#i was gonna do a lot more but then i began a coughing fit that has not stopped

[t3a-tan]

Silent But Friendly

A what-if story about what would happen if Oliver met borrower James wayyyy before they actually did

---

They are in silence; though not the uncomfortable stuffy kind, rather a very peaceful quietness that surrounded the dinner table. His uncle worked late most weekends, and so that left Oliver and his aunt to eat alone on that Saturday afternoon.

It was macaroni and cheese tonight— one of Oliver's favourites. He even helped in the kitchen to chop the tomatoes and grate the cheese; aunt Charlie was 7 months pregnant after all and he wanted to do his best to help out.

As he finished his portion he placed his knife and fork together on the table before making eye contact with his aunt. She was eating slowly, mostly picking at the food. Her appetite seemed all over the place during the pregnancy; sometimes Oliver saw her eating lots of snacks, and other times he saw her throwing up from the tiniest bite.

He could see in her face that she was full, though she looked determined to finish the remaining bites. Catching his eye contact, she looked up and smiled tiredly. It was a warm and kind smile; like drinking a hot chocolate in front of the fireplace in the winter. Oliver soaked in that warmth whenever it was available, and right now was no different.

“Thanks for your help in the kitchen, love. It tastes brilliant.” She praised, before sighing as she finally set her fork down. She offered a sheepish grin in his direction. “I don't think I can fit any more... D’ja think you could go put the plates in the kitchen, poppet?”

A simple task really. Oliver didn't mind doing any of his chores or extra for his aunt and uncle— not after they had taken him in and been so kind to him. And sure, he missed his parents sometimes, but it felt much more gratifying to complete a task and receive praise rather than constantly fearing punishment as he had before.

Even if he looked at his mum wrong…he could just remember the look on her eyes. It was cold and distant; like being stranded out in a snowstorm, alone and lost. Resentful.

No…he much preferred living with his aunt and uncle, no matter how many times he woke up clutching his pillow and missing the way things used to be.

Oliver nodded silently, standing up and moving all the cutlery onto her plate before stacking her plate onto his own and lifting them both. He brought them closer to his centre so they'd be easier to carry and began walking towards the kitchen only to pause as his aunt spoke up again.

“Oh— and love? Just while you're up, d’ja think you could grab me a drink of water too?”

He turned back towards her, scanning her expression for a moment and seeing that once again there was nothing but geniality in her gaze. He offered a small smile in return and nodded again. She beamed, leaning on her hand as she looked up at him.

“You are a little sweetheart, you know that?” She praised once more. Oliver averted his eyes, though internally he was very pleased by the praise. He once again only nodded in return before entering the kitchen to go put the plates by the sink.

Next, he grabbed a glass from out of the cabinet and opened the tap, first testing it with his finger to make sure it was cold before holding the glass underneath. Once it was sufficiently full he turned the tap off and returned to the table, setting the glass down in front of his aunt.

She watched him enter with a fond gaze.

“Thanks, love.”

Picking up the glass she raised it to her lips and took a few sips before coughing. Oliver's expression turned to one of worry, his lips mouthing the question he wanted to ask although no sound came out. His hands moved too, signing alongside him.

‘Are you okay?’

She saw the gesture and waved a hand dismissively, nodding a few times, though she looked a bit pale still.

“I'm fine… I'm just gonna head to the bathroom, you stay down here, okay?” She stood up slowly, and Oliver could tell just by the slight winced in her expression that she was having a bout of nausea. He shuffled closer to help her up but she gently waved off his help.

“I'm okay, I promise. Why don't you get your comfies on and I'll come in to you later to read the next chapter of Magic Tree House, hm?”

Although more hesitantly than before, Oliver nodded slowly and watched as his aunt walked up the stairs. Once she had disappeared from view he glanced back towards the kitchen.

I don't think she'll be well enough to wash up… I can do it. I'll just leave things to dry since I can't reach the cupboards.

With that thought in mind he re-entered the kitchen and approached the sink, putting some dish liquid in the washing up bowl and starting to fill it up with warm water only to jolt when a sound caught his attention.

It was faint, he hardly heard it thanks to the sound of water on water, but he still heard it. A cry. Oliver turned the tap back off, glancing around and listening for it again.

Nothing.

As he looked around for any sign of what could have made the noise— or god knows it would bother him for the entire evening— he then noticed that the cylindrical tub of oats that sat beside the other cereal was…open. The lid wasn't off all the way, laying balanced and slightly ajar.

Oliver watched it silently for a few moments, wondering how exactly it had ended up that way. He had used the oats last when he ate porridge earlier in the week, so he knew that he had closed it once he was done using it. He even remembered looking at it this morning and never noticed anything off about the lid.

Unable to come up with a plausible theory, he sought to find answers as he approached the countertop the tub of oats was on, tilting his head ever so slightly.

Is it…a mouse..? Unafraid and full of curiosity his hands gripped the base of the tub and he tilted it towards himself to peer in through the opening, the lid clattering onto the counter as he did so. He expected just…oats. Maybe a mouse or a rat.

What he didn't expect was a pair of brown eyes staring up at him through a mop of messy long black hair. There, sprawled out and covered in oat dust, was a tiny boy.

Oliver stared silently— even if he wanted to speak he was at a loss for words, simply gazing down at the boy through his glasses, his mind blanching. He tilted the tub down more just so he could get a better look, listening to the little yelp that escaped the boy as more oats rolled over him.

The walls are much too high…he must have fallen in. He could be hurt.

With that in mind, Oliver smiled reassuringly, holding one of his hands out placatingly as a gesture of goodwill before using that same hand to reach into the tub, his vision now obscured as he blindly grabbed around for the tiny boy. He had held mice before— he imagined it was the same.

His fingers closed around a squirming form and he couldn't help but wince as they did— it was a weird feeling, to hold something so small that was undoubtedly alive. Once he was sure he was holding the boy securely he lifted his hand out of the tub and let it sit upright again as he brought the squirming rescuee to his eye level.

He realised that he had carried some oats with him and saw that the raven haired boy was still struggling away, kicking and fighting and losing energy by the second. Oliver noticed that one of his legs wasn't kicking very well, but it wasn't bleeding. He opened his mouth to ask, only for the words to catch in his throat again.

He knew he could speak, but he didn't like it. Whenever he did speak it was forced and he hated the way his voice made his head and ears feel. His aunt and uncle had promised him that he didn't need to force himself to speak and were teaching him British Sign Language…but he highly doubted this random boy knew it.

None of the kids at school did. None of the teachers. They all got frustrated with him and now Oliver made sure to keep to himself, as much as he wanted to raise his hand more.

Oliver lowered his hand slightly, offering another reassuring smile that was half a grimace at the same time. He waved slowly with his free hand, trying to get the boy to stop panicking so he could attempt communication.

As his other hand raised he caught how the tiny boy's gaze immediately focused on it, going stiff and staring up at him like he was a monster. Oliver didn't let that phase him; so long as he was able to communicate his intentions, he was sure they would calm down.

He kept a gentle smile on his face, moving slowly once he noticed how easily startled they were by his movements. He mouthed his question alongside his gestures, pointing at their leg and then tilting his head as he mouthed ‘is your leg hurt'?

They continued to stare owlishly up at him, trembling. Oliver's smile faltered slightly, concern in his eyes as he repeated the movements and mouthed his question again more emphatically.

“W-why aren't you talking..?”

The tiny boy's voice definitely held fear, but it was also slightly accusatory. Oliver was used to that second part— where people thought he was weird or creepy for not speaking. He was so used to it by now that it wasn't really upsetting, though it was hard to explain without words.

Oliver shrugged and mouthed ‘I don't like talking’. The boy squinted up at him, seemingly trying to figure out what he was trying to communicate.

“You…don't like talking? O-okay…” Oliver was surprised they didn't laugh or call him weird or just ignore him as many others did. That made him smile again as he repeated his previous gestures, still trying to ask about their leg.

“O-oh…my leg..? It's fine..! So…so you can just put me down and I'll go home, yeah?” Oliver heard the hint of uncertainty in their voice and he couldn't help but frown at the thought that they didn't think he would do that in the first place. He quickly realised that his frown could be taken the wrong way though and opted for a more neutral expression.

He lowered his hand again, this time so that it was flat against the counter, nodding his head in one direction as if he was shooing the boy off of his hand with his head alone. ‘Go on. I won't keep you’. He offered another smile for good measure.

The boy didn't move for a few moments, looking around at his fingers warily as if they would snap closed on him like a bear trap. Oliver simply held still, patiently waiting, despite his many questions.

Slowly they began to scoot towards the edge of his palm, and Oliver tried his best not to react to the ticklish sensation. He watched as they fully climbed off his hand and stood up before meeting his gaze again with trepidation.

“You…you're actually letting me go..?”

Oliver nodded, smiling again as he slowly moved his hand away and turned it back over so the palm was facing downwards. He placed his free hand over his heart to indicate sincerity.

They seemed to hesitate still, but took a cautious step back. As they put weight onto one of their ankles though they let out a hiss of pain, losing their balance as they suddenly pulled their weight off of that leg. Instinctively, Oliver's hand reached towards them, cupping as he caught them, looking down at them with concern.

‘You are hurt…’ He mouthed, although it was unreadable due to the way he was practically mumbling. Regardless, the boy wasn't looking at his mouth, instead they had wide eyes and were swivelling their head around to focus on Oliver's hand. He frowned worriedly, not wanting to scare them more than they clearly already were, but also not wanting to ignore someone who was injured.

He raised his other hand from the counter again and held out his palm, splaying his fingers out in a placating gesture and biting his lip when the boy flinched away from his hand’s shadow. He repeated the gesture again, trying to show that he meant no harm. All the while, his left hand remained cupped behind them, although it wasn't caging them in.

It took about five or six times of Oliver calmly repeating the same motion for the boy to calm down and notice that his fingers weren't closing in, and his right hand wasn't moving any closer. They looked up at Oliver, looking so small and vulnerable from this vantage point… I just want to help.

‘Your leg…’ He slowly pointed to the tiny leg again, then pointed towards himself, his hand instinctively flattening to sign help, only to remember his leading hand was currently cupped behind the boy. He rested his hand on the counter again instead.

‘I can help you.’ He mouthed. When the boy didn't seem to read his lips, Oliver simply repeated the most important word. ‘Help. I can help.’

There was a hint of understanding in the boy's gaze, but he was still clearly very frightened. Oliver tried to imagine seeing the world from his perspective, but it was hard to imagine…regardless, he thought he would be more curious when coming face to face with a giant unless he had reason to believe they meant him harm.

His green gaze danced around the counter in search of something else he could offer as a sign of good will. His gaze landed on the macaroni and cheese his aunt had left— and although it wasn't super hot anymore he could warm it up. Most of it was untouched after all, and he found the boy in the oats, so he was probably looking for food or something similar.

‘Wait.’ He held his hand out again, slowly moving his hand from behind the boy so that he was no longer supporting his weight. He then picked up his aunt's plate and walked to the microwave, covering it with a lid and putting it in for thirty seconds. He watched the timer go down, intending to stop it just before it would start beeping.

At one second he opened it, turning off the timer and pulling out the plate before carrying it back over to where he had left the boy. He was pleasantly surprised to see that they were still there, watching him with wariness…but also a hint of curiosity as Oliver set the plate down nearby.

Sliding it in the boy's direction he smiled, gesturing towards the plate.

“For…for me?” They asked, shocked by the offering of food. Oliver nodded. He watched as they limped closer to the plate and very nearly toppled over whilst climbing onto it. They crawled closer then sniffed at the food, before finally taking a piece of the warm macaroni into their hands.

Oliver winced at the mess but made no moves to stop the tiny boy, simply leaning on his hand as he watched the display.

They ate ravenously, making it clear how hungry they were as they only paused to announce how good it tasted; expressing shock over the fact that the food was warm. Eventually the boy grew full and he looked up at Oliver again, cheese covering his hands and face. Oliver couldn't help but let out a breathy chuckle, hushed and soft but no less amused.

The boy frowned up at him, little eyebrows contorted in frustration.

“H-hey! Nothing funny to see here..!” He protested. Oliver covered his mouth with his hand to stifle the laughter, cutting it off with a small cough as he was worried he might actually upset the tiny boy. That would be bad…he was trying to help him after all.

They continued to stare up at him, looking him up and down with a scrutinising chocolate brown gaze, seemingly debating something internally. Oliver was silent as usual, removing his hand that was covering his mouth and making his expression neutral again— though he couldn't hide the curious spark in his eyes.

“My name is James…” The boy murmured, but Oliver heard it.

He perked up, his hands already moving to spell his own name, mouthing ‘Oliver’ alongside it. His aunt and uncle just used the sign of an acorn as a nickname for him, but he didn't really introduce himself like that.

“Oliver…yeah I know.” James responded as if it was obvious, but Oliver tilted his head questioningly nonetheless.

‘You did?’

James hadn't read his lips but seemed to understand that he had let something slip he shouldn't have as he began to backtrack immediately, fear visible in his expression.

“I-I mean…it's not— I-I'm sorry…” He was back to trembling, shoulders hunched and posture stiff. Oliver's expression saddened and he leaned down slightly so he was more at eye level, offering a small reassuring smile and shaking his head lightly, hands gesturing alongside his lips moving.

‘It’s okay. It's okay. I'm not angry.’ He shook his head again to emphasise that fact. ‘You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'll ask something else… like…’ He thought for a few moments before levelling with James again. ‘How old are you?’

There were a few beats of silence as the tiny boy continued to stay silent, but Oliver remained patient. Eventually he spoke up, albeit shakily.

“I-I'm um…I'm thirteen.” He answered, averting eye contact every now and then. Oliver knew that he was prone to staring or giving way too much eye contact so he looked away again for a moment, only looking back when he responded back.

‘I’m ten.’ He held up his hands, palms facing himself and fingers close together with his thumbs sticking out, before turning them around and splaying his fingers out. People usually understood the second gesture much more when Oliver tried to sign numbers.

“Ten?” The tiny boy clarified, and he nodded in turn. That seemed to make James perk up a bit himself, as if age was a matter of pride. “So…I-I'm older than you? You're just…so big. It’s weird…”

It's weird. Not I'm weird.

Oliver smiled.

‘I am big.’ He agreed, his hands continuing to sign as much as he knew his constant hand movements probably only confused James. Wanting to focus on more important matters again, Oliver pointed towards his leg. ‘Can I help fix your leg? It's hurt.’

“Oh, right… u-um… nothing is broken, I think I just landed weird. The pain is starting to go away a bit… But I can't stay out here— my dad’ll kill me if he catches me talking to you..!” He exclaimed, glancing around as if his dad might pop up from anywhere. Oliver couldn't help but glance around too, worry etching across his features.

‘Your dad would really do that? Is he mean to you?’ He signed quickly, his mind instantly flashing back to the many threats he had heard when he was younger from his own parents. Mostly his mother, but his father never stopped her.

James didn't seem able to read his lips that time thanks to how sporadic it was, but he could tell that Oliver was worried.

“N-not actually! I just…I'm exaggerating. He.. he will be worried about me, is all. He and my mum…” He corrected, confusion in his gaze as he looked up at him. Oliver let out a small sigh of relief and relaxed, calming down little by little.

An exaggeration. Right.

He nodded to show he understood, although he couldn't help the jittery feelings that remained buzzing under the surface, his hands withdrawing closer to his chest as he looked down at the tiny boy. ‘Okay… Do you want to clean yourself before you go, then?’

He reached over the counter and picked up a napkin before offering it forwards for James to use. The boy's face lit up in realisation and he glanced down at his cheese covered hands sheepishly before nodding and reaching out to take a corner.

“Thanks…” He spoke out as he wiped off his hands. He let go of the napkin and gave Oliver a confused look when he didn't withdraw. Letting out an amused exhale from his nose Oliver pointed at James then gestured to his face.

‘Your face is messy too.’

The boy's face went red with embarrassment and he took a clean part of the napkin to wipe the cheese from his face too. Once finished he let go again and held out his hands as if to say ta da, then shakily pushed himself to a stand.

At first it seemed like he might fall again, and Oliver's fingers twitched in anticipation…but it seemed the boy had been telling the truth that the injury was nothing serious and the pain was fading, as he was able to put more weight on it than before. Satisfied, he put the napkin in the bin before looking down at James again.

‘It was nice to meet you, James.’ He smiled, waving down at them. He waved back up at him, climbing off of the plate and walking backwards towards the…wall..? Oliver watched with confusion and interest, then awe as the tiny boy opened a hidden doorway into the wall. His eyes sparkled with wonder, although he only watched.

“I-it was nice to meet you too, surprisingly. Thanks again for not um..for not killing me.” The secret door then closed and left Oliver alone in the kitchen once more. He tilted his head, brows furrowing.

What an odd thing to say… Oh well. I hope his parents don't get angry at him because of me.

With that in mind, he stood up straight again and turned the tap back on to resume his washing up, playing the interaction in his head over and over again.

I hope we can be friends.

[sealitsgills]

BING BONG (Bing Eddsworld)

I TRIED MY BEST

[avecra]

Dosed

summary: When you are laced with a deadly pathogen, the team finds themselves working endlessly to find a cure. Only it might not be enough.

pairing: bucky barnes x reader

word count: 6.7k

warnings: canon level violence, illness symptoms (fever, cough, vomiting), angst on top of angst with a happy ending, bucky goes through many emotions

a/n: hi hello it has been a hot minute since I have been active im so sorry :( i had a lot of personal issues to deal with but now im hoping to be a little bit more active and post more stories :)

You could feel the heavy rumble of the jet as it landed on the muddy grounds. An overcast covered the sky and emitted a soft grey through the thick glass of the display of the jet, the light pitter of rain tapped against the window. 

Bucky’s gentle touch stole your gaze from the window to the super soldier, his fingers wrapped around the Kevlar vest and he began to tighten the straps around your shoulders, pulling them into place. 

“Do I really have to wear this? Steve said that the building is supposed to be empty,” you said, trailing a finger along the front of your vest, over the stitched ‘Barnes’ that sat over the thick fabric. 

“Yes, honey,” Bucky chuckled, tightening the straps over your back. “Just cause Steve says it’s empty doesn’t mean it is. I can’t risk anything happening to you, therefore you get to wear my vest.” He winked at you and tightened the last strap across your abdomen. “Gotta keep my girl safe, now don’t I?”

You smiled sheepishly and nodded, continued to watch him strap a few guns and knives to his body. Exhaling a tense sigh, you ran your sweaty palms down the side of your tactical uniform, Bucky noticed. “It’s gonna be okay, I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” you whispered, grabbing his hand. “I’m not exactly equipped for these types of missions, I’m just a little nervous.” 

Bucky’s eyes softened when he heard the small crack in your voice, his hands encased around yours and he tenderly pressed a kiss to the back of your palm. “I’m gonna be right by your side the entire time.”

You bobbed your head, taking in a deep breath as Bucky gently slid a gun into the holster on your thigh. “But just in case.”

The two of you had been assigned to track down a lone mercenary in the middle of western Canada. The stormy weather had made it difficult for the jet sensors to get a read on the building that sat in a nearly empty forest.

A mercenary hacker under the name Roman Donovan had been on Tony Stark’s radar for quite some time, after noticing the many sudden security pop ups, indicating that Donovan had smothered his way into Tony’s tech. Both Steve and Tony had been working relentlessly to find a position on him, until a sudden location popped up. 

You had your doubts, whether you were the best candidate for this mission, but Steve had reassured you with your technical and computer knowledge that you were the perfect fit.  A squeeze to your hand reminded you that Bucky would be with you every step of the way.

With a nod from you, Bucky placed the small comm device into your ear, tapping it a few times so he could hear the breaths that left your lips. He slipped one into his ear as well, tapping it a few times until he could catch the chatter of the two agents in the cockpit of the jet. 

“Prescott and Logan, stand by. We’ll radio you in case we need backup,” Bucky announced, pressing the button that opened up the ramp of the jet. He turned to you with a soft, comforting smile. “It’s just a simple extraction of files,” he reminded with a gentle hand to your back. “Ready?”

A final nod of your head, you looked at him. Ready.”

---

The building had been vacant this far, Bucky had led the both of you to the control room where you rapidly typed on the main computer. Bucky stood by the door, sending cautious glances over his shoulder every few seconds to survey the dark hallway. 

“I’m almost done,” you called out to him, fingers dancing across the keyboard, desperately pushing into the numbers and letters faster. “It had more firewalls than I expected.”

Bucky glanced over in your direction, a frown taking over his features. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not necessarily. Just means this guy wants to keep people like me out of his stuff,” you mumbled. Bucky chuckled under his breath.

A few more clicks to the keyboard, you powered off the system and the flash drive ejected  out of the main computer. Stepping back, you watched the monitors as the files slowly disappeared from folders and main screen savers, until all the screens went dark. 

“I think I got it,” you muttered, eyes wide as they focused on the screens. The flash drive began to flicker a blue color, indicating that the files had transferred successfully without a trace of Stark technology.

The loud slamming of a door alerted Bucky, as he raised his rifle up, pointing towards the sudden sound. You pocketed the flash drive and raised your head at the sudden sound, eyes filled with confusion as they flickered over to Bucky’s alarmed blue ones.

