#lifet

[sneebl]

today is a TERRIBLE day for the phans who don't read users

[idontparticularlyliketoast]

Oli from the Orionsound can’t join the life series because no one else would have a chance. Look what just 1% of his power is capable of. His sninions are unstoppable

[treabi7]

I am at the point in life where every decision has to be super calculated

[innovation008]

7 inventions you probably didn't know came from Latin America.colour TV,...

[axelnyx]

Desolation Part 6

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 previous part

can also be ready on ao3

Chapter 6: Stubbornness and Pride

Soap was walking towards Price’s office with a single goal in mind, the file he had printed and filled out clutched tightly in his hand. Anyone he passed in the halls looked at him in concern. How could they not? Soap looked like a mess. His hair disheveled, bags under his eyes, and he seemed to walk favoring one side over the other. Soap paid no mind to his fellow soldiers’ concerned looks as he grew closer to Price’s office. He knew the office was locked, Price always locked it when he was off base, but there was nothing stopping Soap from sliding the file under the door. Well, almost nothing.

“How’d I know you would try to come up with some stupid plan to get out of doing what Price told you?”

Soap was snatched from his thoughts at the sound of the voice. He sighed in frustration as he saw who spoke to him. “Laswell,” he greeted. She was leaning against the door to Price’s office, arms crossed over her chest and a look of disappointment on her face. “Soap,” she replied, not unkindly. “What’s that you’re holding?” she asks, nodding her head towards the file in his hands. “Somethin’ for Price to read when he gets back,” Soap responded. “That so?” “Yes.” “Well I can hand it to him when he gets here. It would be a hell of a lot easier than just sliding under the door.”

Soap took a step back from Laswell. “No.” Laswell sighed. “Soap, listen,” she started, “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you’ve got everyone worried.” A stab of guilt shot through Soap, causing him to feel a bit�� sick. “They don’t need to.” he replied softly. Laswell rolled her eyes. “It’s our job to look after you, Sergeant.” And with that the guilt Soap felt vanished. “Right,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm, “I must have forgotten.” “I didn’t mean it like that Soap,” Laswell said softly. Soap pauses for a moment, slightly surprised before he scoffs. “Whatever you say, Laswell.”

Laswell sighs. “Let’s just get you to medical,” she says, taking a step towards him. Soap takes another step back. “I don’t need to go to medical.” he replies. Laswell’s look of disappointment increases. “Your breathing says otherwise.” And sure, she wasn’t necessarily wrong, he did sound pretty bad, but he had it handled. “I don’t need to go to medical.” he repeated. Laswell sighed again. “Soap-” she started but, before she could get anything else out, Soap turned and started walking back to his room. “Where do you think you’re going?” she asked, starting to go after him. “Follow me and we’re gonna have a problem, Laswell,” Soap said through a clenched jaw. Laswell stopped, unsure of what to do as she watched Soap walk away.

When Soap made it to his room he pushed his door open harshly, causing it to slam against the wall with a loud bang. He was pissed. Everyone kept ruining his plans. All he wanted to do was spend his leave on base and be left alone. He could handle a couple bruised ribs on his own. He didn’t need to be coddled like some child. Especially not by people who only care because it’s their job to.

Soap took a deep breath, despite how it made the ache in his ribs worse. He thought for a moment. If he couldn’t leave the file in Price’s office, then the man would just have to find it here, in Soap’s room. Not like Soap would be here when Price stopped by anyways.

Soap placed the file on his nightstand before heading towards his closet on the other side of the room. He opened the closet doors and grabbed his empty duffle bag from the floor of it. Soap then went through his entire room, grabbing whatever he thought was most important for him to take. He paused as he saw the knife that he had found in Las Almas. It was Ghost’s. Soap had expected the man to demand it back, but he never did. In fact, when Soap had tried to return it to him, Ghost had simply shook his head and told him he could keep it, that he had enough knives to last him a lifetime and losing one wasn’t that important to him.

Soap shook his head to clear it before picking up the knife and placing it in the duffle back as well. He gave one last look around the room and zipped up his bag, deciding that he had everything he needed. He quietly left his room, looking around to make sure no one would see him. When he saw no one was around he gently closed his door, making sure to lock it behind him. It wouldn’t do much to prevent his teammates from realizing he’s gone, but it would slow them down just a bit.

Soap walked down the hall, making his way to the nearest exit slowly and quietly. It didn’t take him long to get there. He knew the base like the back of his hand. Soap cautiously made his way outside.By now, the sun was beginning to set. Meaning that most people were either heading to bed or eating in the mess hall. There was a fence that surrounded the base and beyond that was a dense woodland area. However, Soap knew where a weak and unguarded spot in the fence was. He also knew that just past the woods there was a small town. All he had to do was navigate his way there and then he could stay in a local hotel for the night. He would just have to move on in the morning to avoid his teammates catching up to him. If they even come after him that is.

