#i just keep thinking about how the realization would dawn on the teammates faces as they find out the extent of the damage

[friendlesscat]

A whumpee that's so used to pain they don't realize they're hurt.

They've been so accustomed to the constant wounds and torture that they gradually grew numb to it. Or maybe to them, pain is a constant state of being, there's nothing unusual about it. And so, there's not much of a difference wether it hurts a bit more or a bit less.

Perhaps, when they've been rescued and getting accustomed to ordinary life, they might get hurt. But, since it's just a dull ache, it's fine, right? After it doesn't get better for a while, they might mention it to someone and receive the advice to visit a doctor - only to find out that the injury is major and that a person normally wouldn't be able to function at all, much less brush it off as a "minor inconvenience".

That would probably make their companions wonder about what they could have gone through to become like this. Perhaps they knew it wasn't good, but never to this extent. :D

[agentmaxa]

Late to the Game (Uswnt x Reader)

Not Requested

Sorry for any mistake, please enjoy.

"Kelley I swear if you don't-

"Sorry Y/n, I can't hear you from all the way down there."

Kelley teased the youngest player of the national team by resting herself on Y/n while propping herself up.

The 17-year-old let out a huff, as the teammates around them laughed at Kelley's antics. Only a handful of them had seen the look in Y/n's eyes that told them this was about to take a turn.

Taking a large step to the side Y/n caused Kelley to fight gravity which was a losing battle.

O'Hara basically face-planted it on the turf and everyone burst out laughing.

Y/n chucked along as Kelley got up.

"You think that's funny?" Kelley teased.

Y/n replied, "Absolutely hilarious."

Causing O'Hara to purse Y/n while shouting, "Get back here shortstack!"

-----

Y/n went to get a ball from off the sidelines, picking it up in hopes of doing a few tricks to pass the time during a small break in practice.

Until O'Hara bumped into Y/n by accident. "Oh, sorry L/n-"

"It's fine-"

"Guess I just didn't see you from all the way down there."

"It's one freaking inch," Y/n said exasperated, over the fact that Kelley kept pointing it out.

Kelley chucked to herself, "That's what she said."

On any other day, Y/n would have found that humorous as well.

But not today.

"That's it!"

Y/n tackled Kelley to the ground, putting her in a headlock, and attempting to give Kelley a noogie.

They tossed with each other for a few minutes gaining the attention of most of the team.

"Hey look, they're starting a new line of mini WWE Wrestlers for the national team."

Sam and Sonnett joked as they saw Y/n and O'Hara's roughhousing had turned into a little bit of a wrestling match.

Unfortunately, for them, Kelley and Y/n had also heard the comment.

Partially out of breath, Y/n looked at Kelley, "Truce?"

"Truce."

The two grinned and Sonnett and Sam soon realized their mistake.

"Nonononon- wait!"

Nothing was stopping Kelley as she tackled Sonnett to the ground while Y/n pursued Sam.

Chasing her, Y/n gained enough speed to leap onto Sam's back dragging her down to the ground the two laughing as they stayed there for a little.

Only interrupted by the whistle calling the whole team to circle up.

Y/n and Sam got up but saw Kelley had sat on Sonnett's back keeping the woman down.

"O'Hara, I'm warning you."

"I'd like to see you- AAAHH!"

Kelley tried to grasp onto something but Sonnett managed to throw Kelley off and get up.

"How's it feel being down there for a change?" Y/n teased.

"Pretty nice actually, maybe move to the left a bit. You're not blocking the sun enough, mini."

-----

Getting ready to leave for the plane, Y was packing some final things.

"Ready to leave already squirt?"

Letting out a heavy sigh, Y/n turned to O'Hara.

"Almost."

"I'm still not sure how you're okay with this."

"Do I have a choice?"

Kelley shrugged her shoulders.

Y/n wasn't going to the World Cup. Reason being there were more players with more caps under them to choose from. Y/n had done the camps and games but just didn't make the cut.

"I mean I know it's not the worst thing possible for you but just saying you've proved your spot more than enough."

"Let's be real here Kels you just need me so you have a headrest."

"That too."

"Just don't lose too badly out there."

Kelley dawning a hurt expression, "I see how it is."

The woman took Y/n by surprise, taking them both down, and roughhousing ended in fits of laughter.

-----

Y/n was woken by the blaring alarm, "Nnnnooooo."

As tempting as the snooze button was Y/n knew being late wasn't an option.

Gathering some belonging and packed luggage Y/n heard a familiar voice from just beyond the bedroom door.

"Sweetheart you up?"

"Yeah, I'll be downstairs in a few Dad."

Getting everything ready, Y/n left a few things by the front door and headed into the kitchen to see Dad and Papa.

"Ready for another camp, sprout?"

"Yeah, although I do wish you'd stop calling me that. The sprouting has stopped in case you haven't noticed."

"And did I ever say anything when you called me Pop-pop?"

Y/n laughed, "I haven't called you that since I was like eight."

"Your point?"

Y/n let out a chuckle, "Okay Pop-pop. I need to get going, don't want to miss my flight."

"Wait, I packed you a small snack."

"Dad small or normal people small?"

Y/n teased Dad knowing sometimes he over-packed.

"Har-har. I just want you to have options."

"Love you too, old man." Y/n kissed his temple as he drank his coffee grabbing the bag that had the 'snack' in it.

Y/n looked down a little as Papa could kiss the top of Y/n's head.

Hurrying out of the house Y/n heard one of them say, "Call us when you land!"

"Always do!"

-----

Y/n walked into the hotel lobby, not seeing anyone else yet Y/n just checked in with the receptionist.

Heading up to the room, Y/n double-checked for any messages left by the team.

Hearing the elevator open to the room floor Y/n walked out and then did a final check on messages from anyone and saw one from Ash.

'Do you have a tall twin by chance?'

Not even replying Y/n looked to the elevator to see Ash and Ali already trying to figure out who just walked past them.

"Hey, guys."

"Bubs?!"

Ali and Ash both said the nickname they personally had for Y/n, shocked that this was the same person.

"A few inches taller but yeah."

Ash, without warning, ran towards Y/n, clinging to Y/n like a koala to a tree.

"No growing up anymore!"

Y/n lightheartedly chuckled, thinking about how Dad and Papa nearly had the same reaction when noticing the very late and sudden growth spurt.

"Don't worry, I think this is as tall as I go."

Y/n put Ash down. Ali was looking at Ash and Y/n with a smile, noticing Y/n must've only been an inch or two taller than Ash.

"It better be." Ash acknowledged that Y/n was the tallest out of the three.

"Alright, come here bubs." Y/n smiled at Ali, not used to leaning down while hugging the majority of the team.

"It's good to see you guys again."

"I didn't know Sam was here." The three heard Crystal's voice, the hug ending.

Y/n turned around, "Hey Dunn."

The woman just put a hand on her hip, "Well if this isn't a surprise."

"Believe me, I'm still getting used to it myself."

"I'm gonna miss my short buddy."

"I mean I'm pretty sure that just means I give better piggybacks."

-----

Giggling and laughter were heard through the hallway to the cafeteria.

Everyone turned to see who was making the commotion.

Suddenly Y/n came through the doorway with Dunn piggybacking. Both laughed at the situation.

Nearly every person froze. Not seeing Y/n since the last camp before the World Cup.

Dunn got off of Y/n's back, giving the young player a pat between the shoulder blades.

"Shortstack?!"

"Hey, Kels," Y/n said nervously as Kelley's jaw went slack.

"You're.... you're..."

"Tower of Power 2.o?"

As Kelley continued to fumble Sam walked up to Y/n, "Damn, yeah. Welcome to tall people club."

Sam smiled seeing Y/n was still around an inch shorter than her.

While everyone went back to what they were doing before the chaos, Sam and Y/n sat together with Kelley, Sonnett, and a few others.

"Hitting your head a lot?" Sam inquired.

"Not as much, mainly when I just don't think about it."

"Don't worry, you'll learn to auto-duck."

Y/n chuckled, "I think I'll just miss the lost bed space. My bed feels so small now."

Sam nodded in solace.

"The price we pay."

"Were you bitten by a radioactive spider?"

The whole table kind of froze and slowly turned to Kelley.

"Not that I recall?" Y/n answered a little confused

"I'll find out soon enough."

"You wanna tango with my extra muscle, O'Hara?"

While not the most notable change in Y/n, the growth spurt caused Y/n to eat more and in turn, needed to work off more food. It also meant more time in the gym to work out some muscles.

Kelley thinking Y/n just meant the height difference mumbled, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."

Y/n shrugged the woman off.

"Well, none of that matters because now I get to ride all the grown-up rides!"

The enthusiasm caused the room to erupt in laughter.

[beholdthemem]

Have you done the meme with RoseEddie? I feel like you did in the tags, but can't find it

If I have, I can't find it either, so we're doin it now! Thank you @sandpancakecat for indulging me (and for your patience when I disappear T-T)

(Meme in question)

Who...

-Said I love you first?

I'm gonna say Rose, actually! It happens during yet another fate-of-the-world-is-at-stake incident (such is the life of a superhero. The world can never just stay saved, can it?). Ordinarily that'd just be a Tuesday, but this time Eddie gets himself hurt. Bad. He and Rose are separated from the rest of the team, and he's losing so much blood, and Rose is furiously applying what limited first aid skills she knows just trying to keep him alive long enough for someone better at this to reach them, and God, how many times have they been here before? 

She hates that this isn't the first time this has happened, and she's scared to death that it's going to be the last. Precognition means seeing every possible future, everything that COULD happen, with no way to know which will be the one to land. She hates that every fucking time Eddie's put his neck on the line for someone else, taken the shot trying to shield a teammate, gotten himself beaten, stabbed and broken taking on a threat he knows damn well is out of his weight class so some civilian who didn't evacuate in time can get away, she's seen a version of the world where he doesn't get back up. And what scares Rose this time is that she's seeing a lot of different futures where he dies from this. One where no one gets to them in time. One where help arrives, but by the time they've moved him, it's too late. One where he makes it long enough to die in a hospital bed, a few hours before dawn tomorrow.

"Don't you dare," she hisses, like he'd even know what she was talking about if he was lucid enough to hear her. "Don't you dare die on me, don't you FUCKING dare-"

She'd assumed the moisture on her face was sweat. It's not until her vision blurs that she realizes she's crying.

"You don't get to leave me here alone with these assholes and take the easy way out!" The smell of gasoline is choking her, his blood coating her hands, her uniform, the mask she'd taken off as a makeshift rag to staunch the wounds. "You're the only reason I came back, you can't just fucking die now..."

She hears her voice crack, and hates herself for it.

"You can't die," she's never begged anyone for anything, but she is right now. "Goddammit, I love you, you can't leave me too-"

For a split second, she thinks she sees him make eye contact with her, a hint of recognition there. And then she hears a yell from afar as one of their useless fucking teammates finally shows up to provide some help.

-Would have the other's picture as their phone background?

Eddie has this one photo of Rose that he's kept on his phone in secret for forever. She's mid sentence, talking to this little civilian girl who she's got balanced on her hip, busily telling the kid a story to keep her distracted while somebody else finds the parent she'd gotten separated from during H.I.V.E's attack earlier. The girl is laughing for the first time since they'd found her, accidentally pulling Rose's hair a little while trying to keep her grip in Rose's arms. Rose hadn't even flinched.

As far as Eddie knows, nobody else has ever seen Rose like that- gentle, reassuring, silly. It wasn't done for him to see, but... she didn't hide or downplay it while he was there. Like it wasn't done for him to see, but it was still okay that he saw it. He doubts Robin or Cassie would've believed her capable- they'd left him in charge of the sobbing little girl while they did search and rescue, as if his only child ass had the slightest clue what to do. Thank fuck Rose had been there to scoop her up, whispering whatever mysterious things one said to crying children to calm them down, and effectively saving the day as far as he was concerned. 

As soon as Eddie is provided with the slightest inkling that Rose actually likes him back, he makes that photo his phone background.

-Leaves notes written in the fog on the bathroom mirror?

Eddie. Every time.

-Buys each other cheesy gifts?

When they actually start dating, they both do this purely to affectionately annoy each other. If you'd told Eddie back in the early days of his crush on the cool, scary, acid-tongued sword girl that he would one day be buying her a stuffed bear holding out a felt rose and not getting his head ripped off for insolence, he would've accused you of making fun of him.

-Initiated the first kiss?

Rose, during a period of time when Eddie had lost his powers and was feeling particularly useless. Done right after suggesting that there might be advantages to being a normal squishy human, too.

-Kisses the other awake in the morning?

Rose, because she's the kind of person who gets up disgustingly early every day. VOLUNTARILY. This way of life is foreign to Eddie, and he has to be effectively bribed back into the waking world with caffeine, kisses, or Rose's very excited pitbull. She's only willing to keep the dog out of the room until 8:30.

-Asks the other if they can join them in the shower?

ROSE.

-Surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch?

In a world where they both live long enough to age out of Titans and become independent heroes with Responsible Adult Day Jobs, I think they would both do that! Eddie would just walk in to bring it to Rose without trying to hide from her coworkers, Rose would sneak in and sneak up behind him to be like 'Hey, time for a lunch break' and scare the shit out of him before he realizes it's her. Why does she insist on doing this? No one knows. Possibly she just enjoys being a little shit, or maybe she just finds his coworkers annoying. Even with enough time and therapy to be semi well adjusted, her list of Peers I Actually Like can still be counted on one hand, with Eddie at the top of the list.

-Was nervous and shy on the first date?

Unexpectedly... Rose. At least, slightly more so than Eddie (Cuz you know he was nervous too). She covered it well, nobody else would've clocked that she was anxious, but the truth is she never really... well, she never really got to do stuff like this. She didn't have a normal adolescence, so she never got to do the clumsy first-crush first-date thing most people her age practiced with. All of her relationships have been based mostly on physical stuff with some feelings occasionally thrown in, she's never had the go-out-together-in-public and be courted version. She'd dryly come to the conclusion that she's just not that kind of girl. Now that the opportunity is being presented, though, she's realizing that maybe it'd be nice to be that kind of girl. At the very least, it's nice to have the option. She has no idea what she's doing but she really, really wants this to work.

-Kills/takes out the spiders?

 Rose! Eddie pretends the reason he doesn't try to take them out is because with his body temperature he'd end up roasting them instead of helping. The truth is they just freak him out. Rose is fully aware of this and teases him about it, but removes the spiders anyway.

-Loudly proclaims their love when they're drunk?

Eddie. He has serenaded her before. He just loses all his filter of what is or is not corny when he's drunk and must communicate to Rose in every way possible that he's nuts about her. Rose tells him this is the sappiest bullshit she's ever heard but doesn't actually stop him.

[shylilbunny15]

It's like a reader/author turned villain!!! Think about it. Is this how our characters would react if they were to come into the real world/ if we came to their world and they found out we created all of this?

It makes me want to make a short series with this!!

Imagine you're an author and you get transported into the book you created. You befriend the characters and the MC. Helping them through their trauma, and adventures. Later on deep within the friendship/relationship you reveal that you are an author and they are all characters within the book you created. You prove this by writing a quick incident (ex: you write that the MC's teammate suddenly feels nauseous and sick) that shows true. MC is definitely devastated. The days you all spent together, bonding, laughing. MC tries to reason and reassure themselves that you definitely were having fun and enjoying spending time with them. However, you agree, adding on that you needed to build good plot armor and relations to get a good thrill and continue the story since you were stumped with writer's block.

MC starts to feel sick, and confused, other characters begin to question your loyalty and why you would manipulate them. It suddenly dawns on them that if you created them and the story, why did you put them through the hell that they had gone through.

Why did they have to go through so much trauma, losing loved ones, killing innocents, causality that were completely unnecessary, etc..

Your only response, " Every story needs a good complot".

MC finds themselves unable to process how someone could be so considerate, sweet, and kind; only to reveal colors of manipulation, deception, and cruelty.

As if reading MC's mind you smile with malic claiming " Sadist. Anyone with artistic views has it in them. I'm just not afraid to show it".

You look down, smiling to yourself, before letting out a hysterical laugh "it's insane..I thought I would befriend you all the moment I found out I was transported into my own writing. However, I immediately realized I could make the error more interesting if I can interact with you all. Keep it at a peak, never having a dull moment..and you all so stupidly gave me the props to write a masterpiece."

MC and everyone else were shocked. Mortification exhibit on their face.

" Don't look so surprised, you all have been going through problem after traumatic problem. You should have known something was going to happen. It's fantastic. Watching yourself do all of this work, hoping something good will come out of it. It did, something greater than I ever hoped to write. However..I became the Villain and I'm only getting started".

.

.

.

Just an idea. 🖤🐇🖤

#170

"You did it? You created all the horrors I went through?" The book character quivers.

"Yes," the author sighs.

Tears trickle out of the book character's eyes. "Why?"

"Plot. Suspence. Charater development," the author answers. "People do like to read it."

"You're sick."

The author smiles. "Maybe I am. But that sickness created you, your world. And, better yet, people pay to read it." The author gets close to their book character, "you only exist because of me."

[sailorkamino]

While You Were Sleeping

relationships: alpha!buckynat x enhanced!omega!reader

summary: When you start sleep teleporting into your teammates room's Bucky and Natasha are jealous to say the least. When you finally end up in their bed there's less romance and more head injuries than they imagined.

word count: 2.1k

warnings: abo dynamics, protective/jealous buckynat, nightmares, reader gives herself a concussion, embarrassment, bed sharing, making out, pain medication, reader sleeps with a stuffed animal, platonic!steve x reader, some nsfw thoughts, beefy!nat

translations: zayka- bunny, malyshka- baby, dorogoy- darling

a/n: (me, unable to find an alpha buckynat fic) fine, i'll do it myself

Steve is animatedly talking to a barely awake Sam when the blonde is suddenly spun around by a strong hand on his shoulder. He had just enough time to recgonize the scent of his best friend before he threw a punch. “Buck, you can’t sneak up on me like that,” he groans. He tenses up again when he notices the brunet’s anger.

