#moonin party

[huariqueje]

Moomin Day fireworks    -  Tove Jansson 

Finnish, 1914-2001  

Een Gelukkig 2023!!!!!!  

[poetzproblem]

Have You Ever Really? Part III

A/N: Part III by request. There may also now be a part IV.  Under the cut, or read at FF.Net or AO3.

They don't win Nationals.

They don't even place after Finn Hudson's monumentally stupid attempt to kiss Rachel on stage at the end of their ill-advised duet. Rachel hadn't reacted quite quickly enough to dodge it completely, which had only made her effort to duck away from his unwanted attention even more obvious to the judges.

Santana had nearly ripped Finn apart as soon as they'd gotten off stage, and Quinn suspects her anger and disgust wasn't entirely on her own behalf. She's seemed oddly less antagonistic to Rachel ever since Rachel had come out to them—or maybe it's not odd at all. Maybe Santana actually feels an unexpected kinship with Rachel now over their mutual attraction to the ladies (even if Santana still isn't outright admitting what everyone already knows). Or maybe she just feels sorry for Rachel for nursing a hopelessly unrequited crush on Quinn.

Quinn wonders what Santana would think if she knew that Rachel's crush wasn't as hopeless as everyone believes.

All that Quinn knows for certain is that she hasn't been able to stop thinking about Rachel since she'd serenaded her in glee, and she'd grown more and more impatient and irritated every time that Rachel had scurried away from her in the hallways or sat across the room from her in their shared classes or suddenly decided that she absolutely had to hang all over Jesse St. James everytime that Quinn tried to approach her in glee. So, of course, Quinn had needed to make it clear to Rachel that she expects her to stop acting like a frightened little mouse and start acting like—well, like Rachel fucking Berry. Really? If Rachel has a thing for Quinn, then Quinn should get the same treatment as the boys in the form of thoughtful gifts left in her locker and weird couple's calendars and loud, dramatic (and often musical) declarations of Rachel's undying affection and loyalty.

What Quinn does get immediately following the kiss that missed, surreptitiously tucked into her duffle bag in their shared hotel room, is a foil-wrapped Hershey's kiss (undoubtedly from the craft services table that had been set up for the competing show choirs) taped to a handwritten note that says, 'I'm sorry. Your lips are the only ones I want to kiss.'

Quinn feels a rush of warmth spread from her chest all the way up to the tips of her ears, and her eyes dart around the room in search of Rachel, only to be disappointed that she hasn't made her way back yet. Well, Quinn supposes that she'd actually beaten them all here before slipping away again to sulk in private over their loss. She doesn't see Kurt anywhere either, and he's been crashing in the girl's room with them.

Quinn gazes down at the note again, palming the candy kiss and catching her lip between her teeth to contain her grin—a grin that instantly disappears when Santana drops onto the mattress in front of her with a frown.

"That better not be some pathetic love note from Finnvasive." Quinn tucks it protectively against her chest. Santana's eyes narrow on the motion, but she doesn't make a grab for it. "It'd be just his style to come crawling back to you now that Berry dodged his slobbery advances in front of a thousand witnesses."

"I don't think there were that many people there today," Mercedes muses, rummaging around in her own suitcase for something or other.

"Enough for a well deserved public humiliation," Santana scoffs, crossing her arms. "If I was Berry, I'd've slapped him for trying that shit."

"Rachel is a professional," Tina chimes in with a dreamy, little smile. "I think she handled it the best way she could under the circumstances."

"You would," Quinn mutters under her breath, sending a glare her way.

"What was that, Quinnie?" Santana needles. "Why don't you share with the class?"

Quinn turns her glare on Santana. "Finn is an ass," is all she bothers to say.

Santana snickers. "True 'dat."

"He totally didn't pay attention to his cues," Brittany adds, throwing herself across the bed beside Santana. "Rachel's all about the sweet lady kisses now." She smiles at Santana, who blushes tellingly before glancing away.

"Which is still all kinds of weird, if you ask me," Mercedes says, shaking her head.

"No one did," Santana snaps.

Mercedes holds up her hands defensively. "Hey, I just mean that she's been moonin' over Finn for two years and all of a sudden she's singin' a love song to," she trails off with an embarrassed look towards Quinn. They all know who Rachel was singing to, but it's a truth that no one but Santana has been brave enough to say out loud in Quinn's presence.

"I'm surprised you're handling that so well," Santana muses with a smirk.

Quinn shrugs, mentally putting on her cool indifference like the mask it is. "It's hardly her fault that I'm irresistible."

Santana barks out a laugh. "You wish, Blondie."

"I'm sure Rachel will find someone else to focus her attention on soon enough," Tina offers with what Quinn supposes is meant to be a reassuring smile—it looks fake to Quinn.

"I guess you'd better make sure it isn't Mike," she warns Tina cattily.

Tina's brows furrow in confusion, but whatever she might have said is lost to the awkward silence that descends on the room when Rachel and Kurt step inside.

"What did we miss?" Kurt asks suspiciously after no one says anything for a solid thirty seconds.

Santana rolls her eyes. "Just our pity party for coming in twelfth."

Rachel whimpers, shrinking into herself. "I'm sorry," she whispers, her eyes cast down to the floor as Kurt wraps an arm around her and gives her a comforting squeeze.

Tina reaches out to touch Rachel's arm with a sympathetic smile. "It wasn't your fault."

"It was Finn's," Quinn grits out, scowling at Tina.

"Don't sweat it, midget," Santana dismisses with a bored wave of her hand. Rachel glances at her in surprise before gazing around the room, as if to make sure no one else is actually blaming her for this. When her eyes finally settle on Quinn, Quinn offers her a meaningful smile, subtly motioning to the note still cradled against her torso. Rachel's eyes dart down and then back up, and Quinn knows she's gotten the message by the shy smile on her face.