Soap made his way to the weak area of the fence. It was located towards the back of the base, mostly hidden from sight. He and Gaz had found it after a particularly stressful mission. They were both exhausted and wanted some sort of break from everything. They had decided to walk around the base together. Talking about anything they wanted or nothing at all if they didn’t feel up to it. Gaz had been the one to spot the flaw in the fence. They had debated telling someone, but they were desperate to get away for a bit. So, together they made their way through the fence and into the woods. They stayed out there for hours just enjoying each other’s company.

Soap shook his head to push away the memory. He’s sure the security cameras have seen him, but it doesn’t really matter. Once he’s off base and Price reads the file Soap left for him, then Soap is no longer the 141’s problem. It would take a few days for the paperwork to go through, but after those few days Soap would return to base. He wouldn’t stay long, of course, just long enough to grab whatever else he needed and then leave.

Soap made his way through the fence, making sure that it wouldn’t rattle behind him. He then turned towards the woods and began to walk. If he made good time, then he should make it to the town around midnight. It wasn’t too far away. He could make it.

That’s what he told himself anyways.

[futurewriter2000]

The Daring, Forbidden and Evil - pt. 5

A/N: This one is a bit short but I couldn't continue it further on because the next scenes just deserve its own part. I've been thinking about writing this last night before I went to bed and I haven't done that in years. I really love this scene because it's just so soft and innocent. I hope you like it as well. All the love <3

XX

Everybody tell you that when you're in love you are crazy but that isn't the truth. When you are in love, you are at your happiest because there is somebody, who makes you happy just by existing. To know he exists, makes you happy and to be so close to him, it makes you a far better person than you ever were.

Every day since then, your smile grew bigger. You weren't angry, nor sad. You were simply finding life far easier than it was before. Come to think of it, you thought of all the things you bore on your shoulders for no apparent reason. Now, you were forgiving, loving, happy. It was as if your character did a whole 180 and you absolutely adored this new character that developed in you. She was peaceful and kind. She was... well, she was free.

"Have you told anybody?" he asked, brushing his hand through your hair.

You brushed your hand over his chest, feeling a bit of anxiety kick in as he asked so. "No..."

"Me neither." he said. "I haven't even told Fred yet..." he continued, kissing the top of your head. "Not that I don't want to, it's just that... I'm scared." he admitted.

"Me too." you replied and lifeted your head up, smiling the moment your eyes met his. "You're the first boyfriend I'm not showing off in front of everybody."

"Boyfriend, huh?" he grinned.

"Want to be the girlfriend?" he your grinned back and he chuckled.

"No- I'd love to be the boyfriend, I just... I don't know... I didn't think you'd want us to be official."

Your grin disappeared and you furrowed an eyebrow. Your heart sank into a bottomless pit, but somehow beat extremely fast in your chest. "Don't you want us to be official?"

"Of course, I want us to be official. I just thought that you wouldn't want to be that because of your family lineage."

"I can say the same for you." you smiled and he laughed. "Besides... I am not my family." you said as you laid back on his chest and hugged him tightly. "I don't want to lose you... ever." you mumbled and felt his hands tighten around your torso, kissing your head once again.

There was a moment of silence- the nicest, safest moment that felt like it would never end. You closed your eyes and felt yourself melt into his arms. His hand-knitted sweater was extremely soft and smelled pleasantly. You had never felt more harmonious in your entire life.

"I want you to meet my family over the holidays." he whispered and you immediately opened your eyes, exiting the tranquil state. He was smiling at your reaction, kissing your forehead. "We will have to tell them one day. Might as well start with mine."

You sat up on his thighs and felt a rush of nervousness. He sat up as well, placing his hands on your back and rubbing them up and down. He tilted his head and grinned.

"We've been together barely three weeks." you stuttered, to which he found extremely adorable. Someone, who pretends to be tough is afraid of meeting his family, who wouldn't even hurt a fly.

"That's almost a month and besides, you could meet your cousins."

"My cousins?"

"Sirius Black and Tonks."

"Sirius Black?!" you exclaimed. "The wanted criminal, who escaped Azkaban, probably hates my whole family- that is also his family. "

He rolled his eyes and laughed. "He's a good person. I told you he didn't kill anybody. Pettigrew still lives."

"I don't know George..." you ran your hand through your hair. "The moment they will see me, they'll hate my guts. My parents are sided with the Dark Lord and my care-takers are their biggest enemies- the stars are not aligned with us." you started to babble.

He continued to laugh. "The stars are not aligned." he laughed even harder.

"It's not funny." you smiled at his mocking but he only pressed you close to him, burying his head into your shirt. You hugged him back, caressing his head by running your hands up his hair.

