#my friend cut her bangs soooooo short

[lyekisses]

im being tested today. and i think im failing

[tmwcs]

girll I made another avatar cus its so fun well actually more like my friend made it lmao I asked her to make an avatar based off of how I look like whenever she sees me and..this is what she made.

Its kindaaa different from what I made but I guess this is accurate since its what people see me as?? and she worked with another person to do this lol she is dedicated! she said that I only wear headbands when im at ballet and at school and that most of the time I keep my hair down and it shows my front strands of hair and that sometimes I keep my bangs on the side lmao I have been exposed 🫣! she also said that she made two versions cause sometimes she observed that I like to tuck a strand of hair in my ear? idk I think I do it unconsciously 😭 and I guess my hair has gotten longer cause the avatar I made if you can see it theres a ponytail at the back thats why I wanted to keep the hair kind of short so that it makes sense that my hair is a bit short since its tied…I might need to get a haircut soon but idk should I keep it long and just go blonde?? or brunette..oml im so indecisive!! the heart earrings omgg haha she actually gave me those and said that she put it there cause I have it on whenever we meet up (honestly its just to show that I love and use the earrings she gave me) and the top!! how come I didnt see this top omfg?!?! I own a similar if not an exact same one in a different color no way!!

omg girl your avatars are so preeeeeetttttyyyyy! i personally think that you should try a cut and go blonde. I went blonde one time and i actually liked it, but i wouldn't recommend going all blonde bc that's just too much maintenance. i've thought about doing a bayalage with blonde color bc it looks nice even when growing out, so its less maintenance. i think you should try, blonde or any color bayalage can never look bad as long as its done by a professional, i've seen ombre/bayalage styles of all colors and its soooooo beautiful no matter what. here are some ideas, ofc depending on your skin tone and face shape, you can alter the cut, style, and color that best suits you, its really teh technique and application that really matters, and the one good and solid thing about bayalage and ombre is that it looks sooooooo damn good and your hair growing out, it will look even better adn more and more natural versus dying your whole entire head.

[ificanthaveu]

Car Rides, Middle School and Older Brothers || The DropBack || Shawn Mendes

Description: Shawn and [Y/N] get to know each other a little deeper than intended on their long car ride to see her brother

A/N: Part 2 baby!! honestly the more i write parts, the more parts i come up with soooooo idk how long this’ll actually end up being. Get ready to learn what makes your character the way she is, also, hella foreshadowing as to how this is going to affect her in the future which we’ll actually delve into in a few parts.

Word Count: 2.9k

The DropBack Masterlist

Waking up at 6:00 am was never ideal, but it certainly wasn’t when you had to do it on a Saturday. USC was a two-hour drive, and Matthew insisted you all leave at 7:00, so you all had time to walk around and explore. Matthew also insisted that he get to drive. 

“Are you nervous?” Elsie asked you as you finished getting dressed, throwing on your brother’s USC jersey with a pair of shorts. 

“Why would I be nervous?” You asked.

“Because it’s the first time your brother is starting,” she said as she waited for you at the end of your bed.

You simply shrugged your shoulders.

“David’s going to do great. I know he will. He was literally born to do this,” you paused for a moment. “Yeah, it sucks neither of my parents can go, but you and Matthew will be there and you’re basically like his siblings.”

“And Shawn. Shawn’ll be there.”

“Well, yeah, but he hasn’t met Shawn.”

“Will he think something’s going on between the two of you? Like this is some double date?” She asked. You hadn’t really thought about it that way, but now that she mentioned it, you could see it a little bit. 

“I’ve known him for a week, El. If David thinks something is going on this quick, then that’s his own deal,” you said as you quickly finished getting ready and checked the time on your phone. On cue, Matthew’s name popped up with a text saying him and Shawn were out front.

“Did Shawn stay at Matthew’s?” You questioned. Elsie nodded her head.

“Yeah, they’ve become pretty close. Perfect since you’re going to fall in love with him.”

You rolled your eyes at her and gave her a look, but all she did was smile back at you.

“I barely know him,” you said as you both started walking downstairs.

“Well, today’s the day to do it,” she said as you walked outside where Shawn and Matthew were waiting. Elsie slid into the front seat, and you hopped into the back with Shawn. 

Everyone said quick hello’s before Matthew started driving. You looked over at Shawn, and he was frowning at your shirt.

“What?” You asked as you glanced down at it.

“Not 55?” He asked. You shook your head.

“Nope, he’s 39 for USC. Guess I won’t be repping both of you today,” you said back to him.

He gave you a frown as he placed his hand on his heart.

“I don’t know how I’ll get through this.” You lightly pushed him as you pulled your legs up onto the seat and faced him. He followed suit. 

“Where are you from, Mendes?” You asked.

“We’re getting right into it then?”

“Well, you’re meeting my brother today, and I don’t know anything about you,” you said as you slightly shook your head. Shawn’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

“I’m meeting your brother?” He said just a little too loudly. Elsie glanced back and laughed.

“Did you think [Y/N] was going to her brother’s game and wasn’t going to see him?” She asked as she turned around to look at Shawn.

“Well, I thought just she would see him,” he rationalized. 

“I love David about ten times more than I love [Y/N]. If she didn’t let me see him, I’d combust,” Matthew chimed in. 

“Were we just going to wait in the car while [Y/N] spent time with her brother?” Elsie asked Shawn.

Shawn looked flustered as he thought this through.

“I didn’t think that far,” he mumbled. You shook your head again and patted his shoulder lightly.

“You’ll be fine. Worse thing he’ll do is try to embarrass me,” you said with a shrug. “But we’re done thinking about that. Where are you from?” You repeated your question from earlier. Shawn took a deep breath before answering.

“Originally Canada, but I moved here from Pittsburg,” he answered as he faced you again. 

“Canada? I had no idea you were Canadian!” You said with a little too much excitement. 

“I moved when I was eight, so I don’t remember a ton. I came to Pittsburg right before second grade and didn’t know anyone, so flag football was the perfect thing for me to meet people,” he answered. “We go back to Canada like once a year, but it’s hard with my football schedule.”

“That’s how it was with Dave. Football is pretty much a year-round commitment, especially when you’re good, so family vacations were always out of the question. Unless it was for a football camp at some college in the country, then we’d just make it a vacation. My mom or dad would take me to do touristy things while David was at his camp,” you said. 

“I don’t want to hear about your brother. I hear that enough from Coach. No offense,” he quickly corrected himself. You laughed at him, so he knew you weren’t offended. 

“None taken. My whole life has pretty much been about my brother, so I’m used to it.”

“Do you have any other siblings?”

“Nope, do you?”

“A younger sister. She’s in eighth grade at Monroe middle.”

“Why’d you choose Monroe?” You asked him. He paused for a moment to think about it.

“I wanted somewhere that had a good football program, but also a good education. This was the best one in the area that was also public. My parents let me make the decision since it’s hard enough being uprooted right before your senior year of high school,” he said with a sad look on his face. 

“Well, at least you found us,” you said with a big smile on your face. He finally smiled and lightly shook his head. 

“You diverted my question. I want to get to know you, too,” he said as he pushed your knee. You could feel his hand there even after he removed it.

“I told you David’s my only sibling.”

“Riveting,” he said with sarcasm laced in his voice. You rolled your eyes at him as he laughed at you. “I wanna know the good stuff.”

“Alright, ask away. I’m an open book,” you said while leaning back against the window. Instead of looking at you, he turned forward again.

“Matthew?” He asked. 

“Yeah?” He said as he looked through the mirror. 

“What was [Y/N] like in middle school?” 

“No, Matthew, if you answer that I’ll wring your neck and won’t let you see David,” you scrambled as you hit him on the shoulder. He continuously pushed your hand away until you gave up and leaned back in your seat. 

“Well, Shawn, [Y/N] was a handful in middle school,” Matthew started as you rolled your eyes and pulled your knees up to your chest. 

“Really?” Shawn was intrigued. 

“Yep, she was the most dramatic bitch I’d ever met.”

“Everyone’s dramatic in middle school,” you chimed in. 

“Well, yeah, but you were that times a million. Remember when Jack didn’t want to dance with you at the middle school dance?”

“Don’t remind me,” you said as you banged your head on the back of the seat. 

“I think you cried for a month,” Matthew said as he tried not to laugh. 

“Matty, please stop talking,” you begged. 

“Don’t call me Matty,” he whined. 

“Then don’t talk about middle school,” you countered. 

