#perfect song for a plane rescue mission

[setmeatopthepyre]

petition to continue using top gun soundtrack songs for bucktommy scenes in s8 and with that I specifically mean the cheap trick song mighty wings

[hopeamarsu]

Kidnapping - Mafia Madness #4

Merlin (Kingsman) x reader

Word count 627

Warnings Kidnapping, pining, guns, shooting, death. The usual. 

A/N: My first time writing Merlin! I hope you like my interpretation of him. This is set somewhere between the first and the second movie so after Valentine but before Poppy.

Merlin’s palms are sweaty as his fingers fly across the green keys of Kingsman jet mobile command center. Had he not been sitting already, his knees would be weak and his arms heavy as they shouldered all the blame of you getting kidnapped from your date with him. Why the team was here, in the Italian mountains and in pursuit of the mob. 

His internal thoughts of how his body is behaving make Merlin let out a short bark of laughter. Of course Eggsy and his love of American hip hop would eventually find their way into his subconscious. You would love to hear that he’s seconds away from humming out the tune of an Eminem song in the middle of a mission. You’ll get a kick out of it for sure. 

Merlin shakes his head, ridding him of the beat and lyrics, focusing back on the multiple screens in front of him. He’ll tell you later about this. This and much more, things he’s spent weeks rehearsing before finding the courage to ask you out. He’ll tell you it all when you are back in this plane, safe and well and he’s navigating all of you away from the snowy Alps. 

Maybe he could direct the jet somewhere warm, Merlin ponders. Somewhere nice, with white sandy beaches and palm trees and cocktails out of a coconut. Somewhere where warm breeze dances in your hair and over his scalp, where loose clothing is the norm, and where he can hear your teasing in his ear about forgetting to put on sunblock on his ‘noggin’.

“Eggsy, status report?” 

He is still not used to calling the young man by his given codename, Galahad. That title and name will always belong to Harry Hart and while thinking of the man will always result in a twinge of his heart, Merlin has done his grieving. It’s time to honor the man by continuing to fight the good fight. And this fight? This one might be the most important of them all. 

“Coming’…got the… open the doors Mer…” Eggsy’s voice is broken into bits between static but the frantic way the young man yells in the comms makes Merlin’s fingers move with even faster speed. “Takin’… fuck!” 

He pulls up the plane cameras on his screen, searching for the first signal of the oncoming rescue team. Merlin also prepares a few of the plane's hidden weapons in case Eggsy and Lancelot and you need cover to reach the plane. There! He spots three figures running towards the sleek aircraft, one of them limping and supported by the two others but even from a distance, the plane's monitors tell him they are covering the ground quickly.

Merlin presses the button of the door before abandoning his post by the desk and reaches for his trusted machine gun. His long legs that are covered by the standard Kingsman dress pants in sleek navy color, take him to the front of the cabin and he positions himself on the landing. 

It’s a familiar feeling, holding the weapon and propping it up against his shoulder. He can feel his muscles tense and relax at the same time, his eye searching for any hostiles through the lens. The world slows into focus and he pops off a round, making the black figure in the distance fall. Merlin is calm, focused and none of the shakiness and clamminess is visible in him. He’s a weapon, honed to perfection,  just like the entire plane the three of you are running towards. 

Towards safety. 

“Providing cover fire. Lancelot, Galahad, Lucan, get on board.” 

The last words, whispered under his breath, are only for you to hear, even if they come through a shared channel. “I got you, mo leannan.”

Mo leannan = my love, my sweetheart, my darling 

Everything taglist @clydesducktape​ @themuseic​ @miraclesabound​ @a-true-janian-reply​ @10blurredsmoke10​  @caillea​ @mariesackler​ @princessxkenobi​ @sixshooter665​  @amneris21​ @strangunddurm​

[lilacmeadows]

Made For You pt. 2

Omg you guys thank you so much for all the support! Part 1 was my first fic and you guys were so sweet. I had to get started on part 2 right away. If you want to be on my taglist, just let me know! This is just leading up to the next few chapters that’s just gonna be FILTHY. I needed a bit of backstory to be satisfied, but now that the boring part is out of the way, I’m gonna go research other names for genitals. Hope you enjoy! -Savvy

BUCKY X READER

Summary: Hydra had just finished training you to be the Winter Soldier’s perfect mate when the Avengers saved him. But what’s going to happen to you now that Hydra has deleted your old life and left you with nothing but a soldier that needs to learn to love himself before he can love someone else.

Part 1    Part 2     Part 3

WARNINGS: explicit sexual content, explicit language, underage reader (nothing sexual happens underage), stockholm syndrome, mentions of family death, eventual dom/sub dynamics, mentions of captivity and kidnapping. violence- guns, mutual pining, eventual smut, fluff, angst if you squint (must be 18+)

WORD COUNT:  2.9k

“Make the Soldat happy. He is my mission.” 

When she was first taken, of course she was scared. She didn’t know why, where she was going, if she’d be rescued. It was a painful adjustment, and some days it was as if the tears would never stop. It’s not like she was worth anything to anyone who mattered, her family wasn’t rich. Just her mom and brother. They lived a happy and normal life. 

She’d guess it didn’t really matter. At the age of 10, y/n was old enough to understand basic concepts, carry a conversation with adults, and she had strict teachers in school, so she knew how to behave. 

What she didn’t know was how to be a wife. Or a ‘life-partner’. None of the Men would ever call her a future ‘wife’. She was training to be a mate. Someone the Soldat could own and connect with so he didn’t fly off the rails if things got out of control. If he got out of their control. Every morning, a watcher would wake her up at 8AM so she could stretch, eat, and meditate. By 10AM, her first trainer of the day would come in and teach her the schooling she was missing. Just basic math and reading, a little German, and a little Russian. Not enough for her to eavesdrop on their plans, but enough to understand her Soldat if he didn’t feel like speaking English. 

At 1PM, another trainer would come and bring her to the small kitchenette down the hall. They had no intention of domesticating the ‘couple’, but she was learning to be a woman- of course the Men would have her start in the kitchen. She would learn very simple meals that could feed a fully grown man, and usually had something light for lunch herself. The men brought her the other 2 meals a day. At 3PM she would have lessons on ‘Womanhood’. At least that’s what she called it. A trainer would come in and teach her a never-ending list of rules that she had to follow in order to be a ‘lady’. It reminded her of an old Barbie movie she would watch when she was little. There was a song called ‘To Be a Princess’, where a poor girl learned how to act proper. Once she started seeing herself as that princess, the days got a little easier. Some days, they would go over how to sit and lie down like a lady. Others, they would walk laps around the halls open to her, reviewing how to walk on the balls of her feet. She learned to talk in short sentences with excellent manners, and how to brush her hair, so she could look more presentable for her Soldat. 

Over the years of compliance, the trainers softened on her just as the watchers had. Of course, they were still horrible people, but they knew she was a kind girl at heart and wouldn’t cause trouble. Some days, she would be made to sit perfectly still with a stack of books on her head, while her trainer would tell her something silly happening outside the walls of the building that became her home. She learned little bits of information about their lives, music, art. But never anything political or having to do with who the Men even worked for. That was strictly forbidden. They would let her color in her free time. Sometimes a watcher would bring a book from his home for her to read, and when she was old enough, she was given a few colors of yarn and started knitting sweaters and scarves on plastic needles. She didn’t have a clock, but she would learn by the rotating shifts of her watchers what time of day it was.

There were children whose lives sucked more than hers. And for that, she was grateful.

When she got older (let’s say 18), the training started to change. She never knew what day it was, or even what year. She had stopped keeping track so long ago, but the changes were made gradually. She would be made to read books on intimacy, and then watch videos of men brutally ravishing ladies about her size. She had to learn what to do to please her Soldat, without being taught physically. This made her happy. The thought of any of the watchers or trainers doing that to her made her sick. And everyone thought it was in her best interest to be completely innocent to the touch of a man when she has her first encounter with the Soldat.

Which turned out exactly as planned. But on the day Steve and Sam plucked her out of her bedroom, she was not expecting the Soldat to be sitting right in front of her. In all his glory.

The quinjet was eerily silent for all of seven seconds before Clint had the audacity to continue the conversation he started.

��You make the soldier happy?” was the best the shocked man could come up with.

“I haven’t met him yet, but I’m ready. They made me ready for him.” y/n said with bright, hopeful eyes. Her words flowed so easily, they sounded rehearsed.

“Do we tell her?” Tony asked Steve, who was getting greener by the second. He couldn’t believe he just got his best friend back, not two weeks ago, and now he has to worry about a girl who’s obsessed with said best friend.

“I don’t think we really have a choice.” Steve replied, taking a deep breath. The whole quinjet looked like they were holding their breath. y/n still didn’t know the names of the three men on the opposite side of the quinjet. Two of them standing together, pausing their conversation, and the brooding man, who everyone keeps looking at.

“y/n, meet Bucky.” Steve said, pointing at the man across from her. But ‘Bucky’ went completely over her head- the name being unfamiliar to her.

“Hello, sir. Pleased to meet you.” She said, offering a genuine smile, but clearly not picking up what Steve was putting down. Clint chimed in again, wanting to be out of his confused misery.

“Wait a second. Y/n. You mean the soldier, as in the Winter Soldier?” Y/n immediately nodded at hearing that name. She knew her Soldat went by that name. “As in that guy right there?” 

Her eyes went wide at the realization. He was sitting right in front of her. Staring at her since the minute she stepped onto the plane. And he was gorgeous. Long hair, thick thighs, piercing blue eyes, and a jaw that could probably cut glass. But he looked upset. Pissed really, and that scared her. She had one job: Make the Soldat happy. And there she was, barely presentable. She hadn’t even addressed him properly, how she was taught. With all the eyes on her, she felt a blush rush through her whole body at the embarrassing thought. But she had to. He wouldn’t like her if she didn’t follow the rules she grew up with.

Y/n daintily stood up and walked until she was right in front of Bucky. He held her eye contact the entire way, still not having said one word during this whole exchange. She gently knelt down until she was on her knees in front of him. 

“I hope I can make you happy, my Soldat. I am a gift from the Men who take care of us, and I am entirely yours.” Bucky’s jaw twitched. He hadn’t said anything this whole time, but his mind was moving at lightning speed. He watched this gorgeous, barely dressed girl sit across from him, and was already in awe. But then that girl got on her knees and declared her loyalty to him? In front of everyone he knows? He couldn’t lie to himself, he’d never been more turned on. But everything about this was wrong. She was just a Stockholm Syndrome’d girl who wanted to follow orders. But her orders were to make him happy. He finally broke eye contact with her to see Tony’s shocked face looking over at Bruce and Thor, to make sure he’s not hallucinating this. 

“Y/n, you should stand up.” He said to her in a hushed tone. Probably harsher than he meant to. He could see her visibly take a breath at the sound of his voice, his eyes followed the gentle slope of her neck down to her breast. She dreamed for years about what his voice would sound like, and it just rolled over her. But she quickly obeyed and stood in front of his seat. He expected her to say something else, but she was silent then. Her previous outburst was one of the few exceptions to her ‘only talk when spoken to’ rule. “What do you want? Where is your family so we can take you home?” He asked her. She could feel the tears well up in her eyes. He didn’t want her was all she could assume. She was made for him, so why was he turning her away?

“I want to make you happy, sir. It’s all I want. Please let me be good for you. I promise, I’ll be so good for you.” Begging was familiar to her from her studies. She didn’t expect to be begging for her to be able to please him, but she would do whatever it took to get him to keep her.

“No. Y/n. This isn’t right. You were being kept there, whatever Hydra told you to do is over. You’re free now.” The tears flowed freely down her cheeks and it broke his heart. She tried to cover her face with her hands. He didn’t want to see her cry, nor did he want to turn her away, but he also couldn’t just let her be his sex slave. It wasn’t right. 

“Please don’t be sad. This is for the best-” He tried to reason with her, but when he took her hand off her face so she would look at him, the contact only made her sob harder. This was all she wanted. 

“Buck, I think we should just let her sit for a minute. Can you grab her some water? Tony and I will try to figure out where she was from.” Steve said to Bucky- trying to end this painful and awkward situation. Bucky stood and walked to another area of the quinjet. He was grateful to be able to use this time to think.

“Y/n, we’re gonna need your help to get you home okay. What’s your last name? How old are you?” 

“Y/L/N” And then she went quiet. It never occurred to her that she didn’t know how old she was. Of course, she remembered her birthday, but she couldn’t tell the weeks and months apart, so she hadn’t celebrated it since she turned 10 in 2006. “What year is it?”

“When did they take you?” Steve asked gently. Being a man from another time, he could remember well the day he woke up in 2011 when it was supposed to be 1944. He knew how jarring it was to discover all the time that’s been lost, and wanted to spare her that grief.

“2006. I was 10.” She looked at him, and she could tell it’s not just 2008 by the look on his face. She knew her body went through changes over her time with the Men, but between the ‘dietary supplements’ they gave her, and the fact that she wasn’t looking in a mirror- much less shopping for clothes- she didn’t realize she had fully completed puberty. 

“Y/n, it’s 2016. You’re 20 now.” And that made the tears come harder. But she wasn’t so upset about the 10 years of her life. She was mad at 20 years of her life wasted. Since Bucky didn’t want her, all of the training was for nothing. She knew living for him made her the definition of a broken person- she wasn’t dumb. The idea of her Soldat was what grounded her all that time. When she was lonely, she’d think about the man the Men always tell her about. They told her how he was their ‘greatest asset’. And she often fantasized about if he would fall in love with her. So by the time she met him, she had already been in love with him for much longer than she’d care to admit- which makes the heartbreak of rejection hurt that much more.

Unfortunately for Bucky, his heart was heavy too. He tucked away into the tiny bed area on the jet after quickly handing Steve the water to give to y/n. It was too much. Being in that room with her, she looked at him like he hung the moon. But he most certainly had not. He was a murderer. Tony’s father was a scientist during the war, and Bucky knew him pretty well through Steve. And he killed him. He had scattered memories of hurting dozens of people, so why would she be so willing to be with someone like him?

Part of him wanted it. After almost a century of not owning anything and not having a choice, he was given the opportunity to have something that belonged only to him. A gift from the men who take care of us. If it wasn’t cruel, he would have laughed in her face. Maybe she was taken care of, but he most certainly wasn’t. She was brought in young enough to still be under the impression that Hydra wasn’t evil, just strict. He imagined for a minute how things could have turned out for the two of them if he hadn’t gotten free. If Hydra really was planning on giving him a gift. He didn’t like the last gift they gave him in the shape of an arm, but y/n was perfect. She was the perfect size for him- although his broad frame could dwarf most women. And her smile pulled at his heart.

He wanted to kiss her the minute he saw her. He knew he wanted to make her his.

And that was bad.

He rubbed his hand over his face and decided to rejoin the group in the middle of their conversation. Thor and Bruce decided to stop being passive members of the conversation and introduced themselves. Y/n was very confused at Thor’s proclamation as ‘God of Thunder’, but with all that was happening, she didn’t feel it was her place to question it.

“- a good thing we have spare rooms at the compound. You can stay as long as you like.” Tony finished speaking to y/n just as Bucky was walking into the room. “We’re gonna have a new house guest MC.” He waggled his eyebrows at the man who caught the back half of that conversation.

Bucky’s jaw dropped. This would only make the situation much harder than it needed to be. He looked to Steve for an explanation. The blond stood up and made his way over to Bucky.

“Look, Hydra scrubbed her records off of every database and-” He took a deep sigh, “Her family is dead, Buck. They probably killed them after they took her.” 

Then it was Bucky’s turn to sigh. He knew the right thing to do was to help her, but he also knew how much he wanted to feel her soft skin in his hands. And that made her dangerous to be around. 

What nobody knew was why Hydra took the 10 year old from Georgia. In 2006, the Winter Soldier was sent on a mission to kill a scientist that lived there. Of course the poor guy didn’t have a chance when the Soldier was sitting in his house, waiting for him when he got home, but what the Soldier wasn’t expecting was a little girl to be coming inside with him. The scientist looked sleazy and didn’t have any children, so who knows what would have happened to her if the Soldier didn’t get there in time. She screamed and cried. The comm in his ear commanded him to kill the girl for being a witness. But the part of the Soldier that was still Bucky wanted her to be safe. He shushed the little girl and asked her for her address. When she recited it to him, he rubbed her head and told her she was a good girl, before he dug his metal fingers into the child’s pressure points and she fell limp into his arms. y/n woke up in her bed, crying at the bad dream she must have had- her mother not even home yet. That was the first act of defiance Hydra ever experienced from the Winter Soldier. First sign of humanity and compassion. They knew if the mind control was getting weaker, he would be harder to control next time they unfroze him, but his protective nature of the girl would make her an asset to them.

Her capture was arranged before his heart was fully frozen in the chamber. Neither Bucky nor y/n remembered this- Bucky only remembering parts of his time under their control, and y/n never thinking about that bad dream again, but the connection was still there as strong as it was that day 10 years ago.