They don't talk about it. They can't. They don't really have a moment where they can be alone for the rest of the night or the next morning when they're all rushing for the airport and then stuck together on a long bus ride of listening to Santana take shots at Finn while Finn constantly whines about it and Mr. Schuester yells at them all to remember they're a team.

And then Quinn is being whisked home by her mother, and even if she is entertaining the notion of letting Rachel Berry woo her, she's so not letting her mother clue into anything that's going on in her head right now.

But it becomes very clear on Monday morning that Rachel has taken Quinn's encouragement and run with it. There's a gardenia with a green ribbon tied into a bow waiting for Quinn inside her locker, which is just more proof that Rachel had been the one responsible for Quinn's prom corsage.

A fact that's confirmed when Quinn tracks down Rachel in the bathroom to ask her about the flower. 

"I wanted you to have a perfect night," she admits, picking nervously at the strap of her bag.

Quinn smiles, charmed by the admission. "Because you...like me?"

Rachel swallows nervously, nods once. "And because Finn didn't seem to be very enthusiastic about something that was obviously important to you."

Quinn rolls her eyes. "I don't want to talk about him. I want to know how long you've liked me." Because this whole thing has seemed a little sudden and out of the blue. Mercedes hadn't been wrong about that.

Rachel catches her lower lip between her teeth and shrugs, looking mildly perplexed. "I'm not entirely sure. I think it's been happening for a while, but I failed to take note of it until…" Her cheeks turn a little pink. "Well, until I just did."

Quinn shakes her head, a bit perplexed herself. "I don't understand how you could. I've generally been awful to you." She'd slapped her at prom, for God's sake. "Unless...I mean, I get it if it's just a physical thing." It wouldn't be the first time Quinn had been the object of someone's dirty fantasies and it won't be the last. She's hot and she knows it. It's only natural for people who like girls to desire her. And yet the thought of that being all this is for Rachel bothers her more than she can put into words.

"That's not it," Rachel quickly denies, frowning adorably—as if she's angry at Quinn for even suggesting it. "I mean, it's obviously a factor. You're impossibly beautiful." And she blushes again, turning positively red. "But…" She runs her tongue across her lips (and why is Quinn only just noticing how often she does that and how sexy it is?) and takes a breath while she composes her thoughts. "When I told you that you're a lot more than that, I meant it, Quinn. You're smart and resilient and so much kinder than you give yourself credit for. Every time you've let me catch a small glimpse of the person you really are, I've only wanted to know more." She glances down to the floor, looking suddenly shy again. "I want to know you. To know who you are and what you're thinking. And I'm honestly not sure if I've ever cared enough to really know that about anyone else."

Quinn nearly loses her breath at that. "Not even Finn?"

Rachel huffs out a silent laugh. "I thought I did at one point, obviously, but the discovery of who Finn Hudson really is left something to be desired." She shrugs a little sadly. "I'm afraid there was only so much interest I could muster for video games and football."

Quinn bites back her smile. "How do you know the same thing won't happen with me?"

"I don't," Rachel concedes. "But I've seen the books you read for pleasure, so I suspect that you're going to keep me interested in knowing more about you for quite some time."

"More than just what it's like to kiss me?" Quinn husks, stepping closer.

Rachel's eyes widen, and she inhales sharply through her nose. "Did Finn tell you?"

Quinn frowns in confusion. "Tell me what?"

"That I asked him…" She cuts herself off, realization sparking in her eyes. "You were referring to the note, weren't you?"

Quinn's confusion disappears, and she grins ferally. Because she is smart, and she knows exactly what Rachel was about to say. "Did you ask Finn what it was like to kiss me?"

Rachel doesn't answer, but her blush does. "Why are you being so open to this? You should be telling me to stay away from you."

She probably should be, but she isn't going to. "I guess that's just one of those things you're going to have to discover about me." Quinn steps away from Rachel, shouldering her own bag before sending Rachel a wink. "Maybe you'll even get a first hand answer to that other question of yours. If you're up for it."

She leaves Rachel sputtering as she saunters out of the bathroom with an extra sway in her hips and a grin on her lips. It's the best she's felt about herself in a very long time, and if she's being honest, she thinks she's probably been mostly wooed by Rachel already. It hadn't taken much more than that little speech of hers. But Quinn isn't about to pass up the chance to be treated to more of the same.

It's really no surprise to anyone that Rachel once again has a song prepared for glee.

"Just a little something to lift our spirits after our disappointment," she explains, but there's a twinkle in her eyes when they seek out Quinn that Quinn fully understands the moment she begins to sing.

"Well you done done me and you bet I felt it I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted. I fell right through the cracks And now I'm trying to get back."

Quinn barely stifles her giggle at Rachel's song choice. It's not exactly a standard love song, but the message is still pretty clear, especially when she's so obviously singing to Quinn.

"Before the cool done run out I'll be giving it my best-est, And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention. I reckon it's again my turn To win some or learn some. But I won't hesitate no more, no more. It cannot wait. I'm yours."

Rachel's dark eyes are on Quinn while she makes her musical declaration, but then Rachel is grinning and dancing around the rest of the room for the second verse, doing a fair job of pretending this is for the entire glee club. Quinn knows better, and when she glances around the room, she sees all their friends smiling and enjoying the performance.

But at the end, Rachel's eyes come right back to Quinn for her very last—

"This, oh this, this is our fate. I'm yours."

Quinn thinks she's pretty okay with that.

And Tina can suck it.

[strangedreamings]

Fictober 19 - McMolly

19. “Yes, I admit it, you were right.”

