#no but all respect and love to couples that sleep in seperate beds or rooms

[anatomical-failure]

“seperate bedrooms as a married couple” this, “queen sized bunk beds with my husband” that!! NO!!! me and asra have shared a bed in the shop since the day i started my apprenticeship! we are NOT switching up now!

[themadauthorshatter]

Henry Stickmin Headcanons Part 2, to "celebrate" the finale of the Toppat!Charles AU(Press F to pay respects). I'll be going in and oit of the AU as well, but that will be seperate from the other headcanons

In Triple Threat, and in order, the tallest is Ellie, standing at 5'9" and Henry is the shortest at 5'4". Charles sits comfortably between them at 5'7". Neither use their powers for evil, even though it's tempting to literally something over his head sometimes.

Each member of Triple Threat has their reactions toward horror in general.

Charles is pretty unfazed by games like FNAF or anything with heavy jumpscares. He will not watch a movie with bad jumpscares(jumpscares used poorly.) He was a baby watching Sinister, The VVitch, and Lighthouse.

Ellie gets scared by just about anything, but breaks whenever she sees evil clowns specifically.

Nothing really scares Henry. Or at least he tells himself that. He's less open by getting scared, but don't tell Ellie or Charles.

Ellie and Heney, because they were in a mischief mood, tried scaring Charles. He punched Henry in the face on accident.

Charles sings really well, but only when he thinks there's no one around.

Ellie is the smartest of the trio. That doesn't mean Charles and Henry are idiots, even though they've done things that have warranted them a spot in the dumbass hall of fame.

When Rupert first joined, he'd literally never been more annoyed than when he met Charles, who, in his opinion, talked too much and didn't take anything seriously. It didn't really help that Galeforce always partnered the two, as to keep Charles safe on the ground when he couldn't directly see him. Rupert was mad at the fact he'd gone through a lot of training and was promoted to government babysitter, and it boiled out of him when Charles asked if he was okay. Rupert snapped at him, shouting at the pilot to just shut up for five minutes and actually do his part in missions, which was have Rupert's back or keep him informed of anything around them. He also yelled that Charles is incompetent and shouldn't even be in the military, as all he does is talk. He had brought this up with Galeforce, when the two got back and Charles excused himself to allow Rupert to give the report on their mission, but got a very proper scolding. He apologized to Charles when the YOUNGEST PILOT EVER got them both out of a sticky situation using some incredibly evasive maneuvers that Rupert was sure would get them killed.

After the deaths and funeral of Mr. And Mrs. Calvin, Galeforce adopted Charles, something that was in the couple's will. Charles did not talk to him for a long time, not until a rainy day that prevented any work that needed to be done. Galeforce noticed Charles sitting near either a patio door or by a window staring up at the clouds. He carefully sat next to him and admitted that he missed Charles's parents, too, saying they were very good friends of his and were always good to turn to for a smile or just to take a breather. He couldn't imagine how Charles felt, but he still missed them and was sorry all the same. That's when Galeforce noticed a card Charles was holding to his chest; a birthday card, one that read, "Charlie, if you're reading this, know that your father and I love you very much. No matter what, always remember that. We couldn't have asked for a better son, one as silly, smart, and ambitious as you. We will always love you. I'm sorry. Love, Mom," from Charles's mother and, "Hey, hawk. If you're reading this, it means something really bad happened to us both. Sorry we won't make it back for your birthday, more specifically that I broke my promise to you. You deserve to be happy, and I hope you can do that again someday. Charles, you can miss us, you can be sad, you can cry, it's more than okay to. I just hope one day you can smile and be happy again for us. I'm sorry. Your mother loves you, Charlie. I love you so much, son. Love, Dad," from Charles's father. There smugdes on some parts of the card, some old and some new, and it especially struck Galeforce that the two extremely sad messages shouldn't have been on a nine year old's birthday card. Galeforce apologized for not being Charles's parents, though told him that he'd try to be what they were, maybe more. He didn't talk, but Charles did huddle closer to his side and Galeforce put an arm around him as they continued watching the rain.

Do not challenge Charles to a foot race. He will outrun you.

Do not challenge Ellie to an arm wrestling match. She will always win.

Do not challenge Henry to an underwater how-long-can-I-hold-my-breathe challenge. You will most likely drown.

Triple Threat beat each other in their respective challenges/contests by cheating/sabotaging each other; Henry will try tackling Charles while Ellie will try to trip him, Charles will try kicking Ellie's chair to push it away while Henry teams up with him to try and push her arm down, and Ellie will throw little pool torpedoes at Henry, which is more passive than Charles shouting, "This is the greatest PLAAAAAAN!" and cannonballing in before wrestling Henry back above water.

Charles wakes up Ellie and Henry in various methods, since he's usually up first: He'll usually use an alarm, but sometimes, when he's really energetic, he bangs pots and pans together, gets a teakettle singing, uses and airhorn, and, the most extreme he's ever gone, taped a brown lunch bag to a leaf blower and brought a really bright light into both their rooms, rigging the devices to a light switch. With a snicker, he began to play that army/military wake up song on a trumpet with a megaphone taped to it and flipped the switch.

Both of them were ready to kill him.

Henry was initially left at an orphanage, but he was adopted at the age of seven. He was brought up well enough, until one of his parents started noticing that he was acting "weird," as in his 'ability' to see his choices and fails. This parent started ignoring him and told him to start acting normal or he'd be sent back to the orphanage. The other parent, the one that also noticed but didn't want to talk about it, still loved him, though started to get a little irritated when their partner left out of spite; "Either I go or the crazy brat goes." The other parent re-married and this new step-parent was nicer, but happened to wirk as a janitor for the CCC, and warned Henry to be careful with his 'powers' because the people the step-parent worked for weren't nice and would do bad things to him. The step-parent meant well, but Henry, having the memories of the parent that left fresh in his mind, took it as a threat to behave, which made him a very anxious kid. Anxious enough to become a kleptomaniac and pickpocket to relieve stress.

Ellie had the most normal life, having two parents and a brother, but turned to a life of thieving because the pressure of being a good person and her family's view of a black and white world drove her crazy.

You would have to be crazy to try and take on all three members of Triple Threat at once.

The trio sometimes share a room and bed, because of nightmares and they don't want to be alone.

Yeah. Triple Threat is basically a found family.

Ellie is the father and Henry and Charles are her two, wonderful, dumbass children, even though there are times the two take turns being the mother.

Now, ONTO SOME POST TOPPAT!CHARLES AU STUFF! This is kind of like an Epilogue, so buckle in.

Triple Threat gets two weeks off to fully recover. (Thank goodness)

They return to their apartment and go straight to bed, though they actually just camp out in the living room.

They still sleep like the dead; they wake up LATE the next day, at 4 in the afternoon.

Breakfast for dinner.

Even when they know they should go back to sleep around 10 pm, they stay up and watch movies. They let Charles pick, and he chooses a collection of Looney Tunes, Merry Melodies, and even the Looney Tunes Show.

Henry and Ellie notice him giggling whenever Daffy's on screen, and can't help but wonder why, though they don't ask when he also gets tears in his eyes. He explains later that he used to watch the old version of Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies with his parents and even Galeforce, sometimes, even though it was something that happened less frequently as Charles grew and became a more solid part of the military.

They stay up all night, taking turns watching movies, making small talk, and just enjoying each other's company.

Charles does have an episode when they're making lunch the next day when he accidentally drops a glass and has a flashback of Right killing the pilot of a destroyer sent to rescue him. It is a nerve wracking memory and it leads him to breaking down on the floor. Henry and Ellie do help him out of it, but he refuses to share what he saw with them. They don't push it and tell him to feel free to share whenever he's ready.

They keep an eye on him when he takes his ADD medicine, just to be safe.

They often go outside to do workouts, because they don't want to break anything in the apartment. Charles keeps up with them, and they simply enjoy the breeze and the outside when they're done.

Henry and Ellie do talk about what she told Henry back in Part 6, and she apologizes for not telling Henry sooner, also admitting that she was scared he would abandon her, if she told him. Needless to say, Henry's just glad the three of them are together.

Charles is welcomed back much more warmly when they return from their break.

First daybback and it's out of the frying pan and into the flame, because they have another group of thieves to deal with, smaller than the Toppat Clan, but still noticable: a biker gang that's here to steal stuff by any means necessary and be an insane headache for police and people on the road.

They don't know much now, but they will when the gang is followed in the air.

Galeforce offers Charles to fly and get some possible intell, though says that if he isn't comfortable with it he can back out.

Charles agrees, and says with an excited, nervous smile that he's missed being in the air.

Galeforce makes sure Henry and Ellie keep an eye on him, which they promise to do, before everyone sets out, Charles taking a seat in his fixed up helicopter with Henry and Ellie behind him.

With a deep breath, they head out, ready to do some government recon, which they're successful in.

At The Wall, Dmitri is grumbly and still a little pissed at how Henry got away AGAIN, but has to admit it's good to not have to worry about the Toppat Clan anymore, most of whom being in maximum security cells.

Right is bored as hell, but is glad that his cellmate is Reginald; Right's missing his cybernetic arm from the elbow down, his legs have been downgraded to be normal legs, and he is no longer OP.

Reg apologizes for letting this happen to the clan, but Right assures him it's not his fault, self deprecatingly admitting that he may have been stupid for MAYBE crossing the line. Reg can't help but softly chide him for it.

Right promises that they'll get out, though Reginald only snuggles into him more, saying it can happen in good time, but right now he just wants to be close to Right a little longer.

The CCC hasn't gotten a single major chaos reading since the orbital station was destroyed and the clan was arrested. Bill Bullet chuckles a simple, "Not bad, kid," as he leaves his readers to their work.

Terrence is kicking back in his new room, lying in a bed as he reads a book. He's enjoyed having regular, warm showers, access to a razor to shave, and, mostly, a sky that didn't have the orbital station in it; it leaves a bad taste in his mouth that Reginald actually outdid him, sending the clan in space for a short time.

He chuckles at the fact that Henry would've been a damned good leader, mostly because he could see overthrowing HIM to be easy. "Too bad he joined the government instead," Terrence sighs with a shrug before he burts into laughter, mad, hysterical laughter. It really would've been fun to see Henry as the leader of the Toppat Clan.😉

Back with Triple Threat, after their mission as they sit on a hill that would've held Charles grave, if this was Valiant Hero. They're quiet, enjoying the sunset and the sound of the waves below, not ready to go home yet.

Even though they're all quiet, Charles tips his head back and takes a deep breath, taking in the sun, the air, everything, before returning his gaze to the sunset.

"Man," he breathes, "I've... really missed this."

Ellie replies that she has as well, Henry nodding in agreement.

They all watch the remainder of the sunset, though, quite nicely, all three are holding each other's hands and smiling to themselves

[sleepingvalley]

Futakuchi Kenji Brainrot Angst

Warning: Sad, Angst, and sad

Characters: Futakuhi Kenji, Kanji Koganegawa, Aone Takanobu, You

The sun takes a gander at you and your lover in bed. What a rude awakening it brings you. Rolling over to the opposite side of the small bed, kenji groans at the shift of the bed but once the sweet comforting weight is placed back, his annoyance turns into hums. "Ugh...what time is it..." "We're late" your chuckle is accomodated with light slaps to his cheeks. A friday such as this was much more appreciated with a quick day at school and some street candy afterwards. As the monotone pur of the microwave heats up your bentos, kenji reaches for you in the kitchen. "I dont have practice today, wanna go to the arcade later?" he struggles to open his eyes, however opening his eyes to you was never an unrewarded task really. His perfect match, you were. Your perfect match, he was.

Almost in synchrony both of you get ready. Opposite coloured mugs,pastel green and pink, of your chosen drinks. His a dark brew of coffee, yours a light cup of tea. Footsteps in harmony, a piano and violin accompaniment, towards the shower. Once both of you finish drying, you climb on top of your boyfriend's shoulder while you reach for the blazer at the back. His uniform unhanged from the lower cloth rack. Kenji crouches down, you getting off him, taking both of your shoes from the side. He passes the shoes to you, you passing his bag. "Hey did you charge th-" "Phone" passing your phones before he even finishes. You hurry to the kitchen to lock the gasoline to then reach for the bentos. Wrapping them up in a food cloth, the brunette giant walks to you carrying your bag and other school materials. "I got the lunch this time, burger patties." informing him, him giving you a smirk pulling you out of the apartment by now.

"Lock" "Key." He finishes. With each paired rythmn down the flight of stairs, a beep from his and your phone comes in. "Who was that?" Futakuchi takes a glance at your screen, clear with aone's messages of how late you both were. Always so respectable of course. "Ah shoot, we missed Ms. Hina's lecture again. You know how she gets when we-" " 'Have the audacity to even show up late together' I know I know hahhaha You think she'll get tired of it?" The hazel bowled boy mocks the mentor you two know so well by now, always scolding you two for the double trouble you bring. "Who texted you?" your voice not really striken with any emotion, "Probably aone as well. I'll let him know, we're on our way." he responds and brings his phone a bit closer to himself.

Soon approaching the awfully steep down hill path, you run down with all the resistance to not tumble. Kenji snorting at your silliness, "I hope you fall on your face!" He jokingly tease at you, "Oh yeah? I hope you trip and fall with me!" a fiery glint in your eyes with that mischevious smile he falls for. Running towards you, like the two stupid teens you are. You spin and laugh racing towards the school's backgate.

You remember being so scared the first time he even convinced you to jump. You were just first years then, so young and so scared of the rules, but he didn't care. You were miss careful, dubbed by kenji himself, as you thread carefully to every situation you came accross. You were careful in every decision until you chose to be with your long term boyfriend now.

You were in middle school when you first met him. He was tall for his age, like his best friend aone, but unlike the latter boy he wasn't any sort of a gentle giant. He'd pick on the other team if they even so do something wrong when playing. He was a bit of a bully, he even teased you at one point, nevertheless it didn't make you less in love with him then and now. You remember confessing at graduation, an impulse decision, a decision you accidentally made while your best friend nobu tried to ascertain your feeling for the 1/3 of your friend group. As an asshole does after shamelessly evesdropping on the conversation, kenji obnoxiously comes out and teases you right before he goes...

"Woah I didn't even know how obssessed with me you are! That's soooo crazy, like you. Well I can't leave you disappointed, Humour me. Let's start dating then!"

It even took you a minute or so to understood his bullshit way of just saying he liked you back.

Crawling into class with him, both of you take your seats behind aone's massive frame. You apologize to the frost giant, but your apology was rather piled up at this point.

With the time passing, and the passing of morning bread underneath the table, break time comes where you just apologize to aone for once again covering for the 2/3 of the group. When the free period gives you the time to finally get to your spot, you invite nobu and drag your complaining hazlenut boy there. Nobu sets up the cloths for you to sit on, kenji comes back with the drinks and from chatting with the girls from the other class, and set up the food with ease. When he comes over you smile at him reaching for your drink, "Who was that?" you question but more likely just asking for a question's sake. "Ah the girls were just asking about the next time. Shall we?" he drives the attention back to the food where you all say your prayers.

"Thank you for the food" kenji thanks. "Thank you for the food" You thank. "Thank you for the food" Nobu thanks. "Thank you for the food" Kogane thanks.

