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somewhatgreatexpectations · 4 years ago

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Palace (Wanda Maximoff/ Reader)

Hello! This part is inspired by Sam Smith’s “Palace”. Let me know what you think as we move more into Wanda’s territory. I don’t want to give away much but this part would take place very close to the start of Civil War.

Summary: Certain members of the team deal with the news that you have decided to leave. A little more into Wanda’s mind.

“I'm gonna miss you. I'm still there. Sometimes I wish we never built this palace, but real love is never a waste of time”

The sound of the quinjet landing in the early morning air was a stark contrast to the serene stillness that surrounded the compound before everyone awoke. With the morning sun still below the horizon it was easy to get lost in the peaceful image. To get lost in this brief moment of tranquility before life caught up to you.

“Y/n?”

There. The trace was broken because the serenity wasn’t real. It was just an illusion. It couldn’t erase the damage that lurked shallowly under the surface. “Yes, Capsicle?”

Despite himself Steve couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped, “Even now and you won’t call me by my name?” you shrugged with a smirk. His expression became solemn once again. “You’re sure about this then?” he nodded towards the jet.

Steeling your features, you nodded firmly. “I think it’ll be good for me. They need my help and you all have everything under control over here… for now.” You added cheekily.

A sigh replaced what would have normally been a laugh. “You’re sure you don’t want to say goodbye to… anyone?” He trailed off, but you knew exactly who he was referring to. Wanda.

“It’s for the best. There’s no point dragging this out any longer. I’m just a part of her past now. Plus, I want this. My purpose in life has always been to help those who need it. I’m just fulfilling that purpose, Steve.” You answered with what you hoped was a believable smile.

What you didn’t tell him was that you used to believe that your purpose on this earth was her. It didn’t matter either way because she couldn’t be anymore.

Wordlessly Steve pulled you into his arms. You willed yourself to stop the watering of your eyes as you hugged him back. “It’s not going to be the same without you here, kid.”

Over his shoulder you noticed the sun begin to rise on the horizon. Time was running out. Soon everyone would be up whether it be for training, meetings, or just breakfast. Then you’d lose your nerve.

With a small sniffle you pulled back and smiled weakly up at Steve. “Try not to replace me while I’m gone.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Remember if you ever need my help, I’ll be back. And-” you took a sharp breath before continuing. “And please, don’t tell her where I am.”

Steve frowned at your final comment but nodded nonetheless. “You have my word. Take care of yourself out there. Call when you can.”

With one final nod you turned and boarded the quinjet without a glance back. Steve stayed until he saw the jet disappear in the distance, dreading the moment when everyone found out.

Dreading the moment when Wanda found out.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that the questions began. Steve breathed a sigh of relief that they weren’t directed at him.

“Has anyone seen y/n?” Natasha asked, “I have this new disarming move I want to try and she’s always saying she’s too fast for me.”

Wanda perked her head up out of reflex at the sound of your name, but quickly diverted her attention back to the book in her hands. It wasn’t like you would want to see her anyway. That didn’t stop her from eaves dropping on the conversation that was happening around her though.

“Probably in her room, avoiding our afternoon run I’m sure.” Sam chimed in.

Natasha shook her head, “Already checked there. Anyone else seen her?” She asked the remaining Avengers in the room all of them shaking their heads except Steve who walked away to the kitchen. Wanda was the only one other than Natasha to notice.

“What aren’t you telling us, Rogers?” Natasha questioned as soon as she entered the kitchen. Her head tilted in challenge.

He huffed out a tired sigh as he leaned against the counter. “Nothing.” He replied shortly which caused Natasha to quirk an eyebrow.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y. please call y/n for me and tell her to meet me in the kitchen.” She stated firmly while maintaining eye contact with Steve.

The robotic female voiced sounded moments later. “I’m sorry, Ms. Romanoff, that is not possible as Ms. Y/ln is not currently at the compound.”

Steve rubbed his temple wearily, he had hoped this conversation wouldn’t have to happen so soon. “Where is she?” Natasha countered quickly.

Once again, the robotic voice responded, “That is classified.” Neither Steve nor Natasha noticed the figure that was stopped in her tracks at F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s words.

For a moment Steve and Natasha remained in a silent stand-off, neither backing down. “Where is she?” she repeated, this time directed towards Steve.

“I can’t tell you that.” he replied quickly.

“What can you tell me?”

For a moment he seemed to think about it, about what he could say without breaking his word. “She’s on a mission.”

That isn’t entirely out of the ordinary, Wanda thought to herself as she began holding her breath nervously. She had a bad feeling about this.

“Where?” Natasha fired off.

A mere shake of his head was all he gave her, “I can’t tell you that.” He repeated.

“How long?” Natasha stared at him for a moment, analyzing his solemn nature. Realization quickly dawned on her. You weren’t coming back.

There was hesitation in his words as he drew them out slowly. Almost as if he was coming to terms with the words himself. “Possibly a year, maybe two…” he drew in a breath before continuing. Wanda dug her nails into her palm. “It’s most likely indefinite. She may never come back.” He finally concluded somberly.

Wanda couldn’t contain the gasp that slipped passed her lips. Natasha quickly turned her head in the direction of the sound, her own sadness taking a back seat when she noticed the look on the younger girl’s face.

“Why wouldn’t she tell m- tell us anything?” Wanda demanded desperately, her accent heavily pronounced and her eyes wide with distress. Steve didn’t reply, he couldn’t find it in himself to. He merely looked at her with pity.

She knew why you didn’t tell her anything. She understood, and her legs felt like they’d give out under the weight of that knowledge any second now.

Taking pity on the girl Natasha hesitantly made her way over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe you should go sit down.”

Erratically Wanda pulled herself out of arm’s reach and marched over to Steve, her eyes watering despite her aggressive tone. “Tell me where she is. Right now.”

Steve didn’t waver, his conversation with you playing over in his mind. “I can’t.”

Red wisps began floating around Wanda’s hands as her eyes began to glow. “That’s fine. You’ll tell me whether you want to or not.”

Natasha tried to step in, but Steve merely raised his hand. “I can’t because she didn’t tell me. She thought this might happen. She only told me that she’s leaving and how long she’d be gone. She didn’t tell me where she would be located.” He lied smoothly, surprising even himself. He refused to break his word to you.

Wanda’s eyes slowly returned to their normal shade of green as her shoulders slumped, the fight draining from her body. Steve gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “She wanted me to tell you that she was sorry. To all of you.” He added as he looked up at Natasha who nodded sadly in understanding.

At his words, Wanda merely shut her eyes, she knew that they should have brought her comfort, but they didn’t in the slightest. His words wouldn’t change the fact that you were gone and would quite possibly never be back. She knew she had no right to be upset. She made her decision, now she would have to live with it. That knowledge didn’t stop it from hurting though.

“Did she say anything else?” she asked quietly, clinging to any information she could get. Trying desperately to gain control of her emotions.

“That she was fulfilling her purpose by going. Helping others.” Steve offered.

Natasha smiled faintly at his words. “Sounds like destiny then. That’s definitely something she’s good at.”

Wanda couldn’t have agreed with Natasha more. You were destined to help others. You helped her, saved her, and now you’d be a life raft for others. The secret of your love would no longer be an exclusive privilege that only a select few knew of. The true and whole-hearted way in which you loved her would be given to another.

One day, she would merely be a ghost of your past. She would become a painful story that you’d share in the arms of another. Her heart fluttered anxiously at the thought.

It was as though news of your departure made her aware of what her stubborn mind and your usual steady present prevented her from seeing. “Wanda?” she faintly heard a voice call out to her.

Her features remained neutral. The dull ache tightened in her chest. She knew there was nothing she could do to stop it. “Yes?” she replied flatly.

Natasha placed a comforting hand on her arm, a look of concern on her face as Steve watched curiously from where he stood. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Wanda replied, waving her hand. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

Both Steve and Natasha exchanged uncertain looks as they watched Wanda exit the kitchen area. With her mind so muddled Wanda just began walking, a laugh escaping her lips when she finally realized where she had gone on reflex. The roof. The same place you both had actively avoided since that fateful nights a few months ago. It was bittersweet.

She took a seat in the same area you had both sat in countless times before as she pulled her knees to her chest and looked around. It was almost as if she could still hear the soft music playing in the background and the sound of your occasional humming from right beside her, never expecting anything more from her. An unmovable force. A quiet pillar of support that she so often relied on. That was all just a memory now.

She always dreaded the idea that one day she would lose you, she never would have guessed that she would have lost you at her own hands.

In the solitude she finally allowed a few silent tears to fall down her cheek, allowed herself to feel what she had been refusing for so long. She was going to miss you, she knew that much. She was going to miss the beautiful relationship that you had created together, the same relationship that was mere ruins now. She just hoped you would forgive her one day, she hoped that you would return one day soon. She didn’t dare allow herself to hope for more.

“Wanda?” came the sound of another voice. The contrast of night surprising Wanda when she focused on the world around her once again, she must have been up here for hours. A moment later Vision came into her view. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Is something wrong?”

She bit her lip, not ready to talk about the chaos in her mind yet. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Wanda eventually mumbled.

A look of confusion covered Vision’s features, “Is this about Y/n?” he pressed.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She repeated with growing frustration.

Again, Vision stared at her with confusion. “My findings have suggested that the only way to properly process sadness is to talk about it.” He replied matter-of-factly.

As much as she didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but compare how you comforted her to how Vision was attempting to. “Well, your findings don’t apply to everyone.” She said, her tone laced with irritation.

“My findings are rarely ever wrong.”

Wanda groaned. “Can you just hold me?”

Cool arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. For a moment he just held her in silence. The silence did not last though. “I still believe it would be beneficial for you to talk to me about how you are feeling.” He insisted once more.

Wanda ignored him, not having the energy to argue back.

Even though she was in Vision’s arms, all she could think of was you. About how desperately she wished to be in the arms that said they’d never let her go. The arms that she forced to let go. She couldn’t help but feel like she was sinking ever so slightly with no life raft in sight.

There you have it, part 7! Technically this is the first part of this series I wrote with a lot of touch up. As always, I hope you all enjoyed. Thoughts and comments always welcome. :)

#wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda marvel #wanda maximov #wanda maximoff fic #wanda maximoff fanfiction #wanda maximoff imagine #wandavision x reader #wandavision #marvel x reader #marvel #marvel x y/n #avengers x y/n #avengers x you #wanda

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goldenavenger02 · 3 years ago

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my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand

5 times Zane took care of the team and 1 time the team took care of Zane

•••

"You three are brothers now, and will become stronger together. But for now, you must get acquainted with each other." Sensei's words rang in Zane's head as he made his way into the kitchen of the monastery.

While Jay had been somewhat easy to get introduced to, with his passion for robotics and his tendency to talk, they had become close very quickly.

Cole, however, was a bit harder to speak to; Zane could tell that Cole was a good person, as he was extremely loyal to Sensei even though he had just started his training under him, but he was also closed off to Jay and Zane.

And while he didn't know why, Zane had a feeling it was more so due to some sort of pain in his past, and not him viewing himself and Jay as lower than him.

Which is why Zane was now in the kitchen; he could never quite place exactly why, but he always felt at peace when he was cooking. Something about making something out of nothing was soothing to him.

But before he had decided what exactly he was going to make, that's when Cole came in, a look of longing across his face.

"Hello, Cole," Zane greeted, offering him a smile, but it faded when Cole stiffened, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"It's alright, just startled me," Cole insisted, the look of longing came back before he asked, "are you making anything specific?"

"I have not decided. Do you have a request?" Zane asked, trying to read Cole's face.

"Can you make cake? Vanilla cake?"

"Absolutely," Zane smiled, going to grab the ingredients before asking, his back turned to Cole, "are we celebrating something, or is it just cake?"

He heard Cole take in a deep breath, almost as if he was trying to avoid crying, which didn't make much sense, since from what he knew, cake was never for sad things.

Zane turned around to see Cole staring at the counter before he responded.

"Yeah, it's…" he swallowed before locking eyes with Zane, "it would have been my mom's birthday. She passed away a few months ago."

"I am sorry for your loss, Cole." Zane spoke softly, unsure of how best to comfort someone he didn't know very well.

The room went quiet for a few moments, and Zane busied himself with grabbing the rest of the cooking supplies when Cole spoke up again, his voice cracking slightly from the tears.

"Can I help?"

Zane nodded, allowing Cole behind the counter before Zane got to work on the dry ingredients, watching as Cole started working on the wet ingredients.

And when Zane tripped over his own foot, resulting in Cole being covered in flour head to toe, he couldn't stop himself from laughing when Cole did, although he didn't fully understand exactly what was so funny.

"Come on, you stupid hunk of junk!" Nya's shout rang through the Bounty, startling everyone that was aboard.

"How long has she been working on the thruster?" Zane asked, wondering just how long she had gone without food, sleep and water.

"Since yesterday afternoon, I can't pry her away from it." Jay explained, which led Zane to nod before making his way to the control room.

Nya was hunched over the thruster controls, screwdriver in her left hand and a screw hanging out of her mouth, her eyebrows scrunched in anger as she continued to twist the wrench with her right around a bolt.

"Nya?" Zane spoke softly, not wanting to provoke her, before gently putting his hand on her shoulder, "perhaps you should take a break. Jay said that you have been working on it since yesterday."

"I've gotta work on this," she shook her head after taking the screw out of her mouth, "we don't know when we'll have to make a getaway from...whatever Lord Garmadon is planning."

Zane nodded; since Garmadon had disappeared after the destruction of the golden weapons, they had all braced themselves for an attack, even Lloyd who had just started learning the full extent of his powers was getting ready for whatever his dad was going to throw at them.

"I understand your reasoning perfectly, but you are human, Nya. You will get burnt out if you work yourself too hard," he stopped to gently take the wrench out of her hand so she would look at him, "and if we have any chance at stopping Garmadon, we are going to need Samurai X."

Luckily, Nya nodded, and put up her tools, before wiping at her brow with her arm. "Thanks, Zane."

"You're welcome." Zane couldn't help but smile as he watched Nya make her way towards her quarters, and that's when he turned back to the thruster, and started to get to work with schematics pulled up in front of him.

"You will fly again, my friend."

Despite the fact that it was called "The Dark Island", Zane had actually found the perfect place to sit on the beach and watch the sunrise, which was hidden by large rocks, even though he could see the ocean perfectly.

He knew that the others would wake up soon, and they would start working towards the final battle yet again, but for a brief moment, everything was peaceful.

Until he heard the footsteps.

Zane immediately drew his weapon, hearing the slight rustle of sand get louder and louder, until finally, he stood and yelled, ready to attack until the supposed assailant screamed, energy at both of their hands.

Zane immediately sheathed the weapon and took a deep breath, watching as Lloyd did the same, his hand against his chest. "You scared me, Lloyd."

"Likewise," Lloyd took a deep breath before raising an eyebrow, "what're you doing?"

"I'm watching the sunrise, it looks beautiful from here," Zane explained, sitting back down and watching Lloyd's face fall, "although, I could ask you the same thing."

"I just needed some time for myself," Lloyd told him, sitting next to Zane before letting out a sigh, "I don't think I'm ready."

"To fight your father?," Zane offered, resulting in a nod from Lloyd, "You have every reason to be upset about this situation. I just reunited with my father, and I can confidently say that I would be very distraught if we were on opposite sides."

"My entire life, I've lost people. My father got banished, my mother went to work on her research and left me at Darkley's, even my uncle didn't take me in for a long time," Zane watched as Lloyd took in a shaky breath before wiping his face against his sleeve, "I don't wanna lose him again."

"Again?" Zane asked softly, as to avoid provoking Lloyd.

"My dad has been the only one to come back for me. When I got taken by the Serpentine, he left whatever evil place he was in to come save me, and I know you guys came for me too, but…"

"You're scared of being abandoned again after you fulfill the prophecy." Zane spoke aloud as it clicked in his head, and when Lloyd nodded, he could feel his heart break slightly.

"I don't want to be alone again."

Zane nodded, before gently laying his hand on Lloyd's shoulder and he saw the tear streaks on Lloyd's cheeks. "You won't be alone again, because you have me and the others. We are your brothers, and even if you didn't have elemental abilities, we would still be your brothers."

Zane didn't prepare himself adquitally for the hug that Lloyd gave him, and he could feel his circuits and gears tightening under his grasp.