“Fine, I’ll cut you a little slack. Middle school was hard for you,” Matthew said as the car went silent. You could tell Shawn could only wonder why. 

“My parents got divorced when I was in seventh grade,” you finally said as you looked down at your hands. “David was just starting high school, so he threw himself into football. I handled it by being dramatic and doing a hell of a lot of writing.” 

“You write?” Shawn asked. You nodded your head as you looked back up at him, thankful he switched the topic.

“Yeah, mostly poetry. I call that period of writing ‘The Dark Ages,’ since all of it was incredibly depressing, but I swear it’s a lot happier now,” you said through a giggle. 

“I want to read it,” Shawn stated. Elsie laughed from the front seat. 

“Aw, Shawn, that’s cute. [Y/N] doesn’t even let me read it,” she said as she continued her laughter. 

“Why not?” He asked the car. You shrugged your shoulders.

“I always feel like they aren’t complete, and I only want people to read something if it’s 100% done.”

“Well, you still sent them to USC even if they weren’t ‘complete’,” Matthew mocked from the front seat. 

“You want to go to USC?” Shawn asked. You nodded your head. 

“Yeah, it’d be nice to be around David. I’m trying to get into their creative writing program, but it’s tough.”

“I’m sure you’ll get in,” he said as he gave you a look.

“You haven’t even read anything of mine. I could be a shitty writer,” you said. 

“I’d like to believe you aren’t,” Shawn replied. 

The rest of the car ride was filled with a continuous back and forth between you and Shawn, trying to get to know each other in a two-hour time span, with Elise and Matthew occasionally chiming in. By the time you were parked a few blocks from the stadium, you knew just about everything about Shawn. 

You knew he could play the guitar and the piano and loved to play them in his spare time. You learned his favorite book, movie, artist and more. You learned about his best friend Brian he had met in Kindergarten and had somehow stayed friends with. He told you about his little sister and the struggles of moving. You knew it all.

You also knew David was going to love him. 

You and Shawn walked a few steps in front of Elsie and Matthew as you made your way to the stadium. 

“If it’s not too sensitive, why couldn’t your parents come?” Shawn questioned carefully.

“If Mom’s going somewhere, then Dad doesn’t want to be there and vice versa. My mom planned ongoing, but she had a last-minute work trip. And my dad had already made plans. So it’s just me,” you paused. “I’m used to it though. I guess David and I are just so close because during the divorce they never wanted to see each other. It was always mom or dad, or neither, not ever both mom and dad, but I could always count on David being there, and he could always count on me. The divorce was hard on everyone, but I definitely took it the hardest since I was a preteen girl. David was always protective of me, but it definitely exceeded once that all went down,” you explained. 

Shawn nodded his head as he glanced down at you. He smiled sympathetically at you as you returned it. 

“I can’t wait to see him play,” he said. 

“He’s pretty good, Mendes. You might be intimidated,” you taunted him. Shawn rolled his eyes at you. 

“Maybe I could learn a thing or two from him,” he said as he hit your shoulder against yours as you handed the people at the front gate your tickets. 

You practically skipped into the stadium, not having been there since last season. Elsie was right behind you, also practically jumping as Matthew and Shawn trailed a little bit behind. 

“Breaking out the divorce story on day one? Are you in love with him already?” Elsie whispered as she bumped into you. You shoved her back, and she laughed as she grabbed Matthew’s hand and followed you to your seats.

“Is this your first USC game?” You asked Shawn as he walked beside you. 

“Nope, I saw them play at Notre Dame last year.”

“Don’t tell me you’re a Notre Dame fan,” you asked as you waited for his answer. He laughed at you and shook his head.

“I don’t really have a favorite team, but I have a feeling it’s going to have to be USC if we’re going to be friends?”

“You already know me too well, Mendes.”

You rounded the corner into your seats in one of the middle rows on the forty-yard line. 

“Can’t wait to see [Y/N] go crazy again,” Matthew said as he rubbed his hands together and looked at you. You rolled your eyes at him before he continued. “Shawn, I wouldn’t sit by her if you want to keep an arm. She grabs whatever’s closest when she’s mad.”

Shawn feigned hurt and grabbed his arm that was closest to you. “Not my throwing arm.”

“You’re not even a quarterback.”

“Still. I need my arm,” he said all too seriously.

“Matthew’s being dramatic,” you reasoned.

“No, he’s not,” Elsie chimed in without even looking up from the field. 

The next few hours were spent talking football and walking around the stadium before kick-off. You were sat between Elsie and Shawn, and you and Elsie gripped hands and cheered as loud as you could when David ran out onto the field. 

Matthew was definitely right. Any time David did anything at all, you gripped onto Shawn’s arm or Elsie’s hand. 

“You have a tight grip for such small hands,” he said as he picked up your hand during half time. “You might have bruised my arm.” 

You laughed at him and pulled your hand back since you knew you wouldn’t be able to respond to him if he kept holding it. 

“He’s doing really good,” Elsie said. You took a deep breath and nodded your head. He was doing good. For being a sophomore and it being the first game he’s starting, he was doing remarkable. 

You should’ve known that would jinx it. 

Two minutes into the second half, and David was tackled so hard that even Shawn flinched. 

“Shit,” you mumbled as all the players kneeled and medics came out to see if he was ok. You chewed nervously on your thumbnail, a nervous habit, and debated on when was the best time to tell your parents if he ended up having to go to the hospital. 

Elsie gripped onto your hand, and Shawn had his arm around you, holding you close to his side. You breathed a sigh of relief when he stood up and was able to walk to the edge of the field. You rested your head on Shawn’s shoulder for a minute to catch your breath. He rubbed your shoulder comfortingly and gave you as much time as you needed. 

“You ok?” He asked when you finally stood back up completely. You nodded your head and smiled over at him.

“Yeah, thanks,” you said quietly.

The rest of the game flew by since you really weren’t interested if David wasn’t in. You left early to make sure you were at the exit when David got out. 

David walked out slowly, looking around for you. You walked up to him quickly and hugged him carefully since you didn’t know what actually happened. 

“Are you hurt? What happened? Was it your hip again?” You asked a million questions. He brushed off your questions by just one look. David may be protective over you, but it was definitely a two-way street. 

“Yeah, my hip just cramped up. I’m fine. Just have to keep doing my physical therapy again,” he said, all while giving you that look that always made you shut up. 

Matthew was next in line and gave David a big hug and couldn’t stop talking about his big play. Elsie gave him a hug quickly, too, before Shawn walked up. David gave you a quick look, and you shook your head. 

“This is our friend, Shawn. He just transferred to Monroe this year, and the best part, he has your old number,” you introduced. 

Shawn stuck his hand out and shook David’s hand. 

“Bet that was an awkward first game?” He asked you. You nodded your head.

“Yeah, a little bit, but we’re good now,” you said as you and Shawn looked at each other. 

“You any good?” David asked Shawn. 

“I mean, yeah, I think so,” he said back to David as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“He’s amazing. He scored three touchdowns against Lincoln last week,” Elsie chimed in. David looked impressed.

“That’s insane, dude. Lincoln’s hard to beat,” David said as he looked in-between Matthew and Shawn. 

“And we crushed them,” Matthew cheered as he high fived Shawn and then David. 

“Well, I gotta get going,” David said after a few minutes of talking. You gave him a big hug this time since you knew you wouldn’t accidentally hurt him. “Are we still doing dinner on Thursday?” 

“Of course, I’ll be here by five.”

Matthew and Elsie both hugged him before Shawn shook his hand again. 

“I hope I’ll see you at another game?” David asked. Shawn nodded his head and smiled at him.

“Yeah, I hope so.” You waved your final goodbyes as the four of you started the walk back to the car. 

“I really like your brother,” Shawn finally said. 

“Everyone likes David. He’s just got that type of personality, but thanks. I’m glad he liked you as well,” you said as you glanced over at him. 

“So, he wants me at another game...” He trailed off as he gave you a look. “Guess you’re going to have to keep bringing me,” he said with a big, cheesy smile. 

You shook your head as you laughed at him.

“Yeah, I guess I will.”

PART 3: Physics, Baby Blue and Homecoming Dates coming next Sunday!

tags: @peacedolantwins2 @shawn-youth @t-holland2080 @feliciaceciliamariajacobsson @enchantingbrowneyedgirl @particularnervous @mariamuses @shawnsvlogsquad @theetherealbloom @innocentb3an  @haute-shawn @gigi-maria-argu  

[dollsorwhatever]

LOL Surprise: OMG review

Alrighty so I’m off work and I got a chance to sit down and take my time, unboxing these ladies, and thought I’d take a few photos with my thoughts. Spoiler alert: I am VERY IMPRESSED LMAO Everything is below the cut!

