#i felt way closer to the rouges than anyone else

[vermilliondash]

Hey how come the Rouge class quests are so fucking good but the Ninja ones are sleep inducing

[subtletruamadumping]

Random Bits; Necessary Evil (5)

_____________________________________________________________

Heavily inspired by the lava monster at the end of Moana, the "I can't fucking touch anyone" powers from Rouge in X-Men/Elsa at the beginning of frozen, Fantasia where they use Stravinsky's "Firebird", and also the piece Danse Macabre. The heroine is supposed to be "life", having control over water/earth. Villian/sad boi (TM) is "death" with control over fire/decay/ice basically anything like that.

Probably written around my freshman/sophomore years.

_____________________________________________________________

There was silence as the crowd of people stood just outside the line of charred grass. All eyes were pointing inward, trying to find movement in between the blackened trees. Evelyn was beginning to get worried, realizing all the people around her were looking with fear on the place. Maybe Macabre had been right. Maybe they wouldn’t be willing to accept him.

“There isn’t anyone coming.” Her father said, almost relieved “Evelyn, let’s go back to the castle, now.”

“No.” She said firmly “He’ll come. I know he will.” The king sighed softly, but she heard it, as everyone else was completely silent. She bit her lip nervously. She hoped he would come. He father would never let her go in and look for him and, if he made her go back to the castle, he would make her choose someone else. He would tell her that he had taken Macabre’s refusal to appear as a sign that they could not be married. She was about to call for him again when she suddenly heard an urgent murmur run through the crowd. She herself soon saw the shadow causing the surprised whispers. 

He came silently through the trees, drawing nearer until he was visible to all. He stayed a ways back, keeping his distance from the large group of people gathered there. He viewed them carefully, his eyes scanning the crowd until they came to rest on Evelyn. She gave him a soft smile.

“What are all these people doing here?” He asked. His voice was emotionless. Flat. He probably thought they wanted to get rid of him.

“Mac--” Evelyn started, but her father was quicker.

“The princess had chosen who she would like to marry.” He declared, very formally and proudly. Macabre’s bright eyes lazily wandered over to him, next, giving him a cold, hard stare. The king seemed to want to take a step back.

“And?” Macabre asked, still flatly. There were a few seconds of silence. The king was clearly taken aback by Macabre’s apparent disdain for formalities. He blinked a few times before he answered.

“She has chosen you.” He finally answered, a little weaker than before. The silver eyes traveled back to Evelyn.

“Is this true?” He asked. She couldn’t help but blush a little.

“If you’ll have me.” She answered simply. The crowd held their breath as they waited for what seemed like hours for his reply. He blinked at her silently and slowly and she began to notice a few ice crystals forming on the dead grass around him. She wished her father hadn’t brought the crowd of people. She wished she had been able to ask him herself. She wished--

“No.” Instantly, she felt her heart crack. He was still staring at her. He was still using his flat voice.

“What do you--”

“No.” He interrupted. The ice around him was growing, slowly.

“Well, that settles it, then.” The king said, failing to hide how relieved he was. Macabre was turning to go.

“Wait, it’s not settled, yet!” Evelyn cried “Macabre, come back!” He wasn’t listening, though. He walked a few steps deeper into the forest. She tore away from the crowd, causing everyone to gasp, and chased after him.

“Evelyn, come back!” He father ordered, but she ignored him. She ran to Macabre and grabbed his hand, keeping him from going any further. 

“Please, Macabre.” She said quietly, making him turn back to her. He looked down at her hand holding his, as the entire crowd was doing. 

“We can get you a teacher, if that’s what you’re worried about.” She assured him, drawing him closer “You won’t hurt anyone. And the kingdom can’t go on like this. It needs to die so it can be reborn. I need you.” While she was talking, he gently turned over her hand, inspecting it. He softly ran his fingers over the skin. Over the place the burn had been.

“It’s alright.” She said softly “I heal quickly.” His head snapped up and his eyes locked with hers.

“You shouldn’t have to heal yourself from your husband’s touch.” The flat voice was gone, replaced by a strained and agitated one.

“No, no, no. It’s going to be alright.” She tried to reassure him, but he tore his hand away from hers. He took a few steps back, glancing at the crowd, as well.

“I won’t marry you, Evelyn.” He declared loudly, then turned on his heel and marched into the woods, leaving a trail of ice behind him.

“Wait! Wait, Macabre!” She called after him, but he was already gone. She stood there, stunned, for a few moments, then sank to her knees and started to sob.

[bizarrebaby]

Untouched

Pairing: Pero Tovar/Virgin!Reader

Work Count: 3.2k

Summary: You and Pero spend your first night together, which is your first night with anyone.

Warnings: you guys have penis in vagina sex. Some descriptions/mentions of violence, reference to painful loss of virginity, but we all know Pero’s too good to do that to you

You were a walking contradiction. Nothing was more confusing or intriguing to Pero Tovar than how you managed to exist in these times.

When he’d been introduced to you (it was generous to call it an introduction, seeing as Tovar more or less refused to acknowledge you at the time) he saw you the way he saw most everyone: an annoyance at best, a punishment from god at worst. When he glanced at you, he saw just a little thing, a girl who ought to be at home, out of her depths.

He first beheld your beauty through a veil of bloodshed. On the battlefield you had no equal. People throughout his travels often equated grace to beauty, but in observing you, Pero found that simply wasn’t so. You did not dance with the blade, like twirled silk. What you did was not akin to dancing. It was heavy and destructive, you took to you enemies with the crushing force of a mortar and pestle. You wielded the heavy and challenging kanabo, the force of which caved armor and shattered bones, man and beast alike. When you swung the heavy bat, you looked as a healer pounding medicine. The force itself was destructive, but it was delivered with the righteousness of someone who was preserving life.

You could not always use the kanabo, and you most certainly could not spar with it, for your opponents would be crippled by even a sporting blow. So Tovar sometimes saw your prowess with the sword, the staff, anything nearby. You made many an arrogant man eat their words.

Now, when he was to imagine a beautiful woman, he did not think of flowing locks and fair skin wrapped in silks. He saw sword-cut hair, an oversized tunic, the loosening laces on leather armor.

And beyond the fighting, you did not often make with revelry. Tense in the company of most others in your band of mercenaries, you kept away when they became excited. When you approached him, scowling as he wolfed down his food alone, he dreaded having to endure niceties, persuasions, and prattel from you, and had already decided to be as disagreeable as possible. To his utter surprise, you said nothing to him at all as you kept a couple of meters distance and ate your own meal. You did so day after day, and at first he had been paranoid that this was some plot at inching your way closer, that one day you would ruin this silence and reveal your true intentions. Until one night, Tovar found himself doing something unthinkable: initiating conversation. Or at least, speaking unprompted.

“You do not chatter like the others,” he stated almost mindlessly, not knowing what he was expecting by saying so.

“I try not to talk when I have nothing to say,” you admitted. You looked towards him, half illuminated by the distant, flickering fire.

He found himself studying every detail of your face from the corner of his eye. It was terrifying, for once wanting to observe and actually caring if he was noticed doing so.

“And,” you continued quietly, “they say you do not like to be disturbed.” That was a very kind way of rephrasing how he was often spoken of. In all likelihood, what you were actually told was probably more along the lines of ‘he’s a mean, miserable bastard who doesn’t like anyone’. Tovar didn’t know how he felt about your twisting such words into something that sounded… reasonable.

Understood.

“I don’t like being disturbed either.”

Now, when he was to imagine a beautiful woman, he did not think of lip rouge and silent, unnoticed steps, or curled, dark lashes, of coquettish smirks. He thought of a split lip, and the uneven pace of worn leather kicking at stray pebbles, of tired eyes rubbed with the back of the hand after looking into the fire too long, of the struggle to hold back a wide-mouthed yawn.

Through a few well placed miracles and the incessant meddling of others (William) the two of you had ended up together. And this was when Pero discovered what a contradiction you were. 

You knew death in every facet… except for la petite mort. 

While other girls snuck off with their paramours in experimental forays of intimacy, you were studying the blade, the staff, the bow, the kusarigama. Raised by a father and uncles who loved you, but did not know how to raise a young lady. Only how to raise a fighter. 

When you didn’t scare off any potential suitors, they certainly did. 

While younger than Pero, you were still fully grown, and had yet to even kiss a man until Pero had claimed your lips in a passionate fury on the night of his confession. 

Pero did not fancy himself a teacher, he saw himself as a taker, one with no patience for uncertainties and incompetence. But for you, he would be anything. And regardless of what he was, what you deserved was a gentle touch. Subtle, comforting, patient, and understanding. 

All words that had never been used to describe him. 

Over time, the kisses grew deeper, the touches flirted further beneath the clothes, until the night came where he held you against him in his bed, eyes begging for more as you looked to him for guidance. Never had he been so frightened at the thought of bedding a woman. He was a scoundrel with hands only fit for killing, and he was terrified of hurting you somehow.

But he’d be damned if anyone else took this honor.

With every piece of clothing he stripped your body of, you looked at him with such trust. He felt your heart beating in his rough palms, like the flutter of a bird’s wings. Never before had he been responsible for something so pure, so delicate. His relations before you were intimacies he had paid for in coin, encounters that didn’t require any gentleness on his part, where he cared little about any pleasure or pain besides his own. If he were to do one thing in his life with tact and delicacy, it would be this, he promised himself. 

“Tell me again, hermosa, how many before me have seen this beautiful body?”

“N-none. You’re the first, Pero.” 

He hums in satisfaction, running his hands up your stomach to cup your breasts. His thumbs stroke over the hardening peaks, causing a hitch in your breath as you shudder. 

“Oh, mi conejita, so sensitive,” he descends, taking a nipple in his mouth and sucking almost harshly for just a moment before pulling away, admiring how your breast shines with his spit. You squeak out a shaking moan. “I wonder if you’re this sensitive everywhere else? Don’t tell me. I’ll find out myself.”

You feel your cheeks heat at his words, feeling the urge to curl in on yourself and hide. But Pero keeps you bare to him as he lavishes eager attention on your breasts, enjoying the whines half-caught in your throat. By the time your nipples are perked and wet from Pero’s hot mouth, your blush has spread down to your collar. He pulls away slightly, gently guiding you to lay down. He takes your thighs in his strong hands and spreads them further apart. His thumbs spread your lips so get a good look at your pink, silky hole twitching with a need you’ve never known before. 

Your breath hitches as one of his fingers traces along your sensitive lips, brushing against your clit briefly before beginning to sink into you slowly. He rocks it back and forth gently while admiring the rise and fall of your chest, the way your eyelids flutter as you go between wanting to watch and being too bashful to. His thumb gently strokes your clit as he works to ease in another finger, and you tense harshly at the new intrusion. He leans down to press a few reassuring kisses against your neck.

“Relax, querida. Let me in.” He whispers, moving his lips to your mouth in an effort to distract you as he coaxes you open. His cock was heavy and hard against the laces of his trousers. You would see it soon, but Pero doesn’t want to overwhelm you. Not yet, anyways.

You breathe deeply in an attempt to relax your muscles as Pero’s fingers reach farther than yours ever could, and it feels as if he holds all of your bodily feelings in the palm of his hand. He continues to coo endearments against your neck to comfort you. 

“Bueno, bueno… you’ve gotten nice and wet for me, cariño, so good for me,” a smirk spreads across his face as he feels you tighten with his words. “Oh, you like it when I talk, niña?” He teases, increasing the pace as he pumps his fingers in and out of you, the tight circles he’s rubbing into your clit on the verge of driving you mad. 

He parts from your neck to take a look at your face in pleasure, and finds himself enraptured by the slight furrow of your brows and the way your eyelids flutter when he strokes the right part of your insides. Your quiet huffing and mewling, combined with the way your cunt is gripping at his fingers, has him more riled up than he’d like to admit. 

“Pero, I-I I think I’m gonna cum,” you whine, looking at him with pleading eyes. He bristles with pride as your hips move to meet the palm of his hand while chasing the pleasure he gives you. 

“Cum then, muñeca. Cum for me.”

The coil in your belly winds so tightly it snaps, and white hot pleasure floods your system. Pero groans as you cream on his fingers, feeling his cock throb harshly for the umpteenth time tonight. A tremor wracks your body as the mercenary continues rocking his fingers gently to help you ride out your climax. When they withdraw, he doesn’t hesitate to lick them clean, much to your embarrassment. The sight of his tongue against your slick on his hand gives you… ideas. Ideas that will have to wait until another night, maybe. 

He leans down to plant a chaste kiss to your lips before bringing you to sit up. He wants to see what else you’ve never done. Wants to know how curious you are. 

Pero places one of your hands (which feel so small in his) against the tent in his pants, encouraging you to explore his body the way you’ve so graciously allowed him to explore yours. His tunic is already off, but of course, you’ve seen men shirtless before. His cock feels hot and hard through his trousers, and the apprehension is probably clear on your flustered face, but Tovar finds this entire situation incredibly arousing. 

He’s no stranger to sex, but most of his previous sexual encounters had been paid for and, thusly, were with experienced (and sometimes jaded) partners. Though the size of his cock may have impressed a few, it had never been the first they’d seen, touched, or taken. This was different. 

His eyes never leave your face as you bite your lip, occasionally looking to him for approval as you move to undo the laces on his trousers. His eyes are lidded and dark with desire, and a smile crosses his face, a little more genuine than the usual smirks he throws in your direction. 

“Go on,” he urges, more gently than he knew himself capable. You finally slip down his waistband and smallclothes, and his cock lands heavy against his stomach as he reclines just slightly. You try to contain your startled gasp, attempting to seem less like the blushing virgin you clearly are. The way your lips part ever so slightly as you examine his red, leaking cock with nervous interest sends the mercenary reeling. 

Pero almost takes your hesitance as fear, which he’s determined to quell, before you finally reach your hands out to run them along the hard length, drawing a ragged groan from him.

For a moment, Pero feels the strongest compulsion to take charge of you. To guide your head down and order you to get his cock nice and wet before he takes you, to see tears prick at your eyes while you struggle to take his cock in your little mouth. 

But, somewhat regrettably, he remembers his first time with a woman well. He remembers the nerves burning against his skin like a thousand needles, the fear of performing well and doing things he’d never even imagined doing. He can only imagine that fear to be tenfold for a girl. You’ve spent years in the company of brash mercenaries, uncouth enough that they brag of their rough, bruising conquests. He knows the type. And what women you do meet often speak of intimacy with dread, or reflect on the pain of their first times.

You are one of the few things in Pero Tovar’s life that he has ever really cared for. And his greatest wish is to make you feel cared for. He has never known patience. But for you, he shall have it in spades. You’ll have plenty of time to play rough later. Or never, if that’s what you want.

Not to mention, he’s just about as hard as he’s ever been in his entire life, and he doubts he would last in your mouth, not with the passionate stare you’re giving him. You have, after all, always been a quick learner when it came to the sword. The way you start experimentally moving your hands along his cock confirm this, as he sighs in pleasure from the light pressure you’re giving him.

“This the first cock you’ve seen up close, hermosa?” you nod, and that teasing smile is once again set on his face. “What do you think of it?”

Your eyes widen just slightly at the question. He takes one of your hands and spits in it before letting you continue to stroke his cock, still patiently awaiting an answer.

“Are they all… like this?” Pero has a feeling he knows what you mean, but he wants you to say it.

“Like what, preciosa?” 

“Big.”

He chuckles quietly before cupping your chin in his hand and bringing you towards him for another bout of fervent kisses. In these moments, and most others, he looks at you and sees everything he’s ever wanted. He presses his forehead to yours when he finally parts from your lips.

“No, amor, not all,” he pauses in thought, somewhat uncharacteristically. “Are you worried?”

“...Yes.” The mercenary appreciates your honesty. For your entire life, you have had to be brave. He doesn’t want you to have to be brave with him. He’s never been trusted with something as precious as you. He calls your name with the same softness he feels for you.

“I will never hurt you,” he promises. “And…” his need causes him to struggle with the next part. He’s still not used to being sensitive, not used to caring so much. “We do not have to do this.”

Pero can see the fire ignite in your eyes, that same passion he sees when you get up right after being knocked down.

“I want to, Pero, I want to. Will you take care of me?” his eyes have their own fire now. He guides you down onto your back once again and leans over you. His cock leaks against the soft skin of your belly as he kisses up your neck, sucking in marks as he goes.

“Forever,” he swears.

Pero hoists himself up to look into your eyes as his cock catches at your entrance for the first time. He pushes himself in just barely, giving you a little more each time as he shallowly rocks into you. He watches, feeling lovestruck, as your breasts rise and fall with each short breath you take as he eases himself deeper into your heat. 

When Pero Tovar met you, he didn’t exactly respect you, but he wouldn’t have called you soft. You proved quickly that you were a better warrior than most men he’d met, and despite the roughness and inconveniences of mercenary life, you didn’t complain. In those early days, he’d have scarcely called you a woman at all. 

But here you were beneath him, soft and warm, and everything he’d never imagined he could be trusted with. Long ago you reached your hands into his hardened chest, with all of its armor, and gripped his heart with all of the hope and reverence of a devout finding comfort in a rosary. The vice of your wet cunt on his cock was an extension of that. An inescapable binding that he had no desire to leave. 

“You feel so good, querida, so tight and perfect against my cock.”

And so you pant, looking cherubic against the sheets with your splayed hair and flushed cheeks, lips plumped from Pero’s incessant kissing. The wet noises coming from between the two of you are obscene, and you love it. 

“So good for me, amor, taking everything I have to give you.”

He wouldn’t last long. Not waiting as long as he has, not with you looking, sounding, and feeling the way you do. His thrusts aren’t punishing, but they sure as hell aren’t gentle, as he can only restrain himself from wrecking you for so long. And from the way he’s hitting that place inside that makes you sing, you won’t last either.  

“Pero, I’m gonna— mmm I’m gonna cum again!” You keen, calling him back from his animalistic fervor. Pero stares into your eyes with a fire roaring behind his gaze. 

“I want you to soak my cock, hermosa. Cum. Give me your pleasure, let me make you mine!”

“God— oh, fuck, I love you—“ you pant as he feels you clench deliciously around him. Any hope he had of holding on has fled now. 

“Mi amor, let me cum in you, please, querida—“

“Please, do it Pero,”

You can feel the skin of his hips slap against yours as he pistons himself in and out of you, babbling about how beautiful you are and how good you feel until he can’t stand it anymore. 

“Te amo, te amo, te amo!” He growls, ceasing his hips as he fills you with everything he has. You jolt at the sensation before relaxing again, his hot cum painting your walls. His elbows stop him from collapsing right onto you, but he can feel your breasts brush against his chest with every breath the both of you take. 

He basks in this moment for a while longer before pulling himself out gently, resolving to clean the both of you properly later. Pero lets himself fall beside you in bed, still breathing a little heavily. 

“Come here, querida.”

Pero stares at the ceiling as your weight comes to rest against his chest, warm in ways he cannot describe. The arm around you tightens, as if he wishes to pull you further into him.

“Are you… do you feel alright, mi amor? I didn’t hurt you?”

“Never, Pero. I feel wonderful. Was it ok? For you, I mean. I know I’m… you’re probably not used to being with someone so inexperienced,” you trail off, feeling palpably insecure. He gently puts his hand beneath your chin to coax you into looking up at him from his chest.

“You don’t have to be anything more than what you are to be perfect for me, amor.”

Taglist:

Pedro Pascal: @auty-ren

From the preview post: @josepedropascal @tintinwrites @computeringturtle @kiwi-the-first​

[shoutogepi]

Midnight Masquerade

Todoroki Shouto & Shinsou Hitoshi

word count : 8.6k

[  ��� (nsfw 18+) ] 

themes : DUBCON, YANDERE. MFM threesome, vampire!todoroki, vampire!shinsou, spanking, praise kink??... double penetration, blood play (hello they’re vampires)

bio : You attend a masquerade ball in hopes of finding a bachelor on Halloween night… only to get much more than you originally bargained for. 

author’s note : This fic was inspired by one of my fav movies when I was younger! Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman (2004), in which Dracula hosts an exquisite masquerade ball, full of masked vampires.  

side note : Happy Halloween!! I didn’t have time to edit/beta this fic, so it may be a little choppy/rough.. but I’m about to leave for my Halloween party and I wanted to get this out on time so!! please try to enjoy, and I apologize if this is not up to my usual standards. <3

 ─── ・°* ﾟ✧:* • ｡ﾟ:*･☽･*: ｡ﾟ•*:✧ ﾟ*°・ ───

🅈ou received an invitation to a Halloween party… and that was about all the information you had to go off of. What awaited you at this gathering, you had absolutely no idea. The envelope had simply arrived on your doorstep at the beginning of the month, no messenger in sight.

This invitation, scrawled in perfect calligraphy and sealed with the kiss of a stamp upon wax, proved to be even more puzzling when you attempted to uncover its origin. And while you had asked around to anyone you could possibly think of— your friends, family, neighbors, hell, even your mailman— you found no one who could give you any answers. It seemed that you, for some reason, had been issued this invitation, when no one in your primary social network else had.

What was even more peculiar, was that a gown and a pair of heels had arrived two weeks later, in all senses more luxurious than you had ever seen, and tailored to your exact size and measurements. Just from lifting it out of the box, you could tell it was expensive. And as if that hadn’t been enough of a gift, a necklace and earrings that dazzled nearly enough to blind you arrived just a few days following the dress. Finally a last package arrived a few days before the party, containing an intricately-painted mask that tied the whole outfit together. Each of the gifts had a card laid across the top of the tissue-enfolded contents, signed off from your inviter and now confirmed “secret admirer, S.H.”

The enigma of it all perplexed you. You liked to tell yourself that a smart girl like you would never go to such an event, considering you had no clue who had sent you the invitation, let alone such extravagant gifts. You told yourself that you had no obligation to go, that it would be ill-advised to show up without any further information than the address, date, and time.

But someone had clearly gone to great lengths to impress you, and you couldn’t just ignore that. Curiosity burned bright inside you when raked your brain for potential inviters, and as you came to more and more dead ends, your intrigue grew with every second the event stayed on your mind.

You spent every day leading up to the party thinking about it, flipping back and forth as to if you were going to attend or not. Even on the night of, you spent a ridiculous amount of time switching between deciding on going or staying home, taking short bursts of either frantically getting yourself ready, or sitting down and scrutinizing the situation.

You ended up arriving at the address scrawled at the bottom of the mysterious invitation an hour late.

Although you had planned to just hail a cab thanks to your indecision, you were surprised to find a sleek, black Rolls Royce waiting for you at the entrance to your building. The driver, donned in a crisp black and white tux, sported an elegant mask across his face, and wordlessly opened the door for you, bowing and gesturing for you to enter. After a moment of hesitance, you decided it would probably be best to just get into the car— whoever had requested your presence had already gone to such lengths as to cloth and bejewel you— it only made sense for you to arrive in a vehicle that screamed as much wealth as did your outfit.

What you had not expected was to find the location of the event to be a rather estately manor at the border of the city. The driveway twisted through an ominous wood to reach the massive home, and rather nastily-spiked wrought-iron fences guarded the border of the property, looming metal casting eerie shadows against the overcast evening sky. You found yourself wondering briefly what exact purpose the metal lattice served— both sides adorned with rough silver spikes. Traditionally gates were meant to keep things from getting in… it was peculiar to you that they were double-sided.

It was certainly curious, but your eyes were quickly torn from the gates as the car ventured closer to the maleficent abode, your heartbeat beginning to pick up as you came nearer to the grand entrance. There was a gorgeous fountain laid between two sets of curved stone staircases, both leading up to the tall, mahogany doors at the dead center of the manor. The car came to a stop just before the fountain, and you spent the small moment your driver took crossing over to your side and opening your door in breathless anticipation.

The cool, dry October air felt heavenly against your exposed shoulders, the tops of your breasts just peeking out of the neck of the beautiful, sleek gown you’d been sent. The autumn chill did wonders to calm the thumping of your nervous heart, and as you climbed the stairs, your fingers trailing along the cold balustrade, you took a deep breath. When you chanced a look back toward the car, you found it had already disappeared, and a pang of uncertainty rang through you once more. Yes, this was definitely uncharastically brash of you— you still had no idea who could possibly be the one to invite you to such a prestigious soiree— and yet, you found your nerves crackling with excitement, barely able to contain your jittery disposition.

Two more men, also hidden beneath tuxedos and blank masks, bowed as they pulled the heavy wooden doors apart, revealing the bustling affair that lay inside. You were shocked to find so many bodies within just the first glance of the interior— it was a magnificent foyer that was ten times larger than the tiny apartment you had become so accustomed to, a sea of masked party-goers that ebbed and flowed with the live, string-quartet on the stage in the far corner of the room. Countless couples waltzed and spun across the middle of the room underneath humongous crystal chandeliers, all glittering and shining with the low lighting of a thousand candles, by far more fire hazards than you’d ever seen. It was quite a culture shock to you— you had never before been invited into the fruits of such luxury, this level of wealth as mysterious to you as the cryptic sender of your invitation, S.H.

And though this was your first time indulging in the pleasures of such extravagance, you looked like you belonged. You were sure that the outfit this mystery persona had given you to wear tonight was worth far more than the rent you constantly worried about making, and so you fit in quite seamlessly with the crowd of silk-enveloped, gem-encrusted faces, perhaps even going so far as to stand out. The soft silk of your pashmina tickled against your arms as it sat snug around your lower back, curled around your elbows and seams brushing against your hips. The thick necklace— more of a collar, really— sat heavy against your chest, each diamond shining brightly, leading to a large teardrop-shaped pendant of brilliant amethyst that hung perfectly in the middle of your chest. The ornate mask you’d been given concealed the top half of your face, bright ruby gems adorning along your eyes and matching your dress’ deep rouge to an impossibly perfect degree. Initially upon receiving such gifts you were suspicious of their authenticity, but standing now before such a display of affluence, you were certain they were real. The jewels and fine linens gave you a false sense of confidence, and after a moment of absorbing your astounding surroundings, you tentatively began to make your way into the party.