But hearing Lloyd's soft voice whisper, "thank you, Zane," made it all worth it, and he couldn't stop himself from returning the hug.

"No sign of Chen or any of his warriors." PIXAL affirmed with a smile, which led Zane to repeat the message to Kai.

Now that he had been freed, he was fully able to explore exactly what his new body could do, and while he remembered big events clearly and flashes of small things, his memory was still foggy.

But he remembered his friends, and that was the biggest thing that mattered to him.

"Any sign of Skylor?" Kai begged, and Zane had no choice but to shake his head no, seeing the look of anguish on Kai's face grow more prominent.

"Let's keep looking. They couldn't have gotten off the island." Kai insisted, Zane following closely behind, watching as Kai's face went from anger to worry.

"You seem distraught, Kai. About more than Skylor," Zane reached forward and gently set his hand on Kai's shoulder, watching as he turned back to meet his eyes, "do you want to talk about it?"

Kai let out a sigh before turning back to the path and continued to walk, "I feel terrible for what happened. I had to trick Lloyd in order to get the staff from Chen, and then I almost hurt Lloyd and Skylor with the staff. Now she's missing, and...I feel like that's on me."

"No one blames you for that, Kai. Chen is the one who took her, not you." Zane reasoned softly.

"But I allowed myself to be corrupted by the staff. We all know how bad losing power is for Lloyd, and I allowed the power to consume me, to say things to him that...that I haven't believed in a long time."

"As soon as we get back, you two should talk and get everything out in the open," Zane stopped once again to put his hand on Kai's shoulder, "if we are going to fight as one, and stop Chen, we cannot have any harsh feelings towards each other."

"You're right," Kai nodded, before letting out another sigh, "I just hope Lloyd doesn't hate me."

"I think that would be impossible, Kai," Zane insisted, and when Kai turned to raise an eyebrow at him, he continued, "I do not remember everything, and my memories are still foggy, but I remember just how much Lloyd and you have bonded over the years. I have a feeling that after you two talk, he will forgive you."

Kai smiled, which made Zane's emotion levels spike with happiness, before the two continued walking deeper and deeper into Chen's island.

Zane couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something, like there was a gap in his memory drive, even if PIXAL insisted that there wasn't one.

So he was awake in the bridge, trying to double check; he really did trust PIXAL, but something had happened to his memories, and after the whole situation with his memory switch in the first place, something about forgetting just scared him.

But as he continued to go through his internal hard drive, and his memory drive, it seemed as though PIXAL was correct, and there was no gap.

As he went to close the files, that's when PIXAL popped up in his vision.

"Zane, there is someone in the general proximity of the bridge. Proceed with caution."

Zane straightened his back as he closed the files, even though the only sound he could hear was a slight sniffling that sounded a lot like crying, and grabbed one of the spare katanas that was out, turning slowly to see if he could scope out who was in the room, but that's when Jay turned the corner, a pint of ice cream in his hand that he almost threw at Zane when he screamed.

"What the heck are you doing up, Zane?!" Jay screeched as Zane set the katana on the table and approached him, "You're going to give me a heart attack if you're that quiet!"

"I'm sorry, I was just…" Zane trailed off before making eye contact with Jay, who now had the spoon from the pint of ice cream, that looked like it was Cole's ice cream, in his mouth; the tear streaks barely visible against Jay's cheeks, however, that's what Zane noticed, "What are you doing up at this hour?"

"Could ask you the same thing," Jay responded before sticking another spoonful in his mouth, "couldn't sleep, got hungry, and Cole's name isn't on his ice cream."

"I heard someone crying." Zane asked softly, watching as Jay nearly choked on a chunk of cookie dough before sputtering.

"Maybe it was Lloyd, you know he curls up under the wheel when he doesn't want anyone to know he's crying."

"Lloyd was snoring when I left our room, I would have seen him," he watched as Jay's body deflated slightly and he put the ice cream down on the console before sitting down, which led Zane to put his hand on his shoulder, "do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm just working through some things, things that...you wouldn't remember."

Zane swallowed as he made the connection that Jay knew exactly why he had a gap in his memory that PIXAL couldn't detect, but instead of freaking out, he sat next to Jay, and put his hand on his shoulder. "Maybe not, but I am willing to listen, even if you wanna erase this conversation afterwards."

"Nah, I'm not gonna do that," Jay wiped his hand across his face before taking a shaky breath and turning back to Zane, "You remember when we were trying to get to Stiix because of reports of Clouse being there?"

"Yes, that's when you and Nya resumed dating." Zane affirmed, watching as Jay's face fell slightly.

"Yeah, that's… not exactly what happened…"

'Remember when I put Kai's clothes in with yours, and you had to dress up as the pink ninja? Remember?' The blonde boy pleaded, green eyes full of tears.

He had no idea what this liar was talking about, let alone who he was. Vex insisted he was some sort of liar or traitor, but there was something about the way…

'No.'

He had no idea who this was.

•••

Zane tried to shake the memory away as he made his way to his room, looking over at the photo on his dresser.

The picture that they had taken after finishing the mural on the monastery wall; where Kai was holding onto Nya and Lloyd and Nya was holding onto Jay and Jay was holding onto Cole and Lloyd was holding onto him and he was holding onto PIXAL.

And they were all happy; even though the Oni almost killed them all, there was a large gash next to Lloyd's eye and Cole looked like he had been through the underworld and back, they were happy.

Zane was anything but happy now.

When they returned from the Never-Realm, and they shared weary smiles and hugs with Master Wu and PIXAL, despite the frostbite, Lloyd's obvious concussion and the burns on Kai's hands that would definitely scar, they were happy.

The feeling in Zane's gut was not going away anytime soon. Watching as PIXAL stitched the cut on the back of Lloyd's head, applied bandages to Kai's hands, and treated the frostbite wasn't helping with that either.

Zane didn't deserve to feel happy after nearly killing the others. After nearly killing Lloyd.

While the others were eating dinner, courtesy of Nya, Zane was sitting outside on the steps of the monastery; he didn't need to eat, and even if he did, he didn't think he could stomach it.

'You were built to protect those who cannot protect themselves. You failed your purpose. Both as a ninja, and as yourself.'

Despite all that had happened with his memories, Zane was starting to consider asking Jay to wipe the archive of the Never-Realm. Maybe he wouldn't feel as bad then.

"Hey," a voice interrupted his thoughts, and he lifted his head to see Lloyd smiling at him, although it was more of a sympathetic smile than a genuine one, "mind if I sit here?"

"You're not supposed to be outside, or on stairs for that matter, without supervision," Zane reasoned, but still moved so Lloyd could sit beside him, "you still have a concussion."

"Well, you're here, so I'm being supervised," Lloyd reasoned while sitting, and Zane couldn't deny that logic, and the company was more welcome than the deafening silence, "besides, I need a break from Kai and Master Wu breathing down my neck."

Zane nodded as Lloyd adjusted to get comfortable; he had noticed how understandably protective both of them had grown since they had gotten back, and how Lloyd had insisted immediately that the concussion was Vex's fault, refusing to look Zane in the eye.

"So, are you leaving?" Lloyd's voice cracked, which jolted something in Zane's system as he nearly stood with the shock.

"No, no, I'm not leaving," he insisted, unable to ignore the relief on Lloyd's face as he spoke, "why would you ask that?"

"Because the last time you left the monastery at night, you found my treehouse," Lloyd kicked at a pebble before looking at Zane, "and when the Hypnobri burned down the old monastery-"

But Lloyd's voice cut out as the scene played out in his head.

'Flames, trapped dragons, no more training equipment, no home, nowhere to go, alone, everyone accusing him of causing this, insisting that it was a teaching moment, being ignored, seeing the falcon, following it, the feeling of being alone again.'

"I left because I saw the falcon, and you weren't even there." Zane tried to convince Lloyd that it hadn't been the guilt, feeling like he had screwed up, feeling like he was alone.

"You're right, I was busy being a brat," Lloyd reasoned before looking back at Zane, "but I know as well as anyone what guilt is, and you felt it then, like you feel it now."

Zane swallowed; did everyone know? Was he terrible at hiding this? Had they planned to send Lloyd out?

"I hurt people. A lot of people," Zane swallowed, knowing that there were tears in his eyes, "I hurt you."

"That was Vex-" Lloyd tried to insist, but Zane shook his head, unable to look at Lloyd and instead looked up at the glittering stars.

"You don't have to lie to me, Lloyd. They were my hands, I was the one who…" he couldn't even finish his sentence without choking on the emotions on his throat.

He felt Lloyd's hand on his shoulder, he couldn't look at him, but he couldn't reach over and pull his hand off either, 'what if I freeze him? What if I hurt him again?'

"You know, Master Wu has a saying for things like this, "we cannot change the past, but we can affect the future"," Lloyd quoted, leading Zane to swallow harshly as his master's words rang true in his head, "but I get it. Feeling like you hurt people because it was your hands."

'Morro.'

"Lloyd, I didn't-" Zane started, finally managing to look at Lloyd, but he was cut off by childlike wonder spreading across his face.

"A shooting star! Quick, make a wish!" Lloyd begged, and Zane wiped at his tears before closing his eyes, pretending to make a wish before turning back to Lloyd.

"What did you wish for?" He asked, fully indulging Lloyd at this point, who was standing up. 'Lloyd deserves this, after everything.'

"That you'll come back inside with me and the others," Lloyd held out his hand to Zane, making his head throb with worry.

'You'll hurt him, you'll hurt him, you'll hurt-' "You're not going to hurt me, Zane."

Zane took Lloyd's hand, and allowed him to lead him to the living room.

For the first time since they got back from the Never-Realm, as Cole and Kai went head to head in their video game, as Nya and Jay snuggled on the couch, as he sat in between Lloyd and PIXAL, things felt right again.

He let PIXAL hold his hand, he let Cole high five him, he let Jay give him a fist bump, he hit the empty bag of chips away from Lloyd's head. Even as Master Wu pulled Lloyd away from the TV due to the concussion and Cole took his spot, he still felt calm. Relaxed even. Maybe now, they could all start to heal together.

#Ninjago #lego ninjago #zane ninjago #lloyd montgomery garmadon #jay walker #nya ninjago #kai ninjago #cole ninjago #master wu #pixal #pilot season #season 2 #season 4 #season 6 #season 11 #angst #family #friendship #the formatting is a little weird but i wanted the whole story to fit on here

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toosweetfiddlesticks · 4 years ago

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Can you do Bakugou x soft (male or gn) reader meeting a Karen and go creative with it hope you have fun

Big Meanie

Paring: Barista!Bakugou x Soft!Gn!Cashier reader

Warning: Karen being a Karen, cussing, bakujealous, Bakugou calling you a big meanie, not proof read

Catoergy: Comedy

A/N: Thank you for the request!!

Summary: boom boom man gets upset because you didn’t let him be the Hero of the day.

—————————

As you unlocked the door, you huffed a breathe of anxiety out and tried to build up as much optimism you could for your first day. You felt a mixture of anxiousness and excitement boil in you.

With a smile full of courage, you stepped into the clean kitchen. The lights contrasted and dimmed the already dark morning sky as you felt a cool breeze from an opened window. The hall was a bit dimmer from the kitchen so you turned those lights on for the rest of the co-workers. An ash halons hair boy was currently wrapping the store’s iconic colored apron around his waist. He tighter his grip as he caught a glismp of you.

“Good morning!” You spoke softly, but cheerful. You flashed a small smile but his demeanor did change. He held his solemn look at you when blood red eyes. “So...how was your sleep?” Your excuse of small talk feel short the silence in the air seemed to be even more awkward between the two of you. He grunted and muttered something under his breathe before speaking.

“Don’t forget to clock in.” He ignored your question which honestly, did not bother you. You took his warning and walked out to the time clock, punching in your time. Silence swallowed you both while once again. Ok y/n, your co-worker may not be the most friendliest, but hey it’s only your first day, how bad can it be.

”Also,” You head shot up from the time clock. Your co-workers back facing you. “Don’t talk to me, you boring extra.”

——————————

You began to start your third day shift with a proud smile on your face. As you made your way to the time clock to punch in, greetings of waves goodbyes from other workers thats shifts just ended, you’ve met made your start of the day feel even better. Humbly, you waved the two men off.

“Bye Kiri, bye Denki!” Denki giggly waved his hand in the arm with excitement as he happily walked with Kirishima.

“Bye Y/N!” The sharp tooth man cheerfully sang his farewell. His arm hugging around the shoulders of his shorter blonde hair friend. But before the two could fully walk out, the red head immediately turns back around, as if something just came to mind. “Also” he added, “watch out for the Karen’s.” Your head titled with puzzlement.

“The Karen’s?” You kept your question in your head and before you knew it, the two was gone.

But you shrugged it off for the day and continued to go back to work.

——————————

“Hey move it extra!” Bakugou’s voice arose from behind you like a sound of a hurricane warning. You huffed a little and stepped aside from the time clock. Tiredly, you twisted your body around and leaned against the wall, facing him with crossed arms. Your eyes dropped a bit and your eyelids cried to close. But though you body was ready to sleep, you were wide awake..kinda. You manage trying to hide your weary face. Holding a hopeful smile and you greeted Bakugou.

“Morning Bakugou.” There was a small chance he would really greet you back with a morning salutation. Today was not the latter. He’s body seemed a bit stiff, he’s face looked alive and refreshed, but his body slouched a bit. Turning his head to you, an eyebrow raised at you.

You stiffened a bit, you leaned off the grey wall with a feeling of astonishment , “Wow that’s new.” A notion you told yourself.

Still, he said nothing, leaving you two both in somewhat awkward silence. By the looks of it, he was staring with bit of puzzlement in his eyes. He’s red eyes sparks with a look of examination. As if he was searching for a look, or scanning your farcical features like a robot. He was just standing there, arms crossed, eyes stern, eyebrows furrowed. It seemed like forever before you two said anything.

“Are you tired?” Bakugou finally spoke that shock you. You were a bit taken a back at his response but nodded you head. He grumbled something under his breathe and signaled you to follow him. “Come here,” he sighed.

You’re eyes widened, but you obeyed and follow. As you walked, you could hear his small mutters and talks but couldn’t understood a thing he said. He walked a little slow than usual, like if he was trying to make sure he didn’t leave in you in the dust.

The walk was short and you made it to the destination in no time. He groaned as you got there, the kitchen area. Your eyebrows drew with concern.

Backing up a little, you spoke “Uhm, look if you’re gonna splash me with water-“

But your cautiousness was only mocked by small chuckles that bubbled up in Bakugou as he picked up a plastics cup.

“No I won’t, ya idiot.” He interjected, “What’s your type of coffee, you like Frappuccino or somethin’?”

——————————

“Hey, Cashier Extra!” Y/N nostrils flare with heavy air leaving them. For the past three months and a half, you’ve been having to deal with one of the biggest meanies they had ever known in their entire life. Originally, you thought you were confused at times by him.

Bakugou Katsuki was one of the hardest people work with sometimes. It was like he had a whole book of mean names and rude comments. Or looked up how to send the worlds most bone-chilling stare. And after a long tiring day of work, right as you’re are about to clock out, you hear the small words “bye extra” leave his grumpy little pie hole. You wondered why his rude one point, then nice another.

Y/N briskly huff, straightening out any wrinkles or creases in your pale button up shirt. “Yeah Bakugou?” Y/N tried to give Bakugou the most genuine confusion on your face. Though Y/N didn’t find a lot great characteristics of Bakugou, but they knew that Bakugou was a smart man. He quickly caught onto their small frown creasing at the sides of their mouth and y/n bothered eyes.

But unlike usually, Bakugou’s face didn’t seem to get annoyed at that. No, instead, how facial expressions seemed to go down a little. Bakugou’s eyebrows furrowed, from y/n couldn’t tell what was on Bakugou’s mind. He’s volcanic eyes seemed to be put out.

Y/N would almost say the usual solemn face of Bakugou Katsuki just broke away for a minute.

Bakugou caught himself, the dust of his volcanic chucked up as the lava came back into his eyes, keeping a stern look. Though Bakugou wouldn’t admit, Bakugou had definitely fallen for Y/N strong admiration for this job and their determination. He’d give them the compliment from time to time, but to wasn’t as much as he wanted to say.

