#reminds me of how my little brother used to call grapes apples | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

sserpente · 4 years ago

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A/N: Heyho there my lovelies! I’m finally back! I missed posting so much! This Imagine is based on a TikTok I found and what can I say? It inspired me! After this, next up, will be the 20k Special! Enjoy everyone!

Words: 3205 Warnings: colour-blindness

“What if I never find him?” You murmured, glancing at the fruit bowl with a saddened expression. Yellow bananas, green grapes, red apples. To you, they were all different shades of grey. Dull and boring, like you had been sucked into a 30s black-and-white film. Only you didn’t get a cheesy romance out of it.

You had been born with what doctors today would call a ‘remarkably rare, complicated and fascinating condition’, for you had lost all of your colour vision at the age of twelve. You still remembered what the world had looked like before—bright, rich, intense—then someone flicked a switch overnight and all you could still see was grey, grey, grey and greyer. The colours would only ever come back to you once you found the love of your life—your soulmate.

A sigh escaped your lips. Only a few people still existed with this… defect and to make things worse, you had had no idea you were one of them. Not until your twelfth birthday. Society admired and pitied you all the same and yet, being a hopeless romantic, at the end of the day, you longed to finally fall in love.

Tony chuckled. “Heads up. You’re too young to worry about settling down anyway.” He responded cheerfully and pointed at you with a screwdriver in hand. He had been trying to fix the dishwasher for a solid twenty minutes now and for a man who had built himself a pretty much indestructible suit that could fly, it was utterly amusing he couldn’t figure out why it had stopped working.

You were not an Avenger, mind you. The sole reason you were, as of right now, in the Avengers’ kitchen munching on grey chocolate chips was that your best friend, who in turn was friends with Clint’s wife, had managed to flood your shared flat over the weekend. It was utterly inhabitable now and it would take quite a while for the landlord to get it all dried up again—and since insurance would not cover the cost for staying in a hotel, for the time being, Clint’s wife had suggested you’d stay with them—right until Tony Stark had shown up and you had graciously offered you’d come hang out at the Avengers Tower. Okay, technically you had begged him but either way and needless to say, you had jumped at the opportunity and somehow even hoped that you would learn some dirty superhero secrets—but so far, nothing. Nothing but what superheroes did when they were not out and about saving the world. Truth be told, seeing Thor in Hello Kitty pyjamas and witnessing Natasha Romanoff of all people scream watching an Asian horror film had its perks but you had somehow expected for them to be called in for an urgent mission where they required a skill only you had and then they would rely on your help and you would fight and become an Avenger and… your fanfiction had always sounded too good to be true.

“Are you still there? How is that fruit bowl so interesting?” Snapping yourself out of your thoughts, you blinked.

“Sorry. What were you saying?”

“I was saying that…”

“Tony?” It was Bruce who interrupted you two, peeking his head into the kitchen almost timidly. You waved at him and he nodded, yet he failed to reciprocate your smile. Uh-Oh.

“Did something happen?”

The scientist nodded. “You might wanna put on your suit.”

“What happened?”

Bruce pursed his lips. “We’ve located Loki.”

Your eyes were still widened by the time you rushed after Tony even after he had told you explicitly (three times, to be exact) to stay put and hide until he had been put in custody.

The Loki. God of Mischief, Thor’s brother, Frost Giant, the I-tried-to-take-over-the-planet-guy. It was exciting, somehow, meeting a villain and oh, would it fuel you for your fan fiction. You almost bumped straight into Thor when they all came to a halt all of a sudden, his body a wall of flesh and muscle and making you grunt in pain—you might as well have hit a brick wall. With his hammer in hand, he ensured no one would approach his dangerous brother closely enough for him to try anything funky.

But the fact that Loki was even more handsome in person and the first villain you ever saw in person when he turned around the corner with a proud and arrogant expression on his face despite his shackles, was not what startled you to the core.

All of a sudden, there were colours. Everywhere.

Your lips parted, the impact of all the pigmentation around you making you dizzy. Loki’s armour was black, his cape was green, his eyes were blue, and his hair reminded you of the plumage of a raven. And your surroundings... The compound was silver now, the sceptre they had taken from him golden. Nauseous, you held on to Thor’s muscly arm for support. The God of Thunder frowned in concern. His eyes were blue too, his hair blonde, his cape red… too… many… colours. You suppressed a gag, overwhelmed by the sudden return of your colour vision.

“Are you okay?” Thor asked.

“G-guys… I can see colours.”

Every single head in the room, including Loki’s, turned in your direction so fast you flinched. Tony’s face was the first to fall in response.

“You are joking, right?”

Mutely, you shook your head. Your eyes locked with Loki’s, electricity rippling through you when they did. His blue irises froze you from the inside out, like each and every one of your limbs failed to resist the magnetic pull you felt towards him, and your cells longed for you to throw yourself into his arms—despite the fact he was handcuffed... and for a good reason too. Swallowing thickly, you forced yourself to look away.

Loki was your soulmate. That was impossible; and quite frankly, the god in question appeared to be thinking the exact same thing.

You chewed on your lower lip, anything to distract yourself from your predicament all the while everyone was still staring at you like you had grown two more heads.

“Take him to the cells, I’ll stay with her.” Clint’s hand on your shoulder did little to console you. Part of you still barely resisted the urge to start at Loki like a succubus, the other… the other was terrified and meant to hide in the archer’s embrace.

You could feel Loki’s blue gaze still resting on you when he led you away from the scene, staring daggers into your back and rendering you speechless until you were finally out of sight and Clint shook your shoulder gently.

“Are you sure it’s not one of the security guards that helped bring him in?”

“No… no, I saw them first. Loki was behind them. It’s… I don’t know how to explain it but somehow, Loki was in colour first, you know what I mean? First him and then, a split second later, everything else was colourful too.”

“And now?”

“Now what?”

“Do you still see in colour now?”

“Of course I do.” Clint sighed and buried his face in his hands.

“So what happens if you don’t… act on this soulmate thing?”

“Nothing. Nothing happens.” You said.

“So you don’t have to… stay close to Loki or anything?”

“No. Not that I know of. But Clint—“

“Good. Because he might find a way to use you against us. Stay away from him. Thor’ll take him back to Asgard soon enough. All we need to do first is find the Tesseract.”

Your lips were pursed when he turned to check on them and if Loki was wreaking havoc while they were trying to get him imprisoned.

Stay away from him? Of course… it was the most reasonable thing to do. Loki was dangerous, a criminal… but was that right? Now that you had found your soulmate in him?

You couldn’t get him out of your head that night. Screw the danger, you had to see him. And eventually, your curiosity and that inexplicable and strange pull you felt towards Loki got the better of you. With a deep breath, you threw your covers back and let your bare feet hit the cold floor before quietly tiptoeing out into the dark and empty hallway.

Your blood was rushing in your ears, making you hear things your paranoia and imagination cooked up to the point your heart was pounding in your chest so hard and fast you feared it might jump right out of your ribcage. No one could know, of course. Clint would positively kill you—he, along with Tony, somewhat considered himself responsible for you here. You couldn’t really blame them. If something happened to you, they’d never forgive themselves. You were an innocent civilian, after all.

And now you had been tossed into the greatest fanfiction yet. Shivering, for the cold slowly crept into your bare skin and through the tanktop and shorts you were wearing to sleep, you finally reached the corridor leading to the elevator. The prison cells, a rather new addition to Stark Tower, were located at the very bottom, the cellar, or… what you preferred to call it, a modern dungeon.

You found Loki with his back turned to you in his cell, looking pale through the glass pane. Your heart skipped a beat when he suddenly spoke up.

“I expected you would find a way to come and see me at some point. I’d dare say the Avengers have taken quite the precautions to keep you as far away from me as possible.” He mused. He lifted his chin, approaching the glass window.

It was quite ridiculous to assume that this tiny and meagre prison would keep the Trickster at bay after everything he had proven to be capable of. If only he wanted to, he could shatter that glass with but a flick of his wrist or break the heavy metal door posing as the only barrier between you.

If you were to just… unlock that door to touch him… it would be so easy. Blinking rapidly, you shook your head to chase the thought away.

“Who are you?” He asked and for just a brief moment, you believed to see genuine interest and curiosity sparkling in his stunning blue eyes.

“No one, really. You already know my name, I presume but that’s all there is. I’m not special—I mean, I don’t have superpowers. I’m just a regular human with a rare condition.”

“Oh, I see. Surely you had not hoped for a criminal of all people to be your soulmate then? A murderer? A monster?” His expression hardened.

Yes. But you were not going to tell him that. He was still the person to have made you see colours again, regardless of who he was and what he had done. There must have been a connection between you, you felt it after all! And you were certain that he felt it too.

“Thor will take me back to Asgard and the great King Odin,” he continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “will surely have me executed. You will never see me again. So do not worry.”

“I don’t want that.” You finally chirped, barely daring to look him in the eye. His gaze was scrutinising and intimidating… almost as if he was able to see right into your soul with but one single glance.

Loki frowned.

“I bet you’re not happy about this, are you?” A desperate scoff escaped your lips. “I’m not sure I am…” You confessed and sat down on the chair in front of the window. It creaked a little under your weight, the unpleasant sound echoing through the empty hallway.

This man right in front of you was not be trusted and yet, the desire to pour your heart out to him was so strong you felt it like a sea of emotions attempting to drown you.

“You know ever since my twelfth birthday I wondered when I would finally meet my soulmate. Who they would be, what they would be like… and then so many years passed I was beginning to worry I might never see colours again. That I’d be alone and grey for the rest of my life.”

Loki licked his lips and glanced up at you, listening intently to every single word you said.

“Now I met you and they all tell me not to trust you. I mean… I know who you are, I know what you’ve done. I can’t say I’m happy about the fact my soulmate is…” You stopped yourself, breathing in sharply. “What was the universe thinking? You are a god and I’m just… me. We live light-years apart!”

Eventually, after a moment of surprisingly pleasant silence between you, Loki hummed. “The Norns do have interesting ways.” He said, locking his eyes with yours, almost as if he was pondering if… if what? If he could imagine being with you?

“So what should we do? Never speak of it again? Pretend we have never met? I can’t just… come to Asgard with you.” You held your breath when you realised what you were considering here. Loki must have thought the same. He smirked in response—not mockingly but bitterly. “Odin would never allow a mortal on Asgard. If I was to survive my trial, that is.”

“Don’t say that. I don’t care you’re a criminal right now, I just found my soulmate, and I don’t want to lose him again right away, regardless of what happens between us.”

With a start, his face fell. “Nothing will happen between us. That would be unnecessarily cruel, would it not? Your life in the nine realms is but a heartbeat compared to mine.”

“So… this is goodbye?”

Loki hesitated. You noticed by the way his lips slightly parted without a single sound escaping them just yet.

“Yes. This is goodbye.”

The fruit bowl had become your new best friend. In the morning, tired and rather absent, you sat at the kitchen table holding on to a steaming mug of coffee all the while studying the different colours of the fruit before you like a complicated Maths formula.

“Did you have a good chat last night?” Clint barked at you when he entered the room, skipping the ‘Good morning’.

“Huh?”

“With Loki?” He probed, raising his eyebrows in an I-already-know-what-you’ve-done manner.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” You said, shaking your head and focusing your gaze on the fruit bowl again. Yellow bananas, green grapes, red apples. In colour.

You flinched when Tony spoke your name. “We saw the footage on our security cameras. You sneaked to his cell last night knowing fully well why you should stay away from him, especially with… with… you know.”

Fuck… the security cameras. You had completely forgotten about those! Of course the legendary Tony Stark would have had security cameras installed all over the damn place!

Busted, you shrugged your shoulders as nonchalantly as you could muster. “I just wanted to talk him. I had to talk to him. I know what you’re all thinking—that he’s evil and brutal and cruel and ruthless… and… and you’re probably right? I… I don’t even know but… he is still my soulmate. I can see colours again because of him for Fuck’s sake! I can’t just… ignore that.”

“I get it. We don’t know what it must feel like. But it’s for the best. We don’t want him to hurt you.”

“I am his soulmate, too. He wouldn’t dare hurt me. You know maybe he’s not the monster you all think he is.”

“Are you saying that because you know him so well after last night or because that is what you want to believe?”

Both. “I just… have a feeling.”

“Right.” Tony clapped his hands. Your name left his lips almost like a plea. “You have to trust us.”

Thor nodded. “Loki is dangerous. You should stay away from him at least until we know he is not still plotting the domination of your planet.”

“What do you mean ‘at least until’? You can stop staying away from him when he’s back on Asgard and out of your reach.” Tony snapped.

“We’re just trying to keep you safe.” Steve intervened. You sighed.

“You know what? I’m getting a headache and I’m still tired, so I’m gonna go back to bed.” That wasn’t even a lie—well, at least the fatigue bit wasn’t. Besides, the blackout curtains in the room Tony let you stay in were heaven-sent.

That was until a loud tumult in the Tower woke you up again, even though you were not sure anymore you had actually fallen asleep once your head hit the soft pillow.

“W—“ Your scream of protest was muffled by a cool palm covering your mouth. You struggled briefly, ripping your eyes wide open in a weak attempt to make out who was assaulting you in the comforting darkness of your room when you suddenly heard a soothing voice shushing you.

“It’s me…”

“L-Loki?” You choked out when he removed his hand again. “Did you… did you break out of your cell?”

“It would seem so. Come.”

“What?”

He tilted his head. “I don’t have much time.”

You stood, throwing the covers back when he already reached for your hand and held it tightly, pulling you with him into the hallway and towards one of the more hidden exists of Stark Tower, a flight of stairs illuminated only by emergency lights.

“W-what are you doing?”

“I am proving to you that I am more than just a criminal.”

“Oh… but… um… where are we going?”

Loki smirked. Your eyes widened when he pulled out the Tesseract seemingly out of nowhere, its blue light glowing brightly in the dark and throwing artistic shadows on his face.

“Hold on tight.”

“Loki…”

The God of Mischief pulled you close, making you gasp. Your chest hit his, his arm wrapping around your waist. With his face only inches from yours, you could feel his warm breath on your lips, and suddenly longed to kiss him.

“You are my soulmate. I am not leaving you behind.”

“What happened to ‘goodbye’?” You chirped.

Loki tilted his head almost threateningly. “You are mine. Don’t you think I wanted to leave this place without looking back?” His expression softened. “But I couldn’t. Because of you.” And you might just be the only woman to ever love me in this way, he added silently.

“B-but… Y-you said Odin will never allow me on Asgard and… and…”

“I never said we were going to Asgard, now was I?”

Your lips parted. Could you trust him? The stranger who had finally made you see colours again? If you told him No, would he let go of you? Would he let you run to Tony and Clint and Nat so they could protect you from him? Swallowing thickly, you met his intense blue gaze and nodded.

Loki smirked and winked. “You are in for an adventure.” And you knew he wasn’t lying. Next thing you knew, you were both hurtled through space and into a shared future.

A/N: ☕

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stachmousworld · 4 years ago

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Never have I ever (Stuckony)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark; Bucky Barnes x Tony Start x Steve Rogers

(secondary couples) Thor/Bruce, Nat/Clint

Tag: Teasing, smut

Summary: After years of pining in silence for the couple Winteriron (Bucky and Tony), Steve may be surprised by the outcome of this game night.

(dividers by @/firefly-in-darkness)

They were all gathered in the communal room to relax. Earlier in the day they fought against enchanted trees and not just one but two mad scientists, which explained why they were so exhausted and in need of a good game to play.

And there started a long pregame. Tony wanted to play Monopoly, but Sam and Clint flat out refused. Since he was already too rich, he’d have an advantage against them, and it would not have been fair.

Natasha wanted to play Twister but there again she had an unfair advantage as she was able to twist and stretch her body in ways none of the others could. So, after many arguments, drinks being thrown and an aborted physical fight between Clint and Tony to find out who had the biggest – no one really knew if it was about their genitals or something else -, they ended up settling for one of the many drinking games they knew.

Glasses filled with Midgardian alcohol for humans and Asgardian mead for the others, they settled for the infamous “Never have I ever.”

Now a little bit more calmed, and chastised after Natasha pinched Clint’s ear to make him release his grip on Tony’s neck, the couples sat next to their partner. Natasha with Clint. Bruce with Thor. Tony with Bucky. Steve was between Clint and Bruce and Sam in front, next to Bucky to his despair. He hadn’t stopped rolling his eyes whenever Bucky was talking or simply breathing. Sam made a pleading sign to persuade Steve to change seat with him to which Steve raised his drink and hid behind his glasses.

Sam glared at him and crossed his arms. Steve dropped his eyes to the floor and concealed his laugh. They all knew Sam appreciated Bucky more than he let them know. Same for Bucky. It didn’t stop any of them to bicker like brothers. It was even endearing.

“So, let’s start,” Tony announced, cheery. His eyes were a little bit glassy like he’d already been drinking which has not been the case. Since Afghanistan he had stopped drinking any alcoholic beverage and would trade them for apple juice or grape juice.

“Who wants to start?” He added.

“Me!” Clint exclaimed before Tony could do it. Tony glared at him. To which Clint stuck his tongue out.

“Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex.”

The other groaned and cursed at Clint.

“Really? You want to start like that?” Bucky said, smirking.

Clint shrugged. “What? Enough of the boring questions. We are responsible adults, right? So why not asking the real questions?”

“Pervert,” Nat’ said, flicking his ear.

“Hey! Don’t try to change the subject and drink.”

Tony, Bucky, Thor, Bruce, Natasha and…Steve?

He sipped his drink slowly, enjoying their reactions. Bucky and Tony almost chocked on their drinks. Only Sam and Thor knew about his past-experiences. It hadn’t taken long to open-up to them. Thor was wiser than everyone in the room and Sam has been his confident for a couple of years now. What was surprising was the look of sheer shock on Bucky’s face. Steve hadn’t been really sure if he remembered of their past. And the sole thought of being the only one carrying their memories had pained Steve at first. Even though the excruciating agony resumed to a dull pain that never went away. It was a reminder that although he had Bucky physically near him, their bond was gone.

It was getting easier to pretend that Bucky was different person now. Without his memories, there were only a few traits from his past-self. And if every night Steve skimmed through his drawings of them from the 30’s, who cared.