“Woah, did you fight with Nat this morning or something?” Sam asks, now perked up. Steve sighs loudly at his teammates' lack of filter as Bucky scowls. “No. I was noticing Steve’s scent,” Bucky answers darkly. Sam sniffs the air. “He smells the same to me. Is your super nose picking up something weird?”

Steve shuts his eyes in exasperation. “Sam. Just go get a coffee or something.”

“What? You practically dragged me out of bed at the ass crack of dawn and now-”

He stops abruptly at Bucky icy glare. “You know what, I am getting coffee. It’s too early for your drama,” he decides, exiting the gym with a non committal wave goodbye.

“Didn’t know you and Y/N were so close,” Bucky practically growls. He approaches a punching bag to keep from breaking his best friend’s face. Steve blushes, only adding fuel to his friends' anger. He raises his shirt to nose. “Do I smell like her? I took a shower this morning,” he wonders outloud. 

Bucky punches the bag so hard it goes flying from the ceiling, raining sand on the floor. Steve's eyes widen when he realizes Bucky didn’t even use his metal arm to do it. He quickly raises his hands in a surrendering position “Woah, it wasn’t like that! She sleep teleported into my room and I wasn’t gonna kick her out!”

Bucky turns to face him. “Sleep teleported?”

“Yeah, you know, like sleep walking but─"

“I get it Steve!” He snaps, running a hand through his dark locks. “I just don’t understand why she went to your room,” he mumbles, voice now much softer and a little insecure. He thinks of his and Natasha’s attempts to get you closer that he was sure were working. They even googled courting tips for fucksakes. Natasha is much better at flirting but Bucy is a good listener, remembering every little thing about you. If you liked Steve you would tell him… wouldn’t you?

The blonde raises a brow at his friend’s sudden vulnerability. “What do you mean?”

“I mean in this huge tower, with hundreds of places to end up, why did she go to your bed?”

Steve sighs in frustration, realizing the real reason for the brunet’s behavior. Jealousy. “I don’t know, Buck. She was asleep when it happened, it was probably completely random. I’m just glad she didn’t end up in the street or something.”

Bucky freezes at that, all the worst thoughts of where you could have teleported flooding his head. He’s suddenly grateful you wound up in bed with his best friend. How could he have been so selfish? And how can he protect you from your powers? Bondage? No, that’s just kinky. Maybe cyro? No, he won’t let you in one of those freaky test tubes. Too many bad memories.

“Buck? Buck?”

He’s snapped from his thoughts. “Huh?”

“I asked how long you and Nat have been sweet on Y/N?” Steve smirks.

Bucky feels himself blush. “What makes you think we’re sweet on her?”

“Well you tried to kill me a minute ago because you were jealous, did you forget about that?”

Bucky’s jaw ticks. Sometimes he forgets how much of an ass his best friend really is. “I wasn’t gonna kill you.” He shrugs, playing innocent. “I was gonna tell Nat you slept with Y/N and then let her kill you.”

“Steve what?” Natasha’s deep growl has both men freezezing in terror. Steve sends the brunet a pleading look. Bucky reaches out to his mate hesitantly, “now malyshka, it’s not what it sounds like.”

____

You’re having a nightmare but the pain is what wakes you up.

You’re on the floor and your head is throbbing and your heart is racing but wait, this isn’t your room? Where are you? Suddenly Natasha is in front of you, gently cupping your wet face. That’s when you realize you are in fact, crying. Well this is embarrassing. A sense of comfort washes over as you recognize the two familiar scents.

“Zayka, where are you hurt?” She asks as Bucky turns on the lamp so they can scan you for injuries. You shut your eyes at the sudden light. “My head.” The alphas share a panicked look. “Friday, health scan,” the redhead demands.

“Ms. Y/N has hit her head on the nightstand and is suffering from a grade one concussion. No emergency healthcare is needed. I suggest pain medication, rest, and icing the area of injury.” The AI answers in a soft volume.

“I’ll get the pills and ice,” Bucky decides, rushing out of the room. Natasha pulls you against her chest, mindful of your head. “It’s alright omega. We’ll take care of you,” she soothes. She suddenly raises from the floor without warning, making you cling to her in surprise, before she deposits you on the bed. She smirks at your dumbstruck expression. Despite the pain you’re in you feel your stomach churn at the show of strength.

“How’s the pain, baby doll?” Bucky croons, approaching the bed with full hands. You sniffle as he hands you some pills to take, washing it down with your favorite juice “Thank you, and not too bad. I’ve survived worse,” you answer, wiping your face. They look at you unconvinced.

The brunet sits on the bed beside you, “it’ll be easier to ice your head if you’re laying down.” Natasha is there to pull back the blankets for you even and tuck you in. Your heart flutters at their sweetness. Bucky gently places the ice pack on your head. You wince at the contact but sigh happily at the numbing effect. “Not too bad my ass,” Natasha scoffs.

You pout, trying to look serious but it’s hard in your current position. “It really isn't though. I’m just embarrassed I concussed myself. Plus I’m not wearing any pants.”

“That’s what you’re worried about? Your pride?” Bucky asks incredulously.

“Yes I am. Frankly, I don't have a lot to lose.”

Natasha shakes her head as she sits on the other side of you. “As much as I love your sense of humor, we were a little too worried about your head injury to notice your underwear.” That’s a lie. They both got a flash of your pastel cotton panties. “I can get you some pants if it would make you more comfortable though.”

You shrug. “No it’s fine, I’ve changed in front of you on missions before. I’m not really body shy.”

They share a heated look. They’re very familiar with your confidence but now is not a good time to tell you that they regularly fantasize about said body. Natasha holds back any sexual comments, remding herself that you’re only in their bed hald dressed because you’re injured.

“Well if it makes you feel any better you have great legs,” Bucky mumbles, eyes widening at his own admission. Natasha is shocked but somewhat proud of her awkward boyfriend. He needs to work on timing but baby steps. You grin teasingly, “really? This coming from Mr. Muder thighs?”

Natasha, who’s now slipped under the covers beside you, lets out a deep chuckle. Bucky’s face burns an adorable shade of red making you smile once again. “Yeah, get in bed, murder thighs,” Nat teases. He scoffs but lays down beside you anyways.

Sandwiched between the two most gorgeous alphas you’ve ever seen you resist the urge to do a little celebratory dance. As much as you don’t want to leave you also feel like you’ve bothered them enough. You sigh before forcing the words out of your mouth.

"I guess I should be going back to my room now.”

They look at you as if you’ve just suggested committing a war crime. “Printsessa, you’re hurt. Don’t you think you should just rest here for tonight?" Natasha coos, gently taking your hand in her’s. The small affection is enough to make you momentarily forget your argument. Then Bucky is shuffling beside you, retrieving something from the floor.

“Plus you can't go anywhere without this little guy, right?”

To your horror, he’s holding your favorite stuffed animal. The one you fell asleep holding. “That’s… not mine,” you lie very convincingly. Nat raises a brow teasingly. “Really? ‘Cause it’s not ours.” You put on a show of fake concern. “Oh no, it’s… a bomb! I’ll defuse it!”

Bucky moves the plushie away from your reach. “If I give it to you, you have to promise not to teleport away.”

“You want me to stay here with a bomb?” You ask, determined to stick to your story.

“Omega, we both know it’s not a bomb,” Nat interjects, cupping your face so you’ll meet her eyes, effectively making your brain short circut. Your face burns under her touch. “I’ll stay,” you softly promise. The alphas smile triumphantly as Bucky hands you the toy.

“We’d never make fun of you, zayka. Everyone has their comforts,” Bucky soothes. “Really?” You ask, looking between them. “Of course. I have a safety blanket that I won’t let anyone use,” he confesses. Natasha hums beside you, "and I do ballet."

“Really? Could you teach me?” You ask, looking up at her with excited eyes. She thinks of the way she was taught and clenches her jaw. No, she’ll make it fun for you. “Whatever you want, pretty girl.” You beam at her sweet words just as a yawn escapes your lips.

Bucky places a large hand on your waist. “I think the pills are making you sleepy, doll. Why don’t you get some rest?”

“Wait, I need to ask you guys something.” You focus on the green dinosaur in your hands but you can feel their gazes burning into you. “I don’t think I can embarrass myself anymore so I’m just gonna come out and say it… do you want to go on a date with me?”

There’s a horrible silence for a moment. Bucky looks at his girlfriend with pure happiness but she’s more hesitant to accept your confession, considering you just suffered from a head injury then took strong pain medication. She sighs deeply. “Zayka, we should talk about this in the morning─”

You barely notice Bucky pressing himself against you, afraid you’re going to leave. You look at Natasha defiantly. “No. I might have a concussion, and be on drugs, and not wearing pants, but I know what I want! So if you’re going to reject me just go ahead and─”

Before he can stop himself, Bucky cups your jaw and turns your face to him, smashing his lips against yours. Nat raises her brow, hardly surprised by her mate’s impulsive behavior. Still she can’t help but groan at the two of you kissing. It’s even hotter than she imagined. When he finally pulls away your chest is heaving and you’re looking up at Bucky with big glassy eyes. You already look so wrecked from just a kiss.

“Did that feel like a rejection to you?” He teases in a gruff voice, bumping his nose against yours. You shake your head breathlessly. “Um, no, but I think I should get Nat’s opinion too.”

The red head smirks, leaning in slowly just to tease you. Just as you begin to pout she surges forwards and takes your bottom lip between her teeth. You gasp at the light sting but she quickly soothes it with firm kisses. Bucky squeezes your waist from behind, gently mouthing your neck. You shiver as she pulls back, blinking slowly. You clear your throat,

“Yeah. That checks out.”

They both grin at your dazed reply. “You’re adorable, pup,” Bucky coos sweetly. Natasha hums in agreement, cupping your cheek. “You should rest now, zayka. We can talk more in the morning.”

“And kiss?” You ask drowsily.

She smiles, gently running her fingers along your jaw. “Of course, omega.”

You clutch your toy in your arms and nuzzle against Natasha’s breasts, pulling Bucky’s arm around your waist. Your bare legs are intertwined underneath the warm blankets. The last thing you say is a soft and sweet, “night alphas,” before drifting off.

Both of their hearts pick up at the title. You had never called them that before. Bucky tucks his head into your neck. He inhales your scent to remind him that this is real and not a dream. The two most amaizng woman he’s ever known in bed with him just seems too good to be true. He feels Natasha moving and look to see her texting with one hand.

“What are you doing?” He whispers against your skin. “Just telling Steve that the three of us will be taking a sick day.” She responds quietly. Bucky smiles at the prospect of a lazy day with his girls. “You think of everything, malyshka.”

“I know.” She brags, placing the phone on the bedside table. “Friday, cancel all alarms and don’t let anyone in unless the world is ending.”

“We should order her some fancy stuff for her nest, you know, like from one of those special omega websites. Oh, and lots of stuffed animals,” Bucky excitedly plans as he looks at your peaceful face. Natasha reaches over you to stroke his arm,

“Relax, dorogoy. We’ll have our whole lives to spoil her.”

____

tag list: @thomasthetankson @liladoesfanfics @d14n4ol @romeo-the-cactus @cats-and-sheep

[yourtamaki]

history doesn’t repeat, it rhymes

sakusa x gn!reader

word count: 4.1k

warnings: angst, hurt/comfort, elements of depersonalization, non-explicit mentions of sex

dedicated to: @onyxoverride (thank you for beta reading) & @saintdabi

you can’t remember the last time you saw your reflection.

it wasn’t deliberate, the way you turned your back to the full length mirror in your closet every morning when you got dressed, how you usually dodged your reflection coming out of the shower like you did just now. at least, not at first. not until you realized how much better you felt now that you didn’t have to come face to face with a stranger everyday. that was the only word to describe whatever lived in the mirror. a stranger. any recognizable part of you had rotted away long ago. all that remained now was an empty husk with dead eyes and a selfish heart. the same selfish heart that set you on this path in the first place. 

was it worth it? you wanted to ask your past self. was his love worth what you did to yourself?

the very first night you met sakusa set the tone for the rest of your relationship. you’re still not entirely sure why you accepted your roommate, hinata’s, invitation to his team’s party to celebrate their record win streak. it probably had something to do with the puppy dog eyes he threw you. regardless, you went, wearing an outfit you were losing confidence in by the second and leaning against a wall as far from the drunk crowd as you could get. you never liked parties like this. too many people, too loud. but for your best friend, you were willing to grit your teeth and bare it. 

a part of you, larger than you would ever admit, wishes you never looked to your left that day. wishes that you never spotted the curly haired man looking so sullen despite half his face being covered with a mask, that you didn’t notice the way his eyes flickered from his empty red cup to where you knew the kitchen to be, how he wearily eyed the crowd of people that separated him from it. 

“i was about to grab a drink. i can bring something back for you if you’d like?” the first thing you ever said to the love of your life was a lie. you were planning on staying tucked in your corner all night, safe from the dancing drunks who had no concept of personal space until hinata was ready to leave. and yet the words were almost ripped out of you the moment your eyes landed on him, a fierce need to help the man flaring up from nowhere. you could only assume he had separated himself from the party for the same reason you had and it pulled on your heartstrings. no one ever noticed when you needed help so why not extend that courtesy to him instead? he blinked at you as though he had to process your offer before he nodded. 

“yes, please i’d appreciate it.” his voice was different than you expected it to be. slow and calm despite the way his fist clenched and unclenched.  “just water. a closed bottle if you can find it.” 

his brows furrowed for a moment when you held out your hand before letting out a quiet ah and handing you his empty cup. it was endearing how he placed it in your hand, balancing it carefully on your palm. 

“be right back.” you shot him a smile and started to make your way across the floor, getting pushed and jostled the entire way there. you made quick work of tossing the garbage into the overflowing trash bag and dug out two water bottles from behind a rack of beer cans in the fridge. the trip back was no easier and you breathed a sigh of relief when you were once again in your small private bubble with the man. the discomfort you endured, the skin crawling sensation of all those bodies too close to you was worth the way his eyes lit up when he saw you’d returned. 

he accepted the cool bottle with a murmured thanks, pulling his mask down and tucking it under his chin. handsome was your first thought and his name was your second. the two distinct moles on his brow should’ve given it away that you were talking to sakusa kiyoomi. you’d seen enough of hinata’s games, heard enough stories to put a name to the face. he held your stare as you placed him in your mind, taking a sip from the bottle as he did. an urge to say something, anything to keep those eyes on you bubbled up hot and fast and you said the first thing that came to mind. 

“my roommate’s your teammate.” 

“is he? which one?” 

“hinata. shoyo.” you added as though there was another hinata on the msby roster.

“ah. my condolences.” the corner of his lips quirked up when you snorted. “i’ve seen how he leaves a locker room. i don’t want to imagine what his room looks like.” 

“it’s not pretty, that’s for sure.” you said, leaning your shoulder against the wall and taking a moment to regard him. “can i ask why you’re here? shoyo told me you don’t like crowds so a party must be hard on you.” 

“would you believe me if i said contractual obligations?” 

“nope cause i helped shoyo go through his contract and i don’t remember ragers being a part of the deal.” a small burst of pride bloomed in your chest when he laughed, a quick huff from his nose and amused eyes as though he didn’t expect it. 

“you got me.” you waited for him to explain and deflated a bit when he remained silent. that is, until you followed where his eyes had wandered. it was easy to spot hinata from across the party. he sat high above the rest of the crowd on bokuto’s shoulders, leaning back occasionally to test bokuto’s reaction time and giggling every time he was caught at the last moment. meian was trying in vain to pull the ginger down while atsumu seemed to be on facetime with someone recording the whole thing, his loud laughter ringing out clearly over the music. 

“you’re here for them?” you said just as the realization dawned on you. sakusa twitched, so small you wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t been watching him so closely. 

“spending time with your teammates promotes better gameplay on the court.” 

“i’m sure it does. but wanting to hang out with your friends isn’t a crime.” 

“we are hanging out. i’m here, aren’t i? if they wanted to talk to me, they know where to find me.” the bitterness in his tone wasn’t enough to mask the acceptance behind his words, of being resigned to his fate as the forgotten one. 

“well, i found you.” he looked over at you, something unreadable swimming behind his eyes before they softened.

“yeah. you did. you know, you’ve talked a lot about shoyo but i don’t know anything about you. i don’t even know your name.” he said. heat raced to your cheeks, flustered that he seemed to be paying as much attention to you that you were to him.

“i didn’t even notice, sorry.” you said before offering your name. he repeated it back, once, twice, rolling it around on his tongue and you watched his mouth, mesmerized by how it curled around a word you’ve heard your whole life until it sounded new again. he spoke your name in a soft, hushed whisper and you wondered if his lips would feel just as soft. half-lidded, his gaze flickered downwards like he was wondering the same thing.

the rest of the night was a blur in your mind. all you could recall was that you chatted with sakusa until the others found you and you drove a passed-out hinata home with a new contact saved to your phone.  

the reminiscing left you drained, clutching your phone in your hands, the screen frozen on that same contact as you collapsed into bed and yet you couldn’t stop the rest of the memories from flooding through your mind, the truth you’ve been holding off for too long. you’ve picked at a festering wound that was best left alone. if you didn’t think too hard about it, if you ignored how it grew and ate away at you, it wouldn’t hurt as much. right? but it was too late. you’ve pulled the string and now you’re left to deal with your own unraveling. 

you scrolled through your texts for what feels like a lifetime, the entirety of your relationship flashing by and disappearing in an instant until you could scroll no higher. of course you sent the first text. a formal message that didn’t look anything like how you actually text with one too many exclamation points in your desperation to come across friendly. 

your fingers moved across the screen and when your mind caught up, your thumb was hovering over the button to delete the entire conversation. you never wanted to see evidence of who you used to be ever again. you didn’t want to be reminded of the person you cut and broke and killed until they fit into sakusa’s neat life. but sentimentality stilled your hand, the phone dropping from your limp fingers and crashing to the floor. you didn’t bother reaching for it.

the accursed memories refuse to let you be, another bobbing up to the surface from the murky depths and pulling you under before you could stop it. one that showed what little agency you had in your own life.

it started the way it always did. you noticed him. noticed how tired he was every time you spoke. how you went from going out on dates to always staying in to maybe being lucky enough to say good night over the phone before he crashed for the day. and sure, you were lonely. so starved for him it ached. but that was overshadowed by your worry for him. you would lay awake wondering if he’d remember to eat that day, if he had the energy to clean his apartment and if he didn’t, how much was that adding to his stress? 

so you swung by his place the next morning after he had left for practice, spent the day cleaning, restocked his fridge and were nearly done making dinner when he returned. his exhaustion was truly hammered home when he walked straight past the kitchen on autopilot before doubling back, tilting his head at you in confusion. 