Ya’ll have probably seen the box a few times, so I never took any photos of it- but basically the way it works is that you pull a tab on the right side, then pull the box out from the left side to reveal the doll and all of the surprises/clothes and accessories (this will all be demonstrated on Swag, since I deboxed her first): Sidenote- the box clearly states, on the outside, which character you’re getting! 

One compartment has the surprises, which consist of two garment bags with hangers attached (one has a bottom piece, the other has a jacket), a plastic shoebox (it even has a little label and barcode!) and a larger cylindrical container with the accessories (jewelry, belts, sunglasses, hats etc). The second compartment is the doll, her purse and a stand. Swag is gorgeous

Personally, I think her makeup would’ve been better if the eyeshadow was white and her eyes were brown, but she’s gorgeous.  Her head is fully rooted with nylon braids, and it’s ridiculously heavy and thick. Despite that, her scalp is visible at the top of her head and the thatching is an afterthought (like it’s barely there lol). The braids are rooted with a lot of space between each plug, and imo this gives the impression of a realistic braided style and I love it tbh. Even as a hair nut, I’m fine with this rooting pattern and the braids are stunning:

I didn’t take photos of the naked body, but I think there’s one floating around somewhere. These dolls are thicccccccccc, with rubber click knees and articulated arms.  Here’s a photo from my friend to show the amazing, detailed hand sculpt bc I forgot to take one! It looks so delicate, and look at the little dimples on her knuckles! So cute.

The garment bags are made of a papery fabric and open very easily (but I still ripped them oops lmao), the hangers are hard plastic. The tops and bottoms come in their own garment bags with a hanger, but here’s a picture of the top and bottom she comes with:

These pieces are VERY nice, exactly what you’d expect from a good MGA doll. realistic, stylish, well made. Pants are very well made, studs aren’t falling off (lol @ bratz 2018), and they have slits on either side. V nice! The sweatshirt is very nice too, the only issue is that the collar was flipped up in the package and it’s hard to keep down, and the fabric of the collar looks tattered- though I think this is a design choice, since they all seem to be like that! Swag comes with a necklace, earrings, a belt and sunglasses, wrapped in tissue paper in the cylindrical container (which is V useful for storage):

All unique sculpts, the earrings are electroplated and look amazing! Side note, the accessory count is not the same for each character. Some of them have extra pieces, or they’re missing a belt etc. Shoe box has a cute little pair of Stilleto Timbs (which made me chuckle, bc I have a pair of heeled Timbs and they’re my favorite shoes lol)

Here she is all dressed up! I love herrrr:

Each doll comes with a C-clasp stand, and underneath the base you’ll actually find an extra, smaller base for the stand, JIC you want to display them closer together or run out of room lol. Lemme just breeze through the other characters rather than show the same box and etc over again! Lady Diva prob has my favorite face and her hair is amazing, soft shiny nylon ponytail that goes down to her ankles (except for the puff in the front) it feels so silky and gorgeous:

She comes with an extra necklace and a headset (the little choker says ‘Slay’ lmao I love it) I aesthetically hate her skirt and purse because I do NOT like animal print, but the skirt is still well made (though it barely fits around her butt), her fur coat is shedding a little bit and the sleeves go past her hands.  Her two-piece undies are stunning though! You’ll also notice her belt is falling off- this is the only design flaw, the bels don’t have clasps, you just basically drape them over and they hang on in the back. But Diva’s is warped, so it  doesn’t drape correctly. Will have to fix that with boiling water.  I haven’t decided if I want to keep the hair puff, or comb it into a pompadour like Dynamite Girls Electropop Jasper. Will def be washing the gel out of her ponytail though. Royal Bee is STUNNING, her hair is incredibly thick and the little curls are so well done. The nylon is incredibly smooth and shiny, the blonde highlights are SO shiny that they look like tinsel. It’s really, really amazing hair. Her thatching goes all the way to the back of her head and it’s V thick.

Her lips are glitter, but it’s such a fine glitter that she just looks like she’s wearing a metallic liquid lip. I love her lil baby hairs and the metallic eyeshadow! I honestly didn’t think I’d like her makeup, but I think she’s one of my top favorite dolls of the bunch. She’s soooooo nice. The metallic cord around her buns is a nice touch, they really went there with every detail for this line.

I love her sheer pants and the incredibly detailed jacket, with the little metallic shoulder pads! I’m gonna leave her hair as-is for now, but I may eventually take down the buns and wash her hair.  My only issue with her is that her choker is really hard to put on lmao.  Neonlicious is super cute (but needs the most work hair-wise)

She has the most detail in her face, with two different eye shadows, star freckles and wiggly brows. The fact that she has wiggly brows is, imo, a sign that MGA really, REALLY spent a lot of time looking at current trends while designing these dolls, like they did in 2002-08 for Bratz. Her hair is very nice, my only issue is the sheer amount of product in it. The sides and fringe are drenched in it. Her short bangs kinda terrify me because it’ll be hard to even them out without making them too short, but the quality of the hair is amazing and she has a full set of crimps.  I’ll also probably cut the side pieces to match the rest, they’re annoying tbh. Her undies are very nice and will definitely be useful, versatile pieces for restyling. I hope we get fashion packs!!

Her glasses are awesome lmao, it’s such a weird design. The vinyl over-dress is very well done, with studs and stitching in place, and her jacket is very well tailored- you can even close it at the waist! She only has earrings and a bracelet jewelry-wise, likely because she comes with an (awesome) hat. She’s very like.. if Leloo from Fifth Element was a runway model, doing a show for a Moschino x Rugrats collection lmao. Very that, and I love it.  Group photo (with bad lighting):

Overall thoughts...ya’ll I hardcore LOVE this line. The level of quality and attention to detail is something I haven’t seen in playline for almost a decade, the designs are current, trendy and well tailored, the dolls themselves are gorgeous and unique, the body is well made, the hair is amazing quality and thickly rooted, literally not a single problem with these dolls, even the QC is great. Worth every penny, and I’ll definitely be buying the next wave. Highly, HIGHLY recommend. And as a very picky collector, that means a lot coming from me lmao.  ETA: codes and sales info DPCI and UPCs for each of the LOL OMG dolls:

Swag-

UPC-035051560548

DPCI-086-02-4903

Royal Bee-

UPC-035051560555

DPCI-086-02-8366

Lady Diva-

UPC-035051560555

DPCI-086-02-9404

Neonlicious-

UPC-03505160562

DPCI-086-02-9906 Retail price: 26.99 The dolls come one of each in a case and the street date (July 7th) was lifted yesterday, so the dolls are coming into stock and put on the floor immediately for sale! The DPCIs aren’t on Brickseek yet, but you can tall your local Target and they’ll know (however they’re not doing holds because it’s a ‘hot item’)

[marril96]

Tonight

Chapter 3: We’re All Freaks Here

Pairing: Rowena x reader

Characters: Rowena, reader, Sam, Dean

Summary: It was supposed to be a happy, carefree outing. After tonight, however, nothing will ever be the same for you and Rowena.

Editor: @rowenaisfabulous

NOW…

The water was hot, almost boiling. It burned at Rowena's skin, harsh and cruel as liquid whips. Her usually pale body was red, rosy, almost the same shade of her hair.

She barely felt it.

She might as well have showered in the freezing cold.

But she needed the heat. Needed it to wash away the filth, the grime, the blood, caked and rusty, that clung to her like glue, constricting as a second skin. Needed it to clean her, to set her free.

To make her forget, for even a few moments, the night she'd endured.

The more she focused on the stinging, the less she thought of what happened. The less her heart and soul hurt as the memories played over and over in her mind, a constant rerun she couldn't turn off.

Bang!

Screaming, loud and piercing.

Bang, bang, bang!

So bloody loud her ears stung. Tingles of unease shot through her, empty stomach churning, twisting, roiling.

Bang, bang, bang!

Her knees trembled, on the verge of giving in. She lowered herself onto them, her shaky hands gripping onto the edges of the tub, pale knuckles flushing white as sheets at the pressure.

Stop it! she told herself. It wasn't real — not anymore. She'd lived. She'd survived. Both of you had.