"It is." he pulled back, looking up at you with those gorgeous brown eyes. "You're scared. I get that, (y/n). I'm scared too, but even if it's difficult, doesn't mean it's impossible." he continued and you felt yourself exhale a large breath, lowering your head. "Just don't get tired of fighting for us."

You looked around, trying not to look at him directly in the eyes but knowing you couldn't hold back for a long time, you looked at him anyway. There he was; this boy that wanted to fight for you. Who in your entire life, ever fought for you? Your family just moved you from one family member to another, but he wanted to keep you. He is so good for you.

You smiled, placing your hands under his jaw and pulling him into a soft kiss. "I promise, I won't get tired of fighting for us." you whispered softly.

[kyonshi-8610]

hello. update i cant . open my lifet eye ey but i will be okay

[hangelbel]

Exploring Manhattan: The Heart of New York City

Manhattan, the vibrant heart of New York City, is a place where history, art, culture, and commerce converge. With its iconic skyline, diverse neighborhoods, and endless entertainment options, Manhattan offers an experience like no other. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or rediscovering the city as a local, here’s everything you need to know about exploring Manhattan.

1. Iconic Landmarks

No visit to Manhattan is complete without exploring its famous landmarks. The Statue of Liberty stands proudly in New York Harbor, symbolizing freedom and hope. Nearby, Ellis Island shares the stories of millions of immigrants who helped shape the city’s history. Another must-see is the Empire State Building, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the skyline from its observation deck.

Other landmarks include Times Square, known as "The Crossroads of the World," where bright lights and billboards dazzle visitors day and night. Central Park, an oasis in the city's midst, provides a natural escape with walking trails, ponds, and beautiful scenery. For art lovers, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are must-visit destinations.

2. Diverse Neighborhoods

Each neighborhood in Manhattan has a unique personality, offering something for everyone. SoHo, known for its cobblestone streets and trendy boutiques, is a haven for art enthusiasts and fashionistas. The Lower East Side showcases the city’s immigrant history with vibrant eateries and cultural sites. For a taste of luxury, visit the Upper East Side, home to upscale shops, fine dining, and classic brownstones.

Head to Greenwich Village for a bohemian vibe with live music venues, quirky coffee shops, and the birthplace of the Beat movement. Meanwhile, Harlem offers rich African American culture, from soul food to jazz clubs and historic churches. Chinatown and Little Italy are other highlights, each offering unique flavors, cultural landmarks, and annual festivals.

3. Entertainment and Nightlife

Manhattan is famous for its Broadway district, where world-class musicals and plays entertain millions. Be sure to catch a show in one of the historic theaters, or, for a unique experience, see an off-Broadway production. The nightlife scene is also thriving, with rooftop bars offering stunning skyline views, jazz clubs in the West Village, and dance clubs in Chelsea.

If you prefer a more relaxed evening, consider a dinner cruise along the Hudson River. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of Manhattan’s illuminated skyline, including landmarks like the One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building, and Brooklyn Bridge.

4. Foodie’s Paradise

Manhattan is a culinary haven, offering everything from food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. For street food, try a New York-style hot dog, a classic slice of pizza, or a bagel with lox and cream cheese. Food halls like Chelsea Market and the Essex Market offer international cuisine, artisanal groceries, and unique dining experiences.

If you’re in the mood for fine dining, Manhattan boasts some of the world’s best restaurants. Jean-Georges, Eleven Madison Park, and Nobu offer exceptional experiences for food lovers. And don’t forget the borough's dessert scene: Magnolia Bakery’s cupcakes and Levain Bakery’s cookies are must-tries.

5. Shopping Extravaganza

For shopping, Fifth Avenue is a dream destination, offering high-end brands like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. For unique finds, head to the markets in Hell’s Kitchen or the boutiques in NoLIta. And if you’re looking for budget-friendly options, the Garment District has plenty of sample sales and outlet stores.

Manhattan truly has it all—from world-renowned landmarks and diverse neighborhoods to mouth-watering cuisine and unparalleled entertainment. Whether you’re strolling through Central Park, dining in Little Italy, or exploring the art galleries in Chelsea, Manhattan will capture your heart and inspire memories that last a lifetime.

[codylambertdanafoster]

toppeses is cards lifet that theys can sin since theys is issue with a certains plot po or a couples of who cat or a cat or a couples or two weeks without a foot or a couples who has now been havingded by now to decide to be able to for some thems aerith chonta ba jorts guten cloud wered a bread gabba in"

[nessieart]

Teeth pt. 6

|| Bare Your Fangs ||

WC: 3.6k

AN: thanks for being patient! here’s part 6! 

Warnings: Canon level violence, (and there’s so much in IM3 like what?) made up fantasy elements prob’ly, cursing, no y/n used.

