#natalia’s off her meds

[sceletaflores]

he’s so silly i want to suck his dick so hard his stomach caves in like a juice box.

[missmorwen]

Trick or treat! 🕷️🕷️🕷️

With your icon being Nat with blood on her face there's really only one theme I could pick. So here's a little something from the same WIP, a later chapter from Bucky's POV.

I wanna say enjoy, but Bucky sure doesn't 🎃

A text woke Bucky up. At first, he thought it was from Natalia since she hadn’t answered his last few texts. He wasn’t worried. Not yet. Not really. Being away on a mission often made regular contact impossible. Then he saw the notification was from Steve. He checked the time before he checked the message. Still over half an hour till they were supposed to go for their morning run and his alarm wouldn’t go off for another seven minutes. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he slipped his feet out from under Liho and sat up in bed, careful not to sit on Alpines fur as he did so.

‘Can’t run today,’ the text from Steve read. ‘Keeping Nat company at the med center.’

An abyss opened under Bucky and swallowed him whole.

At the med center. Natalia was at the med center. And she was badly enough hurt to be kept there for a few hours. How could that even happen? It was supposed to be a standard mission. The only reason she was because the intel had suggested that the Red Room might be involved with a Hydra splinter group. Otherwise, some SHIELD grunts would have been sent instead.

And now Natalia was badly enough hurt to need medical attention.

Bucky’s fingers felt numb. His face, too. The hammering of his heart was loud enough to drown out Alpine’s snoring. He stared at the screen. The words refused to change.

A bubble popped up indicating that Steve was writing another message. ‘Doc’s keeping her overnight, so probably won’t make it tomorrow either.’ The bubble popped up again immediately, then, ‘Unless she throws me out before then.’ Another message popped up after that with a smiley crying with laughter.

This had to be a nightmare. Except his nightmares about Natalia dying usually included her dead body and his bloody hands. And Steve wouldn’t be joking around if she was in actual danger. Right?

‘What happened?’ Bucky typed once he got the use of his fingers back.

‘Nothing serious. Doc just wants to keep her under observation. You know Nat, she’s tough as nails.’ Followed by the smiley with a small smile that always seemed passive aggressive to Bucky.

Sleep was impossible after that. Instead of doing something productive with his time, Bucky wore holes in the floor by pacing. He wouldn’t even have found out if Steve hadn’t canceled their morning run. That was what hurt the most. No, that wasn’t true. What hurt the most was that Natalia was injured badly enough to be in the goddamn hospital for God knew how long and he couldn’t go to her. Couldn’t even ask Steve how she was. If it was—God forbid—serious.

He wanted to run until he couldn’t feel his feet. He wanted to beat someone into a bloody pulp. He wanted, most of all, to go to Natalia. To be with her. To hold her hand. To make sure the doctors made her better again.

[therrerium-valkryonia]

Worst time to have baby for a midwife? Several woman including herself (overdue multiple) goes into labour at same time

Where shall we go with this.. Hmmm.....

Motherhood

The room was filled slow groans, the pains of labor had begun and the women we're about to literally pop, unfortunately the four women had all crowned and all have some sort of issue but it was minor at best even through the screams.

It was midday and Natalia had just come in as the midwife to the four and seeing the huge crown slowly gush, she went with the first, Alexa. in which they stood her up as she held the bar, she slumped down as the baby emerged gushing with fluid and unusual speed, she caught the baby and cut off the cord, tying around the cord and cutting the cord off and handing the baby to the helpers one of the mothers husband and or wife, she trusted them.

She helped the mother down and laid her down to rest, she rushed over but stopped in pain reaching down to her belly, strifling with warm heavy pain and she handles it well with a huge exhalation, the next came by and she was held on to her brother being widowed and crying with trembling legs, she waddled and got close as she relieved and pale, she adjusted her position to a more sat position, the head was somewhat stuck but it was minor and so she stuck a finger or two and slowly slid around and before you know it, it slid out and gushed all over her hand.

The twin women we're heard screaming and the brother came-in and told her to help the two, she stepped into the hall and closed the door before slumping her back and walking through, she felt a jolting pain jump up and down as she distended her legs, supported by the wall she tried to keep the overdue twins in but they we're coming with no way to stop them.

She walked in straight but waddled a little off her steps felt sloppy, the mothers thrashed and kicked the midwife in the belly, she moved back slumping down with a loud sneer, she the spoke and said "I'm good, Fine... Ough, I'm Fine." She got to the mother side and her wife Emery, had kept an eye on the head as the midwife said "So Obgyn? Seem you know this? (huu- uh) Good?)" So she pressed down the belly carefully and had eased the head not coming through as Natalia slowly exhaled in pain feeling a huge bulge push her nethers open, forcing a huge tear to bleed open, when the med saw the head she had already stopped pushing but she held the bed subtly rocking her body, her brown hair damp in sweat and her belly shown to visibly flex.

Then she continued pressing down carefully and the head eased through, "You can go now, to the other mother in need" Natalia had deep dark brown lock to the other room, she caugh the docs eye her shape, her figure, her features and her breasts we're all she could think but she cleared her mind as Natalia slowly dropped her back down, she felt the body swinging around beneath her green dress somewhat tight but her skirt was long yet it was loose enough.

When she reached the last mother, she wasn't having complications, the baby shoulders just didn't fit and so she reached in her canal and had slowly pulled out the baby forth as she pushed, it gushed all over her arms and she had to excuse herself and went into the bathroom, gripping the sink and pushing as much as she could and gushed the baby, she knelt and saw her face in the mirror, seeing the pain and winced before brutally pushing and pushed out the entire baby and fainted, falling back onto the dry floor cleaned quite earlier.

[natalia-ramos]

NAME: Natalia Sabina Ramos AGE & DOB: 35, born June 27th, 1988 GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis woman, she/her ORIENTATION: Pansexual, panromantic RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Married, kinda HOMETOWN: Havana, Cuba PAST RESIDENCE: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia CURRENT RESIDENCE: Bighorn Hills, Providence Peak as of January, 2024 OCCUPATION: Florist and Owner of The Secret Garden

biography. // wanted plots.

It's good to be soft when they push you down

aesthetics. breaking expensive family heirlooms while listening to Fiona Apple // holding back tears during an argument // the highs and lows of fighting the archetypal constructs of women // looking to all the world like a hungry dog who's too well-trained to beg for scraps // fail girlboss // having the most toxic parent at the mcdonald’s playplace // “you’re in his dms & i’m on his nerves” // dandelions growing on the cracks of a busy street // gentle hands, shy smiles, and long hugs // Atlas carrying the world on their shoulders

biography.

TW: mentions of alcoholism, suicide, and depression; child abandonment; parentification; death of a parent by alcoholism.

It is the rooms enveloped in darkness, interrupted only by the flickering light of a lit cigarette dangling precariously off your mother’s mouth, what you remember the most when you think about childhood. And her raspy voice, with misery clinging to her every word, stinging the same way battery acid would when rubbed on an open wound— it’s this overkill you’d rather forget.

You are raised partially by your mother. Raised. A strange word, you chew through it like molasses any time it needs to escape your mouth when speaking about your mother. In truth, it’s a term you use rather loosely when it comes to her or your father, considering who they are, what they’ve done and not done— you’d never let that on. You’d first bite your tongue raw before betraying one of your own.

In the early days you wonder what, sometimes who, had tricked your mother into believing there was nothing worth staying alive for.  Never fall in love kid

You’d often hear her whisper in the dark. Nowadays you hope she takes her meds, lest she remains tucked in bed for days on end. All you ask for, all you pray for, is that you won’t find her floating, almost unconscious, in a murky bath of cold water, lavender oil, and blood again.

It is this incident that comes as the catalyst you need to step up and look after her and the rest of the family.

As the sunlight drowns in a wave of infinite darkness, you make your way to the local pub to drag your father back home, where he will continue to drink until daylight graces the skies once more. After an incident that you hide away in one of the innermost corners of your mind, you know better than to touch his liquor cabinet.

It feels right to be a nurse– the perfect career for the eternal caregiver. You even enjoy it at first, going from your overly protective role at home to your overzealous shift at the local hospital. Feeling invincible, you burn the candle at both ends, the uncertain flame illuminating a smile that is all teeth, eyes blinking rapidly to prevent any tears from coming.

When your father’s liver finally succumbs to decades of the disease that plagued him, you forget how to breathe. Guilt immediately burrows inside your heart, builds a home in the now vacant spot where papá used to live and ushers a devastating thought.

You can’t save anyone.

The thought haunts you, follows you to work where you end up making fatal mistakes. You don’t make a scene when they finally fire you and instead feel some sense of peace for the first time.

The world calls out to you, begs for you to break free from the ties that bind you home, and suddenly brimming with joy, you don’t hesitate to answer. The intrinsic love that is inherent in the fabric of your being remains, it only changes shape. Flowers, plants– the love and care that you put into them is always gratifying, more forgiving than your complex human.

An electrifying new lease on life brings you to become an apprentice for a florist in California, which leads to more opportunities around the country as your skills grow sharper and more sophisticated. 

Since the ultimate goal is to open your own flower business, you make your way to Colorado, where the rental market doesn’t seem as frightful as that of California.

[piningbuddies]

9-1-1 hot takes abt completed storylines ? 🔥👀

okay so i have a few?? idk if any of them are actually hot takes but anyways:

i hated loathed detested the way they handled maddie's storyline in s5. i can see what they were trying to do, but the sheer vitriol i've seen spouted at her as a result of it and then, obviously, because buck's the baby of the fandom, the way they treated chimney in the aftermath of the punch was downright fucking vile lol. i'm not gonna say anymore on that because it gets me SO angry, but i think both buck and chimney were trying to do what they thought was best, and i really don't think chimney can be faulted for having such an emotional visceral reaction given the circumstances.

i really didn't mind the idea of natalia as buck's girlfriend?? i actually really liked her, and from the few glimpses we got of her and of him i could see the compatibility. she was definitely done a little bit dirty in conjunction with the couch ending of it all and then the off screen breakup (i understand completely why this was done btw i'm just saying), i just wish we'd seen more of their relationship

okay. this one's a biggie maybe??? but i really wish less of season six had been buck focused. listen i love buck just as much as the rest of us, and i know there was plenty of other storylines in the season (bobby and the rehab, hen and conclusion of med school, madney proposal) but so much of the season had a very heavy buck angle to me, and it just felt off??? i don't know, this is fully personal opinion but. yeah.

sleepover weekend!