The guilty ones — those sick, twisted monsters — were dead.

There was nothing to be afraid of anymore.

And yet, despite her knowing that, despite knowing she was home, safe and protected, far away from that horrible place, the fear remained. It burrowed itself into her, chilled her bones to their core. Tore her up from the inside like a razor in her veins.

It's over, she reminded herself. It's over. It's over. It's over.

She kept repeating it until her mind believed it. Until her tense body loosened up and she was finally able to breathe again.

She waited for the water to turn cold before stepping out and sliding on a soft, silky robe. Her dirty clothes lay in the corner, discarded, thrown off like trash. She spared them a glance, then turned away as her face twisted into a sour, bitter expression.

She would throw them away later.

The story wouldn't tell itself on its own.

*****

EARLIER…

For a place located in a forest in the middle of nowhere, Illuminae was packed. People — monsters — danced and swayed to the too-loud music. Friends talked. Laughed. Had fun. Aside from a few with extra… features, the majority looked very, very human.

For all intents and purposes, the place could easily pass for any other nightclub.

You looked around in awe, mouth wide in a gasp. You'd never seen so many species together, all having fun, getting along. No murder and torture in sight.

Rowena had to admit it was a first one for her, as well.

And, as much as she wasn't a fan of nightclubs, it felt kind of nice to be around people like her.

For just one night, she didn't have to hide who she was in public. She didn't have to fear outrage and accusations. She could just be who she was; Rowena MacLeod; witch, woman, lover.

You were right. This place would be a good distraction.

She wrapped an arm around your waist. You shot her a smile and pressed a kiss to her cheek, then one to her lips.

She didn't have to hide that side of her, either.

Monsters didn't care who she loved.

Here, they were all freaks. They were all different in their own ways. And they were free to be so without judgment, without danger. Without fear of exposure, for exposure was what this was all about.

"I want a drink!" you shouted over the music.

Rowena responded with a nod. She could use a drink herself. Something strong.

The bar was crowded, but the two of you managed to snatch seats from a couple who'd just gotten up to leave. One of the bartenders, a pale girl with striking blue eyes and a black pixie cut walked over to you with the smile of someone who loved her job and wasn't afraid to show it.

"Let me guess — witches."

"How did you know?" you asked.

The girl grinned. "I can recognize my own kind. You can call it a gift." She winked. "This your first time here?"

"Yeah," you said. "A sorta-friend of mine mentioned this place, so we thought we'd check it out."

"Have fun."

"We plan to," Rowena said.

What better way to stop thinking about dreams of being stomped on and set on fire while still alive than getting drunk and sweaty in a nightclub, surrounded by potentially deadly creatures?

The bartender turned to her. Narrowed her piercing eyes as she looked her over, took her in. "There's something familiar about you."

Rowena didn't recall seeing this girl before, but, being alive for almost four centuries, she could have easily forgotten her in a sea of faces she'd come across. Had she wronged her somehow? Harmed her family? Cursed her bloodline?

Were there rumors about her?

Barely any of the witches she used to know talked to her. Her allegiance with Lucifer and her (technically alleged) involvement with High Priestess Olivette's disappearance made them avoid her like the plague and most likely warn the others to do the same. Her going soft and getting acquainted with the Winchesters didn't make the situation any better.

Shoving her questions aside, Rowena pulled on her brightest smile and said in a not-so-humble voice, "Always glad to be recognized."

The bartender chuckled. "Scottish?"

"Born and raised."

The girl's eyes suddenly went wide as realization set in. "Oh, my god!" she exclaimed, happy, ecstatic, on the verge of hyperventilation. "You're Rowena MacLeod!"

Rowena nodded a tad dramatically for no reason other than that she could and she felt like it.

The bartender gasped. "You're so awesome!"

The compliment was melody to Rowena's ears.

Not only did she feel comfortable, but she managed to come across a fan. Maybe this night would be great, after all.

She flashed a wide, ear-to-ear smile. "Why, thank you, darling! That's awfully kind of you to say."

It had been a while since she'd last seen a witch who wanted to talk to her. Who liked her, adored her. Possibly even looked up to her.

Other than you, of course.

It had cost you dearly, though. The witch community had declared you guilty by association, so you were just as much a pariah as she was.

A match made in hell, indeed.

"You're so sweet!" the bartender said, still in awe. "God, it's such a honor to meet you!"

Rowena shook her hand. The girl flinched at the touch, then her pale skin flushed bright, cherry red.

Fangirling, you would call it. Rowena wasn't too fond of the modern terms you used, but this one, she thought, fit perfectly.

The bartender was a fangirl. Rowena's.

Rowena's heart swelled up with pride. She was still in the game, still appreciated. Some witches may have dragged her through the mud, but there were still those who didn't let their rubbish ruin her reputation.

"She's a total sweetheart," you chimed in, flashing her your brightest smile. "Don't let the bitchface fool you. She's adorable."

Rowena playfully slapped your shoulder.

You hit her back.

The bartender laughed. "You guys together?"

"For three years now," you said with a nod.

"Lucky girl."

"I tell myself that every day."

No, Rowena thought. She was the lucky one. You loved her despite her initial coldness, despite her inability to reciprocate. You put up with her rejection. With her complete and utter indifference. With the knowledge that, had the circumstances demanded it, she would have left you for dead to save her own skin.

She had been the one to take the first step, to decide to give the relationship a try, for, after witnessing the emptiness Charles and Amara were filled with despite being the two most powerful creatures in existence, her heart yearned for something. For meaning. For a home. For something she, at the time, couldn't name — that had, as soon as she'd let it show, turned out to be love.

The truth was, she'd loved you, too. She was just afraid to show it, to let herself feel it.

It was you, through your endless patience and care, who'd taught her it was okay to do it. Who'd shown her it was okay to feel, to care, to love.

Instead of uttering a retort, Rowena pressed her mouth to yours. You locked your lips with hers, deepened the short but sweet kiss. Ever hungry for the taste of her.

"You guys are so cute," the bartender said. "Since this is your first time here, may I suggest Witch's Brew?"

Rowena raised an eyebrow, confused. "Excuse me?"

"It's a drink," the bartender explained. "Illuminae exclusive."

"Why the hell not," you said. "We're here to have fun."

Rowena grinned her agreement.

The drink, it turned out, was heavenly. A perfect mix of bitter and sweet, strong enough to burn her throat, to light her insides on fire on its way to her stomach. She'd only had two, and she already felt relaxed. Light on her feet, as if she were floating, gliding through the crowded club with the ease of a ghost.

You'd had five and wanted more.

"I don't think that's a good idea, love," Rowena said as patiently as she could.

"But it's soooooo good," you said. "It's like juice."

It certainly was as sweet and tasty. But it was also alcohol.

"It's alcohol," Rowena reminded you.

"I don't even feel it."

Your swaying body and slurred speech said otherwise.

"You will get sick," she said patiently. "Remember last time?"

A few months back you'd found your love for cocktails. Sweet, sugary, juice-like cocktails.

The night ended with you proclaiming your enormous love for the toilet you were hunched over.

"That was different. Last time I had seven," you said.

"Six," Rowena corrected, "and this is stronger."

"But I feel fiiiiine!"

As soon as you said that you stumbled. Instinctively, Rowena's hands shot up around you, kept you steady on your feet. You doubled over, hands on your stomach. Hugging yourself as if someone had punched you straight in the gut.

"Rowena," you said in a small voice, "I don't feel good."

Of course you didn't. Of bloody course!

Rowena sighed. "Come, let's get to a toilet."

Following the bartender's direction, Rowena guided you through the crowd to the toilet in the back. Luckily, save for two women exiting just as the two of you walked in, it was empty. No stalls were occupied. No people to ask questions, to stick their nose where it didn't belong.

You had privacy.

As soon as she led you to a stall, the one on the very end for it appeared to be the cleanest, you fell to your knees before the toilet, pressed your hands to it for support, and started vomiting. Rowena grabbed your hair, held it up as you emptied the contents of your stomach.

A sour, foul stench rose up in the air. Her face twisted with disgust, but she refrained from any comments. You were sick. It was your fault, but still, you were sick. Snide commentary wouldn't make anything better.

"It's going to be okay," she said, her free hand rubbing your back gently, softly, as if you were a child in need of comfort.

You retched. Coughed. Gasped for breath as if you'd been breathless for hours. "This sucks," you rasped.

"Glad you didn't have that sixth drink, aren't you?" Rowena teased.

