#peters map search

[fatehbaz]

hi! i hope this is alright to ask but i was wondering if you had any reading recommendations about invasive species and their management/control/rhetoric. there just seems to be a lot to it. thank you!

Woah. Look at this post I was drafting literally two hours before you sent this, about the nationalist appropriation of rhetoric of "native vs. invasive" species in Hungarian land management:

Appropriate case study: (1) The tree was non-native and its introduction was facilitated by Austro-Hungarian imperial aristocracy and military, especially as fortification during wars in the eighteenth century. (2) It out-competed native trees and the government encouraged plantations of the species. (3) Because of its economic and political importance, the reactionary Hungarian parliament in 2014 officially named the tree "Hungaricum" (native/national heritage).

Yes, there is a lot. This is practically a whole discipline.

If you're looking for a collection, anthology, or singular book with multiple tangents, angles, or perspectives (rather than having to search through individual articles or journals), there are three collections I'm recommending below, but this also might be helpful:

Feral Atlas: The More-Than-Human Anthropocene, co-edited by Anna Tsing (she's probably the most high-profile scholar of this subject). Aside from containing a bunch of freely-available essays from about 100 authors on altered ecologies and rhetoric/imaginaries of environments in the Anthropocene, their big online portal just published the entire syllabus with a bunch of maps and graphics and free articles, in formats for non-academic reading groups, undergrad classes, and graduate seminars. If you go to Feral Atlas's homepage, you'll see a straightforward list of all of those authors.

---

The Ethics and Rhetoric of Invasion Ecology (Edited by Jame Stanescu and Kevin Cummings, 2016). Including chapters:

"Alien Ecology, Or, How to Make Ontological Pluralism" (James K. Stanescu)

"Guests, Pests, or Terr0rists? Speciesed Ethics and the Colonial Intelligibility of "Invasive" Others" (Rebekah Sinclair and Anna Pringle)

"Spectacles of Belonging: (Un)documenting Citizenship in a Multispecies World" (Banu Subramaniam)

---

Rethinking Invasion Ecologies from the Environmental Humanities (Edited by Jodi Frawley and Iain McCalman, 2014). Including chapters:

"Fragments for a Postcolonial Critique of the Anthropocene: Invasion Biology and Environmental Security" (Gilbert Caluya)

"Experiments in the Rangelands: white bodies and native invaders" (Cameron Muir)

"Prickly Pears and Martian Weeds: Ecological Invasion Narratives in the History and Fiction" (Christina Alt)

"Invasion ontologies: venom, visibility and the imagined histories of arthropods" (Peter Hobbins)

---

The Invasive Other special issue of Social Research, Vol. 84, No. 1, Spring 2017. Including articles:

"Introduction [to Social element]: The Dark Logic of Invasive Others" (Ann Laura Stoler)

"The Politics of Pests: Immigration and the Invasive Others" (Bridget Anderson)

"Invasive Others: Toward a Contaminated World" (Miriam Ticktin)

"Invasive Aliens: The Late-Modern Politics of Species Being" (Jean Comaroff)

"Introduction [to Ecologies element]: Invasive Ecologies" (Rafi Youatt)

"Invasive Others and Significant Others: Strange Kinship and Interspecies Ethics near the Korean Demilitarized Zone" (Eleana Kim)

---

For individual sources:

"The Aliens Have Landed! Reflections on the Rhetoric of Biological Invasion" (Banu Subramaniam, Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism 2:1, 2011)

"Loving the Native: Invasive Species and the Cultural Politics of Flourishing" (JR Cattelino, in The Routledge Companion to the Environmental Humanities, pp. 145-153, 2017).

"The Rhetoric of Invasive Species: Managing Belonging on a Novel Planet" (Alison Vogelaar, Revue francaise des sciences de l'information et de la communication 21, 2021).

"Invasion Blowback and Other Tales of the Anthropocene: An Afterword." (Anna Tsing. Anthropocenes - Human, Inhuman, Posthuman 4:1, 2023).

Troubling Species: Care and Belonging in a Relational World, a special issue of Transformations in Environment and Societycurated by the Multispecies Editing Collective, 2017.

"Uncharismatic Invasives" (JL Clark, Environmental Humanities 6:1, 2015).

"Involuntary Momentum: Affective Ecologies and the Sciences of Plant/Insect Encounters" (Hustak and Myers, Differences: A Journal of Feminist Cultural Studies 23:3, 2012).

"Patchy Anthropocene: Landscape Structure, Multispecies History, and the Retooling of Anthropology: An Introduction to Supplement 20" (Tsing, Mathews, and Burbandt, Current Anthropology, 2019).

Trespassing Natures: Species Migration and the Right to Space (Donnie Johnson Sackey, 2024)

Matters of Care: Speculative Ethics in More than Human Worlds (Puig de la Bellacasa, 2016)

Nestwork: New Material Rhetorics for Precarious Species (Jennifer Clary-Lemon)

"Requiem for a junk-bird: Violence, purity and the wild." (Hugo Reinert, Cultural Studies Review 25:1, 2019).

"Comparing Invasive Networks: Cultural and Political Biographies of Invasive Species" (Robbins, Geographical Review 94:2, 2004).

In the Shadow of the Palms: More-than-Human Becomings in West Papua (Sophie Chao, 2022)

"Timing Rice: An Inquiry into More-Than-Human Temporalities of the Anthropocene" (Elaine Gan, New Formations, 2018).

Interspecies Politics: Nature, Borders, States (Rafi Youatt, 2020)

"Interspecies Politics and the Global Rat: Ecology, Extermination, Experiment" (Rafi Youatt, Review of International Studies, 2020)

Critical Animal Geographies: Politics, intersections and hierarchies in a multispecies world (Edited by Kathryn Gillespie and Rosemary-Claire Collard, Routledge, 2015)

"Invasive Narratives and the Inverse of Slow Violence: Alien Species in Science and Society" (Lindstrom, West, Katzschner, Perez-Ramos, and Twidle. Environmental Humanities 7:1, 2016)

"Life Out Of Place: Revisiting Species Invasions. Introduction to the Special Issue" (Hanne Cottyn. Anthropocenes - Human, Inhuman, Posthuman 4:1, 2023).

---

It's been a "transdisciplinary" topic (especially in the past 15-ish years) in environmental humanities, ecocriticism, environmental studies, "science communication," anthropology, etc. (I think the humanities or interdisciplinary scholars handle the subject with more grace than ecology-as-a-field proper.) It shows up a lot in discussion of "the postcolonial," "ecopoetics," "Anthropocene," "multispecies ethnography," and "the posthuman"; Haraway was explicitly writing about rhetoric of invasive species in the 1990s.

A significant amount of posts on my blog from 2018-2022 are about invasive/alien/native labels. I summarized some of the discourses in my post about Colombian hippos. I especially talked a lot about the writing of Banu Subramaniam (rhetoric of ecological invasion, racialization of aliens); Rafi Youatt ("interspecies politics"); Anna Boswell (Aotearoa extinctions, "anamorphic ecology"); Sophie Chao ("post-plantation ecologies"); Elaine Gan ("Anthropocene temporalities" and industrial ruins); Hugo Reinert (species "purity" and extinctions); Puig de la Bellacasa ("speculative ethics in a multispecies world"); Ann Laura Stoler (of fame for her writing on "imperial debris" and ruination/haunting), Hugh Raffles, Nils Burbandt, Anna Tsing, and others. Lately in my own work I've been writing on borders/frontiers and media/colonial imaginaries of "pests/the exotic" and have been referencing Jeannie Shinozuka's Biotic Borders: Transpacific Plant and Insect Migration and the Rise of Anti-Asian Racism in America, 1890-1950.

Thanks for saying hi.

[tiredofthehumanlife]

Nap now book later

Barbie dolls: Moonwater x gn! Reader

Word: 1.3k

Summary: you’ve been studying too much so your boyfriends pull you from it and make you take a nap

Warnings: regulus has anxiety, uh, regulus gets bullied by the portraits, one singular joke Abt not trusting Peter take it or leave it, tiny mention of rosekiller sorry partyvan fans 💔, regulus has a really hard day, you study too much, possible meal skippage, supposed to be Abt finals but we're kinda pass that so just pretend, dude I think that's it

Remus wasn't exactly one to stress out about his partners’ whereabouts. They usually found their way to him or vice versa. Regulus was particularly elusive so it was more like chasing a puff of smoke than it was trying to find your lovely boyfriend. Remus found comfort in knowing that, if he truly needed to, he could just look at the map.

The simplicity of his day was lifting his lips into a soft smile. He woke up at an acceptable time, not interrupted but James' loud singing. Shockingly. He made it to breakfast and couldn't be happier with Regulus tucked into his side grumbling away about his day. Remus spent some time in the library, picking out new books. Now, he was resting under a large tree, starting one of his new books. He couldn't put his finger on the last time he felt this relaxed on a weekend. 

Regulus was the kind to stress out about his partners’ whereabouts. He worried they'd get into detention, or get into a fight, or trouble, get lost in the forest, drown in the Black Lake, or somehow find a sinkhole.

This morning wasn't so bad. He woke up with Barty in his bed, though Regulus had told Barty to sleep with Evan if he had a nightmare. Crouch wasn't the type to follow instructions it appears. Much worse Barty had been playing with Regulus' hair the whole night. Now his curls were all tangled and pulled.

After Regulus managed to make his hair look moderately acceptable he found his way downstairs to the Great Hall. He plopped next to Remus already complaining about the whole ordeal. How unfortunate it was, Regulus would have to cut Barty's fingers off. It was the only solution. Nothing else could solve this.

Then after breakfast, he tried to calm his nerves with a walk to the Lake but then all he could think about was where you were. You could be anywhere in the entire castle. You hadn't shown up for breakfast. He hadn't seen you anywhere really. Sure it was the weekend but you usually appeared by now. 

Thus, Regulus started frantically searching the castle for you. He whipped his head around every corner, startling a young third-year blossoming couple away from each other.

Regulus asked the portraits, getting nothing but a few of them calling him mean names. One of them made fun of his shoes and he thought of taking it off the wall and throwing it. Eventually after exhausting himself and raising his anxiety to extreme levels, he decided to find Remus and ask him. Regulus knew Remus’ schedule like the back of his hand. The other hand was dedicated to your schedule, of course. Regulus knew it was a weekend but Remus still had routines. Deciphering Remus' location was easy enough. So as soon as Regulus caught a glimpse of Remus' curls under the big tree in the courtyard, he started sprinting towards Remus. 

The loud crunching of leaves is what startled Remus from his book, looking up to find Regulus huffing and puffing right next to him. Remus jumped a little, shocked Regulus was so close already. Remus closed his book and let out a huff, gently reaching out for Regulus. He slid his hand behind Regulus’ calf, staring up at the crazed pale gray eyes. 

“Hello Baby, you alright?” Remus asked. Regulus quickly shook his head, his curls flying this way and that. Remus hummed, it was often Regulus struggled with his anxiety. Regulus let out another huff, finally catching his breath. 

“Do you have the map on you?” Regulus asked, still looking over his shoulders for you. Remus nodded. 

“It's not like I’m giving it to Peter. Can't trust him with his food around stuff like that. He'll get stains on it. Don't even get me started on Sirius.” Remus said, still massaging the back of Regulus’ calf. Regulus huffed and stuck his hands out. Remus took the sign for him to pull the map out already, leaning it over to his school bag. He dug through the contents before finally finding the map and holding it up. Regulus let out a sigh and flopped onto the ground next to Remus. Remus pointed his wand at the map and pulled it open. Luckily it was just cold enough for most students to stay inside. Remus saw a straggler wandering by the other side of the courtyard but they weren't close enough to see anything of importance. 

Regulus’ eyes scanned the map, searching for your name and footprints. Remus stared blankly at the map, not sure who exactly they were looking for. Like a flash of light, Regulus' hand jumped out a gasp flying past his lips. His finger slammed into the map, a crinkling sound following it. Remus looked at it, finding your name. He frowned as Regulus pushed himself off the ground, speed walking off towards the exit of the courtyard. 

