#oh yeah and the way i did it it starts in the middle and progressed outward

[amateurmasksmith]

Orbits Merging

A/N: Inspired by @radioactive-dazey <3

Warnings: none, they’re just stupid. (ok it’s more accurate to say they’re just scared to disturb the status quo, but anygay-)

“I- I don’t- know,” Virgil sighed, frustrated. “I don’t know.”

Logan hummed. “May I,” he asked, “take a figurative crack at it?”

Virgil nodded and gestured accedingly.

Logan shifted the blanket on his lap to free his hands, and adjusted his glasses. “My… feelings, are…”

He sighed slightly, and his eyes shifted - dancing through the middle distance, as if he might read a more objective answer written on Thomas’ blinds across from them.

“…Complex.” He settled on.

Logan sighed more heavily this time, dropping his gaze to the blanket the two of them shared.

“Apologies, this is…” he said, clearing his throat.

Virgil lightly elbowed him. “You’re good,” he said, “I don’t get… this, either.”

“It’s like-“ Logan started again, haltingly.

“Are you familiar with,” he concentrated a moment before conjuring a sheet of paper, “this memetic format?”

He passed the page to Virgil, which showed a speech bubble on the left, with the phrase “I love you” scrawled inside it - Pointing to a stylized outline of a human head on the right, which had the ‘gesturing at a conspiracy board’ meme pasted into it.

Virgil snorted. “Yeah, that’s… yup.”

“It's… accurate,” Logan conceded, referring to the three-word phrase while fidgeting with the edge of the blanket, “It accomplishes the intended purpose.”

“But,” he continued, “It’s nowhere near the actual, complex, thoughts and feelings I have for you.”

He stood up, dropping his side of the blanket, and began to pace the living room while gesturing. “And yet! And yet! Despite knowing this, I still have tremendous difficulty describing them - I can only make progress through their negatives!”

“…Negatives?” Virgil asked.

Logan turned, pausing his pacing to momentarily face him. “Or- or, opposites - by focusing on what they aren’t, rather than what they are.”

“Oh.” Virgil said, realizing. “Like, it’s definitely not… romantic-” They both made a sound of disgust.

“-But it’s…” Virgil trailed off.

Logan sat down gently. “…It’s not …quite your standard platonic either.”

He sighed. “In many ways, I am glad telepathy does not exist,” Logan stated. “But this would certainly be an exception.”

Virgil helped Logan re-cover himself with the blanket.

“Yeah, it’s… hard. Not being able to… fully express what you mean.” He said, scratching the back of his neck as he searched for the words. “There’s… always something, some idea, some nuance, left out - Just because… brains are…”

Virgil thought for a moment.

“Bigger on the inside.”

And he could see the gears turning, Logan’s expression lifting as his eyes lit up with understanding.

“Precisely!” Logan said with a genuine smile.

Virgil couldn’t help but feel warm, a smile of his own growing as he broke eye contact.

A comfortable silence settled over them.

A few minutes passed, and Virgil wondered if he should put on the movie.

He looked over, and was just about to ask, when he noticed Logan was fidgeting with the blanket while staring off into space, holding a subtly stiff posture.

Logan was nervous.

He was just about to ask what was wrong, when Logan zoned back in, and noticed Virgil staring.

“I- I’m sorry, I zoned out for a moment.” Logan said. “Did you need something, Virgil?”

“No! No, I-” he stuttered, taken aback by the sudden question. “You just seemed nervous… You ok?”

Logan looked away. “I… have a question.”

“Shoot.”

“But- I’m…” Logan paused.

Virgil put his hand on Logan’s arm encouragingly.

Logan continued, “I’m concerned…” He took a breath. “I’m… afraid… that asking will… interfere.”

“Interfere?”

“Like a quantum superposition. Observation… interferes.”

“You… and you don’t want to change things?” Virgil asked, barely daring to breathe.

Logan’s eyes were glued to the floor in front of them.

“It’s… complex,” he said. “It’s not that I don’t want change… it’s more so that… the possible game-states are… far too open for my liking.”

It was now Virgil’s turn to fidget. “It’s the uncertainty.” Virgil twisted his hoodie string around and over and through his fingers. “If you make the wrong move… it’s game over.”

”And yet,” Logan acknowledged, “you can’t stop playing.”

“Yeah.”

Silence settled over them once more, though this one was more high-strung.

Each sat hyper aware of the other - Neither daring to move, neither daring to speak.

“I-“ “Do-“ they both started.

“Shit, sorry-” “No, no - Please, go ahead.”

Several beats.

Logan was looking at him.

Virgil’s breathing quickened as his mind raced for something, anything to say.

“DoyouknowwhataQPRis?” he blurted out before quickly shutting his mouth in surprise.

Logan blinked.

Virgil blinked.

Virgil began panicking internally.

“I-” Logan inhaled as if he’d forgotten to breathe, and summoned an index card with a familiar pink-and-yellow flag glued to the back.

He flipped it over to re-read the definition, and Virgil couldn’t help but notice how worn the card was.

“Yes, I- I do. I am familiar with the term.”

“C-cool. D’you-” he stuttered.

He cleared his throat. God, this was torture.

Virgil looked up as Logan wordlessly passed him the card.

“I- I know the definition, L, I-”

But then he read it.

In the margin, scribbled in a haphazard version of Logan’s usual neat handwriting:

‘Should tell Virgil??’

He looked back at Logan, and couldn’t help the grin that pushed its way up onto his face as the weight eased off of his chest.

“I- Yeah! God, yeah- I- I’d love to.”

Logan, for a moment, attempted to fight off his own smile - but shortly abandoned the effort, and returned Virgil’s grin.

“I�� I am relieved,” Logan finally managed, posture comparatively much more relaxed.

Virgil scooted closer, and Logan leaned forward to allow him to put his arm behind his back in a couch-bound half-hug as the day’s fatigue finally set in.

Logan summoned the remote before asking Virgil, “While establishing boundaries in new relationships is very important, I-” he paused to yawn.

“Excuse me- Would it be alright with you if we postponed that discussion until tomorrow?” Logan stifled another yawn before continuing, “It’s been… an exhausting day.”

Virgil was leaning on Logan’s shoulder, already half-asleep - completely spent from the long day, and the emotional stress. He blinked slowly. “Yeah, that-” Virge yawned.

“Now you got me doing it,” he said. “Sorry, yeah, that sounds… it sounds good.”

“Excellent.”

Logan woke the television screen, and lowered the volume.

As he started the movie, he whispered over his shoulder, “I love you, Virge,” and leaned back against the couch.

A sleepy mumble returned, “Love you too, L.”

They both fell asleep before the opening credits finished.

[redstarwriting]

pda/general affection hcs | i.

ft. hobie brown & miles morales

request?: yes

request: “Hiiii!!! I am absolutely IN LOVE with ur the clash series and I can't wait to see how it progresses!!! Could u do some pda/general affection hcs for the spider verse characters? I would love to see Miles and Hobie hcs but it's rlly up to whatever characters u would wanna write for. Endless thanks!!”

warnings:  language, cuteness, mentions of dying, mentions of injuries, mentions of throwing up, mentions of being overwhelmed

a/n: i love hcs lol this was actually how i first starting writing and it’s so fun bc i can be my sarcastic self without having to change any of it teehee, thank you for requesting anon! thinking of doing this for other characters to, what does everyone think?

i’ve made a pt ii. to this with gwen and pavitr if you wanna check it out!

───────────────────────────────────

hobie brown | spider-punk

pda

- he’s kind of a middle ground - not crazy about it - not against it at all - he just - hold onto your hats for this one - ✨he does what he wants✨ - ofc it also depends who’s company you’re in - if y’all are with Miles, Gwen, and Pavitr, he’s super comfortable and a part - of his body will always be touching yours - but it’s not like he’s goin out of his way to be like LOOK AT MY PARTNER - HOWEVER - if he’s ANYWHERE where there are authority figures? - *cough* miguel *cough* - he will just start to make out with you - LMAO - “Hobie, can you stop kissing your partner and listen to me.”   “No.”   “You’re aware of how rude you’re being?”   “Good.” - if you don’t like it ofc he won’t but he WILL be touchier with you in those moments - because it pisses people off - and he loves that - also if he felt threatened? - he’d probably get a little touchier than usual - but honestly he almost never feels threatened so who knows if you’d ever experience that - and if he did ever feel threatened he would feel better knowing that you always wear one of his studded bracelets - ppl will ask where you got it and you’ll be all - “Oh! My boyfriend Hobie!” - he loves seeing the hope drain out of anyone’s eyes when he appears behind you after that statement, he finds it so amusing every time - he’s only obsessed with a few things - like there is something he will ALWAYS do - he is OBSESSED and i mean OBSESSSSSEEDDD with having his hand in your back pocket - at all times - only if it isn’t around your shoulders (another obsession of his) - like y’all are going to one of his shows? - you enter with his hand in your back pocket - after gets offstage? - hand in back pocket - walking home? - hand in back pocket - sometimes y’all will walk instead of him picking you up and webbing back home JUST BECAUSE he wants to put his hand in your back pocket - he also LOVES using you as an armrest - if you’re short, he places his arm on your head like an armrest - if you’re average height, he’s still using your head as an armrest - if you’re tall or as tall as him he will climb a wall to use your head as an armrest - it gets you flustered and he thinks it’s adorable! - and eye contact? - he will keep his eyes trained on you at all times - he’s always looking at you - or else he’s looking for you - only looks away SOMETIMES when he’s talking to other people - “Hobie, I’m over here.”   “Yeah, I know.”   “So stop looking at them, I’m the one talking to you.”   “Yeah, but you ain’t the fittest person in the room so piss off, eh?” - that being said - there is something he just doesn’t do in public - he doesn’t hold hands - i do feel like he would hold pinkies with you upon request - but holding hands just isn’t his thing - in public👀

general affection

- THIS MAN HAS THE WORLD FOOLED - he acts all nonchalant about it - acts like he only does pda to go against societal rules - which he does BUT ALSO - he is so touchy - he isn’t clingy by any regard - but he LOVES being affectionate - just like the smallest things - every morning when y’all wake up in the same bed together and he wakes up before you (which is a lot bc he doesn’t sleep well) he will place a feather-light kiss somewhere on your face so he doesn’t wake you up - but like clockwork - he will do it - and after he will just lay there and hold you for a bit - even when during the night the two of you separate from each other he will always reach out for you during those times - and he will maneuver you back into his arms so he can just lay there with you for a bit - every time you ask him why he just tells you you make him a “bloody softie” - which yeah you do - but also - he gets scared when he comes home, you won’t be there - with his job that isn’t really a job and all, he gets so nervous that you’ll just be fed up with it and leave - or worse, you’ll be used as bait for him - bait which he would immediately take, of course - he even does it because he thinks about the possibility of him not coming home one day - and he wants you to feel like you were loved if that happens - he also just loves the little smile that comes to your face every morning - when you realize he’s done it again - and that is just ONE THING - he hates getting injured, but would lie if he said he hated getting patched up by you - when you’re cleaning his wounds with alcohol the two of you hold hands - he’ll squeeze when it stings and you’ll squeeze when you feel bad - so you’re kinda squeezing his hand the whole time - but you know how i said he doesn’t hold hands in public? - at home it’s a different story - watching tv? - hands are held - looking at the stars from the top of a building? - hands are held - throwing up after drinking too much? - hands are held - so is hair - and he rubs your back - you rub his - he adores back scratches (not when he’s throwing up just in general LMAO) - one thing he didn’t realize he loved so much until it happened was when he was sitting and playing his guitar on y’alls bed - just mindlessly finger picking some melodies - and you came up and sat behind him and put your head on his shoulder and wrapped your arms around his waist and kissed his cheek and just - stayed there - it made him melt - he loves it so much - he especially loves it when you hum along - even if you can’t hold a tune - it’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever heard he doesn’t care - you can expect him to be all over you the minute he gets back from being Spider-Punk - especially when he has a bad day - i could probably give more examples but this is already kinda long lmao oops

overall

- he LOVES affection - public and private - if he loves you, he’s gonna show it - he’s gonna scream it, literally and figuratively - everyone will know y’all are together - which he loves - but that’s not why he does it - he just loves you - and doesn’t care what other ppl think 🤭

miles morales | spider-man

pda

- omg this lil man is so awkward - i’m far older than him and he makes me think of how nervous and awkward i was at his age when it came to any type of romance - so i can see him being SO unintentionally awkward in public - he tries so hard to be cool - but omg - the tiniest thing will go wrong and he’ll go from 😏 to 😟 - everything is the end of the world until you assure him it isn’t - like the time he saw you outside around Brooklyn Visions Academy and thought it’d be so cute to go up behind you and cover your eyes and say “guess who :)” - except it wasn’t you - you were across the street and watched it all go down - he literally made eye contact with you the minute he tried to be cute - the HORROR on his face - he was immediately apologizing to the random person he just did that to - in the moment you were so confused - but when you and him were in his dorm and he was flailing his arms around -and yelling in lowercase explaining it? - oh my god - hilarious - he was all pouty when you started laughing so you had to attack his face with little kisses to make him cheer up - one would have done the trick but he was grateful for all of the ones you gave him regardless - or the time he went to wrap his arm around your waist during lunch because he wanted to be all cute in school and you turned around as soon as he put his arm out and tried to walk and his sturdiness and strength made you literally drop your lunch tray and the food went everywhere - and there you were again in his dorm as he was flailing his arms around and yelling in lowercase apologizing because you just got new shoes and he ruined it and— - shut him up with a kiss, would you? - a display of public affection that always happens though is you’re always in his jacket - to the point where he has two of the same jacket now so you guys can be twinning :,) - “Look, babe! Same jacket!”   “Oh my god wait! We’re gonna be so cute!”   “I know, right? Pretty smart and cute of me, huh?”   “Very smart and cute of you, Miles.” - he also loves to have his hand on top of yours whenever he can - he’ll do it in class - if y’all go out to eat - if he’s sketching and you’re next to him - and holding hands in public is a favorite of his - it’s very tiny things that he does because every time he tries something big something goes wrong - like opening a door for you and motioning you to go in before him - and always being ready to steady you if you would trip (which happens more than he thought it would) - and always fixing your necklace that he bought you for your birthday (with the help of Rio) when the little clasp comes down in the front - he’s constantly staring at you with a dopey grin on his face - literally will get called out in class because he’s just 👁👄👁 - and then he gets all flustered  - but the smile you get on your face letting him know you like him that much will relax him - will go from “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to draw attention to you!” to “yeah, you like that? imma do it more then.” - he’ll also pretend to drum on you with his pencils when you’re near him - especially if he has his headphones in - he likes to play this game where you guess which one of his songs he’s jamming out to - sometimes he says you got it right when you get it wrong just to see you get excited - and he doesn’t necessarily mean for this to be a public display of affection, - but his constant drawing of you is frequently watched by other classmates - the only person who has successfully seen his bold moves of affection is Ganke, and he pretends to gag every time lol

general affection

- he’s such an affectionate boy 🥹 - like i said, Ganke is the only one who successfully sees his physical affection plots work - he’s much smoother when people aren’t around - and yes, he has shown you the shoulder touch - you did it to him once and he short-circuited - i’m so serious he accidentally shocked you - but then he hugged and kissed you for like 40 minutes afterward cause he felt bad - so it wasn’t too bad of an experience - but when it comes to physical affection in private, he’s worlds better at it - any time he plays video games, whether that be with you or Ganke, he has his leg over top of yours - He loves watching movies with you where you lay your head on his lap and he just mindlessly draws little shapes on your shoulder - he also loves having you laying on top of him while y’all cuddle - it makes him feel safe (and he gets to steal soooo many kisses from you) - you’re kinda like his very own weighted blanket but not even because his spider strength makes you feel like a feather - but it’s also an easy way for him to keep a hold of you and feel like he’s protecting you - he also loves to take you web swinging - holding you super close and taking you to a tall building away from anyone who can see y’all - he loves that - sometimes he’ll have like a whole picnic type date set up and y’all will just have a cute lil date on the top of the one world trade center - he also loves having you over to his place - his parents love you - and you love them - they make him keep his door cracked when y’all are in there together but it’s mainly because they love to peek in and see their son so in love - Jefferson took like 74 pictures the first time he saw y’all napping together - And Rio took like 52 pictures when she caught the two of you on the roof of the building and he was playing you a playlist he made for you - he does that a lot but that was the first time Rio saw it - she was ecstatic lol - he occasionally will just poke you for no reason - and by occasionally i mean he does it constantly - “Miles? Why did you do that?”   “Do what?”   “I literally saw you poke me.”   “No, I didn’t”   “…”   “…”   “I did, you’re just so cute, I don’t know.” - he also loves drawing on your hand - the back of your hand has constant Miles doodles - sometimes it’s stuff like the two of your initals in a heart - sometimes it’s Spider-Man - sometimes it’s just whatever was on his mind - but you love your constant Miles hand drawings - and he feels like it’s some sort of way for other people to know you’re his - but when he does it it’s so cute - cause he’s so gentle - and no one is watching - but you’re sitting there and just smiling as he creates a work of art on your hand and the playlist he made full of songs that remind him of how you made him feel the first time he saw you is softly playing in the background - he calls them temporary tattoos and one day you’re going to actually get one of the doodles tattooed on you somewhere - he’ll probably have a heart attack from how much he loves it but hey that’s fine he’ll recover - speaking of he loves to draw with you - he doesn’t care about your skill level, he just loves to be creative with you - he also is very much all about making sure you’re eating - getting enough sleep - prioritizing yourself above everything else - and if anything is ever bothering you - he is There - he will always be there and it’s very comforting - he just wants you to be happy all the time and does his best to do so - and you feel the same - so any time the responsibility of Spider-Man is too much for him - or when his parents get on him because he’s hiding half of who he is - you’re there for him - often times after he comes home from a long day of Spider-Manning he’s the one who is being held, but you’re fine with that - cause he can be vulnerable with you and he needs it

overall

- Miles is getting the hang of being in a relationship - he really does love pda but is so bad at it lmao - when he gets better beware - you will be a melting mess in public all the time - but for right now it’s just behind the scenes where he’s able to show how he really feels - give him all the hugs he needs ‘em

[patscorner]

write a Paige fic with them being rivals on the court but secret lovers off the court please and thank you patty🫶

yes ma'am 🫡

Always and Forever

Summary: You and Paige hate each other, or that's what you have everyone else thinking.

wc: 1,780

Contains: swearing, two kisses, just fluff

______________________________

For as long as you could remember, you loved basketball. You don't know when it started, but you knew that it was gonna be your future career. You joined your first team in 5th grade, and quickly became MVP, making progress faster than you could blink.

There was another girl in your class, and for whatever reason, she hated you. She also happened to be on the same basketball team. She made it known she didn't like you, because the first day of tryouts, she shoved you for no reason. Her hatred for you didn't stop there though, she refused to pass the ball to you, even if it meant costing your team a game, or taking unnecessary risks.

Nobody knew why she disliked you, but that animosity only grew as you both did. But there wasn't anything you could do, you both loved basketball, and you weren't gonna stop playing because some kid didn't like you.

But what you didn't know is that she felt the exact opposite. She was so painfully in love with you and so deep in the closet that she didn't know what to do with these feelings. Her only solution was to make you hate her.

Another thing you didn't know is that you felt the exact same way. If an outsider were to look at you two, you'd think it was one of the most intense long lasting rivalries of all time. But you two were head over heels for each other.

You only found out your junior year in high school, because the teachers and coaches were tired of you both bickering. They put you two in a room and told you to figure your shit out. Obviously, it started in a screaming match, but eventually you both grew tired of arguing, and a different type of tension filled the room.

You both start to have an actual conversation, without the arguing and fighting. Of course, there were small jabs at each other, you both still weren't friends, but by the end of the day, you weren’t enemies. Nobody knew that you were gay, so the only solution in your eyes was to pretend to hate each other.

Eventually, she admitted her feelings for you, and you didn't say you liked her back, but instead answered with a kiss. You started dating shortly after, and decided to keep your relationship on the down low. You both know it's for the best, as not everyone was open to the idea of you being gay, including your parents, so you both continued pretending to hate each other.

