#i think they just. decided SWEEPS ago that they didnt feel like a man or a woman and they wanted to be neither thank you

[goddesstrolls]

6-10 and 21-25 for kairos?

6. Do they have any hobbies that their lover finds unusual, odd, or otherwise annoying? Considering their only partner is Avonis, probably, lol. But it would probably be things they do out of paranoia/trauma response so idk.

7. Is there a catchphrase or sound that they tend to make a lot (likely without being aware of it)? Scoffing? Idk. I don't think there's anything they say frequently though, unless you count general self-depreciation / "I'm not worth it"

8. What is, perhaps, their biggest flaw? Are they aware of this or oblivious to it? Their narrowmindedness. They're utterly self-absorbed, and by nature only partially aware of it.

9. Do they have a favorite season? What about a favorite holiday? Winter. They sort of like Halloween just because it's spooky, but they don't like dressing up. Other than that they don't like holidays.

10. Is your character more feminine or masculine? They're pretty masculine, even if they hate using he/him or masc terms like 'sir' with a passion. They feel like their presentation/gender is the only thing they have any amount of control over.

21. What is one of your character’s biggest fears? How would they react when dealing with this fear? Hmmh. I think they do fear that they're right about themselves- And moreso now that their self-depreciating thoughts are starting to get shaken. As people grow closer to them they fear more and more that they'll fuck it all up. And when dealing with it, they react by... Pushing others away. Kudos, Kai.

22. What kind of tattoos, piercings, birthmarks, freckles, and other such unique physical features do they have? They don't have any, besides their scars, unless you include the magical scarring on the right side of their face lol.

23. What is your character like when it comes to school? What subjects are they good/bad at? Do they get in trouble a lot or are well behaved? Kairos has never been formally educated and rather, educated themselves in their wrigglerhood/young adulthood. They're pretty strong in all subjects across the board tbh.

24. In their own words, how would your character describe what their lover is like? "Disconnected from his own brain with only a tangential relation to his heart. Blasted fool..." [Said lovingly]

25. Is there something traumatic from your character’s past that greatly affects them even to this day? buddy i could throw a dart at the timeline of kairos' life and by guaranteed to hit one

[hanoisocks]

a/n: idk what this is, i think i got divine motivation from the holy trinity to write something, this is a little draft tho, i may write some more things later and i didnt use the translator so my apologies for incoherent sentences or grammar mistakes

obs: pure angst or anything similar, i decided to write this just bc i would take care and defend leon with all i have (a pair of headphones and a lip gloss), i love this man so much and the fact that i could gobble & savor him like a meal in seconds makes me [inaudible noises] + i go feral over men crying

you and Leon were arguing a few minutes ago about some stupid things he was doing around the house like letting wet towels sit soaked on the bed, all kinds of clothes thrown on the floor that went from shirts to socks and underwears.

you told Leon he looked like a little boy who still needed to be supervised by his mother. Leon shouted back saying you are so annoying that makes him want to rip his hair off his head and die, still he wasn't entirely lying, you could really be insufferable sometimes.

but that in some way hurt you. as a quick response you said you wished you had never met him, that made the poor guy go silent for a couple seconds and he didn't take much to burst into tears and run to his room to lock himself there and lay on his bed until he disappeared inside the mattress.

Leon's life was falling apart since his position as a rookie working on RPD was getting to his nerves, when he had to deal with stupid paperwork, sweeping and mopping the floor all the time, delivering cups of coffee and it got worse when he needed to listen to his boss screaming at him for nothing at all, just for the fun of humiliating young cops. and he thought having you by his side could help him go through hell and back.

but when Leon met you, the first thing that crossed his mind was that God decided to take pity on him and sent an angel to take care of him. you are his safe place, his font of energy when he feels down or tired, you are his light, that showed him the right way avoiding him to drown in his own obsessive and negative thoughts. Leon loved you. in the purest and genuine way you could ever imagine. he was willing to do anything for you. he would die for you, kill for you, lie for you, he would do and any possible and impossible thing to show you his value. even humiliate himself like he did when you found him drunk with his face soaked in tears, sitting on the floor of the garage at the police station begging you to give him a chance.

now Leon was laying on his bed, all curled up in his heavy white blanket, desperately crying his heart out wondering why you said that to him, was he such a terrible person after all ? maybe you were right. maybe he let his troubled life interfere on his attempts of building the relationship of his dreams with you. maybe. he'll never know.

from outside the room you could hear the loud and agonizing sobs that left his throat whenever he tried to recompose himself, failing on the next minute when he started crying again this time choking on his own saliva and coughing right away. seeing Leon like this made you feel awful, you loved him back too but the reason why you acted so bossy and with authority almost all the time was just because you wanted to take care of Leon like a mother, not in a creepy way obviously, you just wanted to see him doing well and being capable of dealing with his professional life at the same time he needed to hold his head in place doing simple house tasks. you decided to let Leon rest for the rest of the day leaving him unbothered.

it's not the first time that arguing like this happened with you two. you avoided at maximum not to argue with Leon, he hates serious discussions and you know that. the only thing that's left for you now is to come up with a excellent excuse to calm him down.

otherwise you'll never see Leon Kennedy in your life again, after completely shattering his little heart that took him lots of time to recollect some parts, now it would take him almost an eternity to stop himself to think and feel like a total loser.

(just saying that i decided to write leon mopping and sweeping floors bc i remembered that here in brazil the rookies that join the army most of the time paint sidewalks and trim coconut trees 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️)

[lovely-angst]

secret child pt. 2

part 1 here. this story got a lot more attention than i thought it would get

also i didnt know how to put this together lol idk where this is going

“Hibiki, I cannot believe you went out and got yourself suspended,” you scolded as you had him help out with some yard work, specifically sweeping away the leaves and branches away. “I specifically told you not to do anything rash, but you went out looking for a fight. I understand that you don’t have the greatest relationship with your biological father, but that doesn’t mean you can just try to fight him.” 

Sighing, Hibiki stopped his sweeping as he turned to look at you busy at work. “I’m sorry mom,” he stated guiltily. Hibiki never meant to disappoint you—disappointing you was one of the things he hated most. Seeing you move heavy stones around, Hibiki quickly walked towards your side, taking the large stones from your hands, “I got it, where do you want it?” 

“Thank you, Hibiki. You can just place it with the pile over there, I’ll deal with those later,” you state as Hibiki walked away with the stone with ease. 

Standing up, you dust the dirt off your apron before walking over to your baby. “Thank you for always thinking of me, but this isn’t your battle to fight, okay?” Looking up at him, you give him a small smile before he responds with one of his own. “Okay.”

“A week of suspension means a week I get to spend with you,” you coo as you wrap your arms around your not-so-small baby. “I’m just glad they were sparing enough to allow you to stay as a demon slayer. You worked so hard for this,” you say, pulling away from the hug as the two of you slowly make your way inside the small house. “I’ll cut some apples for you, thank you for helping me with the yard.” 

Gently slicing the apples, you could faintly hear Hibiki training in the yard as he awaited his apples. “Hibiki always eats so many slices,” you quietly mumbled to yourself as you pulled out two more apples, “three should be just fine. It’ll keep him busy.” 

As you were just about finished preparing the apples, you heard Hibiki angrily shouting from the yard, causing you to suddenly become worried. “Hibiki? Are you okay?” Walking over towards the open door, your eyes focus on Hibiki, his back facing you as he seemed to be yelling at someone. “Hibiki?”

It seemed as if hearing your voice triggered something in him, his head immediately shooting towards you, eyes wide. “Mom, please go back inside,” he tries, but you already made your way outside, placing a hand on his back gently. “Hibiki, what is going on?” you ask before you catch a figure in the corner of your eyes. 

Turning your head gently, your eyes widen as they meet those familiar blue ones from all those years ago. Hibiki raises his sword back at the man, “I’m asking you to leave,” he growls.

Tomioka glances over at you before focusing back on Hibiki, “I’m here because of your suspension,” he informs politely and Hibiki frowns, lowering his sword. “Your suspension was partially my fault; I decided to come train you for the next week as compensation.”

“I don’t want your help,” Hibiki quickly responds, but you place a gentle hand on his arm, “Hibiki, I think this could really benefit you,” you start, but Hibiki scrunches his face at you in disagreement. “I know you’re upset with him, but as a demon slayer, this is an opportunity like no other—Tomioka-san is an excellent swordsman, and you know that too.”

Giving him a warm smile, you continued on gently, “Don’t worry about me. Take this opportunity to grow.” Hibiki was conflicted, of course he wanted to train and become a better demon slayer, but it had to be with the man who caused you all this trouble. 

Gritting his teeth, Hibiki dropped his sword, “Fine, I am under your supervision for this next week,” bowing politely to Tomioka, you glance over at him before respectfully bowing yourself. “Please take care of Hibiki well.”

-

The two had been out training for the past five hours since Hibiki had agreed to allow Tomioka to train him. You were cooking up some dinner so that by the time Hibiki was done, he would have food waiting for him after all of his hard work. 

“I’m back,” Hibiki muttered out tiredly as he walked into the house exhaustedly. You watched in awe at how tired your baby looked after one day of training, how much did Tomioka push him? “Go take a bath. Dinner is already on the table for you,” you state, Hibiki groaning in response before he disappeared into the hallway. 

Slipping on your sandals, you took a step outside, looking around until you noticed Tomioka’s figure training alone beside the tree. “Tomioka-san,” you started as you walked over to the man. Turning around to face you, you gave him a small smile before bowing politely once more, “Thank you for giving up your time to help train Hibiki.” 

“He’s a bit of a trouble maker, but I hope you can overlook that,” Tomioka responds with a smile. “It’s fine, he has a lot of potential,” Tomioka starts, gently resting the wooden sword against the tree. “It’s getting late. I must be going back to my estate. I’ll be back tomorrow to train Hibiki,” 

“If it’s not too much trouble for you, we have a spare tatami room you could stay in for the time being,” stepping aside, you gesture towards the house, “It’s the least I can do for helping out Hibiki.” 

“I wouldn’t want to trouble the two of you, Hibiki doesn’t seem fond of me,” you chuckle at his statement before giving him a shrug, “No, not really, but if he wants to become a better demon slayer, he’s going to have to learn.” Taking a step towards the house, you glance back over your shoulder towards the man, “I have dinner ready, why don’t you join us?” 

-

A couple of days passed as Tomioka continued to train Hibiki to the core. They worked on their breathing techniques along with the proper techniques to wielding their nichirin blades. And though you were very happy for Hibiki, you felt for your baby when he would always come home sore and tired. His hands filled with callouses from the intense training. 

Walking out towards the engawa, you placed a tray of sliced apples down before taking a seat, watching the two train. “That’s enough, go ahead and take a quick break,” Tomioka states before Hibiki complies with a nod, jogging over to steal some apples. 

“Hey mom, what are you doing out here?” he asks, munching on an apple as you pick one up yourself. “I thought I’d share some apples with the two of you before I continue to work on my garden, it’s a beautiful day out,” you state, biting into the apple. 

“The two of us?” Hibiki questions before turning to glance over at Tomioka from over his shoulder. “Be nice and offer him some apples as well,” you say before standing up to walk back into the house. Grumbling, Hibiki takes the tray before walking over to Tomioka. “Here, apples.”

Walking over towards the garden, you busied yourself again as you planted your flowers and herbs with the background noise of the two training—it kept you at ease. 

Humming gently to yourself, you had finally finished planting everything, you just had to move all the stone back to make your garden more decorative and please to the eye. Bending over, you grab the heavy stone before shuffling it over towards it’s location. “This would be so much easier with Hibiki,” you thought to yourself as you move back to the pile. 

“Here, let me help,” Turning around, you see Tomioka bending down to take the large stone from you, “Where would you like this?” Glancing away, you point toward your previous stone, “Over there please.” As Tomioka began to set each stone nicely, you were busy patting away at the ground to even it around your flowers. “Are you done training?” you questioned, glancing back over at where Tomioka was previously. “We’re taking a quick break, I thought I’d help you move these stones,” he answered, you let out a hum in response. 

“Thank you for the apples,” Tomioka suddenly continued after the quiet silence. Turning to look up at him, you gave him a small smile, “It’s nothing. Hibiki really enjoys apples and I thought you could enjoy some from all this training.” 

Squatting down beside you, Tomioka turned to watch your movements and you could feel the heat rising in your cheeks as you tried to focus on your work. “Hibiki’s a great kid, I can tell he really loves you.” Stopping your movements, you turn to look at him, his blue eyes staring straight into your own, “You raised him well.” 

Before you could respond, you jumped back to reality when you heard Hibiki shouting in the back, “Hey! Are you going to continue training me or what!” Standing from his spot, Tomioka walked back over towards the young boy as you stared at your flowers in shock. 

Shaking your head, you tried to ignore Tomioka’s words. He was just trying to lure you back into his trap! You’re not the same girl you were before, you’re a mother now, you have a child, you’ve learned from your mistakes. 

But you know deep down your feelings have never gone away.

The following day, Tomioka took Hibiki up to the mountain to train for the day. Training was always a pain, but if it could help him better as a demon slayer, then it would pay off in the end. 

Sitting on an empty tree stump, Hibiki pulled out his bento that you had made for him before beginning to snack on some nashi, glancing down at a village visible from the mountain. 

“Your mom really takes care of you,” Tomioka stated as he watched Hibiki munch on his nashi. Glancing over at Tomioka, Hibiki gives him a frown, “What does it matter. Stop talking about my mom,” Hibiki grumbles, picking another slice with his toothpick. 

Hibiki hated to think about the fact that this man was his father. It was an odd concept to him, not having a father figure his whole life and suddenly, his father who he had recently fought, is here training him. 

What bothered him most was that he did resemble Tomioka a bit too, but they were nothing alike. 

As the day slowly came to a close, Tomioka decided to take Hibiki through town before heading back towards the house, “A reward,” as Tomioka stated. Hibiki had bought a few snacks for himself, but also a few items for you that you had been reminding yourself to get.

As the two reached the house, you were outside waiting for them before you ran to hug Hibiki. “Mom,” he whined, but you just smiled in response. “I just missed you,” you chuckle before he showed you the items he had gotten for you. “How kind of you, Hibiki! I set the bath for you, why don’t you go ahead and use it ?” Nodding, Hibiki steps inside and just as you were about to follow, Tomioka suddenly stops you. 

“(Name),” he calls out softly. Turning around, your eyes focused on the small bag Tomioka was holding out towards you. “Oh, what’s this?” you reply before he set the bag in your hands. “We were walking through town and I found something I thought would suit you,” 

Your eyes widened before you gently reached inside the bag to pull out a beautiful hairclip that glowed with the setting sun. “Oh, it’s beautiful! But you didn’t have to-”

“I wanted to say thank you,” Tomioka replied, a smile across his lips as your cheeks flushed. “Let me,” reaching over to pick up the clip, he stepped closer before gently placing it in your hair. 

“Does it look okay?” you ask with a shy smile, Tomioka quiet as he looked at you. “You look lovely.”

Watching the two from the hallway, Hibiki knitted his brows together frustratedly before walking into the bathroom. This was not supposed to happen. 

-

Sitting at the dinner table, Hibiki frowned as he watched the two of you gently chat away. It had only been six days since Tomioka had gotten here, but the two of you had been getting along well. 

Why were you not angry at the man? He left you! He threw you out, but here you are, welcoming him into your house and acting like he has never hurt you! 

Angrily pouting, Hibiki played with his food, his appetite disappearing. He hated Tomioka and still does. He respects him as a teacher, but outside of that, Tomioka was nothing to him. And to make matters worse,

Tomioka was getting close to his mom.

Thankfully dinner passed by in a flash and Tomioka was outside with his crow while Hibiki was inside helping you clean up. “Hibiki? Are you feeling alright?” you questioned as you turned to look at him, his back facing towards you. “You didn’t eat much at dinner, I’m a little worried for you. Did something happen?” 

Sighing, Hibiki turned around towards you, an upset frown on his lips. “Mom, you’re beginning to fall in love with Tomioka.” he suddenly states and your eyes widen. “Hibiki, what are you-”

“And I think Tomioka is falling in love with you too.”

[spitefulqueenofdemons]

https://spitefulqueenofdemons.tumblr.com/post/643713435650113536/sleep-deprived part 2

Pushing Up Daisies chapter 3

Tw: language, murder, guns, cops, mentions of drugs

Word count: 1373

Summary: After having woken up tied to a chunk of concrete under water and doing an unspeakable act (for your survival??) You find yourself out of options and people to help. Well almost, the only one you think might be able to help is the one who got you in this situation in the first place

After a long shower and several hours on the internet searching for anything that could tell you what was going on. Apart from a few hundred movies and books with undead content the most concrete actual zombie anything you could find was mostly about the voodoo dust that people used to put others under control. And back in the 18, and 1900s people accidentally being buried alive. 

There was virtually nothing about zombies in Seattle. All you knew for sure was what had happened to you. You confronted Blaine, he grabbed you, shot you, dumped you in a lake and you woke up you dont know how long after underwater with no need to breath. 

As you thought and absently read yet another article about 'Haitian Zombies' you rubbed your hand against your wrist that Blaine had grabbed you with. The scratch marks on your arm were as faint as old scars but you could feel them still.

And just like that realization hit. The red eyes made sense. Blaine was a zombie, and that lady who was working the front counter probably was too. It had to be some sort of virus or something that could be transferred through scratch. The teenager in you was thrilled that zombies were real and not mindless corpses that just wandered around destroying everything it came across. Sure when you first emerged from the lake you couldnt control yourself and killed that poor innocent man but you were literally starving. 

Perhaps that was the down side. The hunger is enough to blind you from any moral standing. Even more unfortunate, you didnt know how long what brains you did eat earlier would keep you satiated and you didnt have a way to get more without committing more murder. You didnt know anything about the zombieism other than the scratch causes it. 

You really only had an one option. Go back to Blaine. He had options. Once you got there he could kill you, or turn you away, or kill you. You had gone in only, according to your microwave, 8 hours ago guns blazing accusing him of being a utopium dealer. How could you expect him to help. 