Remus quickly followed after him, swinging his bag onto his shoulder and crumpling the map to his chest. Regulus swerved through the halls, bordering sprinting. Remus followed after him, trying to keep his pace but ultimately falling behind. Regulus swung open the Library doors, slipping in and forgetting his boyfriend behind him. Remus sighed and followed suit, pulling open the Library door. 

Remus quietly followed Regulus’ warpath, awkwardly waving at the librarian on the way in. She rolled her eyes and returned to pulling books from the return. Remus skipped ahead, turning the corner to find Regulus standing next to a form that looked quite familiar. Regulus found you. Studying. Still. If his memory serves him right, you left dinner early yesterday to get started. He guessed you probably got kicked out of the Library around curfew and came back to hit the books before breakfast. 

Of course, they both noticed you were studying a lot but they hadn't realized just how bad it was. A little studying was good, a nice few hours was even better, but almost full days? 

Your head was resting on your arm, over a page of review questions. Open books were scattered around you, and your quill was limp in your hand. Remus hated the mess showing off the frantic studying you were putting yourself through. Regulus probably felt similar, glancing over his shoulder to send Remus a look. Regulus dipped down, kissing your cheek and lightly shaking your shoulder. You pulled your head up slowly. Your eyes were still squinted, glancing around the Library to find whoever woke you up. 

“Hello, amour. How long have you been studying?” Regulus asked, rubbing the back of your neck. You leaned back in your chair, stretching your arms up as you yawned. Regulus hummed, trying to urge you to answer his question. You shook your head, rubbing the sleep from your face. You looked up to Regulus, furrowing your eyebrows. 

“How long have you been studying, darling?” Remus asked. You grimaced, scrunching up your nose. You sighed and looked down at the spread of books and pages on your table. 

“Um since this morning.” You answered, picking up your quill again. Regulus leaned forward, snatching the quill from your hand. You groaned, reaching for it. Regulus stuck his arm out towards Remus. Remus took the quill, hiding it behind his back. You rolled your eyes and looked back at your books. Remus joined Regulus at his side, keeping the quill away from you. 

“Have you taken any breaks today?” Regulus asked. Your eye darted at him from the side. You stayed silent, pretending like you didn’t hear him. That was plenty of an answer for Remus. Remus leaned forward, closing the book in front of you. You scoffed. 

“I need to study. I have to be ready for the tests.” You said, trying to open the book again. Remus pressed his palm into the cover of the book, making sure you couldn’t open it. You glared at Remus, deciding to pick another book. You opened a history one next to you. Regulus reached over and pulled the book from your hands. You let out a sigh and sat back. 

“Darling, you’re going to do fine. Don’t you know that? You’ve been studying for days. You need to take a break, my love.” Remus said. Regulus held onto your hands, tugging you up from the chair. You complained on the way up yet still let Regulus pull you. Remus pulled his wand from his bag, swishing it at your library table. You paused in your complaints to Regulus, watching the books and papers order themselves into a neat stack. The stack lifted itself from the table, floating to Remus’ side. 

“Let’s go take a nap, mon amour,” Regulus whispered. You furrowed your brows and rolled your eyes at him. Your hands were still trapped in his hold. Regulus dropped one of your hands. You intertwined your fingers with him as he pulled you forward towards the Library exit. Remus followed after you two, steering the stack of books with his wand. 

Regulus tucked you into bed, scooting in behind you. He cradled you in his arms, holding you tightly. Remus set your belongings down before joining you two. He saddled in on the other side of you, cupping your face and smacking a kiss on your forehead. He hoped it would travel through that thick skull of yours and calm your worried brain.  You hummed and leaned closer to him, slipping an arm around his waist. You pressed your cheek into his chest. Remus cooed, holding on to the back of your head. Regulus looked at Remus over your shoulder, giving him a proud, though small, smile. You were resting. Later they’d hide your books so you couldn’t study for the rest of the day. 

[irradiatedsnakes]

hey! here's the rip of all of dialtown's text!

hiiiii it's finally here! i cleaned it up! every line of dialogue in the game ripped out (over 300k words, it's a chunky game!) and laid out in plain text for your easy reference. includes both the basegame and roger dlc!

HOW THIS WORKS:

there's a couple versions of the 000 ALL THE TEXT IN THE GAME CLEAN file. this is the entire game in one file, for easy crtl+f'ing. it's also the cleanest version, without any code/font specification/color specification present. this file is included in both .txt and .docx versions. i don't recommend opening this file with google docs, the length makes it sad. it works just fine for me opening in MS word and notepad for searching up dialogue. this is what it looks like!

there is also the 000 RAW ALL THE TEXT IN THE GAME file. this is the un-cleaned-up version, as the text ripper spit it back out at me. it has no paragraph breaks. it looks like this.

lastly is all the rest of the files in the drive, ALL THE INDIVIDUAL MAP FILES. in these, dialogue is split up by each individual map (generally, every scene is its own map). these are ordered and named according to the ingame data. these also include code bits- font changes, text colors, pauses in speaking, text size, and so on. it looks like this!

enjoy! i hope you find it useful. (and tysm to dogman for permission to post this!)

HOW TO READ THESE:

so, there's a couple quirks with these. firstly, nested choices don't really display in a very comprehensible format: they're more just in order. so, for example, this exchange:

what i've highlighted here first are gingi's 3 dialogue options. you can see each option denoted by a -. so like:

Gingi: -"Option 1." -"Option 2." -"Option 3."

the corresponding start of peter's dialogue is highlighted in the same color. in cases like this, you mostly have to use context to figure out what's responding to what.

you'll also see repeated lines when someone uses a gendered term to refer to gingi- all versions of the line (for whether you're playing as a man/woman/neither) will be in a row, like so.

one kink i wasn't able to iron out is the narrator's dialogue in the all-the-text-in-the-game file. while the paragraph breaks in the individual map files make it clear (because the narrator's the only one with no name and font tags), the all-the-text file just has narrator's dialogue immediately follow whoever spoke previously, almost always gingi. use context clues, or check up on the individual map file

all-the-text:

individual map:

use context clues, or check up on the individual map file to be absolutely sure. if you want to know which map file you're at, scroll up til you get to something that looks like this:

so, you can see that this convo with madame mediocre happens in map 31, "randmug". this one!

you may also notice the blank space or \n[#] where gingi's pronouns would go. that's just a byproduct of the pronoun system. imagine whichever gingi-noun you wish

laaastly, a little guide to the individual map files' code bits, or at least the most common ones:

\fn changes font. usually present at the start of someone's dialogue

\. indicates a 1/4 second pause in dialogue

\c[#] changes the font color

\{ and \} text within these brackets is bigger

\m[Name] a shorthand macro used for a few characters to call their font and color.

\fi makes text italic. most of the text in the game is in italics, so a lot of dialogue starts with this.

i think that's all the notes i've got..let me know if i've missed anything egregious. have fun!

[pprongspotter]

James’ first thought as he surfaced from sleep was, what the fuck.

His eyes burned as he forced them open with a few heavy blinks. The ache was immediate: in his muscles, in his head, in something deeper and less nameable. He let himself sink back into the pillow like maybe, if he stayed there long enough, reality would soften. But it didn’t.

He turned his head toward Sirius’ bed. The curtains were still drawn shut, sunlight catching the tiny gold stars on the fabric, making them shimmer like something distant and unreachable, like memories you wish you could hold without them burning.

A deep, slow breath.

James had been too harsh last night. He knew it the moment the words left his mouth, sharp and clumsy. The fragments he remembered came back like glass shards: cold expressions, stony silence. He winced.

But then again, what choice did he have?

Being friends with Sirius had never been easy. It was like holding fire in your hands, warmth and light, yes, but always on the verge of pain. Still, James held on anyway. He always had. Always forgave him. But last night… last night something in him snapped.

Someone had to break through to Sirius, had to drag him back from whatever cliff he was dancing on. And if it had to be James— if being the one to say the hard things meant Sirius would hate him for a while, then fine. He could take it. That’s what love looked like sometimes, wasn’t it? Choosing the harder path because you care too much not to.

Even so…

He missed him. God, he missed him.

Even now, (especially now) James would’ve given anything just to hear that familiar laugh, or see Sirius roll his eyes like everything was a joke he hadn’t quite told yet. But that didn’t change what he’d done.

“Paddy,” James whisper-called, voice rough. “Padfoot. Wake up.”

Silence.

Weird. He’s usually up by now.

He turned to lie on his back, eyes tracking a crack in the ceiling. His thoughts buzzed like wasps.

Maybe he’s just sleeping in. We were up late, after all.

But the quiet felt too thick. Too wrong. Something curled in his chest, something tight and heavy, like a premonition.

Unless… he’s not here.

Why wouldn’t he be here?

The thought knifed through him, clean and cruel.

James sat up abruptly, head throbbing. His legs swung over the side of the bed before he could fully think it through, and he crossed the room on autopilot, heart hammering harder with each step.

He yanked back the curtains.

Empty. Sheets still tucked in. No sign he’d ever come back at all.

Shit. Had James pushed him that far?

He blinked hard against the rising burn in his eyes.

What did I even say? What upset him that badly? It’s not like it’s the first time he hasn’t come back but… it felt different this time.

His gaze darted around the room, desperate now. The map.

James tore across the dorm, scanning every surface, checking the other two’s beds, searching like maybe he’d just missed it, like maybe this wasn’t what it felt like. But no. Nothing. The map was gone, too.

James gripped the edge of the desk until his knuckles went white.

I said too much, went too far. He’s safe though, right? He wouldn’t do anything stupid…

He wanted to believe he did the right thing. That it was for Sirius’ sake. That sometimes love has teeth.

But standing there in the emptiness, James wasn’t so sure anymore.

@lost-dim-prince @gilderoy---lockheart @flower-not-star @the-real-ms-evans @miss-marry-mcdonald @the-officialbartycrouch-jr @theldest-pure-blooded-bitch @meadowes-cass @pandora-harmonia-rosier @melionameansdream @jason-eros-redwood @i-will-haunt-you-in-your-dreams @peter-francis-pettigrew @sirius-orion-black-the-third @loonymoonylupin71

[lulublack90]

Prompt 10 - Funny

@jegulus-microfic July 10, Word count 346

Previous part First part

Regulus had been placing his gobstones and keeping an eye on the map at the same time. So, that was how he saw Filch approaching James on the fifth floor. He checked on the others and, seeing that they were in no danger of being caught, ran. 

He dropped his last few gobstones as he went, checking the map every few seconds. James had gone into one of the classrooms, but Filch wasn’t far away. 

He got to the door and opened it. “James?” He hissed to the empty room. James was standing right in front of him, according to the map. James pulled the cloak down off his head. It would be funny, James’s disembodied head floating there, if it hadn’t been quite so urgent that they hide. 

“Reg, quick, Filch!” 

“I know that’s why I came, he’s right— Oh, Salazar’s balls!” Regulus threw the map towards James and transformed into Midnight just as the door handle turned. 

“I swear I heard voices coming from in here, my sweet,” Filch said to his cat, Mrs Norris. The door opened, and Midnight meowed from his spot on the floor. “How did you get in here?” Filch wheezed. Midnight chirped and walked out of the door, rubbing himself up against Filch’s trousers, much to the annoyance of Mrs Norris, who watched him closely with her lamp-like eyes. He trotted off down the corridor and hid in the shadows behind a suit of armour, watching Filch search around a bit more before he finally left. That had been close. 

He went back to collect James and checked the map again. Barty, Evan, Dorcas and Pandora were either in or almost in the Slytherin Dormitories. His brother and Remus were in the Gryffindor common room, and Peter was in the bathroom. 

“Sirius made sure one of his was primed as payback for earlier,” James whispered, and Regulus had to suck his lips into his mouth and bite down to stop himself from bursting into laughter. He couldn’t wait until the morning to see how well their planning had gone. 

Next part

[scorpiomoon-444]

chapter 7 | peter pevensie

"Battle Plans at Aslan's How"

pairing: peter pevensie x f! telmarine princess!reader

word count: <1k

series masterlist

Torchlight flickers against ancient walls. The carvings of Aslan, the Four Thrones, and the Old Kings and Queens are etched deep into the How’s stone—stories preserved in shadow. The Pevensies, Caspian, and various Narnians are gathered in tense discussion in the Stone Table room.

