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raineydays411 · 4 years ago

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The best of friends

Peter Parker x Stark! reader

A/n: Hello! So this time the reader is going to be black! If y’all wanna like...request for a reader to be an ethnicity or race you can, I’ll do my best to write for it 💕

Summary: Peter Parker is your best friend. In fact he’s one of your only friends. So it’s needless to say things get a little complicated when you fall in love with him and he’s in love with another girl.

Warning ⚠️: Oblivious Peter, sad reader, love triangles

This fic was inspired by @cherrytholland and their silence series, YALL need to check it out!

You never had many friends. It’s alway been that way, ever since you remembered.

Being a Stark meant that you were constantly in danger, especially after your dad became Iron Man. So you were homeschooled. It was pretty easy, ever since the Avengers moved in, Bruce and Tony took turns teaching you everything you needed to know. So there was no need for you to go to school.

But you were lonely. Yes, you were surrounded by the team, but they were all so much older than you. Wanda and Pietro were the only ones closest to your age not only were they still way older than you, they hated your dad for a long time so there was a small tension there.

You spent time with your dad, hell he was your best friend, but a girl can only spend so much time with her father. Bruce was too scared to hang out with you. Steve treated you like a toddler. Sam and Bucky were fun to be with but then Steve will join and then they all act as if you’re a baby. Natasha is great to go to for advice but she rarely had time to talk with you, Clint was a whole father. And Thor, he was hardly on earth.

That's when Peter Parker came into your life. He was the first person on the team who was your age. You and he quickly became friends, bonding over your shared interests in Star Wars and being the youngest in the Avengers HQ.

When you first met him, you were really shy. As said before, you rarely had the chance to talk to anyone your age. If you did, it was most likely the child of another business owner at some fancy party. So becoming friends with Peter was definitely an experience. You remember the day you two became friends.

**Flashback**

You really weren’t expecting to meet Peter. Hell, you didn’t even know that he was supposed to be coming over. So,when you walked into the common room, wearing someone else’s tee shirt and a bonnet, you were shocked to see a boy next to your dad staring at you.

“Oh, Y/n! I may have forgotten to mention I was showing Peter around...” Tony said as he noticed you were sort of unprepared for a visitor.

“ yeah that would have been good to know” you say glaring at your father.

“Well then, Peter this is my daughter Y/n, Y/n this is Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man”

“H-hi! It’s nice to meet you!” Peter stuttered as he put out his hand. You smiled shyly as you took it

“It’s nice to meet you too” you said quietly, taking your hand back and looking at the floor. An awkward silence fell upon you three. Then Tony cleared his throat

“I’m gonna ignore that little awkward thing. Y/n!” He looks at you with a gleam in his eye, “Maybe you can show the kid around, it would be nice if you knew someone your age.”

“DAD!” You shout, embarrassed he basically set you up on a play date, “ I talk people my own age!”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes, “ Talking to those Gothamites during galas doesn’t count.”

“We follow each other on Instagram!”

“Wow, that’s the pinnacle of friendship.” Tony replied sarcastically, “ show the kid around.”

You sigh as you turn to Peter, who was standing a few feet away awkwardly listening to you and your dad squabble.

“ Alright web head, let’s go”

He looks at Tony, slightly fearful. But Tony only smiles and says, “ Aw a nickname, see Peter she does like you.” Then walks away, leaving you two alone.

Flashback ends ****

Who knew that from that awkward interaction, a beautiful friendship would blossom??

From then on, you and Peter were practically attached by the hip. Every day after patrol, Peter would come over and hang out with you. Whether you’re watching movies, playing video games, or cranking the other Avengers, you and Peter could always be found together. He truly became your one best friend.

Until it became more.

The light hugs he’d give you when he first saw you started to linger, you both sat closer when you were watching movies (practically cuddling), he’d fall asleep on you lap when you stroked his hair.

All this but you both still held on to the notion that you just friends. Well, Peter did.

You were really unexperienced when it came to stuff like this. This was the first time you ever had a friend, let alone have a crush. It was easier for you to ignore these intimate moments and cling onto the idea that it was just platonic. And you did, up until your dad had the wonderful idea to invite Peters class on a tour of the Tower.

At first you really didn’t have an opinion.

If anything, you were indifferent to the idea of your home being swarmed by teenagers. It didn’t help that Steve convinced your dad that you should be present during the tour. Claiming that “ it’d be good for her to meet more kids her age instead of just Peter.”

Honestly, you had other friends! They just lived in a different city and you rarely talked.

But there you were, standing beside Bucky as your dad went on about the compound and all the nerdy science stuff. You weren’t really paying attention, you had some AirPods in. It wasn’t until Bucky nudged you when you realized that your dad was calling you.

“ Come on up kiddo” he said giving you that Dad™️ stare.

You grin at him, then glare at Bucky as he snickers into his shoulder. You make your way up to where your dad is in the front of the crowd.

“ What am I supposed to be doing” you whisper to your dad. He rolls his eyes and whispers back “ Introduction and answer some questions”

You gulp, you were always good at public speaking . You were a Stark, of course you were. But introducing yourself to your fathers business partners and introducing yourself to your peers was two different things. You eyed the crowd trying to find Peter, you found him next to a chubby boy with an awestruck look on his face and a rather pretty girl who looked like she’d rather be anywhere but here. When you made eye contact with him, he smiled and threw you a thumbs up.

That simple gesture give you all the confidence you needed to introduce yourself

“ Hi, I’m Y/n Stark. I’m seventeen years old and I live here with my dad and the team. Obviously” you say, a slight smile on your face. “ I guess I have to answer questions. But I’m not sure cause I wasn’t paying attention”

The group laughs and a few hands raise, the questions are basic “ what’s it like living with avengers?” “ Where do you go to school?” “Are you single?” Etc etc. After answering, the rest of the team introduced themselves and then split the kids into groups for the tour. You looked for the group Peter was in, finally finding him in Sam and Bucky group. You sneak away from your fathers side and skip up behind the duo. You watch them bicker over where to take their group.

“ What about the gym ?” You say, startling the two men.

“Jesus!!” “Shit!!”

You laugh, watching them dramatically clench their chest. “You’d think as highly trained soldiers you’d be more aware of your surroundings.”

“ haha.” Sam says, “ just for that you’re not allowed to be part of our group”

“ I’ll just find a way to sneak in.” You say with a grin. They roll their eyes and lead the group to the gym. You stay in place as you wait for Peter to walk by. As he does you saddle up next to him.

“Hey web slinger” you whisper in his ear. He jumps at your voice.

“Y/n??!” His voice cracks, “ don’t do that!!”

“Aw come on Pete!” You laugh, “ don’t be such a wuss!”

Then the boy next to him turns, The awestruck look back on his face

“ Your..your Y/n Stark ” he says wide eyed. You smile shyly as you turn to him, remembering where you were.

“ hi, you must be Ned. Peters told me a lot about you” you say in a low voice.

“ Peter talks to you about me” he says in a surprised voice.

“Yeah! It’s really awesome to finally meet you.”

“ Are you two coming?” Another voice chimes in. You turn to see the pretty girl with a bored expression.

“ Oh, hey” she says noticing you, “ I’m Michelle Jones, but just call me MJ”

“Y/n Stark” you say with a smile. She nods at you and then turns to Peter and Ned.

“ Come on you two, Liz is asking where you are”

“ Liz is asking about me??” Peter says, his face turning red, “ what did she say? Did she mention my name?!”

You watch him in confusion. He never acted like this except when Natasha called him handsome that one time. Then again, if Natasha called you pretty you’d freak out as well.

MJ rolls her eyes and ignored his questions, “ So you live here?” She asks you. Her question startled you as you weren’t expecting to be talked to.

“ Ye-yeah. I’ve been with my dad since I was about two.” You stuttered.

“That’s cool!! What about your mom?” Ned asks.

You smile sadly, “ I don’t know, she’s not around much.” Sensing your sadness, Peter wrapped in arm around you.

“ Cone on guys, quit it with the questions.”

Ned looks at you apologetic and Mj looks away. Then a pretty girl walks up to your group.

“ There you are. Come on you guys, you’re not supposed to split from the group.”

Peter pulls his arm back immediately at her presence. His eyes glaze over as he looks at her with a gaze you can only describe as dreamy.

“He-hey!! Sorry Liz, guess we lost track of time..heh” He rubs the back of his neck as his face turns red. His body tensed up in anxiety but at the same time is slouched. He has a goofy grin that you’ve never ever seen before.

Seeing Peter act so differently around this girl made you feel weird. Your hands were sweaty and your chest filled with anxiety. You felt cold and hit at the same time. There was a sick feeling in your stomach.

“Are you okay?” Mj asked looking at you in concerned.

You were frowning. Ned looked at you with wide eyes “ I’m sorry about mentioning your mom! I really didn’t mean to upset you.”

You turn to him and smile at his concern for you. “ Don’t worry about it, you didn’t know” you frown again looking at Peter walking with Liz, “ Soo, who’s that?”

“ Oh that’s Liz Allen. Peters been in love with her since like freshman year”

Your heart drops and that sick feelings return. “ Oh really?”

“Yeah, I am surprised you don’t know who that is Peter hasn’t stopped yapping about hersince freshman year.” MJ says rolling her eyes.

“ Peters never mentioned her. Just Ned and you.” You say. MJ hums at that.

“ Thats funny, Peter doesn’t talk about his internship too much. we didn’t even know you two were friends until today.”

Well, if you weren’t hurt before, now you were in absolute pain.

“Oh..really?” You ask, “ it’s probably because I hardly leave the HQ. Peter is the first friend I have here in the city.” You tried to reason, but you didn’t even convince yourself.

Ned and MJ look at you in shock, but before they can say anything Peter comes back to the group.

“ Hey guys! Liz just agreed to hangout with us this weekend!” He says to Ned and MJ, his back turned to you. You’re shocked because you were supposed to go shopping with Peter this weekend.

“ Since when were we hanging out this weekend??” Mj asks confused with the sudden plans.

“ well...Liz was supposed to go shopping with her friends but they have plans this weekend, and she was really bummed out about it so I said she can hang out with us...” he says quickly.

“ but I thought we were going shopping..” you finally say. Peter jumps and looks at you as if he’s realizing you were there.

“ Oh crap! Y/n I’m so sorry! I completely got caught up with everything!” He apologizes, “ Hey! Why don’t you come with us! You can get to know Ned and MJ some more, and Mr. Stark and Cap will get off your back about talking to people your age”

“ That sound fun!” Ned exclaimed

“ I guess I have nothing better to do” Mj says

You want to decline at first, upset that he forgot about the plans he made with you and you didn’t really want to see him flirt with Liz. But he was looking at you with those brown eyes you love, so you couldn’t say no.

“ sure, I can’t wait..”

You smile weakly. Already dreading the upcoming weekend.

#peter parker x stark!reader #peter parker x reader #peter parker imagine #marvel x reader #avengers x teen!reader #marvel #reader insert #poc reader #the avengers #avengers x reader #marvel and dc #crossover

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ellsbclls · 3 years ago

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The Fire Escape

warnings ➛ A couple of swear words here and there, mentions of death, endgame spoilers, and a dash of far from home erasure.

word count ➛ 4.7K

synopsis ➛ After the events of End Game, Peter Parker takes a break from his crime fighting persona, but when Spider-Man is called to a mission in Sokovia, he realizes that you might not be ready to handle the life of an Avenger’s girlfriend. There’s a little bit of angst, but not enough to keep you up at night.

“Y/N… Earth to Y/N.”

Peter ropes you back to reality with a light squeeze of your hand, a simple gesture that you return two-fold. On normal dates, the competition would ignite almost immediately, squeezing each other’s hands back and forth, under varying degrees of pressure, until one of you cried uncle — but this is far from a normal date.

It had started innocently enough. Peter had begged Dr.Banner to let him leave his “internship” an hour early just so he could surprise you at work. You assumed — after some superb groveling on Peter’s part — that Bruce agreed, because the end of your shift was met with a parchment wrapped dozen of blushing roses, accompanied by your equally blushing boyfriend. The two of you were able to snag one of the emptier carts on the N train, and were accompanied by a small Greek woman who sent a warm smile when you nestled your head into Peter’s shoulder. The smile disappeared as soon as he started using the poles as his personal jungle gym, but your laugh made up for its loss as he offered his hand out, begging you to join him with a Gene Kelly-esque flair. He ushered you into one of your favorite ramen places during your stroll down Ditmars, pulling out your chair when you were given a table, pretending not to notice how you snuck a noodle or two from his bowl when he wasn’t looking. Your heart felt so warm, you’re surprised it didn’t melt.

So why does everything seem so off now? You and Peter are walking side by side down 37th avenue, he’s rambling excitedly about some new enhancement he made to his web slingers, the evening breeze is kissing your cheeks as it waltzes around the autumn foliage, and somehow, you feel like you’re in the eye of a hurricane.

“Where’d you go?” Peter tries to reel you back in once more and succeeds, craning his head to meet your gaze.

“Oh, just a quick jog.” you tease. There’s a thin edge underlying your sarcasm, and you wonder if he can hear it, too. You’re only a block away from your apartment, and the tiny voice in the back of your mind rationalizes that nothing could ruin your impromptu date night if you were tucked away in your home — because you always feel safe when you’re home. Yet, with no solid evidence to confirm or deny the thought, you’re in a race with the block to dig through your purse.

“Oh, well don’t forget to warm up.” he teases back. His caramel hues, once alight with a mirthful glint, start to descend into an uneasy resolve that only confirms your suspicions, but you’re too occupied by the whereabouts of your keys to notice. “Speaking of warm up, actually, there’s something I have to ask you.”

“Shoot.” you reply offhandedly.

“Well, I- I don’t know how to say this.” The tremor in his voice is subtle, but just present enough to pull you from your search. “There’s- uh- there’s something going on in Sokovia, or at least what’s left of it. There’s a lot of feedback coming off the maps, like a… a hotplate of cosmic activity, so Captain wants the entire team there.”

There it is — that dark cloud that hung over your head this evening finally drenches you in a sharp, cold blanket of realization. Your heart stops, aches, and then crumbles to the pit of your stomach, waiting to be washed away by the waves of terror that crash upon your airways, and despite the wash cycle of emotions you’ve just endured, you feel far from clean. In fact, everything feels heavy — from the weight of your heart to your ragged breath — paralyzed by the idea that each thump, each exhale, brings you closer to the moment where Peter has to leave.

You started dating a year and a half ago, and two years have passed since half of the population was restored to its rightful plane of existence. Iron Man’s death left a massive hole in Peter’s morale, as well as a nagging doubt that he would never be able to take on the mantle he was left with. So, for the first time since he was bitten by that radioactive spider, he cowered in the face of adversity. Not only had he lost a mentor, he had lost his friend — and when Tony Stark sacrificed his life, he was under the impression that the heroes he saved would continue to protect the world, but sometimes Peter wonders if that still reigns true. If Mr.Stark knew just how easily the team had crumbled, how easily he had crumbled, would he still leave? Three and a half years later and Peter still can’t find the answer.

Meanwhile, when it seemed like the world needed him most, Spiderman slipped into obscurity. Now he only makes an appearance when the newscast is a little too bleak to ignore, and even then, he usually sticks to the rogue bank heist or back alley mugging.

You try not to pry, knowing that each time you ask about his brief hiatus is like poking an open wound, and, albeit selfishly, you relish in the fact that your boyfriend isn’t throwing himself in harm's way. However, now seems like a better time than ever for an interrogation, seeing as this is not only the first Avengers mission he’s attended in your relationship, but the first mission to ever span past the Hudson.

No obstacle prior has conjured a looming sense of dread and anxiety as palpable as the one you’re toting now. You can already feel it bubbling in your chest, like a cauldron of endless toils, expelling a hazy fog that makes your head spin.

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t give out on me now.” You don’t realize that your knees buckled beneath you until Peter comes to your rescue, and you silently wish that all of his heroic excursions could be this simple. The warmth of his hand bleeds past your winter coat and business casual blouse as it settles against the small of your back, and your body betrays you as it melts into his touch. “Contrary to popular belief, I’m actually not CPR certified.”

“I- I’m sorry.” Your mouth is bone dry, and you can barely muster a laugh convincing enough to counter his attempt at humor, so you don’t. You opt on settling your gaze upon the entrance of your building, just over Peter’s shoulder, and trying to ground yourself enough to stand without his help.

Peter’s hand still lingers on your form when you shuffle away from him, moving from the small of your back to the curve of your elbow. He can tell that you’re shaken, he expected that much from the get go, so he doesn’t leave your side, encroaching on the space you so obviously seek.

“I don’t know- I don’t…” You muster just enough courage to counter his gaze, and a tiny frown creases between your brows, confusion riddling every other feature. “What exactly are you asking me?”

He pauses, searching for the answer himself. “Well, I guess- I just wanna know how you’re feeling.”

You chalk it up to your sudden sense of irritability, but his question just pisses you off. How dare he throw out a semblance of hope, a faulty impression, that you’d have any choice in this matter. You climb the three steps up to the front door, dolled up in dismay, and still try to find purchase in the illusion that you have any control in the matter. Maybe that’s what pushes you over the deep end, your once honeyed voice now curdled by venom — the hopelessness of it all. “Oh, I’m fine! I’m amazing, Peter. After the way you buttered me up all evening, how could I possibly be upset?”

