#meant to get this to you sooner but life was being life Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[clearbun]

my @fmasecretsanta gift for @jemwolf !! anyone who knows me will probably be shocked to find out that I didn't take the opportunity to draw the devil's nest gang, but I really liked sev's design and thought she would be fun to paint (and I was right!) I hope you like it!!

(also I thought your name + sev seemed familiar, and I realized partway through working on this that I've seen you around artfight before! sev was actually a character i was considering attacking last year, funny how things work out!)

[amourane]

cheers to youth

pairing: yoon jeonghan x gn!reader

genre: angst? hurt and comfort, a lot of comfort, fluff

w/c: 1.1k

summary: in which you and yoon jeonghan reunite after years and find comfort in each other.

warnings: none

a/n: in honour of the cty mv releasing and me crying to it every single time i watched it. i hope this makes your day feel better if you're having a hard time <3 remember to always love yourself!

Jeonghan didn’t know where he was going. 

The rain poured down relentlessly, each droplet soaking him to the bone. He had no umbrella, but he didn't notice or care. Even when the winds were rough and the trees were being pushed around he continued to walk. 

Walk to nowhere. 

Part of him knew he should be getting rest or at least try to. Jeonghan hadn’t slept for many days now and if he even managed to, it would only last for an hour or two before he was woken up. There were bags that shadowed his eyes and he silently trudged along the path.

It was bad enough he was having a bad day then he came home to have his girlfriend of two years break up with him. Yujin was bound to leave him sooner or later, everyone else did. And yet, even when he knew this, it still hurt. The feeling still left a hole in his heart just like it did the first time. It still seemed to tear his consciousness apart, leaving him a hollow shell.

Jeonghan couldn’t decide what hurt more: her leaving or his letting her go. He could have begged her to stay, could have gotten down on his knees and pleaded, but he didn't. He let her slip away. Perhaps it was because he knew he had fallen out of love with her.

The two had only found solace and comfort when times were rough and back then, Jeonghan 

had been at a better place. When he looked at her he used to be filled with the softest of love and admiration. He didn’t do that anymore. The couple fought and screamed and in the end, it always ended in tears. So like he said, inevitable. 

There was a figure at the park, hunched over on a bench. Jeonghan's eyes were blurry, partly from the tears so when he approached you he didn't recognise the familiar warm eyes. The eyes that once sparkled with happiness and joy. It was you who was crying silently in the rain and you didn’t notice Jeonghan until he sat down next to you.

You looked up sniffling, red eyes dripping with tears. It took a moment for you to register who was in front of you before you let out a gasp. 

"Jeonghan!" Your voice was croaky and he suspected it was because you've been crying for a long time. "Long time no see."

It truly had been long. The last time he remembered seeing you was at the graduation party. The two of you were never closely acquainted. There was only a small project when the both of you were paired together. Even then, he loved the way your voice sounded like honey and no matter what, you were always smiling. It made him forget about the tough moments in life for just a small period of time whenever you were with him.

"I didn't think you'd recognise me." He chuckled.

"Nonsense." You wiped away your tears, as you took a shaky breath. "I'd remember that face anywhere." 

There was a silence between the two of you. It wasn’t awkward though. He let you weep and you let him stay. It was mutual understanding. 

"Why are you in the rain then? If you don't mind me asking."

"I don't mind." Jeonghan sighed. "Girlfriend broke up with me and my life's been shitty." You nodded and it wasn’t in pity, he was glad for that. "What about you?"

"Found him in the bed with my best friend." You scoffed, bringing your hand up to his face. "We were meant to get married four months from now." 

Jeonghan noticed the small diamond ring you had on your finger. He sat next to you, letting you ramble to him. You apologised a lot and he barely recognised you from the years back. Back then you were the happiest person in the room, loud and cheerful. Now you were meek and timid, saying sorry for the littlest of things. 

"You probably hate me talking so much." You nibbled your bottom lip. "It's nice to see you again though Jeonghan. Nice to see a familiar face."

There was a brief silence and Jeonghan took in what you had just said. The two of you had changed a lot since you last saw each other but that was expected. No one can really stay the same after so many years. 

"I don't think I could hate anything about you Y/n." The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself. "It's nice to see you as well. I've always wondered how you've been doing post-graduation."

Even though the rain had stopped, the clouds covered the sun. The weather was better than before, still cold no doubt. You were shivering a bit and Jeonghan noticed. He reckoned you were in a rush to get out of wherever you were because you were only wearing a t-shirt and that was soaked though. He took off his jacket and handed it to you. 

"It won't do much since it's already wet. But it'll stop you from freezing to death." When you met his gaze you could see his eyes, filled with something you couldn't describe and yet it made your stomach warm and a surge of comfort washed over you.

"Are you sure? I remember you being quite sensitive to the cold, I don’t want you to freeze." The thought you had recalled such an insignificant detail about him made Jeonghan’s heart skip a beat.

“It’s fine honestly, I’m wearing a hoodie underneath anyway.”

You hesitantly took the jacket and put it on. "Thank you." 

Jeonghan was about to get up and head home when you grabbed his hoodie. He turned around to see you, drowning in the significantly larger than you jacket and he couldn’t help but think you looked cute. You were fumbling around in your bag, taking out your phone.

"Can I get your number?" 

Jeonghan stared at you and tried to comprehend what you had just asked. 

He blinked a few times before taking out his phone. A small smile tugged at your lips as the two of you exchanged numbers. A warm feeling filled both of your chests. The both of you hadn’t felt that in such a long time.

When you told him goodbye Jeonghan smiled at you and for the first time it was a smile that he didn’t have to force. It was a smile that he knew was true, he knew it was because he was happy.

That night when he got home he received a text.

21:04 - from Y/n: hi, it's y/n! i forgot to tell you before you left but thank you for being there for me today <3 wanna go get some coffee tomorrow, my treat?

Jeonghan bit back a grin.

21:06 - to Y/n: coffee tomorrow sounds good :) 

And when he went to bed that night, it was the most peaceful sleep he ever had.

[saberlight1]

— exit music (for a film), coriolanus snow

pairing: coriolanus snow x fem!reader

warnings: slight tbosas spoilers, mentions of past abuse, trauma, violence, ptsd, established relationship, reader almost gets assaulted, Y/N usage, possessive!snow, a toxic ex attacks you, hints towards past sexual assault, standard ballad of songbirds and snakes warnings.

authors note: soo i was needing some comfort, and i realized there are not a lot of hurt & comfort fics for coryo!! this is a big injustice so i decided to write this. just a fair warning: this fic contains themes that can be hard for some people to read; including sexual assault and domestic violence. if you aren’t comfortable with these topics, feel free to go read some of my other coryo stories here! i hope you all enjoy this, much love<3.

masterlist

When you first laid eyes upon the white-haired boy, you didn’t think he’d become as important to you as he is now. He was assigned to be your mentor in the Hunger Games, and you were slightly relieved when you saw him standing at the train station, waiting for you.

Although you were both cautious of the other, coming from different, yet similar lands. But once you warmed up to him, you never wanted to part.

After the arena got bombed with you all in it, Coriolanus getting injured aand trapped, you stayed behind even if there was a clear opening for you to run— because you found yourself caring for him.

He had protected you so far, treating you with kindness and respect as he guided you through this hellish period in your life. So you had to do the same. Anyways, that was what told yourself when you risked everything to stay back and attempt to help him.

You brushed your hair behind your ears, ignoring the stinging pain in your side from being burnt as you started off into a sprint towards the boy who was crying out in pain, the pole he was trapped under catching fire.

“Coriolanus!” You called out as you neared him. “I’m here, I’m here.” You tried to soothe him as you tried to push the pole off of him.

He let out a sigh of relief at the sight of your face, and almost looked confused at your act to help him.

After a moment of struggle, you finally got the pole away from him, but it had got him badly. You immediately bent down to his level, your hands going to cradle his face softly, he leaned into it.

“Oh, are you alright?” You whispered, his shaky hands coming out to grip your wrists, rubbing softly in thanks. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, I—” You did your best to explain, but you were cut off by a sharp grip on your arm, dragging you away from him. The boy reached out for you as you were taken away, only making your heart sink further into your stomach.

“No!” You thrashed in their hold, but to no avail. You watched your mentor lose consciousness from the pain as you could do nothing to help him.

And even though you only met him a couple days prior, you realized in that very moment how much you truly did care for him.

That was one of your earliest memories of Coriolanus, the next time you saw him after that was the first time your lips touched. From that night on, you became much more to each other than you ever would’ve guessed.

You sighed, moving from your spot in your window as reality set in. You hadn’t seen the boy in question in over month. He had promised to protect you, and he kept it surely. He cheated to get you out the games, and it ended with him locked up, as you liked to believe. People around twelve said that the Capitol had him killed.

You wished he had left you to die if it meant he’d be free and you the one in the grave. You were in misery in your district, missing your lover deeply. But, alas, you had no choice. And with all the fighting you did in that arena, you refused to give up now.

Even if it meant living without the one you craved most.

You grabbed your bag, another hard breath leaving your lips as you walked out the comfort of your small home that was in the outskirts of District 12. You liked it better that way, being away from it all. When you were younger you used to live down by the Hob, which was located right next to the Hanging Tree.

After years of hearing the grueling sounds of somebody loosing their life, the jabberjays in the wind repeating their loved ones cries, sometimes even their last words, you simply couldn’t bare it anymore.

So you left, opting to live out by the forest and the lake, giving you pockets of peace where you could forget it all. Or, at least the things you tried to forget. Some things seemed to haunt you forever.

You quietly walked into town to go get some food from the Mellark Bakery, your head down and gaze low the whole way. You could feel eyes on you— you always did when you came out of your home. You hated their stares, their judgement, that was the one thing that seemed to haunt you the most.

You finally looked up, meeting eyes with your ex boyfriend who was stood with his friends, a sly smirk being worn on his face. You internally shrank, your steps picking up as you tried to get closer to your destination.

Anxiety flooded your bloodstream as you heard loud, hard footsteps pick up behind you, sounding as if they were only inching closer and closer. Your eyes screwed shut as you felt like you were back in the arena again, your flight or fight instincts kicking in.

You tried to calm yourself down, repeating the words ‘It’s all in your head’ like a mantra under your breath. You had recently been plagued with the worst paranoia and anxiety, and the only reason of why you could think of was because of the time you spent in that godforsaken arena. Most of the time you felt as if you being hunted, all of the horror you felt when you were in that arena never leaving your nervous system.

Most days you had to talk yourself out of a panic attack, little things setting you off and sending you into a 20 minute state of panic. It was normal to you by now, and that is what you thought was happening.

Until a harsh grip yanked you out of your head, dragging you into an alley and pinning you to a wall. A loud yelp left your lips as you hit the wall, taking you a moment to process what was happening.

When you looked up, the pit in your stomach only grew further as an overwhelming sense of dread came over you. Your ex-boyfriend, Jay, was standing over you with that same soulless smile that used to haunt your dreams.

“My, Y/N. It’s been a mighty long time since I done seen you around here.” He taunted, his hot breath hitting your face, causing your eyes to screw shut as the past memories of him doing this very same thing to you swirled around your brain. “Thought after you got a taste of the Capitol.. of that Coriolanus Snow,” he said with disgust on his tone. “That you thought you were too good f’me. For Twelve.” He spat, harshly.

It was funny how with a few words he could turn you right back into that naive girl he manipulated all those years ago. You cowered in fear, refusing to look him the eye.

“Jay, please..” You whispered, your head turned away from him in an attempt to get as far away as possible. “Just let me go, please. I won’t come back around here, I swear.” You begged, tears filling your closed eyes as you fought for your composure.

“Nah, girl.” He whispered back, getting so close to you that you could feel his breath on your cheek. “I’m gon’ do what I want with you, like old times.”

Your eyes shot open his words. “No, God, please, no.” The tears fell from your eyes as you continued to plea with him.

“Oh, c’mon, Y/N.” He coldly smiled. “You used to be fun,”You felt his grip on your forearms travel back down to your hips, squeezing. The act left a bad taste in your mouth, making you want to throw up. You sobbed as you prepared yourself for what was coming, wishing you had just stayed cooped up in your home.

Your wails from the alley only increased in volume as his touch began to move downward. “Shut the fuck up,” He hissed, his hand slapping over your mouth. You prayed to whatever God was above, wishing he would just kill you now.

And just as his hand ghosted over the waistband of your skirt, the man’s touch disappeared all together, being replaced with the sound of someone hitting the floor.

You opened your tear-stained eyes slowly to find your attacker on the ground, and in a flash of throwing punches you saw that white hair adorned by the boy you adored so much.

You stood there in shock as you watched Coriolanus, who now wore a Peacekeeper’s uniform with a shaved head, beat Jay into a pulp. Tears still left your eyes as you slid down the wall, your knees coming up to your chest as you began to process what almost just happened to you.

Anxiety took your breath from your lungs as the panic finally began to set in once you realized you were safe. Your vision started to go blurry with tears as the will to breathe got harder.

“Hey, hey.” Coriolanus appeared in your line of vision, his hands wiping the tears from your face. “I’m here, you’re alright, baby.” He sighed before sitting down next to you and bringing you into his arms. You dug your head into the crook of his neck, hugging him close.

“Did he hurt you?” He asked, his hand on the back of your head, rubbing softly. He tried his best to comfort you, and tried to calm the fiery rage he felt when he saw that man on top of you.

“N—No,” You shakily got out. “He.. he tried to—”

Coriolanus’ head fell to your shoulder, hugging you just as tight as a sigh of relief left his lips. He had been walking by when he first heard your pleas with that man, and he dropped everything and ran at the sound of your voice. When he saw that man on top of you, the muffled sobs leaving your lips, your eyes screwed shut— God, he saw red. He would be lying if he didn’t say he didn’t miss you in the time you were apart.

Your body shook with your sobs, the boy’s heart hurting of the sight of you this upset. “Shh, you’re safe. I’m here,” He repeated, leaving kisses on your face, neck, and shoulders whilst he whispered sweet nothings in your ear in an attempt to calm you.

Once you somewhat calmed down you pulled back slightly, just to make sure he was real.

“Oh, Coryo,” You cried, your forehead resting on his. “Thank you, thank you.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat as he took in your state. He had never seen you like this, so scared, so vulnerable. The sight of it only made him bring you back into his arms, holding you impossibly closer.

“I’ve got you, my love.” He hushed your cries, leaving another kiss on your head. “No one’s gonna hurt you if I’m with you, it’s okay now.” You wrapped your legs around his waist as he stood up, you still in his arms. He placed you down slightly, his hands angling your jaw up so you’d look at him. “C’mon, let’s go to your house. Get you away from this piece of shit,” he pointed to the bloodied face of Jay who was unconscious on the ground. You nodded, trying to pull yourself together, your eyes flickering back to Jay to make sure he was still knocked out.

Sensing your anxieties, he pulled you back into his arms for once last hug. “Shh,” He rubbed your back. “You’re alright. He won’t hurt you, I won’t let him.” He comforted, leaning down to kiss your tears away. His movements made you smile as you sucked in a breath before you lead him out the alley and to your home.

Once you arrived and walked through the doors, it felt as if a weight was lifted off your shoulders. You were finally home, and you had Coryo with you.

Your heart felt full as it sank in that you were finally reunited with him, with Coryo. You got him back. A smile was on your face, despite your previous cries as you turned back towards the man who shared a similar smile to yours as he looked around at your home, and launched yourself into his arms.

He chuckled slightly, hugging you back like a delicate flower in his palm. After a moment of holding each other, you pulled back again, your hands cupping his cheeks. “I thought you were dead, Coryo. I thought.. oh, I thought they took you from me.” You sighed, leaning forward to connect your lips with his for the first time in months. You poured all of the longing, all of the tears, and emotion into that kiss, trying to show all your love with just an action.

He smiled against your lips, his hands on your hips being comforting as he leaned forward, tilting his head to deepen it. When the pair of you pulled apart for air, the smiles stayed.

“You should know by now that I’ll always find you, Y/N.” He joked, tucking hair behind your ear.

“Good,” You left one last peck to his lips, before going grabbing his hand and leading him to your bed. After all of the crying you had done in the past hour, all you wanted to do was lay with him.

He instantly knew what you were trying to do, a love-sick smile on his face as he laid down next to you, pulling you into his chest. You giggle as you settled in, your hand tracing patterns into his undershirt.

“I missed you,” He whispered after a while of quiet, looking down at you.

Blush dusted your cheeks as you rolled on your stomach to give him your full attention, your chin on his chest. “I missed you, too. Probably more.”

He smiled at your words, his hand coming up to grip yours lovingly, rubbing his thumb across the back of your hand. “You’re beautiful,” He said after a beat of silence, admiring you in the candlelight.

You smiled at his words. “You’re prettier, Snow.” Your gaze flickered down to your laced fingers, noticing his cut and bruised knuckles.

“Oh, Coryo,” You sat up slightly, bringing his hand with you to get a closer look. “I’m sorry—”

“Don’t apologize. That wasn’t your fault. I’m alright, baby, doesn’t even hurt that bad.” He tried to talk you down, a soft smile still on his face.

“Thank you, I mean it.” You met his eye. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t save me.” You swallowed the growing lump in your throat. “You always save me.”

It was his turn to blush now, as you bent down to kiss his injured knuckles softly. When you finished he grabbed your jaw softly, bringing your lips to his. He kissed you hard, just like he always did. It seemed like he tried to show how much he loved you with just one simple action, and trust, he accomplished that goal.

You hummed happily against his lips, letting him pull you down on top of him, your lips still connected. When you pulled back for air, he continued to cradle your face, peppering kisses along your jaw.

“You don’t have to thank me.” He whispered, his lips still leaving kisses. “I’ll always be here to protect you.”

You smiled, giggling as you snuggled closer to him. The pair of you had quieted down once again, sleep and comfort taking over your minds.