Wait kogane? "Oi! Get your own damn food!" The whining boy points to the newly arrived blonde. "But Y/N-chan's food is too good!" "Yeah, obviously, but Y/N's food is also my food so buzz off"

Despite futakuchi's protests, you hand the rice ball over to kogane. You bring out another for your partner to settle his steaming head. A couple of minutes of chatter and aone huffing about the train problem, you suddenly grow a craving for some curry.

"Kenji, curry for dinner later?" he glances over at you, thinks to himself and makes a note on his phone. "Shopping later, then?" almost asking you. With your nod, you two go back to the group's banter.

Curry was somewhat a special dish for both of you even if it didn't seem like much. You still remember both of your awkward demeanors as you met up for your first date. Gosh you both had no sense of fashion. You showed up in an awkward get up, but you would never forget the dumb shirt futakuchi wore to look cool. Sleeveless and all. Considering both of you were only first years back then, all you two could really afford was the family diner near his place. Both of you fidgeting, a cat catching your tongues even when the lady at the front desk was asking you where you two would like to sit. Your faces too hot and too evident of embarrassment to even face each other. It was funny how your fingers fumbled to reach for each other's hand under the table. You mispronounce his name a few times, and his stomach churned at the curry plus milkshake combo he had. Why did he ever think that was a cute idea?

You two seperately thought both of you would surely leave the other because of this. Strangely enough, this dumbass never let you go. Strangely enough, he never let this dumbass go too.

Your hands both linking like cogs, he rests his head on your lap along with kogane sleeping at your shoulder. Sometimes you thought that the blonde boy was just your adopted kid, he synced in with you and your bully-of-a-boyfriend quite nicely. Scrolling through his phone, nobu signs to you about the incoming summer festival plans. You three always going together since you were little. With the gentle giant even being the one to choose which flowers to put in your hair when your mother decorated it. Futakuchi being the one to decide what kind of games the three of you would go to. It was your favorite memory of them.

Yellow tinted stones, loud crowds and jingling of bells, an attention grabbing stall every once in a while. Oh how you loved your second year summer festival with all 3 of them. The same year you first started inviting your boyfriend to sleep over at your place. He hates to admit it but he knew you caught him studying how to dress you in a yakuta the few days before the event. If you hadn't fallen in love with him before that, you surely did afterwards. The day of the festival rolls with you and him even wearing matching clothes, a splash of wonderfully coordinating colours. Kogane was the only one wearing a more casual outfit really. With nobu tracking behind you, all of you climb up the hill nearby for the fireworks. Dazzling into their eyes. The picture of that night bore into your mind while you inform your bestfriend of the plans.

"We should get candied apples too! They're the best treat-" you were interupted by the sudden awakening of the two. "WHAT?! Noooo... Y/N-chan, takoyakis are the best!" "Now I know that's not true because you can't have a festival without the yakisoba..." kenji's annoyed voice ready to start a fight. As the two bicker, you glance over the sweet one agreeing with your sentiment of candied apples.

The bickering, and mundaness of the discussion had left you with a sense of contentment. Ever satisfied to be so young to simply argue over yakisoba and takoyaki. Ever so young to simply discuss curry and festivals. This was the epitomes of your youth. The ever radiant light of the sun always followed the young.

But the sun would not follow you for long. As the overzealous moon grabs one's attention, the same goes for such promiscuous women.

You squeez and stiffen at his collared jersey, a piece of clothing you had once adored and taken care of. Practically clawing out his clothing from the cabinet, you hear his please in the living space. "What the fuck is going on with you? Babe, tell me please" "You, that's whats fucking going on." Clothes and sentimentals being thrown at him from across the room. Your anger high comes down after a bit of screaming and throwing, with your knees giving up sitting you down. "What happened? Tell me..." His eyes were true and his voice was sincere. "I know you're fucking her." it was supposed to be a whisper but it had sounded in the room as a sharp hiss at him. His eyes widen and taking a few steps back he sighs deeply. "I-im...Im sorry..." 'Dont...just leave. Now."

Seeing his way out, his back on display before the creak of the door erases him. He hadn't explained or given you any room to ever doubt what he did. He simply gave up. You knew behind that broad back, he wanted to say something. He wanted to dispute every claim you maid but he had enough dignity to stand back when he needed to. And as that rusty bolted door closes, your highschool love, your youthful memory was simply a memory to look back on now.

[thebluenebula]

First Xmas Gala

Ashleigh Wayne Au Fic Masterlist

The day of the Gala has come, and Ash couldn't be more nervous, but with her family by her side everything will be fine, right?

Preparing for the Gala

. . . . .

I didn't sleep that night. I got up at five, shower, shaved, and cleaned myself up. I tried to do something with my hair, but there wasn't much I could do, so I ended up leaving it as it was.

As I headed back to my room, I spotted the boys in Dick's room, getting ready. The five of them were wearing similar black suits, each had unique accessory matching the Wayne wearing it. Dick, Duke, and Damien all had ties, blue, yellow, and green respectively, Tim a red bowtie, and Jay a loose floor length skirt.

I stared in aww at my brothers. "You guys look stunning."

Dick looked up at me curiously. "Thank you. Are you wearing that?"

I was still in the clothes I'd worn the day before. "First off, I already look better then you."

Jay snickered. "That's not hard."

"Secondly, no. I'm going to get changed now."

Duke adjusted his tie. "Well hurry."

I headed to my room, stripped and looked into wardrobe. The suit, or the dress? The suit was nice, and I knew I'd be comfortable, I wouldn't stand out, but I had to wear the dress. I wanted to wear the dress.

I examined myself in the mirror. The blue dress hugged my body, not too tightly, but enough. The long skirt hid the sneakers, and tracksuit bottoms I was wearing underneath. I rubbed my bare arm. It felt right, but could I really wear it in front of all those people? In front of Cassie?

Someone knocked on the door. I recognised Harper's knock. "You decent, Ash?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Mind if we come in?"

I unlocked the door for them. Carrie, and Harper walked in. I looked at the girls. Harper was wearing a black suit, with a blue undershirt, while Carrie was wearing her green sun dress

"You look amazing." We all said in unison. It was followed by a burst of giggles.

Carrie leaned against my dresser. "So, are you ready for your first Gala?"

"I guess so."

"You look worried."

"All things considered, the Galas the least of my worries."

"Cassie?"

I turned back to the mirror. "Yes. Do you think she'll like this dress, or should I wear a suit?"

Harper came up behind me, and wrapped her arms around me. "Do you like it?"

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts. You like it, so nothing else matters, plus I know Cassie will love it. You want to know how I know?"

"How?"

"Cause you're in it."

I leaned my head back into her. "Thank you, Harper."

In the mirror, I watched as Carrie pick up my pair of fishnet gloves. "You've been taking fashion tips from Dinah I see."

I took them from her, and pulled them on. "Zee, actually. She's got great style. Would one of you mind taking a picture of me?"

Carrie grabbed my phone. "Not at all. Strike a pose."

I smiled as she took a step back to get a proper shot. As the camera flashed, I felt a sudden weight on my back.

I tried to steady myself as Harper clung to my back. "Photobomb!"

I giggled as we fell onto the bed, knocking her off of me. "Photohog more like it."

When we were done laughing, Carrie took a proper photo, then one of the three of us together. I sent them to Siobhan, then the three of us headed downstairs.

Everyone was gathered in the living room. Bruce was the first to spot us. "Ashleigh, you look stunning."

Kate appeared behind him. "Understatement of the century."

I could feel my face reddening. "Thank you."

The same could be said for them. Bruce was wearing a pitch black suit. In a dim light room, he'd be hard to spot. Maybe that was the point. Kate's outfit was at least bit more colorful. Her black dress had intricate red lines swirling through it.

Carrie coughed, drawing our attention to her, and Harper. "There are other children in the room looking for positive verbal reassurement."

Bruce russeled their hair. "You two are just as stunning as ever."

Carrie fixed her hair in one motion. "Good. Thank you."

Harper was not so lucky. She gave Bruce a sour look as she pushed the loose hair from her face. "Yeah, thanks."

I looked around the room, admiring everyones outfits. I'd seen Bab's dress the day she got it, but it looked even better on her. The green empire dress worked so well for her. As for Steph, and Cass they both wore matching sun dresses. The only difference being the colours, purple, and black respectively, both with splashes of yellow.

We took the obligitory family photos. First, all of us together. Then the adults. Then the kids. Then a couple more in our own little groups.

Steph had taken on the role of 'parent who wants way too many pictures'. She insisted on getting dozens of pictures of everyone. After what felt like a hundred pictures, Steph left me alone, and went to get pictures of Bruce.

Kate took my hand in hers. "You nervous?"

"More then I've ever been."

She gave it a gentle squeeze. "You'll be fine."

"What if I fuck it up?"

"You won't."

"I'm going to do something wrong or forget something- The flowers! What did I do with the flowers?"

"Calm down."

I thought for a minute as to where I left them. "They were in my room. I'll go get them."

I turned to go get them, but Kate grabbed my shoulder. "You stay here, I'll get them."

Kate left, and returned a few minutes later with my flowers. She set them down nearby, and we chatted as we waited.

Since the Supers and the Wonders were also going to the Gala, Bruce had suggested they all carpool with us. It wasn't long before the Supers arrived, much to Tim, and Damien's delight.

Clark wore a lovely tan suit, Lois a very professional looking black suit, she was still very much in reporter mode. Conner, and Jon wore near identical Superman-esc suits. They we're adorable, and clearly Tim agreed, considering how quickly he jumped into Conner's arms. Kara had a lovely yellow bouffant dress, and Karen a green sheath dress. It made her look like a news anchor. Of course a news anchor wouldn't wear a green dress.

Artemis arrived soon after to pick up Jay. She had a beautiful red dress on, that ended just past her knees. I was kind of expecting her show up with the other Wonders. She assured us that the others had just run into some delays and would be here soon.

As the two went to leave, Jay stopped, and turned to me. "Piece of advice, make sure to use pro- oww!"

Artemis smacked the back of his head. "Don't you dare finish that."

"I was joking."

For just a moment I was worried that if I messed this up Artemis would break my arm, then I realized how ridiculous that was. Cassie was more then capable of doing that herself.

The two left on Artemis's motorbike, because leaving in a car or limo would have been far too boring for them.

Bruce leaned into me, and whispered. "You did have 'the talk', right?"

"Yes! What do you people think is going to happen tonight?"

Kate flashed a cheeky smile. "All cards are on the table."

I was spared delving any further into that conversation by the doorbell. Alfred left the room to answer it. It had to be the Wonders. Too late for me to back out now.

Alfred with Diana, Donna, and Cassie. I felt my heart beat faster as I saw them. Diana was wearing a blue bodice gown, Donna a sleevless black sheath dress with stars down both sides, and Cassie was wearing a red spaghetti top, and a blue skirt with stars, it looked like the one from Wonders Woman's old costume.

"Sorry for the delay." Diana apologised. "Someone forgot to check the tank before we left."

Donna sighed. "I said I was sorry."

Cassie hit them. "You two, stop fighting."

Once Cassie managed to stop the two bickering, they split off to socialise. Diana went to Bruce, and Clark, Donna to Dick, and Babs, and Cassie found her way to me.

She had a beaming smile on her face. "You look amazing."

"Thank you. You look beautiful."

She gestured to my gloves. "Got them from Zee?"

"She recommended a store."

I gestured to her skirt. "Diana's?"

"Bingo."

The two of us began chatting. Tim, Cass, and Steph joined us. We giggled amongst ourselves until the time came for us to leave.

Alfred walked over to us. "Miss Ashleigh, Miss Sandsmark, I believe it is time we leave."

Alfred, and Cassie began walking off. I went to follow them, but Steph grabbed my arm, and gestured to the flowers. "Forgetting something."

"Oh yeah." I quickly grabbed them. "Thanks."

Cass kissed my cheek. "Head up, be proud." 

"Thanks."

I caught up with the two. Cassie looked at me. "What held you up?"

"I forgot something." I presented the flowers to her.

She examined them. "They're beautiful. What are they?"

"Flowers."

She punched my arm. "I know that. What kind?"

"Oh. The red ones are amaryllis, the yellow are orchids, and the blue ones are larkspur."

"I've never heard of that last one."

"Neither have I."

"Did you just choose these because of my costume?"

"For the most part."

"Dork. I love them."

We wandered out to the car that Alfred had for us. We sat into the back.

"Flowers, and our own car, not a bad start to a date."

"The seperate car was Dick's idea." I admitted.

"In that case I'm surprised it's not filled with rose petals and candles."

"Oh don't worry, he wanted to."

"He's like a cliche romance novel, in the best ways. What stopped him?"

"Babs had him a short leash. He wanted to arrange a romantic candle lit dinner in the fanciest restraunt in Gotham. I figured that might be too much."

"That's ridiculous but sweet. Someone going to be lucky to have him one day."

"Yeah, they are. Would you have liked that?"

"I'll love whatever we do, as long as we do it together."

"I'll remember that for next time."

She smiled "Already thinking about a next time?"

"No. I mean yeah, but- sorry."

"It's alright, Ash. You don't have to be nervous."

"Says you. I don't think I've ever seen you nervous."

"I'm nervous right now."

"About the date?"

"Yeah."

"You have nothing to worry about, this is going to be the best date I've ever been on."

"How are you so sure?"

"I've never been on a date before."

Cassie laughed. "Doesn't that mean it will also be the worst date you've ever been on?"

"Shush."

The rest of the ride was filled with our typical banter. It felt so natural that I forgot it was a date. I only remembered as we pulled up to the Gala. I stepped out of the car, turned, and offered Cassie a hand out. "M'lady."

She took my hand, and giggled. "You're such an idiot."

We headed into the building. As we walked in, hand in hand, I realized something. I was so worried about the date portion, I forgot to ask what you actually did at a Gala other then dance.

I guess I have to do as I usually do, figure it out along the way, and pretend I knew all along.

The first thing I spotted once we were inside was the huge Christmas tree. It was bigger then any I'd ever seen, and beautifully decorated.

I was quickly whisked away as Cassie pulled me along behind her. Hours passed as we chatted, and joked. It really didn't feel much different then when we normally hung out.

We talked to people, the Bats, the Wonders, others who I'd never met before. When it came to that, it was more Cassie talking, and me hiding behind her. I did notice that Artemis, and Jay were no where to be seen however.

Eventually, we spotted them standing by the food table. Cassie gently dragged me along behind her as we headed over to them.

Closer now I noticed that Artemis had her hand up Jay's skirt. The two were so busy with whatever they we're doing, they didn't hear us approach.

Cassie coughed. Artemis quickly straightened up, her hand accidently pulling Jay's skirt up. He quickly pushed it down. "Hey!"

"Don't blame me. You should have worn trousers under it."

"I like the breeze."

Cassie, and I giggled at the two. "Should we even ask?"

Jay reached into his skirt, and pulled out a resealable bag full of treats. "Stealing."

I looked at him curiously. "Where were you keeping that?"

"I have the inside lined with pockets."

Cassie shook her head while chuckling. "Why are you even stealing that food, it's free?"

Artemis shrugged. "It's more fun."

I nudged Jay. "You can't go one night without some kind of mischief can you?"

"God, no."

Artemis began whispering to Cassie. Jay, and I watched them curiously. The two girls looked to us. "One moment."

They walked away, still whispering. I turned to Jay. "What's going on?"

