#if you’re not interested in ana why did you ask her out

[maybesomethingunusual]

“eddie is a heterosexual man”

i mean i love eddie i love him and i say this with love that man is beautiful and i know he means well most of the time but isn’t that obvious though (that he’s straight with catholic guilt) he’s a little confusing and i really want to explain but im tired from working full shift and all i can say right now as a new fan who just finished s5 ep11 during breaktime is that, i don’t understand him sometimes or is that just a season 5 thing

(im scared to post this im going to anyway because i am trying to understand him maybe i missed some things and people can enlighten me)

[elvensorceress]

So there is a "leaked" script that claims Eddie asked Marisol to move in, and is it just me, or is that completely out of character for Eddie? He dated Ana for longer, and they weren't living together. we are really supposed to believe that he would ask Marisol to move in after a few months of dating? Unless Eddie is unable to process anything after learning his Buck. Is dating a man that is not him, and instead of breaking up with her like he planned, he pulls a Buck and asks her to move in with him.

Eddie does not deserve to be stuck with someone like Marisol.

According to 7x04, he apparently needs a live-in babysitter so he can go out with his shiny new boyfriend. So… 🤣  And it took a whole relationship and a blackout before Ana was his babysitter! Just from that much I’m still going, yikes. Like, girl, do you not have friends? Do you not have someone who will tell you this relationship is red flags all over the place? Can we not call up your Folger brother and have him talk some sense into you? 

You’re very right though. Eddie deserves so much better. 

I have heard about the supposed leaked scripts and I’ll talk some about that under a cut below in case anyone wants to read my thoughts on it. 

But what I’ll say in general is that in some of the interviews we’ve been seeing recently especially with canon bi!Buck, Mr. Showrunner had scathing things to say about love interests who are just there to be love interests. He didn’t like that they couldn’t interact with any of the other characters and that they weren’t part of the overall story. 

Given we’ve had what, two? offhand comments and maybe five whole seconds of screen time this season with her, if they wanted to actually develop that relationship for the audience, they could have done that. And should have done that a long, long time ago. (For example, see Eddie and Tommy’s relationship. In one whole episode they did more to build that up than they have done for Eddie/allegedgirlfriendconfirmedterf in all of season 6 or 7.)

Instead, they showcased the bond between Buck and the Diazes and the trauma that Eddie and Chris still have over Shannon leaving and them losing her. And also Eddie’s new friendship with Tommy that sounded like they were both spending every day, every moment together. 

So far for Miss Homophobe, we have—

hey mari it me eddie from the hardware store

the phone call where they set up a date

it's not MY date it's CHRIS' date (r u sure, dude? why is she there then 🤣)

her chaperoning Chris’ date with Eddie

her babysitting twice off screen

Obviously, she’s in the next episode and they have a pizza date while Eddie has to stare at his bestest friends while they’re on a date. But at this point, if you want the audience to root for the relationship or enjoy it at the very least, it’s a little late in the game for that? We have nothing to go on and it doesn’t make sense if we’re taking it at face value. 

All this to say, if he does ask her to move in with him, there is no way for the audience to buy that it’s genuine, reasonable, or a smart move. It reads like Buck asking Taylor to move in with him because he cheated and he’s desperate and clinging. Even if Eddie and the terf show up and are all happy and handsy and lovey, it’s not convincing. There’s been no development. It would come across like Buck and Ali apartment hunting and being touchy and giggly, and then her dumping him at the end of the episode. It sets up a contrast between what we think is happening and what is really happening. Perceived happiness vs the reality of not knowing each other and their relationship crumbling.

I don’t remember who said it or when it was said, maybe it was Kristen? But I know someone talked about how Eddie rushed things with Ana and they were wanting to do the opposite when continuing his story. Dating someone for (how long has it even been? 2-3 months? Idek? Does Eddie even know?) Mere months and asking them to move in reeks of, “something is going wrong and I have to fix it by doing something rash and ill-advised to keep us together.” 

Remind me to do a post about Eddie also being someone who clings and stays because it’s convenient and he doesn’t want to be alone. 

It would be completely out of character if it is a sincere, legit thing. However, as a panic response? I buy it. But that also doesn’t bode well for their future. Darn. Hold on, I’ll get the champagne. That relationship is just waiting to be bones. And in an episode called, “You Don’t Know Me,” is where they’re putting their relationship under a microscope? Hildy, cue up the ominous music. 

I doubt the glorious day we are free of her will be this week. I think they are just starting whatever they have planned. Unfortunately. I would hope they kept her around and brought her back for a reason like what they did with Eddie/Ana. I want there to be something satisfying about the end and the fact that we have to suffer through this. It just needs to happen quickly because I am so over homophobic terfs who know what fucking show they’re on and what the story is and still persist in their assholish bigotry.  

Now? My thoughts on the leaks?

IF we are to believe they are legit, and who knows if they are. But if we are saying they are legit, then Buck comes out to Eddie at the very end and Eddie is surprised. So, Eddie likely wouldn’t be jealous or weird about Buck and Tommy dating if he didn’t even know they are dating. Plus, they just had a whole episode dedicated to jealous!Buck and it would be redundant to immediately take that into, now EDDIE is the JEALOUS ONE. I think they’d have to take the story further for Eddie to really consider how he feels about Buck and Tommy dating. 

Maybe it will come down to him being displeased by it (for some unknown reason he just can't put his finger on) and grappling with how he genuinely likes Tommy a lot and that’s a new thing for him and one of Buck’s love interests? But it wouldn’t happen this week. In theory, this week is about Buck feeling like he’s hiding because he just realized he’s bi and hasn’t told anyone yet. Hence, more of the “you don’t know me.” 

Obviously, I am rooting for Buddie. All the way. All the time. I like Buck/Tommy just fine but they’re not BuckandEddie. But I think it will take a while before we see anything that might really develop the Buck & Eddie storyline. They’re working on Buck’s bisexual awakening and his first time dating a man. WHERE OH WHERE ARE MY EDDIE STORYLINES.  I just want them to do some justice for my boy. Give him something interesting! And for the terf to gtf away from him. :D

And apologies, I rambled a lot at you. Love and hugs!

[adrienneleclerc]

Teach Me Tonight

Pairing: Xavier Thorpe x Hispanic!Reader

Summary: Y/N and Xavier are friends, Xavier asks Y/N to tutor him in Spanish

Warnings:

A/N: Inspired by a Gilmore Girls episode, I saw a TikTok that Xavier girls are Conrad girls (the summer I turned pretty), JJ girls (outer banks), Jess and Tristan girls (Gilmore girls), Nathan girls (One Tree Hill), and Damon girls (vampire diaries) and I am definitely a Jess girl because Xavier gives me Jess Mariano vibes

Masterlist

Y/N was with Wednesday and Enid talking about what movie they were going to see.

“I just don’t know why we can’t watch a horror movie.” Wednesday said.

“I will not be able to sleep of we watch a horror movie, do you want me to keep you up with my rambling? Because I ramble when I can’t sleep, I don’t think you want me rambling at 2 in the morning when you’re trying to sleep.” Enid said

“Can’t we watch that Knives Out movie? The one with Chris Evans, it’s an interesting movie, it has Ana de Armas whom I love, it’s a murder mystery, fun for you Wednesday, and it’s Chris Evans, Enid.” Y/N suggested.

“Sounds good” Enid and Wednesday agreed. They were about to talk snacks when Xavier sat right next to Y/N.

“Hey flaquito, we were planning a movie night, you wanna come?” Y/N asked.

“I wanted to talk to you, actually. I was wondering if you can tutor me in Spanish.” Xavier said. Y/N excused herself and walked away from the table with Xavier until they reach a place far away from Enid and Wednesday.

“Flaquito, why do you want to learn Spanish? You never had any interest in learning before. Do you like someone? Did you meet a mamita cubanita and now you wanna impress her?” Y/N asked.

“You are correct, I do want to impress a mamita, so like can you help me, please?” Xavier asked, more like begged.

“Yeah sure, I can help. You wanna study at the library?” Y/N asked.

“No, we can study at the Weathervane if we leave right now. Unless you’re busy.” Xavier said.

“Just give me a minute and then we can go, okay?” Y/N said. She walked back to her table. “Hey, so I gotta help Xavi learn Spanish so we can do the movie night tomorrow. I was thinking we can eat chips, popcorn, and mini cupcakes. Have a little batch of dark chocolate cupcakes for Wednesday.”

“Yeah sure, it’s no problem.” Enid said.

“I can practice my archery. Enid, you’re going to hold the target.” Wednesday said, getting off the table. Enid whimpers as she follows Wednesday to the archery range.

“Flaquito, let me change and then we can go to the Weathervane, okay?” Y/N said and kissed Xavier’s cheek before changing into a casual outfit, grabbed her backpack, her phone, and went back to the quad to meet Xavier. “Okay, let’s go.” They called for an Uber and they got dropped off to the Weathervane.

“Do you want to order something before we get started? I know I can’t concentrate if I’m hungry.” Xavier said.

“Sure, I’ll get a booth and you can order for us, I want a..” Y/N started but Xavier interrupted

“Caramel frappe with a double shot of espresso, extra caramel syrup, and a double chocolate chip brownie heated up.” Xavier said.

“Thanks, how did you know?” Y/N asked.

“I pay attention, I’ll be right back.” Xavier said. A few minutes after ordering, Xavier brought their orders to their booth. “Here’s your frappe and brownie, where do we start with the Spanish thing?”

“Umm…we can just practice Spanish words. Um…how do you say this?” Y/N says, holding up Xavier’s mug of coffee.

“Cup-ito.” Xavier said.

“It’s actually called a taza, if you want to add ‘ito’ it would be tacita But it’s fine, how do you say this?” Y/N asks, pointing to her plate.

“Plate-ito” Xavier said.

“Plato, it’s Plato, or platito, but please stop adding ‘ito’ to everything, it’s like you’re not even trying.” Y/N said.

“Okay, I’m sorry, lo siento.” Xavier said.

“So you got ‘I’m sorry’ right in Spanish, that’s good. How do you say this in Spanish?” Y/N asks holding up her phone.

“Aren’t there like a million ways to say it?” Xavier asked.

“Not a million ways but there are a few ways to say it.” Y/N stated.

“I think it’s teléfono, celular, móvil, and that’s it, right?” Xavier asked.

“Yeah, that’s all.” Y/N said, two more hours of practicing Spanish…

“Ugh, I’m bored, we should get ice cream.” Xavier said.

“Then ask Tyler for some ice cream.” Y/N said stating the obvious.

“Not this ice cream, I want ice cream shop ice cream” Xavier said.

“Flaquito, ice cream is ice cream. We’re in the Weathervane, just ask for ice cream.” Y/N said,

“But they don’t have any cones.” Xavier said.

“Cones?” Y/N asked,

“I need cones.” Xavier stated.

“Okay, so if we go get ice cream..”

“In cones,” Xavier said, elongating the O

“Then you’ll be a perfect student for the rest of the night?” Y/N asked.

“That’s right.” Xavier said.

“I cannot believe you less. Okay, we’ll walk to the ice cream shop and I’ll keep testing you, won’t that be fun?” Y/N asked.

“You have no idea how much.” Xavier said, they packed their things and started walking.

“Okay, how do you say ice cream?” Y/N asked.

“In Mexico its nieve, in general it’s helado, right?” Xavier asked.

“Así es, flaquito. You’re learning pretty fast.” Y/N said.

“Now I have a question for you, how do you ask someone out in Spanish?” Xavier asked. The question kinda hurt a little but whatever.

“Um, you’d say ‘quieres salir conmigo’ for the general ‘you wanna go out’, if you wanna specify that’s it’s date, it’s ‘quieres salir conmigo a una cita’ but i Don’t like how that sounds personally.” Y/N says.

“Okay, um, are there any pet names you can say on Spanish? Besides flaquito because i know that means skinny.” Xavier.

“Yeah sure, flaquito, there’s mi amor, mi vida, mi cielo, corazón, querida. You could use that on her. Preciosa, linda, bonita, mi niña bonita, mi niña linda, mi niña preciosa, but that’s what my dad calls me so replace niña with chica and you should be fine on that front too.” Y/N said.

“Okay, that sounds good, thanks.” Xavier said, they made it to the ice cream shop and Xavier order for them and paid.

“You didn’t have to pay, flaquito.” Y/N said,

“Of course I did, you’re paying for the Uber.” Xavier said, Y/N then called for an Uber and they got to Nevermore. “Thank you for tonight, I’m gonna ask the girl out tomorrow.