[na-talia-journey]

Episode 6 : Loss & Fire

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Taglist : @crimson-girl , @avem-springs , @darth-sathanas , @jedi-mom , @ger-springs , @kaminoan-lodestar ,

[siderealxmelody]

------

She shattered after that, too much in a daze to make some excuse and go back. But Mantyx enjoyed celebrations, he definitely enjoyed the attention.

She stared at her hands, remembering when she was tortured so early in the war. Her father had said she hadn't let Azriel go. That he'd saved her or found her. She couldn't remember now. She wondered if they'd dragged her off him when she'd been taken to the med bay.

She didn't bother looking up at the shadow. It wasn't him and that's all that she could note. She stared up at Rhysand, swallowing more tears.

"I know we're not - can I have a hug? Please. I won't - please?"

------

Sebastian smiled, cupping Natalia's cheek to kiss her again.

"Are you ready to go home now my -"

He turned, smiling.

"Ah, Azriel there you are. Where did you -"

She was sobbing now, she didn't lean into him yet. She still had some strength in her. But she heard it, even if he didn't say it. Even if he never did, she heard it.

It killed her that she hadn't thought to ask sooner.

"It would keep me going. It would give a reason to give a shit about these fucking parties. They throw so many of them and I -"

She swallowed, trying to look at him again, even as her world felt like it was suffocating her.

"I wouldn't care about the parties and the endless superficial chatter if you were there. If I had even a slim chance of seeing you. Of just talking to you, I've had more fun now than I've had in years. And I mis you and I hate this and I should have said I love you when he asked to court me like I wanred to."

She was breathing hard, her voice steadying. She wasn't sure where to look. So she looked at her hands, she wished she could tear that ring off and throw into the ocean.

[sleepisaturn]

headcanons of nursing Natasha who has flu

natasha romanoff x gf!reader

headcanons of taking care of a hard headed sick Natasha

Natasha would deny it but you would know right away that she was sick because she felt too warm in your embrace as you woke up next to her that day.

Miraculously you didn't get infected and immediately put Natasha, your stubborn girlfriend into bed rest.

You would need to blackmail her into staying in bed.

" Stay in your bed or no sex for a month! " you warned as she tried to persuade you that she's okay and that it was just a slight fever

" ... fine, i hate you "

" you'll thank me when you get countless sick free orgasms once you're okay "

" fine you win " Natasha grumbled as she groaned trying to find a comfortable position as her head ache worsened.

You quickly gathered the things you would need to nurse Natasha back to her old healthy self.

Natasha's a very stubborn person, even to her girlfriend she would insist she's fine so going to the med bay and getting checked by Dr. Cho was definitely crossed off the list.

As Natasha falls sick, you've made everyone aware that nobody should visit her as she's more grumpy when sick and that a risk of infection can't happen within the Avengers.

You've made sure nobody went on and disturbed the floor you and Natasha's shared room was in since your only floor mate was Wanda but she's on another honeymoon with Vision.

You first checked Nat's temperature using a thermometer even if she cutely advices that you check her temperature using your lips though she was only joking as she wouldn't want you to get infected.

Natasha would grumply refuse to eat as she preferred to just sleep and waking her up for food was something she found not necessary.

" eat the soup, baby "

" no, I'm fi— "

" eat the damn soup, Natalia! "

" yes, maam " she said as she quickly grabbed the hot bowl of chicken soup

" careful!! "

You patiently wipe away her body with luke warm water to try and cool down her fever and to make her more comfortable as she sleeps the day away.

You couldn't help but coo at the image of the badass spy, ex–assassin who's now sleeping soundly as a cold towel cooled her forehead as she cuddled the teddy bear you gave her a year ago proxy for you, her girlfriend who she didn't wanna risk getting infected.

Of course Natasha wouldn't call Fury so you took it upon yourself to find his personal number that he let's Natasha use.

You immediately tell the man with one eye to not give his best agent a mission for atleast three weeks so that you'd know Natasha would heal properly because you know your girlfriend's a stubborn woman who couldn't be away from her job for more than a month.

Natasha would say she didn't like the sandwiches and that she's fine but in fact she'd only ever eat sandwiches that are made by you or by Steve, anyone else she doesn't trust with the food she'll intake unless of course it's take out.

" I'm gonna eat it but I'm not gonna be happy about it >:( "

" don't pretend like my egg sandwiches aren't your favourite, babe ;) "

" hmmp >:/ " she chomps on the delicious egg sandwich made by you with love while pouting cutely

Once you made sure her fever went down enough that you wouldn't be infected if you cuddled her, you laid down on the bed you two shared and caressed her hair as you give her a peck on her forehead for her to fall asleep peacefully.

Natasha can't fall asleep properly unless she's in your embrace, sick or not she'd need you to be beside her at night.

[jamespotterthefirst]

Hey bree!! How u doin?? ( I am a lot excited about friends reunion so pls dont mind me asking like that i just meant how r you?😂)

Whats the story of lilac and her ex? In auld lang syne her cousin mentioned something about cheating..

So did he cheat on her or something?

I am really curious on her relationships before ethan😁

I LOVE YOU FOR THAT FRIENDS REFERENCE!

Lilac and Her Ex, Alex

His name is Alexander Rhodes (FC is Chris Evans oops)

He is a lawyer in the New England area

They met at UCLA while they were both doing their undergrad

Both Lilac and Alex were very much alike in personality: charming, lively, funny, good-looking. People just gravitated towards them easily. As such, the instantly hit it off when they met at a party.

It was instant sparks. More than sparks-- it was like a match catalyzing a blazing flame.

Very much a whirlwind romance. Alex and Lilac fed off each other's energy.

They were the "it" couple among their friends, always fun to be around, always the life of the party. Everyone thought they made sense together.

And that was the case, at least in public.

When they were alone, the charm just... snuffed out. They would be too exhausted to be anywhere near as animated with each other privately.

That spark everyone saw was almost like a performance.

It took them a while to realize this, too caught up in the thrill and passion of their romance.

They dated for two years. In retrospect, the relationship lasted that long because everyone expected them to be the real deal.

When they moved in together, everyone (including their families) thought it wouldn't be long before an engagement and then a marriage.

Right before Lilac started med school, however, things took a turn for the worse.

Suddenly, the public perception and expectation of their relationship was not enough to keep them together. They both began to realize that the chemistry and physical attraction that fueled their romance was starting to fizzle out.

Lilac dealt with this by trying to make things work. She sought advice and put in a lot of effort between applying to med school and holding a job. She wanted to desperately make things work with this charming, driven man she thought herself in love with.

But it seemed that the harder she tried to give their relationship a fighting chance, the harder he pushed away. Anytime she would arrange alone time for them to reconnect as a couple, he would become defensive and irritable, to the point that he refused to do anything.

Their arguments worsened as the days went on.

He was distant, cold, absent. Even in public.

Then one day, she caught him leaving one of her good friends' dorm room. It was evident they had slept together and had been for a long time.

Lilac ended the relationship at once, gathering as many things as she could from their shared off-campus apartment and crashing with her cousin, Natalia.

After a few days, Alex sought her out, asking her forgiveness. It was a lapse of judgment, he said. He wasn't thinking.

Lilac was deeply hurt but also terrified of losing someone she had loved for the past two years. They could work things out, she reasoned. Everyone deserved a second chance.

So she took him back.

Lilac had a forgiving nature and she was young. She really wanted this to work.

Unsurprising to any of her friends (all of which hated Alex at this point but tried their best to support Lilac), Alex was a changed man when they rekindled the relationship. He was his usual attentive, gallant self.

A few weeks after Lilac's return to their apartment, however, she discovered that friend he had cheated with was pregnant as a result of the affair. Alex had not ended the relationship as he had claimed, instead promising his pregnant mistress that he'd end things with his girlfriend, all while trying to hide the whole thing from Lilac.

This was another blow to Lilac and she was unable to move past this.

So she left, for good.

I had them find each other years later in my "Fake Husband" fic.

Hope this was okay! I've never done HC like this before!

[sceletaflores]

going to watch fnaf tonight for the third time can’t wait to edge every time mike comes on screen.

[dearest-bucky]

Where do we go from here (3- Final)

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: After one drunken one night stand Bucky wants nothing to do with Y/n. Will he change his mind later?

Words: 2.5K

Warnings: pregnancy, angst til the very end 😅 but of course happy ending

A/n: So first of all I’m sorry for this part being so late but life has been a little bit busy lately, butttt the most important thing is that it’s here and yes, it’s over. I hope you guys like the final part too as much as you did the rest of this story. I can’t stop thanking @tom-hlover because this was her idea and it’s because of her that her story was written in the first place!💕

And thank you to each and everyone of you for reading, liking, commenting and reblogging! I’m really in awe whenever I see your reactions!💕

Also tagging:  @vicmc624 @eyeliveinabook @giveusbackourbucky @atomicsoulcollecto @lokilokilokilokilokiloki @coffeebooksandfandom @sstanbarnes

Feedback is greatly appreciated! xx

This could not be happening! Not right now. She didn't need more than she already had on her plate with Bucky. Pregnant? The words that had left Bruce's lips reached her ears but they sounded distant, foreign. Right after Bruce has spoken, she had fixed her shirt, not bothering to wipe the gel away and got up from the medical cot, practically running out of the med bay. Steve followed behind her and he could only catch up on her just as she was about to enter her room.

"Hey." He spoke softly as he took a hold on her arm. "Hey, Y/n, listen to me." She turned around to face him and he was surprised to see that she was crying. "It's going to be okay.", He tried to console her, but those words only made her cry more.