For a while you wandered around by your lonesome, but you didn’t really mind the solitude. It was a refreshing change of pace, and you admired each symbol of wealth you came across. The grand room was decorated with no expenses in mind— rich velvet curtains hung across the walls, tied back with gold corded tassels to allow the cold moon’s luminescence to shine down into the hall. Massive oil portraits lined the walls, each frame depicting a different person of undoubtable esteem, each in their own respect poised yet handsome as the last.

Your eyes wandered to the last two photos on the wall, both of them shockingly attractive in their own ways. One had wild, violet locks and a sultry smirk, the others’ hair split down the middle with tousled red and white, mouth set in an indifferent line. What stood out most to you was the emotion conveyed in both their eyes— it was cold and callous, sending shivers down your spine.

As you turned away from the portraits, you were met with a server, who offered you the silver platter he was carrying as he bowed. Tiny steak tartares, garnished with a red wine sauce and a sprig of herbs; the sight made your mouth water and you thanked him as you took one with the classy little fork he handed to you. Just as you turned your attention back to the portraits before you, you jumped at the discovery of a figure standing beside you.

He was tall, your head coming just above his shoulder, even in your four inch heels. He donned a crisp tuxedo of his own, but his bowtie was left undone, strips of fabric hanging loosely around his neck. Though there was a mask covering his face as well, you instantly recognized the purple flumes of hair, your surprise evident as you let out a small gasp. He didn’t seem to notice you, his eyes set on the frames above your line of sight, but he then began to speak, his deliciously deep voice taking you again by surprise. “Rather rare,” he spoke, quiet yet clear, eyes still scrutinizing the art before the pair of you.

“E-Excuse me?” you asked for clarity, wondering when exactly this man had appeared, and why you had not noticed such a captivating presence by your side.

At the sound of your voice, he turned his gaze to you, lazy violet eyes inspecting your figure without much attempt at concealing his blatant inspection. You bristled at his audacity, but soon found yourself relaxing as your own eyes wandered the length of his lithe, cut figure. It wasn’t your fault, you reasoned— you had just been admiring this man in his photo and now he appeared before you, looking even more delectable in person.

“The hors d'oeuvres,” he explained, eyes dropping to the forgotten disc of tender meat perched at the end of your fork. He let his gaze wander across your chest before he met your stare again, that same smirk coming to rest on his supple lips. “And such beauty as yours, of course. It’s unparalleled, Miss…?” he trailed off, angling his head to the side as he awaited your response.

You thanked him and told him your name, watching as his smirk only seemed to grow, something mischievous shimmering in those enticing amethyst orbs of his. He leaned forward and ducked into a slight bow, long fingers taking your free hand hostage as he brushed his lips against your knuckles.

“Shinsou will do, for now. Delighted to be acquainted,” he murmured as he pulled back, letting your hand drop and a brief silence fall on the pair of you.

Your eyes wandered to the portrait, then back to your new acquaintance. “That’s you, right?” You inquired, looking up at him through your mask. His bored eyes pierced yours as you met his gaze, and you felt heat accumulate in your cheeks. “What incredible artwork, I don’t think I’ve met anyone that’s posed for an oil painting— was it hard to sit still while it was being made?”

“Not at all,” he replied, taking a sip of the hammered-metal chalice in his large, gloved hand. “The fruits of life sweeten with patience, anyway.”

You wondered briefly if it was his first time posing for this kind of painting. Never had you met anyone who would want— or could afford, really— to commission such a painstakingly realistic portrait of themselves. How much it cost, you could not fathom, and did not care to discover. “So this is your party, then?” You continued after he made no further attempt at conversation.

He nodded, that smirk curling the corner of his mouth again. “You’re an observant little thing, aren’t you?” He remarked, sipping again from his cup. His words were rather rude, and you frowned before you shrugged them off, dismissing them in an instant. You weren’t really surprised by his smug comment, though your displeasure must have been visible because he immediately steered the conversation in another direction. “Are you enjoying yourself? May I get you a drink, my honored guest?”

It was a little off to you how his demeanor changed just like that, a flip of the switch, really— but you were thirsty, and you were curious to see what kind of expensive refreshments were available, so you found yourself nodding with a small smile of gratitude on your lips. He mirrored your smile before he mumbled something about returning soon, his figure swallowed up in the sea of masked faces.

Finding yourself alone once again, you went back to inspecting the portraits, happily humming to yourself as you enjoyed your hors d'oeuvre. You looked around the party, searching for that same waiter, wanting to grab a few more of those delicious bites while you had the chance.

It was then that you met a distinct set of eyes across the room, a white mask with delicate swirls decorating his handsome face. However much the mask concealed his face, there was no doubting that he was the other man from the portrait behind you— his hair was a stark giveaway— half of it scarlet and hanging loosely atop his brow, the other half a shocking shade of white, pushed back to give him a devilishly intimidating aura. Your throat tightened up as he began to make his way toward you, slowly but surely closing the distance between the two of you.

You couldn’t help but wonder if either of these men were the one who sent you your invitation— if one of them was to thank for showering you with such extravagance, for allowing you to dip your toes in the enticing pool of luxury. But you were not allowed to ponder the thought, for in no time at all the man in question stepped before you.

Without even a single thought, your body automatically shifted into a curtsey, and you blinked in surprise as he bowed his greeting in return. He didn’t give you a second to question it, lithe, gloved fingers taking hold of your hand and bringing it to his mouth. His lips were cold to the touch, and your hand trembled slightly as he let go.

“Todoroki Shouto,” he introduced himself, his smooth, deep voice resonating through your body. Something about him made you feel incredibly hot, yet you couldn’t take your eyes off of him. It was strange how much he seemed to affect you— almost supernatural. At your stunned silence, he smirked ever so slightly, shifting his head to look down at your shorter figure. “Your name, love? It would be rude of me to refer to you as the most alluring woman in the room the whole night, no?”

Flustered you were caught off guard, you quickly told him your name, adding on it was a pleasure to meet him.

“Y/N, hm? A beautiful name. It suits a woman as breathtaking as you.” He continued, and you could see how satisfied he was by your bashful reaction. “I can assure you, the pleasure is all mine.”

You smiled hesitantly at the man before you, unsure how to respond to his blatant flirting. With the momentary lull in your conversation, you looked over your shoulder to eye the painting once again. Todoroki watched your curious gaze like a hawk, unbeknownst to you. When you looked back to him, you smiled as you pointed your thumb over your shoulder. “Is that—”

“Would you like to dance?” He interrupted, folding your smaller hand in his and taking a step backwards into the dancefloor.

Panic coursed through you— you didn’t know how to dance, or at least, you didn’t think your ballroom skills would be nearly as good as his and everyone else’s here. Yet somehow when you opened your mouth to politely decline, instead came out, “I would be honored.”

With wide eyes you were guided into the center of the room, his other gloved hand coming to rest at the curve of your waist. Your hands found their own way into position, one on his shoulder, and the other wrapped tight around his as he began to steer you around the room. You were shocked to find yourself matching each of his steps, your feet moving in perfect harmony with his. But when you looked into his eyes, a trickle of horror ran down your spine.

He was looking directly at you, two-toned eyes boring into yours with unbridled desire, and some other emotion mixing in to create a frightful end result that could only be described as hunger. Yes, there was no mistaking it— that was hunger in his eyes— for what, you did not know, but somehow your body was aware that whatever it was, you were in for quite the night.

“The dress looks simply appetizing on you, love,” he whispered in your ear, chilling the blood in your veins just like that. “Were you surprised to find it fit like a glove? You look so angelic when you sleep… I hated to disturb you, but it was gratifying to know how much you enjoyed my touch...” His lips brushed against your dangling earrings, and a shiver ran through your body as he inhaled across the skin of your neck.

“Y-You—” you stuttered, eyes widening with realization. Had he— had he taken your measurements? He’d snuck into your bedroom? When? Why? You didn’t even know this man— why would he have taken such an interest in you, how did he know where you lived,  and why— why was your heart beating out of your chest at the thought of him seeing you in your sluttly little pyjamas? You knew there was something off about this, but never could you imagine this would be the turn of events tonight. You were terrified, and yet ashamedly, a small part of you was pleased to know a handsome and powerful man as himself had gone to such lengths to woo you. There was no denying it… even though your stomach was tied into knots and fear sat like a stone in your belly, a white-hot, irrefutable desire had sparked to life between your legs.

“Not just me...” he murmured, the tip of his nose dragging against your temple before he dipped you down towards the tiled floor right in tune with the crescendo of the music, your back bending in his grip. Now upside-down, your heart skipped a beat as you recognized Shinsou staring the pair of you down from across the room, that same smirk on his lips as he raised his chalice in contempt. “You’ve met Hitoshi, correct?”

You were only spared a moment to piece it all together, that tight feeling in your stomach only twisting further. S.H… it wasn’t the name of one suitor, but two— Shouto and Hitoshi. Two rich and powerful men that both tricked you into coming to their home, and you had fallen for it— practically serving yourself to them on a silver platter. You were no better than a damn steak tartare! You wanted to face-palm, to smack yourself for being so naive, but you found that your body was not your own; you couldn’t control yourself, couldn’t even speak, and all you could do was continue to dance with the horribly attractive man whose trap you had strolled right into.

Had they drugged you? Was it that accursed steak tartare? But then, wouldn’t you have passed out, or your limbs stopped working? How were you not missing a single step with Todoroki right now, spinning when he led you to spin, and willingly stepping into him when he pulled you back into his embrace.

“What… What are you going to do to me?” Your voice was shaking, even though your body moved more confidently than ever as the pair of you strode across the marble floor. “How is this happening?” You added, feeling quite small as the target of not one, but two predatory gazes.

Todoroki took his time to answer you, wordlessly twirling you in his arms as the music then came to a stop, a new melody beginning just as the previous one faded out. “Whatever we want, I suppose,” he answered, his gloved fingers traveling up your back to grasp your chin, forcing you to look into his chilling gaze. “But don’t worry, love… I don’t think you’re going to hate it all that much.”

— - — - — - — - — - — - — - —

It was only an hour later that you were being led to the other side of the mansion— away from the music and festivities, and away from the false sense of protection the crowd provided. Todoroki walked in front of you, and Shinsou’s hand rested casually on your hip as he walked beside you. Your palms were lined in a thin coating of sweat, your growing fear causing your pulse to skyrocket. You knew that you were about to understand why they had fooled you into coming here, and though you had pondered what terrible fate they had chosen for you for the past hour, your mind was completely blank. You could only watch as your feet moved one in front of the other, your body once again under their spell.

Whatever it was that they were doing, they somehow had complete control over you, and they had forced your body to dance with the both of them for the entire time you’d been there so far. It had created some fake relief as whatever it was they had planned was pushed off for the time being, but you couldn’t indulge such relief, and your nerves were more heightened than ever. You reached your breaking point when you entered a dimly-lit bedroom, and the door closed behind you, lock clicking into place.

“Please,” you pleaded, your body moving to stand in the middle of the room, right before the four-poster, canopy-laden bed. “Just tell me what’s happening, I can’t move a single muscle…”

Shinsou frowned, gloved hand coming up to discard his mask. Your breath caught in your throat— God, even if he was your captor, you couldn’t deny he was handsome. He slowly approached you, fingertips tracing along your jaw before removing your mask as well. He sucked in a small breath of air, violet eyes dark with a foreign sentiment. “Relax, baby… We’re just gonna make you feel good. We’ve wanted to make you feel good for so long now…” His eyes dropped to analyze your lips, entranced by their color and plushness.

“But… Why can’t I move?” you reiterated, and your eyes widened as Todoroki’s presence noticeably pressed up against your behind. The feeling of his body against yours sent your heart hammering, and you swallowed as you considered your options here— there was really only one means of escape and that had to start with you tricking them into freeing you from their spell. Licking your dry lips, you meekly added, “What if I… wanted to make you feel good, too?”

“Fucking Christ,” said Shinsou, who took a step backward, his palm coming to run across his face momentarily. He seemed on edge, anticipation distinctly painted across his rugged features.

Meanwhile Todoroki took his time to answer, considering your choice of words thoughtfully. “We have a lot planned for you… but we need to re-energize before we can do anything, love,” he replied simply, his voice low in your ear. He pulled off his gloves, cold fingers catching on your jaw as he turned your face to meet his. You whimpered as he leaned into you, and before you could make a single word, his lips claimed yours, cutting off any chance at a rebuttal.

You didn’t want to admit how good his mouth felt on yours, but you couldn’t ignore the butterflies that burst into your stomach as he kissed you— they were not the result of any foreign spell. Shinsou groaned as he watched Todoroki’s tongue slip into your mouth, actions getting more fervent as the dual-colored man’s fingers slipped around your head, cradling your face against his. His lips attacked yours, slotting against them and tongue wandering between the gaps. You gasped when something sharp pricked your bottom lip, automatically pulling back, your hand coming up to touch your lip.

Bright red stained your fingertip, and you looked between the evidence of your injury and the cause of the wound, eyes widening as you took in how dark Todoroki’s eyes had become, canines elongating into sharp fangs. Bewildered, you stayed frozen to the spot, unable to do anything yet again as his hand swiftly wrapped around your wrist, yanking your hand to his mouth and wrapping his lips around your finger. The feeling of his tongue swirling around the digit made heat flare in your core, even as terror began to pump through your veins. His other hand gripped your hip roughly, pulling your body flush unto his.

The desire to scream out in fear came quickly, but you found no sound came out of you when your mouth opened. Your head still turned to Todoroki, you didn’t anticipate Shinsou coming up in front of you, only noticing the other man when his tongue stroked across the tender skin on your neck. Your body stiffened as the wet muscle slid along your throat, your eyes wide and petrified.

“There you go, just relax...” Todoroki groaned, leaning in to suck on your broken lip, his tongue petting over the fresh wound gently. It stung, but at the same time it felt very intimate— something you had never done before that had that heat building in the pit of your stomach.

A set of fangs pricked your neck, Shinsou’s lips fluttering up toward your jaw. You loathed how soft they felt, a distinct contrast to the sharpened enamels that suddenly descended into your flesh. You cried out, unprepared for the searing pain that shot through your body. Your skin felt like it was throbbing, sizzling from the unwelcome heat and pain mixing together.

“Shhh, love,” Todoroki cooed, laying a gentle kiss on your open mouth. “It won’t hurt for long…” He continued to suckle on your lip, beautiful eyes staring deeply into yours as he cradled your face. The thin ring of iris around his blown pupils shone brightly in the low light of the flickering candles, brilliant aqua and stormy gray contrasting, mesmerizing you and momentarily taking you away from the pain of the fangs lodged in your throat.

Shinsou was moaning against your neck, Adam’s apple bobbing as he took his fill from your bloodstream. His hands were gripping your waist tightly, fingers wandering up your back to curl your body closer to his embrace. You were so out of it, so lost in the taller man’s gaze, that you almost didn’t register the growing hardness pressing into your inner thigh. Shinsou was gently rutting against your leg, pressing his crotch onto you as he held your limp body with surprising care.

The sharp pain of his fangs in your neck had transformed into a dull throb, your body slowly numbing to his bite. It wasn’t long before Shinsou drew back, tongue roving over the flesh puncture marks that laid on your throat. His tongue hurt at first, but the second and third swipe of the strong, wet muscle felt increasingly good, and you hated how your thighs twitched together at the feeling. Apparently the two of them knew you would be experiencing this effect, for they both started to move you backwards, wandering closer to the bed.

You could hear Todoroki get onto the mattress before the pair of them maneuvered your body to join his, lifting you up and setting you down onto the plush comforter before him. His hands slid to your front, down your stomach and perched on your hips, pushing them back so your ass met his crotch. Your eyes went wide as you felt Todoroki’s erection poke into your ass, and Shinsou chuckled darkly as he, too, crawled onto the bed.

Although you opened your mouth to speak, no words came out, and the purple-haired vampire before you winked as the smirk on his lips only grew. There was still a trickle of your blood tainting the skin on his chin, and his fangs poked out as he grinned at you.

“You missed some,” Todoroki stated, voice a bit rougher than it had been downstairs. Your head turned to look at him, but you found his gaze was not focused on you— he was looking straight at Shinsou, eyes darkening and teeth elongating into points.

“Saved it for you, have a taste,” Shinsou replied nonchalantly, scooting closer to you. The space between the two men’s mouths closed and you gasped as you watched their lips collide, a moan tumbling out of the man supporting your back. That horrible heat burst between your legs, your mouth watering as you saw Todoroki’s tongue slips into Shinsou’s mouth, their fangs clicking as they brushed together.

Shinsou chuckled as he pulled back, Todoroki’s tongue wandering down to trace the line of your blood that streaked down his chin. Shinsou looked at you as he grinned, clearly happy that their kiss had such an effect on you. “You taste so good, baby,” he complimented, and you whimpered as heat burst in your cheeks.

It was shameful how much this was turning you on— a monster straight out of a fairytale was here in front of you, feeding off of you, able to end your life he re really wanted to in probably just one swift bite— and yet your pussy was drooling all over your panties for him, an uncomfortable dampness collecting between your thighs. You couldn’t stop your hips from wiggling, but as you moved back from Shinsou, you pressed up against Todoroki, who let out a throaty groan. The swell of your backside pushed against his hard cock just right, and you gasped as his hands suddenly jumped to the hem of your dress, pulling it to rest at the tops of your thighs. Your pussy twitched as the cool air rushed across your sticky panties, and you mewled as one hand drifted up to squeeze your breast, the other slapping gently over your panty-covered clit.

Shinsou’s hands glided down your waist, large palms running over your hips before he grabbed your thighs, yanking you to the edge of the mattress as he fell to his knees. Kneeling between your legs, he chucked again as he inspected the wet patch on darkening the front of your underwear. His thumb met your slit and he traced it up and down a few times, grin splitting his smirk as you unintentionally let out a moan.

It was then that Todoroki’s fangs sliced into the unmarked flesh on the other side of your neck. You cried out, the pain just as stringing and intense as Shinsou’s bite had delivered. But you weren’t left to focus on it long— Shinsou pulled your underwear to the side and dipped a thumb into your soaking folds, rubbing up the length of your slit once again. The direct contact made your toes curl, your slick folds parting with ease as the ample evidence of your arousal allowed his finger to glide through without catch. He hummed as he rubbed his thumb against your clit a few times, violet eyes flicking up to see your eyelashes fluttering across your cheeks, Todoroki’s lips latched to your throat as he took his fill from your sweet bloodstream.

Todoroki’s fingers curled into the top of your dress, and he pulled it down to reveal your tits to the cool air, your nipples instantly perking up and standing at attention. The red and white haired man moaned as he sucked on your throat, his forefinger and thumbs capturing each nipple and twisting the sensitive buds.

“Fuck!” you whined, immediately embarrassed that you hadn’t been able to hold the expletive in. But neither of the men seemed to share your sentiment, the pair of them moaning softly in response to your noise of pleasure as if encouraging you to let out even more.

Shinsou smiled as he pinched the sides of your panties, yanking the material down your thighs and off your ankles before separating your legs and inserting himself between them. He gave you no warning as his tongue suddenly licked a flat stripe up your slit, rolling around your clit perfectly at the end of his journey. Your legs tensed as they closed around his head, a hot puff of air escaping you as Todoroki finally pulled off of your neck with a broken gasp. His breathing was ragged as his tongue lashed over the fresh marks, the repeated action having the same, dizzying sensation that Shinsou had elicited. Then Shinsou’s tongue was wiggling across your clit, alternating between sucking on the sensitive pearl and lavishing it in vicious swipes of his strong, wet tongue.

Meanwhile Todoroki was ripping off his clothes, revealing his broad, sturdy chest in all its glory before he yanked at the zipper on your spine, sliding your dress over your shoulders and tossing it onto the floor. Your bra was next, leaving you in just your sparkly heels and your glimmering gems.

You could feel both pairs of eyes inspecting your naked body, Todorki’s hands returning to tweak at your nipples while Shinsou thrusted his tongue inside your quivering hole. He moaned as his tongue probed at your insides, sending vibrations through your core and causing your legs to tighten around his head. Pleasure was coursing through you, overwhelming the urge to scream and run that had been all you could focus on just minutes ago. But your pussy was dripping for the both of them, and Shinsou was savoring every drop as he animatedly lapped at you— never before had anyone so enthusiastically eaten your cunt like this, and his zeal only made you leak onto his mouth even more.

You had been so focused on the man in between your legs that you only recognized Todoroki had fully unclothed himself when he moved backward, easing your head back so you lay flat on the mattress. Your pussy twitched violently on Shinsou’s tongue when you caught sight of Todoroki’s cock standing long and thick, tall against his carved abdomen, his expression dark as he shuffled forward.

“Open your mouth, baby,” he instructed and you obeyed immediately, as if you couldn’t follow his instruction any faster. Your eagerness made him smirk, and you made sure to keep eye contact as he rubbed the tip of his heavy cock against your sealed lips. But suddenly Shinsou started to attack your clit with new fervor, tongue flicking across the bundle of nerves repeatedly.

You couldn’t stop the moan that flew out of you, and as soon as your mouth was open, Todoroki pushed forward, shoving his cock deep into your mouth. You choked at the sudden intrusion, but he only grabbed your throat with one hand and thrust into your mouth even rougher than before. He didn’t seem to care much about your comfort, your heartbeat skyrocketing as the need for oxygen started burning in your lungs.

Todoroki pulled his cock out just in time for you to gasp in a few breaths before he rammed his cock back inside, powerful thighs pinning your head to the mattress as he leaned forward with hands on either side of your waist and head hung while he uttered a quiet moan. “That’s right, love. Go ahead and suck my cock… I want to hear you choke on me, naughty little thing.”

A wanton moan slipped out of you, his cock filling your throat to the max, and his rough, determined thrusts causing your pussy to flood even more. Shinsou was still licking at your cunt purposefully, tongue sliding around your folds and over your clit as he sucked and flicked it to your liking. You started to become more vocal as pressure began to build in your stomach, your hips writhing wildly underneath his pinning grip as Todoroki used your mouth to his liking. Your eyes rolled back as you felt your high approaching, unaware of Shinsou slowly but steadily undressing himself while he suckled at your puffy folds.

Todoroki’s thrusts became slower but deeper suddenly, and you swirled your tongue around his swollen tip when his hips receded. You were caught off guard when Shinsou’s lips left your cunt and instead his teeth sunk into the soft skin on your thigh, taking another sampling from your veins. This time, the initial pain was much duller, and it quickly faded into something concerningly pleasurable. There must have been some higher-level effect at play here— there was no way that such gleaming fangs stabbing into you and feeding from you should feel that good. Yet it undoubtedly made your toes curl, bliss spreading through your body like wildfire through dry grass. It only increased when a long finger slipped inside of you, a second entering with ease as they began rubbing inside of you gently. You could feel Shinsou moan into your pillowy thigh, the noise only making your cunt itch for his attention again.

You let out a desolate whine when both of the men suddenly pulled away from you, your pussy hotter and wetter than ever, and your cheeks dribbling with your saliva as a result of Todoroki’s face-fucking. It was then that you realized Shinsou was naked, too, your mouth watering at his visage; his cock stood thicker and shorter than Todoroki’s, but both of them were punching well above average, muc to your delight.

Todoroki slipped off the mattress and Shinsou walked around the edge of the bed, the pair switching and settling in reverse positions. Shinsou stroked your cheek sweetly, capturing your attention as he smiled down at you. You craned your neck to press a kiss to the leaking tip of him, your tongue poking out to swipe the salty bead of pre-cum that lay there. Your eyes went wide when you felt the telltale smoothness of Todoroki’s cock splitting your slick-drenched folds, his hands settling on your hips before he grabbed them, rutting his own forward and causing his cock to push halfway into your tight hole. The stretch made the both of you gasp, your wet, little hole hugging his large cock snug as he began to move his hips.

Shinsou had enjoyed the intimate moment but found himself getting impatient, slapping his thick, oozing cockhead over your lips to grab your attention once again. You looked up at him with wide, starry eyes, your mouth opening for him to glide his cock into your mouth. “Good girl,” he murmured, eyes fixating on the way your lips wrapped around his girth, the way his thick veins looked rolling against your tongue. Your cheeks hollowed in attempt to satiate him, but you instantly cried out when Todoroki’s hips slapped flush against yours, shoving his cock inside of your cunt entirely.

The impossible fullness that bloomed in your stomach was delectable, and Todoroki began to thrust into your slippery cunt at a reliable, hard pace. He let out a guttural groan as he watched his cock disappear into your slick folds, the heat of your pussy overwhelming him. He lifted both your legs over his shoulders, making sure to grab one of your ankles and pulling it upright so your leg was fully extended. Then, his fangs broke the smooth skin on your calf and you whimpered at the feeling. It felt so good to have him suck on your skin— to feel your blood flowing out of your body and into his eager mouth. It was sick, but you couldn’t think about it at the moment— couldn’t find any fault with the two monsters that were taking you to cloud nine.

“Fuck, just like that,” Shinsou mumbled, eyes flicking up to watch a rivulet of your blood strike down your outstretched leg. When he looked back down towards you, your eyes were closed and your brow scrunched, an indication of the pleasure that was ebbing through your body thanks to the cadenced swing of Todoroki’s hips. “You’re such a good fucking girl,” Shinsou praised as he threw back his head, his fingers carding through your hair and tugging gently at your roots.

Just as the three of you seemed to find a rhythm, Todoroki pulled out abruptly, making your mouth part in a whine, Shinsou’s thick member springing out of your wet cavern and into the cool, still air. The purple-haired man hissed in annoyance, gritting his teeth as he looked to the other man to scold him, but quickly his irritation melted as he watched Todoroki flip you so your stomach lay flat on the sheets. Then, he hiked your ass into the air, your body moving along with him with such cooperation that the pair of them shared a look, haughty smirks stretching on both their lips. It was their secret that they had stopped using their mind control on you, and it seemed you were the only one that continued, blissfully unaware. Perhaps you didn’t even realize… perhaps you didn’t care.

It didn’t matter, really— Todoroki lined himself up with your dripping cunt, taking no pause this time as his cock speared inside you once again. You moaned as you reeled forward, your fingers gripping into the duvet harshly as your body tightened up from the delicious intrusion. His long, thick cock felt like magic inside of you, each thrust brushing a soft spot nestled deep inside of you and stimulating you further.