Every time he saw Tony and Bucky kiss, he’d remember how Bucky used to manhandle him when he was smaller and even bigger, how he’d twist and bend his legs to fuck him deeper, how he’d whisper pure filth to his ears and would praise him. Steve longed to be called ‘good boy’ again and to be able to say, in the throes of passion, ‘daddy’ that used to make Bucky lose control.

Steve didn’t want to seem ungrateful. Bucky was now free, sane and perfectly healthy. So, it was a win for Steve, who’d accepted his fate. He’d stay a spectator as long as he could and as long as his heart could stand and then, he’d go on his way to find his peace elsewhere.

“What?” Steve replied with fake innocence. Bucky saw right through it and narrowed his eyes.

“You kissed a boy?” Tony asked, still shocked. “Was that Bucky?”

Steve zipped his mouth and threw away the imaginary key. “Sorry Sir, I don’t kiss and tell.” Steve noticed how Bucky and more importantly Tony tensed at the name. If he was correct, meaning the info that Nat gave him was correct, Tony and Bucky had a thing for authority. A few weeks earlier, Steve had started calling Tony ‘Sir’ and Bucky ‘Daddy’ or vice versa. If at first it had led to some outburst – Tony who had been working on a project, deleted everything and almost step on a hot tool, and Bucky had almost broken the kitchen counter - the couple was now kind of used to his nickname, but their reaction was still entertaining.

“Okay, my turn,” Sam said.

“No normal question or you’ll get a dare,” Clin interrupted.

Sam sighed. “Never have I ever had sex with someone of the same sex.”

Nat’, Bucky, Bruce, who blushed but still drank as Thor nudged him, Thor, Tony and, here again, Steve. This time almost everyone gaped.

“You had sex with a man?!” Tony exclaimed with a high-pitch voice. He turned to Bucky whose fingers tightened around the glass. Steve hid his smirk behind his glass and raised an innocent eyebrow. Interesting. So, Bucky was jealous…and Tony didn’t look all that okay himself.

“A real man? And I don’t talk about yourself.” Clint avoided Nat’s hit. “Because jerking off doesn’t count.”

Steve rolled his eyes fondly. “I had sex, actually multiple times, with someone, a human male to be precise.”

“Who was it?” Bucky growled. Tony looked at Steve eyebrows furrowed. Steve could see his brain working this enigma. Steve has been around him since he’s been out of the ice. So how? With whom? And when?

“Like I said, I don’t kiss and tell.”

Bucky huffed, putting his glass on the floor and stared at Steve.

“Okay…” Bruce said, shy. “It’s my turn. Never have I have ever topped.”

“Brucey!” Tony screamed half-joking half-surprised.

“Bruce! I didn’t know you had it in you,” Clint said while pretending to clap. This time he didn’t see it come and Nat’s hand gripped firmly his ear.

Thor hugged his lover and kissed the crown of his head. Steve sighed, his heart aching. It could be him with Bucky and Tony, but they were too in love with each other to see him.

“So, who is drinking?” Sam asked, looking around. “Because I’m sure you lot are concerned.”

Tony, Bucky, Thor, Bruce…Bruce? He shrugged and hid in Thor’s chest and his lover replied something along the line “I am a man of many pleasures; whether on the receiving or giving side I’ll always find pleasure with my lover.”

And then there was Steve.

At this moment…at this moment the night turned into something else. The others who had felt the tension between the three men decided to help them out by asking questions riskier than the previous ones. Bucky and Tony may have been unaware of their friends’ plan, but Steve wasn’t.

He leaned back, crossing one ankle over his knee and stared back at Bucky, whose nostrils flared. Thankfully the glass was on the floor and not in his hand because he was tensed. Painfully tensed. Tony wasn’t fairing much better. One of his hands, currently on Bucky’s metal arm, was drumming something or sending a morse code to Bucky.

Tony’s whiskey eyes were darker. So dark Steve could imagine how he’d be aroused. Would he be his usual self, all jittery, full of life and joking around or would he be controlling and deadly calm? Steve licked his lips.

Bucky eyes snapped to his mouth. Steve did it again this time slower, which attracted Tony’s attention.

“Okay, so I’m always for a good eye fucking but could we please move on,” Clint begged.

“My turn then,” Thor butt in. “Never have I ever had sex in public.”

Bucky, Tony, Nat’, Clint, Sam and Steve all drank. The reaction was divided between those surprised that Sam did it in public and Steve.

Sam winked at Steve. “You didn’t tell me that, naughty boy.”

Steve blushed and sent a nasty glare at Sam who laughed. He knew how Steve loved praises and “insults”, and “naughty boy” happened to be his favorite. It reminded him of Bucky and how he used to fuck him in the same alleys he just got beaten up by some bully. Bucky would save the day and then fuck him on the wall, ‘to teach him a lesson’, Bucky used to say. Or maybe it has been his voyeuristic kink. Bucky used to make him suck his dick in broad daylight just to teach him one important lesson: Steve belonged to Bucky and vice versa.

“I’m not the only one who kept a secret.” Steve retorted.

Sam shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. Before Bucky or Tony could ask him more, Steve played dumb and asked. “Does fucking in alleys count as “in public”.

Bucky closed his opened mouth in a click. Tony made a chocked-up noise. “You fucked in an alley?” He asked, incredulous.

“Are fucking with us, punk?” Bucky added.

Sam snickered. Steve lowered his head and looked at Bucky and Tony through half-shut eyes. The snickers were now muffled.

“Are you propositioning?” The room grew silent. “Do you want me to fuck you both or do you want to do the fucking? Or would you rather that I warm you cock?”

Steve then leaned back and stretched, the thin material rose and revealed a thin hairy trail disappearing in his pants.

It wasn’t Bucky who broke his glass but Tony. He was staring quite intensely at Steve and eyed his body with unconcealed arousal. The smaller brunette took a deep breath and accepted Bucky’s tissue. He wiped the rest of his drink and pushed the broken glass to a plastic bag nearby.

Sam raised his thumb and grinned like a fool. “Only you Rogers. Only you.”

Bucky’s breathing could be heard from where Steve was. His face was blank but his eyes…his blues eyes were a dark blue like a raging ocean. And Steve affronted the sea head on. He raised his drink to Bucky and sipped a little more.

“Stevie…” The growl was back. “Who?” He asked. His question sounded like a plea. Steve’s heart clenched.

“If you don’t remember, Bucky, then it wasn’t important.”

Sam smile dimmed and Thor bumped Steve’s shoulder to lighten his mood. Bucky observed everything at loss. Until Tony got it. It didn’t really surprise Steve. Tony has always loved a good old enigma. This time only, as realization dawned upon him, he didn’t share his conclusion to lover. No. His face shut down with the same fierce expression as if he was fighting.

Steve opened his legs and let his arms rest next to his body, like an invitation to try his best. Steve wouldn’t do anything to stop him.

“Okay…that’s my turn then,” Tony said, sitting down. “Never have I ever fucked my best friend…” Some were already raising their drinks. “in the 30’s.” He added, eyes on Steve.

Steve smiled humorlessly and drank more. Bucky’s mouth opened and closed but no sounds came out.

“Never have I ever fell in love with my best friend.”

Steve drank, eyes now teary, but Tony didn’t seem to care.

“Never have I ever pretended being happy that my amnesiac lover was with another person.”

Steve didn’t drink. He tilted his head and smiled sadly. How could Tony think that Steve would have been nothing but in love with him by now. How could he believe that Steve would be unhappy that they were both happy.

Tony’s frown was back like he just lost his footing and missed a part of an important puzzle.

“Well…” Clint started. Nat’ rose to her feet and grabbed Clint leading him to the elevators. The rest of the room left pretty quietly.

The silence was back. Steve played with his drink and tried to gather his thought.

“Tell me the truth, Stevie.” The pain and indecision in Bucky’s voice was too much. Steve swallowed with difficulty but answered anyway.

“We were together until you fell off the train. We first kissed at 15. First blowjob at 15. Sex? 16. Dark alley sex? 18. First ‘I love you’? 15.” Steve chuckled, tears trickling in his eyes. “We couldn’t say it to each other so we created a phrase that no one would question.”

“Til the end of the line.” Bucky answered, somber.

“Til the end of the line.” Steve repeated.

“Punk…”

“You don’t have to say anything. I know you don’t love me like that. I know you’re in love with Tony and I’m seriously happy with you guys,” his voices, broke at the end. “I swear I don’t even know why I…”

“Stevie, it’s not what –.”

“Wait a minute. You’ve told me that too.” Tony interrupted quickly. “Your phrase. To you both. Steve you said that to me a few years ago…” Tony trailed off as he finally came to the ultimate realization. Bucky who took longer to guess stared at them with confusion.

Tony suddenly jumped to his feet and ran to the Steve. He jumped on him making them roll on the floor and pressed his forehead on his.

“You, stupid, sacrificial man…” Tony closed his eyes, took a deep breath and opened them. “Til the end of the line.”

Steve sobbed. His entire body trembled as relief, love and years of fear seeped out of his body. Tony hugged him closer and kissed the top of his head.

“We are both two complete idiots.” Tony laughed. “I was pining for you and you were doing the same.”

Steve didn’t reply not sure if it was a dream or reality. Maybe it was a dream induced by the Asgardian mead.

He enjoyed and basked in the joy and love. Although something felt off. Steve raised his head, Bucky’s name on his lips. He was gone. Steve rose to his feet and looked around. His heart ached as the years long agony wrapped its cold claws in it.

“Don’t worry, Steve, I know where he is,” Tony muttered, annoyed.

It seemed that Tony knew Bucky well enough. They were both standing in front of their former apartment. The first and only one they got before going to was. Tony and Steve made their way through the renovated staircase. The higher they went, the heavier Steve’s body felt. Should they really run after Bucky? Was that worth it? He didn’t seem to…

“Bucky babe?” Tony asked as they entered the opened apartment.

Steve, who had only been there once since coming out the ice, had never found the courage to enter the apartment because of the pain it brought. Without Bucky it didn’t make any sense.

Now, though, the memories came swirling in his brain. He remembered how Bucky would come from the docks bruised, exhausted and dirty, and he’d still be patient and take care of Steve. He never complained, never tried to get out and find a roommate who’d be able to help him pay. No. Bucky had been by his sides regardless. So, Steve had started to learn how to cook. He’d go every day to their neighbor, an old widow woman whose kids didn’t come often. She took a liking for Steve and had taught him everything he knew. Motivated by love and sheer stubbornness he’d learned quickly how to make a simple meal from a few ingredients.

Steve would forever remember the look Bucky gave him when he saw the table full of meals he loved. The tears in his eyes and Steve’s name spilling out of his mouth like a prayer. Well, the thank fuck had been an additional bonus and Steve hadn’t complained when the morning after he’d been sore and coughing his lungs out.

“I don’t remember,” Bucky whispered, anguish obvious in his voice. “Tony, I don’t remember.”

“It’s okay…”

“Don’t tell me it’s okay,” Bucky lashed out. “Don’t you dare when I’ve been struggling to understand why I was feeling this love for my best friend. For so long I felt so ashamed and wrong.” Bucky fell on his knees. “I thought Hydra had finally succeeded and they’d broken me for good. I shouldn’t have felt like that for Stevie. Every dream, fantasy, every time I felt dirtier and dirtier. And the day after, when I’d meet Steve coming in the room, while my mind was still stuck on what I did to him in my dreams…” Bucky heaved. Steve walked past Tony and kissed his temples. Tony raised his eyes to his and looked at him, powerless. He conveyed as much as he could silently and shared his love and strength with Steve for what was coming.

This battle was between Bucky and Steve.

Tony backed away.

Steve walked to Bucky and kneeled next to him, without touching him.

“What happened in your dreams?” He asked softly.

Bucky flinched away and looked at him shocked by his presence.

“What happened in your dreams? Maybe whatever you saw were your memories coming back.”

Bucky offered a sarcastic smile. “Yeah, so you definitely used to call me Daddy.”

The lack of response from Steve, who was frozen, destabilized Bucky. He cupped Steve’s face and looked into his eyes, with unconcealed hope.

“Baby, be a good boy and call me by my name.”

Steve’s eyes were surprisingly dry, but the trembling was back, and he was on the verge to break down. Just a little more, he repeated like a mantra. And if Bucky didn’t love him back, he’d run away and crumble in the Tower.

“Daddy,” he muttered with a small voice.

Bucky’s eyes grew wide. Steve was about to bolt…

Bucky’s lips were as plump and soft as he remembered. It didn’t take long for them to fall back into their old ways. Steve would scratch Bucky’s neck rendering him boneless and in retaliation Bucky would wrap his hand on his neck, pressing yet so slightly. Like an unveiled threat.

They both backed away at the same time.

“Till the end of the line,” they both muttered.

“What about you, Tony?” Steve asked suddenly, eyes still gazing into Bucky’s.

Tony, still in the room, although closer to the door than before, tensed. He was looking down, shoulders hunched. Steve shook his head amused. Knowing Tony, he was probably thinking that they’d leave him.

“Till the end of the line?”

Tony’s head snapped up and he looked at them with hope. He nodded frantically. “Till the end of the line.” He replied in a rush.

Bucky and Steve glanced at each other. “Let’s show Tony what we did in the 30’s”.

They both jumped to their feet. Bucky dragged Tony deeper in the apartment while Steve closed the door.

Fin

#stuckony #angst #steve rogers #bucky barnes #tony stark

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dreamwritesimagines · 6 years ago

Text

Faint Of Heart 27- New Decisions [Ivar x Reader]

A.N.: I love your feedback so much, it makes my day <3 Please keep it coming, kisses! <3 Last three chapters! <3

Summary: Plans change.

Characters: Ivar x Reader, Ubbe x Torvi, Hvitserk, Bjorn

Warnings: Explicit language, mentions of violence and blood, mentions of sex and arranged marriage, please read with care. Also, friendly reminder that I don’t condone any of the messed up stuff happening on the show or in here.

Word Count: 4298

Due to the linking issue, previous chapters are in my masterlist!

Gif’s not mine!

Even though both you and Ivar knew a mere apology, or the fact that you were together now was not enough to make everything go away, both of you were still trying. It was almost too easy for you to fall back to how you used to be, but a small voice kept nagging you in the corner of your mind.

You had more than enough distractions though. You had made yourself busy with meetings including Bree and Ragnarssons, and your sickness seemed to draw any energy you had left out of you.

“Should I take it as a good sign now that your falcon doesn’t glare at me?” Ivar asked as you looked around the hall, Eitr flying over people’s heads. You scoffed a laugh, shooting him a look.

“She doesn’t glare at you.”

“Not now. Before, I thought she’d actually attack me.”

“Eitr doesn’t attack anyone-“ you rolled your eyes when he raised his brows, “Unless I point at them, Ivar!”

“Yes well, I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t point at me,” he said as he pulled you closer, making you giggle, but the smile was soon wiped off your lips when you saw a familiar face in the hall.

“Why is Earl Finnr here?” you frowned, resting your hand on his chest and he looked over his shoulder for only one moment before turning to you.

“We have things to discuss.”

You gritted your teeth, your frown deepening and he brushed your hair off your face,

“He had no idea he says. About Arna.”

You arched a brow, “Please don’t tell me you believe him.”

“He might have not known.”

“That barely makes a difference.”

“Little shark-“

“No, I want her gone. With him.”

“Out of the hall?”

“And never to return.”

That seemed to make him chuckle as his arm tightened around you, “He’s an important Earl my love.”

“Still just an Earl. They can be replaced.”

“With who?”

“Do you not have anyone you could trust?”

“No.”

You huffed out, “You’re the king. You could exchange his lands with another, putting another in charge. Perhaps someone with less… hidden motives.”

“Hidden motives?” he scoffed “Y/N, come on-“

“I’m serious.”

“I know, I could tell that from your glowering. Are you going to point at me now?”

You clenched your teeth, and held up your hand so that he could see your ring that contained poison, “He could have a different option.”

He smirked, shaking his head and pressed a kiss on your lips,

“We’ll talk of it, alright? Let’s go, they’re waiting.”

“You go, I’ll be right behind you.”

Ivar tilted his head, “Will you poison him now?”

“I need to eat something.”

“We just finished breakfast?” he looked almost confused but you were already making your way to the hallway that led to kitchens. The cook looked almost surprised to see you, but after he overcame his shock, you told him what you wanted and he gave you a huge bowl filled with fruits. You hugged the bowl over your stomach and walked inside to see everyone already seated around the table.

“And he keeps thinking that Franks will attack him, so if you ever needed any allies-“ Bree stopped talking as soon as she turned her head, and you took your seat, still holding the bowl tight.

“Is that for us?” Hvitserk asked and you shook your head, still chewing on the piece of apple.

“It’s for me.”

“You can’t finish that alone.”

“Touch one grape here and I’ll call Eitr.” You narrowed your eyes at him until he pulled his hand back slowly, making Ivar snort out a laugh.

“We just ate?” Bree asked and Ubbe nodded, while you shrugged.

“I��m hungry.”

“Maybe that’s a sign that you’re getting better.” Ivar stated and Bjorn looked between you two.

“Getting better?”

“Yes, she’s sick.”

“It’ll go away ,”

“You keep vomiting in the mornings.”

Bree’s head shot up, “Wait, you’re still vomiting?”

You made a face, “Yes. It’s nothing to be worried about though.”

Bjorn’s eyebrows rose while Ubbe shifted his weight, “In the mornings?”

“Yeah.” You nodded, and Bree stared at you,

“Anything else? With your-um… with your sickness?”

You shook your head, “Nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t think it’ll get better if you keep standing in front of open windows,” Ivar held up his hands, “Just saying,”

You shot him a look, still chewing on the grape, “It’s hot inside.”

“I thought you were cold all the time.”

“Not anymore,” You said, “I think what people said was right, I actually got used to it.”

A small smile pulled at Ubbe’s lips, Hvitserk looked between you and Bjorn closed his eyes for a moment, leaning his head back.

“This is not the time for this at all…” he mumbled and you nodded,

“I agree, let’s talk of the raid.”

“No, Y/N, let’s talk of-“

“What a beautiful dress!” Bree cut Bjorn off and pushed her chair back so that she could stand up, “Is it new?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you mind if I check the stitches? I have been considering getting new dresses.”