"I have no idea." He turned back to me. "Anyway, how's the date been?"

"Great."

"And the ride here?"

"It was good, yeah. We chatted."

Jay smirked. "Is that all you did?"

"I'm going to hit you, really fucking hard."

"So is that a yes?"

"This close, Jay."

"You wouldn't hit me."

"Keep pushing, and you'll find out."

Jay was about to respond when music suddenly came on. I watched as people gathered into the center of the room.

He nudged me. "You should go dance with her."

"I might mess up. The last thing I want is to fall over her, or the other way around."

"You've been practicing all week for this. You never once knocked Cass."

"That's Cass."

"Good point."

"If she doesn't bring it up, I think I'll just avoid it."

"Too bad." He grabbed the scruff of my dress, and dragged me towards Cassie.

I tried to pry his hands from my dress. "Jay, I swear to god."

"You are going to dance. Babs, and Cass spent all week teaching you."

"Fine."

We got to Cassie, and Artemis. They looked over at us. Jay kept a hold of the neck of my dress. "Ask."

I turned to Cassie. "Would you like to dance?"

Cassie smirked. "Depends, is Jay going to dance with us."

I elbowed his stomach. He recoiled, and let go of me. "No. He won't."

Artemis laughed as he grabbed her arm to stabilise himself. Cassie, and I headed out to the dance floor. She took my hand. "You know how to slow dance?"

I placed my free hand on her shoulder. "Yeah."

She placed her other hand on my side. "Guess I'm leading."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I can lead if you'd prefer."

"It's alright, Ash."

We moved around the ballroom elegantly to the song. Eventually Cassie closed the gap between us. "You know, Ash. For a someone who seemed like they really didn't want to dance, you're quite good at it."

"I've been practicing."

"With Dick?"

"No. He wanted to show me, but Babs wouldn't let him. She, and Cass showed me."

"That explains it."

The song stopped, and we stepped apart. "What now?"

"Wanna take a walk?"

"Sure."

We soon found ourselves out to the balcony. It was empty. The silence was nice, as was the cool winter breeze. "Tonights been nice, Cassie. Thank you."

She leaned her head onto my shoulder. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I'm sorry if it wasn't what you wanted."

"I wanted a date with you, Ash. The Gala was just a great excuse for it. Tonight's been everything I wanted."

"Tonight's been a night of firsts for me."

"Oh, yeah?"

"First Gala, first date, first slow dance, even my first time wearing a dress out. It's been an amazing night, Cassie, and I have you to thank for all of it."

"This nights not over yet, Ash."

"Something you had in mind?"

"I was thinking we spend more time out here."

"That'd be nice. Maybe we can do this again. The whole date thing."

"I'd love to. Any suggestions?"

"How about the restaurant Dick was on about?"

"Sounds like a nice place."

"It would be with you there."

Cassie looked at me. "Did you just attempt to flirt?"

"Depends, was it any good?"

She kissed my cheek. "Awful, but you tried."

I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks. I stared out into the darkness. It got dark so quickly during the winter. The Bats, usually, would be out on patrol by now, and I would be home worried sick, but not tonight. Tonight, I knew they were inside, enjoying themselves, safe, and that made me happy. As did Cassie's hand in mine.

Today was a good day.

. . . . .

Writing this fic was so hard for so many reasons. The primary one was just to find the motivation to finish it. I set a deadline for myself of the 10th. It is not but the 10th but close enough. I think this turned out great, hope you enjoy. I also intend to post a Xmas fic soon aswell, so look out for that if you're interested. Though it might not be out by Xmas if I'm not feeling like it.

[soapsilly]

Men with long-ish hair - Bucky Barnes Imagine

Pairings: Bucky x reader (platonic), (slight Thor x reader)

Summary/Request:  Hi, could you please do a bucky imagine where the reader and him are like best friends but everybody thinks they are secretly together. And they all are really confused when the reader starts dating Natasha or Thor?

(Y/N/N) = your nickname

(Y/F/D) = your fave Disney movie

And remember: Requests are open!

Do you guys know how hard it is to find a happy gif for Bucky? 

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

“Has anybody seen Bucky?”

Steve was looking for his friend for the last one and a half hours but with no luck so far.

“Where do you think he is?” Natasha asked Steve with an amused smile. She always found it hilarious how oblivious he was with all things romantic, when it was so obvious Bucky and (Y/N) were dating for quite a while already.

When Steve sent her a confused look she explained “He’s with (Y/N). Haven’t you noticed how close they’ve become these last couple months?”

“Wait... you mean they’re dating? No way, Nat. Bucky is my best friend, he wouldn’t keep something like that from me,” Steve retaliated, laughing at Natasha’s ridiculous suggestion.

“Okay, see for yourself. They’re in the home cinema on the sixth floor”, she told him.

As Steve was leaving he heard Natasha shout after him, “But don’t forget to knock!”

When Steve arrived on the sixth floor he was about to enter the home cinema when Tony, with a mug of coffee in his hand, interrupted him, “ I wouldn’t go in there if I were you, Capsicle. About half an hour ago I still heard her giggle but since then they’re being suspiciously quiet”

But Steve ignored him and entered anyways.

Inside the room, neither (Y/N) nor Bucky noticed Captain America enter. They’ve been holed up in there the whole day already, watching all the Disney movies Bucky missed since the 40s - which were a lot to be fair. Right now they were watching (Y/F/D), cuddled up on one of the sofas with Bucky’s head resting in (Y/N)’s lap.

“I love your hair, Buck”, (Y/N) told the shaggy haired man.

“I don’t know, (Y/N/N). Maybe I should just cut it again. Have you ever seen me with short hair? Back in the 40s the girls couldn’t keep their hands off of  me.”

“Are you kidding? You look great! You know I’m into men with long-ish hair... obviously”, she chuckled.

When Steve cleared his throat both of them jumped up, startled by the distraction.

“Hey, Steve. What’s up? Wanna join?”, the girl offered but he refused.

“No, thank you. Buck... I’ve been looking for you the whole day. I thought maybe we’d get some exercise done for the compatibilty tests tomorrow”, Steve offered his friend. Ever since he returned Steve was anxious to build up their friendship again. Bucky was still a little reserved with him which made Steve feel jealous that he was so comfortable around (Y/N) without knowing her for as long as he did.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll be right there. See you, later (Y/N)”, Bucky was a little hesitant to leave her even though he also felt guilty because Steve really tried to get his best friend back but Bucky wasn’t ready yet. He wasn’t the same person he was in the 40s and he’s still trying to adapt to modern life. 

When Bucky moved into the Avengers tower, he was reserved and didn’t come out of his room often. Everybody was a little cautious around him and Steve smothered him with his friendship but (Y/N) was different. She wasn’t wary around him but also gave him enough space for him to open up on his own. And they actually grew closer than they were with anybody else. Whenever he was being insecure or anxious, her relaxed attitude made him feel at ease and calmed him down. Ever since then it was sleep over at his room and movie nights in the home cinema.

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

The next morning the whole team had to gather in the gym and labs for the compatibility tests that had to be done once a year. 

(Y/N) was giddy. She loved those kind of team execises even though everyone else seemed annoyed to be forced to give up their whole day for it.

The tests contained several made up situations and simulations that required the team to work together. At the end they’d get the results of whom each member works the best with.

(Y/N) estimated her biggest compatibility with Clint, Tony, Wanda and Bucky of course. This time was Bucky's first testing that he'd do with the team but him and (Y/N) prepared for it and apart from some minor failures, they worked incredibly well together.

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

After a long day of tests and simulations F.R.I.D.A.Y. announced everybody's results.

No nobody's surprise Clint and Natasha scored the highest, which the two of them acknowledged with a knowing smirk and a simple high-five.

"(Y/N) and Mr. Stark: Compatibility at 76%", it was (Y/N) turn to receive her results. She and Tony did well together during strategy and trust simulations but their fighting style was just to different for a higher score.

"Good job, Kiddo", Tony send her a wink, both of them happy with their score.

"(Y/N) and Bucky: Compatibility at 87%... Congratulations", F.R.I.D.A.Y. teased.

"Hell yeah!", (Y/N) cheered. Both of them grinned at each other and went in for a hug that ended with Bucky almost squishing his partner with his metal arm.

"Woah, easy there. Keep that for the bed room you two. There's children here", Clint interrupted them shielding Wanda's eyes, which earned him a round of laughs and a smack on the arm from (Y/N), who stuck her tongue out at him. Even Steve couldn't hide his laughter.

To everybody's surprise Steve and Bucky got one of the highest results. Neither one of them expected to pick up where they left off so many years ago but as soon as the simulation started they fought alongside each other just like in the old days.

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

All of them were tired and exhausted after the tests, so everybody went straight to their respective rooms. Even (Y/N) and Bucky slept seperate for a change because neither of them had the energy for movies or bed time conversations.

It was around 2 a.m. when Bucky awoke from a nightmare. Memories of the war, Hydra experimenting on him, him falling from the train and his doings as the winter soldier haunted his sleep. The combat simulations he did with Steve triggered the memories of all of those things he tried to keep locked away. When he was new to the facility, the nightmares happened almost nightly but as he grew more comfortable around the team they happened less and less frequently.

When he awoke drenched in cold sweat, his body went into auto-pilot and he made his way down the floor to (Y/N)'s room. When they first started to get closer, he'd always try to hide his nightly terrors from her but she made sure he'd always have her as his support system. No questions asked. (Y/N) knew PTSD all to well. Almost every member of Earth's mightiest heroes had something they struggled to get over, herself uncluded, so she knew not to ask but to let Bucky share his thoughts on his own.

When he arrived at the metal door that had her name on it Bucky didn't even bother to knock - he didn't want to cause a scene and rob anybody of their sleep. He entered the room which was like a little entrance hall where you could leave your shoes and coats. As he continued into (Y/N)'s little "apartment" he started to feel more at ease with every step he took. When he was stood outside her open bedroom door, he knocked quietly. (Y/N) didn't have a deep sleep but he didn't want to startle her awake or frighten her.

"Buck... what's going on? Is everything alright?", she wasn't sleepy anymore.

"Nightmares," he grunted.

"Oh, I get it.. you wanna come sit with me? Netflix just got some new movies I'd like to watch," she offered. In her experience light-hearted distraction worked best to calm her friend down.

He didn't say anything but made his way over to her bed anyways.

"But be careful with that arm of yours! I bet it's ice cold from walking around in the middle of the night. I don't want to get frost bites," she warned him, which earned her a warm chuckle from the deadly assassine, that didn't look as deadly anymore when he was cuddled into her mermaid blanket.

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

Somewhere in the middle of the third season of Americam Horror Story, (Y/N) couldn't keep her eyes open anymore and she dozed off again. Bucky didn't want to risk waking her so he decided to just get up and get some coffee before his morning routine. When he tried to make his way out of (Y/N)'s room and into the kitchen, he stumbled right into Steve's arms.

"God, Steve! Why are you awake? It's barely even 6 a.m." Bucky asked his friend, a little uncomfortable that Steve caught him red-handed.

"You know I don't sleep very much. I've slept long enough for my taste," Steve answered. And it was true. Steve himself wasn't really over what had happened to him 70 years ago and which made him struggle to get a good night's sleep but neither of them wanted to let the other see their struggles.

"Come on, pal. Let's catch up on things. Lately I barely get to see you anymore," Steve suggested.

Bucky send him a nod and they made their way to the kitchen.

Over the course of the next couple hours they talked about old memories and how today's world differs from the world they grew up in. One after one, the other team members started to fill the kitchen.

"Do you remember that one girl... Annie? I used to take her out every once in a while," Bucky reminisced. He enjoyed catching up with Steve after all that time.

"Yeah, I remember. You always had a golden hand with the girls, Buck," Steve agreed laughing.

"Well, he doesn't seem to struggle with female company in this decade either," Tony remarked.

"Huh?" Bucky furrowed his brows.

“Listen, Buck. You’re my best friend and -  I won’t lie -  I’m a little hurt that you would keep something so important to yourself but I’m really happy for you and (Y/N). I mean I understand that you want to keep your relationship private but we all want you to be happy. You deserve some happiness after all this mess you’ve been through,” Steve smiled at his friend.

“Wait what? You think I’m dating (Y/N)? Do all of you guys think we’re dating?” 

The incoherent mumbling confirmed his suspicion.

“I just saw you sneak out of her room this morning!” Steve tried to justify his assumption.

“We were watching Netflix! And besides, (Y/N) is dating that thunder dude. Thor.” Bucky explained, totally gobsmacked by what his friend just told him.

“You can’t be serious? (Y/N) and Goldilocks?” Tony couldn’t believe his ears. He’s known (Y/N) the longest out of all of the team. Now it was his turn to be a little miffed about not knowing something that important.

“I would’ve thought you’d know. With all the surveillance you got going on here, I mean”, Bucky still couldn’t fathom what he just heard.

“What’s going on here?” (Y/N) entered the room, still in her PJs.

“The team just revealed that they’re all convinced we’re dating”, Bucky explained.

(Y/N) raised her eyebrows but before she could say anything Natasha interrupted her “Well, we weren’t convinced. We just made the suggestion”, she back-paddled.

Bucky scrunched his face in a “WTF is she talking about” way.

“Ya know? For a top tier spy I would’ve expected more from you”, (Y/N) laughed.

“Actually, I didn’‘t believe them. I knew that Buck wouldn’t keep something like that from me”, Steve chirped in.

“Now that I can believe” (Y/N) laughed. She was totally amused by what was going on at that very moment. She made her way over to Steve and ruffled his blond hair “Look at what you did, guys. You corrupted our sweet baby Steve.”

Bucky, Steve and herself fell into fits of laughter while the other Avengers grunted and left the kitchen to get away from the situation. Nat and Tony were especially eager to leave since their pride was a little hurt, both not used to being wrong.

“They probably just don’t want to admit it. Easy picking Thor when he’s not even here to confirm or deny,” Tony mumbled with Natasha agreeing.

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

Epilogue - Two weeks later

“So they thought you and him were in a relationship?” Thor’s thunderous laugh filled the room.

The rest of the Avengers groaned “Can we not just leave that behind? How were we supposed to know anyways?” Clint defended.

“Well, seems like common knowledge to me, my friend. Why would she be with James when I’m obviously the strongest Avenger,” he boomed happily, throwing his arm over (Y/N)’s shoulder.

She grinned, “You guys are never gonna live that down.”

[supersoldiersruined-me]

Caelus

A/N: This is my entry (super late yet again) for @ruckystarnes Summer of AUs challenge! And for a lack of inspiration, the titlte is space in latin! loll I had an inital idea when I signed up but this honestly took me so long to grasp and then it just poured out! So here it is, thank you for being so patient love! 💖 Beta: babyboo @eyesfixedonthesun22 Warnings: language, smut, gay sex, mention of blood  Word count: 5714 Prompt: Space AU, Stucky

Main Masterlist  |  Challenges Masterlist

“Steve, you jackass! Come back!” There’s no point in yelling twice. Bucky knows. But his best friend is storming towards the recruiting line-up with a mighty will. When they had denied him to join the army, Steve jumped on every last occasion to prove himself.

