#not sure if I should be more afraid or bite the bullet

[ghostflowerhotpotch]

Why I consider Miguel replacing his own self so bad?

Originally this was going to be a response to a post someone else did, but then I feel I was being mean to people just enjoying a character, so I repurposed it. Is funny because before that post I wasn't planning on doing this but that one got the words out of me somehow.

As disclaimer; I don't think there is anything wrong with liking Miguel, or any character of this movie. It doesn't matter what Miguel may or may not had done in this movie, or if your headcanons and ideas align with how he is in canon or not.

I also feel that regardless of what I think it went down in this situation, I can't call Miguel evil; I would have some words about what I think later in this post, but I don't think when he did what he did he was doing it because ~evil~

With all that out of the way, let's start with this:

The way he talks about the ordeal makes me uneasy.

You know why I find this unsettling? That this is about himself.

I understand that Miguel is narrating this story from his perspective, and is about his mistake, so by that, you wouldn't need to bring up anyone else. You can even make the argument it may be too painful for him if you want.

So why I still have a problem?

Because the narration isn't the only problem I have with this, in fact, what I find the most disturbing, is the following part.

Here is my thing...Don't you find odd how quickly he found out about this?

Think about it; it would be weird that he was just looking on the Multiverse, saw a version of himself with a nice, happy family, and just at that moment that person got killed, so he step in.

I had seen someone made the argument that he did what did because he was thinking of Gabby, however, nothing on his demeanour or words makes me think this was about anyone that wasn't himself.

Let's go back to those pics.

Want to know why I posted two that are basically the same? Because what's important is Miguel's face.

He is completely stoic.

We see Miguel seeing the body at the same time the mugger is running away, this makes me believe it was implied he watched at least the guy get away. But when Miguel appears on the screen, it is already watching the image, it doesn't make me think he just popped up the screen and saw it play at the moment he got killed.

Much less because he looks so calm, like he was expecting this to happen.

I don't know how much Miguel can see in future events, I believe there is some capacity because he said to Miles that his dad will die in two days. That may be because is when he becomes a Captain and his words are more speculation than actual confirmation. It could also be that at that moment he didn't have the means to look into it.

But all this footage makes me believe he saw his other self try to do the right thing, get killed, and then came in.

This wasn't about preserving the canon, this is in theory, before he knew how "canon works" (because he affirms the universe collapsed because he try to take the place of someone who was suppose to die. At least that was the impression it gave me.) So is not like there was any reason to not step in and help him.

This is going into speculation territory, so feel free to say this is a reach, but...was there really no way to save the other Miguel?

It gave me the impression the guy used just one bullet, unless is in specific places, normally one bullet wouldn't be enough. More important, Miguel is from the future, his world can make travel to the moon as if it is just going on the highway; are you telling me that if Miguel wanted to help to save this guy's life, was there really nothing he could?

Like sure, he doesn't need to, this isn't this problem and not his story, he shouldn't interfere.

Except that he did, to replace him.

And that's why I consider his initial speech so disturbing.

Let me put all together what Miguel said:

"I found a world where I had a family. Where I was happy. And that version of myself was killed. So I replace him. I thought it was harmless."

This entire discourse is about himself, with no real thought put into how Gabby, or anyone else may feel. Miguel keeps saying "family," which makes me think it was more than just Gabby, since I don't see why he wouldn't just say daughter if it was only her. That being say I am praying that I am wrong.

My heart really breaks for the other Miguel, he just wanted to do the right thing, he didn't have any powers or special abilities but he still try to help this lady that he probably didn't even know.

And what he got?

That his family will not mourn him, that none of his love ones would go to his funeral (I doubt there was one.) That the people who loved him can't even begin to deal with the mourning process.

Because Miguel, wanted a family.

I am sorry, but I can't help to feel this was en egoistic action when literally there is no mention of ever thinking of anyone that wasn't him; you can try to argue that the "harmless" part also included every other person who knew that Miguel, since they now don't need to go through the pain of a funeral.

But Miguel wasn't that Miguel, if there is something the multi-verse has shown us, is that different versions of a character don't need to be the same, in fact is not odd to not be.

I mentioned this in the past, but if I feel my boyfriend was acting odd, and then discover that he got replaced by another version of himself, just because this one wanted to have a partner- It makes my blood boil; I would personally feel outraged.

Because it should be my decision, which is removed completely of the equation because someone decided they knew me better than me, so they could take decisions on my behalf.

And if I heard him talk, and realize all he ever mentioned was about him and what he wanted? Oh that's one easy slap to the face minimum.

I don't think Miguel had nefarious intentions by doing this, the problem is that he does the thing he literally does the rest of the movie: Assume his idea is the right call, no think twice about asking anyone's opinion, and then blame it on something else when things start to go south.

(If you want an easy example: Literally blaming Gwen for the fiasco with Miles, as if the guy didn't literally scared Miles off when Peter was THIS close to making him go with him.)

Hope anyone liked it! If you did, please consider either commissioning me or donating to my ko-fi, and if not please reblog!

Have a good night.

[grimmweepers]

𝐆𝐔𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘: OCT 31ST

— ♤ 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: bonten!sanzu x fem!reader | 𝐜𝐰: gunplay, gun kink, under the influence (alcohol), dubcon, semi-public, night club setting, dark jokes, reader wears a dress, light spanking (slaps your ass once), established relationship, calls you 'baby' & 'little girl', groping if you squint (from sanzu), erm something inanimate goes in your hole, can you guess what? :o) 1.8k wc, 18+ only, MDNI.

𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

reblogs and interactions are always appreciated ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

AND ONE LAST TIME, READ THE WARNINGS!

The smell of cigar smoke and expensive cologne infested the room. How it traveled from the main part of the club to this secluded space was beyond you, but you couldn’t think too much about it. A heavy bass vibrated the mirrored walls, making it seem like everything around you pulsed with life, and the hum of music was still audible—but it was distant enough to reassure you there would be absolutely no lurkers nearby.

You sat on your boyfriend’s lap, legs spread wide over his suited thighs while the leather couch squeaked shyly underneath you. Smitten with stealing you away from the crowd, Sanzu’s hands rested firmly on your hips to keep you in place, but the real control was in his pistol. It glinted under the little light that the room provided and his eyes watched you intently as he traced the barrel along your throat, the cold metal biting into your skin. 

You felt the coercion behind it, inviting you like an innocent dare when in actuality it was downright rotten, and he licked his lips as he gave you a moment to reconsider.

In Bonten, it was always Sanzu who pulled the trigger so this wasn’t his first time at the rodeo—but having you at the receiving end was.

When he initially removed it from his pocket, you decided on a whim that you would act on your little fantasy, snatching the gun from his grasp and gifting it a playful kiss. But what you should have known was that everything you did, he could take even further.

“You’re not scared, are ya?” His smirk deepened when he pressed the barrel harder into your skin. “It’s loaded.”

“I’m not,” but you should have been. You blamed all the shots you threw back, the bitter taste of alcohol still melted into the buds of your tongue and it left your body burning for him instead of being afraid of the weapon in front of you. 

The corner of his scarred mouth quirked into a dark smile as he leaned closer, “Good.” He shifted the gun lower, dragging the barrel down your throat, between your breasts, until it rested against your lower abdomen. “Don’t want you dyin' in a shit mood if I accidentally fuck up…” he dramatically mimicked a small explosion with his hand, and poof was the sound he added right after so you knew he meant blowing out your guts.

A soft gasp escaped your lips as he slid his hand up your thigh, pushing the hem of your dress higher. 

“Damn,” his fingers dipped between your legs, finding your panties already damp with arousal, “Why didn't you tell me you were into this sooner?”

You squirmed in his lap and felt his growing tent poking at you from underneath. “Just had to make sure you weren’t psychotic enough to shoot,” you shrugged.

“Yeah I got somethin’ to shoot in ya and it ain’t these bullets, babe,” he cackled but you dropped your weight on his lap even more to remind him he wasn’t going to “shoot” anything at all if he kept this up.

Sanzu resisted the urge to close his eyes at the feeling of your warmth pressed on his crotch. Flushed, soft and only a thin layer away from your pussy. It was too early for him to do some shit like rut into you because if it wasn't obvious to you already, it was he who had been thinking with his dick since the beginning of the night.

When his boys weren’t looking, he was all over you, pulling you to dark corners any chance he got just to grope you while he shoved his alcohol-laced tongue down your throat. As your own liquid courage came to fruition, you both ended up in this private room—and every pretty penny it cost him was entirely worth it.

Finally, Sanzu trailed the barrel lower and lower, brushing it over your panties and tickling your clit in a way that made your breath hitch. Your heart pounded in your chest and you couldn’t help but roll your hips towards it. With his eyes still locked on you, he watched closely for every reaction, finding satisfaction in every little twitch of pleasure as he dragged the gun back and forth across your clothed pussy.

“You like that, don’t ya?” he purred. 

You couldn't stop a defeated moan from slipping past your lips, “Yeah… I do.” Your voice was trembling, hardly above a whisper and there was no denying that you were getting wetter by the minute.

“You’re fuckin’ filthy,” he hissed, each word dripping with amusement. Sanzu shifted again, this time sliding the barrel underneath your panties, pressing it directly against your aching core.

“Oh—” was all you could say as your body jerked towards the blissful pressure. The contrast of its icy touch rubbing against your heat had you shuddering.

Your reaction made him involuntarily buck into you, clearly even more turned on by how desperate you were. So he guided the gun down your slit, the barrel grazing your entrance with slow strokes that left your stomach fluttering with anticipation. Sanzu was now rock hard, precum threatening to seep through his slacks as he watched you try to get off on his weapon.

“Dirty, little girl,” you heard the mockery in his voice and felt his free hand fall on your waist, controlling your movements as you rubbed yourself against the cool metal.

“Please…” You whimpered as your body went taut.

Sanzu chuckled, pressing the barrel harder against your entrance, slipping just the tip of it inside you. You cried out his name at the foreign sensation, “More, more, more…!” while you locked his thighs between your legs.

It was nothing compared to the girth of his cock but better that than nothing, right?

“Fuck yeah,” he groaned, brain almost short-circuiting at how lewd you were, “You want this gun in your pussy?”

Nodding, you carefully rocked your hips towards him and that was all he needed to start thrusting it. Slowly, like he was testing the waters.

You bit your bottom lip as it stretched you out, “Mhm! Feels… so fucking good—” which earned you an encouraging, “Uh huh? Is that right?” from your boyfriend. With the music blaring in the background, you both weren’t afraid to be loud so you didn't suppress the moans and mewls that slipped in tandem each time he urged you on.

But the thing with alcohol was that everything felt ten times better, ten times delicious, ten times tantalising, so you didn’t have the patience to take it slow—you were desperate to feel it pumping inside you even though it made you tremble on top of him.

You picked up your pace like you needed that thing and when you placed your hand on his shoulders to balance yourself, the look he flashed you was nothing shy of crazy—teeth glistening under the low light and jaw slacking as if seeing you like this was better than any drug he’d ever taken.

He allowed himself to look down to see where the pistol and your pussy connected, again and again, faster and harder, and—

“Fuckkkkk,” was all he could quietly say as another bead of precum stained the inside of his briefs.

“Come on, baby,” his hand snaked to your ass, giving it a hard spank as you chased your release. He couldn’t get enough of seeing you so feral, “Cum for me. Cum on it.”

If you weren’t so dumbstruck from his gun, you would have felt his cock twitching with you, wishing it was him you were bouncing on instead. He growled, “Fuck it, baby. Fuck it like it’s me.”

The combination of his words, his voice, his hands, and getting taken by a literal gun, had you whining uncontrollably. Each time you slid against the cold steel, it rattled and touched your sweet spot. You were dangerously close—and the worst part of it was that it wasn’t the threat of getting shot that you were close to, but the fact that you were close to cumming all over that very weapon.

You writhed above him, and he could've busted in his pants just from the friction of you. You didn't want to stop. Actually, you couldn't stop. Each time you rocked your hips, it took a breath out of you—out of him. And inevitably your orgasm tore through you as if it were the first time you felt an orgasm at all.

“Ah fuck!!!!" The coil in you finally snapped. "I’m— cummi—” You gasped and clung to him while it consumed you.

Your body convulsed as the rest of your panties became fully soaked with your essence and Sanzu moved his gun faster just to draw out the last of your shockwaves. Your walls clenched and squeezed until you went limp against him—pleasure quickly replaced with sensitivity.

Soon, Sanzu pulled the gun from between your legs, and with a wicked smirk on his face, he held it between you, showing the barrel slick with your juices like it was some prize.

At first, you were too dazed and out of breath to notice what he was trying to do, but his mouth parted slightly when you did.

“Kiss it,” he muttered, giving the weapon a subtle shake in his hand. Never the type to let you off the hook so easily, he brought it close to your lips and waited.

Yet, with a gleam in your eye that matched his own, you slowly leaned in and brushed your lips against the metal. The taste of your own cunt sent another rush through you, and you heard his sharp intake of breath at the sight.

“Fuckin’ hell, you’re so damn sexy,” he said as you tipped the pistol into your mouth, softly moaning and sucking on the barrel as if it were an extension of him. Biting his lips, he groaned at your filthy little act and judging from that signature unhinged grin he was giving you, you knew he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back any longer. 

When Sanzu pulled the gun from your mouth, he fought tooth and nail not to tear the dress off of you, after all, you had to wear something on the way home. So he tossed his weapon to the side, wrapped his hand around the back of your neck, and crashed his lips onto yours like a starved animal. 

He started to fiddle with his belt buckle while he muffled grunts and curses into your mouth, the bulge under his trousers painfully prominent. Something stirred within him and you could feel his breathing intensifying as you kissed back with equal fervor.

Between gasps of air, it almost sounded like he was begging when he impatiently unzipped his pants and said, “Ride me.”

“After all that, you can’t even say it nicely?” You returned that smirk he’d been wearing all night.

“Please, baby.”

As you lifted the hem of your dress to your waist, a secret smile formed the corner of your mouth. You missed the feeling of something actually stretching you out, so after seeing your boyfriend free his throbbing cock from its restraints, the way it glistened with precum and twitched excitedly—you knew the fun was only just beginning. 

a/n: made it through my first kinktober! if you’ve read any of my ktober posts, thank you! if this is your first, thank you and i hope you enjoyed! i’ve had this in my drafts since the 3rd of september, it killed me to wait this long!

© 2024 grimmweepers — do not repost, copy, translate, modify my work on any platform

[oksana-moods]

All Too Well

Summary: Natasha tried to mend what's left broken. Because no matter what, she's the love of your life and she knows all too well.

A/N: It's been forever. This 5k piece felt like I was writing 300k, it was difficult, funny, hard and I miss doing this more often. I hope you guys like it and please, it be amazing for me to know your thoughts about it.

You can read it as One Too Many part 2 or as a single piece, it is up to you.

Warnings: Mentions of blood, torture, mentions of death, alcohol, angst (you know how I am, I can't simply write people kissing without suffering before).

"Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place"

The gun pointing at your face barely meters away should be intimidating, but at this point no one would blame you for not caring anymore. And you didn’t even mean the last couple of days, no, your whole life had been a fight, a struggle, an act of survival after another, so the last few days were nothing but the same blur.

The gunpower inundated your nostrils and the pungent smell masqueraded the smell of blood that clung to your brain and you were sure you wouldn’t erase it even if you got out of your current establishment.

Your heightened senses were capable of decerning all the different blood samples available in your cell: yours and from other occupants that came before you, or the blood that belonged to some of your kidnappers, who’ve learned in the worst possible way that you were not to be underestimated.

Back to the gun, the man behind it kept enchanting the same questions and you wondered how long it would take for them to get tired of your silence or mock replies. A sharp pain in the back of your head made you look up to meet his eyes, another man behind you was forcefully pulling your hair down to force your head up and you were already tired of him doing this.

“Where are the others?” The man with the gun asked, patience waning thin. Good to know you were on the same page. “Where is Romanoff?”

A blooded grin made its way to your face after you spat on his shoe. “It’s funny you think I’ll tell you now after all you’ve put me through. Do you think I’m afraid of your bullet?” And you didn’t even mean the fact that you probably wouldn’t die if he decided to shoot anywhere else other than your head, but you did mean that you were not afraid of dying.

Actually, you were so tired that perhaps laying down cold wouldn’t be unwelcomed. There wouldn’t be any pain, your body wouldn’t try to heal only to get hurt again. You thought it would be refreshing.

Two steps and the man pressed the gun over your knee, and you already knew, his wicked grin grew wider when your body convulsed with pain even though you concealed your scream in muffled grunts by biting your lips so tide you tasted your own blood, again.

“Why don’t you make it easier for you? You tell me what I’ve asked, and I kill you fast.” He pulled a chair and got comfortable for he knew all too well you wouldn’t budge easy. “I promise you. One silver bullet in your temple. Fast. Easy.”

Your eyes flashed to his. Silver bullets were really affective against your healing skills and very few possessed this knowledge. Someone must’ve tipped him off and the idea stung way much more than the powder burning the flesh inside your knee.