Summary: It’s just Iron Man 3, really.

<< Previous || First || Next >>

-*-

There's a faint beeping in the room as you wake, subconsciously squeezing the hand that was in yours.  When you open your eyes, Happy is connected to a ventilator, half his face and his left hand are covered in bandages.  He peeks at you from the corner of his uncovered eye, squeezing your hand with his right gently. 

"I'll be right back, ok?" You say quietly. He's barely conscious when you go to get up and get a coffee from a vending machine down the hall. 

When you return, you take your seat to the right of his bed, the lights are dimmed and you sigh into your drink.  

You must have zoned out, staring off into the void, your coffee long since gone cold.  There's a soft knock at the door and you turn to see Tony standing there.  He's wearing a pair of blue shades on his face.  He has a split lip, his eyebrows are drawn down as he puts his hands in his pockets.

You sniff, you can barely smell, the explosion messed with you more than you thought.  You stare at each other for a long moment before he makes his way into the room.  Behind you there’s a sink and he turns it on, after a moment he’s standing next to you, and then he kneels down and puts his shades on top of his head.  And you’re staring into his whiskey brown eyes.  He takes your cold coffee cup and sets it down, then he takes your chin gently in his hand and brings a cloth to your cheek.  You haven’t seen yourself after the explosion, too preoccupied with what was happening to Happy that you ignored your injuries and appearance.

As Tony wipes away the dirt and soot from your face, his eyes are focused on his task and you can examine his face up close. The bags under his eyes are still present, at least it looks like he's showered.  You don't realize you've brought your hand to his face until his fingers touch your wrist. 

Your thumb grazes the cut on his lip and his eyes close.

"I'm sorry I never told you about Pepper," he says quietly.  His thumb is absently stroking your pulse point on your wrist. 

You hum, you don't think you could forgive him, not yet, but you acknowledge what he said.  

"What happened?" He asks, and you take your hand away from his face to place it in your lap.

"I don't know, it all happened so fast," you say.  Tony wipes the last bit of soot off your face, but he stays kneeling in front of you. "One minute they were arguing and then the next, Happy was protecting me from an explosion."  You look up into his eyes, "Something isn't right about this, Tony, I can feel it."

Tony sighs and stands up, pacing away to the other side of the small hospital room, “I don’t want you getting involved in this, it doesn’t concern you.”

You scoff, “Doesn’t concern me? Tony, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m involved now!  I decided to run in and put myself in harm's way because of someone I know.  I’m not just going to stand by and let this happen again.”

Tony whirls back around to look at you, “You’re covered in bruises, Poppy.  Your whole arm is bandaged!”  You look down at your arm, sure enough it's wrapped in gauze, the burns have probably healed by now.  “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”  His voice goes softer at the end of his sentence.

You get up and walk over to him, he’s breathing heavily when you stop in front of him.  You reach your arms around his torso and hug him, leaning your head next to his arc reactor.

"Nothing's going to happen to me," he goes to protest but you hug him tighter, "I'm tougher than you think, my love."  

You both tense, the term of endearment just slipped out, you didn't mean to say it.  Now it's out in the open.  

You go to pull away but Tony puts his arms around your shoulders and hugs you to him.

He sighs into your hair, mumbling, "I know you're tough.  You've lived a whole lifetime by yourself, but if I can protect you for just a little bit," he squeezes you once more, "then let me." 

You sigh and let him go, “You can try,” you smile up at him and he shakes his head.

-*-

This time when you wake, there's someone solid under you, you peak your eyes open and Tony's stroking your hair lightly.  You hum and snuggle closer.

"Sorry to wake you," he says softly.  You're seated on his lap, Tony's sitting in the chair closest to the window in Happy's room.

Your sense of smell is back now, you realize, and you take a deep inhale of Tony.  It's like all your anxieties from the last few months just wither away.  

"What do I smell like?" He's smirking, you can hear it in his voice.

"Home," you don't hesitate to answer, and you look up at him.  His eyebrows are drawn together as he studies your face. His eyes linger on your lips, you lick them subconsciously, and he tracks the movement.

You're both brought out of your trance when a nurse enters the room.  She doesn't seem to notice you both as she goes about checking Happy's vitals. 

When she reaches for the remote, Tony speaks up, jarring her a little.  He goes on to say that the TV should be left on, and that Downton Abbey is Happy's favorite. 

Tony pats your legs and you stand, letting him get up.  He rambles on to the nurse and excuses himself.  You lean over to grab your pack and bid the nurse, and Happy farewell.

You're about to follow Tony out the front doors when you notice a whole group of reporters watching and waiting for Tony to emerge from the hospital.  

"Tony?" You call for him, and before the doors can open he looks back to you.  He holds his hand out for you to take.  You look behind him at the reporters, and then his hand.