Trumpkin stands near a map of the terrain, lit by a dim lantern. Centaurs murmur among themselves. 

Edmund watches Peter, who points to the map. “It’s only a matter of time. Miraz’s men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren’t protecting his castle.”

Caspian, who stands across Peter with his arms crossed, looks tense. “We barely have numbers, let alone strength. If we go charging into that castle, we walk straight into a slaughter.”

“He’s right.” Truflehunter sides with Caspian. “I, for one, feel safer underground.”

“Then, we make a plan,” Peter says sharply, his tone decisive.

“You’re gambling with our lives,” Caspian shoots back.

“I think you know where I stand on this, Sire,” Reepicheep tells Peter, sword in his paw.

Peter turns to Glenstorm. “If I can get your troops in, can you handle the guards?”

“Or die trying, My Liege.” Glenstorm bows his head slightly.

“That’s what I’m worried about,” Lucy pipes.

Peter’s bristles. “Sorry?”

“Well, you’re all acting like there are only two options: Dying here, or dying there,” She replies.

“I’m not sure you’ve really been listening, Lu.”

“No,” She argues, “you’re not listening. Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?”

His jaw tightens at this, sharing a glance at his youngest sibling. “I think we’ve waited for Aslan long enough.”

A brief, tense silence follows. Before anyone else can speak— footsteps echo in the tunnel beyond.

All heads turn.

From the stone archway at the far end of the How, Ella appears. Cloaked, breathless from travel, her hood is down this time. Moonlight catches the loose strands of her dark brown hair, tangled from wind. Her lion pendant glints softly against the neckline of her worn cloak.

Peter’s gaze narrows.

“Ella?” Caspian breathes, tense and relieved— because if she’s here, then she’s truly chosen. And that means Miraz will come for her too.

Peter turns slowly, stunned. “You…”

He hadn’t expected to see her again—not after the woods. The girl who had held a blade with steady hands, who moved like a shadow but looks like sunlight. Her dark hair curls around her face, her skin bronzed and wind-kissed. She looks different here, without the urgency of battle behind her—but no less striking. And now, more than ever, dangerous.

A thought flickers, unbidden — Was she an ally, or just another dagger pointed at their backs?

Peter, in disbelief, turns to Caspian. “You know her?”

Caspian’s voice is quiet. “She’s my sister.”

A brief, stunned silence ripples through the room.

“That means…” Edmund begins.

“She’s the Telmarine Princess,” A Narnian points out from the crowd. Whispers ripple through the room. Peter’s gaze flicks down, catching the unmistakable glint of the lion pendant at her neck. His mouth hardens and his stance shifts.

“Miraz is building catapults. He knows where you are,” Ella tells the group in a calm tone, approaching them slowly from the stone archway.

Peter steps forward, defensive. “And how exactly would he know that—unless someone told him?”

“He sent his men to locate you. And they have. I came to warn you.” She forces the words out before his accusation can cut deeper. Then, she seeks out Caspian’s gaze, their eyes meeting.

“How do we know we could trust her?” A faun calls out, eliciting murmurs across the room.

“She’s of Telmarine blood!” A dwarf adds, shouting amongst the tumult.

“As am I!” Caspian defends, stepping forward. 

The room falls silent. 

Ella’s eyes meet her brother’s– giving him a subtle nod of appreciation. “Miraz has his men searching for me and Caspian…” 

At this, Caspian’s face falters– she has truly chosen. “He is readying siege weapons. Catapults, heavy artillery. He won’t hold back. Don’t underestimate him.” Her voice is steady, commanding—but her eyes flick to Peter. His jaw tightens, and his gaze meets hers for half a second before sliding away, unreadable. But not cold. Not entirely. She files that away, uncertain what to make of it.

Peter processes her words. So she warns us — but at what cost? A fresh thought needles at him: Maybe she’s telling the truth. Or maybe she’s just bought Miraz more time. “So he’s preparing for war.”

“You think this proves we should strike first?” Caspian questions, shaking his head disapprovingly. 

“It proves we don’t have time to wait,” the High King replies steely. “We go tomorrow night.”

Ella stands in place, frozen– her breath catches. This is not what she intended. Her eyes drop to the stone beneath her boots as her thoughts spiral.

She warned them for protection—not provocation. Her people still live inside those walls– her home.

But she says nothing.

Because it isn’t hard to see—Peter’s mind is already made up.

next chapter

🏷️ taglist: @evajzcks (let me know if you would like to be added) x

[uhhlifeig]

Map - September 28 - word count: 460 - @wolfstarmicrofic

James Potter was supposed to be in the common room studying for his N.E.W.T.s, but he was bored out of his mind.

So, instead of reviewing notes, he found himself unfolding the Marauders’ Map on the table in front of him.

He tapped his wand on the parchment, whispering, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Lines of ink spread across the surface, revealing the familiar layout of Hogwarts, with tiny moving dots labeled by name. James’s eyes scanned the map, searching for a distraction.

He noticed Peter in the library, probably pretending to study but more likely staring at Benjy Fenwick. 

Lily was on the seventh floor- probably doing Head Girl things. And there, near the second floor, were two dots he was very familiar with.

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.

But something was off. They were... stationary? In a broom closet?

James narrowed his eyes suspiciously, leaning closer to the map. 

What are they doing in there?

He waited for the dots to move- maybe they were pulling a prank or hiding something, but no. The two dots remained huddled together, and James couldn’t help but feel a bit more curious than usual.

"Come on," he muttered to himself. "What are you up to?"

He watched the map for another few seconds before something clicked.

James's mouth twitched into a grin. He had a suspicion, and if he was right…

No way.

With a quick glance to make sure no one was watching him, James shoved the map into his bag and took off, making his way down to the second floor as fast as he could without drawing too much attention.

It didn’t take long to find the broom closet in question. 

It was tucked away at the end of a corridor, and James could already hear the faint sound of muffled voices coming from behind the door.

Grinning, James carefully pressed his ear against the wood. What he heard confirmed everything.

“Pads—” came Remus’s voice, sounding breathless, “We can’t- what if someone- ?”

“Shut up, Moony,” Sirius’s voice responded teasingly. “No one’s going to find us in here. Besides...” There was a rustling sound, followed by a soft laugh. “You weren’t complaining a minute ago.”

James’s eyes widened, and he had to cover his mouth with his hand to stop himself from laughing out loud. He could barely believe what he was hearing.

Sirius and Remus? Snogging? In a broom closet?

James stood there for a moment, contemplating whether he should interrupt them. He could already picture Sirius’s reaction- a mix of annoyance and embarrassment- and Remus would probably turn bright red, which James found absolutely hilarious. 

But then again... maybe he’d let them have their moment. They deserved it.

[midala-of-the-valley]

Your Heart Pulling Against Mine - Pt 29

David 8 x Reader Wordcount: 1,5k Crossposted on Ao3 Part 28 is here

30.12.2093

Dear Diary, nah that's too corny

Hello. My name is  I am the Botanist who joined the scientific exploration vessel USCSS Prometheus. (Y/N), born in 2066.

Doctor Elizabeth Shaw, David Weyland (son of the late Peter Weyland), and I decided to leave the remaining survivors on their journey home to start our own.

We want to find Paradise - or Eden. Wherever the Engineers came from. Our current course is set to the last place they visited before arriving at LV-223. We found a lot of papyrus-like paper, and David encouraged me to write our journey down, to sort my thoughts. Not a bad idea to be honest, my mind is still swirling with everything that happened in those few days. I awoke on 21.12.2093. We got briefed about why we were here and I got to know some of the others. I formed a small friendship with Sean Fifield, a Geologist, and Rafe Millburn, a Biologist. Those two were  I need a break We only had a few days with each other, a short time. But I think we would have been very great friends, to Sean’s displeasure, because he couldn’t shake me or Rafe.

And then there was David. He was the first Person I spoke to after waking up. He wrapped me in a soft robe and helped me sit. At this point I didn’t know yet that he was an android. I only found out when Peter Weyland’s holographic projection told us - in a very rude way. What a bastard It seems we couldn’t get our minds off each other. That night, he came to me when I couldn’t sleep. I held him. The next, we ended up with tangled limbs and soft kisses. Whatever it was that pulled us together - it only tightened afterwards.

On 23.12.2093, we finally landed. It was beautiful. The dark ground stood in stark contrast to the snow-covered mountain peaks. I had never seen anything so majestic before. I   Doctor Charlie Holloway  We I’ll continue this later. Lets focus on the present.

So we boarded a ship on the 25.12.2093. Christmas. Ironic, isn’t it? That all this torment ended on the day Jesus was supposedly born. (Who died for our sins this time? We have so many to mourn..) I didn’t see much of the first vessel, the one with the sleeping Engineer, but from what I did see it appears to be identical to this one. Only this one held no corpses. No damage. As if it had simply been waiting for us to find it. What cruel luck, that we had to enter the one torn apart by chaos first, instead of this (relatively) safe and clean one.

Is there something like destiny that brought us here? Did we have to stumble into this havoc, or were we simply doomed by life from the start? I’m so sorry-

There are seven main rooms. The one in the middle is the navigation room - the name came naturally, since it has the star map and the pilot chair. To its left and right each is a cargo hold, and to my regret, they’re not empty. David hasn’t deployed the contents yet, and sadly for very good reason. We still don’t really understand the goo, we have no idea what it can endure. Dropping it into space might seem safe, but what if it just floats , waiting to cling to another ship? What if it somehow finds its way to Earth? Even if that takes thousands of years… All it seems to take is one little drop of it to activate and kill..mutate..both.

I don’t want to be responsible for that, even if that means that I have to live with anxiety when I walk through those halls.

So we decided: We’ll search for lifeless, empty planets along our journey to Eden. And we’ll leave the urns there to rot. Hopefully forever. It’s the best we can do. There’s no way to destroy them, at least none that we have or are aware of

Back to the ship. One day I’ll sort this all in the correct order.

On the left side, there’s something like a med-bay - a robotics room. The tools are strange, yet strangely familiar. Oversized, which makes sense, considering how tall the Engineers were. (are?) Our bodies appear to be quite similar when you ignore the size difference. In an emergency, Elizabeth and I could be treated using those apparatuses. We’ve already figured out the purpose of most of the medicines, which is calming to know. If we ever break a fever or catch an infection, we’re covered. They grow something remarkably similar to Penicillium - and David and I are fairly certain we can extract an antibiotic from it. (He could probably do it without me, but it’s… nice to be included and use my skill after having felt useless most of the time.) We could even help David if he ever spontaneously loses his head! The biomechanical aspect of the armor is strange, but practical, especially if you happen to have a synthetic with you.

At the far end of the left side, there’s a laboratory. It’s where we figure out what all this alien stuff is made of - and try to make things ourselves, like the antibiotic. David seems completely at home there. It suits him. I like watching him work here. He has this habit of knitting his brows together in concentration and sometimes in awe. It’s interesting, really. He seems more ‘human’ with each passing day. I wonder if he had to hold back those gestures and expressions all this time, just so no one would notice his undeniable personhood. And if so - how lonely must this have been? I’m glad he’s getting comfortable enough to be himself with Elizabeth and me.

On the right side, past the cargo bay, there’s... well, we call it the water room. Very on the nose, I know, but It’s beautiful - you could even call it an oasis. It is one, at least for me.

Green vines climb their way along the curved walls, bearing strange, colorful fruits - almost as if they were reaching for the starlight that shines through the windows. In the center of the room lies a pool, fed by a constant drizzle of water that rains gently into and around it. Encircling the walkable ground is a second ring of water, where algae grows. (Apparently edible, though we haven’t dared to try it yet.) Beyond that, directly beneath the vines, lies a border of dark soil. Some pearly roots grow in there, and something like wild rice stirs gently in the damp warmth. Even if the food David brought along runs out, we won’t starve at all.

The air is warm and heavy with moisture. You can feel the water circulating all around you. A condenser in the center of the ceiling draws in this humidity and purifies it, recycling it into clear, drinkable water. The first time I stepped inside, I dropped to my knees and sank my hands into the earth without a second thought. I had missed the feeling of it so much. There was no visible difference to the soil back home, it felt the same, smelled the same. It was home, in a way. (But what is home anyway? At this point, I think it’s where David and Elizabeth are. So this is home now.)