“Yeah, im glad I could help.” Y/N said, they both went to their dorms and when Y/N went to her dorm to see Enid and Wednesday doing face masks. Enid is wearing a green clay mask, Wednesday is wearing a charcoal mask obviously.

“I would love to ask questions about you and Xavier but we gotta rinse these off.” Enid said stiffly, Enid rinsed her mask first and then Wednesday. “So what happened?”

“Nothing much, Xavier is going to ask someone out so I taught him Spanish, we got coffee and ice cream and her ordered for me and paid.” Y/N said.

“At least he paid.” Wednesday said.

“True. Let’s just watch a movie.” Y/N said,

“Can we Watch 10 things I hate about you?” Enid asked.

“Yeah sure, put it on the TV.” Y/N says laying down on her bed.

“I Don’t want to watch a Romantic comedy.” Wednesday said.

“Then watch a horror movie on my computer, it’s right there.” Y/N said pointing at her laptop.

The next day, Y/N woke up to knocking and she opened the door.

“Flaquito, It’s early, what do you want?” Y/N asked.

“To ask you something.” Xavier said,

“Make it quick, flaquito, Wednesday would probably chop my head clean off with a guillotine if I wake her up.” Y/N said walking into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

“Mi vida, quieres salir conmigo? Podemos ir a una cena romántica, ir por otro helado, lo que quiere la princesa.” Xavier said. Y/N was shocked.

“Wait, wait, did you learn Spanish so you could ask me out?” Y/N asked.

“Technically yes, I also learned Spanish so it would be easier to talk to your parents when I meet them. But yes, I learned for you,” Xavier said.

“You’re so sweet. And yes, I would love to go out with you,” Y/N said,

“Okay, great, I was practicing on Ajax for half an hour.” Xavier said, hugging Y/N.

“You were that nervous?” Y/N asked.

“Yes, yes I was. Wanna go get breakfast with me? We’re already up.” Xavier said.

“I’ll change and we can go eat breakfast.” Y/N said, she went to her dorm, changed, and met with Xavier in the hallway.

“You wanna go to the diner? I don’t feel like having Nevermore breakfast.” Xavier said.

“Yeah, we can go to the diner. Would this be our first official date or..?” Y/N asked.

“Our first official date is going to be much better than a diner. But let’s go, im hungry.” Xavier said.

“Yeah, Let’s go.” Y/N said.

The End

Hope you liked it, give me some more ideas for fanfics, I’m running out

[phoenixexho]

9-1-1 Fic WIP

Lena laughed, “Maybe you’re just gay.”

“Ha ha. But I’m being serious here. I don’t know what my issue is. I mean she’s the perfect woman for me.” He dodge out of the way of one of her incoming punches.

“I never met her but she’s fucking gorgeous. Like insanely so. You lost big time.”

“Gee thanks, you really know how to make a guy feel better.” He landed a particularly hard kick to her side knocking her balance for a moment. “Yeah, she’s pretty.” He said, stepping back out of her space. “Her and Chris got along so well, I feel bad for taking her away from him.”

“You feel bad about your son not being able to see your ex? Not about the breakup?”

“Ugh I don’t know Lena.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I do feel bad about the breakup. I miss her, but I was having panic attacks. Like every time I thought about a future with her I just…”

He shook his head, squaring back up. Lena hesitantly matched his stance, she probably wanted to stop and have this conversation. But that was one thing he loved about Lena, she wasn’t the touchy feely type, if he didn’t want to talk about feelings with her, he didn’t have to.

“Maybe I’m just not over Shannon. Being with Ana didn’t ever feel as comfortable as being with her. I don’t expect all my relationships to feel the same, I’m pretty sure it’s normal for them not to but that would sort of make sense.”

Lena scoffed, “What do you mean you're ‘pretty sure that’s normal’?” her tone lightheartedly mocking.

“Ana was only my second girlfriend” He admitted, suddenly a bit embarrassed.

“Shit, dude. You married your first girlfriend ever?” She sounded shocked.

He shrugged, “I got her pregnant. Not like I had much of a choice.”

“So you didn’t want to marry her?”

“I- I probably wouldn’t’ve married her if she didn’t get pregnant, no. But I loved her. I loved her a lot. And I think she might have been the only one I ever could marry. I don’t know that I’ll ever find someone I feel that comfortable around again.”

“Marriage isn’t about comfort, it’s about love.”

“Yeah, but you can’t marry someone you have panic attacks over a future with either. There’s gotta be comfort too.”

“Usually comfort comes with love.”

“Yeah. Well I don’t think I loved her either if I’m honest with myself.”

Lena didn’t say anything.

Eddie sighed, “Look, I don’t understand it so don’t expect an explanation. But I just kept waiting for the feelings to come and they never did. I mean, she’s everything I’ve been looking for, she’s so good with Chris and yet I never felt a thing for her.”

“Why’d you ask her out then?”

“I just said? She’s everything I’ve been looking for and she was interested in me. Why wouldn’t I have?”

He couldn't quite read Lena’s expression, something akin to pity in her eyes, “Why’d you ask Shannon out?”

He cocked his head at her, “Uhh I didn’t. She asked me out. We were best friends. I loved her before we even went on our first date. Not really something I can re-create. I know love takes time, it did with Shannon, that time just passed before we dated.”

“Sure, yeah. Why didn’t you ask her out then?”

He shrugged, “Never thought about it. I didn’t really put my feelings into context until she asked I guess.”

“You don’t have to question your feelings like that when you actually have a crush on someone.”

“Lena, what are you trying to say? I loved her. I have never doubted that for a second. I loved being married to her.”

“The marriage you spent running away because you didn’t want it?”

“I was a kid, I wasn’t ready, and I lost her by the time I finally was ready.”

“And I am sorry for that. But…god please don’t kill me for saying this. Are you sure your love for her was romantic?”

“Lena, she was my wife.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It should be!”

“Look, Eddie, I’m trying to help. So just like, hear me out a second. For a long time I thought I liked men, I came out as bi before I realized I’m a lesbian. Society has these expectations of us. Especially for women, but knowing the bit I do about the way you grew up, you can probably relate more than a majority of men. We’re expected to fit inside this box, we grow up hearing what our relationships are supposed to look like and it gets hard to separate what you’re ‘supposed’ to want from what you actually want. But when I really sat down to think about it, I just liked the idea of being with a man, the way it made me seem ‘normal’ to an outsider. It wasn’t an easy realization but I am so much happier now that I’m not trying to be something I’m not.”

“Lena...”

“I’m not saying I know better than you do. I just want you to consider it.”

“I’m not- I thought you were joking?”

“I was, but then you started talking and it sounded familiar.”

“Well you’re wrong.”

“Okay.” She didn’t look like she believed him but dropped it anyway.

[thebiggerbear]

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." - Anael Prompt Response

Summary: Anael calls you to pick her up after she leaves Cas back at the Emporium. Having just come off of a rough hunt, you're really not that inclined to be at the angel's beck and call.

Pairing: Anael x Female!Reader; Anael x Female!Huntress Reader

A/N: Prompt from @creativepromptsforwriting (#941). For Anael's version of this prompt response, I had quite a few ideas that got written but just didn't seem to work out for one reason or another. Eventually, I settled on this and the more I wrote it, the more it felt right to me. So, I hope it's okay.

This is meant to take place right after 14x17.

Unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine.

Warnings: mentions of drug-like usage/using behavior; implied sex; mentions of child death

Word Count: 4186

Taglist: @avada-kedavra-bitch-187; @rieleatiel

Anael Taglist: @nancymcl; @brightlilith

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that."

Soldier Boy version ✨ Beau version ✨ Dean version ✨ Jenny version ✨ Jason version ✨ Tom version ✨ CJ version ✨ Rachel version ✨ Alec version ✨ SDV Leah version

Your phone started to buzz on the table and when you glanced at the screen, you let out a snort. You seriously contemplated letting the call go to voicemail but you figured that would be more trouble than it was worth in the end. You swiped up on the screen and held the phone to your ear. 

“Yeah,” You greeted.

“It’s me.”

You rolled your eyes. “I know. What do you want?”

You heard her scoff on the other end. Good, maybe she was finally getting the message. “Wow, bypassing the small talk and getting right to it, huh? Why, I’m doing well, Y/N, and thanks for asking. I’m so glad I called.”

You wiped your hands on a rag. “Cut the crap, Ana. You and I both know you wouldn’t have called if you didn’t need something. So, what do you need?”

She was silent for a moment and you could just imagine the scowl on her face. “I need a ride,” she sniffed.

“A ride?” You nearly laughed. “Last I checked, you’re an angel. Can’t you, you know, fly wherever you need to?” You knew you were being a bit of an ass but you didn’t care; it was better this way.

“You know I can’t fly.” You could practically hear her eyes roll through the phone. “And even if I could, with everything that’s going on right now, it’s better to keep a low profile.”

“Michael’s gone, Ana. Well, that Michael anyway. You don’t need to worry anymore,” you assured her, a bit of compassion leaking from your tone. You couldn’t help it; you’d seen how unsettled she’d been after Michael, who was wearing Dean Winchester at the time, paid her a visit. She’d almost looked scared and as she told you all too often, angels didn’t get scared. It had taken some coaxing (not as much as you expected though) but you managed to finally get her to do the right thing and call Sam Winchester to give him a heads up about his brother’s location as well as Michael’s plan. That was the thing about the angel you were currently on the line with. She talked a big game and pretended she didn’t care, she appeared to only be interested in money, couture, and having the table tilted towards her. However, you knew differently.

For instance, when she counted money, yes she was committing the amount to mind, but she also did it as a nervous tic (which was weird for an angel to have). While as a super-strong celestial being she could brazenly count her money anywhere in front of anyone and never worry, she never did it in front of the people she was helping. “Bad for business.” That’s what she’d told you when you first asked but you noticed that she counted the same bills that she had counted an hour beforehand and the amount hadn’t changed. There was something comforting to her about having the cash in hand, whether because she had been smart and made it on her own, or it gave her a sense of freedom from the existence she had known previously as well as instilling a feeling of value within her. Before she’d been a button pusher and punished for asking questions; now she was a self-made businesswoman and her own boss, answering to no one.

She also appeared to be vain and completely full of herself, thanks to her vessel’s beautiful looks and how she presented herself through the actual Jo. Though through your association together, when she believed you and the others weren’t looking, you caught her healing a hurt child or a sick old woman without asking for any form of payment. You’d gotten to know her and you believed there was a good side to her, when she wasn’t being self-serving that is. But then again what did you know about celestial beings? 

Which is what had you straightening up and clearing your throat quietly, removing all softness from your voice. “So you can get someone else to pick you up, hell take an Uber for all I care, but I’m in the middle of something and I can’t just drop everything to come get you whenever the hell you decide to call.”

Silence.

You tossed the rag you had been using onto the workbench. You had been changing the oil on your car, having just arrived back from a particularly brutal case the night before. Maintaining the classic car you drove, keeping to routine, that was your own source of comfort. You waited for her to respond to you, most likely some snippy yet witty reply. Most other hunters might not be willing to risk pissing off an angel, but Ana was no ordinary angel and you weren’t any other hunter. You two might not have the bond Dean Winchester had with Castiel, but you and Ana seemed to share an understanding. Well, most of the time.

“How bad?”

“What?”

“How bad?” She repeated. “The case. How bad was it?”

You hung your head, pressing your lips into a thin line. She definitely knew you more than you gave her credit for. “Pretty bad,” you mumbled.

“Your crew?”

You let out a breath. “Still all accounted for. Though they’ll be taking a well-earned short vacation for the time being.” The truth was you all needed a breather after that.

“Y/N.”

“Yeah?”

“Come pick me up,” she urged, not sounding so demanding this time. “I’m not that far from you.”

This wasn’t a good idea. “Ana, I don’t—”

“Come see me,” she coaxed softly. “You need me, I can tell.”

Your reflex was to automatically protest her words. “I don’t need—” But then you thought about how you hadn’t slept a wink since what happened and how you’d had to consistently bury yourself into something to occupy your mind, trying not to think of the sound of the kids’ screams or how they’d looked after. You also thought about how you were running on fumes, hanging by a thread, and you were struggling really hard to put this one behind you.

“You do,” she insisted, almost as if she heard your thoughts. 