Not two weeks ago, Stark Industries announced a new advanced project that would allow a select group of candidates to participate in a space camp tryout. They’d be secluded into experimental ships, given some basic training and then experts would monitor their behavior, their reactions to simulated situations. If they made it out alive - and sane - a month later, they’d be taken to Stark’s secret facility and given proper training and instructions. Every boy in New York reached out like little kids given the gift of their lives.

So Bucky is standing there in the busy streets of Brooklyn, arms up in disbelief. The sick boy was going to go against the odds once more. He was a foot shorter than the men around him. Arms frail, and thrown into an asthma attack once he reached the building. Security threatened to keep him out - much to his safety - but Steven Grant Rogers does not back down because of some disability.

“I swear to God,” Bucky mumbles under his breath as he begins to make his way towards the atroupment of testosterone. 

“There’s no reason for me to be doing less than these men!” Comes as a shout out of Steve’s mouth. He’s red and Bucky isn’t sure if it’s the rage or yet another one of his problems surfacing.

“Come on, buddy. Let’s go home,” he tries to reason with him.

“No Buck! Don’t you get it?” Steve turns back to the guard. “I’ll fucking die anyway! Might as well it be doing something important…” His face winces at the thought; he’d never mentioned his illness as something so weighing, so dark.

“Steve…” He brings his hand to his best pal’s shoulder as he tries to comfort him. “Your value isn’t measured with what you can do for the world. You take care of me and that’s plenty.” Steve sighs and accepts defeat.

“Fine,” he looks into Bucky’s eyes, tears of anger filling his own, “I guess we can go.”

They turn towards the street and start walking home. As he looks over his shoulder at the line of people still hoping to get a shot, he sees a strange man scribbling down a notepad, looking at the two of them leave with a smile. Round glasses frame his face, he hasn’t shaved in a week. From his outfit and his demeanor Bucky knows he’s German. He shrugs it off and turns his attention back to his friend, throwing his arm around his neck.

It’s a week later when a knock at the door startles the boys out of their sleep. It must be around three in the morning, as far as Steve can tell. He turns on the lamp on his nightstand and looks over at Bucky in annoyance.

“Jerks,” he whispers as he recalls the nights of torment the kids from the neighbourhood had him endure - it was the reason Bucky had moved in with him.

“Let me take care of it,” the dark haired man replies. 

“Bucky, stop. I can take care of myself.”

“See, the thing is, you don’t have to.” He shakes his shoulder before walking over to the door. There’s a paper taped to it, bright and clear texts surround a pointy, metal ship image. There’s the Stark logo on it, and it makes him shiver in excitement.

“Steve…” He trails. “Get your ass over here.”

He hands him the poster and gives him a minute to read. It begins to tremble in his hands when he reaches the last sentence: “We are glad to announce that you have been selected to participate in an experimental camp supervised by the Stark Industries.”

There’s a place and time for them to be the next day, and they spend the rest of the night getting their luggage ready, along with making up stories and tripping out over the opportunity.

*

The rustic walls of brick have transformed into sterile steel. The floors are made of a plastic-like material - something easy to clean, Steve notices. It would be impossible to reach the ceiling and he’s wondering how they even managed to build this facility anyway. It’s highly distinct from the level of ingenuity of the current construction standards. The white building stands out absurdly in its secluded forest location.

Robots roam around, tacking and bolting steel plates to one another. Prototypes of deadly weapons are hung on the walls as they walk behind a seductive lady to what they presume is the reception. Their stuff, along with themselves, go through metal detectors - something they had only heard of until now - before making their way to a large office.

“Good evening, boy.” There’s a thick accent to the greeting, one that both can easily distinguish. “I hope we haven’t given you too much trouble.”

“Not at all, um...” Bucky begins, words failing him as he’s still processing the amount of discoveries they are about to do. He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping.

“I’m Dr. Erskine. Responsible of the Biological Enhancement department here at Stark Industries. This here is Lady Carter, she’ll be assisting you on your journey.” The voluptuous woman nods their way and it has them both swallowing hard. She has a confidence they had never witnessed, and it has them nearly humiliating themselves.

“Nice to meet you,” Steve manages to say as he struggles to gain composure. He hopes she doesn’t notice him drying his palms on the back of his pants.

“Likewise,” she says. Her British accent runs a shiver up Bucky’s spine.

“Now, we wouldn’t want to keep you up too late. If you please follow Miss Carter to your assigned pod. We’ll go through the logistics in the morning.” The German man hands them a pair of overalls; nothing flattering, Bucky thinks.

*

It takes only three weeks for the boys to be fully independent, allowing them to be part of the first team to launch the program. Their uniforms along with their tools and weapons get a significant upgrade. They’re already anticipating the look of their new quarters.

“Can’t believe we’re doing this,” Steve mentions.

“Really? After twenty-something attempts I would highly believe that you’d be given a chance,” Bucky answers with a hint of sarcasm. They both laugh until a voice requests them to be at the main quarter in the next ten minutes.

The spaceship is a hundred feet tall or so, its body is quite narrow and it feels pretty sturdy. They gulp nonetheless, this would be for real and they couldn’t just drop out with a snap of their fingers. The team of eight wait by the cabin door, ably putting on their masks and equipment.

“This is it!” Bucky shouts.

“We’ve been working so hard for this. Maybe a few years after this we’ll be able to finally see what Earth looks like from up there.” Doug, who’d been the fittest one of them until he took Bucky under his wing and made him an even bigger beast, contemplates the unimaginable. 

“Remember when just last year they presented the concept of flying cars and it failed. Seems like they were either lying to us or they made phenomenal progress since then…” Bucky remembers his astonishment after the Stark Expo; he was always a fan of progress and technology used for the good of the population. This journey would be an experiment of a life-time.

“Alright everyone settle in.” The German accent demands over the intercom. The small group walks into the ship and find their respective seats. With his wit and quick thinking, Steve was assigned board commander. Bucky was in charge of the combat tactics. It felt like, for once, their lives had meaning and it was an honour to be going through this together.

“‘Til the end of the line.” Steve captures his friend’s hand in his.

“‘Til the end of the line,” Bucky answers. They feel the ship ‘shake off the ground’, and the team howls in enthusiasm. 

Once the orbiting procedures are done, they find their way into their seperate quarters, each sharing rooms in teams of three, except for Bucky and Steve who have the room to just the two of them. They walk to the door as they chit chat. Their smiles fade when the door slides before them and they notice the size of the room.

A large window gives out to a realistic CGI galaxy. The moon roams by slowly and it’s enough to have them holding their breaths, eyes watering at the beauty. 

“Steve,” Bucky whispers. He turns to see his friend nodding at him, his lower lip bitten as he tries to hold in his emotions. “This wouldn’t have happened without your stubborn little head.” 

“You deserve this as much as I do Buck.” They turn around and freeze at the sight of the one king sized bed that sits right in the middle of the room. Around it is a flowy drape they can pull closed - something to keep the sun out as it never sets, they think. At the corner of his eyes, Steve can see Bucky blush. His body shivers, his numerous dreams coming to his mind again.

“Is, um. Is that okay with you?” He asks.

“Yeah. Yeah it’s fine Stevie.” He walks over and sets his bag on a small bench. They begin to set their things in the abundant storage space. Neither of them talk for the next couple of minutes, too shy, perhaps. Too caught in their own fantasies to acknowledge their separate peaks at the one bed as they eyeball the distance that will be left between them.

“I’m exhausted. I’ll hit the showers and be right back.” Bucky is first to say, a foot already out the door.

Steve sheds his clothes, leaving only his briefs on. The sheets are the softest thing he’s ever touched. Everything is plushy and so welcoming. There’s Bucky’s sweatshirt on the left side pillow; he’s tempted to take it and wear it, knowing he’s always cold at night. But he only pulls it close and brings it to his face, feeling the material on his heating cheeks, inhaling the masculinity of his best friend. It’s inevitable he’s growing hard at the thought of being able to smell it directly from his neck. To have his head on his chest. 

His free hand reaches under the band of his briefs, tentatively groping himself to try and relieve some tension. He loses himself in it though, and starts moving and twisting his hand faster. He’s staining his underwear but he doesn’t care. He knows Bucky’s hand would feel much better, much more unforgiving. There’s a pinch in his gut at the thought of teaching him all his sweet spots - or worse even, letting him discover them as he becomes a panting mess on this very bed. 

“Shit,” he whimpers into the balled up sweater. His hips find a slow rhythm to go along his hand movements. His dick is out of its hiding spot by now; he’s big for his frame and he needs the extra room to pump harder. The door opens but he’s too lost to notice. There’s another muffled moan before he hears someone clear their throat.

“Steve, I-”

“Fuck! I’m sorry.” No no no! he thinks. “Buck I didn’t mean-”

“It’s fine Rogers, just... Maybe finish in the bathroom?” He suggests with an uncomfortable smile. He’s scratching his scalp, looking anywhere around the room but the bed. When Steve doesn’t budge, he allows himself to look down. His friend had simply pulled the cover over his head, and he knows Steve is cursing himself for being careless.

“You can keep the hoodie, if you’re cold.” Steve nods no and doesn’t move. “Alright,” he adds before shuffling into his spot. He’s careful to stay along the edge of the bed, enough not to fall off but granting his friend personal space. He closes his eyes and tries to let his mind wander into sleep. It’s no use now that he’s seen his pal touching himself like that. Not that he’d never imagined it - he was much smaller in his mind though. He didn’t sound as heavenly either. Bucky had caught Steve jerking off already, their apartment being quite small for two people, but it was always discreet and he mostly had to spy on him to see anything.

The more he thinks about it, the more each scenario comes out clear. Steve had touched himself whenever they had been close, like when they got back home from the drive-in, or if Bucky walked around shirtless after a rather intense training. Steve had touched himself every time he felt bothered with Bucky’s presence, and fuck if that wasn’t something he’d dreamed about.

He inhales deeply before shifting to face Steve. His hand slowly lifts and comes to rest on his friend’s shoulder, which surprisingly relaxes under his touch rather than tense up. 

“Bucky, it’s late. I’m sorry, okay?” It’s a half plead, half demand as the physical effects of his actions still haven’t dissipated. Bucky knows from the speed of his heart when his Stevie is nervous of agitated. Or in this case aroused.

“No. I’m sorry Steve.” Without turning completely, Steve gives him more of his attention. His silence is enough to note his questioning. “I should’ve realised before.”

“Wh-what do you mean, Buck?”

He answers with his body rather than try to explain his thoughts out loud; Bucky could be the clumsiest person when his mind got hazy. His hand moves to Steve’s chest, and in a swift pull he brings him closer. Close enough to kiss along his shoulder, then up his neck, until his nose tickles the base of his scalp.

“Buck,” Steve shivers.

“Let me. Please Stevie,” he says, his breath warm on the poor boy’s frigid body. When he doesn’t feel a protest, he lowers his hand onto his stomach, takes extra time just under his navel before he ventures under the waistband of his briefs. He’s perfectly hard under his touch, it takes a longer stroke than he anticipated before his thumb can reach the soaked tip. Steve hums deep in his throat. Bucky’s hip jerks forward in response. He’s already a mess and he’s only been touching him for a few seconds.

“Yes,” Steve whimpers. It earns him a soft bite to the shoulder; tender action meant to stifle a moan. “Bucky, don’t hold back.”

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to hear this,” he answers.

He’s got Steve on his stomach as soon as he’s done answering, a low grunt escapes his lips when he kneels over Steve’s legs, admiring the boy’s slender body. He snakes his hands over his shoulders, over his arms. He feels every inch of his skin as if he’d seen it for the first time. It feels new, strange even, to be able to give his pal what he’d always dreamed of; but it’s the best sentiment he’s ever experienced. From the soft moans he can pull from Steve, Bucky knows he’s enjoying this as well. Once the muscles under his touch have gone slack, he proceeds lower, kissing the trail he makes in the valley of his back. Steve jerks his hips up slightly when Bucky’s thumbs come to rest over his back dimples. He’s longing for what’s next; for the frightening act of intimacy.

“Bucky, you don’t-” He’s cut short in his suggestion by the inevitable. He moans Bucky’s name over and over every time his tongue flattens over his puckered hole. Bucky’s at work like a hungry man who’s just discovered the sweetest fruit. He licks and sucks and pokes intently at the flustered mess of man underneath him; and /he’s/ already done for. He’s rock hard in his own boxers at the way he can get Steve to squirm. 

“Ja-james! Ah!” Steve’s got both hands fisting the sheet and his face flat into his pillow. He moves his hips along with the tactful intrusions. There’s a sticky mess already glueing his stomach to the mattress but he doesn’t care. If anything it allows for the lack of friction on his aching dick. “More. Please,” he pants.

He can hear Bucky spit but his rear is already too worn out from the previous actions to feel a thing. There’s a light poke, then a sting as Bucky’s slowly inching two fingers into him. 

“So fucking tight, Stevie. God… You’re going to ruin my cock, aren’t ya?” His words send shivers up their bodies. 

“All yours Buck,” Steve adds before choking on his words when he feels a third finger joining the others. “Always been yours.” With that said, Steve stretches back as best he can and brings a hand to the brunette’s hair. He plays with the curls, eyes fixed on the icy blues and his stomach tightens when Bucky leans into the touch. He moves his hand to his chin and pulls him up so their eyes are leveled.

“Will you let me take care of you now?” Bucky asks and regrets the way he phrased that.

“I can ta-”

“No, punk.” He sighs and closes his eyes. “It’s not about bullies anymore Stevie. I want you to feel wanted. Desired. It always pissed me off to see how the ladies treated you. They don’t know what they’re missing.” There’s a moment of silence while Steve turns around and sits straighter. His brows furrow but he doesn’t argue.

“Bucky, it’s fine. Those girls didn’t really have anything going for me, anyway.”

“So… Will you?” He’s still not looking at Steve. Afraid that maybe this was all he could allow himself to take. He ruined his chance, he thinks. But then Steve’s thumb comes to his chin and he’s forced to look up. The pretty blond is all smiles; the sweet pink on his cheeks warms Bucky’s heart. Steve dives in and crashes his lips to his friend’s. His boyfriend? Lover? He isn’t sure yet but that doesn’t matter for the night. 

“Would that include letting me come before the morning?” There’s a gasp coming from Bucky as the question comes out, but he smiles and nods stupidly at Steve’s confidence. He pounces on him, their lips meeting again in a heated kiss. 

“Only if it’s while I’m fucking that prefect little ass,” he taunts.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Steve answers.

The following nights are spent identically. Several years of hidden feelings are finally being rewarded and the boys know exactly how to make up for lost time. Most of their breaks are spent in their room, in the sauna or in the private lounge each team gets to share alternatively. Between trainings and meals, before, during and after showers. It’s an insatiable feeling to be wanted and taken care of, which never came easily to Steve until the very moment Bucky had his face between his hands and seemed to dwell into his eyes. Everything went on so quickly. Too quickly, perhaps, for Bucky soon found himself feeling guilty. Dirty. To be filling his needs with his favourite boy, while he knows he’s building a really fragile castle around them. To be imagining a life of happiness that had no place to be. Amongst the group, none seem to have caught up on their shenanigans. They were safe. Safe in the confines of this ship until the mission was over and they’d have to go back to being best buddies; friends since playground. It’s a thought that has Bucky’s stomach churning. He’d been glued to bed with a pounding headache for two days, and a raging boner he kept denying Steve. This has to stop, he thinks.

