#madeu

[unloneliest]

i've started working on a primer for my original story universe as a follow up to a conversation with @lesbiansidney (thank you for introducing the concept of memory altering magic to ostrela, ry) and so. for anyone interested in my original story universe. at some point this year there will be a like... introductory glossary. of information about the universe and characters. i am almost 2k words in!

[wheeboo]

eyes don't lie | jeon wonwoo

SYNOPSIS. in which you and wonwoo have a late night conversation. PAIRING. jeon wonwoo x gn!reader GENRE. fluff, comfort, lil angst if you think about it, best friends to lovers WARNINGS. conversations abt death, just 2 'besties' having deep talks :') WORD COUNT. 1.5k

notes: idk rlly know what this is and idk where i was going with it but i hope you enjoy lmao

"Do you think that when we die, we see black forever?"

You hear Wonwoo's phone shut off immediately at your question, and the silence that follows right after is almost suffocating, like you're holding your breath. You feel the bed dip right next to you𑁋presumably from Wonwoo adjusting himself𑁋and then you feel the momentary contact of his arm against yours. He feels warm, like he always does.

Your brain is doing its runs, Wonwoo presumes, eyes gazing around your dimly-lit room before landing on you sprawled on the bed next to him, legs straight and eyes piercing up at the ceiling above. The only sounds he can hear is your synchronized breathing, the ticking of your clock on the wall, and the distant blare of car horns from the city outside.

You steal a glance at him, his silhouette barely visible in the moonlight filtering through the window. His forehead is creased, eyes shadowed in thought, nose crinkling for a brief second to rid of an itch. He's thinking about the question, and you swear you can visibly see the gears and cogs turning in his mind.

"Maybe," he finally says, voice barely a whisper. "Or maybe it's like that dreamless sleep we have at times. Nothingness, but not in a bad way. Just... a pause, I guess."

"A pause?" You lift a brow. "But wouldn't that be like... ceasing to exist?"

Wonwoo just shrugs, the movement barely discernible in the darkness. He shifts his body slightly, and maybe there's just a bit more space between you two because a sudden chill seems to course through you.

"Not exactly," he murmurs. "Think of it like a comma. It's not a full stop; it's a moment of quiet before the next chapter starts."

"The next chapter?"

He hesitates, then speaks cautiously, "It's... you know, like another life. We shed this skin, and become something else, somewhere else."

A hum leaves your lips, then a wave of silence washes over the room. It stretches for what feels like an eternity, and Wonwoo can't tell if you're lost in thought or waiting for him to elaborate. The moonlight pouring in from your bedroom window dances on the edges of the room, casting shadows that flicker like the thoughts swirling around you two.

"But... but don't get me wrong," Wonwoo adds, breaking the silence before it grows even longer. "It's not something to be scared of, I think. It's like... coming home. Finally understanding the story you've been living without even knowing the plot."

A quiet chuckle leaves your lips, soft as the rustle of leaves in a night breeze. It's a sound laced with both amusement and wonder, and it catches Wonwoo off-guard, sending a shiver down his spine, and maybe his heart to race a little faster too.

"What?" he asks, voice coming out a bit hoarse and deep.

"Just..." Your voice trails off, tracing patterns on your bedsheets below your fingers. "The way you put it. Coming home. It's comforting... somehow."

"Comforting?" he repeats, surprised. "Death usually doesn't get that label."

You snort, letting your body fully face him now. "I know. I just... I guess I'm a little scared. So I like to think that it's, um, different for everyone, you know? Like maybe... it's your favourite dream, or the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen, or a room with everyone you've ever loved. Or maybe..." You pause, unable to voice the thought twisting your gut. "...it's just nothing. Just darkness."

You watch as Wonwoo turns his body to face you fully, a soft, understanding smile playing on his lips. Your eyes drop down to his mouth for a second, a breath catching in your throat, before meeting his gaze. You've always admired how his eyes look, but there's something about it right now𑁋the way the lights catches them, like flecks of stardust scattered across the night sky𑁋that makes you feel so small.

Yet you also hate how it's so beautiful, like something you think you can look at forever, even though 'forever' is simply just a concept, isn't it?

So you really wish he can he can just freakin' close them𑁋

"Please don't look at me like that," You mutter aloud as you break the eye contact, feeling a sudden vulnerability run through you.

Wonwoo blinks, puzzled. "Huh? I'm just looking𑁋"

"You look at me like... like every𑁋actually, just forget about it." You suddenly sit up in bed, taking in a deep breath to calm your racing heart. "Forget everything I just said."

Your abrupt shift hangs heavy in the air, the unspoken words louder than any you'd spoken. Wonwoo's brows furrow as he sits himself up on your bed as well, a frown now etching across his features, his hand hovering in mid-air as if reaching out to you but unsure where to land.

