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ryosmne · 4 years ago

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You're gonna fry your brain.

Hello everyone, since it's finals season and we're all probably really dead inside, I decided to self indulge in some tattoo artist! Sukuna writing, so here's this brainrot that won't let me focus on studying. You can read more of this au in the au masterlist.

I've been trying so hard to finish up a bartender! Dabi fic I have in the works for too long, hopefully I can get around to it too. After finals are done I'll be writing a lot more that's for sure.

Tattoo artist! Sukuna x f!reader

Warnings: language, suggestive tones, that's it.

Finals are by far the worst thing about college, y/n knows that the hard way. She's been stressing herself out for the past few days, maybe weeks, going over the same material again and again. She'd constantly argue that she really needs to pass with an high grade that's why she's so obsessive over it.

Sukuna had tried multiple times to help her ease her nerves, he's been there, although he was the type who never really stuck his nose in a book for too long, regardless, his best girl needed a break, no matter how hard she denied it.

Y/n had declined his invitations of going out, she dropped by the shop a few times, bringing Sukuna some food, but he could tell she was slowly burning herself up.

Today was no different, y/n had been writing everything down all day to help memorize it better. So many hours has passed since she started her study session but she didn't even notice that her clock read 8 pm already.

Sukuna did notice, y/n had been barely responding back to his texts and it was time he took matters into his own hands.

The earpiercing doorbell pulled y/n out of her trance like state, she quickly got up from her desk to go and get rid of whoever just rung it.

"Dollface, I was beginning to think you had died in there."

There was Sukuna, leaning in her doorframe, looking as good as he always did, in a plan white t shirt and a gray pair of sweatpants, holding a few bags and a huge basket.

"not quite, what's all this?"

Y/n motioned to the bags he had.

"Nothing much, just some things I picked up for you, will you let me in? this basket is fucking heavy."

No, the basket wasn't that heavy, Sukuna could carry it just fine, he just wanted to make sure that y/n didn't have a chance to deny him.

Y/n stepped aside to let Sukuna in, and he went straight to her kitchen, dropping his bags on the table.

"Thanks for dropping by babe, but I really need to finish the last three chapters I have left."

"Y/n, you're going to fry your brain at this rate, no more studying for today."

"But-"

"No buts, you won't read another sentence today. We're destressing together."

Turns out, Sukuna had brought over many different things. He's not the type of guy to shy away from anything, so the first thing he did was to grab y/n and drag her into her bathroom.

Sukuna had taken mental notes the first time he looked through y/n's skincare products, he was able to determine her skin type and he went a bit crazy, buying her different things to try out.

"You are insane, that's drunk elephant, why did you get this many things?"

"Because you have the really terrible cheap stuff, now shut up you're going to eat the soap if you keep talking with cleanser all over your face."

Now, y/n's skincare wasn't bad, Sukuna had expensive taste and he's a bit of a brand snob

Sukuna gently poked her cheek with a smile as y/n's face distorted because she had in fact tasted the cleanser and Sukuna could only laugh at her before she flicked some into his mouth too.

"Don't kiss me with a face mask on you brat"

Y/n let out a soft laugh, Sukuna was doing his best to concentrate at the task at hand. Matching y/n's nail polish to his. Y/n had just finished painting his, matte black like he requested but y/n gave him some white polish on his ring finger. Sukuna had argued for a bit, saying it didn't look good and that he didn't like it, but gave in after y/n gave him a puppy face, can you blame him?

"But you look so cute like that."

Y/n complained, knowing that this little comment was going to feed Sukuna's ego more.

"I know doll, but artificial orange doesn't taste as good as it smells."

Y/n once again wasn't wrong, his cocky attitude always creeped in at times, not that she minded.

Time passed fast with watching trash reality shows on y/n's couch, after their very own self care day, Sukuna made sure to fix something they could both eat. Now they were engolved in each others arms, y/n's sleepy eyes staring up at him.

"How are you feeling, doll?"

Sukuna's hand found her hair, gently resting on top of her head.

"Much better, you're the best you know that?"

"I've heard it once or twice, I'll give you reasons to say it more often"

He gave her a gentle smile, leaning closer to steal a kiss, a little more intimate than the ones they shared earlier.

" 'Kuna, I'm sorry I was so stressed and distant this week, I probably worried you-"

"Don't be stupid, it's ok, I just want you to know I'm here for you, and it's just finals. You're a smart cookie, I'm sure you'll do great."

Y/n found his words reassuring and nuzzled closer to him, letting her lungs burn with his scent that never got less intoxicating.

"Thank you 'kuna, what would I do without you?"

The last few words came out slurred, but Sukuna understood everything, y/n's breathing got steadier against him.

"I don't know doll I'm just glad to have you here, I promised to take good care of you."

And just like that, y/n was fast asleep next to him, he didn't mind her uncomfortable couch one bit all he cared about was how at peace she looked. Maybe he would move her to her bed later, he couldn't bring himself to do it now.

The next morning, y/n found herself on her bed, Sukuna had almost woken her up getting ready before he left to go to work, but he managed to put her right back to sleep with a kiss on the forehead and a light "don't wake up yet doll".

Y/n made her way to the kitchen, Sukuna usually left a little letter for her on the nightstand by the bed, he must've been in a rush today.

Not quite the case.

Sukuna not only made her, her favourite breakfast, he also left post it notes in some places.

You suck at food shopping, thank me later.

Was written on her fridge.

So that's what all the bags were for, y/n didn't find out last night because of how tired she was, and how much fun she had being around sukuna.

He had filled up her fridge with everything she ever needed to make a meal for herself or have a snack. Let's be honest Sukuna just wanted to cook for her again.

Another post it was found in her bathroom cabinet.

You're probably gonna get mad at me for this but I'm not sorry, you deserve it.

The poor cabinet was stuffed to the brim with brand name skincare that made anyone's wallet scream in anguish and a lot of bathbombs. Upon closer look y/n almost cried at how attentive Sukuna was, he took extra care to look out for her skins needs.

Y/n found the last post it on her desk while she did her revision.

Don't overwork yourself doll, you've got me for that.

Y/n brought Sukuna cupcakes from seven different bakeries to try that day.

Bonus Domain shenanigans: "Sukuna left early again?"

Megumi asked, the day had been going pretty slow he wasn't surprised his friend dipped.

"Yeah, he left this behind though."

Geto held up a very nice looking white shop bag, a slight glimmer in his eye let the rest of his friends know he planned something.

"So? What's in it anyways?"

Gojo was resting his chin on his hand, blank expression on his face, completely unamused by Geto's discovery.

"Give me that"

Nanami swiftly snatched the bag, curious to see what was inside of it. He reached in and retrieved several wrapped round objects.

"Bathbombs?"

He questioned puzzled, but then his lips tugged upward.

Megumi, Nanami, Gojo and Geto, each got two bathbombs, and even though they would outright say it, they were pretty damn exited to drop them in their bathtubs. That's what Sukuna gets for avoiding clean up.

Sukuna entered the shop barely greeting anyone and begun looking around. Fuck he was looking for something, everyone tried to keep their composure.

"Have you seen a white bag?"

He finally looked at the group of men before him.

"like a backpack? No "

Megumi spoke, Sukuna begun thinking he was remembering everything wrong, that's untill he saw something sticking out of Geto's pocket. That's for sure a bathbomb he bought for y/n

"You motherfuckers, how low can you stoop to steal my girls bathbombs?"

Hey it's me again, though I'd add that here, if you have specific skin demands I tried to cover that in here so everyone can enjoy it, I have lots of allergies and skin concerns so I'm kinda sensitive to that stuff. Hope you had fun reading, remember to take it easy, untill next time :>

Tag list: (comment or message me and I’ll gladly add you)

@artist4theworld @skatercashew

@divineteaty

@in-inception

@not-another-ackerman

@jjk-is-my-shit @ilovemarvel99

@thegaymadafakkasworld @readinghassavedmylife @ruler-of-the-skies

@bluebananasssss

@ghost-of-todoroki

@sabsaocit

@heaveus

@jackysenpaii @rebenok-zimnayaya

@aam1na @sore-eyes@ryan249057 @goobygoobster @charlie-xo @kamisamaundercover

@shadoweepingscream

@sunfloweroranges

@haleypearce

@crapimahuman

@fiona782

@levi-ships-eruri

@chocolatecake764

@stupid-simp33 @ciphersighs

#jjk sukuna #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #ryomen sukuna x reader #sukuna x reader #tattoo artist sukuna #au ryomen sukuna #ryomen sukuna x you #jujutsu kaisen ryomen #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen oneshot #au sukuna #sukuna fluff #ryomen sukuna #sukuna #a happy ryosmne

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lovedinapastlife · 3 years ago

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Rec List

Hey. It’s me. Sunlit Garden on AO3. If you would like to find a bughead fic, beta, be long-term groomed with positive feedback and helpfulness, then have your self-confidence chipped away, be isolated from other support systems, be negged, insulted, and emotionally harassed/toyed with to output to her idea of perfection -- or find someone who did this to others and will most likely weasel their way into doing it again -- I recommend none other than jandjsalmon, the gal who runs theblueandgoldoffice - a handy fic-finding website.

I made a prior post about my personal experience but apparently not everyone knew it was her because I didn’t name her specifically. Hopefully, this is the last post I’ll ever make about her. A lot of wonderful people reached out with similar experiences or sympathy but I’ve also seen some continue to interact with her or rec her as someone to follow. Now, I’m putting it in the tags. Her name is out there. If I see her on rec lists, at least I know the info is out there that she abused me and others and whoever posted didn’t want to deal with having to deal with her bullshit of her harassing them or they think I’m a liar. I have nothing to lose in this fandom or to gain by outing her. I’m doing it because I don’t want her to be introduced to new waves of authors/readers/people will trust her without protecting themselves or doing something to protect others. Unfortunately, me and the victims I talked to did not feel comfortable sharing how much she hurt us with each other until she’d done a fair amount of damage, and we were all trying to make it work with her until we hit a breaking point.

As a reminder... this is just a potential scenario based on past experience.

If you do become mutuals, and she thinks you have an ounce of fandom fame or MIGHT post things she likes if she bugs you enough, she might make you aesthetics, reblog, comment, buddy up to your friends to get closer to you, find out and exploit your insecurities or mental illness, notably withdraw support to prove a point if you like something she doesn’t or even show love for another person who doesn’t love her, keep records of your convos, show them to other people, vague post about you (sometimes even going so far as to message you without you even asking to make sure you know ‘oh it wasn’t about you’ to rub salt in that wound), let her husband talk shit about and to you even when on good terms with her, and try to get involved in your personal life to be your (only) best friend and support system... only to tell you you are nothing without her, people rely on her for recs and she can turn the tides on fandom favorites, you should not write original works because original romance is “disgusting” YA is “immature” and no one likes your work and your mind is too fucked up to be productive without her. No one will love you or have time for you like her.

She will insist you include scenes even if you don’t want them there, then try to claim she helped write your fic in the comments of it when all she did was tell you to add something you already wrote and deleted back in, though she did comment on the doc and talk through your million ideas and pick her favorite OF YOUR OWN IDEAS and help with grammar. She will also tell you at least one of your fics is disgusting and berate you to the point of not wanting to post it, especially if it shows Betty even slightly interested in someone besides Jughead at some point in her life, claiming “that’s not her!” but OOC or Jughead with past/current partners is no problem... and she will be very apologetic to have to tell you and make you feel bad, but brag in DMs of her friends that she “made you change your mind” and “taught you how to think” if you eventually cave and adjust something. Conversations become drags where you agree with what she says just to avoid confrontations and meltdowns sometimes.

If you talk to her and try to rebuild your friendship or set boundaries, she will either lash out or apologize and be good for a few days until she can find a reason to turn on you again. When you distance yourself for protection or make new friends, she will harass you in DMs asking why you unfollowed (even if it’s a tumblr glitch) or followed so and so, why you did or didn’t like something, tell you how awful everyone except her is, and try to get you to talk shit about your own friends when you know she’s talking shit about you, too.

Oh and if you compliment her on something you’re considered good at that she’s insecure about (prompted or unprompted), be prepared to be called a fake liar and a judgmental bitch in general for having an opinion -- yes, even if it’s positive, so imagine how fun it was to disagree on something neither of us even made.

She is not a neutral party when it comes to abuse and harassments either. Despite being very anti-cheating, she stoutly defends the Sprouse brothers despite multiple women and outlets coming forward claiming they cheated on or abused their partners, claiming the sources are “crazy” or “jealous” or “unprofessional.” I have some pretty ironic in retrospect screenshots someone sent me of some of her rants but I won’t post them publicly here. What Jandy told me of her former victims was that they blocked her for no reason. She was nothing but supportive of them and they got too big for their britches and had other friends and abandoned her. I’m sure she says similar if not worse things about me for calling her out and cutting her off.

So yeah, it will be uncomfortable to unfollow, ghost, and/or block her. It might even be inconvenient because of the service she provides to this fandom. But please keep in mind that even the slight fear/dread of her shadow-banning or harassing you is a sign that she’s affected you, too.

If you really miss that one extra comment per chapter, hit me up. I’ve got a lot going on but I’ll make an exception for people who need that extra support as long as I can. For additional support, please see local and online organizations to talk to a professional or volunteer trained to help with emotional abuse, toxicity, depressive, or anxious thoughts like therealdepressionproject. Good luck and have a wonderful day.

#Riverdale fandom negativity #bughead fandom negativity #cw: abuse #jandjsalmon

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writersrealmbts · 3 years ago

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Take This Road

Description: Part of the summer #btswritingbingo, hosted by @bangtanwritingbingo! For road trip. You've taken an unusual turn in your road trip, and your new passenger is the primary cause.

Warnings: casual discussions of arson and murder

Posted: 07/31/2021

Tags: Jungkook x reader, sort of mafia au? sort of gang au?, road trip au

idk what genre this is: 1,503 words

A/N: This one was really fun

Too many snacks.

You had too many snacks for one person.

So...was it fate that brought your passenger?

Or was it the fact that he shoved someone under your tires as you were driving past?

“So...remind me again where we’re going to dump this body?” You asked.

“He’s not dead.”

“Yet.”

“Yet. If he does die...well, there’s a nice floating bog not too far from where I live that could work. Or I could use him as a decoy body in a housefire.”

“Oooh, I know this one,” You chirped, turning the volume up and singing along with the radio.

Your passenger, the one that wasn’t dying, was soon singing with you.

It did strike you that maybe you shouldn’t be so casual about the fact that you were transporting a dying person with the person who had tried to kill him using your vehicle, but honestly...you kind of were guessing that the guy you ran over may or may not have been abusive and you didn’t really feel like asking.

“Such a good song,” Your passenger sighed. “Oh, I don’t think I told you, but I’m Jungkook, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you Jungkook, y/n.”

“Nice to meet you. Sorry to change your plans.”

“No problem, really. I was kind of bored. If you want any snacks, feel free to grab any. Any but the chocolate covered pretzels. Those are mine and I will shove you under my tires.”

“Understood. So, should I explain why I tried to kill him?”

“I mean, if you like. Do I need to turn here?”

“No, it’ll be the next one. So, that guy is actually a loan shark. Except, when you can’t pay in cash, he takes people.”

“Ew.”

“Yeah. I was hoping he’d be helpful and tell me where he sent my friends, but...well….” He glanced back as the other man began to groan softly. “Oh. He’s waking up.”

“You tied him up, right?”

“Yeah. I owe you a roll of duct-tape and some zip-ties.”

“Don’t worry about the zip-ties. I’m not really even sure why I had them. Anyway, he took your friends?”

“Yeah. So I’ve been trying to track them down ever since. And then he told me tonight that one of them had died before he even sold them and I guess I saw red.”

“Well, I’d be concerned if you thought my car was purple or green.”

“True,” He tried a few different snacks before settling in with one. “Anyway, if he died, no big. If he lives and tells me what happened to them, awesome. I’ve got enough leads to carry on without him if I have to. What about you? You’re taking all of this surprisingly well.”

“He kind of struck me as an abusive bastard, to be honest. And that’s while looking at him half-dead on the road. But nah, I’m just sort of wandering around. I recently quit my job, and I’ve been on a road trip in the interim before my next job starts.”

“What’s your new job?”

“I’m working for Taiji International. Personal secretary to one of the higher-ups.”

“Isn’t that the one with suspected Mafia affiliations?”

“Possibly. I could probably poke around and see if they have any idea about your friends for you.”

“That’d be cool.” He sighed. “It looks like he might live.”

“Have you ever been to Keirishiro?”

“No. My parents always told me it was full of Mafias and gangs.”

“Exactly. He’s probably affiliated with some group. Which means they’re probably after you.”

“Probably….”

“So, we put him in your place and burn it down. They’ll find out it’s him, no problem, and then there’s just the question of where you went. No one would expect someone so wholly unconnected to you to be hiding you, or helping you.”

“But the fire….”

“Is the easy part. Frito’s bag near some outlet or appliance. Leaves no trace. Set these aside.” You pulled the bag up and tossed it at him.

“What about your road-trip?”

“Oh, I thought we could go to Keirishiro after burning your place down. That’s where my job is. You can stay with me. We’ll work on disguises for you, and I’ll find out if my work is associated with a Mafia or not. Then we can go from there. Hopefully they’re not associated with this piece of work.”

“You grew up in the Mafia, didn’t you?”

“Nah. I just spent way too much time working customer service.”

“Oh, I love this song,” He turned the radio up again, jamming to the song on the radio.

You thought the trip ahead of you would be quite pleasant with Jungkook for company.

“We’re going to pretend we’re dating, right?”

You hummed. “Actually, we might need to pretend we’re married. I sort of lied and said I was getting ready to be married which was why I wanted so much time before I started this job.” You rolled your eyes. “I was just going to say, ‘oh, it fell through and I was so heartbroken’ but a fake marriage would suffice.”

“Okay. Sounds good to me. With any luck, even if people know about me they may not know what I look like, so I might be able to pass as someone else. Then I’ll be sure to sell the part. And when the time comes, we split amicably.”

“Works for me. Go fifty-fifty on chores?”

“Mmmm, sixty-forty, I might not be able to swing as much for rent as you.”

“Ah. Between jobs?”

“Kind of. Something about endangering coworkers.”

“Oof. Yeah. We’ll see if we can find someone to forge an identity for you, that way you can get a job if it’s safe to show your face.”

“I might know a place. Got any CD’s?”

“CD player is broken and the last CD put in was a kids CD. Don’t touch the CD player. On the one hand, I know twenty children's songs. On the other hand, I would like to throttle whoever broke the CD player because I know twenty children’s songs.”

“Got any drinks?”

“In the cooler, behind your seat.”

“Ah!” He unbuckled and reached around, getting drinks for both of you. “I’m thinking: maybe instead of burning my place we just clean it out and dump him in the bog, whether dead or alive. That way we don’t draw unnecessary attention to me.”

“Fair. Okay. Then where am I going?”

“Stay on this road for another...five miles?”

“Map in the glove-box.”

He pulled it out, unfolding it and taking a few moments to gather his bearings. “Yeah, about five miles, I think. It’ll be the third road on the left.”

“Okay. Feel free to mess with the temp controls, I tend to keep things cooler than they need to be.”

“I’m good. Might channel surf, though,” He said, waiting until you had nodded to start trying other stations on the radio.

“You have a license?”

“Definitely.”

“Great. We can take turns driving, then.”

“Works for me.”

“Uuaaaghhhh...wh--what?”

You glanced in the rear-view mirror. “Oh dear.”

Jungkook quickly got up to deal with the passenger. “Didn’t expect him to wake up.”

You sighed. “Poor soul, he just didn’t know what hit him.”

