#i was probably gonna lose that streak in a couple of years anyway when i will start to work more seriously but yeah idk still sad like

[fivefeetfangirl]

when you thought you were super smart for adding two factor authenticators but now you can't log in anywhere because your phone is broken 😃👍

[suniloli]

JUST FOR KICKS

29 May 2024

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

Word Count: 3.1K

Warnings: approximately 3 swear words, sexual innuendo, fluff

Setting: Prison (between s3-4)

Summary: Today’s weather was perfect for an impromptu prison soccer match. Prison goers — children, adults and spectators alike — become involved, including an enthusiastic you and uncharacteristically playful Daryl.

Author Note: Finally back from my 3000 year hiatus!!!! Here’s a little piece I wanted to get out before I lost it. This is more of an innocent one that I wanted to write (although it’s SUPER predictable ….) I hope the POV jumps are easily followable. Am working on another Daryl fic atm. Enjoy! - Sól

The gorgeous spring sun in the sky and the soft warm breeze were the perfect conditions to be outside and enjoying life. Well, what ‘life’ you could experience within the prison’s metal fences in the middle of an apocalypse anyways. 

This sort of weather was your favourite. It reminded you of your sporting days before walkers came to be, especially the excitement you felt before your games where you’d soak up the sun and let it fuel your competitiveness. Like a videogame character harnessing the sun’s power to unleash their most powerful combat moves. 

It boosted your spirit, and reminded you that even in this world, beauty could still be found. You just had to be open to it. 

And open to it you were. When a couple of the teenagers came excitedly kicking around a soccer ball they’d found, you couldn’t help yourself. Many others felt the same way, which is probably how you all ended up in a massive soccer game across the courtyard, children mixed with adults, the majority of prison goers spectating on the sidelines. 

You managed to get enough to have a 6 v 6, exactly three teens and three adults on each team. Your side included some of your closest friends, Glenn and Sasha. On the other side were Carl and Michonne, and some other Woodbury residents you’d seen around and shared a laugh or two with. Today felt the closest to the life you had before, which was one of sport-filled weekends. So, naturally, it brought out your zealous streak. You were going to win. 

“Guys. We need to fucking smash em’.” you asserted. 

“Y/N! There's kids here…” Glenn jokingly admonished. 

“We’re 15 man…” one of the teenagers pointed out. 

“Anyways…they’re gonna lose whether they like it or not. I’ll play up front. Glenn…you’re quick, so you’ll be with me…uh…” you drifted off, attempting to come up with a game plan. You were so focused that you hadn’t realised the run crew had arrived back and were driving towards the gates. Glenn and Sasha were watching you with amusement. The kids were waiting for your word. You were the professional after all. 

“She’s super into this,” Sasha smirked. 

“Hell yeah!” Glenn smiled. “She’s really good at soccer. We’ve had many conversations about it. Mad skills.”

Sasha patted his shoulder. “Guess we’re gonna have to step up our game then.” 

After deliberating with the kids for a bit, you and your team were ready. 

It was time. 

The whistle — an actual whistle someone had found — was blown by Carol, and the game was on. 

Oh, was the high shrill music to your ears. 

Kick-off commenced, the other team passing it amongst themselves for the first couple of minutes. Of course, since there were no real referees, and since Michonne happened to be right there, you gave her a little shove as you passed, giving her a teasing wink. 

“You bitch!” she laughed as she began running hard for the ball. 

You dashed forward, intercepting a pass meant for her, and crossed it over to Glenn on the left wing. 

Ever the quick pizza delivery boy, he sprinted up the sideline, onlookers getting excited. Making a few minor mistakes, he still managed to manoeuvre the ball around Carl, who you noted was surprisingly fast on his feet, and kicked it back to you sprinting up the centre field. You caught it with your left foot and continued on. Two defenders were gaining on you. 

You juked the defender on the left, rolling the ball under your right foot. Chipping the ball over the remaining defender’s head, you booked it straight to the goal. 

The goalkeeper’s face was full of determination. His hands were out in front of him, feet moving from side to side. In the second that you spent looking at him you could tell he was a bit unsure, but his confidence was unwavering. You admired it. 

However, you used his inexperience to your advantage. 

You faked to the right, watching his eyes follow your movement, then swiftly cut to the left. His stance faltered, giving you just the right amount of time to hit the ball with your left foot. You could vaguely hear kids yelling in the background, Glenn’s shrill laughter, and Sasha’s cheers filling the air. 

As you kicked the ball, its trajectory started outside the line of the makeshift goalpost, and about halfway it began to curve inwards.  You held your breath as you saw the ball curving towards the very top left corner, waiting with bated breath as the goalie took a gigantic leap towards it. 

The ball sailed and sailed and sailed. 

Until you witnessed it pass just inside the post, and the satisfying *thud* of the ball hitting the ground behind it caused your teammates to erupt in cheers.

Pumping your fists in excitement, you saw Glenn sprinting up to you with his arms outstretched. 

“HOLY SHIT!” 

“Oof!” you breathed, getting thrown to the ground in a giant bear hug. Before you knew it, all of the kids, including those of the opposition — a definite product of over-excitement — began stacking on top of the both of you, until all anyone could see was a massive pile of bodies in the middle of the courtyard. 

Laughter and screams and fun filled the air. You didn’t even care about the goal anymore. The innocence and presence of the moment were enough to bring happy tears to your eyes. 

Rick wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead as he closed the gate behind the car. Looking towards the courtyard, he mumbled to himself in disbelief. “Are they playin’ soccer?”

As Daryl hopped out of the passenger side, he responded a bit incredulously. “Looks like it.” 

Opening the boot to retrieve the supplies they brought back, Maggie started giggling, seeing her husband with the ball. “Look! Go Glenn!”

Glenn had the ball and was sprinting up the sideline. At that moment, the three of them observed his and your play. 

“Damn girl…” Daryl breathed upon seeing your goal. Rick let out a low chuckle. Seeing his son playing was like being transported back to a time he thought he’d never get to experience again as a father. 

When Glenn tackled you to the ground, Maggie let off a grunt of amused disapproval and began jogging towards the fun. 

"She’s gonna’ suffocate!" Maggie shouted playfully, her voice full of warmth as she made her way onto the field. Slowly, everyone removed themselves from the stack, allowing you to get up and have a laugh. From where Daryl was, it looked as if you and Glenn were trying to coerce Maggie to join in rather animatedly. Cute. 

As the game continued, Rick grabbed Daryl’s shoulder breaking him out of his little trance. “You comin’ or what?” he grinned. 

Daryl looked to Rick, and after a couple of seconds gave him an upwards nod and made his way down to the sideline with him. 

“Ya’ refereein’ or somethin’?” Daryl asked Carol with an amused smirk.

“Something like that…your girlfriend is kicking some major ass.” 

“She ain’t…whatever,” Daryl grunted. Looking away and at the field, he saw Michonne pass it off to another player, resulting in a tying of the score and a multitude of cheers. Eyes drifting away from the scoring team and Carl’s silly victory dance, Daryl caught sight of you again. 

What you were wearing closely resembled tiny soccer shorts which showed off your long, toned legs. You almost always wore cargo pants, so that was certainly a sight for sore eyes. He stared as the muscles in your quads and glutes expanded and retracted as you ran with an elegance he’d never seen before. 

“You might wanna close your mouth before you start drooling big guy.” 

A faint blush crept up his neck. Turning to shoot Carol a glare, he growled a low shuddup before being interrupted by the ball landing at his feet. A bit perplexed, he looked down at it, and up again to see a bunch of teens running at him and obnoxiously calling for it. 

Daryl couldn’t help but smirk after being encouraged by Carol to pass the ball back. The enthusiasm of youth was so infectious, that even his reserved self couldn’t hide from it. 

“Come on, Daryl!” you suddenly exclaimed, causing him to glance towards you. Hearing your voice made a rush of warmth spread through his chest.

As Daryl looked over towards you, you were caught off guard by the handsome smirk he donned, his eyes glistening with something that made your heart skip a beat. Your cheeks flushed slightly, but not from the sun or exertion. 

“Gonna kick it or what?” You called out, a bit of a challenge in your tone. Daryl’s smirk widened, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. Without missing a beat, he booted the ball toward the centre of the field. Before either of you could say anything else, Carl beat you to it. 

“Come play Daryl! We need another person!” 

Carol nudged him in the side. “You should go…” 

Daryl looked between Carol, Carl, and finally towards you. You bit your bottom lip and gave a single shrug of your shoulders. The vivaciousness you exuded was alluring. Looking towards the plumpness of your lips and back up, Daryl’s eyes locked with yours and stayed there. It was like you were inviting him to join. Carol hid a knowing smile as he continued to stare. 

Daryl couldn’t leave you hanging, nor could he not indulge you (or so he told himself). Squinting his eyes slightly, he took a deep breath to steel his resolve. Your eyes were like magnets drawing him in. You were beautiful. 

 “Alrigh’...”

As Daryl started jogging onto the makeshift field, a couple of people started cheering and chanting his name. You giggled as he approached you. “Ma’am.”

“Sir.” you mimicked, hands on hips. You subtly lowered your eyes and gazed at him through your lashes. “Ready to get pounded?” 

“W-what?” Daryl stuttered, suddenly pretending he was interested in the play being made across the courtyard. 

“Are you ready to lose?” You laughed, pinching his side while watching his ears go red. He swatted your hand away. 

“Ain't I playin’ wit’ ya?” 

“Nuh-uh. Didn’t you hear Carl say they were short one?” You waited for a beat, before suddenly shoving Daryl backwards and running to chase the ball. “So better get into position, Dixie!”

Stumbling back a step or two from your playful shove, it was like a switch was flipped. Hearing his name being called and encouragement being thrown his way from the sidelines, Daryl was nearly completely overwhelmed. He wasn’t used to so much positive attention in this manner…especially your…blatant flirting? He almost didn’t know how to deal with it. 

Almost. 

Seeing you turn back to give him a wink made a certain desire erupt in his midsection. It ignited a type of fervour in him. 

It’s on girl. 

Daryl’s heart raced every time the two of you made eye contact. Not having really played a proper game of soccer before, it was difficult for him to try and manufacture some sort of on-field play with you. Although he’d touched the ball and passed it off to others a few times already, he was slightly trepidatious. The timing just wasn’t right for you to engage with him. 

So, he just decided to ‘go with the flow’. 

Daryl had to admit, this was some of the most enjoyment he’s had in a long time. Especially with other people. But mostly, he enjoyed watching you enjoy yourself. 

You were everywhere, laughing, shouting instructions, encouraging your teammates. You were truly in your element. It was like watching a different person, a side of you he hadn’t seen before. And damn if it wasn’t attractive.

Before Daryl knew it, one of the kids passed the soccer ball back to him, and he glanced up to see you were headed straight for him. He started towards you, eyes narrowing in determination. 

You saw your chance. Daryl finally had the ball and was within proper distance. You started sprinting towards him, admittedly a bit distracted by the glistening sweat on his arms accentuating every muscle fibre there. Focus Y/N. 

As you two closed the gap between each other, Daryl stuck his other leg out and pushed you for good measure, tripping you. 

Your momentum carried you forward, causing you to nearly fall head-first into the ground. At the last second you caught yourself, letting out a huff. A series of concerned ‘Oooos’ could be heard from onlookers. “What the hell Daryl!” you yelled at his retreating form. 

Admittedly, the action pissed you off a bit. Two can play at that game, chiselled arms be damned. 

You quickly pushed yourself from the ground and sprinted at full speed to catch up. You were there in no time. Getting ready to shove Daryl back from behind, you squared up your shoulder and collided with him. It was enough to mess up his footing, and the ball skidded off to the side.  

There was an element of shock across Daryl’s face as he turned around to find you behind him, causing your annoyance to completely fizzle out and turn into something more akin to lust-fueled amusement. The two of you locked eyes, and Daryl’s expression turned roguish. 

The next few seconds felt as if they were in slow motion. The ball sat stationary fifteen metres away, watching, waiting. 

The air cracked with unspoken tension. Your heart was almost beating out of your chest in anticipation of what was to come. Everyone in the vicinity had vanished from your awareness. Now, it was just you, Daryl, and the ball — although really, you were both more focused on the presence of each other than the game now. 

Without wasting another second, you lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of Daryl’s sleeveless shirt. You heard him release a grunt of objection, but it was enough for you to pull him backwards and allow you to lead the chase. 

You heard Daryl yell smart ass as his footfalls sounded behind. You were so incredibly giddy that you felt like a little girl being chased by her little boy crush in the playground.

You were about three metres from the ball before you felt his calloused hand grip your shoulder, half shoving you in another direction. Catching a glimpse of the rarely-ever captured excitement in Daryl’s face, you began giggling as you tried to retain your balance. 

“Hey!” you puffed out. 

“Better watch ya’self” Daryl panted, trying to battle for possession of the ball which now had both of you fighting for it. 

“Better watch your —” you grunted, holding him back with your forearm “— self!” 

Just as you were getting the upper hand, Daryl used his arms to grab you and hastily shove you to the side. His touch set you ablaze. 

As he began running again, you managed to hook your ankle around his own, effectively tripping him over. 

As Daryl stumbled, you couldn’t help but burst into laughter, laughing harder when Daryl’s hand caught you behind your knee and he pulled you down with him. You felt an intense surge of electricity travel up your leg and remain at your lower navel. 

Realising you were now trying to escape his grasp and army crawl towards the direction of the ball, Daryl swung himself from his side onto his stomach, scrambling to get a better hold of your slowly retreating legs. 

Surprisingly, you managed to drag yourself another metre or so before Daryl got a proper grip on your thighs, his fingers heavily dimpling into the skin there. Laughter never dissipating, Daryl smiled to himself, having trapped you on the grass. 

Twisting to lie on your back, you continued to squirm in Daryl’s solid grasp. You were able to sense every bend and every shape of every finger taking hold of your thighs. Daryl pushed himself up on his knees, now leaning over your squirming form. 

“Ya shouldn’ta never told me ya’ were ticklish…” Daryl said quietly before he released your legs and started attacking your sides with his hands. 

“NO!” you squealed, thrashing your body in an attempt to get away from Daryl’s large hands. 

Daryl couldn’t help but be mesmerised by the way your eyes sparked with joy. Your tousled hair strewn all over the grass with the sun beating down on your tanned skin made you look otherworldly. Like an angel even his own imagination couldn’t conceptualise the beauty of, but was still here in front of him, seemingly reciprocating his affections. 

You were laughing so much that you were gasping for air. Not wanting you to suffocate, Daryl slowly stopped his hands from moving and held them on your waist for a few seconds to allow you to get your bearings.

Staring into your eyes, he revelled at the softness beneath his fingertips. He focused on the small movements of your abdominal muscles beneath them, and watched your lips part as you pulled in heavy breath after heavy breath. His eyes were drawn to your lips once again as you wetted them with your tongue. 

Moving your hands from above your head to softly grasp Daryl’s at your waist, you huffed a small laugh and gazed at him with wide eyes. You admired his boyish handsomeness. 

“You. Are a prick.” 

Daryl let escape a small snort of his own and shyly chewed his lip. “Only fer ya’ pretty girl…” 

A small breeze picked up, slightly swaying the section of hair hanging from Daryl’s forehead. The way he was softly watching you made you want to pull him down to you and close the distance —

“Either play or get a room!” 

“Yeah! Jesus Christ…” 

The heat of the moment was ruined by a herd of teens resuming the play which you’d seemingly both forgotten all about. 

Both realising the…compromising…position you both were in, the two of you abruptly pulled away from each other, both going equally red from embarrassment. The sounds of people hollering and some mildly inappropriate noises filled your ears, adding to the awkwardness. 

“Oh my god…” you managed, sitting up and covering your face with your hands. 

Daryl stood and offered you his hand which you sheepishly took. He waited until you looked at him before he gave you his half-smile, reserved only for you. You’d never admit it, but it always managed to make you melt. 

“Ya’ actually ain’t that bad at soccer.” 

You shook your head in jest. “Shut up.”

*I DO NOT give permission for my work to be used/adapted/copied in any way.*

[salamoonder]

Alright, so here’s the thing. At this point, I actually don’t care what Artagan has or hasn’t done and, morally, what that means. It’s irrelevant. Interesting, but irrelevant. What I want to talk about is what the Nein, excluding Jester, know about him, and what they do with this information, and how they cast judgment.

Here are things that the nein have actually seen: fleeting glimpses of a figure in a green cloak. one conversation with a giant archfey who has recruited jester’s help in planning a convention. further, fleeting glimpses. very very brief phrases.

Here are things that the nein have heard about him from jester: he’s pretty cool, you guys :) . he’s got a chaotic streak, like her. he helps her pull off pranks. he’s always shown up for her. he’s handsome. he taught her magic. he kept her company when her mom was busy. he is her first friend. he is her best friend. he is her oldest friend. she really loves him.

and yes, they know he misrepresented himself to jester for years. they know he sent them to an island where you lose your memory every night. they know that he is sketchy as fuck and they do not know if he means what he says. and that is reasonable and understandable and fair.

here is something that i don’t know if you guys know about abusers, regardless of if artagan is one or not. (and he’s not. i’m not even going to say i don’t think he is, he literally is not abusive. words mean something; stop throwing them around because you personally don’t like someone.) you cannot tell their victims that they are abusive or awful or manipulative or horrible, and expect that to help. that makes it worse. the same is true of cults. you cannot, and i mean CANNOT, make yourself hostile, because then the outside world is hostile, and the abuser is safe. the outside world is hostile, and the cult is safe. furthermore you’re reinforcing what every abuser and what every cult plants in their victim’s heads--i’m the only one who would put up with you. i’m the only one who really loves you. everyone else will be cruel to me, but i’m the only thing you have. even if the nein had reason to suspect that the traveler was straight up abusing jester instead of just weird and shady, that is not a good response.

no matter how bad artagan is or isn’t, fjord, caduceus, and beau are still being condescending. they are still failing to trust that jester knows what she’s talking about. they are still trying to coddle her, they are still treating her like a child, and i want to talk about that. i want y’all to see that they’re still treating her like she’s emotionally fragile. like individually, i want to talk about that, and also the fact that everyone seems to want to lump caleb into this. (and yasha?? yasha has barely said anything about him, y’all.)

i’m going to skim over caduceus a bit because i don’t think his is a jester-centric problem. he tends to just trust that he either has the correct answers to a situation, or that even if he doesn’t know what’s correct, he knows what isn’t. this arc has been very interesting, because it’s been a lot of “i’ll play along with this because it sounds intriguing, but i’m going to be very self righteous about it the whole time.” like. the “we’re good” when jester brought up transferring followers to melora is haunting me. why “we’re good”? i get cad’s philosophy that not everyone is going to flock to one god--that’s fine, that makes sense. but the implication of “we’re good” really makes it sound like “mmm no thanks, none of these people would end up in my cool and correct religion anyway.” because he doesn’t know! he doesn’t know if any of these people would actually be happier and better off with melora. or. maybe he does know, or has decided, that they wouldn’t be, because these are not the kind of people that he could see himself falling under the same moral umbrella as. (lmao love how i said i was going to skim. anyway. again, less a jester thing, more a “cad is smug about everything” thing tbh.)

let’s move to fjord. he is quite honestly making me almost more uncomfortable than beau, because he’s making statements that i don’t really actually believe. “we just don’t want you to get hurt” is all very well and good. coupling that with agreeing with beau that they shouldn’t leave jester alone with artagan? without telling jester? does not jive. (i’m still not over the ridiculous of that, by the way. yeah this dude--no, this ARCHFEY, who could snap you in half in a moment--has been alone with her regularly for the first 20ish years of her life but now, now he’s going to try and kill her, and you’re going to be the one to stop that.) fjord keeps saying things like this--that he trusts her--but he doesn’t actually act like it. at one point he even says “if jester has faith in the traveler, that’s good enough for me, i suppose.” but it’s not, and he doesn’t act like it is. you know who actually acts like that? caleb. caleb’s getting his own paragraph though this is getting long as fuck. but if fjord actually meant that? he would’ve told beau “listen i know this situation is sketchy and i don’t like him anymore than you do but because i trust jester i also trust that she knows what she’s doing here, and i’ll be there to back her up with whatever she needs/wants me to do”. but he did not say that or anything like that. instead he agreed with beau to essentially be bodyguarding jester--without consulting jester about it at all. he wouldn’t have told jester “he’s generally full of shit, right?” about the traveler. jester is continually telling the group over and over again that she knows what he’s like. she knows Exactly how he can be. and the sad thing is, if fjord actually believed that she knew what she was talking about when she said that and if he believed that he could actually talk to her frankly and not that her feelings had to be protected at all costs (my skin is still crawling at “we don’t wanna ruin jester’s special day”. it’s not a five year old’s birthday party), then he would have straight up told her. he would have said “hey we’re concerned enough that he’s going to hurt you that we don’t think you should be alone with him. can we help guard against that?”

and i’ll be honest, i’ve kind of been squicked out by all the romantic posts about fjord and jester because he’s spent the last few episodes genuinely treating her like a wonderful but vulnerable child who needs to be protected from the world. when he told beau "I'm probably the least clued in as to how jester feels” i was like YEAH NO SHIT. and i know he meant it in a romantic sense but i feel that it’s true in general. like i get that he’s scared to talk to her. that’s fine. he doesn’t have to talk to her about her feelings, romantic or otherwise. but if he’s acknowledging that he does not at all know how she feels then he has no right to behave as if he does know. and again i don’t mean this in a romantic sense. i mean it in a, he is making the assumption that she can’t handle reasoned criticism of the traveler to her face, kind of sense. he and beau both are opting for “random insults, threats, and judgments they have decided apply” over “genuinely this is why we are concerned”. there has been a lot of “you don’t need him” and “you are better off without him” and “you’re better than him” and “you have us why do you need that” and those are judgement statements that are essentially meaningless. all they do is further demonstrate to jester that they don’t actually understand why she’s upset or what she actually wants.

i think caleb, mr i-eat-encyclopedias-for-breakfast, likely just has a better intellectual understanding of the fae and that may be why he’s not as outwardly concerned as the rest, but he’s also actually decided to trust jester that she knows what she’s dealing with. she has demonstrated both verbally and with her actions that even if she may not have known about artagan initially, She Knows How This Works. and he trusts that. caleb truly went “alright, i trust that you know what you’re doing, where do you need me” and that was IT. i’m not saying that he’s not allowed to be suspicious or concerned or wary of the traveler: i just don’t think he is. and i hate that people keep lumping him in with the rest of the nein “treating jester like a child” because they think he’s predatory or something--especially as caleb and fjord are pretty much the same age--when he is literally the only FUCKING person consistently asking jester how she feels and then actually acting accordingly.

and the thing is, you don’t have to be caleb and largely unconcerned, it is actually possible for you to show concern and alarm and wariness for your friend’s best friend without condescending to them and veth has been doing that this whole damn time. we know how she feels about him; she decidedly does not like him. but she set that aside to really fully listen to jester and then tried to be helpful to her in deciding what to do next, without inserting her own opinion. veth is the only one acknowledging that, sure, this looks really bad and i don’t like that guy, but you know him best, jester, and you know yourself best and so it should be your choice what to do in this situation. she reminds jester--if he is really a friend to you, and he is doing things you don’t like, then you can talk to him about that and he should listen. i want to talk about how when jester suggested that artagan join the mighty nein, there were exactly three reactions. extremely lame excuses from everyone but caleb and veth, “maybe, like, an annex--” from caleb, because he knows what everyone else is gonna say, and “we don’t like your friend” from veth, literally the only person who has apparently decided that jester can hear that without dissolving into a puddle or something.

and i want to make it clear--i don’t hate the actors. and stories are supposed to make you upset and uncomfortable, to an extent. they’re supposed to make you think. you’re not supposed to be happy when darth vader blows up alderaan. you’re not supposed to be happy when edmund betrays his siblings to the white witch. these are all excellent, excellent character choices and i applaud the cast for making them. and i don’t hate fjorester. and like yeah there have been a lot of cute moments in the last few eps. and they are cute and their story is compelling and it’s interesting. but i wish people would stop acting like fjord’s attitude towards her is perfect and lovely and that he trusts her sooo much when he is going behind her back like this. i am...the biggest widomauk shipper. and i have to admit my heart does the swoopy thing every time i rewatch the forehead kiss. but that wasn’t great. it was overall really not a good read or handle of the situation. it was, there was an attempt. and i do think fjord is trying. and i think beau is trying too. and i think all of their attitudes however terrible just come from a place of loving her and wanting to protect her. but--and here i must point frantically back at artagan--loving someone does not mean that you’re not hurting them.