You thought it over for a moment. You really could go for a drive, to try to clear your head if for nothing else. But at the same time, you wanted your space and company was the last thing you wanted, especially hers. She had a way of seeing right through you; you supposed it was her being an angel and all. But right now all you wanted to do was curl into yourself and retreat from the world until things in your head made sense again (because the world never would). 

“Y/N,” she tried again, her tone still gentle yet also letting you know she wasn’t going to let this go. The more you resisted, the more she was going to push. Even if she did indeed have to get a ride from someone else. You could almost guarantee, somehow, someway, she’d be on your doorstep before the night’s end. 

Fuck it. You sighed and moved over to the sink to wash your hands. “What’s the address?” 

You watched as Ana approached the old pick-up you’d chosen to drive instead of your car, opting to stay lowkey, and she got in. Her brown eyes were intent on you from the moment she settled into her seat. You knew she could see just how broken you were after last night, how you were barely hanging on, and you hated it.

“Find us a place,” she commanded.

You shot her a look. “Ana…”

“Find one.” Her tone brooked no argument.

You flashed a glare over at her but shifted the truck into gear regardless and did as she said. You knew she wouldn’t let up until you did.

You coasted to a stop and put the truck into park before turning it off. You had found an inconspicuous spot at what looked to be a park for bike riders, power walkers, and wanderers alike. There appeared to be a pond in the middle and ducks were floating along the glassy surface that was studded with flowers and lilypads. The wind rustled through the trees and the sun was just starting to sink down behind the mountains, painting the sky in hues of pink, purple, yellow, and orange — a marriage of shades of color that Man had not been able to replicate entirely, leaving Nature as the sole artist to achieve that palette. It was beautiful and all you could think about was how the family you’d tried to save would never get to see a sky like this ever again (or any sky for that matter). It poured salt into the wound when you spied two young children running around, laughing, as their mother playfully chased after them, smiling wide. You hoped they would stay as happy as they were in this moment and that they would never know the horrors that you knew all too well, that they would never know what existed in the shadows of this world around them, just waiting to gobble them up and snuff them out.

“You’re not injured,” Ana determined, her penetrative gaze still roaming over you. “Not physically at least.”

Your eyes flickered to hers and you gave her a look, but you didn’t say anything before you turned back to the sunset.    

You felt her hand begin to cover yours and you moved it quickly away, shifting uncomfortably in your seat. “Ana…”

“Y/N.” She sounded completely unfazed by your pulling away, so much so that you turned to look at her. She was focused on you, her eyes never moving from yours, as she reached out to you. “Let me help,” she urged.

“Ana, I don’t think—”

She huffed out an impatient breath. “That’s your problem. Stop thinking.” She slid closer to you in the bucket seat and her hands framed your face. “Let me help you,” she murmured before leaning in and placing her lips over yours.

As expected, a warm tingly feeling shot through you from where her lips and hands connected to your skin. It was almost like that warm feeling you get in your gut after taking your first shot of liquor that feels like fanning an ember back into a slow-building flame. Though this particular warmth was now throughout every single inch of your body, touching every single cell of your existence. And it grew and grew until a huge wave of warm and light washed over you. Once it did, your head slowly fell back against the headrest and a bright blue-white haze covered your vision. You could see Ana smiling down at you, from her perch on your lap that she had somehow moved into during the kiss. She looked even more beautiful in this light though you still couldn’t see past the face of Jo to Ana’s true form. That disappointed you a little though you expected it. She had told you some time ago that you would never be able to see it, that it was dangerous to humans if they tried and could even prove fatal. It still didn’t mean you didn’t want to see a glimpse of it though someday. You had no idea why you wanted to see it; you just did.

Ana moved some loose strands of hair out of your face. “There. Feel better?”

“Mmm.” You slowly closed your eyes, enjoying the feelings coursing through you. “Much.” It was true. You felt like you could jump out of the truck and go run a 5K or climb the highest mountain without having to take one single break. You even felt like you could swim the English Channel. It was amazing what a little angelic grace could do to the human body.

“Good.” She laid her hands against your cheeks and forced your gaze up to meet hers. You noticed that she was inches from your lips again. “Now, take me somewhere nice.”

The nicest place ended up being a motel on the edge of town (the best room they had of course, one that the clerk assured Ana was cleaned regularly while he looked clearly annoyed that she had the nerve to ask) where you holed up for the next day or so. It was a blur of moans, tender caresses, and grace injections as you’d come to refer to them. Each time you were about to crash, Ana would take your angel blade and cut a tiny slice on the skin of her neck that immediately glowed bluish-white. You loved it when she did that because you would latch your lips to that spot and consume the little bit of grace you could get before the wound closed, and she would arch her back before prettily moaning into your ear, gently holding the back of your head to that spot.

You weren’t a grace junkie as Ana liked to call you sometimes but you couldn’t deny that when she offered up trace amounts of grace like this, especially when you needed a boost, you absolutely took it. In your line of work, with what you’d see on the daily, how could you not take it when offered? The thin thread you’d been hanging on now felt as if it wouldn’t snap so easily, like it had been fortified in steel or something. But at the same time, you hated yourself for allowing the energy into your system, allowing her to be the one to feed it to you, though you would never take it from any other angel.

One of the rare moments in between injections, Ana was laying next to you, holding herself up by her elbow, her head in her hand as she studied you. You were on your back, staring up at the ceiling.

“Feel like talking about it now?”

You briefly glanced over at her, huffing a laugh, as you folded an arm behind your head. “Is that what this was all about? Getting me to talk about it?”

“You were in pain,” she defended.

Your eyes met hers and you could see the tender concern behind them. It always caught you off guard, the genuine care she seemed to have for you. That certainly hadn’t been the case when you two first met. It seemed like a lifetime ago when you’d held an angel blade to her throat, demanding to know where a certain rogue angel was located. And now, here you were…in this very weird space otherwise known as your working relationship.

You supposed she was right; you had been in pain, in a way. You turned your head to stare back up at the ceiling, not wanting to look at Ana for this part. “It was a Rugaru. It got to a family before we could stop it.” You briefly squeezed your eyes shut, not wanting those images to come back. “It was feeding on the two small kids when we got there. The parents were already gone. The screams, Ana…” You shook your head. “We killed it right there. But, um, it was too late for the kids.” You wiped a stray tear that had made its way down your cheek. “They hadn’t even made it to double digits yet.” You clenched your jaw. “We should have figured it out and gotten there sooner.”

Ana tenderly brushed hair away from your face. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yeah, it is,” you whispered. “Any other hunter would have picked up on what they were dealing with and saved that family.”

“Okay, first off, that’s not true. Second, you were not the only hunter there. And third, who’s to say if other hunters had been in your place that they would have been able to save the family?”

“They would’ve. Had it been the Winchesters, they definitely would’ve.”

Ana gripped your chin and turned you to look at her. “Don’t do this to yourself. The monster killed that family, not you. And you put an end to it so it will never hurt anyone again. You hunters do more for this flawed world in a week than most people do in their lifetimes. You do more than angels or Heaven or God himself even. You put your life on the line every single day to help people you’ve never met before, to keep them safe. You stand in between them and the monsters. You don’t get paid, you hardly get any thanks, you see some of the worst things that most humans will never see, and yet, you still continue to do it.”

“Isn’t that the job? Saving people, hunting things?” You teased.

She frowned down at you. “Don’t do that. Don’t make light of what I’m saying because you feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m not,” you insisted. “I just…” You threw up a hand, shaking your head.

Her expression softened and she stroked your cheek. “You’re a good person, Y/N, and a good hunter. Don’t ever doubt yourself. You can’t save everyone though you try. By killing that monster, you saved many families. Don’t forget that.”

You pressed your lips together and dropped your gaze. You knew she meant well and she was right, you couldn’t save everyone, but it still was going to take you some time to get past this one. You weren’t the only one feeling that way, either. You weren’t entirely sure if all of the hunters in your group would be coming back, two individuals in particular. They’d been the ones to tend to the kids and hold them as they died while you and the others took down the Rugaru. You couldn’t blame them if they decided to hang it up after this.

Ana gripped your chin a little tighter, making your eyes dart up to her face, and you watched as she studied you, appearing to be contemplating something. Before you could ask what she was thinking, she slowly leaned down and pressed her lips to yours. This time, though, you didn’t feel any grace coursing through your skin. 

She pulled away after a few moments and you stared up at her in confusion. Giving you a tender smile, she trailed her finger along your jawline. “I like you, Y/N. You’re one of the better humans I’ve met since I’ve been down here.”

“You like me?” You asked in disbelief.

“Does that surprise you?”

“Um, yeah? I thought you couldn’t stand me most of the time.”

“Not most of the time, just sometimes. I certainly can stomach you more than any other human.”

“Wow. I feel special.” 

“You should.” She ran her finger down the bridge of your nose to the tip. “Do you think I go around giving my grace to just anyone?”

“Well, there was Lucifer.”

“That was different,” she snapped.

“You heal a lot of people, which I’m all for by the way.”

She leaned back in. “But they don’t get it directly from the source and they don’t get the perks I give you,” she finished right above your lips before kissing you again. This time, you could feel grace being infused into your skin and running rampant through your system. When she broke away from you, you opened your eyes to find that familiar bluish-white haze covering your vision. It was like seeing in 20/20 vision, only a hundred thousand times better.

Ana ran a finger along your lips and as always, you could feel the touch that much more, sending tingles through your body. Glancing up at her, you started thinking about other touches and how they would feel magnified like this. Then you remembered what some people usually did to feel alive again after seeing death and how fleeting life could be.

Within seconds, you were sitting up and you grabbed her and moved her to your lap, very aware that she had let you do it. You saw her smirking down at you as she framed your face with your hands.

“You know, you say you like me but I’m wondering just how much.”

“Oh really?”

“I think we should find out.” You yanked her closer against you and she shook her head, smirking even wider. You tugged the back of her hair, forcing her to arch her neck and she let out a tiny gasp. You knew it was more for theatrical effect than anything else. 

“Don’t forget, this is Mulberry silk,” she warned you. “You get blood on it, I’ll kill you, no matter if I like you.”

You used your free hand to place a finger to her lips. “You’re talking way too much. All I want to hear out of this mouth right now are the pretty sounds you make or you begging me for more.” Normally, unless you were in the bedroom you didn’t talk like this, but you could feel the grace fueling everything deep within you, even your ego.

“I won’t be begging.”

“You will,” you whispered into her ear before nibbling on the lobe. “I’ll make sure of it.” 

You grabbed the angel blade and created a tiny slice in her skin, seeing the grace peeking out at you from within. Ana placed her hands on your shoulders but she didn’t resist as you swiped your tongue over the wound. “I hate you,” she finished in a moan.

You huffed out a laugh when you felt her pull you closer, her fingers winding into your hair to hold you to her. “You have a weird way of showing that.” You dropped the angel blade on the floor and moved in for the kill. 

You had been right; not only did you get Ana to beg, you felt everything a hundred million times more than you normally would. And she had been right; not only did she like you, the shattered glass littering the room and the car horns blaring outside when you were finished proved just how much. 

You licked your lips nervously as you parked the pickup, your body having returned to its normal state less than an hour ago. “Listen,” you started. “That was a one time thing.”

Ana turned a smirk onto you, knowing full well how this little back and forth went between you afterwards. “No. It wasn’t.”

“Yeah, it was.”

She turned in her seat to fully face you, laying a hand on your shoulder. “It wasn’t the last few times it happened and it won’t be the next few times. Not to mention we have another motel we nearly destroyed.” She squeezed your shoulder. “I know you don’t want to admit it to yourself, but you like me, too.”

Your jaw tightened and you glared at her, but kept quiet. 

She leaned in and you didn’t stop her when she kissed you, no grace involved this time. “Now, you go enjoy your well-deserved break from hunting. Me? I’ve got some business to take care of.” She inclined her head towards the church you were dropping her off at, the sign welcoming Sister Jo, the faith healer. “I’ll call you when I’m finished.”

You watched as she got out of the truck and turned back to you, resting her hand on the open window ledge. Her smirk was cocky, knowing, but her eyes appeared a little softer when she trained them on you. “Until then, Y/N.” She shot you a wink and then walked away.