Now you also knew you couldnt go to the police. As an officer you knew they would either freak out or hide it. And by hiding it you knew that would mean hiding you, IE killing you and sweeping it under the rug. They might turn you over to some higher part of the government. The type that does a bunch of invasive and usually very painful experiments and research. 

You could just drop it. Leave town and change your name. But then again that brings up the issue of how will you eat? Murder is just too horrible an option for you. Grave robbing coukd be viable but half decomposed chemically drowned brain is almost as bad as the moral stand still of murder. 

Deciding on your course of action you breezed to your closet, choosing a simple black hoodie, dark jeans and boots, and a ball cap to hide your snowy hair to wear. You grabbed a glock 19. Not the gun you had when you went to visit Blaine in the first place. That one was gone, probably in Debeers' personal stash now. This time though if he pulled so would you. 

Without a vehicle, you assumed it would no longer be parked where you left it in front of MEATchute, you were instead forced to catch a bus to the opposite side of town. The open sign was off but you could see people behind the counter. It looked like they were counting the drawer.

You beat on the glass with an open palm, hard enough for it to make a lot of noise but not hard enough to shatter the glass. The older woman from when you first came was the one to open the door. She looked like she had seen a ghost, but still somehow like she didnt care. 

"Cant you read the sign? We are closed. That means you dont have to go home but you sure as shit cant stay here." She half growled. 

You rolled your eyes, half willing to punch her in the face if she wanted to get cocky. "Move. Wheres Debeers?" You demanded, eyes flashing past the stumpy woman and to the counter where a large man with dark hair stood sizing you up. "You," you said. You recognized him as one of the names that gave a name that then gave you Debeers. "You work for him. I shouldnt be surprised." 

He cocked an eyebrow. "Cissie, let her through." The man said. He looked like a knock off version of Patrick Warburton. "You are supposed to be dead little lady. You got lungs of steal or are you one of us?" 

You scoffed, wanting to hit them all. You knew it wasnt a part of the zombieism either. These fuckers were all instrumental in your death. That enough was reason for a slight beating. "I got nothing to say to you Julian. I'm here for Blaine and I'm not leaving till I get to talk to him." You demanded, stomping up to the counter. 

The man sighed as if this was one of the last things he wanted to deal with. "Well he isnt here but I'll call him. See if he wants to talk to you. Follow me." He said, gesturing to you. 

Not exactly happy, but pleased you were getting what you want, you followed the man behind the counter. He took you further into the building and finally into a room off the kitchen that actually looked like a real office. The large mahogany desk was a mess with files and papers, on top of them all was the stolen file from your apartment. There was a few random art pieces. 

"Wait here. Someone will be by soon." He instructed, leaving you in the room alone. Trusting that you wouldnt snoop. Normally you would but this situation was not the time. You needed help, and had already pissed off two of the three people you knew had a hand in that. Snooping through Blaine's real office would be like flipping the bird after you already spit on and slapped someone. Definitely not a good idea on your part. 

It took less than 20 minutes before the door opened again and a familiar blond haired blue eyed gangster opened the door. "Ah Detective. What an unpleasant surprise. I didnt know you walked amongst the undead." He said with an air of genuine shock. "When Julian told me I really didnt believe him. You took those bullets like a mortal. What happened?" 

You laid out your wrist on the desk, the marks almost completely gone. He crossed to the other side and sat down, moving the little lamp that was sitting at the corner of the table. He shone the lamp over my arm and the little pink marks showed up. 

Blaine 'tsk'ed. "Was it me?" He had a fake look of disgust on his face. "It was me wasnt it. Damn it, I knew I shouldnt have blown off my manicure appointment this morning." He shook his head. "Thats why you arent dead. You gotta be starving though. Would you like a snack? Pudding? Crackers and cheese? Brains?" He questioned. 

You looked at the mark on your wrist in the light, your jaw clenched a little. "No thanks I already ate, but that is part of what I would like to discus." 

At that his eyes widened with actual shock. "Um, you already ate? Did you kill someone or dig up a body?" When I didnt answer he nodded knowingly. "You killed someone. Oh I bet that was a sight. Sorry about the cinderblock by the way. I didnt think you would be waking up. Im sure it wasnt the best alarm." 

You scoffed, a little thankful he stopped asking about your food source. "Waking up underwater was definitely a new experience, but then again so far my whole evening has been new experiences." You told him. 

"Well, allow me to formally welcome you to the land of Zombies. I'll explain everything."

[kimkims-world]

when he suddenly likes you back

you had a crush on taehyung.

you don't know what happened, what triggered it but you were 100% sure you are head over heels for this man.

you thought you kept it low, not being so obvious. you would only steal some glances, and acting shy and nervous with all that stuttering stuff. you didn't make yourself shy though, you were actually shy when kim taehyung decides to grace his presence.

i mean, who wouldn't?

to you, he's like this sweet human being that brings happiness to your world and gave colors to your blank canvas. you like him THAT much.

until one day taehyung texted you to meet up and your whole world turned dark.

turns out he knew about the little feelings of yours towards him. he said you were like an open book, too easy to read.

you still remembered what he said that day.

"that's sweet of you and i appreciate it. really, i do. but i couldn't return your feelings, we can still be friends? i mean, if you want to. i hope this won't hurt you."

well, it hurts A LOT.

you never even wanted to confess in the first place because you were scared of rejection. rather than being dissapointed in taehyung, you were quite angry at yourself for being too obvious.

it gave an impact to you of course.

there were countless of days you wasted your tears to the point you just couldn't cry anymore, sleepless nights thinking that maybe you weren't good enough, and the numb ache in your chest that doesn't seem to go away.

you stopped talking to taehyung at campus because he will look at you with apologetic eyes that you surely do not need. so you decided to hang more with your group of friends and try to shake him off your head or maybe busy yourself with some work.

you didn't want to be stuck on him forever. you were sane enough to think that there are other guys like him, or maybe better. it was the only thing that tied yourself together and finally you got over him.

after all the struggles, all the pain, you've made it.

yes, you see him quite often especially when you share every classes together. but the way you see him is different now, he just looks like a guy. not the light to your world, not the colors to your canvas, not anymore.

it's just taehyung.

and you can proudly say you have succeeded on loving yourself. though not fully, you can say it was a progress that you worked hard for. all those nights drowning in self-hate for not being enough for your crush pains you so you were determined to make you feel better about yourself.

you found new hobbies that you enjoyed a lot and found comfort on pampering yourself. you finally realize that you did not need a guy to feel whole, all you need is yourself.

you are undeniably happy.

you and taehyung didnt have that tension anymore so both of you hung out again. you both hung out very often, more than when you had a crush on him.

this time taehyung and you were walking back from hanging at a cafe on a snowy day. the road was covered with beautiful white and the fluffy snowflakes kissed the ground. you love snow.

you didn't notice taehyung slowing his pace until you let out an 'oof' when something hit you from behind.

you whipped your head and caught taehyung balling some snow in his hands.

"oh it's on." you took some snow near you and quickly bunch it up in your hands before launching it at taehyung.

taehyung managed to hit you again and both of you now are laughing like crazy, ignoring the people that passed by giving a disapproving look.

"okay stop!" you panted, clearly tired after the intense war you just experienced.

your attention averted to the falling snowflakes. you put both of your hands out, wanting to catch a snowflake. you giggled ecstaticly when one landed on your palm, a wide smile appeared on your face before you glance at taehyung who was oddly quiet.

"taehyung i caught a snowflake!" you squealed happily.

taehyung stayed quiet as a small smile was visible. he looked bewitched for some reason. his eyes delicately scanned your glowing face.

he wordlessly pulled both of your wrists after the snowflake melted by the warmth of your palms that was covered with mittens.

you blinked, completely caught off guard by the sudden action.

"is everything okay?" you asked. worried that something might be wrong because taehyung is being too quiet.

"y/n," his low voice send shivers down your spine as he stares at you with his hazelnut warm orbs.

"hmm?" you answered, eyes widening to urge him to continue.

"i like you." he said breathily, his warm breath brushing your face softly.

this time your eyes got two times bigger if that is even possible. your head spinning after you heard what he said. how dare he?

anger bubbles in you as you stare at his annoyingly perfect face. why is he so careless? just why?

you yanked your wrists away and taehyung clearly didn't see that coming.

"taehyung, what is wrong with you?" your brows furrowed as you look at the boy. "you can't just waltz in whenever you want to. am i some kind of joke to you?"

"of course not—"

"then why now?" you looked at his as your visions became blurry.

you were angry, sad, disappointed, confused. just when you finally feel better and got out from the pit of darkness that almost ate you alive making yourself suffer. that days were enough to slap you out of reality and opening up to new things.

and when you are already at the top and finally satisfied with where you are now, he decides to bring the past back?

"you've said it yourself taehyung."

"i know what i said!"

"then why are you doing this!?" your heart squeezed as you feel hot tears running down your cheeks. the mixes of feelings whoosh to you like a hurricane. "don't you know how much that hurted me? how much pain i went through and how much struggle i needed to bear to be here?"

taehyung's expression was depressing, he didn't want to see you cry but deep down he knew that what he did was wrong. it was careless of him to reject your feelings but he has his own reasons on why he did it.

someone threatened him that if he didn't cut ties with you, your life will be put at stake. the person was arrested a few months ago so that's why taehyung approached you again to start over.

he saw everything.

from when you were looking so depressed and emotionless, the colors drained from your bright face to the slow progress of healing and picking yourself up to stand tall and strong. he was absolutely proud of you for being able to trudge through everything and overcoming the depths of despair.

"i know." taehyung's voice was so weak, it sounds pathetic to his ears as his head hung low and eyes not worthy to stare at yours that are glowing like a blazing fire, the strength from within you twice bigger and more fierce.

the pain made you independent and powerful.

"you don't. you don't know taehyung! you don't know the days i need to put up a facade in front of you every goddamn time, you don't know how tiring it was getting through the day and crying alone without no one beside me, you don't know the sleepless nights i went through thinking i wasn't enough, you have no idea how hard it is to be able to let you go—"

you were suddenly pulled into his chest. his scent waft over your nose which makes your tears flow out like a broken dam. you clenched his coat in your fists, screams muffled because of your face pressed against his chest, and body shaking because of the immense pain and also the coldness that suddenly felt unbearable to you.

you hit his chest, taehyung being unable to stop you because he knew he deserve it. he deserve every hit you throw at him.

"those times were my worst nightmare." you whimpered.

taehyung's heart ached as he heard your trembling voice clearly in pain. the guilt that was in him becoming bigger as you try to quiet your sobs. you were the same before he broke your heart but different at the same time.

the old y/n won't try to disguise her agony, where the y/n now tries to stop her tears and act tough.

"i'm sorry y/n, i don't deserve you." taehyung sighed as he caress your hair emotionally.

"i'm not blaming you taehyung," you hiccuped as you wiped away the tears. "feelings can be so random and maybe just maybe, we can find each other in the right time."

taehyung bit his lip as he stare at the woman who has grown so much. technically, it was all his doing but the choice of staying strong and refusing to collapse is yours. you learn from the heartbreak and being able to build a better you.

what you said may be right, because maybe you both were at the wrong timing. the universe was having fun playing with you but now it is going to give you the perfect chance. who knows?

"alright, i hope to see you soon y/n." taehyung nodded to you while staring deeply into your eyes, never wanting this separation.

"me too."

4 years later

you were so excited as you got ready for a college reunion after a few years of graduating. though you kept in touch with some of your friends, the thought of meeting other familiar faces made you feel giddy.

you went out of your apartment and took your car to drive there. the distance was not that far but is still enough to take some time but you finally arrived at the bar. you heard that it was owned by one of your college friends.

you entered the bar and saw a lot of people greeting you. you squealed as you see some faces that you know too well and gave them the biggest bear hug.

you manage to slowly walk further into the pact bar and whem glance at s certain table, someone was already giving you the warmest smile.

the smile that succesfully sweep you off your feet and helplessly make you fall deeper.

"long time no see, tae." you smiled as the guy stood up and approached you.

"you too, y/n."

and you swore you felt your heart skip a beat.

[sukunas-play-thing]

The thing about ZackRay for me is that it’s not necessarily bad to write about pedophilia as long as it’s portrayed as something bad! You need to do your research and treat topics like that with respect and don’t romanticize it! (Which is actually kind of a plot point in an oc of mine’s backstory, but she had gotten therapy and has gotten better with the trauma from all of that. Which I think is important when portraying stuff like that! Show the healing process!!)

But see, Zack is NOT A PEDO! He’s a grown ass man who probably hasn’t even thought about sexual shit at all- I have never gotten any sort of romantic vibes from their interactions at all.

These people genuinely think it’s so quirky and funny and “uwu so adorable” to do that! And it really pisses me off that they’re ok’ing that sort of stuff! It’d be way different if Zack was like...idk...16? Or if ray was like 19. That’s fine. I still probably wouldn’t ship them lmao my aromantic ass stans platonic dynamics more than anything but at least it’s LEGAL! God! Jesus Christ!

I do also kind of want to go off on another rant? Feel free to ignore this I’m so sorry I just have....literally no one to discuss this with

So a few days ago I saw a Bakugou/Izuku headcanon. While I don’t really ship them, I can see why the dynamic could be interesting. Especially if Katsuki works on himself and they both talk. (By the way, Katsuki is 100% my favorite he’s such a good character)

Turns out, it was NSFW. I already didn’t like that, but the headcanon essentially amounted to “Izuku choking Katsuki and giving him a panic attack 🥵”

Followed by “🥺 Katsuki’s trauma is my kink.”

Which is SO DISGUSTING TO ME! In smut in general, I always feel like it’s important for the consenting parties to talk about having sex and setting proper boundaries. This goes double when the person has any sort of trauma. You need to go at their pace. Especially if it’s sexual related trauma!

Katsuki is SURE to have trauma related to being restrained or not being in control! The-Final-Sif (an unrelated person, they didnt have that disgusting ass headcanon) as amazing headcanons about katsuki and essays that really shined a light on aspects that people just sweep under the rug! She talks about this and it makes so much sense.

Izuku should NOT be giving katsuki any panic attacks! None whatsoever! They should be talking, they should be setting boundaries! Ofc mistakes happen but you need to stop and check in on the person If that DOES happen!

If we use the aforementioned oc - Akiko Nakamura, who’s sort of a famous gambler or an organized crime boss I haven’t really decided yet ^^’ - I considered writing smut with her and any of my other characters as sort of a character study type of thing? But whoever I write it with, I would include a scene of her and her sexual partner(s) talking about her trauma and setting clear boundaries. There would be a LOT of verbal consent and generally making sure things are fine. That’s what should be happening in most fics!

Don’t sexualize children

Don’t romanticize unsafe sexual habits and crossing boundaries

I’m sorry for the long rant btw

🍃Holy fuck that was a lot! I've have quite similar discussions that you've ponted oit here and may I say this is 10 billion percent on point!! ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️ people needa tale notes. There's so much to unpack when it comes to situations such as these and I know that their very difficult things to talk about. A lot of points to cover etc and I feel for ya 100%. Your oc may not be real but I'm super super proud they got help ((and happy you included a healing process it's so realistic love the dynamic indeed). I agree Zack isn't a pedo and I've never gotten romantic vibes from him or Rachel at all periodt. You've made some very good points as did everyone else. And I feel for all of you immensely. As for the izuku/bakugo thing. I've said it once and I'll say it again guys. Stop. Romanticizing Trauma.

((Especially using Izuku my guys wtf are y'all smoking. )) also deeply apologize for taking so long to respond lol. I've been getting stuff back to back and trying to answer everyone lol. Take care nonnie okay!!!??? And your rants didn't annoy me at all! 💞💞💞💞💞

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[kpurereactions]

Love Shot

CHAPTER 1

A/N: Hello lovelies, Ive been working on this piece for quite a while now and im finally ready to post it. This was inspired by one of my favorite fics of all time, Good Girl, but given my own little twist. I hope you all love Love Shot as much as I do.

Pairing: Exo x Reader

Rating: Drama, Angst, Smut, Fluff

WARNINGS: Language, Eventual Violence, Lots of Smut Later on

Chapter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

I let a smile touch my lips before taking a deep breath in, nodding once at the crisp evening air before turning to lock the door of my new combined studio and apartment. It was the first day where fall really felt like fall. The scent of rain lingered under the dense clouds and the sun was already halfway gone.  I had moved back to Seoul only three months ago after being gone for only a little under a year. I had originally came to Seoul to get my masters in painting and painting theory,  though I quickly gained enough local fame and connections that no one could quite understand why I left. So I came back.

I stood on the side of the road, my arm outstretched as I wait for a cab. My closest friend from school in the city was opening his gallery tonight and from the posts on my snapchat I could tell a lot of old classmates were already there. Song Mino was the first friend I made when I first moved here. He was talented and refused to fit into the art box the professor tried to force all his students into, as if art should be something someone else tells you to do. It should be your own thing. We had that in common. My style is simplistic. Aesthetic. Easy to look at, but the more you look the more you see behind the top layer. We both strived to challenge the viewer, and because of that we grew really close in our attempt to stick it to the man.

The first show is always the biggest event of an artist's career, and knowing I was seconds away from Mino’s brought another smile to my face as excitement seemed to run through my toes. I couldn't believe how hard he had been working, despite him refusing to let me see anything he had made to showcase.

The gallery itself was breathtaking, I couldn't help but note the obviously more ‘manly’ stain he had chosen for the wooden columns that broke the continuous glass of the front of the gallery. I was the one who helped him make his mind up. I took it in as it was its own work of art before I even walked up the short staircase to the front doors. The tall white walls were similar to my own space, but his had matching wooden floors and walls that were scattered around the room that broke your vision from seeing everything at once. I gave myself another smile as I noticed familiar faces of old classmates and Professors.

It didn't surprise me when I first walked in that I was being asked about the past year and how I’ve been. I was hard to miss, not just because I stood taller than a majority of the women in the room. The constant questioning reminded me why I chose to fail at reaching out when I got back. I made a point to keep trying to catch eye contact with Mino, who only seemed to mask the chuckle from escaping his lips, choosing to leave me to struggle with the boring repetition of the conversations I was having. I finally found the opportunity to excuse myself and all but power walk over to Mino, pretending not to see anyone else I recognized.