“Just make sure you remember to clock in.” He mumbled softly, Y/N could barely even hear it. They nodded, a bit confused, but nodded and almost went on to work like usual. “Hey!” Bakugou stopped Y/N in their tracks, “Be cautious of Karens.”

The name still confused you to this day, but once again, you shrugged it off with a nod and carried on.

——————

This would have to one of the most crowded shift you’ve ever had, ever. If you were a customer, driving up into the driveway, you would’ve definitely drive straight out by the amount of people parked or in the driveway, getting their order taken their.

Bakugou, Denki and six others carefully rushed with the drinks, other orders holding up on the racks. Kirishima, Mina, and another worker kept up their the best they could, taking people’s orders from the drive through, then there was you and three other cashiers. You four had to take the orders as smooth and quick as possible, all of you praying that the customer will have a little bit of compassion and patience. Lines of people excitedly waiting to order the new drink the shop put out.

The Christmas Chocolate Winter Cream. Your new enemy, almost every single child, adult, teen, everyone was asking and wanting that “creamy delicious coffee”. Who even lets their child drink coffee! You didn’t want any part of it.

“Stupid coffee ice cream, its not even December yet!” You quickly grumbled under your breath.

”Uhm, excuse me?” You nearly forgot about the rush hour at work today. Hastily you straighten your spine. The customer was a lady, maybe in her late 50s. Her pale skin wore brightly colored pigment over its wrinkles and creases. Her hair was short but bumped up and curled.

“Oh I said, hi welcome to StaryBunkers,” You correct yourself quickly, trying to pass your entirely different words as the same, you grasp notepad and it’s thin paper in one hand, and a pencil in another. Forcibly, you gave the customer a fake smile that would impress the greatest actress. “What would you like for today. Behind your fake smile and your facial creases, you internally prayed with every god, deity, and goddess you know, hoping that they wouldn’t say..

“The Christmas Chocolate Winter Cream,” The older lady grasp her young daughter tightly that was so short, you just now noticed her. She seems to be up to her mother’s knees. “make that two please, today’s my girls big day!” The woman’s words didn’t invoke any feeling of excitement that usually does when some says big day to you.

“tHe cHirStmAs cHocOlatE wIntEr cReAm”

Your sighs of annoyance was held captive in the bars of your fake smile. “Of course!” Your forgery of cheerfulness impressed your cashier partners who’s fake smile was somewhat stiff and expressionless. “Birthday I presume?” You ask, the pencil’s tip close to the paper, ready to write.

“Yep!” The little girl chirped, her two brown pigtails swinging with you as she nodded her head. Ok you had to admit, the little girl was very sweet and cute. She single handedly made your stressful day a little bit better (ugh what a queen, we stan)

Your smile became more genuine, you heart even warmed a little.. “Coming right up, wait a moment please.” You paced hastily behind you, internally wishing you could spend you whole entire day in the back. You made your way quickly to the kitchen, hoping the customer were the patient type as you heard the shouts of anger coming from the drive through. You took a quick glance at the altercation.

“I SAID CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE WINTER CREAM,” The customer aggressively yanked the the lid up. “THIS ISN’T ENOUGH CREAM!” The white and red haired boy calmly his hands out, trying to rationalize with the person.

“Sir, ” He spoke with dullness, “Thats how much cream comes with it.” But the customer only got even more hotheaded.

“NO IT ISN’T!”

“Yes it is.” Todoroki scrunched his face up, “You don’t even work here, how would you know?” Todoroki, unknowingly made the man even more upset which cause the drink from his hand to fly out towards him. You panic, rushing over there the close the door before it was too late. But, the man was quicker, and as the drink came rushing to a motionless Todoroki, a body came rushing in to take the hit, Kirishima.

“Brrooooooo” He said in slow motion. “Poor Kiri” you internally spoke with pity. And as the man ran away, kirishima’s stomach burned from the heat of the coffee. You cringed at the sound of his small whimpers of pain. “F in the chat.” You busy back to the kitchen.

The steam from the coffee makers brush against your skin, squeezing out a very thin layer of sweat on your cheeks. Quickly, you yelled.

“Two Today Specials for Cashier number UNO,” the Barista’s groaned, “AKA Y/N!” You yelled again for clarification. They, annoyedly, went back to work with the drinks again. The most pissed out of all them though was Bakugou. Not cause of the loaded day. But because everyone was going to “slow”. He huffed, panted, scream, yelled, intensely ordered and more,

The man was like lighting, filling up cup after cup after cup.

“Move your asses!” He sealed three cups and handed them to Mina, “Y/N stop wasting your time back here and work!” Your posture caved in, but you obey his command like a solider obeying their Sargent.

“Aye aye, Captain.” You sang jokingly. And while the others smirk and giggled amongst the stresss, Bakugou arch an eyebrow at your jokes and went back to work.

You happily went along to the front again to update the mother and the daughter about their meals. But as you approach them, you could hear the mother’s now bewildered voice. It was like cat nails to a chalkboard and her voice was crackly.

Her scream filled the whole place, putting a pause on the whole day. You internally panicked, not only can you feel the wrath of the woman from where you were standing, you could also feel the piercing and grim stare of Bakugou behind you. Once again, you we’re praying to gods, goddess, and deities. Praying that whatever is out there won’t eat you alive. Swallowing down your fear, you began to walk, with the feeling of it stuck down in your stomach.

Once you were in her eyesight, she swatted her daughters arms. And like a puppy, the girl immediately obeyed, handing her phone to her. The lady was obnoxiously grumbling words under breath as she pressed record. And with a large gulp she began her fit. You knew exactly what was gonna happen.

This..this must be the Karen they’ve talked about.

“SAY HELLO TO THE MEDIA!” Her voice sings with pride, “THIS PERSON MADE MY DAUGHTER WAIT ONE HOUR FOR HER DRINK-“ Your eyes grew with shock at the woman’s words. But before you could say anything, the cashier next to you, Deku interjected. His arm reached over to hover over your body as a means to protect you.

“Hang on now!” He argued. “You’ve only been here for three minutes!” You nodded in agreement. Pushing Deku’s arm up to cover your face from the camera.

“I’m sorry for the wait ma’am” you apologize, “But all you had to do was wait a couple of more minute-“

“DO YOU SEE THIS?” The woman ignored your remarks and claims, instead focusing on her own, “THEY ARE TRYING TO DISCREDIT ME AND MY NINE! YES NINE! YEAR OLD DAUGHTER!” She waved her phone in her daughters face like she was evidence. She waved, hopped, and dance around the counters and to other people’s table. “HOW CAN YOU PEOPLE DRINK HERE!” Her words and movements were melodramatic and over the top.

And after her little rant to the people, some of which left, she stomped her way back to you and Deku. This time, she had a nasty smirk on her face and a hot drink in her free hand she stolen from another customer.

“Ya know what!”

“Oh no not this again”

Hastily, you moved Deku and you away from the woman’s sight. You two ran into the back kitchen to Chef Ramsey Bakugou. Who was now even more pissed. Not only did Y/N make a Karen mad (ok he knew it impossible not to make them mad he’s just stressed). But no, instead of running to him, Y/N runs to Deku first?! Man’s got his priorities straight.

As Deku quickly runs over the back area to get his phone, you rush over to Bakugou and the others in panic. “Bakugou, call the police!” The others around quickly take of aprons and another things at the words of that. Police involved?? Yep they think a murder just went down. But Bakugou just grumbles and huffs.

“No.”

....

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO!?” Bakugou looks at you with bewilderment, this is his first time hearing you yell at him that way. But before he process the fact that a cinnamon bun is yelling at him, you began to grasp and shake at his shoulders. “THE LADY IS TRYING TO KILL ME!”

“WELL YOU SHOULD’VE CAME TO ME INSTEAD OF FUCKING DEKU FOR PROTECTION..” Bakugou fumbled and shouted through his words. “Y-YOU BIG MEANIE”

You two went silent after that,

Big

...

Big Meanie?

Deku came out from the back with his phone, “Shoto!” Todoroki’s head jerked towards his way. “Help me with the Karen!” Todoroki nodded.

————-

Finally, the situation was under control, the Karen was banned from the coffee shop, Mina and Denki gave Kirishima some aloe. And while things didn’t really calm down until the day was done, everyone seemed a bit less tense, expect you and Bakugou. For the rest of the day, he was knocking over cups, using wrong lids, and spilling coffee. Dude’s lucky that he wasn’t fire. He felt embarrassed by the way he reacted. Now Y/N probably saw him as some type of control freak. Tensions were high and he was stressful.

Bakugou quickly moved pass the others, trying to clock out early before Y/N sees him-

“Hey Bakugou” Bakugou internally groaned at the sound of your voice. Screw you plot device he said to himself. Bakugou turned his head to the side to face you. Yo he side view is lowkey cute you noted. “Could we talk outside, after I clock out?”

Oh how badly Bakugou wanted to say no. The pit in his stomach grew bigger as he nodded.

“Great, just give me a second” Bakugou nodded once again and quickly clocked out. He’s footsteps echoed in his head as he waited outside, leaning against the glass wall of the store.

He didn’t know what you were gonna say, but he had an idea of it. He annoyed you to no end, made things harder for you, and was never truly nice to you that often. How was he suppose to believe that you would like a guy like him in anyway? He internally frowned at his thoughts, the words eating him up and chewing him out only to get stepped on by the crushing feeling of doubt.

Once he saw the buildings door open with you coming out to join him, that crushing feeling of doubt covered and weighed down on him. This was it he thought. He shoved his hands into his pockets, readying himself for the painful impact of rejected.

“Bakugou..” you softly asked. Bakugou hmm’d at you with a feeling of shame boiling inside.. “Did you mean it when you said i was a big meanie?” Bakugou let out a sigh of pain.

He caught onto your words late, “Look I’m sorry for-what?”

“You called me a big meanie.” You mumbled, “and I was wondering if you were serious because one, you’re like 23.”

“I’m 16” he deadpanned “Like you.” You ignored him though.

“and two, you’re the one who’s been acting like a big meanie.” You accused which wasn’t contradicted, “And all cause you like me huh” Bakugou opened his mouth to spew his defense, but nothing came out but a small “I”. He sighed defeatedly.

“Im sorry,” He spoke. “I just, didn’t know how to tell you or whatever.” He spoke so awkwardly and shy. “I’ll uh, I’ll leave you alone or whatever.”

You drew out a finger, objecting. “Hold on now,” you replied. “Who said I didn’t like you?” Bakugou’s heart sparked at those words, he lifted his head, red sparks in his eyes. “Hey what can I say? A big meanie like me likes big meanies too.”

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clanwarrior-tumbly · 4 years ago

Note

Could we get this time an Eduardo x Reader x Edd fighting for the reader during PowerEdd?

Funny how I saw this after I re-watched that Eddisode XD I went the platonic route bc I think it's more amusing to see them fight for Reader's friendship

.......

"Holy shi-"

As you swerved the car, narrowly missing the crashed vehicle in front of you, that's when you realized it was Tom's. You hit the brakes and got out to investigate why it was flipped over.

But you noticed Matt was inside, so you rushed over and knelt down by the broken window. "Matt! You okay?!"

Fortunately, he wasn't badly hurt as he opened his eyes, grinning upon seeing you. You were one of the friendlier neighbors, thank goodness.

"I'm alright, [y/n]!" He said as you helped wriggle him free from the car wreckage. "Is my face alright, though?"

"It is, don't worry. Now-"

"Oh look!!" He pointed to the sky, and you followed his gaze. You could see two men in green costumes fighting each other, throwing kicks, punches, and energy beams. It was like something straight out of an action film.

"Damn that's crazy. But where's Tom and Edd?" You looked back at Matt, confused.

"Ah..funny story." He began. "Edd got these crazy-awesome superpowers! But so did Eduardo...and he destroyed the bacon, cola, and cotton factories so Edd brought us here to fight him! Though he threw the car at Eduardo and then he punched Tom-"

"Wait, wait..you mean to tell me that's Edd and Eduardo in the sky?"

"Yeah!"

"And they're gonna kill each other..."

"It's cool, right?! Let's get a selfie-!!" But when Matt looked over, you had disappeared, instead running over to where the two men were still fighting.

Eduardo had slammed Edd into the concrete, shouting that he'll be "coming in second place" as he manifested a massive energy ball. But before he could throw it, you called out to him.

"Eduardo!! Stop!"

With a groan, Edd opened his eyes, surprised but relieved to see you arrive just in time. "[Y/n]! You made it-!"

"Oh no..don't even TRY it," Eduardo spat, scowling at his rival. "You always get everything you want!! I won't let you have them!!"

"Are you listening to me?! What's this all about?"

He turned to you, the energy ball in his hands shrinking significantly as he frowned. "You may hate me for this, and I'm sorry, but...I promised you I'd be numero uno someday!! I've had enough of being second place. The laughing stock!! I'm DONE!!"

At first you didn't know what "promise" he was talking about, but then....you remembered something from long ago:

~Flashback~

Despite your art project coming in third place, you weren't too upset. In fact, you were quite proud of it as you admired it on the easel.

Your other classmates left a few minutes ago, taking theirs home: Tord drew a giant red robot, Tom made a big purple monster, Matt painted a mirror with him in its reflection, and Edd hugged his sloppily-drawn superhero persona, grinning as he bragged about being "number one".

Hearing a sob, you turned around to see Eduardo crying in the corner of the classroom. As you walked over, you frowned upon seeing his duck painting on the floor and decided to put it back on the easel.

You're the only one who didn't taunt him for coming in second place, whereas everyone else did. It was wrong and mean; you didn't think it was fair for the teacher to suddenly give Edd first place, either.

"Hey, um.." You began, crouching down in front of the sobbing boy. "I got third place if it helps..you did better than me."

"B-But I wanted first!!" He looked up at you with a face full of snot and tears. "Edd always gets first! It's not fair! I just wanna be better than him.."

"Well...I liked your drawing best."

Eduardo sniffled in response, wiping his nose. "R-Really?"

You nodded and put your arms out, offering him a hug. "I'm sorry everyone teased you. You deserved first place."

However, he seemed wary of your intentions, as he just frowned and hugged his knees. "Wh-Why did you stay? You're always walking home with Edd."

"I couldn't leave knowing my best friend would be all alone and sad."

He blinked in astonishment. "I-I'm..your best friend?"

"Yeah! He's just a friend, so..you're first place in my friendships." You reassured him.

Now your words finally got through to him. He grinned from ear-to-ear and accepted your hug. "Thanks, mi amigo..I-I promise I'll be better than him someday!"

~Flashback End~

Eduardo seemed to remember as well, as he rubbed the tears from his eyes and growled. "And today's that day!" His hair became neon green.

"You helped me at my lowest point, [y/n]..and I never forgot that. So join me and we'll put that loser of a neighbor in his place--second place, that is!" He laughed evilly, levitating off the ground.

You looked past him and towards Edd, who was wiping the blood from his mouth. It was clear that his strength was waning, and you were merely giving him time to recharge.

But the realization hit you: the reason why they were always fighting, even before superpowers entered the picture.

It was because of you and the simple fact that you befriended them both. Maybe Edd was angrier at the destroyed factories that produced his favorite things, but Eduardo couldn't comprehend you being friends with his rival.

Only you could stop this from escalating into something catastrophic.

"You don't have to prove anything."

"..huh?" Eduardo's glowing hair faded back to normal as he stared down at you, confused.

"I know we kinda drifted apart over the years but..you're still my best friend. Edd hasn't taken your place at all." You smiled. "Honestly you're both pretty cool and it'd suck if I lost either of you."

Edd overheard your words, as he emerged from the crater and flew over to you. He bumped into his still-perplexed rival. "You really mean that, [y/n]?"

"I do. So c'mon guys, enough's enough. Killing each other just to get my attention isn't the way. There's nothing you gotta prove to me."

"I...." Eduardo lowered himself to the ground. "I'm still numero uno in your friendships? Even after all this time?"

"Yes, you're-"

However you were cut off by a loud roar, and you yelped in surprise as a giant one-eyed monster leaped down in front of you three. It seemed confused by the lack of fighting between Edd and Eduardo.

The two took your yelp as a scream of terror and looked at each other for a moment. Then together they manifested one giant beam that blasted the monster into the sky, far away from you.