Only two women knew your weakness. Well, your creators knew, of course, but they were not in condition of speaking anymore. Unless someone from this organization was capable of going to hell to have a chat and then return to the living world with this intel.

Your love for Yelena was something so natural and it grew so fast for she was just deranged as you were: uncapable of functioning as what people labeled as normal. You were kindred souls and you felt like you were twins separated somewhere along the road and considering both of your past, who actually knew?

After long nights during long missions, you confided in her this. You were scared of losing control because sometimes the beast inside you took over and your brain couldn’t always sway the instincts. So you handed her one silver bullet in case things went south, she was adamant in returning it to you but you asked her to keep it, for insurance.

And the other person was Natasha. You never knew how she learned this but when she recruited you many, many years ago she already knew. If the pain in your leg wasn’t so overwhelming, you could’ve laughed at the memory engulfing your mind’s eye.

Her tide catsuit adorned with nothing but her black widow symbol, swaying her hips and pretending she wasn’t scared of the woman seated in front of her. You remember how her fear smelled, a stark contrast to her pose. You recall her words, her smile, her flirtatious play all to convince you to use your skills to her so called greater good.

And before leaving, she boldly closed the distance between you and placed a silver bullet in your hand. You understood the message. You weren’t stupid. Later she sworn that she was the only one, at S.H.I.E.L.D. or within Avengers, to know your weakness and you believed her.

And this belief comes back to bite you in the ass.

Because you knew full well that Yelena would die, she would kill herself even, before telling someone your secret. But Natasha? You didn’t trust her anymore. She had done it before, and you knew it all too well. If you were to be honest, after one too many treasons, you didn’t care about another.

Or so you told yourself.

“Good luck.” You rasped out after a long time inside your own head.

The man tilted his head to the side and smiled that smile that told you he already knew what you would say. You would go further and say he was eager for it. “I think in the torture manual says I should tell you that I don’t enjoy this, but I’d be lying. We actually bet how long it will take for you to drop the act and start screaming.”

You bet no one thought it would be that fast. He stumped a knife down your thigh so fast and so hard you saw stars. You could feel the silver poisoning the skin and muscle where it was nested, and it burned like nothing else would.

Unfortunately for them, the apex in you was not used to be a prey and this injury was powerful enough to make your survival instincts kick in. It happened so fast it was a haze, one minute he was laughing, the other he was on the ground - lifeless, and just as the others came, they followed their leader – well, who you thought the leader was, at least.

Funnily, your countdown was wrong, or you were not the only one putting your captors down. As the blood ran free down your leg, your strength and capability of keeping fighting diminished. When a body collided with yours, it was a miracle you were still awake.

Her red hair framed her face perfectly, skin white as snow and her green orbs looked like there was an aurora borealis looking down at you as she nested you in her lap as you felt life slipping through your fingers - veins.

“Hey, hey. Stay with me.” Her voice was strange, as if speaking was a struggle and she reeked fear, but not the same you were used to, as if she was feeling a different type of fear, it was a strange concept, but you hated it, nonetheless. If these were your last moments breathing, you wanted her true smell. The one you knew all too well.

“Please, don’t you dare die. I’ve got you.” Her muffled words found your ear, but it was hard to even comprehend anything at all when her lips felt so cold in your forehead. “Heal. Why are you not healing?”

“Silver.” It was all you could say. It was all you had to say.

She frantically started yelling at someone, perhaps the comms, but before you could close your eyes for good, you saw a red blur and he was complaining about your weight.

Her giggle filled the room as the first sun lights announced the day had just begun, you looked at her alarmed, for it was definitely something new. “Are you mocking me?” Enable to conceal a smile yourself.

“I’m not.” She denied, but her laugh told you differently. Her freckles painted her angelical face and her eyes looked like they held the sun captive. And you. And she knew, all too well. “It’s just I can’t believe you still have this scar.”

Her index finger traced said scar as she looked at you expectantly, waiting for your explanation, even though she already knew.

“I didn’t know Wanda’s necklace was made of silver, okay.” You finally replied, pulling her close to you as if her weight meant nothing, right in that moment this action felt so normal, so homely that it ached. “I thought I could take it from that heated place for her, but it burned me as I did. It was silly.”

She giggled again, though muffled by your shoulder this time, there was something new in her eyes that you couldn’t quite pinpoint. “It was cute. Silly, but cute. That necklace belonged to her mother.”

“I know.” You were locked in her eyes, and she stared at you as if she was trying to reach your soul, then you felt her fingertip leaving the palm of your hand to intertwine your fingers as she let her eyes stray to look at both of your hands.

The feeling was overwhelming. You were aware of how fast your heart was beating, you could only hope she couldn’t feel or hear it, for in that moment, all you wanted was to engrave the sight of you, together, and you wish you could just have this forever. Have her forever.

“I’ve never felt this before.” Her brows were furrowed in a way that made you upset, but you wouldn’t let go of her hand for nothing in this world, even if it was to soothe the crinkles in her forehead. “I’m in love with you.”

For a moment, there was nothing that you could do but wait for your brain to register her words and meaning, for a whole minute you simply stared at her, trying to search for a catch or a joke but you found none. And she looked up at you so innocently that you found yourself believing in her.

“I thought-.” You tried, but she never let you finish your sentence.

“I know what I said.” She stopped you midsentence, but her voice was not stern, it was almost tired. “This is not what I feel anymore.” Again, her eyes found yours and the way they shone made your knees weak, luckily you were laying on her mattress.

Somehow, they conveyed so much of this feeling she had claimed she was not capable of nurturing that your stomach did somersaults. And right in that moment, you realized that perhaps silver could hurt you, but this woman was your true weakness.

Specially if she’s looking at you the way she was.

“You already know how I feel about you.” You whispered, it was terrifying saying again the three words that you were sure would make her fly away from this strange arrangement you found yourself in. Yet she didn’t.

“I know.” She confirmed after a while admiring your eyes as if she could read your mind. After deciding she was content with whatever she found, she leaned in and pecked your lips so tenderly it hurt.

Then, when she looked at you again you saw, from the small smirk growing in her lips, that she had gone back to play her prime character: the Black Widow.

“Let’s have a breakfast before the funeral, shall we?” As she got of the bad, you copied her movements going back to your own suitcase to find something comfortable as her voice broke the silence filling the room. “I never asked how you and Sharon became friends to the point you’d come to a funeral of her relative.”

The cleanliness of the room was the first thing you were aware of. In fact, you didn’t even realize you were awake, therefore alive, before the smell hit your nostrils. And with it, her scent.

The occasional up and down from her feet and bouncing leg was the only sound in the room except for the noise coming from the heart monitor over your head. She was anxious, that much was obvious even if you weren’t an enhanced being.

Mentally searching for your injuries and pain, you understood that whatever had happened with you, was all gone. Excluding the lingering pain in some specific places that you credited to silver induced wounds that would take way much more time to wear off.

However, considering the state you were in, whoever tended these wounds had operated a true miracle.

As you opened your eyes, you half expected bright lights, common to these hospital rooms to hurt your eyes, but you soon identified that the only source of light was a yellow bulb close to the door.

Natasha.

“Thanks for working the lights down.” You rasped out and stifled a giggle as she jumped from her chair by the wall and bolted to your bed side. The book previously nested between her hands now long forgotten on the floor.

The iron grip which she clutched your hand didn’t go amiss to you. “A week.” The sadness in her eyes was palpable. “A whole week blacked out.” She explained further but you didn’t need to know the details of how long you were sleeping or how many times your heart stopped at surgery.

“You scared the shit out of me.” Then it hit you, the same type of fear your nose caught when she found you in that facility, it was fear but not the one someone feels when they’re actively facing danger, but it was fear for someone else. Fear of losing someone.

Something stirred inside your heart, but it was something that you couldn’t dwell much longer, not, at least, in that moment.

“They had me, after you sent me as scout.” Your tone was flat, and her eyes widened a little at the bluntness of your accusation, though you were far from settling for little. “They knew about the silver.”

Her hold faltered, but your hand was still snuggled between hers. “What are you accusing me of?” She narrowed her eyes, but her green orbs were bright even in the poor light.

“Cynicism doesn’t suit you the way you think it does.” Before you could even pull back your hand, she completely let it go and got to her feet. “Look at my eyes and tell me that you actually didn’t let them get me, just to find their hideout.”

She had her back turned to you, acutely avoiding your gaze. “Look at me!” You demanded and she had the gall to look at you through her lashes, as if her seductive skills could help her now. You wouldn’t fall for that, and she knew it all too well.

“It wasn’t my intention for you to be captured and I never thought someone else would know about your weakness. I thought I was the only one alive to know.” She finally turned to you, eyes now darting around the floor as if it could grant her the answers she sought.

“Lena knows too.” You corrected her, but if she was surprised by your update, she never showed.

Shaking her head right to left as if to deny such possibility, she exclaimed. “She’d never do this to you.” It was funny that at least in this matter you agreed. “I think she loves you more than she loves me.” A sly smile escaped her lips and you had to restrain your heart from fluttering at the sight of it.

“I was waiting for your check-in. I went to your assigned coordinates, and I know I underestimated their numbers, but I would never let someone capture you.” Her feet dragged her back close to your bed but maintained some distance between you.

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” You shot back without missing a single beat, crossing your arms around your chest.

She sighed tiredly and looked down at the floor. You wouldn’t let her forget that she was the main cause for you to be locked in the Raft, well, her and your support for Steve when Ross tried to shove the Sokovian Accords down your throat, and solely because you shared his point of view.

After being controlled for most of your life by a group with shady intentions, you swore you’d never submit your loyalty and services to a third party again, even if it was a government group – specially a government group, actually, so only over your dead body you’d accept the Accords.

But when you came back to see if Natasha was fine, she had gone without thinking that you were left behind and in the care of Ross to be taken to the Raft with the others, without sparing a single thought to you.

“I’d never ever willingly put you in danger.” She said taking another step closer to you. “I have never mentioned to anyone about your secret, and I purposefully kept it out of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s files.”

Her eyes kept darting from her hands to your eyes, never focusing, never staying too long. “Look, I know Yelena would never speak about it, but I wouldn’t either. And I didn’t, you must believe me!”

“I must?” Your eyebrows shot up so high so fast it hurt. “Well, you made it pretty damn hard for me to believe, don’t you think, Nat?” Your tone was hard, but you were not even speaking too loud.

Somehow, Natasha thought this hurt way much more.

“C’mon all I feel for you-” She tried to counter, but you wanted to swallow the lump stuck in your throat trying to choke you, so you cut her midsentence.

“Words, Natasha.” She found herself locked within your burning eyes. “I kept you as an oath, yet you hid me like another dirty secret. And all you’ve felt you kept hidden – buried – just as who you really are.”

After years thinking about how she lured and how she hurt you, you thought that maybe spatting what your relationship really was – a hidden lust, would make you feel better, would free yourself from her hold, but it didn’t.

After all, calling her unfair wouldn’t change how lonely she made you feel, how she took your happiness away whenever she drew herself back to her main character as she left you daydreaming about imaginary scenarios built in “what ifs”.

As your words found her ears, they settled heavily in her stomach. She knew she had massed up, she had hurt you many times, yet all she wanted was go back in time and erase all her wrongs and all the times she promised and never delivered.

She didn’t possess a time stone, though. There was nothing she could do about the past, however, she knew she couldn’t run from her mistakes anymore. If she wanted to start anew, she’d have to show she was different.

She wanted to, no, she needed you to understand that she was a whole new person because you’ve changed her. She didn’t want to hide anymore and for that she’d have to let go of her walls and be vulnerable. Truly vulnerable.

Funnily, she had played with her vulnerability before, being vulnerable just enough for people to lower their shields or masks so she could get what she wanted but this was something else entirely.

This time she wouldn’t act. She’d be vulnerable, at your mercy hoping she’d make it out alive on the other side. It was something new and it scared her, but losing you was scarier.

“I didn’t know you came back to check on Barton…” She tried weakly, knowing that this was a sore subject for the both of you. Each with your own views and reasons.

“I helped Clint, yes, but we went back looking for you. Yet, Ross was all we’ve found.” Your glare was cold, perhaps colder than ever. In the pit of her stomach, she knew she deserved it, she just wish you could move on with it.

“I was wrong, okay. Is that what you want to hear?” She snapped, though her voice was still in a low tone, eyes sad. And you hated it. “I’m sorry for leaving. I’m sorry for not going after you that day at the airport or at the Raft.”

Her eyes fell once more to your hands, she slowly nursed them in hers and this action was so soft, so hesitantly as if she was afraid of you taking it away; afraid of you shutting her down once more.

“I wish I could do things differently, but I can’t, and for that I’m sorry. But I- I wish we could try move on from this. I still have feelings for you.” As words flowed through her tongue, you watched as eyes portrayed a sincerity that you rarely saw within those forest green orbs.

Usually, they hid her true feelings or performed like an actress twisting her truths mixed with pieces of lies and characters she created through life until she herself was unaware of what was true or not.

“I hear you, Natasha.” You rasped out after a long moment lost inside her beautiful eyes. “You speak of things as you did before, yet you never act on it.”

Her hands were warm, a muted invitation to go back to your dreams of having a life with her. The only person who never showed any sign of fear about your nature, that never once treated you like an animal.

She never treated you like a woman either.

“I want you to show me.” Your stone-cold eyes punctuated your feelings in the matter at hand. If she wanted to have you back, she’d have to show you she’s changed for words could only take her so far.

“I will.” She vowed and smiled softly, though her heart was shattering inside her chest. She made a career making people believe in whatever she wanted, she supposed she’d be able to make you believe in her heart.

How hard would that be?

Laugh filled the room after another not-so-funny Tony’s jokes and your head throbbed as the sound echoed inside your skull. Parties like these were always a torture for you, after all, your enhanced abilities of hearing and catching smells better than a normal person proved to be really awful in a place full of people with different perfumes, scents, chattering and loud music.

However, Tony himself forbid you from leaving tonight for this was his engagement party and it would be rude to Pepper if you left too early. Deciding that indulging him was easier than arguing with him, you found a safe corner and pretended to enjoy whatever was going on.

Though, your sharp eyes, even though you tried hard, always wandered after a certain redhead and you could all but clench your jaw every time you judged someone got too closer for your comfort.

Jealousy clawed its way through your throat and even the best bourbon from the bar couldn’t help it. You knew you had no right, no claim, especially after your last conversation. Still, your heart acted on its own and made sure you’d regret your words and resolve.

Considering that you were one drink from scooping lower than ever for her, you abandoned your glass on a random table and vanished to the balcony in hopes the fresh air could help your head and brain.

The cars down the streets ran from side to side completely unaware of your inner turmoil as you pathetically looked down searching for answers you wouldn’t find there.

In fact, as your answers arrived at the balcony, you realized that her hills clicking the marble floor announced her before her perfume invaded your nostrils in waves as she moved closer and closer towards you.

“Tired of mingling?” She asked as she lined her body at the railing. Her red hair bobbed around her ears in meticulously designed waves and her dark maroon dress hugged her curves in all the nice places.

She was flawless.

As always.

“I think I might’ve break Sam with incredible five words.” You gave her a sly smile that she retributed with a smirk and a fake gasp.

“This is basically a whole speech.” She clicked her tongue playfully. “I think you’ve been around Tony just too much.”

You snorted a laugh and she let a broad smile paint her lips, content with herself for making you ease the pained expression adorning your face the whole evening.

Uncertenty hugged you like a cold blanket as you pondered your next words. As if rolling the dices in a game you were sure you’d end up losing, you turned to her and spoke. “You’re really beautiful tonight, Nat.”

Your heart fluttered as she fought back a smile trying to win her lips and looked down as if she wasn’t expecting your praise. She genuinely looked flustered by your words.

“Thank you. You’re quite handsome yourself. Well, I already praised your choice of suit, earlier.” She turned her body so now she was fully looking at you and you tried to remember how to properly breath. However, it was as if the air was composed of her scent.

You were intoxicated.

“What do you mean?” You asked confused. “This is the first time we speak tonight.” You clarify. Truth be told you’ve been keeping a fair distance from her and funnily enough she didn’t make the effort to push you and your comfort space.

She did make it obvious that she was trying, though. She invited you out in front of people, she brought you coffee whenever you were reading in the garden in the morning or brought you a blanket when you were on the couch watching movies with Wanda.

Whenever you were called to a meeting, she worked the lights so it wouldn’t hurt your eyes that much. And, one day, she brought you the files they recovered from Hydra from the mission you were taken, and you both learned that one of your creators left behind a journal and there were a lot of dirty secrets down there. Including yours.

To be honest, she was really trying to show her true intentions, but you were still afraid that this was just for show, just a ploy for you to lower your guard and be disappointed after she return to her normal pattern of misleading.

However, the way she stood basking in the moon light looking at you like she was slowly sipped through the cracks of your determination of not giving in that easy.