Even if everybody else thought you couldn’t stand each other, you were so head over heels for the kid who hated you for all of elementary and middle school.

Little did you know that kid would end up being the Paige Bueckers.

“So how does it feel being matched up against Paige Bueckers? I know that you guys have a long history.” the reporter asks, her smile matching yours. Oh, you have history. She's been your girlfriend for about five years now, but the media didn't know.

You and her were never super far from each other, since she got accepted to Uconn, and you got a scholarship to CCSU. The colleges were only thirty-five minutes away from each other, so that made seeing each other much easier.

“Yeah, it's gonna be tough, she's a good basketball player, y’know, great defense, amazing three-pointers.” You smile at the camera. “I'm excited, I can't wait to absolutely destroy her. I've done it before, and I'll do it again, no problem.”

The reporter chuckles at your words. “Big talk, can't wait to see the match up. Anything last words for Paige?” You can't help but smile at the reporter’s egging you on.

“Yeah, give me your worst, Bueckers. I'm coming for you, baby.” You say with a wink, before thanking the reporter, and walking away. You can't help but shake your head at the ridiculousness of your empty words. Everyone but Paige thought you were being serious, and to an extent you were, you had a bet with her that you'd score more than twenty points this game, but the rest was bullshit.

Of course, Paige saw the interview, laughing at your ‘seriousness’. So when it was her turn to be interviewed, she had to say something back.

“I mean, it'll be a fun game. Can't wait to see the big game that CCSU’s ‘top player’ was yapping about.” She throws up hand quotations and tilts her head mockingly as she speaks. “I'm excited to bring her hell and knock her off that tall ass high horse she's sat herself on.”

The reporter is eating up every word coming out of Paige’s mouth.

“Lots of trash talk from both ends, it seems the feud continues?” Paige nods and smiles. “Always and forever.” She winks at the camera as she speaks.

Always and forever.

The words Paige made you repeat back to her when she gave you the promise ring that you had safety-pinned to your jersey at all times. When you first put it there, it sent the media into a spiral, rumors spreading like wildfires. When interviewers finally asked you about it, you said there was someone, but the rumors about who were all incorrect.

Nobody would've guessed Paige, and you both made sure to keep it that way.

The game was just as tough as you imagined it would be. With 4 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the score was tied, 89-89. It was the Huskies ball, and they had one chance to win.

Nika passes the ball to Aubrey from out-of-bounds, starting the shot clock. Aubrey sneaks past defense, and attempts to pass into Paige. But, Aubrey's defender blocks the shot with her fingers, sending the ball flying into your hands.

You react quickly, sprinting back towards the basket, watching as the shot clock hits one second. You're only half-court, but you don't have enough time to get any closer, so you take the risk and let the ball fly.

Just as the ball leaves your hands, the buzzer goes off, and the stadium goes silent as the ball soars through the air. You freeze as you watch the ball fall through the net, the crowd erupting into screams. Your shot went in, making the final score 92-89.

You're immediately surrounded by your teammates, who are chest bumping you, and dapping you up. This moment is something you never want to end, but there's something missing. This moment won't be the same without one thing.

You manage to wiggle free from your extremely hyped up teammates, ignoring your name being called as you make your way to the Uconn bench. You try to ignore the eyes on you, as you find the only person you want to ever have to look for.

When you spot the back of her head, you quickly make your way to her before your confidence runs out. You pull her sleeve, and her eyebrows furrow as she makes eye contact with you.

“What-” She starts, but you cut her off.

“I'm going to kiss you now.” You say, but you don't move. You want to make sure this is what she wants, but as the smile grows on her face, her compliance becomes clear.

“Okay.” she nods as her face turns a bright pink.

You grin as you pull her into a searing kiss, her hands finding your waist as she reciprocates your passion. You hear the gasps around you, which only makes you smile more. When you feel Paige grin against your mouth, you wrap your arms around her neck.

She pulls away, laughing as your whine. Even though there's thousands of people in the room, she only cares about you. “Guess they know now.” she chuckles.

“Paige Madison Bueckers! What the fuck?!” KK screams, causing Paige to roll her eyes and look over her shoulder. “Can I help you?” She deadpans. “I'm a little busy right now.”

KK’s jaw drops even more from the audacity. "I can see that, I better be filled in after."

Paige looks back at you and smiles. “Yeah, later. Now, do you mind?”

“Oh, by all means, continue making out with your arch-nemesis. Don't let me, the six giant cameras, or the sold-out arena stop you.”

You laugh at this, kissing Paige’s cheek before pulling away. You look at your team, and around the stadium, and everyone's sharing the same expression, jaws dropped, eyes wide, and frozen in shock. You look up, and see yourself on the big screen.

Paige smiles down at you, her arm still wrapped around your waist. “I can't believe you did that. You're fucking crazy.”

You shrug and smile. “You love it.”

She kisses the top of your head. “Damn right.”

After the excitement of the kiss calmed down, the same reporter from earlier asked to interview both of you, to which you of course said yes.

“So what is your guys’ relationship status?” She asked, pointing the mic in your direction. You smile widely before answering. “Paige is my girlfriend, and she has been for five, almost six years.”

The reporter shakes her head in shock. “What made you guys choose to keep it a secret and cover it up with a seemingly harsh feud?” This time, she hands the mic to Paige, who shakes her head.

“Well, it started out real. Like I could not stand her, ever since we were on the same basketball team in fifth grade. But eventually, I started to like her, then I started to love her. Turns out she liked me too, so in high school we started to date.” She finished with a shrug.

“Oh wow, I mean this is a shock to everyone. You both played it off very well. What were some of the hardest moments?” You nod as the reporter speaks.

“Probably pretending to not care, especially if one of us has a rough loss or a great win. It was hard not to comfort or celebrate publicly.” You say.

“So everything after junior year in high school was fake? The rivalry, I mean.”

You smile. “Yeah, it was all for the cameras.” Paige’s eyes light up as she looks down at you. The camera picked up on the sparkle in her eyes as she looked at you with nothing but love.

Her hands squeeze your waist as the interview ends, and you both walk away. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off your shoulders, and you've never felt happier.

You knew that whether the world knew or not, it was gonna be you and her.

Always and forever.

______________________________

taglist: @wintersstan @bueckerslover @lilia22hicks @fake-intelligences @girlokwhatever @pbloverr @breeloveschris

[turtleblogatlast]

Leo frowns at his phone.

Or more specifically, at the test on his phone.

Around him, he hears the sound of his brothers tapping their own devices, much faster than he is. Looking up just makes Leo feel worse about his own progress - or lack-thereof.

Mikey’s the fastest, speeding through the test like nobody’s business. He’d been the one to make them all do this stupid test in the first place, so it makes sense that he’s having a blast.

Raph’s slower than Mikey is, but he’s still clearly answering the questions at a steady pace. Sometimes he looks unsure, but he powers through anyway.

Donnie often looks frustrated, which relieves Leo somewhat because at least someone is struggling like him. But that “struggle” isn’t nearly as big as his own, considering that Donnie is answering about as fast as Raph is.

Leo turns his gaze back down to his own test. He’s still near the beginning, he thinks.

He’d put the same answer for the past seven questions - the middle of the road answer, neither a “yes” or a “no.” Then, whenever he does come across one that is more one direction than the other, he second guesses himself and restarts the test!

Sure, there are a few he could definitely give a yes or a no to, but…never the “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree” that the test seemed to want from him.

He eyes his twin sitting nearby, the softshell absorbed in the test. Maybe Leo should copy what Donnie put for some of these…

“DONE!” Mikey’s shout makes Leo freeze in place just as he started to lean over.

“What?” Donnie squawks, “No way you’re already finished, you must’ve been cheating!”

“It’s a personality test, Dee!” Mikey stuck his tongue out, “You can’t cheat at those!”

…

Leo settles back into his seat.

Ignoring Donnie’s mutterings about how it was “just because it’s not an academic test” that he didn’t finish first, Raph smiles encouragingly at Mikey.

“Hey, good job! So what’d you get, Mike?”

Mikey looks back down at his test, reading aloud, “Says that I got the “Campaigner”!”

“What’s that mean?” Leo asks, his phone screen going dark.

“Apparently, I’m an “enthusiastic, creative, and sociable free-spirit”.” Mikey reads, smiling at them, “You think it fits?”

“Oh, to a T, bro!” Leo laughs, giving Mikey a thumbs up, making Mikey’s smile grow larger.

Inside, Leo was feeling a lot more mixed about this. He has no idea how Mikey knew himself so well. Maybe Donnie was right and Mikey did cheat, because how could he answer those questions so easily?

Leo’s phone burns in his hand. He keeps it locked.

“Wow, that really is you.” Raph says, his eyes flitting back and forth between his own test and Mikey, “Do you think it fits?”

“I guess? It’s fun to see at least!” Mikey shrugs with a grin.

“Hold on, I think…” Raph makes a noise of satisfaction, “Okay, done!”

“Sigh, now I’m relegated to the straggler group.” Donnie grumbles, his thumbs moving faster as he tries rushing through the questions.

“Ooh, what’d you get Raph?” Mikey asks, practically bouncing in curiosity.

“Says, uh…I got something called the “Consul”?” He squints his eyes to read more, “Uh, “caring, social, and community-minded.””

“Sounds about right to me.” Leo nods. Can’t be more “community-minded” than being a hero.

“Yeah, no one’s more caring than you, Raphie!” Mikey says, moving to lean across Raph’s shell.

“You do put the community in mind, that’s for sure.” Donnie states, not looking up.

Raph chuckles, a bit embarrassed, “Aw, thanks. It’s just some test, but it feels kinda good to hear that.”

Just a test. Right.

Leo unlocks his screen.

The test stares back at him.

Right. Okay. He can do this. He can.

The screen ends up going dark again.

Frustration builds up in Leo. Was he even halfway done with the test? At this rate, soon even Donnie will-

“FINISHED.”

Leo unlocks his phone.

“What’d you get, DonTon?” Leo asks as his thumb taps the top right of the screen.

Donnie puffs up proudly, a self sure grin on his face, “I got the result “Logician” which states that I, obviously, am an “innovative inventor with a thirst for knowledge.” Truly could not have described me better, if I do say so myself.”

“It is pretty accurate.” Raph agrees with a nod, “Even calls you an inventor, so extra accurate.”

“Super accurate.” Mikey jumps in, eyes shining.

“Yes, yes, almost like reading my own character synopsis.” Donnie’s grin had not dwindled since the word “innovative” had left his mouth.

Leo just nods along, eyes on his own screen as he skims the words. “Yeah, kinda creepy how close it got. Could have called you a nerd for extra accuracy, though.”

Donnie turns to him, eyes narrowing, “Have you even finished your test? I can think of a few words that’d describe you fairly well.”

“Test-y, huh?”

Before Donnie can strangle Leo, Raph cuts in.

“Ok, ok, calm it down, guys.” He rolls his eyes before turning to Leo. “But really, you’re not done yet?”

“Leo’s taking this self reflection seriously.” Mikey sports a faux intellectual expression as he gives a jokingly serious nod. “Maybe we all should’ve taken our time.”

“Says the one who sped through the whole thing in a record time.” Donnie mutters.

Leo waves them all off, “Nah, I finished it ages ago.”

He grins when Donnie immediately shoots him a suspicious glare. “Oh, you did, did you? Then what could you have possibly gotten, Nardo?”

“I’m glad you asked!” Leo clears his throat, “Neon Leon just so happens to be an “Entertainer.””

“Ah. That confirms it. This test is meaningless.” Donnie drones.

“Hey-“

“What’s an Entertainer like?” Mikey asks with a tilt of his head, still hanging off of Raph’s shell.

“Glad you asked, Miguel!” Leo exclaims, “It says that “life is never boring” around yours truly~”

He emphasizes this “result” of his by waving his phone with said “result” on screen.

It’s just an image he found of his chosen personality result, but they don’t need to know that.

Raph nods slowly, “Well, I guess that’s true…”

“”Never boring” is one way to put it.” Donnie hums.

“You are pretty fun, Leo!” Mikey says emphatically, because he’s great like that.

“Thank you, thank you, life of the party, right here.” Leo grins, pointing both thumbs at himself.

He’s careful not to go too overboard with it, or else it might tip someone off.

Not that it…really matters. It’s just a test. Like Raph said.

As the topic around him shifts to something else, jumping away from this brief activity as fast as any other among them, Leo finds himself unlocking his phone and pulling up the test again.

Unanswered questions stare at him. He knows what answers Lou Jitsu would pick. He knows what answers Jupiter Jim would pick. Hell, he knows exactly what answers his brothers would pick.

He doesn’t know what answers Leonardo would pick.

Leo stares at the test for a second longer, before he exits the site and throws himself into the conversation happening around him.

It’s just a stupid test, nothing to worry about.

Just a test…

[dawnisatotalqueen]

PROMISE

title: promise

character: steven hyde x reader

warnings: alcohol use, marijuana use, mentions of virginity, mentions of assault, cursing, semi frequent use of l/n (last name), zen masters (jackie x hyde) if u squint

summary: when you met the boys, you made a promise to never date any of them. though this gets harder and harder to follow as you all get older and more attractive.

disclaimer: i do not support danny masterson in any way, shape, or form. i just have an attachment to hyde </3

word count: 2972

part two

You were a maneater. At least, that’s what your friends said and you didn’t necessarily disagree. In your mere 17 years of life, you had accumulated nearly 30 boyfriends. In a town like Pointplace, there weren’t very many eligible bachelors, and it didn’t help that you swore off dating the hottest one.

Years prior, at the very beginning of middle school, when you had met Kelso, Foreman, and Hyde, you made a promise. You promised to yourself, and to them, that you would never date them. You enjoyed their company a lot, which is exactly why you didn’t want to risk dating any of them.

Naturally, as time progressed and Fez joined the group, he was included in the group of boys you wouldn’t date, though in all honesty, you probably never would have dated him regardless.

As you got older, you had started to ever so slightly regret your promise because as you got older, so did the boys, and oh boy, was one of them hot.

Hyde was gorgeous and exactly your type. But did you think Hyde was hot because he was your type, or did you think he was hot because he set the standard for your type? The world may never know.

To put those feelings aside, you upped the ante on your dating game. You were the most “desirable” out of your friend group except for maybe Donna or Jackie. You dated jocks, nerds, stoners, and basically any other clique in your high school.

That led you to now, walking into Eric Foreman’s basement, which is where you usually were, waiting for a guy to show up for a date.

You wore a pretty black dress and your signature green bomber jacket.

Donna was the first to look over, whistling with a grin. “Damn! You look great.”

Jackie looked over, gasping a little and pushing up off of Kelso to rush over to you. “That dress is gorgeous!! Much better than what you usually wear.” She looked over the dress.

You giggled at the backhanded compliment. It was something you were used to with Jackie, and you found it endearing. “Thanks! Got it just for the date. Definitely keeping it, though.”

Hyde raised a brow. “You don’t usually dress up for dates. Must really like the guy, huh?” You didn’t notice it then, but he shifted uncomfortably, his posture tensing.

“Damn it!! Stupid lucky guy, getting (L/N) to dress up all nice for him..” Kelso crossed his arms over his chest, pouting.

“At least we get to be blessed with the sight.” Fez sighed happily.

“I don’t know, I don’t really like him.” You shrugged. “He’s just takin’ me somewhere fancy, figured it was the least I could do.”

“Well, you look great. Hope you have fun.” Donna got up, patting you on the back.

“Thanks!! I’ll swing by after, yeah?”

“We’ll leave the door unlocked.” Eric commented, smiling.

“Great!” You heard a honk outside. “That’s my queue. Cya!” You grinned, heading out the door.

Hyde rolled his eyes, or, that’s what everyone assumed. It was a little hard to tell with the glasses. “Doesn’t even have the decency to knock, and she’s giving this guy a shot?” He scoffed.

“Someone sounds jeaaalouusss!!” Kelso snickered.

“I’m not jealous. I just think (L/N) could do better than some dude who can’t even knock on the door.”

“It’s okay if you’re jealous, Hyde! I mean, she’s going out with a popular jock. It makes sense you’d feel insecure.” Jackie returned to her spot next to Kelso.

“Why would I care?”

“It’s obvious you guys have a little back and forth thing.” Jackie giggled.

Donna hummed, leaning against the couch. “I figured you guys would’ve at least made out by now.”

Hyde scoffed. “Never gonna happen. She literally swore off ever dating me, Foreman, and Kelso.”

“Is that all that’s stopping you?” Eric raised a brow.

“No.” Hyde was almost too quick to answer. What he didn’t say was that he thought you were out of his league. He was a teenage dirtbag, and while you were their friend, you also were more of a social floater than anything. You dated jocks and the most popular guys in school. He’d be stupid to think you could ever be interested in dating him..

Right?

..

It had been a couple of hours since you left, and everyone had sort of faded out. Eric retreated upstairs to his room, heading to bed, and everyone else had returned to their respective houses.. Everyone except for Hyde, that is, as he had found himself recently staying in the Foreman’s basement after an incident with his Mom.

He lounged on the couch, taking a puff from a blunt that he had rolled when he heard the door open.

You stumbled in, reeking of cheap booze. More importantly, though, you had visibly been crying. Your mascara left streaks down your face, and your nose was red and puffy.

“What happened?” Hyde sat up straight, stiffening. Did that guy hurt you? He would kick his ass if he hurt you–

“That guy was a douche.” You huffed. “Got me drunk, then tried to get laid.” You wobbled over to the couch, sitting next to him. You held out your hand, and Hyde got the message, passing you the blunt.

“Did he hurt you?”

You shook your head. “Pushed him off.” You deeply inhaled the smoke before blowing it out, sighing. “Sucks. Used to it, but it sucks.”

“You’re used to it?” He stared at you, a little bewildered.

“Most guys get pissy when I won’t sleep with them.” You kicked off your heels, leaning back. “Don’t wanna lose my virginity to some guy I don’t even like.. Is that bad?” You looked at him, frowning.

“That’s not a bad thing.” He pushed a piece of your hair out of your face. “Plenty of people wanna save it for someone special. Like the whole til marriage shit.” He shrugged.

“Guess so..” You looked down before smiling, nudging him. “Why can’t every guy be as nice as you?”

He raised a brow. “You think I’m nice?”

“Yeahh!” You grinned, your slurring words the evidence of the alcohol still in your system. “In your own way. Liike, you may not act like it, but I think you care about everyone. At least a little. Like when you took Jackie to prom! Or now, you’re comforting me after a shitty date.”

“If you keep goin’ you’re gonna make my ego big.” He snickered.

You smiled, leaning your head on his shoulder. “Shut upp.. Point iss, you’re super sweet in your own way, and that’s what mattersss..”

He wrapped his arm around you. “You flatter me too much.”

After you didn’t respond, he looked over and realized you had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He sighed a little, propping you up and then picking you up. He took you to his room, laying you down on his bed and tucking you in.

He sat down next to you, watching you for a second. You looked so completely and utterly peaceful. He let out a breath before standing up.

Was your promise all that was stopping him from pursuing you?

He stood still for a second before heading to the door and flipping off the light. “Night, doll.”

..

You were very confused when you woke up the next morning, and you were in Hyde’s bed. You were still in the same clothes from the night before, and there was no evidence that anyone else had been in bed with you, so you felt pretty confident that you didn’t sleep together.

You scooted off of the mattress, getting up and peeking your head out the door. You didn’t see anyone in the basement, so you figured it must’ve been earlier in the day. You walked around, spotting a blanket on the couch, and you figured Hyde must’ve slept on it. But, he was nowhere to be found.

You decided to head upstairs and hopefully wash your face, maybe even get a change of clothes that Laurie left behind.

When you opened the door to the basement, you hissed a little upon seeing that the Foreman family were all sitting around the table, eating breakfast like the classic sitcom family.

You turned around, trying to tiptoe down the hallway when the floor board underneath you squeaked. You hissed, turning around when you heard Kitty’s voice behind you. “Y/N? Is that you? This early in the morning?”

You turned around, smiling awkwardly. “Ah.. Yeah, sorry. I um– I let myself in.”

Kitty gasped a little, getting up from her chair. “Goodness! You look awful!”

You assumed she was referencing your tear smudged makeup. “Yyyeah.. Rough night.”