“Y/N, that’s not fair-” Peter’s visibly taken aback, his features mimicking your own. You can see the cogs turning in his head, formulating some way to diffuse this situation before it really begins, but now that the gates are opened, it’s too late for you to hold anything back.

“Why not? Cause it’s the truth?” You cut him off, freshly manicured nails digging into your palms in an attempt to keep your tone even. “Let me tell you what’s not fair — You don’t even know how long you’re gonna be gone, do you?”

You’re met with a mutual silence, which confirms just how equally unaware you both are.

“Exactly.” At this point, your nerves are getting the best of you. Whether you lay all of your feelings out to him tonight or not, a sickening thought will remain — Peter is going to leave, and there’s a chance he won’t come back. So you persist, your hues boring into his own with each word. “You don’t know what it’s like to sit in our bed and wonder if you’re gonna be in it the next morning. You don’t know how terrifying it is to watch the news and pray to god that you’re not a part of it. You’re never going to be in my shoes when it comes to all of this, and I pray to god that you never have to be because I never want you to feel this way. That’s what’s not fair.” You wish your voice hadn’t grown weaker with each blow, you wish you could utter your last few thoughts with an unwavering certainty, but you know you can’t — not when a sob threatens to bubble up from the back of your throat. “That you can just decide to swing across the globe and put your life in danger while I sit at home and worry about you, and the worst part is that it only makes me love you more.”

“Y/N, do you think this is easy for me?” he’s never raised his voice at you, especially not like this, but it looks like tonight is a series of firsts for the both of you. “I haven’t been on a mission with the Avengers since high school, since —” Since Mr.Stark died. You know.

It’s not like he didn’t try to say it, he did, but the name just felt so foreign on his tongue. After years of inactivity, the threat of unearthing all those memories, all those bright eyed, bushy tailed endeavors, was almost as bad as remembering that he was gone — or even worse, not remembering them at all. But where could he retreat to now? He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, forced to choose between the thought of losing Mr.Stark, or the thought of losing you. His thoughts are raw and earnest as he tries to placate the latter. “I don’t want to leave you. It terrifies me to think of all the things that could happen to you while I’m gone —”

“Obviously it doesn’t scare you enough, because you’re still going!” You punch the last two words, as if you’re suddenly trying to talk to him from across the street.

“I don’t have a choice, Y/N! I don’t-”

Your argument skids to a screeching halt, rivaling the groan of the metal door that guards your apartment complex, and with it appears Ms.Nunez — the single mother that lives a floor below you, whose ability to juggle her graveyard shifts at the hospital with her two rambunctious toddlers is almost as impeccable as her timing.

She appears to be in a rush as she skirts past you, but not enough to stop her from sending Peter an all too knowing look — one that screams “what did you do to that poor girl?”, with only the view of your red, puffy eyes and guarded stance to back up her assumption.

And with an opportunity so golden laying at your feet, who are you to ignore it? You catch the door before it hits the frame and slip into the yellowed entryway, barreling up the stairwell before he can question her weighted stare. You leave Peter no choice but to slip past Ms.Nunez in your pursuit, without so much as a goodbye, but a few choice words still sit on the back of his tongue, waiting to be swallowed.

Normally, the five stories of stairs leaves you winded by the third, but you chalk your superhuman stamina up to adrenaline. Luckily for you, you’re able to reach the last flight of stairs as Peter climbs up the first. Unluckily for you, you seem to forget that your boyfriend actually does have superhuman stamina, and you swear to fucking god that he’s flying up the stairwell by the time you shut the door behind you.

The door slams twice more after that, one loud bang to signal Peter’s entrance and one to punctuate it. His voice pierces through the apartment, firm and unyielding. “This conversation isn’t over, Y/N.”

He has no idea where you’ve run off to, ruling out the kitchen once he drapes his jacket over the center island. All he can hear is your voice, muffled behind one of the walls, calling out to him with little emotion to spare. “Oh, yes it is. I’m over it. It’s over.”

“Well, that’s mature.” He mutters under his breath, not expecting you to hear him, let alone respond.

“Oh, I’m so glad you think so!” You chuckle dryly, ”‘Cause your judgment of maturity is oh so rational and not at all fucking batshit.” And he thought he had enhanced hearing.

“You know what? You’re right.” He scoffs, letting the slam of the bathroom door punctuate his final words. “I’m over this, too.”

🕷 🕷 🕷

“Y/N?” Peter calls out, but to no avail. It’s on nights like these where he wishes you weren’t fighting, knowing fully well that you would command him to the bed with a downward pointing finger and the best glare you could muster. You’ve always loved the way his hair curled into soft, chestnut waves, so you didn’t mind weaving through his damp tresses before he went to sleep. You would make up some excuse about how the process helped give his curls definition, and he would always end up way too tired and relaxed to call you out on it.

You’re nowhere to be found, though. Your comforter is still as haphazard as it was this morning, and the kitchen is void of your late night snack ravaging. The only sign of your presence is found in the open window next to you bed, and way the curtains float against the evening breeze, leaving him to ponder your whereabouts at a breakneck speed.

A million visions of paranoia screen through his mind all at once, but he’s quick to dismiss them, oddly familiar with the prospect of losing someone, and all the fretting that comes with it.

And you know better than to wander the streets of the city so late at night — but with all of the venom being spewed throughout the apartment, Peter wouldn’t be surprised if you needed a small reprieve. Even for just a quick trip to the corner market. He’s well aware of the eagle eye you sport in the moonlit streets, as well as the switchblade that sits in the side pocket of your bag, but he knows better than anyone that you have to expect the unexpected in these streets.

He pulls out his phone, ready to shoot you a quick text when the bars of the fire escape let out a metallic groan. Despite your apartment’s... adequate amenities, you’d never had a problem with the fire escape. The finicky oven? Maybe, but never the fire escape.

Even without his spidey senses tingling, he has no choice but to poke his head through the window pane, and to his surprise, he ends up killing two birds with one stone.

“I didn’t know you were out here.” Peter balances on the window sill, crouching in a near feline stance as he surveys your position — bundled between the metal grates of the fire escape and your downy comforter. Your lips are parted in a tiny “o”, eyelids blanketing your hues, and with the street lights flickering to life across the seam of thirty-eighth avenue, you’re nothing short of angelic — features now outlined in a seraphic, dewy haze.

If he wasn’t feeling guilty beforehand, the sight before him guarantees he is now.

“Yeah, that was kind of the point.” you murmur. You don’t bother to open your eyes, not even when the iron beams start to squeak under Peter’s weight. “Can I help you with something? I’m pretty sure this thing has a weight limit, and this is a weighted blanket.”

You’re met with silence, and you hate to admit it, but you’d take his silent presence over your self-induced isolation any day. Despite the fact that you only moved in together four months prior, your body has grown accustomed to his presence, subconsciously weaving it into your daily routine. There were nights when you would splay out like a starfish in your childhood bedroom, waiting restlessly for the gentle wrap of his knuckles at the window pane, and that same restlessness bleeds into nights in your shared apartment, which then bleeds into now. Sure, you can trick your body into sleeping, but rest seems to be boroughs and islands away when Peter’s not there to wish you a good night.

A terse silence settles between the two of you, and you blink up at Peter, expecting him to break it since you surely wouldn’t.

“Why here?” Peter exceeds your expectations with his query. His gaze is fixed on Manhattan’s skyline — even from the tippy top of the complex, he can still make out the jagged glittering, crust of the city’s bustling core — and it’s then he finds the answer to his very own question.

“I used to sneak onto the fire escape at my parents place, too.” you reminisce, the corners of your lips curling into a bittersweet grin. “The apartment walls were thin, and whenever they would fight, or talk shit about something I did that day, I would just sit on the fire escape until I fell asleep.”

“How?” He breaks yet another lengthy pause, and you fight the urge to chuckle at his candor, settling with a lazy grin. “I mean, no offense, but Astoria isn’t exactly a library.”

“Yeah, but inside, I knew exactly what they were saying, how they were feeling — it was all in the air. At least out here everything just… blends together. It’s kind of peaceful in a way.”

Your voice is so timid and gentle as you recall your childhood, reflecting on moments that seem lifetimes away despite the handful of years in between. Peter’s gaze is transfixed on your profile, skating down the slope of your nose and skirting the curves of your lips until he realizes just how small you are. He tends to hold you on a pedestal, a habit he’s retained since the very beginning of your relationship, so sometimes it still baffles him to know that you can be anything but perfect — that you too can be human, and make human mistakes.

“How come I’ve never seen you out here before?” He feels like a little kid, question after question slipping past his lips before he even has the chance to filter them.

“‘Cause I haven’t had a reason to hide since I moved in with you.”

And just when he thought he couldn’t feel even guiltier, he’s soon overflowing with it. It kills him to know that you felt the need to escape, and you’ll never admit it after tonight, but he was the one who pushed you toward it.

“I’m sorry.” Peter blurts out, not expecting you to say —

“I’m sorry.”

You furrow your brows, cutting him off before he can even open his mouth to protest. “I’m just so used to my Peter. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that I’m sharing him with the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.”

“Hey, hey — look at me.” His thumb traces the spot right under your eye, using his pinky to nudge the curve of your jaw upward, toward his gaze — heavy and drenched in a type of resoluteness that leaves your mouth bone dry. “It may not always seem like it, but trust me when I tell you that you’re always going to be my top priority.”

“Peter, you’re being dramatic.” You sigh, finding it hard to believe that your life could take any precedence over the safety of mankind itself.

“No, I’m being honest.” His voice, his gaze, they leave no room for protest. You feel a little awkward being the center of their attention, and so it’s a relief when they shift to the city’s skyline once more. “Look over there, you know what that is?”

“Central Park?”

“Mhm, good girl.” Crimson blooms across the valley of your cheeks at his choice of nickname, no matter how innocently he uttered it, but your attention still remains undivided. “I figured out that I can get home quicker if I cut through it.”

You quirk a brow, and he doesn’t need to ask to know exactly what you’re thinking — So what if he hasn’t figured out which trains he needs to board in order to make a dent in his homebound commute? It’s the thought that counts.

“Sometimes like to just stop for a second and watch some of the people in the park, but not in, like, a creepy way? You know what I mean?” A subtle hint of embarrassment tinges his features, but dissolves once he notices your understanding nod. “Is there a word for that?”

“Yeah, it’s called people watching.” You snickered, trying to imagine your boyfriend and his attempts at roasting the New York natives. “MJ and I do it all the time.”

“No, but with less… shit talking.” He counters.

Ouch.

“Oh…” You’re stumped, unsure of where he’s heading and, quite frankly, a little humbled by his read. “Hmm… Carry on?”

“Well,” Peter lets his hand rest palm forward on his knee, fingers gently curled, and you’re well acquainted with the gesture. Almost instinctively, you hover your hand above his own, digits clumsily dancing with one another as he speaks, and for a fleeting second, everything is back to normal. “It’s just… mind-blowing sometimes. There’s so much life there, all at once. All of these people are just living their lives, making their way home, falling in love, falling out of love, buying overpriced hotdogs from the street vendors — The other day I saw this mom fishing her two toddlers out of that fountain on Terrace road and honestly, if they don’t end up with superpowers, I’ll be shocked.” He can tell he’s drifted wildly off track by the way you nod, slowly and unsure, as to not offend him and his train of thought. “The point is… I used to protect all of that, and it used to make me so happy.”

“You still do,” You murmur, not one to discredit the risks he does take in the name of New York. Just because his enemies aren’t held to the same caliber as, say, Thanos, doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile. “All that matters is that you’re doing what you can.”

You hesitantly intertwine your fingers with his, in just a delicate enough hold to let him reject it if he so chooses. Your lips softly quirk upward when he only tightens the grip.

“Thank you.” He offers a comforting smile, one that barely reaches his eyes, and you can tell that he has more to say. So, you squeeze his hand, silently urging him to continue. “Well, I just- after Mr.Stark… passed away… it was really hard to remember why I started doing all of it in the first place. Like- I hate saying this, but why do we keep protecting all of these strangers when all the people we do know just keep getting hurt?” He winces at his own words, so far removed from such bitterness that he can barely believe he once thought such selfish things. “But then- then I get to see all of the people that I’ve been protecting, and suddenly it all makes sense again. All I want to do is make sure people are safe, and happy, and hopefully… Hopefully, when we’re older, and we have kids that jump in the fountains at Central Park, someone like me will be watching… and they’ll feel the exact same way.”

When we’re older, When we have kids... Those promises of marriage, of a loving family, of a future — they bounce off your eardrums like a mantra. Soon, you can’t even imagine thinking about anything but Peter’s words, and how much you love him right now, and how you’ll love him until your heart can’t possibly take it anymore. You can read what he’s trying to portray loud and clear — He loves you, he can see a future with you, and if there’s ever a doubt in your mind that his feelings may have changed, you can look out into the world and find pieces of his heart in every passing face.

“I haven’t been doing everything I can to make sure that’s possible, though.” He breaches your lovesick trance, reminding you that there’s still a thread of discord dangling between you. One that you can see rapidly disappearing with each passing second. “I have to go on this mission, Y/N. I wanna start helping people again. I wanna do right by him.”

“I know.” You whisper, conceding to the fact that you will always want what’s best for him, even if you aren’t a fan of the circumstances. “It doesn’t make it any less sucky.”

“C’mere.” He can barely pat his thighs before you’re crawling toward him. He passes a warm hand under your thigh once you straddle his waist, scooping you further into his lap, and uses his free hand to encompass the nape of your neck. You feel like you could melt, being cradled between his strong, toned arms, and the feeling only intensifies when his lips seek out yours. His lips are soft, and warm, and taste like listerine, and you couldn’t ask for anything more perfectly suited for you.

“I love you.” He murmurs against your lips, without a trace of uncertainty. His thumb wipes the corner of your mouth, and he continues to plant a series of sweet, soft butterfly kisses over every patch of skin he can get his lips on — your cheeks, your nose, your temple.

He’s so wrapped up in his gentle ministrations that he barely hears you return the sentiment, eyes fluttering to a close as you breathe out, “I love you.”

“Please come inside,'' he whispers against your forehead, punctuating his plea with a chaste kiss.

You pretend to entertain the thought, tapping your index finger against your chin, before shaking your head with a waggish simper. Fortunately for you, it doesn’t take long for him to take the bait, and he disappears through the window. You can just barely make out the harmony of wild rustling and hushed obscenities coming from your room before Peter is returning to your makeshift bed, clad in the cheesy “The Floor is Lava!” hoodie you snagged from a street vendor during your trip to Pompeii the summer beforehand.

“I’m not gonna lie to you, Y/N,” Peter’s voice is tight, shuffling his knees across the fretted ground as he crawls into your lap. It takes him all of three seconds to make himself comfortable, collapsing between your thighs, and you seize the opportunity to weave your fingers through his soft, chestnut locks. “I don’t think I can make this a recurring thing. I can already feel the scoliosis forming.”

“You’re such a drama queen,” you scoff, only to be met with a scandalized set of caramel hues. “I think you can make it through the night without any permanent damage to your spine.” With droopy eyes, your body starts to hum with the tell-tale signs of sleep, and your voice drips with drowsiness as you murmur, “And I wanna savor as many nights with you as I can.”

“I know,” he whispers back, the aftertaste of guilt intermingling with the abashment that follows your sleepy confession. ”I know. I’m right here, babe.”

And he swore, in that very moment, that nothing would change that.

#peter parker #peter parker imagine #peter parker oneshot #peter parker x reader #this plot is not the same plot i started with #[tiktok vc] what happened to the original plot of the movie?#but i hope that everyone enjoys? im a little nervous since it's my first one but #please be gentle and most importantly ENJOY #dear god i hope this shows up in the tags #mine

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stusbunker · 4 years ago

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AGA: Word to the Wise

A Supernatural Fan-fiction Denny AU Series

Featuring: Dean Winchester/Benny Lafitte, past Dean/Jo

Other characters: Sam, Bobby, Cas, Mick, Ash, Jo

Word Count: 3000 (whoa)

A/N: Sam gets on Dean’s nerves and Dean ends up taking a late night detour. Big talks ahead.

Special thanks to my beta @cracksinthewalls who puts up with my whiny ass. Also grateful for @there-must-be-a-lock‘s insight.

The bowling league was in lean attendance due to a surprise snowstorm, but that didn’t keep Singers’ Slingers from mopping the floor with their competition. Dean ended on a spare in the last game, putting him just over his average for the night. State bowling wasn’t until spring, but if they kept up their momentum Dean was sure they could place well. And a weekend away would be a welcome break from his usual exhaustion.

Dean still owed Mick a rematch from last year’s trip. Mick drank him under the table and Dean didn’t want to lose two years running, he had a reputation to uphold afterall. Bartending had cut into his training time, among other things.

Ash was the first one to bow out for the night, knowing his side towing business would be busy with vehicles in ditches for however long the storm lasted. Cas bummed a ride with Mick, since his car had never done well in this weather and he was still dragging his feet on upgrading. Dean knew he had been hinting at shopping around, but Dean wasn’t going to push the topic and get dragged into helping or finagling with the salesman for the guy. Cas could figure it out on his own, and Dean was finally in a place where he felt comfortable letting him. Huh.

Sam had been quiet all night, but Dean hadn’t mentioned it, attributing the sour mood to post-break up blues. They bought Bobby his weekly drink, “team dues” as he called it and settled in along the bar.