“American style!” He said excitedly, pulling me into a hug.

“Don't you ever leave me to the wolves like that again” I whispered in his ear before pulling back. “Mino this is awesome, I’ve only seen a few pieces but im so proud of you!” I said covering up my mild threat before hugging him tightly again. He chuckled with bright eyes before giving my arms a squeeze.  His eyes widened as he remembered the man standing next to him.

“Y/n, this is Junmyeon. He is a curator who graduated a few years before us. I've been telling him about your work.” He said as my attention moved to the slick haired man.

“You were talking about me at your own opening?” I said reaching for his hand to shake it.

“I actually asked specifically about you.” Junmyeon said with a soft smile that slowly grew.

“Oh, wow.” I tried to get out past the sound of my heart fluttering at his radiant smile. “Its very nice to meet you then.”

I was informed that Junmyeon was planning on stopping by my studio in the next few days, which brought on a new wave a nerves I've never experienced before. It wasn't until Mino placed his hand on my back to excuse the two of us could I finally breathe.

“Jesus, why is he so intimidating?” I said looking back over my shoulder as he dipped his chin to take a sip of his drink.

“If you think he’s intimidating your crazy” Mino said, leading me over to the first piece he wanted to show me.

“Did he asked to buy any of your work?” I asked before he could change the topic.

“All of it.” Mino said with a big smile.

“All of it?!”

“Yes. He’ll probably buy a lot of your stuff too. It’s more his style anyways.”

“Oh my god.” I said shaking my head.

I let Mino take control of the conversation as he began to explain the clay molded figure in front of us. I spent the rest of my time there following Mino around, while sipping on my wine and listening to him talk. Even though, as much as I was paying attention, it was hard to get your mind off of Junmyeon.

“Promise me you wont sell this one. I know you promised everything but see if this one could be an exception. I want to buy it.” I said pointing at a tall, organic figure of a woman. The memory of when Mino had made it flooded back as it was my first time to ever pose for another artist.

“Ill ask.” he said smiling before taking my hand and leading me to the next piece.

I tried to stay as late as I could. Mino was off somewhere talking art leaving me once again to be interrogated by my former classmates who all seemed to be very smug about the fact that I had yet to have an opening. It didn't matter what valid excuse I would give, they only cared that it hasn't happened yet. Thankfully I must have looked as uncomfortable as I felt since a hand wrapped around my arm to pull me back. I was just about to thank Mino for coming back and saving me when I turned to face Junmyeon.

“You didn't look too excited about that.” He said looking back over to the three girls who were all staring with confused and almost jealous looks in their eyes.

“Good to know it was obvious.” I said taking a sip of wine. Just as I was about to say something else Mino walked up.

“I think I'm going to head out. I have a pick up early in the morning.” I said, trying not to make it sound like I was at my ropes end with the girls who had added whispering to their staring. I smiled and quickly kissed Mino’s cheek softly before turning to Junmyeon and shaking his hand again, trying to do so without having to hear a protest from Mino.

The air outside sobered me up a little, and because of how nice it was outside I couldn't help but smile and start to walk down the sidewalk. Mino’s studio wasn't that far from mine, just a few blocks down and a horseshoe turn away, so I placed my hands in my coat pocket and began to walk. I let my eyes wander from the fashion that was passing me to the way the lights reflected off the puddles left from the rain that morning. Just as I was really starting to enjoy my walk the sky opened again, soft raindrops falling from the sky.

I sighed, of course this would happen. Clocking where I was I dipped into an alley, deciding the fastest way to get out of the rain in my heels would be to cut through the alleyways. Usually this idea was fine. I would maybe run into one or two strangers, but they were usually restaurant owners who were taking the trash out or sweeping their areas so the sound of voices deeper in the alley didn't really bother me.

“Kai come on! Oh my god no.” I heard a man laugh deeper into the darkness of the alley. But as I got closer to my studios back door I realized the figure I could hardly make out at first were men. Multiple men. Usually this wouldn't bother me but as I got closer the feeling of fear in the pit of my stomach started to deepen and deepen.

I took a deep breath when I started to pass them, my heart beating a million miles a minute while trying to keep a poker face to seem unphased so they wouldn't pay me any mind. Until they did.

“Hey wait!” I heard one of them call. I quicken my step slightly. Not to show I was scared, but just incase. “Wait, where are you going? I’ll walk you home.”

I looked up to see a half lit face walking backwards in front of me. I squinted slightly to try to get my eyes to adjust to what was under the ball cap he wore, but there was no use.

‘Shit’ I thought. I was staring too long. I looked away and quickened my step again.

“Oh come on! At least tell me your name!” He shouted after he stopped, his voice now behind me.

I was able to breathe again once my key was in my door, officially sure he stopped following me. But still the shape of the man's mouth was enough to stay in my brain as I flicked the lights to my gallery on and made my way upstairs to my bed.

___

“Mino I swear they were so scary.” I said pushing my denim painting shirt up past my elbows before wrapping my hands around the coffee cup that sat in front of me.

“I just don't understand why you didnt call a cab when you left.” He said sitting back in his chair, obviously taking it out on himself for not seeing me off safely.

“I just wanted to walk. I didn't plan on going through the alley.” I grumbled. I hated when Mino tried to school me. He was only a few months older than I was, and although I knew here it meant something different, he also knew that where I’m from it didn't.

“Do you at least remember what they looked like?” He asked, noticing my mood change.

“Um.. kind of. There were like five or six of them, but I only got a good look at one of them. He was a little taller than you, pillow lips… he was wearing a hat so I really didn't get a good look at his eyes. But he had to have been an athlete of some sort.” I said, my words getting quieter as I realized I would have had nothing to go off of if something bad had happened.

The coffee date ended with Mino once again scolding me, which I knew I deserved, but there was only so much I could take without pouting all the way home. I couldn't help thinking about the man in the hat. Why he was there in the alley with his friends. Why did he follow me, but then give up so easily? It's not like his friends were calling him back. If he was going to bother me in the first place, why give up? The more I thought about what had happened the more I worked myself up. They probably saw me unlock my door. What if they showed up in my studio? What if they came back with more people?

I half thought about texting Mino, but knew there was no point. He would be more worried about it than I was and he had better things to do then baby sit me in my own home. So instead, the moment I got inside I turned my windows down, making sure no one could see inside my studio incase they were passing to see if I was there. It was weird, though, this new set fear was enough to put me into overdrive. My inspiration hit me in my face and I couldn't pull a fresh canvas out fast enough to get the blurred images of last night down.

———

Music played loudly as I was lost in my own world. A galaxy of light and dark colors swirled and blended into one another across my canvas creating the confusing, but exciting pattern that seemed to get better with every stroke.

I was pulled out of my own head when the sound of someone's voice yelling over the music made me look up. I smiled to see Junmyeon and two other men trailing him into the room.

“Oh! One second please!” I said trying to press pause with the clean part of my palm. “Sorry, I didn't realize how loud that had gotten.” I said wiping my hand on my shirt before shaking Junmyeons hand.

“Its fine, good to see your working so hard because I brought with me two potential buyers.” He said gesturing to the two men on his left. “This is Byun Baekhyun and Kim Jongin.” He said.

I smiled shaking Baekhyun's hand, but the moment I met Jongin's eyes I felt my body stiffened slightly. He was familiar. Almost to familiar. I forced the feeling to be shaken off though, there was no reason why he would have possibly been brought into my studio if he had been hiding out in the alleyway behind the building the night before. Or at least I had hoped. But there was something about the way he smiled at me that made me feel like he knew it too. That he had seen me the night prior too.

I tried hard not to think about it. If Junmyeon was there, I was safe and if he was the man he probably wouldn't try to do anything with two other people there to witness. I turned my attention back to Junmyeon who asked if he could look through my paintings.

“Oh of course. And the racks on this back wall have more in it. I rotate them so the ones that are up are only there because they have a similar theme.” I said before trying to smile as normal as possible and turning back to my easel.

My drive was gone. I was too busy focusing on Jongin, who stood there supporting his chin in his hand as he listens to Junmyeon explain why he liked a certain piece. I took this opportunity to text Mino. Now if any would be a good time to alert him.

Mino, I think the guy from last night in the hat is in my studio with Junmyeon. I don't know what to do.

“Y/n, were looking to fill a room. Do you have any others with these same earthy tones?” Junmyeon said, pulling my attention away from my phone.

“Oh, yes. There over here.” I said smiling, slipping my phone into my back pocket before leading the men over to the opposite wall. I walked them through my color schemes, explaining to them the way I had everything organized just incase they changed their mind on a color or style they wanted. I was surprised Junmyeon and Baekhyun were able to distract me from the thoughts swirling in my head for the rest of the time they were there, but it helped that Jongin stayed behind us, obviously not trying to chime in.

“Y/n, thank you once again for taking us in on such short notice. We will take the one on the wall and the two that have been stored if they are not already spoken for.”  

“Of course, Ill wrap them for you so they’re ready to be taken.” I said turning to make a mental note as to which ones it was.

“Thank you again. We will be in touch.” He said, bowing his head slightly before taking my hand in a soft, yet firm hand shake.

“Thank you.” Baekhyun said sweetly as he took my hand next.

“Good to see you again. I hope to see you in the future as well” Jongin said with a small wink before taking my hand and giving it a firm shake.

The moment his hand touched mine my heart dropped. There couldn't be a way that was really him. The moment the door closed I reached for my phone again only to see Mino hadn't responded. It didn't stop me from quickly typing out another message, though.

It was him. It had to be him. Why else would he tell me it was good to see me again before winking if it wasn't him?

I looked up to see their backs bending one by one to get into the large black vehicle they came in, and once I was sure the door to the vehicle was closed and they weren't looking I quickly walked forward and locked the door again before backing up to my easel where I desperately tried to finish my work before deciding to just give up.

I couldn't focus. Not while finishing, not while making myself dinner, and not while I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep. I rolled to my side and reached for my phone. 3:00am. I sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of my bed, taking my blanket with me and wrapping it tightly around my shoulders. I made your way up to the railing of my room slowly which allowed me look down onto my gallery. I wrapped the blanket closer over my shoulders before letting my elbows rest on the railing so I was more comfortably looking out the window. I smiled to myself finally feeling calm again. I loved how quiet the streets were at night. How all the colors of the lights around seemed to mix together on the rained on asphalt that laid below them.

It felt calm. But as my eyes were scanning I couldn't help but see two figures standing across the street. I squinted my eyes to try to catch a reflection of who the people were only to realize it was Jongin and Junmyeon. I stared at the two in shock as they talked across the road. They seemed to be laughing. I tried to calm myself down, telling myself they were probably just out getting drinks and just so happened to be standing across the street from my apartment. But then I remembered what the time was. I couldn't stop myself from panicking, and just as I was about to turn to hide myself, my eyes met with Jongin’s.

I didn't know it was possible for my heart to drop even further into my stomach as he gave me a devilish grin and wink. I scrambled back to my bedside table where I quickly reached for the remote that controls my space, knocking it off the table before I was able to press the button that made my windows go solid.  

Chapter 2

[wienerbarnes]

Cheek to Cheek (3/5)

Pairing: Bucky x Criminal!Reader

Word Count: 1,497

Warnings: Injuries, creepy kidnapping environment

A/N: wouldnt be my series if i didnt post late :) ngl i got drunk and forgot LMAO but here’s part 3! ill post again tomorrow to catch up <3

SERIES MASTERLIST

Bucky ignores Sam’s phone call asking him to go help out the next day. He’s set up a last minute appointment with his therapist after what occurred in that room yesterday; an appointment he’s on his way to now. As he reaches a stoplight on his bike, he pulls out his phone and listens to the voicemail Sharon left him late last night.

“Hey, Buck. Don’t worry about helping out tomorrow. I know Sam will ask you, but I can tell you need to rest. We’ll get this case figured out; we’ve already exposed her as a fraud. We’ll probably do some more interrogating tomorrow, she’s probably orchestrating the kidnapping for some reason. I’ll keep you updated. Take care.” Her voice cuts off with a beep in Bucky’s headphones and he lets out a sigh as the light changes.

He continues along the road, absentmindedly looking about his surrounds, when something catches his eye.

A light up sign of a waterfall, the neon not yet turned on now during the day, with the word “NIAGARA” spelled out; the building looks like a bar of some sort.

“Waterfall. W-water falling. N-not water.” Your voice flashes in his mind.

Don’t let her get in your fucking head, Barnes. Fuck! Get a hold of yourself, Bucky scolds himself. As Bucky nears the corner of the next block, he sees a statue of an angel with wings.

“An angel of stone.” He’s reminded of you again.

He turns right at this block and decides to take the long way to his therapist’s office. He lets out puffs of breath to calm himself and stop from freaking the fuck out. “It’s nothing. You’re creating coincidences in your mind.” Bucky says to himself.

As he drives down the alleyway, he slows down next to a large building, a warehouse. There’s a sign on the fence that says “CONDEMNED”. The chain around the lock has been broken.

“A cellar… Warehouse, condemned.”

Bucky parks his bike. 

He quietly sneaks throughout the warehouse, gun and pocket flashlight drawn in front of him. The warehouse is almost pitch black inside, smelling of gasoline, garbage, and death. There’s a steady dripping coming from somewhere along the ceiling and an occasional flutter of bird wings of pigeons who got lost in there. He eventually comes up to an open space, still lit candles scattered along the ground. Must of been recent if they’re still lit. Something shiny catches Bucky’s eye and he kneels on the ground to get a closer look. A gold bracelet. A very familiar looking bracelet. A bracelet he saw in one of the photos of Elizabeth Hawley Sharon showed him two days ago. He picks up the bracelet in his metal hand and stuffs it in his jacket pocket. He looks forward a few feet in front of him and sees a wire coat hanger on the ground.

“A-and a hanger. They whip him with a coat hanger. A wire coat hanger…”

Bucky cancels his appointment and calls Sam.

…

“They made a positive ID on the bracelet you found, Bucky. Good work.” Sharon praises him as they meet back at the tower.

There’s a moment of silence as Sharon and Sam organized their notes from the crime scene they’ve just left. The crime scene Bucky stumbled upon.

“I lied to the FBI about how a found the warehouse.” Bucky blurts out, not making eye contact with either of his partners.

“Excuse me?” Sam stares at him.

“How’d you find it?” Sharon’s voice raises.

“...It was where she said it’d be.” Bucky says and his teammates sigh with annoyance.

“Bucky, what if it was a set up? You could be dead right now!” Sharon scolds him.

“We have to go back and interrogate her again.” Bucky says. Sam and Sharon glance at each other before looking back at Bucky.

“We have three more days until those kids are dead and then our only connection to this case gets lethal injection two days after that. It’s the only thing that’s worked.” Bucky rationalizes to them.

Bucky sees the gears turning in their heads as they think about the non-existent other options they have.

“I’ll call the ward.” Sharon says before walking out of the room.

…

“His eyes are cold. So cold.”

“Describe him.” Sam demands.

Your eyes look tired as they look at Sams. You almost look childlike. Like a toddler who’s gone too long without a nap. Or a hug. Or any kind of touch that didn’t inflict pain. Bucky doesn’t know what it is, but he feels something deep down inside him for you. Maybe it’s sadness. Maybe it's pity. Maybe it’s his own instinct to save and take care of people. Maybe it’s guilt. For what, he’s not sure. But he wants to help you so bad and you don’t seem to know what you need help for.

“I see a, a scar. Tall, pale guy. Late 20’s.” You begin. You pause and your brows furrow as your lip begins to tremble ever so slightly. “He’s looking at Elizabeth. He’s gonna get the hanger…” Tear quickly gather in your eyes and you shut them tight.

“Where is he?” Sam asks.

“By the window… he’s waiting… It’s a small boathouse on Lake Seneca.” You finally force out, your voice thick with emotion.

“You got that?” Sam turns to Sharon as she wordlessly finishes writing in her notepad before standing and collecting her things, Bucky following suit.

The three of them begin to file out of the room when she stops them.

“Miss Carter?” Your voice whispers.

Sharon turns to look at you, waiting for whatever you’re going to tell her. “Don’t go near the white cross… We see you down… and your blood spills on the white cross.” You warn.

Sharon looks at you for a few more seconds before walking out of the room, her two partners following after her.

…

The three suit up in silence in the jet ride there. Tactical gear, guns and knives, and bullet proof vest for Sharon. Bucky insisted she wear one after that white cross comment from you.

The boathouse looks abandoned. Grass is overgrown, floorboards of the front porch are torn to shreds and the paint is chipping on the sides of the house. There’s silence as they approach; not even crickets are sticking around this shit-hole. 

The air is cold and sharp, as though there’s thousands of needle pricks hitting Bucky’s skin as he walks, no matter how slow he steps. It’s the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to rip your hair out for no reason, or just scream into the void as loud as you can. It’s the type of atmosphere that can make a person go insane if they’re around here for too long. It’s eerie. And Bucky hates it.

The three of them finally enter the building, immediately finding Elizabeth and James tied up in the corner of the room. Sam rushes to them to rid the gags from their mouths and untie their restraints.

“Sweep the docks!” He orders.

Bucky and Sharon head off in a similar direction but split off at the docks to clear the area.

Sharon’s steps along the end of the dock are silent. She sees the water at the other end shifting calmly due to the small boat tied to the pillar. She raises her gun and flashlight towards the boat, the large tarp draped over it raising her suspicions. The longer she stares at it, the less sure she is that there is or isn’t something under there. 

It all happens in a second. It one small crease in the tarp that outlines a body and she yells, “Special agent! Don’t move!” before a shot is fired and knocks her off her feet.

Her back slams against the ground and a groan escapes her and the boat motor echoes into the night as it speeds off. She feels large hands rip her tactical gear open and she peeks down to see one single bullet lodged into the bullet proof vest. She glances at Bucky, who’s lightly feeling over her arms and the rest of her torso to ensure there’s no other injuries, and she closes her eyes again in both annoyance and getting the wind knocked out of her.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., get medical ready back at the tower, just in case.”

“Yes, Sergeant Barnes.”

Bucky sighs and glances around the area before noticing something.