[actress4him]

Querencia 9 - Trying

(Day 3 of Whumptober 2021)

Taglist: @darthsutrich , @inky-whump , @lave-whump

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Fandom: Original work

Warnings: lady whumpee (no whumper), referenced fantastic prejudice, referenced panic attack, referenced homelessness, panic, touch repulsion, trauma

No. 3 - STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES BUT…

taunting | insults | “Who did this to you?”

.

Nari and Jamil sit at the kitchen table for a long time after Liliana rushes out, lost in their own thoughts. Jamil is probably berating himself for feeding the kid bacon, and Nari knows she should talk to him about it, but she can’t seem to pull herself out of her own spiral of, What do we do? How can we possibly fix this…fix her?They’re in way over their heads. Yeah, they all came into this team with their own types of trauma, but not like this. She’s not a therapist. None of them are. That’s what the kid probably needs, a therapist, but somehow she gets the feeling the suggestion wouldn’t go over well.

Jamil is actually finally the one to break the stormy silence. “Um, do you want some breakfast?”

Normally she’d get it herself but he needs something to do right now, something to make himself feel better about what just happened. “Sure. What you’re having is fine.”

He busies himself getting out eggs and firing up the stove.

“You had no way of knowing.”

He nods without turning around. “Yeah, I know. Still feel bad, though.”

“I know.” She sighs, drums her blunted fingernails on the table top. “It’s gonna take time.”

At this he spins around, still holding a brown egg just a shade lighter than the palm it’s cradled in. “What…what do you know, do you know anything more than what Quinn told us? Where she’s from, what happened to her?”

Nari shakes her head. “Nope. She spoke more this morning than I’ve heard from her so far…if you don’t count the things she was saying in the hall last night. I’m hoping she’ll open up to us eventually, but…it’s gonna take time.”

Jamil chews on his lip, thumb rubbing over the smooth surface of the eggshell. “Probably has something to do with her powers, huh?”

She offers him a small, sad smile. “Probably.”

Jamil is one of the lucky ones. He grew up in India, where the revelation of people with powers had gone over quite differently than many other countries. He has two loving parents that were happy to encourage him in exploring his powers. There had never been a day when he had to be afraid for his life because of what he could do…until he came to the U.S. and joined their team, of course. Sometimes she wonders if he ever regrets his choice. He’s the heart and soul of their little family, though. She can’t imagine not having him here.

Shaking his head, he turns back to the stove and cracks the egg on the edge of the counter. “It’s been what, two years now?” He doesn’t have to specify that he means since Frost saved that burning building and turned everyone’s view of Supers upside down. “When are we gonna stop having to deal with the fallout of people’s stupidity over ‘Nons’?”

Nari leans onto her elbow and fiddles with her eyebrow ring. “I wish I knew, dude. I wish I knew.”

.

Thankfully Nari is able to coax Lili out of her room for lunch fairly easily. The door opens to a practically brand-new person, obviously having taken advantage of the shower after breakfast. There are no more streaks of dirt across her face, and her once frizzy, tangled hair frames her cheeks in soft curls.

She looks like the kid she is. A nineteen year old girl, according to Jamil, who should be starting her first year of college or working at Starbucks and hanging out with her friends going to parties and concerts.

Not living on the streets. Not having panic attacks because she thinks she’s going to be in trouble for healing someone.

The only thing ruining the illusion is the baggy long sleeve tee that used to be white, and the navy blue lounge pants that are streaked with mud and pool around her ankles. And, of course, the ever present gloves, threadbare as well. Nari makes a mental note to slip some of her own clothes into the dresser in Lili’s room, at least until they can take her shopping.

Not much is said over lunch, a simple affair of various kinds of sandwiches. Liliana manages to eat one with only jelly, and the rest of them pretend very hard to not be watching her like hawks.

Nari and Alex both invite her to hang out with them afterwards, but she shies away and retreats back to her bedroom.

The next couple of days pass in the same way. They barely see her except for meals, though she is eating more and more. Jamil has made it his personal mission to come up with things for them to eat that are simple but interesting. Nari is able to get a few pieces of clothing to Lili, and, though it takes her a while, she eventually shows up wearing some of them. It’s a change that brings a smile to all of their faces. The subject of shopping, though, seems to throw her into a near panic, and Alex saves the day by quickly changing the subject before she can make another hasty retreat.

On the third evening, she finally gives in to their requests to hang out, much to everyone’s surprise and delight. They’re taking turns playing sports games on the Wii, something Quinn insists on them having because, “If you’re gonna burn your brain cells staring at a screen, you might as well get a little exercise while you do it.” It seemed like the best option for Lili, since they had no idea if she had any experience with video games.

She spends most of the time curled up in the armchair, separate from everyone, not making a sound. But she’s here. She’s present, with the team, seeing them behave together like friends, like a family, and that’s gotta count for something. Nari is encouraged by it, anyway.

She’ll get there. This is a good first step.

It seems like an even better step when Alex somehow convinces/coerces her into taking a remote and joining him in a game of archery. She looks so small next to him, silhouetted against the big screen, and her hands shake so badly for the first couple of rounds that she barely hits the target.

But she doesn’t give up. She doesn’t run away. And little by little, as they all encourage and cheer her on, she seems to even relax, her virtual arrows hitting closer and closer to the center.

It’s enough to bring a smile to Nari’s face.

Then the game ends, and Lili loses badly, of course, but everyone still cheers and she seems the most comfortable she’s been yet. Not smiling, but not stiff and cautious, either.

Until Alex puts a friendly hand on her shoulder.

In the blink of an eye she’s crumpled into a pile on the floor. Nari isn’t even sure to start with what happened, it’s all so fast, but she is sure that Lili is kicking frantically against the floor, trying to get away from Alex. Immediately he drops down to her level, apologizing, but the damage is already done, despite the fact that none of them have any idea what the damage is or means or how to keep it from happening again. As soon as she’s far enough away from him to deem it safe, she bolts to her feet and runs out of the room.

In the silence that follows her exit they all hear the quiet clicks of her bedroom door closing and locking.

“I…I don’t know…I didn’t use my strength on her, I promise, it wasn’t that hard. And I could have sworn she saw it coming, I made sure she was facing me first before…” It’s rare for Alex to be at a loss for words, but he just shakes his head and drops down the rest of the way to the floor.

Quinn sighs. “It’s okay, Alex. We know you didn’t mean to. I think it’s safe to say that any kind of touch is off limits for now, though, until we find out more.”

Nari is still staring at the doorway where Lili disappeared, her heart aching at the sudden leap backwards in progress, at the fear she had seen flashing in Liliana’s eyes in the near-darkness. “Oh, jagiya. Who did this to you?”

“I don’t know.” Jamil steps up next to her, eyes trained in the same direction. “But whoever it is, when I find them I’m gonna make them wish they’d never laid eyes on her.”

[shima-draws]

Hiro is here!! We've all been waiting for him!!

You know the drill by now, all the yummy details about his background are under the cut ;) Also be warned it is VERY long I went a little feral writing his backstory lmao

Hiro

Age: 17

Hair color: Orange

Eye color: Pink

Element: Psychic & Forest

Okay so a lot of this is gonna be stuff I'm pulling from posts I've already written to make it easier on myself and so I don't have to repeat anything.

Before he was born, the Novune Forces approached Hiro's parents because they knew that he would be born as a dual elemental. Part of their goal was to raise several dual type children to become human weapons--they targeted dual type babies specifically because they're said to be more powerful since they can use more than one elemental type.

It was the perfect opportunity for Hiro's parents because at the time they were not ready for a child despite agreeing that they were going to have it. Ofc the Forces did not reveal their plans so to them it turned into a nice surrogate parent situation where Hiro's mother would give birth to him and he'd immediately be given up for adoption afterwards. It was definitely hard for them to part with him but they trusted he'd be in good care. Well. That turned out great, as you can probably tell :')

Hiro, along with Kaz and Mallary, became the Forces' iconic trio, with Hiro considered to be the golden child and the most dangerous between the three of them because of his high intellect and skill in combat. He grew up under a very strict regimen and would spend hours each day dedicated to training both his mind and his elemental powers. He's an extremely gifted psychic elemental and took to his abilities almost immediately--he’s able to read his opponents movements and set up traps before they can even get to him. He’s usually airborne for most battles he’s in; he finds it easier to strategize from a higher vantage point, and he also just likes to float around and dodge enemy attacks and act like an ass lmao. He’s a pro at immobilizing his enemies so they can no longer move, ending his battles swiftly and cleanly. Physically he’s not very powerful so he uses a magic staff to fight. His intelligence more than makes up for his lack of super strength!

He has a special power like Kaz’s extra dragon typing (and, like Kaz, he has a streak in his hair from the experimentation)—Hiro gets visions of death, basically predictions of the future, and his visions are never wrong. He’s able to see who dies in battle and the Forces use this to their advantage so that they can prepare around any casualties. Hiro hates getting these visions because he doesn’t like seeing people die, he witnesses their last moments and it’s certainly traumatizing for him;; and like Kaz, this power was something he only unlocked through lots of experimentation on him, so he usually passes out for hours after getting a vision since it’s not a “natural” ability he was born with.

As for his second typing, it was something he never really clicked with. Forest elementals have to be very attuned to nature and are generally more kindhearted and gentle people, but since Hiro grew up in a base with only limited access to the outside (and because he’s forced into acting as an antagonist), his forest elemental powers were repressed over the years. He’s already powerful enough as a psychic elemental so he doesn’t feel the need to resort to a second power, especially since his superiors viewed his second typing as useless and he never received proper training on how to use it. He's already a huge threat as he is so they said good enough. The Forces believe that if something is useless, throw it away, so they eventually abandoned any hope of him succeeding in bettering his forest powers, and focused solely on enhancing his psychic abilities and making his death visions clearer.

Before Hiro became the cold-hearted and snarky colonel that the Forces know him as, he was actually a very kind child with an aversion to violence, and cried often. That got forced out of him pretty quickly though--he learned right away that disobedience means punishment and the only way to pay for his mistakes is by verbal and physical abuse. Poor baby :'( He and Kaz and Mallary go through a LOT of unfair shit as kids. The event that really drove home his intense determination and flawless record was the first mission he was ever sent out on.

This happened when he was around 13. Usually members of the Forces don't get to go out on solo missions unless they have a high position or are old enough to, but he was the exception because of his talent and because it was an experiment to see if he could handle it. His mission was to infiltrate a small, family run guild and basically gather intel and find out what their agenda was, as there were rumors they knew of some of the Forces’ plans. Upon Hiro’s arrival to the town where the guild was situated, he ends up rescuing the Guildmaster’s daughter, Lorelai, who is around his age. Unknowingly, he triggered his forest elemental powers, which caused them to land in a field of flowers he’d bloomed. Because of this, Lorelai starts to call him Flower, since he couldn’t come up with a codename in time and he doesn’t have a real name anyway lol

A couple weeks pass and Hiro spends more and more time with the guild, growing closer to Lorelai and being lulled into a false sense of security. He becomes extremely jealous of how the guild lives, and is very emotional at how much of a family they are, and how sweetly they treat him. Hiro starts to ponder over whether or not he should be sneaking around behind their back, when one day the guild is attacked while he’s out. When he returns, the village is set ablaze, and when Hiro demands what’s going on, his superior informs him that he was merely a decoy to get their defenses down, since apparently the Forces had definitive proof that they knew of their plans. His superior orders Hiro to search the village and kill anybody who was left.

Hiro, panicked, searches for Lorelai, and finds her hiding in the forest nearby. He apologizes to her and has a mental breakdown, blaming himself for all of her misfortune. Lorelai realizes that he’s being kept in the Forces against his will and begs him to run away with her. Hiro knows that he’ll be hunted down if he does, and Lorelai could get hurt, so he tells her he has to stay with them. In the midst of this, they are confronted with the current colonel of the Forces, who encourages Hiro to kill Lorelai. Hiro refuses, and the colonel calls him out for insubordination. The colonel then decides to kill both of them in order to get a promotion. Hiro leaps to defend both Lorelai and himself, and in the scuffle, receives the scar on his head, and accidentally kills the colonel. Traumatized, bloodied, and terrified, Lorelai is the one to apologize to him as he cries his eyes out. Hiro numbly reassures her and tells her to run while she can. Lorelai admits that she loves him and bids him farewell, hoping that they can meet again, and that she’s sorry she can’t do more for him.

This is when Hiro decides to become the perfect agent—dangerous, cruel, and flawless, so that something like this never happens again, and so that he can have enough power to make the decisions rather than just following orders to mindlessly kill people. From then on out he does what he’s told without any complaints and has a record for never failing a single mission the Forces have given to him. Any enemy considers him to be absolutely ruthless because he does not hesitate in battles and will neutralize with no questions asked. He’s a cocky little bastard around enemies lmao he loves to snark them and tease them. He’s strictly against killing after what happened to the colonel, so instead, if it’s a high risk operation, he erases the memories of his targets to reduce the threat. Because he’s so uncomfortable with the thought of death in general he reasons that losing your memories is better than dying, and that makes it easier on the Forces as well since they’ll leave less of a trail rather than just killing people left and right. 

Growing up, Hiro didn’t interact with Kaz very much, and they usually just saw each other in passing. However they both respect each other a great amount, and they sympathize with each other, being in the same sort of situation. Both the Hiro and Kaz hate their upbringing and hold a grudge against their superiors for their treatment and experimentation on them;; As for Mallary, Hiro became enamored with her because she reminds him a lot of Lorelai (who he later admits to being his first love). He finds her strength captivating and the way she doesn’t give a shit about other people’s opinions admirable. Hiro eventually falls prey to her manipulation and falls over himself to please her, which bothers Kaz because he knows Mallary’s just toying with him.

After the Forces’ plan to kidnap Ginni and use her as a hostage blows up in their face, Hiro finds out that Kaz had escaped with her, and commends him on the extremely smart decision to do so lol. He wonders if he should start considering leaving the Forces as well, seeing as he’s mature and responsible (and smart) enough to make it on his own. He’s ordered to retrieve Kaz which was a HUGE mistake on the Forces’ part because they didn’t realize Hiro’s loyalties lied more with people on the outside. Hiro meets up with Kaz and Kaz eventually convinces him to desert the Forces and work with him to stop their plans. Hiro agrees to work as a double agent for a while, leaking all of the Forces’ information to Kaz, Ginni, and the guild. In the midst of all this, Hiro meets Olivia, who pretty much calls dibs on him and she’s like “Listen Ginni got to give Kaz his name so can I give the colonel a name?? Please???” So she starts calling him Hiro! And finally baby boy smarts up and starts crushing on a girl that actually gives a damn about him and god dammit it’s the cutest fucking case of puppy love since Dusk/Nozomi. Hiro absolutely adores her, but he’s too nervous to actually do anything about it because he’s got huge abandonment issues (thanks again bad parenting! And Mallary!) and doesn’t want to ruin one of the only genuine friendships he’s ever had. But he is head over HEELS for Olivia and it’s so……softe.

Mallary finds out that Hiro’s acting as a spy, and retaliates. Hiro realizes just how awfully she’s treated him and defeats her, allowing him to escape and officially join up with the guild.

After that it’s a whole bunch of crazy action stuff as plans come together and they get to take down the Forces. Hiro falls harder and deeper for Olivia while she remains oblivious (at least, for a little while, until she finally starts noticing). He grows closer to Kaz and Ginni as well, and begins connecting with Kaz on a deep level because of their shared history. (They’re kind of like brothers, and Hiro considers him to be his best friend :’) )

Once the Forces are defeated, Hiro and Kaz both decide to go on a journey of self discovery in order to better themselves and learn more about the world they haven’t seen due to being locked up for so many years. Kaz and Ginni are already on the verge of forming a relationship, but with Olivia and Hiro it’s still tentative since she’s unsure and he still feels inadequate as a romantic partner. Olivia admits that she likes him and Hiro is so happy he’s ready to burst, but then he realizes it’s not the right time for them to be together so he gently rejects her. (Olivia takes this as an actual rejection tho not a “I’m not ready to be in a relationship with you yet tho I WANT to” and Ginni’s like YA’LL ARE SO DUMB I S2G).

Hiro and Kaz go their separate ways, and Hiro travels around for a while! He eventually settles in a lovely little village where he learns about his forest elemental powers and how to use them better. He’s finally able to connect with other people and essentially becomes way softer around the edges, revealing the true personality he had when he was a kid. A year or so passes and suddenly Kaz, Ginni and Olivia show up to reunite with him, and not long after that Hiro and Olivia FINALLY get together and start dating 😔👌 (Ginni: TOOK you look enough, god)

At some point the four of them go on a journey together and Hiro runs into his biological parents again…!! And he finds out he has a younger sister and they all reconnect and it’s SO EMOTIONAL

Other than that I think that’s all I have 🤔 Thanks for reading though this epic rollercoaster ride of a story plot lol!

Extra personality traits

-Hiro’s sarcasm and snarkiness is a defense mechanism to prevent anybody from seeing his vulnerable side, and also a way to trick the fear inside of him. Kaz is the one to point this out actually lol

-Despite that he does enjoy teasing people lightheartedly and being sassy, once he gets comfortable enough with them! There is a difference between his snarkiness towards enemies compared to that towards friends

-Is EXTREMELY loyal to the people he cares about. At first he tends to act prickly and kind of standoffish towards people he doesn’t know well. Over time he becomes more open to trusting others. Once you earn his trust and he deems you worthy of his friendship he instantly becomes softer and kinder haha, it’s like a switch

-Often dismisses people that he thinks aren’t worth his time or aren’t smart enough to hold an intelligent conversation with him

-Spends a lot of time reading and gathering knowledge. He is very book smart—but not very people smart :’D He and Kaz will spend hours in the guild’s library, since they’re both very thirsty for information outside of what they studied during their time in the Forces

-Touch starved as FUCK. He flips his shit every time somebody touches him in a friendly way, and will melt into a puddle if he gets hugged

-He can be very nosy and insensitive sometimes, prying into other people’s personal affairs if he thinks he can solve the issue

-Absolutely a tactics expert. He calculates all of his moves very carefully, and uses prediction tactics to leave no room for error. He enjoys coming up with mock battle situations to challenge himself.

-Very self-sacrificial;; he views the lives of those he cares about to be far more important than his own. He’ll lay his life on the line for his friends in an instant

-Is the person in the group who is the least fond of violence. If he can find a way around injuring someone, he’ll do it. He prefers to restrict his enemy’s movements or slow them down so they can’t fight back. He is VERY good at neutralizing opponents before they can even register it

-SUPER speedy. Due to his small size he’s very quick, most people don’t see him coming

-He’s really sensitive about his height fjmaksldmas he snaps at people who make fun of him for it

-Tends to levitate when he’s in deep thought. Olivia finds this very cute

-Blooms flowers when he’s happy/embarrassed

-He’s actually. A very talented dancer :0 During his year away from the guild he learned a lot of folk dances at the village he was living in, and when the others witness it they get really starstruck because it’s super mesmerizing!! He blooms flowers as he dances

-At his core he’s a very compassionate character!!

-After escaping from the Forces, he’s able to express his emotions more openly, and goes back to the way he was as a child. He’s a crybaby :’) He cries whenever someone he cares about gets hurt

-The only person in the group with the fucking brain cell, and the most rational one. Unless Olivia gets involved, then he gets stupid and flustered lmao

[doc-pickles]

don't wanna lose this with you

hello friends I told the group chat I would post this when... well anyways enjoy.

xoxo nina

The moment happens almost too quickly for him to believe it’s real. He’s typing up a chart, about to tell his interns to run labs when she floats across his peripheral vision. He’d recognize her anywhere, always had been able to, but he wasn’t expecting her here. Her hair was shorter, blonde highlighting the normally dark brown color. Her tanned skin popped against the dark grey scrubs she wore, eyes glued to the tablet in front of her. Before he can stop himself, Alex finds himself calling out to her, her eyes darting up in surprise as she moves away from the nurses station to look back at him.

That’s when he sees it, the all too obvious swell of her stomach stretching against her scrubs. She looks like a deer in headlights as their gazes meet, eyes wide and watering. He wants to walk over and fold her into his arms and ask a million questions and apologize profusely all at once, but she’s turning and running the other way before he has a chance.

Alex can barely concentrate the rest of the day, his mind stuck on the vision of Jo standing in the same hallway as him sporting a sizable baby bump. He has no idea why she’s in San Francisco, much less working in a children’s hospital of all places, but he’s grateful that she is and that he just so happened to see her. Lost in his thoughts he barely registers the door of his office opening and closing, the sound of the lock clicking into place startling him from his daze.

Jo is standing with her back pressed against the door, eyes trained on him as silence surrounds them. She’s changed out of her scrubs, her baby bump all the more noticeable with her t-shirt and cardigan combo. Her feet are shifting as if she’s uncomfortable, not with the situation but as if she’s in pain. Her features are schooled and neutral, but Alex doesn’t miss her fingers kneading her back or the slow shallow breaths she takes.

“Sit down, you’ve probably been on your feet all day,” Alex is expecting Jo to bite back with a stubborn remark but instead she silently complies, lowering herself into one of the chairs across from him with a relieved sigh. Her fingers stretch out across her stomach and he can’t help but watch in awe as she attempts to calm the baby beneath her skin.

There’s a silence between them as they sit across from each other. It’s the closest they’ve been in months but it still feels like an ocean’s length between them. Alex watches Jo for a moment before speaking up, “What’re you doing here? Why aren’t you in Seattle?”

“I switched specialties, to OB,” Jo shrugged, eyes focusing on her fingers that are still rubbing circles into her belly. “I had a chance to do an OB residency at UCSF so I took it. I just… I needed to get away from Seattle. I’m here because I was checking up on one of the babies I delivered. What are you doing here?”

The question almost makes Alex laugh, “Izzie’s husband was offered a job as chief of oncology. It made sense for them and the children’s hospital needed a chief so… Here I am.”

Before he even finishes his sentence Jo is chuckling, the sound coming out softly until it turns into full on laughter. Alex stares at her in confusion watching as her laughter turns into loud sobs, tears streaming down her face as she struggles to catch her breath, “You’re so stupid Alex! You’re freaking ridiculous!”

Alex watches helplessly as Jo’s sobs continue to sound out, knowing that she wouldn’t be pleased if he got up to console her. Instead he sits and waits for her to continue talking, knowing he owes her at least that much.

“You left me all alone in Seattle with an empty loft and divorce papers and a freaking baby and you don’t even have the decency to be with the woman you said you loved, the woman you told me you left me for,” Alex can’t tell if Jo is sobbing or laughing at this point, the sounds coming from her wrenching his heart. “You left me! I didn’t think I’d ever see you again because you left after you told me you never would. You told me you were in love with someone else but now you’re here and-“

Alex can’t help it that time as he rounds his desk and kneels in front of Jo, his arms coming up to pull her into his embrace. Her cries don’t stop as he holds her but he takes her arms wrapping around his neck as a sign that not all hope is lost.

-

“Alex? You never call, is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine, the kids are fine. I was just wondering if you could pick them up today.”

“Sure, I’m off today,” there’s a pause before Izzie speaks up again. “Are you sure everything is okay? With you I mean?”