Dean kept the conversation going, trying to keep the mood light, but Bobby was too tired to ham it up and Sam was not amused by his brother’s antics. Once Bobby polished off his last beer and headed home to Ellen, Dean was rolling his eyes in exasperation.

“Fine, you know what, I’ll reel it in, don’t want to interrupt your sulking,” Dean muttered after another joke fell flat. Sam winced at Dean’s jab, which Dean instantly regretted. Though it did seem to shake Sam out of his funk, if minutely.

“So, tell me about Benny,” Sam brought up with elephantine grace.

Dean stared at Sam like he proclaimed he was quitting the law firm and joining the circus, coulrophobia and all.

Sam huffed. “What?”

“Nice segue there, counselor,” Dean grumbled. “What about him? Hmm, you want a new bowling bag? Because that was already on my list for you for Christmas.”

“Dude, you don’t have to do that. I mean, that’d be great, but no, I was kind of wondering what your deal was? Like do you hang out a lot?” Sam started fishing.

“Yeah, totally, everynight,” Dean deadpanned. “I mean I only work two jobs when I’m not moving your sorry ass back into Mom and Dad’s.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Sam said, waiting to figure out where he was going with this line of questioning and just shot in the dark.

“What I’m trying to say is, is this, like, a Cas thing?” Sam choked out, unable to put it any more delicately.

Dean burned with shame as his hackles raised in defensiveness. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Sam cocked his head and pursed his lips, unamused and unimpressed. “You know what I mean, man. Don’t make me spell it out.”

Dean wouldn’t budge, he dropped his beer with a thud. “Well, you’re gonna have to, because I have no fuckin’ idea what you’re talking about.”

“Dude!” Sam shook his head and rolled his eyes.

“The fuck is your problem? You got something to say, just say it, Sam.” Dean fumed, daring him with a murderous glare. Sam inhaled pregnantly, face still inching towards bitch mode. Sam eyed the bartender who was trying not to listen and the late game bowlers who suddenly decided they could catch up lane side instead.

What Dean didn’t realize was that he needed Sam to say it. He yearned for it, for his truth to be spoken, and known without him having to say it himself.

“Look, I know this isn’t something we talk about. But, I just want to make sure you’re okay. Alright? In the beginning with Cas, it was like you were obsessed, man. And since he just always seemed to need something from you. I just want to make sure you’re not getting used, I guess,” Sam unraveled the heart of his concern without saying too much, which Dean was not expecting, at all.

Dumbfounded, Dean retreated, annoyance trumping any chance at relief.

“I think I can handle myself, thanks,” Dean spat. Petulantly, he took a sip from his beer, the cold glass solid in his hand, giving him something to clutch or even throw, if it came down to it.

“I didn’t say---,” Sam broke off. “Fine! You know what? You’re on your own. Just remember that I should have listened to you about Ruby and now I’m paying the price for my own stubbornness.”

Sam stood and reached for his money clip, tossing an extra five on the bar for the dramatics. He gave Dean one last chance to come clean, to own up to what they weren’t saying. Dean stared straight ahead, eyes unfocusing on the liquor labels behind the bar as if Sam had already left. So he did, just as he came: pissed and questioning his brother’s motives.

Dean didn’t go home after that. Instead he absently followed a plow down the main road until he happened upon a familiar turn off. Which he took slow and steady until it ended in a T. The little brick ranch at the end of the lane held a lot of memories. And it was more inviting than ever with its Christmas card perfection in the falling snow. Dean put the Impala in park and let the radio play, wishing he had a joint just for the sake of something to do.

He wasn’t there ten minutes before his phone rang, which he answered without processing the caller ID.

“You gonna come in or you just gonna sit out there feeling sorry for yourself?” Jo’s voice sliced across the line.

“Didn’t know if you were still up,” Dean bullshitted.

“Uh-huh. Whatever you say. Backdoor’s open,” her unimpressed reply. She hung up before Dean could make up an excuse to leave. He slouched out of the car and trudged down the long country driveway. As soon as he had stomped the snow off his boots, Jo welcomed him in with a firm hug and an appraising glint in her eye.

“Thanks, it’s a real mess out there,” Dean explained.

Jo just shook her head at him. “How’d ya bowl?”

“619 series, finished strong in the last few frames,” Dean answered. “Were you at your folks?”

“Nah, just know it’s Wednesday night, which means the boys were at the alley,” Jo smirked as she reached atop her fridge for the good stuff.

She held up the whiskey in offering and Dean nodded, bending out of his coat. He slipped it over the back of a chair and settled in at the vintage kitchen table. She poured him a glass and watched as he inhaled the first round like he had been outside for hours and needed to fight off a much deeper chill.

“Well alright,” Jo resigned herself to playing shrink and poured Dean another drink. “So, what’s got you stuck in your head, hm?”

Dean weighed his head from side to side as he let the whiskey roll over his tongue. He never got far into a pouting session when Jo was around, but he also didn’t know which chamber of his heart he could stand to prop open for her inspection tonight.

“How’ve you been, Jo? You still schooling those truckers on taking care of their own rigs?” Dean sidestepped with ease.

“You know it,” Jo confirmed. “Not a day goes by that I don’t have to put another asshole in his place. Pays good, though.”

Jo had followed in Bobby’s footsteps and became a mechanic, but two Singers were already one too many for the shop and salvage yard. So she took her skills out to the interstate and made a name for herself as the only female diesel technician in four counties. Dean used to hate it when she would fix something faster than him, but it had been more than a decade since her skills had made him feel inferior. Dean knew Jo’d be his boss someday, but he wasn’t too worried about those far off futures; Bobby wouldn’t retire unless Ellen made him or killed him first.

“How’s Rufus holding up?” Jo teased, knowing her dad’s old friend was getting worse for the wear, much like John had.

“Stubborn, and as glib as ever. Good thing your dad rehired him, because he’s a bit too mouthy for most customers,” Dean admitted.

Jo hummed with nostalgia. “I gotta swing by and bug you guys sometime, but it just keeps getting busier.”

Dean sighed. “I hear that. What’s it been? Labor day? No. I haven’t even seen you since the Fourth. Christ!”

“Yeah, well, you’ll see me next week for Thanksgiving, don’t get too sentimental about it now,” Jo quipped. She took a short sip off the bottle as Dean swirled the last of his second helping.

“I’m seeing someone,” Dean staggered the words, like he wasn’t sure if their meanings and sounds fit together.

Jo sighed dramatically, “Finally, the truth is revealed! What’s up? She’s not pregnant, is she?”

“No.” Dean had to bite back his guffaw. “Definitely not.”

“Okay, then why the sad face? Not pulling a Ruby on ya, I hope?” Jo tested the waters.

“No, it’s--uh--- it’s been good. Really good. I just, kind of need to make up my mind if I’m in it for the long haul. Ya know?” Dean clarified, relaxing with each little confession.

“Uh-oh it’s getting serious,” Jo mock whispered.

Dean rolled his shoulders. “No, well, it could be. I don’t know.”

Jo giggled. “I can’t believe you! You’re fucking twitterpated, aren’t you?!”

“Jo, if you start making Thumper jokes, I’m shutting up right now,” Dean warned with a pointed finger. “Care to top me off while you’re at it?”

“Okay, okay, gosh.” Jo rolled her eyes dramatically as she poured him another drink before pointedly putting it back on the fridge. “But you’re in deep. You’re all blushy about it.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m ready to go big. It just means they’re willing to put up with me until I say the word,” Dean tried to downplay his feelings and Benny’s confession.

“So do it! Bust out the grand gestures already,” Jo encouraged.

Dean scoffed, “I’m not built for commitment, you know that!”

“Except you kinda are! You’ve changed, Dean,” Jo insisted, head hung to pour her honesty from her eyes. “I don’t know when it happened, but you’re not that reckless boy that I knew. You’ve always been a good guy, but now?---- Maybe it’s been since Sam came home, I don’t know. But somewhere along the way you grew up.---- It’s okay to let yourself want something more, you know.”

Dean grumbled and rolled his neck, breaking the eye contact. She always could do this to him, just like her mother, see straight through his every defense. “I always thought it’d be you, you know?”

Jo smiled without teeth. “Firsts can do that to people. But, we’re not those kids anymore, Dean. So, if you’re asking for my permission or seeking my approval---?”

Dean dropped his head to his hands, thick fingers poorly hiding him from Jo. “It’s a guy, Jo. I’m--- I don’t know--- Bi? I guess?”

“Dean?” Jo waited until he stopped being sheepish and looked at her, even if it was only out of the corner of one eye. “You’ve been head over heels for Cas for years. If you dare tell me this is about him, so help me, I will throw you out right now.”

Dean couldn’t help but laugh ruefully at that and toss back what was left of his whiskey. “You saw that, huh?”

She didn’t answer, waiting for him to work through it on his own.

“It’s not Cas.” Dean smacked his lips and held up his glass for a refill. Jo stood and brought the bottle back to the table. Dean poured himself three fingers worth and pondered the sloshing liquid before he continued. “Your mom know?”

Jo licked her lips, cocked her head, and sighed.

Dean closed his eyes and asked, “Bobby? Fuck!--- my mom?!”

“No one has ever said it out loud, Dean. I don’t know who knows, honestly. But we’re family, that doesn’t change.” Jo grasped his wrist firmly, he held her hand to his and then she slapped her other one on top. Time stopped long enough for Dean to accept that his secret was finally out, but also that it was safe.

“I can’t believe I’m talking about this with you, of all people.” Dean thumbed her knuckles, staring into eyes he knew as well as his own.

“Really? Who else would you be talking to about it? Sam? Ash, maybe?” Jo giggled. “I’m honored, actually. It means you stopped hating me.”

Dean pulled his hands away and took another drink. “I never hated you.”

“Okay, well, maybe it means you stopped hating yourself,” Jo corrected.

Dean’s brows crooked incredulously.

“Too much?” Jo asked apologetically.

Dean shook his head and sighed. “You are your mother’s daughter.”

“Now you’re the one being rude,” Jo muttered before taking a solid drink off the bottle this time.

Dean let himself relax, let the whiskey and conversation work into his muscles and set his worries aside. They talked like the old days and about the old days. Those in between years after high school and before anyone was ready to face responsibility. When half their friends went to college, they had just kept on working. After another hour, Jo leaned back in her chair and started scrutinizing him once again.

“You know how I know you’re happy with what’s his name?” Jo teased.

“Beh--- I didn’t tell you, fuck! Benny, his name is Benny. Goddamnit Joanna Beth,” Dean cursed through a chuckle; more details dragged out of him than he had planned on.

Jo cocked her head and considered the name.“Benny, right. You wanna know how I know?” Jo pushed.

“Fine, how?” Dean held up his hand, beckoning for her to hit him with her response.

“Because this is about the time of night you start giving me the lazy once over. But not tonight,” Jo proclaimed, chin out condescendingly. She had him, every few years they’d find themselves back in each other’s beds, for a night or a weekend and then they’d move on. He always thought of her as his home, his starting point. But maybe they weren’t the same thing at all.

“You still look good, Jo,” Dean replied, trying to save face.

“That’s not what I meant, Dean. Besides, I know!” Jo snarked, straightening her spine and tossing her hair over her shoulder. Dean couldn’t hold in his laughter anymore and it spilled out over a toothy grin, making Jo almost choke on her drink. God, Dean felt like anything was possible. That life was good.

After the hysterics had calmed down, Dean exhaled. “Thanks, Jo. I needed this.”

“You sure did, nobody else was gonna hand you your ass so kindly,” Jo agreed, standing and taking the bottle and Dean’s glass with her to the counter that held the sink. He whined comically, but knew her timing was right. She leaned back and smirked.

Dean grew quiet and Jo waited to see if it was exhaustion, the alcohol or something else. She didn’t have long to prepare.

“How’m I gonna tell my dad?” Dean asked, the pain and panic pulling at his face until she saw the telltale tears well up.

“Fuck ‘im. I mean it, if your dad can’t get his head out of his ass to see how happy you are, he isn’t worth your time,” Jo said adamantly.

Dean let his thoughts roll to the side of his head and licked his lips, biting against the tremor. He quickly wiped away the tears that escaped and inhaled wet and ragged. Jo slipped to his side and ran her hand through his hair, letting his face fall against her chest as he breathed through the onslaught. Dean couldn’t help but think how motherly the affection felt.

She pulled back to look him over at arms’ length.

“So what now? You want the couch? Or should I call you a ride? I’m sure Sam owes you one,” Jo asked, as no nonsense as ever.

“I’ll be fine,” Dean dismissed her concern, rubbing up his face to wipe off his nose.

“Well, you ain't driving.” Jo held up his keys. Dean blanched, feeling his pockets for them, fruitlessly. He stood to snatch them, but she had already skipped across the kitchen, too far to catch. “Nuh-uh, no way I’m letting you risk your baby. Or your thick skull in this weather.”

Dean put his hands on his hips, and blinked through the dizziness. He realized he hadn’t stood in a few hours. “Sam.”

“What’s that?” Jo prodded mischievously, ear leaning in as if she couldn’t hear him.

“Very funny. Call Sam, will ya?” Dean rolled his eyes as she scrolled through her contacts, murmuring the names under her breath. His keys were raised in victory, as if he couldn’t reach them above her head. He could have snagged them in an instant, if he wanted to.

While Jo woke Sam, Dean checked his own phone. Ignoring some texts from his mom and Cas, he selected the conversation with Benny. There were no new messages since that morning. Dean hesitated before relocking his screen.

“Sam’ll be here in twenty. You want something to eat? I’ve got chips.” Jo offered, opening the cupboard.

Tagging: @flamencodiva @dolphincliffs @dontshootmespence @fookinghelljensensthighs @fangirlxwritesx67 @dawnie1988 @mrswhozeewhatsis @cosicas-cuquis @foxyjwls007 @tumbler-tidbits @wingedcatninja @defenderrosetyler @ericaprice2008 @crashdevlin @mylovelydame21 @cajunquandary @itmighthavebeenintentional @thoughtslikeaminefield @there-must-be-a-lock @tatted-trina6 @cracksinthewalls @atc74

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Part 10: Spit it Out

#A Gentlemen's Agreement #Dean Winchester Fanfiction #dean/benny #dean x benny #bi!dean #coming out #aga: word to the wise #dean winchester/benny lafitte #dean/jo #sam's trying he really is #stubborn dean

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journal-of-an-outlaw · 4 years ago

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Red Dead Secret Cupid

Happy Valentine’s day @boedkerillustrations ! I hope you enjoy your angsty piece about Arthur, it was fun to write!

Arthur leaned up against a brick wall, enjoying the shade on the hot summer day at the park in Saint Denis. Droves of people swirled around him, mingling and mixing together with the same ebb and flow of a river moving leisurely around a rock. To be honest Arthur enjoyed the indirect attention. It allowed him to watch the people fret over little details of their day that seemed oh so important in the moment but tomorrow would be forgotten. The colors of their dresses. Who was coming to dinner. Where they should vacation next.

Blah, blah blah.

Talk was a worthless currency to a walking dead man. It didn’t matter. But stealing these little moments away drowned out the other words that constantly rang in his ears.

Get yourself somewhere warm and dry. Progressive disease. Coughing. Blood. I’m so sorry, son.

He pulled out a cigarette and held the lit match a few inches away, frozen between two impossible choices. Arthur knew he had no time left, that much the good doctor made clear. Did he spend his days burning the candle at both ends because there was an end in sight? Or did he cautiously move forward, save any and all strength he had to help the gang and those living longer than him?

But he took too long to decide. The match burned out and he dropped it and the cigarette both to the ground and crushed them with his boots out of habit. It seemed all his choices were made for him lately. He had lost his control. But that didn’t matter anymore. He knew that now.

“Need a light?”

The gentle voice startled Arthur. A woman about his age moved along the wall, resting in the same pose and staring out into the crowd. The clothes were new, but that face he would recognize anywhere.

“Lydia Jacobs. I’ll be damned.”

“Good to see you too, Morgan. Been too long,” her smile stretched wide and Arthur couldn't help but give one back as her brown eyes crinkled at the sides just like they always had.

The pair met years ago but their time together was brief. Alone and desperate, she cornered Dutch in a bar begging for a safe place to lay her head for awhile, not knowing what she was getting herself into. Dutch had a soft spot for women in need. He liked to play the savior. He brought Lydia back to the camp he and Arthur shared and watched the two connect instantly. Lydia was no gun slinger, in fact she had been left behind as bait for another group for being too posh, but over the weeks learned enough to defend herself if needed.

An expensive perfume wafted Arthur’s way with hints of jasmine and vanilla. He breathed in the pleasant scent and tried to remember if it was what she used to wear all those years ago but he couldn't quite recall the specific notes.

“It’s been, what, nearly ten years since I saw you? What are you doing here?”

“I’m actually hunting a bounty. I know, I know, strange to hear,” she laughed at his bewildered expression. “But it’s a good income and I get to leave the city behind.”

“Though you’d be married, living in the city by now.”

“Nah, that wasn’t the life for me.”

Arthur watched her curiously, her eyes darting away at her words to look at anything but him. His own slanted but he was distracted as she scratched the back of her neck, her gloves catching his attention.

“You kept those old things?”

He hesitantly reached out for the white leather, time and use wearing them down to look much less like the fine things he purchased when he thought himself in love. Lydia smiled and held her hands out to admire them. Arthur was twenty-seven when he found the gloves and knew right away the woman warming his bed back at camp had to have them. A rose pattern etched across the backs made them unique, he had never seen anything like it. She squealed at the gift. But that hadn’t kept her from leaving the next week when the time came.

