veins.

Brushing his hair out of his eyes with a tender touch, she locked eyes with him for a fleeting moment, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air between them. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to express, but in that moment, words failed her. Carlos had stolen all her words from her, leaving her speechless with the intensity of their connection.

With a gentle peck on his lips, Lola conveyed all that she couldn't put into words – her love, her desire, her longing for him. And as she pulled away once more, she felt him twitch inside her, a silent affirmation of the passion that burned between them.

“Where's your mind at?” Carlos whispered, his voice a soft caress against Lola's ear as he brushed her hair behind it and cupped her cheek with tender affection. A blush crept onto Lola's cheeks as she met his gaze, her heart fluttering at the intensity of his stare.

“Is it selfish of me to not want this to end?” She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as she voiced the fear that had been lingering in the back of her mind. Carlos's expression softened with understanding, his thumb gently tracing circles on her cheek.

“Not selfish at all.” He assured her, his voice filled with sincerity. “It would be more selfish to want you with me all the time.”

Feeling emboldened by Carlos's reassurance, Lola's blush deepened as she leaned in to kiss him once more. This time, her kiss was filled with a newfound urgency, a raw desire that pulsed through her veins and ignited a fire within her.

As their lips met in a fervent embrace, she couldn't help but grind her hips down against him, feeling his response in the form of a low, guttural moan that escaped into her mouth. The sensation sent a jolt of pleasure coursing through her body, intensifying the desire that burned between them.

Lost in the heat of the moment, their bodies moved together in a sensual rhythm, each movement eliciting a symphony of sensations that left them both breathless.

As Lola drifted into a peaceful slumber in Carlos's secure embrace following their passionate bout of lovemaking, he couldn't help but feel a surge of overwhelming love and gratitude wash over him. Gazing at her sleeping form, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window, he was overcome with a sense of awe at the depth of his feelings for her.

Leaning in close, Carlos whispered the words he had longed to express for so long.

“I hope you know you're all I've ever wanted.” He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke the truth of his heart.

In that moment, as he watched her sleep, Carlos knew with unwavering certainty that Lola was the one he had been searching for – his soulmate, his confidante, his everything. And as he held her close, he vowed to cherish her for as long as she would let him, and vowed to appreciate the profound joy she brought into his life.

The following morning, Carlos was up and moving about all over the hotel suite before Lola woke up. When her eyes fluttered open, she watched him move from the bedroom to the bathroom and from the bathroom to the bedroom several times in the span of a few seconds. His energy was palpable, a stark contrast to the peaceful slumber she had just woken from.

She stretched lazily, the sheet slipping down to her waist, revealing the gentle curves of her body before she pulled them back up to cover her breasts.

“Morning.” She replied, her voice still thick with sleep. “You seem...busy.”

“I, uh, we need to go.” He vaguely stated, leaving her even more confused.

“What are you talking about?” Lola wondered, a frown creasing her brow.

“I didn’t set my alarm, so we overslept and we’re going to be late and the whole day is going to be ruined.” Carlos rambled, his usual composed demeanour cracking under the pressure.

“Late for what?” She asked, and for the first time that morning, he truly paused and realised he hadn’t told her about their plans for the day. “Carlos?”

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to find his hair gel amidst the chaos.

“Dress comfortably, we’re going to be walking for a while.” He warned her, not meeting her eyes as he continued his search.

“Carlos, where are we going?” Lola asked again, rummaging through the mess to find a bra and a shirt.

“It’s a surprise, mon amor. Can’t tell you, otherwise it won’t be a surprise,” Carlos countered from the bathroom, a playful smirk on his face.

Carlos emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed and ready to go, while Lola stood in the middle of the chaos in just her shirt and a pair of panties.

“Could you at least help me look for a pair of jeans? It looks like a tornado came through here.” Lola moaned, exasperation clear in her voice as Carlos stood by, idly watching her.

He smiled, knowing that the surprise awaiting her would soon melt away all her frustrations about the mess he made in their hotel room.

“Of course, let me help you.” He said, joining her in the search. He rummaged through the scattered clothes and quickly found a pair of jeans for her. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” She muttered, slipping them on. “You know, you could have been a bit more organised.”

“I know, I’m sorry. But trust me, this is going to be worth it.” Carlos replied, a sheepish grin on his face.

“When we come back, you’re cleaning this mess while I go to the spa.” Lola mumbled as she pulled on her jeans.