Her soft smile was a sight to see, and you even forgot that you were waiting for her to reply. “Directly, yes. I sent a drink to you earlier.”

Then it clicked in your head. Your laugh was loud and very uncharacteristic of you, though Natasha simply stood there admiring your carefree stance, a rare occurrence.

Your mind traveled to a moment earlier that night when the waiter approached you with a drink in hand, stating that the lady had sent it to you complimenting your fine tailored suit. At the time, the way he vaguely waved in the direction of Agatha and other ladies, you thought that one of them had been the person.

Though if you thought harder about it, Natasha was at the bar in that moment, right behind said ladies.

“Now it made sense.” You grinned back at her and nodded your head softly. “Thank you for the compliment and the drink.”

“Of course.” She flashed on last smile and turned her body to admire the city bellow and you did the same. Though you found it hard to ignore her presence by your side. You could feel the heat emanating from her skin, her sweet scent still impregnating the air around you and you could hear her fast heartbeat. It was uncommon.

In a haste, you both turned towards each other and started to speak at the same time. A nervous laugh scaped your lips as you signaled for her to go on first. And she did.

She closed her eyes as one does when bracing for the impact, as if second-guessing her next step, but when she opened her eyes again, there was no doubt and no deceit. “I love you and it’s ruining my life not having you, knowing that I am the one who pushed you away.”

You were speechless by her blunt confession, specially because she never, ever, used the word love in such a direct sentence. She expressed her feelings before, yes, but always with an adore, in love with you once or twice, never this straight.

She took your silence as hesitancy and reached for your hand, she yearned for your touch and the closeness of the last weeks made her heart clench with longing. “I am asking for a chance to show you who I really am, and I, please, I know I’ve made mistakes, but I wish to make it up to you.”

Her eyes were pools of emotion and you had trouble in breathing with her so close now. “Please, let me love you the way you deserve, the way I should’ve since the very first time I kissed your lips.” Her free hand caressed your cheek in such a tender way that you felt your knees weak.

She was definitely your true weakness.

You brain was haywire, short-circuiting with the lack of air and the sudden increase in your heartbeats. There she was. The woman you felt like you could love forever, offering you what you always wanted: her heart. For real this time. Not the hide and seek games you’ve been playing in the past.

She promised and have been showing changes, however, if you were to be honest, all she’d have to do was to come at you and say hi. If you were to be honest, she would always have your heart at her mercy.

Unable to form words and knowing that your silence was unnerving for her, as you saw her brows furrowing, you decided to answer her differently as you brought your hand to her own cheek and guided her lips to meet yours.

Her lips were soft as they used to be, and you could feel her body melting into the kiss. Her eyes fluttered open when you broke the kiss and smiled softly at her. “I love you too, Nat.”

Smiling back at you, Natasha circled her arms behind your neck to pull you down for another kiss, and another. And another.

And you knew, all too well, that she wouldn’t stop soon.

taglist: @username23345; @afuckingshituniverse; @strangegardentaco; @waltermis (I know you didn't specifically asked to be tagged, but I am doing it, nonetheless, because if your rb - and because you sparked a fire in this. Thank you.)

[mit0bee]

Twisted Wonderland boys with an S/O who's afraid of bugs (me too)

Did I literally just post 5 minutes ago? yes. am i posting again? yes. Stuff you should read: Bulleted HC's because i dont feel like writing an essay like i did with floyds tent hc, no beta we die like men, mention of multiple types of bugs Characters: Leona Kingscholar, Malleus Draconia, Trey Clover, Jamil Viper, Vil Schoenheit, Epel Felmier, Sebek Zigvolt, Floyd Leech

(can be read as platonic but i did write it with a romantic relationship in mind)

LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

Leona literally came running into the room thinking you had died or smthn, but no. you were screaming, standing on his bed....all over a small cockroach.

Bro actually sighed. like, a super big sigh, one that youd only get from a dissapointed mother while he stomped on the bug.

"Seriously, Herbivore? You took care of multiple overblots, but a single cockroach gets you all worked up?"

hes grinning so hard. youd want to punch him with how hard hes grinning.

all hes thinking is about the amount he can tease you about this

but, yes. he does get rid of the bug.

unless he was sleeping. then he forces asks ruggie to do it nicely.

MALLEUS DRACONIA

implodes the bug.

im not kidding.

he literally goes full on oceangate on that bug and implodes it

you didnt even have time to properly freak out before the bug was wiped off the face of the earth

"tsunotarou what was that sound?"

"nothing light of my life" *hiding bug corpse*

"are you sure bc i thought i saw a bug"

"nope. no bugs here? should we buy some bug repellant to ease your mind?"

".....no its okay."

you knew he somehow killed the bug.

and it only made you love him even more than you already do.

TREY CLOVER

catches the bug for you and lets it outside.

unlike the first two, he tries his best not to kill the bug.

he pulls the "how would you feel if i stomp on you and kill you?"

"if you killed me while i was a bug i'd thank you"

"you'd be dead, [name]."

"....id thank you from the grave."

he just sighs and shakes his head

probably convinces riddle to let him put anti-bug measures around heartslaybul for you (it didnt take much convincing riddle hates bugs too)

JAMIL VIPER

screams with you

probably set ramshackle on fire more than once while visiting you

you both have to call kalim or adeuce to come exterminate the single cockroach on the ground

again, that one tik tok sound where its like

"YOU KILL THE BUG, YOURE THE MAN!"

"SINCE WHEN."

thats a daily interaction between the two of you

if it happened at scarabia, he'd stay at ramshackle for the next month

literally would abandon kalim (or if he really cant be trusted he'd just bring kalim with him to make sure he didn't cause any problems)

VIL SCHOENHIET

screams with you x2

isn't as dramatic as jamil, but he definitely freaks out about it too.

about the bugs? no. about the bug bites.

again, youd have to call someone to save the both of you so you dont pass tf out and die while he gets eaten alive by a fruit fly

wym fruit flies dont bite? you cant be too cautious.

somehow always has bug repellant with him in the warm seasons

hes prepared and will NOT get any bug bites

EPEL FELMIER

zero reaction, or has a positive one.

"what in tarnation do you mean you hate bugs?! they help with fertilizer blah blah blah blah blah blah (i dont know farming stuff)!"

you have to CONVINCE him to get rid of the bugs, but he'll eventually cave and do it just for you

if you ask him to put up anti-insect measures he'd look at you like youre crazy

"[name]. bugs are actually really good for our ecosystem. back at home we always had to take care of the bugs, or else our crops would die."

"shut up. please. ily, but i cant deal with these bugs."

"okay okay okay fine"

will reluctantly set them up

overall a 4/10 for bug measures he will do it just not unless you beg

SEBEK ZIGVOLT

yells.

not in fear, but in anger because how DARE such a miniscule thing try to terrify the people he cares about?!

doesnt explode it like malleus

but strikes it with lightning.

yk his dorm card groovy? thats what hes doing to a little centipede.

expects you to praise him for protecting you

sure, its a given that he would, but he would very much so appreciate your thanks, and maybe a head pat or smthn

give him one.

now.

FLOYD LEECH

like trey, he lets the bug free

sometimes.

other times he kills it and chases you with the corpse

or keeps it alive and chases you with the living bug

if you REALLYYYYYYYYYY dont like bugs, like straight up sobbing, freaking out, then he wont but otherwise? have fun bro

someone has to seperate you two when you see a bug, because he will do something

sometimes if he's feeling generous he wont do anything and you'll be like "tf? what did you do to be so nice?"

"cant i just be generous towards my shrimpy?"

"no."

".....yeah i almost grilled grim thinking he was food."

"you WHAT."

all of this because of a simple bug

oh to be young and in love ----------------------- m.list @mit0ee 's work, please do not steal!

[e-dubbc11]

this is my first time doing a sleepover 😭😭 im gonna be honest, every ask i'll send will probs be billy russo 🥹✨

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

for this hoe pleaseeeeee

Hello my lovely! Well, I mixed up the asks(I’m mad about it and can’t believe I did that) and pasted the fic with the above prompt into the other ask. I am so so sorry for mixing them up, I’m happy they both came from you though.♥️

So the prompt for the below fic is “shut up and just let me help you!”

Again, I apologize for mixing them up but thank you again for sending in your asks and thank you for being a part of my sleepover. ♥️

You Are Not Alone

Photos are not mine. They are courtesy of Pinterest/Google.

Pairing: Billy Russo x F! Reader

Warnings: couple of swear words, angst, description of wounds, mention of weapons, alludes to smexy time, and of course fluff.

Word Count: 980

Summary: Billy comes home late, injured and tries to patch himself up without waking you.

As always, thank you for reading!  I appreciate it so much and comments, reblogs are welcome and encouraged. Don’t be shy to tell me your favorite part. 💕💕 💕

Billy struggled to unlock and open the door with his right hand. The blood started to pool, darkening the material of his black jacket, it dripped down his arm, and peeked out from under the sleeve. The bullet was still inside and he was in a lot of pain. He winced as he turned the door knob and stepped inside.

It was late and more than likely, you were fast asleep in his bed.

Biting back the discomfort, he tried to move quietly into the main bathroom of the penthouse where he kept his first aid supplies for times like this.

The gunshot wound continued to throb under his jacket. He needed to get the bullet out but he was going to have to use his non-dominant hand to do it and he would also have to do it without waking you.

Billy didn’t want you to see him like this, covered in blood and dirt. The dried blood on his hands was not his, the spatter across his face wasn’t his either. Their mission tonight was reminiscent of missions during the war, very clandestine, under the cover of night, and in disguise. If anyone got close to him, their death was quick but not painless.

He made sure of that.

The deep stab wounds to the man’s back had punctured his lungs and Billy had given him a new “smile” across his throat. The smell of blood was thick all around him as he watched his enemy gasp for air and then collapse at his feet, soaking the earth underneath him.

He appreciated that you didn’t ask too many questions when it came to jobs like this one. You just told him to be careful so he could come home to you.

Those words play over and over in his head. “Just be safe, Billy. I need you to come home to me.”

When he removed his jacket, Billy saw the bullet wound in the light for the first time. He would be fine after taking the bullet out but it would be challenging.

Clenching his teeth, then biting his knuckles, he tried to keep from crying out in pain when he let the alcohol run over the wound but it was just loud enough for you to hear him.

Your eyes fluttered open and you sat bolt upright in bed. The space next to you was cold and empty where Billy should be but he wasn’t. The noise you heard was coming from the bathroom.

“Billy?” You called out softly, slipping on his hoodie.

No answer.

The cool air touched your bare legs as your feet touched the floor and you started to tip toe out of the bedroom.

“FUCK!” He yelled and whispered at the same time.

Turning the corner, you saw the faint glow of the bathroom light through the crack in the door.

“Billy? Are you ok?” You asked from behind the door.

Gently pushing it open, you heard him call out, “Don’t come in here, baby.”

Of course, you didn’t listen and pushed the door open anyway.

“Billy—“ You saw the blood dripping down his arm, coming from the hole that was there and it startled you.

“Oh my god!” You exclaimed. “Is the bullet still in there?! Why are you not at the hospital?”

“I’m fine, sweet girl. I am. Go back to bed.” He said, calmly.

“Uh, yeah—fat chance, handsome. Let me help you.” You told him sternly as you picked up the rubbing alcohol.

He grabbed the alcohol bottle out of your hand. With raised eyebrows, he glared at you with his dark mysterious eyes that looked like two cups of espresso.

“I said I’m fine, y/n.” He said sharply through gnashed teeth.

Billy still needed reminding that he wasn’t alone anymore and he didn’t have to do everything himself. He had someone to help him with whatever he needed.

“Go back to sleep. I’ll come to bed when—“ He started to say before you cut him off.

“Shut up and just let me take care of you!!!” You said in a frustrated tone. “You can’t get that bullet out by yourself so shut it, soldier and let me help!”

“Did you just tell me to shut up?” Asked Billy, narrowing his eyes and then flashing his perfect smile at you.

“You are such a stubborn asshole sometimes, Billy Russo! How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t have to do everything by yourself! I love you and I’m here to HELP YOU!” You growled in his face.

He gently pressed his forehead against yours. “Number one, you turn me on when you yell at me like that so even though I’m wounded and in pain, we’ll give it a go when we’re done in here and number two…” He said with a wicked smile and then paused briefly.

Billy kissed the tip of your nose and with his eyes locked on yours said, “I love you too, sweet girl. I’ve done everything alone for so long, sometimes I feel like I still have to.”

“Well let me remind you again that you don’t.” You said, compressing your lips against his, one of your hands reached up to cup his cheek while his tongue pressed against your teeth, begging for access to yours.

He smiled warmly as he pulled away and asked, “Wait…can you remind me one more time?”

He winked at you as you playfully rolled your eyes.

“Just hold still and let me get that bullet out, lieutenant.” You said, reaching for the alcohol and the surgical pliers.

Billy kissed you again.

“Well, be gentle. I’m not puttin’ out if you hurt me.” He said, chuckling a little.

Silently, you said “you can trust me,” before replying,

“I will never hurt you, my love.”

And you meant that…in every way.

Tag List: @wheresthesunshinesblog @rafaelakelley @idaoftheburningmind @snowkestrel @fakehappy27 @music-indie-tv @fictional-hooman @kayhi808 @munsonownsmyass @gijos @celestialams @k-marzolf @nutmeg17 @rosaleenablack @vaguekayla @qu1etwolf @danzer8705 @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes

Others that might enjoy: @itwasthereaminuteago @fluffyprettykitty @jvanilly @imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @ittybxttykxttytxtty @russosafehaven @mrsbillyrusso

If you’d like to be added (or removed from) my tag list(s) for the ever so handsome Billy Russo, just let me know and thank you again for reading! 💕💕💕 If I tagged you but you didn’t want to be, just let me know and I’ll never do it again.

[amethystfairy1]

Amethyst… You can’t be doing this to me😭

No, but seriously, how am I supposed to get through finals while I have TT and TTSBC on the brain? That is to say, I absolutely adore your work! Reading it made me want to write again after… 6 years, I think. I’m debating participating in Beyond and I might just bite the bullet at this point.

Now let’s get down to business. You said you liked rambles, so I would like to offer my own thoughts.

First, for TT, does the hurricane have anything with a maybe missing siren/merman we haven’t heard of in a while?👀 I also remember you mentioning at some point that there might be a Xornoth appearance, so now my brain is full.

As for TTSBC, (I was debating for a while if I should even share this, but here goes nothing) I came up with a sub-species and was wondering what you would think.

I’m imagining there is a community of something called shadow mutants. They are like the second removed cousins of the voidwalkers. They are, first and foremost, living shadows. You know how when it’s dark and you can’t be sure if what you see (or more precisely, can’t see) is the darkness or just shadows? I’m basing them on that whole felling. A kind of mutant that is the boogieman of the under-city.

They are reclusive, much like blazeborns, they just do their own thing. They live in caves, mostly in the deep dark, making their homes out of the shadows and darkness. Their whole thing is that they can disappear in the shadows and live there their whole lives. When they are little, they have to learn to use glamor to maintain a “human” body, and even then, they have the shadows moving on their skin and pitch black eyes (I mean that the iris and the sclera are black).

They can take over shadows, be it that of an object or a person, but they have to be careful. When they take over a shadow, their “body” stretches or contracts to fill out the space and it can feel like breaking bones and tearing muscle. It takes a lot of glamor control to make it so that the mutant isn’t hurting in a situation like this.

They both worship and are afraid of lights, as light is the thing that creates shadows, but take the object away and the shadow effectively “dies”, so they have to think about when and what shadow to take over. The most powerful ones can even control the object or person in whose shadow they are.

If they chose to live between the folk in the under-city (a lot of them chose to never leave their shadows, never using their human body), they work odd jobs, but mainly as cave explorers and/or armed forces for some of the mobsters down there.

It’s a universal truth about them that in fight or flight situations, they hide. If they are felling threatened while in a shadow, they will either stay there and wait, or move over to another one, jumping from object to object to get away. If they are in their physical body, they will try to get to the closest corner and make themself as tiny as posibile if they don’t have shadows they can hide in. As a last resort, the shadows will peel of their skin and act as a distraction, moving on the walls or behind them, creating the illusion of something bigger.

So…

What do you think? I hope you enjoyed my rumbling and you take care of yourself.

Now I have to go back to finishing my project for todays presentation (I’m a procrastinator at heart, it’s my own fault, but I’m gonna get through it just so that I can post some of the works I have drafted).

I LOVE THE RAMBLING!!!

They sound so cool!? Shadow mutants? That's so spooky and awesome sounding! I love the concept of them moving between shadows and using glamor to materialize, that's such a fun dynamic!