The curtains rush open, startling him out of sleep. Through the bright, manipulated daylight he sees Steve’s silhouette standing in front of their window. 

“What’s up, Stevie?” His voice barely makes it out of him.

“I could ask you the same,” Steve accuses right away. He can hear Bucky fall back into his pillow and grunt.

“Care to explain…”

“You’re unbelievable.” He paces, his hands on his hips. “What’s so hard for you to accept? I thought you realised that we had been hiding these mutual feelings. I thought you were on my side, Buck. You haven’t touched me, haven’t even looked at me in the eyes for a week…”

The anguish in his voice has Bucky up on his feet in a second - he’s ready to lay down his point of view but Steve retorts faster.

“Look around! We’re in a fucking ship that’s meant to be in space, man.” His finger taps the glass behind him. “Everything around us is astonishing progress.”

“Yeah, simulated,” Bucky says.

“But progress nonetheless. Forget what people think. Gosh I wish this thing could take us to the future. Maybe things would have changed…” Bucky takes a step closer and he’s ready to fold. He wants Steve in his arms. Wants to keep his word and hold him tight. He reaches his arms out but quickly retracts when a sharp object flies over his upper arm.

“What the-”

There’s a rush of wind that sends a dozen more pieces their way. The back wall of their room is fractured, smoke coming in from the adjacent room, followed by a muffled scream. The strident screeching of metal makes it hard to focus. Alarms have gone off and an external team is running around, trying to find everyone.

It suddenly becomes hard to breathe but the medics have surged to rescue the guys who were stuck behind the flames. When Bucky turns around to grab onto Steve, he finds him lying on the ground, hands clenching his stomach and he swears that even through all the back-alley fights he’s never seen Steve’s face so contorted. A piece of steel bigger than his hand pokes out of a gash just under his left rib. Bucky knows not to pull it from him. He’d seen the consequences first hand on the field. 

“Don’t move, don’t move.” He’s got a hand on his shoulder and the other beneath his head. There’s a glance around his body before he’s sure he can lift him up. Luckily, Steve’s about half the size of the guys Bucky had to carry in boot camp. He makes sure to keep the wound close to himself, and he heads towards the nearest door, the floor plan of the ship something he knows like the back of his hand.

“I got you Stevie,” Bucky says when he hears him weep.

**

Bucky’s fidgeting on the chair around the corner of two narrow hallways. His arm still burns from the alcohol-drenched bandage someone put on him while he was passed out. He turns to the one on his right. It’s bright from all the fluorescents and much too lifeless to his liking. The same nurse keeps shuffling through the different doors with a pad in hands. His head is about to explode from all the beeping of the life support machines and the aftermath of inhaling so much smoke. Someone at the end of the hall in front of him keeps coughing and Bucky’s throat is suddenly tingling. He’s a moment away from bolting up from his seat when Peggy walks out of the room.

“Barnes.” She has an apologetic look, but she offers a sweet smile. “He’d like to see you.”

There’s a blink before he can react, before blood goes back into his legs and he can head towards her. She reaches for his arm and guides him over, stopping just before the curtain around the bed.

“Now,” she begins. “We’ve had to um… They did someth-”

“He’s fine?” He practically screams.

“Yes. Yes James he is fine.” She takes a step back and stretches her arm to direct him forward. He takes a deep breath, flattens his shirt over himself as a habit and nervously pulls onto the edge of the curtain.

His heart skips a beat when he lays eyes on him. He recognizes the flowy blond hair; he wants to run his hand through it. But he’s taken aback when he gets closer. The under shirt they put on him is about to burst from the width of his shoulders. His jaw, man, his jaw is square and strong, just like the rest of him. He scans him up. Once. Twice. He thinks it’s the illusion of Steve being laid down, but he knows he’s gotten taller. Before he can wonder further a hand comes to his shoulder.

“Stark. What happened?” He asks, not taking his eyes off his friend.

“The infection spread like wildfire. His frail disposition made it impossible for him to surpass this. He needed a little...boost...if I can say so.”

“Well, a boost he got!” Bucky answers a tad enthusiastically. He sees Peggy smirk and his cheeks heat up. “Sorry,” he mouths.

“Yes. Well. We had this experimental serum going around for a while. A project run by Dr. Erskine. It was meant to help soldiers heal faster. Make their ability to bulk up easier. Let’s say we might have dosed up a little on him.”

“Is it permanent?”

“So far.” Peggy joins in.

“Did it... hurt?” There’s a new concern in Bucky’s voice. The same gut wrenching feeling he had whenever he found Steve beat up to the ground. He closes his eyes to keep the imminent tears from spilling out. 

“Did it like a champ,” comes Steve’s voice next.

**

“Steve, listen,” Bucky begins as they walk into their apartment, bags of groceries in arms - the first one since they’ve been back from the mission. He’s walking behind him, still astounded by the two inches Steve has won. Their elbows bump as they walk around in the kitchen - they’ve yet to adjust to the two of them taking a lot of space; the conversation of them moving out into a new place was impending. 

“Bucky, stop. I know you didn’t want to hurt me.” He means it, but Steve continues to set the things away without looking at him.

“I got caught off guard, Stevie. The lady asked the question but the tone in her voice made me uncomfortable. I should have s-”

“Yes. You should have said we were together. But it’s fine,” he adds. Bucky steps up and grabs one of the blonde’s hands. He brings it to his chest, over his heart, and his eyes begin to water when they get lost in his. There’s a synched deep breath before Bucky composes himself.

“I’m sorry.” Steve’s shoulders loosen at the small admission - he watches as Bucky kisses his fingers one by one before leaning into him. His lips come to his neck and Steve can’t help but shiver. The serum surely had enhanced everything.

“Why is it still so hard for you to acknowledge this,” Steve says as he rubs Bucky’s back. “Every time you say ‘friend’ my stomach flinches.” 

“Strict family. It’s been coded into me when I was young. Every time I would hang out with you I’d get deathly stares at the dinner table.” Steve hugs him tighter. Bucky had never mentioned this before. Never said a word about being roughed around as a kid. He feels guilty. A feeling of remorse stikes through him as he recalls the numerous times he asked Bucky to pose for his sketches. Or when he needed a hand climbing somewhere and Bucky would hold onto him /just that way/. He didn’t know that his father was overlooking their every move from his office window. Didn’t know that his own mother was being lectured about their behavior.

“Plus, I still look at you and kind of freak out that I don’t have my little Stevie anymore. But you know… I’m really looking forward to what /this/ Steve can do.” He takes a step back to better look at him. His hands are on his hard chest, making their way onto his shoulders and he can feel Steve relax under his touch. One hand moves up to his nape before settling onto the side of his face; the other has made its way south, tracing every muscle on the way down. 

“How about you knock some sense into me?” Bucky taunts, eyes dark and glimmery. It takes Steve out of his thought - pulls him out quite harshly in fact - but he lets the brunette palm him through the thick fabric of his chinos. 

“But, Buck. We always-”

“I know. But I want to, baby. At least once…” There’s a soft whine along Bucky’s words and Steve melts into his embrace. Their lips stand close, waiting patiently for the right opportunity; though Bucky’s hand has made its way past Steve’s zipper by now. “For once, Stevie...please fuck me.”

It’s beastial. The way Steve picks his lover like he’s not heavier than a pillow. How he has him pinned to the wall by their room - they had finally started sleeping in the same bed, and eventually turned the spare room into a small art studio.

It takes a minute for Bucky’s hand to land onto the door handle, and another second for his mind to command it to turn it open. Steve’s grunt follows when it finally pries wide, allowing them to adventure further. Three steps later, Bucky finds himself thrown onto the stiff mattress, shirt gone missing while strong hands are already working at the button of his pants.

“Don’t break anything, Rogers.” He lifts himself onto his elbows to look down at the brusque man between his legs.

“The only thing I might be breaking is the bed,” he begins, his words muffled as he bites down on his tongue in concentration. He looks up at the headboard. Surely this was the first time they’d be intimate since ���the change’. It most likely frightens Bucky more than it does Steve. A grin autographs his next words. “We need a new one anyway.” And with that he hooks his fingers into the waistband of both Bucky’s pants and underwear, and glides them off his thighs.

“Always so fucking hard for me,” Steve growls. “No wonder, you had /me/ on my back like that. I could get used to this view.”

“Don’t linger, Stevie.” Bucky’s words are low, but stern. His hips buck in agreement.

“Was I so whiny all the time?” They both chuckle before Bucky swats him on the chest.

“Only when I was balls deep in that fantastic ass,” he answers, both hands on the plump flesh he mentioned. The action causes Steve to grind into him - and he’d be lying if he said that wasn’t the plan all along. Bruises would appear on his shoulders the next day with how hard Steve’s biting down on them.

“I swear to God-" The enhanced man has his prey on his stomach in a flash, barely taking a breath of effort. He reaches forward to present two fingers to Bucky who gladly coats them in a generous amount of saliva. A hum rumbles into his chest when he feels them swipe over his hole, Steve taking his turn in exploring his man. The stretch is new, although Bucky had done this to himself in the past. The sweet tickling feeling of the intrusion is brain numbing. He's not sure he’s going to last. Surely Steve’s new physique could give more than he bargained for.

“Holy shit,” he cries when he feels the head of his dick press against him. They both moan when Steve inches into him with ease until his hips meet with Bucky’s ass and he stops, giving both of them a moment to adjust.

“Never thought it would be this good,” the blond grunts, eyes shut as he focuses on not painting the walls that so tightly envelop him. He pulls out just a tad, before pushing back in and establishing a smooth rhythm. Bucky contorts and mewls beneath him, his eyes go white as they roll to the back of his head.

“Like that, huh?” Steve asks. “I sure as hell fucking like it.”

Bucky can only make faint noises. Steves and ahs and what not escape his lips in the smoothest symphony Steve has ever heard. He’s fucking him relentless, unsure of how he can even get his hips to move this way as he never found himself in this exact position. But he’s going. And going. And he’s loving every moment, so much so that he’s not sure he can ever go back to the old ways. Inevitably him or Bucky would succumb. Both giving and receiving felt amazing, but he’d always be James’ little Stevie.

“You take me so well, fuck,” he adds.

“Ste-eve.”

“I know. Poor little face is all red and hot. You’re so close, love.” The praise comes naturally from Steve, but it seems to have Bucky blushing even more. He bends down and snakes an arm under Bucky so his hand can come around and hook onto his neck. His right knee spreads his legs even further, allowing him to bottom down into him; the head of his cock nudges that sweet spot and as if the words weren’t enough, it has Bucky pulsing and making a mess on the bed.

“Fuck fuck fuck!” He exclaims as he empties himself completely while Steve still pounds into him. He reaches back and grabs his lover by the head to bring him in for a heated kiss. A moment later it’s Steve’s turn to fall over the edge. He groans and shakes as he gives three more thrusts before pulling out and letting his seed splatter over the spent brunette’s back. Hot spurts reach up to his shoulders and onto his cheek. Steve is quick to lean forward and lick him clean.

“So good,” he says.

“Stevie, that’s your own cum,” Bucky replies with a shy smile. Who’d have thought Steven Rogers would be the kinky one.

“Mmm. And?”

“And… I want some.” They both chuckle before Bucky can grab onto the man’s broad shoulders and fetch what he wanted.

[chuffyfan87]

Snowballs and Snuggles. Part A.

The sound of his alarm beeping roused Charlie from his slumber. There was something inherently wrong with an alarm going off early on Christmas morning but having been a nurse for over 30 years now it had become just a normal part of his life. A movement beside him reminded him of how much his life was now set to change however. Glancing over to his side he watched his fiancee roll over and resettle back to sleep having also been briefly disturbed by the sound of his alarm.

Laying his head back against the pillow briefly he smiled. It still didn't quite feel real that they were engaged. He still hadn't wrapped his head around the fact that she had told everyone in the middle of the Christmas party that they were a couple. In most respects their current relationship had been much the same as it had been in the past but going public, well, that had been a whole new experience for them. It was something he'd tried to persuade her to do several times in the past but she had always resisted. Now he realised that all he'd needed to do was wait til she was ready. Now that patience was finally paying off and, boy, had she been worth the wait!

He sighed. He knew he had to get out of bed and prepare for work but he really didn't want to leave her side. He quietly sat up and headed to the bathroom.

When he returned to the bedroom several minutes later he found Duffy awake and pottering around the room, two cups of coffee and a plate of toast sat on top of the dresser. She turned to him as she heard the door open. "Your coffee and toast are over there. Give me 15 minutes and I'll be ready to come with you."

Confusion filled his face. "But you're not working today Duffy." He replied.

"I know but I don't want to spend Christmas morning by myself. I'm sure you'll be able to find a use for me." She smirked.

"Don't you want to just go over to Peter's early? I'm sure they'd love to spend more time with you." He queried.

She looked down awkwardly. "Um... Ryan is going over there this morning... I thought it best to give him some time with them without me being there."

"Ah... I see. Yeh that's probably a good idea. Well, if you're sure you don't mind?"

She placed her hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Of course I don't mind." She replied, disappearing into the bathroom to get ready.

-x-

They arrived at work about 45 minutes later. They'd driven to the hospital in Duffy's car as it was much better equipped to deal with the snowy conditions than Charlie's "vintage classic" car. As she parked the car she looked over at Charlie with an amused smirk on her face. "We're here now so you can let go of the edge your seat!"

He pulled a face of mock innocence. "I don't know what you mean. I wasn't doing anything of the sort!"

"I've been driving long enough that I think I can manage to get from your house to the hospital without crashing!"

"Well there was that time when you hit a bus stop..." He began.

"I didn't hit it, I swerved to avoid it!" She exclaimed as she got out the car. "Anyway that was years ago, I've been driving for years without any accidents since then."

"Yeh, in New Zealand where I doubt they get a lot of snow."

She rolled her eyes at him and began walking towards the entrance.

He quickened his pace to catch up with her and slipped his hand into hers as they walked across the carpark. As they reached the doors they paused, looked shyly at each other and down at their joined hands. He smiled softly at her and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze before letting go of her hand and entering the building a few steps ahead of her.

The reception area was busy so they made it through there without any of their colleagues noticing them. As they walked through the staff room door a voice from behind them called out.

"Can't even bare to be seperated for a few short hours. Well, aren't you two just the cutest?" Elle laughed.

Duffy shrugged. "I had a free morning so thought I'd offer my expertise."

"Oh did you now?" Elle sniggered.

"As a nurse!" Duffy replied, rolling her eyes at Elle and elbowing Charlie who had started to chuckle beside her.

"Well I'll let you get on with your... work... then." Elle winked and then turned to head back towards cubicles.

After hanging up their coats and placing their belongings in their lockers Charlie turned to Duffy. "Are you sure you don't mind coming in today? Just because I've got to work doesn't mean..."

"For the last time it's OK. It'll keep me busy for a few hours." She smiled and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll see you in a bit."

She turned to leave but Charlie took hold of her hand. She turned back towards him and he pulled her into his arms. He caressed her cheek and they shared a lingering kiss.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

He squeezed her hand one last time and they heading in different directions to start their shifts.

-x-

The department soon filled up with patients - accidents don't stop just because it's Christmas day afterall - so they barely caught a glimpse of each other all morning.

As Charlie entered the staffroom he heard his phone beep in his pocket.