“Mon amor, when we get back, you won’t want to go to the spa.” Carlos teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Stop teasing, Carlos.” She whined again, brushing her hair and tying it up before grabbing a jacket off the floor. He chuckled softly, enjoying their playful banter.

“You’ll see.” He promised, holding out his hand to her. She took it, rolling her eyes but smiling despite herself.

As they walked out of the hotel, Carlos’s excitement was infectious, and Lola couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building within her. They navigated the bustling streets, with Carlos occasionally glancing at her, a secretive smile on his face.

“Are you going to give me any hints?” Lola asked, squeezing his hand as they turned a corner.

“Not a chance.” He replied, his smile widening. “It’s a surprise, remember?”

“Fine, but it better be worth it.” She sighed dramatically but couldn’t suppress her own smile.

“Oh, it will be.” Carlos assured her.

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

Taglist: @itsjustkhaos @notyouraveragemochii @heyheyheyggg @laneyspaulding19

[autistic-ben-tennyson]

Tamaki and Suzume: an underrated parent-child relationship

Been thinking about my favorite movie again. Specifically an aspect of it that I think is a bit underrated. Many fell in love with Souta but I was more invested in Suzume’s relationship with her aunt and it makes me tear up a bit. It feels like a very realistic portrayal of a parent-child relationship and gives an important message about communication. I relate to both characters for different reasons which is why it hit so hard. It’s not idyllic or easy for Tamaki as she was forced into raising her niece after her sister died in the 2011 Earthquake. Soon her life became focused around raising her niece as her boyfriend drifted away and she was forced to start taking better care of herself. All very realistic for someone who has the role of parenthood thrust on them with zero warning which is relatable even for those who didn’t lose their siblings and have to be a surrogate parent to their kids.

Japanese viewers were given a booklet in theaters that revealed a bit more about Tamaki and her life before becoming a mother. She has a bit of an inferiority complex and wanted some time away from her sister who was much more sociable and loved by people. Now she has to raise her niece who is much like her mother. I can relate to that, being a lot more of a loner than my brother. Being depressed and a bit awkward while having to be around excitable and happy people can be grating and bring up feelings of jealousy and it can make you want to get away and start fresh.

Despite all that, Tamaki does her best to be a good mother, playing along with Suzume as a child when she clings to the chair her mother gave her and comforting her after having a meltdown at her birthday party. Suzume would end up comforting her aunt, both unprepared for things to end up like this, but by being emotionally vulnerable and letting their pent up emotions out, things got better. Life seemed normal with them having normal squabbles and bonding moments you’d expect for a family. This continues till the start of the movie when Tamaki is seen making a bento for her niece. Then the conflict starts when Suzume runs away with Souta.

Tamaki doesn’t know why Suzume has run off and is understandably furious over her niece running away with little consideration for her responsibilities. To her, she’s acting like a child again when chasing after that chair she was given. On Suzume’s end, she feels smothered by her aunt demanding she come home and still treating her like a child. Tamaki wants to protect her niece but Suzume wanted to save Souta which she worries her aunt won’t understand.

This is where Sadaijin and Daijin come in as they’re meant to be a parallel for Tamaki and Suzume. Tamaki and Sadaijin are not malicious but are just following what they have to do. Sadaijin has to make sure Daijin fulfills his duties even if that means smothering and reprimanding him. Tamaki has to work and maintain their house and isn’t happy with Suzume not caring about how hurt she was. Sadaijin uses Suzume’s argument with her aunt in the parking lot to lecture Daijin but he only amplifies Tamaki’s emotions that were already there. Both remind their charges that they have responsibilities they can’t ignore and that their actions are affecting others. Suzume ignored how hurt Tamaki was until she expressed it in a way that wasn’t like herself.

Just like the conversation when Suzume was a child, the argument at the gas station was a dark moment for them. But it also gave her and her aunt an opportunity to be emotionally vulnerable. Suzume suspected her aunt resented having to raise her and how it affected her life. Earlier, when talking to Chika, she admitted to feeling bad about Tamaki’s dating life and how she’s affected it despite her aunt being quite attractive. By admitting her negative feelings, Tamaki did hurt Suzume emotionally but was able to express what she had been bottling up. She is regretful of what she said which is why she breaks down to Serizawa, much to his ice cream’s misfortune.