Alex’s eyes float to Jo who’s curled up on his couch, one hand resting on her stomach as she sleeps, “No. Well I mean yes just… complicated. I’ll explain when I pick up Eli and Lex on Friday. Thanks again.”

“Take care of yourself Alex. See you Friday.”

Alex hangs up quickly, thankful for Izzie’s understanding. The uptight and inquisitive Izzie he had known so many years ago was gone, replaced by a laidback and easy going woman. He blamed their children for that, the set of twins so rambunctious and full throttle that he knows the old Izzie would’ve gone crazy trying to contain them. Now though she managed their hyper spurts and six year old craziness with a two year old on her hip and every hair still in place. How she does it Alex will never know.

His eyes trail to Jo, who had turned to her other side so he could see her face again. Even asleep she looks stressed and exhausted, like she hasn’t been able to sleep peacefully in months. Alex kneels next to the couch, letting his hand rest next to hers on her stomach. A firm kick echoes under his palm, the baby below it moving languidly in their mother’s womb as he cherishes the movement.

“I just got them to settle down,” Jo’s voice startles him, his eyes snapping back up to her face as the baby continues to move around. “They’ve been moving around like crazy the last couple days, probably running out of room.”

“Do you know the gender?”

Jo shakes her head, eyes closing again as her hand shifts to cover Alex’s. She hasn’t told him exactly when but he assumes she’s due soon. He’d left Seattle almost seven months ago now, meaning Jo must have gotten pregnant right before he left. His heart sinks at the realization that not only had he missed witnessing all of Jo’s pregnancy firsthand but he hadn’t been able to help or support her either.

“I don’t need you Alex, I can do this by myself,” Jo’s words snap Alex out of his daze, scanning her face and watching her intently as she avoids his gaze. “I’ve been doing this on my own for seven months and I don’t need you now.”

He knows she’s right, if anyone knows what a fighter Jo is it’s him. Alex knows full well that she doesn’t need his help or support with their child no matter how desperately he wants to be there for her. If she decides to walk away from him after everything he’d done she would and there would be no stopping her.

“I don’t need you… but I want you here,” the crack in her voice has Alex leaning up to wipe at the tears that streak her cheeks, her own fingers moving to curl around his. “Please don’t leave again. I don’t want to do this without you, I know I could but I don’t want to. Please Alex.”

He doesn’t waste any time in leaning down and bringing Jo into his embrace, holding her close to his chest as sobs wrack her body. The guilt that has been weighing so heavily on him finally crashes down as he holds her, his grip tightening as he reassures her, “I’m not leaving again, I promise. I’m so sorry Jo, I’m not going to leave you I swear.”

“That’s what you said last time Alex, I can’t handle it if you leave me again,” Jo pulls back from his embrace, meeting his eyes solemnly. “It’s not just me anymore, you can’t just walk away again. I want… I want so badly to trust you again and to raise our baby together but I’m also really scared. I’m putting a lot on the line trusting you.”

Alex pauses for a moment, eyeing Jo as he processes everything she’s unloaded onto him. When he finally speaks again, he’s more sure of his words than he has been of anything ever, “I’m not gonna promise you anything, I don’t deserve that privilege anymore. But I swear that everyday I’ll try my hardest to show you how much you mean to me. You and our baby… you’re everything and I’m not letting you go again. I know my words are hollow at this point but I’m going to show you that I mean them.”

He doesn’t think that the words will magically fix anything, that his promises to Jo will change her mind or make her completely trust him just like that. But saying them out loud, to not only her but himself, made the words seem more real. He wasn’t going to let her slip out his grasp again.

+

“Hey, what’re you doing?”

“I’m about to head into a board meeting,” Alex pauses outside of the conference room, phone pressed to his ear as he waits for Jo to continue talking. “Are you okay? What about the baby?”

“We’re both fine, stop freaking out,” Jo’s laugh across the line calms Alex’s racing heart momentarily, a small grin coming to his face. “I just finished a delivery, but my water broke right as I was catching the baby.”

“You’re not due for two weeks,” Alex exclaims as he begins heading for his office, his meeting long forgotten as he now had a different destination in mind. “How are you so calm about this?”

“Because I knew you’d be freaking out. We’re fine, really we are. I just got settled into my room,” Alex listens intently as Jo takes a pause, her breathing more shallow as he grabs his keys and wallet from his desk. “Okay that hurt. If this kid has a giant head I’m gonna be so pissed.”

Alex chuckles to himself, his mind reeling at the fact that in a few hours he and Jo would have their baby in their arms, “I’m leaving the hospital now, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”

“Good, I don’t want my new coworkers to hate me because I yelled at them while trying to push a giant Karev baby out of my-,” Jo’s voice cuts off as she lets out a groan, the sound pulling at Alex’s heart as he speeds through the hallways in an attempt to get to her quicker. “Oh holy fuck. Seriously, that’s what that feels like? No wonder my patients are always screaming.”

“Well yeah, you’re about to push out almost eight pounds of-“

“That’s enough from you, I’ll see you when you get here. Room 282,” Jo pauses for a moment, Alex stopping his walk to his car as he listens intently. Even with things still tense between them, he could tell when she was nervous. “Just don’t take too long, okay?”

“I’ll be there as fast as I possibly can be, promise,” Alex quickly exchanges goodbyes with Jo before hanging up and continuing his path to his car.

As he climbs in his eyes move to the car seat strapped into his backseat. The sight wasn’t unusual since he often had the twins with him but the infant carrier made his heart swell with anticipation. He was going to be a dad again and this time he was going to be able to witness his child’s life from the moment it started. No playing catch up, no surprises down the line, he would be there from his child’s first breath and he’d get to raise them with the woman he loved.

Alex lets his thoughts drift to Jo as he makes the short drive to the main hospital across town. He was beyond thankful she’d given him a second chance when he absolutely hadn’t deserved one, even more thankful that she’d allowed him to still be in not only their child’s life but hers as well. Jo had met Alexis and Eli who were immediately fascinated with Jo’s belly and the fact that their sibling was moving around in there. She’d bonded instantly with his children, Alex sometimes questioning if they liked her better than him. They’d talked a little bit, about the baby and what the future held for the three of them. For the most part though, Alex and Jo communicated physically, the way they always did best.

He was shocked the first night she’d spent over at his house when she’d left the guest room not long after they'd said goodnight, quietly crawling beneath the covers of his own bed and molding her body against the side of his. It felt natural, the way they curled together even with their child growing between them. When he woke the next morning, Jo looked peaceful instead of restless and worried like he had noted days before when she’d napped on his couch. After that it seemed only natural for them to find their way into each other’s arms at the end of the day, whether at his house or her apartment. Alex’s fingers would float across her belly as he traced their baby’s movements while Jo’s hands held tight to his t-shirt, both of their bodies falling into a deep sleep.

The few nights that they spent apart when one of them would return alone to their respective homes were soon nonexistent, Jo’s voice breaking through the quiet of her room one night to mention that her lease would be up soon. And so, without a verbal conversation about the matter Alex had spent a weekend moving her few belongings into his home, the nursery furniture she’d collected finding a new home in the guest room and Jo herself finding solace in her permanent position on the other side of Alex’s bed.

Lost in his thoughts, Alex barely notices that he’s arrived at the hospital. While the children’s hospital was large, the main hospital at UCSF was massive. The few times he’d come for a meeting or to pick up Jo Alex had almost always gotten lost. Thankfully he knew exactly where he was headed today and made it to the maternity ward without any issues, pausing outside of Jo’s room for only a moment before walking in.

“I’m perfectly capable of checking my own damn cervix Wendy,” Alex watches as Jo swats away the older doctor's hand, her face scrunching up in irritation. “I don’t need everyone I work with getting an up close look at my lady bits today.”

“Well you look like you’re in good spirits,” Alex steps fully into the room, pressing a kiss to Jo’s forehead as she continues to stare down the doctor in front of her. “Let her check, I’m pretty sure you can’t even reach down there anyways.”

Jo begrudgingly lays back down, letting Wendy check her as Alex brushes back her hair. As soon as the examination is done though, she’s sitting up and removing her legs from the stirrups they were in.

“You know I don’t even know why I’m here, I’ve delivered hundreds of babies before,” Jo is throwing off the blankets on her lap and swinging her legs over the side and pulling at the few monitors she was already hooked up to. “We’re going home, I’m not giving birth here. I’m more than capable of delivering my own baby.”

“Jo, you’re not going anywhere,” the doctor looks from Jo to Alex, fixing him with a serious stare. “You’re fully dilated, your baby is about ready to make their appearance. I’m shocked you’re just getting settled in here.”

Alex moves quickly, placing his hands on Jo’s shoulder and blocking her path as she attempts to stand and leave. She tries to vocally protest, but quickly doubles over with a groan as a contraction hits her, “Would you lay back down? We’re not going anywhere, you heard your doctor.”

Jo shakes her head, still doubled over as she attempts to speak through her pain, “I’m… fine. Don’t need… to be here. Shit that hurts!”

Moving his fingers down, Alex applies counter pressure to Jo’s back as the contraction continues. The doctor gives him an understanding smile, gathering what she needs as she gives the two a small moment of privacy. When Jo’s body finally relaxes against him, he moves his hands to gently rub her back as she evens her breathing out.

“You wanna tell me why you’re all of sudden trying to break out of here,” when Jo doesn’t respond to his question, Alex kneels in front of her, taking her now tear stained cheeks between his hands. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t do this, I’m not supposed to be a mom. I am… terrified that I’m going to mess everything up and I’m even more scared that I’m going to have to do all of this by myself,” Jo’s breathing grows more ragged as she begins to sob, her shoulders dropping as she lets the emotion wash over her. “How am I supposed to have someone rely on me for everything when I don’t even have that? I was almost all alone here, Alex! You left me and the only reason you’re here is because we just so happened to run into each other again. And I didn’t even mean to get pregnant! I’m only here because I missed my birth control and we drank too much and had sex in the backseat of your car! I just can’t do this… None of this was supposed to happen, I just can’t- Oh god!”

Jo’s panicked ranting is cut off by another contraction, her body involuntarily curling towards him as she lets out a pained groan. Alex attempts to calm her down as she grips his arms, her crying growing louder as she holds onto him.

“Deep breaths, let it out. You’re okay,” Alex’s attempts to get Jo to breathe and calm herself down are futile as she begins to hyperventilate, fingers digging tightly into his biceps. “Jo, you’re stressing yourself and the baby out. I’m right here in front of you and I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving, okay? But no matter what, you’re going to be a mom here soon and I don’t think there’s anyone more prepared. You’re going to be a great mom, that’s something that nothing and no one can change. Our kid? They're the luckiest person on earth to have you as their mom so don’t doubt yourself for a second.”

His words seem to get through to Jo as she relaxes against his shoulder, her cries softening as she reaches blindly for his hand. Alex squeezes back gently as he lets her come down from her panicked state, his arms holding her close to him.

“You are going to be amazing, but we have to stay here and get this baby out. We can worry about the rest later okay,” Jo finally looks up at Alex, his fingers still caressing her cheeks as she attempts to stifle her cries. “Jo you… You are so strong and so brave and I know even if I wasn’t here that you would be able to get through this. But I am, I’m here and I’m never going to leave you or our baby, ever. And I can't promise that something else won’t happen, but I’ll live every day trying to prevent it. I love you so much and I know you love me and we have the rest of our lives to figure everything else out, okay?”

Jo leaned forward, her head resting against Alex’s shoulder as she forced out her next words, “I really really need to push. Like right now.”

Alex acts quickly, alerting the doctor who’d stepped into the hall before coming back to Jo’s side. Her fingers interlock with his and she only pushes for fifteen minutes before she collapses against him with a sigh of relief. Not a moment later there’s a small cry that echoes through the room and both Alex and Jo watch in fascination as the squirming baby settles quickly onto Jo’s chest.

The next hour passes in a blur, everything around him moving a thousand miles a minute, but when he finally has a moment to breathe all Alex can do is stare at Jo. Her eyes are focused on the now swaddled and sleeping baby in her arms, fingers brushing over the chubby cheeks and dark curls of hair on the infant.

“I love you too,” Jo’s words are barely above a whisper as she continues to stare at the baby in her arms. “I didn’t say it earlier, mainly because I was in pain but also because some days it seems easier to try and convince myself that I don’t anymore. But I do love you Alex, even if this little one wasn’t a part of our lives there’s this part of me that loves you so much no matter what we’ve been through.”

Too stunned to move, Alex finds himself staring blankly at Jo as she moves her gaze from the baby up to him. Her eyes are wide and shining with tears, but she doesn’t look upset. Instead she reaches a hand out towards him and gestures for him to join her on the hospital bed. He doesn’t hesitate, his arm wrapping around Jo’s shoulder as she snuggles into his side. The baby on her chest readjusts, one hand reaching upwards which Alex grabs between his own fingers.

“He looks just like you,” Jo chuckles as she leans her head against his chest. “I’m screwed aren't I?”

“Mmm I think if you can survive one Karev boy two will be a walk in the park.”

[faangirl101]

Burning Heart:  Pt 1

Burning heart masterlist

Pairing: Zuko x reader, Zuko x y/n

Tags: Enemies to lovers, slow burn

Summary: Raised mostly by yourself, you made a living for your youth years as a maid in one of the richest families in Ba sing se, Beifongs. There Toph, a blind young rich girl, taught you earth bending and also became your new family. Not that you would admit that to her. Together you escape Ba sing se on the back of a flying bison with the Avatar, in a mission to take back the world from the fire nation. But on the journey you didn't plan to team up with the Fire prince himself, and you definitely did not plan to get butterflies around him. But you couldn't possibly catch feelings for a fire bender right? They ruined your life and took everything of value from you. But you couldn't lie to your burning heart. 

Warnings: swearing

The Western Air temple

The sun's streaks felt like fire licking our exposed arms. The heat evaporating  from the cracked surface under our feet  was almost as hot as the burning shame in returning empty handed on foot from the eclipse battle. “This is humiliating”, Katara mumbled with her head low. Her voice sparked a familiar annoyance within but I kept my mouth shut. Sokka looked up at her from under the wolf helmet “You mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?”. Katara looked him up and down before shame forced her head down again “Both”.  Aang let his hand slide through Appas fur, as if to reassure him that it was not his fault. His forever love for Appa didn't fail to turn my frown. Aang mirrored my weak smile “Sorry guys, but appa gets tired carrying all these people”. “Or maybe it's just Toph who’s heavy”, Not even one of my snarky playful remarks seemed to get the group in a good mood. But I did get a half smirk for Toph that was good enough. “I wonder how the rest of the troops are”, Teo pushed his wheelchair with sweaty hands as he looked up to Haru. I had never met Teo before the battle, but Aang had mentioned him before. He was hella smart and outshined an entire army. But it was clearly not enough to beat the fire nation. I let my eyes wander to Haru instead. I remember the stories of him and his father in prison. A deep weighting feeling decided to settle in my stomach. My father would have never risked everything for me like Haru did for his dad. I guess I was never a family person. I pushed the hurtful thoughts away the best I could by focusing on Haru. “They’re probably on their way to a prison. Seems like my dad just got out and now he’s going back in”. The group fell quiet, and I wanted to feel empathy for Haru. I wanted to understand how much it would hurt to lose a parent after just getting one. I wanted to hug him. Instead i just put a supportive hand on his back “He got out once, we will figure it out”. I didn't know if my words made a difference but I dropped my hand anyways. “I miss Pipsqueak”, The duke, a small boy muttered. Sokka ignored his tiny friend's words “I miss not having blisters on my feet”. I leaned down to Toph's level “Question, when you get blisters, does it feel like if i got something in my eye?”. Toph grunted in response which I decided to take as a yes. Suddenly Toph made a halt stop which almost made the rest of the group fall over. She stamped down, similar to a rabbit, before her face cracked up in a smile. “Hey, We’re here! I can feel it!”, she raised both her hands forward showing us….. nothing. Ahead of us was the same ground  that we had walked on for hours on end. The only difference was a precipies splitting the ground open like a wound. “uhhhh….I think your feet need their eyes checked”, Katara stopped beside Toph with a wrinkled nose. “No! She’s right. We are here!”, Aang’s voice didn't sound in defeat as before. Sokka took one look behind his shoulder as if he missed the “giant temple” Aang had described before shrugging his shoulders. “Wooow”, Toph placed her hands next to her feet, truly taking in her surroundings “It's fantastic!”.

 The western Air temple was breathtaking. How we got down was a mystery, but well down. I had no words. It was everything Aang had described. Stone walls reached over our heads,  clinging for its life on the cliffs surrounding us. Ivy painted the entire place green. With tired feet and a heavy head I slumped down on the bench around the fountain. The comforting noise of water pooling swallowed my pouding head in ease. “It's so different from the Northern Air Temple. I wonder if there are any secret rooms”, Teos eyes were glistening like a childs. Haru had clearly stopped worrying about his dad as he took a leap forward with a smile “Let’s go check it out!”. Teo and The Duke are quick on his feet as they sprint off to explore. Aang is about to catch up with them, excitement clear in his flaring arms, before he’s cut off my Kataras grip. “You guys go. I think we need to talk about some things”, she urges the boys to continue their exploring without Aang and they don't need much convincing. “I'll race you, Duke”, Teo is already taking off. The Duke whines as the kid he is “i told you, It's The Duke!”. The three disappear behind the temple but their voice echoes for another couple of seconds. Aang's looks after the boys with desperation in his grey eyes “Why can’t I go?”. I get up on shaky legs and make my way over to them. “We need to decide what we’re gonna do now, and since you’re the Avatar, maybe you should be a part of this”, Katara sits down on a fallen stone block. “Fair enough. So, what’s the new plan?”Anyone could easily detect the evidence of annoyance in Aang's voice as he slumps down on another stone block. But Katara was right, no matter how much I hated to admit it. Sokka placed a hand under his chin, mimicking an old philosopher  “Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan! You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes.” They way Sokka phrased it was as if it was not that hard. As if it was just a cup of tea, which clearly struck a nerve with Aang.“Oh , yeah. That’s great. No problem. I'll just do that”, Aang threw his words in irony. He started playing with a rock beside him with furrowed eyebrows. He had never looked more like a child. “Aang, no one said it’s going to be easy”, Katara’s voice clinged in empathy. It irritates me how she always complains about being the mom of the group as if she didn't take on that role by herself. But I know a mother's empathy is exactly what Aang needed right now. I easily earth bended a rock under me to lift me up on the high cliff Toph was sitting. The familiar vibrations of earth moving under me filled me with calm. I threw my legs over the edge and slumped down next to Toph's much smaller frame. “Well I am hot but I can't fire bend. Where are we supposed to get a firebending teacher?”, Sokka couldn't help but smile at his own joke. I let out my low hanging bun, ignoring how my baby hairs are slicked down my face by sweat. “You hot? You're hot when Bisons can fly”, I shot him a flirty smile which resulted in Sokka snorting playfully. Katara ignored our remarks “We could look for Jeong Jeong!”. Aang didn't hesitate to shoot her idea down “Yeah...right”. He slumps down his body over the rock without care “like we’ll ever run into Jeong Jeong again”. Me and Toph look curiously at each other “Who’s… oh”. Toph, annoyed by how the group didn't tell us anything crossed her arms “never mind. If it's important I’ll find out”.

The further the sun moved down the horisont, the more Aang started to avoid talking about a plan. He flung forward Appa on his staff, gliding smoothly over the winds. Both me and Toph clung onto the Appa, not liking being this far above the ground. Sokka was always the comic relief but even him had taken on a mom role “Aang, i think we should be making some plans about our future!”. Aang bluntly ignored his words as he landed next to the fountain, the glider still in his hand. Aang watched us land Appa next to him “Okay, we can do that while i show you the giant Pai Sho table! Oh you’re gonna love the all-day echo chamber!”. He was about to sprint away from us again, away from his responsibilities when Toph trot after words. Her demeanor turned serious, which it rarely does “i think that’ll have to wait”.  Toph shrugs as she points behind herself. Everybody quizzically tries to see what she’s talking about as Appa’s huge frame moves to the side revealing a shadow. As the late day light falls upon him there is multiply gasps within the group. In front of us is a teenager, probably around my age, a head taller or so. What captures me first is his face. His scar to be exact. A scar the size of a palm extends from  his ear and over his eye. It leaves a nasty patch of skin the color of a bonfire. It looks as if he has tried to hide the scar with strands of hair but the hair has a life of its own. It's long, uncombed and falls down his face only to reveal a couple of intense eyes. The color was the same as pooling honey dripping down a warm cup of tea. He was insanely attractive, making my heart skip a beat or two. But he was also screaming to be remembered in the back of my mind. His identity on the tip of my tongue. His honey eyes turn to me for a second but that's enough to spark a part of my memory. Brown eyes mean fire nation. Which makes my eyes quickly take in the obvious fire nation clothing hanging over his long slender body. The previous shock within the group quickly turns into anger. The boy hesitantly raises his hand and gives us a wave, which would be adorable from anybody except a fire bender “Hello”. He tries on a careful weak smile “Zuko here”. That's all it takes for me to take on a fighting position. My hand raised above my waist, fingers vibrating ready to bend the earth to swallow him up. Zuko, The fire prince himself. The gang had told me and Toph stories of his repeated attempts to kill them. His awful actions and how he took katara's necklace. Well, maybe the necklace part doesn't make me that angry. Toph copied my defense, but her motions seemed hesitant.  Zuko opens his mouth to reveal a smoother voice then i expected “Hey, i heard you guys flying around down there. So, i just thought i’d wait for you here”. Appa growled and whatever i thought the bison was going to do, it was definitely not that. He reached out his dark tongue just to lick the boy. The boy let out a eak as he protected his face from the saliva. I didn't exactly recall the first time I met Appa that clearly, but I'm pretty sure he never did that. In the corner of my eye I see Aang's conflicted eyes as he lowers his staff slightly. He trusted Appa with his life, so I understood his internalized battle. But I was unaffected, hand raised protectly. Appa’s tongue slicked up the prince's face again, Messing up his hair even further. Zuko didn't protest this time, he just wiped off the excess mucus. With one last wipe he looked up at us again “I know you must be surprised to see me here”. Sokka looked at him in rage with furrowed eyebrows “Not really, since you’ve followed us all over the world”. Zuko seemed embarrassed as he looked down his feet “Right. Well,uh….anyway…. What i wanted to tell you about is that i’ve changed, and i, uhhh, i’m good now, and well i think i should join your group, oh, and i can teach firebending to you”. I didn't know what to say. The shock seemed to resemble the rest of the group. Zuko seemed to catch on as he opened his mouth again “see i, uhhhh”.Toph didn't give him a second to explain himself further “you what now?”. I had never seen katara as angry as now “You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you? I mean, how stupid do you think we are?!”. Sokka continued her rant “Yeah, all you’ve ever done is hunt us down and try to capture Aang!”. All they were saying was true, but there was a sudden doubt consuming me. It rang warning bells in the back of my head for sure, but there was something I couldn't put my finger on. This couldn't possibly be the evil boy they had described? They told me he had an almost shaved head, just a ponytail. That he hated Aang with no shame. That he would do anything to destroy the gang. The boy in front of me was nothing like that. He was shy, hesitant. Ashamed. He was ashamed over everything he had done. But he couldn't just turn good like that, that's not how it works. This must be another fire nation trick, or so I had  to convince myself. Zuko seemed hurt, in desperate need to defend himself. “I've done some good things! I mean, I could have stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That’s something!”. His words seemed true since appa licked him again (much to his surprise). I remembered how hurt Aang was when he lost Appa, is it really possible that zuko saved him? No it couldn't be, he was from the fire nation. Toph had already dropped her defense “Appa seems to like him”. The water tribe siblings turned to her in anger. “I can understand why you  wouldn’t trust me, and i know i've made some mistakes in the past”. The rest of the sparr is a blur to me. I could see lips moving but I couldn't hear a thing. My eyes were stuck on Zuko as I blocked the rest of the world out. I tried to find any mistakes in his clearly made up character but he was spot free. either he was an amazing actor, or everything he said was true. Aang did need a firebender, but the thought of a member of the fire nation, the royal one at that, made my blood boil. What broke my focus was Zuko falling down on his knees. He made himself vulnerable, head bent downwards and hands raised in surrender. “If you won’t accept me as a friend, then maybe you’ll take me as a prisoner”. The words shocked me to the core. If he was really out to kill us he would never have let down his guard like that. Katara seemed to see right through his game “No, we won’t!”. Her little flask dangling by her leg burst open as she water bended a flood against him. It wasn't hard enough to make him go flying off the cliff but it was hard enough to break his position. He fell over, protecting his face. “Get out of here, and don’t come back! And if we ever see you again, well, we’d better not see you again”. Defeated, wet from tip to toe, he moved away from us. As my friends around me started to yell to each other, about how much Zuko was lying. How they would never accept him into the gang. I followed his figure with my eyes. The slumped forward body, the dragging of the feet. I wonder which powerful fire nation person he was going to tell he failed his mission to get into our gang. Because of course it had to be a mission. He could never change… Right?