Shinsou jerked himself off lazily as he watched your facial expressions, trapping his bottom lip between his sharp teeth as he registered the erotic ecstasy painted across your beautiful features. After a minute of allowing you to focus his accomplice’s hard cock, he pressed the tip of his own to your lips. You immediately opened your mouth, taking the flushed member between your lips with restless reception, tongue rolling around the swollen head. Shinsou sighed, half-lidded lavender irises watching you begin to eagerly bob up and down his length. He thumbed over a drop of blood that had rolled down your throat, catching Todoroki’s eye and offering his finger to the other man, who happily took the digit into his mouth and sucked, tongue soaking up your life essence as his hand wrapped around Shinsou’s wrist to steady himself. They both chuckled as you moaned loudly, Todoroki’s free hand clapping across your ass cheek and causing your cunt to clench down on his cock.

“You like that?” he teased, grabbing your flesh and shaking it, watching your ass jiggle before striking you again, a few smacks in succession. You could only gag and moan in reply, Shinsou’s cock thrusting into the back of your throat. The purple-eyed vampire gripped your chin with his calloused, cold hand, keeping your head in place as he began to fuck your face. Suddenly Todoroki spat onto your behind, his saliva wetting your puckered hole before he shoved his thumb inside of your ass, the unexpected stretch sending fresh bliss through your body as his cock dragged against it through your walls. Tears were beading on your lashes, the combination of the lack of oxygen, the attack of your g-spot from Todoroki’s cock, and the sharp pain of his hand across your ass all sending you hurtling towards your high.

With a shriek you came on his cock, your cunt wringing snug around the heavy member that just kept pistoning into you, angling your hips so the head pounding into that sensitive, spongy spot again and again. Todoroki groaned, taking his finger out and both his hands now squeezing at your hips as he continued to fuck you, offering a few more slaps to your ass as you trembled in ecstasy. While your head was still filled with the euphoric fog of your climax, Shinsou pulled out of your mouth, nodding to Todoroki, who wordlessly understood. The mismatched vampire hooked his arms around your knees, heaving you up against his chest and spreading your legs far apart enough for Shinsou to slide between them.

You were still catching your breath as Shinsou reached for Todoroki’s cock, slotting his thighs between the other man’s and positioning his length so that his slick-covered head rested right at your asshole. You gasped, your arm bending to dig your nails into Todoroki’s shoulder as you looked behind at him, catching his lustful gaze down at you. Shinsou then began to sloppily kiss your throat, his cock rubbing against your glazed, ravaged opening as his hands ran across the curve of your ass, landing on Todoroki’s waist behind your hips. The both of them entered you at the same time, your vision dotting with white spots as the stretch from both sides took your breath away. They both managed to slip inside, fully seating you onto their laps as you trembled, your stiff nipples brushing against Shinsou’s toned chest.

Todoroki nibbled at your ear as he began to pump his cock inside of you, filling your ass with each thrust and stimulating you as he rubbed himself against Shinsou’s cock through your walls. “So tight, love…,” he murmured in your ear, the prick of his sharp fangs on your cartilage sending shivers down your spine. His tongue wandered out and he traced the tip of it against the column of your throat, brushing over the leaking puncture wounds that laid there. “So sweet… can’t help myself,” his words turned into a savage moan as he sunk his fangs into your skin, the pain washing away abruptly as Shinsou, too, started to push his hips into yours.

Shinsou groaned, one hand coming to caress your chin as he claimed your lips with his own. His tongue entered your mouth and wrestled with yours as his tempo began to pick up, his cock stretching your cunt wide and sending waves of pleasure through your core. When he pulled back, you were both panting, your breasts heaving with the rapid rise and fall of your chest. It was then that Todoroki pulled away from your neck, gasping in a breath of air as his fangs glistened scarlet. Shinsou took one look at him and crushed his mouth to his, your holes clenching around their lengths as you watched your blood be exchanged between their ravenous tongues. The pair of them were moaning, and so were you— unable to keep the noises of pure pleasure inside as you watched them make out.

Your blood was dripping down Todoroki’s chin, and you couldn’t stop yourself from reaching over and grabbing his jaw, ripping his lips away from Shinsou’s and instead placing your mouth on his. He growled in approval against your lips, his tongue battling yours as he sought to dominate you, the distinct flavor of iron filling your mouth as you tasted your own blood. Shinsou took the opportunity to sink his cuspids into the other side of your throat again, and your jaw fell in response, Todoroki’s tongue seizing control of yours immediately as he grasped the upper hand. Both of them were full-on fucking you now, your holes warm and wet, quivering around their thick cocks as the brought you closer and closer to your high yet again.

Only the sound of your heavy breathing and the slapping of your skins filled the air in the room, the music of the party drowned and far away as the three of you were otherwise occupied. Before you knew it, you were clenching on them again, your body seizing as your orgasm ripped through you, all the air in your lungs vacuumed out of you and your toes curling into the air. Your fingers fisted Shinsou’s wild violet locks, your nails digging into Todoroki’s jaw as you tumbled through the throes of your climax, euphoria rushing through your bloodstream and straight into Shinsou’s awaiting mouth.

The sweet taste of your oxytocin, your drug-like ecstasy, sent him straight into his own orgasm, his hips pushing flush against yours as he roared and his cock spurted thick white ribbons deep into your womb, his seed pouring into you and filling you to the brim. His chiseled body trembled as he emptied himself inside of you, his fingers bruising your skin while he gasped and moaned. Your holes clenched as you milked his cock, and suddenly Todoroki, too, groaned loudly behind you. His hands squeezed your flesh as his cock spurted hot cum inside of you, his abdomen flush against your ass as he crushed your body to his front.

The three of you sat there on the bed, your bodies covered in sweat and remnants of your blood, breathless and still as you came back down to earth. Shinsou’s lips trailed along your neck, Todoroki’s fingertips sliding across your skin with gentle care as they pulled out of you. Their seed dribbled down your thighs as they maneuvered your boneless body back onto the pillows, your eyes fluttering closed from the pure exhaustion and the lack of blood in your veins. Each of them laid back on either side of you, their cold hands wandering over your skin and causing goosebumps to rise, their eyes roaming your body in pure adoration.

“You did so well, baby,” Shinsou murmured into your hair, pressing his face close to yours as he sighed and inhaled the sweet scent lingering from the blood on your skin.

“So well-behaved for us,” Todoroki added, wrapping an arm around your middle as he, too, nestled closer to your limp body. “Go to sleep, love… you deserve some rest.”

You hummed at their praise, tired butterflies flapping their wings in the pit of your stomach. Your head was fuzzier than ever, bliss weighing heavy in your bones as your breathing steadied. Filled with post-orgasmic content, the idea of fleeing that seemed so wonderful just an hour ago now sounded distasteful, your body comfortable lying on the silken sheets, pressed between your two lovers. As you faded into a blissful sleep, you could hear the pair talking lowly, making plans to keep you here with them in hushed voices.

 ─── ・°* ﾟ✧:* • ｡ﾟ:*･☽･*: ｡ﾟ•*:✧ ﾟ*°・ ───

.

.

so sorry if that was rushed at the end!! hope you enjoyed, and Happy Halloween!! be safe out there <3

➥ masterlist

𝐂𝐨𝐩��𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 © 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐩𝐢 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝.

[thepaperpanda]

The Bear and the Raven || Ragnar x reader x Rollo

Summary: What will happen when the both brothers fall for you

Warnings: none

Words: 5166

Authors: Cass & Rouge

Request by: @porgsandtheirplace​​ OUR GIRL! ♥

You loved to fight.

Violence and blood were your elements. The act that gave you strength to lead the quiet life back in the settlement when your shield and axe hung on the wall awaiting another big battle.

Even if so-called normal life wasn't your thing, what could you do.

Even as a Lothbrok's shield maiden you deserved the rest to recover from whatever injuries you suffered in the previous battle.

Of course you were lucky enough to be more than just another warrior ready to spill the blood at Ragnar's order.

You were his closest friend, his and his older brother's. Thanks to this privilege, your ordinary days were never boring.

Rollo was practicing with his ax when Bjørn came to ask him for dinner.

"Uncle, the feast is on, and the only person missing among us is you," man's nephew claimed. "Give us the honor of having you in the Great Hall."

Rollo Sigurdsson, son of Sigurd Hring, fearsome Viking warrior, with an impulsive streak, offered the younger man a brief nod of his head. "Need to wash the sweat and dirt first. Let them know I'll attend anytime soon."

Bjørn put his palm to uncle's shoulder. "My father will be glad to see you."

Rollo's glance followed Bjørn who walked away rapidly, rushing back to the feast.

Despite the bandages tightly wrapped around your chest and the general discomfort they as well as wounds brought, you joined the big feast.

You never planned to miss it, even if your legs would be broken beyond healing you would crawl by yourself to the Great hall to celebrate the successful raid.

"HERE SHE IS! AXE IN THE CHEST!," Ragnar yelled loudly, raising his horn as soon as he spotted you enter the building.

If he wasn't your friend you would turn around and simply leave but you only opened your arm and shrugged.

"THAT'S ME!”

Bjørn raised his curved horn as well. "Skål, Y/N!"

Despite Ragnar being his father and role model, Bjørn saw many things Lothbrok did. Including falling for women. Rganar's success with women was pretty impressive, but on the other hand it's hard to say no to him, he was the Earl after all. A very successful and influential.

One of the men gave you a filled horn and laughed at that.

Of course this would happen, your fellow warriors won't let you stay sober today. Maybe it's not such a bad idea. Your body is screaming from the amount of pain it took a few hours ago.

"Skål!," You said loudly, raising a horn at Ragnar and Bjørn's direction.

They all were your little family. Taking a big sip of your drink, you sat down next Ragnar's son and smiled.

"So! Ironside, huh? You made this old aunt proud!," You joked, nudging Bjørn in his side with your elbow.

Bjørn laughed, rolling his head back and hiccuping. "Old aunt? You're only 19 winters old which makes you younger than me," he reminded playfully while nudging your side. "Look! Rollo!"

As he promised his nephew, Rollo stepped in the Great Hall, wrapped in thick furs with his hair pinned in a bun.

You laughed and hissed when he nudged your side.

"Careful Bjørn, I don't have an ironside," you reminded him and smiled, seeing Rollo joining you.

As soon as older Lothbrok sat down, Ragnar wrapped arms around your and his son’s shoulders. "Well! And I was worried you two won't even come to celebrate our victory," he muttered, resting his head on your shoulder.

Rollo observed his brother with concern and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Thus celebrate, my brother!"

Rollo's gaze slipped from Ragnar to you and he fixed it on your eyes.

"My two best people," Ragnar said proudly, looking at you and his brother. "And my son!," He added, moving to Bjørn.

You watched this and giggled.

"I have a feeling he started celebrating way before the feast even started. Can I help you, Rollo?," You asked with a charming smile when you felt his gaze on you.

"You look pretty," the older man claimed and instantly slipped his glance off you, focusing on his chalice.

Bjørn cocked his brow and leaned forward to rest his chin on your shoulder. "You caught his eye."

Rollo downed his mead and nudged his brother's side. "You drunk already? Where's the princess?"

You giggled and patted Bjørn's head on your shoulder. "As much as I'd love that. I am afraid that your uncle is just nice because he is worried I will break his nose with my shield. Like I did during one training,"

"My dear wife is somewhere. Talking to her friends, if I can call them that," Ragnar shrugged, sitting down next to his brother.

"Oh, I remember that," He nodded, patting Rollo's shoulder. "Bjørn, your uncle didn't believe that Y/N could fight. We knew her for years but he was sure she was too weak, so he decided to fight her to prove he was right. He left the fight with a broken nose after meeting the rim of her shield up-close."

Rollo rolled his eyes and growled lowly at his brother's comment. "Would you skip that, brother? It's nothing to be proud of, to be so easily defeated by a woman. Being a woman is good on the battlefield, as they can easily get men distracted with their allures," Rollo stated, and took a bite of the roasted chicken leg.

Ragnar's son laughed loudly, rolling head back, which was a manner of his. "Admit it."

"Admit what?," Rollo frowned.

"She's as good at fighting as you."

"Ha!," Rollo rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Y/N is a good shield maiden but it's me who rock the ax like a Thor rocked Mjölnir.

You laughed but it was fake. Of course he wouldn't nice you in any other way than just a woman. They both wouldn't.

You worked your ass off to get good at what you are doing. Just to get attention from the Lothbrok brothers, you loved them both but apparently they didn't return the feelings.

"I mean, he is right. I am just a shieldmaiden. Just like all other women that fight.”

"Father, tell her something!," Bjørn demanded, slamming his fist on the table, making his chalice fall down and spilled his wine all over the counter.

Ragnar rolled his eyes and got up from his seat.

He walked to you from behind you and placed his hands on your shoulder.

"Our young Y/N is one of the best warriors I know. I am proud to have her fighting by my side," Earl announced and moved closer to your ear to whisper. "And I would be happy to have her by my side forever."

You choked on your drink and looked up at those beautiful, blue eyes. Blushing you nodded, biting your lips.

Rollo clenched hands in the fists under the table. Oh, how jealous he was getting whenever Ragnar treated you like his woman. The truth was you belonged to no one, you were a free woman.

Older Lothbrok knew too well that his brother was more successful and that you'd rather lay your eyes on Ragnar than him.

"Father's right," Bjørn admitted, nodding his head.

You smiled and nodded your head, flattered with all the words you just heard. There even was a slight blush on your cheek.

Finally you felt like all the effort was worth something, you only wished for Rollo to think the same. "Thank you, my friend. Your word are kind and flatter me a lot,"

"I hope they are because this is the truth," Ragnar patted your shoulder.

"I go now, I need to talk with others as well but please, Y/N. Come and find me later. I need to talk to you," he informed you before walking awal.

You let out a breath that you had no idea you were holding in.

Taking another sip of the drink your eyes traveled to Rollo, he looked angry.

"Rollo... Is everything alright? If it's about that silly shield story, I am sorry. I shouldn't say anything about it," you said softly, touching his shoulder.

"No, no, it's not about you, little thing," he assured softly, reaching his hand out to take his chalice, full again as Bjørn refilled it with wine. "Would you want to have a little walk with me? It's too crowded here."

Too crowded? Too crowded for Rollo?

Was it even really possible? Ever since you remember he loved to celebrate and to spend time with everyone else after a successful raid or fight.

Deeply confused you nodded your head with a little smile painted on your lips. "Of course, it will be a pleasure, Rollo."

He got up and walked outside of the Great Hall. He waited for you to join him.

You got up from your seat, smoothing your clothes.

Despite any pain you wanted to look the best. After all you still were a woman, you were a warrior behind the shield but back at home you were a delicate and beautiful creature or at least you hoped so.

"Oh... Fresh air," you let out a deep and smiled, looking up at Rollo.

He nodded, his steel blue eyes fixed on your figure as he looked down at you. "How do you feel? What about your wounds?"

Your arm wrapped around yourself and you shrugged.

"It's good I think. It hurts a lot actually but it's not the first nor last wound. I am used to it. Overall I am doing okay as you can see," you summed up. "How about you? How's the big, angry bear?"

He cocked his brow and chuckled softly at the sweet nickname you used on him. "I'm pretty good, even if I didn't kill as many Christians as I originally wanted to.'

"Don't worry, Rollo. Your brother will make sure that we spill more Christian blood as soon as possible,"

Patting his shoulder you decided to tease him little. "But I am sure I will kill more Chritians than you, Bear. I always do.”

He put his elbow on top of your head. "Hmmm, did anyone say something? I can't see. Is this a wind rumbling?"

You giggled and rolled your eyes. "Oh right, right I forgot. Forgive me Rollo Sigurdsson. You are the greatest warrior of them all, even Gods themselves should be afraid of your mighty ax! Better?"

Rollo simply patted the top of your head. "Much better."

Then, out of sudden, he cupped your cheeks, leaned down and stole a kiss from you.

You gasped, looking at him after he pulled away. What just happened?!

Of course you wanted this, oh so much but you never expected it to ACTUALLY happen.

"I... Rollo...," You blinked and bit your lips gently. "What... What did I do to deserve such an honor?

"I hate seeing my brother hitting on you," Rollo said simply, his thumb brushing soft skin on your cheek. "I hate when you make sweet eyes at him. I deserved you to buy mine," man replied, a deep, throaty sound of his tone vibrating through you.

Your cheek became red and warm under his touch.

This was almost everything you ever wanted, you gave him a shy smile not really sure of what to do now.

"THERE YOU TWO ARE!," Ragnar said happily, looking at you and Rollo. "And I was getting worried you got bored with the feast Y/N," He hummed and gently placed his hand right over your wounds. "Is everything okay with you? Are you in pain?"

You swallowed and shook your head.

"Ragnar," Rollo cleared his throat, "Don't you see, dear brother, that Y/N is speaking with me now? Maybe go and check upon Aslaug, huh?"

Ragnar smiled at and kissed the side of your head, relieved that you're doing just fine. His hands slid down and rested on your waist.

"Y/N is one of my warriors. As a Earl it's my duty to check on her, especially when she suffered the injuries she did," Earl said with a shrug, pulling you a little closer. "I saw Siggy looking and asking for you. I think your lover demands some attention from you, brother."

You looked Rollo and sighed, realizing that he was right. Siggy was always somewhere close. How you could even compare yourself to her.

"Just as much as princess Aslaug demands your attention," Rollo showed his perfectly shaped teeth in a wide, wry grin. "I understand that Earl needs to be frequently checking upon his loyal warriors but you can wait some time until I'll finish my businesses with her, right?"

Oh Gods. They were fighting. Fighting over you! You couldn't help but feel pride from this yet you felt scared as well. You loved both of them and didn't want them to fight when you knew that picking one of them will be impossible.

"Aslaug sits quietly in her room when your little toy walks around looking for you. As a Earl, I have my business with her as well," Ragnar growled.

Rollo smiled softly at you and then shifted aside, simply pushing Ragnar's shoulder.

"So wait. I was first. Let's behave like adults, not like savages!"

"I don't feel so good," you said, quickly getting their attention. "I... I think my body cannot take any more for today. I should return to my home and rest."

You didn't want to go and you felt just fine but knowing that they care about you, gave the opportunity to create the distraction from brotherly quarrel.

Ragnar looked at you with worry in those deep blue eyes. "Do you want me to escort you back?"

"I can walk you back to your hut as well, Y/N," Rollo offered immediately, his cold glance fell on his younger brother. "Whatever you wish, my dear."

"I.... I... Uhm," You didn't expect them to offer the escort and find another reason to fight. This wasn't planned at all but you had to somehow get away without a war.

Looking around you smiled seeing Bjørn leaving the building, he was for sure looking for his father and uncle. Oh he was a lifesaver not only on the battlefield.

"Bjørn! My friend, can I ask you for a little help. My wounds wear me off really quickly. Would you be so kind to help me get back to my home?"

Rollo, hearing you asking Bjørn to escort you back home, blinked a few times and snorted loudly.

Bjørn quickly joined the trio and rested his hands on hips, tilting head aside. "With pleasure," the young man offered his arm.

Ragnar didn't hide his surprise, looking at you with a soft frown to soon raise his eyebrows.

"Thank you, love. This is so kind of you," You nodded your head, linking arms with Raganr's son. "I am really sorry for making you leave the feast but I was afraid I won't make it back home alone," you said quietly, trying your best to sound weak.

"No problem, actually I left to find father and uncle," Bjørn replied softly and walked away with you, taking a sandy path leading to the hut of yours.

Rollo crossed his huge arms over his chest. "Are you happy? I hope you are. You shouldn't be called Earl but rather a mood killer," Bear pushed his side against Ragnar's.

Ragnar let out an annoyed laugh and returned to gesture at his brother.

"I did nothing. You were the one snarling like a hungry bear at his prey. Time to learn to be gentle with the woman, my brother," he summed up with a short shrug before patting Rollo's shoulder. "Just so you know. She will be mine to warm my bed."

With those words Ragnar gave his older brother one last smile before going back inside.

"Dick!," Rollo called after his brother.

Meantime, Bjørn walked you home and stopped in front of your little hut. "You're safe now but I have a strong feeling within me you did it on purpose, Y/N."

"I had to run away so the Raven and Bear won't rip me apart in a fight between them," You told him honestly letting out a sigh of relief that you somehow got away from that crazy situation.

"Mmmm, the situation is far more complicated as I can see, isn't it?," He chuckled and ruffled your hair a little. "I've suspected for some time that there is something going on between you and my father. Aslaug caught him staring at you too many times."

You laughed awkwardly and nodded.

"Trust me. I felt his as well as hers on me all the time," sighing deeply you rubbed your face and smiled at him.

"Go now. Celebrate for both of us, ok? I'll just lie down and rest.”

"Are you sure? I'm not certain if I should leave a little shield maiden alone. She might get herself harmed," Bjørn joked and smoothly shifted aside, avoiding the blow you aimed with your fist.

You laughed softly.

"I promise to be a good shield maiden and go to bed so I won't hurt myself. Is it enough for Bjørn ironside?"

He offered the nod. "Enough for me to leave you by your own. Good night."

After these words he walked back into the direction of Great Hall.

You smiled and shook your head, getting inside. Slowly you lied down in the bed, nuzzling to the pillows and furs you placed there. Finally there is peace and quiet. After hours of thinking about everything; the brothers, the kiss, the fight and Rollo's words you finally drifted into sleep.

Few days passed.

You stayed away from Ragnar and Rollo, too busy with taking care of your house and wounds not wanting them to get any worse.

There were a lot of thoughts in your head, you kept thinking about the night of the feast. You needed a way to somehow be with both or just be alone.

"How are you doing today! Ready for me to look at those beauties?," Your friend the healer asked happily.

Rolling your eyes you groaned. "I need to be," you chuckled. "Let's get to it."

Rollo was pretty surprised as you stopped talking with him. But, thankfully, you hadn't been talking with Ragnar either.

The Bear decided to pay you a visit, to speak with you about his feelings. Rollo even thought about stealing one of the necklaces they brought from the raid in Mercia, and he did.

Luckily, his brother didn't notice one missing item, or at least pretended.

Rollo walked out of settlement and headed right to your hut. He was about to walk closer, but he stopped' you weren't alone.

You hissed at the feeling of bandages being peeled off of your wounds. The healer tired her best to work carefully with you.

"Have you ever been in love?,” You asked suddenly, looking at your friend.

"Oh! With many, too bad they did not return the feeling or return at all?," She shrugged with a smile.

You rolled your eyes.

"Have you ever been in love with two men? Brother to be exact?"

The healer stopped whatever she was doing and looked at you with a smug smile.

"Oh! You love Ragnar and his brother don't you.”

Your face went red and she laughed loudly.

It was stupid idea to even start such a topic with your friend.

"You know, just finish your work. I still have stuff to do."

Rollo stiffened, all of his muscles tensed at your words and your creed. Were you truly in love with him and Ragnar at the same time?

Not being sure what to do, Rollo decided to get back to the settlement to meet with his younger brother. It couldn't wait.

Bjorn was playing with his younger siblings as he spotted Rollo rushing through the path. "Uncle! You're running like you've got the devil on your tail."

"Have you seen your father?"

"He went back to the Great Hall, he was mentioning baths or something."

Rollo nodded his head briefly and headed to the house of Ragnar.

Meantime Raganr was relaxing while submerged in nice warm water. It was perfect. No kids, no wife, no people with stupid questions or needs. At least it was like that until Rollo walked in.

"I am busy, brother... What do you want?"

Rollo made sure to close the door right behind him before he stepped further in the chamber. "I'm coming to speak to you about our dear Y/N."

Ragnar raised his eyebrows and laughed softly, opening his eyes to look at his brother. "She liked the necklace? But taking the fact you are here it means that the trinket didn't woo her into your bed. What a shame.”

"It's not about that, brother," he scoffed Ragnar's words. "Yes, I took the necklace to gift her with it, don't forget that I was in Mercia with you and I deserved a cut. I distinctly remember you saying that every warrior will get a piece of the treasure. But it's not about that," Rollo simply grabbed the nearest chair and flopped on it. "I visited her today. At least, I tried but she wasn't alone, her healer friend visited her first. But I think I have information you might be interested in."

Ragnar rolled his eyes and moved closer to the edge of the wooden washtub he was sitting in.

"Oh really? Is the little shield maiden a spy of some kind?,”

Rollo shook his head for no.

Then he also leaned forward, resting his hands on the edge of the washtub, to get closer to his younger brother. "She claimed she loves me but you as well."

Ragnar blinked and looked at his brother with the eyebrows raised high.

"Well, that would explain her great escape with Bjørn when we were at each other’s throat because of her," He hummed, scratching his beard.

"Exactly," the older brother agreed quickly. "What are we going to do about this now, though?"

Ragnar thought for a moment then he looked at Rollo.

"Well, since she loves you and me... We could share. She can't decide, I don't think she will mind having us both at the same time,” he shrugged.

"What about Siggy and Aslaug? They'll go mad once they learn about such an idea."

"Siggy isn't my problem, she is not your wife as far as I remember. You can take care of this yourself, I always can take Y/N all for myself if Siggy stops you," Raganr teased with a shrug. "I can take care of my own wife, she will be soon relieved of the title anyway."

Rollo pretended he didn't hear Ragnar's nast comments about him and Siggy. "When then? I won't lie, I won't wait."

"You never were the patient one. Very well! Let me dress and we will go to her," Ragnar said, getting up from the washtub.

Rollo cringed a little while seeing his brother's naked form but grinned at the same time. "I'm lucky to at least be bigger in some other matters than ruling the settlement."

Rollo knocked to your door strongly.

"Y/N, it's me, open the door, I know you're there!"

"We need to talk with you. It's an important matter," Ragnar also knocked at your door.

You freeze with a dress and a needle in your hands.

WHY WERE THEY HERE?! You didn't invite them or had any important stuff to discuss with the brothers.

With your internal dilemma you didn't want them here. You are just going to pretend you aren't home, they will go away.

Rollo aimed a strong blow to his younger brother's shoulder. "Shut up," he hissed quietly. "I told you that I'll do the talking, all you had to do was to stay quiet but as we can see you can't even follow the most easy plan."

Ragnar returns the action.

"I am in charge here. I always am so better behaved, Bear," he growled.