But that was apparently the last of their energy reserves, as their costumes disappeared, switching back to normal civilian clothing.

Eduardo seemed dazed, and you let him lean on you for support. "Ugh..you okay?"

"Yeah." You chuckled, glad to see them both working together for once, before noticing Edd was still floating in the air.

He noticed Eduardo lost his powers and was about to laugh at him, though your scowl silenced him quickly. Eventually he lost his powers, too, as a bee startled him, sending him to the ground.

"I'll admit..you did deserve first place. My drawing sucked.." He told his neighbor, who looked at him in surprise.

You just smiled. How ironic that an ordinary person like you saved the day.

"Now..how about we settle this over some cola and diet cola?"

#also eduardo is becoming one of my new faves #ehehe #clanask #anonymous #eddsworld x reader #ew edd x reader #ew eduardo x reader

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rayeverydangday · 3 years ago

Text

Get it with a Kirby Back, Guarantee! Chapter 2

Notes: I forgot to say this fic takes place in the light novel universe

As Kirby headed to Castle Dedede he noticed some changes…

For one, they didn’t remember the castle overlooking the ocean, it was in the middle of Dreamland. Nowhere near the sea. Second, they didn't remember there being a small town nearby. The castle itself looked different as well.

While the shape was similar to its more recent design, the colors on it looked different. A bit bland and dirty.

“Did King Dedede have the castle be moved to the sea?” the young puffball pondered.

Finally they made it to the castle itself. A few patrolling Waddle Dees walked by and Kirby waved at them happily. But they did not return the gesture. “Huh… they look odd,” they pondered out loud. Their eyes looked almost empty and they walked in an almost robotic manner. “Hmm… maybe… I should make sure Bandana Dee is okay… “ they said, growing concerned for their friend.

They entered through the drawbridge and only grew more concerned as they explored deeper. This was nothing like the Castle Dedede they had come to know. Its walls were a dark green instead of yellows and light browns. Mini Dedede statues lined the walls the same green color.

They didn’t get it. Everything was different and they didn’t like it. They felt unwelcome in what had almost become a second home to him. “Why…? Where…? Waddle Dee! Dedede!” they called out. They had to be here. They’ll help clear things up. Where were they?

“Bandana? Bandana! Dedede?!” they cried. They felt little tears sting their eyes. Where were their friends?

“Kirby?” an odd voice said. they turned and saw a purple snail? They tilted their head and asked, “Who are you?”

The snail jumped back in complete shock, as if he’d said something wrong. Then he cautiously bent down closer to him, and with a confused look said, “Did you just speak?”

“Yes.” Kirby said unsure. “Why wouldn’t I? Do you know where Dedede is? I was with Bandana Dee and then I picked a thing and then I was outside and then the waddle dees looked odd and I don��t know what's happening!” they said.

The snail looked confused and said, “Uh… listen I don’t know any waddle dees wearing a bandana and I don’t know if the king would want to see you... “

“Huh? Why not? Is he sick? Is he hurt?”

“Uh… “

“ESCARGOON!” A voice with a thick southern accent rang through the castle walls. It almost sounded familiar. The snail looked nervous and yelled back, “Coming sire!”

“Dedede!” Kirby shouted, happy to have found at least one familiar friend. Even if he was putting up an odd voice at the moment.

“Ahhh! Wait, Kirby!” the snail, Escargoon, called out. But Kirby simply followed the sound of the voice all the way to the throne room.

Meta Knight wanted to talk to Dedede about the tower. Specifically what had happened after it. He wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about the events but…

There was something about the way Dedede had helped him, that made him see the glutton of a king in a new light.

So he had come to the castle in hopes of chatting with the King.

Only to find out about an entirely different crisis going on.

He spotted Dedede talking with his loyal subordinate, Waddle Dee, who had a worried look on his face.

As he drew closer he picked up on the conversation.

“… he’s just broken?” The king had suggested, Meta Knight unable to hear the first part of what the king said.

“I don’t know, he was asking for someone. And was holding this when I found him.”

As Meta entered the room, the two turned to him and he saw Waddle Dee holding a glass star shaped object in his hand. He knew what it was.

Before he could say anything though, a small “Poyo” admitted from behind the two and Kirby rushed over and hugged him.

“Wha…?” He was a bit surprised by the gesture.

“Sir Meta Knight! Something is wrong with Kirby! All they’re saying is “poyo” and he doesn’t seem to understand us.” Waddle Dee explained.

He felt something brush against his wing and he saw Kirby staring at them in wonder. “Po poyo?” He said as if it was a question, and looked as if he had never seen his wings before.

“I think he’s just broken.” The King said, matter of factly.

“Hmm… Waddle Dee what was it you had in your hand.” Meta Knight asked. The Dee handed it to the Knight, “He was holding it when I found him.” The knight looked it over, and said, “I believe this is a Dimensional Star. It has the ability to take you to different worlds.”

“Whoa.” The two said in unison. They stared at it for a bit before Meta turned to Dedede and said, “Why do you have this?”

“Uh… remember when you went to that black market to find a halcandrian item to summon Galacta Knight?”

“Yes.”

“Well… I bought that because it looked pretty. The seller didn’t say anything about dimensional travel.” Dedede laughed nervously.

Kirby seemed to be confused as he watched the two converse. Waddle Dee walked up to him and stared into his eyes. “Hmmm…” he hummed. “I don’t think this is our Kirby then.” Waddle Dee concluded. The King and Knight looked at each other then at the two kids.

Meta Knight sighed. “Then it seems we’ll have retrieved our Kirby.”

Previous / Next

#Get it with a Kirby back guarantee #kirby #kirby light novel #King Dedede #Meta Knight #Bandana Waddle Dee #kirby right back at ya

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wesimpforxiao · 4 years ago

Text

Say My Name and I’ll Be There: 4.1

Author’s Note: So I’m thinking of updating every other day or every two days? I tend to write compulsively and neglect my schoolwork lol. Juggling this with work and school will be difficult if I post every day (I can’t help it though, I love updating every day!) So yeah. Also if anyone has chapter filler ideas or prompts they want me to write out, message me or comment below! Back to the story!

..........................................

Xiao had just cleared a band of hilichurls when he came across the small stuffed bunny lying on the ground. It was tattered and worn, but still held its original color. He picked it up and dusted it off, glancing in the direction of the crying girl at the top of the hill. She had been crying over her stolen toy so Xiao took it upon himself to return it to her.

He may or may not have destroyed a portion of the rice crop in doing so...but no matter! The girl was happy now.

"Thank you Mr. Adeptus!" She gave him a toothy grin and hugged her bunny close. "Thank you so much!"

"It was no trouble." Xiao didn't return her smile and began to walk across the bridge that oversaw most of the rice crop. What was it with mortal children and material possessions? Was it like him with his yaksha mask and spear?

"Mr. Adeptus sir, would you like something to eat?"

"Mortal food is not to my liking." He continued to walk away despite hearing her disappointed 'oh.' His eyes landed at the top of another hill, where the hall of Quince Village sat. I should check on her Granny while I'm here.

"Welcome to my humble home! How may I--" Granny's eyes widened significantly when she caught sight of Xiao. "Oh my, it's been some time. Is she alright? Has something happened?"

"Mm." Xiao flicked his gaze around the building before he closed the distance. "She's fine. The Fatui will pose a significant problem. They may come to you first."

"Oh," Granny rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about me then, dear. Just make sure she's safe. I can handle the Fatui's interrogations just fine."

"There's no telling what tactics they may use or what they're after. Make no mention of my interactions with you, nor how you found her. It is for your own safety."

"Consider it done! Now, would you like a cup of tea?"

...........................

"Wait, what?" You and the rest of the adventure team had returned to Quince Village on your request.

Well...when you say 'the rest of the adventure team,' it was just you and Aether. Diluc and Bennett had returned to Mondstat on your way here from Liyue Harbor. After your little confrontation with Childe, he claimed there was unfinished business with the Fatui in the harbor and had to remain there. You didn't believe it one bit.

"Yeah! Do you think he doesn't like me?" Lil Luo's shoulders drooped in sadness. She held her tattered bunny tight against her chest.

"'An adeptus that doesn't smile," Aether met your eyes. "That sounds like Xiao."

"W-well, when was he here? When did this happen?" You had to refrain from shaking her little shoulders for answers.

"U-um, maybe a week ago? I saw him a couple more times after that, but he never smiled back at me..."

"Xiao," you whispered to yourself and scanned the fields for any sign of him. "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Four days ago, I think."

"You want to look for him, don't you?" Aether raised a smug brow.

"Can we?" You pleaded.

"We're here on your request. Might as well stay a bit, right?"

"Thank you so much!"

"You can just repay us with food," Paimon popped up and was practically drooling at her own imagination. Aether nodded in agreement.

The three of you--correction, two of you-- climbed the hill to the village center while Paimon floated carefree alongside Aether. The second you reached the top, you were greeted with a disturbing sight.

Fatui agents.

"W-what the hell?" You instinctually grabbed the hilt of your sword, as did Aether. "What are Fatui doing in Quince Village?"

"Paimon has no idea. Let's get them!"

"Doesn't your Granny live here?" Aether sent you a worried look.

"Yes, she does." You marched right up to the nearest agent and puffed out your chest. "Excuse me, what's going on here? Why are you morons moving my Granny's stuff out of the house?"

"Who're you callin' morons?" The agent scoffed through his mask. "Shouldn't you be in school or somethin'? Scram. Get out of here. Damn kids."

"This is MY house," your blade pressed against his neck in a flash. "Get off of my property." Aether followed your lead and drew his weapon too.

"I'm afraid it isn't your home anymore," an all-too familiar deep voice flowed through the air. Zhongli shot the agent a look that caused him to leave the situation to the consultant. "I sincerely apologize for not being in touch recently. The funeral parlor has been quite backed-up lately thanks to Hu Tao's mismanagement."

"What are you doing here?" Paimon asked the question that was on all your minds. "The funeral parlor is so far south of here."

"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor serves all of Liyue," answered Zhongli. His piercing eyes turned their attention to you and Aether. "As you know, the parlor is partnered with the Fatui."

"And? That doesn't explain why you're here," you snarled. Don't get anything mixed up; you were happy to see him. But the Fatui at your house? Not as much.

Zhongli released a short sigh and closed his eyes. "We received a call from one of your neighbors. It appears your grandmother died last night of a heart attack."

Something hard panged within your chest and it was suddenly difficult to breath. "That's not...possible."

"Hey," Aether wrapped an arm around your shoulders as the world seemed to sway beneath your feet. He slowly led you to the ground.

"That's horrible," Paimon muttered. "Was it...painful?"

"Paimon!" Aether hushed.

"No. It was rather quick. She had not suffered long." Zhongli knelt so that he was eye level with you. "I had sent someone to meet up with you in Dihua Marsh, but it appears as though the messenger never met you. My apologies for the oversight, dear friend."

"Then," you gulped, "why are the Fatui here?"

"Your grandmother had signed the house over to them a day or so before she passed."

"What? Why would she do that? She loves this house!" Your tears dried before they had the chance to fall. Your fists tightened as you struggled to determine who the enemy was. Was it Zhongli? He was technically Fatui if he worked with them. Xiao could have been wrong about him. "Who's in charge here?"

Zhongli almost appeared hesitant to answer. Xiao managed to reach the grandmother in time, but it appears she still had to make some sort of arrangement to guarantee everyone's safety. To think that Childe had somehow known to come here--

"Tch." You stood up and brushed past Aether, heading directly toward the Fatui agent that had the audacity to tell a twenty year old to go back to school. "Hey, dumbass!" You gripped the collar of his coat and yanked him close. "Tell me who's in charge here."

"Heh, want to fight your way out of a contract, eh? Don't you worship the God of Contracts? You're not gettin' your stupid house back."

"Tell me who sent you."

"A certain Harbinger," the agent taunted.

"Give me the name!" You back-handed the masked agent hard enough to hurt him and split your knuckles wide open. The blood splattered onto the wooden floor and soaked into his jacket.

"Hey, wait!" Aether grabbed your shoulder. Zhongli watched him do so.

"You're in luck, sweetheart. You'd give quite the show badmouthing Childe."

"Wha--" You stumbled backwards and knocked into Aether. The two of you shared a look of shock, concern, and betrayal. "This is all under Childe's jurisdiction?"

"Uh-huh," the agent lifted his mask slightly and wiped at his busted lip. "He should be on his way back to Liyue Harbor by now, if you wanna try and take it up with him. But I'm tellin' you he ain't gonna budge."

..........................

You stood alone in the rain. Zhongli had arranged for a proper funeral and had refused to charge you for the provided services. He had even managed to retrieve one of Granny's necklaces from the Fatui's grasp, and gave it to you. He and Aether were alongside you, what...twenty minutes ago? They decided to leave you alone in front of the new gravestone to grieve. The funeral was simple, per your request to hold true to Granny's wishes. The entire village had grieved with you.

"I'm sorry I came too late for a visit, Granny." The words came out robotic and emotionless. The look on your face was blank. You placed a small bouquet of glaze lilies on top of the stone; Zhongli had you sing to them before picking them. "Things got busy, and Childe...well, I'm sure you met him, didn't you?" You let out a dry bitter laugh that blended with the sound of raindrops. "I love you. Thank you for taking care of me even if I was a brat sometimes."

Could it be that you had been the cause of her death just like you had caused your parents'? Just how much blood was on your hands?

You felt nothing yet everything at the same time. Your eyes were dry. After the initial shock, you hadn't shed a single tear. Thus was your usual reaction to death; you were usually at peace with the idea of it. If it was their time, it was their time. But you were not convinced her death was caused by her heart.

Childe. Could he have resorted to such extremes to get the house? Or was it for something more? Perhaps he was the true danger Xiao had warned you about.

Your chest ached, desperate to release the pent up storm of emotions whirling through you. The wind picked up for a moment. "Xiao?" Your hoarse greeting was met with a grim-looking yaksha. It was possible you were just imagining him in a time of need. You hadn't seen him in a month now.

Xiao blinked and gave you a once-over as he stood beside you. He had heard your sorrow like it was blaring in his ears. His eyes fell to the gravestone, and his expression saddened further. "She's dead." His question of disbelief sounded more like a tactless statement of fact.

"Yeah," you half-winced, half-scoffed at his remark. "She's dead." You knew all too well that he didn't mean any harm. "Why're you standing in the rain?"

"I don't concern myself with the weather, but you should be inside. Mortals are fragile."

"I don't particularly care at the moment." Your words cut through the rain like a blade of ice.

She has lost all of her family now, Xiao realized. He watched you with admiration at how strong you were acting even though it was clear you were trying not to break.

"I came back to visit and check in on her," you opened up after a few minutes of silence. His glance towards you prompted you to continue. "And then a little girl told me an adeptus had saved her toy bunny. That was you, wasn't it?"

"Mm."

"Did you...see her? My Granny?"

"I have spoken with her several times over the course of several years. I did not think it would be the last time. What happened?"

"Heart attack." You swallowed. "When I reached the house, the Fatui were clearing it out." You caught the color draining from Xiao's face. "What? Do you know something?"

"So my suspicions were correct," Xiao muttered distastefully. He looked around the graveyard. "You're sure they all left?"

"Yes. Zhongli said that before she died she had signed a contract to hand the house over. But she wouldn't do that so easily."

Satisfied with his scan of their surroundings, Xiao folded his arms across his chest. "I told you I would inform you of our predicament when the time is right. The time is now."

"After my Granny just died?" Your undirected anger manifested at his words.

"The Fatui are after the two of us."

"Why?"

"Our guess is they wish to create adepti soldiers or yakshas using the technique I used on you when you were a child." Your eyes raised at 'our.' Xiao's gaze flicked to you briefly. "Zhongli."

"Wait, why would Zhongli be involved with this in the first place?"

"He is the former Lord of Geo, Rex Lapis--"

"Wait wait wait, he's what?! But that's not possible, Rex Lapis is--"

"--Only a select few know his identity. Do not go around telling." You nodded, head spinning from all this new information. "Childe was tasked with identifying and obtaining us. If anyone gets their hands on an adeptus or your blood, it could spell the downfall of humankind."

"What exactly is my blood? Why would they want me?"

"My blood runs through your veins."

"U-um...?" You shifted uncomfortably at the thought.