The next morning seemed slow. My head was pounding from a sleep fof worrying. It didn't help that Toph had disappeared. I knew that Toph could defend herself better than anybody, but I also knew she wouldn't go anywhere without telling me. Katara handed a bowl of breakfast to The duke “Has anyone seen Toph?”. I was surprised that she had even noticed Toph was gone. They weren't exactly close. Sokka yawned and cracked his back from the morning sleep “I haven't seen her since she stormed off yesterday”. Against my will I started to worry. Since yesterday? Had she been out the entire night? I had been grumbling so much over Zuko I hadn't even noticed. I swallowed down the lump of guilt together with a spoon of rice. Katara actually seemed worried for real “I think we should go look for her”, Sokka slumped down next to his sister “Let her have her fun with rocks, i'm in no rush to have her yelling at us again”. I ignored the anger busting up with another spoon of rice. The silence was quickly replaced by the occurrence of a large rumble. Toph comes flying down onto the ground by a pile of rocks that she created from a wall. I rushed over to her, my breakfast thrown in pieces on the ground. “Toph, what the fuck happened?”. Toph slingered across the ground “My feet got burned!”. Katara rushed forward to inspect them “Oh no, how?”. Toph annoyance from Katara's question quickly turned into shame “Well, I kind of went to see zuko last night”. It looked like Aang had been kicked in the gut “You what?”. Without another thought my legs carried me away from the scene. Their voices became a questionable noise as I took off. I only had one thing playing in my mind: Find Zuko and kill him.

[backtothestart02]

The Football Star and the New Girl - 1/? | westallen fanfiction

A/N: I suck at titles lately...oh well. Enjoy this first chap! The story itself is based loosely on a dream I had. :)

...

Synopsis:  HS!AU - They were like ships passing in the night. Would they ever meet on the same page?

...

Chapter 1 -

Francine West walked down the hall and peeked into the open doorway of her daughter’s bedroom. She found her sitting on her bed, her things packed in multiple suitcases at her feet, but she herself – Iris West, 14 ¾ years old – did not look very excited to be leaving her home without her family. She was looking at a photo album. Tears were staining her cheeks.

Francine rested her head against the door frame as she watched her, her heart aching to heal the wounds she knew would only grow more with time.

“It’s not too late to change your mind, you know.”

Iris’ head whipped toward the sound, and she hastily shut the photo album and tossed it onto her bed, wiping her cheeks quickly after.

“Mom!”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t interrupting, was I?”

She walked into the room, and Iris scooted over a little so she could sit next to her on the bed.

“No, not at all. I’m glad you’re here.”

They shared a sweet look, then Iris leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder. Francine held out her hand, and Iris intertwined her fingers in her mother’s grip.

“I still want to go,” she assured her.

“Yeah?”

She nodded against her shoulder.

“I need stability, mom. I can’t be moving around going from school to school every six months. I’m proud of dad, of course, and I love being with you all. I’ll miss you a lot, but…I want friends and the same school and a life.”

“A boyfriend?” Francine nudged her gently.

Iris rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Maybe…eventually. I’m only 14, Mom.”

Francine nudged her again.

“14 ¾.”

Iris laughed.

“Yeah, yeah, okay. A boyfriend would be nice, once I get to know the guy for more than a couple months. But first, friends.”

“Friends are important too.”

Iris nestled into her mother’s embrace and sat in silence for a while.

“What about Wally? Is he going to be going to new schools every-”

“I’ve decided to attempt homeschooling.”

Iris lifted her head.

“You have?”

She nodded.

“He’s only 10, so the curriculum is simpler, and he’s pretty introverted, even around us, so Ruffly can suffice for his friend. At least for now.”

Francine pursed her lips. She did want real, live human friends for her son, as well as for her daughter. But for now their golden retriever seemed to be what got the most laughs out of young Wally West. She would hope that lasted at least through another school year.

“I’d take him with me if I could,” Iris said.

“You’d take both my children from me?” Francine asked, only half joking. “What am I supposed to do all day long without your brother to drive me crazy?”

Iris looked into her mother’s eyes and saw that they were watering.

“Oh, Mom, I didn’t mean-”

“It’s okay, honey.”

She sighed and pressed a kiss to her daughter’s temple.

“I know it hasn’t been easy for you, losing your friends so often because we have to move. It’s the life of a military family, I’m afraid. I signed up for it when I agreed to marry the man, but you, my baby, were just born into it.”

She pulled back to look into her eyes.

“I want you to know though that if at any time the school isn’t working out for you, we’ll come get you in a heartbeat.”

Iris winced. She knew it wasn’t that simple. They were moving overseas to a new post. Iris would be staying here in the U.S. Even if the school was a bit of a move for her too. It wasn’t anything she wasn’t used to.

Still, she obliged her.

“Yeah, okay, mom.”

She smiled, but Francine knew better.

Footsteps sounded down the hallway, and interrupting their little moment came Joe West with little Wally West on his back. Joe was dressed in all camouflage wear, and Wally was giggling from bouncing up and down on his “horsie”. Ruffly was close at Joe’s heels.

“What is this here?” Joe asked, witnessing the tear streaks on his two ladies’ faces.

“Dad!” Iris sprung up.

She ran to him, and he slowly released Wally off his back, who promptly complained when his shoeless feet hit the floor.

Joe hugged his daughter tight, lifting her off her feet briefly and kissing the side of her face.

“Oh, baby girl, are you sure you want to go?”

Iris laughed when she was back on her feet again. She wiped away fresh tears.

“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m just gonna miss you guys, but I need this. For me. Okay?”

He sighed and nodded, then looked across the room at his wife.

“She’s so grown-up.”

“I know.” Francine sniffled.

“Why is everyone crying in here?” Wally asked. “Aren’t we gonna see her for Christmas?”

Everyone laughed.

“Aren’t you gonna miss me at all, you little punk?” Iris asked, ruffling his curly hair.

“Eh, maybe a little.” He shrugged, uncaringly.

Iris rolled her eyes.

“Well, it’s time to get going then, yeah?” She looked at her parents who nodded.

“Yeah,” Joe said. “That seven-hour drive is no joke.”

“Seven hours! That’s a lifetime!” Wally whined.

Ruffly barked.

“Just wait till your plane ride,” Iris egged him on. “That might be even longer.”

Wally groaned. “I hate traveling!”

“Better make sure you have something to keep you occupied with then, Walls,” Joe said, and with that Wally zipped out of Iris’ room to make sure his many bags included plenty of toys to play with on his very long journey.

“I’ll go help him,” Francine said. “We’ll meet you at the door with his things.”

“Sounds good.”

Joe smiled, but it was pained. Once Francine had left, all the toughness had melted away again, as it often did with his baby girl.

“Boy, am I gonna miss you,” he said.

“I’m gonna miss you too, Dad.” Another tear streamed down her cheek, and he was quick to wipe it away. “You look so handsome in your uniform, Dad.”

He chuckled.

“Alright, enough sadness for now. We can do this again in seven hours.”

She laughed. “Okay.”

“You wanna help me get all a million and one suitcases out to the car?”

She took a step back and looked around her room.

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

“You can apologize by helping me.”

“Deal.”

She smiled, and slowly they made their way to the front door and then the driveway with all seven of her suitcases. It took a few trips, but then she knew she would need every bit of her belongings for the long school years that lay ahead.

Her family would visit as often as they could, of course, but it would be difficult with them living overseas. She probably wouldn’t see them again until her dad was forced to move again like they were doing now.

But she’d thought long and hard   this. She longed for friendships that lasted, for a life beyond what was available to a military family. She needed to connect and to be free for a while, even at the sacrifice of not seeing her family every day, especially her mom and baby brother. This new school – Huntington Farm and Boarding School – would be just the ticket.

Out in the middle of nowhere somewhere down south, the school was on a huge stretch of lush land that also served as a farm – no animals, just crops, which was a shame, Iris thought. She’d miss having even just her dog around too.

But the place was renowned for its academics and social scene there in the middle of the wilderness. A boarding school for those who needed it, traveling families mostly; and if the colorful flyer they’d sent in the mail was any indication, Iris would absolutely love it.

“Everybody ready?” Joe asked, when everyone had piled into the car sometime later.

“Ready!” the family cheered.

Joe chuckled and started the car.

“Huntington Farm and Boarding School, here we come. Watch out for your most dazzling student yet.”

He met Iris’ eyes in the rearview mirror, and they sparkled.

“You know it!” Iris said.

Joe grinned and backed out of the driveway.

They were all on their way to bigger adventures now.

…

One year later…

Iris sat on top of the fence on the edge of the football field, waiting for who she hoped she hadn’t misinterpreted wrong. After nearly a year of first claiming he didn’t like her and then months of mixed signals, Iris was convinced he actually did like her, as much as she liked him.

Sitting on the fence post waiting for the guy to come kiss her seemed like an odd tradition, but it was built into the social aspect of the school, and she figured it was the only guaranteed way she’d know if he was really crushing or not.

She’d dressed as cute as she could for a game, and soon she’d know if it would pay off or not.

Biting her bottom lip, she gasped quietly when she saw him coming around the corner heading right towards where she had herself perched.

Barry Allen was the star football player – star of every sport he could get himself into really – and they’d been making genuine eyes at each other for weeks. Now, as he approached her, it felt as if their whole future was hanging in the balance.

He stopped about 20 feet away. Bracing himself maybe for the decision he’d have to make? Presumably have gained the courage, he continued his walk, headed straight for her and stopped directly in front of her.

Iris waited, her heart hammering a mile a minute in her chest. He was tall enough to reach her – so tall, but she bent her head anyway, and sure enough their lips met in a soft, tender kiss.

She opened her eyes as he took a step back, but the smile on his face was undeniable. So was hers.

Just as he was about to say something truly romantic – she’d decided – one of his teammates burst behind them.

“Did you just kiss Iris West?”

Barry spun around, panic on his features.

“I-”

Another teammate appeared.

“Wait, what?”

“Barry just kissed Iris!”

“But I thought he hated her. He swore he did.”

Iris tensed on the top of the fence, waiting for Barry to smooth the whole thing over. It couldn’t be that big of a deal that he’d pretended to hate her all while flirting with her on the downlow for nearly a year…could it? It was annoying to her for sure, but his teammates couldn’t be that annoyed, could they?

Barry never smoothed it over.

His teammates left, looking disgusted, and Barry looked back at Iris for one more moment, not knowing what to do. Then he left, calling after them.

“Wait, guys, it’s not what it looks like!”

And Iris sat alone on top of the fence, the magical memory of her first kiss completely shattered.

How would they come back from this?

[sigmadecay]

You said you can info dump about Jonestown massacre? I'm here to learn about Jonestown massacre.

OHOHOHO YES

okay so if I start from Jim Jones’ early life this is literally gonna take me hours to write and probably take you forever to read so I will try to cliffnote the context of....y’know, his life

He didn’t have super present or even very parental parents, his mother worked a lot & his father was a disabled WWI vet. A neighbor took him to church w her family on Sundays and that began his interest in religion. He went to different churches all the time to see what they were about but had a particular interest in the Pentecostal church, it was loud & interactive & joyful but they did get a bad rep for “speaking in tongues”

Jim married his wife Marceline when he was 17 or 18 and she was like 20-21. She was working as a nurse in a hospital that Jim did custodial work in while he was trying to get himself through school. I have a lot of thoughts about Marceline Jones and most of them are “she deserved better” but we will come back to Marceline later.

Fast forward fast forward and Jim & Marcy have a number of kids, their “rainbow family” which consists of one bio child and a number of adopted children I think?? Listen in my defense he ended up with nine (!!! NINE) kids and they’re hard to keep track of but I know Stephan was their biological son and they adopted Jim Jr. who was black and Lew & Suzanne who were Korean which was a bigass deal at the time. More kids cropped up over the course of things but y’know. When Jim founded the Peoples Temple he got the MLK Jr award for racial equality because his church was the first fully integrated church at least in Indiana which was fucking nuts at the time??? Lots of people liked him. It appeared that he was doing good things.

And then shit like faith healings started where he would stage religious healings from cancer and shit and his congregation began regarding him as a deity. Someone would be blessed and would spit out a “tumor” (a piece of chicken liver) or the woman in the wheelchair who got up and walked turned out to be Jim’s secretary. Completely bogus nonsense, but it was a good, integrated church and they all thought he was a good person.

So, (and I’m leaving out details here sorry) Jim starts teasing like an escape to a “promised land” type deal. And he goes to a bunch of places looking for one—he spends time in Brazil especially—until finally settling on Guyana. The Guyanese govt was excited to have Americans coming bc they were at war with Venezuela and it was...sort of like insurance, but yeah. They gave the Peoples Temple a couple hundred acres in the middle of basically the fucking rainforest. And it was touted as like this socialist utopia and shit. It’s work but there’s housing and you grow your own food, and it seemed nice! Especially for people who were so disillusioned with the government and racial inequality. So they move out to Guyana and start to build houses, and shit is pretty alright at first, but...The soil isn’t fertile and almost no food actually grows. The hours are long and the work is backbreaking, not to mention the HEAT, but it’s like, deal-with-able until Jim Jones gets there. At this point Jones is like completely totally paranoid and he’s losing his grip on reality. He’s been doing drugs for years and his sermons have gone from “the US government is bad because it’s capitalist and racist” to “the US government is literally plotting to kill us.”

Some people managed to get out, and formed a group called the “concerned relatives.” They were, you guessed it, concerned relatives of the members who’d been whisked off to the Guyanese wilderness. Lots of people wrote off their concerns because of how many people, namely politicians, liked Jim Jones for his work in racial equality, but the one guy who listened to them was Congressman Leo Ryan, who was by all accounts a Pretty Solid Dude. He didn’t think anything fishy was happening, necessarily, but his whole stance was “I hear you & your concerns, and we should check it out to put your mind at ease! :)”

By this point, life in the Temple is falling! the fuck! apart! Jim Jones has a PA system set to run 24/7 that either play a) recordings of past sermons or b) his announcements happening Right This Second. People work for like 16 hours a day, there are armed guards at the entrance and around the fields to keep people in, the housing is cramped and overcrowded and they do Not have enough food for the almost 1000 people there. They are also getting record low amounts of sleep because Jim Jones, Nutjob Extraordinaire, has gotten into the habit of blaring the air raid siren at god knows what our and calling all his followers into the pavilion for a White Night. Which is, if you can even fucking believe it, a PRACTICE MASS SUICIDE BY KOOL AID.

Talk about foreshadowing.

So anyway, Leo Ryan rolls up to the compound, relatives and an NBC camera crew in tow, and is like “hey what’s up! :)” Jim Jones has been COACHING PEOPLE to tell him how much they love it. It’s fucked up. But okay

So they put on this dinner and a show type deal for the congressman and all the visitors, and Marceline (remember Marceline?) gives them a whole tour and shows them her pride and joy, the school she’d built and helps teaches at, and the medical center, and the daycare, like Marceline ADORES children this cannot be overstated. There are about 300 children in Jonestown and she loves them with her whole heart. ANYWAY

And everyone is having a funky good time, except Jim Jones, whose sanity is coming unraveled like an old sweater and his 950-ish overworked undercompensated cult members

But as Leo Ryan is leaving, someone slips a note to one of the reporters, BEGGING him to get them out of there. And then someone else comes forward. And then another. There are like....maybe 10 people total that come forward? Jim Jones loses his mind, naturally, but Leo Ryan is still like “hey, 10 out of 950 isn’t bad at all! They just miss their families :)” and they get going.

Unfortunately, because the number of people traveling back to the US from Guyana is greater than before, and they came on a small plane, they’re all posted up at the Port Kaituma airstrip waiting for a second aircraft. And this is when shit gets fucking real.

Jim Jones secretly sends his Red Men (read: “guards” with shotguns) to the airstrip to kill everyone because they’re going to give their secrets to the CIA or whatever. So they fucking roll up in this trailer and...open fire. Leo Ryan is killed, an NBC cameraman is killed, some of the defectors and concerned relatives are killed, many of them are wounded.

The Red Men return to the compound and report back to Jones. And then he gets on the PA and tells everyone that the USA’s destruction of them is imminent. He lies and tells them that the pilot will be shot and the plane will go down, and the US government will come into the compound for retribution and kill their seniors and kidnap the children and rape the women. You can hear a recording of this on YouTube! It’s called the Jonestown death tape and it will absolutely ruin your day if you listen to it. Anyway.

People are panicking. It’s time for the real White Night. Jones gets a vat of Flavor-Aid (off brand Kool-Aid) filled with cyanide and narcotics and says “drink :)” and...everyone is...understandably afraid. They’re tired and exhausted and terrified and have no idea what’s true or not. One woman, Christine, argues and pleads for another solution, like running off to the Soviet Union. The entire rest of the compound shouts her down.

So, finally, people drink. Those who won’t, and young children, are injected with it. The death is not painless. People suffer for a long time, and move to the back of the line, lie down, and die. At a reception house in Georgetown, one of Jones’ aides kills her three children and then herself with a steak knife.

A handful of people get out. Maybe five are able to hide, and three of Jones’ sons are away at a basketball game in Georgetown while this is all going down, so they live.

Jim Jones does not drink the poison. Jim Jones shoots himself in the head, and his private nurse does the same.

Marceline Jones screamed, sobbed and struggled until every single child had died, hoping at least one of them would be spared. And when none were, she dried her eyes, resigned herself to her fate, and drank the Kool-Aid.

The 900-something bodies, about a third of which were children, began rotting in the tropical sun almost immediately. Many of them were decomposed beyond recognition by the time the US troops got there. Those unidentified are buried in a mass gravesite in...California, I think? It was the largest loss of American life not due to a natural disaster up until 9/11. The place is still there, though now it’s overgrown, and it’s just...haunting. There’s a number of documentaries on it (recommend) and if you have a really masochistic streak, the Port Kaituma airstrip shooting and the Jonestown death tape audio are both on YouTube the last I checked.

Thank you for indulging me my special interest, and I’m happy to expand on anything here or give more details :3

[arrow-guy]

Broken Flock (5/??)

Summary: It’s been two years since you uprooted your life and left to figure out who you really are, leaving behind Bucky and Clint with little more than a note as a warning. Now, New York is calling your name and it’s time to go home. How will Clint and Bucky react to your return, and how will the time have affected your relationship?

A/N: Hello, hello, we return with a new episode of Disaster Boys and their Winged Friend. We’re picking up right where we left off last time. Please enjoy!

Page dividers by @carryonmyswansong

Word Count: 3k

Pairing: WinterhawkxReader

Warnings: Heights, falling

Part 4

“You sure you’re alright staying behind?”

“(Y/N), I’ve already told you, the two of you need some time outside of the city.” Clint pushes Bucky and I out the door. “Get your asses upstate and get some fresh air. If you’re back before dark, there’ll be consequences.”

Bucky raises his eyebrows. “Consequences? What’re you gonna do? Spank us?”

Clint grins. “Don’t tempt me.”

Bucky rolls his eyes and hooks his arm around my waist. “We’re leaving.”

“Good.”

“We’ll pick up a couple of pizzas on the way home!” I add before Bucky can get me too far down the hall.

Clint shouts his approval and Bucky shakes his head. The smile on his face betrays his annoyance and I laugh. Bucky gives me a half-hearted glare and reaches over to take my hand.

“You think this is hilarious,” he grumbles.

“I think it’s hilarious that you refuse to smile in public.”

“We’re in a hallway.”

“And you treat it like a public space!”

"Other people live in this building, (Y/N), it's not just us!"

"Is this the moment when you finally admit you live here, too?"

“How is that what we were talking about in any way?”

“You said us when you were talking about who lives here, not just Clint and I!” I poke him in the side. “You live here too. Admit it.”

“I’m not admitting anything.”

“Seriously?” Bucky rolls his eyes and moves in front of me to walk down the stairs. He doesn’t let go of my hand. “Bucky, you have spent more nights in either my apartment or Clint’s since I moved back in. You live here.”

“I don’t pay rent. I don’t live here.”

“Then you’re a squatter. A really well-paid squatter.”

“You’re an awful person.”

I hummed. “I know, but you like me anyway.”

“Unfortunately.”

I cackle and follow him down the last few flights of stairs. We load up our bags, the picnic basket, and the umbrella Bucky wanted into the back of the car. The umbrella tries to escape a few times and Bucky has to climb into the car and hold it in while I close the back hatch. Once it’s secure, Bucky helps me get into the car by, first, laying the back of the passenger seat down flat. I tuck my wings as tightly to my body as I possibly can and lay down on the passenger side and Bucky buckles me in as soon as I settle. I pillow my hands under my cheek and wait for the car to warm up so that we can leave.

“You look comfy,” Bucky says.

“This sucks, and you know it,” I grumble.

He laughs. “Maybe.”

As soon as we’re out of the city, Bucky reaches over to me and I take his hand. He softly tells me to get some rest and that he’ll wake me when we reach our destination. I do my best to stay awake as long as I possibly can, I eventually nod off and sleep for about an hour and a half before Bucky gently shakes me awake. It takes me a moment to wake up and realize where we are.

“We’re here already?” I mumble.

“Mhm.” Bucky squeezes my hand. "Come on. Let's set up."

I nod and unbuckle my seatbelt. I open the back passenger door and crawl out across the back of the car seat. I shake out my wings as soon as my feet hit the grass and stretch my arms over my head. I pop my back all the way up and down my spine and I sigh loudly. It takes me a moment to register that Bucky’s driven us out the literal middle of nowhere and parked at the edge of a massive grassy field. Behind us stands a giant wall of trees and beyond that is miles of rolling hills and fields of grass, rippling in the wind. I look at Bucky and grin. He smiles and shakes his head before jerking his chin at the back gate of the car. I grab my bag and the umbrella and trail after Bucky while he looks for the perfect place to set up.

After wandering around for nearly five minutes, Bucky finds a spot he likes and spreads out his blanket. I open the umbrella and drive the stake into the ground at one corner of the blanket. Bucky immediately stretches out across the blanket and I lay on my stomach in the sun beside him.

“Seriously?” he asks.

I shrug and spread my wings. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do this.”

He shakes his head. “You’re nuts.”

“Not all of us have metal arms, Buck. I'm not gonna burn myself if I sit in the sun for a bit.”

"You could still burn," he mutters.

I hum and fold my arms under my chin. "Worth it."

He shakes his head. “You’re so weird sometimes.”

“Someone has to be, and seeing as Clint’s not here, I’ve gotta pick up the slack.” Bucky laughs and I smile. “How’d you find this place, anyway?”

“Stark moved operations upstate for a while. Things got loud and crowded so I left and drove around for a bit. Found this open field and filed it away for later.”

“Have you brought Clint out here yet?”

“No, not yet. He doesn’t need quiet like we do.” He takes my hand in his when I reach out to him. “He’ll get his turn at some point. But today it’s just you ‘n me.”