“Get behind me,” You quickly made your way over to him and his hand immediately darted out to grab your wrist. Though you could feel the tension riding off his body in waves, his hold on your arm was gentle. “Stay low.”

You nodded and grasped the back of Bucky’s tactical vest, fisting the thick fabric. With a cautious foot forwards, Bucky stepped out into the hallway, taking slow, steady steps into the dimly lit corridor. 

Your hands made their way from the fabric of his shirt to his vibranium hand, and you gripped as tightly as you could, in a way to ground you. He couldn’t feel the tight pressure, but he could feel the weight of your hand in his. 

The two of you stealthily made your way through sets of hallways and stairwells, inching closer and closer to the doorway, until the loud slamming of boots against the tile floors halted you in your stance. Fear corrupted every fiber of your body, you couldn’t take your eyes off the panicked look in Bucky’s blue ones. 

You felt Bucky push you away behind him, before a sudden force knocked him to the ground, grunts passed through his lips. 

“Y/n, run!”

Not looking back, you trusted Bucky enough to know that he would make it out unscathed, with only a few scrapes and bruises. You, however, were not a field trained agent, with little  combat knowledge. You bolted the other direction, on the way to warn the two agents standing by in the jet.

“I need backup! Logan, Prescott, to the northeast side of the building, now!”

It wasn’t until you felt the pull of your vest and the weight of someone did you register your head slam against the ground, rather harshly. A strangled cry left your lips when you felt a needle puncture your skin, just at the conjunction between your shoulder and neck. 

His hand pressed down on your neck harshly, cutting off your air supply, but you were frozen in fear - he head injected something into your skin. You did not find the strength to fight back.

Fear paralyzed every fiber of your body.

Grunts and strangled screams were heard, you didn’t know if it came from you, but suddenly the weight was lifted off you, though you registered nothing of it. A few greedy breaths of fresh air. The pulsing of your heartbeat rang out in your ear, chiming and pudding against your skull. You laid frozen.

“Y/n is down, I have Donovan apprehended. I need backup, please!” Bucky spoke into the comms a moment later as he threw the hacker on his stomach and pinned his wrists behind his back. He was tempted to sap his wrist, but he held back. 

“Roman Donovan, you are a hard son of a bitch to find,” Bucky growled in his ear, reaching into his vest to pull out a pair of wrist restraints, tightening them to Donovan’s wrist. The man yelled in pain and discomfort.

Bucky glanced over to you, eyes softening when he took in your fragile form on the concrete. You just laid there, almost lifeless, but once Bucky saw the rise and fall of your chest, only a little relief came to him. It quickly rushed away when blue eyes focused on the empty syringe near your foot. 

“There’s a lot more pain coming your way. What did you inject her with?” Bucky yelled viciously, grabbing Donovan roughly by the hair. But the man simply let out a dark chuckle, eyes narrowing on you. The way weak coughs passed through your lips, the way you burrowed deeper into yourself.

“I know your weak spots, James Barnes.” was all he said. 

The hurried footsteps of Prescott and Logan reached his ears and Bucky abruptly stood up  and watched the two agents haul the mercenary to his feet and slam him against the wall, patting him, finding a gun strapped to his back and a small grenade. 

“Secure him to the panel near the bay doors. Bastard can fly out for all I care.” 

Bucky wasted no time in making his way over to you. A gentle hand soothed comforting circles up and down your arm, gently coaxing you and Bucky gently lifted you up in his arms and leant you against the wall, concerned as your head lolled back. 

“Baby, are you okay?” His panicked gaze flickered from the bleeding gash on your temple, to the light bruising around your neck, the small dot of blood at the conjunction between your neck and shoulder. He sighed, bringing a hand to rest on your cheek. “Y/n, answer me baby, what hurts?”

Your eyes were clenched shut and you brought a shaky hand to rest over Bucky’s, and you lifted your gaze to meet his worried blue ones. “I’m okay… I think.”

“You think?” Bucky asked, running a hand over your hair. 

“I-I don’t know, I feel fuzzy,” you mumbled, leaning your head back against the wall. 

Taking slow, deep breaths, you felt Bucky rub slow, soothing circles up and down your thigh. There was a buzzing sensation circling throughout your temples, down to your cheeks, along our jaw until it spread through the rest of your body. 

“Deep breaths in and out, baby,” Bucky whispered soothingly, leaning down to kiss your knee.

But then, in a moment or two, you felt it suddenly disperse. As if the wave of numbness rid itself out of your body. You allowed Bucky to help you to your feet, brushing his hands over the front of the vest before making sure you had no further injuries. 

“We’ll check you over at the compound,” Bucky said as he wrapped an arm around your waist and led you down the hall, following the two agents in suit. “Let’s get out of here.”

---

Bucky watched helplessly as he and Steve watched as Dr. Cho and her team scanned over your body. He couldn’t imagine how confused and scared you were, hands gripping the sheets. Your first field mission had been a complete disaster. Bruce walked in, the used syringe in an examination tube. 

“What do you think he injected her with?” Bucky asked after a couple of minutes of silence.

“It’s weird,” Bruce began, handing the folder over to Bucky. 

“I pushed it through a scanner, to see if I could find any sort of answer to what this is. All tests come back negative for a virus or disease. Has she had any of her symptoms progress on the way home?”

Bucky shook his head, “No, she’s just been… frozen, paralyzed almost. He has injected her with something; I saw the blood on her neck and it seemed like he had tried to… kill her or something.”

“You think he would?”

“Why else would he press his fucking hand over her throat?”

“That, I am not sure. So unless she starts to show signs of some sort of sickness, I unfortunately have no answers. I’ll check in with Tony, see if he has any answers. I’ll keep you guys updated.”

“Thanks, Bruce.” Bucky sighed, watching as the doctor left. He opened the file, reading over the diagnosis levels. “I still don’t get it.”

Steve hummed, taking the file out of his hand. 

“The only thing he said to me was ‘I know your weak spots’ and then called me out by name. But I have never come into contact with this guy, not even as the Winter Soldier. The dude is early twenties and lived with his grandma in east Maryland up until two years ago, living in some studio in Princeton up in Jersey. How the hell did he end up in Canada?”

“That doesn’t track at all. Unless he has dug up on all of us. He probably just wanted to get you by surprise.” Steve said. “Real name is Benjamin Croot. 24 years old.”

“Sergeant Barnes,” Dr. Cho’s voice broke through on the intercom. “She is asking for you.”

Bucky moved faster than he could process. He rushed through the doors and you turned your head at the sound of his boots. 

“Is she okay? She’s not hurt or anything?” Worried questions spewed out, his hands came to grip yours as tight without hurting you. He brushed his hand over your warm, sweaty forehead. “She’s warm.”

Dr. Cho nodded. “My team ran all the tests imaginable for this certain… situation. And everything came back negative, which worries me. If what Y/n described is true, then he must have injected her with something that is lethal or close to being lethal.

“She said to have felt numb, fuzzy almost. Those are usually the signs of a virus or even… a pathogen starts to form. But what I don’t get is that I could not find a single trace of.. well anything really.”

“Dr. Banner doesn’t have an answer either, though he’s checking in with Stark as we speak.” Bucky said, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “What should we do? Keep her here?”

The woman sighed, pieces of her hair falling from the neat bun. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Part of me wants to keep her in the medical wing, just in case, but her stats are all normal, though her temperature is abnormally high.”

“How high?”

She flipped open the chart. You hadn’t really been present in the time either of them were talking. You were just so tired. Physically and mentally. 

“The last time I took it, her temperature was sitting at about 100.5, which isn’t that bad, but it’s not great either. So, I would advise to just rest for the night, and when she wakes up we will run a couple more tests, see if anything has changed.”

Bucky nodded, squeezing your hand as the doctor excused herself. 

“Whatcha thinkin’, sweetheart?” Bucky sat on the edge of the cot, brushing hair away from your eyes. 

“Tired.” He could tell your energy was scarce.

“Let’s go to bed then, hm.”

His movements started before you even had the chance to reply. As gently as he could, he slid his arms around your waist and shoulders and helped you up to your feet. The two of you made your way from the medical bay to the residential wing, to yours and Bucky’s shared room.

“Don’t you have the interrogation to do?” you mumbled, watching his features contort when he pressed his thumb against the scanner and led you into the room. In your fuzzy mind, you barely registered Bucky’s touch as he gently peeled your uniform off and slid your pajamas on.

“I’ll do it tomorrow. Besides it’s late, sweetheart and I think I speak for the both of us when I say it’s been a long day,” He gently eased you onto the bed, gently covering your form with a blanket. 

A shiver racked through you and Bucky watched with a concerned look as you tightened the blanket around your shoulders. He flicked off the lights and crawled into bed next to and wrapped an arm around your waist. 

“Sleep, sweetheart. I’ve got you.” You faintly nodded and relaxed into his hold, feeling his hands run smoothly up and down your arms. The faint glow of the television set and the low volume did nothing to tear you from your due slumber, though you faintly felt the coolness of Bucky’s appendage running over your hair before you slipped into a dreamless sleep.

---

Sweat coated every part of your body as you woke up with a sharp gasp of air. 

Pounding temples, you peeled your eyes open and sat up; the faint glow of the TV caught your eye. The movie Bucky played had finished and had been playing in an endless loop. 

The clock on your nightstand read 2:07am, you reached for the cup of water and took slow sips, barely and faintly registering the sounds of Bucky’s light snores. 

You felt the nausea before anything else. It ran from your stomach up to your chest and you clamped a hand over your mouth, threw off the covers and made a beeline for the bathroom. 

That was until a wave of dizziness hit you and your knees buckled. Vision tunneling, you would have fallen to the floor if it weren’t for the strong pair of arms that wrapped around your waist before you could touch the carpet. I’ve got you, a tired voice murmured, but your hazy mind didn’t hear the quiet mutter.

The warmth of Bucky’s chest touched your heated back as he sped to the bathroom, flicked on the light and watched helplessly as you crashed to your knees and emptied what was in your stomach into the toilet. 

Bucky kneeled behind you and grasped your hair in one hand and rubbed soothing circles along your back. He felt you slacken in his arms, head resting back against his shoulder and when he pressed his palm flat against your forehead, he almost hissed at the radiating heat.

“You’re burnin’ up, sweetheart,” His wide blue eyes darted to your half-lidded ones, cerulean darting over your sweaty, clammy skin. 

“I don’t feel good.” you croaked. 

It hit him in one, big wave as he took over your tattered form. The confusion, the fatigue, to your spiked fever, Something wasn’t right, considering the fact that you rarely felt under the weather.

Those are usually the signs of a virus or even… a pathogen starts to form. Cho’s voice rang in his voice

Weakly, you flushed the toilet and leaned back into Bucky. Shivers racked through your body and Bucky peeled your shirt off your shoulder to see a dark blooming bruise where Donovan had injected the needle. 

“FRIDAY, wake Steve and Dr. Cho. Tell them to meet me in the medical wing,” Bucky called for the AI and slipped his hand under your back and knees and lifted you up against his chest. 

You jolted slightly, dizziness clouding your mind as Bucky stood up. You were limp in his arms, like jell-o.

The cool air of the hallway felt like a slap in the face, you pressed your cheek into the warmth of Bucky. A low whine passed through your lips and Bucky ran his thumb just below the back of your knee. 

“Buck,” Steve called, eyes widening as they fell on your shivering form. “What happened?”

But Bucky didn’t stop his movements, he spared a glance to Steve and kept heading towards the direction of the medical bay. Steve followed Bucky’s fast pace, quickly matching his speed.

“Her temperature is too high,” Bucky said, glancing over at his friend. “When we checked into the medbay, Cho noticed that her temperature was a little higher than normal, but when she got up a couple minutes ago, she was burning hot.”

A slick sheet of sweat coated your forehead, Steve noticed, and how small tremors racked through your body every so often. His eyes fell to the darkening bruise on your shoulder, Bucky caught his eye. 

“I think she was laced with something.”

Your fingers grazed the fabric of his shirt and Bucky looked down, continuing his trek to the medical wing with Steve hot on his tail. You could feel the rapid thumping of Bucky’s heartbeat as you weakly bunched his shirt in your fist.

“Laced? Laced with what?” Steve questioned as he rounded the corner, eyes locking onto Cho’s at the end of the hall.

Bucky looked down at you, clammy skin, eyes barely open, though you kept a strong grip on his shirt. “I don’t know.”

Everything was hazy the moment Bucky set you down on the hospital bed. Though sweat coated nearly every inch of your body, shivers racked through your body relentlessly. It was sweltering and freezing simultaneously. 

Nurses rushed around you, obstructing Bucky’s view from you, one of them placed a cannula just under your nose, an IV into your arm. The thought of more needles sinking into your skin made you sick. 

The last time someone used a needle on you, he was malicious as he jammed the needle into neck harshly. The memory brought nothing but fear to you. 

You were hot. Uncomfortable. The pain in your head was nearly unbearable.

“Bucky,” you called out, only it came out more of a whimper. “W-where’s Bucky?”

Metal clamped gently on your hand, the other hand coming to smoothly brush your sweaty hair back. “I’m here baby, I’m right here.” 

“It… it hurts,” Bucky watched as another nurse attempted to put another needle through your skin, he noticed the subtle shaking of your head, the whimpers.

“Is that really necessary?” he asked with a sharp glare, it melted away when he looked over at you. “What is it, baby? What hurts?”

“My head.”

Worried eyes wandered over to Cho’s as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Sergeant Barnes, I understand you want to offer her comfort, but I can assure she is in good hands with my team.” 

Bucky nodded, leaning down to press a kiss to your cheek. His finger trailed over your forehead gently, and when he saw Steve and Sam in his peripherals, he sighed to himself. “I’ll check up on you later, sweet girl. I have something to take care of.”

You nodded drowsily, the dizziness taking control. 

Bucky reluctantly moved away from your bedside to his two closest friends, solemn looks on their faces. Sam kept his eyes on you, watching as the nurses took your temperature.

“How is she?” he asked. Bucky kept his eye on you the entire time, watching your tired eyes start to close. 

“It’s not looking good,” Bucky sighed. “Her temperature is extremely high, nausea, light-headed and dizziness. Whatever this bastard did to her, he has to deal with me now.”

“He’s downstairs, whenever you’re ready.” Steve said, his eyes laying on your frail body. “It is 2 in the morning and one of my teammates is lying on a hospital bed with a fever of over 100 degrees and a migraine that’s probably killing her. Let’s get this over with.”

---

Roman Donovan sat in a cold, bright room, hands cuffed to the tables with two SHIELD agents armed standing at the entrance. A smug smirk sat on his face as he fidgeted with his fingers. His head perked up at the sound of the door opening. 

“Well, if it isn’t the mighty Winter Soldier, what a traitor you are to your own country, huh? I mean, working for the people who you literally fought against-” Sam walked behind him and gripped his shoulders tightly, fingers digging into his muscles. 

“I am only gonna say this once, so you better fucking listen to me. What did you do to her?”  

Donovan chuckled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, old man.”

Bucky shook his head, vibranium fist clenched. 

“You know, Roman, this guy isn’t too fond of repeating himself. Especially to arrogant assholes like you.”

“What did you do to her, Donovan?” Bucky was strangely calm.. “You know the woman you attacked earlier, the one whose throat you almost crushed after you injected her with drugs? She’s got three degrees in chemistry, computer engineering and computer science, so I get why you, a man of your personality, would go after someone who is not strong enough to put up a fight against you.” 

Steve looked on through the window, phone pinging. He pulled it out, the text from Natasha sent dread through himself. 

Temperature over 105, tests coming back positive for some type of influenza. Cho is really worried. Not looking too good for her.

“Shit.”

He went on and walked into the room, leaning over to where Sam stood. 

“So aggressive, James. And for what reason?”

Sam chuckled, crossing his arms. “If you think this is aggressive, you’re in for a ride.”

“I’m gonna ask one more time, and if I don’t get an answer, that means you’re straight up out of luck.” Bucky leaned forward, black and gold vibranium reached for the chain of his restraints and pulled him down, causing Donovan to hit his head. “What did you inject her with?”

The man tilted his head, blood dripping down his cheek. “What makes you think I injected her with anything?” he cockily sneered. “I thought all the Avengers were required to be knowledgeable in the field, cause let me tell you, Sergeant, that little girlfriend of yours is such an easy target.” 

Steve nudged Sam, leaning his phone towards his eyeline, showing the text message. Sam felt a pang of worry settle deep in his stomach, sharing a worried glance with him. 

There wasn’t much time left for you. 

Steve stepped forward, pulling Bucky aside to show him the text message. 

Blue eyes raked over the words he had been dreading the most. "Not looking too good for her.”

“Well Donovan, I want my answer.”

The man smirked. “Yeah? Or what?”

Bucky’s left hand reached out and grabbed a fistful of Donovan’s hair and slammed his head against the metal desk one time only, though it was enough to break the man’s nose. Screams of pain resounded in the small but soundproof room. 

“No one’s gonna hear you, Donovan! Those guys with the big ass guns? They’re not gonna help you either. Not when one of their own is about to die in this building. And so help me, Benjamin,” Bucky sneered into his ear, the man’s eyes wide with fear, “if she dies under your hand, there is nothing on the green earth that is going to stop me from tearing you apart. I’m gonna ask one more time, what did you inject her with?”

“A deadly pathogen! It’s a pathogen that kills its hosts within 24 hours of it being administered.”

Bucky’s eyes glanced at the clock. 2:58 AM. It was a late night mission, the jet had landed in Canada at 7:45 PM. Meaning you had to have been injected with it at 8:00 or so. Meaning six hours had already passed, he had eighteen hours left. You had eighteen hours left.

“Did you know adults that experience fevers that go over 105 degrees can run into complications causing serious implications of brain damage,” Sam blurted out. “means you’re in the dog house if we lose her. And ain’t a single one of us is gonna stop that mean.”

“Is there an antidote for it?” 

Donovan nodded. Bucky slammed a pen and a notepad down on the table, causing the man to jump in fear. “I suggest you better start writing it down. Now you get to deal with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Better start writing.”

Eighteen hours would go by quickly. 

---

“Sergeant, it’s not looking good for her,” Dr. Cho said, voice breaking slightly. “This virus that she’s fighting, it’s too strong.”

Bucky looked through the window, heart shattering as his blue eyes fell on the breathing mask they covered your mouth with, the tubes that kept you hydrated. You looked so… lifeless. Natasha sat by your side, her hand gripping your wrist, though you were so out of it, eyes barely open.

“He injected her with some sort of influenza. He knows the antidote, but he has less than eighteen hours.”

She noticed the worried look in his eyes. 

“She was constantly asking for you. Even in a state of being delirious, she was still calling for you. Natasha was able to calm her down.”

The soldier gulped. “Is… is she going to die?” 

For a moment, Dr. Cho couldn’t answer. She didn’t know the probability of the antidote being made on time. 

“James, I cannot answer that. But what I can say is that I will do everything in my power to keep her alive. She’s a fighter.” With that, she excused herself. Bucky stood still for a moment before pushing the door open.

The sounds of your heart monitor and the sounds of oxygen traveling through the tubes filled the room. Natasha’s emerald eyes met Bucky’s, a small smile presented on her face. 

“Any updates yet?” she asked, but it fell on deaf ears as Bucky kneeled at your bedside, grasping your limp hand tightly in his. 

The amount of pain that swirled in his mind was almost too unbearable. Your eyes met his, though you couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. Tears welled in your eyes as they rushed down your cheeks. 

“It’s okay, my love. I am right here.” His voice was above a whisper and pressed a kiss to your palm. “Tony and Bruce are gonna find a cure for you, honey. I promise. It’ll all be okay.” He felt you weakly try to grasp his hand back, but the action alone made you more tired. 

“I love you so much, baby. Words can’t comprehend my love for you. I want you to know that,” Tears welled in his own eyes, his hands reached up to cradle your cheek. You leaned into him. “I love you.”

Your skin was so warm under his touch. His eyes read over the stats on the open chart, seeing your temperature rise every hour. 

“She was injected with some sort of influenza. Tony and Bruce are working right now.” 

“Did you find anything else?”

Bucky kissed your hand, gently guiding your head back on the pillows. “Son of a bitch has the antidote. Had to break his nose just to get him to spill it out.” 

Natasha placed her hand on his shoulder. “I will stay with her and I’ll alert you guys if anything changes. Just try to hurry.”

Bucky nodded and leaned down, hugging your frail, weakened body and pressed a kiss against your chapped lips. “I love you, Y/n. I’m gonna fix this.”

He did not spare Natasha a glance as he stormed out of the medical wing, boots stomping with every step he took. Long strides took him to the end of the hall, where the elevator was.

“FRIDAY, where is Stark and Banner?”

“Both are in Mr. Stark’s lab. Shall I notify them that you are coming?”

“Tell them I have a stop to make first.” Bucky slammed the button to the interrogation level. “ I’m coming with the antidote.”

---

Donovan jumped in his seat when the doors opened, revealing the shadow of Bucky’s figure. A knife sat in his hand. The prisoner visibly shivered. 