"I... Did I say something wrong?" he asks, quietly and cautiously. Seriously, why does he have to exist? He's just looking at you, he's right, but the way he does it feels like he's seeing right through you, straight to the raw, exposed core of your fears and feelings. "I'm sorry if I did."

You shake your head. "No, you didn't. I-I'm sorry. I ruined the moment."

The air around you is thick with something unspoken, a lingering tension that hints at a conversation left unfinished. You can practically feel Wonwoo's gaze burning into the back of your neck, even though you can't bring yourself to look back at him. Your fingers play absentmindedly with the edge of your bedsheets, lips pursing together into a tight, straight line. You don't know where to go from here.

And then, Wonwoo takes a leap of faith. "Can you... tell me how I look at you?"

You feel yourself hesitate, the question catching you slightly off-guard, an unexpected flip of the script that leaves you momentarily speechless. It was like he'd plucked the very thought you wished he wouldn't voice: the one that made your throat constrict and your stomach flip. When you turn back to him, he's already looking at you, and you feel that vulnerable feeling again.

"It's like... I-I don't know. You just..." You begin, searching for the right words to say. "You look at me like you're telling me that everything's okay."

There's a dance of emotions that flicker on his face at your words, like he's trying to process everything and nothing at once.

"Oh," is all he mutters out, the single word hanging heavy in the air between you.

"Yeah, and I really hate you for that," You say heartedly, attempting to lighten the mood.

Wonwoo giggles nervously. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?"

"For... um, looking at you like𑁋"

"No, I'm sorry for falling for you," You confess, a half-smile playing on your lips. "I tried not to, but... I did."

For a moment, the only sound is the rhythmic click of the clock on your wall. You watch him closely, heart hammering against your ribs, waiting for some reaction, any reaction. You almost wish you could take it back, swallow it whole and pretend it never happened.

"And I guess that's why I'm scared," You continue on, knowing there's no going back now. "scared to lose this, to lose you, that something as inevitable as... you know, death, will take it all away."

"You're not going to lose me," Wonwoo reassures. "I'm right here."

A small, appreciative smile tugs at the corners of your lips. "You say that like you can control everything."

"I know I can't," he admits with a gentle chuckle. "but I can promise to be here for as long as possible."

A heartbeat passes, then another. Wonwoo swallows, his throat suddenly feeling dry from your locked gazes. There's that look in his eyes again, the one that sends butterflies to your stomach and makes your heart flutter so clumsily. You feel the heat crawling up your cheeks, because dammit you really could push him off the bed right now.

You let out a cough, face feeling hot. "Anyway, can you reject me so I can move on?"

A playful grin stretches across his face. It starts small, perhaps a hesitant curve at the corner of his lips, but it blossoms quickly like a sunrise chasing away the night.

"Reject you?" he questions in disbelief, peering at you as if you were crazy. "Why on earth would I do that?"

"Well," You start. "because it's the only way for me to get over you, obviously. Oh, and so I can stop tripping over my own feet every time you're around and move on."

Wonwoo throws his head back and laughs, the sounds coming deep within his chest. You would never get tired of his laugh. "And who said I wanted to reject you?"

It's your turn for the smile to your face to fade just slightly, mouth agape as if you're about to say something, but nothing comes out.

Wonwoo scoffs. "I like you too, you know. I was just waiting for you to figure it out."

Now it's your turn to blink in disbelief.

"You... like me?"

He just shrugs, but the curve to his lips remains.

"Maybe that's why I look at you the way I do," he tells you, the tips of his fingers brushing against yours on the bed. "because you make everything feel okay."

taglist (open) ʚɞ @enhazen @haowrld @icyminghao @slytherinshua @jeonride @lockburn-castle @vrnism @weird-bookworm @mhlsymlysn @ryuwonieebae @yeonjuns-redhair @wonwooz1 @woohaeyo @mark-geolli @caramyisabitchforsvtandbts @aaniag @wootify @carlesscat-thinklogic23 @phenomenalgirl9

[nataliaromanovasworld]

Through the Fire, Into Your Arms - Part 2

Through the Fire, Into Your Arms Masterlist

Through the Fire, Into Your Arms Backstory

Part 1

Summary: The avengers have taken you, saving you from Hydra but you are struggling with coming back to reality, believing what is real. Are you ever going to be normal again?

Warnings: mentions of past trauma, panic attack, sorta hydra flaskbacks.

w/c - 5.5k

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A couple of hours later, the room was still and quiet. The only sound was the distant hum of machines, a constant reminder of where you were but nothing more. You sat on the edge of the cot, knees pulled to your chest, staring at the pristine white wall in front of you. The storm of emotions had calmed, but what was left felt… empty. The raw confusion and fear that had once consumed you now sat like a heavy weight in your chest.

Wanda had left earlier, giving you the space you desperately needed, but it didn’t stop the unease that lingered in the back of your mind. The room, with its unfamiliar smells and sterile quiet, felt foreign, but not hostile. A stark contrast to the dark, metallic spaces of Hydra.