"Don't," you whined.

She chuckled. "You're such a child."

"And you're a bitch," you said half-heartedly.

"Been called worse, dear."

Slowly, carefully, she helped you to your feet. Your knees trembled, and, with all the strength you could muster, you held onto her for support. For a drunk person, you had an impressive grip.

Rowena helped you to the sink. You splashed cold water on your face, washed away the heat, the sweat that had bubbled over it.

"Better?" she asked.

"A bit," you said honestly. "My head is spinning."

"Witch's Brew is strong."

"I can tell."

"It's not juice."

"I get it, Rowena." You looked up at her, eyes that of a hurt puppy. "You're being mean."

"Tough love," she said with a shrug.

"I hate you."

"Of course you do, dearest."

She pressed a kiss to your cheek. You gave in to it, melted under the feel of her hot skin on yours.

"Shall we go home?" she inquired.

You shook your head. "I'm good."

"But—"

"This is your night," you reminded her.

"And I'm extremely grateful for it," Rowena said. "But I don't want to party at your expense."

"I'm really fine," you insisted.

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

She sighed, defeated. This was a fight she knew she wouldn't win.

"We can dance," you said.

Rowena frowned. "You can't dance."

One time she'd tried to teach you and almost lost her toes over it.

You laughed. "You can teach me."

Uh oh.

"Fine," she gave in.

Another pointless, losing fight.

"But," she added, "you step on my toes and we're done."

"Deal," you said, giggling.

Rowena let out a laugh of her own. If you could go out to a crowded nightclub for her, she could sacrifice her toes for one dance. It was only fair.

A sound sharp as a whip suddenly boomed through the club.

The music died down, and what were sounds of joy, of chatter, of laughter a mere moment ago was now an eruption of screams that turned blood to ice.

Rowena shot you a look, face turning grim, dark, serious. Yours echoed it. Your hand reached for hers, an instinct, fingers wrapping around hers in a bone-crushing grip.

And just like that her night of fun, of distraction, turned into a night of terror.

*****

NOW…

Words caught in Rowena's throat that suddenly felt tight, as if someone had grabbed it and wouldn't let go. Her hair, wet, dripping, soaked her robe. The fabric clung to her skin, stuck to her back as if glued.

She sucked in a breath in an attempt to calm herself, but it did nothing. Her heart still beat like crazy, hands still shook, legs trembled. Her body was in a frenzy, overwhelmed, and there was no coming down from it.

"Rowena," Sam said gently, reaching out his hand.

She put her hand up to stop his. "I'm fine."

"You sure?" Dean inquired.

"Aye. It's just a story."

That was right. It was just a story. The danger was done and over with. She was safe. You were safe.

Why was she afraid, then? Why did telling the story make her feel as if she were back in Illuminae, surrounded by death and danger? Why did every word that came out of her mouth taste like blood?

"Besides," she added, willing a smile — fake, but hopefully convincing, "we're just getting to the good part."

*****

Tags: @werewolfbarbie @oswinthestrange @songofthecagedmoose @apurdyfulmind @getthesalt-sam @metallihca @salembitchtrials @jay-eris @hellsmother @elizabeth-effie @victoriasagittariablack @rowenaswife @dropsofpetrichor @xfireandsin @liddell-alien @hotdiggitydammit @lae-lae @darkhumorsblog @wayward-kaia @angel7376 @rowenaisfabulous @ruthieconnells @evil-regal-vampiress @collectorofsecretsandsouls @angel-e-v-a @melisandre02 @a-queen-and-her-throne

[super-marvel-imaginesxoxx]

The Last Five Years - Chapter 5

Summary: Based off of the musical, this story takes a look into the reader’s and Bucky’s relationship over the last five years and where everything went wrong.

AU!AuthorBuckyxAU!ActressReader

Warnings: slight fluff, we’re getting into the angst...

Word count: 1188

A/N: OMG I’ve had this part written for soooooo long and just have not posted it. I wanted to get the rest written before I posted, but unfortunately with my schedule it is not working out for me. I have the second to last chapter written, I just need to write the next one, the last one, and the epilogue. I also have like soooo much in the works. So keep an eye out!! Should be posting other stuff very soon. (Hopefully)

Series Masterlist                   Previous Part

A Miracle Would Happen/ A Part of That

(Bucky’s P.O.V.)

     Steve handed me another drink as we sat down in our usual booth. “So, how’s married life treating you?” He asked.

     I laughed and took a sip. “Don’t get me wrong, I love it, I love her. But,” I took a deep breath and another sip. The liquid courage went down my throat and I felt I could finally tell someone. “It’s a challenge. I mean, they’re right when they say after you get married all women just want you. And, damn Steve, it’s a challenge,” I admitted. 

     Steve gave me a worried look. “What are you talking about?” He asked me, clearly afraid of the answer. 

     I quickly shook my head as I saw the gears turning in his. “No! No. I haven’t- I would never. I love (Y/N).” I sighed. “It’s just, the girls who never gave me a second thought before are now banging down my door, on their knees begging. At least that’s what it feels like because I can’t fucking touch them,” I explained. 

     “Buck, careful,” Steve warned me.

     “I have to close my eyes, Steve. I can’t even look at them,” I said, continuing on through Steves warning. That’s when she came over. That pair of breasts. “Now, that’s not fair,” I huffed out to Steve as I placed a smile on my face and slowly turned towards the girl. “Hi there.”

     She flashed me a smile. “Mr. Barnes?” She asked, making sure I was who she wanted. I just gave her a simple nod and took another sip of my drink. “I was wondering if you wanted to get a cup of coffee sometime? Maybe look at my manuscript?” She asked, her hand slowly moving to my arm. She looked at me through her eyelashes, a look I would have fallen to my knees for before I was married. 

     “Uh, well- like, I don’t,” I couldn’t form words as I tried using my hands, my left hand to be exact, to get my point across that I couldn’t. The gold band on my finger simmered in the lights of the club, but she didn’t seem to notice as her hand moved up and down my arm.

     Suddenly, another hand was placed on my other arm, the diamond ring and gold band clearly showing. “Bucky, who’s this?” (Y/N) asked, hooking her arm through mine, making the girl back off immediately.

     “I’m Karen,” the girl politely said, although her face was going red from the embarrassment of being caught hitting on me.

     (Y/N) smiled politely and shook the girl’s hand. “I’m (Y/N) Barnes, James’ wife,” she explained. The girl just shook her hand and quickly excused herself. (Y/N) then turned to me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll come save you from those situations whenever you want me to. Don’t worry. No one will be able to flirt with you as long as I’m around,” she said, giving me a wink before heading towards the bar to grab another drink.

     I sighed and turned back towards Steve. “I wasn’t encouraging that. I love (Y/N),” I defended myself.

    Steve shook his head. “Of course you were, Buck. If you weren’t, you would have stopped her hand,” he explained as if he was already bored of this conversation. 

     With a groan and put my head down on the table. “In a perfect world a miracle would happen and it would just be me and (Y/N) and I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone else coming after me,” I dreamed. 

     “It is a perfect world. You just don’t see it,” Steve said, looking towards where (Y/N) was standing. She wore a short red dress that hugged her waist and low cut. She looked amazing. “She’s the miracle, Buck. She was the one to give you the words you needed to make your book happen. To make all of this happen,” his arms went up, indicating the fourth party in the past three months for my best selling book. “It is a perfect world.”

__________

(Reader’s P.O.V.)

     It was just another day, like any other day. Bucky was hard at work in his chair by the window and I was working on a dress. The silence was nice, peaceful even. I’ve become so used to it since we’ve moved in together that it was calming when it fell over us. 

     I take glances at him whenever I can. Not too much so as to distract myself and eventually him, but enough to make the smile stay on my face. I could practically see the cogs turning in his head. He was on a trip to Bucky Land. A one way ticket sometimes. But, that was okay. Because he would get a look. This sorta look where you finally connect the last piece of the puzzle. 

     Quickly, I would take a chance and grab my camera, to capture that look. To keep it saved forever for just him and I. Soon after, he would smile. His eyes light up and deep within the ground a moment comes to life as he quickly writes down whatever idea had come to his mind.

     And as I sat there, taking in him and his smile, I felt like I was apart of that. 

     The next day, it was like nothing had happened. We would talk about dinners and make plans for the next weekend. But then, he would get that look again. As if something I said triggered the train to Bucky Land. He would rush to his spot and start writing. 