But you cracked your eyes open one last time, leaning up to leave kisses on his jaw. “I love you, Coryo.”

His eyes opened immediately as he stared down at you in shock, before a soft smile took over his face. “I love you, too.”

And just like that, all you had been longing for was under your fingertips, and you now thanked whatever God was looking down on you for bringing this man into your life.

[fluentmoviequoter]

My Shy Dogsitter

Part 3 of My Shy Valentine

Pairing: Tim Bradford x shy!fem!reader

Summary: When you're asked to watch Kojo and Ghost at the same time, you don't think there will be any problems. Tim's unexpected jealousy is a distraction you didn't anticipate.

Warnings: brief jealousy, discussion of the events of part 2 and what happened after, lots of fluff and doggy cuddles! The dog commands are Czech bc Ghost is a police dog :)

Word Count: 2.5k+ words

Picture from Pinterest

“Oh, you’re welcome,” you reply after Kojo licks your hand in thanks for dinner. “Just doing my job.”

“Kojo gets a cute reply, but when I kiss you to express my gratitude, you run away,” Tim accuses from the open doorway. “How is that fair?”

A low growl sounds from the living room, and you look over your shoulder as you stand.

“Ghost, klid,” you call.

“Ghost?” Tim asks loudly. “Why is Hughie’s dog here?”

“He and Mrs. Hughie wanted a date night,” you explain softly. “I offered to watch him so he wouldn’t have to stay in the kennel.”

Tim’s eyes drop to Kojo momentarily before saying, “Okay.” He sets his jacket and keys on the back of your couch and sends Ghost a stern look before asking, “I guess that means we’re staying in for dinner?”

“I made food, but we can order something if you want. Sorry I didn’t tell you Ghost would be here.”

Tim takes two long steps toward you before raising his hands to cup your warming cheeks. When your eyes hesitantly meet his, he smiles.

“I’m not upset. Just wasn’t expecting you to be running a dog motel.”

“It’s a hotel; my hosting skills are far above motel status,” you whisper.

Tim shakes his head before raising his elbows slightly. Before he can say “whenever you want,” you wrap your arms around his waist and pull yourself flush against him. It’s been a hard few months, but Tim has been happy to give you everything you need. When you wanted him to hold you, he did, but the moment you said you needed space to think, he left with a promise that he’d be nearby. After he dumped you to save your life, and then actually saved your life from an intruder wanting to hurt you and Tim, Tim said that he loves you and you haven’t doubted that for a moment. The lingering worry and heartbreak following his sudden departure took time to work through, though.

“I love you,” you say against Tim’s shirt. “Sorry.”

Kojo nudges his snout between your leg and Tim’s. You move one foot back to make room for him, and Kojo happily joins your embrace.

“Whatever you’re apologizing for,” Tim begins.

“Taking too long,” you whisper.

“When I said that I understood not being ready to trust me again, I meant it.”

“I do trust you; I’ve trusted you since the moment you came back. I’m just sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

Tim’s smile returns, and he nudges Kojo gently as he leans in to kiss you. While you still get shy with Tim’s affection, you’re not as quiet as you were when you met. Tim knows you and loves you, so your quietness never bothers him, and the shy glances and soft touches you give him take him back to the day you met in the K-9 unit. Tim breaks the kiss to pull back, and you drop your eyes to his chest.

“See, buddy?” he asks Kojo. “She told you ‘you’re welcome,’ but she won’t even look at me.”

“Stop,” you request.

“You made me and Kojo dinner; I’m not stopping until you’re thoroughly thanked.”

Ghost barks once, and Tim rolls his eyes.

“What’s your problem with Ghost?” you inquire. “Still mad that he wanted to kill you for breaking my heart?”

“I will kiss you again,” Tim threatens. You lower your chin but don’t break eye contact with him. “Ghost is an attention seeker. When he’s around, you focus on him.”

“You’re jealous of Ghost?”

Tim raises his eyebrows, and you shrug; it’s half of an apology that you don’t mean. Since you met, Tim has been vying for your attention, so the accusation isn’t that far-fetched. Hughie pointed out that Tim waits for you to come to him when you visit the station, too, so you were already aware of some type of animosity between your police officer and the police dog.

“I’m working a fourteen-hour shift tomorrow. Can you watch Kojo for one more day?” Tim asks rather than answering your question.

“Of course. He’s always welcome here,” you answer happily. “You both are.”

Tim’s smile widens as he follows you to the kitchen and mumbles, “I’ll remember that.”

✯✯✯✯✯

You’re pleasantly surprised at how well Ghost and Kojo get along. There hasn’t been a single disagreement, no fights or growling at one another, and you are happy to see them bonding. When they lay on the same dog bed, back-to-back, while you and Tim eat dinner, you smile at the sight. Tim requires your attention, though, and you turn away from them to be tormented by your boyfriend.

When the night ends, driven to an early close by Tim’s early shift tomorrow, he furrows his brows at Ghost lying beside Kojo.

“When’s Hughie picking him up?” Tim asks.

“Two days,” you answer.

“I thought you said he went out for dinner!”

“Yeah. In Vancouver.”

Tim closes his eyes momentarily before looking at you.

“What?” you ask nervously.

“You are… lucky you’re cute and shy,” Tim decides.

“Thank you?”

Tim pulls you in for one more kiss and laughs when you say, “You’re welcome” afterward. He tells Kojo goodnight before his hands wander to your waist again. Your reminder that he has an early morning is met with a groan and another tight hug. After Tim walks out and demands you call him if you need anything, you tidy your house before getting ready for bed.

With Ghost’s dog bed on one side of your bed and Kojo’s on the other, you’re prepared for a comfortable night with both of them. As you lay in bed, wearing your favorite pair of pajamas, Kojo raises his head onto the bed and looks up at you. His puppy eyes wear you down almost instantly, and you wonder if he learned that from Tim.

“C’mon, Kojo,” you whisper with a pat to the space beside you. Ghost’s head appears on the other side of the bed, and you extend the same invitation to him, too. “You guys be nice and just cuddle tonight, okay? And don’t hog my blankets.”

Kojo grunts, a very Tim Bradford-style acknowledgment while Ghost lays a paw over your leg. As you drift to sleep, you feel them move closer.

✯✯✯✯✯

When you wake to the feeling of a tongue on your cheek, you temporarily forget where you are. Kojo looks offended at your sudden jerk away from him, but Ghost snuggles farther against your back. Dealing with Kojo is like dealing with an even less verbal Tim sometimes.

“Breakfast time already?” you ask groggily.

Kojo’s tail wags and Ghost stirs behind you, so you sit up and pat them both. The sound of excited paws following you through the hallway makes you happy, and you realize that you won’t want to be alone after so much quality time with Kojo and Ghost. They’re the best friends you have; they cuddle you and love you unconditionally, but don’t make you shy just for the fun of it. Unlike Kojo’s dad.

“Well, boys, I’m here all day,” you announce as you enter the kitchen. “What should we do?”

Kojo barks and smacks one side of his dog bed (the one that is in your living room; you’ve spoiled him and he has more than one). Ghost matches his excitement and bounces his front feet off the floor. You think that means cuddling, since Kojo seems inclined to have company, even on his dog bed.

“Tim said I could make you your favorite, Kojo, and Hughie said you could be treated every once in a while, Ghost. So, let’s make breakfast and then we’ll watch a movie.”

As you move around your kitchen, preparing salmon and sweet potato dog treats for both of them, Kojo and Ghost sit at attention and watch your every move.

After filling their stomachs, Ghost and Kojo jump onto the couch and situate themselves on either side of you as you turn on a movie. Time seems to speed up as you play with them, take them on a walk, and return to your cuddling position as the sun sets.

Your door opens around dusk, and you know there’s only one person who has a key. Tim stops short after he closes the door, and he looks back and forth between you, Ghost, and Kojo. He meant it when he said Ghost seeks your attention, and Kojo obviously does too, but when Tim sees both dogs on you, and that there is no room for him, he considers never bringing Kojo back here again.

“Hi!” you greet over the back of the couch.

Ghost moves so his face is beside yours, and you smile before rubbing your fingers behind his ears.

“Hey,” Tim replies. “Hope Kojo wasn’t too much trouble.”

Kojo wiggles so he’s even closer to you before lifting his head to look at Tim. His tail thumps against the couch, but he doesn’t move away from you.

“He never is. He’s a good boy,” you promise. “You are too, Ghost.”

Tim nods where he stands, wondering why he is jealous of two dogs. Because they’re so close to you, he decides. You talk to them freely, and even though he knows why, it bothers Tim that you don’t interact with him the same way.

“No room for me,” Tim laments. “Guess I’ll just go home.”

You shake your head rapidly and reach a hand over the couch toward him.

“Kojo,” Tim calls.

Kojo closes his eyes and pretends not to hear. You stifle a laugh at him; it’s as if he knows what Tim is asking him to do.

“Ghost, lehni,” you command.

Ghost moves off of the couch, opting to sit at your feet with his face turned to yours.

“How was work?” you ask Tim as he moves toward the couch.

“Busy,” he answers.

Tim puts an arm around your shoulders and pulls you against him before sighing. Now that he is in his rightful place, Tim feels like he can relax. And maybe get some revenge for the lack of attention you’ve given him recently.

“Since you’re so good with Kojo, maybe I should pick up more shifts,” he muses.

“Oh,” you say softly. You lay a hand on his chest and trace a shape over his heart. “I’m always happy to watch Kojo if that’s what you want.”

“Plus, you live closer now, so it would be easy to drop him off and pick him up.”

You nod as you try to hide your devastation. Moving closer after you were attacked seemed like the right decision, but the thought of even less time with Tim is not one you enjoy.

“I’ll be right back,” you murmur before standing. “Ghost, kemne. Kojo, you too.”

Kojo leaves Tim alone on the couch as he follows you and Ghost to the backdoor. They run out and begin sniffing around your yard as they stretch their legs. With space between you and Tim, you cross your arms tightly and tug your bottom lip between your teeth to think. You love helping Tim and watching Kojo, but you need time with Tim too. Asking him not to pick up more hours requires a directness that you don’t typically possess. Lost in thought, you don’t hear Tim walk out behind you. When his arms circle your waist and his chin drops onto your shoulder, you tense.

“What’s going on in that shy, gorgeous head?” he asks.

“I miss you,” you whisper, dropping your gaze to the grass.

“I’m right here. You can hug me, hide from me, whatever you want to do today.”

“Not- not like that. I miss you.”

“You don’t want me to work more and leave you to cuddle with dogs instead of me?” Tim asks. “’Cause you don’t show it.”

You shake your head, well aware of Tim’s jealousy.

“Pozor,” you tell Ghost.

He turns and lowers his head to glare at Tim.

“Okay, I’ll stop,” Tim concedes.

You turn in Tim’s hold, but when your eyes meet his, you immediately look away.

“Can you look at Kojo or something?” you mumble. Tim squeezes your waist but obeys and looks over your shoulder. You keep your eyes on his face as you say, “I feel like I wasted time working through my emotions, and keeping you at arms’ length was a mistake. I’m sorry, but I don’t want you to take more hours because I miss you.”

Tim’s eyes slide back to yours, and his smiles. “I wasn’t going to. Just needed you to know that I didn’t like coming home to see you cuddling with other boys.”

Kojo barks, and you smile as Tim chuckles.

“And you didn’t waste time, okay? You went through something traumatic; the time spent dealing with that was necessary. I’ll always be here.”

“I love you.”

Kojo and Ghost run to your side as Tim leans in to kiss you. They tilt their heads back and howl together while you smile against Tim’s lips.

“Ghost is leaving tomorrow, right?” Tim asks after he steps back to make room for Kojo between you, where he belongs.

“He is. Hughie and Mrs. Hughie are coming back tonight.”

“Good. I need my spot back, pal.”

Ghost looks up at Tim, unmoving for a moment before his tail wags and he opens his mouth to pant.

“You are pretty cute, though,” Tim admits under his breath.

“That’s usually my line,” you say as Tim reaches down to pet Ghost.

“I’m only working until lunch tomorrow,” Tim says. His attention is back on you rather than Ghost or Kojo, and you fight not to squirm under his intense blue gaze. “Maybe Kojo and I can come over and make sure you’re properly moved in. I know Kojo is since you’re single-handedly keeping the pet store in business.”

“I love him,” you defend. “And you.”

Tim leans in but stops short of kissing you when the doorbell rings. He lays a hand on your lower back and leads you to the couch, quietly gesturing for Kojo to stay with you. You watch as he opens the door, impressed with how comfortable he seems in your space.

“Tim?” Hughie asks as the door opens.

Ghost barks excitedly and runs to the door to greet Hughie.

“I came to relieve you early, but it doesn’t seem like you’re struggling,” Hughie says with a smile.

“How was the trip?” you ask as you pass Ghost’s bag to Hughie.

“It was great. Now, we have to plan the anniversary party and trip.”

“She can’t dogsit for the trip,” Tim interjects.

“I can help plan a party though,” you say. “I’m much better at planning than attending.”

“Weirdly, I believe that,” Hughie jokes. “I’ll leave you two and Kojo to enjoy your evening.”

You say bye to Ghost and Hughie, but when Hughie passes Tim, he sends him a strange look that is met with a nod from Tim. Tilting your head to the side, you wonder what it was about.

“You and Hughie get along, right?” you ask with your hands linked before you.

“Yeah. When he’s not threatening to let Ghost kill me for breaking your heart.”

“You fixed it,” you say with a shrug.

Tim smiles before wrapping his arms around you in a tight hug. You’ll never have an empty seat beside you with Tim, Kojo, and Ghost, and you don’t want it any other way. Even when they make you shy.

[runawaymaven]

guilty as sin? Paul x reader part 1

Part 2 , Part 3

A/N: Ive had this idea for a while but if it doesn't do well, i'll probs still continue to write it lol

Life for y/n hadn't been the easiest. Your father left you and your mother when you were 3. Your mother moved back to her hometown in London, and took you with her. Everything seemed to be okay in England, until your mother got sick. She was sick with cancer, bone cancer to be more specifically. So, when you were 15, you began being a career to her, as well as balancing your studies at school. But it all ended when your mother passed 5 days ago, the battle with cancer ended, and cancer won. You were 16 now.

You had no other family in England. No living grandparents, no aunts or uncles, cousins, none. The social workers tried to contact your father but to no avail. They did end up finding that your father had a son. Samuel Uley. Your half-brother. At least you had the same last name, right?

The social workers contacted Sam, explained the situation, and now here you were, in the airport of Seattle. The plane ride from London was well over 10 hours. You were exhausted.

"Y/n Uley?" A woman asked, approaching you. She spoke with an American accent. Well, almost everyone in the airport did.

You couldn't speak, you couldn't trust your voice, and so you just nodded. The social worker lead you and you luggage to her car, where she drove to the reservation, La Push. You sat in the car, in silence. What could you say? There wasn't anything to say.

The ride was quiet, as you watched the green trees go past. It was mostly all green here. The social worker soon pulled up at a cozy hpuse, nestled away from other people.

As soon as she pulled up, a big guy came out. He looked intimidating. But a woman stood next to him. She had scars on the right side of her face, but she was still devine.

Getting out, when the social worker did, she lead you to them. You trailed behind her as she introduced herself.

"Y/n? This is Sam and his fiance, Emily" the social worker introduced. You looked up, and gave them both a smile smile.

"Oh Y/n, it's so lovely to meet you. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom" Emily said, giving me a hug.

"Oh, um, thanks" You replied, giving her a gentle hug back. Emily seemed excited by your English accent.

"Sam, right?" You asked, as Emily stepped back. He nodded in reply,

"I am, I'm sorry I didn't know about you sooner. Our father has a tendency of abandoning people" He said gruffly. I nodded in reply. I knew what he meant.

"Well, I'll be back in a couple weeks to check how you're doing" The social worker spoke. "And Y/n? If you need anything, give me a call" She said as she opened the trunk to take you luggage out. Sam stepped forward and carried you luggage in.

"Let's show you to your new room, okay?" Emily said, wrapping an arm around your shoulders as she guided you inside.

As she lead you inside, she offered you a snack, and a drink, "You must be exhausted from travelling. Here, have a bite" She offered, sitting you down at the table in the kitchen, grabbing you a soda, and making you a sandwhich.

Sam had appeaered from upstars, "I've put your stuff in your room." He said, as she went over to Emily, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her cheek, in which she giggled in reply to.

You smiled softly. They had seemed to be in love with each other. You hadn't known what love was meant to look like. Your father left your mother, and she had a very bad habit of having bad boyfriends before she got cancer.

Just as you started to tuck into your sandwhich, there was chatter outside, that got louder, until a group of guys came in. All in shorts, and no shirt. They were hot.

"Whose this?" One of them asked.

"Sam's half-sister, Y/n" Emily spoke up, with a smile.

"Cool. Well I'm Embry" He said, as he sat down and tucked into one of the very big muffins that were on the table.

"That's Quil" Embry said, with his mouth full of muffin.

"Embry, that's gross" Emily laughed. "That's Jacob, Leah, Seth, and Jared. I'm not sure where Paul is" Emily spoke as each boy sat at the table, saying hi.

It was nice getting to know them, they were all quite funny and it put your nerves to rest. Until one last boy walked in, who you guessed was Paul.

You glanced up at him, and he met your contact. His face froze, his eyes softening as he continued to stare at you from where he was stood. It was a strange feeling, one you had never experienced before. It was almost like a magnetising pull, and urge to just be near him.

"Oh shoot, Paul. You imprinted on the alpha's sister" Embry laughed, the other boys joining in.