“Let me get you cleaned up.” She put a hand on your shoulder, ushering you through the hall.

That left the boys in the kitchen. Red looked at Hyde, raising a brow. “You slept on the couch last night.

Hyde paused. “Yup.” He shoved a bite of his food in his mouth.

“Did she stay over?” Red leaned back in his chair, eyeing the curly haired boy.

Eric whistled lowly. “Dang, Hyde. Maybe Jackie was right about you being jealous.”

Hyde rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t like that. She had a crappy date and passed out. I didn’t wanna wake her up just to make her leave.”

Red looked at him for a second before raising his brows. “Well, that was nice. But you two really need to stop letting random kids crash here.” He cringed.

..

Meanwhile, you were in the bathroom with Kitty. You washed your face, looking at yourself in the mirror. Your eyes were a little swollen, but it was nothing major. You sighed a little before Kitty spoke. “I’ll get some clothes from Laurie’s room for you to change into. I can wash your clothes for you.”

You smiled at her, nodding. “That’d be appreciated, thank you.” You took off your jacket, handing it to her.

She smiled at you, taking your jacket before freezing when she saw your wrists.

You hadn’t realized it, but the jackass that you went on a date with had left bruises on you when he was trying to get handsy.

“Did.. Someone..” Kitty trailed off.

“No! No, no. Nothing like that. I, uh, I pushed him off of me.” You reassured her.

She frowned. “Oh, dear.. That had to have been hard.”

You looked to the side, frowning a little. “...Yeah.”

She put a hand on your shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Well, you’re safe now. And you’ll have clean clothes soon enough.” She smiled, heading out the door and getting you some clothes.

Laurie’s clothes were comfortable. Kitty got you a pretty simple tank top and some pajama pants, which you didn’t mind. She told you she’d let you know when your clothes were clean, so you made your way down to the basement. It had been about an hour since you had seen Hyde and Eric since you took a shower during that time.

The usual group had gathered in the basement during that time, watching something stupid on TV. You made your way down the stairs, running a hand through your hair.

You casually walked over, sitting on the arm of the couch, putting you next to Kelso and Jackie. Only then did everyone realize you were there.

“Hey (L/N)!” Donna grinned, raising a teasing eyebrow. “How was your hot date–” She paused when she saw your appearance. Slightly swollen eyes and bruised wrists were the first thing to stand out.

“Jeez! You look awful!” Jackie looked over at you, and you couldn’t help the giggle that came out. She sounded just like Kitty.

You hummed. “The date was shit, but it’s cool. Didn’t really like the guy anyway, and I got free food.” You shrugged it off.

Hyde watched you, his eyes drifting down your body before they landed on your wrists. He didn’t see that the night before. You really did have to fight off that douche-bag.

Donna got up from where she was next to Eric, going to the back of the couch and hugging you. “Aw.. I’m sorry, babe. You can do better anyway.”

“Like Hyde said yesterday, you could do way better than a guy who honks!” Fez hummed, nodding to himself.

You blinked, looking in Hyde’s direction, seeing him shrug. “It’s true.”

You could feel your cheeks heat up, and your eyes soften, but before you could dwell on the butterflies in your stomach, you heard a honk from outside. You all paused, and Eric looked in your direction. “Do you have another date?”

You shook your head, getting up off the couch. “Who could that be?” You went to the door, opening it and going up the outside stairs, spotting a familiar car. “..Oh god.”

The guy you had gone out with the day before got out of his car, spotting you. “(Y/N)-- Can we talk?”

You grimaced, crossing your arms. “Why?”

You could hear your friends gathering up behind you as you walked up the driveway.

“Listen, I get kind of weird when I’m drunk, I didn’t mean to be so pushy.” The boy frowned, looking down at you.

You grumbled, rolling your eyes. “And I suppose you didn’t mean to ditch me and make me walk home too then?”

“You had to walk here?” Before you knew it, Hyde was by your side, looking at you.

You looked at him, frowning a little before shrugging. “Yeah. It’s–”

“Please, just– just give me another chance.” The boy stepped closer to you, trying to grab your shoulders.

Hyde stepped between you, pushing the guy away by his chest. “I think you’ve done enough.”

“And who do you think you are?” The guy stood up straight, getting in Hyde’s face.

“I’m her friend. And I don’t appreciate how you treated her.”

“Well, frankly, I think it’s none of your business how I treat her.”

“It kind of is when she busts into my basement crying.”

“Don’t be dramatic. I was just trying to have some fun.” The guy rolled his eyes. “And the bitch was basically asking for it with that dress–”

Hyde punched him, and he held his bleeding nose. The guy growled, throwing a punch at Hyde, and before you knew it, they were fighting. You squeaked, reaching your hand out. “H– hey there’s no need to fight it’s fine–”

The guy elbowed you. Right in the eye.

You hissed, holding your face. “Fuck–”

Hyde looked between you and the guy for a split second before he nailed his knee into his stomach. “You’d seriously fucking hit a chick?! What is wrong with you?!”

The guy coughed, holding his stomach and backing up toward his car, hurrying in.

“Yeah, screw off!” Hyde called after him, looking over to you.

Donna and Jackie rushed over to you, Donna, holding your shoulders. “O– ow shit– How bad is it?” You moved your hand off of your eye.

Jackie hissed. “Yikes. That’s gonna bruise. But it’s okay!! I have some absolutely great makeup that’ll cover it up, no problem!”

You giggled a little through the pain. “Ah, I don’t think that’s my biggest concern–” You looked in Hyde’s direction. “Are you okay?”

..

You and Hyde were left alone in the basement as the others were grabbing some stuff to help with your current conditions. Donna and Eric were getting an ice pack, Jackie was getting her makeup, and Kelso and Fez… Well, they were doing something.

You held a warm washcloth, dabbing at the little cuts and bruises on Hyde’s face. It was one of the few times you had seen him without his glasses for such a long period of time.

Once you were done, you sighed, smiling at him. “Y’know, you don’t need to get into fights for me.”

Hyde leaned back. “What? For you? Nah, the guy just had a very punchable face.”

You playfully rolled your eyes. “Right, right, my bad.”

He straightened up a little, clearing his throat. “Well, uh, are you good? I mean, that guy said some pretty nasty things..”

You shrugged a little, looking down. “I’m all good. He’s not the first guy to react like that to me rejecting them. He is the first guy to give me a black eye though.”

At the mention of your black eye, Hyde leaned forward, pushing your hair out of your face and oh so carefully touching your cheek. “Does it hurt?”

You stared at him, your breath hitching. “A little.”

He seemed to take in the fact that the two of you were mere inches away. He swallowed, looking down at you. “(L/N).. I uh.. I didn’t like that you went out with that guy.”

“What?” You furrowed your brows. “Why? Because he was like– a douche?”

“I mean, yeah, but I think it was ‘cause I uh…” He licked his lips. “I might, uh..”

Before he could say what he had on his mind, Donna and Eric made their way down the stairs, and you and Hyde quickly scooted away from each other.

Donna handed you the ice pack, and you pressed it to your eye, hissing a little.

“Jackie will be back with her makeup pretty soon, but I’d suggest not putting it on at least until the swelling goes a little down.” Donna hummed.

“Yeah, she–” Eric had started to go on a ramble about something, but you weren’t paying attention. Your eyes were on Hyde, who had casually gone back to his chair, acting as if your moment didn’t happen.

Was he going to say he liked you? What would that mean for your relationship? You were attracted to him, you had to admit, but did you like him?

Should you break your promise? 

[traveler-at-heart]

Secrets

Summary: You try to keep your relationship a secret!

Natasha Romanoff x Fem!R

It was fun at first.

The thrill of sneaking around, secret glances, hidden touches. It had been quite a ride to get to where you were with Natasha, and knowing how the team could be, you both wanted to keep your relationship to yourselves, at least for a little while.

One of your secret spots were the stairs. With a building so big, it was natural that everyone took the elevator. It was the perfect place to meet the redhead and more often than not, the conversation progressed into an intense make out session that left you breathless.

“Is the elevator broken?” Steve asks as you come back from one of your little escapades. You jump at his presence, your mind still thinking about the feeling of Natasha’s lips on yours.

“Uh… no. It’s working just fine. I like to take the stairs to… exercise”

“That’s a nice idea. Maybe I’ll try it one of these days” he nods.

Cap and his obliviousness, sweet old man. He has no idea you’re all flushed for reasons that have nothing to do with coming up the steps.

Still, you think nothing of it. He was probably trying to be nice when he said it was a good idea. The next day, when you’re lost in Natasha, intoxicated by her supple lips and the way they move against your own, you miss the sound of heavy footsteps and an off key whistle.

“Crap” Natasha is the first to react, breaking apart. You turn to look down, Steve taking the steps two at a time.

Fit bastard.

“Morning!” he says, too happy for your liking.

“Oh, hi, we were just…”

“We?” he echoes, and you look around. No trace of Natasha.

“I mean, me. I was just taking a break. I think I’ll go back to taking the elevator”

“You sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah, just a bit agitated. Nothing to worry, Cap”

Steve nods and smiles.

“I told everyone about your great idea. I think people will start using the stairs more”

“Oh, that’s just peachy”

Once again, he is oblivious to your actual feelings. After he’s gone, Natasha jumps from behind the staircase.

“Jesus, how did you manage to do that so quickly”

“Well, you always have to be ready for a quick escape, detka”

Natasha leans forward and pecks your lips, but before she can do anything else, you drag her back to the hallway.

“You heard Cap. Our secret spot is no longer secret”

—

So far, you haven’t found a decent replacement for the stairs, except for a supply closet. And by God, you are not that desperate.

As you cook dinner, Natasha comes up behind you, and you relax against her.

“I’ve missed you” she says against your shoulder, placing small kisses that tickle you.

“I missed you too, love”

A hand goes around your middle and she toys with the hem of your shirt, lips kissing your neck, and that sweet spot behind your earlobe that makes you shiver.

“Nat” you moan, and you don’t know if you want her to stop or keep going.

Yelena answers that for you as she steps inside, eyes widening. You draw blank, because honestly, how can you explain this?

Natasha takes matters into her own hands, literally, as she hugs you and pretends to do the Heimlich maneuver.

“She’s choking” Natasha says and Yelena scrambles around.

“Oh, my God, Y/N, please don’t die”

The redhead pretends to help you, squeezing your middle and you cough.

“I think I’m…”

Unfortunately, the blonde is too freaked out and pushes Natasha away, thinking she’s helping you.

As she presses against your sternum, you are suddenly out of breath and you swear you can feel your ribs cracking.

“Ok, I’m fine, Yelena, thanks” you break free of her hold, sure that your sides will be bruised next morning.

Yelena doesn’t let you cook anymore, so you end up with a dinner of mac and cheese, and Natasha’s sister sitting in the middle while you three watch tv.

“I’m sorry” Natasha says when her sister gets up to grab another soda.

“Just for the record, this isn’t the type of choking I had in mind”

—

“They’re gonna be here any minute” you say against Natasha’s shoulder.

“I know” she bites your neck and you sink further into her lap.

The Quinjet, out of all places is where you find some privacy. The rest of the team will join shortly, as you have a recon mission.

But you can’t keep your hands to yourself and you end up naked, straddling Natasha’s lap as she moves her fingers inside of you.

“God, you look so pretty like this” she says against your chest.

“Nat, more” you plead. It’s too much and too little at the same time. She listens, moving her hand faster and your hips match her pace.

“God. Yes” you collapse in her arms.

“Request to open gate” FRIDAY informs and you curse, because you want more than a second to catch your breath.

Sneaking around is getting old now.

“Come on, let’s get cleaned up” Natasha says, helping you up. She looks proud when your legs shake.

“Shut up” you say, which only makes her smile wider.

While the team enters the Quinjet, you go back to the bathroom with Nat as you hurriedly put your suits on.

“Red? Y/N?” Tony calls for you.

“Here” you raise your arm, feeling a bit tense. Maybe you pulled a muscle.

Stark nods your way and starts the Quinjet, while Steve goes over the plan with everyone else. You stay seated, vaguely aware that something feels different but you can’t tell what it is.

“Be careful” Natasha says when you part ways, squeezing your hand.

Your job is to keep an eye on the guards at the south gate and stop them if they are called to attack the intel team.

Which unfortunately does happen, so you run to shoot, kick and punch at every one of them.

There are two guards left, and as you reach for your gun, something incredibly unexpected happens.

Your suit opens right in the front, revealing your red lacy bra.

“What the fuck” you shout, looking down.

The guard in front of you opens his mouth, completely enthranced by your cleavage.

“New strategy?” Tony flies over, knocking him down. He sends the last man standing across the room.

“No! I don’t know what happened!”

You try to cover but the leather is not giving in.

“Ok, well. We’re done here so you can put all that” he gestures to your chest. “Back in the Quinjet”

Rolling your eyes, and with your arms crossed in front of you, you walk back to the jet.

As you lock eyes with Natasha, you finally notice how her own suit is loose on the shoulders.

You switched when you were getting dressed.

“I like this new look” Sam wiggles his eyebrows and Natasha sends a widow bite straight to his ass.

“Oops” she shrugs her shoulders as he glares.

Feeling a little better after that, you go inside and find a t-shirt to cover up.

When you leave the bathroom, everyone is silent.

“Ok, it’s not like you all haven’t seen boobs before. So get over yourselves. Except Steve, he gets a pass” you bark at them.

“I’ve seen boobs before” he tries to say but no one pays attention.

Natasha stays silent and you think she might be upset or reconsidering this whole thing.

You expect the worse as you land and she leads you back to your room.

“Nat…”

The redhead holds her finger up, taking your shirt off and sinking her face in your breasts.

“Really?”

“Mine” she grumbles, her hands squeezing possessively.

Well, at least some good came out of it.

—

The atmosphere is tense.

Clint, Wanda, Peter and you are playing Jenga.

Honestly, you are the one at a disadvantage here. With Clint’s aim and the enhanced individuals, you don’t stand a chance.

The way Natasha looks at you from across the room doesn’t help either.

It’s been a few days since you were together. Fury called her for an urgent mission and you had to resist the urge to sneak into the Quinjet and beg her to fuck you against the console.

And now, she’s back and you can’t wait for the night to wrap up so you can wrap your legs around her while she eats your…

“Gah!” Wanda screeches, knocking over the tower. “My mind, my eyes”

Crap.

“Wanda, a word?” you plead, dragging her out of the living room while Clint and Peter stare.

“You” she slaps your arm. “And you” she glares at Natasha as she approaches, pushing you both to her room.

“Sorry, we are keeping it a secret for now”

“But your thoughts are so loud” she massages her temples, clearly distraught. “I was so focused on the game and still I could hear everything, see everything”

“Sorry” you grimace. “Do you think you could… not tell anyone? For a bit”

“Oh, trust me, I’m very eager to pretend none of this happened”

“Thanks, Wanda” Natasha says and the girl nods.

“It’s nice to see you both happy. Just try to keep your thoughts to yourselves”

“We’ll try”

Wanda nods, walking out. Natasha’s quick to push you against the wall, eyes darkened by lust.

“Wanna tell me what was on your mind?”

“Can you at least wait for me to leave the hallway?!” Wanda screams from outside.

“You have ten seconds, Maximoff”

“Thanks, I hate you”

—

You figure a little distance from everyone will do you good.

So, you get tickets to a Yankees game and spend the day in the city with Natasha.

Even if you are only a half hour away from the Compound, among the sea of people, no one looks at you when you hold her hand, or share a kiss in the middle of your walk.

“This is nice” you smile, bringing her hand to your lips.

The first half of the game is slow, but you enjoy the time eating popcorn and making comments with Natasha about the score.

During the break, several people in the audience are featured in the screens. A girl chugs an entire beer while the crowd goes wild.

“Damn” you laugh, but the next image you see is you, next to Natasha.

The kiss cam.

“No, we’re fine” you wave your arms and the crowd boos. “Ok, not nice!”

“Don’t be such a baby” she smiles, pulling you closer.

“Pretty sure Steve and Bucky are watching the game back home”

“You jump, I jump” she leans forward, allowing you to decide if you wanna do this or not. As your lips meet in a short kiss, everyone starts clapping and cheering you on.

“Are you sure about what we just did?”

“Very. I’m tired of hiding. You make me happy. What’s wrong with that?” Natasha says and you smile against her lips.

“You are so getting lucky tonight”

But before you can kiss her again, both of your phones go crazy with texts from everyone on the team.

Tony: Is this why Wanda asked me for a way to erase her memory?

Sam: Now I know why you electrocuted my ass, Red!

Wanda: DONT COME NEAR ME

“Still think we made the right call?” you roll your eyes as the texts keep coming.

“Absolutely, detka” she says before kissing you softly.

Yeah. It’s gonna be ok.

[void-wolfie]

Paper Rings

summary: you take jenna on a surprise date.

pairing: Jenna Ortega x gn!Reader

tw: extra fluffy super romance-y

words: 1.1k

a/n: i had an idea and went with it lol, i have requests i'm working on but progress is slow, i'm still around if anyone wants to chat though

"Just a few more steps," you held on to your girlfriend’s hands, watching the little furrow of her eyebrows as she kept her eyes closed.

"I'm starting to wonder if you're just leading me out to the middle of nowhere to kill me,"

You scoffed, glad she couldn't see the embarrassingly big smile spread across your face, "I couldn't kill you, you are way too cute,"

"Alright, just one more-" You took another step only to lose your footing. You fell backward, your back slamming into the ground harshly. Jenna, who was holding your hands to keep steady, tumbled forward with you. She fell on top of you, the impact knocking all the wind from your lungs. You heard a noise akin to a groan or a yelp, but you couldn’t tell if it was you or Jenna through the commotion.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" she quickly pushed herself up, straddling your waist as she checked you over for any injuries.

"Fine," you groaned out, your chest aching from the fall, "surpriseee..."

Her head tilted as she looked at you confused, wondering if maybe you hit your head on the way down.

You pointed behind you and her eyes followed. The white sheet laid out across the sand, the candles lit in the center, the little picnic basket at the edge. The ocean sat just in front of you, not even twenty feet out. It was cliche, but romantic nonetheless.

"You did all this?" you nodded, not lost on how she was still straddling you, her thumbs lightly brushing beneath your shirt and sending electricity through your nerves.

"It's amazing, I love it," she kissed you, making sure to pour all her emotions into the action.

You never knew a kiss could be so soft and sweet, and at the same time take your breath away and leave your head spinning.

"Wow…" it was all you could think to say as Jenna pulled away.

She giggled, loving the dumbstruck smile that overtook your features, "Come on, Romeo,"

She helped you up off the ground, pulling you towards the picnic blanket.

The sun had just set, hues of red and orange faded into pinks and purples as night crept over the beach. You and Jenna were still cuddled on the sheet you had laid out, a spare blanket was wrapped around the two of you. Soft music played in the background as you both watched waves roll in and out.

Jenna moved to snuggle deeper into your lap, wiggling back and forth in your arms before suddenly stopping. A confused expression made its way across her face.

"Babe?"

"Yeah?" You looked at her sitting in your arms, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What's in your pocket?"

You thought about it, your pocket? You didn't have anything in your- oh-

Then you felt it, digging into the side of your hip. How could you forget?

"Oh, that," now she seemed curious, "I got you something, close your eyes for me?"

She spun around in your lap to face you, giving you her full attention and closing her eyes like you asked.

You pulled the little ring box out from your pocket, opening it to make sure it still looked perfect for her. It brought a smile to your face, newfound excitement coursing through your veins like lightning in a bottle. You took a second to compose yourself, trading in that toothy grin for a softer smile instead. You closed the little box and held it out towards Jenna, who still had her eyes closed as patiently as ever.

"Ready?" you asked, doing your best to sit still despite your excitement and nerves.

"Open!" You couldn't wait for an answer, you were too excited.

Jenna opened her eyes, the gaze immediately landing on the box in your hands. Her eyes shot back up to yours, her brown eyes filled with curiosity and excitement lit up by the faint glow of sunset.

"Baby-" she took the small box from your hands not yet opening it but examining it with curiosity.

You started to get nervous, she didn't think you were proposing right? It was still way too early for that...

…right?