"No it's not. Steve, it's not going to be okay. I'm pregnant with the child of a man who avoids me like I'm the fucking plague. A man who wants nothing to do with me. Fuck!" She cursed out loud as more tears streamed down her cheeks. She knew Steve hated when they cursed, but she couldn't care less about Steve's language problem. She had a bigger problem to handle at the moment.

"Who said he wants nothing to do with you?" He asked confused and Y/n only shook her head in disbelief.

"Do you live here or what?" She scoffed, not in the mood to talk to anyone anymore. "I need to be alone for a while, please." The last words were spoken in a quiet voice and Steve couldn't help but respect her wish.

"Okay, but I'm here if you need to talk about anything." She nodded her head and entered her room, closing the door behind her.

Steve hated the situation that was created, even more the fact that he wasn't doing anything to fix things between Bucky and Y/n. "I can't believe I'm doing this." He spoke to himself and then without even knocking opened Y/n's door.

"Steve, what are you doing?" She asked a little confused, moving to sit on the bed instead of laying as the captain stood tall in front of her.

"You have to answer one question for me and you have to answer it honestly, okay?" He asked and she could only nod.

"Do you love Bucky?"

Everything hurt, and no matter how many mission he had been to, no matter how many fights he had fought, every time he went into the battlefield felt like the first time. This time though, it had felt like the last. The mission had been two excruciating weeks long, and more than once during those two weeks Bucky had gotten the impression that he wouldn't be making it out alive. The mission was draining yes, dangerous, also yes, but the reason he felt that was because he was already dead inside.

With heavy steps and an even more heavy heart, he descended slowly from the quinjet, not at all excited or happy to be back. There was a reason he had left on a mission that long and if it was really up to him, he'd choose another mission, probably twice as long as the last one right now, only to be able to escape the compound and his broken heart.

Slowly and alone he made his way to his room. It was almost eleven in the morning, so he knew most of the team was awake and doing their own thing, so he walked unbothered through thr halls and unlocked his bedroom door. With a heavy sigh he closed the door behind his back and threw his duffle bag carelessly on the floor.

He didn't want to stop to be alone with his thoughts, needing action, something to keep himself busy with, but now that he was back, all he had to do was file the mission reports, which he absolutely hated. So he did the next thing that came to mind. With sluggish movement he got rid of his tactical suit and entered his adjacent bathroom, in desperate need of a shower.

He let the warm water run down his body, relishing in the somewhat relief it offered, but as soon as he closed his eyes to feel the water in his face, the picture that formed in his mind startled him. Hands and mouths and bodies and skin, touching and feeling and loving and he shook his head trying to get rid of it all. With the shower ruined for him too, he decided to rinse and get out as soon as possible. He turned off the water and got out of the bathroom with a towel hanging from his hips.

"You look like shit." He turned around to face the voice that spoke to him. Not many were able to sneak up on him like that, but this time he blamed the tiredness from the mission and the exhaustion of his heart for it. He composed himself a little before speaking, not wanting to sound as terrified as he had felt one short moment ago.

"And you, Natalia, need to learn how to knock on people's doors." He chastised, a little annoyed at her, but more pissed at himself because he had lost touch. He secured the towel a little more around his waist, before turning his back to her again, opening his drawers and rummaging through them to find some underwear. "What are you doing here anyway?" He asked then, not turning around to look at her. Without removing the towel he put on his boxer briefs and then fished out a pair of sweats from God knows where and put them on too. Only after he was half dressed, he turned around to look at her again. "So?"

She let out a small sigh, one she couldn't mask even with many years in the spy business. "I think you should sit down for this Barnes." He scoffed but did as she told him to, sitting next to her on his bed, eyes boring into her green ones, silently asking her to speak up.

"So?" He asked again a little more impatient this time and finally she said the words she'd come to him for.

"Y/n's pregnant." She said it so casually, he didn't even understand the real meaning behind her words. "With your child." She added a short second later and only then something clicked in Bucky's mind and he snapped out of it.

"What? Nat, I hope this is not a joke." She only shook her head no and that was enough for him to get up from where he was sitting. "Where is she?" He asked her and was ready to bolt out of the room at any second. The redhead didn't give him an answer for that question, she lowered her head, as if in shame or disappointment. He couldn't really tell.

"Where is Y/n?" He repeated a little more loudly and she snapped her head back up to look at him again.

"She's gone to a private clinic to abort the child." The words that left her mouth felt like stones thrown on his head, like daggers piercing through his heart and for a moment he stopped breathing altogether.

"She's..." He couldn't even form the words anymore.

"I'm sorry." Nat spoke up again. "I tried to change her mind, but she said she couldn't have a baby in her life."

"Because it's mine?" He asked, kind of wishing for Nat to not answer, but he asked anyway.

"Yes and no." She replied a little hesitantly, leaving Bucky more confused than ever. Yes and no, what does this even mean? He asked her that too. "I can't tell you anything else,  this is between you and her."

"Between me and her?" He scoffed in disbelief at Nat's words. He was going to lose his mind. "Between me and her it's a baby that she decided to get rid of all alone, just because it's mine. Because why would she want to raise the baby of a monster? Why would she wanna be tied to me forever with something so important like a baby?" He was yelling now, pacing around the room like a madman as he threw up the words.

The door of his room opened and they both turned their heads to look at Steve who seemed confused by all the yelling. "What is going on here? Why are you guys yelling?" He asked and then turned to Bucky. "Pal?"

"Oh, come on Stevie, come on in." The tone of his voice was still loud as he spoke sarcastically. "What is going on here, is that Natalia came to inform me there's something between me and Y/n." Steve was even more confused by his friend's words, but he didn't interrupt him, only remained silent until Bucky explained more. "That something is a baby. A baby she decided to get rid of without even telling me about it. Because it's the baby of a monster like me so she shouldn't keep it." Bucky turned to look at Steve, but unable to meet his friend's eye as his own were blurred by the tears. He blinked once and those tears escaped his eyes and rolled down his cheeks, thick and heavy and painful. "I'm a monster." He finished in a weak voice and wiped his face with the back of his hand a little aggressively.

The room was silent and nobody was speaking, but only a moment later that was ruined when Natasha came close to his and slapped him behind his head. "You idiot." She said and Bucky turned to look at her, more confused than before. "She loves you." His eyes widened at her words, but he was unable to say anything as she spoke again. "Yes, she can't keep that baby because it's yours, but it's not because you're a monster. It's because it's too painful for her to keep a baby that's yours without having you in her life." She finally explained and something clicked in Bucky's brain.

He wiped his cheeks again and turned to look at Steve with hopeful eyes. His friend only nodded, confirming Nat's words. "Where is she?" Bucky asked again the both of them. "What clinic did she go to?"

"I don't know." Nat replied and Bucky's face fell. "She didn't tell me."

"I think I know." He was surprised to hear Steve's voice. "C'mon pal. Let's go get your girl and your baby." Steve patted his shoulder affectionately and a small smile escaped his lips before he moved to get out of his room.

"A shirt!" Nat yelled behind him and threw a shirt at him, which he caught easily and wore it while walking.

The drive to the clinic was technically short, merely a ten minutes drive, including the traffic on the streets, but to Bucky it felt like an eternity as he tapped his fingers nervously on his knee while Steve was driving. When they arrived to the clinic, Bucky was the first to run inside and call out for Y/n, not caring about other people or the nurses and doctors that gathered around him and tried to keep him quiet.

"Please, I need to find her." He said to one of them and then looked around frantically for Y/n while calling out her name again.

"Bucky?" Her voice was weak as she called his name but he heard it loud and clear and turned around to face her. "What are you doing here?"

There were dark circles under her red and swollen eyes and she looked like she'd been through hell. Only wearing a hospital gown, it made her seem even more sick and the thought that went through Bucky's head made him sick in his stomach too. He moved away from the crowd of the hospital staff that had tried to calm him and walked towards Y/n. With a few short steps he reached her, but it still felt as if she was very far from him.

"Did you do it?" He asked meekly and her eyes once again blurred by unshed tears and she lowered her head. A gasp left his mouth at her reaction and he couldn't even look at her anymore. "Oh God." Were the only words that escaped his lips and he fell to his knees in front of her. He hugged her thighs and hid his face in her tummy, crying silently without a care for the people around them watching.

He felt her hand on his hair, fingers carding slowly and softly through his locks, and then her soft voice. "I couldn't." Those two words were enough to get his attention and he picked his head up to look  at her through his tear stained lashes.

"What are you saying?" She lowered her body down too, coming face to face with him, and with a little adjustment she managed to sit on his lap, arms snaking around his torso and hugging him like her life depended on that one hug.

"I couldn't kill our baby." She spoke and her voice quivered from emotions. "Even if you don't love me, even if we can't be together, I couldn't do it. It's a life growing inside of me and I couldn't murder it. I couldn't live with myself if I did that."

Bucky sighed in relief at her words and he hugged her back even more tighter, as if he wanted to merge both of their bodies into one on that hospital floor. But then, he thought, he had already done that, it was a living proof growing inside Y/n's belly and he couldn't be happier.

He was content to have her in his arms like that, but that didn't last long either because she created a little distance with him to finally look in his eyes. "I understand if you want nothing to do with the baby. Just because I decided to keep it, you don't have any responsibility if you don't want, you-"

"What if I do?" He interrupted her and she looked at him half confused, half relieved. "Y/n I love you." He said and she gasped at the words, more tears spilling down her eyes. "I've loved you before and I love you now and I'll love you after. And I absolutely love our little one. There's no place else I'd rather be than with you." His confession filled her heart with so much hope and joy, the only thing she could do was smash her lips into his, unable to form words. He quickly claimed her lips too in a kiss that left them both breathless and sated at the same time.

When they stopped kissing, she finally said. "I love you too."

He smiled down at her and caressed her cheek with the back of his flesh hand. With easy movements he helped her and they both got up from the floor they were sitting.