[koolades-world]

Congrats on 2k followers!!!! 🥳🥳

Do you think you could do something for mammon using

16: "you love me and you know it"

17: “You’re a terrible liar”

Like maybe mammon pouting at a ball because MC keeps getting sucked into conversations or dancing with his brothers and he hasn’t had a chance to spend time with MC so he gets all pouty and annoyed eventually MC notices or Lucifer telling you. I can see the lines being said by either MC or mammon and it still work.

thank you!!

omg i was really hoping someone would make this combo! i actually put them next to each for that reason and i'm so so glad someone found it haha. also love the idea you proposed!

enjoy <3

prompts 16 and 17 w/ Mammon

Diavolo loved his parties, and found any excuse to throw one. It meant he got the day off of working and got to spend time with those he was close with. He’d also have to entertain some other nobility and such, but it was worth it to him. He greatly enjoyed coming up with excuses for these parties, and almost every time, Barbatos tried to stop him, but once Diavolo told him anything relating to Mc with this party, he was always on board. This time, it was a party to celebrate your half birthday.

The party was very extravagant and large, because Diavolo only wanted the best for you, even if it wasn’t actually your birthday. Barbatos went with you personally to get an outfit created and fitted. Everyone invited was required to bring a present, per Diavolo’s orders. You weren’t exactly sure what you were going to do with all that stuff, but you appreciated the thought behind it. You probably wouldn’t know even half of the people there despite the time you’d spent in the Devildom.

Naturally, since you were the guest of honor, all eyes were on you and the brothers were clambering for your attention more than usual. You were whisked from person to person all across the ballroom, not really given a single chance to rest. It was a lot, but you tell they all really cared and wanted to make the day special, despite that being something you’d never once celebrated in your life. Countless people came up to you and said happy birthday to you, and the conversations afterwards never lasted long because of whatever brother happened to be hogging your attention would be bound to drag you away sooner rather than later.

Asmo raved about your adorable outfit to everyone he had the chance to, and about how fabulous you looked in it. Satan had intellectual conversations with the other guests about humans and how great they were. Beel took every chance he got to show you a new food he’d gotten from the refreshments table. Belphie hung onto you like a koala to a tree and kept others from getting too close to you, and Lucifer watched over you like a proud father, telling various powerful demons invited who hung around him about your great prowess. Yet, in all the chaos, you’d only seen Mammon twice and neither time was spent specifically with him. You saw him when you arrived at the party, and then once attempting to pickpocket a demon. Every time you thought you saw him, you got excited, but almost every single time, it turned out not to be him.

Finally, you caught sight of him after finishing your second dance with Asmo. He told you he needed a drink and would be right back with one for you too. He vanished into the crowd and suddenly, you were alone again. Asmo would be upset with the fact that he couldn’t find you, but you hadn’t even had one dance with Mammon yet. It only seemed fair. You mentally forgave Asmo and made your way over to where you saw Mammon last.

“Mammon!” You stuck your arm in the air and waved at him, trying to make your way over to him. He perked up upon seeing you and met you half way. He pulled you closer to him and helped you get out of the throng. “I felt like I’ve barely seen you this evening,” you told him.

“You’ve spent all evening canoodling with my brothers.” He huffed, looking to the side.

“I’m really sorry. I kept getting passed from person to person and I only just now got away from them.” You clung to him, giving him a pouty, sad face.

“I don’t forgive ya. How could you do this to me?” He looked as if he was struggling to hold his ‘angry’ face.

“You’re a terrible liar. I can tell from your body language how happy you are. After all, would someone made at me be holding me this close?” You playfully rolled your eyes, gesturing to how his arms were encircling you and preventing you from going anywhere.

“I’m just doing this to… make sure you don’t fall. Yeah. That’s it.” He stumbled over his words.

“You love me and you know it. There’s no shame in hiding it. If you’re actually upset with me, you wouldn’t mind if I danced with Lucifer? He hasn’t gotten his second dance yet, not to mention Diavolo.” You knew this would work.

“Hey, hey. You don’t have to do that. That’s not funny. How can you say that when I haven’t even gotten one yet?” He moved his head so quick to look at you, you swore you heard a snapping noise.

“That’s what I thought.” You smugly smiled.

“When do I get my dance?” He eagerly asked.

“Now, if you’d like.” You offered.

“The sooner the better. What would yer birthday be without Mammon?” He began to tug you forward towards the dance floor.

“Half birthday.” You fought back laughter.

“Half birthday.” He quickly corrected himself.

No matter what, you knew you could depend on Mammon for anything, and that his love for you was unconditional. You felt the same about him and even if the both of you struggled to communicate that sometimes, you knew the feelings unspoken were something that you both understood.

[thebigbadbatswife]

Internal Conflict (Part 1 of 3)

Pairing - Batman x F!Hero!Reader Series - Under Your Skin Part 2 here | Part 3 here

Summary - While Batman is at war with himself, some members of the Batfamily start picking up on his odd behaviour.

Warnings - None that I can think of.

A/N - What's that? Is there some actual plot here? My, I think it is! 😂 I know, it's been quite a bit of time between updates again. Sorry about that, this (and the next couple of parts) took a while to outline first and then obviously life kept getting in the way. But it's here now! And the time between updates shouldn't be quite as long. Thank you for being patient with me. Anyway, enough rambling, enjoy! 💜

Taglist - At the end of the fic. Please message me if you would like to be added/removed.

Word Count - 2.5k

The wind ruffled his cape, making it blow out behind him. He was still on the rooftop, a frown on his face. You were already gone, having stormed off a few minutes ago. Your blood boiling, no doubt. Much like his was right now. The only thing he didn’t know was whether his anger was directed toward you or himself.

You had a talent for getting underneath his skin. In record time as well. It was something that he had quickly discovered not long after you had accepted the invitation to join the Justice League. Somehow, you were worse than Hal and Oliver combined. All week you had been pushing each other’s buttons and tonight you both had finally hit your boiling points. It was bound to happen at some point. In truth, he was a little surprised it hadn’t happened sooner. And while he was sure you had meant every last word you had shouted at him, he hadn’t.

He hadn’t thought about it. The filter between his brain and mouth failing as he snapped. He supposed he should count himself lucky that you could, mostly, see through his bullshit. If you didn’t he imagined that you would have quit long before now. Though, after tonight, there was now a very real chance that you would. And if you did, he was positive you would make sure it was known why you had walked away. He could already invision the line of people that would be ready to deck him for it.

With you long gone and the crisis in Star City now averted, Bruce left the rooftop. Grappling and gliding to where he had left the batwing.

The entire flight back to Gotham he replayed the argument over and over again. Analysing it. Like always.

“At first I thought it was because you wanted to make sure that I was cut out for this…”

That was true! When it came to flying solo, you were more than capable. It was one of the things about you that had caught his eye. Obviously, working with a team was far different. You had more than just yourself to worry about. He had to make sure you could do that.

“...now I think it’s because you want me to quit… For whatever reason you’ve decided I’m no longer good enough…”

That wasn’t true. He didn’t want you to quit. In the short time that you had been a member of the League, you had quickly become an invaluable member of the team. To say that it would be a shame to lose you was an understatement. Not that he was every going to say that aloud. Especially not after tonight. Chances were you wouldn’t even believe him so why waste his breath?

You had been right to call him out. If he had thought you incapable or not good enough, then you really wouldn’t have set foot on the Watchtower. But you were good enough. You were more than good enough. He knew that better than anyone. He had looked into you, put your name forward. Not that you knew or needed to know that, as far as he was concerned. And to say that he was nitpicking just to rile you up to have sex was ridiculous. Sex was just a byproduct of adrenaline caused by the arguments and being in such close quarters. It was a surprise that it hadn’t started far sooner.

It had become a vicious cycle. That he could admit to. And now it was one that had finally been broken by you. Not that he cared. He didn’t need to have sex with you. There were plenty of people out there that he could sleep with instead. Besides, you were teammates and relationships like that could get messy, fast. It was best that it was brought to an end before something happened that would jeopardise future missions. If you hadn’t done it tonight, then he certainly would have.

The sound of his boots on the metal platforms and stairs that made up this portion of the batcave, that hung over a dark abyss were loud and echoed off of the walls. The bats, high above him, squeaked in dismay, dropping from their perches to either fly deeper into the cavern system or leave it altogether.

He tugged his cowl off, setting it down onto the desk of the batcomputer as he took a seat, sighing deeply.

“Another fight with Mr Queen?” Alfred asked as he set a silver tray down, a cup, teapot and a plate of cookies on it, and poured him some tea.

Bruce grunted in response. All he wanted to do now was focus on the keyboard and screen in front of him, no longer wishing to think about what had happened tonight. There was still a few hours before dawn and he had a lot of case files to look into. He also really didn’t want to get into this with Alfred. It wasn’t any of his business.

“As talkative as ever, I see,” he muttered as he walked away to tend to other things. Alfred had decided a long time ago, since this whole vigilante business had started, that if Bruce wished to sulk over something then he could bloody well do it alone.

According to his phone, the sun had risen several hours ago. He had yet to even think about making his way up into the manor and toward his bedroom. His mind wouldn’t still, the gears just kept turning. Focusing on the argument, no matter what he did to try and steer his mind away. The anger in your features, that weren’t hidden by your mask, and your body, the venom that had dripped in each word, the clenching of your fist as you debated whether to try and deck him or not. In the end you had decided not to. Likely because he would have easily caught your hand had you tried. 

He shook his head. It shouldn’t be bothering him this much. And yet…

His thoughts were broken by the sound of boots marching toward him. He frowned, turning away from the disassembled equipment on the workbench to see who it was. Diana. Of course. She was angry, a storm dancing in her eyes and her fists clenched by her side. The only thing that he could think was that you had actually done it. You had quit and let her know that he was the reason you were walking away. Bruce swallowed thickly and composed himself, ready to be run through with a sword.

“And what did you say this time?” she demanded, stopping in front of him, crossing her arms against her chest.

“She quit?”

“Not yet, but I don’t doubt she’s thinking about it,” she replied. 

You hadn’t quit? He felt relieved, a weight he hadn’t been truly aware of lifting from him. He couldn’t dwell on that feeling for long, as Diana continued speaking.

“Now I’m not going to pretend like I know what’s going on between the two of you, but whatever it is I suggest you figure it out.”

“You’ve had this same conversation with her?” 

“I will be. I came to talk to you first since you’re the one continuously instigating these arguments.”

He grumbled in response. Instigator?” It made him sound like a damn child.

“I’m not apologising–”

Diana scoffed. “When have you ever apologised for anything. Just figure it out.”

It had been weeks since Bruce had last fought with you. Of course, he had barely said two words to you, outside of missions, because you never stuck around for too long. You were keeping your distance from him. Not that he could blame you.

He couldn’t lie. The distance, it bothered him. And it wasn’t because of the looks that he received every time you left a room he entered. Outside of all of this he lived in the public eye. He was used to dirty looks being thrown his way. Thing was he couldn’t put his finger on why it bothered him so much. It wasn’t affecting missions. You were civil and you fought alongside him like nothing had ever happened between the two of you.

Was it the result of your own conversation with Diana? Or had you decided on this shortly after Star City?

His own conversation with her had continued to lingered on his mind. It had made him wonder if it was possible to start over with you. It was clear to him now that no, that wasn’t possible. You wished to have nothing to do with him, outside of missions, and he would respect that. He told himself that things were better this way. Less complicated.

The sound of your footsteps passing by the laboratory broke Bruce’s thoughts, as well as his focus on dismantling Lex Luthor’s newest kryptonite weapon. Looking away from the weapon, he frowned. He could sworn that he was the only one left awake on the Watchtower.

The battle against Lex had been hard on all of them. The corrupted billionaire’s newest mech hitting harder and causing more destruction than any of the previous ones combined. Things certainly would have gone much smoother had Diana been with them, but the warrior goddess was off elsewhere. Busy dealing with gods and monsters and other things he would rather not think about. The battle had also served as a reminder that the production of his own mech, meant exactly for situations like that one, was taking far too long.

It also had him concerned. Super villains breaking out and working together, all of Lex’s newest tech, his own city being a little too quiet. He wasn’t one to overly rely on gut feelings, preferring physical evidence and facts, something that he could see, but he couldn’t shake it. Something big was headed their way and this was simply the start of it. They needed to be ready.

The kryptonite weapon attached to the mech meant that Clark had suffered the worst injuries out of everybody. As soon as Lex had been apprehended, he had been Bruce’s focus, making sure that he didn’t die. Lois would likely kill him if that happened and he wished to avoid that. It hadn’t stopped him from noticing you though. The way you were favouring your leg, the tear in your suit where blood was running from your thigh, making its way down your leg.

Bruce had been worried about your injury, like he would about anyone of his other teammates, of course. Years as a vigilante had taught him how bad a leg injury could be. He had wanted to see to it himself. With his training and degree, he would be the best option to, but Clark took priority and you refused to be in the same room with him.

Honestly, he was still worried. Before he could stop himself, he was already out of his seat. Making his way out of the laboratory and down the hallway. He was already halfway down the hallway when he heard one of the zeta tubes starting to fire up. He picked up his pace.

In his head, he had it all planned out. Like any concerned teammate, he was simply going to ask if you were okay and if you would like from him to take a look. Make sure that it wasn’t severe. That was it, but when he entered the room, he didn’t get a chance to even open his mouth before you were stopping him.

“I’m really not interested, Batman,” you told him, looking at him over your shoulder, your voice cold and gaze hard. You moved away from the console in front of you and stepping into the blinding light. Leaving him alone on the Watchtower.

In hindsight, he probably should have expected that.

As he headed back to the laboratory, he made a mental note to give Dinah some information she could send your way to help with your injury. You were close with her and it would be easier than trying to corner you.

Bruce worked well into the night after that. Or at least he tried to. His mind refused to focus on the task at hand. Instead it constantly drifted back to you. More specifically how it had felt to have you beneath him. The sweet noises spilling from your lips that sounded so much better than when you were arguing with him. It left him aching and missing those moments. Which he found ridiculous. The two of you hadn’t even been in a relationship. There wasn’t anything there to miss.

One thing was clear to him, he never should have dragged you into that storage room to begin with. He really didn’t know what he had been thinking. That time or any of the others. All it had done was make everything worse and that now there was no way in hell it could ever be fixed. Not that he could see anyway.

None of it mattered in the end. Things were better this way. Less complicated. Less chance of emotions getting in the way and less chance of missions going awry.

It was only after Diana had finally returned to the Watchtower and disturbed him, that he finally realised the time. It was well into the next morning and, no matter how much he would prefer to stay here and continue working, Bruce Wayne had places to be. Huffing, he locked up the now disassembled weapon and left the laboratory and began to head back to his cave.

Dick flipped through the air and landed on the mat. He had come back to Gotham for a visit because he missed Alfred’s cooking and Tim and Barbara had messaged him about Bruce acting strangely. He stepped off of the mat, grabbing his water bottle and taking a sip just as Bruce returned to the batcave.

“Finally! We were about to send out a search party!” he called out to him. He didn’t get a response like he expected he would. Not even a grumble, grunt or a glare. Instead he was simply ignored.

“Told you something was up with him,” Tim said from where he was sitting, eyes still glued to the laptop screen in front of him.

“Yeah.” He took another sip from his water bottle. “Selina’s not in town right now, is she?”

Anyone who knew Bruce knew about the very long and very complicated relationship that he shared with the world’s greatest thief. And no matter how hard they tried to make things work it always ended with two broken hearts and an even broodier Bat with an even shorter fuse. It had always been that way, for as long as he could remember.

Tim shook his head. “Barbara already checked. Selina is out of the country and has been since their last break up.”

Dick nodded. “Interesting.” And it was interesting. If it wasn’t Selina that had him acting like this, then who did? Who had gotten underneath his skin so badly? “Looks like we have an investigation on our hands.”

“He’s not going to be happy about that,” Tim frowned, finally looking away from the laptop screen.

He shrugged. “He’s rarely happy about anything. Come on, we should meet with Barbara and figure out where we should start.”

*

Taglist - @the-last-twin-of-krypton @bakugous-bakahoe @fromfoolishpeopletodeadpeople @little-rivers @callalily2000 @geminicinderella @warsaur @theclassicvinyldragon @aniya7 @bluebear19 @jdream55 @thedeadlythoughts

[waywardxwords]

The Fix - Part 3

Summary: Everyone has a past, but yours seemed to haunt you. You've tried to move forward with a normal life, but the day comes when that's not possible anymore. When Sheriff Beau Arlen enters your life, you're certain he is going to judge you just like everyone else in town does. But something about Beau is different.

Warnings: Child abduction, mentions of domestic violence, slight language (maybe? I feel like maybe not in this chapter, but honestly it's me, so there may be one or two slipped in there. Adding it here to cover myself lol)

Word Count: ~2.5k

There were multiple deputies coming and going from your home. Mo seemed to be the constant—he was the only one who actually came inside. He wanted to make sure you had water and he tried to get you to eat (tried being the key word). But you were glued to the television. The search had begun, but they weren’t showing much. You had only seen Beau once on your screen, but you assumed they were trying to be inconspicuous with where they searched, just in case Jackson was watching. 

Matt, the FBI agent, had stopped by. You assured him you didn’t know anything about the press conference or the search. The anger you felt around Beau ditching you had mostly diminished. But now it was replaced by anxiety, fear and this deep despair that you couldn't fix. 

Mo had been gracious enough to close Bailey’s bedroom door when he spotted you staring from the doorway with tears falling down your face. 

“She’s probably cold and tired,” you muttered as he approached. 

“It’s going to be okay, ma’am. We’re going to find her,” his words were meant to be comforting, but you knew he couldn’t make you any promises. So now you waited, because you didn’t know what else to do. 

It had been hours. You had practically paced foot trails in your hardwood as you walked. But you heard the sound of tires against the gravel and you darted to the front porch. Mo had stopped you long enough for Beau to open the driver’s door and step out onto the gravel. But after that, you wiggled out of his grasp and headed straight for the Sheriff. 

Your feet carried you quickly through the trail of the headlights until you reached him. Instinctively, your hands reached out to grasp at his jacket lapels. “Have you found anything?” Your words were rushed and your heart thumped heavy in your chest. 