"Open it,"

She looked up at you excitedly before gently opening the box in her hands. You watched her jaw drop, staring down at the little ring inside.

You started to get nervous, what if this was a bad idea? what if she didn't like it? was it too much? too little? maybe this whole thing was just a stupid idea-

"Oh my god... It's amazing baby!" her face lit up, and she went from shock to amazement. One of the happiest looks you'd ever seen on her face.

Inside the box was a little silver ring, made to look like the origami rings you made her. You had it custom-made just for her, and by custom you mean you made it for her yourself. Your friend taught you how to cut metal and use a welder just so you could make it for her. It was far from perfect, but you thought that that's what made it special.

You and Jenna had a tradition. Every time you went out, you gave her a paper ring. It started as just a way to keep busy at restaurants, giving you something to fidget with to help hide your nerves, but over time it grew into something more. Now whenever you and Jenna go on a date, you have an origami ring waiting for her. Except now, she could take one with her wherever she goes, and this one would last much longer than the paper ones.

Jenna slid the ring onto her finger, admiring the way it looked on her hand. Her eyes held more adoration than you'd ever seen before. You wanted to kiss her right then and there and never let go. And as if the universe were listening, you got your wish.

Jenna grabbed the back of your neck and pulled you in for a kiss. You were caught off guard, but that didn’t matter when all you could focus on was Jenna's lips on yours and the taste of her strawberry chapstick.

She wrapped her arms around you and pulled you in tight. Any tighter and she might as well have been suffocating you, not that you would've minded. You wrapped your arms back around her and buried your face into her neck, the smell of vanilla and oak overwhelming your senses.

You didn't really care what the future held as long as you had Jenna there beside you.

[flemingsgirl]

Long way

TW: Mention of an injury, self doubt

This is your story of rising in your team and the growing friendship on this journey.

Your story starts way back in October 2012 when you were called for camp for the under 17 championship qualification on home soil in Oosterwolde and Meppel, your first ever call up for the Dutch national team.

It was unbelievable to you and your family for you to take a further step and play for your nation. Playing at Twente you have seen some of the player on the pitch already knowing how strong and talented they are, in the back of your head the though manifests itself you’re not fitting in, not being worthy for the bagde to be worn by you.

After the arrival at the camp, the first hours of the day were used to gather the player in the prep room, and all the instructions for the training week were shared. Further, the rooming was hung up.

Jill Roord, Vivianne Miedema, Laura Strik and Y/F/N Y/L/N

All well-known names in the Vrouwen Eredivisie. As you read Jill’s name, you let out a shaky breath you didn’t know you were holding in. Miedema’s name often came up whether it was in the TV, the talks at home or in your team, she is one of the faces of the Dutch football believing she’ll have a massive impact for changes.

An arm sling around your shoulder, “no one’s ever going to separate us,” she winks at you.

“No never,” you shake your head in agreement bringing your arm around her middle.

Well, you and Jill played in Twente since you can think, going to the same school, spending free time outside with her brothers most time playing football, you two would always win against your opponent’s indifferent if they were three or four.

“I’m really glad you’re finally called up as well you made such progress.”

“Wow thank you Jilly. I’m so excited,” you two jump up and down as you waited for the elevator.

As you step into your room, the other two are already making themselves at home. The voices of Jill and you as you chatter about all and nothing, fill the else silence air. “Well look at you Vivianne,” Jill opens her arms for the older one to embrace her. “Looking fine in something other than your football kit,” the pair chuckled and entangled from one another. “Laura,” she steps over to the other girl, hugging her as well. “This is Y/N,” she points at you, and you wave back to them. “It’s her first call up, so let’s not frighten her too much.”

Vivianne is the first to make a move and you hold your hand out to her she ignores it and throws her arms around you, her scent somewhat flowery and sweetish lingers in your nose, calming your body. “Nice to meet you, I can imagine how nervous you must be.”

“Yeah well, words can’t even describe my state,” you drag a chuckle out, and Viv gives you a one-sided smile. “But I think I’ll get over it.”

“That’s for sure.”

The first days of training were hard. You didn’t quite fit into the group other than your three roommates, but it was on good tracks. It was game night for the whole team, and you were split into groups constructed that the rooms didn’t pair. The conversations came quite easy and felt light, much laughter were exchanged, and you felt involved, not the first time call up attained in the group.

On your way back to your room, Viv reaches your side as you stand in front of the elevator. “I was thinking maybe you wanna go on a walk,” she rubs her neck, her eyes avoiding you.

“I’m up to it.” The brunette smiled shyly and leads the way.

Strolling around the campus and partly in the near spinney, you get to know the striker. “With your name everywhere there’s a lot of pressure on you, right?”

“Yeah, you can say that. Mostly hope for the nation.”

“Oh yes, promising the change and leading to wins and all that,” you gesture with your hand.

“Right. Did we play against each other?”

“Last matchday,” you chuckle. “It was my debut for Twente in the senior. But only twenty minutes or so.”

“Sorry for crashing it,” she shoves your shoulder as she chuckles.

“Don’t worry I’ll get over it.”

“What’s your impression on camp after your first days?”

“Everyone’s so nice and calm and lovely. It had quite a bad start, but it’s all good now. I’m enjoying the time.”

“That’s good to hear, thankfully. We’re like a family.

“Seemingly yeah. But I don’t think I’ll get much time to play. No experiences and new.”

“I wouldn’t say that in my first year I had my starting eleven debut and got to play.”

You roll your eyes, “well, yeah, but not everyone is Ms Vivianne Miedema.”

She places her hand over her heart. “Ouch.” She says while brushing off a fake tear. “Jealous?” Viv’s head turns towards you, and she winks at you.

“Just ambitious to reach that as well,” a smirk creeps on your lips, nudging her side. “You don’t need to hold the whole nation on your shoulder. Taking some package from you.”

“Sweet of you, no one ever offered me.”

“I mean you’re young shouldn’t be doing it all by yourself.”

Vivianne raises her arm to lay it around your shoulder, stopping, you notice out of the corner of your eye and you rest your arm around her lower back, pulling her closer to you, she takes it as an invitation places her arm down.

“I was starstrucked when I knew you’d be here,” you broke the silence that fell between you.

“Why? I’m as much a girl as you.”

“Well, you’re still Viv Miedema.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem, your name precedes you.”

“In a bad way?” You lean closer into her side, bringing some pressure on her figure.

“No, never just blown away by it, making it difficult to get to know you, the real you. Being impressed by your talent and reputation.”

“I understand. But it’s getting better, right?”

“Yeah, it does,” a light laughter is exchanged between you. “Mostly cause you’re not on the field.”

“I can make it easy for you.”

You caught as breath is stuck in your trachea. “How do you imagine?”

“Doing something in private.”

“We’re already doing something...."

“Yes,” her head lowers, eyes glued on the ground, and a pout settles on her face what you couldn’t see. What you could sense was how her arm backed from you, no longer spending warmth to your slightly shivering body.

“You alright?”

She shrugs her shoulder; you stop, but she keeps walking, and you reach for her arm. “Viv,” you spin her around her eyes, avoiding you. “I think we can get a coffee the next day if that’s all right with you.” The corners of her mouth slowly turn up as she moves her eyes to lock them with yours, stars sparkling in them.

“I’d like that.”

“Me too.”

The days flew by and sooner rather than later your time at the Dutch camp is over. You got a few minutes in the game, which were celebrated by the team, but mostly with Jill and Viv. Both came running to you after the final whistle was blown, and they lifted you into the sky.

You make your way back home ready to continue the season, with many new formed friendships. Keep in touch with some girls, and every now and then calls you sometimes meet up with a smaller group, including Jill and Viv, as well.

Getting called for the next round of the qualifiers didn’t excite you that much knowing Viv wouldn’t be there due to an injury that happened in one of the latest games in the season. “Stop moping around. You got me rabbit,” Jill shoves you in your seat next to her.

“Whatever,” you roll your eyes playfully, and the girl just huffs. “What would I do without you, Jill Jamie Roord,” a sarcastic tone lingering in your voice.

“I hate you too,” she turns away from you and starts a conversation with some other players.

To say Jill was right, oh absolutely, how you were moped and devastated that the familiar warmth and her loving smile couldn’t support in the games you were playing in the line-up. Nevertheless, the losses you went through and the fact you couldn’t qualify.

Arriving back at home, you were met with your family, and as soon as their embrace spent you warmth and support you, let all the tears flow. You were repressing the whole journey. The ringing of the doorbell interrupts the trembling of your body. “Hello Mr. Y/L/N,” her voice singing in your ears, bringing you back to earth. Turning your tired body around your reddish eyes wander over to the girl in the doorframe. You dry some of the tears, giving her a half-sided smile.

“What are you doing here?”

Your parents took the cue and left you alone. “Well nice to see you too,” she steps closer, her arms tracing around your figure, pulling you into her, your head resting in the crock of her neck. “It’s alright,” her finger cradled your head. “We can’t always win.” A quick peck was placed on the crown of your head. “I’m proud of you, so much, starting eleven, how excited. The new face of the Dutch.”

A caught escapes your lips closely followed by a giggle, “oh shut up.”

“Your first goal as well. You don’t love it?”

“Well of course, yes, but it hasn’t helped us. Out of the tournament.” You buried further into her, “and couldn’t celebrate with my favorite person,” you whisper against her skin, the warmth of your breath causing goosebumps to form on her body.

“Can you repeat yourself?” she breaks your closeness, her blue eyes darting at you.

“You weren’t supposed to hear it anyway.”

“I heard something with favourite person.”

“That’s all you need to know.”

Qualifying for the under 19 European championship the next year, you started every game behind Vivianne and beside Jill, the perfect trio, creating chances, great crosses, and even better goals. Carrying your team into the finale. You met Katie McCabe the first time in the qualifier as she tackled you, mostly successfully separating you from the ball, but mostly. This one time, her studs meeting your ankle, you wrap your hand around it as you fell to the floor, face scrunched in the pain, and wince escapes your lips you were subbed off.

Your next encounter followed three months later in the semi-final. You hold no grunge against the Irish player. She’s a talented young woman, and she knows it. Knocking them out was your revenge.

And when the final whistle blows in the last game, you sank to your knees, your face buried in your hands as you let them meet the ground as well. Crying and chuckling that’s the state you were in when Viv throws herself on top of you, the two of you crashing onto the ground. “I can’t believe it!” her scream fills your ear. “You were so unbelievable.”

You turn under her body now facing her, tears running down her cheeks as well. “You scored the game winning goal,” you shout back.

“With your assistant!”

“Crafty Ms Miedema,” Jill lays her body on top of you two. “We made it!”

[leyava]

Sweeter Than Sugar .

Modern!Mizu x Fem!Reader

a little fic of you and mizu giving each other the love and affection you’re both deserving of. <3

( mizu is reader’s fiancé in this fic, forgive me this is my first ever published writing lol )

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

You were baking, out of boredom. You’d been waiting for your fiancé to come from downstairs to see your progress in your pastry chef skills. Mizu went upstairs to take a shower and wash the dirt off of her, she had been working at her and her dad’s motorcycle shop all day. As soon as she stepped into the house she smelt of oil and a long day’s worth of sweat from fixing people’s bikes. It didn’t matter to you though, you still gave her a peck on the lips before she made her way to the shower.

“Smells good down here.” Mizu made her way into the kitchen with a white towel draped over her shoulder, her damp hair pulled into a bun. She wore a sports bra, and grey sweats. “I hope so. Might cover up the smell you tracked in.” You remark, joking with her as you poke a toothpick into the soft and fluffy cake you’d just pulled out of the oven.

Your remark amused her, she chuckled as she made her way behind you after setting her towel down on a chair, wrapping her slender, yet muscular arms around your frame, resting her head on the top of yours. “I hope it’s not too bad now.” She exhaled.

You removed the tooth pick from the middle of the baked good, setting it on a nearby paper towel. Mizu hummed contently as she started to sway your hips, you closed your eyes.

“It’s not.” Your response was delayed.

“Hm?” She opened her eyes, shifting her head slightly.

“Oh, I was replying to you, it’s not bad now at all.” You replied. She moved her head back to it’e original position, cheek resting on the top of your head. “Ah. Your response was a tad late, dove.” She reminded you. You rolled your eyes playfully, smiling at the reminder. “Yeah, yeah. You distracted me from responding, though.” You moved your head to look up at her, she picked hers up to look down at you. “I can’t help it.” She kissed you, it wasn’t long but it wasn’t short either. It was enough to make your heart flutter.

But let’s be honest, everything Mizu does makes your heart flutter.

Mizu pulled away from the kiss, blue eyes staring down at yours. “Did you eat the batter?” She raised an eyebrow. “Only what was left in the bowl. Why?”

“I could taste it.” She ran her hand up to your face, thumb brushing against your bottom lip before turning your full body around, pressing her lips softly against yours yet again. You pulled away, your hands around her neck, hers now resting on your waist. “You’re really desperate for sweets, huh?” You questioned her, swaying your hips as you admired her perfect face.

Her sharp jawline, her perfect lips, and strangely, how her eyebrows moved with every expression she made. “You, dove. I’m desperate for you. Your lips have always tasted sweet. Sweeter than sugar, at that.” Mizu pulled your body closer to hers, swaying along with you as the shine of the sunset peeked through your curtains into the kitchen.

“Do you think I could help you decorate the cake?” She tilted her head. You grinned brightly. “Absolutely.” You responded, attempting to get out of her grasp to get the frosting and different cake decorations set up for the both of you, when her grasp on your waist tightened and pulled you in again, smashing her lips against yours, yet again. The act of affection lasted for a little while longer than the last before you pulled away, your lips instantly missing the warmth of hers, Mizu feeling the exact same. “I’d love to continue this lovely, but we’ve got a cake to decorate.” She chuckled and nodded at you. “Sorry.” She apologized, lips curling into a perfect smile, that smile you love seeing so much.

“I love you, Mizu.” You placed your hand on her cheek, which blushed at your words and your touch. She paused, leaning into your hand. “I love you too, Y/N.”

“Okay, seriously, we should start decorating before I forget.” You pull away from her. Mizu groans and rolls her eyes. “I suppose.”

The two of you spent the rest of the night laughing and giggling at each other, Mizu had swiped a bit of frosting on your face to be playful. Of course you did the same back, and it turned into a full blown frosting war with the remaining icing.

After you two had cleaned up your mess, taken a shower, (Mizu’s second one today,) the two of you lay comfortably in each other’s arms, wrapped in a cozy, large and warm blanket. You both would talk about how much fun you had, she’d graze her fingers on your back, leading you to fall asleep. As you start to flutter your eyes closed, she presses her lips against your temple.

“I love you, dove. More than you could ever know.” Then, the both of you drift off to sleep for the night, content with the safety and warmth of being in one another’s arms.

————————

A/N: this was ass and rushed im so sorry. i rlly do hope u enjoyed 😭🤍

[unabashedcandymaker]

Uncertain 02

Summary: Pregnancy progresses, and while your relationship stays strong in the beginning, the dynamics start as the pregnancy progresses.

Warnings: self-doubt, depression, anxiety, general not great feelings

Words: 5.6 k

Natasha x Reader x Bucky

Uncertain 01 / Uncertain Masterlist

Less than a week later, you’re in the med bay, flanked by both Natasha and Bucky, lying on your back, knees spread, waiting for the doctor to finish with the ultrasound. 

Seeing as how you were the first person to be carrying the progeny of a super soldier, the very best OBGYN in the world had been brought in just for you. A whole new wing has been added to the med bay now too. The idea had been to keep everything ‘in house’ until they had an idea of what to expect with this pregnancy.

Not that it mattered to you one way or the other. Natasha was grateful for the preparations and that there would always be someone close by if anything happens. Bucky, on the other hand, grumbled about letting the government have their hand in your very personal, very private ordeal. But, he didn’t really mind as long as you were ok with it.

You were an anxious mess regardless, trying your best to focus on the grainy image on the big screen tv that was attached to the ultrasound machine. Nat squeezes your hand, and you look up to her to see her giving you a reassuring smile. She was excited. You and Bucky were more reserved, but it did nothing to dampen her spirits. Her brilliant green eyes were shining as they moved between your face and the screen.

It was easy for you to get caught up in the moment with her. You didn’t have to force the smile on your face when you looked back too. You reach your other hand over your head in the general direction where Bucky was brooding, and was greeted with his warm hand engulfing yours, fingers interlocking, his thumb stroking your wrist.

“And here’s your baby. Let me take some measurements and we can get a more approximate idea of how far along you are,” the doctor says as she points to the peanut-shaped blob right in the middle of the screen. “Looks like you’re a little further along than we expected. I’m getting about 9 weeks. Which means that maybe, let me just see here, maybe we can…oh yeah, here we go…”

And breath is sucked out of your body when a rushed whooshing noise fills the room. You know what it is even before the doctor tells you.

“...there’s the baby’s heartbeat.”

Natasha is squeezing your hand harder, holding it to her chest, and you can feel Bucky shift behind you, releasing your hand so he can lean down to kiss your forehead. His fingers stroke your hair, never breaking contact as he looks up at the screen again.

The doctor is printing out a long line of pictures, makes a couple notes in your chart, and then is cleaning you up.

“Everything looks great. Mama and baby both look healthy and everything appears to be as expected at this stage. I don’t see anything abnormal or that would be a cause for concern. Your hormone levels look normal. I know it’s too early to say, but I don’t see anything here or in the bloodwork that would indicate this would be unlike any other normal and healthy pregnancy.

“But with that being said, I’d like to see you again in two weeks. I'd also like to repeat the bloodwork then too. Just to be on the safe side. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns. This is my personal cell phone and home number,” she says as she hands you a card that Bucky promptly takes and puts in his back pocket with a nod. “I’m on call 24/7. You are my only patient until we deliver this baby. So believe me when I tell you I am being very sincere. Please. Call me with anything. It has been a pleasure to meet all of you. I’ll give you the room and you can let yourselves out whenever you’re ready.”

And for the next few months, everything has been great. Natasha has been over the moon. Even her normally stoic demeanor when working with the team has been a little softer, a little less scary. 

Sam and Steve have been the only ones brave enough to tease her, and she only replies with a smile in kind. ‘How could I not be so happy. Look how perfect my life is.’

But when she’s in the privacy of your home, she’s a wildfire. She consumes you, every bit of you, every chance she gets. Always touching you, always seeking you out, craving your closeness.

She’s also obsessed with making sure you are eating enough and eating well, but also indulging every single craving. Bucky has fussed at her more than once for it, but it hasn’t stopped her yet. You want ice cream at 3 am, you best damn well believe that she’s already on her way to get you your ice cream. She helps you remember your vitamins and to drink plenty of water, quick to chime in with the, ‘no, my love, that has too much caffeine. Maybe I could make you this tea instead.’

She dotes on you constantly. Everyday that she’s home, she’s making your breakfast, bringing you lunch to your desk at work, sneaking in extra snacks in case you get hungry later. That part wasn’t unusual to happen before the pregnancy, but now she’s made it part of her daily routine. She’s made it her mission to spend as much time as physically possible by your side.

And you won't deny, you absolutely love it. 

And Bucky. Your poor, sweet, hopelessly overwhelmed Bucky. He hasn’t figured out what to do with himself. Right after the first doctor’s appointment, he bought a dozen different pregnancy and baby books, and threw himself full force into reading them all as quickly as possible. Every morning he greets you with a sweet kiss and a new fact he’s learned concerning the development of your baby. 

“Did you know the baby can open and close her hands?”

“The baby can sense light and soon, it’ll even be able to taste...how wild is that?!?”

He spends a majority of his time brooding just like before, but the further you progress with this pregnancy, the more relaxed and comfortable he becomes, and dare you say, he may even be getting excited. Which is refreshing as you are officially starting to experience symptoms of your pregnancy other than morning sickness. 

But when you’re in public, his attitude is wildly unpredictable. Sometimes, he’s constantly following you around, hovering over your shoulder, throwing threatening glares at anyone who might try to come too close. Other times he’s so soft and gentle, like you’re made of glass and may break if you overexert yourself. He’s always got you in his line of sight whenever physically possible. If he’s in the building, you may not be able to see him, but you better not doubt that he can see you. 

You love the predatory behavior just a little less, but you appreciate it all the same. It’s his way of showing you he cares.