“I’m kinda glad it’s just us today,” I confess. “We don’t get a lot of time alone together, what with you living at the tower.”

“I know. I get sucked into a lot of work with Steve.” He sighs. “I love him, he’s my best friend, but he’s such a fuckin’ work-a-holic. Acts like he’s still got shit to prove, even though he ‘n Tony are probably two of the most respected people on the planet.”

“Well, you know how it went the last time I tried to talk him into taking a vacation.”

“You jumped out a window.”

“He started having a panic attack thinking about the paperwork that could potentially pile up while he was gone.” I sigh. “I worry about him sometimes.

“Don’t worry about him too much. Sam and Rhodey have been helping more, recently. Rhodey is great with the leadership stuff, and Sam is the perfect backup when training starts getting a little out of hand.”

“That’s good.”

“Stark’s talking with that Pym guy to see if he’ll loan his guy to us for a while.”

“Scott, right?”

“Yeah, gave Sam a hard time a few years back, but…” he lowers his voice conspiratorially, “We’re not supposed to know about that.”

I laugh and he turns his head to grin at me. “And how do you know this?”

“Confidential, sweetheart.”

“Aw, Buck, come on!”

He laughs. “I was going back through old security tapes a while back and found the feed.”

“Putting all that training to good use, I see.”

“I gotta find my fun somewhere, (Y/N).”

“And you’re not one to go tugging on Clint’s pigtails, or anything.”

“Nah, he’d like it too much.”

I giggle. “Probably.”

Bucky shakes his head. “Anyway, Steve’s doing better than he was. Work might slow down enough that I could spend more time at the building with you guys instead of stuck at the tower. Well… more than just the evenings and the occasional weekend.”

“That’d be really nice.”

He nods and hums in agreement. His eyes flutter shut as he relaxes and I watch him doze for a bit before I pull my hand from his and wander out to the middle of the field. I close my eyes and tip my face to the sky, spreading my arms and wings, just to soak up the warmth. A gentle breeze kicks up around me and the faint rustling of grass slowly reaches my ears.

I sigh and begin to move my wings, lifting from the ground with each downbeat. When I can see nothing but the tops of the trees and the rolling hills of the countryside, I angle myself and fly in several wide, lazy circles over the field. Bucky and his umbrella are little more than a speck on the ground below when I circle back around the fifth time.

With one strong stroke, I break off from my course and glide out over the treetops. I climb higher and higher through the clouds until I can’t see the ground below me. I relish the strain of the muscles all up and down my body, groaning through months of disuse, but pleased to finally move after being stuck on the ground for so long. Up in the clouds, I swear I can breathe a little better than I could not even ten minutes ago. My head is clearer than it has been in nearly a year. I feel wonderful. Wonderful enough to pull my wings in tight against my back and free fall through every single inch of cloud cover before unfurling them and gliding out over the countryside.

I do a few loop-the-loops and have to pause after to shove my hair out of my face. Embarrassed, I glance around and laugh when I realize that absolutely no one could’ve seen me.

I take off again, dipping down below the clouds, only to find that I’m in a completely different place from where I started. I squint at the surrounding area, searching for any kind of defining landmark, and immediately backpedal when the Compound comes into view. I angle my wings into a sharp turn and take off in the direction I came from.

I figure I’m home free when I see the umbrella and I put on an extra burst of speed in an attempt to reach Bucky faster.

“Long time no see, (Y/N)!”

I jerk my head from side to side in an attempt to figure out where the voice came from. A second look over my right shoulder reveals Sam, slowly emerging from some kind of cloaking shield. Startled, I forget to move my wings and Immediately lose altitude.

“Fuck!” I yell out, flailing my arms as I plummet to the earth below.

I manage to roll and face the sky and I take several deep breaths to try and calm myself. When I open them again, Sam is diving, arms outstretched in an attempt to catch me. His yells reach my ears and I pull my wings tight against my body, arch my back and flip myself to face the ground once more. About fifty feet before I hit the ground, I snap my wings open and streak across the field. Sam pulls up just in time to avoid crashing into the dry grass below.

I bank sharply and land a short distance from Sam. Anger rises in my chest and I ball my hands into fists.

“What the fuck was that, Wilson?!” I shout. “Are you trying to fucking kill me? If I had something on me right now, I’d throw it and your head!”

"I am so sorry, (Y/N)," he says, hands raised in defense. "I didn't think you'd get spooked like that."

"You were cloaked. How the hell was I supposed to know you were there?"

He freezes. “I… I don’t know.”

I let out a frustrated yell and, with one strong stroke of my wings, I send him tumbling to the ground with a massive gust of air. I storm off in the direction of the car shouting back at Sam each time he tries to defend himself.

“Come on, (Y/N), it was an accident! I’m trying to apologize.”

Bucky lumbers over, raking his hands through his hair. “What’s going on?”

“Sam just about killed me,” I grind out.

“What?”

I fold my arms and shake my head. “I got distracted and didn’t realize how far I’d flown and wound up a little too close to the Compound. I got out of there as fast as I could, and I thought I made it. But Sam followed me all the way back and decided to do so cloaked-” I look back and Sam and glare. He has the decency to look guilty. “-And startled me bad enough that I stopped flying. I fell a few hundred feet before I could get my bearings and get my wings out again.”

Bucky looks past me at Sam, brows pulled together in a scowl. “What the hell, man?”

“Look, something appeared on the scanner, I had to go check it out. How was I supposed to know it was her? We didn’t even know she was back in town!”

“Yeah, but you figured out it was her, right? Why would you follow her back after that?”

“I don’t know. None of us have seen her in two years, man. I guess I wanted to make sure it was actually her.”

“You could’ve done that from a distance, Sam,” I counter. “You know I’m not a threat. Scaring the shit out of me put us both in danger.”

“You’re right.” Sam looks between Bucky and I and sighs. “I’ll get outta your hair.”

“I hope this doesn’t end up in a report, or something,” Bucky says.

Sam laughs. “Don’t worry, it won’t. My lips are sealed.”

I give him a tight lipped smile. “Thanks, Sam.”

“Don’t mention it, (Y/N).” He lifts off the ground and grins. “I’d hug you, but I’m pretty sure you’d just punch me.”

“Damn right I would,” I mutter. Bucky laughs and bumps his shoulder against mine.

“See you next week,” Bucky calls.

Sam nods and Bucky and I watch him disappear into the clouds. Bucky sighs and shakes his head and leads me back to the umbrella, muttering to himself about hating his job. I slip my arm around his waist and tell him he doesn’t hate his job, he just really enjoys his time off.

We spread out on the blanket and eat our lunch. We don’t talk much and I take off to fly again when I’m finished. I stay much closer this time, choosing to just do laps around the field instead of exploring like I had been earlier. Instead, I content myself with doing different aerial maneuvers and buzzing by the umbrella every once in a while.

I fly for another three hours before I get tired. I drop down in front of Bucky and he cracks one eye open to look up at me.

“Done?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Okay.”

“I know Sam said he wouldn’t tell anyone, but I can’t help being a little paranoid,” I say. I offer him a hand up and he takes it.

Bucky yanks the umbrella from the ground and shrugs. “I’d say that’s just smart thinking, on your part.”

I hum and begin packing things back into the picnic basket. I shake out and fold up the blanket and tuck it under my arm as we head back to the car.

“Did you at least get to relax a little?” I ask.

“Oh, yeah. I think I napped most of the time.”

I laugh. “Good.”

Once everything is packed in the car, Bucky helps me back into my seat. The interior is warm and my overworked muscles are crying out for me to rest. The hum and rhythm of the car isn’t helping my case much, and I grow drowsy the further we drive. Bucky takes my hand as I begin to doze off.

“Did you have any kind of fun today?” he asks.

“Mhm.” I nod and squeeze his hand. “Gonna be sore in the morning.”

"Sounds like you had a really good time, then."

"Yeah." I nod off for a moment, but suddenly remember something. "We gotta get pizza on the way home. I promised Clint."

"I know, sweetheart, don't worry. We'll grab a couple'a pies on the way back into town."

"Okay."

I sleep the entire way home.

Bucky gently shakes me awake when we arrive and I groggily crawl out of the car. I grab the bags from the bar and Bucky shakes his head when I reach for the umbrella and picnic basket. He gestures for me to follow him into the building and we trudge up the stairs to Clint’s apartment. Lucky is at the door as soon as we’re inside and Clint barely looks up from what he’s doing when Lucky barks and announces our arrival.

“What’d I say about coming home early?” Clint asks. “It’s not even dark out yet!”

I shake my head and drop the bags near the door.

“(Y/N) got a little too close to the Compound and Sam followed her back after she got picked up on the scanners,” Bucky explains.

“He decided to surprise me and I nearly fell to my death.” I grab plates from the cupboard. “So there’s that too.”

“Holy shit,” Clint says.

“Yeah… But we have pizza.”

Bucky holds up the two boxes and Clint grins and clears his arrows from the coffee table.

“I knew there was a reason I kept you guys around.”

I roll my eyes and hand him a plate. “There’s more benefits to us than pizza.”

Clint flips open a box as soon as they’re on the table and takes three slices. “Right now, the main benefit is pizza.” He leans over when I sit beside him and kisses my forehead. “You’re still pretty great without it, though.”

“Aw, thanks, Clint.”

We eat in relative silence, doing our best to ignore Lucky’s pleading looks, though Clint gives in and tosses him his own slice. Bucky admonishes Clint but Clint just laughs and jokes about throwing Lucky another slice.

When I finish, I lean forward on the table, stretching the muscles all up and down my back. Clint reaches over and presses his knuckles between my shoulderblades, gently massaging away the steadily growing soreness. Clint and Bucky talk between themselves and I watch as Lucky climbs into Bucky’s lap and curls up.

I smile and listen to their conversation and let their voices and Clint’s hand on my back lull me into soft relaxation.

---------

Part 6

Thank you guys so much for reading! If you liked this chapter, please reblog, comment, and/or shoot me an ask! Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

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This fic:

@avengerscompound, @nerdy-bookworm-1998, @shirukitsune

[stark-tony]

anon asked for fics where peter is hurt in a spider-man related incident and i was an idiot and deleted it 

* = incomplete

Danger Pizza  by alice_in_ink

summary: The window was pushed open, and Iron Man’s head popped into his bedroom.  “Here’s where I’m confused—why lock the front door but leave the fire-escape-accessible windows unlocked?”  He clambered through said window.  “Seems like a safety hazard.” 

Peter eyed the metal suit as it straightened to a standing position.  “Did you break into my window to kill me?”

The face plate lifted, and Tony’s eyes quickly looked over the teen.  “Christ, kid.  It looks like you’re halfway there.”

...

A wild night on patrol leaves Peter with a broken back, and boy, does he want to be able to move without dying.  (So he calls Anthony Stark, obviously.)

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort, fluff

warnings: none

Bad decisions and the art of teaching AI’s to lie. by wolfypuppypiles

summary: He knew that, logically, he should tell Tony, because he’d been told off a million times for hiding injuries, because stab wounds were dangerous, because he was fifteen and shouldn’t deal with those things on his own.

But on the other hand, he healed so fast that it would probably be gone by morning, and he really didn’t feel like getting stitched up again. Plus, Tony would lose his mind over it.  

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort, angst, humor, fluff

warnings: none

Ohana by wolfypuppypiles

summary: Maybe if Peter had known what it was like to have a big family he would have known that being babied by the Avengers meant that they loved him. Maybe he wouldn't have thought he needed to prove he was strong. Maybe he would have asked for help when he needed it.

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

Super Kid, Super Hearing by whumphoarder

summary: Peter takes a hit while on a mission with the Avengers and dislocates his knee. Tony suffers for it in more ways than one.

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

blindness by iron_spider

summary: “Call—” He takes another hit and feels queasy, he’s freaking out, he can’t see. Pure darkness, he’s completely blind. He pulls himself backwards and he can still hear the guy breathing, his feet hitting the ground. “Call Mr. Stark, call him—” 

“Calling Tony Stark.”

Peter takes a hard kick to the stomach and now he really feels like he’s gonna throw up—he shoots a taser web, hears the guy yell out but then he’s getting kicked again and he can’t see, he can’t see, he has to get out of here—

“Peter?” Tony’s voice asks. “Peter, what’s up?”

“Help me!” Peter yells. “Help me, help, I can’t—this guy sprayed me with something and I can’t see, I can’t see—” He shoots the rapid fire webs and tries to scurry backwards.

“I’m coming,” Tony says. “I’m coming—I’ve got you, I’m close—”

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

topsy turvy by iron_spider

summary:  hey    omg that delivered    you’re right, Stark phones are far superior    or is it just this particular one you gave me 

  Tony stares at his phone as the messages come in, and he narrows his eyes. He shifts a little on the couch, glances at Pepper.

“What?” she asks, catching his eye. She looks down at his phone. “What did Peter do?”

“Do I have a Peter face?” Tony asks. “Peter in danger expression?”

“I don’t know,” Pepper says. “Is he in danger?”

Tony sighs. “I hope not, but I’m—I’m not optimistic.”

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

You're In My Veins (and I cannot get you out) by losingmymindtonight

summary: Peter and Tony get hit by an alien explosion that allows Peter to hear everything Tony is thinking about him. Fluff, whump, and sleepiness ensue.

pairings: none

tags: fluff, hurt/comfort

warnings: none

There's a hole in my head and my words are falling out by wolfypuppypiles

summary: Tony’s stomach clenched into a knot at the sudden cut off of Peters' voice because he hadn’t trailed off, no his word had been strangled before a groan and crash sounded from the other side of the door.

Steve jumped in fright at the crash and Tony’s stomach curled tighter at the heavy thump of something hitting the carpet. Something like Peter.

pairings:

tags: hurt/comfort, angst

warnings: none

For Want of a Dad (in need of a son) by  GhostInTheBAU

“So, have you given the camping trip any more thought?” Ned asks, and he groans internally at the change in subject.  

He'd much rather go back to talking about his non-existent love life, thanks.  

The trip is during spring break—a four day long trek out into the wilderness, camping and hiking and gathering who even knows what, learning all about nature and the great outdoors.

But the real kicker?  

It's an event specifically designed for fathers and their sons, which is something Peter doesn't have, and something he will never be.

Not again.

—————

Or:  Peter longs to have a deeper relationship with his mentor, a more meaningful connection; but he's managed to convince himself that the only reason Tony Stark spends any time with him at all is purely because of his enhancement.

Because of Spider-Man.

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: bullying

When we all fall asleep where do we go?*  by wolfypuppypiles

summary: His body lay there on the street, arm flung out to the side, palm streaked with blood. It seeped beneath him, soaking the sheet that someone had been decent enough to drape over him. 

Tony’s instincts told him to pull it away, that Peter couldn’t breathe with it on his face like that, but he knew it wasn’t true. Peter wasn’t breathing. Peter was dead.  

yeaaaaaah sorry. but if you know me you'll know how it ends

pairings: none

tags: angst, hurt/comfort, fluff

warnings: none

For Pete's Sake! by KitCat992

summary: Maybe he’d feel better if he closed his eyes, just for a second. It was too dark to see anything clearly anyway, and he’d be able to concentrate better without seeing how fast the ground was coming up to meet him. 

A rush of wind sent goosebumps across his skin before two strong hands gripped his shoulders tightly, keeping him upright and from nose-diving straight into the alleyway cement.

Peter snapped his eyes open, blinking a couple times to clear his vision. Everything was blurry. Was that…?

“...ice cream man!?”

pairings: pepperony

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

Dust and Blood by notapartytrick

summary: An alternate universe where Peter couldn't make it out of the warehouse on his own. 

AKA a way to vent my anger at Infinity War by torturing my baby boi even more :))))

pairings: none

tags: angst, hurt/comfort

warnings: bullying

how can the body die? (you tell me, everything) by madasthesea

summary: Tony felt panic creep up his spine. Something was occurring to him, slowly percolating in the back of his mind. 

“You said the stinger got you. Is Scorpion’s stinger venomous?”

“I don’t—” Peter cut off as he groaned, the muscles in his jaw tight. “I don’t know. He upgraded—he was faster. Bigger. I—I thought I could beat him.”

pairings: pepperony

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

to break in these bones by searchingforstars

summary: “We’re gonna go play baseball? I’m not exactly a great shot, and you might have to let me out of these first,” Peter rattles his wrists around in the metal chains and they clink together, echoing around the sparse room, “but sounds like fun.

“We’re not playing baseball.”

“Shame, because I passed a park on my way here and I’m pretty sure that there’s only been like, six murders there this year so that could have been a fun spot.”

“I’m going to enjoy this, you fucked up little kid.”

“Hey, I’m not a little-” Peter starts, but he’s cut off by all the air being knocked out of his lungs as he sees the bat raised in front of him.

--

or, Peter doesn't listen to Tony, pisses off someone dangerous and ends up on the wrong end of a baseball bat.

pairings: none

tags: angst, hurt/comfort

warnings: none

keep me afloat in this cold world by searchingforstars

summary: Peter’s just fighting to stay awake at this point, though he can’t really remember why he’s trying to stay awake? Is someone coming for him? That would be nice, he thinks.

He just wants Tony. He was on a mission, right? He thinks so. Why isn’t Tony here? 

Peter’s teeth are chattering as he tries to force words out. He can barely move his lips. “K-K’ren? Mister St’rk? Call Mister St’rk. Pl’se?”

No reply. The faint static continues. Cold surrounds him.

--

or, Sam and Bucky bring Peter back to the tower verging on hypothermic and Tony is an Upset Dad™ about it.

pairings: none

tags: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

[who-ya-gonna-call-winchesters]

Butting Heads- dean winchester x reader

Our first renaissance fic, that is to say it’s set way back before things got complicated. Pre season 4. Anyway, Y/n, Bobby’s niece, grew up with the boys, and now that Sam is back in the game she’s along for the ride. Problem is she has a habit of giving Dean a run for his money, but despite their constant bickering they both know that she’s the only thing holding Dean together. fluff, small angst

Word Count: 2,350

masterlist

Dean and you didn't have the greatest relationship as friends. You always argued and yelled about things related to hunts or things that had nothing to do with anything. But unknowingly, you both cherished each other's company. You had been there since they were kids, there when Sammy went off to college, there when John first disappeared. There for everything bad but the long, silent nights in the Impala were some of your best memories. The both of you singing along to classic rock, like complete dorks, were his best memories. It was times like those when you forgot about fighting. Times when you were both shit faced drunk and stumbling over one another, or when you both teased Sammy for being a gigantor nerd, or comforting each other in the darkness after a nightmare. You two were very similar, strong-willed, hard headed, shoot first ask questions later, stubborn hunters with daddy issues and mommy issues and every other kind of issue you could think of hidden behind a bottle of Jack Daniels and an I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. 

Sometimes you would realize that he was the only one who really understood what you were going through because he had been going through it too. As much as Dean didn’t like to admit it, he knew that too. 

“You could have gotten all of us killed back there!”, Dean said gruffly, supporting a limping Sam with one arm and shouldering a duffel bag with the other.

 “Me?” You fiddled with the hotel room key before finally getting it open, helping them both inside. “If you weren’t such a self sacrificing bone head, we wouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place!”

Dean lowered Sam gently onto one of the beds and slammed the duffel onto the other. “If you would just do as you’re told-”

“So I’m supposed to let you die because you think you can handle a whole werewolf on your own?”, you interrupted him, voice growing higher with anger.

“It was one werewolf! Sammy got hurt, you were supposed to get him back to the car. Not leave him there to bleed out and put not only him but yourself in danger doing something I could have easily done just to prove yourself!”

Sam groaned as he was brought into this, “Dean, relax. I wasn’t going to ‘bleed out’. You’re being ridiculous”, he said as you helped tend to his leg. He had a long gash down his thigh to his knee and probably more than a couple broken ribs. He’d definitely need stitches, which you started on as soon as you could get your hands on the med kit. 

“You were gonna be werewolf lunch in a few seconds if I hadn’t stepped in when I did, or worse. And I don’t have to prove myself, Dean, I’m as good a hunter as you if not better any day. Just thank me for saving your life and get over yourself”, you said, pouring whiskey over Sam’s cut to disinfect it as best you could. He hissed in pain but stayed still enough to not tear the stitches you had just finished. 

“I had it covered”, Dean scoffed.

“That’s why I had to gank the bastard instead of you”, you retorted, not even bothering to look up from bandaging Sammy. 

“That’s why you almost got yourself killed! Sam could have been stitched up long before and we wouldn’t have to worry about him losing so much blood or risk getting an infection! If you’re such a better hunter than me then you’d know what's more important! Your partners’ lives or your ego! You say that you’re better but that’s why you almost botched the last couple hunts we’ve gone on! You say that you’re better but that’s why Bobby saddled us with you, because he knew you couldn’t take care of yourself and you’re too stubborn to stay put and help where you’re actually useful!”, Dean’s last words cut into you like a knife. 

Tears pricked your eyes, but you’d be damned if you cried in front of him, so you stood up and turned your back to him, calmly packing the first aid supplies back into the kit. A deathly silence fell across the room. Sam was holding the last breath he drew in, his gaze flickering between you and Dean, waiting for you to blow up in the older brother’s face. But you didn’t. And that's when Dean realized the magnitude of his words. 

“I didn’t mean that, Y/N”, he said softly, guilt flooding his body. 

You said nothing and only finished what you were doing and shoved past him to go out the door. He turned to go after you, but Sam stopped him. 

“Dude, I think you should just give her a little while to calm down after that”, Sam advised, “What the hell was that about? You know you were struggling with the werewolf.”

“I know, Sammy. But she could have gotten hurt”, Dean said, wiping his hand down his face in shame.

“And so could you, Dean. She saved both of us tonight, she’s not a damsel, she's a hunter. A damn good one at that. You owe her a big apology, huge actually.”

“I know.”

You didn’t go back for a few more hours. You spent most of your time walking the streets of the rinky dink town you were stopped in, trying to rationalize what happened. Maybe Dean was right, you could have seriously endangered all three of you. But he was struggling and you couldn’t imagine what you would do if you just stood by as he got hurt or killed or even bitten. You knew Dean didn’t mean what he said. He had a habit of saying things he didn’t mean when he was upset. It didn’t mean that his words didn’t hurt you though. It was well past dark when you realized you needed to go back, you had left your cell phone and that was stupid with the condition Sam was in. As you walked up to the hotel you saw Dean rush out, keys to the impala in hand. He looked pretty frantic until he saw you from across the parking lot. He stopped and dropped the keys, running over to you. 

“Dean, I-”

He cut you off when he wrapped his arms around you in a bear hug, lifting you off the ground a couple inches before setting you back down. 

“I’m so sorry, Y/N. I’m an idiot. You’re so useful to us and you’re an amazing hunter and an amazing woman. I was just so worried about Sammy, and worried about what could have happened if you got hurt and I let my mouth get the best of me. I didn’t mean what I said. I owe you after killing that thing, I probably would have made a mess of everything if you hadn’t stepped in”, he rambled off, looking you in the eyes. You had never seen him looking so sincere and guilty before. 

After a long pause, you sighed, “It’s okay.”

“It’s not. I’m a grown ass man and I need to learn to think before I speak.”

“That may be so, but you’re also the most thick headed man I’ve ever met. I know you didn’t mean what you said. I accept your apology, we’re all under a lot of stress right now. But we’ve both said things we don’t mean to each other before, Dean. I don’t expect that to just go away. You’re not gonna go all soft on me after a spat that we’ll forget about in the morning. That’s not to say that next time you talk to me like that I won’t knock you on your ass”, you said, a small smile growing on your face. 

Dean chuckled and scratched the back of his neck, “I’m surprised you didn’t this time, to be honest. But are you sure-”

“Dean, shut up. It’s fine. I don’t care anymore, I just want to take a shower and go to bed right now. No hard feelings”, you promised.

“Alright. I bought dinner earlier, left some in the microwave for you. Sam’s knocked out, I dosed him up with some pain killers. He should sleep through the night, so showers all yours. The bed too if you want it, I owe you.”