“what are you doing here, darling?” 

“helping out.” you turned back to the stove and busied yourself with mindless stirring, afraid that you’d been too eager and overstepped. “you seemed pretty tired these days so i wanted to do something for you but you’re back earlier than i expected so i can just go if you want to be alone just let me-” 

your rambling was cut off when a force barrelled into you and sakusa hugged you tight from behind, head buried in the crook of your shoulder. all at once, whatever anxiety had been growing fled you and you relaxed into his touch. 

“thank you.” it wasn’t the words that made your heart leap to your throat. it was the sincerity, the slight crack at the end that told you he had more he wanted to say but didn’t know how. 

you fell into a routine of going over to his apartment, looking after things, kissing him when he returned and staying over at night. at first, it was once a week. then over the weekend, then every other day. 

“you should move in.” even though you half expected your relationship to take this next step, it still took you by surprise the casual way sakusa brought it up. you weren’t entirely sure if you wanted to move in with him just yet. you built a home with hinata and that apartment meant everything to you, all your happiest memories were made there and oh no sakusa was still waiting for an answer.  

“i should?”

“yeah.” 

and that was the end of it. you were packed and out of hinata’s apartment (because it was his now. his and atsumu’s. not yours, it’ll never be yours again) by the end of the month. most of your things didn’t come with you but that was fine, right? so what if you still felt like a guest in your home even to this day with none of yourself being reflected in the apartment? you got to wake up to see the love of your life every day and that made everything worth it. 

until you started waking up alone.  

extra training, he said. the team drafted new players and he had to get used to their play style, he said. and you believed him, trusted that he’d be home with you if he could. so you took the crushing loneliness and swallowed it down like a bitter pill. you smiled wide when he came home late with only the moon to light your bedroom and let him use your body to rid the stress of the day.

the dead of night was the only time you’d have him all to yourself. you could be greedy for his attention when he was buried inside you. it was easy to pretend you clawed up and down his back because you were caught up in the moment and not because you were desperate to keep him close to you. easy to pretend the tears in your eyes were from pleasure and not from how much you missed his voice. 

and when he was empty and spent, you would stroke his hair until he fell asleep and then, only then, would you whisper all the things you couldn’t tell him during the day. small, meaningless anecdotes that you knew would earn you a wry smile if he was awake to hear them, the one he used when he didn’t want to let on how close he was to laughing. the stolen moments were a salve on your fractured heart but it was never enough to heal it. in the end, when you were once again alone in your too-wide bed, it only served to remind you just how deep the cracks were. 

maybe that’s where you went wrong. you gave away your heart to someone and got nothing in return, nothing to plug up the all-consuming void in your chest. there was nothing left of you. no, that wasn’t quite true. there was nothing good left of you. you gave him your best parts and all you had now was pure resentment that burned hot and fierce in your core, so acidic it ate everything in its path. it burned away the dredges of your soul until all you could do was allow it to climb up and scorch your throat in a silent scream. 

another memory. it’s strange what your brain chose to latch onto as you spiralled. on the surface, you remember this to be a happier time. but as it overtook you, you’re reminded almost violently that the edges of this memory are stained with the early decay of your identity. 

before the early mornings and late nights, before you got into the habit of staring at your ceiling and wondering how you got to that point, you and sakusa had a tradition. you’d both find something, a story, a movie, that you think the other doesn’t know and share it with them. that day sakusa came to you with the myth of orpheus and eurydice. 

he told you the story of a man so in love with his wife he journeys to the underworld after she dies to find her, how hades tells him he can guide her to the land of the living but orpheus must trust that eurydice is following him. if he turns around, eurydice’s fate is sealed. sakusa explained how in every version of the myth, orpheus turned around at the very end out of an uncontrollable, unfiltered love for his wife. whether it was because he was excited to see the end of the tunnel and wanted to share his joy with her or because he feared she got lost, either one stems from the love he has for her. the love that sent him to find her is the same love that doomed her in the end. but the more sakusa spoke about orpheus, the more you wondered about the other protagonist of the story. 

“why didn’t eurydice try to let orpheus know she was there? she could’ve held his hand or touched his back or something.” you asked. you were laying your head on sakusa’s chest, letting the low rumble wash over you as he read you the tale. the question had been bugging you as the story came to its conclusion though you couldn’t place your finger as to why.

“she was a spirit. she would pass right through him.” 

“yeah but…” you searched for the words to explain your confusion. “she didn’t even try.” 

“it wouldn’t have mattered either way.” 

you opened your mouth to press the issue further, too stubborn to let it go just yet when you heard sakusa sigh out of his nose. it was enough for any question to die on your tongue and all that came out was a quiet, “i guess so.” 

it was a nothing memory. an empty thing to remind you of better times that you’ve had no need to look back on. so why did that moment swirl around your head now, as you crumbled in your lowest moments? scattered pieces start to form together in the recesses of your mind but before you could call them forth to make a full image, the bedroom door swung open and sakusa walked in. 

for once, you don’t slip on your well worn porcelain mask. you don’t school your expression and force it to mold into something that couldn’t quite be called happy. instead, you sat up straight in bed, held his gaze and did nothing to hide the maelstrom of hurt that raged inside you. a sick satisfaction shot through your veins when his steps faltered at the force of your stare. 

“what’s wrong?” he asked. 

what isn’t? you thought but instead said, “nothing. i was just thinking. about us.” 

“oh.” his eyes are already sliding away from you, a quiet detachment in his voice that made you grind your teeth in frustration. 

“remember that greek story you told me about?” 

“mhmm.” 

“tell me again why eurydice didn’t reach out.” there it is again. a short, sharp exhale from his nose. he opened his mouth but you spoke before he could. “humour me.”

“she was dead, darling. she couldn’t touch him, he couldn’t hear her so there was no point.” 

“no point? there was no point in trying to tell orpheus that she was behind him? he climbed into the underworld for her and she couldn’t try?” 

“could you--?” he cut himself off and pinched the bridge of his nose. “it’s late. i’m exhausted and really not in the mood so can we go to bed?” 

“doesn’t that sound familiar?” you continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “one person bending heaven and hell for the person they love while the other can’t even meet them halfway. remind you of anything?” 

now you had his full attention. his brows scrunched together and you’re not sure if he’s trying to figure out the meaning behind your words or the reason for your hostile tone. you don’t feel like helping him out either and instead watched the gears turn in his head with something akin to glee. it’s his turn to be paranoid, to overthink, to pick apart every moment of your relationship and dissect it piece by rotted piece. 

“please don’t be vague. if you’re upset with me, tell me.” it was the most emotion you’ve heard from him in so long, you were taken aback for a moment. 

“i’m a bit past ‘upset’, omi.”

“i’m sorry.”

you scoffed. “you don’t even know what you’re apologizing for.” 

“you’re hurt and it’s my fault. that's enough for me to say sorry.” 

“you don’t understand.” he crossed the room in three large strides, sitting on the edge of the bed to leave space between you. 

“then help me understand.” 

you floundered for the right words to explain the mountain of revelations you’ve uncovered and settled for, “how do i take my coffee, kiyoomi?” 

he took your use of his full name in stride. “black. one sugar.” 

“no that’s how you take your coffee. that’s the only way you ever make coffee. i had to learn to like it.” 

“what, you’re mad i don’t know how you like your coffee?” you know he didn’t mean anything by it, that’s he's always been more blunt that he means to be but it doesn’t stop you from feeling patronized and the hurt loosened your tongue. 

“it’s not about the coffee! it’s not about the fact that eurydice was a ghost. it’s the effort, omi. you haven’t put an ounce of effort into this relationship. i’m the one who has to bend. i’m the one that has to change, it’s never you.” 

“i never asked you to.” the truth of the statement knocked the air out of your lungs. because that's the worst part, isn’t it? you have no one to blame your misery on but yourself. 

“i don’t know how to love you without sacrificing pieces of myself. and i’m empty, kiyoomi, i've given you all of me. and it feels like you’ve given me nothing in return.”  

his head was bowed while he listened but from how tight he laced his fingers together, you know he was fighting to stay calm. “you know i love you, right?”

“do you? do you love me or love that i’m convenient? love that i clean your place and make you food and have a hole you can--” 

“stop.” you didn’t know it was possible for so much heartbreak to be packed into a single word. it sobered you of your venom and in its place, shame came rushing in. 

“i’m sorry. i'm pissed at myself for letting it get this far and i’m taking it out on you. i don’t regret loving you. but it feels like that’s the only thing living inside me. like i’m not even a person anymore.”

“i should’ve noticed. it shouldn’t have taken you snapping for me to realize what was going on.” 

“maybe.” 

silence, suffocating silence, stretched and morphed time until it felt like you’ve aged a decade in a moment. and then sakusa spoke.

“you’ll help a stranger just because they look like they might need it and ask for nothing in return. you’ll make someone food just so you can be sure they ate that day. you’ll tell me about your day while i fall asleep and i don’t think i could sleep without hearing your voice. you’re kind and too selfless for your own good and the best person i’ve ever met. it kills me that i’ve been the cause of your pain.”

it was strange hearing those traits spun in a good light when you’ve thought of them negatively for so long. strange knowing where you saw faults he saw things worth admiring. “you hear me at night?” 

“and you like focusing on minor details. yes, darling. every night.” 

“oh.” 

“i understand if you need… space, if you want to spend some time apart. but give me a chance. please. give me a chance to prove how important you are to me. i’m sorry that i’ve failed you. i’m sorry i've been taking you for granted. but that ends now. never again. 

“and i can help you, too. i can remind you of all the parts you say you’ve lost. i’ll tell you all about the person i fell in love with everyday if you need it. i’d never run out of things to say. please. you found me once, let me return the favour and help you find yourself. if-if you’ll have me.” 

his small speech wasn’t the reason tears stung the back of your eyes. as he finished speaking, sakusa reached out across the space between you and offered you his hand. a lifeline that you took, the lump in your throat to keeping everything you wanted to say stuck inside you. thankfully, you needed no words for sakusa to understand you. he brought your joined fingers to his lips and let out a shaky breath against them. the two of you stayed like that for a small eternity, drifted apart yet holding together with a bridge to link you. you’ve been fueled by resentment and anger for so long, you weren’t sure if you were strong enough to let them go. but you did know that you didn’t want to try without him by your side. 

[mrskurono]

Schweiden Sex Education: Intercourse || Wakatoshi Ushijima x Fem!Reader

Tags: mention of insecurities, vaginal penetration, slight size kink, soft sex, creampie, sex bruh

Character(s): Wakatoshi Ushijima (hq)

Word Count: 2.2k

a/n: this will be the final installment of this mini series, ngl it ended up more popular and more touchy feely than I thought it would. thank you everyone for reading <3

part (1) (2)

inter·course /ˈin(t)ərˌkôrs/

noun; sexual contact between individuals involving penetration

“Do you hate her?”

Ushijima blinked a handful of times at the voice going unregistered to him. Korai of course had to repeat himself.

“Do you hate our manager or something?” The second to newest Schweiden member craned his neck around to look at the same lady talking with the captain, “I mean...even since I started last season it seems like it but I dunno, do you just hate her or something?”

No longer the new guys, Ushijima still felt confused on what his teammate meant, “Why would you say that? I’ve never said that.”

Korai shrugged. White haired man taking the ball from his bigger mates grasp and chucking the volleyball at the real newbie coming into the gym when Tobio arrived. Korai gut laughed when the dark haired man didn’t catch it and only wasted a little more time before wiping at his eyes to look back at Ushijima with what he’d just said, “You spend so much time staring at her. Thought maybe you hated it her since never talked to her.”

Ushijima’s brows pinched in the middle with the deepest furrow, “I never said I hated anyone.”

Once more with a shrug Korai figured he’d drop it, “Well man, if you don’t hate her. You must have one hell of a crush on her then.”

The word rung in his head when you said it.

Sex.

You were naked under him. Rightfully so after his first attempt to bring you, or any woman, to an orgasm. He should feel proud if not a little smug. All he felt was nervous. 

“Ok....sex,” You inhaled deeply now that most of your senses was collected. The real thing felt a lot different than your own hand and the same scenario being lit up on the tiny screen of your phone. Slight tingle from that orgasm you were wondering if you had been that hard up for a hook up. Dashing that from your mind you refocus on the Schweiden player before you, “I mean...I guess there’s not a lot to say about it. I’m sure you’ve seen porn or Korai I’m pretty sure played something off of Pornhub in the locker room at least once.”

That light anecdote didn’t seem to tear the man’s concentration away from you. Leaving you to wiggle a bit and get higher up on the bed. Thinking maybe he was going to follow. Ushijima remained staring at you with that all too familiar look on his face. A look you recall years worth of seeing from across the gyms at practice.

Without warning it dawns on you, maybe he doesn’t actually want to have sex with you. A feeling nothing short of claustrophobic when it hits you. The tingle you’ve felt since the locker room fizzles out with vigor. You’re exposed. Silly. Regretful. Suddenly to recount your words.

“I mean-” You stumble over words falling from your lips while looking up at him and trying to cover some part of you, “We don’t have to- Um Ushiwa- Uh Ushijima- I uh it’s fine if you don’t want to we can just forget this-”

“I don’t hate you.”

The slur of words from your mouth catch. His surprising you more. You stop trying to cover yourself with what little blanket you can up root. Instead your brows furrow uncharacteristically at him at the foot of the bed.

“What?”

Olive eyes dropping from you it’s the first time since he joined three years ago that you saw him actually break eye contact first. You’re nothing short of surprised when Ushijima, still naked, sits back on the edge of the bed. Easing up on the need to cover yourself. You realize he’s talking about something entirely different.

Brows pinched together you ask again what he meant. Crawling towards him now. Kneeling beside him unsure if you should lay a hand on him or something. His face seems complacent like normal but with the way he sounded. It just didn’t sound right to you.

Ushijima lifts his gaze to meet your naked body right next to his. Of course he couldn’t tear them away from your form before him. All those times he’d stared at you over the years. Only now realizing he’d been trying to think what you looked like in this exact light.

“...I...Korai thought I hated you,” He confesses in the weirdest manner. Finding the one thing he couldn’t take his eyes off of wasn’t your naked body. But your face, “I don’t....I never did. I just- I think I love you and it might have been my fault if I-”

Cut off directly by the feeling of your lips against his. There’s a spilt second the man doesn’t know what to do with his hands. Only to be thankful when he felt your hands gently take his and place them on your sides. Getting the gesture Ushijima curled his broad arms around your bare waist just as you curled your own arms around his neck. Delaying the need for a breath in the passionate kiss until finally neither of you could hold out.

“Lets make love instead,” You mutter against his lips. Feeling for the first time Ushijima trying to push back into the kiss like he wasn’t ready for it to end just yet. Drawing your fingers down from the nape of his neck. Small circles over his collar bone to dip down between his well defined chest, you look up at him and smile, “...because I think I might be in love with you.”

Nothing short of a glimmer in the otherwise deadpan expression. Ushijima for the first time since the locker roomer took a kiss from you. Not just taking it. He downright kissed you back into the middle of the bed. Lips never leaving yours it was barely any fumbling as he scooped his big hands under your bottom and pulled you into his hips. Leaving you to hold onto his shoulders as the urgency of the kiss translated over to your movements together.

Sooner than later you felt his cock rub against your inner thigh. Only breaking the kiss enough as you kissed his cheek and the corner of his mouth with a breathy whisper, “Put it in...please, I want you to do it.”

Nodding there wasn’t a question to be asked. Ushijima understood more than anything where he wanted his cock to go. You telling him only sealed the fact he craved no one else.

Gripping his cock there’s a second when you adjust your hips and allow his length to slip up between your soaked folds. Earning a pleasant moan to bubble up between your lips. Any other time you might have been worried to take someone so big. But that was the last thing in your mind right now. Consumed with need all you could think of was the stretch of his cock inside you.

Rewarded with the real thing faster than anything else. You gasp. Making him stop half way to which you panic and tell him through a loud moan to keep going. Ushijima can’t stop but sink his thick cock down to the base in your sopping wet cunt. Nothing he could even imagine prepared him for this.

“W-Warm-” The low rumble of a moan echoed in his chest. Ushijima unsure what to do pushed his lips back onto yours. Just the way your walls clenched around him and you engulfed his senses was ethereal to him.

“Move....how you wanna,” You whisper against his lips, “I want you to fuck me like you’ve been wanting to all these years.”

There was hesitation. You were right he had seen porn and what they did. But none of that seemed desirable. Right now all he wanted to do was feel you. Consume you. Make every fiber of his being tingle with your body.

Slow to start Ushijima began rocking his hips into yours. Each movement earning more than just a lowly moan from you. Assured that it was wonderful by your praise and touching all over him. Soon it became a need for him to snap his hips into yours. Watch you squirm under him, mouth agape and eyes locked onto him. Everything intoxicating to every single sense the man had.