Oooo does it have to do with a certain missing mer? Maybe, maybe, that's certainly a good catch there, not many people pointed it out because they were too busy worrying about Gem going after Scar's head 😆 Hope your presentation went well! Thank you thank you for sharing your subspecies idea, I loved it!!! 💖

[savemefromanepicoftimewasted]

Heartbreak Feels So Good

Santiago Garcia X Plus Size F!Reader Platonic!Frankie Moraxes X Reader

Your eyes were glazed over, staring at the way his arm was wrapped so tightly around her waist, when had they arrived? There was no warning, nothing that could stop the way your heart shattered in your chest. Support and acceptance, that was the only thing that Frankie was looking for. a/n:there be smut ahead! minors do not interact warnings:angst, heartbreak, kinda mean Santi, sad Frankie Part 2

Your eyes were glazed over, staring at the way his arm was wrapped so tightly around her waist, when had they arrived? There was no warning, nothing that could stop the way your heart shattered in your chest. Support and acceptance, that was the only thing that Frankie was looking for. How were you going to be able to sit idly by like there was nothing wrong, like you weren’t breaking apart inside? Santi had caught your gaze, the way your mouth hung open just barely as you stared at the couple in front of you. There was a deep pain in your eyes, one that Frankie clearly hadn’t caught onto yet.

“C’mon, you know damn well I’m the best thing that ever happened to you,” You were poking fun at the way Frankie all but laid himself on top of you.

“And you’re right, which is why I’m not moving until one of us has a decent nap,” Frankie buried himself further into your embrace, sighing contently.

You’d been friends longer than you could remember, helping pick up the pieces when he came back home from being overseas. It was no surprise that he struggled with PTSD, all the boys did, but Frankie sought out your comfort the most. He’d moved into your home after a few months, afraid he’d relapse and ruin the life he was trying so hard to rebuild. It was nice to come home to a home cooked meal everyday, the way your eyes would light up whenever he stepped foot over the threshold.

“Well I already had my nap, so why don’t you get a few hours before we go out later tonight,” It was something the two of you did everyday.

“Are you sure, I don’t want to have you fall asleep and then the guys get all upset,” Frankie knew Benny would get on your ass if you were late, it was more funny than anything.

Frankie was a cuddler and you weren’t going to deny him something that kept him sane on the worst days. He never overstepped his boundaries, keeping his hands in proper places so as not to grope you when he was trying to sleep. It wasn’t like you would push him away, your heart racing every time he crawled into your bed, or made his way to the couch. Benny had joked countless times that you and Frankie should just bite the bullet and finally get together.

Only, you weren’t the one Frankie wanted.

“You guys make a great couple, I’m happy for you,” If Frankie caught on to the way your voice wavered he didn’t say anything, his girlfriend seemed so genuine and kind, who were you to come between that?

“It means a lot, why don’t we sit down and have a drink so everyone can finally meet her?” Frankie was lovestruck, anyone with two working eyes could see how much he adored her.

“I’ll see if I can wrangle the boys up, just give me a few,” You turned before he could see the tears well up in your eyes, running over to where Will and Satni were standing together.

They’d protested going out tonight at all, Will claiming he had important matters to attend to in the morning while Santi grumbled he’d wake up hungover again. Frankie all but begged everyone to come out, including you since he’d moved out a few months prior. It was obvious as to why he’d suddenly decided to get an apartment, and you weren’t going to deny him his freedom, so why did it hurt so badly watching him drive away?

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” Santi’s hands cupped your cheeks, brow furrowing as he wiped the tears from your face.

“I need to leave, I can’t be here anymore,” Could you really tell them the truth, that you were in love with your best friend and knowing that he was happier with someone else was tearing you apart?

“How about this, I’ll go say a quick hello and goodbye and I’ll take you home, okay?” Santi had always been there for you, albeit silently at the worst times, but right now you couldn’t be in that bar.

You nodded slowly, trying to calm down your breathing as you struggled to keep yourself from panicking. Will’s arms wrapped around you in a tight hug, squeezing all the air out of your lungs until you finally calmed down. He was the best when it came to bear hugs, wrapping his arms around you and squeezing until you were out of breath. Santi’s voice was somehow louder than the entire bar, he didn’t sound mad at Frankie which you were thankful for but there was an edge to his voice. What had you done to deserve this level of kindness from him?

“Hey, what’s going on?” Frankie was nervous, had something happened that he wasn’t aware of?

“I’m gonna take her home, we’ll talk later okay? It was nice to meet you Viv, sorry I couldn’t stay longer,” Santi didn’t want to come off rude, Frankie was his friend first but right now you were in pain and he couldn’t ignore that.

“Have her text me when you drop her off,” Frankie still looked worried, which was making your heart break more.

“I’m gonna stay with her Fish, I’ll let you know when we get to her apartment,” Santi turned without another word, walking over to where you were standing with Will.

The three of you hadn’t noticed the way Frankie’s face fell, the way his brow furrowed slightly for a brief moment before his attention was back on the woman beside him. He couldn’t worry about things when he had Viv to introduce to everyone, but damn, why did watching you leave with his best friend irritate him so much?

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

The drive was silent, after saying a quick goodbye to Benny and Tom you were headed back to your apartment. Santi was a great driver, but the silence was beginning to slowly drive you mad as you watched the sights pass by. The air was still warm, clinging to your skin like a warm hug after a rough day. That’s exactly what this was, a rough day, though you wouldn’t really be able to call it that, this day was going to happen sooner or later.

“Is it my fault for developing feelings and not telling him?” You glanced over at Santi, lips pulled into a frown as he kept his eyes on the road.

“Absolutely not, the way he acted towards you, we all thought that one day he was going to show up at the bar and announce that you guys were dating,” Santi ran a hand over his mouth.

He’d been angry that Frankie seemed to be leading you on for months on end, sleeping in your bed when his nightmares became too much, or cuddling together on the couch like a couple would. Frankie was never shy about how he felt towards the women he's dated, which was why when he never made things official with you everyone started to get concerned. The final shoe dropped tonight, reminding everyone that Frankie didn’t lead with his heart.

“You don’t have to stay tonight, I’ll be fine on my own,” You didn’t want to feel like a child, like you were seconds away from having another breakdown.

Well I call bullshit on that, you’re clearly upset so I’m not leaving,” He pulled into the driveway so smoothly even you were shocked. 

Your house was a little bit off the beaten path, that was mainly because you didn’t want to have too many neighbors surrounding you. Benny had joked that he was going to build a house directly next to yours so he could annoy you daily. Frankie had defended you from Benny’s terrible ideas the entire day, promising that he would be the one to build the house. That would never happen though, he’d find someone that he’d spend the rest of his life with and forget about you entirely. The car stopping jerked you out of your thoughts, now it was time to head inside and drink away your sorrows in the safety of your home.

Santi didn’t wait for you to get out of the truck, rushing around to your side and opening the door like a gentleman. It brought a small smile to your lips, the guys didn’t treat you any differently than they did one another, so this was new. You rested your hand on his bicep, slipping out of the car slowly as your heels touched the ground below you. Unfortunately it had been raining earlier which meant the grass was slick, you screeched and threw yourself into Santi’s arms. He caught you easily, wrapping his arms around your waist and pressing you back against the side of his truck. Your eyes locked for a moment, a thousand emotions running through your mind as you stared back at the man you’d called a friend for over a decade.

Neither of you were sure who leaned in first, lips pressing together softly, gentle pecks as your arms slid up and around his neck. You’d always wondered if the rumors about Santi were true, but your heart had been so focused on Frankie that you felt almost bad for thinking about Santi that way. You couldn’t stop the whimper as Santi’s tongue slid into your mouth, your body heating up as his grip tightened further on your waist.

“We should get inside before someone sees us,” You and Santi both knew that no one would see you, but the thought of getting caught in such a compromising position shouldn’t have been so hot.

“Let’s go,” You slid your arms down to his hands, walking towards your house with a confidence you weren’t sure you truly had.

Santi’s gaze was locked on the way your hips swayed, the dress you wore clinging to your curves so deliciously. How had he managed to keep his hands to himself for so long? Frankie be damned, you were gorgeous and Frankie was a fool for ignoring the signs. You unlocked the door quickly, kicking off your heels and tossing your keys in the bowl right inside of your door. Santi wasted no time kicking off his own shoes and hanging up his coat, the least he could do was make sure not to leave your foyer all cluttered. His hands found their way to your sides, squeezing the plush flesh beneath his fingers. The moan you let out was downright sinful, his cock had been straining against the zipper of his jeans nearly the entire drive home.

“Fuck, I’m gonna fuck you until you can’t walk hermosa,” You were practically dripping at that point, reaching back to grab his hands.

“Please, I need you so bad,” Your voice was breathy, whimpering as his hands slid to cup your chest.

He could feel the way you were practically spilling out of your bra, clearly one of your more “fancy” ones as you’d come to call them. Santi turned you towards the kitchen, spinning you around so your back was against the island. You didn’t hesitate to jump up onto the cool surface, reveling in the way it cooled your skin slightly. 

“I’m gonna strip these clothes off of you, and then I’m going to get down on my knees and eat this pretty pussy until my face is soaked,” Your core was throbbing, Santi’s fingers sliding along your upper thigh as his hands slid beneath the fabric of your dress.

Without giving yourself a single second to doubt the decision, you slid your dress up and off your body. You’d worn a matching set for the night, hoping that Frankie would be the one to strip it off your body before coming to the true realization. No, there was not going to be any thoughts of that man while Santi was doing sinful things to your body. Santi pulled off his shirt quickly, tossing it aside carelessly and turning his full attention back to you.

“Fuck, please,” Your back arched into the air, nails digging into the marble countertop.

“Good girl,” Santi gripped the sides of your panties, pulling them down and off your legs quickly.

He eyed the way your cunt glistened in the dim light, nothing but the moonlight showing your skin. Santi had a reputation, and he was about to make sure that you knew what the truth was when it came to him. Pressing a gentle hand against your chest he pushed until your back was flush to the countertop. He pressed soft kisses to the inside of your thighs, biting gently with each moan you let out. Your thighs were thrown over his shoulder, exposing your body to him entirely. 

“Sweet pussy is dripping for me, isn’t she?” Santi slipped two fingers into your entrance slowly, giving you time to adjust to the stretch.

“Only for you, holy fuck!” You couldn’t stop the moans, reaching down to grip the roots of his hair as the tips of his fingers stroked that spongy spot so deep inside your core.

“Gonna make you forget your own name,” Santi’s lips wrapped around your clit, suckling gently as he continued to move his fingers.

You were almost ashamed at how fast your orgasm creeped up, legs shaking over his shoulders as you tried to stave off the euphoric feeling. Santi of course was not having that, doubling down with his fingers and mouth, flicking the tip of his tongue over your clit as your walls tightened around his fingers. Your cum dripped down his hand as he continued his ministrations, overstimulating you to the point you’d thrown your head back with a scream, gushing over his fingers pressed inside your body. Santi smirked victoriously, pulling his fingers out slowly so as not to hurt you.

“That feel good?” You could hardly nod, eyes fluttering shut as your body rode the waves of pleasure.

“I’m totally riding your face one of these days,” Shit, you hadn’t meant to say that out loud, now Santi was going to think you were weird.

“Baby you can ride my face for the rest of my life and I will die happy,” Santi pulled your hips to the edge, pressing kisses all over your stomach and chest.

You snuck a hand to your back, unclasping the uncomfortable bra and sliding the straps down and off your arms. Santi’s eyes locked on your chest immediately, hands cupping the soft flesh with awe.

“I never knew you had your nipples pierced,” He ran the tip of his thumb over your left nipple, breath hitching at how the stiff peak seemed to tighten underneath the callous.

“Had em since I was nineteen, no one’s ever gotten to see em before,” It was a secret you were going to take to the grave, not wanting to admit something so risque to your closest friends.

Santi leaned down slightly, taking your nipple between his lips, flicking his tongue ever so gently over the stiff bud. Your hands tightened in his hair, back arching into his face as you struggled to catch your breath. He’d barely done anything to you and yet you were already on the edge once more, how many times was he going to get you to cum before he found his own release?

“Bedroom, please,” It’d be easier on the both of you if you were in your bed, you didn’t want the night to end too soon.

Santi stepped away from you, helping you down off the counter before sliding his hands behind your thighs to wrap around his waist. You were horrified at the yelp you let out, gripping onto his shoulders so that you would not hit the ground. Most men you’d been with had complained about carrying you around, Santi acted like it was a personal mission to get to your bedroom without you touching the ground. Though once you were finally in your room he threw you onto the bed, unbuttoning his jeans slowly.

Your eyes were glued on the way his cock was straining beneath his jeans, how would he manage to fit with that monster of a cock he was carrying around? Would he let you choke on it and bring him that sweet bliss of relief, or was he going to pin you down to the bed and fuck you until you were crying. Santi kept his eyes on you as he pushed his jeans and briefs down his legs, watching how your eyes widened when his naked cock hit the air. Santi was absolutely huge, there was no way he was fitting.

“Get on this bed, and get that cock in me before I die,” You spread your legs wide, running your pointer and middle fingers over your slick cunt, gently rubbing your clit for the added stimulation.

Santi didn’t waste a second, crawling over your body with a determined expression on his face, you weren’t leaving this bed until he had his fill. He grabbed the backs of your knees, pressing them up to your shoulders as he lined the tip of his cock up to your dripping cunt. Sliding in slowly Santi kept his gaze on your face, slowing down if you looked to be in any amount of pain. This was meant to be a pleasurable moment, and Santi wasn’t going to ruin that by hurting you in any way.

“Holy fucking shit, please tell me you’re in,” Your legs were shaking uncontrollably, hands clutching the bed spread harshly.

“Only halfway, do you need me to stop?” You shook your head frantically, rolling your hips down as best you could given the position.

Santi groaned, slipping the rest of the way inside in one final push. It felt as if the tip of his cock was in your throat, he was surely going to be the death of you tonight. He pulled back slowly, giving you time to readjust before slamming his hips forward. Your scream was guttural, head thrown back into the plush pillows as you struggled to breathe. Santi built up a slow but harsh pace, hips slapping against yours before he began to build up speed. Your core tightened with each stroke of his cock, bringing your body higher, and higher.

“You like when I fuck this perfect pussy? Stretch you open so that only my cock can satisfy you?” Santi was struggling for air, hands gripping your thighs even harder.

“Oh fuck, I’m gonna cum!” You reached a hand down, rubbing your clit in quick circles.

“Cum all over my cock like the good girl you are, I know you wanna soak my cock,” The room was filled with the sound of your moans, and the sound of skin slapping together.

Your thighs locked on his sides as you squirted over his cock, breath stuttering in your chest as your peak continued to climb steadily. Santi didn’t slow down his thrusts, merely laid your legs down before pulling out and flipping you onto your stomach. He pulled you to your knees, shoving your head into the pillows as he slid his cock back into your slick cunt.

“Fuck baby, this pussy was made for me,” Santi slapped your ass hard, gripping the plush muscle as he pulled you back against his hips.

You weren’t sure if you’d cum again or were still riding the waves of your first orgasm still, he was determined to keep his word it seemed.

“Where do you want me to cum?” Though he sounded breathless, Santi was still somehow more level headed than you were.

“In-Inside!” You were on birth control anyway, and the thought of letting him finish inside you fueled something inside of you.

It only took a half a dozen more thrusts before his hips were stilling, warmth spreading through your entire lower half as he came deep inside of you. He didn’t pull out right away, instead stayed seated inside you and tried to slow his heart. Had Santi not had a grip on your hips, your body would’ve slumped into the mattress entirely. He pulled out slowly, laying you down against the bed before running into the bathroom to get a damp washcloth to help clean you up. You hardly noticed him, wincing slightly as he wiped the cum that had started to drip out of you.

“Do you need me to get anything?” Santi threw the washcloth into your hamper, laying down beside you.

“No, but thank you for asking,” You rested your head against his chest, snuggling into the soft skin.

He smelled like the cologne he always wore with a hint of sweat and something almost spicy, it was intoxicating. He chuckled lowly and moved to pull the comforter over the two of you, wrapping you up in his arms as you finally settled. Sure there would be questions in the morning of how you moved forward after all this, but for right now it was time to sleep.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

Santi was the first to wake in the morning, groaning at the way the sun was peeking through your blinds so easily. He rolled over, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you flush to his chest. You let out a small sigh, snuggling deeper into his hold as you clung to the offer of sleep. The two of you would’ve gladly gone back to sleep, had it not been for someone banging on your front door. Had Santi promised he would visit one of the guys and was running late? There was nowhere you had to be anytime soon so they definitely weren’t here for you.

“Stay here, I’ll go see who it is,” Santi pressed a kiss to your hair, slipping out of the bed and grabbing his briefs.

Even if it was some annoying people trying to promote their church, no one needed to see his naked body at seven in the morning. The banging continued as he made his way down the hall, brow furrowing for a moment. He hadn’t thought to check the peephole, to see who had caused a ruckus this early in the morning. Once the door was opened Frankie pushed his way inside, stopping dead in his tracks as he took in Santi’s near naked appearance.

“What the fuck is going on?” Frankie sounded angry, and then it dawned on him, neither of you had texted when you got back to your house.