“Don’t go near the white cross… We see you down… and your blood spills on the white cross.”

A tall white cross, standing about fifteen feet tall stands at the corner of the dock where Sharon lays. If not for her bullet proof vest, her blood would’ve splattered across the white frame.

A shiver crawls up Bucky’s spine and a hand on his shoulder makes him jolt.

“C’mon, man. Let’s get her up. Hopefully Red Wing caught some footage of the boat we can analyze back at the tower. Elizabeth and James are waiting on the jet hooked up to IV’s.” Sam informs him, crouching down to his level so they can hoist Sharon up.

Bucky’s takes one last look at the cross before walking with Sam back to the jet.

[bbrandy2002]

The Diary of Riley Brooks

Entry Two

Wacky Drabble #8: Help me with this, would you?

Coincides with TRH Chapter 13

Some strong Language

Characters belong to Pixelberry

Drabbler Tags: @emceesynonymroll @burnsoslow @sirbeepsalot @jovialyouthmusic @romanticatheart-posts @stopforamoment @dcbbw @jessiembruno @katedrakeohd

Additional tags; I have no idea who is on my permanent tags list anymore😬 I didnt exactly keep up with it 😭 I'll do better. So please let me know so I can get that sorted out.

@ao719 @hopefulmoonobject

September 7

I'm having a baby!

As I sit here trying to let that statement fully sink in, I think about where I was just one year ago today.

I had always dreamt of meeting my Prince Charming, never really expecting to find him. Liam made me realize that fairy tales do exist and sometimes wishes do come true. That sounds so cliche, yet, I don't know any other way to describe what we share together.

He is my heartbeat, my every breath, my reason for existing. Our love is built on passion and longing, his touch excites me and his very presence heats my core. Our bodies joined together, whether fierce or gentle, is pure, unadulterated magic. Liam is my warmth and sincerity, my goodness and truth.

In the depths of my belly, I am carrying the greatest symbol of that love, a part of him and a part of me, a tiny creature that will forever bring us joy.

I spent much of the reception, anxious to find out if I was indeed pregnant. As I wrote yesterday, Savannah admitted to taking a pregnancy test, as well. For whatever reason, possibly one I don't want to ever know, she placed her negative test in the bathroom drawer. Due to Madeleine's incompetence and unwanted presence for this event, she, too, put my test in the drawer. Is there some kind of weird Cordonian tradition I am unaware of that says these test work better in drawers? And why did Savannah leave hers in there? The damn thing was negative. In light of his objection, I have a strong feeling, Mr. Chuck knows more than he is letting on.

Freaked the hell out by Savannah, I knew then, I was the one who was pregnant. I needed air and a moment to think, far away from all the yee-haw bullshit. I sent Liam a text, asking him to meet me in a clearing by the house, I had a surprise for him. Within seconds, he approaches me with a flirtatious smile, looking as if he was ready to fuck me six ways from Sunday. I love that man and I'm always more than willing to participate in his freakish, outdoor sex fetish, but, this wasn't what I had in mind.

After I tell him we are a having a baby, he sweeps me up in his arms, gently placing me back to the ground. His happiness was written all over his face, until it wasn't. He went into Liam mode, panicking about the need to baby proof every room at the Palace and Valtoria. As much as I loved his cute response, I wanted tears dammit. I wanted him on his knees, crying his eyes out, unable to talk, worshipping my stomach. Mick Jagger said you can't always get what you want, but, sometimes you get what you need....well, I needed a sobbing, shaking Liam, is that too much to ask?

We discuss when to tell our friends and because I'm a petty, evil bitch, I decide we should tell them right in the middle of Savannah and Bertrand's reception. You propose at my wedding, I announce the equivalent of the second coming, in the form of my sacred child, at yours. I couldn't care less for the rest of the wedding attendees, but, seeing Hana, Drake, Maxwell and Bertrand delight in our news was exciting.

Afterwards, Liam wants to celebrate in private, which means, we might talk some, but, he still has every intention of getting off tonight. We head upstairs and I was correct in my assumption, he wants to celebrate making the baby by doing what we did to make it. He is a wet panty dropper for sure. And while some ride Harley's and horses, I propped my little pregnant ass on my own stallion and rode him hard. If Barthelemy weren't already out of his coma, me screaming Liam's name when I climaxed, would have awakened the old coot for sure.

If my panties weren't already off, after he sang a lullaby to our baby, that for sure would have melted them away. If he keeps this up, we'll have our own 20 Kids and Counting reality show.

I should have stayed in fucking bed this morning. At breakfast, Bertrand greeted us in kind, while Stick-It-In-A-Drawer Savannah, reminded us all that we are not at court. Why is she still here and not on her honeymoon? Then Leona tells me I can't have a cup of coffee....bitch, I was downing shots like no tomorrow just three days ago with Liv and Hana in Auvernal. This queen will drink a cup of coffee if she damn well pleases. My baby is probably going to come out with two heads.

Like the lovable, little genius he is, Maxwell suggests everyone buys the baby a gift. Guess who further suggested we get these gifts from the local country general store? The same damn place that was using a priceless saddle as a fucking hat holder. I can't even write her name anymore. I have to wonder, why I have been playing second fiddle on Hee-Haw Hell to her during this trip.

So the gang and I pack into our vehicle and head back to said store, where I can share with all of Cordonia that the royal crib was purchased at Wild Chester's Gear and Steer on Bootleg Road. I watched Maxwell fawn over socks, Hana recreated painful memories of lonely tea parties, and Drake...well, Drake's little wooden horse was quite adorable.

I get a call from Olivia, who somehow managed to escape earlier from this shithole than I did. I thought we were amigas now Liv? She actually cried when I told her Liam and I were expecting. I don't know what the hell she is doing in my bedroom, but, if Livvie needs something there, I'm more than happy to help a girl out. She asked me for the most valuable thing in my room, I lied to her and told her it was the royal sceptre. If she only knew the value of the dildo I had in my nightstand....that better be exactly where I left it when I get back.

Back at the ranch, Liam says the five most beautiful, glorious words I have been waiting to here for weeks.....We're almost ready to go....Hot Damn!

Bianca asked me if I thought I could get away without saying goodbye...I already knew the answer was, no. If she only knew how hard I tried about twenty times since arriving to cut tail and run. And damn that heartless, nazi, Leona, she for real dissed my husband! Bitch, I will snap you in half over Liam.

Just when I think I'm finally in the clear, who in the blue fuck put me on a plane for the next 10 hours with Frick, Frack and Kiara?

Liam, I love you, but, damn you! I'm nauseous, tired, moody, and pissing buckets every 10 minutes, carrying your child, and you thought this was a good idea.

I blame pregnancy brain for my decision to tell these three our big news. I'm not the greatest at charades, Im not even the smartest person in the world, but, I swear to God, these three may quite possibly be the dumbest morons I have ever met. They guessed I was full, I was bloated, gluttony.....fucking gluttony???? Yes Penelope, the big news I wanted to share with you is I'm a glutton. Maybe a glutton for punishment, deciding to interact with you three. More guesses included, American Football, and a common pirate jig....one of these women is an ambassador and the other my communications director. I'm a waitress from Brooklyn, and my word, I'm truly baffled by the sheer stupididy I had just witnessed. I turned to Liam, pleading with my eyes, help me with this, would you?

As bad as those three were, out of no where, the most incompetant, security guard on this planet, appears right before me. I didn't have time to worry about her, because apparently, the bane of my existence just scheduled a press conference to announce my pregnancy. I haven't seen a doctor to even confirm yet, what the hell Madeleine. One of these days, I am gonna beat that green goblin's ass down.

Cordonia, I'm on my way and can't be there soon enough.

Riley

[cheryllcher]

how to pop the question

hey so life's been keeping me busy lately and im still gonna be crazy swamped with stuff to do so instead of doing chapter 5 of the seamstress au like i originally planned, im gonna write this lil (okay i mean very very long) one shot instead!! this is based on this post by @buginetta i hope you dont mind!! and hope i didnt go overboard??

---

"Alyaaaaaaaaa! Help me! What if he's never gonna ask?!"

This is how Marinette found herself one fine evening after a long day at work. Eating ice cream, in her most comfy pjs, and facetiming her best friend while questioning her relationship with her boyfriend.

"Oh come on, M! You and Adrien are like, heads over heels for each other. Everyone can literally feel the cheesiness from 10 miles away," Alya dismissed quickly, trying to get it in her bestie's head that she has nothing to worry about. Typical Mari.

You see, Marinette and Adrien had been dating for almost 10 years, since they accidentally detransformed in front of each other when they were 15. They've been inseparable. Glued to the hip, literally.

And when both were well into university, Adrien brought up the idea of marriage. They both knew that this was it. They were endgame as everyone says. But Marinette, ever the one to think ahead, wanted to wait till their studies were completed and to be financially stable. Adrien complied, never bringing it up again.

Back to present time, Marinette groaned into her pillow. This happened countless of times before, so Alya was used to the sudden "over-thinking about non-existent crisis" calls as she calls them, OTANEC calls for short. Just Marinette having her usual of nonsensical thoughts, non-stop spiralling with a dose of crazy on the side. Ordinary stuff.

"If you really, so desperately want to be engaged with Sunshine already then you should propose. Really, you shouldn't have to wait for guys to propose."

"Omg Alya yes! That's a great idea!"

"Of course cuz it's mine."

"You're the best!"

"I know."

"Thank you!!"

"Yea, yea but you better let me in on your plan."

"Deal."

---

Two weeks flew by. Marinette was ready so sweep her kitty off his feet--mostly. There was still the pre-proposal jitters that she just cant shake off. She's triple checked everything. Twice! The location, weather(Please be accurate, I'm begging you.), all the itty bitty details. The only thing that can possibly go wrong is an Akuma. Honestly, Hawkmoth doesn't have a schedule or something. Heroes need their beauty sleep and as students their grades! (Thankfully there wasn't one. Thank you Hawkmoth.)

Tick. 6pm: Marinette's pacing. Tikki watches her from her perch beside a stack of cookies. She wishes she could help but Marinette's not gonna listen in her state of creating a road in her bedroom floor . The girl pleads for time to go by faster, faster, faster!

Tock. 6:09pm: Her heart is racing. She opens up her messages again and again, making sure he knows there's a joint patrol tonight. Everytime she sees his reply from 2 night ago, she sighs in relief. Only to open it again a minute later.

Tick. 6:24pm: Hands are shaking, her panic's awaking. Tock. Alya reassures her that everything is fine, but she's like a bomb in a mine.

Tick. 6.50pm: She checks her pocket, where the little black box hides. Tock. She checks again, her thoughts now violent tides. Restless, antsy, going out of her mind. Nervous, rapid breathing, her head's screaming is all she can find. Doubt. Dread. Doom. Oh why, oh why, can't it be just-

Ding! 7pm. The time has arrived. Marinette transforms and races out of the house to do her rounds on her half of the city. She finishes in 10 minutes, a new personal record. She couldn't care less though. There's the weight of her future in her pocket that's just suddenly so heavy. She starts pacing again, waiting for her partner to arrive. Oh gosh, he's taking too long. I'm gonna explode!

Thud. Chat Noir sees his girlfriend and his day just got a hundred times better.

"Wow bugaboo, I've never seen you finish a patrol so fast! What's u-"

But there's something wrong. She's a nervous wreck tonight, eyes impossibly wide with doubt. In fact, her finishing her patrol this quickly probably was the result of it. His cat ears flatten against his messy hair and his expression shifts to one of concern.

"Princess?" He hugs her, noting the way she tenses. As he tugs her down onto the rooftop with him, into his lap and still wrapped up in his warm arms, he asks, "Is everything okay?"

Two seconds passed, before Ladybug wriggles out of his embrace and begins her rambling. He's disappointed at the loss of her warmth, and he has no idea what she is saying as such a speed, but he has a fond smile anyway. God, I love this woman so much.

"And then you are here and look so handsom- Anyway, I have a question."

She pulls out the box, and Chat's eyes widens.

"I forgot my speech but the point is you make my life brighter and I feel like the luckiest human in the world." She opens the box. "Adrien-Chat Noir-Agreste, will you do this Ladybug the honour of marrying her?"

She never got a reply. Only a big, smug, I-won-the-lottery smile on his face, and he is bounding off in the general direction of... his apartment?

---

Ten minutes later, after a emotional roller coaster from confusion to heartbreak, even detransforming to ask Tikki to explain "Just waddaheck is going on?!", Marinette decided that he was not coming back and she was going to go home to cry about it over a tub of chocolate mint ice cream.

Just as she was about to say the magic words though, she sees a silhouette that she knows all too well jumping on rooftoos towards her. She held her tongue, waiting for an explanation for his sudden departure.

Clearly panting, Chat got on one knee and held up an open box. Marinette's vision blurred.

"Sorry i took so long, m'lady, but i had to dig this up from my drawer. Ahem." He clears his thoat and took a deep breath.

"Marinette-Ladybug-Dupain-Cheng. I have been waiting for the time that you are ready. Now that you are... You are the light on my darkest days, my hope, my life. I love you so much i cant express it with all the vocabulary in the French language. It would make this cat the luckiest man in the world if you would be willing to spend the rest of your life with this stray kitty cat. Marinette, Ladybug, m'lady, bugaboo, princess, will you marry me?"

With tears running down her face, Marinette tackled him. Both slipped the rings on each other's fingers, laughing as they shared a loving kiss. Adrien sweared that he will show it off to everyone he knows, even his fans on social media after a few days. Marinette just simply nuzzled into the crook of his neck.

"Let's go to my place to cuddle Chaton. I have a tub of mint choco ice cream waiting for me to devour in happiness. Don't worry, I know how much you love that flavour too so we can share."

And off they went to Marinette's apartment. Hopefully they remember to change some parts of their proposal story together before they tell anyone to prevent any identity reveals.

[bonbonswirl-blog]

Proud dad

NO ONE BELONG TO ME THEY ALL BELONG TO ONLY @brueklynn I OWN NOTHING.

anyway i was not satisfied with the last fanfic I worte at ALL, it was very bad and I wont blame you if you think that too im sorry it went like this. I decided to write this one since I got the idea. Mason is always a sweetheart btw guys! I just may have changed him a little by accident in this one. Bc im not too skilled, reminder none of this happened and not canon, all these just from my mind with some little "headcanons" from me thx.

It was just a normal day. The golden rays of sunshine caressing everyone faces, shining up the bright blue sky that gives a feeling of comfort and ease, faint chirping of birds can be heard near the trees. Mason was sitting on a bench in a park, with a little smile on his warm face, which is being tickled by the gentle gold beams. his eyes were slowly scanning the small letter in his hands, re-reading it once more after numerous of time, his fingers touched the writing of pen on the white piece of paper, as if checking if this is a true thing, And it is. His eyes drifted from the paper in his hands to the playground in front of him, The sounds of children playing echoed from the park, stomping, running and laughing. None of the worries of adults crossed their minds, only how to elude capture by their friends. The rhythmic creaking of swings went back and forth, and some kids tried to time their jumps from the swings to the rhythm. The colors of the playground equipment were still fresh and bright, despite the years of wear and the endless use. his eyes trying to search between this crowd of kids for a certain one of his own, a few years old one with messy brown hair wearing a flatcap similar to his own one, it was something he gave his child on his previous birthday, mason tried to consider it as a gift to his son as an attempt to bring some joy to his little heart, it was the only thing that was in his pocket right now. He hoped that in the next birthday he will find a better present to give for his little boy that can truly make him happy. Moments later mason had found him, merrily playing on a slide with the other kids, which made his dad smile get bigger. For a last time he looked at the letter, he was so happy that someone had finally toke notice of him and invited him for a job intrview tomorrow morning, he practiced a lot for hopes in getting that job, if he gets it, he will no longer be dependent on those small live making things that doesnt help a lot and will have enough money to provide a good life for him and his son. Looking at the sky, he noticed that the sun is going to set soon, and it will get late to walk for home, they dont live near this park. He smelled the letter as it was some fresh air then folded it to put it in his pocket, giving more five minutes for his son to play until he is going to pick him up to go home.

It was night. As the colors of the day rest the dark was covering every part of the sky. all the kids have already went to their home with their parents, the air was silent, maybe an owl or some cricket can be heard from here and there, the streets were empty, no one was walking on them, expect for a single man holding his little son hand, mason looked at his child and smiled "how was your day at the park wallaby? Did you enjoy it? " He asked wallaby, making sure his son had a good time playing and laughing with all the kids, that he was happy with where his dad brought him today. " Yes dad! I founda buncha fweinds today! We pwayed a game cawed tag your it! Ya pway it by runnin after someone and ya ne....." but mason didnt hear the rest of the talk of how wallaby is teaching him to play tag your it, because his mind was in another place, filled with thoughts of how the interview will go tomorrow, will he get the job? Will he fail? What will he do if he failed? He doesnt want that...What if he gets it? But it was harder than he expected? Will he leave it? Will he push himself to continue? Will he...