"Let's go home baby."

[marvel-wlw]

You Saved Me

Lena Luthor x Stark!Reader

Requested by @confusinggemini612​

Request: I saw that you wanted some Supergirl requests so I figured I'd give my idea a go. I took some inspiration from A DEO Agent & an Avenger, how about r x Lena where r is Tony Stark's daughter & a genius just like him so Lena & her instantly click. Also, at some point Lena gets taken & instead of SG saving her it's r who has her own iron suit & is an Avenger. Thanks

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters, they belong to DC and Marvel.

Tag list: @casey-anne-j​​​​ @softgamerking​ @morbid-gaymer​​​​@geekycatlover​​​​ @rainydaysrnevergrey​​​​ @natalia-helena-alianova-romanov @alphalesbianwolf​​​���  @dancurse  @autumnjackson4​​​​ @1-danid​

Supergirl tag list: @yanginginthere

A/N: I hope you guys like it! :)

You remember the first time you met Lena. It feels like it was only yesterday, the Avengers had to work on a mission with the DEO. The DEO had found a few hydra bases so they contacted Nick Fury. 

During the mission you had gotten close to Kara and Alex. The day before you and the others had to go back to the Avengers compound Kara had invited you over for game night. 

That night was when you met Lena. The two of you instantly clicked. You both started taking about a few things that you’ve been working on and you’ve been talking ever since. 

Over time you started to realize that you had feelings for Lena but you didn’t know what to do. You wanted to tell her but you were scared of losing her. 

xxxxx

“When are you going to tell Lena?” Alex asked.

You were in National City visiting your friends for a few days. You looked up at Alex, raising an eyebrow. “Tell Lena what?” You were trying to act like you had no idea what Alex was talking about.

“Come on (Y/N), this is me you’re talking to.” She walked over to you, placing her hand on your shoulder before turning you around so you were facing her. “I know you have feelings for Lena.”

You sighed. “I just don’t know what to do. What if she doesn’t feel the same?”

Alex gave you a kind smile. “You’ll never know unless you tell her, trust me.” She pats your shoulder before leaving the room to go find Kara.

You watch as she left before looking down, lost in your thoughts. You took a deep breath. Alex was right.

xxxxx

You looked up at L-Corp for a few seconds before walking inside. You asked the receptionist if Lena was in and if you could see her. They let you go up to Lena’s office.

Once you got there you took a deep breath before knocking on the door. You waited for her to let you in but there was nothing. Something wasn’t right. You knocked again. “Lena? It’s me can I come in?” You got no response.

You opened the door and what you saw made your stomach drop. Lena was gone, the balcony doors were open and there was clearly a struggle. You quickly looked around to try and find anything that might help you to find out where Lena might have been taken. 

You saw a piece of paper out of the corner of your eye, you went over and picked it up. The person who took Lena must be new to the job because they dropped their instructions. 

You walked out onto the balcony and called your iron suit. Once your suit was on you took off to the location where Lena was taken. You knew you should’ve called Kara but there was no time. You had to save Lena, you couldn’t lose her.

xxxxx

Once you got to the location you did a superhero landing. As soon as you did enemies came running at you. You used your blasters to take them out. No one was going to get in your way of saving Lena.

When the enemies outside were taking care of you flew to the building. You broke the door down and went inside, taking out the enemies trying to attack you.

You found a room with the door closed, you tired opening it but it was locked so you knocked the door down. What you saw caused you to see red. Lena was strapped down on a table and there were two scientists, one was about to put something into her.

You growled. “Get the hell away from her!” You used one of your blasters on one of the scientists and punched the other one, knocking them out.

You quickly went over to Lena, you broke the restraints. “Lena, look at me.” You gently placed a hand on her cheek. The faceplate on your suit lefts up so Lena could see you.

“(Y/N)...”

“I’m here, I got you. Everything is going to be okay.” You carefully picked her up, carrying her bridal style. Once Lena was in your arms she passed out. You ran outside and flew up, flying as fast as you caould back to National City.

When you got to the DEO you flew inside. “Alex!” You yelled for her as you land.

Alex and Kara came running over to you. “(Y/N) what happened?” 

“Lena... she...” You were so close to breaking down. Once Lena passed out you started to get really scared, you didn’t know what those people did to her before you were able to find her.

Alex brought you to the med-bay, you gently placed Lena down on the bed. You didn’t want to leave her side but you knew Alex needed to work on making sure Lena was okay.

Kara placed a hand on your arm before guiding out of the room so you two could talk about what happened.

xxxxx

After Alex ran some tests she found out that Lena was fine. You had gotten there just in time before they put whatever they were going to use in her. 

By now you changed out of your iron suit, you were sitting in a chair next to the bed Lena was on. You heard Lena let out a groan, she tried to sit up but you gently pushed her back down on the bed. “Easy, you need to rest.”

“(Y/N)...” She looked over at you, she could tell that you’ve been crying. “You saved me.”

You nod. “When I saw that you were taken I was so scared...” 

Lena reached over, she placed her hand on your cheek. She cupped your cheek and wipes away the tears that started to fall with her thumb. “I’m okay, I’m safe.” She gave you a small smile.

“Lena I have feelings for you and when I saw you were taken I...” You look down. “I thought I lost you.”

Lena slowly sat up, she leaned forward and kissed you. When you both pulled away from the kiss Lena rest her forehead against yours. “I have feelings for you too.”

You couldn’t help but smile. “When Alex says it’s okay for you to leave the med-bay would you like to go on a date with me?” You bit your lip.

“I would love to go on a date with you.” Lena smiled before pulling you into another kiss.

[suburbiashq]

                 cassel resident : talia wilkes.

full name. natalie ‘talia’ wilkes. age. thirty four birthdate. august 8th, 1986          zodiac. leo. gender. female                            pronouns. she/her occupation. doctor ( family medicine ) lives in. main street.

                                     about talia wilkes.

when talia imagines herself, she is always leaving. and maybe that’s always been the greatest constant in her life, reaching the crest of the mountain top & then turning back down right before hitting the peak. that’s what her mother would say anyways. and she always did have so much to say. 

she wasn’t always like this: family disappointment, the daughter whose name gets glossed over in conversations with her parent’s country-club friends. the joke sits on the roof of her mouth: no, I used to be worse. 

the thing was, talia always felt like she was too big for this world. like she was a great, cosmic force that had been trapped inside a tiny glass jar, sitting on a shelf & collecting dust. she felt everything too deeply & too strongly, each emotion could echo off her canyon chest for eternities. she wasn’t meant to be a proper young lady, one that would evolve into a proper young wife that hung off her proper young husband’s arm before eventually popping out proper little children & repeating the cycle all over again. she wasn’t built for school board meetings or cocktail hours, lunch at the club and summer in the vineyard. she was a wild creature, always saying the wrong things and laughing with all her teeth, perpetually sneaking out of her girlhood bedroom at all hours of the moon-dark night.

for the record, talia did try. she really did. despite her near-constant bad behavior, her grades were excellent. no one could take that away from her. and by the time university came, she had her pick of the ivies, eventually settling on yale. things were on the uptick, she had fallen in love with her pre-med courses. she spent nights in the library buried beneath piles of books or recording hours volunteering at the local hospital. with medicine, she’d finally found something she was good at, something worthwhile that she could offer the world. something to make her family proud. talia shined at her med-school interviews, winning competing offers from schools like stanford and princeton. and then she got pregnant at twenty-one, just a few months shy of her college graduation. 

even now, she can hear the ringing sound of her parent’s voices after the news broke. you’ve ruined your life. you’ve completely ruined your life, natalia. for a time — she believed it, numbingly agreeing to let them take the reins of her existence, which seemed to grow smaller and smaller by the day. talia denied her other offers and picked u-chicago’s medical school so that she’d be closer to her family. she let her then-boyfriend slip an antique engagement ring around her finger and ignored how much congratulations sounded like the click of a lock. she delivered her twins, leila and noah, in the sticky heat of june. she drove herself to the hospital. it was a few hours after an anatomy exam.

she continued this transitory life until her second year of medical school, as her mother & would-be mother in law were planning her wedding. with the wedding, which was already promising to be a lavish affair, talia would finally make things “right”, settle down & have a real family. the babies were a minor hiccup, they said, something people would eventually grow to forgive in time. and talia, despite her restless heart screaming otherwise, once again agreed. but then she saw her wedding dress. her fingers traced the delicate lace & suddenly it all became dizzyingly real. natalia saw her life play out before her — an unhappy marriage, children that would grow resentful of her, a life she’d spent so much of her life trying to escape from thrust upon her hands. and she left. all she remembers is a crescent moon hung low in the sky, guiding her way. new start, talia she repeated like a mantra, this is a new start. 

with what was left in her bank account she was able to scrap together rent for the next few years, living on the outskirts of the chicago. she pulled out loans for tuition. for the three years, she worked her ass off and ignored her brother’s pleas to come home. her parents didn’t really bother, talia supposed in their eyes she had already made her choice. she spent mornings waitressing & her evenings studying, relying on the kindness of her friends who didn’t mind her twins sleeping in the background of their all-nighters. when residency came, she already knew what she wanted to do. there was a statistic she’d once seen in undergrad, about how twenty percent of americans lived in rural areas and yet barely a tenth of doctors practiced there. she knew she wanted to do something about it. and she did. she applied to residency programs across the country. including cassel’s hospital. her classmates thought she was bananas to even consider a program in what they affectionately called “bum-fuck-nowhere, USA”, but she didn’t really pay them any mind — letting their laughter bounce off her like dew slipping off a leaf. she knew what she wanted to do. anyone else’s opinion was secondary.

this was some years ago — nearly seven, if she was counting. despite everything, she’s carved herself a lovely little life here in cassel. sure, there are small inconveniences — her med school debt getting in the way of finally buying a house being the chief amongst them, but she’s done the best she can. and that’s all you can do, right? after a lifetime’s worth of strife, to keep moving forwards despite it all. to earn yourself some stability, fill the space in between with love.