Hydra.

The thought made your hands tighten into fists as your mind tried to reconcile the pieces. Flashes of memory came in fits and starts: the cold cell, the faceless scientists, the missions that blurred together. But now, here? It didn’t make sense.

Why would anyone take me from Hydra? Why would anyone want to help?

The thoughts spiralled, the questions stacking on top of one another, threatening to drag you under again. A soft knock on the door interrupted your focus, pulling you back into the present.

You didn’t react, but your body tensed. The door opened quietly, and Wanda stepped in again. She moved carefully, her footsteps light as if not wanting to disturb the fragile calm you had found. You didn’t look at her directly, just stared at the floor, but you could feel her presence fill the room.

She didn’t speak immediately, sensing your hesitation, but her energy felt different this time – more personal, like she had something she needed to say.

“I know you don’t trust us yet,” Wanda began softly, keeping her voice low and non-threatening. “And it’s okay. I understand. Hydra… they do things to your mind that make it hard to see anything clearly.”

You didn’t respond, but your attention shifted to her, curious despite the lingering wariness.

“I know it’s hard because I’ve been where you are,” she continued, her voice even softer now. “I was with Hydra too, once.”

That caught your attention fully. Your eyes flicked up to meet hers, a mix of confusion and disbelief on your face. Her? She seemed so calm, so sure of herself. Hydra didn’t leave room for that.

Wanda must’ve noticed the shift in your expression because she stepped a little closer but kept a respectful distance. “My brother and I… we made the wrong decision and went to Hydra when we were young. They experimented on us, changed us. Madeus believe they were the only ones who could help us.” She paused, her eyes distant as if recalling painful memories. “They told us we had no other choice. That the world outside was cruel, and that we were safer with them. We didn’t know any better.”

You blinked, the words settling in slowly. Something about her tone, the weight of the truth in her voice, resonated with you. She really does understand.

“Just like they did with you,” Wanda continued, her gaze soft but steady. “They used you, made you think that was all there was. But it wasn’t. There’s so much more beyond them. I didn’t know that at first either.”

Your throat tightened, and you looked away, the confusion bubbling up again. “I don’t… I don’t understand,” you whispered, the words barely audible. “Everything they taught me… everything I was told… it doesn’t make sense.”

Wanda moved closer, her presence warm, but she didn’t push. “That’s what they do. They warp everything – your reality, your memories. It takes time to unravel that. But I promise you, you’re not with them anymore. You’re safe here.”

You shook your head, your voice cracking as you spoke. “But I don’t even know who I am anymore. I don’t know anything outside of… them.”

Wanda knelt down slowly, keeping her voice calm but firm. “You do know who you are. Hydra tried to take that from you, but they didn’t succeed. You survived, and that means something. You’re still here, still fighting. That’s who you are.”

The words hit you harder than you expected, stirring something deep inside. Part of you wanted to believe her, wanted to cling to the idea that you could be more than just what Hydra made you into. But the weight of everything you’d been through, everything you’d done, crushed that hope before it could take root.

“They used me… as a weapon,” you whispered, almost to yourself, the shame and guilt creeping into your voice. “I hurt people. How can I ever be… anything else?”

Wanda’s expression softened, a flicker of sadness passing through her eyes. “Hydra made you do those things. But they don’t define who you are. You didn’t choose this life, they forced it on you. And trust me, I know how that feels.”

You glanced at her, the raw emotion in her voice drawing you in. For the first time, you felt a connection – a thread of understanding between the two of you.

Wanda sighed, her eyes reflecting her own painful past. “I had to learn to forgive myself for the things Hydra made me do. It wasn’t easy. Sometimes it still isn’t. But you don’t have to do it alone. You have people here who will help you, who will stand by you.”

The weight of her words pressed down on you, making your breath hitch. Your mind swirled with fragments of memories, Hydra’s twisted lessons clashing with the gentleness of Wanda’s voice. It was too much – too many emotions at once. You couldn’t process it.

You tensed, feeling the familiar surge of panic clawing its way to the surface. Your breathing quickened, and the edges of the room began to blur again. Wanda noticed, her eyes widening with concern as she moved closer, but not too close.

“I’m here,” she whispered, her voice steady, almost like an anchor. “I won’t let them hurt you anymore. You’re safe. Just breathe.”

But the panic kept rising, and you couldn’t stop it. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it all blurred together until you felt like you were drowning.

Wanda hesitated for a moment, then gently reached out, her hand hovering near your shoulder, waiting for your response. You flinched at the touch, but she didn’t pull away. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “I’ve been there. Just breathe.”

Something in her voice, the calm certainty of it, cut through the panic, and you found yourself grounding in the sound. Slowly, reluctantly, you allowed her to guide you back, the tightness in your chest easing a little. You blinked, the fog in your mind lifting enough for you to catch your breath.

