#listen I think she can brains beauty AND brawn all together

[rozahline]

tuna bazooka

[jazzmckay]

davg day 6:

if anyone needs me i will be over here lying on the floor

i'd already collected all the wolf statuettes apparently so as soon as i got the last from the inky (!!!!!!) i was able to view all the regrets back to back to back to back....

so yes. the floor. im a fun mix of excited and overwhelmed and heartbroken. stunned to find a ton of my headcanons are now actual canon. how intense. poor solas, jfc, but also shiiiiiit the dagger and the titans, thats so damn rough. i understand why lace is as angry as she is. the dwarves absolutely got the worst deal ever here. they are, after all, the ones who have to deal with the darkspawn all the time, not just during a blight. i took so many screenshots during all this.... i loved that the whole team got together like a damn book club to discuss solas' worst memories omg... rip to solas he's been mega exposed. the mortifying ordeal of being known. but my rook is absolutely sympathetic. i'm constantly wishing i could go talk to him whenever i want :( solas :(((( (id REALLY like to write a missing scene where rook goes to talk to him after minrathous vs treviso because who the fuck else would understand the weight of dooming innocents on such a scale? part of her sympathy is because i, the player, am sympathetic, but i also think the harder being a leader gets, the more she understands the complexity of the choices he made)

the topic of curing the titans came up..... houghhh is it really possible? will it happen in this game? aAaAAA

and then im meeting someone in the crossroads with morrigan, who she called "she". am i about to meet mythal? in spirit form after solas took her power at the end of dai??? i realize i can get this answer as soon as i want lmao but theres soooo much i want to do at the same times always!!!!

TAASH. i need to know everything about you RIGHT NOW

during all these sequences, i found myself so intrigued by everything taash had to add. theyre actually... really fucking smart? brains AND brawn? my DUDE thats hot. i got this vibe from the "taash talks" stuff as well. there is so much to them beneath the Brutal Warrior vibe

also i got a giggle out of taash immediately being like "they were fucking" about solas and mythal, and i got approval for agreeing "oh they were definitely doing it" sdfgmf incredible

i did indeed get a continuation about taash's gender issues and i'm so in love.... it's actually really wonderful to see a character still figuring it out instead of already knowing. cathartic. the struggle of feeling "not normal" and having a different response to gender things than others. simply not having the frame of reference or the terminology, just knowing theres this Feeling. can't wait to see how it plays out

the way solas was responsible for this with the titans and then when he woke up in the current world with the veil, he felt like it HAPPENED AGAIN.... ACCIDENTALLY. TO HIS OWN PEOPLE im going to scream. the way its linked to tranquility. screaming and screaming and

honestly all of this was delicious in a ton of ways, including lace, bellara, and davrin just being present, leaning all this about the dwarves, the elves, and the blight. bellara and lace relating over the need to reevaluate so much of what they understood..... hhh and davrin probably now understands more about the blight than any other warden ever.

when bellara mentioned that solas might be able to possess someone to escape the fade my pupils went blown like an excited cat lol literally instantly "POSSES ME, SOLAS....."

yes yes we're supposed to be wary, we're expecting him to betray us of course of course but listen. rook and solas could be in one body fighting this together as a little treat. im just SAYING

so after this i did emmrichs personal mission in the necropolis gardens, which was fucking beautiful. i do actually find cemeteries really peaceful, personally. ive been to some old canadian ones and had a great time sitting in the grass between the headstones and writing in my journal. so i loved this very much. walked around quite a bit, not sprinting at all, just taking it in and doing the side quest there

also emmrich and bellara are team "upbeat and kind, reveal their traumatizing backstory, then go back to normal like that never came up!" omg they.... i wish there was a "hug companion" button

i went to the anderfels after but i was feeling a bit overstimulated with all the stuff i learned! but i will def play more later because i am dying to find out more

[dxppercxdxver]

I do Not expect you to do another one but for a rainy day: original hhsa four with 21

can you tell i have a fuck ton of feelings about the og quad (also this contradicts my own written timeline but shhhhhh)

21 - things you said when we were on top of the world

from the diary of headmaster bramwell ebony

the night before juno holbrook disappeared was a triumphant one.

bascus northernfield was a brash young boy of seventeen, all fine golden hair and unchipped teeth, and a dream so bright it made him hard to look at, his soul always glowing supernova. he was captivating, and optimistic, and he was dangerous in this way because when you looked at him, you just knew somewhere deep in your heart that he had it all figured out. that wasn't true, of course, but you believed with all your might that it was, and there in laid the trap.

so caught up in his stubborn, foolish hope you fell straight into the snare.

the night before juno holbrook disappeared was the last night of normalcy for any of us.

we had snuck out that night, uncharacteristically rebellious, but then we didn't yet know of the danger that hid just under the surface, coiled in the topsoil and tree bark. it was bascus's idea, of course. he had sneaked into town earlier in the week, nabbing a few bags of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers (gluten free for claire), and he was bound and determined to have a proper bonfire before we all went home for winter break. the air was crisp and dry, the suggestion of the holidays strung along on frosty breezes and handfuls of snowflakes tossed about in the wind.

obviously we all went. when bascus northernfield made a plan, you followed it. it didn't help that i would have followed him to the ends of the earth then. i did.

"you know," he said once the fire was crackling in earnest, "i think we've really got something good going."

"oh yeah?" june cut in, tossing hair as red and wild as the flames over her shoulder. she had carefully broken back into herronimus property to meet up with us, which i still can and can't believe she did. "what might that be, bitch boy?"

june, claire signed with a mock offended frown, let the man speak.

bascus laughed. "listen to claire, she has the right idea."

like that, in the firelight, bascus looked more beautiful than i could bear. i'm sure much of my memory is heavily colored by nostalgia, but like it or not i was in love with him and had been for ages, so anything different than the norm shone like all the finest jewels to me.

i only record this so you understand where we all were. bas was our lighthouse, mine most of all. when there was trouble, we turned to him, his quick thinking and quicker mouth, and he was always able to save us. we had no reason to believe he'd ever let us down. and that night he was at his most brilliant.

"i mean, though, look at us," he said, crooked smile on his face. i could see it in his eye he was about to do something unnecessarily flamboyant that i pretended to hate but secretly found quite charming, and so i interjected with, "bas, please," and he just winked and replied, "you know you love it."

i wish to all the gods i'd stopped him then. it wouldn't have done anything to stave off the misery and heartache before us, but at least it may have brought us closer to earth before the fall.

but as it stands, i was so enraptured in his revolutionary voice, his grand plans, i had no intention other than to let him speak.

and speak he did.

hauling himself to his feet, bascus spread his arms wide, marshmallow stick still clutched in one hand. he looked like a preacher, spreading his religion to his congregation of three. what a foolish three.

"think about it. the best and brightest herronimus has to offer. brains, brawn, talk, and the most powerful witches to have matriculated since the school was founded. together..." and i swear the look he gave me was a deliberate taunt, soured by time and betrayal, "together, we can do everything we want."

"big talk for such a little fella," june snickered, throwing her arm around claire. she always was the doubter among us. i found it irksome at the time, but now i think she was the only one sharp enough to see through the posturing. claire only kissed her cheek.

bascus wrinkled his nose. "eat it, evans, i'm serious. there's no denying we're special. the universe needed us to meet. i'm sure of it. the world is in our hands, all four of us. together."

i remember beaming up at him, completely and totally taken in by him. his polo shirts, his shaggy blonde ponytail, even the little mole under his left eye. he looked a painting, an old master to me.

and so i did something that to this day i will regret.

claire and june were cheering together, holding their s'mores aloft in lieu of beers or some such thing, and i don't know for the life of me what possessed me that night, but the next thing i knew i was on my feet and kissing bascus northernfield like there was no tomorrow.

little did i know, that would be the case. our world would end the very next morning when bascus discovered his childhood friend to be missing, when a sudden surge of darkness swept out of the forest, cloaking campus in a tidal wave of inky spores, but then, it was just us four dumb kids, high on relentless hope.

it was a good first kiss, i think. warm and joyful and he pulled me in when i expected shock or fury and claire and june whooped even louder and when bascus finally let go we were both out of breath and smiling so hard our cheeks hurt. i know i took his hand, his soft, scar-free hand, and squeezed it. just once, just softly.

and bascus kissed me again, and i knew, in that moment, we would be alright.

[mediocre-writerr]

bruises [jennifer jareau]

jennifer jareau x reader

requested: I loved the JJ one shot so much! Could I request one where JJ x fem reader are kindapped for information and the reader sacrifices herself when they want to hurt her to get information out of Jennifer. Jennifer loses it when she hears reader screaming but reader tells her not to give them anything HEAVY ANGST

WARNING! : blood, torture, and kidnapping

*not my gif*

“I love you so much,” you said.

The two of you were hanging from small chains that dangled above the ceiling. Your feet lifted slight above the ground as your arms were extended upwards. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

A simple protocol mission that you’ve ran thousand times before turned deadly. But they wanted us, correction they needed us. They were only supposed to have one of us, but you tried to stop the unsubs from dragging JJ’s once unconscious body into their van. And it was working for a little bit until the one unsub turned into two.

You were surrounded with no one to lean on. Nowhere to go, you couldn’t leave your girlfriend behind.

“Alright ladies, listen up!” the bigger, older unsub stated. He was much stronger than the younger one, a bigger built. The classic two unsub scenario, “We need information about the BAU and you’re gonna give it us.”

JJ shook her head, “You’re not getting anything out of either of us!”

The unsub just smiled, evily, “See I figured you were gonna say that. We’ve done a lot of research Agent Jareau about your lives and everyone else’s lives in the BAU. So getting the both of you was our plan all along. You wouldn’t have let Agent Y/L/N get kidnapped and vice versa.”

Well, maybe not the classic two unsub scenario. He was a lot smarter than most of the older, stronger of the pair. He looked like the brain and the brawn and somehow this younger guy was dragged into it,

“The question is: who’s the bigger hero? And who’s gonna sit by idley and watch them die?” he asked and another deeper sinister smile formed onto his face.

Fear shot through your veins and you immediately looked at JJ. She had her hero face on and she was ready to sacrifice it all.

“We’re gonna be here all day if I have the two of you choose, so I’ll just choose for you.” he started pointing his finger, moving it left and right and left and right, “Catch a tiger by the toe, if it hollers let it go,” he continued on with the childish game.

Until his finger finally landed on the blonde beauty next to you.

But you immediately spoke up, “No! No! Beat me please!” you begged.

A small pout formed on his face, “I knew you were gonna say that too!”

Blam!

His knuckle hit you square in the stomach. You let out a soft groan.

“Y/N! No!” JJ yelled.

“Alright Jareau, this is what’s gonna happen. I’m gonna ask you the questions I need answers to and if you don’t answer them Y/N here gets a little punishment. Each time you don’t answer the worse the punishment gets. Me and my friend here will demonstrate,” he said, gesturing towards the younger boy, “Where do you live?”

“I’m not telling you!” the boy said, trying to sound confident, but you could hear the shakiness in his voice.

And then there was a fist to your nose. You could hear a small crack and a puddle of blood began flowing out like a waterfall.

“Just like that!” he said, excitedly, “So first question Agent Jareau, what is BAU director Strauss’s address?”

She looked towards you and you shook your head. He wanted to pick all of you off one by one, “Y/N, if I don’t answer-“

“JJ, no,” you said, sternly.

She let out a deep sigh, “‘No. I-I can’t.”

“First denied question of the night. You know what that means! Time to play: what punishment does Agent Y/L/N get today?!”

He looks behind him on a folded table full of things that could hurt you. JJ looks at you with worry in her eyes and you just shook your head.

“You don’t give anything, okay? Hotch and the rest of the team, they’ll find us.” you whispered.

Her eyes started to fill with tears, “But what if-what if you die in the process?”

“They’ll come, love. I can take it.”

The unsub turned back around with a brass knuckle hanging tightly around his. He stepped closer to to you and you could feel the metal piercing through your cheek as your head snapped.

Blood was still dripping down at your broken nose and the new gash on your face matched your nose. He just laughed softly at the sight of you.

“Okay Jareau, next question: what’s the security code to get into the Quantico office?” she looked at your bloody face, yet to her you still looked absolutely beautiful. You gave her another stern head shake, the loss of blood starting to affect you more.

“I don’t know.” she just managed to get out.

He let out a sigh, “You know, I really thought you’d cooperate more. With you being in love with her and everything, but I guess that means you really don’t.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” she yelled, letting his words get under her skin. One of the biggest rules in any force is to never let the enemy under your skin. Don’t give them that satisfaction. But as JJ watched as blood dripped down your face, she couldn’t thinking of anything more, “I love Y/N with every bone, every ounce of my body.”

“Well that’s obviously not enough is it?” he shrugged, “Well more fun for me then. And speaking of bones.”

He breaks you out of your chains. The younger boy holding your hands behind his back as he curb-stomped your shin multiple times. Until there was a non-appealing crunch coming from your leg. You let out a little squeak at the feeling as they dropped you onto another chair.

JJ whimpered at the sound of your squeak. Tears falling onto her cheeks. And you gave her a stern nod trying to convince her that you’re okay, but you didn’t even believe that.

“A broken nose, broken leg, and a gashed cheek. It can and will get worse from here. All you got to do is answer one of my questions. Let’s repeat the first one, shall we? Strauss’s address?” she gave you another look and you shook your head again.

You can’t risk someone else getting hurt. Not again. The team and everyone at Quantico doesn’t deserve that. And there was a still little glimmers of hope that they were on their way to rescue you.

“I have no idea.” she winced at her words, but you gave her a soft nod.

It looked like they already picked out what torturing device they wanted to use next. An iron was already heated up on a extension cord from the wall in front of you. The basement turning into one of those twisted rooms from a horror flick.

You braced for the impact, the iron hovering over your skin. The heat feeling like cooking in a pan of oil and having it splash on you, “Are you sure you don’t have another answer JJ? This is a fairly hot iron.”

You give her another look and she nods, “I’m sure.”

The hot iron was pressed onto your arm as you let out an ear piercing scream. You could feel your arm start to blister and he lifts up the iron after God knows how long. Your arm looking like you got bit by a zombie at the third degree burn that was now forming on your arm.

But the burns didn’t stop. The younger boy continued placing the iron on my skin for at least 2 minutes each. My screams echoing throughout the basement. JJ started sobbing at the sounds of you groaning in pain.

“The last and final question Jareau and if you don’t answer it we’re just going to keep repeating the same questions, torturing her more until you finally do.” the unsub said, “Jack Hotchner, what school does he go to? Or better yet, your son Henry? Actually just give me the address to all of your homes. We can have loads of fun together then.”

And despite all of the pain you were inducing, this was really something that couldn’t get out. You shook your head and she bit on her bottom lip.

“Come on Agent Jareau, what’s it gonna be?” he asked.

“If I tell you this will you let us go?” she asked and your eyes went wide.

“Yeah sure. I’ll find you guys eventually. I’ll have your address and all of that.” he said, nonchalantly.

You shook your head, “JJ don’t listen to him. He’s a liar. He’s not gonna let us go. We can’t put everyone else we love in risk.”

“But Y/N-“ she began to say.

“No ‘but’s’ Jay! I’ll be okay!” you snapped and your eyes were watering at how much pain you were in. You know she wasn’t thinking straight. She wasn’t gonna give out any of the addresses, but seeing you in pain was all it take for her brain to go haywire.

She turned back to the unsub, who was waiting expectantly at the answer, before she spat, “Go to hell.”

He pulled out a gun from his gun holster. And aimed it right at your chest. Three shots rang out each one of them hitting your chest.

“No!” JJ screamed, pulling on her chains to try to break free, to try and get to you.

You let out a gasped breath, struggling to breath. Hotch and Morgan burst into the basement.

“Kaleb O’Connell and Mikey O’Connell, you are under arrest. Put your weapons down and your hands in the air.” Hotch ordered and the younger boy immediately fell onto the ground.

But of course the older one didn’t go down without a fight. He turned around shooting you again as a shot rang through your stomach. You let out another gasp of pain.

“No please! Stop!” JJ cried out and her sobs were causing her whole body to shake.

Morgan didn’t hesitate to shoot him multiple times. The unsub falling onto the ground in front of you. He immediately went to your aide, pressing pressure to your wounds. Hotch unchained Jareau and she immediately ran to your side.

Morgan pressed the walkie-talkie that was on his vest, “We need a medic in here!” he tried to stop the shakiness in his voice.

JJ cradled you in her arms. You gave her a small smile to reassure her, but you couldn’t feel anymore pain. Her hands still pressing pressure on four of the bullet wounds.

“Did you know that I-I love you Jay?” you managed to get out.

She whimpered a little, “Yeah I know. I love you so much,”

“Can you promise me something?” you asked her and you could feel your energy slowly start to slip away from your body.

“And what’s that?”

Your hands were shaky as you reached up to touch her face. Your fingers lightly gazing over your skin, “I want you to move on at one point. You can’t hold onto the loss of me forever, my love.”

She shook her head, “What do you mean? You’re not going anywhere. No one is going anywehere,” but she could see it. The light was starting to fade from your eyes and your skin was growing cold, “Where’s a medic?!” she ordered.

“They’re not gonna get here in time. It’s too late.” you whispered.

But she was in denial, continuing to shake her head, “No. That’s not, that’s not true! You can’t be dying. We’re supposed to have a family Y/N, we were supposed to get married and you were gonna help Henry have siblings. Please you can’t go. Don’t go.”

You filled her cheek softly, “I don’t want to go. All I want is to be with you. But you have your whole life ahead of you JJ. And you’re gonna meet someone new and have an epic love. You’ll become madly in love before you even realize it. And then at the end, I’ll be waiting for you with open arms.” The pool of blood leaving your body was growing bigger and bigger, “I love you Jennifer Jareau.”

And your breathing stopped, “Y/N?!” she shook you softly, “No please! Hotch! Where’s the medics?! Hotch!” JJ cried out, your eyes still open as she looked into your lifeless eyes.

Morgan lifted JJ up from off the ground as Hotch picked up your body. Hotch carried you up the stares and he wanted to stay strong, but his eyes were filled to the brim. Morgan pulled her into his chest, playing with her hair as he held her tight. Both of their bodies shaking at JJ’s sobs. A few tears slipping down his cheeks.

He guided her up towards the front of the house where the paramedics finally were, “Where were you?!” JJ yelled. The rest of the team watching as they just arrived onto the scene, “If you would’ve gotten here sooner! She wouldn’t be gone!”

“What?” Spencer asked. You were like a sister to him, a slightly older sister he always looked up to. Ever since he got into the BAU, “JJ, what’s going on?”

“Y/N is dead! She’s gone! Because, they weren’t here on time! The paramedics, they should’ve been here on time. But they weren’t! They weren’t here!” she cried out, repeating the same things over and over again. Garcia and Prentiss has silent tears slipping doesnt their cheeks as they watched their best friend break down right in front of them.

The paramedics covered your body with a sheet, before placing you in a body bag as gently as possible. JJ tried running towards you, but Morgan held her back.

“Y/N please! No come back!” she sobbed out and fell onto her knees on the ground.

Yeah that’s the thing about love...it’s never guaranteed.

[candycityy]

Some (established relationship) Rivetra birthday crack/fluff, ft. awkward!Levi, because I can.

Levi sucks at giving gifts.

Maybe it's just the fact that he's awkward as fuck, but the notion of having to find something nice for another person fills him with equal parts dread and exhaustion. Honestly, how would he know what they'd want, anyway? He'd much rather just shove a couple of coins in their direction and call it a day.

The whole concept of gifts had been a culture shock to him, after leaving the Underground—not that he didn't understand what it meant to get someone something, but just the whole song and dance about it, of how every even remotely special occasion called for a gift of some sort. The first time he'd heard of it, a squadmate was asking him to contribute something to Erwin's promotion hamper, and he'd almost snorted, assuming it was a joke; the fucker had just been promoted to Commander of the Survey Corps, honestly, wasn't that gift enough?

Fortunately, his squad knows better than to ask him to contribute things; they just ask for money whenever they're doing a group gift, which he's happy enough to part with. And with matters outside the squad, well...he still doesn't really get why people thing he's so fucking terrifying, but in this, at least, he's happy to be excluded.

