#oh yeah i will say i did have to take quite a bit of liberty with the audio in order to do what i wanted. forgive me

[abstractfrog]

Happy 1 year anniversary to Mr Sherlock Holmes! Here's a litttleee celebratory comic from me

[hyunnie04]

“i smell something burning.” you sniff, poking your head through the bright room. seungmin and felix had just finished their daengnyang school live, texting you to quickly come over. you were already on your way to them anyways, but suspicion immediately came into mind once you saw the message.

you had no idea what they were up to, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. all you heard was that they were preparing something food related.

felix is amazing when it came to baking and cooking but when seungmin is involved, it all somehow goes down hill. what did the kitty cat and puppy do now?

you do a once over at the room, slightly amused of the damage they've caused in such a short amount of time. the condiments and other baking materials were scattered all throughout the table, the pan they've used also had burnt batter residue sticking to it, probably the sole cause of the slight fog that engulfed the room.

“y/n, try it! i made this for you.” seungmin practically beams, shooting from up his seat and holding a plate out. it was a normal enough looking bungeo-ppang, but he has a grin that says evil written all over it.

you glance over at yongbok, the blonde's face morphs into an immediate 'no don’t do it' face while shaking his head vehemently. now you're curious. "what's in this?"

"you have to guess!"

“is this gonna kill me?” 

“no, i promise.” he laughs, holding it to your mouth.

“if i die i'll kill you.” you decide to humor him, taking a very, very small bite out of it. it was spicy and a bit tangy, but the subtle sweetness of the batter contrasted with it in a strange yet palatable way.

“oh, it’s actually pretty good.” you say, grabbing seungmin's wrist to take another bite. felix just watches you with pure disappointment in his eyes.

“see!” the puppy says quite proudly, tail practically wagging.

“what’s in it?”

“sriracha and wasabi.”

“you are trying to kill me!”

"but you liked it!"

"you should try this one y/n." felix says, lifting up his own plate with his creation. you didn't need to think twice since yongbok made it, it's bound to be better than seungmin's. it was different, you thought, tasting cheese and some sort of sauce in the filling.

you went back to taste the sriacha wasabi bungeo-ppang and comparing it to the vaguely pizza flavored one. oddly enough, you found yourself still liking seungmin's better, the expression is clear in your face.

"what?!" seungmin laughs at felix's reaction, patting his back. "you're weird," the blonde snickered, shaking his head.

"we should give this to chan-hyung." the black haired puppy snaps his fingers. your eyes widen, just because you liked it, it doesn't mean chan is gonna think the same way. that man has an abysmal spice tolerance.

"you're planning on giving this to chan? are you trying to kill him?"

before he can reason out why he wants to give this to poor chan, you take the plate out of his hands. "…give it here."

-

a/n: yeah i know it wasn't that bad so i had to take artistic liberties HAHA but i would eat the sriracha one ok just to spare channie LOL

[kurishiri]

alfons v.s. ring . . . ring schwartz epilogue 💍

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— cw: suggestive undertones.

Kate: If it’s come to this... then let’s do it! I mean, pretending to do naughty things!

Ring: Y-yeah, I do know that’s our only choice here, but... there’s no way I could do it.

R: Um, those kinds of things... I’ve never actually done them before!

R: But... s-since you’re really cute... I’m sure you have plenty of experience and whatnot...!

Kate: W-what do you mean, ‘plenty,’ there’s no way I have that much experience! Anyway, forget about that, we need to do something about this...

K: Ring, you go shake and push on the bed to make it creak!

K: And I’ll listen in on the other room and make sounds to match!

Ring: ...That seems more doable.

Ring went atop the bed and started to jump on it.

The bed did start creaking, to be sure, but it also was making some jarring noises that made me think the bed was really about to break down.

Kate: Could you be a bit more gentle though, Ring? It’s too much...!

Ring: Oh, umm, then... how about this!?

He briskly stepped off the bed before he put both hands on the bed and started to push down.

By doing so, he could create a good creaking sound that didn’t go too far.

Woman’s voice: The bed from the room next door has started creaking.

Man’s voice: In that case, they’re probably just a pair of lovebirds. Guess we were worrying ourselves over nothing.

Woman’s voice: ...That said, don’t you think it’s strange that there’s not a peep from the other side?

(Oh, that’s right! I have to make noise too.)

Kate: Ah, ahh... ahhn...

Ring: H-hey, um. I can’t say I’ve heard others doing you-know-what before, so I may be wrong, but...

R: When women do, you know, the deed, do they really sound this monotone...?

Kate: I mean, we’re not actually doing it, so that makes it harder...

Woman’s voice: The panting from the room next door sounds a bit strange, wouldn’t you say?

Man’s voice: It sounds real flat...

(First Ring, and now the two in the next room over are doubting me too...! At times like these, then...!)

Kate: I-I’m really, really sorry! I’ve been told by a lot of partners that my panting sounds suuuper flat!

At this point, I decided to play into the role of ‘a woman whose pants sound flat’ as I raised my voice.

Ring: N-no matter how you are, I won’t mind at aaalll!

While continuing to push down on the bed, Ring returned a fitting line in response.

...Very monotonously, may I add, for the both of us.

Woman’s voice: ...Huh, I guess they really are just one odd couple.

Man’s voice: I mean, seeing as they’re using a room of a strange manor like this, that would be a given, probably.

Kate: Oh, thank goodness, it seems they’ve bought the act...! Let’s keep this up then!

Ring: Alright... but, sorry, I’m a bit hot, so I’ll take my jacket off.

Seeing as the bed is hard, having to push down hard enough to make sounds continuously must have taken a considerable amount of stamina.

With that, Ring casually took off his top layer and put it aside.

(...)

Maybe because of the way his clothes fit his body so well, his well-trained muscles were brought to the surface.

The sweat that came from shaking the bed moved traced the back of his neck, making him quite sexy.

Ring: ...Kate? Is there something wrong?

Kate: N-no, not at all! It’s nothing——

Taken aback at having become more conscious of Ring, my legs buckled suddenly,

and, preparing for the impact, I closed my eyes then and there.

Kate: ...!

(Hm? Wait, it doesn’t hurt...?)

Ring: Are you okay?

When I slowly opened my eyes, there Ring was, nearby, as he asked with a touch of worry in his voice.

(So Ring is the one who saved me and stopped the fall...)

Our bodies were touching, and I could feel his body was a bit warmer than mine, and he gave off a pleasant, earthy scent.

(Even though he’s holding me in his arms, he seems completely unperturbed... his appearance hardly betrays the fact he must be training regularly.)

(...Wait, what in the world are you looking at, Kate!?)

Kate: T-thank you for saving me. I’ll let go now.

Ring: ...Wait.

Kate: Huh...

When his earnest voice stopped me stiff, Ring’s hand gently slid to my cheek.

(W-what the...!?)

Ring: Your face is all red. Did you hit it somewhere?

(Oh... so he was worried for me.)

Kate: N-no, I didn’t. I’m fine.

Ring: But...

Kate: It’s just... we’re so close together that I’m a bit nervous... is all...

Ring showed no sign of pulling away himself, so I opted to give him an honest answer then. And when I did, Ring also turned red, as though it had moved over from me to him.

Ring: I-I see... then, umm, I’m glad if you’re okay.

R: Sorry for keeping you like that. ...And should we continue then? What we were doing before, I mean.

After that, we continued our act of panting and shaking the bed until we exited the room.

Ring looked exhausted as we exited the room, and there was Alfons, waiting out in the hallway.

Alfons: Thank you for your hard work. Now then, were you able to listen in for what we needed?

Kate: Yes, all of it and everything...

Alfons: My word, is that a hoarse voice I hear? And not only that...

A: I see Ring has stripped his outer layer off and is positively sweaty as well.

A: Would it be safe to assume... you two have gone aaall the way, by any chance?

Ring & Kate: “No!” “Absolutely not!”

Fin.

will vs darius jude vs nica alfons vs ring

← prev fin

END NOTES: this story was so silly and makes me smile whenever i read it, haha. ring seems to be the most popular of the vogel trio, seeing he has gotten a dark mafia design, and it’s not hard to see why. his charm is in his innocence, and it’s like a breath of fresh air in this game, and i hope i could capture it too.

i’m overall curious about all the vogel members and feel this story event is a strong debut for all three. thank you for reading, and hope you enjoyed! i’d love to hear your thoughts as well ♡

full masterlist 🪞💍

[0cta9on]

Fluffy though of gidle miyeon being an older girlfriend and introducing her younger boyfriend to her members

Hello yoohyeons-puppy98! I took quite a few creative liberties with this, hope you don't mind :]

You examine the mirror a final time, unsure of what you see in the reflection. “I don’t know. Are you sure I look okay?”

“Of course you do,” Miyeon reassures you, planting a kiss on your cheek. “You look very handsome.”

“These glasses make me look like a nerd.”

“A handsome nerd.” She gathers her purse, heading towards the front door. “Now hurry up, hun, we’re gonna be late.”

You’re getting promoted to the manager of a bowling alley—hardly a means for celebration. Yet, Miyeon always makes a big deal out of these kinds of things, no matter how big or small. Despite your reluctance, she insisted on setting up a picnic with all of your friends to celebrate your new promotion.

Well, her friends at least. Social interaction never came easy to you like it does for Miyeon. Where you would prefer to keep to yourself, she’s the type to go out of her way to make friends with strangers. A sort of black cat and golden retriever dynamic, she never shies away from showering you with affection. It can be a bit troublesome at times, but at the very least, life is much, much more interesting having her as your girlfriend.

“...And then she had the audacity to just walk off like nothing happened!” Miyeon exclaims, complaining about an interaction she had earlier today while on the drive to the park. “Ugh, the nerve of some people!”

“That sucks, baby.” Judging by her story, it seems like she’s the one in the wrong here, but you would never admit that to her, especially when she’s like this.

“Yeah, I don’t wanna talk about it anymore, just thinking about it is pissing me off,” she sighs. The frown on her face instantly fades, replaced by her pretty smile as she turns to look at you. “God, I can’t believe you thought you looked ugly in those glasses. You look so cute.”

You chuckle softly. “You’re just saying that because you bought them for me.”

“I’m saying that because it’s true.” She waits until you stop in front of the red light before grabbing your chin and turning your head towards her. “I picked well though, didn’t I? You’re giving ‘sexy nerd’ vibes, like you’ll explain the Pythragoran theorem to me before taking me to the bedroom and f—”

“OKAY!” you exclaim, cutting her off before she goes into anymore detail. “First of all, it’s pronounced ‘Pythagorean’ theorem—”

“—So hot—”

“Second of all,” you stifle a chuckle at her overexaggerated lip bite, “Are your friends already at the park?”

“Yeah, I think so.” She leans back in her seat to check her phone, the sunlight through the window dancing on her flawless skin. “Yup, they’re all there. Just waiting for us.”

You breathe deeply, trying your best to calm your nerves. Miyeon, sensing something wrong, places a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

“Are you alright?” she asks.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine. Just a little nervous, I guess.”

With how often she talks about them, you basically know everything about Miyeon’s friends, maybe more than you should know. However, you’ve never actually met them in person. You know they’re good people (Miyeon wouldn’t constantly sing their praises otherwise), but the thought of making a good first impression still fills your mind with worry. 

“You have nothing to worry about, honey,” she says. “I talk about you so much, they basically like you already.”

“Oh really?” The corner of your lip lifts with curiosity. “What did you tell them about me?”

“Well…” That sly grin growing on her face tells you more than enough about the kind of ramblings that go on in her group chat.

“Christ, Miyeon!” you groan, heat rising to your cheeks. “I don’t need them knowing all about… that!”

She simply shrugs, chuckling at your reaction. “It’s a girl thing, I don’t expect you to understand. Besides, I tell them other things about you too, like how sweet and hardworking and attentive you are…” She leans in close until you can feel her breath tickling your earlobe. “...and how you like to call me ‘noona’ in bed—”

You come to a grinding halt pulling into a parking spot. Your entire face becomes enveloped in a burning heat, while Miyeon breaks down laughing in the passenger seat. If there weren’t so many people around, you would’ve already been pounding your face against the horn until your skin became one with the steering wheel.

“I’m just joking, honey!” she exclaims, clutching her stomach as she comes down from her hysterical high. 

Knowing Miyeon, the possibility that she did tell them is still non-zero. All you can do is hope that none of them mention this damning piece of information during the picnic, otherwise you fall victim to awkward future encounters at worst or a lifetime of teasing at best. In hindsight, maybe it would’ve been easier if you didn’t get the promotion in the first place.

______________________________________________________________

The golden sun hangs overhead, complimenting the aquamarine of the clear skies. A cooling breeze offsets the heat emitting from above to a perfect point. It’s a great day for a picnic, all things considered. Somehow, these kinds of things always work out when Miyeon plans them. Perhaps she’s secretly a goddess, bending the universe at her will whenever she wants, even for something as small and inconsequential as a picnic. Or perhaps you just don't pay enough attention to the weather app these days.

Miyeon skips ahead of you, the grass dancing in the wake of her every step as she makes her way towards the five girls sitting on the picnic blanket in the shade of a large tree. You purposefully slow down, making a small show of the cooler you’re dragging getting stuck on a rock, just so you can control your breathing before meeting them. It didn’t help that you’re still all hot and bothered from Miyeon’s previous teasing. The least you can do is not make a complete fool of yourself from the get go.

“Girls, this is my man, I’m sure you know all about him at this point.” Miyeon clings to your arm, shooting a sneaky wink that does little to calm your nerves.

“Hello,” you say, giving them a polite bow.

The rest of them exchange greetings with you, quickly putting you at ease as you fall into pleasant conversation. Most of your time is spent listening to another one of Miyeon’s rants (They all agree that she was in the wrong, but of course, you take her side anyways), but every once in a while, the others will tell stories about their own personal lives. 

You learn about Soyeon’s budding rap career and Shuhua’s inability to hold a stable job for more than a month at a time (You figure you could mention that your place is hiring, but quietly decide against it after hearing about her work ethic). Minnie tells you about her visit to Thailand last month to see her family, showing the group her many pictures of her adventures, while Soojin and Yuqi vent about the different kinds of customers they meet at the bar they work at. They’re such an eclectic group of interesting people, you almost feel embarrassed that they’re all assembled here to celebrate your promotion at a dingy bowling alley

“Congrats on your promotion!” Soyeon exclaims. “It must be fun working at a bowling alley.”

“Eh, it’s alright,” you say, scratching the back of your head. “Mainly just cleaning and general customer service, I would hardly call it interesting.”

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Miyeon chimes in. “Tell them about what happened last week, with the drunk guy and all that.”

The rest of the group lean in with intrigue, putting a spotlight on you. “Um, it wasn’t anything really—”

“C’mon, tell us!” Shuhua screams. “Don’t be a wuss!”

“Hey, don’t be rude.” Soojin slaps her on the shoulder, scolding her. “But yes, we would like to know what happened.”

“Alright, well…” You take a quick breath, trying to recount everything that happened. “There was this big group of guys that came in, I think it was for some guy’s birthday party or a bachelor party or something. They ordered a bunch of alcohol and started terrorizing the other lanes, just being really rowdy and stuff. My coworker told them to chill out, and one of them started getting physical with her, so I, uh…” You pause, suddenly feeling self conscious about all the attention you’re getting. Miyeon rubs your back, looking at them with a knowing smirk.

“...I slip—”

“He knocked him out!” She exclaims, finishing your sentence.

The girls erupt into a chorus of cheers, patting you on the back and singing your praises about how “cool” you are. In reality, you only knocked the guy out after slipping and accidentally headbutting him in the nose, but it’s already too late to correct them. So you settle for keeping quiet, letting them believe in the facade that Miyeon presented them.

“Wah, that’s so cool!” Yuqi cheers. “No wonder you got promoted to manager!”

“Remind me to hire you as my bodyguard the next time I visit home,” Minnie teases.

In the midst of all the commotion, Miyeon pulls you to the side, gently cupping your chin. “See, I told you they would like you,” she whispers, kissing your cheek.

“They like the lie that you told.”

“I didn’t lie, you did technically knock him out.”