"That is how I saved you," Xiao uncrossed his arms and faced you fully. "It allows you to withstand more adeptal energy than the ordinary human, which is why I can be so close to you. It also increases your body's healing capabilities. It is the only reason you survived that day. It is also the only reason you survived your lawachurl wound."

"...Why didn't you tell me this before?" You mumbled beneath your breath. The rain hitting the earth nearly overtook the sound of your voice. "We...We could have saved her." Your anger leaked through your voice. It wanted something to blame, something to lash out at. You caught yourself before you could say or think something you didn't mean. It was a heart attack. Xiao is not to blame for this. Childe is the enemy.

"Childe was listening in on our conversations. I could not disclose this information to you so we would have the advantage to work in the dark against the him." He stared down at the gravestone. "I am...sorry. I did not recognize the stress it would put her through. She was optimistic and happy when I last saw her."

You shook your head. "I doubt it caused the heart attack. I just want to know what they did to make her sell the house," your hands curled into fists. "Childe will pay for this."

The two of you silently stood in the rain for some time before Xiao held his hand out to you. "You will get sick if you stay out here longer. Let us meet with the rest of the team." You placed your injured hand in his, having forgot that it was aching the entire time. Xiao's eyes narrowed at this, but he did not question you. With your blood, it would heal by tomorrow morning.

#genshin impact #xiao genshin impact #genshin impact xiao #xiao x reader #xiao fanfiction #xiao one shot #genshin one shot #genshin fanfiction

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jenn-collins · 4 years ago

Text

And here’s the second part before they both get posted to AO3 as a oneshot:

“So here’s how it’s going to go,” Tony said, arm bent at the elbow as he leaned against the doorframe of her quarters in the tower.

She grabbed his collar in both of her hands, tugging him inside and he looked around once before closing the door behind him.

“You can come to the mansion to ensure your privacy. No one’s going to come after me if I do it there, right?”

“No. I don’t think.”

“Good.” He nodded. “I’ve equipped JARVIS to assist, however there will be a S.H.I.E.L.D. surgeon on call in the immediate vicinity should a life threatening emergency occur.”

She looked up at him, her hands still on his shirt.

“She can wait upstairs, you’ll never even have to see her. And more importantly, she’ll never see you,” he clarified.

Natasha swallowed hard, her throat thick with emotion. “You’re going to do it?” she asked quietly.

“I’m going to do it,” he replied softly.

A tight half-smile formed at the corner of her mouth and she let go of his shirt long enough to reach up and fling her arms around his neck, ducking her head into him.

He carefully wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close for a moment. “We’d better get going,” he said gently. “Jet’s waiting outside.”

XXXXX

She followed him into the side entrance of his garage, her brows narrowing as she wondered why she’d never noticed that there was a side entrance into the place before.

The lights were already turned on in the back half that made up his lab, with the ballast directly above the counter in the center on the brightest setting. Her mouth quirked up when she noticed his robots clearing the space.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Tony said, gesturing around his workshop.”Don’t mind them. They’re just sterilizing the equipment.”

She silently noted the calm and confident demeanor he projected as he moved about his space, a stark contrast to the nervousness he’d shown when she’d first approached him with her problem.

“Sir, your second guest is arriving,” JARVIS informed him.

Tony nodded. “That’ll be the S.H.I.E.L.D. surgeon.” He turned to Natasha. “Did you change your mind about letting a pro do it?”

She shook her head, her eyes trained on his.

“I figured. Hold on a second, I’m going to talk to her upstairs and show her to her office for the next few hours.”

He gave her a forced smile. “I always thought the circumstances would be way different when I finally said this to you, but why don’t you take your clothes off and lay down?”

She silently watched him go up the stairs, only turning her head away when she couldn’t see him anymore and focusing her attention on the low whirring sounds coming from the console. She could smell the antiseptic as the robots meticulously cleaned the counter and the tools on the small table that had been set aside for the procedure.

Then she undressed slowly, arranging her clothing in a neat pile on the couch in the center of the room one garment at a time until she was left in her black sports bra and matching boyshort panties.

She scooted up on the counter the robots had cleared, her eyes sweeping over the table to get a closer look at the makeshift medical supplies he’d selected.

“Good?” He asked quietly from his perch at the bottom of the stairs, his hands gripping the banister as he peered at her.

She nodded. “Looks like you did your homework.”

“JARVIS, lock down the workshop,” he commanded, pulling on a pair of nitrile gloves as he approached.

“I’m on it, sir.”

“Any last words?” He teased, holding up an uncapped marker.

“Funny,” she said dryly, leaning back on the counter.

“Relax,” he murmured, but she couldn’t tell if he was saying to her or himself.

He spread a gloved hand over her stomach, pressing down and holding her steady while the other hand drew a meticulous line to mark the spot where he’d make the incision.

She kept her eyes trained on his face, tongue peeking out from between his teeth as he worked. His hand on her skin went a surprisingly long way in soothing the nerves she wouldn’t let herself admit she was feeling.

His eyes met hers and he offered her a soft smile. “Ready?”

She wordlessly nodded again.

“JARVIS, stay with me buddy,” she heard him say. The slight uncertain tone to his voice betrayed the steadiness and confidence in his fingers, but for some reason it made her feel better. She distantly heard JARVIS’s voice, but she didn’t make out the response.

XXXXX

“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Her eyelids slowly fluttered open into the harsh light and she turned her head to find Tony close by, his hand holding hers tightly.

“Oh, thank God,” he muttered quietly, clearly thinking he’d only been saying it to himself.

“Hi,” she managed once she could make her throat work.

“Hi,” he said softly, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he smiled somewhat proudly.

“It’s done?” she asked a little groggily.

“It’s done.” He reached to help her sit. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.” She looked down to admire his handiwork, finding perfectly precise stitches binding an incision that was much shorter than she’d anticipated.

“Should fade completely with proper care,” he said with pride still edging his voice. “Otherwise it’ll just match the other side,” he added, gesturing to the small scar a couple of inches to the left of her belly button.

“A souvenir from a mission gone wrong,” she explained.

He nodded. “Well, hopefully that won’t happen this time. And you didn’t think I could do it.”

She raised her eyebrows. “That was you,” she pointed out.

“Right.” He gestured with his head over to the table. “I’ve got a topical antibacterial for when you clean it, but the doc also recommended an antibiotic injection to flush out any potential infection on the inside before she left. Wanted to wait for you to be conscious so I could ask.”

“You cut me open with a razor, but you were afraid to stick a needle in me?”

He slid over to the table, producing a small pamphlet and handing it to her. “Easy, feisty pants. You’re not allergic to any of those things, are you?”

She read over the ingredients, shaking her head.

“Then sit up a little straighter. It goes in your side,” he said, slowly filling a syringe. “Do you want to do it?”

“You can,” she said, bracing herself on her hands.

“Okay. C’mere,” he murmured, carefully and gently administering the antibiotic.

“You really do think of everything,” she murmured admiringly as he depressed the plunger and the needle pierced her skin.

“Isn’t that why you came to me?” He asked, looking up at her.

“Yeah,” she said softly, meeting his gaze. “That and….”

“And what?” He asked quietly.

She shook her head. “I don’t… I don’t know.”

They sat looking into each other’s eyes for a moment until Tony rose up from his perch on his chair and scooped her up in his arms, lifting her from the table with one arm around her waist and the other under her knees.

“What are you doing?” She asked, her arms going around his neck instinctively as he carried her.

“You’re probably going to be a little sore,” he explained, setting her carefully down on her feet. “And you don’t want to put too much strain on those stitches.”

He turned from her abruptly as if suddenly remembering something and reached for the table before turning back to her. “Here,” he said. “What do you want me to do with this?”

Her throat tightened involuntarily when he produced the small chip between his forefinger and thumb, clearly cleaned after being extracted from where it’d spent all those years wedged in her body.

“Destroy it,” she replied, her voice catching.

He narrowed one eye as he regarded her, still holding out the chip. “Hammer? Toss it into the ocean? Have a Hulk step on it? Blowtorch?”

“Blowtorch,” she said.

“Okay.” He moved into the garage part of his workspace, returning a moment later with the tool she didn’t realize she’d actually requested and she laughed.

“You do it,” he said, placing it on the edge of a workbench and holding out the blowtorch.

Her smile faltered. “You can.”

He shook his head, motioning with his hand for her to come over and she took a few tentative steps.

He pulled a pair of safety glasses out one handed and adjusted them on her face, gently smoothing her hair back with his fingers once his hand was free. “Nah, it’ll be much more satisfying if you do it. Come on, just pull the trigger right here.”

She swallowed hard, wordlessly taking the tool from him, her eyes narrowing as she held it away from her and squeezed the trigger.

The chip blasted into a few tiny pieces, most of them melting under the heat.

“Ha!” he said, clapping his hands satisfactorily. “What do you know? You’re a good shot with more than just one weapon.”

She set the tool down and threw her arms around him, ignoring the slight discomfort in her midsection as she leaned up to hug him tightly.

“Thank you,” she whispered into his ear.

“Anytime,” he promised, his strong arms encircling around her waist and pulling her into his body as he hugged her back.

When they broke the embrace, she stood up on her tiptoes, closed her eyes and pressed her lips softly to his cheek in a long, lingering kiss.

She felt him swallow hard, then his breath was warm on her face as she slowly pulled away, opening her eyes to find his lips parted and a vulnerable, slightly dazed expression on his face.

“Tony,” she whispered, suddenly realizing that she was still in her underwear.

He cleared his throat. “Uh, anyway I think you just gave me an idea for an upgrade to the Iron Man suit.”

She raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“Microchips under the skin to attract the armor.”

“Seriously?”

“What? It’s nano-tech. And it can be injected.”

“And you don’t think that’s dangerous?”

He pursed his lips. “You’re really going to talk to me about what’s dangerous now?”

“Um, do you want to take me home?” She asked to change the subject.

“To New York? Actually, I was thinking. Maybe you should just spend the night here tonight. That was I can keep an eye on you, in case you develop an infection, or something.”

She rolled her eyes as she made her way over to the couch and reached for her clothes. “And you don’t think I can handle that on my own?”

“I think friends who pressure friends into doing something dangerous that they’re not exactly comfortable with can at least humor their friend for peace of mind.”

She sighed.

“Come on. I already have a room ready for you upstairs,” he insisted.

She nodded silently, realizing that she wasn’t going to win this one and followed him up the stairs.

“I already called Cap and told him you’re not working this weekend,” he said a little more gently as she peered into the room he’d had prepared.

She had to admit, the plush queen size, rows of pillows and oversized blankets did look inviting.

“How are you doing? Do you want any painkillers?” He asked.

“Not yet,” she said.

“Will you at least let me help clean it and bandage it up before bed?”

“Sure,” she said softly, sitting on the bed and lifting up her shirt.

The small night table was already loaded up with first aid supplies and he reached for some cotton balls, dousing them in rubbing alcohol before gingerly pressing them to her wound.

She winced slightly at the sting, but his hands were gentle and practiced and he knelt down on the floor in front of her, blowing softly on the area to soothe it and sending goosebumps up her side.

“Can I make a friendly observation?” He asked quietly as he covered the stitches with a thin layer of gauze and sealed it with some medical tape.

She nodded, grateful for anything that would make her stop thinking too hard about this hands on her skin.

“You are pretty reckless when it comes to things from your past,” he said softly, his brown eyes wide and caring as he looked up at her.

“I guess you’re right,” she admitted.

He slowly rose up and sat on the bed next to her. “Maybe you could try leaning on your friends a little more often,” he suggested.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, her hand reaching down between them to cover the fresh wound he’d made.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulders. “It’s over.”

“For now,” she said in a low voice.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

She shook her head. “Can’t we just sit?”

“For now,” he replied, drawing her in closer and resting his cheek against her hair.

She closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to spill as she breathed him in, her body and her emotions raw as he held her.

“Hey, Nat?” He asked after awhile.

“Hmmmm…..?”

“What’s this?” he said.

“What’s what?” She asked, raising her head a little so she could look at him.

He moved the hand that wasn’t full of her hair and pressed his thumb into the tiny arrow charm that sat just above her collar bone.

“Oh… it’s just something I wear for a friend. To keep him close.”

“It’s pretty obvious who that friend is,” Tony muttered.

She raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Are you jealous?” She asked, trying and failing to keep her lips from quirking upwards. “Cause you know that you’re the friend I wanted for this, right?”

He looked back at her. “Most of the time it’s a boyfriend who buys a necklace for his girlfriend,” he said evenly.

She laughed. “It’s never been like that between me and Clint,” she insisted. “It’s just… I don’t know. When I first started at S.H.I.E.L.D., Clint and I were paired on every mission together. Dangerous stuff.”

He gazed back at her skeptically.

“But… after awhile I started to earn my own reputation. And we wouldn’t be paired for everything.” She shrugged her shoulders. “This is my way of reminding myself of him. Kind of like he’s there, even when he’s not.”

“I see. Well, should I buy you a diamond bracelet or something to remind you of me, when I’m not around?”

“It doesn’t really work like that,” she said with a smile. “Besides, I have tonight to remind me of you,” she added, reaching between them and threading her fingers through his.

He squeezed her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. “How are you really feeling?” he asked.

“Honestly? It feels a little weird,” she admitted. “But it’s better with you here.”

He smiled softly, a tired, but genuine smile.

“Tony?”

“Hmmmm?”

“Thank you.”

She grabbed his collar in both of her hands, tugging him inside and he looked around once before closing the door behind him.

“You can come to the mansion to ensure your privacy. I’ve equipped JARVIS to assist, however there will be a S.H.I.E.L.D. surgeon on call in the immediate vicinity should a life threatening emergency occur.”

She looked up at him, her hands still on his shirt.

“She can wait upstairs, you’ll never even have to see her. And more importantly, she’ll never see you,” he clarified.

Natasha swallowed hard, her throat thick with emotion. “You’re going to do it?” she asked quietly.

“I’m going to do it,” he replied softly.

A tight half-smile formed at the corner of her mouth and she let go of his shirt long enough to reach up and fling her arms around his neck, ducking her head into him.

He carefully wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close for a moment. “We’d better get going,” he said gently. “Jet’s waiting outside.”

XXXXX

She followed him into the side entrance of his garage, her brows narrowing as she wondered why she’d never noticed that there was a side entrance into the place before.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Tony said, gesturing around his workshop.”Don’t mind them. They’re just sterilizing the equipment.”

She silently noted the calm and confident demeanor he projected as he moved about his space, a stark contrast to the nervousness he’d shown when she’d first approached him with her problem.

“Sir, your second guest is arriving,” JARVIS informed him.

Tony nodded. “That’ll be the S.H.I.E.L.D. surgeon.” He turned to Natasha. “Did you change your mind about letting a pro do it?”

She shook her head, her eyes trained on his.

“I figured. Hold on a second, I’m going to talk to her upstairs and show her to her office for the next few hours.”

He gave her a forced smile. “I always thought the circumstances would be way different when I finally said this to you, but why don’t you take your clothes off and lay down?”

Then she undressed slowly, arranging her clothing in a neat pile on the couch in the center of the room one garment at a time until she was left in her black sports bra and matching boyshort panties.

She scooted up on the counter the robots had cleared, her eyes sweeping over the table to get a closer look at the makeshift medical supplies he’d selected.

“Good?” He asked quietly from his perch at the bottom of the stairs, his hands gripping the banister as he peered at her.

She nodded. “Looks like you did your homework.”

“JARVIS, lock down the workshop,” he commanded, pulling on a pair of nitrile gloves as he approached.

“I’m on it, sir.”

“Any last words?” He teased, holding up an uncapped marker.

“Funny,” she said dryly, leaning back on the counter.

“Relax,” he murmured, but she couldn’t tell if he was saying to her or himself.

He spread a gloved hand over her stomach, pressing down and holding her steady while the other hand drew a meticulous line to mark the spot where he’d make the incision.

His eyes met hers and he offered her a soft smile. “Ready?”

She wordlessly nodded again.

XXXXX

“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Her eyelids slowly fluttered open into the harsh light and she turned her head to find Tony close by, his hand holding hers tightly.

“Oh, thank God,” he muttered quietly, clearly thinking he’d only been saying it to himself.

“Hi,” she managed once she could make her throat work.

“Hi,” he said softly, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he smiled somewhat proudly.