“ ‘gonna cum-” You bite back a moan as your hips bounce with each forceful thrust, “I- I think I’m gonna cum-”

“Please-” Ushijima buried his face into the crook of your neck, panting, thrusts hard and deep as he felt himself approaching a familiar feeling, “Please cum- I want you-”

Tongue gliding over your parted lips and swallowing the knot in your throat. It’s nothing like the knot growing in your stomach. Boxed in completely by the enormous man above you. It’s hardly possible to snake your hand down to your clit. But when you do your free hand gripes the back of his neck as your fingers dance around your already sensitive bud, “I- It’s too much- Fuck-”

For a split second he wonders what is too much but that is dashed when the shudder in your body starts at your toes and every inch of you twitches under him. Sealing the deal for Ushijima when he feels nothing short of heaven when your cunt tightens around him in a way no mouth or hand could ever mimic. All that stamina in the world for nothing when he pushes his hips into yours. Desperate to follow your lead.

Rutting into you as deep as he can until the warm gush of cum overflows into your cunt. You’d never felt anything so intimate yet even as his lips found yours to kiss you. The twitch of Ushijima’s cock with each spurt of cum had you moaning into the kiss like a virgin all over again. 

Both of you breathing harder than expected into the kiss. Finally came down from the high. His cock still buried in you and most of your body limp under him. You take a moment to swallow as you look up at the man before you. This time he was staring but you didn’t feel the need to turn away. Instead you smiled at him with a little giggle. And for the first time in nearly four years, Ushijima smiled back at you.

Minor Epilogue ;|

“Where’s Ushiwaka?” Korai dribbled the volleyball as he looked back towards the locker room.

Tobio looked up from his bottle after fiddling with the lid, “Hirugami didn’t say anything?”

White brows pinched together Korai bounced the ball as high as he could manage and huffed, “This is day three! He’s late and we get to wait for him!”

“You could just practice with Romeo and Sokolov before he comes.” Tobio offered without much concern as he grabbed the volleyball before Korai could catch it.

“Don’t break the lights Hoshiumi!” Hirugami shouted across the gym as he caught sight of one of the second youngest Schweiden harassing the volleyballs.

Grumbling to himself Korai snatched the ball back from Tobio, “Of course Hirugami-san!” Content with dribbling the ball at a much more manageable height, Korai looked around for a short stint at attendance, “You notice our manager has been late recently too?”

“And?” Tobio shouldered his duffel bag without a chance of even feigning interest in his teammates rant.

Brows still pinched Korai glared out at the double doors of the Schweiden’s gym, “I bet they’re hooking up. I bet- Look!” Korai skidded to a stop mid sentence when through the double doors it was the late Schweiden in question. Undoubtedly with their manager at his side. Like a detective Korai pounced on the chance to interrogate them but that was lost among the chaos when all of the Scweiden team witnessed Ushijima lean down and give their ever so wonderful team manager a kiss on the lips.

That’s when all insanity broke loose. 

Korai was on them like stink on shit. Tobio and Toshiro ready to intercept Korai before his rabid-ness scared the new love birds away. Tatsuto wanting a better look at the drama amongst the crew. Leaving Fukuro and Nicollas to exchange glances at each other as they hoisted up the volleyball net.

“Is that Ushijima and y/n?” Nicollas peered over to the bustling drama at the front of the gym.

Fukuro, minding his own business, nodded, “Think they’ve been going out for a while now.”

Smiling as Ushijima’s face seemed stone serious as ever and y/n’s face flush red as the white haired Schweiden had some serious question, Nicollas laughed as remembered that feeling, “Ah young love....wish there was an educational course one could take when learning the affairs of the heart.”

Fukuro snort laughed and tightened the bindings on the net they’d be using for practice if they ever stopped their gawking, “Yeah, we call that sex ed here.”

Nicollas chuckled when he saw their lovely manager punch Korai in the side. Revealing the oddest sight of Ushijima smiling ever so slightly on his stoic features while the rest of the Scweiden’s rallied around the new couple as the two seniors could only stand back and laugh, “Sex and love education....I think we could all use that.”

a/n: The end is finally here! Honestly I can’t believe I’ve actually finished a series in the first place! To everyone who’s read and supported it thank you from the bottom of my heart. This was too much fun to write and I won’t lie I might have a little soft spot in my heart for Ushijima now <3

[procrastinatingsapphictrash]

Already dating

Word count: 1618

Genre: Probably fluff, idk really

Pairing: Natasha x gn!reader

Warnings: None (let me know if I need to add any)

Request: could you maybe write something with Natasha x male reader (if your comfortable, otherwise you can write it with female or gender neutral) where Natasha blushes when the reader compliments her in front of the team and the team immediately goes crazy and does everything in their power to get them together, only to find out they've been dating all along?

Summary: Steve and Tony (mostly Tony) lock you in an elevator to admit your feelings, not knowing you’re already together.

A/n: Thanks @mochamoff for the request, sorry it took so long to do it! I’m writing this authors note over a week before I’m posting the fic which is unusual because usually I post within twenty four hours of finishing. Anyways it feels nice to be on a break and this fic being posted means I’m officially back which I’m excited for. To be honest this fic isn’t the whole team, just Tony and Steve, but I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out so I hope you all enjoy reading!

“Next time you have to listen to me in the field Stark.” Steve says as soon as everyone is settled into their place on the jet.

“Actually I don’t, you have absolutely no power over me and as much as you want to be the leader of this team you are not so stop acting like it.” Tony snaps back.

“Someone has to step up and lead.” Steve tells him. “It’s not like you could do any better, you would probably mess things up.”

“Maybe I would, but I would do a hell of a lot better than you are doing.” Tony says. “You like to pretend you’re all high and good and above us but who made you leader? Nobody. You crave control so you took it.”

“I did what needed to be done.”

You watch them snap back and forth at one another a few more times, rolling your eyes at Natasha. She gives you a small smile to show that she’s amused and turns her attention back to your two teammates whose argument has only gotten more and more heated.

“Y/n what do you think?” Tony asks, catching you off guard.

“About what?”

“About who would be a better leader for the team.” he explains. You think for a moment and they both stand as tall as possible (in Tony’s case it isn’t tall at all) and puff out their chests. You scoff, the male ego is so big, even in men who are good and try to do the right thing.

“Neither.” you decide.

“Neither- but the team needs a leader, you have to pick someone.” Tony splutters.

“Just because I don’t think the best leader is either of you doesn’t mean I don’t think the team needs a leader.” you tell him. How one of the smartest people in the world can’t figure that out for himself is beyond you.

“So who would you choose then?” Steve asks, confused.

“Natasha obviously.” you say, smiling at her. The corners of her mouth tug up slightly and even that small movement makes you feel proud.

“No offense, but Natasha???” Tony asks, seemingly outraged. “Why?”

“Well first of all she doesn’t have a fragile male ego like you dumbasses.” you tell them. “But it’s more than just that. She’s smart, both book smart and street smart. She can hack into computers and memorize information easily and knows how to blend in, or to get people to like her. She is more rational than the both of you combined but is also good at making decisions on the fly. She is an excellent fighter and can keep track of strategies and she has connections in and out of the government, with backup plans for almost every situation. Not to mention she has an amazing heart and don’t argue like some other people on our team tend to do. And of course she’s absolutely gorgeous but that doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

You wink at her at the end of your mini speech and are surprised to find her cheeks noticeably pink. She can’t help the smile that creeps onto her face when she thinks over your words.

“Abort mission, Romanoff is blushing and smiling, I think I might be about to die.” Tony states obnoxiously.

“Shut up, you’re just annoyed that she likes me better than you.” Natasha tells him, taking a breath to (mostly) collect herself.

“You’re scary when you’re happy. I haven’t seen you like that before.” he says. “Are you in love with Y/n or something?”

“Shut up.”

Tony smirks. “Make me.”

Natasha takes one threatening step towards him and that’s all it takes for him to back away, stuttering out apologies and mumbling under his breath about how Natasha is too scary to be a team leader. Natasha’s scare tactics do seem to work though because he doesn’t speak to anybody but himself for the rest of the ride home.

As soon as the jet touches down you and Natasha exit, heading straight to the room where you are supposed to be debriefed. Steve tries to follow but Tony grabs his arm to let him know to hold back a second.

“I know I joke but I honestly think they’re in love with each other.” Tony tells him. “I didn’t see it before today but there’s no way Y/n’s speech was platonic, who memorizes lists of reasons why they like their friends, not to mention their flirty wink at the end. And then Natasha, she’s scary but she was acting weird and happy around Y/n.”

“I hate to say this but I agree with you and they would make a cute couple.” Steve says. “But we should probably catch up now.”

Tony takes Steve’s words as an opportunity to stop being serious and become obnoxious again. “Onward dear captain, lead the way fearsome leader, how ever could I-”

“Tony I’m trying to be polite but you are making it very hard.”

---

“Tony no.”

“Tony yes.”

“That is a horrible idea.”

Tony opens his mouth in outrage. “I think it’s a pretty good idea actually.”

“I won’t work.” Steve counters.

“Well I think it well and need I’m the only genius here.” he says smugly.

“You can’t force love!” Steve tells Tony, running his hand through his hair in frustration.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Tony says, “I’m not forcing love, they are already in love. All I’m doing is giving them a little push.”

“By locking them in an elevator?” Steve asks in a deadpan voice.

“Exactly.”

“You can’t just go around locking people-” Steve starts to say but he gets cut off by Tony.

“Shhhhhhh, hi Y/n, hi Natasha.”

“Hi guys, what are you up to?” you ask, obvious to what was going on seconds before you entered the room. Natasha eyes them suspiciously because they are acting weird, holding their bodies stiffly, which means they are hiding something.

“We were just about to head down to the training room, want to come?” Tony lies smoothly while Steve shakes his head in the background.

“That sounds good,” you reply, “you want Tasha?”

“Okay.” she agrees, still eyeing both of them, Tony in particular suspiciously.

“Great!” Tony says and starts to walk towards the elevator and the rest of you follow him, Steve trying to convince himself that going along with Tony’s plan is doing no harm.

“Ladies first.” he says, stepping off to the side and giving a big flourish with his arm. It’s weird but then again Tony is always weird so you don’t think too much of it, stepping into the elevator. As soon as Natasha follows you in he orders Jarvis to close and lock the doors and to prevent the elevator from moving and then pulling up a screen so he can watch you.

“You better run when I get out of here!” Natasha yells. “You too Steve!”

“You’re going to thank me later.” Tony says. “Steve, why don’t you explain why we locked them in.”

“Um,” Steve hesitates, not knowing where to start, “well we think that you two need to talk about, um, feelings.”

“Feelings?” you ask, confused, while realization dawns over Natasha’s face.

“Um, yeah feelings.” Steve responds, feeling very awkward and hoping this works so he didn’t do all that for nothing.

“They don’t know we’re dating and they’re trying to get us together.” Natasha leans over and whispers in your ear before straightening back up and talking to Tony again. “I didn’t take you for such a romantic Stark.”

“What? I’m not- romantic me? Pepper says I’m the least romantic guy she’s ever been with.” he splutters, trying to regain his masculinity.

“And that is not a compliment.” you tell him. “But for some reason even though ‘you aren’t romantic’ you wanted to get us together.”

“Maybe I did,” he says. “but you have to admit that my plan is amazing and it's totally working.”

Natasha snorts “What part of this conversation screams working to you?”

“Well you haven’t killed Y/n yet and neither of you have denied your feelings so it’s obviously working. I expect a thank you speech dedicated to me at your wedding.” He says arrogantly.

“There will be no speech.” Natasha tells him.

“But there will be a wedding?” He asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively and Steve has to look away because it looks ridiculous.

“Hopefully.” you say, teasing Tony with your vagueness but also making Natasha smile as she thinks about what that might be like.

“Told you my plan would work.” Tony brags to Steve before telling Jarvis to release you from the elevator.

“Your plan sucked.” Natasha tells him. “We were already dating dumbasses.”

She grabs your hand and pulls you out of the room as Steve and Tony stare after you, shocked.

“Did you know about this?” Tony asks, looking at Steve with suspicion.

“Not at all.” Steve answers, his mouth still half open. In hindsight it should have been obvious. Of course Natasha wouldn’t want to be open about her dating life right away, she likes her secrets way too much.

---

“You owe me fifty bucks Y/n.” Natasha tells you once you’re out of earshot.

“Seriously?” you whine.

“You said they already knew but they didn't, so pay up.” She holds her hand outwards expectantly and you both laugh.

“Later.” you tell her. “There are more important things to do now.”

“Hmm, like what?” she teases gently, taking a step closer to you. Your breath catches because you still can’t believe you are dating someone this beautiful. You match her halfway and pull her into a deep kiss, only pulling back when you need to breath.

“This.”

---

Taglist:@fayhar@xxxtwilightaxelxxx@acertainredhead@madamevirgo@megaqueenmaeve@cherryblossomskye@aaron-despair@chickenhavewisdom@emril-osvigne@nyankitty987@agathaharkness-simp@midnight-lestrange@thewidowsghost@nyx-aira@stephanieromanoff@satxnsupreme@likefirenrain@wlwlovesreading@stop-drop-and-drumroll@peggycarter-steverogers@casperlikej@redswing@mochamoff@king-star@blackbat2020

[just-another-blog-of-fluff]

The Waiting Game

Warnings: tickling, fluff

Word count: 3200

I'm not as happy with how this one came out as the last two, but if I keep thinking about it I'll never post it so... hope it's alright!

* * *

You knew you shouldn’t tell anyone. You knew there would be consequences. But it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.

You had been taking care of your friend’s pet hamster while they were away for the weekend. For the most part, you’d kept it in your room in its cage to avoid bothering the others with all the noise it made overnight, running on its squeaky wheel at all hours. When everyone else had left the compound for the day, you decided the poor animal could use some real exercise. You had placed the critter in his little hamster ball and brought him to the common area so he could roll around freely.

Except, the little door that closed the ball wasn’t latched all the way. Oops.

Before you knew it, you were crawling around on your hands and knees trying to locate your friend’s pet. You left little snacks out around the room in hopes it would get curious and come out of hiding to munch on something. You were so focused on the task at hand you hadn’t noticed Loki had entered the room, until you heard his voice behind you.

“What in the norns are you doing?” he inquired. You turned to look at him, just as you saw a little fuzzy creature tear across the room and right in front of the dark-haired god. He let out a somewhat undignified yelp as he jumped back. Luckily, the hamster stopped at one of the treats you’d left for him, giving you ample opportunity to scoop him up in your hands. “W-what is that?”

“This is my friend’s hamster!” you explained, giggling at his reaction. “The better question is – what was that noise you made? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of this little thing?”

“Of course not! It merely startled me, is all,” he quickly insisted. You held the hamster out toward him, and Loki took a nearly imperceptible step backward.

“Mmhmm, ok. Not scared. Got it.” Grinning, you moved your hand back and petted the hamster gently on the head. “What would the others think if they knew you a tiny little rodent made you freak out?”

Loki narrowed his eyes at you. “Never speak of this,” he demanded, pointing a finger firmly at you to emphasize. He quickly left the room after that, likely to regain his composure.

But you couldn’t just not tell anyone about this gold nugget of information you’d just learned. So, naturally, you told his brother. And Thor, not one for keeping secrets, told everyone else. Needless to say, there was quite a bit of teasing over the next couple of days. You steered clear of the god, knowing he would not take kindly to your having informed the rest of the team about the little incident.

You couldn’t avoid him forever, though. A couple days later, after having returned the pet to your friend, you were making breakfast for yourself in the kitchen when Loki’s voice echoed from the doorway.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he stated, his tone ominous. You turned from the stove to meet his eye, smiling sweetly to mask your nervousness at being confronted by the trickster.

“No, of course not! We just haven’t crossed paths,” you fibbed. He rolled his eyes.

“Oh yes – I suppose yesterday in the hallway you just realized you forgot something SO important you had to literally sprint in the opposite direction as you saw me approach?”

“Oh… alright, fine. Yes, I’ve been avoiding you. Wouldn’t you do the same?” Loki stepped into the kitchen, taking a few gradual steps toward you.

“You must know there are consequences when you cross me,” he warned. “You humiliated me, and so I think it only fair I do the same to you.”

“Well good luck with that, I’m an open book. There’s no secrets you can use against me,” you quipped.

“You see, I thought that may be the case, so I started querying the other Avengers,” he explained, now standing only a few feet away from you. Instinctively, you put down your half-cooked breakfast and took a step away from the advancing Asgardian. “Most of them had fairly useless information – scared of spiders, fairly standard human weakness… sleeps with a stuffed bear, which everyone already seemed to know about…”

“Please. That’s not embarrassing,” you huffed.

“…and then I spoke to the spider child. He provided me with some very interesting information about you.” Loki smirked, causing you to laugh nervously.

“Oh, do tell,” you urged, folding your arms across your chest, and trying to play it off as a laugh of disbelief. Loki had now backed you into the corner of the kitchen, which you hadn’t realized until your back met the cold plaster of the wall.

“He informed me that the only time he’s ever seen you truly flustered and embarrassed was during one of your sparring matches, when he accidentally learned about your little secret.” Realization dawned on you, and you tensed up immediately. “He described how you’d begged him not to tell anyone, and he hadn’t up until this point. Apparently he finds me threatening, so it wasn’t difficult to convince him to start talking.”

“I-I don’t know what he could possibly be talking about,” you muttered.

“I think you do,” Loki argued. He pounced at you, lunging with his hands aimed at your sides, causing you to squeak and curl into yourself. His hands stopped inches away from you, close enough that your skin tingled from sheer proximity to his fingertips. “You’re ticklish. Severely, based on that reaction.”

“Pshh, no I’m not! That’s… that’s ridiculous,” you denied, your lie exposed by your nervous giggles and blushing face.

“Mmhmm, I’m sure.” His hands darted toward your belly, again stopping right before he made contact. You yelped and whipped your arms down across your torso to protect yourself. Loki’s smirk only grew wider.