“You know what I’m here for, Donovan.” 

“Come on, man! It hasn’t even been-”

The knife that was once held in Bucky’s hand was now lodged into metal table, an inch away from Donovan’s finger. 

“You’re fucking crazy!” 

“What happened to the tough guy act, huh? You wanted to act all big and bad up in Canada. Why the sudden change of heart?” Bucky taunted him, walking closer to the pad of paper that had been scribbled on, step by step, three pages, front and back. “Remember, you’re targeting my weak spot.”

He seemed ashamed, guilty almost. But it wasn’t because your life was in jeopardy. It was because he was caught, with no one left to save him. 

“You know, you’re already facing five counts of criminal charges of unauthorized access into government systems, you wanna add a murder charge to that? Assault with intent to cause bodily harm? That sounds like fifty years to me, that is with just the unauthorized access charges.” Bucky sat down across from him. “And if this,” he held up the paper, “isn’t true or it doesn’t cure her, you’re facing a very serious murder charge of a federal agent.”

“You’re nothing but a coward, Benjamin Croot. Tough guy act falls the minute you’re faced against someone who overpowers you. You’re gonna rot in that prison for the rest of your life.”  

---

It was morning.

The sun had risen fully. 

10:47 AM

Tony and Bruce had been hard at work, trying to figure out the antidote. It was nearing the afternoon, and they had been at it since nearly four in the morning. But neither were giving up. Not when your life was on a timer.

Bucky had dropped off the paper before going back up to the medical bay, spending his time with you. He hadn’t slept since he first woke up, his groggy eyes immediately landing on you staggering to the bathroom.

He laid in the small bed with you, balancing himself on the edge, giving you all the space. He had laid a damp rag over your forehead, in hope to cool you down a little. Tremors racked through your body suddenly, Bucky jolted. 

You laid still for a moment, eyes clenched shut, brows furrowed. An unpleasant gurgling sound came from you, body jerking slightly. Bucky’s eyes widened and he pressed the call button repeatedly before running to your side. You weren’t awake, you were warmer than before, heartbeat rapid as the monitor started to go crazy, alarms blasting. Dr. Cho and a couple nurses suddenly bursted into the room, eyes wide

“What’s wrong? What’s happening to her?” Bucky cried out, helplessly watching as they pushed you on the side. 

“She’s choking. Her lungs are filling up with fluids, and if we don't drain it, she will lose her.” Bucky’s eyes filled with horror. “Sergeant Barnes, I know you’re concerned for her health and safety, but I need my full attention if I’m gonna save her. Please.”

Bucky wordlessly nodded, his eyes fixated on your body, your face. 

Eyes closed.

Pale skin.

Lifeless, almost. 

The monitor flatlined. Bucky was pushed out of the room. Sheets pulled around your bed as voices screamed and yelled, though it was all distorted. 

“Bucky?” He turned to Sam, tears spilled over his cheeks. 

“She’s…” A cry got caught in his throat. “she’s flatlining.”

Chocolate eyes widened. 

“I need to find Tony and Bruce.”

Sam loved you like a sister. The two of you had always been close, ever since you joined the team. And when Sam laid eyes on you, defibrillator pads pressed on the exposed skin of your chest, head laid back, a knife twisted into his heart. 

Neither men didn’t move a muscle until the flatline changed to a faint beeping. 

---

“Please tell me you’re somewhat close to putting an antidote together.” Bucky and Sam pushed through the doors. Tony looked up, “How is she?”

“She’s running out of time, she flatlined for a minute,” Bucky rambled out. “Please, Tony. What do you have so far?”

“It’s almost done, I think. We followed every single one of the steps, used past remedies that have helped even Thor himself from a virus. But if this guys even altered one of these steps-”

“He’ll have to face me then.” Bucky finished. “Is it ready?” Tony nodded, though he had a look of hesitancy. “What is it?”

Tony looked over at Bruce, having just placed the antidote in the freezer. “It needs to maintain a temperature of -50 degrees. Meaning…”

“You need to bring her down here, or else it won’t work. I have all the medical supplies she’ll need down here. I just need you to transport her.” 

“I’ll do it.” Bucky said, not that anyone else would have even offered. “Have every single thing ready by the time I step foot in here.”

“I’ll inform Cho.”

Both scientists nodded, scrambling to ready the emergency medical cot. Sam followed Bucky as they raced through the stairwell, racing up the stairs, though adrenaline gave Bucky all the energy in the world it seemed. 

Once he reached the room, Sam sprinted to ready the elevators, to get you to the lab as quickly as possible. Dr. Cho had removed all the tubes and wires off of you, only an oxygen mask with a tank attached. 

“Come on, baby,” Bucky strapped the oxygen tank to his back and slid his arms underneath your knees and shoulders, and ever so gently he lifted you up, grey hospital gown drenched in sweat. Your head lolled back, arms and legs completely limp. “I got you, baby, I’ve got you.”

With you laid against his chest, he moved swiftly, his pace faster than normal and it wasn’t long until he was in the elevator with you, nearly unconscious in his arms. Bucky looked down at you and rested his forehead against your sweaty hair, though it did not bother him in the slightest. 

Your brows furrowed for a moment, followed by a whimper. “We’re getting there, love. We’re almost there.”

The doors opened and Bucky made a beeline for the lab doors, immediately going to the corner of the room where they had the cot set up. As gently as he could, he cradled the back of your head as he placed you down on the mat, softly placing the tank on the ground. 

“Okay, now Tony.” Bruce unbuttoned the gown at the shoulder, revealing where you were attacked. Bucky held the side of your face, caressing your cheek. 

He had placed a part of his armor on the hand piece as he took it out of the freezer, glancing  at the space from the freezer to you, and in two big strides he held the needle just above the darkening bruise and quickly administered it into your skin. He pressed the button and a fluid was shot into your shoulder.

Your body shuddered for a moment, there was no sudden movement from you.

It was the longest minute of Bucky’s life, his eyes filling up with tears. The sudden rise and fall of your chest kept getting  stronger with every breath you sucked in. The bruise surrounding your shoulder slowly vanished, your natural skin color coming back. 

When your eyes peeled open, Bucky nearly sobbed in relief, crashing on his knees as he gripped your arms. 

“Y/n, baby, can you hear me?” he pleaded desperately. 

“B-Bucky,” your voice was raspy and raw.

“Oh my god, you’re okay. You’re okay, you’re okay, you’re okay,” he muttered over and over like a mantra, cradling the back of your head as he peppered your forehead and cheeks with kisses. You were still a little warm, not as life threatening as it was beforehand.

“W-where am I?” you tiredly asked, eyes roaming around the lab. “What happened?”

 Bucky gently took the oxygen mask off, replacing it with a nasal tube. “You were poisoned, honey.” Flashes of you flatlining not even two hours ago flooded his mind, but he shook them away. You were well and alive, breathing with a steady pulse. “You were really sick for a while, 

but Tony and Bruce here made a cure for you.”

You nodded, still a bit drowsy from the near death experience. “What about… him?” 

Though your voice was barely above a whisper, Bucky heard you clearly. “He’s already taken care of. If I had it my way, the bastard would spend the rest of his life on Raft for all I care.”

Tony chuckled, coming over to pat your hair and a quick kiss to your head. “Leave that to me, kiddo. This kid doesn’t know what’s coming to him. Get some rest, hon.”

Bruce, Tony and Sam all bidded you a goodbye, leaving the two of you alone. 

Bucky cradled your face in his hands, pressing a soft kiss against your lips. “I love you, sweet girl.”

“I love you, too, Bucky.” You sounded downright exhausted. But you could finally rest. “This is why I stay behind the computers.”

Bucky chuckled and laid against the pillows, pulling you to lay on his chest. “Valid.” Your laugh was a tired one, Bucky could tell. “C’mon baby, let’s nap together.” 

You had no obligations on that, closing your eyes as you held onto Bucky’s arm, lulling to sleep. 

Finally, Bucky could rest knowing that you were at ease and finally able to rest without being in pain. His eyes drifted shut and you both finally succumbed to a well deserved rest.

--

[lunnybunny12]

Husk X Daughter reader

Requests open

I've always been a gambling man

Masterlist

Husk was your dad when you two were still alive. He was at his bar in the Hazbin Hotel, when you suddenly fell from Heaven down, through the roof of the hotel right into the bar

You died

Pretty simple right?

You died in a pretty normal way. No drink or drugs or pills just slipped away in your sleep.

At first, you felt weightless. like a balloon in the wind. Going up and up with no thoughts, just floating. The higher you went, the brighter it got. Brighter and brighter. It was all blurry.

You were so close. You felt warmth. You felt joy.

But then it stopped.

everything stopped when you felt something cold and heavy snap around your neck.

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

"OK, everyone. gather around were going to do another session" Charlie sang earning a groan from most of her guests.

It was an average day. Well ... as average as a hotel in hell could be. The Sky was red, the bar was full and Nifty was killing bugs.

"Seriously? What now?" Angel asked

"Yeah, do you need me to bring you some roaches to use as an example of what happens when they don't play nicely?" Nifty maniacally giggled with her knife.

"I appreciate the offer, Nifty, but maybe another time. No, today we will be doing 2 truths and a liiiiieeeee !!!! " Charlie cheered.

Another collective groan echoed through the lounge.

"Wiiiiithhhhhh alchoholllll !!!"

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

One by one everyone had their turn. some were relatively harmless and others not so much.

"And Alastor, It's your turn" Charlie smiled nervously

Across the room, a grumpy old cad was grumbled under his breath.

"As if you'll get that bastard to play this fucking game"

"Now now Husker don't be so quick to judge. that's what got YOU into trouble in the first place." Alastor chimed and walked to sit with the others in the lounge.

Husk growled.

"Now, let's see" Alastor grinned. " 1) I like dogs. 2) Jambalaya is my favourite food. 3) We will be expecting a new member of staff very soon."

Vaggie glared at the man " What?"

" A NEW PERSON!" Charlie beamed. "When are they gonna get here?"

Suddenly a loud crash was heard from the upper floors and came through the ceiling. Dust and rubble went flying everywhere leaving a thick cloud of muck in the air.

It smelled like fire and burning flesh. It made everyone caugh.

A claw crawled out of the mess. Large black eyes were darting around in panic. The creature stumbled to the bar, a mist of dust following close behind them.

"Ey! What the hell! My bar! Get away you fucker!"

"I just fell through your roof and you're giving me shit?" You hissed, trying to shake off as much dust as possible.

You erupted into a fit of coughs and wiped your eyes.

"Where the fuck am I?" you blinked. Your vision was hazy until a tall, red figure walked to meet you.

" Ah hello there my dear. Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel. My name is Alastor, and you are?" He asked extending his hand for you to shake.

"I'm (Y/N)?" you answered, looking around.

It was a bit of a dump. But you did just fall through the ceiling. A lot of circus imagery covered the walls and everything was dripping stem to stern in red and gold.

The more you looked around the clearer it got you began to see other faces. One was a young lady. Long blond hair and a huge amazed and excited grin on her face. she was practically jumping for joy.

Another was a shorter lady. She wasn't as excited to see you. More like suspicious.

And then there was... A cat? A very horrified-looking cat... and a spider-person? A snake?

You started to panic. "W-What the fuck is this place? Why are some of you guys animals?"

"Speak for yourself there toots. You look like poos in boots" The spider laughed.

You looked at yourself and almost screamed. You were covered head to toe in ash grey fur, with black paw-like hands and claws for fingers. A long tail wrapped around your leg making you jump almost 3 feet in the air.

Tears were welling up in your black eyes and your heart was going a million miles an hour.

"Ok, understandably you're a little freaked out. Come with me. Im Charlie by the way." She smiled, taking your hand and leading you to a chair.

The second you were sat down Husk practically flew over the bar and dragged Alastor into the hall.

"What. The. Fuck. Is SHE doing here?!"

"The Hotel needed a Receptionist. She has plenty of experience and-"

"YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Husk seethed.

"Did you do this to her? Did YOU kill her?"

"Husker I can do a lot of things but killing the living, I can not. You know exactly why she is here."

Alastor walked over to the door and looked at you with an evil grin.

"I can't say I see much of a resemblance Husker. Must take after her mother."

[everythingwrongwithizumi]

would you write angst for twd negan? reader getting injured ?

To Be Loved

pairing: Negan Smith x fem!reader

warning: MNDI, 18+, slight smut, cussing, sexual harassment, graphic depictions of sexual assault, depression, anxiety, suicide, death, self harm, angst, angst with happy ending?, reader is described to have certain physical attributes, mentions of sexual assault, mention of battered wife syndrome, let me know if you see anymore

w/c: 8k (Zoo Wee Mama)

a/n: Jeez, yea this was a lot. I’m gonna make a separate post about it but if you need someone to talk to or you know someone that has been or you have been sexually assaulted please don’t hesitate to reach out for help or to talk about it. Men and women and Non binary’s you guys are strong keep your head up!!

National Sexual Assault Line

800-656-HOPE (4673)

I had to do it. I had to give up my mind, body, and soul to save my older brother. I owed him everything, he was the reason I was still alive after all this time. We would spend our days scavenging for food and sometimes we’d forget to even look for food.

We only cared for each other and we would never go anywhere without each other. So when he got sick I didn’t know what to do. I would sit there and watch as he had his eight coughing fit that day sometimes blood came out.

He would give me this look, a look that said *Just leave me here to die and fight to survive.* I couldn’t. And I wouldn’t, “You need to drink this man.” He would just look at me with that look before taking a sip.

“I’m gonna go and see if I can find some more water. This shitty town has to have some bottles floating around,” as soon as I got up from my crouching position I felt his hand grip my ankle. “The only thing floating around is your brain. Use it and get the hell outta here,” I stood in shock at his words.

Sure, he’s one sarcastic son of a bitch, but we always did things together and he never gave up, even when the whole world was against him or in this case trying to kill him he never gave up. “Shut up,” was all I said as I released myself from his grasp and exited the department store we(I) cleared.

I looked around and heard an engine nearby. It sounded like a car so I quickly took my knife out and begun sneaking around some buildings to get to the convenient store. Once I made it to the entrance and began to open the door bullets came flying from behind me.

I quickly ran inside to take cover. The loud noises surely drew those dead freaks out. Not wanting to waste anymore time I sprinted to the back where the fridges were. As I began to look for water I heard the crunching of shattered glass being stepped on.

“Which way do you think she went,” one of them asked, his voice was heavy and sounded mean. “Can’t we just kill her and go one with our day,” the other man sighed and it sounded like he kicked something out of the way because soon a thud followed.

“You know what Negan said about the girls, besides he saw her himself sitting in his damn ass in that car,” hearing that told me everything I needed to know. Just like my brother said, men nowadays don’t want to kill women, they want to take them and do things to them.

Shivering at the thought I carefully snuck around some aisles before approaching one of the men who had picked up a stuffed animal near the front. Taking a quick glance at my surroundings I snuck up to the man and shoved my knife in his throat, not allowing him to make any noises other than soft gurgling and throwing his arms around.

I placed him on the floor softly to not attract noise, “Oh shit!” I heard gun fire in the store and I looked around me. There were those dead things coming after the other guy. Taking my chance I ran to pick up the last three water bottles in the fridges before bolting out the back.

Hearing some more gunfire I quickly made my way back to where my brother was. I nearly dropped the water bottles soon seeing four men guarding the entrance. I grumbled to myself and decided to take a different route to get inside.

Once I entered through the back which stupidly enough was not guarded I took down two more of the men in the department store where my brother is. I attempted to make my way into the room he was in before big arms wrapped around me.

I wasn’t a small tiny person but I wasn’t big either. My family had a history of tall kids so I took advantage and threw my head back making contact with his nose. I wanted to rub the part his nose made contact with but I had no time as another pair of arms wrapped around my neck pulling me back and before I knew it, my feet were off the ground.

I was being carried from my arms and my feet. No matter how much I kept moving their arms were not budging. “Well, well, well, what do we have here,” A voice boomed from in front of me as I was thrown into the floor.

A grunt left my lips, “What the hell? Is that anyway to treat a lady?” The man faked sincerity, throwing a hand to his chest. The two men mumbled an apology to him and he simply shook his head before looking down at me, “My names Negan, what’s yours?” Pushing myself up to look at him I nearly fell back at how close he was to me.

He was crouching in front of me with a grin on his face. He was handsome, I’ll give him that, but nothing disgusts me more than evil men. “Y/N,” I quickly spit out causing him to nod before looking behind him.

“Was that your brother,” my eyes shot up at his choice of wording. Fearing the worst I shot up to check to see if he was dead before I was held down by Negan. “Woah! Calm down pretty lady, he’s alive, buuut he’s not doing so good.”

I sniffed and attempted to back up before I felt something poke the back of my head. I turned to see two guns pointed at my head, no doubt on orders by whoever the hell this guy was.

I looked back at him as he looked deep in thought before feeling his eyes wonder on my body. I suddenly felt naked even though I had more than enough clothes on. I wanted to shield myself and hide away with my brother.

“I have an idea,” Negan grinned from ear to ear. My eyebrow raised as I watched him stand up and pick his bat up. Shit. That thing had barbed wire around it. My eyes widened in shock as I was sure he was going to kill me.

Instead he crouched down in front of me again this time his bat was resting on his shoulder, “How about I put your boyfriend out of his misery and take you with me so you can serve under me OR,” he exaggerated the or.

“He comes with us and we treat him under the condition you marry me.”

I chose the latter in hopes to see my brother at his best again. I couldn’t live in a world without him, I just couldn’t. So reluctantly I sat next to Negan as we made our way back to where he called “The Sanctuary “

“So, how long have you and your boyfriend been a thing,” Negan nudged my shoulder lightly to get a response out of me. God I hated the way he looked. He looked so happy and carefree, like nothing in the world was wrong, like everything was just perfect the way it was.

Side eyeing him I responded with disgust, “That’s my brother dip shit.” This only caused him to laugh and the driver next to me to give a chuckle. “You got some spunk to you, I like it,” was the last thing he said before we arrived.

I was met with a woman in a nice black dress. She looked beautiful… Negan introduced me to her and everyone else who was kneeling before him as his new wife. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my sickly brothers eyes widen as he was taken inside by a man in a white coat.

Once I was inside I was escorted by Negan himself into a room with sofas and other luxury furniture. “Hi, I’m Sherry I’m sorta new. Frankie and Tanya have been here for a minute but don’t worry, you’ll be taken care of and treated like a queen, hopefully,” she didn’t think I heard it as her back was now turned to me but I did. I heard that last word.

She showed me to a room nearby and gave me a mini tour. The room was nice it had a full bed, a kitchenette, a loveseat, a table with two chairs, and a bathroom that had a big shower. I stared in awe and she just smiled sympathetically at me.

“You should clean up, I left you some clothes and shoes change into them and give me your clothes your wearing now when you’re done,” Sherry pointed towards the small dress and heels placed on the bed. I turned to her with a raised brow.

She just shook her head, “You have to wear it if you’re gonna be his wife,” my eyes widened in realization that those girls were also his wife. I wanted to just take my brother and run away from here, but this place was a luxury and I still needed to locate my brother.

Giving her a nod she smiled before leaving the room not bothering to lock it. I didn’t care though, a shower sounded like something I needed. I spotted razors and a variety of different soaps. I smiled at the sight and remembrance of when I would spend hours in the shower shaving every crevice of my body.

So I did just that and two hours later with a slight headache, wobbly legs, and tired arms I got dressed. The dress was a bit tight around my chest and waist but flowed a bit at the bottom. A silk A-Line dress with a slight corseted top. My boobs were a problem in itself, they were practically spilling out and anytime I tried to pull it up I felt the air on my ass. Sighing I went with having my chest out rather than my butt.

It didn’t help that the bra I was given wouldn’t fit with the dress and the underwear I was given was a thong that went right up my ass. The heels were strappy and relatively low, thankfully. I turned to open the door but it was opened for me instead.

I made eye contact with Sherry as she looked down at me and smiled, “If I didn’t have a boyfriend and a husband, I’d be all over you.” I blushed lightly at her comment and she took my hand. “Come on, the girls wanted to do your make up and hair, show you the ropes and rules.”

“I know how to wear makeup and do my hair,” I deadpanned as we approached the familiar room with the sofas. “Not the way Negan likes it, he’s pretty picky with this kinda stuff,” she explains and ai only nod in understanding not that she can see me as she’s pulling me into the room.

There was a mirror set up and a chair in it’s some hair tools and a makeup bag. Frankie pulled me to sit down and Sherry sat across from me on the counter holding the mirror. I looked up at her and we smiled at each other. Frankie and Tanya got to work on my hair. Now that my hair had somewhat dried they put stuff in it and blow dried it then they began to curl it.

After that they pinned my hair in place before moving onto makeup. I felt like a doll as the girls lightly touched my face applying the product. Giving one spray they stepped back as I looked in the mirror.

What the hell? I could barely recognize myself. I wanted to take the mirror and throw it out the window. “I hope you memorized everything we did because all this stuff is yours now. It’ll be delivered to your room in a bit but Negan wants a small ceremony to show you off,” Tanya spoke folding her arms over her chest.