"Meet me in the peace garden. I have coffee. D x"

Smiling, he placed his phone back in his pocket and headed to the exit. He walked through the doors and turned towards the benches. As he rounded the corner he became confused as he couldn't see her sat waiting for him. He opened his mouth to call her name when suddenly a large amount of snow was dumped down the back of his hoody from behind...

"What the..?" He spun around just in time to see Duffy take off running across the carpark, laughing hysterically. He began to chase after her. How was she so damn speedy? He was about to give up and simply wait for her to get bored when he noticed she'd taken a corner round the building that he knew led to a dead end. Perfect. He reached the corner just as she realised her error. "I'm going to get you for that!" He laughed.

She tried to escape past him but he caught her around the waist. "Let's see how you like getting covered in snow!" He chuckled as he pushed her over towards the snow drift that had formed against the wall.

Duffy let out a shriek as she tumbled backwards. She reached out her hands and managed to grasp hold of the front of Charlie's jacket, pulling him over with her.

Duffy landed with a thud in the snow and Charlie landed on top of her causing her to let out a groan. Pushing himself back slightly he saw the pained look on her face.

"Sweetheart are you OK? I'm so sorry! I..." The rest of his words were muffled as she threw snow in his face, laughing as she pushed him over onto the snow beside her. He grabbed handfuls of snow and threw them back at her as he tried to dodge the snow she was throwing at him. They continued to wrestle and throw snow at each other for several minutes, each attempting to gain the upper hand over the other, neither prepared to admit defeat.

Laughing, they flopped onto their backs on the snow, their breath forming clouds in the cold air. Charlie looked across at Duffy with a smile. "How about we call it a draw?" He suggested, his breathing slightly laboured.

"Never!" She laughed as she half-heartedly threw another handful of snow in his direction.

Catching hold of her wrist he pulled her over onto him. "Come here you infuriating woman!" He laughed and kissed her. He ran his hands down her body as the kiss deepened until he reached the bottom of her jacket. He snuck his hands underneath and placed them under her tunic.

She let out a shriek as his freezing cold hands touched her skin. "You git!" She gasped.

Charlie gave her his best innocent looking face. "My hands were cold and you're always so snuggly and warm."

"Well my hands are cold too so..." She moved to place her hands under his clothes. He gave her a dirty look. "All's fair in love and war Charlie!" She laughed as she buried her hands under his jacket and lay them flat against his stomach.

"Bloody hell!" He exclaimed.

She laughed again and lent down to kiss him once more. They kissed for several minutes more before reluctantly parting. "We should head back inside."

Charlie stood up and held out a hand to Duffy to help her up. "You still owe me a coffee!"

[maealbert]

The Liaison // Demoted

NEW!

AU Characters: Team x OC (Lucy De Luca) A/N: Woo! I felt like I was writing this for years, it took so long. Master List The Liaison

tag list:  @literallyreid @idkbutspencer @literallyprentissstwin @remember-me-forever-silent-angel @cynbx @tenaciousarcadeexpert @rawritsmolly @dontshootmespence @princesswagger15 @drspencerreider @illegalcerebral @marvelfanlife @rt8815 @punkpenguin2019 @extremeobsessions101 

“So…” Lucy says as she pours the fresh coffee into her mug. “How long do you think Luke will be “punished” per say?”

Emily lowered her mug and cleared her throat. “That is between Luke and myself. I can’t discuss any further details with you or anyone else from the team.”

Lucy glanced over at Luke. He had his face buried in his paperwork. “You would’ve done the same thing if you were in danger or you lost a loved one.”

“I did..” Emily mutters. “But I didn’t shoot..”

Lucy lowered her head knowing what she was talking about. Emily has always been open with her about everything. She knew Matthew was one of her close friends. She knew the story. Lucy cleared her throat before setting her mug down on the counter. “I’m going to gather the team…” She says. “We’re heading to Idaho.”

“You’re not,” Emily says following after Lucy out of the bullpen. “I was going to ask if you could stay here with Luke. You know.. Keep your eye on him.”

“Emily, let me give you a reminder that Luke is not a little kid. He doesn’t need a babysitter.” Lucy says. “Plus, Garcia’s here.”

“Yes I know, but Garcia’s got a lot on her plate right now, especially with this case,” Emily says as she pulls out her handcuffs.

“Not the handcuffs.” Lucy groans. “You’re seriously taking this way out of proportion.”

___

Luke stares at Lucy. “All day?” He says.

“All day..” Lucy says rolling her eyes.

“So now what do we do? My desk is out here and you’re in an office.”

“Bring your papers into my office.” Lucy says.

___

“Okay.. I can’t do this!” Luke exclaims. “There’s enough room on this desk for the both of us. You have like ten times more work than I do.”

“Oh I’m sorry, Britney. It’s three files a lot for you?” Lucy jokes.

Luke chuckles shaking his head. “Why is she torturing us?”

“More like me..” Lucy mutters. “She wants me to keep my eye on you.”

“With handcuffs?” Luke says squinting his eyes. “Does she really think that I’m gonna run away again?”

“I never know what she’s thinking, except this time,” Lucy replies as she reaches up to her hair and pulls out a bobby pin that held up her bangs. As they flopped down on her forehead, she shakes them out before reaching for the cuffs to unlock them. She could feel Luke’s eyes on her. “Oh come on, Rogue,” She says as the cuffs open up. “Haven’t you ever used bobby pins to open locks?”

“I have a gun.” He replies.

“I respect Emily and her wishes but if we’re going to get any work done today, we’re going to need to be seperated,” Lucy says as she gets back to her work. “But if you think about leaving that chair, you better think about something else.”

“Just when I thought I was free.”

“I could always handcuff you to the desk,” Lucy says smiling at him.

“I feel like a little kid.”

“Little kids defy orders, you did just that.”

“Really? You too?”

“Hey, I know better than to shoot my gun when going against anybody’s orders.”

“But wouldn’t you have done the same thing?”

“If my life really depended on it? Yes. But you heard Emily when she told you to sit the case out. They had it handled.”

“He was getting away. I had to do something.”

“Luke..” Lucy sighs as she rests her hands on her desk. “She ordered you for yours and Lisa’s protection.”

“So she can go after her enemy but I can’t?

“Hotch didn’t order Emily to sit that case out because he didn’t know she was involved with Doyle. She had the right to go after Doyle.”

“It’s still not fair.”

“Quit your complaining and get back to work. And when we video conference with the team, we have to be handcuffed again.”

“Looks like someone else is defying orders.”

“There’s a difference between shooting a gun and taking off handcuffs.” Lucy says. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to pee.”

“Thanks for the info.” Luke says looking at her in disgust.

“Don’t move.” She says pointing at him before leaving the office and closing the door behind him.

“Where’s Luke?” Garcia says walking up beside Lucy. “Didn’t Emily handcuff you two together?”

“Yes, but I gotta pee.” Lucy responds. “No way in hell am I taking him with me.”

_________

“Yes, I’m on my way home now…. Well we won’t be the only one having Thai tonight….. I’ll explain when we get there.”

Lucy shakes her head as she pulls up to the Thai restaurant that he and Lisa likes. She rolls down her window once they get to the drive-thru and Luke begins ordering the food. Once they got their food, Lucy headed straight to Luke’s apartment.

“Hey!” Lisa exclaims as she comes over to hug Lucy. “Driving home my man over here?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Let’s just say that Emily pulled the short straw for Lucy.” Luke says holding up the open handcuffs. “She doesn’t trust that I’ll stay put.”

“Oh honey..” Lisa says rubbing his back. “But that just means that we get to spend more time together.”

“Oh uh, before I forget,” Luke says. “Guest bedroom is down the hall on the right.”

“Good, but I gotta run out real quick,” Lucy says glancing down at her watch. “I have to pick up the kids from school and drop them off at the babysitter’s place. I shouldn’t be more than two hours max.”

“Is she watching them all night?” Luke asks.

“Yeah, I kind of bribed her with extra pay if she watches them just tonight.” Lucy says as she grabs her purse and keys off the table by the door and leaves the apartment.

______

“Thank you so much for taking them overnight.” Lucy says as she places the baby carrier on the floor.

“Everything okay at work?” The babysitter asks as she closes the door behind Lucy.

“Yeah a case came up so I’m gonna be at the office overnight. Isaiah drinks up to four ounces of formula now every three hours during the day, we try to get him to go to sleep around ten and he sleeps most of the night, typically wakes up when the girls get up for school.”

“Okay sounds good.”

“I always made sure that both of the girls have clean clothes for school tomorrow. Vivien must have her school work done before dinner. Julianne typically works on hers before and after dinner. Viv is also a very picky eater but Spencer and I typically threaten her with no tv time after dinner if she doesn’t eat her dinner. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to take them to school.”

“Should I pick them up too?”

“I’ll be able to step away for a bit to pick them up. I also have to get JJ’s kiddos too. I’ll probably drop them off tomorrow around three or four when I get the bigger kids. Call me if you need anything. I’m only an hour away.”

“Don’t work yourself too hard.” The babysitter says as Lucy leaves the house.

Getting back into her car, she starts to head back to her car when she gets a call from Lisa. “Hey, I’m just now leaving the babysitter’s.”

“We’re not home.”

“What do you mean? Luke isn’t allowed--”

“I know but this is an emergency. Can you meet us at the hospital?”

“I’m on my way..” Making a U-Turn, Lucy makes her way in the direction of the hospital when she receives a text from Luke.

‘Do not come inside.’

Knowing she couldn’t reply while driving, she pulls over to the side of the road. ‘Why? What’s going on?’

Suddenly Fornell’s number flashed on her screen. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“Hey, I heard you were still in town. There’s a gunman inside the hospital. Think you can help?”

“Already on my way.” Lucy says as she hangs up. Pulling down the visor above the passenger seat, she turns on the sirens and speeds off.

Arriving at the hospital, she sends Emily a quick text before getting out of the car. Pulling off her blazer, she tosses it on her seat and walks back to the trunk. Reaching inside she grabs her bulletproof vest and straps it on before heading to the entrance. Instantly she sees Fornell and heads straight for him. “Thanks for coming. We were informed that Agent Alvez is inside as well.”

“Yeah, I still don’t know why though. His fiancee said it was an emergency so I was on my way here until he texted me not to come inside and then you called and here we are.”

“Man, I haven’t heard the voice in a couple years.” A male spoke behind Lucy. She rolled her eyes before turning around to face Orkin. “Well well well, if it isn’t Special Agent Lucy De Luca with the Behavioral Analysis Unit. How’s Emily Prentiss doing being back on her high horse?”

“Ready to ride right over you.. Oh wait, she already did.”

“Alright, alright. We’re not here to bicker. We’re here to stop the gunman.”

“How many dead so far?” Lucy asked without tearing her eyes away from Orkin.

“We don’t know yet. We can’t quite locate the gunman yet. Whoever this is, isn’t alone. Someone’s hacking the security system so we don’t have eyes inside.”

“I know just the person who can do that.” Lucy says as she turns away from Orkin and pulls out her phone.

“You have reached the amazing and powerful wizard of the world wide web. Speak.”

“Garcia, I’m going to need to borrow your brain for a while.”

“Go right ahead, that’s what I’m here for. What do you need?”

“I need you to override the security system as the hospital.”

“Uh, why?”

Lucy spotted a news van across the parking lot. “Turn on channel four. Start hacking.”

“I’m on it.”

“Great, I’ll send you the IP address of the SWAT’s system, patch us through.”

“I always do.”

________________________________

Luke’s phone vibrated on his bed. He mentally cursed himself as he struggled to turn his phone to complete silence. Looking quickly at his message, he saw it from Lucy. ‘Unsub is in the floor below you. Have Lisa turn off all of your machines, put the blanket over your head and play dead.’

‘You’ve located the unsub?’

‘Yes, we’re on our way in. We know where you are and others. Just stay where you are, hide your phone, play dead.’

Lucy put her phone on complete silence and followed behind Fornell and the SWAT team. Reaching the entrance, they split off into two groups covering different sides of the hospital. “Unsub is on the third floor, Agent Alvez is on the fourth floor,” Fornell says. “That’s your main goal is get Agent Alvez out of here while we take down the unsub and then we go for the survivors.” Fornell spoke through the ear piece. “If you see the unsub, don’t approach him.” Lucy slips through the doors leading to the stairs, two SWAT members in front of her and the behind her. “Phone calls we’ve received from survivors inside here all describe him as unbalanced, disturbed, and angry.”

“Do we have any information on him?”

“We spoke to a doctor who was able to leave the hospital when the unsub went to the second floor. The unsub used to work here at the hospital.”

“Garcia, still there?”

“I’m here.” She responds. “What do you need?”

“I need you to get any and all information you can on our unsub and send it to us.”

“I’m on it.”

As Lucy makes her way up to the fourth floor, she peers through the door leading to the third floor. Everything was quiet until she saw the unsub appear around the corner where the nurse’s station was. Hiding away from the window, she takes in a deep breath. Peering back through the window, she sees him walking down the hallway in the opposite direction. The lead SWAT member motions his hand up the stairway to the fourth floor. Reaching the fourth floor, the group makes their way to Luke’s room. Reaching for the doorknob, Lucy quietly pushes the door open only to find a gun being pointed at her. Standing on the other side of the gun was a security officer.

“Whoa there..” Lucy whispered. “Put the gun down.”

“Oh I didn’t think you’d ever come.” Lisa sighed as she threw her arms around Lucy.

“Look, we need to get these three out of here.” One of the SWAT members spoke. “Rich, Kas, you’re with me. We’ll take these three out. The rest of you head down to the third floor and help out the others.”

The group of eight split again into two groups of four. Once Luke and Lisa had been escorted out, Lucy makes her way to the stairwell on the opposite end of the hallway. Pushing open the door, everyone keeps their guns trained between the railing of the staircases as they make their way down to the third floor. Reaching the door leading to the third floor, Garcia starts talking to Lucy through her ear piece.

“Hey, so I dug up files on our unsub.”

“What do you got?” Lucy whispered, careful not to attract the unsub’s attention.

“Your unsub is Dr. Michael Cleveland. He was the Chief of General Surgery.”

“Was?” Lucy asks.

“Yeah, I found a file in the Board’s archives. It says here that Cleveland was demoted back to Attending when he was found guilty of letting one his surgeons slide after they were discovered being drunk while performing brain surgery.”

“Well if I ever need brain surgery, make sure whoever is working on me is drugged tested and given the breathalyzer test.” Lucy says.

“His demotion is temporary until his next trial with the board next week.”

“Well it looks like he couldn’t exactly wait. Thanks Garcia.” Slowly pulling open the door to the third floor of the hospital, Lucy cautiously steps through and peers down the hallways on either side of her. As the group slowly made their way down the hall in front of them, where Lucy last saw Cleveland, a gunshot echoed through the halls making the group stop in their tracks. Following the sound of the gunshot, they find a doctor on the floor, a fresh pool of blood surrounding his head. Lucy bent down and pressed her fingers to his neck. She shakes her head at the guys behind her. Standing back up, they slowly move on down the hallway, their sense heightened after what happened. “He isn’t far.” Lucy whispered. She hears papers being shuffled around further down the room. Holding her gun up in front of her, she reaches one of the file rooms where she finds Michael digging through the top drawer of one of the filing cabinets. His gun was resting on the desk beside the door frame, just a few inches from Lucy. Reaching for the gun as quietly as she could, she hands it to one of the guys behind her. “Michael Cleveland.” Michael froze in his spot, his back still turned to the group. “Step away from the filing cabinet and put your hands up.”