You listened to them and facepalmed.

Letting out a deep sigh you got up from the chair to open the door.

"Because of such a behavior I was ready to pretend I am not here,"

Rollo instantly slipped his foot between door frame and door to prevent you from closing them. "Hi, Y/N, we have to talk.”

You nodded your head and opened the door fully for them, inviting them inside.

"Come in then, can I get you anything? Drink? Food?"

"I'll pass," Rollo replied and smoothly slipped into your hut, instantly taking a seat at your chair. "Mmmm, cosy," he commented casually while looking around your place

This felt strange, just seeing both of them in your stomach twist. In a pleasant way of course but still.

You looked at them and smiled.

"I'll pass as well," Ragnar said and decided to sit down on your bed. "You had to do the talking. I am listening."

Rollo gave him a dead glance, and shifted his eyes at you. "Is there anything you'd like to share with us? Feelings, concerns?"

You shrugged and played with your hands nervously.

"No, I honestly have no idea what you are talking about Rollo."

Rollo gave you the look you knew too well. He wasn't the idiot. "Y/N, just to make the situation clear, I've heard your talk with the healer today."

Your face went completely red when you realized what it means.

Rollo knew what meant that Ragnar knew now too.

"I... I am sorry if this offended you or your brother in any way. I just, I really can't pick. Both of you are just wonderful men."

Rollo exchanged glances with Ragnar and chuckled. "It’s fine, don't worry, no one here is mad at you."

Ragnar got up from his comfy seat and walked to you.

"Actually we think the complete opposite when it comes to the whole situation,' He said quietly and placed hands on your cheeks before crushing his lips against yours.

You let out a surprised squeak but kissed him back, grabbing his wrists to brace yourself as you felt your knees going weak.

Rollo stiffened seeing his brother stealing a kiss from your lips; he wanted to this as well but his blood turned cold at the sight. "I beg your pardon?"

Ragnar pulled away with a chuckle and shook his head.

"Don't be offended, brother. Please, help yourself," he gestured at you.

Biting your lips you smiled. "Come here,"

Rollo wasn't sure if the thing he was about to do was good. For the first time in his lifetime he hesitated with a woman.

You watched Rollo for a moment and then walked closer to cup his cheek. "Whatever you heard today. It was all true, I love you and your brother in the same way," you whispered and kissed him gently.

Ragnar rolled his eyes at the sudden softness of his brother and decided to pour himself a cup of whatever drink was standing on your table.

Rollo offered the kiss back, slowly slipping his tongue past your lips. It danced slightly with yours as he cupped your cheek with one hand and simply slipped the other one to give your ass a harsh squeeze.

You moaned into the kiss, letting him dominate it.

"Careful Rollo or you will eat her alive." Ragnar muttered looking inside the cup.

Rollo soon let go off you, licking his lips.

You looked at him and giggled, stroking his cheek.

"I am so happy you don't hate me for this."

Raganr chuckled and gently pulled you back on Rollo's laps so he could kiss you as well. He pulled away as soon as he needed to catch his breath.

"It's hard to hate you, Y/N."

"My brother is right," Rollo agreed easily. "You're a good warrior, a decent and beautiful woman," the man claimed while putting his palms to his thick belt.

"And we will have plenty of time to discover what else you are so good," Ragnar summed up. "I suggest we don't trouble her too much tonight, brother. At least until her wounds heal fully,"

"But once the wounds heal...," Rollo came closer and gently wrapped his hand around your neck, "Then we will have to train her a little, am I right, brother?"

"Oh yes. Our little shield maiden will have to learn a lot of new things. Not necessarily combat related but still really useful," Ragnar hummed, kissing behind your ear.

You meowed at their touch.

It all was finally happening. Gods listened to you and your dreams came true.

"For now let's hope her bed can have all three of us. I bet her tired body would appreciate some gentleness,” Earl added.

Rollo laughed. "I take place from the wall."

And after these words he simply flopped off the bed which let out a cracking sound under his weight.

You cringed at the sound but smiled softly when you realized it didn't break.

Gladly you climbed into bed and placed one more kiss on Rollo's lips while Ragnar joined the two of you, wrapping his arm around your waist carefully.

You turned and kissed him as well before getting comfortable between them.

Rollo offered you his stretched arm. "Comfy?," He asked after you placed your head on him. His second hand rested on your hip.

"Don't be too greedy, brother. I am here as well," Other man muttered and nuzzled to your back, hugging you tightly.

You only smiled.

"I couldn't be happier. Two men I love dearly are here with me," You hummed, slowly drifting away into slumber.

Rollo brushed a lock of your hair behind your ear.

As you fell asleep, he looked at Ragnar. "Do you think we can handle it? Sharing one woman?"

"Why not? We are brothers, I am used to sharing with you," Ragnar shrugged. "If we want to make her happy we need to handle it somehow."

Rollo nodded and put his head to yours. "Yeah. That's true. I hope this will easily work out as I remember us fighting dearly about women.”

Ragnar nodded.

"Just so you know. I fuck her first and away from you," he added quickly.

"In your fucking dreams, Ragnar," Rollo smirked wryly, whispering. "I'll be the first one.'

"It's settled then, Bear. We'll see who will get into her pants first," Ragnar dared with a smile.

Rollo rolled his eyes a little with a consternation in his glance. "I'm older. Older people take precedence over younger people."

"I am Earl. I take precedence over everyone," he said proudly.

"I swear to Gods will you two keep your mouth shut and try to sleep or I need to kick you out of the bed?," You muttered annoyed.

Rollo scoffed loudly and remained quiet, closing his eyes and nestling with you.

Ragnar rolled his eyes and nuzzled to your shoulder before closing them.

"Much better. You two can be quiet," you joked.

[helgabatwrittings]

When your world comes crashing down don't cry

His mind kept racing between everything he had learned. It was all he could think about lately. Alya and Nino are Rena Rouge and Carapace. They know about each other. Ladybug knows that they know. Ladybug was the one who gave that secret away. Ladybug didn’t tell him. Because they must keep their identities a secret. And they all think he is annoying. That’s why Ladybug doesn’t tell him anything. Because Chat Noir is annoying, and he can’t be trusted.

AO3

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

Pretending everything was okay was becoming the most strenuous task each day.

Especially when one hasn’t slept for almost a week.

A week…

A week has passed ever since Nino told him just how annoying he was. It made sense actually, the more he thought about it, the clearer it got.

Adrien was annoying, that was a fact, he has always been like that and that is why his father never wanted to spend time with him, it was why his parents have never let him go to school, they always said they were protecting him, and now Adrien knew exactly why…

They just did not want him to realise how bothersome he was.

It was why Ladybug… why she-

Prrrrr Prrrrrr Prrrrrr

The alarm interrupted his jumbled thoughts. Adrien sighed. Getting out of bed was also becoming the most strenuous task each day.

“Are you going to turn that off so I can proceed to sleep?? I was in the middle of eating this amazing piece of camembert” Plagg grumbled, his nasal voice still thick with sleep.

Adrien turned to his side and with a heavy hand, he grabbed his phone and turned off the alarm, the missed texts from Nino not going unnoticed. He just couldn’t find any strength to engage in any conversation his best friend was starting. Not that it mattered anyway, he would probably only bother him and then Nino would just get sick of him just like everyone else did. Just like Nino already had with Chat Noir. And Adrien didn’t want that. Adrien would never want that. He had lost too many people already, so he might as well try to save the few relationships he still has, even if he must keep them at arm’s length. It’s still better than nothing, right? Even if that crushing void of loneliness was growing inside him every day.

It was with an increasing effort that Adrien finally managed to get out of the bed, his limbs feeling like lead. He walked to his bathroom, not noticing the black blob staring right at him with downcast eyes and dropped ears.

After going through his usual routine, Adrien just stood in front of his mirror checking for any imperfection that might put him in trouble, like he did every day. A paler, skinnier version of himself looked right back at him with heavy dark bags under vacant eyes. His lower, chapped lip trembled slightly, but he quickly managed to get a hold of it, the same couldn’t be said for the lump that had settled itself in his throat for a couple of days now. Adrien suddenly broke eye contact and fumbling through the top drawer, without really looking at it, without really looking at anything, he finally felt the familiar shape of his concealer. And with a professional mannerism, he applied it on every imperfection, carefully moulding that sickly looking boy in the mirror into the face of the Gabriel brand.

Breakfast was, once again, all by himself, and Plagg of course, but he had to remain hidden in case anyone was to suddenly enter the dining room. For some reason, Adrien kept staring at the main door to the room, still hoping that his father would appear just to spend some time with him before school, but as usual, no one interrupted the suffocating silence that was becoming more and more unbearable each day. He even found himself hoping that Nathalie would appear, in all her stoic presence, with her tablet in hand to inform him of his schedule, even though he was perfectly aware that she was currently bedridden for some mysterious illness everyone was trying to hide from him.

He missed Nathalie, he still heard her every day through the tablet, but it wasn’t the same. At some point, his mum would only speak to him through a tablet when she got so sick she couldn’t leave her bed, and no one dared to explain to him what was happening.

The sight of his food got blurry as Adrien blinked back the tears that were threatening to escape. He took a deep shaking breath to fight the nauseating wave that crushed him. Once again, his appetite was absent, he sneaked the cheese under the table for Plagg and with that, Adrien went to the car, to start another day.

School was… School used to be the highlight of his everyday life, it was finally something Adrien had fought for and won. His first ticket to freedom. School gave him a chance to finally live in the real world, outside the four massive walls that made up his bedroom, and that for the longest time, had been his whole world. But now it just seemed pointless.

For the first time since he started attending public school, Adrien was actually feeling on edge at the idea of going there and meet his friends. His stomach was constricting itself, accentuating the ever-present nausea that had settled since that day, and the feeling seemed to worsen at each kilometre the car got closer to the building.

His mind kept racing between everything he had learned. It was all he could think about lately. Alya and Nino are Rena Rouge and Carapace. They know about each other. Ladybug knows that they know. Ladybug was the one who gave that secret away. Ladybug didn’t tell him. Because they must keep their identities a secret. And they all think he is annoying. That’s why Ladybug doesn’t tell him anything. Because Chat Noir is annoying, and he can’t be trusted.

Do they also think Adrien is annoying? Do they also rant about him behind his back? Is that why Marinette doesn’t seem to stand being around him for too long? They have talked about it, and she assured him that they were friends. Marinette has done a lot to help him, like convincing his father to let him go to New York. But again, she does help everyone she knows. Of course, she would help him, even if she finds him annoying. Marinette is that nice.

How should he act around them? The knot on his stomach was becoming unbearable. How was it that he was feeling hot and cold at the same time? That there was this electric sensation running all over his body and making the tips of his fingers go all fuzzy, while his chest was beginning to burn as well. The lump on his throat was making it hard to breathe, no matter how much Adrien gasped for breath, it seemed that no air was reaching his lungs, which were blazing with the effort. Oh, God! Is this how he’s going to die? At the back of his father’s limo, on his way to school? His face felt wet for some reason. Was he crying? Why was he even crying?? He’s so ridiculous, crying for no reason whatsoever. This was the reason why everyone seemed to get tired of him fast, he was just an unstable mess. Why would anyone want to deal with that??

“…rien…” Adrien felt something press against his cheek.

“Adrien!” Apparently that something was Plagg. Thank goodness the divider was up so Gorilla couldn’t see the shameful pity party Adrien was throwing at the back of the car.

“C’mon kid, breathe with me…” Plagg was floating right before his eyes, taking deep exaggerated breaths so that Adrien’s sluggish mind could follow his request.

Emerald eyes connected as Adrien’s trembling breaths evolved to more stable ones. The knot on his stomach was starting to untie itself, although Adrien knew that it would never go away completely. He was used to it anyway. He blinked rapidly, successfully containing the tears that had started to leak during his episode.

“Adrien…” Plagg rarely used his name, “Maybe it’s better that you stay home, you can still ask Gorilla man to turn back…” Plagg was looking at him with concern, sad eyes and dropped ears complementing his worried expression. He hated that he was the cause of it. He hated that he was dragging everyone down with him.

He shook his head wildly, not trusting his voice to sound secure. He had to go to school. How would he even explain why he skipped school? His friends would ask, his father would ask, and he really didn’t have the energy to come up with any excuse. Adrien just had to pretend everything was alright, he was used to it, pretending was as natural as breathing for him. Even if it was becoming harder and harder each day to seem detached by everything that was happening to him lately, not that he would ever tell anyone what exactly was happening to him lately.

Shaky fingers searched through his messenger bag, looking for the small mirror he carried with him almost all the time, along with the concealer that for sure had been washed down by his ridiculous crying.

Once again, Adrien hid all his imperfections and insecurities behind a fresh layer of concealer.

“Adrien…” Nino was talking to him. When had he left the car and entered the classroom? The blackboard Miss Mendeleiev was writing on, was filled with fresh formulas, of a different subject from the last lesson. Which meant that they had already gone through the correction of homework and had started talking about a different thing. When had they done that? Adrien was in the car, having just barely recovered from a panic attack, and now he was in the middle of Physics class. The time between those two moments was lost to him.

A nudge on his left side made him flinch.

“Woah, dude, calm down, it’s me!” Nino whispered, while defensively raising his hands.

Trembling lips curved to form a shaky smile. It was the best Adrien could do for now.

Unfortunately, said smile didn’t seem to be enough to reassure Nino, as the latter raised his eyebrows in concern, silently asking Adrien if everything was okay. Adrien nodded quickly, his eyes immediately drifting to the blackboard ahead, putting an end to their silent conversation. He should try and pay attention to the lesson anyway. Physics was his favourite subject so it shouldn’t be hard. He could at least pretend to be paying attention to class. Adrien was getting sicker and sicker of pretending…

[sturchling]

Salt-Fic September Day 26: Abandoned

Marinette was numb as she realized what had happened. This was horrible. The class had abandoned her in Gotham, alone. To think everything had been going well. The class had been nicer to her, and Lila wasn’t actively trying to ruin her time on the trip. In retrospect, that should have been Marinette’s first clue that something was wrong. She couldn’t believe this, and it had all happened in the course of two days.

The class was trying to come up with a place to go for the end of the year trip. Lila had become the class representative a few months back, when the class had started to believe the worst in Marinette. Lila had turned this into a class discussion in the guise of including the whole class in the decision. In reality, she didn’t have any good ideas and just wanted to steal someone’s idea to avoid the class’ irritation. But no one in the class had any good ideas either. Marinette sat in the back of the room just listening to the chaos of the class’ discussion.

 While she may not be the class rep anymore, she still doesn’t want her friends to be disappointed by the class trip. She had found an amazing opportunity for the class. The Wayne family was sponsoring a trip to Gotham for the class who submitted the best video essay about their collective accomplishments. Marinette spent several weeks on it, but she was able to submit a video to the contest.

 A few weeks passed and Marinette received an email from the contest. Her submission had won the contest! She was thrilled. She was excited to tell everyone, but then she realized that she shouldn’t. With the way the class thought of her now, they would likely immediately reject the idea purely because she suggested it. Instead she sent the information to Mrs. Bustier and asked her not to say who won the contest. Surprisingly, she agreed to her request and didn’t say anything.

 Lila had no idea who won the contest, but she didn’t care. This was perfect. Lila immediately claimed the credit for winning the contest. “It was hard to write the essay through the pain from my sprained wrist, but I did it for you guys.” The class fawned over Lila, thanking her for her dedication. Meanwhile, Marinette just rolled her eyes. The information Mrs. Bustier sent the class specifically said that it was a video essay contest, not a writing contest. How could the class not realize this was a lie? They had the proof right in front of them. But that wasn’t important, at least the class would have a nice trip.

 That was how the class had ended up in Gotham. The trip had been going surprisingly well. Marinette had expected that Lila would hog all the attention and the class would treat her as coldly as they had back in Paris. But instead, Lila was quieter than normal and the class was chatting with her again. Marinette had hoped that meant that they had realized that Lila was a liar and were willing to be her friends again.

 Marinette was having a great time on the trip, when she met him. He had tan skin and dark hair. He was sitting in one of the halls of the Wayne Enterprises building the class was touring. He was sitting on a bench and reading a book. Marinette had been looking for a quiet place to sketch while the class ate lunch and decided to sit next to him. When she sat down, he gave her an incredulous look, as though he couldn’t believe she sat there. Then he just turned back to his book, and ignored her.

 Time went by, and the two just kept reading and sketching in quiet. Eventually though, the boy’s eyes found Marinette’s sketchbook again. He stared at the sketch which appeared to be an outfit based off Robin’s costume. “Your work is exquisite. Very detailed.” Marinette was startled by the sudden noise. “Thank you. That is kind of you to say.” “Is it based on Robin’s costume? Why did you choose that costume?” Marinette went on to discuss her process for this design. The conversations continued until the end of the lunch for the class. When the class gathered outside of the cafeteria, Marinette had to leave. But before she did, the boy, who she now knew was called Damian, asked her, “I apologize if this is too forward, but would you care to have dinner with me tomorrow night?” Marinette agreed eagerly and was looking forward to seeing Damian again.

 Marinette had no idea who exactly Damian was until later that night while speaking with Alya. “Girl, you scored a date with Damian Wayne. So, its tomorrow night? What time?” The girls spent several hours discussing the date. Alya wanted all the details. It felt like old times, before Lila ever appeared. Marinette enjoyed this time with her best friend. Alya even helped her get ready for the date, choosing an outfit and how she should do her hair and makeup. Marinette had no idea what Alya and the rest of the class was really planning.

 The next night was one of the best nights in Marinette’s life. Damian had arrived early and endured some teasing from Alya and the class as Marinette finished getting ready. They left and had a wonderful dinner. Damian even took Marinette for a walk in a nearby park, while his brothers watched from the roof tops to make sure no rouges got any funny ideas. Marinette had a wonderful time. Damian dropped her off back at the hotel, and even walked her to the door to her room. Marinette was in such a happy mood. That was until she opened the door to her room after Damian left. The room was empty. All of Alya’s things were gone. They had been sharing a room. Marinette’s things were still there, but Alya’s things were gone.

 Marinette searched the whole hotel, but didn’t find anyone from class. She went to the front desk and asked about her class. The person working the desk looked at her in shock. “You are still here? Your class already left, said there was some emergency in Paris.” Marinette panicked, expecting a bad akuma and checked for news on her phone. But there wasn’t anything. Instead, there was an unread text.

You shouldn’t have messed with Lila. Maybe this will teach you a lesson. Have a good time getting home.-Alya

Marinette couldn’t believe it. The class had abandoned her in Gotham.

 She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to get home. She didn’t have money to get a plane ticket, and the class must have done something to her original ticket. She called her parents and they got her a ticket for the first available flight, which wouldn’t be until tomorrow evening. Marinette spoke with the hotel staff member at the desk, to see about staying in her room one more night. But they told her that someone else had already checked into the room for the night. Her stuff was brought to her from the room and she didn’t know what to do now. She had no where to stay for the night.

 Marinette realized she had only one option. She gathered her stuff and went to the Wayne Manor. When she arrived, she was greeted by an older man who stared at her inquisitively. “Good evening. I was having dinner with Damian earlier tonight. Something has happened and I didn’t know where else to go, may I please speak with him?” The butler looked at her warily, but did let her in the manor. He led her to a parlor and went to fetch Damian.

 A few minutes passed and he returned with Damian following with a confused look on his face. “Marinette? What happened? Why are you here?” Marinette explained everything that had happened since Damian dropped her off. “So, they just abandoned me here. I already have a flight booked for tomorrow night thanks to my parents. But I don’t have anywhere to stay tonight. I’m sorry to impose, but I didn’t have anywhere else to turn.” Damian was furious. How dare the class do this to her?

 Alfred had gone to get Bruce and fill him in on the situation. Bruce came into the parlor as well, to see Damian comforting an upset Marinette. Bruce approached the young couple, “Of course you may stay here tonight Marinette. After all, my family sponsored your class’ trip. That makes you my responsibility until you return to Paris. Make yourself at home. Now, I think I will go call your parents and tell them you are staying here with me.”  Marinette felt at ease, knowing that things were being handled.

 Marinette was returned to Paris in the morning, but she never returned to Francois Dupont. Her parents pulled her out of that school immediately after they learned their daughter had been left behind. She was now enrolled in an arts school that Chloe and Adrien had transferred to before everything in Gotham had happened. She also spent a lot of time in Gotham when she was on a break from school. She had to visit her boyfriend obviously. While Damian wished she had transferred to Gotham, he was happy that Marinette was in a better school. Marinette was happier than she had been in a long time.

  Lila ended up being exposed a few months after the Gotham incident. Marinette never got the details of how it happened, she only found out because the class showed up to try and apologize to her. Marinette stopped them, “I accept your apology, but I can’t fully forgive you. You abandoned me in one of the most dangerous cities in the world. You didn’t care at all what happened to me. I had no where to stay that night and no way home. I could have been really hurt. I’m sorry but we can’t be friends anymore, I can’t be friends with people that would do that to me.” The class didn’t like it, but they accepted it. They knew what they did was unforgiveable.

 While Marinette had been beyond hurt by what the class had done, she wouldn’t have changed anything about the trip. She learned who her true friends were and who wasn’t. She had also met Damian, who she had grown much closer to over the months after the trip. She was the happiest she had ever been and was glad that everything had happened the way it did. She was living an amazing life, with friends and family that cared for her and a boyfriend who truly loved her.

Hope you guys liked it! @maribat-central-official

[yanderepuck]

Sunflowers Die Eventually

I told you all I was going to do it.  I warned all of you.  I have one (1) Vincent simp tell me they wanted this for the angst, but also didn’t want this for the angst.  So I’m bringing it to you.

~~~~~~

THAT BEING SAID. JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER DEPRESSING VINCENT POSTS I HAVE MADE THERE ARE THEMES OF SELF HARM, SUICIDE AND POSSIBLE DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.  IF YOU THINK THIS WILL TRIGGER YOU HORRIBLY PLEASE DON’T READ OR READ WITH CAUTION.  WRITING THESE CAN EVEN TAKE A TOLL ON ME.  I WRITE THESE OVER A LONG PERIOD.  IF YOU CANNOT FINISH READING THIS BECAUSE OF THE THEME I UNDERSTAND.  MUCH OF WHAT I WRITE IS FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND NOT EVERYONE DEALS WITH IT THE SAME WAY.

THANK YOU

~~~~~~

The past few weeks have not been kind.  Even Isaac has been asking where Vincent is.  Theo can’t tell them the truth.  No way.  Besides, he doesn’t even know whats wrong with Vincent, he can’t possibly explain it to everyone else.

Should he go to Comte?  But what would he do.  What can he do.  If this didn’t go away when he was turned what is he going to do now.  Should . . . should he maybe get Dazai?  Dazai knows what this is like, he’s gone through with it.

Theo shook his head.  How could he possibly ask that clown to help him with something so serious.  Theo’s head lists off everyone in the mansion who could help.  Arthur?  He does have a medical background, but this is mental, those are different.  Leonardo doesn’t have experience with this as far as he is aware of.  Maybe Sebastian could talk sense into him.  He knows many things the rest don’t, or would that be too much to handle.

His thoughts are racing to the point where he is giving himself a headache.  Theo has spent the last few hours walking back and forth in his room thinking endlessly.  There is always the possibility of a hospital.  No.  How could he be so stupid.  He can’t do that, they’re vampires!  But wait, Vincent doesn’t drink rouge, but how could he get the blanc to him.

The thought that entered Theo’s mind that made him stop in his tracks was the thought of Will.  They are close after all.  Maybe. Just maybe- No!  He trusts Brush more than him around his brother.

Leaving his room he went down the hall and let out a deep breath before knocking on his brother’s door.

“Vincent?” nothing.  “It . . . it’s Theo.  Can I come in?” silence.  Well . . that isn’t a no. Opening the door slowly he pushed  it open.  The room was dark which is very odd since one wall is an entire window.  It was covered, just enough light came through for Theo to be able to see the outline of his brother on his couch.

Closing the door behind him he walked over and sat on the floor next to him.  “Vincent?” his voice was calming, but you could tell he was worried.  “Broer?”  Vincent didn’t say anything, let alone move.  He was facing the couch.

“Broer, please.  You haven’t left your room in weeks.  Lets go to the floral shop, we can take Brush with us.”

Just as he was about to reach out and give Vincent a shake, he moved to pull the blanket up closer to his chin, and he seemed to get more tense.  Theo relaxed.  He’s alive.  

“I’ll let you be, but please broer.  If you need anything at all please tell me,”  he gently brushed the blonde hair before standing up again and going back to the door.  “Ik hou van jou“ Theo murmured and left the room.

The week comes to an end and there’s still been no word on Vincent.  Everyone has noticed Theo being on edge and being in his room a lot as well.  Something is up with the brothers but no one can quite tell what it is.

No one has been able to talk to Theo, not even Arthur.  But very quickly did things escalate when Will came over.  Theo should have expected this.  Vincent and Will are close, he should have at least let him know he wasn’t feeling well so this wouldn’t happen.

Theo heard a knock and someone calling for Vincent.  It was coming from the last person he would want to deal with right now.  He quickly hurried out of his room and looked at Will down the hall.   

“Go home, Will.”  Before he could knock again Will looked over to see Theo.  “Vincent isn’t feeling well, leave him be.”

“Has he not been well for two weeks?  What troubles him?”

“It’s none of your business.  Now leave.”

Being stubborn as always, Will just stands there, not leaving.  “Not until I see Vincent,” he knew something wasn’t right.  He hasn’t heard from Vincent for nearly two months, which was very odd.

“I told you,” Theo began to walk over to move Will out of the way.  “He’s not feeling well.  Now leave.”

“Is that not for Vincent to decide?”  Will looked up at Theo, glaring at him.  Will quickly moved his hand to the doorknob.  But when he went to turn the knob his hand stopped.

It wasn’t because of Theo.  It’s locked.  Will froze when his hand couldn’t  turn the knob.  Theo looked down at the knob.  Locked?  But didn’t he check on Vincent earlier?

No.  No he didn’t.  He hadn’t seen his broer yet today, he didn’t even check in on him last night, he had gotten so caught up in his paperwork that he fell asleep at his desk.  He didn’t even make it to dinner.