Well, until now. Unlike him, Petra actually does enjoy gifts; she's one of those crazy people who likes giving them, who handwrites cards and wraps presents in nice paper and glittery ribbons (another thing he doesn't get. He's supposed to spend time and money on wrapping paper that's just going to get torn into shreds?) and somehow, considering how they're dating and all, he doubts she'd be content with his usual fare of a few coins and a curt happy birthday over breakfast.

He briefly considers staging a training accident; surely, she wouldn't expect a gift from him if he were in the med bay recovering from a debilitating but non-life-threatening injury?

"Aha," Hanji says, briefly pausing in her monologue about Titan reproduction (he hadn't been listening in the slightest, but that's never been a deterrent) to point her spoon dangerously close to his face. "I recognise that look. You're thinking again, aren't you."

"None of your business." He pokes morosely at his dinner, and misses. The tines of his fork strike the porcelain with a rather unpleasant metallic screech that makes them both wince.

"It's not a good look on you, you know," she comments, shovelling a fragment of potato into her mouth as Levi watches with barely veiled disgust. "Thinking. You're much better off playing the role of the macho action hero, all brawn and no brain—"

"I will stab you with this butter knife," he threatens, with a kind of despondent savagery. The woman just leans on her elbow and waits, perfectly unruffled.

He chews, swallows, and after a long pause, finally admits, "Petra's birthday is coming up."

"And you're thinking about what to get her?" Hanji smirks. "Sweet."

"I'm thinking about why surface-dwellers have so much time and energy to bother with stupid things like gifts," he grumbles, spearing a chunk of broccoli with more aggression than strictly necessary.

"Well, they're a welcome distraction from the terrors of daily life, don't you think?" She pushes her goggles up her nose with a kind of practiced impatience, and continues, "I think...Petra probably would want something heartfelt. You know, something you wouldn't give to anyone else."

"I wouldn't give anyone anything, from the start."

"You know what I mean." Hanji rolls her eyes. "The gift's gotta make her feel special. Maybe something with a sort of significance, or meaning, or...oh! Something handmade? How good are you with handicrafts?" She eyes him, looking rather less hopeful than he'd like. It rankles him.

"I'm pretty good at carving," he snaps. Hanji brightens.

"Ooh. Wood?"

"Flesh." He shovels the rest of the stew into his mouth, ignoring her snort of indignation, and stands up. "Don't choke on your food, Four-Eyes."

==

In his time in the Underground, he'd learnt precisely two things about food: one, to defend it with your life, and two, if you chuck a bunch of ingredients into a pot and apply heat, you can call it a casserole, which is a fancy-sounding name for something that barely counts as a dish at all.

Furlan, being unable to cook for his life, had been put on permanent ingredient-gathering duty (read: theft) instead. Isabel, on the other hand, had an irritating tendency to get distracted, disappear off to fuck-knows-where with the food still on the stove, and promptly forget all about it. By the process of elimination, Levi had took over most of the cooking.

Being easy, flexible, and requiring very little attention, casserole had quickly become his signature dish. And yeah, he wouldn't call himself good by any means, but as far as he's concerned, no-one'd ever gotten food poisoning from a dish he'd made, which he counts a win.

Still, he figures that not poisoning anyone is a pretty low bar to set for a birthday dinner for his girlfriend.

For the eleventh time since entering the store, Levi wonders if he should just forget it. Get her some bauble or trinket, that glittery shit that girls always like. But against his will, Hanji's irritating voice drones in his head: something heartfelt. Something you wouldn't give to anyone else.

Levi scowls darkly at a shelf of cheese. "What the fuck's the difference between cheddar and mozzarella, anyway?" he mutters to himself, before giving up and shoving both into his basket.

He continues wandering through the store, grabbing whatever he thinks will go well together. He barely glances at the price tags as he goes, too distracted by his thoughts—does she like chickpeas? Or was it lentils? Are those different?

(Of course, he pays for his inattention dearly, when the cashier coolly informs him of his total and he almost chokes. Well, he really should've known; the storekeeper in the Underground always did seem to loathe them with an aggressive vengeance.)

==

Carrots—potatoes—beef. Levi measures out the ingredients carefully and scoops them into the pot, eyeing the stew bubbling cheerfully over on the stove, and allows himself a brief moment of smugness.

He's outdone himself, even if he says so himself. Everything's been planned, down to the last detail. In the morning, he'd presented Petra with a new fountain pen, a perfect decoy gift, especially since she'd mentioned earlier how she'd been needing one. He hadn't missed the flash of disappointment in her eyes—shitty Four-Eyes had been right for once, he supposes—but she'd schooled her expression into one of appropriate delight quickly enough, and exclaimed over it as necessary, and he'd known she'd fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

He's even timed this whole dinner thing perfectly, getting the guys to keep her back for a bit after training (which they'd agreed to, albeit with some snickering) so he could prep for the meal. She'd be in the showers now, he guesses; and now, with the brick oven all heated up and the dish nicely in place, he probably has about twenty, thirty minutes before the next step of the plan, when he'll go to retrieve her from her room under some pretense or another, lead her to the dining hall, and—

"Levi? What's going on?" Petra rubs her eyes, strolling into the room and and sniffing the air curiously. "Are you—are you cooking?"

What the fuck.

"Petra." He tries his best to block the stove, desperately searching for a way out. "You're back early. This is, uh...an experiment. For Hanji. It could blow up any second, so off you go now."

Petra does not oblige. Her eyes narrow, and she tries to peek around him. "Your experiment is stew?"

"It's not stew, it's...Titan bait," he improvises wildly, making her brows lift in disbelief. "Seriously, Petra. Go away." His eyes dart to the wall clock; he needs about fifteen more minutes, at least. "Didn't Eld...didn't the guys ask you to stay for a bit?"

She shrugs, still craning her neck to try to see the contents of the kitchen counter. There's a hint of a grin on her face now. "Auruo was bragging again about something-or-the-other, and bit his tongue, and I slipped away in the commotion. Levi, is that cake?"

"I told you, it's Titan bait. Now get out, that's an order." He tries to keep his tone cold and steely, a feat which is proving much more challenging than usual with his very pretty, very annoying girlfriend standing on tiptoe, trying her best to peek over his shoulder.

Judging by her expression of keen amusement, he fails quite spectacularly.

"Levi," his irrepressible subordinate goes, her eyes gleaming, "your cake—sorry, Titan bait—says 'Happy Birthday, Petra'."

With a frustrated exhale, he gives up trying to block her, and slumps back to the kitchen counter. Petra waits, tapping her foot, still looking thoroughly amused. Her hair is still damp from the showers, he notices. But despite the fact that she has a towel around her neck and is dressed in a ratty old t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants—her standard evening attire—his breath catches in his throat. She's beautiful.

"Okay, fine," he grumbles, tearing his gaze away. "I'm cooking. It's for you. Happy birthday. You're still a brat."

She laughs, and the sound makes his lips pull into a reluctant smile, too. "I never took you for the domestic type, captain," she teases, leaning into him and winding her arms around his back. "Stew? But didn't you already give me a gift, though?"

"Casserole," he corrects. "It sounds fancier. And that was a decoy—this was supposed to be a surprise. I mean, I thought...since it's the first time you're having a birthday, well. With us, like. Together." He clears his throat, and silently wills himself not to do anything stupid and embarrassing, like—Walls forbid—blush. "Remind me to have a talk with Auruo, will you."

"Well, count me surprised," she says, leaning in and grinning up at him.

He rolls his eyes.

"Anyway. Since you're here so early," he goes, gazing at her with a look of utmost seriousness, "here. You can help to chop the onions."

Petra blinks, indignant. "Seriously?"

"Nah, I'm kidding. That's for ruining my surprise, you brat."

==

"...Levi?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Happy birthday, Petra."

[chickensarentcheap]

Best Part of Me -Chapter 13

Warnings: profanity

Tagging: @c-a-v-a-l-r-y​, @alievans007​, @thunderintheshadows​, @innerpaperexpertcloud​

“Well tonight went pretty good,” Tyler comments, as he joins his wife in the kitchen; leaning stomach first against the island, placing his elbows on the granite countertop and running his palms over his face. “I have to say, you really nailed the whole being civil thing.”

Esme rolls her eyes; unappreciative of the sarcasm that drips from every word. With all five kids settled for the night, it’s inevitable that the topic of the disastrous end to dinner would be brought up. And he watches as she moves about the room, gathering up snacks for school lunches, preparing the meals, cleaning that day’s garbage out of lunch pails.  The dress and make up are long gone; a wide head band holds her hair away from her face and she’s clad in a pair of shorts made from an old pair of sweatpants and a simple white tank top. A far cry from what she’d looked like at dinner, but no less beautiful.  

“Why would you even get into it with her?” he asks. “Aren’t you always the one that’s telling me not to let people get inside my head?”

“Don’t act like this wasn’t a long time coming. That it hasn’t been six years of her trying to destroy us. Always one thing after another with her. Sending you emails, text messages, showing up at your hotel rooms while on jobs. I’m supposed to be okay with all of that?”

“I never said that. I never said you had to be okay with it.”

“You’d be pretty fucking pissed if the roles were reversed. You would have long ago beat the shit out of them if I had an ex that acted like that.”

“Six months ago your ex helped someone try and kill me, so...”

“That’s not the same and you know it. Was Mark sending me sexually explicit emails and text messages? Was he getting drunk and sending me naked pictures of himself? Was he showing up in the driveway every time you went out of town?”

Tyler shrugs. “I dunno. Was he?”

“You damn well know he wasn’t. Don’t bring Mark into this. He didn’t spend six years playing stupid fucking games trying to get me to cheat on you. And if can’t see the difference between my ex-husband and your ex... whatever the hell she is....”

“Okay first off. She wasn’t an ex anything. I was fucking her. That’s it. Don’t make it seem more important than it was. You were actually married to that asshole.”

“Which has no actual bearing on this conversation because he didn’t do the shit that Nik did. Oh my god, can you honestly not see the fucking difference?”

Tyler smirks. “So being civil doesn’t extend to me either, I see.”

“You know what, fuck you Tyler. Maybe there’s more to things than you’re letting on. You get awful defensive when I say anything remotely negative about Nik.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it. I have enough negative things to say about her myself. I don’t give a crap if you shit talk. I agree with all of it, so...”

“You were awful quick to defend her though,” Esme points out, as she finishes packing the snacks and juices boxes in the three lunch bags and sets them on the island.  

“When? When did I defend her? Give me one example of when I defended her.”

“You were on her side the whole time!”

“Like fuck I was,” he scowls. “I always have your back and you know it.”

“You kept trying to stop me,” she accuses. “Bossing me around, ordering me about. Like who the hell do you think you are?”

“Well I have a ring on my fingers and a piece of paper that says I’m your husband. And I was not ordering you around. I just wanted you to stop. It wasn’t the time or place for that shit.”

“She deserved to hear it.”

“Which I agree with. But she didn’t need to hear it there. Time and place, Esme. And that was not the time or the place.”

“Someone with your temper lecturing me about keeping it together?” she snorts. “That’s rich. Because you’re such a pacifist, right Tyler? Give me a break.”  She tosses open the door on the dishwasher and begins yanking items out of it; the clatter and rattle increasing in volume with each object she places in the cupboards.  “You just don’t like I was insulting your precious Nik,” she snidely remarks.

“Jesus fuck. Let it go! There was never a me and Nik. I never wanted there to be a me and Nik. It was sex. That’s it.”

“So like Dhaka,” she remarks. “Just lasting longer.”

“Don’t even compare the two. Dhaka was totally different.”

“How?” Esme challenges. “You were fucking her. Just like you were fucking me. What was so different about it?”

“Well I married you for one.  It didn’t end up being just sex in the end, did it? What went on with me and you is completely difference than what went on with me and her. Don’t pretend it isn’t.”

“Did you feel anything?” she asks. “When you saw her?”

He laughs. “What?”

“When she showed up at lunch today. Did you feel anything for her?”

“Why the hell would I? I’ve never felt anything for her. Why would I start now?”

“Do you not see the way she looks at you? How she’s been looking at you for the six and a half years?”

“No. I don’t. And you know why? Because I don’t fucking care. The only one I care about looking at me is you. That’s it. Not Nik, not Millie’s teacher, not any other woman on the planet. You. So stop making me out to be someone bastard that’s going to cheat you. Because I never would. I’m not Mark.”

“I think I know that.”

“Do you? Because it’s been six and a half years of trying to prove that to you. Of trying to show you that not all men fuck other women or beat the shit out of them. And I get it. He fucked you up. But when does it stop? When do I get to stop proving to you that I’m not like him?”

“When have I ever said you had to?!” she retorts. “When have I ever made you feel that I was comparing you to him? I've never once done that, and you know it. That’s in your head, Tyler. And it wasn’t me that put it there.”

“Who’s the one that’s had to pick up all the pieces and put them back together?”

“Well I’m sorry that you feel it’s been such burden to you. That I’ve just made your life so hard.”

“I never said that. Stop overreacting to every I say. That isn’t what I meant, and you know it. And can you please stop doing that?! He gestures towards the dishwasher. “I’m trying to fucking talk to you!”

“Fine,” she unceremoniously drops a plate onto the counter, then leans back against it, arms crossed over her chest. “Talk. Are you capable of that or you just wanting to unload on me?”

“I want to talk,” Tyler insists. “I don’t want to fight. Although it’s not getting off to a good fucking start, is it.”

“You should have had my back,” she snarls.

“I did! I always do.  No questions asked.”

“You were hell bent on shutting me up.”

“I didn’t want the kids hearing that shit. They didn’t need to hear any of it. They’re innocent, for fuck sake. Why did you feel the need to say all what you did while they were there? Couldn’t it have waited until they weren’t around?”

“They’ve heard worse,” Esme reasons. “They’ve heard us fight. They’re probably listening right now, actually.”

“They’re asleep. But they won’t be for very long if you don’t keep your goddamn voice down. Can we about this rationally? Without yelling or trash talking one another? Can we actually manage that? Because I’m sick of resorting that other shit. We’re supposed to be working on that, remember? Not fighting so much.”

“And we haven’t been fighting. We’ve barely fought in the last six months. And then she shows up and everything goes to hell. You think I want to fight with you? That I was us to be like this? Because I don’t. I hate it. When we get like this.”

“Then let’s stay calm and talk about things. Not yell. Talk.  Like normal people.”

She gives a small laugh. “When have we ever been normal? It’s never been normal. It didn’t start out normal and it’s not normal now.”

“Fuck normal. Normal’s boring. I just want to be us. But not the angry, mean us. Because I hate that version.”

“So do I. You’re the last person on earth I want be angry with. And I’m not angry at you. I don’t know I’m even freaking out on you. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all that stupid bitch and the fact you stuck your dick in her and now my brother is marrying her and ughhh...” she presses her palms against her forehead. “...please tell me you find this just as screwed up as I do.”

“Your brother and Nik? Yeah, I do. But you’re the one that set them up because you didn’t want her subjected to Mark, so...”

“Worst decision ever!” she laments. “And I’ve made some pretty bad decisions. But that one? That one takes the cake.”

“For what it’s worth,” he walks around the island, then leans back against the counter next to the stove as she fills the kettle with water and plugs it in. “I don’t think she’s with him to cause issues with us. I don’t think it’s some game she’s playing. I think she’s actually sincere about how she feels about him.”

She smirks. “What makes you think that?”

“I didn’t just beat the shit out of and kill them when I did the job. I did actually have to talk face to face with them from time to time.  I had to learn how to read people.”

“And here I was, attracted to you because I was under the impression that you were nothing more than a butt kicking bad ass,” she teases. “Brains and brawn. Extra sexy. No wonder I keep you around. You’re not just a pretty face.”

“You ever think maybe I just stick around? That you’re not actually keep me? That I just like being here?”

“You really are a glutton for punishment,” she says with a wink, then retrieves two clean mugs from the dishwasher. “So you’re telling me that you were able to ‘read’ Nik?”

“Both of them actually,” he reveals, as he grabs the milk from the fridge.

“And?”

“And it’s legit. The whole thing between them. She’s not playing a game. This isn’t about her trying to weasel her way back into our lives to fuck things up. She’s in love with the guy.”

“Tyler Rake talking about being able to when a woman is in love with a man,” she shakes her head. “What kind of alternate dimension am I living in?”

“Well it wasn’t too hard to figure out. It’s the same way you look at me and I know you love me, so...”

“You’re finally admitting it!” she cries. “Oh my god! You're actually admitting that there’s a ‘look’. You’ve been denying the existence of a ‘look’ for years. Is all that gray hair you’re getting bringing wisdom and enlightenment with it?”

“You know,” Tyler grins. “You have this really weird way of paying people backhanded compliments.”

“I like your gray hair. You’re going to look crazy sexy when all of it is like that. And then your beard will go gray too and...” she sighs dreamily. “Are you still going to love me when I have a head full of gray hair?”

“Baby, I’d love you with no hair.”

She smiles, and he leans down to kiss her.

****

It’s a clear and beautiful night; a fresh, cool breeze rolling in off the ocean, the full moon reflecting off the surface of the water. They sit side by side on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the water, sipping tea and enjoying a comfortable, companionable silence. And when she shivers, he wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her tight into his side.  

“You saw the ‘look’ with my brother too?” Esme asks, and as she blows on her drink to cool it down.

Tyler nods. “You can’t tell me you don’t notice it. That he’s crazy about her.”

“I do notice. I just keep hoping I’m imagining it.”

“Sorry.  I hate to be bearer of bad news, but it’s the real deal.”

“How you do you know?”

“Because it’s the same way I look at you.”

“Awww baby...” she reaches up to tousle his hair, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “...you have the cutest, sweetest moments.”

“That doesn’t go any further than the two of us. That I say shit like that.”

“It’s not shit. It’s pure and adorable and it makes you even sexier.  Who doesn’t love a man that isn’t afraid to get all sappy and show emotion?”

“You may love it, but I don’t love being that way. I do it just for you.”

“Such a burden. The sacrifices you make for the woman you love.”

There isn’t a sacrifice he wouldn’t make for her. Whether it was something as simple as giving up a few hours of sleep to help with the baby or something as dire as exchanging his life for hers. He’d do it. Willingly. No questions asked. No second thoughts.

“I wasn’t taking Nik’s said,” he says. “That’s not why I wanted you to stop talking about things. I didn’t want the kids hearing any of that. I mean, you brought up Dhaka. And the bridge.”

“It was the truth. She was going to leave us there.”

“I know. But the kids didn’t need to hear that. How do we know they’re not going to school tomorrow and talk about the time both their mom and dad could have died? Like, fuck...” he sighs heavily.  “...I didn’t think we’d have talk about that until later. Or ever.”

“I shouldn’t have brought that stuff up,” she admits. “You’re right?”

“What?” he grins. “What did you say? I didn’t quite hear you. Can you say that a little louder? Yell it if you have to. So everyone can hear you.”

“I said you’re right,” she grumbles, and elbows him playfully in the ribs. “Don’t be a shit head. I’ve admitted you’re right before. I admit you’re right at least once a year, every year. Consider it an anniversary gift.”

“I thought your anniversary gift is letting me fuck you up the a...”

“Stop!” she orders and places a hand over his mouth. “We do not talk about that. We just do it. We don’t speak of it. Ever.”

“Why?” he chuckles. “Hurts to admit you’re a freak?”

“We are not talking about this. You know I hate talking about it. About THAT.”

“Okay...Okay...I’m sorry. I’ll shut up about it and just enjoy it once a year.”

“Thank you,” she leans her head against his shoulder and wraps an arm around his waist. “Did they kids say anything? When you were tucking them in? About what they heard tonight.”

“Not a word. They were too busy going on and on about how awesome it is that Uncle Kyle’s come to visit and that they got to eat off of ‘adult plates’ and drink out of ‘adult glasses’.”

She grins.

“And one of your son’s was mad that his spaghetti didn’t have cut up hot dogs in it.”

Esme laughs. “That has to be Tyler.  That’s his favorite food.”

“That kid’s a freak. Like his mother.”

“He’s all you and you know it!”

“I do not like piece of hot dog in spaghetti. That's fucking gross.”

“You complain about that but you eat vegemite?” she challenges.

“What are you talking about? That shit is amazing.”