He did as she ordered. Walking over to him, she pulls out her handcuffs and cuffs his hands together. She hands him over to one of the guys and they escort him out of the room. Fornell steps into the room, flicking the light on. “Why do you think he opened fire here?”

“He was probably angry because he was demoted, stripped from his title as Chief of General Surgery.” Lucy says as she walks over to the filing cabinet that Michael was sifting through. “But what was he looking for?” Picking up the file that laid open on the open drawer, she turned to face Fornell. “He was looking at patient’s file.”

“Why?”

Lucy shrugged his shoulder. “I don’t know, but that is now your job to figure out. I didn’t my part. Now I gotta go see Luke.”

“But he’s fine.”

“He had stitches in his hand, he’s not fine.”

“Alright mama bear, relax.” Fornell says.

“No, I will not relax. Luke is my responsibility until the team gets back from Idaho. If Luke gets more than stitches, I’m going to have deal with Emily.”

“Is it that bad?”

“She demoted Luke because he fired his gun all while defying direct orders. I already let him out of my sight once and looked what happened. He cut his hand open and then the hospital had a rampant gunman running around. If she got pissed at Luke then. I don’t even want to know what she’s going to say when she gets back to town?”

____________

“I specifically told you to stay with him! How could you let this happen?!”

“Well my kids had to be picked up so--”

“No excuses, whatever it is you did, you should’ve taken him with you.”

“He was at home with Lisa! She knew the protocol! I was I supposed to know that he was going to cut his hand open while slicing steak?!”

Emily groaned shaking her hand. “Why can’t anyone just listen to what I tell them?”

“I was gone for an hour!”

“It doesn’t matter! You ignored my orders!”

“It was an hour, Emily!”

“Don’t yell at me, Lucy.” Emily says pointing her finger at Lucy. “I gave you direct orders to keep your eye on Luke, is it that hard to just do it?”

“I wasn’t going to bring him along with me to pick up the kids!”

“Why not?”

“Because it would’ve been weird with unnecessary questions thrown at me.”

“Then just answer them.”

Lucy rolled her eyes as she got out of the chair and headed for the door. “Next time you keep him at the office, chain him to Garcia.” She says before leaving Emily’s office and heading straight to hers.

Emily’s not so happy when her orders are defied..... Oops?

If you liked this part than please be sure to leave it some love and some feedback!

Thank you! I love you! :)

[roseonhissleeve]

Kiwi: Part Two

A little mini-series based in Jamaica during the writing/recording of Harry’s new album. Enjoy. x

The next day, Calliope woke up at one in the afternoon.

Going off of a full nine hours of sleep, she hopped out of her twin sized bed and brushed her teeth, running a careless hand through her cropped locks and setting off for a jog along the beach.

When Cal first arrived in Jamaica, she was looking for places to stay on the tourist side of the island. But not only was it easily five times as expensive as living where she was now, it was crowded and loud. The first morning she went for a run she had to stop about seven times to take group pictures and be asked for directions by families of five or more. It wasn’t until she started befriending the locals that she even knew there was a quiet place on the island.

Now, she could go for runs every day and she was rarely ever interrupted. Her life in Jamaica consisted mainly of three things: running, surfing, and working at the bar. The bar was owned by a tall Jamaican man whose nickname was Pipo, and whom she’d met close to when she arrived. She began to frequent it during the lunch shift, and when she did she spoke to Pipo every day about her life back home. One day when he found out that she was unemployed he offered her a job on the spot.

And that was Cal’s life. That’s what it had been like for the past month and a half—working to save a little money, but mostly to pass the time. When she wasn’t working she was taking walks on the island and exploring new places, or surfing. It wasn’t a luxurious life by any means, but it was what she needed right now. She needed to get away.

It was all completely predictable, until she stumbled upon Harry last night.

Calliope recognized him as soon as he walked in. Of course she did. And she would be lying if she said that she didn’t enjoy their music—she’d never been to a concert or anything, but she wasn’t one to turn off the radio when One Direction was announced. He stuck out like a sore thumb among all the locals that frequented Pipo’s during her bartending shift, but he still somehow looked as if he felt right at home.

She soon learned that he was the kind of person who could make a home out of anywhere.

When she was done with her run on the beach she went back to her little cabin and changed into her work uniform, which was really just a pair of jean shorts and a white t-shirt. Her apron she would put on when she got to the bar, but for now she set off on her twenty-minute walk to work.

“Welcome home, sweetheart,” she heard Pipo’s deep but kind voice call out to her from the back kitchen, causing her to laugh a little as she grabbed her apron from the hanger.

“Hey Pipo,” she called out in response, tying her apron around her waist and starting to wipe down the bar. “How are you doing?”

“Living the dream!” He yelled, and she laughed louder this time around as she grabbed a pen and tucked it behind her ear in preparation for the next wave of customers. “And you?”

“Living the dream,” she repeated, a half-smile on her face.

“You got a phone call today,” Pipo said, causing her to pause her actions. The only people who ever called Calliope at the bar were her mother and father. When she refused to take a cell phone with her on her trip she reassured them that she’d find a landline to use on the island, and Pipo was kind enough to let her use the one there.

“Oh?” She responded as nonchalantly as she possibly could, stacking plastic cups that customers would later use.

“Your mom sounded upset,” he chimed in, and she exhaled a sigh. 

“I’ll call her later. Thanks, big guy,” she said, rolling back the ache in her shoulders before forcing herself to focus on her work.

She loved her mother. She really did. But the reason why she came to this island was because she needed space. She needed time.

Cal needed to heal.

*

Harry was on Cloud Nine.

That morning when he woke up he drank a smoothie and ate a few spoonfuls of cereal before going to the recording studio while all the inspiration was still fresh. The last couple of days had been productive, but nothing had really jived yet. He’d felt like he was simply writing down notes and playing them, not creating something impactful and meaningful.

If he’d learned anything, it was that when inspiration strikes, you soak it up and roll with it as long as you can.

So when he walked into the studio that day at seven in the morning, a mere three hours after he’d gone to sleep, there was no stopping him. Everybody else was still sleeping, and he was fine with that. He knew very well that to put an album together a team was required, and he was grateful for the chance to work and learn from some amazing people. But there was something about being alone with the music that was exhilarating to him. It reminded him of late nights in his bedroom with White Eskimo lyrics in front of him, at that little house in Holmes Chapel.

He took a deep breath as he sat by the soundboard in the studio and looked at lyrics and sheet music that had been leftover from the day before. A moment later he reached for a fresh notepad, grabbing a pen and scribbling away.

He wasn’t a stranger to songwriting at all. It was a familiar process when he was a part of the band, and by the fifth album they recorded it felt almost like writing a bicycle. But this was different—this wasn’t One Direction, it was Harry Styles. It was his name on the record and his alone, and it was so much more personal. The stakes were incredibly high, and it gave him a thrill like nothing else.

A few hours later his mates started milling about in the studio, patting his shoulder as they walked in and working on their respective bits and pieces. It was almost like warming up your body before a race—they all knew this was going to be a marathon, and Harry couldn’t have been more excited to run.

All in all, the day was an absolute success. Harry spent it writing and rewriting, juggling ideas and joking around. At the end of the day he was sure that they’d come up with at least a few successes, other than a few bits that needed work here and there. He was still hyped up on the adrenaline and excitement that came from writing something that was one hundred percent his, something that he was this immensely proud of.

That evening after they were finished they all went their seperate ways, some of them going to have a couple of beers together and others calling their loved ones at home.

Harry went back to the bar.

*

Cal didn’t know exactly how it happened, but there were two very large, very angry men arguing by the entrance of the bar.

She could hear the string of cursewords echo past the music thudding in the background, and when she looked over from her safe position at the bar she could see that they were starting to draw attention to themselves.

What she didn’t expect was for one of them to grab a chair and start flinging it around in the air. Her eyes widened when she saw the bright orange chair lifted up and being swung over the heads of the bystanders, and she immediately dropped whatever drink she had been preparing and ran over to where the two voices were still booming a series of curses at each other.

“Hey, put it down!” Cal shouted over the music, and for someone who was easily half the size of both the men, her voice projected through the music. The bystanders glanced at her the moment she got close, and people began stepping away and making room for her. They all recognized her, but the two men in the riot must have not frequented the bar because they didn’t flinch at the sound of her voice. The taller man, the one who had the chair in his hands, tossed the instrument to the side. She watched as it smacked against the wall and broke one of the legs in half, and her irritation sky-rocketed.

Cal was just about to yell at them again when the shorter man (who was still very tall by her standards) swung and nailed the taller one in the jaw with a right hook. She could see the actions register in his face, and before everything really turned into a brawl she stepped between the two of them despite the bystanders calling out her name.

“That’s ENOUGH!” She yelled, blocking the pathway between the two men. They both easily had at least a foot of height on her, and both only hesitated a second before continuing to paw at each other. Except this time she was caught in the middle of it. She pressed her hands against the smaller one’s chest, trying to push him away from the other, but even though she was strong her push wasn’t enough to stop their adrenaline-induced brawl. She felt the larger one grab her arm from behind her and she flinched slightly, mostly from the surprise, but before she had the time to react he was being pulled off of her.

Calliope heard a familiar voice break the tension.

“Get OFF of’er!” Harry shouted, effectively pulling the large man away from the action and giving him a shove. The man stumbled back and she could see that he was dazed by the unexpected interruption, and even though she was relieved to have him off of her, her defences came up when Harry looked at her with that concerned face of his.

“Are yeh okay?” He asked.

“I’m fine,” she snapped, and she briefly saw his face contort with confusion when she felt the smaller man whom she was still holding back start to fight against her.

“Hey!” She yelled, stepping apart from him so that she could pivot and face the both of them. “The two of you need to get over yourselves and get your sorry asses together before I personally throw you face-first out of my bar! Go have your pissing match somewhere else!”

The two men, who were finally out of their heads long enough to look at her for more than four seconds, were obviously taken aback by her yelling.

“I mean it!” She continued, not flinching when the larger one took a step towards her. “Get the FUCK out, right now!”

She watched them with her arms folded over her chest as the two of them made their way towards the exit, both stumbling slightly. Whether it was from the drinks they’d had or the fight, she didn’t know.

She felt an irritation wash through her as she looked at Harry, who was staring at her as if he’d never seen anything like that before. Maybe he hadn’t, but if he didn’t stop gawking at her she would kick his ass out of there as well.

Calliope grunted with frustration as she walked past him and grabbed the orange chair along with the chunk of it that had been broken off. She picked both bits up and stomped towards the exit, and she could tell that Harry was following.

“Are yeh alright?” He repeated, and she simply huffed in response as she walked over to the dumpsters and opened the lid of one of them. Harry didn’t understand why she seemed so upset—he might have expected her to be a little rattled or anxious after a confrontation like that, but she seemed genuinely upset at HIM, and he didn’t know why.

“I’m fine, and I didn’t need your help, Harry,” she announced, lifting the chair up into the dumpster.

“Wait, are yeh mad at me?” He asked, his eyes widening and the crease between his eyebrows appearing with confusion.

“I could’ve handled it myself, you didn’t have to come in and save the day,” she repeated, slamming the dumpster lid shut and turning to look at him. She could barely see his face in the dimly lit outdoors, but she could tell that he was thrown off by her words.

“I was only trying to help—”

“I’m not some princess that needs saving, Harry!” She huffed, throwing her arms in the air in exasperation. He was thrown off a bit at the action—he really only thought that people did that in movies, but there was a fire in this girl that he’d never seen before. “You don’t get to waltz in here after one night and do things for me. I don’t need your saving, I don’t need your help.”

“Fine,” he exhaled in a frustrated tone, his brows furrowing. He could tell that there was something beyond what happened tonight that motivated her words, but he didn’t get the chance to ask because she was suddenly marching back into the bar. He followed her with his gaze, running his hands through his hair with confusion as he expelled a slight groan.

He’d known her for all of twenty-four hours, and she was already driving him absolutely mad.

*

The rest of the night went rather smoothly. Every so often someone would come up to her at the bar and ask if she was okay, clearly having seen the altercation from earlier. She reassured every one of them and thanked them for their concern, but every one brought her back to her state of anger once again. Her shift was quite possibly the slowest that she’d experienced since she got there, and she couldn’t wait to go back home and get some rest. She was absolutely exhausted.

Near the end of the night when mostly everyone had left, she saw Harry hanging out in a booth across the room.

She sighed. He was simply sitting, peeling the label off of a bottle of beer and nodding his head to the thumping of the music as he stared at the surface of the table in front of him. And she wasn’t used to being taken care of by any means, but a small part of her was maybe hoping that he stayed to make sure that she was okay.

A few moments later she walked over with his signature kiwi cocktail in her hand, taking a seat in front of him and sliding the drink over in his direction.

“Peace offering?” She murmured, watching as he looked up at her. His eyes looked off, as if there was some sort of mixture of sadness and anger hidden behind them. She offered him a small smile, and he looked at her for a long moment before speaking.

“Let me know next time if I’m in the splash zone, because I’ll be sure to bring a poncho,” he said, waiting a couple of seconds before flashing a smile. She laughed at the reference to their untraditional introduction, and reached to grab the bottle of beer in front of him and take a sip.

“A pretty face like yours wouldn’t bode well, hidden behind that yellow plastic,” Cal mused, setting the bottle down and watching as he sipped on the cocktail she brought him. He chuckled a little, and she exhaled a sigh.

“I had…I have three older brothers,” she stated, fiddling with the label on the beer bottle that Harry had already half peeled off. “When I grew up, I was surrounded by superheroes…superhero movies, action figures, posters, you name it. I loved them…except I was also the girl that my mother had always wanted but was never able to have. And she’d always sit me down and make me watch all these princess movies, and wear these dresses and buy me dolls…all this bullshit that she wanted me to love as much as she did when she was little.”

“Don’t get me wrong, my parents didn’t abuse me or anything. Nothing like that, they love me so much,” she explained, her eyes softening a tad at her words. “But I got the sense that because I was my mom’s little girl, I was supposed to be weak. I wasn’t supposed to do any of the saving, I was meant to be saved and to be careful, while my brothers were told to go out and play.”

“I don’t…I didn’t like always being saved,” she finally exhaled, gaze lifting so that she could look at Harry’s face, which displayed nothing but understanding. “But I needed your help tonight. And I’m woman enough to push aside my pride and admit that…so thank you.”

He flashed her a smile and took another sip of his drink, taking a moment to think before speaking again.

“I didn’t mean to make yeh feel small,” he said. “M’sorry for that. I didn’t want yeh gettin’ hurt.”

“I know,” she nodded.

“I have a bossy older sister, yehknow,” he smiled, leaning back against the cushion of the seat and stretching his arms out in front of him casually. “Drives me up the wall sometimes, she does. But…if anyone ever told her that she was anything less than a superhero, I’d probably tell’em to bugger off.”

Calliope’s smile widened drastically at his comment, and the crinkles around her eyes appeared along with it. It made him grin, and the two of them settled into more comfortable conversation from there out as the rest of the people in the bar made their ways back to their homes.