Watching her now Arthur was reminded that Lydia’s hands were no longer soft and delicate. That the skin was probably hardened from years of gun fights and horse reins. He never forgot what they got up to when the roughest thing she touched was his bed sheets in the throes of something a bit more reckless. Those memories made him blush and he coughed to hide his deepening cheeks.

“‘Course I kept them. One of my most prized possessions,” her words broke Arthur or his reprieve and brought him back to the present.

As Arthur opened his mouth a cough burned his throat, his question dying on his tongue as he hacked in pain. He turned in embarrassment and shame, the disease inside of him bursting at the surface no matter how hard he fought to keep it contained and in control. Lydia’s brow pulled together in concern but he waved her off with a gruff.

“‘M fine,” Arthur wheezed.

“You don’t sound it.” Her response was flat and sarcastic. “We should move somewhere else, there are too many eyes here.”

Together they made their way away from the midday crowd gathered for picnics and social gossiping in the town park and towards the outskirts of Saint Denis, passing the tailors before crossing the street and continuing on. Lydia was headed towards the garden house when Arthur grabbed her arm to stop, needing to lean against a fence for support as he began coughing again.

“Arthur, have you seen a doctor?”

The words were meant innocently enough but they sent panic burning below Arthur’s skin. He gripped absentmindedly at his ribs, half wishing he could either rip out the infested organs pumping life into his failing body or that anyone listening would answer his prayer. He didn’t want to die. The thought terrified him. But even he knew his bed was made and it was time to lie in it.

“I fell,” he spoke softly, guilt and pride not allowing his voice to carry far beyond his companion. “Down some street by the docks and a fella carried me to the doctor. Felt like a horse stepped on my chest.” For a moment the sunlight reflected off Lydia’s sweet brown eyes and her dark skin and Arthur was lost in the beauty that wasn’t tainted by his bad decisions. “He said it’s, uh, tuberculosis.” Lydia tried to control the sharp inhale to hide her emotions. “All those bad deeds finally caught up to me.”

“Arthur,” sympathy laced her words. “You know that ain’t fair. You put a lot of good out into this world.”

“Did I?” The laugh barely passed his lips. “The view from here is…”

Dismal. Petrifying. Bleak.

“We all have a limited time on this earth. I know things have always felt a bit out of your control but what you did mattered.” Arthur snorted half-heartedly. “I know I can’t change your mind in one conversation. I won’t try. But please, know that you saved me. I am living proof that you did something good.”

“Ms. Jacobs, no offense but you’re hunting bounties for a living. That ain’t what I’d call -”

“I am happy, and that is what matters most. I owe that to you. Spent my whole life doing what I love and I don’t regret it for a second. Which does bring me to why I’m here,” Lydia laughed as she pulled a folded up paper out of her pocket. “I’m hunting a bounty who’s, well, you.”

Arthur took the poster and examined the drawing. “Could have made it something more flattering. Doesn’t even look like me.”

“Especially not now.” Lydia meant the words as a joke, but silently cursed as she froze.

Arthur Morgan spent most of his life running. After thirty-five years he was finally slowing down. The bags beneath his eyes were dark and his cheeks hollowed. He didn’t just look tired, he looked…

“Well,” Arthur sounded dejected. “At least I know you’ll use the money well.”

“I’m not bringing you in, cowboy. I just came to warn you.” His eyebrows raised at her words. “Not only do we have a history, Arthur, but now it’s not...I won’t put a sick man in jail.”

At least she didn’t dance around the subject. Arthur didn’t want to hide behind the fact that TB was a disease nearly no one survived. He knew the odds. Not only did the thought of ceasing to exist send terror through him but he worried about those he was leaving behind.

Would John and Abigail ever have a home? Would Jack grow up like his father? Would Molly ever leave Dutch’s side?

His mentor and brother had been...different of late. Aggressive. Rash. Frightened. Arthur would never admit to anyone the flashes he saw in Dutch’s eyes when a decision came down to the wire but his heart recognized what it was. At first he ignored it. They were simply the emotions brought about by the decay of time and a friendship that passed every test they had hurled at them, nothing more. But more and more Arthur’s conscience would not allow the debate to happen; his words lashing out before he could think through the consequences of berating Dutch alone or in front of others and often had to hear how much he betrayed him by speaking up.

Subconsciously Arthur pushed a thumb across his palm to distract himself from the tightening of his throat and the tension behind his eyes. In truth he was terrified. There was no use fighting, but that didn’t take away his instinct to try.

“Not sick, Lydia. Dying.”

“How do you feel?”

Gently she took one of his hands in her own as they stood against the fence on the outskirts of the city. Life buzzed all around them; kids playing games, animals eating grass, adults doing chores. The mundane tasks made Arthur want to shake these people awake. Didn’t they know there was only so much time on this earth? Why were they wasting it hanging up clothes? That didn’t matter, none of it did. They should be running away, taking those they loved with them, and ensuring they prospered in happiness and love. Not money or things.

“Doesn’t matter how I feel. Just have to keep...keep…” His words cut off with another cough. Lydia’s heart broke for the man she once loved and fought back tears of her own, the shuddering gasps of Arthur’s laboured breathing shattering the illusion she had built up from her memories. This man had no fight left in him. Not for himself. “I got people to take care of.”

Lydia nodded sympathetically, watching his resolve harden. Arthur pulled his shoulders back and pushed off the fence to stand tall once again.

“You’ll do it Arthur, I’m sure of it. They’ll be okay,” something caught Arthur’s eye over Lydia’s shoulder as she spoke and he tried to hide the flash of recognition on his face. “Someone you know?”

“Yeah, a friend. Lydia, I should��”

“Of course.” She glanced back to see a dark skinned man with two horses approaching. He wore a blue shirt and an apprehensive look. “Just know if you need me for anything Arthur, I’m only a letter away. If there’s anything I can do, anyone I can look after, if you need a place to run away to, please just…”

Her words trailed off with the realization this would be the last time she would see him in this life. Arthur was always a figure in the back of her mind who came to fruition every now and then. A reminder that the cards she was dealt didn’t have to be her only ones. And now, to know he was dying in such an awful way, it took everything she had not to break down into tears.

“Sorry I couldn't help with that bounty, real shame he was gone before you got there.”

“Arthur,” she whispered.

But he waved a hand at her tone. “I’m nothing anymore. We both know I wouldn’t survive the way the world is going, seems I finally learned that myself. Just...promise me something, will you?” His blue eyes shimmered with life and Lydia found herself nodding right away, desperate to give this man’s last wish life. “Don’t, don’t waste what you have. People will try and tell you what they want from you, but it don’t matter. All of this is only worth it because you get to enjoy it for so long, so go out and do what matters and don’t listen to what other people want. In the end you’re the only one who shows up so just...do what matters to you. Whether it’s hunting bounties or taking care of someone or...I don’t know, picking berries or something. Leave your mark.”

Lydia couldn’t tell if it was the words of a wisened dying man or something she had been needing to hear but she felt changed. Her eyes followed as they rode away and off into the swamps, a silent goodbye with the tip of his hat the last sight of her friend.

How could one interaction affect her so deeply? Did approaching death give him an insight to not only what brings true happiness but what was wasted time? Did he know she would be there that day?

One day, Lydia knew she would ask him. But for now she would take what he said to heart and try to live alongside the memory of someone history would forget.

#rdr secret cupid 2021 #rdr2 #arthur morgan #my writing #I keep reading this as stupid cupid #like that mandy moore song

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sunshine-and-waffles · 4 years ago

Text

2020 Book-End Review

Here it is! My 2020 Book-End Review. My only consistent New Years tradition.

HARD COPIES

Kingdom of Copper: The second book in the Daevabad Trilogy. Female protagonist, Islamic influenced fantasy world, love stories (gay and straight). Uhg, this was so good. I literally couldn't put it down and was subsequently sleep deprived for a week. I did get a little confused with all the titles and names, but that's what google is for. I haven’t read the third book yet because I haven’t had the time to completely give myself over.

The City It The Middle of The Night- Charlie Jane Anders: Science fiction with female and non-human protagonists. Themes of colonization, the polarization of government, and human nature. It was so hard to get into, but by the end I was completely enthralled and was wishing for more.

Enchantment by Orson Scott Card: Time travel, fairytale (sleeping beauty), Jewish protagonist. It’s simple and enjoyable. I read most of it in the swimming pool :)

All The Birds in The Sky-Charlie Jane Anders: Again, Ander’s books deal with duality, only this time the duality is magic and technology. This book was easy to get into, complex, and brutal. It was so complex, I think I could read it a few more times and get something out of it each subsequent time.

The Lost Gate-Orson Scott Card: The first book in the Mithermages series. All gods are real, coming from an alternate world where their magic and power originates. The gate between worlds has been closed, so the gods' strength has withered. A young boy, from the norse god family, escapes their abusive clutches and discovers his special strength. Meanwhile, on the other world, a young boy observes the palace intrigue and his own powers. The plot is so strong and enjoyable. It’s easy to read, and is well written, which is such a rare quality.

Loving Across Borders: A book on how to navigate multi-cultural relationships. I was hoping this would be interesting and insightful, but I found it to be dry and obvious. The author didn’t include significant personal stories (which is what I find the most interesting and helpful). Essentially, a summary of the book is: Communicate with people, each situation is different, and set boundaries… Duh.

2020 Audio Books

The Polygamist's Daughter - Anna LeBaron: A memoir told by the daughter of a cult leader. It is told from her adult perspective, remembering her childhood which is full of abuse and neglect, and then working through her trauma with a therapist at the end. It was an interesting enough story, but could probably have benefited from some editing. I honestly wouldn’t recommend it.

The Heart Goes Last: Freaking love this book. A dystopian future where the poor and disenfranchised can sign up to live in a compound with shifts in a utopian world and then in a prison/work compound. In this setting there is love, romance, and DRAMA. I listened to it twice.

Little Fires Everywhere: Socioeconomic differences, race, art, women’s rights, mother daughter relationships, infertility, motherhood. The book is better than the show.

An Easy Death- Charlaine Harris: Book one of the Gunnie Rose series. A little western/gun slinger genre, a little magic, a little alternative history. A hot Russian magician and a female gunslinger protagonist. It’s not a great book, but I bought the second one, so I guess it was good enough.

A Longer Fall- Charlaine Harris: The second Gunnie Rose book. I actually liked this one more than the first book. The characters seemed more flushed out and the story was more complex. The ending left me wanting more, and I’m looking forward to the third book in Feb 2021. Widdershins-Charles Delint: The follow up to The Onion Girl, the background story is a war between native spirits and fairy, while the protagonist Jilly faces the abuse she endured as a child and the guilt she carries for leaving her younger sister in the abusive home in order to survive herself.

His Majesty's Dragon: Book 1 of Temeraire. Alternative history of Napoleonic wars with DRAGONS. A sea captain unexpectedly bonds with a baby dragon, and has to change his whole life to accommodate it. I really enjoyed that this book has almost no romance. It’s just straight up about the relationship between a man and his dragon.

Throne of Jade: Book 2 of Temeraire. The Captain and the Dragon/Temeraire travel on a mission to China, where dragons are treated with respect and care. The dragon/Temeraire is becoming more mature and the disparity between West and East is highlighted, which causes some tension between the captain and the dragon, as well as between the reader and the book (at least for me).

Black Powder War: Book 3 of Temeraire. I gave up on this series with this book. The main human character’s inability to stand up to society and the government to demand that they treat his his dragon (who’s basically a soulmate) as a whole and independent being was too frustrating.

Moonheart -Charles Delint: This is the third time I tried to read this book, and I didn’t finish it. I just can not get into it. I love Charles Delint, but this book isn’t for me.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: I love Harry Potter, and with the quarantine, listening to the whole series was the best mental comfort food. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets:Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Midnight Sun: LOL, sorry not sorry. This is trash and I love trash. However, Edward is super self-pitying and creepy. I knew that from the original series, but reading it from his perspective made that feel even more clear. I spent a lot of time making rude comments about Edward under my breath. I’d honestly listen to or read the rest of the Twilight series again, but I’d skip this one.

The Witch's Daughter: Female protagonist, with an immortal witch, and a young female apprentice. I had to force my way through it until the last quarter, and then I was really engrossed. The ending was nicely wrapped up, and I don't feel the need to read the sequel. Interestingly, I really disliked the narrator's voice, but it was the only audiobook I’ve listened to that Kal didn't mind. (Because he hates the sound of audio book I usually use my headphones).

Too Much And Never Enough: Donald Trump’s niece exposes their shared, terrible, abusive, and sad family history. It sheds some light on who Donald Trump is as a person. The psychological background doesn’t make his actions any better, but it helped me to understand how he could be the way he is. Honestly, this book was good for my mental health.

A Deadly Education-Naomi Novik: I LOVED THIS BOOK. In a world where the magicaly gifted are hunted by terrible monsters, magical children go to a school where they have to fight to live. It deals with how inequality in socioeconomic standing impacts students and their ability to succeed… with magic and romance.

The Betrayals: This book started a little slow. The characters are all flawed and make terrible mistakes because they are too proud. There is romance, magic, and redemption; I enjoyed the ending, but there were so many emotionally tense moments I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the book as a whole.

Caraval: Sisters escape their abusive father to become embroiled in a magical game where what is real and what is fake is unclear. Magic, romance, sisterly love, and mystery. The writing isn’t perfect, but I enjoyed the ride of this book.

Currently Reading:

Hard Copy: The Gate Thief, Book 2 of the Mithermage Series.

Audiobook: Legendary, Book 2 of the Caraval Series.

Poetry: Salt

I read/listened to 29 books this year. I'm tempted to try to finish a 30th before my 30th birthday on Monday. We'll see if I make it :)

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ofwrittenlegacy · 6 years ago

Note

hi hi babe can I please get #94: “I had a bad dream again.” with Peter having a really bad nightmare because im a predictable bitch and I love you/your writing so much??

hi my love!!! Absolutely you can! Thank you so much! I’m pretty new to writing Marvel but I am ready to write millions of Irondad fics. I hope you enjoy! xx.

You can read it here on AO3!

Death was staring him in the face.

Peter was trapped, frozen. He was in a yellow tinted enclosure, incarcerated and chained. And Death was seducing him. He took many forms. Thanos, Vulture, the silly gunman from last Thursday. His hands were surprisingly warm as he touched Peter’s neck. Warm like the singular tear Peter felt drip on his forehead as he turned to dust in his mentor’s arms.

“You really shouldn’t trust a soul in this game,” Death said, smiling. “Not when everyone has something to gain or lose.”

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Peter begged himself to wake up. This wasn’t real. He could make it stop. He screamed. Peter screamed himself hoarse. Until his throat was raw. No one answered.

Death wrapped a hand around his throat. “It’s time for you to answer for your sins, Peter Parker.”

_____

Peter woke up fighting. He swung but his hands didn’t connect with anything. Instead, he found himself being pinned down. He couldn’t breathe. The room was still and quiet but Peter felt a hurricane of emotions whirling within him. In his muddy, half asleep brain, Peter could make out the faint glowing blue light above his head but panic was beginning to settle into his bones.

It starts out as thin as cellophane, something he could tear away with his fingers but in the next moment it’s a deluge of ice water drenching every limb, creeping higher until it enters his mouth and nose. That's when the attack becomes absolute, shutting his body down like Death had pressed his biological reset button.

He hadn’t realized he was crying until the weight pinning him down lifted.

“Whoa, Pete, hey, breathe! It’s just me. I-It’s Tony. Fuck, uh, FRI, I need lights at 50%.” Slowly the lights came up and Peter realized the faint blue light he was staring at was coming from Tony’s chest. It was comforting. Peter focused on the light and drug in a deep breath. He had to keep breathing. He forced his chest to expand, gasping greedily for breath.

“Hi, yeah, there we go buddy. Good job. Keep breathing for me, Underoos.” Peter blinked, sending the hot tears down his cheeks. He could see Tony lowering himself to his knees by his side. A callous thumb brushed across his cheek, chasing away the tear. Peter leaned into the touch. "It's over now. I'm here."

“Hey kiddo,” Tony whispered as if he were afraid he’d scare Peter. His attempts were futile but Peter was grateful nonetheless. At least he could breathe again but unshed tears clung to his eyelashes. “What’s going on?”

Peter pushed himself up on an elbow. He was in his bedroom in the tower. Tony was wearing sweats and no shirt. He was sleeping, a rare occasion, and Peter felt a pang of guilt.

“I had a bad dream again.” He replied lamely. Now that he uttered it out loud, he felt stupid for the theatrics. It was nearing sunrise and Tony was cooing to him all because the Soul Stone left him with some unpleasant memories. How was he going to be a superhero if he couldn’t handle flirting with Death?

Tony breathed out a laugh. “Yeah, I saw. Seemed pretty rough. Want to talk about it?”

Peter kicked off the covers and sat up. His chest hurt and his hands were shaking. God, he hated waking up so violently. It was a wonder Tony was able to keep him pinned down with his super strength whilst managing to dodge the punches Peter was throwing. Tony was a miracle worker.

“Not really,” Peter rubbed the back of his neck. Now that he had come to, he felt his face heat with embarrassment. He was almost 17 and here he was, sitting with Tony Stark, who had watched him blubber like a baby and now his mentor was going to play Dr. Phil. He just wished it would all stop.