“Listen, I completely forgot to text you and by the time I realized you were already here,” Okay, maybe that was a lie and Santi had forgotten entirely, but he couldn’t tell Frankie the truth right now.

“No, instead of letting me know you guys made it back here safe you two ended up fucking,” Frankie wasn’t even looking at him anymore, eyes locked on your clothes that were scattered in the kitchen.

How could he even defend himself, the two of you threw caution to the wind and spent the night together, there was no denying it. That was the real kicker though, Frankie was mad that you had hooked up with Santi, even after denying you for years.

“You have no right to be mad at us right now, she had shown you for years how much she loved you and now that you have someone she’s going to move on,” It was the truth and it was tearing Frankie apart inside.

He’d always seen you as a friend, someone there to help pick up the pieces when he couldn’t bear to do it himself. Sure you were absolutely gorgeous, but he was afraid of ruining the friendship the two of you had, and now here you were, in the arms of his best friend. 

“You’re right, I have no right to be upset, but even if the feelings weren’t mutual she’s still my friend and I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Frankie would take down anyone that hurt you, no matter who they were to him. “You know I’d never hurt her, we’ll have a discussion like adults and see what the future holds for us,” Things were going to be different whether you wanted them to be or not, but Santi wasn’t going to leave while you were asleep.

Frankie glanced over at your open door, debating whether or not he should say anything before leaving. Santi shook his head, your wounds were too fresh, you would need time to heal and come to terms with the fact that Frankie had found someone else. He left without another word, shutting the door quietly behind himself. Santi stood in the entryway, trying to figure out exactly where the two of you were headed.

It couldn’t be that hard, right?

[emlee81]

Javier Pena X Female Reader-Hero

*****

Warning this chapter contains mentions of physical abuse and violence. Also some strong swearing.

You're a companion to a drug lord, but his days are over. You're scared to death when DEA agents come storming in.

You're hiding and Javier finds you and takes you in, wanting to help you.

.......................

The gunfire started unexpectedly. Yiu run into the big bedroom, hiding in the big closet, covering your ears with your hands.

Sweat has broken out on your brow and your heart is dancing wildly in your chest. Your mouth has gone dry and you can't hardly swallow.

There are terrified shouts and more gunfire. You close your eyes, resting your head on your drawn up knees, which are knocking together.

What's going on? What's going to happen to you? Will whoever has come in here going to...kill you, too? Your stomach suddenly lurches and rolls.

You remove your hands from your ears, leaning over and are sick all over his expensive leather shoes. You don't care if he hits you again once he discovers the mess.

You creep closer to the closet door and listen, holding your breath, wondering if it's... over. You don't hear anymore gunfire or terrified screamed.

Suddenly, the closet door is thrown open and you're momentarily blinded by bright light. You squint, trying to see who's opened the closet door.

A man, a handsome man, is standing there, a... gun pointed right at you. You scream, throwing a hand up, as if that can protect you from his bullets.

The man lowers his gun and kneels down in front of you, slowly extending one of his hands out. You lower your hand, trembling violently, unsure of what this man might do to you.

"It's okay. Shh. I'm not going to hurt you." You don't move. You don't trust him. Why should you? He's clearly a DEA agent.

"Come here, chica. I promise not to hurt you." His low, soothing voice is starting to get to you.

You slowly crawl out of the closet and shakily stand to your feet. You immediately nearly topple back to the floor, your still shaking so badly.

The agent helps steady you and you sag against his tall, lean and strong body. He replaces his gun in his holster and gently scoops you up into his arms, carrying you out of the bedroom and finally out of the house.

He stops  by an old, battered and beaten up car. He shouts at another agent to open up the back door of the car.

A skinny, blond man with a mustache, opens up the car door and the agent gently sets you inside. He gives you a little smile.

"Stay here, okay? I'll be back soon. Just don't leave the car. Do you understand me?"

You nod, wishing he wouldn't leave you here, alone. He closes the car door and you slowly dissolve into tears.

...................

"What the hell, Pena?" You must have passed out for a few minutes. The skinny, blond man is scowling at the agent who took you out of the house.

"Bite me, Murphy!" The man goes and gets into the car and suddenly, you're afraid all over again. You don't know what this man is going to do to you.

"You okay, chica? I'm Javier. Or Javi. What's your name?"

"I-I'm okay, I-I guess. I'm...Y/N. Where-where are you taking me?"

"To my place for a few days. After that, well, I'm not sure. You okay with that?"

"I guess. What were you doing at his place today?"

"Sorry," Javier says. "That's classified information." He chuckles before reaching for a pack of cigarettes and a book of matches.

He pulls out a cigarette and lights it. He rolls down the driver's side window, puffing out the smoke and flicking the ashes off of the cigarette.

"Are you really going to help me?"

"I'm sure as hell gonna try."

"Thank you, Javi." He glances back at you in the rearview mirror and smirks.

"Just doing my job, chica."

......................

This is strange. Javier insists that you sleep in his bed and he'll sleep out in the couch. You hate the thought of kicking him out of his own bed.

That seems extreme. You tell him you can sleep out in the couch instead. Javi refuses, saying that it's better if you're in the bedroom, just in case something happens.

You already know what he means. You decide not to argue with him about it. It's not worth your time.

"Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to go back to the house," Javi says, looking slightly uncomfortable. "We'll have to see what we can do about something clothes for you."

"That's okay," you say. "I didn't have much to begin with. He, uh, wasn't exactly generous towards...me."

A hard look settles in Javier's dark eyes and it scares you. When the other one looked that way, well, let's just say he wasn't nice.

"Frickin bastard," Javier mutters to himself. "Okay. There's a shop just down the street from here, well go and see what we can find. Sound good to you?"

You smile and nod. Maybe that raid was the best thing to ever happen to you.

.......................

A few days later, you're doing okay, slowly adapting to your new life. You're grateful for everything that Javier has done for you.

You're also slowly starting to...fall for him. You didn't realize it at first. But you started missing him when he wasn't around and started thinking about him more and more.

You've sat a few evenings with him, just talking and learning about him and him learning about you.

He's been a gentleman towards you, never pushing anything on you. Hell, he hadn't even tried to kiss you! (You sure wish he would, though!)

Sometimes, Javier has at least held your hand or even let you snuggle up against him as you're both relaxing on the couch. But that's about as far as it's gotten between you two.

You're pretty sure that Javier is attracted to you, though, just by the intense glances he'll occasionally toss your way.

A few times you've caught him giving you this smouldering look and you see him licking his lips and clenching his hands into fists, as if he's struggling to contain himself from doing something with you.

If only he would. Maybe he just needs a little encouragement. That might get the ball rolling.

.....................

You're snuggled up against Javier on the couch. His shirt is off and he's puffing away on his damn cigarettes.

You twist around and look at him, giving him a little smirk and a wink. You feel his body tighten and you know he wants you.

"Javi, will you kiss me?" He leans over, setting his cigarette in the ash tray and takes you in his arms, kissing you passionately. You smile as you gently stroke his mustache and sideburns.

"I've been wanting to do that so badly, chica. But I was worried."

"That you'd hurt me?"

Javier nods and takes your hands in his. You smile again.

"I know you'd never hurt me, Javi," you whisper, slipping one of your hands free and placing it on his cheek.

"I know what that bastard did you." Javier's voice sounds angry, but you know it's not directed at you.

"I know that he...beat you and did all sorts of other awful shit to you that you didn't deserve."

You gently kiss Javi again and he leans into it, which makes you happy. You're happy that Javier found you and decided to help you.

Now he's yours and you're his. Javier gently cups your cheek in his hand and just gazes tenderly at you.

"At least now I know you're safe, Y/N. And you'll never have to go back to that shitty life ever again because I'm keeping you here with me "

"I know, Javi. You're my hero." Javier grins.

"And I'm one hell of a hero, too."

[noir-drabbles]

Draft 4

Summary: On the final layer of this frozen lab where no living creature should be, Alban encounters you as you step through the doors, untouched by the temperatures.

(Was playing Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead and got struck with this little scene. Not complete, obviously, but I got over 800 words out, so I consider that a win! If this was to be a whole short story, it probably be about the Reader counting out how many promises where broken while in that final floor lab cell, and Alban basically being the one to carry the torch of those broken promises, even though the one who made said promises was the same person that gave his little sibling a horrible fate. Reader is not Alban's sibling by the way, but said sibling was involved in Reader's creation. I think.)

And out of the mist, in slow and leisurely steps, came you. Untouched by the frost that covers the walls, you pace through with only an over-sized lab coat to keep you warm.

He raised his gun, because what was he supposed to do when someone seemingly immune to this freezer of a lab pads out of the yawning jaws of wretched open iron doors? Everything that Alban has encountered down here hasn’t been human, why would he start to believe that you were suddenly the exception?

However, he didn’t shoot. When you’re in the lonely hellscape of a world for as long as he has, one can’t help but want to grasp at that small chance of another intelligent being. Someone to talk to and just, have a reminder that one’s not alone. A stupid desire, but it stayed his fingers either way.

“You’re…” and you spoke first, ignoring everything for the sake of focusing on his face, as though that was more interesting than the possibility that your body will be filled with bullets, “You’re not a face I recognize. Are you new? Do you know where everybody went?”

The ease in your tone spoke of confidence in one’s safety. You don’t think he’s a danger to you. And with all the creatures and undead Alban has found, trapped and killed, he probably wasn’t. If a battle broke out, he’d probably be lucky to even keep his torso.

…then, let’s talk. Distract and, perhaps, have a comrade. Or at least a neutral acquaintance.

“I don’t know,” Alban lowered his aim but never put his weapon away. Instead, he pointed to the curled back doors behind you, layer upon layers of metal bent by some unfathomable force. “Did you do that?”

“Hmm?” You turned back and looked around, peering into the darkness before landing on the doors, “Oh. Yes, I did. The power went out a bit ago, so I had to tear my way through. Am I in trouble?”

The look of guilt was gentle, almost afraid. His younger sibling gave him a look like that once, when they scribbled over the carpet with permanent marker. They didn’t know it was a bitch to wash out, in much the same way that you probably didn’t know that you’re not supposed to be tearing doors.

It’s… uncomfortable. Here he is, in a lab that got colder and colder with every sub-floor Alban entered, like whatever these bastards had they wanted to preserve in ice.

“What?” Because what else was he supposed to say?

“Sorry,” you rubbed the back of your neck, “Here, let me see if I can fix them. I didn’t let anyone out, I promise. I was just hungry.”

“Uh, wait wait, you uh,” this was dumb, he shouldn’t be doing this, he should be running, but he’s been alone for too long and dammit, he wanted to know more, “if you’re hungry, then here,” he dug out a protein bar, half-frozen and nearly impossible to bite through, “I got this.”

He’s got more, just in case. It’s a day over it’s expiration date but he’s sure it won’t kill you or anyone. He thinks. He’s not sure. Either way, starving, it’s not a way anyone should go, monster or otherwise. It was something those little kids shouldn’t have experienced.

You perked up with interest and, as much as he’d hate to say it, the innocence–the delicately and deliberately cultivated innocence–was disarming. It felt normal, and for a moment, Alban wasn’t living in a world that was ravaged by a splintering reality. In a world where ice doesn’t flow from the all-consuming black eye in the sky and humans don’t freeze over and break out of their shells as nightmare-ish creatures.

Here, it just felt like Alban encountered a strange person that needed a helping hand as much as he did.

You grabbed it in both hands, your likely stolen lab coat falling from your shoulders, leaving you in a stiff and dirty hospital gown reserved for all lab rats. The ice didn’t affect you, not a single part of you was even dusted in crystals, but even so, Alban dug into his backpack and pulled out a spare parka.

He draped it over your shoulders just as you bit into the bar, bits of it splintering right onto the floor.

“Thank you,” you said after swallowing, wiping at your mouth, “So, who are you, really?”

“Nobody important,” at least not to this lab. He doesn’t know much of this place, and he doubts this lab ever knew of his existence beyond just a name in a family tree. “Just a stranger to this place. My name’s Alban, and I’m just here to find out something.”

A trail of never ending papers and entries, of constant transfers from lab to hospital to another lab, and finally, here. A layers deep laboratory known more as a sarcophagus, a crypt. A place for unstable, and unusable waste.

His sibling was taken here, that’s all Alban knows.

[of-a-chaotic-mind]

Curiosity Part 3 (Final)

Summary: Colby explains his situation to Reader and asks her to be his.

TW/CW: Mentions of murder, vampires, mentions of Reader being held at knifepoint, Mafia/Vampire!Colby Brock x Reader.

Requested?: No

A/N: I'm not gonna continue this series because after reading back through it, not only am I not 100% in love with it but I'm not sure how to continue it.

Part 1 || Part 2

(Y/N)’s POV

Staring at the floor under my feet, I attempt to wrap my head around the events that had just happened. In only a handful of minutes, I had been held at knifepoint, rescued by Colby, and then shocked when my attacker dropped dead at the sniper shot of Jake. I rake my hands through my hair before declaring, “I’m dreaming. I have to be fucking dreaming.” I look around at the silent bar. A few feet away, Colby, Jake, and Sam stand watching me. I bite the inside of my cheek as hard as I can but unfortunately, it hurts like a motherfucker and I am, in fact, not dreaming.

Colby and Sam look at Jake, fury plain as day on their faces. Jake shrugs, “Listen… indirectly it was either him or her because if I hadn’t shot him, he would’ve killed you and then her as well.”

Colby clenches his jaw, but Sam is the one who responds, “Not only did you out us to (Y/N) but now we probably will have a turf war on our hands before long.”

Colby locks eyes with me as Jake attempts to defend himself, “How are they gonna know it was us? Huh? No cameras, I checked beforehand.”

Not breaking eye contact, Colby holds his hand against Sam’s chest who attempts to launch himself at Jake exclaiming, “You etch your fucking signature symbol into your god dang bullets dumbass!”

Jake snaps his mouth shut before looking down at his feet, “Shit…”

Colby approaches me now, slowly as if he’s afraid he’ll scare me off, which he might, that’s yet to be determined. What am I saying? I definitely should be getting the hell out of here. I just witnessed a murder, not to mention the fucking zipping around in the blink of an eye means there’s definitely something off about these three. Yet, despite my better judgment I stay glued to my spot.

Colby stops right in front of me and once again makes my heart flutter as he lifts my chin with his thumb and pointer finger, “What are you thinking, Sweetheart?”

I swallow thickly before replying, “Honestly? I’m thinking I should get the hell out of here.”

“Then why don’t you?” Colby whispers, staring into my soul.

“I don’t know,” I admit, “A good mystery always has been my biggest weakness.”

He grins at this, “Where’s the mystery here?” He inquires, already knowing the answer.

I roll my eyes at him, “You’ve got to be shitting me,” I pull away from him and take a seat at the bar. Dropping my head into my hands, I tug at my hair still trying to make sense of the situation I’ve gotten myself into. “Let’s start with why the hell are there a bunch of people hanging out in this fuckin’ speakeasy out of a mafia movie? Or how about what the hell are you up tied with,” I accentuate my sentence by pointing at Colby, “that a strange creep in an alleyway knows and is afraid of you? Let’s not forget that your friend here shot the aforementioned creep and then in the blink of an eye I’m here which I happen to know is a good twenty-minute walk from that alley.”

Colby sighs, waving at Sam and Jake to leave before taking a seat beside me, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Fucking try me because, at this point, I’ve lost all sense of reality,” I challenge.

Colby chuckles before finding my eyes once more, “Me and my friends are vampires but to everyone else in the city we’re just a mafia mob type organization. The man Jake shot tonight was part of Red Gang who is our biggest turf rival and you live smack dab in the middle of their turf.”

“Okay… so I might have fallen for the head of a vampire mob… got it,” I mumble to myself.

“You know being a vampire means I heard that right,” Colby states humorously causing my heart to jump, “I also heard that,” he laughs flicking his eyes to my chest and back to my eyes.

“You’re gonna be the death of me, you know that?” I question accusingly.

“And you’ll be the death of me,” he responds reaching up to brush hair behind my ear.

I’m now keenly aware of how close we are, “That’s- That’s not possible. Aren’t vampires supposed to be immortal?”

I notice Colby’s eyes flick to my lips and back again before shrugging, “Everything and everyone has their weakness. Your’s is a good mystery. Mine just might be you.”

I find myself leaning closer, so close our lips brush against each other as I say, “I can’t just… I have a life. I have friends and family…”

“We can play normal. However, I don’t see any point in you keeping that shitty job or crappy-ass apartment when I can easily take care of you,” he states, now staring hard at my lips. His eyes make their way back to mine, “You can’t tell me you don’t want this.”

“You’re right, I can’t,” I agree before finally closing the distance and kissing him. His lips fit perfectly with mine as I run my hands through his hair, tugging slightly upon reaching the back of his neck. He groans softly, reaching to pick me up and place me on the bar. Before long, we begrudgingly part for air.

He rubs his hands up and down my sides and hips, “You’re mine now?” He mutters. I nod before returning to kissing him. This time I pour every ounce of feeling I can into the kiss and I can feel him do the same. The air is full of passion and need. In the back of my mind, my thoughts call me crazy once again but I shove them away and lose myself in the man before me.