     It would be many hours and laps of the apartment later when he would finally come to bed. The second his head hit the pillow he would be out. And in those moments, I would sneak out of bed and read what he wrote. 

     As I sat there and read over his words, a feeling of calm and serenity would wash over me. I was apart of that.

     But as I sat there, in the usual club where every other party happened, I felt lost. Anxiety crept into my bones as I watched Bucky converse with everyone easily without me.

     “He would be lost without you,” Steve said, taking a seat beside me. 

     I forced a smile. “It’s hard sometimes. I tend to follow behind him and not beside him. But, there’s no question that I’ll stick it out for as long as he’ll have me,” I explained. I sighed and watched Bucky shoot me a smile before going back to talking to his friends. “When he smiles, how can I complain? I mean, I watch him invent a world right in front of me. And I can’t help but feel I’m apart of that. Aren’t I?” I asked, not really looking for an answer.

     Steve just simply agreed, but gave me a sad smile. But, I didn’t notice. I didn’t notice because I was too busy watching him. Watching Bucky light up a room. Trying to ignore the fact that he had barely said three words to me all night.

Taglist: @kanupps06, @void-imaginations

[onesentencemusings]

Self-Indulgent Drabble

This is pretty much a thing I wrote for a friend that turned into me doing character development for some characters of mine with Ult Doc Ock observing their nuttiness against his will. Enjoy

---

There were a lot of things about his current situation that Otto Octavius hated. He hated that the long dark room looked like a tacky strip club lit up with blue neon lights. He hated the middle-eastern style lounge music that played in the hall. He hated watching the small crowd of patrons enjoying food and drink, chatting idly at the many tables and booths while he silently suffered. He hated that he was forced to sit on a not-as-luxurious-as-it-looked pillow that literally sat in the shadow of his enslaver. But strangely enough, he found that he mostly hated being cold.

His small bright purple jacket barely fit him period and it being cut short only exposed more of the man’s torso for the world to see. The closest he was allowed to having sleeves was two strips of fine blue fabric that ran from the collar clamped on his neck down his arms and onto large but tight-fitting golden bracelets locked on his forearms. Admittedly they provided him with a decent pair of black briefs but that was the beginning and end of his luck. Tied around his waist a belt of sort made of an assortment of various probably-not-real gems that did nothing but make noise whenever he moved. Below that was what he would only call ‘pants’ if he were forced to adhere to the strictest definition of the word. Puffy, see-through, definitely not heat-retentive by any means and only reached halfway down his calves. His shoe were also so identified by technically definition only. They were little more then purple velvet cut and sewed into a slipper of sort and adorned with a smaller collection of noisy trinkets around the ankle.

Octavius sat crosslegged, huffing under his breath, as he ‘enjoyed’ his ‘first day on the job’ present as a slave, compliments of one King Blue Ring. His gift? A cage. A golden one which was nested with a thick golden pillow with blue trimmings and a few much smaller ones of various colors. Four small bar rose from the cage’s bottom up to a small cap at the top, giving it an almost bird-cage appearance. The bars gave a subtle hum from the blue tinted energy field they gave off, keeping the scientist securely locked inside. He knew he was going to despise the thing when ‘His Majesty’ insisted that Otto unwrap it personally.

The shadows that lay over Otto shifted, reminding the man of his captor. Fairly tall, average build, suit covered completely from the neck down in a deep blood red. The face mask was shaped like a bird head, white with black marking trailing from the eyes to the beak and following into the small air tubes that flowed back into the flight-pack on their back. Their mechanical wings were stretched out over their throne’s armrests, shuffling and folding slightly as their owner worked intently on the holoscreen in front of them. And that was all well and good, but the overall standard looking flight suit took a dangerous turn at the feet. Three 7 inch long curved blades, two in the front, one in the back, jutted out from the Vulture’s boots forming a deadly claw that anyone, much less a genius such as Otto, would know would be deadly if used at the high speeds the bird soldier was no doubt capable to obtaining.

Why him? Why this? From what thankfully little time the two of them interacted, this Vulture had no need or interest in a slave. The only current explanation was this person saw an opportunity to humiliate their leader in a battle of grammar and took it, which Octavius admitted he would have done as well.

But no matter the reason he was now trapped in a cage sandwiched between a dark red throne sculpted with feather details and the stark towering walls that held up the platform on which the thrones of the king and queen sat proudly above all set against a long draping tapestry emblazoned with the King’s signature: a blue ring with a golden crown in the center.

“Oooooooooooooooooh, it’s so goooood, it’s so goooood, it’s so goooood, it’s so goooood, it’s soooooo gooooooooood.” The gentle almost hypnotic voice sang from the throne down, on the other side form Vulture. “Ooooooooooooooh, falling free, falling free, falling free, falling free, faaalling freeeeeeee.” The green dressed woman twirled her blue-dyed bangs around a finger, her other hand delicately holding up her chin like some divine high-bred aristocrat of old. Her legs were accentuated by her bright intimately decorated golden boots that climbed all the way up to her thighs. Currently, she had those legs crossed, one legs tapping in the air to the beat of the gentle music she was singing to. “Ooooooooooooh, You and me, you and me, you and me, you and meeeeeee.” A large muscular man with skin like a white tiger’s coat knelt down beside her, holding up a tray with a large fruity drink to the woman. The woman took the drink in her far hand and gently rubbed the tiger man’s head with the close hand. “I feeeeel loo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ove.I feeeeel loo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ove.I feeeeel loo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ove.”

She took a quick swig of the drink and smiled “Positively perfect, Houdini.” She said, waving the hourglass-shaped drink towards the man. “Well done.”

The tiger man stood up with a grin, putting his hands on his hips proudly, thumbs tucking into his one and only piece of clothing: a pair of black briefs with gold lining.“I’m glad to hear that, M’lady. Your opinion makes my worlds… or however that saying goes.”

The woman chuckled a bit before taking another drink. “Ahh, I think that will be all for now, darling. Go have fun.” Houdini gave her a deep bow and suddenly vanished in a puff of white smoke.

Vulture scoffed, the sound being heavily mechanized by their helmet.

“Aww, wassa matter, Val?” Houdini’s master cooed, turning sideways in her chair “Buyer’s remorse already? Not my fault you wanted to get your helper second-hand.”

“You have no idea what I want, Mysterio.” Vulture growled back. “In fact, I sometimes find myself wondering if you ever have any ideas period.” Otto couldn’t help but give a laughing grunt in agreement.

Mysterio scoffed, obviously offended. “It takes brains to handle all my illusion equipment, you know.” She threw her hands up, creating a swirl of green fire that quickly died out “How much brain does it take to tell your suit to make you fly, huh?”

“My top Standard Mode speed is 300 miles an hour.” Vulture stated flatly “In Overdrive Mode, I can break the sound barrier.” The beaked helmet turned towards the magician “Wouldn’t you agree that it’s takes brains to handle that kind of velocity?”

Break the sound barrier? Otto glanced away. Even his personally made flight-suit for that failed animal soldier experiment, his world’s Vulture, could only hit 170 MPH. And yet this suit was so much sleeker, so much more weaponized. Perhaps this world to which he was stole wasn’t just a world where different people took up the same villain names as in his world.

“Daw, that’s just going fast!” Mysterio uncrossed her leg, sitting up a bit straighter “That’s not brains!”

“If you truly only care about more classic ideals of the mind, I singlehandedly maintain a high-level of efficiency for my Buzzard operations. You know. The operations that keep this bombshell-covered decaying pile of rubble we call an island from starving?”

“Decaying?” A man broke in. The muscular man in the iconic lion themed vest jumped up on the stage of thrones, followed by a tawny-skinned woman dotted with large brown spots. “It is not as such. The Ruins teem with life, both physical and spiritual. For a bird that flies so high, it is a wonder how you manage to see so little.”

 Vulture groaned “Stay out of this, Kraven. This conversation isn’t about you or your stupid cult.”

“Is no cult.” Kraven answered

That’s what they all say, Otto immediately thought.

“We live in the grounds of the cleansing Blow-Up and gain strength from the spirits of The Fallen that reside there.”

“How logical.” Vulture grumbled.

“Now, hold on!” Kraven’s sidekick spoke up. “It’s real! I know it! Everyday, My Lord and his Hunters get better and stronger. How else would that happen if not the spirits of The Fallen granting them their strength?”

“Practice? Like everyone else on the planet?” Vulture shrugged, the sarcasm obvious through the vocal distortion.