“Better than he deserves,” Jungkook muttered, holding up a notebook. “I forgot to mention, I got his ledger from him. There are lots of names in here.”

“Ugh. A bog is almost too good for him.”

“Almost,” Jungkook agreed, sliding back into his seat. “You understand the danger we’re getting into, right?”

“Yeah. I do.” You gestured to your backpack. “Front pocket, there’s a bag with some jewelry in it. There should be two rings. They were my parents. But they’ll do.”

He followed your instructions, pulling them out. He slipped your father’s onto his ring finger. “Fits well. Here you are, my wife.”

“Why, thank you, husband,” You said, taking your mother’s ring and slipping it onto your ring finger.

“So...what happened to them?”

“Hmm? Oh, no, they’re fine, but my father can’t wear rings because they make his fingers swell and my mom broke her ring finger so her ring didn’t fit anymore. They tattooed rings on their fingers instead.”

“Ah. So...your family is alive...and you’re still okay with this?”

You considered what to tell him. “My parents are private investigators.”

“So, this is….”

“Definitely not something they would want me doing. They’ve never been a fan of me sticking my nose into dangerous situations. But...you know. When both of your parents are private investigators….”

“It’s in your blood. Cool. I’ll follow your lead then.” He smiled, kind of peeking down at the ring. “I’ll be a supportive husband.”

“And I will be a loving wife,” You answered, sharing a smile with him. “This could be a lot of fun.”

“It really could.” Jungkook grinned and leaned back in his seat, staring at the road ahead. “Next road.”

“Right.”

You looked forward to where this journey led you.

#btswritingbingo #jungkook x reader #road trip au #jungkook #jeon jungkook

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wayward-mikaelson · 4 years ago

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Winter’s Doll-Chapter Nine

Word Count: 1887

About: Nadia regrets her one night stand with Thor. Steve and Nadia talk about Nikola’s belongings. Bucky somewhat flirts with Nadia.

Characters: Nadia, Bucky, Wanda, Steve, Thor (Mentioned) and Natasha (Mentioned), Timothy Ketch (OC)

Warnings/Trigger Warnings: Language, mention of death, and mention of corrupt government

A/N: Sorry this took for-freaking-ever to get out. It’s going to be that weird, odd short part...sort of a filler.

*This work contains content made for the 18 and up crowd. Please read at your own discretion.

**Please do not copy and paste my work. Reblogs and sharing the link are fine.

***This work is also posted on others sites like WattPad and AO3 for those who prefer to read there. Links can be found in the pinned post on my profile

****Go follow my other accounts. Links can be found in the pinned post on my profile

*****Currently NOT taking requests (hopefully in the future)

******Feedback is welcomed!

Forever Tags: @hobby27 @donnaintx @myinconnelly1 @elansaidaris @magssteenkamp @440mxs-wife

Marvel Tags: @soccer-100000

Winter’s Doll Tags: @supernatural-love14 @loudlylovingalpaca

Bucky/Sebastian Tags: OPEN

Masterlist

Marvel Masterlist

Winter’s Doll Masterlist

Chapter Eight

Favorite Fics Masterlist

Nadia woke up the next morning not remembering how she even got to her room. Hell, she barely remembered a majority of the night. She recalled skipping out on the debriefing and drinking an entire bottle of vodka while talking to Thor. Bits and pieces sort of pieced together like a dream. There was some kissing and touching but, Nadia couldn’t remember anything else.

“Oh shit,” she hissed as she rolled over and felt a twinge of soreness between her legs. Then she remembered what Thor and her did. It was more than touching and kissing--It was one hundred percent pure filth. “Oh God,” she whispered and ran her hand along her face.

Nadia got out of bed and noticed a folded piece of paper on her nightstand. She didn’t want to open it but, her curiosity got the best of her and she grabbed the paper and opened it. In really fine print the short note read:

Lady Alekiev, I’m sorry to have to leave before the sunrise. I received word that my brother, Loki, is what you mortals say up to no good. I hope to make it up to you whenever I am on Earth next.

“Oh, Thor,” Naida whispered as she closed the note. Nadia wasn’t going to lie, the note was sweet, but Nadia knew that she couldn’t. Yes, she thought that the God of Thunder was attractive, but she wanted nothing more. “I’m sorry.”

Nadia showered and got ready for the day. She knew that she would need to meet with Steve about last night's mission. Part of her still didn’t want to, she knew that Steve would want her to open that crate. All her thoughts about it the night before, flooded her head once again. She popped some Advil and chugged a few glasses of water before heading out.

Nadia stared at herself in the mirror and saw a faint, dark circle at the base of her neck. Getting a closer look, she realized it was a hickey. “Damn it,” she groaned as she reached into her drawer to find a hair band and did her best to cover it up. Now Nadia hoped that she didn’t have anyone to spare with.

Nadia finally made her way out of the room.

“Hey,” Bucky called from behind her. She turned around to see his eyes bright and a smile on his lips. “I went to see how you were last night but you weren’t in your room. Steve told me not to worry about it because you were with Thor.”

Nadia slightly jumped at the name Thor. Did he know? Oh God, she hoped not. She didn’t want to admit it out loud, but she wished it was Bucky last night and not Thor. Nadia’s little crush had turned into huge, blown feelings.

“Yeah,” Nadia rang her hands together. “We drank a lot. He helped me to bed I guess, cause I have no memory of going to bed.” Nadia took notice of how his eyes furrowed when she said Thor helped her to bed. It disappeared just as fast too. “I’m fine, Bucky.” Nadia smiled.

“Good,” Bucky smiled back. “I worry about my best girl sometimes.”

Nadia scrunched up her face. “Just sometimes, Barnes?” she teased. She didn’t let it slip past her that he called her his best girl. Maybe another timeless term like when he calls her doll? Nadia didn’t care.

“The other times I know that you have your ass covered and would beat a mother fucker down,” Bucky chuckled.

“Without hesitation,” Nadia began to walk towards the kitchen and Bucky followed.

“Without hesitation and no help needed.” Bucky had leaned down, Nadia could feel the closeness and heat of his breath by her ear. Then just like that, it was gone and he was gone. Nadia felt a shiver run down her spine.

She watched as he walked away and metally kicked herself that it wasn’t Bucky with her last night. Nadia has had a few one night stands before. She’s had her few where she’s regretted it. But it didn’t come close to what she was feeling right now.

Wanda had been right.

“What was I right about?” Wanda asked when Nadia entered the kitchen. She was making toast and by the look on her face, Naida knew that it was meant for her. “I made you something small.” She slid the toast to Nadia who willingly took it.

“I’ll tell you later,” Nadia took a bite and eyes Bucky in the corner of the kitchen making himself a cup of coffee. She knew that he would be listening. She didn’t forget that little face he made when she said Thor’s name. “I have to meet with Steve about last night.”

“Okay,” Wanda chirped but you could see the curious look in her eyes. Then her head snapped towards Bucky. “Dude, calm your thoughts, I do not need to picture what you’re picturing right now.”

Before Nadia could ask, Steve came into the kitchen. He was still in his gear and it looked like he didn’t catch any sleep at all. He poured some coffee and turned to Nadia. “You ready?” Nadia could hear the tiredness in his voice.

“Did you sleep at all?” Nadia asked standing up. She had finished her toast and went to pour a cup of coffee only to have Bucky hand her a cup. “Thank you,” Bucky smiled and winked at her. The action surprised Nadia and she felt her cheeks get a bit warm that she quickly turned away from him back towards Steve.

“Not really, there was a lot to take apart from last night,” Steve sipped on his coffee. “There was a beeping sound in your brother's crate and we had no choice but to open it.”

Nadia nodded. “I see,” she said calmly, taking a sip of her own drink. “I’m guessing you guys went through it?” Nadia wasn’t mad. How could she be? She was just glad it was open.

“I’m sorry, Nadia,” Steve started to say. “When we got that beeping sound to stop, we saw a journal of his opened and it talked a lot about what you said before. Nat and I got so caught up in going through things…”

“It’s okay,” Nadia reassured Steve and mindlessly placed her hand on his arm. She also didn’t miss the look from Bucky in the corner of her eyes. His eyes zeroed in on the action that Nadia quickly dropped her hand. “Should we get this over with so you can sleep?”

For the next two hours, Steve and Nadia went over all the notes he and Natasha made last night. There names of soldiers that Nadia served with. There names of officers, like Timothy Ketch, were a part of this group. Nadia’s name was linked with a group of soldiers that were ready for the next phase. A phase that Nadia never saw. Among those, there were charts Nikola drew. There were random little notes.

This was worse and much more dark than Nikola had made it out to be that night. He wanted to protect his sister and it brought tears to Nadia’s eyes. There were letters to the president that were obviously intercepted along with letters to home. There were letters to Nadia that were never addressed. Each letter was opened and Nadia read each and every one of them.

Including the one for Fury.

“We didn’t touch that one,” Steve had said as he held back a yawn. “If it’s anything like the others your brother wrote to the government, then…”

Nadia snapped her head up from the paper in her hands. “That’s it,” Nadia pulled all the letters written to government officials. She looked at all the names and they were all top officials. Then she read the one that Nikola wrote to Fury. She saw that the date was posted two days before his death.

While Naida read it, she couldn’t contain the expressions on face. What Nikola wrote, it was horrifying and made her sick to her stomach. When she finished reading it, Nadia slammed the letter down and covered her face.

“He was scared,” Naida finally said after a few minutes. “He thought someone was following him and that someone could be watching him and his computer. He discovered his letters being intercepted. He took a chance with this one thinking if he dropped it off at a random letter drop, you guys would step in and help. He even gave information on how to get into his computer remotely.”

Steve took a seat and pulled the letter towards him and read it over. “Do you think that there are top officials that know about this? Maybe they gave the order to kill your brother?”

“It’s possible, did you try his computer?”

Steve’s blue eyes looked deep into Naida’s. “It was blank. We got into it but it looked like whoever this group is, they wiped it clean.”

Nadia laughed a little too hard that had Steve’s head tilting sideways. “Nik was clever at hiding things. So was I. Let me see it.”

For the next hour, Nadia worked at getting into Nikola’s computer. When she finally got in, she just about cheered. “Nik, you son of a bitch, that was tough.” Nadia looked up and saw that Steve was drifting off. “Steve,” Nadia’s voice startled him awake. “We can do this later tonight, but I got in. I emailed files to myself just in case this thing crashes. It’s pretty slow.”

Before Steve could say anything, from the corner of Naida’s eye, she saw the entire computer start to spark and smoke. Steve jumped up and pulled the computer away from Nadia and chucked it out the open window.

Nadia was horrified. Not by Steve throwing the computer, but the computer itself just catching fire. She didn’t know what to say while she stared at Steve. Nadia knew that Steve was asking those same questions as she was in her own head. What could she have done to make Nikola’s computer start to fry itself?

Then her phone rang.

“Agent Alekiev?” She answered not recognizing the number on the screen.

“Ah, Nadie,” Timothy Ketch’s voice rang in her ears once more. Her stomach dropped and looked at Steve. He nodded his head and Nadia switched the phone to speaker.

“What do you want, Timothy?” Nadia asked more harshly than she anticipated. “How did you even get this number?”

Timothy chuckled and it made Nadia even more heated. “Nadie, I have my ways. Now,” Naida could picture that cocky smile she hated. “Why don’t you listen to me for once and back away from this. Or we would be forced to kill you as well.”

Steve took the phone from Nadia’s hand. “I’d like to see you try.”

“Well, in that case, you and that team of your have made the list.” Then he hung up.

“I’m sorry,” Nadia whispered. “I feel like this is my fault.”

“Don’t ever be sorry,” Steve handed Nadia her phone back. “Your brother died doing what he knew was right. He’s a hero. Now,” Steve held back a big yawn but failed. “I’m going to get some shut eye. We can get at this tomorrow.”

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imanativeofswlondondahling · 5 years ago

Text

Hiding in Plain Sight (1)- Tom Holland X Reader

Word Count-1792

A/N: This was inspired by this wonderful post by @starsholland. Without it this would not be happening. This will be a multi part fic, but I don’t know how many chapters or when it will be posted so if you’d like to be tagged let me know:) Welcome to Tom being undercover on Tumblr. Quick notes- Y/T/B = Your Tumblr Blog, Y/A is your age :)

“You’re not going to make me go undercover on Tumblr are you?” Tom asks as they hook up the mike to his white t-shirt. “I’ve heard dangerous things about that site.”

“No, no. We’re sticking to Reddit, Twitter, Youtube. Maybe some Quora and IMDB.” The redheaded assistant sitting across from him states as she places the GQ laptop across from him. Tom sees Harrison’s shoulders silently moving up and down, laughing at the idea of him having to go undercover on the site that he had been telling horror stories of for weeks leading up to this interview. “If any of these don’t sound good to you, we can skip them.”

“No, those sound fine.” Tom says. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Camera A ready?” She asks the camera man sitting diagonally from where she is. In response she gets a nod. “Tom when you’re ready say something like I’m Tom Holland and I’m going undercover on the internet to answer your questions. It’s actually me. Something like that.”

From across the room Harrison watches as Tom flows through the questions easily, hoping from site to site with better technical luck than he normally has. He can guess that some of the answers will be giffed and blasted around social media within minutes of this interview going live. It would shock him if it didn’t.

“Check it out mate.” On his screen flashes Tom saying I drink tea darling over and over again. “Your fans love it. Which is good, seeing how upset a lot of them are over the Disney/Sony thing.”

“Where is this?”

“Your favorite site.”

“Instagram?”

“Tumblr.” Tom rolls his eyes and falls back into the couch.

“Why are you even on there?”

“Why aren’t you? So many fangirls, so little time.” Tom shoots a dirty look at Harrison. “But in all seriousness, there’s a lot of great reactions and gifs that you can only find on Tumblr. You should check it out.” Tom reaches for Harrison’s computer but he pulls away. “Make your own account. It costs nothing.”

“Ugh, fine.” Pulling his phone out of his pocket, downloads the app and creates an account. Expecting one of the fangirls to have already have taken his common username, he’s surprised to be able to fill out the form with tomholland2013 as his username. Will that seem too much like him? Who knows. It’s not like he’s planning to actually use this site. He just using it to see what Harrison wants him to see. “What do I look up?”

“Just search the hashtag Tom Holland and look under recent for the most recent stuff. Most of it is your undercover interview. Or you can look under the Tom Holland top posts and see what your fans are obsessed with.” Tom is on the main page and sees a suggestion of blogs. A lot of them have his name intertwined in them with his picture as the profile picture. Guess it wouldn’t hurt to follow some blogs while he’s on here?

The first one he follows is @starsholland who seems to write fanfictions about him but also shares a lot of marvel pictures. By clicking follow it brings up a lot of suggested blogs to follow. He clicks on @tonguetiedholland and sees another fanfiction writer but also a lot of posts between them and other bloggers. “Is this site just fanfiction?”

“No, there’s pictures and edits and stuff too. Why? You only interested in the fanfiction?”

“I only seem to find fanfictions.” Tom replies as he clicks on a blog called @tomhollandsstan, finding a mix of fanfictions, pictures and conversations. However his eyes scroll through one of the fics and find something much more raunchy than he anticipated finding. “Holy hell. What are they writing all of this about?”

“Reading something steamy Tommy?” Harrison teases. Tom feels his face flush with the embarrassment of knowing that there are girls and guys out there picturing stuff like this with him as the main feature.

“I’m getting off this site. It’s bloody porn.”

“No wait, you’ve just stumbled down the wrong path. Let me send you some blogs to look at.” Harrison pulls up some of the ones that are mostly pictures and reactions. “What’s your tumblr handle? I’ll send them to you?”

“Tomholland2013.”

“Really? It wasn’t taken?”

“Nope.”

“See how long it stays secretive.”

“I don’t plan on using it.” Tom says as he hits follow on some of the other blogs that Harrison sent him, including one that was @Y/T/B. He found himself scrolling through it a little more in depth than he had with any of the other pages he had been on. The posts and your reactions were more what he expected of tumblr. Glee filled, but not thirsty. Hitting follow was a no brainer.

Across the country, your phone lights up as you get a notification from Tumblr. You’re about to swipe it away, since your day is currently going down hill as the recipes you’re in the middle of trying out are turning into pinterest fails. Also you should have checked before you started baking a cake that you had powdered sugar to make frosting, so you’ll have to do another pinterest deep dive for a frosting recipe since you can’t use your tried and true recipe.

However, the name on the notification catches your eye- Tomholland2013 has followed you. Wow someone finally snatched the name. There had been jokes around the fandom for months that someone should snag the name so Tom could have it whenever or if-ever he decided to join tumblr. But it seems someone has decided to be Tom. Whoever it is though seems to enjoy your posts because they’re liking your posts in succession. While your stand mixer whirls, you open to their blog and see there’s nothing there. Not even a banner or an icon photo. They must be a super new blog. You back out of their blog and almost back out of the app when you see a message from this Tom Holland wanna be.

From: Tomholland2013

I really like all your edits of Tom. Can I use one as my profile pic? X

You pause for a second before replying. This person wasn’t the first to ask to use one of your edits as a profile picture. Why does this feel different though? It has to just be because of the name. You click to reply to the ask.

I’m so surprised someone finally took the name. Me and @imanativeofswlondondahling had a bet going on for how long it was going to stay open in case Tom wanted it. Anyway, feel free to use my edits, or if you have a favorite picture of Tom, send it my way and I’ll make an edit for you.

You hit send on the ask before you can change your mind and then you turn back to your cake- which has probably been overwhipped now.

“Do I have a favorite picture of Tom?” Tom mumbles to himself as he reads over your reply. He’d love to see something that was made for him, but that means finding a picture of himself that he wants edited. “Harrison, com’ere mate. Take a selfie with me.”

“What’s this for?” Harrison asks before posing. @Y/T/B wouldn’t know this was just a selfie. You’d probably think he just did a Google deep dive.

“Need a profile picture. For my blog.” Tom teases, before clicking back to his messages on tumblr. There has to be a way to send a direct message instead of an ask like he did before. He had been planning to use an edit you had done of him saying I drink tea darling, but he wasn’t going to toss up having a custom made icon. After fiddling around on the app for a few minutes Tom finally figures out how to send a message and sends the picture he had snapped with Harrison a few minutes earlier. He tacks on a quick message asking her to do whatever she wants with the picture and to take as long as she wants and or needs. After hitting send, he clicks back to your blog's main page, trying to learn more about you.

At the top of your page, simply stated, it reads Y/N, Y/A, Tom Holland Fan. Well that does tell him you’re around his age, so that makes him feel less like a creeper. He wants to know everything he can about you, but all he can find through scrolling is mainly, well him. He can’t explain why, but there’s a sort of pull towards you from what he can find in your messages to other people and responding to anon messages, you seem like someone he’d want to be friends with. You have a great sense of humor and make jokes as often as you can in your messages.

“Haz, can I turn on notifications for, like a certain blog?” Tom calls across the living room.

“Thought you weren’t going to use it.”

“There’s a couple blogs I like.”

“Sure, let me show you.” Tom passes his phone over and watches as Harrison turns on notifications for your blog. “Oh she’s great. Her reactions when news is posted is great.” A notification pops up on your screen. “Apparently she just posted.”

A cake maker I am not destined to be. Gordon Ramsay will make an idiot sandwich out of me.

A picture of a very sad looking cake appears under her text. “Maybe she should stick to making edits.” Harrison jokes.

“Mate, that’s rude.”

“But it’s not wrong. Plus it’s not like yours would look much better.”

“Mine would be worse.” Taking his phone back, he clicks on the comment bubble and types out: looks better than anything I would make X His inbox dings a couple moments later.

How have I never seen this photo of Harrison and Tom? Did it get posted while I was attempting to bake?