“Ok, fine. You’re right. Just… get it over with!” you begged.

“Oh no. Where would be the fun in that?” he chuckled, stepping back and allowing you space to move away from the wall. “I’ve got to build some anticipation. Catch you when you least expect it.”

“That’s just mean!” you groaned. Loki laughed again, turning around to leave the kitchen. Just before he left, he called over his shoulder.

“You’d better watch your back.”

* * *

Loki’s little game went on for days.

You were on edge at any given moment. Peeking around corners before entering rooms, listening through doors before opening them, trying to ensure your safety before making a move. You half expected him to jump out of nowhere and attack you with tickles on your way down the hallway, but it never happened. Still, you made your travel between rooms as brief as possible.

You wouldn’t say you were dreading the moment he finally did decide to pounce. In fact, in a way the idea made your heart flutter with excitement. What made you most nervous was the thought of the team figuring out you actually enjoyed being tickled, especially Loki. You were certain that that would be the embarrassing part. That, and the fact that you were already flustered by being around Loki long before he figured out this bit of information about you.

You couldn’t always avoid him. There were times that you had to be in the same room for prolonged periods, like during meetings. Loki always seemed to have things set up before you arrived so that the only seat remaining in the room was next to him. You considered sitting on the floor, once, but Steve gave you a scorning look which made you shrink down into the chair beside Loki, albeit begrudgingly. During these meetings, Loki always made sure to keep you on your toes; leaning towards you abruptly and placing his hand on the back of your chair, making you jump, only to whisper something about the meeting presentation, or some ridiculous observation about his brother.

It wasn’t just during work-related gatherings, either. One night, you joined a few of your teammates in the common room to watch a TV show together. Wanda stood up from the couch beside you to go grab a snack from the kitchen, and out of nowhere Loki swooped in and sat down in the spot she previously occupied.

“Good evening,” he greeted you, smirking as you shuffled further toward the edge of the couch to increase the distance between the two of you.

“Loki,” you grunted stiffly in reply.

“Now, y/n, that’s no way to greet your fellow team member,” he scolded tauntingly, clapping a hand on your shoulder, and causing you to flinch away reflexively. He leaned back against the couch, casually propping his feet up on the coffee table in front of you – a stark contrast from your position, huddled in the corner of the couch hugging your knees to your chest in an effort to make yourself as small as possible. “Pray tell, what are we watching?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” you huffed. Maybe this whole situation was making you feel a little bratty toward the Asgardian, but in all honesty he really did deserve it.

Suddenly he lunged toward you, causing you to squeak and jolt away from his fingertips. He never touched you, though, closing his fingers around the TV remote sitting on the couch beside you with a smug grin on his face.

“My, my, aren’t we jittery this evening?” he teased, settling back into his seat as he pointed the remote toward the TV to check the guide and find out the show title you had refused to provide.

“Everything alright over there, antsy-pants?” Tony asked, having witnessed the whole interaction.

“Yup! Just peachy,” you replied quickly, shooting Loki a quick glare.

“Peachy? Uh… alright then…” Tony scrutinized you for a moment before turning his attention back to the TV screen.

Needless to say, you didn’t really remember any of the rest of the show from that evening.

Then, as if these group gatherings weren’t enough, there was also your regularly scheduled training sessions. One morning, when Nat had you practicing throwing punches at the punching bag, you sensed Loki lurking around behind you. You turned your head just enough to catch him in your peripheral vision standing a few feet away, observing you silently.

“Better watch yourself – I might just throw one of these punches in your direction,” you threatened, keeping your eye on him as you continued to practice.

“Such hostility,” he teased. “Surely this much stress can’t be good for a mortal such as yourself.” He quickly advanced toward you, causing you to spin around and throw your hands up in front of you in defense. A deep, throaty laugh escaped his lips at your reaction. “You’ve only proven my point. You must learn not to be so tense.” He grabbed hold of your shoulder and turned you around, kneading both shoulders with his strong hands. Under normal circumstances, you’d have melted under his touch, but you were unwilling to let your guard down even for a moment. You grabbed his wrists and turned back to face him, pointing an accusing finger in his face.

“I’m not just going to let you slip past my defenses that easily,” you warned, stepping backward toward the door to leave while he smirked at you in amusement.

“Oh, don’t worry - I’m certain of that.”

* * *

After a week of this charade, you were really getting anxious. You were starting to flinch at every little sound, every rapid movement anyone made in your direction. Even when it wasn’t Loki you were interacting with, you couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The anticipation was literally driving you insane.

You entered the training room that morning ready to release some of your stress in your sparring session. Unfortunately, Steve had started noticing over the last few days that you and Loki were in the middle of some sort of conflict, and so he assigned the two of you as sparring partners, telling you to either fight it out or get over whatever it was. Reluctantly, you stepped out onto the sparring mat and faced your opponent, already starting to feel nervous butterflies in your stomach. Loki shot you his characteristic mischievous smirk, ducking into his fighting stance.

“I’ll do my best to make this a fair fight,” he goaded. You mimicked his stance, narrowing your eyes at him across the mat.

“Just get on with it, Loki,” you ordered. You didn’t wait around for him to make the first move, throwing a quick one-two punch which he dodged easily. He countered with a jab toward your ribs, stopping just before he made contact, but it was enough to make you flinch. You aimed a low-sweeping kick at his ankles but missed again as he hopped over your leg. Frustrated, you threw another sloppy punch toward his shoulder, but he grabbed hold of your wrist and yanked you toward him, spinning you around easily and pinning your arm behind your back, his other hand gripping your waist.

“Do you yield?” he asked, his voice low in your ear. You spun back around and yanked your wrist free in one fluid motion, driving him backward by slamming your forearm into his chest.

“Not just yet,” you grunted, grinning as he stumbled from the unexpected force. Loki quickly regained his balance, wasting no time in lunging at you again. This time, he aimed his hand toward your side, causing you to yelp and twist awkwardly to avoid his touch.

“Did Natasha teach you that move? Your form is getting sloppy.”

“You know exactly what made me move like that,” you muttered, jumping back on the offensive and landing a couple of blows to his shoulder. He retaliated with a jab straight at your stomach, stopping his own momentum early enough that he merely tapped his fist against your belly. You doubled over, wrapping both arms around your torso protectively.

“It seems your fighting skills require quite a bit of work.”

“Damnit, Loki!” you shouted, unable to take it anymore. “If you’re going to do it, just do it!”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” he replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Oh, you know exactly what I mean. You’ve been finding every excuse to lean toward me or make a sudden move in my direction to make me think you’re going to do it. I can’t stand it anymore!” You didn’t quite realize how loudly you were shouting at this point, causing heads to turn in your direction without your noticing. “I know this was all part of your grand plan, to drive me insane with anticipation. You win! I give! Just… get it over with already, please!”

In one swift motion, Loki tackled you flat on your back onto the mat, arms pinned over your head. You felt your stomach somersault, partially from the sudden drop to the floor and partially from the wide smirk on Loki’s face as he hovered over you.

“Well, since you asked so nicely…” Loki released both of your wrists and latched both hands to your sides, squeezing rapidly. You burst into uncontrollable laughter at the agonizingly ticklish sensation. Even Loki seemed somewhat taken aback by your reaction. “No wonder you were so concerned; the spider boy certainly wasn’t lying.”

“Damn you Peteheher!!!” you groaned through your laughter. At this point, everyone in the room had stopped what they were doing to see what the sudden commotion was about. You could feel your face burning, knowing everyone’s eyes were on you as Loki tickled you senseless.

You couldn’t bring yourself to fight back very hard, though; after all, you’d been waiting for this to happen for an entire week. You hoped it didn’t seem too obvious. You didn’t dwell on it for long, though, as Loki’s fingers crawled up to your ribs, depriving you of all coherent thought.

“Do you regret spreading humiliating rumors about me yet?” he teased, his smirk widening.

“N-no!”

“Tsk, tsk, wrong answer, darling,” Loki shook his head in mock disappointment, his hands darting back down to your sides so he could dig his thumbs into your hips.

“Lo… Loki… wahahait!” you pleaded, shrieking at the new sensation, and swatting feebly at his hands.

“I’m sorry, I’m not comprehending what you’re trying to tell me.” He was laughing now, clearly enjoying himself as he made you squirm under his torturous fingers. “Come, now, darling; I know you can fight better than that.” You shook your head rapidly, grasping weakly at his wrists. He moved to scribble lightly into your belly, trying to allow you the chance to talk while still keeping you giggling. “Use your words, love.”

“I-I cahahan’t!” you protested.

“You can’t? Or you’ve chosen not to?” Your eyes widened a bit, realizing he’d caught on to you. “Are you enjoying this?”

Blushing furiously, you rolled abruptly to the side to break his hold and scrambled to your feet, gasping for breath. Loki stood as well, staring you down for just a moment before lunging toward you. You turned and began to run, but the god easily caught up to you, grabbing hold of your arm and yanking you backward so he could trap you in what you could only describe as a bear hug.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Um…” Your heart was pounding in your chest from both exertion and embarrassment. “No? That would be… that would be weird.”

“On the contrary; I find it amusing. Dare I say… endearing, even.”

“Really..? Are you sure-” You were cut off by your own hysterical laughter as Loki dug his fingertips into your ribs, tickling you with renewed vigor. With your arms pinned to your sides and your back pressed flush against his chest, there was very little hope of you escaping this time.

“Surely you understand the implications of this newfound knowledge, dear? You’ve provided me with the perfect excuse to torment you whenever I’d like.”

“Stohohop teasing… LOKIHIHI!” you pleaded, your knees going weak as his fingers darted up and down your sides. You’d completely forgotten about everyone else in the room at this point, your mind going fuzzy. The only thing keeping you standing upright at this point was Loki holding your weight up as he tortured you.

By the time he released you from his hold, your stomach hurt from laughing so hard, and tears of mirth blurred your vision. It had been quite some time since anyone had tickled you like that. Heat still prickled in your cheeks, but you felt happy, nonetheless.

“Damn. Now I know how to cheer you up when you’re moping around the tower,” Tony quipped, walking past you and patting your shoulder as everyone finally returned to their own training exercises.

“Shut up, Tony,” you groaned, hiding your face in your hands. A swift poke in the sides made you jerk both arms down away from your face.

“I do believe we’re even,” Loki stated, smirking.

“Fine. We’re even. Now – can we finish our sparring match? Without cheating this time?” You shoved his shoulder playfully to emphasize your point. He only grinned wider.

“Darling, I refuse to make promises that I don’t intend to keep.”

[thewestcoastlady]

[HD] Roy Kent hugged Jamie Tartt - Ted Lasso S02, 2021

This scene. This whole beautiful scene.

Roy was Jamie’s hero growing up and wanting to be a footballer. To have his hero hug him at that moment was everything. For Roy to know what Jamie needed at that moment was everything.

I have watched this scene so many times now and noticed so many things. 

The way Jamie seems to be boiling over, not just from yet another occasion of him not escaping his father's abuse, but also have it happen in front of his team. He has never been more vulnerable. And then he explodes, and he’s even more vulnerable. And then Roy hugs him and he is even MORE vulnerable as the floodgates open. 

The only one that actually knew what Jamie’s relationship with his dad was like was Ted, who as we later find out has his own major issues with his father, and he’s sort of frozen in place, just like he was at the end of the first season.

The others didn’t know, and the way it dawns on a lot of them now why Jamie was the way he was for so long, and to see him break away from that... 

I just noticed how Zoreaux gets up as soon as Jamie hits his dad, as if ready to get into it, and when Jamie's dad gets up, many of them kinda lunge forward on their seats, like they’re also ready to intervene, before Beard actually grabs him and drags him out. 

Beard is so ready to intervene from the get go. He could see it coming a mile away. I’d like to know more about that.

The way that they're all just looking at Jamie to see what he's going to do now, to give him space to absorb what just happened.

The way Jamie’s eyes move and he’s breathing hard through his nose... The way, as Roy moves toward him and we see the wide shot of the changing room and all the players standing or sitting, and Jamie looks so small and he’s just standing there in shock... The way he sort of flinches when Roy hugs him.

And Roy realizes that Jamie has never had anyone show him that kind of love and appreciation, especially not his dad, the one person who is supposed to...

Like the guy from the Shawarma place said when he asked Ted if he was Roy’s dad and Ted said he was his former coach: “Basically the same thing.”

Because yeah, Jamie’s only real father figures have been his coaches, particularly the Richmond ones. Roy is basically Jamie’s “dad”, and regardless of the ups and downs of their relationship, he needs to be a good dad then, to show Jamie that he’s worthy of love and appreciation and respect, and that he just did a really good thing for himself and nobody had to tell him to do it. He just instinctively did something to break out of the abuse cycle, and Roy wanted to assure him that it was a good thing and that it’s going to be okay. 

And Jamie at last understood that he didn’t have to be like his dad, that he had a choice, and that he can trust these people and be vulnerable with them...

I’m okay, I’m fine... I just love this show so much...

EDIT: more stuff that I noticed (after watching this a few more times since I posted it): Sam holds out his arms to signal to the others to stay down and stand back for a moment, but as soon as Jamie’s dad gets up a bunch of them do stand up and are ready to defend their teammate, just before Beard promptly drags him out.

I wonder what coach Beard did when he followed Jamie’s dad out the doors...

When Jamie’s dad shouts “don’t you forget where you came from!”, and I feel that Roy hugging Jamie is like him saying “that doesn’t matter, where you come from is not your choice, but what you do from now on is”. He is forgiving him for the mistakes he’s made because he was made to believe that he can’t be a better person than what his abusive dad made him think. 

I rewatched another clip that shows the entire scene, and when Jamie says “I’d rather not” and “don’t talk to me like that”, it’s so hard for him, to keep his cool, to get the words out, he’s so scared, he’s so done, and yet he says it, even if his voice is uneven and low, even if he can’t look at his father in the eyes. Because he’s probably internalized by now, at least a little bit, that he doesn’t have to be embarrassed about being diminished in front of his teammates and coaches like that, but rather that his teammates and coaches would probably not want to see him like that and trust them to back him up. So he does that for himself, he speaks up and punches his dad for himself, not for them, not for what they would think of him. 

I love Sam’s face, as Jamie starts crying, and how he’s probably thinking “I can’t believe this whole time we didn’t know...”

Ted knew. Ted had seen it. And that’s why Ted gave him a second chance, and for a split second I wondered hard how Ted didn’t do anything in that moment, why he froze, and a moment later we got our answer. 

I need to stop... I seriously need to stop... Today is Ted Lasso day, and I need to watch the new episode now, stat. I need something to restore my faith in humanity. It’s such a powerful thing how this show is working on deconstructing toxic masculinity. Give me more.

[starryeyedweeb]

Walking In On Your Fave Anime Blondes Singing Along to Dolly Parton’s “Dumb Blonde”

Content Includes: Honestly, this could be read as either platonic or romantic- it’s basically borderline crack meant to give you a smile and some laughs. All underaged characters are aged up to 18+. Gender neutral reader, some language

Characters Included: Armin Arlert, Kurapika Kurta, Hawks/Takami Keigo, Tsukishima Kei, Gojou Satoru, Bakugou Katsuki

“Just because I’m blonde, don’t think I’m dumb. Because this dumb blonde ain’t nobody’s fool.”

Armin

This is actually his power song

Before important meetings and strategy sessions where he’s slated be a big presenter, you’ll always hear him mumbling the same words over and over again under his breath, but you can never make out what they are

Until one day when you’re able to connect the dots 

One such meeting was coming up, and you leave for it before Armin does

He had just told you that he’s not quite ready to leave yet, but doesn’t explain why

You don’t think much about it and carry on, until you realize that you left a part of your harness at home and have to turn back

As you walk back through the door, you notice the sound of singing coming from his bedroom

The voice is distinctively Armin’s, and seeing as you’ve never heard him sing before, you’re actually quite excited

You sneak in as quietly as possible, and much to your amusement, you find him singing to himself in the mirror, pointing back at himself and belting the words almost aggressively

“Because this dumb blonde ain’t nobody’s fool!”

You wanted to sneak away and pretend you never saw anything, but you can’t resist bursting out into laughter

He jumps around and yelps, his face turning cherry red

“Y/N! I thought you left! I, um...I- this was...”

“Oh, my god.” A realization dawns on you. “Is that what you’re always whispering under your breath when you’re nervous?”

“Um...yeah. It just makes me feel stronger, I guess. I know, it’s so stupid...”

“No, it’s so cute! I promise,” you assure him. “And it’s fitting.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Even though you’re blonde, there’s not a dumb bone in your body.” You wrap him in a hug. “And you definitely aren’t anybody’s fool. Never let yourself be convinced otherwise.”

Kurapika

He’s had a bad day at work.

A really bad day.

He bursts through the front door one evening, eyes bright crimson, absolutely raving about how sick he was of being pushed around and treated like he’s less than he is, spewing out ultimatums such as “To hell with the intel, I’m never going back to being a bodyguard ever again.”

To cheer him up and to get away until his anger could simmer down, you offer go pick up his favorite meal

And as you approach the door with the food in hand, you hear something odd on the other side

You cautiously open the door and peer inside, discovering Kurapika yelling along to the popular song

No, seriously- yelling

There’s no sense of song to his cadence whatsoever, he’s just hollering louder than you’ve ever thought him capable of

He’s also pulled out a basket of laundry and has started throwing it around the room as he continues on his rampage

(It was the least destructive thing he could take his anger out on)

You tiptoe over to put the food on the counter, but he’s still yet to notice you

When he shows no signs of stopping, his eyes growing redder by the second, you eventually clear your throat

“Pika, what are you doing?”

He stops with a jolt, the ending notes of the song fading away in the background

The red of his eyes drops down to his face as he realizes what you just saw

“y/n...how long have you been standing there?”

“Since the first chorus.” You choke down a giggle. “I didn’t know you liked that song.”