The woman gave an animalistic growl, her long dark hair raising up like hackles, nails growing more to look like short claws. Vulture’s talons clanged loudly against the tile floor as the bird stood up, wings raising up ready to take off.

“Mtumishi, settle.” Kraven stated flatly.

The woman glanced at her master before putting her hands down. “Yes, M’Lord.” She muttered before angrily her attention to her camo-pants and black tank top.

“It matters little to me what you believe, Lady Vulture, I know what I know and me and my Hunter shall continue to train ourselves upon the graves of the mighty.” Kraven continued “Beside-ing the point, I only wished to interrupt to rightfully defend Mysterio’s views. Almost any animal can overtake an untrained human in a fight; that does not make them smarter. Therefore, having superior speed does not make one superior in all ways.”

Vulture’s wings snapped closed on her back “It takes brains to understand trajectory and velocity, something your last dart trap proves you have little concept of.”

“Yeah, Electro still really can’t sit.” Mysterio muttered more to herself than anyone.

Kraven glared first at Vulture and then at Mtumishi, who was cackling at the bird woman’s comment. He elbowed the hyena woman in the rib to quiet her before approaching Vulture. “I cannot expect a scavenger to understand what it’s like to fight with honor.”

“Very well.” Vulture said “You can keep your honor, little man. I’ll stick to winning.”

Mysterio leaned back in her throne, ooh-ing in amused shock as Kraven’s own servant broke down into hysterical laughing.

“Why you insolent ---!” Kraven reached into his vest and pulled out a kukri in both hands. Before he could even make to lunge to attack, Vulture’s wings folded out and she rocketed into the air, stopping short of hitting the tall ceiling. With a quick sarcastic salute, she sailed out an open window into the sky outside. Well, that was one less person Otto had to endure. “If she think she shall get away with ---!”

“Calm down, Alexi.” Mysterio said with a laugh. “Trust me, buddy, that battle axe ain’t worth it.” Kraven huffed and sheathed his blades. “But I do appreciate you taking my side. Means a lot to me.” She continued

Kraven smiled slightly and reached behind his head to tighten the band holding back his long black hair. “It is nothing, Franky. You were right. Vulture merely needed to hear that from someone else.”

“Sadly, it’s a common theme in people of our profession rarely listen to anyone that tells them they’re wrong.” Mysterio leaned on her throne’s armrest, head nestled in her hand once again. “I know if my dad had stopped the minute someone told him fighting Spider-Man wouldn’t make him famous, Mysterio never woulda made it past Act One.”

Kraven sat himself down on the arm of Vulture’s throne. “You make good point. Many a fool made fun of my father for his determination.”

Mysterio nodded “Determination is good, honey, but Vulture’s hardcore. Eddie’s shared some stuff he dug up on her SHIELD history and from what he’s told me she’s been taking out guys like you since you were Electro’s age. And I don’t mean that in the dating way.”

“Shall I take that as a sign you care for my safety or it is merely a lack of understanding of my abilities?” Kraven smirked

Mysterio shrugged, a smile growing on her face as well “What can I say, Darling? You ain’t a bad looker and I’d hate for that to change.”

“I never mentioned before as it was none of my business but, ” Kraven leaned a bit closer to the woman “I was quite glad when you decided to stop wearing the dome to your uniform. To deny the world of your face was a crime greater than any illegal action you commited.”

“Oh stop.” Mysterio giggled before quickly shifting around to lean towards Kraven “And by ‘stop’ I, of course, mean ‘do go on’.”

“You are like wild cheetah in the savannah: proud, free, fierce yet elegant. So shapely yet holding untold power.”

“Wow, how long have you been sitting on this speech, big boy?”

“For some time now. May I ask if my words are working?”

“I’m still here, aren’t I?”

“Oh god.” Otto groaned under his breathe, burying his face in his hands. He was going to have to listen to the drivel? Otto put a fist against his temple, deep in thought. He’s escaped more than this before. He’s escaped more than this back in his old broken worthless body that did nothing but sustain his endlessly genius mind and hang limply from his robotic tentacles.

But that was back in his own world, where he had allies, where he knew the exact time of the SHIELD guard patrols down to the minute, where he could even tell particular guards apart by frame and gait alone.

Here? He had been kept in a disgusting rundown underwater laboratory with about 30 other versions of himself forced to work under the island’s king or else be starved into submission. His scowl deepened. The king had said the island was starving, scraping by as it was and that the Octavius’s share of food and water had to be ‘earned’ through their scientific production. Otto, like every other Otto locked in that science prison, had no choice but to believe that statement. And yet upon his move up to the surface, Otto found himself in luxury accommodations with dozens of supposedly important people wasting time socializing rather than working to protect what he had been told was a dying empire.

He exhaled and laid down on his back, sinking a bit into the large pillow as he tried to imagine that he was staring at ceiling instead of the cage roof. Things weren’t the best for him at this point. But things haven’t gone his way for a long time. There was one benefit of always having things go wrong though: one learns to stay calm during stressful times. He had played ‘Slave’ before. To Norman Osborn. To Hydra. To this King Blue Ring. He knew what captors wanted. And if it meant he could get a chance to escape, he’d play the role yet again. Sooner or later, they’d lower their guard and grant him something he could use to his advantage or let a flaw in their grip over him be exposed.

Either way, he’d escape. And then everyone would pay dearly for enslaving Otto Octavius

[aworldinsideaperson]

The ABCs: A Riverdale Fanfiction-Two

Introduction/AN: I am so thrilled that people are liking this so much! I am enjoying working on it so it’s a win win lol. I hope you enjoy this part as well :)

(Since he isn’t in the show often this is the best I could do...I was looking for the milkshake one where he and Cheryl are at Pop’s drinking the shake together... but I couldn’t find it soooooo.)

Word Count: 2,445

Warnings: None that I can think of really?

Chapter Summary: Jason takes Cassie on a date after the game as an apology for missing Pop’s earlier that day.While there out, conversations become serious.

Chapter One

Chapter Two: Post Game Date

Cassie looked in the small mirror hanging in her locker as she applied a thin coat of Russian Red lipstick before dropping it into her purse. The Bulldogs had won the game by three touchdowns, all scored by Jason Blossom. Everyone in the locker room had changed back into street clothes and were currently chatting among themselves as they packed their things sluggishly.

Lily shut her locker door and turned to Cassie. “Why are you working at Pop’s again?”

“Because I enjoy it.” She replied with a laugh.

“But why?” Cheryl asked dragging out the vowel at the end.

“Because it gives me something to do. Not to mention having money of my own.” She explained.

“Why would you need money of your own when you’re parents never say no to you?” Lily asked, truly baffled by the thought.

“Because it’s nice to know that it’s mine. I don’t know, you don’t get it.” She said with a smile. “You’re right we don’t.” Cheryl confirmed closing her own locker door.

Cassie rolled her eyes as her friends laughed together. She knew they would never understand why she loved working at Pop’s but they didn’t have to. As Lily and Cheryl’s laughter died down one of the cheerleaders in junior year rounded the corner of the rows of lockers.

“Hey Miki.” Cassie smiled to her. It had been the first chance she had to talk to Miki since school started and she was happy to see her.

“Hey CC, it’s good to see you.” Miki smiled, hugging Cassie tightly.

“How was your summer Mik?”

“Good, I’ve been wanting to ask you, what did you do this summer? I saw all the ABC vacation photos and you were not in a single one.” Miki questioned. It was a viable question, it was strange for the ABCs to spend the summer apart. They never had before and with the other five spending the summer on beach after beach it was strange that Cassie hadn’t gone with them.

“I stayed with my grandparents in Connecticut.” She explained quietly.

“She texted a lot about a boy while she was there, but no pictures. Was he ugly?” Lily questioned teasingly at her younger friend.

Cassie smiled, trying to keep the blush from her cheeks as she shook her head. “No, just camera shy. Anyway it was just some guy I was close with over the summer, really no big deal just someone young to hang out with. Besides you know as well as anyone else that I am perfectly happy with and committed to Jason.” She did her best to play it off, trying not to remember of the best summer of her life too vividly.

“Even if he’s banging Polly on the side.” Miki said offhandedly with a laugh.

Cassie saw Betty’s eyes and face drop out of the corner of her eye at Miki’s words and she became enraged. “Don’t talk like that please, it’s degrading and offensive not only to me but also to Polly who, for one, isn’t here to defend herself, and two has only ever been nice to everyone. Including you. Remember that time you bled through your white shorts?” Cassie asked, her voice stern with the older girl.