Part 3

[fanfictionfaberrycentral]

Faberry smut part I list

Levitation of Rachel Berry by Kendarrr 

Show Me Who You Are by QuinnisFabray 

Faberry G!P Smut Compilation by Kendarrr

this scarlet lust has got its claws in me by Kendarrr 

Ecstasy of Quinn Fabray by Kendarrr 

the beach where love is made by Kendarrr 

white tiles and cramped stalls by Kendarrr 

you make me feel things by Kendarrr 

Berry on Top by Kendarrr 

Lessons Yet to Learn by Kendarrr 

Better Remember by Kendarrr 

graduation woes by Kendarrr 

Into the Woods by Kendarrr 

New York, Baby by Kendarrr 

If the Stars Are Eternal (So Are You and I) by simplesetgo

Irresistible by simplesetgo

Raising The Bar by crammit 

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles by QuinnisFabray 

Hate to Feel by QuinnisFabray 

No Business Like Show Business by QuinnisFabray 

It's All About the Teasing by QuinnisFabray 

The Truth Doesn't Have to Hurt by QuinnisFabray

Acquainted (to say that we're in love is dangerous) by Misschacilops 

the duty of lovers (is to tarnish the golden rule) by yumi_michiyo 

The Spark of Something Undeniable by K_AudreyLeto 

Small Moments: Can This Be Real? by K_AudreyLeto Clocks 

Go Forward by fallendarknight86 

Quiet Things by orphan_account 

Dive Right Into You by orphan_account 

A Tension of Opposites by K_AudreyLeto

One Step Forward, One Step Back by K_AudreyLeto 

The Spark of Something Undeniable by K_AudreyLeto 

Small Moments: Can This Be Real? by K_AudreyLeto

Ain't No Good Girls by JustLaugh 

Blame's On Shakespeare by Ggunsailor

How she likes her the most by orphan_account

Full Throttle by Frensayce

Like I Wish You Would by orphan_account 

Try So Hard by orphan_account

Quinn Fabray Sucks at Sexting by orphan_account 

Like a Hurricane by orphan_account 

For a Girl Like You by orphan_account 

Beat, Incomplete by orphan_account 

Places by Purrplehorn 

She's A WOW! by Frensayce 

Twenty Four Seven by orphan_account 

Neighbours by fallendarknight86 

Santa's Little Elf by FantasyNinja 

Unsettle the Ground Beneath You by yumi_michiyo

the duty of lovers (is to tarnish the golden rule) by yumi_michiyo

Start Me Up by dramatricks  

Your Song by dramatricks 

Canvas by dramatricks

take me out to the ballgame by orphan_account

Friends by orphan_account

Bachelorette Party by orphan_account

Addiction by orphan_account

Money, Sex and Power by orphan_account 

Let Love Back In Again by fallendarknight86

Hot To The Touch by WriterJunkie

All Your Favorite Spots by poetzproblem 

Irresistible by simplesetgo 

Breathe In For Luck by rustytiffany

It's romantic isn’t it? I’m rescuing the princess by Scoobzorz

A farfetched lie by maipigen

in her hips, there's revolutions by cydonic

The Jackpot Question in Advance by brioscotty

A doce barbara by docebarbara

Raising The Bar by crammit

Lazy Morning by fallendarknight86

It Takes A Firm Hand by victoryblainers

Crash, Bam, Thank You Ma'am by poetzproblem

i can pretend it's you by cydonic

Driver's Seat by TripUpStairs

On a Mission by Tonything5

Not Some Fly-By-Night Broadway Romance by PrettyLittlePoutyMouth 

Stress Relief by TripUpStairs 

Music On Your Body by angelffxmaniac

Scene: Rachel's Apartment by PrettyLittlePoutyMouth

The Boss and the Intern by rggellar

Into the Woods by Kendarrr

New York, Baby by Kendarrr

Spring Break by Steppenwolf

No Business Like Show Business by QuinnisFabray

Nighttime Visitor by tothevision

The Other Part of Me by astano

A Little (But Totally NOT Black) Magic by trancer

Quinn the Conqueror by trancer

Out of My Head by trancer

Perfect Pitch by trancer

May the Mercury Jump to Ninety-Three by summerstorm

In My Life by orphan_account 

Threading Hope Like Fire by summerstorm

At Last by howmanychildrenareyoufreindswith (orphan_account)

Relative Minor by orphan_account

Quiet Things by orphan_account for iPhone

in the moment by Kendarrr

Sexy Euphemism Faberry by askboxangel

Your Heart is Heavy and Red by justabear

All Through the Night by fallendarknight86

[fangirlings-things]

The Border Control Project [Part. 1]

• ───━━━━─ ● ─━━━━─── •

Fandom: Extraction

Pairing: Tyler Rake x female reader

Summary: you're Tyler's next mission and turns out, you need him more than you want to

Word count: 1.4K

Warnings: curse words, mentions of violence and kidnapping

Based on this imagine

Gif credit: @thoresque

A/N: let me know if you guys want a part 2 or to be tagged like @posiemax asked to (it was sweet, thank youuu). I have many ideas to this series, so let me know what you think!!

Part. 2

Theme song: Shameless, Camila Cabello

Right now I'm shameless

Screaming my lungs out for you

Not afraid to face it

I need you more than I want to

• ───━━━━─ ● ─━━━━─── •

It had been what? Two, maybe three days?

You had lost track of time. After so much time in the dark, it happens. Your mind just washes away and it seems like you're floating in space, with nowhere to go and nothing to do. 

The blindfold in your eyes kept the light away and the restrains in your arms, made your whole body ache. The matress under you was actually soft, but even fluffy clouds could feel like a stone after being kept in the same position for so long. 

Your throat was dry and hurt because of how you had screamed. Screams that were muffled by the gag you had in your mouth. 

Every single spot those men had touched burned like a small fire and threatened to explode you. You were pretty sure you had marks all over. They hadn't been gentle when kidnapping you from the middle of the bloody street. 

You was tired, scared and wanted to leave. Go back to your life. But you knew you couldn't. There was no getting out of there. 

Taking a deep breath you tried to steady your heavy breathing, moving your hands against the restrains, to get maybe just a little more comfortable. Just a little. 

That, was all you could do.

• ───━━━━─ ● ─━━━━─── •

"Something new is up?"

That was the question Tyler had made when he got a call from Nik. It was unexpected, surprising. After what happened in Bangladesh many months ago, he had done a few other jobs, but none of them with her. Now, though, she seemed pretty determined to get him on board of whatever was happening. It intrigued him, made him frown while holding the phone against his left ear. 

He had been laying low since his last mission, the elimination of a target that he completed successfully in Greece. That mission had been fast, too easy. Since that, he had been wasting all the money he got in alcohol and cigarettes. Living each day with the usual boredom of loneliness and headache due to the all the booze. The opportunity to get into some action and do something useful, sounded really good. Truth was, the idea of being fired at excited him, as twisted as it was. 

That and all the cash that Nik said was at stake made him get into a plane two days later and land on Guadalajara, Mexico, where Nik had told them to meet. Now he found himself in the back of a rented apartment in a simple building, located in a poor part of the city. Description was a thing Nik valued a lot, and one of the things that made her so good at her job. The room was filled with people he didn't really know, although some of those faces were familiar from previous jobs. Over tables and armchairs ultimate technology they frequently used on missions had been gathered up, just waiting to be used when the operation began. 

"Listen up people, let's begin" Nik said out loud, bringing all the attention to herself as everyone instantly stopped talking by hearing her voice. She was a natural leader, no doubt about that. Pressing a single button on the control of the projector that had been installed hours before, she made a photo show up there for everyone to see. 

It was the image of a twenty year old girl. She was smiling to the camera as someone took a picture of her and the park she was in. She looked calm, happy. If her image was being shown there though, Tyler knew that something really bad had probably happened to that girl. 

"Her name is (Y/N) (Y/L/N)" Nik said, after taking a step to the side to give everyone on the room a good view of the girl's face. "Her father is a US senator who's been a big name on the Congress for almost ten years" someone whistled, and others nodded in agreement. With only that being said, they already knew it would be a great case to work on. "Four days ago, she was kidnapped here in Guadalajara" she pressed the button again on the control, and a video started playing on the projector. 

It was a security footage obviously, due to the black and white image and low resolution. In it the girl was walking on the street camly, carrying a backpack and wearing headphones. It was late at night, the corner of the footage marked 21:37. She was alone, and there was no one else on the street. That was the perfect opportunity for a kidnapping, Tyler thought to himself, and the response to that came seconds later. 

A van approached the girl suddenly, apparently coming out of nowhere. Stopped by her side and before she could even do anything, the back door was opened and three masked men stormed upon her. She tried to run, but they had no trouble in grabbing her violently by her arms and legs and throw her on the inside of the van, leaving behind only her now destroyed phone. The whole thing happened in less than twenty seconds. No one noticed a thing, no one saw anything. That had been extremely well planned. 

"Do we know who they are?" a guy with glasses Tyler had never seen before asked, analyzing with full attention the video that started playing again in replay. 

"Negative. We couldn't get anything from the security videos and the family doesn't know specifically who could be behind it, but five hours later the Senator recieved a call" as Nik pressed the button again, an audio file started to roll and filled everyone's ears. 

Senator (Y/L/N), we have your lovely daughter. If you don't drop the Border Control Project on the presentation day, she dies. 

And then the robotic adapted voice was gone. That was it. Short, harsh and objective.

"What's the Border Control Project?" Tyler was the one who made the question, before anyone else did the same. With his arms crossed over his chest, his mind was working fast in taking in all the information he was receiving. He knew he would need them in the future. 

"A project created by Senator (Y/L/N) to expand the police activity in the mexican-american border. If this project is approved on the mentioned presentation day, trafficking rotes will be affected, illegal transportations will be extremely lowered" Nik explained, dropping the control on the nearest table with a sight. "Dealers, politicians, traffickers, a lot of people could be behind it"

"So our only approach is to go after the girl herself" Tyler stated firmly, and the others agreed. 

"Yes, we rescue her. And possibly in the meantime, figure out who did this. Senator said he will pay three times more if we do" some of the team members started clapping and Nik rolled her eyes, but had a smile on her lips. They were mercenarys, money was their greatest worry and desire. 

"What was she doing in Mexico?" a middle aged woman with blond straight hair that was in the other end of the room across the australian, was the next one to make a question. 

"She got a six month transfer to the local University. Student exchange happens at least twice a year between Mexico and the United States" Nik answered and then crossed her own arms over her chest. "We start the operation within two days. Tyler will do the field work, were going to give him all the support he needs. Meanwhile, we prepare yourselves. Got it?"

Everyone agreed and started to go to work, opening computers and printing files. Tyler didn't move, just looked around in complete silence. Nik was the one who approached him. 

"You're good with this?" she asked, inspecting his features for any sign of denial. 

He nodded, averting his eyes back to the projector where someone had again projected the picture of the girl smiling. Looking deeply into her eyes, Tyler sighted. 

"I'm gonna need a whole file on her, anything you can find. When I get to her, I have to know or have something that will make her trust me"

He had no doubt. He would find her. 

[rainbow-okapi]

Muzzle Your Past

A Nightwing x Reader with He/Him Pronouns. Set in the Young Justice Universe. Contains spoilers. A little indulgent Hurt/Comfort fic. Comments appreciated! The fic is roughly 3,400 words.

TW: Brainwashing/Conditioning, Stress Positions, Power Dynamics, brief mentions of bullet wounds and minor Dehumanization

Summary: 

(Y/N) was a Project CADMUS clone designed to be an apprentice for Deathstroke; complete with abilities to match. Years later, (Y/N) was ‘rescued’ and taken in by Dick and bonding over shared trauma surrounding the mercenary. Sadly, trauma is a hell of a teacher and it’s up to Dick and M’Gann to dip into the mindscape to reign him in. 

He would do anything to open the boy up and let everything pour out. To sink his fingers in and peel every single wire, tape strip, and cemented brick from his skull. Training doesn’t break like that though. CADMUS training does not crack overnight. Dick knows that but it does nothing to help his patience now. All he can do is prod around old scars and hope one is tender enough to garner a reaction. Anything to bring some life back into the living doll in front of him. What does help is he’s brought along some friends, and that does wonders. He sees the worry on M’Gannn’s face before he even opens the door to their- (Y/N’s) - apartment. Mission briefing did little to soften the reality of what is to come; he felt under dressed without his costume so he focused back on the team with him. The martian brushes her hand against Conner’s in search of comfort and when they join, Dick lets the sight of support ease him. M’Gann was a pro at dealing with programming and brainwash techniques, however reserved she may be at delving into other’s minds; when her friends need her, she would be there for them. Sure, this was just another wipe of the CADMUS board, probably the worst one yet, but the procedure was clear enough. 

Dick starts with the basics when he finds the boy kneeling in the center of the living room, hands on his head and legs trembling from the stress. He tries not to think of the fact that he’s refined a list for these scenarios. He knows the boy does not see him; knows that whatever he says will be drowned in the pit of static inside his own mind. Dick settles into his role with practiced steps and focuses instead on softly circling their target on the floor. (Y/N) shouldn’t be a target, but in this state he was. Dick knows that if the wrong memory surfaces; (Y/N) is perfectly capable of being an active threat. Until the conditioning was broken, he would be viewed as such; no matter the pain it caused in Dick’s chest. 

M’Gann’s voice is wounded when she breaks the silence of the room. 

“Is this… typical behavior for him during these episodes?” Her gaze is soft yet vacant, as opposed to Connor’s taunt brow and frown. The muzzle on the boy’s face must be setting him off. Dick can never figure out how (Y/N) keeps getting it back; everytime Dick thinks he’s hidden it well enough, or downright thrown it out, the damn thing finds it’s way back to (Y/N) every time he dives too deep into his training. The Acrobat tests the waters of touch by smoothing his knuckles over the side of (Y/N)’s face. When he doesn’t flinch, then Dick sets to work. There’s the hint of his cheery sing-song voice when he finally answers, 

“Yes, and no,” He prys (Y/N)’s hands from their position and lets them rest in his lap before easing the boy backwards. First he works him into a seated position, before moving to manually extend his partner’s legs. “The muzzle isn’t new. Believe me, I’ve tried to get rid of that thing more than once. but- “ All movement stops when (Y/N) lets out a feral growl in protest to the repositioning; Dick feels the muscles of their back go rigid under his palm and the ankle in his other hand jerks back slightly. Before he can react M’Gann steps forth. Her eyes glowed to signal her abilities at work. Dick could see the clarity burn in his partner’s eyes just in time to deflect when (Y/N) strikes against him. It wasn’t exactly clear in the sense that (Y/N) knew what was happening, but rather, he knew what his orders were. None of them were his Handler. None of them were the recipocator’s of the dynamic presented by the muzzle. Which meant until (Y/N) was reigned in, they would all be perceived as a threat to him. After (Y/N) was deflected, Connor was quick on his feet to dive into the fray and secure them in his arms. Enhancements aside, (Y/N) was uncoordinated in his panicked mindset, so Superboy was able to lock his arms and hold steady, despite the way (Y/N) thrashed and snarled as much as his bindings would allow. M’Gann drifted to settle behind Connor to clutch onto the sides of their target’s head, briefly stopping it from colliding with Connor’s jaw. Her eyes were still aglow and her voice echoed, but Dick knew her orders anyway. He settled a top (Y/N)’s thighs and pinned his wrists to his sides. There was barely a second to breathe and brace for the incursion before Dick was dropped into the static.

He would never be used to mental diving with M’Gann. The weightlessness accompanied by the echo that came with every synapse firing was too much. Those split seconds of sheer vertigo didn’t last however, soon he could feel a steady hand on his shoulder and a plane beneath his feet. M’Gann didn’t share the look of relief he had though, she gazed firmly ahead with barely contained fury. At the same moment he turned to follow her gaze, a harsh gust of freezing cold pressed through him. Once more, he was thankful for the Martian’s expertise. Still he shivered despite her reassurance that nothing they were experiencing was real. He exhaled through his nose and counted to 5 before opening his eyes. They weren’t anywhere he recognized. 

The set up of the small room they were in was nicely furnished, if a bit minimalist. A bunker of some sort based on the concrete chamber and whoever decorated it was at the very least trying to make it cozy. There was a militaristic aura to the entire space that couldn’t be ignored, and it had Dick reeling because he knew exactly the context of why. The man behind it all was leaning in a steel doorway; smug. Like the fact that (Y/N) was kneeling in the center of the room exactly as they found him earlier was something to be proud about. Because Deathstroke was always so damn proud when he got his way. Dick bit down the panic and his hand itched to draw his escrima sticks for some sort of defense. He tried to recall whether he showed up in the mindscape in his Nightwing suit or did it just materialize when he felt self conscious? 

Miss Martian cut into his internalized debate with a sudden edge, “Nightwing, focus. Our goal is to isolate (Y/N).” 

Deathstroke cocked his head to the side, and Dick felt something stir in his gut. He found himself repeating the reassurance he was given and met Slade with a leveled look. In a wordless motion, he drew a worn quilt from off the meticulously made bed and draped it around the boy’s shoulders. (Y/N)’s hands fell to his lap when his shoulders began to tremble. Miss Martian knew what was going to happen; they both knew. Dick let his hands linger on (Y/N)’s shoulders, drew them languidly closer to his neck and let his finger’s toy the raised neckline of the boy’s combat suit. The room became warmer. 

Nightwing used the boy’s shoulders as a springboard and could only snap in satisfaction when his foot connected with Slade’s jaw. Dick was ready for this; had made himself a home for (Y/N) and since he knew none of this was real- Slade drew one of his swords and jabbed forward from where he staggered. They danced in that oh so familiar fashion of skill, purely because Dick enjoyed the rush whenever he landed a solid hit and relished in bitter satisfaction when he tackled Slade out the door frame. 

It was a battle for dominance; Dick knew that. When they left that little concrete cell, the world shifted. Everything that (Y/N) was came back to Slade. CADMUS made sure of that much. They had made (Y/N) for Slade. Where Connor was given a generalist education during creation, (Y/N) was brought up to speed on combat tactics and anatomy. M’Gann had been as straightforward with that information as possible when (Y/N) offered his thoughts for consultation. Even as his voice shook and his throat tightened, he approached M’Gann and admitted the painful truth. The Young Justice team may have separated (Y/N) from his Handler and given him a home. They may have integrated him into their team and taught him how to be just a human, instead of the tool of war Slade believed him to be, but in the end, (Y/N) was not free. 

The dueling pair was now clashing along a rocky outcropping. He tried not to dwell on the bitterness in his swings. Dick knew damn well where this was. He could see the same rock where he nearly got sniped on. He could see exactly where (Y/N) was too. There was a perfect little niche nestled in a hard rigid with just enough space for the young apprentice. The shots had clipped his arms and cost him the fight at the time. Luckily, it wouldn’t be revealed until later, but (Y/N) was supposed to cripple his legs with the shots instead. Obviously not permanently but enough to put him out of commission for a while. Dick narrowly avoided a low sweep of Slade’s leg only to be knocked back by a harsh punch. His back collided with that same fucking rock, the same way it happened all those years ago. It didn’t hurt and he didn’t falter. Instead, Nightwing flipped up on top of the rock, the same as before. This would be different; this would be revenge. The shots rang out but not for him. This place was the beginning of (Y/N)’s discovery process. It would be the end for his conditioning as well. Slade crumbled to the dirt, but did not dissipate. No, the mercenary chuckled despite the crimson leaking from his abdomen and thigh. Fatal marks given by the amount of blood. Hard earth flecked the orange and black mask when it was removed and Dick remembers that he never could brace himself enough for the full weight of Deathstroke’s gaze. His one eye always seemed to bore right through him, picking to the smallest traces of thought and-

Another shot rings out and Nightwing watches with a wince as crimson pours from Slade’s right shoulder. He hears M’Gann yell after (Y/N) but the boy connects faster than she can react. A hardy kick nearly spends the mercenary face-first into the dirt. Dick’s vision is once again focused on black and orange, but the sight warms instead of cools. (Y/N)’s placed himself squarely between the two, pistol aimed true on the middle of Slade’s forehead. He’s still in Slade’s colors though and the black dog helmet does make Dick worry just the slightest. The fucking dog helmet never really sat well with him anyway. It had the same shape as a pitbull. How fitting for (Y/N). Dick feels impatient, like they don't have much time, or at least, realistically they shouldn’t.

“Put the gun down, Little Pup” 

Dick chokes at the use of the trigger phrase, (Y/N) does too. Even as his hand loses it’s steadiness, the gun does not lower.

“(Y/N) don’t-” M’Gann’s finally caught up and assessed the scene. Her voice was so soft compared to the carnage. Slade interrupts with a bite to his words and Dick finds himself flinching.  

“Apprentice, I gave you an order!” 

Dick wants to intervene but there is a burn in his arms and a heaviness to his legs. It takes too much energy to breathe. “Nightwing-” Now M’Gann is worried about him too. Was it always so cold out here? 

“Obey, Little Pup.” An order. The focal point of (Y/N)’s programming. 

There was too much noise. There were so many things happening all at once. Dick had tried to speak, tried to move. M’Gann was yelling, something about finishing this. The gun was lowering. 

It took too long to register the snap of bones. How Slade slumped down at (Y/N)’s feet. The gun was down. (Y/N) wasn’t moving. Dick was freezing. 