"Trust me?" He says, one eyebrow raised as he puts his shades back on.

You inhale a deep breath, step up to him and take his hand.  He leads you both out into the chaos of the hospital entrance.  

There's a few dozen people shouting Tony's name, he seems unphased by it and passes them without issue, ushering you into the passenger seat of his Audi.  As he goes to the driver side you hear someone ask about you and who you are, and then someone asks Tony if he was going to kill someone named The Mandarin.

Your eyebrows furrow, kill who? 

He makes a big threatening speech about fighting said person, and then Tony gives out his home address, your eyes widen.

He jumps into the car, turns it on and starts to speed away.

You're both silent for a few minutes. You're trying to piece together what just happened and Tony taking this personally. 

"What happened last night was by this man?  This what?"

Tony grips the steering wheel tighter and grits his teeth, "he's called the Mandarin, and he's been taunting the president and the U.S. for a few days now."  He takes his phone out of his jacket pocket and hands it to you, "JARVIS, show her."

And then a few videos play, they make your skin crawl and your heart rate kick up. After they end you sit there in silence for a while, unsure of where your thoughts are going or what to say.  Out the window you watch as the scenery passes by.

“Where are we going?”  You ask Tony after 10 minutes of silence.  You look over at him and he looks at you briefly before turning his eyes back to the road.

“Home.”

-*-

Staring down at the 3D model projection of the exploded plaza, you forget Tony’s as smart as he is, and just as technically savvy.

“Show me something, Happy,” he mutters, and as if it was being 3D printed, Happy’s projected body appears, and then so does yours.  Tony’s sharp intake of breath can be heard across the garage and you look up to him.  He’s staring at your projected body, bloody and burned just like Happy.  In the image, you're kneeling over Happy cradling his uninjured hand in yours.

“Happy was pointing to something I couldn’t see before he passed out,” you say quietly.  Tony’s up and moving, the AI doing work and triangulating what he was looking at.  Tony finds what he’s looking for, a military dog tag.  

Tony and JARVIS narrow it all down and you’re in awe of how Tony’s brain works.  He and JARVIS are a well oiled machine when they get going.

“Ever been to Tennessee, JARVIS?” Tony says confidently.

“Creating a flight plan to Tennessee,” JARVIS replies.  Tony sweeps his hands out wide and the whole 3D projection disappears.

You’re grinning up at him as he sits atop a cabinet, “that was incredible.”  He smirks at you.  There’s a doorbell ring that chimes out in the open space and Tony rolls his eyes. 

“Are we still at ‘Ding-dong’?  I thought we were at,” he bangs the cabinet he's sitting on and goes to jump off, “total security lock down.  C’mon, I threatened a terrorist!”

“There’s only so much I can do, sir,” JARVIS sounds exasperated, “you did give your home address to the press.”

You get up from your chair and follow Tony upstairs after he steps into his Iron Man suit.  You know Pepper is home somewhere, you can smell her sweet honey, lavender and citrus scent in the air.  As you look around the giant living space you notice a very overly large stuffed bunny.  

You hum happily and make your way over to the rabbit, reaching out you run your hand over the soft stomach. Cute.

Upstairs you can hear shuffling and you make your way up as Tony goes to answer the door in his Iron Man suit.

You come face to face with Pepper as she grabs a few packed bags from the floor.  She stares at you for a moment before she chucks the bags, one at a time, over the railing and down to the main living areas floor.  

"I may not fully understand what you and Tony mean to each other," she starts, you can tell she's trying not to yell, "but it doesn't mean I have to like it." 

"I'm sorry, Pepper, I really am.  It's not something I can control," you tell her.  She moves around you and goes down stairs.  You follow behind as she speaks to Tony and the woman that entered the mansion a few moments ago.

"Maya Hansen," Tony says, "old botanist pal I used to know…barley." He's shifting on his feet as you and Pepper approach. 

Pepper stops and stands next to Tony, "I'm sorry. With Happy in the hospital, I didn't know we were expecting guests.

"We weren't," Tony says sternly.

The woman, Maya, shakes her head, "No uh, I."

"And old girlfriends!"  Pepper looks back at you and then Maya.  You don't say anything as they bicker back and forth, your head tilting in amusement. 

"It's a big bunny, relax about it!" Tony's shouting brings you back into their conversation, and then you notice the news on TV.  

You make your way closer, eyebrows furrowed, and you notice it's Tony's mansion on screen.  Maya comes to stand next to you.  She smells like daisies,  potted plants; soil and leaves, and something you can’t place, weird. 

"Guys?" She calls, "should we worry about that?" On the television screen, the camera from a helicopter catches a glimpse of a missle headed straight for the mansion. And within a split second it makes contact and the living room explodes as concrete and debris go flying.