Beau’s hands gently gripped your shoulders and you watched as he carefully chose his words. “Not yet. Let’s get inside, okay?” 

Your knees buckled at his words. As you wanted to move, you struggled and Beau could see that. With one hand on your lower back, he led you past the deputies and into the house. Even though the kitchen was warm, your body shuddered.  

“There’s nothing you can tell me? No signs of them? Do you have any leads?” You turned towards the tall man and saw that same sympathetic look across his face. “And for the love of God, can you please wipe that sad look off your face?! I’m so sick of everyone in this damn town feeling sorry for me.”

Beau nodded and averted his gaze. “I get it,” he leaned back against your countertop and folded his arms across his chest. “Listen, when I came in as interim Sheriff, this town wasn’t too sure of me. Hell, if I remember correctly, you weren’t too sure of me, either,” he eyed you with his brows raised. You didn’t even realize that he hadn’t addressed any of your questions. Your brain felt like you were running on fumes. “I know what it’s like to have people talkin’ and lookin’. Maybe not for the same reasons, but I still understand.” 

You bit at the inside of your lip and begged the tears to stop flooding your eyes. You were sick of crying. “I know they can’t understand why I didn’t leave him sooner,” you mumbled as your eyes stared at the hardwood below your house shoes. 

“That’s not anybody’s business but your own,” Beau spoke firmly. “You don’t owe anyone anything, you hear me?” You nodded and wiped angrily at your face. “Now, I already know you’re gonna fight me on this…but I need you to try to get some sleep.”

Your head shot upward and you stared at him like he had two heads. “Yeah, right,” you huffed. “First of all, it’s like 9:30…I don’t go to bed this early on a normal night. Secondly, there’s no way in hell I could sleep right now even if I wanted to.”

Beau stared at you blankly for a moment before he glanced at the clock in your microwave. “Darlin’, it’s after midnight.” Your eyes followed his gaze where the little green numbers clearly read 12:01. You didn’t have a clue how that was remotely possible. “And I know it’s not easy, but you bein’ sleep deprived isn’t gonna do us any favors.”

“Beau…” you started with a look across your face that said you couldn’t do it. 

“I’m gonna be here, I’ll keep an eye on the place and an ear out to make sure there aren’t any leads,” his words reassured you. Beau seemed to understand you would never ask him to stay in the first place. “I know you don’t feel like you can trust me,” his gaze stayed on you to try to prove his words. “But I promise you, I’m handlin’ Bailey as I would my own daughter. We’ve enlisted other departments and law enforcement outside of Big Sky. We’re gonna get your girl back. I just need you to be in the right frame of mind when we do.”

“I don’t even feel tired, Beau,” it was a partial truth. Adrenaline had been coursing through you for hours now. But your body felt the weight of the exhaustion. 

“Well, let me make you a hot cup of tea and we can at least sit on the couch and chat for a bit,” he tried to reason. “How’s that sound?” 

You contemplated for a moment. “Fair enough,” you knew you weren’t going to win this fight. 

Beau made his way around your kitchen. You redirected him to an electric hot water kettle and then to the tea bags and mugs. You busied yourself with finding the honey in the pantry before settling on a stool as he waited on the hot water. 

“So,” he glanced over his shoulder at you as he prepared a chamomile tea bag in a mug for you. “Tell me, have you always lived in Big Sky?” Most people had been born and raised in this town. 

“No,” you sighed. “I’m from Pittsburgh. I came out to Big Sky for a backpacking trip with some girlfriends about seven years ago.” You had assumed everyone in this town knew your story, but you had to remind yourself Beau wasn’t from this town, either. 

“Ah, fell in love with the mountains?” He asked nonchalantly. 

There was a pause before you continued. “Or fell in love with a person I thought I could fix.” 

“That’ll do it,” Beau replied as the kettle flipped off once it was done boiling the water. He pulled it from the hot plate and poured some water over the tea bag. “I don’t mean to look at you like I feel bad for you,” he said gently as he fixated on the cup of tea. When you didn’t say anything, he realized you weren’t following. “Earlier, when you said you were tired of the way everyone in this town was lookin’ at you. I just wanted to say I didn’t mean to look at you any kinda way.”

He walked with the mug over where you sat on the bar stool and placed it in front of you. “Oh,” you breathed, not really sure what to say in response. 

“I guess for me it’s easy to see that you’re a good person,” he held your gaze with his eyes. For a moment, you got lost in the mossy hues and speckles of gold and brown. “I see a lotta people get mixed up with the wrong ones. You didn’t deserve that.” 

His words were simple, but they hit you harder than you had anticipated. You had blamed yourself for a lot of things that happened over the last few years. The warning signs you had avoided, or the red flags you had written off. 

“I’ll never regret what I went through,” you said softly. “Because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have Bailey.” Her name brought a blur over your eyes once more. 

“And that’s what makes you a good mother,” he said. “We make sacrifices for our kids, and they’re sacrifices people might not understand. But they don’t have to. I meant it when I said you don’t owe anyone any sorta explanation.”

“I do feel like I owe you somewhat of an explanation. You’re here because of me in the middle of the night when you could be at home sleeping right now,” you felt comfortable talking to Beau, though you still weren’t ready to admit it entirely. There was something about the way he had jumped into action when he heard how distraught you were on the phone, and how he blatantly disregarded the FBI’s request to stay in his own lane when it came to this case. 

“Sleep and I aren’t friends these days anyway, darlin’,” he chuckled. “You can’t really value sleep when you become the Sheriff.” You nodded and glanced down at your mug. “If you wanna talk about it, I’m all ears. But just know you don’t have to.” 

A sigh escaped your lips, but for the first time since you realized Bailey was missing, a small smile tugged at the corners. “Let’s go to the living room. It’s comfier.” You slipped off of the stool and grabbed your mug before you led the way to the couch nestled against a wall in the next room. 

Beau took a seat next to you but left enough room between you so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable. You set your mug down on the end table before you continued. 

“My ex, Jackson,” you began. “I knew he was broken when we met…I just didn’t realize how broken.” Your eyes didn’t meet Beau’s, but you knew he was listening. “But I couldn’t walk away. My mama always said I would take in a hundred stray cats, if I could, just so I could fix them up and take care of them.” You picked at the skin around one of your fingernails as a distraction. “Too bad I didn’t just adopt a cat, right?” You managed a chuckle.

Beau looked sympathetic again, and it made you want to groan. His silence urged you to continue.

“So, we moved faster than we should’ve…my family hated Jackson. They never trusted him, rightfully so,” you explained. “But we got married anyway. At that point, I knew he had struggled with addiction in the past, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me from loving him. I just didn’t know he was dealing and getting mixed up with the big drug bosses on the side…” this was the point in the story where you always started to feel really stupid, for lack of a better word. Your fingers continued to wreak havoc on your cuticles, a nervous habit.

From the other side of the couch, you felt Beau’s calloused palm fall on top of your hands. His movement halted the picking and pulling your fingers were doing around your nail. You raised your head to look at him.

“Sometimes we have blinders on...but love always has a way to make us see what we wanna see,” his voice was low. 

“But it wasn’t love, Beau. It was never love,” you shook your head and repeated the words you had practiced with your therapist in so many sessions before. “The only love that ever came out of that relationship was Bailey… I was thankful for her for so many reasons.” Your gaze shifted again, because this was your least favorite part of your story. “He didn’t start hitting me until well after we were married…but he stopped once I got pregnant. I thought it had changed–he had changed. I thought that was the end. But as soon as she was born, it started up again.”

“Hey,” Beau’s voice was firm and it forced you to look at him again. “That isn’t your fault. You hear me?” His eyes were dark, almost and his brows knitted together.

“It’s hard to recognize that sometimes,” you answered honestly. 

“Well, you just lemme know when you’re being down on yourself and I’ll remind you,” his words kind of surprised you. You didn’t know Beau. And though he knew parts about your life, he didn’t really know you, either. 

“Why are you being so nice to me?” You asked, your voice just barely above a whisper. 

He hesitated only for a moment before he answered. “Bein’ a Sheriff gives me really good intuition when it comes to people,” he started. “And I can tell, you’re good people.” This time, you reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. You saw a look you couldn’t quite place mirror in his eyes. “Besides, I know what it’s like to be the outcast. Everybody’s just waitin’ for you to fail.”

Your brows pulled together at what he had said. “This town loves you, Beau. I know people are a little unsure at first. People who are from here don’t really know anything else. The big, bad Sheriff from Texas was hard to accept at first.”

A soft chuckle left his lips as he seemed to study you. “Oh, yeah? Was that why you didn’t trust me? Big, bad Sheriff from Texas, an’ all,” his grin made a dimple hollow out underneath his stubble on his cheek. You hadn’t noticed that before. 

“I didn’t not trust you,” it was a fib, but you felt bad now that he had called it out. 

“Ha!” He couldn’t help the louder laugh. “Yeah, okay.” He said sarcastically. “The first time I showed up over here, your demeanor was colder than frickin’ ice.” 

Heat rose in your cheeks as you recalled the first time you had met Beau. “Sorry,” you felt bad about how you treated him the first time you had met months ago. “Law enforcement was always showing up here. I felt like a suspect, when I was the victim. Nobody believed that I would leave Jackson, so when they were looking for him, the whole town assumed the battered wife took him back. I felt…degraded. Worthless, just about.”

Beau softened at your words. “Hey, in all seriousness, I don’t blame you. Didn’t blame ya then, definitely don’t now.” 

“Thanks for that,” you smiled at him. He matched yours, and you felt that same flutter in your chest. 

He nodded once, then cleared his throat. “I really need ya to try to get some sleep,” he eyed you with raised brows. “It’s late, and tomorrow’s gonna be a long day.”

A sigh fell from your lips but you nodded. “Okay,” you stood from your place on the couch and reached for your mug of tea. “I’ll try. No promises, though.”

“Give it a fair shot and I’ll be happy,” he smiled as he stood while you left the room. 

“Night, Beau,” you glanced back at him over your shoulder. In the moment, you felt like you could get used to seeing him in your living room. 

“Night, darlin’,” he crooned. As you padded to your bedroom at the end of the hallway, you felt exhaustion wash over you. You felt safe for the first time in a long time. 

All of that would change just a few short hours later when you awoke to gunshots. 

I'm so sorry--I NEVER do cliffhangers...please don't hate me, lol. To be fair, I'm going to include a preview of the next chapter below that will hopefully hold you over until Saturday! I'm just barely getting this out (this has been written for a while but I did a quick read through to edit--my family has had the freaking stomach virus since Saturday so I'm STRUGGLING over here today, so I probably missed some errors, apologies in advance). Thank you for all of the feedback, likes and shares! I appreciate you all <3

Side note: If I'm a reader on something you're writing and I haven't sent feedback in the last 5/6 days, it's coming, I promise! I'm hoping to get caught up on my Tumblr reads this evening after my kiddo is in bed.

New installments posted on Wednesdays and Saturdays!

A preview of the next chapter to hold you over:

Pop, pop, pop. 

The sound was nauseating and caused you to bolt upright in your bed. You were disoriented and confused—you didn’t even remember falling asleep. 

Beau’s voice was muffled through your closed bedroom door. “Jackson, drop the gun!” He demanded with a tone you hadn’t heard him use before. “Nobody else needs to get hurt.” He said firmly. 

Nobody else? Your heart was in your throat. Bailey. 

You pulled on the metal doorknob and swung it open so hard that it bounced against the wall. It was so loud that it caused Beau to flinch slightly, but as you stepped into the hall you realized his focus was fixated on someone in your kitchen, his gun drawn and aimed in that direction. 

“Darlin’, I’m gonna need you to stay put,” Beau’s tone had shifted slightly—it was more gentle—but his gaze remained locked on the person in your kitchen.

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Rope Him In ( Cato x District 10! Reader x slight! Marvel) Pt. 7

Summary: Interview

A/n: Sorry for any inconsistencies and spelling errors, enjoyyyyyy!

Pt.6Pt.5 Pt.4 Pt.3 Pt.2 Pt.1

____________________________________

Chapter 7: Interview

The games were Tomorrow. Today was your last day of peace and possibly life. Most of the time today was supposed to be spent preparing for the interview, however, Dolly and Rasmey gave you two or three hours of bliss before having to prepare. 

You were positive Buckley was out in the rose garden with Dolly. It was only natural for him to want to be outside instead of cooped in like you. Ramsey had come in to check on you twice but eventually stopped when he assumed you were sleeping. In reality, you were crying. Crying the whole two hours mourning the fact that you’d never get to see the faces of your family again. 

You remembered Amaranto and how the two of you would’ve been having breakfast together at this time. Or how you would have packed your Pa a lunch to take to work. You thought about those Sunday afternoons spent sitting on the dry grass with a blanket, just the three of you talking about life and reminiscing about your mother, occasionally eating something special when they’d work overtime. 

You thought about the times you spent with Clarabell in the angry rivers, scared out of your mind that a peacekeeper would come and hurt you both, but having so much fun in the water that you forgot that they even existed in the first place. 

Your mind went to Buckley. It was crazy how you went from greeting each other in the morning at school to being with each other every day. He looked out of place in the Capitol, and so did you. It was odd seeing someone from home on the screen, but you guessed that’s how he felt about you too. The two of you had grown closer than you would have ever at home. That’s when you started realizing that you should’ve appreciated everything you had at home instead of slowly isolating yourself as you grew up. 

Wiping the snot from your nose you decided to get up and wash your face. The clock read 12, and that meant it was time for your mentors to get you interview-ready. The actual interview itself was to start at 6 pm. However, you still had to practice your speech and what you were going to say to several different questions. The whole point was to make you appealing to not only the sponsors but the Capitol as a whole. After all, the sooner the tributes get used to the Capitol’s mannerisms, the better the victor will adapt. 

“Alright, let's try this again.” It had been thirteen minutes and Pradain was still struggling to get you to sit up straight. 

“Come on, we started an hour ago, I’m sure they can learn how to sit up straight later. What’s important is that we get them to speak clearly and with charm.” Dolly protested as Pradain pressed a hand to your back to get you upright. 

Pradain’s outfit consisted of satin gloves, and a matching dress that towered to his ankles, his feet adorned with five-inch  platforms. It was beyond you how he had learned to walk in those. 

“Don’t be ridiculous Dolly, this is a must when it comes to Capitol mannerisms. Now up!” Groaning you forcefully sat up, your shoulders still drooping.

“Ah! See- I thought you were shaped weird, but you’re just not lifting your shoulders.” He clasped his hands onto them, bringing them up and fixing your head’s posture. “See? That wasn’t too bad. Now let’s do it again.” He instructed, 

You looked over at Buckley- who had a scarf tied around him and the chair, propping him up straight. “I think I got it.” The poor boy pleaded to be untied. 

“You stay. And you,” He pointed at you, “Up!” 

Ramsey rolled his eyes. “Alright well, I’m just gonna go ahead and start reading these questions. Ramsey was already dressed in his suit claiming that he didn’t want to put it on later, so he decided to put it on now. 

He shuffled through some cards with common interview questions. “Alright, Buck-o this one’s for you. How would you describe home?” 

Buckley perked up, “Easy- Home is-” 

“AH! This isn’t a test, it's an interview. Tell them why you like home, what makes it special. Start with, ‘Well, home to me is-��” Pradain scolded Buckley. 

“Right, ok.” He nodded and looked at Ramsey to reread the card. 

“How would you describe home?” You looked over at Dolly, your face bored and uninterested. She noticed it and ushered you to pay attention to Buckley, sitting up straight which reminded you to sit up as well. Your back was on fire, you always thought you had an okay posture, but only now knew that it was too forward leaning. 

“Home to me is..” He stopped to think, his nose twitching as he was lost in thought, “Home to me is the yellow sunset, the dirt on my boots after a long day of work, the voices of my siblings arguing over a small toy, the pretty girls fluttering their eyelashes at me, the way their hair falls on their shoulders, and how round their-” 

“Okay, no stop- you’re getting distracted.” You laughed at Buckley’s response, starting nicely but going off-topic. 

“Alright then, at least you’ll make them laugh. You’ve got a good voice too Buckley, nice start.” Dolly tried making the best of things. 

“Same Question for you (Y/n). How would you describe home?” Ramsey put the cards down, his tired eyes looking at you as he waited for your response. 

“Any time now.” Spoke up Pradain. 

“Home to me is…Home to me is.” There was about a three-second pause, “My Brother. My Pa. Our little house by the wheat fields, and the river that runs through 10.” It wasn’t much, but it’s all that could come to mind. 

“That’s a start.” Dolly smiled. 

“We need you to say more, and don’t be afraid to get emotional, the Capitol loves that. They eat it up.” Ramsey crossed his legs. “We’re gonna have a long day.” He sighed. 

4 pm came quicker than anticipated. In the period you’d been practicing you were able to learn to project your voice, and Buckley learned how to be quieter. The two of you learned some fancy words, though you doubted you’d use them in a genuine sentence. 

Sashay and the rest of the stylists waited for you down at the stylist quarters where you were ready to get replucked like a chicken. It didn’t hurt as much as the first time, but the stinging feeling was still there. After you got bathed, they began working on your hair. Its (H/c) color being amplified and made brighter as they put some chemicals on it. It smelled foul, far worse than the cow poop at home. 

Your nails were painted black and white, You mentally groaned knowing where this was going. When your hair was finally dried they worked to braid it, putting some turquoise accessories on you before handing you to Sashay. 

She smiled brightly at you and kissed your cheek, “My my don’t you look beautiful.” She complimented taking your hand and leading you to the hanger where a long sleek cow print dress hung. It looked to have fur on it, and you assumed it’d come from home. 