“It’s done?” she asked a little groggily.

“It’s done.” He reached to help her sit. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.” She looked down to admire his handiwork, finding perfectly precise stitches binding an incision that was much shorter than she’d anticipated.

“A souvenir from a mission gone wrong,” she explained.

He nodded. “Well, hopefully that won’t happen this time. And you didn’t think I could do it.”

She raised her eyebrows. “That was you,” she pointed out.

“You cut me open with a razor, but you were afraid to stick a needle in me?”

He slid over to the table, producing a small pamphlet and handing it to her. “Easy, feisty pants. You’re not allergic to any of those things, are you?”

She read over the ingredients, shaking her head.

“Then sit up a little straighter. It goes in your side,” he said, slowly filling a syringe. “Do you want to do it?”

“You can,” she said, bracing herself on her hands.

“Okay. C’mere,” he murmured, carefully and gently administering the antibiotic.

“You really do think of everything,” she murmured admiringly as he depressed the plunger and the needle pierced her skin.

“Isn’t that why you came to me?” He asked, looking up at her.

“Yeah,” she said softly, meeting his gaze. “That and….”

“And what?” He asked quietly.

She shook her head. “I don’t… I don’t know.”

“What are you doing?” She asked, her arms going around his neck instinctively as he carried her.

“You’re probably going to be a little sore,” he explained, setting her carefully down on her feet. “And you don’t want to put too much strain on those stitches.”

He turned from her abruptly as if suddenly remembering something and reached for the table before turning back to her. “Here,” he said. “What do you want me to do with this?”

Her throat tightened involuntarily when he produced the small chip between his forefinger and thumb, clearly cleaned after being extracted from where it’d spent all those years wedged in her body.

“Destroy it,” she replied, her voice catching.

He narrowed one eye as he regarded her, still holding out the chip. “Hammer? Toss it into the ocean? Blowtorch?”

“Blowtorch,” she said.

“Okay.” He moved into the garage part of his workspace, returning a moment later with the tool she didn’t realize she’d actually requested and she laughed.

“You do it,” he said, placing it on the edge of a workbench and holding out the blowtorch.

Her smile faltered. “You can.”

He shook his head, motioning with his hand for her to come over and she took a few tentative steps.

She swallowed hard, wordlessly taking the tool from him, her eyes narrowing as she held it away from her and squeezed the trigger.

The chip blasted into a few tiny pieces, most of them melting under the heat.

“Ha!” he said, clapping his hands satisfactorily. “What do you know? You’re a good shot with more than just one weapon.”

She set the tool down and threw her arms around him, ignoring the slight discomfort in her midsection as she leaned up to hug him tightly.

“Thank you,” she whispered into his ear.

“Anytime,” he promised, his strong arms encircling around her waist and pulling her into his body as he hugged her back.

When they broke the embrace, she stood up on her tiptoes, closed her eyes and pressed her lips softly to his cheek in a long, lingering kiss.

She felt him swallow hard, then his breath was warm on her face as she slowly pulled away, opening her eyes to find his lips parted and a vulnerable, slightly dazed expression on his face.

“Tony,” she whispered, suddenly realizing that she was still in her underwear.

He cleared his throat.

“Um, do you want to take me home?” She asked.

“To New York? Actually, I was thinking. Maybe you should just spend the night here tonight. That was I can keep an eye on you, in case you develop an infection, or something.”

She rolled her eyes as she made her way over to the couch and reached for her clothes. “And you don’t think I can handle that on my own?”

“I think friends who pressure friends into doing something dangerous that they’re not exactly comfortable with can at least humor their friend for peace of mind.”

She sighed.

“Come on. I already have a room ready for you upstairs,” he insisted.

She nodded silently, realizing that she wasn’t going to win this one and followed him up the stairs.

“I already called Cap and told him you’re not working this weekend,” he said a little more gently as she peered into the room he’d had prepared.

She had to admit, the plush queen size, rows of pillows and oversized blankets did look inviting.

“How are you doing? Do you want any painkillers?” He asked.

“Not yet,” she said.

“Will you at least let me help clean it and bandage it up before bed?”

“Sure,” she said softly, sitting on the bed and lifting up her shirt.

The small night table was already loaded up with first aid supplies and he reached for some cotton balls, dousing them in rubbing alcohol before gingerly pressing them to her wound.

She winced slightly at the sting, but his hands were gentle and practiced and he knelt down on the floor in front of her, blowing softly on the area to soothe it and sending goosebumps up her side.

“Can I make a friendly observation?” He asked quietly as he covered the stitches with a thin layer of gauze and sealed it with some medical tape.

She nodded, grateful for anything that would make her stop thinking too hard about this hands on her skin.

“You are pretty reckless when it comes to things from your past,” he said softly, his brown eyes wide and caring as he looked up at her.

“I guess you’re right,” she admitted.

He slowly rose up and sat on the bed next to her. “Maybe you could try leaning on your friends a little more often,” he suggested.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, her hand reaching down between them to cover the fresh wound he’d made.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulders. “It’s over.”

“For now,” she said in a low voice.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

She shook her head. “Can’t we just sit?”

“For now,” he replied, drawing her in closer and resting his cheek against her hair.

She closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to spill as she breathed him in, her body and her emotions raw as he held her.

“Hey, Nat?” He asked after awhile.

“Hmmmm…..?”

“What’s this?” he said.

“What’s what?” She asked, raising her head a little so she could look at him.

He moved the hand that wasn’t full of her hair and pressed his thumb into the tiny arrow charm that sat just above her collar bone.

“Oh… it’s just something I wear for a friend. To keep him close.”

“It’s pretty obvious who that friend is,” Tony muttered.

He looked back at her. “Most of the time it’s a boyfriend who buys a necklace for his girlfriend,” he said evenly.

He gazed back at her skeptically.

“I see. Well, should I buy you a diamond bracelet or something to remind you of me, when I’m not around?”

“It doesn’t really work like that,” she said with a smile. “Besides, I have tonight to remind me of you,” she added, reaching between them and threading her fingers through his.

He squeezed her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. “How are you really feeling?” he asked.

“Honestly? It feels a little weird,” she admitted. “But it’s better with you here.”

He smiled softly, a tired, but genuine smile.

“Tony?”

“Hmmmm?”

“Thank you.”

#tonynat #ironwidow #iron widow #black widow #ironwidow fanfiction #my fanfiction

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wiypt-writes · 4 years ago

Text

Stark Spangled Banner

One Shot: Ask Questions, Throw Shield Later.

Intro: Steve and Katie have an unwelcome late night visitor…

Warnings: “Language!” Smut (NSFW, 18+)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

W/C: 1.9k

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

A/N: The first of two (yes, two) special 29th May Birthday One shots. Happy Birthday Tony! Man, I missed writing for these guys in this timeline! This fits into SSB within “I Told You I Said Yes”.

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

“Fuck, Steve...” Katie groaned, her head tilting backwards as Steve gave another deep thrust upwards, “right there... Jesus.”

“Good?” Steve panted as his hands grabbed her waist, finger tips digging into the flesh that covered her hipbones.

She nodded, grinding on him faster, his hands pulling her down making sure he hit as deep as he could.

Their soft, intimate sounds filled the room and, wanting to be as close to her as he could get, Steve sat up drawing a gasp from Katie as he did so. His hands moved to her back. One splayed half way up her spine, the other cupped the back of her head. His fingers tangled in her long, silky hair as he pulled her face to his. He kissed her, hard, his tongue dominating hers as he swallowed her moan, one that rumbled in her throat as if it came from the depths of her belly.

They’d already danced this tango once already that night. After a few beers with the team in anticipation of Tony’s birthday (minus Natasha as she was still on something Fury was running), they’d retired and gotten a little frisky some two hours prior. But then Steve had woken, his super sharp hearing alerting himself to some form of ransom noise deep in the floors below them and, well, he couldn’t get back to sleep. So he’d hugged Katie close.

Too close.

As ever he was unable to control his reactions to his girl and had ended up with a boner. Meaning she’d woken with him basically rutting up against her back, feigning innocence when she’d given him a grumble at the fact he’d dragged her from her slumber.

She hadn’t been grumbling for long.

“Stevie... I’m gonna...” Katie’s forehead pressed into his, her mouth open as her lips hovered over his, and he thrust upwards again, his nose brushing hers softly, like the touch of a butterfly.

“Let go. Doll,” he panted, actively fighting his own high, “cum for me.”

Her chest heaved, pert nipples brushing his bare skin and her movements stuttered. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, which cracked into a half grunt, half moan as she felt herself go, her body positively floating from her high.

By the time she came round, Steve had also finished, his broad shoulders rising and falling as he gathered his breath. Katie collapsed forward with a soft chuckle, her forehead pressing into his collar bone as he fell backwards, taking her with him.

They lay still for a moment, the only sounds being their heavy breathing and the soft rustle of sheets as Steve pulled the bedding up around them. The smooth cotton brushing over her sensitive skin made Katie shudder a little. Steve smiled and pressed a kiss to her temple, his large hands running up and down her spine.

“Am I forgiven for waking you up?” He asked and she shrugged, not even bothering to try and find the strength to sit up. “It’s three AM. I’ll think about it.”

Steve chuckled and she sat up slightly, leaning down to give him a slow kiss.

“Love you.” she pulled back a little, her eyes shining in the dim light, and Steve smiled.

“Love you too.”

Fifteen minutes later they were both settled down and on the verge of sleep once more when a loud crashing in the apartment made them both sit bolt upright.

“What the...” Steve was out of bed in a flash, wrenching the door to their room open.

Katie was seconds behind him, stopping only to grab Steve’s shirt from the chair at the vanity. As she shrugged it on, she ran into the hallway and heard a familiar metallic whoosh. There was the squealing of metal on metal and Katie flicked on the light just in time to see a flash of blue, red and white as Steve’s shield flew back to his hand. He looked over to Katie as she stepped towards him, her mouth falling.

“Is that...” she glanced down at what looked like a version of one of Tony’s suits. It lay motionless on the floor in two pieces, Steve’s shield having severed it at the waist. The failing electrics sparked as the various boards and cogs died, before it fell silent.

Steve nudged it with his foot. It didn’t move. He turned to Katie, a frown on his handsome face.

“Did he tell you he was making them autonomous?”

“That’s nothing new, JARVIS has always been able to control them remotely.” Katie shook her head as she crouched down, her hand gently touching the helmet. She tried to move the face plate but it didn’t open. Rapping her knuckles on the skull, she was met with a solid sound, not the usual hollow echo. “JARVIS?”

There was no reply.

“Why isn’t he answering?” Steve looked at her.

“Tony might have him down.” Katie answered. “He runs the updates at night some times. I do know one thing though.”

“What?” Steve asked as she stood up.

“That couldn’t have gotten in here without Tony letting it in one way or another.” She glanced at Steve, her pretty face full of annoyance. “Imma kill him, fucking idiot.”

She turned to leave and Steve gently caught her arm. “Honey...”

“Seriously? You want me to let this go?”

“Hell, no.” He shook his head, “I want you to wait for me to put some clothes on.”

Despite herself, Katie grinned as her eyes scanned Steve’s naked body, his shield still on his arm. He rolled his eyes and nodded to the suit on the floor, “I’m going to give him his property back, along with a piece of my mind.” **** Tony spun round, his brow arching as Steve and Katie walked into the lab. But whatever smart quip he had been about to come out with died as he spotted what was slung over the super soldier’s broad shoulders. With a loud slam, Steve threw the two parts of the robot down on the desk.

“What did you do to it?” Tony moaned.

“Threw my shield at it.” Steve folded his arms over his chest, the sleeves of the white ribbed Tee he had shrugged on straining over his thick biceps.

Tony was that distracted by his destroyed robot that he failed to notice Katie stomping towards him. She drew her right fist back and punched him hard on the shoulder.

“Ow, Kiddo!”

“You dick!” She yelled. “What the hell were you doing sending that into our apartment?”

“Wanted to test your reaction to it.” Tony shrugged. “See how it came across.”

“How it ca- Tony, it’s half past 3 in the morning!” She shrieked.

“Exactly.” Tony scratched his beard. “Total element of surprise. I thought you guys would give me a base of how people would react to them. Can’t have been that well if Spangles felt the need to cut it in half with his frisbee.”

“We had no idea what or who it was.” Steve felt his anger beginning to rise, “what was I supposed to do?”

“I’ve told you before, big guy. Ask questions, throw shield later.” Tony shrugged, “I can’t believe you killed Iron Kid.”

“Iron Kid?” Katie blinked.

“Yeah, the name’s a working progress.”

“Tony, what is it?” Steve pressed.

“It’s a prototype.” Tony informed them. “I had the idea last week. The Avengers exploded after New York. You should see the piles of fan mail that the guys downstairs sort each day.”

“Less bragging, more explaining.” Katie narrowed her eyes.

“The point is, we attract attention. So I had a thought about something that could help keep the public at bay,” Tony gestured to the pile of metal, “we can use them to issue instructions, help aid the emergency services. Keep civilians out of the way.”

Katie and Steve looked at one another, and Steve hated to admit it but the idea made sense.

Sorta.

“Clearly I need to rethink a little.” Tony mused. “I mean if they freaked you out then...” “It freaked us out because it was in. our. apartment!” Katie groaned. “In the middle of the night.”

“That’s the point, it was supposed to have the element of surprise, wake you up.”

“Well there’s your first fuck up!” She hissed. “We were already awake-“

“Why?” Tony frowned

“Because we just finished a great, sweaty sex session.” She shot back and Steve groaned, feeling the heat in his neck as he looked down, his bare toes flexing against the cool floor of the lab. “And you wanna be grateful we had finished because if we hadn’t I’d be really, really mad. You get me?”

“That’s.. disgusting.” Tony wrinkled his nose.

“And you’re an asshole.” Katie shot back.

With a shudder, Tony moved and picked up a screwdriver. He turned the helmet up aside down and opened a small hatch at the back. Stooping slightly, he prodded and poked at something inside.

“Huh, least the main board wasn’t damaged.” He straightened up and turned to face them both. “So, other than scaring the shit out of you what was it like? Voice interface okay? Too much me or not enough me or-“

“There was no voice interface.” Steve replied.

“What?” Tony frowned, “JARVIS was supposed to be controlling it. It should have told you why it was there and-“

“Well he didn’t.” Steve rolled his eyes, his already stretched patience wearing dangerously thin.

“He didn’t...huh?” Tony frowned and Katie moved past him to a computer.

“Oh for the... he’s on mute you dumbass!” She tapped a few buttons and JARVIS’ voice rang out.

“Thank you Miss Stark.”

“Shit.” Tony gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry, buddy. Forgot I turned you off.”

“Mr Stark, may I suggest you call it a night, Sir? It is rather late and you’ve been awake for almost twenty-one hours. Miss Potts instructed me to ensure you-“ “And that is precisely why I did.” Tony rolled his eyes and Katie let out a growl of annoyance

“I’m done. Come on, Steve.”

She stalked towards the door and Tony looked up. “You not gonna wish me happy birthday?”

In response she raised the middle fingers on both her hands, flipping him off over her shoulders as she stomped out of the door.

Steve watched her go before she turned to Tony. “You know, I think you’re onto something. Keeping civilians away would make things a lot easier.”

“Wouldn’t it?” Tony nodded, eagerly. “We’d need a fleet of them, an Iron Fleet, no that’s... like i said, the names a work in progress.”

“We can discuss this tomorrow. Give it some proper though.” Steve took a deep breath. “Just don’t send any more into the apartment, please?”

Tony saluted him and Steve rolled his eyes. He turned to go before he stopped, and looked back at his friend.

“Happy birthday, pal.”

Tony snorted. “Cheers, Spangles.”

Tony watched Steve walk out of the lab, before he glanced back at the destroyed robot.

“Mr Stark... Miss Potts is awake...”

“Ahh shit.” Tony groaned. “How much trouble am I in?”

“I don’t think a Roman Legion would protect you.” JARVIS replied and Tony stilled, a huge grin spreading across his face.

“Iron Legion.” He tossed the screwdriver up in the air and caught it, chuckling. “JARVIS, you are a genius.”

“Why thank you, sir. And now I really must insist you go to bed.”

“Yeah, okay, I’m going. Lock everything down will you? Oh, and order us all breakfast from the diner on the corner of fifth.”