" Dad?!?!?DAd?!??! DAD?!? " His son voice distracted him of his deep thought. He guessed that he was inside his mind for too long that he couldnt hear his child. " Yes my dear? " "Ma legs huwt :<" mason smiled again and giggled at wallaby cute little pout, it could make anyone fall for him so fast, his dad knows that there is still a bit of a way for them to get to their home yet, and that wallaby had already walked long enough with his small foot, not to mention he must be tired from all the running today. " Do you want me to carry you for the rest of the way? " " YA YA YA! " Wallaby said excited at that suggestion, reaching both his short arms up in the air for mason hold him, which made mason laugh a little and lean down to hold his small baby in his arms. " Who is my little good boy? " "ME ME!! " " Yes You Are!! " Mason tickled wallaby a bit which made the small kid laugh childishly, his laugh fuel his dad heart with delight. He hugged his son gently while keeping to walk along the road. " Dad? " " Yes! my sunshine? " "I saw some of ma fweinds today tawk about who is better at studying in school! dad, what is school? " ....Mason smile went away and he was silent for a while.... he remembered that wallaby was already old enough for his age to start going to school...but he couldnt afford the money to give this child the chance to go the kindergarten like all the other kids...when will he give him the chance to start learning?... " School is a place where you go to get education dear! Kids go to there everyday to learn new things! " He tried to smile as an attempt to comfort himself and answer the child question softly. " Will I one day go to school dad?" Wallaby innocent smile wasnt enough to sweep away the little sadness that mason felt at that question, he wanted so much for wallaby to get education like all the other people, and he was ready to do whatever it costed to do so, but he know he cant... he cant find the chance. " Maybe one day you will do dear... " that even gave the dad a bigger ambition to pass the intreview tomorrow, he will work as hard as he can to give anything that is needed to his son. Wallaby was silent for a little time in his dad arms while mason just kept walking, the small one looked at his dad again to shot another question at him. " Dad im hungwy :< " that reminded mason that they both didnt really eat enough since the last two days, he is trying to save up for more important things. He wished he have the ability to give him something good to eat right now, he used a lot of energy playing today anyway. " I know my dear...how about I give you an apple when we come back home? " " But I always ate apples dad! How about some candy? " Mason laughed a little "aww my dear! You need to eat lots of vegetables and fruits to grow up! " "awwwww :< " wallaby pout never fail to make mason grin, wallaby didnt eat lots of sweets anyway...maybe in the near future he will have enough money to feed wallaby and him in a right way. They both went silent for another minutes, Out of topics to discuss. Wallaby was thinking about something, he looked at his dad once more to ask a new question, a lot More serious this time... " dad?.." " yes wallaby? " "I....today when we were leavin the pawk.....I saw lotta kids standing next to a....woman....evewy kid have their own woman! The women were holdin their childwen hands just wike ya do to me...and the kids all tawk about their day with them just like I do now...the women seems to be with them...evewyday and evewywhere...like they are with them evewy second!...dad do I....do I.....do I have a woman who take cawe of me wike all those kids do?....."

Mason stopped walking.

He felt his chest starting to ache.

He didnt expect that one day wallaby will wonder why he have no mother like the other kids.

That he will start missing her....

he have no idea what to tell his son now.....he cant just tell him that he doesnt have one....what is he going to do now.....how can he tell his son the cold bitter truth....he cant...he is even so young to know about it...what is he going to do...

" Dad?...." ...wallaby was scared about his dad sudden hush...did he make him mad? he started to get worried now.... "...wallaby........I......" mason was out of words....he moved his head to the side... avoiding eye contacts with his son, looking at the ground shamfully...his eyes no longer have any shine or bright when he hears the gladness in his son voice whenever he talks about about a joyful thing he tried, or when he achieved any small victory. Mason finally gave up, he couldnt ignore his son like this any longer, he need to say something to wallaby.... mason toke a deep sigh...returning his head to look at his little boy who is laying in his arms, wallaby didnt look cheerful as he was a minute ago...he was looking to his side, with a frown in his little mouth, the dirt blush on his cheeks wasnt as red as when he is talking gaily with his adorable puffy cheeks, but they werent puffy anymore...the boy flatcap was going to fall down from his head soon, funny how he can keep it still on his head while running and jumping everywhere all day, wallaby didnt feel really ok at this point...

Mason looked with a grievous look at him before beggining to speak..... "wallaby...listen to me... " his voice was heavy with shame, the same way his guilt wheighed down upon his shoulders, that made his son look at him in the face again, but the expressions still the same. " my little sunshine......you do....you do have a woman like them too...this woman is called...a mother...the mom is the person who brought the life to her children...toke care of them from childhood until adulthood, she is always there to share with her children the laughs, smiles and their happiest moments, always there to comfort them in the sorrow, fear and their hardest moments, she is always the shelter from every harm, the guardian from every enemy, the key for every solution, she will always support her kids no matter what happen in any time and any place....every mom love is always with her kids forever wallaby... all the moms are great! And you should know wallaby that...you have a mom...like them all...but you wont be lonely because im here with you..."

Mason voice was soft, almost fragile, as if it and his heart would break any minute. Perhaps his heart was already broken...broken to bits from the harsh cruel world....mason was never really good with coping with the loss... The sadness flowed through his veins like a flowing river, cold and unending, deadened his mind. It was a poison to his spirit, dulling him, killing off the other emotions he felt when talking to his precious son until it was the only one that remained. He learned that anyone can be a pareng...but not anyone can be a family...He wanted very badly to tell wallaby that lucy still loves him, she still love her family...love them...love them a lot to the point that she left them.....he have no idea where she is now after she dissapeared, its been a long time, but for some reason, he cant fully let her go, she left a hole in his heart that can not be fixed, wallaby is now the only thing that still bring some life in mason dead core, he promised from the day he was left alone with the kid, that he will do everything to make sure he is living safe and sound..

The small wallaby face began to draw a pure smile again, his flatcap back in place, his hued eyes are back to their bright, he got up a bit from his dad arms. "I knew it! I knew I had one too wike them! Dad? Will I eva meet her?!" "Maybe one day sunshine....maybe one day...." mason couldnt bring himself to say no to this one...he doesnt know if wallaby will ever meet her...he may not ever find her, He hugged wallaby more tightly and began taking faster steps, this chat already broke his heart enough and he wants to get home to rest for a busy day tomorrow...good thing wallaby slept on their way home.

The next morning came as usuall, the sun rised, sent its woven strands, free and united, to flow into the sky for revealing and solidifying a new day. Mason used to wake up late, but this time he was early, today is the day, his plan is simple, go the inreview, success, and go to the job. He wasnt very content, he felt nervous, looking after every way that this can go wrong with. Last night wasnt the best for him, it made him re-think about his life with wallaby and how he is going to raise him. he was standing at the door, preparing himself to bring his legs to work straight to the place of that job, but before he can move the handle, he heard a voice behind him

" Dad?.. "

He turned around to see that his son had already woke up, standing confused there with a large jacket around him, it was so large that the jacket ends were on the floor, wiping it wherever the boy go, he looked like a child who have jacket that should be wore by only adults wrapped around him, which is the truth, wallaby always wear it to bed, using it insted of a blanket. " wallaby...uh why are you up so early dear? " " Dad whewe are ya goin? we gonna go to work now? " Mason smiled and kneeled down to put his hands on wallaby shoulders " did you know I got an intrview today? Im going to try to get a job! If i got it! We gonna have enough money to eat properly and go to school to learn! " Wallaby was happy hearing this, it made him almost jump " reawy? Yaaaaay! Wait! But dad! Ya will need ma help! " Mason smiled and ruffled wallaby messy hair " aww my little one, when you grow up you will have your own job to take care of! " When mason turned around to open the door again, wallaby voice stopped him. " but dad! Ya cawt go! " Mason looked behind once more " but why dear? " "Becawse....im gonna be so lonely without ya! " Mason was surprised a bit, wallaby stayed home by himself a lot of times, why is he going to feel lonely staying today? " But sunshine...you always stay home alone by yourself, why are you going to feel lonely today?" " Becawse...I awways hewped ya in your work...this time I wont be there to hewp ya! Ya will awways go to work without me! ya will feel alone! and i will stay more time at home and feel alone! Ya cant leave me dad! Pwease stay here with me.. " after hearing this, mason felt sad, again. He didnt know that wallaby actually felt happy working with him and that he felt so lonely when he all alond without, but he cant do anything about it. "dear...im sorry...but...I cant do anything to help that...please im doing that for you...just stay here and you will find me soon at home..." " but dad! I cant let ya go! Pwease stay! Arent ya my mama? " Whenever someone mention the word 'mom' mason never feel so good. "what?.... " " arent ya my mama? Ya awways pway with me and take cawe of me like all the mamas do! " Mason didnt know his opinion about this kind of thought. " Uh, my little boy, im not your mother...im your father.. " " but ya stiw take care of me! Like any mama! I wont let ya go dad...why dont ya stay hewe and tell me more stories about my mama! " Mason now REALLY didnt feel so good about this one...reminding him of lucy by any chance can make him lose it all...worst idea to think about..." ....wallaby...I need...to go......maybe at night... " " but dad! Pwease! " " goodbye wallaby " "Stay with me! " " Im coming back at night " "dad come on!" Mason tried to get out the house but wallaby was still following him, he cant go anywhere, he stayed standing there, listening to his son conmplains, he already know he made him late enough, almost all of wallaby suggestions was to talk about lucy, lucy lucy and only lucy, that name bring a chill to him whenever he hears it, that made him re-think about last night. A bad memory for him... no. more, About the past, oh..why did she left them? He knows the reason, but was he already the full reason? Or....did wallaby have anything to do with this? Every thought made him dig deeper and deeper in the...unwanted memeories, he cant get himself to get out of his mind and go to the inreview, all he think about now was who fault it was.

" Wallaby...I think you really need to stop now!! "

And that was the first time that mason rised his voice a little at wallaby, and honsetly, wallaby was very surprised, his dad never rised his tone like that at him before, he always talk too soft and gentle with him, so excited yo hear about his day. But now he didnt look to be in the mood to do that.

" Dad.... " " wallaby you must stay here! " " But da- " "im already late for this i need to go! " "pwease da-" "bye. "and with that mason closed the door behind him completely. leaving the house, and leaving the young child to spend another day at his home on his own. Mason was on the streets running, he felt like a lot of pressure and stress on him have been realesed when he got angry, now there is no more complaining about lucy and her absence.....but...he didnt feel alright yet...he felt.....regret....it was so heavy...he felt his heart carrying a heavy weigh...or that there are rocks in his chest...that didnt make him feel well by any chance, he tried to ignore it but it was a lot not to feel something...he felt so alone...he started getting cold...a feeling he didnt sense long ago...cause his body and heart always felt warm whenever he used to be alongside his son..but now he feels like he left him...he did...he feel like he did a mistake..he didnt mean it...he didnt mean to do that at all....he was just pressured and sad to rememeber a doleful memory...he didnt meant to hurt anyone...he wished he could go back and change something of what just happened..but now he cant, all he can do now is pass this intreview.

The night had fallen upon the land, the sky left with only a matt black canvas with no stars to be looked upon. The darkness was thick, mason path was hardly lit, if a normal person cant see good in this dark then this only made mason sight worse.  The interview went..........fine..........it wasnt what he was really looking for...and that was dissatisfied....but all what mason could care about is returning to his home and check something, rather someone....Other than the darkness and himself all that seemed to exist was the chilly wind thats harsh bite could be felt through the man skin. He could feel the hairs on his arms rise and the bite of the wind had left its mark in the form of small bumps that were tingling on his arms, but its bite was more than flesh deep. His blood ran cold through his veins and his bones were chilled. but the heat of what he was wearing did not reach his skin at all, mason know why, after what he done today he knew that today will not be a pretty day at all. The cold wind could be felt that its his inner repent, after what felt like days he saw his home, he may not see a lot good but it he could recognize his house, he stayed in the chilly wind for a few minutes, what is he going to do and say when gef back home?....

He sighed and gently opened the door, waiting to see someone in front of him when he do, to his surprise, there wasnt anyone....the house felt so quiet.....

so empty....

" Wallaby? " He called for his son, waiting for a reply, but none came. "Wallaby? " He called again. began walking around the house, maybe his son just didnt hear him..but he began to sweat.. " wallaby...?... " he searched everywhere in the house, the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom, he couldnt find him! There was only one place left...the bedroom, he ran to there, seriously hoping that wallaby is here insode the house. He entered the bedroom and turned on the lights panicking.........then sighed.......wallaby was there...sleeping on the bed that they both together share....wearing the same jacket he woke up with around him...mason smiled a little at the view. With the corner of his eyes he toke a glance of some small crayons and a drawing white paper on the ground, he went to that drawing and picked it up to see what did wallaby draw while he was out, he slowly looked into it.

It was drawn in a chidish way, with simple colors of crayons...if mason not wrong, one of the two people in it was him, having a smile on his face, next to him a smaller figure, he wasnt sure at first if thats wallaby, that figure had a colorfull hair, and a red dot to where seemed to be the nose, that figure short arms were stretched and some different colored dots where around him. Was that a clown? Why would wallaby draw his dad with a short clown next to him playing with some balls?! But suddenly it hit him..he remembered...

Wallaby previous birthday....at that day, mason only concern was to give his child a little happy party...but he couldnt even afford a cake...let alone a present...when he came back home that day all what he brought was just a red ballon, but he didnt want the birthday to just go by like that, he wanted to try and give wallaby any kind of gift, the only idea in his head was to dress as a clown and try to impress wallaby or make him laugh. He made wallaby sit on the ground and just got some random things to try and throw in the air and catch them again, which was a fail, wallaby didnt do anything, other than sitting there with a stare, when mason thought about giving up he slipped on something and fell down, that did hurt a bit, but wallaby laughed a lot! Which made mason not regret this at all and laughed with his kid "Hahahha! That was so funny dad! Why ya dressin like that? :D " " Haha...i was trying to be like a clown son! " "a clown? Oooh! So today is dressin as diffwent people day? " " Heh..I guess? " " Yaaay! Imma dress like ya dad! " Wallaby looked right and left to find something that can make him look like his dad, luckily he noticed his dad flatcap and grapped it to put it on his head " look dad! Im ya! I love my son a lot! We both get books and stare at them together! " Mason laughed because that was actually funny and true, they both cant read correctly which lead them to just stare at any book they try to read. Mason got up and put a hand on the flatcap that was on wallaby head " and this, my dear son...is my birthday gift to you...happy birthday! " Wallaby eyes looked like they were starry and he touched his dad flatcap with both his hands " wooooow!! Rewwy! Thanks dad!! " wallaby jumped on his dad giving him a tight hug, to which mason gladly gave back.

Mason now got what the drawing is talking about, in wallaby birthday party he tried to make him laugh so he can feel better...now..wallaby saw his dad was angry..and wanted him to laugh again...so he dressed as a clown and tried to make his dad smile again...just like he did to him...mason looked up the two figures to see a childish writing, its may not be written right but he tried as hard as he can to read it.

' Am srry dad u ar angre, i wont u 2 smail plz, i lov u '

Mason felt he is going to cry.

He learned it, nothing in this world can ever be above his only family. He put the drawing on a table, turned off the lights, and layed down next to wallaby, though his small son was sleeping to his side, mason hugged him from behing carefully and whispered softly.

" Im so sorry I neglected you today my precious sunshine...I wont do it again...the words wont describe how much I love you, I will be your mama and dada...and will take care of you for every moment...I am a proud dad to have you...no matter what wallaby....you will always make me proud. "

[furibotgd]

Fight of the Phantoms

Indigo still wasn't sure how he'd let Indi talk him into this. It was practically the middle of the night, and they were sneaking off into the Haligan woods to spar. Well, technically not sneaking per se, as Indigo had intentionally not gone out during the day so he could say he had wanted to be out one evening... but still.

Indi had challenged him.

"I mean you're like... four hundred years old and in jail, how well can you fight?" His doppelganger had stated.

"I can fight just fine. I just haven't for a couple months."

"Alright then, cuz, prove it!"

And so they made a bet. To go all out.

Indigo was already regretting this. He'd even grabbed his old fireproof armor, though Indi had yet to see him wear it.

"C'mon, gramps, I wanna see your style." Indi stated, putting on his own helmet. The cords that connected to his suit lit up, and a cape appeared seemingly from nowhere. He began stretching dramatically.

Indigo sighed and put on his own armor, remembering how safe it made him feel to hide himself from everything except his family. That made him feel... mysterious.

Indi watched as he finished it with his cape, and the Indigo Phantom was all dressed up for the first time in months. "Well, how do I look?" He asked.

Indi put a hand to his chin in thought, circling his twin.

"I can see what you meant by we have the same style. But what's with the excessively long cape? Doesn't that get caught on things?" He grabbed the edge of the purple colored scaled cape. "Is this... made of dragons?"

"No, of course not! Have you not payed attention to who I am?" Indigo huffed. "It's made of SHED scales. Dragons shed a lot, especially in summer. I used my own fire and magic to melt them down and make armor and the cape out of them. It took decades to make it work. And also, I can glide with this cape."

Indi sniggered. "Heh, imagine having to have fireproof clothes... but for the opposite problem most people have. You'd burn your own clothes. That's funny."

"I beg to differ, it's the opposite of hysterical. I've had to live like this for literally centuries." Indigo sighed. "Alright, let's get this sparring match over with."

"Are you eager to get back to your stone cell, old guy?" Indi taunted lightly, pulling out his energy-based sword. "C'mon, let's do this. Bring it on, Indigo Phantom."

Indigo tightened his gloved hands into fists and pulled out a sword of pure flame. Ever since Dixie had been by a couple weeks ago... well, he'd been aching to fight something. May as well be another version of himself. "Alright, you go first."

Indi grinned under his mask and ran at Indigo, surprisingly fast for all the extra metal armor. Evidently it was built for that. Indigo watched his opponent as he always did before attacking, dodging and weaving around Indi's attacks.

He already guessed they'd be evenly matched, with only slight differences in fighting style and experiences to differentiate them.

Indigo at least had a home advantage in terrain. He'd fought under many different conditions, snow included.

Indi was already looking annoyed with Indigo's dodging. "Hey, c'mon, are we gonna fight or are you gonna be slippery all day?" He huffed, backing up a bit.

"I tend to analyze how my opponent fights first." Indigo told him. "You rely on speed and dexterity much like I do."

"Yeah, yeah, less talk, more attack. Come on, ever since I saw those flames I've wanted to see what you can do." He grinned. "Especially after what you showed miss Chief. Do a whip or something."

Indigo chuckled. "We shall see. I've had more experience than you, cousin."

Indi growled and ran at him again, slicing for where he thought perhaps Indigo would dodge to, but his older counterpart was yet sneakier than he anticipated. Indigo went down on one leg, spun, and managed to sweep Indi's feet from under him. Using this, he stood again and spun the rest of the way around in one motion, and had a flaming sword inches from the neck part of the Phantom Pirate's armor.

"How's that for a geezer?" He asked, holding the sword for a only a second more and then letting Indi get up.

"No fair, you haven't even attacked, you just tripped me." Indi huffed again. "All's fair in a fight, I suppose, but still. Actually fight me."

"You don't want me to." Phantom told him.

"Yes, I do. That was literally the point. Go all out, or go back to your cell, zombie." Indi stated firmly, summoning his weapon back to his suit and pulling it out again.