During the bike ride to the gate to rescue Souta, the two have an another opportunity to talk now that some time has passed. Suzume apologizes to her aunt for the stress she put her through. Tamaki admits that what she said the night before was true but she still loves her daughter and is proud to have raised her, much to Suzume’s relief before teasing her a bit about her crush on Souta. The end montage shows a healthier relationship between the two with Suzume introducing her to the people she met along her journey. This dynamic was always my favorite part of the movie over the romance stuff. I still like it and I do like Souta but the relationship between Suzume and Tamaki was what hit close for me. It fits the movie’s message about how joy can come from grief. The argument at the rest stop caused a lot of grief for both characters but ultimately led to a healthier relationship. It reminds me a bit of Luz and Camila’s dynamic in The Owl House and how communication and being open about their emotions led to a better understanding. I relate to Suzume’s anger at being smothered and feeling like your parents secretly resent you. I don’t have a good relationship with them and I don’t know if I want to keep it but I still feel relief at seeing Suzume and Tamaki resolve their issues. Someone should really write a fanfic about Suzume’s childhood as well as what happened between returning home and reuniting with Souta.

[thisbuildinghasfeelings]

The Police Station Scene

Arguably the most important season 1 Tarlos scene (it won the poll, after all!), the police station scene in 1x03 is undoubtedly iconic. The sheer chemistry between these two becomes truly apparent, and the journey they take throughout the scene...I have no words. Or perhaps I have many words. Yes, I think it's that second one. Many words. Under the cut, my analysis of this excellent scene.

We start out with TK in a pretty miserable situation. On top of everything else he's going through, he just got arrested, and at this point, he's not sure if the guys he fought are going to be pressing charges. For all he knows, he could be ending up in a jail cell using his one phone call to get Owen to come bail him out, something that Owen will probably not be too happy about. Not only that, but he's bleeding and his face clearly hurts judging by the ice pack he's holding to it. He's having a very bad night.

Then, things suddenly get even worse. Because the police officer coming to deal with him is none other than the guy he hooked up with and then later stormed out on. The guy TK had started having such strong and unexpected feelings for that he had given in to the urge to flee. The guy who TK assumes probably already thinks terrible things about him because of the way things went down the last time they were together. So now not only is this an undesirable legal situation, but it's also an awkward and embarrassing social situation. And now this guy knows that "TK" stands for Tyler Kennedy. Ugh.

From Carlos' perspective, he met this guy who was smokin' hot who he felt an instant connection with...this guy who made him feel for the first time like maybe he wasn't actually broken and then gave him the best orgasm of his life. Said guy then stormed out on him for what appeared to Carlos to be no good reason. He couldn't even be bothered to sit and have a meal and a little conversation. And now? This guy is out getting in bar fights completely sober, putting himself in a dangerous situation where he could very well get himself killed. This guy who Carlos already cares about, and who has seemingly completely rejected him at the first sign of Carlos wanting to get to know him. Carlos is hurt but he's also angry. Most of all, Carlos is angry about the fact that TK is being so completely reckless with his own safety.

The guys from the bar fight don't want to press charges, so Carlos tells TK that he's free to go. But he can't stop from giving TK a little advice. He's not trying to be his boyfriend (lie) or even his friend if he's not into it (oh, Carlos) but he tells TK that he "should talk to someone about why you felt compelled to do something so suicidal." Carlos says this without knowing that TK was suicidal and acted on it not long ago.

TK appears to be affected by this but says nothing. It appears that maybe the fight has gone out of him...until Carlos lets him know that he has something on his face, giving him a box of tissues to take care of it. TK gets visibly frustrated when Carlos tells him he's trying to clean off the wrong side. But then Carlos does something that TK doesn't expect.

He says, "Stop, just...let me." And with a shaky hand, he uses a tissue to dab at the spot on TK's face.

This clearly isn't nothing to Carlos. The emotion in his eyes is undeniable. He cares. That simple act of caring is enough to break TK's walls down the tiniest bit. To allow him to show some vulnerability. TK wants to explain.

He apologizes for what happened between them and tells him that he just went through a really bad breakup, "like nuclear bad," and then he relapsed. Not, as Carlos assumes, with him, but with substances. TK is giving Carlos a piece of himself, trusting him in a way he has not trusted anyone else he's met in Texas, as much as he likes them and enjoys working with them.