“Of course. The usual?”

“Yeah. Have it delivered about 10:30. Should be enough to calm Kiddo down.”

“Very wise Sir. I’ll ensure there’s extra bacon, just in case.”

“Yeah, who doesn’t love extra bacon?”

#stark spangled banner #steve rogers #steve rogers x ofc #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers fic #chris evans #chris evans characters

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platypanthewriter · 4 years ago

Text

The Devil Looks After His Own (Ch.1)

Little Steve Harrington is so lonely he tries summoning a demon with a ritual advertised on TV--but luckily, it doesn't work, and a buff, non-human nanny hired by his mom shows up minutes later. Years later, they're best friends, and Steve still doesn't know the truth. For @magniloquent-raven!

When his dad finally locked him out of the office, Steve spent the morning sitting in the hallway playing with his Legos. When his stomach growled, he knocked quietly, and his dad’s voice on the phone continued, so he went in the kitchen to forage. He found Cheez-its, and olives, and a tightly wrapped triangle of gooey cheese that tasted good in the middle, but had gross, chalky skin, so he licked the middle out and stuffed the rest down the side of the garbage.

He walked back into the front room and flipped the TV on, just to make some noise. “In the future,” came the syrupy voice of the man on the screen, “—we’ll have robots to be our helper-friends!” He chuckled to himself, leaning back in his leather chair, and folding his arms on his huge wooden desk. “But that doesn’t work for us now, I hear you say.”

The camera zoomed out, and he waved to a woman with curly hair and long fangs, sitting on the edge of his desk. She was wearing way less clothes than the man was, and Steve frowned, wondering whether she was cold. “Our summoning spells are assembled by real lawyers, and airtight!” the man said, and the woman nodded, smiling, and holding up a picture with a lot of numbers and lines. Steve squinted at it guiltily—he’d seen the man’s ads before, and he mostly remembered the picture, probably.

The helper-friend lady looked nice, he thought.

“Too good to be true? We even include offerings! Bat eyes, tears of the innocent—” he said, smiling and holding up jars, as ‘ethically sourced from internment facilities’ scrolled across the screen.

Steve frowned around, and then grabbed his LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, the most complex set he owned.

“Honey,” the man told the woman on screen, and she opened a can of soda, and poured it over her own head, still smiling. “Perfectly compliant,” he said. “And just wait, there’s more! Any purchase comes with a matching, complimentary summoning sigil for a protective home guardian! Just drip a drop of fluid—” he winked at the camera, and it showed something red splashing across the page, as his voice suddenly screamed “Augh-no! Don’t—”

Steve had already grabbed the remote and hit the fifteen-second replay, and began drawing out the picture. He hit it again and again, coloring in different colors, and wishing people in commercials didn’t always yell. He drew the circle carefully with a piece of thread from the long fringe on a throw-blanket he wasn’t allowed to mess up, then folded it carefully again, grimacing. He colored in the crosses with a different color so it looked nicer, and drew the little castle wall-looking-bit. He added a horse.

When it came time to drip fluid on it, he clicked the TV off, and got a juice box from the fridge, figuring apple juice was way less gross than blood, and it wouldn’t ruin his picture.

Steve stared at the picture, holding the juice box, and thinking. He imagined not eating alone. He imagined the nice lady smiling at his Legos—maybe she’d like the castle set, he thought, like in her picture. He’d just summon her for a little, he thought—just a few minutes, enough to make them both a PB&J.

His stomach growled—again—and he frowned at his dad’s office door, sighed, plonked the Camaro in the middle of the picture, and squeezed the juice box to spray over it all.

Nothing happened. Steve stared at the picture for a long moment, his eyes welling up with tears, and then kicked the couch. It felt like his foot broke from the impact, and he spun around in a circle, muttering a lot of words he wasn’t allowed to say in the house. He hopped into the kitchen, sniffling, and got out the peanut butter, jam, and a spoon—but instead of getting the bread, he sat on the floor in front of the sink.

He felt a sinking sensation of guilt as he stuck the spoon right into first the jam, and then the peanut butter, sticking the whole spoonful straight in his mouth and licking it off. Once he’d licked the spoon, he stuck it back in the jar, his heart pounding. The peanut butter was crunchy and salty, and the strawberry jam was stickily sweet. He wondered whether his mom would check the bread and know, and cried harder as he chewed, hugging his knees.

The floor in the front room creaked, and he startled so hard the spoon jabbed hard between his upper molars. He scrambled to his feet, fumbling the lids back on the jam and the peanut butter and shoving them under the sink, his heart thudding in his chest, but nobody came in.

The couch squeaked softly, and Steve edged to the doorway, the big spoon hanging forgotten from his mouth, to see a tall man with horns and no clothes at all lying across the couch, right up against the forbidden throw blanket. He raised his eyebrows—they had shiny jewelry in them—and breathed out smoke, indoors, as he looked up at Steve.

He then yelped and scrambled to fall with a thud over the back of the couch. “The fff—what are you doing here, kid,” came his voice, from behind the couch. “Where the—where on earth are your parents?!”

“Unhm,” said Steve, who hadn’t ever seen a man wear so much jewelry before, and wondered how much it hurt to have jewelry in your dick. He took the spoon out of his mouth. “Uh. Dad—dad is—in there,” he pointed vaguely toward his dad’s office, his eyes still fixed on the horns sticking up past the back of the couch. “Do...do you want me to...get him?”

The naked man popped up behind the couch again, looking kind of mad, and Steve stepped further back, watching the golden chains and jewels glint in the light from the window. “...you look very pretty,” Steve said politely, and the man groaned, grabbing the blanket as he stood, and wrapping it around his waist like a towel.

“Why the—why are you here,” he hissed, and Steve swallowed.

“I’ll go in my room,” he tried to say, but it came out kind of a weird whisper, and he realized he was starting to cry again, so he turned away, and the man scrambled from behind the couch.

“Wait! Kid,” he said, and Steve stopped to see him step and spin kind of gracefully around the glass coffee table without catching the blanket on it. All his nails were pointed, and painted black. “I’m sorry—” he cut off, staring down at Steve’s picture, and the LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.

“...what’s this,” he asked, like maybe he was mad again, and Steve wondered, suddenly, whether his mom had forgotten to lock the door, and the man was a naked burglar, looking for clothes to steal.

“I wanted to meet the TV lady,” Steve admitted, trying to take it, but the man snatched it up. “Um, are you—are you a burglar?”

“Am I—” the man glared at him—his eyes looked like fire, weirdly, the blue fire on the stove—but he didn’t look mad at Steve, yet, so Steve just bit his lips together. “...you drew this?” the horny man asked, more quietly, and Steve nodded. “Why?” he asked, and Steve knew he was in trouble—even if the man wasn’t supposed to be there, grownups always told each other when Steve did something dumb, like steal the TV man’s picture, which was the point Steve realized he was a stealer, a thief, like on TV. America’s Most Wanted, he thought, his heart pounding.

“Why draw this?” the man asked softly, crouching down, and Steve sniffled again, wiping his eyes.

“He said a friend would come,” he admitted, wondering whether kids had their own jail, or whether he’d be in the one with all the guys from movies, who chased teenagers with chainsaws and knives.

“You wanted a friend?” the man asked, but even softer, and Steve nodded, clenching his fingers in the sides of his pants.

“I didn’t mean to steal it,” he whispered. “I won’t do it again.”

“...okay,” the man said. “Don’t—don’t cry, it’s okay, are—are you okay?” he held his hands up like he was gonna touch Steve’s shoulders, then crossed his arms, frowning.

“I’m okay,” Steve nodded, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “...are, um,” he asked, cautiously, “—are you supposed to be...in here?”

“Uhhh,” said the man. “Definitely not naked, right?” he laughed, kinda nervously, Steve thought, and he snapped his fingers. The throw blanket turned into shiny fringed pants.

“Ohhh,” Steve whispered, impressed. “How’d you do that?”

“Oh,” the man said, grimacing. “Um, let’s talk about you summoning demons, okay?”

“...okay,” Steve nodded, sighing, but then a thought occurred to him. “Uh, do you want a PB&J?”

As they ate, the man spread Steve’s picture on the table, with the LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.

“So this is a circle to summon the demon Belial,” he said, low but kind of intense, like Steve was in trouble, but mostly he looked sort of worried.

Steve swallowed his bite of sandwich. “...it’s not exactly the same,” he pointed out, a little sulkily. “I added a horse.”

“...so you did,” said the man, turning it to look. “...look, summoning demons is very dangerous—”

“My dad says there aren’t bad demon summoners,” Steve told him. “He says there are bad plumbers, and bad strippers, but if you’re talking to somebody, and they summoned a demon, they must be good at it, because you’re talking to them, and—and he was on TV—”

“Strippers,” said the man weakly, and Steve realized he was being rude to his guest.

“I’m Steve,” he said. “What’s your name?”

“...Bel,” said the man, then, hurriedly, “Bill?”

“My mom likes Billy Idol. And Billy Joel,” Steve suggested, and the man nodded.

“That’s a normal name that I definitely have,” he nodded, grimacing, “—Billy, I’m Billy.”

Steve considered this.

“Are you listening, though? About demon-summoning? Even a lot of adults have a hard time with it—” Billy started again, holding Steve’s LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 to his chest like it was a present for him.

“The guy on TV said it was for a helper friend,” Steve told him, feeling a little guilty, but really not too much, since it hadn’t even worked.

“Steve,” Billy said, pressing his hands together over his mouth. The chain hooking his earring to the ring in his lip swayed and made a bell sound, and Steve stared at it, then remembered to nod. “Okay,” Billy said. “Could you promise me you won’t try to summon any more demons?”

“My dad says—” Steve started, again, but he cut off guiltily as Billy slumped back in his chair, groaning.

“Look,” Billy tried again, rubbing his face. “Summoning demons isn’t like inviting somebody over, okay? They have to come. Now imagine if someone called you up to—” he frowned down at himself, biting his lips with pointed teeth, and cleared his throat. “Uh,” he said, swallowing, and snapped his fingers with both hands—and all the jewelry vanished. Even his cool horns were gone, Steve realized, and he had clothes on, a little tiny black shirt that showed his belly button, and shiny plastic-y silver pants.

It was disappointing, but Steve looked into Billy’s flameless eyes and blunt-toothed smile and politely said “...you still look nice...I guess.” Billy snorted a laugh. “...I’ve never seen pants like that,” Steve offered, and Billy frowned down.

“What’s wrong with them?” he asked, then shook his head. “No, wait. Okay. What if you don’t want to go somewhere—”

“People make me go places all the time,” Steve said darkly, remembering the week before, when his mom had drug him in for a haircut that made him look like G.I. Joe. He rubbed his still-fuzzy head, glowering.

“Uh,” Billy said, trying not to smile, but spinning the tires on the LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, and Steve was a little proud that he liked it so much. “Okay, a stranger. What if a stranger makes you go somewhere you don’t want to go?”

“That’s kidnapping,” Steve said, breathlessly, his eyes huge, and Billy pointed the LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 at him.

“Yes. When you summon a demon, you’re kidnapping them, okay? And they can’t leave unless you let them go.”

“But the man on the TV said—” Steve whispered, then stopped, remembering how he’d made the almost-naked woman pour soda on her own head. Steve covered his mouth, suddenly realizing she might not have wanted to be almost-naked, maybe the man had taken her clothes off, like Steve with a doll. “Oh no,” he whispered. “I’m so glad it didn’t work!”

“Ah, yeeeah,” Billy said, grimacing.

“Um,” said Steve, reaching a hand over to retrieve his prize LEGO kit, and Billy snatched it back. Steve narrowed his eyes. “You were looking for my parents, but my dad didn’t say you were coming over, are you my mom’s friend?”

Billy winced, grimacing. “Where is she?”

“She’s at work,” Steve told him. “Daycare is too expensive, so over the summer I have to be good.”

“Wait, are there any grownups here?!” Billy asked, looking horrified, and Steve nodded, pointing down the hall again.

“My dad. He locks the door.”

“...What if you drown in the bathtub, or try to eat your own fingers, or something,” Billy breathed, and Steve glared at him.

“I’m not little,” he hissed, sliding forward in his chair a little, so his toes reached the floor. “I’m not a baby.”

“You don’t need a friend, you need a nanny,” said the recently smoking, horned, pierced and tattooed man before him. “And that’s, uh, that’s why your mom sent me.”

“...did she really send you?” Steve asked, narrowing his eyes, and Billy crossed his arms on the table, hugging Steve’s LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 against his chest.

“Yeah. Yeah, she did,” he said defiantly, and Steve relaxed a little, because Billy sounded like a teenager, just a bigger kid, really. “She said to put less peanut butter and jelly in your sandwiches,” he pointed to Steve’s overflowing PB&J-bread-burrito, looking smug, “—and just make another sandwich.”

Steve gasped, staring at him, and feeling absolutely betrayed. “You tricked me! Why’d you let me make it!”

“It’s okay, I won’t tell,” Billy said, and Steve’s heart was won.

Billy won it further when he scooted his plate aside to admire the LEGO 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, and Steve drug him back to his room to show him the kits he had. “Come on,” he said, excited and rude, and Billy slowed way down, grimacing, and flickering back to his pretty bejeweled self, with horns.

“How about you ask if I wanna do things,” he said stiffly, slowing almost to a stop, and smoking more around the eyes.

“Oh, yeah,” Steve nodded. “Sorry. Can I show you my room?”

“Or maybe, ‘Hey, Billy, want to see my room,’” Billy suggested, taking a deep breath.

“Okay,” Steve nodded. “Want to see my room?”

“Sure,” Billy nodded, relaxing like it was some big relief.

It occurred to Steve maybe it was. “Sorry,” he said quickly. “I’ll be polite, I won’t get you fired.”

“Um, yeah,” Billy laughed, shaking his head. “Maybe don’t, uh, order me around.”

“Yeah,” Steve nodded, thinking hard about it, so he’d remember. “I won’t say ‘Billy, pick me upOOF—” he wheezed, as Billy yanked him into the air with one arm around his waist. “Sorry,” Steve wheezed, his feet kicking. “I-I’ll say Billy would you, sorry—”

“Shit! Damn it, I mean, uh, sorry,” Billy said, grimacing, and sat Steve back on his feet, straightening his clothes.

“I’ll remember,” Steve told him, wide-eyed, and then, because Billy looked guilty, “It’s okay.”

He tried hard to remember, and he usually did, because Billy got all tense and weird if Steve forgot, like he was trying to move underwater, and Steve had to yell “If you want! If you want!” as Billy grimly bit into the crunchy, burned eggs Steve had made.

“That was disgusting,” Billy told him, that time, and Steve couldn’t stop laughing, waving his hands.

“Okay, okay, can I—can I just tell you you can ignore me? I won’t tell, you can just—just do things if you want to—”

“...you sure about that?” Billy asked, snorting softly, like Steve might be kidding, and Steve nodded frantically.

“Yeah! Yes! Don’t, um, don’t eat any more eggshells, I’m sorry!”

“...okay,” Billy said, smiling down at him. “When am I not supposed to listen?”

“Uh,” said Steve, blinking at him. “I mean. You should—you should always listen—”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Billy said, rolling his eyes.

“No, you should!” Steve told him, grabbing Billy’s hand and tugging it. “What if something’s gonna hit you in the head? You should listen,” he nodded, thinking about it. “But once you listen, you should decide what you want to do.”

“What if I wanted to...eat you?” Billy asked him, reaching down to tickle Steve’s stomach, and Steve yelped, giggling.

“You won’t eat me,” Steve told him, leaning into Billy, to give him a hug. “You’re nice.”

Billy sighed, and hugged him back, tightly.

Billy was better at some things than other people, like clothes, Steve thought, because Billy was always pointing people’s outfits out, and explaining how they weren’t as good at picking them. He wasn’t as good at other things, though. Steve sat down one night to heated-up pasta sauce over Cheerios, and he didn’t want to say anything, but he was pretty sure that wasn’t right. Billy gave Steve’s mom a glass of water that was completely frozen because she said she wanted it iced, and when Steve’s dad told Billy to make burgers, Billy didn’t buy buns, or tomatoes, or anything, and he threw the meat in the pan until it caught fire.