I think it’s an old photo. Found it on my phone. X And technically that’s not a lie.

Well I’ll hop on that edit. Any colors you prefer?

Blue or Red would be good I guess. X

I’ll get right on that. What’s with all the x’s?

Oh it’s a European thing. It’s just how we sign off texts and messagesX

If it’s annoying I can try and not do it?X

It’s fine. Just didn’t know why it was there.

Do you think Tom does it?

Oh most definitely. What kind of Brit would he be if he didn’t?X

Well I’ll go get on the edit, hopefully I’ll have it done in the next day or so

No hurryX

Thanks againX

#Tom holland #tom holland tumblr #tom holland undercover #tom holland x reader #tom holland x you #tom holland imagine #harrison osterfield #imanativeofswlondondahling #starsholland #tonguetiedholland #tomhollandsstan

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buckyreaderrecs · 5 years ago

Text

It’s Been A Long Long Time

Summary: Bucky and Steve went to war. When they came back, you were gone. But, you know, maybe you're a lot like them, and will show up years later all not-dead and on-ice.

Words: 3,405 Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader Characters: Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter, Sam Wilson, F.R.I.D.A.Y., T'Challa, Tony Stark, Shuri Additional tags: mostly canon compliant (Infinity War and Endgame never happened), Stark Tower is still a thing, technically a song fic, angst, sad Bucky, Nat and Howard are mentioned but not in scenes, how shit are Hydra though, happy ending, she/her pronouns Warnings: references to canon-typical violence but no violent scenes, discussion of Hydra/Nazis

Note: This is written for @maarrvveell's challenge. My prompt was the song It's Been A Long Long Time (Harry James and Kitty Kallen version, 1945), but I also used the song I Concentrate On You (1940) in a couple scenes. Roz, I hope ya love it!

Tag list (open): @browngirlmagic @lookalivefrosty @aynaraxas (not sure if you want to be tagged in new fics @animegirlgeeky?) (the tumblr formally known as @darlingtholland - where did you go? what’s your URL now?!)

EDIT: Accidentally had all the Y/N replaced with my name because of the Chrome extension. Hopefully fixed, but if you see Rhiannon pop up, please let me know so I can edit. Embarrassing lol.

It’s Been A Long Long Time

1942

The man has a German accent and that reassures you. Steve had said Erskine was European, but was it German? You can't remember, but either way, the man holding the clipboard has a strange kindness to his face. He doesn't look like he could hurt a fly, small and pink.

"I just want to do my part," you tell him, answering why you had responded to the flyer posted around Brooklyn. "It's war, ya know? Everyone is doing something…"

Despite what he had done, you knew Steve would have never let you volunteer for this. However, Steve isn't here to stop you. He had let you cry on his shoulder for days following Bucky's departure. He had said you would at least have him. And then, he left too. So, fuck Steve Rogers.

Fuck Bucky Barnes and his parting kiss to the lips and promises of love letters in the mail.

Fuck Hitler and his psychopathy and war starting bullshit.

You were going to help, even if it meant like this. The boys could yell at you when it was all over.

…

2019, December

Bucky watches the flames lick up and around the journal. He times how long it takes to burn down to ash. Opening the fresh book in his lap, he begins by recording that time. Each journal begins like this. Bucky doesn't know why he does it. Although, his general preoccupation with the concept of time is a little easier to explain. Bucky Barnes is one of the few people on Earth that has a very personal and turbulent relationship with time. It does not pass for him like it does everyone else. It doesn't age him like everyone else. He isn't even sure it properly exists like everyone else does. It is only natural therefore, that Bucky thinks about time a lot. It is easy to get lost in the past.

Don't get him wrong though - Bucky does not want to return to anything behind him. He doesn't miss it. Not Hydra. Not Nazis. Not the Great Depression. There's only one thing that keeps pulling him in reverse.

You.

He dreams of you most nights. Sometimes they are heavenly trips into the best days he'd had with you. Sometimes they are hollow nightmares with teeth falling out and black blood. Sleep feels empty if you are not there. Sleep has been empty since the news had been delivered years and years ago.

After being rescued and then recruited into The Howling Commandoes, Bucky could see that Steve wasn't telling him everything. And there was so much to tell. "What is it, Stevie?" he asked, turning his empty shot glass upside down on the bar and looking at Steve. (Bucky kept accidentally looking down at Steve, forgetting his eyes were waaayyy up there.)

"It's… It's Y/N, Buck…"

Bucky felt his blood run cold. He thought the worst had happened. Steve had changed. He'd been tortured. The worst… You were meant to be safe at home. But you were too much like Steve.

When he was sure he was alone, Bucky cried and cried and cried until there was only an emptiness left in him. It made him a better soldier, he told himself.

F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s voice pulls Bucky from the memory of you. Something has been going on in the tower; people have been buzzing around all day, all hush hush. They avoid eye contact with him, but that's pretty standard. To get away from it all, he climbed to his secret little spot on the roof. Just enough room for a metal bin to burn things in, and an old office chair with a broken wheel that he found discarded in a hallway.

Bucky's surprised to learn that F.R.I.D.A.Y. could even find him here. He pulls his headphones from his ears, pausing Harry James and Kitty Kallen and sighing.

"I'm so sorry to disturb you, Sergeant Barnes, but this does qualify as an emergency," F.R.I.D.A.Y. says. Where the hell is her voice even coming from?

"Tell 'em I'm on my way," Bucky replies.

Bucky navigates his way to a room in which everyone knows what is happening. All eyes are on him as he enters the room. Without needing to overtly look around, Bucky clocks most of the Avengers as being present, as well as some other agents. He takes a seat in the chair clearly meant for him; Sam and Steve flank his sides. As he sits, most of the room empties. It's disconcerting at best.

For only a second, Bucky considers playing along. He's tired though. He needs to be alone.

"What is it?" he asks, his voice the saddest Steve has heard in a while.

"Ah, as you know.. Last week we sent scouts to recon the potential Hydra base… the one under Baltimore," Steve begins.

As soon as the word Hydra hits the air Bucky knows it means they found something. And something is never good. Possible items include files documenting the graphic nature of The Winter Soldier's breaking in, training, and treatment; evidence of the crimes committed by The Winter Soldier; or worse, video footage of any of the above.

"It definitely was Hydra. It was part of their science division. From the looks of what's there, they left in a hurry. Most of it is caved in. Not sure how that happened yet… There were no S.H.I.E.L.D. records of the place,"

"Get to the point, Steve," Bucky says, impatient. Hydra cells are everywhere; the ghosts of them pop up semi-regularly. Empty buildings with blood on the walls and stories to tell.

"They were studying Erskine… or, or the serum. Trying to replicate it…"

"We know that already,"

"Yeah. But… This place, they were close enough to… us, to New York, Brooklyn, to use the 'Captain America' story," Steve is starting to struggle. He uses air quotes for Captain America, disenfranchised. Whatever they found, Bucky thinks, it's bad. "They used it to… lure people… It's, it's where they experimented on people, Buck. But, ah, it's… It's where they worked out how to freeze people and keep them alive… They were preparing for-"

"Me… Working out how to freeze me?"

"Not you, exactly. There's no files on you. Just the Wint-" Steve tries but fails.

"It's the same thing, Steve. So… what? There were some files and some skeletons? What's-"

"They're still there," Steve interrupts, answering the question before Bucky can ask. "Three people still in cryo. Alive."

…

1944

"The resources have… been exhausted. We've searched everywhere, Sergeant. I'm afraid-"

"I got it. She's dead. Ain't coming back," Bucky interrupts Peggy before she can deliver what would be Bucky's final blow.

"Buck-"

"Don't. Don't say anything, Steve."

Steve thinks if he'd just stayed home, you'd probably be home too. He wonders if Bucky is thinking the same thing. "Everyone said you were gone and I found you," he offers, tries for logic.

"I wasn't missing for years. I didn't disappear into thin fuckin' air. You knew where I was… We have no idea where Y/N is. No idea when… when she… left or… was taken or-Christ! We don't know shit, Steve. 'Cept that she's gone."

Steve knows Bucky well enough to usher Peggy from the tent, leave his heartbroken best friend to scream into a pillow until he's taken by restless sleep in the gloaming. Until then, Bucky goes over it all again and again. He doesn't blame Peggy; she's spent so much time stealing manpower and resources from Stark and the government and whoever in an attempt to find you. He doesn't blame Steve; there's just no guarantee that if he had stayed in Brooklyn he would have been able to protect you.

Protect you.

Protect you from what?

There are a million and one scenarios in Bucky's head. Murderers. Nazis. Nightmares. All of them, nightmares. What happened to you? Where did you go?

…

2019, December

Bucky shakes his head. Something in him is putting the pieces together, informing his central nervous system to prepare for fight or flight. That something is deep down though, ignored. He crosses his arms over his chest and holds his breath.

"There are other cryo chambers… but they were damaged in the cave in, we figure. They're still trying to work out how they've been powered this long. There's all sorts of tech we've never seen. Tony's having a field day." Steve doesn't know he's rambling, getting side tracked.

"Wait. Stop. Go back. What do you mean lure people? What people?" Bucky asks, the questioning coming from that deep down something. He's trying to keep it buried, but it's bubbling, boiling.

Steve's eyes flick over to Sam, behind Bucky. It annoys Bucky, and the sharp intake of breath through his nose lets Steve know it.

Sam says, "Hydra, Buck. They told people they were like Stark… the first one, and Agent Carter… also the first one." Bucky swings his chair around. "They told people they were the good guys tryin' to make more Captain Americas… Regular people signed up."

Boiling. Bubbling.

Bucky can feel it rising. It's in his spine, climbing up the vertebra. It reaches the back of his neck, and goes cold. Prickly. Boiling. Hot. Now it's in his head and he can't get it out. He knows. The thought is right there, smack bang in the middle of his brain. He knows where you are.

He is up, the chair knocked over, before Sam and Steve can even begin to reach for him. Sam stays seated, knowing what usually spooks triggered soldiers. Steve stands, but stops when Bucky does. And, Bucky does stop himself from running, even though he wants to just fucking bolt. Instead, he's in the corner of the room, back to wall and head pounding. Steve is a couple steps away.

"We're transporting them now, to Wakanda. Shuri and Stark are our best bet at pulling them out alive," Steve says, hoping information will help. "We know who… who one of the men is. Nat is good at finding people…" When Bucky says nothing, does nothing, Steve continues. "And, ah, the other man is a John Doe… still seeing if…" There's no point. Steve gives up, drops to crouch in front of Bucky.

"It's her, Buck. It's Y/N… Don't know what the odds of that are…" he whispers.

"When you said she was too much like Steve, didn't think you meant turns up decades later frozen," Sam risks. Both Bucky and Steve look up at him. He shrugs. "I know this is a lot, man," he says to Bucky. "But this is good. At the very least, it's closure. You know where she is,"

"I know where she is," Bucky repeats, his voice so low is barely audible. He looks at Steve, blue eyes glossed over and so, so hurt. "I know where she is, Steve."

…

1940

"It's not going to stop, Buck," you say, the dread in your stomach sticky.

"Darlin'…"

"No! Don't 'darling' me. It's not going to stop and it's going to come here and they're going to send you to war."

The end of your sentence coincides with the end of the song. The record is silent, save for the crackling intermission. Music is always playing in the small apartment you share with Bucky and Steve. It keeps you all sane.

For only a second, you see the same dread you feel flash across Bucky's beautiful face. It's gone so fast though. He holds a hand out to you, and you feel compelled to take it. The next song begins.

"Y/N, I promise ya, everything is gonna be fine… And… And if war comes, and they make me go, I will come back. Can't get rid of me that easy,"

"You can't promise that,"

"I can do what I want. I'm a free man. Got a beautiful girl. Got my health. Got music," Bucky says, and he's not sure if he's trying to convince only you.

Bucky leads the slow dance, half singing along. The song is new, but it resonates. Whenever skies look grey to me, and trouble begins to brew… Whenever the winter winds become too strong, I concentrate on you.

"I love you, James Buchanan Barnes,"

"I fuckin' love you too."

When fortune cries 'Nay! Nay!' to me, and people declare 'You're through!' Whenever the blues become my only song… I concentrate on you.

…

2020, January

Steve and Sam stand on a balcony and watch as Bucky crosses a field. He disappears into trees, his arrival prompting birds to squawk and fly away, disturbed at the loud intrusion.

"He used to go into those woods, when we hosted him," T'Challa says, appearing behind them. "It's where the White Wolf was born. The children heard a howling, but only a man would emerge."

The men return to the lab, debrief with Shuri and Tony.

"His cells weren't stable," Shuri says.

"He basically turned to soup," Tony adds.

"Who do we tell?" Sam asks. The room look to him, confused. "Don't we have to tell someone…? That we found a man… and turned him to-"

"Soup," Tony finishes. "Nobody cares what we do," he says too casually.

"Bucky cares," Steve corrects, harshly but not unnecessarily so. "This isn't a game, Tony. We don't know who he was, but we know the others. We know Y/N. We have to try harder."

…

2020, March

"He looks…" but Steve isn't sure how to describe the man sitting on the bed in the room in front of him.

On Steve's left is Sam, then Bucky. They both have their arms folded across their chests, stances identical. On Steve's right is Shuri, then Tony. All five of them are watching the man through a two-way mirror; he's not moved in an hour. He's barely moved all day.

"Like a zombie?" Sam suggests.

"At least he's not soup," Tony offers cheerfully.

"Go do your sad boy whispering," Shuri calls over to Sam, who shoots her a look.

"I'm not a damn therapist. You're the white boy fixer," he quips. They share a grin.

"There's nothing wrong though? He's brain is fried or anything?" Bucky asks, his tone serious and his gaze not moving from the man. The very alive man that represents more hope than he's ever had about anything. He's fucking terrified.

"Nothing wrong with his brain," Tony confirms. "Just needs to talk it out. Get some help." And with that, he walks from the room. Shuri follows, glancing at Bucky, hoping he's alright.

Team Cap stays quiet for a little longer, then Sam sighs and shakes out his arms and legs. "Alright. Well… That's it then. We can wake her up,"

"Not yet," Bucky says quickly.

Sam looks at Steve, who gives Bucky a sympathetic look.

"I'm not bringing her back if something's gonna happen… Not bringing her back yet."

Nobody argues.

Everybody will wait as long as Bucky needs.

…

2020, May

Never thought you would be standing here so close to me.

Noise cancelling headphones are one of Bucky's many favourite things about the future, about now. He can drown out the rest of the world. Of course, he'd never be as bold as to say digital was better than a crackling record, but fuuuuck, this sound is crystal clear.

There's so much I feel I should say, but words can wait until some other day.

Bucky holds vigil next to the cryo chamber you're still dead to the world in. He sits, headphones on, almost as still as you. He studies your face, proud that he hasn’t forgotten a single detail of you.

A tap on the shoulder startles him, he's up and in a defensive position in a split second. Steve doesn't know where Buck pulled the knife from, but he's not surprised to see it. Bucky relaxes, pushes his headphones off to sit around his neck.

"Will's been home a while, Buck. Regular check-ups. He's fine…"

Bucky doesn't reply, just sits back down and returns to watching you. Steve pulls up a chair next to him. He thinks that you look peaceful. He hopes, hopes to fucking God, that you were treated well.

When William came to and found his mind again, he was almost more shocked to hear the people that put him in the chamber were the bad guys than he was to hear it was 2020. "They were nothin' but gentlemen," he said, a thick Brooklyn accent straight from Steve and Bucky's past. He didn't recognise your picture though. "Ain't seen a single dame. Must've separated the ladies," he said with a shrug, then went back to fawning over Captain America.

Bucky didn't recognise the version of Hydra that William knew.

"Shuri says-"

"I know," Bucky interrupts. "She told me. More dangerous keepin' her like this… Just… one more day, okay?" Bucky puts his headphones back on before he gets an answer.

Kiss me once, then kiss me twice. Then kiss me again.

…

2020, May, three days later

Your hand is warm in Bucky's. He rubs his thumb over your wrist, feeling your pulse. He knows where you are, and you are here.

Slowly, you wake. The first sign is your eyes opening, focusing on the bright room. Confusion is written all over your face. Then, as you move your head to the side, you see him. The confusion switches to recognition, but back to confusion just as quickly.

Bucky. It's Bucky. But he's... different. His hair is long, pulled into a bun on his head. Imagine what everyone will be saying about that! He's bigger too, more stocky. His clothes are strange and the look on his face is something you've not ever seen... It's not a look you've known on him or anybody else.

"Bucky?" you say, but your voice is dry and croaky. "What... What are you doing here?"

He sucks his lip in and you watch his eyes begin to water.

….

2021

"It's all so… loud…" you say, frowning in a way that shouldn't be cute to Bucky, but it definitely is.

"I know. But trust me on this one," Bucky promises, searching through his Spotify app.

"Does it have our song?"

When Bucky looks up at you, expression blank, you think he doesn't remember. Then, he speaks. "I… I haven't… haven't looked." He remembers. He remembers dancing with you in the kitchen, singing about grey skies and brewing trouble. Bucky hadn't let himself think about it. It was too heavy with foreshadowing and it was a moment too perfect to have let himself think of as real. "But… this one is from '45, so… end of the war. And… ah, it's… You'll like it… Found it!"

You take the headphones being offered and carefully sit them on your head, still convinced you look ridiculous. How can everyone walk around with these giant things on their head? Then, the song starts. And, of course, Bucky's right; it isn't too loud or too fast. It's born of the same time as you.

It's been a long, long time. Haven't felt like this, my dear, since I can't remember when.

Bucky watches you listening. You watch him back.

You'll never know how many dreams I've dreamed about you. Or just how empty they all seemed without you.

"Is this our song now?" you ask him.

"I listen to it a lot,"

"It's sad," you reply.

Bucky shrugs. "Nah, darling. It's a happy ending. Come 'ere." He pulls you into a hug, smothering you between his arms and hair and everything. He's a mess. He's been a mess for a while, apparently.

Worming your way back into fresh air, you look up at him. He's smiling, and it makes you smile.

"I love you," you tell him, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of his nose.

So kiss me once. Then kiss me twice.

"I love you too."

He presses his forehead to yours and leans in, rubbing his nose along yours. It's painful, you know. While you were sleeping, Bucky had lived too many lives. You'd been missing him for a few months, he's been missing you for what felt like forever.

Bucky repeats himself. "I love you, so, so much."

His kisses taste the same.

Then kiss me once again. It's been a long, long time.

#Bucky Barnes #mine #Bucky Barnes fanfic #Bucky Barnes fic #Bucky Barnes x You #Bucky Barnes/You #Bucky Barnes x Y/N #Bucky Barnes/Y/N #Bucky Barnes/Reader #Bucky Barnes x Reader #Marvel fanfic #Marvel #roz'schallenge

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whatisthiscontentyouspeakof · 4 years ago

Text

Guardian of Light

I’m so nervous posting this. This is the first story that has had some serious traction and it’s also the first that I’ve written that wasn’t in chronological order. I hope you all like this chapter as much as you guys did the previous two.

AO3 First Previous Next

Chapter 2: Waking Up To An New Old Life

(Age 12)

Niu jerked awake, an image of her Nuri being stabbed with a stone sheard, filtered through her mind. She wasn’t worried about him though, she could feel his life force flowing intertwined with hers, alive and well with his family nearby. She, on the other hand, didn’t know where she was, nor where her body ended up.

Well...she could at least gather that she was in a hospital, judging by the medical equipment. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, yanking away tubes and wires as she did so. She was unsure of how much time had passed since Damian had been stabbed, the first time that was. Hopefully it wasn’t too long else there’d be consequences for her when she returned to the Temple.