When he comes to grips with himself, Dick knows they aren’t in the outcrop anymore. They’re back at (Y/N)’s apartment. M’Gann seeming just as shocked as he felt. (Y/N) is still with them, though frozen as he seemed. The gun is barely being held. 

“I thought-” M’Gann’s voice was so quiet, “I thought if I ended the fight…” She drifts gently and covers the few paces to stand before the boy. “It wasn’t enough. The trigger phrase was said.” She gazes into the helmet as if she can read (Y/N) through it. She probably does anyway because her face falls into discomposure. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.” 

“What- what’s going on?” Dick doesn’t bother berating himself over the stutter, because he focuses on the next step. “M’Gann?”

She obviously doesn’t want to say it, but she steels herself and does anyway with a forceful voice.

“I only succeeded in destroying what control Deathstroke had over (Y/N) as a person. This conditioning- it’s too deep. It’s written into (Y/N)’s very personality. He’s not detached from it like Red Arrow- or Connor- was. It would take days to even begin to remove it and even then, I wouldn’t trust myself to catch everything-” She cuts herself off. And starts just as abruptly, “It would be easier to just add a new Handler to associate the words to.” 

Dick hates the way he locks up; mind racing and neglecting the physical body. Her words echo but he heard them clear. He understands, even if the weight threatens to make him choke on his words. 

“You want me to be his Handler instead.” It’s not a question, but it sounds like one. She looks so distraught. It shows in her voices like she’s just trying to convince not only him, but herself as well.

“All you have to do is activate a bond with (Y/N). You already have a connection with him anyway.” She smiles with an odd warmth, like an old childhood memory just came to mind. “You both care about each other. (Y/N) thinks so much about you. He risked everything for you back there… And he did it again, because his love for you is greater than the fear of punishment.” Dick does wince at the reminder of the punishment (Y/N) must have gotten for saving him that day, in the outcrop. He takes in the sight of M’gann and the still form of (Y/N) to ease the guilt. Part of him wonders if (Y/N) even hears them at all but with the way M’gann glances between the two of them; he let’s her words sink in with fondness. “I know he would be proud to call you his Handler.”

They let a beat pass. It’s not tense but it’s not comfy either. Dick takes the time to stand before (Y/N) and take the gun from his grip. It doesn’t look right when he sets it by the TV but Dick forces his attention to the task at hand. Returning to position before (Y/N), he sets to work feeling for the catches at the back of the helmet. It comes off with a hiss of air and the sight of (Y/N)’s face draws a breath out of him too. He was met with a face as impassive as his body language, with vacant eyes. Maybe the pain was too evident on his face since M’Gann speaks again, sad, but hopeful. 

“Once you take command, I’ll wrap up everything as neatly as possible. It shouldn’t affect him too much. Do you have any suggestions?”

Now that pulls Nightwing from his thoughts. He barely manages to keep his voice level. 

“Suggestions?”

“Yes, I’ll be adding some mental suggestions for (Y/N) to keep him safe while I work. While I can’t make (Y/N) completely forget the trigger phrase, I can take away or change the demands that come with it.”

He’s frowning and he doesn’t know why. The Idea of manipulating (Y/N) like this made his gut tighten. It just felt wrong, no matter his good intentions.

“Just, try and make him comfortable. Let him relax for once.” 

He took (Y/N)’s face in his hands and soothed his cheek with his thumbs. He didn’t want (Y/N) to change from this. Dick just wanted him safe and happy. Yet Dick had tried for so long to lead him to that, but those eyes before him were like ghosts in his dreams. How (Y/N) always searched the faces in the room only to get disappointed that his Handler wasn’t there. How he completely froze when the one time they went on a solo mission together and he was. 

(Y/N) defied everything for him. Dick let M’Gann’s words echo and warm his palms. Tactile and soft, Dick let the words curl on his tongue and put what tenderness he could into him. He could be (Y/N)’s handler and teach him how to live a life outside of firearms and combat skills. He had already made himself a home for (Y/N), let him be a guide too. 

“Little Pup, come home.” Dick barely contains his sign when the boy in his hands leans towards his right palm. He feels M’Gann place a hand on his shoulder in encouragement. When (Y/N)’s eyes flutter slowly, he feels so much lighter. The words don’t burn in his throat. 

“It’s okay Little Pup. Just breathe for me.” He’s holding the boy to his chest in seconds, cradling his head and smoothing a hand down his back. There was a pair of hands grasping and pulling at his back; (Y/N) desperately clawing for purchase on his armor. Dick wants to so gently peel him out of Slade’s colors. When he draws back from the embrace to catch (Y/N)’s eyes, Dick stills at the sight of his watery gaze. They bore into him and it pulls at his chest. They’re trying to speak; lips moving but weighed down with a lead tongue. (Y/N) is terrified. He doesn't know what’s going on and he doesn’t know how to handle the softness Dick has to offer. There was a gap of information to fill and Dick was responsible for it. 

“(Y/N). Everything is okay. I’ve got you.” His voice is the epitome of bedside manners. Which means he gets to watch as (Y/N) utterly melts. Bingo~. Now he doesn't bother to hold his breathy laugh as his hands set to work. Dick braces one against the back of the boy's neck and smooths the other across his scalp. Nor is the new Handler shy about using the trigger phrase. It gets paired with every fluffy and light praise he can offer. M’Gann doesn’t call attention to herself as she gathers the group and begins to pull the mission to a close. The trio of heroes leave the mindscape with cheery laughter in their wake. 

When (Y/N) came to his body, He was wrapped in a pleasant warmth. Something solid was around him and underneath him. The firm hand bracing the back of his neck would tap and drag it’s digits rhythmically. Morse Code. (Y/N) nestled deeper into the hold. The scent of cologne and fresh laundry tugs a duvet over his thoughts. There was a tremble to his shoulders when the beats picked up but the arm across his waist tightened to compensate. The body beneath (Y/N) begins to rumble softly and he succumbs to the quiet joy of listening to Dick hum the tune of ‘Here Comes the Sun’. In the back of his head (Y/N) drearily ponders what Dick’s saying with dashes and dots but the thought goes as quickly as it comes. Why should he worry when (Y/N) was so comfortable in his Handler’s arms? (Y/N) finds himself humming too.

[darkestwolfx]

Grandma Tourismo - Re-Review #44

Wouldn’t we all love to have a Grandma like Sally? Yes everyone, meet Sally. It was, after all, about time someone gave her a name besides ‘Grandma’.

“It’s Sally. Call me Sally.”

For the record, I still adore these dice. They are exactly the type of thing I can imagine fitting in with the Tracy boys lives. I think they belonged to Jeff, or the boys’ Granddad.

And the rescue operation is in full swing!

“Virgil are you fully prepared for today’s mission?”

“Everything’s A-Ok, John.”

“Sure you don’t need backup?”

“Situation under control. Cargo pod is go.”

Yes! Hang on... cargo pod? Yeah, not quite the rescue I originally thought they were setting it up to be.

Those dramatics zooms! It’s only Grandma, remember!

“Let’s do some shopping!”

“This is going to be so much fun.”

I don’t think you could possibly be any more sarcastic, Virgil.

And let the shopping list of Tracy Island be unveiled. P.S. I always thought it was a shame that the paper covered up whatever grand expression Virgil probably made at the sheer length of it.

Suppressant something (Grandma’s hand is in the way)

Toilet Paper

Hairspray

Hawaiian Shirts (this one makes so much sense after ‘The Long Reach’ too, but really, where were the Pink Flamingos? Still raging)

Plant food

Protein Powder

Celery crunch bars (um, last episode’s vow forgotten so speedily Gordon? That’s the last time luck with give up promises ever works for him)

Toothpaste

Piano Strings

Fire Extinguishers

Tanning lotion

Tofu

Multivitamins

Snooker cues

Apple Pie

Bagels

Lemon squeezer

Pillow case

Anti-rust spray

Extra cable

Oh, I know - let’s play a game! Assign someone to every item on the shopping list. I know I have my ideas about what is for whom.

Also, it’s nice to see a really sneaky TOS nod there.

Played in ‘Operation Crash Dive’, ‘Move and You’re Dead’, ‘Security Hazard’ and ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’. I believe there was also a scene shot for ‘Edge of Impact’, but I can’t remember off the top of my busy head whether it made in into the final cut or not. So, I wonder where they’ve been hiding this on Tracy Island?

“Grab some of that super shine gel for Scotty. I’ve never seen a boy spend so much time combing his hair.”

This. This is one of my absolute favourite lines ever in the history of TAG. Because we all knew this was Scott without it needing to be confirmed - and this is also definitely where Gordon gets his nickname streak from.

“Detour!”

Grandma really is a task shopper. And you know what, I love how Virgil knows exactly what that sole word means.

Remember this scene from ‘Unplugged’? Well, this is that episode, but in series 2 and a lightly new form. The thing which has stayed the same? The team up of Virgil and Grandma. Interesting choice for that pairing, but it makes so much sense for it to be Virgil. He’ll joke, but never at her expense, he defends her cooking, he accompanies her on shopping trips, he listens to her, he even seems to take after her. At this point in time, I always thought this was just a nice way to explore that relationship - by the time we get to ‘The Long Reach’ it’s a whole lot more than that. One thing that storyline didn’t disappoint on was tying up this relationship in a neat little bow.

“We’ve got a situation.”

Of course we do, because this family can’t even get through shopping without interruption - which I’m guessing might be the norm as they speed out of the shop with non-paid for goods (note, us normal humans would all be arrested on the spot for this, so do not attempt it in your local store).

“Hey!”

“Put it on our account!”

Or maybe they - like many others - just didn’t want to argue with Grandma. Wisely so.

“This is my job, Grandma.”

“And worrying about you boys is mine.”

Just a really nice little family moment here. The nuggets like this are part of what made this show for me. They tell more than any massive display could.

What a great landing - in fact, there were many great landings in this episode.

Talk about just going along for the ride, hey? I think there was a lot more than that on display.

“I can’t be two places at once, Thunderbird Five.”

“You don’t have to be, I’ll go.”

“Grandma there’s no way you can steer through a storm.”

“Isn’t that what you have your fancy autopilot for?”

“She’ll be safe in Thunderbird Two.”

“The ship will do the work. I’m just going along for the ride.”

“Okay, I’ll program the autopilot to take you straight there and back. You won’t need to touch anything.”

I love how all that concern was disguised with the same look he gives Gordon to not touch his ship.

“Look after her.”

After all these years, I still can’t work out exactly who this line is for. It’s one of those beautiful lines which has such a lovely level of ambiguity. It’s obviously about Grandma, but it also references his ship and there is just a gorgeous level of family and responsibility balanced out in this episode.

“Grandma...”

“I didn’t touch a thing.”

And lovely little chunks of humour interspersed.

“Can you reprogram the autopilot to do that?”

“No. For that we’d need Virgil to pilot remotely.”

Even the communications were all go in this episode. Honestly, sometimes John is so much more than  go-between.

“Is Grandma ok?”

“She’s fine, but she needs your help with the rescue.”

“The storm’s about to hit here. I need to get these guys out.”

“The storm’s already here. And this young woman isn’t going to make it, unless you help me get this ship to her.

“Sorry guys, this will just take a minute. Someone needs are help.”

“Go for it.”

Well, those guys weren’t really in a position to say no, were they? I mean they need IR’s help too, and I probably would have been tempted to leave them there if they started getting on their high horses. Good people besides the Tracy’s do exist in the world of TAG and this episode had a really nice mix of them. No obnoxious rescuees.

“Let’s just hope I can do this.”

“I heard that. Of course you can do it.”

“Perfect!”

“You did it!”

Of course he did. He’s Virgil Tracy of International Rescue, and that’s his Grandma.

“There’s no getting out in this! We need to stabilise the building.”

“John, we’re gonna’ have to ride it out down here. Can you make sure Grandma stays put?”

“I’ll tell her to put on the coffee pot.”

“You’re with International Rescue?”

Never judge a book by it’s cover.

“You could say that. I’m the Tracy boys Grandma.”

“Kate. And I’m really pleased to see you Grandma Tracy.”

This was so interesting to watch! What you do when you’re stuck in a Thunderbird.

“I’d offer you something to eat, but I’m all out of homemade cookies. As the boy’s would say, lucky for you.”

And one of my favourites;

“John, be a dear.”

I love it when Grandma says that! We saw her do it in ‘Volcano’ too and it was grand.

“Now if we’re lucky all we do is sit here until this blows over.”

I’ll just clear my throat at the idiocy of saying that as Virgil slides expertly across the floor to hold the roof up. And yes, it was possible to do and type this sentence in the time that move took.

“International Rescue, we have a situation.”

“I think our luck may have just run out.”

Predictable...

“The shifting sands are putting extra weight on the structure. It’s not gonna’ hold much longer. John, if we don’t find a way out of here, we’re not gonna’ make it!”

“Yes you are! I’m coming to get you!”

“Grandma, there’s no way. The storm is interfering with my autopilot, and I’ve got my hands full. I can’t remotely fly you back.”

“Don’t need remote control or autopilot. I’ll do it.

“You?”

“Have a little faith, boys.”

Yeah, have some faith. I think there’s a song lyric there;

You gotta have faith

Back to the conversation at hand;

“Who do you think taught your Dad to fly?”

“But that was a single engine plane.”

“And a long, long, long time ago.”

We so often see Grandma sat here at the desk (like above), so in this episode it’s really nice to see her in the driving seat. Age doesn’t have to stop anyone, and this episode was a brilliant piece of script writing to showcase Grandma’s place in IR. She is far more than just anyone’s Grandma and I love how the tension of this episode really built up with the pressures of duty and family.

Oh, the history that is here! I adored that little chunk of life we got a look into.

“You’re following your dream. Good for you.”

Do this, people, it’s one of the best pieces of advise on the planet. I’ve been doing it, and it’s working out pretty well for me so far. I’ve interacted with animals I honestly thought I would never meet, met amazing people and seen the world from many angles. Whatever your dream is, it’s worth doing it.

“Was this your dream?”

“It was my son’s dream, to help people. And now it’s my Grandsons. And I’m happy to support them.”

“Virgil, how are you holding up?”

“Oh, it could be better.”

“Well don’t you worry, I’ll be there any minute. You tell the others.’“

“My Grandma says don’t worry. She’s coming to pick us up.”

“Your Grandma?”

The look on Virgil’s face which just speaks not to underestimate her.

“I can do this. I think.”

“I heard that. Of course you can do it.”

“Of course I can.”

This moment is the sort of writing I live for. It was so nice to see Grandma’s own words thrown back at her. Everyone needs a little positive reinforcement from time to time. I’m sure Virgil can forgive the little scratch on Two’s paintwork.

The hats! It was a really nice touch and look at how happy Grandma looks in hers. Kate doesn’t know what she’s got herself in for in meeting this family. Little taps of those dice for luck.

 “Hurry, Grandma, CO2 levels are critical.”

“We’re not gonna’ make it.”

You were saying?

“I’ve never been more glad to see anyone’s Grandma in my life!”

Too right you haven’t. And Virgil had move moves than Kayo in this episode, even with all his equipment on. I love the fact that Virgil is holding the dice now! Oh, they were so a small thing, but they managed to make them matter so much. Sometimes it’s the little things which matter the most.

“Not so fast! We gotta go back and finish our shopping!”

I think that might be the face of someone who would prefer another rescue than a conclusion to the never ending shopping trip from hell!

Oh well, Virgil’s still in one piece for episode 19 so he must survive and get that shower at some point.

This is another of my favourites though really. The balance of family and danger and normality and duty was just spot on.

[reylofanfictionanthology]

For one is love and both are one in love is now live!  

Authors will be revealed next week!  For now all fics are anonymous. Treats can be posted through author reveals on 2/21.  We will post an updated masterpost at that time.

For one is love and both are one in love collection on AO3 |  Gift Fic Master Post Part One | Treats Masterpost

Gift Fic Master Post Part Two: 

In Other Words, Hold My Hand for MBlair

Stargazing and waltzing on the lake.

Meet Me in the Meadow for MeadowHayle

Ben was not the typical Alpha. Rey was not the typical Omega. Utterly indifferent to other people, only in their fantasies or dreams would they experience desire. After many years of loneliness, they meet in a support group for struggling demi-humans, and everything changes. Ben and Rey embark together on a healing journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Maybe, they don’t need to be alone, anymore. Maybe, they were never alone, to begin with.

The Rise of Ren for Merixcil

For the last seat in the Knights of Ren, there are two candidates. The first, a powerful scion of a great Force legacy, formally trained by the last Jedi. The second, a force sensitive urchin with no past, nurtured by the cut-throat criminal underworld. Kylo or Kira. There can only be one.

Legion for midwinterspring

The war was over. Across the galaxy, hundreds called out in one voice: “I need a teacher.” A fic for midwinterspring for the RFFA Valentine’s Day 2020 Exchange Prompt: Rey and Ben train new Force users and fix things

All That Glitters for MintyCel

The Kingdom of Exegol holds the key to Kylo's future. All he needs to do is to get past the omega guarding it.

Thaw My Frozen Heart for Miranda13

“A bounty hunter decides that the former Supreme Leader would make an excellent prize and manages to get the jump on Ben while he is on a mission for the Resistance, encasing him in carbonite. Rey is quick to mount a solo rescue mission and helps Ben recover from the hibernation sickness when she eventually gets him back." - Reylo-Prompts

Good Boy for MissCoppelia

Ben adopts a dog who needs some training. Thankfully, he gets help (and a little bit more) from Rey, a dog trainer.

the world's not perfect but for misszeldasayre

What would happen in a galaxy where the New Republic never got off the ground and the First Order choked before it started? Maybe a scavenger girl would become a foundling under the care of a Mandalorian bounty hunter.  Maybe a troubled child would shake off a burdensome legacy to follow his father's less-than-lawful profession. Maybe a cocky flyboy would find himself using his charm to win gigs delivering spice for the syndicates. Maybe a mechanically-minded girl would start taking off-the-books jobs for the occasional criminal. Maybe a boy with too many questions would leave his parents to learn about this thing called the Force. Turns out the galaxy is a lawless place with every sentient for themselves.

like roses and clover for mrstater

" There is no comfortable position. No matter how he laid down on his cot, his bones feel brittle, his skin itching all over with the sensation of a thousand ants crawling all over his body. His stomach swirls like a maelstrom, and he blames it on the caf he had in order to stay awake through one of his lessons. Pathetic. You can’t even sleep right. He promises to skip the caf the next day, and his consciousness floats on the surface even as he wishes to be pulled under." -- Ben Solo has never had a single good night's sleep in his life. Rey of Jakku never wanted one. The Battle of Exegol rang and wants to know if this is still the case.

It never gets easier, you just get better.  for MyJediLife

Ben is an addict working through his pain. Rey is a counselor assigned to his care. They weren't supposed to fall in love.

Dreamscape  for Nebulous Bounds (RainonyourBack)

Kylo mostly worsens and occasionally betters Rey's visions while she sleeps.

Why we can't be for newseptembers

When old Maz forsaw a dyad, Rey never thought it would be a soulmate bond between her and the First Order coven member Kylo Ren. Desperately trying to undo her connection to the enemy, she seeks out ancient texts and meets Ben, a bookshop owner and crafter, who seems to catch her attention every time they meet.