“It’s disgusting!” And you even have the fucking nerve to put it on steak sometimes! That should be illegal. Ruining a good steak like that. That stuff is just....ewwww...” she shudders dramatically.

“You know what would be really awesome though,” Tyler muses.

“I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“If I was to put vegemite on something else and eat it off.”

She frowns. “Please tell me you’re not talking about...”

“I so am.”

“And you call me a freak!” she attempts to shove him away with her elbows, then shrieks and arches her back and starts to giggle when he grabs her in the sensitive spot just below her ribs and aggressively tickles. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You’re disturbed! I’m not letting you put vegemite there!”

“You let me put chocolate sauce there. And strawberry jam.”

“Which are both way better than vegemite. You’re gross, Tyler! What is your major malfunction?”

“Well I love vegemite and you. So if I combine the two...”

“You’re disgusting. How do I stay married to you?”

“Because I dick you down as well as I do. And you love me.”

“Okay. I’ll give you those. You are seriously warped though.”

Grinning, he presses a kiss to her temple and then pulls her even tighter into his side.  And for several minutes they sit quietly, admiring the reflection of the moon upon the water, enjoying the breeze that tousles the treetops and lightly stirs up the sand.  

***

“You seem pretty calm,” she comments, as she sips her tea. “About Nik showing up.”

“I was not calm this afternoon.  Trust me.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m pissed. Not a raging pissed. But pissed. Just that she has the fucking nerve to want more from me. I have nothing left to give her. I’ve shed enough blood for her. I don’t know what more she could possibly want.”

“As much as I stand her, she’s actually onto something. Asking you to train Ovi. She knows there’s no one else out there that can do the job like you can. She knows he’ll be trained right. You’re not going to half ass it.”

“I’d rather not be doing it at all.”

“But you have to. For Ovi. The chances of him surviving the job will be a hell of a lot higher if you train him.”

Tyler smirks. “You have a lot of faith in me.”

“It’s not faith. I just know that you were one of the best. If not the best. I knew that before we even met; I used to hear your name get passed around in certain circles.  Everyone knew what you did and how well you did it, yet no one knew for sure that you even existed.  And if you can’t talk Ovi out of doing this, at least you can teach him what he needs to stay alive, right?”

He nods in agreement.

“There’s something else bugging you, isn’t there. I can just tell. It’s not just the training thing. It’s more than that.”

“Esme, I don’t need to tell you everything. You don’t need all that on your shoulders.”

“Remember what the therapist said? About shouldering everything on your own? That if you keep doing it and don’t learn to open up about things, we won’t make it. And that scares me, Tyler. Because I want us to make it. I wouldn’t be working as hard as I am and going to see therapists if I didn’t.”

He drops a kiss on the top of her head. “I want us to make it too.”

“Then stop being such a stubborn asshole and talk to me. Please. Stop worrying about how much I can deal with it or that you’re somehow a burden. Because you’re not. You never could be. We’re in this together. You’re shit is my shit. As soon as we got married, we took on each other’s shit. So I need you to talk to me.”

He sighs heavily and takes a swallow of now lukewarm tea. “It’s just something that Nik said. It’s been eating at me since this afternoon.”

“Okay....”

“She said that Ovi is going this because he feels as if he has something to prove to me.”

“What?” she gives an incredulous laugh. “That makes no sense. What would he have to prove to you?”

“She said I’ve made him feel like he has to prove he’s worthy of being my kid. For me to love him like one of my kids.”

Esme scowls. “She actually said that to you?”

“It’s been bugging me all fucking day. Because I keep wracking my brain trying to come up with something...anything...that I might have said or done to make him feel that way.”

“You haven’t said or done anything. That’s just Nik being a callous, manipulative bitch. Ovi would never...ever...say that about you. You’ve always loved that kid. No strings attached. Not once have you ever made him feel ‘less than’ because he’s not yours by blood. You realize that she’s fucking with your head, right? She’s trying to guilt you into helping her. It’s what she does. Like how she pulled that ‘you’ll never be able to properly provide for your family without the job’ card when I was having the twins.”

“And I fell for it and nearly destroyed us in the end.”

“Well this time, that won’t happen. You’re doing what you have to do to help Ovi. And we both know he’ll be better off for it. And if you have to get back into it to help him, that’s fine. But Tyler...I am telling you right now...if you go back into the job for no reason, I’m done. I can’t live that life again. And never can the kids. If you do that...go willingly...we won’t be here when you get back.”

He sighs heavily and squeezes her shoulder. “I know.”

“Because I love you, but I love my kids more.  I have to do what’s best for them. And life is not it. You know that.”

He nods in agreement. It’s a painful, hate truth that hits deep. But is one that he needs to hear. He’s run out of chances. He knows it. She's taken him back and seen past all the broken promises and forgiven him time and time again. Way more times that he actually deserved.

“Promise me you won’t go back,” she says. “Only if you have to. To help Ovi.”

“I’m not going back, baby. Not unless there’s no other choice. I don’t want to lose you. Or my kids. I can't lose you guys.”

She presses a kiss to his cheek, then slides her hand over his ribs, onto his back and up to the nape of his hair; nails lightly scratching at the back of his head.  “You need to go back on your meds,” she says.

Tyler frowns. “How’d you...”

“You honestly think I don’t know when you stop taking them? And no. I’m not opening the bottle and counting them. It’s the way you get. You start having trouble sleeping again, you’re easily agitated, you fidget a lot and you can’t stay still, you’re super fucking moody. You can’t just stop them.  That’s not how these things work.”

“I was feeling fine,” he shrugs, and the excuse sounds lame even to his own ears.

“You were feeling fine because you were taking your meds. Isn’t that obvious? I mean, if you’re feeling like this when you’re off them...”

“It’s just the withdrawal.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it. It isn’t just the withdrawal. It’s how you feel when you’re not on them. And I know it makes you think you’re weak that you have to take them and that it somehow makes you ‘less of a man’ that you have to rely on these things.  But that’s crap too. It takes a stronger, bigger man to realize something is wrong and then work on getting his shit together.”

“I know you believe that, and maybe it’s true. And it should make me feel better. But I hate this. Being this way.”

“I know you do,” she rubs his back comfortingly. “And I wish you didn’t have to deal with this. But you are. Dealing with it. And you’re doing a lot better than you think you are.”

“Yeah? Because it doesn’t fucking feel like it.”

“Well if you’re not taking your meds, you’re going to feel like that. Why do you do this to yourself? You know you feel better when you’re taking them. You see the difference they make.”

“It’s the fact I have to take them in the first place. That my brain is so fucked up that it can’t function on its own. I hate that I can’t wake up in the morning without needing meds. It’s pathetic. And it’s weak.”

“It is not weak,” she insists. “You are not weak. That is some Gaspar bullshit in your head.  Or your father. Those two voices are the last ones you should be listening to. Gaspar was a sociopath and your father...well we know what he is.”

“And if I end up just like him?”

“Who? Gaspar?”

“Fuck, that’s even worse. My father.”

“Tyler, you are nothing like your father. You have your issues, but you are not like that. Not in the slightest. You need to get that out of your head, too. Because if you were like that, I wouldn’t be here, and neither would your kids. We would not be sticking around to put up with that bullshit. And as far as the other one goes...Gaspar...now that was person who was fucked up. You think your brain is messed up? How screwed up was his that he was willing to kill a kid? He was just going to hand Ovi over. What kind of whack job would do something like that?”

He’s never told her. That the ten million dollars wasn’t just to hand Ovi over, but her as well. A package deal, Gaspar had told him. Ovi’s dead body a trophy Asif could gloat over, her very much alive on a plaything he could add to his collection. For six and a half years he’s been holding onto that secret. It’s for her own good; nothing positive could ever come out of her knowing the whole truth. It’s bad enough that there are still times when he looks at her and thinks about what Gaspar had said. About all of the things that would have been done to her before Asif finally got bored and put her out of her misery.

“Are you okay?” she asks, and he’s suddenly aware of how tense his shoulders have become; how tight his jaw is clenched.

Tyler nods, then turns his face into hers and presses his lips to her forehead. “Just brings back some bad shit. Talking about him. Gaspar. That was a huge fucking mistake. Asking him for help.”

“He was your friend. Or at least you thought he was. You didn’t know what he was capable of. Money brings out the worst in a lot of people. He’s the perfect example. I still can’t believe you were even friends with someone like that.  You’re just so...I don’t know...different.  You’re human. He wasn’t. Anyone that would do something like that to a kid is a shitty human being and they deserve everything horrible that happens to them.”

Yet he’d still mourned Gaspar.  As he sat there on the steps with Ovi, watching his old friend take his last breaths. Part of him had grieved. Not for the actual loss of life, but that Ovi had been forced to kill Gaspar in the first place. That he’d trusted someone...someone he’d considered a friend...and they’d betrayed him.   And sometimes that loss is the more painful than losing the actual person.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Esme says. “Everything that happened at Gaspar’s house. There’s no way you could have known what he was going to do. You had no reason to believe that he’d do something like that. That he’d be friends with someone like Asif.”

“Something was off. When I first talked to him in the kitchen. When he said he was going to ‘kiss his wife’. There was something that wasn’t quite right about it. I didn’t think about it until afterwards.”

“Was there ever a wife? That’s what I’d like to know.”

Tyler shrugs.

“There wasn’t one picture in that house.  There wasn’t even a single toothbrush in the bathroom, let alone two. It was just weird. It was like no one actually lived there. Almost like it was a safe house.”

“Or a place he took people to to hold them for Asif.”

“You don’t think that’s what would have happened, do you? Had he killed you to get to Ovi. You don’t think he would have kept us there until...”

“I don’t know. I don’t even want to think about it; what would have happened if Ovi hadn’t have done what he did. Because you would have been left behind too and that’s not something I want in my head.  It wouldn’t have been quick and painless for you.”

“Tyler, you need to stop dwelling on things that could have happened. Don’t go down that rabbit hole, okay? Nothing good will come of that and you know it. I don’t want you doing that to yourself. Things happen for a reason. Ovi was meant to kill Gaspar so everything else could fall into place. If things hadn’t had happened the way they did...in the order they did...we wouldn’t be here right now. Six and a half years later. Five kids later. I bet you didn’t think that’s where your life would end up. When Nik and I showed up at your place that day.”

“I don’t know,” he grins. “You were pretty cute.”

“Well where you lived, you didn’t have many options to choose from, so...”

“Stop that,” he gently scolds, and lays a hand on the side of her head and kisses her temple. “You were beautiful.”

She smiles, then wraps both arms around his torso and leans into him.

“And you had those jeans shorts on that were a little tight in the ass and...”

“You were actually checking out my ass? The second I walked in the door?”

“It was more like thirty seconds.”

She snorts.

“What? I’m a guy.  A red-blooded guy who knows a good thing when he sees one. And you just walked right in through the front door. When you’re given a gift like that...”

“You’re an ass,” she laughs. “For what it’s worth, I thought you were insanely hot. You were not what I expected. At all. All the stories that I’d heard about you, you did not look like what I thought you would look like.”

“What did you think I would look like?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. But it wasn’t that. I guess I expected someone older.  Not nearly as attractive. And definitely not as ripped. That was a pleasant surprise. Walking in there and seeing you. I mean, who doesn’t love a jacked guy with pretty blue eyes? I was worried. When Nik told me her plan. I didn’t want to be pretend married to some old, ugly guy.”

“You thought I’d be old and ugly? What the fuck?”

“I didn’t know what you looked like. I thought someone with the experience and the body count you had would look...I don’t know...old. Haggard. That he’d have a dad bod. Not an eight pack and an ass you could bounce a quarter off.”

He chuckles at that.

“I know it was weird for you. Going into a job like that. Having to be ‘pretend married’.”

“It was a first. But it wasn’t weird. I mean, you were nice to look at. It could have been worse.”

“Yeah, I could have made you sleep on the floor the entire five days.”

“Now that would have been a fucking tragedy. So thank you. Thank you for letting me into your pants so easily.”

“You’re such a dick,” she laughs.  

“Those five days were....”

“Interesting?”

“I was going to say fucking awesome, but I guess interesting works too.”

“They were pretty intense,” she says. “In a fun way.”

“In a very fun way. Most fun I’ve had on the job. Ever. Hands down.”

“Well look where your fun has led you. Where five days of crazy sex has brought you. A wife, five kids. Definitely not where you thought you’d end up.”

“Maybe not. But it doesn’t mean I’m not exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

“Boy,” she pulls back and smiles at him. “You’re on fire tonight with the sappy shit. I’d say you were doing it just to try and get into my pants, but that’s hardly a challenge anymore and you know you don’t have to work as hard at it.”

“Have you ever thought that I’m just happy? Being here. With you. That I’m glad this is where my life ended up? That I even survived to get a chance to have any of this? Because that’s the closest to death I’ve ever been. And I don’t want to be that close to it ever again. I got my second chance. I’m not going to fuck that up.”

She kisses him. Long and soft, a hand on the side of his face, the other resting on his ribs. “You’re kind of my favorite,” she says, and presses her lips to the bridge of his nose.

“You’re kind of my favorite too.”

She tousles his hair, then pulls her feet from the pool and stands up. “I’m going to go and check on the kids and then I’m going to go and have a long, hot bath. Unless you want to have a shower and then we can just save water.”

He tilts his head back to look up at her, grinning. “I’ll be in in a little bit.”

“Okay. Don’t be too long,” she pecks his lips. “And get out of your head,” she orders, as she heads towards the house. “Nothing good ever comes out of spending too much time in there. Don’t let bad shit live there rent free.”

“You’re a naggy pain in the ass, you know that?”

“But I’m your naggy pain in the ass. And you’d miss this ass. Don’t deny it.”

“I’d miss more than the ass,” he informs her.

“Yeah, I know exactly what you’d miss.”

“Everything,” he says. “I’d miss everything.”

She gives him one last smile and a small wink, then disappears into the house.

[callme-barnes]

Beauty & Brawn (Part 5)

                                                                                                                                 Summary- You are the top scientist in all of New York, the one that no one knows. Going through the science field as a woman is hardly easy, let alone rewarding. You’re bombarded with misogynistic men who only see you as a pretty face, not knowing that you have the mind of a thousand scientists combined. That is until you meet Tony Stark, the genius billionaire who could quite possibly be the answer to your prayers, and your heart.

Pairing: Tony Stark x Reader

It’s been a while. Catch up here!:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

It was about 6 in the evening and you had officially been staring at the outfit lying on your bed for 40 minutes. This also included the not so healthy talking to yourself that you were having.

Why did you even think you could do this? Do you know how long its been since you’ve gone out? How long since you’ve last worn heels? You’re going to fall flat on your face and he’s going to laugh at you and your evening is going to go exactly like that.

You quickly inhaled and shut your eyes, forcing the negative thoughts to float into the back of your mind before you grabbed the dress and slipped it on over the nice black lingerie you had saved for a special occasion. Not that Tony was going to see your lingerie that evening, but it always felt nice to have something sexy on under your clothes just to give you that extra ounce of encouragement and self esteem.

The dress was long and curve hugging, cinching in at your waist and falling down loose past your hips. The slit going up your right leg was just high enough to show some skin but low enough to leave something to the imagination. It had a nice low U-shape neckline that flaunted your breasts but was also modest. You took in a deep breath and turned around to look in the mirror. It had been such a long time since you’ve seen yourself in anything even remotely fancy that it kind of made you nervous and giddy all the same time. Looking at the clock you saw you still had about an hour and a half to get ready so you walked over to your vanity and began to put on some makeup, turning on your favorite playlist and singing along to help release your nerves.

It was now 7:45 and you were ready to go. Your heels complemented your dress, and your hair fell nicely down your back in large loose waves. You heard the buzzer for your apartment buzz and you quickly took one final breath before quickly walking over and answering it.

“Hello?”

“Hello Ms. Y/L/N. I am here to escort you to dinner”

You smiled and rolled your eyes slightly at his tone and shook your head in amusement

“I’ll be right down”

You quickly walked over to your floor length mirror and checked everything again. You fluffed up your hair, did a couple of quick turn, reapplied some of your lipstick although it was already perfect, and then you grabbed your phone and your small bag and walked out into the elevator.

The ride down was full of anxiety and if anyone else was in the elevator with you you’re sure they would have felt all that energy rolling off of you like heat waves from the sun. The elevator ding sounded and you looked up seeing you were already on the ground floor. You took in one more deep breath in and then walked out when the doors opened. The first thing you saw was Tony’s figure. He was looking down at his watch and twiddling his fingers as though he was just an average man, nervous to to meet a woman for the first time. He never looked up and if anything he probably looked like he was gathering his own thoughts.

You walked over and put on a smile, tapping Tony on the shoulder and he immediately turned his head to take you in. His eyes roamed, from your head right down to the very tip of your feet. The gaze he was giving you made you nervous and you shifted under it before he cleared his throat

“Well if I’ve ever seen a more beautiful woman in my life I couldn’t remember”

You took the time to let out a nervous chuckle and looked down before looking back up at him

“Thank you. I wasn’t sure how fancy or how not fancy to dress so I’d say this is in between”

Tony shook his head and sent you a smile

“You look amazing. Even if we were going out to watch a movie or eat at a fast food restaurant I still wouldn’t even think about telling you since you might change”

His tone was one of playfulness and you smiled brightly at him

“Shall we?”

Tony quickly gathered his wits

“Sorry. Yes, yes we shall”

He stuck out his arm for you to take and you did so without a second thought. Talking to him was so effortless you couldn’t even remember why had you had been so nervous in the first place. You both walked out towards the front of your apartment complex and you saw his very nice black car. He opened the door for you, you sent him a polite thank you and he got into the driver’s side and you were off.

Dinner flew by and now you were both back at the tower going over Tony’s new idea

“I like it. I think it could help a lot of people by giving them access to clean water all the time. How much are we thinking this is going to cost for the countries that want to purchase it?”

“And that’s where you come in. See I want to do this as more of a humanitarian project. I don’t want this to cost a fortune, if those who need it can’t afford to have clean water now I wouldn’t want them to stress out about being able to purchase this mechanism. I want it to be affordable”

You pouted your lips out a bit and felt your thoughts racing before a light bulb went off

“We’d have to make it as biodegradable as possible. If you can locate the pieces we need that are either recycled or if they are pieces that are broke and going to be used for scraps, we could get them cheaper, I can fix them and then we wouldn’t have to charge an arm and a leg for it”

Tony nodded along before smiling

“And that’s why you’re working with me. I’ll start looking for suppliers tomorrow”

You smiled at Tony and fixed your dress. You were seated on top of the lab counter, your legs dangling and your mind racing with all the ideas that you has planned

“So Y/N, tell me more about you. I know the basics, I know you graduated at the top of your university on the Dean’s List. But how is it you’re so good at everything? I know I’m smart, but your brain kind of functions like a little computer and it’s the most, impressive thing I’ve seen in my life”

You looked up at Tony before smiling and wiped your hands on your thighs since they had since gotten sweaty from being alone in the same room with Tony

“Well, that’s because it practically is. When I was a kid, I used to get these horrible migraines in school and the longer I was in school the worst they got. Then in about middle school I had a moment in my chemistry class where we were dissecting an earthworm, and my vision kind of zoomed in a little and I was able to vividly see the entire system of how it worked and what was lying even beneath what the normal eyes could see. I started being able to solve Calculus problems without a piece of paper or a calculator by 7th grade. I just...I don’t know my brain kind of works where, if I’m asked something, I put everything together in my head, sometimes so fast where I don’t even register what I’m doing. I wouldn’t say I can see into the future or something, but my brain goes into overdrive and I’m able to kind of do trials in my head of every possible way something could go and I’m able to accomplish what I can because of that”

Tony was leaned back against the counter in front of you, listening to everything you were saying almost like he was trying to memorize all of it.

“What about family life? Any brothers, sisters? Mom? Dad?”

You furrowed your eyebrows and looked down

“None. Well, technically I do. But I don”t talk to them anymore”

“Why’s that?”