Alarms started blaring as she pulled away a heart monitor. Frowning, she reached over and turned the volume down. She would have shut it off but she was pretty sure some machines had alarms that went off if they weren’t shut down properly. Satisfied that the machines were no longer making noise, she continued de-attaching herself from the different machines and equipment.

“You’re awake!” A voice exclaimed in French.

Well shit. So much for not bringing any attention to herself.

Niu looked to see a nurse standing in the doorway. She tried to think of something to say that would keep the nurse quiet but she knew it was hopeless. She was just going to have to sit through whatever examination the nurse and the doctors wanted to put her through and then, when things quieted down, she’d sneak away and head back to the Temple.

“Where am I?” she asked the nurse, in a perfect French accent. “I remember being in a park byn that music festival but I don’t remember anything after that.”

Playing ignorance with the public was always the way to go, at least until you got enough information.

The nurse smiled softly at her. “Well Marinette, you were found in the park and brought here almost 12 months ago,” she said. “You’ve been in a coma ever since. We’re really glad to see you awake.”

Niu frowned. “Marinette?” she repeated. As far as she could remember, and she had a great memory, she never went by the name Marinette so there was no reason for her to be called that.

The nurse had a look on her face that was half panic, half pity. “I’m going to go get some of your doctors to come check you over,” the nurse said, ignoring her question.

Niu debated leaving now that she was alone again, but she decided against it. She didn’t know how far the nurse had gone to get the doctors and her interest was pipped. Why did the nurse call her Marinette?

Tom and Sabine walk onto the long term care floor of the hospital for their daily visit to see their comatosed daughter only to find a bunch of people milling about her room. The couple rushed over, fear gripping their hearts, praying that nothing had gone wrong. They weren’t ready to let go of their daughter after having just gotten her back.

Dr. Bisset stopped them before they could rush into the room. “Everything’s fine,” he reassured them. “We’re just running some tests.”

“What happened?” Sabine demanded.

“Honesty, we have no idea. One moment she was just a normal comatose patient and the next she was awake,” Dr. Bisset said.

“Marinette is awake?” Tom asked in disbelief.

“Hmm? Oh yes. It’s quite strange. There are usually sets to waking up from a coma that we look out for. Waking from a coma is actually a long process but Marinette just seemed to wake up. She showcased none of the usual things we look for,” Dr. Bisset said, unaware of the way he had turned the two bakers' world upside down.

“She’s awake,” Sabine said, repeating her husband.

Dr. Bisset seemed to realize how much of a shock this was to the parents. “Do you want to see her?” he asked them softly.

Numbly they both nodded, allowing the doctor to lead them into the hospital room. The instantly looked over to the end to see their daughter, their Marinette, sitting in her bed, which had been raised to allow her to sit while still having something to rest against. A doctor was asking her a series of cognitive memory questions, allowing the two bakers to study their daughter.

The first thing they noticed was that she was no longer attached to any equipment. Most of what she had been attached to seemed to have been moved from the room though some things, like the IV and heart monitor were still in the room. Marinette was slim, leaning more towards underweight but she had been in a coma and weight loss was normal. Her eyes, bright blue like Tom, were following the doctor with a sharpness that came from a bright mind. Her hair was still in the french braid that Sabine had put it in earlier that week when she had come when the nurses were giving Marinette a bath, had a few hairs that had escaped, faming their daughters beautifully awake face.

“Marinette,” Tom couldn’t help but whisper.

Their daughter looked up at them confused. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice high pitched but soft. She spoke slowly, not in a ‘I barely know French’ way but in a ‘I’ve been well educated’ way. “And why is everyone calling me Marinette?”

Both parents felt their hearts squeeze. Since Roger Raincomprix had told them that their daughter was found last year, they had never thought that she may not go by Marinette anymore. That the people who took her decided to call her something else.

Niu looked at the couple who had entered her hospital room. They didn’t look like doctors though for all she knew the two had had a day off and were called in when she had awoken. Whoever they were their presence at least got the doctors to back off, even if they, like everyone else, called her ‘Marinette’ as if it were her name. Starting to get frustrated, but refusing to show it, she asked them why they called her that, wondering if they would give her the answer she was looking for that everyone else had so far refused to.

“It’s your name,” the woman said. Asian, short but strong, could probably fight, clothing and facial structure suggest Chinese.

“No it’s not,” she told the woman. She had never used that name before so she didn’t know why everyone was insisting on calling her it.

The woman moved farther into the room, sitting on the edge of her hospital bed. The woman looked like she was going to rest a hand on her leg but thought better of it. Smart. “Nine years ago,” she said. “My husband, Tom, and I had a three year old daughter that was taken by an unknown person from a local park.” Niu didn’t like where this was already heading, a weird feeling forming in her stomach. “Almost a year ago you were found alone, unconscious is a park by the Seine while the music festival was going on. When they couldn’t find anyone who knew you, the police ran your DNA.” The woman paused for a moment, not that it mattered, Niu already had an idea where she was going with this. “It matched both my husbands and my DNA in the way only a daughter could. Her name, your name, is Marinette.”

She studied the woman in front of her to try and find any hint of a lie, any hint that this was a test from the Temple but found none. She looked at the man, Tom, who stood supportively behind his wife, and found no lie in his face either. When Niu, no Marinette, spoke she did so with disbelief in her voice. She had never thought this day would come, especially not without her seeking it out. “You’re my parents. My real, honest to god, birth parents.”

Well Kwami, this was the last thing she had expected to happen.

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drabbles-of-writing · 4 years ago

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Can We Keep Him? (pt 2)

This is part of my Uncursed AU

AO3

Masterpost

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

If there was one thing Eda hated most, it was boiling rain.

She could tell by the storm clouds gathering one was on the way. However, she currently had a possible buyer looking over what she had to offer that day. So she impatiently tapped her fingers on the table as she watched the witch hm and haw over every little thing she had.

A boom of thunder snapped her patience.

“Do you want anything?” Eda snapped.

The witch lifted his head and blinked at her, dumbfounded.

“Oh, no, I was just browsing.” He said cheerfully. “I spent all my snails earlier.”

Eda stared at the witch, her left eye twitching as her nails dug into the table.

“Then move along!” She shouted.

“Alright, alright! Jeez,” The witch grumbled, raising his hands and backing off. “Kids these days, I swear.” He mumbled as he hurried along down the marketplace.

Eda didn’t bother to retort. She frantically began gathering up her items in the table cloth. She picked up anything that had fallen and attempted to tear down her sign proudly stating; Human Collectibles!

She had nearly gotten the whole thing down before she heard something sizzle.

Eda whirled her head around. And sure enough, the first drops of boiling rain were beginning to fall.

Eda looked around frantically, spotting a stand that, thank the Titan, had a stone over it. She regrettably ditched the bag of human objects before diving for the shelter, wincing when she felt the drops of rain graze her right leg.

Eda crawled up underneath the shelter, pulling her leg close as she hissed out a string of curses. Thankfully, the burn on her leg wasn’t all that bad. Though it’d definitely bug her for the rest of the day. She considered using her magic to heal it, but decided against it. Using magic on such a small thing wasn't worth the effort.

“Sorry, Lilith,” Eda sighed, peering up at the cloud-filled sky. “Looks like I’m gonna be late again.”

She leaned back against one of the posts holding up the empty stand, settling in for a long, boring wait.

Until a yelp caught her attention.

Eda turned her head, looking back out to the open path in the marketplace. Off on the opposite side was an empty clay pot turned over. Beside that pot was a very familiar small plastic crown.

The pot lifted slightly and a black paw darted out, trying to grab at the crown before a drop of rain landed on it. Whoever was in the pot squeaked and instantly retreated their paw.

Only a few seconds later, the paw darted out again.

“Is that…?” Eda squinted her eyes.

Droplets of rain splashed onto the crown. It sizzled and hissed as the boiling temperatures of the water immediately ate away at the crown, bringing it down to a half-circle.

“No!” The pot lifted up higher, revealing the face of the self-proclaimed King of Demons, his face full of horror. “My crown! My beautiful, beautiful crown!” He wailed, once again nearly getting nicked by the rain and drawing his paw back into the safety of the pot.

“Hey, I know you!” Eda called. “Demon Lord, or, whatever your name was.”

The demon lifted his head, spotting Eda and perking up.

“Oh, hey witch lady!” The demon greeted. “You got any more crowns?” He asked hopefully.

Eda gave the demon a deadpan stare before pointing over at her abandoned bag of goods, which was now nearly completely eaten through.

“...oh,” The demon deflated.

“What are you doing out here?” Eda asked. “Everyone knows to get somewhere safe before a rainstorm!”

“Well--I--” The demon faltered for a moment before angrily fluffing up his tail. “Then why are you out here?” He retorted.

“Someone was ‘browsing’ my items when I thought they were gonna buy something,” Eda sighed, knocking her head back against the pole she was leaning on. “Apparently he didn’t think the oncoming wrath of boiling rain wasn’t something to be concerned about.”

“Personally, I think not boiling alive is worth more than a profit.” The demon said, dropping the pot back over his head before standing up, wearing it like a long hat that went down to his legs.

“You’re a demon, you don’t need money.” Eda snorted, watching the demon walk around in the open under the pot for a minute before skittering over towards her.

“...what are you doing?”

“It’s getting hot under here!” The demon said, hurrying underneath her shelter before ditching the pot and kicking it away. “This is a much more adequate roof for the King of Demons.” He nodded in satisfaction.

“Don’t you have, like, an owner?” Eda raised a brow. She reached out and grabbed his large gold tag.

“The King of Demons belongs to no one!” The demon snapped, tugging back and brushing himself off. “I am my own demon!”

“What’s with the collar then?” Eda questioned.

“I…” The demon blinked before looking down at his collar and fiddling with the tag. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Eda said disbelievingly. “How can you not know why you have a collar?”

“I just don’t know!” The demon snapped back. “But I like it!” He said, sitting down and crossing his arms angrily.

“...alright then.” Eda said, turning to look out at the rain.

When she had first met the demon, she had assumed he had been someones escaped pet, due to the collar. It would also easily explain the inflated ego and delusions. People spoil their pets all the time.

But if he didn’t belong to anyone…

“If I may ask, since we’re clearly going to be here for a while,” Eda said, glancing over at the demon. “Does the so-called ‘King of Demons’ have a name?”

“A mortal like you couldn’t bear to know the true name of the King of Demons!” The demon said, raising his head snootily.

Eda gave him a deadpan stare for a few moments.

“How about I just call you King?” She tried.

“That…” The demon frowned and thought for a moment. “That name will suffice.” He decided with a nod.

“Nice to formally meet, King.” Eda said with a bit of a smile, holding out her hand. “I’m Eda.”

“Eda...I can work with that.” King said, taking her hand and shaking it.

“Sorry about the crown,” Eda said, pulling her hand back and looking over at the pieces of scrap that were once some plastic toy. “I could probably find another one.”

“You would...find the King of Demons another crown?” King asked excitedly, tail wagging.

“Only because I feel bad,” Eda said, crossing her arms, though her smile only grew. “And you’ll have to pay me this time.”

King gestured to himself before holding his paws out at his sides.

“Do I look like I have money?”

“Then how about this,” Eda said, thinking on her feet. “In payment, you have to find stuff for me to sell.”

“Like...scavenging?” King tilted his head.

“Sort of,” Eda said.

She dug in her wild mane of hair before pulling out a small dark brown key with a yellow eye on it and showed it off to the demon.

“A while ago, I found this key to the human realm.” She explained. “It’s where I get all my items. Although, recently, it’s getting harder for me to steal stuff from their metal bins without getting caught.”

“Oooh. So you wish to enlist the help of the mighty ruler of demons, eh?” King realized excitedly. “Fear not! For I accept this offer. In exchange for a crown, I will hunt down the greatest human artifacts the Boiling Isles has ever seen!” He said, standing up and posing proudly.

“Thanks, King.” Eda chuckled, tucking the key back into her hair. “Hope you’re a good tracker, though. I don’t set up shop in the same place two days in a row.”

“Pssh, how hard can it be?” King waved his paw. “I just have to look for the loudest witch in the market.”

“Wha--says you!” Eda scoffed. “You’re the loudest demon I’ve ever met! I’m genuinely surprised I haven’t met you yet.”

“Yes, well, I’ve decided to grace this side of the Isles with my presence.” King said. “You’re welcome.”

“Gee, thanks.” Eda shook her head before reaching over and ruffling the fur that connected to his skull by his cheek.

King let out a weird ‘weh’ like noise and struggled for a moment, batting at her hand with his paws.

Which, now that Eda got a better look at them, really didn’t look too good.

Demons had tougher skin than witches, so a few droplets of boiling water wouldn’t cause severe harm. And yet, the way his skin was twisted and discolored from the burns he’d received made Eda's own chest twist.

“Doesn’t this hurt?” Eda asked, drawing her hands back and gently placing one of his wrists in her open palm.

“Eh, I’ve had worse.” King shrugged. “The King of Demons needs no sympathy.” He said, turning his nose away.

Eda frowned, worried about what ‘worse’ such a small demon like King could be referring to.

Her eyes drew to his broken horn.

She decided not to ask and pulled him a bit closer.

“Could I at least try to heal it?” She asked.

Eda had never been good at healing magic. Her best had always been defense and offense, not sitting on the sidelines and tending to the wounded. Lilith had more knowledge in that aspect, thanks to the Emperor’s Coven.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to try, would it?

“I...suppose,” King said, sounding suspicious. “Just be careful. I don’t want to chip a claw,” He said, this time sounding like he was partially joking.

“I won’t,” Eda promised before turning back to his paw.

A faint yellow glow came from her left hand and she brought it closer to King’s paw, eyes squinted in concentration as she gently pressed a finger to his burns.

King winced as though expecting to be hurt, though he didn’t pull his paw away.

Slowly, Eda ghosted her finger over the burns, smiling as she saw his previously gnarly skin untwisting and fitting back up.

“There we go,” Eda said, bringing her hand back. She couldn’t heal it up all the way, but now it was practically invisible unless you looked for it.

“Whoa,” King turned over his paw, mesmerized. “Do the other one, do the other one!” He chanted gleefully, sticking out his other slightly less-burned paw.

“Alright, hang on, hang on.” Eda chuckled, concentrating as she drew her glowing finger over the burns, bringing it to about the same state as his first paw.

“That should heal up on its own, now.” She said, letting him admire and study his freshly healed paws.

“Thanks...uh,” King squinted. “What was your name again?”

“Eda,” The young witch sighed. “It was Eda.”

“Right, Eda! Thanks. I'll remember next time.” King promised, holding his paws close.

Eda smiled at the demon. What had happened to him to make him so astonished that a witch would help him, she didn’t want to know.

But she did know that right then, she wasn’t going to be quite as alone out here as she thought.

“Anytime, King.”

#uncursed au #drabble post #my writing #the owl house #owl house #toh #eda clawthorne #eda #king #fluff #young eda #they having a time #first meeting

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pumpkaaboo · 4 years ago

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Madoka Magica rewatch: episode 1

Hey guys! I’ve decided to rewatch Puella Magi Madoka Magica (considering that the last time I watched it, I was 12, up past my bedtime, and at a sleepover with my friends. we watched the whole thing in one night. needless to say, a lot of things flew over my head). I want to pay attention to two things in particular: symbolism, and parallels to Revolutionary Girl Utena (specifically, eggs. that will make sense if you’ve seen utena). Most of what I’m going to talk about is probably a reach and/or not intended by the creators, but hey, overanalyzing every minute detail of things to the death is fun. (Note: these posts will contain spoilers for the entirety of madoka magica, and probably bits of utena as well) If you don’t want to see these posts, you can blacklist the tags “#pmmm” or “#pmmm rewatch”. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

So right off the bat, we have a parallel to utena. The very first shot in both...

...is a curtain being raised. This is very interesting to me; it gives the idea that what we’re about to see is a performance of some kind. Whether it means that the whole thing is a performance, or just the dream/flashback we’re about to see, is something I’ll have to look out for. Regardless, just as in utena, I’m going to take this as an indication that what I’m about to watch should not be taken at face value.

Also worthy of note that this is the first time we get to see the beautiful paper cutout style in the witch labyrinths. It’s one of the defining artistic features of this anime, and I can’t wait to see it again.

Then there’s a shot of what appears to be a grief seed with some text in a conlang I can’t read and then... this.

...yeah, I’m at a loss. Is this Madoka’s witch? I think it might be. The background kind of looks like a record from this angle, but broken by that black... slice? bar? witch? Also, there’s the sound of what I think is a tape running through a film projector-yet another indication that what’s to come is a story a performance, not necessarily reflective of reality. However, in contrast to Utena, which uses theater/live performances and plays, Madoka seems to be using film. Film is static, unchanging-you can watch a movie as many times as you want, but aside from file corruption or physical damage to your equipment, it will play out exactly the same way. Theater, meanwhile, is much more dynamic-the actors and the audience have a tremendous amount of influence on the way things go, even if specific plot points must remain the same. I like that, as a difference between the two, because while in Utena, the duelists are always different and the circumstances of the cycle are always changing (even if the end result is always the same), while in Madoka, Homura is repeating the exact same month, and everyone else stays exactly the same except for her (the audience? much to think about).

We have several shots of Madoka running through this stark black and white landscape. She’s the only spot of color in it, and each shot is more impossible and dreamlike than the last.

Finally, she comes to this bright green exit sign-a complementary color to her hair. It’s surrounded by darkness and metal fencing (only visible in the previous shot)-perhaps meaning that, for Madoka to be able to move forward, she will have to travel into darkness, towards something the opposite of herself? I also find the framing of the shot to be very reminiscent of this:

Madoka must ascend the stairs before opening the door, however, not after. I’ll talk a bit more about this parallel later, though, because Madoka opens the door and sees...

...that. Walpurgisnacht has the same pattern behind her that the weird shot of the record did earlier, so maybe I was misreading that and it’s supposed to represent her, not Madoka’s witch whose name escapes me. Also worthy of note that Madoka is moving from an unreal space of equal parts light and dark (where the two were distinctly separated) to a more “real” world of black and gray-and where darkness and the few patches of light often blend together smoothly. I think this is supposed to represent her idealistic worldview clashing against the world where Magical Girls must constantly risk their lives, make morally gray decisions, and fight witches for survival.

I’m not really sure of what to think of the parallel between Madoka entering the battle with Walpurgisnacht and Utena entering the dueling arena, but if we take it as her going from a place inside of her own mind, where her assumptions about the world are unchallenged, into a place where a battle of ideology where no one is truly, 100% noble (even though some may hold the definite moral high ground) might work, but Utena’s dueling arena is also a place of trying to obtain that true nobility. Then again, that could be a parallel to Madoka’s wish in the end, couldn’t it? But I don‘t think it’s a 1-1 parallel, nor do I think it should be expected to be. I’m happy to think of it as a (possibly unintentional) nod to one of the show’s major influences.

Also I just noticed that Walpurgisnacht’s design sort of mirrors itself and works just as well upside down as right side up-hold on let me just-

yeah.

Here we have a shot of Madoka standing on a maze of scaffolding-the path ahead of her will be treacherous, full of dead ends and places to plummet to the ground. But we don’t have time to talk about that because HOMURA

So our first shot of this character-arguably tied for “most important in the show” with Madoka herself-is from a distance, standing on a pillar of darkness, surrounded by flashing red lights. The camera constantly focuses in and out-she’s distant, and it’s hard to figure out what she’s doing or thinking. But then we cut closer to her-

-and we see her face right before she gets hit by a skyscraper-

-and it becomes clear that whoever this is, she’s someone to pay attention to, someone whose inner mind and motivations the series will be exploring. Also I love how she’s not scared of the skyscraper at all, seeming to view it as more of a minor inconvenience more than anything. Because to her, it is!