“I don’t, I just...” He rubs the back of his neck. “Silly as this is, it’s just the best way I’ve found to relieve my petty stress in a safe way.”

“So... this is something you do often?”

His face grows so red you think it might burst. “...yes.”

You two stare at each other for a few moments, then simultaneously burst into laughter

The kind where your entire body shakes, your stomach hurts, and tears spill from your eyes

When he doubles over to catch his breath, you cross the room to wrap him in a hug, rocking back and forth

“Can I join in next time?” you teasingly ask. “It looks fun.”

Kurapika wipes his cheeks and rolls his eyes with a smile. “Sure, why not? Just don’t tell anyone else.”

Hawks

This was the first time you had ever slept over with Keigo, and what he listens to while getting ready comes as quite a surprise.

He gets up before you do, and you wake to hear strange music coming through the closed bathroom door

You tiptoe over to see what’s going on, sliding the door open as quietly as possible

Not that he would’ve heard you, anyway, because as he’s doing his eyeliner, he’s humming along to the blaring Dolly Parton hit, swaying his hips in time with the beat

When the song reaches its defining line, he pulls the eyeliner pen away from his face and throws his head back, wailing the lyrics to the ceiling with comedic passion

You stifle your laughter behind your hand as he returns to his task, still  oblivious to your presence

Picking a choice moment to reveal yourself, you burst fully into the bathroom and fix him with a mischievous look

“Whatcha listening to?”

He jumps in shock when he spots you, leaving a streak of eyeliner down his cheek

“Fuck!” He exclaims, pouting at the black stripe. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough,” you tease.

“I mean, it’s not what it looks like.” He avoids eye contact, hunting around for makeup remover. “Don’t you just have a random song that gets you motivated, no matter how stupid it is?”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed.” You hoist yourself up onto the bathroom counter next to him. “Dolly Parton is amazing. ‘Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeeeeene’.”

“You know what? She is. You’re so right.” He points his eyeliner at you, nodding in aggressive approval. “See? This is why I like you.”

And you can bet your ass that every time you get in the car together from here on out, you’re blaring Dolly Parton

There have been several instances when you’ve shown up to missions with it pounding from the speakers as you sleekly step out of the car, ready to apprehend any villains that dare to cross the pair of you

And it’s the most badass thing ever.

Tsukishima

At this point in your relationship, you thought you had learned all of Tsukishima’s secrets.

You were wrong.

It starts completely innocently, with the two of you going with Yamaguchi for a boba run

And when Tsukishima settles into the driver’s seat, his phone auto-connects to the speakers and sends familiar country twangs through the car at a volume that prompts you to clap your hands over your ears

“Shit!” he mutters, fumbling around, unsure which would do the most damage control: changing the song or muting the volume

“Kei,” you guffaw, “what the hell were you listening to?”

“It was an ad,” he insists, eventually managing to get the volume to a favorable range and select a less-embarrassing song choice

“Don’t let him fool you, Y/N.” Yamaguchi’s head pokes between the two front seats. “Dumb Blonde is one of his favorite songs.”

“And don’t listen to how idiotic Yamaguchi’s being,” Tsukishima bites back, but the pink tinge growing over the top of his ears betrays his lie.

“It’s been one of his top five most played songs for about three years now,” Yamaguchi continues. “I think he relates to it.”

“You’re kidding!”

At this point, you can’t control your giggles, and Kei’s jaw grows tighter by the second

“Yeah, and once he has a couple of drinks in him, he’ll shamelessly belt the hell out of it at karaoke.” Yamaguchi’s gaze flickers to his phone as his finger rapidly scrolls. “Here, I have a video.”

“Yamaguchi, don’t you dare-”

Tsukishima reaches a long arm out to steal the phone, but you grab his hand before he can take it

“Aht aht, Tsukki,” you tease. “You have two passengers that you’re responsible for. Eyes on the road, please.”

As he glowers, Yamaguchi shows you a glorious video of Tsukishima absolutely wailing out the Dolly Parton hit into a karaoke microphone, the teammates around him laughing so hard that they almost appeared to be choking

“That’s amazing!” You squeal, belly hurting from so much laughter. “But I can’t believe that video didn’t spread around like wildfire.”

“Bold of you to assume that I don’t have worse blackmail to use against all of them,” Kei snaps.

“Well, you should know that you’re never going to live this down as far as I’m concerned.”

“I don’t know why it’s such a big deal. Everyone has guilty pleasures.” By this point, his face is the same shade as a tomato, but he fixes you with a knife-like gaze that strikes fear into your heart. “Shall I start listing yours?”

Gojou

(i know he’s technically silver/platinum but he just has blonde energy okay)

The last thing you expect to come home to after a long day of work is Dolly Parton music blaring through your home

And you expect even less to find Gojou standing on the couch, belting the song at the top of his lungs

Beyond the initial shock, you have to admit that he actually sounds quite good, hitting each note to perfection and performing the song with subtle corresponding choreography

“Gojou!” You eventually shout. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Oh, good! You’re home.” He deftly hops off the couch and approaches you with a grin. “I’ve been wanting your opinion on my act.”

“Your act?”

“Yes! The school staff has an annual karaoke contest coming up. I do this song every year, and it’s undefeated.”

“Every year? How have I never known about this?”

“I actually don’t have any idea. I have videos. I’ll show them to you, if you’d like.”

“You’re a little too proud of that,” you giggle. “But if it’s undefeated, why do you need my opinion on it?”

“Because everyone always conspires to try and beat me. I have to keep it fresh. But lately, it’s just been feeling stale.” He furrows his brows, a finger going to his chin in contemplation.

“How are you so serious about this but so carefree when you’re literally about to die?” You grab his elbows and give them a small shake. “Anyway, what I saw certainly didn’t seem stale. Seems like you were having a pretty good time.”

“A good time just isn’t enough anymore...”

You clap a hand over your mouth to stifle your laughter as he paces around the room, more serious than you’d ever seen him

Over a karaoke contest to a Dolly Parton song

He snaps his fingers as he finally comes to his realization, approaching you with a sinister smile

“I’ve got it! You should perform it with me.”

“Are you serious? No! No no no.”

“Come on, don’t be so closed-minded.” Gojou grabs your hand and yanks you up onto the couch with him. “Give it a shot.”

After much protesting on your part and much silly encouragement on his, you try it out to pacify him, and end up being quite the dynamic duo

As he wished, you perform the comedic act at the karaoke contest, and satisfy Gojou by maintaining his undefeated record

“You know that you owe me big time now, right?” you ask as he admires the cheap trophy he’s just been handed.

He grins, draping his long arm over your shoulders. “Anything you want, you’ve got it.”

Bakugou

Bakugou discovers the song after Kirishima and Denki put it on his playlist as a joke

Denki had the bright idea to give Bakugou the nickname “dumb blonde” and figured that the prank would be the start of it all

Needless to say, it didn’t go over very well

There was yelling

And a few punches thrown

You eventually have to pull him away, imploring him to calm down

“I’m not going to calm down until that piece of shit is off my playlist.”

You promptly take his phone and hold it in front of him, removing the offending song

“See? Gone. Now please chill out.”

Flash-forward to a week or so later

You happen to walk into the gym for a late night run on the treadmill while he’s there doing weights

Since he was alone before you entered, his music is hooked up to the central sound system, blaring some heavy metal song as he softly hums along in time with his breaths

You don’t think anything of it, giving him a small wave and going to put your own earbuds in

Until the barely-perceptible lyrics seem a little familiar

You pause to listen for a moment, and shoot him a look of shock when you realize that he is, in fact, listening to a heavy metal cover of Dumb Blonde.

“Is this-”

“Shut up,” he snaps, avoiding eye contact and continuing to pump the machine with frightening intensity.

“How did you even find a cover like this?”

“Shut. Up.”

“I’m just so-”

“It just helps me work out, okay?” He lets the weight drop with a sharp clang. “Don’t you fucking dare tell anyone about this.”

You raise your hands in surrender. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Good. Now get on with your workout and let me finish mine.”

He focuses his fiery gaze on the faraway wall, but strangely doesn’t bother to change or turn off the song

And you can’t resist pulling your phone out, pretending to take a selfie while you’re actually, in fact, filming him behind you

“I can see you, stupid,” he snaps. “I’m serious. I’ll fucking kill you.”

You jump in fear, the phone falling from your hands.

“I wasn’t!” You fib. “Besides, it’s away now.”

But little did he know, you had already captured everything you needed to see, and the footage was already on its way to Kirishima and Denki

You know that you’re beyond dead once he finds out what you had done, but the amusement of it all is beyond worth it

Besides, maybe now he’d think twice before the next time he makes fun of someone.

[pilmik]

No better way to start a writing blog than by writing something completely self indulgent lmao college students this might hit too close to home but in my defense the new sem started and I'm. Mess

Gen: angst ig???some fluff? hurt/comfort? Quite literally just me writing what I want to hear

CW: insecurities, negative thoughts

Wakatoshi loves volleyball

Everyone knows this

Ever since he was little, he's lived and breathed for the sport

There's nothing better to him than the feeling of the ball hitting his hand, the adrenaline rush of a scored point, the satisfaction of a game well won

He didn't get this far on enjoyment alone though

As his s/o, you know this better than anyone, save for his coaches and teammates of course

You know the effort he's put in, you know that for every second he shines on the court in front he's spent hours practicing alone or with his teammates

And he shines on the court

Watching him play will never fail to make your heart stutter and your lungs feel like they're not getting enough air

After being with him as long as you have, you know enough about volleyball to know that Wakatoshi is something special

His speed, his strength, his reliability

No matter how many times you see that spike, the sound of the ball hitting the floor stays deafening

Wakatoshi was made to play Volleyball. It's an objective fact. Sometimes you think that the sport loves him just as much as he loves it

Sometimes, you get so jealous you could scream

one of the perks of being the volleyball captain's s/o is that you always get the best seats

You watch front row as your boyfriend leads his team to victory, and he always leads them to victory.

You watch, time and time again, as he scores the match point, that sharp wham of the ball hitting the court that sings triumph

Wakatoshi isn't the most expressive person. When his team wins a game, most people would write off his impassive face as nonchalance or as vanity, thinking maybe he's won so many times it doesn't feel like anything for him anymore

But you know him. You know that if you look hard enough at the end of a game, you can see a gleam in his eyes. A gleam that somehow means both satisfaction and hunger

Because while at the end of every game means victory, the end of every game also means the start of a new one, a new challenge, a new opportunity to be on the court. He loves every second of it

You know you're probably the worst person on the world for feeling this way about someone you love, but every time you see that gleam in his eyes, any pride and happiness you feel on his behalf is stained with resentment and an envy so bitter it stays on your tongue for days

You've never had that gleam in your eyes. You've never loved something so entirely, so completely as Wakatoshi loves volleyball

You honestly doubt you ever will

It's not like you're talentless or you don't have hobbies, you have the things you're good at and you have the things you like to do but it's not the same

You want so desperately to know what he feels like, to be doing something and to think, I could do this for the rest of my life and die happy

on your worst days, you wonder why he stays by your side at all

You watch him play, surrounded by his court and his team (no the court or the team, his.) And you wonder what he could get from you that he couldn't get from the sting of the ball on his palm, or the squeak of his shoes on hardwood

He's brilliant, wherever he goes be burns so brightly you swear he leaves scorch marks. What could a forest fire possibly want from a candle?

You watch them play a game against some college team, they win straight sets and Wakatoshi dominated the court, scoring a majority of the points. you're quiet on your way home, and he asks if you were bored by the game

You immediately tell him no, because on most days you love seeing him play, and you try and explain how you feel

He doesn't understand what you're talking about, obviously

Contrary to what most people think, your boyfriend isn't stupid or dense. He has trouble understanding different social cues and conceptualizing some of the more complicated emotions other people feel, but he's not an idiot

But these specific insecurities are something he's never had to face. For him, it's been volleyball since the start. His earliest memories are of his father in the yard, tossing a blue and yellow ball into the air while he sits on the engawa, chubby hands holding tight to a pink vabo-chan plush

It doesn't make sense to him, if you don't have anything like that, then all you need to do is find something you're good at, correct? Then you'll be happy

He tells you this, in his usual matter-of-fact way. (you can imagine how that went)

He doesn't understand why your eyes go glassy, or why you tell him you'll be fine walking by yourself for the rest of the way

But he does understand that he's made you upset, and he knows that he never wants to look into your eyes and see tears that he's put there

As he walks back to his dorm, he's wracking his brain trying to make sense of how you told him you felt, and what he said in response

He's still thinking as he enters the doorway, ignoring Tendou's greeting as he neatly removes his runners and puts them away

This, of course, alerts his redheaded friend, knowing Wakatoshi was taught to mind his manners

He leaves whatever he was doing to see him at the entrance, taking in his pinched expression. He knows that Wakatoshi walks you home after every game, and it doesn't take a genius to connect the dots

He quickly presses the pad of his thumb between Wakatoshi's furrowed eyebrows, smoothing the lines there

"trouble in paradise, Wakatoshi-kun? You can't keep frowning like that you know, you'll get wrinkles! Everyone already thinks you're an old man"

Wakatoshi trusts his best friend, even if he teases him constantly. Besides you, Tendou is his main confidant

He explains what happened much like someone would explain a mission report, in perfect unbiased detail. He tell him what you said, how he thought and responded and your reaction. Tendou is always patient with him, giving him his full attention.

After he finishes his story, his friend sits on his haunches in the middle of the hallway for a few minutes, pointer finger to his chin, head cocked and eyes to the ceiling, hmmmmmming thoughtfully

Wakatoshi waits at the entrance of their dorm room until Tendou snaps his eyes away from the ceiling and onto him

"Wakatoshi kun, I'm going to need you to imagine something for me"

His eyebrows pinch together again, but he nods

"Imagine you never played volleyball, you're exactly the same in every way, except your dad never showed you so you never learned how to play. Try and imagine who you'd be"

Wakatoshi tries his best to imagine, he replaces the blue and yellow ball in his memory with a red one, the bouncy kind they sell in bins at the grocery store. He replaces vabo-chan with some kind of stuffed animal wearing a bow

He thinks about school, about going straight home after class is over, and going to the gym only on weekends

He finds he's skipping parts of his life in large gaps, empty spaces he doesn't know what to do with, his future completely blank. It's terrifying.

Tendou must see the dawning horror on his face because he jumps up quickly with a flourish, clapping his hands together once to draw Wakatoshi out of his daydream

Tendou looks at him, smiling and says "y/n-chan doesn't have their volleyball. Most people aren't as lucky as you, finding your volleyball so early Wakatoshi-kun. Some people never find their's at all"

He stands at the entrance quietly for awhile after Tendou returns to his room, thinking about how scary it felt to imagine, even for a few minutes, his life full of the blanks that his sport filled

He wonders how it would be like to have those blanks empty all the time, with not even a clue how to complete them

Swallowing his pride, Wakatoshi realizes he wouldn't be able to live like that. Wouldn't be able to go forward into such unknowable territory, under such impossible odds

He thinks about you waking up every day, seeing your life full of blanks, and still pushing forwards despite it

He doesn't get much sleep that night.

You wake up in the morning to Wakatoshi's text ringtone

7:10am Toshi <3: Call in sick for first period.

7:10am Toshi <3: I am going to pick you up at 8.

7:13am Toshi <3: I will bring you breakfast.

7:27am Toshi <3: Wear a light jacket, it's chilly.

The half of you that's still hurt over yesterday wants to tell him to shove breakfast up his ass, but then you realise something

You stare at your phone, deeply confused

Doesn't he have volleyball practice before school?

You get ready quickly, and sure enough, when you walk out of your door at exactly 8:00, Wakatoshi is there.

He's wearing his tracksuit and runners, and he hands you a paper bag from the conbini. There's an apple, a bag of grapes and onigiri. In his other hand he's holding a warm drink, written on the lid is your favourite, exactly how you like it

"I am taking you to the park."

You tilt your head up at him, confused

"don't you have volleyball practice?"

"I'm skipping. We are going to feed the ducks."

The idea of Ushijima Wakatoshi skipping volleyball practice stuns you into silence, and you simply follow his lead to the direction of the park, you walking and him doing some sort of ridiculous exercise thing that looks like it'd make you puke

When you get there, you're happy to find that your usual bench is empty.

Wakatoshi pulls a water bottle out of his ridiculously-deep men's tracksuit pockets while you take the bunch of grapes out of the bag, neatly dividing it in half. You decide to take the big half of the grape bunch for once, because he was being a jerk yesterday and you deserve to feed the ducks more than he does. You give him his half and you both start feeding the ducks in silence

After awhile, he decides to speak

"Tendou made me imagine something yesterday"

You turn to face him, but he's still looking at the ducks

"he told me to imagine my life if I'd never played volleyball"

He frowns

"he said to imagine everything about me was the same, except I never started playing. I found that it was difficult"

"there were many things I found I couldn't fill in, both in my life and in myself"

"but the worst part was imagining the future. I couldn't imagine a single thing to put in it"

"I wouldn't be able to live like that. To live every day and see blank spaces and uncertainties. It sounds terrible"

He pauses for a moment and you're like :/ wow king thanks for the pep talk

But he takes a deep breath and he continues

"I think, for a person to face that uncertainty and keep pushing forward, they would have to be exceptional"

Your head snaps to look at him so fast you almost get whiplash

Exceptional

There's a word that you've never used to describe yourself

"I think, that if I knew someone like that, I would tell them that they are strong in a way that I doubt I will ever be"

He finally turns to look at you, and you try your best to see him through the tears distorting your vision

"after awhile of thinking, I finally thought of something that I could put in that blank future. Would you like to know what it was?"

You just nod, not trusting your words. His big hands gently engulf your own and for a moment you're absolutely certain Ushijima Wakatoshi will be the death of you

"if I didn't have Volleyball, if I didn't have a single clue of what I could do with my future, if I still had you by my side, I think I would be alright"

One hit K.O.