Steve was pretty sure none of it was a joke, because Billy frowned between the glass and Steve’s mom, and grimaced over the burgers after Steve’s dad stomped away, and Steve caught him whispering into the phone to the neighbor, hiding half in the fridge like nobody was gonna notice it was open.

“Billy,” he whispered, and Billy jumped, as Steve crouched down next to him. The breeze from the inside of the fridge was nice, but it hardened all Steve’s suspicions, because no grown-up had ever left the fridge open, he was pretty sure.

“Yeah,” Billy muttered back, guiltily.

“...how old’re you,” Steve asked, and Billy flinched.

“Older than you,” he shot back, and that Steve was willing to give him, because Billy wasn’t human, and some things lived different amounts of time, like trees.

“Are you a kid too?” Steve asked, and Billy glared at him.

“No,” he said defiantly, and Steve nodded slowly, raising his eyebrows, until Billy groaned, deflating, sitting against the edge of the fridge and letting his legs sprawl out across the floor. “Look, I’m trying—”

“I won’t tell,” Steve said, reaching out and squeezing Billy’s hand. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“...teenager...maybe,” Billy admitted, grimacing.

“Okay,” Steve said, nodding. “Billy,” he said, trying to sound like a parent, or a teacher, and Billy’s shoulders hunched. “You need to tell me you need help,” Steve said, putting his hands on his hips. “I can help with things like human food.”

“You are human food,” Billy said, fondly, yanking Steve into a hug.

Most of the people that did magic like Billy ate kids occasionally, Steve found out, as he was reading his Dictionary of the Magic Realms that night under the covers, by flashlight. Maybe they were mean kids, Steve thought, or maybe Billy was just way nicer. “Are you a fairy?” he asked the next morning, and Billy laughed.

“Depends on what you mean,” he said, grinning over. “Is that slang for—”

“Can you fly,” Steve interrupted, because that seemed the most important, and Billy cocked his head.

“...actually, I probably could,” he said, considering. “Not like you mean, though. I don’t have secret butterfly wings, or anything.”

“Oh,” Steve said, because he'd been privately imagining Billy as they’d first met, with the jewelry and the horns and wings, and it seemed to fit.

“...do you want me to have wings?” Billy asked, sitting aside the dish he was drying, and bending down sideways to try and meet Steve’s eyes. “I can change form—”

“No!” Steve told him, waving his hands. “No, I know you like looking like...that.”

“...that,” Billy said, raising his eyebrows as he looked down at himself. “You saying I need to do better?”

“You’re just—normal,” Steve said quickly. “Instead of pretty.”

“Instead of,” Billy growled.

“I mean,” Steve yelped, waving his hands. “Pretty with all the jewelry! And the horns.”

“I was gonna say,” Billy said, reddening. “If you’re saying I’m not pretty—”

“Of course you’re pretty,” Steve said, rolling his eyes and sighing, but grinning, too. He patted Billy’s shoulder.

“Well,” Billy said, clearing his throat, and turning back to the dishes. “All right, then.”

A few days later, Billy was moving the kettle off the flame for hot chocolate, and a big gout of steam belched up over his arm, which shimmered into all over scales. Steve yelped and grabbed him, yanking him over to the sink, and ran water over it, all the while panicking.

“Billy, are you a mermaid?!” he asked, spraying Billy’s arm, and trying not to cry. “Are you a mermaid, are you okay, are hot things bad for mermaids—”

“I’m okay,” Billy told him, turning off the water, and hugging him close. “I’m not a mermaid, Stevie, I’m not hurt.”

“O-okay,” Steve gasped, grabbing Billy’s arm to run his fingers over it. “You—you’re okay,” he whispered, leaning into Billy’s hugs. “...are you a...lizard? Or a snake?”

“Nope, not exactly,” Billy said, snorting a laugh, and Steve groaned.

The rest of my Harringrove works

#Harringrove #Demon!Billy #Summoner!Steve #Unintentionally??#Kind of?!#BFFs #Kid!fic #Comedy

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rodeoxqueen · 4 years ago

Text

SMELLS LIKE QUARAN-NEROKIRI SPIRIT

Nero/Kyrie

“In quarantine, Nero and Kyrie spend time together.”

Rodeo’s Two Pieces:

First time writing for Nero/Kyrie. Tread lightly with my take of their dynamic.

(I)- Dalgona Coffee and Cookies.

Despite how everything was shut down and the grocery was found vacant of basic necessities, Nero was grateful to at least be with someone he loved the most.

“Look, we probably need some time off from kickin’ demon ass anyways,” Nico explained, smoking a cigarette during the video chat.

“Yeah, not like demons care about being six feet away. People don’t even do that.” Nero looked at himself in the little square in the corner of his phone. Clad in a grey hoodie, he hadn’t even bothered putting on anything over his boxers. No one had come to visit since the mandate to stay inside, what was the point?

Nico was in her garage again, from what he could see in the camera view. Cigarettes and old cups of coffee littered her desk, warbled country music playing off-view.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll make something to fix that. I was thinking a mask-gun, rapid-fire reloading.”

“Artisan of Arms, huh?” Nero laughed, getting up from his bed.

“You fuckin’ bet. Now I gotta go. Got some things to weld.”

“See ya, Nico. Stay safe, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah.” He gave a peace sign before pressing “end video call.”

The video chat ended and Nero tucked his phone into his pocket. Even banter just wasn’t the same virtually.

“Who was that? Nico?” Nero made it down the hallway to see Kyrie, bustling about getting things from the cupboards.

“Yeah, still building stuff as usual.”

Kyrie had been in their apartment’s kitchen, deciding to try her hand at some recipes she saw online. A bag of flour, too many bowls, and more chocolate than Nero remembered buying, all laid out on the table.

Just when he wanted something to eat, he’d have to wait or his girlfriend would practically make enough to feed an army and be surprised when he didn’t want anymore.

He opted for a cup of water instead.

Nero admired her hair, how it looked when it wasn’t in a ponytail, how it sat perfectly on her shoulders. Seeing how she started to measure some ingredients, he took the hair tie on his wrist, careful fingers bringing it into a low ponytail.

“Oh, thank you.” She commented, opening her booklet of recipes she had handwritten. Neat, slanted cursive in a smattering of blue, red, and black read out recipes for cookies, cakes, and bread.

“You look busy, planning to make all of those?” Nero rested his chin on her shoulder, shrouding her with warmth.

“Well, I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck at home, might as well try some recipes out. Maybe we can deliver some to the orphanage.”

“That is if I don’t eat all your prototypes first.” She laughed, birdsong to Nero’s ears.

“As long as you help me I don’t mind if you do.” Kyrie handed him a measuring cup. Nero sighed, taking it. He always lost count of how many cups of flour he was supposed to put in the bowl.

A jar of porous dough caught his eye as he sifted some baking soda in his white mixture. He took it from Kyrie’s side of the island.

“Whoa, what is this? A science experiment?” Kyrie chuckled, watching Nero scrutinize the date on the white tape to the top of the mason jar.

“No, it’s a sourdough starter! It’s basically wild yeast. We can make bread with it since people bought out all the dry yeast in the grocery store.”

Nero shook it with curiosity and then opened the silver lid, making an “eh” face at the smell.

“It’s yeast alright.”

Kyrie continued whipping up the sugar and butter mixture, Nero helping himself to a handful of chocolate chips.

“Have you talked to your uncle and father? They must be staying at the shop in Redgrave.”

Nero shrugged.

“Most likely, I haven’t talked to them yet. Dante probably didn’t pay the phone bill and Vergil doesn’t know how to use the phone anyways.”

“Let’s just hope they’re getting along during this time.”

Nero thought back to all the “family outings” he had since his uncle and father returned from hell, mostly just jobs becoming contests of strength that turned to friendly family fights. Endless banter and elbowing.

Honestly, compared to that, standing next to his girlfriend while they shaped cookies for the oven was heaven.

Once the chocolate chip cookie dough was done baking, Kyrie insisted they make some whipped coffee while they cooled.

“I thought you didn’t like coffee, Kyrie.” She stooped down to find something in the lower cabinets. A robotic hand that was colored dark blue and black, his old Devil Bringer, appeared with a tiny whisk duct-taped to it.

“Yeah, but that TikTok made it look so good.” Nero handed her the glass container of instant coffee.

Turning on the Devil Bringer, the tiny whisk spun to life, rapidly mixing sugar, coffee, and water together. With her back turned, Nero popped a thing of cookie dough in his mouth.

“Honestly, Nico should have patented these Devil Bringers, make a bunch of money, and maybe she’d stop trying to rip me off all those times.”

“Support local businesses, Nero.”

He looked over her shoulder, surprised at how an abysmal brown mixture had become fluffy and thrice its previous volume.

Two cups of milk poured, the practically instantly whipped coffee laid on top like a decadent Mount Everest next to a still-warm plate of cookies.

“Cheers!” Kyrie clinked glasses with him, stirring her mug vigorously with a spoon. He copied her, taking a sip of surprisingly light and sweet coffee.

When he lowered his cup, Nero both revealed to the world a mustache of whipped coffee.

Kyrie snorted into her cup, covering her mouth as she bit back a laugh. Embarrassed, Nero went to wipe it off when Kyrie pecked him on the lips. She drew back to reveal an imprint of the ‘stache on her own upper lip.

“We match now.” Kyrie giggled, helping herself to another gooey cookie.

Half a plate of cookies and two mugs properly drained of its contents, Kyrie and Nero loaded up the dishwasher to do the work.

“This is coffee, why am I tired?” Kyrie yawned.

The couch was this god-awful IKEA purchase that took hours for Nero to just figure out what the instructions meant. But right now, it perfectly supported both of them while they slept away their food coma.

(II)- Curl Up And Dye.

After the second time the mandate got lengthened, Nero could sense that Kyrie was starting to wane in her ever-positive attitude. The news had nothing good to say, and the number of shows they had binged left them indifferent to watching anything more.

They did a lot of singing during quarantine, Kyrie always being the musical one. Evanescence was one of their favorites to sing together, Nero’s guitar skills and Kyrie’s ability to hit those high notes left many memorable nights of laughter.

After a while, Kyrie began to just sit on the couch a lot and have Nero pay her company.

“What’s wrong?” Kyrie sighed heavily, curling into Nero’s hoodie as he opted to stay shirtless.

“I don’t know Nero, it just feels like everything is the same. We go through the same things every day and I just feel...trapped.”

Nero kissed the nape of her neck, humming in agreement.

“Look, I’m usually the one going to you for stuff like this but...it will get better. It’s been a really hard time for all of us, and we’re just watching everything go downhill. It’s not a good situation but, you got me. Always. And there’s still a lot of things we can change up if that helps.” He stroked her hair and rubbed her back, feeling her take a deep breath.

“You’re right Nero. That really did help. Thank you for listening.”

“Of course.”

While he scrolled on his own phone, he didn’t heed all the things Kyrie was watching. She touched her own long hair, seeing the way other people recorded their own home-salon trims.

“Things to change, huh?” She mumbled.

So here they were now.

“It looks so bad!” Kyrie exclaimed, her face in her hands, hair on the bathroom sink. Nero shook his head.

“No it’s not, Kyrie! You look fine, just let me fix it!” In the mirror, Nero cringed at the way her hair was ridiculously over-layered.

“Um, what did you try to do-”

“Curtain bangs! Oh Nero, I shouldn’t have tried to change up my hair!” Kyrie was thoroughly upset, seeing how her bout of bravery lead to her bangs being mauled by her own hands.

Nero hugged her, noting that she had been wearing his shirt while she trimmed her hair.

Okay that shirt’s gonna itch for a while until all the hair comes out.

“It’s okay, let me see if I can fix it.” Kyrie blushed in the mirror, groaning at how bad her hair was cut.

“There’s no way you could make it worse than what I did.”

Nero gingerly took the scissors Kyrie put in the sink, a little bit too small for his hands but good enough. Although he was no stylist, he could tell where Kyrie had either cut too much off or unevenly.

Eventually, they did manage to cut it in a way that hid the previous mistakes. Kyrie took another deep breath.

“I shouldn’t have been so impulsive.” She murmured, arms crossed.

Nero chuckled at her rare emotional outburst. He was glad to have been able to be there for her. She always hid how she felt, helping others her way of expressing herself. Now with no one around but him, he totally understood that she felt helpless.

No one liked being helpless.

He kissed her cheek and a lightbulb went off in his head.

“You wanna dye my hair?” Kyrie turned around in surprise.

“What?”

“I mean, who knows how long this shutdown is gonna be, it’ll be fun,” Kyrie noted how Nero had forgone shaving, his peach fuzz becoming something more.

Honest blue eyes peered at her, wondering what she would think. Her surprise softened to a sort of relief in their solidarity.

“What color, Nero?”

“Neon green-”

“Nico’s going to make fun of you.” Kyrie giggled. Nero shrugged nonchalantly.

“I don’t mind it.”

(III)- Can’t Get Out Of It, Get Into It.

“Nero, you look so fucking ridiculous.”

“Shut up, Dante.”

His uncle finally managed to figure out how to work the virtual chat on his fossil of a computer, and Nero was already prepared to end the call.

His father sat slightly off-camera, not in the mood to entertain Dante’s antics to ridicule his son. Although, he did look oddly radioactive with his washed-out green hair and strong quarter-past five o’clock shadow.

“Quarantine did not do you a favor, good lord,” Dante commented, kicking his feet up on his desk. Nero flipped him off.

“Good to know you’re still living in shambles, not surprised neither of you cleaned up after yourselves.” The number of bottles on the floor was a travesty and the couch littered with poetry books Vergil had slowly begun to hoard.

Nico entered the zoom call, smoking another cigarette Nero was lucky to not have to smell.

“Nice broccoli head.”

Nero flipped her off as well. Kyrie came into view, smiling at her boyfriend’s family and their shared friends. Nero decided to get a drink, clicking a few buttons before letting Kyrie have the seat.

As they discussed how the business would continue with Devil May Cry, Kyrie sat next to Nero.

It was mainly business, until it got to a certain line that Dante said.

“I don’t know, it just feels like things are just going to keep staying like this. Hate to break it to you Nero, but it’s going to be tough for a while.”

Kyrie finally heard enough, scooching Nero aside so she could talk.

“Kyrie, wait-”

“We’re going to get past this. As long as humanity still keeps coming together for the sake of benefiting each other, and we keep working to make sure to keep safe, we will get past this. We just have to keep hoping, and sure, hoping isn’t always going to make you feel better. I would know. But in a time where we do feel helpless, we should connect with other people in a different way. That’s why we succeed, we keep moving, we keep adapting! And hope, hope keeps that going.”

Kyrie took a long breath. Looking at the dumbfounded group, she waited for a response.

“Um, Kyrie. You were muted.” Nero finally said. Kyrie realized her blunder and how Nero’s hand was attempting to unmute them.

“Oh.” Kyrie flushed, looking embarrassed.

“I have no idea what you just said, but that’s okay.”

“I’m sorry, that was so awkward.”

“Don’t worry yourself, Kyrie. I bet it was real sweet whatever you had to say,” Nico assured.

The zoom call was full of laughter since, a business call turned to a time to discuss how each person was doing.

Dante and Vergil had spent days and nights sparring, Vergil learning more about humanity from Dante, and “making their own pizzas.”

Nico had continued welding and making weapons for her own curiosity rather than based off of commission-based instructions. The van finally had the vinyl player fixed and she apparently gave herself a stick-and-poke.

“So what did you two love birds do?” Nico asked, lighting another cancer stick.

Nero and Kyrie looked at each other, smiling at their shared memories of this strange period in human history.

“Where do we even start?” Kyrie said, thinking of all the days and nights that seemed to breeze by and also slowly progress.

Nero ruffled his longer messy green hair, Kyrie tucking her curtain bangs behind her ear. As they were two peas in the pod, Nero had decided to get another set of gray sweats for Kyrie, matching finally.

Kyrie bit into a cookie, offering Nero some.

“Smells like quarantine spirit, huh?” Dante finger-gunned.

Nero chuckled.

“Hell yeah.”

#nirvana and dominic fike reference?#nirvana and dominic fike reference #not much vergil in this work i do not care for the man today #nero x kyrie #nerokiri #devil may cry #devil may cry fanfiction #nero sparda #kyrie #dmc kyrie #dante sparda #vergil sparda #nicoletta goldstein

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