It all made sense now and I could only nod. They began to clean themselves up and a man came in with some food on a platter, placed it on the coffee table, then he left. “Let’s dig in,” Frankie said and the girls all walked over to the platter.

I watched as they slowly picked apart the plate and left some to the side, no doubt for me. Sherry motioned for me to sit by her and I did. “How are you guys handling this so well,” I ask, my throat a little dry from not talking a lot. Tanya got up and went to the fridge and Frankie sighed.

“He gave you an ultimatum didn’t he? Look he isn’t a bad guy, he just does bad things,” I scoffed at her words. “It’s true. Believe it or not…he saved us. He gave us an out and if I have to kiss him or have sex with him every now and then I’ll do it because I know that I’m safe and so is my baby sister,” My eyes widen at her words.

Kiss? Sex? Saved?! It sounded like a bad case of battered wife syndrome. I sighed and shook my head, “I have to have sex with him,” I ask in disbelief. “Well no. I just do it because he’s hot and has a big dick, but he won’t force you to do anything. Kissing though, he doesn’t like to be embarrassed so even a peck on the lips will suffice,” Frankie explains and Tanya snorts as she comes back with a bottle of water for me.

It was cold… I stare at the bottle while Tanya teases Frankie about her relationship with Negan but I pay no mind. My brother… where is he… I need to see him… I can’t do this without him.

I was interrupted by my thoughts before the tears came by a man, “He’s ready for you, Y/N.” Sherry stands up and offers a hand. I take it and we follow the man through hallways before spitting Negan standing at the edge of a ledge, fencing stopping him from a long way down filled with people kneeling.

He turns to me and I watch as his eyes visibly widen and his mouth nearly hangs open. Sherry squeezes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. I give her the same back as she leaves me to join the other girls.

My attention is turned back to Negan when he clears his throat and offers his own hand. That’s when I spot it, there’s a box in his pocket. I sigh as I take his hand and we walk to the end of the ledge where Negan allows everyone to stop kneeling.

A man comes up from behind us and we’re soon facing each other. The man begins to speak words that were going through one ear and out of the other. That’s when I spot him. My eyes widen and I feel my hand twitch, my brother was staring at me with hard eyes, but he looked visibly better.

“I do.”

My attention is snatched back to Negan and the man, so this is what weddings are like? Negan grins at me as it was not my turn to say the words. “I do,” I speak softly “you may now kiss the bride,” the man states before backing up.

My eyes widen and Negan steps closer to me placing his hands on my waist, his next words shocking me and sending waves to my core, “Is this okay?”

I stutter out a yes and he pulls me close and gives me a firm kiss on my lips. My first one… I hear applause from all around us and I feel Negans lips turn into a smile against mine.

It had been about a week and adjusting to this life was…hard, but for my brother it had to be done. Speaking of, I was allowed to see him today. Nerves shook through my hands as this would be the first time I see him since that day he was nearly huffing out blood on me.

I cringe at the memory as I exit my room. The hallways was a little dingy but there was enough light to see who stood at the ends of the halls or who sweeps them. My thoughts were interrupted by a big burly man and two other guys a bit smaller than him. “Look who we have here, names Clyde,” I roll my eyes and cross my arms but then I see his eyes wander to my chest.

“She’s a sexy little thing isn’t she,” one of the guys behind Clyde speaks causing him to grin, “oh she’s not little in certain areas,” he bit his lip and walked close to me but I kept walking back. “You better not tell Negan, or I’ll have to make sure you never speak about anything to anyone ever again, got it sweet cheeks,” Clyde bit his lips and placed his hand under my chin.

The other guys behind him resorted in blatant insult, “I bet that sluts always on her knees for him. Dress like a whore, look like a wore, bet she fucks like one too,” I spit at Clyde causing his eyes to darken. “You shouldn’t have done that bitch—“

“Y/N!” My body was frozen in fear from the look he was giving me and I turn my head to see Sherry walking up to us. “Back off Clyde. Go shove your dick in a walker,” Sherry grabbed my arms and pulled me away. At first she seemed mad and angry, the grip on my arm hurt but then I looked closer at her body language.

The hand in my arm was shivering and the other hand was balled into a fist also shaking… she was scared of him too. I hear a scoff “That’s not true,” he sounded more like a child now. Sherry only rolled her eyes before dragging me to our room with the sofas.

In this lighting I could finally see the fear behind her, “That was Clyde, Andrew, and Nick… Stay away from them.” Before I could respond Frankie and Tanya greeted me. After the hugs I explained that I needed to go see my brother and excused myself.

“Be careful,” I heard from behind me, it was Sherry.

The way towards the medical wing was… interesting. I nearly got lost and had to ask a guy with a giant letter on his dirty sweatshirt. I forgot the letter and was pointed in the right direction. I wasn’t stupid I knew his eyes weren’t on the ground they were on me, more specifically my chest.

I shivered at the coldness as I entered the medical area. “You must be Y/N,” I heard a voice from beside me a turned to see a man in a white coat, he looked ginger. “What gave it away,” I asked softly causing him to smile, “I’m Doctor Carson. I’ve been taking care of your brother these past couple of weeks.”

“Has it been that long,” I accidentally speak out in front of him causing him the chuckle “I’m afraid so. He’s been waiting for you and don’t worry if he’s snappy. He just learned his sister is married,” he gave me a gentle smile. I nod and make my way to his room area.

“You look like shit,” I speak out to my brother who is currently looking out of a small window having to crane his neck to see. His head whips over to where I’m at and he scoffs “You look even worse.”

I smile softly and approach, my heels clicking on the floor. I sat on his bed and we sat in silence before I spoke up. “I had no choice… it was either he killed you or he treated you either way I’d still be here… I didn’t have a choice… I can’t live without you,” before I knew it there were small droplets placing themselves on the backs of my hands.

“I…. I know. And I understand, just—just…if he fucks with you he fucks with me okay,” I nod at his words and smirk before turning my head to finally face him. He looked so much better and his voice was now clear and not hoarse like it used to be.

“N-Not like that! Idiot,” He nearly shouts causing me to laugh. For the first time in a long time I laughed, and it was because of my brother. “I didn’t even say anything bozo,” he started laughing and then I laughed harder at his laugh.

We both sighed before I leaned forward to hug him, my arms wrapping around his waist, “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m gonna talk to Negan and tell him to move you next door to me,” I mumble loud enough for him to hear me. He chuckles and rubs my back, “If he listens to you.”

I look up at him and give him a weird look but he shakes his head as if to say it’s nothing, but I give him a look that tells him bitch tell me. He sighs and leans closer so I can only hear.

“They thought I was asleep and I over heard some guys were threatening to overthrown Negan. Negan heard and he was fuckin furious I mean he didn’t say it but the way his voice sounded gave me chills. Be careful okay,” I pulled away in disbelief and shock. I give him a nod before we were interrupted by Dr. Carson.

“Visiting time is up,” he gives us a smile and I return one as does my brother. “I’ll see you soon,” I tell him and he waves me off like he jokingly doesn’t believe me. I just didn’t think I’d see him the same day…

After hearing what my brother said about some guys trying to overthrow Negan I made my way to his bedroom. I wasn’t 100% sure he was there but one of the guys mopping told me he should be there, so I made my way to his door.

I knocked for about three times before twisting the nob. My ears filled with moans and screams of pleasure as the door opened wider. My hand left the nob and my eyes went to the sofas in the room where Frankie was on top of Negan with no clothes on.

She was bouncing up and down in him with her hands in her hair moaning rather loudly it’s a wonder I didn’t hear it from outside which probably meant the room was sound proof. I made eye contact with Negan and as soon as I did he shouted, “Oh fuck!”

Frankie turned to look where Negan was looking and gasped before getting off of him and slipping her dress back in then grabbing her heals and leaving the room. She placed one if her hands on my shoulder in a reassuring manner.

I couldn’t help but feel a little upset. Sure we may not be a real couple but I always believed in marrying out of love. And that’s what I did. I married Negan, not because I love him but because I love my brother and I would do anything for him.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting and instead of looking down at Negans…well little Negan I turned to face his bed instead of straight ahead at him. He sighed and pulled his pants up, leaving his shirt off.

“I told you to wait a minute,” his voice was low and sounded slightly irritated. “I-I didn’t hear it,” I responded and heard him sigh. “Well what is it? You know you have to schedule meetings with me. I don’t like being interrupted and I certainly don’t like unplanned meetings,” okay now he really sounded irritated. He sat in the same position as before on the couch with his legs spread wide.

I clear my throat and shut the door and saw as his eyebrow raised and a smirk grew, “My girls ready isn’t she.” I nearly gagged as I stood before him. “I think I know who wants to take you down,” now hearing that made him sit up “how did you—“

Accidentally I interrupted him “Clyde, Andrew, and uhh what was his name oh yea Ni—“ Negan put his hand up as if to silence me. “Let me stop you right there sweetheart. First you ignore my words and break into my quarters anyway, then you interrupt my sex, then you keep interrupting me when I speak which I should let you know is punishable by death, and NOW your accusing some of MY closest men of treason. Tsk tsk I oughta hang you on the fence,” his voice was laced with venom as his words became harsher by the second.

I could feel the tears fill my eyes as he continued, “Maybe, since you wanna go around accusing people of such shit I should go and make an example out of your brother. Take out his eye? Make you cut off his arm?” My lip begins to quiver as he speaks and I shake my head “N-No please no—“

“Shut the fuck up! I’m tired of you whining when all I’ve done was help you. You should be paying me with your body for wasting so much shit in your brother. This was a mistake, I should’ve just killed you both when I had the chance,” Negan grumbled the last sentence before bringing his hand down his face.

“Leave, I don’t every wanna see or hear you walked into my room with or with out permission or else Lucille is gonna have a nice wet date with your brother,” as soon as he said brother a small sob escaped my lips as I sped walked out of his room.

I wasn’t looking up, I couldn’t. The tears were already coming out and if it wasn’t for all the things he told me the embarrassment from whispers in the halls caused my face to swell with heat.

I continued down the halls not picking my head up and soon the whispers were gone and I was met with the light hum of the dim lights. I sighed and accidentally let out another sob and I pressed my back to a wall and slid down placing my head in my knees.

“Well look at what we have here,” my body froze at the disgustingly familiar voice. I looked up to see Clyde with his buddies Andrew and that other guy. They stood on either side of me quite literally backing me into a corner.

I looked around for help before trying to make a break for the end of the hall but was stopped when a pear of big arms wrapped around my waist and pressed me against him. “Nah ah sweet cheeks, I told you what would happen if you told Negan. Well, hearing about what happened, he probably won’t miss you once we’re done with you,” his breath was hot in my back sending the terrifying kind of shivers down my body.

I tried to fight back I really did…. But there’s a moment when you fight for so long it doesn’t feel worth it anymore. I kicked and tried to scream for what felt like hours. My body squirmed but I was only met with harsh beatings to my body.

I tried to cry out but my mouth was filled with something else—something that made me want to dissolve into a liquid matter and evaporate into nothingness. I felt disgusting and putrid. My wrists felt like they were gonna break, my head was pounding so hard the world felt like it was shaking in a category 5 earthquake, my chest my body was being tossed and turned in ways it shouldn’t.

I could swear I heard a crack and all I could hear were the grunts and laughter filling my ears. The disgusting words thrown at me making me feel smaller than ever. I didn’t even notice they were done until again all I could hear was the familiar hum of the light above me. I felt the cold air on my body and turned to see my dress completely discarded and torn.

I heard my name being called before I blacked out and felt the wet sting of my tears fall from my eyes.

I heard it again, that familiar hum of the lights only now it was louder causing my upper body to shoot upwards. I looked around with wide eyes, it was significantly brighter the walls were stained but they were still somewhat white. I tried to hide myself and felt sheets on my lower half and looked down to see a gown… wait a minute… this is…

“You’re awake,” I hear a voice from my right softly call. I turned to see Sherry, she looked tired and like she had been crying. “The others don’t know. No one else knows… except for me and Dr. Carson. I forced him to uh do the kit while you were unconscious. I’m sorry I just didn’t want you to relive….that” it all came back to me as my lower lip quivered.

She carefully got up and wrapped me in a hug shushing me as I sobbed into her. She held me and I heard footsteps approaching and a door opening. “She’s awake?” It was Dr. Carson.

Sherry pulled away from me and went to sit back in the metal chair but I held her hand and looked at her and the a pleading look. She understood and took a seat at the end of my feet and rubbed them gently. The act intimate causing me to tear up.

“I know it’s scary. And I’m so terribly sorry for what happened. I usually used this room for surgeries but considering what happened I assumed you didn’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of men groaning in pain,” He spoke softly as he sat in the metal chair by my bed.

“I… I would ask you who did this but from what Sherry tells me I’m sure I have an idea. I’ll let Negan kno—“

“No!” I shouted rather loudly and came off pretty snappy. Sherry even flinched while Dr. Carson only sighed, “This could happen again if he isn’t notified, c’mon Sherry you know this,” he was now pleading to the both of us. I looked at Sherry with wide eyes and she only shook her head.

“It wasn’t as bad as yours and it was a different person. He’s dead now,” she explained causing me to nod softly. “I-I can’t. I don’t want to talk to him or see him or even hear about him,” I spat out to no one in particular and Carson just nodded once again.

“I’m gonna need to keep you here over night and make sure nothing happens and that this was all superficial—of course it isn’t-mentally I mean, but uh I’m sorry this is my first time dealing with something this bad,” Dr. Carson stumbled over his words but I got the memo.

“Me too…”

Dr. Carson explained that the bruising in my legs, arms, torso, back, chest, bottom, and neck should go away in a couple of days and if anything gets worse then I should come back immediately. I turned him out after and Sherry listened to what I need to look out for and how to take care of myself.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Most days I spent in my room staring out the window. The bruises on my lower legs and neck had disappeared but the ones on my arms, chest, and back were still pretty prominent so I had to go bad to wearing that stupid black dress only this time Sherry picked out a different one. It covered more skin and my chest, it was also a bit longer than the last.

She told me she had burned the other one and that she covered for me to Negan and anyone who asked where I was. “I was in my period and there was too much blood and the cramps were awful,” I kept repeating this to myself just about every day.

I hadn’t seen or spoken to my brother and I know he saw me leave the medical area. I missed him but I couldn’t face him, I couldn’t face anyone, not even myself. I punched the mirror in a rage and sat on my bed as my hand bled.

Sherry came by that night. I think she’s like superwoman, she always came when I need her… usually. She helped clean my hand then we both cleaned my bathroom together.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of it but now because my dress had sleeves I felt like Ben more compelled as the blade glided through my arm. In that instance I felt my worries wash through me. The water from the shower definitely helped clean it.

When I got out I got some bandages from my first aid kit and wrapped them lightly so they wouldn’t cause a bulge in my dress. I made my way to our room and found it empty.

Nervously my eyes darted around the room and landed on the door more than a few times. Annoyed at my paranoia I got up to get something to eat from the fridge. The opening of the fridge was loud enough to cover the opening of the door to the room.

I found what made my belly grumble and I reached for the pickle jar. Pulling it out and sighing constantly I scream in shock at Negan by the fridge with his arms over his chest. He too jump in shock his eyes wide “Jesus Christ!”

I ended up dropping the jar by my feet, the juice splashed on my feet. I looked down at my feet and the now smashed jar of pickles not wanting to look at Negan. “I’m sorry,” I gave a bow and went to exit the room quickly until a hand wrapped around my arm, that arm….

I shouted in pain rather loudly causing him to let go of me in fear he held me too hard. It wasn’t until I saw him look at his hand that was slightly damp with blood, my blood. Damn… I should’ve put more bandages over it.

“What the hell,” his voice was now confused as he stared at the blood on his hand then looked at my arm. His eyes narrowed as he grabbed my wrist causing me to hiss in pain and carefully pealed back to soaked black fabric.

The first thing he saw was the soaked bandage then his eyes wandered to the bruise leaking out from the folded over sleeve. He took my other wrist gently and pulled me in the direction of his room.

Entering his room I was filled with a familiar feeling of dread and shame. His voice ringing in my ears from that day. I didn’t want to look up, I couldn’t, afraid he’d call me names and ridicule me further. He pulled me down to sit on the sofa in front of him.

I could feel his eyes scan over me, but it didn’t feel like it used to. Was it… pity? Disgust? Disappointment? Maybe even hatred?

“You did that,” he nodded towards my arms. I stared at the soft carpet beneath my feet, “Why?” His voice caught me off guard. He sounded sincere but I wasn’t a fool“It was my fault wasn’t it? You’re not happy.” I didn’t say anything and we sat there in silence.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were unhappy? You know you can come to me for anything,” His voice was soft but my head shot up as soon as the sentence left his mouth.

Rage. Anger. Guilt. Shame. I stood up and stared straight at him and I saw his face, it was firm but his eyes told me he was concerned and confused. I wanted to laugh at him, “You wanna know why I’m so goddamn unhappy?” I nearly shouted at him.

I leaned down to insta my shoes and reached for the hem of my dress pulling it over my body then my head. I threw the dress in the floor and watched as his eyes widened. I couldn’t help it, I was my fathers daughter and when looking in the face of confrontation I get enraged.

“This. This was you. All you! I tried—“ my voice caught in my throat as I tried not to choke up. “I tried to come for you to help and you DIDN’T CARE. Instead you ridicule me and embarrass me! Clyde. Andrew. And Nate,” I couldn’t help the chuckle that came out as I shook my head closing my eyes. “Some husband you are.”

After I said that he shot up out of his seat. I expect him to scream in my face but he only walked out the door, slamming it shut so hard the room shook. I flinched at the loud noise and vibrations before mentally gathering that he did in fact not care.

What was I thinking? I’m such a fucking idiot. After I got dressed I walked to the medical area. I needed to see my brother, I needed to cry to him. I needed… to feel like I mattered.

Once I entered the medical area I noticed Dr. Carson hunched over his desk. I slammed my hands on his desk causing him to shoot up. “Where is he,” I asked rather calmly in attempts to sound composed, though I felt the complete opposite.

I know my brother was discharged a day ago from here, but he needed check ups. Carson’s face contorted into one from confusion to despair. “Y/N… I th—I think you should sit down…” He stood up and pointed to the chair beside me. “Tell me where he is or I’ll burn this entire unit down,” I snapped at him.

I didn’t want to believe it. “He’s gone, Y/N,” my head snapped to the voice in the doorway. Negan. “Shut up! You have no right to be here!” I shouted at the man as I walked over to him practically shoving my finger in his face. “I own this place, Y/N… He was… murde—“

“I said shut the fuck up!” I shouted in Negans face. He only looked at me with sympathy and sincerity “Stop it! Stop that! Stop looking at me like that! It makes me sick,” I spat at him.

He only sigh and gave a nod to Carson who left the us alone in his office. “Looking at you like what,” Negan egged on curiosity getting the best of him. “Like you give a damn about me! You don’t care about me! You just want women to fuck! You are as heartless as a stupid fucking rock! You do things and say things but you don’t mean them,” I shouted at him my chest rising and falling from anger.

“I love you,” he spoke softly looking at me with an unfamiliar look. That pissed me off. “No you don’t! Shut up! Shut up! Shut the fuck up!” I began hitting his chest and he stood there taking it. I only stopped when his hands grabbed my wrist pulling me into him.

His body heat and warm scent filled my nostrils, that and the smell of the medical wing caused an overwhelming amount of emotions to flood my senses. I began to sob into his chest and I felt his arms wrap around me pulling me into him as we shifted to the ground.

“He’s not—he can’t be!” I let out a painful cry and he responded with brushing my hair down with his hand and rubbing my back, just like how my brother did. I couldn’t take it and I gave in, wrapping my arms around his waist as I wailed into his chest.

After about an hour and a half I was now down to hiccups and sniffles, still in the same position as before. I felt Negans lips press into my head, “He was out in a run with Clyde and Nick… they just got back and… came back with his head. I asked why they had just the head and they said to put it on a stick because he tried to kill them,” my grip tightened around Negan as the tears came flooding back.

“Why?” My voice was weak and hoarse from my previous sobs and wails. I felt him sigh against my cheek, “I asked them the sam—“

“Why did you tell me you loved me,” it seems my question caught him off guard. His hands grasped my shoulders and pulled me back gently so he could look me in the eyes.

“I told you I love you because I do. I love the way you smile, the way your hair looks when it’s not curled, the way your face is when there’s no makeup on it, the way you dress when your not wearing your dress,” my eyes widened in shock at his confession. I watched his eyes soften, “I also hate you. I hate the way you make me feel. I hate the way you make me want to kick all of the other girls out and just have you. I hate the way you look at me when I do or say something that upsets you. I also hate when you don’t look at me, those eyes… they haunt me. And if I could look at one woman the entire rest of my life, it would be you.”

My vision blurs at his words as I look down and feel tears slip from the lids in my eyes. His hand gently pulls my face to look at him “I would do anything to make you feel good. I would burn this whole place down if it meant seeing you smile or laugh.” He leans forward and feel his lips press my skin gently on my cheeks.