“Yeah, on accident—”

Miyeon shuts you up with a peck to your lips, brief yet sweet enough to leave you wanting more. “I just want them to know how cool my boyfriend is, okay?”

You sigh, sinking your face deeper into her touch. “Okay. Thanks.” You lean in and return the favor, giving her a peck of your own. “Noona~”

Miyeon covers her face with her hands, a light pink hue peaking through the gaps of her fingers. The others exchange weird looks, unsure of what to make of her sudden reaction, but all you can do is shrug. For all the teasing she does, it’s a wonder how easy it is to make her topple.

[the-winter-spider]

The View Between Villages | Part Seven

Word count: 3.2k

Pairings: Bucky x reader, TASM!Peter x reader

A/N: promise ill put this fic on my masterlist eventually lol

Masterlist

—-

“Bucky told me he came by,” Sam said, his voice hesitant, waiting for any sign of acknowledgement. When none came, he sighed, feeling a bit foolish talking to a door. He closed his eyes, pretending you were right there in front of him. “Y/N, I know you’re hurting. I can’t help you, or even try to understand what you’re feeling, unless you let me in. We’ve dealt with loss, and it hurts. I get that—I really do. But we need to carry on for them, to pave the path for the future.”

You lay on the couch, your eyes fixed on the ceiling fan as it spun endlessly. It had been six weeks since Bucky stopped by. He hadn’t called, he hadn’t texted. You were almost certain this was Sam’s last attempt to coax you out, but the truth was, he wasn’t Natasha, he wasn’t Steve, he wasn’t Tony. And you weren’t even yourself anymore.

You wanted to try for Sam. He was good, so full of light and warmth, and he made talking seem easy. Maybe that’s why you couldn’t bring yourself to talk to him—because if you did, everything would spill out, and you had no idea what would happen after that. Maybe Sally, the news anchor, was right. You were unpredictable, unsteady, and not safe to be around. You didn’t even want to be around yourself.

“I’m not sure how much news you’ve been keeping up with, but a lot has happened,” Sam continued, his voice softening. “Bucky and I are going to be working together again. Who knows? We might even become friends. He’s going to help me with our family boat—we could use your help, too. Not just with the boat, but to keep us from killing each other,” he added with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ll text you where we’ll be. Call me anytime, Y/N. Take care of yourself.”

You heard the floor creak as he turned to leave. In your mind, you tried to picture Sam standing there, but the image was fuzzy. You couldn’t quite remember what he looked like anymore, just like you couldn’t clearly remember any of them. Their faces, their voices—all of it was fading away, burning memories fraying at the edges. You knew you’d forget the sound of his voice soon, just as you had forgotten the others.

Sam paused at the door, almost as if he was debating whether to say something else. Finally, he added, “Oh, I almost forgot… we got the shield back.”

The words hung in the air, a bittersweet reminder of the weight they all carried. But it wasn’t enough to lift you from the darkness that had taken root inside. You heard the door click shut, and then you were alone again, the silence pressing down like a suffocating blanket.

You turned your head slightly, staring at the phone lying on the coffee table. Sam’s text would come through eventually, and maybe you’d read it. Maybe you’d even respond. But not today. Today, the fan kept spinning, and so did the endless loop of memories that you wished you could forget.

—-

Statue of Liberty

“Are you guys almost done?” you shouted over the wind, your voice barely carrying over the clanging of metal and the distant sounds of the city below.

“Yeah, just placing the last one,” Peter 1 called back.

“Cool, cool,” you muttered, leaning over the scaffolding as Peter 1 jumped down, perching effortlessly beside you. Peter 2 and Peter 3 landed gracefully on either side of you, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

You turned to face Peter 1, your universe’s Peter. “Y’know, I don’t think Steve would’ve liked this,” you said, gesturing to the construction of the shield on the Statue of Liberty.

Peter 1 smiled, a bit sheepishly. “It really is a big honour.”

Peter 2 chimed in, “This guy must have really been something for them to do all this.”

You swallowed hard, the weight of your grief pressing against your chest. You missed Steve more than you allowed yourself to admit. It still hurt—the way you never said goodbye, the way you couldn’t bring yourself to face him after he returned—an old man, having lived a life you could only dream of. The jealousy that bubbled inside you felt like poison, and you hated yourself for feeling it. Steve had been your hero, your friend, and it hurt to think that you weren’t there for him when he needed you most.

“He really was,” you whispered, your voice thick with unshed tears.

Peter 3 placed a hand on your shoulder, his touch gentle and reassuring. “You all are, honestly,” he said with a small smile. “Ever since I got here, all I keep seeing and hearing about are these amazing heroes. I just wish my universe had more of them.”

You managed a soft smile, looking up at him. “They have you, Parker. That’s all they need, and you are pretty amazing.”

“Yeah,” Peter 2 agreed, beaming at Peter 3. “Why are you so hard on yourself? You’re the amazing Spider-Man!”

Peter 3 shrugged, trying to play it off, but you could see the doubt lingering in his eyes. “It’s just… you guys all fight such cool villains, and I just have a lizard. I wonder if my universe has aliens.”

“Probably does,” Peter 1 said, laughing a little. “They all have to, right? But maybe they just haven’t been provoked yet.”

“What do you mean?” Peter 3 asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Like… there are so many superheroes here,” Peter 1 explained, pulling out his phone. “Mr. Stark once told me it shows life outside of Earth that we’re ready for a fight, so maybe that’s why we get all the crazy stuff.” He paused, frowning at his phone. “It’s an unknown number.” He hesitated for a moment before bringing it to his ear. “Um, hello?”

Peter 3 raised an eyebrow at you, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Think one of the villains got a phone?”

You chuckled softly, shaking your head. “It’s a necessity nowadays; I wouldn’t doubt it.”

Peter 1’s expression shifted, his eyes locking onto yours. “Yeah, she’s here,” he said, clearing his throat. “It’s for you.”

Your heart skipped a beat, a cold chill running down your spine. “Who is it?” you asked, even though deep down, you already knew.

Peter 1 gave you a sympathetic look, holding out the phone. “Sergeant Barnes.”

All the colour drained from your face, your hands trembling slightly as you took the phone from him. “Oh,” was all you could manage.

“I can tell him you’re busy,” Peter 1 offered, reaching for the phone, but you shook your head.

“No, I… I’ll take it.” You stepped back, bumping into Peter 3, who steadied you with a gentle grip on your shoulders.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft, his brown eyes filled with concern.

You nodded, though you weren’t sure if you were convincing either of you. Turning away from the group, you moved further down the catwalk, trying to put some distance between yourself and the others so they wouldn’t overhear your conversation. But their voices still echoed faintly in the background, Peter 2’s curious question reaching your ears: “Who’s Sergeant Barnes?”

You took a deep breath, pacing back and forth as you held the phone to your ear. Your thoughts raced, your emotions teetering on the edge of control. You remembered Tony’s breathing techniques, forcing yourself to inhale slowly, exhale just as slowly, trying to keep everything from spiralling out of control. You pinched the bridge of your nose, fighting the urge to scream, cry, or just… disappear.

“Hello?”

“Y/N.” Relief washed over Bucky’s voice, but there was an edge to it. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me, we saw you on TV with the Spider kid… Now I’m hearing about bad guys showing up. Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, Bucky. We have everything under control.”

He scoffed. “What, you and that kid? And you’re bringing the fight to the Statue of Liberty? Are you serious?”

“It’s not just me and Peter, we have other help.” You were trying to stay calm, saving your energy for the real fight.

He sighed, frustration evident. “I know, Y/N.”

“Know what?”

“About the night of Steve’s funeral.”

Your mouth went dry. It felt like you were swallowing cotton. “Which funeral?”

“Doll,” he pleaded softly, not wanting to say it out loud.

“Don’t.” You shook your head, voice trembling.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve—”

“You would have what, Bucky? Stayed with me out of pity? Afraid I’d do it again? You said it yourself, we’re not the same people anymore.”

“I still love you. I’ll always love you, Y/N. I just needed time to figure out who I was, but—”

“What about what I needed?” you yelled, cutting him off. “What about me? I lost Steve too, I lost time too, I—I lost everything… I needed you, Bucky!”

“I’m right here, doll. I’ve always been here. You could’ve called me whenever, and you know I would have come running.”

“But you weren’t there. You were supposed to be there.”

You could hear his heavy breathing through the phone, and you were sure his brow was furrowed. “I’m right here, please, sweetheart, just talk to me, I-i miss you.

“You’ve been doing fine for the last six months.”

“How do you know that? You aren't here!”

“You left me, Buck. Remember? And you were right to.”

“I was right?”

You felt the air around you hum with electricity; they were close. “We’re just not who we were anymore… You made that pretty clear because my Steve and my Bucky would have never hurt me the way you two did. Never.” You wiped away a tear, the pain in your chest intensifying as you said the words you’d been avoiding for so long.

There was a long pause on the other end, and when Bucky finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. “I never meant to hurt you, I thought I was protecting you.”

“By leaving me alone? By making me feel like I was the only one who couldn’t move on?”

“I couldn’t move on either,” he confessed, the rawness in his voice cutting through your defences. “But I didn’t know how to stay and not drag you down with me.”

You swallowed hard, fighting back the tears. “You didn’t have to do it alone, Bucky. You didn’t have to shut me out.”

“I know that now,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “But back then… I didn’t. And I’m sorry, Y/N. I’m so sorry.”

For a moment, you couldn’t respond. The words hung between you, heavy with all the things left unsaid. But there was no time to dwell on it—not now, not with the fight looming ahead.

“I have to go,” you said finally, your voice tight with emotion. “They’re here.”

“Be careful,” Bucky pleaded, the desperation in his voice evident. “Please, just… come back to me, please don't do anything stupid, Sam and me, were on our way there, I'm gonna be there this time… please doll, i love you”

You closed your eyes, feeling the weight of everything you were carrying, focusing on your breathing and turning back towards the group. You took a minute to yourself, just taking the moment to observe them, the calm before the storm. Your Peter was perched up top, while the eldest stood by, and the Peter you were willing to risk it all for leaned against the railing, his mask in hand. He was smiling from ear to ear, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Almost as if he could feel you staring, he turned to you, giving you the kindest smile before offering a small wave, which you returned.. “I love you.” You tore your gaze away from the Spider-Men, looking out over the edge. “I’m not sure I can ever love anyone the way I love you... But I can’t do that here, not when every corner I turn reminds me of everything, everyone I’ve lost.”

“What do you mean, here? Y/N, what are you going to do?” Panic laced his voice. He knew you had powerful abilities, but he didn’t fully understand them. You were still learning about them when he was in the safe house before Wakanda, but he knew enough to be scared of what you might do.

“James, I’m going to be okay…everything’s going to be okay.”

“Y/N, answer me.”

“I love you Bucky, god i love you so much” You clicked the phone shut.

You walked back over to the boys. “Thanks, Pete,” you smiled, tossing his phone back to him.

“You okay?” Peter 3 asked, concern in his voice.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” You mustered the best smile you could, but the way Peter 3’s eyes searched yours told you he could see right through it. That stung—someone you just met could see you weren’t okay, but Steve and Bucky couldn’t? Or maybe they could and just didn’t care. You quickly pushed those thoughts away, refocusing on the task at hand. “Are we ready to kick some ass?”

A series of nods followed. “Good, because they’re here.”

“How do you—” Peter 1 perched up. “You guys feel that?”

“Yeah,” Peter 2 nodded. “How did you know before us?”

“I’m one with everything, and all that hippie stuff.” You shrugged it off, activating your suit. The nanobots covered you from head to toe, transforming from an inky black to a colorless white, your eyes glowing with a cold intensity. The sky began to crackle, lightning flashing throughout.

“Y/N?” Your Peter questioned.

“Not me.”

All three men put their masks on, everyone fully alert. A man appeared, his arms crackling with electricity. “Sup, Pete? You like the new look?”

“Oh well, that’s pretty cool,” you said to no one in particular.

“Who’s this?” Electro turned his attention to you. “Look, I don’t wanna hurt a lady. Just give me the box, and everything will be fine.”

“I wouldn’t be too worried about hurting Y/N,” Peter 1 said. “She’s pretty badass.”

“Is that a challenge?” Electro smirked.

“Nope, no, no, Max, it’s definitely not a challenge,” Peter 3 said, trying to step in front of you. But it was too late—Electro sent a massive bolt of electricity surging toward you.

Without flinching, you caught the energy mid-air, the force of it pushing you back slightly. You held the electricity in your hand, feeling the raw power surging through you. A glowing line formed between you and Electro, the air around you crackling with tension. Your eyes glowed brighter as you lifted off the ground, hovering a few feet above the scaffolding.

“Oh shit,” Electro muttered, eyes wide.

“You know,” you began, your voice echoing with power, “that thing on your chest was designed by a very dear friend of mine. He wouldn’t like this—being on the wrong side of the fight and all. So I’m gonna have to do something about it.”

With a flick of your wrist, you sent the energy back toward Electro, forcing him to his knees. The arc reactor on his chest pulsed wildly as it tried to compensate for the overwhelming power you were feeding it.

“Any day now, Parker!” you shouted through gritted teeth, struggling to keep the feedback loop stable.

Peter 3 snapped out of his stupor and rushed forward, yanking the arc reactor off Electro’s chest and slapping the cure onto him. Electro collapsed, the energy dissipating in a burst of sparks. You slowly lowered him onto the scaffolding as Peter 3 knelt beside him, checking for any lingering signs of danger.

You dropped to the ground, adrenaline still coursing through your veins. “We need to find Peter!” you said, already moving. You passed Peter 2 as he successfully cured Sandman, the grains of sand swirling around him before settling into a calm pile.

As you rounded a corner, you collided with something—or someone—solid. Stumbling back, you looked up to see Doctor Strange standing before you.

“Y/N?”

“Strange.”

“You’re alive.”

“You thought I wasn’t?”

“I stopped hearing from you. Logically, I assumed the worst.” His eyes narrowed as he studied you. “Please tell me you’re not helping the kid.”

“We’re curing them. It’s working if that’s what you’re asking.”

He ignored your comment. “Your eyes are glowing.”

“It’s a new thing. Just started happening, I guess.” You shrugged.

He nodded, a calculating look in his eyes. “You’re unlocking it.”

“Unlocking what?”

“Everything. Your full potential.” He stared at you for a moment, almost as if he were reading your every thought. “Tread lightly, Y/N,” he warned before opening another portal.

You followed him, knowing exactly who he was going to. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means—”

“Pete, watch out!” you screamed as you saw the Lizard tackle Peter, your Peter, sinking his claws deep into his abdomen.

Strange quickly whipped out an Eldritch Whip to restrain the Lizard as the other two Spider-Men rushed in to cure Doctor Connors. You shakily knelt beside your Peter, who was gasping for breath, his suit torn and blood seeping out.

“Oh, Pete.” Tears welled in your eyes, guilt clawing at you as you applied pressure to the wound. “I’m so sorry.”

His hand weakly covered yours, his eyes filled with pain but also a reassuring warmth. “Don’t… apologize, Y/N. It’s not… your fault.” His breath hitched, and he tried to smile. “I know… what you’re—”

You shook your head, determined. “I’m going to fix this.”

“This is too much, Y/N. It’ll—” His voice faltered as he coughed, blood staining his lips. “It’ll take you out… if not worse.”

Your vision tunneled, focusing solely on Peter as you ignored the chaos around you. You weren’t aware of the hand on your shoulder or the shouts of the other Spider-Men. You placed both hands over Peter’s wound, your eyes glowing brighter as you began to pour every ounce of energy you had left into healing him.

“Get her off of me! This could kill her!” Peter 1 shouted, his voice desperate.

Peter 3 tried to pull you back, but you thrust out your left hand, mumbling a weak “Sorry” before blasting him away, a forcefield-like bubble forming around you and Peter. The bubble hummed with power, blocking out all outside interference. You vaguely saw Strange on the other side, using everything he had to break through.

“Y/N, please stop,” Peter begged, his voice breaking.