Also, here we have the first actual bright colors in the show besides the green exit sign. I note that Homura is raising her shield here, not firing one of her (many) guns/explosives-our first impression of her is a mysterious one, but also of protection, though who or what she’s trying to protect remains to be seen.

...and here we have the first voice line of the series. Seems appropriate, given the general tone, but I also think it’s important to note that our first impression of Homura is protectiveness, and our first impression of Madoka is compassion and sympathy...

...while our first impression of Kyubey is fatalism and discouragement. Not exactly a good look for a character who’s supposed to be guiding and supporting the heroes, huh. Kyubey knows exactly what he’s after, and he knows exactly how to get it.

And here we have the entire thesis of Madoka’s character in one line.

Seriously, all of it’s right there! Compassion for those suffering, an acknowledgement that the current circumstances are unjust, are wrong. This isn’t how magical girl shows are supposed to go, this isn’t how heroes are supposed to have to fight, and Madoka is unwilling to accept a world where this level of injustice is the norm. God, what a great way to introduce the entire main conflict of both the protagonist and the show!

Here’s our first clear shot of Kyubey, and he looks even more blank and eerie than usual-I think it’s the fact that he has no visible pupils. Also a great bit of foreshadowing; you don’t typically introduce a character that’s going to be helpful like this.

Kyubey tells Madoka that she has the power to change this fate-to alter the horrible destiny in front of her. “Can I really?” asks Madoka.

That’s why Madoka wants power-she wants to be able to help. And she can, but she’ll have to be very careful about how she words her wish, because otherwise, she might just end up making things worse. It’s worth noting that she wants to change the ending-perhaps foreshadowing her eventual wish to stop magical girls from becoming witches (any girl who cannot become a princess..), changing the inevitable end of their lives.

I love how the branches of the tree(?) are breaking up the frame, making it look fractured or like slash marks, showing how the characters are broken and disoriented, and visually representing the separation between Madoka, Homura, and Walpurgisnacht. It’s a neat trick that was used to great effect in Adolescence of Utena (though usually it was associated specifically with blades or impalement in that case).

Kyubey offers his contract to Madoka, and she looks at the camera, determined, crowned and wreathed by the rubble around her...

...and then wakes up, in her bed, surrounded by warmth and pink and soft things and hearts. Also, I think the aspect ratio changed at this part? I’m not really sure why that is-maybe to convey that they’re going from the cinematic final conflict to Madoka’s everyday life?

Silhouetted by the warm window behind her almost like a halo, watched by her stuffed animals and embracing another, Madoka asks if it was all a dream. She noticeably sits up so her entire head is in the light, and then leans down so only half of it is-she hasn’t fully committed to the heroism she’ll come to embody yet.

Okay, that’s enough for now, it’s been like two hours and I’ve only gotten through one scene. I was hoping to be able to get through this quickly, but I should have known better. Part 2 of this episode coming... at some point, hopefully.

#pmmm #pmmm rewatch #puella magi madoka magica #pmmm 1

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imagines-for-the-fangirls-soul · 5 years ago

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Return to Me - Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: As Constant as the Stars

A/N: Hi all! I’m really excited for you to read this chapter! Kinda based off the song, Angel Eyes (the version from Mamma Mia! 2). I’m hopefully going to get back to posting on Mondays and Fridays, so keep an eye out Friday for chapter eight. Also, I know I keep linking the same dress for the last three chapters but I’m obsessed with it, and I feel like it really represents the reader’s personality, besides, I think it would look really good with Poe’s black leather jacket from TLJ. As always, let me know what you think and lemme know if you want to be tagged! Also, bonus points to whoever can guess what random movie (it’s a cartoon musical) the title is taken from!

Pairing: Poe Dameron x Reader Word Count: 4,144 Synopsis: After finding out Naboo’s fate, the reader must do everything she can to save the Resistance from the terror of the First Order, even if it means admitting feelings she has tried to deny the past two years.

Tag List: @xeniarocks, @too-many-baes, @araceli91103, @holybatflapexpert, @themihala, @idocarealot, @treblebeth, @treestarrrrrrrr, @thescarletknight2014, @charlottie2998, @ibikus, @mellow-f1, @mrsdaamneron, @trustme3-13 @missjess71, @ella-solei, @minelskede, @gleigh42, @usuallyweepingnacho, @givemethatgold, @and-claudia, @constantdisgrace, @wordsinwinters, @readingvogueonprivetdrive, @trshbb, @kaitlynw011, @ihave2muchtimeonmyhands, @constantdisgrace, @fairytalesforever, @thanos-jeep, @mixedfandxms, @pastelbunny1501

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

You sat in silence for the next few minutes. Nové wouldn’t speak either. In fact, neither of you even moved until the door opened up some time later, and you both turned to see Poe enter the room, cleaned and changed into a dark leather jacket. He had a smile on his face, but when his eyes immediately found yours, it fell.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Nové, will you go let Holdo know what’s going on?” you asked, looking at her quickly. She stood up, frowning at you as she walked slowly out the door. She couldn’t even muster a glare for Poe as she walked out the door.

“What is it?” he asked, his panic growing as he limped over to sit next to you.

“We called Naboo in the hopes that they could send a rescue, but as we were speaking to Broden,” you stopped, the emotion of saying the words becoming too much. Poe put his hand on your knee, looking into your eyes softly.

“Y/N, tell me,” he said gently.

“As we were speaking to Broden,” you started again, “A Stormtrooper interrupted our call,” you said with a sigh. “The First Order has taken Naboo.” His grip on your knee softened as he sat back in his seat, taking in what you just said. “I was so stupid to come,” you said softly.

“No, you came to fight for the Resistance, for the light. You were only trying to do the ri—”

“The right thing?” you asked, scoffing, “Every time I’ve tried to do that, I only end up hurting the ones I love.” He scooted closer to you and put his arm around the back of your chair.

“All we can do is our best, which is what you have always done. Even if you had been there, you couldn’t have stopped an invasion. It’s better that you’re here, and alive.”

“For now,” you said bitterly.

“Hey, I’m getting you out of here. You’ve still got a lot of fight left in you,” he said with a kind smile. You smiled back at him, but let it fall as you remembered all of the nasty things you had said to him within the last few hours.

“I’m sorry about before,” you said weakly.

“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who pushed you,” he said with a shrug.

“You have every right to be angry, Poe,” you said, looking at him with watery eyes. “I know I’ve hurt you. More times than I’d like to admit.” He looked at you with soft eyes.

“You have every right to be angry, too. We’ve both been through a lot. It was the wrong time to talk about us, I know that now.”

“Why are you being so nice?” you asked, shaking your head.

“I’ve done things, too, Y/N,” he said with a frown. “I’m not blameless here. But we’re together now, and I don’t know what that means for us,” he said, his eyes wide, “But I think we should at least capitalize on what time we do have together, and not spend it yelling at each other.”

“I agree,” you said with a frown, your voice barely above a whisper, “I’ve missed you so much.” He reached for your hand as the door slid open.

“Poe, C’ai said I could find you in here,” Finn said, coming into the room. “Your Highness,” he said, nodding to you, easing the urgency he had walked in with.

“Y/N is fine. Finn, right?” you asked.

“Yes,” he said with a kind smile, glancing over at Poe. You stood up and moved over to check on Leia, giving Finn some privacy to tell him what he came down for. Poe’s eyes followed you, a small smile stretching across his face.

“What’s up?” he asked, looking back at Finn a moment later.

“I have someone I want to introduce you to.” You looked away from Leia and watched Finn open the door and pull in a young, beautiful woman. “This is Rose Tico.”

“Tico?” Poe asked, a sadness washing over his eyes. You walked back over to him, smiling politely at the woman. “You're Paige's sister,” he said.

“Yes.”

“I'm so sorry.” Rose nodded and sniffed away tears before they could form. You held out your hand to her and introduced yourself.

“I’m Y/N,” you said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too. I've never met royalty before. I love your dress,” she said, smiling. You looked over at Poe who rolled his eyes with a smirk, remembering his initial comments about your gown.

“Thank you.”

“We have a plan of how to get us out of this mess,” Finn said, switching the subject to something more pressing. You and Poe exchanged another look. You made your way back over to the group and started to sit down next to Poe again when Nové walked into the room and waved you into the hall. Poe nodded at you as you followed her and walked out, closing the door behind you.

“I spoke to Holdo. She said they’ve tried reaching out to Black Squadron, hoping that they have gathered the Resistance’s allies, but their communications have gone silent,” she explained. You sighed and shook your head.

“Even if they did, no one would come to this fight,” you said sadly. “Not with Snoke's ship on our ass. Did she tell you any kind of plan?”

“I tried to get some information out of her, but she wouldn't let on. What's going on in there?”

“I don’t know. Finn thinks he has a way to stop the First Order’s ship, but he was just beginning to explain it when you walked in. Did you find Zaisa? Is she mad?” you asked, making Nové chuckle softly.

“Yes, I found her. She’s stationed herself at the entrance to the hall. She seemed a little mad, but I think she’s just glad we’re alive. And apparently, she trusts Captain Dameron. She’s alright with you staying here without her watching over you as long as you stay with him.” You rolled your eyes.

“Well, then she doesn’t know him very well,” you said.

“I don’t think so, but I know she does trust him to keep you safe at all costs.”

“I’m not sure that’s true,” you said softly. Nové began to speak as the door opened again and Poe called your name. You both turned to look at the door and saw him poking his head out of the frame. You glanced back at Nové with a smile, and she waved you into the room.

“I'm going to keep trying to contact Naboo,” she said. “We don’t know who or what has been taken yet. I’m going to find out everything I can, for when this is over,” she added optimistically. “I’ll see you soon.” You nodded and turned back to Poe.

“I think their plan will work,” he said when you reached him.

“Really?”

“Yeah, come listen.” You followed him into the room, quickly glancing over at Leia. It was strange that you were using her hospital room for your hideout, but this was the only place where you could guarantee privacy, and by the secret nature of this plan, you needed privacy.

“Okay,” Poe said, leading you to the seat next to him as he sat down, “Just give it to me one more time, simpler.”

“Yes, please dumb it down for me,” you joked, side-eyeing him. He laughed to himself as Finn began to tell you their plan.

“So, The First Order is only tracking us from one destroyer, the lead one,” he started.

“So, we blow that one up?” Poe asked.

“I like where your head's at, but no,” Finn said, continuing on, “They'd just start tracking us from another destroyer.”

“But if we can—” Rose tried, getting cut off by Finn.

“If we sneak on board the lead Destroyer, and disable the tracker without them realizing, then we can—”

“They won't realize it's off for one system cycle. About six minutes,” Rose finished, cutting him right back off.

“Sneak onboard, disable the tracker, our fleet escapes before they realize,” Finn said. Poe stood, waiting for you to think over the plan. He started walking towards Leia but turned back around quickly.

“How'd you two meet?” he asked, pointing between the two of them.

“Just luck,” Rose replied.

“Yeah? Good luck?”

“Not sure yet.” He laughed softly and turned back to Leia, touching her hand.

“Poe, we’ve got to do this. It'll save the Fleet, it'll save Rey,” Finn said.

“If I must be the sole voice of reason, Admiral Holdo will never agree to this plan,” C3PO said, speaking for the first time. You looked over at him and nodded.

“He's right,” you said.

“I know. It's a need to know plan, and she doesn't,” Poe said.

“That wasn't exactly—” C3PO began, but Poe limped past him, pulling up a schematic of the First Order's destroyer.

“Alright, you guys shut down that tracker, I'll be here to jump us to lightspeed. The question is: how do we sneak the two of you onto Snoke's Destroyer?”

“We steal clearance codes,” Rose suggested.

“No, they're bio-hexacrypt and rescrambled every hour. We can't get through their security shields undetected. Nobody can,” Finn said. Poe frowned, and looked to you for guidance. You chewed your lip, knowing that you should probably shut down their plan, even as your thoughts raced with ideas. This was what you had studied years for. Military strategy and politics decorated your diploma from Theed University. You had spent a large chunk of your life training for moments like these, but Holdo had asked them to lay low, and helping them with this plan would be doing exactly the opposite of that.

“There actually might be someone who can,” you said, standing and walking to Poe’s side, forsaking Holdo’s wishes. This was what you were good at, you told yourself. Poe shook his head in confusion as he looked at you, your eyes locking again.

“Who?” he asked.

“Maz.” A smile grew on his face and he nodded eagerly, running to the other side of the Holo table, readying to call her.

“Who?” Rose asked again.

“Maz Kanata. An old friend of the Resistance. Her castle was destroyed during the battle of—”

“Takodana.”

“Right,” you said, walking over to Poe’s side, helping him type in coordinates to try and locate her. “She’s always been good with codes, and she’s one of the only few who have remained loyal to the Resistance after all of this time.

“If she’s on Takodana, she’s not answering,” Poe said with a sigh, after his attempt to reach her failed. You leaned over him and pressed a few more buttons, fiddling with the controls and known contacts of Maz for a few minutes until she finally appeared on your screen, albeit blurry.

“Nice job,” Poe said, bumping his shoulder against yours as the image of Maz began to clear. You smiled slightly, focusing on Maz’s holographic image.

“What is so important that it couldn't wait?” Maz asked as a barrage of blaster fire came over her head.

“We need your help, Maz,” you said.

“Y/N? Poe? Are you two back together? You know, the dish set I sent for your first wedding was very expensive, I'm not sure I can send an—”

“No, no, Maz,” you said, cutting her off as you tried to fight off your blush. “That's not— We're not—”

“We need your help,” Finn corrected.

“Finn,” she said with a smile, “It's good that you're all together.” She smiled for a moment before jumping out of frame and firing a few more shots back. “What do you need?”

Finn explained to her the plan, while you avoided looking at Poe, fighting off the urge to see if he was flustered from her comment, too.

“So, can you do it?” Poe asked once Finn had finished.

“Could I do it? Of course I could do it. But I can't do it, I'm a little tied down right now.”

“Maz? What is happening?” Poe asked as another array of blaster fire clouded your discussion.

“Union dispute, you do not want to hear about it. But, lucky for you, there's exactly one guy I trust who can crack that kind of security. He's a master codebreaker, an ace pilot, a poet with a blaster.”

“Oh my, it sounds like this codebreaker can do everything,” C3PO exclaimed.

“Oh yes, he can,” Maz said, making you grin, “You'll find him with a red plom bloom on his lapel, rolling at a high stakes table in the casino on Canto Bight.”

“Canto Bight?” Poe asked, dejected, “No, no, that's— Maz, is there any way that we can take care of this ourselves?”

“Sorry kiddo, this is rarefied cracking, if you want to get on that Destroyer, I only know one option. Find the Master Codebreaker.” Whoever was attacking her eventually made the connection cut out completely after she spoke. You sighed and looked up at the group.

“So that's it?” Rose asked. “There's no way we can get to Canto Bight.”

“Not without Holdo knowing,” Finn said, folding his hands.

“And she won't,” you said, standing. “If I keep her distracted, think you can take one of those escape pods to Canto Bight?”

“Yes,” Finn said immediately, although unassuredly.

“Vice Admiral Holdo will never allow—”

“I know, Threepio!” you shouted, silencing the droid. “Which is why she isn't going to know. I'll keep her occupied.”

“How?” Rose asked. You looked over at Poe, also unsure of your plan.

“I know someone who can help,” he said. “Get to the pods, and I'll give you the all clear.”

“Hold on,” Finn said. He reached into his pocket and gave Poe the cloaked binary beacon that matched Rey's. “Keep it safe.”

“I will. Be safe,” Poe said, hugging him. Finn looked over at you, and you nodded at each other.

“Let's go,” Rose said, pulling him out of the room.

“We need to go, too,” you said, leading Poe to the door shortly after. He stopped you in the doorframe, looking at you seriously.

“You don't have to do this.”

“I know,” you smiled, tilting your head to look at him. You were so close together that you could have counted each of his eyelashes. “I need to do this. I need to make up, for everything.” Poe frowned, taking a step towards you hesitantly as C3PO spoke again.

“Oh! Do be careful!” he exclaimed. You laughed softly and turned your head from Poe, breaking the eye contact that had begun to start a fire in your chest.

“Thanks, Threepio,” you said. You looked back at Poe, finding a little disappointment in his eyes. You tugged on his arm and smiled. “Come on.”

At the entrance to the hallway, you found Zaisa stationed, just as Nové had said. You gave a cordial nod to her, but she stepped in front of you as you tried to leave.

“Vice Admiral Holdo says this is one of the safest locations on the ship and asked that you don't leave. You can’t run away this time, Y/N,” she said, looking down at you. You laughed and looked over at Poe, finding confusion in his face. He didn’t know that you had run from Zaisa earlier.

“I'll just be gone for a second,” you said casually, stepping to move around her. She held out her hand. “And if you're so worried, I'll be with Captain Dameron the whole time.” Poe snorted at your bull-shitting but kept his head down so Zaisa wouldn’t see the smile on his face.

“With all due respect, Your Highness—"”

“It's of life saving importance,” you said firmly. She rolled her eyes, knowing that she wasn't going to win this argument, and let you pass. “Thank you,” you sing-songed. Once you were out of earshot of know-it-all droids and commanding personal guards, Poe pulled you into an abandoned corner.

“So, what's our plan?” you asked.

“Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix.”

“She’s working for Holdo,” you said, shaking your head.

“She's loyal to Leia, she'll want to help us,” Poe said.

“Okay, but how do we get her help?”

“I'm banned from the bridge, but you're not.” He reached into his pocket and handed you a miniature communicator. “Give this to her, she'll know it's from me.”

“Okay, and then I'll distract Holdo and she'll make sure the transport gets away safely?”

“Yeah,” he said, sighing.

“This will work.”

“It has to.”

“It will.” He nodded as you stepped out of the corner. “I'll be back soon.”

“Be careful.”

No one gave you any flack as you stepped onto the bridge. Most likely, because they were all busy doing the bidding of Holdo and her mysterious plan. You found Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix, and discreetly handed her the communicator. She looked at you in confusion for a moment, but when Poe started to speak through it, she moved into action.

You lingered around the bridge, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible, waiting for Kaydel's signal. Once she gave it, you went up to Amilyn.

“What are you doing up here?” she asked when she saw you.

“I can't stay shut up with Leia. Is there anything I can do?” She pursed her lips and let out a sigh.

“No, I just need you to stay safe.”

“Why? So that I can delay my inevitable death as long as possible?”

“You aren't going to die on this cruiser, Y/N,” she said.

“What's your plan, then?” She looked you up and down, seeming to know your plan already.

“Did your ex convince you to come up here and get the plan out of me?” she asked knowingly.

“No,” you said, glaring back at her with as much ferocity as she was giving you. She had taught you well. Even though you were lying, you spoke with enough conviction that she couldn’t question your honesty.

“I can't tell you the plan, Y/N. I do trust you,” she said, stopping you before you could argue. “I just— What was that?” She turned her head, looking back at her crew.

“Just some passing debris, Vice Admiral,” Kaydel said.

“No, not that,” she said, moving to the other side of the bridge.

“An incoming transmission from Jessika Pava,” Admiral Statura said.

“What?” you asked, snapping your head back to where Poe was hiding, just outside of the bridge.

“Put her through,” Amilyn commanded.

“I’m trying, but the transmission is rocky,” Statura said. He typed in a few more codes, and eventually, Jess’s face appeared.

“Vice Admiral,” she panted, nodding respectfully to Amilyn.

“Did you get our distress signal?” Amilyn asked.

“Only just.”

“Well? Have you managed to gain any more allies?”

“We’re in the middle of that. But we’ve hit a bit of a snag.”