“Do you want to stay?” she asked gently.

You hesitated, your eyes flicking to the floor again. Part of you wanted to say no, to retreat back into the safety of isolation. But a bigger part, the part of you that longed for connection after all these years, didn’t want to be alone anymore.

Finally, you nodded, a small, barely noticeable movement, but enough for Wanda to understand.

She smiled softly and sat down a few feet away, giving you space but staying close enough for you to feel her presence. You didn’t speak after that, but the silence between you felt… different. Not threatening, not heavy with expectation. Just… peaceful.

The room had fallen into a comfortable silence between you and Wanda, the tension that had once been so overwhelming now a faint memory in the back of your mind. You were still sitting on the edges of the cot, knees pulled to your chest, but the knot in your stomach had loosened. Wanda remained close but gave you space, her presence calm, almost protective.

Just as the stillness began to feel natural, the door opened again with a soft creak. The sudden noise made your body jolt, the reflexive tension flooding back before you could stop it. Wanda immediately turned, her eyes narrowing in irritation as Tony and Natasha entered the room. Tony was his usual self, a mix of confidence and concern etched on his face, while Natasha’s approach was quieter, more deliberate.

Wanda’s glare could’ve cut through steel as she shot both of them a warning look. “I told you to give her space,” she hissed under her breath, her protective stance clear.

Tony opened his mouth to respond, but Natasha raised a hand, stopping him. “We just wanted to check in,” Natasha said softly, her voice low and careful, but you hardly registered the words.

The moment your eyes landed on her, the world around you seemed to blur at the edges. Her presence, her aura, drew you in almost instantly. Natasha moved with grace that you hadn’t seen before, her steps measured and confident. Your gaze traced the contours of her features – sharp but softened by an unexpected gentleness. Her fiery red hair framed her face, and her eyes… those piercing green eyes. There was something in them, something that made your heart stutter.

You couldn’t tear your eyes away from her.

The others in the room faded into the background as your focus narrowed, admiring the strength in her posture, the way her eyes seemed to hold a mixture of empathy and fire. It was safe. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was more than that. It was the way she carried herself, the silent strength in her every moment, and the calm in her gaze.

Wanda, noticing the shift in your demeanour, followed your gaze and glanced back at Natasha, her frustration softening slightly. She gave Tony a look that said, don’t ruin this.

Tony caught on quickly, his eyebrows raising slightly as he glanced between you and Natasha. He stepped back with a subtle nod, letting Natasha take the lead.

Natasha’s eyes flickered toward you, her expression softening as she took in your state. She didn’t move too quickly, just enough to let you know she wasn’t a threat. She stopped a few feet away, offering you the space to process without overwhelming you.

“Hey,” she greeted softly, her voice smooth and soothing in a way that settled something deep inside you. “I’m Natasha.”

Your heart pounded as you stared at her, unsure of what to say or even how to respond. There was a strange pull, an unfamiliar warmth that made you want to say something, anything, but the words won’t form. You stayed quiet, still lost in the way her eyes seemed to see through every layer of your confusion, but without judgement.

Wanda stayed silent beside you, her presence grounding, but you could feel her subtle encouragement for you to engage. Slowly, almost hesitantly, you nodded in response to Natasha’s greeting, your gaze never leaving hers.

Natasha took a careful step closer, her voice still soft. “You don’t have to talk if you’re not ready. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

You swallowed hard, trying to find something to say, but your mind was a jumble of tangled thoughts. The panic from earlier had subsided, replaced by an unfamiliar fluttering in your chest. You had spent so long disconnected from everything, locked away from any semblance of normal interaction, and yet here she was – a presence so striking it made your head spin.

Natasha’s eyes softened even more as she studied you, her expression open and patient. “It’s okay,” she reassured you, her voice like a balm to your frayed nerves. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

You weren’t sure if you could believe that yet, but for the first time, the fear didn’t feel so consuming. Not with her here.

The silence that fell upon the room was short-lived. Tony, always the one to take control of a situation, stepped forward, a tablet in his hand and a stream of questions already forming on his lips.

“Okay, so let’s cut to the chase,” Tony started, his voice louder than it should’ve been in the fragile quiet. “We need to know some things. What do you remember about Hydra? How long were you with them? What’s the last mission you recall? What kind of programming did they use on you?”

The barrage of questions hit you like a wave, each one piling on top of the last before you could even think of an answer. Your breath hitched, and the world started closing in. The room felt too small, too bright, and the walls seemed to shift and press in closer.

You couldn’t focus. The words Tony spoke blurred together, overlapping, growing louder in your mind. Hydra. Mission. Programming. It all swirled in your head like a storm, bringing back flashes of memories you couldn’t control – dark corridors, harsh voices, orders you couldn’t disobey.

Your heart raced. Your breaths became shorter, sharper. Panic started clawing its way up your throat.