We come here to gather fresh food, and to bathe - or just let the water wash over us. I like to sit down and pretend that the droplets wash away my sorrows. (Doesn’t work but still feels nice)

The last room is a small storage chamber. They seem to have gathered everything there that might be necessary: Clothes - because they apparently wore more than just that armor. Barrels of dry food that looks like it came straight from Earth. Wheat, millet, pine nuts, even almonds. (Where the hell were they? Is their world like ours?) And the paper I’m currently writing on? We also found it there.

The ship seems to be designed for only four people in total, as if it’s a transporter. (It dawns on me that it really is one..for that pathogen, goo, liquid death) There are no beds. Only the four cryo-stasis sarcophagi in the navigation room and  some nooks with benches or slabs, but nothing resembling a bed. I wasn’t ready to sleep in one of the pods. Too scared. Too claustrophobic. What if they close? What if David decides it’s better for us to sleep through the time and shuts them?

Or?

I guess that thought isn’t so unfair. I love him. And I trust him. I know he would never mean to harm me but I don’t know how far his protection might go. (I don’t like that he was ready to risk everyone but took this intense care of me. But I guess he also doesn’t like that I was ready to throw myself into danger for everyone else so…eh.)

I’ll end this entry for now. Don’t worry, diary of mine, I’ll come back another time, and then you’ll have to deal with my chaotic mind all over again. And again.

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°

Taglist: @sadslasher13 @blxuqueenie

[marigold-hills]

june 3: library | @wolfstarmicrofic | word count: 599 PREVIOUS PART • NEXT PART • FIRST PART

They’ve used the map for a very many purposes, some nefarious, some less so, but never usually like this: to stalk one of their own.

Not stalk, Sirius reasons, with himself, because such distinctions are important. Search for. Keep track of. In a friendly, concerned manner.

Because it’s 2am, and Remus isn’t in bed, and he came out of the Potions exam looking pale and a bit defeated in his Moony way: withdrawn, shoulders narrowed, crease between eyebrows. And so, so tired.

Sirius finds the tiny set of footprints with Remus Lupin attached to them in a corner of the library. Not surprising, to find their Moony there, but the library closed at the reasonable hour of 7pm and as much as Remus was being a bit obsessive over studying, he didn’t usually go as far as breaking and entering.

So Sirius is concerned. Sue him.

James and Peter both fast asleep (and how could they be, when one of their own was missing!), Sirius pilfers the Cloak and makes his way through the castle.

The library smells like a part of Remus, an integral inch of him – books and parchment and ink, dust with magic interwoven into its particles. Moonlight falls through the tall windows, the only light, except…

There, in the alcove Remus favours, a single lit oil lamp casts a soft orange glow. Remus is always the comfort of autumn but doubly so now, lit up like this, his curls golden and the light touching him like rays of a sunset and Sirius feels it, this want, this urge he can’t name that makes him want to bite or to tattoo stages of the moon against his sternum. Remus deserves good things only – care and gentle affection – and Sirius fears this thing that sometimes overcomes him, how it wants to break Remus just to hide inside of his marrow.

Remus must hear his footsteps because he turns towards Sirius, profile in a sharp contrast of shadows and light, and Sirius thinks oh, thinks I don’t understand.

“What are you doing here, Pads?”

“How did you know it was me?” Sirius wanders, removing the Cloak.

“I’d recognise your smell anywhere.”

“I smell?”

“No, you dumb thing,” exasperation and fondness, “comes with the territory. My little secret, of the furry variety. Remember?”

Right, if course. The moon is looming, soon to be full. It accounts for some of the renewed darkness underneath Remus’ eyes. Sirius hasn’t seen the full moon with his human eyes in a long time, but he remembers it was beautiful. He remembers the shadows on its face, craters left over by something ancient and savage, and his Moony – their, their Moony – is like that too, shadows on brightness and scars as memories of pain.

“Why aren’t you in bed, Moons?”

A shrug, a nonchalance. “Fell asleep revising. Figured I might as well keep going instead of trying to cross the castle back without any of our helping aides.”

Sirius reaches out. It’s not unusual. He’s. Touchy friend. But he presses the pads of his fingers into the divot underneath Remus’ left eye, soft and slow, and it’s not like any touch he remembers ever giving.

“You need to take care of yourself,” he says, or maybe he doesn’t because the words are a swallow and a stone and they don’t cross the distance between their eyes, locked onto each other.

(Sirius thinks there’s something here I should pay attention to. Important. Open your eyes.)

“Guess you can be right sometimes after all, Pads. Come on then, take me to bed.”

(And he thinks: oh.)

NOTES:

this is part tree of a 30-part series of shorts: I’m aiming for them all to be readable as standalone but are a part of a bigger story (better read together and in order, in my opinion) if it doesn’t make much sense by itself do let me know, I want to give this a good go :)

i wish we saw more of the library in the movies. I mean, a magical library? Amazing.

@bowielover420 @tealeavesandtrash @digital-kam @moon-girl88

(let me know if you do/don’t want to be tagged in next parts)

[silvyysthings]

update I did further digging, here are my findings:

that is definitely not a bank. You can search the company name JP Organization Inc in the California company registry. Then click on the one with the address as the screenshot. When you look at their findings you will see principal address is at 440 S Roxbury DR LA. The company’s business activities are described as film production. The director of the company (and I suspect also owner) is a film producer called Jon Peters. if you look up the google maps the address it says on the building Boulevard Management Building and that is according to their website a financial management services to entertainers, athletes and high-net worth individuals. So they are like an accountant/wealth management company for wealthy people and owned by nope, that is definitely not a bank. You can search the company name JP Organization Inc in the California company registry. Then click on the one with the address as your screenshot. When you look at their findings you will see principal address at 440 S Roxbury DR LA. The company’s business activities are described as film production. The director of the company (and I suspect also owner) is a film producer called Jon Peters. if you look up the google maps the address it says on the building Boulevard Management Building and that is according to their website a financial management services to entertainers, athletes and high-net worth individuals. So they are like an accountant/wealth management company for wealthy people owned by Lester Knispel and Todd Bozick who are Kardashian’s money manager/entertainment executive.

I really admire your researches, I can't understand anything about this 🤔 but I 'm really worried for him

[oftlunarialmoon]

Fairy Themed Agere Ideas 🧚‍♀️

Fairy Garden Creation: Create a miniature fairy garden, using small plants, flowers, and decorative fairy accessories such as tiny fairy houses, bridges, and fairy figurines. Let your imagination run wild as you design and decorate your enchanted fairy realm.

Fairy Tale Storytime: Dive into a magical world of fairy tales with a special storytime featuring classic fairy tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, or Peter Pan. Choose fairy tale books with beautiful illustrations and captivating stories to enhance the storytelling experience.

Fairy Dress-Up: Dress up in whimsical fairy costumes or outfits complete with fairy wings, tutus, and sparkly accessories. Encourage imaginative play by pretending to flutter around like fairies, casting spells, and granting wishes in your own magical fairy kingdom.

Fairy Crafts: Get creative with fairy-themed arts and crafts activities such as making fairy wands, crafting paper flower crowns, or designing fairy houses out of recycled materials. These craft projects provide an opportunity for self-expression and imaginative play while fostering creativity and fine motor skills.

Fairy Tea Party: Host a charming fairy tea party with a table set with dainty teacups, saucers, and plates. Serve sweet treats like fairy cakes, cookies, and fruit skewers, and enjoy a magical tea party with your favorite fairy friends, plush toys, or imaginary fairy companions.

Fairy Dance Party: Put on some enchanting fairy music and have a fairy-themed dance party in your living room or backyard. Dance and twirl around like graceful fairies, spreading joy and magic with every step.

Fairy Treasure Hunt: Organize a fairy-themed treasure hunt where you search for hidden fairy treasures like sparkling gems, fairy dust, or magical trinkets. Create clues or a map leading to each treasure, and embark on a magical adventure to discover hidden treasures in your home or garden.

[pink-november]

Hello!! I don't think I've sent anything here so welcome to DINOSAUR FACT TIME!! The rules are simple, I tell you a dinosaur fact and you tell me a dinosaur fact in return!! (Unless you don't want to, I don't mind)

The fact I offer you today is: Ornitholestes (meaning "bird robber"), is a small, late Jurassic theropod. It was the first theropod discovered in the 1900s and was found by an American Natural History Museum expedition including Paul Miller, Peter C. Kaisen, and Frederic Brewster Loomis in Wyoming. As of current, all we have of the genus is that first partial skeleton with a crushed skull. The only known type species of this dinosaur is O. hermanni. There has been some debate on length and weight but I've done my best to put together numbers for you, so it's come to an estimated length of 2.08 meters (6.82 ft) and a weight of 15 kg (33 lbs). The maxillias in it's upper jaw contained 10 teeth each where the dentary in the lower jaw held 12, it's teeth were short despite its dentary bone reaching to below the middle of it's eye socket!!

I hope you enjoyed dinosaur fact time! :]

hi critter! nice of you to stop by here <3

how fitting of you to give me a dinosaur fact that essentially has the word "bird" on it XD especially considering the common fandom we share and thrive in. this is very interesting though and quite a mystery to unravel. what do you mean we only have a partial skeleton with a crushed skull for this genus? hopefully we can find more of its kind in the near future, mapping out its family tree a bit more! theyre also rather small guys (still bigger than me) and rather light. the teeth are quite curious too, wonder why they evolved to be like that...

well so dinosaur fact time from me [searches thru google] im sure u already know this but feathered dinosaurs are evidenced to exist based on the discovery of feathers of fossilized specimens of the sinosauropteryx in china. some dinosaurs like the microraptor and anchiornis had complex feathers that suggest they may have been capable of gliding or even powered flight. its kinda fascinating to think that the dinos predated feathers and flight than birds.

anyways yeah wanted to end this ask with something relating to birds XD thanks for dinosaur fact time <3

[lokotrona11]

COMPETITION AREA. 

The gif is not mine!

Pairing : Caspian X x Reader!

Summary : You used to date Peter and now you're with Caspian, but your past complicates your current relationship.

Gender : sad, cute, silly??.

word count: 1k

AN : This is stupid but I wanted to post it. Also say that I took it out Almost angels! (Argentine program)

----

''Seriously Lucy, we're fine with Casipan''  

Lucy returned to Narnia with Edmund in the middle of the sea, and that made you happy because they were your friends but now you had a situation: Lucy did not believe in your love for Caspian. 

''We're really good, seriously'' You repeat again. 

''Yes, darling, but being well doesn't mean being in love'' 

You stop seeing the map that rests on the table. ''Listen, you miss Peter, right?''

You sigh, letting your shoulders slump. They dated Peter before he grew old enough to no longer be accepted in Narnia, so you were left alone, desperate and without your loved one, but then within your desolation, with patience, Caspian won your heart.

''Obviously I miss Peter, how I miss Susan, how I miss you guys'' You explain. ''But what does that have to do with Caspian?''

''Don't play dumb'' Lucy's voice is a perfect mix of sweetness and firmness.

''The question is if you miss Peter as a boyfriend... as a man''

''Ehm..'' You start stammering, searching for your words. ''Lu, Peter was very important to me and I will love him all my life but now I'm with Caspian and I'm fine''

 ''Well, but if you have to choose, have to compare between one and the other, who...?''

You interrupt her. ''Stop, I'm not going to compare because comparisons are hateful'' You reason. 

''I am hateful, compare'' Resolve. 

''Well, they're different.'' You try to eliminate the topic but Lucy raises an eyebrow, waiting for the answer she wants. You gasp and give up. ''Caspian is sweet and I had a great time with him''

''Bored.''

''It's not boring... but if I have to compare Peter was more romantic, he prepared surprises for me'' Lucy smiles.

''I still have a good time with Caspian, he's just less expressive'' You try to defend him. 

You raise your arm, not knowing that Caspian was hearing from the other side of the room. ''No?''.

—

''Where are you taking me?'' You smile with Caspian's hands covering your eyes. 

''You trust me'' He answers, also smiling. 

Caspian counts to 3 and removes his hands showing a lake. 

''How cute..'' He says cloyingly.