“Not a shot in the dark, Winchester. I didn’t let you take the bed the last time I chewed you out when it was my turn. The bed is yours fair and square, tonight.” 

The three of you had a sacred system of who got one of the two beds in the room and who got the pullout. You hadn’t broken the streak yet, and you weren’t going to break it tonight just because Dean wanted to baby you all over an argument. 

Dean grinned, “I was hoping you’d say that, my shoulder is killin me tonight and I hate those pull outs.”

Dean was out when his head hit the pillow, which was surprising, usually it took him at least twenty minutes to fall asleep. But after the hunt today, you could understand. You had trouble keeping yourself awake and twice you caught yourself nodding off, once while halfway through your cold burger that served as dinner and once more in the shower. When you finally laid down on the pull out couch, it didn’t take you long to fall into a deep sleep.

Although not as deep as you thought. You woke up to darkness and didn’t understand why. You were never the type to wake up in the middle of the night, unless something was wrong. But no one appeared to be in immediate danger when you sat up and listened carefully. Sam was snoring away as per usual but that was about it. You were about to lay back down and go back to sleep when you heard it. A whimper. 

“Y/N”, a gruff voice called out in the dark. 

“What do you want, Winchester?”, you answered. 

But then he only called out for you again, louder this time, more panicky. You had heard that before. Dean was no stranger to nightmares, and Sam had become so used to them over the years that he didn’t wake up anymore. 

“No...Y/N…”

You stood up and padded over to Dean’s bed, placing your hand on his shoulder to shake him gently awake. It didn’t seem to work though and his face contorted in distress more than it already had. 

“Dean, I’m right here. Wake up”, you said softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. 

“You can’t leave me...please.”

You pressed your hand against his cheek comfortingly, “Dean!”

His hand shot up and wrapped around your wrist and his eyes shot open, he was breathing raggedly. 

“Y/N? You… you were gone”, he said, sitting up abruptly, there were tears in his eyes. “After what I said to you, you left and you didn’t come back. I came to look for you and the werewolf it came back and you were just laying there.” He was leaving out the details but he didn’t have to say anymore for you to get the jist of the dream.

“Shhhh. It’s okay, I’m okay. I’m right here and I’m alive”, you cooed.

“But you were-”, you cut him off before he could say anymore.

“It was just a dream, Dean”, you moved his hand to rest on your chest, just above your heart. Normally, you would have shied away from any sort of touch like this with Dean, but that was during the daytime or in front of people. You knew when to put your differences aside and you knew what helped Dean during his times of need. “Feel that? Still beating. Everything is okay.”

Dean sighed in relief and wrapped you in his arms, “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t handle losing you after what I said before.”

“I told you I forgive you. That stupid old brain of yours is just trying to make you feel bad.”

“Yeah. I guess”, Dean muttered. He held you for a few moments and you stayed in silence until, “Will you stay with me?”

You smiled, “Scoot over.”

You spent the rest of the night leaned up against the headboard of the bed, Dean’s head on your chest with your hands running gently through his hair to soothe him. When his breathing hadn’t evened out enough for your like you drew a short breath and began to sing softly like you knew Mary once had a long long time ago.

“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better.”

You felt him relax more under your touch and it was working, just like it always did. 

“Remember to let her into your heart then you can start to make it better.”

By the second chorus he was sleeping soundly but you repeated the song twice more to be sure and never stopped playing with his hair. 

Sam woke up at daybreak but he wasn’t in any condition to get on the open road yet and you still had one more night booked in the hotel. You shushed him when he spoke, gesturing at the still sleeping Dean in your arms. 

“Bad dream?”, he whispered, having found you two in this position before. 

You nodded as best you could without wanting to disturb the sleeping Winchester, his eyelashes fluttered against your collarbone and his arms were still wrapped around your waist tightly, he hadn’t moved in the night save for snuggling deeper into your chest in his sleep. You stayed up all night with him just in case he had another dream or if Sam woke up and needed more painkillers. 

“Go back to sleep, Sammy. We’ll leave later. You need to rest in order to heal anyway.” 

When both brothers were asleep again, you let yourself drift off. 

Yeah, you and Dean butted heads more often than not, but you both knew how much you needed each other.

this is actually the preface to a fic i started writing more than 5 years ago so there’s a poorly written angsty part 2 to this is anyone is interested

[pandawritespoorly]

With Time: Littlebug & Turtle Tot

Author’s Note: I know, I know, I know. I said 'soon'. I meant for it to be soon! I really did! It just... didn't happen. Couldn't get myself to write. But now it's done! I haven't proofread it, but I'm pleased with how it turned out!

Reference slides here.

Summary: Ladybug and Tortue Verte are the first on scene of a new akuma. Things don't go as planned.

“I can’t! I can’t!”

Allan and Marinette turn at the sound. A teenage girl with a laptop and several school supplies laid before her is clutching at her hair desperately. She’s barely audible, especially in the little corner she’s tucked herself away in, but her distress is clear. Tears seem to be forming in her eyes, and she’s shaking.

“It’s too much! I’m not ready! This- this is-! I’m only 16! I don’t know anything!”

The pair frown, not quite sure what’s going on, but clearly in agreement about wanting to help. Just as they stand, they spot the dark butterfly land on her pencil.

As the girl tenses, purple butterfly shape over her face, Allan grabs Marinette’s wrist to drag her out of sight with him.

“Wayzz, Shell On!”

“Tikki, Spots On!”

The green and pink lights fade leaving Tortue Verte and Ladybug standing next to each other.

“We should probably call the oth-” Ladybug is cut off by a flash of light and sparkles. Tortue hears her yo-yo hit the ground and glances toward his teammate.

Now standing less than a meter in height, she seems to have been de-aged to around three to five years old. Her costume has changed as well. She has pigtails again, though longer than they ever were, tied in two red ribbon bows.

She has a headband on, with two little antennas sticking out of it. Her suit is entirely black now, looking like some sort of soft onesie, though around her shoulders is a red cloak with large black ladybug spots on it. If her hands are at her sides, the cloak would likely fall to her knees. Her mask is replaced with a ladybug face paint design.

As it is, her hands are raised slightly as she looks over herself, inspecting the change. She seems calm, and eventually turns to him, slightly confused, and reaching upwards.

“Up!” Even her voice has changed, and he worries that she’s been de-aged both physically and mentally, because if she hadn’t she’d probably be coming up with a plan rather than just requesting to be held.

While he’s thinking, she takes his silence as a refusal, and a heartbroken look crosses her face.

Not wanting to risk a crying Ladybug (Littlebug?), he swiftly picks her up, making her giggle.

Yep. Definitely a child.

“Alright, let’s go,” he can’t see the akuma and assumes that it’s moved on to other places. It isn’t until he hurries around a corner and feels his shell knocked off his back that he realizes how wrong he was.

The akuma giggles triumphantly, and the turtle hero is soon in the same state as the girl he’d been carrying. They stand next to each other, the same height. Tortue similarly has a onesie, though the theme is slightly different from his usual costume.

A dark green, edging on black, is the main color, with streaks of yellow and red scattered across it. The chest is entirely red, and looks like it’s a slightly thicker material than the rest, a padding of sorts. A rounded cape hangs from his back, the outer part looking dark-gray-green with thin streaks of red. The inner portion is clearly more red, though it isn’t as visible. The onesie ends at the ankle, where socks can be partially seen from the tops of the green light up tennis shoes on his feet.

As a mask, he also has face paint, the same color as the main portion of the outfit, with similarly colored streaks coming from the eyes to the edge.

Turtle Tot looks around to see Littlebug fiddling with his shell, which is still adult sized. She’s attempting to drag it away, presumably to safety so they can use it as a shield.

He also notices how the akuma is reaching for her ears. Acting quickly, he grabs her hand and runs outside.

It’s dark. He and Marinette had been up early and had been planning on going back home before the attack happened.

Everyone else is asleep. As would be expected, seeing as it’s not even six. Of course the one night he and Marinette leave so early-

Littlebug squeezes his hand, “It’s okay. We’re heroes!”

Oh my Kwami! She’s right!

He’s a superhero! This is so cool!

“Come on, we’ll get home, an’ then…” she stops, looking around as she pauses in her once confident strides, “Where are we?”

“Uhhh... “ He looks around. The street signs are really tall, and he can’t read them anyways. Turtle Tot shrugs at her helplessly.

She hums, thinking for a moment. She spots something out of the corner of her eye. A small dandelion peeking out of the sidewalk. Littlebug gasps delightedly, and hurries over to it.

“Look! A flower!” she picks it up and puts it behind his ear, where it peeks out from his hood, “We should go this way!!”

He nods excitedly, flowers are very sound reasoning.

Eventually they stop running, out of breath, but somehow still in good spirits.

“What… wha’ now?” Littlebug huffs out.

He looks around, and recognizes a building nearby. He’s not really sure what its name is, but it’s really, really tall, and they’ve defeated akumas there before. It makes sense that if they can defeat akumas there once, they can do it again… right? Turtle Tot turns to Littlebug, explaining his solid reasoning. She nods, agreeing immediately.

They find a way inside and hurry up to the silver doors of the elevator.

They can’t reach. He frowns, clearly upset at his plan being stopped.

“Tot, look! Stairs!” Littlebug tugs on his sleeve and points energetically to a nearby stairwell. The pair race over, and hurry to head up.

Littlebug begins to pass him, and gives a sly grin, “I’m gonna’ beat ya’!”

“Nuh-uh!”

The two children break out into the fastest speed their small legs can handle, turning the corners of the landings as fast as they can.

If there’s anything they won’t do, it’s lose a race.

They’re starting to slow down significantly when they finally reach the end. Huffing from the exhaustion of the race, they tumble out to the roof, sprawling onto the ground.

“I think....” Littlebug pauses to catch her breathe again, “I think that… we tied…”

“Yeah,” Turtle Tot inhales as much air as his little lungs can fit, which eventually turns into a yawn, “Tha’ sounds… right.”

The small heroes begin yawning more and more, eventually making their way to a corner to lean against each other.

“At leas’ we beat the akuma,.”

“What?”

“In th’ race,” Littlbug yawns, “...’got here first.”

“Oh, yeah…”

Her head droops slightly, eventually settling on his shoulder. He faithfully decides he’ll stay up to keep watch, because that’s how being a hero works.

He’s asleep within five minutes. 

---

Allegra wakes up third. They’d all stayed over at Adrien and Marinette’s place after a movie marathon, because none of them felt like heading home.

Felix is drinking coffee at the table, reading the newspaper, though she can’t see Allan, Mari, or Adrien.

She heads to the kitchen, “Where is everyone?”

Felix shrugs, “Allan and Marinette were absent when I awoke, and Adrien went out to run an errand. He should be back-”

The door opens, and Adrien enters.

“-soon.”

“Hey,” Allegra greets the man, he nods at her, smiling slightly before frowning.

“Do either of you know where Allan and Mari are? I can’t reach either of them, and I don’t know where they are,” he asks as he sets a small bag down on the counter. Allegra recognizes the Kwamis’ usual treats.

They both shake their heads.

Claude pops up, “Do you think there’s an attack?”

Felix nods at this, “It could make sense. Perhaps it is one of the ones that is more subtle. Some do not get an alert after all.”

“Then why aren’t they getting us for back-up?” Allegra points out.

“Maybe they can’t get away?”

“Or it isn’t that bad?”

“Claws Out.” A disgruntled yelp of protest is all the Cat Kwami can manage as he’s sucked into the ring.

“Is Marinette alright?” Felix inquires.

“Probably,” Chat sighs, opening his baton to call his friends, “She’s not like, playing dead, or hibernating or anything, but I don’t like this. Something feels off.”

The weapon rings.

And rings.

And rings.

No answer. 

He calls Torte Verte this time.

It rings.

And rings.

And rings.

No one answers.

They’re all tense now, because if neither is answering either phone, then something must be wrong.

Chat heads to the balcony, “I’m heading out!”

Claude and Allegra follow after him, speaking in unison, “I’ll come too!”

Felix throws two granola bars at the pair, “Eat first.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Claude groans.

“That would be Allan, actually,” Felix corrects. 

Claude grins, complying. Allegra does the same, then takes care of both of the wrappers.

“We’ll keep you updated, Fe’!” She calls as they swing out the window, following the tracker for their friend’s weapons.

When they show up and find both Ladybug’s yo-yo and Tortue’s shield abandoned on the ground inside a building they tense further.

Something is definitely wrong.

Chat’s tail is flicking around, and it’s clear he’s on edge.

Before any of the trio can speak, their weapons ding simultaneously with the same message.

 Distress signal trail located: Kwami: Wayzz

Continue to the next signal.

Skip to most recent signal.

Ignore.

 “Distress signal?”

“Wayzz?”

They all choose the obvious option, and their weapons provide them with an address where Wayzz’s ‘last distress signal’ came from.

“That’s pretty far from here, especially since they must have walked,” Honey Bee points out in concern.

“Not to mention Wayzz is sending the distress signal, not Al’,” Kit agrees.

Chat frowns. “I didn’t even know those were a thing.”

Despite their confusion, the three head out across the rooftops. Honey mutters something about bad parenting when she sees a couple of children outside of a building. Their parents must have told them to wait outside, how hard is it to just take them in too? 

She lands on the roof shortly after Kit and Chat, looking around. There’s no clear sign of their teammates.

“Ladybug? Tortue?”

“Either of you guys here?”

There’s no response, but they continue to call softly, not sure if there’s a threat nearby they should be wary of.

Honey spots them first, “Oh. My. Kwami.”

“What? What is it?” Chat turns to her as soon as the words leave her mouth.

“They’re so cute!” she squeals, taking a picture with her top, directing the men’s attention to the corner.

There, resting against each other, are their missing teammates. The notable issue is that they look like they can’t be more than five.

The pair is sound asleep, and Kit soon joins in taking pictures. Chat may or may not do the same.

Eventually, Ladybug begins to stir, which causes Tortue Verte to move too. They both sit up around the same time, wiping at their tired eyes with the heel of their hands.

Ladybug is the first to notice the other three heroes. She stares at them in surprise for a little bit, her tiny mouth open in shock, as she nudges her friend.

“Tot! Look!” she no-so-quietly-whispers, “They here too!!!”

The turtle boy looks up, then similarly ‘whispers’ back, “wha’ ‘bout Felix?”

Ladybug turns to him and puts a hand in front of her face as if she’s telling him a big secret, “‘member? We don’ have the peacock yet.”

He nods solemnly.

Kit is recording the whole thing, so Honey puts her top away to greet them, “Hi guys!”

They break out into grins, waving excitedly and shouting greetings at all three of them. Making their way to their feet and approaching their friends.

Ladybug notices Chat’s silence and gives a child’s version of a smirk, “What’s da matter kitten- get-” she frowns, mumbling to herself until the boy in green whispers in her ear, and she continues, “Cat got your tongue!” She declares triumphantly.

Chat Noir shakes himself out of his silence, “No, I’m just sur-purr-ised, that’s all.”

The girl frowns, crossing her arms, “That was dumb.”

Tortue shakes his head, “Littlebug! That’s mean!” “‘Littlebug’?!” Kit squeals.

“Yeah! I’m Turtle Tot, and she’s Littlebug!” Tor- Turtle Tot informs, jumping excitedly. His shoes light up.

The adults get another notification on their weapons.

 Distress signal: Kwami: Wayzz

Already at location.

 Lady- Littlebug nods in agreement to Tot’s statement, before yawning, rubbing at her eyes once more.

Tot does the same. Both children are not nearly as good at hiding their exhaustion as they seem to think.

“Oh, are you guys tired?” Honey approaches them, speaking softly.

They nod.

“Beat the ‘kuma,” Tot mumbles.

“You did?!” The adults can’t keep the surprise from their voices.

“Yeah, got t’ the top first,” Littlebug adds, “We left Ms. Kuma after we got small, then we walked, then Tot found here, and he ‘membered that we won here b’fore, so we wen’ to the top ‘cause then we could win ‘gan, and we got here b’fore the akuma so we beat her here.”

Tot nods, as the others try to follow this reasoning. The children don’t bother to try and give them time. Tot flops towards Honey who is closest, and Littlebug makes her way to Chat, leaning against his leg sleepily. Kit continues to record the whole thing.

Chat smiles softly, bending down to scoop her up. She nuzzles against him, and he marvels at how light she feels. Honey does the same, and soon both of the mini-heroes are dozing against their friends’ shoulders, hugging them tightly.

After a moment, Kit Mime stops recording, “That was absolutely precious.”

“Right?!” Honey whispers.

“We should head back to Felix. He’ll be worried,” Chat suggests. The others nod, and they carefully make their way back, doing their best to keep from waking the sleeping boy and girl.

They land on the balcony, and Felix turns to them immediately. He opens his mouth to ask about how it went when he spots the children. He shuts his mouth again, then says, “Well, I suppose that explains it.”

Kit rushes inside first, bouncing excitedly, “They were so cute, Felix! I already sent the video to myself - Let’s Rest - and I’ve got to show you, it is the most precious thing I ever witnessed…” Claude continues their rambling, pulling out their phone and handing it to Felix to show him the video.

Honey Bee and Chat Noir also enter the apartment, shutting the door behind them. Both of them attempt to put their respective passenger onto the couch, but the kids have a stronger grip than what would be expected, even in their sleep.

Chat shrugs, flopping onto the couch and propping himself up on a pillow, so that he can comfortably allow Babynette to rest on his chest. 

“Claws In.” Plagg flies out of the ring, snickering at the children before curling up to rest on Adrien’s head.

Honey looks between the boy in her arms and the man on the couch and grins.

Somehow, she manages to get the boy to let go so that he can be transferred to join Littlebug on the couch. Adrien is now a mattress for both tiny heroes, who seem to have no trouble with this arrangement.

“Buzz Off,” Allegra is quick to get her phone out and take a picture, “Oh we’re going to have so many pictures by the end of this.”

Pollen and Trixx float nearby, clearly enjoying this.

“Most certainly,” Felix agrees, having finished the video.

Claude spots the group on the couch, grinning and snapping a picture as Adrien waves softly.

“Oh boy, Sugarcube is going to be over the moon,” Plagg remarks.

The other Kwamis nod, and Pollen elaborates, “As the Kwami of Creation, she is especially fond of young creatures.”

“I’m especially fond of these young creatures!” Claude exclaims.

“Guys?” Adrien addresses the Kwamis, “How did we not know that distress signals were a thing?”

“Ooh! Ooh! I’ll answer this!” Trixx yelps, excited to contribute, “Given that Marinette and Allan’s forms changed when they were hit, Tikki and Wayzz had to edit their transformations. The akuma would have probably changed their civilian outfits, but changing the looks of the transformations is beyond her abilities. When a human transforms, some extra features are usually added based on personality, but how or if they function is up to the Kwami. For example, being a Black Cat does not mean you are going to have a bell - that comes from you. Plagg chose to make it able to ring. So Allan contributed his shoes, and Wayzz gave them the ability to light up, as well as send alerts to your devices when you went to a location it had been set off at. Likely for this very purpose, given that you may have had trouble finding them otherwise.”

“Thank goodness for Wayzz,” Allegra says.

“Transformations can also make up for any limitations of a user - for lack of a better word,” Pollen adds, “Perhaps ‘weak spots’ would be more accurate. In this case, the ‘limitation’ or ‘weak spot’ is clearly that they do not have the ability to find their own way around, and as such, needed someone to be able to find them. That’s why the shoes lighting up went beyond something as simple as just lighting up.”

---

“Kitty, nooooo,” Marinette whines, “Don’ gooooo.”

The ‘kids’ had been awake for an hour now, having detransformed shortly afterwards.

Allan’s outfit had prompted ‘aww’s from all of them. The boy, who clearly had become just as shy as he was as a child, was in a fairly standard outfit. The defining feature was a green dinosaur hoodie he was wearing. The hood had a few spikes on the back, and there were big dot eyes on either side. Little spike-shaped teeth hung from the top.

Marinette’s outfit, on the other hand, looked like something out of Pinkalicious. She was in a pink play dress, with feathery boa wrapped around her neck - the pink turning more of a hot pink towards the ends of the feathers. Her shoes had small heels, and were completely covered by sparkly pink glitter. An equally sparkly bow sat at the front, and the little pink strap had a gold buckle. An impressively large sun hat sat atop her head, also pink. On her face sat large, sparkly, pink sunglasses with heart shaped rhinestones above the eyes.

Claude took one look and collapsed to the floor, laughing hysterically.

Now, however, the still adult heroes needed to go out to look for the akuma, which had stayed oddly quiet so far.

“Sorry, Baby Bug, but don’t you think we have to do our job?” Adrien is crouched in front of her.

“Nuh-uh!” Marinette pouts, stomping her bedazzled foot. “No job!”

“I’m with the kid,” Plagg drawls, lounging on top of her hat. “Less work, more naps.”

Adrien sighs, not sure how to reason with her.

Felix comes over, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. “Marinette, don’t you want Hawkmoth to be sad?”

“I want to punch him!” she declares. Claude snorts.

Felix determinedly does his best to not smile at that. “Well, in order for that to happen, they have to find the akuma, don’t they?”

Marinette sighs. “Yeah. I guess.”

Allan, upon noticing how sad she looks, walks over to her and quietly holds out Lucas, his dinosaur plush (Claude had excitedly rushed off to grab the plush when Turtle Tot was still asleep).

Marinette pats the dino, still looking dejected. “Hi Lucas.”

Allan holds him out more. “Hug.”

The girl hugs the dino, and Allan wanders towards Allegra, wringing his hands and looking at the floor. “Ally?”

She smiles at him. “Yeah?”

“Can… can I have a star?”

She pauses, trying to figure out what he means. When she remembers, she tries not to let her slight panic show. She got rid of those sparkly hair clips ages ago.

Allan is still looking at the floor, so he doesn’t notice Claude poke her. When she turns to look at them, they’re holding two of those hair clips, a victorious grin on their face.

Allegra stares at him, mouth fallen open slightly because what the- Claude?! 

His grin only grows, and she takes them suspiciously. Allegra takes a blue one and gently pushes Allan’s hood back a little to slip it in his hair.

He straightens, touching it gently, then beams, hugging her tightly. She smiles, returning the hug.

Allan goes over to Claude, chattering excitedly about having a star.

Allegra goes over to Marinette, holding out a purple star. She gasps, then takes it, clipping it to the brim of her hat.

“We have to go now, alright?” Allegra looks between the two ‘children’.

They nod sadly, but after several hugs, the three (still adult) heroes transform and head off.

--- 

“Careful!” Allan tells Sabrina. “Hot!”

She nods as she puts the cupcake tray into the oven. “Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

He nods. “Good.”

Marinette is bouncing on her stool. “How much longer!!!”

“You’re a baker, Mininette,” Chloe reminds her. “You know this takes time.”

She pouts.

“Marinette, while the cupcakes are in the oven, we can get started on the cookies.

Allan tilts his head. “Cookies?”

Marinette nods, hopping off her stool, ignoring how Chloe hisses at her to ‘be careful’. “Yeah! We’re gonna’ make turtle cookies! For you!!”

Allan gasps, then smiles wide. “Thanks!!!”

Sabrina snaps some sneaky pictures, while Chloe just shakes her head. “They are so pure. If you hadn’t called us over, I would have rioted.”

“I could not have handled being in charge of children without back-up,” Felix admits.

The two Kwamis are enjoying the state of their holders. Tikki has been flitting around excitedly, while Wayzz watches calmly from his perch on Allan’s head.

The door to the balcony opens.

“So,” Chat Noir says, “Tiny Kagami is adorable and calm, but still 100% capable of wielding a blade.”

“Kitty!!” Marinette races toward him, and he sweeps her up in a hug.

“Also, Aurore is just as obsessed about weather as a small child,” Kit Mime informs.

Adrien has taken Chat Noir’s place. “We didn’t manage to get the akuma yet, but we decided to take a break.”