I’m a few months late for Fictober, but right on time for your birthday. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Molly (AO3)

Mary came up to his desk, grinning. “You are coming tonight, right?” Her tone said loud and clear that it wasn’t really a question.

Leonard sighed. “I prefer drinkin’ at home, alone. A pub full of people, most of them strangers or near-strangers-”

Her grin widened. “Don’t forget the karaoke.”

He rolled his eyes. “Pass. Hard pass.”

“It’ll be fun.” When he let out a non-committal grunt, she added, “It’s Molly’s birthday, you’re going.” Mary’s tone was pure mom and it brooked no arguments.

“I’ll go,” he conceded, “but it’ll only be to give Molly her gift and wish her a happy birthday, then I’m out of there.” The last thing I want is to see her moonin’ over Sherlock or worse, tryin’ to get him to dance.

Either Mary was a mind-reader or his thoughts were all over his face. “Sherlock won’t be there, Mycroft sent him to Belfast on a case.”

He raised an eyebrow. “This is the first I’ve heard about it.” My overdramatic flatmate left on a case and didn’t tell me?

“I drove him to the airport an hour ago.”

“So, you just want to make sure I’ll be there since you’re already missin’ a body?”

Mary smirked. “I want to make sure you’ll be there since Sherlock won’t be around to distract Molly.” She started walking away and said over her shoulder, “Seven o’clock.”

Leonard stared at her. “Well, I’ll be damned…”

***

An hour into the party, Leonard was sitting at the far end of the bar, nursing a beer and trying hard not to get jealous every time a man came up to Molly and wished her a happy birthday. He didn’t notice he had company until the other man spoke up.

“You know, the ‘specter at the feast’ role is usually reserved for Mycroft,” John said as he sat down next to him.

Leonard rolled his eyes. “I’m bein’ as social as I want to be.”

“Okay, but glaring daggers at any man who talks to Molly is a bit much, even for you. You have a chance, go take it and put the rest of us out of our misery.”

“I’m not glarin’ daggers,” he muttered then he took another sip of his beer.

“Yeah, you are. Go on.”

He made a show of reluctantly getting off the stool but in reality, he was steeling his nerves. As he walked over to Molly, he noticed again how gorgeous she was, how happy and cheerful she was, especially compared to him, and how sweet she was. While I’m as sour as they get.

Molly smiled at him warmly when he got close enough. “Enjoying the party, Leonard?” she asked playfully.

“Is it that obvious?” he muttered.

“Yes,” she said simply, her eyes dancing.

“Right…” He took a deep breath before pulling the small wrapped box out of the pocket of his coat and handing it to her. “Happy Birthday, again. I, um, thought you’d like this.”

“You didn’t have to give me anything,” she said happily as she tore off the yellow wrapping paper and opened the box. Her face lit up and he had a strong urge to kiss her. “Oh, Leonard,” she whispered, awed, then she beamed at him. “I love it!” She took the small, gold-plated pendant shaped like an origami cat out of the box then opened the clasp on the chain and put it on. “How does it look?”

He grinned at her, not bothering to fight it. “Perfect.”

Molly stood on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” he murmured then he decided to take the biggest gamble of his life so far. He kissed her lips. The kiss was soft and supposed to be brief but she grabbed his coat and kissed him back.

Well, he thought, happy birthday to me.

When they came up for air, Mary was standing next to him, grinning. “I told you it’d be fun.”

Leonard chuckled. “Yes, I admit it, you were right.”

Her grin widened. “I always am.”

[majart]

Birthday card for my grandmother

[rawrmeansmemes]

DISNEY QUOTES MEME

send a   🏰  and I’ll generate a number, 1-166 and post the sentence as a starter. 

Ah, yes. Now what are you, and who are you doin' here?

Now, I'm warnin' ya. Don't let nobody or nothin' in the house.

I'm so ashamed of the fuss I made.

A lie keeps growing and growing until it's as plain as the nose on your face.

Well... guess he won't need me anymore. What does an actor want with a conscience, anyway?

You buttered your bread. Now sleep in it!

All we gotta do is build an act. Make ya a star. A headliner! 

Gab, gab, gab. They're always gossipin'.

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.

You know, just the other day, I was talking to myself about you, and we were wondering what had become of you.

So this is love. So this is what makes life divine. I'm all aglow...

Oh, that clock! Old killjoy. I hear you. "Come on, get up," you say, "Time to start another day."

I can't believe. Not anymore. There's nothing left to believe in. Nothing.

Oh, I wasn't... I mean, I do, but-but don't you think my dress...

Why, it's like a dream. A wonderful dream come true.

Oh, I understand, but... it's more than I ever hoped for.

Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.

It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change.

Ah, that's just it. If you don't think, then you shouldn't talk.

if I lose my temper, you lose your head! Understand?

Curiosity often leads to trouble.

Better look first, for if one drinks much from a bottle marked "Poison", it's almost certain to disagree with you sooner or later.

Of course not. This is an unbirthday party.

Mustard! Yes, mu- MUSTARD? Don't let's be silly! Lemon, that's different...

Of all the silly nonsense, this is the stupidest tea party I've ever been to in all my life.

Goodness gracious, whatever shall we do?

It's... It's just that I never thought about it before. Say, that's it! You think of a wonderful thought.

Don't you understand, _____? You mean more to me than anything in this whole world!

Just a cute little bundle... of trouble!

You know, sometimes I don't think she's really very happy.

Well, I'm really not supposed to speak to strangers, but we've met before.

Well, *that* would make me happy.

But don't you remember? We've met before.

I'm awfully sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.

Oh... I just love happy endings.