But you pushed on, one wound down, two more to go. The energy around you flickered, your vision pulsating between reality and darkness. You were fading fast, but you couldn’t stop, not when Peter needed you. You continued to channel everything into him until his vitals stabilized, the wound fully closed.

Just as you began to collapse, a bone-chilling voice echoed through the sky.

“Can the Spider-Man come out to play?!”

Peter shoved you out of the way just as the Goblin hurled a barrage of pumpkin bombs at the scaffolding. The force of the explosion sent you tumbling off the edge, the world spinning around you as darkness closed in. The last thing you saw was Strange struggling to keep the Goblin at bay, and the last thing you heard was someone screaming your name as you plummeted into the void.

[macravishedbymactavish]

Social Butterfly | Antisocial Moth (Keegan Russ x GN! Reader)

TW: A little bit of swearing? Total imposter syndrome for the social butterfly bits as the authors personality aligns closer to Keegan's. Creative liberties taken in backstories as there's next to nothing from the games.

Blog HQ

What do laws of physics and horoscopes have in common? Both say opposites attract.

Which may be the reason why you're sitting at lunch in the mess hall, chatting with the 3rd person that approached your table while your boyfriend sat silently beside you. In the span of 30 minutes.

"No way, of course did." You smiled, laughing at Harper's story about her middle child -- Noah who has been desperately trying to keep up with a girl he likes during gym class. Because if we run together af the same speed, then I get to talk to her more.

"He's gotten better, told me he shaved 5 seconds off his total time last week" the two of you chuckled. Your food barely touched, despite your boyfriend being almost done his. "Oh anyway, I should get going and let you eat. See you, bye Keegan!" He gave a short nod and awkward smile, as you bid your colleague goodbye.

"Oh my gosh, I love her. Her kids are so cute" you smiled over to the quiet man beside you. Like with your past 2 interactions at this lunch alone, Keegan was provided with context and background on all of them. Such as:

Parker - who recently got a new dog named Ranger. 6 month old Husky who argues with him on the daily. The dog is so cute babe, can we get one? Our dog and his dog could be best friends! Then Logan can bring Riley over for a playdate and all the dogs would be so happy. Please!

Then Finn - his girlfriend, Raven (your favourite mechanic on base who he will HAVE to meet) just got home from visiting her friends from back home. He really wants to propose but isn't quite sure if this is a good time for them. I think he should do it because they are literally soulmates.

Did he really care about any of this information? Not overly. Keegan was your opposite. Preferring a smaller, tighter knit social circle than knowing everyone on base. Even if that meant you teasing him about his social circle consisting of his team, even then he didn't know a whole lot of details about them.

"I know plenty about them" He argued one night while getting ready for bed.

"Yeah? Like what?" You challenged, leaning back on the bed, watching your boyfriend roll his eyes. He was the antisocial moth to your social butterfly.

"Uh Merrick started in the seals before he was a Ghost. Knew me since I was 18, so he's pretty much my family. Loves cats, camping and his kids" You raised an eyebrow, internally adding that his wife was the best baker you've met, and that his son played hockey for many years while his daughter played soccer.

"Ajax is the most stubborn, kindest asshole I've had the pleasure of working with. Extremely smart, one of the best mentors and friends I've had" His in-laws also own the local bar downtown and donate meals to the local homeless shelters every week. His partner plans on taking over the buisness one day to continue the good deeds.

"Uh Elias knows his stuff. I couldn't ask for a better commander. Been through hell and back but continues putting the team first, he's also the one who recruited me onto the team". He also lost his wife 8 years after his youngest was born and has been balancing his life between raising 2 sons and commanding a team. He feels bad every so often feeling like he didn't give them a proper childhood, or forcing David to grow up a little too fast to take care of his brother. Even though he loves the bond the two have formed. He is the dad friend of every social circle.

"Logan is good, young and full of potential. Doesn't say much, but knows what he wants out of life and is working his ass off toward getting it. Picks up on things extremely quick, has your back at all times, loves Riley and any other animal he comes across. A bit on the quiet side but that's not a bad thing" You laughed softly, realizing every single description Keegan has given you so far is 95% work related; so continuing in the current format. You bit your lip, in an attempt not to add that Logan was a very sweet kid, of minimal words as your boyfriend pointed out, sure. But he told you once that he hoped to make his family proud with what he was doing. Then got extremely red the day you and his brother told him just how proud everyone is of him.

"What's so funny over there, chuckles?" Keegan smiled at you, walking over to join you in the bed. Opting to lay between your thighs with his head on your stomach. Fingers automatically going to his hair, you felt him relax into your touch.

"I think it's funny that everything was work related. They do lead lives off base, like you and me" you felt him shrug silently. "You forgot about Hesh and Kick". Not bothering to move, he continued.

"Everyone in California knows Hesh's life story, and Kick is just a smartass". He had you there. "And not everyone is as open and talkative as you hun."

--

"Hey, it's been so long I've seen you. How have you been?" Another competitor entered the ring that was your shared table.

"It's been tiring, honestly. Coming back to work from extended leave has killed our motivation" hand finding Keegan's under the table, you were immediately engulfed in conversation with another face he didn't recognize. Lunch forgotten as your interest in the subject grew.

It was when Hesh Walker (the only person on base who held a candle to your social attitude) joined that Keegan decided he was done with lunch. Squeezing your hand 3 times under the table (a silent "I love you") he got up.

"See you guys" he responded to the 3 voices bidding him goodbye, as he went to drop his tray off before leaving.

"Tell me, how is it that the quietest soldier ended up dating the one of the loudest ones?" He heard Kick ask from behind him, walking alongside Elias and Merrick. "Your person could talk to a brick wall and become best friends with it in under 5 minutes". Keegan shrugged, falling in step with the group.

"They bring out the best side of our dear old Keegan though" Merrick clapped him on the shoulder with a mischievous grin. He found it rather comical watching you and Keegan out in a social atmosphere.

You working the room, chatting with anyone and everyone. Remembering random details about most people you've talked to. Him quietly watching you from across the room, or by your side nodding along to conversation. Things none of the senior team would've expected from their sniper 3 years ago, before he met you.

"Yeah. They're pretty great" Keegan smiled, allowing himself to fade into the background and listen to the conversation in front of him turn to whatever sports game the guys watched last night.

Your personalities may be day and night from one another, but he wouldn't give it up for th-

"Keeg! We aren't done talking about the dog we're going to adopt" he heard you yell from somewhere behind him. Causing him to freeze in place as the men in front of him began laughing. Feeling his face burn, knowing all passing eyes were now on either him or his ball of energy jogging up behind him.

But what can he say, opposites clearly attract.

Taglist: @bloodonmyhands-1221 @ai-luni

[dynamic-k]

If you're accepting asks for this right now, I've always been curious... do you have colors for some of the villains in the Super Sticks AU? Some colors were probably mentioned and I forgot them, but overall I don't remember all of the villains' colors being revealed.

This ask has been staring at me for quite some time, and I did honestly try much earlier to muster up some brain cells to give an answer-

I am always always accepting asks, it's just a matter of me answering on my own time. Theeeeesss one took me a whhiiile~ sorryy

To be honest, if there are not descriptions in the fic or bonus features, than I just don't have a description.

Sometimes, that's how I write. I have the semblances of a character design in my head, but I am definitely more on the word-oriented side of making an AU.

-

I will say that Madame Pop-Up has a pretty heavy design, actually. She was supposed to look a very specific way.

While it might sound strange to hear all at once, that's how it is so deal with it- /silly

-

Madame Pop-Up has a creamy-white [with like- barest hint of pink/red] skin with rosier and more prominent pink patches/splotches.

#fffffa, for the creamy white

#e6b3e5 for the rosy pink

Boots: #b80b45 [Ankle boots or higher, take your pick, she could wear either.]

Gloves: (which go about mid arm length) #fc0859

Poppy flower shade: #fc0820

With yellow middle.

She's supposed to be like a glamourous movie star look. I have yet to decide if I want her canon identity to be famous in that way or not, but it is tempting and matches my envisioned style of her to a T. :]

[The patches should look sorta streaky, like thick stripes. Large brush stroke stripes, of a sort? ]

Think a patches cat. Occasional spots, mostly stripes, a bit random but it looks nice because again: she is very showoff-ish and glamorous.

U U

An intimidating movie-star style though. She terrifies Chosen for a REASON, guys-

Oh and Madame has these color eyes: #bf0d52

-

Those are pictures I found online that match closely with how I imagine Madame's hair. Take creative liberties or variations if you want. 

Oh yeah, hair color: uhhh

[*digging in my worn cardboard box of hexcodes-*]

#520642

There-

-

Now uh-

I DID try to make a sketch.

...It got a little..

...coffee-d. Q Q

..Oops.

[And no, she doesn't have only one arm, I just- Didn't draw it-]

I BLOWDRIED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF THAT PAPER, WE'RE FINE-

I went back to my initial Arc One description, apparently Madame has a mask. I almost forgot about that: Like I said, I'm more word-oriented and delve deeply into plot.. and leave designs lacking sometimes-

I try my best, I'm glad the Ladybug Brothers have solid designs at least-

I'm gonna work equally hard with how the Color Gang will look in Arc Two, but that's still gonna be a while-

Uhh, the mask is..

You know what- 

I am just gonna explain how the style is. If someone wants to draw my OCs, use the style descriptions and go ham with whatever you deem fitting.

:]

I love all my fanart, no matter the 'accuracy' or whatever. :)

-

Uhhm, so let's move on to Mudd.

He is really easy to describe because I spent barely any time making him.

I'd just started the AU and needed some bully guy. And then ended up making him Red's nemesis- By accident-

Okay- XD

Uh.. Mudd has an arm canon on his left arm, and he can use it to funnel his acidic mud wherever he pleases at varying pressure rates.

Due to the acidic qualities, and occasional rocky clumps within the dirt substance, it does pack more of a punch than it might sound.

Mudd doesn't really create mud out of thin air, it's more like he manipulates the dirt around him and makes it into acidic mud via his sweat because I thought the way Bakugo's quirk in MHA worked was epically awesome and took creative liberties-

Then he can manipulate his mud into the arm canon and fire it out quicker than he could utilize effort to thrust it himself. Energy saver.

Uhm. He's a bulky figure. Simple brown-themed costume with maybe occasional black, no cape, generic mask.

There ya go. U U'

-

-

Moving onto the Alcoholic family:

-Vodka and Whiskey, the twins.

-Rum, the mother.

-The Jade Pretzel, the father. [And a british dramatic variant of Jade from A Second's Tale.]

-

-

The twins are the thin, wiry sort.

If anyone is familiar with this Junkrat and Roadhog animation for Overwatch:

Junkrat's build is similar to how the twins are. Actually the hair too, a bit, now that I think about it.

It sticks up and outward a little more for Whiskey; the younger of the twins. 

Take creative liberties with the costumes, honestly. 

All I know is that Whiskey is more greener themed, because his abilities are relatable to the nausea effect in Minecraft.

Vodka is more like...

Pinky browny? 

[*more digging in my worn and torn cardboard box of hexcodes-*]

#a36c6c

Have at thee-

O vO'

-

Rum is a bit more on the deep purple end of color scheme. With a RUM RED littered about as the complimentary color. She is fairly muscular, and has a stockier build than her sons.

-

Now, uh- The Super Sticks variant of Jade-

I found a stick-figure piccrew and made ST!Jade and SS!Jade respectively- [not 100% accurate, but the vibes are present-]

He has a monocle. Canon. You heard it here folks, I HAD to- 

It's got a gold rim, clear glass. 

It's actually attached to his mask, which is green and gold themed, so the monocle doesn't easily get knocked off if he moves too fast or something.

I will.. describe more of him when I actually complete the chapter where the Ladybug Brothers are battling the Jade Pretzel- 

The fight scene eludes me at the moment, so I keep writing more color gang shenanigans for future chapters instead- And probably a good thing too, since the ending homestretch of Arc One really didn't give our Color Quad the spotlight they deserve, so I'm putting more focus on them in Arc Two~

-

Uhhh, and that's it..?

[*brain buffering-*]

...Do I need to describe Primal/Prime a little bit since at one point she played a villain role-

-

Okay, yeah, why not~ 

:]

Primal is cool. She's got emo vibes, but is browner/tan themed rather than black or something you'd find on an emo-stereotypical design. 

She prefers practical over stylish canonically, but ends up appearing rather well-designed anyway, in the eyes of others.

And her hair alternates from side, over-the-shoulder braids, to long back-ponytails on a whim.

Yes, Vic has a side braid too, but it isn't that long so it sticks out sideways in the back, and doesn't touch the shoulder.

Primal's hair is also a different length. It's aboooout mid-upper chest. :)

And that, I think, is all. 

-

...I really hope I don't immediately remember a villain OC I just forgot to speak of after hitting the Post button-

Thank you for the ask, and I deeply apologize for how long this sat in my Inbox. Fret not, your ask vehemently stared me in the face until I was intimidated enough to gather my notes together and some braincells too-

U U

Have a lovely day~

Edit: Do ignore that gloved hand in my sketch.

...Just ignore that. We all know I can't do hands.

I went powerpuff mitten style purely for some saving grace- XD

[dominickeating-source]

Star Trek Magazine Issue 121 (2005)

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK  Abbie Bernstein catches up with Dominic Keating - Star Trek: Enterprise's Security Officer Malcolm Reed 

At the time of this interview, the bad news hadn't officially broken, but Dominic Keating already seemed adjusted to the idea that after four years, his tenure playing Lt. Malcolm Reed on Star Trek:Enterprise was drawing to a close. "There's a definite sense that this could easily be it," he says, philosophically. "There's no one at Paramount any more that has any interest in the show. There's no one at UPN who has any interest in the show, there's no one at Paramount who could talk to anyone at UPN, even if they did have an interest in the show, in having it remain. I'm planning my life that we're off. Financially and otherwise, I'm moving ahead like [a fifth season is] not going to happen." 

Keating is happy with the fourth season so far: "It's going good. I've finally got a little bit more to do, which is nice. About the first 10 or 11 episodes, I'm not doing very much at all, just perfunctory stuff, and then it hots up. I've got quite a nice little four-episode, five-episode run." 

What's been the hardest thing Keating's had to do this season? "Wear the blessed spacesuit!" he laughs, referring to the Romulan arc stories. "I did two episodes, back to back, four or five days in a row in that spacesuit. Man, I tell you, it grates! A long day in that spacesuit is a long day." 

Even after the spacesuit has been physically doffed, it continues to plague the actors in post-production, Keating reveals: "Even when you take the helmets off, the suits themselves are so thick, with the rubber they use, they creak and crinkle, so you have to loop it [re-record the dialogue] anyway. If you move at all in that suit, you're looping. I just looped United today - it took two hours!" 

The spacesuit episodes - Babel One and United - see a return to the Shuttlepod One dynamics of Reed and Connor Trinneer's Trip finding themselves facing life-threatening jeopardy while separated from their colleagues. Keating still finds this a blast : "Oh, definitely. Connor's my mate now. We got the dynamic more than ever, because we're friends outside of the show now. We live around the corner from each other. We're chums. He's the guy I rang to help me take my car to the shop today - it's got to that," he laughs. "So yeah, the chemistry - we don't even have to think about that now." 

Keating is pleased with the turns the series has taken since Writer/Producer Manny Coto has taken on Show-runner responsibilities : "Manny's really stepped up," he feels. "In some ways - I'm not the one best really to say this - but I understand that he has righted some of the wrongs that some of the stalwart fans felt were made by the show in our early episodes. Some fans felt that we took certain liberties and apparently he's righted those and made it look like the liberties were taken for a reason. So that's fairly clever. And some of the stuff he's given us to do - the two episodes I just got to play were some of the best I've ever done on the show, and they were Manny's stories." 

There's also enjoyment to be had in the Mirror Universe two-part arc, In a Mirror Darkly, with a first episode scripted by Mike Sussman. "We're in this [parallel] universe where we're all bad mother******s. I played my first scene as a badass Reed with aspirations to - I can't tell you what - and it was great fun!" 

This called for a slight alteration in Reed's usual look, Keating adds: "I accentuated the scar I already have on my lip - a dog bit me when I was 17 - and I slicked my hair down a bit more severely than usual. Anthony [ Montgomery] went through a transformation - he looks amazing. Scott, too." 