Wanda immediately noticed the change in your breathing, her gaze shifting to you in concern. “Tony, stop,” she said, her voice firm but calm. “She’s not ready for this.”

Tony paused, blinking at Wanda as if just realising the effect his questions were having. “I’m just trying to-“

“She’s overwhelmed,” Wanda cut him off, stepping toward you, her hands raised in a calming gesture as if to ease the tension she could feel rising in you. “You’re pushing too hard.”

But before Wanda could reach you, Natasha was already moving. She knelt in front of you, placing herself directly in your line of sight. Her calm green eyes locked onto yours, and suddenly, everything else – the questions, the panic, the noise – faded into the background.

“Hey, look at me,” Natasha’s voice cut through the chaos in your mind. Her hands gently cupped yours, grounding you in the moment. “You’re okay. I’m right here.”

Your breath hitched again, but you couldn’t look away from her. Her eyes held you, steady and unyielding, like an anchor in the middle of a storm. You focused on her voice, on the gentle strength of her touch. Slowly, the panic that had threatened to drown you began to subside.

“Just breathe,” Natasha instructed quietly. “In and out. Focus on me, not anything else.”

You nodded shakily, trying to follow her instructions. You took a breath, then another, and gradually, your erratic heartbeat started to slow. Natasha didn’t let go of your hands, didn’t move or speak more than necessary. She just stayed with you, her presence solid and unwavering.

Wanda watched, her eyes wide with both surprise and relief as she saw how quickly Natasha was able to ground you. Even Tony, who had been ready to continue with his questions, fell silent, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of awe and guilt.

After a few minutes, when your breathing had evened out and the tight grip of panic had loosened its hold on you, Natasha gave you a small, reassuring smile.

“You’re safe here,” she reminded you again, her voice never wavering. “No one’s going to hurt you. Not Hydra, not anyone.”

You blinked, still feeling the lingering edge of anxiety, but with Natasha so close, so steady, you felt… safer. Safer than you had in a long, long time.

Tony finally cleared his throat, guilt written across his face as he stepped back. “Right. Sorry about that. I, uh… didn’t mean to- “

Wanda shot him a look that could freeze lava before turning back to you. “We’ll take this slow. No more overwhelming questions.”

Natasha gave you another soft look before she stood up, her hand brushing your arm gently. “We’re here to help you, no matter how long it takes.”

Natasha and Wanda exchanged a quick glance, sensing that Tony’s approach had been too much too fast. Stepping forward, they positioned themselves closer to you, their presence gentler, less overwhelming.

Wanda spoke first, her voice soft and calming. “Let’s start simple, okay? We’re not going to rush anything. Can you tell us… do you know your name?”

You blinked, your mind sifting through fragments of information, pieces of your identity lost in the haze Hydra had left behind. For a moment, you stared at the floor, uncertain, as if searching for something that had been buried deep inside you for too long.

Natasha’s eyes never left yours, a flicker of concern passing over her features as you hesitated. The silence stretched on, and Wanda glanced at Natasha, unsure if they should push further. But then, you finally whispered.

“Y/n… Barnes.”

The air in the room changed instantly. Natasha’s eyes widened ever so slightly, and Tony, who had been standing off to the side, immediately straightened, his usual flippant demeanour vanishing as alarm bells started ringing in his mind.

“Barnes?” Natasha repeated softly, as if testing the name on her tongue. She shared a look with Wanda, both realising the weight of your words.

Tony, caught off guard, exchanged a quick glance with Natasha and Wanda. “Wait… Barnes? As in…” He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly connecting the dots. He hesitated for a beat before pressing further. “When were you born?”

You paused again, uncertainty clouding your expression. The memories were faint, like smoke slipping through your fingers. But the answer came to you – one of the few things Hydra hadn’t erased.

“1920,” you murmured, your voice so quiet it was almost drowned out by the hum of the machines.

Natasha’s brows furrowed, but she remained calm, her face carefully neutral as she absorbed your words. Wanda’s hand twitched, and even she couldn’t hide the shock completely.

Tony, however, wasn’t as composed. “1920? That would make you…” He trailed off, his eyes widening. “Your Bucky’s sister?”

A heavy silence fell over the room. They all exchanged looks – disbelief, confusion, realisation – and suddenly, it all clicked into place. Bucky’s little sister, the one Steve had mentioned in passing long ago, the one who had disappeared and announced dead without any records.

Natasha’s eyes softened as she crouched down in front of you, her tone gentle but urgent. “Y/n, listen to me. Your brother – Bucky – he’s alive. He’s here. And he’s been trying to figure out what happened to you.” Her voice was calm, but her words carried the weight of something far more significant.

Your mind reeled, the name, the memories, the truth too much to process. Bucky – alive?

Wanda knelt beside Natasha, her presence warm and reassuring. “We’re going to help you Y/n. We’ll help you find your way back,” she promised, her voice soothing.