He keeps going though, as if he didn't just kill you

"if you would have me, I'd like to be in your blank future. For as long as it takes for you to find your volleyball, I'll be there. If it's months or years or decades,"

"if decades pass and you never find your volleyball, I would still like to stay by your side. Maybe your volleyball is looking for volleyball?"

His face contorts in consideration of the idea, and you can't help but laugh wetly, your tears soaking into his jacket as you bury your face into his arm

He presses a soft kiss to your head

"I apologize for what I said last night. I didn't understand"

You only shake your head

You two sit in companionable silence for a little longer so you can eat your breakfast, then you both walk to second period hand in hand

It's only in the boredom of your math class that you realize the gravity of what your boyfriend had said to you in the park

11:08 you: Tendou

11:08 you: was I tripping

11:08 you: or did Wakatoshi /propose/ to me in the park today

Tendou is typing......

A/N: I've never posted this kind of stuff before so comments would really be appreciated! Like if there's something I could do to make my stuff easier to read or whatever I wanna hear it! Even if it's mean I promise I'll only cry a little

[myhaikyuuacademia]

Behrad Tarazi x reader

Summary: based on 6x09 Warnings: Behrad says “damn girl” when referring to reader A/N: this is quite short and not explicitly romantic (though with intention of reader having a crush on him which is definitely there in between the lines) but I just didn’t know what else to write lol, maybe I’ll make a part 2 when I have an idea

Gus-Gus crashing Behrad’s favorite tv show led to some... changes in Behrad’s behaviour. Astra seemed to like those, you on the other hand did very much Not. Did you practically spit out your drink when he first walked in with Nate’s hair pomade? Yes, but that’s not relevant. You were really scared that he would be stuck as Business-Behrad and you were already missing your Behrad. Being stuck with this weird Behrad version and Astra was not something you enjoyed. “Jesus, stop flirting please would you?! We need to fix this.” You were definitely getting a headache. “Don’t be such a buzzkill. Don’t you think he looks so hot now?” Astra smiled at Behrad. You just rolled your eyes, wanting to get this over with. “Come on, let’s go talk to Imran’s brother.”

Yeah, capitalism!Behrad totally blew that talk. God, he was getting more annoying by the second. In the end, Zari put a stop to it and put him in time-out. You were staying with him, why you didn’t know. Okay maybe you did. You were waiting for the real Behrad to come back. Keeping an eye on his evil doppelgänger in the meantime. “Why are you so.... bitchy?” Woah, he did not just say that. You whipped around. “That time of the month?” You were ready to punch him. He might look exactly like Behrad, but damn that wasn’t him. “I’m ‘bitchy’ because you’re a piece of shit and I want my Behrad back.” He raised an eyebrow. “your Behrad?” Shit. “Ugh, forget it.” You groaned and turned away from him.

He did not ‘forget it’. Even after the Legends saved the show and brought the OG Behrad back. “Your Behrad, huh?” He smirked. “Shut uppppp.” You were extremely embarassed about your slip-up. Plopping a gummy into his mouth he made himself more comfortable on the couch you both were sitting on. “Still can’t believe you called me a piece of shit though. I mean, he, or I? deserved it but damn girl.” You laughed at that. “I was only gone for like, a few hours, and you missed me so much you insulted me.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Come on, I think we can both agree that Mr. Corporate America was a pain in the ass.” “Yeah, I did Not enjoy that.”

The air was filled with a chorus of “Happy Birthday”s as Behrad entered the room. Your teammates felt bad for forgetting his birthday and threw together a surprise party. You waited everyone’s turn before you pulled Behrad aside to hand him the dish. “I hope you like it, I’m not a very good cook, but your mom taught me how to make that one thing you like.” His eyes widened before he ripped the lid off. “Holy shit! When did you have time to visit my mom?” “Oh yeah no I did that weeks ago. Back when we were in your time for “Da Throne”.” He seemed confused. “So you remembered my birthday?” You nodded eagerly with a smile. Then it seemed as if realization dawned on him. “She probably thinks you’re my girlfriend now.” You grimaced, “She definitely does. Nothing I said could convince her otherwise.” You shrugged apologetically. “Anyways, in case it doesn’t taste good, I also got you this signed super limited collectors edition steelbox set of both seasons of Bud Stuy.” Behrad’s mouth fell open and he put the food on a table next to him before throwing his arms around you and hugging you tightly. “Thank you!” He let go. “Don’t tell the others but your gifts were definitely the best ones.” He whispered conspiratorially. You just smiled at him. “Anything for your Behrad, huh?” He teased. Your face scrunched up at that. “Will you ever let that go?” you whined. He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “I don’t think I will.”

[mx-julien]

Continuation from a HC that when Zane comes back from the Never-Realm and has an aversion to some members of the team after being taken advantage of as the Ice Emperor

Inspired by this headcanon

Read Part 1 on Tumblr or Ao3

Part 2 is here (and on Ao3, too!):

The faucet is too loud for Cole, but he needs the cold water right now. Splashing it in his face, he looks up. After examining the pair of shadows beneath his bloodshot eyes, he decides that trying to hide his all-nighter would be futile. The ceramic sink basin is cold to the touch and the tap is still running. Lloyd and Jay fell asleep a few hours ago, the latter migrated to Nya's bed and the former needed a walk outside. Cole ended up sketching after he knew the others were fully out for the night - or morning, depending how one looks at it.

Zane had left the room about an hour after he'd come in. His footsteps told Cole that he went to the library.

There's a chair there that's located in a corner. There's not even a window behind the chair, just a wall and a solid door to the outside a yard or so its left. Whenever they have nervous guests, they sit them there because it gives them a sense of security. Also, it's comfortable. Presumably, it's made of dark red velvet, but the morning sun has left it in a lighter state now: a brighter, almost an orange-red. Its arms curl out over themselves and the back is tall enough for a seven-footer to sit comfortably.

There are some nice drawing references they keep in the library; he's hesitant to leave the room with them. He goes in often enough, and as of late he Zane's been in the chair. That or right next to a door.

At that thought, his stomach turns. Another symptom of sleep deprivation and constant worrying to add to his list that's already a bit too long. When he turns the tap off, the left knob is a bit loose. Another thing for another list.

~*~

The bathroom door groans a bit too loud for the crack of dawn. Jay, jostled from dreamland and about to rub the sand out of his eyes, hears a sigh and a few moments later the door latches shut, creaking closed at a much lower decibel.

"Oh, so you're behaving now?" That's Cole's voice. He's shout-whispering at a door. The sun's not even out.

Jay sits up and glares in the general direction of the noise, "Cole, did you have to have a fight with the bathroom door at-" his Borg watch is charging nearby, "5:31 am?" Nya's arms are enough of a barrier to just barely keep him from going over there and strangling his teammate.

He rubs his eyes again, finally able to see past the morning bleariness, only to find Cole looking at him, wide-eyed, "Ah, oh-" he glances at Nya for a split second, "Sorry, Jay, I didn't realize- I didn't mean to wake- I hope Nya's not-"

"She's still asleep, I think." He cracks his neck, and ignores Cole in favor of letting his brain finally catch up to last night.

With everything that happened, it's a miracle he even went to sleep, much less that he got three hours of shut eye. Nya's the real insomniac, so it's especially strange that she practically passed out the second her head hit the pillow. He was lucky that she did, though, because it's always so much easier to drift off when she's next to him.

Cole's still standing there, he realizes upon opening his eyes again. He's still looking at him - weird.

Well, might as well knock him out of it.

"What?" His voice is a bit hoarse, so it comes out more accusatory than he means.

"The hot water knob is loose in the bathroom." Cole blurts it out like a confession, and looks over at his own bed (read: not in the direction of Jay's eyes).

"Oo-kay," he shifts, so he's not sitting as heavily on Nya's arm, "Well I don't do repairs until the sun's up, so you're out of luck."

"Sorry, I-" he starts to walk over to his desk, which, now that Jay's looking, has pencils and charcoals scattered across a large sketchbook that he recognizes as Cole's, "I'm not on top of it right now."

That meant he hadn't slept, and he'd probably been up all night, drawing. This isn't Jay's area of expertise, but he gets that, sometimes - especially people like Cole - don't want judgment or conversation. Cole wants something short and to the point, or companionable silence. Anything in between would just make him more nervous.

"You could try now- to go to sleep, I mean." Jay slips out of the bed and over to his chest of drawers that functions as a closet. He probably isn't going to go back to sleep soon, and there's no point in staying in bed when he might wake Nya.

Cole just sighs and slumps in his seat. There's no hiding how tired he is.

"If you've been up all night, then yeah," Nya's sitting up in bed, "Go to sleep."

~*~

It's cute that Jay thinks he can avoid waking her up by getting out of bed and talking quieter than usual. He's, of course, still pretty loud. Nya has been awake since Cole said her name, but it takes her a while to fully reach consciousness, so she didn't butt in. At this point, she isn't even mad about being so rudely awakened before 10 am. She'll have to deal with The Morning, anyways, so might as well prepare for later now that she's up earlier. Did that make any sense? Maybe she's still not entirely awake.

A few yards away, Cole's clearing off the table - technically, it's everyone's table, since it's for the team bedroom, but only Cole and Pixal really use it. Papers and pencils in hand, he pads over at her, "Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay," he looks rough around the edges, so she tries to smile as she says it.

He attempts to emulate her, but any sense of happiness slips off his face like oil.

Usually, she leaves the joking to Jay, but she can try for her friend. Her very tired friend. "As payment, I wouldn't hate it if you gave me something to write with."

Cole looks down at the cargo in his arms.

"You know, since I'm going to have to pass all this time now." She gestures around her, like a CEO might at the end of a meeting promoting global expansion, and sits back against the mountain of pillows that doubles as her head-to-wall bonk protection. It's not all a joke, though. Nya's pretty comfy where she is and might as well get some work done in the extra hours that have been added to her day.

For her efforts, a real, wan smile appears, "Yeah, sure, but these aren't your style," he levels his things, so she can now recognize a sketchpad, some errant papers, nice drawing pencils, and what she's pretty sure is just dark-colored chalk. She hears him setting them down on his bed, and sees him lift his left leg a little - presumably to reach something. Then he walks over to her, pulling out a plastic purple folder and pencil pouch - neither of which could be less than six years old - that he places on her bed, "Here."

The pencils and pens aren't dated and look perfectly functional. The folder is half lined paper and half graph paper. "Thanks," she grins and roots around the case to select her weapon. Choosing a frankly remarkably dull pencil, Nya points it at him, "Now, I order you to go to bed."

Cole snorts, "Yeah, yeah, okay. I'm going." He turns around and walks back, stripping his shirt and sweats off as he goes.

Jay's getting dressed. He'll probably head over to the hull of the ship they've since converted into a mechanics workshop.

It's a completely justified use of the ship's limited space: two of their friends are androids and they heavily rely on technology for their missions. Also, it's away from everything else. Her, Jay, and Pixal like to escape there just to think. She's just not so keen on heading down there right now because, well, cold air sinks and this bed has been warmed by two people. She pulls out a piece of graph paper - her preferred medium - and starts work on the plans for the eventual Zane Conversation. Jay is, of course, going to head downstairs and get parts sorted for the most imminent repairs. How can she tell? They're just like that. There's a reason she was his best friend before becoming his girlfriend.

"I'm gonna head down to the shop," Jay's next to her bed, his messenger bag stuffed full of plans, parts lists, and half-finished manuals for their vehicles.

"I'll be here," Nya gestures towards the writing on her lap, which, at the moment, only consists of the title "Zane" and a few bullets: Yes, No, It's Complicated, and Baby Steps.

"Good idea." He seems to actually read what she has down, and then his eyebrows creep up and his pitch raises, "But do you really think we'll need a serious plan? I mean..." he chews his lip, a habit she finds both endearing and painful to look at.

"It's just schedules based on what he might say," she reaches over to hold his hand, "I just don't want us to seem unsure about the maintenance. This way, we'll have a game plan if we need to accommodate a fear of more specific things or tools or procedures or..."

"People - yeah, I know." He looks down at their hands, "Sorry, I forgot you make Plan Bs like this when you're stressed. I'll-" he looks at the door, and then back up at her, smiling, "I'll go do my stress thing and you can do your stress thing and I'll meet you for breakfast?" He's looking at her face now.

"Yeah, I'll see you at 8," Nya is fully aware of how dopey she looks right now, but she doesn't care because he looks just as bad.

Jay squeezes her hand once, lets go, and heads over to the door. The hinges squeak on the way out.

~*~

There are five workstations in the hull: one for coding and software, another for welding, a space for machining parts, a table for assembly, and the smoothest, flattest one for technical drawings. The latter is the furthest from the door and is outfitted with some large gashes they'd had to fill in after fight a few months ago. Still, it's sturdy, having come from an oak tree. The workspace itself is shaped to fit perfectly in one of the large corners of the hull of the ship. It's hard to hear any other activity in the Bounty here, at least to Pixal's ears. That's why she isn't aware that Jay is here until her auditory sensors pick up someone rummaging around the safety closet.

When she's here that she can divert her main sensors to the sounds of people. They're shut off from the rest of the group and the relatively small number of entrances gives them privacy and security. No need to be on watch all the time. Instead, she can actually devote some hours to enjoying the presence of her teammates.

As a bonus, she can examine her circuitry and update her software without adjusting her periphery visuals or tuning her active noise cancelling. Somehow, the public still isn't used to seeing a proper android such as herself. Here, Nya and Jay even come over and help or offer advice. This is her element.

Maybe she's been down here a bit too long if she's thinking like that. Might as well check on Jay since she's clearly in need of some more time to let her task prioritization program run. Well, this is what she gets for not giving her processers the night to rest and cool.

Standing up, she feels her joints creak and ball bearings catch for a moment. If her body wasn't the definition of bleeding edge materials science, she would complain about feeling rusty.

Jay has affixed his face shield but is tilting it up for the second so he can read blueprints unobstructed.

"Good morning. What are you planning to work on today?" She could easily look at the plans, but it's rude.

He glances over his shoulder and turns to face her, gesturing to the technical drawing, "Yeah, Zane's replacement plate."

"But Zane is not present at the moment? What are you planning to do?" They always do everything Zane-related all at once in order to get him fixed as quickly and safely as possible. This is rather unprecedented. Especially with his recent aversion to them, not to mention repairs in general, she's not sure this is the time to start changing things up.

"Nah, I have the measurements saved from last time," he pulls out a bin from beneath the table, "And he always manages to break the same one, anyhow, so I only really need to attach these two bits to make the curve, then I'll add the pressure and heat sensors and minor springs," he accentuates each item by pulling out the piece in question.

Preassembling Zane's repairs isn't a bad idea, but it's not like she has to give Jay an easy time about it, "Good to see you streamlining the process instead of complicating it like last time."

He jerks his head up, "Hey, hey! Lightning is a form of energy just like fire is! How was I supposed to know that it doesn't weld?"

She rolls her eyes, "I will not explain it to you again."

"Fine, then I'll still be confused," he sets the bin of parts on the ground and exaggeratedly rummages through it.

Pixal grins and walks back to her station, and the results come back from her prioritization query.

civil query #27 of day cycle: (initiated@5:58; completed@6:03)

α=Julien_Zane(repairs: E3ac, E2b, m17k, m47b)

β=Julien_Zane(resolution)

γ=Julien_Zane(update: 1.124, 1.125, 1.126, 1.127)

δ=Borg_Pixal(reorder: blueprints, journals_workshop)

She is absolutely not about to talk to Zane just yet and she's a perfectly actionable android, so reorganizing blueprints it is. They're such a mess and a fantastic distraction that, at this point, she's considering letting Nya get away with her abhorrent shelves of things. Specifically, her comically waterlogged heap of notes on the Land Bounty. Thanks to her superior processors, when Pixal scans them, she picks up original traces of graphite and ink, so most of it can be recreated. To an observer, she looks at soggy paper, then a near-perfect original starts printing a yard away. Actually, it's such repetitive work that she can more or less section off the necessary parts to work on it and think on her own. She doesn't. It's not like there's much to think about.

It's fifteen minutes before she sets it to auto. Her record for the night- morning, she means morning. Her memory drive and processing routes shift during the automation process, so she doesn't have complete access to everything, unless she access her backup files in the computer.

Pixal can technically inhabit whatever machinery she wants, including this wondrously scan-friendly body that allows her complete agency. Using it, she can bring criminals in, jack and hack into offline file caches, and stargaze on the roof. It gives her so many options and choices, just like anyone else. She's just a little less waterproof, but that's why they have updates. She can repair and update and then she's good as new. It's a positive thing, even though he doesn't act like it. Zane just tells them to keep him almost completely the same every time he comes by: "I like my circuitry and it's working just fine - it doesn't need replacing," "But I'm so used to this body," and "Oh, I've been updating the cloaking feature." Really, what problem does he have with having his metal show? He's an android, just like her, and there's nothing to be ashamed of. She's proven that. He's proven that. The both of them have. Many times over. Yet all he wants to do is explore different options for exterior plating and update haptic feedback. He'll even engage cloaking when they're in Ninjago off-duty. Is he really that ashamed of himself? Is he ashamed of-

AUTO OFF

OVERHEAT PROTOCOLS ENGAGED

REFRAIN FROM MOVEMENT

Great, now she can't even organize. If Jay looks over, all he'll see is her standing upright, looking at another sopping wet piece of paper. Hopefully, it'll look normal enough.

Her internal fans are making a bit of noise, though it's likely that only she can hear it. Well, this is what she gets for sectioning off parts of her memory and processing drives.

They've talked about this before. It's not Zane's fault that he has two conflicting memories of the past, the most recent of which made him believe he was completely human. He has two very different senses of self, despite the fact that he's one person. He's doing his best to accept his machinery in its entirety, but likes to have a human appearance at the ready.

He's doing well, too. It was years and years ago that he brought it up to her on the train. He's more comfortable now. It's just that technology will never be his hobby, even though it's what he's made of.