“We couldn’t miss more Mininette and smol Allan!” Claude chirps.

Honey Bee detransforms, making her way to the kitchen. “So what are you guys up to?”

Chloe kisses her cheek. “We’re baking.”

“I brought over Pinkalicious, and Marinette wanted to make the cupcakes,” Sabrina explains. “If you give a moose a muffin…”

Adrien laughs, booping Marinette’s nose. “She’ll want to one up that muffin recipe.”

“That’s not how it goes!” Marinette cries. “The moose wants jam!”

“Yeah!” Allan agrees. “So you gotta’ get the blackberry jam!!”

“Right. My bad.”

“No!!” Both children shout. “You’re not bad!!”

Allan hugs his leg, and Marinette pats his head a bunch. “You’re a good kitty-cat!”

Claude definitely isn’t recording the interaction Trixx is. “Okay,  so what do you need help with?”

“We’re makin’ turtles!!” Marinette declares.

“The cupcakes are in the oven. We are making turtle cookies now,” Felix elaborates, “It was Marinette’s idea. For Allan.”

“Aww,” Allegra coos.

“Mari is really nice!!” Allan shouts. The girl blushes, covering her face.

“Yes she is,” Claude agrees. She squeaks, hiding her face in Adrien’s shoulder.

Allegra rescues her, taking her from Adrien. “So, Miss Baker, how do we make these cookies?”

She brightens, motioning towards the counter. “Recipe!”

Sabrina grabs the recipe that they’d been planning on using. “Here.”

“Well let’s get started then!” Claude shouts.

---

After they’d finished decorating both the cookies and cupcakes, they’d turned on some Disney movies for the ‘children’.

Everyone was enjoying the calm of the day. The akuma seemed to have disappeared, and there was no reason to be worried about it at the moment.

Adrien is sitting on the couch, his arm around Marinette. The little girl is curled into his side, eyes seeming heavy. Every time they slip closed she’d force them open again, determined to stay awake.

Allan had no such qualms, dozing where he sits on Felix’s lap.

Allegra is sitting on the other side of the couch from Adrien, Chloe stretched across her lap as she scrolls through her social media. Occasionally she’ll look at the screen when prompted by her fiancé.

Sabrina and Claude are sitting on the floor, a bowl of popcorn between them as they make quiet commentary.

Later, there would be a reliable sighting of the akuma. Later, they’d have to rush out to get it, returning triumphantly with the new knowledge that butterflies can be venomed.

Later, there would be a quick transformation, and a tiny voice casting a much bigger cure.

But now, in this moment, they enjoy their peace.

---

Author’s Note: See! It's fluff! Claude is fine!

Reference slides here.

I was going to say this at the end of the last thing I posted, but since there was a good chance some people might have made the decision to skip reading that, I'm putting it here. I just want to thank you all for your patience. I haven't been writing as much, and I want to. Sometimes I just can't get myself to write, and I'm being patient with myself because, well, the world is a bit of a mess at the moment. That's why I do want to write, because we can all use a reprieve. I also haven't been responding as quickly to comments, and for that I'm sorry. I don't want that to discourage you from commenting! I've been quarantined with my family, and as both an introvert and someone with social anxiety, sometimes I've just had my fill of people. The thought of trying to talk to other people gets stresses me out, and I wouldn't be able to respond to comments in any sort of meaningful way. I assure you though, when I do find it in me to respond, you guys make my day. It makes me so happy to see that people liked my work enough to comment, and I guarantee that I will be getting around to responding to everyone eventually.

I'd also like to thank you guys for your patience. I haven't seen a single comment asking why I haven't been posting much, or anyone being upset that I'm not as active as I used to be. You guys are so sweet, and you make things so much better! I love you all so much!

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[abundanceofsoph]

SkyFire 2: Chapter 10

The End of Summer: August 2016

Word count: 2k

SkyFire 2 MASTERLIST

>Instagram posts

Aurora was sitting in the studio with Harry and his band when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out, scrolling through the email before placing it face down on the coffee table in front of her. Harry watched out of the corner of his eye as she kept glancing back at her phone every few minutes, completely distracted from the conversations swirling around her. After about 20 minutes he watched as she picked her phone up again, her brow furrowed as she read something, and she stood up, excusing herself from the room. He waited half an hour before he started to worry and also excused himself from the room. JARVIS informed him she was still on the floor, and he found her sitting in her art studio, a sketchbook open on her lap, her head bowed over it as she worked away.

“Everything ok, love?” Harry asked, sitting down beside her.

Her head snapped up, not having heard him come in. “Yeah,” she smiled. “Sorry just got an idea and had to get it down.”

“What is it?”

“Columbia just sent out an email and announced they want a student to paint a mural for the one year anniversary,” she explained. “Just kind of couldn’t get it out of my head.”

Harry could see the excitement on her face, her eyes alight with passion and creativity. He smiled softly, kissing her temple before he stood up. “I’ll leave you too it then,” he said before heading back to the recording studio.

Aurora continued working on her concept sketches for the next few days before sending them off to the student committee organising the mural.

xXx

While she waited to hear if her design would be selected, she received an unexpected call from the 3 members of Rascal Flatts. She had spoken to them a couple of times in the last year; first apologising for not being able to perform with them in the wake of the shooting and then again when they let her know they were holding off on releasing their next album, deciding that they wanted to tour the last album a bit more first.

“Hi Joe!” she said when she answered the call.

“Hey Aurora,” Joe replied. “You’ve got all three of us on speaker. How have you been honey?”

“Hi everyone,” she chuckled. “I’m really good thanks.”

“Great to hear. So, the reason we’re calling is to let you know that we’re finally releasing the album in October.”

“Ahh, that’s so exciting!”

“It is, yeah. We’re really looking forward to it and we were wondering how you’d feel about the CMAs this year. I know things didn’t pan out right for last year, but we’d really love to get on stage with you, but only if you feel ready.”

“Oh wow,” Rori gasped. “That sounds incredible guys, I’m honoured. I’ve been getting back in the studio over the summer and I actually do feel like I’m ready to jump back in. I’m getting my first prosthesis fitted next week so I should be good to go by November.”

“Fantastic!” Gary said. “We’ll send through all the details when we get closer to the day but you’ll probably have to come out a few days before so we can rehearse.”

“Can do,” she promised. “I’ll keep that whole week clear, just in case.”

“Great, we’ll see you then.”

xXx

Ever since she’d submitted her concept sketches for the Columbia mural, Aurora hadn’t been able to get the idea out of her head, so while she waited for the decision to be made she had a large canvas delivered to the tower and once it arrived she set to work. In her mind she told herself that if she was selected to paint the mural then the canvas would just be a more detailed concept work, but if she wasn’t selected at least her idea would still exist in this smaller format. She’d already blocked in the background and sketched out the figures the previous day, so she was getting started on the school’s mascot at the centre of the piece which was a lion kneeling to place a wreath of roses on the ground in front of it.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Harry said as he stepped into the room, drawing her attention away from the canvas. “Lou’s on the phone and he wants to talk bachelor and bachelorette parties.”

“Hi Lou!” Rori greeted as Harry held out his phone between the two of them.

“Hey Rors,” Louis replied, his voice playing through the speakers. “So, I was just explaining to H that Gemma and I have been putting our heads together and we’ve come up with an idea. I figured neither of you were going to be interested in the traditional alcohol fuelled partying with strippers and given the mixed gender parties, Gem and I thought we could maybe to a combined thing, rent out and place and all go away for the long weekend as a group.”

“I love that idea,” Aurora replied. “What did you guys have in mind?”

“There’s a great 3 bedroom cottage out in the Cotswolds,” Louis said, “and there’s a day spa in the nearest town for you girls.”

“We’re in,” Harry smiled. “You guys thought about when?”

“Well Cheryl’s due early March so Liam’s asked for us to do it before February and between Niall and Ella January is out too. It’s coming up quick but early November works for everyone if it works for you.”

“I’m going to the CMAs on the 3rd, so maybe the 2nd weekend in November?” Aurora offered, looking at Harry questioningly. He nodded that that weekend would work for him and Louis agreed that the cottage they’d found was available.

“Alright, leave it with me and Gem and we’ll take care of everything.”

“Thanks Lou,” Rori replied. “You’re the best Man of Honour.”

“I take my position very seriously,” he laughed. “Anyway, enjoy the rest of your day guys. I’ll talk to you later.”

xXx

“Aurora, Mr Styles is requesting you join him the studio when you are available,” JARVIS announced one afternoon in late August. She packed up her paints, cleaned her brushes and then headed down the hall towards the recording studio, surprised to find the band gone for the day and Harry waiting inside alone.

“Hey babe,” she greeted. “JARVIS said you needed me?”

“Yeah,” Harry replied. He smiled softly but Rori thought that he was acting a little odd. “I wrote a song,” he said hesitantly.

“I’m shocked,” Rori laughed, her giggles dying on her lips once Harry’s nervous expression fully registered in her head. “What’s it about?”

“You,” he replied. “No one’s heard it yet and it needs polishing but if you don’t like it, no one ever hears it.”

“You’re making me nervous H,” Rori said. “You’ve never been scared to show me something before” They stared at each other for a few minutes too long. “Just play it Harry.”

He mumbled his agreement, cueing up the recording on his phone and pressing play. She reached out and took his hand as it played.

 Choose your words 'cause there's no antidote

 For this curse

 Oh, what's it waiting for?

 Must this hurt you just before you go?

 Oh, tell me something I don't already know

 Oh, tell me something I don't already know

 Brooklyn saw me, empty at the news

 There's no water inside this swimming pool

 Almost over, had enough from you

 And I've been praying, I never did before

 Understand I'm talking to the walls

 I've been praying ever since New York

 Oh, tell me something I don't already know

“Harry,” Rori whispered as the recording petered out, her cheeks damp from the silent tears rolling down her face. Harry finally lifted his head, looking at his fiancé for the first time since pressing play. His eyes widened when he saw the tears in her eyes, reaching out to wipe them away with the pads of his thumbs.

“I’m so sorry baby,” he murmured, “I’m so sorry I shouldn’t have written about that. Forget it. I’m gonna scrap it.”

“Don’t you dare,” she told him. “It’s beautiful.”

“You really like it?” he asked.

“I love it Harry. It just hurts to remember what I put you through last year.”

“You didn’t do anything love,” Harry promised. “Just never wanna lose you.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she replied softly, leaning forward to kiss him. He quickly deepened the kiss and within a few minutes she had her right hand in his hair as she sat in his lap, her thighs straddling his hips. “I love you so much,” she murmured against his lips.

xXx

In the last days of August, Ben returned to the tower and Aurora finally slipped her new prosthesis onto what remained of her left forearm. After almost an entire year of feeling broken, or incomplete, the feeling of slipping on the prosthetic and watching as the fingers clenched and unfurled was euphoric. Harry was by her side of course, but so were Steve, Tony and Peter, her odd little family she never would have seen coming when she was growing up. They all watched on as silent tears streaked down her face, a huge grin ensuring none of them worried as she cried. She turned her hand over and back again, marvelling at the way the metal moved, much like Bucky’s arm did, almost as if there were real muscles below the surface, shifting so naturally. She hugged Peter first, surprising the teenager.

“Thank you, Pete,” she whispered. “I know how hard you worked on this.”

“You really don’t have to thank me,” Peter replied. “I just wanted to help; you know? Your dad did all the work really.”

“Hush,” she joked. “Just take the damn compliment.”

Peter laughed in response, giving her one last squeeze before letting her go so that she could hug her parents.

Ben and Tony both bent over the hand, the former assessing the fit and Aurora’s comfort, while the later focused on the data readouts on his tablet, watching as she continued to move the prosthetic and test it’s capabilities now that it was on her arm instead of laying on the table.

As Ben was finishing up and saying his goodbyes to everyone, a notification popped up on Aurora’s phone. Harry passed it to her, and she took great joy in reaching for it with her left hand. His matching smile told her that he knew exactly what she was thinking. Her smile dropped when she turned her gaze to the screen, seeing an email from the Student Union. She felt her nervousness as she opened the email and started reading.

Hello Aurora,

First of all, let me begin by thanking you for submitting your concept sketches for the proposed memorial mural for the quad. We were all very excited to see your submission and are excited to have you return to participating in the Columbia community. We would like to congratulate you as the winning submission and invite you to campus to complete the mural. We here at CUSU loved the way you incorporated our guidelines of including Columbia’s mascot while also paying tribute to the first responders and using the candles to honour everyone we lost was a beautiful element of the design. We would like to have the piece completed by the anniversary on September 29th so please feel free to start as soon as you would like in order to achieve this deadline. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards,

Caitlyn Walsh

Columbia University Student Union President.

“Oh my god! Harry, I got it. I got accepted to paint the memorial mural.”

“Knew you could do it baby!” He pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly and kissing her cheek.

“Congratulations bug,” Steve added, patting her shoulder. “No one better suited for the job.”

“I’m pretty sure they picked me for the publicity,” Aurora admitted when Harry finally let her go. “I don’t really care though. If my name gets more people talking about gun reform, then I’ll exploit that as much as I can. I really want to get more involved in that side of things and just make sure what happened to us doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

NEXT CHAPTER

OR CONTINUE READING ON AO3

[selfindulgentpoorlywritten]

Finally (Jamie Benn Imagine)

Alright folks, I’m back! Well. I’ll be back-back Wednesday, but I managed to get the Internet time to post this.

Rating: T

Pairing: Jamie Benn/Reader

Words: 2276

Warnings: underage drinking mention

Requested: yes/no

Summary: You’ve been best friends with Jamie for a long time, when he invites you to a team event. Oh, and you’re in love with him, too.

It’s not that you’re in love with him… except that you are. And you have been for longer than you’d like to admit. It’s not your fault, really, because he doesn’t have to be so kind and funny and awkwardly charming, or walk around looking like that all the time. Truly it’s unfair, and you’re a victim here, honestly, because those dark brown cow eyes are cheating. At life. Or something. The point of the matter is that he’s stupidly pretty and- even more unfortunately for you- a stupidly great person. And you might maybe be a little bit stupidly in love with him.

You don’t really get why he’s friends with you when he’s a top-tier hockey player and you’re an outreach coordinator at a non-profit who he met by accident during a tour of the locker room he didn’t know was happening. You’re not down on yourself or anything; you know you’re a worthwhile person. You just also know that famous people don’t latch onto random fans. Yet when he spilled coffee all over you; he elected to help you clean up, and then to talk to you for almost an hour. Long enough that he ended up giving you a private tour of the basement since you missed the one you were supposed to be on. Somehow, you piqued his interest during those few hours, and now the two of you are nigh inseparable.

He’s having a team bonding barbecue today, which is where you are currently, talking to Rads’s wife at a table just far enough from the pool to avoid getting splashed. Jamie is by the grill, talking to Tyler and Miro (who’s mostly just nodding along and taking sips from a beer he’s definitely still too young to have). Tyler’s wearing nothing but a pair of swim shorts that go to his mid-thigh, still wet from swimming. Miro and Jamie are both in regular board shorts and t-shirts, sandals on their feet. You can’t help but wish it was Jamie in the short trunks and nothing else, but he’s not huge on showing off his body, unfortunately. He still looks good, like really really good, but there isn’t much skin to be seen. You wonder if he thinks the same looking at you in your short-sleeve cover up. Probably not, but a gal can dream.

Darya is talking about how much trouble she had figuring out what to get Rads for his birthday a couple months back, and all you can think is how easy it was to think of Jamie’s gift, and how you’ve already ordered his Christmas present too. It probably has something to do with being around him all the time and talking constantly, whether by text, call, or face-to-face. Darya doesn’t have that luxury, what with her and Rads’s intense schedules. Jamie has a crazy schedule too, of course, and you have a bit of one in comparison to normal people, but that still gives you guys a bit more time than them. This is beside the point, though you can’t quite remember what the point was. Something about knowing as much about Jamie as Darya does about Alexander, or something. Maybe that you’re getting Jamie something personal and personalized, something a wife would get her husband, like the necklace you got for his birthday that’s glinting in the sun against his t-shirt, because he hasn’t taken it off but to shower since you gave it to him, and you’re not sure what that means. Or something.

Anyway, he’s heading toward you now, like he can sense you’re thinking of him. The sun is starting to set, and the light is golden where it streaks through his dark hair, and the way it combines with his soft smile and even softer gaze has you a bit breathless. Darya realizes you’re not paying attention and turns to see Jamie, turning back to give you a shit-eating grin. She knows about your stupid crush, and urges you to make a move on the regular. Since looking at him makes you feel like you’re going to suffocate all the time, you think you might have to do so before you die.

“Hey guys,” Jamie says as he comes to a stop next to your table, “We’re gonna start wrapping up soon.” The butterflies in your stomach immediately die in a mass extinction. Oh. You’re a little sun-sleepy and your skin tingles with exposure, but you could spend every moment of your life with Jamie and still want more time. You stand and you’re grabbing your bag when Jamie lays a gentle hand on your shoulder.

“Do you want to stay? We could watch a movie,” he asks. The butterflies are resurrected.

“Sure,” you agree, slinging your bag over your shoulder. You take Darya and your plates to throw in the trash on the way to get changed. There are only a few people left anyway, so you’ll probably just gonna ash some dishes and then settle in for the movie. As you walk away, you assure Jamie that you’ll meet him in the kitchen.

The first dozen times you came to his place, you were floored by the opulence. By now, you’ve been friends for so many years that it doesn’t even phase you. You duck into the kitchen to toss the plates before claiming the nearest full bathroom. After a shower, you put on some deodorant and fresh clothes, wishing you’d brought something a little nicer than a t-shirt and jeans. It’s ridiculous to wish that, though, because Jamie has seen you in far worse more than once. I’m ou just want to look nice so that. You don’t know. So that maybe he’ll see you as a potential girlfriend rather than a firm friend. Oh god. You’re friendzoned.

You rub some perfume between your wrists and onto your neck; it’s the kind Jamie said he liked best in you once, which you’ve been wearing ever since. Maybe it’s a bit pathetic, but you can’t help yourself. You didn’t bring any makeup, partially because it was a pool party, and partially because you forgot to throw it in your bag before you left. The shirt you brought is one of Jamie’s, and as much as you love the guys, you kind of hope they’ve all left, because they’ll rag on you so hard if they see you wearing it. It’s an old, worn-soft cotton tee that still smells like him despite being in your care for several months. You wear it to bed regularly, letting his scent lull you to sleep.

Anyway.

When you finally exit the bathroom, you only hear two voices left in the house. One voice is Jamie’s, the other Tyler’s, and they’re talking quickly in hushed tones. They both sound annoyed. They don’t argue often, so it must be something serious. You don’t mean to interrupt, but you’re in the living room before you register the tone. They both quiet immediately, before Tyler plasters on an obviously fake smile.

“Hey Y/N, how was your shower?” he asks, his smile turning genuine and worryingly gleeful, “Is that Jamie’s shirt? Looks good on you.” He turns a smug grin on Jamie. Jamie shoves him half-heartedly, smiling just a bit. At least the argument clearly wasn’t too heated.

“I was just leaving,” Tyler continues, half-turning toward the door, “I’ll see you guys next time, eh?” He claps Jamie on the shoulder and turns to give you a hug at the last second before crossing the threshold and shutting the door firmly behind himself. You and Jamie stare at each other for a silent moment before breaking into laughter. Tyler is so fucking weird. Once you’ve calmed, Jamie says “I’ll see you guys next time, eh?” in a horrible imitation of Tyler’s voice, making the both of you lose it all over again. Finally, after what seems like a small eternity, you straighten up from where you’d leaned forward against his chest and wipe the tears from your eyes.

“Let’s go do some dishes, eh?” you say, and the two of you chuckle your way to the kitchen. The dishes are piled in the sink, so you move them to the counter. Jamie fills one side of the sink with warm, soapy water while you scrape any excess food remnants into the garbage. You sidle up next to him once you’re done, hip-checking him out of the way. He overplays it, making hurt, offended noises and almost falling on his ass.

“That’s what you get for being dramatic,” you say when he barely catches his footing. He just grins and resumes his place beside you, ready to rinse and dry. You scrub and set aside the baking dishes that’ll need to be soaked. Just before rinsing the first plate, he puts his music on shuffle, and you both bop along to whatever the Spotify gods choose. They have pretty good taste in dishwashing music, honestly.

Once the final dish has been scrubbed, you empty the sink and refill it with just enough soapy water to cover the dishes needing soaking, while Jamie rinses and dries the bowl you’d handed him. Just as you’re drying your hands, the song changes and you gasp.

“It’s our song!” you crow delightedly. Jamie smiles softly, tossing his hand towel onto the counter and turning to face you. Mallrat sings lightly about broken hearts and devotion as Jamie takes one of your hands in his own, letting the other rest between your waist and hip. The two of you sway around a three foot radius of the kitchen, drawing closer like galaxies coming together, until your head rests against his chest, his chin ducked down so his nose is buried in your hair.

This being “your song” started as a joke. Jamie had taken you to a team event about a year back, and the second you’d gotten him onto the dance floor, Groceries came on. One of the guys’ girlfriends knew the song and explained it while the two of you danced, resulting in rigorous chirping the instant you got back to the table. At the next event, the same thing happened and it was official: this was Your Song. It fits oddly well, too. But you’re not thinking of that right now, too engulfed in his strength and warmth and scent to care about much else.

This would probably be a great chance to shoot your shot; you’re alone, Your Song is playing, you’re in each other’s arms. You could just tell him. What are you supposed to say? “Hey, I’m in love with you”? That’s a little too unambiguous for your taste. But the song… you could just sing part of the song to him, and that would give you plausible deniability, probably. It’s kind of a cop-out, really, but you’ll most likely never have the guts to do it any other way. If you sing the bridge, that could be appropriate; you are lovesick, so… Yeah. Yeah. That’s what you’ll do.

Except you’re caught up in him, in his slow, deep breaths, in the way you’ve stopped moving in circles, just swaying in place between the island and counter, and you completely miss the bridge when it comes. Cursing your short attention span, you pull back just far enough to look him in the eye. You’re still pressed together save for your heads, still moving side to side, still feeling like a binary star system, inextricably linked. The song is ending soon; if you’re going to make a move, you need to do it now. Fuck it.

I just wanna get groceries

I pray you wanna get close to me

Oh give it some, give it some, give it some time

But I think we’re supposed to be

The eye contact is almost unbearable but you can’t look away, trying so hard to convey what you mean, to make him understand. Searching for a response in his eyes, something, anything.

And if you wanna get groceries

And if you wanna get close to me

Just give me some, give me some, give me some sign

I think that we’re supposed to be

It feels like a plea. Please, please, give me some sign. This could be so good, this could be amazing, we could be amazing, I think that we’re supposed to be. Please. You stop moving when the song switches, just staring into each other’s eyes. Your hand had moved to cup his jaw as you sang, his beard coarse against your skin. You can’t seem to bring yourself to move it, to move at all, time frozen on the event horizon of forever. This is it. This is it.

“I think that we’re supposed to be, too,” Jamie finally says. A second ago he had seemed so unsure, skeptical, but now his expression is resolute, voice sure and unwavering. Holy shit. Holy shit. Jamie Benn is in love with you. You’re in love with him and he loves you back. He wants to be with you. Unless you’re reading too much into it? Maybe you’re reading him wrong? He could be joking. It’s not his joking face or voice- because he can’t keep a poker face for the life of him- but maybe—

“Can I kiss you now?” he asks, and that is his teasing voice, “Or do you wanna stare some more?” You can’t keep yourself from laughing, burying your face in his neck as the both of you giggle helplessly. Your heart is fit to burst with overwhelming affection. He tilts your head up, and smiles into it when he finally, finally kisses you.

[writingismyhappytime]

Marry Me (Part 2)

Ricky x Reader 

Warnings: Language 

"So that's the plan? You're just... gonna do it?" You groan as you push yourself out from under the mini van, grease streaking your cheek. Ricky is squatting down beside you, nodding.