“What kind of snag?” Amilyn asked, her patience growing thin.

“We’re currently on the planet, Ithor. Snap reached out to a general here, and we were all invited to stay in their mansion.”

“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Holdo asked.

“This general has taken a liking to Karé. She showed off some fancy flying when we got here, and he has agreed to help up, only if Karé stays. He wants her to teach some training courses, give them some Black Squadron tips, the kind that can only be learned over an extended period of time.”

“What?” you asked, stepping towards the frame so Jess could finally see you. She looked surprised but didn’t question why you were there.

“Snap and Karé aren’t exactly thrilled about the idea,” Jess said with a frown.

“Would the aid of Ithor be enough to help us?” you asked, “Could this general provide support for us?”

“I don’t know if it will right now,” she said with a sigh, looking over her shoulder, “But definitely in the future.”

“Jessika, can I speak to Karé?” Holdo asked.

“Sure. Give me a second.” Jessika disappeared out of view, giving you a chance to talk to Holdo.

“What are you going to say to her?” you asked.

“I don’t know,” she said with a sigh. “If only we had someone on board who knew what it felt like to separate from their husband for the good of the galaxy.” You twisted your lips, holding her gaze.

“If only,” you said, taking a step back as Karé appeared on screen.

“Karé.”

“Hello, Vice Admiral.”

“What’s the situation down in Ithor?” she asked.

“I can’t do it, Holdo,” Karé said immediately.

“How long would it be?”

“I don’t know. A few days at the very least. But we just started this mission, there’s no way I’m going to leave Jess and Suralinda and Snap behind. They need me on the mission. I need them.” You heard the way her voice cracked when she said Snap’s name. Of course, she was worried about leaving her friends behind, but it sounded as if she was petrified of leaving her husband.

“There are other planets out there,” she explained. “If we leave now, I know that we can get to them and get you help.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t time. We’ve got a plan to get us out of here,” Holdo explained, “But it’s not foolproof. We can’t be turning down any help at this point.” Karé’s lip began to tremble as she stuttered over a response.

“Vice Admiral, I don’t know what Snap will do without me covering his six and him covering mine. We’re a team, all of us, but especially him. I need to be with him.”

“And we need help. The Resistance is dwindling as we speak.”

“I know,” she said gravely.

“I know you’re going to miss your friends, but they’re professionals, and being apart isn’t the worst thing—”

“Sometimes,” you piped up, stepping into frame so Karé could see you. “It still hurts to remember all the good times. Especially, because back then, I thought I could never live without him. I had the same doubts as you.

“I worried that he’d forget, or that I’d stop. I worried that something would stop me from getting back to that happy point I was at. And maybe it does, but I never stopped. I never ever forget how much I loved him, because I never stopped. You won’t either. Being apart drains you, but it’s not the end, not always. You and Snap are so good together, Karé. I don’t think there’s much you can’t get through.”

Karé looked speechless for a moment. Not just because of your hopefully moving words, but because you had just confessed, to the entire command center of the Resistance, that you were still in love with Poe, even after all this time.

“Alright,” she said reluctantly, staring at you and Holdo for a few moments, “I’ll do it. But on my terms. I’m not leaving for two years.” You laughed quietly as a tear slipped from your eye. “Thank you, Y/N.” You nodded at her and gave her a gentle smile as she signed off. It took a few moments before you could look at Amilyn.

“Thank you,” she said, too, reaching for your hand once you had.

“Don’t mention it,” you said with a wave of your other hand.

“After that, I want to tell you my plan, but truly, I have to keep it as safe as possible until I know we’re safe. Too many things could go wrong.”

“I understand,” you said with a sigh.

“Now, please, we don't know what the First Order will do. You're safest in the heart of the cruiser, not here on the bridge.”

“Let me know if I can do anything,” you said.

“I will.”

As you exited the bridge, you felt every pair of eyes on you. You looked at Kaydel and she gave you a simple nod. You smiled back at her as you looked to the doorway, finding Poe standing just a few feet outside of it, well within earshot to have heard everything you just said.

“Hey,” you said, your voice cracking as you approached him.

“Hey,” he said, jumping from his thoughts when you spoke.

“Finn and Rose?” you asked.

“Made it out,” he said quietly.

“Good.” He nodded as you bit your lip. “Good.”

“Yeah.” You took a step towards him, away from the bridge, your eyes never leaving his.

“We should go?” you asked.

“Yeah.”

“Wouldn’t want Holdo to see you,” you teased. He laughed and took a step back so you could move past him.

“Right,” he said with a smile, watching you walk away. The smile on his face couldn’t be shaken by anything, not even the impending doom of the First Order right behind them. He could only focus on you: the woman he loved, still in love with him, too.

#poe dameron #poe dameron imagine #poe dameron x reader #poe dameron x you #sw imagine #return to me #poe dameron fanfic #poe dameron fanfiction #star wars #star wars imagine #star wars fanfic #star wars fanfiction #sw #sw fanfic #sw fanfiction

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slapshot-to-the-heart · 5 years ago

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Flatbush & Atlantic: part ii

Here’s part ii! Please reblog and send your thoughts, I love hearing feedback! I was doing a ton of research on American immigration law, and it doesn’t look like Canadians technically need a visa for most work circumstances, but I’m taking it as a matter of artistic license.

https://slapshot-to-the-heart.tumblr.com/post/615257287896989696/flatbush-atlantic-part-i

part ii

October 5

“Mat, I’m in the middle of a meeting,” Chris said, glancing up at him with a bemused-yet-slightly-annoyed look on his face.

Mat looked over at Cass, ducking his head and sheepishly tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Oh, yeah. For sure. I’m sorry, I should have knocked, but I got this letter, and. Yeah. I shouldn’t have interrupted, that was rude. I’m sorry.” Cass couldn’t help but let out a snicker at his rambling, and Mat turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. He held out his hand. She took it. “Sorry about that.” His cheeks colored. “I keep apologizing. I’m Mat Barzal.”

“Cass Cabrera Shaw,” she replied.

“Cass is our new intern, so you’ll be seeing each other around. Hopefully not too often.” Chris said, nodding to where she sat in front of him.

“I got the job?” Cass asked, her head jerking back to look at Chris.

Chris nodded like it should have been obvious. “Cassidy. You’re more than qualified, you know the sport, you understand the responsibilities. You go to a top 5 law school. Yeah, you’re hired.” She blinked, still trying to take it all in. Chris turned to Mat. “Okay, Barzal, you’re up. What’s wrong?”

Mat scratched his neck. “Okay, so I know I should have looked into it sooner and taken responsibility for it. And I do, I mean, take responsibility for it. It’s just, I was in Vancouver for the summer and then vacation and then training camp and—”

Chris cut him off. “Barzal. What is it?”

“I missed the deadline for my visa renewal.” That sounds familiar, Cass thought ruefully. At least she wouldn’t be alone in her dumbassery.

Chris put his head in his hands.

Mat held up a hand. “Wait, it’s not as bad as it seems, I promise.”

“Try me.”

“I called whoever’s in charge, they left a number on the letter—”

“State Department,” Cass said, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her hair when Mat looked back at her, a hint of a smile on his face.

He nodded. “Thanks. Yeah, them. I called them and explained the situation, and they agreed to give me an extension.”

Chris cleared his throat. “And by ‘the situation,’ you mean…” He trailed off.

“That I was an NHL player who wasn’t in the country when they sent reminder letters. I might have used the Commissioner’s name once or twice.” Mat said sheepishly.

“And we all know how much weight Gary Bettman’s name carries with American immigration policy,” Chris deadpanned. “Okay, give me a second to think how we’re going to get this done. How much of the forms have you filled out?”

Mat flipped open the folder he had brought, scanning the pages. “Most of it.” At least he’s not entirely hopeless. “There were a couple things I wasn’t sure about, and some new stuff that I don’t remember from last time. I figured it was better to bring it in than try to submit it on my own and get it all horribly wrong.”

“Thank God for that,” Chris said, giving a half-smile. After another minute or so of thinking, he raised his head and looked to where Cassidy was still sitting, straight across the desk. “I saw on your transcript that you’ve taken several immigration law classes. Any fieldwork?” Chris asked.

Cass nodded. “Yeah, there was a clinic run by the school that reviewed visa applications and other paperwork for recent immigrants, I volunteered there for a few months.”

“Good. How familiar are you with O1 visas?” He asked, looking in between Cassidy and Mat.

“For extraordinary capability? I’ve studied them a little, I know that’s the kind that most NHL players are obviously on but I’m not an expert by any means,” she said.

Chris tapped his fingers on the desk, seemingly lost in thought, before his eyes flickered between her and Mat. “Okay. You’ll be running point on Mat’s visa renewal.” Cassidy’s face blanched. “It’s mostly done so it shouldn’t be too hard. But between you and me,” he paused, raising an eyebrow at Mat, “I wouldn’t trust this boy to fill out the paperwork to adopt a goldfish, so make sure you double-check everything he wrote in. Come to me or Richard with any questions, but I really do think you’ll be fine. Got it?”

Cass jerkily nodded her head, still trying to fully process. In the span of the last ten minutes, she had gotten a job that she thought she had no chance for and had been put in charge of a very delicate, very expensive, very important set of immigration paperwork for Mat Barzal. Mat Barzal, the 2018 Calder Trophy winner. Mathew Barzal, the future of the Islanders. No pressure.

“I should probably give you my number,” Mat said, pulling out his phone and holding it out to her. She looked at him with confusion, head tilted to one side. Mat’s face flushed and he rushed to clarify. “Like for the work stuff. In case I have questions about the visa or you need me to translate my chicken scratch for you.”

Now it was Cass’ turn to blush, gently taking his phone out of his hands and navigating to the messages. “I’ll text myself, that way you’ll have my number too. For questions,” she paused briefly, “or anything else.” Cass was typically never that bold, but there was something about the way Mat cracked a smile that made her sure she had made the right decision.

Chris coughed, bringing their attention back to the desk and the issue at hand. “I’ll go and make a copy of these for your records, Mat,” he said, standing up and reaching over the desk for the file with the visa forms, “and Cass, you’ll be working off of the originals.” He glanced between the pair. “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

Chris closed the door behind him, and Mat leaned up against one of the filing cabinets. “So, you’re working for the team now?”

“Yeah.” Cass nodded. “I’m excited, it seems like it’ll be a great position, but I think the prospect of my betrayal might be too much for my poor dad. Working for the enemy and all.”

Mat let out a laugh. “Rangers fan?”

“Big one. I’m from Connecticut so he grew up with the Whalers mostly, but when they folded the family allegiance switched. And when Mike Shaw is in on something, he’s all in. I’m fearing for my well being,” she joked dryly, the corner of her mouth twitching up.

“I think you’ll be fine,” he said, looking up at her. “Tell your dad that I promise we’re not as bad as we seem. Tito, maybe,” he added, wiggling his hand. “But I’m a good guy, as long as you promise not to sell off our training secrets and pass formations to the highest bidder.”

Cass held up three fingers. “I give you my word as a former Girl Scout that I won’t leak the absolute mountains of information I have access to.”

“Pinky promise?” Mat asked, holding out his hand.

It was Cass’ turn to laugh, and she stood up from her chair, leaning over and interlocking their fingers. “Pinky promise.”

Chris chose that particular moment to walk back in, raising his eyebrows briefly. “What’s going on here?”

Mat cleared his throat. “It took a lot of convincing, but I got Cass to pinky promise me that she won’t sell us out to the Rangers.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Apparently there was a rash of double-crossing by interns that I wasn’t aware of,” Chris said, handing over the sheaf of copies to Mat. “And Cassidy, I’ll see you tomorrow at 10?” Cass internally groaned, knowing that it would take well over an hour on the train. Still, she nodded curtly. “Of course.”

He smiled, reaching over the desk and shaking her hand. “I’ll put these,” he said, gesturing to the forms, “in your desk tomorrow. You’ll be working out in the main area, we’ll get you set up when you come in. Other than that, you’re good to go. Glad to have you on board. Genuinely.”

Cass leaned down to pick up her backpack, walking out the door and into the elevator with Mat by her side. “So, I’ll call you if I’ve got questions on any of this, right?” He asked, folding the papers and tucking them into his inside jacket pocket.

She nodded. “Yeah. This one is a little different but I’ve done a lot of filling out forms and revision for this before, so I don’t think it’ll be too much of an issue. If I don’t know the answer to something, I can find it for you. I might have some questions tomorrow, you guys have a game, right?” Cass asked. Mat nodded. “So obviously I know you’ll have morning skate and be by the arena most of the day, but try to have your phone with you when you can so we don’t have to play phone tag, y’know?”

He smiled, holding the front door open for her as they existed onto the busy street. “I’ll do my best, Cass. See you soon.”

As promised, as soon as Mat had turned the corner, Cass pulled out her phone, clicking on Samaira’s contact. She picked up on the first ring. “Samaira, you’re not going to believe what my afternoon has been like.”

She headed straight to her room after getting home, managing to squeeze in a few hours of reading before getting started on dinner. Pasta was easy to make for everyone; Alicia was lactose intolerant and Stella kept kosher, so simplicity was often key in group meals. Sautéeing some collard greens with onions and garlic, she turned her head towards the rooms and hollered to the rest of the apartment. “DINNER’S ALMOST READY!”

Much to her chagrin, Cass got up bright and early the next day, shoveling down a bowl of cereal before grabbing her bag and heading out the door.

October 12 (fri)

The Islanders had a weeklong road trip, so Cass had been reassigned to contract review since she was all but done with Mat’s visa renewal. She glanced at her watch, seeing that it was nearly noon. Nearly noon meant nearly lunchtime. She hadn’t figured out what she wanted to have for lunch quite yet, but food carts in New York were a dime a dozen; while she wasn’t being paid for the internship, she was given a stipend for lunch and travel expenses that she took full advantage of. Just as she flipped the page over, the office door opened. Assuming that it was some assistant coming for Chris or one of the other lawyers returning from a different office, she didn’t pay it too much mind. That was, however, until the figure stopped by her desk, coughing to get her attention. “Yeah?” She questioned, looking up and tilting her head in confusion when she saw that it was Mat.

“I had a question about one of the employment history sections, and the office said you’d be here today. I brought food,” he said, holding up a paper back emblazoned with the name of a local Chinese restaurant.

“Oh God, bless your heart,” she said, pulling over another chair. “I’m starving. Sit down, walk me through it. What’s got you confused?” It didn’t occur to Cass that he could have easily asked her over text.

October 17 (tues)

Sitting at her desk, Cass was trying (and failing) to finish her notes before midnight when her phone lit up with a text. And then another one. And then another. Rolling her eyes, she picked it up, expecting something from one of her younger siblings or a friend from back home. Instead, it was Mat. Hew brow instantly furrowed, swiping up to see what was the matter. He had sent two pictures, both screenshots from newspapers. Florida Man Arrested for Throwing Gator at Mother-in-Law, the first one read. Florida Man Charged with Reckless Endangerment for Filling Nursing Home Koi Pond with Baby Gators, said the other. Do u think it’s the same guy? He asked.

Rolling her eyes, Cass wrote out a reply. No doubt. Criminals have patterns.

So do u think all Florida men are obsessed with gators or just this one?

Gator cult. She tapped send, picking it back up almost immediately. Obviously.

October 21 (sat)

The plane back from Montréal is about to leave. Any album recs?

Mat and Cass had been texting back-and-forth for the past few days, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise that he asked her.

Wasteland, Baby - Hozier, Electric Light - James Bay. Amidst the Chaos - Sara Bareilles if ya wanna get a little spicy. I’m mostly an indie kinda girl, give me a sec and I’ll send you my playlist.

Can’t wait, Mat responded. Cass loved music, and always found it to be something intensely personal. So what was it about Mat that made her so willing to share?

October 23 (mon)

Cass hated getting up early, but there were some things better than sleep. You wanna get coffee before your classes? Mat had texted the night before. Coffee was one of them. Grabbing her backpack and tugging on her favorite pair of ankle boots, she headed out the door at 7:02.

“Where are you headed this early?” Alicia asked quizzically, her own tote slung over one shoulder. Ryanne almost always left the earliest, usually having to get to her rounds well before anyone else had woken up.

“Mat and I are going out for coffee,” she said, picking up her keys from the nail by the door.

Alicia wiggled her eyebrows. “Oooooh, Cass has a daaaateee,” she said in a sing-song voice.

Cass’s cheeks burned. “It’s not a date, I’m just helping him out with some paperwork. He’s asking me out as a friend. Just because he’s cute—”

Alicia cut her off. “AHA! So you DO admit that you think he’s cute?”

Cass groaned. “Yeah, okay, he’s cute. You happy?” Alicia nodded. “But just because I think he’s attractive doesn’t mean that this is going to be anything other than friends getting together before work, okay?”

Her friend shrugged. “Whatever you say, Cass. Have fun, be safe! Use prot—” Cass closed the door as quickly as she could without slamming it. Forty minutes later, she was walking up to the coffee shop, greeting Mat with a hug.

“Sorry if I kept you waiting,” Cass said.

Mat shook his head. “You didn’t, don’t apologize.” He opened the door for her, hand ghosting over the small of her back as he followed her in line. A few minutes later, Mat was at the register, ordering a cappuccino. He turned to her. “What do you want, Cass?”

“Mat, you don’t have to pay for me,” Cass said, pulling out her wallet.

Mat gently pushed her hand down. “I was the one who suggested it, Cass. I’m paying the bill.” He handed over his card to the barista, turning back to her with a smile. “You can get it next time.” She laughed.

“Fine, you win. Coconut milk latté.”

Oct 25 (wed)

“Afternoon pick-me-up?” Cass looked up from her desk, confused but excited to see Mat in front of her desk.

“Huh?”

He held up a coffee cup, a speckled white-and-blue reusable. “You mentioned something about needing me to sign the last page or something? I brought you coffee, the cup’s for you too. Place says you’ll save 25¢ whenever you use it.”

“Yeah,” Cass said slowly, “and you faxed it over, right? Kristie said they got it in this morning.” Kristie was the office assistant, and had handed the page to Cass right as she had walked in the door half an hour prior.

“Oh, uh, yeah,” Mat said, seemingly flustered. “I was worried I might have made a mistake on it, so I thought I’d come over and double-check.”

“You’re worried you made a mistake signing your own name?” Cass didn’t quite understand it, but there was something really endearing about him wanting to come down and check it himself rather than just calling her or emailing Chris. “Okay then,” she said, leaning over her laptop to grab the folder. She traded it for the coffee in Mat’s hand, the Post-it note on the side of the cup catching her eye. Coconut milk latté. He remembered.

Oct 26 (thurs)

What are your thoughts on sushi? Cass got a text from Mat as she was about to get out of her environmental law lecture. The professor had already started packing up her things, so she risked a message back.

As a concept or as a food?

The food haha

All positive, love sushi!

I know this great place in Chelsea, want to grab dinner later?

You don’t have a late practice or anything with the guys? From what she had gathered, even when it wasn’t a game day, Mat would usually get an extra workout in after practice or go out with Tito and some of the rest of the team.

Nope :) Nothing after 2

Cass bit her lip, weighing her options as she shut her laptop and exited the lecture hall. She wasn’t reading too much into it, was she? Friends got dinner together all the time, it wasn’t weird for him to have asked her. It was normal. Typical friend stuff. Sure, she liked him. She liked him a lot. But it wasn’t worth jeopardizing her career and reputation to try and fabricate something that probably wasn’t even there. Sounds good! I should be able to get there 6ish if that works for you?

Perfect! He wrote back, I’ll send you the address.

Les and Fiona caught up to her that afternoon after she practically ran out of their review session the second it was done. “Woah woah woah,” Fiona asked, catching Cass just as she was about to exit the library. “Where are you headed off to so quick?”