“You’re going to look amazing.” She said excitedly as she instructed you to take your robe off. Sashay herself was dressed in all black, contrasting with what Dolly was wearing- white. You assumed the whole theme surrounding 10 would be cow print, and you were right. She helped you put the dress on, making some adjustments while it was on you so it would hug your figure better. It draped down longer on one end, the other end having a slit and exposing much of your leg. Below you wore some high-heeled boots that you thought looked ridiculous, but Sashay seemed enamored by them. She adjusted a belt on your hips- also containing hints of turquoise, and finally a necklace on you, tying the look together. 

“Oh!” She sighed clasping her hands together, “(Y/n), when you go home I guarantee you every man will want your hand in marriage.” She cooed as she circled you. “Perfect, now all we need is makeup.” The lady sat you down for another hour and a half of makeup application. You liked Sashay, she was more level-headed than Pradain and had such eloquence to her, however, the mix of having to speak in front of millions, and the games being tomorrow was not settling in right. Ramsey had to ask Pradain for a pill that would calm down your stomach. 

Sashay was escorting you out to the backstage area where Dolly and Ramsey were waiting. Ramsey was wearing black, Pradain opting to wear white, both of them sticking to the theme Pradain and Sashay had planned. You looked around for Buckley but he was nowhere in sight. 

“Wow.” Ramsey let out a long whistle, “You do not look like yourself at all.” He said admiring Sashay’s work. 

“(Y/n), you look stunning.” Dolly’s mouth was agape as she went to hold your arm and observe you. Your hair had been taken out of the braids, leaving behind curls in its place. 

“I can’t walk in these.” You whispered to her frantically. You didn’t want to fall on stage, but that seemed like something that would happen in your near future. 

She laughed, her smokey eyes closing making it look like she had hollowed eyes, “It’ll be fine, just try not to think about it.” She assured you. 

The stage was light as people began to flood the venue. There were stagehands all over the place, getting things set and ready. More tributes flowed in, you shrank back when you realized how extra Sashay had been with your interview gown since the others looked to be more playful and simple. People kept staring at you as they walked in, and that was a bad thing in your book. Eventually, Buckley came in. His stylist next to him as they chatted about god knows what. When he spotted you he froze slightly, keeping his gaze on you as they made their way to the group.

His hair was slicked back, his face looking more square but in a good way. He had some makeup on, but it was only to even out his tone, his freckles had been redrawn over his real ones since the base of his makeup had covered them. He wore a black suit, with hints of cow print on the inner side and flaps that poked out towards the neck of the suit. His boots matched yours, and he had a belt as big as one of the screens on. The two of you looked like you ran some sort of Texan Casino. 

“(Y/n), You look beautiful.” He complimented, his hands taking yours as he made you spin. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”  He said light-heartedly. 

Buckley’s attention made you flustered and you felt the room get warmer, “I could say the same,” You smiled, “Have you seen your hair?” You asked carefully, poking his gel-held hair. 

“Alright well, we’ll be out in the front row. Look for us alright?” Sashay excused herself and Pradain, leaving the two of you with Dolly and Rasmey. 

“They’re gonna line you up again, two lines- boys and girls.” Ramsey explained, “There’s a screen back here so y’all can watch but don’t miss your cue alright?” He ordered. The two of you nodded. 

“(Y/n), remember what we went over alright?” Dolly caught your gaze. 

Previously you’d spent time with Dolly going over some things you could do to emphasize your image as the Capitol’s cowgirl. Dolly had instructed you to speak with more southern twang than usual, keep a smile and hospitable personality, and speak on the livestock and ‘ranch life’ back at home. All things that would make a District 10 resident roll their eyes, but a Capitol citizen clap and shout. Unfortunately for you, you knew that this whole act would blow up in your face. You wouldn’t get taken seriously by the tributes, and if the small chance of you winning existed, you’d have to keep up the stereotype. 

Your mentors left you to take their seats. There was about an hour until show time, and some makeup artists stuck back to touch up some of the tributes. You and Buckley paced around the backstage, practicing lines with each other, and working on pronunciation. You hadn’t even noticed that the careers had flowed in. Glimmer was wearing a pink poofy dress, far too short for her. The only thing that distracted from her body was her giant blonde hair that cascaded perfectly, but even then she wore body glitter that made her shine. Clove on the other hand wore an orange dress and a hairdo that puffed the top part of her hair up. The two looked at you and laughed, making it obvious that they were laughing at your gown. You couldn’t blame them though. You would’ve laughed at yourself too. Buckley defensively went to stand in front of you to block their view, but it didn’t do much since they’d have to walk past you anyway. 

Behind them came Marvel and Cato. Both their faces were serious as always as they discussed something about weapon quality. You paid no mind to them, knowing that if you did they’d find a way to cause a scene. You weren’t sure why you were their favorite tribute to a bug, but you blamed it all on your stunt on your first day here. As they walked closer Marvel patted Cato on his chest, and the taller male turned to look at where you were standing. 

“Damn, never knew the girls from District 10 could look like that,” Cato said as they walked past the two of you, pretending to be nonchalant although you knew he had purposely said it. 

“Nice dress 10,” Marvel said, eyeing you as he trailed behind Cato. The two of them shook their heads and laughed as they approached the front of the line. 

“If I were a career I think I’d go after those two first.” You told Buckley who gave you an amused smile. 

“If you were a career you’d be with them.” He corrected. It wasn’t far from the truth. In almost every game, the careers were quick to form alliances with each other, alienating the weak from the strong. 

“You ready for the spotlight?” Talking was something you’ve come to realize that you did when you were nervous. Your hand practically shook, and you wore a nervous smile on your face. It was involuntarily there, however as much as you tried you couldn’t get rid of it. 

“No.” His simple reply. “Not too thrilled about it.” He exhaled. He had been holding a straight posture, his shoulders up, turtling his neck. 

“They’ll love you.” You reassured, but it only made him smile, his nerves still present.

 “Just don’t want to be laughed at.” He mentioned. 

The lights were beginning to flicker, meaning that it would soon be time for the show to start. 

You thought about what he had said. “Trust me. No one’s going to laugh at you.” Dolly and you had trained for your interview. Everything you were instructed to say made you look like a country bumpkin. If anything Buckley would be District 10’s saving grace- and you its fool. 

“Wow. You look beautiful.” Came the voice of District 12’s Katniss. It sounded rehearsed, void of any emotion. The same went for the smile she threw at you. 

You returned it and bowed your head. “Please, you’re the one who deserves such praise.” You guessed she was only saying that because her mentors wanted her to make allies in the arena since her high score presented a problem. 

That was the entirety of the exchange. The stage managers lined everyone up in order of appearance, hushing them as the presentation started. Once again you found the insides of your palms to be sweaty. You tried everything to ease your beating heart, deep breaths, pinching yourself, thinking of other things. However, none of them got rid of the sensation in your stomach. You felt like throwing up. 

Up on the screen Caesar Flickerman’s silhouette appeared, his signature ponytail obnoxiously hanging from his head as he leaned back on the chair. His theme song played, the bass so loud you could feel the floor rumbling. Cheers from the crowd erupted. Buckley stood attentive, watching the screen with his hands on his belt, his stance wide to keep himself in balance. From where you stood you could see Marvel and Cato hyping each other up, Glimmer joining in to fix Cato’s neat suit. 

“Let’s bring her out!” It had been a good couple of minutes, though it seemed like seconds as Caesar called out for Glimmer. She was the first one to go. Leaving about 19 people ahead of you. You watched as her clear, shimmery dress bounced as she stepped onto the stage with a huge smile, waving to the crowd. Her hair effortlessly dropped into place, making her look all the more attractive. The crowds were loud. Your eardrums could only handle so much before you reached out to cover them. 

Eventually, it was Marvel’s turn. He seemed so confident in everything he said, you learned just how charismatic he could be. Clove went next, her interview only made you more cautious of her. Soon after it was Cato’s turn. Unlike Marvel, he gave off boisterous energy. Almost as if he was too good to be there. However, the crowd was eating it up. He ended his interview with a hollar and returned backstage. It was almost the two-hour mark, some interviews taking longer since he wanted to give the tributes who didn’t stand out some limelight. Eventually, it was your turn. 

The stage manager came back to look for you, their hand on your shoulder as they walked you up the stairs. You glanced back to catch the reassuring gaze of Buckley, but instead found Marvel’s. He gave you a wink as a token of good luck, and off you were. 

“Now I’m sure we all remember our next tribute from the tribute parade. I mean how could we forget after the thrilling act she performed!” Flickerman emphasized his words, stretching them at the appropriate time. 

A couple of ‘woos’ and whistles came from the crowd as the anticipation built up. “From district 10- (Y/n) Cuernos!” He announced your cue to cross the stage. The lights were extremely bright, you had to look down as you stepped onto the stage. The crowd cheered at your out-of-place attire, it being one of the most unique (and ridiculous) outfits of the night. Shyly you put on your best smile before catching a glimpse of Dolly in the crowd, making gestures for you to smile bigger. 

You cringed when you thought of your family back at home watching this. Saying a silent apology, it was as if a switch turned on in your brain. Suddenly, your teeth shone as you stretched your lips into a smile, fluttering the huge eyelashes your makeup team glued onto you. With a hand on your hip, the other one waving, you swayed like you saw glimmer doing, your dress’ fabric swishing in the gap your legs left as you strode. 

“(Y/n)! My, my, how you clean up!” Flickerman commented, standing to greet you. 

“Thank you, Caesar.” Your eye nearly twitched at the forced southern twang in your voice. It was a whole lot more than Buckley, who had a natural southern accent, you had close to nothing of an accent. Even when it did slip, it sounded nothing like this. “My stylist purtied me up didn’t they?” 

He looked to the crowd, “Indeed they did.” He motioned for you to sit. 

It helped that the stage lights practically blinded you. You could see that people were sitting in the stands, but you weren’t able to make out distinct features- save for the front row where the mentors sat. 

Remembering what Dolly had told you, you sat up straight, teeth-baring into a cheesy smile. 

“Did that print you’re wearing come from a cow you raised?” The presenter’s teeth glinted in the light as the crowd erupted in laughter, “Oh! ‘course not- just inspired by them.” You giggled back, hating yourself even more. Your heart was beating hoping the president would accept your performance. 

Flickerman adjusted himself in his seat, “Now, I was going to leave this question for last- but I just know the audience has been anticipating the answer, am I right?” He turned to the audience who were cheering blindly. 

Like a doll in a box you smiled stationary, waiting for him to ask the question, but of course, he needed to prolong it for suspense. “What was going through your mind when you rode that steed?” There were some woo’s from the crowd, and you watched yourself on the screen as they replayed the moment. That clip gave you an ego boost each time you saw it. Giggling a bit too nervously you shook your head. “Nothing.” That earned a laugh from the audience. “I just remember wanting to ride it- couldn’t help myself I guess.” You gave a small shrug. 

“What a wildflower this one is.” Caesar made some amused faces. 

The interview lasted for another couple of questions, he seemed to have a lot for you. He asked you about home life, your loved ones, Buckley, and about skills. You didn’t have as many questions as the careers, but it was more than District 8’s tributes who had the least. 

“And do you have a strategy to win the games?” His tone was more serious now. 

Here it was. Your closing line. The one that took you and Dolly two seconds to come up with, but would echo in the minds of the audience. 

“I’m from District 10. I’m a born and bred cowgirl. I have to win. ” 

Cato couldn't help but smirk at your response, crossing his arms and leaning on the wall, he watched with attentive eyes as your interview continued.

His open mouth smile followed by “woah woah woah!” made the stadium rumble. You smiled and waved out to the crowd, Dolly giving you a thumbs up. 

“That’s an ambitious statement! I love it!” He did a little kick, “Well, you go out there and rope them in (Y/n) Cuernos! District 10’s very own cowgirl!” 

If only you could see Cato’s pissed-off face next to Marvel’s smug one. 

As you walked backstage again you were greeted with a bone-crushing hug from your fellow tribute. “Hey, that was good! Though you were a little strong on the accent.” Buckley patted your back. 

“Yeah, I had no idea you had one.” Glimmer teased as she and the other careers leaned against the wall. “Stop trying to win them over, I’m already the Capitol’s sweetheart.” The tall girl crossed her arms, the jewels in her dress reflecting. 

Marvel came around you, making space between you and Buckley who knew better than to cause a scene. “Did they make you skin that cow yourself?” His fingers scraped the waist of your dress, he let out an “O” when he realized it was just fabric. 

Cato gave him a look, causing him to back off. “You have to win huh? How do you think you’re going to do that?” 

“Don’t worry about it.” You refused to look at him. 

“Oh, I’m not worried. You see if anyone should be worried about you.” He sneered, his gaze getting darker. “Save yourself the disappointment, enjoy your time in the Capitol, and accept your fate. I’m winning this one.” 

“As if.” Clove rolled her eyes. 

Buckley and you both stared down Cato. 

He snickered, “And don’t go around thinking your friend here is going to help you. If you’ve been doing your research you know that there’s no such thing as friends in the arena.” 

That irked Buckley, “So who’s to say your little posse won’t turn on you and gang up on you in the arena?” 

“Pft, then let’s hope they can outrun me.” His response made the careers shift uncomfortably.

“We knew what we were doing when we signed up.” Marvel spoke up,” It’s our job to ween off the weak ones, so the strongest can prevail.” He said looking at you. 

“So is that what Cato’s going to do to you?” You didn’t mean for it to be a comeback. It just came out that way. The careers looked pissed now, but a stage manager came just in time to lead them back to their mentors. 

“Watch it 10.” Cato’s wild grin didn’t deter you, you continued to stare him down.  

Just like that, your time at the Capitol was coming to an end.

____________________________________

Tags: @randomgurl2326

[bloggingboutburgers]

Hi, I know it's been a while but it's allo (autistic? unsure what tag to use) anon here again. I just wanted to say congratulations on the project! I showed it to my girlfriend and she was really happy, when it comes out we will definitely read it together. I am proud to see you doing new and exciting things, and I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors! You're doing amazing already and I look forward to seeing you continue on whatever path you want to take with your creative work :)

Sorry I didn't message again sooner, things in real life have been... a lot. I still try to check this blog when I can. Your art is still adorable, and I also wanted to say thank you for your comics about fandom and the stuff that people say to aro/ace people. As someone who is very invested in media analysis(TM) and fandoms, I have noticed some behaviour that is really weird and uncomfortable, and it's good to see other people speaking out about it.

Also, not to decenter your experience, but the comic about labels really hit home for me. When I first got diagnosed it explained so much about my struggles and why I felt the way I did. It was groundbreaking to understand that I wasn't just a broken person or full of character flaws, but that things like sensory issues were just part of being who I am. I don't know if you meant it this way, but I really love the yellow colour of the thought bubbles and the little flowers. I know some people say it's pathologizing or too restrictive to cling to labels so much, but it really is a relief to be given something that helps you understand yourself and feel so much less alone. I am glad you were able to find your identity and community. It's so cool that now you get to make those posts, and probably reach others!

I just wanted to pop in again and say I love your stuff, and it's so cool to see other people loving and engaging with it too. I hope you have a wonderful day/night, passe une bonne journée/nuit <3

P. S. I hope that's how you say it, I'm using google translate.

Heyyyy!!^^ Thank you so much for reaching out again and for all the encouragement and support! I hope you and your girlfriend are doing OK^^ And please don't apologize for not reaching out for a while, I'm happy whenever you do at all but it's very fair to have a lot going on otherwise! If anything I hope things are a bit easier now, so to speak.

Also don't worry about decentering my experience by sharing yours when you relate! I'm a big believer in intersectional discussion, I think people from marginalised groups could benefit a great deal from standing together to defend common interests, and if we can relate to each other's experiences in some way even just a little, although we know and acknowledge they're all different, I'm sure we can go a long way. So I sincerely appreciate you sharing, honestly!! (I'm also really grateful you liked the way I graphically conveyed it, that is a challenge in and of itself^^)

Again, thank you so much for all the positive feedback and support, and thanks for taking the time to add some French in as well, very kind of you^^

Hope you have a great day ahead!

[strangersteddierthings]

Part Two of Class of '85.

-

June 6th, 1985

1. Make Sure Eddie Lives

Convince Wayne to move away? (how??)

Befriend Eddie sooner? (tried and failed)

Graduate Early?

2. Save Max

Stop Billy on Fourth July. Save Billy? Does he deserve it?

3. Help El With Powers. How?

Save Hopper? How to learn location of Russian prison if saved?

4. Convince Everyone To Move Out of Hawkins

That's all that's written on this slightly crumpled piece of paper.

Eddie hadn't even meant to read it; when he'd shaken out the grey sweatpants it had fluttered free, slowly falling to the ground, and when he picked it up to put it back in the drawer he caught his name. And he's always been far too curious.

Eddie knows as soon as he's read it that he absolutely shouldn't have. It's too late though. He's read it, he knows now, and he can't really unknow it.

This is the list of things Steve is trying to change in this timeline.

It knocks the air out of Eddie and his knees feel a little weak suddenly. He drops himself to the floor, one hand clutching the sweats, the other the note.

Make sure Eddie lives.

Eddie lives.

Which implies that Eddie died.

Eddie's not sure what that says about him, that he's never made the connection of Steve's soft I can't lose you confessions and that he might mean Eddie is dead, and not, like, having fled Hawkins before Steve could confess his lo-feelings or something.

He's never really taken the time to stew in what Steve meant because as far as Eddie was concerned, there was no losing him. Steve's already changed the way Eddie's life plays out; he's graduated a year sooner than he did in that other timeline. He's got a part time job at the local mechanics. And though he doesn't know details, he does know that still being in high school led him to the event Steve wanted to change.

Which was his death.

He takes several deep breaths. He's not going to die because Steve's already saved him so he can deal with this. It's not even an issue.

Moving past that. Save Max. There's no last name written, but both he and Steve know only one Max. Then the line below that. They both hate Billy, yes, but what's throwing Eddie off here is the written, then stricken out, does he deserve it? The use of save gives him pause, too. It says Make sure Eddie lives and save Max. So, Max doesn't die? What does she need saved from then?