“I’m proud of you brother,” Ubbe grinned at Ivar while Bree came closer to you to gently slip her hand over the laces of your dress which felt tighter for some reason, then lowered it to press on your stomach a little. Ivar gawked at Ubbe.

“Why?”

“Because of this…uh, raid. Battle plans.”

“Yes, speaking of, can we go back to the battle plans?” Hvitserk asked and Bree pulled her hand back, exchanging glances with Bjorn who looked almost annoyed for some reason.

“Um- can I borrow you for one moment?” Bree asked you and you looked up at her as you grabbed another grape.

“I’m eating,”

“You can eat later on.”

“No, Bree, I’m starving and we’re supposed to-“

Bree cleared her throat, “I think I’m also feeling a little faint, you should take me to the physician.”

You frowned, “I don’t think it is contagious, Ivar would’ve gotten it by now.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“I’m better with cold than you are.” Ivar boasted and Ubbe scoffed.

“Yeah, that must be the reason.”

“Bree-“

“Y/N, come on. It cannot wait.”

You heaved a sigh, and took a last look at the bowl before you put it on the table much to Hvitserk’s delight, and pushed it.

“Fine,”

“Bjorn already knows the rest,” Bree told Ivar who made a face at her, and she grabbed your wrist, then pulled you out of the map room. Gala was already waiting by the door, and she made her way to you the minute you stepped outside.

“My Queen?”

“Come with us, we’re going to the physician.” You scrunched up your nose and Gala nodded, then you walked out of the Great Hall with Gala, Bree following you suit.

When you reached the physician’s hut, Gala knocked on the door and opened it, then you entered. Bree looked restless for some reason and you stole a look at her,

“Oh don’t worry, she’s really good at what she does.”

She looked like she was forcing herself to keep a straight face, so she pressed her lips together, then pushed you slightly, “You first.”

“Me first?” You groaned, “Bree, I’m getting better.”

“My Queen.” The physician walked out of a room, wiping her hands, “Are you alright?”

“Yes, my friend-“

“The queen has been vomiting a lot in the mornings.” Bree cut you off, smiling slightly, “Also she says she does not feel cold. Would you mind checking her first?”

The physician raised her brows and eyed you up and down, then motioned at the sofa. You rolled your eyes, huffing out.

“Would you mind undoing your laces, my queen?”

“Why?”

“Do as she says, Y/N.” Bree whispered and you placed your crown on the table, then started undoing the laces of your dress. You pulled yourself up to the couch, then lied on your back as the physician pulled a chair,

“What other symptoms do you have, my queen?”

“I… nothing, I just-“ You hesitated when she squeezed your boobs, making you frown, “I’m just very tired. Usual sickness- ouch!”

“Tender?”

You pulled back slightly, “Yes.”

“And you vomit?”

“Yes.”

Bree thought for a moment, “You were angry that day. Furious even.”

“Hm?”

“When you learned about um… the- the bedchamber incident, while you were away.”

Arna.

“With a good reason.”

“She usually doesn’t get angry that quick,” Bree told her as the physician pulled your skirt up, making you sit up,

“I’m sorry, what are you doing?”

“Just a moment, my queen.”

“Y/N, lie back,” Bree said calmly and you gritted your teeth, then lied back, your cheeks burning as she pushed your skirt up. Gala turned her head politely and you bit at your nails.

Vikings’ way of checking for sickness was very different than yours.

She pressed her hand on your stomach from one side, then another before she pulled back, smiling wide.

“Are we done here?” you asked sulkily, pushing your skirt down and lacing your dress. “I do not have any fever or anything, and I’m supposed to go back to the map room so-“

“I’m guessing it’s been a while since you’ve had your monthly bleeds, my queen?”

“I have more important matters, I haven’t been keeping track. Bree, if you-“

“I’m fine.”

You pulled your brows together, “Then why are we here?”

“Because I wanted to be sure.” Bree stole a look at the physician, both of them smiling, “I’m guessing I’m right?”

“About what?”

“Congratulations my queen,” the physician said, “You are with child.”

Gala gasped and turned around to look at you, but you could only stare at the physician, your ears ringing as your heart started pacing in your chest.

With child.

You were with-

With child.

“I-“ you heard yourself stammer, “I’m- I’m sorry, what?”

“I’d say perhaps a month? Maybe even longer.”

Bree smiled excitedly, grabbing your hands, “Y/N, I’m so happy for you!”

You swallowed thickly, not even daring to believe, “Are you sure?” you asked breathlessly, tears filling your eyes for some reason and she nodded.

“Absolutely certain.”

Gala giggled, covering her lips and you tried to breathe through excitement, the whole room spinning around you, as you sat down, pressing your hand on your chest.

You were going to have a baby.

You and Ivar.

“I didn’t-“ You swallowed, still breathing hard, “I didn’t know, I… I didn’t think-“

“I will give you a list of what you should eat, my queen.” The physician made her way to the table while you gawked at her, “And you must be under no stress, in any case.”

You nodded,

"And of course we will need to check up on you regularly, for starters each month-"

"Each week." Bree turned to her "We would like to make sure everything is okay."

"My queen?" Gala asked you while you looked up at them, still smiling wide and you turned to her,

"Oh I- I'm sorry, I can't focus on what you're saying at all."

"Let's get you some fresh air, hm?" Bree looked at Gala "Gala, could you perhaps come here again when Y/N is less...well, shocked? To call the physician to the court."

"Of course."

Bree pulled you up and linked her arm through yours to lead you to the out of the hut. You could barely feel yourself walking through the street with Gala following you, and soon you all stepped into the great hall. Bree pulled you through the crowd with an endless energy, and pushed you into your and Ivar's bedchambers before she let Gala in, and closed the door behind her.

Your heart was still beating in your ears and as soon as she closed the door, you let out an excited squeal and threw yourself into her arms,

"Bree, I-" you said breathlessly "I will- I will have a baby!"

"I know my sweet."

You squeaked and pulled back to hug Gala tight, then fanned yourself, as you pulled back,

"With Ivar!"

"And it will be the most beautiful baby in the entire world." Bree grinned and rolled her sleeves up, then took off her ring, "Lie down."

"I- I need to tell him-"

"Catch your breath first, and lie down."

"I'm not tired!"

"We will check whether it's a boy or a girl."

You pulled your brows together "You can't know that."

"I can, give me your necklace. That has never failed, including Lady Lester's pregnancies and she had what, eight children?"

You wrapped your fingers around the shark tooth, then licked your lips, "I told Ivar I wouldn't take it off."

"I will give it back to you right away. Ivar will understand, it's his heir we're speaking of."

"Our heir." You corrected her, then gave her the necklace and lied back. Bree approached you as Gala rushed to pet Eitr who kept cooing in an attempt to calm her down.

"How did I not know?" You asked Bree, your cheeks still burning "A month she says, or more!"

"Oh I have no idea how you missed it."

"I thought you'd be able to tell if you were pregnant."

"You can. You vomit, your breasts are bigger, you're tired and you get angry easily. That's what we call pregnancy, I just can't believe you didn't tell me you were vomiting."

"I said I was sick!"

"Yeah sick. Not vomiting."

"I thought you had to try for years!"

"Not with your nightly activities, you don't." Bree muttered, and you felt your cheeks burn.

"But if-"

"Hush now." Bree said as she raised her hand, still holding the delicate chain and the amber shark tooth close to your belly. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the pendant swing, and her lips pulled into a big smile.

"Ah,"

"What?" You sat up, pressing a hand over your chest before you took the necklace from her, then put it on. "What is it?"

"Well congratulations, my queen. You and the king will have a son."

You giggled, excitement still pulsing in you, "I don't care. I- I know I should care, my mother said so, but I- whether it's a boy or a girl, I will love this baby with my whole heart, Bree." You told her "I will be everything my mother wasn't. It will always be loved and cherished and protected, I'll make sure of that, I…” you blinked back tears and stood up,

"I wish to tell everyone-"

"Y/N, wait-" Bree stopped you "Not yet."

"What do you mean not yet?! It will be the heir to our-"

"Your kingdom yes. And Edgard’s kingdom."

And just like that, the warmth was replaced by the cold. You stared at her, your thoughts like a storm and you opened your mouth, but then the door opened.

Ivar.

You could only stare at him as Bree and Gala left the room and Ivar frowned slightly,

"Are you alright?"

A baby. With him.

You were going to be parents.

You were going to be the best parents in the world, ruling the country be damned.

"Y/N?"

You tried to contain the happiness bubbling in your stomach and you licked your lips, then rushed to him to hug him as tight as you could. He chuckled, pressing his nose into your hair,

"I wasn't gone for more than an hour my love."

"I know, I-" you held his shirt in your fist "I'm just... I'm just happy."

"Hm, Bree is alright then? Not sick?"

You smiled, nodding,

"I um- I want to tell you something."

"Hold that thought, I have a surprise for you."

"What?" You pulled back, "What surprise?"

"Come with me." He pulled at your hand, "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"Follow me, you will see."

You still had no idea what it was, when you reached the docks and you looked around before Ivar went behind you and covered your eyes with his hand.

"Ivar!"

"Patience, we're almost there."

"I'm not supposed to fall down anymore."

"I wouldn't let you fall down." He muttered into your ear, then stopped you, and withdrew his hand. You blinked a couple of times, the huge, very huge box catching your eye and you turned to look at him.

"Go on." He told you and you frowned, then approached the box and stood up on your tiptoes so that you could peek inside.

"What is it?"

Ivar leaned back to the box, his eyes focused on you, "Little shark, meet bigger shark."

You gawked at him, then turned your head to look at the animal swimming back and forth in the box.

"A shark?" You whispered, your fingers gripping the edge of the box. You stared at the animal, it wasn't as big as you thought it would be, not big enough to sink a ship at least but it still looked lovely. Without even thinking about it, you reached out but Ivar grabbed your hand before you could dip it into the water.

"Don't try to pet it, my love."

"It doesn't look as scary as I thought."

"Maybe not, but it can still rip your hand out." Ivar commented calmly and you nodded as he pulled you closer, resting his chin on your head. You reached out to run your hands over his braids and closing your eyes for a moment.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, little shark."

You bit on your lip and turned in his arms so that you could look up at him,

"I have a surprise for you as well."

"Hm?" Ivar raised his brows and you felt a smile warming your face, no matter the looming threats of your brother.

"What?"

You entwined your fingers with his, standing on your tiptoes so that you could lean in, even if there was no one around you that could hear you.

"I'm with child, Ivar."

He froze as soon as your whisper reached his ears and you pulled back to see him staring at you, as if he was confused.

"I-" he swallowed "I think I misheard."

You shook your head, rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet,

"You-?"

"Yes."

“With-?”

“Child, yes!” you giggled, unable to hold the excitement down any longer, and pressed his palm to your belly, “A baby, my beloved. Our heir.”

His widened eyes lowered to his hand, as if he expected to feel a movement under it, and you cupped his cheek, making his eyes snap to yours.

“Are you happy?” you asked him and he let out a breath of disbelief, then pulled you to himself to kiss you hard, making you smile as you pulled back. He sniffled, swallowing thickly, and nodded as if he didn’t trust his voice.

“How long-?” he whispered and you giggled,

“The physician says it’s been a month,” you told him, as he pressed a kiss on your forehead, holding you tight.

“We have to throw a big feast and tell everyone.”

You shook your head, “Ivar, we can’t,”

He pulled back slightly, “Why not? Don’t you want to-“

“I want to tell everyone as well, but what I want more is for the baby to be safe.”

Ivar frowned, “Of course it will be safe, I would never let anyone-“

“Edgard.”

He looked at you as if he didn’t understand and you took a deep breath,

“If Bree is right, if it’s a boy, he would pose a threat to Edgard’s crown, Ivar,” you muttered, “He already tried to poison you because you killed Rowan. You know what he thinks of me. He would never take any chances when it comes to his throne, I do not even think he’d wait until the baby is born.”

He stared at you, the soft light in his eyes leaving its place to a cold gaze and he shrugged,

“Well,” he said, “Then I will kill him before he poses any threat. To you, or the baby.”

You pulled your brows together,

“But he already left Kattegat, remember?”

A small smirk graced his lips, “Our ships and warriors are ready, remember? Even the flags. I’d go and come back before the birth.”

You nodded slowly, the disbelief filling your system and Ivar pushed your hair behind your ear,

“Consider this our first gift to the baby.”

“A kingdom?”

“A kingdom. First of many.”

You felt your lips pulling into a smile and you nodded, and Ivar held your hand, pulling you to himself before dropping his cloak over your shoulders.

“Come on. You shouldn’t stay in the cold for long.”

By the time you got back to the Great Hall, judging by the small group at the corner of the hall consisting of Ivar’s brothers, Torvi and Bree, everyone was already aware of the situation. Ubbe made his way to you, already drunk and hugged you, then smacked Ivar’s back and pulled him to them, saying something about giving him advices he would need. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Hvitserk outside, leaning on the wooden railings, his eyes fixated on the street and you licked your lips, then stepped closer to him,

“Hvitserk?”

He turned to you, “You’re back. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” You nibbled on your lip, “Um-will you not come inside? It’s really cold.”

He shrugged, “Too loud. I wanted to have….have peace for a while, away from them.”

“Oh.”

He took a deep breath, “Are you happy?”

“What?”

“About the situation,” he motioned at your stomach and you cleared your throat,

“Honestly?” you asked, “I’m both happy, and worried.”

He nodded, taking a sip of his ale, “You should go inside.”

“Are you sure you do not wish to join us?”

Hvitserk shook his head, then tried to smile and bowed slightly,

“I wish you a good night, my queen.”

It felt so strange to hear it from him that you hesitated for a moment, not sure whether you had heard him correctly or not.

“You never call me that.” You said slowly and he shrugged,

“I might as well start,” he said before he downed his drink, and walked away. You heaved a deep sigh, then made your way into the hall.

That night, neither you nor Ivar could sleep. You knew he would announce his decision to go on a raid tomorrow, -you were almost sure that his brothers already knew, so that meant Bree wasn’t sleeping either- and…

He’d be away. For months.

For the baby’s safety.

The baby. You were having a baby.

Ivar turned his head as if he could hear your thoughts, and his eyes searched your face,

“Bree says it’s a boy?”

You nodded silently,

“And you?”

“I think-“ you heaved a deep sigh, “I think she’s right.”

“Can you sense it?” Ivar whispered and you smiled softly, then turned to look at him better,

“No. I just have a feeling, that’s all. I would not care if it’s a boy or a girl, would you?”

He shook his head, “I just want it to be…” he trailed off, “Can you feel whether the baby is-?”

“What?”

“Healthy?” his voice was almost too low and you pulled your brows together before it dawned on you.

His legs. That was why he couldn’t sleep. Not the raid, not the war, but the baby.

“Ivar…”

“My father-“ he frowned slightly, and cleared his throat, “He… when I was born, they say my father wanted to kill me. He wanted to- leave me outside, to die. When I was a baby.”

You could almost feel the blood freeze in your veins and you could only stare at him,

“And your mother forgave him?”

He nodded, “Yes, I think so.”

You turned your ring around your finger, deep in thought before you took a deep breath,

“I have a story for you as well,” you muttered, “When I was eight years old, my father, he taught us how to make poison. Me and Edgard. Granted Edgard was terrible at it, but father said I had a talent, with a very small detail, at first, the doses I prepared were not enough to kill someone, but to make them suffer. They could survive, and father actually told me I had to add more, if I wanted results.”

“But you learned.”

“But I learned,” you said, “Your mother must have had so much compassion. I do not.”

He blinked a couple of times, as if he didn’t understand what you mean.

“I love you so much that I do not know what to do with myself,” you confessed, making him smile softly, “I really do not. You will have my heart until I’m ashes, I told you that, but if you ever did what your father had done, if you even attempted to harm this baby, in any way, I would poison you. And I would take my time. I would prepare the dose in such a way that you’d suffer for days and beg, and scream, before you finally died.”

Ivar could only stare at you, and swallowed thickly,

“If the baby can walk, I will teach him. If he can’t, you will teach him. But trust me when I say this, neither of us will be like our parents. Ever. Do you understand that?”

He nodded slowly, before reaching out to entwine his fingers with yours “I do.”

You reached up to pull him closer to yourself so that you could kiss him, then cupped his cheek.

“The baby is alright, my beloved. We will be alright, no matter what.”

He let out a shaky breath, then kissed you again,

“Thank you,” he mumbled against your lips and you smiled,

“You’re welcome.” You whispered, before you made yourself comfortable in his arms with a sigh.

Special thanks to: @nympha-door-a @theskytraveler @iblogabout-stuff @mamaraptor @vikrone @blackcoffeeandgreenteaforme @asongofmarvelanddc @not–even-a-real–fan @alicedopey @thorohdamnson @captstefanbrandt @flowers-in-your-hayr @marauderskeeper @badbitsh13 @superwolfchild-fan @mblaqgi @thescarsweleave @marvelsvalhalla @natalielbeauty @pandalandalopalis @alyssiamarierenee @bloodyivar , @eleanorsparkz @illumminated @itsjoshebelbitch @vikingalexthedane @hangirl93 @mersers-moonypadfoot-prongs @skadithegoddess @geekandbooknerd @katalina-from-hellbound @too-stressed-to-live@supercarricat @sky-daybreak @athroatfullofglass @blushingskywalker @little-froggy @girlwhoisfearless @aikeji @part-time-patronus @actuallyazriel @rhabakoli and lovely anons! You are amazing! <3

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beautifullydisconnected · 5 years ago

Text

Babysitting (Harrison x Reader)

Word Count. 1.1K

Warnings: Fluff

A little one shot based off an imagine I wrote earlier (link), and a picture that was attached to it. Thanks @hazssouthernbelle for some of the added inspiration.

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“Shit. Shit. Shit.” Harrison whispered to himself, as he was speed walking down the apartment hallway. How in the world did he forget that he was supposed to babysit today. He literally had it written on the calendar for weeks, and in his phone. He had even set a reminder for himself last night, but for whatever reason his phone didn’t go off to remind him, while he was out running errands, and before he knew it it was well past when his brother and sister had said they were going to drop off the kids. Though he was surprised by the lack of phone calls and texts from them, so either they forgot as well, or they managed to find someone else to cover his ass. He was hoping that it was the whole they forgot to. As he stood at his door fishing out his keys from his pocket he swore he heard children laughing. As he made his way into the apartment he could hear music coming from the washroom.