You watched as she made her way into the church. You thought over what she said. Yeah, you liked her, but you weren’t about to admit that to her. It didn’t matter if she admitted it to you first. She was still an angel, a fallen angel who lied when it suited her and money was the name of the game for her. At least on the outside. But the Ana you’d gotten to know over the last year, ever since you’d crossed her path in your quest for revenge against one of her fallen brothers who had murdered your hunting partner…she was different and she was who you liked. You just wished…well, that things could be different. That she wasn’t an angel and that you could have met some other way. But no matter what you wished, this was your reality and there was no changing it. Ana was an angel and you were having whatever this was with one. If your old hunting partner could see you now…

You shook that thought out of your head and started the pickup, driving away from the church, headed back to your place. You told yourself for the millionth time that the next time Ana called you, you wouldn’t pick up. But a part of you knew that you would, and this scenario would play out again, as it had many times before. You knew she was right and you hated her for that. The disappointment you felt at yourself knew no bounds. 

You switched on the radio, picking a familiar song and choosing to get lost in the music instead of your thoughts. Until then.

Please let me know if you would like to be tagged for this character.

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[daydream-cement]

Hello Kaley!

I was thinking about a prompt for Larissa x Fern.

Happening a week after Fern resuscitation, how did the staff react? Did she not tell her fam? What did Larissa and Fern do? Besides sexy stuff 😂 you can write the smut for that bit but not 100% necessary in my part. I’m entrigued by the students and staff finding out that she was alive ‘cause they all seemed to love her. 💗

If you are planning on something for the fic along this lines do ignore me 🌝

Thanks!

-Ana

You’re Alive?

Larissa Weems x OC (Fern Rogers)

Authors Note: “besides sexy stuff” you are hilarious

Larissa was adamant that you visit the doctor before she let you begin working again as botany professor. You passed all the physical exams and Larissa seemed a little disappointed a doctor didn’t say that you should stay in bed for her to dote after you. You were ready the following Monday. Part of you wished you had taken a picture to always remember the look on your students’ faces that morning when they strolled into class.k

The mixture of confusion and awe was high when you walked from the greenhouse into the main classroom. It was surprising to hear the voice that spoke up first. Wednesday Addams spoke up with a real smile on her face, you had never seen her smile before, “You’re alive?”

You only smile, giving the students an opportunity to adapt to your presence and ask questions. Wednesday persisted, seeming all too interested in your death and life experience, “You cheated death?”

“It seems like I did.” You offer, ready to field the next question.

“But we buried you. Are you a zombie?” Ajax looked a little nervous, looking around at his classmates to see if everyone else was seeing the same thing.

“I am not a zombie.” You didn’t feel quite comfortable telling the students about your extensive relationship with the surrounding forest.

“What brought you back? WAS IT THE POWER OF LOVE? Because you love Principal Weems?” Enid stood from her chair and leaned over the top of her desk, waiting adamantly for your reply.

“Yes. It was the power of love.” You response was a little sarcastic, but these students didn’t need to know the extent in which the forest watched everything. You saw some of the class go doe-eyed at how cute your response was while the other class looked like they could be sick, “You should have seen Principal Weems though. She had a sword fight with Crackstone and won.”

The advanced botany students went wide eyed. Most of them had been face to face with the pilgrim and they were shocked to hear your statement.

“I don’t believe that.” You hear Bianca’s skepticism.

“Well let me tell you what really happened to cause my death and then you’ll see how I was saved by the power of love.” You went over the story in basic details but really embellished the achievements of Larissa and Rowan. They were the real hero’s of the story. You just benefited from their heroism by coming back to life. The story seemed to satisfy them and even become enamored with Principal Weems.

Wednesday stopped you after class, her words in her typical monotone cadence, “You are my hero. Cheating death is the ultimate victory.”

You were going to brag to Larissa about that one to tonight.

Later that day, you felt the eyes of fellow staff members staring at you. Rowan put on her best ‘scary dog’ face and glared at them if they looked at you too long.

They knew more than the students did about the whole incident as it was a threat to the entire school. Rowan, being the blabbermouth that she was, had shared many of the other details of Larissa bringing you back to life. It seemed like the power of love was the most compelling reason to why you came back to life. Yet none of the other teachers actually stopped you to talk to you about the situation.

You really didn’t care. After everything that happened, you were happy to have Larissa, Rowan, and a engaged classroom of students.

That night you made sure to brag to Larissa about being Wednesday’s hero to which she replied, “She doesn’t need another bad influence.”

“You wound me.” You turn and lay your body across Larissa’s lap. You both had been enjoying time on the sofa together when you remembered the conversation from class this morning, “The students believe I was saved by the healing powers of love.”

“Hm, the healing powers of love…” Larissa chucked and placed a hand on your cheek. She was on her phone, playing a game to unwind.

Your students weren’t exactly wrong. You had been healed by love. Larissa’s love to plant the tree. Larissa’s love to try to save you. Rowan and Larissa’s love for you and Nevermore. Ultimately you had told the students the truth in a way, and now students believed you and Larissa were two of the coolest people at Nevermore.

[carewyncromwell]

“I’ve always been a smart girl... Always made the grade -- always got the gold star -- I’ve always been a smart girl, But ‘smart girl’ only gets a girl so far... You win at every single game... You want a quest -- they tell you, ‘tough!’ If you don't go, you'll never know If you’ll ever be good enough...”

~“My Grand Plan” from The Lightning Thief (musical)

x~x~x~x

Hey all! I thought I’d go ahead and draw up a proper concept for my HPMA girl Anastasia “Ana” Read, since quite frankly I never envisioned her as skinny, short, or talkative as MC in the game is. The lack of body diversity in the MC’s models in particular, or even among MC’s friends, is actually one of my biggest hang-ups with all of the recent Hogwarts games...as much as I understand up to a point thinking it’d be difficult to program a lot of different outfits or animations for different size models, it’s still a little sad to me how the player character is always programmed to be skinny, and in Magic Awakened in particular, that favoring of skinny character designs is only accented all the more thanks to the quasi-Tim-Burton-esque animation style, which favors toothpick-thin necks and limbs. It’s one of the few aspects of poor representation in Rowling’s original books that I would argue these recent games haven’t tried as hard to address -- we’ve seen attempts at more LGBT+ representation, as well as more positive representation for different cultural backgrounds and disabilities (especially in Hogwarts Mystery), but not as much in regards to rounder body types. And I guess for me, being raised by a woman who struggled with her weight her entire life, that’s a little sad. Regardless, it was nice to draw Ana again after such a long time, particularly using the original game’s model as a kick-off point!

If you’d like to learn more about my “Strong But Silent,” daydreamer, Sailor-Moon-loving girl Ana, here’s a masterpost of links to get you started!! Enclosed under the cut is the original unedited sketch, embellished with some extra messy chibi doodles of Ana I did on the same page, in case you’re interested!

Ana’s Moodboard

Ana’s Intro Post and Model Sheet

Ana’s Playlist

Meet Ana’s awesome step-dad, Bradley!

See Ana’s dynamic with her stepdad and stepbrothers!

Bradley’s Moodboard

Preston’s Moodboard

Jasper’s Moodboard

Why Bradley is the best dad ever

The first doodle is kind of based on that first pair of duels with the Frey twins and Cassandra Vole in the game. As I discussed with my friend @dat-silvers-girl​, I see Ana being suuuuper quiet the entire time, to the point that everyone thinks she’s really shy or nervous, until she -- seemingly out of nowhere -- uses Wingardium Leviosa to levitate poor Colby a good five feet off the ground and then abruptly drop him, effectively putting an end to the duel before it even got started. (As it turned out, Ana was really inspired by Flitwick’s story about Ron Weasley using the spell on that mountain troll to protect his friends and worked super hard to master the spell herself, with the thought that maybe she could do something that cool someday. It ends up becoming one of Ana’s favorite spells to duel with, though she usually uses it to levitate herself over her opponents to give herself the literal “high ground.”) Ana accepted Cassandra’s invitation to the Dueling Club, as well as challenges Cassandra on the dueling field several more times over the years, out of her strong sense of honor, which is funnily enough rather akin a knight’s -- Ana will never back down from a challenge, and if her loved ones or her view of common decency have been insulted, she will absolutely ask to “take it outside” and fight the dispute out on the dueling field, rather than insult the person back, ignore them, or actively lose her temper and attack them straight out. 

The second doodle is Ana in class, a good chunk of the time. Ana isn’t actually that shy, nor is she stuck-up, but she’s much better at writing eloquent essays than coming up with witty phrases or sassy one-liners on a whim. And because of how incredibly sensitive she secretly is (and the bullying she experienced for both her magic and her weight), she’s actually kind of hard to get to know, preferring the company of her fiction books to lots of people. She’s honestly a true “Belle” type, if one thinks of Beauty and the Beast, despite being in the house of Lions.

The last doodle is of Ana with Daniel Page, because, amazingly, these two are on the exact same wave length when it comes to the Statute of Secrecy, though for very different reasons! Ana’s stepfather, Bradley Pinkstone, is a pro-Muggle and Squib rights activist who passionately believes that the Wizarding World should find a way to work alongside the Muggle World, to the extent that the Statute of Secrecy isn’t necessary -- he and his sons even work in a theater alongside Muggles everyday, embracing Muggle technology just as much as they do magic! With Ana being Muggle-born herself, she’s likewise very supportive of the thought that if the two worlds knew more about each other, other little magical kids wouldn’t have to grow up feeling like freaks and outcasts the way she did. That doesn’t mean that Ana would ultimately agree with NOTME’s tactics, though -- she thinks there’s a very big difference between protesting against an unjust law and causing abject terror and chaos. (I personally see Daniel as more of a Ravenclaw/Slytherin type than a Gryffindor type myself, but that’s just my headcanon.)

[lolablackwrites]

MC Mixer #2--Alice x Bastien

Here is my submission for week 2 of @choicesmcmadness​ ‘s MC Mixer!

Hello, Trend readers! Check out this online exclusive sneak peek from our upcoming exclusive interview with the Duke and Duchess of Valtoria, Alice Ayers and Bastien Lykel.

—Ana de Luca

***

Ana: As the newest duke and duchess of Cordonia, the two of you must have to attend a lot of parties.

Alice: I find them easier to stomach if I think of them as networking events.

Bastien: Which they are—from the outside it might look like just a party, but policies and international relations can be made or broken at these events. Alice in particular has been very adept at navigating these and strengthening Cordonia’s position on the world stage.

Ana: My other sources have said the same thing.

Alice: (laughing) You both give me too much credit. It has to do with my years of bartending and learning how to talk to just about anyone.

Ana: A skill I’m sure comes in handy, especially at events with an open bar…

Alice: I can neither confirm nor deny this…although I did once impress another member at court with my knowledge of top shelf whiskey.

Ana: I’d be remiss if I interviewed you for Trend and didn’t ask you about fashion—what are you wearing to these events?

Alice: If it were up to me, I’d exclusively wear jeans and my leather jacket. (Laughs). But in the best interest of Valtoria and Bertrand’s blood pressure, I’m very fortunate to have those with better fashion sense than me at my side—especially Hana.

Ana: Just to clarify, you mean Lady Hana Lee?

Alice: Of course. She’s an incredibly talented seamstress and the only reason I look even mildly presentable most of the time is because of her.

Ana: Lady Hana is quite talented—the photos of your wedding dress were stunning. Now, Bastien, I understand you had a hand in that?

Bastien: Only in that I recruited Hana to make Alice’s dress, I can’t take any credit for the final product.

Ana: And what about the fashion you wear to these events?

Bastien: I honestly wasn’t aware anyone was looking at me, seeing as I’m always standing next to her.

Alice swats his arm and smiles before taking his hand.

Alice: You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re particular about your suits and you always have them tailored so they fit you perfectly. Your style is timeless.

Ana: I have to agree—I’ve had a lot of men asking me about your suits.

Bastien: It’s like Alice said, it’s all about the tailoring.

Ana: Let’s talk a bit more about party prep—what do you do to get ready before any big event?

Bastien: Nothing too extensive, just a shower and shave. I can get away with a lot less than Alice.

Ana: It’s true, men get off easy. Alice, what about you?

Alice: It depends on the event, really. Sometimes I hire someone to do my hair and makeup so I’m sure things turn out right, other times I do it myself. Mostly my party prep includes psyching myself up to be “on” for the event. Despite how I might come across, I’m a homebody at heart.

Ana: As we know, you two are currently expecting your first child, so arranging for child care isn’t an issue quite yet.

Alice: (Laughs as she places a hand on her stomach). Not yet, for now this little one just goes with us. But that is something we’re going to have to consider sooner rather than later.

Bastien: Because of our obligations at court, we’re already starting that process now and reviewing applicants for a nanny.