“Well, at least it was just a nightmare. It’s over now.” Tony grunted and he clambered to his feet and sat next to Peter on the bed.

“Riddle me this.” Peter focused on Tony. In the faint light, Tony’s hazel eyes twinkled. He had been through twice as much and yet here he was. A few grey hairs but he was here. He was whole. He was okay. Would Peter ever be okay? “How can I call it a nightmare if it doesn’t end when I’m awake?”

That seemed to floor Tony. They were both familiar with the concept. Peter couldn’t breathe when his class started talking about cosmology or astronomy. Tony had nearly collapsed the first time he heard Another One Bites the Dust. The end of the world had nearly came. It wasn’t a nightmare anymore. That was a bullshit nickname fed to children when they thought the boogie man was going to chew off their toes. This was a day terror. Something that terrorized each person’s every living moment. The fear that something greater than Thanos would come. And this time, they wouldn’t win.

Peter stared up at Tony, hoping he had the secret answer to cure him but Tony stared back with the same haunted gaze. Everything flipped through his mind like a photo album he wanted to burn.

“That’s the price, buddy.” Tony said softly. Distantly. “Sometimes you sacrifice your own sanity for the well being of others. But you keep fighting. You always keep fighting.” Tony said. With great power comes great responsibility. Peter cast his gaze to the floor but Tony caught his chin, searching his face. He cupped his cheek. “I’m here for you. When you’re ready to talk. I’ll always be here for you.”

Deadly and sweet. Tony was two souls fused together. He was everything Peter needed and more than anything he deserved. Peter launched himself forward, wrapping his arms around Tony’s neck. Tony laughed and snaked his arms around Peter’s lower back. He could feel Tony shudder with contained laughter when Peter pressed his face to his neck.

“I love you, Mr. Stark.”

Peter was halfway sure he could hear Tony’s chest still in his chest. He knew Tony wasn’t accustomed to affection. Howard had never been one for the warm fuzzy feelings, according to records. So he was doubly surprised when he felt Tony press a cold kiss to his forehead.

“I...yeah. I, uh, love you too, Peter.”

Peter visibly relaxed, tension bleeding out of him like a marionette with its strings cut.

“You look awfully tired for a web slinger. How about we try the sleep thing again?” Tony tried to sound casual but his voice sounded tight with emotion.

“Will you stay?” Peter asked. Innocence laced the question to heavily, it seemed to startle Tony into remembering he was just a child. Just a child.

Tony easily pushed Peter to the other side of the bed, and then slid beneath the covers. “Absolutely.”

Once he settled, Peter wasted no time crawling over and wriggling his way under his arm and resting his head a little to the right of his arc reactor. The faint blue glow was comforting. A constant. As long as it kept pulsing, he’d be okay.

“FRI, lights off.” Tony said softly, holding Peter close. Darkness cast shadows over the room. “You good kid?”

“Yeah.” Peter yawned. “Thanks, Mr. Stark.”

“Consider this a rare delicacy. Not many people can say they’ve shared a bed with The Tony Stark.”

“Only two-thirds of the entire population. Super rare.” Peter began smiling when his head vibrated with Tony’s thundering laughter.

“See, I know you’ll be just fine, Pete.” The arm tightened around Peter and he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe he would be just fine.

Tiredness swallowed him whole. His chestnut lashes fluttered and oblivion engulfed him. Sleep painted him, and then Tony, coloring them and dragging them under; as though the intensity of his exhaustion had created a perfect canvas for them.

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parkersharthook · 6 years ago

Text

All My Sides Ch. 3

(Peter Parker x female!reader)

warnings: tension, stupid decisions, kidnapping

3.5k+ words

Ch 2

“Spider-man… I have something you want.”

Peter’s blood ran cold as the video panned over to Y/n who continued to hold her head high despite the fear in her eyes. She had a bruise forming around her right eye and blood spotted on her bottom lip. Her wrists were bound behind her back and her feet were tied to the chair she was currently sitting in. There was a gag in her mouth. Peter sprung to his feet, running to get his suit on immediately.

“Spider-man… this is a live video that is playing on every news station and screen available. Every billboard in Times Square, every phone in civilians’ hands, every radio and TV station… they will see your beloved Y/n Y/l/n die if you don’t listen to every instruction I give.” Peter watched on the TV in his room as Dr. Connors appeared with a sinister grin. “Meet me in Time Square in thirty minutes or…” he glanced back to Y/n, “well you can guess.”

“Mr. Parker, Sir is calling you.”

“Decline.” Peter’s voice came out rough and gritted as he pulled on his civilian clothes over his Spiderman suit and shoved his mask into his backpack. He slung it over his shoulder and sprinted down the steps of the tall tower, and continued running the short distance to Times Square. He saw the hordes of people stopped and staring at the billboards and then to the sky as numerous avengers began to appear in the sky overhead. Peter pulled up his hood and dropped his head. He knew what Dr. Connors was looking for, and if he let Y/n get hurt due to his stupidity… he would never let himself live it down.

The mad scientist came back onto the screen, “I’m glad you followed my orders Spider-man. But I see you didn’t show up as you… I’m proud. You remembered our little game. Citizens of New York!” His voice bellowed out of every speaker nearby, “We’ve been missing a certain web slinger for the past week. No one knew why, until now. Our friendly neighborhood Spiderman,” he spat out every word, “has lost his powers.” Gasps rippled through the crowd.

He continued, “He is just an ordinary boy. But this is no ordinary girl, you see. This is Y/n y/l/n. Not only is she the daughter of former police captain but she has a special relationship with Spidey. And if he doesn’t cooperate then at 6:30 pm her body will be dropped from the bell tower of St. Margaret’s church. You know the one.” Y/n’s eyes filled with terror and her body tensed against its restraints. “So… Spidey. You know where to meet me. It’s where we first met. Just you and me. You have twenty minutes.”

Peter could still see the avengers with the ability of flight soaring through the sky scanning the people below them. They were looking for him, trying to stop him from doing something stupid. He noticed Sam tuck his wings and turn tightly around, heading towards the large church in search of Y/n. Peter shook his head and fell into the crowd of people. He knew that Y/n wouldn’t be there. He quickened his steps as he walked towards what might be the place of his demise. He had shit to do.

~.~

“Can anyone see him?” Tony barked out from his spot above the pointing crowd

“Nothing.” Bucky muttered as he pushed through the crowd.

“He should be here!” Steve growled out into the comms.

“That guy said that this was a game.” Wanda stated, looking down back alleys for him. “They’ve done this before.”

“So Peter’s not here?”

“He said that Spiderman showed up but not as ‘him’.” Natasha muttered and then it clicked, “he’s not out as Spiderman.”

“Fuck.” Steve muttered, “We’re never going to find him.” He turned his head towards the sky as Sam began to fly back in, “Sam?”

“She’s not there. Nobody is.”

“It’s a game guys.” Wanda repeated, heading towards the rendezvous point. “Nothing is going to be straight forward. Stark, don’t you have some kind of tracking on his suit?”

“If he even has the suit…” Tony muttered, “But it’s only activated when he has the mask on.”

“Well we know he’s going to confront this guy either way. We’re just gonna have to wait.” Sam suggested.

“Not gonna happen.” Bucky growled out.

“Bucky’s right.” Clint said, “let’s find out everything we can about this guy.”

“We can’t waste time going back and forth between the tower and here.” Natasha met Bucky’s eyes from across the crowd and nodded slightly. “Meet me and Bucky on the corner of Broadway and 7th. I have a plan.”

~.~

“Seriously guys?” Tony said with a raised eyebrow as he stepped through the doorway into the small apartment. Natasha rolled her eyes and walked to a small linen closet.

“We don’t tell you everything Stark.”

Tony sat down in an office chair and spun around slowly, “but maybe you should.”

Wanda picked up a throw pillow with a small smirk, “it’s cute.”

Bucky fought back a groan, “don’t make us regret this.”

Clint folded his arms and leaned against the wall, “so what’s the point of this. Why are we here?”

Natasha pulled out 2 large metal briefcases from the closet and set them on the dining room table, “It’s close to times square and St. Margaret. We can use this as a base until we know for sure what is happening. It saves time and energy.”

“We have more resources at the tower.” Tony drawled out in a complain

Steve rolled his eyes, “Natasha has everything we need right here, and I know you have your mobile computer with you. You take it everywhere.”

Tony grumbled under his breath but still pulled out a rectangular device. He flicked it in the open space causing blue holographic projections of the news to appear. Wanda and Clint took a step closer to examine each broadcast and headline. Anything that could give them a clue.

They all worked in silence for a while, trying to solve the mystery when Tony spoke up, “A secret apartment? Really?” Everyone groaned in annoyance, “next thing we know, you’ll be telling us that you two are married.”

Natasha walked by him with a stack of reports. She sent him a devious wink, “maybe we are.” She sat down at the table with the folders and opened them up one by one.

Steve, who had been looking over her shoulder, stopped her movements. “Check out this one.”

“But you guys aren’t… right?” Tony turned to Bucky who was concentrating on the profile of Dr. Connors, “married, I mean.” Bucky glanced up at the older man but offered no answer as he just got back to work.

“What’s important about this one?”

“Look at these.” He spread out the photos of a fight that Spiderman had been in a few years ago.

“What about them?” Wanda asked as she came up to the table. “It’s just Peter fighting a big lizard.”

“Right but look at this one.” Steve repositioned a grainy photo of Peter fighting a large lizard who had a shredded lab coat on his back.

Clint picked up the photo and looked at it closer, “I remember this. It was something with Oscorp before they went out of business. SHIELD try to uncover the details, but everything was pretty much burned to the ground.”

“Gross… Oscorp.” Tony said with an exaggerated gag

“Do you remember anything else about it?” Steve asked Clint. Behind them Bucky’s eyes had widened as he read a particular file sheet.

Clint scratched his head like the old man he was. “I think that this lizard guy was some guy who experimented on himself. Went completely wrong, as they always do. But after the battle with Spiderman he didn’t show up for a while. We assumed he died.”

“Guys…”

“Why hasn’t anyone asked Peter about this?” Wanda asked

“It never came up, I guess.” Natasha supplied

“Guys…”

“Well after all of this is over we need to get more details on this.”

“Agreed.”

“Guys!” everyone turned to Bucky who had grown paler. “The lizard is Dr. Connors.”

“What?”

“Look here.” Bucky showed them all the written report on the scientist, “He was a scientist at Oscorp for years and then he suddenly went off the grid after that incident. He lost an arm from an accident and his main topic of research was regeneration of tissue.”

It clicked for Tony, “he tried to regrow his arm and turned himself into a lizard.”

Wanda furrowed her brows, “please connect the dots.”

Tony swiveled to face her, “lizards have a regenerative property. Dr. Connors probably studied them and mixed their genetic makeup with something else producing a mix of the super soldier, hulk, and Spiderman serum. He injected it into himself and it went wrong.”

“Meaning that he turned into a big ass lizard?” Steve asked, obviously still not convinced.

“Think about it. This doctor guy suddenly disappears after this incident with a large lizard which is the animal he happened to experiment on. Then he suddenly comes back looking for revenge on Spiderman?” Bucky said, “It’s obviously him.”

“Okay but how would he know Peter’s identity? Or his connection to Y/n?”

Wanda smacked her forehead, “Y/n had an internship with Oscorp back in Highschool. She literally worked next to the guy.”

“Okay but Peter and she weren’t dating back then.”

“But they were still friends.” Wanda supplied, “she told me that her and Peter would sometimes meet up for lunch during her break and talk about all this sciencey stuff. Dr. Connors even approached Peter about him working there full time.”

“But he decline because he had an ‘internship’ with Tony Stark.” Natasha supplied. Wanda nodded at her.

“Okay but how does he know that Peter is Spiderman?”

“Ladies and gentlemen! The main act has arrived!” The TV which had not been previously on, switched to life with the live broadcast.

Clint frowned deeply as he stared at the television, “oh shit here we go.”

~.~

Peter froze as the broadcast came over his phone.

“Hello there Spiderman! Still dressed as a civilian I see… good boy.” Dr. Connors’s voice was chilling. He continued on, “I’m proud of you for going where I wanted you to, but you aren’t finished yet.”

“Leave her alone!” Peter’s voice came out rough and hoarse.

“Tsk tsk tsk. Not so impatient young man. But congratulations are in order as you have solved my previous riddle. But alas neither I nor this fair maiden is there.” Peter moved to turn around and walk right back out of the sewer, but Dr. Connors’s voice stopped him. “Awww, don’t leave yet Spidey. In fact, I don’t think you can.” He laugh maniacally, “I have a camera on you right now. You turn around… you reveal who you are.”

Everyone tensed. Everyone in that apartment full of superheroes, everyone on the streets of New York, everyone who had a radio in their car, everyone who was hearing this tightened their muscles.

Natasha, though nervous for the boy, still had her mind in spy mode and took notice that Peter seemed to be in an abandoned subway tunnel.

“He has his backpack.” Wanda whispered, “That means he has his suit.” At least that was some good news.

“But Spiderman you seemed to overlook a few key details. Yes… it is true. I wanted you to end up where you are, but that isn’t where we first met. Think hard, Spidey. You can do it… you’re a smart boy.”

“Why don’t you just reveal my identity now? Why do this? What’s your end game?” Peter called, his back still turned to the camera

“What’s all the fun with that?” he cackled loudly. “You have 30 minutes to get where you need to be. And please… do show up as Spiderman. It’ll just make it that much more dramatic.” The screens went blank and it took a few moments for the shock to wear off.

Peter got moving immediately. He knew exactly where he had to go.

~.~

“Where is he going?” Tony asked in frustration as he slammed down some paper on the table

Steve pressed a finger to his ear, “Sam? Status?”

“Empty.” The voice came back static, but everyone still heard the message. They deflated.

“If he isn’t at the Oscorp building and he isn’t at his apartment, then where could that fucking mad man be?”

Natasha sat in silence, fingers pressed together as she thought over everything. She turned to Bucky who was in a similar position as her, “where did Y/n intern?”

“Oscorp Industries.” Bucky replied stoically.

“Yeah I know that. But where? Which location.”

“What do you mean which location?” Natasha rolled her eyes at her sometimes clueless boyfriend and pulled some papers closer to her. She checked them over once, twice, and then a third time again. Something wasn’t adding up. Click.

She opened her laptop quickly and typed out a quick google search. She let a small smile slip over her lips. “Boy oh boy, are you guys lucky to have me on the team.”

“What do you mean? What did you find?”

Natasha turned her laptop around as everyone crowded around, “The location listed under Y/n’s place of work is the Oscorp in Midtown. But if you go through the records of their listed employees she isn’t listed there.”

“An unpaid intern?” Wanda asked. Natasha shook her head and pulled Dr. Connors’s file closer.

“Look at his. Place of work, same building Red Division.” She pointed to something on her screen, “This Oscorp building was very open to the public. It had tours and interns and schematics online, but as we know Oscorp was into some very shady stuff.”

“They had a secret division with a secret building.” Tony said as he smacked his forehead, “how could we be so stupid?”

“But we would have found out about that when Oscorp fell.” Clint pointed out.

“Not if it was listed under a different name. That Oscorp building was organized into 3 colors or access levels: blue, green, purple. And if Y/n was as high up as she is labeled as, she would be in blue. There is no red.”

“Then where did Connors work?” Wanda asked, studying the file and still not making sense of anything.

“Here.” She typed out a quick search and spun the screen back around towards her teammates.

“Location not found?” Clint gave her a look

“Exactly. It doesn’t exist… anymore.”

“Wait… that address. That seems familiar.”

Bucky looked at the paper, “that’s because it was the Red Line Grocery Market back when we were kids. We worked there for two summers.” he looked up at Natasha, “but the address would still exist.”

“Not if they redid the gridlines in that neighborhood. That grocery store is still in business, bought by one Norman Osborn almost 2 decades ago. They moved locations once the gridlines were redone to a new and upcoming neighborhood… in Queens.”

“How did you even find that out?” Wanda asked somewhat amazed.

Natasha shrugged, “googled red division with Oscorp. The article that the Red Line Market was under new ownership came up. Researched the given address, linked it to its old address and the gridline renewal. Found its current location.”

“So, that’s where he’s hiding Y/n? In a grocery store?’

“Not exactly. A block from that store is a supply warehouse where they keep their inventory. I bet you, that’s where we find them.”

Bucky slowly shook his head, “I don’t doubt that this is all a connection but how on earth would Peter have his first meeting with Connors at this warehouse that no one affiliates with Oscorp?”

“I’m honestly not sure, but we’re gonna find out.”

~.~

Peter took a deep breath and walked through the warehouse doors. He didn’t even remember this place for the longest time, but as he took in his surroundings the memory came flooding back.

“Hey Peter!” Y/n called as she walked down the sidewalk with a new-found energy. Peter spun around, his bag of groceries hanging from his fingers. He smiled widely.

“Hey Y/n! What are you doing down here?”

“My boss sent me to pick up some supplies from the warehouse around the corner. I’m meeting another scientist there.”

Peter chuckled slowly as they fell into a steady rhythm, “no offense but that sounds kind of shady.”

Y/n laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “I thought so too honestly but a ton of the other interns have been here before and have met this Doctor, so I think everything will be okay.”

“Do you want me to walk you?” Peter suggested lightly, “Just in case?”