The shop is busy, it's a Monday so all the guys are there. It's loud with everyone working on vehicles, but Ricky is trying not to talk loud enough where anyone else can overhear.

"Yep."

"Ricky, that's not romantic at all," you complain, holding a wrench in your hand as you shift. You frown at him, pushing up onto your elbows. "You can't just shove a box in my face in front of everyone and ask. That's lame."

"But I bought the ---."

"I don't want to know!" You hiss, huffing as you finally sit up completely.

Ricky sighs; you're wearing that stained jumpsuit again, skin gleaming with sweat from the horrible heat. He's not sure how you're going to pull off the whole girly-shocked act when he does propose.

"When do you want to do this then?" He asks, sounding irritated as you finally crawl to your feet, setting your silver wrench to the side. You put your hands on your hips, frowning.

"Well, it's going to have to be soon, isn't it? Within the next month?"

"Yeah." He shifts uncomfortably. Can this even happen within a month?

"Huh. Well," you glance around, then gesture for him to follow you into the office, not wanting to be overheard. You still can't believe you agreed to such a thing, but why not? You'll get a pretty wedding you can remember forever, and Ricky gets his daughter; you can always divorce later when you have the money.

You hold the rickety door open for Ricky, then kick it shut, the glass rattling in its pane.

"Okay, so here's the plan," you lean your hip against the cluttered desk, dust collecting on the filing cabinets stuffed in the corners, the black phone held together with purple duct tape. There's ancient calender's on the walls, dating back at least ten years, and the photos on the walls show your grandfather and father opening the shop together, your family through the years. "Who's having that party tomorrow that's going to have everyone there?"

"Uh, Balz. It's a, um, grand opening party for his new store." Ricky shrugs his shoulders. Balz might not be in the band anymore, but that doesn't mean that he's still not one of them. He's  opening a new shop, and he's having a small party to celebrate.

"Okay, so we do it then." Sounds easy enough. Sure, you've never met any of the rest of his band. You've seen pictures of them, and you've met Ryan, because you've been to Ricky's house to help him change his oil, so you're sure this is going to be a shock for them. "Just don't go around telling everyone why we're getting married, alright? If a lot of people know, then they're going to blab, and that'll get us in a load of shit, okay?"

"I know better than that," Ricky grumbles, crossing his tattooed arms over his chest. He looks worried, and you know he's thinking about his daughter; he isn't going to do anything that would make him lose her. "So you want me to propose then?"

"Yep."

"Alright. Do you have a dress or something you can wear? Or... something nice? Balz told us all to dress up because he's going to be taking a lot of photos for his website."

"I own dresses, Ricky," you look at him, miffed. "And yes, I'll even make sure to wash the grease off first."

He flushes. "That's not... exactly what I meant."

Well, you can't really be mad at him for the comment. He's only ever seen you while you're working or getting off, and having black on your hands isn't something you can avoid. You sigh, hoping this isn't going to be a disaster.

"I'll pick you up around six," he says, chewing his lower lip, the buzzing light above glinting off his lip ring. "We'll go, we'll mingle a little bit, let Balz have his moment. Then, when it seems like shit is getting dull or something, I'll propose. Since Balz is taking photos anyway, I'm sure he'll capture the moment and blast Twitter with it."

"Ahuh. You know Claire will immediately start calling the instant she sees it."

"I know." He looks uncomfortable. "But I gotta do this for Chloe."

"Yeah." He doesn't have to make it sound like it's going to be a task. "But hey, you'll totally love being married to me. I make excellent pasta."

He chuckles; you really do. He takes a step to your side, leaning back against the desk, bumping your shoulder with his. You smell like an oil rag, but it doesn't bother him anymore. He's grateful you're doing this for him, putting on this grand charade. It's going to be a task, making everyone believe that you've been having a secret relationship from everyone, and then out of the blue he decides to propose without even warning his family or friends.

"So, when you propose, make sure you do the whole down on one knee thing," you say after a moment, tendrils of your hair framing your face as you lean back on your hands. "Complete with the whole, 'I love you' speel."

"Should I hire an orchestra and everything?"

"If you think it'll make the moment more believable."

He rolls his eyes. "I still don't see why we can't just elope."

"Eloping makes it look suspicious, doesn't it? If we do everything very publicly, it'll look like we have nothing to hide and nothing to dig for. You can move your stuff into the spare room upstairs, I'll get my name changed, and everything will be as official as fuck. After you get Chloe and a couple months down the road, we can get a divorce. Should just be a couple thousand, I guess."

Ricky grimaces. "Maybe more than a few months then."

"Well, alright." You figured he'd want to get a divorce as quickly as possible. "So you propose, I say yes. I'm already looking at venues, and I think I found one already. I don't want to call until you do the thing, though, just in case."

"That's fine. The sooner we get this done, the better."

"Cool. Also, I found a place online that we can order a tux from," you glance him over. "And I'll see about finding a dress. Did you think about your best man and all that? Chloe can be the flower girl if Claire doesn't kill us first."

"Uh, no, I haven't thought about it." Ricky hasn't given any of the wedding much thought, he's been trying to avoid it. He's been busy with worrying over Chloe, his finances, how the guys and his family is going to react to the sudden news of his impending wedding.

Talking about having to clear your schedule in a hurry.

"So you have the ring then? And don't be like, predictable. I need to be surprised."

"Predictable?"

"Yes. Don't go in, immediately be like, 'I need to say something', because then I'm going to know. Catch me off guard."

"I feel like you're making this more complicated then it should be."

"Welcome to marriage."

~~~~~~

You look at your reflection, wondering if you look okay. You have dresses, you just never have an opportunity to wear them! You've curled your hair in pretty ringlets around your shoulders, applied makeup you never get to wear, and in your opinion, you look damn good.

Your dress is cute, with a swirly skirt to your knees. You put on some flats, you don't want to be taller than Ricky, and it's basically sleeveless. You purse your lips, your hands resting on your hips as you gaze at your reflection.

Ricky should be impressed, right?

You're irritated with him over that comment, you do have nice things. You can't exactly wear them while you're beneath a greased down machine, now can you? No, you have to dress appropriately.

You've made sure to spray your perfume, checked there's not a speck of grease or black on your skin, and you even painted your nails! You look like someone going on a date, or to their impending future engagement party. You hope Ricky's friend isn't mad that he's going to steal the spotlight, but maybe he'll be understanding.

You bite your lip, glancing at the time on your phone. Ricky should be here any minute, and you hope he likes how you look. You're a bit self-conscious about the fact you look so guyish all the time, and his comment didn't make you feel any better about it. Some men are intimidated that you're a better mechanic than them.

Maybe he'll approve.

~~~~

Oh.

Damn.

Uh.

Ricky stares at you, his eyes wide as you step out of your garage. You're actually wearing a dress, and you have hips! Lovely hips, actually, and quite a nice figure now that he really looks.

You're pretty.

"You look nice," he says finally as you start across the paved parking lot, and you give him a bright smile at his words, cheeks heating.

"Do you like it?" you ask dryly, giving him an experimental twirl. "It's been in the back of my closet for months now. At least I finally get to wear it."

"I'm surprised you own dresses," he chuckles, stepping around the car to open your door for you. "I've never seen you out of that jumpsuit."

"Because you only ever see me when I'm at work or I'm balling my eyes out," you reply, pleased that he likes your dress. "You look nice too." You tug at the collar of his black shirt, getting a whiff of his cologne. "Almost fancy."

"I try." He shuts the door behind you, glancing around the vacant parking lot of the auto body shop. There are some streetlamps coming on, but otherwise it's pretty vacant. Sure, there are some extra cars, probably ready to be taken into the shop in the morning, but that's about it.

Admittedly, Ricky's nervous, and his palms are slick. He's not sure if he's going to be able to pull this off tonight, although with you on his arm it's going to be a little easier. You're always so confident like you have everything under control, he admires you for that. It'll go smoothly, at least he knows you're not going to reject him.

That's a... plus, right?

~~~~~~~

"Don't be so nervous," you whisper in Ricky's ear as you enter the decorated shop, your arm curled through his. You're all bright smiles and long legs, and Ricky almost cringes.

Everyone has noticed the two of you come inside. That, or he's incredibly paranoid and thinking everyone is staring him down.

You're so pretty tonight, he likes the way your dress clings in all the right places. He'd been incredibly nervous about the whole thing, he still is but... well, having you at his side really helps.

"I can't help it," he tugs anxiously at his collar, giving Josh a nod from across the room. It's not a huge party or anything, mostly just friends and family. This is the second shop to open, filled with odd amenities and definitely some creepy items.

"Hey, it's gonna be fine," you take his hand as the two of you step into a corner, lacing your fingers through his and squeezing. "Just don't bail on me, alright? I wore a dress for this."

Ricky snorts. "You're making it sound like that's some great accomplishment."

You frown at him. "I should have worn heels, I would have been towering over you."

He huffs. "Yeah yeah."

Your eyes flick around the room, hearing faint music playing in the background that you recognize; the guys are usually playing it in your shop, and Ricky listens to it a lot at his own house.

You smile at Ryan as you see him heading towards the two of you, his eyes curiously landing on your entwined fingers.

And so it begins.

"Hey guys." He says with a sigh as he steps over, running a hand through his hair. He looks relaxed, wearing a nice black shirt and casual jeans. He's not super dressy, no one really is, and that makes you feel better that you didn't go over the top with your outfit.

"Hey Ryan." You greet, feeling Ricky tense beside you. "Has it been pretty smooth so far?"

"Yeah. Balz hasn't had his grand speech yet, I think he was waiting for Rick to show up." He glances behind him. "You're late, dude."

"I had to pick her up, and traffic was more than what I thought it would be," Ricky grumbles in response. "But hey, I made it."

"Yeah. You guys had anything to drink yet?"

"No, is it spiked?"

"Don't think so."

"Then I'm fine," you sigh, shaking your head. Honestly you're a little nervous about the evening as well, although you're not going to let Ricky, who's a firework of panic ready to explode, know that. You figure he's not even going to surprise you, that you're going to have to goad him into action because he can be such a little bitch sometimes.

Ryan chuckles at your answer, relaxing. He's always really liked you, you're so chill and he likes hanging with you, you're another one of the guys. Plus, you're sort of more manly than Ricky is, mostly because you know everything about cars and half the time your mutual friend can't even get his key fob to work.

"Everyone!" Josh calls, the music fading in the background. All eyes turn to the former keyboardist where he stands on a little stage --- or pedestal for some statue you're sure. You recognize him from photos you've seen, although you've yet to personally meet him. He seems nice, even if he left the band, and he's still close with all the guys.

"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight," Josh continues, and his speech goes on for a moment. You sort of lose interest halfway through, absently picking at a string on Ricky's shirt sleeve; he really needs to cut it off. Your hand is still in his, although it's getting a little too warm in your opinion.

You're so relieved when he's done and there's the mandatory clapping and cheers --- at which someone shoves a champagne flute in your hand full of... something not alcoholic, unfortunately. You sip politely but not because you want too.

Ryan wanders off into the crowd, and you look at Ricky pointedly. His hands slip anxiously into his pockets as he takes a step from you. He can feel the ring box, and his fingers clench around it nervously.

Oh shit.

He's actually going to have to do this, isn't he? He doesn't mind the action itself, just the aftermath of everyone freaking the fuck out.

"Go mingle with your friends," you nudge him slightly. "And stop looking like you're going to be sick, you're actually turning green at this point."

"I'm not green."

"You're getting there." Your hands go to your very shapely hips. You quirk one brow at him, tapping your fingers impatiently before he sighs.

"Fine. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone." He offers his hand with a grimace, and you actually scowl at him, a little hurt.

"You can stop acting like this is literally painful for you," you snap, starting to feel foolish. "You asked me to come, remember?"

"It's not painful," he defends himself instantly, glancing around as your harsh tone garners some attention he definitely doesn't want. "It's not like this is easy."

"Why not? You're just introducing me, Ricky, not ---."

"It's not that, Jesus. It's--- well its what happens after and having to make up some excuse, yknow? I don't want to lie."

Seriously!?

"Ricky, I swear to god. If you're going to be a baby and back out, tell me right now so I can go home." You order, put out. He's acting as if being around you is embarrassing, he hardly said two words to Ryan while he was standing with the two of you. If this is how he's going to act now, the rest is going to be a disaster!

"I'm not going to be a baby, I ---."

"I understand if you're nervous, this is kind of a big deal, but you're making me feel like crap. Do you want me here or not?" You demand, glaring openly at him. Maybe you've been around men too much, but it's made you incredibly blunt and you rarely put up with anyone's bullshit. He's pissing you off!

He flushes beneath your glare, but he knows you're right. He really needs to get it together, doesn't he?

"You're right," he mutters reluctantly after a moment, but he knows if he doesn't agree you'll just continue to make him feel stupid until he admits you are. "I just... I'm so worried about all of this."

"I know, I get it." You soften slightly, taking his hand and squeezing. You give it a moment, then brazenly lean forward to kiss his cheek, seeing him blink at the unexpected action. "But you have to stop acting like such a little bitch or this is going to blow up in our faces."

His expression sours. You literally had to say it that way, didn't you?

"Hey, Ricky."

Ricky straightens immediately, turning to look up at Chris as he and his girlfriend step over. Your eyes flick over them curiously, seeing they rather complement each other with their equally dark and foreboding looks; you've never been one much for hair styling or lots of makeup, but his girlfriend definitely makes you wish you'd put even more effort into your appearance.

"Hey. You guys this is (Y/N)," Ricky introduces you, and you smile, trying to seem a little more friendly than what you really are.

"The mechanic, right?" Chris looks down at you curiously; he's vaguely heard Ryan and Ricky talk about you in passing, so he'd had a muscled up woman eight feet tall with car tattoos sort of pictured in his head.

You look nothing like he'd pictured; you're pretty, wearing a dress and flats so you're not taller than the guitarist. Your hair is done, nails painted --- much girlier than he expected.

"Yes." You nod your head, a little surprised; does Ricky talk about you or something? How did he ---?

"You're a mechanic?" His girlfriend seems surprised.

"I own a shop in town." You say after a moment, shifting your weight. You kind of don't like how she's looking at you, as if getting ready to use those long black nails for dissection.

"Oh. So do you hire or ---?"

"I work on the cars as well." Why does everyone always think you just do office work? You literally look and smell like a grease rag most days, and you kind of can't afford not to work, either. You've got bills and it takes a lot of money to keep a car shop going; the tools, the labor, just trying to keep a long stream of customers --- sometimes you're up all night just trying to figure out a way to make sure you always have business!

"How interesting! I know Ricky doesn't even know how to change a tire," she chuckles, and even Chris looks slightly amused.

Ricky rolls his eyes. "Can we let that drop please? And it was on the bus, not like any of us could do much for it!"

The bus?

"What happened?" You ask curiously, feeling Ricky start to relax beside you as Chris and his girlfriend tell the story --- or mostly Chris with his girlfriend chiming in occasionally when he forgets a slight detail.

You laugh at the end with them, purposefully leaning casually into Ricky's side. After a moment you feel his hand rise to rest on your lower back, just like you'd been hoping it would; you're going to have to keep up an appearance right now after all.

You're way too good at this. Ricky keeps his touch light on your back, knowing exactly what you're doing. Usually you might just nudge his shoulder or flail at him, you're not actually this touchy of a person.

He's taking cues from you the best he can.

"So how long have the two of you been together?" Chris girlfriend asks after a moment, finally voicing the question bouncing around in his head; Ricky has been so focused on his daughter and getting her from his ex, he's not exactly had time for dating.

Or has he?

"A little while," Ricky shrugs nonchalantly. You're a little impressed that he doesn't immediately cringe and give his lie away. "We've been friends and just decided to take the next step."

Riiight.

More like huge fucking leap.

You don't disagree, just squeeze his hand and cut your eyes at him. He doesn't need to say too much; Chris, who you're pretty sure is the front man of the band they're all in, isn't quite buying the bullshit line.

"That's so sweet," his girlfriend says, but you can't tell her level of sincerity. You just shrug your shoulders, wondering why you didn't bring even a mini bottle of alcohol with you to get you through this night.

Just please don't be a disaster.

~~~~~~~

Ricky is frowning.

He's standing with Ghost and Balz, a black cup in his hand as he looks across the crowded room. Chris pestered him for a few minutes about his very sudden, unexpected relationship status, but eventually let it go.

None of the other guys seem to care that much, although annoyingly Ryan hadn't seemed very surprised; honestly he figured you guys had been fucking for a while. You're just too good of friends to not have been.

Still.

Doesn't mean Ryan has to be making you laugh and giggle and stand so close to you. What the hell does he think he's doing, anyway?

Ricky sips his drink, scowling.

Now since the focus has been on Balz, the party is starting to dwindle. Some people are already leaving, it's getting late --- maybe now is the perfect time to do the thing?

Operation grow-some-balls and propose?

Your name for it, not his.

"So, when did you ask her out and why did none of us know about it?" Ghost huffs, miffed at being out of the loop. He usually prides himself on knowing the relationships of his friends, and he finds it very irksome he was left in the dark in this particular situation. He's seen pictures of you before, but you seem pretty normal, no tattoos he can see. You got some nice legs, admittedly, but you're not his type.

"It was pretty sudden." Ricky mumbles, wishing he would let the subject go. He's not really one for public spectacles, he'd rather just shove a ring on your hand and tell the guys about it later, but this is something you want.

It still bothers him you think a guy isn't going to do this for you one day. You want a pretty wedding and the romantic proposal, but he's pretty sure that when you find someone who really loves you, you'll have that.

It's why it makes him feel bad and he doesn't want anything fancy. He feels as if he's ruining it for you in the future.

Still, though, this is what you want and he kind of owes you.

"Sudden?" Balz looks amused. "Most definitely. Dude, I've never even heard her name before."

"Well we were always just friends before, we ---."

"So what changed? When did you start fucking her?" If anything, eloquent Ghost is not. Ricky sighs at the bluntness of the question, but he's not very surprised.

"Devin."

"I just don't see why you didn't mention anything before, alright? Not to any of us."

Yeah, Balz has to agree it is a bit strange. Sure, Ricky has always been the most private out of all of them, he never really posts about his life on social media or puts a lot of gossip out there, especially since he had his daughter.

Speaking of which.

"Uh, Ricky." Balz blinks, and nods his head forward.

This is going to get ugly.

Ricky turns after a moment, his hand suddenly clenching around his black cup and causing the contents to immediately cover his fingers.

Oh no.

Oh holy fuck.

It's over.

Everything is ruined.

His eyes widen in horror as he sees his ex girlfriend standing by the door, fake blonde hair trailing down her shoulders and makeup a bit too much for her.

"Satan has arrived," Ghost breathes, crossing himself. "Did you bring the holy water and sage?"

"Fuck, what's she doing here?" Ricky gasps, panicked. Where the hell can he go!? Is there a table or a trap door he can disappear through!?

What did the woman want!?

"Uh. I did not invite her," Balz wants to make that clear. He never liked her, honestly, but he's always tried to be friendly. He's not sure how she even found out about the party, he kept the guest list pretty short.

"I didn't figure you did," Ricky's shoulders hunch, but he knows his ex isn't going away until she finds him. She's persistent and stubborn and brings out the worst in Ricky, and he doesn't need that right now.

He just wants to propose to you!

Why is that so hard!?

"Uh oh." Ghost says.

"What!?" Ricky turns anxiously, tossing his cup into the nearest bag he can find. His heart stutters a little. "Oh no."

You saw Claire.

Now, one thing Ricky has always admired about you is your brazen attitude and how very unafraid you are of confrontation. You'll bitch out one of your mechanics in front of God and his disciples, you don't give a shit.

Suddenly that's unfortunate and Ricky doesn't need you beating up his ex, that's not going to look good in court!

Because you will, beat her up that is. You don't fight with silly slaps and hair pulling, you go full force with a punch to the face and he doesn't have the money to bail you out right now.

"Rick, don't worry. Claire isn't going to scare her off," Balz offers after a moment, internally sighing; he really doesn't want drama at his opening!

"That's not what I'm worried about," Ricky says anxiously, every alarm bell in his brain ringing loudly. "I'm worried Claire is going to piss her off and (Y/N) is going to beat the shit out of her. Oh fuck!" He groans, seeing you part from Ryan and stride in Claires direction.

What the hell are you doing?

Ghost and Balz look at each other, blinking. How rough are you exactly?

~~~~~~

"Claire. What are you doing here?" You ask sharply as you walk to Ricky's ex, the mother of his child and complete pain in the ass.you hope Ricky hasn't noticed her yet, he'll be having a heart attack.

Claire twists, and she looks at you for several seconds before it clicks who you are. Her nose curls almost instantly, her manicured hands going to her hips.

"I can ask you the same thing." She mutters, and you don't miss the black circles beneath her eyes or how tired she looks. She's dressed normal, jeans and a t shirt supporting some coffee shop --- you'd figured maybe she's here for an early child support check or something.

"Ricky invited me to come," you say after a moment, relaxing slightly; Claire doesn't look like she's spoiling for a fight at all. She looks tired more than anything, whereas you're used to seeing her dressed to the nines and ready to impress.

Claire snorts, brushing her dyed hair behind her ears at your response. "Boring, isn't it? I always hated having to come to these and pretend I gave a shit."

Riiight.

You forgot she's as blunt as you; maybe Ricky has a type and he doesn't even know it.

"Is there something you want?" You cross your arms as you lean back on your heels. You're not really sure what she wants, she doesn't seem aggressive at the moment, but that doesn't mean her mood can't flip like a penny in the air. You don't want Ricky to have to deal with her, but ---.

"I need Ricky to watch Chloe this weekend," she says flatly, her eyes zeroing in over your shoulder, has she spotted her prey? "I'm going out of town and I can't take her with me."

"Where are you going?"

"That's none of your business."

Ahuh.

You frown at her, but before you can say another word Ricky is stepping between you, blue eyes flicking back and forth warily; yeesh it's not like you were going to start a fight with her in public, he can stop worrying! How volatile does he think you are?

"Claire ---."

"I need you to take Chloe this weekend." Claire says before Ricky can say anything else, sounding impatient. "Take her to school Monday morning and I'll pick her up afterwards."

"Uh---."

"She's waiting in the car, I already have her bag packed." Claire continues in that irritating way, as if Ricky never spoke. "She's already excited."

What a bitch.

Did she basically tell Chloe she'd be spending the weekend with Ricky before she even asked him? Now Ricky can't say no, he hates making his daughter feel disappointed!

Fuck!

Claire subconsciously ruined your proposal weekend!

It's like she knew.

"Fine," Ricky says wearily, he's not even going to bother arguing. Really, any time he can spend with his kid he's going to take. "Bring her in and I'll take her."

Claire brightens noticeably. "Good! Thanks. She already won't shut up about it."

You can't stop the roll of your eyes.

Claire pretends she doesn't notice as she turns away, disappearing out into the dark street. You scowl after her, turning to look at your future husband accusingly.

"What?" He asks defensively. "It's Chloe!"

"You could try standing up to her and telling her no for once. She's probably shoving Chloe off on you so she can go party!"

"It doesn't matter if she is, at least I get Chloe and I know she's safe. I'd rather she drop her off with me than take her with her."

You suppose it is a good thing, but still.

"Daddy!"

"Hey, Chloe!" Ricky kneels immediately as his daughter comes barreling into him with out stretched arms. She curls them around his neck with a giggle, a bear clutched in one hand. Her father hugs her tightly, sighing.

"She's all yours until Monday." Claire sighs, holding a Barbie backpack in her hand. You give it a moment before you offer to take it, reluctantly slipping the strap over your shoulder.

Really, it's good Ricky gets to see Chloe this weekend, it's been a bit since he has. You're not upset that he is, you're just irritated with Claire in general.

He can't exactly propose now, which means all your scheduling is going to have to be set back. So no public proposal after all.

Bummer.

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