The first time she'd ever brought it up, he'd asked, "How many people actually understand everything about their body?"

At the time, she'd run a query. Now, she gets it.

AUTO RESTORED

REFRAIN FROM MAJOR PROCESSING

QUERIES FOR 1:34:51.2378 HOUR(S)

COOLING RECOMMENDED

Anther relevant window pops into her display. It's Kai and Cole at the mission debriefing after they returned from the Never Realm. When they explained what happened to Zane. She had quickly sent it for autonomous processing after they adjourned. It's done now.

The sun's beginning to dry the contents of the trash can and there are only a few more pages left in the stack. She disables automated sorting. The text recognition algorithms smoothly run through her circuitry, filling her with a low electric hum. Once it's done, her processor recreates the image that's then transmitted to their Bluetooth printer. It's boring, but it's nice. And easy.

Right now, she's an expensive document reimager, but later she'll be just another teammate, gears and all.

///

part 2 is here on tumblr and here on ao3

[stardustedangel]

You’re Scared of That?

⊱ ━━━━━━━━.⋅ ෆ ⋅.━━━━━━━━ ⊰

pairing || steve rogers x fem!reader

word count || 2.1k

summary || you’ve always been perceived as fearless and independent by anyone who’s ever laid their eyes on you. little do they know that the littlest things can scare you.

warnings || cursing, fluff

author’s note || i really liked writing this so i hope you like reading it <3 ; do not repost my work

*gif does not belong to me*

⊱ ━━━━━━━━.⋅ ෆ ⋅.━━━━━━━━ ⊰

You’d always been an independent, strong person. Sure also maybe a little impulsive and going into things head first, but strong nevertheless. You never needed help from anyone and if you did? Well, you sure as hell weren’t asking for it. You wouldn’t even allow her boyfriend Steve to help you with anything. You’d rather figure it out for yourself and revel in the satisfaction of that.

A lot of people on the team admire that about you. How you could always solve any problem whether big or small. And they also admired how nothing seemed to make you cower in fear. You were their strong, fearless teammate. Well, that was until a special training day.

It was six in the morning when you woke up to the blaring of your alarm. You quickly shut it off and reached over to Steve’s side of the bed with your eyes closed. They peeled open when all you could feel was a cold space. That made you groan slightly. You hated waking up so early for training, but at least it was slightly more bearable when the first thing you would wake up to was a kiss from your love.

You figured he was in the compound’s kitchen, maybe getting in a quick breakfast before training started. You got out of bed taking a shower before putting on your gym clothes. You sluggishly made your way into the kitchen seeing Steve in there leaning against the counter with a hot cup of joe.

His back was facing you so you approached, rather ungracefully if I might add, and wrapped your arms around his waist, nuzzling your cheek into his back. You heard him set this mug down and rub his hands over your arms.

“Good morning, gorgeous. Did you sleep well?”

“I did, but I would’ve woken up better if you were there,” you pouted, though he couldn’t see, and kissed his shoulder blade.

Steve released himself from your grasp which made you jut your lip out more, but he quickly captured your lips with his. He pulled you against him and you wrapped your arms around his neck returning the kiss. It was when you lightly moaned into his mouth when you were interrupted. You and Steve both turned towards the sound of Bucky and Sam gagging.

Sam strolled into the kitchen with Bucky following behind. You heard Steve sigh as he returned to lean against the counter. He grabbed you until your back was resting against his chest. You crossed your arms annoyed and narrowed your eyes at the two.

Sam finished pouring coffee and turned towards the both of you. “Why don’t you guys find a room and stop sinning in the common space,” he dramatically motioned around him.

Steve rolled his eyes and tightened his grip around you. “Get a girlfriend and keep that same attitude.”

“Yeah,” Bucky dragged out, “we all know that won’t happen to Sam,” he teased with a smug grin. You and Steve laughed as Sam gave you all a blank stare.

“Ha ha ha,” Sam laughed dramatically before hitting Bucky upside his head to which Bucky responded with a scowl.

Sam quickly downed the rest of his coffee and clapped his hands together, “You all ready to get training going?”

You scoffed with a playful smile on your face, “We start in twenty minutes, or are you so eager to get your ass kicked?”

“Oh. So you think you can kick my ass? Mine? Okay, let’s head down there and settle this on the mat,” Sam spread his arms out in a challenging stance and a wide grin.

Bucky and Steve stood just watching the both of you with small grins on their faces, very amused at the interaction between the two. You removed yourself from Steve’s arms and opted to hold his hand in you. You started to make your way to the training room with a skip in your step.

“Follow me, boys, you’re about to watch me make a grown man cry.”

It was just the four of you heading down to the training room today seeing as everyone else was on a mission. You wish that there were more people here so that they could fully see you kick Sam’s ass with that smug grin on your face. Man, do you wish everyone could have been here today.

You let go of Steve’s hand and started to stretch a little with your eyes narrowed at Sam’s. Sam tried to return your stare with the same intensity, though it was slightly more playful than yours. You bring your thumb up to your neck and move it from right to left.

“Are you aiming to kill me,” Sam exclaimed. In response, you meekly shrugged your shoulders and returned to stretching.

While you were stretching Bucky and Sam were talking and you assumed Steve was behind you doing god knows what. You then felt fingers graze the skin of your waist that was left exposed in your gym attire. The fingers slightly ticked you and you giggled trying to get away from them to no avail.

“Steve,” you exclaimed with giggles clouding your speech, “let me go! I need to look big and bad so I can beat Sam,” you squirmed in his grip.

“Sorry, doll. I can’t keep my hand off of you,” he spun you around to bring your body against his.

“I thought we established no PDA in the common space. This is a common space,” Bucky deadpanned and Sam gagged.

You mocked both of them with a stupid look on your face and walked towards the map to start a sparring match with Sam.

“Good luck, doll. You won’t need it though,” Steve spoke before smacking your ass as you walked away. You looked back at him, ignoring the other two boys, and winked.

Now, who do you think the two other boys have their bets on? You. Steve isn’t just sure you’ll win cause you’re his girlfriend and Bucky isn’t just sure because you're his best pal’s girl, but also for the simple fact that you’re good at sparring. One of the best on the team, even. You were quick, smooth, and didn’t hesitate at all.

“You ready Wilson,” you asked as you shook your limbs out and rolled your neck releasing some tension.

“The real question is are you,” he retorted with a smirk. You shook your head back at him and readied your fists. Man..you were so ready to fuck Sam up. All in good fun of course.

You both started with some playful, loose jabs at each other. Trying to amp one another up even more than you already were. Bucky and Steve stood outside of the mat with smirks on their faces excited for what was to come. Steve always loved watching you fight. Your usual lighthearted exterior was replaced with a colder look and the way that your body moved made Steve’s head spin. He could never get enough of seeing you like this.

The atmosphere then shifted to something more serious. You started to hit harder and your moves became more agile. You were gracefully dodging the majority of Sam’s hits and the ones you didn’t have only grazed you. You had always been very quick and swift so Sam was having a little trouble keeping up with you. You were landing hit after hit, almost wasting time and wondering when you wanted to end Sam’s suffering.

“C’mon, doll. Don’t hurt Sam’s ego too much,” Bucky laughed.

“Shut up,” Sam calls out with a winded breath, “Your girl is fucking evil, Steve.”

Steve sighed lovingly while gazing at you, “My girl indeed.”

In the back of your mind you were shaking your head and laughing at the boys’ antics, but right now? You were deciding to cut Sam some slack. You put your left hand behind his neck and swept your feet underneath his, effectively knocking him off the ground. You then quickly maneuvered behind him and put him in a chokehold. Bucky and Steve gasped at home quickly. You took him down and the situation was so funny you started to laugh.

“Say, uncle, bitch. You can't stay like this forever,” you laughed with an evil grin on your face.

“Y/N, I will get out of this and then you will fear me.”

You laughed off his statement. “I fear nothing Sammy.”

You kept your strong grip on Sam’s neck and turned your head to the right a little, preparing to get comfortable until Sam decided to give up. You noticed something on the mat and once you registered what I was your heart started to race and your grip on Sam loosened completely.

“A spider!” You exclaimed jumping up from the mat and dramatically running behind Steve.

Steve’s eyes followed your movements and looked at you in total and utter confusion. He didn’t even know how to help since he didn’t know what happened. None of them did really. Steve looked at Bucky who was sharing the same look and they both gazed down at Sam while the mat. It wasn’t until Sam pointed at the spider on the mat that the realization dawned on them. Steve’s gaze went back to you and he was genuinely surprised that something like this scared you.

“You’re scared of that? Wow,” Sam scoffed, rubbing his neck and standing back up, “Didn’t you call me a pussy for not wanting to watch Annabelle.” Steve glared back at Sam with a look effectively shutting him up.

“Pal, he has a point. And we’ve never seen her like this,” Bucky said with a boyish grin and nodded his head towards you.

They really had never seen you this scared or even scared at all. Sometimes you felt worried about missions or felt really stressed when Steve was hurt, but those were things they understood. This one was not. You were obsessively running your hands all over yourself, feeling like something was crawling all over you. Your heart was still beating erratically and you didn’t know what to do.

Steve approached you and grabbed your hands, getting you to stop. You looked up and your eyes were glassy with stress and fear. Steve pulled you into him and stroked your back.

“Sweetheart, it’s just a small spider. You’re fine,” Steve tried reassuring you. Small chuckles left his mouth because he couldn’t hold them back.

“It was huge! Did we not see the same thing,” you asked, “and stop laughing!”

“It was small as hell, doll,” Bucky chuckled.

You looked at him from behind Steve and flipped him off with a shaky hand. You pulled yourself out of Steve’s arms and started pushing him towards the mat.

“Get rid of it so I won’t die,” you said bluntly with small sniffles.

“Y/N,” Sam paused and shook his head with a grin, “you’ve got to be kidding.”

“Do I look like I’m kidding, Sam? Stevie please,” you pleaded with a pout.

Laughs left Steve’s mouth and his stomach started to hurt. He couldn’t believe this situation. You were actually scared of something. His strong, fearless girlfriend was scared of spiders.

And not only that, but you finally asked him for help with something. That in itself had his chest swell with pride. Steve’s laughs died down and he wiped at the small tears that were filling his eyes.

“Alright baby, I’ll get rid of it now.”

Once the spider was fully disposed of, you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding and wrap yourself around Steve.

“Thank you. You’re my hero,” you mumbled into his chest. You felt the vibrations of his laugh on your cheek.

You both didn’t even get a minute of peace before Sam spoke up. “Welp,” he paused till you were looking at him, “you’re a fucking loser. I won the match and you know what’s even more rewarding?”

Bucky answered for him as he pointed to the security cameras in the gym with a smirk, “This was all caught on camera, so everyone will know about this.”

“We’ll skip the rest of training today so sweet Y/N can rest,” Sam winked teasingly.

They both left the gym with a pep in their step, laughing at the defeated look on your face. You heard down the hall Sam yell out “winner” and after that silence fell into the gym. You rested your chin on Steve’s chest to look up at him and noticed the remnants of a smile on his face.

“I’m going to be embarrassed till the end of time,” you groaned, tightening your grip on Steve.

“It’s okay sweetheart,” he kissed your forehead and looked down at you with a small, teasing smile, “you look cute when you’re embarrassed.”

⊱ ━━━━━━━━.⋅ ෆ ⋅.━━━━━━━━ ⊰

taglist || @cloudystevie @donutloverxo @kyrarose16

(send me an ask if you want to be added <3)

[professorrw]

The New Recruit

Pairing: female reader x Wanda Maximoff

Requested: Yes

Warnings: reader isn’t sure of sexuality/hasn’t come out, alcohol, partying, fluff, making out, mentions of human experiments

A/N: Requests are open for one-shots, headcanons, imagines, and drabbles for My Hero Academia, Harry Potter, and Marvel! My taglist is open so if you’d like to be on that just tell me! Please like, comment, and reblog!

After all the attacks that had been made on Earth in the past ten years the Avengers thought it was time to find a new member. Who better than a 24 year old girl that grew up in a lab? From a young age you were experimented on and eventually developed powers. Said powers being cloning. You can create duplicates of yourself for a limited amount of time, and during that time they do whatever you project them doing.

Your father, or the mad scientist that created your powers got arrested when you were 15, leaving you with your grandparents. You were kept under surveillance until you came of age 3 years later. You acted like everyone else, going to college and then getting a job. That was until you got a call from Nick Fury. He knew about the tests and experiments that were done to you and asked if you could control those powers.

That was how you ended up becoming an Avenger. It was exhilarating to finally use your cloning for good.

The Avengers became like your second family, Wanda especially. She was the closest in age to you, only being about a year younger. She too was experimented on and ended up with powers. The rest of the squad was weary of her. Her emotions were strong because of everything she had been through.

You and Wanda quickly became close. Like sisters close. But there was something there you were afraid to explore. You felt… attracted to Wanda in a way you hadn’t before. You weren’t opposed to dating girls. You’ve been with a few guys before but it never lasted. You could never confide in them your secrets, your power.

Your sexuality was something you’d never explored. But Wanda made you feel safe and warm. When she touched you it made your breath hitch and when she looked at you your heart ached. You didn’t know how to tell her, or how to tell any of the crew you liked men and women. But you could start with telling Wanda how you felt. You had an inkling that maybe she felt the same way about you.

You were hanging out with Wanda in your room, watching a romance movie that you found. You thought it was a romance movie but by the end of it you were both crying. It ended in tragedy, which you didn’t know.

You turned to Wanda who was crying. You both looked at each other and giggled. You reached out to help Wanda wipe her tears. You cupped her cheek and swiped your thumbs beneath her eyes. You didn’t retract your hands when you finished though. You realized the close proximity you were in. Your eyes flickered from her parted lips to her pupils. Without saying anything you leaned in and so did Wanda.

The kiss between you was electric. Fireworks went off and lights flickered (not literally). You kissed once, then again, then once more. You rested your forehead against Wanda’s while you both breathed. Wanda licked at her lips and wistfully sighed.

“What?” you whispered.

“I wasn’t sure if you…” she trailed off.

“Me either but I know how I feel about you. I like you Wanda.”

Now she was cupping your face, pulling you in for one more kiss.

That was the beginning of your relationship with Wanda. You both agreed to keep it a secret until you were ready. You didn’t want to tell the whole squad about your sexuality and attraction to Wanda just yet. You would kiss in private or hold hands when no one was watching. Little risks like those set your heart ablaze. You felt like a kid keeping secrets from your parents.

You kept this up for a while and you planned to tell everyone soon. Wanda was nothing but patient with you. She said she liked the secret looks and touches. You were still going with the whole charade when Tony announced his birthday party would be in a few days. You never experienced one yourself but Thor and Natasha told you how over the top they were. 

For the party you dressed in a short dress with a low hanging neck that flattered your body. You also put on a pair of strappy heels, fit for the occasion. You could hear the music playing in the main living area as you went down in the elevator. You peered out the floor to ceiling windows and saw cars lining the street. Leave it to Tony to invite every single celebrity he knows. 

You stepped out onto the level that the party was happening. The whole floor was full of people dancing, drinking, and lounging around the couches and pool table. You immediately spotted Wanda across the dance floor and you had to go all the way around to get to her. Your jaw dropped when you saw her. She was wearing a gorgeous deep red blazer and matching pants with a belt to cinch in her waist. To go along with it she had black glittering heels that made her taller than usual.

Seeing her like that and not being able to touch her was the hardest game of temptation you had ever played with yourself.

“You look amazing!” you yelled over the music.

“So do you!”

You both went to the bar to start the night off right. Natasha happened to be occupying the bartender position and made you the ultimate party drink to get you loose in no time. The drink had a satisfying burn as it went down your throat. You downed the rest of it, resulting in a wild laugh from Natasha. “I just know you can party!”

You took Wanda’s hand and pulled her over to the dance floor. You moved in time with the music, feeling yourself up as you danced in circles. Your girlfriend was completely hypnotized by the provocative way you were moving your body. She couldn’t resist anymore and put her hands on your waist. The alcohol was strong and was already clouding your thought process. At the moment all you wanted to do was dance.

Hundreds of sweaty bodies were moving and sliding around on top of each other. Wanda was behind you now and moving back and forth with you. You threw your head back on her shoulder and guided her hands up and down your torso. She had finally broken her resistance. She pulled you away from the party and into the empty hall that held the elevator.

“What-” She pressed you against the wall and crashed her lips against yours. She was gripping your hips, which had been tempting her all night. You were pulling her even closer by her neck, head turning this way and that as you tasted the drink on her tongue.

Heels clacking pulled you out of the kiss. You gazed over at the person who so rudely interrupted you and saw that it was Natasha. Oh fuck. You suddenly felt as sober as a saint.

“Natasha- I- We-”

She chuckled, “You don’t have to explain yourselves to me. I already knew. Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” She winked and returned to the bustling party.

You leaned your head against the wall. “Shit.”

“Hey gorgeous, it’s okay.” Wanda put her hand on your cheek and leaned back into you. “She said she wouldn’t tell. I trust Natasha.”

“No. It’s about time I told everyone. If you want to, that is.”

“Do whatever you’re comfortable with, baby.” You let out a breath with your nose and smiled at your girlfriend. She smiled too and then continued to kiss you.

You ended up leaving the party early, which didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the Avengers, who asked you about it at breakfast the next day.

“Why did you two leave last night? The party was just getting started.” Tony was drinking a green smoothie but put it down when you two came in.

Wanda looked at you, encouraging you.

“Um… we left. Together. Me and Wanda are… together.” You shifted your weight from one foot to another as you gaged your teammate’s reactions.

Realization dawned on everyone’s faces other than Natasha’s. Tony was the first to speak again. “Well I think this calls for a celebration.” He reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. 

You laughed, in awe of your team. Of course they wouldn’t judge you.

Taglist: @bellamy1998​