Tony and Pepper are flung away from you and Maya as you all go flying back from the concussive blast.

Great, two explosions in less than 24 hours.  If you weren't supernatural you'd have to think about checking yourself into a hospital.

You groan as you get up, blood and dirt coat your tongue as you search for signs of Tony.  There across the rubble you see the suit crouched over top of Tony's proan form, the face plate flipping up and you notice Pepper is inside.  As they go to move and make their way towards you and the exit, the floor splits open separating Pepper and Tony. He yells for her to go and get you and Maya out of the house.

You launch yourself up and over the gap, "I'm not leaving without you," you tell him, your face serious.  "Not this time."  He looks at you for a moment, there’s a cut on his nose that’s oozing blood, his eyes look fearful and his eyebrows drawn up in worry.

Sir, Miss Potts is clear of the structure, JARVIS rings out.  Tony makes a motion with his arms, bringing his hands to his chest.  Within a few seconds he’s being encased in his Iron Man suit.

“Get out of here, Poppy, protect Pepper and Maya,” he says to you as soon as his suit is on.  The blue eyes of his mask turn to you, “Please.”

You growl in frustration, “Fine, but you better make it out of here in one piece.  Or else,” you jump over fallen debris as you make your way to the exit.  Near a fallen pillar you see your pack, you slide over to it, dodging more rubble that’s falling overhead, and sling your bag on your shoulder and sprint to the exit.  The entryway collapses as you make a dive to exit and you look back over your shoulder to see Iron Man take out one helicopter, and then the second begins to descend in fire and explodes into the back of the mansion.

The whole mansion collapses and crumbles, and it's sliding off the side of the cliff into the ocean below.  You’re sure Tony is ok, because you’re so sure you’d feel it if he wasn’t. Right?

Pepper runs to the ledge where some of the mansion rests still in one piece and peers over the edge.  You jog up next to her and she screams for Tony.  You reach your arm out to touch her and she turns to you, tears in her eyes.  Pepper launches herself at you and hugs you tight as she cries.  You’re fighting back your own tears as you return her hug.  You rumble a small purr to try to soothe her, it just makes her tighten her hold on you more.

-*-

Night has fallen and there’s camera crews, firemen, police, and EMTs.  You made sure the paramedics took a look at Maya and Pepper, though the latter protested vehemently.  

Pepper was back near the ledge of the rubble that overlooked the ocean, a destroyed Iron Man helmet in her hands.  You sat on a pile of debris a few feet from her, watching and keeping an eye on her.  Something in your pack rings and you reach in to find it.  Pulling an item out you don’t remember putting there, it’s the phone Tony let you use in his car early this morning.  It’s blinking and you press the button on the bottom and it comes to life.

Pepper puts the Iron Man helmet on her head and when she does the eyes light up and your phone starts to play a message.  It was from Tony!

You sigh in relief as the message plays quietly, 

Poppy, I know I’m asking a lot of you by looking after Pepper, and I know you shouldn’t have to.  But - jeez i keep sayin it don’t I? - please do this for me.  I’m sorry about everything that has happened in the last few days, months. Maybe he sighs aloud, Maybe if I stopped you from leaving New York things would have been different.  Who’s to say?  I don’t have a lot of time, there’s still some things I need to take care of.  I need to deal with this, you know where I am, don’t come after me.

After the message ends you look up to Pepper, and she’s looking at you, there’s a small smile on her face and she sighs, “Let’s go find Maya,” she offers you her hand and you take it as she helps you up, “Take her home.”  You aren’t sure where the attitude shift came from, but you won’t question it.  You’d rather be on her good side than her shoving you off the cliff.

-*-

You were in the backseat of Pepper’s car, the last few days catching up to you, you were trying not to nod off in the backseat of the car for the last 10 minutes.

“Why were you at the house tonight?” Pepper asks, “What was so important that you had to speak to Tony?”

Maya sighs after a moment, “I think that my boss is working for the Mandarin.”  You let out a growl, it was deep in your chest.  Pepper looks in the rear view at you and Maya turns to stare at you with wide eyes. “Sooo if you still want to talk about it, I suggest that we get ourselves someplace safe.”

You’re too focused on containing your anger to pay attention to their conversation.

“This boss of yours, does he have a name?” Pepper glances at Maya in the passenger seat.

“Yeah, Aldrich Killian,” Maya says, and Pepper is so in shock you can smell it roll off her in waves.  You put your hand on her shoulder and squeeze slightly.

-*-

A shower, that was definitely something you needed.  You sigh deep as the hot water washes over your skin, rinsing away all the soot and grime and dried blood that’s been caking your skin for the last two days. Three days?  It feels like heaven and you lose track of time while you’re under the water pressure. 