His hands travel around you, hugging you, and he kisses your temple. 

You shake your head, looking at him. ''And why did you bring me here?'' 

''It's a surprise''

''No, no, no, what a surprise? I have to organize the next event and you must...'' You ramble until Caspian interrupts you. 

''Wait love, the world is not going to fall if we take a day off.'' He holds your body in his hands. Then your face changes, you just smile and kiss him. 

—

Caspian leaves the rod stuck in the ground, with the hook in the water, and runs to you, who are resting on the blanket on the ground. 

You bite your lips when he comes to you with a dreamy smile. 

The rod falls and a noise leaves your lips wanting to run to nail it again.

''No! ''Seeing your intentions, Caspian stops you and runs to do it himself. ''Stay there, you are my guest of honor'' 

You laugh and return to your place.

When Caspian returns to your side you look at his face, kissing him.

''I love you'' You say, falling onto the blanket with his body floating above you. 

—

''Do you hear?''

''What?''

''Nothing, silence. You hear it?'' Caspian nods and your eyes shine, caressing his cheek.

'''How many people are there that you can stay like this with? In silence?'' Lectures.

''Only one, and you?''

You don't answer, you just take his lips with a goofy smile. 

After several kisses you separate.

''Loosen up, there are underage birds'' 

Caspian laughs softly, ''How I would stay in this moment forever...''

''Well, let's stay, here and now. Although we are going to miss the boys a little''

''If I'm with you, I don't miss anyone.'' He joins his lips.

''Not even a bit of noise, of swords...?''

 ''No, nothing'' He says quickly and with some desperation he kisses you. 

You separate again. ''Look, with so much silence we can get bored as a log''

Caspian sighs and lets his face fall to rest on his fist.

''That's right, I'm going to miss the horses'' You comment looking at the lake.

''horse riding ..''

Your comment only frustrated the boy more, because there was no one who didn't know that it was Peter who taught you to ride, and gave you that fanaticism.

''But who says, maybe one will come here'' You smile and Caspias can't stand it. 

''Why don't you say it once and for all?'' He Accuses. 

''What?''

''You've got me fed up, you miss Peter all day, all the time.''

Your tongue is spoiled and your nerves make you babble. ''Caspian, what are you talking about?'' 

Caspian stands up and feels like he explodes. ''About what happens to you, what happens to you when you see the photos and you regret not being there with him'' 

''That's different from me, more sensitive, more romantic. Did you know? Why don't you cross that world of his and go with him? '' His words come out alone and he is not able to think about what he says. 

Your eyes lower as your boyfriend walks away.

''My love, come here'' You say running towards him. ''Stop. What's wrong with you?'' You reach for him.

His eyes seem to darken and he scratches the back of his neck. ''I'm jealous, I'm jealous of Peter's ghost,'' she admits.

''I heard you talking to Lucy and I started competing with him''

''What? I don't know what you heard"

''I wanted to be as romantic as him but it all turned out wrong. I can't compete with the memory you have of him.'' 

''Alright..''

 ''If he were here it would be very different, but he is not here and it is very difficult.. '' He rambles and you have to interrupt him

''Well'' You sigh. ''I miss Peter as much as the other boys.''Caspian shakes his head, not believing your words.

''But because they are my friends and I want them back.'' You explain. 

Your hands touch his face. ''That has nothing to do with us, my love."

"I want to be with you and that won't change even if Peter comes back."

He removes your hands from his face. ''No, you don't know what's going to happen to you''

''Yes, yes, I know"

''no, you don't know and that's fine'' It is pointed out. ''On the other hand, I do know what's happening to me.''

He eyes stab you. ''I do know that I love you'' He snorts and touches his head.

''Forgive me, but I can't be a mature guy, sometimes the child inside comes out''

You just smile and your eyes narrow.

Caspian gives a half smile. ''You love me the same, don't you?''

You don't nod, you don't speak, you just take his walk and your mouths meet. 

They both return to the blanket and enjoy their evening, until nightfall, but more in love than before. 

[lulublack90]

Prompt 21 - Facade

@jegulus-microfic March 21, Word count 373

Previous part First part

They woke up late after their early morning exuberance after moving to James’s bed. Regulus stretched, fingers kneading into James’s back. James hissed as his nails bit into his muscled skin. “Love,” James groaned, rolling over and dragging Regulus onto his chest. 

Reluctantly, Regulus got up, knowing they had a long day ahead of them, explaining everything to Remus, Sirius and Peter. 

Sirius sat waiting for them, a mask of false calm firmly attached to his face. It made Regulus’s stomach twist. He hated seeing Sirius hide behind his masks. Regulus looked past Sirius. Remus wasn’t back yet. That couldn’t be a good thing. 

No sooner had he thought of it than the dorm room door opened and Remus shuffled into the room. He looked terrible. Wide, purple circles hugged the skin below his bleary eyes. He was shaking slightly with the effort of standing. Sirius shot to his feet and raced across the room, his facade of calmness disappearing in an instant as he worried over his boyfriend. 

“So many long faces,” Remus joked, his voice so hoarse Regulus almost missed his words. 

“Get into bed, my love. We can talk about it once you’ve had some rest,” It felt almost wrong to watch the pair interact. Regulus never saw Sirius sweeter than when it had anything to do with Remus. Remus let Sirius lead him to his bed and made him comfortable before closing his eyes and falling asleep faster than anyone Regulus had ever seen. Sirius closed the curtains quietly and cast a silencing charm over Remus’s bed so he wouldn’t be disturbed. He turned to Regulus and narrowed his eyes. 

“Go and round up your bunch of miscreants and meet us in the come-and-go room,” he looked back at Remus’s bed. “Meet us there after dinner,” he said, dismissing Regulus and disappearing into Remus’s bed. 

“Take the cloak and the map, love,” James said behind him. “Just, please don’t let them know about them,” Regulus gazed up at James’s pleading eyes and nodded. They kissed. James gave him the map and the cloak and Regulus went in search of his friends, his fingers twitching against his wand as he thought about how much trouble they’d caused him, especially Barty.

Next part

[thedevilinmybrain]

Just saw what you said in the comments of your previous post and like you, I don't get why babyboll blues seems to be the fandom fav among your works. I mean don't get me wrong I love all your works, I think I'd have a fair chance at being your top1 favorite fan just by the amount of times I've reread each and everyone of your fics but babyboll blues might actually be the one I've reread the least? (like let's say 10 times instead of 15-20 for the others lmao). I feel you when you say the end feels a bit rushed, that was my impression the first time I read too. Even if it doesn't take anything away from how good the story is, it feels like there could have been more things happening there. And as for my favs as opposed to what seem to be fandom's consensus, I think my top 3 has to be : 1st => the of the divine series. It might be because it's the first of your works I got to read too so it remains special but even that aside, I love everything about this fic. Your angel!harry has a big place in my heart. 2nd => and I would search the night sky to find you; I love what you did with this story, I remember both the rute scene and the heat ceremony had me holding my breath. I feel like this fic isn't talked about enough while still having more than 500 bookmarks so clearly loved. And 3rd => into that goodnight, this baby deserves way more love. Anyway, sorry for the rant haha. I just really really love your fics, thank you for being such a big part of why I've enjoyed (and still am) this fandom and everything it has to offer 🥰

okay anon, you just like made my day because how is my peter pan au like the one fic everyone forgets about? i busted my ASS for that fic and it just didn't land the want i wanted. but eh, such is life. i'll tell you a funny story. so ages ago when i was in college getting my bachelors in creative writing, i had multiple teachers tell me my prose was terrible. like my fiction writing was too wordy and overly emotional and felt like it was written by a thirteen year old girl (that is a direct quote). and the school really, really hated genre writing. so, i took it to heart and ended up getting my concentration in poetry instead.

now, i take every opportunity to write genre shit. like world building. complex characters. whole new mythologies and cultures. it's my favorite thing to do. the plot will come later, i need to map out why omegas in my fics wear ribbons to cover their mate marks. haha. so it really does mean the fucking world to me when people like my stuff. it's just so vindicating that i can write some things that are a little weird and a little too wordy and emotional and people enjoy it and return to it. even when i rush the ending a bit haha.

[sycamorelibrary754]

Guardian Angel

Chapter 10: MacGyver

Summary: Wanda and Monica hurry to Rome to save the team from San Castillo's catacombs while you anxiously wait for news about Wanda and your newfound family.

Warnings: Mentions of injury, asthma, anxiety

Word Count: 8k

A/N: The latest chapter of Guardian Angel is the longest yet. Thanks to everyone who's reading! I'm excited about where the story is headed, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Guardian Angel Masterlist 

Tony slowly opened his eyes, but all he could see was darkness. The faceplate of his Iron Man helmet slid open, and he heard the sound of dripping condensation—the only indication that he was still alive.

Steve stirred next, feeling the damp air as he touched the hard stone floor. He started crawling on all fours and ripped off his oxygen mask, coughing as small pebbles from the drop scraped against his skin.

“Buck, come on.” Steve tapped his friend's cheek as he began to regain consciousness. “There you go.”

“Fuck,” Barnes muttered, glancing up at the height of the drop, with a trickle of blood running down his cheek.

Yelena crawled toward Natasha, her face and arms stained with dirt and blood. Despite the pain in her wrist, she began to move the small pile of rubble that had buried her older sister's lower body.

“Are you okay, sestra?” Her voice was muffled under the oxygen mask, but she managed to ask.

Nat slowly propped herself up, a sharp hiss escaping her lips as a wave of pain shot through her right leg. Glancing down, her breath hitched. A deep gash marred the length of her lower leg, starkly visible through her suit.

All around them, an eerie silence sent shivers down their spines. The darkness was so thick that they could barely see beyond a few feet.

In an instant, Carol leaped into action, her hands steady and reassuring as she helped Peter and Kate regain their footing. Nearby, Sam and Clint emerged from behind a massive stone slab adorned with a weathered fresco, their faces etched with surprise as they sputtered and coughed, disoriented from the chaos. The thunderous crash of debris collapsing had echoed through the air, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Thor was the last to appear, tossing rubble and rocks aside like pillows.

“Is everyone alright?” Steve asked the team.

A smattering of grunts and mumbles floated out of the team in response. Everyone was nursing a modicum of injuries, but somehow, all were alive.

“Friday, give me an IR scan of the space.” Tony's voice echoed through the underground catacombs.

FRIDAY's response was unexpected. "This is not part of the previously mapped subterranean pathway, boss."

Tony sighed. "What do you mean? Are there any air currents?"

"This catacomb is not open to the public. Consequently, no air currents were created at this depth," FRIDAY replied.

"How much oxygen is left in the masks?" Steve asked.

"Undeterminable, Captain,” FRIDAY said.

Panic set in as the realization struck them—they were running out of oxygen. “Maria, can you hear me?” Nat urgently called out through her comms, hoping for a response. All she received, however, was static. “Are the comms working for anyone?” she asked, searching for a glimmer of hope, but no one was able to make contact.

Not waiting for further instruction, Carol flew up the shaft. The team could hear the distant sound of energy blasts as scattered debris and water droplets fell from above. She returned a moment later, wearing a look of calm anxiety.

“We fell at least one hundred feet,” Carol said, removing her oxygen mask. “The top of the shaft narrows, and the passage is blocked by rubble from the fall.”

Thor looked around in frustration, "This is ridiculous," he lamented. "I'm getting us the hell out of here," he declared as he started to spin Mjölnir.

But Bruce quickly stopped him. “No, didn't you hear FRIDAY?” he exclaimed, gripping Thor’s forearm. “A core reactor holds the tunnel together. We have no idea what’s causing the energy surges. Introducing thunder into the mix could collapse the entire catacomb.”

"So what do we do now?" he asked, the tension rising.

*^~^*

“How far out are we?" Wanda asked.

The Quinjet's soft, gentle hum echoed in the bright blue sky as it soared through the endless expanse.

"Only a few minutes. Their trackers are still active, but I can't say how long they'll remain online," Monica said, glancing at the GPS display.

Wanda wasn't sure what to say. This was the first time she and Monica had been alone together since Westview. Despite their hug on the loading dock, she wasn't sure where they stood. Still, Wanda couldn't bear to think about what they might find in Rome. She needed a distraction.