Beside the Lake for Ngoc12thefangirl

“Ben…” It’s half groan, half laugh, all ache — and he wants to reach out to her but he doesn’t trust himself to stop at only holding her hand. Rey’s gaze softens, and that grief she’s been feeling comes roiling out of her like a thunderstorm. It’s too much for him to take. “Tell me.” “I want kids.” She says the words so softly that he might not have known what she was saying if he hadn’t seen her lips moving and heard the syllables echoing in his mind. “Oh.” It’s stupid, but he doesn’t know what else to say. “I mean…” She fumbles again, but this time she doesn’t even bother finishing in words. I want kids now. A short, smutty one-shot in which Ben and Rey grapple with the next step in their life together.

You Need A Teacher for ninecrimes

After the events of TROS, Rey returns to Ahch-To... and a healed Ben Solo. There, she plans to consummate their relationship. Too bad she has no idea what she's doing.... Luckily, Ben is happy to teach her everything he knows. ----- “Okay.” Rey took a deep breath, preparing herself for the strange, mortifying experience to come. “So what do I do?” “Well,” he said, “first you let me kiss you some more. Then, when you’re ready, you take your clothes off. Then you sit on my face.” “Just like that?” “Just like that.”

Grey Skies Ahead for NiriKeehan

She took his hand—not in the name of the Light, or the Dark. They were a dyad, the embodiment of balance—an Alliance of Grey.

Ever as before and ever just as sure as the sun will rise for OccasionallyCreative

The war is over. On a peaceful estate in Naboo's Lake Country, Rey and Ben prepare for their wedding and think of how they got here. Using lyrics of title song of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

swish of the bumblebee for OptimisticBeth

She should get the sand - and gravel, and rocks - and run all the way home and make things right for him. Although, the fish had gotten her into this mess in the first place, however inadvertently, so maybe she should move him to Finn’s room where she wouldn’t have to look at his little fins swishing away ever again, reminding her of- Rey's betta fish needs an upgrade in living conditions. When she posts a question asking for help, she gets a little more than she bargained for.

Dissolver of Sugar for optimus_pam

“Rey...what could anyone do, to make up for what Kylo Ren did?” Or: Redemption isn't supposed to be easy. A TROS fix-it fic, of sorts.

Delirium for PalenDrome (nerdherderette)

That was the trouble with these things, wasn't it? Every once in a while the drugs backfired and they both got a dose of what was really, probably, very potent pheromones. Excerpt: He heard the edge of anger in her voice, the snarl she tried so desperately to conceal. The powder was getting to her. "You're jealous, aren't you?" "No!" "You are." Against his better judgement, he stalked to her, backing her to the wall. "You can't stand the fact that you're not my first partner." "I'm not your partner!" He leaned in, lips almost to her ear. "You want to be though, don't you?" She barreled into him with a scream, head connecting with his chest as she tackled him to the floor. Faster than he could react, she had his arms pinned over his head, knees firmly pressing into his breastbone. "I don't want to be anything to you. Not your friend, not your ally, and especially not your lover."

Renewed for patig_00

The world between worlds is neither hot nor cold. So when Ben feels his arms break into gooseflesh, when his shoulder aches with not a remembrance but an actual twinge of pain, when he tries to rouse himself from meditation and realizes that he’s fighting the need to fall back asleep, he opens his eyes—in a room on the Millennium Falcon. [[Something in the Force allows Ben Solo to be resurrected on the Millenium Falcon during a little Resistance mission. Expected hilarity ensues. Angst WITH A HAPPY ENDING.]]

 a million miles (cross the ocean)  for persimonne

in which the Force tries to pay back some of the debt it owes the Skywalkers.

All that's best of dark and bright for persopilliankore

Rey had big plans for Valentine's Day: laundry, errands, and an evening of fantasizing over her impossibly sexy building manager, Ben Solo. That was before she found an anonymous love poem in her mailbox.

Wherever There is You, I Will be There Too for politicalmamaduck

According to Greek mythology, Tartarus is the deep abyss used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked. Rey journeys there in search of a lost soul.

Laid To Rest for PoliticalPadmé (magnetgirl)

Ben wants to show Rey the galaxy, to see it with her. First, they have business on Naboo.

What Was Lost Is Now Found for punkeraa

"Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." The Parable of the Prodigal Son, New International Version

Be With Me for qotsisajakk

TROS Fix-it. When Rey asks the Jedi of the past to be with her, the bond she shares with Kylo Ren also opens. He is forced to come to terms with his growing feelings for her, and together, they take down the greatest evil, those words continue to bring them together.

Always in Motion for QueenOfCarrotFlowers

Dr. Rey Jackson, archaeologist, is mistaken for a celebrity and given an upgrade to Business Class on her incredibly long flight. Unfortunately, she's been seated next to the douchebag who's been pestering her for the last two hours. More unfortunately, she finds a letter in her carry-on bag telling her that their plane is about to go down. The worst part? The letter was written by Luke Skywalker, a man who has been dead for years.

we might be the outsiders for radioactivesaltghoul

As though, in a blink, the cavern becomes light, and he sees the pale cream and gold shimmer of the creature, with a dark brown pattern across the head and hood.

Between the Sun and the Moon for redbelles

The Force demands that Rey and Ben pay a price for the power they gained in their preparation to take down Palpatine, but they don’t learn what they paid until it disturbs the peaceful life they’re trying to build together after the war is over.

Starless Sky, Black for RedPaladin465

“Why did you change your mind?” It takes a long time for her to answer. “I didn’t want to be alone.”

The Girl From The Tower for ReyloBrit

Prompt: "Quiet and obedient Rey lives a godly life with her grandfather, until the family hire a new gardener Ben, a mysterious and deeply attractive man. Sparks fly between the two."

The Falcon and the Wolf for reylotrash711

On the fifth anniversary of the destruction of Starkiller Base the Senate is throwing a masked ball and invited members of the old Resistance. Still trying to rehabilitate his image, Senator Ben Solo has no choice but to attend. Written to fulfill this prompt: Ben and Rey dance at a masked ball, unaware of who they are dancing with. Until the masks are taken off at midnight. Romance and Sexual Tension ensue, will they be able to refrain their urges? Hell no. But I also mixed in a healthy dose of this prompt as well: Prompt 2 - What if Ben was unable to bring Rey back and had to call on the help of the Skywalkers that came before him? Is he ready to pay the price of losing his force sensitivity for the women he loves?

and we'll live a long life for ReyloTrashCompactor (NextToSomething)

When Rey heals him on Kef Bir, Ben has a vision. He and Rey must work together to prevent it from coming true.

Found Belonging for rissanox

Rey joins her friends and former comrades in arms on Chandrila for the festivities around the anniversary of the battle of Exegol. To everyone’s surprise she is accompanied by two mysterious Mandalorians.

Loathe Thy Neighbor for SaintHeretical

Rey's neighbor is the worst. He listens to terrible music, he's impolitely large, and he smells incredible. She hates almost everything about him. Especially the smelling good bit.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight? for shiiera

Ben Solo travels to Takodana National Park in South Africa on a research mission where he meets fellow researcher, Rey. While they might get along as well as lions and hyenas at first, perhaps they have more in common with each other than they think.

He's Just Not That Into You(r) Scent for shipperofdarkness

Rey is a young and single Omega who hasn't had a lot of luck so far finding a nice Beta guy who isn't a total flake. They say they've had a great time with her, but seem to have a difficult time with calling her back. Ben is an Alpha bartender who is tired of hearing about her dating difficulties, and is ready to drop some truth bombs. An ABO He's Just Not That Into You AU

The Purest Love for six4au

When a deeply scarred and traumatized Ben Solo is placed in a program to try and pair him with a canine helper, he finds that he gets more than he ever imagined with the therapist assigned to him.

The Monster in Skywalker Manner for solikerez

Rey marches up the walk, takes hold of the door knocker, and bangs it sharply three times. Nothing. She rattles the door handle. Nothing. Absurdly, she checks the address (is this the right creepy-and-probably-abandoned-Skywalker-Manner on Alderaan street?). It is. -Or- Rey takes a shady job to clean the old Skywalker Manner and discovers that there's something much scarier than dust and spiderwebs living there. But maybe that's not the whole story, because what kind of monster loves roses and books?

Stargazing for SpaceWaffleHouseTM

“I wish they would go blind, stop whispering: he’s lying, he’ll leave. I hate that they know what I don’t want to hear. Their poison passes my lips, harmless. Call me Faith, not Medusa, no one need become stone.”

through the darkness to the dawn  for starfleetjedi

She couldn’t breathe. Spots danced in her vision, black as the nothingness yawning behind her breastbone. Ben was gone. No. The plea tore out of her, wild and broken, racing through the vastness of the Force, past stars and planets and distant moons to the far edges of the universe. There was only silence. She tried again. Ben. Ben, please. Answer me. Or: Rey, after.

Tabula Rasa for suchlostcreatures (godfmischief)

Ben survives the battle on Exegol. That was the easy part.

Intro to Love for TheStolenQuill

Rey and Ben are music students, put together to work on a final that, surprise isn't in a music class. They hadn't really known each other much before that but will that change as they keep working together?

I met you once — ( In a dream ) for thewayofthetrashcompactor (BriarLily)

He sucks in a deep breath and exhales, a pout forming on his plump lips and it's so distracting the way they- "Just Ben," He closes his eyes. "see me no more than that, 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚." Or Where Ben and Rey are soulmates and Ben is more than meets the eye

Supernova for Tiara_of_Sapphires

“She loved him so much she was going to smother him with it until there wasn’t a molecule of doubt left in his heart.” After the war Rey and Ben settle into an uneasy life of peace, followed by judgment and resentment. Ben Solo may have decided to remain behind to atone for his sins, but the people won’t forget Kylo Ren so soon.

Happy Accident for tmf

A baby. Her baby having a baby. She’d given up dreams of grandchildren when Ben was fourteen, and not even his having a steady girlfriend had let her change her mind about it. “So yeah, we need to talk,” Rey mumbles at last. Ben doesn’t say a word, and Leia can imagine him clearly, sitting there, staring off into space, dazed—like when she’d told Han that she was pregnant.  One fun night at the Yub Nub Club and a little bit of carelessness with the condom... Not that she’d ever tell Ben that he’d been an accident.  He’d guessed it for years, but she’d go to her grave asserting he hadn’t been. “You want to keep it,” Ben says at last—a statement, not a question. — Or: Leia watches her son and his girlfriend prepare to become parents.

Crafting A Connection for tmwillson3

Rey and Ben have been friends forever, so much so that Ben never dreamed that it something as small as getting that manager's position he'd been gunning for would get in the way of it. Now that it has, Rey's been distant. So... so distant and he has no idea how to get her back. Rey has only been trying to be a good friend and not use him for his status, which means instead of accepting rides from him like she had, she hasn't. She isn't trying to push him away but things are different, and he's difficult now. What on earth can she do about it? Mother nature has something to say about these two, that's for sure. The snow storm of the year is coming, stranding the two together the Friday before Valentine's Day weekend to give them the time to work things out.

this tangled light for TolkienGirl

The war is over, but at what cost?

Welcome to the Fire for trasharama

Rey is competing on the reality television show, First Order Inferno, for a chance to become Head Chef at Benjamin Solo's latest restaurant. What happens when the competition gets a little too hot in the kitchen?

as certain dark things are to be loved for tropixo (ursaminors)

Lady Rey, Master of the Knights of Ren, makes a choice. She chooses Ben Solo.

Bend or Break for tweis24

It's been six months since the Battle of Crait. Both sides of the war have been continuing down their path, both sides struggling with loss. For some, it's just business. But for others, it's personal. For Rey of Jakku and Kylo Ren... it most certainly is personal. Once again, the Supreme Leader of the First Order and the Jedi, Hope of the Resistance confront each other and clash. How will they react and what will transpire when Bonds are blocked and unexpected events are thrown their way? Will either of them bend? Or will they break?

Heaven, let me through for Twisted_Mirror

No matter how hard they try, they can't get each other out of their heads.

Osmosis for viajeramyra

“I don’t need Ben Solo,” Rey states, rising from the throne. Her steps are slow and deliberate as she stalks towards him. “I need Kylo Ren.” Distantly, she notes the irony. And then she offers him her hand. ------ In which Ben doesn't reach Rey in time. (And the one time he does.)

Tell the World I'm Alive for VirtualMadness

Rey returns to Exegol to retrieve all she has left of Ben Solo: his shirt. But what she finds there isn't at all what she expected to find. (Title comes from the song Who Will Save You Now by Les Friction. The lyrics are just so Reylo and it's a beautiful song.)

Sunset for Vivien

Rey has news. Ben has a question.

 Good Morning, Mrs. Solo  for walkingsaladshooter

Just a sweet one-shot about a really good morning for Ben and Rey. Modern AU.

After the End for witchsoup

Ambassador Organo-Solo is asked to attend a celebration to mark the anniversary of the end of the war, and is reunited with the woman whose life he saved. The woman he once loved.

getting the best of your opponent is easier if you smooch them first for wombathos

A few months after the Battle of Crait, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren orders a ceasefire and asks to meet a delegation from the Resistance to negotiate the end of the war and the future of the Galaxy far, far away. But our heroes Finn and Rose notice straight away that their friend Rey is behaving strangely…

Borne Aloft for Xochiquetzl

A mysterious voice has called Rey to Tatooine after the death of Ben Solo and the defeat of the First/Final Order. Once she's there, a ghostly guide offers to take Rey through the Underworld to save Ben and return him to the world of the living.

[beckzorz]

The Sound of You (one-shot)

Pairing: Bucky x Reader Words: 2677 Summary: After a mission gone wrong, you need to let out some steam. Tags/Warnings: Hurt/comfort, SMUT, NSFW, 18+!!! A/N: This is the final post for Fictive February, which has been a wild ride. Thanks for coming. <3 Thank you so much to @moonbeambucky​ for the prompt (Bucky catches reader singing and she’s embarrassed ☺️), which maybe I didn’t stick entirely to, but OH WELL! Thank you so much also to @goodusernamesarealwaystaken for swooping to the rescue and beta reading! And uh... this is my first attempt at full-on smut so... go easy on me XD

Thwack.

The punching bag shudders from your first punch. Tears prick at your eyes, and you growl and swipe them away.

Thwack.

Twenty-three hours, and all you can think about is your stunning failure in Belarus. One missed shot had cost four civilian lives, one of them a toddler, two others under thirty. Tomorrow there will be hell to pay and reports to write, but Steve had sent everyone off for the night after the midnight landing at the compound.

As soon as the bay doors open, you’d stalked off to the gym. There’s no way you can sleep the way you are, and at midnight after a grueling mission, you can be sure of having the gym to yourself.

You can scream in peace.

Thwack.

You catch the bag against your body, letting the impact shake you to the core. The tremor echoes through you, just like the tremor of the explosion in Mazyr.

You slide to the floor against the heavy bag. Hot tears roll down your cheeks; you bang your forehead against the rough polyester with a whimper.

Thwack.

You’re all alone, and you can cry in peace.

You don’t know how long you sob into the punching bag, but by the time you’re done, the bag is stained with the tracks of your tears. Your muscles are still sore from the mission. You’d been too tense to stretch properly on the flight home; all you’d done was sit stiffly in a window seat, your headphones and scowl the perfect deterrents to anyone who might have wanted to approach.

At this point, you’re too tired to even try stretching. All you want to do is wash off the grime of failure.

You groan as you peel off your uniform in the privacy of one of the shower stalls. The fabric clings unpleasantly to your skin. By the time you’re bare, you’re sniffling again.

The hot water is just the sting you need. The steam caresses your face. It’s the closest you can get to comfort; it’s the closest you’ll let yourself get to comfort.

After your failure, after what you caused—

The memory of the splintered bricks and bodies flashes in your mind. You shake your head.

You don’t deserve the comfort of your friends and their words. You don’t deserve the comfort of your lover and his touch. Either would soothe you. Natasha, Rhodey, Sam—any of them would know just what to say. Bucky…

You press the heels of your hands against your eyes, hard enough to hurt. No. You don’t deserve any of it.

All you’ll permit yourself is a hot shower and the quiet refrain of the one song that always soothes you. It’s just a temporary reprieve; you’ll remind yourself of what you’ve done later.

In bed, when you crave sleep, no doubt.

Your voice echoes off the tile walls, small in the wide space. Gentle words, words you learned from your grandmother so many years ago. When you sing it, you can see her face.

In your mind’s eye, she’s smiling at you, her gaze heavy with love. Heavy with forgiveness.

Fresh tears leak from your closed eyes. You can hear the tremor in your voice, but you carry on through it. Here, alone, you can find some modicum of relief.

The final echo fades. You hold yourself tight and try to clear your head. If Steve sees you’ve been crying, in person or on the surveillance cameras…

You don’t want to be benched. You don’t deserve to be benched. The best punishment is out there, in the field, where you can be hurt—

“I didn’t know you could sing.”

You gasp and spin, sliding on the wet tiles. You throw out your hands to steady yourself, but Bucky catches you in his solid hold. He’s as naked as you are, but his body, cool to the touch, is no distraction after the shock of his arrival.

Dread coils in the pit of your stomach. He heard you? You’ve always kept that secret for yourself, after so many others were forced out of you thanks to the job. Every slice of yourself has been examined. This one thing is your own. To have it discovered?

It hurts.

Your face burns as you extricate yourself from Bucky’s hold and shuffle back under the water, turning aside and folding your arms over your chest. His soft gaze is too much; how can he look at you that way after what you’ve done? You can’t bear his eyes on you. Not now. You can’t bear to look at him. Who are you to drink him in?

“What are you doing here?” you ask.

“You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

Bucky steps under the water; you step back. The faucet digs into your side. You let it. The discomfort is what you deserve.

But Bucky gently pulls you against him. You stiffen automatically and try to push him away. He doesn’t let go.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs. He strokes your hair and presses a kiss to your temple. “It’s okay.”

However much you resist, Bucky’s destined to wear you down. He always does. What’s the point of fighting?

You close your eyes, let your tension seep away, and focus on his body against yours. His metal arm warms quickly under the hot water. The rest of him does too. You bury your face in the crook of his neck. With every breath, his heady scent fills your head, leaving you hazy. Your hands creep around his waist and press flat against the planes of his back.

How did he know to find you? You haven’t been sleeping together long—hell, you’ve only been attached to the team for a couple of months. You know Natasha from her SHIELD days, and Sam and Rhodey are friendly as anything, but Bucky was a hard nut to crack. Yet within weeks, he’d sought you out in solitary moments, his hands always finding their way to you.

Like you’re a homing beacon.

And now, it’s just the same. But he hadn’t approached you with lust in his eyes. No, his look had been all soft, all concern, all care. None of the desperate desire that you’d come to expect. Just gentleness and a warm embrace.

How did he know this was just what you needed? The guilt and the grief were gone.

You pull back just enough to meet his eyes. He’s tall enough that his face isn’t in the shower spray; his eyes are still soft. He flashes a tiny smile and pushes your wet hair back from your forehead.

“Better?” he asks.