Ana: I can only imagine what that process looks like, especially as King Liam as named your child as the royal heir.

Alice: Olivia is personally vetting each applicant.

Ana: Given the queen’s reputation as a Nevrakis, I can only imagine what that entails.

Alice: She’s…thorough. And a force to be reckoned with, which is why we love her, both as a friend and as the queen of Cordonia.

Ana: It’s true, our beloved queen is a powerhouse. Let’s circle back to your party prep—how do you usually get to your events?

Bastien: Given that we attend many events while being hosted here or at the homes of the other members of court, our travel usually includes walking downstairs. But when given the opportunity, I’ll drive us.

Alice: Bas restores vintage cars and I get to be the lucky one who is chauffeured around. Who wouldn’t love that?

***

The full interview with the Duke and Duchess of Valtoria will run in our next print issue.

[satashiiwrites]

Fuck it friday

tagged by the wonderful @monsterrae1. Tagging anyone who’d like to play along.

Title: Sleepless in LA, Chapter 11 (why will this fic not stop growing chapters???)

Fandom: 911

Pairing: endgame buddie. Have some side Lena/Lucy

Tags/warnings: first draft. Eddie needs to grow a pair. Lena is a good bro.

“Did you get her something for Christmas?” Lena asks, already knowing he’d been staring at all the displays in the mall, trying to get inspiration before their talk.

“No.”

“I’ll bet she got you something. So what are you going to do with that when she hands you a box with a perfectly tied bow on it? ‘Sorry Ana, I’m an asshole, and I think maybe we should see other people?’”

Eddie realizes that he is digging himself into a deeper hole but can’t seem to stop. “I could get her something small?”

Lena does actually kick him under the table for that one, and he yelps as her boot connects with his shin. Her boots are steel-toed. 

“Okay! Um… maybe I could text her?”

Lena looks like she’s about to throw her coffee mug at him. “Grow a pair, Edmundo.”

“I’ll ask her to meet me for coffee sometime this next week.”

“You better,” Lena grumbles. 

He does so and gets an immediate reply. Under Lena’s unnerving stare, he gets Ana to agree to a meet-up at their usual coffee spot tomorrow. “I still think it’s the wrong time of year.”

“You should not put this off,” she argues. “That’s crueler than letting it fester.”

“I guess…”  

“It is,” she insists. “Plus, then we can get looking for your Bucky.”

“He’s Christophers’, not mine.”

Lena glares. “If Christopher has his way, he’ll be yours too.”

“I’m just getting out of a relationship!” 

“That you are not invested in. It’s not like you’re heartbroken over Ana. Do you think she’d be open to trying women?”

“No.” He’s almost definitely sure that Ana will not be interested in rebounding with Lena. 

“Well, she obviously has a thing for firefighters,” Lena argues. “I’m just saying, is she flexible? I’ll take curious, even. I’m not looking for the brass ring—I’ll take a right now or friend’s with benefits.”

“Oh god,” Eddie is burying his face in his hands. He cannot deal with the idea of Lena hitting on his not-quite-ex-girlfriend. 

“Never mind,” Lena suddenly stops talking, and Eddie drops his hands to see what has changed. 

Lucy Donato—one of the floaters working with them--is at the coffee machine. Lena has the biggest crush on her. An embarrassing goes beet red every time she sees her kind of crush. 

Eddie’s pretty sure that Lena will never get up the nerve to ask her out. 

“Hey,” Lucy says as she joins them, sitting beside Eddie.  

Eddie sees an opening and takes his chance for revenge. “Lucy, have you ever dated other women?” He quickly spreads his legs so Lena’s kick hits the chair leg instead of his poor, abused flesh. 

“I’m an equal opportunity pansexual, so yeah, I have. Why?” Lucy asks, cupping her mug of coffee. She’s deliberately looking at him instead of Lena, but her cheeks are pink, and her fingers twitch toward Lena’s side of the table. 

“Well, my friend Lena here would love to take you out for dinner sometime.”

Lena is speechless, and Eddie knows she’s about two seconds from yanking him over the table and putting him in a headlock for being a brat. He’s saved, however, by Lucy.  

“Sure. You look like you could be a lot of fun,” she’s eyeing Lena up and down, biting her lower lip and smiling while a blush spreads down her neck. “Name the place and time, and I’ll be there.”

“You will?” Lena is cautious, like she can’t believe her luck. 

“Yeah, gorgeous,” Lucy winks at Lena and then sips her coffee. “What were you guys talking about before I got here?”

Lena’s smile is vicious. “Well, Edmundo here keeps dragging out breaking up with his perfect Latina girlfriend, who his mom loves.”

[marvelmyriad]

Bucky stood up straight and let go roughly of Wade’s face.  He knew that look in his daughter’s eyes; Ana had an idea.  He had faith in her methods, he’d never really seen them fail before, after all.  She had the training necessary to be both the ‘good cop’ and the ‘bad cop’, so to speak.  Taking a small step back so that he was standing imposingly behind the merc, he folded his arms over his chest and kept his expression disdainful for the other man.  Should Wade risk a look back, he wouldn’t be met with a friendly face.

If the man they’d captured had any self-preservation instincts, he’d take whatever kindness was offered and give them the information they wanted from him.

Having watched Ana put the food down, he could feel a familiar pang of hunger in his stomach.  He’d been tied up and passed out for hours, and before then, he’d missed lunch.  That bread and butter actually looked pretty good at that point.  Wade had made the mistake of getting his hopes up, which meant that when Ana wound up taking a bite out of that bread, he looked nearly devastated.  His lips were parted and his brows furrowed, his gaze followed the snack as she set it down.  His shoulders slumped.  “Why are Russians always so mean?” he asked rhetorically to nobody, knowing he wouldn’t get an answer even if it was a genuine question.

With the string of questions, Wade allowed himself to appear sufficiently annoyed with everything, no matter how illogical it was for him to feel that Rather than fearing for his life as Ana oh-so-casually toyed with that knife in front of him.

“Y’know, Soviet-Sally, if you’d just asked me nicely I would have given you my business card.  I’m a mercenary, I’m tryin’ t’ make money, not maintain a secret identity, for fuck’s sake…”  He chanced a look back at Bucky briefly, though one look at his eyes told Wade that he was dancing with death itself.  When he looked to Ana once more, there was actually a small sense of relief at seeing a dangerous woman with a knife…it was better than Bucky.

“Name’s Wade Wilson,” he started, “I work for me.  As for my cunning linguistics, I’d rather discuss that over dinner-”

From behind, that now-familiar metal hand wrapped around Wade’s throat with a hold that promised severe consequences if he didn’t shape up.  He could hear Bucky lean down and speak through clenched teeth, ordering Wade to give a real answer.

“Fine-fine!” Wade choked out.  When he could breathe again, he gasped slightly.  “Fucking hell, you’re a real prick, ya know that?  Think ya might pull a muscle if ya smiled…”  The last part was muttered before he spoke as clearly as he could.  “I speak a lot of languages, did a lot of backpacking around Europe, seein’ the world, meeting new and interesting people, killing them…”  He sighed almost fondly.  When he could see that his talents in comedy were wasted here, he rolled his eyes.  “Spec Ops, okay?  Good enough for ya?”

𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐍𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘, 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄 '𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐋' 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐌𝐁 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑. Once the door opened, she could hear the loud singing from down below, and quickly shut the reinforced door behind her as they walked down the stairs into the underground shelter. Already he was getting on the irritating side of things, and should took the plate with a bit of a smirk as her dad quickly silenced him.

Finally she was free of hearing him sing that song, though once Bucky pulled his hand away from his mouth, this guy was right on back to running his mouth. That gave Ana a little idea.

She arched a brow at his comment, moving to sit down in the chair across from him and placed the plate and cup on a tipped over plastic crate, acting as a side table. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her thighs, and tilted her head at him, before looking at the bread and butter on the plate.

As if she had been pondering if she was hungry, she made that call, and reached for a slice, ignoring him for a second and looking at the slice of bread before taking a bite and letting him stew.

"You pose a lot of questions." She commented after taking a bite and placing the slice down now that it was missing a corner. "Like what's your name? Who you're working for? And how someone who sounds as dumb as you knows their Russian." Of course Bucky knew what she was saying. She hadn't told him about that part. Ana pulled a knife from a sheath on her leg, before playing with it and looking at him expectantly.

[miloadoniswrites13]

Blood and Tears

Ash was on her back, a blade pressed against her throat. “It’s been some time, hasn’t it? Do you still work for that pig? Or are you interested in finally joining me?” Ash said, looking up at her ex partner, a current government agent. 

“Shut your mouth.” Ana replied, her knife beginning to dig into the other woman’s throat. There was a long moment of silence between the pair before Ana spoke up again, the grip on her knife loosening. “Why…” 

“Why what, dear? You’ll need to be more specific.” Ash smiled, watching as Anastasia glared down at her. 

“Why did you turn your back on everyone? No, why did you turn on me?” Anastasia’s voice shook, the woman laughing and closing her eyes. "You had a stable government job. One that you can't just quit like you did! We killed bad people. We were the good guys. Ash…" 

“We weren’t the good guys Ana! Sure, we did kill bad people. But we also killed innocent people. People with families who weren’t doing any harm. Ana, It made me feel pathetic. I was so tired of feeling this way. So tired of being weak. Anastasia, you must understand. If I had stayed… I never would have been able to grow.” She whispered out, Anastasia’s hands trembling, the knife once again being firmly pressed to the other’s throat. 

“Don’t mess with me Ash! Tell me the real reason you left..! Was it something I did? I said? I know when you’re lying. You know this!” 

“You don’t.” 

“What?” 

“You don’t know anything about me. Anastasia… When’s my birthday?”

“I.. well..!” 

“What’s my favorite color? My last name? Hell, do I prefer coffee or tea?” There was a moment of silence, Ash opening her eyes. “You can’t answer any of that can you..?” 

“... No… No I can’t…” Anastasia said honestly, Ash laughing bitterly. 

“Your birthday is January the thirteenth. You hate it because everyone else thought it was unlucky. You’re a Capricorn, and you act just like one. Your last name is Cole, your favorite color is sky blue, which is basic, but that’s okay… Your birthstone is garnet, but your favorite type of rock to see is any kind of jasper, so much so that you named your cat that when you were a teenager… Oh, and you’re more partial to tea. Which I always thought was strange, considering you always look tired like you could use some coffee.. Shall I continue?”

“I’ve heard enough… Ash… Have you ever shown me your true self?” Anastasia clenched her fists. “Have you ever let that cocky facade down and told me the truth?” 

“Today I did. But never before, no.” Ash chuckled, her eyes closing once more. “I do know one more thing about you though, sweetheart.” 

“And what’s that?”

“You always bring a knife to a gun fight. I was really hoping you didn’t, you know? We’re both damned… But if you leave now… I’ll keep my eyes closed, so please. I can’t die first… I’ll have to defend myself if you try to stab me… Please don’t make me murder another inoccent person.” The click of a handgun was heard, the barrel now resting against Anastasia’s stomach, Ash keeping her eyes closed.

“... I guess you don’t know me as well as you thought… Either way, we’re screwed… you said it yourself.” Ash was able to hear the click of a different handgun, feeling it press against her forehead.

“It’s my fault… I should have been more honest. I should have stayed instead of getting us put in this position. There's no going back.” 

“Say… Ash… why don’t we go out together?” Anastasia looked down at Ash who smiled, moving to aim at Anastasia’s head, and Anastasia moving to aim at hers. 

“I was so scared of my feelings… you know? I was afraid if I ever got too close, you’d think I was too soft… We could have been so good together… Then I had to go and join some vigilante assassins…” 

“It’s really sad… Because I loved you from the start.” Both women paused before Ash let out a shaky breath. 

“On three?” She asked, her free hand grabbing Anastasia’s, their fingers intertwining. 

“Of course… On three. Don’t miss now…” 

“I would never… One bullet’s all I ever need… But… the same goes to you… Don’t miss, dear.” 

“One…” 

“Two…” 

“Three…” 

BANG! BANG!

Silence filled the room, Anastasia collapsing on top of Ash, blood pooling around them… Blood, and tears… 

Ash could only hear ringing, her hands trembling as she dropped her now empty gun, the woman shaking Anastasia’s shoulder. She started to tremble when there was no response… of course there was no response. 

“A-Ana..” Ash whispered, her shaky hands grabbing the gun from the still warm hand, she pointed it at herself and pulled the trigger… it was empty… She looked beside her, seeing the bullet hole that had narrowly missed her head, more tears escaping down her cheeks. 