Indigo shrugged and took a step back, sliding into a ready position. "If you insist."

He hadn't channelled his whole fighting ability for a while, but he took a deep breath and seemed to get serious at last.

He was very used to toying with those he didn't fully consider a threat. Like Farris, for one. As guilty as he felt about the past, those fights... had been invigorating.

He enjoyed fights, wit to wit.

He waited again, watching Indi, who finally grew impatient and ran at him again with a yell.

Indigo pulled out a sword and locked it with Indi's, resulting in quite the clash of energies. There was a harsh zap as the two swords met.

Indigo grinned.

Indi only has one sword.

Indigo's pupils had thinned to slits, he was finally invested in the fight. He grinned and summoned a second sword, swinging for Indi's head, shooting a few fireblasts.

The Phantom Pirate was forced to back off, and found himself on the defensive as his older counterpart dodged and attacked with a speed he hadn't even thought possible from the old zombie.

They were locked in an old fashioned sword fight, one sword vs two, and Indi ended up having to make another choice.

He did have one advantage.

Purple energy wings sprouted from his back and he lifted off rather suddenly, now flying a bit above Indigo. "Hey cuz, you forgot I can fly!" He laughed, swooping in repeatedly like a diving falcon, aiming his sword at Indigo, even considering using his energy bow.

The fight had shifted, as one Phantom was grounded on his own, and the other had wings.

Indigo was on the defensive now, dodging and blocking the energy sword and the occasional boot aimed at his head, but he was still watching.

Always thinking and analyzing.

Indi was using the same swooping pattern over and over, only in different directions, sometimes changing up his pattern to swoop past Indigo's back or front cheekily.

He usually attack swooped just above Indigo's head, aiming his sword for something he could reach.

After a dozen or so of these, Indigo sommoned a very sudden flame whip, using it as a lasso, and dragged Indi down after it caught his foot.

Indi let out a startled yelp as Indigo yanked him back with the whip, making him crash into the snow backwards. He hadn't expected that.

As he tried to get airborn again, Indigo shot a fireblast into one of the wings, making it disappear with a flicker.

Indi managed to get to his feet, startled at now being grounded again. He watched as Indigo backed off a few steps, clearly pleased with the outcome.

Indi was very unpleased. He had to stop getting cocky, evidently. Indigo, despite age and being rusty, was far more cunning and quick thinking, besides having a lot of skill with his flames.

The two stared each other down for a good minute, each waiting for the other to make a move.

Indi was uncertain, but he wanted to see this through. He wanted to see how powerful his counterpart was, and see if he was stronger. He resummoned his sword again, letting the one functioning wing vanish for now.

Indigo came at him faster than he expected once again, but this time without a sword. Indi slashed out, wondering what on earth the fire zombie was going to pull out this time, and was startled when Indigo grabbed his sword in his hands in such a way that it didnt slice him. He suddenly had a leg to his groin, which gave Indigo the opportunity to take his sword from him.

Indi hissed in pain, doubling over. "Hey, ouch! C'mon, man! What was that for? unlike you, I ain't eighty percent dead!" He clutched the new painful area, thankful Indigo couldn't hit harder, since the armor that protected that area was relatively tough.

Indigo simply chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure that hurt. Had a similar thing done to me once... recently." He twirled the energy sword in one hand confidently.

"Hey, but you forgot something." Indi snickered.

Indigo tilted his head to one side like a curious hatchling. "Did I?" Before Indi could respond that he can summon his energy sword back, he suddenly had it thrown at him full speed.

He ducked instinctively as his own sword shot over his head and into the tree behind him, but before he could summon it he got a flaming punch to the face.

He skidded back a bit and looked up at Indigo, who'd paused for just a second as if to give Indi a chance to recover.

It only insulted him a little. "Stop toying with me, brother!" He grinned, making his weapon come back in the form of a bow. He shot an energy arrow at Indigo with a grin.

Indigo caught it, which startled him, and then the older Phantom lit ablaze with a roar. It was actually kind of cool. And scary. "Whatever you say, space boy!" Indigo growled. He ran for Indi once again, trailing flame, and Indi pulled out a longer weapon, one with two blades on each side and the handle in the middle, and started trying to block Indigo's attacks.

Indigo switched seamlessly between using flame swords to hit back against the energy weapon and throwing flame punches, slowly driving Indi back.

Indi even used his wing as an extra shield, trying to hold the old man back. Indigo was way stronger than he'd bargained for, but even then, he didn't have as many attacks.

He decided to go his own all out.

Indi's suit went from lightly glowing purple to almost pulsing with it, as he activated his own secret weapon. Energy claws shot out of his gauntlets, and he began slashing back at Indigo's swords and punches.

The two locked fists for a moment, hearts racing, the snow bathed in purple light, steam hissing up from the ground with every step the Demon of the South took.

Indi, filled with purple energy, managed to get a good grip on Indigo's hands and threw him to the side, pure strength flowing through him.

He'd never been in a fight this intense, even against most of the space pirates he was rivals with. This felt wild.

Indigo rolled gracefully with the throw, getting up again and running at Indi. Neither of them was going to let up, it seemed.

Indi had enhanced strength due to his chemical poisoned body, Indigo would heal from wounds and was filled with neverending flames. Both were cunning fighters, having spent entire lifetimes fighting, running, learning. One a life of piracy, the other a vigilante.

They'd already been at it a while.

Indi threw Indigo hard into a tree, which he expected to end it. He heard a crunch of bones and stood there panting a second, proud of himself. Indigo was taking longer to get up.

There was a long pause.

"Looks like I win, cuz! You put up a good fight though!"

Indigo barely heard him. His ears were ringing, and he could feel his spine heal, crunching back into place.

He stood up slowly, looking over at his doppleganger.

Neither seemed entirely sure if the spar was over, or who won. They stared for a long moment.

Indigo sighed and let himself relax at last stretching and groaning from some slight soreness. "I say we call it a draw." He told Indi. He looked over at the other with a challenging stare, as if warning him that he was done. No more.

Indi sighed and took off his helmet, face still glowing a bit of a freakish purple underneath. It seemed to be going away though. "Sure. But I'd love a rematch some time."

"Whatever." Indigo shrugged, taking off his mask. The cold night air was actually kind of nice on his face. He chuckled. "That felt pretty awesome. I haven't gotten to let loose in so long. I wish you could stay here." He murmured.

Indi frowned. "Yeah, I plan on staying a while, but not forever. Gotta get back to my own universe eventually. Who knows, maybe I'll visit. After all, doesn't seem like you're going anywhere."

Indigo smiled at him. "Nah, I'll be here a while. Feel free to drop in, Indi. It's nice to have a brother."

The Phantom Pirate grinned wildly, walking up and reaching out a hand. "Good fight, cousin Phantom." He said easily. "You fight good for someone so old."

"Experienced." Indigo told him, holding up a finger. "I prefer to think of it as a forced extended lesson in living. And it just gives me more experience."

"You're just trying to avoid the word ancient." Indi laughed cheekily.

Indigo frowned, looking a little downcast. "Yeah. I don't always like thinking about how long I've been under this undead curse." He murmured. "It's torture, you know."

Indi winced. "Oh. Uh... sorry."

There was a momentary awkward pause. Indi coughed. "So... drinks? Your treat?"

"I can't get drunk." Indigo told him flatly. "But sure, why not?"

"Seriously?" Indi laughed, coughing slightly. "You can't- you can't get drunk??"

"Nope. Weird body." Indigo told him. "Doesn't really affect me. Trust me, I've tried. I'm just... weird."

Indi chuckled and slapped his counterpart on the shoulder. "Alright Cuz, let's see just how much it takes to get you sloshed. My treat."

"Do you have... money?" Indigo asked, eyebrow raised.

"Credit and coins!" Indi laughed. "Let's get out of this armor though. Don't want people freaking out."

The two laughed and left their stuff with the Furies again before wandering into town for some drinks at the tavern, the sun rising above the sea.

[sandalwoodandjasmine]

True husband material

Ever since Antoni opened up to Iskandar about his abusive relationship with a guy from the gang he used to run with, the atmosphere between them has changed. Iskandar isn’t sure yet what to make of it. He breathes a little easier now that several things have clicked and he better understands some of his boyfriend’s reticence and tension. It’s not something Iskandar does – or doesn’t do – but memories from the past Antoni still struggles with. He also acts more playful now. He’s constantly cracking jokes, trying to get Iskandar to laugh using that foot-in-mouth humour that is so… well… Antoni.

If that was all, Iskandar couldn’t be happier. But it isn’t. He can see through the jokes, sometimes, see the wariness in Toni’s eyes. It’s as if he tells himself still to watch out. For what, Iskandar can’t fathom. Does he expect Iskandar to bail, to walk out on him, even after he took Antoni’s hands in his, pulled him close and swore that he couldn’t care less about that asshole from his past, that he’s going to protect him from now on? That he’s safe with Iskandar, that his heart is safe? He guesses it’s not that easy, considering that this abuse has haunted Antoni for so long and convinced him that he’s broken. Iskandar sighs. Good thing he can be a patient man; he’s more than willing to bring all his patience to bear on this. Their relationship is worth it.

“Antoni, have you dressed yet?” Iskandar calls out. “Breakfast is about to be ready. You could lay the table?”

“I… have a bit of a situation here…” Toni calls back from the bedroom.

Iskandar turns off the stove and flips the last aloo paratha onto the stack that’s already waiting on a plate. “You have a… a what? What situation are you talking about?” he asks, walking into the bedroom. “Is everything alright?” Iskandar frowns when his eyes take hold of a half-dressed Antoni, clutching a piece of scarlet fabric to his face. It takes Iskandar a moment to realise that piece of fabric is one of his kurtas.

“This… fabric… it’s so wonderful… and soft… I can’t put it down,” Antoni states, rubbing the kurta against his cheek.

“What are you doing with my kurta?”

Antoni closes his eyes and smells the fabric, sighing reverently. “That smell! Heavenly. I wonder what makes this fabric so irresistible…”

Iskandar crosses his arms in front of his chest and decides to just watch. There is the definite possibility that his boyfriend is gone bonkers, of course, but on the off chance that he’s not, he’s about to get at something. Iskandar knows there’s a punchline waiting.

“I would say.... it must be… true husband material!” Antoni exclaims joyfully, his eyes sparkling.

Was that a proposal?

One moment, Iskandar was still readying himself for a long, drawn out sigh, the next his mind has gone blank. As if someone had dunked him underwater, Toni’s voice only reaches him as tangle of blurry sounds, though Iskandar knows vaguely that his boyfriend is blabbering on.

So soon… I’m not ready… We’ve not been together that long… you are never going to be ready… abba would laugh at me for being so timid… he’s the one… you know he is…

“YES!” Iskandar blurts out, and stares.

A pair of very confused eyes stare back at him. It’s only slowly, oh so slowly, that Iskandar realizes… that was the punchline, you idiot! Not a proposal. Seething hot embarrassment runs down his neck and scalds his skin. He might die from it… he might… he can’t breathe… he…

Next thing he knows is that Antoni has grabbed him, has pulled him close. His mouth is opening and closing, but Iska can’t make out what he’s saying. Why is his red kurta lying on the ground, crumpled? He wonders. Toni shakes him, and its only now that Iska comes to.

“Will you marry me?” Toni repeats breathlessly.

“W-what?” Iskandar gasps. Nothing seems to make sense anymore.

Toni scrunches up his face. “Urgh, I’m doing this all wrong,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I need to do this properly!”

And suddenly, Toni is on his knees, holding Iskandar’s hands in his, saying: “Iskandar Shepard, will you marry me?” He bites his lower lip. “I don’t have a ring...” he admits bashfully. “But maybe… maybe my dog tags will do? A provisional ring, of sorts…” his voice cracks.

Iska tries to say something, but his voice won’t carry over his boyfriend’s frantic stream of words. Only when Toni fall silent does Iska’s small voice reach him. “Yes.”

“Is that… was that… is that… a… yes?”

Iskandar simply nods in reply. Antoni immediately pulls him into a hug that crushes the air out of Iskandar’s lungs.

“You said yes… you really…” Antoni mumbles in disbelief. After long moments, he pulls back. He quickly wipes the back of his hand over his eyes. “Will you accept my dog tag? I don’t have a ring… I wish I…”

“It’s ok,” Iskandar smiles. He softly squeezes the hand of Antoni which is still clasping his. “We can exchange tags. I’ll also give you one of mine?”

“That’s a good idea,” Antoni sniffs. He fumbles for his tags. As he pulls the chain from around his neck, his movements grow slower, halting. “Y-you know… this is all so sudden… I don’t want to rush you into things… Are you… are you sure?”

“Yes!” Iskandar replies. At last, his voice has the firmness he wishes it had had to begin with.

“Y-you… you can always reconsider, take your time…”

“I don’t need to reconsider, Antoni. I’m sure!”

“But… why would a guy like you… marry a guy like me?” Antoni asks, his voice shaking.

“This… this is about him, isn’t it?” Iskandar tries to search out Antoni’s eyes, but the other man has averted his gaze, dropped his head. Iskandar’s hand goes to Toni’s chin, lifts it up with soft force. “It is, isn’t it?”

A look of agony glimmers up in the other man’s face. His body has tensed up, ready to go into flight mode.

I will bring all my patience to bear on this man. He’s the one. I’m sure.

“You say you are broken,” Iskandar murmurs softly, caressing Toni’s arm with his fingers. “But I don’t see a broken human being in front of me. What I see is the most wonderful guy, the man…,” he smiles warmly, “The man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“You’re really sure, aren’t you?” Antoni croaks.

“I am.” In a swift movement, Iskandar pulls Antoni in so that their noses are touching, their lips only inches apart. “Antoni Valenza, will you marry me?”

“Yes…” Antoni squeaks.

Iskandar chuckles. Antoni sounds a lot like Iskandar himself did just moments ago. Then he crosses the last few inches between their lips, putting a seal on it with a kiss.

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

Toni holds Iska's hand. A small little smile curls his lips. He has every reason to feel content. Iskandar had said yes to being engaged and he, in turn, had also said yes when asked. The urge to ask had come barreling out of him before he realized exactly just how serious he was. The joke hadn't even been a joke. It had been a secret desire worming its way out of him in the only way he knew how to deal with immensity of his emotions. He'd forgotten how to turn that part of himself off. But the moment, Iskandar said yes, Toni couldn't deny his own feelings anymore and the dream he longed for his entire life to this point became a reality.

He could be fully with Iskandar now. Real. Unfiltered. No guards, no walls. Since they'd been in a relationship, he knew that was a possibility but it was always a matter of when. When could he talk about the pains? The dreams? The irrational fears? When would he be able to talk about those things? He constantly fought the urges to sweep it under the rug and pretend the whole mess didnt exist. And he knew that wasn't fair to Iska. Finally, the time to talk about it had neared and he found himself simmering at the seams, wanting to explain it all but still scared to what admitting the damage existed would incur. Having to admit that some asshole ex-boyfriend had contributed to an overwhelming sense of worthlessness in others eyes was the hardest thing he'd faced in himself. He had always feared what crumbling would mean, that he'd be a wreck for days, and no good for his partner. It wasn't Iska's burden to bear, after all, or even his fault. And Toni wanted things to be perfect with him, unmarred by his life in the past, where he's simple to read and understand, where he can be the true self he's always desired. He hadnt taken into account that Iska was asking to help him to bear it. But it's sinking in now. He can have a life where pains are shared, a real true connection with Iska that's rich in bond, trust, affection, compassion... In the end, he hadn't crumbled at all completely but instead found he wanted to build a life with Iska.

Iskandar’s tag hung from his chain, a simple but firm reminder he belonged to someone, with someone that wanted him and didn't see the shadows of his past but the light of a future.

Since the engagement, Toni hadn't wanted to relinquish Iska's hand; he kept rolling his thumb over the knuckles of the hand in his, thinking not so idly, musing over how lucky he is, how in love he is. He turns on his side to cradle Iskandar, gingerly touching the naked shoulder just beneath the edge of the blanket, and nuzzles thick dark hair with his nose and mouth to take in a healthy scent of sandalwood. Iskandar, in his drowsy state of sleep, only cuddles closer. Toni settles an arm around his ribs, runs his fingers against the curve of his spine, soaking in the warmth between them, the solid form of Iska's body against his own.

When morning comes, he promises to be more open about his feelings and thoughts, that he will explain everything he can explain. Iskandar deserves to know the Toni before Rees, the kid he was and still longs to be more like, without all the hiding behind the constant urge to joke and deflect. It's a new day and it's time to finally let his guard down. With Iska, he now knows this is possible. Love makes its possible.

[unforgettaeble]

Owe Me

this is a little thing I came up with for a writing exchange! I was supposed to have posted this the 26th but my computer decided to be a dick and shut down before i could save it ;-; also i didnt edit it or send it to my editor so this is a shit way to say goodbye, sorry guys

Pairing: Jimin x reader x Jungkook

Genre: Smut

The bass backbeat of yet another pop song traveled through the ground into the soles of your worn reebok and made your feet all tingly. Not that you minded, you enjoyed feeling the music running through your body, mixing with the rushing blood as it surfaced on your cheeks. 

You walked, weaving through the writhing bodies and waving at hello’s thrown your way, toward the kitchen where you knew all the drinks were. Upon entering the once pristine room, your eyes immediately find a pair of coldly amused brown ones. Jungkook. With a mental mini peptalk you smile and approach him, grabbing a bottle of beer on the way.

“Great party, Kook. Thanks for inviting me,” you say, watching him lean in closer than necessary to hear you over the din of the party.

He smirks and says, “yeah, I know. You look really hot tonight by the way.”

His eyes rake over your body, taking in the short hem of your tulle skirt, dragging up to the deep v of your cold shoulder blouse before stopping at your mouth. You roll your eyes at your behavior but still feel the faint stirrings of lust–who wouldn’t when Jeon Jungkook was eye fucking you in such a depraved way? And the man–well, boy really–in front of you was the reason you’d agreed to come after a lot of deliberation. Okay, that was a lie. He was only one of two reasons, the other had yet to make an appearance.