Masterlist

More Colby Brock Imagines

[tf2-oneshots]

hii !! may i please request some writing abt everyone being really afraid of medic (imagine that this takes place when everyone is still kinda getting to know each other, and left medic out because of his Reputation) but someone eventually bites the bullet to talk to him/give him a chance and they find out that he’s actually decent company (and very, very lonely)?

preferably that Someone is sniper or demo ! whoever you feel more compelled to write. thank you so so much in advance !! adore your writing :]

I think Demo needs some love on this acc!

Warnings: none!

Rating: General

“Alright, now that I have your contracts, you’re free to look around and introduce yourselves. I have to go file these.” Miss Pauling stands from the meeting room chair, walking off with her bundle of papers, agreements, and a handful of amendments a few of the men proposed. Knowing the Administrator, they’ll be lucky if even one of them is processed.

With the door shutting, the nine mercenaries stand to do exactly as instructed: roam about and introduce themselves. They were each given a vague file of their coworkers, nothing more than a work photo and a brief introduction to their class. Anything personal was kept to the discretion of the men.

Medic remains seated, looking around the room. It seems that everyone has gone into their own cliques already. As he stands, he flattens his coat and decides to approach the Scout. He walks up to the young man who was showing Pyro a comic issue.

“Hallo! Scout and Pyro, ja? I’m Medic.” The doctor waves, smiling at the two. Pyro gives him a glance only to hide their face in the pages of the comic. Scout steps back, looking the elder up and down. He rubs his neck, hat shifting slightly from the motion.

“Uh, yeah. I’m Scout.” He turns to his side, trying to avoid the doctor’s gaze. Something about him is…off. Scout can’t tell what it is, but the man isn’t right. His smile is too sharp and evil looking for a supposed doctor.

“Well, you seem like a healthy young man. I imagine your lungs are an excellent shade of pink.” A runner should have the perfect lungs after all! Scout must take care of himself to have this sort of job. Its a strange way of complimenting the man that falls short on Scout.

“Uh…that’s kinda weird.” He shuffles back, trying not to think about what that implies. The runner hopes to wake up with his lungs, and the rest of his organs, in his body by tomorrow. He looks to Pyro who peeks from behind the comic.

“Aheh, I was calling you healthy…” Medic takes his leave. Perhaps not the best way to compliment someone, but he was being honest! A runner needs strong lungs, so Scout must live a healthy lifestyle!

“Look, dude, I read the file. I wanna keep my organs.” Medic had mentioned his joy of experiments and various medical tests. All of which successful despite their frightening nature. Scout just can’t trust a guy who puts hands in guts for a living.

Medic peers around to room, noticing how everyone looks away from him. Well, it is the first day. Surely someone will warm up to him as time goes on. He steps out of the meeting room for the time being. He has birds to unpack.

By the end of the first month, most of the team has found a close friend. Spy and Heavy have afternoon book clubs with coffee, Scout goes rollerskating with Pyro, and Soldier tests sentry durability with Engineer. Everyone has found a companion except Medic.

People only visit when medically necessary. A broken arm, severe burns, and such. Just getting Scout to sit down for his vaccinations was a two day fight. Medic reaches over to stroke Archimedes on his tiny head. The mischievous pigeon has his siblings who flutter along the rafters above.

Even on the battlefield, Medic noticed the distance. He was called on, yes, but once he finished healing a teammate, they scurried away. He watched as his coworkers ran in duos, trios even, across the landscape to destroy the enemy teams. Never with Medic unless he was handing out ubercharges.

He eats alone in his office, coming into the kitchen only to grab his portion. Funny how Medic never gets a turn cooking for the team. The German stares at his lukewarm dinner, picking through it while Archimedes naps on his perch. He really shouldn’t complain; Medic has endless funding for his wild experiments. He just wants company is all.

A creak interrupts his solitude. Someone entered the medbay just now. Medic sighs, grabbing his coat and clipboard. Another injury to take care of. At least it gives him some form of human interaction no matter how brief.

“Hello, Demoman. What seems to be the problem?” Medic says when he sees who entered. He takes a pen, filling in a few sections before looking up to the Scotsman. Probably a blown off hand or a chemical burn in need of treatment.

“I’m fine, lad. Soldier’s too busy, so I figured you and I could see a movie.” Demo holds out two tickets. Soldier had every intention of going if not for a sudden flea crisis with the raccoons. Nothing a kiddie pool of water and flea shampoo can’t fix. Besides, when was the last time anyone actually hung out with the German?

“You want me to go with you?” Medic lowers his clipboard as Demo nods. Is…is this really happening? Finally, a chance at an actual friend from work! The doctor sets down his equipment and straightens his vest.

“Let me feed my doves, then we can leave.” He hurries back into the office quick to dump a scoop of feed into a communal bowl. The birds flock to their dinner, wings flapping loudly in their descent. Medic follows Demo out of the room, excited as ever.

“Don’t you want to know what we’re seeing?” Demo raises a brow. Anyone else would have at least wanted the title let alone ask about the plot. Medic chuckles, shaking his head.

“Oh, I don’t care. I’m happy to get out of my office for once.” Locked behind the wooden door, the doctor spent his days toiling away at paperwork. Most of which unnecessary for some time. Papers detailing orders for supplies, health updates, and such.

Demo couldn’t have asked for a better movie companion. Medic paid for their popcorn and was completely silent throughout the film. Unlike the last person Demo went to the movies with, meaning Scout, Medic didn’t speak out once. He even cleans up after himself!

“Gotta say, lad, this was a pleasure. Don’t suppose you’d like to test a few bombs with me tomorrow? Need to see what damage my new mix can do.” Medic beams. This is it! If he can get on Demo’s good side, then everyone else will want to befriend him. No more lonely nights with the birds for company.

“I would be happy to.” Medic drives them to the base, excited as ever. Demo can see it written all over his face. Maybe everyone was wrong about the doctor, he’s actually a decent man.

Besties -H

[incorrectgallaghergirlsquotes]

Number one, number one, number one!!

Song #1 on my Spotify Wrapped: Where do we go now? by Gracie Abrams

(This story is gonna take place during a few different scenes throughout books 3-6. It's a little different from my usual style I think so I hope you like it)

Sometimes the most interesting things in life come from not fighting magnetic pulls. That feeling you get urging you either towards or away. The inevitable moment when you meet someone's eyes across a crowded room.

Cammie had one of those moments on an election night, when she was a high school junior, in a crowded ballroom. The boy made his way over to her and his hand found its way into hers. And then she found herself outside, in an alleyway off 24th street. The heat of Zach's hand and arm pressed against her was all she wanted to focus on. That magnetic pull that told her she was okay there. At least that's what she tried to tell herself. The magnetic pull had to be towards something good for her, right?

She tried not to think about how the weight and warmth of Zach's embrace may have actually been triggering a mental fire alarm. Because a lot of their interactions that semester had felt wrong. She just wanted it to feel right. He was there, looking at her like he had when he had kissed her, not the way he looked at her when he didn't. And she missed him. Maybe she should have done it. Maybe it would have been worth it for Cammie to bite the bullet and lean forward and kiss him for a change.

But she didn't. If she had it would have been a lie. And there were too many lies between the two of them to add one more. Not when Cammie was already juggling too much, trying to hard to keep everyone and herself together.

It was already so fake, the front she was putting on while trying to help Macey. And then it wasn't about Macey. It was actually about her. And she'd have to fake it for the longest time following that.

Where do we go now?

Maybe running away wasn't the best decision. Maybe Cammie would be able to admit that eventually. It was always up for debate what was harder: running away, being left, or coming back. For a while it felt like the hardest thing about coming back was how different everything was. All of the trust that had been built between Cammie and her friends was gone. She'd have to find a way to get it back.

And then she was with Zach. And it was the most they had interacted since she had come back.

They were alone and she had expected it to feel good once Zach started talking to her again. The return of his warmth against her was welcomed and he even kissed her. Maybe that's where it went wrong. She remembered that. What kissing Zach had felt like before and it felt the same now. But she couldn't shake the circumstances, the demons that lurked around every corner. So, when Zach kissed her it was fine. It was when he pulled back and looked at her that she felt a pang in her gut.

Zach's hand was cupping the side of her face, keeping her held close to him. He looked into her eyes, his thumb swiping over her cheek and he studied her.

His expression lingered and Cammie read it immediately. He looked hopeful, she realized. Like he and her were supposed to work somehow. Like maybe they still could. 

Cammie slinked away from him and she heard herself ask if he was afraid of her. Zach said no and Cammie heard herself admit that she was afraid of herself. Couldn't Zach tell that? Couldn't he see that whatever had been between them had burned out with the part of her that had burned up over the summer. Sure, he was standing in front of her in that moment and kissing her in that moment, but she couldn't shake the moments she knew he'd shared with Bex. Whether they were real or in her imagination they sat in the back of her throat, adding to all she already felt she wanted or needed to cry about.

Still. She'd try. She'd go to the Grand Hall, she'd hold hands with her boyfriend, she'd talk to her friends.

But it was different. Zach sat a little closer to her than he ever had before in what could be an endearing gesture or could be to keep her in place. Instead of talking about class or boys her friends were talking about her; her hair, her weight, her eating. There was a level of hand holding happening that Cammie hadn't felt since childhood. As she looked around at everything that looked the same but was so different she was startled by the unshakeable feeling that there was nothing left for her there.

The idea rocked her, the Gallagher Academy had always felt like home to her. But the thought was there, that there was nothing left there for her and all of her and her friends best years were behind them.

What a brutal way to die.

As Cammie spent most of senior year outside the walls of the Academy she reflected over her last three years there.

"Do you ever think," she asked Zach. "Do you ever wish you had done things differently?"

They had been sitting shoulder to shoulder with Zach's head on top of hers. She felt him turn and cast his eyes down towards her. "That tells me you're thinking about it."

Cammie sighed, not entirely pleased with how Zach could see straight through her. "I don't know," she said. "I can't think of any specific instance where I would chose anything different than what I did."

"You wouldn't turn around and just not meet me?" He teased.

Cammie fought the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't entirely sure how Zach could still joke so effortlessly. "No. I don't think I would."

Zach smiled and tilted his head so his mouth was closer to her ear. "I know," he whispered.

"You know?"

"Yeah," he said, quietly. "I know you. You'd chose this every time."

So, where do we go now?

All of Cammie's graduating class had such great and fantastical plans following the day they got their diplomas. It was a day they had been planning and prepping for, for years, if not their entire lives. There was an excitement buzzing amongst them. But Cammie's group was different. There was still excitement, but the overwhelming question hanging over their heads was-

"Where do we go now?" Bex asked.

The four girls exchanged glances before Cammie finally spoke. "I guess our separate ways." The sentence came out with a sigh. Like it was tough to say, but necessary. She could see her own expression reflected in Bex's. Whereas Macey had a familiar clench in her jaw back, a tell other people might have missed. And Liz, well, Liz looked like she might cry.

"Come on, Lizzie," Bex said. "Don't do that. We'll all be back together again before you know it."

Liz nodded, but it did little for the way she was trying to swallow back her tears.

"We'll meet down the line," Cammie said. "After all of this time, we've been through too much. We'll come back together again."

Finally, Liz nodded, Cammie's statement getting through to her. She glanced over at Bex. "Give it an actual try," she said, quietly.

Bex flashed her a quick wink before resuming her previous expression while Cammie and Macey looked at each other. "I can't promise you'll like it."

"When has that stopped you?" Macey asked. "Stopped any of us."

"It's true," Cammie said. "We've been through changes before. We can do it again."

"Changes this big?" Liz asked. "I mean we've been together for years now. All of that is about to change overnight."

The group fell silent at that. Eventually, Cammie shrugged. "I know I changed overnight. Not that I blame you for fighting it," Cammie added, turning to her. "But you can't always. And I mean, you read my reports, living in that... I wanted to fight it. I was losing my mind."

"We all were," Macey added. Everyone turned to her. "But we got through it!"

Where do we go now?

Cammie looked down at the postcard she had just received in her dorm mailbox. It had a beautiful image on the front. The back had familiar handwriting on it, saying, 'Half of myself here without you'. There was no signature, but Cammie would always know her best friends handwriting. She returned to her room and placed that post card with the others. One in Liz's handwriting and another in Macey's. She let her fingertips linger on the card as she set it down before leaving her room again and heading across campus. 

Her time at the Gallagher Academy had brought her the best people in her life. The girlhood and sisterhood that was founded in those walls was still there in the absence, but it was hard not to feel as though it was something she had lost sometimes. She thought back to her conversation with Zach, about if they would do anything differently. In hindsight, so much of their lives had actually been more out of their control than they had really thought. When things fell through and her friends were hurt, they were doing the best they could while playing by someone else's rules. In that way, it was one sided, still, she hated how she had hurt them.

Maybe space was the thing that she needed. The thing they all needed.

She purchased four postcards from the on campus store, quickly scrawling the same message on all of them. She dropped three off to be sent out before heading to an apartment just a few minutes away.

When Zach opened his apartment door he found a card taped to it. He pulled it off, reading the short message- just four words- that would reach the other three recipients within the next few weeks. Despite immediately recognizing the handwriting, he turned the card over, seeing the image of Georgetown University. Finally, he looked up at the girl who was now standing in front of his door.

"Hey, Gallagher Girl," he greeted, before inviting her in. The two went inside, the card left on the dining table with the message face up.

'But I miss you'

Where do we go now?

[unovasrose]

time capsule thread: plasma confession with @/luckynatured ft. @/twilightheater's moral support

summary: it's not right to keep secrets from people you love, so Rosa bites the bullet.

Have you ever kept a secret from someone you cared about just because you’re afraid that they won’t look at you the same way after?

Her own words to Red still haunt her, but it’s been almost two weeks and Rosa has moped enough.

While avoiding Hilbert had been a necessary evil while she recovered and got her head on straight, it’s only made her miss him more. She eyes her phone warily. She’s long since resigned herself to this conversation having a painful outcome; however, it still needs to happen if she even wants to continue being friends with him...

Besides, what would he do? That’s right, he’d just rip off the band-aid, like he always does, so she wouldn't have to angst for weeks on end over how this would affect their friendship.

A glance at her watch reminds her that it’s much too late for any reasonable person to be out and about but if she waits any longer, she’ll probably lose her nerve. She takes a deep breath and makes a grab for her phone.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] hey, I know it’s sorta late but… can we talk? like, in person

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] I can meet you somewhere if it makes things easier.

—

When he heard his phone vibrating, Hilbert didn’t expect to see Rosa’s name flashing on the screen. How long had it been since they last spoke with each other? He would be lying if he said that he hadn’t gotten worried as the days passed.

It was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. As he read the contents of the texts, though, he got an uneasy feeling. He didn’t know why. This was Rosa, she’s never given him any reason to feel uneasy. Maybe it was because she asked to talk in person after they didn’t see each other for so long?

Yeah, that had to be it. What was it she wanted to talk about?

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Sure, I’m open to talk.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] I’m in Black City if you want to meet around there? It’s close to Undella Town if that makes it easier for you.

Black City could get pretty crowded, so if Rosa wasn’t comfortable with talking about whatever it was there he was more than willing to go to Undella Town. It was starting to get pretty quiet around this time of year.

—

The buzzing of her phone rattles her more than she cares to admit. A small part of her — the nervous wreck within her — had been hoping that Hilbert had long since turned in for the night. But apparently, much like his hometown, Hilbert doesn’t sleep.

She glances back at her clock. It would take her much too long to fly to Black City from Village Bridge, but Undella would be a good middle ground. Elliot could make that flight in about twenty minutes... maybe even less if the winds are in their favor. Best of all, it’s finally fall, so the beach-side town will be relatively sleepy. If things go south, well... at least they won’t make a scene.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] Okay, thank you. Again, I’m sorry… I know it’s super late.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] Can I ask you to meet me in Undella? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to make it to Black City ‘til about midnight. I can be there in 20.

Her hands are shaking so badly, she’d have dropped her phone ages ago if she hadn’t been firmly grasping it between both her hands.

—

Black City was a city that never slept, so it made sense that Hilbert would be up this late. As much of a morning person as he was, he found a certain kind of solace in being up this late. In fact, he wouldn’t consider this time of night ‘late’ at all, but that’s a whole other thing.

The fact remained, Rosa had agreed to Undella Town. That was probably the best bet. As previously mentioned, Black City never slept, so…there were still the couple of crowds that Hilbert had to squeeze through to make it to Undella Town (and that’s ignoring the fact that he’d still have to walk through Route 16).

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] If I leave now I should be there in 20 to 30 minutes.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Depending on how long it takes me to get out of Black City; it’s still kinda active this time of night.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Be seeing you! :)

With that, Hilbert got his jacket and grabbed his keys. Then it crossed his mind that maybe he should bring Michelle with him. If only so he’ll have some counter for the wild Pokemon he could encounter on the way, but she loved swimming through Undella’s shores anyway.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Rosa ] Do you mind if I brought Michelle with me? She won’t listen in on our conversation or anything like that. She loves night swimming, so she’ll probably be too occupied to want to listen in anyway.