Cass tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, scrunching up her nose. “Getting dinner with Mat.”

Les wiggled his eyebrows. “Ooooh, your man?”

Cass went red. “He’s not my man! He just asked if I wanted to get sushi. And I’m hungry, and he said he’s paying. So I said yes.”

“But you like him,” Les said, as if he was stating the obvious. Which, in a way, he was?

She shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah. It’s hard not to. But he asked me out as friends. It’s not a date. If it was a date, he would have said so? Right?” She was starting to ramble.

Fiona reached out to touch her shoulder, rubbing her thumb back and forth. “Maybe. But maybe not. It’s possible that he is into you, but you and I both know that’s a question best answered by someone other than us,” she pointed at her and Les. “And even if he doesn’t, it’s still a free dinner.”

Cass let out a small smile. “You’re right.” She glanced at her watch. “I told him I’d be there by 6, so I probably should get going if I want to catch the train in time.” She gave each of them a brief hug. “See you next week!”

“GOOD LUCK!” Tyler hollered as she turned the corner. Cass’ cheeks burned, and she was beginning to realize why.

---

Cass got home from the restaurant just after 9, trying desperately to make sense of the past few weeks. Getting ahead of herself had never led to anything good, and much though she wanted to, Cass wasn’t about to put words in Mat’s mouth. But he had been the one to suggest dinner, and he had picked up the tab again. “You’re in law school,” Mat had said with a shrug when the check came. “I’m not about to make you pay for your own food when you don’t have to.” Shaking her head and pulling out the kettle to make a cup of tea, she tried again to rationalize everything. “We’re friends. I’m doing him a solid by helping him out with this paperwork, he’s just trying to be nice and pay me back. Which he doesn’t need to do, because it’s my job. But he’s nice, so he’s doing it anyway. Because we’re friends.” Frustrated, she grabbed her mug, walking back to her bedroom and barely paying any mind to the splashes of near-boiling water that hit the ground.

Oct. 27 (fri)

It was a quarter to 6, and Cass couldn’t wait to get out of the office. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy her job. It was incredible and she was so thankful for the opportunity. It was the fact that Mat fucking Barzal had been on her mind all day and she had been finding it so damn hard to concentrate on research and contracts and precedent when she was busy trying to sift through her own feelings. Cass wasn’t a particularly insecure person; like anyone else, she had those days, but it wasn’t really a matter of her thinking he was “out of her league” or that she wasn’t good enough for him. She knew that the whole concept of “leagues” was dumb and classist, but there was something about the whole dynamic that she couldn’t quite shake, and couldn’t quite tell if it was something good or not. It was five minutes to six, and she couldn’t stop her fingers tapping on her desk, waiting to be set free. Waiting for her mind to stop racing. Waiting for her heart to stop pounding.

She spent the next five minutes trying in vain to get through a paper Chris had sent her — she had even broken out her neon highlighters — but nothing was working. Thankfully, Chris chose that moment to stick his head out of his office and call to her. “Cass?” Her head perked up. “I’ve got some files to email you, mind coming in for a sec before you leave?” She nodded, pushing out of her chair and crossing the room.

“How was your day?” Chris asked, pulling up the files to email her.

“Uh, pretty good!” Cass said. “Fridays are relatively light for me, I had a morning meeting with the law review and then headed over here. Mat and I got sushi last night, so that was nice.”

Chris looked up over his laptop. “You and Mat?”

Cass nodded, brows furrowing. “Yeah. Is that an issue?” It was never something she had bothered considering, but —

“Not that I can think of, no,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re spending a lot of time together, though, have you noticed that?”

“Yeah, I mean, we’re friends, but I didn’t think that was a problem—” Chris held up a hand, cutting her off with a smile.

“I’m not so sure that what Mat wants is a friendship, Cassidy.” He paused. “My son’s about his age, and please feel free to stop me if you’d like, but this is exactly how he acted when he met Iris.”

“Iris?” Cass questioned.

“His fiancée. If I’m reading the situation right, and I think I am, the poor boy’s head over heels for you, Cass.” He clicked his mousepad. “Just sent them over, try to go through them by Monday.”

She nodded, seemingly in a daze as she picked up her bag and walked out of the office, pulling out her phone.

To: Mat

Are you free later?

Oct 28. (sat)

Tapping her foot nervously, Cass fiddled with her phone just to give her hands something to do. They had grabbed breakfast before she had to head to the office and he had to go to morning skate, and she had stolen the check while he was in the bathroom. But she still hadn’t brought up what Chris had said, or for that matter what Les or Samaira or Alicia had been pestering her about for the better part of the past month.

Mat returned to the table, snapping Cass out of her thoughts. “You ready to head out?” It was only just past nine, so the plan had been to take a walk around Prospect Park before they had to take off. Cass nodded awkwardly, grabbing her coat and scarf from the back of the chair and looping it around her neck. Mat’s brow furrowed in confusion, but if he suspected anything, he didn’t say so. He walked a few steps ahead of Cass, holding the door open for her. They walked in silence for a block or two; not an awkward silence and not a comfortable one, but some kind of strange liminal space in between the two where it was clear that neither of them was really able to read the room. Mat’s knuckles brushed up against her own.

As they crossed the street into the gardens, Cass took a deep breath and looked up at him. It’s now or never. “What are we doing?” She breathed, so softly that Mat wouldn’t have heard if he hadn’t been standing scarcely a foot away.

“We’re going to a park?” Mat questioned.

She wrung her hands, trying to avoid looking at him. “I mean, what are we doing. You and I.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t want you to think that I’m reading too much into things, or that I haven’t enjoyed getting to know you and spend time with you because I have, but I just need to know what there is going on between us. If there is anything going on between us.”

Mat shoved his hands into his pockets, leaning up against a lamppost. “I mean, I’d like there to be. I’m into you, Cass, I thought I had made that clear,” he added with a single laugh. Cass gave him a quizzical look. “Do you think I actually needed to come into the office every time I dropped in on you? That I’d ask just anyone for music recs? That I asked you out to coffee or dinner just as friends? Cassidy,” he said, standing upright and taking a tentative step towards her, “I don’t even know Tito’s coffee order. But I know yours.” He took another step forwards when she didn’t move back, faces so close that their noses were almost touching. “I wouldn’t ever want to push you into something you weren’t ready for. But Cass,” he tilted her chin up with his hand, “I’m all in if you are.”

She took a shaky breath, willing the voices inside of her head to still themselves for just one moment so she could gather her thoughts. “Mat, I want this,” Cass said, gesturing between the two of them with one hand, the other wound with frustration in her curls. “You have no idea how much I want this. But I work for the team. We both do. And I can’t have anyone thinking that I’m here for anything but the job, that I’m a puck bunny or will be distracted from my work and go run off with my boyfriend or whatever you are—” She cut herself off abruptly. “Trotz might get mad at you, sure. I don’t think it would really matter on your end, though. You wouldn’t face any actual consequences. I’m expendable to this team. You’re not.”

Mat’s hand came up to cup her cheek, one thumb swiping away a tear gently, so gently, that she hadn’t even realized had leaked out of her eye. “You’re not expendable, Cass. Not to me, not to the team, not to anyone who’s ever bothered getting to know you. You are such an incredible woman and I know you know it, but sometimes it doesn’t seem like you really believe it. If this is scary for me, and it is, I know it must be downright terrifying for you. And I know you’re worried how it would look, us being together, what the team or Chris or whoever would think, but you need to remember to let your talent speak for itself. If I have a shitty game, miss an easy shot or whatever, there’s always the people who say that Trotz should move me down a line, or that I should be traded, or whatever. And there’s always going to be those people. But if you keep your head in the game—”

“Alright, Troy Bolton,” Cass said, finally giving him a watery smile.

“You realize that if I’m Troy, you’re Gabriella?” Mat asked, raising one eyebrow, hand still on her cheek as the other perched on her waist. Cass leaned into his touch, wrinkling her nose. “Maybe that was a bad metaphor, but Cass, you’re brilliant. You’re such a good student and you’re so dedicated at work. You’re going to make an incredible lawyer. Everyone sees that. And I absolutely respect that you’re worried about what our relationship might do for your career,” He swallowed hard, skating his hand down her arm to hold her hand. “And I’m not sure what else I could say other than what I already have. But you’re good, so good, and they’d be idiots for letting you go over something like this.”

Cass swallowed. “They say some things are worth the risk.”

“Are we gonna do this?” Mat’s hand moved to the small of her back, leaning down so their lips were almost touching, barely, not quite.

“We’re gonna do this.” Cass closed the gap.

#hockey imagine #mat barzal #mat barzal imagine #nhl imagine #hockey writing #nhl writing #nhl fluff #hockey fluff #islanders #new york islanders #mathew barzal #hockey imagines #nhl imagines #nhl smut #hockey smut

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myhockeyworld87 · 5 years ago

Text

Choices - Tyler Seguin/Jamie Benn - Part 4

Word Count: 2865

POV: Starts with Reader and changes to Tyler

Warnings: Language, but not a lot.

Notes: Please read the note at the end. Here’s your choice of telling Jamie nothing has changed between you two. Hope you guys enjoy! Remember you have 48 to vote!!! You can also vote in my Ask Me to remain anonymous. Peace Love and Hugs all!!!

READER’s POV

Placing both your hands on Jamie’s face, you looked him straight in the eye, as you responded to his question. “Jamie, I love you. Tyler knowing I’m in Dallas changes nothing between us. You’re the one I want to be with. That is if you still want me, after I didn’t tell you it was Tyler?”

“Sweetheart, how could I not want you? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to yours in a kiss so soft it almost made you cry. His hands wrapped around your waist and he pulled you close, so that your body pressed against his. It was this way with the two of you all the time. Jamie made you feel so safe and loved; that he would let nothing in the world harm you.

After what had happened with Tyler, you never thought that you’d love again; but then Jamie came into your life and everything changed. Feelings you thought died when Tyler left, came resurfacing. He made you crave things you thought you’d never want again. All things felt possible when you were with him. You deepened the kiss, moaning softly when his tongue entered your mouth. If only he could carry you back to his bedroom; then you could show him how much you really loved him. Tyler was still here, somewhere in this house though, and so you pulled back before things could go any further.

He rested his head on your forehead, eyes closed. “I love you (Y/N), and if you don’t want to talk to him; I’ll throw him out of this place so fast, just say the word.”

You smiled, Jamie would protect you with his life. Even if it meant losing a friend in the process. “No, I’ll talk to him. Hopefully he’ll realize that I’m in love with you, and that what we had died long ago.”

He gave you a soft peck on the lips. “Alright, let’s get this over with then.” He grabbed your hand and the two of you walked out of the kitchen down the hall to the game room, where you suspected Tyler was. He was idly holding a pool cue in his hand, not really playing the game, just twisting the stick. You could tell he wasn’t paying attention, for he didn’t even notice when you and Jamie walked into the room. Jamie cleared his throat, bringing Tyler’s attention to the present.

TYLER’S POV

Time ticked by, and your mind wandered what (Y/N) and Jamie were discussing. Hopefully she would come to her senses and realize that the two of you were meant to be together. When you saw her, all those feelings came flooding back. Every woman you’d been with after (Y/N) meant nothing, there was only her; and somehow you needed to make her see that.

You were lost in thought, trying to think of ways to tell her this when you heard Jamie. They were standing in the room, hand in hand; obviously presenting a united front to you. You’d make that change if it was the last thing you did tonight. (Y/N) looked at you, then said; “What did you want to talk about Tyler?”

“I’d like to talk to (Y/N) alone.”

“Anything you have to say to me, can be said in front of Jamie. I’m not keeping anything from him anymore.”

Well if Jamie wanted to get his heart broken when she decided to come back to you, then that was his problem. “So be it.” You ran your fingers through your hair, trying to figure out where to start. “(Y/N) I know I screwed up, you don’t know how sorry I am. I know you’ve heard me say that before, but that night I don’t know what happened.”

“I do. You cheated on me Tyler, plain and simple.”

“It wasn’t like that.” It was, but that wasn’t the whole story.

“Really Tyler, because from where I sit; I told you the biggest thing to happen in our lives and you went out and slept with another woman.” When you didn’t say anything, she continued. “Did I miss something? Because that’s what I remember.”

Dropping the cue on the pool table, you stepped closer to her. She stepped back, using Jamie as a shield. “God, could you just listen to me for one fucking minute.”

“Don’t speak to her like that.”

“This doesn’t involve you Chubbs. It’s between myself and (Y/N).” He didn’t back away, just stood there trying to intimidate you. Which wasn’t working. “Would you please just listen to me (Y/N).”

“I’m listening.”

Blowing out a frustrated breath, your mind wandered back to that day. “Remember me telling you the night before about how my wrist hurt.” (Y/N) nodded. “Well I went to the team doctor in the morning and they told me it was fractured; and that I’d be out for a couple weeks. The pain was bad, so he prescribed me something to take the edge off.”

Jamie just started to shake his head, as if he knew where you were going with this. It was (Y/N) who said, “I remember, we talked later that day; you never mentioned anything about medication. In fact, I think you told me they didn’t give you anything for the pain.”

“I don’t know; did tell you that? I don’t know why, other than to say I wanted to keep up this macho façade. It wasn’t like I was doing anything wrong, everything was within guidelines; you know I’d never do anything that would hinder my career.” The reality was, you hadn’t even wanted to take the pills, but the doctor said healing would go quicker and so you followed his advice in order to get back out on the ice. “At any rate I took them, and then I came home to a house full of people. Don’t get me wrong I knew they all were coming; I even asked you before they all decided to come.”

“Yeah, I remember.” (Y/N) didn’t say anything more. She looked as though, she was closing herself off to you, not willing to hear the truth of the night.

“Well the minute I walked through the door, they shoved a beer in my hand. I didn’t even think about it. It was second nature really; you know grabbing a beer with the guys. I didn’t think about the pain pills I took beforehand.” You could see (Y/N) starting to put the pieces together. “So you see, I don’t really remember anything about that night. I basically pieced things together from talking to the guys that were with me. We drank a bit here, then headed to the club. I was so hammered, I don’t remember dancing with that girl; let alone kissing her. The only reason I know I did was because of that video Mike took.”

“Yeah and what about the one that she posted? Do you remember that?” You grimaced at her words. “Let me refresh your memory. Since Mike, tagged her in his story; I went to her page. She had a picture of herself laying naked on your chest; in your bed.”

“I didn’t do anything with her. I swear to god. I tried to tell you that, but you wouldn’t take my calls.” She crossed her arms as she looked at you skeptically. “I know, it’s hard to believe. Brett told me, we all ended coming back here, about thirty of us. Whoever they invited from the club. By the time the car drove us here, I passed out. He and Mike threw me in my room. The girl….”

“Tara, her name was Tara.”

Rubbing the back of your neck, you continued. “Anyhow, Tara ended up sneaking in my room and taking the picture. Apparently, no one knew and she just ended up staying in there. I know it’s hard to believe but she admitted it; obviously not right then, but afterwards I tracked her down and she admitted the whole truth.” You pulled out your phone and start scrolling through things. “When she admitted it, I recorded her. I wanted to play it for you but you wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say. Here…Here it is.” You played the recording, that you’d kept for the last two years.

‘Look, I’m sorry. I snuck into your room and just stayed there. I wanted my friends to think I’d slept with you; so I took the picture and then just stayed. Look I’m sorry if it created trouble for you. It was all for fun, we never did anything. You were so wasted you never moved, until the morning.”

“See, I’m telling you the truth. Everything that happened that night; I don’t remember. It’s all a fucking blur.”

“Wait, you don’t remember anything from that night? You don’t remember talking to me, before you went out.”

“Babe, no. I don’t remember anything. When I checked my phone in the morning, I saw where we had talked and then where I tried to call you like six times while we were at the club; but you never answered.” You tried to reach out to her, but Jamie stopped you; shielding (Y/N) from your view.

She peeked around from Jamie, “So you don’t remember anything I told you at all?” You could see tears forming in her eyes. Maybe she was starting to believe you.

“(Y/N) I wish I could tell you that I remember everything you said to me, but babe I don’t. I feel horrible about that. Hopefully it wasn’t anything important.”

“It was only the single most important thing to happen to both of us, and you don’t fucking remember.” With that said, she ran out of the room crying. What the hell had she told you in that ten to fifteen-minute conversation? You moved to chase after her, Jamie grabbed your arm and stopped you.

“Give her a minute. This is a lot for her.”

“It’s a lot for both of us, Chubbs.”

“No Segs you don’t understand. She told you something in that conversation, something…Shit, I can’t tell you. You need to hear it from her. Do you honestly not remember a thing?”

“No, not one fucking thing after that first beer.” Jamie just shook his head. “Jamie just tell me.”

“It’s not my story to tell; it’s hers. She’s probably in the bedroom.” Everything in you wanted to run to her, but Jamie led the way, walking slowly to give her more time. When you got to the door, it was closed. “Sweetheart, it’s me. Tyler’s with me, can we come in?”

“I can’t do this now Jamie, just please send him away.” Her voice was muffled from both the door and her tears; and it tore at your heart.

“(Y/N) I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay here all night if I have to.” Jamie rolled his eyes at you, so you softened your voice. “Please just talk to me babe.” Jamie glared at you when you used the term “babe” to refer to (Y/N). There was no response from the opposite side of the door, so you whispered to Jamie. “I’m going in.”

“You’ll just make it worse. Let me talk to her first.” It was your turn to scowl at your so called friend. “Sweetie, I’m going to come in; I just want to talk. Tyler’s going to stay out here until you want to talk to him ok?”

“You promise?”

Why couldn’t she just talk to you; tell you what had happened during that phone call? “I promise, sweetheart.” Jamie looked over at you and in a hushed tone said, “Just stay here for a minute.” Jamie opened the door and walked in, not closing it. You could see (Y/N) curled up in a ball on the bed, her back was to you. Jamie sat down beside her, rubbing her back comfortingly; and though his voice was low, you could still hear what he said. “(Y/N), I know this is hard. All these years, you thought he knew and he didn’t. You have to tell him.”

“I can’t Jamie. I just can’t.”

“Do you want me to tell him?”

“No, I just want to wake up from this nightmare and go back to when it was just you and I.” You weren’t sure which hurt more, the fact that she had confided the whole incident in Jamie or that she wanted it to be just the two of them.

“I know sweetie. But you have to know, that no matter what happens with Tyler; I’m still going to be here for you.” She scurried into his arms, holding onto him like he was her lifeline. Jamie held her, rocking her back and forth in his arms; repeating the words “I love you” over and over again. It made your skin crawl, and took everything in your power not to rip her out of his arms.

“I love you Jame.” For several minutes she just stayed there in his arms, until finally she looked up and saw you spying on their intimate scene. She pulled slightly back from Jamie and he turned to see you as well.

“You might as well come in.” Jamie said to you, then looked at (Y/N); as if to confirm it was ok. She nodded then swung her legs off the bed to stand; Jamie standing beside her. Before you knew it, your limbs carried you till you were only a foot away from her.

Dropping your voice down, so you sounded gentler and more open; you said. “(Y/N), I’m sorry I don’t remember our conversation, but I’m here now; and you can tell me anything.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, before looking you straight in the eyes. “Tyler, I don’t know how to tell you this. I mean if I’d had known that you were on pain killers and drinking, I would’ve never told you what I did that night.” She paused, almost as if she was reliving it in her mind. “I remember you answering the phone, all cheerful and happy. I told you I had something important to talk to you about; so you went in the bedroom so we could talk without anyone interrupting. You told me about your wrist before I could say anything. That’s when I asked about the pain pills and you said you didn’t need them. I believed you. You must have heard something in my voice, because the next thing you did was ask me if everything was ok. It wasn’t, and I told you that.” Your heart was pounding waiting for what was to come next. “I was crying by then, so scared to tell you the truth. You were so great, telling me that everything would be fine no matter what it was.”