Although it hasn't happened on ST:ENT, Keating reveals "I have a dream to direct, so whenever I'm not in a scene, you'll generally find me behind the monitor, watching what's going on." 

What are some of the things he's learned through observation? "Trust the Director of Photography and just be interested in the story and direct the story. I got very immersed in shot-making. That comes with experience. But let the Director of Photography make the shot. Ask the actors to come somewhere with you and have a vision, obviously, but when you actually think about the myriad and multitude of choices you've got, let the Director of Photography be that guy choosing the lenses. That's his job. You'll have a much better run, too, if you give the DP something to do, because he's involved. It's a consensus, with one guy - the Director - steering the ship." 

Does Keating have an ST:ENT Director he' d especially like to emulate? "That's a very difficult question," he considers. "They're all so unique. If I could pinch a bit from here and steal a bit from there...I like the way David Straiton is on the set. He has a lovely way with him. I like the passion that LeVar Burton has on set. I like the attention to detail that David Livingston has, and I like the efficiency and workmanlike attitude - that's not to say that he doesn't have all of the above as well or that the others don't have all of the above, either. Jim Conway has a very efficient, workmanlike attitude that threw me for a bit of a loop during the filming of the pilot, but he's actually directing again today, and it was very refreshing to be around that no-nonsense style. 

"When you've done a show for four years, I want to come to work, get it done and go home," Keating adds. "I have a great time doing it, but I don't need to spend three extra hours!" he laughs. 

What does Keating see himself doing next? "Lining up other work,"! he says. "Going out auditioning like a nutter!"

Source: www.dominickeating.com

[dweetwise]

The Long Con (part 1/6)

Happy Oktoberfest! 🍻 With the festival starting today in München, I figured it would be the perfect time to start posting this fic 🥰 Please also check out @ell-clavel's amazing riconti art that inspired me to write this AU in the first place 🧡 Rated G | 1.5k words | ao3 link [next]

"Man, look at all these people!"

Meg's grin was bright as she jogged past Ace and looked around in awe, her bow-adorned braids bouncing in time with her steps.

Ace hadn't expected quite this much of a crowd, either. It was only a Monday afternoon but the festival area was quickly filling up with groups flocking to the large beer tents or shopping at the stalls lining the central street.

He knew Oktoberfest was popular, but not this popular.

"I wonder if they're here to see Denson too." Ace smirked. "You might have some competition for the spot as her number one fan."

Meg's face scrunched up. "Shut up. You're the one who insisted on flying all the way out here, not me. Oh, look, there's a chocolate fruit stand!"

Ace smiled and bit back a snarky comment as Meg excitedly took in what the festival had to offer. The girl was an avid fan of country artist Kate Denson's work—Ace had a sneaking suspicion it was something she'd listened to with her late mother—and after an off-hand comment that Denson would be performing in Münich at this year's Oktoberfest?

Well, Ace simply hadn't been able to resist.

Just like he couldn't resist obnoxiously cooing, "Want me to buy you some choccy bananas?" when Meg kept eyeing the food stall.

Meg bristled. "I'm not fucking five years old."

"Really? Could have fooled me, with those pigtails."

"I'm just blending in," Meg said. 

She did a twirl to show off the rest of her outfit: a frilly top and floral bodice combined with full-length lambskin pants. She looked like she'd jumped straight out of one of those quaint paintings of a girl yodeling in the Alps.

"Which is more than I can say for some people," Meg snarked.

Unlike Meg’s outfit, Ace’s get-up had been thrown together on a budget. The fancy red waistcoat he’d…acquired from a casino’s staff room and it clashed horribly with the cheap fake bundhosen bought from a tourist shop. Hopefully, the random scarf and traditional Argentinian belt he’d tacked on would make it seem more like a fashion statement instead of an insult to Bavarian culture.

"So I took some creative liberties," Ace said.

"Yeah, that’s probably for the best." Meg smiled smugly. "You're about sixty years too old to pull off leather pants, anyway."

Ace gasped. "Attacked by my own protégé! The audacity!"

"Wonder where I learned that from," Meg said dryly. She looked around again. "I'm gonna go scope out the other tents before the concert."

"And here I thought you wanted me to hold your hand at baby's first festival."

Meg rolled her eyes and pointed at a large tent with something resembling a clock tower next to it. "That one looks the busiest. You go check it out and I'll come find you once I'm done."

Ah, ever efficient. Ace had taught her well.

"Remember to have some fun, too," Ace said. "All work and no play makes Meg a very dull girl!"

"And you remember what we're actually here for." Meg's piercing blue gaze bore into Ace's. "If I find you in a beer chugging contest again, so help me—"

"That was one time and the frat boys dared me!"

"Ace."

Ace smiled and shook his head. "Of course. Who do you take me for?"

Meg raised an eyebrow. "I bet I can score more than you."

"Oh, really?" Ace countered. "Maybe whoever loses should pay for lunch the rest of the week, if you're so confident."

"Deal." Meg turned around, waving over her shoulder as she walked away. "Smell you later, old fart!"

"Have fun, Firecracker."

Meg disappeared into the crowd and Ace allowed himself a moment to appreciate how far they'd come. It seemed like just yesterday that he'd taken the girl in.

A few years ago when he'd been stateside, Ace had managed to cash out big after a blackjack win streak. When he'd left the casino, he only made it two blocks down the street before someone bumped into him and Ace was very aware of the weight of his wallet disappearing from his pocket while he struggled to right himself.

The thief had run off in a blur of red hair and sneakers pounding on pavement. After feebly trying to chase after them, Ace had stayed in the area and waited, and only a few hours later the pickpocket—a teenage girl—returned to the scene of the crime. She was clearly tailing a woman in a fur jacket and designer purse, but even across the street Ace could see that both the fur and bag were obvious fakes.

Amateur mistakes, really.

This time, Ace had familiarized himself with the surroundings beforehand and even as the girl spotted him and took off in a sprint, he eventually managed to corner her in an alleyway.

And after some angry screaming from the girl and a kick to Ace's shin, they'd ended up in a 24/7 shoddy diner with Ace buying her a meal in exchange for her story.

Meg had been homeless for months after her mother passed away from cancer. At only seventeen and with no close relatives, she'd been forced out on the streets and struggling to survive; it was only her sharp reflexes and years as a track star that kept her afloat by doing petty crimes.

And maybe it was the situation that was eerily similar to Ace's own childhood, or the fire he could see in her eyes, but Ace had only smiled before critiquing her pickpocketing technique and asking if she'd ever thought about being a con artist.

That was how Ace ended up taking Meg under his wing and teaching her everything he knew. With his experience and her quick feet, they made a surprisingly good team and had traveled across the States stealing and scamming much more efficiently than Ace usually managed on his own.

Having another person in on his schemes made a big difference. Meg could do anything from pretending to join Ace's poker table as a stranger to emptying someone's purse while Ace was doing magic tricks as a street performer. Meg had only been caught once by the police, and she'd been so convincing at sniffling pathetically and claiming she was only fifteen that the officer had taken pity and simply called her father—a.k.a. Ace's burner phone—instead of taking her down to the station.

But easy money or not, Ace hadn't expected their arrangement to last long. A few months later when Meg turned eighteen, she'd already earned enough to start her life anew—yet when Ace asked where she was planning to settle down, he only received a look of pure betrayal. And then there was screaming and crying and Meg accusing him of abandoning her, just like her dad and everyone else.

Ace had never wanted children, but as he dared to hug Meg for the first time and she merely clutched at his shirt and sobbed in his arms, he decided he'd do his best to be there for her the way nobody had been for him.

That was four years ago and Meg was still here, so he must have been doing something right.

Ace knew that their friendship was unorthodox. A middle-aged man and grumpy young woman who were visibly not related often garnered suspicious looks, especially whenever they went out to eat in a proper restaurant or money was tight enough that they had to share a twin instead of booking separate motel rooms.

Which was ironic, because it was Ace who hated sharing a room with Meg. She took ages in the shower, always sat on Ace's bed to eat and got crumbs all over the sheets, and stayed up way too late watching crappy late-night TV when Ace was trying to get his beauty sleep. It was like she knew exactly how to annoy him and did it with a smile every chance she could.

He tried not to show how proud he was of her mischievous streak.

Ace chuckled to himself. He couldn't have asked for a better partner-in-crime and he was glad they'd had enough extra cash to make the trip to Germany. Even if she tried to play it cool, Meg was clearly excited about seeing both the country and her favorite musician.

The fact that this happened to be one of Europe's biggest festivals, with countless drunk, rich patrons for easy pickings and dense crowds to quickly disappear into was simply a bonus.

Ace took a steadying breath and straightened his shirt—patterned with tiny card suits that hopefully nobody would notice weren’t traditional Oktoberfest checkers—and slipped on a familiar confident persona. As long as he pretended that he belonged here, everyone else would believe it too.

With a carefree smile and a spring in his step, Ace made his way to the beer tent to people-watch for a worthwhile target.

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1179: Valentine's Office Party (Persona 5 X Sonic)

7:34 p.m. at G.U.N.'s Main Hall Entrance........

Everyone: (Chattering Among One Another Inside)

Sae: (Takes a Sip of her Cup of Punch She's Holding in her Hands) So you had to finish off two and a half mountain sets of paperwork then helped set up this party together immediately after? That couldn't be pleasant.

Topaz: ('Sigh') Not in the slightest.....We're still very short on accountants and the ones we have left took an early leave for the day. (Rolls her Eyes in Annoyance) So, of course, they decided take me away from my line of work and made me doing theirs instead, without even a single thank you coming out from any of their mouths!

Sae: ('Sigh') I feel your pain on that one, sister. I swear, I couldn't even begin to tell you how many times my superiors drop those sets of paperwork on my desk since the day I started my career of being a prosecutor. And now it's Tae-san's turnn to deal a few of own unfortunately.

Topaz: (Raises an Eyebrow in a Bit Of Confusion) Tae-san?

Sae: Tae Takemi. She's a back alley doctor in the streets of Shiyuba from where I'm also from.....(Starts Blushing a Bit) As....well as my girlfriend~

Topaz: ('Gasps') Oh my gosh, really?~ For how long If you don't me asking.

Sae: A few months now. She can be a real weirdo sometimes, but.....(Smiles a Bit) She's my weirdo. I do anything for her, so long as it legal.

Topaz: (Clasps her Hands Together Lovingly) Awwwwww!~ That's so sweet, congratulations, both of you!~

Sae: (Simply Nodded at the GUN Operative) Thanks. It's been a long while since I've been into an actual relationship, so I'm not exactly as well experienced in romance as she is surprisingly.

Topaz: Give it some time, dear. I'm sure you'll get back in the swing of things eventually. (Continues Talking to Sae)

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

Rouge: (Sighs Happily as Watches Topaz and Sae in the Distance Along with Morgana abd Lavenza) Look at them~ Two workaholics getting along in harmony~

Lavenza: (Smiles Softly) It's nice to see them having a good time this evening

Rouge: Yeah, Topaz especially. That woman been doing everyone else's work all day today with little to no break. She deserves to let loose every once and a while.

Morgana: (Turns to Rouge) How did you guys first meet anyways?

Rouge: Back in some factory a few years ago. Before I started my agent career, I was just your run of the mil jewelry thief 'till the day she caught me red-handed and took me into this very base.

Morgana: Where you two became partners?

Rouge: (Winks at Mona) Ding-Ding~ We didn't quite get along right off the bat mind you, used to butt heads a lot more than we do nowadays actually. (Smiles Softly) But eventually, once we put our pettiness aside and get every mission we get assigned to done, our friendship has been all the more sweeter ever since.

Lavenza: Ooh! Speaking of sweets, Mona-Chan~ (Smiles Brightly at her Boyfriend) I got a marvelous Valentine's Day present for you to enjoy!~ (Summons a Red, Heart Shaped Box on the Palm of her Hands)

Morgana: (Gasps a Tad Bit Loudly as He Place Both of his Hands onto his Cheeks) You got me a box of chocolate?~

Lavenza: (Giggles Softly at How Cute Mona is Acting) Better~ I took the liberties to make you a box of chocolate, in hand!~ (Smiles Sheepishly) They might not be the most.....delectable sets, taste wise, but please know that I've put my very soul into making them the best I can.

Morgana: (Smiles Brightly) And I'm sure I'll love them as much as I love you~

Rouge: (Clasps her Hands Together in Pure Delight) Oh my gosh, you two are the most cutest things in the ball!~

Morgana: Pretty sure it's just a regular party, Ms. Rouge.

Rouge: (Shrugs a Bit) Party, Ball, same thing really. Say, do you mind if I have a piece of that chocolate of yours as well? I hardly gotten anything good to eat since I got here.

Lavenza: Of course you can, Ms. Rouge. (Starts Getting a Bit Panicky) B-But please proceed with cation, you two! The chocolates are-

Rouge: (Examines the Chocolates Inside an Now Opened Box) Hmmm......They don't seem to be looking too appealing design wise.

Morgana: Looks aren't everything so long as it taste good.

Mona and Rouge takes one of the chocolates out of the box and eats their respective piece......Only for their to be widened as Rouge takes out a pink handkerchief from her pocketbook and spits out thr chocolate she was eating before passing it to Mona for him to do the same.

Lavenza: ('Sigh') Not if the chocolates are salty.....I knew I should've read that cookbook more thoroughly instead of rushing myself to get these made before the party started.....

Morgana: (Closes the Box Before Gently Placing his Hand Onto Lavenza Shoulder With a Reassuring Smile) Hey, don't let it get you down. I'm sure you'll have them more tasty next time.

Rouge: (Place her Hand on her Chest With a Proud Smile on her Face) And I will be more than happy to assist you along the way, my dear~

Morgana: (Raises an Eyebrow at Rouge) Wait. You can cook? Since when?

Rouge: Started learning a month ago. Not to toot my own horn, but I believe I've gotten quite skillful in the kitchen if I do say so myself~

Shadow: (Walks By While Holding a Punch Drink in his Hand) Rouge, you nearly burned Knuckles' kitchen down weeks ago. You don't need to be teaching those kids anything.

Rouge: (Comically Glares at her Teammate) It was ONE TIME, Shadow! I can do a lot better, thank you!

Shadow: Doubt it.

Rouge: (Blows a Raspberry at Shadow)

Topaz: (From the Other Side of the Room) Rouge! Behave yourself over there.

Rouge: But-

Topaz: Now!

Rouge: (Crosses her Arms While Grumbling and Pouting)

Lavenza: (Giggles Softly) It's okay, Ms Rouge. We can all teach each other how to cook together.

Morgana: (Smiles a Bit Sheepishly) While trying not to burn anything down in the process.....

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

Omega: (Watches Morgana and Lavenza Trying to Calm Down an Pouting Rouge in the Distance Before Noticing Shadow's Presence) You poked fun at her cooking again?

Shadow: (Casually Shrugs) Just stating the truth like I always do. She did set the stove on fire.

Omega: For approximately 6.6 seconds before I came in and extinguish it from causing the stove to disintegrate completely.

Shadow: True.

Omega: (Gives Shadow a Deadpinned Look on his Face) But that won't stop you from poking at her for it, will it?

Shadow: (Smirks a Bit) Nope. She should've think twice before poking fun at me numerous of times in the past. Now she's paying the price for it. (Takes a Sip of his Drink)

Omega: (Rolls his Visual Sensors Around) Right. Anywho, question.

Shadow: (Points at Omega) Shoot.

Omega: Have you ever encountered a romantic feeling towards someone in the past?

Shadow: Can't say that I have really. Never been too interested in romance in general. What about you, Omega?

Omega: (My His Habd onto his Metal Chest) My crush was previously towards a princess who obtain the pyrokinesis royalty.

Shadow: Pyrokinesis royalt- (Eyes Suddenly Begins to Widened at the Realization) What a minute? You're telling me you used to have a crush on Blaze once?

Omega: (Simply Nodded) Affirmative. (Sticks his Hand Out in a Romantic Type of Way) Her flames shine as bright as bright as the morning sun and are equally as destructive as my rapid-fire cannons. (Slouches his Upper Body Down While Frowning in Disappointment) So you could imagine my immense disappointment when I discovered that she is currently taken by two male partners.