I'm so hungry I could eat  a whole elephant.

You idiots! You fools! You imbeciles!

I'm not sleepy. I'm hungry.

I'd like to tear his gizzard out.

Sounds like someone's sick. How lovely. I do hope it's serious. Something dreadful.

When he stays out all night, he's always grumpy the next morning.

This will take brains, not brawn.

I was just wonderin', are we good guys or bad guys? You know, I mean, uh? Our robbin' the rich to feed the poor.

Rob? Tsk tsk tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.

Oh, he's so handsome, just like his reward posters.

Wowee! I'm tip-top, alright, but I'm not as good as he is.

Look, why don't you stop moonin' and mopin' around? - Just - Just marry the girl.

Ladies don't start fights, but they can finish them!

Why, your eyes are like sapphires sparkling so bright. They make the morning radiant and light.

Wait a minute. I'm the leader! I'm the one that says when we go.

You FORCE them to like you, idiot!

You get down there and find the big diamond, or you will never see the teddy a - gain!

We're still friends, right?

Don't worry, old fellow. It's not *entirely* hopeless.

There's no evil scheme he wouldn't concoct! No depravity he wouldn't commit.

Now, you will remember to smile for the camera, won't you? Say "Cheese".

I'm afraid that you've gone and upset me. You know what happens when someone upsets me.

Hey, man, if this is torture, chain me to the wall.

Isn't it rather dangerous to use ones entire vocabulary in a single sentence?

Hey, man, you're ugly! And you're uglier than him! And you're Ugly, Part Three! Hey, you're Revenge of the Ugly!

Ooh, I think she likes me, man!

Hm. Teenagers. They think they know everything. You give them an inch, they swim all over you.

My nerves are shot. This is a catastrophe!

Have I ever been wrong? I mean when it's important!

I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad.

You'll have your looks. Your pretty face and don't underestimate the importance of "body language." Ha!

This has got to be, without a doubt, the single most humiliating day of my life!

I didn't make it all the way through third grade for nothing.

Well, there's the usual things. Flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep.

How can you read this? There's no pictures!

This is yet another example of the late neoclassic Baroque period. And, as I always say, "If it's not Baroque, don't fix it!".

Oh dear. That didn't go very well at all, did it?

Couldn't keep quiet, could we? Just had to invite him to stay, didn't we?

I'd like to thank you all for coming to my wedding. But first I'd better go in there and uh, propose to the girl!

All right, Sparky, here's the deal. If you wanna court the little lady, you gotta be a straight shooter. Do ya got it?

No, really. On a scale of one to ten, you are an eleven.

How many cups of sugar does it take to get to the moon?

Arrrgh! This is the *stupidest* vacation! You drag me from home, jam me into this dumb car, drive me a million miles away to see some stupid rat show!

Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.

I'm surrounded by idiots...

I laugh in the face of danger

Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble

For what? This? I've gotten out of worse scrapes than this. Can't think of anything right now, but.

I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you.

Is this bottomless pit a friend of yours?

You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity.

You uncultured swine! What're you lookin' at, ya hockey puck?

I've set my laser from stun to kill.

Oh, great. If anyone attacks we can blink em' to death.

Candlelight, privacy, music. Can't think of a better place for hand-to-hand combat.

Speaking of trouble, we should have run into some by now.

Why is it, whenever we meet, I end up bleeding?

You leave town for a couple of decades and they change everything.

I'm a damsel, I'm in distress, I can handle this. Have a nice day.

You know, wh-when I was a kid, I-I would have given anything to be exactly like everybody else.

Fabulous party. You know, I haven't seen this much love in a room since Narcissus discovered himself.

Would you like to stay forever?

My little baby, off to destroy people.

Ooh, I think my bunny slippers just ran for cover. Come on, scare me, girl!

They popped out of the snow, like daisies!

First rule of leadership: Everything is your fault.

You listen to me, my boy. I've made a living out of being a failure, and you, sir, are not a failure.

Do I look stupid to you? 

I was saved! I was saved by a flying wild man in a loincloth.

Are you sure this water's sanitary? It looks questionable to me!

Um, okay, but it won't be the same coming from me.

But I don't wanna use my head!

I may not be a smart dog, but I know what roadkill is.

Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall.

It's called a "cruel irony", like my dependence on you.

Why do we even *have* that lever?

Break it down? Are ya kidding me? This is hand-carved mahogany.

That is the last time we take directions from a squirrel.

Oh, he's doing his own theme music? Big, dumb and tone deaf. 

Is there anything on this menu that is not swimming in gravy?

We done a lot of things we're not proud of. Robbing graves, eh, plundering tombs, double parking. But, nobody got hurt. Well, maybe somebody got hurt, but nobody we knew.

Hey, look, I made a bridge. It only took me like, what? Ten seconds? Eleven, tops.

Well, as far as me goes, I just like to blow things up.

C'mon, fight that plaque! Fight that plaque! Scary monsters don't have plaque!'

Now, put that thing back where it came from, or so help me...!

Ha, ha, ha. You've been jealous of my good looks since the fourth grade, pal.

You know, like on the street, with the honk-honk and the vroom-vroom, and the no walking involved?

Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten.

My friends need to be punished.

Leave me alone to diiieee...

This is you, and this is your badness level. It's unusually high for someone your size.

You'll like it, 'cause it's stinky, LIKE YOU! 

"Oh, look at me, I'm a flippy little dolphin, let me flip for you! Ain't I something?"

Well, you never really know you know, but when they know, you'll know, ya know?

There he is. Ha ha! Come here, loverboy.

I mean, who wants the pressure of being super all the time?

You know?! For a little bit. I feel like the maid: "I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for, for 10 minutes?! Please?!"