                                   three songs. under the table ( fiona apple ) / baby birch ( joanna newsom ) / storms ( fleetwood mac )

       ↳ talia wilkes is faced by aiysha hart and penned by yazzy.

[itsnotokbutwereallright]

Oh! Oh! If you’re taking prompts from the Drabble list, could you do a #38/39?? Or your choice!!

This rambling brought to you by writer's block, margaritas, and a sudden urge to write instead of working from home.

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

"I'm just tired"

"It just...hurts"

The capacity for want had been beaten out of Natalia and the other Red Room girls early. They were taught that wanting something meant it could be used against them. Money, fame, and the attention of a beautiful woman were the most common desires of their targets; the Red Room trained them to ensure the third became the only. Natalia quickly became adept at manipulating men (and sometimes women) to succeed. They were taught first not to express wanting. If a girl wanted a specific weapon, it was used against her. If they asked for an extra portion, they went hungry. And if they asked to rest, the girl never came back to her bed. Instructors repeatedly hammered into the girls that their only desire should be to serve the Soviet state; anything else was a weakness, and there was no weakness allowed in the Red Room. The girls learned not to ask for anything, and they learned to accept what they were given. 

One time, at the end of what had been a particularly bloody mission, she caught herself wishing she had more discretion about who died at her hands. She made the mistake of asking her handler why even those in their beds had to die. Her arm was broken and she was forced to sleep in a concrete cell for a week without medical care for questioning the orders she was given. It was a painful, but effective, lesson. Wishing led to wanting.

It wasn't until a man in black with a fucking bow and arrow was chasing her through Eastern Europe that anyone brought up wanting with Natalia again. When he finally cornered her in Budapest, panting against a wall with blood in her eyes and an arrow aimed at her heart, Hawkeye asked, "Do you want to hear an offer that doesn't end with an arrow in a vital organ?" She'd been planning to catch her breath so she could break his hands. The recruitment offer had sparked a pain in her chest that she'd grit her teeth against as she nodded. 

The next few days were a blur of questioning, testing, and more instances of that chest pain than she was willing to acknowledge. People kept asking her what she wanted, so Natalia did what she had been taught to do - manipulated them into giving her an indication of what they wanted and pushing that agenda forward. It was determined she was able to be released to the SHIELD base at large after only four days. When she walked into the cafeteria for her first meal outside of a cell, all eyes were on her until she slipped on a friendly mask and went through the line. The agents cautiously turned back to their meals, except for Hawkeye (Agent Barton, she reminded herself). He studied her with those cool blue eyes and a wry twist of the mouth as she sat, then stole the pudding cup off her tray. It was a game she'd been playing for as long as she could remember, and she knew better than to show a reaction. It turned that twist into a frown, but Natalia ignored it as she ate the vegetables off her plate and diverted him with asking about the various facilities. He'd want her to take an interest in her new home.

Clint would needle her into making choices between two things - pineapple on pizza or no? Milky Way or Three Musketeers? Cats or dogs? He normally did it at a time where she was focused on something else - once, memorably, as she was hanging out the passenger window trying to blow out the tires of an SUV that was chasing them through the streets of Puerto Vallarta. She'd been annoyed about that one and took it out on him on the mats - in the middle of the night, after she dragged him from his bed. Afterwards, as he lay panting on his back, he gasped out the logic. If she didn't have time to think, if he could get her brain to turn off, it became more of a gut instinct. She couldn't play off of what people wanted to hear, he'd said while side-eyeing her. The searing pain in her chest stopped her from acting on a want right then. She'd strolled to the locker room only to collapse with shuddering breaths as soon as the door closed. Natasha resolved that she would get rid of this trigger on her own. No matter how long it took. 

Six months later, she hadn't progressed much beyond smacking Clint's hand away from her pudding cups and stealing his fluffiest blanket when she came to his room. There would be plenty of times that Clint flashed that grin at her, the one so sure of itself, that she had to step back to keep the pain from showing. The smile dimmed a little, but it made Natasha work harder for the day when she could show how she felt.

A year after that, Natasha had started stealing the cookies off his tray, and was firmly team pineapple. She was able to go to him on particularly rough nights (the hospital fire, waking up to the smell of smoke in her nose and a ringing in her ears) and ask to stay - always on his couch. He didn't ask about the bed after her first vehement rejection of the idea. 

It was another six months before she could say the words to her mirror. The day that Natasha convinced herself to say them outside of her room, she walked into breakfast to find him sitting hip to hip with an agent named Bobbi - sharing a muffin. The heaving in her stomach had never been a sign of a trigger before, so she could only blame herself. Natasha dipped her head courteously as she nabbed an apple and headed back out to the gym. Stupid girl - wanting is weakness. The faintly Slavic accent couldn't be ignored, no matter how much Natasha had changed since the Red Room. They were right all along. It would just have to be packed away and ignored. She'd done it this long, she could keep doing it.

Except that she couldn't close Pandora's box once it had been opened. Every laugh, every secretive wink, every time Clint showed up to a briefing late and flushed, it was like a dagger to her heart. Natasha pushed herself as hard as the Red Room had taught her and tried desperately to forget. The risks that she took on missions became greater; Coulson and Clint side-eyeing her in briefings but unable to argue with results. And that pain in her chest became more and more frequent, until it was just a continuous pain that made her want to scream that Clint was HERS. Still she kept quiet, though the distraction of Clint and Bobbi started causing mistakes. Little ones at first that only she noticed, but they gradually became larger. When they were panting in a warehouse in Istanbul (not Constantinople, dammit Clint for singing that on the way here) it was clear she had Fucked Up. They had found temporary cover and Clint was cursing in several languages as he tried to staunch the bleeding from her abdomen. 

"What is going on with you?! You've been in black ops for as long as you've been alive! What the hell were you thinking?!"

She shook her head. She hadn't been thinking. At least, not of the mission. She'd been thinking about the slim gold band she'd seen Bobbi Morse wearing in the cafeteria this morning. One that matched the ring on the chain Clint stashed in his locker on the Quinjet before they disembarked. "I'm just tired."

He snorted at her. "Oh, spare me the bullshit. You could beat these assholes with only your pinky toe if you had your head in the game." They heard the roaring of ATVs at the same time. "Keep the pressure on that. I'll take care of this and then we're going home to figure this shit out." She shook her head again, but he ignored her and moved to high ground to take out the gang they had been assigned to monitor. Once that was done and the emergency evac was on its way, Natasha pretended to pass out to avoid the discussion. She did actually pass out from shock at some point, she assumed, as she woke up in a white room in a med bay with fresh stitches and an IV. Clint had his dirty boots on her bed as he played an invisible drum set to music only he could hear. It was just another thing she lo- 

Sharp pain, gasping as she came off the bed. Clint jerked up and tried to grab her so she didn't run. "Tasha, Tasha, I'm here! You're safe! It's okay!" Shallow, rapid breaths as she tried to focus on something other than the necklace that she could glimpse beneath his collar. "Come on, Nat, deep breaths," he tried to soothe as he reached to jab the nurse call button. 

"Back. Up," she managed to force out as she slapped his hand away from her remote. A panic attack. God, if Ivan could see her now. Yelena would kill her in a heartbeat. Clint jerked back, more from surprise than anything else. Hurt showed in his eyes, but he stayed with her. Natasha forced her breathing to regulate. If this is what her body was forcing her to, she would have to fess up. It took several minutes to get her breathing under control, but Clint stayed the whole time. "Sit down and stop staring at me," she grumbled at him.

"Excuse me for being concerned," he snapped, but he sat. "Does this mean you're ready to explain?"

Natasha closed her eyes and nodded. "You don't get to say anything until I'm done." It wasn't worth checking for a response. "I love you, Clint. It's not fair for me to say that to you, not with what you and Bobbi have, but I can't not tell you. It just...hurts. I've wanted to say something for two years, but I was trying to break the conditioning and I couldn't even out, and then when I could it was too late, and ever since then it's just been pain and I feel so weak and I hate it," her breathing started speeding up again and she had fistfuls of the sheets as she tried to anchor herself but couldn't and she ruined everything and…

Clint placed his hand over hers. "Two years?" Natasha slowly nodded, not loosening her grip on the sheets. "What a mess," he sighed. Natasha squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to cry in front of him. "Tasha, I've loved you since that day you let me steal the pudding off your tray without breaking all of my fingers. I waited for you to be ready. No one should go through what you've gone through. You survived, and you deserve to set your life on your terms. Bobbi and me? It was a bet that escalated really quickly. She's got her sights set on some British hot shot, and I've been busy pining after my partner." A tear leaked out of her eye and was brushed away, causing her to open them. "I want you, Natasha."

Finally, finally she could say the words. "I want you, too." He moved to capture her lips and she put a hand on his chest. "I also want a shower. And some food. Like pineapple pizza."

"Aw, Nat," was Clint's answering whine.

"And then? We'll see what else we find out I want."

He laughed, loud and long, and was allowed to push the button to call the nurse. "Let's get out of here."

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Why So Jaded? Chapter 4

Chapter 4! In case you missed it, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3. FFN, AO3

Why So Jaded

Chapter 4

Sunday night Violet took the new medication according to the new prescriptions on the bottles and noticed if she took it as directed, it would last her about two months. Which she sadly figured she would be using up in half that time. But at least at first, she was going to follow the prescription.

Monday morning came and Violet came into work with a cheerful smile and more pep in her step than ever and looking particularly breathtaking.

"Don't you look stunning this morning." Phillip praised when he saw her come into his office that morning, her hair was down and in curls and her makeup was done exceptionally beautifully and her attire was more colorful and vibrant and flattering too.

"Well thanks to you, I had a great weekend and the new sleep aids and painkillers are working really well, like exquisitely well. I got a whole, glorious twelve hours of sleep last night, I felt like I was ancient for going to bed at seven pm but I needed it and woke up refreshed and invigorated and I feel great so bravo to the medical team, they are onto some winners as far as meds, this is my favorite batch yet." She appraised happily which got Phillip to smile gratefully and appreciatively and filled him with relief and happiness that she responded so well to the change. Maybe once she was on these meds for a little while and saw the marked improvement, she wouldn't kill him for going behind her back and using Mr. Pine to achieve the breakthrough.