But all you could do was stare at them, the revelation crashing over you in waves, each more overwhelming than the last.

Bucky. The brother you had lost. The brother you had thought was dead.

Alive.

And now they were telling you that you had been missing all these years – that somehow, your past had been taken from you.

Natasha kept her gaze locked on yours, her touch steady and grounding as she softly whispered, “You’re safe here Y/n. Breathe, okay? Just stay with me.” Her presence was calm, reassuring, but you could feel the storm of emotions swirling inside again, threatening to overwhelm you. Your mind couldn’t reconcile what she had just told you – Bucky was alive.

Wanda, sensing the tension building, stood up from where she knelt beside you and turned toward Tony. Her expression was firm but laced with urgency. “Tony,” she said, her voice low and commanding, “go get Bucky.”

Tony blinked, also still processing the revelation. “Wanda, are you sure that’s a good-“

“Yes,” she cut him off, her voice sharp, but she kept her tone steady, glancing between Natasha and you, seeing how fragile the situation was becoming. “She needs him. If anyone can help her, it’s Bucky.”

Tony hesitated for only a moment, glancing at Natasha, who nodded subtly in agreement. “Alright,” he muttered under his breath, before heading quickly out of the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Wanda crouched back down beside you, her expression softening once more. “Y/n, we’re going to bring Bucky here. I know it’s a lot, but I promise, you’re not alone anymore.”

Your breath hitched at the thought of seeing him again – your brother, the one you had thought you’d lost so long ago. But everything was still a blur, confusion tightening its grip on your chest. Natasha’s hand on yours kept you grounded, but the thoughts in your head continued to spiral.

“What if…” Your voice cracked, barely above a whisper, “What if I don’t remember him?”

Natasha’s thumb gently brushed over your knuckles. “It doesn’t matter if you remember everything right now or not. He’s your brother. He’ll help you. We all will.”

You wanted to believe her, but fear gnawed at the edges of your mind. The years you had spent in Hydra’s control had left deep scars, not just on your body but on your soul. Would Bucky even recognise you after all this time? Would you recognise him?

Wanda’s hand gently rested on your shoulder, her touch warm and calming. “It’s going to be okay Y/n,” she said softly. “He’s been looking for you for a long time. He never gave up on you.”

The weight of her words hung in the air, heavy but comforting. The idea that Bucky has been searching for you all this time, through everything, made your chest tighten with emotion. You swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.

Natasha leaned in a little closer, her voice barely above a whisper now. “We’ll be right here with you, okay? You’re not facing this alone.”

You nodded slowly, trying to steady your breathing, though your mind was still racing with questions, with memories – fragments of a life you had almost forgotten.

As the room fell into an uneasy silence, your mind drifted. The white walls blurred into a haze as memories, too many to handle, began creeping up. You tried to hold onto something real, but the images of your past, of Hydra, started taking over – filling the empty spaces in your head with noise. You could feel yourself slipping, slowly being pulled back into the dark place you thought you’d left behind.

But Natasha’s touch on your hand kept you anchored. The gentle rhythm of her thumb stroking your knuckles was the only thing tethering you to the present, keeping you from drowning in your memories. It was a lifeline, subtle but steady, like a pulse reminding you that you were here. Not with Hydra. Not trapped.

Wanda, sensing the storm brewing inside you, felt every surge of panic and fear coursing through your veins. She could feel how close you were to losing yourself in the past again. Without saying a word, she sent a thought to Natasha, her mind brushing against the assassin’s carefully guarded one.

“She’s slipping away, Nat. I can feel it. You have to keep her here.”

Natasha didn’t flinch, her expression unchanging, but her grip on your hand tightened just slightly. “I know. I’ve got her. Just make sure Bucky’s ready. This is going to be hard on her.”

Wanda glanced at the door, knowing Tony was bringing Bucky in any moment. “We need to be careful. Her mind’s fragile right now. The smallest thing could trigger her…”

Before Natasha could respond, the door slid open quietly, and Bucky stepped in, looking confused, uncertain – his brow furrowed as his gaze swept the room. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept in days, and his eyes landed on you. His heart seemed to stop for a second, his breath catching in his throat. It was you. After all these years. You were really here. How didn’t he recognise you earlier?

Your eyes snapped up at the sound of his footsteps, locking onto him with a sudden intensity. The moment you saw his face, something inside you shattered. Tears filled your eyes, and for a brief, fleeting moment, you felt the familiar bond – the brother you had lost, the only family you had left.

But then the doubt came crashing in.

He’s not real.

He’s a Hydra trick.

Hydra had twisted your mind, trained you to question everything, even the things you held most dear. Even Bucky, especially Bucky.

Wanda felt the panic spike before you even reacted. She quickly moved to Bucky, pulling him to the side before he could approach you further. “Bucky, wait,” she whispered urgently. “You need to be careful. Hydra did things to her mind, to her memories… Worse than you experienced. She doesn’t know what’s real right now.”