Carlos recognizes the significance of this moment of vulnerability. But it's more than that. It gives him context for what happened. TK wasn't just being a jerk and storming out because he didn't care to get to know Carlos. He has serious things going on. And...the champagne! TK has issues with substances and Carlos had offered him champagne without even asking first!

Carlos, always quick to blame himself, apologizes, and in that moment, his walls come down a little too. He had been trying to play it stoic and tough and like he didn't care so, so much. (Of course he already gave himself away when he started gently wiping TK's face)

But TK doesn't stop there. He gives Carlos more of himself, explaining that, ever since he's gotten to Austin, it's just grey. And he feels numb all the time. To explain why he started the bar fight, TK says, "I guess I just--I wanted to feel something."

Carlos looks at him. The anger is gone. He has understanding in his eyes...and that look of caring is still there, too. He watches TK gather his things and stand up. Carlos could have said anything in this moment. He chooses to tease TK a little. TK said he started a fight because he just wanted to feel something, so Carlos tells him, "Judging by that lip, I'd say mission accomplished."

TK looks at him with annoyance. He kind of can't believe that THIS is Carlos' reaction to his vulnerability!

"You really busting my balls right now?"

But Carlos stands his ground as the corner of his mouth goes up slightly.

"Yeah, I suppose I am."

Carlos made the right choice here because TK smiles too.

They like each other so much.

I fully believe that everything that happens after wouldn't have happened without this scene. It's pivotal in their relationship. The journey they go through is incredible! From this:

To this:

Iconic and unmatched.

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 6: Accomplice

All confidence and security I’ve accumulated is depleted. The Shelbys have helped keep me safe from the unpredictable world outside, and as the cop pushes me through the ash-filled streets I’m reminded of just how vulnerable I really am. Yet I still keep my head held high and mask my fear with stern eyes. I’m led to what must be the police station and down the hall to a small waiting room with a single desk. The cop shuts the door, closing off what little light there is. 

“I demand to know what’s going on!” I shout at the door. “I will not be imprisoned without official charges! If there is no official complaint then I shall inform the authorities in America!”

“No need for that, Ms. Steenstra,” a familiar voice speaks from the shadows. Campbell steps forward smoking a pipe and I see he’s holding a file.

I tighten my jaw and refrain from yelling again. My state of mind is much more fierce compared to our last encounter. “Hello again, Inspector Campbell.”

He slides the file onto the desk and sits down. “Last time I saw you, you were trying to get home. Scared of Small Heath and all its glory.” He points a finger at me. “I told you to stay away from the Peaky Blinders. Now I’m told you’re working for them.”

Keep calm, Steenstra. Remember what Polly told you.

“I’m a tutor, nothing more,” I say firmly. “I know nothing about their real business so if that’s why you brought me here then you’re wasting your time.” I turn away and face the door.

“If you’re interested, we could set you up for an inside job,” Campbell offers.

Did I hear that right? “You mean… spy? On the Shelbys?” I ask.

“Yes. And if there is any odd behavior then you can report it to me.”

Thomas was right. This man is out to get the entire Shelby family. I can’t be an asset to his cause. Not only because of my feelings for the Shelbys, but also for the loyalty of my employment.

I turn around and stare the inspector straight in the eye. “Maybe it’s done differently in England, but in America we are loyal to our employers. The answer is no, Inspector.”

The man takes a puff on his pipe. “What if certain arrangements were made? You still wish to return to your country, yes?”

The thought of going home is a spark of hope in my chest. But I can’t cave into this.

“Correct.”

Campbell shrugs. “Well, if you decide to join our cause we could arrange for a plane ticket, as well as better lodgings here for you.”

Just as I thought. “If you’re trying to bribe me, it won’t work. I’m sorry Inspector, but I cannot be bought.”

I grab the door knob and find it’s unlocked, no doubt because they don’t see me as a threat. Yet. Just as I start walking back to the front door I hear Campbell call out:

“Be careful, miss. Never know when the wolf will step out of its sheep's clothing.”

But in this scenario, who’s the wolf? I have no desire to be connected to this intricate web of lies and deception. I am in good relations with both the law and the Shelbys, and want to keep it that way.

I make haste to get back to the Shelby house. All previous angry thoughts are long gone and I don’t care if Thomas is still mad at me. Once I close the door I take a deep breath and take in the familiar kitchen. Calm down, you kept quiet. Just stay here and ride out the storm until you can go home.