You glanced around the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of the cotton candy haired man that had lately taken up more of your thoughts, often ‘battling it out’ for space amongst the thoughts of Jungkook. A flash of pink makes you start but you soon realize it’s just some girls scarf and you take a swig of beer to try and hide your disappointment.

Jungkook notices anyway.

“I invited him, but I don’t know if he’ll show,” he smirks while continuing, watching you shrink with each word, “you were looking for Jimin weren’t you?”

“No, I…” your protest dies off as he gives you a smug, knowing look. “Okay, fine I was looking for him. You said you invited him?”

He nods. “Why so interested in him all of a sudden? A week ago you weren’t so gung ho about the guy.”

In lieu of an answer you chugged your beer, the amber liquid rushing down your throat uncomfortably fast. You sputtered and choked, coughing as soon as your mouth was empty. Jungkook slapped your back, trying to help you out but ultimately making it worse.

You turned to look at him but that proved to be the wrong move–the room began spinning. All this from one beer? I knew I should’ve eaten something, I’m such a lightweight jesus christ.

The man beside looked at you sideways, his face showing the same question you’d just thought. You glared at him, blaming him mentally for this whole thing when he nervously licked his lips. Like a shark to blood your eyes were drawn to the movement and your own tongue mimicked his. Your head spun and deep down you knew this was a bad idea yet you found yourself moving forward and pressing your lips against his slightly damp ones.

If you had just glanced over his shoulder you would have seen a certain bubblegum haired man standing there in shock, fists clenched before he took off to god knew where.

Before Jungkook had a chance to respond you pulled away, blushing furiously. He looked surprised at what had just transpired but that quickly morphed to a cocky grin.

“Wow, Y/n. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Oh shut up, Kook.”

“So, how sober do you think you are right now?”

You stood there, flabbergasted at his blunt question.

“What? You’re hot, you clearly think I’m hot,” he gestured at himself, sweeping his hands up and down, “how could you not, look at me. But all that aside I don’t like the idea of taking advantage of anyone.”

His moral compass was a little off, but at least he didn’t go after those who would yes to anything. It didn’t hurt that he was hot as hell.So with very little hesitation on your end, you walked over to the large kitchen island and grabbed a water bottle.

***

Jungkook led you up the stairs, your clammy hand in his. He walked naturally, no hint of nervousness showing on his perfectly sculpted face as if he’d done this hundreds of times before–which, knowing Jungkook he had–but you on the other hand, that was a different story altogether.

Your thoughts were warring with each other, one half almost too excited at the thought of feeling his body against yours and the other half lamenting it wasn’t Jimin and arguing for you to find an excuse and high tail it out of there.

It wasn’t hard to see which side was going to win.

Maybe I should pretend that I’m gonna puke. I did drink that beer.

Shit too late.

Once on the second floor, Jungkook pulled you into the first room on the left. It was nice, royal blue paint adorned the walls with an eggshell carpet tickling the sides of your feet. The walls were bare, a bed and nightstand set the only furniture. Jungkook walked around to face you, his smell wafting over you, it was a nice smell–a bit of manly musk mixed with what you assumed to be his body wash. You met his eyes and caught a glimpse of the glance he threw behind you, and looking back you saw nothing but a door slightly ajar.

“Is that a bathroom?” you asked before turning back to him. He nodded before stepping towards you.

The nervousness you’d felt climbing those stairs increased tenfold with his proximity and it must have shown on your face because he placed his hands on your face, moving it upward to look at him.

“Relax, Y/n.”

And you did.

His lips met yours just as briefly as they had earlier, giving you time to reassess if you really wanted to do this which you tested by biting and tugging on his lower lip. He gave a slight moan but that was all you needed. Your hands fisted around his shirt and pulled him into you, teeth clattering against each other messily before your lips began moving. You quickly found your rhythm, his tongue darting out to test you, darting in to learn the shape of your mouth when you accepted his request.

His hands drifted down from your face, slid down your torso and gripped your hips hard, his thumbs playing with the hem of your shirt before sliding under the fabric. You shivered, trying not to fidget in his arms–it fucking tickled. Still, you couldn’t help the giggle that escaped you.

“Y’know, it’s not usually a good sign when a girl starts laughing while you’re making out with her,” he murmured against your mouth before moving down your jaw with wet kisses.

You shivered under his touch, your skin becoming heated as your blood rushed through your veins, pounding in your ears. His fingers dug lower into your waistband now, inching their way to where the zipper was and pulled it down, the growling of metal against metal sounding much louder in the quiet room. Your fingers began their own exploration, feeling his biceps before sliding down the flat pane of his abdomen and bunching the fabric as you pushed it up to better feel him.

You groaned low in your throat as you felt his smooth skin, brushing over a nipple. When you heard his sharp inhale you went back, lightly pinching it. He groaned low in his throat and pushed your skirt down, the fabric falling in a pool around your feet. His mouth slid back up your neck to your lips, claiming them in a heated kiss as he pushed you back to the bed. Your legs hit the edge and you fell down, bouncing a bit.

Jungkook leaned down on the floor, hooking his hands around your knees and bringing you closer to him before placing his hands on your lacy boyshorts and pulling those down–leaving you completely exposed to him. He had a hungry look in his eyes and that drove you mad so you wiggled your hips and whined, asking him to hurry up.

He looked up at you for a moment, cocky grin out in full force. “Eager to feel my tongue on that gorgeous little pussy of yours aren’t you?”

His words did nothing to quieten your thirst, if anything it made it worse so all you did was nod. He threw one of your thighs over his shoulder and dove in, tongue circling your clit. You cried out at the sensation, never having been on the receiving end of oral. He moved away and licked a stripe up your slit, dipping into your entrance for a moment before his mouth latched onto your clit. He sucked it into your mouth and your back arched as if you were possessed, your mouth open in a soundless scream.

He took a finger and teased your opening before dipping in up to his first knuckle, thrusting shallowly. Heat crawled up your body, setting your skin on fire. You gripped the bedsheets, pulling on them as his tongue flicked over your clit, his teeth gently making an appearance and biting you. Sooner than you expected, you began feeling the telltale signs of an approaching orgasm. Jungkook dipped his finger in deeper, adding another and curling them into a “come hither” motion, brushing against a spot you hadn’t known existed.

You cried out his name as the tight band around you snapped, throwing your body into pleasurable chaos. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over you, leaving you weak. Jungkook helped you ride out the high with his fingers, thrusting as shallowly as he had in the beginning. Soon it became too much and you had to push him away. You opened your mouth to ask him to strip, wanting to reciprocate when a crash was heard downstairs.

“Shit.”

Jungkook stood up, looked at the door and back at your sleepy face and back again. You motioned for him to go and check. He bent down to kiss your forehead and whispered, “hope I don’t take too long. Find yourself something to do while I’m gone, okay?”

You nodded and he left to take care of the troublemaker.

***

You lay on the bed, a little drowsy but satisfied. A smirk danced on your lips as you thought of the way Jungkook had come undone underneath you, which quickly dropped as you heard a creak. Sitting up on your elbows you looked to see the bathroom door sliding open and Jimin stepping out. Your mouth dropped and you sat there looking like a moron as he stepped closer and sat at the foot of the bed.

How long has he been there? Holyfuckingshit he saw the whole thing, he hates me now, he sat down to try and talk me out of a mutually beneficial relationship with Jungkook–wait would it actually be mutually beneficial? I never got to give him a blowjob. Wait, that’s not the problem right now genius. Did I ruin any chances I had with Jimin? You despaired as the last thought took over practically burning down all the little pockets of hope in your mind.

“I have to tell you something, Y/n. I lo-like you, I like you,” he said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, doing his best to avoid your eyes.

What.

“I’ve had the biggest crush on you pretty much since the beginning of the year. It isn’t entirely superficial, I mean you’re beautiful don’t get me wrong but–,” his words stopped like a closing faucet, your finger atop his pillowy lips. He raised his eyebrows at you but wisely remained quiet.

“I like you too, Jimin. I know right now I’m not in the best position to be saying that, but there it is. Make of it what you will.”

You moved your hand but didn’t get very far, his warm hand enveloped yours in a tight grip, squeezing when he voiced his questions.

“Really? You like me? What was that whole thing with Jungkook then?” he asked you, genuine curiosity lacing his voice. That and disbelief.

You shrugged, expecting the question but not exactly knowing how to answer, “well I guess it just boils down to him being there in that moment. I only came to the party to find you, to maybe finally confess, it’s cheesy as–”

This time it was your words that were cut off, by something much more pleasant than a finger. Jimin’s lips lay against your own, softer than you could have ever imagined. Slowly, ever so slowly he began moving, coaxing a kiss out of you through your shock-dazed mind. His free hand moved to your collarbone, tracing the bone at a snail’s pace before dancing on the edge of your shirt at your shoulder.

The sounds of two shy mouths meeting each other in a ritual as old as time itself filled the air, little gasps punctuating them as he moved his finger downward to trace the swell of your breast. He pulled away from you and stilled his finger, taking a couple of breaths before asking you, “can I touch you, please?” 

“Touch me all over, Jimin.”

He groaned and fell into you, mouth eagerly searching yours out, swallowing the moan that escaped you when he began kneading your breast, palm brushing against a hardening nipple. His other hand dropped yours and gripped the hem of your shirt, pulling it up. When he reached bare skin instead of a bra, he whined and that sound shot straight to your core. You pulled away from him long enough to get the shirt over your head but froze mid-action when you felt him tentatively lick a hardened nipple.

“Do that again, Jimin please.”

Spurred on by the sound of your begging he licked the nipple with the flat of his tongue, pushing you back with hand as he did so. Flat on the bed once again, you noticed he was still clothed.

This won’t do.

Frantically, as if the fate of humanity rested on this one boy being naked, you began pulling at his clothes, sighing  when he seemed to get it. He gripped the shirt and pulled it over his head, the stretch giving you a good look at him. He was toned, not ripped as Jungkook was but that was alright with you, toned men were your preference. 

He locked eyes with you as he continued stripping, all shyness gone in the face of lust. His eyes held all sorts of promises and all you could do was watch as he revealed inch after glorious inch of skin, rubbing your thighs together when the ache became unbearable. Denim was tugged down, catching on those thighs you’d dreamed about, the thought of finally getting to ride them almost too much. His boxer briefs came down next, his dick slapping his lower stomach as it was freed from the confines of his underwear. Your mouth watered at the sight, his length thick and with a vein running underneath it, the head looking red and angry, weeping precum from the slip on top.

Jimin bent down to grab his pants again and retrieved a condom from the front pocket. You cocked an eyebrow at that.

“Don’t look at me like that, I got it from the bathroom,” he explained before setting the packet next to you on the bed.

He climbed onto the bed, coming to a rest between your legs. His hands gripped your thighs and spread them as he leaned down to look at your glistening lips, unknowingly licking his own. His hand slid up and paused inches away from where you needed him the most. 

“Jimin, come onn,” you whined. “I need you.”

He moaned at your words, and moved his hand closer, putting his index finger atop the sensitive bundle of nerves. You jumped at the contact, his slow movements a stark contrast with how Jungkook had been moments before. He circled your clit before moving down to dip into your entrance, testing how wet you were. He stopped and seemed to think for a moment before dropping down and licking you, parting your lips with his broad tongue. He moaned and did it again.

“Fuck, Y/n you taste so good,” he whined, and a blush spread across your cheeks at his words.

“I have to have you right now.”

Giving you no time to process what he said, he grabbed the foil packet and ripped it with his teeth. He rolled the condom and in less than ten seconds he was lined up at your entrance. He teased you for a moment, barely dipping in only to draw back out.

“Jimin if you don’t fuck me right now I’ll fucking kill you,” you whispered, frustrated with his teasing. 

He nodded and gripped your hips, thrusting into you in one go.You moaned in unison at the feeling, his dick filling every inch of you. Slowly, he pulled back out until only his head was left before he thrust back in. He quickly established a rhythm, fucking you as deeply and quickly as he possibly could, though he knew he wasn’t going to last long. He placed one of your legs over his shoulder and he bent down, taking the leg with him. With this new angle he hit you in that spot Jungkook had shown you earlier and you threw your head back, crying out Jimin’s name.

“I’m not going to last long, Y/n. But I want you to come all over my cock first, I want to feel your tight little cunt squeezing me until I can’t take it anymore and come. Do you think you can do that, Y/n?” he grunted out, the effort from holding his own high back coloring his voice.

You moaned at his words, only a little surprised he was dirty talking you. The knot in your lower stomach grew tighter, seconds away from unraveling.Jimin moved his hand and began teasing your clit, circling it lightly with a finger. He added more pressure with each pass of his finger and it was all you could do to not scream as you felt yourself standing on the precipice of your high. With one final push you fell over, muttering Jimin’s name over and over.

He grunted as he felt your walls clamping down on him, and began thrusting sloppily as his own high consumed him. He moaned your name as he filled the condom with his cum, collapsing next to you on the bed. The room was silent save for your exhausted pants and rustling as Jimin took the condom off and left to go dispose of it in the bathroom. You watched him leave and idly wondered how long it took for his butt to look that nice, you could use some pointers.

The two of you snuggled on the bed, sleepiness setting in, not knowing that someone was standing right outside the door.

Jungkook stood in the hall, eyeing the bedroom door with more than a little hostility.

“You owe me one, Park.”

@btsbound sorry I forgot to tag you ;-;

[that-buckley-gal]

Powerless - Chapter Six

June 22, 1943

When I woke up in the morning, sunlight was poking through the otherwise thin curtains. I was grateful that I wasn’t fully exposed to the sun this time. I yawn and stretch and kick my blankets to the floor, instantly regretting it as the cool apartment air gave me a sudden chill. Moaning softly as I shivered, I curled up into a ball and rolled over to my side. My eyes focus on the clock staring back at me, showing that the time was 8:04 AM.

“It’s not like me to sleep in,” I told the clock, my voice thick with sleep. “But I did have a rough night, right? Oh what do you know? You’re just a clock.” I doze off again only to wake up six minutes later, this time more alert. I need to get up. Steve’s coming home and the place is a mess. Add to the fact that I haven’t worked in nearly a week, I felt like a wreck. Cleaning made it easier. I dipped into the bathroom for a moment to make myself look decent; house chore clothes and hair pinned back. I wandered back to the kitchen and began tossing out random items that looked like garbage.

 Time obviously flew by as the apartment got tidier and started to smell fresher. Before I knew it, it was already nearing four in the afternoon when I decided I’d take a break. All I had to do was the bedrooms, and Steve’s would just need to be aired out after being left alone for almost a week. I think I should’ve cleaned his sheets or something. Then I decide I should wash them. I get up and enter the room, heading straight for the window for two reasons. The first was to open the one, large window that was in there. The second was to see if old, grouchy Mrs. Craw was putting her stuff on the line in the back; she was. Cursing silently to myself, I move and grab Steve’s blankets and raise them up and shake them a few times and repeating the action with his pillow. I then remake the bed as neatly as I could before moving back out to grab the broom and start sweeping up any and all dust that has collected over the week, not that there was a whole lot to start with. As the dust was collected and promptly thrown into the over-filled garbage can, I set to work scrubbing the place. I supposed that if I was in this position around this time last year and Steve and Bucky walked in, they’d correctly assume that I was ridding myself of the dark place. It wasn’t something I was even remotely fond of, as I knew that the darkness looming over me made me an emotional time bomb. One moment I’d feel perfectly fine alone then I’d feel lonely. If Bucky or Steve showed up, I would become immediately irate with them and they would leave, making me feel lonely once more. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I’d be either really glum about everything, or I’d be really excited for everything: there was no in between. When I was really off, I’d get really hot and bothered just at the thought of Bucky, but I never acted on those impulse instincts, instead berating him for being too handsome and would lock myself away until I was either glum or excited again, pushing away the thoughts of my unwanted thoughts. Cleaning usually helped to ward off the darkness, but not always. It’s still here now, I can feel the moodiness creeping up on me, but I continue to do my work in silence, myself being the only companion at the moment. If Steve wasn’t coming home today, then I knew I’d be calling on my girls to be with me, even if just for an hour. My boys were at war, this they knew, and I was alone. I just plopped back down onto the couch when the apartment door creaked open. I turn to the sound, painfully aware that I am weaponless and exposed. My relief is instant when I catch sight of Steve…or who I believed Steve to be. “Steve?” I ask in disbelief. “Hey, Mads,” he said. His voice was the same. Eyes, facial structure, basically everything was the same. The only painfully obvious differences were in height and build. He was huge! It worked I thought idly as my eyes took in the new appearance as I slowly approached him. He didn’t move as I approached and I briefly wondered why before I realized he might’ve realized I was cleaning. But that shouldn’t automatically cause him to think that I was in the dark – even though I was – for all he knew I could’ve been cleaning as a way of saying “yes I can live alone if I really needed to” and in this case I did. I kept the place from burning down. The same couldn’t be said for Bucky’s apartment. I should probably go check on that later. “I met Peggy,” I announce as I back away. Hugs were going to be reserved for another time when I was sure he wouldn’t crush me. I could see Steve’s brows furrow as he thinks back as to when, why, and how Peggy came to see me. Questions he’d have to find the answers for out on his own later. “And I really like her. She’s pretty, tough…English. I think you two would be really good together.” I take a breath and smirk at my brother. “Not as good as Buck and I, obviously, but a close second for sure.” Steve laughed that deep, genuine laugh of his, and I knew that he was my brother still on the inside. It was exactly like Dr. Erskine said: his good qualities were now great. And his new physique would allow him to go overseas and fight for good like he always wanted to and I was happy for him.

 Steve and I spent the night talking about his changes, and I let him know that Peggy spilled the beans about Project Rebirth, which worried and relieved Steve. He also let slip the fact that Dr. Erskine was killed yesterday by a man who Steve gave chase to. “His last words were ‘Hail Hydra’,” Steve explained. “Hydra?” I asked. “Well, that’s original.” “You think so?” Steve asked. “I think that’s dangerous.” He didn’t speak as he finished off the last of his food. I’d finished my own plate a while ago. “You should ask about getting paid for being a test subject,” I said. “Especially now that you’ve torn through everything that was in the fridge.” Steve gave me an impish look before his face fell. “Have you checked out Bucky’s place at all?” “It’s too painful,” I said in a dejected voice. I snuck a glance at Steve to see he looked at the table, lips pursed in thought. “I miss him.” “I know. I do, too.”