You took in a deep breath and looked up at him

“When I was in 7th grade, my counselor at school spoke to my parents about me. At first it was because there were complaints from my teachers, saying I must be cheating during tests or cheating during spelling bees and science competitions because I never missed anything. But my counselor was a nice older lady and I trusted her with what I was able to do. She believed in me so she told my parents I should be going to school at a math and science academy or a more top tier school. When I was younger we were poor. We were living 5 in a single room apartment, my mom, my dad, me and my two sisters. They signed me up into a great school like my counselor said. But I had to receive financial aid and scholarships because we weren’t able to afford it. Long story short instead of using the money I was receiving to keep me in school, they were keeping it to themselves and not paying my classes. We owed thousands of dollars to the school so I was kicked out and for high school I was back in public school”

Tony furrowed his eyebrows and looked down

“That’s insane. I can’t believe they’d do that”

“Neither could I. And it only continued in high school. I was getting prize money for doing inventions and projects and winning the competitions. But I never saw that money. I always figured it was the least I could do, since I lived under their roof and they were clothing me and feeding me. But one day I was unable to compete because my teacher wanted to give others a chance. My parents found out, they blew their shit, and I kind of became an outcast after that. I stopped enjoying science and just kind of did mediocre work. At 18 I left for college and I just never kept in contact”

Tony looked back up at you before exhaling, moving from his previous position to stand in front of you. You were so close you could feel his thighs brushing against your knees and you looked up at him

“Well it was a nice turn of events in a way. Now what they couldn’t appreciate I can. I...I know this might be inappropriate, and please, stop me at anytime, but you are the most gorgeous, smartest woman I’ve ever met. And I want to know more about you, and I want to help you reach any goal you want to conquer. I just, the short time you’ve been here has been so great”

You bit your lower lip

“Tony what....”

But before you were able to get your thoughts out, his lips came to yours and his hands moved to cup your cheeks to pull you closer. You were surprised and your heart was racing, but you felt your body instantly react and you kissed him back. Your hands moved to rest on his waist and he took that as an opportunity to pull himself closer to you. You could feel his heart beating against his chest and you melted deeper into the kiss. He pulled away and opened his eyes to look at you. You looked back but before he was able to say anything JARVIS spoke

“Mr. Stark, Fury is here. He’s called an emergency meeting and would like to meet in conference room 3″

You furrowed your eyebrows unable to decide if you should say something but Tony beat you to it

“He’s always had such amazing timing”

[kcystotheheart]

{🍎} I don’t feel like i got all of them but MASSIVE TAG DROP/DUMP

♡ Home is where the Heart is... {IC}

✧ I foresee the end of all I know... {Ava}

#☪︎I'm howling with the wolves {Fida}

#✦ Breaking Traditions {Sub Alt V.} ⚔︎

#☮︎You are the future; the hope of this world... {Hope}

#♟Hidden from the rest of the World… Until now {Wandering V.} ✧

#🍎of someone's eye {Mun}

#✎ We may feel out of place; but we fit together so perfectly... {X Ventus} #♔♡ Eventually we all return to it... Kingdom Hearts {S A V E D} #⚖︎ I will keep a just and fair eye... {Invi} #♘ They look to me for Guidance... {Ira} #Heartless; Dusks; Unversed? All the same {Anon} #❥ ANSWERED

#✎ He's a work in progress and that's what matters! {Vanitas/tenebrxsus}

#✎ The Light to my Darkness; he makes up what I lack... {X Vanitas}

#✧ He may be all brawn; but he has the biggest heart {Aced/ursaced}

#✧ You wouldn't hurt me; I know... {X Aced} #✦ The Beginning of it all… {Past V.} ♙ #➳ All right; No more playing around! {Hayner} #♡ It's time to strike {Open Starter} #♔ Beyond the realms... {OOC} #♥︎ I'll find my way... {Riku} #✎ Let's make a promise; To hold each other through it all {X Riku} #♤ I won't fade away so easily! {Lingering Remnant!Vanitas} #♠︎ Different from the rest... {Springy/Hareraiser} #♥︎ Once a Somebody... now a Nobody {Nobody V.} ♤ #✦ A little Generosity never hurt nobody~ {Cari} #✦ He thinks he's sooo good; but I know he's bad~ {Indus/ursaced} #✦ Momma I'm in love with a criminal; I'm the bad guy duh~ {X Indus} #♡ We'll never let the darkness consume us... {Queue}

🎲 May Lady Luck be on your side~ {Fortune} 💘 No matter what happens i’ll always be by your side {Faith} ⚔️ That was undeniable proof that we totally owned you lamers! {Seifer} ⌨️ Cracking the {Code} 🌱Rough around the edges by soft on the inside [Jagged} 🌿 My Strength will help support them… {Aced} 🌟 I will always help the weak {Starlight} 🍃I’ll sweep you up and leave your head spinnin’! {Wind} 🛡 I will always defend them {Keeper} 🃏 Care to take a Gamble? {Luxord/Ordul} 🎵I can drop a beat {Demyx/Dyme}  🎼 Let me play a song for you~ {Arpeggio}

⚠︎ You make me feel things I thought were lost {X Lauriam} ♟ More alike than you know {Rei/solaimaginem} ✎ Even after all this time… we’re connected. {Terra/willfulwayfarer} ✎ We’ll find new secrets to discover… together! {Pence/dxgstreet} ✎ I want to capture this moment {X Pence} ➸✮ Blessed or Cursed with magic that runs within him {Magia} #🎐My Lazy Companion {Sir Snugglesopholis the Flood} #♝ I will prove my worth... {Xionort} #𝒳 No one will know... {Subject X V.} ⭑ #No longer Lost {Naminé; Vanitas & Repliku } #✎ We've had tough pasts but we can move forward {Aiden/lethargic-hunter} #♟We've cut our own strings and now we're free {Xion & Repliku} #Made a sacrifice {Repliku} #Always busy saving everyone else... {Aqua} #☯︎ Disciplinary Committee {Fuu; Seifer & Rai} #yOU leFT mE... {Nightmare Chirithy}

#Why does everything involve running? {Pence}

#Not your Typical Princess... {Kairi}

#Fun and Playful; Strong and Powerful {Ventus}

#♠︎ A little noisy... {Skitters/Flood}

#☓ Always watching; always seeing~ {Master of Masters}

#⭑ How bright is the future? {Skuld}

#♚ Stuck in Between Worlds... {Lingering V.} ♤

#✨I'll learn to use my magic for good {Apprentice V.} ✎

#✎ He understands me like no one else does {Max/pageofgoof}

#🍀I've got a present too; for all of us! {Olette}

#He once wandered the darkness seeking light; only to find he was the light {Riku}

#His smile brings about other people's happiness {Sora}

#👁‍🗨If only I could stand in her light... {Ava/verumheart}

#👁‍🗨If I could begin to be; half of what you think of me I'd do about anything {X Ava}

#🍀She sits by the Seashore {Kairi/thalassicradiance}

#✎ I'll never forget you; promise? {X Sora}

#♜ We all have our Roles to Play... {Foreteller V.} ♠︎

#♗ I have made mistakes & have more regrets than you could imagine {Master Eraqus}

#One of the strongest wielders there is {Terra}

#🎐My lovely little Pearl... {Kairi/thalassicradiance}

#♡ Something that simply resonates with me... {Aesthetic}

#➦ Portal Time {Shooter}

#➥ Eagle Eyes {Sharp}

#🌪Whispers on the Wind {Gale}

#♤ The Nobody that never was... {Kuxir}

#🎐When things are tough; I'll always welcome you home... {Ansem/afoolelopedindarkness}

#✦ I have to complete my role... {Sacrificed V.} ✧

#♡♔ Kingdom FARTS {Crack}

#♟No longer just a vessel... {Xion}

#♣︎ No one would miss me... And yet... {Roxas}

#☀︎ I always keep my promises... {Axel}

#⌁ I have to uncover the truth... {Gula}

#⚠︎ I will find a way to rewrite my Fate {Brain}

#☆⭒ A lost little Star {Strelitzia}

#♚ The Darkness has consumed us… {Alt V.} ♥︎

#{Headcanons}

#☁︎ Where there's rain; there's a storm {Rain}

#🌸As Pretty as a Flower but twice as Dangerous {Song}

#✴︎ May the Tears of Heaven hear my call... {Sterling}

#❅ Her Colours are a reflection of who she is {Aurora}

#✵ Hear my prayer O'Morning Star {Ivory}

#♾You'll never hear their name on the wind... {No Name}

#⚡️The Eye of the Storm {Tempest}

#✑ You write down your feelings on paper {Memoire}

#☆⭒ A Light in the Dark... {Roxas/aftrliight}

#👁‍🗨 It's a heavy burden to carry... {Luxu}

#♥︎ He has every right to be mad at me; but i had to do it {Roxas/caelumobscura}

#♥︎ Twilight and Dawn... What an interesting combination {X Roxas}

#☘︎Oh Look- Nope it's just them... {Dani}

#♣︎ There's just something about him that i hate... and i love {X Riku}

#✎ You remember me; the way I remember you {X Roxas}

#☆⭒ He gives me the courage I need; she is always so kind... {X Roxas}

#☆⭒ Let's go to the garden... {Lauriam/lordofoblivion}

#✘ There is always something worth fighting for... {Kohaku}

#♡ No longer just a Copy... {Repliku/Kouki}

#⚙︎Just because I'm not a 'True' Keyblade doesn't mean I can't kill you {Void}

#♥︎ You and I; were intertwined from the start... {X Kairi}

#♡ These will make anyone laugh! {Memes}

#✬ Here to help! {Chirithy}

#🌼You'll never learn from your mistakes if you don't make them {Ayaka/Roxas' mom}

#♔♡ The Mark of a Master~ {P R O M O}

#✿ Thinking of you wherever you are... {Hana/Sora's Mom}

#♤☆ When the Light embraced the Dark... {Mending Hearts V.} ★♠

#✎ He wants to break the mold {Roxas/serendimpetus}

#🗝🖤The Kingdom's Protector and the Original Blade {Chi}

#♔ Mirrored Reflections; Two in the Same {Twin V.} ♡

#★ I'll be there to hide your light when you need it {Dusk}

#♻︎ I'm not even the real thing...And yet in my soul it says otherwise {Soul}

#✩*~ I'll unlock the mysteries of the world {Ephemer}

#♠︎ Made completely out of Darkness {Vanitas}

#✩*~ We'll meet where the darkness meets the light {X Vanitas}

#➳ Skateboard tricks and Sea Salt Icecream... {X Roxas}

#♡ Let's line up the pieces... Together {Main V.} ♔

#❁ He'll always be my little Sprout... {Kasumi/Riku's mother}

#❁ To trust or not to trust is the question... {Xemnas/potestasaeterna}

#♘ He trusts me to look after everyone; but who's going to look after him? {X Master}

#♘ Always one step ahead... or two- or three {Master/masterxmasters}

#☾ The path between Night and Day... {Dawn}

#♡ A Watchful eye... {Dash Commentary}

#☯︎ Total Annihilation {Fuu}

#✎ Don't forget me... {Naminé}

#☄️ I will always rise up from the Ashes {Libra}

#🔥Better watch out because I always bounce back {Ember}

#💥I will burn Eternally {Flame}

#♕ Together we'll protect the world! {Kiki}

#♛ We'll free their hearts and consume the world in darkness... {Heart!Kiki}

#🍨Not just a sweet treat~ {Sweetie}

#♜ I'll protect you from the Shadows {Oblivion}

#♖ Just follow my Light {Oathkeeper}

#♥︎ No matter the Nightmare; I'll be there {X Ventus}

#♠︎ A little noisy... {Skitters/Flood}

#🎐When you feel it in your heart; you know that your home {Mitsuki/Kairi's Grandma}

#❁ He's my stubborn Rock. {Roxas/aftrliight}

#💥She rises with the moon {Luna/verumheart}

#♧ Even in your dreams... {Dream Eater V.} ♥︎

#🍡 Cheeky Cheel {Leche}

#❦ There's more to Light than meets the eye {Young Eraqus}

#❦ And that's checkmate I win; Hold on it's still my turn {X Young Xehanort}

#The Copycat Trio {Repliku; Vanitas and Xion}

#Created with a purpose {Vanitas}

#🐶Watch out for the Mad Dog~ {Mady}

#➸✮ Reliable and Sturdy as the Shield he carries {Aegis/verumrook}

#➸✮ I shouldn't feel this way but I do... And I don't want to stop {X Aegis}

#✘ ...I will protect his light with my life... {Artemis/keyfamilia}

#✘ I don't know what he sees in me... but i'm grateful {X Artemis}

#🗝🖤A shroud of Mystery and Darkness {Master of Masters/eyesofparoxysm}

#🗝🖤The one who compliments me; who truly understands {X Master of Masters}

#✧ He's a good listener and a good friend {Luxu/gravitasfatum}

#✎ What did I do to deserve you...? {Riku/darkheartedprince}

#♔♡ It rests now within us all... {Drabble}

#💚As playful as a breeze; but as strong as a gale wind {Ventus}

#💫Not even the Night Sky could contain her Light... {Astraea}

#🍏A Bad Apple spoils the bunch {Negative Thoughts}

#☀︎ Set me ablaze; start a fire in me {X Terra}

#☀︎ He's my pillar when I'm not strong {Terra/willfulfwayfarer}

#🎐Just like the Stars; He will burn long after... {Yen Sid/omnipotentmxster}

#☀︎ Never expected to fall for a flower {X Marluxia}

#☀︎ Every Flower has it's thorns and he's full of them {Marluxia/lordofoblivion}

#✿ My Little Sparrow {Sora/lightheartedwarrior}

#❁ My Little Sprout {Riku/darkheartedprince}

#🎐If we keep each other in our hearts; we'll always be strong {Young Mitsuki}

#🎐The Stars align when he smiles... {Young Yen Sid/omnipotentmxster}

#⚚ I'm sending a message to you and I hope that it makes it through {Hermod}

#⭑ He could light the sky with his colours {Sora/valorxdrive}

#⭑ He's my knight and I'm his princess {X Sora}

#⭑ We both just wanted a friend... {Blaine/virusplanted}

#⭑ The future may be uncertain; but I'm certain of us {X Blaine}

#🧶Tying the knot {Married V.}

#♔ In another World; another Time or another Place {AU V.} ♡

#⚖︎She moves with the beauty and grace of her namesake {Aqua/theheartstreasure}

#⚖︎I certainly don't know what I did to deserve you; but i'm grateful {X Aqua}

#⌁ The only one I'll always trust {Ava/starshold}

#❀ Careful the Flowers have ears {Foxglove}

#☆⭒ He's my bookworm... {Blaine/virusplanted}

#☆⭒ One day I saw him there and couldn't help but gravitate towards him {X Blaine}

#♔ A World without Magic... {Modern V.} ♡

#🎐An old friend and fellow Master {Eraqus/eraqus-the-defender}

#❦ I wish I was enough to keep you from the Darkness... {Young Xehanort/iuvienis}

#🌕A place where all hearts are one... {Kingdom Hearts}

#🔮The Mistress of Darkness {Maleficent}

#🐚Overcame the Impossible {Maryllis/Kairi's Mother}

#🌊I will do my duty to protect the people {Nalani/Destiny Islands Mayor}

#🥀Poison runs through their veins {Vera}

#✩*~ He's the smartest guy I know {Brain/virusplanted}

#✩*~ We'll always be connected; no matter where we fly too {X Brain}

#🐚His Majesty and My King {Ansem/afoolelopedindarkness}

#🐚Two halves of a whole {X Ansem The Wise}

#✩*~ Flowers can be strong so long as you let them {Lauriam/lordofoblivion}

#🐚My Precious Treasure {Kairi/thalassicradiance}

#🐚Like Mother like daughter {Maryllis and Kairi}

#🎶Listen to my Melody {Maestro}

#Before Summer Vacation is over; we should go to the beach! {Twilight Town Gang}

#♘ More important than he realizes {Kage/thechessboard}

#✩*~ I use to think Dandelions were just weeds; I think they're beautiful {X Lauriam}

#📓Don't always believe what you see... {Lexicon}

#🌹Strong and Elegant {Rose}

#⚠︎ Infuriating and yet... He's Mi Rosa {Lauriam/rxsoideae}

#✧ She's as strong as she is beautiful {Aqua/theheartstreasure}

#✧ She makes me feel like a princess; she gives me hope {X Aqua}

#✎ We will always have each other's backs {Naminé and Aiden}

#☆⭒ Wallflower friends {Luxu and Strelitzia}

#The Darkness gave us purpose... {Dark Repliku; Vanitas & Xionort}

#Let's go to the beach {Axel; Xion & Roxas}

#⚔︎Childhood rivals to lovers {X Hayner}

#⭑★ Fallen Hearts turn to Dark Stars… {Darkling V.} ❤︎♥︎

#⭑ ...Unknowingly My Protector... {Braig/freeshooterxig}

#🍀We're stronger than we look {X Kairi}

#♟He isn't all darkness... {Vanitas/unversedshadow}

#✧ My precious Snowflake Dandelion... {Theo/keytosolidarity}

#✎ She was my light; He was my knight {X Repliku}

[angelofthequeers]

Ladybug and Reine Nuit: Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don’t own ML.

THERE IS FAN ART. @vitaliciouscreations drew Reine Nuit's head and I LOVE how it's just how I imagined her looking! Go and check it out and support this awesome artist!

Part 3 | Part 5

“So, wait, why exactly is her Lucky Charm so…weird?” Alya says from where she’s sitting cross-legged on her bed and finishing off the last of her homework, while Plagg stuffs himself with Camembert cheese nearby.

“Tikki’s the kwami of creation,” Plagg says. “Creation does weird shit. At least we’re pretty straightforward – wham, bam, take it down.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“And that’s why you weren’t picked to be Ladybug.” Plagg’s shit-eating grin makes Alya’s eye twitch, but she chooses to ignore it for the sake of her newfound superhero status. Who knows if annoying the tiny god creature will screw with her powers? “Ladybugs have to be quick on their feet and be able to make plans out of the weirdest circumstances. Adapt to the situation.”

“I’m quick on my feet!” Alya protests.

“They also have to be imaginative and creative,” Plagg says loudly. Alya rolls her eyes at him. “You’re impulsive and charge without thinking, even if you’ll get flattened for it. That’s why you got me. We protect the Ladybugs, so they can fix the crap that the akumas cause.”

“So, what, like brains and brawn?” Alya says. “Both equally as important for different reasons?”

“Exactly!” Plagg gulps down more cheese. “And we both know which one you are.”

“Alya?” There’s a knock on Alya’s door before she can strangle Plagg, powers be damned. Plagg dives out of sight just in time; Otis opens the door, then wrinkles his nose. “Phew! Since when d’you like that stuff?”

“…Acquired taste?” Alya says. She picks up a crumb of Camembert and pops it into her mouth, struggling not to gag and grimace at the disgusting taste that explodes across her tongue. “Mmm!”

Otis just blinks. “…Okay. Well, Nora’s plans got cancelled, so she’s staying home with you and the twins. Just thought I’d let you know. Your mother and I will be back later tonight.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Alya says. Otis shoots her one more suspicious look before retreating from her room, and Plagg emerges as soon as it’s safe.

“I expect compensation for that cheese,” he says, diving back into his stink nest as Alya coughs and spits out the gooey bit of cheese in her mouth.

“It was one crumb to cover for you in the future!” Alya says, downing half her water bottle in one go.

“Doesn’t matter. Camembert is sacred.”

Alya rolls her eyes. Then she grabs Plagg, ignoring his squawked protests, and stuffs him in her shirt pocket before scooping up her phone and heading out into the living room.

“I’m going for a walk,” she says. Nora, who’s stretching while Ella and Etta watch TV, just grunts, so Alya makes her escape before she’s roped into doing chores or helping Nora “practice” for her next match, aka fulfil her sisterly duties of being a punching bag. Once outside, she walks around to the next block over and then ducks into the first alley she finds.

“Why would you separate me and my beautiful cheese?” Plagg moans.

“Because I’m gonna take a bit of time to practice without having to fight for my life,” Alya says. “Plus, I don’t have to listen to you if you’re stuck in the ring. Plagg, claws out!”

The transformation once again washes over her with its cold green power. It’s just as thrilling as the first time turning into Reine Nuit, and she can’t help her giggle when she looks down at her black leather suit, the green bits almost glowing in the evening dimness. She spots a nearby building, takes a deep breath to psyche herself up, then takes a running start and tries to leap to the roof without the aid of her baton. No knowing when she’ll be left weaponless, right?