Y/n bit her lip and looked up at Peter through her eyelashes, “I’d like that.”

Peter pulled the mask over his face and threw his backpack behind some random shelf. He didn’t really care if he lost this one. “Spiderman!” The loud booming voice came through a set of speakers on the wall. Peter shivered, knowing that the man behind the voice was much closer.

“Welcome everybody! To the final act! This next performance will truly test your precious Spidey’s heroics… if he really is the hero you believe him to be.”

“Let her go!”

“Sorry Spidey… no can do.” his words came out slow and taunting. Peter wanted to punch him in the face. “do you remember?”

“remember what?”

“the first time we met. You stood in front of me, shook my hand, smiled, worked beside me.”

Peter shook his head and frowned, “I wish I never met you.”

“hey now. Don’t say anything that you’ll regret.” He stepped out of the shadows, crazed look in his eye. He cocked his head to the side and smirked, “words hurt you know.”

“Where is Y/n?”

He clicked his tongue, “oh don’t worry… I’ve been taking very good care of her.”

~.~

“Guys! Guys!” Wanda yelled loudly pulling everyone out of their heads. “he’s back on.”

Bucky leaned against the back of the couch as he stared at the TV, “well Nat he looks like he’s in a warehouse.”

“And you’re surprised because?” She smirked as she loaded a gun and slipped it into her thigh holster. “Now what are you waiting for? Let’s go get our boy.”

~.~

Connors pointed his finger at Peter and stepped towards a large door, “follow me Spiderman, I’ll take you to her.” Peter took a hesitant step forward as Connors whirled around to face him again, “oh by the way you’re still being broadcasted. Say hello to New York!” He waved his hand excitedly into the air.

“Dr. Connors, you’re sick. You’re not stable.” Peter said calmly and slowly

Connors’s eye twitched and he shook slightly, “I’m fine! But your girl won’t be if you continue like this.” he breath heavily, “now… follow me.”

“Dr. Connors, you know me. You know Y/n. You don’t want to hurt us, and I don’t want to hurt you.” He raised his hands steadying them. His web shooters pointed directly at the man.

He cackled maniacally, “You think that I know you can’t handle your web shooters? You have no powers! You are nothing right now! Oh silly silly boy.” He pulled a small button out of her pocket and hovered his thumb over it dangerously close. “I press this, and she’s gone.”

“What?” Peter’s voice cracked slightly

“There is a gun.” Peter swore he stopped breathing, “Sitting directly in front of Y/n. Fully loaded and ready to be fired. now guess what the button does.”

Peter didn’t know what to do. he was lost. He had never been in this situation.

“now, if you’re’ ready to cooperate. Follow me.” Peter took slow hesitant steps behind the crazy doctor until the two entered a large empty room. In the middle was a metal chair, she was tied to it. Her hair was matted to her face with sweat, small dribbles of blood were falling down her face. A gun sat directly in front of her face. She shook with fear.

“Y/n….” Peter barely whispered. he moved to reach her, but Dr. Connors just moved his thumb closer to the button. Peter stopped and tore his eyes away from Y/n to look at Dr. Connors, “lower the trigger. What do you want? Money? Security?”

Dr. Connors laughed and shook his head, “don’t be ridiculous Spiderman. I know you don’t have any money and the minute that your little Y/n is here, I know you’d send those little friends of yours to find me. No, I want something else. Something that only you can give me.” His smile widened, and Peter felt his blood run cold.

He watched as Dr. Connors slowly walked over to Y/n and pushed the chair forward by an inch, the gun almost pressing against her skin. She whimpered in fear and squeezed her eye tightly.

Peter’s voice wavered, “what do you want? I’ll do anything.”

“I know…”

“please, Dr. Connors.” Peter was one threat away from dropping to his knees and begging.

He laid a surprisingly soft hand on Y/n’s head, but she flinched away anyways. “I want you to take off your mask, Spiderman. Reveal yourself for who you truly are.”

Ch 4

taglist: @awkwardfangirl2014 @givinggoodvibes @unhealthyobsessionwithmarvel

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aaronderschaedel · 6 years ago

Note

Light pink (because I've asked it to everyone so far), Hollywood cerise, cameo pink, vermilion, canary, olive, pink nectar

Light Pink - Do you have stuffed animals? Not exactly. I have a bunch of plushies of demented spell slinger girls and plaster skulls, though. (...though I’m missing a plushie Tharja...)

Hollywood Cerise - What are you ambitions? ...man, I have no fucking idea how to answer this. I’ve lost track of how many backup plans I’ve had to move on to at this point, and I don’t even remember what I really want out of life anymore. Or if I ever knew in the first place.

Existential dread aside, I’ve got a few programming books I’m slowing plucking away at. Getting back into that might be a good idea. One of them is about making video games with Python, and the other is about full stack Web Development. Those are bretty neat subjects, I think.

Cameo Pink - What’s your favorite movie? It usually depends on my mood how I answer this, but right now, I’m thinking Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. It’s a movie adaptation of a book about THE AMERICAN DREAM

Vermillion - How brave are you? On a scale of 1 to 10, I’m either a 4 or a 14; there’s no in between, and it’s impossible to tell which I’ll be in a given moment.

I mean, I once dove into an active trash compactor for 25$, after all.

Canary - Favorite song? 多分、風 by サカナクション (Perhaps, the Wind by Sakanaction)

Olive - Favorite Food? You really can’t go wrong with grilled chicken; there’s so many ways to season it, and contrary to what the Bunny Idol Tango that has abandoned this cursed land has said about chicken, yes, it is pretty much a tasteless piece of meat, which is precisely what makes it something you could season with cherry juice! (You should probably add some sage and fresh basil if you’re gonna do that, though.)

Pink Nectar - What’s your aesthetic? Black leather, spikes and studs, wild hair colors and styles, bandanas around your forehead, head, or any other conceivable part of your body. Along with neon and chrome everywhere! AND SHOULDER PADS! THE BIGGER YOUR SHOULDER PADS, THE BIGGER OF A BADASS YOU ARE

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coffee-and-kpop · 7 years ago

Text

Spider-Man! Jeon Jungkook

okay okay okay omg so I watched Spider-Man Homecoming like last week because I haven’t yet and Spider-man is legit my favorite superhero and not even because of his powers but because Peter Parker is literally the cutest dork ever and I’ve legit felt this way since the first three movies came out like Peter is my fave and Spider-man is my fave too // Tom Holland is also cute af and it’s rare for actors to actually catch my eye like that so I’m loving his Peter Parker so much lmao // fun fact too I hate spiders lol Living in Miami I can deal with roaches and other bugs and lizards and shit but never spiders, I’d rather burn my house down to kill a spider than get near it lmao BUT I DIGRESS

Let’s start with the AU!!!

Word Count: 2129

Masterlist

To start, I literally cannot see anybody else in BTS but Jungkook as Spider-man

I tried fitting Yoongi to Spider-man, because Yoongi is my ult ;u; but it just didn’t feel right

Jungkook is the best one

Both are young idiots

Nerdy af

Photography // i miss old Spidey :’) //

Fit

Get awkward and nervous every now and then

But very cute and caring

Looking out for the little guy

Jungkook also wouldn’t tell anybody

At all

At first he used to help out in the Busan area, while he was in highschool

For college he moved to Seoul

And many were surprised to see Spidey swinging around in Seoul

Jungkook was actually nervous about going to college in Seoul

He knew it came with a risk

But so far nothing seemed off so he continued to do what he did in Busan

He attended his classes and the second he was done he went off on a patrol around the city

At this point at lot of people suspected what school Spider-man was going to

He was often spotted on top of the building that was his dorm

So he stopped staying there too often and frequently stayed around various other places

It was getting pretty late and Jungkook had a paper due the next morning

He hadn’t started it yet

Much less actually knew what he was going to write about

So he decided to head back to his dorm

But first

He had to change back to Jungkook

He dropped down in the alley where he left his book bag and clothing

It was dark

But thanks to his spider powers

That wasn’t a problem for him

He quickly located his bag and opened it

Ready to get his clothing out

Until you suddenly appeared

Jungkook tried to put on his mask

His sudden panic prevented him from actually getting it on properly

So he quickly jumped behind a dumpster near him

He poked his head out slightly to see why you were here

When he suddenly saw two other figures following behind you

You told them to please leave you alone

Stating that you had no cash on you

The two figures scoffed

One man and one woman maybe?

Jungkook slowly put his bag down behind the dumpster

After calming down a bit he finally put his mask back on

The two people still had some distance to you

No visible weapons out

Jungkook decided to climb the wall behind him slowly

Making sure he wasn’t seen

That was until he saw the woman pull out a gun and point it right at you

Jungkook quickly went into action

He shot a string of web at the gun and disarmed the woman

They both stood confused at the weapon suddenly gone from their hand

“Man, I find it really unfair you guys are teaming up on one person”

The man and the woman both look at each other before looking around at where the voice came from

“Do you mind if I join to even it out?”

Jungkook appeared behind the pair and tied them up with the web

Fairly easy this time

Normally people do a better job at fighting back

But he wasn’t one to complain

“Oh, looks like I won!”

Jungkook walked over to you and asked if you were okay

Other than being shaken up a bit

You were fine

He called the cops and they asked you a few questions when they arrived

You were about to leave when Spider-man called after you

Jungkook offered to walk you home

And you agreed

However you didn’t walk to a house

Instead to walked to a dorm

His college dorm

Jungkook got a bit nervous

You told him thank you and that you’ll be on your way then

Jungkook nodded and quickly left after you were inside

He got his things from the alley and changed before rushing back to his dorm

The second he walked in he went straight for the showers

Even though the two people from earlier weren’t much of a challenge

He still felt tired and the hot water on his skin helped him relax a bit

After walking back to his room

he quickly checked that his roommate was asleep before taking out his suit from his bag and shoving it under his bed

At that point Jungkook flopped onto his bed and slid under the cover

And he did not do his paper

The next morning was probably the worst for Jungkook

It wasn’t until he was inside his class that he realized that he had not done the paper

And that you were actually his classmate

To his luck

You didn’t sit beside him

You prefered to sit in the back-middle area while he sat towards the front

But that still didn’t save him from becoming your partner for a class assignment

Jungkook shifted nervously in his seat

Even though he had his mask on last night

And he knew that there was no way you could know he was Spider-man

He was still nervous to death

Although you didn’t notice that he was the famous web slinger

You did notice his obvious nervousness

And you became worried

“Are you okay?”

Your sudden question made Jungkook jumped slightly

Giving you a forced smile while he nodded excessively

“Y-Yeah! Totally c-cool! Nothing wrong…”

You gave him a smile back and a nod

Turning back to pay attention to the teacher

Jungkook let out a huge breath and relaxed just a tiny bit

You both worked on the assignment together

Only spoke when you had to

Things were great

Until the professor announced that the next project was to be done with your current partner

Jungkook felt his heart drop

You turned to him and awkwardly asked for his number

So you could plan your meet ups for the project obviously

Jungkook got your number as well

You mentioned you had a pretty free schedule the next week

You could meet up almost every day and get the project done and over with

He only nodded and gave you the same sort of forced smile

“Yeah, t-that be g-great!”

You got up and grabbed your things and headed to your next class

Jungkook went back to his dorm

Luckily, he only had one class that day

And it was over

But life still kept throwing things at him

The second he opened the door

He saw his roommate holding his suit

His Spider-man suit

At the moment Jungkook wished he had never left Busan

Jimin, his roommate, turned around when he heard the door open

Jungkook quickly closed the door and locked it and grabbed the suit from him

“You’re Spider-man…”

He turned to Jimin and shook his head

“I have no idea what you’re talking about”

Jimin quickly walked over to Jungkook

“That’s Spider-man’s suit. Why do you have Spider-man’s suit. You are Spider-man!”

“Nope. Nope. Nope. I am not Spider-man.”

“Jungkook! Why didn’t you tell me!”

“Because I don’t want anybody to know!”

“So you are Spider-man!”

“I’m not Spider-man!”

Jimin smirked and grabbed the suit from Jungkook’s hands

“This is too cool…”

Jungkook scratched the back of his head

Obviously frustrated

“Yeah, but you can’t tell anybody or say anything. Like, at all.”

Jimin turned to Jungkook looking amazed

“Why not! You’d become super famous and popular!”

Jungkook shook his head and grabbed the suit and shoved it under his bed

“No. Nobody can know. Got it?”

Jimin huffed but nodded

Jungkook sighed and nodded as well

And then you sent him a text

>You think you can do Saturday afternoon? -Y/N

He could easily push his Saturday patrol to the evening

It wasn’t a big deal.

>Yeah, I can do Saturday. Library? -JK

>Sounds good -Y/N

Jungkook turned to find Jimin looking over his shoulder

He started teasing him about having a date but Jungkook quickly said it was for a project

Jimin shrugged it off and left running to his next class realizing he was late

Jungkook prayed Jimin wouldn’t tell anybody

Or let it slip by accident

And soon, Saturday came around

The project was fairly easy

You were both smart and finished the rough draft the first day

Now all that’s left is a bunch of revising and turning it in

Since it was nearly lunch time you offered Jungkook to get a coffee with you

Jungkook looked nervously between you and the time

But agreed anyways

He had time

Just a little bit of time

He had to do his patrol soon

You asked him questions over coffee

What his major was

Hobbies

Family back home

Both of you shared a bit in common

Jungkook did photography while you did painting and drawing

He liked video games and you did a bit of animation when you had time

You also moved away from home to go to college

Then you asked about Spider-man

And Jungkook felt his soul leave his body

You told him that Spider-man had saved you twice already

Jungkook tilted his head in confusion

When had he saved you before?

You told him that you had just gotten to Seoul

Walking out of the airport and trying to get a taxi

As you crossed the street a car was coming towards you too quickly

Suddenly you felt something pull you back and away from the car’s way

When you turned you saw a sticky web hanging from the back of your sweater

Jungkook remembered that too

He had just arrived to Seoul as well

The second he pulled you back he ran away from the scene and quickly got into a taxi

He felt bad he couldn’t ask if you were okay

But it wasn’t like he could change into Spider-man in that second

Then he told you about the night not long ago

This one he had no trouble remembering

Though you told Jungkook you often wondered if Spider-man remembered you

He shrugged and smiled

“Why wouldn’t he? Who could forget you?”

The sentence left his mouth before he could think and he felt his soul leave his body again

You blushed

Playboy Jungkook is coming watch out omg

“Ah- I mean! You- um… you’re...great! And he probably remembers you!”

Jungkook looked at the time and his eyes widened

He quickly apologized and said he had to go

He ran towards a nearby alley and changed into Spider-man

Did his usual patrol and went back to his dorm

And it continued like that

Jimin didn’t tell anybody

He met up with you for the project

Had coffee after

He left rushing after apologizing over and over again

Jungkook seemed to always lose track of time around you

He never understood why

But soon, you guys finished with the project

That meant no more coffee together

And a part of Jungkook hurt

He shrugged it off quickly

Spending more time out on patrols to distract himself from the hurt he felt

Eventually he saw you again

But not in the way he hoped to see you

You were obviously on your way back to your dorm

But some random person was following you

You kept looking behind to see if they were there

And they kept getting faster and closer towards you

Jungkook didn’t hesitate on punching them in the face and tying them up

When you saw Spider-man you felt relieved and walked over to him

Jungkook asked if you were okay and you smiled

After seeing that you were fine he smiled as well

Not that you could see anyways because of the mask but ANYWAYS

“I wonder why you keep getting into trouble?”

You were surprised by the sudden question

Spider-man did remember you

“You remember… me?

Jungkook let out a soft laugh and nodded

“Of course I do. Who could forget you?”

Jungkook’s heart stopped

“Uh- I mean, I saved you three times already right? You should really stop getting in trouble. I sort of have to go now. Your dorm isn’t far right? Get home safe. Just scream if you need help. Gotta go bye!”

And with that Jungkook quickly left swinging away as fast as possible

Yet you were left with a growing suspicion of who was under that mask

Maybe, you would ask a certain Jeon Jungkook tomorrow

You laughed to yourself and walked home

In truth, you knew it was Jungkook under the mask

You found a page of multiple designs for his suit in his pile of notes for the project

You meant to ask him about it

But whenever the topic of Spider-man came up, he was suddenly rushing out in a hurry

So you never brought it up

And you never told a soul

Ahhhhhhhh so this is just a quick thing I wrote for myself since a blast of inspiration hit me for it

I just really love Spider-man guys I’m a huge loser

I also wrote this on Thursday last week but decided to post this now lol

But anyways, I’m sorry I haven’t posted more of my requests yet. I am currently working on a few requests and I’ve had a bit of problems with family, college stress and other stuff that take up my time or leave me just dead tired. I also just got a new phone this weekend. My last one was a bit glitchy so I can finally do edit requests without it getting deleted. I do my edits on my phone it’s just easier for me ^-^’ You can still send in requests if you’d like btw! Just make sure to check my rules, who I write for, and what is open at the moment!

-SugaMint🍭

#jungkook #jeon jungkook #spiderman #kpop #bts #jungkook bts #bts kpop #spidey #au #spiderman au #kpop au #jjk #sugamint #admin sugamint

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borggolf · 4 years ago

Text

My 2020 Golf Year

In the past several years around late February into March I would watch the weather forecast every day, hoping for a high near 50 degrees with no snow on the ground. Many people believe I’m crazy for wanting to golf so early in the season. Once a worker in the clubhouse told me on a 50 degree day in February that he wouldn’t be out there playing “even if a $100 bill was on the first hole’s flag.” But I just can’t wait to hit the links after the long offseason, at least most years. 2020 was much different.