In the bedroom is where you’ve noticed the biggest change. 

Bucky barely touches you. It’s almost like he’s afraid to. He’s too soft, too hesitant. And it doesn’t matter what the pregnancy books say, or how many times you try to assure him that everything is fine, that he shouldn’t handle you any differently, he only ever gives you a small smile, kisses you on the forehead. Sometimes he will pull you into a hug, and although he never says anything, you can tell he is silently dismissing the conversation. You never want to push him or make him uncomfortable, so you always let it go, chalking it up as an unpleasant side effect.

The biggest change in the relationship comes after you first start showing. It happens around the 5 month mark, just a couple days before your next ultrasound appointment. 

It’s Sunday morning and you’re all three lounging on the couch, your head in Bucky’s lap, your body lying on the length of the couch, while Natasha is laid between your legs, her cheek resting on your belly, her hand rubbing lazily along the slight swell. Everyone’s quiet and you’re even on the verge of a nap when suddenly, Nat is jumping from her spot up to her knees, hands held up in front of her, a wild look on her face. She’s starting at your belly for a long couple seconds before her eyes dart up to yours. 

“What...I...did she just...I think I felt her move…” Natasha whispers as she stares down at your belly again. 

You giggle and relax back into Bucky’s lap, reaching both your hands out for hers. She’s slow to comply, but eventually does. You take her wrists and push her hands under your shirt, her palms flat on your stomach. Your hands cover hers and you’re moving them around, trying to find the spot where you feel the baby kick the most. 

You settle and hold her hands still, just watching her face as she’s staring at your intertwined hands. Then, her eyes light up again when she feels the baby move again. 

“You feel that?” She asks in wonder. 

“All the time,” you smile, relishing in her excitement as she lowers her body back into the couch, her hands still planted firmly on the spot you put them. Her face is inches from your belly and she’s whispering something you can’t hear, but she’s delighted when she can feel the baby bump against her hands again. 

“You wanna feel?” You ask, looking up to Bucky who looks like he’s frowning from this angle. 

“Maybe later. Don’t wanna impose on her moment,” he says with the smallest smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, as he jerks his head to Natasha who is clearly having the time of her life as the baby keeps pushing up against her hand over and over again. 

Something about his reaction feels off and it’s almost unnerving, but you push it to the back of your mind as Nat starts with rapid fire questions.

‘What does it feel like?’

Like I have gas. 

‘How long have you been able to feel it?”

I don’t know, a couple weeks maybe?

‘Why didn’t you say something sooner?’

Lord, Tash, I don’t know, cause of this?

‘When is she most active?’

When I’m trying to sleep mostly. 

There’s a dozen more questions, and you answer each with what’s left of your patience as you try to close your eyes. All the while, Bucky sits above you, still as a statue, his blank expression giving nothing away as you relax into his lap again. 

At your 20 week appointment, during the anatomy scan, all three of you are surprised to find out that the baby is a boy!

All this time, you and Natasha were so sure it was a girl. It felt like a girl. The image in your head was a girl. But you’re not disappointed in the least, as the image starts shifting to a little mini version of Bucky, with deep, blue eyes and shaggy dark hair.

The image on the screen in front of you is a strong, healthy, active, and quite large baby boy. Absolutely perfect and healthy in every single way. 

“You’re measuring a few weeks ahead of gestation age, but that’s nothing to worry about just yet. Maybe start taking it a little easier at work. Might be a good time to start to lighten the load at work. Maybe also not physically exerting yourself too much. As I’ve said, nothing to worry about, you’ll be able to feel it when it’s uncomfortable. Just don’t push it,” the doctor assured. 

So with a clean bill of health, you leave the office. Bucky beaming like the proud papa he is, staring down at the new ultrasound image, but isn’t offering you much else besides a bashful smile and a sweet kiss to your temple. 

Natasha wants to celebrate. She’s insisting on throwing a party, and wants to invite everyone in the compound so she can express her excitement with everyone that means anything to her. 

You’re not sure how you manage, but you and Bucky talk her into a quiet dinner at home instead. She’s not especially thrilled about it, but she relents when you promise she can be in charge of decorating the nursery anyway she likes; total artistic freedom. 

And everything still continues to be fine. 

Your belly has started to become more noticeable every passing day. You’ve long since stopped being able to fit into your regular clothes, finally surrendering yourself to pick up a few new outfits from the maternity store. Natasha is unbelievably excited to help, throwing shirts and pants and dresses and skirts over the door of the changing room. 

It’s not long after that she sneaks into your dressing room and makes you come twice as she presses you against the wall.

And she continues to be as affectionate as she’s always been, if not even more so. 

But Bucky has just about pulled away from you completely…at least he has physically. It happened so slowly that you weren’t really sure it was happening at all until he stopped joining you and Nat in your bedtime activities almost every night. There’s always an excuse why he can’t come to bed just yet with you, opting to wait until you’re already fast asleep before crawling under the blankets and pressing himself into your back.

You know he still loves you, he shows you that everyday. He still kisses you good morning and goodnight. He occasionally drops by to intimidate all of your coworkers. He still laughs at all your stupid jokes and does all those little things he’s always done to show you he still cares. 

But he won’t touch you anymore, not like he used to. He’s careful not to touch your belly and it’s been too long since you’ve been intimate with him.

And every single day, you try to tell yourself that it’s not you, that everything’s fine, everything’s normal. This is all in your head. 

But also with every day that passes, it’s getting harder. 

All those insecurities you’d felt before you’d met Nat and Bucky, and even at the beginning of your relationship, and all your self-doubt starts to creep back in, whispering to you every single reason Bucky doesn’t want you anymore.

Every time he pulls away before you can deepen a kiss, the voices start to get a little bit louder. Every time you see his hands lingering on Natasha’s waist instead of yours, you sink a little further down. And on the several occasions you’ve walked in unexpectedly to see his dick sink deep, deep inside of her instead of you, you’re already so far gone that you can’t see the light anymore. 

Why won’t he touch you like that anymore?

Why doesn’t he hold you the way he holds her?

Does he not find you attractive anymore? 

How could he, have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?

Everyday it becomes more harrowing a task to push the repulsive thoughts away. 

Now, you agree with them. How could you not? They’re true. You have gained a lot of weight. 

Sure, the doctor says you're well within the healthy range, and it’s what is supposed to happen! This is healthy for the baby, right?

But you are unable to ignore them when you’re standing in front of the mirror, in the privacy of the guest bathroom, all by yourself. 

Suddenly, the light seems harsh and you can’t help but see everything that’s changed in the last few months. 

You aren’t sure how you let it get this far, but you’ve become so self-loathing that you can only see every extra pound you’ve gained and every horrifying, ugly stretch mark.

Your hips have widened. Your butt is bigger. Your boobs have started to swell and droop just slightly. Is one boob bigger than the other now?!? Even your face seems to be a bit chubbier. At 6 and a half months, these things were to be expected, sure, but you can’t stand it. 

Now that you see all the ways your body has changed, seeing what you believe he is seeing, you completely understand why Bucky doesn’t want to be intimate with you anymore.

So, it starts to feel almost natural that you should start shying away when Natasha tries to initiate intimacy. At first, she’s worried because you’ve never denied her before, you’ve never wanted to before, but she eventually brushes it off as a side effect of this later stage of your pregnancy. 

Your wardrobe starts changing along with your mood. All the cute maternity clothes you’d bought with Natasha six weeks ago have all been exchanged for overly large, shapeless sweaters and tee shirts; anything you can find that hides your baby belly. 

The time you used to spend cuddling on the couch, you now opt for the plush armchair across the room. Bucky furrows his brow, but doesn’t say anything. Natasha will try to persuade you to join them, making plenty of room for you to snuggle in between them, but that usually ends with you excusing yourself to the bedroom for the rest of the night. 

Then, you started changing in the bathroom where neither could see you. You started locking the door whenever you would shower, not wanting to risk them accidentally walking in and seeing you. 

They’ll be repulsed. 

And it’s not long after that that you start sleeping on the couch. Or in the guest bedroom that Natasha was slowly transitioning into the nursery. 

Both protest the first time it happened, but when you claim you’re too uncomfortable and need a little extra space, they let you do whatever you say you need to do. They both give you very disapproving glares when you snatch up your pillow and make your way out of your bedroom, but they never try to stop you.

Natasha is trying to spend all her free time with you, but you were soon finding excuses as to why you can’t anymore. You’d start staying later at your desk, claiming you had too much to do to prepare for your maternity leave, even though that would still be almost two months away.

But no matter how many times you tried to convince them otherwise, they both still insisted on going to all your doctor appointments with you. They were both still so incredibly into this baby. 

The appointments were becoming more frequent since you entered your third trimester. Instead of twice a month, you are being seen every week. And used to, the three of you would walk to the appointments together, but now, you worked right up until the last minute, meeting them in the doctor's office not a minute sooner than you had to. 

They both stand when you enter the room, each pressing a quick kiss to the top of your head, or your cheek, but you’d shrug away as you’d take your place on the exam table. Natasha, as always, looked like a kid on Christmas whenever she would hear the baby’s heartbeat. Bucky is always right there, his hand on your shoulder, smiling like a proud papa.

For these brief moments, your life would feel normal again, that everything was as it should be, especially when they’d look at you the way they are right now. But, as soon as the doctor walks out, the spell is broken. 

You’re coming up on the 34th week of your pregnancy, and you absolutely can not take any of this anymore. Your hormones are wreaking havoc on your mentality. Everything makes you cry; songs on the radio, tv shows, the fucking commercials about the dogs…EVERYTHING. 

And that’s not counting the physical changes. Your body has stretched to unbelievable proportions, and you feel like you’re looking into a funhouse mirror every time you accidentally catch a glimpse of your own reflection. Everything hurts no matter your position. You’re never comfortable. The baby has gotten so big now and he thinks your bladder is his own personal trampoline, causing you to run to the bathroom every 30 minutes.

And above all else, the icing on the cake to make everything so much worse, you miss Bucky and Natasha.

You HATE yourself for how much you miss them. 

You miss the way Bucky’s eyes would crinkle when he smiles at you first thing in the morning. You miss the way Natasha’s hands always felt so soft as she would cup your face when she’d kiss you. You missed their heat as you snuggled between the two of them every night. You missed the way the three of you used to fit so perfectly together. 

You used to think that it was going to be the three of you, forever. You used to think that there would be nothing that could have separated you from each other. 

Oh, how wrong you were. Turns out that this tiny baby, weighing no more than 6 pounds at this very moment, was just big enough to set your world on fire, destroying everything you ever loved.

A tiny nudge from the inside pulled you back. And crushing guilt was added to your already depressing episode. Of course the baby was not to blame for your crumbling relationship. You had nobody to blame for that but yourself. Because you weren’t enough anymore. You were never going to be enough ever again.

Unsure of how you managed to get here, you find yourself curled up as much as your belly will allow you to in the middle of the bed, clutching Natasha’s pillow to your chest as half your face is buried in Bucky’s. You don’t hear the front door open, so you don’t bother trying to hide the fact that you are full on sobbing as you were supposed to be home alone for the rest of the day; Natasha and Bucky both supposed to be at some training exercise off site.

And you can see them almost as perfectly as if they are standing in front of you now. Natasha, clad in compression capris and a sports bra, so firm and voluptuous, no doubt commanding everyone’s attention with her graceful movements and perfect form. 

And then Bucky, so tall and broad and handsome as he broods, but executing each drill with commanding force and precision. What a beautiful pair the two of them make. 

Maybe Nat is sending Buck a flirtatious wink from across the training area. Maybe he’s giving her that playful smirk. Maybe there’s some teasing touches, some witty banter. Maybe their hands linger on the other for a second or two longer than is necessarily polite. 

And you sob harder. 

Of course this was why Bucky wouldn’t want to touch you anymore. That’s what started all of this in the first place. Your body was changing and he didn’t find you attractive anymore. And who the hell would be compared to what a knock-out Natasha is at any given moment. 

And you know from experience exactly how beautiful she is. When you have someone like her, someone with such ethereal beauty that transcends all of space and time, how could anyone ever look at someone like you the same way? You only wonder how Bucky had ever found you attractive in the first place. 

God, they are going to be so much happier once they cut you loose and get you out of their way.

You imagine their life may go back to the way it was when they were together before, all those years ago, before you came along.

It takes a moment to register that someone’s in bed with you, curling themselves around your body under the cocoon you’ve made with the duvet. Your instinct is to pull away, but strong, slender arms only hold you tighter as you’re pulled closer.

“Please,” Natasha’s voice is in your ear, broken and small. “Please, don’t push me away anymore. It’s killing me.”

You can feel a shuddering breath as she inhales and it’s more painful than you'd ever imagined, to know that she’s hurting too. That you’ve been the one hurting her. 

“Talk to me, милая девушка (sweet girl). I can’t…'' Her voice definitely breaks this time and you can feel her sobs more than hear it. “I can’t be without you any longer. Tell me what I’ve done to hurt you.”

Oh no. Does she think she’s done something wrong? How do you begin to tell her how perfect she is? How could she ever think she had hurt you?

It’s you. You’re the problem. She has to know that. 

You have to tell her the truth. It’s the only way she will finally understand what you already know. 

You tell her everything, even though it hurts, but it would continue to hurt so much more if you didn’t.

She holds you close as the words mixed with broken sobs pour from your mouth. Every insecurity that has grown into a festering wound inside of you; every dark and sinister thought that whispers its vicious poison when you’re alone, filling your mind with darkness and pain; every self-deprecating realization that your only loves deserve far better than you. 

You lay it all bare and then you wait. You wait for her to tell you it’s all true and while they might still love you, you’ll never fit into their perfect little family anymore. 

When she lets you go, you know this is the beginning of the end. You know she’s pulling away. She’s going to walk away from you, this time forever…

But no, while she does release you, it’s only to crawl over your body so she can lay face-to-face with you. Her green eyes are red-rimmed as her own tears fall freely.

“I need you to understand something. I am always going to love you. I am always going to want you, whether you weigh 100 pounds or 300 pounds or even 500 pounds. It doesn’t matter to me if you wake up tomorrow morning, having developed elephantitis and are permanently deformed for the rest of your life. 

“It doesn’t matter to me what you look like, because that’s not the part of you that I fell in love with. I fell in love with who you are on the inside, and on the inside, you are always going to be the most beautiful person I’ll ever know.

“You, my sweet, sweet girl, have always been, and always will be my greatest love,” she whispers as she cups your jaw and swipes at the steady stream of tears running down your cheek. Her hands are soft and her movements are so gentle and you’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be touched by her. 

“B-but Bucky…” you argue, but she cuts you off with a finger pressed to your lips. 

“I love him too, always, with everything in me, but it doesn’t make anything I’ve just said any less true. I’ll never have anyone else like you. There’s nobody that makes me feel the way my sweet girl does.”

She pulls you in close, carefully positioning herself against you so she’s cradling your large belly in her lap, your head under her chin. You still cry as her hand rests gently on your belly, rubbing soothingly across the taut, stretched skin. 

“I thought it was me,” she admits after you’ve finally started to calm down. “I thought...I thought you were going to leave. When you started pulling away from me, I thought I was going to lose you because I wasn’t enough anymore. 

“And then, if you left, it would only have been a matter of time before Bucky would leave, too. He’d follow you anywhere. You’re the mother of his child, how could he not? And what am I compared to you? What can I give him? There’s no future with me if you’re not here.”

It was your turn to hold her as she cried. It took some serious wiggling, but you managed to pull her into your chest, cradling her, comforting her. Her tears came hard and fast, staining the front of your shirt. 

“You’re my forever, Tasha. I wouldn’t...I couldn’t live without you. And I’m so sorry that I did this to us. I...I...I don’t know how to fix it,” you whispered into her hair, stroking the sweat dampened locks with one hand as the other held her close. 

“There’s nothing to fix, sweet girl,” she said with a sniffle, pulling back to look up at you. “I’m yours, мое сердце (my heart). I’ve always been yours.”

“But what about Bucky?” You whisper, willing yourself not to cry again as you think about the other half of your heartache. 

“It’s not what you think. I don’t know what’s up, but I know him and it can’t be what you’re thinking. He adores you. I know you can’t see it, but he still looks at you like you hung the moon. You’ll need to sit down with him and talk about it. We have spent too long tiptoeing around each other and look what it’s done to us,” she says as she scoots up so you're lying nose to nose. 

“And come back to bed. Please. I can’t stand to spend another night away from you. I don’t know if I can suffer through broody Bucky on my own anymore.”

“He can’t have been that bad,” you say with a small chuckle, curling a strand of red hair behind her ear. 

“You have no idea how insufferable he’s been without you,” she assures with a warm smile. 

“Speaking of, where is he? No...wait...what are you doing here? Both of you are supposed to be at…”

“At the thing, yeah, no, I couldn’t stand to be there a second longer knowing that you were here all alone.”

“Won’t Steve be upset you left?”

“Nah. But hey, even if he was, what is he gonna do? Kick me off the team?” She says with a scoff and a wink. “Besides, it was mostly for the incoming agents. We were there just as a morale booster.”

“But Bucky stayed?” You ask in a whisper. 

“I-“

“No, he didn’t,” comes a deep voice from the doorway. Your head whips around, your body following sluggishly after, to see Bucky standing in the doorway, arms crossed, and brow furrowed. 

“How long have you been here?” You asked as you struggled to push yourself up off the bed, to move anywhere else, feeling incredibly vulnerable and exposed in this position. 

But Nat’s arms hold you in place, keeping you on your side, as Bucky walked over, kicked off his shoes, and laid down next to you. 

“Long enough. Nat beat me here by a few minutes. I would have been here sooner if she would have waited for me to get in the car…” He’s smiling playfully, but his eyes are shining, wide, unblinking, and a little pained. “I waited in the hall, figured I’d give you two a few minutes…”

The silence stretches as you stare at him. There’s so many things you want to say, but you can’t seem to make yourself speak. You need to tell him how you feel. You need to tell him…

“I’m sorry,” he says, cutting you off before you can even get your mouth to open. “I’m sorry I made you feel like this. I’ve done this to you; I’ve done this to all of us, and I’m so, so sorry. But it’s not what you think. Not that there’s an excuse, but I never imagined it would have led to this; that you’d think I wasn’t attracted to you anymore…that I didn’t want you.”

You’re blinking away tears when they start springing back up. His hand reaches out slowly, pausing just inches from your face, giving you the opportunity to pull away. And when you don’t, his hand falls to your hair, pushing the tangled mess back away from your face. The touch is so tender that you can’t fight the tears from falling anymore. 

You’ve closed yourself off from them for so long that you’d forgotten how wonderful it felt to be loved by them. 

“It was me,” he whispers, closing his eyes. “I’m not...I won’t be...I’d die if I ever hurt you, or him. It’s all I can see every time I close my eyes. It haunts my dreams. And, ok, I’ll admit, I did pull back some, but you just seemed much more delicate than before. There’s a brand new little person growing inside you. And if I hurt you…or him..I couldn’t…”

His voice breaks and he’s blinking away his own tears. You know how he feels. It’s the same self-loathing you’ve been dealing with for the past few months. 

What a mess this has turned into. All three of you have been suffering through the same exact thing, feeling inept compared to each other, and instead of anyone talking about how they feel, you’ve been keeping it bottled up until it’s reached this breaking point. 

“What a trio we make, huh?” You whisper, reaching out and placing a hand on Bucky’s bicep. You’re giving him a watery smile which he returns as Natasha is hugging you from behind. 

“Maybe this would be a good time to suggest we go back to therapy…together…” Natasha piped up as she shifted upwards again, curling around you so she, too, could reach Bucky. 

“S’ not a bad idea,” you agree. “It helped before. Could be good to go in for another refresher before the baby gets here.”

Bucky sighs and nods. 

“I’ve missed you,” you breathe as you feel the both of them snuggle into you. “I’ve missed you both so much.”

And for the first time in months, with both of your loves snuggled in close, you feel whole and loved and complete. 

Chapter 03-Final Chapter

[scarisd3ad]

To the end and back | Daryl Dixon x reader

Chapter twenty six | I love you, I’m sorry

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Warnings - ANGST! Guns, and shooting, Death, mentions of sex, cursing, usual twd warnings

Summary - after the world ended you were sure you’d never find love again but a certain archer catches your eyes and changes the entire trajectory of your life.