As it turns out, her super abilities also extend to strengthening her leg muscles, because she’s easily able to make half the jump, then bound off the brick to reach the top. She whoops and punches the air and spins on the spot giddily, shrieking, “I’m a superhero!”

A ringing sound suddenly emanates from her baton, and she looks down to see the green cat’s paw on the end of it flashing. With a frown, she presses the paw with her thumb, and she gasps when a small rectangular screen pops out, then flickers to life to reveal Ladybug’s face.

“Ladybug?” she exclaims. Ladybug waves.

“Hi! Uh…I was just testing out my yo-yo. I take it you’re out practicing with your powers as well?”

“You know it!” Reine Nuit says. “Wait, so our weapons are also phones? How cool is this?”

Ladybug grins. “Since we’re both out, maybe we should meet up and talk in person? How about the Eiffel Tower?”

“Sure thing! See you there!” Reine Nuit presses the cat paw to hang up, causing the screen to retract back into her baton, and then she starts to leap and vault her way in the direction of the Eiffel Tower. Just like last time, the wind whistles through her hair, making her ponytail stream out behind her in a brown bush, and she can’t help the laughter that escapes her as she flips off a building, extends her staff as far as it’ll go, then vaults herself through the air and uses her staff to catch in one of the gaps in the Tower’s interlacing metal structure.

“This is like a dream come true!” she whoops, bounding up the Tower with a combination of her enhanced abilities and her staff. When she finally flips herself onto the same platform at the top where she and her partner had fought Stoneheart, she realises that she’s not alone; Ladybug has gotten here first, watching her with a small grin.

“From the sounds of it, you’re having a lot of fun,” Ladybug comments when Reine Nuit stops next to her, panting.

“Are you kidding?” Reine Nuit says. “This is – like – oh my god, all my life I’ve wanted to be a superhero! And now not only do I learn that this stuff is real, but I actually get to be one!”

Ladybug laughs and sits down, crossing her legs neatly. Reine Nuit follows suit, hugging her knees to her chest.

“I’m sorry I was late to Stoneheart the second time,” Ladybug says. “I…well, I nearly gave up. I didn’t purify the akuma, and everything was worse, and…I was convinced that whoever’s behind these earrings made a horrible mistake. I was going to give them to a friend, until I realised that I had to step up and do the right thing.”

“You nearly –?” Reine Nuit shakes her head. “Are you kidding? I’ve only fought with you twice and I can already tell you that I don’t want anyone else as a partner! The way you told Hawkmoth off like that? And how you talked to Paris? Oh my god, you’re, like, my idol.”

“Stop that!” Ladybug nudges Reine Nuit. “Don’t idolise me. We’re partners – we’re equals. I meant it when I said that we did it.”

“Well, that Lucky Charm just proves that you’re Ladybug,” Reine Nuit says. “I asked my kwami why you get weird stuff and he said that part of being Ladybug is being creative and imaginative and adaptable. If you weren’t any good as Ladybug, there’s no way you’d have made that whole plan in the stadium out of a wetsuit! Or up here with the parachute!”

“Really?” Ladybug tilts her head. Her blue eyes are dark in the evening light, and Reine Nuit once again finds herself questioning just how straight she really is. Not that she’s thought of herself as straight since she was ten and first heard of Majestia, to be fair. “My kwami never told me that.”

“Oh, mine was super rude about it,” Reine Nuit says. “He’s a bit of a douche. But apparently, I’m the brawn and you’re the brains. My power’s meant to work with yours to make sure that you pull your Lucky Charm off.”

“So, we balance each other out, then,” Ladybug says with a small smile. “That makes sense.”

They lapse into a comfortable silence, gazing out at the sea of lights that is Paris at night. The sight is nearly as mesmerising as her partner’s Miraculous Ladybug, although she’s not sure anything could come close to that beauty.

“I think we should talk about our identities,” Ladybug says. “It’s bound to come up.”

“I know you said that we have to keep them a secret,” Reine Nuit says. “And as much as I’d love to know who my partner is, I agree. The more people know who you are, the more chance there is of villains finding out, so the more danger your friends and family are in.” God, if anything happened to her parents or her sisters – or her new best friend Marinette…

“Not just that,” Ladybug says. “We’re partners. I get the feeling that we’re gonna become pretty close, since we’ll be working together to take down this Hawkmoth. And if I know who you are, it’ll make it harder for me to put my feelings aside and focus on the job when you’re in danger. At least by seeing you like this, it’s easier to tell myself that you can take care of yourself.”

“That’s…actually a good point,” Reine Nuit admits. “I didn’t even think of that, but you’re totally right.”

“Of course I am,” Ladybug says with a mischievous little smile. She sobers and looks back out at Paris. “I still can’t believe someone thinks I’m the best one for this job. It feels like…”

“A dream?” Reine Nuit says.

“Yeah. A dream. I keep expecting to wake up and find that it’s the first day of school and I was just having a really vivid dream.”

“Mood,” Reine Nuit says. She hums when a thought occurs to her. “Should we – I dunno – patrol the city every so often or something?”

“Patrol?” Judging by the way her forehead creases, the thought probably hadn’t even crossed Ladybug’s mind. “What for? We’ll know when an akuma pops up.”

“Who says we have to fight just akumas?” Reine Nuit says. “We’re superheroes. Our job is to fight crime. We can totally practice our skills on normal bad guys.”

“Huh. That’s not a bad idea. We do need to make sure that we can hold our own against akumas. And it would let us develop a working relationship with the public and the police.”

Reine Nuit snorts. “I still say you shoulda let me go that one for what he said to you. Honestly, like he’s never made a mistake before, especially when he was new!”

“He was scared and facing something totally new,” Ladybug says. “Just let it slide, okay?”

“Fine. Only ‘cause it’s you. So…what nights should we patrol? Obviously not every night, since I’ve got schoolwork and all…”

“Same here,” Ladybug says. “Every second or third night?”

“Should we really be that predictable?”

“Only at first. Just until we find our feet. Then we can organise a more random schedule.”

“True.” Reine Nuit sighs and then jumps to her feet. “I should get going. I told my family I was just taking a walk. The last thing I need is for them to think I’ve been kidnapped or something.”

“Yeah, my mum will probably be up to check on me soon,” Ladybug says. She tosses her yo-yo out into the city until it latches onto something that Reine Nuit can’t see, then smiles and waves at Reine Nuit. “See you next time, partner.”

“Later, angel bug,” Reine Nuit blurts out. She can’t help it; against the blanket of Parisian lights, Ladybug really does look like a softly glowing angel. Ladybug blinks. “Uh – sorry, that was probably inappropriate.”

“I don’t mind it,” Ladybug says. The corner of her mouth turns up, and she says, “Bye, pretty kitty,” and swings off. Reine Nuit stares after her, transfixed, until she shakes her head to snap out of it.

“Right. Home.” She starts to leap down the Tower, praying that she can get home before Nora gets too worried and starts asking questions.

[rose-gold-romantic]

Whatever It Takes: Chapter Six

A Loki x Reader based in the Tesseract fic universe! Avengers: Infinity War follow-up fic. Next in the Tesseract fic series. Links to Tesseract, Lokasenna, What Heroes Do, and Fidelity. Also to my AU Feel You.

I WOULD LOVE FEEDBACK! Want to be tagged in updates? Let me know!

@malignentmac @fandomsfanman @i-am-supermerwholoked221b @markusstrayya @sincereleygmg @pandaqua​ @person-born-winchester

Just a forewarning, this one has a major POV shift from the past entries, since Reader was Dusted at the end of Fidelity! Keeping with my recent trend in fic titles, it’s named after a track on the official soundtrack. I also constantly watch this Video, and recommend it to hype you up!

We all got ready and got into a car to drive to Stark’s house. Since he had recovered from his misadventure, he had moved out of the city to a beautiful cabin set on the edge of a lake. When we had arrived, Tony was carrying his daughter to the house. His sigh was audible from across the yard.

“Now, we know what it sounds like…” Scott said, having divulged his plan to Tony.

“Tony, after everything you've seen, is anything really impossible?” Steve asked.

“I mean, it still boggles my mind that this character is on our side now,” Tony said, passing a drink to me. “No offense.”

“None taken.” I said, taking one, and handing another to Steve.

“But that disbelief can only go so far. Quantum fluctuation messes with the Planck scale, which then triggers the Deutsch proposition. Can we agree on that?” Tony said, sipping his own drink. “In layman’s terms, it means you’re not coming home.”

“I did.” Scott countered.

“No, you accidentally survived.” Tony clarified, “It’s a billion to one cosmic fluke. And now you wanna pull off a… What do you call it?”

“A time heist?” Scott said, his tone trying to mask his pride.

“Yea a time heist. Of course, why didn’t we think of this before?” Tony mused. “Oh, because it’s laughable? Because it’s a pipedream?”

“The stones are in the past. We can go back and get them!” Scott pleaded.

“We can snap our own fingers.” Natasha added, “We can bring everyone back.”

“Or screw it up worse than he already has, right?” Tony countered.

“I don’t believe that we would.” Steve said firmly.

“Gotta say, sometimes I miss that giddy optimism.” Tony said. “However, high hopes won't help if there's no logical, tangible way for me to safely execute said time heist. I believe the most likely outcome would be our collective demise.”

“Not if we strictly follow the rules of time travel.” Scott said, “That means no talking to our past selves, no betting on sporting events-”

“I’m gonna stop you right there, Scott.” Tony said, “Are you seriously telling me that your plan to save the universe is based on Back To The Future?”

Blushing, Scott squirmed in his chair. “No…”

“Good. You had me worried there.” Tony replied. “Cause that’d be horse shit. That’s not how quantum physics works.”

“Tony…” Natasha said, “We have to take a stand.”

“We did stand.” Tony answered. “And yet, here we are.”

“I know you got a lot on the line.” Scott said, “You got a wife, a daughter. But I lost someone very important to me. A lot of people did. And now, now we have a chance to bring her back. Bring everyone back. And you're telling me that won't even…”

“That’s right, Scott.” Tony snapped back. “I won’t. Even. Got a kid.”

As he spoke, his daughter ran up to him, and Tony gathered her up into his arms.

“Mommy told me to come and save you.” She said into his chest.

“Good job.” He praised. “I’m saved.” Turning to us, he sighed. “I wish you’d come here to ask me for something else. Anything else. Honestly, I… I missed you guys. It was… It’s been a long time. The table’s set for six.”

“Tony, I get it.” Steve said, “I’m happy for you, I really am. But this is a second chance.”

“I got my second chance right here, Cap.” Tony said, hefting his daughter higher up against his chest. “I can’t roll the dice again. If you don’t talk shop, you all can stay for lunch.”

Tony walked into his home, leaving us sitting on the porch. Tony’s words echoed in my head, bringing me back to thoughts about my own second chance. I had my life turned around, only to lose the one who meant the most to me, the one responsible for my newly chartered life-course. My second chance, my only chance, was ahead of me.

“He’s scared.” Natasha said as we walked back to the car.

“He’s not wrong.” Steve replied.

“Yeah, but I mean, what are we gonna do?” Scott said, “We need him. What, are we gonna stop.”

“No, I wanna do it right.” Steve confirmed. “We’re gonna need a really big brain.”

“Bigger than his?” Scott said, confused.

“Quantum Physics isn’t really his thing, Steve.” Natasha said.

“It might be now.” Steve answered, rolling away from Tony’s home.

After a few phone calls, we agreed to meet Bruce at a local cafe. When we arrived, I was met with an uncomfortable reality. Bruce banner sat before us, but… he was distinctly more… hulkish. While not as simple as hulk had been when I first had encountered him, he was also not completely Bruce Banner anymore, and it made for an interesting mix.

“Come on, I feel like I’m the only one eating!” Bruce said, pushing a plate forwards towards Natasha. “Try some of that, have some eggs.”

“I’m so confused.” Scott said.

“You’re not the only one.” I added, fidgeting in my seat.

“These are confusing times.” Bruce answered.

“Right. No, no, that’s not what I meant.” Scott said.

“No, I get it.” Bruce said, dropping his serious tone. “I’m kidding! I know. It’s crazy. I’m wearing shirts now.”

“Yea! How? Why?” Scott asked.

“Five years ago, we got our asses beat.” Bruce explained, “Except it was worse for me. Because I lost twice. First, Hulk lost, then Banner lost. Then, we all lost.”

“No one blamed you, Bruce.” Natasha said.

“I did.” Banner said. “For years, I’ve been treating the Hulk like he’s some kind of disease, something to get rid of. But then I started looking at him as the cure. Eighteen months in a gamma lab. I put the brains, and the brawn, together. And now look at me. Best of both worlds…”

Bruce’s speech was interrupted by a few younger fans, tentatively walking up to him and quietly asking him a question.

“Excuse me, Mr. Hulk?” the girl asked.

“Yes?” Bruce answered, smiling.

“Can we get a photo?”

“100%, little person. Come on, step up.” Bruce gestured for the kids to come closer, passing their phone to Scott to take the photo. “You mind?”

“Oh, no.” Scott fumbled, stretching to try to take the photo.

“Say, ‘Green!’” Bruce said, smiling to the camera. “Did you get that?” Bruce asked.

“Don’t you wanna grab one with me?” Scot asked, handing the phone back, I’m Ant-Man.” after a long pause, Scott smiled awkwardly. “They’re Hulk fans, they don’t know Ant-Man, nobody does.”

“Wait no no, he feels bad.” Bruce said, gesturing to one of the boys. “He wants you to, he wants to… You want to take a picture with him, right?”

The boy shook his head vigorously, the girl giggling uncomfortably.

“He’s even saying that he doesn’t. I get it.” Scott said, miffed. “I don’t want it either.”

“But come on, the kid!” Bruce insisted. “But he… but you…”

“Just take the goddamn phone.” Scott said, practically tossing the phone at Bruce.

“Thank you, Mr. Hulk.” the girl said.

“No, it’s great kids. Thank you very much.” Bruce said. “Hulk out!”

“Bruce.” Steve said, hoping to steer the conversation back to its intended end.

“Dab!” Bruce called after them, causing me to roll my eyes.

“Bruce.” Steve repeated.

“Listen to your mom.” Bruce said, “She knows better.”

“About what we were saying…” Steve insisted.

“Right. The Hulk time travel do-over?” Banner said, refocusing his attention to our table. “Guys, it’s outside my area of expertise.”

“Well, you pulled this off.” I said, gesturing to him.

“I remember a time when that seemed pretty impossible, too.” Natasha added.

Banner sighed. “Do we even have a facility, or a lab?”

“We’ve got the next best thing, an entire compound that’s sitting empty.” Steve said.

“Will you help us?” Natasha asked.

“Of course.” Bruce said. “Whatever it takes.”

[tuwam]

sibling problems.

‘what’s your problem?’ “don’t have one.”

au in which hyuck @consilian makes more sense than minjae (as usual)

it starts with the yule ball. or rather the rumors that come with the yule ball. there are - quite a few speculations about who minjae is taking because naturally he’s the talk of the school. not just people in his house or his year but people who frankly have no business ( granted minjae’s personality makes everything their business ) pry into his life. everyone wants to know who he’ll ask, who’s bold enough to ask him and which house they’ll be from. 

naturally, it’s not minjae’s fault he’s attracted this level of attention - it was inevitable. really and truly because he’s met someone who brings out the true slytherin in him ( or so he says ). it’s these pack of hooligans that he calls his friends, who have also become the talk of the rumors. because with minjae’s popular he carries that of others and attracts those of the same flock.

junsu with whom he’s had enough classes and overheard phone calls to know they share too much in common. junsu being the more complacent of the two though - because his parents have already told him who he’s taking to the ball. wild.

myungsoo who minjae is quite tired of saving his ass on the field but there’s probably no one else he’d trust to cover his own. truthfully minjae didn’t think he’d warm up to the idea of playing quidditch, it wasn’t quite as expected from him - but it made sense. he’s got a good deal of questions simply from being on the team - though minjae gives him the benefit of the doubt he’s good-looking too.

jaejin - who’s too damn shy to ask the cute girl from gryffindor, and minjae’s prepared to fix that. jaejin who more often than not has his head between minjae’s forearm and his armpit ( most of the time for commenting how beautiful he thinks mina is - whereas hyuck just shrugs and states that everyone know ahyeon’s beautiful - which - gag. ) 

the boy’s whipped. minjae was waiting for when he’d ask the girl out - he was tired of the push and pull that’s easy to see from the courtyard. hell - hyuck’s tomato face can be seen from the third floor.

either way - the yule ball is easily taking up the time of everyone’s house.

and minjae’s thought nothing of it.

‘what about that girl who sits two tables across? red-head?’ “red-head?” ‘i heard the ravenclaw prefect has an elaborate reason as to why you’ll ask her.’ “does she?” ‘what about ahyeon’s cute friend?’ “they’re all cute.” ‘jangmi?’ “bored.”

he’s really thought nothing of it. mainly because - he’s got other things to do. which is why myungsoo throwing the questions at him gets no response. minjae’s hands are fastened around the binoculars and he’s counting to himself. listening - but counting. they’re ditching quidditch practice but - it’s cold so who really cares.

because, 3, 2, 1.....

‘kwon mina?’ minjae turns around, myungsoo too to meet the first victim. a male who is only about a hair taller than minjae, a ravenclaw named donghyun. and according to their cute prefect, someone who planned rather meticulously to be at this exact spot. this exact spot - where mina should be getting out of her dark arts history class. but she’s not, because well that class ended four hours ago and well in the current situation -

‘kwon mina right?’ donghyun is looking dead at myungsoo who is looking far too confused. ‘minjae?’ he’s now using that tone like the one where minjae made him the scapegoat in their last play. “he’s talking to you not me noona.” if myungsoo were inclined - he’d throw minjae off this balcony, but he’s currently occupied with the fifth year trying to get his attention. ‘i’ve been waiting for you to get out of class see - i’m a sixth year, my name is kim donghyun. we’ve had class together a few times, since you’ve been taking higher level classes. completely commendable i must say -’

the guy goes on for some time. stuttering over his words and talking rather embarassingly for someone of the house he’s supposedly from. minjae tunes it out in favor of watching myungsoo’s dumbfounded and equally annoyed face as he figures out what to do. the only mercy minjae gave was making sure no one would be on the halls while this went down. he’d record if he weren’t too busy checking the premise.

‘i - i’m sorry donghyun-ssi. but i really don’t know you that well to just go out with you to the ball on the fly. i appreciate you asking - this is really sudden though.’ ‘i understand! i could give you time to think it over?’ “time to go.”

minjae’s only cured the spell for a few more minutes so he’s tugging myungsoo along.

‘i’m going to kill you.’ “look who’s living up to his parent’s wishes now.”

myungsoo damn near tackles him when they enter the game room. they miss junsu who is studying by the fireplace by a few inches. he’s muttering a ‘not again’ while hyuck promptly lifts his feet as the two wrestle on the floor. minjae having to counter each spell myungsoo tries to use to make him faster, or to tie his feet in the carpet strings.

‘what now?’ it’s hyuck who’s asking when minjae jumps over the couch and has to hide from the book thrown their way. myungsoo, who isn’t as peeved anymore, takes a seat at the edge of the couch and proceeds to tell the story. minjae who is occupied only with a note that materializes inside the very book that’d been throw.

‘why are people telling me i rejected a sixth year?’ ‘no idea.’

the next mess happens in the mess hall.

all of them pouring over books, minjae sticking every confession note handed to him underneath the book he and hyuck are sharing. jaejin pointing at each concept and trying to explain it the best they can. myungsoo stuffing his face because someone on the team made a comment about his size and junsu well - junsu just studying as usual.

minjae thinks if they go over herbology one more time he’s going to scream.

‘hyuck pay attention.’ “he’s watching ahyeon.” ‘oh and you’re paying attention?’ ‘wait - is that no denial i hear?’

a food fight might have started ( and in hindsight that might’ve been a better option but alas - ) - if minjae’s cue didn’t have him jumping up. up and right into the pathway of a gryffindor. a fifth year, much taller - considerably more built than minjae at that. surrounded by two groupies who are about minjae’s stature. he could take them no problem.