Still recovering from a sore shoulder and with the COVID shutdowns beginning around mid-march, I had little desire to golf. Even when the courses opened up for walking-only, there were a few days that were quite warm but I just couldn’t get myself to put the clubs in the car. Not so much that I was worried about the virus, but more in that my shoulder still hurt and I was afraid that swinging a club again would make it much worse.

It wasn’t until May 1st when I finally decided to play a round. I’d actually put the walking cart in the trunk, but the state just started allowing motor carts to be used. My score that day and most of my rounds in May were atrocious. I didn’t card a respectable score until mid-June. I’d just gotten my handicap under 15 near the end of 2019 and it ballooned up to 20 by the end of June. But there was an unexpected silver lining: the shoulder pain not only didn’t get worse, it greatly improved.

I’m not really sure how it worked as my orthopedic doctor, my physical therapist, and my chiropractor all told me I shouldn’t golf as long as I’m still experiencing pain. But the first few rounds significantly helped the aching I’d been experiencing over the entire off-season. The pain was still there, and it would worsen a little as I did what I said I shouldn’t and started playing 4 rounds a week again, but nowhere near as bad as it was last year or even the year before. Possibly the best thing I did, which could have culled the situation had I started doing it in 2018, was I iced my shoulder immediately after rounds. I was finally feeling better about my golfing health, until my golfer’s elbow returned with a vengeance.

Around 4 years ago I was golfing nearly every day and developed what’s known as “golfer’s elbow,” very similar to tennis elbow. I’d purchased a compression band for my arm to wear during golf rounds for the remainder of the year, and the pain went away during the offseason not to return until this summer. This time it was much worse, making the elbow tender and my forearm sore, as well as my wrist. It got so bad that it hurt to simply pick up a glass of water with my right hand. Seeing as how my company’s on-site clinic closed down, and remembering how many thousands of dollars I spent on doctor bills for my shoulder last year, I decided to treat my condition with nothing more than ibuprofen, a new compression band, and ice. Along with reducing my golfing to 2-3 rounds a week in the fall, that seemed to work well through the rest of this year. I only hope that much like 4 years ago, it gets better in the offseason and doesn’t come back next year. Unfortunately I will be one more year older.

Despite getting a very late start in the season, I ended up playing about the same amount of golf as I did last year thanks to unseasonably warm weather in the autumn. Usually when the weather gets colder my game goes to hell, but surprisingly some of my best rounds of the season came in October and November. Previously my lower temperature threshold for golfing was about 46 degrees. Since I was playing so well this fall, I was on the course several days when it was 37. And I wasn’t the only one. During the first two Saturdays in December, golf courses in the area had full parking lots. Grand Geneva even decided to open up The Brute despite it being closed due to all of the Christmas decorations spread out on the 17th fairway near the resort entrance. It’s clear that people were looking to take advantage of continuing outdoor activities as long as the weather allowed during the pandemic.

The biggest drawback to the golf boom of 2020 was the fact that a lot of people who rarely or never golfed before started playing a lot more rounds. It’s great that more people are discovering their interest in golf, but it seems like training sessions need to be held for these people, and I don’t mean lessons. Etiquette has been on a decline already, but this year you had newbies that either don’t understand or just ignore the rules (written and unwritten) of the courses. 18 hole golf rounds in some places went from 4-4.5 hours to 5-6 hours. People seem to be louder on the course than ever. Most venues did not have rakes out for the bunkers, which makes sense to help eliminate virus transmission, but now all of the inexperienced golfers are learning that they don’t need to rake the sand. I’m not saying I’m an expert on etiquette, but I’m learning more and more by golfing with more experienced players.

One of the many things I love about golfing is spending time with my dad. He’s now in his late 70’s and can’t swing anywhere near as well as he used to. In 2019 we’d played 11 eighteen-hole rounds together and 4 nine-hole rounds, but this year he wanted to scale back. We still got in 16 rounds together, but most of them were just nine holes. During the eighteen-hole rounds, he was popping ibuprofen like candy. My brother asked me to ease back my golf rounds with dad, and it looks like I’m going to have to do just that. It is just as well though, as I’ve developed a desire to play nicer, more expensive courses when dad thinks Glen Erin is almost too fancy.

Much like how I enjoy trying a variety of different beers, I really enjoy trying out golf courses I’ve never played, as well as often rotating the courses I play every weekend so I’m not always golfing the same places. This year I golfed at 38 different courses in the area, 14 of them being new to me. Some of the notable new courses were in the Rockford area, which I used to consider ‘out of my range’ to travel for golf, were Aldeen in Rockford, Oak Grove in Harvard, Prairie View in Byron, and I revisited Timber Pointe in Poplar Grove. I also made quite a few trips north of I-94 to try out Scenic View in Slinger, Deertrak near Oconomowoc, Naga-Waukee and Western Lakes in Pewaukee, and Fairways Of Woodside in Sussex. Back in Walworth County I finally was able to play the elusive Gary Player course at Geneva National as well as both Grand Geneva courses, and the hidden gem Nippersink near Twin Lakes. The courses I’m most looking forward to playing again next year are Naga-Waukee, Nippersink, Western Lakes, and Oak Grove.

I did not renew my membership with Majestic Oaks at Lake Lawn this year, but they still got a large portion of my golf spending as I played 22 rounds there as well as a fair number of range balls. Not too surprisingly my 2nd most golfed course was just up the road at Evergreen where I played 10 rounds (I only played it once last year), and then Delbrook with 6 rounds. Still, my favorite courses are Morningstar & Broadlands in Waukesha County, Hawk’s View in Lake Geneva, and Shepherd’s Crook & Thunderhawk in Zion, IL. I love the Geneva National and Grand Geneva courses, but I only play them when their rates are lower.

I mentioned earlier that I’ve been traveling greater distances from my home to golf. I started keeping track of miles driven to golf courses in 2017. While the number went up in 2018 (2376 miles), it went down to under 2000 miles in 2019. This year I racked up over 3700 miles. Much of that was possibly due to playing many fewer rounds at Majestic Oaks (22 this year vs 52 last year) which is only 2 miles from my house, but round trips to Slinger, Hartford, Pewaukee, Byron IL, and Zion IL really roll over the odometer.

Along with breaking from my self-imposed temperature and mileage limits for golfing, I broke through my spending limits. Many of the new courses as well as my favorite courses were outside of what my price range was just a few years ago. I often spent over $50 per round this year when previously that price would make me cringe or at least hesitate to agree to make the tee time. In 2018 I’d spent a lot of money on greens/cart fees ($2582), but I scaled that back in 2019 ($1742) by taking advantage of more discounts. This year I’d spend $2944 on greens/cart fees. While choosing more expensive courses might be a large reason for the big spending, I also take into account that I often would leave for vacation 2-3 weeks during the year but 2020 canceled that. Instead I spent many of my vacation days golfing on nice days in the fall.

I was disappointed that I once again wasn’t able to beat my best round ever carded in 2017 (+7 for 18), but I did have a notable round with my dad this year at Bass Creek where I scored +1 for 9 holes. My best score of the year was +9 at Prairie Woods, but really my best round was when I scored 82 at Western Lakes the first time I played it. I may never know how I managed it, but that day I had a lifetime-long 290 yard drive down the middle of the fairway on hole 16. One day in late October I took the afternoon off work and played two 18-hole rounds at Delbrook, scoring 85 & 81 (that 81 being my lowest calculated handicap differential of the year - which ranks your score with the difficulty of the course). Finally, one of my most memorable rounds of the year was in late November where I played the Gary Player course at Geneva National for the first time and carded an 85 from the hybrid tees. I’d never scored better than 102 at the other two GN courses.

As I’m someone that enjoys variety, I’m the same when it comes to golf balls. Much like my taste in different styles of beer, my taste in which balls to play over the years changes. In the past I’ve preferred mid-level 3-piece balls like the Srixon Q-Star Tour and the Taylormade Project(a). This year my favorite balls were the more expensive Bridgestone Tour B RXS, my old favorite Callaway Chrome-Soft, and the Taylormade TP5 & TP5x. I tried the new Bridgestone B12 and had a few very good rounds with them, but I didn’t love them. But my most pleasing golf ball find this year was how well I played with Callaway SuperHots, even in cold weather. I already bought a few more boxes of those this offseason.

I didn’t make any major equipment purchases this year besides a new rangefinder, so at least I managed to keep my hardware spending down under $500, which was mostly balls and new grips. I’d also managed to sell off some of my old equipment, which helped my budget. I’m strongly considering a new golf watch next year, and the one I’m eyeing up is $400. Along with my newfound desire to play more expensive courses, more expensive balls, and the potential need to replace a club or two out of my bag, it’s my guess that next year I’ll be breaking spending records on the sport.

You don’t need me to tell you 2020 was a garbage year. But despite not cracking a score into the 70’s and no eagles, it was a good year for me on the links. I was voted to be in charge of our company golf league which went well, my game started badly but showed consistent improvement through the season, and my shoulder has improved to the point where I no longer feel I will need surgery. I also broke personal course records at five frequently-played courses. It’s hard not to be optimistic for 2021, but really the most I can hope for is to stay healthy....and finally get a hole in one.

Photos:

My league opponent’s ball stuck in a tree, hole 9 Majestic Oaks

Looking down hole 7 Majestic Oaks during pandemic closure

1st green, Majestic Oaks (17th green in background)

4th fairway, Bass Creek

Hole 16 Towne Country Club

Hole 14 Naga-Waukee War Memorial Golf Course

Small crane in front of #2 green, Hawk’s View

#1 green, Deertrak. Alderly Millpond dam

Practice green, Aldeen

Byron Nuclear Power Plant cooling towers in background, Prairie View

Morningstar

Hole 14 Shepherd’s Crook, looking down on landfill

#2 North green, Evergreen, Thanksgiving Day

Hole 13 Gary Player course Geneva National

Hole 10 Gary Player course Geneva National

Hole 7, Western Lakes

Sunset over Delavan Lake, Lake Lawn driving range

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auburnfamilynews · 5 years ago

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Good morning to all you cool cats and kittens from the Satellite of Love where it’s time for another installment of Auburn Football Theater 2020. So far on the countdown we have:

10) 2011 vs South Carolina

9) 2016 vs LSU

8) 2008 vs Tennessee

And today, we have a particularly fun task as we start what the mads have deemed the

section of the countdown. Could it have started last week? Sure, but as much as last week’s game was painful to watch…this one was particular stinky as Auburn’s opponent actually had a solid QB that was leading the nation, and the Auburn defense did what the Auburn defense does, choke the life out of him in extreme fashion. This week, we watch (for many the first time ever) the 1998 Homecoming game between Auburn and the UCF Golden Knights.

THE PREGAME

For most Auburn fans, we will remember 1998 as the year Terry Bowden tucked tail and took off the night before the Louisiana Tech game for more than one reason, but literally left his staff and players holding the bag on the rest of the season.

‘Brother’ Bill Oliver

‘Brother’ Bill Oliver, who was Auburn’s Defensive Coordinator at the start of the season, took over the Head man job and had done a pretty good job, with a dominate win over Louisiana Tech and falling just short against a highly ranked Arkansas team 24-21. Things you need to know about Auburn in 1998, Auburn had an excellent defense, however, the Tigers had ZERO offensive power…like at all. However, the Tigers are led by a baseball start and current hitting coach for the Tiger baseball team.

Offensive firepower was not a problem for UCF in 1998. Mainly because they had this guy at the controls.

That’s right, Mr. GET YOUR ROLL ON himself, Daunte Culpepper.

Daunte led the nation in passing coming in to the game and had routed every team they had played that season, with the exception of Purdue, who was pretty good and led by this guy.

Joe Tiller and Drew Brees

On defense, UCF was pretty stingy as they were led by…

THE CHIZ

Yup, you are correct, that’s good ol’ Gene Chizik on the right calling the plays for the Knights.

UCF entered the game at 7-1 while Auburn walked in at 2-6 and fighting for pride and pride alone.

THE GAME

To start this game off, it is a glorious November day in Auburn. Leading us in our quest for the next 3ish hours are familiar but fresh faces.

And the special teams for the Tigers make sure to start the game off right.

Well, there is a harbinger for how this one will play out. UCF gets it at the 35 and DC shows off that big arm with a couple of big pass plays in a 14 play drive but needs a conversion on 3rd and 5 to keep it going.

So, the Golden Knights take the early 3-0 lead on Auburn.

The Tigers would get the ball on their own 15 and 3 plays later would punt it back to UCF where the Knights would go on the march again but would stall out just past midfield and decide to go for it on 4th down.

Charles sorta stole my thunder, but only Auburn, with an offense reminiscent of the French Army in WW2, would take the pick 15 yards down field instead of just knocking it down and getting it at the 35ish. However, the Tigers would get a big run on the drive.

Yup, Michael Burks! I said that out loud when I saw him pop up on the screen. Rusty Williams was the real running back I remembered from that season but the 17 year old Burks was the ‘star’ of the running game from the midpoint of the season on. Back to the drive and the offensive positivity would not last.

Yeah, the run game was really the only thing Auburn really had and…well…yeah.

A punt followed and UCF would get it at their own 35. The Auburn defense would turn up the heat on the Golden Knight gun slinger after the turnover on the previous series.

UCF was held to its first 3 and out of the game and Auburn got it in great field position at the 45. The drive, however, was short lived.

So, the defense is put in another tight spot at the Auburn 36. UCF would take 7 plays….7 PLAYS, to get to the Auburn 10, where Daunte would make mistake #2 of the day.

Oh if only Bray could have slipped by the wide out and raced down that home sideline. He didn’t though, and Auburn got it at the 4, where they wouldn’t do much and punt in 3 plays. At this point, if you hoped that UCF would hole up and not want to make any more mistakes, you’d be wrong.

So, it’s the Knights from the 24. It would take them 8 plays….8 PLAYS this time, and the Auburn defense would hold the Knights to a Field Goal try.

So that doubles the UCF lead to 6-0. Auburn would take the ensuing drive 6 plays but needed to punt and UCF would run out the half, and wow what a half it was. Let’s just take a look at those stats.

MERCIFUL GOD! Sure, Auburn’s stats are bad, but what on Earth UCF, excluding the Purdue game, the Golden Knights had scored 31 or more points in every game! Now they have just over 100 yards of offense. They do enjoy a 6-0 lead over Auburn though.

To start the second half, Auburn would take the kick out to the 32 yard line and go 7 plays before needing to punt and pin the Knights deep at their own 15 yard line. From there, UCF would go on a 10 play drive before Daunte would make mistake #3.

HOW BOUT SOME ROB PATE LOVE! Big number 31 gets in on the Pick Party and set the Tigers up in a great spot. Auburn would inch a little bit closer for Rob Bironas (RIP) to try a 43 yard Field Goal.

And that’s how ya kick a field goal Mr. Tuttle. While this one is starting to look like LSU from a few weeks ago, Auburn now looks to have some confidence going against that Gene Chizik defense. UCF had other ideas though. The Knights would go from their own 44 after a really nice return and march down to the Auburn 8 yard line.

YES SIR LARRY CASHIER! Pick #4 of the day and the second for Cashier on that end of the field ends yet another UCF drive. Auburn would take it from the 5 and have to punt it away. UCF would see the Auburn 3 and out and would raise them their own 3 and out to give it back to the Tigers at the 30. That’s when an old name popped up on my screen.

DEMONTRAY CARTER LADIES AND GENTELMEN! This was actually a nice drive for Auburn…however.

UCF would stop that drive but the Auburn defense wouldn’t allow the turnover to turn in to points and would force a punt.

So the offense has the ball but its at the 2…yay.

The offense would gain 20 yards to at least keep the field position somewhat normal with time becoming a factor. UCF would get it from their own 37.

That’s the first time UCF has done a thing on the ground to really mention and it couldn’t come at a worse time. With about 3ish minutes left, UCF now has it in Auburn territory and a TD would finish this one off for sure.

Well there ya go! Anyone getting that feeling that Auburn may pull this one off?!

OK…so gonna sit back down.

Auburn would get it to 4th down and need a miracle to keep the drive alive.

Ok then…that’s something to build on…let’s see what Auburn can do on 1st down

HOLY CRAP! HOW….WHAT…..OH MY GOD! Sure the call was completely botched but can you blame them? They are UCF centered and had the game in their hands. Now they need a miracle to salvage the game.

The Knights would get it from their 9 yard line with about 50 seconds left and would need a Hail Mary to win this one.

THE AFTERGLOW

Sadly, what came to follow for both teams would not be very bright for the 98 season. Auburn would show good fight against really good Georgia and Alabama teams but would fall by 2+ scores to wrap up the season at 3-8. Following the uat game, Auburn would hire Tommy Tuberville from Ole Miss, leaving Coach Oliver out in the cold after his best efforts to salvage the season and showing that he could do the head job.

UCF on the other hand would win their final two games to close the season at 9-2. After the Auburn game, they had a verbal agreement to play in the Oahu Bowl in Hawaii but this was the season that Miami beat an undefeated UCLA (wow what a world) team at the end of the season and that shook up the entire bowl breakdown so the Golden Knights were left holding the bag. Were they do have beaten Auburn, who knows if they would have gotten a spot or not.