(A/N) - it’s finally here! Yay I’ve been working on this chapter since may and I’m so happy I’ve finally finished it. I know progress with my fics have been moving a little slower that they usually do but I’m hoping fingers crossed 🤞that I am able to speed the process up a little in the coming months 🫶🏻 also finally introducing the governor as the readers father in this chapter, I kind of hinted at it last chapter, to play around with the idea of it being canon. And I really like the ideas and situations I’ve came up in my head to put them in.

‘The suicide king’

S3 ep 9

Daryl is unbagged and pushed forward towards the middle of the arena. Merle and Daryl stand frozen, their eyes scanning the crowd in utter disbelief. The deafening sound of boos and heckles echoes throughout the arena, drowning out any other noise. Daryl's chest is heaving, faster and faster with each shout made from the audience of people. A blonde woman is attempting to force her way through a group of people, most likely the Governor's personal bodyguards, to get closer to him.

She manages to get through the first set before a surprise second set grabs her up before she can even get to his side. The governor - or maybe I should just start calling him Philip - because I finally know who the man behind the oh-so-mysterious name 'the governor' is. It's funny, I've been looking for this man for the last, what? 20 years of my life and I'm able to find him not even a year into the apocalypse so easily. How could he avoid his kids for 20 years in the old world, but he couldn't even last a year without me finding him now?

I really want to know how my father, Philip Blake, ended up being some dictator for a survivor's refugee camp. I almost want to laugh at how 'badass' he looks right now. makeshift eyepatch over one eye, as he looked over all his people so proud to be an asshole. My father was never much of a threat, but god he tried to be, though he really tried. I didn't hear much about my dad growing up, my maternal grandpa always muttered about how he was "such an asshole of a man", but the one thing I did hear from my paternal grandmother was that he ended up skipping town got some stupid office job and started a new family. it was all some bullshit about needing to start over, without my 'slut of a mother'.

His arm raises, so it's pointing towards Merle. The people of Woodbury immediately quiet down as their leader begins to speak. "I asked where your loyalties lie. You said here." Daryl was finally let out of whatever shackles that were placed around his arms, letting them fall to his sides freely. "Well, prove it. Prove it to us all." My blood runs cold.

"Brother against brother," he says with a dry chuckle. The crowd copies their leader, letting out a small chuckle that's paired with a quiet "yeah."

"Winner goes free" the crowd cheers at that, probably hoping and praying that Merle is able to win. Even though Merle was now deemed possibly 'unloyal' in the governor's eyes, it was still the better option for them. If Daryl died, Merle would have absolutely no reason to want to help us. Merle would go back to being Philip's loyal righthand man, and we, the 'terrorists' would be dead. Glenn had already told them our location and they would be marching up to our door with pitchforks in no time. Philip walks towards Merle shouting "Fight to the death!" as he does so. The crowd cheers once again. This was a scene taken straight out of one of those shitty medieval times shows.

The blonde woman finally turns, revealing her whole face to me. Andrea, the woman I thought I had accidentally left for dead, was here? Of all places, how did she end up here? Well, she had already shown us she didn't care about being led by an asshole, and if she was as close with Philip as she seems, she should already know how much of an asshole he was. "Philip, please. Don't do this," Andrea pleads, as one of Philips's men holds her back. "Don't do this!" He doesn't even glance at her, choosing instead to keep his eye on his prey. He glares at the two men standing in front of him, a smirk on his face that shows he truly enjoys this. The torture. He doesn't even have to do it himself, he just has to sit back and watch.

Merle raises his hand in the air before shouting "Y'all know me!" the crowd cheers, and I can see the absolute look of betrayal on Daryl's face. "I'm gonna do whatever I got to do to prove..." He hesitates for a moment before swinging his arm back and delivering a forceful punch to Daryl's stomach. With a loud grunt, Daryl collapses to the ground, and the crowd erupts in excitement. I stand frozen, unable to believe what I'm witnessing. how could he do that? Do that to his brother? "Holy shit," Jack gasps as Daryl begins to push himself up off of the ground. "That's my loyalty to this town!" just as Daryl has gotten his head off of the ground, Merle kicks him, sending him right back onto the ground.

Daryl lies motionless on his back, his chest heaving up and down with a faint rhythm. My eyes are fixed on him, hesitant to glance away, as if by doing so I might miss the final moments of his life. Merle continues throwing blow after blow as Philip watches on the sidelines with a sick look on his face. The crowd cheers as they lead out a walker. It's practically on a leash as some man, probably another one of Philips's men, leads him toward Daryl and Merle.

Finally, Daryl throws a punch. It's towards Merle's ankles but it gets him somewhere. It gets Daryl back onto his feet. Daryl launches himself toward Merle, tackling him, or at least trying to, but Merle has a leg up in this competition. merle gets Daryl down to the ground first. Both men have their hands around each other's necks as three of Philips's men lead three walkers towards them.

I don't even know what to do to help Daryl out. I could cause some type of distraction. If something more dangerous happens, it could give Daryl the freedom to escape. My eyes fall to my bag. I open it up and grab my gun right as Daryl and Merle get back to their feet. The two are working together to defeat the walkers.

My ammunition is running dangerously low, but my determination to save Daryl is unwavering. I'm willing to take the risk and use my last bullet to help him escape. My breaths come in quick and shallow as I raise my gun, my hands trembling with apprehension. I take aim at a man standing near Philip. I let out one more shaky breath before pressing the trigger and letting the bullet fly out of the gun and toward the man. Luckily for me, my aim was amazing today. The bullet tears right through his skull. Everyone around him screams as he falls to the ground with a thud.

Suddenly, someone behind Jack and I start shooting rounds into the arena, which makes even more of a ruckus. As I turned around to glance behind me, my eyes fell on Maggie, who was casually leaning against the top of the cold metal dumpster that was situated behind us. She shoots round after round into the arena. I let out a sigh of relief and began running back towards her. rick throws one of his smoke bombs, and Maggie continues to shoot. All I can hear is the sound of the automatic rifle and screams. Everyone's scattering like flies. Rick looks up at me, his mouth is open as if he's about to ask me something before his eyes flick to Jack who's stood behind me. "Who's that?"

"Old friend... he helped me," I reply. Rick continues to stare at Jack, scrutinizing him from head to toe as if he's trying to find a reason not to like him. I already know what he's going to ask. "Is he one of the governor's men?" I quickly respond, "He was just a resident and didn't know anything about what was going on, right Jack?" Jack nods, muttering a quiet "mhm."

Daryl and Merle sprint towards us while Rick urges, "Daryl, let's go!" Without wasting any time, we all take off at full speed, our hearts pounding with fear of being spotted by Philip or his men. The only sound that can be heard is our pounding footsteps on the ground as we race towards safety.

-

We manage to escape the arena and run back into the main town area. We were cautious as we walked around, hoping everyone was in the arena, but there was no actual way to know, so we were as careful as we could.

"they're all at the arena, this way!!" Merle instructs, attempting to lead us toward an exit. Rick was quick to shoot down the idea of Merle going with us. "you're not going anywhere with us!" he growls. "You really want to do this now?!" Merle asks as he runs towards the fence, attempting to pry apart the metal, as Rick and Daryl stand guard. I pray to God Rick won't say anything about Jack going with us. I don't want him to stay here, knowing the possible doomed future of Woodbury.

Finally, Merle manages to pull apart the metal, leaving a nicely sized hole in its wake. We all slipped through without a problem, but we're only met with walkers on the opposite side. "A LITTLE HELP WOULD BE NICE!" Merle shouts as he beats a walker to death with his prosthetic arm. Daryl was quick to pitch in, shooting a walker with his bow. I pull my gun out, shooting off my last bullet into a walker's head, "We ain't got time for this!" before beginning to sprint off.

I stand motionless next to Jack, anticipation building as we await instructions from Rick. "let's go!" Daryl shouts once it's been more than a few seconds, Rick, Maggie, and I not moving. I'm glad Daryl hasn't asked about Jack yet. Maybe it's just because he's too busy to realize. But I hope he never mentions it. I'm scared he'll get mad, or jealous. He's just a friend now, hell we were tiptoeing around a breakup when the outbreak started. But I don't know how Daryl is with exes. I know he can get jealous; he has many times before. Normally, I can predict what he'll do in certain situations, but with Jack, I just don't know how Daryl will react. rick folds, deciding to follow after Merle rather than die.

-

The walk back to the car is long. My hands are in my pockets as I trail behind a bit, with everyone else at least a few feet ahead of me. I don't mean to eavesdrop, but I can't help but overhear Merle and Daryl's conversation. "sooo, wha's up with you'n tha' bitch?" Merle asks, his head tilting back, so it points towards me. My heart stops, wondering what Daryl would say. Would he refer to me as his girlfriend? Even though we already had discussed what our relationship was, and I was confident in my role as Daryl's girlfriend, I was scared that he'd be embarrassed to admit that we were in a relationship with his older brother.

Daryl's quiet for a few seconds, giving his brother enough time to throw in another comment. "You to fuckin' around or something?" Daryl chuckles left hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Um...I guess me'n her are together," he says with a shrug. Merle almost immediately bursts out in a booming fit of laughter, which makes Rick turn around and glare. I don't understand what's so funny. Was it so farfetched that Daryl and I were dating? I can see the back of Daryl's ears turn a bright red as his hands nervously play with the hem of his shirt. "yer datin' her! ain't she fuckin' that Chinese boy?" I almost scoff at Merle's assumption. I can almost hear Daryl's eyes roll as he says, "Nah... they're just friends."

"ya sure? I remem-" Daryl's quick to shut Merle down once again "I'm sure"

-

It's about 20 minutes later when we end up back at the other side of the large acre of woods where we parked the car. As we approach the car, Rick whisper yells out Glenn's name, which makes both Glenn and Michonne get up and run to us. "Oh, thank god," Glenn sighs out as he approaches us. Rick was quick to squash the inkling of relief that Glenn had by revealing our newfound problems. "Now we got a problem here. I need you to back up." the moment Merle's face comes into Glenn's sigh, his face instantly contorted into anger "What the hell is he doing here!" Michonne pulls out her Katana in an effort to protect herself, and Daryl, he's quick to begin yelling in an effort to protect his older brother. There is a gun pointed at almost everyone in the group. "are you guys always like this?" Jack mutters quietly, "Always," I reply with an eye roll.

Everyone is yelling over each other; I can barely understand one word that's coming out of anyone's mouth. "Yeah, right after he beat the shit out of you," Rick scoffs, while I cross my arms over my chest, feeling absolute annoyance simmering inside me. "Hey, we both took our licks, man," Merle chuckles as his back presses against the tree behind him. "Jackass" Daryl scoffs with an eye roll. merle pushes himself off the tree. "Hey shut up!" Merle shouts back at his brother, his voice filled with pure annoyance. The brotherly squabble is quickly shut down by Rick with a loud "Enough!" but that just turns into another fight. "Hey! hey! Relax! Put that down!" Rick shouts at Michonne, who's got her Katana pointed at him. "Get that thing out of my face!" Daryl shouts, swatting at Glenn's gun.

Merle laughs. "Man, look like you've gone native, brother." Daryl turns around, his anger now fully directed at his brother. "NO more than you hangin' out with that psycho back there." Merle just has a smirk on his face, mainly just to piss Daryl off even more. "oh, yeah, man. He is a charmer, I got to tell you that. been puttin' the wood to your girlfriend Andrea big time, baby." Merle said eye's making direct contact with Michonne. my eyebrows furrow with confusion, not because of Andrea fucking my father, that was predictable, Andrea liked a man with power, but I'm confused because Andrea and Michonne had known each other. Glenn's just as confused brows furrowed as he asks "What? Andreas in Woodbury?"

"Right next to the governor," Daryl replies. Michonne takes a few steps forward, pointing her Katana in front of her once again, with the intention of hurting someone. "I told you to drop that!" Rick shouts, lunging forward, making Michonne lower it once again. Michonne has a blank expression on her face as Rick asks, "You know Andrea?" her eyes don't make contact with Rick, instead settling for somewhere right behind him.

Rick doesn't take her silence for an answer, so he gets closer, and his voice drops to a low, sinister whisper, "Hey, do you know Andrea?" he asks once again. She doesn't answer, letting Merle answer for her. "Yep, she does," he says, a smirk displayed on his lips. "Her and blondie spent all winter cuddlin' up in the forest. Mm-mmm-mmm." Rick has a look of betrayal on his face as Merle continues to reveal more and more of Michonne's secrets. "Yeah. My Nubian queen here had two pet walkers. No arms, cut off the jaws, kept them in chains."

What. The. fuck? two pet walkers! "kinda ironic now that I think about it." Daryl is done with Merle's mouth. Daryl quickly spins around shouting "Shut up, bro!" Merle laughs, obviously finding Daryl's anger hilarious "Hey, man, we snagged them out of the woods. Andrea was close to dyin'."

"Is that why she's with him?"

Merle nods. "Yeah. Snug as two little bugs. So, what ya gonna do now, sheriff, huh? Surrounded by a bunch of liars, thugs, and cowards." Merle says, just poking and prodding at Rick, trying to get a reaction out of him. And a reaction is what he got; Rick turns his head, commanding Merle to "shut up!" Merle, being Merle, doesn't comply and continues his antics. Merle chuckles. "Oh, man, look at this. Pathetic!" he shakes his head in faux shame. "All these guns and no bullets in them."

Merles once again got on his brother's last nerve. "Merle! shut up!" Daryl growls, leaning forward a bit, trying to intimidate his older brother. Merle doesn't take that and begins to shout, "Shut up yourself! Bunch of pussies you roll-" Merle isn't even able to finish his last sentence before Rick quickly strikes him in the back of the head with his gun, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious with a thud. "Asshole."

-

We're all gathered around in the middle of the road, leaving Jack sat on the side of the road, feeling he had no place in the conversation, and Merle still in the woods. Daryl's trying to propose that Merle comes with us, but Rick's not so sure, feeling it will just cause trouble. "It won't work," Rick sighs. Daryl still tries his best to convince Rick, though "it's gotta" I'm not on either side. I know Merle is nothing but trouble. I've known that since the moment I met him. But I also know that Daryl has beaten himself up over losing his brother for the past year. I know having his brother with our group again would make him happy. I want Daryl to be happy, I really do, but Merle has already caused so much trouble for our group. Hell, he kidnapped and almost killed Glenn and Maggie.

"it'll stir things up," Rick argues. I know he's right. Having Glenn and Merle under the same roof probably won't end up well. Glenn was already so pissed off; it wouldn't be right to make Glenn and Maggie feel more unsafe than they already did. "Look, the governor is probably on the way to the prison right now. merle knows how he thinks, and we could use the muscle," Merle did already know a bunch about Phillip, but who says he's even gonna help up, all he did back at the quarry was fuck around and start unnecessary fights with Shane.

"I'm not havin' him at the prison,"

"Do you really want him sleeping in the same cell block as Carol, Beth, or hell, Casey?" Glenn asks. thinking about it, I don't want Merle Dixon anywhere near Casey. I know Merle is Daryl's brother and all, but he should really think about this. I was barely comfortable being within 5 feet of Merle myself let alone my 5-year-old. he has to start thinking about the bigger picture, he has to start thinking about how this could affect Casey, Carl, and the baby. Daryl grunts before muttering, "he ain't a rapist." He wasn't a rapist, but he sure did make me more than uncomfortable on multiple occasions. Look at him, the way he talked, the men he hung out with; would he really want that kind of person around the children?

"Well, his buddy is." Daryl was still trying to plead Merle's case. "They ain't buddies no more. Not after last night," I sigh, arms crossing over my chest "C'mon D you know how Merle is, do you really want that around case?" he huffs, trying not to make eye contact as a look of betrayal spreads across his face.

"There's no way Merles gonna live there without putting everyone at each other's throats," Rick says. I know Rick doesn't want to piss Daryl off, but he also wants everyone in our group to feel safe. "So, yer gonna cut Merle loose and bring the last samurai home with us?" Rick shakes his head, saying "She's not coming back. " 

"she's not in a state to be on her own" Maggie argues. Maggie and Glenn continue to try and plead Michonne's case. "She did bring you guys to us" Glenn whispers, in a way he's right. Michonne had helped us, but she's already practically gone rogue pointing that damn katana at people. we just don't know what she's capable of yet. "And then ditched us" rick argues, head turning towards Glenn. "at least let my dad stitch her up" Maggie begs, we can't just leave her out for dead, we should at least let Hershel check her out, so she's has the best chance of survival out there, it just the right thing to do. "She's too unpredictable." She's a loose cannon, that's for sure. On one hand, she has proven herself to be beneficial to our group, but on the other hand, she has also shown us that she could be harmful to our group. She's helping us, but also going missing for a long period of time and pointing her damn Katana at us like we're the bad guys.

We're staring at Michonne. She is leaning against the side-view mirror, staring back at us, almost as if she knows we're talking about her. Scratch that, she probably does know because Rick is not trying to whisper at all. He wants her to know she's unwanted, hoping she'll take a hint and scurry off before Rick can boot her out. Daryl nods agreeing with Rick, "That's right, we don't know who she is" he mutters, but he's only agreeing with Rick right now to try to slip in a word about Merle staying with us.

"But merle, merles blood." Daryl says almost acting like we're all some big family. Deep down, I have a feeling he'd run if Merle asked him. We're not blood, I'm not his wife, Casey's not his daughter. I'm his girlfriend, barely even that sometimes, and Casey, she's a little girl who has accidentally grown too attached. The 'D' around my neck means nothing if Merle is asking for something, and I know that. I wouldn't expect him to choose me over his brother, and I know he wouldn't expect me to pick him over mine, even if it would be a difficult decision for me.

Glenn shakes his head in disgust. "No, merles your blood, my blood, my family is standing right here, and waiting for us back at the prison." We had no ties to Merle, no need to keep him. The only one who did was Daryl. we all know the line we're tittering on, we all know the thoughts and decisions racing through his mind. We all know he's thinking about leaving and going with Merle. that's why my eyes are burning into his with a stare begging him not to. Begging him not to make me go back without him, begging him not to make me explain why he didn't come back. "And you're part of that family, but he's not. He's not"

I can see the anger boiling in his chest, the words he's trying to fight back. "Man, ya'll don't know" We all stare at him waiting for him to say it because we know he is "Fine. we'll fend for ourselves." he finally says it, which almost sends me over the edge. I just want to scream at him. How could he just leave, leave after promising he'd come back? "that's not what I was saying," Glenn says, trying to make Daryl think about his decision. "no, him, no me." It's as simple as that. He didn't think about Casey, Carol, Beth, or hell fucking me. "Daryl, you don't have to do that"

"It was always merle an' I before this" Then he makes eye contact with me, and he sees it, the tears pooling in my eyes that I desperately try to blink back, the begging the pleading, but he doesn't care. "So, you're just gonna leave?" I ask finally breaking my silence. His eyes meet mine. "you'd do the same thing," he mutters. My brother, he wasn't like Merle. He wouldn't be booted out of the group because my brother was a good man. "What do you want me to tell Casey? you promised her you'd come back." he shrugs, almost like he doesn't care. "y/n ya gotta understand this is my brother, my blood. You'd do the same if you found yer's. I know ya would"

"My brother's dead," I say, my voice comes out bitter and harsh. Because how could he bring up my brother, who's dead? Who died trying to help me? How could he compare his racist, misogynistic, absolute scumbag brother to mine? "Then ya should understand. "my arms cross over my chest, and my face twists into a disgusted expression. I can't believe he'd just leave us like that. After everything we've been through. He said he loved me. I thought he thought more of me. I thought this was it. I thought he was going to be my husband.

Daryl starts walking, pushing past Maggie and me, muttering, "Say goodbye to yer pops for me." I spin around on my heels, facing him now rather than Glenn and Rick. I'm practically chasing after him shouting "You're seriously leaving?! After everything we've been through?!" he ignores me and just continues to walk until he gets to the trunk of the car. He opens it and begins to gather his items.