"So... how have you been holding up since, you know, that whole situation?" Wanda murmured.

“Since you trapped Westview, New Jersey, in an idyllic suburban illusion of your grief and turned me into a photon,” Monica finished for her, raising an eyebrow.

Wanda buried her face in her hands, feeling embarrassed. "In a way, yes," she mumbled.

"I've been doing well. After the Hex was dismantled, I was recruited into S.A.B.E.R. For the past year, I've been shuttling back and forth between Earth and the space station," Monica explained.

Wanda gave a thoughtful nod, her expression shifting as she turned to face her directly. "Listen, I—"

"Wanda, there’s no need for more words. You've already apologized, and trust me, I meant every word back then. I know how you felt, and honestly, if I were in your shoes—gifted with your powers—I would have done everything I could to bring my mom back too," Monica said.

Wanda nodded in acknowledgment, feeling a sense of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

Now I have a question for you," Monica said. "What's going on between you and y/n?”

Wanda couldn't help but smile. "Our meeting was purely by chance, and now I can't imagine my life without her." She gazed out the window before continuing, "After losing Vision, I had built up so many walls, but y/n helped me tear them all down. It's strange; sometimes it feels like Vision sent y/n to me, you know? Like she's my guardian angel."

"That's wonderful, Wanda. I'm happy for you,” Monica declared.

"Approaching the target landing zone. Cloaking technology has been activated," announced FRIDAY.

*^~^*

Darcy seemed to have an unmatched familiarity with the Overwatch system—she navigated through it with precision and ease, almost as if she had designed it herself. You couldn't help but notice how meticulously she calibrated her equipment, making every adjustment with utmost care and attention to detail.

“What kind of data did you observe before the fall?” Darcy asked.

“Mostly thermostats,” Maria said. “A core reactor holds together the stabilization of the tunnel structure.” 

Their words felt like a foreign language at that moment, barely registering in your stunned mind. The last few hours' events clung to you like a heavy fog, making it hard to think clearly. Amid the confusion, a gnawing worry took root in your heart—Wanda was out there risking everything to save them all, and you couldn’t shake the fear for her safety.

“Why were they all on this mission, anyway?” Darcy asked. “Jack Sparrow doesn't usually gamble all his chips on surveillance.”

Maria brought up the mission file on the screen. "In Rome, there are over sixty catacombs made up of miles of underground tunnels containing thousands of tombs. Currently, only five of these catacombs are open to the public. For the past month, we have received unusual readings from the Catacombs of San Callisto, which span five floors and extend more than twelve miles in length,” Maria explained. “Despite our best intelligence, we were uncertain about what we were walking into since it wasn't accessible to the public. Fury wanted us to be prepared for any possibility."

Darcy suddenly noticed your distant expression. “Hey, y/n, are you okay over there?” 

“Honestly, I just...” you paused, letting the weight of your words sink in. “I mean, I make candy for a living! The riskiest thing I face each day is when Harper forgets to turn off the stove,” you said, your frustration bubbling to the surface.

“Y/N,” Maria said slowly, noticing your anxiety rising.

I just witnessed the Avengers plummet into who-knows-where, and now my girlfriend has rushed off to save them using her incredible magical powers. Seriously, what the hell is my life now?

“Y/N, it’s going to be okay,” Maria reassured you as she and Darcy walked toward you.

“How could you possibly know that? This is absolutely terrifying!” you exclaimed, your voice rising in panic. “What if they’re all gone for good, and we never see any of them again?”

Just as you felt yourself sinking deeper into a whirlwind of anxiety, a sharp sting burst through the haze—the forceful slap of Darcy's hand against your cheek. The sudden shock pulled you back to reality, snapping you out of your spiraling thoughts and into the present moment.

“You were really spiraling there,” Darcy said, a warm smile spreading across her face as she gave you a comforting pat on the back. “But hey, it’s all good now!”

“Y/N,” Maria said softly, her hands gently resting on your shoulders as her gaze locked onto yours. A sense of warmth enveloped you, even as you absentmindedly rubbed your cheek. “You need to trust me. Everything will be alright. Their trackers are still sending signals, and I just got an update on their vital signs. They're in distress, yes, but they're stable for now. Wanda and Monica are out there, and I know they’ll find them.”

Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you turned to Maria and said, “I can’t even begin to understand how you all manage this day in and day out.” You wiped your hand across your face, the weight of the situation heavy on your shoulders. “How do you keep it together with Natasha out there?”

"I’ve been doing this for a long time, and one thing I know for sure is that Nat never gives up. If anything, this entire situation has only fueled her determination. When she’s angry, she becomes an even stronger fighter," Maria said.

You glanced at your watch. "Shoot," you sighed. "It's almost 3 p.m. I have to go pick up Billy and Tommy from school. Please call me as soon as you know anything." 

*^~^*

As you stepped onto the grounds of the boys' school, a wave of nervous anticipation washed over you. You had only met Billy and Tommy once, and the thought of what to say to them made your heart race. Wanda had specifically asked you to keep her sudden departure a secret, adding to the uncertainty in your mind. Just minutes after you arrived, the sixth-grade class began spilling out of the building, a flurry of youthful energy filling the air. It didn't take long for your eyes to lock onto the twins—there they were, backpacks slung over their shoulders and books clutched tightly, scanning the crowd with unmistakable curiosity.

You called out, "Boys, over here!" Billy and Tommy ran over to you.

“Hi, y/n. Why are you picking us up today?” Tommy asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, where is our mom?” Billy added, a look of confusion on his face.

“Your mom had to go on a last-minute mission with the rest of the team,” you said, hoping your explanation would suffice. “So, she asked me to look after you boys until she returns. Is that okay with you?”

Billy and Tommy exchanged a glance, seemingly communicating a message without using words. Then, they turned back to you and nodded. You couldn't help but wonder if they had a secret language that only the two of them understood.

Walking into Wanda’s home for the first time without her felt strange. Her absence made the atmosphere seem eerie. Taking a deep breath, you reminded yourself to shake off that feeling and focus on Billy and Tommy.

Once settled, you asked, “So, what do you usually do first after getting home from school?”

Tommy and Billy stood in the kitchen, looking up at you with hopeful eyes. "Well," Tommy began tentatively, "Mom usually lets us play video games after school."

Billy nodded eagerly and added, "And then we have ice cream. It's our favorite snack."

You couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. "I understand," you said, playing along with their little game. "And after video games and ice cream, you'll probably start your homework, right?"

Tommy's face fell at this. "We don't have any homework," he said.

You chuckled and leaned back against the counter. "Listen, boys," you said, adopting a more serious tone. "I know we don't know each other very well yet, and you might be thinking this is a free-for-all. But you should know that I invented the 'I don’t have any homework' line," you added, placing your hand on your chest. "I was a kid once, too, you know."

“It was worth a try,” Billy said.

“Why don’t you two bring your homework down here, and I'll prepare a snack in the meantime?” you suggested.

“Okay,” they said together before making their way down the hall.

You shook your head at their cheekiness and began preparing a snack. You sliced some crisp apples, added a dollop of creamy peanut butter, and poured three glasses of lemonade.

After spending some time helping the boys with their homework—which turned out to be more challenging than you remembered—you decided to tidy up around the house. As you walked into the living room, your attention was immediately drawn to the family photo on the wall. Vision stood tall and strong, with Wanda's arm around him, while Billy and Tommy grinned widely. The image served as a gentle reminder of her life before you. Instead of feeling jealousy, your heart broke for her hardships.

You couldn't help but wonder if Wanda was okay right now. If they were all okay.

*^~^*

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, a soft glow spread across the ancient cobblestones of the Appian Way. The air was still and quiet, with only the distant chirping of birds breaking the silence. The surrounding landscape was bathed in golden light, casting long shadows that stretched across the fields and trees. Amidst this tranquility, the Quinjet lay concealed in a nearby field. Wanda and Monica walked along the cobblestone path, making their way through the Arch of Dursus, their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the morning. Suddenly, the entrance to the San Callisto catacombs appeared, rising from the ground like an ominous apparition.

The iron gate had been carefully re-welded shut—Tony’s usual attempt to avoid drawing suspicion after they entered. Wanda's hand began to swirl with red.

“I got it,” Monica said as she broke the lock with a surge of electrifying blue energy.

The two women put on oxygen masks and descended the stone stairs into the catacombs, as their communication and body cameras activated.

Their feet moved steadily, stepping one after the other. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the first of the tombs emerged from the darkness before them.

“Do you feel anything?” Monica asked. ”Anyone?” 

Wanda shook her head and said, “Not yet.”

“We are looking at over 90 acres of catacombs to search, ladies,” Maria said over the comms.

“So, you know, it may take a minute,” Darcy added. 

*^~^*

Yelena turned to Tony in frustration, "Can’t you fly us out of here? I thought Iron Man could do anything!"

Tony shot back, a playful smirk on his face, "Wow, I can't believe it took you five hours to drop that gem, blondie! What a relief you finally brought it up!"

Natasha stepped in, saying, "Take it down a notch, Tony."

Tony sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Don't you think if I could have flown us out of here, I would have done it by now? The energy surges compromised the calibration of the thrusters, and FRIDAY is down, too."

Sam nodded in agreement. "Same here. It's a complete system failure."

Suddenly, Kate's voice echoed off the stone walls, "Help!"

Peter dropped from the wall onto the floor, with webbing still hanging loosely from the rocks. "I couldn't find any other openings," he said.

Bucky added with a hint of sarcasm, "Terrific. Well, Steve, we died once; it looks like it's going to stick this time," he lamented as he pulled a small flask from inside his leather jacket and removed his oxygen mask.

“Bucky, please stop,” Steve sighed.

Clint called out, "Hey, let me have some of that," as he took a swig from the flask.

The archer then passed the flask to Thor, who sipped reluctantly, "Your human alcohol is so weak."

Natasha stood up and hobbled over to Bruce, the cut on her leg causing her significant discomfort.

“Hey, would you like me to take a look at your leg?” Bruce asked softly.

“No!” Nat shouted, yanking off her oxygen mask with fervor. “Get your green butt off that rock and team up with Stark to MacGyver something that’ll get us the hell out of here!”

“What’s a MacGyver?” Peter asked curiously.

“It’s not a what; it’s a who,” Kate replied.

“I’ve never heard of him,” Peter stated.

“Oh, MacGyver is great!" Kate said. "He’s a highly resourceful secret agent who uses his extensive scientific knowledge and everyday items like matchsticks, paper clips, and rubber bands to escape from danger. In this one episode—”

“Knock it off!” Nat shouted. The two young Avengers fell silent immediately, their eyes locked on her.

Steve took a deep breath and scanned the room, his gaze settling on each of his teammates. "Listen," he said, gaining everyone's attention. "We don’t know how long it will take someone to find us, but we must assume they’re nearby. That means we must stay calm and do everything possible to conserve oxygen in this small space and on our masks. We’re uncertain about what will happen next, but we’re in this together and will get through it."

*^~^*

It had been an hour since the boys went to bed. Now that you were finally alone with your thoughts, you couldn't hold back your tears. Worry and fear consumed your mind, and you hadn’t received any updates from Maria and Darcy. The silence felt deafening, and the longer it lasted, the more scared you became.

You looked at your phone, contemplating a call, but opted against it. Instead, you wiped your eyes and scrolled through your camera roll, viewing pictures of you and Wanda that brought back your favorite memories together.

You felt like someone was watching you. Looking up, you saw Billy peeking around the corner.

"Hey, Billy. Are you okay?" you asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Are you?" the young boy asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Your thoughts are so loud.”

It took you a moment to understand what he meant, but then it hit you: Billy could read minds like his mother. You began to wonder how overwhelming it must be for him.

I'm sorry, Billy," you said, trying to control your voice. "I didn't mean to be so loud.

It's alright," he said with a shrug as he joined you on the couch. "I'm used to it.”

You sat in silence for a few moments, feeling uncertain of what to say. Then, you remembered why you were there in the first place.

"I'm just excited for your mom to come home," you said, trying to add some positivity to the conversation.

"Same," he said, his face brightening a little. He moved closer to you on the couch. It was a small gesture, but it made you feel like you might be doing something right.