Well that’s it for this week’s edition of Auburn Football Theater 2020. Join us again next week as I punish myself through a forgotten win in Auburn’s history as the DEEP HURTING continues! As we leave you this week, just remember, Auburn is 3-0 in the regular season against UCF. Guess who is 0-1 All Time vs the Knights.

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2020/4/13/21218411/aft2020-7-1998-ucf

#IFTTT #Blogger #auburn #auburn fast #wareagle #AuburnFamilyNews #war eagle #sec #football news #aubu

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alice2madness · 8 years ago

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Hail and well met noble adventurer! I see you have managed to survive the perilous journey that takes you from Greyhawk to Seattle. Unfotunately, the locals can be, to put it in local parlance, 'sticks in the mud' about rival adventurers, or, as they call them, shadowrunners, showing up from far away mystical lands. It is almost as if they don't have enough ranks in diplomacy to understand that is being a terrriiiiiibleambassador for the greatest RPG setting ever made. No no, put your sword away, mindlessly slaying orks and trolls here is a faux pas. Lets get you situated. Because I am assuming you aren't a fool, you probably noticed that the system people gen around these parts is something called 'priority' for the most part, with a few people using lifepaths or karmagen. This means there are no levels. Which makes sense. To give you an idea of the power level of a starting runner, you can imagine them as being about level 6-9 in 5e, and maybe 11 in 4e. At the point where your average guardsman (they call them 'Cops' or 'Pawns' or 'KE' around here) can't really do much to threaten you, but noooot quite the point where the guard doesn't have enough people to drown you or a few magic items (Rocket launchers are magical, right?) you shouldn't treat them like a joke. And veryvery scary people who are as strong or stronger than you exist in those groups, ready to hunt you down if you misbehave too badly. Basically you are a big fish not in a small pond but in an ocean. Don't undersell yourself and cower in fear as a mallcop threatens to call in backup, but remember that you could get smashed if you aren't carefull. People get really upset when you talk about classes as well around these parts despite the fact that shadowrun baaaaasically has classes. But call them roles. Or people will get mad for no reason about it. The main roles everyone agrees exist are Mages, hackers, samurai, faces, and riggers. However no one can agree what any of them mean besides some superficial qualities. And some, like faces and samurai, have suuuper controversial debates around them like which one is actually an infiltrator or is infiltrator a new role on its own. That is just the locals being passionate about issues that affect them, pay them no mind, and always just be very explicit about what you are doing. Also, instead of multiclassing you can, with enough skill, mold two classes into one, sort of like how an avenger is a weird rogue-paladin hybrid in 4e, a combat face or battle hacker or gunslinger mage can be crafted. Unlike in D&D, you often lose very little from this up front, and instead pay in other more subtle ways. It is hard to go wrong, because unlike D&D where you need to be efficient with power because everything around you is scaling up constantly and if you mess up one level you basically can't fight ever again, Shadowrun boasts a metric called "good enough" where you consistently accomplish what you need to accomplish to beat 90% of the opponents and challenges you face. Adventures, or as the local adventurers call them, shadowruns, are rarely, though they sometimes are, a dungeon crawl. Of course, even in your homelands you are familiar with the types of adventures people around here take, and thus talking about how you should throw out all knowledge you have is completely silly. Most 'runs' are heists, where a team of people need to complete an objective that, surprisingly, doesn't involve breaking into a subterranean species's home to kill them for their stuff because they aren't the same species as you or your friends. Steal this, intimidate so and so, kill whoever, find out what is going on somewhere... Standard stuff. Unlike in the good old kingdoms however you generally don't do this solely through force of arms. You can, if you wish, and some runs will be best solved that way. But in general there is a lot more planning in a run. You can think of it like this, dungeons and dr- I mean adventures back home are more tactical, with more choices being made in a fight. In shadowru- Seattle, runs are more about thinking ahead and reacting to bad situations on the fly rather than just overpowering your opponent. You are stronger than most obstacles you face, but if you go head first into any situation, even a fight, you may find yourself shut down to the point you can't recover, and this is considered acceptable rather than unfair. Basically, use your head before charging in, rather than after, even if you 100% know you want to fight. Now, as for your character. A magician, or mystic adept, is a fine choice for a first character. Mages, Faces, and Samurai are probably the easiest characters to make. To be a good mage, you need to follow these basic rules: 1: Have magic at 6 2: Have spellcasting and summoning at 6. 3: Have at least 1, but probably more, ranks in counter-spelling, assessing, and binding. 4: Know the heal spell, and one AOE indirect spell. I recommend fireball, because it is a classic from your homeland. You should know more spells, but an AOE indirect is your panic button, and not knowing heal makes you a diiiick. 5: Carry a gun and use it over using combat magic unless you need to end the entire fight. If you ever cast fireball, it should be for a situation dire enough to overcast in. Use reagents to make overcasting non-lethal. 6: Let your team do the work until it is time to go ham. Then go ham, and continue to go ham until it is safe to stop going ham. Do all of that, and you are set. You could mess up pretty much every other aspect of your character and still be ok. Unlike in 'the homeland' magic has limits that prevent it from easily replacing the skills of others. For example, hiding normally is almost always more likely to work than an invisibility spell, unless the person hiding is rather bad at it, simply because of how the dice work out. By all means if someone needs to be invisible, make them invisible, but understand that every spell you cast is an unsubtle action on the astral and physical plane that may lead to detection. A good mage knows when to act with extreme prejudice and when to trust their team and their abilities. Starting gear is an easy place to mess up. Most gear lists are a bit too comprehensive for my tastes, but I recommend you look at them and understand why a lot of stuff is more helpful than you might think, and you can give serious consideration to just using one if you want. No matter what though, the bare minimum is a rating 3 SIN, fake licenses at the same rating as your SIN for magic, a gun, and something like bodyguard or private investigation, an armored jacket, a comlink of rating 2-3, a TMP, 30 rounds of standard ammo, and trodes. As a mystic adept, you have a few choices. If you wanted to be a mage-adept hybrid, I have bad news as mystic adepts are really bad at this, and while it can be done, I highly don't recommend it for your first PC. You can be a magical swordsman with experience in the system, but it will likely just be a miserable experience on your first PC. However mystic adepts are really good at being mages who are supported by adept powers. In this regard mystic adepts are newbie friendly because you can just take powers like combat sense and increase reflexes to become a very deadly combat mage. Some people find it boring, some people love it. But this is your character and if you find the idea of being the fastest spell-slinger in seattle to be cool then by Pelor's light you should make that character. The absolute worst reason to not do something is over the judgement of magical internet people. That said never be afraid to ask for advice, but be aware that specificity is good. Because the 'classes' of SR are much more open ended, as are the purchases you can make, it is much harder to help someone based solely on knowing their class. Elf-mystic adept tells us very little. I will note right off the bat you should swap attributes with magic, as starting with less than 6 magic is pretty rough on yourself. Its fine to do, but this is your first PC, best foot forward. I would also not advise mixing melee with mystic adept your first go around, because it again can be very challenging to do well. And if your game lasts for a decent amount of time it would be easy enough to learn melee and get very good at it very quickly anyway. Finally, some major genre stuff you really should make a consistent effort to wrap your brain around: It is ok, and even good, to split the party. Due to DNI and microtranscievers, you are effectively always in the same scene as everyone else, meaning many of the problems of splitting the party are gone. Because most runs are heists, the loss of combat power isn't an issue, and you may NEED to split up to accomplish objectives. No, everyone can't piggy back on the face and samurai sneaking into a place. Furthermore, just feel free to always ask your GM, point blank "What should I do in this situation" or "What does this mean?" Unless they are a twat, they will remember you are learning a radically different system and setting. And to the locals.... At the end of the day it is about pretending to be elves with magic beating the crap out of people, with slightly different twists about what kind of elves you are, how you beat people up, and why. Shadowrun is like my favorite thing ever, but it ain't that special, just... cool it yeah? Seriously... imagine if you were trying a big new intimidating hobby and everyone told you that you were doing it wrong and getting upset you misused jargon and that all the experiences you had that got you excited about doing this new thing are meaningless... that wouldn't be fun... it might even intimidate you out of even trying... And that isn't cool.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Shadowrun/comments/67imnz/sr5_chargen_mystic_adept_suggestions/

#shadowrun #rpg #reddit

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umusicians · 4 years ago

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UM Interview: Michaela Slinger

Michaela Slinger is a “legendary songbird in the making” who combines youthful, energetic, harmony-rich melodies.

While working a full-time job at a non-profit job, she felt underwhelmed and trapped which led to writing sessions in her apartment. Slinger took a leap of faith to pursue her music career full time, working for several non-profits on a part time basis. In 2019, Slinger independently released her debut single and music video “Flux”. To date, the single has amassed over 500,000 streams on digital platforms to date.

Amandah Opoku sat down with Michaela to talk about her new single “Make You Sad”, upcoming debut EP, the success of her single “Flux” and more!

Amandah Opoku: Michaela, thank you for doing this interview today! Before we kick off please tell our readers about yourself and one random fact people do not know about you. Michaela Slinger: Thanks for chatting with me! I’m a 24-year-old indie-pop artist with 604 Records based out of Vancouver. The short version of my artist story is that I grew up performing and singing constantly (mostly in musical theatre), started songwriting beginning at age 10, and then put music mostly on pause to attend university and begin my working life from 17-21. It felt pretty soul-crushing to not have music as the focal point of my life, so I released “Flux,” my first single, independently after quitting my full-time job in 2019.

From there, connections and opportunities happened, and I was working with two producers and collaborators at 604 the following year. A random fact about me is that I’m left-handed, left-footed in soccer, and pretty much left-dominant in everything. I had to learn right-handed guitar at school because that was all they had, but I’m convinced I’d be a better player if I had learned left-handed.

Amandah Opoku: If you could describe your music in three words, what words would you choose and why? Michaela Slinger: The first word is ageless. I write to express emotional landscapes that everyone from age 15 to 95 can identify with, whether it’s navigating a hard conversation with a loved one, questioning who you are, or coming to terms with the end of a relationship.

The second is dynamic. I’m big on synthesizing musical influences from across many decades—in any song, you might hear nods to 70s folk and big 80s drums alongside current pop sensibility. I like having unpredictable moments in my songs.

The third is ethereal, in part because that’s often a word I hear listeners use to describe my music, and also because I strive for vocal delivery and melody that transports you into my musical world.

Amandah Opoku: Before pursuing your music career, you were working at a non-profit organization. What was the moment you realized that you wanted to create and pursue music as a career? Michaela Slinger: There were many moments that informed my decision to leave my full-time non-profit job. To clarify, I still currently work for a few non-profits, but in a part-time and flexible capacity that allows me to prioritize and grow my music career!

In my full-time role, there would be days where I’d sit at my desk in my office, alone, obsessively reading blogs and analyzing new artists on Spotify playlists and tearing up because it felt like I was watching other people live out my life. I took a day off work to record “Flux” with producer Nygel Asselin, and I biked home from that session around 2am with the demo blaring on a loop, almost in disbelief that an idea from my head had become this amazing, full track. I was hooked, and from there knew I needed to switch my life up.

Amandah Opoku: What artists would you say have influenced you musically both through your sound and lyrically (songwriting)? Michaela Slinger: This question always stresses me out because I’m afraid to leave influences out! I listened to a ton of 80s music with my parents growing up, so I have a real love for pretty much any artist you’ll find on a “Best of 80s” playlist.

John Mayer and Taylor Swift were two songwriters I obsessed over from the time I was in middle school. They’re both true craftspeople with lyrics and story-telling. At my high school, country was popular, so I listened to artists like Zac Brown Band, too. But I remember also listening to artists like Rihanna and Sia around that time, captivated by the energy and power their pop songs could convey.

Other important past and current musical inspirations for me are Maggie Rogers, Joni Mitchell, Etta James, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, Haim, Jacob Collier, The Weeknd, SZA, Lorde, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, Arlo Parks—I’ll stop my stream of consciousness there.

Amandah Opoku: 2020 has been quite a year for all of us. How has the pandemic affected you as a musician? What have you learned about yourself? Michaela Slinger: I had started performing live and gigging around Vancouver in October 2020, and I’d only just started to get into a rhythm of rehearsing and playing my songs with a band. When live performance stopped, I felt like I’d just started to find my groove. I’m definitely an extrovert, and I get my energy from being with other people, so I found the situation quite deflating. I also typically have little song or lyric ideas coming to me all the time, but during the first few months of the pandemic I wasn’t really writing at all.

However, as someone who’s always identified as Type A and productive, I’ve found a lot of joy in slowing down and doing more things for pleasure rather than output. I go for walks and bike rides constantly, I’ve learned how to knit, I read so many amazing books, watched incredible new TV shows, and my partner and I cooked new recipes from scratch—it made me realize how intense and unsustainable much of our constant high-achieving, results-driven culture is.

Amandah Opoku: In July 2019 you released your debut single “Flux” which achieved half a million streams on Spotify on Apple Music. Congrats!! And how does it feel to achieve this after you took a risk leaving your non-profit job to pursue a music career? Michaela Slinger: Thank you! It feels incredibly validating. I think “Flux” is a great song and music video, but it was also a symbol of this big vulnerable leap I was taking in my life and a shifting of values. To know that it resonates with so many other people gets me excited for all the music I have left to share across my lifetime.

Amandah Opoku: With the success of “Flux”, are any of the negative thoughts you may have had something of the past? Michaela Slinger: I think our brains are lifelong experts at churning out negative thoughts! We’re so quick to normalize big achievements or proud moments in our lives and get back to the business of being hard on ourselves. The success of Flux sets me up for comparison and self-doubt when I release other tracks that don’t “perform” in the same way, but it’s also a strong and confident foundation for me to build off of. Learning to manage negative thoughts and self-talk, however, is more in the realm of growing older, meditation, reading, journaling and unlearning.

Amandah Opoku: You recently released your new single “Make You Sad”. What inspired the song? Michaela Slinger: I was inspired by a challenging conversation I had. You know how sometimes two people bring years’ worth of baggage and insecurities and past hurts into a discussion about something specific, and it turns into a referendum on the entire relationship? It was that.

Amandah Opoku: What was the writing and recording process like for “Make You Sad”? Michaela Slinger: It was a dream! This song is unique in that it was a three-way co-write with my two producers and collaborators, Kevvy and Louise Burns. We met up at 604 Studios and I shared a few voice notes with them off my phone. We started riffing right away on what would become “Make You Sad,” and each person was on their A-game. We left that day with a demo that was quite developed, and I think we even used some of the vocals from our first session on the final track.

Amandah Opoku: Did the writing and record process for “Make You Sad” differ from the process you undertook for your debut single “Flux” which you released in July 2019? If so, how? Michaela Slinger: Completely. I wrote “Flux” totally alone in my living room, and it was just guitar and vocals. I brought it to my producer, and he built the track up. I’d never recorded my own material before, so I was just getting a sense of the studio and production for the first time.

With “Make You Sad,” the lyrics and melody and production and sonic landscape all came together at the same time in that session with Louise and Kevvy. It still felt as personal to me as “Flux” did, but my own writing was impacted and elevated because the three of us were all jamming and creating in a shared moment.

Amandah Opoku: You are also currently working on your debut album with Kevvy and Louise Burns which is set for release later this year. What can fans expect to hear on your album? Michaela Slinger: The album is finalized! That feels wild to say. I’m so excited to release it. Since it’s the first body of work I’ve released, it’s a pretty wide snapshot of my head and heart. Some songs are several years old at this point, while others were written in late 2019 or early 2020. Obviously, there’s the common thread of my lyricism and vocals, and the subjects I’m exploring, but I infuse different sounds: there are big pop tracks, sweeping string ballads, folk-country inspired songs, and tracks that share roots with R&B.

Amandah Opoku: As you continue to pursue your career as a solo artist, what goals have you set for yourself? And what do you hope to achieve within the next 5 years? Michaela Slinger: I like to keep my big and wild goals close to my chest, and also to try my best not to set goals solely on things like metrics or streams or audience numbers—the pandemic taught me that we often place so much emphasis on things outside of our control.

That said, I’m driven to get to a place where I’m a full-time artist, whether it’s solely on my own project or writing for other people. I want to continue building my production chops—I just got Logic, but demoed most of my first record on Garageband. And I want to continue meeting and collaborating with new people who can expand my sound and push me as a creative!

Amandah Opoku: For new fans who come across your music, what would you like them to take away from your music? Michaela Slinger: That pop or pop-adjacent music can have real depth to it, and that so often we feel alone living our complex inner lives, not realizing that there’s overlap and common ground with countless others in the world.

Amandah Opoku: With “Make You Sad” out now, what can fans expect from you next? Michaela Slinger: An incredible music video for the track, directed and filmed by my incredible team of dear friends: Miranda MacDougall, Callum Gunn, and Harry Hill. This one is different from my other videos thus far, as I play a supporting role to the lead character.

Amandah Opoku: Michaela, thank you for sitting down with me! Before we close this interview, is there anything you want to say to your fans and our readers? Michaela Slinger: I’m so grateful to people who continue to seek out and support new and emerging artists! Your sharing and comments and streams have a very real impact on me and my career. Thank you!

Connect with Michaela on the following websites: https://www.michaelaslinger.com https://twitter.com/michaelaslinger https://facebook.com/michaelaslingermusic https://instagram.com/michaelaslinger

#Interviews #Amandah Opoku #Michaela Slinger

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