"So, this is it?" I whisper, my hands shoved in my pockets, "guess so" he mutters, my heart drops and tears begin to pool in my eyes once again. "Seriously? What about Casey?" he shrugs, not answering because he knows whatever he's going to say is just going to piss me off. "What about me D? What about us?" a tear falls down my cheek, and my hand reaches up to wipe it away. "you'll get over it," he mutters, slinging his bag over his shoulder. That hurt me. It felt like a stab to the gut. Did he really think I just get over him like that? He shakes his head, almost as if he was trying to ignore the tears that lined my waterline. he's trying not to care.

I've watched Daryl grow so much as a person in the last year. The man I knew yesterday was a scrap of the man I had met at that quarry. But somehow, with Merle's reappearance, he went back to the Douch bag he was. He no longer cared for Casey, Beth, or Carol. He no longer cared for me. He no longer cared about us. All the late-night conversation meant nothing, the necklace meant nothing, Casey meant nothing. "I-I love you," I whisper, hoping it would change his decision. Hoping the quiet admission of love would snap him back into reality.

"Then stop..." he mutters. His words are so bitter, so calloused they slice right through my heart, breaking it into a million pieces. "ya got whoever that guy is over there, ya got Glenn. know you'll be fuckin' one of them by the end of the week," he mutters. Hot, angry tears begin to fall down my cheeks. How could he say that? Was that really all he thought of me? A slut? Did he think I was only with him for the sex? The sex that was so far in between that I can't recall the last time we had it. Did he not notice how in love I was?

I rip the necklace from my neck and throw it at him. It hits his torso before falling to the ground with a soft thud. The silver metal glimmers in the sun staring up a simple reminder of what we were, and what we could have been. "Fuck you" is the last thing I mutter before wiping my tears and turning to walk back towards the group.

-

The ride back to the prison is a blur. I sit in the back, middle seat, with a shell-shocked look on my face. I don't want to cry, but my body wants me to cry. There's a lump in my throat and I'm desperately trying to hold back tears. The whole ride Glenn muttering quietly to me, "I'm so sorry" "I didn't think he was really going to leave" I don't pay attention to him. I can't listen, I can't pay attention. I just want to be in my head right now. I feel the car stop and feel people leave, but I don't pay it any mind. I don't even pay any mind when I hear the shouting outside. I just want this all to be over.

I'm zoned out until I feel the car park, and everyone gets out. I get out, hands shoved in my pockets. The only thing that knocks me out of my head is the feeling of two little arms wrapping around my leg. "you're back," Casey squeaks as I bend down and pick her up. Her arms wrap around my neck and her head buries itself into my shoulder. I know the inevitable question awaits us, and I still don't know what I'm going to say. When I feel her head leave my shoulder and begin looking around, my heart begins to slam against my chest. "where's Daryl?" she asks eyes still searching, "he...Daryl left"

"Did he die?" she asks, brows furrowing up as I shake my head. I'd rather he had died. It's easier to explain to her that he died rather than he decided to leave us. "No, baby. He found his brother and decided he needed to be with his family." Her brows furrow up even farther, if that's even possible. "I thought we were his family?"

-

When I get back inside, I tell Casey to stay with Carl and go up and find an empty cell. This is when I finally let myself break down. Sitting on the bed with my head in my hand, I just let go. I'm full-on ugly crying, with tears streaming down my face, and snot bubbling out of my nose. I just hate him so much for leaving. Broken sobs escape my lips as I try to keep myself as quiet as possible. I don't want anyone else to know how badly this hurt me.

My chest rises and falls fast with each gasp I take. The only thought that is racing through my mind is why would he do this? How could he do this? Did he really think that I was a slut all this time, or was it Merle's comments about Glenn, and I that suddenly had changed his opinion of Glenn and I's relationship? Did he seriously think I didn't love him?

"You, okay?" a knock on the wall pulls me from my thoughts. I look up to see Carol. My bottom lip wobbles as I shake my head 'no'. she lets out a sigh as she nods and slowly walks towards me. She takes a seat next to me on the bottom bunk. "You want to talk?" she asks, her arm coming to wrap around my body and pull mine close to hers. I shake my head 'no' once again. I could barely think about him without a blubbering mess, let alone talk about him to someone else.

My head buries into her chest as her left hand rubs small circles into my back. "I know, I know," she mutters as broken sobs erupt from my throat. I just hate him so much for leaving with Merle, but at the same time I want him here, and I want him to hold me. I want to hear him tell me he loves me.

-

I sat in that cell for the rest of the night, not bothering about dinner because I had already felt sick to my stomach. The only human interaction I have is with Casey at bedtime when she cuddles up next to me in the bottom bunk. I can't bring myself to touch the stuff Daryl had left behind, because I know I'll either break it or throw it at a wall.

Casey's eyes were heavy with sleep, and yawns erupted from her every few seconds. She didn't want to sleep on the top bunk. For the past few months, she only knew what it felt like to sleep between Daryl and me. There was always a warm body next to her, no matter what. I can't bring myself to think how last night was for her. Through a yawn, she whispers, "I miss Daryl" I let out a heavy sigh. In a way I miss him, I wish he hadn't made the choice he had made, I wish he would have considered how'd those decisioned would affect us. I wish I didn't have the burden of living the rest of my life wondering if he's alright, so I guess in a way I miss him.

Casey eventually drifted off to sleep, and I quietly slipped out of bed, hoping that everyone else had retired for the night. As I tiptoed down the stairs and into the dimly lit rec room, I noticed Glenn sitting at a table in the far-left corner. He was shrouded in almost complete darkness, with only his hoodie standing out in the dim light. His head faced down; one elbow propped up on the table to hold it up. "How you holdin' up?" I ask, breaking him from his thoughts. I can see him just and let out a tiny gasp. "shit" he mutters under his breath as his head snaps up to see me.

I laugh, a small smile breaking across my face. "sorry" I whisper, walking across the room to meet him at his table. "watcha doin' up so late?" I ask, sliding into the seat beside him. "can't sleep you?" he asks. I shrug, not knowing why I was still up. I felt like I could sleep for a good week if I really tried. "So...did Jack get booted out with the rest...or..." I ask referring to the commotion I had heard earlier that day involving rick. Glenn shakes his head "Nah, didn't wanna upset you anymore than you already were," he says, tiptoeing around the subject of Daryl.

I can't help but feel bad about Glenn and Maggie. Every time I see the black and blue bruises that decorated his face, I can't help but be reminded of who caused it. I hadn't thought about him in years. The only times I was reminded of the faded remembrance of his face were in old family portraits that were in boxes up in my mom's attic.

1992 or 3 maybe, I was three years old in the picture, mom was heavily pregnant, and dad looked so young. I never realized how young both my parents were when they had me until I looked at those photos. Mom looks maybe 19, dad had to be at least 21. He's got me on his hip, we're all pushed in close, one arm around a waist, Dad's face and I's squished together. We looked so happy.

When I saw his face out in the crowd, I was 12 years old again up in the attic, sorting through boxes, finding the dusty portraits. Wondering how he could leave us. I wasn't stupid. I remembered those last few months, the last year. I remembered the drinking, the fighting, the bruises. I remembered the broken potted plants I remembered my brother's broken arm. I just couldn't believe the man who wore such a bright smile could be so evil.

How could he hurt me, hurt my brother, hurt my mom? I feel like I'm sitting in my paternal grandmother's kitchen this time, maybe 15, listening to her blab on and on about his family. His wife, his daughter. His daughter he loved so dearly, the daughter who had replaced me. 'He just loves her so much,' she said 'No one can take away a father's love for their daughter'. I hadn't thought of him since that moment. After that, I gave up on having a dad. I gave up on waiting. I finally realized he just didn't love me, and I couldn't change that.

But yesterday, seeing him again was like a punch to the gut, and finding out that he was the one who hurt my friends that made me furious. I wanted to be the one to hunt him down. I wanted to be the one to kill him. I couldn't wait to see his face when he realized who I was and what I was going to do.

"Glenn, can I tell you something? But you can't get mad" his brows furrow, a sliver of a smile displaying on his lips as his mouth opens to say something. I'm quick to cut him off, finally revealing the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. "the governor is my dad" his eyes widen, and fear sets in quickly, terrified he'll hate me. "What?" he asks, it coming out as a half laugh as he stares at me. His eyes fall up and down my body, examining every single one of my facial features, finding everyone that even slightly resembled Philips. "Are you joking?" he asks, head cocking to the side in disbelief. I shake my head slowly, and he lets out a quiet "oh my god."

"I didn't even know this governor guy was him until I saw him. You're not mad, are you?" he shakes his head, letting my anxieties settle. "No..not mad, just...shocked, yo-you...wow."

Taglist

@rivversin @soul4death @silicone-bonez @nezukos-number1fan @jai-lovely @maziejay08 @oi-itse @rhaenryawhore @kimbunnysstuff @blipblopper @ramielll @ilyhannah @daryldixonnn @delicatebearpandaopera @daryldixmedown @duckybird101 @0-imjusthere-0 @tanuki-tsuki

[shysuccubusstuff]

yandere! diluc pt. 1

Content: dubcon/noncon, stalker behaviour, yandere, syringe, manhandling, kidnap, foul language.

Note: Yeah I know I have a pt. 2 left but i'm so so dry bc of exams and stress so I just wanted to post stuff I like without (trying) to think too much, as always, non-proof reader.

Credits to anitelenia for the lovely divider.

It had been a few days since you started to realize it.

You mostly noticed it when you were alone, walking quietly to your house after your night shift. You had just left the flower shop, trying to walk as fast as possible, just thinking about your warm and soft bed. You were far too deep in your fantasies when you finally stumbled upon someone. Your forehead bumped against something stiff, you could say that it was even hard. Just as you were about to apologize a deep voice talked:

"I'm sorry... I really wasn't looking, are you ok?" Deep blazing eyes encountered with yours, his eyes shining as wild flames despite the cold light of the moon. His hair was swaying, making his face look even more charming, how come you had never seen someone as beautiful as him around? You were dazzed for a moment, your lips almost forming a small circle, luckily, you were fast enough to realize it, finally being able to snap out of it.

"Oh, no, it's my fault, it's kinda dark today so yeah... I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings, I'm sorry..." As soon as you babbled your poor excuses, the man laughted softly, his eyes forming small crescent moons.

"Diluc, just call me by my name." You nodded, a bit stranged cause, who would simply give their name to some stranger found in the middle of the night?

"Oh, nice to meet you sir Diluc, I gotta go, see you around!" You left without losing more time, after all, your dear bed was waiting all alone for you. If only you had pay a bit more attention to whatever that man was saying before leaving...

"I'm sure we will meet much more often from now on, dear." Without saying nothing else, Diluc left, walking back to the wineyard and starting to plan how would he be able to make you let down your walls.

A few months had passed, and just as he had foresaw, both of you had suddenly became the soon-to-be couple in Mondstadt. Everytime people saw you around, his eyes started to share furtive glances, their hands making small gestures in a comedic way. Even despite Diluc acted as if he was unaware, he knew it. After all, those rumors had been planned by him. He helped you with even small stuff, always getting up and bringing you your drink, paying when he invited you to have lunch or diner, always as "friends" of course, definitely not because he was already thinking about the ring to ask you to marry him... He also waited for you after work, always bringing you small bouquetes of flowers that he had "found" around while he was doing small quests (he was actually buying them, then making the bouquet with your favourite flowers).

He had already written down all your favourite places, foods, flowers, colours, the type of clothes that you liked, your most hated food, your fears, the name of your first pet... the list could go on for hours. Cause if he didn't know all that information, could he even call himself your boyfriend?

He also had a "small" compilation of sneak pics he had taken of you, the photos were laying around his room, some were hanged in frames, others were hidden in boxes, the rest were used for his shrine in progress.

Of course, when he finally confessed his feelings, he was 100% sure you would fall in love with him, he had done everything you had told him you liked in a man! So when your face changed, your eyes suddenly losing that loving spark, his world almost crashed completely. You tried to explain it to him, it was not the first time a man who you had considered a friend had confessed to you, so you were a bit dissappointed... did that mean that you had approached her with that intention since the beginning? You didn't know what to think, so you asked him for some time, just enough for you to think deep about it. Before you knew it, his hand was already way too close to your neck, a small zap being sent all through your body and causing you to fall against his arms.

When you finally woke up, you were in his room, the fire was crackling, almost making it feel way too... cozy, almost as if you were at "home". What happened? Just as you were about to move from the bed, you noticed something. There was a chain tied to your ankle, tying you to the bed, your clothes had been changed to a soft nightgown, somehow perfectly fitting your body, what the hell had happened?

You were about to scream, when the door opened, his crimson hair swaying just like the first night you had met. He was carrying a small tray, some grapes and other fruits were on top of it. As soon as he noticed you were awake, his lips curved up, his eyes shining with pure devotion.

"Darling! I'm sorry, it seems the thing I created had a little misscalculation..." Diluc apologized, leaving the tray in his desk.

"Are you ok? Do you feel any type of pain? It would kill me to know that I have hurt you..." His hands moved towards you, although as soon as he saw you flintch his hands stopped, his face looking as hurt as if he was the one that had been chained. He suddenly got up from the bed, once again heading towards his desk and taking something from one of the drawers. He got close to you, and despite your failed attempts of squirming away from his touch, it was all in vain as soon as you felt a pulsing pain, almost as if you had been pricked with a needle. The blood that was supposed to keep you on edge was suddenly towards your lower half. What was happening?

As soon as he had used that strange needle, your whole body had went soft, almost limp. did he inject something inside of you? Before you were able to complain anything about it, your brain felt as if it had turned into mush, your brain feeling too fuzzy to think.

"What... what was that?" Diluc eyes' glistened, looking a bit too proud of his work.

"Just some potion to help ease your mind, you looked too... stressed before, but now you look just like a pretty little doll, darling. Did you like the nightgown I bought? I knew it would suit you, but I didn't think it would make you look even prettier!" His hands went through your soft hair, his hands feeling a bit too... hot, maybe it was actually your body the one that was melting?

"Diluc, you need to let me go... I... We can talk about all of this... I promise I won't say it to the knights of Favonius..." You tried to hard to form a cohesive sentence, but Diluc's face switched, his calm face turning into a grin.

"Oh sweet heart, you are almost as naive as beautiful. Do you truly think that those... pesky little knights can harm me in anyway?" Diluc's gaze darkened, his eyes drifting through your whole body. "I'm sorry for having to take this...solution, but you were getting a bit too... close, you know?" Diluc sat down at your side, his hand moving your head a little, just enough for your head to rest on his shoulder. "Just being close to you makes me feel at peace, you know?" His body shifted a little, his calloused hand taking your hair out of your face. "I finally made up my mind after seeing you two that afternoon... that damned liar keeps trying to take what's mine." His hands moved, his fingertips drifted through your chest, pinching a bit your nipples, just enough to let a moan leave your mouth.

"That drug is still active, I guess..." He pushed you just a little, your body falling to the bed without much resistance. His frame on top of you, his soft hair sending shivers down your spine. His face lowered, his soft lips leaving kisses all through your neck, letting you whimper as much as you wanted. His hands were moving around, slowly touching your clothed cunt, treating you as if you were a delicate porcelain doll. "I can even see your pretty pussy, are you that excited to be touched?" You tried to complain, of course that was not the case! That damned syringe had done something to you, of course you were only able to make some complain noises.

"Uhm... to be honest that was just a muscle relaxant, it was just in case you tried to play some little tricks on me, I'm sorry for doubting you, honey. But I swear I will never do anything like it again, I just got a bit anxious." His hands got away from your lower half, going back up and starting to caress your face, kissing your pretty lips and making them all shiny.

"We can consume our love any other day, I've prepared plenty of stuff for us to do, sweet heart." Before you were able to complain, your eyes started to close, body too tired to even ask when would you be free.

[ahanarhorse]

Who Am I If Not Your Guard?

Yay! My first fic! It ain't great, but it's something.

Summary:

Wild's reckless and self-sacrificing behavior has become even more concerning. The rest of the chain is getting more and more worried every time Wild shields one of them with his own body.

Then, during a difficult and dangerous battle, they find out why.

Next Chapter

AO3 Link

Chapter 1: Sacrifice in the name of Hyrule

Tired footsteps scuffed the path. The chain had been walking for miles and still hadn't found anything. They were currently in Twilight's Hyrule, making their way towards Ordon Village. The sun was setting, and they were trying to get to the village by nightfall.

"Are we almost there yet?" Wind asked, probably for the tenth time in the last hour.

"We're close," Twilight answered from his place at the front of the procession.

The peace only lasted for a moment before another whine rang through the air.

"I'm tired."

"I know."

"Are we almost there yet?"

"No."

Wind looked around, trying to find something to occupy his attention for the last bit of the walk. After a minute of searching and not succeeding, he hung his head and started to drag his feet.

"Where are all the monsters anyway?" He asked.

"Wind, don't jinx i-" Twilight's response was cut off by a shrill cry.

"Oh, there they are," Four said, surprisingly calm. His sword was already unsheathed, and the rest of the group did the same.

Soon, where there once was peace and quiet, there was a raging battle. Multiple bokoblins and a moblin crashed through the forests and fell upon the group of travelers.

Swords were whipped out of their sheaths, shields were retrieved from their rest, and arrows were pulled from their quiver. The numbers were about even, with a bokoblin to each person and a moblin to share.

For some reason though, they weren't making any progress. Hyrule swung, but each time the blade was blocked by his opponent. They were smarter than normal.

"Black blood!"

And that would be why.

The battle continued, cry after cry was heard, and thump after thump rang out as enemies dropped to the ground. There were only five bokos and the moblin left.

Hyrule peered around, looking for injuries. It didn't seem like anyone was hurt badly, mild cuts and bruises, but nothing worse.

While he was distracted however, a stray bokoblin managed to sneak up on him. The offending creature raised his weapon and squealed, prepared to strike.

"Hyrule!" He heard multiple people yell, and instead of alerting him to the danger, they only distracted him more.

Just when he was managing to turn back around, a massive weight crashed down upon him, and he fell to the ground.

He couldn't see, his face pressed into the packed earth. He could, however, hear. And what he was hearing was the voices of his brothers, currently yelling at him.

It felt like an hour, though it was probably only a few seconds before he felt the weight lift off his back. He whirled around, looking for the offending object.

Instead of seeing a enemy, rock or even a big branch however, he only saw a mass of blond, blue and red.

It was Wild, and on top of him, a bokoblin. Dead.

Wild was slowly coming around, blood dripping down his shoulder and a nasty bruise forming smack in the middle of his face.

"Is he okay?" Hyrule heard someone ask, though it was muffled, his own thoughts taking priority whirling around his ears.

"He'll be fine," a strong and steady voice said.

The fog over his eyes cleared, and Hyrule could once again see his surroundings.

He was lying in the mist of a battle field, dead monster carcasses lying about, waiting for some carnivore to carry them off.

He was being supported and checked for injuries by Sky, who's relief showed evident on his face as soon as he saw Hyrule tracking his motions.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly, the concern in his voice matching the crease of his forehead.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," the traveler sighed, "What happened?"

"A boko snuck up behind you. Wild took the hit," Sky answered, looking over at both the savior and the future recipient of a stern lecture.

Hyrule also looked over and saw the now groaning champion being held still by an exhausted and exasperated captain. His face was still sporting an ugly mark, but his shoulder was patched up well enough. The front of his tunic was stained with blood, but it didn't seem to be his.

"Wild, why in the world would you do that?" Hyrule asked, almost a whisper amidst the louder chatter of the rest of the chain.

"You're 'bout ta get 'it. Not hit now," The champion slurred with a loopy smile one his face. It quickly turned into a grimace when Warriors prodded his shoulder.

"Ak! Cut 't out Cap'n!" He whined to the offender, who was now checking his face.

"You stop getting hurt and I'll stop it, got that?" He asked.

Wild pouted, but stopped talking.

Hyrule leaned into Sky, barely listening to the chatter around him. He wished Wild didn't get hurt, but thankful that his brothers were watching out for him.