This is when Steve finds him, entering the room with a, "Did you get lost, Eds? It's the top dra- oh," Steve is stopped two steps into the room when Eddie looks up at him.

"I didn't mean to read it but I saw my name and..." Eddie says, trailing off because he doesn't actually have anything to add. He's worried for a second that Steve will be mad at him but that thought goes as quickly as it appeared. Steve moves into the room, dropping to his knees before Eddie, hands coming to cup his face.

"Oh, babe," Steve's voice is gentle, his thumbs even more so as they swipe across his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

Eddie should be the one apologizing. He's done the one thing he wasn't suppose to. He's read the list! He knows the future! (sorta) "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have read this."

Steve makes his I-want-to-argue face but it smooths over. The tone in Steve's voice when he speaks, sounding older than his years and so fucking tired, it break Eddie's heart. "I should have burned that. This isn't your burden to shoulder. I'll just take that and you can try and forget."

He's reaching for the paper and Eddie pulls his hand behind his back, away from Steve's grasp. "No."

"No?" Steve looks surprised. Honestly, Eddie's also surprised.

"You don't have to shoulder this alone," Eddie says, "I can help. We can fix this together."

It's strange to see hope mixed with sorrow in Steve's eyes. "I can't- there's so much I don't even understand, don't even know how to explain."

"Sweetheart, let me help," Eddie whispers, shifting to his knees to easily slide into Steve's space, press soft kisses to his face between his words," I (kiss) want to (kiss) help (kiss). Let me (kiss)."

On the last kiss Steve angles his face, capturing Eddie's lips with his own, his hands still on Eddie's face allowing him to hold Eddie steady as he presses in, deepens the kiss, runs his tongue along Eddie's lip and Eddie flicks his own tongue out in return. They kiss in an odd, calm-but-desperate, deep-but-lazy, soft-but-messy way. They end it panting, foreheads pressed together to feel grounded, Steve's hands still on Eddie's face, Eddie's hands braced on Steve's thighs as he leans into him.

"Once you know, you can't unknow. It's fucking terrible, Eds," Steve whispers, "I don't want to do that to you. I don't want you to hurt."

"But you hurt," Eddie counters, "and if you hurt, I hurt. Thems the rules."

Steve laughs and kisses him again, just a quick closed lip peck, "Dustin told me once, you die, I die. Mutual destruction really shouldn't be the first go-to for showing affection for the people I care about it."

"Says the man whose favorite way to show affection is stepping between someone and a fist, or claw, or whatever."

Steve rolls his eyes and pulls back. "Weren't you going to shower?"

"Plans change. We gotta finish arguing about you telling me about this," he waves the paper, now even more crumpled, between the two of them, "so that you can let me help."

"How about you take that shower, and meanwhile, I'll cook dinner and think about finishing this 'argument' you want to have," Steve says, and even though Steve doesn't physically make the air quotes motion, Eddie still hears it in his voice.

Eddie concedes on this, though, and after stealing a soft shirt from Steve's closet, does go shower. When he's done, he takes his time detangling his hair and towel drying it as much as he can before changing into the pilfered clothing and going down to dinner. Steve is washing up the dishes he used while cooking (because this fucker cleans as he goes, what kinda sicko does that?) so, Eddie gathers plates and utensils and sets the table (because they're the kinda sickos that eat at a dinner table) .

Dinner is pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It's delicious.

They just chat about the day under the silent agreement that serious conversations were for after dinner. Eddie packages up leftovers and wipes down the counters while Steve finishes dishes and Jesus Christ when did they become so normal and adult?

Well, Steve's been an adult for a while, technically, but also, he's still just barely 18 and that's just- Eddie tries not to think about it too much, the difference between Steve's age in relation to the amount of time it's been since he was born, but also since he was forced? chosen? made to? relive 3 years of his life again.

"Alright Stevie," Eddie says, crawling into his lap on the couch, his legs bracketing Steve's, pulling Steve into him, Steve's head on his chest and his head resting atop Steve's, a mirror of their first interaction, at that party that feels so long ago and also just like yesterday, "I do have a question about your list that I feel is safe to ask and for you to answer."

"Hmm?" Steve hums back, arms wrapping around Eddie as Steve nuzzles against him.

"Befriend me got crossed out, so getting me to graduate early was the option you seemed to be going with. Obviously, befriending me ended up working. So, how in the hell did you plan to make me graduate early if we weren't friends?"

Steve snorts a laugh and says, "you're gonna laugh at me."

"Of course, I am. Tell me anyway."

"I was going to attempt doing your homework and turning it in on your behalf. I even practiced making my handwriting look different."

Eddie does laugh at him, so much that his sides start to hurt, and he would have fallen off of the couch if Steve wasn't holding him so tightly.

Then Steve has the fucking nerve to say, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, "told ya you'd laugh at me."

Well, Eddie's got no choice but to take Steve's face in his hands and kiss him senseless after that.

"Can you tell me what you mean by save Max?" Eddie asks when the kissing is done and the mood changes to serious again.

"Eds-"

"No, listen. I was thinking in the shower and like, I'm not going to get all philosophical on you, but I do think you can tell me, and we can figure out things together, maybe, and I won't interfere or do anything to, like, jeopardize the timeline. Just listen and troubleshoot."

Steve pulls back from their cuddling to eye Eddie skeptically. "I don't believe any of that for a second."

"Yeah," Eddie sighs, sagging forward to rest against Steve as he leans back against the couch now, "I just- I want to save Max, too. Let me help."

"It should have been someone else."

Eddie hears the cut off sob, presses himself down like a weight blanket, "someone else?"

"To get the second chance, the do over," Steve says, voice wet and pained, "it should have been someone else. Someone who-who remembers shit, and actually knows things. Someone smarter. I'm so afraid that I'm going to fuck this up. But then I feel like shit for wishing this was someone else's problem instead of mine."

"But it wasn't someone else," Eddie says, "it was you." Then he waits for Steve to collect himself and speak.

"The Party, they think I shouldn't tell anyone," Steve presses a kiss to the top of Eddie's head that he hears more than feels, "if I change too much, I could end up fucking up a thing that has to happen for us to win. I shouldn't tell people, or warn them, because if they make decisions based on knowledge they shouldn't have? That could get someone killed."

"So tell someone not involved. Or someone who isn't involved yet. Someone not around during the events. Then none of you are making decisions you wouldn't have already been making, but someone behind the scenes can change things. Maybe even last minute?"

That seems to give Steve pause. Eddie wants to pull back to look at him, his thinking face is adorable, but instead he shoves his face into Steve's neck and just breathes him in.

"That- I hadn't even thought of..." Steve kisses Eddie's temple, "Eddie, baby, you're a fucking genius."

"I know but it's great to have it acknowledged."

"Alright, off, I've gotta make a phone call before it gets too late," Steve says, shoving at Eddie. Eddie goes willingly, rolling a full 360 off Steve's lap so he's kneeling on the couch, elbows resting on the back of it. His eyes stay on Steve, though, tracking him as he stands, adjusts his shirt as if anyone but Eddie can see him now, before moving to the phone. It's not mounted to the wall in the living room, just sat on its own table in a corner, chair nearby.

If Eddie's gaze drifts down to Steve's butt while his back is turned, dialing whoever he's calling, well, Eddie's got no shame in that. He's allowed to look.

"Hi Hopper, it's Steve. I need you to get Dr Owens to get a hold of me. I know you have a way. No- you've got to- ok. No. Yes, this is important. Something- there is something else coming. We're not in the clear yet. No! You know I cannot tell you that. We all agreed that I wouldn't tell you anything! Hop- Hop- HOPPER. I promise, I swear on my life, El will be fine. She'll be okay. I... I just need to talk to Dr Owens. Thank you. Have him call on a Tuesday, I'm always off on Tuesdays."

Eddie listens in on the whole conversation, because if it was meant to be private, Steve would have used the kitchen phone, or the one in his room. Rich people have more than one phone, Eddie's learned. Excessive. "Sounds like it went well?"

Steve wrinkles his face in a grimace. "It's still weird as fuck. They know I'm not lying about the future thing. Not when- ever since-"

Steve can't say it again, but Eddie knows what he's talking about.

Bob Newby.

Steve blames himself hard for him. With whatever happened before Steve's time travel shit -the thing that was so bad something answered Steve's prayers and wishes to change it- Steve hadn't even been thinking about Bob. It wasn't until Steve saw Bob at the Hawkins Lab that he remembered the outcome.

He'd tried to change it, to save Bob, but in doing so he'd just endangered himself more and then Bob's death, his sacrifice, had been in protecting Steve instead of the surprise attack that had apparently been what took him last time.

Steve still can't look Joyce in the face, much less meet her eye.

Eddie hates that there's nothing he can say to alleviate this guilt from Steve. He's tried but Steve... Eddie won't even forget how his voice cracked when he said 'I knew he was going to die! I knew it, should have remembered it, but instead of someone without several concussions and memory issues getting a second chance, it's me! The fuck up! I didn't remember Bob and now, this time, it's my fault he's dead.' And Eddie didn't have the words to make it better.

Still doesn't.

"So, he's going to have the Owens dude call?"

"He's going to try," Steve says, "but can't promise. So, we'll see."

-

June 24th, 1985

Steve is in the bathroom when it happens. The phone rings, and Eddie's in the kitchen, so he picks it up, and says, "Harrington residence."

"Is this Steve Harrington?"

"Uh, no, but if we just wait a moment he'll be available soon."

The voice on the other end hums, "I do have a time limit to this call."

What an odd thing to say- oh. Oh shit. "Dr Owens?"

There is silence on the other end and Eddie's afraid he's fucked this up for Steve until he hears, "and just what else has Steve Harrington told you?"

Eddie's got a choice to make now. He can lie, or he can tell the truth. Both options have consequences, he thinks, but Eddie knows what he wants to outcome to be, so he moves to get line of sight on the hallway Steve should soon be appearing from and says, "Just listen, please. I don't know nearly enough but I want to help. I can help. Listen to what Steve has to tell you, and fucking believe him. If you think I can help with anything after that, call again on Saturday. Between ten and two."

"I'll listen," is the only response he gets, and they sit on the line for what feels like an eternity before Steve comes into view. Eddie shouts his name into the receiver, feeling bad about that only after Steve's taken the phone and Eddie has retreated to the backyard, both to smoke and to give Steve privacy.

Steve is on the phone for almost four full hours. Thirty minutes into the call, Eddie suggests he take the call to his room, so he can at least sit down. Steve agrees and hands the phone to Eddie, who listens for the confirmation that Steve has picked up the upstairs phone before he hangs up the downstairs one.

As much as he wants to eavesdrop, he wants Steve's trust more. Steve is trusting Owens, and if Owens decides it, he'll get ahold of Eddie. If there's nothing Eddie can do to help, then he'll just have to be here for whatever the aftermath is.

-

June 29th, 1985

To say that Eddie is shocked that when he answers the phone on Saturday and it's actually Dr Owens on the other line would be an understatement. He knows he offered, and he hoped, but no amount of hope makes something happen.

"Your juvenile record leaves a lot to be desired, Edward Munson," Dr Owens says in leu of any other greeting when Eddie picks up with the usual 'Harrington residence'. Eddie doesn't like that the government wasted no time digging into him. He really doesn't like that Dr Owens know his name. "I am not one to hold someone to past mistakes. You wanted to help, and reluctant though I am to admit it, there is something you can do."

"Anything."

"Alright. What you need to do is be at the Fourth of July carnival, on the lookout for Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper. They'll get there later in the day, but I don't have an exact time for you. As soon as you've found them, tell them to go to Starcourt Mall because that's where the kids are. Then you go home."

Eddie wants to know why he can't come with them to the mall but knows better than to do that. "Okay, I can do that."

"I hate to be the one to remind you, but lives are at stake here. Do what I've told you and nothing else."

"I know."

"And..." Eddie can hear the hesitation in his voice, "and just know you might not see some people you are used to seeing in the days leading up to the Fourth. Don't go looking for them."

Jesus H Christ. How is Eddie supposed to not do that? How is he supposed to be okay with people being missing? He must take too long to confirm because Dr Owens speaks again.

"Edward. I promise you, they will all make it through this."

"Okay."

Hanging up with phone feels very final. He doesn't like that Dr Owens didn't assure him of their physical safety. Didn't say they'd be okay. Or that they'd be unscathed. It was basically the nicest way the guy could have said no one you care for dies this time.

-

July 4th, 1985

Eddie spends all day at the damn carnival. He posts up around noon, which is probably way too early but he's not going to fuck this up. He hasn't seen Steve in two days and he's trying not to freak out. Dr Owens said they'd all live but fuck, in what condition? Eddie doesn't know what's happening, what was supposed to have happened without Dr Owens involved, and hates that he doesn't know how these changes Dr Owens are making to the timeline will effect Steve.

In the other timeline he knows that Steve lives, at least. This time...

The sky starts to darken when a Cadillac pulls up hot and going much faster than it should be, flying past Eddie's van to find parking closer to the entrance of the carnival. It could just be some drunks excited to ride a Ferris Wheel but Eddie's going to investigate.

Eddie recognizes Hopper instantly, the unfortunate side effect of being with Steve. The Chief of Police has become a common occurrence, with Steve inviting everyone over for pool parties, or them being invited to the Byer's for Barbeques.

"Hopper! Joyce!" Eddie yells, getting their attention before they've made it past the last row of cars to the entrance.

"Eddie! Thank God!" Joyce rushes to him, Hopper hot on her heels, along with two people he doesn't recognize. "Where are the kids?"

"Starcourt Mall," Eddie says, "you have to get to Starcourt Mall as soon as you can."

Hopper looks back to the Cadillac, then to Eddie's van. "Everyone in the van."

"Oh, I'm not supposed to-"

"Van. Now."

Eddie scrambles into the driver's seat, buckling up as Hopper ushers the strangers and Joyce in before pulling the doors closed behind him. "Get a move on it, kid!"

Eddie starts the van and guns it. It'll be fine. He'll drop them off and then go home and wait. Like he's supposed to.

Except that doesn't happen. Hopper orders him to drop them off near the entrance, then park in a far back corner and wait. And how can Eddie argue with the Chief of Police?

It does give Eddie a view he never thought he'd see outside of horror movies. About an hour passes before another car pulls into the parking lot, stationing itself facing the mall, and the Wheeler's car still parked along the curb. The headlights on the car go out, and just as Eddie is leaning forward to try and get a better look at the car, something climbs atop the mall, pulling his attention from the car and holy shit what the fuck is that thing.

Eddie clamps both his hands over his mouth to stop from screaming. Then that thing drops into the mall and someone steps out of the car. The person makes it three steps from their car before what looks like the entire US military floods out the entrance of Starcourt, and several military vehicles come barreling around the mall, probably from the employee parking area.

Then there's a knock on Eddie's window and he's fairly certain he almost pisses himself in fear. He whips his head around to look and he just sees some older guy frowning at him.

"Edward," the man's voice is slightly raised but familar, "I believe I told you to go home."

"Holy shit!" Eddie unlocks his door and shoves it open, forcing Dr Owens to step back. Eddie goes to climb out but his seatbelt chokes him because he forgot he was still buckled in. He unbuckles but Dr Owens has moved back into his space, keeping him in his van.

"I'm Sam Owens," he finally, officially, introduces himself. "Care to explain?"

"Hopper made me do it."

Dr Owens doesn't even look surprised. He looks away from Eddie now, towards the flurry of movement happening around the mall. Eddie's eyes follow and he watches as Billy Hargrove, who he can now make out thanks to the spotlights from the fucking helicopters, gets tackled by two men twice his size.

"You're going to save him, right?" Eddie asks.

At that, Dr Owens does look surprised. "We're going to try."

He thinks of Steve's note. Save Max. Save Billy. "You better succeed."

Dr Owens looks like he agrees. He also lets Eddie stay. Make him sit in his car like he's in time out, and it feels like forever, but as soon as everyone Eddie's come to care about comes out the front door, Dr Owens tells Eddie to follow him, and they go join the group.

Steve looks beat to shit and Eddie runs to him, pulling himself back before he can fling himself at Steve and pull him into his arms.

"Jesus, Stevie!" Eddie says, taking in his puffy eye and split lip, and he can't stop the hand that reaches out to touch even though he absolutely should not be reaching for him in public- Steve slams into him, tucking his face into Eddie's neck. He doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Steve, starts whispering, "I've got you. I'm here and I've got you."

Steve finally pulls back when Joyce approaches, "Steve, let the paramedic look at you."

Steve steps back then but doesn't put distance between them. It reminds Eddie of what he said at graduation. 'I'm not afraid of a single person in this town'. Eddie wishes he wasn't afraid, either.

"Come with me?" Steve asks. Eddie nods, and follows.

They wait while Robin Buckley gets looked over, then it's Steve's turn. Robin takes Steve's place beside Eddie and they watch as Steve is examined. Eddie sees Robin giving him sideways glances, like she's afraid to fully look at Eddie, which is... something.

Once Steve is freed from the medic he steps up on Eddie's other side, the one Robin isn't stationed at, and says, "I need to talk to Owens before we can leave."

"Oh, uh, I'm kind of the Byers' and Hopper's ride. And the weird dudes they came with. They don't speak English."

Steve barks out a laugh at that. "Murray speaks English. And hooboy did we have to hear it from him. He doesn't trust the government."

Eddie doesn't know which of them was Murray, but he agrees. He gestures towards the mall, which some people seem to actively throwing gasoline on in an attempt to burn it faster? Eddie doesn't know. "Well, can't say I trust 'em either if this is the result."

"This is the Russian government's fault," Robin says.

"Oh, no, the Russians wouldn't be this kind of particular problem without our government," Steve says.