"So what do we have for Mr. Pine this morning?" She asked as she got a new tablet and got it ready to receive new data since the last one was broken beyond repair.

"Uh nothing new. He is working on a new project though that he got over the weekend that he's coincidentally needing to use the medical lab for. So he's actually in the medical lab right now." Phillip carefully and vaguely informed her.

"Oh, ok." Violet shrugged, not thinking anything of it.

"Well it's almost nine, I better check in with him, see if he needs anything. I'll see you later." She offered before she uncharastically kissed his cheek sweetly.

"See you later Handsome." She offered before she left as Phillip practically lit up with excitement. Oh whatever she was on, she needed to keep on it because that felt incredibly genuinely affectionate to him and he was over the moon. Operation Wife was on!

Violet felt so amazing, she felt invigorated, refreshed and not a hint of pain in anything. She could even wear these heels and not feel uncomfortable in the least. She didn't feel like her senses were dulled at all, if anything they were sharper than they were before.

"Good morning Dr. Gjersoe, Mr. Pine." She greeted cheerfully as she came in as Dr. Gjersoe immediately buried her schematics so she wouldn't see them.

"Good morning." They mirrored as Buddy was impressed she still didn't want to kill him this morning.

"I came to check in this morning Mr. Pine, do you have a moment?" She asked thoughtfully, wanting him to have some privacy from everyone else in the medical lab.

"Uh, yeah, sure." He confirmed as he gave Dr. Gjersoe a meaningful glance before followed her out of the lab and into a private office nearby.

"So...do you still want to kill me this morning?" Buddy blurted out which made Violet look at him like he was crazy before she laughed.

"What? Oh, oh because of Friday, no, no, don't worry about it. I actually need to apologize to you because you were just...being a decent human being by showing some sympathy and I was the one who was out of line and I'm sorry." She genuinely offered and it was his turn to look at her like she was crazy.

"Uh...what?" Buddy asked, completely dumbfounded.

"Ok, let's clear the air." She suggested before she did something with the tablet that shut off the cameras and listening devices in the office so they could truly talk privately.

"Ok, so Leslie sent me the audio and video of the conversation you had with Mr. Sebastian after I left on Friday and I watched and listened to it several times. You're incredibly perceptive and I believe that you were being genuine with Mr. Sebastian when you were talking to him and I believe you. If you say that you harbor no ill will towards myself and my family and by the sounds of it, you've been to therapy yourself to come to the realization that you by all accounts were unbalanced and super obsessed with my father which in turn led to some really bad decisions on your part and you regret it and obviously I see some guilt and shame in your eyes even now. And the fact that you put up no argument making me your heir apparent. Tells me that you must have changed in the decade or so since we were last in each other's presence. And a decade can be a long time and a lot has changed since then for both of us and our circumstances are different. And when you told me that Syndrome died that day in the jet turbine, I didn't want to believe you but after that conversation you had with Mr. Sebastian, and if you will swear on Tali - that Syndrome will never, ever get resurrected and the only person I will or anyone else ever interact with from now on is just...Buddy Pine. Then that's all I n\eed. We're both adults and professionals. I believe in giving people enough rope to hang themselves on. So what do you say? Will you just be Buddy Pine, a colleague?" She offered her hand to him to shake.

"I will, And I swear on Natalia Octavia that Syndrome or any other Super persona I could ever invent will never see the light of day." Buddy swore before he shook her hand which got Violet to smile fondly at him which he soon mirrored.

"Good, also word of advice, never, ever imply that Mr. Sebastian has super powers again. The last few who have- are now six feet under. Also don't ever make any comments about my relationship with Mr. Sebastian either, don't hint or poke or question or anything to either him or myself or anyone else, because again, he's very touchy about it. I'm surprised he didn't seriously retaliate against you for it, at least yet anyway. You got lucky, don't press your luck again. Got it?" She urged him.

"Understood." Buddy nodded in agreement. "So, how are the new meds working out?" Buddy asked hopefully.

"How did you know I was given new meds?" Violet frowned as she folded her arms in front of herself.

"Uh...you...you said you saw the conversation, you didn't see Mr. Sebastian escorted me to the medical lab?" Buddy questioned.

"I...I did not. Are you telling me that you're working on my own medical issues? That my new medication...came from you?" Violet asked as she tried to resist the panic starting to whirl in her chest but despite the initial spike in anxiousness, it never grew from there. If anything- she was able to keep it stable instead of being overpowered by it.

"He didn't tell you?" Buddy asked with a wince and a grimace.

"No, not yet." Violet took a deep breath and with a calming breath and refocus, she was able to fully regain her composure and push down her anxiety which soon dissipated as she was once again, able to look at the bigger picture.

"Ok, so this is your new medical project and why you needed to be in the medical lab over the weekend and from now on, of course, of course , why didn't I put it together." She muttered as she took a step back and took a moment to come to terms with it before she took another step forward and faced him and fixed him with a questioning look.

"Can you cure me?" Violet asked.

"In theory, yes. But curing you while keeping all of your powers intact yet freeing you of the crippling pain is the biggest challenge. However it's a challenge I'm very familiar with. Thankfully progress has been made since I last tried to tackle it and there are new compounds being found and tested all the time. All I need is time." Buddy professed.

"How much time?"

"Could be weeks, could be months, maybe a year or two at the latest. But in order for it to be effective I and the other doctors need you to be completely honest with us about what's happening and what's hurting and what side effects you're feeling and experiencing and what's been working and what hasn't. We all want to help. And in order for us to help best, we have to know more than what you've given us previously." Buddy pleaded because Dr. Gjersoe had told him that Violet was a difficult patient because she was so dodgy and mistrusting and super vague in her answers.

"Look I completely understand your need for secrecy, I built an empire on it ok? And I realize that as a Super, secrecy keeps you alive and keeps you safe right?" Buddy questioned and Violet had to nod in agreement with that reasoning.

"But like you've said, if you can just trust us enough to help, give us just enough rope to hang ourselves on so we can help, that's all we want. We don't need to know your life story or anything. We just need to know things like side effects and effectiveness. And we both know you're closest to Mr. Sebastian and he's been our go between but he doesn't always know what and how to ask to get the answers we need." Buddy added.

"OK, ok, fine. I give. Just enough to hang you all on." Violet caved before she re-swipped the tablet to reverse the 'lockdown' mode before they left the room and went back to the medical suite as Violet let them question and poke and prod her all they needed to and answered their questions to the degree she felt comfortable with and what they needed and when they were done she left and returned to Phillip's office.

"Hey, you were gone a while, everything ok?" Phillip noted and the smile that Violet gave him told him that she was far from pleased. It was her 'I'm going to kick your ass' smile and it gave him dread.

"Yeah, I was in the medical wing letting Dr. Gjersoe and his team know how the new meds were working out." She answered as she came and handed him her tablet.

"By the way, I had a very enlightening discussion with Mr. Pine about what happened over the weekend and why exactly he's in the medical wing." Violet leveled as she folded her arms under her chest and popped her hip and fixed him with a look that made him feel two inches tall as Phillip pursed his lips and had a guilty expression.

"So, what you're going to do- is give me the same clearance you have, so that I can keep an eye on this situation myself because you should have asked me about bringing Mr. Pine into this and the only reason I'm not handing you your ass over this is because I know that you're just as desperate for a solution as I am. And then you are never going to circumvent me again. Because if you do- contracts be damned, I will be gone faster than you can blink and I will disappear and you will have to spend every penny you have ten times over in an effort to find me again and you still won't be able to. This situation - will never repeat or so help me God, I will go full supervillain on your ass and there will be nowhere- where you can hide from me. I hunt and kill for a living remember? And I'm the best there is. You're lucky that I am able to see the bigger picture this time and see your intentions, although good- the way you handled this was wrong. Otherwise, I would already be gone. Also, you will not be retaliating against anyone for this because this was all on you and you can't hold this against Mr. Pine because I didn't give him a choice other than to tell me the truth. Third. I have decided to give Mr. Pine just enough rope to hang himself on along with everyone in the medical wing but I need you to know and understand, that I am holding you personally responsible for what happens next with my healthcare. Are we clear?" She proposed.

"Yes." Phillip confirmed as he went ahead and did as she demanded of him with her tablet, grateful this wasn't nearly as bad as he figured it would be.

"Good, now, let's move forward. There's the expo in Vegas in a few weeks, I think we should go and bring Mr. Pine with us- I can get him a good handler and we can announce to the world that IRize and SEB Industries are collaborating, get some good press for both of you. And if in the next few weeks, Mr. Pine proves himself trustworthy. We put a deterrent bracelet and a pin on him to keep him from running and we'll get him a handler. And if he does well there, then we can take him to Hong Kong and Tokyo for those expos in a few months. It would keep him from getting too stir crazy." She suggested.

"I think that might work." Phillip agreed.

"Good." Violet smiled victoriously before she took her tablet back and went to the tech department to figure out what could be used for her ventures and made a few orders before she went back to her office to find an appropriate handler. They had to be trustworthy, competent, intelligent, strong and versatile as she narrowed down her search to a few options.

"Good evening Mr. Pine." Violet greeted when she came into his lab for her evening check in.

"Good evening Ms. Parr." Buddy mirrored as he came over and put the cookies he had made for them on the island she liked to do their check ins at. He noticed she tended to stay longer and actually chit chat when he had snacks for her. Today was a cookie day he felt as she happily took a cookie as a peace offering.

"So, do you have anything outstanding that you wish to report?" Violet began before she bit into the cookie and practically melted in her spot. She secretly thought it was awesome that Buddy not only could cook decently well, but could also bake and was surprisingly very self sufficient. He did all his own laundry and dishes and cooking and kept his space pretty clean which always impressed her because Phillip was a master in the boardroom- but completely useless in a domestic setting and she doubted he even knew where his dry-cleaners was on a map, let alone what clothes needed to be washed vs. dry cleaned.