She looked away, not able to look you in the face at the moment. “(Y/N), look at me.” She did then. “It will still be fine, just tell me.”

“Tyler, I told you I was pregnant.”

“You were what?” Had she really just said that or were you hearing things.

“I was pregnant Ty, with your baby.” You went to say more, to hold her; but she held her hand up to stop you. “You were excited on the phone, thrilled really. We had decided I’d fly down on Monday so we could figure everything out. You wanted me to move down here with you right away, but we needed to figure things out. When I hung up, I thought things were going to be fine; and then all hell broke loose that night. I saw the video and then the picture; and my life just fell apart.” She rubbed her arms up and down as if the room were the artic, instead of the comfortable seventy degrees.

Your mind was swirling. You and (Y/N) had a baby together; and she never told you. There were a thousand questions in your brain, and so you gave voice to them. “We have a baby! Where is it? Was it a boy or a girl? I’m sure they look like you. When can I meet him or her?”

She looked up at Jamie a blank look on her face.

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Alright it’s your turn to make some decisions in this story. The question is what happened to the baby?

A) After seeing the video and picture you were so distraught, you miscarried.

B) After seeing the video and picture you couldn’t talk to Tyler and realized you didn’t want to have a baby on your own, so you gave it up for adoption.

C) After seeing the video and picture you knew Tyler’s real feelings about the baby and had an abortion.

Notes: I realize option C is a bit controversial, but I want to give you guys all the options someone would have. Please be respectful of people’s choices. I will not post any answers that come in anonymously, through my asks. Please remember this is a story and not real life and that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. With that, I hope you enjoy this little plot twist.

#tyler seguin #jamie benn #tyler seguin imagine #tyler seguin imagines #jamie benn imagine #jamie benn imagines #dallas stars #dallas stars imagine #dallas stars imagines #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #nhl fanfic #hockey imagines #hockey imagine #hockey fanfiction #choices #Choices series Tyler Seguin Jamie Benn

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redhairedfeistynerd · 5 years ago

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Twelve Days

For @daffodilsbucky 1k Writing Challenge.Congrats to you and here’s to many more followers <3

I chose ‘they were roommates’

This has a bit of a spin on The Twelve Days of Christmas. I will hopefully get a chapter out each week, 12 in total plus a ‘behind the scenes’ sort of deal.

Bucky Barnes X Reader, Steve Rogers, other Avengers popping in and out

Warnings: Angst, swearing, drinking, mild sexual content

I’ll update warnings as I post each chapter

word count: 1500+

Twelve Days: Part 1

Catching one last snowflake on your tongue, you pushed open the gate to your yard, walking down the snow-covered path to the porch. Stomping the snow off your boots as you walked up each stair, you noticed a small box sitting on your door mat. One individual box, nothing more, nothing less. The package was wrapped perfectly, folded paper, twine twisted around, a pine clipping attached to a small card, and a bow tied on top. Reaching down, you flipped the tag over with your gloved hand and read what was written; the card was addressed to you. An unrecognizable script stating it was from a secret admirer. A secret admirer?

You took a second look at the card, thinking that you had misread the fancy handwriting, it was definitely addressed to you. Your name, the curves and arches flowing together so beautifully. Someone had taken the time to write each letter with care, delicately. Flipping the tag over to see if there are any other clues as to where this box came from, you find several lines written in the same black lettering.

Twelve days of gifts

To keep you merry,

Twelve days of poetry,

On handmade stationary,

Twelve days to show you,

What you mean to me,

Twelve days to figure out

Who I may be,

Twelve days …

Your cheeks begin to warm once you finish reading the tag and you read it again to make sense of what it says. You had to laugh, how silly was this? Someone was going to give YOU a gift for the next twelve days. Who in their right mind would spend twelve days (after all the holiday chaos that was only starting to wrap up) sending you gifts? This had to be your roommates pulling a fast one on you; trying to get some sort of rise out of you.

The box in one hand and your house key in the other, you unlock the front door to your place, toeing off your wet boots before stepping into the entryway and shutting the door behind you. Silence. The guys must be finishing up with their families, brunches for each, followed by a quick gift exchange and home to spend the evening with you.

The evening before the three of you attended a holiday party – dinner, drinks, and dancing late into the night. Each guest brought a gift under $20, you had to draw a number and whoever had the same, exchanged gifts with you. You went home with a beautiful handmade mug, the lines of the mountains that sat behind your house scratched into it, the green trees reached up high, and wildlife ran across the bottom of the mug. Wanda’s artistic talent always took your breath away – you hugged her so hard she had squealed, the party-goers turning over to look at the two of you during your moment of thanks.

Wanda’s gift in hand and coffee to the rim, you carried the gift into the living room where you were finishing up New Year’s cards for your family and friends. Each card had a positive comment written, you wanted to end this year on a good note and spread the love to those you cared about.

Placing the box on the coffee table, you sit down on the pillow you had placed on the floor and stare at the gift. Bending down further, now eye level with the perfectly wrapped cube, you spin the box around, checking out each of its sides. You sit and contemplate whether to open it or wait until your roommates return home from work. Taking a quick photo, knowing that your friends will want to see what was left for you on the porch today and for the days to follow. Pulling at the twine running the rough strands between your fingers, the knot loosens and you pull the bow, the twine falling to the table. You run your eyes over the script on the small card, reassuring yourself that it was addressed to you before sliding it to your left and pulling back the first piece of tape from the bottom of the box. The paper is thick, the same paper you would wrap a parcel in to ship off to your grandmother. It’s incredibly hard not to tear everything off and throw the paper on the floor but the mystery of what’s inside keeps you grounded. The paper off and a beautiful gold box sits before you, opening the lid with the utmost care, your eyes widen; nestled in between sparkly sheets of tissue paper lay a pair of earrings. Gold hoops, the size of a dollar coin stare up at you and trigger a not so recent memory. You remember these hoops; you had a pair a few years back and you know that you lost one somewhere in the house but you never found the missing one. But who knew about that or remembered it for that matter? Running your hand over the hoops, you smile, your grandmother had given you hoops one year for your birthday; the thought of her, warmed your heart. Pulling the backing off each hoop, you pushed one through your right lobe and then your left, securely fastening them, cautious that you could lose one again. This gift was thoughtful, meaningful, but who knew about the memories the original earrings held?

Your heart full, you took another sip of coffee and continued on with the cards, the gratitude in your heart stronger now and waiting to be spilled onto the card stock.

Steve walks in the door that evening, freshly showered, gym bag slung over his right shoulder. He smiles at you from down the hallway. “Something smells good, is that...”

“Yes Steve, my special lasagna, I thought I would treat you boys to a good meal tonight. Should I pour you a glass of wine, handsome?” You ask, holding up the bottle of red of him to see.

“My my, aren’t we fancy this evening. I’m in.” You hear him drop his bag in his room before he steps into the kitchen. “Is Buck around?” Steve asks and makes his way to the counter, picking a piece of cucumber out of the salad you had prepared and popping it in his mouth. Shooting him a look, he winks and gives you one of his charming smiles.

Pouring a glass for Steve, you sliding it across the counter to him, “You know, I haven’t crossed paths with him today but I have been in my own little world. I finished up a bunch of chores around the house and then the strangest thing happened earlier today-

You’re cut off by the back-door slamming shut, rattling the dishes in the cabinet, cursing follows immediately after. You shake your head, knowing that it could be no other than Bucky Barnes, roommate extraordinaire. You look back to Steve, his eyebrows raised, and wine glass halfway to his lips.

“I guess his day didn’t go exactly as planned.”

“What do you mean? He seems as happy as a can be,” you joke and take a sip of your wine.

Steve smiles back at you, but you know deep down he’s worrying about Bucky. For as long as you have known the duo, they have been inseparable. They made each other laugh and they were there for each other when one needed to be consoled. You admired their friendship, the honesty and compassion that they had for each other.

Steve looked to you, concern crossing his face. “You better not be thinking about knocking on his door. I know you; you’re always trying to pull him out of his moods and he does nothing but shit on you. “

“Why not? You do it all the time,” you say scooping a noodle into your mouth.

“It’s different, no matter what we say to each other, we can always fix it, there’s an understanding between us. I feel like you keep pushing yourself to help him and I’m not sure why. He doesn’t always treat you the way I think you want to be treated. You know I care about both of you and I don’t want either of you to explode.”

Steve keeps shoveling food into his mouth, finally silencing his big mouth. You had heard it all before and he would probably say it 1000 more times.

You couldn’t help it, you had a soft spot for Bucky Barnes, even if he had broken your heart years earlier. No, no, you shouldn’t underplay what happened, he did more than break your heart, he ripped it out of your chest, tossed it to the dirty floor and stomped on it, twice for good measure. You let out a sigh, Steve catching your gaze before you dropped your eyes back to the food on your plate. Dinner is a silent affair tonight, Steve finishes up, thanks you and heads to his room, claiming that the holidays had worn him out and sleep was calling.

You knock, gently at first and wait a minute. Nothing. No sound coming from within, so you reach up and knock again, this time louder. The door to Bucky’s room swings open, darkness behind him as he steps out in front of you. “What?”

You hold out the plate you had made him for dinner, lasagna and salad with the homemade dressing he loved so much. “I saved dinner for you,” you said, holding the plate out to him, an offering, something to hopefully cheer him up.

“I’m really not hungry and I’d really appreciate it if you stopped coming by my room every time you think there is some sort of issue.” He stares at you, eyes cold, waiting for you to leave.

Pulling the plate back and taking a deep breath in, you try to compose yourself, you cannot let Bucky Barnes draw tears from your eyes again. “I want you to know that I care about you and I’m here if you want to talk,” you say, your voice wavering, the tears starting to form in your eyes.

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine,” spat Bucky, slamming the door in your face, the force blowing stands of your hair across your nose.

You freeze, shocked at Bucky’s actions, the look of hatred on his face, the anger in his voice. Maybe it was the time of year, or maybe he didn’t want you near him at all; you really weren’t sure. In the last few months, something had changed within Bucky. He avoided you when possible, your conversations had gone from friendly to nonexistent. For two years you had coexisted peacefully and now, whatever was going on with Bucky, was a mystery to you.

You carry the lasagna back into the kitchen and packed it up into a Tupperware container, there was always a chance that he would want a late evening meal. There you go, still thinking about him and trying to please him; Steve was right. You sighed, placing the leftovers in the fridge. Pouring yourself another glass of wine, you cleaned up the rest of the mess from dinner, wondering what you had done recently to set off Bucky Barnes.

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes roommate #steve rogers #daffodilsbucky1k

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luma-aylin · 5 years ago

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Boss Battle: Luma Aylin

Instance Name: The Garden of Liminality

Boss Title: Voidmage Luma

Boss Music: Once Upon A December

Questline: A Sweet Surprise, Curiouser and Curiouser, Mirror Mirror...

Questline Synopsis: A normal day took an unexpected turn when you bumped into a tiny miqo��te in the streets of Gridania, the frosting of her cupcake smeared across your shirt. She introduces herself as Luma, and to make up for her clumsiness she treats you at her favorite cafe, introduces you to her mentor, lets you borrow a book.. Eventually you’re escorted by Luma and her mentor through the Shroud to their home, the Adreus Manor.

You’re whisked around the manor by the energetic girl, she’s far too happy to show you around and insists you stay the night, they haven’t had any visitors in such a long time. How could you say no to such big, glossy, pleading eyes? The looming presence of her intimidating mentor makes the decision easier. You join them in the lounge after a long evening of activities, but Luma’s final request is to show you her special mirror. She demonstrates how it works before eagerly handing it over to you, watching over your shoulder while her mentor observes with a smarmy smirk. Nothing seems to happen as you stare into the mirror, so you glance back to ask Luma but she’s already asleep. You call out to her but you’re hushed by her mentor.

When you turn back to the mirror your reflection is accompanied by a demon behind you, the skull of a goat-like creature curling above you. There’s nothing there when you turn to look, but you can feel a cold, large claw grip your shoulder, then another around your arm. Any scream or shout for help is unheard, your voice is caught in your throat as your field of view is consumed by bright red eyes.

The sound of familiar giggling wakes you. As you come to you recognize Luma’s voice somewhere nearby, then a strange deeper voice that resounds through your body in an unpleasant flood. You’re propped up against a tree in a lush forest, wildflowers crawl across your legs and hang unnaturally from the trees above. You’re ensnared within a verdant willow, and as your vision returns to normal you find the flowers tickling your cheeks are staring at you curiously. Their pistils are eyes of all colors, peering at this mysterious stranger within their woods. You shoot up in alarm and push your way through the thick hanging leaves, emerging from the flowery woods you rush through a trellis of a garden only to find Luma and her company: the same dark demon you saw in the mirror.

(ooc: I put the fight under the cut, it just makes the post super long because I don’t know how to write short things.. genuinely it’s really long and I don’t know how to write a fight! Nobody tagged me I just did this for fun, saw it from @glorified-thieves who asked me to tag them if I ever finished this! If you want to do this tag me!)

The Fight

“Wha-? You’re not allowed in here! Get out!”

Phase 1: Heartstorm

Voidmage Luma’s encounter is similar to fighting Edda Blackbosom, she possesses powerful black magic and melee ability. Luma begins with a barrier cast around her that the party will have to break periodically throughout the fight, much like Stoneskin. Luma will attack with melee swipes, party wide magic damage, target one member to combust and force them to move out of the party, and use a homing ice strike on one party member until approximately 60% of Luma’s health.

Tank Buster Voice Line: “Why won’t you just leave me alone!?”

Tank Buster Action: Luma will launch the tank into the air dealing physical damage, then charge a strike of magical damage as an icicle will pierce them back down. Her first attack applies a magic vulnerability debuff, forcing the a tank swap before the cast of her icicle finishes.

Ward: Luma will cast a barrier around herself that must be broken.

Glimmer: An ice storm will sweep through the arena dealing magic damage. (aoe magic damage)

Guillotine: Luma swipes the tank into the air dealing physical damage and applying a magical vulnerability. The tank will fall to the floor. (tank buster physical)

Sheer Force: An icicle will pierce the tank holding aggro with magical damage. (tank buster magic)

Despair: A crosshair buff will appear next to a player’s name in the partylist to signify they are marked for an AoE attack. This player must move out of the party or risk the AoE fire damage hitting the party as well. (single target with aoe damage)

Ice Wave: A single player will be marked with an icicle above their head to signify they will be followed by a homing attack. Icicles will shoot up from the ground, dealing damage to anyone in their path, the targeted player must run away until it stops. (homing wave)

Phase Transition: Sentenced

“Get away from me! My innocence will not be ruined any further!”

This phase transition is marked by the battleground changing. A stone platform will emerge from the garden and bring the party into the air as darkness envelops the entire screen. Luma will engulf herself in a barrier and rise into the air as her scythe disperses into the surrounding darkness that has eyes staring from every inch of the inky backdrop. From the shadows will appear Fhorniuhr, wielding his scythe, becoming the target for this phase.

Fhorniuhr: “What sort of monster takes advantage of such kindness..? Your transgression cannot go unpunished.”

Fhorniuhr attacks much the same as Luma, using his scythe for melee with an accompaniment of black magic. The large voidsent will attack with cleaving half the arena, deal a tank buster, restricting the arena by placing void pitches on the floor (will explode should you touch them), deal AoE magic damage, and restrain a healer at a time. Periodically, the eyes peering out from the dark will cast a room wide paralysis, so be sure to look away. At 50% of Luma’s gauge Fhorniuhr will cast void call, a new mob of 6 voidsent will appear. Fhorniuhr will stop physical and auto attacks, but begin to cast Nether Song repeatedly until all voidsent are dead or he consumes them. The voidsent will be slowed as they try to get to Fhorniuhr, ready to sacrifice themselves at his command and should they reach him Fhorniuhr will gain a buff that increases his magic damage. Once the additional voidsent are slain or eaten, Fhorniuhr will place a bleed on the arena, the floor will be covered in darkness that tries to restrain the party, a DoT buff will appear beside everyone’s name. Fhorniuhr’s onslaught will continue until Luma’s gauge reaches 100%.

Banished Soul & Void Touched: Depending on where Fhorniuhr is facing, the entire arena on his left or right side respectively will be struck with his scythe, should a player be hit it will place a vulnerability stack as well as dealing damage. There is no orange zone warning. (Banished Soul is left, Void Touched is right)

Spell Breaker: Fhorniuhr will strike the tank with his scythe, dealing physical damage.

Void Pitch: A purple arrow will appear briefly above a player’s head, after 4 seconds Fhorniuhr will drop a void pitch on them that will stay on the floor for 30 seconds. If it is touched it will explode. (magic damage)

Nether Song: A wave of void energy will wash over the arena. (magic aoe damage)

Restrain: Fhorniuhr will grasp a healer in his claw and hold them up in the air, his wrist will become targetable and be given a health bar that must be taken down to release the healer.

Phase 2: Innocence Lost

“How foolish I was to think we were friends.. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt despite their warnings, and what do I get for it? Betrayal.”

The darkness will disperse and the arena will flood with stars, the party now trapped on a stone platform surrounded by the moonless night sky. Luma’s barrier will disappear and she will retake her place on the arena floor, scythe in hand. Luma will gain the abilities from Fhorniuhr’s phase and hit harder than her initial phase. The arena cleaves will become faster and she will cast party wide damage always after a tank buster. Eyes will appear frequently to cast paralysis, if a party member is stunned then Luma will gain a stack that increases her attack.

Luma will cast Ice Wave right after Despair, forcing the party member targeted with Despair to circle the arena at a safe enough distance from whoever is targeted with Ice Wave. Both players must move around the arena while the party stays center. During this phase if the player with Despair is hit by Ice Wave it will deal AoE damage and give a vulnerability stack to the party.

There will be no void pitches during this phase, but shadows of Fhorniuhr will flicker across the arena floor to 4 corners. Luma will cast Null, at the end of the cast 4 party members must be standing in the shadows as they will be grappled by the demon and pulled into another area.

The 4 players stolen by Fhorniuhr will appear on a platform to fight Fhorniuhr again. He will use his left and right cleaves, Spell Breaker, and Nether Song until he is killed and the players are returned to the rest of the party, hopefully alive. If a player is killed by Fhorniuhr, Luma will gain a buff.

Phase 3: Void Call

“Can you feel it? The call of the void? Allow me to make the decision easier.”

Once Luma’s health reaches 0 she will erect a barrier around herself as she casts Suppression. The arena floor will become a void portal and the party will slowly begin to sink into the darkness. Luma’s barrier will be stronger than usual and need to be broken before she becomes targetable. The party must defeat her before the cast finishes or it will cause a wipe.

“How could you..? Haven’t you taken enough from me? And to think I trusted you..”

Duty Completion Drop: Fhoniuhr’s Bone Piece (Exchange for voidal weapons)

Coffer Drop: Orchestrion Scroll or a Jar of Eyes furniture item

Once the battle is over you experience a terrible headache, you wince and stumble to a familiar looking mirror on the ground as you find yourself back in the garden. The sound of Luma sobbing quietly echoes throughout the area, a sense of guilt washes over you before you fall to the ground unconscious. When you wake you’re in the familiar woods of the Shroud and it seems dawn is crawling across the forest now. You are far from Adreus Manor and without some belongings, but nonetheless whole and unscathed.. However Luma’s soft cries ring throughout your ears for the rest of the day.

#memoirs #this was so effin hard... but I had a lot of fun!#ffxiv #final fantasy #i forgot to edit her picture OH WELL

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