“taemin hyung! just the person i wanted to see!”

taemin park is not happy in the slightest to see minjae. which duh - minjae smoked him on the field the other day, and it was nothing but a scrimmage. taemin park, a fifth year with plans on joining the nation team, if they’re desperate. all that brawn and recklessness and if he’d take the time to think for a second he might stand a chance. if minjae caught a cold that is. 

‘i’m busy kwon.’ “are you?” minjae is smug, too knowing for his own good. junsu is shaking his head, myungsoo is leaning back to watch and hyuck’s got one ear open while jaejin’s all eyes. them and probably the rest of their table. because why oh why is minjae approaching the co-captain of the gryffindor quidditch team? why indeed?

taemin leans forward, and maneuvers minjae until they’re facing the same direction.

‘i’m on my way to ask gorgeous to the ball.’ surprisingly, mina is sitting at the end of the table, she rarely eats in the mess hall but minjae knows taemin probably asked to eat lunch. his sister is a lot of things but she isn’t rude. if she had free time she would, and seeing as how hanbyul isn’t with her - he decides she didn’t have anything better to do. while minjae is wondering why she wouldn’t just offer to sit with him he knows why. instead he lets himself relax, he’ll pester her about why she isn’t wearing her scarf later because he’s laughing so hard he’s lifting taemin’s hand that soon lifts from his shoulder.

‘something funny?’ “never thought chae was your type. she’s a third-year, kinda weird. talks to the paintings by the staircase” ‘what? no not her.’ “jieun? she talks to the trees!” ‘no!’ taemin is a fool because his voice carries traction when he’s frustrated. “hyung. seoyoung is a first-year!” ‘i’m asking your sister muggle-brain!’

minjae can handle being called an idiot. he can handle a lot of the assumptions that come with the part of the school jock, playboy, troublemaker. regardless of the good marks he gets in all his classes, regardless of the hearts that break despite him already telling the girls he’s not interested in dating. he can take that. what he can’t take, is all these wishy-washy sorry-excuses thinking they can just waltz over and sweep his sister off her feet like she’s easy. like they’re worth it. he steels himself, the easy smile slipping from his features.

“i’m sure she wouldn’t say yes to anyone who calls her precious brother an idiot.” ‘i’m sure that’s none of your business.’ “i’m sure you’ll be happy to know i already spoke to my sister and she’s not interested.” ‘and i say that your sister can speak for herself.’ “she’s not interested.” ‘move out the way, kwon.’

at this point, myungsoo’s started stretching and junsu’s already standing beside minjae, jaejin with his fingers ready and hyuck, well hyuck always ready. not that this would turn into a brawl, but well - hyuck’s got his back regardless. taemin has stepped closer, close enough to not cause suspicion but make his point known. minaje doesn’t flinch, holds his ground and keeps his face stoic.

‘move kwon.’ “you wouldn’t dare move me when my sister’s right there.” ‘you know a wrong move can suspend you from the team.’ “and even suspended you still couldn’t beat us.” minjae can hear the snickers, can tell that this is making quite the commotion. can tell that he should probably call it quits by now but he’s nothing but amused. amused by how taemin’s ears have turned red because if nothing he’s about his pride and minjae knwos exactly where to push. donghyun is too smart for a diversion so minjae had to get crafty with spell-casting, but taemin, all minjae needs to do is get a few words in. and a few more should do the trick. ‘this isn’t about the team, so butt out.’ “it’s about my sister. and i said, she’s not interested.” ‘and i said, move.’

does minjae move? no. does taemin try to move him, he gets a hand on his shirt but that’s about it since - well.

‘what’s going on, minjae can’t you just eat in peace?’ if people turn to stone before snape, mina’s presence is definitely to be reckoned with. minjae is if anything smiling at the fact that she’s wearing a warmer cardigan, because if she got sick she wouldn’t be able to sleep well and he knows she has an important exam in two days. she’s stepped up to them, eyes ignoring the hand on minjae’s shirt and instead just flitting back and forth. his sister’s not tall but she draws all eyes wherever she goes. similar to the other fifth year, seoyun’s her name. mina doesn’t look amused, but she doesn’t look irritated either.

“just some friendly banter about the upcoming game, right?”

for all his bravery minjae can see the gears in taemin’s head. can see how he’s all but frightened at the prospect of mina reading this wrong, about exactly how this looks staged. minjae knows his sister would never base jdugement off an image such as this - especially knowing her brother’s reputation, but taemin doesn’t. and with this image, he wouldn’t dare approach her about the ball.

“you’ll be there right?” mina’s eyes turn to him, briefly after landing on the two standing by hyuck and jaejin whose tucked his head back in the book.  ‘of course, taemin-ssi we’ll have to talk later i have to go meet a friend.’

ignoring that hyuck whispers that it’s probably hanbyul, mina is off with a quick ruffle to minjae’s hair and minjae is off after claiming the mood is ruined. because well - it’s ruined. and minjae has better things to do, like see if he can fit any entire pillowcase of treats in his mouth. it was a dare he’s been meaning to get to.

‘have you considered she might be going with hanbyul?’ hyuck’s comment is exactly what earns him about a dozen treats thrown at his head from across the common room. and the others joining in because well - duh.

minjae has considered that - and decided that it’s not possible. couldn’t be possible. he’s taken his time to study who hanbyul seems to be and for the majority of guys who get his sister’s attention, they don’t take long to crack and make their intentions known. hanbyul has pure intentions and the only issue minjae has with that is the fact that it’s taken up time he could have.

he’ll survive.

'aren’t we supposed to be studying?’ “aren’t you supposed to be figuring out how to ask yeonhee out?”

junsu, though built a little better than myungsoo, isn’t too inclined to try and hurl minjae off the balcony. though, he might if minjae keeps making jokes about the fact that myungsoo’s parents are trying to solidify a bloodline without their son’s consent. in all fairness - yeonhee was pretty cute. a little scary though, she once got mad at minjae and flew so close that her broom gave him a splinter. a splinter.

either way, junsu’s more tame. right now myungsoo doesn’t trust him as much - that and he had to attend practice. they’re waiting behind a ledge, the potions private lab in their sights and minjae counting down yet again.

‘it’s a bad idea’ hyuck had said. “doubt it.” ‘your sister is going to kill you.’ “never.”

minjae had grinned, refused to ask how hyuck was the only one who’d picked up on the little schemes going around. or the dozens of notes now stashed in his locker, that didn’t have his name on it. then again - hyuck is as sharp as him. still, hyuck had said his words and went right back to reading - studying in fact. he should get to that really. but now. right now.

the explosion is enough to have the ground rumbling and green smoke erupting from the now open doors of the classroom. he’s not sure who to pay attention to, the figure stomping out covered in green powders or how his sister looks almost bored and pristine stepping out with hanbyul. who’s just as clean - but you can’t win them all.

‘i apologize!’ there’s jung hyunwoo, running behind her and looking less like the put-together slytherin he claims to be and more like the mess he’s revealed to everyone around the dorm. seeing him apologize - would be the icing on the cake if not for the fact that he looks like a green goblin. ‘i really don’t know what happened - i was merely trying to.’ “it’s fine. you were trying to make the words manifest from the cauldron, it’s just the mixture was wrong.” mina’s tone is soft, not a trace of annoyance in it. she’s too good for them, minjae comments to himself. junsu makes a note of smacking him upside the head and if minjae weren’t busy trying to laugh, he’d notice hanbyul watching them.

‘i’m going to clean up before professor sees it and you get scolded. if you want i can help you with it later?’ of course, hyunwoo’s pride is his everything. it’s why he would never admit to needing help, or to being friends with other houses or even people of different blood. mina’s too nice, entirely too nice and unconcerned about the world around her. strong in a way hyunwo wouldn’t understand. which is why it baffles minjae that he heard hyunwoo boasting about how he’d ask her, how he was so sure she’d say yes.

yet here we are.

‘no that’s fine, i’ll clean!’

before mina can protest, he’s rushing back in and sealing the doors - no doubt to hide his own embarrassment. minjae is in hysterics.

‘y’might want ta loosen up.’

apparently hanbyul was not. he’s got both minjae and junsu’s attention standing in front of them. tall, and looking like he could care less about anything going on, yet for the moment, he doesn’t even look at minjae, he’s still watching mina. tall bastard.

“yeah? says who?” ‘well - d’ya think she’ll find this cute much longer?’ now minjae’s dumbfounded, as if this isn’t something his siblings have told him. his parents. that mina coddles him, that he seeks too much attention from her, all the attention really. that she made up for too much and minjae just eats it up, soaks it up really. it was cute when he was pushing pursuers from their doorsteps as a child, no matter how much bigger they were. cute when he taught his brother’s owl to intercept love notes to the window. cute when he did voice imitations to answer telegrams.

cute.

as always she’ll give him that same smile. a smile he’s sure he won’t be able to receive much longer when she graduates. so minjae frowns at that, and walks past him. because where does hanbyul get off asking him something so personal?

he’s rubbed a little wrong - so when he reaches the common room he just wants to lay down.

‘one of the potions rooms nearly exploded today did you guys hear?’ for once he doesn’t want to hear the tale of his escapades. for once he wants to focus on reading, studies, anything else. jaejin’s running in with the news around the same time junsu catches up to him.

“don’t you have anything better to do? like asking out that huffle girl? better do it before i do.” that gets him a pillow to the face, as if everyone in the room hasn’t been subject to minjae’s antics. as if he has a right to be so sour. especially to jaejin.  ‘shouldn’t you be apologizing to your sister for being a thorn in her side. i’ve heard she’s been apologizing to people lately.’ it makes minjae raise his head, but only to narrow his eyes, try to read jaejin’s expression. “you’re lying.” ‘you’re being childish.’ “you’re a prude.”

that gets him another pillow, this time from hyuck who’s placed himself right beside minjae, despite the air in the room. junsu who is leaning against the wall watching, myungsoo who has a pastry in his mouth, watching the interaction.

‘what’s your problem?’ where jaejin might only snap, hyuck wouldn’t hold back even if he should. even if minjae’s still bristling a bit, still wired from the words earlier. and from the prospect of his sister having to apologize for him. apologize at all. that wasn’t the plan.

“don’t have one.” is minjae’s still prickly response. so he’s being childish, of course he doesn’t like being called out on it. but hyuck just shrugs and leans back over the arm of the couch. ‘yeah well, your sister shouldn’t have to suffer just because you want her to yourself.’ “yeah well,” minjae pauses, thinks about how easy it would be for this to go south. thinks about how much energy he has for that and how hyuck is right, how he knows he’s right. “i don’t want to talk about it.” hyuck looks up for a moment, minjae can clearly see him considering things, like times that minjae has had him talk when he’s fed up. like the fact that there’s so much more he can say, but he says enough with a shrug. ‘when you do want to talk, at least let it be an apology to the right people.’ “yeah okay philosopher, what’s shifted your moral compass, did you get back from seeing ahyeon?” that gets him a foot instead of a pillow and well - minjae takes that one. 

so minjae doesn’t apologize to the jerkwads. because he’s still right that no one deserves his sister. he does send a study elixir to hanbyul’s cave by the botany lab. right now he’s sitting on the stool watching mina work. something he hasn’t been able to do since he’s been busy, sabotaging her suitors.

‘you know, i wasn’t even planning on going this year.’ minjae’s spinning and looking through the experiments written in her old lab book. she swats at his hand when he reaches for something. “you should go.” partially because he’d love to see her happy and dressed up, partially because she deserves to. “it wasn’t to stop you from going. or.....make you have to apologize.” ‘i don’t want people thinking you’re something you’re not. that’s why i apologize, i could care less about how i’m perceived.’

there’s a lot that comes with being a kwon. there’s a lot that comes with the legacy. their mother was a ravenclaw but their father a faithful and textbook slytherin. their family, a mix of the two, minjae sometimes believes things would be different had they donned black and blue their sorting nights. mina, known as the something of a cold queen in her field. 

mina, always alone, always studying, unapproachable solely by rumors. minjae, charmingly cunning and with accolades that are reason enough for people to talk about him and to him. one who gets the smiles when he walks around, giggles and whispers and mina, who gets the gasps, the awes as well but - mina’s considerably lonelier than him. it’s why he supposes she deserves better. it’s also why he likes time like this - where even if everyone talks against her, he knows how she is. he’s both jealous and glad that someone else, that someone being hanbyul, understands who she is.

“still, didn’t mean much by it.” ‘it’s fine. i just want you to have a good time here. don’t worry about me.’ “so you’re going to go? you have a date.” ‘if i did have one, which i don’t, i don’t think your track record deserves you knowing.’

fair.

minjae rightfully sulks into the seat. he continues spinning though, flips the finger when he sees the guys peeking into the window.

“i’m not going then.” ‘please, i was going to take you suit shopping.’ “oh?” ‘with hanbyul.’ “ugh.”

mina’s smiling now, even as she hasn’t lifted her concentration. she looks best like that, few people get to claim seeing her like that. minjae isn’t inclined to share.

‘think about it. i heard a lot of people are hoping you’ll ask them.’ “meh. jaejin only talks so much around you because he thinks you’re pretty.” ‘you should use your gifts to maybe help your friends instead of scheming.’

that gets a shrug. in that way he and hyuck are probably too similar. it has minjae smiling though.

‘though, if you pull a stunt like the potion one again - especially with hanbyul in there - you’ll be scrubbing yourself and the halls for the rest of your hogwarts residence.’ minjae gulps. “yes ma’am.” he pauses, does a full turn before eyeing. “sure you’re not dating hanbyul? maybe kae, he’s your lab partner right?” ‘bye minjae.’ she doesn’t even give him the courtesy of walking out, she’s using a particularly strong bag of wind to have him escorted out right as kae’s on his way in. kae, who’s far too tall, too broad and too intimidating for minjae to even dare. “i’m watching you hyung.” it’s not as pointed as minjae would hope and his friends are rightfully laughing from around the corner as he approaches. “assholes.”

‘glad that’s over.’ is all myungsoo says. hyuck is still laughing, him and jaejin doubled over one another and minjae finds himself smiling, pulling jaejin under his arm. “alright, let’s get you this date huh?” there’s whoops, cheers and jaejin stumbling over words as they make their way to their usual spot. if minjae thanks hyuck it’s in the form of a grin over his shoulder and a shove against the shoulder. 

hyuck gets it though, they always get each other.

[kadyshackkk-blog]

Final Reckoning Episode One Review plus a little info from seasons past.

Hello World! Mtv’s Hit The Challenge Returned Tuesday July 10, 2018 at 9pm! This season is “the end of the challenge as we know it”. Which as of right now I’m calling total b.s. since well mtv the last few season has been “recreating” older seasons ie; The Challenge Invasion of the champions, a very sad and terrible attempt to recreate the iconic The Ruins. Then we went into Dirty 30, the longest season in existence and a horrible rip off of Free Agents which in my opinion was the last great season of the show. In the dirty 30 we had something called the purge aka lets fuck Darrell over and allow a bunch of idiots to run the show. Yes I am still bitter because Darrell was robbed out of a title that season and instead our winners were a racist and an anti feminist douche lord, I mean Camila and Jordan. Then we slide into Vendettas after that tragic second season of Champs V stars, which we won’t even talk about since it was a bunch of d list celebrities who i didnt even know and well the terrell owens aka the biggest bitch in the nfl. Moving along, on Vendettas we received a much needed invasion of new people from big brother and mtv uk! Be warned I have never watched mtv Uk shows or any big brother so I had zero idea who these people were but I was excited to see them! We also got from season 5 of are you the one Kam, Eddie, and Alicia. I loved that season of ayto and the people they chose to come onto vendettas made total sense. But what didn’t make any sense at all was the poor get rid of eddie they did. Now I will only say this once and the source that told me this is very credible since he was on their season of ayto he also doesn’t like either person involved however he dislikes eddie more. Simple fact is Alicia Lied, plan and simple. There was never a restraining order or anything of that nature. You can look it up online its public information in every state. Moving on from that, the additions from the uk were all very attractive, and before you gasp and say even Kyle?! Yes even Kyle , I feel like he looks better in person then he does on tv. The fights that season we’re beyond annoying . This was my face anytime Kailah or nicole spoke or were on my tv screen  

I give them both a chance every season they are on but they always make me regret giving said chance. The luggage throwing incident pissed me the fuck off. & Before you all go WeLL cArA dID iT To JOrdAn guess what she put a waterproof bag of his clothes in water omg get over it. Jemmeye Kailah & Britni Ganged up on kayleigh because of a rumor about her and bananas that Devin started to get Johnny thrown into elimination. It was not okay, it is never okay to touch someone elses belongings ever. I do not care, her stuff was broken and none of the actual apologized for it. 

Now for what you came for my review of the Challenge Final Reckoning Episode 1

First off I was hoping this season was a team season sadly it was just a rip off of the Rivals series which was only decent for rivals 1 and 2. Rivals 3 was ridiculous and a waste of time and energy. In the beginning we see everyone show up and Tj is all like guess what your partner is buried and you have to find them! oh and the last two teams will be sent home ending their time in south africa. Me as a view knowing damn well tj is full of shit 

We see Zach dig up his partner Amanda first. Listen I was very excited to hear that Amanda was coming back this season! I really was until all the twitter beef with cara, and unless you’ve been living under a rock you know exactly what I am talking about. (hint him and amanda won the challenge wooooooooh)

Here is everyones partnerships.

Zach & Amanda; Their beef seems a little forced since it’s about Amanda “making up” lies about jenna that even jenna confirmed was true. This team will go far if Zach learns how to work well with women.

Angela & Faith; I honestly don’t understand their beef, really over tor’i really. irrelevant ass team. Angela doesn’t have that same energy she did with Alicia when it comes to Shane and Kam. They won’t go far unless someone (cough cough angela sleeps with someone in power, pulling a veronica in the ruins when she hooked up with my favorite toothbrush twin evan.)

Dj Bald I mean Brad & hair plugs pathological liar I mean kyle; THIS TEAM MAKES ZERO SENSE YALL DEADASS MADE SOME SHIT UP. UHM HELLOOO DARRELL TAYLOR DID NOT WHOOP THAT ASS ON THE RUINS FOR ZERO REASON. Like mtv please stop calling kyle , he literally makes me want to stab him daily.

Cara & Marie; Listen these two have serious dislike for each other over a fucking tweet cara liked & it makes sense they are together. I honestly think this team will do well if Marie Actually fucking tries which i think she will. Tbh marie did campaign to be caras Partner.. However I feel like we as viewers deserved a coral cara team. Those two are both very strong women who need to work out their issues and become civil because I personally love them both.

Ct & Veronica; An og team, ct called v weak but she won more daily challenges then the majority of the girls on dirty 30 . A team to actually fear if they try and win 

Derrick & Tori; Yasssss my boo derrick is back!!!!!! Don’t tell tyler but i adore derrick and think hes amazing. I really like tori as well but her taste in men is just as questionable as mine. Back story tori cheated on derrick with jordan. therefor they don’t like each other.

Bananas & ??? : THIS LITERALLY COULD BE ANYBODY. I’m hoping its sarah so he can break his curse and retire because honestly no one can touch his record unless Landon came out of retirement or if production doesn’t keep fucking over darrell

Joss & Sylvia the sheep; Joss is Hot , and he voted sheep into the elimination and she got mad. damn well knowing she would’ve done the same thing. they do great.

Kam & Melissa; I love this team, this “rivalry” started over a misunderstanding I’m hoping they do well...

Natalie & Paulie; I don’t care enough to waste my time

Nelson & Shane; I’m actually started to like nelson, my dislike for him comes from my loyalty to tyler.. I love shane he is the sassy gay bff that I need in my life. This team will do well if nelson and shane both keep themselves in check

Mama Day & Jozea; I’ve never watched big brother but this team is by far my favorite big brother pairing, I follow both on twitter and they make me laugh daily. underdogs i stan

Britni & Chuck; The hotmess express team. Clearly still feelings there, chuck sucks for what he did to her, they will need to find a way to get past their issues

Jenna & Jemmeye; One of the best moves in challenge history caused this feud. they will do well, jemmeyes brain and jennas brawn.

Kailah & Kayleigh; Failah likes to bully others kayleigh was her victim last season. they’ll probably be out pretty early..

Now to the results of the challenge

Amanda and Zach won.