Robin just blinks at him. "Are we... still drugged?"

"You were drugged!?" Eddie whips around to Steve.

"Truth serum," Steve nods then seems to realize how quickly he said that and frowns. "It's taking longer to wear off. Or maybe this whole issue was resolved sooner than last time?"

"Shhhh!" Eddie shushes him with a hand on his mouth, looking frantically at Robin to see if she caught was Steve just said. "Stevie. Do not talk anymore tonight."

Steve licks his palm.

-

July 13th, 1985

It's an uncomfortable gathering around the table. Dr Owens, Chief Hopper, El, Joyce Byers, Steve, and Eddie are sitting at the Harrington dining table. They've all only just sat down, eyes on Steve.

"What do you mean you can't find me?" Steve asks as a whisper. With how silent it is, though, everyone hear.

El frowns. "You are gone. I cannot find you like I could Billy, or Dad, or Dr Owens. I do not know why."

After El had some rest and recovery, Steve had asked if she would look in his memories. Or be present while he remembered them. It was Dr Owens idea; maybe El could remember details that Steve himself did not pick up consciously, but heard to saw nonetheless. They'd attempted it last night to no success.

"Perhaps this has something to do with what... brought you back to this time," Dr Owens says, picking his words carefully with how slowly they left his mouth.

Steve nods before slumping in his chair, his brows furrowing as he thinks. Eddie thinks he's ridiculously cute when he makes that face. Joyce asks Dr Owens a question but Eddie's focus is on Steve. They're sitting next to each other, so he braves bumping his knee against Steve's. Steve responds by flashing him a smile and immediately hooking his ankle around Eddie's before falling back into his thoughts.

Eddie half listens to the conversation around him, half worries about Steve and what it means for him that El cannot find his mind. That being a by-product of the time travel thing seems logical. If Steve's consciousness was dropped into a younger body, the two minds couldn't exist at the same time. So perhaps, because El is searching for a Steve that, technically, no longer exists, she might not be able to find him?

"What about Project NINA?" Steve asks, bringing all conversation to a halt.

"How do you know-" Dr Owens cuts himself off. "No, I know how. Better question. What happened that we needed to actually use Project NINA?"

Steve looks haunted again, like he does when he remembers the timeline he destroyed. "Vecna happens. Spring break of '86. I- we can't talk about that here. I think- he can get inside people's head. Read their minds."

No one says it out loud, but everyone's eyes go to El for a moment and she looks uncomfortable.

"What if," Steve starts, like he's having a realization himself, "what if the reason I can't be found is for my protection? Vecna can read minds, get in there and make you think things- what if I'm being protected by whatever sent me back? Vecna doesn't know that I know what he's up to, 'cause he can't read my mind and know what happens in the future. Can't stop me from trying to stop him! Project NINA is like, a bring back memories thing, right? Take me there. Set it up away from Hawkins and take me there."

They discuss some more, trying to say a lot without saying anything incase Vecna was listening in right now. That's a thought that will keep Eddie up for months.

It's gets decided on that El will go with, to be able to try and reach Steve while he's trying to find his own memories. Hopper is going with because he's not letting El go alone, and that's when Eddie speaks up.

"Then I'm coming, too."

"Eds," Steve looks torn, like he wants to smile and frown at the same time.

"No. If Hopper's going for El's emotional support, than I'm coming for yours."

It's decided. Dr Owens will work on Project NINA, and arrange for them all to be picked up when it was ready.

"One last thing," Steve says, "once you're away from Hawkins, call me. There's someone I don't want involved in this. He's done enough damage. Oh, also, invest in some goddamn swim caps. If you think you can shave my head, or anyone else's, for your dunk tank, then you're going to get hit."

That night, Steve finally tells him what happened. What Dr Owens and he had planned. Steve only told Dr Owens about the Fourth of July, wanted to only change the last possible moment for worry of alerting Vecna to what was happening, worried about Vecna changing the plan if he knew.

He talks about Billy being possessed, how Will was, too, once. Dr Owens thinks they've managed to do that for Billy, but just to be safe, they're taking Billy somewhere. Steve didn't ask, but they're telling his dad that he got a scholarship to some college or other, full ride kind of thing. Max knows the truth, but she also knows he's alive. And knowing he's alive means Max isn't going to pull away from her friends.

Steve says he hopes that means Max is saved.

Eddie learns that Steve and Robin are going to become insufferable best friends, so Eddie had better make peace with that now.

Ha takes it all in, listens as Steve tries to downplay what he went through with humor. Like it was easier to endure just because he knew it was coming this time. It does end with Steve crying, just repeating they lived, this time, no one died, they're fine. And Eddie's smart to enough to know Steve isn't meaning all the people who did become a giant flesh monster; he's talking about they people he cares about. Hopper, who apparently died-but-didn't-die, and Billy.

He learns that last time El lost her powers, probably due to losing Hopper. But she didn't lose Hopper, or even have to fight the giant flesh monster. With the plans Dr Owens made, they'd already stormed and cleared the Russian base below Hawkins. It wasn't Dustin and Erica who freed Robin and Steve from their restraints, but some US military men. They'd waited until the Mind Flayer attacked the mall, dropped down inside it before torching it. They still needed the mall to burn down - there was a Russian base below it, after all.

Once Steve is finished, Eddie kisses his forehead and maneuvers them down in bed so he can spoon him. Steve melts into his touch, pulling Eddie's arms more firmly around him. Steve likes to be the little spoon, Eddie's happy to learn.

"I'm going to come out to everyone. Before we leave," Steve says, long after Eddie thought he's already fallen asleep. "You don't have to. We don't have to tell them we're together, but I want them to know."

The thought terrifies Eddie. He's been beaten up for the assumptions, it's hard to him to imagine what might happen if that words are made true by speaking them out loud. "Can I think on that?"

"Of course."

-

July 15th, 1985

Eddie does think about it. He thinks about coming out to this little family they've cultivated and it's hard. Coming out to Wayne had been rough, and he was one person! And he'd told Jeff. But Gareth and Brian had just kinda... put the pieces together and told Eddie they didn't care who he liked so long as he never picked his boytoy over Hellfire night (and so far, Eddie hasn't!). Eddie can't imagine telling up to fourteen people all at once.

Fourteen separate people who could hate him.

But Steve seems so sure they won't. That he won't lose anyone when(if) he comes out to them. And fuck, the scariest part if that he kind of wants to. If he and Steve do this together, if they know they're together, he could hold his hand when they're all together. Sit as close as he wants to without the fear of being found out because they'd already know.

But if they aren't okay with it. Or they aren't okay with Eddie.

These people, this group, was Steve's first, so they might be willing to forgive Steve for his temporary lapse in judgment, but Eddie hadn't done anything to earn their trust. Respect. Willingness to not beat him to death for being gay.

And also, a tiny part of him is afraid of losing Steve if he can't commit to coming out.

"Steve," Eddie whispers as they sit on the couch, a movie playing but Eddie's not watching. "I'm scared."

"What?" Steve sounds so confused, and he quickly looks between Eddie and the movie. It's so enduring that Eddie must laugh about it, just a little.

"Not of Footloose. Of telling people. About us."

Steve's face softens and he looks so fond that Eddie aches. "That's okay, Eddie. You don't have to."

"But what if...."

"If?" Steve prompts.

"What if I'm never ready to come out? What if I- if we can't- What does it mean for us, if I never get there?"

"Oh," Steve says, like the thought that Eddie would never come out hadn't ever occurred to him. "Well, then I'll just be the bisexual who never dates again and lives with his best guy friend for the rest of his life."

That's like a gut punch in the best way. That Steve says it so easily, like he plans to stay with Eddie until he dies. Eddie can't fathom that. "Careful, Stevie. With words like that I might get ideas about you."

Steve looks serious now, but with a little upturn to his mouth. A small, secret smile. "Ideas, hmm. What sort?"

"That you might adore me."

"Well, I do adore you," Steve says simply, easily, "I love you, Eddie."

Eddie freezes because that's not- Steve couldn't possibly mean- that's. What. Eddie and he haven't even said the word boyfriend to each other yet and Steve's... Steve is looking at him with such fondness, adoration, love. Butterflies erupt in Eddie's stomach and as quickly as that little bit of dread had filled him, it's gone even faster. Eddie flings himself into Steve's lap, the need to kiss him until both of them are light headed is the only thing left inside Eddie.

Eddie doesn't say it back, can't really, but Steve must know because he keeps repeating it, with every breath Eddie allows him to take in between kisses.

The next morning, Steve wants to comes out to his found family at their Good Luck Project NINA BBQ, because Hopper, El, Steve, and he are going to be heading to Indianapolis that evening to be picked up by Dr Owens men tomorrow morning and everyone wanted a last get together.

Steve is fearless. Steve is fearless, and so strong, and he loves Eddie.

So, when he calls attention to everyone and starts the speech he rehearsed with Eddie, Eddie steps up. Slides his hand into Steve's, gripping it probably to the point of pain, but there. It doesn't matter how they'll react, because Steve loves him. And he loves Steve.

(And if he clocks Lucas and Max exchanging money about it, well, he can't even be mad about that.)

[buckys-little-belle]

We all pretty much know that Sam is a more non serious (silly) caregiver and person in general but what would the others reaction be when he gets serious about the reader after they get hurt? Feel free to change it or expand on it

Playground Mishaps (Headcannons)

Sam Wilson x Little!Reader (They/Them Pronouns Used)

Warnings - Mentions of falling/Injury, scrapes on knees, soft and silly sam, but also serious!Sam

Notes - Starting my comeback off small, with some headcannons, thank you so much for the request! I hope you enjoy <3

+ + + + + +

+ Tony Stark has the best playgrounds at his compound, yes, multiple, one with a lot of climbing gear that Peter and Kate seem to keep to themselves, one with some water features that's great in the summer, and then the huge playground in the back, with tons of slides, and bridges, stairs, binocular posts, and the coolest hiding spots that overlook the whole thing.

+ As much fun as it is to play on them, adult supervision is always required, you and a few littles have snuck out before to play alone, but it never ends up working, Jarvis is a snitch, and Peter can't keep a secret for the life of him.

+ But everyone's caregivers are happy to take turns watching the littles as they play 'the floor is lava' or 'hide and seek, eyes closed edition', though today is a special occasion, everyone, littles and caregivers, are out at the big playground, the barbecue going, half filled lemonade cups scattered across every surface, and you and all the other littles playing together.

+ Quite a few reminders about the rules had been shouted out, 'no running', 'no pushing', 'no powers', and 'no fighting', leaving multiple caregivers mouths, and a few from you and your friends when Loki teleported halfway across the structure.

+ But you were so close to winning, so close to being the last person standing when Peter, who was it, came barreling around a corner, you had to run! You had to win! But sooner than later you found yourself sprawled across the fake, and bouncy, mulch like ground, Peter staring at you from a foot up, a few other littles murmuring amongst each other.

+ "Y/n!" You could hear Sam yell, and it wasn't a happy one, you knew the tone meant he was mad, and he had every right to be mad, and you knew it.

+ "'m sorry Papa!" You whispered as he hovered above you, helping you to your feet as he crouched down to look at your legs, his thumb barely touching your scrape as you pulled your knee back from his grasp.

+ Littles had run to their own Caregivers arms, a few 'This is why you don't run on the playground's being handed out, though everyone's eyes were glued to you and Sam, your hand's resting on his shoulders as he checked for any other injuries.

+ "What did I say about running?" Your Papa asked sternly, his eyes serious, eyebrows furrowed slightly, your thumb itching to run across them.

+ "You say 'Don' run or you'll ge' an owie.'" You said back in a deep voice, those around you laughing, though your Papa stayed unmoving, shocking everyone else, seeing as he was always the fun uncle before you, and seeing as you had him wrapped around your finger.

+ "And what happened?" He asked, still knelling on the ground, allowing you to both feel like, and be, the bigger person.

+ "I was runnin'." You admitted, Sam nodding his head. "'nd I fell." You tried to wrap your arms around his neck, hoping maybe a hug would be what it took to get him to fold, but he placed his hands on your waist and held you in place.

+ "And?" He asked, eyebrows raised.

+ "'nd 'm sorry, 'nd I won' do it again." You assured him, nodding your head for added drama.

+ "Good Baby." He nodded back, and though he didn't smile you could see the stress in his brow relax. "I accept you're apology, but no treats after dinner, okay?"

+ You nodded your head quickly, that 'punishment' was nothing compared to last week when you couldn't go on the playground at all after you pushed Kate off, 'accidentally', so you were just glad he wasn't going to make you sit the rest of the evening out. "Okay Papa." You went to hug him again, this time his arms wrapping around your middle, hugging you back before leading you towards the house, no doubt to clean up your knees.

+ On your way there you heard your Uncle Stevie tell Papa he 'Can't believe you had that in you man.', and Auntie Nat say 'If Wanda had fallen I'd be a mess.' but you knew your Papa wasn't mean, he had rules, and expected you to follow them, and if you didn't then you get punished, Uncle Stevie's just getting soft in his old age, and your Papa had you as a little, and he knew that some scrapes on your knees was nothing compared to what you had in you, so he stayed calm, because you were okay, Auntie Nat is just very careful.

+ In the end you were back on the playground in no time, this time walking, and making sure to stay away from the little drop off, and your Papa was off to the side getting your dinner plate ready for you, because he was wrapped around your finger, and you puppy dog eyed him in waiting in the line for you.

[chrisevansonly]

I'm Not Meant for This

Chris Evans x Girlfriend Reader

Summary: You weren’t meant for this life, the cameras, the gossip, the fan pages, it wasn’t you, letting yourself suffer wasn’t worth it anymore…was there anyway that would change?

Warnings: angst, minor arguing, crying, reader mentioning insecurities, happy ending<3

A/N: This was a request sent in by an anon! Thank you in advance for this, I’m a big lover of happy endings and I did tweak the request a little bit so I hope that’s okay!!I feel so unmotivated but I’m trying to update regardless lol

Word Count: 843

Spending a lot of time watching your life go by from outside your body looking down on yourself is a feeling so hard to describe, surrounding by celebrities of all calibres and standing, next to Chris you felt like you weren’t supposed to be here. You’d been feeling pretty low the past few months, Chris’s career doing really well, he just finished filming his last few movies for 2022 and 2023, and instead of talking about taking a break, he wanted to keep going. In retrospect, talking to Chris about your feelings should have been number one on the list of conversations you wanted to have, but maybe leaving and letting him down gently was better. Watching him talk freely in the sea of people, or handle the cameras like champ, all it did for you was made you feel out of place and disgusted by yourself. You knew this wasn’t his fault, you could only blame yourself for the position you were in, but you couldn’t take it anymore. 

-

The minute the two of you got home, you ditched your heels at the front door, leaving Chris standing there to go upstairs and into the bathroom. Looking at yourself in the mirror only made it worse, the bags and dark circles under your eyes despite the full coverage foundation and concealer covering it. Taking a wipe you cleaned your face off, letting out a quiet sigh, your eyes closing for a few seconds, and when you opened them, Chris was looking at you, an unreadable expression on his face 

“You’ve been really quiet all night…what’s going on?”

This was your chance, let him down easy, spend one last night with him and leave tomorrow, move far away, start over, leave Chris in the past

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“Do what baby?” 

You turned and motioned between the two of you 

“This, us, I can’t do it anymore, I’m not meant for this life Chris, I can’t fucking do this.”

You moved past him, ducking away into the closet to get out of the floor length black dress you had on, changing into a pair of cotton shorts and an oversized t-shirt

“Wait a minute, Y/N…we’re going to talk about this”

“I don’t want too anymore! I’m tired of constantly being attacked online, photographed without my consent, being the odd one out at every event, people I don’t even know nitpicking my appearance! I’m done!”

Chris ran a hand down his face 

“You know that’s not my fault, right?”

“Jesus Chris, that’s what you have to say?! I’m going to pack my stuff.”

His hand grasped yours tightly and he pulled you back to him softly, but firm enough for you to land against his chest, his arms holding you to him

“No. No. I can’t lose you, not now, not ever, we can figure a way to fix this problem.”

You shook your head, tears now falling down your cheeks

“No, we can’t, there’s n-”

“Yes, there is. Screw going back to work, i’ll take time off, as much as we need, I should have made that decision last year, but I didn’t and now I am. We can go away, stay at the cabin for a few months just me and you, restart your social media’s, hire more security, hell we can order our fucking groceries, that exists now!”

You laughed quietly into the flannel he had on, and Chris spoke again, beating you to it

“You are everything to me, you are my world, my light, and I wished you would have told me about this sooner so I could have helped you…I’m so sorry I didn’t notice how much this was hurting you, how much I was hurting you. You are the most beautiful girl in the world to me, and I swear to you I’ll fix this, we can make this work…”

Staying silent, eventually hugging him back tighter you closed your eyes before making a decision you hoped you wouldn’t regret

“Okay.”

Hearing your voice, Chris pulled back and brought his hands up to cup your face, swiping a few tears away before connecting his lips with yours, kissing you tenderly before pulling away and frowning when he noticed just how drained you looked 

“I love you so much angel, I’m going to make this right, and I’m going to work my hardest to keep you safe and happy, I promise I won’t let this happen again…”

A small part of you was worried you made the wrong decision but looking into Chris’s eyes and seeing just how much he love and appreciated you, was enough to help your heart prove you were doing the right thing. In the end you knew Chris would go to the ends of the earth for you, and he was willing to do that now, to protect you, and to give you the life he knows you deserve. The road would be long, but as long as you had Chris, he could make the journey a little more bearable. 

[marvelmaniac2000]

Hi! I adore how you wrote Riddler and the reader in the Fluff + Smut fic! I was wondering could I request a fic or some headcanons about Edward and Fem! Reader’s first time together, maybe with a little bit of soft dom Eddie please!

thank you so much! 💚✨

Thank youuu anon!!! 😘 I love writing about Eddie more than any other character tbh 😬 😅.. 💚 I'm so in love with him 💚

Love at First Sight -----------------------------------------------

There's so many different headcanons about him but here's the first few that come to mind.