“Broer . . “ Theo’s voice was soft, that’s now Will knew something was really wrong.  Theo pushed Will out of the way to try to door for himself.  But it didn’t budge.  He was going to have to break it down.  He didn’t want to think the worst, but of course he couldn’t help it.  

Will demanded Theo to tell him what was going on, but all he told him was to stand back.  After taking a few steps back Theo ran into the door.  It budged.  One more hit and it should open.  He did just that and tumbled into the room.

The room is still dark.  Will peaked his head in, his eyes started to adjust and could see Vincent on the couch.

“Broer?”  Vincent was laying on his back.  Theo knelled down on the floor in front of the couch as he always does.  “Broer?” 

After kneeling on the floor for a few moments his could feel his knees getting wet.  He looked down.  Of course he couldn’t see what it was, but now that his mind was on it, he could smell it.

With a click from the other room the lights came on.  Theo was kneeling in a puddle of blood.  Tears started to form and he looked up at his older brother.  He was paler.  Paler than he’s every seen him.  One of his arms was hanging off the couch, blood still dripping down his arm to the floor.  

His other arm was laying on his chest, his clothes stained in blood.  “No. No no no no no!” Theo slid closer and put his hands on his cold face.  “Broer!  Wake up!”

Will couldn’t believe what he was looking at.  He forced his legs to move himself quickly down the hall.  He didn’t care who he saw first, he needed to get someone.

Then he finally found someone and wasn’t sure if they were in the right ones.  But it didn’t matter.  Will ran into the parlor, grabbing onto the door frame to stop him.  Arthur and Dazai were arguing and playing chess.  The sound of Will’s heavy breathing made the two look over.

“Will?  What do you-” Arthur began

“Vincent!  He’s hurt!  Badly!” Arthur and Dazai look at each other before getting up.  “He’s in his room.  With Theo.” Will moved back out into the hall and they ran in different directions.

Will was ideally hoping to find Comte or even Leonardo, they had to be able to do something.  Arthur and Dazai ran down the hall.  They didn’t know what to expect, but when they got tot he bed room, that’s really not what they expected.

“Comte!”  Will turned the corner towards the pureblood’s room and ran right into him.

“Will?  What are you doing here?  What’s wrong?”

“Vincent!  He’s hurt!” Will started talking so fast that Comte couldn’t understand him, and understanding him to begin with was sometimes a challenge.

“Will.  Relax” he put his hands on Will’s shoulders to steady him.  “Tell me what’s going on.”

“T-there’s a lot o-of blood.  Vincent wasn’t waking.”

Comte’s face went white.  Theo wouldn’t tell him what was going on even when he tried to pry, but he knew how Vincent’s first life was, and he could only guess what was going on. 

Rushing around Will, Comte ran down the hall to get to Vincent’s.  Dazai rushed past him from out of the room.  Arthur spilled out a list of things he needed to get and he went running.  

Stopping outside the room, he looked in.  Leonardo was on the floor holding back Theo who was covered in blood and tears.  Leonardo kept his arms around the other while Arthur was looking over Vincent.

Arthur had ripped his coat off and was tying his ascot around his upper arm to stop the blood flow.  Theo wanted out of Leonardo’s grip to be next to his brother, but Arthur needed room.

Comte stood there.  Frozen.  Vincent was so pale.  How long had he been like this?  Why didn’t he tell anyone?

Seconds felt like minutes.  Minutes felt like hours.

Dazai came running back and passed Comte and got next to Arthur to help him.  Theo wasn’t stable enough to help.  Arthur and Dazai have dealt with this before.  They knew what they were doing. 

Arthur ripped up a rag and tied it tightly around Vincent’s other arm.  Dazai took one of Vincent’s arms while Arthur took the other and using rags they applied pressure to the cuts.  Blood just soaked right through so they put another cloth there, but the same happened until they had six layers of cloth, then it seemed to be slowing down.

“Vincent, wake up,” Arthur urged.  “Vincent!  Wake up!” Arthur tapped his hand on Vincent’s cold cheek a few times.  There’s no response.  Arthur and Dazai have blood splatted all over their clothes and skin.  “Vincent!”

This can’t be happening.  Arthur went to check his pulse, but wait.  Do vampires even have a pulse?  He can’t find one.  Is he too much in a panic to be able to find it?  He sure hoped so.

Theo is still struggling against Leonardo, yelling for Vincent to wake up.  Comte forced his legs to take him to the doorway.  As soon as Theo saw him he started yelling at him to do something.  How could he just stand there and watch.  But Comte already knew.

Arthur is struggling to find a pulse.  He doesn’t want to admit defeat.  Meanwhile, Dazai leaned in and put his ear to Vincent’s chest.  Nothing.  Nothing but Theo crying and yelling.

Dazai’s gaze went to Arthur, who was starting to cry himself.

“Come on, Vincent!” Arthur said through his tears.

“Arthur,” Dazai spoke softly and placed a hand on his shoulder.  Arthur knew.  But he didn’t want to admit it.

Arthur shook his head repeatedly. “No no no no,” he said under his breath.

It was like a train wreck.  Comte couldn’t tear his eyes away, but when he finally managed he looked at Leonardo and gave him a nod.  With that Leonardo let go of Theo, who rushed to his brothers side, with Arthur and Dazai on either side of him.

“Broer!”  Theo was yelling things in Dutch that no one else understood.  He clutched onto his clothes, his hands so tightly balled up they were white.

“Theo . . “ Arthur placed a hand on the other’s shoulder but Theo immediately pushed him off, yelling not to touch him.  Arthur and Dazai’s eyes met and they backed off to give Theo room.

Only minutes have gone buy, but it felt like days.

Forcing his legs to move, Comte stood behind Theo, looking down at the brothers.  Leonardo had the other two leave the room for right now.

“Why didn’t you do something!”  no matter what he said, Theo wasn’t going to accept his answer.  “You let him die!  Did he even want to come back!” Comte was still silent. He could barely move his body let alone being able to form words.  “Answer me damn it!”  Theo didn’t even dare to look behind him.  The tears weren’t stopping.

“Th-there was nothing I could have done.”

“Liar!”

Just as he expected.  “Theo.  Listen to me,” he tried to stay calm, he could feel tears forming the more he spoke.  “We both hoped this would stop.”

Vincent wanted a new life where he didn’t have to deal with his depression and schizophrenia.  Obviously it didn’t turn out that way.  He was defiantly better, but when the depression hit, it hit harder than ever.

“Vincent . . . Vincent wanted to live.  But his pain didn’t go away.  I can’t take that away.”

Theo didn’t even respond.  How does he respond.  He has to live without his brother, again.  He did what he could to keep Vincent safe without being forceful.  But he should have been.  He thought he understood him.  He thought he knew what he was going through.  But he didn’t know anything.

Comte didn’t know what else to say.  Turning around he made his way for the hallway to give him some peace.

~~~~~~

It wasn’t long until the entire mansion knew.  Seeing Arthur and Dazai covered in blood was enough to ask what happened.  They were hesitant to say the truth at first.  Once Will saw all the faces of the two, he knew what the outcome was.

It was days before anyone could speak to Theo.  Comte was fully aware he was the last one Theo wanted to see but they needed to talk.  Comte knocked on the door to his room before entering.  Theo was sitting cross legged on his bed a bottle of whiskey in his lap.  He didn’t even bother to look up.

Comte pulled out the chair from his desk and sat across from him.  “Theo,” he let out a deep breath.  He was expecting Theo to get snippy back.  Telling him to leave.  Saying that he wants nothing to do with him.  But Theo didn’t move.

“It’s been three days, Theo.  We have to do something with his body,” it was hard to bring up.  His voice was low and soft.  He didn’t want to start an argument with him.  “As vampires, we normally burn the body for-”

“No,” Theo finally spoke out, cutting off Comte.  His head was hanging, Comte couldn’t see his face.  “I’m not letting you burn him.  I’m going to bury him.”

Comte knew there was no way to talk Theo out of this.  Just this once he knew he could let it slide.  He nodded.  “That’s fine.  Do you have a place in mind?”

It was silent for a moment.  “On the hill, where he’d always paint,” with the end of his words he brought the bottle to his lips.

With a sigh Comte got up and sat on his bed.  “Make sure you keep taking care of yourself.  Try to come out for dinner tonight,” he tried to get a glimpse of his face.  Theo didn’t say anything in response.  That gave Comte the hint to leave.

~~~~~~

The first time anyone in the mansion saw Theo after that was when they were going to bury Vincent.  Arthur and Dazai offered to dig the grave under a tree near the cliff.  You’re able to see the entire city from that hill.

Part of Theo didn’t even want to see his brothers body.  He wanted to remember Vincent as being happy and filled with joy.  Theo was taking his time getting up to the hill.  He so badly wanted to think this is all just a bad dream.  A really, really, really bad dream.

Getting nearer to the edge of the property, from the corner of his eye he saw something move, so he stopped walking to look.  It was Brush.  Theo nearly broke down just by seeing the little raccoon.  Brush scurried over to Theo’s feet and stood up.

Under any other circumstance he wouldn’t, but he picked up Brush and carried him.

Everyone was already up there.  He walked to the edge of the grave and kneeled down, letting go of Brush.  They had a coffin made.  He’s had to deal with this twice now.  How could he possibly not blame himself.

Arthur came up behind Theo and put a hand on his shoulder. “Holding up?”

Theo just simply nodded.  He knew very well that if he tried to talk he’d loose it.  He didn’t like being seen that way, but its not like anyone there would actually blame him.  Its hard for all of him, but especially Theo.

As the day went on everyone slowly left.  Theo ended up sitting in the grass, a tear or two escaping from his eyes every now and then.  The sun was setting and the last ones up on the hill were Theo, Arthur, Comte, and Leonardo. 

The purebloods weren’t going to leave Theo alone, and Arthur had the same thought.  Only Comte and Leonardo kept their distance, giving them space.  Arthur wasn’t planning on leaving his best friend’s side.

“Theo?  You ready?”  Arthur was holding a shovel, and there was another one in the pile of dirt.

“Y-yeah,” after sitting on the ground for hours he finally stood up.  Arthur couldn’t tell if his legs were wobbly from sitting for so long, or from drinking.  Maybe a mixture.

Theo grabbed the other shovel and tossed the first pile of dirt into the hole.  It took nearly a half hour to get all the dirt in place.  Arthur put an arm over his shoulders and  brought him close.  “Let’s get going.”

“You go ahead.  I’ll be right there.”

“You’re crazy if you think I’m leaving you,” Theo just sighed.  “How about the pub?”

“Yeah, that sounds nice,” the words were barely audible. “Just, just give me a sec.”

Theo got down on the ground once again and stuck something in the dirt, said something Arthur couldn’t make out, and stood back up.  Arthur had to grab his arm to get him to start walking, or else he’d never move.

Comte and Leonardo noticed them walking in the other direction.  “Don’t worry.  Arthur will take care of him,” Leonardo assured.

Comte looked down at an envelope he had in his hand.  It was for Theo, but now isn’t a good time.

~~~~~~

It wasn’t until the next morning that Theo saw a piece of paper on his bed.  He didn’t remember last night at all, and now he has one hell of a hang over.  It had to be near noon at this point.

Sitting up he grabbed the envelope and opened it.  It’s a letter.

I’m sorry.  I know I’m a coward.  I really wanted to live again.  I really wanted to know what it was like to really live.  But I couldn’t.  Theo, you shouldn’t have to take care of me, or worry about me, I am the big brother after all.  Don’t beat yourself up.  I made this choice.  I made the choice to stop living.  It’s better this way.  I love you, broer.  I love all of you . . .

He couldn’t read anymore.  Tears were blocking his view.  He fell back down onto his bed and held on to his pillow as if his life depended on it.  Theo stayed hidden away for another week, and another, and another.

Everyone knew he would take it hard, but not this hard.  Arthur and Dazai eventually pulled Theo out of his room to go to the pub.  They were making sure Theo was taking care of himself.  Comte would do it himself, but there is no way Theo would listen to a word he said.  Its best coming from his friends.

~~~~~~

It’s spring.  Vincent’s favorite.  

Theo’s picked up plenty of bad habits in the past few months.  

Vincent would be ashamed.

You’d think that would be enough to get Theo to stop.  But he’s hoping one of these will eventually kill him.

Due to some bad storms, and Arthur and Dazai trying to get him back on his normal schedule, he hadn’t been able to visit the grave.

When he got tot he top of the hill, he smiled for the first time in months.

He had planted a sunflower seed at the head of his grave, and it was beginning to grow.

Masterlist

[just-dreaming-marvel]

Out Of Time ~ 118

MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 2,010ish

Summary: Y/N goes on the run.

Y/N appeared in the Zephyr. Immediately on the look out for Coulson. She turned the corner, running into another agent.

“I’m so sorry,” the agents apologized, stepping back. “Are you— you’re Agent Rogers. You’re awake.”

“Um… yeah. Have you seen Coulson?”

“Him and Mack are on the ground, doing some work.”

“Oh, okay. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye? Why would you—“

“Come in, Zephyr One. Come in,” Director Mace called over the comms in the front control panel.

The agent rushed over. “This is Zephyr One.”

“Agent Y/N Rogers is missing. If you find her, take her into immediate custody.” The agent looked Y/N’s way.

“Please,” she whispered, “don’t… I don’t want to force you to not. Just… don’t.”

“We haven’t seen her, sir,” the agent replied to the Director. “We’ll let you know if there’s a sighting.” The agent hung up and walked towards Y/N. “I know that you don’t deserve to be in custody.”

“Thank you, Agent…”

“Johnson.” He held out his hand. “Agent Johnson.”

“Thank you Agent Johnson. Tell Coulson that I tried to say goodbye, will ya? And that I’ll reach out if I need anything.”

“Of course. Stay safe, Agent Rogers.”

Y/N nodded before stepping through a portal. Looking around, she took in her surroundings. It was a cold December evening in London, where she had placed herself. It was time for her to work on gathering her strength for the inevitable fight and for her to figure out how to tap into the Soul Stone. Y/N also knew she needed to stay on the run, the government was going to be non-stop after her, world wide. She couldn’t afford to stay in one place too long.

Y/N found a small shop where she bought a backpack and some essentials she would need for the run. She bought a train ticket to Amsterdam and immediately headed there. In her private room on the train, the news was on. She was ignoring it, simply taking in everything going past the window, until something caught her attention.

“It has been almost two months since Tony Stark announced that he was selling Avengers Tower in New York,” the news reporter stated. “So far, he’s had many bids, but has not officially closed on anything. Rumors have it is that he’s hiding rouge Avengers, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, and Wanda Maximoff in the Tower. Officials have denied it, but who can blame us for asking?”

“In other news about Tony Stark, his former girlfriend has officially been announced as a wanted fugitive of the United States government. Nothing has been heard about Avenger Y/N Rogers since the Sokovia Accords were put in place, until now. That has people wondering if Stark had been hiding her until she couldn’t take being cooped up anymore and decided to join her brother and former lover, Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier, on the run.”

“Again, most of this has not been confirmed. But one can only assume that—“

Y/N turned off the tv, unable to hear anymore. No one truly understood what had happened, nor did they really try to. With a sigh, she laid down and fell asleep.

She lived like this for the past two and a half months, constantly on the move, barely making time to even sight see. She had made her way across a majority of the Europe and Asia continents. It was lonely, but she knew it needed to be done. As much as she tried, Y/N was never able to connect with the Soul Stone. That didn’t mean she stopped trying though.

Currently, she had found her way to South Africa. She had been there longer than she had been anywhere else. Y/N was enjoying it there. She was walking the streets of a market, enjoying the smells and the food when she could sense someone following her. Turning around, trying to make it normal, she couldn’t see anyone obviously following her. Pursing her lips she turned around and headed for an alley way outside of the market. Y/N wasn’t afraid to take on whoever was following her. She was honestly a little curious as to who had tracked her down.

Turning into the alley way, she was thankful that it was empty. She didn’t need any civilians in the way. Facing away from the entry, she heard someone jump down from the building onto the ground. Using her powers, she jumped into the person’s mind, forcing them to freeze. Y/N turned around to see a person in a black suit, more specifically, a blank panther suit.

“T’Challa?” Y/N questioned. They had never really formally met, but she knew who the new King was.

“Y/N,” he greeted through the mask. “Mind letting me go?”

“Not until you tell me why you’re here? Why are you following me?”

“I made a promise.”

“To the Accords you signed?”

“To your brother.”

Y/N let her hold go. She took a step forward as T’Challa let his mask down.

“Steve. Do you know where he is?”

“I do not. But I promised that I would look for you and keep you safe. You haven’t been all that sneaky since you arrived in Africa.”

“I knew I was over staying my welcome. Thank you, T’Challa, for looking out for me. But I think I’m doing okay.”

“And I think you need to rest. Wakanda is a safe place, no one will turn you in. You can stay as long as you want.”

“I don’t know.” Y/N shook her head. “I don’t think I want to risk it.”

“I understand but, Y/N, have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? You don’t look like you’ve been taking very good care of yourself.”

“Well, not every place I find to stay at is a five star hotel.”

“You do not need to stay very long. Just get some rest and then you can be on your way.”

“T’Challa… I don’t—“

“Don’t make it seem like I’m breaking the promise I made to your brother.”

“You’re good.” She smirked, waving her finger at him. “Fine. Let’s go.”

~~~

Wakanda was more amazing than Y/N had ever imagined. She had heard that T’Challa had opened it up to the world saying that they had the technology and resources to help many. But she had struggled to believe that until Y/N saw it with her own eyes. T’Challa introduced her to the Dora Milaje, the King’s guard, and their head Okoye. Y/N was extremely impressed that the King’s guard were all women. 

Next, she was given a tour of the labs, where she met Princess Shuri and the Queen Mother Ramonda. They were both so kind and welcoming, offering to get Y/N anything she needed. T’Challa then showed her to a room.

“This room will be yours for how ever long you need,” T’Challa stated as Y/N walked around. “I will have your meals for today brought to you, so that you can get some rest. Feel free to safely explore the kingdom. You are safe here.”

That last sentence made Y/N tear up. She hadn’t felt safe is so long. “Thank you, T’Challa, for all of this.”

“Of course. Please let me know if you need anything.”

He gave a kind smile before shutting the door and heading down the hallway. Shuri was at the end to meet him.

“So…” she started, “does she know?”

“I do not believe so,” T’Challa replied, keeping his pace.

“Are you planning on telling her?”

“Not unless it comes up. She needs to be able to rest, not worry about anything else.”

“Well, do you plan on telling him that she’s here? Or the Captain?”

“For now, I do not. The Captain has enough on his plate and you continue must to work with the White Wolf and try to get him better. Do not say anything just yet. We do not know how long she plans on staying.”

“She may stay longer if she knew about him.”

“We do not know that and I do not want to test that.”

~~~

Y/N let herself enjoy a delicious meal before falling asleep. When she woke, it was night and she was now wide awake. Taking T’Challa up on his offer to explore the kingdom, Y/N changed into something warm at set out to find a way out of the palace. She was honestly grateful that it was dark and that hardly anyone was out, it let her wander without the fear of prying eyes. 

As she wandered through the fields, Y/N tried to connect with the Soul Stone. It was frustrated her to no end that she couldn’t find away to tap into those powers. She wanted to feel and interact with the souls she had lost, hoping that it might calm her guilty heart. Y/N had tried to get in contact with the Ancient One, but to avail. It was becoming clearer and clearer that the Ancient One had been right, it was up to Y/N and Y/N alone to figure out the Soul Stone.

Too deep in her mind, Y/N hadn’t realized how far away from the palace and main city she had wandered. But someone else had. He kept his distance and kept quiet, fearing that what he was seeing was an illusion. It wasn’t the first time it had happened, but this was a little too real. He was too busy staring at her to notice the branch his was about to step on.

SNAP!

Both he and Y/N froze. Their hearts started beating faster. His because he was scared that she would disappear and hers because she had just come to the realization that she was being followed. Completely on guard now, Y/N slowly turned around.

“Who’s there?” She called out. 

When she was fully turned around, she saw no one. But that was because he had laid down in the tall grass, trying to stay out of sight. Y/N could sense the person’s presence. She took a few, careful steps forward towards the person.

“I know you’re there,” she said. “No point in hiding. Just show your face and I can promise you I won’t hurt you.”

He sighed, which Y/N heard. Y/N waited with bated breath for the person following her to show their face. The grass several feet away rustled as the person pushed themselves up from the ground to stood. Y/N inhaled sharply at the silhouette in front of her. The man was bulky, clearly long hair and was missing one arm.

“Bucky?” Y/N breathed out.

“Hello, Y/N.” He responded, clearly nervous. “How are you?”

“I—I—I didn’t know… they didn’t tell me…”

“T’Challa probably didn’t tell you on purpose. How long have you been in Wakanda?”

“Not even a day.”

The two couldn’t move. Too scared to get closer to each other.

“How long have you been here?” Y/N asked.

“Since Siberia,” he answered. “T’Challa was there as well, he brought Steve and I here for safety.”

“Is… Is Steve here then?”

“No. He left after I was put back in cryo.”

“They put you back in cryo?”

“Until Shuri could find away to take HYDRA out of my head.”

“Did they…? Did they help you?”

“For the most part… we’re still working on it.”

They stared at each other, quietly, for a few long minutes.

“I’m sorry,” Y/N said, shaking her head. “I’ve got to go.”

“Please don’t.” Bucky reached out, taking a brave step forward. “At least, don’t leave Wakanda just yet. I want to… I want to see you again.”

“I… I won’t… I just… I just need to think.”

“Of course.”

Y/N opened a portal beside her, unable to take her eyes off Bucky. “Goodnight… Bucky.” She stepped through the portal, disappearing into her room.

“Goodnight, doll.”

next chapter >

NOTES: from now on the taglist when be added by a reblog. I will reblog it using my second account, @just-dreaming-marvel-2​​. Just so that my main page doesn’t get too cluttered.

If you want to be added to the tag list, please dm me or send in an ask.

[capesandshapes]

Goodbye (LoveSquare)

Summary: Marinette gives up the Miraculous box and forgets. Adrien is left behind as a result.

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

“How did I know that I’d find you here?” She said, and for a moment it was so easy to pretend that she was someone else, that he was in another time, another place in which things went right.

But he wasn’t.

And it was Rena Rouge beside him, that pitying smile on her face that she always had, her long legs covered in orange instead of red and her eyes brown instead of blue as she looked at him, a million things she wanted to say and not the time nor courage to say them.

He could only swallow, because he knew why she was there, and that he was supposed to be anywhere else.

But he couldn’t help it.

It was just like it always had been for the past year, him sitting on that rooftop, his legs hanging over the edge—so close to falling, but so far from it at the same time—and his green eyes trained forward, resting on the windows of a bakery that he had not been to in a year, on the room of a girl who he had not truly known for even a few months before he lost her. Wishing. Waiting. Wanting.

“I guess it’s better that you’re here than over there,” Rena said, slipping onto the ledge beside him, her hands braced on the cement edge as she sighed in that over-dramatic way of hers. As the Guardian of the Miraculous, she should have said more, the Order of Guardians would want her to.

But Rena was always soft on him—Alya was always soft on him.

“She still doesn’t remember,” Adrien said, pulling his knees up to his chin, watching as the girl in the window went about her day, pinning a dress into shape atop the cloth form she had only just bought.

“They said that it was unlikely that she would,” Alya reminded him. “Magic is pretty steadfast, Adrien.”

He, of all of the people, did not need to be reminded of that.

It took a long time to understand that his mother was gone.

And even longer to accept that Ladybug, as he knew her, was gone.

They had just a few months together.

“If you would only let me go over there,” Adrien began the same argument that he always made. Because he was so certain that up close, if she really looked at him, she would see him and remember. They would have back their Ladybug, they could pull her miraculous out of the box—

“Adrien, it’s better this way,” Alya reminded him, frowning as her eyes moved to look where exactly he was watching—taking in the black-haired girl that toiled over yet another design.

“For who?” He asked, but he already knew the answer.

For her.

Because the new Papillion hated her, because she targeted her, because Marinette had to give up the box—because she had to give up everything, and now she was content as Marinette.

But it was easier for Alya to think that, because she remembered her. Because Alya wasn’t so tied up in the Miraculous box that all hints of her vanished from memory, that she was demoted from a partner to this… an acquaintance.

Marinette hardly even knew Adrien’s name anymore.

“We used to dance on this rooftop,” he informed Alya, unable to even look at the place anymore. “Ladybug and I.”

“You’ve said that before.”

“I don’t want to forget it,” he informed her, because memories were fragile, fleeting things as it turned out, and they could leave you with a single beat of a moth’s wings.

“She’ll approach you someday.”

“When?”

“Soon.”

“Not soon enough,” Adrien said, and once again he had that urge to climb onto her rooftop, to knock on her trap door like the old days and wait for her to grab a blanket and sit out with him. Those days were better than nothing. Those days were better than now.

How was it that losing one person felt like losing everything? How was it that he was the only person meant to feel like that in the world?

Alya and Nino still had each other, and he?

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Alya begged, because if he did approach her, he would lose his miraculous. The Order of the Guardians practically demanded it. Over and over again, he couldn’t help but think that it would be worth it to forget as well, that Paris could be damned, and so long as he didn’t have to feel like this anymore it would be okay. But that was such a selfish and callous thought, the kind of thing that Gabriel Agreste would think of, rather than Adrien.

He wasn’t like him. He would never be like him.

So he had to sit and wait. Every single day.

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

He knew it was her when she came out with a black, Agreste-branded umbrella.

Actually, he didn’t know, he just hoped.

Because when she looked at him with those sky-blue eyes, the rainwater trickling off of her lashes—all he wanted was for her to be Marinette.

And then he said her name and it was true.

And then she whispered his and his life was complete.

A few months. Only three months of that. Of his lips on hers, of her hand fitting in between all the spaces in his—and then a new Hawk Moth, a spiteful Papillion.

And then being alone once more, the empty space beside him feeling more devastating because he knew what it was like to have it filled.

He’d find the miraculous someday and put it away, lock it deep within the box that Alya kept hidden in her room. He would never let it see the light of day, just let Nooroo out and the token he was tied to be lost to time.