—

Twenty to thirty minutes... no matter how long, she’d wait for him. If anything, it’ll give her time to steel her nerves.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Hilbert ] of course I don’t mind! I was planning on bringing at least Elliot with me… let’s meet at the beach in front of the pokécenter, okay? i’ll see you then.

As soon as she’s done scheduling a meeting time with Hilbert, she finally drops her phone in panic. The knots in her stomach are making her sick. Shit. Is she going to be able to do this? Frantically, she picks up her phone again and haphazardly smashes the keys as she texts the only person who’d understand what she’s feeling right now.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] Red, help… I think I fucked up!!!

His reply comes soon after.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] Okay first, can you tell me what happened?

Rosa forces herself to breathe a sigh. Thank Arceus that he responded. She has no idea what the time difference is between Johto and Unova but she’s glad that Dialga had been in her favor.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] I… messaged him on a whim tonight. asked him to meet up with me so I could tell him about… you know

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] not the feelings thing, but the other thing

She hides half her face in one hand. Hopefully, Red knows what she means.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] and now, I’m supposed to meet him in like 20 minutes to talk but I suddenly don’t feel like I can do this

She flops onto her bed spread-eagle like a defeated Staryu, moving only to check her phone when Red replies back.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] You can, and I know it’s hard to accept but you have to. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] It’s like we talked about, you just have to get it over with. Because the sooner you do, the sooner you can both move past it and go on with your friendship. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] but I know that’s much easier said than it is done. It’s going to be hard for you to do and I know it’s going to hurt. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] But from what I’ve gathered about the guy so far… I think he’ll end up being glad you told him in the end.

It’s what she expected to hear… and also the reality slap that she needs right now. Red’s absolutely right. Things just haven’t been the same between her and Hilbert since… pretty much the Hall of Origins, but especially since her conversation with the former Kantonian champion. The secret weighs down on her too much to even carry on with their friendship properly and she knows things won’t regain a sense of normalcy until she’s come clean… as if there’s anything normal about their situation anymore.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] yeah… I know what the right answer is. I’m just so afraid. He means so much to me, even as just a friend, and I don’t know what I’d do if he were to walk away from me after this.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] But also… it just doesn’t feel right being close to him and hiding this from him

She chews on her bottom lip, contemplating her next message. It’s something she almost accidentally brought up during their last conversation but, at the time, it had felt much too heavy and would have immediately outed her to Red as well. The situation hasn’t really changed but, but fuck it, if she’s going to be sharing secrets tonight, she might as well go all in.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] can I ask you something, Red?

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] if someone you have come to love and trust recently ever told you that they used to be a part of Team Rocket, like while you were actively fighting against them on your journey… how would you feel about it?

It takes a bit for Red’s next reply to come in, so much that her pulse actually spikes when her phone buzzes to life.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] Conflicted at first, I’ll admit. I’d wonder why but, personally the why and how aren’t all that important to me anyway. People end up part of these teams for lots of reasons, and though I do loathe Team Rocket not everyone who is part of it is necessarily a bad person. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] What would matter to me is what they do despite that old connection to the team I hate, but the problem is already pretty much solved by the key words about all of it: they used to be part of it. Not anymore, the person they were back then is likely not the same person they are today. With ties cut with Team Rocket in present day and assuming they're the type of person i could come to love and trust, I’d be able to forgive their involvement. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] I feel like it would speak volumes to me that they would’ve wanted to tell me the truth too even with that history. It shows how much they trust me. So in the end… [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] it probably wouldn't change how I feel about them [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] So if Hilbert is worth it, it won’t change how he views you either. He’d probably just need time.

Her eyes widen a bit more with every text. When she had shot off that last loaded text of hers, her expectations of what she’d get back had been very different than what was on her screen now, even if she had been hoping that this would be the case. She holds no doubt that Red meant every word he said. Suddenly, the lump in her throat doesn’t seem so hard to swallow around.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] …I really, truly hope he feels the same way you do about this. i’d like to think that I’m a good person, Red. everything I did was because I wanted to protect pokémon… and I’ve fought tooth and nail to redeem the wrongs that I turned a blind eye on in the past. but of course, I can’t judge myself in the end.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] my entire life, I’ve been keeping secrets just to save my skin but I don’t want to keep secrets just to keep him. if I can’t be honest with him, I don’t deserve him.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] he’s suffered so much at the hands of my old group… some of which I’m surprised he’s shared with me at all. all the more reason why I can’t NOT return that type of honesty.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] so, I guess… I'm telling him tonight. let’s see where the chips fall.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ Red ] and Red? thank you so much for listening to me. you’re a good friend.

She didn't say all that just to get a pat on the back, so she's surprised by Red's incoming barrage of supportive texts. As she reads them, her smile grows wider.

[ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] I can’t speak for him, but I think he will really. surely he values your friendship that much. It’s honestly what you deserve, don’t settle for anything less. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] Bad people don’t fight tooth and nail to right their wrongs like that, owning up to your mistakes honestly takes more effort than it does to just avoid making them in the first place. And people are bound to screw up, it’s a bump in the road. You’ll get through this Rosa. [ 📲 • sms ⇢ from Red ] And it’s no problem, I’m on your side through this and I’ll help you get through it if I can at all. Keep me posted on how it goes if you can, okay? But no pressure if you can’t either, and good luck anyway. 🍀

Red probably doesn’t know it, but that small four-leaf clover at the end of his text means the world to her.

A quick glance at the clock reminds her that she'll be late if she doesn't leave soon.

Though it’s still early September and decently warm most days, the nights are starting to bring with them the inevitable chill of fall so she throws on a sweatshirt and slips on a pair of worn hi-tops. The sand’s bound to get everywhere anyway. Despite her nerves, she ventures a glance at herself in her bedroom mirror. Other than the subtle dark circles underneath her eyes, she at least looks… presentable. Not that it matters, anyway. She takes one last peek at her phone — Red’s last few texts — for strength and then heads out the door.

All she has is her courage and a green lucky charm to get her through this but at least, at the end of the night, she’ll be able to say she did it.

Once outside, she releases her Flygon amid a shower of sparkles. Elliot is more than thrilled at the opportunity to take a cool nighttime flight, so he cries out excitedly and offers his head down to his trainer for pets. A smile ghosts across her face as she strokes the smooth skin. Once she’s lavished enough TLC on the pokémon, she climbs up on his back and sets off for Undella.

Surprisingly, they manage to beat Hilbert and Michelle to their rendezvous point.

With Elliot returned to his Luxury Ball, she finds herself alone in the quiet of the shore. Undella’s normally turquoise waters are painted a deep indigo now, to the point where she can't tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins. Her only comforts are the stars and the moon overhead, casting their gentle glow down on the beach. She balls her hands into fists and shoves them into the pockets of her sweatshirt. Her heart is pounding so hard in her chest that she fears it'll break her ribs. Why does it feel like this is the most difficult thing she'll ever do?

After a few minutes of rolling waves and nighttime breeze, the eerie calm is broken by Hilbert and Michelle's arrival. She glances over her shoulder to greet them with a forced smile. Time to face the music.

—

It didn’t surprise Hilbert to find that Rosa had already beaten them to Undella. He didn’t know where she and Elliot had been coming from, but between the lingering crowds surrounding the Black City borders and the long walk through Route 16, he would have been shocked if he got here first.

Michelle had been walking alongside him too, which may have added to the time that it took Hilbert to get here. Samurott weren’t exactly known for their walking speed, after all. She had a solemn look on her face, but the warrior’s expression seemed to fade into glee when she took note of the water.

Once they got close enough to the shore, Hilbert stopped to give his starter a pat on the head, and then nodded. Michelle took that as her cue to dive right into the water.

As she swam further and further into the ocean, that was when Hilbert finally caught sight of Rosa. He jogged over with a smile, absolutely oblivious to her inner turmoil.

“Hey! Hope you didn’t wait too long.” The fact that Rosa’s smile seemed forced didn’t escape him. He wasn’t going to pry about it, though. Whatever it was she wanted to say, he wanted to make sure there was no pressure or anything like that.

—

“No worries. We got here not too long ago.” The corners of her lips twitch upward a bit more, more genuine this time around.

Hilbert’s smile does all sorts of unfair things to her, though he truly has no idea, does he? She inhales sharply and turns her back to him in an attempt to steel her nerves.

“Thanks for coming, especially on such short notice,” she says softly, digging one of her heels in the sand. “First, I wanna apologize if things have seemed kinda weird between us lately.” The avoidance, mainly. After being used to spending so much time together, it had been jarring even for her. She can only imagine how he must’ve felt... if he had noticed, that is.

“I've had a lot on my mind and it was just easier to…” Run? Hide? She's been doing both pretty well up to this point.

She shifts uncomfortably and slides her trembling hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt before they betray how terrified she is. “Anyway…”

Why does it feel like it would be easier to confess her feelings to him right now than to have this conversation? Even with how terrified she is of rejection, she would take that a thousand times over what's bound to be his reaction when she finally comes clean. However, a confession like that would be meaningless in the shadows of what she needs to say.

“Listen, Hilbert...” she turns to face him suddenly, her eyes finding his. “I need to tell you something important, something that I should have probably told you long ago, but I was so scared to...”

Her bottom lip quivers. Arceus, please, don't let her cry now.

“Even now I'm so terrified because there's no way you'll ever look at me the same way once you know. But I don't want to keep secrets... not from you. You're too important to me.” Her hands are balled into fists so tight that her nails are digging crescents into her skin. Just rip the bandaid off, Rosa.

She unclenches her fists, her eyes downcast. “I… used to be a part of the original Team Plasma.”

The Plasma that Hilbert fought fiercely against during his journey. The Plasma that killed Jude and tried to kill him. The Plasma that might very well end their friendship for good.

—

Of course, Hilbert noticed when Rosa hadn’t been talking to him lately — after spending so much time together, how could he not? He just figured she wanted space for some reason, and didn’t want to pry too much.

Not that he could work out why she’d need space in the first place, but that’s a whole other issue.

“Rosa?” It did make him worry when Rosa said that she had been scared to tell him…well, whatever it was. The thought that she’d be scared to tell him anything stung a bit, but after how hard it was to tell her about Jude…well, he really wouldn’t be one to talk, would he?

Hilbert’s smile had faded gradually as Rosa spoke, but it was gone by the time Rosa got to the point. What replaced it was this mixture of shock and confusion.

…Well. That’s definitely some kind of secret to keep.

And she wasn’t lying. That much was obvious; she had avoided him for weeks leading up to this, she literally just said that she was terrified to even be telling him this in the first place, why would any of that lead up to a lie? Especially about something like this, and especially when she knew that he lost a dear friend to them?

The only answer to that question was simple: she wouldn’t. A lie would be crueler than keeping the truth from him, and Rosa wasn’t a cruel person.

As much as he appreciated her being honest about this, it’s not something he would’ve ever suspected. Rosa was nothing but kind to him and his pokémon, for the entire time they’d known each other. He couldn’t have thought up a person who was the furthest from the Plasma Grunts he fought if he tried.

The group he met in Driftveil crossed his mind, and things started to make a little more sense from there. Maybe she fell into that category too — good intentions that had been taken advantage of? He couldn’t be certain unless she chose to elaborate, but he just…couldn’t see her be anything but kind towards pokémon. Rosa was probably expecting him to be angry, but Hilbert was honestly more confused than anything.

“…The original Team Plasma. As in, the one I fought.” It’s more statement than question.

A moment passed as he absorbed the information before he spoke again, “And, uh…why tell me this now? Is it because I told you about what happened with…?”

—

“W-what?”

Like the wild card that he is, Hilbert manages to throw her off with his response. Knowing of his well-placed disdain and hate toward Team Plasma, she’d been expecting him to be upset, even angry… not confused and as oddly calm as he seems. As to why she decided to tell him, well…

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t always plan on telling you. When you opened up to me about Jude, you made me not want to tell you even more at first. And I mean, how could I? Team Plasma hurt you and your pokémon so much through your journey. They took a close friend and teammate from you… I figured that if I were to tell you that I was once one of them, you’d hate me. You and Carmen especially… and that would have broken my heart.”

Two hot tears suddenly streak down her cheek and she swipes them away with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. Arceus dammit, can she please make it through this conversation without turning into a complete mess?

“But then, the more I thought about it…” some of that with Red’s gentle prodding, “I realized that this is NOT a secret I want to keep from you. You trusted me enough to open up about something so deeply personal and painful, and that meant so much to me. I’ve wanted so badly for you to trust me because I lo-…” she pauses, her lips forming around a word she most definitely shouldn’t say right now. “…I-I care about you so much.”

“And, secrets like this? They tear people apart when they come to light unexpectedly.” She would know. Just look at her very missing father. “At the end of the day, no matter what you think of me, at least you heard this from me. Because I chose to tell you. Because I trust you.”

—

Hilbert was quiet as Rosa explained herself. It was hard not to be, he just needed to absorb the information he was just given.

So…originally, she didn’t want to tell him about her former affiliation, especially after he told her about Jude. As much as he might hate to admit it, that was probably fair. The fact that he lost a pokémon to Team Plasma wasn’t really a secret, and neither was the fact that it was the reason he fought as fiercely as he did in the first place. There was a point in time where his main reason for beating Team Plasma had been soley to avenge Jude.

And it was true that he hated all of them in that time, but then he stormed N’s Castle and learned the truth about Team Plasma. That not everyone in Team Plasma was llike the one who killed Jude. That the whole thing was Ghetsis’ doing; how he had manipulated not only N, but the people that joined Team Plasma because they genuinely believed in that ideal.

Between that and observing Rood’s group in Driftveil for that week, it was safe to say that his opinion about Team Plasma had changed, somewhat. The split between Rood’s Plasma and Neo-Team Plasma admittedly made that change a little easier. He could direct any hatred or anger at Neo Plasma, while Rood’s Plasma had taken a more sympathetic light.

And Rosa? Maybe the same could be said for her too — after all, she used to be a part of the Plasma he had fought. Not only that, didn’t she help fight Neo Plasma when they tried to freeze Unova over? He wasn’t sure why she’d think he’d hate her if she fought against the team she used to be a part of.

And honestly? It was a little heartwarming that she trusted him with that big a secret. He wondered if that’s how she felt when she told him about Jude.

“Well…” He couldn’t think of anything to say for a moment.

“Thanks for telling me. I really appreciate that level of honesty, you know? I’d much rather hear it from you than just find out about it somewhere down the line.”

—

Her shoulders slump slightly, most of the tension bunched up beneath her shoulder blades suddenly released. That’s… it?

Granted, she hadn’t expected much of a response in the way of words. She’d just dropped a hell of a bomb on him and he’d taken it in surprising stride. But what shocks her the most is the emotion behind his words, across his face. He doesn’t seem... angry. Not even a little.

She has never been as confused and conflicted as she is at this very moment.

“I... you’re welcome...?” she replies uncertainly.

In none of her nightmares, in none of the versions she’d concocted in her mind of this very moment does this conversation end like this. Maybe she’s sorely miscalculated Hilbert’s anger toward Plasma all along...

I feel like it would speak volumes to me that they would’ve wanted to tell me the truth too even with that history. It shows how much they trust me. So in the end... it probably wouldn't change how I feel about them. So if Hilbert is worth it, it won’t change how he views you either...

Her eyes widen as Red’s texts suddenly come back to mind. What he’d said, how he would’ve reacted had he been in Hilbert’s shoes… it’s mirrored in Hilbert’s own words.

What if her miscalculation hadn’t been just about Hilbert’s thoughts of Plasma, but also about how much he cares about her?

Briefly, she presses her palm to her heart... still wildly beating, like she’d just finished running for her life. A heart that beats for him, whatever the reason... Arceus, what does she do now?

Realizing that he probably thinks she’s acting super-weird right now, she shakes her head and takes a step back.

“I guess I should be thanking you too… for being so understanding about it, I mean. You have more right than anyone else to be mad, and you’re not…” A pause, in which she takes a deep breath. “So… thank you for not turning your back on me. I can't fully express how much that means.”

[starlightandetherealshadows]

Atta girl tell them who’s house their at!! i still find it crazy people do say things like this forgetting this is the authors story their showing to others and we just get the chance to experience it being ourselves or someone else for fun to explore.

Anyways enough smack talk Me and C really are going to go through this either slow burn because one thing about me unfortunately hate being all **sweet and vulnerable** especially with characters like V i need to mark the territory that says “don’t mess with me or we’re both going to be on the ground tussling to the death“ watch my baby go hard on the flirting just so C knows this *vulnerable sweetness* is only for them to see 😤 you have already addressed this to me before but i just love to ramble about how i’m going to conquor their hearts. (yes im the ask with the honey bee author👀 seems like you stung the ones that over stepped it as you should) ils manquent de respect des fois.