"Other than the medical lab is making you a three to six month supply of your current medication that should be ready in a few days, no." He answered.

"Awesome." Violet smiled happily as she notated that.

"So, I have a proposition for you." She began as she got a stool and sat down on it as Buddy took her cue and got on his own stool on the other side of the island facing her as he got a cookie himself.

"Ms. Parr, I'm flattered but what would Mr. Sebastian think if he knew a young pretty thing like you was propositioning an old man like me?" Buddy teased as he pressed a hand to his chest as he pretended to be scandalized which got Violet to laugh which in turn got him to chuckle. Pleased he could make her laugh.

"I walked right into that." Violet realized as she just shook her head.

"Anyway- so, on account that you appear to be very settled in, to the point you are already completely unpacked and you've sorted your tools and rearranged your living space- twice. I suspect that you are already showing signs of becoming a little stir crazy." Violet ventured.

"Dang it, I was hoping it wasn't that noticeable." Buddy murmured as he snapped his fingers sarcastically. God she was especially gorgeous today, he was practically swooning. He could smell the products she used in her hair and perfume she sprayed that morning as it lingered on her person. It was like someone brought a bouquet of flowers into an operating room because the lab he liked to keep clean, sanitized and sterilized. And while she was a Super, she brought a human element to this environment that he appreciated.

"Well, I may have a solution for you. So as you know, there is a tech expo in Vegas in a few weeks that IRize was supposed to have been invited to go to. I suggested to Mr. Sebastian for you to come with us and we can make an announcement of the collaboration." She began.

"What's the catch? Cause there's always a catch with something like this." Buddy asked with a puzzled frown.

"The catch is you will be wearing something like this the whole time." She said as she pulled the watch out of her pocket and put it on the counter and slid it to him before he picked it up and looked it over and resisted the urge to take it apart.

"Think of it like a shock collar for a dog to stay in an invisible fence. You will technologically tethered to your handler. But it would let you out of here and give you a tiny bit more freedom and hopefully you won't feel too stir crazy. And if that goes well and you don't hang yourself on that length of rope, then you can get another length of rope when could go to Hong Kong in a few months." She revealed to him.

"Would you be my handler?" Buddy asked hopefully.

"No, I'm already Mr. Sebastian's handler, I don't pull double duty, neither you or him could ever pay me enough." Violet smiled smugly.

"Oh come on, I would behave, I promise." Buddy vowed.

"Yeah I'm sure you would. But I can't say the same for Mr. Sebastian. My hands are already full if not threatening to overflow with just him. So I will be getting a handler for you." Violet maintained.

"So, all I need from you- is your word not to run or try to escape or make any S.O.S signals or anything like that, also a script will be provided to you for all press you would have and if you would need any new attire for this trip, that can also be arranged." She offered.

"And a haircut please." Buddy proposed as he ran his fingers through is hair, noting how it could use a trim.

"That can be arranged as well." Violet nodded as she made notes about it.

"The suit shop and tailor I like to use the most is Black Orchid and they will need at least two weeks to create your suits, would you like your haircut then or would you prefer to have it right before you leave?" Violet inquired.

"It can get cut then, might as well do it all at once while we're out." Buddy decided.

"Ok. Now for this particular outing, when we get your suits measured and ordered, I will be your handler and you will have your own security detail who will be armed with live rounds and you will be wearing a deterrent as well that will be tethered to me. Meaning you leave my side any other reason other than to relieve yourself, by a distance of more than fifty feet and at the least- you'll lose a limb, at the most- it will kill you. Do you understand?" Violet warned him evenly.

"Yes Ma'am." Buddy nodded in agreement.

"Great, now, what day this week would you prefer to go?" Violet asked between bites of her cookie.

"Any day that works for you." Buddy answered.

"Let's go Wednesday, give those tailors an extra few days on those suits." Violet proposed.

"Sounds great." Buddy grinned.

Buddy was absolutely giddy for the opportunity to go on an outing, let alone with Violet, he didn't care if a hundred henchmen joined them. He had to stay within fifty feet of her. Hell he would happily stay within five. The closer the better.

Wednesday morning Violet along with only two henchmen arrived at 9:15 a.m.

"Good morning Mr. Pine, are you ready to go?" She asked as she came in with two henchmen trailing her.

"Yes." Buddy answered as he came out of the 'apartment' section of his lab. Dressed and ready to go.

"Awesome. Before we go, there are a few things we need to go over. First- this is Mr. Leland and Mr. Nelson they will be our security detail, they will protect us while we're out but they will not hesitate to rock your shit if you step out of line." Violet informed him.

"Ok." Buddy nodded, amused at her choice of words.

"Also this is one of the tethers." She said as she presented him with the watch before Buddy took the one he was already wearing off and presented his wrist to her so she could put it on before she did, locking it with her thumb print on the face of the watch as it sized itself to his wrist and locked itself into his biometrics.

"And this is the other." Violet said as she took a pin from the same box in as the watch since it was with the watch and matched it style and fastened it to his shirt.

"The pin is your own passkey in the building." Violet informed him.

"Snazzy." Buddy appraised as he looked at it appreciatively which got Violet to snort a laugh and him to grin a little wider.

"OK, the next order of business is the safety protocol. If at any point our safety is compromised or something is going down or sideways, we're being ambushed or there's an assassination attempt or anything like that or even in the occurrence of someone imposter-ing myself or you or anyone else- there's a safety word I will use to positively identify you and everyone else. So I need you to think of a word that you can say quickly and easily to make sure that you're you." Violet urged him.

"Ok, what's the safe word?" Buddy asked.

"Twatwaffle." Violet informed him which got Buddy to bust out laughing.

"What? Of all the words in all the languages, our lives could be in danger and you're going to yell 'twatwaffle'?" Buddy asked incredulously. "You're serious? You're being serious right now?" Buddy prodded.

"Yeah, it has saved our collective asses repeatedly because everyone tries to think of really "cool" names to use that no one remembers in the heat of the moment. But in a life or death situation, you need the ludicrous and the unexpected but memorable to save your bacon. So when and if I ever have to use the "Twatwaffle" protocol. What will be your response? Because again, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Leland will also need to know it to make sure you are you and not an imposter or that I'm not an imposter." Violet maintained.

"Jesus, ok. Uh, if you're going to yell 'twatwaffle' I guess I could reply with Shmoke, like 'would you like a shmoke and a pancake?." Buddy replied because his brain couldn't think of anything else.

"Shmoke it is." Violet nodded as she put that in with a grin.

"OK, now we can go." Violet said as she then put the tablet into her bag and turned and left and walked out of there with Buddy walking only a step behind her with Mr. Nelson and Mr. Leland a step behind him before they went down the elevator to the SUV where Mr. Leland and Mr. Nelson opened the car doors for Violet and Buddy to get into the backseat before Mr. Leland got in the drivers side and Mr. Nelson got in the passenger side and they went to Black Orchid which was the best suit shop and tailor's in the city while Violet had an extra specialist to come in for the suit fittings.

"Miss Parr, always a pleasure to have you here." The shop owner Mr. Sudwar greeted as he came and shook her hand and kissed her cheeks as she did the same with a sweet adoring smile.

"Mr. Sudwar, it's always a pleasure to be here, especially when it's with you." Violet replied charmingly.

"Is Mr. Sebastian needing anything?" He asked.

"Not today, this is his new dear friend and close colleague though, Mr. Pine, and it is him that we are fitting out today under Mr. Sebastian's suggestion and highest recommendation." Violet introduced.

"Any friend and colleague of Mr. Sebastian's is one of mine. What can I do for you Mr. Pine?" He asked hopefully.

"The works." Violet answered for Buddy.

"Oh, well then right this way." Mr. Sudwar ushered Buddy before another man came to stand next to Violet.

"Mademoiselle." He greeted.

"Benny, thank you so much for coming on such short notice. How are you?" Violet greeted as she gave him a hug.

"I'm doing well. Always a pleasure to hear from you." He answered.

"Oh good, so I have a favor to ask- in three and a half weeks, Mr. Pine will be accompanying Mr. Sebastian and myself to an expo in Vegas and possibly Tokyo and Hong Kong a few months after that. So I need to have the same precautions and safety features on Mr. Pine's suits that Mr. Sebastian does. Because while Mr. Sebastian is my asset, Mr. Pine is Mr. Sebastian's so therefore he is mine as well. And I need to make sure that while we're vulnerable in the public, Mr. Pine won't be that exposed." Violet specified with a meaningful look.

"I can make that happen, but for the time frame, I'll need a 15% increase in my usual fee." Benny proposed.

"Make it twenty. It's all on Mr. Sebastian's dime anyway." Violet insisted with a flip of her hand.

"You got it." Benny nodded as he brought up a card reader and Violet got Phillip's business credit card out and swiped it before he got her a receipt and handed it to her.

"Thank you Benny, we should get lunch soon, bring the family, I haven't seen Annie and Maddox in forever." She suggested.

"Name the time and place." Benny urged.

"Anabel's', say noon tomorrow?" Violet suggested.

"It's a date, we'll be there." Benny grinned before he left and got his own materials and went back into the work shop part of the shop to work with the tailors just as Buddy was put into his first suit as Mr. Sudwar made his measurements and suggestions for the look of suit that would look best on Buddy, make him appear taller than he was because Buddy was on the shorter, stockier side as Violet came into the room where Buddy was up on the podium to appraise him herself, tilting her head to the side and noting how fair he was along with the shade of orangish red his hair was and made the mental notes of what suit colors would compliment him best.