I felt hands on me. I felt their hands on me. I felt their breath and their teeth. I heard their laughs and their groans. I tried to push them off and screamed for help. Their hands gripping my wrists so tight it felt like they were going to break off.

“Y/N!!”

I gasp and look around me. It was slightly dark in the room the only source of light came from a bed side lamp—wait a minute. I don’t have a bedside lamp. “Y/N, baby, are you okay,” I heard Negans voice and my body came down from that tense feeling.

“I-I could feel them… their touch and their laughs…” before I knew it I began crying and Negan pulled me into his arms the two of us falling side ways on the bed. It felt good. The bed was soft and sunk under me. The comforter was a big fuzzy black one.

“It’s okay. No ones gonna hurt you again okay? Get some sleep we have a big day tomorrow,” I simply nodded at his words as he pulled the covers over us and held me close.

By the time I woke up the sun was peaking through the curtains and I was fully aware of where I was. Negan’s room. I had been sleeping here for two nights already. I didn’t want to go back to my room or anywhere else.

I left a dress at the end of the bed along with a note and some heels. I sighed and decided to shower before getting dressed. I froze when I saw myself in the mirror. I couldn’t pull myself from looking away. Disgusting. Shame. Hatred. And anger filled me up as I looked at myself.

I clenched my fists and shut my eyes before turning the shower on. It was so much nicer in this bathroom, it made me feel like I was low class and he was middle upper class.

After showering and getting changed I read the note:

Meet me at the spot ;)

-Hubby

I rolled my eyes and carefully made my way to “the spot” I was taken out of my thoughts when I felt someone fall into step with me. I stopped and spotted her brunette hair curled. She turned and smiled softly at me.

“I’m sorry… about your brother,” she reached for my hand and I let her. I didn’t want to cry not now but this was all too overwhelming. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t alone,” I smiled sadly at her and we soon began walking again.

“Dwight met your brother. He really liked him. Said he was sassy and not afraid to show it,” I looked down and frowned at her words. I knew Dwight from Sherry, they were supposed to get married before Negan found them. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s what got him killed,” I said softly but loud enough for her to hear me.

She sighed and came to a stop. We were now just a hall away from “the spot” Negan wanted to meet me at, “Don’t blame anyone but the dickheads that killed him okay? Your brother was one of the good ones, which is pretty hard to come by nowadays.”

I sighed and shook my head in agreement. She shot me a comforting smile and squeezed my hand much like when she showed me off to get married to Negan. I gave her a smile back and let go, turning down the hallway to spot Negan just standing there swinging Lucille back and forth.

I assumed he heard the click clack of my heels because he looked over at me and grinned from ear to ear. Usually I felt disgusted when he looked at me like that but I only smiled at him and he held his arms out to me.

I leaned into his hug as he kissed my head and whispered in my ear, “let’s get this show in the road.” We made our way down to the common area where there was a giant brick made furnace. There were also four men lined up, each had a bag over their head.

I watched from the side as Negan instructed the bags be taken off their heads. My eyes widened as I saw Clyde, Andrew, Nick, and another guy. My hands started to feel clammy as I tightened my grip on the hem of my dress.

I then watched with a mixture of different emotions as Negan beat the shit out of all three guys except for Clyde. He had been blubbering like a baby and whining in fear. I could only stare as Negan forced him to take off his pants in front of all the saviors.

He did something rather unexpected but also expected, he took an extremely hot iron an held it to Clyde’s penis. I watched Negan in adoration as Clyde began convulsing. It looked like he passed out but a few moments later he turned into a rotter.

Negan took a machete from one of his men and chopped Clyde’s head off. He then instructed his men to clean up the mess and put his head on a stick outside the sanctuary. He then looked at me and motioned for me to come over, “Let this be a lesson! You fuck with my girl, Y/N, I will see to it you never get the ability to fuck ever again!” Then there was a roar of cheers and I made eye contact with the girls who were also shouting

Negan brought his hand under my chin pulling me to look at him, “Is this okay?” He asked making my heart flutter and my mind to race before pulling him in for a kiss in front of everyone.

“Negan!” I shouted as I felt his beard tickling my neck. “Mmm” he groaned softly placing more kisses downwards. “You have a meeting in 10 minutes,” I gasped as his hands found their way under my dress. We were seating on the sofa in his room.

It had been a week since he publicly executed those guys. I didn’t want to speak of them, it always managed to ruin my day. “I don’t care. Don’t wanna be interrupted from time with my girl,” he mumbled into the skin on my chest causing me to chuckle.

“Oh yea that’s right you don’t like to be interrupted—oh!” I felt his fingers press against my center causing me to let out a moan and grasp at his hair. “Don’t do that baby, I won’t be able to control myself,” he looked up at me through his lashes and I placed my hand on his cheek.

I smiled and pulled him in for a kiss before we were interrupted from harsh knocking “Come on man, some of us have meetings!” Shouting came from behind the door.

“I’m not done with you sweetheart,” Negan grinned and gave me one last passionate kiss before pulling away and fixing himself up. “Hey,” I called out to Negan who turned around after picking up Lucille, “I love you.”

I was met with a groan and he tossed Lucille aside on the loveseat and turned to open the door, “reschedule the meeting!” I heard him shout before he shut the door and locked.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he began taking his shoes off and pulling his shirt over his head. “Why don’t you come and show me,” I teased pulling my dress off. That seemed to do it for him and soon he pounced on the bed causing a string of giggles to come out.

It was hard getting used to it, to everything. I didn’t even think to think about someone like Negan in such a light, but he wouldn’t always tell me he cared about me instead he never failed to show me how he felt.

[the-iceni-bitch]

I'm sorry you had a rough year babe 🥺 sending you lots of warm hugs 💗 If you're feeling it, could I get #8 from hurt/comfort with Natasha? Love u!

Thank you honey. I’ll be just fine, promise. 🥹🤍

13. “Just keep breathing. In and out. You’re doing great.”

I’m gonna do this with my established couple from the NLLYL verse, Nat and Peach, because I feel like it fits them well.

“Baby?” Nat frowned as she walked in the front door, not used to having the house so quiet since you’d moved in. “Are you home?”

She walked through the hall until she heard a noise from the bathroom, her steps getting faster when she heard what she thought was sobbing. When she found you curled up on the floor she cursed and immediately knelt to join you, pulling you into her arms when another sob wracked your body.

“Baby, what happened?” She made a soft hushing sound as she let you tuck your face into her shoulder, kissing your hair and rocking you back and forth.

“I dunno,” you hated how your voice sounded when you were this upset, coughing and sniffling as you tried to catch your breath. “Nothing happened. I was fine and then suddenly antsy and I could feel it getting worse so I went to take my meds but I couldn’t find them and then I kept panicking more and more and I’m sorry I’m such a mess.” All of it came out in a rush in one breath before your chest heaved again.

“Okay baby, look at me, c’mon.” Nat tilted your head back so she could see your face, taking one of your hands and placing it over her heart so you could feel it beating as she began to take deep breaths. “Just keep breathing. In and out. You’re doing great.”

You just kept looking into her eyes as you did your best to get your breath to match hers, letting your mind go empty except for your breathing and Natasha’s face. When you finally felt calm again you had no idea how much time had passed. Your body felt leaden and exhausted, so when Nat scooped you off the floor all you could do was sigh.

“That’s my good girl.” Nat kissed your hair as she carried you down the hallway. “Do you want to eat something or would you prefer a nap?”

“Food, please.” You sniffled again as you looked up at her with wide eyes. Even when she was giving you that reassuring smile, you still didn’t know how she managed to put up with you, sometimes. You were a mess and a half that annoyed even yourself. But you also didn’t know what you would do without her, and you loved her all the more for being there for you.

⁂❆❅ 𝒥𝑜𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝐵𝓁𝓊𝑒 𝐵𝒾𝓇𝓉𝒽𝒹𝒶𝓎 ❅❆⁂

[dailydemonspotlight]

Ghoul - Day 124

Race: Haunt

Arcana: Death

Alignment: Dark-Chaos

October 10th, 2024 (Happy Silent Hill day!)

A ghoul. A manor. A casket. When it comes to spooky things, nothing really beats out Zombies in terms of popularity- so many games and movies have been made inspired by the shambling dead that it's gone beyond just a popular trope and into the form of a cliche. However, as with all stories and pop-culture tropes, something has to be the originator of this all, and zombies take a lot of inspiration from something surprisingly obscure, given their influence: Ghouls. Of course, everyone knows what a Ghoul is- a living corpse is as synonymous with zombies as everything else, though they're typically more associated with the 'spooky' conception of mummies- but their origins are actually far more interesting than the general consensus would leave you to believe.

While ghouls are typically seen as a generic kind of monster, being an overall descriptor or, cough, a race of many different kinds of beings, the idea of a Ghoul is actually very specific, originating all the way back in ancient Arabian religions. Traditionally spelled Ghūl, this specific species of actively malevolent jinn were said to be the offspring of Iblīs in Islamic texts, and interestingly they typically only took the form of women. Using these forms, they'd seduce and lure away men, or otherwise kidnap children and pretend to be their parents, all for the purpose of devouring the people upon no eyes being laid on them. However, Ghouls aren't specific just to Islam- they were actually rather prevalent figures in pre-Islamic Arabia as well. To quote the article linked above,

Arabs before Islam believed that when God created genies from the gusts of fire, He made from this type of fire their female part, but one of their eggs was split in two. [...] As for the devils, they came from another egg and settled in the seas. Other evil creatures, such as the Mârid,3 inhabited the islands; the ghoul resided in the wilderness; the si'lwah dwelt in lavatories and waste areas; and the hâmah4 lived in the air in the form of a flying snake (1986, 171).

However, Ghouls were adapted into Islam, as many ideas from pre-Islamic nations were subsumed into it. Ghouls fit well as a kind of malevolent Jinn, and they can be seen mentioned in some Islamic texts, such as the Encyclopedia of the Qur'an. While not directly mentioned in the Qur'an, the word is used derivatively in reference to poisoning oneself with intoxication and wine, in the form of 'ghawl.' The conception of Ghouls in pre-Islamic Arabia were adapted surprisingly well into Islam, and they, themselves, are an intrinsically Asian and utterly fascinating creation, which makes their... subsumption into 'spooky walking corpses' rather disappointing.

As beings who took the forms of women and lured men away to devour them, Ghouls actually share quite a lot of traits with many other mythological beings- Succubi being a rather obvious example- but as time went on, people likely began to associate them less with their feminine form and more with... well, popular consensus on what Arabia was like. Ghouls weren't even known to devour corpses, yet as time went on they were slowly combined with other monsters of similar calibers in other cultures and soon became completely separated from their original context, instead turning into starved beings who devoured corpses. Is it a cool idea? Sure. But it's not what a Ghoul actually is! Sorry, I digress- in terms of SMT design, they take a lot more from the new idea of what Ghouls are, being a skinny, gaunt figure who hangs around burial grounds. A bit disappointing, but what're you gonna do?

[akisunlovesnalu]

I’m back because of my most recent hyperfixation!! *cough* Punkflower *cough*

During their annual “Summer Sleepover”, Nobody expected to find Miles, a boy with amnesia and a secret that goes deeper than just running away from home.

Hobie, Gwen, and Pav are going to help him solve this mystery by whatever means possible… Even if that means adopting the kid into their friend group by default.

“I never said I don’t know what a microwave is.” Miles rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in annoyance. “I may have amnesia but I'm pretty sure I didn't live under a rock!” “Or inside of a spaceship?” Pav popped out of nowhere, a glazed donut fit snugly between his lips. “Or that.” Miles hissed

Everyone could feel the moment the power shut off. 

It was impossible to miss. 

Without light, the city was pitch black. Loud machines which acted as a sort of substitute for white noise in people's homes suddenly fell silent. And if, for some strange reason, you were still left unaware of the power outage? You wouldn’t be for long. The resounding rumble that you would feel in your bones? The static shock that traveled all the way from your torso to your chest? That would have been a good enough clue that something was not right.

Though the power outage wasn’t such a strange occurrence to send panic into the hearts of the citizens of New York, it was still a large enough nuisance for the groans of every breathing soul in the city to be heard.

Including the groan of a large man standing atop a pile of rubble. Rubble which showed the remains of a once tall standing building. The man chuckled to himself, the wide frame of his body shaking from the movement. He threw his head up towards the sky as his laugh grew louder and the few people who managed to survive the explosion looked at one another in worry.

After a nudge from her coworker, a small woman bit her lip and began to speak up. “Uhm-”

The man grunted, holding up a fist and signaling silence. He scanned the small crowd of injured researchers and quirked his lips up into an evil grin. 

“Find him.” was all he said. Though it was less of a request and more so an order. A promise of unfortunate circumstances if they were to fail. The scientists secured their jackets and scurried out of the damage in a hurry.

They had a lot of work to do.

______________________________________________________________

Hobie Brown kicked at his Air Con unit with his heavy black combat boots. The red shoelace flung itself through the air as his kicks grew more aggressive.

“Hobie, My guy.” Pavitr Prahakar walked over to his friend, throwing a casual arm around his shoulder. “I do not think kicking the AC is gonna fix it.”

“He’s right.” Gwen Stacy paused the game she was playing on her Nintendo Switch, placing it on the couch and giving her other two friends a look that screamed are you serious?

“I think you might have broken it.”

“Oh, man!” Pav giggled to himself as he squatted down, observing the machine and the large dent in the middle of it. “Bro you totally broke it!”

“Whatever.” Hobie rolled his eyes, throwing his long limbs over the arm of the couch, and laid his head down on Gwen's lap. “Like you know anything…” 

She rolled her eyes and flicked his forehead good-naturedly. “Don’t pout you big baby. I’m sure we can deal with the heat just fine.”

“I don’t know about that…” Pav slumped his body over the couch, staring down at the two with a gleam in his eye. “Maybe we oughta cool off in a different way….”

Gwen froze, a slow smile working its way onto her cheeks. Hobie managed to quirk his lips up into a smirk, flinging himself off of the couch with little effort.

“There we go Pav,” He smoothly threw on his ripped jean jacket and stomped his way over to the window. “Looks like you know something after all.”

Gwen pumped her fists and cheered, running into Hobie’s room excitedly. “I call Hobs’ sweater!”

“Awwee” Pav whined, throwing his own hand-knitted jacket over his shoulders. “You always get the sweater when it is my turn!”

“Neither of you runts should make a habit out of nabbing my jumpers!” Hobie yelled, twirling his house keys around a finger. “Now let's go! I can feel myself boiling.”

The three left through the window and unto the fire escape.

“It’s not even that hot.” Gwen rolled her eyes, leisurely strolling down the stairs of her friend's apartment complex. 

Pav grinned. “She’s right, Hobie. Maybe you're finally suffering from wearing so many layers!”

“What a silly way to say you’re jealous of my style.” Hobie shook his head endearingly before jumping onto the railing. He hung off of it with one arm, pointing to the two of his friends with the other.

“First one to the top of that building?” He moved his hand until it pointed to the apartment directly across the street. “Wins!” And with that, he flipped off and landed on someone else's Air Con unit.

“Not fair!” Gwen laughed, she and Pav fought their way toward Hobie.

While instinct tells the onlookers from below to be alarmed, they are anything but. Not only do they have little time to care about the well-being of other people, but these kids have made a habit out of jumping across buildings in competition. The three were regularly caught grinding rails of buildings several feet off the ground.

They found a sort of freedom in this. Jumping from building to building. Challenging each other to ‘who can do the most backflips.’ The tops of buildings in New York City were like homes away from home. Every teenager feels the need to escape the stresses of their everyday lives. These three just have an unusual means of escape.

“You think that’s cool?” Pav jumped around, dismissing the way Gwen had managed to land on her pointed toes. “Watch this!”

The boy sprinted off of the roof they were on, flipping onto the next and landing on his hands. He spun himself around as if he were a hip-hop dancer and finished, sitting in the full-on splits.

“Holy shit!” Hobie cheered, crossing the cavern over to the roof Pav was now on. “That was absolutely insane, Man!” The taller boy gripped his friend's shoulder, shaking him in excitement.

“Stop one upping me Pav.” Gwen rolled her eyes and strolled her way over to the others. “I’m trying to impress Hobie.”

“Ain’t no need for that Gwendy!” Hobie ruffled her hair and shoved her aside. “The both of yous are plenty talented on your own. Caring about my opinion is playing into that fascist mindset!”

“Right!” Pav agreed. “Just because I’m currently beating you by 2 points, doesn't mean you can’t also be second best,”

Gwen gestured towards Pav with a gobsmacked expression. “Hobie!?”

“Ain’t nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition either!” Hobie chuckled, jumping onto the wall and sliding onto the next rooftop.

“Let's see…” He hummed while the other two followed close behind. The boy scanned the area stroking his chin in thought.

He snapped his fingers. “That's it!”

“What’s it?” Pav breathed into his ear.

“I’ve got the perfect way to settle our score.” He replied, holding Pav's head away as the other boy struggled.

Gwen hummed. “The parking lot?”

“Looks pretty empty don’t it?”

Pav finally managed to escape his friend's grip. “Maybe too empty.” He voiced and squinted down at the dark parking lot, the only light in the middle of it flickered ominously. “Usually in the books, we’d refer to this situation as a ‘Death Flag’”

“Relax, Bro” Hobie slung his arm around his two friends' shoulders, squeezing them to his side. “Whoever wins gets to keep my jumper.”

The other two froze, their eyes glinting at the challenge. 

“Oh, you’re so on!”

____________________________________________________________________________

While the competition was all fun and games, Pav’s heart rate was about to make things anything but.

His anxious feelings about this place were rewarded with terrifying sounds and moving shadows. The lamp in the middle of the lot flickered again sending his eyes darting towards what he thought was someone limping in the corner.

What was that burning smell? Why was this parking lot abandoned? There were too many important questions and Pav did not have enough patience to figure them all out!

“You know what? I don’t need that sweater immediately! Maybe we can continue this challenge in some other, not-so-creepy parking lot!”

“Chill out Pav we’re fine!” Gwen ignored him, cartwheeling down a slanted slab of concrete. A loud banging noise was released from the concrete once she landed.

Pav shrieked. “Preferably when the sun is out!”

Hobie sighed, nudging Gwen comfortingly. “Pav’s right, we should go.”

“But-”

“Gwendy it’s still a sleepover. We’ve got plenty of popcorn and shitty cartoons to keep ourselves occupied at my place.”

Gwen signed in defeat, tapping her foot in annoyance. “Fine. But cartoons are my pick!” She turned towards the way they entered. “C’mon Pav, you win.”

Instead of the predicted, “Thank you!” As she had expected, they were instead met with silence. Hobie and Gwen shared a worried look.

“Pav?” Hobie walked towards his friend who stood stalk still. The boy was pointing into the darkness and exhaling a silent scream that sounded more like a wheeze than anything.

“What's…” He froze, finally noticing what Pav was pointing at.

He made eye contact with another boy. One he has never seen before. A boy who definitely hadn’t been there a few seconds ago.

“What the hell…” Gwen whispered.

The boy pulled his attention away from Pav as he noticed the other two. His eyes widened.

“Hey man, you feeling alright?” Hobie was making his way toward the disgruntled stranger, tilting his head in concern. “You don’t look too hot-”

The boy flinched back, fidgeting with the sleeves of his torn jacket. He seemed to be debating with himself on whether or not he should put his fists up and fight. This kid looked like an absolute mess.

“It’s alright.” Hobie soothed, taking slower and lighter steps towards him. The boy's chest that was once rising and falling in a panic seemed to calm down once he realized the others meant no harm. Hobie couldn’t help but compare him to a deer caught in headlights.

The boy's voice cracked as he asked. “Who-who are you?”

“That’s what we wanna know.”

“I don’t-” The boy's eyes shot back and forth as he scanned over Hobie and his friends. Gwen began to tiptoe towards Hobie with Pav clinging onto her arm like a lifeline. 

“Miles.”

“Alright, Miles.” Hobie tested out the name on his tongue. “The name’s Hobie. These are my mates-”

“I’m Gwen” She sent the boy a reassuring smile and he seemed to relax even more.

“P-pav!” Their youngest friend squeaked, still hidden behind Gwen.

Hobie clicked his teeth. “Get from behind her Pav. He’s probably more scared of you than you are of him.”

“And so are spiders apparently!” Pav hissed.

“No it’s fine…” Miles tried to speak.

“Yeah, well, spiders have probably been through a lot and they just wanna sleep somewhere with a warm bed!” Gwen chimed in.

Hobie stared at her in disbelief. “Hold on, are you offering my apartment!?”

“Or!” Pav pulled on Gwen's arm angrily. “These spiders were sent down from outer space to collect data about our race and lay eggs in our mothers!”

“This spider’s been reading too much sci-fi!” Gwen flicked his forehead in annoyance.

“This spider is still stuck on why his apartment is suddenly up for sale!” Hobie added through gritted teeth.

“This spider just figured that since the other spider hated cops so much, there was really only one option!”

“Well, this spider would have loved it if you had asked his opinion beforehand!”

“This spider was getting to that-!”

“This spider loves his Maya Aunti too much to let some spider plant eggs in her!-”

“This spider thinks you took too long to “get to that”!-”

“Hobie spider should stop pulling my hair!”