Question how would Ro’s react at MC in the vurge of dying after the whole relationship establish stage? 🫡 I’m truly sorry.!

Hi dearheart,

PERIOD! welcome to my home I have refreshments and a bomb ass playlist playing over the speakers. just take your shoes off when you enter!

You’re too kind 🥹 thank you lovebug!

AHHHH I love seeing people going on Cecelia/Chase’s route.

I actually think that playing a character that is stoic and “rough around the edges” creates a really interesting dynamic with C that I’m excited to explore.

And then the layers of angst as MC tries to show C that they’re nothing like C’s father even though they appear that way when interacting with others…so C is afraid to let them get close oooooo SLOW BURN FRIENDS TO LOVERS WE LOVE YOUUUUU

For the last part of your ask, I can’t answer that rn cuz everyone in Memento Mori gets beat the fuck up and I’m not sure who is gonna end up ya know, nearly biting the bullet. If it ends up being MC I want the RO reactions to be a surprise. That being said, I’m sure y’all can picture them since we know more about the characters.

Thank you again for being a sweet soul, I hope you’re having a great weekend!!

All my love,

Cheye

[numericalassassin]

Assassins Rendezvous

A drabble for @nicholas-wolfwood about Nicholas and Zer0 meeting up on Gunsmoke for the first time.

Nicholas sat at another dusty table in another dusty bar, for once enjoying the peace and quiet of not having Vash right at his side. Meryl and Milly had dragged him off to do God only knew what and Nick had made sure to be out of the girl’s sight when they’d come for the gunslinger. Vash had, of course, spotted him and made it very clear it was his turn next but hey, that was only if he couldn’t manage to distract Milly and thus distract Meryl and redirect attention back to Vash again which was getting much easier with practice. For now he ate in peace, letting the gossip of the place wash over him as a kind of background buzz, only lingering on bits and pieces here and there.

Any calls for Plant techs, any suddenly vanished towns, any new bandit groups causing trouble. Not much of note today.

“Did you hear about that odd new bandit being reported?” Some young mother fussed over her toddler. “A few towns have mentioned running him off, I heard it on the satellite.”

“The weird tall one, all in black? Yeah I heard about him. Definitely a thief from what my cousin told me. He’s got family out that way. Probably some no-good scout for a gang.” An older man at the bar chimed in.

“Tall, wears a black body suit, helmet with a black visor so dark you can’t see his face?” The barkeeper asked and Nicholas’ ears perked up. That was an odd description for sure. “Heard he uses a sword that glows, maybe he’s part of that neon gang?”

A bite paused halfway to Nick’s mouth. Dark visored helmet and a sword that glowed. It couldn’t be. There was no way in Heaven or Hell. Not possible.

“I dunno, he doesn’t seem to have done much but you can’t be too careful with people like that. You can’t trust a man that won’t show his face.”

Won’t or can’t, Nick wondered, resuming his meal but not quite tasting it anymore. Please don’t let it be who it sounds like. Please let one person be out of his Master’s reach for good. Please.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zer0 hated Gunsmoke. Hated this planet with every fiber of their being. Two suns beating down, the lack of access to water, the sand getting inside their suit, and the hopeless, defensive people. They hissed, a misstep on a loose incline jostling the bullet hole in their side. At least they’d managed to find a little nook to tuck themself into to wrap the wound up but the need to keep moving was stronger then the pain. If they’d been slightly faster, not quite as tired from not having many places to rest and recover, they might have slipped by without taking the hit but...

Terrified and angry faces, shouts and shots before Zer0 could get more then a few words in edgewise, ducking around a corner to hear the sound of a gun racking, sword swinging in a defensive arc- A young boy with terror in his eyes and a gun in his hands, aimed at them.

Yeah, there wasn’t much they were going to be able to do to avoid that hit, not while they were within arm’s reach and having to abort a swing that would have taken off the boy’s head. They’d corrected in time to only hit the stone of the doorway he was standing in but they’d stumbled in the process and taken a bullet to the side. After that, they’d just bailed with Decepti0n. The civilians were already afraid of them and having swung at a child wasn’t going to endear them to the unknown and frightening newcomer, no matter that they’d rather cut their own hands off then willingly hurt a kid.

Zer0 sighed and kept walking. At least they’d learned to sneak in and get a look around first so they’d gotten a good look at a map showing the next town. Stealing supplies to make the next trek was only going to last them so long.

Apparently they should have listened when Nicholas called his home a total shitshow. Damn their sentimentality, it was absolutely going to get them killed and the other Vault Hunters were going to laugh themselves sick when they heard about it. Hopefully after murdering whatever actually ended them first. Unless it was just the suns. Dying of exposure would be a really shitty way to go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Yeah we were able to chase him out! Caught him skulking around in an abandoned building where the children play, probably just waiting to kidnap our kids!” The man shook his fist, looking something between terrified and elated. Remembered adrenaline high no doubt, with just the memory enough to make him jittery. Ugh, civilians.

“Oh no that’s terrible! Good thing you were able to chase him off before he caused any trouble!” Milly said, absolutely eating it all up. Meryl nodded along, just as enthusiastic.

“You always have to be careful about the kinds of people you tolerate in your city! Always keep a close eye out for trouble!” Nick rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses, half exasperated, half fond. The girls were in rare form.

“Yeah! It was the darnest thing, you’d almost think he was more scared of us with how quickly he ran! He must have been about to pull something awful!”

“I shot him!” A squeaky voice announced and Nicholas started, looking down at the scrunched face of a boy who could barely be called a teenager. His face was dirty and his hair mussed and he had a scrappy looking SMG on a strap on his back. Too young by far to be having to join this town’s little militia and that hidden, bruised heart in Nick’s chest took another hit. Vash crouched down and ruffled the kid’s hair.

“Did you now? I hope you were just aiming to scare them off. It’s not right to take another person’s life you know.” The kid scowled to hide the blush at the attention as the adults made vague indulging noises and turned back to the girls. They didn’t believe him but Vash did and Nick trusted Vash’s instincts a hell of a lot more then random civilians.

“I didn’t hit ‘em bad, just in the side. ‘E swung his sword at me but I ducked and ‘e missed!” The kid leaned a little closer and Nick looked away, pretending his ears couldn’t pick up every word like it was right next to him. “I dun think ‘e’s human Mister Vash! ‘E must be Lost Tech stuff! ‘E didn’t bleed red, ‘e bled black!”

Nick stood up, too abrupt, not casual enough even as he slouched under the weight of his cross. Vash was looking at him, teal eyes too sharp for that spikey head of his.

“Since you’re all gonna talk to all these fine people and get the scoop, I’ll head for the next town huh? Maybe rent us a decent place to stay for once and poke around for some jobs. Maybe I’ll even find something Vash can be good at this time!” He smiled his fake smile and Vash paused before giving him his own bullshit grin. Milly looked between the two for a moment before smiling her usual, happy way. The one that said she might not know what was up but she knew there was something but she was trusting him to deal with it.

“Good thinking Wolfwood! If you find a good place to work, could you treat me to something? Please?”

“Ugh, yeah, yeah ya moocher, fine! You girls keep him out of trouble while I’m gone, you hear?” He meandered off towards the inn and his bike, ignoring the curious gaze boring into his back. He just needed a little time, he had to find out for sure first-!

Body suit, dark visored helmet, glowing sword. Black blood, spilled because he wouldn’t hurt a kid even when he had a gun aimed at him.

Dammit Zer0, it better not be you-!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Caution, this time. More so even then before. Keep to the roofs because no one thinks to look up, only move at night time to keep in cover of dark. Not as easy with a hastily patched hole in their side but they’d functioned on less. If nothing else, this was an exercise in remembering to be fucking grateful whenever Maya had to heal them. So much easier then stitching themself up.

This town was buzzing, an ant hill that was kicked with people running every which way, yelling about bandits and outlaws and raiders. Zer0 sighed and fount a nook to tuck themself into; clearly this wasn’t going to be a town they could stay in either. Probably they should just leave now before they were spotted but... They were tired. They needed a rest. If everyone was busy running around yelling, they were far less likely to be found and disturbed. Or shot again. Nap time.

Of course they were woken up only hours later by whimpers and muffled cries moving just below their current perch. Carefully shifting, they peer down from the shadows to see a young girl being dragged along by two much bigger men, tied up and crying as she was manhandled. Well. Seems they found the ones kicking the ant hill and for once it wasn’t their mere existence causing the disturbance. They slide off the roof and drop to the ground silently, only pausing a moment to evaluate before darting forward and taking out the two men with a series of quick hits that had them on the ground in moments and the little girl free but terrified. Zer0 made quick work of the bindings on her and ruffled her hair carefully before she ran off toward home.

One child saved. But how many others were left now who’d been taken before they’d gotten here? Zer0 sighed and darted off into the dark. Ungrateful civilians or not, they weren’t letting children suffer while they could do something about it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nicholas leaned on a wall, tucked partway in an alley as he watched the civilians stand in the street and shout. Slave ring, it looked like, and no one sounded happy. The slavers were demanding their captives back and the civilians were demanding they leave, all in all a huge shouting match with far too many weapons being waved around. Funny though, an awful lot of the raiders were injured, screaming about a shadow taking them down and stealing their goods.

A scuffle erupted, a scream as someone was grabbed up as a hostage, and Nicholas is moving before he consciously thought about it, training and habit from Vash both kicking in to intervene and save whoever was screaming. But he’s not the first one to act, or the closest. A shape materializes among the bandits, knocking the knees out from under the one holding the woman and dropping him before sweeping her up and leaping to safety. Or would be safety if the bandits weren’t all aiming at the fleeing shape shielding her with his body. Shots rang out before Nick was moving, firing and knocking guns out of hands and the shape stumbled but didn’t go down, managing to drop the woman behind cover as all the other civilians scream and run.

Nick gets a good look at the shape as they pop up again, darting toward the group of bandits either picking themselves up or stumbling for their fallen guns.

Tall, lithe, black bodysuit with armor pieces, elongated helmet with a black visor. The sword he’d never quite figured out how he stored flashed into being as they dove into the group with a snarl he could hear vibrate in all the wrong pitches. Zer0. What the fuck was Zer0 doing here on Gunsmoke and how the fuck did he get here!?

Pieces of guns go flying, along with bandits as Zer0 is let loose among them, far above the level of every day thug. Nicholas plays back-up, shooting guns out of hands fast enough to make even Vash proud until there’s only Zer0 left standing, hunched over in clear pain before he consciously straightens and steps onto the street again.

The woman he’d saved darts forward before Nick can, sobbing her gratitude to the clearly startled assassin. More people follow, so easily awed by the display of skill, including a group of kids who had clearly been snatched up by the bandits before Zer0 had gotten them out. Nick idly reloads his gun and wraps up his Punisher before shouldering it and stepping into the crowd, giving them time to crowd around and shout praises and thanks and Zer0 time to be forced out of fight mode. All the better to see him jump when he claps a hand on his shoulder, grinning like the devil and firmly ignoring the little warmth in his chest when Zer0 immediately makes a delighted, high-pitched noise.

“Hey now don’t crowd, I’d bet you anything this guy’s been working through the night to get everyone freed! Let ‘im rest huh?” He snorts as Zer0 all but slumps into him and people parted to let them get to the inn, which is more then happy to put Zer0 up for free.

When Nicholas gets him in a room he’s going to hit him, what the hell was Zer0 thinking following him here!?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Too bad Zer0 has another idea and turns to give Nick a tight hug as soon as the door is closed. They laugh at his put-upon sigh even as he returns the hug with enough force that they breathe in sharply for the pain in their side.

Of course he ruins it when he pulls back and shakes them hard, then eyes their injured side knowingly.

“What th’ fuck’re you doing out here, stupid!? Getting shot by kids! What th’ fuck’s wrong with you!? You should have stayed put!” Zer0 giggles, both exhausted and relieved, and pats Nick’s face.

“I had to follow. I would be a poor parent, if I did not come.” Nick scowls at them but there’s just that tiny hint of softness in his eyes that makes Zer0 reach up and ruffle his hair. They get an eye roll but he doesn’t drop them onto the bed, lets them down slow, so they know he’s not really annoyed. Performative, like he has anything to worry about with Zer0. Ah well, now they have time to work on those walls of his while they try to figure out how to actively help him.

“You shouldn’t have come out here. You know enough to know you should have stayed.” They shrug even as he glares at their side until they open up their suit jacket and show him their rushed patch job.

“As if I would stay. Need all the help you can get, and a new player. But, more suspicious, then I anticipated. Quite unfortunate.”

“What gave ya that idea, bein’ chased outta three towns before I caught wind of ya?” They droop and whine, just to see him have to attempt to hide a smile behind his scowl. Not that the scowl lasts.

“Dammit, okay, fine, you’re here obviously. I’m gonna assume I’m stuck with ya?” A bright, glowing :) is his only response but he snorts. “Great. Look forward to meetin’ Vash then, cause I know he knows I’m up t’ somethin’ out here. They’ll catch up way before I’m ready for em. Why’d you gotta get yourself involved, Zer0?” They click at him, reaching up to drag his forehead down to their visor.

“Any good parent, does not abandon their kid. Even if you left.” He wrinkles his nose though that soft look still hides there.

“Pain in my ass...” They laugh, knowing damn well they can’t ever be more of a pain then Vash the Stampede. At least now they’ll get a front row seat to the insanity.

They can’t wait.

[bonnie-barstow-of-flag]

Loose ends of fiction

((potentially turn this into a fan fic))

The brunette allows her tongue to traverse along the subtle craters of her teeth in an effort to bite back the sarcasm welling up inside of her. Her studious and well trained orbs fix upon the thing Rc3 affectionately called his ‘bike’. The motorcycle was something of an abysmal sight, looking more like an object dragged straight from a junkyard than a reliable mode of transportation. “I’m sorry, Rc. I’m going to have to side with Devon on this one. It looks like a death-trap.”  A death-trap held together with duct-tape and glue much like a kindergartener’s art project.

A tentative glance is cast around the semi and were it a smidgen warmer, Bonnie might have broken out in a sweat. “Are you sure that it’ll be safe for me to ride on the back with you?” Her fingers pawed the helmet he handed her with a sense of dread and apprehension. She much preferred things that ran with four-wheels. However, if this was the only way to stop their enemy, then she might have to bite the bullet.

Shifting in his place, the former Street Avenger considered Bonnie. Rc3 can sense her unease as palpable as if, it were the pulse beneath his own skin. Sure, the bucket of bolts didn’t look like much. Yet, when it ran, man, was it beautiful!!! If only she could employ a little more of her active imagination! The rust did not negate it’s overall value. In his mind, it gave the bike character. Besides, he and the bike had been through a lot together. Gesticulating towards his beloved motorcycle he reassures them with great confidence, “this bike will be up and purring like a cool cat. Don’t worry, Bonnie, it’s just as safe as riding with KITT and Michael.” Taking notice of her conflicted countenance, he flashes her an encouraging smile in an effort to sway her opinion. 

(((Insert Kitt having a protest and some statistical evidence that motorcycles are nto as safe as cars. calling transportation on two wheels unnatural.))

Nervous fingers glide across the sturdy rim of the helmet, her own turquoise orbs drifting from Devon, to Kitt, to Michael, and then back to Rc. Briefly, the brunette chews the corner of her lip. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” she counters. While Rc3 indicated that the bike would be purring like a cat, she couldn’t help but wonder which specific kind. After all, some cat’s purrs were more alarming than others. Still, he deserved to have some level of confidence instilled in him! He and his buddies had done a fantastic job with helping her to rebuild Kitt. Bonnie wished she could turn off the corridor of her mind screaming logistics and risk statistics but it can not be overridden. >>>Especially, not when Kitt’s words were bottled up, echoeing inside her cranium>>>

Meeting Rc3′s warm, hot chocolate shaded hues dead-on, Bonnie feels herself surrendering with a begrudging sigh. “We have to have it up and running by tomorrow if we’re going to provide assistance to Michael and Kitt.” She replies, trying to bury the worry ensnared in her tone. “Think you could have it done by then?”

Sensing a challenge, his lips depart with a widened grin. “Could I?” He parrots, eyes twinkling with wild mischief. “Your wish is my command. Just think of yourself as Cinderella and I’m your God-brotha.” His firm hand finds the slope of her shoulder. “It may not look like much now but just you wait. I won’t let anything happen to you.” 

Eyes trail away to lock questioningly on Michael at Rc3′s rather humorous analogy. Her jaw shifts slightly, trying to read Knight’s lovely azures for any sign that she should actively protest the offer. However, all she could analyze in those blistering hot blue eyes was an air of approval. Not quite sure she could trust him, she turns towards the Foundation’s patriarch. 

Devon’s topaz eyes shown with hesitancy. He was not entirely sure she should put herself in that predicament however, this case was urgent and he needed all of his agents operating in the field. He gifts Bonnie the courtesy of a nod indicating that the choice rested solely upon her own shoulders. 

Surrendering, a sigh departs her lips.