"Miss Parr? What are your thoughts?" Mr. Sudwar asked as he also took notes of what she seemed to be drawn to on the fabric swatches before she brought them over to them and held them up to Buddy and Buddy was struck by how thoughtful Violet was being as she picked the perfect colors to compliment him and how she was already up to date with all the trends as she then made sure he would have all the shirts and ties he would ever need in a lifetime as she went through the place with a fine toothed comb and found all kinds of little gems to make Buddy shine like a star and Buddy was supremely flattered as he simply let her do as she pleased and always agreed with her suggestions. Because her taste was exquisite and flawless and he found it was sentimental that she went through so much trouble to make sure he looked good. If he had the opportunity, he would have reached out to Edna to create Violet a wardrobe of gowns and whatever else she wanted, if only it would match all of this.

And by the time they were done, they went out to lunch, Buddy eternally grateful it was actual fine dining and not take out. After lunch, she took him to Vers, a male spa that Mr. Sebastian and his staff and most of the male members of his company also frequented. Where Buddy also got not just a haircut but manicure and pedicure and even a massage and a facial which he hadn't gotten in what felt like forever and when they were done with that, they all went out to dinner. At a proper high end steak house and Buddy happily gorged himself on wagyu beef and when he was good and satisfied did they return to SEB industries as Mr. Nelson and Mr. Leland helped take Buddy's new things to his floor.

"I got it from here guys, thank you so much for your services today." Violet dismissed them as they nodded and left.

"You did good today Mr. Pine," Violet praised as she took the pin off his jacket and put it away before she took the watch off and put that into its case as well.

"I never realized you had such exquisite taste." Buddy praised as Violet helped bring his things into the apartment side of the floor which was in all reality like a high rise apartment.

"I've learned from the best. And having Mr. Sebastian as an asset, I've learned a thing or two about the way high society people look, act, dress and behave. I'd be a fool not to pick up on at least some of it." Violet professed as she put his clothing bags on his perfectly made bed for him to put away.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Buddy felt compelled to ask as he put his other things next to it on the bed as well, appreciating the intimate setting. And if circumstances were different, he wished there wasn't at least six cameras on them and they could really be alone. But the way Violet paused and looked away and bit and chewed her bottom lip and fidgeted with her perfectly manicured nails, was adorable, if not incredibly endearing and Buddy just got a sense that he was finally seeing just a little glimpse of the real her.

"Because a cage is a cage- no matter how gilded. If you can find contentment and a measure of happiness in it, the less likely you'll be to try to break out of it." Violet said simply with a sad smile as Buddy suddenly was struck by the truth of the situation. Violet was obviously just as much of a prisoner that he was. That's why she was being nice. She had been living like this for a year. He was barely in a month. She was coming from experience. This is how she was surviving it as he also wondered if that's what Tali had been feeling. And why she was always keen on missions. She wanted to break free just as much Violet did.

"How gilded is your cage?" Buddy asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from reaching out to her.

"A bit more so than yours, and a little bigger. But a cage nonetheless. I don't know how the next handler to Mr. Sebastian will treat you. This is my last assignment before permanent retirement. And I want it to be my best work. And I want it done right. And being kind, and showing sympathy and empathy are the best ways I've found to do it. I know three years seems like a long time. And I'll only be here for two of those three. And I have a feeling that last one will be the hardest. I can only hope my replacement will treat you with respect and dignity. You deserve it. Goodnight Mr. Pine." She bid him before she stepped around him, simply reaching out her hand to gently move him out of her way so she could get out of there because if she stayed any longer and talked any more about this, she would get in trouble in more ways than one.

"Violet?" Buddy called after her as she turned to look at him questioningly.

"You deserve better too. A gilded cage is no place for you either." Buddy professed as he had turned with her and was facing her once again.

"I know, we will just have to make the most of it won't we Mr. Pine? In our side by side cages." Violet urged as she picked her head up high with a fond and understanding smile.

"We will." Buddy nodded in agreement.

"Good night Ms. Parr, thank you, for everything today." Buddy graciously thanked her.

"You're welcome." Violet nodded before she saw herself out and dropped off what she needed off at the tech department and used the long walks from Buddy's apartment to the tech department to rein in her own emotions and reinforce her composure.

"So how was today?" Phillip asked as he came by her office to see her off.

"It was really good, it worked beautifully. He won't want to break free any time soon. He'll be happy and content for a while. Although I think if we make outings a regular thing for him, that'll be the best thing for the situation." Violet mused.

"I noticed your sympathetic "gilded cage" worked like a charm. He was practically eating out your hand." Phillip noted proudly and Violet could only huff a laugh. Of course he would think that was a manipulation. Everything was a manipulation to him. Even though Violet had been genuine in that sentiment.

"It did." Violet had to admit.

"Do you think there's a danger of you two getting too close?" Phillip questioned as he began to second guess his decision to have his 'pet' be their liaison.

"No. All Mr. Pine sees when he looks at me is Mirage 2.0. Mirage took care of everything for him, from picking out his attire, to managing his life practically, I saw it when I was suit shopping with him and picking shirts and ties out for him. He agreed with every decision I made and never argued or had a difference once, I'm surprised he didn't slip and call me by her name. And how he is with me is how he was with her before she betrayed him. Which is good, it's right where you and I want and need him to be." Violet assured Phillip. Because if she could make him believe that. The more freedoms he would perhaps grant Buddy.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Phillip praised.

"Thank you, see you tomorrow Phillip. Good night." She cooed with a sweet kiss before she left her office and went to her apartment. She got ready for bed and she thought of all the ways she could help Buddy stand his confinement better because as strange as it was. She had so much in common with him. They were practically in side by side cages at this point. She hated all the 31 cameras and listening devices in her apartment that she knew Phillip put there to keep an eye on her behind her back and she had simply learned to never let the 'act' down. She hated all the bugs and chips in all of her electronics and her vehicles. She hated how even when she went on missions. There was always SEB tech with her and even then it was like Phillip was always there and she couldn't escape him. It was why every other Super before her had quit. It was why finding a replacement anytime soon was nigh impossible. It made hiding her escape routes and hiding her back up plans from him as hard as it was but thankfully, not impossible. And while charming Phillip had brought her some freedoms and trust. It wasn't complete. And until Phillip eased up and stopped all of this surveillance on her, that she could never, ever give herself to him. And why she could never love him. Love without trust wasn't love. Love without faith, fidelity or commitment or compromise wasn't love either and while she had some power in the relationship, Phillip had the bigger share and the final word. But this was the only way she had found she could survive. And part of her reached out to Buddy. Because if she could make sure he would make it and survive this, then she could too. She wasn't alone, and that gave her hope.

Meanwhile Buddy was laying in bed and staring up at his ceiling, ignoring the tears streaking the sides of his head. How did he not see that Violet was just as much of a prisoner that he was? He remembered the lengths he kept his own employees under surveillance and his gut was screaming at him that that was nothing compared to the lengths Phillip probably went to. If he had to bet- he would bet her place was at least bugged. Phillip probably kept her watched so closely. To the point she probably felt like she couldn't breathe without Phillip knowing about it. The poor thing was just used to it by now. What could he do to help her though? This was the true challenge. How to get them both out of this alive.

Even if after her time here was up, if  she was able to disappear and he never saw her again- but she could have a life of freedom and never be watched ever again. That would be enough for him. He just needed to think outside the box.

[antpernas]

12/7/20

Today was super good!

So I woke up around 7 but I didn’t force myself out of bed until about 8. First thing I did was start making breakfast for everyone. The yolks in the eggs came out a little overcooked today, which was weird because I cooked at a lower temperature, but otherwise it was good! I had it with yogurt and granola, my regular tea, and some cuban bread with butter. I washed the dishes right after, then I folded my last load of laundry I had left to dry the night before! I washed my face after I ate.

I’m honestly trying to remember what I did after that but I cannot for the life of me come up with it. I know I texted my favorite Brazilian boy for a while (I learned he’s a Cancer!), and did a bunch of other chores? I just cannot remember! 

At some point, though, I started on my meal prep. I sautéed some peppers and onions and then fried a bunch of chicken thighs, and I paired that with the congri our family friends had brought us the night before. I had some right then, and packed up the rest into the fridge. While I was eating, I watched a bunch of NPR Tiny Desk concerts!

Really weird, but I got like texts from like 5 separate guys that have all stopped talking to me?? I was very confused as to why they all came in within an hour of each other but whatever I guess! Anyway, after I finally finished cooking all those fucking chicken thighs, I cleaned the kitchen and set the dishes aside to wash later. 

After I finished cooking, I got ready to head to the pharmacy to help my mom with work. I also brought her some of the chicken I had cooked so she could try it! The drive was cute, I’ve been listening to a lot of Natalia Lafourcade, she gives me the most wonderful butterflies!!! When I got to the pharmacy, packed some stuff for my mom and passed the time until I got the meds to deliver.

Delivering was pretty alright! I was texting the Scorpio boy while at the pharmacy since he had just woken up, but I had to put the phone down to drive, of course. Also, by the time I was taking the second medicine on the route, I needed to pee SOOOO bad, and I passed by a gas station under the impression that there’d be a Target or a Publix along the way... I was wrong. But! There was a porta-potty in the parking lot! I peed. So. Fucking. Much. What a relief! I finished taking all the medicines by like 7 PM.

When I got home, I just knocked out! I was a little mad at myself because I didn’t mean to, but I woke up at 10:30 so it wasn’t too big a deal. I got out of bed and started cooking a dinner (angel hair pasta with meatballs), and made plans to go to my friend’s house for the night. Once I ate, I washed all the dishes, took a shower, got dressed, packed my bags, and started heading out!

Now I’m at my friends house and we’ve been chilling for a little bit. I watched them play Hades for a bit, which admittedly distracted me from writing but the game looks SOO fun, I might finally buy it! I’ve just been so taken by Hyrule Warriors.

But anyway, that’s that! GOOD NIGHT MUAH!

EDIT: I TOTALLY FORGOT TO MENTION! There was a BEE on my car when I was heading out to help my mom with her deliveries!!! She seemed tired, I think she was drinking the water droplets off my windshield. I helped her climb off and put her on the leaf of a tree on my lawn. Also, I saw a caterpillar on my sidewalk when I went to check the mail!! Precious!