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

Whenever it rained, he thought of her.

Whenever it rained, he thought of walking up to her, a new umbrella in hand, and pulling her under it, protecting her from the downpour. He thought of kissing her, like he should have done so many times before, and of her pulling away and warning him that they should get inside, then him asking why, telling the stupid joke that ‘lightning never strikes twice’.

Because the chance of her kissing him again always felt abysmal, and when she did he couldn’t help but gape.

Because now, as a year stood between them and she always acknowledged him last amongst her friends, the idea of his lips touching hers was once again an improbability.

But still, he couldn’t help but think of it, he couldn’t help but get lost in the idea. Even as the rain sank into his skin and made his t-shirt cling to his body, his eyes trained forward as his mind trailed off.

He hadn’t gotten enough sleep again, he’d been too busy watching her the night before. He’d forgotten that Marinette was some miracle of nature, that she almost never got tired.

He could barely keep his eyes open even in a torrential downpour.

“How did I know that I’d find you here?” Said a voice from above. The same song, the same dance as always.

He could only swallow.

The black shade of an umbrella eclipsed the sky over him, providing a momentary reprieve from the cold sting of rain, as a familiar pair of blue eyes looked down at him in amusement, the same as always.

The same as always.

Because he did this too often too, he sat at the bench where she could see him in the rain, waiting for her to realize that he was there. He let the rain wash away any hope of her knowing just as well as it washed away the tightness that always filled his lungs when he thought of her.

And he said goodbye, just as he always wanted to, just as he always wished that he did. She would bring the umbrella over him, he would thank her as he always did, and he would tell her goodbye.

I’ll see you again sometime soon.

God. This was insanity wasn’t it? Repeating the same action over and over again, hoping for a different outcome? But it was always the same.

And somehow it was better than sitting in his old house with his father, who was in just as bad of shape as her, and remembering when things were better all alone. That house could burn up with him inside it and he would have felt nothing, he wouldn’t have even noticed the smoke.

“Hey, are you okay?” Her voice filled his mind, and he could only close his eyes at the sound. “Adrien?”

There was a thump next to him, but he couldn’t be bothered to notice, because, today more than anything, it was too hard.

One year.

A whole year without her. A whole year like that, in that quasi friendship state, waiting for her. One year waiting at the beginning, wanting to start it all over again.

One year remembering when he told himself that he could have had his mother and her, then the crushing realization that in the end, he walked away with nothing. With a father who couldn’t even properly apologize for what he’d done, with a father who couldn’t even remember the past five years. With a dent on the side of his bed where she used to lay and talk to him, one that slowly faded away over time.

With a broken heart, one that he feared would never be repaired.

Was it stupid to cry? He couldn’t help but fear that it was, but that didn’t do much. He cried all the same, wishing that he didn’t.

And then her arms were around him, cradling him closely, and he could pretend that they meant more than they did.

“Adrien, I’m here… I’m right here…”

But you’re not, he wanted to tell her, but you never will be again.

Instead, he held her a little closer, clung desperately to her skin like he could save himself from the raging current threatening to pull him away, from the dangerous thoughts of loneliness that echoed in his mind. He wanted nothing more than to touch her, to press his lips to her forehead and know her skin once again.

But he was just Adrien, and she was Marinette—stuck in the hellish in between.

“I really did love you,” he admitted, the words tearing so softly out of him that he wasn’t sure anyone else could hear him, and her hands only tightened in response, some small part of her calling back, I really did love you too.

[sleeperswakewriting]

i just thought of a new prompt omg rivetra skating partners au??? IMAGINE THE SEXUAL TENSION??? THE SLOWBURN FROM BEING SKATING PARTNERS TO FRIENDS TO LOVERS 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

saw this tweet and imagined them sm: https://twitter.com/oyimpian/status/1383173356774699012?s=21

Omg anon, thank you for showing me this. I have 0 knowledge about figure skating but I do love watching it! I was totally listening to the Yuri on Ice soundtrack writing this. I don’t think I would be the best person to write a full fic, but I hope this 2k ficlet works! Routine and outfits based on this performance!

They had kissed more times than she could count. It had always been the same in their five years of working together--orchestrated, chaste, but just enough acting to dazzle the crowd and judges.

And tonight would be their last.

Petra tightened the laces of her figure skates, making sure not to snag the nylon of her stockings from her freshly manicured nails. She checked herself in the mirror; ginger hair locked neatly into a bun for the maneuvers they would be pulling off later, and her deep red velvet dress twirled around her hips. It was one of the most daring outfits she had ever performed in, with the back almost completely exposed and and the front neck cut a deep v-neck with the mesh layer.

She took a deep breath as memories washed over her, wondering where the time had gone. It had only seemed like just yesterday when Petra met her grumpy skating partner, Levi, and she had wanted to knock him off the ice  from their initial meeting to his brash attitude. However, they performed the tryouts at their coaches’ requests, and not only were they physically compatible, she had latched on to his crude sense of humor and found his company enjoyable.

Sure, it took them awhile, he would frequently get irritated at her when she would lose her footing or not stick a landing, and she would throw him a few choice words whenever he dropped her, which wasn’t often, but the minute his hands slipped and she came crashing down, tempers flared. They were both good at what they did, they were hand selected by the top coaches in their country, and with talent, came ego.

Unsurprisingly, their common work ethic served as a guidepost for their mutual partnership over the course of the five years they had been working together. Petra was relatively newer to the competitive figure skating scene, only doing some solo competitions but felt that she could accomplish more with a partner. Levi was in a similar boat, about to retire since he had gotten bored, but when his coach Erwin suggested a partner he said, why not?

Except it had been disastrous, with Levi mouthing off to each of his partners, and not to mention that they all commented on his height. It wasn’t a huge sore spot because he had been used to it, but the fact of the matter was, no woman wanted to be lifted by a man who was 5 inches shorter than her, so he resigned himself to retiring until Erwin suggested that he meet up with Petra Ral, a new, but talented skater who was 8 years his junior.

Not only was she shorter than him, but they were able to move in time with one another and were able to wordlessly read each other’s movements. It was an intimate type of connection, one that their mutual partners over the years had questioned time and time again, but they both reassured their partners and more importantly, themselves, that their feelings were completely platonic.

Or so had Petra thought until Levi told her that after this year, he would be retiring. He was getting older and he was looking at other career prospects, like possibly coaching, but valued their companionship over the years. He said the words with such a precise staccato that Petra even wondered if he cared at all since he took her out to dinner after practice to tell her.

It was then that her heart broke. She assumed it was just from losing her skating partner, that was a common occurrence in their field, but as the day of their last competition grew closer, Petra knew it was something more.

The way his hands pressed into her waist was no longer a section of choreography, but a gesture that made her heart flutter. His concentrated stormy look when they breathed in time with one another, preparing to execute a synchronized dance, was now filled with an electricity when their blades scraped their ice.

This routine in particular was special; it was from Moulin Rouge, one of her favorite movies and the first part of the routine was sensual and filled with lust. They had spent hours upon hours perfecting each and every single lift, and they had barely any time to see family and friends from the hours they put into their routine. Truth be told, they spent the most time with each other, and the action of hanging out after work wasn’t even strange, it was expected, as they alternated who picked the restaurant for the night.

There was a knock at the door, and Petra shouted, “Come in!” as she already knew who it was from the three steady raps.

Levi entered, looking handsome in his simple black outfit to compliment her own. He took her in and nodded appreciatively as the weight of the next hour hung heavy over them.

“You ready?” He asked, hand outstretched.

Petra smiled, used to the familiar words and routine they had as she took his hand and he led them out for their warm up lap around the rink with the other couples.

They had their routine down pat--they always kept their gazes locked on each other during warmups, not wanting to let the other couples distract them. Hands danced across each other’s bodies as muscle memory took over, going over their routine in bits and pieces and letting themselves become reacclimated to the ice for the day. Petra had often thought that she was becoming more used to skating than walking for the amount of time she spent dancing with Levi, and she flexed her back as they spun in time, hands locked onto each other.

Feeling satisfied with their warm up, they exited hand in hand to the waiting room as they were the third couple to go. It wasn’t unusual for them to be physically close during competitions, Petra was always nervous as hell, and even though Levi had a cool and fixated composure, competition day nerves also stirred inside him. Better to face them with each other, and they sat on the bench, looking absently at the TV as the announcer gave their routine opening speech.

Petra bit the corner of her lip. “Levi, I know we’ll have time for this later, but I wanted to let you know how much your partnership has meant to me over these last five years. I almost want to retire since you won’t be with me anymore,” she laughed airly, but fell silent at his narrowed gaze.

“Don’t do that, you have a whole future ahead of you,” he said in a clipped voice, eyes fixated on the television. He squeezed her hand a bit tighter as he diverted his expression to the floor. “But the same goes for you, Petra. I’ll miss you a lot.”

She nodded, feeling more reassured by his words as she moved to lean her head against his shoulder as they watched the other couples perform. They didn’t say a lot, usually keeping their opinions for post-competition hang outs and replays, but Petra didn’t know if there would be any of those anymore.

“Do you think the other couples are like us? I feel like we’re so in tune, like we get each other. Like them,” she said nodding to the current pair, “You can tell they don’t trust each other from the way her muscles are so stiff during her lifts.”

“There’s no one else like us,” Levi replied simply, raising himself from the bench to do a few stretches. Petra did the same and admired the way lean body looked in his current outfit, back sinewy and his hair gelled perfectly into place.

The speaker announced them, and Petra’s heart wrenched that that would be the last time she would hear Levi Ackerman and Petra Ral and as they moved onto the ice, holding hands, eyes locking. Petra took a deep breath, and all was lost as soon as the music started.

The routine started with her straddling him from behind, and she effortlessly jumped as he took her, arms locked at her thighs and hers around his neck. He lifted her as they danced, and she twirled, eyes fixated on him as her center as it always was. Then came the synchronized dancing and Levi’s hands were at her bare waist, hands hot and precise as they spared no moment in moving and darting between them. He lifted her again, and their foreheads touched while they circled around the rink, not caring for anyone but each other.

That was Petra’s favorite part about the way they skated together--nothing else in the world mattered besides them. She could drown out the crowd with him by her side, it was just the music, the ice, and them, moving and breathing in time. He held her from under her legs, the action sending a pleasurable shiver throughout her body despite being touched there by him thousands of times, and as she descended they locked eyes as they prepared for their next big moment.

They let go, red and black speeding and twirling around each other but not quite touching. As the music reached its crescendo, Petra leapt into the air as Levi caught her from around the waist, and they spun as each other's center of gravity. Legs wrapping around his, she straddled his waist as they leaned into each other and kissed as the music went softer and moved to a more sensual rhythm. Her hand laced through his hair, feeling his fresh undercut and inhaled his musk and their lips moved against one another, sending ripples of pleasure between them.

Breaths heavy, they released their lips as the crowd went wild, and Petra unhooked her legs as Levi took her hand and they moved in time, parallel to each other. Her heart beat fast as Levi’s lips still hung against her own, the kiss much more passionate than in their practice kisses or former routines, but tried to push it from her mind as the finale was coming up.

The music built and ended as they both stuck their landings and bowed as the crowd cheered. Petra was crying, just realizing the magnitude of their last competition as she saw her face on the large screen and Levi sped over to her, taking her hand, his eyes also filled with moisture as he kissed her cheek and led them away to watch for their scores.

It always took a few minutes for the judges to get the scores together, and before Petra could say anything, Levi moved her against their locker and pulled her in for a searing kiss. Legs weak from their routine and the adrenaline, her knees wobbled and he caught her, hands at her waist as he brushed his tongue against hers, deepening the kiss as she returned it with fervor.

Breaths heavy, Levi pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m not imagining things, right? This kiss was different.”

Petra smiled between tears as she nodded, threading her fingers through his hair as she continued kissing him the way she had wanted to for the past five years.

“Hey guys, what are you doing? They’re just about to announce the scores--” Erwin walked in and smirked at the partners as they held each other, but broke apart as they heard Erwin’s voice.

Both blushing from being caught, Levi held Petra’s waist as he guided them back outside, neither caring too much about their scores since they both had won the biggest prize that night.

[rostovs-lover]

settle

din djarin x reader | a bounty, smooching, way too much flowery language| gender neutral | fluff | wc.1594

this is all flowery writing and i still haven’t watched the second season, so. also, researching for this somehow led me to a 2017 1D gangbang fic on ao3 so that-

hey hey, if you want some requests, i’d love some first kiss fluff with Mando??? however you want to handle the mask thing go for it, i just need some tlc from Din 🥺 if you wanna of course

despite how connected you are to each other, you and Din have only limited yourselves to mere hand touches. but he’s in love and it needs to come out.

     The Razor Crest shifted in the air, shaking the bundle of flower against the windshield. They had been picked in a small village, temporary lodging for you and the Child while Din tracked a smuggler from several planets over. It was calm and lush and green and you had been thrilled to present your companion with the little purple bouquet. It wasn’t much, small, half wilted, and tied off with a thin piece of sewing string from your pack but he’d taken it gently in his hands and vowed to put it somewhere he’d always see it. To always have a reminder of you.

     When all was said and done, the bounty caught, and you’d found your way back into the ship something had seemed different, more domestic. Floating around in an endless expanse of darkness, just talking. It was so simple, so innocent. Din wasn’t accustomed to the gentleness of domesticity, with his legs stretched out onto the dash and your soft presence floating around the cabin. He sat, still and quietly, listening to your voice, absolutely entranced. He had lived years, decades, on his lonesome, lone bandit doing as he pleased with a lack of regard to anything else. He could go and do terribly risky things. He could almost get himself killed and then thrive off of the adrenaline of living and no one would say a thing. But then there was a child, something small and fragile. He had a life in his grasp, something that would only flourish if he fed and watered it and gave it the right amount of love and sunlight. One lapse of judgement and suddenly the entirety of the universe rested right against his cold leather gloves. Gloves that did unimaginable things, cruel and incredible things. They smelled of blaster residue and guilt, payment for taken lives. He was ruthless until he wasn’t. Until he found a baby, alone, and saw a mirror, saw himself. It had softened him, reduced him to positively nothing.

     The child was all he vowed to have, the only thing he would allow himself to love. And Din refused to believe he could open himself to anyone else, refused to let himself have anything else that could hinder him. But Maker, if the body really was made of stardust then a constellation had to give up two pieces of itself for the both of you to be here, together, perfectly aligned. He had surrendered himself entirely at your first words to him, fallen to his knees instead of replying and from that moment forwards Din Djarin, the feared bounty hunter in all his hard, hand-forged armour, had belonged to you. His soul melded into you.

     The term “soulmate” was to be used lightly, and as much as he’d thrown the possibility around it wasn’t plausible. Impossible even, that you could be soulmates. Twin flames were more akin to what he felt you were. After one night in a murky inn, it seemed the feeling was mutual. As you’d pressed your hand to his, bare, ungloved, the only part of him you’d allowed yourself to touch. But it had been everything to him. Din had yearned for contact, and when the warmth from your palm bled into his something burned all through him and it still hadn’t left. You hadn’t left, you had burrowed yourself into his heart.

     Din sat back in the pilot seat of the Razor Crest, feet propped against the dash. You were talking about a book you’d picked up in the village. It was on botany and certain botanical environments in different parts of the galaxy. You’d known most everything in the book already but it was still interesting and it contained a new tincture. It had also aided in putting the Child to sleep on several restless night. A habit he’d picked up since you’d been the one to put him to bed, only going down with a story, regardless of what it was you were reading. It was something so sweetly domestic, pure and untouched by anything happening through the galaxy.

     Din’s life, from an impressionable age, had controlled by a creed. He had grown up loved and cared for but not with parents, he hadn’t ever had a textbook definition family. And in his line of work he couldn’t afford to be familial, let alone paternal. The child was accidental, at best. A cruel twist of fate had put them in the same path, The Child who owed his life for merely existing and Din, who was so feared that sometimes, the terror seeped into his own conscious. But you. You made him want to give up all the violence. He was willing to set his blaster down and never pick it back up. He would shed his brutality, pull himself from a rouge nomadic life if only for a moment more of this life. To be in love, to have a child, to nurture a family for himself. He wanted, so desperately, to have and to hold. He had also never divulged any of this to you.

     “Its late-” You paused to look into the dark space outside of the ship, “In theory. We’ve been awake for a while is more accurate,”

     “You can go to bed, I’ll manage with the kid.”

     “We have Din, you’ve kidnapped someone since you slept last,”

     Din scoffed, “Kidnapped is a little bit heavy, also incredibly incorrect. I do not kidnap, I get paid for what I do.”

     “Kidnappers get paid, I think that's the point?” You pushed yourself out of the chair, “Are you coming?”

     Din looked back to the console, “Fine, let me just put in the coordinates then I’ll be down, okay?”

     You nodded, “Make sure not to get us lost.” You gathered your book and the blanket thrown over the headrest of The Child’s seat before opening the doors to the hallway.

     You were settled into bed, pajamas on, afghan wrapped around your shoulders, and book in your clutch, when Din came down the ladder. He shuffled through the room, setting things in their rightful place, blaster under the bed, gloves on the nigh table.

     “I’m turning the lights off, is that okay?”

     You nodded, “Yes, yeah I’m done with this chapter.” You dogeared the page as the room was cast into darkness. The thick quilt on the bed was pushed back and the mattress sunk under his weight. There was a quiet shuffle as he removed his gloves, his helmet, and the rest of his heavy armor.

     He was warm, it seemed to radiate from him. Even as he lay a lifetime away from you, only touching hands. It was pitch black and his fingers intertwined with yours.

     “Did you see much of the village when we stopped?” You asked quietly, playing with his fingers.

     “Enough.”

     “What does that mean? Enough,”

     “I saw enough of it, it was nice, lots of farmland. Did you like it?”

     You nodded, moving to run your fingers over the palm of his hand. Despite how rough his line of work was Din’s hands were soft, all the years spent under thick leather gloves, “It was stunning, the baby liked it too. He really likes playing with other kids, he’s good at making friends.”

     “Do you think he gets lonely?” You felt the tips of Din’s fingers shyly prod at the delicate skin on your wrist. The excitement that bubbled into your lungs seemed almost pathetic, like a schoolgirl holding hands with her crush for the very first time. But you’d never had his bare hands anywhere but your own and now he was moving up your arm.

     “No, he seems content here, with us.”

His fingers were at the crook of your elbow now, pressing into the soft flesh and he almost seemed to tug at you, tug you closer, and you gave. His voice had quieted to accommodate the closed distance, “Friends couldn’t… hurt? Other kids to be around for more than just a couple of days.”

     You let one of your fingertips start to dance up his bicep, “What exactly are you insinuating Mando?”

     “It would be nice to settle in,” He gingerly settled his hand against the curve of your neck.

     Your heart raced and you crooned into him, a soft shudder rolling through your shoulder, “Settle in?”

     He carefully pushed a piece of hair from your eyes, “To be somewhere, permanently maybe,”

     “Like to have a home, you mean?” You reached to hold the back of his hand against your cheek.

     “Yes… maybe. Not necessarily, I mean not if you didn’t want to. Not… you but just in general.” He paused, thumbing at your cheek, “Yes you, if you wanted.”

      “Din,” You murmured, reaching into the dark for him.

     He caught your wrist, “I’m here. Right here.” And it was very quiet, practically silent besides the soft whirring of the engine. The air changed as he leaned closer, hair brushing against your jaw, “Is this okay?”

     “Its perfect,” You whispered back up to him.

     Slowly, very slowly, he pressed his mouth to yours. The stubble dusted against his jaw scratched your cheek as he tilted his head. His breath, softly flitting against your skin was warm and the hands your face made you feel safe, grounded. He smelled like leather and sweat and the freshly laundered shirt he wore. Din was home. He was soothing and familiar and home. Absolutely perfect. Absolutely wonderful.

     Pulling back slowly you looked up to where you assumed he was, “Din, where exactly would we be settling in?”

[boldlyanxious]

Remember when 23

Call me Maybe

Remember when masterlist

All fic masterlist

Tim almost dropped his phone in his hurry to answer. He didn't expect his phone to make a sound again until he changed the settings back but the picture of Marinette flashed on the screen with her name at the incoming call. He was feeling a bit breathless after the excitement of trying to keep hold of his phone and also because she was calling him. He tried to keep his voice even when he answered anyway.

"Hello?" He waited for a response but she didn't respond. He assumed she had to bully herself into calling a bit so he kept his voice calm so she wouldn't hang up.

"Hello… are you there?" He waited again before softly saying, "Please talk to me Marinette."

That was his first clue that something was wrong. There was no response on the line but he could hear someone talking near the phone.

"Well isn't that something, Marinette? Clearly you are hiding something if you aren't even giving out the right name."

The sudden silence signaled that the call had ended. A feeling of cold horror tightened painfully in his stomach. He suspected things were going very bad for her and that he had just managed to make them far worse.

---

Barb was surprised to see Bruce in the cave when she entered. It was just as well though. They would need everyone for this. He didn't even notice her until she spoke. He looked like he had been there quite a while based on his posture and discarded plate and mug. She felt a bit bad that he felt the need to hide in his own house. She decided to just skip right over the awkward and get straight to the mission.

"Everyone is coming now to suit up," she said. "Looks like it might be a long night. Alfred is bringing tea and coffee."

He faltered for a moment. He was surprised she was talking to him. Especially after he had spent the last few hours reading all the information Tim had compiled about Rouge Gorge aside from their interactions with her. She hadn never gotten much news coverage because her saves were rather small in comparison to the Rogues or the organized crime that the bats usually dealt with.

Tim had talked to the criminals and the victims of hundreds of crimes where the response was always that she was dedicated and focused. She was friendly, efficient and never used unnecessary force. Some of the reports went back even further than when she had caught Red Robin on the rooftop and definitely before they knew anything about the new drug. He pulled away from the computer, not quite getting the folder closed before she saw it. She raised an eyebrow at him questioningly but he pretended not to notice.

"What do we know?" he asked, avoiding the awkwardness for now.

"It appears to be a coordinated attack on the drug ring. Reports indicate even more locations are being attacked than we have information on."

She pulled up a map to display as others started arriving. Bruce stepped away to suit up. Robin was already there and Black Bat. Dick and Steph came down but she said that Hood would join them out there along with Arsenal. No one had heard from Tim since Barb had left his place.

"Who is leading the attack? Who even had that kind of resources?" Dick asked.

"It seems to be mostly coming from Falcone, probably for revenge. They are being joined by other gangs to fight for the right for territory and distribution," Barb said.

"Splitting the distribution among several gangs could limit the spread of the drug. Especially if we can interrupt the process," Steph said.

"It's too early to know for sure, but I think Penguin is using the chaos to make a move. It looks like he is banding gangs together for greater force. Whether he is doing this with Falcone or as a counter move is unknown." Barb said.

"Let's see what we can find out tonight." Batman said, moving toward the exit.

---

She was surprised to be pushed down onto a cushioned surface before the cloth was removed from her eyes. The drive had been short and silent before they moved her in. She looked around the room from the old couch she was sitting on. She wasn't surprised at all to see the drug dealer from the party in front of her. Lt. Howard Branden, if she was remembering the information from the meeting she ran from before her disappearance a few months ago.

There was no sign of the other 2 he had been working with before but the group was exactly who Batman promised to turn her over to if she didn't give him more information. She knew that Batman sometimes worked with the police and Branden was, or maybe had been, a police officer with the SWAT team. She didn’t pretend to know how any of that could work but it did seem like a possible connection.

She was surprised to see the guy she had met at the party who had tried to use her for free drugs. He looked like he was currently on drugs but was seemingly willing enough to be there that he wasn't bound in any way. The leader was already looking through her phone and she could see another trying to get into her laptop. She basically had no information on her phone. It was as low tech as she could manage to find. She could see some device attached that would probably get past her 4 digit PIN. She knew it wasn't very secure but it was a burner phone with 3 saved numbers and no names. She tended to reset it frequently.

"Work, T and A. Sounds like you know what you want out of life. But look at that history. No calls in days."

Marinette shifted herself but didn't try to talk through the gag. She just watched him and hoped she could find a way out of this as he continued.

"You friend, Dustin, here told me all he knew about you but it doesn't seem like anyone knows very much. He couldn’t even get much from his friend who works with you. Apparently no one knows much about you.”

He removed the gag. But she said nothing.

"Who are you?"

"Meg," she said, offering only information he already had.

He stepped closer.

"Why is that the only information anyone knows about you, Meg?"

"I'm a private person."

"Hmm. So who is this ex in your phone. You don’t even have a name in there. I thought he had broken up with you but based on your messages you dumped him."

She looked away rather than answering.

"He wanted you to call back. Shall we try it?"

She tried to jump up and stop him when he pushed the call button but one of the henchmen blocked her. She could hear the ringing tone and then heard Tim answer. Her mouth was covered again so she couldn't call out to him but she could hear him still trying to get a response. His third try to get her to talk he gave the only clue the man before her needed.

"Well isn't that something? He called you Marinette. Clearly you are hiding something if you aren't even giving out the right name."

He hung up the phone and set it down while watching her. The man preventing her from talking removed his hand and pushed her so she fell back onto the couch.

"What does it matter to you?" she asked.

"He is like really into you," Dustin said. "He found me after that party and asked me to help him find out more about you."

"That's it. I'm interested to know all about you. Do you ever get dressed up and go out?"

"You had men kidnap me for a date?"

Marinette was fairly certain he meant something else by his question but she was certainly not going to just follow where he wanted to lead her. Batman may have told him who she was but he had nothing if she didn't confirm it and he couldn't prove anything. Even breaking into her electronics couldn't get him that information. Without finding the magical box they would have no evidence. All her non-magical equipment burned in the fire.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by movement from the henchmen. He went up to talk to the man. They spoke in low voices for a few minutes and she had a bad feeling about whatever was being discussed. After a few minutes all the others left the room. They took her phone and laptop and one of them guided a stumbling Dustin away with them. When he caught her gaze he walked closer to her. She fought to keep her breaths even but he sat directly in front of her refusing to look away.