"Twi! He's trying to destroy my face!"

~~~~

Well, that's the end of the first one, thank you to all of y'all who read to the end! If you have any thoughts or ideas for the next one, or just in general, I would love to hear them! Thank you!

[sepulchralsmile]

while the others talk, we were listening to lovers rock

or: Steve and Billy listen to records in Steve's room.

Billy doesn’t really know how he got here.

Well, objectively he knows. Steve Harrington’s abysmal English grade is the starting point. Cornered after school by Ms. Hofeditz and a reluctant Harrington trailing close behind with a sour look on his face. 

He almost didn’t believe it when she asked, and was fully expecting Harrington to protest, maybe put up some sort of a fight. Instead, he was struck dumb when Harrington just stayed silent, watching him from behind Hofeditz’s back with a kind of desperation in his eyes Billy had never seen on him before. So he said yes; if anything, it was to get that pathetic look off Harrington’s pretty face.

If he was willing to get over it, Billy would too; even if he did still think it was weird Harrington was in a shack in the middle of the woods with a bunch of middle schoolers.

From there they’ve slowly progressed past tension-filled tutoring sessions to less tense cigarette breaks. Those somehow evolved into late car rides to the quarry, a six pack shared between them. And now… they’re here. At Steve Harrington’s house. In Steve Harrington’s bedroom. Listening to records.

He couldn't even tell you what record it was, honestly; it could be an hour of white noise and whale noises and he wouldn’t even care. Because the line of Steve’s thigh is pressed against his own, warm and solid.

The idea had been Steve’s, weirdly enough. Like he waited until Billy was completely blitzed and greened out before making his move, shaking Billy’s shoulder until he rolled his head on his neck to look over, eyes squinty  and red from the smoke.

“You want to… listen to music?” He’d repeated back dumbly, staring at Steve and blinking like he was suddenly gonna disappear.

“Yeah,” Steve’d responded patiently, his own eyes staring back unblinking.

“So… should I go?” He asked then, caught off guard by the sudden change in conversation. He didn’t wanna go, far from it actually, but the pointed way Steve said I wanna listen to music had him thinking it was maybe his time to go.

Steve had rolled his eyes, said an exasperated oh my god, and clasped a hand around Billy’s wrist like he was keeping him planted there, and Billy was thankful for the way they both ignored the way he jolted at the touch.

When Steve tugged him up the stairs, still clutching his wrist, he thought he’d finally lost it. And he was pretty ready to embrace the sweet clutch of insanity. 

But now he could see that this was the true test of his mental capacity: sitting side by side with Steve Harrington on his plush, king bed while music plays on in the background.

They left the joint downstairs, although Billy would kill to have something to do with his hands right now. Or just something to do in general, so he wouldn’t look so out of sorts. As it is, his hands are sitting loose in his lap, sweaty and clammy. A couple fingers keep twitching restlessly, and he tries not to stare at them too hard as he feels Steve shift next to him on the edge of the bed.

“Whaddya think?” Steve breathes near his ear, close enough that he can smell the Schlitz from earlier. His heart feels like it’s gonna beat out of his chest. “D’you like it?”

Billy strains to hear, tries to listen past the roar of blood in his ears. It’s something with a deep guitar, offbeat bass, kind of funky. Not really his thing, by the sounds of it. But listening to it in Steve’s room, just separated by a hair’s breadth— well, he could get into it.

“It’s good,” he says, internally cringing as his voice cracks. He’s trying to keep a cool head, but it’s difficult when his mouth feels like it’s full of cotton and his cheeks feel too hot. The click in his throat from a dry swallow seems to echo in the room.

Steve gives him a slanted smile, like he knows Billy’s full of shit and can see right through him. The worst thing is, Billy’s being so obvious he probably can. But his eyes are warm when he tracks them down Billy’s face. “Cool. I’m glad you like it.”

Billy feels the absurd urge to cover his face, even though that would be fucking weird, and Steve would probably laugh at him. He’s never felt this unmoored, this out of sorts— but then again, he’s never gotten this close to someone he’s actually liked like this before. Not the overbearing girls from school or the moms who stare too long in the grocery store; someone he’s actually interested in.

And embarrassingly, it’s like Steve knows this, because he just keeps giving this easy smile. Eyes crinkling a little at the corners. Scoots impossibly closer. Billy resists the urge to fidget. Why’s he so goddamn close? He doesn’t even wanna know what he looks like right now; how obvious he’s being.

But Harrington apparently doesn’t notice that, because as the seconds pass he just wiggles closer and closer until they’re pressed all along their sides. Until it’s the only thing he’s aware of; how firm and unyielding Steve is next to him. Unmistakable that he’s there, taking up space. There’s no way he doesn’t know that he’s practically snug against Billy. Right?

Billy keeps his eyes forward, staring ahead at the record player across the room like it’s gonna coach him on how to get out of here without the world’s most obvious boner. Get ahold of yourself, you freak, is the running though in his head, screaming from the deep recesses of his brain, act fucking normal.

“You’re so tense,” Steve breathes again, even closer and warm in his ear. Billy can’t help but shiver. “Oh, are you cold? Here,” and then he winds an arm around Billy, wrapping around the other side to rub his forearm up and down.

Uh.

He’s going crazy, right? Because no fucking way Steve Harrington is doing this. Putting moves on him. 

Because that’s exactly how this feels; he’s pretty sure if they were in a movie theater right now Steve would have his arm around his shoulders, staring ahead like Billy’s brain isn’t melting between his ears. He’s not even getting warmer, or more relaxed, just holding himself stock still as Steve thumbs through the hairs on his arm. Billy shivers again.

There’s a part of him that knows he can’t just sit like this, jaw clamped shut and eye trained forward. So, like a dumbass, he just clears his throat and says, “Thanks.”

“Sure,” Steve replies, like it’s just that easy. As simple as warming up a buddy who’s cold, that’s all. He’s probably reading too much into this. He’s definitely reading too much into this. Straight guys probably sit this close all the time and don’t spontaneously combust on the spot. All he’s gotta do is take a deep breath and—

“I never knew your hair was this curly, at the root,” Steve tugs on a lock of hair above his ear before tucking it away, smoothing down the curl closest. “It’s really cute.”

His throat goes dry. What. The fuck.

“Thanks,” he says again, more of a croak this time, like a total dipshit. Has to take in a deep breath and does the thing he’s been afraid to do this whole time: meet Steve’s eyes.

He searches them desperately, not really sure what he’s looking for. Rejection, maybe. Or disgust. Something he knows and recognizes and understands. There’s a flutter in his chest that feels a lot like hope and longing and maybe? that feels too dangerous to encourage.

What he gets is a pair of warm brown eyes, sparkling from the light of the lamp on the nightstand. They’re bright. Open. Nothing like he’s expected. Steve Harrington is sitting next to him, with an arm almost wrapped across his chest. And Steve is looking at him like… like everything out of a cheesy romance movie, all the way down to the way he’s nervously staring at Billy’s lips.

And— okay. He’s definitely not imagining it. There’s no way even his mind could come up with the sight of Steve’s eyes, flicking down and up and down and up in a tantalizing trance.

Steve shifts next to him. Billy holds his breath.

“Hey,” Steve begins, tentative, voice still hushed, “I’m not— I’m not reading this wrong, right?”

Billy’s mouth is so dry. He swallows with another loud click and stays exactly where he is. Afraid that if he moves even an inch, everything will snap back to normal. 

He’s desperate to hold onto this moment. To stay suspended in time, exactly as they are. But there’s a small part of himself that’s saying it’s not real, it’s a trick, it’s something.

So he doesn’t know what to say. Instead, he shakes his head, and hopes to god that Steve knows what he means. That it’s enough.

It is. Somehow. Steve’s face breaks into a soft grin, smoothing the furrowed line between his brows. He glances down at Billy’s lips one more time— fuck, he feels like he’s gonna die— before they flick back to his eyes. “I’m gonna kiss you now, is that okay?”

And god. It is. It really fucking is. His heart actually stops in his chest, but not before he’s able to somehow mumble out an, “Okay.”

He sounds like an idiot. He’s acting like one, for sure, with all his blushing and stuttering. Like one of the handfuls of girls who probably lost their virginity in this room, on this bed. But he gets it now. Because having Steve Harrington in front of you, saying he’s about to kiss you— yeah, he gets it now.

Steve waits just one second more— giving Billy an out he hasn’t needed since his first day here— before he closes the gap between them, lips brushing gingerly over Billy’s.

It’s tentative, to start. Instead of going straight for his mouth, Steve kisses both corners of his lips, sending him into a further tizzy that has him sucking in a desperate gasp for air, one that Steve meets with his own open mouth. He keeps it slow, though, gently sucking and licking at Billy’s lips while a hand winds up into his hair, thumb brushing over the curl he’d tucked back earlier. 

Billy practically melts against him, embarrassingly, but Steve takes it in stride, sucking on his lower and then upper lip in a way that has Billy canting forward unconsciously, seeking out more more more. His mouth opens up, finally letting Steve in, and then the hand in his hair tightens a little and before he can stop it, a small noise escapes him. He barely has a second to feel humiliated about it before Steve groans, and then tightens the hand even more, and Billy’s pretty sure he’s going to dissolve right then and there.

They break apart. Maybe it’s been seconds, minutes, hours. Billy can’t tell. because Steve is watching him with wide eyes, and a red mouth, and he’s breathing just as heavily as he is. So this time, he decides to take charge; giddy anticipation making him surge forward for an open-mouthed kiss that Steve immediately reciprocates.

The first kiss was slow. Sweet. A little wary and nervous but excited. The second kiss has him licking deep and covering Steve’s mouth with his own, letting out an actual moan when Steve responds just as fervently; sucking his tongue and panting into his mouth when Billy grips his shirt tight and pulls him closer. The hand not holding his hair scrabbles across his chest before twisting into his shirt, bunching up the material and practically dragging Billy closer.

Before he knows what he’s doing, he goes with the movement— pushing and pushing and meeting Steve until he’s practically bending him back. All while Steve gives it back to him in double, licking deep like he was trying to memorize all the crevices of Billy’s mouth. Nibbling on his lips, sucking kisses that stick on his lips and teeth and have him losing his fucking mind resisting the urge to devour Steve then and there.

Steve gives a tug, another tug, and then the biggest tug when he finally gets Billy over him; laying flat on his back on the bed while Billy covers his chest and practically straddles his hips. His hands move from his hair and shirt straight to his ass, and the firm squeeze has Billy making a high noise in his throat he’s pretty sure he’s never heard before.

They break apart again, but only for a second. Only to stare at each other, panting into each other’s mouths, before Steve surges up and sucks his bottom lips into his mouth, swallowing down Billy’s answering groan. 

He rolls his hips down, instinctively, and they both have to break apart again to moan in tandem. After that, Steve’s hands get firmer, tighter, until he’s dragging Billy down and they’re writhing together, their breaths sound loud in the room, along with the rough slide of denim on denim and the clinking of their zippers when they occasionally rub together. It’s fucking intoxicating, and it only makes him feel crazier, licking deep into Steve’s mouth and tightening his hands where they’re clenched on the duvet, digging into the fabric.

Steve murmurs, “Can I?” as he slips one of his hands from the back to the front, palming right over his dick as Billy gasps and breaks the kiss, rasping out a gravelly, “Yes,” that has Steve giving a breathy chuckle before sucking on one of the corners of Billy’s lips again, gently popping the button and pulling the zipper. Billy tilts his head to capture his lips again.

He’s just got his hand in Billy’s boxers when— pop!

They fly apart at the loud sound, Billy’s heart practically stopping in his chest as his mind immediately whirls with all sorts of thoughts of danger until— the telltale sound of the record skipping immediately follows after, along with the rhythmic noise of the needle  going click, click, click…

Billy meets Steve’s eyes, which are just as wide as his. A second passes, and then they’re breaking into hysterical giggles, the sheer relief at not being caught making them both a little punch-drunk.

“Fuckin’ old-ass record,” Steve gripes, but with a smile on his face. His hands are back on the sides of Billy’s hips now, but he’s still gripping him close. “Knew I should’ve dusted it off before I took it out.”

Billy grins back at him. It’s kind of impossible not to, especially when it feels like his heart is about to burst with— everything indescribable. “It’s gonna get ruined if you let it keep skipping.”

“I don’t care,” Steve says immediately, tugging him down for a quick, soft, close-mouthed kiss that has Billy reeling, “only put it on for this, anyway.”

The confession makes Billy’s grin go stupid. His cheeks feel like they're gonna burst with how big he’s smiling. “Oh yeah? Trying to put the moves on me, huh?”

Steve quirks an eyebrow. “It worked, didn’t it?” and before Billy can respond, he tugs him down to whisper against his mouth, “Don’t flip it over, I don't give a fuck about the music. Just kiss me.”

Billy leans forward, gripping the sheets tight, and this time when he sighs against Steve’s mouth he does it with a soft smile.

~~~

thank you to @thediktatortot for preceding!!

i hope you guys liked this! this was super fun to write, alothough it was so difficult choosing which wip to go with lol. enjoy some soft and sweet harringrove <3 following me will be the lovely @chrisbitchtree !!

happy harringrove relay race :)

[jimcornflake]

Ch2 - Mantis

A/N: This is my last blorp before I pass out. It’s 2am, I’m caffeine crashing so incredibly hard, and I need to sleep. But here’s my life’s work while I’m at it, so here you go.

🎀

It wasn’t before long that you managed to lose your entire purse, your phone, one of your contacts, and- oh yeah- all the people you came in with. Your eyes were heavy and cloudy, pupils blown wide. Your body felt like a wet spaghetti noodle as you stumbled past people.

“Can anybody find me water?” You asked the nearest group of people. They were familiar faces, but for some reason you couldn’t recall their names.

“Bathroom!” A boy in a white beanie told you and pointed behind you to the door to hallway off to the side.

You mumbled a thank you and urged your jelly-feet to carry you to the nearest bathroom sink so you could drown yourself in the faucet to get rid of the wicked cottonmouth that had set in.

The fluorescent lights that greeted you on the other side are less than pleasant. You cringed away from them, shielding your eyes with your hand. You stumbled around blindly till you felt a door and decide that it was the bathroom that you’d been looking for.

You pushed it open and uncovered your eyes to find that it wasn’t even close to a bathroom at all. There were no stalls, no air-dryers, no tampon-dispenser that hadn’t been touched since 1988; only a dirty red box in the middle of the room.

At first glance you thought it looked like dirt smeared across the bright, chipped paint. You blinked a few times and looked again and realized that it was closer to blood.

The box moved and you startled immediately. You almost ran out of the room and may have peed yourself only just a bit.

After waiting to see if it would move again and being met with stillness, you moved closer. You crouched down beside it where the old rusty locks were and undid them one by one.

“Hey, tiny. It’s okay, how’d you get in there?” You clicked your tongue and cooed.

As soon as the last latched had been slid open, the box burst open and you were tackled to the floor by a grimy man with wild, wide eyes. The air was knocked from your lungs, leaving your chest aching and tears pooling in your eyes and in that moment, all you could think was, why the fuck did I expect it to be an animal?

“Run! Run! Okay? You need to run!” The man panicked and dragged you up to your feet while you instinctually struggled and protested.

He threw you in to the hallway at the same time that the doors to the party burst open and people came stampeding through screaming something awful. He tried to stop them, yelling something about traps and getting caught while he grabbed on to people who only wanted to wriggle out of his grasp.

You soon saw why he was so desperate in his attempts. It all happened in seconds.

Razor wires caught on to ankles, blades swung down from the ceiling in to throats, sharpened stakes sprung out of the floor and impaled abdomens.

You’d never seen so much blood. You’d never seen the way skin can be sliced through so effortlessly as if it were paper. You’d never seen somebody’s brain fight to retain basic function of the body and you’d never seen the light leave the eyes of their limp body.

The shock was setting in. You felt like the blood running through your veins was ice cold and the static cloud around your eyes grew as did your progressively tunneling vision.

Suddenly the hallway was a hell-tunnel filled with dead, mangled bodies; some of which were half-alive and reaching out for your help; and at the end of that tunnel was the man you’d freed from the box.

He stood at the window, looking at the street that was a two-story drop down. He kept switching from the window to your face.

His eyes suddenly widened and he pointed, “Behind you!”

You felt a sudden mildly painful constriction around your arms and waist as you were lifted off the ground. You watched as the man gave himself a running start in to the window and fell to the ground with the shattered glass.

Now it was only you and the person who was grabbing you so tightly. You wiggled and kicked and finally got your arm free. You jerked it back as hard as you could and heard a grunt as the pressure was released and you fell to the ground.

You didn’t care to look back, you made a mad dash for the window to hopefully dive out and have your fall broken on that strange dirty man. You didn’t make it as in the next second you felt a sudden sharp pain in the back of your right thigh.

It stung and you stopped and trembled, shrieking through your teeth as your hands hovered uncertainly over the wound. You collapsed to your hands and knees as your shaking legs could hold you no longer.

You clenched your jaw and clasped your hands together so tightly that your bones were almost breaking under the pressure. You pressed your head against your forearms and tried to block out everything around you.

You felt a hand yank your head back by your hair and then a tiny prick in your neck. Your pain began to melt away slowly and you involuntarily relaxed. You grunted at the sharp pain and squelch that accompanied a blade being pulled out of your leg.

The last thing you knew before you completely surrender to unconsciousness was that you were picked up from the floor as if you were nothing more than a sack of potatoes and hauled back to the room with the red box.

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[tashacee]

What does the chain think about Wild's third eye? Assuming that like the rest of Zonai he has one, would they have been scared the first time he opened it because they thought it was just another jewel or something like that?

Oooooh so on the one hand, Wild doesn’t have the third eye. Like the aspect in the game, he has a piece of jewellery that he wears on his forehead that represents this, but doesn’t actually have one, probably because whatever the aspect was, he wasn’t fully Zonai. 

THAT SAID I now want to play in this space. So let’s imagine he DOES have a third eye. How would that reveal go…

It’s been a few weeks since Wild joined the Chain and it was starting to feel as if he’d always been there. Sure, communication was still a barrier, but little by little they were making progress, and in the meantime he had turned out to be really good at miming. Yes, it may have been a surprise to suddenly have a team member who resembled a giant cat, but life was full of surprises. What's one more?

"Hey Wild!" Wind bounced up to where their newest brother was relaxing by the campfire.

It had been a long day of hiking and fighting their way through the countryside, and they were all exhausted. All, it seemed, except for Wind and his apparently boundless energy.

WIld rumbled curiously, half lidded eyes flicking over to him.

"How does that head-thing stay on?" Wind asked, flopping down beside him.

For a moment Legend, who had been watching with no small amount of apathy, frowned, not understanding. Then he blinked. Oh. Of course.

The bump.

Wild was unlike a hylian in so many ways that it would have been just downright rude for any of them to ask about the small bump in the centre of his forehead. The Champion had never brought it up, and other than the golden U that curved delicately beneath it, never drew attention to it.

Now that Legend thought of it, he'd never seen Wild without the ornament.

Wild hummed, glancing away, clearly not wanting to broach the subject.

"C'mon, Wild, pleeeeease?" Wind whined, flopping against his brother.

Legend sat up a little straighter. "Wind." he said in a warning tone. The Chain didn't have many rules, but key among those that they did have was that they didn't pry. Ever.

But Wild waved him off and sighed. Although Legend couldn't see his skin under his fur, he was sure that his brother was blushing.

Wild held up a finger and sighed again, looking nervously around at his brothers, all of which were now watching, even if they were pretending not to.

Then the bump opened.

Wait.

What?

It wasn't a bump, it was an eye. Wild had a third eye right in the middle of his forehead and what they had assumed was an ornament was actually gleaming, golden eyelashes, unlike anything that a hylian would have.

He was looking nervously at Wind, shoulders hiked up to his chin, clearly waiting for a negative response.

Wind grinned. "Sweet." he said and rolled over, lying back against Wild's chest. "You're so cool, Wild."

And that was that. Tension broken. So Wild had a third eye - so what? Other than someone making the occasional joke that Wild should take an extra watch shift given that he had an extra eye, it was never really mentioned again. It was just another part of him, normal and everyday and routine.

Wild rumbled and shuffled, getting more comfortable and making a vague gesture like 'yeah i know'. Legend went back to what he had been doing before, mending a hole in his spare tunic and halfheartedly listening in on his brothers.

Just another normal day with the Chain.