Now, I'll tell you what we're not gonna do. We're not gonna panic, we're not gonna die.

I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.

Boy, I'm pretty good at this lawyerin' stuff!

You and me... we're in a club now.

Swear you'll take us there. Cross your heart! Cross it! Cross your heart!

I know this may seem boring, but I think the boring stuff is what I remember the most.

I was hiding under your porch because I love you.

There is no way I am kissing a frog and eating a bug on the same day.

If I can mince, you can dance.

I was beginning to think wishing on stars was just for babies and crazy people...

Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no. This is bad. This is very, very bad. This is really bad'! 

Stay calm. It can probably smell fear.

I've always wanted to go out with a bang!

Yeah, this one we caught sticking his bumper where it didn't belong!

I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me.

I don't wanna be the bad guy anymore.

Well, this place just got interesting.

Tut tut! As your merciful princess, I hereby decree that everyone who was ever mean to me shall be… executed.

They get away with murder! I can never get away with anything!

I'm gonna wipe the floor with that little know-it-all.

Wait, what am I looking at right now? Why are you hanging off the earth like a bat?

I've always wanted a nose! So cute; it's like little baby unicorn!

Oh, look at that. I've been impaled.

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?

Hey, kid? If you're pullin' my leg, I'm gonna eat yours.

I'm doing the happy dance, I'm not wearing any pants!

Crying helps me slow down and obsess over the weight of life's problems.

Well, he was right about one thing; I don't know when to quit!

Never let them see that they get to you.

It's called a hustle, sweetheart.

Life isn't some cartoon musical where you sing a little song and all your insipid dreams magically come true! So let...it...go.

I'm sorry. I gotta blink. How do you hold your eyes open that long?

You trust her. Becky's eating a cup.

When you use a bird to write with, it's called tweeting.

[megsblackfirewrites]

The Beginning of a Legacy: Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“Keep your head down!” John shouted. “Reyes, suppressive fire!”

“On it!” Reyes shouted. “Wong, get your scouts moving, woman!”

Laura bolted for cover, shouting at the men behind her to keep up. This was going to Hell faster than he had expected. He knew that pushing into Egypt, of all places, was going to be horrible. After breaking the siege in Europe with sheer brute force with the help of the Crusaders from Germany, John had been sent to quell the threat in Africa. The omnics here weren’t as organized, but they packed a larger punch. The Egyptian military was taking the brunt of the force in the northern part of the continent and were losing men faster than could be replaced.

John didn’t want the same thing happening with Overwatch. He was trying to be cautious, striking the omniniums only when he was certain that they could win, but it was proving to be harder than he had expected. The omnics were not letting him get the time he needed to put together a plan to minimize casualties. They hit hard and fast and he was scrambling to keep up.

“McCree, report!” John ordered as he twisted to fire on a line of Bastions advancing on them.

“Stuck in the middle of the fuckin’ plaza with a fuckton of fuckin’ omnics ready to chew my fuckin’ ass apart!” Joel snarled down the commline. “Fuckin’ hell, where do they keep comin’ from?!”

“That’s a colourful explanation,” Miyu teased. “Hold on, cowboy. I’m heading for you now.”

“It’s about fuckin’ time! I’m almost outta bullets!” Joel shouted. “Gunna resort to moonin’ them pretty soon!”

“That’s a mental image I didn’t need, Joel,” John shook his head, happily accepting the humor where he could get it. “Shimada, where’s your unit?”

“Already working on bringing the ominium down, Captain,” she replied. “I noticed that McCree wasn’t where he was supposed to be and went to investigate. Good to know my favourite cowboy isn’t dead yet.”

“Mighty kind of ya to notice,” Joel snorted. “Now hurry up!”

John popped a new clip into his rifle and touched his earpiece. “This is Captain Morrison. I want a sitrep, Captain Rahal.”

“We’ve almost got all of the civilians rounded up,” Captain Rahal replied. “I can’t thank you enough, Captain, for coming on such short notice.”

“This is what we’re here for, Rahal,” John chuckled in spite of himself. “You worry about getting your people to safety. We’ll handle the omnics.”

“Thank you,” Captain Rahal murmured. “Thank you.”

John nodded and signaled for his men to push forward. They hauled themselves over the market stalls they had been hiding behind and charged forward. The omnics were slow to respond, twisting towards them but blinking their red optics instead of attacking. The agents quickly took advantage of that, mowing through the omnics that had tried to kill them a few minutes earlier.

“McCree?”

“Moving’ with Shimada,” Joel replied. “Didn’t even lose a fingernail.”

“Glad to hear it. I’m going to do another sweep of the area. Reyes, get the unit over to the ominium and help Shimada’s unit however you can. Wilhelm, you’re with me.”

“Understood, sir,” Reyes nodded his head sharply. “Good luck.”

John jerked his head before he and Reinhardt hurried off. Reinhardt was panting heavily, but he was steadfast in keeping all of his armor on at all times while he was in the field. John wanted to tell the kid to take it off so he didn’t roast alive in there, but he knew that would only hurt his pride.

“Circle wide,” John ordered.

Reinhardt nodded and took the wide loop around the market square. John crept forward, rifle held close to his chest as he moved. He heard no sound, not even Reinhardt’s enormous footfalls. He paused at one of the corners of the market and reached up to touch his commlink.

“AMBUSH!” Reinhardt roared.

John bolted forward, rifle ready to start firing. He heard Reinhardt yelping and the sound of metal striking metal. He paused at the very human grunts underneath the cacophony and snorted in spite of himself. He hurried forward and found what he expected, to some degree.

Reinhardt had been jumped by a group of children and was being beaten with metal rods. It wasn’t doing anything to his armor, but it probably still sent painful vibrations through his skin.