Bucky’s eyes widened, a deep pain settling in his chest. “What… what do you mean? She doesn’t recognise me?”

“She does,” Wanda said softly, her gaze flicking to you. “But she’s afraid you’re not real. Hydra made her believe in illusions, made her question everything.”

Meanwhile, Natasha could feel you slipping further into your panic. She moved closer, keeping her voice low, soothing, as she spoke directly into your ear. “Y/n, breathe. Stay with me. Look at me.” Her hand remained on yours, grounding you, while the other gently brushed some hair away from your face. “Bucky’s real. You’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you.”

But your breathing hitched, panic rising as your thoughts spiralled out of control. He’s fake. He’s a Hydra trick. They’re trying to use him against me.

Bucky, his heart breaking at the sight of you struggling to breathe, looked to Natasha with desperate eyes. “What do I do?” he asked, his voice barely holding back tears.

Wanda placed a hand on his arm. “She needs time. She’s been through to much. Just… approach her slowly. Don’t overwhelm her.”

Bucky nodded, his throat tight with emotion. He took a deep breath, trying to keep himself steady, and slowly approached, each step careful. His eyes never left yours, soft and full of love, even though his heart was breaking inside.

But the closer he got, the more you panicked. You shook your head, tears streaming down your face, your chest heaving as the air seemed to leave your lungs.

“No… no, you’re not real. You’re not real,” you whispered, your voice trembling with fear. “This is a trick. Hydra’s playing a trick.”

Natasha leaned in closer. “Y/n, listen to me. It’s not a trick. This is real. He’s real. You have to trust us.”

But you couldn’t. You couldn’t make sense of it, the fear Hydra had planted too deep, too strong. Bucky too another step closer, his own tears shining in his eyes, but he didn’t try to touch you yet. “Y/n,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “It’s me. It’s really me. I’ve been looking for you for so long…”

Your mind screamed at you that this wasn’t real. That Hydra had made this up, just like they had so many times before. Your breath came in ragged gasps, your body trembling with the effort of keeping it all together.

Nataha moved her hand to your cheek, gently turning your face to hers. “Look at me Y/n,” she said, her voice steady and sure. “You can do this. You’re stronger than this. Just breathe with me. In… and out.”

You struggled, fighting the panic clawing at your chest, but slowly, with Natasha’s calm presence grounding you, you managed to take a shaky breath. Then another.

Bucky watched, his heart still breaking for you, but he stayed where he was, waiting, not pushing.

Natasha’s voice was soft but firm as she guided your breathing, her hand still on your cheek, keeping you anchored to the present. You tried to match her rhythm, each breath shaky but slowly becoming more even. The storm inside your mind, though still raging, began to quiet just enough to let some clarity break through.

“That’s it,” Natasha murmured, her green eyes steady as they held yours. “You’re okay. Just stay with me. Focus on my voice. In… and out.”

You clung to her words like a lifeline, trying to block out everything else – Bucky’s presence, the overwhelming flood of memories threatening to drown you, the constant fear that this was all some elaborate trick by Hydra. But the softness in Natasha’s tone, the way her hand brushed so gently against your skin – it was real. She was real. For now, that was enough.

Tears welled in your eyes as the tension in your body began to release, the weight of everything too much to bear. You shook your head, trying to push away the confusion, the fear, the disbelief that any of this could be true. But it was too much. Your body trembled, the dam holding back years of pain and fear and hopelessness finally breaking.

Natasha didn’t say anything more, sensing the floodgates had opened. She simply pulled you closer, her arms wrapping around you in a gentle but secure embrace, holding you as if she could shield you from the world.

That was all it took.

You collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably, your body shaking with the force of it. The years of isolation, the torture, the mind control, the constant feeling of being lost – it all poured out of you in that moment. Natasha didn’t let go, didn’t pull away, even as your tears soaked into her shirt. She just held you tighter, murmuring quiet reassurances into your hair, grounding you with her presence.

“It’s okay. Let it out. I’ve got you.”

Your fingers gripped onto her shirt as if letting go would mean being swept away by the tide of emotions threatening to pull you under again. But in her arms, for the first time in so long, you felt… safe. Safe to let yourself feel, safe to break down.

Wanda, standing nearby, watched with a mixture of sadness and empathy. She could feel the pain radiating off you in waves, every ounce of anguish you’d been holding onto finally surfacing. Her own memories of Hydra stirred within her, but she pushed them aside, focusing on you.

As Bucky stood frozen, watching his little sister break down in front of him, Wanda gently placed a hand on his arm, stopping him from moving forward. “Give her time,” she whispered softly. “She’s been through too much… right now, Natasha’s the only thing keeping her grounded.”