“Well, Gwendy! Maybe Pav Spider should stop rattling on about alien egg babies!”

“Maybe Pav Spider is onto something!-”

“Can we please stop referring to each other as spiders!” Miles yelled, holding his hands out in panic.

The three, mid-fight, turned to look at him in shock as the lamp flickered on and off.

“You guys are weird!” He pointed out.

“Right…” Hobie cleared his throat, detangling himself from the mess of limbs they’d somehow become.

Gwen cleared her throat even louder, gesturing towards a jittery Miles.

“I-” Hobbies eye flicked from Miles to Gwen. From the stern tapping of her feet to Miles’ charred Jordans…. The decision Hobie had to make was clear. His conscience wouldn’t allow him to say no.

“Where’d you come from?” Hobie had to ask, walking closer to this Miles fellow. Miles shrunk against his intense gaze, his eyes darting toward every piercing on his face.

“I… don’t know.” Miles looked away, confused. His breathing picked up again as his hands clutched the hair on his head. “I don't- I can't remember where I…”

Miles was panicking now, his expression looked far away.

“Hey Bro, it’s okay.” Hobie didn’t know when Pav had gotten so close, but he couldn't be more thankful for that fact.

Pavitr laid a comforting hand on Miles’ back, rubbing gentle circles as he spoke. “You don’t gotta know right now. What’s important is that we get you some food, water, and a place to sleep. Yeah?”

He looked at Hobie when he said that and the boy clicked his teeth. Like that wasn’t already obvious.

Miles looked at Pav like he was an angel sent to Earth. “Yeah. You’re right man, sorry ‘bout that.”

“No worries.” Hobie smiles, crossing his arms. “But we had better catch the bus before they stop running.”

“Thank god!” Gwen smiled wide, punching Hobie in the arm good-naturedly. “The bad boy act doesn't suit you at all.”

The four teens walked towards the nearest bus stop, Pav’s arm hung around Miles while he talked his ears off about aliens.

“Who said I was trying to be bad?” Hobie did not pout while he rubbed his now sore arm. “I am whatever the hell I say I am!”

“Sure.” Gwen chuckled. “My bad.”

Part 2

[stuckysimp]

Just Stay

Summary: Pre-serum Steve gets sick and Bucky comes by his apartment to check on his friend

TW: Illness, mentions of death, mentions of period-typical racism, fever, bleeding from the ear, period-typical religious practices

Word Count: 1265

Co-Author: @ivyace

Taking the steps two at a time, Bucky made his way up to Steve’s apartment. He’d spent the day down at the docks, having dropped out of school to work like most kids. Not Steve, though. No, Steve had stayed in school, too sick to work. At least, too sick to do the manual labour that Bucky did.

Bucky knew that Sarah, Steve’s mother, already overworked herself at the hospital and now that Steve was sick…

He shoved the thought away and knocked, smiling up at Sarah when she answered the door.

“Hello James.” She looked like an absolute wreck - hair a mess, dark circles under her eyes. Had she even been sleeping?

Bucky’s smile faded into a more solemn expression as he nodded in greeting. “Evenin’ ma’am.” He walked inside, his stomach sinking when he saw Steve on the bed.

If Sarah looked like a wreck, Steve looked about ten times worse. The poor guy could barely seem to keep his eyes open. He was pale as anything, and his frail body was shivering violently, blood dripping down from his left ear.

God…

Bucky was snapped back to reality when a rattling couch escaped from Steve’s chest. He looked over at his friend, his chest tight with worry as he went over to him. “Heya pal.” He mumbled, readjusting the wet cloth on Steve’s forehead. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Sarah do the sign of the cross, clinging to rosary beads that she clutched to her chest.

If she was this worried-

“Can he eat?” The question left Bucky’s lips before he’d really even registered it.

Sarah shook her head and Bucky’s stomach sank. “I’ve been trying to get some water and broth into him, but he can barely stay still enough to eat. We’ve just got to keep him cool and hydrated, and hope the fever breaks.”

Bucky nodded as Sarah spoke, but his eyes didn’t leave his trembling friend. “I-...” He composed himself quickly. Brave. He had to be brave, for Steve. “I’ll go fill up his cup.”

He moved quickly, almost stumbling as he did, grabbing the empty cup by Steve’s bed. He filled it up and then came back, placing it down once again. In the time that he’d been gone, Sarah had knelt down beside her son’s bed, mumbling what he assumed were prayers in a language he’d come to recognise as Gaelic.

The woman almost never spoke the language, and Steve had said that it was to keep them safe. Fit in with everyone else. So Bucky knew that she must be stressed. Not that he blamed her.

Bucky cleared his throat, feeling almost out of place as he watched the two. “Is there anythin’ I can do to help ma’am?”

“Just stay, Jamie.” Sarah let out a shuddering breath as she spoke.

Bucky’s chest tightened so much he felt like he was gonna choke but he nodded. Right. Stay. He could do that. He forced himself to move to Steve’s side, sitting down beside the bed. “I’m here pal, it’s gonna be alright.”

Sarah reached up, wiping the blood away from Steve’s ear. The boy hissed through chattering teeth, letting out a quiet whimper, the sound full of pain.

Bucky felt a little like he was going to be sick, watching his friend suffer like this. “Has he ever been this sick before?” He couldn’t bring himself to look away from Steve, even as his expression remained solemn.

“When he was younger, yes.” Sarah’s voice was a lot quieter now. “But…”

Bucky didn’t pry further, biting his tongue with a nod. He didn’t want to upset Sarah more.

“You’ll take care of her, right? If-” Steve’s voice was raspy as he spoke, a hacking cough cutting him off.

“Of course-” Bucky began to respond, interrupted quickly by Sarah.

“None of that Steven.” Sarah sounded like she was on the verge of tears. “You just rest now.”

Nausea filled Bucky’s stomach but he fell quiet, watching with a breaking heart. He hated that this could very well be how Steve died. With all his problems… God… It didn’t take too long for Steve to basically pass out. It wasn’t an easy sleep, and Bucky watched as his friend tossed and turned, body soaked through with sweat.

No matter how much Bucky wanted to look away, wanted to leave and deny the fact that his friend was sick, he didn’t. He’d been asked to stay, so stay he did. For as long as it took, he would always stay.

When Steve finally woke, a good few hours later, an almost smirk slipped over his features, his gaze turning over to the two beside his bed.

“Not dead yet.”

Sarah almost sobbed, nodding quickly as she moved closer to her son, cupping his face to inspect his condition. Bucky watched, shaking his head with a fond smile at his friend.

It had been terrifying, watching Steve sleep for the hours that had passed. The stuttering rise and fall of his chest had been enough to make Bucky hold his own breath, praying that this world would spare his friend at least of pain if he’d passed.

“Sounds funny.” Steve muttered, tilting his head like he was trying to get something out of his ear.

Sarah just nodded, even as a frown formed across her face, “You’ve just been ill, time will tell.” She seemed to pause, hesitating, before she stood. “I’m going to get you some soup.”

Bucky watched as Sarah walked out before turning his attention back over to his friend. “You already look heaps better.” He spoke, trying to be at least somewhat encouraging. “And you ain’t shaking anymore. That’s something.”

“Glad I don’t look on death’s door.” Steve’s tone was light, joking, but Bucky knew his friend knew the gravity of the situation. Just how close he’d come. He looked towards the door. “No priest yet, she must’a had faith I’d be alright.”

Bucky frowned at that, following Steve’s gaze over to the door. “I reckon if it went on any longer, she would have.” He admitted, his voice soft so Sarah wouldn’t overhear from the kitchen. “Gave your ma a scare, that’s for sure.”

Steve nodded slowly, guilt passing over his features. “I know.”

“But she’ll be better now, ya know? Uh, now that you’re getting better.” Bucky quickly added, kicking himself internally. He didn’t want to make Steve feel guilty for something so out of his control.

Steve’s expression morphed to a frown but he nodded, his gaze going distant for a moment before it snapped over to Bucky. “You stayed here all night?” He seemed… confused?

Bucky shrugged. “Yeah, uh, ain’t gonna leave ya when you’re like that Steve. It’s not right. Besides, your ma asked me to, and she shouldn’t have been left alone.” He paused, expression twisting before he continued, pushing himself up to his feet. “I… would stay more, but uh, work.”

He shook his head and glanced over at the kitchen before looking back at his friend. “Rest, alright? Don’t do anything stupid until I get back.”

He was glad to see his friend smile at that, even if he still looked utterly exhausted.

“How can I? You’re takin’ all the stupid with ya.”

Bucky let himself form his own smile and he did a mock, two-fingered salute before turning towards the door. “See you later, ma’am!” He called out towards Sarah before he forced himself to leave the apartment.

Taking the steps, two at a time, Bucky’s chest was lighter now. Steve would be alright.

[thekinkyleopard]

Just a Lil Bit

A Remi x Levi Non-Canon One-Shot

A Snz Fic

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

Sneeze Fet, Mess, Spray, SlightCNC

🍋

Author’s Note: I know I said I was gonna post other stuff but like @aller-geez was so sweet and cheered me up a lot with a custom and more RemixLevi, so I feel it only proper I repay her with a raunchy smut piece 🫶🏻 Enjoy 😉 As always Remi and Art by Geezie! This prompt is based off @sickhaze

Description: Levi has been under the weather for the last few days, it’s really bad today. Determined to try and get ready to feel better, he finds it difficult past the fits of illness. Remi, who’s been pent up sexually the past few days suffering through Levi’s horrible cold, finds it impossible to hold back any longer.

“Unnnngghh….” He felt horrible, his whole body ached, his face wouldn’t stop leaking, his nose wouldn’t stop itching and his eyes wouldn’t stop watering. It had been two days he spent in bed and he needed to at least take a shower…or wash his face…yeah…wash his face would be easier to achieve. He looked around the room, seemed that his boyfriend was no where to be currently found. Probably pouting somewhere. He felt for him. However, he was just so miserable he didn’t want to over exert himself. Very carefully he trudged himself out of bed and stumbled over to the closet. His face snuffling, his body trembling. “H’GNXT!” He stifled into his inner arm, snuffling loudly afterwards trying desperately to clear his air ways.

He didn’t care what he wore, he quickly snagged a t-shirt from Remi’s side of the closet, then proceeding to shuffle his feet across the carpet into their shared bathroom. “Hnnn…” he groaned again as he met himself in the reflection of the mirror. Disappointed in the dark bags under his eyes, red and puffy orbs he did not look like himself whatsoever. Slowly he stripped off his shirt, and his boxer briefs to boot. Standing there completely nude and flushed, his nose crinkled, he watched in the mirror as his face contorted, twisted when another rough sneeze pushed up through his sinuses, he whimpered weakly.

“H’TsCHU!” Unable to catch it this time, he sprayed all over the mirror in front of him. “Ah fub…” he mumbled, snuffing up his full nostrils. Lazily he grabbed a bundle of tissue paper and began to wipe at the droplets of saliva that had decorated the reflection. He didn’t do much but smear, which made him even more frustrated than he currently was. Like a small child he stomped his feet back and forth tossing the tissue down angrily, before he turned on the sink. “Stubid colb….” Complaining with a phlegmy inflection before slowly he bent down to start washing his face, still stark naked. He splashed a decent amount of water across his face, a few times. It felt very refreshing until he accidentally snorted a few droplets too many and caused himself to choke softly. In an attempt to catch his breath he slammed both his hands on each side of the sink to keep himself stable while he coughed it out.

However, the cough soon turned sour as he felt the stinging sensation return, his face quickly scrunching up as he shook his wet face above the sink back and forth, trying his best to fight it off. In this same moment that Levi struggled, Remi appeared behind him in the doorway, frozen in a complete state of shock. Taken off guard really.

“Eh-TSHU! Hh’…ETshu!” It poured out of the small sniffling leopard quickly and his back arched while it rolled through him. His nose dribbled as his face continued to hover over the bowl. “Hnn..” he mumbled miserably. Remi’s green eyes brightened..his palms trembling as he watched his mate, bent over in a sneezing fit. It had been two days since he had been able to ravage his little kitten. Banished from touching…knowing full well this was…prime practically splayed in front of him like a Christmas ham. He slowly licked his lips as his fingers tightened into balled fists.

Levi slowly leaned up and looked back into the mirror, and despite the smear of mess against the reflection, his watered, reddened, blues widened seeing his hungry partner looming from behind him. Swiftly he turned around lifting his hands up in the air and shaking them back and forth. “B-baby…h-hey um…I uh,” knowing full well how this may look to the man who was all eyes on him, the wolf stepped slowly, closer. All he could do was snibble loosely, trying his best to wipe the mess off his face as he fought the inner urges that beckoned.

“Kitten…tsk tsk…” he shook his head back and forth eerily slow, clicking his teeth as he closed the distance between them and drew a slender index finger under a bit of dribble from the leopard’s chin. The small action alone caused Levi to shudder, sniffling softly as he shrunk under him. “This is…” turning the man’s face nonchalantly back and forth, eyeing him down like a hunk of meat as he just barely leaned back to get a full view of the naked man in front of him. “Such a delicious sight…you can’t..expect me to turn down such an opportunity, can you?” He slid his tongue hungrily over his glossy white canines.

“Um…y-ye..hHh..aah…” his face suddenly turned inward, ocean blues squinting against the bright lights of the bathroom as he tried so hard to keep the feeling down, his reddening nose wiggling pathetically, it was too good. Remi latched the crevice of his hand into the center of the leopard’s thin neck, rapidly turning him around, his back flush up against his chest. He forced the cat’s face in an upward position to gaze upon his lewd face.

“Stop holding it back, kitten,” his mouth was at Levi’s ear whispering hot words that caused the smaller to whimper helplessly.

“R-Remi…I don’t…Hh’EH…” as he tried to suddenly close his lips again, the wolf’s fingers slid up just enough to grip his maw wide open, dragging his index under the male’s nostrils to tickle them back and forth. “H’EHTSHU! ‘TSCHU!” He blew across the mirror, splattering a mess over the image of his own face, getting some on the wolf’s fingers, and taking note of the darkness glowing behind Remington’s toxic green orbs. His mouth hung open loosely now without the help of his mate, forcing him. “Are yob sadibied?” Levi’s face crinkled in circles as he looked back at the other through the mirror.

“Mmm, not until you’re doing it with my cock deep in your ass,” he growled again into the leopard’s ear who could only snivel with a loose whine, trying so hard to fight the symptoms that ravaged him. He ground his hips aggressively into the smaller’s taut little ass, reaching his free hand down to take a handful of his cheek before spanking it hard. Staining the flesh with a bright red hand print.

“Ahh~” Levi jolted at the sudden burst of pain, leaving behind tingles that rippled up and down his arms and legs. “B-baby..n-no I don’t f-feel good..” pleading with his boyfriend as his ass wiggled helplessly against the other’s clothed groin.

“Mmm..oh, come on… just a little bit?…” his voice was void of compassion as he nipped small marks down the leopard’s freckled shoulders. It sounded like a question, but there really was no choice on Levi’s end. Running that free hand up the younger’s smooth ribcage, the hand on his mouth jerked Levi’s face back down to look at his reflection directly, his blue eyes pleaded for mercy, but his body continued to positively reflect to Remi’s intimate movements. It was pointless to argue, he could feel it brewing up again, the itching prickle that picked at the inside of his nostrils. “Mm it’s coming again isn’t it, my little cub? Go on, give Master a nice big one,” licking the outter shell of the cat’s attentive ear.

“B-bub I’ll m-make a-..haHh..mebb~” he whined as his breathing already caught in his throat, the inevitable response to follow was haunting him as his body screamed to release. Remi’s toxic greens rolled back for a brief second before he seethed through his gritted teeth.

“Then make a mess…” Levi’s body shuddered at this, his eyes making direct contact with the man behind him from the mirror, before he heaved lightly. The wolf watched carefully as the ducts of his mate’s eyes started to flood back up, cheeks dusting redder before the tip of his nose twitched ever so delicately. His free hand moved quickly on himself to unbuckle and zip his jeans now, barely shoving them down past the hole in his boxers. While he easily slid his hardened cock from the fabrics that blocked him, the cat sniveled and hitched.

“H’hEh…” building faster, his body stiffened as it prepared for the worst, the wolf taking a pause to push himself roughly against the leopard’s flushed back as his eyes continued to observe the cat’s reflection. This caused Levi to slam both his hands up against the wall ahead, just under the reflective surface before he lurched forward, the sneeze racketeering through his face suddenly. “H’HETSCHU!” His mouth sprayed openly against the reflective as Remi kept the other’s jaw spread with his palm. A small bit of dribble slid down his gripped fingers. “H’TSchU!” This one more nasally as they both watched carefully. Levi’s throat whimpered again, it sounded stuffed, phlegmy, almost. “R-Rebi…” the cat begged gently with his stuffled voice.

“You’re so fucking cute…” he nipped at the leopard’s ear, then his neck before pushing his cock at the other’s bare cheeks. Free hand gripping the base of his length for guidance.

“Rebi…n-no…” his wet ceruleans rolling back as the wolf’s tip rubbed haphazardly against his puckered entrance.

“Just a lil bit…baby…” his voice hot at Levi’s freckled flesh causing the small man to stumble and stutter underneath the stimulus. His haunches pushed slowly to meet the man that was trying so hard to push his way in. The raven haired one leaned back enough to give himself room to collect a mouthful of saliva, then dribbling it out of his lips as he allowed gravity to bring the pool down to his cock, rubbing it in swiftly as it gave him the lubrication he needed to breach. The wolf’s face shot back up to study the expression written on top of Levi’s breathtaking, flushed and sickly features. It was desperate, wet, red in several areas that only left the man’s cock twitching.

“HnN’h..ah~” his little kitten crumbled as the younger’s face tingled and ass rocked back. “CHU!” A small one racked out of him, sending the wolf plunging deep inside the cat’s awaiting hole, his hands now both holding a vice tight grip on his boyfriend’s haunches. Levi still bent over, but staring at his own lewd reflection as his mouth hung open, face red and watching the liquid dribble out of all his holes. He couldn’t help but allow his ocean blues to fall back behind his head as he allowed the man to ravage his ass. “Ahh~ HaHh!” He moaned pathetically pushing himself back to match each violent thrust.

“Mmm see…I knew you missed this..” Remi chuffed as he continued to stuff himself inside the other. Levi’s chest stuttered as he felt another build up starting to bubble up behind the surface. “Ohhh, baby? Another one?” He cooed still watching the younger through his reflection as he pumped his dick harder into the cat’s bundle of nerves.

“H’TSCHU!” He allowed it to force it’s way out, painting the mirror again, watching the wolf hungrily drive into him from the splattered surface that dripped now. He snuffled and sniffled, only to moan loudly as his ass was pumped and thrusted. He looked like an absolute mess, eyes blood shot, nose leaking unable to rub it free. Remi could sense another one about to rip through his suffering partner and he grumbled to the cat. “Go ahead, look at yourself…see how sexy you are when you blow your hole,” commanding of his little submissive, the leopard could only mewl pathetically before his eyes connected with himself in the filthy mirror.

“Hih’TSch!” Slightly staggered through each rough pound. Remi grunted with a strangled hitch of his breath as he felt Levi’s walls tighten, watching him witness his own sneeze. He hissed as the hole suffocated the aching length that assault the sneezing kitty’s insides. Levi’s cheeks brightened vermillion upon the sight of his own sickly reaction.

“That’s it…good job kitten..do-Hah~ don’t stop,” his voice strangled as he tried to focus on the origin of pleasure, his cock slamming the little leopard. The cat continued to brace himself against the wall as he huffed, gasped and wheezed. He felt several volts of electricity zap into his fingers and toes while his mate pumped. His moan cut off by a sudden tickle in his throat, he felt the itch consume him once again. “H’hih…H’tS-cHu!” His saliva spritzed into the air as his sneeze teetered while he was used like an object. Remi’s hands tightened, sure to leave perfect finger stained bruise marks against the cat’s delicate hips.

“That’s going to do it for Daddy…” he hissed before bending inward sinking his teeth carelessly into the back of Levi’s neck, almost like he was scruffing him at an angle. The cat whined, a mixture of pleasure and pain vibrating his small weakened frame, snubbling and sniffing in between gasps and groans.

“Hn-..hah~ Ba-by…!” The cat cried out to his mate as he suddenly felt a tight grip on his stiffened cock, and it leaked over the now shuffling, and engorging his fingers.

“Don’t worry, I got it…I know how to take care of my little kitty~” he promised as his palm squeezed, pumping to the same rhythm of every haggard thrust. Levi could swear he was on the verge of straight up blacking out, but he stayed strong, hands falling from the wall to grip the sides of the sink.

“Goinb…hAH~ t-to..cub…” he choked behind his stuffy sinuses. A small bead of sweat slid down the side of Levi’s temple as he felt the build up that had stacked up in the pit of his stomach, spill over. His body lurched forward, bending further into the sink as he came hard over Remi’s swiftly moving hand.