Shadow: Is that right? When did you find that out?

Omega: On the day of Vector and Vanilla's wedding. I spotted them sharing their public affection towards during the reception. They seemed happy and complete together. It was at this moment I realized that the concept of romance has died within my metal soul.....

Shadow: (Place his Hand onto Omega's Shoulder, Giving him a Bit of a Reassuring Smile) Don't give up on it just yet, big guy. I'm sure you'll find someone eventually. (Suddenly Felt Something Covering his Eyes) Omega, is covering my eyes is your way of thanking me or something?

Peach starts giggling quietly along with Hat Kid as she is currently covering her son's eyes from the back.

Omega: Negative.

Hat Kid silently asks Omega to bend down to her height level as she starts whispering into his hearing sensors.

Omega: But I do obtain another question for you to answer.

Shadow: (Feeling the Need to Raise his Eyebrow) Okay.....Ask away.

Omega: Who do you believe is the strongest being in the Smash Bros Family?

Shadow: My mother. She's brave, care, loving, Intimidating when she wants to be, and has shown to risk her life into protecting her love ones numerous of times in the past. (Starts Hearing thr Sound of Sniffing) And judging by the sounds I'm hearing behind me, I'm guessing the person who's been covering my eyes this whole time is her in person?

Peach: (Happily Reveal Herself to Shadow) Yes, it's meeeeeee!~ (Hugs Shadow Lovingly) I'm so happy to have a sweetheart son like you in my life!~

Shadow: (Chuckles Lightly) Nice to see you too, mother.

Hat Kid happily rushes over and Hugs Shadow leg.

Shadow: (Looks Down at his Little Sister Before Gently Ruffling the Top of her Hair) And you as well, sister. Thank you two for coming here tonight.

Peach: You know, we wouldn't miss it for the world. (Kiss Shadow on the Cheek) I'm sorry your father and brother couldn't join us this evening. Sonic had to go out and stop Eggman as usual....(Clasps her Hands Together in a Loving Manner) And father is back home planning a very romantic surprise for me as we speak~

Meanwhile at the Smash Direct Mall......

Mario: (Shows off the Red, Sliky Pants and Jacket Bayonetta Picked Out For Him) I dunno, Cereza. Are you sure Peach would like this outfit I'm wearing?

Bayonetta: (Fprms a Proud Smirk on her Face) Trust me, dear, that princess of yours will be dropping everything and run straight towards you once she sees you in this marvelous get up. Especially since you're quite the charming looking man yourself~

Mario: (Smiles a Bit Sheepishly While Blushing a Bit) Thanks, but.......(Starts Squeezing the Side of his Already Revealing Stomach Before Letting Put a Sigh) I think my own body says otherwise......

Bayonetta: (Gives Mario a Pouty Look) Oh don't you give me that. You know as well as I do that Peach adores you no matter of how chubby you look. Hell, my goddess have a slightly bigger belly than yours and I shower it with my love abd affection every waking morning. You'll be fine, my dear, trust me!

Mario: ('Sigh') If you say so.....

Bayonetta: (Smiles Brightly) I know so. Now, hurry up and change back so we can get outta here and get that cake we ordered.

Mario: Yes, ma'am.

Back at the Party

Peach: (Hugs Herself While Swaying her Hips From Side to Side in a Very Loving Manner) Ohh, I can't wait to come back home and shower that handsome man with my undying love!~

Hat Kid: (Sticks her Tongue Out in Disgust) ('Blegh')

Shadow: (Sighs While Facepalming Himself, Being Mildly Embarrassed) Mother........

Omega: (Covers Hat Kid's Ears) T.M.I.!

Peach: (Comically Pouts at the Trio) Oh don't you three give me that! You know how much I adore your father!! (Notices A Familiar Blue Haired Young Man Walking Over Before Putting on a Welcoming Smile Towards Him) Oh, hi Yusuke dear!~ Happy Valentine's Day.

Yusuke: (Happily Nodded Towards the Princess) Likewise, your majesty. (Frowns a Bit) Unfortunately, I can't say that I'm enjoying this evening completely at the moment.

Shadow: Why? What happened?

Omega: And where is Futuba-san?

Peach: (Starts Getting Worried) She's not sick, is she?

Yusuke: No, she's here and well, your majesty. (Grabs his Chin While Thinking) But.....('Sigh') She told she has to step out for a second, but it's been fifteen minutes and I'm starting to get worried. I'm planning on looking for her as we speak.

Shadow: You won't be the only to do so.

Peach: We'll help look for her too, dear.

Omega: And I will make a clear announcement on the matter in the main office.

Hat Kid: (Puts on a Determined Look on her Face) Me too!

Shadow: Omega, you know you're not allowed to go in there.

Peach: (Gives Hat Kid a Soft Motherly Glare) The same goes for you, young lady. We're guest here. It would be very rude of you to go into that room without permission.

Omega: (Glares at Shadow and Peach as He Helps Pick Hat Kid Up in his Arms) Rude or not, it will not stop us from searching and helping out a dearest friend!

Hat Kid: (Points Forward as Screams Out....) FOR BIG SIS FUTUBAAAAAAAAAAAAA!~

Omega ignites his jet booster as he rushes himself over to the main office, with Hat Kid in his care and assistance.

Peach: Omega! Hat Marie Kid!! Both of you get back here right this instant!!!

Shadow: (Sighs While Pinching the Bridge of his Nose) I'm never going to hear the end of this tomorrow morning, am I?

Yusuke: (Smiles Sheepishly) There's no need to be too hard on them now. They're only doing their best to help.

Shadow: Yeah and their help is gonming to get me in trouble. I'll watch over them. (Skates his Way to the Troublesome Duo)

Peach: I'll have everyone of our peers know what's going on, so they can help out.

Yusuke: And I'll continue my search.

Yusuke and Peach nodded to one another before splitting themselves up to do their own assigned tasks. As he starts walking around, the artist suddenly hears crunching sounds coming from the under the table behind him.

He he got down on one knee pulls the covers on the table, up revealing itself to have his wiz tech of a girlfriend, Futuba Sakura, sitting under it in a feel position this entire time, slowly eating a mini bag of chips in her hand.

Yusuke: Futuba?

Futuba: (Eyes Begins to Widened as She Slowly Turns to Yusuke with a Bit of an Awkward Smile on her Face) Heyyyy there, Inari. How's it going?

Yusuke: (Raises an Eyebrow) It's going......What, pry tell, is your reason of sitting here of all places?

Futuba: Ohhh you know, just.....hanging around......

'A Bit of Silence'

Futuba: ('Sigh in Defeat') I made you worry, didn't I?

Yusuke: (Simply Nodded) You have, yes. As well as the rest of our friends and family who are now looking for you as we speak.

Futuba: (Sighs Once More While Facepalming Herself) I thought so....I'm really sorry, Yusuke. I didn't mean to make you all worry tonight, honest! I'm just....(Turns Away While Rubbing her Arm Slowly) You know......

Yusuke: Intimidated by a large crowd present here tonight?

Futuba: (Turbs Back to her Inari) Yeah, exactly. ('Groans in Frustration') I just don't get it!! I've been doing ao well being out of my comfort for four years straight, ready to face the world head on and yet, here I am going back to square one by sitting here all night!

Yusuke: Old habits would always find a way to better the better of us at one point in our ongoing lives. That's nothing to feel too ashamed over.

Futuba: ('Sigh') Yeah, I know. (Starts Putting on a Determined Look on her Face) But I promise, I'll keep working my hardest to get over this completely from this day forward. You can out on it!!

Yusuke: And I will continue to root for you every step of the way, just as long as you allow me and everyone else in our group to try to help you if needed.

Futuba: (Nodded in Agreement) Yeah, definitely! But u-um.....('Sigh') I'm sorry, but.....Do you mind sitting next with me for a bit? I don't think I'm completely ready to get out just yet and.....I missed you. Whole a lot.

Yusuke: (Smiles Softly and Reassuringly) Of course. I've grown to miss you as well. (Goes in Under the Table and Sits Himself Next to His Girlfriend) Hm. We have more room here than I thought.

Futuba: I know, right? It feels so room for an uncover table. (Turns to her Boyfriend with a Smile of Her Own as She Hugs him Lovingly) But seriously though, thank you so so so much for being here and.....putting up with my nonsense tonight, Yusuke.

Yusuke: You're very welcome, Futuba. I do all that I'm willing to do as my love for you runs deep than the roaring waterfall depth within the rainforest.

Futuba: (Giggles Softly)

Yusuke: (Raises an Eyebrow Again) And what seems to be funny to you, Ms. Gremlin?

Futuba: (Tries Dying Down her Laughter) Sorry, sorry. Just couldn't help how funny your corniness is. I love you too, you big dope~ (Gives Yusuke a Big Kiss on the Cheek)

The sound of the microphone static begins to echo into the main hall as someone begins to speak on it.

?????: Attention, all remaining guests! I, E-123 Omega, as well as many others, have an announcement to make!

Futuba: (Instantly Recognizes That Voice) Omega-kun?

?????: My best friend/partner-in-crime, Futaba Sakura, has been missing for eighteen minutes and thirty five seconds and counting. This main futility needs to be thoroughly searched immediately!

Lavenza: Futuba-Chan! If you're out there, please know that we are certainly doing our best to look for you this evening.

Morgana: And we're not gonna rest until we see you in front of us safe and sound, you got that!?

Sae: Don't forget that we're always hear to lend an ear when you need someone to talk to. So please......Don't be afraid to come to us.

Shadow: And if you feel like you need more time to be alone and collect your thoughts, take as much time as you need.

Rouge: That's right. B-But....not too long. The princess is already brought out thr water works-

Peach: FUTABAAAAAA!~ PLEASE BE OKAYYYY!~

Rouge: And Little Miss Bossy Pants has been tapping her foot nonstop, getting all uppity again....

Topaz: Hey, I'm TRYING to get you all out of here before anyone from the high district sees any of you! Do you have an idea how much trouble we'll be in if.....(Continues Scolding Rouge in the Others)

Rouge: See what I a mean? Uptight and bossy.

Topaz: ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!?

Shadow: Guys, seriously. Are we gonna turn this microphone off or what-

Microphone is abruptly cut off.

Yusuke: Well.....That happened. (Turns to See Futuba Laughing Some and Wiping a Single Tear Grom Off her Eyes)

Futuba: (Takes A Deep Breath Before Speaking) Okay. I think we spent quite enough time under here for one night. (Slid her Out of the Covers Before Getting Herself Up Off the Floor) Let's go, Inari.

Yusuke: Ready to leave already?

Futuba: Yeah. (Smiles Brightly) I have friends and family to hug right now.

Bonus

Few Hours Latee, After the Valentine's Day Party Has Ended

Peach: Oh Mario!~ (Opens the Door to her and Mario's Room, Holding a Slice of Cake in a Plastic Plate) I'm back from the party. (Closes the Door Behind Her) And the cake you got me is absolutely scrump.....tious.........

The place starts to slip out from the princess' hands as her eyes and mouth widens at the sight of her loving plumber laying on their bed like a french model, wearing the same silky red attire Bayonetta got for him earlier today, staring at her with his bedroom eyes.

Mario: Welcome home, my princess~ Happy Valentine's Day~

Peach: ......................

Mario: (Suddenly Remembers What He's Suppose to Do Next) Oh! Right. (Picks up a Mini Remote and Uses It to Turn on his Stereo) Now that you're here, I must ask: what is you want to do for the rest of the night. Enjoy the rest of the cake or- (Looks Down at the Slice of Cake Already Down on the Floor) Huh. The cake is on the ground. Guess...... that means you pick me then-

Mario immediately gets pulled into Peach's embrace as the two finally begins to passionately makeout with one another in the comforts of their own room, while the song "Tell Me" by Dru Hill continues to play out in the background all night long.

Happy Early Birthday, Futaba Sakura!!

@princekirijo

@albion-93

@theweebmaster31

@bestpony666

@cyber-wildcat

@caleb13frede

[mariana-oconnor]

The Greek Interpreter pt 2

We have literally 0 plot to theorise on so far, just Mycroft in all his Mycroftian glory.

"I have had something quite after your own heart--a most singular problem--submitted to my judgement. I really had not the energy to follow it up save in a very incomplete fashion, but it gave me a basis for some pleasing speculation. If you would care to hear the facts--"

This is a bit like when my Mum tells me that I should look at the crossword she's started. Mycroft wants to share his enjoyment with his brother. Such a good older sibling. Also, he's too lazy to actually do the legwork required. But that's what younger siblings are for, isn't it? Or at least that's what my older brother tells me.

"This is Wednesday evening," said Mr Melas. "Well then, it was Monday night—only two days ago, you understand—that all this happened. I am an interpreter, as perhaps my neighbour there has told you. I interpret all languages—or nearly all—"

...He interprets all languages.

All languages.

All languages. Or nearly all. That's a lot of languages, my dude. I know some people who speak a lot of languages, but none of them comes close to speaking all languages. 5 or 6 I think is the most I've ever encountered, and only fluently in 3 or 4. There are definitely people out there who speak more, but nearly all. This man is officially the most knowledgeable person who has ever appeared in a Sherlock Holmes story. He's a linguistic genius.

The Internet tells me that historically the person who is said to have spoken/understood the most languages was Sir John Bowring, a 19th century governor of Hong Kong. He understood 200 languages and spoke 100.

The person who currently holds the record lives in Brazil and claims to speak 59.

The BBC website tells me that there are up to 7000 different languages, although 90% are spoken by less than 100,000 people. But Mr Melas does not specify that he speaks all the common languages or all the popular languages. He says he speaks nearly all languages.

Yes I am taking this literally purely to be difficult. It's more amusing that way. I know this is a case of hyperbole for fiction's sake, but I like the idea that Mr Melas speaks 6000+ languages. This is another case for random supernatural occurrences within the stories.

"I was not surprised, therefore, on Monday night when a Mr Latimer, a very fashionably dressed young man, came up to my rooms and asked me to accompany him in a cab which was waiting at the door. A Greek friend had come to see him upon business, he said, and as he could speak nothing but his own tongue, the services of an interpreter were indispensable."

First, I like the note that Mr Latimer is a fashion-conscious man. Second, how did he and the Greek man come to be friends if they could not speak each other's languages at all. Have they always spoken through other people? Maybe you should try learning some Greek, Mr Latimer.

"It was certainly more roomy than the ordinary four-wheeled disgrace to London, and the fittings, though frayed, were of rich quality."

Mr Melas is a cab snob. 'Four-wheeled disgrace to London' is a delightful turn of phrase.

"I had ventured some remark as to this being a roundabout way to Kensington, when my words were arrested by the extraordinary conduct of my companion. "He began by drawing a most formidable-looking bludgeon loaded with lead from his pocket, and switching it backward and forward several times, as if to test its weight and strength. Then he placed it without a word upon the seat beside him.

Well, this can't be good. Shenanigans are afoot. I like that Mr Latimer is very clear about this, though. Oh yeah, I'm a bad guy. Look at my bad guy credentials. There's no beating around the bush, just straight up threat of violence. Clear. To the point. No need for words.

"'This is very extraordinary conduct, Mr Latimer,' I stammered. 'You must be aware that what you are doing is quite illegal.' "'It is somewhat of a liberty, no doubt,'"

This is such a polite exchange. 'Uh, you are aware that kidnapping me is illegal, sir?' 'Yes, it's a little rude of me.'

So casual, so matter of fact. If I were kidnapped I wouldn't say 'hi, you know this is illegal, right?' But then i don't speak 6000+ languages, so what do I know about talking?

Realistically, this is terrifying, but Mr Melas' account is hilarious.

'I beg you to remember that no one knows where you are, and that, whether you are in this carriage or in my house, you are equally in my power.'

Less hilarious. More terrifying.

"'Well done, well done! No ill-will, Mr Melas, I hope, but we could not get on without you. If you deal fair with us you'll not regret it, but if you try any tricks, God help you!' He spoke in a nervous, jerky fashion, and with little giggling laughs in between, but somehow he impressed me with fear more than the other."