 We fell into a brief silence before Steve perked up.

 “Did you ever get your present from my closet?”

 “Um,” I honestly forgot about his note. “No? I’m sorry, this past week has been insane.”

 “Understandable,” Steve smiled. “Wait here.” He took off towards his room and I sighed. He returned as quickly as he went, holding a box wrapped in navy wrapping paper with a opal white bow. “Here ye be, happy belated birthday.”

 “Thank you,” I said accepting the gift. I practically tore the paper to shreds, revealing the cardboard box underneath. I opened it to find a letter with my name on it, a slightly larger envelope beside it, a small box, and an even smaller velvet box inside. I opted for the velvet box first and opened it to reveal a silver heart-shaped locket.

 “Oh, this is beautiful, Steve,” I said and opened it. I could feel my eyes get misty when I saw a picture of my mom holding me when I was a baby on one side, and a picture of her, Steve and myself on the other. “Wow.” I closed it and inspected the locket closer to see there was some kind of symbol engraved on the back of it. “What does this mean?”

 “I don’t know; mom wanted to give you the necklace and the letter on your twentieth birthday.”

 “Then why…” I didn’t need to finish. Steve didn’t think he was going to come back. “Well thank you, I guess.” I took the letter from mom and went to open it, but stopped. “I’m going to wait to open this.”

 “Are you sure?” Steve asked. I could tell he wanted to know what it said as well and I nodded.

 I took the other small box out next and opened it to find a grey and red scarf with matching beanie and gloves in it. “Wow, Steve. Thank you!” I laughed and put the gloves on right away to see they fit perfectly. I also draped the scarf around me. “This is great; exactly what I need for the winter.”

 Steve smiled. “Well I know you weren’t too happy when you found out me and Buck lost your other set on that snowman. I figured it’s better late than never to replace that.”

 “You are simplifying it, brother. But thank you.”

 I opened the card next to find a handmade card from Steve, with $25 inside. I tried to give it back to Steve, insisting he earned it but he said it was for me and that he wouldn’t take it back, so I begrudgingly put it in my purse. I thanked my brother with a final hug before retreating to my room for the night, with the letter from my mother weighing me down.

[lesbian-peanuts]

Birthday gift for you!

Ok so… it’s your birthday! So I thought I should make you something. I’m the writing anon (yeah I know) and I decided to finish the story. I hope you like it. 😊

I put this under a read more cause it is kinda long but I love it!! Thank you so much @shellpunchyouintheface !! It’s amazing!!

The queen hurries down the road. I will go back to the castle, she thinks, and command a mission to destroy the monster once and for all. Around mid day, the queen stops by a small stream to refill her satchel of water. Then, it happens. Suddenly, the queen feels someone grab her from behind. Her first instinct is to scream but large rough hands have already covered her mouth. She struggles violently, but to no avail. In an instant she is caught and bound and thrown roughly to the ground. She looks up at her captor. Three men stand in front of her, all of them sporting swords and crooked grins. The tallest man spits at her. “Looks like that wasn’t too hard, Ballor, now all we need to do is take her to the cave.” The dark haired man shakes his head. “That’s going to be tricky you know. It’s going to want to follow her, but it must follow us.” “Yes, our king will be proud. No longer will scum like this take over our lands. We’ll be free from her control and instead she’ll be under ours.” All three men laugh and the queen struggles with her bonds. The men sling her over the back of one of their horses and take off through the forests. The trees whip against the queen’s face and arms until blood drips down from her fingers. Tears leak from her eyes, but she can do nothing. She is helpless.

That night, the men stop and shove her to the ground while they make a fire and begin to cook dinner. Lynzii is barely awake. She reaches up to touch her head and comes away with her hands sticky with red blood. She cringes as her mind spins. I have to get out of here. She thinks, whatever they have planned, it can’t be good. Just as darkness blankets the world, a blazing light shoots across the tree tops. The men scream and run into the forest. Lynzii looks about in a daze. I should go she thinks through the fog around her mind. Move. She tells herself but she stays still. A dark shadow falls over her and the rush of wings fills the air. The queen looks up and meets the eyes of a dragon. A dragon she thinks deliriously. There’s a dragon. She feels rough claws wrap around her body and feels the earth fall away beneath her. I’m flying she thinks dazedly as her eyes close and her world falls into darkness.

The queen wakes up to a sharp gust of wind against her face. Slowly, her eyes open and her heart drops within her. She is lying on the edge of a precipice inches away from falling thousands of feet and being skewered in the sharp rocks below. Her breath rushes through her body as her heart pounds in her chest. Carefully, she rolls to her other and looks into the face of a dragon. A scream rips through her body as she stares at it, defenseless. The dragons orange eyes look at her placidly. ‘Young child’ murmurs a voice in the very heart of her mind. It is almost as if it comes from her, but it is not her voice. The queen bites her lip. “What are you doing?” She shouts as a gust of wind whips her hair across her face. The voice in her head laughs. It is a rich deep laugh that rumbles the very core of her being. ‘I am only showing you who you are.’ “I am the queen. You killed my father. Why did you kill him?” Tears run down the queen’s face as the wind freezes her eyes. The dragons eyes bore into her. ‘Open your mind.’ The voice says softly. The queen feels something move within her. Pictures sweep across her eyes of places she’s never seen. “No!” She shouts struggling against the power. ‘It won’t hurt you. Open your mind.’ For a moment she stands in indecision. Then, she lets herself go and be tamed by the voice inside her. Images flash through her mind creating a whirlwind of color until they stop and only one picture is left. Slowly, it comes into focus.

It is a bright summer day. The sky is clear and the only clouds in the sky are streaks of white down. Everything looks beautiful and peaceful until she turns her head and looks behind her. A dark cave lies nearby, it’s gaping entrance yawning at the sunshine. The queen feels herself drifting towards the cave as if pulled by an unseen force. She is pulled into the darkness and she blinks as her eyes adjust to the flickering red light illuminating the walls of the cave. Torches line the walls and tall guards stand like statues in the entrance. The queen’s heart quickens but they don’t seem to see her as she floats past them and into a maze of passageways. She is pulled through endless tunnels until she reaches an open atrium. The queen can almost feel the weight of the earth pressing against the hard stone that lines the cavern and feels her breath become stale in the dank air. The room is well lit with a roaring fire that sends red light dancing across the walls. A tall woman stands in the corner leering over a captive chained to the wall. The captive appears to be a young figure who is covered in grime and dried blood. The figures head in completely shorn of hair and the hands are curled tightly in front of them in a plea for deliverance. The woman only snarls at the poor creature on the floor. “Will you do it, girl?” Mutely the girl on the floor raises her head from her hands and looks at the woman. Her piercing blue eyes swirl with pain and loss. She slowly shakes her head. “Very well then.” The woman walks to the fire and pulls a long metal rod from the flames. The tip writhes with an orange light. Deftly, the woman marches towards the girl. She raises the rod and drags the tip across her arms. The girl screams as the metal sizzles against her skin. Howling with hopelessness and pain. “Please no. Please. Stop!” She screams and screams but the woman does not stop until she has dragged the metal down her entire arm and seared the girl’s hand. “Now tell me, will you send your dragon out to kill the king and obliterate his lands?” The girl is shaking her mouth open in a silent scream. “Tell me.” Slowly the girl nods and the woman bursts into laughter that echoes through the chamber and reaches the ears of the queen standing in the entrance. Tears are falling silently from her eyes as she watches, her heart sobbing within her. The woman grins. “The dragon has been sent. The king is dead.” She kicks the girl on the floor and strides past the queen down the hall. The girl collapses on the ground, one hand scraping feebly against the stones.

The queen feels the wind rush against her and she looks into the eyes of the dragon. Tears slip down her cheeks and she scrubs them away with the back of her hand. “What was that?” She shouts above the wind. The voice in her head gives a low mournful sigh. ‘A dragon must do what his dragon lord tells him. I am bound to my master and when she was forced to give me an order that she did not wish to give me, I had no choice but to obey.’ “So you didn’t want to kill my father?” ‘No. I didnt want to and neither did my master but she was forced to give me the order.’ The world spins around the queen. Dragons were not necessarily bad… that is if she can trust this dragon. She believes she can since he has not killed her yet and saved her life. But if the dragon hadn’t meant to kill the king then who had been conspiring against the kingdom? “Who were those people?” ‘They are the last remnant of the warring people who were conquered years ago by your ancestors. They dabble in the darkest of magic and long to get revenge for the death of their old king. They are called the Urukhi.’ “Were the men who captured me from them?” ‘I believe so.’ “But then why didn’t they kill me?” The voice gave a long breath. ‘Because you are a dragon lord.’ The queen grips the ground. “What?” ‘Long ago there was a legend that foretold the coming of a dragon lord from the line of the kings. A few years ago, the Urukhi found a cave deep within the mountains. In the cave they found the last dragon egg. The legend foretold that this royal dragon lord would be the master of this dragon. They need you, the royal dragon lord, to call this dragon from the egg so that they can take over the land.’ Lynzii stares at the dragon in shock. Her mind spins. This can’t be true. She a dragon lord? “I can’t possibly be a dragon lord.” The voice inside her rumbles with laughter. ‘How do you think you can feel my voice and my memories? For my memories are tied with my dragon lord but only another dragon lord can see them.’ The queen breathes deeply trying to calm herself. “Then Elyan is a dragon lord too.” The dragon smiles. Or at least the queen feels as if the voice inside her is smiling as the voice speaks. ‘Yes. She is my master. She found me when she was a young child in the forest where she grew up.’ The queen shakes her head. “It’s too much.” ‘Yes. It is a lot. But it is not too much. I think you always knew you had a connection to dragons. Even when you tried to kill me.’ Tears filled lynzii’s eyes as she thinks of the cold calculates way that she plotted the murder of the dragon in front of her. “I’m sorry” she whispers and the dragon knows she is. The queen reaches up to touch her forehead and pulls away in confusion. The dried blood she had felt before is gone. She looks up at the dragon. “Thank you,” she murmurs.

Later that day, the dragon carries the queen back to Elyan’s house. Elyan is standing in the doorway a smile playing on her lips. Lynzii’s heart does a somersault as she looks at her brilliant blue eyes. “So, you’re a dragon lord too,” Elyan says with a smile. The queen shakes her head. “I can’t believe it.” “I can.” She grins. The queen sighs. “Look. I’m sorry. I have no excuse. I tried to kill your dragon. I’m sorry.” Elyan sighs. “I was angry. But I understand now. You only did what you thought you had too. I know it’s hard to give up on something you’ve hoped and vowed to do your whole life. I forgive you.” A weight lifts off the queen’s shoulders and she smiles. “Thank you,” She whispers.

That night the two of them sit outside with the dragon. Elyan leans against the dragons side, resting her head against his scales. “We have to get the egg before the Urukhi take it. They know you’re free and that you’ll be drawn to the egg. So, we don’t have much time before they move it and steal it away perhaps forever.” The queen shivers at the thought of Elyans words. They both hear the dragon murmur his agreement. “Then we must leave tomorrow morning as soon as the sun rises.” The queen says resolutely. Elyan smiles softly at her. “No. We can’t let anyone see the dragon in broad daylight. I thought we’d leave in a couple hours after you get a little rest.” The queen nods. “That would be nice.” She suddenly feels the ache of sleep enfolding her bones and she sighs. ‘Sleep then,’ murmurs the dragon. And so, the queen curls up next to Elyan and lets the weight of sleep pull down her eyelids.

The queen is jostled awake by Elyan a few hours later. The dark cloak of night has covered the world and the sky is crushed with stars. She breathes in the fresh air of the night and sighs with contentment. “Hurry,” Elyan whispers. “We have to go.” The queen groans softly then shakes the sleep from her head. Elyan closes her eyes and calls softly to the dragon. A dark shadow soars over the trees to meet them in the shadowy field. Elyan helps the queen onto the back of the dragon behind her and the two of them sit wedged between the dragons neck and wing joint. The queen wraps her arms around Elyans waist and feels her heart race as the dragon catches the wind and soars into the air.

Riding the dragon is actually not as horrible as Lynzii had anticipated. Of course it helps that she’s clinging to Elyan in front of her who is grinning into the wind her hair flying out behind her, but really, the ride is quite comfortable. They race across the stars, only a fleeting shadow against the ebony sky. The flight slowly soothes the queen into a hazy resting point in between sleep and awake. She leans against Elyan barely noticing the sky begin to lighten to grey. A rosy pink hue streaks across the morning sky as if an invisible paint brush was creating a masterpiece along the horizon. As the birds begin to sing their newest compositions, the dragon slowly spirals down to the ground. He shakes the two sleeping girls off his back and they tumble to the ground. Elyan laughs and Lynzii smiles. They look around themselves at the clearing in the forest and see the dark opening of a small cave opening towards the clearing. Elyan shivers and Lynzii touches her shoulder lightly. “You can do this. I’m here.” Elyan turns to face her sighing. “I’m sorry. It’s just…” Elyan falters as images of her torture in the cave with the Urukhi flood across her eyes. She grips Lynzii’s hand. Her brilliant blue eyes fill with tears. “They left me alone in the dark with the creatures of the shadows snarling at me for hours. And when they returned it was worse. They…” Elyan shakes her head, a tear sliding down her nose. Slowly she rolls up her sleeve to reveal thick white scars snaking up her arm. She turns away and Lynzii stares at them. Slowly, she slides her finger up the white trail to Elyans shoulder. “This doesn’t define you, Elyan. You are so much more than who they forced you to be. I’m here for you, Elyan. I’m never going to leave you alone.” Elyan turns back towards her, her hand instinctively reaching to cover her scars. She smiles softly. “thank you, Lynzii. We can do this.” Lynzii grabs her hand and together they turn towards the cave.

The cave is dark and the rhythm of water dripping from the ceiling melds with Lynzii’s unsteady heartbeat. Slowly, they venture forward together into the darkness. Suddenly, lynzii feels as if something within her has awoken. She blinks. The darkness stirs with life and light as if the sun had suddenly entered the cave. She feels as if a part of her has suddenly come into being at this very moment. She stops, her heart racing. “What is it?” Lynzii shakes her head. “I don’t know. I feel as if something in me has suddenly come to life.” Elyan smiles in the darkness. “It’s your dragon.” Lynzii blinks. Her dragon. “This way,” she says suddenly and pulls Elyan down as maze of passageways. She doesn’t know how she knows, but she does. Part of her has always known. The passageway leads them into a cavern. In the center of the cavern is something round and glowing nestled on a bed of rocks. Energy like Lynzii has never felt before radiates off the orb and she gasps. “That’s it.” Elyan grins. “We made it!” And then she screams. A cry of agony wrenching from her lungs. Lynzii whirls around. A woman stands behind them. In an instant, lynzii recognizes her as the woman from the dragons memory. She smirks at Lynzii. “You’re too late.” She pulls her sword out from Elyans body and Elyan crumples to the floor, blood gushing onto the ground like spilled red wine. “The egg is mine and so are you.” The woman grins and opens her hands as if to begin a spell. Lynzii screams with rage and fury, with sadness and loss, and everything bubbling beneath the surface. She falls to her knees as something within her snaps. “Kairos!” She screams, the word wrenching from deep within her. The cave rumbles and with a rush of wind a flood of flames shoots past Lynzii and hits the woman in the chest. The woman howls in pain, but it is too late. The fire has taken over. Lynzii looks away as the woman flees down the hall to her death. And then there is silence except the sound of blood dripping on the floor. Lynzii rushes towards Elyan sprawled on the ground. “Elyan,” She cries. But the body is limp in her arms. Her fingers are beginning to cool on the stone floor. “No!” Lynzii cries in a frenzy. Hot tears roll down her cheeks. Her mind spins. The world rushes around her. “No!” The cry rips from her heart. Everything within her is splitting into pieces. She pulls the body of her friend into her arms and sobs into her shoulder. It isn’t fair. She was so young and beautiful. Someone who had tried to understand her enemy. Someone who had gone through so much only to be killed in one blow. One thrust of a sword. It was not the death of a hero. It was an ugly horror that wrenched the soul of the girl who kneels sobbing next to her, remembering how her blue eyes used to shine in the starlight.

Lynzii barely knows how she left the cave. She only knows she lay Elyan at the feet of her dragon and the dragon gave a roar that pierced her soul. Lynzii turned back to her own dragon, a beautiful creature with deep purple scales the color of the sunset before it meets the darkness. The dragon nestled softly in her mind. ‘I’m sorry.’ It whispered within her as if part of her had whispered it to herself. ‘I know,’ she thought back. ‘I know.’

Lynzii goes back to her castle in a few days time. At once, the entire city is in uproar. There is a dragon. The queen has a dragon. And the queen is alive although everyone had presumed her dead days ago. Lynzii doesnt mind the murmuring in the streets about her or the dragon, Kairos. She knows it will end soon enough.

Christmas has arrived and the Christmas ball is to be held that night. Lynzii dresses in a beautiful purple gown that touches the floor hiding her delicate heals. Lynzii smiles at the nobles and the common folk dancing together to the sweet strains of the orchestra. She sighs softly thinking of the girl she loved and lost so quickly and so harshly, wrenching a piece of her heart with her. Suddenly, she feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns and gasps. “May I have this dance, Lynzii?” Lynzii clutches the girl in front of her, her face white. “Elyan,” She gasps finally. “What? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” “You.. you died. I saw you.” Lynzii feels the room spin around her, her ears ringing. “Ah but you don’t know how old I am, do you?” Elyan laughs, “dragon lords are immortal, Lynzii.” “What?” It’s too much. Elyan is alive. Dragon lords are immortal. Lynzii shakes her head. ‘What did you expect?’ Whispers a voice inside her. ‘Shut up,’ she says back. She looks at Elyan. The girl is beaming in a beautiful red dress. Then, she leans forward and pulls the girl into a hug. “Of course, I’ll have this dance,” she murmurs, “that’s what I’m here for.”

The end.