“Oooh~ there it is…” the wolf praised his spilling mate before making haste on finding his own blissful release. He chuffed loudly his hands both again gripping the leopard’s delicate and bruised haunches with possession. “Give Daddy one more….” His tone dark, almost threatening and Levi dare not defy as he allowed his stuttering body to give into the merciless tickle.

“HiH’sChu!!” He exploded once more while his boyfriend relished in the tightening walls that caused his own orgasm to come spilling into the snug cavern.

“Riiiiighhhhttt…fucking there…” the man groaned slowly while his hips hitched forward with sloppy action, making sure he drained every last drop of seed inside the heaving cat. He rested his forehead ontop of the man’s messy white hairs, catching their breaths slowly, Levi’s a bit more labored.

“You jub…” huffing softly “Alwabs hab to hab yob way don’ yob?” Gasping in a low stuffy decibel as he reached a hand up to finally swipe and clear the snot dribbling from his face.

“You know what...” panting softly in a pause “It does to me when you’re sick like this…” biting his lower lip as he huffed through his nose.

“I dob’ kno whad I wad thiging trying to keeb yob awab,” shaking his head back and forth with a strangled giggle.

“Honestly, I don’t know what you were thinking either…” laughing as well before finally pulling himself out, and immediately moving to draw his sickly boyfriend a hot bath. “Lemme make it up, by scrubbing you clean,” he reached out a strong gentle hand to his weakened mate, smiling tenderly.

Turning his head to face the much calmer man now, he returned the grin and took the offered hand. “Thabs baby…” sniffling politely as he allowed the larger to care for him for the remainder of the night.

The End

Author’s Notes: Hope you liked it Geezie and Snow Puppies! 🥺🫶🏻

[coconox]

what if,,,, hypothetically speaking,, i do a frame by frame analysis of the nocti v nigel cg,,, ahahaahaaaa,,,,,,

I AM GONNA PUT THIS HERE NOW THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR SANDS OF WRATH AND, OBVIOUSLY, SPOILERS FOR THE CG

i do recommend watching the cg first before reading all this since i will mention a lot about nocti and nigel's movements using timestamps for the vid since my storage hates me and i can't really properly add multiple clips 💔

!! LINK TO CG ANIMATION HERE !!

I WILL ALSO BE USING MTL FOR ALL THE DIALOGUE SO I'M VERY SORRY IN ADVANCED IF THE DIALOGUE IS INCORRECT TO WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS

from the get-go i will mention that before nocti entered this fight, skk had a m.i.n.d link with nocti. and since skk is poisoned, nocti is gonna feel the same over the time

aside from him coughing up vital fluid at 0:39, you can really see the poison start getting to him when he fights. starting from 0:14 you see nocti's movements getting slower and slower which becomes more obvious when you see him throw less punches/kicks and his reaction time worsening, allowing nigel to easily counterattack

callback to his last fight with nigel shown at the beginning of the chapter

ER05-01

i would also love to point out how nigel is such a good foil for nocti. from the opposing color schemes to their behavior. nigel having a black color scheme to fit with the whole idea that he is an assassin hiding in the shadows (which is an often recurrence of him throughout the story by either him watching nocti in the distance or showing up unexpectedly). black can also be associated with power and death, connecting to the fact that nigel carries such a strong poison to where there's no known cure, which allows nigel to easily control others to his bidding and/or make them suffer. as opposed to nocti having a white/vibrant red color scheme to fit how bold or loud he is. red can be associated with anger and white can be associated with purity/innocence so it fits with his personality too (since nocti is often left in the dark of a lot of situations back when he was in the purifying force)

ER05-08

around 0:46 - 0:57, 1:05, 1:18 - 1:33

essentially any part where nocti is heavily breathing

ER05-01 structure that this narrator is mentioning is nocti

this is probably leaning more into hc territory, but i think out of all the playable constructs we've met, nocti feels the most "human." he eats, drinks, sleeps, has breathing patterns that the narrator loves to point out, basically does a lot of human practices that constructs don't need to necessarily do, but he does it out of habit. he even believed at one point that constructs can get sick (obv they can't)

dialogue at 0:27

nigel: "you are still the same as before" nigel: "everything covered by anger" nocti: "nigel!!!!!" nigel: "you always thought my poison could only be attached to weapons, right?" nigel: "never doubted what i said"

callbacks to the last fight nocti had with nigel. when nocti was at his lowest, that's when nigel finally spoke. nigel alludes to nocti's naivety again, making nocti finally realize the poison wasn't contained in a separate attachment/weapon, rather nigel is the poison itself

ER05-12 nocti telling skk where the poison might be (remember at this time he still didn't know how nigel injects the poison, he just knows nigel has the ability to do so)

ER05-08 nigel pointing out nocti's naivety

the realization of where the poison's actually located, after the dialogue at 0:27

the location of the poison is more obvious in the reference sheet of nigel (since the ref removes the cloak he's wearing) (link to tweet about nigel that includes this ref)

callback to when nocti and skk first began to plan how to track down nigel after the rediscovery of nigel's poison

ER05-12

callback to him saying "leave everything to me" shown in the previous image.

the light in nocti's hands in the animation is skk (figuratively, not literally ofc LOL), having faith in him that he WILL beat nigel and will give him their all to help. though honestly, all he ever really needed was someone to trust him unconditionally

2:15 - end

"give that bastard a taste of our true wrath"

"partner"

the peak embracement of nocti and skk's partnership. this was the missing piece that he needed to finally beat nigel.

ever since the beginning of this chapter nocti has implicity or explicitly stated (whether it be through his first encounters with skk or in flashbacks of his hubris being in the purifying force/early days of cerberus) he prefers to work alone and leave it at that. he thought it'd benefit everyone if he didn't rope people into his mess, and he fully believed finding and confronting nigel again is something only he should burden

ER05-06 nocti and skk took turns asking for context of what's been going on

skk, cerberus, and the people of new oakley however say otherwise.

skk, in their words, "took a gamble" and just had a gut feeling to stick around and help him and even be down to consider him as a partner

ER05-05

ER05-06

it should probably be noted that skk saying they believe him "just because" carries a lot more weight than at first glance. having someone believe him without him really needing to prove himself with evidence makes nocti appreciate skk a lot more than when he first encountered them in EX05 or at the beginning of this chapter, showing that skk isn't like everyone else he's met and perhaps has a chance to be friends or more with them

ER05-11 first instance of nocti calling them partner

ER05-11 nocti "subtly" correcting vann with referring to skk as his partner

these screenshots can keep going on and on but you get the idea LOL they call each other partners from ER05-11 onwards.

21 and vera believe cerberus isn't complete without him

ER05-15 despite nocti technically being considered as a part of the purifying force at this time, vera and 21 will always believe he truly belongs in cerberus

and the people of new oakley see him as a brother/friend they could rely on and share a drink with

ER05-09 after nocti saves new oakley he gains a lot of respect from the people in town and they all decided to celebrate nocti's win

for most of his life he was practically feared or looked down upon by the people he was with 'cause of his loud and reckless demeanor, and to finally have that revelation that he IS wanted, needed, LOVED even, that people are able to put their trust and faith in him, that allows him to be the best version of himself he could ever ask for

am i looking too deep into this? probably

there's probably a lot of bias from that whole analysis i just love nocti ok—

i do wish we can see more of his backstory. he's one of the few that actively hide it (with the addition of vera not revealing it out of some respect for him), and i just wanna do a deep dive of how he became the way he is today. he's also one of the older constructs given his frame id (BPO-03), makes me wonder how or why he became a construct in the first place-

anyways, that's my rant for the month, ty for reading if you made it this far lol

have some love and a cookie you deserve it ❤🍪

[d3coyheart]

call me a lyft, or a black hearse.

helepelpelpeplelp i don't usually post my writing but there's a first time for everything !!!!! i wrote this based off of the song funeral grey by waterparks, the words in italics are references to the song!!! ------------------------------------------------- lawrence didn’t quite know why he had come to this party, it was really not his kind of crowd. loud booming music, the smell of alcohol apparent in the air, and various conversations. sitting with an undrunk rum-and-coke in hand, lawrence questioned whether or not he should just drive home now. he checked his watch. 11pm.

more guests entered the party, including a man who immediately caught the older man’s eye. he was way younger than lawrence, in a faded band t-shirt and baggy jeans, smudged eyeliner clouding around his eyes. he felt captivated by the man, he was curious about his rockstar demeanor. lawrence’s recent divorce made him feel increasingly lonely, he felt the need to have someone to talk to. someone to get to know. so, up he went, beginning his journey toward the man.

pushing past crowds of people, lawrence almost finds himself lost in the sea that is this party, all the walking taking a toll on his good leg. he somehow ended up being led back to right where he began, where the man had seated himself with a bottle of beer in his hand.

”hello,” lawrence interrupts the man from his thoughts, “is this seat taken?”

the man stares for a moment, “uhm… no.” he replied blandly and scooched over slightly.

lawrence sits and shoots him a smile.

”I’m lawrence”, he stuck out his hand to be shaken.

”adam”, the other man smiles as he accepts the gesture.

slowly, they got comfortable with each other. talking, laughing, and telling stories of the weird people they interact with in their separate careers, lawrence as an oncologist and adam as a photographer. turns out, a lot of older men love asking people to photograph them naked. both men might’ve had a bit too much alcohol in their systems, as they both dissolved into shells of their sober selves.

”what’s your favorite color?” lawrence choked out through a fit of giggles.

adam smirked, simply pointing at his waist, a grey zip-up hoodie tied there

”that’s not a color, it’s a shade.”

”don’t disagree with me!!” adam shouts at the older man.

lawrence lets out a hearty chuckle at adam. seeing the smaller man’s grin had his heart doing double time. he wanted to get closer with adam. learn about his family, learn about his hometown, his friends, his hobbies, “I just want you to be my next mistake that I’m gonna make” he’d think to himself as 3am struck the clock.

adam pulled a cigarette out of his pocket shortly after their conversation came to a pause, lighting it and taking a long drag.

”that shit is gonna kill you..” lawrence spoke in a softer tone.

adam smirked maniacally before blowing his cigarette smoke into lawrence’s face, throwing the older man into a coughing fit.

”now you’re gonna die too!” adam responded slyly.

the two men smiled before falling into a mutual big fit of laughter, laughing until their abdomens cramped with pain. every time the laughter dissolved, a giggle would send them back into it. the slew of people still at the party shot them dirty looks, but they didn’t care. they were lost in the moment, lost in themselves and each other.

they both knew they couldn’t drive themselves home in their drunken state, but adam knew a guy who knew a guy, and ultimately the two men ended up in one of the spare bedrooms of the house. pros; they could sober up and drive back to their separate apartments in the morning. cons; this bedroom only had one bed, and sleeping next to someone you just met and barely know is typically a bit unusual.

”I could take the couch downstairs and you can have the bed?” lawrence suggested to the younger man at his side.

”… nah”

adam pulled lawrence into the bedroom, forcing the older man to take a seat next to him. they sat in the silence of the bedroom as the clock struck 4am.

”wanna hit the hay, old man?”

”I’m not that old, adam.”

adam chuckled at his comment, undoing the belt that held up his jeans and yanking them down, leaving him in just his boxers. lawrence was confused by this and furrowed his eyebrows at the younger man.

”what? I’m not sleeping in those uncomfortable ass jeans”

lawrence giggled before taking off his own pants and gently tugging off his prosthetic. he also pulled off the crewneck sweater he had on, leaving him in just his white tank top and boxers.

adam had already laid down and got himself comfortable in the sheets before lawrence picked up the blanket and maneuvered himself under. the shorter man stared at the taller as he got comfortable, before cuddling himself up next to him to lay on the other man’s chest. was this a bit forward of adam? probably. but lawrence didn’t seem to mind, the way he wrapped his arm around adam to pull the gap between them even tighter. adam dozed off quickly, leaving lawrence awake alone to admire him. it was odd of him to feel so strongly about a man he just met in the prior few hours, but the connection between them was instant. nothing felt forced. it was like finding a lost piece to the jigsaw puzzle of life. lawrence’s thoughts soon got cloudy as his eyes got heavier, before he drifted off to sleep along with the smaller man in his arms.

[birdo-is-here]

Lucifer does some self-renovations while Enoch sits there and looks angry

word count: ~1800

trigger warning for quite a lot of blood and gore (specifically with the eyes) and also some brief talks about fetishes (skip over Asmodeus’ part if you don’t wanna read about that)

“I’ve been thinking of giving myself a mouth” Lucifer said, as if that was a completely normal thing to say. Technically, to him, it was.

The King of Demons was in his front office, sat at his desk. The room was rather simple in shape; a rectangle. The two shorter walls were covered in soft velvet. The wall behind Lucifer was a window looking out upon the eighth layer; A very, very large casino. The room was remarkably clean, with a rubbish bin in one corner, and a plant that reached the height of the ceiling in the other.

Lucifer stared into a mirror, paying no real mind to the man he spoke to.

Metatron— Or, well, Enoch, now— somehow managed to scowl further. Lucifer never really knew the man too well; a bit beyond his time, but he’d quickly discovered in the old guy’s presence that he loved to scowl.

“Please, I implore that you explain what that has to do with the situation at hand,” The human responded. Enoch was sat at a chair, on the other side of the desk, sort of as if the two were in a meeting. Of course, it was anything but.

Prometheus made a choked sound, his voice muffled under the desk. He sounded to be wheezing for a moment, before he finally managed to speak. Lucifer didn’t even look down; though of course Enoch looked confused as to where the voice was coming from.

“There is no ‘situation at hand’, he just says whatever the fuck he—“ The demon stopped short as Lucifer kicked a leg out, shoving it into Prometheus’ gut. He made an anguished sound that certainly seemed to hurt much more than one would expect.

Despite the rather cruel action, Lucifer spoke pleasantly, “thank you for your input, Prometheus.”

Prometheus coughed a bit, but he didn’t actually seem that phased, “yeahhappytohelp..”

Enoch seemed flummoxed, to say the least, “what was that…”

“No one of concern. An office pet, per say,” Lucifer waved a dismissive hand. He still studied himself in the mirror, as if planning a new make-up routine. It was a bit like a make-up routine, wasn’t it?

He ran a finger down the lower eyelid of the largest eye in the lower half of his face. There were three eyes there that would’ve been in the way of a mouth, “hmm… I’ll have to move those…”

In a rather abrupt, gore-ish series of actions, a knife was summoned into Lucifer’s hand and, in one motion, was stabbed into one of the demon’s eyes. He sucked in a pained breath as he tilted the knife to one side, still in his eye, and spooned the purple orb out of its socket.

Lucifer placed the knife on the table, nudging the piece of flesh onto the wooden surface. It looked a bit more red than purple, now. Dark red blood quickly began to seep into the wood. Well, that was the larger of the three eyes done.

His gaze finally flitted to Enoch. The man looked guarded, but the unnerve in his demeanour was easy to spot for someone with centuries of experience. Humour glinted in the King of Demon’s eyes as dark red blood began to trail down and off his face.

“Do you still have your… ‘ascended identity’, by the way?” The question didn’t really have to do with anything at all. He was just curious.

“… What do you mean by that?”

“Your pronouns.”

“Oh,” That high-and-mighty exterior wilted, just a little, “I… do not. Do all that. Anymore. I am a man again.”

Lucifer hummed, tilting his head at the other, “Y’know, people are gonna look at that and find some trangender-allegory type bullshit in it.”

Enoch scoffed. Lucifer found that subtle disgust in his tone very interesting. “That is entirely separate. This is different.”

“Oh yeah? How?”

“This was God’s doing, it was actually… part of the plan.”

Lucifer hummed, nodding. He decided to humour the man. Truth was, he figured Enoch would fit in right well down here. The demon placed down the mirror on the desk, and a towel was put into his hand instead. He picked up the knife and began to clean it off.

A moment later, the towel was discarded and once again replaced by the mirror. Asmodeus looked back at him. The pink demon had a mischievous look to her, as she typically did. Then, she ducked back down past the mirror’s borders.

Lucifer placed the knife at another eye, and apparently Enoch found it appropriate to ask:

“Are you going to do this in front of me?” He sounded discomforted, and slightly bothered, as if Lucifer was simply inconveniencing him by stabbing out his own eyes. The demon looked back to the man, humour ever present in his gaze.

“Well, I thought you loved this sort of thing. That’s the sort of wind I always caught from Heaven.”

The discomfort grew, “... You would think wrong.”

“Oh, please,” A new voice spoke up; Asmodeus appeared, partially in the floor, next to Enoch’s seat, “you looooved it~ You were a total sadist for their suffering, weren’t you old man?”

Enoch sneered down at Asmodeus, disgusted. There was a bite to his words, “Do not bring your rancid assumptions into this. I would never partake in such acts.”

Asmodeus giggled, only spurred on by his anger. She sunk into the floor again, reappearing beside Lucifer — who had gone back to preparing to stab his own eye out. Asmodeus leaned her weight against the desk, still laughing to herself even as she spoke.

“Even if it wasn’t any fetish, babes, surely you can agree that some part of you enjoyed it.”

The human scowled. “No.”

She matched his tone, the laughter dissipating, “you’re so boring.”

Enoch sighed — it sounded closer to a growl, though, “I never held any opinion toward it. It was simply business.”

Lucifer perked up, then. He stabbed the knife into his eye as he spoke, “ah, like Hell’s own work, then?”

Whether it was the demon’s words, or him suddenly skewering his own eye, something seemed to catch Enoch slightly off-guard. His gaze sidled elsewhere, voice a little quieter, “Whatever you say.”

Asmodeus seemed to lose interest in the whole matter, sinking back down into the floor. As she did so, Mammon phased half-way through the wall, one hand on the soft velvet lining, as if there wasn’t a door to his left that he could’ve simply used. He regarded Enoch with a hungered interest for a moment, before looking to Lucifer, who’s skewered eyeball was now in hand.

“Belphegor is still hungry, for your information. It has started to complain again.”

“Let it go through Leviathan’s lair for a couple days, he’s started to get a bit overpopulated.”

On cue, Leviathan’s serpentine head appeared out of the ceiling, his voice a sing-song tone. Could a man not take out his own eyes in peace?

“That insatiable beast will not feast on my measly sum—~”

“Measly?!” Mammon chipped in. Enoch seemed exasperated already. Lucifer laughed internally at that, “Your conduct would be those suffering from thalassophobia and claustrophobia, you have no such ailments!”

“Don’t go calling the kettle black, teapot~” There was a tinge of aggression to his sweet tone. Leviathan waded in Mammon’s direction as he spoke. “Why don’t we send it after your lot, instead, then?”

“It ate from—!”

“Hey.” Lucifer finally spoke up, his tone hard. Both of them backed off remarkably quickly. The King of Demons waved a dismissive hand, his voice becoming casual again, though it still held a distinct taste of passive aggression, “Let’s not argue in my office, shall we? Go sort it out elsewhere.”

And, perhaps shockingly, they didn’t even argue. Leviathan backtracked into the ceiling, and Mammon ducked back out of the wall. Their muffled arguing could almost immediately be heard through the wall, but luckily their voices seemed to be quickly fading. Lucifer sighed.

“Can’t even have a moment to skewer my own eyeball, right?” Enoch didn’t even try to humour him, so he made a clicking noise and shot finger-guns at the man. The eye was still there. It was bleeding all over the desk. Gross.. Anyway.

Repeating the previous process, Lucifer nudged the eye onto the table and allowed it to join his other eye, before cleaning the knife off once again and angling it to point at the last eye.

“Hmm… Should’ve used a fork, now that I think about it…” He muttered it to himself. Enoch scoffed. Lucifer found it a little intriguing how the man never even bothered to try avert his gaze. He wondered if he thought the demon would do something if he tried not to watch.

He didn’t know if he would, to be fair. He liked the surprise of it all. Who KNOWS what he’d think of next?

“Are you planning to do anything with me?” Enoch spoke up. There was a hint, just a barely noticeable tinge of nervousness to his tone. Ah, the old man fears eternal torture? ..or would it be death? For him, Lucifer supposed death would make the most sense.

He didn’t like Death too much, either. Well, he tried not to, anyway. Before he could go down any of those rabbit holes, he did not respond.

..What, did you really expect him to risk giving away his plan like that? Hell, no. Even if he’d lied about it, the old sod would’ve just detected the lie and called him out on it. Instead, Lucifer simply stabbed himself in the eye one last time, yanking it out with a squelch. The demon didn’t even flinch this time, he never broke eye contact with the man.

Enoch cleared his throat, rephrasing his words. The unease suddenly grew more deliciously evident.

“Are you going to kill me?” Ah, there it was. So it was death, then.

Of course he wasn’t, that would’ve taken all the fun out of it. Death would have simply sent him to a different Hell. In a way, the man was already dead. He’d just simply skipped the… loss of life part.

Lucifer’s empty eye sockets closed, the odd skin texturing sealing over to make it look bare and empty. Then, it started to move again, the demon’s skin moving and contorting to create something strikingly reminiscent of a mouth.

And with his newly formed mouth, Lucifer still made no response. Instead, he smiled. It was a malicious, ill-intentioned grin that certainly would have told the man a plain and simple “yes.” .. Fortunately, it seemed the geezer could only detect mistruths in one’s words, and not so much actions. Very good.