My invisible mask falters and my eyes start to tear up. In a quick panic I grab a damp cold cloth and head to the living room to sit on the small couch. God, how did I get caught into this? All because I was an idiot and got myself lost!

“Ah, you’re back.”

No. No. Of all the Shelbys to walk in, why does it have to be him?

“Hello, Thomas.” I keep my head lowered and hastily try to block away more tears. “I’d like to apologize again for earlier. My mind hasn’t been very clear these past few days.”

Fate must have a sick sense of humor because Thomas decides to sit next to me. His weight pushes the cushions down further and has me leaning slightly towards him.

“Nobody apologizes to me unless they’ve done something else against me,” Thomas speaks in a dangerously calm voice. “What did you do after you left?”

Fighting my screaming nerves I lift my head up to face his cold eyes. “I was headed to the chapel when one of Campbell’s officers temporarily apprehended me. I was brought to Campbell’s office, where he questioned me.”

Thomas’ eyes flash. “He what?” Thomas grabs my neck, drags me over and pins me against the wall to shout in my face. “Well? What did you tell him? What did you say?!”

I try to choke out a response. “I- I didn’t say anything, Thomas!”

“Why? We never bought you over!” He releases my throat and I gasp for air. “We don’t own you-”

“You don’t have to, Thomas!” I seethe. “I didn’t say anything because A, I honestly don’t know much about the guns. And B, it would be betraying you.”

Thomas doesn’t budge but his eyes soften a fraction. Why must every encounter with him end so violently and not as romantic? I- No. Don’t flatter yourself, Steenstra. There are far more important issues at the moment!

“Really?” Thomas’ voice is calmer, yet still suspicious.

I take a deep breath and put both hands on his chest. “You may not think you’ve bought me, but I still owe a debt to the Shelby family. You took me in. You gave me a job and a roof over my head. If that’s not buying me over, I don’t know what else there is.”

Slowly, Thomas’ hands snake up to grab mine. His breathing has calmed down. He must believe me.

“No one’s this nice, Ms. Steenstra,” he whispers. “You’re not like any other person I’ve met. If you really are this loyal it would be a shame to see you go home.”

I sigh in relief. “So I’m not fired?”

He chuckles. “You always fret about being fired.”

“It’s my first job,” I reply sheepishly. “I’d hate to lose it in such a short time. Plus I really don’t want being fired by the Shelby family to be on my short résumé.”

“You’re fired?!”

We both look over to where Finn is standing, having just entered from the hallway. He’s holding another one of my books, no doubt having finished it already.

“No, Finn. She’s not fired.” Thomas gives me a smirk. “I don’t think she’ll be leaving for quite a while.”

My face falls. “Are you saying you’re going to keep me here against my will, Mr. Shelby?”

He quirks a brow. “You said you owe a debt to us, yes? How’d you like to have your Birmingham experience lengthened?”

I frown. “Meaning…?”

“That you are to stick around until you’ve earned a ticket home and we feel you’ve worked off your debt,” Thomas replies coolly and leans in closer. “Deal?”

A week ago I would have declined on the spot, but the few days I’ve spent here have snatched my interest. Maybe a while longer in Birmingham wouldn’t be so bad?

I smile. “Deal. My only request is that I’m escorted around town in order to not be snagged by Campbell again.”

Thomas tips his hat. “Your wish shall be granted, Verena Nora Steenstra. Welcome to being an accomplice to the Peaky Blinders.”

Accomplice. The word brings a whole new meaning to my job. I’m no longer a simple tutor. I’m part of something much bigger now. It scares me a little, but it’s also rather exciting.

“Yes!” Finn celebrates. “Can we do another lesson now?”

Aw, Hell. I can’t say no to this! My family’s not perfect and neither am I. I was always going to do something drastic someday, and if this is it then I’d love nothing more!

Thomas walks off to the kitchen and leaves me with his brother. You are one peculiar individual, Thomas Shelby.

I smile. “Yes, Finn. Let’s get started!”

[xenodile]

okay, slept on it, had some time to think, more coherent thoughts on Alien Romulus, spoilers below

The last second swerve into whole plot referencing Aliens and Alien 4 were by far the weakest parts of the movie, because the movie was at its strongest when it was focusing on Andy and the influence of the corporate programming, and the threat that even a single xenomorph poses.

The facehuggers were the stars, seeing them thaw out of cold storage, skittering around like spiders, the corridor sequence, all of them were phenomenal, and the addition of a single adult xenomorph perfectly accented the threat of a few dozen facehuggers.