"You and Tommy really love your mom, don't you?" you asked, trying to start a conversation.

“Yeah, she’s always there for us,” Billy said with a smile.

“I know," you said, pulling a soft blanket off the back of the couch and placing it over Billy. "She talks about you and Tommy all the time. She's very proud of both of you.

"Really? What does she say?" Billy asked, his eyes widening with curiosity and interest.

“Well, she says both of you are brilliant, funny, and kind. She admires your sense of humor and kindness toward others. Tommy is a great athlete, and you are a talented artist,” you explained.

“Mom said that?" he said, surprised. "I had no idea she talked about us so much.

"Yes, she does. She loves you both very much," you replied, smiling at him warmly.

You followed Billy’s gaze as he looked at the family photograph you admired earlier. "I miss Dad," he said. "Tommy does, too."

"I know," you replied. “I’m sorry.” 

We were happy in Westview," Billy said, fidgeting with his hands like Wanda. "Then, one day, we woke up, and Dad was gone. Mom said we had to go.”

"That must have been hard," you said gently.

“At first, it was tough,” Billy continued, “but then we came here. Mom had Uncle Tony build us this cool house, and we have a lot of fun.”

You couldn't help but smile as he spoke about Wanda. "Your mom is the coolest person I know," you said, and Billy smiled with pride.

"You miss her too, don’t you?" he asked. You felt a pang of longing in your heart.

You're good, kid," you said with a smirk as you ruffled his brown hair. "Yes, I miss your mom very much.

Billy mentioned, 'You know, she talks about you too.'

Your surprise was evident on your face. "Really?" you asked.

Yes," he stated plainly. "She says you bring her joy and you make the best chocolate in the world.

You blushed at the compliment but then noticed the time. It was nearly 2 a.m. "I think we could both use some rest, Billy. We want to be well-rested when your mom gets home."

"Alright," he said, getting off the couch.

Before he left, you had an idea. "How about you, Tommy, and I make brownies tomorrow as a treat for everyone when they get home?"

Billy’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “That would be great!”

I think so too," you said with a smile. "Now, it's bedtime. Off you go.

Billy turned to you with a warm smile. "Hey," he said softly, pulling you into an unexpected embrace. "Thank you, y/n.” With a gentle squeeze, he stepped back and added, "Goodnight," his eyes sparkling warmly.

"Goodnight, Billy," you said gently.

*^~^*

Meanwhile, far away, Wanda and Monica navigated the dark, musty catacombs. They had been walking for hours without encountering anyone.

Suddenly, Maria's voice broke through their comms. “Our last point of contact was down this secondary tunnel just ahead.”

Wanda narrowed her eyes as she surveyed the area. "Watch your step," she warned. "If this is near where they were dropped, we're on unstable ground."

As they continued their exploration, the walls around them became decorated with ancient symbols and paintings, revealing the presence of papal tombs. Abruptly, Monica came to a halt. "Stop," she warned, sensing a shift in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Wanda turned to face her. "What is it?" she asked, her anxiety rising.

As Monica began to speak, the ground roared to life beneath them, shaking violently and sending both women crashing to the floor. The ceiling above them groaned as it shattered, sending a shower of debris spiraling through the air. Wanda harnessed her powers in a split second, weaving an invisible barrier around them to redirect the tumbling fragments away.

“Are you both okay?” Maria asked nervously..

“Yes, we’re fine,” Wanda said as she helped Monica up. “What just happened?”

“Take a look around," Darcy said, pointing out the surroundings. "Do you see those fissures along the walls? Someone is using the catacombs as a natural storage space for geothermal energy. But, there’s something wrong with the core reactor; it’s causing the structure to destabilize.”

Monica's voice faded as she struggled to articulate her thoughts. "So, in other words, we are..." She paused, uncertain.

Darcy noticed Monica's hesitation and finished her thought. "Walking on eggshells. You need to find them soon."

*^~^*

Clint, feeling a bit tipsy after several hours of sipping from Bucky’s flask, began singing to himself, "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen."

No, we need to find a physical conductor for the thrusters! We can't use Thor or Danvers down here,” Bruce exclaimed, exasperated.

Distracted by his thoughts, Clint continued to perform solo, "Nobody knows my sorrows."

Tony suggested, “We could use Barnes’s arm,” glancing at the super soldier sitting against the wall.

Bruce briefly considered it and replied, “That could work. We could use the vibranium and cybernetic implant to hotwire the thrusters.”

“Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen,” Clint continued without shame.

Bucky, who had been quietly listening, pulled down his oxygen mask so that only his eyes were visible and said, “Come try to take it; I dare you.”

“No one at all!” Clint finally finished singing. Natasha gently helped her best friend back into a sitting position beside her and Carol.

A few feet away, Yelena, Peter, and Kate sat together on the ground. Kate nestled her head comfortably in Yelena's lap, seeking comfort amidst the chaos. Yelena had already tended to Nat's gash with a practiced hand and now shifted her focus to Kate’s forehead. She reached into her vest pocket, retrieving a disinfectant wipe. Gently, she dabbed at the cut, her movements tender and deliberate.

“Ouch!” Kate gasped, her voice barely audible through the oxygen mask.

“Stay still, Kate Bishop, and it won’t sting as much,” Yelena urged, her grip tightening as she battled to keep her friend steady.

Suddenly, the sound of Peter wheezing broke the blonde's concentration.

"Are you okay, spider?" Her voice was filled with concern as Peter struggled to remove his oxygen mask.

Peter struggled to catch his breath, each word coming out in strained gasps. "I don’t know… I can’t," he managed to sputter out, desperation evident in his voice. "Just give me a moment to breathe!"

Kate sat up with a jolt, her heart racing. "What’s going on? Peter, where’s your inhaler?”

Peter's voice trembled, each word a struggle as he gasped for breath. "It's on the jet," he managed to say.

Bruce carefully shifted Peter into a seated position against the wall. He leaned in close, placing his ear to Peter's chest, his brow furrowing at the sound of labored, rasping breaths that cut through the tense silence.

Peter, look at me," Bruce said gently, holding the boy's face. "Are you sure you don't have a rescue inhaler with you?

He shook his head, panic flickering in his eyes as each breath grew heavier.

With a sense of urgency in his voice, Tony spun around to face Steve and exclaimed, "You've got to help me get out of this suit!"

Steve furrowed his brow, a look of bewilderment crossing his face as he exclaimed, "Wait, what?"

“FRIDAY is down! Get it off me, please!” Tony’s voice echoed with urgency and desperation.

Steve located the central seam of the Iron Man suit and attempted to pull the chest plate apart, but it remained stubbornly in place.

"Buck! Thor! I need your help!" Steve shouted..

The sharp, ragged gasps of Peter filled the air, nearly lost beneath the ominous creaking of metal as Bucky and Thor labored to pry Tony from the confines of his suit.

"It's going to be okay, Peter. Stay with us," Sam said as he and Carol tried to keep him calm.

Peter's vision began to blur, and his breathing turned into a faint squeak.

Tony wasted no time as he swiftly emerged from the shattered remnants of his suit, the metallic debris clinking to the ground around him. Peter’s eyes began to droop closed. Tony quickly rummaged through his pants pocket, his fingers brushing against the fabric until they found the familiar shape of his rescue inhaler. Natasha gently lowered Peter’s head into her lap. Tony steadied the inhaler, angling it just right as he positioned it towards Peter's mouth. He took a deep breath, pressed down on the canister to release the first puff, and immediately followed it with a second.

Take a deep breath, kid," Tony said gently, his voice calm and steady. "Inhale slowly—one, two, three, four, five. Feel the air fill your lungs.

He administered two additional puffs of the inhaler before Bruce listened to Peter's chest and confirmed that his breathing had improved.

Thank you, Mr. Stark," Peter whispered as he began to breathe easier. "Where did you get that inhaler?

“From Aunt Mae, and it was one of her conditions for you to join the team. I always keep it with me," Tony explained.

Peter's eyes widened in realization. "You broke your suit!" he exclaimed, the words tumbling out in disbelief.

It's a simple fix, kiddo," Tony said with a grin. "You're not.”

Tony kissed Peter on the forehead and then walked away, his hands trembling.

"You're okay, Peter," Bruce said gently. "Just keep using the inhaler, and when you're feeling better, put your oxygen mask back on." He dusted off Peter’s mask, but his eyes widened when he noticed the gauge was empty and the light had turned red.

“Is something wrong?” Steve asked.

"The mask is out of oxygen," Bruce whispered..

"I'll give you mine," Carol said, removing her mask and handing it to Peter.

"Thanks, Carol," Peter said, his breaths steadying with each puff of his inhaler.

Steve pulled Bruce aside. “Be honest with me, Bruce. How much time do we have left?”

"It's difficult to determine. Given Peter's medical condition, he may have been using more oxygen than the rest of us. I'll check the other masks, but with so many people in this confined space—”

“Bruce,” Steve said with a serious tone.

“Maybe an hour.”

*^~^*

In an instant, a torrent of chaotic thoughts surged into Wanda's mind, all radiating from Peter. The weight of his anxiety slammed into her with such force that she had to press her back against the cold, hard wall of the tunnel for support. Overcome by a mix of relief and heartache, tears streamed down her face. It felt as if Peter’s despair was a contagion, swamping her senses and threatening to drown her in his turmoil. His mind was a labyrinth of frantic thoughts, each one spiraling toward the same hopeless conclusion: they were all facing certain death.

Monica's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Wanda, what is it?"

Wanda needed to grip the wall for support. "Peter, I can feel him; he's close."

It felt as though Peter's thoughts had broken the dam, allowing the desperation and fear of her teammates to surface one by one. However, soon those emotions were replaced by something entirely different: acceptance. They appeared resigned to their fate, sending a chill down Wanda's spine.

“This way,” Wanda said as the two women turned back.

They crawled through a dark tunnel, having to duck to fit. As they pushed their way through the ancient passage, they felt a sense of relief when it finally opened into a larger space. Rubble was scattered everywhere, and the ground beneath their feet was uneven.

Maria's voice echoed through the comms. "What do you see?"

Monica took a deep breath and replied, "It's much cooler here." The air surrounding them felt refreshing, in stark contrast to the humid atmosphere of the rest of the catacomb.

Wanda knelt and placed her hand on the ground, feeling the dampness seep through her fingers. "The ground is damp too," she added.

Darcy's ears perked up at their report. "This is it! If the water sinks into the ground, it will come out somewhere."

Monica noticed the uneven gravel. “Don’t move,” she said as she phased through the ground, leaving Wanda alone with the team’s thoughts in her head.

*^~^*

Bruce, true to his word, carefully examined all the oxygen in the ten remaining masks. However, five more had depleted, leaving the group with only five masks to share. They sat in a circle and passed the masks around, agreeing on five-minute turns.

As they breathed heavily and coughed from the thickening air, it became clear that oxygen was running out. Suddenly, a low rumbling sound caused everyone to scramble toward the walls. Yelena instinctively reached out for Natasha, who was struggling to stand due to what was likely an infected cut on her leg.

"Cover your head!" Steve shouted, raising his shield, unsure if it was another energy surge or if the catacombs were finally caving in.

Suddenly, Monica fell through the stone ceiling and landed on Carol, causing her to grunt in pain. Monica quickly stood up, dusting herself off and helping Carol to her feet.

Kate screamed in relief, "Oh my God, it's Monica!" and hugged her tightly. Yelena tried to pry Kate away from Monica while everyone else watched in surprise.

"You found us," Carol said, hugging her tightly.

“Actually, Wanda found you,” Monica said as she held Carol. “She heard Peter's thoughts,” she added, turning to the young Avenger.

“Thank you for having asthma, you wonderful little spider!” Clint said, kissing Peter on the cheek.

"Um, you're welcome," Peter replied.

"Wanda is here?" Steve asked.

"I knew she could do it," Natasha murmured softly.

Wanda," Monica said, her voice tired as she pressed her comms closer to her ear, a mix of excitement and urgency in her tone. "You were right— they’re down here.

"Oh my God, are they alright?" Wanda asked, her voice a mix of anxiety and relief.

More or less," Monica replied, surveying the sweaty, exhausted, and dirt-covered group. "When I give the signal, you do your thing.