After you dry and put on clean clothes you exit the bathroom of the hotel room you’re sharing with Pepper and Maya.  There’s a knock at the door and their conversation comes to a halt.

“I’ll get it,” you tell them, and you make your way over to the door.  “It’s room servi-“ you begin but someone comes up behind the man and snaps his neck before you can react.  “Get back!” You yell to Pepper and Maya, and before you can get far, a strong grip grabs you from behind and pins you to the wall by your throat.  

The man holds you up a good foot off the ground, you’re gripping his arm tight in your hands, your claws come out to scratch him and he doesn’t seem surprised by your change in appearance.  You’re trying to growl but his grip is so tight around your neck you can barely manage to pull in a full breath.

“Killian let her go!” Pepper yells from the other side of the room. You’re scrabbling to get free but his grip tightens still.

“Hello, Pepper,” he says to her, then looks over to Maya, “So, you want to tell me why you were at Stark’s mansion last night?”  He looks back at you and grins, “sit still, doggie, I’m not done with you.” Your eyes widen and you grit your teeth, claws still trying to rip him away from you.

Maya sighs, and moves away from Pepper, “I’m trying to fix this!  I didn’t know you and the Master were gonna blow the place up.”

“Oh, so you were trying to save Stark when he threatened us?” Killian responds, “Ah, ah, Pepper,” when she goes to move closer, he lifts you a little higher up the wall.  You’ve ripped the sleeve off his suit and shirt off, now your scratches are deep into his skin, but it’s repairing itself before a drop of blood could leak out.  The orange glow of whatever is under Killian’s skin is persistent as it heals him.

Maya goes to move around Pepper to stand closer to Killian, “Look, if we want to launch the product next year, I need Stark.”  She glances at you, then looks to Pepper and back to Killian, “He just lacked a decent incentive.  Now he has two.”

You bring your legs up and push Killian as hard as you can away from you, he finally releases you and you fall in a heap onto the floor.  Coughing and gasping for air, it takes you a second to get your bearings as you shakily rise to your feet.  

Your voice is rough when you speak, “I knew something smelled off about you.”  You take a step towards Maya, but you’re cut off by Killian again, he grabs you by the back of the neck this time and you go limp, the right amount of pressure and all the fight is gone from you.

“I think we found our leverage,” Killian says, he handles you with minimal effort.  The touch of his hand around your neck was hot, almost burning. 

Why was he so strong?

Pepper goes to protest, but Killian holds you up again with practiced ease.  He leans down to put his mouth next to your ear and whispers, "I know what you are. Shift," you can hear his smirk, his confidence coming off him in waves and a whine leaves you.  He smells rotten in your nose, like burnt clothes and charcoal.

 "Do it,” he demands, “or I kill Pepper." 

-*-

AN: I wanna thank you for reading this far! It means a lot to me!  

Likes, comments, RB<3

[flimflix]

I lifet the lid and fart in the bowl

[generousdefendorpatrol]

Watch "Latto and Supa Peach's DRAMA! | The Rap Game (Reunion) | Lifetime" on YouTube

Xavier Mitchell

[missellafitz]

Ella Fitzgerald & Frank Sinatra: Voices of America

Inside Ella and Sinatra’s remarkable similarities and essential divergences

Most fans of American jazz and pop vocalists would agree that Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra were the undisputed champs of their era. But in 1959, both at the height of their artistic prowess, Sinatra ceded the top spot, admitting, “Ella Fitzgerald is the only performer with whom I’ve ever worked who made me nervous. Because I try to work up to what she does. You know, try to pull myself up to that height, because I believe she is the greatest popular singer in the world, barring none—male or female.” The feeling was mutual, and they duetted on several high-profile occasions. Fitzgerald adored Sinatra, deeply respected his talent and, given her natural humility, would never have claimed superiority.

The career arcs of these two giants were eerily similar, beginning with their rough-and-tumble adolescences. Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Va., in 1917 but raised in Yonkers, as the crow flies about 15 miles north of Sinatra’s hometown, Hoboken, N.J. Sinatra, born in 1915, was expelled from high school due to misbehavior. Fitzgerald was early on an excellent student, but she began cutting class following her mother’s death in 1932 and was eventually sent to an orphanage and a reform school. He got his big break on Major Bowes’ Amateur Hour radio show in 1935. In November of ’34, Fitzgerald had ignited her career by winning top Amateur Night honors at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, famously aborting her planned hoofer routine when the preceding dance act proved too polished. Instead she sang, choosing Hoagy Carmichael’s “Judy,” whose lyric included the prescient notion “In a hundred ways/You’ll be shouting her praise.”