“Yes.” Miki replied meekly.

“Not to mention her sister is in the room so you need to apologize to her.” Cassie crossed her arms and nodded towards Betty who was now looking shocked at the scene before her.

“But I didn’t say anything about B-” Miki tried to argue but it only enraged Cassie more.

She took a step closer to Miki, now almost in her face. “Apologize or I will kick you off this team so fast your head will spin.” She didn’t yell, but the tone of her voice was commanding the whole room and Miki decided not to push Cassie any further so she turned to Betty and whispered an apology.

“I’m sorry Betty, I shouldn’t have said that about your sister.”

Betty turned to Cassie who was smiling at her and smiled back before replying to Miki. “It’s alright. I accept the apology, and Polly will never know.”

“If I ever hear you say anything like that to anyone ever again, I will not hesitate to have you taken off this team. I will not tolerate rudeness in this locker room or on this team. Do you understand me?”

“Yes Cassie.”

“Good. Now get out of my sight.” Miki nodded before quickly leaving the locker room.

Cassie watched her leave before turning back to her small mirror as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Cheryl sighed deeply as she slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. “Well that was dramatic.”

“I’ll have just as much respect as the two of you, Just because I’m younger doesn’t mean they can walk all over me.” Cassie explained with her head high.

“Good for you, we’ll meet you in the parking lot?” Lily offered while picking up her own gym bag.

“Yeah, I’ll just be another minute.” Cassie replied watching her friends walk out of the door.

Cassie finished packing up her gym bag before looking in the mirror one last time then slamming her locker door shut. When Cassie turned to them Betty and Veronica still stood stunned looking at the young captain causing her to smile at them. “Yes ladies?”

“Thanks Cassie.”

“Get used to it Betty Cooper, us River Vixens stick together.” Cassie said with a wide smile before glancing over her area to make sure she had grabbed everything. “Well I’m headed out; goodnight ladies, have a good weekend.” Cassie picked up her purse and slung her gym bag over her shoulder and mad her way out of the locker room and down the hall.

When she finally made it out to the parking lot, it’s all but deserted. Aside from Jason Blossom leaning up against the iconic red convertible. She took a deep sigh and continued to walk towards the tall ginger.

“Hey, have you seen my friends anywhere? They said they would meet me in the parking lot.”

“Was one a thin blonde about yay tall,” Jason held his hand up to about the height of Lily. “And the other a redhead who looks an awful lot like me?” He asked, pretending he didn’t know exactly what she was talking about.

“Yeah, have you seen them?”

“Nope.” He stated plainly causing Cassie to smile.

“Jason.” Cassie laughed lightly, now standing right in front of Jason.

“Mason and Carter took them home, I told them I wanted to take you out to Pop’s as a way of saying sorry for this afternoon. Now get in, if we hurry we might still get a booth that isn’t near those rowdy football players.” Jason held the passenger's side door open and Cassie slid in, throwing her duffel bag into the back seat as Jason shut the door and moved around into the driver’s seat. Once the two were settled in Jason started the car and headed off in the direction of Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppe.

“There’s really no reason for you to be sorry about this afternoon, I was working it’s not like it was a date or anything.” Cassie explain as she looked down at her hands and twiddled her thumbs.

“I know, but I promised I would be there and I wasn’t so I’m going to make it up to you. Not to mention we haven’t had a date since you got back to Riverdale so this seems like a good a time as any.”  Jason explained, and he was right. They hadn’t been on a date since she got home, actually in much longer than that, and people were starting to talk so Cassie let the subject slide and just enjoyed the ride.

The two continued to drive down the quiet streets of Riverdale on their way to Pop’s. It was late, close to ten thirty, when the game ended and almost everyone went straight home after the game to get a good night’s sleep. The one’s that didn’t usually found themselves at Pop’s, the only place open at that time of night. Most of them were football players looking for a good bite to eat after the game, other’s young couples trying to spend every last second they could together before their curfew, some just people who just weren’t quite ready to go home yet for one reason or another, but they all found their way to Pop’s.

When they pulled into the parking lot Jason was quick to get out of the car and lightly jog around the front to open Cassie’s door for her. Once she was out he held out his arm to her and she took it lightly as they made their way into the diner.  As they walked in the little bell chimed and the smell of burgers and fries filled their senses, Cassie was relaxed by the atmosphere in her favorite place to be. Looking around the diner on one end of the place was a table or two full of football players, the other side was practically empty so they sat themselves on the other side of the diner away from all of Jason’s other friends.

They sat talking quietly for a few minutes about the weather and about the game and when one of the waitresses came around they ordered a plate of fries and a vanilla milkshake to share. The conversation between them was light and slightly awkward but by the time their shake was half gone things got a little deeper.

“Why weren’t you there this afternoon?” She asked in a nonchalant manner as she stuck a fry in her mouth.

“I just got caught up with something.” Jason explained quickly hoping to get past the subject. But Cassie didn’t let up that easily. She never did.

“Would that something be Polly Cooper?” She sounded exhausted at the thought.

“Cassie I-” Jason started to defend himself but Cassie cut him off.

“I’m just asking J, I’m not mad and I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m just asking.” She explained, reaching across the table to hold his hand in a loving manner.

Jason nodded and squeezed her hand. “Yeah, I was with Polly, but it’s not what you think.”

“What was it then?” She asked, her voice so soft he wouldn’t of heard it had he not heard the same tone a million times before from her. Soft and small, almost frightened.

Jason took her hands his and squeezed them tightly. He looked her in the eyes as he spoke. “We were talking, about how we can’t see each other anymore. It’s not fair to you, or to her. So that’s what I was doing this afternoon.”

Cassie nodded then pulled her hands from his to take a few more fries from their shared plate. “How long do you think that will last?” She asked, her voice louder now and he could see the ABC coming out of her.

“What?” He asked, confused by the question.

“How long do you think it will last? You and Polly not being together I mean.” She was back to his sweet Cassie now, her voice soft again and it put him at easy. He put on an ABC front just like the rest of them, something they would use to command power and respect from the people around them and it was something they rarely did when it was just the six of them and something they never did in their couplings.

He thought for a moment about her question and about what his answer should be. He knew what she wanted to hear and he knew what he should tell her, what he wanted to tell her, but he knew the truth was always best. Especially with her. “Honestly, I don’t know. I want to say forever but I really really like Polly and I wish I didn’t because that would make everything easy but I do so it’s not.”

Jason rubbed his hands over his face in frustration but Cassie smiled and reached across the table to take his hands in her own. “I get it. It’s not like we have a choice in this.”

“I promise I’m going to try my best to keep things friendly with her but not too friendly. I care about you Cassie and I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I know Jason.”

They looked at each other for a long moment before any conversation continued. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s just enjoy our date.” Jason offered. Cassie smiled and nodded, leaning in to take a sip of their milkshake.

They didn’t stay much longer after polishing off both the fries and the milkshake. Jason drove Cassie home and walked her to the front door just before midnight.

“I had fun tonight.” Jason stated, taking Cassie’s hand in his and swinging them together.

“Yeah me too.” Cassie nodded and smiled.

“We should make this a regular thing, like once a week or something. Just the two of us.” He offered causing Cassie’s smile to grow wider at the thought.

“I’d like that.” She assured, giving his hand a squeeze.

Jason let go of her hand and placed both of his on her jaw and neck, holding her head lightly. They were quiet for a moment just looking into each other’s eyes, then the conversation took a serious turn once again. “I know things have never been as easy for us as it has been with Cheryl and Mason or even Lily and Carter. We’ve always had to try twice as hard to be half as close, but I’m going to try harder. I promise.”

Cassie nodded in agreement. If they were ever going to make this work they would need to be in it completely. “Me too. We don’t have much choice. It’s either try harder or be miserable all our lives.”

“Well I refuse to be miserable.” Jason smiled which caused Cassie’s face to light up. She may have never been in love with Jason but she certainly loved him, just as he loved her.

“Same here.” She agreed.

“Goodnight Cassie.” Jason leaned in and Kissed Cassie lightly on the lips before pulling away and walking off the porch back to his car.

“Goodnight Jason.” Cassie watched as Jason made his way to the car before pulling out of the driveway and towards his own house. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy for them, it never was, but they had to try. No matter how he felt about Polly or how she felt about the boy from that summer.