Under the sea, under the sea, darling its better down where its wetter take it from me!

As he walked into the bathroom their you were in a mermaid tail sitting on the edge of the bathtub with his niece and nephew sitting in their own little tails and swimsuits. You hadn’t notice him come in and continued singing.

But fish in the bowl is lucky, They in for a worser fate, One day when the boss get hungry, Guess who's gon' be on the plate?

The kids sang along splashing the water everywhere, and you didn’t seem to care how messy the bathroom was getting. Harrison knew he would owe you big time for this one, especially because you didn’t even phone him to let him know that they were there. He continued to watch the three of you splash and sing until the end of the song.

That's why it's hotter, Under the water, Ya we in luck here, Down in the muck here, Under the sea

“Bravo,” he clapped his hands, and you spun around.

“Oh my gosh you scared me,” you yelped out, and the kids laughed and splashed, as you turned back to them, “Well now that Uncle Haz is here, why don’t we get cleaned up and go make a snack?” you suggested.

After a few minutes of wiggling out of the mermaid tails, and getting the kids out of the bath, you managed to clean up all the water that had been splashed around, and get the kids dried off and into clean clothes. As you all made your way to the kitchen, Harrison couldn’t help but notice how the kids adored you. Sure, you had helped him babysit before, and had been around them since they were little but he never realized how much they truly adored you. His niece was mimicking everything you did, and his nephew was clinging to you, as you carried him to the kitchen.

“What do you cuties want for a snack fishy crackers and grapes or apples and teddy grahams?” you asked.

“Fishy crackers!” they exclaimed.

“What do we say when someone asks us a question,” Harrison chimed in.

“Please!” they repeated.

Harrison couldn’t believe how much you seemed to care for these two, even though you didn’t have to. After they finished their snacks, you both managed to get them down for a nap. Which meant that you both had to snuggle up on Harrisons big bed and read them a story, then tuck them in, and make sure that the blinds were shut enough so the afternoon light didn’t keep them awake. After they seemed to have both crashed you snuck out of the room, to the living room.

“You really didn’t have to do all that,” Harrison said off handedly

“Do all what?”

“You could have called me when they got here, and I could have taken care of them.” He stated making his way to the couch.

“Oh I know. But you have been so busy lately with all your meetings, and work, I thought that I could cover for you for a bit, besides those two are the cutest little beans, and I love hanging out with them.” You smiled as you sunk into the couch.

As you settled in you couldn’t help but notice the way Harrison was looking at you. It was warm, and gentle, and something on the verge of adoration.

“Stop.” you giggled and threw a pillow at him.

“Stop, what?” he swatted the pillow away.

“Looking at me like that,” you made a circling motion with your hand, and he smirked.

“What am I not allowed to look at you?”

“Nope.”

“Well too bad.”

“Harrison, are you flirting with me?” you blushed.

“What if I was?” he cocked his eyebrow.

“I-” you were speechless, and there it was Harrison’s cocky little grin appeared on his face, as he leaned back because he loved watching you get flustered.

“You what (Y/N)?”

“I- oh shut up,” you got up and made your way to the kitchen to get some water, and when you looked back, Harrison was still watching you, and the cocky grin still very much there.

“Take a picture you nerd, it’ll last longer,” you stuck your tongue out and continued to get your drink, and suddenly there were two arms wrapped around you. “Harrison what are you doing?”

“Oh you know just coming to get a drink,” and he stole your water from you and walked back to the living room.

“You’re a dick you know that right?”

“I’ve been told that once or twice.” He winked at you, you rolled your eyes, getting another glass of water, and heading back to the living room.

“That may be why you’re still single,” you smirked.

“That’s not the reason.” He stated bluntly. Well looks like you hit a sore spot.

“Oh really now, then tell me Hot Stuff, why are you single then?” you tried to joke, but when you looked over his eyes were trained on you, no laughter coming from him. “What?” He grabbed the water from your hand and put both of the glasses on the table before cupping your face in his hands and bringing his lips to yours. At first it was hesitant and slow. But as you melted into the kiss, it was needy and your hands found the back of his neck and he pulled you to straddle him. After a few moments, you leaned your head against his, both catching your breath.

“Wow.”

“Ya.” he hummed. You both just looked at each other.

“Uncle Haz, I need a water.” you heard a little voice coming from his niece, and you quickly separated from each other, and grabbed some water. After you got her settled back down. You both flopped back onto the couch, and laughed at everything that had just occurred.

#harrison osterfield #harrison osterfield au #haz osterfield #harrison osterfield blurb #harrison osterfield head canon #harrison osterfield imagine #harrison osterfield oneshot #harrison osterfield fic #harrison osterfield fluff

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charlieswan-squad · 5 years ago

Text

Twilight Rewrite First Sight (iii)

There were five of them sitting in the far corner of the room. They weren’t talking or eating although there was a tray of untouched food in front of each of them. They weren't gawking at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them. But it was none of these things that caught, and held, my attention.

They were all beautiful, although they didn't look anything alike.

Three of them were boys. One was huge; built like a serious weight lifter. He had smooth ebony skin which was complemented with dark curly hair. He looked like he could be a star footballer, and, going by his sheer size, I was sure you would not want to be tackled by him.

Another had honey locks that were styled in such a way that they fell to his shoulders, somewhat covering his porcelain white face. He didn’t seem to be as tall as the first, but I figured he would be taller than any of my table-mates. He seemed kind of… edgy. He gave off an intense vibe, and I knew this was a guy I never wanted to piss off.

The last boy was smaller. Like the previous boy, his skin was pale. It reminded me of piano keys. His hair colour was somewhere in between red and brown; a bronze shade. His hair was messy, but it reminded me of the girls in Phoenix who would spend an hour perfecting a ‘messy bun’. Like he had deliberately styled his hair to look this way. To be fair, it was a good look. It made him look even younger than the other two, who could have easily passed for college students.

Looks-wise, the girls were opposites. The tall one was stunning. She had legs that went on forever, topped with a beautiful figure. She wouldn’t be out of place on the cover of a swimwear magazine. Her hair looked like it was weaved from liquid gold; it flowed gently down to the base of her spine. Her skin tone seemed to match the boy with the honey-coloured locks.

Everything about the other girl seemed tiny. She had gorgeous pixielike features. Her hair was dark and cropped short; styled to accentuate her beautiful walnut-coloured face. Everything about her seemed graceful, from her build to the way she sat in her seat.

The five of them were so different. And yet, they were all exactly the same. Even in this sunless town, them all seemed physically drained of any warmth; as if they had not seen the sun in a very very long time. Hell, they were even paler than me. Despite the range in hair colour, they all had dark eyes - which looked black from where I sat - with deep shadows under their eyes, as if they were all suffering from insomnia. Or maybe they were all just recovering from broken noses. Except that all of their features were straight, angular.

But that isn’t why I couldn’t look away.

All of their faces were inhumanly, insanely beautiful. All five of them - gorgeous. These were faces that you never saw in real life, only photoshopped or airbrushed on billboards or magazines. Or in portraits or statutes, housed in elite art museums. It was difficult to believe they were real.

It took me a few moments to decide who was the most beautiful. I concluded it was the bronze-haired boy, although the stunning blond girl gave him tough competition. The boy was perfect. This perfection was an upsetting, disturbing kind.

They were all looking away — away from each other, away from the other students, away from anything in particular as far as I could tell. It reminded me of models posed carefully for an ad campaign for the most expensive, luxurious perfume on the market.

As I watched, the petite girl rose with her tray — unopened drink, unbitten apple — and walked away with a quick, graceful lope that belonged on a runway. I watched, amazed at her lithe dancer's step, till she dumped her tray and glided through the back door, faster than I would have thought possible. My eyes darted back to the others, who hadn’t moved.

"Who are they?" I asked the girl from my Spanish class, whose name I'd forgotten.

As she looked up to see who I meant - though she had probably guessed from my tone - suddenly he looked at us, the boy I had deemed physically perfect. He looked at my neighbour for just a fraction of a second, and then his dark eyes flickered to mine.

He looked away quickly, faster than I could, though in a flush of embarrassment I dropped my eyes at once. In that brief flash of a glance, his face held nothing of interest - it was as if she had called his name, and he'd looked up in involuntary response, having already decided not to answer.

My neighbour giggled in embarrassment, looking at the table like I did.

She muttered her answer under her breath. “Those are the Cullens and the Hales. Emmett and Edward Cullen, and Rosalie and Jasper Hale. The one who just left was Alice Cullen. They live with Dr Cullen and his wife.”

I glanced sideways at the beautiful boy, who was looking at his tray now, picking a bagel to pieces with long, slender fingers. His mouth was moving very quickly, his lips barely opening. The other three still looked away, and yet I was convinced he was speaking quietly to them.

Weird names. Old-fashioned names. The kind of names grandparents had. Maybe that was trendy here? Small town names? Then I finally remembered that the girl beside me was called Jessica, a perfectly common name.There were two Jessicas in my history class in Arizona.

“They’re all… quite good-looking.” Understatement of the century.

“Aren’t they?” Agreed Jessica with yet another giggle. She continued on, “They’re all together though! Emmett and Rosalie and Alice and Jasper, I mean. And they live together!”

Her voice gave away just how small-town she was; the shock and condemnation, I thought critically. I had to admit that even in Phoenix, this would cause gossip.

"Which ones are the Cullens?" I asked. "They don't look related…"

"Oh, they're not. Dr. Cullen is really young, in his twenties or early thirties. They're, like, all adopted. The Hales are twins - they’re the two blondes - and they're foster children."

"They look a little old for foster children."

"They are now, Jasper and Rosalie are both eighteen, but they've been with Mrs. Cullen since they were like thirteen. She’s their aunt. I heard she took them in because like their grandma died.”

I noticed she said the last bit with a look on her face that made it seem that the death of a relative was not a good enough reason to look after your niece and nephew at such a young age.

“Edward is technically Dr Cullen’s brother,” she continued. “Dr Cullen adopted him when he was old enough. Then he adopted Alice and Emmett; they were like Edward’s foster siblings.”

"Wow, that’s so lovely of them - to take care of all those kids when they're so young and everything."

"I guess so," Jessica admitted reluctantly, and I got the impression that she didn't like the doctor and his wife for some reason. With the glances she was throwing at their children, I presumed the reason was jealousy. "I think that Mrs. Cullen can't have any kids, though," she added, as if that in any way lessened their kindness.

Throughout all this conversation, my eyes flickered again and again to the table where the strange family sat. They continued to stare at the walls and not eat.

"Have they always lived in Forks?" I asked. Surely I would have noticed them during one of my summers here.

"No," she said in a voice that implied it should be obvious, even to a new arrival like me. "They just moved down like two years ago from somewhere in Alaska."

I felt a surge of pity, and relief. Pity because, as beautiful as they were, they were outsiders, clearly not accepted. Relief that I wasn't the only newcomer here, and certainly not the most interesting by any stretch of the imagination.

As I examined them, the youngest, one of the Cullens, looked up and met my gaze, this time with evident curiosity in his expression. As I looked swiftly away, it seemed to me that his glance held some kind of unmet expectation.

"Which one is the boy with the reddish brown hair?" I asked. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye, and he was still staring at me, but not gawking like the other students had today — he had a slightly frustrated expression. I looked down again.

"That's Edward. He's gorgeous, of course, but like don't waste your time. He doesn't date. Apparently none of the girls here are pretty enough for him." She sniffed, a clear case of sour grapes. I wondered when he'd turned her down.

I bit my lip to hide my smile. Then I glanced at him again. His face was turned away, but I thought his cheek appeared lifted, as if he too was smiling.

After a few more minutes, the remaining four of them left the table. They all were noticeably graceful even the big, brawny one. It was unsettling to watch. The one named Edward didn't look at me again.

I sat at the table with Jessica and her friends longer than I would have if I'd been sitting alone. I was anxious not to be late for class on my first day. One of my new acquaintances, who considerately reminded me that her name was Angela, had Biology with me the next hour. We walked to class together in silence. She was shy, too, though she had a gentleness to her. Despite not being a particularly social individual, I hoped we would become friends. She gave off such a lovely aura.

When we entered the classroom, Angela went to sit at a black-topped lab table exactly like the ones I was used to. She already had a lab partner. In fact, all the desks were filled but one. Three rows back, I recognised Edward Cullen by the unusual colour of his hair, sitting next to that single open seat.

As I walked past the desks to introduce myself to the teacher and get my slip signed, I was watching him surreptitiously. Just as I passed, he suddenly went rigid in his seat. His face jerked up and he stared at me again, meeting my eyes with the strangest expression on his face. It was furious. Hostile. I looked away quickly, stunned, going red again. I stumbled over a book on the floor and had to catch myself on the edge of a table. The girl sitting there giggled.

I’d been right about the eyes. They were black - coal black.

Mr. Banner signed my slip and handed me a book with no nonsense about introductions and no mention of my full name. I could tell we were going to get along. Of course, he had no choice but to send me to the one open seat in the middle of the room. I kept my eyes down as I went to sit by him, bewildered by the antagonistic glare he'd given me.

I didn't look up as I set my book on the table and took my seat, but I saw his posture change from the corner of my eye. He was leaning away from me, sitting on the extreme edge of his chair and averting his face like he smelled something bad. Inconspicuously, I sniffed my hair. It smelled like strawberries, the scent of my favourite shampoo. It seemed an innocent enough odour. I let my hair fall over my right shoulder, making a dark curtain between us, and scooted my stool to the right, giving him as much space as possible. I tried to pay attention to the teacher.

Unfortunately the lecture was on cellular anatomy, something I'd already studied. I took notes carefully anyway, always looking down. I tried to focus on making my diagrams as detailed as possible.

I couldn't stop myself from peeking occasionally through the wall of my hair at the strange boy next to me. During the whole class, he never once relaxed his stiff position on the edge of his chair, sitting as far from me as possible. I could see his hand on his left leg was clenched into a fist, tendons standing out under his pale skin. This, too, he never relaxed. He had the long sleeves of his white shirt pushed up to his elbows, and his forearm was surprisingly hard and muscular beneath his light skin. He wasn't nearly as slight as he'd looked next to his huge brother.

The class seemed to drag on longer than the others. Was it because the day was finally coming to a close, or because I was waiting for his fist to relax? It never did; he continued to sit so still it looked like he wasn't breathing. What the hell was wrong with him? Was this his normal behaviour? Was he mid-mental breakdown? I questioned my judgement on Jessica's bitterness at lunch today. Maybe she was not as resentful as I'd thought. His odd behaviour couldn't have anything to do with me. He didn't know me from Eve.

I peeked up at him one more time, and regretted it. He was glaring down at me again, his black eyes full of revulsion. As I flinched away from him, shrinking against my chair, the phrase if looks could kill suddenly ran through my mind. I finally had a reference for that phrase. I really wished I didn’t.

At that moment, the bell rang loudly, making me jump, and Edward Cullen was out of his seat. Fluidly he rose — he was much taller than I'd thought — his back to me, and he was out the door before anyone else was out of their seat.

I sat frozen in my seat, staring blankly after him. He was so mean. It wasn't fair. I began gathering up my things slowly, trying to block the anger that filled me, for fear my eyes would tear up. For some reason my temper was hardwired to my tear ducts. I usually cried when I was angry, a humiliating tendency.

"Aren't you Isabella Swan?" a male voice asked.

I looked up to see a cute, baby-faced boy, his pale blond hair carefully gelled into orderly spikes, smiling at me in a friendly way. I’d have put money on the fact that he was definitely a mommy’s-boy. He however, obviously didn't think I smelled bad.

"Bella," I corrected him, with a smile.

"I'm Mike."

"Hi, Mike."

"Do you need any help finding your next class?"

"I'm headed to the gym, actually. I think I can find it, thanks."

"That's my next class, too." He seemed thrilled, though it wasn't that big of a coincidence in a school this small.

We walked to class together; he was a talker - he supplied most of the conversation, which made it easy for me. He'd lived in California till he was ten, so he knew how I felt about the sun. It turned out he was also in my English class. He was the friendliest person I'd met today.

But he lost some of this friendliness as we were entering the gym when he asked, "So, did you stab Edward Cullen with a pencil or what? I've never seen him act like that."

I cringed. So I wasn't the only one who had noticed. And, apparently, that wasn't Edward Cullen's usual behaviour. Shit. I decided to play dumb.

"Was that the boy I sat next to in Biology?" I asked artlessly.

"Yes," he said. "He looked like he was in pain or something."

"I don't know," I responded. "We never spoke."

"He's a weird guy." Mike lingered by me instead of heading to the dressing room. "If I were lucky enough to sit by you, I would have talked to you."

I smiled at him before walking through the girls' locker room door. He was friendly and clearly admiring. I hoped that wouldn’t become an issue. Still, it wasn't enough to ease my irritation.

The Gym teacher, Coach Clapp, found me a uniform but didn't make me change for today's class. At home, only two years of PE. were required. Here, PE was mandatory all four years. Forks was literally my personal hell on Earth.

I watched four volleyball games running simultaneously. Remembering how many injuries I had sustained - and worse, inflicted - playing volleyball, I felt faintly nauseated.

The final bell rang at last. I walked slowly to the office to return my paperwork. The rain had drifted away, but the wind was strong, and colder. I wrapped my arms around myself. When I walked into the warm office, I almost turned around and walked back out.

Edward Cullen stood at the desk in front of me. I again recognised that tousled bronze hair. He didn't appear to notice the sound of my entrance. I stood pressed against the back wall, waiting for the receptionist to be free.

He was arguing with her in a low, attractive voice. I quickly picked up the gist of the argument. He was trying to trade from sixth-hour Biology to another time — any other time. I just couldn't believe that this was about me. It had to be something else, something that happened before I entered the Biology room. The look on his face must have been about another aggravation entirely. It was impossible that this stranger could take such a sudden, intense dislike to me.