You nod and lean back into him. This time, you let your hands slide down to the small of his back, then a little lower. You’re not so tired now.

Bucky hums in the back of his throat, questioning. You press tighter against him, the slick friction on your front sending sparks through you. Heat pools in your belly, your breasts, tight and wanting.

The shower is steamy in a whole new way.

You press kisses along his shoulder until your lips find the pulse point at his neck. You suck a mark into his skin. It’ll be gone by morning, but for now there’s no hiding your imprint.

With a growl, Bucky hooks his metal hand around the top of your thigh and hoists you up against the wall. The breath is knocked out of you. Bucky’s eyes are dark and wild, nothing like the softness of minutes before.

You wrap your legs around his waist. Bucky shoves his other hand between your legs, teasing your clit. Sparks dance through you.

“Bucky,” you moan.

You tangle your fingers in his wet hair, anything to ground yourself against the euphoria building in your core.

When his fingers curl inside you, you cry out and rock down into his touch. He’s hard between your legs, faster than you would have thought possible if you hadn’t done this all before. But like every other time, he’s as eager as you.

You force your eyes open and stare at him, panting. His breathing is as ragged as yours, though you’ve barely begun. With every thrust and curl of his fingers, you lose a little more of yourself in his eyes.

When he pulls his hand away, you mewl in discontent.

Bucky chuckles. “Not yet, doll.” He pushes his wet fingers into your mouth, his eyes fixed on your lips. You suck hard and swirl your tongue around his fingertips, mimicking what you’ve done a dozen times to his cock.

And he knows it.

Bucky slams his hand onto the wall by your head and thrusts into you with his usual precision. His bruising kiss eats up your desperate cry. Your eyes flutter shut as you match his hunger with your own, teeth clicking as he snaps his hips into yours.

Your muscles burn anew as Bucky sets a grueling pace. With every thrust, he grunts; his groin grinds against your clit. His metal hand digs into the tender flesh of your thigh. The tiles catch on your spine as you slip up and down the wall. You barely notice. All you can think of is Bucky inside you, Bucky at your lips, Bucky in your hands.

He pulls back from the kiss, but he doesn’t let up his pace. With the little distance between you, your breasts bounce in time with his thrusts. He grabs one and tweaks the nipple, pulling a whimper from you.

His eyes smolder when you finally open your eyes again. “Sing for me,” he rasps.

Your breath catches.

Sing for him?

Unbidden, you tense. Bucky slows to a stop with his cock buried inside you. He reaches out and shuts off the shower. Then he lifts you off of him and sets you on the floor.

Your knees buckle—did he seriously expect you to stand?—and you catch yourself against the wall. The sudden emptiness leaves you aching, and not just physically.

You slide to the floor and look up at Bucky. He’s still hard, his cock red and glistening. But he drops to his knees in front of you, blinking away the animalistic expression.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“I—” You clear your throat. Does he really need to talk now? You fight the urge to touch him, or yourself. “I don’t sing.”

Bucky raises his eyebrows. “You were singing before.”

You scrub your hands down your face. “I don’t—I only sing for myself. You weren’t supposed to… It’s not for…” You slap the floor and glare at him, angry at him for your incoherence. “It’s all I have left. You can’t have it.”

“But I want—” Bucky stops himself when you look away. He scoots closer and cradles your face; you look back at him. There’s a sadness there, one you weren’t expecting. “Okay. No singing.”

You open your mouth to question him, but he quiets you with a kiss. Unlike before, he’s all gentleness. His lips soft as they tease your mouth open.

He breathes life back into you.

In heartbeats, you’re as desperate as before. You push Bucky until he falls back. He grips your hips as you crawl over him. You slide your fingers through your folds and along your clit—yes, you’re still ready—before aligning yourself with his cock. For a moment, you just rub the head against your entrance, teasing. When Bucky growls, his eyes dark with warning, you laugh breathlessly and sink down in a single movement.

Your laugh short-circuits into a loud moan.

“God, so good,” Bucky groans. His metal hand cups your right breast; his other hand is digging finger-shaped bruises into your hip, but you couldn’t care less. You rock down on him, barely moving, but it’s enough to stutter your breathing. When you finally start to ride on him, you plant your hands on his chest and gaze hungrily into his eyes as you moan. He snaps his hips up to meet yours, teeth bared.

“Shit,” you gasp, arching your back. Every slam of his hips sends a jolt of fire straight through your clit. His cock hits every sensitive spot inside you. “Yes, god, yes, Bucky…”

Your face screws up. Shockwaves build in you as you fuck him faster. You press your forehead against Bucky’s shoulder and drag your teeth along his collarbone.

Bucky slows, the disjointed rhythm an unwelcome change. “Let me—fuck—let me look at you,” he begs. He kisses your temple, squeezes your breasts, pushes you up off of him. You still yourself and pout. He groans, eyes bright with—tears? “Please, fuck, fuck me, c’mon, don’t hide from me, doll.”

A rush of heat floods you as you stare down at him, panting. Bucky’s never been this needy before. Desperate for your body, sure, but begging to look at your face?

That’s new. And god help you, but you’re ruined by it.

Slowly, you start to rock back on him. Your nails dig indents into his chest. There’s something different in the air, something charged. Bucky starts thrusting up into you, his right hand slipping down your front to circle your clit.

“Yesss,” you moan. Your eyes almost slide shut, but you snap them back open at the last second. Fire lances through you with every thrust. Every gasping breath is an effort. All you want to do is cum with him. You cup his hand at your clit and push his hand harder against you.

Bucky’s eyes are black and his jaw is clenched tight. His eyelids are fluttering as much as yours, but he keeps them forced open. He keeps his eyes on you.

“Don’t—look—away,” he growls. He pinches your clit and your nipple at the same time and speeds his upward thrusts.

You clench your teeth, vision spotting and your walls clenching hard around him. You can’t move anymore; all you can do is hold yourself up and let him destroy you from the inside out.

Bucky’s thrusts grow sloppy. His hips snap into yours one final time before his cock twitches, warmth blossoming in you as his pulsing pushes you over the edge. You collapse against him with a scream, stars blinding you as you dissolve into pleasure.

You come back to yourself slowly. Bucky’s arms are around you, his softening cock still inside you. His shaky breaths fan your temple. All of your muscles are lax. The wet tiles are cool against your knees; you hook your legs over Bucky’s warmer ones.

The thought of leaving your spot makes you grimace. You burrow further into Bucky’s shoulder. He strokes your hair, and his lips curve into a smile against your temple.

You prop yourself up with an elbow on his chest and gaze at him. His smile dims under your scrutiny.

“What?” he asks, metal hand cupping your cheek.

You shake your head and drop back down. “Nothing, Bucky.” His name is strange in your mouth.

Bucky makes a noise. It’s clear he doesn’t believe you, but he doesn’t press. All he does is hold you closer. He’s always like this, for some time after, but today it feels strange.

Too much today has gone wrong. You push away the memories of the mission and focus on Bucky. You haven’t forgotten what he said. He wants something from you, but he’d stopped himself.

You’d always thought you were equally satisfied with the strings-free sex—he’s your lover, not your boyfriend, after all—but between that aborted sentence and the begging to watch you…

It’s not safe to discuss while you’re still half-dazed.

Eventually, you disentangle from each other. Bucky helps you to your feet, and you dry yourselves off without touching. Bucky’s eyes linger on you; you look away. Watching him, half-naked as he is, is too tempting right now. It’s not safe. You pull on the spare set of clothes in your locker, muscles burning with every movement.

“Later, Bucky.”

You leave him alone in the showers, not daring to look back.

His name is strange in your mouth. Tomorrow, maybe, you’ll find out why.

[emilyjunk]

bad ideas - bemily minific

[read on ao3]

Beca’s familiar with bad ideas.

Like that time in 3rd grade she ate a nail for a dare and had to go to the hospital. Or in 9th grade when she got caught smoking a cigarette in the girl’s bathroom at school and got two weeks detention. And even the other day, when she thought staying up until 3am working on a song wouldn’t affect her the next day at all.

Impulsively getting on a plane to chase down the girl she likes, though? Might take the cake. 

Yeah, that’s her you’re looking at. Minorly successful producer and musician Beca Mitchell, standing on the cracked concrete stoop of an Atlanta apartment, shifting her feet back and forth because she’s too nervous to ring the buzzer.

It’s just that she may have been a bit… rash.

Something just came over her this morning while she was dropping Emily off at the airport. She was standing there, watching Emily prepare for her flight, and she realized she didn’t want Emily to go. It wasn’t that weird, she guesses. Emily’s her friend, a Bella. Beca’s missed them before. After they graduated and went separate ways. The times when she was on her opening tour and felt lonely up on stage. Now, for God’s sake.

She’s always missing them a little bit.

But then Emily got on her plane and Beca went home and felt this sudden feeling growing in her chest. She flopped on her bed, her sheets smelling like Emily’s detergent, like Emily, and breathed into her silent apartment. She missed Emily’s laugh filling it up. The way she was always singing, even if she was just singing nonsense lyrics narrating whatever it was she was doing -- laundry, cooking, cleaning out the fridge. 

Beca missed Emily. And that’s when the feeling hollowed out into some kind of ache.

She closed her eyes, her heart pounding, and Emily’s face swam in front of her. 

She had the strangest sensation she should’ve kissed Emily goodbye.

And that’s when her stomach did a backflip and her heart skipped a beat and her skin broke out in goosebumps.

That thing that had been happening to her all summer, that desire to be close, that warmth that spread up the back of her neck when Emily hugged her, that insane wanting to just be looking at Emily all the time because she was so cute and so perfect and so beautiful.

It suddenly made sense.

Beca likes her.

And maybe it was a bad idea to post that picture and maybe it was a bad idea to bail on her meeting the next day and catch a fuckin’ plane, and maybe, maybe, it was a bad idea to show up unannounced on Emily’s doorstep.

But bad ideas? Beca was familiar with them, and that had never stopped her before.

//

In the time between when she lifts her hand and when her finger hits the buzzer, Beca feels the true magnitude of her feelings settling inside her stomach with a nervous weight.

She’d posted that picture, bought those tickets, got on the plane. Emily had called her since then three separate times, but Beca couldn’t bring herself to answer because she didn’t feel she’d be able to get any words out at all.

Her feelings manifest as a wish, one where she gets to breathe Emily in, touch their noses together, trace the lines on Emily’s palms. She thinks even if it doesn’t work out, at least she’ll have said something, at least she’ll have held Emily’s hand for one second, pressed their lips together for just a moment.

And it takes everything Beca has to not let her hand fall, to not hide behind a text message, to not just wait for Emily to say she misses Beca and fly back herself. Because what if that never happens? Beca has to know. She has to do this herself.

She hits the buzzer for Emily’s aparment number.

“Hello?”

Beca’s voice is scratchy when it comes out. “Em?”

There’s a pause. “Yeah?”

“Um. Hey. It’s Beca.”

“Beca?”

“Uh. Yeah.”

The door buzzes and Beca opens it and steps inside. She’s never been to Emily’s apartment and doesn’t know where she’s going, but she hears a rapid thumping and then a door across from her opens and Emily bounds out of the stairwell.

She’s in tiny sleep shorts, an oversized sweater, and a mismatched pair of fuzzy socks. Her hair’s in a messy bun and her makeup is smudged under one eye. She looks disheveled and confused and beautiful.

So beautiful.

She gapes at Beca. “Bec. What are you doing here?”

“Uh. You know.” Beca shrugs weakly. “I like… just. Wanted to… I like. Uh. Missed you.”

Beca’s never exactly been called smooth, but this is a new level of awkward.

Emily just gives her an incredulous look. “It’s been nine hours.”

“Uh. Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

Beca scratches her nose self-consciously. “Well, I was on the plane, I guess.”

Emily stares. “This… doesn’t make sense.”

“Yeah. I know.” Beca bites her lip nervously. “I just realized after you left that… I mean. I forgot to give you… Like…” She cringes at herself. “I just.” Beca shrugs. Gestures between them helplessly. “I just think you’re…”

Emily quirks a teasing eyebrow. “...Weird?”

“No. Well. Yes. But no.”

Emily hesitates, then takes a careful step forward. She grabs Beca’s hand, swinging it between them. “Cute.”

Beca’s cheeks burn. “Yeah.”

Emily chuckles. “Well you didn’t have to fly here for that. The Insta post was enough and you could’ve just answered my call.”

“I couldn’t,” Beca nearly whispers. Her body’s tingling. She’s this close to Emily and she knows -- knows -- it’s a bad idea, but when has that ever stopped her?

She gives a firm tug on Emily’s hand and rocks up on her toes. It’s a bad idea, but Beca doesn’t care because suddenly they’re kissing and now Beca knows what it’s like, to kiss Emily, to feel Emily exhale sharply against her lips, to have her hand shoot out to grab Beca by the waist and pull her closer. 

It’s rushed and awkward and strange, but God, it’s like breathing after holding your breath or climbing into bed after a long day. It’s like coming home.

She drops flat-footed, but Emily follows her, their lips disconnecting only for a millisecond as she readjusts. 

And maybe it was a bad idea, but now she knows. And whatever happens, it was totally worth it.

“Um. Wow.” Emily’s voice vibrates against her lips.

“Yeah,” Beca murmurs. She pulls back, her entire body on fire. “That’s uh. What I forgot.”

Emily’s face lights up, her eyes shining, her cheeks pink. She laughs, this adorable, warm little giggle that ties Beca’s insides in knots. “I forgot something, too.”

“Oh. What?”

“To tell you that you’re beautiful.”

Beca cringes self-consciously, but Emily’s earnest happiness makes butterflies erupt in her chest. “Stop.”

“You are. I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.”

Beca doesn’t know what to say. She inhales, her whole body tingling. Finally, she shyly meets Emily’s eyes. “Now what? I didn’t think past this? What do we do?”

Emily hums. “Well. Now you leave, I guess.”

“Oh.” Disappointment floods Beca’s chest and she drops Emily’s hand. She knew this was a bad idea, but maybe she really should’ve thought this through. 

“Beca. Kidding.” Emily gives her a playful smile. 

“Dude. Not cool.”

Emily chuckles and tangles their fingers together again. “Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

Beca rolls her eyes, but tenderness warms her from the inside out. “I thought you were nice but you’re mean.”

“Nooo.” Emily leans forward, brushing their noses together. “Now we make up for lost time. Duh.”

And yeah, Beca’s familiar with bad ideas. She’s made a lot of them in her life. Like auditioning for an all-girls a cappella group, and impulsively quitting her job, and attempting a hostage rescue mission without any backup besides Fat Amy.

Yeah, Beca knows all about bad ideas, but, she thinks, as Emily kisses her again, right there in the open lobby of her apartment, most of her bad ideas?

Turn out to be her best ones. 

[roaminginspiration]

The Diner

Part 2 (x)

The next day, Steve was gone. His dreams of fighting for freedom and justice were crushed by the cannonball of disillusion. He went on a national UFO tour instead, entertaining the crowds with pipe dreams, all of his but only at reach on a stage.

He wrote to Natasha almost everyday and she preciously kept the envelopes with stamps from cities all across the country. She re-read them, again and again, behind her counter with insatiable eagerness, then safely tucked them into her apron pocket whenever a customer called.

She knew all about his mixed feelings: how the UFO tour oddly filled his sense of worth with heady thrill, but only ever for a while, before waning and leaving that void more hollow every time.

More and more posters of Captain America were stuck up on walls and venue doors or advertised in the papers. His name began to be uttered publicly, and she heard once or twice some locals at the Diner bring it up.

Natasha, meanwhile, encouraged by her boyfriend’s comforting words, dared chase her old dreams again. She took evening dance classes, every day after her shift, in hopes of entering an official group of ballet dancers. It was hard and exhausting — and she had to work double-time to pay for the classes — but Steve reminded her in every letter that she had what it takes to mesmerize the world.

After a couple of months, Captain America was finally coming to New York for “a splendorous performance”. She glanced at her reflection in one of the windows of the theater and cleared her throat nervously. Her lips were colored bright red and her hair was styled elegantly for the occasion. She was wearing a new outfit she had saved up for for weeks, after reading the letter in which he announced his return.

She showed her ticket to the employee who tore it up slightly to her disappointment. He then moved on to throw it onto the pile of other tickets in the can when she interrupted.

“May I keep it, please?” she asked with a smile. The man eyed her curiously. “It has sentimental value.”

The employee shrugged it off and handed it to her. She pressed the tear between her gloved thumb and fingers before putting it back into her purse. Next, she entered the main room and was greeted by a dozen lights and decorations. People, all dressed up, were rushing to get the best seats at the front. She took off her coat and sat down on one of the seats available in the back.

After a few minutes, a female member of the crew came up to her with a smile.

“You’re Natasha, aren’t you?”

She nodded. The girl smiled at her. “A seat has been reserved for you. If you’ll please follow me.”

She put the coat around her arm, took her purse and walked up to the very front row.

She blinked. “I— I don’t think I have the right ticket to sit here.”

The girl joined her hands together and smiled. “No worries. It was requested by Captain America himself. Enjoy the show.”

And she certainly did. From the moment the lights were turned off and the curtain was pulled up, she was spellbound. Her heartbeat quickened up expectantly when the name of Captain America was called and he came on stage. Sure, the costume was ridiculous, the storyline was corny, the music and song lyrics were clichéd but she loved every second of it, feeling great pride in seeing her boyfriend performing on stage, cheered on and beheld as a hero.

There was a sparkle in her eyes when the curtain came down and she jumped on her feet to clap.

A few minutes later, the same employee from earlier came to take her backstage. She walked into the room finding Steve standing sheepishly as he signed an autograph for a little girl holding her father’s hand. Some of the UFO dancers were huddled around him, including one who draped her arm over his back. He didn’t seem to notice.

As the little girl excitedly flashed through the doorway while staring at her signed photograph, his eyes fell upon her. His face changed completely, veiled with a complex combination of vulnerability and glee.

“Natasha,” he whispered.

“Hi, Big Guy.”

All the dancers, busy putting on extra make-up or combing their hair, spun around and stared in awe. They giggled loudly. The other girl dropped her arm.

“NATASHA,” they hollered before bursting into laughter.

They soon surrounded her, sharing comments out loud about how pretty indeed she looked, among other things.

“I’m hungry,” one of them eventually said. “Let’s check out what we can get!”

They squeezed her shoulder, hugged her, kissed her cheek before hurrying out of the backstage room. Only the other girl paused slightly, told Steve goodbye, before leaving under Natasha’s attentive look.

He ran up to her and kissed her before holding her in his arms.  

“I’m so happy to see you,” he murmured, gazing at her.

“You too,” she said with a beaming smile. “You have a fan,” she continued coolly glancing through the hall at the handsy dancer from earlier.

“Lucy Ann?” he exclaimed as he walked back to the center of the room, “she’s just a colleague.”

“I don’t doubt it…for you. She, on the other hand, wants a piece of Captain America.”

He folded his arms awkwardly and leaned on the chair behind him.

Her eyes lit up. “I can’t blame her, though. You strangely look yummy in that costume.”

He frowned then laughed nervously. “It’s part of the role. I hate it.”

She smirked then nibbled her thumb seductively. “I may have a way to fix that.”