“Understood,” Wanda replied.

Everyone, step back from the center," Monica instructed. "Alright, Wanda, now.”

The redhead stood motionless, her heart racing as she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. A shimmering, crimson glow radiated from her hands and eyes, illuminating her surroundings as if she were enveloped in flames. With her eyelids gently pressed shut, your words reverberated through her mind. Her breath felt heavier, yet she drew strength from the fiery light that pulsated around her, filling the air with an electric energy.

“The magic that courses through you is the true measure of who you are, Wanda. Don't let a single mistake define you or your legacy."

She concentrated intently, summoning every ounce of energy as she channeled her magical abilities to lift the overwhelming mass of heavy rubble that choked the narrow shaft. With a determined effort, she began to raise the debris, each movement accompanied by the grating sound of stones and fragments crashing down below. The sharp echoes reverberated off the walls of the cramped space. As her teammates glanced upward, their eyes widened, catching sight of a faint beam of sunlight that broke through the small opening a daunting hundred feet above them.

Wanda's heart raced with anticipation as she descended. The moment her feet touched the ground, Natasha rushed forward, wrapping her in a tight, reassuring embrace. "No more arms tied behind your back," she murmured, her voice brimming with relief and joy.

Wanda's eyes filled with tears as she nodded, overwhelmed with emotion. Then Tony stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you, Red," he said.

"Same here, Stark," Wanda replied, a smile spreading across her face.

Their reunion was abruptly interrupted by Maria's voice breaking over the comms. "You can all exchange pleasantries on the way home; it's time to rejoin the surface dwellers," she said briskly.

Wanda quickly wiped away her tears and summoned a ladder that led out of the shaft with a wave of her hand. Bucky, Clint, Sam, Thor, and Carol ascended first, while Monica offered her assistance to anyone who needed help.

“Does anyone need a ride?” Monica asked, looking around at the group.

Tony shot a finger in Peter’s direction, a knowing smirk creeping onto his face. “That one.”

Peter jumped in protest, his eyes wide. “What? No way, Mr. Stark! Really, I’m good!”

Tony dismissed Peter's objections quickly. "Nice try, kid. Your asthma nearly killed you. Let the Photon carry you; that's an order," he said as he picked up the broken chest plate of his suit and ascended the ladder.

Peter agreed with some hesitation. "Fine," he said reluctantly, "but no one tells MJ."

Monica picked Peter up in a bridal style and flew up the shaft.

Natasha leaned on Yelena and Kate for support as she hobbled toward the ladder.

"Would you like a ride?" Wanda asked with a smirk, knowing Nat would be reluctant to accept help from anyone.

“Do I look like Peter?” Nat replied sarcastically, attempting to dismiss the offer with a shrug.

"No, but leg looks pretty bad. I have someone on the line who wants to speak with you," she explained, handing Nat her comms earpiece.

Nat reluctantly picked it up, fully aware of who would be on the other end. She put it on and said, "Hi, Maria."

Maria screamed through the earpiece. "Natalia Alianovna Romanoff! I can see your leg on their body cameras. Let Wanda help you, or I swear, you'll be sleeping on the couch until it heals," she shouted in a stern tone.

Natasha sighed in frustration and reluctantly returned her earpiece to Wanda, nodding in agreement.

"Did you have a nice conversation?" Wanda teased, noticing the annoyed expression on Natasha's face.

"Be quiet and get me out of here," the Black Widow grumbled.

"Excellent choice," the redhead declared, a grin spreading across her face as she effortlessly summoned her magic to lift Natasha from the depths of the shaft. With a flick of her wrist, she turned to Yelena and Kate. "Ladies first,” she said.

Steve was the last one to leave. The captain smiled broadly at Wanda, his face, covered in dirt and blood, unable to hide his immense pride in her.

“Are you planning to give me one of those big hero speeches, Cap?” Wanda asked, half-jokingly.

"Maybe later," Steve replied with a sigh. "For now, all I want to do is this." He wrapped his arms around Wanda, pulling her close. "Welcome back, Wanda.”

As night enveloped Rome in a blanket of shadows, the team finally stepped aboard the sleek Quinjet, tired but relieved. Monica took the helm, deftly engaging the autopilot, while she and Wanda tended to the team’s injuries..

“No more underground missions!” Sam shouted, a grimace crossing his face as Wanda carefully bandaged his shoulder. “I’m serious! If it comes to crawling through those dark tunnels again, Fury can send in the incredible shrinking Scott or deploy Red Wing instead. I was just chasing shadows down there, and we’re still in the dark about what was really happening!”

Monica tried to reassure him. "You were likely hallucinating due to a lack of oxygen," she said.

“Ha! Probably!” Sam responded, his tone skeptical. “That’s not very comforting. Steve, this better bs included in the mission report. We can’t afford to overlook any potential spooky threats.”

Looking at the bruised and battered group, Steve suggested, "I think we could all use some rest first. We can reconvene in the morning to debrief.”

*^~^*

The next morning, you were awakened by the sound of your phone ringing on the coffee table. You had chosen to sleep on the couch after Billy went back to bed, just in case either of the boys woke up again. When you picked up the phone and saw Maria's name on the screen, your heart skipped a beat.

Heart racing and palms sweating, you picked up the phone, “Maria?”

Maria's voice cracked with emotion as she delivered the news, bringing tears to your eyes. "They're all safe, though a bit bruised and battered. ETA two hours."

Relieved and grateful, you felt a weight lifted from your chest. "Oh, thank God… what about Wanda?"

"She was incredible, y/n. You should be proud," Maria said, her voice filled with admiration.

You brushed a tear away from your cheek, taking a deep breath to steady yourself. “So, what happens now?” you murmured, glancing cautiously around the corner to ensure that Billy and Tommy were still asleep.

“They will have a debrief upon their return and a visit to the med bay. Nevertheless, I know Wanda will want to see you and the boys as soon as possible,” Maria explained.

You nodded, though she couldn’t see you, a faint smile playing on your lips. “Alright,” you replied, your fingers raking through your hair as you glanced at the clock. “We’ll be there.”

*^~^*

As you tidied up the couch, the soft patter of feet echoed through the house. Billy and Tommy, still clad in their pajamas shuffled in with sleepy smiles. “Good morning, boys!” you called out, setting down the cushions for a moment. “Good news—your mom is on her way home!”

Tommy's eyes sparkled with excitement as a broad grin spread across his face. "Yes!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with joy.

Billy gazed at you intently. "So, when will she be home?" he asked, his voice brimming with anticipation.

You looked at your watch and said, "In a couple of hours. I was thinking we could all meet her at the compound. What do you think?"

Both boys nodded enthusiastically, excited at the thought of seeing their mother again.

“I was wondering if you would like to help me make some brownies to bring as a welcome-home treat for everyone? It's a very special recipe from The Candy Bar,” you suggested.

You raised an eyebrow while waiting for their response. The boys exchanged glances, then looked back at you, grinning widely. "Yes, please!" they exclaimed in unison.

You connected your phone to the state-of-the-art sound system that Tony had integrated in the house and chose your “Baking Playlist.” You arranged all the ingredients for your fudgy chocolate brownies on the sleek granite countertop.

“Okay,” you said, clapping your hands together. “Tommy, you mix the dry ingredients, and Billy, you mix the wet ingredients.”

You couldn't help but grin as the boys rolled up their sleeves and got to work, their eyes fixed on the recipe book as they measured each ingredient with utmost care.

You whipped up a decadent chocolate frosting while the brownies were baking to perfection. The frosting's smooth, velvety texture was the perfect complement to the brownies' chewy, chocolatey goodness.

Once you finished frosting the brownies and placing them in the fridge, you checked the clock and said, "Okay, why don't you guys get showered and dressed? You want to look your best for your mom."

"Okay." That's when Tommy suddenly zipped away and returned in a split second, ready to go. 

"Whoa! That was fast," you said, impressed.

"I know, right? I have super speed, just like our Uncle Pietro!" Tommy proudly announced.

"Ah, your mom has told me a bit about him," you replied, nodding in understanding.

"Well, that's why I'm so awesome at sports!" Tommy exclaimed with a huge grin.

"Actually, that's not true," Billy interjected. "Mom doesn't want him to use his powers while playing sports."

"Ugh, don't listen to him. Sometimes I use them when she isn't looking," Tommy said, a mischievous look creeping across his face.

“I'm going to tell Mom!" Billy shouted, looking outraged.

"You will not!" Tommy said, pushing his brother playfully.

"Hey, hey, hey!" You stepped between them, breaking up their squabble. "Billy, you can go get ready, and Tommy, how about you help me pack up the brownies?"

"Fine," Billy grumbled.

"Okay," Tommy said with a nod.

*^~^*

You and the boys patiently waited outside the med bay, watching as doctors and nurses came in and out. After what felt like an eternity, you finally caught sight of the redhead. Wanda was urgently scanning the room when her eyes landed on you and the boys. The twins ran towards their mom before you even had a chance to move.

Wanda hugged Billy and Tommy tightly, kissing the tops of their heads. You hung back, holding the Tupperware full of brownies, not wanting to impose on their family reunion. 

“I missed you boys so much,” Wanda said, kneeling to hug them.

“We missed you too,” Tommy replied.

“Yeah,” Billy agreed, “but we had a great time with y/n. She's so much fun, and we made brownies for everyone, see?” pointing back at you. 

Wanda glanced back at you, and her eyes lit up with joy upon seeing you standing there. “I missed you too," she said, pulling you into a warm embrace, and giving you a soft kiss on the lips, which made you blush.

“You brought everyone home,” you whispered, repeating the words you spoke to her before she left. “I knew you could do it,” you said, as you both tried to hold back tears in the middle of the med bay.

Lost in the moment, Tony's voice jolted you back to reality. "Aww, at the lovebirds!" he exclaimed. You saw Stark approaching, holding Pepper’s and Morgan’s hands. He looked a bit worse for wear compared to the last time you saw him; he had a limp, butterfly stitches above his eyebrow, and a cut on his cheek.

You hugged all three of them. "Mmmm, what do we have here?" Tony asked. "Very nice! I don't remember you making brownies for me when I came home from a mission," he said, turning to his wife.

Pepper responded, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm a bit busy managing your entire company. If you want brownies, make them yourself."

Natasha was next, pushed in a wheelchair by Maria, followed by Yelena and Kate. Natasha's lower right leg was heavily bandaged. "Oh, Nat, are you okay?" you asked.

I'm fine," she said, smiling reassuringly as you leaned down to embrace her. "This is all just a precaution.

Maria chimed in, "Right, that’s why Dr. Cho gave us precautionary antibiotics," doing air quotes.

"My sister has always been stubborn," Yelena said as she and Kate joined the group. The blonde adjusted the brace on her wrist before hugging you and taking two brownies.

"You should have seen her down there," Kate added. "It was like the Black Widow on steroids," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around you.

“What was that, Bishop?” Nat asked, casting a stern look at Kate.

"Nothing," Kate replied nervously. "Would you like a brownie?”

“Mmhm, that’s what I thought you said,” Nat smirked as she took the treat.

*^~^*

You joined the team for dinner but retired early to your room to give the group space to decompress. While laying on your bed, Wanda knocked on your door, poking her head inside. 

“Sorry, sweetheart. Were you sleeping?” she asked.

"I'm not sleeping, just resting my eyes," you replied as you sat up and yawned. 

Wanda joined you on the bed, laughing. “Yeah, that’s how I usually feel at the end of the day with the boys, too.”

You wrapped your arms around her and kissed her cheek. “The boys were great. It was nice to spend more time with them, even under these circumstances.”

“They feel the same way, love. To quote them, y/n is super cool,” Wanda smirked.

“Super cool. I should put that on my business card,” you joked.

“Seriously, y/n, thank you. I know two 11-year-old boys are a handful, and I put you in a tough position, but it means so much to me that I can trust you.”

The moment the word "trust" was spoken, memories of your parents' questionable actions regarding the aftermath of Sokovia came rushing back, along with your conversation with Tony. The redhead sensed your distress.

Wanda glanced at you with concern etched on her face. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

You did your best to put on a reassuring smile and dismiss the nagging thoughts. "I am now that you’re home," you replied softly.

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