No more bullets… Of course. This was just Ash’s luck… The lover she never got to have, taken by her own hand and dying atop of her…

            Fin.

[moonstonediaz]

before you read, yes i’m making all of this about eddie.

so i just rewatched 5x09 and the beginning with gabi and chloe was always very loud in terms of buddie parallels. but now that we know eddie is returning to texas—a place he essentially ran away from—i thought this was interesting:

gabi to chloe - “bad breakup. she said i was weak and didn’t know how to face my problems.”

this has so many delicious parallels. gabi’s comment can be paralleled to eddie’s breakup with ana and the extremely rude way she pointed out eddie’s panic attacks “you’re fine, right? not gonna pass out?” it can also parallel eddie enlisting in the army and going for a second tour after christopher was born. eddie always brushing everything off, and not facing his problems.

chloe - “you did the right thing—moving out here. whoever she was, she’s in your rear view now.”

and chloe reassures gabi that she did the right thing by moving out here, leaving her past in the rear view which is what eddie did by leaving texas and finding a new family in LA.

so in this episode, cleverly titled “past is prologue”—a phrase that basically means that history sets the context for the present—we see clive and toni reunite after 30 years. but hen meets clive first and he had this to say about toni:

clive - “you catch enough shrapnel and eventually you don’t want to leave any part of yourself exposed.”

the use of the word shrapnel is extremely interesting here because it immediately makes me think of eddie and his military background. (war being the most common place to risk getting hit by shrapnel). and also this whole statement is extremely eddie-coded. eddie very rarely lets people inside with him to get close to him and christopher. he’s very protective and always seems to have his shields up. but anyway hen and clive’s conversation continues:

hen - “so, if you knew my mom back then, you probably knew my dad too.”

clive - “he was the shrapnel.”

the father in this scenario is the shrapnel, the person that’s causing the pain. the person that’s standing in the way of ultimate happiness. and in 5x17 eddie travels back to texas to try and reconcile with his father i— ramon diaz i am screaming at you

so later on, when hen is telling buck and eddie this story, eddie’s eating it up. he says his abuela would love the story, but it’s clear he’s interested too. it screams that eddie loves a good love story and, deep down, wants that for himself. he does love a good telenovela

a few days later when hen is talking to toni about clive and pressing her about why they didn’t get together, we get these lines from toni:

“the past is the past for a reason. it’s best just to leave it there.”

“he asked me to run away with him. when clive talked about the future we could have together, i saw it. and i wanted it with my whole heart.”

that last line absolutely destroys me because it’s so clear how much she wished she could have that life with him (honorable mention of heart!) but then she found out she was pregnant and backed down. so she gave up her romantic love for the good of her child.

“i was willing to leave my husband. but i couldn’t walk out on the father of my child.”

and isn’t that the eddie parallel of the century. of course, we don’t know who eddie was before christopher or who he was before he married shannon, but make no mistake. there was a life that eddie saw for himself that was ultimately changed by having a child.

and in this same conversation with toni, hen says:

“maybe the future that you glimpsed back then,maybe is now. and all you need to do is step into it.”

hmm, haven’t we heard something similar before. maybe...idk…the advice bobby gave buck when abby was struggling with her mom:

“what she needs is for you to step inside with her”

and we’ve seen buck stepping inside with eddie, breaking down the door during eddie’s breakdown, and several times since then.

so if the surprise wedding in 5x18 is indeed between clive and toni…and toni finally gets to have the life that she dreamed of after 30 years…and eddie finally realizes what he wants his future to look like…and buck finally understands what he wants in a relationship…do i need to say it?

bonus:

if i remember correctly, buck is still going to push eddie to talk about the shooting before season 5 ends. chloe and gabi parallel the shooting a LOT in this episode, but at the end, chloe wakes up in the hospital and gabi is still there. in which gabi is buck and chloe is eddie:

gabi - “i’m not sure what you remember…”

chloe - “you saved my life.”

[erodasfishtacos]

Cheating!h blurb where ana asks why they dont have sex or at a party and she’s trying to pull him into a room and y/n watching him try to make excuses and then next time having sex with y/n he says anna keeps trying and she has the pride he doesnt give in... or something exploring that situation

warnings: smut, cheating, angst

“Anna, I just-“ Harry huffs as she tugs him into a spare bedroom of the party after he had put up a valiant fight to keep them in the main area.

Her hands are unbuttoning his already barely buttoned shirt, running down his bare skin, and he is cut off by a sloppy kiss to his mouth.

Fear shoots up through him, it’s not YN, he doesn’t want this with her.

“C’mon, it’s been almost six months and you still haven’t touched me. Just fuck me,” Anna complains, fed up with the lack of or more like nonexsistence of their sex life.

It was near impossible to believe, someone like Harry who oozed sex out of every pore of his body wasn’t sexually active or interested in fucking his girlfriend.

When Anna takes a different approach of going for his belt buckle, mouth trailing against his collarbone, and attempting to get to his groin - which hadn’t hardened in the slightest.

“Enough,” Harry states firmly, grasping her wrists lightly and making her look at him, “I don’t want to have sex right now, okay?”

His girlfriend’s face falters, “You never want to.”

“If you don’t like it break up with me,” He hisses, knowing YN is going to get suspicious the longer they’re in a room together.

Anna, who really did have a kind heart, frowns, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you into anything. I would never force you to.”

Harry just rebuttons his shirt, “S’fine. Let’s just get back to the party and have a good time, yeah?”

She nods as Harry swings his arm around her shoulder, unlocking the door, and pausing when he sees YN a bit of the ways down the corridor - staring at the two leaving the bedroom.

“I’m going to get a drink,” He dismisses bluntly, his focus set on the girl who was visible angry with him in the kitchen.

Before he can get out a word, she steps forward and swipes her thumb against his collarbone.

It comes back with the waxy substance of Anna’s bright mauve lipstick.

“Have fun in there, did you?” YN asks, she tries to keep her tone cool and unbothered by Harry sees right through it to the insecurity.

“You know I didn’t,” He replies between gritted teeth, how could she get jealous when this was all her?

He didn’t want a girlfriend.

Well he did but he only want her and she fucking knew that.

“If you wanted me to believe you, maybe you would have wiped her lipstick marks from your neck and chest,” She chuckles and it makes Harry’s hair on the back of his neck stand up.

It was the distinct chuckle and tone she used when she was upset but wasn’t going to admit it over her dead body.

Before he can call her out, she shoulders past him, disappearing into the dancing crowd of people and out of his side.

“Fuck,” He mutters, running a hand through his hair before trudging off to find Niall and Zayn - to distract himself.

-

“Stay the night, please?” Anna asks softly when Harry pulls up to her small, quaint little house that fit her perfectly.

“M’sorry. I have a long day tomorrow.”

It was a lie. It was rarer that he told the truth to his girlfriend than fibbing.

“So? Let’s cuddle, do something,” She begs, frustrated with her emotionally and sometimes physically distant boyfriend.

Harry shakes his head, “Maybe next weekend.”

He always said that.

It never happened.

—

As soon as he drops off Anna, his next stop is a route that is ingrained in his head front and backwards, her apartment.

He has a key, doesn’t bother knocking and just barges into the dimly lit house with her shoes tossed clumsily on the floor - almost trips.

When he finds her, she’s in a towel - freshly showered, and brushing through her hair in her small walk-in closet.

She heard him come in, knew he was storming in here, and still didn’t turn around when he slammed open her bedroom door.

He’s crowding behind her, knocking the brush out of her hand, and pinning her to the wall, “You’re so bloody ridiculous. You jealous little brat.”

YN doesn’t respond, her body still wound tight with tension and a gluttonous feeling of rage for earlier in the night.

“Been fuckin’ you and only you since I was seventeen. Y’know that I didn’t fuck her, didn’t even touch her and you still have the nerve to act like a crybaby,” Harry seethes, his whole chest pressed against her back, no room to escape.

“Her lipstick was all over you,” She argues back weakly when his hands come to the knot in her towel, teasing at unraveling.

“Yeah because she was begging me to fuck her and I said ‘no’ so she tried to get in my pants and I pushed her off.”

“Why?” YN murmurs, quiet in the small space.

“You fuckin’ know why,” Harry growls with his teeth grazing across her bare shoulder blade.

“Say it.”

“I pushed her off ‘cause you’re the only person I’ve fucked since I was seventeen. My cock is yours,” He rasps, untying the knot and letting the towel drop.

He wishes she would just end all this bullshit.

Let him have her fully and completely but she was so fucking afraid of getting hurt when it wouldn’t happen.

“Go on, tell me who owns this cunt,” Harry demands, hand tucking between her thick thighs to cup her puffy mound in his hand.

“H,” She whimpers as his finger lightly slides up the wet groove of her center with a careful drag.

When she doesn’t give him the answer he wants, he gives her clit a hard pinch, “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Yours, fuck - it’s yours,” YN huffs at the slight but welcome pain on her nerves - relaxing when it returns to soft strokes.

“Anna is pretty, y’know? Had her on me, kissing my neck, unbuttoning my shirt and shit,” Harry hums against her ear, two fingers sinking into the tight heat of her body.

He continues, “Didn’t even get hard when that happened. That’s how fucking trained I am for you. What a tight fucking leash you have me on.”

YN turns a bit into putty at his words, insecurity slow flooding out of her body, and feeling more like how she usually does.

“How do y’ever forget? How much I love you?” He asks in true disbelief, it literally oozes through his pores how much he adores his high school sweetheart.

“Don’t-“ She squeaks desperately.

“Why won’t you let me tell you how much I love you, baby?”

His voice like dark, sweet honey that seeps into her every nerve-ending and makes her feel lethargic, in a boneless silky way.

“Stop plea- Just touch me,” YN begs when his fingers crook into against her plushy, tight walls with focused strokes.

“You need to admit it, y’stubborn little thing. I know how in love you are with me,” Harry pushes, needing to hear validation from his favorite person on this earth.

He squats down, spreading her cheeks, and leaning in to lick from the top of clit all the way back to her other entrance.

His large palms keeping her apart, digging into the thick skin until his fingers are white - tongue finding her core and darting in to her most sensitive area.

“H, oh my god,” YN moans, head falling forward against the wall, pushing her hips backward into his mouth.

“Darling, c’mon. Show me how sweet y’can be f’me,” Harry goads encouragingly, it always took a little bit of effort to get her to break.

“I love you….s’much,” She whispers, voice cracking on the last syllable as he rewards her with a suckling kiss to her clit and slips his fingers back in.

“I know y’do, baby. You know I’d never give it to anyone but you,” Harry coos, anything to get her to soften her harsh edges, chip away at her stone wall.

Her hand reaches behind to weave through his hair, her stomach sucking in harshly as she feels her tight band snap as she releases.

“O-oh, you’re mine. Y’mine,” His love chants as she rides out her intense wave of her orgasm as he helps her through it.

“M’yours,” Harry agrees immediately, standing up and a smile breaks on his face when she turns around and wraps him into a hug.

“I love you. I know you didn’t touch her. I just hate it,” YN murmurs softly, undoing his shirt and sliding it off of his shoulders.

His smile fades at her words, “Then make it stop. The minute you tell me you’re ready to make this work, I’ll break up with her.”

“I’m no-not ready,” She stammers, eyes widening like a deer in headlights at his words.

So afraid. So fucking scared.

“Okay, okay,” He soothes when he sees her chest start to rise faster and faster with anxiety.

He doesn’t want to drop it.

He wants to shake her and ask her how the fuck she doesn’t see that they’re already in a relationship and she’s being blinded by irrational fears.

Harry waddles them over to her messy bed, pushing her back and adjusting until she’s in the center - staring at him with doe eyes.

He loves her so much it hurts to look at her for too long.

When he tugs off his jeans, taking his phone out to put on the side table - he sees an unread text from Anna.

I’m sorry about earlier. I really want to make it work with you. You’re a great guy x

Harry should feel bad. Maybe his stomach should have dropped or something at how awful he’s being to that girl.

But when his love is splayed out, pliant and malleable for him, he can’t find an ounce of fucks to give as he tosses it on the bedside table.

He had been in love with this girl since he was sixteen, never fell out of it, he was addicted to her - willing to go through all this bullshit if it meant he had her.

It always felt like the first time, crawling on top of her, and bending down to pull her puffy lips into a strong kiss as he slides in, always a pleasant stretch.