She turned around to close the door behind her and dropped her coat and purse on the clothes stand in the corner. She walked up to him alluringly.

She captured his lips and pulled him in as she began to suck on them. As she stepped back and undid the top buttons of her blouse, he blushed hard.

“Here? What if we get caught?”

He clung onto the chair and closed his eyes shut as she buried her face into his neck and her mouth began to travel down his throat.

“W-wait,” he mumbled weakly and she pulled away with a conniving smirk as she opened her blouse wide, revealing the red lace bra she was wearing. He let out a whimper and came at her lips, eager and passionate, slipping the blouse off of her.

She moved closer as he pulled away toward the long table normally used as a dressing table.

She pressed a hand on his torso and pushed him down so he lay completely on his back.

Her hands then moved to her back and she opened the zip of her skirt, letting it drop to the floor.

He ran his fingers through his fingers, torn between reason ardent lust, and sighed as he quickly glanced at the door.

“What if someone walks in on us?” he murmured, out of breath.

Natasha climbed onto the table and straddled him. She leaned down.

“Well, hopefully, that’ll be Lucy Ann.”

And she kissed him again. The loud music of the jazz band playing in the main room covered the sound of their moans.

The following week, Natasha received a very different kind of letter. He wrote to her about how Peggy Carter had come to one his shows for the soldiers and told him Bucky’s regiment had been ambushed by Hydra in Azzano; and how she had helped him, along with Howard Stark, to fly to Austria in the hope of finding him alive and rescuing him. The unofficial mission was successful and granted him a place in the army.

Her hand shook a bit as she read the words but she smiled with gleaming eyes.

I’m so proud of you, Steve. It’s about time the world gets to know the true worth of Captain America, she wrote in her reply.

After that, she expectantly opened every letter to read about his latest adventures. His name began to grow big and came out of the lips of almost every customer; and the people downtown. And in the headlines of big newspapers.

Everybody knew of Captain America and admired his boundless courage. And she couldn’t be prouder despite the fear of losing him. She found solace in holding onto the fact the super-soldier serum kept him safe.

The story of his exploits was also accompanied by the most trivial anecdotes.

A female private kissed me behind folder shelves, today! I’m not really sure how this happened. Peggy caught us before I could pull away. She was furious — she said she was disappointed I was disrespectful to you. I told her we’d laugh about it together!

In her letter, Natasha answered:

Who knew people at the army were so frivolous? Please send my regards to Peggy Carter for her loyalty to me.

She, on the hand, went from one unsuccessful audition to another. The reasons were varied: not being a student in a reputed ballet school; too petite; not fitting the traditional profile. As she wrote in one of her letters:

The jury said it was uncommon to see red-haired dancers; the audience is accustomed to a certain ‘archetype’ apparently. My teacher suggested I dye my hair blond. Maybe he’s right.

To which Steve replied:

You are perfect the way you are. You shouldn’t have to change for anyone. Someday you will be known as the dancer with the red hair and you won’t share the title with any other ballerina.

Making both ends eventually became a real issue to the point she had to consider quitting her evening classes. That was until the morning after Christmas when her teacher called and said all her classes for the next semester had been paid for. The ink on Steve’s letter for the holiday was stained by one of her tears.  

In 1945, Steve Rogers demonstrated heroism for the last time as he flew Red Skull’s plane into the ocean. Peggy Carter spoke to him on the radio until the very last moment. As he came to the sad realization it was the end, he told his friend:

“Peggy, I need one last favor from you. There is a letter at the bottom of my footlocker. I need you to give it to Natasha. Please.”

His hands were tightly clasped around the throttle handles, knuckles white. He heard her sniffing quietly.

“I promise, Steve.”

He nodded to himself as sadness and anguish slowly crept in. As he got nearer to the ice ground, he closed his eyes and thought of Natasha.

A couple of days later, Brooklyn Golden Palace Diner had an unexpected visitor. Natasha halted and her expression froze as she saw the dark-haired woman in a military suit standing by the entrance with a grave and compassionate expression. Natasha put the plates down and headed over to her with a pounding heart.

She heard the British accent.

“I wanted you to know about it first before the news is made public. And I wanted you to get it from me personally,” Peggy said as she handed in the letter. Natasha gulped down as her fingers wrapped around her apron. Peggy looked at her with gleaming eyes. “I am so sorry.”

Natasha shook her head as her chest tightened to the point she thought her heart would burst.

“No, no, no,” she cried as tears raced down her face. Peggy stepped closer and held her shaking body in her arms.

His last letter read:

Dear Natasha,

If you are reading this letter it means that I did not make it back — and I apologize for failing to keep my promise to you. It’s a letter that I’ve dreaded to write (and that I will keep hidden away until I hopefully destroy it) but I can’t resolve myself to not send you one last letter to say goodbye. Although you are across an ocean, you were with me always; and I know I shall think of you in my last moment. Because, simply put, it’s always been about you.

Despite the dozens of papers I have filled with the story of my adventures, you forever remain my greatest one. My so-called ‘heroic feats’ do not stand with my first act of courage: that evening I turned up at the diner and finally asked you out.

Please don’t be sad when you think of me. Be happy. I am writing this letter with the absolute faith that you and I belong together. If not in this lifetime, then in another. That’s where you’ll find me…waiting for you.

Yours always and forever,

S.R.  

This was the end of Captain America’s existence in the 1940s and the start of a new one in 2011.

Steve woke up in a transformed New York City: bigger, higher and brighter. But duller without Natasha in it.

S.H.I.E.L.D. did not have to search for her very long. Natasha Romanoff had turned out to become a successful ballet dancer. Red Swan, they called her. She had even given a performance at the National Opera of St-Petersburg — “TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO HOME COUNTRY”, the newspaper title had read. He found the only available footage of one of her performances online.

He watched, with teary eyes, her slender figure move gracefully across the stage; twirl, leap and soar like a free feather. The audience in the video — just like him at this moment— gazed on, completely mesmerized. Another archive footage showed her leaving one of the venues surrounded by fans and photographers. One journalist asked her:

“Miss Romanoff, you are one of the greatest ballet dancers in the world but you are also known as Captain America’s sweetheart. Does that title bother you?”

Natasha paused and turned to face to the journalist. Steve read her fond and nostalgic expression through the glitching footage.

“I’ve always said that I accomplished two great things in my life. One was to become a ballet dancer, the second —to which I owe the former— was to take that job as a waitress in a local diner and meet Steve. For me, he’ll forever be that kid from Brooklyn who changed my life for the best.”

Steve pinched his upper lip as he listened to the recording. He then did more research and found out Natasha had died, at age 86, in October 2007 — four years before he woke up. She was unmarried and equally divided her fortune between the Brooklyn Dance School and a charity honoring WWII veterans. Steve pressed play again and watched the footage as Natasha stood on stage, holding a bouquet of roses while sending kisses to a cheering crowd.

He burst into tears in front of the computer screen.

The new present, as modern and advanced as it was, needed Captain America and he poured his heart into the task. He found a team and made friends: Sam Wilson and Black Widow, Yelena Belova, who became a loyal ally and a dear teammate. And he even found Bucky back.

He saved New York, then the world, and finally the Universe. After killing Thanos and when came the moment to bring back the Stones, he naturally volunteered to complete the task.

Only with newly found resolution and the prospect of retiring and getting his happy ending. Standing by Tony’s time machine, he turned to Bucky who stared at him sternly.

“You’re going back to the Diner girl, aren’t you?” he stated.

Steve swallowed down and nodded. His eyes filled with tears.

Bucky smiled. “Be happy, Steve.”

A tear rolled down his cheek as he pulled his best friend into a hug. “Tell her I say hi,” James murmured into his ear.

Steve picked up the case and stepped onto the platform. His heart raced in exhilarating nervousness. He activated the suit on and gave one last glance at Bucky.

And then blinding flash of light swallowed him in.

In 1946, Natasha was finishing her shift. Tommy had left 10 minutes before and she was putting away the dishes and filling in the napkin and straws dispensers.

The entrance bell jingled behind her.

“I’m sorry, we’re closed,” she said without pausing in her chore.

“Is it too late for a milkshake?” a familiar voice murmured with a cracking voice.

She froze completely. She stared blankly at the cloth in her hands, unable to bring herself to turn around and be disappointed. She knew it was impossible anyways.

“It’s me, Nat.”

She clasped her mouth shut, muffling a whimper, and flipped around. Steve was standing in the middle of the room with gleaming eyes mirroring her own.

He was a little older — more mature-looking —, his weary expression had replaced his ingenious one, but it was him. Nothing else mattered.

She ran up to him and collided into his arms, pressing all of herself against him to feel every inch of his body.

Her eyes shut tight.

“God, tell me I’m not dreaming,” she repeated under her breath. She brushed her fingers up his neck. “I don’t care if I’m going mad, I never want this to end.”

He smiled into her neck then tucked a lock of her red hair behind her ear.

“Me neither,” he laughed softly.

She pulled away to look into his eyes. He leaned in to kiss her and it brought back a whirlwind of not so remote memories. It felt better than words could convey. She buried the side of her face into his chest and breathed in his scent. They remained standing like this for precious minutes.

“You said you’d be waiting for me in another lifetime,” she whispered with a content expression.

He kissed the top of her head and relished in this blissful moment.

“I couldn’t,” he admitted with a smile.

[destieltropecollection]

Destiel Trope Collection 2019 Day 19: Holiday Fics

Where Things Grow | @castielslostwings Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 7730 Main Tags and Warnings: Domestiel, Human Castiel, Established Castiel/Dean Winchester, Gardener!Castiel, Beekeeper!Castiel, Sweet Dean Winchester, Good boyfriend Dean, Holidays, Holiday Fic, Christmas, Christmas activities, TFW 2.0 bonding, Mistletoe, Ice-Skating, Hot Chocolate, Boys Kissing, Christmas presents, Fluff, Tooth-rotting fluff, canon-divergent, allusions to post-canon setting. Summary: Holiday fic! A newly fallen Castiel is having some trouble adjusting, so Dean makes it his mission to find him a hobby. But what happens when winter comes and the only activity he's interested in is buried under ice? Dean to the rescue (again). An ambiguously-set canon-divergent fic circa season 13-14. No big bads, no Michael/Lucifer, established DeanCas.

Christmas Time is About Loving You | @wingsdestiel Rating: General Word Count: 2938 Main Tags and Warnings: Christmas Fluff, Falling Castiel, Men of Letters Bunker, Christmas Presents, Fluff Summary: Castiel wants to fully experience the holiday season, Dean has a realization, and feelings happen.

Winchester Sleeping | @spinnerjen Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 15343 Main Tags and Warnings: slow build, christmas, coma, awkward romance, smut Summary: Summary: Based strongly on the 1995 movie - 'While you were Sleeping' Meet Castiel - A hopeless romantic Chicago Transit Authority token collector who is mistaken for the fiance of a coma patient.

Mistletoe for Hugs | @noiproksa Rating: General Word Count: 1917 Main Tags and Warnings: Christmas Fluff, Team Free Will, Family Feels Summary: Dean and Sam explain Christmas traditions to a confused Cas. When they substitute kisses under mistletoes for hugs, cuddling ensues. (Intended as gen, but can be read as Destiel pre-slash.)

The Christmas Date | @fangirlingtodeath513 Rating: General Word Count: 10829 Main Tags and Warnings: Platonic Bed Sharing, Mentions of Homophobic Family Summary: Christmas is one of Dean's favorite times of the year. It means spending some quality time with his family and enjoying their company, even though it's only for a few days. So when Cas mentions he's not going home for Christmas, the thought's barely crossed his mind before he's asking Cas to come with him to Kansas. Maybe there was an ulterior motive, like spending more time with the guy he's come to like a little more than just a roommate, but Cas doesn't need to know that. At least, if Dean's kind but meddlesome family can stay out of his business, that is.

A Christmas Day Proposal | @roobear68 Rating: General Word Count: 3231 Main Tags and Warnings: Kid fic, best friends, marriage proposal Summary: As soon as 5 year old Cas discovered that one was “supposed" to marry one's best friend, he did what any boy in his situation would do. He decided to propose.

This Dance | @deans-jiggly-pudding Rating: General Word Count: 2213 Main Tags and Warnings: Christmas fluff, high school dance, Secret Santa Summary: Cas has been wanting to approach Dean for months, and the perfect opportunity presents itself at the school holiday dance. There's only one problem: What if Dean says no? Cas can't bear it and is ready to let the chance pass him by, when he is shocked to learn the identity of his Secret Santa.

New Traditions | @pherryt Rating: General Word Count: 49872 Main Tags and Warnings: Christmas, alone at Christmas, Fluff and Angst, Coming Out, Forced coming out, First Kiss, Christmas traditions, making new traditions, Ice Skating, cheesy Christmas decorations, Hurt/Comfort, bed sharing, not the standard Christmas tree, Happy Ending, Disowning, Pining, Mutual Pining, near years, good news, valentines day, mix tape, Confessions, Cuddling, Kissing, Easter, Easter Eggs, charity work, Fourth of July, Fireworks, Sparklers, Fluff, Trick or Treating, Good Neighbors, pneumonia, Halloween, Thanksgiving, canceled plans, Weather, Surprise Guests, Power Outage, Friendsgiving, Wedding, proposal, Years Later, Summary: Cas's Christmas season is fraught with ups and downs. He's not going home to visit his family - which is great for avoiding drama - but now that means he's going to be celebrating it alone - which isn't so great just in general. And to top it off, none of his roommates seem to be in the holiday spirit. But he's determined to enjoy the holiday, alone or not. Good thing he won't be as alone as he thinks.

Maybe it's the Great Pumpkin | @DesiraeLovesDestiel Rating: Explicit Word Count: 7862 Main Tags and Warnings: Halloween, established Dean/Cas, Case fic, fluff, humor, smut Summary: “Ah,” Cas piped up, as they pulled up to a red light. “You are referencing the Charles M. Schulz comic strip series that features a young boy with an unhealthy attachment to his blanket and a bullied child with an ineptitude for football.” For a moment, Sam and Dean just stared at Castiel, unblinking. “Fucking Metadouche,” Dean finally muttered. Team free Will finds themselves back in New England as they travel to Lyndon, New Hampshire to investigate at the infamous Spooky land. Boasting a haunted mansion, zombie paintball, and a corn maze, the carnival-fun vibe of the Halloween themed park is a playground for teens and horror lovers alike. When some of the patrons start disappearing from the attractions, it is up to the boys to figure out if these people left on their own or if something more supernatural is happening.

A Christmas Wish | @sheinthatfandom Rating: General Word Count: 6606 Main Tags and Warnings: kid fic, christmas, fluff, single parent cas, car accident, christmas eve, santa, strangers to lovers Summary: Castiel is a single father who lives for his daughter and making her happy. Grace is a wonderful kind and loving little girl who just wants to see Santa to make one more wish for Christmas. On their way to the city where the tree lighting is to take place and Santa will put in one last appearance the pair get into a car accident during a blizzard and have to rely on the kindness of a stranger home alone for the holidays. Can Dean Winchester help do Santa's job and give the pair what they need?

They Were Blue | @castielsangel-blade Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 4240 Main Tags and Warnings: Dean and Cas have feelings, holiday fic, side Sam/Eileen Summary: Dean is flying to Washington to spend the Holidays with his brother and his girlfriend. He'll have to take a plane to get there, which isn't his idea of a good time. But maybe a little bad weather can help.

Matchmaker | @thebloggerbloggerfun Rating: General Word Count: 4242 Main Tags and Warnings: High School AU, Misunderstandings Summary: Every year for Valentine's Day, Castiel's high school offers a matchmaking fundraiser service that tells each person which student they're most compatible with. Heterosexual results only, of course. Enter: Charlie Bradbury with a brilliant idea to switch names on their Matchmaker quiz so that they'll both get the result they want. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

The three times food was a big deal and the one time it wasn’t | @marian-elisa Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 1426 Main Tags and Warnings: Valentine's Day, Fluff, 3 + 1 things, Canon Universe, friends to lovers Summary: Dean and Cas + saying “I love you” 3 times without meaning it, and one time getting it right.

Kinda Like a Taylor Swift Song | @lemonsorbae Rating: General Word Count: 1736 Main Tags and Warnings: Fluff, Mutual Pining, Alternate Universe, High School AU, Grocery Store AU, Valentine's Day, First Kiss Summary: Everything was fine, and then Castiel walked into his life and now somehow Dean's life ended up kinda like a Taylor Swift song.

amāre et amārī | @thursdays-fallen-angel Rating: Mature Word Count: 15919 Main Tags and Warnings: Cupid!Cas, Baker!Dean Summary: One moment, Castiel is flying. The sky is lit only by the soft light of the crescent moon and the distant stars. Beneath him, the earth is mostly dark. The town, whichever one it may be, is sleeping—not that he pays it much mind. He has a job to complete, and a timeline to do it in. Destinies must be set in motion. And then his peace is shattered. Something dense hits him from above, striking right between his wings. It jolts him, snapping him out of the idle thoughts he tends to settle into while on duty. Thankfully, he only loses a few feet of altitude before he recovers. He twists in the air, trying to catch a glimpse of his assailant, but all he sees is a flash of white feathers before he’s hit again, this time by an arrow skewering through one of his wings. Now, there’s no recovering. One moment, Castiel is flying. The next, he’s falling.

Hocus Pocus | @thursdays-fallen-angel Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 4622 Main Tags and Warnings: Witch!Cas, Hunter!Dean Summary: Halloween season is always a hassle. It has its charms, of course, and no one can deny that it’s great for Hocus Pocus’ sales, but that doesn’t mean that Castiel has to like it overall. Not everything is about his shop. And currently, he very much does not like it. The fact that his ex then decides to show up unannounced is the icing on top of an already rough day.

McMansion Hell | @mittensmorgul Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 20877 Main Tags and Warnings: Christmas Fluff, Case Fic, SPN Holiday Mixtape 2018, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Crack Treated Seriously Summary: It's a few weeks before Christmas, and all seems relatively quiet in the bunker. Sam is preoccupied with kitten videos on youtube, and Dean and Cas have been tap dancing around each other with a slightly more holly-jolly theme. As Dean teaches Cas the true meaning of Christmas pie, Sam finds them a case just brimming with holiday cheer-- a ghost with his own highly individual style who doesn't deal well with critics. Let's watch as they all learn their lessons, with fondly exasperated commentary from a slightly frazzled narrator who shares your pine-scented pain.

It Fits | @friedlieb-ferdinand-runge Rating: General Word Count: 1278 Main Tags and Warnings:christmas fluff, proposal fic Summary: A proposal one shot in which Dean is hella awkward.

Castle | @friedlieb-ferdinand-runge Rating: General Word Count: 1269 Main Tags and Warnings:toddler!claire novak, toddler!jack kline, christmas fluff Summary: little Claire and Jack have some Christmas adventures and Cas and Dean are hella tired parents.

Chocolates at 9am | @envydean  Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 1201 Main Tags and Warnings: Boss!Dean, Asssistant!Cas, Valentine's Day, Office Romance, Rule Breaking, Chocolates and Roses, not so secret admirers, Fluff Summary: Dean gets in early to place a rose on his assistant's desk under the guise of a secret admirer. Except that it turns out the admiration is both not so secret and mutual.