Yep, this guy seems unstable. Also 'no ill will'? You literally kidnapped him with a threat of violence. Yes ill will. Much ill will. I don't think you know what ill will means.

"'But say no more than you are told to say, or--' here came the nervous giggle again--'you had better never have been born.'"

Yep... this is the sign of a totally stable and reasonable person and absolutely not a creepy murderer. At least we already know Mr Melas survives to relate this tale, or I'd be certain he was about to be buried under the floorboards.

"'You are to ask the questions, Mr Melas, and he will write the answers. Ask him first of all whether he is prepared to sign the papers?'"

The fact he is not allowed to talk indicates that something about his voice would give something away. If they don't know Greek then writing and speaking are pretty much interchangeable for getting information across, so there would be no need to stop him from speaking because he can write incriminating things just as easily. Unless, one of them can read Greek, in which case why get an interpreter? So I stand by my thought that his voice must be incriminating. Or he's mute. Always possible.

"I took to adding on little sentences of my own to each question, innocent ones at first, to test whether either of our companions knew anything of the matter, and then, as I found that they showed no signs I played a more dangerous game."

Resourceful and intelligent. He tests the water first with non-incriminating stuff, then gets more in depth.

"'Harold,' said she, speaking English with a broken accent. 'I could not stay away longer. It is so lonely up there with only—Oh, my God, it is Paul!' "These last words were in Greek, and at the same instant the man with a convulsive effort tore the plaster from his lips, and screaming out 'Sophy! Sophy!' rushed into the woman's arMs Their embrace was but for an instant, however, for the younger man seized the woman and pushed her out of the room, while the elder easily overpowered his emaciated victim, and dragged him away through the other door.

OK, so Sophy seems to have been having quite a pleasant time of it all told. While poor Paul's been going through it. Kind of dumb of them to let her walk in on them, though. I assume that they had a plan to avoid that which somehow went wrong. Also, if she's being held of her own free will, this seems like it might put an end to that? Unless she's very gullible.

So, brother? I'm thinking relative because he has to sign something before she can get married? Or he wants her to be married? Presumably there's some sort of fortune involved.

"'We should not have troubled you, only that our friend who speaks Greek and who began these negotiations has been forced to return to the East. It was quite necessary for us to find some one to take his place, and we were fortunate in hearing of your powers.'"

'forced to return to the East' is that like saying he's in the cellar looking for a cask of amontillado? Maybe he just had a family emergency... maybe?

Also 'your powers', yes. Mr Melas's linguistic skills are clearly a super power.

"if you speak to a human soul about this—one human soul, mind—well, may God have mercy upon your soul!"

This threat clearly worked well, considering Mr Melas has so far told at least two souls about the situation, with great glee. I get the impression that Mr Melas is a stifled adrenaline junkie and this is the best thing that has happened to him all year.

"I cannot tell you the loathing and horror with which this insignificant-looking man inspired me. I could see him better now as the lamp-light shone upon him. His features were peaky and sallow, and his little pointed beard was thready and ill-nourished. [...] The terror of his face lay in his eyes, however, steel grey, and glistening coldly with a malignant, inexorable cruelty in their depths."

Sounds delightful.

Honestly, it's the little pointy beard that clearly marks him as a villain, though. Everyone knows that.

Although if he doesn't put more care into maintaining it, the league of villains will have him cast out for failure to maintain proper villainous standards.

"Any steps?" he asked. Mycroft picked up the Daily News, which was lying on the side-table. "'Anybody supplying any information to the whereabouts of a Greek gentleman named Paul Kratides, from Athens, who is unable to speak English, will be rewarded. A similar reward paid to any one giving information about a Greek lady whose first name is Sophy. X 2473.' That was in all the dailies. No answer."

Well now they're definitely going to know he said something. Subtle.

"In the meantime, Mr Melas, I should certainly be on my guard, if I were you, for of course they must know through these advertisements that you have betrayed them."

You don't say? No, seriously. I'd be worried if I were him. But apparently he's just got absolutely no fear.

"Then the brother--for that, I fancy, must be the relationship--comes over from Greece to interfere. He imprudently puts himself into the power of the young man and his older associate. They seize him and use violence towards him in order to make him sign some papers to make over the girl's fortune--of which he may be trustee--to them."

OK, so clearly that's entirely wrong because it's Watson's thoughts on the matter. So back to the drawing board. Not to disparage Watson, at all... but there's no way it's right if it's his theory.

"I really fancy that you are not far from the truth."

Really??!? That's probably the biggest surprise of this whole story so far.

Sophy seemed to have no inkling of any crime or ill-intent on the part of the bad guys, so they're clearly being subtle with her. Or they were. You don't just wander around a kidnapper's house going 'I came to find you Harold, because I was so lonely all alone up there'. Unless you're actually a character in an erotic thriller novel, then I guess that probably is a thing you would do.

I don't think this is an erotic thriller, however.

Did Watson really get this one right? I guess we'll find out next time.

[farmergilesofham]

Columbo: "Yeah well you see, sir, that's the thing - most kids get off school around, what, five? Five-thirty?"

Light: "Yes. But the murders weren't happening at five, or even five-thirty. They were an-"

Columbo: "They were an hour later, yes. I took the liberty this morning - I think you remember, I bumped into you just outside - of checking how long it takes to walk from your old school to the end of your street. You know what I found?"

Light: "..."

Columbo: "I found it takes just about exactly enough time to go from the school, to your room, just shy of 6:25 in the afternoon."

Light: "Very nice, Lieutenant, but that gives you no reason to come in here and start accusing me of things - not the least of which being mass murder. And besides, there's no way I could have killed anyone from just inside this room!"

Columbo: "Yeah. That was getting to me too, until you left me in here when I first came to see you this morning. You had an apple on the desk, then you left to pick up something you lost at school, remember?"

Light: "...yes."

Columbo: "Well if you'll permit me a brief digression, I heard an old story from 'round these parts about a little black book that would kill whoever's name was written in it. Funny story, eh? A bit of wish fulfilment, I'd say, from a writer upset with their boss. A little scary, too."

Light: "Yes... wish fulfilment. Something like that."

Columbo: "So we know Kira used to keep a pretty weird schedule - but never earlier in the afternoon that 6:25. That is, until something changed. Now, I asked your school to give me the club timetables for your final year, and you know what I found?"

Light, growing increasingly paler: "What did you find, Lieutenant"

Columbo: "You'll never believe it - the timetable matched up perfectly with Kira's schedule! I know, it's crazy to think about; someone in your school is Kira! But that's about where the leads end, I'm afraid. Someone living near you, going to similar clubs, is a mass murderer, but I just came to your house on a hunch. Well, it was raining too."

Light: "Well. Could you give me some time to process this, Lieutenant? It's really quite stressful, you know. Finding out one of my classmates is Kira, I mean."

Columbo: "Of course, of course" he opens the door to leave, but turns back at the last second "Oh, and just one more thing. When you left me in here, I noticed your desk was a open. So I gave it a look, just to see. That secret compartment you got there, opened with pencil lead? Pretty smart, I'd say. Ingenious, even. Well, inside, I found this little black book labeled "Death Note", and I gave it a look."

Light, a tint of pink in his cheeks now: "Oh? And what did you find?"

Columbo: "Well, I found every name of every person who's died so far - and the names of a few extra people we only had vague hunches about - and then I put it somewhere safe."

Light: "So it WAS you who stole it! Clever bastard! Alright, you've got me: I'm Kira. Except, I'm sorry to say, you can't do anything about it - my dad doesn't trust you, and anything you've submitted to evidence, I have access to. So, even if you tried pinning it on me, your evidence would vanish, and your goodwill in the NPA would vanish along with it. And who knows, maybe you'd write an eloquent suicide note?"

Columbo: turns away from Light, and gestures past the door. Soichiro Yagami enters, face hard as stone, with a switched-on tape recorder in hand.

(link to original)

[zoeykallus]

angsty ER visits with tbb? (either reader or bb needing medical attention) tyyy

Coming right up... it's not all angsty, though. I took the liberty of going into the different personalities in this scenario. One is a bit angsty, one quite intense, the rest is rather fluffy. There is some drama, some angst, fluff and a bit of humour.

The Bad Batch x Reader HC's - Emergency Room

Warnings: A little angst/ a little hurt/ Fluff

Hunter

The burn on his arm looks pretty bad, and he is in pain too. He's playing it cool, but you can see it in his eyes.

"I hate this place"

You look at him, surprised.

"Last time we were here, you said Kix was the best medic you know"

Hunter smirks at you.

"You were scared like a little puppy, what was I supposed to tell you?"

Kix comes in and says, "Good to know, Hunter"

"Oh, hi Kix", Hunter says with a wry smile.

Kix looks at Hunter's arm. "That's not a blaster burn. How did you burn yourself there?"

You end up telling Kix the story how Wrecker and Hunter played some stupid game with throwing burning logs at a fire place when they were boozed after a mission.

Kix mutters, "You've got to be kidding me"

"Wish I was", you mutter back.

Hunter smirks, "Hey, it was all fun until Wrecker stumbled and hit me with the burning log"

Hunter hates needles. He will pull himself together, but you can still see it in his face if you look closely. He's a bit tense throughout the whole treatment and obviously relieved when you leave the med bay together.

"My brave man", you say with a slightly mocking undertone.

Hunter pinches you softly into your side, saying "Cocky thing"

Echo

He hates the med bay, he hates it so, so much. The machines, the scans, the sterile environment. It feels intrusive and sickening to him. It takes him back to a very dark place, one where he lost most of his human body.

"I feel fine. We should go", he mutters.

"Echo, it's okay, I'll stay with you and watch out for you the whole time", you promise him softly.

He seems rushed and shaky, his eyes twitching unsteadily from one corner to the other, every noise making him cringe.

Gently, you take his hand.

"Look at me, Echo"

He looks at you, out of wide eyes, you see in them a deep pain and a deep-rooted fear. Echo is a brave man, always ready to give everything on the battlefield, and he has proven that many times. But here and now he is really afraid.

When Kix walks in, Echo breathes a sigh of relief.

"Hey Kix, didn't know you were on duty today."

Kix smiled, "Hi Echo! I saw on the list that you had an appointment today, so I thought I'd take over. How are you doing, brother?"

"Pretty good, actually."

Echo was very grateful that Kix took the time. Actually, he had today off. Kix knew his medical history and knew about Echo's PTSD, he knew Echo would feel more comfortable if he took over the examination.

You smiled at Kix, very grateful that he was here.

"And you have your pretty girlfriend with you too, so this shouldn't be a problem today, right?"

Echo smirked at you.

"Yeah, I think I'll be doin' just fine"

Wrecker

He's pouting. He hates the med bay, most of all he hates needles.

"The blaster shot only grazed me, it's hardly worth mentioning," he grumbles as you push the giant ahead of you into the treatment room.

You say indulgently, "I know honey, you've said that at least five times now. But it still needs to be treated. Relax, Kix is on duty today. You like Kix, don't you?"

"He's a friend of Echo's," Wrecker says, "The guy's okay."

Kix greets you kindly and looks at the wound.

"You're right Wrecker", he says with a smile, "Just a graze, hardly worth mentioning".

Wrecker looks at you meaningfully, "Told you".

But as Kix prepares an injection, your brave giant jumps up from the treatment table.

"Yeah, well I really don't need that"

Kix raises his eyebrows and says, "I'm your medic and I'm saying you need this unfortunately so there will be no infections. After that, I'll put an ointment on it, a bigger band-aid, and then you'll be rid of me"

Wrecker looks from one to the other. Meekly, he finally looks at you and asks quietly, "Can you hold my hand?"

Kix blinks in surprise, but says nothing.

"Of course I can," you say with a smile and take his hand.

Kix is careful, and the matter is quickly settled. As you're on your way out, Kix calls out, "Hey Wrecker, catch," and throws him a lollipop.

" Since when do you guys have these?"

"Since the non-clone officers come here with their kids".

Tech

Tech grumbles, "I'm perfectly capable of providing my own medical care"

You nod and say softly, "I know that Tech. But the rules require this check-up."

He is not afraid of exams, he is usually quite curious about scans and the like. But most medics don't have much patience with him. He asks a lot of questions, talks a lot, and it wasn't uncommon for people to be rude to him. Tech always felt like a little boy who was being reprimanded and he didn't like that.

"Today Kix is on duty," you say encouragingly.

In fact, Tech relaxes a little when he hears that.

When Kix walks in and sees Tech, he smirks and says, "Ah, the most curious of patients."

Tech blinks in disconcertment, but Kix says, "It's okay. You can ask as many questions as you want"

You suppress a giggle, you know Kix better not have said that. Tech starts talking and asking questions and practically stops listening. During the scan he has to keep his mouth shut because he's not allowed to move, but as soon as he comes out of the tube his talking continues.

Kix is very gentle and patient, but you can see in his face, he'll be sighing with relieve when this is done, and you leave the med bay with Tech.

Kix looks at Tech seriously and interrupts him, "Have you had any headaches lately?"

Tech falls silent instantly.

"Was there something on the scan," he asks in an almost whisper.

Kix shakes his head.

"No, your stats are okay so far, but your vision has continued to deteriorate. You need even stronger goggles. Laser surgery might not go amiss, either. We can't restore full vision, but we can improve it. Otherwise, you'll have to wear binoculars soon."

Tech sighs and lowers his head, shoulders slumping even further.

"I guess laser surgery would make sense," he says quietly.

You stroke his cheek.

"It'll be fine."

Tech sighs, "That's not the problem. The problem is that I'm the only clone who needs constant medical touch-ups, even if I don't get injured in combat"

"That bothers you?"

Tech blinks, takes the goggles you put in his hand and puts them back on.

"It's not necessarily very good for my self-esteem".

You kiss his chin, and Kix looks away for a moment, preoccupied with something else.

"You'll always be my hero. My very special genius. The person I love the most"

Tech smiles at you.

"That's more than enough for me, Mesh'la".

Crosshair

He never goes to the med bay. Unless he is forced with force, or he is really badly hurt. He has everything else treated by Tech. He doesn't trust all these reg-medics. Crosshair feels uncomfortable among them. This animosity is mutual. The regs don't feel very comfortable in his presence either.

However, he has no choice right now. He is strapped to a stretcher, he has taken several shots, blaster burns in his torso and back, one in his right thigh. Tech has stabilized him, put him on an IV, and given him pain meds. It's all like a dream. A bad dream.

All around him are regs and medic droids. He sees you in the background, your face is wet with tears, and you look as if he were already dead. He wants to tell you not to make such a fuss, that everything is half as bad, but he can't open his mouth.

Crosshair can feel his own heartbeat, all dull and way too loud. Adrenaline. A reg leads you out of the treatment room. Crosshair wants to reach out to you, tell them not to take you away, but he's strapped down. His breathing is getting more restless, his chest seems to be getting tighter, and the pain is slowly coming through the painkillers.

Panic. Crosshair swallows, shaking. Again and again his gaze wanders to the spot where you were standing before. Everyone around him is so hectic, the restlessness is transferred to him.

"He's hyperventilating," he hears a reg say.

Kix's face appears in his field of vision. A relief.

"Hey buddy, it's okay, we got it covered here. Your girlfriend's waiting for you outside. You just need to hang in there for a bit now. I'm going to give you an anesthetic. When you wake up, she'll be sitting by your bedside, okay?"

Crosshair can't nod, but he blinks and his breathing slowly calms.

"There you go. It's going to be okay," Kix says with satisfaction, and with a helper droid and two more medics, he prepares everything for the treatment."

_____

When Crosshair wakes up, you are really sitting at his bedside. You fell asleep in your chair. Your eyes are puffy from crying, your mascara a little runny, and yet he's never seen anything more beautiful.

"Kitten"

His voice a little hoarse and his mouth all dry.

"Kitten, wake up"

You blink. Realizing that Crosshair is awake, you jump up from your chair and hastily come to his bedside. He lifts an arm heavily and wipes away a tear.

"Stop crying already," he says gently, "I'm not dead yet."