“He’s not an omnic,” John laughed as he trotted forward. “Reinhardt, pull your helmet off.”

“I can’t lift my arms!” Reinhardt whined as two children clung to his wrists. “They’re captive!”

“Please,” John laughed as he stepped up and found the release mechanism for Reinhardt’s helmet. “My friend isn’t a threat.”

The children backed off immediately as Reinhardt’s sweaty face emerged from under the helmet. A few let out nervous giggles as Reinhardt shook his blond hair out and ran his fingers through it. He smiled and waved.

“Hello,” he greeted. “I am sorry for frightening you.”

“Why’re you dressed like an omnic?” one of the older children demanded.

John knew immediately that she was a forceful personality. Judging by the way the others immediately shifted behind her as she stepped forward, she was the ringleader of the little posse. She couldn’t have been much older than Thomas was, maybe twelve or thirteen and needed a bath to get the dust and grime off of her.

“I am not; I am wearing the armor of my order,” Reinhardt puffed his chest out. “We are the finest fighters in all of Germany! I was nominated to work with Captain Morrison and Overwatch.”

The girl’s eyes widened in awe. “You’re with Overwatch?” she whispered. “They’re heroes!”

John smiled. “Not quite. Just soldiers doing our job,” he said before he knelt down to be at her eye level. “Why are you and these other kids here, sweetheart? Shouldn’t you be at the evac point awaiting transport to Italy?”

The girl looked at him and frowned. “Please don’t call me ‘sweetheart’,” she grumbled before she tugged on her black braid. “And we’re not wanted here in Cairo. We didn’t think we’d be wanted in Italy either.”

John stared at her in horror before he held his arms out. “I am so sorry that you think that way, my friend,” he said. He hugged her close as she threw herself into his arms. “You are wanted in Italy, I promise. You’ll all be looked after and cared for. You’ll see.”

“You promise?” the girl whispered in his ear.

“Cross my heart,” he said. “My name’s John.”

“Ana,” she smiled shyly. “Ana Amari.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady,” Reinhardt said with a great big smile.

“You’re really cheesy,” Ana giggled and covered her nose and mouth.

John smiled before he got to his feet and carefully herded the children out of the marketplace. He touched his earpiece and got a hold of Captain Rahal. He explained that he had about ten kids with him that needed to be evacuated.

“Ten? I was told we’d gotten everyone,” Captain Rahal said.

“Street kids. Probably orphans and runaways,” John said.

Captain Rahal let out a long sigh. “Ah, that explains it. Thank you for finding them, Captain. I’ll have my men comb the city one more time after the ominium is dealt with.”

John gave his confirmation before he contacted Reyes. “Change of plans. Reinhardt and I have to escort some civilians to the evac point. Can you handle the ominium?”

“Already partially levelled,” Reyes replied. “You go play hero.”

“If there weren’t children around, I would tell you where to shove that attitude,” John said coldly. “Morrison out.”

He kept the children close as they headed for the edge of the city. Reinhardt carried a few of the children up on his shoulders, grinning as they played with his white-blond hair. Ana stayed close to John’s side, nervously holding onto his wrist as they approached the extraction sight.

Captain Rahal greeted him warmly, shaking John’s hand feverishly as the soldiers gently picked the kids up and carried them into the camp. Ana refused to leave John’s side, sticking her nose in the air. Stubborn ‘til the end; not a bad trait to have.

“I’m going with him,” she said.

“Ana,” he shook his head. “It’s safer if you stay with the Captain.”

“No! I’m going to fight!” she said, glaring up at him. “I know how to shoot a gun!”

“I don’t take child soldiers,” John said before he knelt down. “Ana, I know that you’re scared. That’s okay. This isn’t a situation that any child should have to go through. And before you say anything, yes, I know you’re a preteen. You’re still just a kid.”

“I can fight,” she said stubbornly.

“So you’ll just leave your friends behind?” he asked. “They probably feel much safer with you around.”

“We’re going to Italy; they’ll split us up,” she said as she reached up to rub at her brown eyes.

“I will ensure that you are all sent to the same village,” Captain Rahal promised. “You have all had a difficult life; you deserve some happiness.”

Ana glared at him, but nodded her head. She threw her arms around John’s neck and kissed his cheeks. John mimicked her, smiling as she turned to follow Captain Rahal. She stopped and turned around, setting her hands on her hips.

“You’d better come see me when this is done,” she said sternly. “I want to know what happened to my heroes.”

John laughed as he stood up. “We’ll see, Ana.”

She smiled and saluted before turning and trotting off after her friends.

“Hold still,” Miyu sighed as she tried to wrap Joel’s ribs. “You’re worse than a newborn.”

“Newborn ain’t got busted ribs from an omnic fallin’ on them,” Joel winced. “Not so tight.”

“Have to be tight to make sure your rib doesn’t heal crooked,” Miyu rolled her eyes.

Joel huffed as she set the bandages in place with a butterfly clasp. He wrapped an arm around his chest and groaned in pain as John walked into the makeshift medical tent. He didn’t feel bad about John coming and seeing him so long after the mission was completed. Man had his own things to worry about aside from an injured SIC that wasn’t at death’s door.

“Hey boss,” he greeted with a weak wave. “Missed the party.”

“Heard you were almost squashed,” John shook his head. “When will you learn, old man?”

“When I’m dead and in the ground,” Joel snorted. “‘Sides, Miyu was there to haul me out from under the omnic.”

“You’re a real piece of work,” John shook his head. “Glad you’re still in one piece. I’m going to send you back to the States while those ribs heal. Give you a chance to see your kids.”