Before simultaneously launching solo careers in 1942, both were band singers, Sinatra with Harry James then Tommy Dorsey, Fitzgerald with Chick Webb’s hard-swinging orchestra, which she fronted after Webb’s death in 1939. In the wake of correspondingly serious lulls in the early 1950s, both navigated resurgences that lifted them to iconic heights, precipitated by strategic label changes: Sinatra moved from Columbia to Capitol; Fitzgerald transitioned from Decca to producer Norman Granz’s newly minted Verve. Both fought for good songs and, despite plenty of dross in their enormous catalogs, remain the definitive interpreters of the Great American Songbook. They continued to perform into their 70s. Their deaths, like their births, arrived less than two years apart. Fitzgerald passed first, in 1996, due to prolonged complications from diabetes. Sinatra succumbed to a heart attack in May of ’98.

Yet despite the remarkable parallels, Fitzgerald and Sinatra were fundamentally different as singers and as public figures. He sang for, and about, himself; she sang for others. As the New York Times noted in its Fitzgerald obituary, “Where [Billie] Holiday and Frank Sinatra lived out the dramas they sang about, Miss Fitzgerald, viewing them from afar, seemed to understand and forgive all.” Sinatra’s life was an open book; hers was, by and large, a blank page. Her life, though fraught with hardships and heartache, existed almost exclusively for the music and the joy of satisfying listeners. And despite incomparable success—she was the first African-American woman to win a Grammy, and has more performances in the Grammy Hall of Fame than any other female artist—Fitzgerald forever maintained a demure, often self-effacing modesty, coupled with a shyness propelled by a constant fear of appearing inarticulate.Ella Fitzgerald, c. 1935 (c/o Universal)

During a celebrity-packed salute at New York’s Basin Street East in 1954, she acknowledged a slew of accolades by quietly stating, “To know that you love me for my singing is too much for me. Forgive me if I don’t have all the words. Maybe I can sing it and you’ll understand.” Three and a half decades later, when accepting the Society of Singers’ inaugural lifetime achievement award, named in her honor, she softly observed, “I don’t want to say the wrong thing, which I always do; but I think I do better when I sing.” We remember Sinatra—to whom she presented the Society’s second annual “Ella” award—as much for the fisticuffs and high-flying revelry as for the Voice. Fitzgerald we revere exclusively for the immensity of her musical skills and the intrinsic, altruistic warmth that helped define them.

[crmsnmth]

Untitled #15

All the things that I fear I could've faced with my fingers in yours Staring at the terrors my mind conjures up I could stand against a war As long as our hands were clapsed We'll let out a battle cry as we charge an oncoming army

There are no words to the feeling that I felt when I was in the same room with you But I can tell you that it felt wonderful Let me breathe for you I want to be a drop of your blood And you smiled at me as I stared And I smiled back And that was hello

Green felt feild and circus tents We had our own inside jokes the night we met And every time I see a raccoon I always think of you I let you in and you stayed You could've stayed forever if you wanted Because i know that's what I wanted But it doesn't matter what either of us wanted Because neither of us was in control

I felt like I could climb the world when you weer around That I could jump straight to the moon You made me understand in what's great about life And you showed me what it's like to not have a lifet I repeat it all the time, but I don't blame anyone I was the one who went from lines to lines to sticks and pokes

Never though about a contingency plan I was in it for the long haul, but this delivery was local And I never even got to get out of the truck

[pampergirl1]

“You see Andrew , I always wanted a son, I just don’t want to be married you know”? “Oh I guess you wouldn’t know, since you have a wife and kids, don’t worry they’ll mourn you, and plus after they see what you are now, they won’t be able to respect you anymore”. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I laid there in disbelief, I wanted to kill this man. He then pulled back my diaper and the cold air hit my skin, I felt myself peeing out of no where, I hopped I peed on him. “Oh! Uh ohh, are you pee pee on your dada, hm ohhh are your marking your territory hmm? Going potty on daddy, that’s o cute, it’s okay, we’ll have you all freshly taped up and secure then you can pee all you want. That’s what daddy has these man sized pampers made just for you “! He gets on my nerves. I thought. I then caught a whiff of diarrhea and baby powder, disgusting 🤢…. “Woah you need man sized pampers for these man sized duties you make”. “Anywho, so I caught you in the bathroom, came out of the stall and slipped a binky in your mouth and you you were out”. As he wipes the poop off my bottom. So I brought you to the car, got you in the change position and changed you into your first pamper that was yesterday! And now your here little guy, my new baby boy”… he then removed my old diaper, and lifeted my legs and butt from the table like it was nothing, and then slid a new pamper under me. “There we go, now let get you all lotion and powdered”! How does that sound stinkie booty? I suckled my binkie, and didn’t want to, it’s the new nature kicking in…..

“Okay baby boy let’s get you powedered”. He powdered my front and back, and put some cream on me… and then he securely taped the diaper up, I can’t lie this thing is comfortable.

There we go, so now your my baby…

To be continued