He wondered if the man thought he was going to Heaven. He wouldn’t have been surprised, despite the guy’s apprehension. Humans tended to fear the things they loved so greatly. Just ask God.

[blindrapture]

MONDAY JULY 25TH, 2011 (Avoidance)

8:32 AM I don't want to get up today

8:35 AM Donnie's up. Hey Donnie, can we have a look further into the city today? Just you and me. "Sure. Uh.. anything in mind?" There'll be, like, a City Hall of some sort, right? Maybe we'll benefit from trying to talk to the 'other side.' The people in power here. "Mr. Diplomacy, over here. What if there's Fears there? Like, dangerous ones." Then we turn and leave? "And have them follow us here." Well, we're not gonna know unless we try. And, honestly, I… "...yeah?" ...I just. Want a change from the RAF for a bit. "Aww, did something happen yesterday? Did you get in an argument?" No. Maybe I'm.. partied out? <:D ...she patted my head. .w. "We can have a look around. Meet some new people." kissss Donnie, you're an angel, and it never feels right to leave your side. "Awwww!"

8:50 AM We had breakfast. No Cody this time; he's still asleep. <.<;; But we did talk with Heaven, and she gave us directions to City Hall, the "People's Palace." And she wished me luck with finding Bones!

9:14 AM Short drive. San Francisco has good streets. I'm impressed. Man, look at that building! People's Palace, indeed. Majestic, grey, greek-like. Naked lady carving up at the top. "Probably a symbol of democracy or something." Yeah. America!

9:15 AM I'd expect there to be more people here. This city's, y'know, relatively safe. And people love to just mill about; it's one of our favorite pastimes. "Well, we've been seeing a lot of people who don't like the old authorities that much. Maybe the people who did left the city?" Then. Who are the RAF trying to fight? "The Fears." I dunno. Something feels off.

9:16 AM It's... deserted. Yet the lights are on. Someone must be in here. Hello? … HELLO? … that triggered a coughing fit from down this hall.

9:17 AM Little office. Big man. Gotta be in his 40s, 50s. "Hmph. You won't find much to steal in here." We're not looking to steal, sir! "You'd be the first, then. Even the scoundrels who used to work here were ripping the carpets up on their way out. And I trust that rabble by the park even less." donnie "The world's ending. People are gonna panic." "Quite." sigh "I just always liked to imagine we were a more virtuous nation than that. And I mean the whole nation, not California. We're a state, dammit. Nothing's going to change that." Yeah. ..uh. "Yes, who are you? Why did you come? To listen to me talk?" Maybe?? I'm.. Jordan. "I'm Donnie." I came here to learn a little more about.. the way the city is run? "I just came along; I'm good with whatever." "You came here to learn about civics? Huh." stroking his mustache "Maybe the youth isn't lost." Do you know why money is still a thing here? What's this Z currency? "That is still one of the most suspect things to happen in all this Rapture nonsense. The change happened overnight. "Some senior investors and advisors came to the Palace one night earlier this month, and I mean senior, some of the most respected in the nation. They stepped into the Mayor's office, unannounced, unaccompanied, and spent a heated hour shouting profanities, then swiftly left in silence with stormy faces. "Do you know what they had said? "'The dollar is gone.' "That's right. Just like that. It was a demand from 'higher up,' they said. Higher than Congress. Higher than the Senate. Higher than the Supreme Court. Higher than the Pentagon!" W. Who. Who was it from? O: "One of them." he pointed, sinisterly, for effect. donnie "The Fears?" "One of them." Surely some people tried using the dollar anyway, right? Even just for a little purchase. "Of course people tried! We were the first to, as this building was the first to hear of it. But another change happened on that same night: Shortly after the investors and advisors left, the red sky vanished, and that army began patrolling our skies." The Ants of the Sky…

"The ANTS. Yes. ANti-finance Territorial Sentries. They know what we are doing in here. Anyone who spends so much as a penny, on any transaction, is hunted down within minutes. Gunned down... where they stand…" now he's looking off into space. I'm. I'm sorry. You must have seen a lot of this. "My colleagues dared the gods. I would have joined them too, had I anything to buy that night. I didn't believe in the demand. But blood speaks louder than decree." What the fuck. What's the point of it? What kind of scheme makes this make sense? ..he's shaking his head. forehead on his hand. "What bothers me is.. the Mayor obviously knew. He had that talk with the advisors. He didn't tell anyone. He let the rumor spread that it was just a demand. He let his staff exchange money. He had to have known. Why didn't he talk to us? Why did he just let us find out?" ... >_< donnie "Then. Then the Z? Did that just.. arrive one day?" "Delivered in secure vans. Stolen, I have no doubt. If anyone knows where they came from, they haven't told me." ..donnie "I'm sorry. Thank you for sharing what must not have been easy to recall." "These storied walls deserve a witness. After all our nation has been through, these walls deserve that much." So you really believe in this place. "And what it means. I feel I owe it, as I didn't do my due diligence when the sky was... real." I understand. Do you want to be left alone? "Yes. I have much to do. Archival work is never done." Th.. thank you for your time.

9:29 AM back in the car. just sitting here. What the fuck was that. Was that real. "At least we know those Ants are dangerous." But why the fuck is this happening this way? That Ant stuff is something I'd expect from Xanadu. But he says a Fear is responsible? "They're Fears, babe. They're bad. Remember the Harlequin? Would this really be that out-of-place for her to do?" I don't know! In terms of severity, sure, she was horrible! In terms of ambition, she was a terrorist! But what's with all the blue sky business? Why Z? Is Z a Xanadu currency, or did the same Fear give it to Xanadu? ..she's rubbing my back. "It's a world of trauma out there now. It kinda already was." Everything just raises questions. All this gunning-down... I feel like my brain's gonna explode. Why are the RAF... what are they doing? Are they just doing a takeover? Are they walking into a trap, the same situation that that government ran into? It doesn't sound like any human actually runs things here. "Why don't we go back to the house and.. ask them? Talk it out. You like talking it out." Talk to Cody? "And Heaven. The leader." I... yeah, okay. We can try.

10:10 AM The house is empty. They'll be off doing their.. secret plans. hnnng. "Then we can go off and do our plans until they get back." Our plans? "I mean the Derek thing. I think it's time we tried really driving around the city. Maybe we'll find places where the graffiti is more common?" It's.. worth a shot.

2:35 PM We've been driving slow. Looking for graffiti. There's been a lot of markings, symbols, tags. Some memes we've seen before. Occasionally a person nearby, who we'd ask about Bones. No luck. Not a clue. We're stopping for lunch. We still have some beef jerky from the rabbit hole. We're gonna sit on a bench and eat.

2:42 PM Some bikers just sped by, roaring without mufflers. Huh. Hadn't seen that yet. I'd kinda been expecting bikers in all this. I wonder where they're going. Maybe we should get bikes too.

4:24 PM Alright. Finished our cruising. I mean, we weren't exactly thorough with it. We just went on a graffiti tour of the city, that's it. "I'm sorry, babe. We'll find him." Yeah. I know. I don't like this city.

4:39 PM When we got back to the house again, this time Tiger and about half a dozen of others from the Party House were gathered on the front steps, listening to Heaven talk from her door. We pulled up and got out of the car, and that's when we saw it: Hanging from a window of the RAF house, limbs tied with flag cord, Winston. With a nasty gash in his neck. It's the modus operandi of the Masked Massacrer, and Heaven corroborated that, as she saw a man in a Jesus Christ mask skulking around nearby and chased him off before noticing Winston herself. Dammit. I mean dammit. We just saved him.

4:45 PM We're all going back to the Party House for a wake.

5:10 PM Tiger couldn't stand it.

5:18 PM When it came time to play some of Winston's favorite songs in memorial, the first one to come on was "Solitude." Candlemass. Holy shit, that was... crushingly awkward. Not many people were willing to listen to it right now.

5:24 PM Someone brought out the alcohol. Heaven left. I think she'd normally frown upon underage drinking, but.

7:58 PM screams "FEAR AT THE DOOR!" oh jesus. another zombie? I'll fucking get it. hang on. head's swimming. I got this.

7:59 PM Holy crap! it's not a zombie!! it's fucking EAT! "Rael, we" shhh IT'S OKAY EVERYONE! I'M GONNA TAKE THIS OUTSIDE! IT'S GONNA GET UGLY! I'M SORRY! c'mon c'mon

8:05 PM okay I think we're far enough away. and this is a good alleyway. none of them will come looking. but just in case, if they do, put me in a headlock. just in, y'know. just in case. "That is a strange plan. Is it just you this time?" Yeah. Donnie's.. I think she went home hours ago. I like your Camper. :) She has blue hair... "I see." I am drunk... I apologize... "Rael, if it makes you comfortable and focused, you may say what you like to me. But I have to talk to you." Holy shit. Please, please talk. I'm all ears. "Can I trust that you will take in what I have to say?" I'm writing it all down! So I will be reading it again in the morning. Or whenever I'm sober. "You... hm. You know by now not to decode the Ciphers." Yes! "This was a surprise to me as well. When I advised you to pursue the sixth Cipher earlier this month, I only knew what I had read in your journal. And I only know the reality now because I read your newer journals. I suspect I may have learned about this on my own had I been in regular conversation with the other Fears, but Rapture has taken up all of my concentration." You really want to stop it. "I do." I do too! If at all possible. For a human like me.

"But there is a complication in the Cipher matter. Someone else has heard about the Ciphers, and not the most up-to-date information. Someone else is going after the seventh Cipher." Someone. Someone else. This is bad, right? "Yes. This is something that must be prevented at any cost." Are you the one who told someone else about the Ciphers? "Not.. to my knowledge. It might be possible that the wrong Camper spoke at the wrong time, but when I talk to myself, I do not go over every detail." You talk to yourself? O: "Don't you?" Only all the time! "..I think I like you drunk. You're so easy to read." I don't think I like being drunk, though. Being drunk is nice when I'm still drinking, but then when I'm not drinking, it's one long ride to sobriety. So. Gotta stop someone from going for the big video game boss battle. Do we know who? "I believe so. I first noticed other people discussing the Cipher in Texas, and I followed the rumors as they spread westward. With birds, I traced their source to a group on motorcycles. They have entered this city, and so I cannot follow them so easily anymore, as suspicion of Fears is greater here. Speaking candidly, I was taking a risk coming to see you at all." Aww, you risked for me.… "I risked for the world, Rael. You're my human emissary in this. You can go where Camper can't." I'm your emissary…

"I need you to find these motorcyclists and stop them. Or lead them out of the city where I can act unobstructed." Got it. I can do that. I can do one or the other. "You will have to act fast; it is not safe to stay in the city for much longer. The Archangel is amassing the undead, and a horde of them will hit in a few days." The Archangel... that's the gas mask one. The zombies. A horde? A few days… Y'know, the RAF have something planned for Wednesday. I don't know what it is, but they're working hard at it. "...Anonymous." Yeah. RAF are Anonymous. "Rael, Anonymous is allied with the Archangel." .....what. 'allied with' like, they're neutral towards each other? "They are working for him, delivering his will." How do you. How do you know? "My birds have seen. That adult woman you are staying with leaves the house every day, and her first stop is always to the same construction site, where Death meets her for updates on their plan, not unlike you and me right now." This is huge. This is.. sobering. "I am glad you are returning to your senses. I'll understand if you have trouble believing my information." No, I.. I didn't like the vibes here anyway. Too many things weren't adding up. Plus, I'm pretty sure Cody shot a kid in the head. "Which one is Cody?" The adult man. Do you follow him too? "Of course. But I don't think I should tell you what I have seen." You don't? "It concerns a subject that humans generally do not like to know." Worse than working with Death? Worse than shooting a kid? C'mon, EAT. Don't I do things for you? :C Aren't I your emissary? "And it concerns Donnie." ........read you loud and clear. o_e "I'm sorry." No, no, it's. I get it. On all counts. They have a history. And I don't think it was resolved. And, like. I've been really friendly with you, and there's no way she likes that. "I'm.. sorry." Please. EAT, you're. A friend. I shouldn't have asked. It's not your fault. "I don't want to impact you like this." I know. Unfortunately, this is.. the kind of thing that just happens, with feelings, sometimes. And definitely with drinking. Wow, that was a sloppy move on my part. "Feelings. I think I fear my feelings more than I fear the changes coming to our world." Heh. You and me, both.

8:13 PM "...at times like these, what should I do?" To achieve what? "Making you smile at me again." ..… hugggg

(Attached: "A Fear’s appearance, you know, is important. If we want humans to listen to us, we have to play up our powers, make ourselves look more important than we are. This is why the slender man wore a suit, why Death wears a gas mask, and why I keep my beard long and my book large– we want humans to fear us, we want to appear formidable. Salmacis, however, has a soft spot. It refuses to acknowledge any of them, but the apocalypse brings them out of her. And one of these soft spots of hers is the idea that humans will be more likely to assist if they feel they can trust her, rather than fear her. So over the course of the apocalypse, when it realized it needed to take some serious action to convince lots of people in so little time to help, it experimented with lots of different looks and approaches before it settled on giving her Camper blue hair– usually through wigs or hair-dyes– and overall blue colour schemes for clothing. And that all started here. Her first blue Camper was complete accident. It was just the nearest one to Jordan at the time. California, am I right?”)

[PREV LOG] [TABLE OF CONTENTS] [NEXT LOG]

[truly-quirkless]

Twenty Day Challenge - Day Twelve

Type: Fluff Piece Timeline: Free-Floating Location: Yagi's Apartment

"Are you alright?..." Fin's question was met with a silent, exhausted nod as Yagi slowly nursed his tea. He barely blinked. He felt like absolute crap- his nose was stuffed, his ears felt thick, his eyes were puffy and burning, his throat was sore...and the urge to cough was so much stronger than usual. He had two extra blankets wrapped around him, instead of his usual one in the early hours- and his sky blue hues were dulled to nearly nothing amidst the blackened backdrop of his eyes.

He could barely see- so it was a bit of a surprise to suddenly feel a startlingly cold touch against his forehead. He blinked, trying to focus on the fuzzy outline of the form that had somehow come up beside him while he was drifting. Fin pulled their hand back- much to his internal chagrin- only to place it against Yagi's cheek.

"...you're burnin' up...jeez..." That same cool hand pulled away, and if he were less stubborn, he might've asked for its return. In his state, it felt like a balm on his skin- cool and soothing even as he sought out as much heat as he could manage. He sniffed. "...that's it. You're stayin' home today, love."

"I can't..." He began to rise, to speak against- only for Fin's hand to plant itself on his shoulder and push him back down. If he were All Might, he could easily overpower them- but One for All had long left him for Young Midoriya. All he could do was groan in disapproval, earning a small huff from his equally-small soulmate.

"You can, and you will." It felt like the roles had been flipped. Toshinori's head hung a little lower, one hand raising to rub at his burning eyes. "I'll call Nezu and let him know, and see about getting your class covered by one of the others."

"...I can go in...I'll be-" He blinked. Inhaled- there was a tickling blaze at the back of his nose, quickly growing stronger- Fin ducked out of the way as the retired Hero sneezed, only to pop back up a few moments later with a tissue. "...thank you...I'll be fine..."

"Yeah, you will.- Because you're gonna stay home." Damnit... Yagi rubbed at the bridge of his nose, wadding up his used tissue- only to feel it being plucked from his weakened grip, and hear the sound of a trash bin opening and closing- and then a bottle squirting. Soon enough, another clean tissue was pressed into his open hand. "If you go to work like this, the others might catch what you've got. So- for the sake of them- and me- can you stay home?"

His shoulders slumped forward. There was a lot that Yagi could easily fight against- but the moment that Fin turned it from keeping himself safe to keeping others safe...

"...yes." The blond exhaled- only for it to turn into a coughing fit. He raised the tissue to his mouth, coughing up a glob of blood and phlegm in equal measure. The action made his lungs ache- his throat burn- his head was slowly beginning to pound as he took another small sip of his tea. "...ugh..."

"...I'll make you some chicken noodle soup...you should head back to bed, Toshi." But the sun wasn't even up yet--- but one glance towards the brunet told him that he wouldn't be winning this fight. He nodded, weakly pushing himself up from the chair- pulling the blankets more fully around himself with one hand. Fin was already trailing towards the bedroom- opening the door for him and revealing the unmade sheets within. A few of Fin's plushies littered one side of the bed, and one of the lamps was still turned on...outside, there was nothing but darkness.

He lumbered towards the door, easily collapsing back onto the bed. It had grown cold while he was away- sending a shiver down his spine even as he pulled the covers away to hide back underneath them. He could hear Fin working away in the kitchen...but already, his thoughts were beginning to grow foggy. The bedroom was so dark...and his blankets were so warm.....he shivered again. The contrast between his captive warmth and the bed was nearly painful- ice compared to a toasty oven- but he knew the plush material would warm up soon enough.

The soft clank of a unit turning on filled his mind.

....warm...

...warmer....

"...heya, Nezu? Yeah, it's Fin.- All Might won't be comin' in today..." The other's voice drifted in his head, even as sleep clawed at his thoughts...before carrying him away into darkness.

[]

Fin silently set the bowl full of chicken noodle soup on the nightstand. Their movements were silent- but they could see the slight shifts under the covers, hinting towards an awareness of their presence. They smiled faintly- taking in a small breath. They leaned in- just barely avoiding an inch of sound as their lips brushed Yagi's forehead. It was still blazing, much like the rest of him.

They pulled away, only to be met with slightly-opened eyes.

"...mm...?" The male's barely-audible groan filtered into the air. Fin grinned.

"...sorry for waking you...love you, Toshi." They pressed a kiss to their fingers- and those fingers to the other's lips. "...your soup's ready, whenever you can eat...rest up." His eyes were drifting shut...Fin silently exited the room, sanitizing their hands. They hoped the sickness would pass fast, but even if it didn't...they'd take however many vacation days necessary to keep an eye on Yagi.

They picked up the empty can of ready-to-heat soup from the counter, turning the label over in their hand idly.

Yagi, for his part, was already halfway back into the realm of sleep. Some of his blankets were bunched up in his arms, his body naturally curling slightly around the mass of fluff.

Warm....

The last thing he saw was the steam rising from the still-hot soup as he drifted back into his dreams.

[lee-lucius]

Missed You

Word Count: 588

"What's wrong, Emma? You couldn't sleep?" Norman whispered to the red-headed girl crouched by his bedside.

"Of course not!" She exclaimed with a pout. "It's not the same without you there!"

He laughed softly, careful not to irritate his throat further. He had been sent to stay in the infirmary after he got sick to prevent it from spreading to the other kids, but that didn't stop Emma or Ray from sneaking inside to see him. "It's only for one night."

She shot up, whisper-shouting at him, "You don't know that! What if you never get better?" She collapsed dramatically onto the bed and shuffled over so she was laying beside him.

"Emma, you have to go! You're gonna get sick too, and you'll be in trouble if Mama catches you again!"

"But if I get sick then I can stay here with you!"

He wished she could. He'd be a lot less miserable with a companion. As doting as Mama was, she only had so much time she could spend taking care of Norman when she was busy with the rest of his siblings. But it wasn't completely awful. It was only a cold, and he knew he'd be better soon, not that his symptoms were actually that bad. Plus Emma and Ray made sure to find ways he was entertained,  even from afar. He could handle one more night without them. 

"Come on, you have to go."

"Don't be so serious all the time, Norman!" She whined. Her frown quickly changed into a blinding smile as she, Norman could only assume, came up with some odd and occasionally brilliant idea. "You're too stiff!"

She poked him in the side, and he giggled, shaking his head, "No I'm not."

"Yes! You! Are!" She accompanied each exclamation with another poke, producing a continuous stream of giggles from her friend.

"Am nahahat!" He shrank away from her touch, but Emma was as persistent as ever as she squeezed his sides, making him squeak.

"So I can stay with you?"

"Nohoho! Be mohohore cahaharefuhul!" He pleaded, laughter growing as she began scribbling her fingers across his stomach. "Youhuhu'll gehehet sihihihick too!"

"See? You totally need to relax more! You're too worried!"

"Ehemmahahah! I mehehean ihihit!"

She stuck her tongue out at him, digging into his ribs. "So do I!"

His laughter went silent for a moment before he erupted into a coughing fit.

"Norman! Are you okay?" She backed away from him, worry in her big, green eyes.

"Mhm. I'm fine," He answered after his coughing subsided and took steady sips from a glass of water on his nightside. "Besides, I had fun."

She threw her arms around, pulling him into a tight hug. 

"Emma!" He scolded, water spilling onto the bed as she jumped back with a shriek, making them both laugh.

"Well, I was wondering what the noise was," Mama spoke up from the doorway. They both froze in fear. "Emma, why exactly is it that you're in here after what happened this morning?"

"Oh! I um… I… got lost?" Norman sighed.

"Then I suppose we should get you back to your room before you get sick. Come on."

Emma wanted to protest but the words died in her throat at Mama's stern look. Sullenly, she looked back at Norman with a pout, waving, and mouthing the words "I'll see you tomorrow" as Mama dragged her out. Norman managed to stifle his laughter until they left the room. 

He missed her already, and tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.