The xenomorph itself was excellent as a solitary threat, retaliating even when it was vulnerable, stalking the other characters, the elevator catch, waiting at the door, presenting the xenomorph as a single implacable monster with a goal is so much more compelling than a horde of them charging down a hallway, and lends credence to the set up of the movie in which the station was taken out of commission by essentially a single xenomorph getting loose.

Having the Xenomorph and the Facehuggers present together allows for a much more interesting and complex story as the xenomorph, which we already know is a vicious killing machine, now just tries to catch and keep the humans alive so they can be infested, and it's a bit disappointing that we didn't get more of that, watching the titular monster behave almost like an infatuated stalker as it tries to seize their right moment to strike so it can have more hosts for its brood.

Though on that note, I think it would've been stronger if the one xenomorph from the prologue had persisted instead of being found as a corpse, because then more could've been done with the one character that actually got infested and had the facehugger removed prematurely. It felt like a bit of a waste to have her get grabbed, have the facehugger removed within a few minutes, and yet she still gets infested as if it had been on the whole time. That aspect felt very rushed as if having a chestburster scene was mandatory just because it's an Alien movie. The cocoon scene could've stayed in as is and just had the xenomorph laying dormant in the absence of prey, rather than it being a newborn xenomorph molting within seconds of emerging.

Back to my other point, Andy. Andy was easily the best character, and David Jonsson's performance was incredible. That said, I wished the narrative had focused more on him and his bond with Rain. I think the story would have been much stronger if rather than completely overwriting his personality, the Weyland-Yutani programming merged and conflicted with his existing directive, and he was allowed more agency to be vindictive about his treatment as a damaged synthetic, which is a very clear allegory for being a disabled black man. Sort of letting the Corporate directive be this corrupting influence rather than full on mind control, where he's suddenly able and has greater control, and can actually stand up for himself instead of being coddled and protected by Rain.

Overall the movie is good, it's perfectly serviceable and there's nothing outlandishly bad, but there was a lot of potential in some of the concepts it presents that just weren't properly utilized to its detriment.

[daquila]

This is me trying || Gojo Satoru x Reader

Satoru spending his time thinking about the love that he lost.

genre: hurt/no comfort, angst

Satoru stumbled inside the entrance; his body was completely exhausted from work. It was like all of his life, soul, and mind got sucked out from how many exorcisms he had to do.

The sorcerer was greeted with the hanging photo frames that decorated your living room as he rolls over to the sofa. It had many pictures of him smiling without a mask, making him look more human than usual.

Satoru, really, is just a simple man— nothing more or less than that. Sure, he could be the strongest alive— but that would never erase the fact that he was still vulnerable.

The silence grew louder, which oddly drew the ghosts of his past near him. All he could envision were the memories that you spent together in that very same living room: the sound of laughter echoing as you watched your favourite show together, the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns during a very cold December, and the taste of your lips after you poured your heart into him.

All he could wish for was for you to come home— but he knew that you would never return in his arms. It was his own stubbornness that drove you away.

He didn’t want to deny that you were his weakness. It was already written all over his face. The way he’d look at you, talk to you—- or even hold you were dead giveaways! Practically the entirety of the jujutsu knew about how precious you were to him.

That, of course, made his ego inflate. Everyone knew that you were his, and everyone knew that he was yours; however, it would be the same reason why you were torn apart from him.

He uses this moment to think about the depth of this situation. You were so exposed to jujutsu, and it was ripping him into shreds. After you got promoted to grade 1, the higher ups started sending you to even more dangerous exorcisms— almost as if they wanted to get rid of you. These old geezers wanted to see him break and possibly push him beyond the limits of jujutsu.

It went from spending a night without him to getting used to not seeing him for two whole months. Satoru was getting busier and busier as time passed by. No one would have thought that this was all planned out.

The rain was pouring heavily as he exercised his final curse in the outskirts of Osaka until he received a call from Ijichi. Like the idiot that he is, he forgot to charge his phone prior to going out. Satoru’s phone instantly blacked out.

“ Must be important, “ he thought, making his way to the train station to get back to Tokyo. Maybe he should just go Shoko’s office and ask her about Ijichi’s sudden call. The driver only called him whenever there was a mishap in the morgue.