I’m not to sure about the rest of the order except for the fact Day & Jozea came in last but before jem & Jenna and Chuck & britni.

it was chucks fault him and brit lost 

it was jennas fault her and jem lost

but was anyone really in shock

So then we hear bananas yelling for help since his partner left due to family emergency everyone goes digs him up and if it was up to me he wouldve been sent “home” and not brit and chuck since they almost beat day and jozea.. after they get bananas hoe ass out tj announces that amanda and zach are able to send another team home! And out of all the teams these two dumb asses pick day and jozea. like uhm helllooooooo!!! ya’ll deadass had the chance to send send strong teams home... I can’t the stupidity of these two i can’t. SO  then the three teams leave and “go home”. Everyone goes to the house and already a fight breaks out between shane and angela, over a fucking shelf. Homegirl didn’t have the energy with shane like she did with Alicia , but we already knew she was a fraud. Then cut to outside where Joss and amanda are already flirting with each other. I will give credit is due, Amanda is a beautiful girl but has a very ugly soul and joss is very smart to hookup with her, camera time is everything and why not hook up with one of the most dramatic cast members ever. Cut to Syliva saying this could go great for her alliance or terribly for her alliance at least shes smart. The Que the amanda and joss makeout session. Then we cut to bananas cara and hair plugs talking about cara and kyle. Everything out of kyles mouth is a lie and garbage. Kyle states hes gonna sleep with other people and caras like cool whatever . The cut to faith and hairplugs making out, then faith gets into hottub and johnny being johnny brings it up in front of cara, and cara pulls a queen move by being like if he doesnt want me im not gonna wait around. boy bye best choice shes ever made. Then baby girl proceeded to go into a room and make herself look bad by trying to get at paulie. Like oh no baby what is you doing go to sleep and leave him alone..

Then we cut to the best part of the night in my opinion, first we see melissa walk in and try to be civil with kailah, failah wants zero part in it but melissa still tries because melissa wants to be nice then failah pushes melissa and melissa molly whopped her then they were pulled apart 

Everyone but kailah stans on twitter 

Then the teams who were “sent home” arrive at the redemption house and tj explains some shit i wasn’t paying attention because i didnt care at that point 

Then they go to the photoshoot day and Tj shows up which is never good..

Tells melissa and kailah they are both out ..

Now we dont know kam and kayleighs fate, we find out next week..

Over all this episode was awesome , the cliffhanger was needed , we had a fight some hook ups and a twist.

this season will be interesting to say the least. 

[moonshotsandstarsocks]

I Can Make You a Man

When you’re thirsty for revenge, but also thirsty for that D

A story inspired by @mozg-art and their wonderful Rocky Horror Picture Show Roadrat comic! You can see it here 

Small warning, there are some descriptions of blood and gore in this, so just be mindful if that’s not your thing. And as always, let me know what you think!

The good doctor wasn’t used to entertaining guests. Engrossed day in and day out in his work there was hardly such a time for the luxury of company, so most usually he simply chattered to his robots whenever the urge for conversation struck him.

Fixing loose wiring, adding on new weaponry, Junkenstein would talk at his precious machines as if they had a will of their own and could understand him. A one sided banter that would last for hours and only ended when the doctor got pulled away to work on something else.

Rarely the imagined conversations took a turn for the worst. Days where Junkenstein would return from the village and the voices he often imagined would turn cruel and mocking, echoing the disgusted sentiment the king shared. Ceaseless, they would rattle around in his brain and mix together into a deafening static until Junkenstein felt like his brilliant brain would melt away into nothing.

Maddened by it all he knew that there was only one way to get them to stop: by throwing them carelessly into a pile out in his courtyard and letting his rip-tire loose on the whole lot of them. The Zomnics were in need of upgrades anyway, scrapping them was helping him skip the annoying intricacies of adding on new patches. And whatever parts of his mood that wasn’t improved by the raining robotic body parts was cheered up by the bottles of chemicals he would toss into the fires to create different colors. The green flames brought on by the boric acid were his favorite.

So maybe Dr. Junkenstein wasn’t used to guests. Maybe. But it was hardly a bad thing because it brought him to his greatest project yet: the creation of life. It was all very under lock and key, the last thing the doctor needed was another angry hoard of villagers at his castle doors once again. Their screams of fear grew stale after the first two or three times he sicked his Zomnics at them.

That’s why, on a cloudy night with only the full moon to illuminate the land below, Doctor Junkenstein was surprised to see two uninvited guests in his lab. Two guests not from anywhere on Earth. They were ethereal, but not in any way that angels were.

The witch had a commanding presence both in the way she held herself and the sheer aura emanating off of her. A beautiful face couldn’t hide the evil in her eyes no matter how blue they could be. The staff gripped tight in her hand was radiating a pulsing yellow light at the top, and with the tome strapped to her hip it made Junkrat’s fingers itch to take them both and learn her secrets. Surely he could put them to better use than her.

But perhaps he wasn’t the first to think so, because the thing next to her could only be described as some type of underworld bodyguard. Leather on top of leather with a popped collar, his orange and black scheme matched the witch’s and covered him head to toe. The only exception was his head

The witch had a subtle malice to her, but her bodyguard was the exact opposite. Residing above his shoulders (with no connection by a neck) was a round pumpkin with a cruel face jaggedly cut out to replace its head. The markings stretched and shrunk with the same elasticity of skin, and when his head moved it revealed nothing but the same ominous yellow light glowing from within his body.

Oh, they were just practically begging the doctor to cut them open and see what they’re made of. However, when they explained themselves and their desire to see his creation, Junkenstein was ecstatic and quickly forgot his plans of dissection.

“Well he’s not a creation per say.” Junkenstein said, making a noncommittal, back and forth gesture with his hand. “Creation implies makin’ somethin’ from nothin’. It’s a creation in the sense that I had to draw up the schematics, write the equations for the right amount of transfusions, shit like that. But everythin’ else is organic and recycled from fresh graves, so it’s less of an artistic creation and more a scientific invention. Though I would like to say my design is nothin’ short of artistic gen-”

“You’re getting off topic, doctor.” The witch’s voice dripped with annoyance, betraying the impassive expression she had on her face. The pumpkin, however, was more expressive than she was, openly scowling at Junkenstein.

The two supernatural entities watched Dr. Junkenstein pace about his lab, his back now turned to them as he walked over to a large slab with a mass on top obscured by a large blanket. In his hurry to get there the doctor’s uneven gait became over exaggerated and made him look like he was bobbing up and down while walking on a flat surface.

Undeterred, the doctor laughed before replying to the witch. “Of course, of course. Trust me, I’m jus’ as excited to get to the main event. So,” He rounded the table, facing the witch and her servant. “Shall I show you my latest obsession?”

Before either could answer the doctor took hold of the blanket and with a flourish it flew off the table to reveal the body underneath.

Had the witch been mortal, it might have taken her breath away.

Laying on the table was not any man, but a monstrosity. Death had stained the skin a sickly green, different areas being different shades because the creature was so large in mass that it needed the skin of multiple bodies simply to cover it all. Gaps between the stitches To add to the inhuman nature of the thing, it appeared that the doctor had taken the liberty of adding a mask made of pigskin complete with a snout to obscure the monster’s face.

Slowly, the witch approached it to get a closer look. Her eyes were drawn first to the conducting rods sticking out in various places on the creature’s body. The shoulders, feet, even the large screws that had been drilled into its jawbone were a testament to the doctor’s initial dabbling in electric shocks to try and reanimate the bastardized corpse. The Witch of the Wilds had laughed at his primitive efforts from afar, but now up close she could fully appreciate how far the doctor had come.

Being so close also allowed her to view some of the... aesthetic choices the doctor made with his design. The clothes were custom made, they had to be, and while the stitching was good it was more on the gothic side with the leather jacket and spikes. That wasn’t even mentioning the ‘D3AD’ belt buckle or the ‘TERROR’ tattooed poorly across the monster’s large gut. It seemed that her servant took notice of it as well, his clawed finger gently scraping along the word.

Though his eyes were only empty sockets of a carved pumpkin, the way the light shifted within it indicated that he was looking at Junkenstein.  “A little tacky, don’t you think?” He asked.

With a loud gasp, Junkenstein threw himself on top of his creation defensively, swatting her servant’s hand away. “”Fuck off! I didn’t make him for you!”

“Then what did you make it for, doctor?” The Witch of the Wilds asked, stifling a giggle over the petty squabble between the two.

“Well,” Junkenstein stood up, letting his hands drag slowly along the creature’s stomach as he did so. “He’ll have a great many purposes I assure you. Now of course there’s the more obvious.”

Eyes gleaming behind his goggles, Junkenstein was looking down yet a thousand miles away as his vision came to him. He could picture it all as clearly as he could the very first time he put his plans into motion for making his monster. “What he might lack in brains, he will more than make up for in brawn. An’ he’s gonna use all that brawn to go straight down to the village an’ slaughter everythin’ in his wake ‘til he’s right at the doors of the castle. Oh they’ll all scream, probably beg like the fuckin’ cowards they’ve always been. But he won’t listen, an’ the last moments of their insignificant lives will be used to finally appreciate my genius!”

The lab fell away, the dark stone and lights melting and morphing into the streets of the town. Dr. Junkenstein could see through the eyes of his monster as it tore its way through the crowds. Strong hands extending outward from a behemoth body, strong enough to lift the townsfolk by their heads with just one hand and able to crack their skulls open like eggs just as easy. Blood and entrails painting the cobblestone streets red. The people could try and fight back, but without the help of the Zomnics they took for granted they stood no chance.

Of course there would be weaklings within them, the lambs among the sheep, who would try to run or hide. A twisted mind ever moving, the doctor tweaked his imagination to accommodate the problem. Where rippling muscles could not reach, a gun could. It would need to be large for his monster, something to slow down its prey for the eventual slaughter. Not enough to outright kill, but something to make them suffer. To bleed and cripple, prolonging the inevitable. Or perhaps he could fashion something simpler for his dimwitted creation; something to draw them in close. Maybe he could make both.

God, he was practically salivating at the imagined carnage. For a moment his words trailed off at his tongue, savoring their taste rather than expunging them from his mind. They tasted like copper, the bitterness of ale, and the decadent sweetness of revenge. Junkenstein licked his lips as he finally continued. “An’ then when the lord comes out from hidin’ he’ll get to admire my monster’s good work jus’ long enough before his head gets ripped off an’ I get to drop a big one right down his throat.”

Junkenstein’s entire body shook with his manic laughter, throwing his head back in unrestrained glee. In his lab, the laughter bounced off the cold stone walls until his cackle reverberated enough to ring in his ears.

The two beings shared looks with one another. Doctor Junkenstein’s bloodlust was something to admire, certainly outside the normal threshold of most mortals. It was what had drawn them to him in the first place; extreme intellect mixed with a chaotic and unstable personality. Unpredictable on his own, but with the right tools easily manipulated.

The Witch of the Wilds had been watching mankind for centuries, reveling in their tiny squabbles and even adding to the chaos when she saw fit, but her frivolous tendencies were backed with restraint that came from a woman destined to watch the world slowly pass by until time itself disintegrated to ash at her feet. She was smart, careful, and when it was time to give away her gifts she didn’t like to leave any uncertainty or loose ends.

Arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow the witch asked, “What are you planning to do once it’s all over? Once you’ve had your destruction.”

Idle hands now found themselves on the monster’s chest, gloved fingers brushing through the course hair that laid on top of it. Upon hearing the witch’s question Junkenstein’s face nearly split in half with a large grin.

“Well, strength in itself is all find an’ dandy. Keeps ya from gettin’ the sand kicked in your face. But there’s something about a deltoid, and a bicep.” Junkenstein fell prone against his creation again, eyes and hands following along to the according muscle as he spoke. They paused on its body as his eyes tilted down.

“A uh,” He paused himself to giggle, unable to bite back the grin even as his crooked teeth sunk into his bottom lip. “And a tricep. It just makes me wanna shake!” He wiggled his body to the point of indecency, but the creature under him barely shifted. “Makes me wanna laugh right at the lord’s ass-hair covered face!”

“That’s… fine.” The witch replied slowly, unable to think of the right words as she caught on to the doctor’s intentions. Her servant had as well, his posture rigid next to her and his arms crossed tight over his chest. He was wise to stay silent.

Raising her hand aloft to the sky, the witch rose from the ground. Her wings ignited and expanded out, holding her effortlessly in place as she called upon her magic in her native tongue, a language lost to time and incomprehensible to those who didn’t already know it. Light enveloped her until it focused itself into a beacon on her hand, manifesting a crystal.

Jaw going slack, Junkenstein slipped off of his monster to witness the magic before him. It had an otherwordly pull on him, beckoning him closer. The light didn’t even seem natural, resplendent and powerful. Smaller circles of light twirled aimlessly within the beam for a few moments until, like a swarm of fireflies, the all floated up together and conglomerated into a singular bright mass. In a flash, light became a glowing green crystal hovering above the witch’s palm. Junkenstein’s fingers itched to touch it. It looked like it would burn.

Lowering herself to the ground with grace, her feet barely made a sound as they reconnected to the floor. Not a hair out of place or a breath too strained, she held out the crystal to Dr. Junkenstein.

“Behold, good doctor.” She said, the crystal’s green light reflecting against her devilish eyes “I offer that which you seek. The Spark of Life. I will give this to you, and you may use it to finish your work. I want only one thing in return. A day will come when I will call on you for a favor.”

“And no matter what it is,” Her servant was well versed in her deals, and his intimidation often helped seal the pact. “You will honor it.”

The crystal held no discernable weight. If not for the tangible feeling of it in his hands, the doctor would not have known it was there at all. Set deep within the center was a light trapped inside, beating rhythmically. A heartbeat. The choice was simple.

Tearing his eyes away, he cast them upon his monster. No more sleepless nights would he have, futile in his attempts to see his creation breathe and walk. Now, it was all literally within his grasp.

“Jus’ ya wait, baby.” He murmured. The pulse in his hands quickened, matching the beat in his own chest. “I’m gonna make ya a man.”

[us2dinosaurplanet]

Ultimate Story 2: Dinosaur Planet-Chapter 19: Princess Peach’s Krazoa Spirit

After landing back in Walled city, they immediately rushed to the king who was standing in the front of the temple. King Earthwalker: “Starfox and friends, on behalf of Dinosaur Planet, we would like to thank you for returning all the Spellstones to their rightful place.” Fox: “For what good it did? In case you haven’t noticed, they still didn’t get you off of this giant floating rock.”

Fox sat under the torch to the left of the king. Peach walked up to Fox, grabbed his hand and patted it. Peach: “There, there Fox. Just because the Spellstones didn’t bring the planet back together, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.” King Earthwalker: “She’s right. When Scales removed the Spellstones, our world began to fall apart. By returning the Spellstones to their rightful place, you have stopped the flow of magical energy. But only by the power of the Krazoa Spirits shall return the floating lands to where they belong.” Peach: “Remember when the Queen said that by returning all the spirits to the palace will be able to channel the magic back to the planet?” Fox: “Yes, she did say that.”

Fox got himself up. Bubbles: “Looks as if we have 2 reasons for returning the spirits to the palace but how will we be able to reach the shrine?” King Earthwalker: “The shrine will be revealed once the sun and moon stones are returned to the temple.”

As the king answered the question, 2 door on 2 different sides open up. They left the king as Bubbles left him a big thank you and rallied together. Fox: “OK, guys, listen up: we’ve got 2 stones and very little time, so we’re going to have to split up. Peach, Rayman, Banjo, Kazooie, you guys find the sun stone while me, Misty, Bubbles, and Pikachu will go after the moon stone. After we collect the stones, we meet back in the chamber to where we first met the king. Any questions?”

They all shook their heads. Fox: “Good! OK, then. Let’s split up, gang.”

So, Fox, Misty, Bubbles, and Pikachu headed for the moon temple while Peach, Rayman, Banjo, and Kazooie went for the sun temple.

After much time going through both temples, they all met at the chamber where the king was held, just like planned it. Fox placed the moon stone on the statue with the silver tooth while Peach placed the sun stone on the other statue with the gold tooth. Then they returned to the king and passed him as they proceeded up to the top of the temple, where the warp pad to the shrine was revealed. As they arrived, Peach stopped Fox, Misty and Banjo in their tracks. Peach: “Not so fast, you 3. Remember what we were told? You cannot take another test.” Fox: “Yeah, yeah, we already knew that.” Peach: “OK, then, so that means that it’s either me, Rayman, Bubbles, Kazooie or Pikachu who should take the next test.” Fox: “I would leave Kazooie out of this.”

Kazooie glared at Fox. Peach, Rayman, Bubbles, Kazooie, and Pikachu played a fair game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets to collect the fifth spirit. After winning the game, Peach stepped on to the pad and brought Rayman along to accompany her and they both warped on it.

Peach and Rayman had never been inside a Krazoa Shrine before, so it was a little difficult. Thankfully, Rayman was there with her to help her out.

After a while of making their way through the shrine, they were able to reach the spirit at the end of the shrine and took the test of knowledge. In this test, Princess Peach is the brains (and beauty) and Rayman’s the brawn. Rayman has to carry a prop as Peach led him to an image of a place where the certain prop came from. Since Peach is one of the smartest members of the team, she knew which prop came from which place.

After they both aced the test with time to spare, the Krazoa Spirit flew into Peach’s body. Princess Toadstool Peach is now the keeper of the fifth Krazoa Spirit.

After collecting the spirit, Peach and Rayman met back with Fox and the others near the king. However, a sad moment was happening because now they had to leave Tricky behind. Bubbles: “Well Tricky, this is it. I know it was not meant to be but I sure am going to miss you.” Peach: “Fox, what is going on here?” Fox: “Oh, Peach. Well, we just received a message from General Pepper that we have to fly directly to the Krazoa Palace once we take off but we can’t bring Tricky there. Unfortunately, this is a big problem for Bubbles.”  Peach: “Gosh! That is a problem. Hm…perhaps you don’t have to say goodbye to Tricky. I have a good reason why.” Fox: “Huh? But why?” Peach: “Think about it. It will come to you.”

Fox thought for a moment. Suddenly, it hit him. Fox: “Oh, yeah, I get it, now.”

He kneeled behind Bubbles. Fox: “Say, Bubbles, how would you like to stay here for a while?”

Bubbles stopped crying and turned towards Fox. Bubbles: “You really mean it?” Fox: “Of course I do. After we fix the planet, we could stay here so you can spend as much time with Tricky as you would like?” Bubbles: “But Fox, what if you need to be back on Corneria for something urgent?” Fox: “Bubbles, you do not need to worry. Whenever I need to be on my home planet is my concerns. I’m only doing this for you. What do you say?” Bubbles: “Um…OK, we can stay for a while.” Fox: “So, guys, what do you say?” Misty: “I think it’s a wonderful idea.” Rayman: [“Cool!”] Banjo: “I like it.” Kazooie: “Me, too, but I still don’t like you.” Misty: “But what about that quest we were on before we even knew Dinosaur Planet?” Peach: “What do you mean? This IS our quest.” Bubbles: “You mean we were on that quest the whole time?” Fox: “Yes, Bubbles and that quest of our has come to an end just like this mission will soon be once we return the final 2 Krazoa Spirits to the Krazoa Palace.”

All of Fox’s friends were cheering for joy. Bubbles: “Bye, Tricky, see you after we release the final Krazoa Spirits.”

So, Fox and his friends returned to the Arwing where they got ready to leave for the Krazoa Palace.

[tea-and-cardigans]

Bughead 4, 28 and 43 💕

Hey Nonnie, I’m still working on the other prompts but here is #43#43 - Falling in love with their best friend’s partner

She knows it’s wrong. She’s not an idiot. But since the first time she was introduced to Veronica’s new boyfriend she could feel the butterflies stirring within her. As well as something else.

At first it was just his looks. Those cheekbones that she wanted to cut herself on. His intense eyes. Even the dorky beanie adorned on his head. They all did things to her. She could feel the heat under her skin intensify as she shook his hand.

And then she got to know him. He was smart, but not in a way that he thought he was superior. He was funny without trying and she found herself laughing a little louder than she knew she should. He was a writer, a journalist and she found herself getting lost in his eyes and his words.