Father's Day | @babybluecas Rating: General Word Count: 2143 Main Tags and Warnings: canon divergent, fluff, kidfic Summary: The morning of the Father's Day goes just slightly differently than Dean planned it.

I'm Dreamin' of a Grey Christmas | @almaasi Rating: General Word Count: 4744 Main Tags and Warnings: Fluff, Snowball Fight, Christmas, Team Free Will 2.0, Falling Castiel, Human Castiel, Mutual Pining, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Growing Old Together, Canon Divergent, Fix-It Coda, Alternate Season 14 Summary: Coming in from the snow, Dean notices Cas now has a streak of grey in his hair. Angels don't get older. But Cas has been getting older for years. Is this a loophole that can save him from his deal with the Empty? Or is "adorably middle-aged" just another thing to add to the seven million reasons Dean wants to kiss him?

Barbershop Duet | @almaasi Rating: Explicit Word Count: 22515 Main Tags and Warnings: Alternate Universe - Barbershop, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Fluff, Romance, Smut, Dean thinks he's straight, Dean Has a Sexuality Crisis, Bisexual Dean, Barber Castiel, Demisexual Castiel, Professionals Being Unprofessional, Friends to Lovers, Facial Shaving, Shaving Kink, Marathon Sex, Family Gatherings, Domestic Fluff, New Year, Switch Dean, Switch Castiel Summary: Whenever Dean wants to feel pampered and cared-for, he goes to Castiel's barbershop for a proper shave. Right before the shop closes on Christmas Eve, Dean shows up in dire need of Castiel's magic touch. Although Dean is totally, completely, unquestionably heterosexual – when Castiel confesses he's feeling lonely, and then tries (and fails) to hide a boner, Dean refuses to be the heartless Christmas-ruiner who'd let a friend go home unfulfilled. Except maybe Dean enjoys their intimate experiment a little more than he cares to admit...

The Emporium of Christmas Enchantments | @almaasi Rating: General Word Count: 28062 Main Tags and Warnings: Alternate Universe, Sentient Toys, Christmas, Fluff, Romance, Cute Overload, Warm and Fuzzy Feelings, Magic, Miniature Dean, Toy Soldier Dean, Mute Dean, Smart Dean, Biromantic Dean, Miniature Castiel, Cowboy Castiel, Mute Castiel, Pining, Team Free Will, Holding Hands, Emotional Dean, Deaf Character, Sign Language, First Kiss Summary: Every night when the clock strikes twelve, all the toys in the toymaker’s workshop come to life. Dean is a little wooden soldier, so easily distracted by the pretty dolls. However, in the nights leading up to Christmas, he feels drawn to a very different kind of toy: Castiel, a kindhearted cowboy displayed on the other side of the store. Dean and Castiel spend all their time together, spreading joy and festive cheer throughout their miniature community. But once the Christmas rush comes around, will fate allow them to stay together? (Perhaps... with a little sprinkling of Christmas magic, even the wishes of simple toys can come true.)

Trick Or Oh No, Please Don't Cry | @babybluecas Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 1360 Main Tags and Warnings: alternate universe, fluff, halloween, kidfic Summary: Dean expected the Halloween night, spent on giving out candy, to be rather uneventful. And it was, at least, until the tiny disaster happened.

Garbage Cookies | @sternchencas Rating: General Word Count: 2389 Main Tags and Warnings: Christmas Eve, fluff, neighbours AU Summary: Both Dean and Castiel aren't very fond of Christmas. They don't even put up Christmas lights, incuring their neighbors disapproval. But when Castiel notices Dean's sadness, he decides to bring a little light in the other man's life.

7 days of hunting | @itsmajel Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 13018 Main Tags and Warnings: No warnings, christmas, family, case fic, season 12 divergent Summary: When Mary Winchester insists on a traditional family holiday, Dean knows life is going to throw sticks and stones their way the moment a pine tree moves into the bunker. Thus, it's not a surprise when the days leading up to Christmas are indeed filled with monsters and obscurities. What Dean doesn’t expect is that, between fairies and Christmas cookie baking, long-overdue confessions and werewolves and anxious first steps, they might just manage to find their own version of Christmas.

The Perks of Being a Human | @relucant Rating: Explicit Word Count: 12451 Main Tags and Warnings: christmas AU, fluff, friends to lovers Summary: "Down here!" Dean yelled breathlessly, and Sam gripped the knife tighter; anything strong enough to get into the bunker and get Dean at a disadvantage was bound to be a nasty piece of work. But when he got to the kitchen he stopped in the doorway with a start, mouth hanging open. "Uh… Dean?" "What?" Dean snapped, trying to maneuver the massive Douglas fir through the door. "Jesus, I swear this thing didn't look so big on the lot." "You… bought a Christmas tree?"

Me Too | @relucant Rating: Explicit Word Count: 1680 Main Tags and Warnings: valentine's day, anal sex, idiots in love Summary: Cas could handle the sex. Yeah, he was next-door to a virgin, cosmically-speaking, but he'd been watching over humanity for millennia. Cultural and chronological quirks came and went, sure, but the basics were pretty consistent. And he liked to think he was a decently fast learner. The first time he fucked Dean, yeah, Dean had had to walk him through it, biting his lip and telling Cas when to add another finger, when to finally guide his cock inside. But Cas catalogued every one of Dean's reactions to every single thing he did, and adjusted his actions accordingly. Cas watched the way Dean lay breathless and sated and staring at him with soft, satisfied eyes, and Cas was pretty sure that he was a fast learner. But when it came to courtship -- and he shuddered to think what Dean would say if he used the word -- that varied as widely as every human civilization since the dawn of time, and he still floundered trying to figure out what was appropriate for the American Midwest in the twenty-first century.

[catsafarithewriter]

Desperate Measures

A/N: Do you know how sometimes you get an idea that’s so stupid you immediately have to write it? Well, I saw THIS POST, and instantly latched on to the “The Fiance You Thought Was Lost at Sea” flavour and couldn’t resist. 

Human AU.

x

The date was going badly. 

Not covertly-ask-the-bartender-for-a-taxi bad, but definitely veering into climbing-out-the-bathroom-window territory. 

At least, it would have been if the windows were large enough. 

(They weren’t.)

(She’d tried.)

Haru hummed her way through another of her date’s monologues on the virtues of the different brands of modelling paint and subtly checked her phone. Still no reply from either of her housemates in the last thirty seconds. 

She wistfully looked over the pudding menu and tried to convince herself that the triple-fudge brownie was worth dragging the date out to a second course. 

She needed chocolate. Lots of it. 

She deserved it, really, she rationalised. As a prize for her patience. 

She made a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat as her date moved on to the various selections of glue and good god was she bored of toy planes.

She ate a little faster and dismissed the brownie. She’d come back for it another day. Even free pudding wasn’t worth this. 

“...and of course, there’s CA, which will bond between most dissimilar materials, including plastic to metal, but it can discolour some plastics...”

It wasn’t that she disliked model planes. Or tanks. Or trains. Or whatever her date made. (Truth be told, she’d forgotten within the span of dinner arriving.) It was more to the fact that it had been forty minutes and he hadn’t asked her for a single detail about her life. 

She had tried. But it turned out that derailing (all puns intended, she needed something to amuse her) a topic on scale model building was harder than it sounded. 

“...so personally I prefer an epoxy resin, even if it does take longer to dry. Of course, if you’re wielding plastic to plastic, then the obvious choice would be a solvent cement...”

Dear god, kill me now, Haru thought. 

And that was when Louise burst through the pub doors with a raucous bang and cried, “HARU, I’VE RETURNED!” at the top of her lungs. 

The bar went silent. Even Haru’s date trailed off on the merits of solvent cement. And it wasn’t just because of Louise’s dramatic entrance or her outburst, although either might have been enough. 

She was soaked.

Like, dumped-in-a-river soaked. 

Her usually perfect hair was plastered along the sides of her face, her clothes bedraggled, and what looked like a crab hung off her ear like a huge and ugly earring. 

“Haru?” Haru’s date asked. “Do you know that woman?”

“Uh,” Haru said. 

Louise cleared the pub in three easy steps - mostly because people swiftly got out of her way - and drew Haru into a bone-breaking hug. From this proximity, Haru could smell saltwater.

“Louise,” she wheezed. “What are you doing?”

“Saving you from your god-awful date,” Louise whispered, and released her. “Haru!” she boomed. “I know you’re in shock, but it’s me! I have returned! Your fiancée, lost at sea, but finally I have come back to you!”

Louise paused. 

It took Haru a moment longer to register that this was her cue. Luckily, everyone else seemed so perplexed by the turn of events that they didn’t notice her hesitation. She threw her arms around Louise and buried her head into her housemate’s shoulders to hide the hysterical laughter. 

“Louise!” she cried back, and she hoped people mistook her shaking voice for heartfelt emotion and not the physical restraint of hiccuping giggles. “It is you! I almost didn’t recognise you after all this time! How did you...? How did you survive the shipwreck?”

“Ah.” Louise leant back and Haru could see her mental gears frantically whirring. “It is a tale of drama and suspense and daring-do of epic proportions. It will live on in history as a tale through the ages. In song! In verse! Maybe in a little Broadway show.” She paused and reconsidered the rapt audience she had. “It is a story for another day!”

Haru’s date got uneasily to his feet, paler than Haru remembered him. “Uh, hi, should I be leaving or...?”

“Haru!” Louise bellowed. She was going to have no voice tomorrow at this rate. “Who is this man you’re with?”

“This is...” Good god, she’d forgotten his name. 

“Going,” he supplied. “Haru, it was... this was an experience, but I’m going to go now. It looks like you have a lot of catching up to do.” He paused. “I’ll pay on the way out.”

Haru was beginning to feel somewhat bad about her date, however boring he had been, but then Louise swept her off her feet in an overly dramatic lift and spun her through the air and Haru was too busy trying not to yelp/laugh to worry. 

As her feet touched back down, there was a shocked kind of applause from the onlookers. Again, Haru wasn’t given any time to process this before Louise grabbed her arm and hauled her out of the bar. She passed at least two bar patrons who were filming the whole incident. 

“Fiancée?” Haru managed to ask as they slipped back outside, as if that was the only question she had in her mind. 

“It sounded better than girlfriend. More dramatic.”

“You have a girlfriend,” Haru reminded her. 

“Yes, and she’s waiting for us in the car. There she is.” Louise gave a cheerful little wave at her mini, which currently contained her brother and her aforementioned girlfriend. 

Persephone was settled comfortably in the driver’s seat, while Louise’s brother and fellow housemate, Baron, was squashed into the back with his knees about his ears. 

Haru opened the passenger door and stared bemusedly at the occupants. “So what’s all this then?”

“What does it look like?” Persephone asked. “It’s a rescue mission. Now get inside before we attract any more attention. Louise, towel.”

Haru slid into the seat beside Baron while Louise ruefully dried herself off. “And who decided that posing as a fiancée lost at sea was the best way to get me out of a boring date?”

Persephone and Baron both pointed to Louise.

“Oh, come on. You can’t say that wasn’t fun,” Louise protested. 

“We did suggest alternatives,” Baron said. 

“Yes, but they were boring and no fun.” Louise twisted in her seat to look back at Haru. “We drew straws to see whose idea we’d go with.”

“And what were the other options?”

“Fire alarm,” Baron said.

“Isn’t that, like, illegal?”

“Only a little bit.”

“And only if you get caught,” Louise added. 

“Sephie?”

“Awkward third wheel,” Persephone said. 

“I’m not gonna lie, that’s kinda anticlimactic after the other two.”

“Never underestimate the power of an awkward third wheel. Cringey date stories, constant photos of my ninety cats, random facts on the mating rituals of bats, you name it. And even if it doesn’t end the date in thirty seconds, at least you’ll have an interesting conversation.”

“Your imagination never ceases to amaze me,” Louise said. 

“Oh, I do actually know about bat mating rituals. Blame late night nature documentaries.”

“I was referring to the cringey date stories.”

“Honey, I love you, but you once punched a guy on our anniversary.”

“He deserved it.”

“We nearly got arrested.”

“But we didn’t.”

“No. But we did get permanently banned from that bar.”

“The food wasn’t even that good there anyway.”

Haru leant over to Baron, although that didn’t take much in the confines of the mini. “Did you really suggest setting off the fire alarm to end my awkward date?”

“Toto proposed one of us pose as your child from the future and mutter about how you were late to meet your future spouse, if that puts my suggestion in a better light at all.”

“Toto was in on this too?”

“And Muta. He suggested posing as an FBI agent on the next table over.”

“Why?”

“I think his train of logic was that it would eventually freak your date out into leaving early--” 

“No, I mean why do either of them even know about this?”

“Ah. Yes, well we had to stop by their place to grab the final costume pieces. Toto still had a fake crab from the Little Mermaid school play he helped with.”

“Oh god. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about my terrible date?”

“I believe Hiromi is still ignorant to this.”

“Nope,” Louise said cheerfully. “I texted her for ideas and she’s the one who suggested the bucket of saltwater to add that extra briny effect.”

Haru cradled her head in her hands. “You’re all mad.”

“Hey,” Louise protested. “It got you out of the date, didn’t it?”

[blue-mint-winter]

BSG 4x19 Daybreak rewatch

I cried. This is the end of this epic journey, this is a goodbye to those amazing characters.

It’s really hard to talk about it in a calm and analyzing fashion, but I believe that the resolutions we got were fitting and satisfying.

What really struck me is that in the finale finally we reach a real unity between Cylons and humans. They now fight side by side as comrades and it’s not just the skinjobs, but Centurions too. Even Adama crosses the line he thought he’d never cross - he allows for Sam to be hooked up to systems in CIC, becoming a Hybrid for Galactica.

This episode does this really neat trick of showing us the life of certain characters before the fall. We see how certain events and decisions they made, seemingly random and insignificant, led their fate to Galactica and now.

The whole mission to save Hera - I like how it’s shown as this crazy, for volunteers only, last stand of Galactica, the last battle. But this irrational mission is the key, the visions and prophecies came to fruition there and Kara finally fulfilled her purpose and found the way to Earth.

I love the moment in which Kara puts in the coordinates she got from her father’s song and they jump. Incredible scene.

Hoshi becomes Admiral of the remaining Fleet. So he followed in his boyfriend’s footsteps in a way.

Hera is rescued thanks to Boomer. Boomer’s fate is just really bittersweet. We get a flashback of her when Adama gave her the second chance instead of throwing her out for doing a bad job as a pilot and how she said she owed him one. Returning Hera is Boomer paying that debt. She can become that person she once was, before all the betrayals - one of Adama’s kids. Boomer’s final choice is to side with humanity, with Galactica. But she still pays for all her sins with death by Athena’s hand.

I don’t really know how to feel about Athena killing Boomer. On one hand who else would be more suitable to do it, on the other hand maybe suicide would have been a better option? As a callback to S1 when Boomer was unable to kill herself because of her programming, if she overcame that now... However, Athena killing Boomer is the closest it can get to a suicide. They share those memories from before the attack on the Colonies. Athena is who Boomer could have been.

Gaius deciding to stay on Galactica in the last minute makes sense. I wonder why Head Six told him to go, to use his new political power and influence thanks to his followers in the Fleet. Maybe reverse psychology? Maybe she was testing him. Because he had to stay for everything to unfold in the right way.

I love Gaius and Caprica reconciling. It’s not hard to see that he chose to stay because she was staying. And for once Gaius didn’t listen to his self-preservation instincts, because something was much stronger - his love for Caprica Six.

Gaius’ flashbacks to how he met Caprica Six were wonderful. She became a witness to an argument between Gaius and his father who stabbed a nurse and I love just how it must have affected her. She thinks of Cylons as humanity’s children and then she saw this example of a father and son being so completely at odds, unable to understand each other, fighting.

Caprica Six finding a nice retirement house for Gaius’ father where he could be happy may have been part of her scheme to get access to defense mainframe, but I believe it was more than that. I think she would’ve been able to seduce it out of Gaius without that. Caprica through this good deed won Gaius’ heart, she saw and reached the man under the arrogant scientist. And how funny it was him who first used the “L” word. Gaius Baltar talking about love, than quickly backpedaling to cover up that he was actually open about his feelings for once.

Gaius’ role in the finale is what he does best - talking. This time his words reach CAVIL, so that he gives them Hera.

Turns out that Roslin’s opera house vision had one purpose only - so she’d hide Hera from Centurions in that one critical moment on Galactica. If she never had that vision, she’d never go out of sickbay to look for Hera and the child would’ve never gotten to Gaius and Six and CIC and there would be no ceasefire between Cavil faction and human-Cylon alliance.

Final Five scene. Oh wow. So Tigh offers Cavil resurrection tech for Hera and all Five have to combine their knowledge, but it also lets them know everything else about each other. And that’s when the hour of reckoning comes to Tory.

I have to say that on one hand I love that Tyrol had that Cally flashback, how she was on his side from the start. He loved her, maybe not like Boomer, but they built a life together, a marriage, she stayed by his side through some very tough times. Their relationship meant a lot to him, otherwise he’d never have grieved like he did. And Tyrol attacking Tory when he saw her memories of Cally’s murder is significant of that. All in all, after this season did Cally so dirty, I like that the last thing we see of her is a positive memory Tyrol had of her. And her death is avenged.

Ironic that Tory’s downfall was exactly as foreshadowed. She kept this big terrible secret and when it came out, it destroyed her. Gaius did warn her about it once. The secret of her affair with him destroyed Tory’s friendship with Roslin and her last real tie to humanity. But she didn’t learn anything from it, she never came clean about murdering Cally and so she paid the price.

This situation is also interesting when we look at Tyrol’s perspective. After Boomer’s last betrayal he lost all trust in Eights. “They’re just machines,” he says to Helo. Tyrol was once able to forgive Cally for shooting Boomer, he even married her, the killer of his first love. But what Cally did was out of love for him. She was fiercely devoted to him. Tyrol couldn’t forgive Tory for killing Cally, but what Tory did was pure calculated murder. She did it for her own selfish reasons. And even with Cally out of the way, Tyrol was not interested in a relationship with Tory which is something she must have hoped for. In the end he kills Tory in rage and then he swears off all women and lives alone in highlands on some northern island, away from people.

What all of this says about Tyrol is that in my theory he never had a real, deep love with Tory and he compensated by creating Number Eight. Boomer was his perfect woman. Pygmalion and Galatea, anyone?

I can’t help but feel that Tory was so alone. As a human all she had was her job and Roslin. She and Gaius just used each other, it wasn’t meaningful. She easily let him go. It seems in the end she fled from her humanity into giving her all to be a Cylon, but even then she continued being alone. She didn’t really become close with her fellow Final Five and she had no other friends, human or Cylon. I liked that in finale Ellen had a few moments with Tory, giving her some friendship, but it was too little, too late. Tory lived and died alone.

Because of Tory’s death the secret of resurrection is lost. Chaos erupts on the bridge but Cavil’s side is going to lose, so he kills himself.