The door opened again, and the cold wind suddenly gusted through the room, rustling the papers on the desk, swirling my hair around my face. The girl who came in merely stepped to the desk, placed a note in the wire basket, and walked out again. But Edward Cullen's back stiffened, and he turned slowly to glare at me with piercing, hate-filled eyes; despite this I noted that his face was absurdly handsome For an instant, I felt a thrill of genuine fear, raising the hair on my arms. The look only lasted a second, but it chilled me more than the freezing wind. He turned back to the receptionist.

"Never mind, then," he said hastily in a voice like velvet. "I can see that it's impossible. Thank you so much for your help." And he turned on his heel without another look at me, and disappeared out the door.

I went meekly to the desk, my face drained of colour, and handed Mrs Cope the signed slip.

"How did your first day go, dear?" the receptionist asked maternally.

"Fine," I lied, my voice weak. She didn't look convinced.

When I got to the truck, it was almost the last car in the lot. It seemed like a haven, already the closest thing to home I had in this damp green hole. I sat inside for a while, just staring out the windshield blankly. But soon I was cold enough to need the heater, so I turned the key and the engine roared to life.

I headed back to Charlie's house, fighting tears the whole way there.

#twilight rewrite #charlieswan-squad #first sight #first sight part three #twilight #new moon #eclipse #breaking dawn

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amymillcr · 7 years ago

Text

QUESTIONNAIRE with AMELIA CAROLINA MILLER

# OF Qs ANSWERED: 150

1. if they were a candle, what scent would they be?

“ i never really thought about it, so i’m going with a lemon scented one. because i may or may not have an obsession with lemons. “

2. what female celebrity do they wish was their sister?

“ ooooh, emily blunt without a doubt in mind !! she’s so great and funny and beautiful, i would love to be her sister.”

3. what male celebrity do they wish was their brother?

“ is it bad if i say pete davidson so i can be ariana’s sister-in-law ?? it is ?? okay... i will choose john mulaney. “

4. how old do they think they’ll be when they get married?

“ with the current state of my love life ?? never. but i think 30 would be a good age to get married. “

5. how many countries have they been to?

“ never been out of the states, unfortunately enough. “

6. what would they name their daughter if they had one?

“ helena. i like the sound of it and the meaning of the name, so yeah. i would choose helena. “

7. what would they name their son if they had one?

“ hmmm, i never thought about a boy name ?? but, i like the name anthony. so that will be my answer for now. “

8. what was their favorite tv show as a child?

“ totally spies !! three girls being badass and saving the world ?? count me the fuck in !! “

9. what language, besides their native language, would they like to be fluent in?

“ italian. i downloaded duolingo once to learn a bit, but that shit doesn’t work for me at all. mainly because i would get a notification and just shrug it off. “

10. would they ever change their name? if so, to what?

“ as common as my name is, i don’t think so. because one: i never thought of any other name i would like to be called. and two: i think my name fits me. “

11. what was the last compliment they got?

“ a seven-year-old camper told me my hair is pretty. “

12. what is their favorite flavor of tea?

“ green tea. but i only drink it mixed with black tea in the morning to get energized. “

13. how did they find out that santa and the easter bunny weren’t real?

“ i found out santa wasn’t real because my dad was horrible at hiding his santa costume. and easter bunny was because i woke up early one day and i saw my mom making little bunny footprints on the floor. “

14. what is their hogwarts house?

“ i always thought i was a gryffindor, but when i took the pottermore test years ago... i got slytherin. i guess i’m a cunning folk just like merlin. “

15. what tarot card are they?

“ i got the sun card !! “

16. are they more of a marvel or dc fan?

“ i enjoy both, but i lean more towards marvel. i like the comedy route they take on the movies. and the series are better, that’s all. “

17. who is their favorite superhero?

“ jessica jones aka jewel. i relate to her in ‘ being a messy adult ’ department. “

18. everyone has a song that deeply reminds them of their childhood. what is theirs?

“ crazy by aerosmith. it used to be one of my dad’s favorite songs. maybe it still is, who knows ?? but yeah... he used to sing that to my mom and dance around the kitchen with her. it was... nice. “

19. what are the meanings of their first, middle, and last name?

“ amelia means defender and striving, carolina means song of happiness. and after a quick research, miller means one who grinds grain. “

20. have they ever stolen a street sign before?

“ no, but that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. it would be a good decor for my bedroom, hm. “

21. what is their biggest pet peeve?

“ people chewing with their mouth open and slow walkers. i can’t choose between these two, both drive me crazy. “

22. if they were a month, what month would they be?

“ is it weird if i say march because it is always a good month for me ?? like, every year march is so great for some weird reason. anyway, march. that’s my choice. “

23. what is their least favourite movie?

“ oh, twilight without a doubt. i never understood the hype about it and because of it, fifty shades was created. “

24. what five movies would they bring with them if they were stuck on a deserted island?

“ ferris bueller’s day off, can’t hardly wait, drive me crazy, enchated and ocean’s 8 so i can finally watch it. “

25. out of all of the late night talk show hosts, who is their favorite?

“ james corden !! i love his skits and overall games. and let’s not forget carpool karaoke is one of the best things to watch when you are bored. “

26. what are three things they are afraid of?

“ being forgotten, being abandoned and snakes. literal and not literal snakes. “

27. what was the first concert they went to?

“ bon jovi when he played on central park summerstage. i remember my mom going crazy because she is obsessed with him. it was a great afternoon. “

28. is there a nickname that only their family calls them?

“ they call me millie. “

29. what side of the bed do they sleep on?

“ left. “

30. what is their favorite comfort food?

“ hershey’s chocolate bar. at least once a month, i go to the store in times square to get one for free. “

31. what award shows do they watch?

“ all of them. i love award season, but i will love it more when amy addams finally get the oscar that she deserves. “

32. do they have any weird body skills (example: being double jointed)?

“ yes !! i can wiggle both of my ears. “

33. if they drink coffee, what is their coffee order?

“ i don’t drink coffee. when i need caffeine i go to black tea mixed with green tea. “

34. what social media platforms do they have?

“ twitter, instagram, snapchat and pinterest. oh, facebook as well so my family knows i’m alive but i barely use it. “

35. are they a cat or dog person?

“ both ?? how can i choose between these precious animals ?? answer: i can’t. and won’t. “

36. if they were a supernatural creature, what would they be?

“ i think i answered this before, but if not, i would love to be a valkyrie. they are a bunch of badass women. “

37. what show are they currently watching on netflix/hulu?

“ queer eye and champions !! both are great and i highkey recommend everyone to watch them. “

38. what is their favorite disney movie?

“ disney is beauty and the beast. disney pixar is a bug’s life, i love a good classic. live action disney is obviously maleficent. fun fact: i saved money to buy the same lipstick angelina used in that movie.“

39. do they wear any perfume or cologne?

“ i wear perfume when i have to work in an event or something fancy like that. but other than that, i use victoria secret’s hydrating body lotion. “

40. what genres of music do they listen to?

“ broadway, pop and rock. “

41. have they ever seen the bee movie?

“ i have the dvd. i think that is enough answer to this question. “

42. what are their favorite memes?

“ to be honest, any reaction gif that ever existed. but the gif of jonathan from queer eye saying ‘can you believe?’ is one of my favorites at the moment. “

43. what celebrities do they share a birthday with?

“ mila kunis and halle berry !! hey yo !! “

44. what is their moon (zodiac) sign?

“ my moon sign is sagittarius. if you want to know the others, i have my whole chart on my phone thanks to my sister... but don’t ask me what it means, i have no idea. “

45. which of the seven cardinal sins do they embody the most?

“ i would say greed. “

46. do they watch sports on television? if so what ones?

“ i only watch sports on television when i need something to make me sleep. “

47. what do they put on their typical sandwich?

“ bread, cheese, steak and bacon. “

48. what was the name of their first significant other?

“ colin. he was a ridiculous piece of shit and i hope he is happy and stay far away from me. “

49. do they care if people think badly of them?

“ not really. point is, haters gonna hate. shake it off, taylor swift. always right. “

50. what was the last thing that made them cry?

“ i always cry when i listen to champagne supernova by oasis, so i will say that was the last thing that made me cry because i can’t really remember the last time i cried. “

51. are they an iphone or samsung user?

“ iphone. “

52. what type of computer do they use (example: apple)?

“ lenovo thinkpad e475. “

53. what is one of their nervous habits?

“ nail biting, tapping my foot, and talking really fast. my mom says i touch my hair a lot when i’m nervous, too.“

54. out of all reality shows, which one would they have a chance winning?

“ i’m pretty sure i could win big brother. 98% certain of it. “

55. would they ever go bungee jumping or skydiving?

“ without a doubt, someone please take me. “

56. what do they call their grandparents?

“ grandma and grandpa. “

57. what do they do when they can’t sleep?

“ watch any sport on tv, and if there’s none, cartoons. “

58. what time do they normally go to bed?

“ back home, between 10:30 PM and 11 PM on weekdays and 3 AM on weekends. “

59. if they have instagram, what was the last picture that they posted?

“ it was one of me holding a sword toy in the forest, trying to be a badass like wonder woman. but failing miserably. “ (x)

60. if they have twittter, what was the last thing that they tweeted?

“ i was trying to say “c’est la vie” but i forgot the phrase and so long story short i shrugged and said “livin la vida loca”. “

61. who is their otp?

“ emily blunt and john krasinski !! i only believe in real love because of them !! “

62. do they like sweet, salty, or sour?

“ sweet and sour. “

63. did they play any sports in the past?

“ swimming and water polo. “

64. what is their favorite cheesy pick up line?

“ you look so familiar... didn't we take a class together? i could've sworn we had chemistry. “

65. what tv show or movie is their guilty pleasure?

“ gravity falls and the lego movie. “

66. if they were a fruit, what fruit would they be?

“ green grapes. “

67. do they sing in the shower?

“ sing would be an understatement. i give a whole madison sqaure garden performance in the shower. “

68. what is their favorite type of chips?

“ doritos. always and forever you will be on my heart. “

69. do they drink juice? if so, what is their favorite kind?

“ lemonade !! and orange juice mixed with strawberry juice. trust me, that shit is good. “

70. what is more important to them: power, money, friends, family, love, or fame?

“ family and friends, always. “

71. what does their handwriting look like?

“ my handwriting is legible, that’s what i can say about it?? oh, i write in cursive. i don’t know how to answer this. “

72. do they have reoccurring dreams? if not, what is their most memorable dream?

“ i have a dream that everyone is ignoring me. i searched what it meant when it first happened, and it turns out i need to communicate more about my feelings. that’s funny. “

73. if they were a taste, what would it be?

“ minty gum. you can’t go wrong with mint gum, unless you are allergic to it. “

74. what is one random fun fact about them?

“ i do volunteer work by delivering food, coats, blankets to homeless people every night that i can for a city program. i have been doing this for a year now, and it is so gratifying being able to help them. i wish sometimes i could do more. “

75. what is their lucky number?

“ seventeen !! “

76. do they have any pets?

“ unfortunately, no. money is tight already and with a pet would be worse. maybe in the future i will adopt one. “

77. do they believe in the paranormal or the supernatural?

“ hell fucking yes to the paranormal. not so much to the supernatural, but i wish it was true. “

78. have they ever had any paranormal experiences?

“ no, but i have heard a lot of them to believe that paranormal exists. “

79. can they sing or dance?

“ i can carry a tune, but i’m no whitney houston. and my dance moves consists in high school musical choreography. “

80. who is the first person they call/text when something exciting happens?

“ my lil sister rachel, theo, and my groupchat with addie and lola.”

81. what is their social media handle?

“ @ameliamill on twitter, @amclias on instagram and @amyazing on snapchat !! “

82. what swear word do they use/like the most?

“ fuck. “

83. what is their ideal first date?

“ i really like outdoor dates, a picnic or a theme park would be fun. outdoor movie or concert, a food festival or a street fair. even getting ice cream and go for a walk instead of sitting on the parlor would be a great first date. “

84. if they were a type of weather, what would they be?

“ the weather after a rainstorm, when the sun is timidly shining again behind the clouds and there’s that smell of fresh rain that makes you feel clean. “

85. what is their least favorite holiday?

“ thanksgiving. the bad memories are real with this one. “

86. what is the first thing that they do in the morning?

“ turn off my alarm and proceed to wake rachel up so she can get ready for school. when i’m here, jump in theo’s bed to wake him up.“

87. who is their ultimate celebrity crush?

“ my love, my life, my heart: chris evans. “

88. do they usually pay with cash or card?

“ cash. “

89. what was the last thing that they bought?

“ alcohol, more specifically whiskey and vodka. “

90. are they a good or bad driver?

“ i like to believe i’m a good driver, i never hit anyone’s car... so. “

91. if they could meet one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be?

“ michael jackson, come on. who wouldn’t want to meet the king of pop ?? “

92. have they ever gotten into a physical fight?

“ once in high school. some girl was talking shit about my friend and the instinct to slap her across the face was stronger than the common sense of not doing so. got detention for a week and a super mad mom afterwards. oh well, it was worth it. “

93. do they prefer pepsi or coke?

“ we love and support coke in this house. pepsi is not welcome. “

94. do they prefer the city or the suburbs?

“ city, without a doubt. “

95. do they have any special or odd talents?

“ just the wiggling ears thing, like i said before. “

96. when they were little, what did they want to be when they grew up?

“ i wanted to be an astronaut and then i found out how much math it required to become one. it broke little amy’s heart. “

97. do they have any favorite smells?

“ the smell after it rains, lemon, and homemade food. “

98. if they could visit any place in the world, where would they go?

“ in ibiza za za za, everyday is a fiesta sta sta sta. “

99. do they wear jewelry?

“ yes, a necklace with a rose pendant that my grandma gave me. i haven’t taken it off since she gave me. and also earings. “

100. who is the last person they talked to on the phone?

“ rachel, turns out the lil sis is missing me more than she thought she would. “

101. do they prefer ‘would you rather’ or ‘truth or dare’?

“ would you rather. “

102. what has been their favorite halloween costume yet?

“ cher from clueless with the iconic yellow outfit !! as if there would be a better halloween costume than being the funniest rich girl. “

103. do they like horror movies?

“ yeah, but i don’t like to watch them alone. “

104. what is their typical breakfast like?

“ soft scrambled eggs and tea. “

105. are they a netflix or hulu person?

“ netflix all the way !! their original content is great as fuck. “

106. do they like to gossip?

“ oh yeah, definitely. but only with close friends. “

107. if they were a song, what one would they be?

“ who do you think you are by spice girls. “

108. what was their best subject in school?

“ weirdly enough, it was spanish. followed by history and english. “

109. what was their worst subject in school?

“ physics. that shit was my fucking nightmare. why sir isaac newton had to discover gravity ?? tell me why ?? “

110. have they ever met anyone famous?

“ yes, a lot. the latest one was chris evans because he was on broadway with ‘lobby hero’. i was trembling the whole time he was talking to me. his eyes are so blue and dreamy. “

111. who was their childhood hero?

“ the totally spies !! no doubt, no doubt. “

112. were any tv shows or movies that they weren’t allowed to watch as a child?

“ my mom would let me watch things that were on my age range. if i wanted to watch something more ‘adult-y’, she would watch it first and then say if i could watch it or not. “

113. what is the strangest thing they have ever eaten?

“ according to my grandma, i ate a beetle when i was 2 year old. so it would be that. “

114. do they prefer friends or family?

“ i can’t choose, both have important roles in my life. “

115. how do they feel about pineapple on pizza?

“ i’m not a fan of it, but i don’t think is the weirdest topping you could put on your pizza like some people make it out to be. “

116. do they put the milk or cereal in the bowl first?

“ cereal in the bowl first. that way you know how much milk you have to put. duh. “

117. how do they think dogs would wear pants?

“ the second one. i don’t think any dog would be able to move wearing pants like in the first picture. “

118. do they believe in luck or fate?

“ fucking yes. life would be boring if you don’t believe in some things. but i believe more in luck than fate, though. “

119. do they use emojis when they text?

“ yes !! my three top most used emojis are the middle finger, eye roll, and the eyes emoji. “

120. who was their favorite character on friends?

“ all of them but ross. ross can rot in hell for making rachel get out of that plane. “

121. what character on friends are they most like?

“ i make jokes when i’m uncomfortable and the only response to a romantic i love you is ‘oh crap’. couldn’t i BE anymore like chandler ?? “

122. would they rather read the books or watch the movies?

“ watch the movies. “

123. what is their favorite time of day?

“ night, when i can finally lay in bed and relax. “

124. did they watch the teletubbies as a child? if so, who was their favorite?

“ if someone watched teletubbies and their favorite wasn’t po, they are fake. “

125. do they check the rating (like a rotten tomatoes rating) of a movie before they go and see one?

“ not really, no. i just watch it and then complain on twitter if it is bad. “

126. do they have any favorite old hollywood movie stars?

“ judy garland, julie andrews and audrey hepburn !! “

127. if they had to live in any other decade, which would they choose?

“ the 80′s, without a doubt. “

128. if they could only listen to five music albums for the rest of their life, which ones would they choose?

“ abba gold: greatest hits, michael jackson: greatest hits, spiceworld by spice girls, backstreet boys: the hits, high school musical 2 soundtrack. “

129. do they believe in heaven/hell or reincarnation?

“ like i said before, not believing in things makes life boring. so yes, i do believe in hell, heaven and reincarnation. “

130. do they like chewing gum?

“ yes, minty gum is great. “

131. do they like to go see musicals or plays?

“ hell yes !! it is one of my favorite things to do. “

132. were they apart of any clubs or teams in high school or college?

“ i was part of the swimming and water polo team in high school. “

133. what was their high school superlative?

“ most likely to brighten someone’s day. “

134. are they good at cooking or baking?

“ i have to be, or my sister and i would be eating take out every night. “

135. could they beat bobby flay?

“ hell no. “

136. do they watch actual television? if so, what channels do they watch?

“ mtv. and your occasional sports channel when i need to sleep. “

137. have they ever seen rupaul’s drag race?

“ yas gawd, werk it mama. “

138. do they prefer pink or yellow lemonade?

“ pink lemonade. everything that is pink, is better. i don’t make the rules, it just is. “

139. could they lip sync for their life?