Bucky nodded, his jaw clenched tight as he fought the urge to run to you, to pull you into his arms like he used to when you were both kids. But this wasn’t the past. The sister he knew had been twisted by Hydra, her memories fractured, her trust shattered. It would take time to rebuild that bond.

Natasha continued to hold you, her hands rubbing soothing circles on your back as your sobs slowly began to subside. Your body, exhausted from the flood of emotion, sagged against her, and you buried your face in her shoulder, your breathing still uneven but quieter now.

“Shh… you’re okay,” Natasha whispered, her voice as calm as ever, though you could hear the underlying warmth in her tone. She didn’t push you to speak, didn’t ask you to explain what was going on inside your head. She just let you cry, let you feel everything you had been holding in for years.

Minutes passed in silence, the only sound in the room, the quiet hum of machines and your ragged breathing as you tried to collect yourself. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, your tears slowed, and you pulled back slightly, just enough to meet Natasha’s gaze.

Her eyes were soft, full of understanding and something else – something warm and safe that made you feel like maybe, just maybe, things could be okay again. She reached up and gently brushed a tear from your cheek with her thumb.

“You did good,” she said softly. “You’re stronger than you think.”

You swallowed hard, still feeling raw and exposed from the emotional release, but something about her words made you feel lighter. You didn’t have to be strong all the time. Not here. Not with her.

As you tried to catch your breath, Natasha continued to rub gentle circles on your back, her touch steady and reassuring. “You’re safe now,” she whispered. “You’re not alone anymore.”

Your heart clenched at those words. Not alone. You’d been alone for so long – trapped, manipulated, isolated. But here, in Natasha’s arms, it didn’t feel so lonely anymore.

Wanda gave Natasha a silent nod of approval before stepping back, giving the two of you space. She could sense that, for now, Natasha was the one who could reach you, the one who could keep you from slipping back into the darkness.

Bucky, standing near the door, wiped away a tear of his own as he watched the scene unfold. His heart ached, but seeing you in Natasha’s arms, finding even a small amount of comfort, gave him hope.

You weren’t fully back yet, not by a long shot. But in that moment, with Natasha’s steady presence beside you, it felt like the beginning of something – something fragile, but real.

And for the first time in a long time, you allowed yourself to believe that maybe, just maybe, you weren’t lost forever.

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Taglist: @alexawynters

[airportsanki]

夢幻神獣魔デウス / MADEUS 『ウルトラマンマックス』(2005)

[meltorights]

any old ultra kaiju you would like to see come back?

theres a Correct Answer to this actually

alien kill's dinosaur tank from ultraseven.

id love to see some of the more wild leo or taro kaiju come back too! or some from max, which I feel is really underrepresented in tribute--it's a fantastic show with some fantastic designs that deserves so love. so not an exhaustive list but here's a few:

berserke:

hungler:

garaking or motukureron:

kirara:

cloudos:

hophop:

then theres madeus and IF. but both their original episodes are so iconic and hard to top maybe it's for the best if theyre just remembered by them bc it'd be hard to do them justice:

[uptightcitizensbrigade]

no pants and yet still service; her power is unmatched

Annie at Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert // 16 Dec 2022

[karofsky]

spell out your url using song titles and then tag the number of letters in it

tagged by @thatiwouldbe and @backslashdelta ! these are all from my spotify likes because otherwise that's a lot of mental power I don't have hahaha

k icks - miki fiki

a madeus - bravestation

r un away with me - carly rae jepsen

o ut of my mind - the killers (criminally underrated song btw)

f ingers crossed - coin

s till sound - toro y moi

k iss me - sixpence none the richer

y our best american girl - mitski

[wayneclodon]

amadeus

amadeus

a madeus

amadeus

amadeus

a madeus

amadeus

amadeus

oh oh oh amadeus

come on and fuck me amadeus

[unloneliest]

i think one of the worst timelines for my story is the one where silas and jay meet the same way but the timing of everything is just slightly different and szadeh and silas end up married the way they would have if none of the murders ever happened.

[gnaga37]

too eepy I'm late by 1 hour and a half hihi :p

been busy all morning and now I'm so eepy. see you raga at 21 on rai 1. I'm going to bed

[isacopraxolu]

Amadeus non rinnoverà il suo contratto con la Rai #amadeus #tfnews #15aprile

[asklordcaptaincastronova]

'Madeus, do you ever get tired of the fish

Yea. But do they get tired of me?

[tfshouldidohere]

Songu thatu madeu meu thoughtu ofu youu @ashitshowforalot

[pinkcadavart]

Diona and Madeus except they're drawn over a PASWG screencap and I hate them

[alecsalamander]

i am, with every fiber of my being, a madeus apologist first and a human being second

[elsaqqa-4ever]

It is that voice that penetrates the soul's barriers, shattering them then sets her free.

Madeu, Hidden thoughts ,2024 😊

Joanna Glenn, from her novel titled "All My Mothers," originally published in 2021