As they move together, in a familiar rhythm, she murmurs against his lips, “One day, I’ll be ready.”

“Please, make it soon, darlin’,” Harry pleas, swallowing harshly before pushing his emotions into hard, deep thrusts.

[softboynick]

hold me (so i don't float away) | phase one

stevetony | a rewrite of tony stark's arc from beginning to end

~2.5k words, linear narrative, follows iron man, iron man 2, and the avengers

--

Tony is four years old when he first learns about otters. His Aunt Peggy and Uncle Danny give him a book about marine animals on his birthday, and when he turns the page to the section all about otters, he’s immediately hooked.

After that, he spouts fact after fact to anyone around him who will hear.

Howard learns to leave the room whenever his son is on one of his binges, preferring the silence to the boy’s constant chitter-chatter. He thinks the otters are just some childhood interest that would go away quickly, but they don’t. Why on earth couldn’t Peg and Daniel give him a book about machinery, he often wonders.

Maria, on the other hand, puts on a fake smile she usually reserves for Howard’s snootier friends and hums and haws in all the right places.

But then, there’s Edwin and Ana, the two outsiders who quickly become part of the Stark family, treating Tony like their own son as they listen with rapt attention to the boy’s current interests.

“Did you know otters hold hands when they sleep so they don’t float away from each other?” Tony asks with an eagerness only a child his age could ever possess, despite it already nearing his bedtime.

“I did not, young sir,” Jarvis says, indulging the boy with his current fancy as he dutifully tucks him in. It quietly pains him that Tony’s own father and mother have been too busy lately to give their child a kiss goodnight, but Edwin makes do with what he can.

He finishes and looks expectantly at his young charge. His brow furrows slightly when the boy begins to fidget with his duvet.

“Is there something wrong?” He gently prods and waits for Tony to reply.

“Can you… can you hold my hand like the otters do?” The boy asks shyly.

Edwin smiles, soft and gentle. He doesn’t question the young boy’s request. Lord knows he’s been denied so many times by his own parents. So he sits on the edge of the bed and takes Tony’s much smaller hand in his.

“Of course,” he answers with no hesitation. “Good night, young sir. Sweet dreams.”

“Night night, Jarvis,” Tony mutters sleepily, pleased that he could fall asleep without worrying about floating away.

-

Holding hands before bed becomes almost like a ritual for the young boy, and Jarvis, and in extension, Ana, are there to indulge him every evening when he asks.

-

The first year Tony is sent to boarding school, he is eleven years old and terrified. His daddy and mama say it’s a good thing for him to spend time away from home, away from all that he knows, but he doesn’t want to. Not when Jarvis and Ana and Aunt Peggy are there. Not when he has no one to hold onto in the middle of the night when he goes to sleep.

On the night before he’s supposed to leave, Ana slips into Tony’s room, where her husband is already holding his hand, to give a gift to their young change.

“Tony, my darling. I have a present for you,” Ana sing-songs in her familiar Hungarian lilt.

The boy, already so upset about leaving, doesn’t even perk up. He only sniffles and burrows deeper into the covers. “What is it?”

“Oh, kicsim. I know you’re scared about leaving, but don’t you fret.” Ana then pulls out a stuffed otter from behind her back and holds it out for Tony to take. It isn’t perfect, not like the stuffed animals that line the shelves at the toy store, but it doesn’t matter because Ana made it for him. He loves it immediately.

“That’s for me?” Tony asks, his eyes widening just slightly.

“Yes, of course. He’s yours. We won’t be there to hold your hand, but you’ll be able to hold him and think of us. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

He tucks it away in his backpack so his father doesn’t see and hides it underneath his pillows so the boys at his school don’t make fun of him. But throughout his years at the boarding school - before he’s taken out to go straight to high school then college - the stuffed otter is always there, keeping him company and keeping him from floating away.

-

Years pass, and the little stuffed otter, that was once a staple in Tony’s life, becomes an afterthought, thrown carelessly into some dark corner in a box that wouldn’t see the light of day for years.

His parents die, then Ana, then Edwin, and he falls into a whirlwind of mistakes that he believes will help him forget the pain and the overwhelming wave of grief.

His face is on every tabloid, scrutinized beyond belief by strangers he couldn’t care less about. Pictures circulate the news of the young Stark heir snorting cocaine, going on drinking binges, taking shots out of supermodels’ belly buttons, kissing strangers, and sleeping with them.

It goes a little topsy-turvy and blurry after that, and when Tony’s caught kissing a man, it’s almost game over for him. The tabloids have a field day, but Tony still refuses to let anyone reel him in.

He floats (with the help of copious amounts of drugs and alcohol in his body), and he accepts it. Aunt Peggy calls and calls and calls, but he ignores his only family, his only tether to reality, and floats away.

-

He meets Rhodey, and for the first time in his life, he thinks he can hold onto him. And for a moment, he does. He holds on tight, and he doesn’t float away anymore.

But Rhodey’s in the military, the Air Force. He’s a bird that can’t stay too long in the water unless he wants to drown, and so he flies, flies away, leaving Tony without a rock to stay grounded.

Then comes Pepper. He hires her as his personal assistant, and it’s her job to keep him grounded. He pays her to keep him from floating away. When Rhodey’s gone on off doing something classified for the sake of American safety, she’s there to hold him, and he grasps for her desperately in return.

He thinks he loves her.

The first time they fall into bed together, they hold hands before they fall asleep, and Tony thinks this could be forever.

But then, Afghanistan happens.

-

There’s an ugly cavern in the middle of his chest, and he holds onto Yinsen’s hand for dear life as they torture him over and over.

Even though he holds on, he’s still drowning and floating away from his very existence.

The car battery in his chest is the reason why he isn’t dead yet. In the dark, when it’s only his thoughts clouding his mind, he wishes that the shrapnel had gone quicker through his heart. Maybe then, he wouldn’t have to go through all this torture and pain.

They ask him to rebuild a bastardized version of the Jericho, but instead, he builds a suit of armor capable of blowing their entire operation to smithereens.

He escapes, but Yinsen doesn’t. And it’s a long way home from here.

There’s an ugly blue light in the middle of his chest, and he wakes up screaming most nights.

Pepper, sweet Pepper, wakes up and doesn’t mind holding him, and she offers him comfort, far more than Tony could ever deserve.

-

Tony is no stranger to death, but that doesn’t mean he’s not terrified of it.

There was Afghanistan.

Obadiah.

The palladium poisoning.

Vanko.

But flying a nuke into a wormhole probably takes the cake.

In the few moments before his consciousness gives out, Tony lets go of the bomb and simply floats in the space of nothingness. His mind drifts. He thinks of Pepper. Of Rhodey. Of the rag-tag, band of superheroes SHIELD put together to protect the world.

He thinks it’s the end, but then, he wakes, and he sees Rogers looking down at him with a smile clouded with relief.

“We won.”

-

Pepper doesn’t hold him as often anymore. She tells him it’s the stress of being CEO of his company, but he knows, he knows it goes far deeper than that. She’s afraid of him—well, not him in particular, but of the fact that he’s flying so high to reach the stars, that perhaps he’ll never come down.

Iron Man is part of him now, and she’s afraid that soon there will be no difference between Tony Stark and the titanium-alloy armor.

She doesn’t tell him that either, but he already knows even when she doesn’t have to say it. That’s why she doesn’t hold him anymore.

They slowly drift apart after that. Holding hands in quiet slumber turns into sleeping on the far sides of the bed, which then becomes sleeping in separate rooms, then on separate floors. The chasm between them grows too big for Tony to control, a riptide cutting through their interlocked fingers and pushing them to either side of a vast ocean.

They part in quiet understanding, going their separate ways in amicable silence. They don’t speak about it any longer than they have to, and Tony ends up sleeping alone.

-

Tony can’t quite make his mind up about Rogers. Or the rest of the team, for that matter.

They had met in an explosion of colorful words and spiteful jabs, throwing digs at each other because a powerful scepter and its bright mesmerizing blue stone wanted to see where it hurt the most. They had simmered down slightly since then, but he still has no idea what to think about their threadbare relationship.

Tony supposes he hates him, but he can’t say that’s true, not when the team—the Avengers, they call themselves, like some deranged boy band—move into his tower and make themselves at home, not when he’s seen all of them at their most vulnerable, in the quiet of the morning when they could barely get any sleep.

Sleep is a rare occurrence nowadays for all of them. They’ve all experienced horrors no one has ever seen, haunted by memories both new and old. Tony, alone as he is, finds that he doesn’t mind having a companion to sit with as they watch the morning sunrise peek through New York’s skyline. And soon, a revolving door of weary superheroes join him at the kitchen island to sit in silence until the sun rises. It’s not holding hands somewhere in the ocean, but it’s close.

Natasha-slash-Natalie brings her knives, sharpening them with deft precision. They never bring up their history nor do they want to.

Bruce often nurses a steaming mug of soothing, calming chamomile tea to keep the big angry guy at bay. He’s surprisingly zen for a man with monstrous anger issues.

Clint, the coffee fiend, drinks straight from the carafe, bleary-eyed and haunted. Tony buys another coffee machine for him to use after that.

Thor, when he is back on earth after delivering his brother back to his home planet, silently offers him a flask of Asgardian mead, which he politely declines.

But Rogers—Steve—is the first one who talks, breaking the silence Tony had constructed for so long. It startles him at first, to have a conversation so early in the morning, but he listens. He stays silent as Steve apologizes for the things he said back on the helicarrier, for assuming too much and saying just enough to hurt him, for not giving him a chance.

This is the difference between him and Steve. Despite all the vitriol shared between them, Steve has the guts to acknowledge his faults and accept them. While he just sits there and wallows in his own self-pity.

He doesn’t outright apologize, but days later, when it’s just the two of them in the kitchen one quiet early morning, he gifts him a compass, found somewhere deep in the National Archives. The varnish has lost its luster to time, but it doesn’t have to look so spectacular, not when Steve’s face shutters with a mixture of grief and bittersweet astonishment the moment he opens it.

He already knows what’s inside. The Captain America film reels from the forties didn’t shy away from showing it off. But he allows him this moment of silence. He’ll tell him he spent hours upon hours contacting all the sources he knows to retrieve this precious keepsake later. For now, he settles for the hug he receives from a Steve so overwhelmed with gratitude.

-

Things change after that.

The quiet mornings turn into occasional run-ins during the day. Somehow, he and Steve always bump into each other, catching the other as they go. They exchange some pleasantries, and that’s that. The only time they truly get to know each other is during those peaceful moments, sipping their coffees (Steve’s with cream and three heaping spoonfuls of sugar and Tony’s with no cream and just one) and watching the sunrise.

But then, those quiet mornings and rare sightings during the day turn into lunches at a cafe Steve comes across on one of his morning runs. One lunch becomes two, then three, then once a week, and then finally, a daily occurrence that becomes a sort of tradition between the two.

They both stay busy with board meetings (Tony) and SHIELD missions (Steve), but they still make time to see each other every day. Even if Steve’s off being Fury’s lackey, Tony will still come to their usual spot at the cafe just to keep up with tradition. He is a man of habit, after all.

Clint catches him one day around noon when he’s on his way to the cafe, an eyebrow raised and smirk on full blast.

“Going off another date with Steve?” He teases, which Tony, of course, chooses to ignore.

But that doesn’t stop him from overthinking about every single lunch he’s had with Steve. Was it a date? Were they dating? They haven’t said anything about the possibility for anything more than friendship, and if Steve wanted to say something, he was being quite mum about it. They were just two best friends going out for lunch. Nothing more.

Though, Steve doesn’t have to say a word when it actually happens. He simply reaches across the table and takes Tony’s hand. He smiles shyly, like a little schoolboy with a crush, and there’s a moment where Tony just takes it all in.

Oh.

“Is this okay?” Steve asks, his cheeks just as red as the fresh heirloom tomato in his sandwich.

“Yeah,” Tony breathes, and it’s the start of something new, something good.

[afraidofchange]

unfogged​:

“I will admit it works for you.” Moira watches Ana for a moment, eyes following as she comes to stand beside her. Head tilts slightly to the side as a bit of a soft smile appears on Moira’s lips. Before she knows it, long, purpled fingers are touching Ana’s chin, tip of her nail tilting Ana’s head up slightly, Moira beginning to lean slightly down close to her. “Your company is… welcome,” the doctor says, tone soft.