While walking down the hallway, he sensed a familiar energy: it was yours. Though suspiciously faint, he thought that you must have been hurt— but his six eyes were telling him a whole different story.

The first thing he saw when opening the door was a body covered in a white sheet. No other patients were present. Shoko just gives him a pitiful glance before signalling to Ijichi for the both of them to leave the room.

Satoru already knew what was happening, but his heart was fighting for a different truth. He wanted to make an excuse for what was happening, because his subconsciousness was already starting to point fingers. Him being too busy to not be there for you wasn’t a good excuse. You were literally dying; he could’ve been there for you.

What pained him the most was that he hadn’t replied to any of your calls or texts for the past few weeks. He wasn’t able to hear you, talk to you, or even hold you. If he was truly your everything, then why did he treated you like you were nothing?

The last time he’s ever been with you was two months ago. It was raining heavily in the school, so the both of you decided to indulge in some movies. It was nothing special, and it pained him. Satoru wished that he took you out somewhere better—- after all, you deserved more than what the moon could offer.

Satoru kept on telling himself that going on constant missions were to protect you. But at what cost? Losing his time and being “too busy” to come and rescue his dying wife? It all wasn’t worth it— not even worth the time, effort, and all of that stress he went through. Your cold, lifeless body will forever haunt him. It would become a reminder of how stupid he was for doing that to you.

A/N: all I could write is angst LOL #fluffslander

[writing-until-i-drop]

Pt. 3 @closetspngirl for the WIP game ask

NCIS TGM | Bradley and NCIS! TGM Seresin ... for obvious reasons. 😁

So, these share the same OC, I just couldn't decide on pairing or vibe, which is why both (and more) versions exist

NCIS TGM | Bradley

“Good morning, Avery. My name is Dr. Montgomery and today, I will be performing your autopsy.” Dr. Maggie Montgomery brushed hair off of the young woman’s forehead, tucking it behind her ear. “Or would you prefer to be called Petty Officer Lewis? I suspect you were so used to being addressed by your last name that you barely remembered your first.” Most sailors would respond faster to their rank or last name than their given name, Maggie had noticed in her time working with NCIS. “But today you and I will reach the ultimate level of vulnerability, so, you can think of me as Maggie and I’ll call you Avery if that’s alright.” 

Maggie prepared her sterilized instruments, lining them up neatly on the table-side tray, clicked on her recorder, and snapped on a fresh set of gloves. The first time she had held a scalpel, Maggie had been hesitant, barely applying enough pressure to cut the skin. But now she had a practiced hand, making the Y-incision with precision, quickly separating the skin from the muscles. The autopsy was routine, she noted each mark on the skin, every bruise and birthmark, the weight of her liver, and the contents of her stomach. The cause of death was simple to determine, a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and the manner of death was straightforward. This was a homicide.

NCIS! TGM Seresin

Sleep had never come easy for Maggie Montgomery, not even as a child. Her internal clock woke her up at 4:30 on the dot each morning, no matter what time she went to bed the night before and she almost never went to bed before midnight. As one of the youngest doctors in the country, working as a medical examiner for NCIS, Maggie survived on caffeine and nicotine. Maggie wasn’t one to scold patients, hers were dead anyways, but as a doctor, she would scold herself. But as the saying goes, doctors make the worst patients. 

She didn’t get to sleep until 4:30 this morning however, her phone’s shrill ringtone sending her shooting up in bed. She flicked on her bedside lamp, wincing as its soft, yellow light filled her small bedroom.

“Dr. Montgomery, who’s dead?” Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the Special Agent In Charge of NCIS’ DC Major Case Reaction Team yawned on the other end of the line.

“Female, young, no ID yet, I’m still waking up the team. Bradley’s going to text you the address,” Maggie groaned, her feet hitting the cold hardwood floor. “Nat’s stopping for coffee, Bob's getting the van and can pick you up.”

“Alright, just don't let Seresin touch my body.” Maverick chuckled,

“You're never going to let that go, are you?”

“I will when he apologizes,” Maggie yawned, stretching until her back cracked. Two hours of sleep would have to do for the day. 

“So, never then,” Maverick signed. “See you soon, Mags.” Maggie quickly brushed her teeth and hair, then dressed in jeans, a tee shirt, and her M.E. windbreaker. Her assistant, Bob, was there before long with a travel mug of coffee he happily shared. 

Bob turned on the classical music station on the radio, humming along to a violin-heavy piece as they drove.