He wasn’t even Veronica’s type she reasoned to herself. Veronica always went for the jock. The popular guy. She had always been brawn over brains since high school when she had dated their mutual friend Archie Andrews.

But Jughead Jones is different. Even just his name is different and Betty finds herself wanting to know more. She holds her tongue and smiles politely as Veronica recounts their dates to her. How gentlemanly he is holding doors and chaste kisses on cheeks. Betty pushes down that little green monster that is rising up inside her and decides perhaps unwisely that she will find her own ‘Jughead’.

Sadly, Richard doesn’t quite meet up to her new standards. Not that there is anything wrong with him he’s smart, funny too. But he’s not Jughead and ultimately that is why after a month they break up. She goes to Veronica’s to tell her and is greeted by a shining diamond on her finger and Betty feels the floor go out from underneath her feet.

She’s the maid of honour. Of course. They had been friends for so long now it made sense. She attends the appointments, she fawns over Veronica’s dress, helps her pick out the suits for the boys all the while trying to hide her disappointment.

She wakes one night late. To a banging on her apartment door groaning as she looks at her phone. Who knocks on someone’s door at 3.00am in the morning. Sure she had calls and texts this late from Veronica, anxious about a decision that needed to be made and like a good friend she talked her through it. Betty always made everything better.

She shrugged on her robe and padded to the door. She cautiously looked through her peep-hole and felt at first a wave of relief wash over her as a familiar beanie came into view instead of some drunk knocking on the wrong door. That relief was short lived as she realised that Jughead had come to her apartment in the middle of the night. It was as if her dreams had somehow come to life. She watched as he sighed and knocked again on the door, harder this time making her jump.

She deliberated whether she should pretend she wasn’t home. But there must be a reason he was at her front door and Betty’s curiosity won out.

She unlocked the safety catch and then her door opened slightly as she took in his appearance. His eyes were red, dark circles underneath suggesting that he hadn’t slept and his usually well placed beanie was askew with more of his dark waves escaping their usual confines.

“Betts,” he let out. His hand moving from his beanie to brace himself against her door frame.

She blushed at the nickname. He was the only one who called her that. Well the only one that she let. Richard had called her Betts once and she had corrected him immediately.

“Jug,” She moved away from her door opening it wider for him to come inside. He moved over the threshold into her apartment removing the beanie from his head as he did so. “What’s wrong?” She asked gently moving towards him as he twisted the woollen cap in his hands, twisting and pulling as he seemed to be searching for words.

“I fucked up Betts. I just, I’m nervous you know? ” He rang his hand over his face, before he slumped on her couch. He held his head in his hands refusing to meet her gaze. “I feel like it’s all moving so quick. I mean I’m the one who proposed for fucks sake.”

Betty took the seat next to him on the couch and placed her hand on his back. She moved it gently up and down. Hoping to soothe him, to take away some of his tension.

“We were looking good at cakes today and it just hit me. I just needed to escape and then Veronica got mad at me.” He groaned as he recounted the events. The screaming match between himself and Veronica unkind things said on either side until she ordered him to leave. Which left him to try and drown some sorrows in a bar near her apartment. Betty continued to rub his back, nodding and listening. While a little voice entered inside her told her that this was her chance. That she could be happy.

“So you’re here because?” Betty tried to keep the hopefulness out of her voice lest it betray her emotions. He looked up to meet her gaze and her hand stilled on his back.

“Because you know Veronica, and I need to make it up to her.” She held the look on her face while her heart sunk. “You always know what to do.” She pulled herself together and smiled.

“Of course.” She removed her hand from his back and placed it instead over his hand. “But first you should probably get some sleep. No one is going to be one over by this look.” She indicated to his ruffled hair and tired face. Present company excluded. He smiled back at her and she felt that feeling again in the pit of her stomach and wondered whether with time it would go away. “You can crash on the couch if you want.” She offered unsure whether he would accept, but he nodded graciously and she rose to get some blankets from the linen cupboard and the spare pillow from her bed.

He grasped her hand again holding it briefly before he pulled her into a hug and she allowed herself to nestle her face in the crook of his neck and breathe in his scent.

Too soon it was over and he pulled back from her. “You’re the best Betts.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she replied dismissing his praise with shake of her hand as she left the room to return with an armful of blankets and a pillow balanced on top. “Get some beauty sleep, Jug. Tomorrow we start Operation Win Veronica Back.” She hoped he didn’t see through the exaggerated excitement in her voice. He chuckled softly as he took the items from her and started to make his bed for the night. She wished him goodnight as did he as she returned to her own bed trying not to think about who was sleeping in the next room. It was safe to say that her dreams did not stay so pure that night.

She was the first to wake in the morning. She padded out to her lounge still wiping the sleep from her eyes as she took in his sleeping form on the couch. His hair had fallen slightly over his eyes and Betty couldn’t help herself as he hand reached over to push the curl back from his face. She knew she shouldn’t. She knew it was wrong. But the words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them.

“I love you Jughead Jones.”

[brightlycoloredteacups]

Poisoned Secrets

Chapter Three: Debut

Pairings: Steve x OFC, Bucky x OFC

Summary: When Tony throws a lavish dinner party, everyone involved has their life changed forever. 

Warnings: Use of the ‘n’ word. 

A/n: As always, thank you so much to my dear @sammi-faye for being my beta reader. Without her critical eye, this story would no be half as good. 

Tagging: None

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The world outside calls Obidiah Stane cold, meticulous, even inhuman, Tony calls him father. If people only understood, if they only took the time to really get to know him, they’d know the warm, loving man Tony knew. The gentleman, the man who loved kids, even though he had none of his own. The one who wanted what was best for Tony, only the best. That’s what Tony kept telling himself as they argued in circular fashion. 

“Tony,” Obidiah says, pleading with the stubborn young man. “Please, think this through!”

“I have thought this through,” Tony says, “I’ve been thinking about it since she was born.”

“She’s not a woman of our station! She’d be an embarrassment to the family!” 

“She can be trained,” Tony countered, “She’s smart, she can learn, quickly too I bet.”

“She can’t even read!”

“I can teach her! I can teach her everything she needs to know!” The vehemence with which Tony says this gives Obadiah pause. “She deserves this,” Tony continues, “She deserves to be held up to her station, regardless of what she is.” 

“Tony, your father-”

“Has been dead and buried for years. I’m not about to take into account the opinions of a man that couldn’t even stay sober.” 

Obidiah gives Tony a heavy look. “All I’m asking,” he says finally, “Is to give it a little more thought. Do you really want that negro to-”

“She is my daughter!” Tony seethed. “She is my own flesh and blood, I love her, and I will see her rise. Whether or not you approve.” This shuts Obadiah up. He had no clue Tony felt this way. It was a lost cause he decided. Tony will do what Tony wants, as always, he just hoped it wouldn't ruin the poor man. 

*

Stark Manor was haunted, of that Venus was sure. Something dark walked it’s halls. The oppressive atmosphere hit you the moment you walked onto the grounds. This was not a happy home, and Venus wanted out. Though all her feeling probably had to do with the fact that she was stuck in severe silence with Tony and a new man she’d just met named Obidiah Stane. 

She heard of Obidiah only from what Tony had told her. While Tony spoke of a warm, loving man who was like a father to Tony, Venus didn’t see him that way. It was the eyes, Obidiah’s smile never reached them. It was always tight and restrained, as if he had something to say but wasn’t saying, whether or not it was on the behalf of Tony or something else, she didn’t know. Whatever the case, she was about to die in this house. 

It didn’t help that her dress made her uncomfortable. It fit perfectly ,of that there was no doubt, but it was a garish red color, with a dark patterning stitched into it. Her slippers pinched her toes, her hair was wound so tightly around her head she had a headache, and to top it all off, she was pretty sure the makeup smeared across her face was melting. 

A moaning doorbell broke all three of them from their private reverie. “The guests,” Obidiah commented, “I’ll go greet them. Tony,” He gave a heavy look towards the man in question, “Don’t do anything stupid.” With that, he left the room. Venus, however, wasn’t left long enough to wonder what Obidiah meant by the statement. 

“Alright,” Tony says, bringing her to her feet and adjusting her here and there, “Here’s what’s going to happen, tonight is the night I reveal Queen Aziza, but even more importantly,” His hands stop at her shoulders, “Tonight is the night of your debut.”

“Excuse me, my what?” Venus asks, sure she misheard him. “I’m tired of skulking around Rogers Plantation, seeing you only once a month. It’s as I’ve said, You’re a Stark, and it’s high time you’re treated like one. Keep your chin high, disregard vicious remarks, and remember, you look sensational.” 

“Wait,” Venus fights against him as he pulls her out to the open, “I don’t know what to do, we didn’t go over this, can’t we talk about this?”

“Talk is cheap my dear, there’s no time like the present. You’ll do great. After all, you’re a Stark.” 

*

Steve was nervous. He hadn’t seen Venus all night, and he had promised to be with her throughout the evening. He was her chaperone, after all, it was his duty to be with her. Bucky seemed nervous too. 

Steve had taken a place near the door, in case she hadn’t arrived yet, he could intercept her, then join the rest of the party in the parlor room. Mother had said she wasn’t to be missed in her outfit, so far, he missed her. Bucky came back to his side, looking perturbed. “I can’t find her anywhere.” 

“Do you think the carriage got lost? Or maybe…” Steve didn’t finish that thought, he didn’t want to. The idea of losing Venus was too much to bear. “What I think,” Bucky says, glaring into the crowd forming at the foot of the stairs, “Is that Tony has something planned.” Steve frowns, looking outside the open doors. The later guests were finally starting to trickle in. “Like what?” 

“I don’t know,” Bucky says, “But it looks like we’re about to find out. Look.” Bucky points to the top of the stairs. There, Tony and Venus appeared together. Steve lost his breath. Venus looked ravishing in her evening gown. It dipped past her shoulders, and a train followed her. Her hair looked soft and touchable. All Steve wanted to do was gather her in his arms and kiss her. He was sure she would taste sweeter than ever. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Tony started, smiling. Off to the side, Obidiah started towards him, but he couldn't get through the thick crowd in time to stop Tony. “I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Lady Venus Stark.” 

The crowd goes silent as everyone digests what they just heard. Tony’s daughter? Lady Venus? Everyone there had known of Venus, whether by rumor or acquaintanceship, they knew Tony had a daughter, they didn’t know that she was black. The rumor mill had been rife with speculation as to why Tony kept her a secret, but this had been far from everyone’s mind. 

The whispers start almost immediately. Most were in agreement that this had been a most distasteful display of stupidity, black women belonged in the kitchen, serving their far superior white masters. But...she did look the part, with her rich clothes and charming smile. The whispering came to a stop as she descended the stairs, greeting everyone with a smile and small ‘hello’. She certainly knew her manners, at the very least. 

Steve ignored it all, his eyes never leaving the woman that held his heart. She was more beautiful than she had any right to be. His heart beat wildly out of his chest as he watched her work the crowd. Tony introduced her to many a important fellow. She was the picture of perfection. Mother had done a wonderful job turning Venus into a proper lady.

A proper lady! Steve’s heart gave such a violent lurch he thought it was going to run away from him. Venus was a proper lady, an eligible, proper lady. A beautiful, eligible, proper lady. What’s more, she was as in love with him as he was with her. They could finally marry! 

He understood they’d be the talk of the town, whatever move Venus made people would talk about her, but there was little anyone could do to stop him now. He was going to marry her, even if it killed him.

*

Once all the excitement is over, Tony leads everyone to the drawing room, his daughter on his arm. Things were going much better than expected. Venus hadn’t fought him too hard, and Obadiah hadn’t beaten him to a pulp. The rest of the people in the room he didn’t care about, they mattered little to an already eccentric man like Tony. 

Now, it was time to reveal his second surprise. The one everyone really came for, “Queen Aziza,” He begins, slowly lighting up the room with the new and improved gas lights. Bit by bit the collection was revealed, bit by bit, he revealed the Queen’s story. “Queen Aziza was destined to anonymity by her enemies, but she persevered. Even though there are great gaps in her story, we can piece her life together by the bits that were left behind by her burial tomb.

“She was born a slave to an unknown mother and father. Nothing is known of her life before she met prince Hasani. The prince seems to have been a foreigner on a diplomatic mission to King Akhaten. The scrolls say that Aziza was serving the king and his honored guest the night Hasani met her. They say he fell in love instantly, and demanded the king for her hand in marriage. Well, it seems Hasani got what he wanted.”

Everyone stood with rapt attention as Tony lit the last light. The one directly over the queen herself. The women gasped of course, one dramatic lady swooned and fainted. Tony managed not to roll his eyes. He continued, for the sake of everyone else that was listening. “Hasani, upon coming to the throne, developed a taste for war. His queen was no less vicious.” Let that fact sink in for a few moments for effect. “Queen Aziza was a great asset to the newly crowned king. The scrolls say she was the brain behind Hasani’s brawn. They conquered many of their neighbors before Hasani suddenly and mysteriously died.”

“Her enemies accused her of poisoning him. This ring,” Tony motions towards a large golden ring inlaid with the ever precious lapis lazuli. It was in the shape of a cobra’s head. “Held the poison that killed King Hasani. The head conceals the poison, and the mouth moves up and down to tip the poison into food, or drink.” A murmur goes out into the crowd. Tony looks over to Venus, she’s watching him with rapt attention. He can’t wait to share with her all his findings. Provided that’s what she wanted as well. 

“Queen Aziza continued her husband’s expansionist rule and nearly doubled her territories before she stopped. She’s known for her brutality, her brains, and her beauty. Ladies and gentlemen, please, enjoy.” The crowd before him claps enthusiastically. Later, he will go on tour and showcase the queen in other places. Right now, though, he will wallow in his small victory. Everything was going according to plan. 

*

After the excitement that was Aziza, dinner was a perfectly boring affair. Venus sat next to her father, who was at the head of her table. To her left, Obadiah Stane. A perfectly odious being. Don’t be so harsh on him, she thinks, he’s just as shocked as everyone here. It’s not that he doesn’t like you, it’s that he doesn’t know you. She repressed a snort. She was sure Obadiah didn’t like her, she sure didn’t like him. 

“So, Venus,” Obadiah said, “Tell me a little about yourself, what’s the life of a servant girl like?” So that’s how he wants to play it then? Well, she could play along perfectly fine. “I wouldn’t know, as I’m not a servant,” She says, keeping her smirk from her face. She watched Obadiah color in anger. Instead of an outburst like she expects from men of his station, he simply smiles, “Quite right. And your schooling?”

“I can read and write well enough,” She admits, “Having been taught by a wonderful tutor. Of course I know how to sew, and I’m well versed in the art of managing a household.” alright, so that last one had been a half truth, she was only partly sure how to manage a household, but she watched Sara do it all the time, and had even been instrumental in some of the decision making. She was sure she could handle it. 

He looks at her as if he were regarding a horse’s turd left on the street. Nonetheless, his tone is ever so polite. “I see, more than I expected.” She doesn’t grace him with a reply. He doesn’t need one, as he continues to talk to her, more for his sake than anything. “Ms. Potts is the head of household here at Stark Manor, she manages all of the affairs. I’m sure you’ll have a hard time wresting control over the house from her.” 

“I’d rather think not,” Venus tells him haughtily. “I have no intention of running Stark Manor.”

“What are your intentions then? Living off Daddy’s wealth I assume. Now that you’ve rights to it.” This man! Venus finds herself taking a calming breath and reminding herself that he was Tony’s friend. She needed to be nice to him. “I intend to learn.” Obadiah scoffs. “Learn what? Pray tell.”

“Anything I can,” her answer is honest. She wants nothing more than to spend her days with her nose stuck in books. She couldn’t read that well, nor could she hardly write, but she was determined to teach herself. She had the materials at her disposal now. “No man likes a smart lady.” Obadiah tells her. “Isn’t it a pity for them then, that I care little for their company.” 

This seems to really offend him. He sniffs and turns to face the other woman next to him. Clearly snubbing her. She’s just about to take a sip of her soup when Tony leans over, grabbing her hand. “You dealt with him beautifully.” He tells her, a twinkle in his eye. “Is he always so cranky?” She mutters. Tony chuckles. “You’ll learn to love him as I have,” Tony reassures her. He gives her hand a pat and turns back to his other guest, making sure she’s well entertained. Venus doubted him, but maybe, just maybe, she could learn to like Obadiah a little. After all, she was a Stark. 

*

Bucky was positively dying. It wasn’t just the stuffy air, or the tittering women who kept asking him to dance, it wasn’t even the scratchy, hot outfit he had to wear. No, he was dying because he had to watch the woman he loved most dance with everyone but him. 

Bucky had never been one to dance, but this night he wanted nothing more than to gather Venus in his arms and twirl her around the room. To see her smile sweetly up at him, to see her gaze at him with all the love and adoration she could muster. One last time, he tells himself, he’ll get to hold her one last time. But he could never find his opening, as soon as he got close to her, another man swept her away. 

She was a Stark, he reasoned. The people in town were enamored with them, add to that a healthy mix of mystery and charm and you got yourself a winner. 

As luck would have it, he didn’t have to go to her, she came to him. She was sweating as much as he was when she stepped up to him. A little breathless, she asked, boldly, “Care to dance?” He gives her a quick smile and nods. “I’ve wanted to dance with you all night,” He admits. Her smile brightens. 

He takes her by the hand and leads her to the dance floor, saddened that this won’t be as happy as their first dance. “We need to talk,” They say at the same time. They chuckle, and say, “You first,” then chuckle again. “I’m sorry,” Bucky admits, “I’m being rude, ladies first.”

“Age before beauty.” Venus counters. Bucky swallows the lump in his throat. “We need to stop seeing each other.” He says in a rush. “Listen, I love you, I will always love you, but you and me, we can’t be together. It’s...it’s just not meant to be.” She surprises him by nodding, “I agree,” She tells him. “Maybe in another time, in another place.” She twirls prettily and comes back to him. “But never in this century.” Bucky feels the tears prick the corners of his eyes. He takes a deep breath and nods. “It’s done then. That’s it.”

“That’s it,” Venus tells him. She was going to say something, but she was cut off. “May I cut in?” They stop and look up at Steve. “Sure,” Bucky says, suddenly feeling closed in. He bows to Venus and makes a hasty retreat. He is desperate for air. 

*

Somehow, Steve manages to get Venus out into the gardens. She was sure it was because her body was starting to ache from all the dancing. Her feet certainly felt the pressure. “Let’s sit for a while,” Steve suggests. Venus nods, leading him to the nearest bench. Her feet are thankful for the reprieve. 

They sit in silence for some time, before Steve gets up and starts pacing. She winces just looking at him. In the few moments since she’s sat down, she aches even more. “I’ve something to tell you,” He says. For a moment, she hopes he’s going to break things off with her too. That would be lovely, considering how much she loathes him. She smiles gently, she can break things off with him if need be. She’s a lady now, she doesn’t have to worry about her position being in jeopardy any longer. 

“Venus Delilah Stark,” He begins. “My middle name is Victoria.” She tells him, the buffoon, she thinks, can’t remember the smallest thing about her. He clears his throat and begins again, this time omitting her middle name, “Venus Stark, I love you,” He declares, “I know.” She says through gritted teeth. When did it get so hot? “I love you with more wild abandon than I have any right to,” He continues, undeterred by her off putting demeanor. “I have loved you for a long time. I know your body and soul as well as I know my own,” She doubted that. “You complete me,” He says. “There’s no other way I can say this, I just need to get it over with,”

Steve bends down on one knee, and takes her hand in his. “My love, will you make me the happiest man in the entire world and become my wife?” Venus gulps for hair, it’s so hot she can feel the sweat roll off her temple and drip to the ground. Suddenly, she’s the thirstiest she’s ever been. Her chest tightens. She grasps Steve for purchase, feeling as though she were going to fall over. “I can’t breathe!” She says, gasping for hair. Steve chuckles, “I can hardly breathe myself, for excitement of it all” He tells her, kissing her hand. 

Venus tries her best to tell him something is wrong, but the words won’t come out. It’s too hot, too hard to breathe, all she can do is gasp, opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water. It’s then that Steve grasps that there’s something actually wrong with her. “Venus?” He calls to her, by then it’s too late, the edges of her vision are going black.