“ i like to believe that the only lip sync for the life i would have to be in is the one in the final. and that it would be a song that is comedic like anaconda by nicki minaj so i can pull a ben de la creme on it. in these terms, i could definitely lip sync for my life. “

140. is their room messy or clean?

“ an organized mess, thank you very much. “

141. if they were a body part, which one would they be?

“ the brain, it controls every other body part. “

142. if they were an emotion, what would they be?

“ happiness. “

143. if they were a planet, which one would they be?

“ neptune, i don’t know why. “

144. how would they describe their clothing style?

“ eleanor shellstrop look alike. “

145. do they shower in the morning or at night?

“ at night, so my body can relax after a long day. “

146. do they order regular fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, or tater tots?

“ regular fries. so i can eat them with a sundae. “

147. do they normally wear socks?

“ yes, socks are comfy. “

148. do they fear natural disasters?

“ of course. is there anyone who doesn’t fear natural disasters ?? ”

149. can they ice/roller skate?

“ no way. i always fall on my ass, but hey, that never stopped me from getting up again. “

150. are they good at video games?

“ i’m horrible at video games. the last game i played was mario kart. years ago. “

#stillwater:task3 #⌜ ✽ °˖ ʟᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʟʟꜱ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ╾ MUSINGS.⌟

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justjessame · 4 years ago

Text

Avery Emerson Clay: Apples, Trees...Ops...

Jake groaned louder than me when he heard Clay’s order come from the other side of my bedroom door, making the idea of getting up and dressed marginally easier to face. I wanted to try to bring the conversation back to what he started when we woke up, but how? When my brother was demanding our attendance, Jake’s as a team member, mine as - wait, what the fuck did he want me for?

“What the hell does Clay need me for?” I muttered, pouting as Jake pulled away, even as his fingers seemed to linger, taking his sweet time to disconnect completely from me. “You know -” I crawled to the edge of the bed, following his warmth. “I wasn’t lying about the water conservation thing,” biting my lip, my heartbeat kicked up a notch when he pulled me into his arms and marched to my bathroom. Oh, I’d definitely LOVE to get used to waking up like this every damn day.

We managed to shower, and save water, towels, maybe some time too, and get dressed. Jake and I were like magnets, coming together, touching, kissing, throughout our grooming and morning ritual. I had extra toothbrushes, something that Rose kept stocked in all our bathrooms thanks to habit, so he didn’t have to go to the guest bathroom to grab his. Standing side by side, we gargled and spat, then sighing, I knew he would have to leave me at least long enough to go change out of his clothes from the day before.

“Come with?” His fingers were sliding between mine and I knew he was figuring it out. That I was as hesitant to part from him as he was from me, that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t a rebellious act for me.

Smiling, I let my fingers link with his and was led from my room into the one I’d given him when Clay showed up alive mere days earlier. Perched on the bed, I watched as Jake hummed Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” while he changed, doing a silly version of what I guessed he assumed a male stripper would do in a similar situation. Since I was as in the dark as he was, I went with it. Silly, but sexy, that was Jake Jensen to me. And perfect. Even if, as I drunk in the sight of his naked chest in the bright sunlight pouring through the windows, his dimensions looked strangely similar to a Dorito.

I was considering how to distract him long enough to see if he was Cool Ranch or Spicy flavored when another knock came, this time to his door, and the voice on the other side wasn’t Clay’s. It also wasn’t nearly as considerate as my big brother’s.

“Avery Emerson,” Dad called, sounding as if he was considering whether allowing my wing to keep its doors was agreeable after all. “You and CAPTAIN Jensen have taken long enough to get ready for the day.” My eyes narrowed as I recalled just how fucking long it had taken Clay to come into the library after he and Mom had gotten home last night and interrupted him and Aisha in the fucking KITCHEN. “Come along, NOW.”

I took a very deep breath, so deep I could feel my nostrils widen with it. I was trying very fucking hard to recapture the words of the guru Mom had brought me to teach me the ways of Namaste or whatever when Dad had negotiated the conditions of my anger management bullshit. Center myself, find my focus, don’t taser my father’s nutsack. You know, important shit.

“Avery,” Jake knelt in front of me and grinned up from where my head had fallen to stare at my knees. “It’s cool, we’ll go out, find out what the plan is, then -” his thumb brushed my lower lip, and he swallowed. “Hopefully we can do yoga, play with the goats, do some laser tag with some cats, play fetch with some puppies -” I shook my head, but the tension started to relax a touch. “Then, later tonight -” his face came closer and our foreheads met, noses brushed, and breaths mingled. “We can tangle up in one of these beds again.” Our lips finally touched and I forgot how pissed off I was at Dad and Clay, at least for a little while.

Everyone was gathered in the kitchen, well everyone but Rose, which made sense since it was she had the weekends off and it was Sunday. I grabbed a bowl of cereal and handed Jake one too, along with juice for me and coffee for him, while the others waited in various stages of exaggerated patience. Aside from Mom, she was two steps below ready to ask for gory details, but managing by the perfect tips of her manicure to NOT ask me just how happy and satisfied I was by the bulging man who stayed close beside me.

Jake and I leaned against the island, hips touching, as we ate our cereal. No one seemed ready to speak, which I found strange since we’d had TWO wake up calls.

“Did the fire that had both Clay men pounding on our bedroom doors get put out before we got here?” I asked, taking a drink of my juice and meeting Clay’s gaze first, but not wanting to leave Daddy out, I searched for his right after. “I mean, having both of you come to MY side of the house would have me assuming that shit was IMPORTANT so let’s get down to it.”

Jake nudged me with his hip, but I just pushed back and didn’t drop my stare from Dad’s. Never show weakness. Rule number two. “Can’t have a meeting if all the cogs aren’t in place, Avery, even you know that.” Ouch, remind me that I’m not a part of the team, in any normal sense of the word. Strike one, point goes to Dad.

“Well, unless you guys are waiting for Rose to show up on her day off,” I didn’t look around as I said it, eyes on the prize after all. “Or are we counting all my rescues in the ‘cogs placement’, Daddy?” Raising one eyebrow, I waited until I earned the lip quirk that gave me my half point at least. “Then I imagine the meeting can get started, EVEN I can understand that, right?”

I ate while Dad and Clay went over what the two eldest Clay men had pressed craniums together and figured out. Jake had pushed pause at one point, rushing to the guest room to grab another piece of tech gear, since he had brought a laptop out with him when we joined up at first. I was zoning out, still completely at a loss for why my presence was needed at all when I heard my name.

“Avery what?” I asked, looking up from my empty bowl taking note that no one had been paying the slightest attention to me, not even Jake. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt your flow?” The group, Mom included were all staring at me like I’d grown horns. “You said my name, so I’d like to know when my purpose finally got mentioned.”

“Weren’t you paying any attention?” Dad sounded pissed, which was fair, but also pretty fucking funny in my opinion. He’d insinuated that I was lacking from the moment I’d joined their asses, so why I’d bother to pay a moment’s attention to their asses was beyond me. “Avery Emerson Van Houton Clay.” Oh that was dirty, bringing out the FULL heiress name bullshit. “The entire point of this meeting was so you could be read into the op that your brother and I sat up and planned overnight.” I raised an eyebrow thinking about how sad it must have been for the two of them to go sexless while I was - OH. Sour grapes, I nearly snorted.

“I have a part to play?” That was shocking. Clay bit his lip, eyes twinkling and I knew he wanted to laugh - which made me want to make him. If Clay laughed, then HE’D be on Dad’s shit list, not removing me from it, but he’d be a notch lower than me. I’d take what I could get. “In an op?” I swear I could see the skin on Clay’s lip starting to give from the pressure of his teeth. “Me?” That did it, the feigned stupidity and innocence. Wide eyes, complete breathless shock, it pushed Clay over, and with a snort that woke up Garfield on his perch with a mewling hiss he cackled.

#Franklin Clay #jake jensen x ofc #The Losers (2010)#alternate universe #Mild smut #fluff #Family Fluff #FLUFF AND SMUT

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thesoujishow · 4 years ago

Conversation

S01E01 - Ken Sarukenka

[vaporwave lo-fi song]

Souji: Testing? Hello?

Ken: Yo? Sounds like it's working to me!

Souji: Ok. There we go.

[INTRO - glitchy transition music]

Souji: Hello, and welcome to the Souji Show. I'm Souji and this is a show where I talk about anything I want. 'Cause this is my show, and not yours.

Souji: This episode is sponsored by the peanut butter in Reese’s cups. They have the taste and the texture of a vitamin-enriched paste you squeeze from a tube directly into your mouth when you’ve been living in a bunker for 30 years because aliens invaded and it’s your birthday treat. Thank you Reese’s!

[MAIN - glitchy transition music]

Souji: For this very special, first-ever episode, we have a very special guest. You may know him as The Howler, or the other Ken, but to me, he's my monkey boy. Everyone, give it up for Ken Sarukenka!

Ken: Indeed, none other than the fantastical Ken Sarukenka.

Souji: Now Ken, tell everyone about yourself. Where are you from? What motivated you to go to Kyoranki? All that jazz.

Ken: I was born and raised in Kyoto and moved to Osaka around the start of middle school and been here ever since, my parents are Ippei and Meiko Sarukenka, better known as Great Ape and Statue, I am also a two time winner of middle school nationals in gymnastics, I was motivated to become a hero because all my life people around me have been heroes, my parents used to be, my brother is one and I choose this school because my brother graduated from here and it's reputation!

Souji: So, both your parents and brother are heroes. Was the decision to enrol at Kyoranki one you made on your own? Or was there added pressure from your family? How did they react when you got the acceptance letter?

Ken: Well, both my parents retired shortly I came into the world, I wouldn't say any of them pressured me but being overshadowed isn't very nice, yakno? I think it was mostly expected in a way, mostly because of my family really.

Souji: Speaking of being overshadowed, do you feel that you have the need to surpass your family in a way?

Ken: Yes, I feel that I have to surpass every single one of, my parents, my brothers I can't be remembered as the second or third best in my family, yakno? [dead serious tone]

Souji: O-ok. What was it like growing up with famous parents? Did people recognise you at all?

Ken: Well, growing up with famous people isn't anything special to me I get recognised every now and then, I met a bunch of other celebrities, I met a bunch of old guard heroes and a few newer once through my brother but it's not anything extreme I'd say. I'm more likely to get recognised now probably after I ended up on the news!

Souji: Speaking of being in the news, the Osaka Rising Star featured your fight at the provisional licence exams. Now I've heard from a little birdie that you didn't have the best time at the exams. Can you tell the listeners more about that? And what are your plans going forward?

Ken: Well... uh what can I say, I'll do the remedial courses and show the speaker that he was wrong to fail me right from the get go so he can go to sleep every night thinking that he almost stopped this world seeing the shining star of tomorrow! As for plans, train, complete remedial course and push forward the keys to everything in life.

Souji: Care to share on how you're planning to do that? What sets your apart from the rest of the Sarukenka heroes?

Ken: It's hard to say, are a bit different but if anything I'd say what sets me apart is the fact that I am none other than I and that I won't stop before I stand out even among them!

Souji: That's a very Ken answer. I respect that. [chuckle]

Ken: There is no other answers than the Ken answer, Souji. [little laugh]

Souji: Speaking of a shining star, let's shine the spotlight back towards the main focus of his podcast - me! Now, Ken, it's your turn to ask me questions. C'mon, don't be shy, ask anything you'd like.

[ASK SOUJI - glitchy transition music]

Ken: Well, I guess I'll throw the ball right back at you, why do you want to be a hero? Is it only because of Starlight or is there something more and how do you intend to stand out in this world filled with people like yours truly!

Souji: To catch the listeners up, I'm a big fan of Starlight. I guess I never considered a career in being a hero until I saw that special documentary episode of Speak with Starlight, what captivated me was his fans, there were a lot of them, each and everyone admired him and his heroic deeds and seeing the praise and attention that his fans are giving him, it sure was tempting. [laugh]

Ken: Inspiration is good, it helps you realise things doesn't it? Not everyone grows up in a family like mine where you are exposed to things the same way I was and I can surely see how it was tempting, I have been tempted by the shining lights that I have been surrounded with myself.

Souji: Inspiration can come from unexpected places, it's true that little things inspire us.

Ken: Indeed, I once felt inspired by watching a squirrel climb a tree! They always look like they are so free and have so much fun, so why shouldn't I do the same?

Souji: I'm great at climbing trees, we should really climb some one day.

Ken: I'd be down!

Souji: In all honesty, it was the fame and money that made me want to become a hero. It's a bit narcissistic, I know, but it is what it is. But during my time here, I saw what happened to the people around us. I want to be a helping hand in making a difference in people’s lives. Plain and simple. My family's poor so the money's still my number one motivator but it makes me happy knowing that I'll make the city a little bit better for everyone living in it.

Ken: I ain't gonna fault anyone's reasoning, being a hero is a profession after all just like being a policeman, fireman, doctor and so on, the only difference is the spotlight and the persona. Hopefully, you can throw your family a bone once you hit it off, eh?

Souji: Of course, I want to give back as much as I can. They might not be around as much, but I know they still want the best of me. Also, I want to travel. I've been stuck in Osaka for most of my life, and I love the city, don't get me wrong, but I just want to see what's out there.

Ken: Travelling is nice, but home is where the heart is wouldn't you agree?

Souji: Yeah, I wouldn't trade Osaka for anything. [pensive pause] Well, that got sentimental. Let's move on to our audience questions! These were submitted by our classmates in our group chat. Ready? Ok.

[Qs from the GC - glitchy transition music]

Souji: Fumi wants to know do you like bananas?

Ken: I like bananas in things but not really a huge fan if they are on, it's alright.

Souji: Kotoe wants to know your favourite genre of music.

Ken: My favourite genre of music is pop or rap, if it has a nice beat or a dramatic feeling I am usually down.

Souji: Kichiro asks, can you talk to monkeys?

Ken: No, I cant talk to monkeys believe it or not.

Souji: Taka inquires, does Ken-san take inspiration from Sun Wukong? That's some Chinese stuff, right?

Ken: Yeah my costume is mostly inspired by him, so his name hero name which means that one day soon I will be the Great Sage who rivals the Heavens!

Souji: Great Sage who Rivals the Heavens. [chuckles] Wow, that's quite the mouthful. We might have to workshop that Ken.

Ken: Yeah... A bit too long probably. [snicker]

Souji: I don't have any suggestions on the top of my head, but please don't pick a weird hero name like Monkey Boy, or worse - Monkey King! Plus, to be a sage, wouldn't you actually have to be, you know, wise?

Ken: In what world is that worse? I think you're going crazy over here and who says you need to be wise to be a sage? Not that it matters I am clearly the wisest person here!

Souji: Ken, that's literary its meaning, sage means wise. Well, it does sound very flashy, but maybe a bit too arrogant maybe? I mean, you can't even talk to monkeys, how can you call yourself the monkey king. You can still be Monkey Ken, though.

Ken: What do you think would be better then? I think Monkey King is a perfect fit if you ask me!

Souji: How about trying some alliteration?

Ken: Pfft, alliterations are overrated anyway.

Souji: I'm not sure if it's final but I was thinking my hero name to be the Neon Ninja. See, it's short, simple and easy to remember.

Ken: Neon Ninja? Sound like a flopped comic or video game, ain't ever gonna pack the punch you'd need it to!

Souji: Of course it sounds lame, that’s the point. You have to start from the ground up. Once people know your deeds as a hero, that’s where it becomes cool. Do you think Starlight’s name was cool when he just started out? No, man. Who name’s themselves Starlight? But, it became cool. I’ll make the Neon Ninja cool.

Ken: Starlight packs more punch than Neon Ninja though! His is like cool and mysterious, yours just sound like a old school retro game people forgot about, why'd you ever wan to sound lame?! Whatever you say, if you prove me wrong I'll eat my words but if you can't I'll be there laughing!

Souji: How about this. Why would anyone want to name a technology company Apple? It's not cool, or futuristic, it's lame. But with time, people liked their product and the name got cooler. See? It might seem lame now, but just give it some time. Like grapes and wine.

Ken: I don't know, maybe something about the apple of knowledge and all that jazz? Didn't really play attention in religion class, so I ain't too sure but either way I think something more high impact is better!

Souji: Let's just agree to disagree, monkey boy. Finally, Haruto wants to know if do you know da wae?

Ken: I know my way, perhaps its the right way for others as well just follow along for the ride and see!

[ENDING - glitchy transition music]

Souji: Well, we're nearing the end of our the show, Ken, is there anything you'd like to remind our audience, maybe plug whenever they can find you online?

Ken: Hmm, well I do guess I could plug some things I am on [X-Social Media platforms] with [X-User names] feel free to follow me!

Souji: You've been pretty cool to talk to, so before you leave, I have a special surprise just for you. I've embroidered it myself, and the shirt is from a downtown thrift store.

Ken: Ooooh. You really didn't need to do that, but I love it, it's adorable!

Souji: Thank you for being my first guest, Ken. It means a lot.

Ken: I don't know what else you'd expect, it's always cool talking to me isn't it?

Souji: To keep with the show follow me @thesoujishow, and to support my small clothing business, follow @glitchgear on all social media platforms. Once again, this has been Ken Sarukenka and Souji Yoshihiro, and you’ve been listening to the Souji Show! A show where I talk about anything I want. 'Cause this is my show, and not yours. Until next time. Insert catchphrase here.

[vaporwave lo-fi song]

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sailorgreywolf-legacy · 8 years ago

Text

Legacy - Chapter 13

Mexico took up residence in the master bedroom, which was much bigger than the room he had shared with Cuba at Spain's house. He quickly got used to the room and the house. It stopped feeling strange to wake up on his own after a week. After the second week, he was used to the house plan and no longer got lost when he walked around.

The morning light flooded through the large windows into the room and woke Mexico. He turned over and pulled the sheet over his head. The sheet utterly failed to block out the light. He grabbed a pillow and put it over his eyes. After a few seconds of lying in an uncomfortable position before he gave up on the idea of sleep. He threw off the sheets and the blankets. He hadn't changed his habit of sleeping topless, so he was wearing nothing but his pants. He had already decided today was the day he was going to explore the city, partially because he wanted to see the city and partially because he needed a place to practice sword fighting. He didn't trust any of the other countries here to keep his secret about his sword, especially with what it implied about his loyalty.