And just like the night before, he helped her stack all the chairs and close up. Half an hour later the two of them were standing outside of the entrance, where he tucked his hands into his pockets and asked,

“Yeh’re not going to let me walk you home tonight either, are yeh?”

She looked up with a smirk, shaking her head to and fro as she tucked her set of keys into her pocket.

“Sometimes a superhero’s gotta fly solo, Kiwi,” she said, grinning. His head tilted back slightly as he laughed, and she attempted to memorize the exact spot on his left cheek where his dimple appeared.

“Would yeh like to spend some time with me tomorrow?” He asked, and she realized that the tucking of his hands into his pockets was a coping mechanism for whenever he got nervous. It made her smile.

“Like a date?” She asked, sinking her teeth into her lower lip slightly as her gaze faltered.

“Something like that,” he chuckled nervously.

She wasn’t there to date, she reminded herself, thinking about all the ways this could possibly go horribly wrong and whether or not she would end up regretting this.

But sometimes you just have to take the leap.

“Meet me here at three pm. Wear a bathing suit.”

Kiwi: Part Three

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[zacandshan]

Our first day in Ecuador was a short stopover in a town called Guayaquil. We decided to stay only one night because the biggest draw for us was heading to Banos, but there was one thing our young animal lover Zaccy couldn’t resist seeing before we set off- an animal reserve! Especially this one, which consisted of Flamingos, Tortoises, Otters, Monkeys, but the most appealing to see for Zac was - SLOTHS. The Animal Reserve was AMAZING. We ooh’d & ahh’d over every animal we saw. They all roam free with very little keeping them there. We saw so many Tortoises just roaming around through the reeds & even more Iguana’s in Reindeer pens. We did a complete lap of the Reserve & didn’t see a single Sloth, so we decided to go back around again & pay more attention to the signs. Of course there was a Sloth in one of the first pens we’d passed! He was sleeping in a little dugout right in front of us but in our haste to find one we didn’t see him right away. Seeing so many cool animals kept us smiling all afternoon. We stayed at the Dream Kapture Hostel, which was really lovely too. It had a teeny tiny pool which was perfect since it was mid 30s while we were there. We sat in the pool in a blow up chair, beer in hand & booked our Hostel in Banos & begun planning what we’d do while we were there. 

The lady at the Hostel had told us the bus leaves for Banos every day at 12.30-12.45ish, so we made our way there with our packs that are getting scarily heavier each time we pack them. The taxi arrived at the Terminal at 11:50am exactly, which was a lot later than we would’ve liked because we had hoped to get lunch & casually stroll around to find the best company to travel with. This meant that finding a bus to get on was our first & only priority. We went to the area where all the bus companies were & Zac spotted one called “Banos”. We rushed up to the counter & the person serving us told us it was leaving in 10 minutes! It was only $22 for us both so I got some cash out & sent Zac off to get us some lunch while I paid for the tickets. After I’d gotten the tickets & interpreted that we had to go up a level for the bus I waited in the spot  we’d agreed upon for Zac, stressing out as minute by precious minute went past & there was no sign of him! It didn’t help that it was a hectic bus terminal & most of the men were about Zac’s build & dark eyed & haired! It was 3 minutes until we had to leave when I spotted him & ran towards him as fast as I possibly could with 20kgs hanging from my body! We made a mad dash up the escalator where of course people in no rush at all were completely congested & making it impossible to get through. When we reached the second floor & ran to the buses, we were told it was the next floor up. At this point we had 1 minute until the departure time & our bodies were already aching from the weight of our packs & heavy bags hanging from every limb! We hobbled/ran up another escalator &  saw the bus company that we were going with, thankfully they hadn’t left yet but we were rushed onto the bus & soon comfortably sitting down, with lunch & everything! We made it with seconds to spare & then we were off on our 6 hour journey to Banos! 

A child & his Mother got on the bus a few stops after us. The child  who was about 4 was sitting in front of me, he was really shy but kept poking his head over the seat to suss out who we were & probably curious because we look so different. I kept poking my tongue at him & pulling silly faces until he eventually cracked & began doing it back. After that he was little Mr Chatterbox! Pointing at things & talking about them. Pointing to lettering on our window & saying “uno, dos, tres, quartro” counting the letters. I was nodding, & ahh’ing along. I pulled out some hand sanitiser which smells like Banana & he stuck out his hand to try some, so I put a little in his hand & gestured for him to smell it. He laughed & then laughed some more when it was all cold when he rubbed it all over his hands. He became obsessed with it & kept asking for more & more. I said no more over & over again, purely because I wasn’t going to have any left & you come to rely on it pretty heavily in South America! I eventually caved & on the last time I put a dollop in his hand & he smashed his palm up into his face getting the hand sanitiser all in his eyes & nose! He started crying to his Mum & pointing at me! Hahaha. I was mortified! Once he calmed down & got over it he started asking for more again but I was pretty happy to say no this time, little traitor! He eventually fell asleep & left me to listen to my podcasts. 

We arrived in at Banos at around 7pm. We got our bags & started making our way down the first street we saw. We stopped in at a Crepe shop & asked the people working if they knew where our Hostel (Hostel Chimenea) was, to which they gave us really good directions & we found it within 10 minutes! We had booked a private room, which we found had a double bed & a single, our own bathroom & balcony with a really pretty view over Banos! Right next door to the hostel was a gorgeous waterfall which we got a perfect view of from the rooftop restaurant of the Hostel. We ditched our bags & set out to find some dinner. The town was absolutely buzzing with Christmas lights & decorations everywhere, music, street food & people. There was a store front seeing donuts which Zaccy couldn’t resist so we decided that was good enough for dinner & continued exploring. After walking for a while I got fairly hungry so we pulled into a restaurant, ordered beers & food & sat listening to a man playing guitar & singing. He said he would play something romantic for us (spew!) and then put his CD down on our table, saying it was for us, no no for us! At the end of his set he came up casually mentioning it was for $5. He’d played basically solely for us so we couldn’t very well turn him down & bought a bloody Spanish CD we’ll likely never listen to again (struggling to remember whether we even have anything that can play CD’s these days!) but it was all in good fun. 

These may look like your ordinary hot chocolates, but in actual fact at Arome in Banos, you can pick out any block of chocolate from their store & they melt it down into a drink for you. Yup, a whole block. Zac chose a passionfruit infusion & I chose Andean Rose which was like a Turkish Delight. SO YUMMY! Ecuador is famous for its choccy & there are Cacao trees EVERYWHERE so it would’ve been rude not to indulge a little. The quality was amazing & the blocks we selected had won Gold & Silver for best chocolates blends in the world in 2016!

Our first day in Banos was Christmas day! We decided to take it easy & just stuff ourselves with food. Breakfast was banana splits & we had dinner at a nice restaurant where a couple from the Nederland’s sat down next to us at the bar style bench we were sitting at overlooking the street. We quickly got chatting to them & discovered they were on a 6 month unpaid break from work. They’d been to South America several times & we bonded over what we’d each had planned. They had just come from the Galapagos & raved about the things they’d seen & showed us photos of them swimming with manta-rays. The guy Jan is an Engineer, but as a hobby does up old VW Combi vans. They also showed us pictures of their apartment & a spare sleep out they have & said we were more than welcome if ever we find ourselves in the Nederland’s! 20 minutes outside of Amsterdam & everything. Happy days! We all were appropriately merry by the time we left, and by appropriately merry of course I mean completely trashed (we had drunk the restaurant out of vodka so we had to swap to rum instead), but exchanged details & parted ways, stumbling in the directions of our respective hostels.

The next morning we woke up & decided we’d go to the End of the World swing! It sits perched high on a mountain & hangs from a tree & you get to swing out over the edge of the steep mountain. We’d read that it was usually very busy especially when you go with a tour company but you could catch a taxi up there for a fix price & he’d wait for you to be done & drive you back down again. We went with the latter, as buses & shuttles didn’t leave until about 2pm & we wanted to beat the rush. 

We got super lucky! There was basically no-one else up there & we got to go on the swing several times! It was absolutely breathtaking scenery! Zac was a little nervous at first but as a childhood swing fiend I happily jumped on & started launching myself out into the air. After a few goes Zac joined me & people were laughing at us hanging upside down from the swing! (Sorry Linley!) They also had a flying fox there, nothing too crazy but it was still a lot of fun. All of this for $1! BARGS.

Views from the tree house in the clouds. 

After venturing back down the mountain we headed into town to start looking at tour companies for the many activities Banos has to offer. We were most interested in seeing waterfalls, canyoning, zip lining & bridge jumping. The first company we saw offered a trip out to see Pailin del Diablo - the main waterfall attraction in Banos & one we’d been looking at photos of since the day we started planning this trip! For only $5 it stopped at a few other sights & you also had the option of zip lining too. We got to the zip lining spot & it was only a pretty short one (about 100m or so) whereas the ones I’d read about took you on 6 different lines with the longest being 550m! We decided to save ourselves for the better zip lining & instead went on a ride where you are basically put in a mechanical yoyo & thrust out over a valley, where you roll forwards & backwards, upside down & sideways again & again. It was terrifyingly awesome. Will post a video seperate to this. 

We then made our way to Diablo! Again it was only $1 entry to the waterfall. We followed the flowing water gushing down to some very pretty pools of water, to find a wooden bridge leading us down to the waterfall. From the top you could see the whole way down as its quite narrow but boy oh boy, it’s forceful! The water was gushing down heavily & kids were standing underneath the water that was spraying everyone from the edge. We magically managed to stay dry while still getting extremely close to the falls. Now we have left the blog too long because we have been so freaking busy, so instead of going through each days step by step I’ll just cover the main things we did. 

We booked Canyoning, zip lining & our bridge swing with Geo Tours. They were so friendly & helpful while still being reasonably priced so we felt comfortable booking everything with them. I’m so, so glad we did now too because the experience was nothing short of amazing. The day before NYE we woke up early to go Canyoning, which I’d never even heard of before we arrived in Ecuador but Zac explained to me was basically various ways of getting down several waterfalls. We met at 9am & piled into a bus. It turned out everyone else in the bus was going white water rafting & we got an unheard of trip with 3 guides completely to ourselves. This meant next to no waiting around for other people. We got out to the sight where we put on our wetsuits, helmets & abseiling gear & our main guide Thomas - who was a hilarious & super fun guy - ran through how we’d tackle each waterfall (all 6 of them) & safety instructions etc. We got to the first waterfall which was sort of medium in size, and because I’d been given the Go Pro to film the whole thing by Zac, Thomas said I should jump off first so I could film Zac coming down. HAHA. Yes, I love being the first to jump from a gushing waterfall into the water below. But surely enough, Thomas counted to 3, & I jumped! It was so exhilarating! The water was beautiful & fresh, the surroundings were the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. To be able to sit under a waterfall & look at the lush greenery around you, branches completely covered in moss, crystal clear water just cold enough to make you feel spritely. Every single second was amazing & we never wanted it to end. Zaccy jumps off & we swam down to the next fall. 

There’d been a lot of rain that morning & it was still lightly raining while we were Canyoning, making the waterfalls super heavy. Because this one was so high we zip lined down. First we got into position, then Thomas says “LET GO” and you just do, & go sailing down to the bottom to land in the water. Thomas took a bunch of photos of us & splashed us with water & off we went down to the next one. Some we’d lay down on our backs & just let the water carry us over the edge, some we’d abseil down, to which Zac was a bit bumpy & slid off & bruised his hip quite badly but laughed it off like a good sport. The last waterfall we got to jump off & climb up again & jump off again. Since we were the only ones we had time to swim & muck around. Thomas & the crew then took us to pick up the rafters, & we made our way to a restaurant nearby. The Geo Tours crew are literally just like a bunch of mates, when we are driving they had music cranked & were all singing their hearts out & laughing. It made for a really fun atmosphere. When we got to the restaurant we bought our guides a beer & we sat & ate lunch talking to some other folks & feeling a bit merry by the time we left. (Did I mention the 1L standard beer size?)

The next day was Zip Lining. We set out at 10.30am & drove for about 20 minutes to get to the zip lining area. We got helmets & gloves & made our way up to the first line, which was the shortest, just to get a good feel for what its like. Once we were all attached, we jet off screaming & marvelling at the beautiful jungle below our feet. Again I went first so I could film Zac & because he’s a fraidy cat & likes me to go first so I can look silly first & then he knows what not to do. On the second line we had the option of going Superman style or flipping yourself upside down. I chose the Superman way but Zac surprised me by going upside down! You basically sit down in the strapping but then they flip you upside down & push you away! When I saw him coming down the line I had to rub my eyes in disbelief! It was a very proud moment although he said it wasn’t as enjoyable because you don’t really get to see the view as clearly but he was still glad he went. The views were just astounding. We were way above the canopy of trees & were flying over valleys & waterfalls below. It was so amazing. 

We could’ve done it all day. But it was NYE & we were ready to PARTY. The NYE tradition in Banos is all men dress up as women & stop the cars using a rope & ask for money to fund their beers for the night. Also everyone in town makes these amazingly impressive paper mache masks & models, we saw some that were bigger than us of Batman, the Hulk, Clowns. Everything. Zac & I got face painting, I wanted to be David Bowie as a year on & I’m still not completely recovered from his death, & Zac chose Anarchy from V for Vendetta. Then at midnight on every street there is a fire where you throw your mask onto & then jump over it as a way of “cleansing” the bad spirits from the past year from you so you can begin the new year fresh. We’d been drunkenly dancing our hearts out to Wham! in a pub when it struck midnight & ran outside to participate. There were fireworks being let off in every direction & fires everywhere. Definitely a NYE to remember.

Paper mache Batman! I don't know how you can make something like this & then throw it into the fire, but geez! The skill!

Me as Mrs Bowie. 

A great shot of us towards the end of the night, I was feeling SPARKLY.

The next day we slept until 12pm & then slept some more. Nothing was achieved, or if full days of movies & sleeping is your cup of tea, EVERYTHING WAS ACHIEVED.

We awoke on our last day & absolutely had to try the thermal springs - where Banos gets its name sake. They sit directly below the waterfall next to our hostel & only cost a couple of dollars each. At about 8am on a fairly brisk morning we entered the gloriously warm pools. The first & biggest is practically lukewarm just to get you adjusted to be able to go into the next, which is HOT. You can only stay in for 5-10 minutes depending on how hydrated/experienced you are. But it felt AMAZING in contrast to the cold air outside. The last pool was the hottest, so hot we got in super briefly & then got out & submerged ourselves in the cold pool which made us squeal. We then went to the waterfall to cool off. Zac climbed up first & said the water felt like hail hitting him because it was so cold & heavy. I decided to give it a try & because it was so cold I ran quickly away from it, causing me to lose my footing & fall on my bum in front of a pool full of laughing people. I proceeded to slide down the slippery rocks & lost a fair amount of flesh on the way down. But bathing under the Banos waterfall was a hilarious experience & one I’d be so sad to have missed. Plus the scarring is sure to make me look bad. ass.

This finally brings us up to our last day in Banos. We walked around the town feeling so happy. We’d done so many crazy things- many of which I never dreamed I’d be capable of doing let alone enjoying! We were happy & fulfilled & spent the last night soaking in the atmosphere of beautiful friendly people, the smell of street food cooking, the beautiful sunset & called it a night.