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@puppetswithteeth

[dreamwritesimagines]

Burn The Witch 10 - Bad Influence [Bucky Barnes x Reader]

A.N: Thank you so much for your wonderful support and feedback my loves ! ❤ Here’s an extra chapter, I hope you like it as well and please let me know what you think! ❤ Thank you! ❤❤❤

Warnings: Enemies to lovers, fake dating, mentions of blood, sex, violence, death, manipulation, language, guns, knives.

Summary: Some nights are more hectic than others.

Series Masterlist

Oh hell no.

Tonight was supposed to be a normal night. Boring even. You were supposed to stay at home, watch a cliché horror movie, eat noodles and worry about whether your fake boyfriend, who didn’t know he was your fake boyfriend, was safe and sound on yet another secret mission of his.

Okay, maybe not that normal of a night.

But what was not supposed to happen was your ex-boyfriend showing up out of nowhere at your door.

“I know we left things off a little awkward but that’s no reason to point a gun at me. I was just doing my job.”

“Walk away,” you said, “Go back to the circle of hell they unleashed you from.”

“I heard you’re fake dating Barnes?” he asked, “He looks like your type.”

“I’m going to give you three seconds, then I will start shooting.”

He hissed in a breath,

“Except you can’t,” he stated, “You have to keep your cover. Milkshake waitress having a gun? People would start asking questions.”

“You’re right,” you said through your teeth, “A knife would be much more silent.”

“What’s taking you so—“ Keith called out but he stopped talking as soon as he saw you two. His eyes narrowed almost immediately and he took a step but you threw yourself in front of him, knowing he was about to punch him.

“Keith, I got it.”

“What the fuck are you doing here dickhead?”

“Nice to see you too Keith,” Julian said, “Am I interrupting something? I always kind of wondered what was going on between you two.”

“Ew!”

“If I didn’t want to punch you before, I certainly want to do it now,” Keith stated and you shook your head.

“I got it,” you said, “Really, it’s fine. Go back to the living room.”

He gritted his teeth, “I’ll fuck you up the moment I get you alone, Julian.”

“I can pretend to be scared if you want,�� Julian deadpanned as Keith walked back to the living room and you tucked your gun into the waist of your shorts again, crossing your arms.

“So what crossroad is missing its demon right now?” you asked and he tilted his head.

“Y/N.”

“Why are you here?”

“I wanted to say hi,” he said, “Is that so bad?”

“Yeah. Considering the shit you pulled, it is bad.”

“You would’ve done the same thing.”

“No I really wouldn’t,” you said “What, am I supposed to believe you’re here to say hello?”

“Yep,” he said, “It’s customary to meet or re-meet your team leader on a mission.”

You blinked a couple of times, gawking at him before you let out a bitter chuckle.

“Oh fuck no.”

“Hey take it up to the General, I didn’t ask to be put on a mission where you play the honeypot,” he said, “Speaking of, is Barnes head over heels yet? I know how charming you can be when you want to, call it a first hand experience.”

“You’re not a part of my team.”

“I sort of am.”

“It’s my team,” you insisted, “I didn’t give okay to you being on my—“

“I’m afraid that’s above both of our paygrades,” he pointed out, “Nothing you can do about it. Trust me, I won’t enjoy this either.”

“Oh you won’t?”

“You think I will enjoy watching you have a relationship with the goddamn Winter Soldier?” he asked, “As fake as it may be, it will look real.”

“You’re so full of shit.”

“So I take it he doesn’t stay over yet?”

You ran your tongue over your teeth, shaking your head, “You know what?” you said, “I think I’ve had enough of this bullshit for the night. It’s always a displeasure to see you Julian, fuck off now.”

You slammed the door on his face and ran a hand over your face, making your way to the living room.

“General put him on the team?” Keith asked, “Is he serious?”

“Looks like it,” you checked your wristwatch, “I need to talk to him. Do you think I can-”

“Don’t call the General right now,” he interrupted you before you could finish your sentence, “You’re angry, and I get that, so am I but wait until tomorrow.”

“Keith, he can’t be in my team!” you insisted, “He can’t be trusted, you know he can’t!”

“Hey,” he grabbed you by the shoulders, “I know. I know what he’s done, I know he can’t be trusted. But the rest of your team got your back, okay? Especially me and Chloe. What happened at that last mission won’t happen again.”

You threw your hands up, “Ugh, fuck this shit!”

“We got this—” he started but then your phone started vibrating on the couch, making you both turn your heads. You leaned over to check the screen, then snatched the phone off the couch when you saw Bucky’s name flashing.

“I should take this,” you murmured and made your way to the bathroom to close the door behind you. You jumped into the empty bathtub and answered the phone.

“Hi Bucky.”

“Hi darling.”

Even the sound of that was enough to make a small smile warm your face and you closed your eyes, leaning your head back to the bathtub.

“You could’ve just texted, you didn’t have to call.”

“Nah I wanted to hear your voice.”

Your smile widened as you bit down on your lip.

“I wanted to hear your voice too,” you murmured, for once dropping the act, “God, you have no idea what kind of a terrible night I’m having.”

“What’s wrong?”

You scrunched up your face, scolding yourself in your head. “Just a…just a bad night.”

“Girls at soup kitchen are giving you a hard time?” he asked and you let out a chuckle.

“No,” you said, “I just heard some less than ideal news.”

“Do you need me there?”

You raised your brows, “Aren’t you on a secretive and highly dangerous mission?”

“Yeah,” he said, “Doesn’t matter, I’ll come if you need me. Do you?”

The clear difference between your ex-boyfriend and your current, albeit fake boyfriend was impossible to miss and you felt your throat getting tighter before you coughed.

Fuck no, you didn’t cry.

The last time you genuinely cried was when you were 16, and quite frankly you had no idea if you were even capable of doing it anymore.

“It’s fine,” you managed to say, “It can wait. Date night when you come back though.”

“Of course.”

“And actually I’ve been thinking about that,” you said, “It’s my turn, right? To pick the place?”

“Mm hm, we last went to Brooklyn.”

“So I was thinking what if we did one modern and one old times?” you asked, “I can pick the modern dates and you can pick the old times dates.”

“Huh,” he said, “That’s a good idea. Wait, you’re not going to drag me to one of those nightclubs, are you?”

You giggled, “Would it be that terrible?”

“Please don’t do that to me.”

“You don’t like dancing?”

“Not that kind of dancing.”

“You know, I keep waiting for you to actually utter the words ‘back in my day’, but it’s not happening.”

He chuckled, “Back in my day, we wouldn’t call that dancing.”

You hummed, slipping a little in the bathtub, “Good point,” you said, “So okay then, it’s settled. I got the modern and you got the old dates covered. What does that entail anyway? Home cooked meal dates?”

“Nope,” he said, “We’re dating, not married.”

You pulled your brows together, “How is that relevant?”

“Me being at your place or you being at mine would be very frowned upon,” he tut tutted, “Us together, without anyone else. Inside and privacy and all. Scandal, there’d be lots of gossip about your virtue.”

A clear laughter escaped from your lips and you covered your mouth with your hand, trying to pull yourself together.

“Right, my virtue,” you played along, “So I take it you have never been alone with a girl back in your day then? Since virtue was a huge deal?”

There was a pause on the other line, “I mean it wasn’t— it wasn’t that huge of a deal for everyone…” he trailed off, and you clicked your tongue.

“But overall, no Netflix and chill?”

“What’s Netflix and chill?”

You bit inside your cheek, trying to ignore the warmth at the pit of your stomach, “I know you hate to hear it, but you’re so cute.”

“No I’m not.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” you taunted him, “I won’t tell anyone.”

You heard Sam calling his name and there was a shuffle before he cleared his throat.

“I gotta go,” he said, “Promise to be safe?”

“Right back at you.”

“Good night sweetheart.”

“Good night.” you said and hung up, pressing the phone to your lips before you shook your head at yourself. You got off the empty tub and opened the bathroom door to step out, then found Keith busy with the noddle boxes in the kitchen.

“It’s still hot, and I took the liberty of texting Chloe,” he said, “She’s on her way.”

You tried to offer him a small smile.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” he grabbed the chopsticks, “But we might want to finish Scream before Chloe gets here, because knowing her, she will make us watch a rom-com.”

                                                ***

You should’ve known trying to change the General’s decision was a lost cause. He listened to your multiple reasons why it was a bad idea to have Julian in your team, but you could’ve been talking to a wall and it still wouldn’t have made a difference.

“I’m aware of your past with Julian,” he said with a sigh after you were done listing your reasons, “Trust me, this wasn’t an easy decision to make.”

“It’s not about my past with him, sir.” You forced yourself to say, “He can’t be trusted. He’s not a team player, he doesn’t think about anyone but himself-”

“It wasn’t just my decision to make him a part of the team, it was all your superiors’,” he said, “We believe that you’re professional enough to pull this off.”

You gritted your teeth, “Sir, it’s not—“

“He’s in your team and a part of the mission now,” he cut you off, “You’re dismissed, Shrike.”

You dug your fingernails into your palms and nodded, then left his office to march up to Chloe and Keith who were huddled over Chloe’s desk.

“What did he say?”

“That he’s not going anywhere.”

Keith clenched his jaw while Chloe heaved a sad sigh.

“I can try to talk to him if you want, but…”

“It won’t make any difference,” you said, “I know.”

Keith crossed his arms, leaning back to the desk, “I mean we could always poison Julian.”

“Keith.”

“Or he could get caught in the crossfire. Spies die like flies, you know that.”

“Don’t say that!” Chloe exclaimed, “You guys are spies too and I already feel way too worried about you.”

“No worries, the only type of death Y/N will get from Barnes is la petite mort.”

You smacked him on the arm, “Fuck you, we’re not sleeping together yet.”

“But you sort of want to,” Keith said, “I heard your giggling last night while talking to him.”

You shifted your weight and threw your shoulders back, “Yeah, so? It’s my cover.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want to fuck his brains out.”

“I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer!”

“I’m kind of excited about that too,” Chloe said and both you and Keith turned to her.

“Please tell me you don’t want to sleep with Barnes—“

“No!” Chloe said, “No I just… when Y/N wants to, we’ll go and get some vintage inspired lingerie so I’m excited for that.”

“We’re not going to do that Chloe.”

“Yeah, let the guy see the good things 21st century has to offer Chloe,” Keith winked at you and you rolled your eyes.

“You know what, I didn’t give you shit when you were the one undercover in Brazil and had to—“

“Y/N,” Julian’s voice reached your ears and a shiver ran down your spine, making you clench your teeth, “You have a minute?”

Chloe stole a look at Keith who glared at Julian while you raised your brows.

“Not for you Julian, no.”

“I just joined the team, you have to update me.”

“Actually she doesn’t because I already gave Sarah your file and I know that she gave it to you two hours ago,” Chloe stated and Keith nodded.

“Yeah and you’re standing a little too close, so why don’t you step back a little?”

Julian shot you a look, “Seriously? And you’re okay with this?”

“He’s right, you’re standing a little too close,” you stated, making him sigh.

“Y/N, we’re on the same team,” he reminded you, “We need to get along.”

“Actually, you’re on my team,” you corrected him, “I’m the leader in here. So technically, I don’t have to get along with you. You have to get along with me, seeing that you work under me.”

A small arrogant smirk curled his lips. “Wouldn’t be the first time I worked under you,” he said, “Brings back the memories.”

Your eyes narrowed and you tilted your head.

“It really does,” you mused, “The memory of the most boring ten seconds of my life, you tranquilized mattress.”

Keith snorted out his coffee while Chloe gasped, staring at you. You smiled at Julian sweetly, then grabbed your phone.

“Well, I’d better go,” you said, “Some of us have a mission to lead after all. I’ll see you guys later.”

“Have fun,” Keith said without taking his eyes off Julian, “I know we will.”

You winked at them and walked out of the bullpen, grinning to yourself.

                                     ***

The following two days were an actual disaster. Bucky wasn’t in the city so you had nothing to do and nothing to report about. Not only that, you had also made it your own mission to avoid Julian but so far that mission had been a success.

You were beginning to suspect Keith and Chloe had something to do with it.

There was also something at the pit of your stomach. Something that made you both sad and uncomfortable at the same time, like an itch you needed to scratch and no matter what you did, it wouldn’t go away.

Chloe had this genius theory of you missing Bucky, but she was absolutely wrong.

You were just done with counting the money and locking the register when you heard the wind bell by the door chime, but you were way too busy with trying to place the mason jars on the shelf to even look around.

“Sorry, we’re closed,” you said but there was no answer. You froze for only a second before the spy in you kicked in and you grabbed the mason jar tighter before reaching out to grab the nearest knife. The footsteps didn’t signal that it was more than one person and you would throw the jar and judging by the angle of his shadow he would probably lean left to dodge it and that would be when—

“Hi beautiful.”

You whirled around, still holding the jar tight before you dropped it on the counter with the knife, staring at Bucky standing by the door.

“Oh thank God….” you rushed to jump into his arms and he caught you, lifting you off the floor as you wrapped your arms around his neck, inhaling his scent deeply. Somehow just his presence was enough to make up for these last terrible days and you closed your eyes for a moment while his hand cradled the back of your head, pressing a kiss on your temple.

“Hi,” you giggled as you pecked him on the lips, “I didn’t know you were back!”

“Oh we just arrived,” Bucky said as he put you down, “Sam went home and I came here. He says hi by the way.”

“Hi back,” you said and the duffel bag on the floor caught your eye, “Wait, you literally just arrived?”

“Mm hm.”

You hummed, pinching his chin between your fingers as you turned his face, making him smile.

“No bruises,” you commented “That’s a good sign. You scared me though, I thought you were a robber!”

“Yeah, speaking of,” he said, “Where’s your friend?”

“Tara? She had a date, and the part timer had an emergency, so I’m closing today.”

“By yourself?” he asked, “That’s not exactly being safe.”

“I can take care of myself,” you taunted him, “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Glad to be back,” his smile widened, “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“Oh you don’t have to, you know I live close by. You should go home and get some rest, you look like you haven’t slept in days.”

“Y/N,” he said patiently, “It’s night time—“

“Meh, evening more likely.”

“It’s dark outside,” he said, “I’m walking you home, come on.”

You thought for a moment, then heaved a sigh.

“Okay,” you said and looked around to see whether you had missed anything, then grabbed your jacket and switched off the lights. He adjusted his duffel bag over his shoulder as you locked the shop then you both started walking.

“So I take it the mission was a success?” you asked, entwining your fingers with his vibranium ones. He still wasn’t used to it and he hesitated for only a second before he held your hand.

“Something like that.”

“How are you going to celebrate?”

He frowned, “Celebrate?”

“Yeah!” you said, “A nice thing happened, why wouldn’t you celebrate it?”

“We don’t really… celebrate missions.”

“Why not?”

He thought for a moment, “I don’t know,” he admitted, “Can I- can we celebrate it then? Together?”

“Oh we absolutely can,” you nodded, “How does tomorrow sound? It’s my time to pick the date, and I’m picking a bar with lots of celebration drinks.”

“There won’t be any dancing in this bar, right?”

“Not yet,” you wiggled your brows, “But I’m warning you, I have plans. We will push you out of that comfort zone of yours.”

“My shrink would like you.”

You tilted your head, “Is that a good thing?”

“Yep,” he said, “How about you? Do you feel better?”

You heaved a sigh and made a face, “Trying.”

“Anything I can do to help?” he asked, “Anything at all, I’m serious.”

A small smile warmed your face and you looked up at him.

“It’s fine,” you said “Thank you for asking though. It means a lot.”

He squeezed your hand like he was trying to assure you and you turned around to see him better as you stopped in front of the building.

“I’d ask if you wanted to a cup of coffee upstairs but…” you sighed dramatically, “My virtue and all.”

“Right,” he played along, “Of course not. We can’t have your neighbors get the wrong idea.”

“No chaperone or anything…”

“I’m astonished you’d even think of such a thing miss,” he said, trying to keep a straight face and you bit down on your lips.

“Well, thank you for being the perfect gentleman, mister,” you taunted him, then stood on your tiptoes to brush your lips against his, his arm around your waist tightening. He looked down at you as you pulled back, that soft light crossing his eyes again.