Portugal also taught Mexico that in order to be good at fighting; he needed to be fit from head to toe. He hauled himself out of bed and stretched his arms. The floor was wood, but most of the floor was covered by a thick rug. He started his morning with sit-ups and push-ups in sets of 10 until his arms and abs started to ache. He had started this regime now because it would have drawn suspicion from Spain when he lived in Madrid. Now no one knew that it was that out of the ordinary. Since he had started regular workouts, he had gotten up to being able to do 150 in one morning. He stopped whenever his muscles started burning to keep himself from overworking his muscles. Within the last few weeks, since he had started doing this daily, he had noticed an increase in his muscle definition, although he remained relatively lithe.

He hadn't had a mirror in his room back in Spain, and now he had one mounted on his wall. He still hadn't completely broken himself of the habit of looking at himself every time he walked by it. He guessed that was why he had taken a new interest in his body and his muscle definition. He finished his usual exercise; he walked out on the balcony and looked out at the sunrise. The house hand two wings that wrapped around large gardens. Mexico's balcony over looked the gardens, as did several other balconies. Many of the bedrooms had balconies.

Although Texas and Mexico were technically the only residents, all the countries of the Spanish empire in the Americas resided there because it was the center of the Spanish empire. They all had a tendency to come and go, so Mexico had only met a few so far. He heard a light knock on the door, and he glanced at it and said calmly "Come in". Argentina pushed open the door. He was carrying a tray of food, presumably Mexico's breakfast. He placed the tray on a side table and walked stood awkwardly.

Mexico turned around and walked towards Argentina, who was still looking down. He had realized since their first meeting that looking down was pretty much a habit of Argentina's. Mexico ignored the food for the moment, even though he was hungry. He planted his index finger in the middle of Argentina's chest and flicked it upward, catching Argentina's nose. This forced Argentina to look up at Mexico. Mexico looked straight into Argentina's deep eyes "I don't really care how interesting my shoes are, Juan. You know I hate it when you do that." Mexico had found that this was the best way of dealing with Argentina's interest in the ground. Argentina looked away from Mexico, but not at the ground this time

"I'm sorry". Mexico sighed but continued in a forceful voice "Don't be sorry, just stop doing it. Grow a backbone, Juan". Argentina looked like he wanted to apologize again, but he held his tongue. Mexico sauntered over to the tray of food, picked up on apple and started eating it. He strolled out onto the balcony and turned his attention to the other person visible on another balcony; he called to them "Did you enjoy the show, Adrián?" Panama, Colombia's younger brother, responded "I did. I can see why my brother wanted to fuck you". Argentina flinched when Panama swore and he said "Adrián, watch your language. Remember who you are speaking to".

Mexico rolled his eyes; he really hated Argentina's insistence that he was superior. Panama responded with a smirk "You think his perfect ears haven't heard a little swearing before? He is no saint, my brother can attest to that". Mexico glared back at Panama "Don't believe everything your brother says". He turned back to Argentina "Juan, please stop pretending you're supposed to be my servant, it's getting on my nerves". Everyone had a tendency to go silent when Mexico spoke, anyone else and they spoke over each other almost constantly. Both Panama and Argentina stopped arguing at once, Mexico counted it as a success and returned to his breakfast.

About halfway through his breakfast, Texas backed his way through the door with an armful of papers. He almost tripped in his haste to deposit the stack of papers on the table. As soon as he dropped the papers he said "You have quite a lot of business to tend to, master…I mean brother. There are reports about trade, the state of the Spanish empire, improving roads and such. These are all the things you need to deal with". Mexico looked at the rather sizable stack of papers. He hardly knew how to do any of this. He said "Don't we have politicians to deal with this?" Texas cast him a questioning look "We do, but they are all rather inept Spaniards. I've been dealing with these for years. I let the politicians do most of the small stuff and half the financial matters".

Mexico smiled; he was suddenly reminded that he and Texas were related. Apparently, somehow they had come to the same conclusion about what they needed to do about revenge. He gave his brother an approving look, which his brother didn't fail to miss. Argentina also didn't miss the full meaning "Diego, why are you doing that? It could easily be seen as treasonous". Mexico lounged in the chair he was sitting in "Juan, don't sweat it. What Antonio does not know will not hurt him. As long as we continue to move all the gold we generate to Spain, he will not pry as to how much of it is directly controlled by Spanish appointed officials".

Argentina nervously shifted his weight "I still don't like it. You should hand matters over to the men Spain appointed." Mexico said firmly "If it bothers you, forget that you know about it. Our loyalty is firm and unwavering". Texas nodded and smirked "I assume you do not want me to change the arrangement, unless you want to take over my share". Mexico nodded "I like it how it is. Since you are so eager to serve me, you can continue to work on this for me". Texas bowed his head slightly then left, sweeping up the papers as he left.

Argentina watched him go then turned back to Mexico "Alejandro, you seem to have a talent for getting rid of work. What do you plan to do today?" Mexico smiled and picked up the last grape off the plate that had contained his breakfast "I plan to see the city, I have not yet gotten the chance. It is my heart after all, and I should know it". Argentina sat suddenly in the chair across from Mexico "Good Point, it is strange that I should know this city better than you do. Do you want an escort, my lord?" Mexico rolled his eyes again "Juan, you said it again. I am not your lord or your master. I also do not require an escort within my own city. Let me walk freely in my own streets".

Argentina look flustered and immediately looked down; as was his custom "I'm sorry. I spoke wrongly". Mexico had already spent the last two weeks attempting to deal with Argentina's looking down, and it was still frustrating to have him still do it. He stood up and walked over the Argentina and stood in front of him. He grabbed Argentina's chin and tilted it back up "Don't be sorry all the time either. How do you think you can possibly get anything if you can't be assertive?" Argentina looked away and Mexico sighed. He was beginning to wonder if making Juan more assertive was a lost cause. He turned and walked out, leaving Argentina sitting at the table. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mexico strolled leisurely down the main street, it all seemed so familiar. He had walked through most of the city and he felt so at home, this was the place that he belonged. Few men actually noticed him; humans only noticed countries when they hold significance for the country. Every so often, a human was just particularly observant and took notice of countries. The few who did take notice of Mexico looked at him with great curiosity, understandably so, he was dressed far better than his skin tone would indicate.

He was also wearing the sword Brazil had given him at his hip. He took it simply as a precaution and he found that it was not unusual for men to carry swords here. He continued to walk down the main street, looking at the people walking past him. He found himself looking at the young men more than the beautiful women, and he found himself thinking of Colombia more than Puerto Rico. It was strange, but he almost wished that he hadn't pushed the boy away. The past few nights he had dreamt of how that night would have gone if he had returned Enrique's affections. But, that was impossible while he was under Spanish control. He tried to stop dwelling on it, it wasn't like he was actually in love with Enrique.

Suddenly an old woman reached out and grabbed his wrist. He hadn't noticed her because he had been so lost in his thoughts. Now he looked down at her, she looked incredibly old. He guessed she must be at least a hundred, if not more. She had a crazy desperation in her eyes. She pulled him over to the side of the street with surprising strength. Mexico tried to pull away from her, but she held on hard. She said in a breathy whisper "I know who you are, Mexica". Mexico stopped resisting at once; he hadn't had anyone call him his birth name in a long time. A human knowing it seemed utterly impossible; he responded "How do you know that name?"

Her eyes filled with relief when he said it "You were just a child when I last saw you, I was too. I was a year younger than you when the Spaniards came. Even after all these years, I remembered you". Mexico looked down at the old woman with a new appreciation. It couldn't possibly have been that long since he had been here last. The old woman looked at him mournfully "You look like one of them now. I hoped that you would preserve your mother's legacy. She would weep if she could see you now". She shook her head sadly, or perhaps it was disappointment.

The words hit him right in the heart, especially because he knew it was true. His mother would hate how he had become like Spain, he knew that. But he had let himself forget it. To hear it again was shocking and painful. He responded after the sting of the words faded "I had no choice. You can't possibly understand what I have been through". She shook her head again "Do you even remember her?" He nodded wordlessly and tried to not be offended by the question.

The woman continued "At least you have that much. Now, remember who you really are". She pressed something cold and hard into his hand, then without another word, she pulled a shawl over her head and walked away. Mexico looked down at his hand, which was wrapped around whatever she had just given him. He opened his hand slowly to reveal a golden medallion. He recognized it as a piece of Aztec gold. Something about seeing it again sent chills through him, that and the words the women had said.

The gold brought back so many memories suddenly. He had forgotten too much of himself and he didn't even notice it. Slowly, he had lost his will and his nerve. The memories continued the come rushing back. He saw himself being complacent, doing what Spain told him. When Spain had first taken him, he had defied every order; now he did everything Spain told him to do. Spain had been so clever; he had weeded out the defiance slowly. How had he never noticed it before? His hand tightened around the medallion. White hot anger filled his mind, more at himself than at Spain. He slipped the medallion into his pocket. He needed this, in case he ever forgot again. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Texas found him standing in the stables, brushing the mane of a beautiful chestnut stallion. Texas said carefully "Juan told me you have been back for a while, but you have been brooding in here the whole time. But he's-". Mexico finished the sentence "too scared to come in and talk to me. Isn't he always?" Mexico looked over at his brother, who was standing nervously by the door. Texas looked unsure and said "What's bothering you?" Mexico could see from the way that everyone else stepped lightly around him that they had become as used to authority as he had, be it Spain's or his. This, if anything, made him even angrier.

Mexico responded coldly "I'm not bothered, I'm angry". The statement made Texas look even more scared "Why are you mad?" He walked over to his younger brother and wordlessly slipped the medallion into his hand. He watched as Texas's posture and facial expression changed. He could tell it had the same effect on his brother that it had on him. Before he said anything, he handed the medallion back to Mexico, and then he said "I see what you mean, but that is dangerous. What you want to do will only get you in trouble". Mexico put the medallion back in his pocket "I can't just ignore it, so what do you think I should do?" Texas said in a measured voice "Keep it, but put it away somewhere. Pretend that you never had this little experience, but never forget it" ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

America reached over and touched a gold chain around Mexico's neck "You're wearing it now, so I'm guessing you didn't take Texas's advice." Mexico shook his head and put his hand on the pendant that America was referring to "I did, at the time. But something happened later that changed my mind, I'll get to that in due time".

America changed the subject "You know, what Texas said reminds me of Macbeth 'Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under't.'". Mexico laughed "You're quoting Shakespeare at me, and I thought this night couldn't get any stranger". America rolled his eyes "Of course I know Shakespeare, I was raised by England. Midsummer Night's Dream was my usual bedtime story". Mexico nodded "Right, well you are right about the similarity. Macbeth isn't that different from my life's story, other than the fact that I never killed Spain". America smirked "The way I heard it, it wasn't for lack of trying." Mexico took another pull from the cigarette he was holding "Are you going to let me keep telling, or do you want me to skip to what I did to Spain?" America sighed "Could you skip to the part where you met me, because I remember it being right around this time?" Mexico responded "It was, but I'm not skipping the little part in between"

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imwastingmylifeinhere · 8 years ago

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Magnus Chase and the Obligatory Hogwarts AU Ch2

On oa3

Chapter 2, ladies, gentlemen and dear folks! Big thanks to @tearfulmelody for editing this. @alexfierrno

“Good morning,” Magnus greeted his friends as he sat down at their table.

The Hall of the Slain only had the four long House tables in the Start-of-Term Feast, End-of-Term Feast and special occasions like Halloween. On every other day, they were replaced by their much shorter counterparts and several circular tables that weren’t separated by house. Apparently, the four houses used to be much more competitive, and the staff thought that a good way to counter that would be to not separate students during meals, so as to encourage friendship between the houses.

It worked pretty well. Magnus and his friends wasn’t the only group of friends in school with students from different houses, not by a long shot. Magnus really couldn’t imagine what it would have been like if he couldn’t sit with his friends at breakfast, lunch or dinner simply because they were in different houses.

“Morning, Magnus!” Halfborn said as Magnus sat down. He was the last of the group to arrive, everyone else already seated and eating various degrees of a healthy breakfast. The most healthy one would be Sam, who’s breakfast was made up of mostly fruit. Halfborn’s plate, on the other hand, had so many sausages, pieces of bacon and fried eggs on it that looking at it was enough to give you clogged arteries.

“Did you sleep well?” Sam asked as she was spreading marmalade on a slice of bread. Sam was the one who took care of everyone else. She always made sure the other’s were getting enough sleep and eating enough. She was basically their mum, with T.J taking the role of the dad as the next most responsible member of the group.

“Yeah. It’s really good being back,” Magnus said. And sleeping on a bed with a roof over your head.

Halfborn made a bad siren noise through his mouthful of eggs. “Nerd alert!”

Mallory flicked one of her grapes at him. “Says the person who wanted to take all the elective courses. I don’t know how you weren’t sorted into Ravenclaw.”

Halfborn picked up the grape from where it had landed on the table after it bounced off his face and popped it in his mouth. “Because these babies can give mean punches in addition to writing great essays.” He took a silly bodybuilder pose and flexed his arms. They were pretty impressive.

Mallory rolled her eyes and popped another grape in her mouth, but her cheeks were as red as the apple Sam was eating and they all saw it.

“So, how do you like the Slytherin common room, Alex?” Magnus asked, partly to move on from Mallory and Halfborn’s flirting (they were so obviously in love, when would they get together?) and partly because he was really curious. The dungeons were pretty creepy.

And then, as an afterthought “Oh, and, uh, are you a girl today or a boy?”

“Girl. She and her,” Alex said, after a split second of surprise that someone actually asked. She had sat down just moments before Magnus came, and despite the others asking too, it felt surreal to go from what her family had been like to treated with respect.

“And the common room is really cool!” she continued. Her hair was green today again and the tie around her neck was hanging much more loosely than her parents would have ever allowed. “I mean, I thought you were kidding when you said it was in the dungeons, but it really is. And they have this big glass wall that lets you see into the lake!”

“That must be really cool,” T.J said. He was spinning his spoon between his fingers like he does with his wand. T.J was constantly a ball of energy and, and distracting as his masterful pen/wand/whatever-spinning could be, it was the only thing that could keep him relatively still.

“So who are your roommates?” Magnus asked.

“Mallory and Sam,” Alex answered.

“Oh, yeah, you’ve had an empty bed since Sadie left,” Halfborn said, looking up from his food long enough to talk.

“Who’s Sadie?” Alex asked, turning to look at Mallory and Sam. “You mentioned her yesterday but you didn’t tell me who she was.”

“Sadie was our old roommate,” Sam said. “She transferred to Ilvermorny last year after her uncle took custody of her and her brother. She was in second year.”

The four Houses had different systems in their dorms. In Gryffindor, they were separated in boys and girls and all the students of the same year slept together.

In Ravenclaw they had co-ed rooms of four, with two girls and two boys in each (it was because everyone had an equal right to knowledge, or something like that, if Magnus remembered correctly). It was also common to find rooms with students from different years in the same room if one year had an uneven number of students.

In Hufflepuff they had rooms of five with mixed years. Magnus shared a room with a sixth, fifth and second year. The seventh year that was in his room had graduated, so there was a new first year in the room now. This system was meant to build trust between students, as well as provide the younger students a sort of mentor and the older students a chance to revise when they helped the younger ones.

Slytherin had rooms of three separated by gender and, like in Ravenclaw, if there was a year with an uneven number of students, younger students could be roommates of the older ones. That had been the case with Sadie.

“It’s a bummer she left,” Mallory said. She was buttering a piece of toast and she waved the buttery knife around as she talked. She didn’t hurt anyone, but she smeared butter on the table. “She was really fun. I’m sure you would have liked her.”

“Yeah, remember that time she put all the school’s owls in Helgi’s office?” Halfborn said.

“Oh, Helgi was complaining about the bird poop for days!” T.J said with a fond smile on his face. Sadie had been a little devil but she was tons of fun.

Alex looked between the rest of the group and their smiling faces with that confused expression you get when you friends talk about an inside joke you’re not in on. She might not have met this girl they were talking about, might never will, but whoever could put dozens of owls in someone’s office had earned her respect.

“So what elective courses are you talking?” Sam asked Alex.

“Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies.”

“Muggle Studies?” Halfborn asked perplexed. “I had heard the Fierros didn’t like Muggles so much.”

Halfborn’s comment was met by a sharp elbow to his sides by T.J and another grape to the face by Mallory. “Dude, that was rude,” T.J said.

“It’s okay,” Alex reassured them. “My parents don’t like Muggles, that’s true. But I don’t live with them anymore and they have no say in what I choose to study either.”

Magnus averted his eyes from Alex and decided to look at his cereal instead. There was a sharpness to Alex’s voice, a coldness that let Magnus know that whatever had happened between Alex and her parents to make her talk like this about them wasn’t pretty and he shouldn’t bring them up.

Alex sighed and the tension left her shoulders. “Anyway, what are you guys taking?”

“We all take Care of Magical Creatures,” Magnus said. “We wanted a class to take all together and we all like it.”

“Except for Halfborn,” Mallory piped up. “He’s a year older so he doesn’t have classes with any of us. He chose to take it ‘cause he’s a nerd.”

Halfborn rolled his eyes at her. Mallory poked her tongue out at him.

“Mallory and I take Divination,” T.J said, ignoring his two friends obviously flirting with each other.

“I take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, like Halfborn,” Sam said.

“I take Ancient Runes with Sam and Muggle Studies,” Magnus said.

“Oh, so we have that class together,” Alex said. “Wait. If you all take Care of Magical Creatures, does that mean you, Sam and Halfborn take three elective courses?”

“Yep,” Mallory answered for them, popping the ‘p’. “We have a lot of nerds in our group.”

“Oh, did you get your timetables?” Sam asked. The other teens nodded and pulled their timetables out of their bags. They put them side by side on the table and examined them to see if they had any free periods in common.

“Seems like we all got two free periods together in Wednesday,” T.J said. “Right after History of Magic.”

“Thank Merlin!” Mallory said, slumping back in her chair. “Erikson’s lessons are sooooo boring!”

The small talk continued through breakfast, until Sam reminded them that they should leave soon so they’d get to class on time. Halfborn and T.J left to go to Transfiguration, while Magnus and the girls went to Defense against the Dark Arts.