Then she’s pulling away, hand dropping as she turns to grab the two steaming mugs of tea. A bolt of pain shoots through her right arm, and though she makes no mention of it, the quickest flashes of discomfort crosses her features before smoothing out once more. She jerks her head for Ana to follow, moving to the sofa and placing the mugs down on coasters. The wine is there, as well as the bottle that she had opened for dinner.

She sits in the center of the sofa, forcing Ana to sit closer to her than is perhaps necessary. The rain outside seems to beat louder against the house, but the quiet crackle of the fire on the opposite wall and the warmth of the heat is enough to forget about the storm. “Are you going to tell me why you are here?” she asks, curiosity in her tone. “Or did you simply wish to wear my clothes?”

   “A bit of flattery already, hm?” Ana raises a brow, though her gaze shifts to Moira’s extended, purpled hand as her chin is taken lightly within her grasp, forcing her to look up. In such a close proximity, Ana can almost smell the hint of wine on Moira’s breath. A part of her wants to question the gesture, but it’s over almost as soon as it began, and instead, she simply follows where Moira dictates them toward the sofa. 

  Sat at the edge, almost perched at first, she turns herself pointedly toward the other woman, knees together, feet crossed at the ankles. Ana reaches for the mug closest to herself, wrapping old, calloused hands around the ceramic, siphoning its heat. She blows against the rising steam and dares to take a tiny sip. It’s certainly hot, though she takes the chance anyway with the smallest of sips before resigning to let it cool off a bit first.

  Moira’s inquiry, on the other hand, takes her interest, looking up. Of all the clothes she wore in, one item remains steadfast - the eyepatch that covers her missing eye - curtained by long grey hair. “That wasn’t my first intention, no,” She offers, a soft laugh cushioning her words. “I was caught in the storm, but... instead of turning around, I found myself here.” 

  The real reason sits beneath her tongue; an admission of total truth not yet warranted, though with the possibility of a bit of wine, she knows it will come out, sooner rather than later. “I’m just glad you were home. I’d have been quite miserable on your front stoop, like some kind of stray...” Perhaps, a little too accurate in that comparison - like a stray that most of the world thinks is dead, she only has so many people and places who know her secret. She takes another try at the tea, meeting Moira’s gaze over the rim, taking in her more refined appearance since she’d last come across the doctor. She bears a teasing grin. “You’re starting to look older, you know.” 

[boredfanwrites]

Buddie #1

There is not a bone in my body that can accept that in any other universe they wouldn't be perfect together. Post 4x14 so SPOILERS for that. This got so much longer than I thought it would be. Sorry in advance, there's much more under the cut.

· Eddie tells him about the will. Chris goes to Buck if anything happens to Eddie. Which it very nearly did.

· It causes Buck to actually stop and think things through before rushing into danger.

· The rest of the team question it while Eddie's recovering but he just says there's someone relying on him now.

· They take it to mean Taylor - well Chimney and Albert do, Hen and Bobby are more clued in.

· Buck talks about Eddie and Chris like he did when they quarantined together - like they're living together again.

· They are.

· Buck moved in to help Eddie and his recovery, with Ana stepping in when he was on shifts - even if she tended to undo everything Buck had done.

· He tells himself it's because she's not used to the way he and Eddie do things - yes that one singular bowl and plate live in the lower cupboard, it's so Eddie can reach them easily. Chris always picks the movie on movie nights, Eddie and Buck alternate when he's gone to bed.

· Eddie is stubborn as always, but has managed to allow Buck to help him dress and shower - Ana is very much not allowed, despite her protests they're barely in a relationship.

· Eddie explains to Buck that yes, they've been together for six months but they've not really been togetherand he quietly admits that he regrets telling Chris so soon.

· Buck calms him and says that it was right to introduce Chris to the idea of Eddie dating, but yeah, maybe it wasn't smart to spring Ana on him so early - especially because she decided she had to be a bigger part of his life now he was aware.

· Chris manages to get to the station once while Buck is on shift.

· Buck comes back to Albert making him pancakes and Chris scribbling with the things they keep for the school trips.

· 'What are you doing here, bud? Does your dad know?'

· 'Kinda.'

· 'What does kinda mean here?'

· 'He knows I wanted to see you. I don't think he knows that I came here.'

· Albert quickly jumps in saying he's texted Eddie and he and Carla are on their way, it just happens that the rig got back before they got there.

· Buck sits down with Chris, leaning his head on his arms and looks at the picture. It's him, Eddie and Buck with Carla and her husband in the background.

· 'What's wrong, Chris?'

· 'Ana.'

· 'Ok, what did she do?'

· 'Tried to get me to bath before I ate and then said I had to do my homework before TV time.'

· 'Buddy, you always have to do your homework before TV time.'

· 'But she tried to help me.'

· 'Your dad and I try our best to help you. She's a teacher, she's better use than us.'

· 'No that's not it.'

· Chris has tears in his eyes and a death grip on his crayon.

· 'She told the poor boy his handwriting was ineligible and took his pencil, tried to get him to tell her the answers and that she would write them for him.' Carla sighs.

· She stands with her arms open and Chris runs into them. Eddie looms behind them, looking sad.

· Well, neutral really, but Buck knows his micro expressions well enough.

· After that Ana is banned from the house in the afternoons/evenings and Carla steps back in. The new problem is Ana turning up when Buck has days off - their schedule was she was here when Buck wasn't, for multiple reasons.

· Ana's great, there's just something about her that Buck doesn't like and she definitely doesn't like Buck. Maybe it's because they're just opposites.

· Eddie tries to gently tell her that he barely gets to see Buck anymore and he needs it for his mental health. Ana starts pestering about the fact that he should want to see his girlfriend more than his best friend.

· It's one of their biggest fights and turns into a screaming match one night (Chris is at Hen's with Denny but Buck is hiding away in the guest room) where Eddie shouts that she had decided that she was his girlfriend without asking Eddie if that was what he wanted and she was suffocating.

· She leaves pretty quickly after that and Buck is incredibly happy as their paths never cross again.

· There's an emptiness settling in his chest when he finds out that the two are still together and are treating the relationship as though they're just dating again. He hates that he really doesn't like the idea that it's working out now that they're on even footing.

· He decides to push it away and starts getting reckless again. Taylor's hanging around the station more like she wants more from Buck, but he'd given up. She liked being chased and now that he's tired of it, she wants him. He knows she'll get bored if he shows interest again.

· It's interest he doesn't have. Eddie had called him Evan and told him he deserved more. How was he supposed to go back to normal after that?

· Why doesn't Eddie see how life changing that was?

· Eddie does. But in typical Eddie fashion, he pushes it deep down and replaces it with his content being with Ana. She makes his parents happy, which makes him happy. She gets along with Pepa and Isabel and his sisters, but they act a lot more familial with Buck.

· It makes sense, he tells himself - they've had years with Buck.

· Nothing really changes for Buck until TK and Judd find themselves in LA. Buck hastily explains to TK that he wasn't asking him out back in Austin, he just wanted a friend and really he wasn't attracted to guys.

· TK just straight up laughs at Buck.

· 'Buckley, you checked me, Carlos, and the barista out in the span of like five minutes. You're a little attracted to guys.'

· 'Wait, you mean you and Diaz ain't datin'?'

· Judd's question throws Buck through a loop.

· 'What? No...we're just...we're friends. Best friends.'

· TK laughs again, patting Buck on the shoulder.

· Once they're on their last day, TK takes Buck out for a drink like he'd promised. Buck tries to ignore the fact he's brought him to a gay bar.

· He gets hit on at least three times in an hour, not to mention the building collection of beers for both him and TK and he decides he doesn't actually mind it.

· 'Ok, I want you to do something for me. Scan the crowd and pick a guy, any guy, and tell me what you find attractive about him.'

· Buck picks out a shorter man, tanned skin and dark hair.

· 'He's got a cute smile.'

· 'Oh boy, you have a type.'

· 'Huh?'

· 'He looks like Eddie.'

· And he does. Like a Walmart version of Eddie though. He didn't laugh like Eddie, didn't have the same laugh lines. Or frown lines. His eyes weren't as warm when he met Buck's nor did he smile as fondly. And...

· 'Fuck.'

· 'You just now realizing your feelings for him?'

· 'Yeah. How did I not know?'

· 'Honestly, it was probably such a subtle shift. From what you've told me you've basically been a couple for a year and a half, so you didn't realize anything had changed for you.'

· 'I've never denied it.'

· 'I mean you clearly must have.'

· 'No. I meant that there have been so many times people assumed Eddie and I were a couple and I never denied it, I went along with it all.'

· 'Shit man, you had it bad before you even realized.'

· Buck groans as TK throws an arm around him, leaning against his shoulder.

· Things change after that. Buck is hesitant with physical touch with Eddie - it's his main love language and he needs to make sure he's not overdoing it and making Eddie uncomfortable.

· Eddie notices because of course, he does. Buck has pulled away from him for seemingly no reason. The second Eddie can dress, shower, and reach the high cabinets himself Buck is talking about going home.

· He is home.

· Eddie doesn't say it, he just hums, not really agreeing. He's gotten used to Buck being around and so has Chris. They'd easily fallen back into their quarantine routine and now Buck would be leaving again.

· A quick thought of getting shot again fills Eddie's head. Though this time it's nothing to do with his PTSD and more so that he doesn't want Buck to leave. So he exaggerates just a little.

· 'You know, my PTSD is still acting up. Maybe, you could stay until it balances out a little?'

· 'You'd want me to?'

· 'Yeah, you're great at getting me out and calming me and Christopher down.'

· 'You don't think Ana should start taking up some night shifts?'

· 'I don't really want her to deal with that side of me yet.'

· 'Okay.'

· 'Okay?'

· 'Yeah, I'll stay.'

· Eddie keeps an eye on Buck just as much as he keeps an eye on Eddie. He quickly realizes that Buck is holding in his own troubles. He knows from experience that Buck does not think his problems are anywhere near as bad as everyone else's. He has a lot of unlearning to do.

· Subtly, Eddie starts talking to him about his mental state, his worries, trying to let Buck know it's ok to do the same.

· When he and Ana inevitably break up not even a month later, it's Buck that he tells first.

· Buck, who has his back.

· Buck, who loves Christopher as his own.

· Buck, who is insecure about everything he does except saving people.

· Buck, who thinks he is unworthy and undeserving of love.

· Buck, who shows his love through acts of kindness and physical affection.

· Buck, who Eddie is so unapologetically in love with and probably has been for years.

· The revelation doesn't shock him like he thought it would. More so, it was a natural progression of their relationship.

· Friends. Best friends. Co-parents. Co-habiting. Partners. Partners.

· Eddie sees a future with Buck, a future he'd only ever seen with Shannon but it's so much brighter.

· He comes home from his first shift back - Buck wasn't working and offered to look after Christopher so Eddie knew he was safe - to find Buck on the couch, staring into an empty beer bottle.

· 'Hey?' it's broken and Eddie drops his things to rush over to him.

· 'You good?'

· 'No. I'm not.'

· Buck looks up, tears in his eyes, cheeks red and puffy.

· 'What's going on, Evan?'

· That's all it takes. He breaks. He babbles about watching Eddie die over and over in his dreams. How sometimes the shower will splash his face just so and he's thrown back with Eddie's blood on his face. How he was trying to get through it with Dr. Copeland but it wasn't helping.

· Nothing was helping.

· 'It's ok. I'm here, I'm okay.'

· 'You weren't. You died, Eds. You died on me.'

· 'You saved me.'

· 'What if I hadn't? I don't know a life without you anymore. I can't lose another person I love.'

· 'You love me?'

· 'Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?'

· Buck registers his words, quickly backing away from Eddie and tries to make a break for the open door. Eddie isn't letting him run away anymore. His wrist snakes around Buck's.

· 'Evan. I told you there wasn't anyone else I'd want to look after Christ. I told you you weren't expendable. I said that because I love you and you needed to hear it. You had to learn you deserved love. Love that Chris shows you. Love that I can show you. I love you so much, Evan Buckley.'

· Buck crumples in Eddie's arms, Eddie rocks him gently until the sobs subside.

· It's not an immediate or obvious change. There are still things the two need to work through.

· It's different but the same. There's more contact now; hugs, tactile hands on waists, and backs at work. Kisses in the bunk, soft and slow.

· It's new and exciting. Especially when they finally get together, officially and exclusively.

· Chris loves telling everyone about his two dads.

· Eddie and Buck are happier, closer.

· Buck had always been a Diaz. He'd always had a family who loved him. The big change was he got to love them both endlessly in return.