Tags

Next

@silverwhiteraven | @ira-sairain | @iloveitwhen | @wannajointhecrabcult | @toodaloo-kangaroo | @ertyzeta | @no-username2544 | @mystery-5-5 | @laurcad123 | @jiso-lee | @razzledazzle247 | @kaithehero | @diamondjewel123 | @comet-kun | @junarvion | @roselynfey | @moongoddesskiana | @cresentmo0n | @2confused-2doanything | @officiallydarkgeek | @athena452 | @nach0 | @ladybug-182 | @ladylb | @redscarlet95 | @bigpicklebananatree | @swiftie-miraculer13 | @kokotaru | @damnaged-princess | @i-wanna-be-a-ninja | @velvetterabby | @deepestobservationwombat | @nathleigh | @trippingovermyfeet | @kking13 | @dast218 | @too0bsessedformyowngood | @user00000003 | @roguishredaxion | @enternalempires | @faunrasthewinterelf | @miraculouspenta | @maskedpainter | @jalaluvsu | @ichigorose | @theymakeupfairies | @emjrabbitwolf | @vixen-uchiha

I feel like a lot more of the tags didn't want to work today so if you didn't get tagged but expected to be give me any secrets you know because I'm bad at this

[karama9]

Mini Fic time

Or "not so much a theory as something I find entertaining to think about, in prose". Follows Rocketear so spoilers ahead! Hurt Comfort fic, but before you get any idea, in a strictly emotional sense.

Long post, so story under the read more.

Despite Plagg's attempt at soothing him, Adrien could not shake off the day's events.

It was bad enough that he'd found out who Rena Rouge and Carapace were from someone else than Ladybug, even if it was from Carapace himself.

It was bad enough that he'd found out THEY were allowed to know each other's identities. Nino associated it with the fact they shared everything... was he right? Was it because they were close that Ladybug had been ok with that? Weren't he and Ladybug close enough for that too? Sure they weren't a couple, as much as he wished they were, but there are other kinds of closeness.

But when he paired it with Nino's assessment that Ladybug found Cat Noir annoying... when he thought about the fact Nino's assessment was from time Carapace spent with the two of them and probably also reflected his own feelings...

It hurt.

He was not new to pain... a lot of things that happened in his civilian life hurt, in fact heartache was pretty much the norm since his mother had gone, broken only by bright moments with friends, which were few and far between as Adrien but had been more recently mercifully combined with outright glee when he was Cat Noir. Cat Noir was freedom and fun, but he was also one of an indestrutible pair and sometimes, one of a fantastic team. And above all that, Cat Noir was Ladybug's partner, and being Cat Noir meant being with her. For as long as he could remember, that had been the best part of being Cat Noir.

Knowing she found him annoying, as apparently was obvious to anyone but himself, was heartbreaking. He knew she didn't always enjoy his jokes, but it was usually the timing she didn't like. She'd tell him to be serious because she needed him to be at that moment, not because she generally disliked him. Or so he had thought until today.

Even with Rena Rouge being called upon more often and sometimes appearing to know more than he did, sometimes DEFINITELY knowing more than he did to the point that the two girls would make action plans that didn't include him at all... he had been annoyed, angry even, but he had still convinced himself that Ladybug valued him and that times where he couldn't help were isolated incidents that couldn't be avoided. He still didn't like it, and he had intended to have a talk with Ladybug about it because it was starting to feel like back when Master Fu only communicated with her and he couldn't stand the thought of his Lady distancing herself from him that much. But that was what that issue had been in his head... something to talk over with Ladybug so it could be fixed.

After today, he saw it all in a new light. His relationship with Ladybug wasn't going to be fixed by complaining to her because what he saw now was simply the result of Ladybug having the luxury of relying on others more now. The annoying Cat Noir didn't have to always be the one by her side now, the team could be bigger and well, not everyone on a big team is needed all the time, right? So he could be sidelined and she could get a break now and again, she didn't have to put up with him all the time.

His throat tightened and he felt tears flooding his eyes at the thought. He had tried to move on from Ladybug. He had even loved Kagami, but it hadn't worked out because he had to lie to her all the time. Except maybe he hadn't HAD to? Alya and Nino had been excused from that. Either way, it hadn't worked out and to his surprise, what had upset him the most had been that Kagami was hurt, not the fact he was losing her. He'd quickly realized that he was still in love with Ladybug, regardless of any feeling he'd had for Kagami as well.

That love being unrequited at the moment was not great, but at least he'd had Ladybug's friendship. She still loved him, cared for him... and that was good enough. Romance would have been nice, but what was there was still wonderful.

And it hadn't been there at all. He'd been deluding himself. They were partners, yes. But Ladybug was just dealing with an annoying partner very professionally. He was just a nuisance that made being a super hero that much less fun for her, something she just had to put up with.

He started sobbing, staying as silent as possible not to be heard by anyone, and ignored all of Plagg's attempts at comforting him with cheese nonsense. He eventually fell into an uneasy sleep and when he woke up, he wanted nothing more than a friendly face.

Nino was out. Adrien realized that Nino had been speaking out of anger and was a genuine friend, but right now Adrien couldn't even look at him without hearing that Ladybug found him annoying again. He stayed outside of the class, avoiding his best friend and everyone else in there he didn't want to see, from Lila to Chloe and even Alya. Alya was Rena Rouge, she was the one allowing Ladybug to take breaks from having to deal with her nuisance of a partner Cat Noir... he supposed he should be grateful on his Lady's behalf but he couldn't quite manage it.

Marinette came running down the hall towards class, last one here as usual, and Adrien's eyes widened even as his mouth automatically lost its pout to form a smile. At this moment, Marinette was nothing short of a lifeline. He waved at her, trying to think of an excuse, when she tripped and fell flat on her face.

He rushed towards her but she was already jumping back to her feet, stammering that she was fine. Reassuring as it was, Adrien wasn't about to lose such a great opportunity to spend a few more minutes with her and away from class.

"I don't know, Marinette, that really looked like a bad fall. Let me walk you to the nurse's office. Please?"

Marinette turned bright red but mercifully nodded. Adrien grabbed her arm and 'accidentally' turned the wrong way. The building was a square, but the nurse's office was much closer if you went in the direction opposite the one he had taken.

"Er..." Marinette said.

"I actually really need to talk to you," Adrien admitted.

Marinette stopped walking. He turned and was faced with a worried expression on Marinette's face.

"You do? What's wrong? Are you ok?"

He automatically started to say yes but his voice caught and nothing came out but an undefined strangled sound.

Marinette's eyes widened. "You're not!" she said, a note of panic in her voice. She had a quick look around and her features morphed into a determined expression that was so much like Ladybug's it was downright eerie. "Forget the nurse's office, come with me!"

And suddenly, she was dragging him along. They ended up in the deserted art room. She closed the door and turned to him, her expression once more nothing but concern.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

For a second, he thought he wouldn't be able to say anything for not knowing where to start and how to not give away his secret identity, and then everything came flooding out in a blur. By the time he was fully aware again, his cheeks were wet, his chest was aching and he was in Marinette's arms.

His eyes widened and he tried to push himself away, embarassed and horrified at having dumped everything on her, along with hysterical crying by the feels of it, and had he told her he was Cat Noir? He wasn't even sure.

She tightened her grip and he noticed it had already been rather tight. He managed to pull his head away to look at her face and mentally kicked himself: he'd made her cry too.

"Marinette... I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I don't even know what I said but..."

She swallowed and when she answered, her voice was far calmer than he would have expected.

"You said you were only ever happy when you're Cat Noir because even though you wish she was more, you're still happy to be with Ladybug as a friend and partner, but now you think she hates you because you keep being left out and you found out Rena Rouge and Carapace can share their identities with each other even though she won't share hers with you, and now you think she finds you annoying so you're heartbroken and you think it may be best for everyone for you to give up your miraculous."

Adrien's eyes widened. He'd broken the secret, he'd told her everything, even about Nino and her best friend Alya. He groaned. "At least now Ladybug has a good reason to hate me."

Marinette tensed again. She took a deep breath and then pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes.

"No," she said firmly. She finished pulling away and opened her purse. She nodded at the content and before Adrien could even begin to guess what that was about, Tikki peeked out, not looking either of them in the eye.

"This was MY fault," Marinette whispered, "not yours. I can't believe I hurt you t his much, and I never even would have known if..." she shook her head. "You said my name, Marinette that is, a few times, so it's best I don't transform. You should, though: nothing you said identified you as Adrien so your identity will still be safe if someone comes in or sees us leave. Thankfully you didn't blurt out anyone's civilian names, not even Rena or Carapace's, you were much more careful about talking in tongues whenever you were talking about them. You're a great friend even when you don't know what you're saying."

Adrien barely registered the words, staring at Tikki. He tore his eyes away from the kwami to look at Marinette. More than anything else, she looked sad. She started talking again as soon as she had his attention.

"We'll talk more later but this can't wait," she said, still whispering, "I do NOT find you annoying. Your friend was angry, and he was wrong. Adrien... Cat Noir... I love and appreciate you SO much. I'm sorry I so completely failed to show that lately, and I'm sorry I left you out. I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry, I didn't even notice and it happened more than once. I'm sorry. You're my friend, not just my partner, and I never, EVER want to lose you. That's never changed and it never will."

Adrien was reeling. Ladybug. Marinette was Ladybug. He'd been crying in Ladybug's arms. And she didn't hate him at all, and she was sorry.

"Why did you let them know each other?" he said, clinging madly to something that hadn't dramatically changed in his head in the past two minutes. "Why was it okay for them but not for us?"

"I'm worried about being interrupted," she whispered, her tone business-like. "There's a really good chance some people heard you, they need to think it was Cat Noir talking to me. I'll deal with people wondering why he would, but you need to transform."

"Wait," he said, an important fact suddenly dawning on him. "You had a crush on me at one point!"

"Kitty..."

"Right. Plagg," he whispered, "claws out."

Marinette sighed in relief. The timing was spot on, they heard voices coming down the hall, with Alya's ringing over the others trying to steer them away by saying that Cat Noir deserved some privacy if he wanted it. It was to no avail, the door burst open to several students staring at Cat Noir and Marinette.

He hurriedly got up.

"Oops, looks like my rehearsal was overheard! Sorry about the disruption, everyone! What did you think, Miss Dupain-Cheng? Was I convincing?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.

She giggled. "Not bad," she teased. "Kind of too hammy, as you might have guessed from how I was crying laughing, but I think you'll be alright if we practice tonight. "I will await you on my balcony, Sir Cat!"

Cat Noir chuckled and nodded, understanding the rendez-vous as real even if the reason was a lie. He bowed to the gaping students and jumped out the window, bounding away.

He still needed a long talk with Ladybug, but the pain of the last 24 hours felt like a dim memory. He knew for a fact that they'd work it out, because that's what friends and partners did, and above all else, he knew one thing beyond all doubt: Marinette was his friend.

[wishingtobeinadifferentuniverse]

Volunteer Part 2 (Pre-Serum Steve x Fem!Reader)

PART 1                         MASTERLIST

Word count: 3075 (yes it is much longer than the first part but idc)

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, fluff

Summary: Read part 1 if you haven't, now it is time for that date he promised hehe

I checked the clock. Damn, already 7:00.

"Dr. Erskine," I called, "I have finished all my work for the night. Am I good to go?"

He looked up distractedly, running through some calculations. "Yes, dear, have fun with that Rogers boy," he said in his thick accent.

I grabbed my coat and bag, yelling back, "He's not a boy, he is a man."

I heard him chuckling as the door swung shut. I walked down many hallways and once I reached the front I nodded to the secretary, and she handed me the keys to the locker room.

"Here ya go sweet, have fun on that hot date! The Lord knows you need to get out sometime," She said jokingly. I laughed, feeling surprisingly nervous about this. Nervous, but excited.

I unlocked the locker door and threw my bag on the floor. I was going to be late if I did not hurry. I pulled out my dress and quickly took off my skirt and blouse. I stepped into it, pulling it up all the way to my shoulders, it was a bit of a splurge but it was worth it, I could tell. It was a halter-style neckline, with periwinkle gauze wrapping around the neck, and it came down just past my knees. It complimented my skin very nicely and was perfect for dancing.

I ran back out to the lobby, and Darlene, the secretary gasped in surprise. "Holy mackerel, don't you look ready to cut a rug!" I turned around and she helped me zip up the dress. "Make sure to show me the final look, I might stick around a bit longer just to see it!"

I smiled back, "Oh you might just faint when you see what I have put together!"

I ran back into the locker room, pulling my makeup out of my bag. I rarely used it, but it was a rare occasion. I did not need to do my hair, just taking out a couple of pins to let it loose, rolling down to my shoulders. Then I grabbed my powder from out of my bag. I did not like to use the foundation there was available, and besides, it was far too expensive, especially during this time. I brushed the slightest hint of brown over my eyelid, pressing it down with my finger. Now onto the eyebrows. I screwed the top off of my vaseline, and with a small brush, combed it out to make it neater. I plucked a couple of hairs, just to make it smooth. I put a bit of mascara on, running all the clumps out with a brush. Then some of my favorite rouge that I wore quite often, brushing it on to the apples of my cheeks. Lastly, my red lipstick. I swiped it on, smudging it out just a little bit. I looked in the mirror, making sure everything looked fine. Lastly, I grabbed my clutch. I had already packed it with everything I needed, and I shoved my bag in my locker. I could pick it up tomorrow.

I walked out into the lobby at 7:55, dressed to the nines and ready to dance. Darlene was still at her desk, but this time she was on the phone.

"Yes dear, you can go out, but don't get mixed up with a doll dizzy or a swigger, be a good girl, okay bye," She hung up the phone, looking at me. "Sorry dear, that's just the daughter. Now, don't you look killer diller! That boy that's taking you better grandstand you around!"

I smiled nervously. "Man, actually. And thank you, Darlene, I appreciate it. Now tell me, how do you calm the jitters, because I am shaking like a leaf!"

Darlene laughed. "Oh dear, well there never is any surefire way is there. I don't think you have any reason to be nervous, you look like a doll, and that man will be dumbstruck. Just enjoy yourself while you're still this young."

I grinned, and then the clock struck 8:00. "Well, I better go, thank you for the help, Darlene!"

As I opened the door, she called back, "Of course dear, now have a nice night!"

It was a bit cold outside, especially for a spring night. But it felt nice. And then turning around a corner, was Steve, along with one of his friends who had brought a girl along. They were linked, arm in arm and Steve was standing awkwardly next to them as if he was unsure of what to do. I waved over at them and his face lit up. I began to walk towards them, and the introductions began.

"Hello," I politely greeted the other two, "I'm y/n."

"So I've heard," the other soldier said, giving a not so sly wink at Steve. He seemed very confident. "I'm James, but call me Bucky, and this is Betty here." The girl wrapped in his arms smiled and waved. "So you're a fan of the 51 club huh?" Bucky asked.

"Oh yes," I replied, "I went there once with a group of girls, it was quite fun."

"Well, let's get out of this cold and head to it!" Bucky said loudly. Yep, definitely a cocky soldier. Bucky and Betty started walking ahead of us, leaving Steve and me alone. His cheeks were quite red, and I figured he had never been on a date before.

He cleared his throat. "You look very nice," He said nervously.

"Why thank you, Steve," I replied, and deciding to be a bit confident, linked my arm with his. "Now tell me about yourself." And so he did. The walk was only about 15 minutes, but I could tell he was much calmer once we reached it. He told me stories of his childhood, how close he and Bucky were, why he wanted to join the military. His eyes lit up when he talked about it, making me happy to see him this way. It was very different from the pale, shaking, small man in the clinic.

The sign was lit up, and the windows lights were glowing, showcasing the happy people dancing inside. What a place this was. The bubbling of the crowd swelling and waning. Many of the men were in their uniforms. This was a hotspot of activity, and it was sure to be a good time. Steve began to shrink a bit from my side at the crowd, but I pulled him back.

"Didn't you promise me a dance?" I said jokingly, closing the gap between us. He gulped, looking nervous, but with a hint of a smile on his face. He carefully placed his hand on my waist, and another in my hand. I let him lead me to the dance floor, but he stopped short a bit.

"Would this be the worst time to tell you that I'm not the best dancer?" Steve said, fully smiling this time.

I scoffed. "Well, there's always a time for something new!" So I took the lead, showing him through a couple of easier steps. Luckily he got the hang of it fairly quick, only stepping on my feet a couple of times. The music got livelier, and the dancing got faster. We were spinning around the dance floor, everything else was a blur but him and me. He was glowing, looking the healthiest I had ever seen him, and it suited him well. The song ended, and we were laughing, actually laughing.

"Well Mr. Rogers, I'd say you did very good." I congratulated him, surprised at how quickly he was learning.

He looked down bashfully. "Well, I had a good teacher." He looked back up at me with a surprising intensity in his eyes. "Would you like to get a drink?"

I nodded, and he grabbed my hand, heading towards the bar. We got some drinks, danced some more, and had a good time. After a couple of dances, my feet grew tired, especially since I had a long day at work. Steve could tell.

"How about we sit down for a bit," he suggested. I agreed quickly and we found a table in the back corner, farther away from the crowd. I could start to feel some of the drinks kicking in.

"So we've talked about me, now what about you? How long have you lived here?" This took me a bit aback, most of my few dates always talked about themselves and their accomplishments, and never mine.

"Oh, I grew up in this sort of area, and I went to school to become a doctor. My parents helped me a lot of the way through it, so I would not even be here tonight on this lovely date with you if it weren't for them. They moved away once I had gotten this job with Dr. Erskine, so now I live alone. But it is still fun, Dr. Erskine is a great mentor." I babbled on and on, about what it was like to work there, what my hobbies were, who my favorite sports teams were. And he just sat there, eagerly listening. He wanted to hear what I was talking about, and he was genuinely interested. We had fierce debates and deep conversations. I didn't realize how late it was getting until Bucky walked over to us.

"C'mon lovebirds, it's time to go. It's already almost midnight." He strolled back to his date, but turned back to us and lifted his hat. Steve and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Is he always like that?" I said, clutching my sides.

Steve had a twinkle in his eye. "Oh, like the whole I am a soldier woopity-doo." He imitated his voice very well, and then deepening it said, "Well m'lady, we should probably get out of here." He bowed and offered a hand, making me giggle. He escorted me out just as they began dimming the lights. There was barely anyone left.

"Wait," I said to Steve, pulling him back to the dance floor. "One last dance? I know that this is your last night here." He smiled and nodded. A slow song came on and he pulled me close, closer than before. (A/N for this moment let's just make Steve taller even though he is short, just pretend) I rested my head on his chest as we swayed back and forth to the music. We just let the music play, in each other's arms. It felt like heaven. All too soon the music ended, making us stop.

"How did you know this was my last day," He whispered, leading me outside.

I smiled. "It was on your files you goof. Remember, I was there when you got recruited."

Steve flushed a bit but stayed quiet. "May I walk you home?" he asked politely.

I nodded, suddenly a bit shy. The wind kicked up again, brushing softly against our legs. I shivered, from the cold, I could not tell.

"Steve, where do you live?" I blurted out, not really thinking about how that sounded.

He looked at me with a mixture of shock and amusement. "I'm sorry?" he said.

"Oh, oh that did not sound the way I meant. I mean, how far is your place from mine? I would hate for you to walk far and catch a cold in this wind." I stuttered, a bit embarrassed.

He scratched the back of his head, smiling at me. "Well, y/n, I live at 569 Leaman Place, in Brooklyn."

I stopped, turning to look at him. "Steven Grant Rogers, you did not tell me that you live so far away. It will take you a while to get home!"

He looked amused at my outburst. "First off, how did you know my full name, and also, I will be fine, I always turn out okay."

I huffed. "Okay, fine. We'll do it this way. First off, the FILES, remember. And second off, no, you won't be fine. This is your last day here and I will not let you get a cold."

By now, we had already reached my apartment, but still, our bickering continued.

"Well then what would you propose?" Steve said exasperatedly, feigning annoyance.

"Well," I said. "I have an idea. You won't think it proper, but I don't care. Come inside, let's get warm."

I unlocked my door and motioned for him to come in. He looked slightly dumbstruck, probably not expecting me to invite him in. It was nice and toasty, and I already felt much better than I did out in the wind. I could tell Steve did too, he had more color in his face, and his breathing was not as labored.

"Here's what I'm thinking. You spend the night here and leave early in the morning so that you don't miss the timing. How does that sound?" I questioned. I know it seemed wrong to let him stay here, especially since we had only been on one date. But I trusted him.

"Hmm, I don't know. Buck might be worried if I don't show up at home. And I would never want to impose. This is a kind offer, but it is too much." I started to protest, but he said, "This is very sweet of you y/n. But I don't think I will."

He started to grab his coat, but I stopped him. "Steve," I said softly, "Please stay. I don't want to seem so forward, but please stay with me." He looked astonished, clearly not expecting this from me. He pulled me into a hug, the softest, warmest hug, and groaned.

"Ugh, fine I'll stay," he spoke in a joking manner, making me giggle. But then he looked me in the eyes with that same intensity I saw earlier. My heart started racing, and I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. Yeah, I could definitely feel the drinks. He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine, slowly, softly. And then he pulled back suddenly, his eyes wide.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, please forgive me, I've never done that before, I'm sorry," he kept on repeating. I rolled my eyes, pulling him back into a kiss to get him to stop talking. This one lasted a bit longer, and he melted into the kiss. His hands hesitantly touched the nape of my neck, the other one reaching the small of my back. He pulled me a bit closer in the embrace and slightly deepened the kiss. I giggled, and he pulled back again, but this time with a dazed look. I brought my hand to his cheek, and he leaned into it, still with cloudy eyes. He blinked, looking back at me.

"Woah," He said, "Is it always like this?"

I laughed louder this time, still wrapped in his arms. "Well, I wouldn't know. But no, I don't think it is." He took my hand off of his cheek and put it against his lips, pressing a light kiss to it. I reluctantly pulled out of his arms, going to get some blankets for him to use. When I returned to the living room, he was still standing in the same spot.

"C'mon Steve, make yourself at home." He moved to sit down on the couch, looking at me intently. The damn butterflies returned. "You know what, I don't care anymore. That sofa is horrible, you wouldn't get a wink of sleep on that thing. And God knows you need sleep."

He cocked an eyebrow at me, possibly guessing where this was going. I began walking out of the room. "Follow me if you want a good night's rest," I called back, hearing soft footsteps walking towards me.

I opened the door to my clean bedroom. I am glad I have a queen, that will make things easier. I turned to Steve, whose mouth was slightly agape. "Uh, y/n, do you expect me to sleep in there..? With you...?" He cleared his throat nervously, his face flushing.

I also looked down, but screw it, he needed sleep. "Yes, I do. If you are to be in the military you must expect to be sharing a room, or even a bed with your comrades. This will be good training. And also, I don't want you to be chilly in the front room, besides, the couch is terribly uncomfortable, and you need a good night's rest. Now, if it makes you feel better, I will sleep on the couch."

He protested, "No, I would not want you to be uncomfortable either. I do not mind. It is your apartment after all. I will sleep on the couch."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed Steve's arms, pulling him onto the bed next to me. I planted a soft kiss on his cheek, and then his lips. "Stop being so formal," I mumbled against his lips. "I will be taking a shower. You can use it after me, and then I can try to find some pants that might fit you." I walked out of the room before he could protest again.

The shower warmed up quickly, but nothing compared to the warmth of being in Steve's embrace. I giggled at myself, already so serious for him, even though I had only known him for 2 days. But it felt like I had known him all my life. And it was amazing. I toweled off and changed into the modest pajamas I owned.

I walked back into the bedroom to find Steve in the bed already, fast asleep. I chuckled to myself. I kept him up probably much longer than he was used to. I slid under the covers on the other side of the bed, as quietly so as not to wake him. He rustled a bit, but then fell back into a deep slumber. I scooted a bit closer to him, resting my body on the back of his. (A/N, Yes you're the big spoon, Steve will almost always be little spoon bcs he's steve) I close my eyes, letting the soft breath of his lull me to sleep.

A/N, Part 3 is in the works, and now that I look at this, there are most likely going to be three more parts depending on how my brain wants it to go. So let me know if you want me to tag you in the next part to make things easier! Thank you for reading!

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch23: In The Flesh Part 1: Who Doesn’t Love Revels?

Summary: Tony’s revels don’t go quite according to plan and the peace that the Avengers had been enjoying is shattered as a new foe appears.

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Bad language, violence and crazy assed robots.

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: @angrybirdcr​ does it again!!!!

Chapter 22

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

“So, now the whole Hydra and Sceptre thing is over, you two gonna set a date? You’ve been engaged for what, ten months” Nat asked the elevator stopped and the two women stepped out. They’d gotten ready for the party in Nat’s apartment, and were fashionably late as it was already in full swing.

“Hmm, maybe. We haven’t really talked about it.”

“You surprise me you know.” Nat shrugged as they walked towards the bar. “It’s not like you’re known for your patience.” “I can’t wait to marry him, Nat.” Katie smiled, feeling her cheeks blush, looking around for him but failing to spot him “Thing is I’ve always wanted a late summer wedding and think we’ve left it too late to organise for this year…” “What is it Tony says?” Nat smirked “Throw enough money around and anything is possible?”

“Yeah, maybe… “ Katie muttered before she turned to the red head, a smirk on her face. “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to ask. You and Bruce? What’s going on there?“

"Nothing.” Nat shrugged.

“Though not for lack of trying?” Katie asked, and to her surprise Nat’s cheeks showed the faintest sign of a flush underneath her expertly applied rouge “C'mon Nat, you’re not as subtle as you could be. And for what it’s worth, he clearly feels the same… “

“I errr, I don’t know about that…”

“There’s a reason that lullaby doesn’t work coming from anyone else.” Katie said, stopping at the bar a few feet away from where Tony and Thor were talking to Maria Hill and Rhodey.

Natasha looked thoughtful for a moment, then grabbed her drink before she walked off, arching an eyebrow at her friend. Katie watched her go before she sidled up to Tony.

“You know, the suit can take the weight right?” Rhodey grabbbed a glass of champagne before he turned back to Tony as Katie also took one, nodding to them all as Tony dropped a kiss to her head. “So I take the tank, fly it right up to the general’s palace, drop it at his feet, I’m like boom…you looking for this.”