We finally learn what happened to the mutineers like Racetrack and Skulls - they were imprisoned, but now they got drafted for this suicide mission to attack the Colony and rescue Hera. These two get shot down early in the mission, but when they drift dead in space, in just the right moment Racetrack’s hand falls down and hits the missile button and the Colony is blown up. This is the true end to Cavil’s faction.

I love how the show isn’t afraid of showing this higher power influencing people and events according to its plan. The moment when Caprica Six and Gaius see Head Six and Head Gaius is still one of my favourites. The whole vision coming true and Kara putting in the coordinates she took from the song and Racetrack’s missiles shooting at just the right time all aren’t an accident.

So they found Earth, our Earth, and they decide to settle all over the planet and start over with a clean slate.

Kara’s goodbye with Sam was just so touching. The dogtags, I love you, “See you on the other side.” Sam took the Fleet into the sun. And when Kara disappeared we know she joined him.

I love how Sam’s flashback about his search for perfection ties with his ending. By becoming a Hybrid he gained access to that higher plane of mathematics and launching the Fleet into the sun was him achieving that “perfect throw” he was looking for. Through the flashback we saw the deeper side of Sam than the jock. It makes so much sense why he’s one of the Final Five.

Everyone’s settling on Earth, Agathons are back to being a happy family. Ellen finally gets to be with Tigh full-time. Adama and Roslin go off to find a place for their cabin by the lake.

I got so emotional when Gaius said “You know, I know about farming.” This is a beautiful ending to his arc. Not only the skeptic became a true believer, also the man who once despised his upbringing, who wanted to be something more and better than a farmer, now goes back to his roots and it’s important and useful skill to have. He’s no longer ashamed of coming from Aerilon.

Adama and Roslin slayed me. I cried when she died and he put the wedding ring on her finger like in her visions from The Hub. I cried again when he sat by her grave and said that the sunrise reminds him of her. Wow. That love.

Roslin’s flashbacks give us one important insight into her - she literally had no life before Galactica. She lost all her family and her life became empty. She tried to fill it - a date with Sean didn’t work, so she threw herself into politics and Adar’s campaign. Galactica and Adama became her real home. As bittersweet is that they couldn’t have a fairytale perfect ending, I appreciate that Roslin died loving him and being loved in return. She brought them all to Earth as the Dying Leader. It was her time to rest.

Speaking of Earth, it looks like D’Anna really stayed on the nuked old Earth because she never showed up after that episode :(((

Lee and Kara. Their love is really tragic because they could never really be together. The flashback of their first meeting when she was Zak’s girlfriend and they almost cheated puts into focus that they were doomed from the start. All they had were those stolen moments, but something always got in the way, sometimes because of their own doing. In my eyes, Lee and Kara had a complicated love, because they were so many different things to each other all at once. I guess in a way Zak’s ghost always stood between them.

So in the end Kara’s like that pigeon, she annoyed Lee to no end so he smashed a few things chasing her and then she flew away when she wanted to and left him alone.

Okay, so maybe to some people tying up BSG to current times, Hera as the mitochondrial Eve, is controversial, but I think it’s pretty brilliant. Showing how people make robots again in real life now is not really as much about robots as about every other issue BSG told us about. Because we have it all here, right now, happening - torture, terrorism, war, slave labour, corruption, everything. By tying the story to our reality the viewers can’t just close it like a book, “it’s just a scifi, it’s fictional, none of it is real, let’s forget every lesson this show imparted because it has nothing to do with reality.” Wrong! Yes, it’s not real, but it talks about things that happen in real life. It shows us that when we only see the same-faced enemy, we forget that they are only human just like us. To avoid the mutual annihilation, we should strive to better understand each other, to find common ground.

So that’s it. This is the end of line. Farewell, BSG, one of the best frakking shows ever made.

[eggoreviews]

My Top 25 Games Advent Day 6 - Saints Row IV (#20)

“I was 12 hours into Dead Island when the Zin attacked. Now I’ll never finish.”

When I first turned this game on at like age 13, I had no idea what I was in for with this title. Saints Row IV is a wacky, self-aware and brilliantly crafted open world adventure that somehow seamlessly blends themes of 1950s American values, alien invasions and a Matrixesque simulation plot with enough wild characters, vehicles and setpieces to keep everything feeling fresh. Welcome, one and all, to the game series where you can wield a dildo bat.

Just in case you hadn’t figured it out from that intro, this game is ridiculous and it just knows it. In the first 20 minutes of the game, as your own personal designed President of America, you wander through the white house as the whole world is attacked by aliens. Then, with no real further warning, you’re thrust into Steelport, the aliens’ very own simulation for you to play prisoner, whilst also giving you the excuse to wreck as much shit as possible. Here’s where the fun starts.

Pretty much as soon as the odd tutorial is over with, the world is absolutely your sandbox. Being hyper-aware that the game world you inhabit is a simulation just makes you want to go wild on the death and destruction even more, which is made even more satisfying by the myriad of insane weapons, which include but aren’t limited to a gun that makes people’s heads enlarge and explode and a floppy bat resembling a hentai tentacle. Along with a vast array of odd superpowers that enhance both combat and movement, this game becomes a blast to play from start to finish. At the centre of all this, your player character, an overly macho, cheesy American, works to rescue and recruit an equally eclectic band of characters, who all add to the pitch perfect satirical hilarity this game maintains from mission to mission. Matt Miller, the edgy furry eboy, Kinzie, the possibly clinically insane techie and Keith David (voiced by Keith David), among others, remind you constantly how wildly unique and just plain crazy this whole thing is.

Everything about this game just goes hard. The city of Steelport is bustling, massive, alive; a world simultaneously populated by towering skyscrapers to run and jump over, alien propaganda and scathing commentary on late stage capitalism through Steelport’s many adverts scattered around the city. The world is pretty much bursting with side missions, collectibles, alien outposts to butcher, challenges and extra subplot threads relating to each and every other important character, so there’s enough content here to keep you fucking around in Steelport well before you progress the main story. But even when you aren’t tackling any of this, just sprinting through the city, up skyscrapers and flying back down, with the backing of the awesome, hand-picked soundtrack is an experience I rarely got tired of. In particular, almost every song in the rock radio remains in my playlist today and it helped me discover two of my current favourite bands, so of course this game has its place here.

Oh, and just to push the elephant out of the room, yes I have played Grand Theft Auto V and I can fully understand why so many people idolise this game and tend to leave Saints Row out to dry a bit. It’s expansive, fun and has a baffling amount of content, while also being grounded in reality in some sense. The characters in GTA are engaging and funny, but I guess it’s Saints Row IV’s totally ridiculous characters, world and narrative that drew me in and encouraged me to finish and, to be honest, left more of a mark on me than GTA did. Saints Row nailed its gameplay and its sense of humour for the whole thing, and then they completely ruined everything in Agents of Mayhem. But that’s for another post.

Standout Moment Award: Flying a massive jet plane into an alien mothership with the backing of ‘What is Love?’. That’s kind of all I need to say about that.

Standout Character Award: Matt Miller. Something about this strange, edgy man just made me love him all the more, especially since Kinzie hilariously hates him so much. 

Tomorrow: No. 19; Edgy teen gains inexplicable abilities. Local weather furious.

[oldnatgwenaccount]

See You Again

Bucky Barnes | Song Imagine

Masterlist

Description: You were Bucky’s best girl back in the 40s before you both were shipped off to war. You were Sargent Major Y/n Rogers of the 107th with Bucky as a Sagent under you. Once Steve met up with you and Bucky on the battlfield you all go on a mission and you lose both of them, and yourself not long after.

Requested: No

Note: Inspired by every Marvel crack that made me hate everything. Also you are a speedster because of experiments done by HYDRA.

It's been a long day without you, my friend And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again We've come a long way from where we began Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again

You lost Steve and Bucky in the early 40′s. You lost yourself later that year. SHIELD rescued you from a HYDRA base in 2008.  When your twin brother Steve was found, you were estatic but your heart still mourned the loss of your boyfriend, your Bucky. Steve wasnt just the closest thing you had to him but also your daily reminder. A reminder that he was gone and never coming back.

Damn, who knew all the planes we flew Good things we've been through That I'll be standing right here Talking to you about another path I Know we loved to hit the road and laugh But something told me that it wouldn't last Had to switch up look at things different see the bigger picture

The day you watched Bucky die was the hardest day of your life. You watched as your plans and dreams were crushed. The wedding you had been planning would never happen, the child you had yet to tell Bucky was on the way would never know their father, and the happily ever after you craved was gone. A few months after Bucky’s death and Steve’s disappearance, HYDRA captured you and because of the experiments held on you, you lost the baby. You barely remember your time at HYDRA, having your mind wiped so many times and being in cryo freeze so often. Once SHIELD got you out and you were reunited with Peggy, things looked up. And then Steve was back and you saw hope.

Those were the days hard work forever pays now I see you in a better place How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got? Everything I went through you were standing there by my side And now you gonna be with me for the last ride

You stand at the entrance of the Smithsonian Museum. You stare at the sign advertising the Captain America portion of the World War II exhibit. Fury called you the night before saying you’d start a tour guide job at the Smithsonian. He seemed to have left out the part about the World War II exhibit would be your sector but you guessed that's what made you ‘perfect for the job’ as Fury told you. You walk straight in and put your things away in your locker.

“Hey y/n, your first group is here, Its a groups of local elementary kids who are studying World War II so they’re all yours.” Matt says, poking his head into the break room.

“Okay.” You follow Matt out and see a group of 10-year-olds, and about 3 adults. “Hello everyone! Welcome to the Smithsonian Museum!”

“Hi!” all the kids say.

“My name is y/n and I’ll be your guide today. So lets make out way to the exhibit and then we’ll begin.” The kids follow you to the entrance of the exhibit and you stop turning to look at them. “So does anyone know anything about World War II before we begin?” Multiple kids raise their hands. “How about the young man in the blue?”

“I know Captain America was the greatest soldier before he disappeared.” 

“You know, Captain America wasn’t the only person who was known as the greatest,” You tell the kid. 

“Who else?” Another asks.

“Well for starters, his twin sister Sargent Major Y/n Rogers and Agent Peggy Carter, and...” You pause a little trying to calm yourself before cry at his name. “And Sargent James Barnes.”

“The kids actually read about Miss Rogers and Sargent Barnes yesterday.” One of the adults, who you assumed was a teacher, tells you.

“Oh really, you know, I was really close with Sargent Barnes.” You tell the kids.

“No you weren’t. You’re too young.”

You laugh at the kids reaction. “Well thank you for that compliment but I can tell you all don’t recognise me at all.” All of the kids give you a weird look and you laugh before turning around and walking to a specific exhibit. Once you reach the exhibit, you turn around as the kids gather around. “Sargent Major Y/n Rogers, at your service.” The kids look between the photo of you on the exhibit to you and back a few time before they get excited. You and the adults laugh.

“Sargent Major Y/n Rogers, born in Brooklyn, New York, July 4, 1918. Steve and I were the only children born to our parents, Sarah and Joseph Rogers. Joseph, our father, was apart of the 107th and died during the First World War. Our mother was a nurse and died of tuberculosis a few years before the Second World War. Steve and I spent most of our childhood on the streets of Brooklyn with James Barnes. Except for the times Steve got beat up too badly or was really sick. Then we stayed in and just gave each other company.” You say before moving over slightly.

It's been a long day without you, my friend And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again We've come a long way from where we began Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again

“Sargent James Buchanan Barnes.” You freeze and stare at his exhibit. “He was uhm.... he was a great friend to Steve and I. The best if that. Bucky was always the one to save Steve from fights and just an overall caring guy. He was the first to register for the war. I followed suit and the Steve.” You suddenly see a screen change and see a video of you and Bucky sitting together, laughing and his arm around your shoulders,a couple soldiers standing round you two. Then it changes to you and Bucky dying of laughter seeing Steve in his captain America suit. Steve laughing at you childish ways. “Alright guys, lets move on.”

First you both go out your way And the vibe is feeling strong and what's Small turn to a friendship, a friendship Turn into a bond and that bond will never Be broken and the love will never get lost

You wave to the kids as they walk towards the exit. You smile as each one converses about their favorite part and how cool it was to meet you. You turn around and walk back into the exhibit. You glance around at some of the photos and videos before you spot a familiar super soldier standing in front of the Memorial stand for Bucky.

“Never expected you to know about this place.” You say standing beside him.

“I never expected you to be able to talk so much about him and not cry.” Steve tells you. “You were great with the kids.”

“Well before I was in the Army I did want to be a teacher. I guess this as close as I’ll get since my credentials are a little out of date.” You laugh. 

“You two were so happy together.” Steve smiles slightly at the video of You and Bucky.

“We were all happy. Guess that kind of crashed when Buck died and we both disappeared.” 

“Yea. I guess it did.”

And when brotherhood come first then the line Will never be crossed established it on our own When that line had to be drawn and that line is what We reach so remember me when I'm gone

“Steve, you really need a girlfriend.” You laugh as you and Steve climb the stairs to yours and his shared apartment.

“You’re as bad as Natasha.”

“Great minds think alike.”

“Alright well I have to go.” Your neighbor, Kate, says. “My aunt, she’s kind of an insomniac.” Everyone goes silent and awkwardly stands around. You clear your throat and elbow your brother, addressing your neighbor.

“If you want, your welcome to use our machine. Might be cheaper than the one in the basement.” You facepalm and Steve just send you a glare.

“Oh yea? What’s it cost?”

“A cup of coffee?” Steve smiles, elbowing you in return for moments ago.

“Thank you, but I already have a load downstairs and you really don’t want my scrubs in your machine. I just finished a rotation in the infectious disease ward so.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate.” You mutter.

“I’ll be sure to keep my distance.” Steve says.

“Well I hope not too far.” She starts to walk away and Steve tosses you the keys. “Oh and I think you left your stereo on.”

“Oh, yea, thank you.” Steve says, smiling and Kate finally leaves. Steve glances at you and you shake your head. Steve leads you out the window by your door and over the the window leading to the hallway of your apartment.

You and Steve slowly make your way in. You grab your gun from the closet and Steve grabs his shield. You both slowly make your way towards the stereo. As Steve rounds the corner, he notices Fury sitting in the arm chair.

“I don’t remember giving you a key.” Steve sighs, leaning on the wall. You move around him, gun at the ready until you see Fury and drop it slightly.

“You really think I’d need one?” Fury asks as he groans, struggling to sit up. “My wife kicked me out.” Steve and you give a puzzled look.

“We didn’t know you were married.” Steve says.

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me.” Fury responds.

“We know Nick, that’s the problem.” Steve turns the light on and Fury stops him, turning the light back off before typing on his phone. Ears everywhere, you and Steve read, sighing.

“I’m sorry to have to do this, but I had no place else to crash.” Fury turns his phone again and you read, Shield compromised.

“Who else knows about your wife?” You ask.

“Just my friends.” You two and me, Fury writes on his phone, showing you and Steve. Fury slowly moves towards you and your brother.

“Is that what we are?” Steve’s asks.

“That’s up to you.” Suddenly four gunshots sound and three bullets go through Fury’s back, the forth into your abdomen. You shake it off and quickly help Steve pull Fury away from the outer wall. You and Steve go to see who fired and Fury pulls you back, opening his hand to reveal a flash drive. You nod and take it, placing it in your pocket. “Don’t trust anyone.”

Suddenly there’s banging on the front door and it busts open. “Captain Rogers? Major Rogers?”

“Captain, Major, I’m agent 13 of SHIELD special services.”

“Kate?” Steve questions.

“I’m assigned to protect you,” “Kate” says as she rounds the corner.

“On who’s order?” You question.

“His.” She says, moving to check on Fury.

“Foxtrot is down, he’s unresponsive. I need EMTs.” “Kate” says into a Walkie-Talkie.

“Do we have a 20 on the shooter?”

“Tell them we’re in pursuit,” Steve says as he takes off running towards the window where you both see the shooter.

“Steve!” You shout running after him. You phase through the wall next to where he crashes through and run up the wall to the roof. You look around and see a man running away. You quickly follow him, refraining from using your speed so that way you have Steve as back up once he reaches the top. You and the shooter both jump down to another roof we’re Steve lands, busting through a window. Steve throws his shield and the shooter freezes and catches the shield with one hand. You get a good look at the shooter and notice his strickingly blue eyes. Something that you would have ignored had they not been extremely familiar. You soon shake off the feeling as the shield comes flying towards Steve. You rush towards your brother’s side. When you both look up, the shooter was gone.

You instantly start coughing and see blood come out on your hand. “Steve?” Your brother turns around to see your shirt soaked in blood and your face pale.

“Y/n!” Steve runs over and carries you to help.

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got? Everything I went through you were standing there by my side And now you gonna be with me for the last ride

“Yes sir.”

“Agent Sitwell, my dear friend, how was lunch?” You say into the phone. “I heard the crab cakes are delicious here.”

“Who is this?”

“The h/c girl in the sunglasses at you 10 o’clock.” You glance at Sitwell. “Your other 10.” Sitwell looks to you. Sam raises his ice tea, addressing Sitwell.

“What do you want, Miss Rogers?”

“Your gonna go around the corner to your right. There’s a grey car two spaces down. We’re gonna take a little ride.”

“Why would I do that?” Surely asks and you laugh lightly, responding. “Because that tie looks really expensive and I’d hate to mess it up.” You watch Sitwell look down and see a red dot on the middle of his chest.

So let the light guide your way hold every memory

As you go and every road you take will always lead you home

After Steve nearly killed Sitwell, you, Steve, Nat, and Sam make your way to the triskelion to stop the helicarriers take off, Sitwell blabbing the whole way. But before he can share too much he is ripped from the car and tossed across the freeway. Natasha climbs into the front seat as you quickly dodge the bullets coming through the roof of the car.

Sam quickly brakes and a man flies off the roof. As he looks up you instantly recognise him but before you can say anything a black jeep rams into the back of the car. Just as the car starts to flip, the shooter on the black jeep and the steering wheel of your car now gone. Steve gabs his shield and busts out his door, dragging Sam and Nat out with him. You phase through the car, landing onto the freeway. The shooter fires a rocket and it led straight to Steve’s shield, sending him flying over the freeway barrier. “Steve!” You shout, speeding down to the street below, moving civilians out of the way. You run up to Nat and you both start running away from the men, searching for Steve and Sam.

“Get the civilians to safety, I’ll handle the ghost.” Once everyone is safe you watch Natasha drop from a gunshot and umrun to her aid. “Wheres the ghost?” You look up and see him about to shoot you when Steve runs up and knocks him away. You slow the bleeding of Natasha’s wound before running to help Steve. Once your beside your brother you both punch the ghost and he stumbles back. Steve continues to fight him and you grab his shield. “Steve!” You shout as you throw the vibranium shield to your brother. Steve continues to battle the ghost before he throws him and the ghosts mask falls off. You both stare at him until he turns around and your previous suspicions comeback, only confirmed this time.

“Bucky?” You and Steve day simultaneously.

“Who the hell is Bucky?”

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

Your heart shattered in two the day you found him. The man you loved, that you were meant to marry, was alive. The only problem... he didn’t even know who you were, let alone the fact of who he was.

When I see you again

-^-^-^-^-^-

This absolutely sucked but I was bored so enjoy my shitty writing with an absolutely shitty idea I thought of at 1 in the morning.