Joel blinked at him before he grinned widely. “Well, that’s mighty kind of ya, sugar,” he teased. “Want me to bring Jack anythin’?”

“I have a few presents I’m sending back with you,” John smiled sadly. “I missed his birthday.”

Joel smiled and nodded knowingly. He was beyond ecstatic to be getting to see his kids again. They had been without communication for too long and he wanted nothing more than to sweep his kids into a backbreaking hug, kiss their faces, and promise that he was there for them. He wanted to see how big Jesse had gotten, see if Van could still wrestle Jack to the ground, and help Thomas put an engine together even though he didn’t know the fuel pump from the fuel injector. It would be good to see them and to see Jack.

There was a commotion outside and John turned. Laura came rushing into the tent and bent double, holding up a finger as she tried to catch her breath. She straightened up a few seconds later and saluted.

“There’s an omnic that wishes to speak with you, sir!” she panted. “Reyes wanted to shoot him, but he was holding an olive branch and I thought that would be in poor taste.”

“And how did you manage to convince him not to shoot the omnic?” John frowned.

“Jasper put him in a headlock,” she grinned.

Joel let out a snicker. Sergeant McGuire did have just as much pull as Reyes, in all technicalities. He thought it was hilarious that he had felt the need to put Reyes in a headlock in order to get him to listen. He’d reprimand him in private for attacking another soldier, but he fully supported the move. Reyes was just too uppity for his own britches.

“Well, I’d better go have a look,” John sighed.

“Hang on,” Joel groaned as he got to his feet and slapped his hat over his head. “You ain’t goin’ anywhere without yer SIC.”

John gave him a flat look, but didn’t bother arguing with him. He knew that Joel would just follow him anyways. They headed across the camp to the tent closest to the gates, nodding to the soldiers that were standing guard outside.

Inside the tiny tent was a slim omnic holding an olive branch against its chest as if it was the only thing keeping it alive. Considering Reyes and three other soldiers had their guns trained on it, it probably was. Poor thing. What a way to come seeking parlay and find hostility instead.

“Captain,” McGuire inclined his head.

“Captain Morrison,” the omnic said in a soft voice. “I...I wish to speak with you. Please, I am not a threat. I was not created with weapons. I was meant to help in the medical ward, not fight.”

“Stand down,” John ordered. “I’ll take their word for now.”

The soldiers lowered their guns, but Joel could tell that Reyes wanted to crack the omnic across the head with his rifle. Joel shifted forward and stood between the omnic and the trigger-happy soldier, giving Reyes a pointed look. Kid needed to stand the hell down; Joel was not in good enough condition to handle his particular level of bullheadedness right now.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” John asked.

“I wish to join your taskforce,” the omnic said. “I believe that I will be of great benefit to your cause.”

“You…,” John blinked at the omnic before he cocked his head to the side. “Seriously?”

“Yes,” the omnic let out a soft laugh. “I understand your disbelief. You have only encountered omnics that have wanted to kill you. Up until you destroyed the ominium, I might have. But now that my mind is free...I am scared.”

“Scared?” Joel lifted an eyebrow.

He knew the omnics were smart, but this was unbelievable. It was capable of experiencing emotions? That suddenly made their strikes very, very questionable. How many of the omnics that they had dismantled had been capable of processing emotions and thoughts? How many dreams had been snuffed out?

Well, he suddenly felt like a massive fucking jackass. More so than usual, anyways.

“Yes,” the omnic nodded. “I...I do not wish to be dismantled. If I were to return to my brethren, I would be offlined and my parts used to repair the battle-made omnics. I...I do not wish to die.”

John opened and closed his mouth several times before he set his hands on his hips. “And you say that you were supposed to help in medical wards?” he asked.

“You can’t be serious, Captain,” Reyes shouted.

“Shut it, kid,” Joel growled. “Not yer call ta make. I ain’t in the mood to be nice either, so shut it or I’ll shut it fer ya.”

Reyes glared at him, but he wasn’t stupid enough to start a fight. Even if Joel was standing bare-chested in the middle of a ring of armed men, Reyes knew that Joel would beat him senseless if he had to. It wouldn’t have been the first time he had to get physical with the kid and it wasn’t going to be the last. Some people just never learned.

“Yes,” the omnic nodded its head. “I helped the head physician at the Coptic Hospital here in Cairo. I can help keep your soldiers alive after they have returned from their missions. Please. It is all I ask. You can keep me in whatever cage you desire. Just please, please do not send me back!”

Joel looked at John and knew his answer. John was a softie under that frown of his; he wouldn’t turn away anyone that was seeking sanctuary.

“You can start by looking at my SIC,” John said. “He cracked his ribs during the mission. Might be some other problems we don’t know about. I would like a real medic to have a look and not just field medics.”

The omnic relaxed and got to their feet. “Of course, Captain! Thank you,” it bowed its head.

“You have a name?” Joel asked.

“MZ-201,” it replied.

“Not much of a name,” Joel smirked. “Don’t you worry, friend. We’ll get you kitted out with a proper one.”

“Thank you,” the omnic murmured. “I cannot thank you enough.”

John nodded his head and Joel led the omnic back towards the medical tent. This was going to be interesting. An omnic working as a medic in the Overwatch Strike Force. High command was going to shit themselves when they found out.

[fenvincible]

“Stop moonin’ Stevie and jus’ hold his hand,” Bucky grunts. Steve jumps, eyes barely leaving Tony’s form as his slim fingers work with the coffee maker. 

“I, uh, no. I’m not. Not moonin’ Buck. Mind ya own.”