Subject: Pure fluff, pet names, soft! dom Eddie, kiss maybe?, flirting, (sorry for misspelling and grammar)

Words: 400+

just major cuteness to go around UGH

Side notes: all of the possibilities are endless, where do I even begin?

*sobbed uncontrollably in a corner*

This handsome man can't keep his eyes off of you.

he will constantly tell you how absolutely pretty and beautiful you are.

He wants to hold your hand and brush it against his lips.

chivalry is NOT dead when it comes to Eddie. He will hold the door open for you, give you his jacket when it's raining, constantly walking right beside you to make you feel protected.

He will look deep into your eyes and hold eye contact to let you know how much he's listening to you.

He has a bad habit of brushing your loose strands behind your ears.

He loves sitting next to you and swinging his arm around any sofa/couch/chair you guys are sitting in.

SUPER controlling and protective of your relationship.

He insist in paying and he never wants you too. It's just in his nature duh.

some of the nicknames he will give you: love bun, sweet heart, honey, baby girl, princess, pretty girl, cutie pie, Ms.beautiful, mama,

He's so proud to call him his, he super affectionate in public with you

You both do everything together

He lets you borrow all of his hoodies and sweaters

YOU'RE his everything <3

. . .

"I can't believe we are finally together" you cling on to his arm. You walk with him down the street of Gotham with the biggest grin on your face. After all of the bad exes in your life you finally met someone who would do all of the things you wanted in a boyfriend.

"I believe it, I knew eventually you would come to me" he had his hands in his loose jacket with a sheepish smile. He was so cute and wholesome as he stayed close to you. It felt so good knowing you had someone to trust. You never wanted to leave his side, he meant to so much to you now. Is this what being in love felt like? Many cute plans and fantasies flooded your mind. You couldn't wait to do so many things with him. To show everyone the sweet guy you were with. Why didn't you approach him sooner?

You both just wandering around the mall but (actually he was just following you around) he could care less about anything beside just spending time with you. The sun was setting and you grew tired from today. "You ready to go home baby?" Eddie absently offered to hold your bag as you stopped mid stride to looked at the time on your phone.

"yea, I work tomorrow unlike you" you peck a kiss on his cheek. both of you worked at the same place, but opposite ends of the building. You always miss him dearly when you guys get busy with other tasks.

"Just call in I want to lay in my bed with you it's been forever" his clingy demeanor kicked in realizing how long it's been since he had you in his arms. He needed you now and tomorrow. You were the only person who understood him and loved him for who he was. He didn't want to lose the happiness that kept him alive.

"Don't worry about them babe, you're always working extra days. We still have so much stuff we need to do at home" he caressed his rough hand on your cheek. His thumb gripped your chin. "You promised me you would cuddle and lay in bed with me right?" his soft deep voice became persuasive drawing you in like smoke. Eddie leaned in to kiss you slowly making you moan. " I promise" you peck his lips again. Eddie felt like he was on cloud nine, finally having the girl and life he dreamed of.

Likes/comments/reblogs/requests & asks

much love <3

[fallingforunrealisticromance]

High for love pt2 - Sherlock x reader

Masterlist

Requests

Word count: 2453

Warnings: Swearing

****= time skip

A/N: This is the last part, i'm not planning on doing a part 3. Hope you enjoy :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been almost two weeks since you’d stormed out of Sherlocks apartment. You hadn’t spoken to him since that night, despite him texting and calling numerous times. You just couldn’t bring yourself to face him. Either he knew about your feelings and chose to mess with you, or he didn’t remember confessing his love. You weren’t sure which was worse, but you didn’t want to deal with either scenario. So, you ignored him. Your life suddenly felt quite lonely. No Tom, no sherlock, no john; the only other person you’d seen this week apart from your colleagues at work was an amazon delivery driver. Christ that’s depressing.

You sat on your sofa, staring vacantly out the window trying to decide for the hundredth time what to do. Sherlock was a persistent man, there was no way you could avoid him forever. In fact, you were surprised he hadn’t come to your flat yet to force you to talk to him. Maybe he didn’t care enough? Before any more self-deprecating thoughts could swirl round in your paranoid mind, your phone rang. It was Mary.

“Hello” you said, lifting the phone to your ear.

“Ah so you are alive” Mary joked, making you chuckle stiffly.

“Yeah, uh I guess I just haven’t been on my phone much. Sorry if I worried you or anything.”

“You should be, I’ve had to stop the boys breaking down your door at least 3 times already” She said light heartedly.

You smiled at the thought of her battling John and Sherlock. Also, at the fact that they cared.

“I appreciate you doing that Mary. I really am sorry I’ve been gone.” Your tone was regretful as you spoke, fidgeting with the hem of a blanket that rested over your legs.

“I don’t know what happened to make you disappear, but I do know that I don’t want you dealing with this alone anymore. I would have reached out sooner but I wanted to give you space to decide how to handle whatever it is.”

“That means a lot to me, genuinely. I’m glad you called though”

“Look why don’t we meet up? We can grab a coffee or go for a walk and you can tell me what’s going on, how about it?” She offered.

You smiled, a weight feeling like it was lifted off your chest.

“Coffee sounds perfect.”

“Brilliant, I’ll come and pick you up in 20 minutes?”

“Yeah okay, see you then” You say before hanging up the phone.

You were glad to be leaving the house, but more so because it meant seeing Mary. The two of you became best friends almost instantly when her and john got together. She just got you in a way no one else did and vice versa. You loved her like a sister, and you couldn’t be happier to have her in your life.

*******************************************************************

“So, he actually told you he loved you? Like he’s in love with you?” Mary questioned as the two of you sat on a bench by the river, each with a coffee cup in hand.

“Yep, he just blurted it out like it was nothing” You sighed. “I don’t even know if he knows he said it, I just…I don’t know how I’m supposed to talk to him again”

Mary nodded, her eyes full of sympathy. “I get it, he’s a complicated man Sherlock”

You scoffed “Yeah you can say that again.”

“But, in some ways, he can also be pretty simple” Mary continued.

You furrowed your brow at her “Okay so that makes no sense”

“All I’m saying is if you just sit down with him and have a straightforward conversation, he’ll listen. I mean, he listens to you more than any of us half the time anyway” She replied, nudging your arm playfully.

“No, he doesn’t” You say with a small chuckle.

“Well why do you think Mycroft called you in the first place? Because Sherlocks cares what you think and listens to you even if he’s being completely irrational” Mary reasoned.

You thought about it for a moment. Could she be right? She had a point with Mycroft calling you – he never contacts you normally.

“Oh my god you’re right” Your voice coming out just above a whisper.

“Well nothings new there” She joked.

“So, so what do I do? Just turn up at his place and say ‘hey you may not remember but you proclaimed your love for me, and I just wanted you to know that I’ve been in love with you since I met you and it’s the whole reason I broke up with my boyfriend. Anyway, have a nice day’” You say sarcastically, throwing your hands in the air.

“Yes.” Mary replied shortly.

“Oh-“ You stared at her, nerves filling your body.

The more you thought about it, the more you realized you had nothing to lose. You were already avoiding him like the plague, how could this conversation really make anything worse.

“Fuck it” You gulp down the rest of your coffee. “Let’s go then.”

*****************************************************************

The entire time there you could feel your nerves starting to bubble over.

“Mary I really don’t know if this is a good idea-"

“Shut up, you’re doing this. For all our sakes” She encouraged, pushing you towards the door.

She used her key that john had given her to let the pair of you in.

“I haven’t even called, what if he doesn’t want to see me? I wouldn’t love it if someone just barged into my flat after ignoring me for two weeks.” You mumbled as she continued to push you into the building.

“He won’t care, its sherlock. He has people coming in and out all the time.”

You continued to bicker as she pulled you up the stairs. You could try to make a run for it, but Mary was faster and stronger than you and you could imagine she wouldn’t even hesitate to drag you back here.

“Mary please, please let’s not do this” You begged in a hushed tone

“Hi boys, look who I found” Mary announced loudly as she pushed to door open to their flat.

Before you had a moment to think, she pulled you in front of her, so you were standing in the living room you’d grown to love. John and Sherlock were sat in their chairs, both staring at you with a slight look of shock on their face as Mary stood behind you beaming at them. No one said anything.

“uh…Hi” You internally cringed at how awkward you sounded.

“Hey…” John replied sounding unsure as his eyes flickered over to sherlock, who was still staring rather intently at you.

You couldn’t look at him, you didn’t know what to say.

“So, John and I have to go talk to Mrs. Hudson but you two stay here, have a nice catch up and we’ll see you later” Mary said, grabbing john by the arm as she pulled him out of his chair.

You heard john muttering something about leaving his paper in the flat as Mary led him away. The silence in the room was crippling. You felt like you couldn’t breathe.

“So…” You said as you took a step towards the sofa.

You could’ve sat in johns chair, but that was too close to sherlock, and you needed to be able to think clearly for this conversation.

“Listen i-“ “How have you-“ You both spoke at the same time.

You looked over at him, laughing slightly at the nervousness between you two.

“You go” You said softly.

“No, no you go first” He replied.

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. You took a deep breath, running your hands along your thighs anxiously.

“First I just want to say I’m sorry for barging in like this, Mary talked me into it” You joked. “But also, I’m sorry for ignoring you. It’s just, something happened that night. I don’t even know if you remember but you were high, and Mycroft had called me to come over and check on you. And you said…“

Your voice trailed off as you looked at the floor. “You said you-“

“I know what I said.” Sherlocks voice was low, smooth.

Your eyes snapped up to look at him, your heart beating a mile a minute. He wasn’t looking at you as he sat there, one leg crossed over the other with his hands resting against the arm of the chair. He just stared in front of him, never wavering.

“You do?” Your voice sounded so weak compared to his.

“Of course, I do. I remember everything.” The slight arrogance in his voice annoyed you, but you chose to ignore it for the moment.

“But you were high, like ridiculously so.”

“Darling, I’m somewhat of an addict in case you hadn’t noticed. I’ve kind of built up a tolerance over the years” He replied with a chuckle.

The term of endearment made your stomach flutter.

“Then why did you say it? Were you just trying to hurt me, because job well done if you were” You spoke, the irritation now evident in your tone.

Finally, his eyes moved to meet yours. His brow creased in confusion as he scanned your face.

“What? No… why would I ever want to hurt you?”

You stayed silent, feeling your face flush red with embarrassment. You broke his gaze, looking down at your hands instead.

“You thought I didn’t mean it.” He stated after a moment.

A heavy silence continued to hang in the air. You wanted to say something, to reply to him but your voice died in your throat. You heard him get up from his chair, his footsteps heading in your direction. Suddenly his feet came into your view as he crouched down in front of where you sat on the sofa. You felt his finger and thumb gently under your chin, guiding your eyes to meet his.

“You thought I didn’t mean it?” It was more of a question this time, his tone soft as his eyes scanned yours.

You nodded.

“How could you?” Your voice was barely louder than a whisper.

“How could i? I think the question you should be asking is how I could not. You have the most beautiful mind, and the kindest heart. You’ve stood by my side through everything and have never once made me feel like an outcast, like a freak. You came into my life and welcomed everything about me without hesitation. When I’m around you, I feel like I can finally take a breath. Like nothing else matters. And I don’t think I’ve ever felt that sort of peace in my life before.” As he spoke, he gently reached out and tucked a stray hair behind your ear caressing your cheek softly as he did so.

You were frozen, eyes wide as you stared back at him. You couldn’t process what you were hearing. Sherlock Holmes, a man of logic and facts, was knelt before you baring his heart out.

“I tried to hide how I felt, to ignore it. I didn’t want to complicate things between us. And in truth, I feared I would lose you. I decided it was better to be in love with you in secret and to keep you in my life, rather than love you pubically and potentially lose you. Selfish I know, but it seemed the best option at the time. Especially when you were with Tom. But I guess I sort of lost that filter when I was high” He chuckled slightly, a smile appearing on your face as he did.

“Yeah, I guess you did.” You replied.

“I am so sorry that you thought I had said it to hurt you.” His eyes flashed with guilt as he spoke.

“No, no you have nothing to apologize for. I shouldn’t have shut you out. I should have listened to you. I’m sorry.” You felt awful, knowing what you must have put him through.

“Hey, look at me” You lifted your eyes once more. “I don’t care. Not anymore. Not now I have you here in front of me.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile as he looked at you lovingly.

You smiled, leaning forward to rest your head against his shoulder. You felt his arms wrap around you, holding you close to him. One of his hands threaded its way through your hair, gently stroking you. You hummed happily at the feeling.

“You like that?” He asked, a smug tone in his voice.

“Mhm” You responded, burying your head into the crook of his neck.

“I’ll remember that for future reference.” He commented with a small laugh.

The two of you stayed like that for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of each other’s embrace.

“Just to check, this means you feel the same right?” Sherlock asked, breaking the silence.

You pulled back so you could look at him. You burst out laughing realizing you hadn’t actually said it back.

“Oh my god of course I do. The whole reason I broke up with tom is because I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for months you idiot.” You nudge him playfully, causing him to laugh with you.

“Okay good well I was just making sure”

“If there’s one thing you never have to doubt Sherlock, it’s my love for you” You reply, grinning at him.

“I can say the same to you darling.” He leant in, his hand on your cheek.

Your arms wrapped around his neck as you pulled him closer, his lips meeting yours. They were soft and gentle against yours; you’d never felt anything more perfect. You melted against him, your hands threading through his raven curls.

“Thank god for that” A voice from the doorway made you both jump, pulling away from each other.

“I told you it would work out.”

You turned to see a smug looking Mary and John beside her, looking rather relieved.

“Does that mean you’re going to stop ignoring us now?” John asked, looking at you.

“No, I thought I’d just tell sherlock I loved him, kiss him and then disappear again” You replied sarcastically, earning an eye roll from john.

“As if I would ever let that happen.” Sherlock commented, his hand squeezing your thigh playfully.

“Oh god, I do not need to see that” John grimaced before heading to the kitchen.

You laughed before leaning in and placing another quick kiss on the detective’s lips.

“I’m not going anywhere Sherlock, don’t worry.”

“Good” He sat next to you on the sofa, pulling you to him so your head rested on his chest. “I love you too much to watch you walk away.”

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Hope that was okay!!

@mysticwitchcraftco

[gentrychild]

Hey Gentry! For the 5 headcannon game would you please do a blackbutler ×mha Au? With Afo as Sebastian and Izuku as Ceil!

I have been thinking about this ask a lot, not in the "I am worldbuilding this AU" sense but as... I cannot picture a world where Izuku knows that All for One will eventually eat his soul and he isn't making AFO's life a living hell every day to make him pay for it. I refuse to believe that Izuku wouldn't be ten times pettier than Ciel because, you know, Ciel wants to find out who killed his parents and gets revenge while Izuku is only still here on earth in order to make All for One suffer.

Because, if Izuku had sold his soul to All Might, it would be okay, why not, All Might deserves some nice yummy soul, and Izuku would probably feel sorry that his soul isn't more nutritious because All Might works hard. But Loser for One? That bitch? Oh, I know Izuku never meant to sell his soul and it's ON, he will make him regret ever making that pact.

On one hand, Izuku has excellent reputation because he keeps making good deeds (out of demonic powers) but on the other end, everyone knows that he hates his butler and laughs at his pain. Izuku throws his butler into whatever is the Victorian equivalent of a woodchipper, isn't arrested because it's obviously impossible since his butler was later seen in one piece, but everyone who knows him is nodding and going "Yes, surprised he didn't do that sooner, he really hates that guy."

Constant bullying, impossible requests that AFO is expected to fulfill in the next five minutes, constant psychological torment, all the malevolence a teenage mind filled with unholy sadism when it comes to one (1) being. If AFO isn't spending his nights studying demon law books in order to find a way of how to break the contract, Izuku considers he isn't doing his job right.

I want legit demons to look at AFO and Izuku and for them to have no idea who the demon is between the two. I want Ujiko to try to snap the neck of the awful child not respecting his lord only for Izuku to beat him to death with his cane. I want half of the shinigamis to be terrified at the idea of eventually being the ones to reap Izuku's soul and the other eating popcorn while this funky little feral child is running around with a gun and using his own demon as target practice.

As for the headcanons, sorry, I am not inspired, but I will try:

1.A - The servants are all demons: Lady Nagant, Tomura and Machia, because Izuku is so unhinged that the human servants kept running for the hills. They all made deals with AFO and some source of humor is the fact that they don't know what's considered as normal for human beings so they frequently bicker over who is the better at passing for human. (They all suck.)

1.B - Alternatively, the servants are all humans (Midnight, Aizawa and Mic) and they keep cooing over Izuku's antics and keep claiming to AFO's face that their young master is only acting out because he loves the butler and wants his attention.

2 - Izuku was (is?) engaged to Shouto but it's up in the air after his return to the Midoriya manor because back when Enji agreed to give his youngest, he thought that Touya would be his heir and the Midoriya family was extremely powerful. He was less keen to give out his most promising child to a family who has now a bit of a reputation when it comes to bad luck. Also, Shouto doesn't want to be engaged. Period.

3 - Izuku is terrible at using swords but really good at using knives (his loving butler helped him train, for his mere presence provided a lovely target practice.) If there is a circus arc, Izuku doesn't need anyone to qualify as a knife thrower.

4 - That's a "Chisaki is a good parent to Eri" AU as he probably replaces Lau as Izuku's connection to the criminal world. Also, cool tattoos. Because I was deprived of cool tattoos during the arc that introduced yakuza.

5 - Izuku's contract involves "getting as much vengeance as he craves" and alas for All for One, his thirst for vengeance is unquenchable. Izuku can hold a grudge against anything, but mainly AFO.