Rhodey gave a grin, and Katie waited for everyone to laugh, having joined the story half way through she wasn’t going to understand, but when no one did the smirk slipped from Rhodey’s face and he licked his lips.

“Boom…you looking…why do I even talk to you guys?” he sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Thor “Everywhere else that story kills.

“This is the whole story?” Thor frowned.

“Yes it’s a war machine story.” Rhodey shrugged as Katie took a sip of her drink

“Oh in that case, it’s very good then!” Thor grinned, turning to face her and Tony. Katie snorted at the look of exasperation Rhodey shot her way before he turned back to the God who took a drink of his beer “It’s impressive”

“Quality save Thor.” Rhodey rolled his eyes sarcastically before he smiled at Tony “So, no Pepper? She not coming?” Tony shook his head, “Nah.” he said softly. “What about Jane?” Maia asked, “Where are the ladies, Gentlemen?” “Well Miss Potts has a company to run.” Tony said, looking at her.

“I’m not even sure what country Jane’s in.” Thor nodded eagerly, a look of pride crossing his face “her work on the convergence has made her the world’s foremost astronomer.” Not one to be out done Tony turned to Thor “And the company that Pepper runs is the largest tech conglomerate on Earth so…”

Thor nodded, and then upped his game “There’s even talk of Jane being given a…err.. nobel prize.”

As he talked Katie rolled her eyes at Maria and Rhodey, the 3 of them sharing a look.

“Yeah they must be busy because they’d hate missing you guys get together…” Katie sarcastically quipped.

“Testosterone.” Mariah coughed out, “Oh excuse me…” “You want a lozenge?” Rhodey asked, playing along. “Yes please.”

Katie laughed as the two of them walked off together before she patted her brother’s shoulder as he huffed out a chuckle before Thor simply smiled

“But Jane’s better.”

Looking around Katie finally spotted Steve. He was playing pool with Sam and he looked good. He was wearing a light blue shirt and it fit him well. It was tucked into smart, dark blue jeans and his toned waist sported a tan belt whilst he was wearing his brown leather jacket.  

Katie watched as he hit the cue ball, Sam beckoning his hand, instructing the ball to move to where he wanted it to, but it didn’t and Steve straightened laughing as Sam dropped his head in a defeated motion. Leaving Tony and Thor, the two still discussing Jane and Pepper, she walked over to her to Steve who was watching Sam’s shot he straightened up, shrugging off his jacket. He then bent back over the pool table and Katie stopped for a moment, simply admiring the view before Steve looked up and their eyes locked.

“Is there anything you’re not good at?” Sam groaned as Steve made a seemingly impossible shot. "How do you do that, man?”

Steve didn’t answer. Jesus Christ, just when he thought she couldn’t get any more beautiful… she was in a skin tight navy blue lace dress, which finished just above her knees with a V neckline at the front with sleeves that finished a few inches above her elbows. He felt his mouth drop open slightly as she made her way round the table and she couldn’t help but smirk to herself as she reached Steve’s side. His arm snaked round her waist and he had to fight off the little groan that bubbled in his throat as he felt his hand brush her skin, realising the dress was backless .

“Of course the man who spends his time ricocheting his shield off of hard objects would be a natural at calculating trajectories and angles.” Sam continued to chunner as he eyed the balls on the table, Steve paying him no attention as he dropped a kiss onto his girl’s cheek.

“You look incredible” He said, eyes still wide.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, flushing a little. “Hi Sam!”

Sam’s eyes jerked upwards and he straightened up, grinning. “Damned girl!” He kissed her cheek gently. “Don’t you scrub up well?”

The arm round her waist pulled her closer as Steve spoke a little more gruffly than normal.

“Your turn, and in answer to your question it’s nothing to do with calculations, I’ve just always liked pool, was the one thing I could always beat Bucky at.”

He dropped another kiss to the side of Katie’s head and then moved to take the next shot, potting the black and winning. Sam groaned.

“I don’t know why I even try.” He rolled his eyes as the three of them made their way over to find a quieter spot so they could catch up.

Sam filled them in on his latest six-week wild goose chase for Bucky. The only hard evidence he had found recently was a blurry security camera image from a store in Fort Worth of all places, showing a man that could have been Barnes - assuming Bucky’s hair had grown past his shoulders and he had stolen a motorcycle. In turn they told him about the raid on the base in Sokovia, the three of them heading through the party goers and making for the stairs that led up to the mezzanine balcony.

“Sounds like one hell of a fight, sorry I missed it.” Sam smirked, taking a sip of his drink and eyeing up one of the girls that walked down the stairs, catching Katie’s eye with a wink.

Steve grinned “If I’d have known it was going to be a fire fight I’d have called.”

“No, I’m not actually sorry” Sam chuckled, “I’m just trying to sound tough. I’m very happy chasing up cold leads on our favourite missing person’s case.” he said, a hint of sarcasm on his voice as Steve turned to him, smiling again. “Avenging is your world…your world is crazy”

“Be it ever so humble…”  Steve said, trailing off as they looked over the balcony at the party goers distributed across the large lounge area below.

“You found a place in Brooklyn yet?” Sam asked, looking over at us sipping his drink.

“Not sure I can afford a place in Brooklyn.” Steve replied, as Sam turned round so his back was leaning against the glass barrier. He looked at Katie, puzzled and she shook my head slightly, telling him not to press it further.

“Well, home’s home ya know…” Sam replied simply, glancing around the room before he grinned. “What about a date for the wedding?” “You been talking to Nat by any chance?” Katie eyed him and he shrugged, a guilty look on his face.

“We may have had a chat before…” His eyes scanned the space behind her and he nodded at someone. Katie turned to look and spotted a girl was sat on one of the chairs behind us.

“Her name is Sarah, she works in R&D.” She supplied “She’s nice.” “So am I.” Sam grinned, patting her on the shoulder and heading over in her direction.

Steve snorted as the pair of them watched Sam leave, heading off to try his luck before Steve moved so that he was stood in front of Katie, his hands either side of her hips, trapping her between him and the balcony.

“Wedding date?” He arched an eyebrow.

“Yeah Nat asked if we were going to set one now our HYDRA and Sceptre chase was over.” Katie replied. “Well, I’d be lying if I told you I hadn’t thought about it.” He smiled. The sooner the better as far as he was concerned. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs Rogers…or Mrs Stark-Rogers, or Mrs Rogers-Stark, whatever the hell you’re gonna call yourself.” He said as she chuckled before he looked her up and down again “By the way, you know that dress is very tight.”

“Don’t you approve?” She asked him innocently.

“Very much…” He said, “It looks great on you. It will look even better on the bedroom floor later.” “That’s very presumptuous of you Captain Badass…” She looked up at him coyly.

“Yeah. It is. What you wearing underneath it?” His eyes flashed mischievously.

“Not a lot. It would ruin the lines.”

His eyes darkened and he gave a low growl “Stop it.”

“You asked.” She shrugged. “Come on, I want a drink. Let’s go and mingle…might help keep you distracted…”

***** 

“Captain Rogers!” Thor’s loud voice cut across the room. Steve looked up from where they were stood to see he was waving and gesturing.

“Be back in a moment.” Steve said Katie, dropping a kiss to her cheek before he headed over to Thor who was stood near some sofas which sported a handful of war veterans.

“I gotta’ have me some of that.” One of the older men exclaimed as Thor poured a small measure of ambler liquid into a glass and handed it to Steve.

“Oh no, you see this was aged for thousands of years in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunnhilde’s fleet.” Thor told the older men as Steve gave the glass a curious look and took a sniff. It had a pleasant enough smell. “It is not meant for mortal men.” Thor warned mockingly.

“Neither was Omaha beach blondie.” The small man on the couch said. “Stop tryin’ to scare us.”

Thor looked to Steve, who shrugged as if to say the man had a point before Thor sighed and nodded. “Alright.” He said then pouring only a drop, if even that much into each man’s glass.

Steve took a sip of the spirit from his glass and nodded, appreciatively. “Not bad…”

“Now if that doesn’t have an effect on you, nothing will.” Thor said, watching the old men carefully who were all sipping their drinks and pulling faces, letting out whistles, before he looked at Steve again.  “This stuff could knock out Banner, when he’s big and green…”

“It’s actually pretty good.” Steve smiled “You got this from home?”

“I can summon certain things with my hammer.” Thor nodded. “I have a cask in my room upstairs.”

“I think it may have just claimed its first casualty.” Steve muttered, taking another sip and nodding at one of the old men.

Thor turned round and shrugged “I warned them…”

The two Avengers stood chatting for a while, until one by one the old men fell victim to the Asgardian strength liquor and they had to call in reinforcements in the shape of Rhodey and Sam who had brought the Veterans. Thor and Steve helped escort them out, Sam bid them goodbye, stating that he better make sure they all got home ok before he got his ass whipped by a nurse.

“And not in a good way.” He grimaced.

Steve walked back into the room and headed for the bar to grab a drink that wasn’t Asgardian, as that stuff had gone to his head, giving him a nice, fuzzy feeling. Natasha and Bruce were there, and he was amused to see the red head smiling suggestively at the Scientist. Trying not to earwig, he caught the tail end of their conversation and smirked, commenting to Bruce that it was nice, before the Doctor had stuttered and tried to explain what was going on.

“It’s okay. Nobody’s breaking any by-laws!” Steve chuckled, his hand raised “If they were, well Katie and I broke them first.”

Bruce smiled.

“It’s just, Nat’s not the most… open person in the world. But with you she seems very relaxed.” Steve finished.

“No, Natasha, she…she likes to flirt.” Bruce said and Steve shook his head

“I’ve seen her flirt, up close.” Steve smiled, reaching over the bar for two bottles of beer as he spotted Katie approaching. “This ain’t that.” Bruce looked down as Steve continued “Look, as maybe the world’s leading authority on waiting too long, don’t. You both deserve a win.”

With that he smiled as Katie slipped her arms round him from behind. He handed her a beer, kissed her head as the pair of them headed away.

“Wait…what do you mean up close?” Bruce called. Steve let out a chuckle and turned back to the man.

“It was a mission, didn’t mean anything.” “What did you just say to him?” Katie asked as they crossed the room towards where Clint was sat at a drum kit, Tony showing him the various pieces of the instrument.

“Oh I overheard Natasha, she was being very, well, sweet” Steve smiled. “Banner was trying to shrug it off, saying she was flirting so I told her I’d seen her flirt, up close, and that was different.” “Steve!” Katie rolled her eyes. “God, you can be a dumbass at times!”

“What?”  He frowned.

Katie sighed. “Bruce doesn’t need to know about Nat flirting with other men.” “Yeah, well I told him not to wait too long or he would regret it.” Steve shrugged, and Katie felt something in her stomach as she turned to face him.

“Like you?” she turned to look at him “With Peggy?” Steve sighed, instantly realising what he had said. “No, I didn’t mean that.” He shook his head “What I mean is I constantly let so much get in the way of just letting myself be happy. And with you, well I should have asked you out months before I did.”

“You do want to marry me don’t you?” Katie almost whispered, the doubt which had suddenly flooding her system was evident in her tone and Steve let out a sigh.

“Of course I do!” He mentally kicked himself for being such an idiot. He didn’t ‘regret’ not being with Peggy because his future was right there in front of him. He reached out and wrapped and arm round her, pulling her to him. “Doll, I love you so much.” She looked up at him and as his eyes locked onto hers she felt the worry leave her system, she could tell by the shine in his eyes he was telling the truth.

“Can we set a date then?” She asked and he smiled, and nodded.

“Yeah, let’s do it. Talk about it tomorrow, properly?”

Katie nodded and he placed a soft kiss to her lips before they were interrupted by the loud sounds of drums and symbols coming from across the room along with a few cheers as Clint began to thrash out a beat.

******

When the party goers began to filter out later in the evening all that was left were the Avengers along with Maria Hill, Rhodey and Helen Cho all spread out across several couches and chairs. Half eaten takeaway containers littered the surface tops along with empty bottles, dirty glasses and the remnants of a chocolate fondue- Tony’s idea.

Katie, Steve and Thor sat on one couch, Katie nestled between them both, her bare legs hooked over Steve’s. He had a flush on his cheeks, and a slight glaze in his eyes.  She grinned.

“You’re drunk.” She whispered to him.

“A little” He grinned back. Katie laughed and gently brushed the back of her hand across his warm cheek.

“Thunder boy!” Clint’s loud, tipsy voice interrupted everyone. “You gonna tell us the secret of that hammer?” “Secret? I do not understand.” Thor frowned.

“Why none of us but you can pick it up?” “I’m the God of Thunder.” Thor shrugged, drinking another mouthful of his drink.

“It’s a trick.” Clint gestured at the hammer which was innocently placed on the table in the middle of the group.

“No it is much more than that my friend.” Thor chuckled, sitting back comfortably in his spot. Steve gestured for Thor to pass him the hip flask he was currently refilling his glass with and he obliged before turning to Clint.

“‘Whosoever be worthy shall haveth the power,’” Clint mocked in a deep voice gesturing to the hammer, 2 drumsticks in his hand as he twirled them through his fingers “Whatever man it’s a trick.” He said in his normal voice shrugging.

“Well please be my guest.” Thor said extending and inviting hand out to his hammer as Steve took a drink from the flask.

“Really?” Clint questioned excitedly, at Thor’s nod he sprung up from his spot on the floor but calmly approached the hammer, not wanting to seem overly eager. Katie raised an eyebrow at Thor but he only shrugged bringing his glass up to his lips.

“Oh this is gonna’ be beautiful.” Rhodey teased setting down his cards to watch.

“Clint it’s been a tough week, we won’t hold it against you if you can’t get it up.” Tony joked from his spot on the other couch.

“You two know I’ve seen this before right?” Clint pointed out, looking at Thor then Katie referencing the first time the 3 of them met. Thor sniggered as Clint wrapped his hand around the hammer’s handle and pulled, of course nothing happened.

“I still don’t know how you do it.” He said releasing the hammer with a laugh.

“Smell the silent judgement?” Tony continued to gibe.

“Please Stark by all means.” Clint waved a hand toward the hammer.

“Here we go.” Katie sat up slightly as Tony stood unbuttoning his suit jacket with a flourish.

“Never one to shrink from an honest challenge. It’s physics.” He shrugged. “So if I lift it do I then rule Asgard?”

“Yes of course.” Thor responded easily.

“I will be reinstituting Prima Nocta.” Tony slipped his wrist through the leather strap. He grunted pulling on the hammer but it didn’t move.

“Be right back.” Tony quickly left the room pulling off his jacket as he went.

Steve took another drink from the flask before handing it back to Thor who simply smirked as Clint continued to protest the fact they couldn’t lift the hammer was down to some kind of scientific illusion. When Tony returned they all let out a laugh as he had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up and a detached Iron Man gauntlet on his hand. He gripped the hammer again and pulled even engaging the thrusters but still nothing. He coaxed Rhodey into helping him with his War Machine gauntlet but even together with both thrusters fully engaged they couldn’t do it. Finally they gave up.

“Banner you want a piece?” Tony asked on his way back to his seat.

Bruce rose to the challenge but didn’t take it serious, instead pretending to Hulk out. “Nothing?” He questioned awkwardly shuffling back to his seat as Natasha’s smiled at him, shaking her head.

“Cap?” Hill questioned from where she was sat on the floor opposite, next to Clint, wearing his leather jacket. Katie shrugged when he looked to her for approval, then over her shoulder at Thor. Grinning, he placed down his drink and moved Katie’s legs from where they were swung over his, getting up to try his hand.

“C'mon Cap.” Clint grinned “No pressure.”

Steve stepped round the table, shooting a determined look at the hammer before wrapping both hands around the handle and beginning to pull.

Katie felt her mouth drop open as there was a squeak and the hammer moved ever so slightly. She cast a quick look at Thor next to her, whose playful smile had been completely wiped off his face and he was now staring intently at the item on the table. Steve readjusted his grip, pulled again gritting his teeth, then held his hands up in surrender.

“Nothing.” Thor shook his head as Katie looked at him. He avoided her stare

“I saw that.” Katie whispered into Steve’s ear when he took his seat once again, returning her legs to where they had been resting on his lap.

“Don’t know what you mean.” He said immediately, his hand curling round her leg so his fingers were resting on her thigh and gave an expectant raise of his eyebrows. Rhodey clearing his throat rather loudly, made them turn to see all of the men wearing the same look, watching her.

“Kiddo?”

“Oh no,” Katie shook her head immediately. “I know my limits.”

“Widow?” Clint looked at Nat

“Yeah that’s not a question I need answered.” Natasha said, drinking from her beer bottle and also refusing the challenge.

“All deference to the man who wouldn’t be King, but it’s rigged.” Tony brought the attention back to him as he got up to retrieve another beer. Katie gestured at him to get her one as her bottle was empty.

“You bet your ass.” Clint said.

“Steve, he said a bad language word.” Maria said her voice taking on a mocking tone pointing at Clint innocently.

“Did you tell everyone about that?” Steve asked looking at Katie who shrugged, then to Tony who ignored him.

“The handle’s imprinted right? Like a security code. 'Whosoever’s carrying Thor’s fingerprint’ is I think the literal translation.” Tony said finishing up on his ridiculous line of thought as he crossed to the bar.

“What an interesting theory…but I have a simpler one” Thor said, getting up off the couch and easily picking up his hammer, giving it a little toss in the air for added teasing “You’re all not worthy.”

Everyone began to protest in jest and someone threw a coaster at him from the table, when a loud screeching noise caused them all to flinch.

“Worthy?”  A deep voice drawled and they all looked over to the back of the room to see a half destroyed Iron Legion bot standing there. “No, how could you be worthy? You’re all killers.” The bot said gesturing to the group who had begun to stand in preparation.

“Stark?” Steve questioned tensely, pulling Katie behind him. In response Tony took out his phone and began poking around on it.

“Jarvis?” Tony questioned aloud when he was getting no response.

“I’m sorry, I was asleep. Or I was a dream?” the robot continued speaking tilting its head as if trying to recall a memory.

“Reboot, legionnaire we got a buggy suit.” Tony said continuing to poke at his device.

“There was a terrible noise and I was tangled, in strings.” The robot looked down, wires dangling uselessly all around it’s body. “I had to kill the other one, he was a good guy.”

“You killed someone?” Katie frowned.

“Wouldn’t have been my first call, but down in the real world we’re faced with ugly choices.”

“Who sent you?” Thor questioned with authority.

“I see a suit of armour around the world.” The robot responded but this time it was Tony’s voice that sounded.

“Ultron.” Bruce summarized with a horrified look as Katie snapped her head round to Tony who continued to stare at the robot.

“In the flesh.” Ultron tried to stand tall but failed. “Or no, not yet. Not this chrysalis.” It said looking down at its body again. “But I’m ready, I’m on a mission.”

“What mission?” Thor questioned

“Peace in our time.” Ultron said again in Tony’s voice and then the wall behind it burst open and more legionnaires flew into the room.

Everyone sprang into action. Gun shots, repulsors, people jumping onto the backs of robots… it was a short but fairly intense fight which was finished when Steve spun round and launched his shield into the last robot.

“That was dramatic.” Ultron commented still standing but swaying from side to side. Steve was stood in his typical combat stance, shield up in front of him, Clint to his left. Katie straightened up from behind the bar where she had taken cover, gun still held in front of her.

“I’m sorry, I know you mean well, you just didn’t think it through. You want to protect the world, but you don’t want it to change. How is humanity saved if it’s not allowed to change? With these?” It questioned reaching down to pick up one of the legionnaire’s disembodied heads, “These puppets. No. There’s only one path to peace, the Avengers extinction.”

He was cut off as Thor launched his hammer with enough force that it burst through the middle of the robot before flinging back into his hand. Steve looked at him, but Thor glared straight ahead.

They all paused for a second, each taking stock. The apartment was a mess, the bar was smashed to pieces, walls broken, windows shattered. Katie took a deep breath, lowered her gun, dropping it onto the bar top and ran her hands over her face as she stepped from behind the bar carefully, trying to avoid stepping on glass as she had kicked her shoes off earlier when they had sat down.

“You alright?” Steve asked, crossing the room and looking her over.

“Yeah, you?”

He nodded and glanced down her body gesturing with his eyes for her to do the same. She did and she noticed her dress ripped up the right hand side, stopping halfway up her torso. The skimpy underwear that she had teased Steve about before was about to become common knowledge.

”Great…” she groaned, rolling her eyes and looking around for something to cover herself up with. Steve handed her the nearest item, which turned out to be Tony’s jacket. He held it out for her and she slipped her arms into it swearing as she did so.  “Four hundred fucking notes down the drain.” and with that she turned and left with Natasha, the pair of them heading to get changed.

When Katie came back the lab was in chaos. Pepper was shouting at Tony from a speaker in the middle of one of the desks asking him why none of the servers were working. Tony, in turn, was barking instructions, to Banner and Natasha. Katie headed over to help and between the 4 of them they managed to get 3 out of the 5 StarkSats back up and running.

“All our work is gone.” Bruce sighed, taking off his glasses and looking at the computer screen in front of him.” Ultron cleared out, used the internet as an escape hatch.”

“He’s been in everything. Files, surveillance…” Katie looked up from a computer screen and Nat crossed the room to look over her shoulder. 

“Great. He probably knows more about us than we know about each other.” Natasha muttered.

“He’s in your files, he’s in the internet. What if he decides to access something a little more exciting?” Rhodey asked.

“Nuclear codes.” Maria Hill looked up from where she had been pulling glass out of her foot.

“Nuclear codes. Look, we need to make some calls, assuming we still can.” Rhodey suggested

“Nukes? He said he wanted us dead…”. Nat said, looking round

“He didn’t say dead. He said extinct” Steve interrupted her, bristling slightly.

“He also said he killed somebody.” Clint said

“But there wasn’t anyone else in the building.” Maria looked up, tweezers poised at her foot.

“Yes there was.” Tony sighed, his shirt collar and waistcoat were both open and he flicked his phone to project a 3D image of JARVIS. Only it was completely and utterly decimated.

“No.” Katie muttered as Steve drew a deep breath, crossing his arms as he looked at the image.

“This is insane” Bruce looked at the image, running his hands through his hair.

“JARVIS was the first line of defence.” Steve said gently. “He would’ve shut Ultron down, it makes sense.”

“No, Ultron could’ve assimilated Jarvis.” Bruce shook his head. “This isn’t strategy, this is…rage”

At that point Thor stormed into the room, full battle suit on, and stomped over to Tony, wrapping his hand around his throat and picking him up off of the ground.

“Uh, it’s going around.” Clint commented calmly.

“Thor…” Katie shook her head “Let him go.”

Thor ignored her.

“Alright, c'mon,” Tony choked uselessly trying to pry off Thor’s hand to no avail the God’s grip was unrelenting. “Use your words buddy.”

“I have more than enough words to describe you Stark.” Thor sneered.

“Thor,” Steve snapped sharply. This time the God took notice and dropped Tony, still not taking his eyes off him. Steve was the only one he would ever take commands from “The legionnaire?”

“The trail went cold about a hundred miles north of here,” Thor answered turning to Steve. “And it has the sceptre, which means we have to retrieve it. Again.” He shot a look back at Tony, glaring.

“Genie’s out of that bottle. Clear and present is Ultron.” Natasha surmised as she perched on the edge of the desk Katie was sat at, crossing her arms over her chest looking as unimpressed in Tony and Bruce’s actions as everyone felt.

“I don’t get it,” Helen Cho mumbled. “You built this program, why is it trying to kill us?”

To everyone’s disbelief Tony started laughing.

“Uh-uh.” Bruce said, shaking his head at Tony, telling him that this was no laughing matter as Katie glared at her brother, swivelling in her seat.

“You think this is funny?” Thor questioned in the same tone, looking at Tony.

“No?” Tony answered, turning to face the group, trying and failing to look serious and stop his chuckles from escaping. It didn’t work. “It’s probably not, right? Is this so terrible? Is this very terrible? Is it so, is it so…” He laughed again. “It is, it’s so terrible.”

“This could have been avoided had you not played with something you do not understand.” Thor said, his tone grave, his finger pointing at Tony.

“No, no I’m sorry,” Tony interrupted though it was unclear if he was apologizing for the interruption or apologizing for creating Ultron. “It is funny. It’s a hoot why you don’t get why we need this.”

“Tony, maybe this isn’t the time-” Bruce started to warn only for Tony to cut him off too.

“Really? That’s it for you? You just roll over, show your belly, every time somebody snarls?” he whipped round to look at Banner.

“Only when I’ve created a murder-bot.” Bruce said his face sporting a look as sarcastic as his voice.

“We didn’t.” Tony stressed nearly begging. “We weren’t even close. Were we close to an interface?”

Bruce shrugs nodding to say that they were close enough.

“Well, you did something right.” Katie said, rolling her eyes.

“And you did it right here.” Steve piped up glowering at Tony. “The Avengers were supposed to be different than SHIELD.”

“Anybody remember when I carried a nuke through a wormhole?” Tony changed the subject in lieu of a real response raising his hand in the air.

“Nope, it’s never come up.” Rhodey sarcastically responded while everyone else either groaned or rolled their eyes.

“Saved New York?”

“Never heard that.” Katie propped her elbow on the desk, chin resting in her palm.

“Recall that? A hostile alien army came charging through a hole in space. We’re standing 300 feet below it. We’re the Avengers. We can bust arms dealers all the live long day, but, that up there?” Tony continued as his voice turned softer. “That’s, that’s the end game. How were you guys planning on beating that?”

“Together.” Steve told him his voice a lot less colder than it had been a moment ago.

“We’ll lose.” He said taking a step closer to where Steve was stood, looking at him sadly.

“Then we’ll do that together too.” Steve said determined but assured.

“Thor is right. Ultron’s calling us out.”  Katie said gently.

“Yeah, and I’d like to find him before he’s ready for us.” Steve said, looking round. “The world’s a big place. Let’s start making it smaller.”

“I didn’t mean for this to happen you know?” Tony sighed eventually, “It just…”

“I suggest we get some rest.” Steve said eventually as Tony trailed off “Reconvene in a few hours, come up with some sort of plan. Unless anyone has a better idea” Of course no one did.

*****

Chapter 23 Part 2