Steve sounds slightly harsher than he intends, because okay, yeah, maybe he IS moonin’. It’s just.. he’s noticed recently how nice Tony’s hands look. They’re always moving. He twirls his pens during meetings, they flicker and move and adjust holographs while he paces his office. Steve swallows thickly as he thinks of the way Tony’s fingers flit over the suits he works on for the teams. When Steve went to try on his last stealth suit Tony’s fingers had been all over. Checking the fit over his biceps, down his pecs and abs, even on his calves. That might be the moment his obsession started. 

“Hmph,” Bucky grunts, clearly not believing his friend. “Jus’ hold his hand.” 

So Steve develops a plan and out of that plan comes Mission Impossible: Hold Tony Stark’s Fuckin’ Hand Steve You Useless Gay. Nat came up with the name. 

Steve tries four different times, to hold Tony’s hand. The first time surprises Steve. They’re out as a team, viewing Christmas lights in New York (”Stevie, it’s a beautiful time of year, plus, the lights are nice... romantic” Bucky interjects throwing Stevie his coat as they head out). Bucky is right, the lights are romantic and as Steve watches the way Tony cups his fingers over his mouth and blows he can’t help but reach out. 

“You’re freezing,” he mumbles. Gently rubbing Tony’s fingers with his own. 

Slim and long, but also calloused. Tony’s fingers twitch in Steve’s hands and the man gives him a strange look before softly pulling way. 

“Yeah,” he laughs. “Might have to turn around and head home soon, huh? Sorry Buck, I forgot my gloves. 

The next time comes after a hard won mission, Tony’s hands were shaking and bruised, covered in blood. Steve took them in his, gently as always, and cleans Tony’s hands with a bottle of water S.H.E.I.L.D. medical had thrown at him. Steve cleans Tony’s fingers, tells him he did a good job, and ignores the stutter in his heart as Tony turns away to shed a tear or two. 

The third time comes after a particularly rough interview. The reporter asks when Tony is going to see sense and return to weapons manufacturing. Tony’s usual answer of ‘never’ doesn’t deter the man (spunky little shit, isn't he? Hawkeye asks from where they watch the live interview in the back) “You aren’t worried about what your father would think? how disappointed he would be to see you drive his company into the ground?” Tony walks off the set and his fingers tremble with the want to hit something. Steve grabs Tony’s hands, tells him everybody on the team is proud, and lets his thumb rub small circles on the back of Tony’s hand. it takes Tony a little longer than normal to pull away. Steve doesn’t feel like this counts as a win. 

The fourth time comes so long after the first that Steve wonders if Mission Impossible:  Hold Tony Stark’s Fuckin’ Hand Steve You Useless Gay is even still on. But when Tony comes down to the Halloween party clad in a ripped, messy suit and makeup that pales his normally caramel skin, lips painted an air-hungry shade of blue and eyes white with contacts Steve remembers suddenly. The night is long and beautiful, full of laughs and drinks enough for everybody. it’s almost one in the morning when Steve finds Tony on the balcony, the top button of his white shirt undone, torn jacket draped over an arm. 

“You have rigor mortis,” Steve states as he grabs Tony’s hand, noticing his fingers are chilled as well. “Your hand is cold. Don’t worry though, I'm here to hold it for you.” 

Tony laughs, eyes sparkling and head thrown back as Steve stares for a moment at their laced fingers. 

“You’re right, Cap,” Tony sighs, using his other hand to wipe away a tear as it streaks through the pale makeup on his face. “I think maybe I should call it a night. Thank you, for warming my hand.” 

Before Tony takes his hand back he squeezes Steve’s hand. The light doesn’t leave his eyes. 

Steve gives up on Mission Impossible: HTSFHSYUG after that because it’s kind of stressful. Dating as a superhero is hard and it’s worse when the hero you’re crushing on is a man.. who might not even like men (”it’s Stark, Steve,” Clint sighs into his pancakes one Sunday morning. “He’s so fucking pansexual it’s likely to attract an alien species.” Natasha nods, quiet as ever over her bowl of fruit, coffee in hand “Plus, he likes you too.”) but Steve can’t be sure he and doesn’t want to ruin the friendship he and Tony are developing so MI: HTSHSYUG is off. 

Until it’s kind of back on. Steve and Tony are curled up on the small love seat during tower movie night. It’s Thor’s turn to pick and he is currently in love with horror movies. Tonight’s pick is The Evil Dead, the original of course. Steve watches, interested as the film continues. A voice taunting Ash from where his sister is locked in the basement. ‘don’t go to it’ he sighs inwardly. Steve might have been frozen for 70 years, but his brain works well enough to understand what should not be done during a possession. When the hands burst forth, grabbing Bruce Campbell and holding him down Tony jumps and his hand instinctively finds Steve’s. He laces their fingers together and leans close, whispering in Steve’s ear. 

“Don’t worry Cap, I won’t tell anybody you were scared, I'll even hold your hand through it,” Tony’s voice is tight, with a fear Steve doesn’t hear while they’re out battling. This is from the movie, he chokes back a laugh and leans into Tony. 

“I won’t tell if you don’t,” He whispers back, smile on his face strong as ever. Because maybe Mission Impossible: Hold Tony Stark’s Fucking Hand Steve You Useless Gay, isn’t as much of a lost cause as Steve thought. 

steve: i have to think of a way that i can hold tony’s hand 

tony: hey–

steve: you have rigor mortis and ur hand is cold so i’ll hold it for u 

[orchideous]

Was Full Moonin until 5am and then just slept until 5pm. And we have to be up at 6am for a boat and 3 buses to KL - yay ✌🏼️🌏💕 #notsleepingtonight #fullmoonpart2 #waningmoonparty #emmaandsiobhanexplore #kohphangan #thailand (at Full Moon Party - Koh Phangan)