“Good night Bucky.”

“Good night,” he stole a kiss from you again and you giggled, then made your way into the building. You took the elevator and as soon as you reached your floor and stepped out, you found Keith fumbling with his keys by his door. He looked over his shoulder and you tilted your head, staring at his blood stained clothes.

“Why are you covered in blood?”

“Why are you grinning like a high schooler with a crush?” he asked back and you tried to control your expression. “Something tells me the answer to both of those questions is the same.”

“Mission?”

“Mission.”

You hummed and went to unlock your door as well while Keith leaned sideways to his doorframe.

“At least one of us is having fun on missions,” he pointed out and you curled your lips, shooting him a look.

“Aw you poor baby,” you said, “I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“No I’m not and you know why?” you pointed at him, “You didn’t bring me coffee the other day.”

He gasped dramatically and you let out a laugh, then closed your door behind you.

“That Barnes guy is a bad influence on you young lady!” he called out before closing his door as well and you chuckled to yourself, shaking your head.

“Yeah,” you murmured, “I think you might be right.”

Chapter 11

[bvccy]

Hi!!! Hope you're doing great

Can I please have a mix between number 2 from the soft and 8 from the dark one

Thanks, lost of love ❤❤❤

Thank you so much, nonnie! I am so sorry this took so long, I meant to post yesterday but it wasn’t done. Also, the 8th dark prompt was requested just before you sent in this one, so that is filled separately here.

I tried to do the mix you asked for, and I took the liberty of writing this with Bucky (specifically 40s!BB), and I hope that it’s ok. It’s a bit of a more specific story, actually, that I’d wanted to write for a while. I also did a kind of first for me, because it involves Steve x reader as a backdrop 😂 Anyway.

Lots of love to you too, my dear! 💗💗💗

— PAIRING: soft!dark!Bucky x Reader • preserum!Steve x Reader — PROMPT: Asteria - gazing at one’s object of affection, from afar + Prassius - an impossible desire, and unclean love — LINKS: Masterlist • love stones prompt list — WORDCOUNT: 2.5k

It had taken long enough, and sometimes it seemed like it would never happen, but he finally found Steve a girlfriend — or rather, his girlfriend found him one. Dottie had exhausted several of her close friends and most acquaintances, but she knew how tired Bucky was of seeing his friend mope around, feeling like a third wheel, getting into trouble to pass the time. And honestly she liked Steve too, just not like that — but, wonder-worker that she was, Dottie found a girl that did.

She agreed to come on a double-date one night, and she and Stevie hit it right off. It was the first time Bucky met her too, and he didn't think much of the girl. Small, shy, not quite sickly-looking but not far from it, shoes a bit scuffed, clothes a bit too big for her and smelling of plain soap — in a word: perfect. She was perfect for his sickly, skinny friend who nobody else wanted, and by the looks of things, nobody had wanted her either because she seemed to have no idea what to do around a dance hall. As they were returning home that night, he even heard her confess to Steve that she had never been to one before.

They went out on two more dates, all four of them, within as many weeks. Bucky loved to dance, and Dottie too, but Steve and his girl weren't so fond of tripping over their feet and being laughed at. So they sat together at the table like a pair of broken toys, sharing an ice cream sundae, swinging shoulder-to-shoulder with the music when they liked the tune. Bucky waved at them when their eyes met, and they waved back and cheered at his dancefloor performance, but that happened less and less as they got caught up in each other. Steve would start to sketch things on the napkins while they chatted: the band, the sea of dancers, the fancy chandeliers, and eventually her.

"She said nobody's ever drawn her picture before," his friend said dreamily as they walked back, after they wished a good night to the girls. "Can you believe that?"

"Sure can…"

"She almost didn't let me do it. But she's so pretty, Buck."

"Mhm, nice girl."

"I mean yeah, she's no Dottie, but… I don't know, there's just somethin' I like so much about her… I guess her eyes, the way they look when she's smiling, or how her hair looks when the sun shines on it…"

"Get a load a' you," he grinned, wrapping his arm around Steve's shoulder in a playful grip that moved his friend's whole body. "One dame's sweet on you, and all of a sudden you're Romeo."

"At least I'm not a punk like you," Steve teased, slipping from his grasp.

"You know what I like best about her?"

"What?" he asked, with a hint of jealousy.

But Bucky smirked without a care. "How she keeps you out of trouble."

It had, indeed, been a while since Steve got in an alley brawl, and by their fifth date his last few bruises healed. He'd almost gotten into one by a cotton candy stand at Coney Island, but his girl was there to pull him back.

"Stevie, leave him alone…"

"You heard what he said?!"

"Who cares," she sighed, clinging to his arm and throwing the other man a hateful look. "Come on, didn't you want to win me that stuffed teddy bear?"

"Better listen to your girl, pal."

"Oh go find a sty to wallow in," she hissed.

"I ought'a smack some manners into you, you two-bit broad!"

"I'd worry about my own manners if I were you, buddy." Bucky slipped between them, coming from behind, standing now close enough to punch the guy if things got heated. But, seeing himself outnumbered, the other man cursed them and left. Just then, Dottie finally caught up.

"What's going on?" she asked, a little out of breath.

Bucky turned around, and was met by the heart-melting sight of Steve and his girl holding each other, her hands on his cheeks as she quietly chastised him, but loving enough that it made him smile and giggle. She closed it with a kiss to his cheek that made the boy blush, and a kittenish rub of their noses together.

"Nothing, everything's fine."

It was around the time they went to see a movie together that Bucky's joy for Steve turned into something else. They sat in the back while some musical played, and through the flashing lights and the corner of his eye, he could see his friend with his sweetheart holding hands on top of her lap throughout the whole performance. Meanwhile Dottie kept rubbing up against him, sometimes leaning her head on his shoulder, daring in the darker scenes to kiss his neck, but when she tried to get more of his attention —

"Buckyyy, what's wrong?"

— he shook her off. Hearing his name spoken by her voice suddenly felt disappointing.

He caught himself staring more and more, and not just when they went out together. Sometimes, the girl came by and spent some time with Steve, looking at his newer sketches, trying her hand too — oh and how disgusting they looked, Steve taking advantage of the situation to sit behind, and wrap his arms around her, and whisper in her ear. The pair greeted him cheerfully when he stepped through the living room and caught them, and he grinned back at them as he took a glass of milk, but all his appetite was gone.

And when they walked together through the park, and he saw them holding hands again… When Steve dug for some change to get her an ice cream, and they giggled stupidly as they made a mess of sharing it… When she fell asleep by his side one night at the dance hall, and Stevie woke her up with a tickle down her cheek, and she shivered and murmured like a bird and hid her face in his unworthy shoulder…

"Why don't you ever wanna dance, doll?" he asked as they were fetching drinks.

"Not much good at it, I guess," she shrugged. "The fast ones make me dizzy and I always trip."

"I can teach you. It'll work out great! Stevie teaches you to draw, I teach you how to dance… What do you say?"

The girl seemed to think, but shook her head. "Hmmm… No, not right now. Thanks," she smiled politely. "Besides, what would Stevie do meanwhile?"

She told him no just for the sake of keeping his scrawny little friend company, and Bucky had never felt more insulted — not that she wouldn't dance with him, although that hurt enough, but that he couldn't remember the last dame that gave something up just to stick with him, or got into fights for him, or kissed his wounds away, or held his hand in hers with no ulterior motive, and he'd found a girl that did that, and he wasted her on Steve.

So what if she was a little on the smaller side? So what if her dresses didn't fit right? So what if she came down with the cold at every change of season? He put up with it for Steve and he wasn't half as charming. The girl, instead, looked very delicate, more feminine in her own way, like when she braced her fingers on a table as she talked and mindlessly swung back and forth, animated in whatever she was saying, and her digits bent in such a childish way he feared they'd break, and it only made him want to kiss them. Or when she took her shoes off when she came to their apartment and he could catch a hint of shapely ankle, just perfect for his grip, or a peachy pink instep small enough to fit his palm. And when she fell asleep on their couch that one time and Bucky saw her all curled up, and noticed the arch of her hips and the cinch of her waist and pictured how good it would feel to hold them, and angle them upward, and…

Slowly, he started to appreciate some of what his friend had said that night, because she did have lovely eyes, and hair that looked so soft and warm, and her scent, unburdened by perfume, was sweet and girlish, and her lips looked kissable, and her wrists and knees and ankles too…

"Going out again, tonight?" he asked as the blond boy fixed himself in the mirror.

"Yeah, she wants to try this new place we —"

"Alright, alright…" sighed Bucky, already sick of hearing more. "So, that's all you're gonna do?"

"Well… yeah."

And then he voiced an evil thought. "Don't you ever want to… you know?"

"Y-you think we should?" Steve asked, turning away from his pallid reflection.

Bucky sat sprawled across the couch, and shrugged. "If she really likes you, she'd be up for it, don't you think?"

"I don't know about that, Buck."

"No? Ok," he nodded. "After all, what do I know?"

The aftermath of this particular advice was a draught of dates for poor ol' Steve, because just like Bucky had expected, the girl shrinked at the suggestion and couldn't stand to see him. For a while.

"Can you believe it, Buck?!"

"Yeah…"

"She'll see me again!"

"That's great, Stevie."

"What's wrong? You're lookin' real dour today."

Bucky knew he shouldn't. "I just…" He knew that it was wrong. "Look, it's great that she's forgiven you, but you gotta be realistic about this, pal." He had been happy for Steve at one point, long ago.

"What do you mean?"

But that was before he saw just how much love a girl could give, and realised he'd never felt it.

"Just don't delude yourself this is anything more than what it looks like, ok? She's only forgiven you because she knows nobody else will have her."

"That's mean, Buck."

"Yeah, well… I'm just looking out for you. You're my best friend, you know that. I don't want you getting hurt." It stuck in his throat to say it, but the bitterness stuck more.

And after Steve went to bed that night, Bucky took out the box of candy and the pricey perfume he had bought for her, threw them in the trash, and firmly promised to himself to never wait too long again.

But as he learned a bit later on, when they went back to double-dates, he might not have had a chance at all, because there was an unwitting element of truth to this cruel tirade.

"I can't exactly blame you, honey," Dottie consoled her as they stood in line for the ladies room, not knowing Bucky was just behind the thin divider leading to the men's. "If he does something like that again, I know this other fella —"

"Oh no, Dot, please… We're fine now. He explained things and… he's really sweet, I think he just had a moment of —"

"But just let me introduce you to Jim, see if you don't like him better."

"I… I don't know."

"He's a real charmer," Dottie grinned, "and he has these big, broad hands, jaw like an anvil. He just broke it off with Marcie cause she was a flirt."

He didn't hear anything next, but the girl must've shook her head cause Dottie asked, "You're sure?" and "Really? Well, if you change your mind…"

"Thanks, Dot," she lightly laughed.

"I don't know why you're so stubborn though, it's not like he's that far out your league. You just need to fix your hair a little bit and get a better brand of powder."

"It's not that easy."

"It's all it took me to get Bucky on my arm. That, and a better set of heels," she laughed.

"Yeah but you've always been pretty, Dot. Like, really pretty, and you know it. I guess some girls are for the James Barnes of this world, and some are the for the Steves."

She giggled as she said it, with not a hint of anger or resentment, and that's what stung the worst.

Bucky arranged to go see a late night movie with Dottie after that, while Steve and his girl went back to the apartment to listen to a boxing match on the radio and have some cherry sodas. Dottie went ahead to buy the tickets while Bucky walked them home, and after wishing him good night, she went upstairs to set things up. Steve was meant to go to the store and buy the drinks, but he stayed to chat with his friend a while.

"I can get some eggs and milk as well while I'm at it," he offered, swinging on his heels with his hands in his pockets.

"Sure."

"Or do we have enough for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Go ahead and buy them, pal," Bucky smiled, pretending to be less tired than he felt.

"Ok. And what about — darn!"

"What is it?"

"I just realized, I forgot to give her the keys," he said, taking a hand out of his pocket and holding them out. "I gotta get to the store, can you go up and give them to her?"

"Er, why don't —"

"You know I always trip on the stairs when I'm in hurry, Buck, they haven't changed the lightbulb yet. Don't make me do it."

"Fine, I'll go."

"I owe you big."

"You always do," he grinned, and took the keys from him.

Steve made off for the corner store, while Bucky started the long slow climb upstairs. It was completely dark inside at that hour, and the few candles some neighbours left to light the way had all gone out.

"Stevie, is that you?" he heard her call, standing right outside their door.

He kept one hand against the wall and walked his way toward her, stopping as he heard her whisper, "I think I lost the keys."

Blindly, she moved her hand forward, coming right across his chest. He felt her jolt at the unexpected contact, then burst into a giggle. Bucky could already feel the fanning of her breath right at the level of his chin. With an unseen smile, he took her hand, and placed the keys within it.

"Oh," she laughed. "You had them."

As her hand closed around them his own moved up her shoulder, fingers threading around her hair, and as he touched her jaw he felt her tilting slightly upward, shivering under the feeling.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

He felt the warming tickle of her breath as he leaned close until, through the pitch black, he touched his lips to hers. Bucky did it lightly, just a little, just enough to taste and sip a kind of love he'd never really had. She stood surprised but took his kiss, and he felt her smiling into it, even beginning to kiss back just as he was parting from her.

"Your lips are softer than before," she giggled, in a sweet but altogether crushing way that made Bucky's heart beat stronger. "Stevie?"

Her hand moved through the air to touch him but felt nothing anymore, and down the stairs the heavy steps echoed, moving downward and away.

[yellowserve]

partcfyouruniverse​:

“Oh um yeah. It’s just me working on this project. Usually I have the other bismuths helping me but apparently they’re working on some construction for blue diamond.” If she had to guess sanctuary for some noble rare gems like sapphires. She had to agree with pearl here. Such beauties as this structure deserved to be enjoyed by gems who weren’t used to living in luxury. Gems who would appreciate it.

“But thank you! Hopefully your diamond will like it.” If she did she could avoid both a scolding from her and her manager. Who already gave her a hard time about her work. Something about taking too many artistic liberties with her designs.

“Right this way.” She said as she lead her into the next room. “This one is more experimental. This building is for more elite gems and what do elite gems have at their side? Pearls! So I thought why not design this room with pearls in mind?” She explained quite passionately.

The room served the same purpose. To be a place of lavish comfort but the decor took a pearls aesthetic into consideration. As well as display some painting of various pearls from around homeworld. She wouldn’t reveal she was the artist for now. First she wanted to see the pearl’s reaction. “What do you think? Oh and you could take a seat on the sofa if you’d like. You could test it out for me. Tell me how comfortable it is.”

Making a mental note of Bismuth working alone on this project, while it might not be important now it could be later. If Yellow Diamond liked the others work, it could lead her to move up quite a bit. The rulers always needed good builders and planners on hand and while it was not easy to impress them, the Pearl could see this very much being enough to do so. At least if the rest of the place continued to be this well done. 

“I think she will” Yellow mused, knowing better than to make a more telling statement. After all, there was a lot that could influence the Diamond’s opinion and not everything had to do with the gem or the building. An annoyed Diamond was hard to impress no matter how good your work was, if anyone knew that then it was their Pearls. 

Following along, still looking around, making sure that there was nothing she was overlooking. “You made a room for Pearls?” tilting her head a little as they walked in. Yellow knew she had to stay neutral, not give away how she and maybe by extension her Diamond felt on certain topics. Humming a little to keep herself from talking without thinking about it, the Pearl looking around the room. 

Taking the offer to sit down crossing her legs when she was relaxing a little “It’s quite nice” she finally said “both the couch and the room, you said this was experimental so I’m guessing this was not planned like this?” She wanted to say more but knew she really couldn’t. While a room for pearls might sound odd or wasteful to some elites, not all gems thought like that. She was sure most of the people that were against such things would be shocked to learn that a Diamond had something very similar for her Pearl. 

Yellow Diamond to be exact, which was why the Pearl knew that this addition would most probably go over well with her. She couldn’t reveal that to Bismuth, though, as all that was kept secret from most others. “Who painted those pictures?” she asked once she noticed them “They are really well done”