DADA was taught by Professor Jack. His surname was Sumarbrander, but none of the students could pronounce it (and Professor Jack thought it was too long) so he insisted his students just call him Jack. (A lot of teachers at Hogwarts insisted on that, now that Magnus thought about it.) It had seemed weird to Magnus at first, especially since a lot of his teachers in Muggle schools would scold students if they called them by their first names. A lot of times, Magnus didn’t even know what the first name of one of his teachers was. He had had the same English teacher for years before learning that his name was Henry.

Professor Jack was the Head of Gryffindor and he was one of the weirdest teachers at Hogwarts (then again, all of them were weird). He reminded Magnus of the best friend in coming-of-age movies, the one who was his friend’s wingman, called people ‘dude’ and cracked bad jokes. He didn’t focus too much in the theory in DADA, instead focusing on the practical aspect. According to him,

“You don’t defend yourself by having your nose buried in a book and memorizing a block of text!”

His lessons were a mess, to be honest, but a good mess. He was laid back and relaxed, especially compared to other teachers. He didn’t mind if students whispered something to a friend now and then as long as they paid attention to the lesson and understood what he said. There was always a constant buzz of conversation in his classroom and students were more comfortable around him, something he prided himself in. He was goofy, but he was a great teacher.

“Alright class, welcome to your first DADA lesson of the year!” Professor Jack said cheerily as sat on his desk. Not in the chair, no, on the desk. This is what Magnus meant by relaxed.

“Now, you might have noticed we have a new student among us,” he went on. “Alex, would you like to say something about yourself? For example, your hobbies or things that interest you.”

Alex got up from her seat next to Mallory. She was wearing the boy’s school uniform, Magnus noted. “My name is Alex Fierro and my pronouns are she/her unless I tell you otherwise. I like pottery and hiking and I hope I can try out for the Quidditch team.”

Alex sat back down after she finished talking. Magnus saw the other students sent glances at each other and whisper silently between them. It had been clear from last night that Alex had become the new hot topic of conversation at school. But then again, that was just natural when you had a rare new transfer student, especially one from an important family. (At least, Magnus had gathered that the Fierros were important. It sure seemed like that from what everyone was saying.)

“Alright,” Professor Jack said. “Now, this year we will learn about the Unforgivable Curses…”

The first few weeks of school went by smoothly. Magnus and the gang would go to their lessons and hang out together whenever they had free time. They’d study outside or in the library after lessons were over and they’d eat together in every mealtime.

The routine was nice. After how hectic that summer had been, it was so relaxing for Magnus to be back at school. To have to worry only about doing his homework and waking up on time instead of where he’d find his next meal. To be able to sleep on a bed and actually sleep peacefully, without having to worry about being robbed or attacked.

Felling normal again, felling like nothing had changed… it was great.

Some things had changed, though. For example, they were no longer a group of five, but of six. Despite the fact they had only known Alex for a week, it already felt like she had been their friend for years. She and Halfborn had stricken up a weird rivalry/friendship and would constantly compete; about who could run to class faster, about who could devour more potatoes at lunch, about who would look away first. Mallory, Sam and Alex had become inseparable, what with sharing a room and all, and they teased each other constantly. Alex would tease and joke with Magnus all the time too, and she’d join T.J when he made sarcastic comments.

Most of their free periods were now spent wandering around the castle. Since Alex was new, she didn’t know her way around the castle and it could be a pain in the neck to navigate it. Whoever had a free period with Alex was in charge of being her tour guide and showing her the various rooms and corridors of the Hogwarts castle.

That was what Magnus and Alex were doing right now. Alex and Magnus had just finished their Muggle Studies lesson with Professor Thor and Magnus was showing Alex around the west wing of the castle.

Professor Thor was a giant of a man with ginger hair and an unkempt beard. His surname wasn’t actually Thor. It was something in Norse that was difficult to pronounce, and since it started with ‘Thor’ everybody just called him that. He didn’t really mind, since he loved Thor from the Marvel movies. Professor Thor was the biggest fanboy Magnus had ever met. His lessons were pretty much just watching movies/TV shows and analyzing them. He though it was more effective to see Muggle culture in action rather than just read the textbook. ‘Analyzing’ them meant talking about fan-theories and shipping and whatnot.

At first, Magnus had just picked Muggle Studies because it was easy; he had grown up in the Muggle world after all. He took it again in third year because it was fun. They were just a bunch of nerds in there.

Magnus and Alex were walking down one of Hogwarts’ long corridors. To be honest, Magnus wasn’t sure he had been here before, but that didn’t deter him. He stopped in front of painting and suits of armor to give Alex a grandiose backstory, making up what he said as he went.

Alex had figured out that Magnus didn’t know what he was saying, but she didn’t really care. All his over-the-top moves and stories were fun and she was really enjoying it. She walked behind him, stroking her chin in mock thoughtfulness and saying fancy art stuff she had heard her parents say when they’d drag her with them to those dreadful art exhibitions. It wasn’t the painting or statues that she didn’t like; she loved those. But she couldn’t stand having to spend an entire afternoon around snobbish boring rich people that misgendered her all the time.

She was wearing the girl’s uniform today. Not that there was much of a difference, really. The uniforms were identical, save for the trousers or skirt. That wasn’t a big deal either since girls could choose to wear trousers if they wanted to, though most chose to wear skirts.

The uniform that had been given to Alex when she got sorted was a boy’s uniform. That’s what she wore the first few weeks of school. She wanted to wear a skirt too, like the rest of the girls, but she had been hesitant. Wearing a skirt was what had gotten her hurt back at Durmstrang. It was what had led to her sleeping under bridges and searching for food in trash bins.

When she got on the Hogwarts Express, she had told herself that she wouldn’t care now. That she’d make it clear from the start to everyone who she was. And despite things having gone smoothly up to now, she was still scared.

“I’d really like to wear the girl’s uniform,” she had said one night. Sam and Mallory were setting out their uniforms so they’d put them on quicker the next morning (Mallory has a bad habit) and Alex was lying on her back on her bed. She hadn’t realized she spoke out loud and not in her head until Sam turned to look at her.

“You mean the skirt?” she asked. Sam wore trousers instead of skirts because they were too short for her.

Alex had tensed up. She hadn’t realized she had spoken out loud. “Yeah,” she answered hesitantly.

“They didn’t give you any, did they?” Mallory asked. “We can talk to Professor Sif to get you some.”

Alex raised her eyebrows in surprise. “She would do that?” Professor Sif was really strict. You better be quiet and pay attention in her class or you’ll get the scolding of your life and have so many house points deducted that you’d need to be a genius to get them back.

Mallory shrugged. “Sure. She let you room with us, so I don’t see why she wouldn’t get you a few skirts if you asked.” She plopped down on her bed and lay back against her pillows. Mallory had enough pillows on her bed for a dozen people to have a pillow fight.

“You can borrow some of mine until then, if you want,” she said casually as she searched in the drawer of her bedside table for her ‘phone’ (it was the weird rectangular thing that lit up but Alex didn’t know what it did).

Alex had jerked up. She sat up on her bed and looked at Mallory, who was swiping her ‘phone’ for some reason, with eyes as wide as dishes.

Alex’s staring made Mallory look up from the glowing object in her hand. “What? You’re staring at me like I just grew a second head.” After a second, her eyes widened in fear. “Oh my God, tell me I haven’t. Halfborn didn’t slip some potion in my drink as a prank again, did he?”

“What? No, no, you’re fine. It’s just… you want to lent me your skirts?”

Mallory shrugged again. “Yeah, as long as they fit you. They must fit you, you don’t look that much bigger than me.”

“You could take mine if you want,” Sam said. “I don’t wear them anyway.”

Mallory and Sam kept talking about whose skirts would fit Alex better and which boy’s size translated in which girl’s size. Alex stared at her folded hands on her lap, trying to will the tears away.

It’s too much, she though, this is too much. She wouldn’t have dared to tell any of her friends back at Durmstrang (not that she had any, at least not any real ones) that she wanted to wear a skirt. Even if she did, they wouldn’t have acted nice about it. Her parents had made it very clear what they thought of their son in a dress.

She never would have dreamed of having friends that would suggest she borrows their skirts.

But she did. She did and it was too much.

“Alex?” Sam asked. Alex had sniffed and the muffled sob that escaped her cause Sam to stop talking to Mallory and look at her. She put her hand on her shoulder worriedly. “Alex, are you alright?”

Alex sobbed again. She was pressing her hands on her lips to keep back her sobs but it didn’t work. Too much. It’s too much.

“Have you never worn a skirt before?” Mallory asked. Alex could feel the mattress of her bed dipping as Sam and Mallory sat down next to her.

Alex shook her head. Technically, she had worn a dress, not a skirt. And she never had anyone who was this casual about her wearing one.

“Do you want to?” Sam asked. God, Alex could practically feel the worry in her voice.

Alex nodded her head quickly. “I do,” she managed to get out between her sniffling.

“Are you afraid of wearing one to school?” Mallory asked quietly.

Alex shook her head. No, I’m not.

Then she nodded. I am. But I don’t want to be.

Alex felt a set of arms wrapping around her. Mallory. “It’s okay,” the redhead said. “It’ll be fine. If anyone says anything mean, I’ll beat them up! I’ll get the others to help too.”

Alex’s body was racked with sobs. Her shoulders were shaking and she kept hiccupping. Mallory’s words just made her cry harder.

When Mallory and Sam hugged her, Alex felt like her heart was bursting. It was as if her chest was filled with something warm and good and it made her feel so, so happy and it was too much.

“Thank you,” she whispered to them.

Once Alex had calmed down and Sam wiped her tears away like a concerned mother, Mallory jumped to her feet. She declared a slumber party and proceeded to throw pillows at them. They fought and they fought and they fought until there were feathers all over the floor and Sam had to spell Mallory’s pillows back to normal.

They stayed up late, much later than they were supposed to, especially on a school night. Mallory put some music on her ‘phone’ (another strange thing that devise could do) and they danced and jumped on their beds. At one point, Mallory run down the hall to some other girl’s room and borrowed a bag of make-up. She and Alex attacked Sam and held her down as Mallory applied horrible lip-gloss and blush on her face. By the time they were done, they all looked like clowns, what with their lip-gloss stained all over their faces and the colors as mismatched as possible. The red lip-gloss on Alex’s cheeks formed a giant smile and Mallory said she looked like The Joker (whoever that was).

They then proceeded to making their wardrobes a mess. They pulled out everything and dressed up in the weirdest combinations ever. Sam was wearing a skirt over her trousers and her pajama top was tied around her neck like a cape. Mallory had one of their ties tied around her head and she walked around in her shorts and bra, with the scarf she dag out of the closet hang around her neck like a feather boa. Alex had on Mallory’s school skirt and her colorful socks on her arms like long princess gloves.

They fell back on Alex’s bed, laughing their heads off without making any sound. Their shoulders shook by their laughter and their mouths were wide open and smiling but they made no noise, clapping their hands like seals.

“Do you feel better now?” Sam asked, the first one of them to be able to talk properly after all that they did.

Alex nodded. “Yeah. Thank you.”

“No problem. Us girls have to stick together,” Mallory said. “I mean, we’ll stick by you when you’re having a male day too, but you know what we mean.”

From then on, Alex would borrow Sam’s skirts and wear them around in their room. Sam had suggested she does that to ease into it and be more comfortable with the idea. Every time she wore one they would be really supportive and tell her she looked good or that it suited her (Mallory wolf-whistled once).

It was today that she finally decided to wear it to lessons. Her heart was pounding like a drum inside her ribcage as she got dressed. She had looked at the mirror one more time before leaving the safety of their room, with a final thought of ‘Screw this, I’m not backing out now’.

She had been walking out of the common room with confidence (as much as she could manage) when Professor Sif stopped her. “Miss Fierro.”

Alex had stopped dead in her tracks. Fuck, she’s gonna call me out on my skirt. I spent all this time working up the courage and now I’m going to be humiliated in front of the entire common room.

But then her dread had turned into fear and she clenched her hands into fists. I’m not taking it off even if she gives me detention.

“Straighten your tie, Miss Fierro,” Professor Sif had said. “It’s crooked.”

Professor Sif had walked away, leaving Alex looking after her utterly baffled. That was not what I expected.

Strange behavior from Professor Sif aside, Alex had made it to the Great Hall feeling great. She had one of those song that Mallory had played for them stuck in her head (something about being fabulous) and it was playing in her mind like a soundtrack (they learned about that in Muggle Studies).

The rest of their group had been just as supportive as Sam and Mallory. T.J had complimented her the moment he saw her and as they were heading to their Charms lesson, Halfborn walked in front of her to clear the way and yelled “Make way! Hot stuff coming through! And this time I’m not talking about me!” Magnus had complimented her too, after a moment of staring at her skirt. It made Alex feel a bit sad, that he might not be as okay with her as the rest of their group, but at least he wasn’t mean about it.

“And this is the armor of Sir Reinhart of Baltimore, who died from a humongous dump after eating his mother-in-law’s cooking.” Magnus was pointing to one of the various suits of armors in Hogwarts. He had made his accent sound as over-the-top and cringe-y as possible and his expression reminded Alex of a stuck up snobby butler (she had met her fair share of those).

“My, my, that must have been horrible,” Alex said, giving her voice the same snobbish air. She may have been imitating her step-mother, but no one could prove that. She saw a couple of students walk by from the corner of her eye, but she didn’t pay them much mind.

Magnus nodded solemnly. “It was, indeed.” He moved over to the painting close to the armor suit. It depicted a fair with people drifting around and having fun. There was a jester there, a Duke and a lady in a impractically huge dress who was getting drunk off of wine.

Magnus had just started explaining the significance of the painting, much to its residents’ amusement, when Alex’s face began to hurt. She could feel her skin splitting on her cheeks and warts erupt on her cheeks like volcanoes. It felt as if someone was pulling her nose from her face and stretching it like rubber. Her eyes burned and her vision blurred by tears and when she tried to wipe them away, it just made it worse.

“Alex? Alex, are you okay?” Magnus asked worriedly. He’ll admit, it was a stupid question, but what did you expect him to do when his friend’s face suddenly started mutating out of the blue?

Magnus was trying to think of something to alleviate Alex discomfort when he heard snickers. He looked up to see a couple of students, fifth years perhaps, practically cackling together. One’s hand was still on his wand.

“Did you do this?” he demanded from the boy. There was no reason to ask, really, because the answer was obvious. What Magnus wanted to know was “Why did you do that?”

“Why not?” the kid asked. The way he asked that made Magnus even angrier. There was no regret, no sign in his voice that showed that maybe he realized he fucked up and shouldn’t have done that. He sounded like he was perfectly content with the fact he had just turned another students face into a mess of pimples and warts with a nose as large as Pinocchio’s.

“It wasn’t enough that he went around asking to be treated as a girl on some days and as a boy on others, he had the nerve to wear a skirt to school!” The boy went on. “If he’s a freak like that it’s no wonder the rumors actually turned out to be true!”

“What rumors?” Magnus asked, though he wasn’t sure he had the patience to let the boy talk before punching him.

“That the Fierros disowned their heir, of course!” the boy answered. “I mean, it was bad enough he was an illegitimate child, but this?”

Alex didn’t speak. She stood behind Magnus, looking as if she wanted to beat those boys up and cry at the same time.

“Shut up,” Magnus growled at the boy. Actually growled. There wasn’t any other way to describe how he had sounded.

“Why? I’m just telling things how they are.”

Magnus was about to draw his wand and cast a hex on the other student when someone interrupted him mid-spell.

“What is happening here?” Professor Sif demanded. For someone as beautiful as her, she looked absolutely terrifying when she was angry. “Why is Fierro looking like that?”

Magnus pointed at the other kid. “He cast a hex on her!”

Professor Sif turned to the student. “Is that true?”

“He was asking for it!” the boy yelled, pointing at Alex like a five-year-old throwing a fit. “He came to school in a skirt!”

“I do not see the problem with one of my girls wearing a skirt,” Professor Sif said coldly. “Fifty points from Ravenclaw and detention with me for an hour a month.”

“What? But I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“One hundred points. Now leave before I make your detention longer too.” She turned to the boy’s friend, who hadn’t talked at all during the whole thing. “As for you, twenty points from Ravenclaw for not stopping your friend.”

The boy walked away sullenly, his fists clenched by his side. He clearly wasn’t happy with this. Good, Magnus thought.

“Mister Chase, please take Fierro to the infirmary,” Professor Sif said. “I must go speak to their Head of House.”

Magnus nodded as Professor Sif left to find Professor Hearthstone. Alex was standing at her place, glaring holes into the floor. There were tears shining in her eyes and Magnus could tell she was fighting them down.

He reached out to take her and hesitated. He took he sleeve instead and tugged her along.

“Come on, Alex,” he said. “I know a shortcut to the infirmary. There’s not a lot of people there.”

Alex didn’t talk as they walked to the infirmary and Magnus didn’t either. She kept her head bent low the whole time and Magnus walked as fast as he could without running so he wouldn’t draw attention to her. He doubted she wanted anyone to see her like this.

After Nurse Eir applied a salve to Alex’s face that would get rid of the warts and spelled her nose to its original size, she allowed Magnus to stay with her for a bit, since their free period wasn’t over yet and, according to her, “You heal better when you have friends by your side.”

“Is your face feeling better?” Magnus asked. He was sitting on a chair next to Alex’s cot. The infirmary in Hogwarts didn’t have the same stark white feeling to it as any other hospital Magnus had gone to. He assumed it was because it walls were made from warm beige stones and not sterile white.

Alex gave a little nod but didn’t speak. Magnus saw her bit her lip, like she was trying to hold the words back, the way a dam held back the water. But the dam broke and the words spilled out like waves.

“You agree with him, don’t you?”

Her words were so fast, Magnus had to do a double-take. Her hands were folded on her lap so hard her knuckles had turned white.

“With who?” Magnus asked. Alex didn’t answer. “You don’t mean that git in the hall, do you?”

She nodded. She didn’t look up at Magnus when he spoke. Instead, she kept staring at her hands, at the bed, out of the window, anywhere but at him. Like she couldn’t bear to look at him.

Magnus’ eyebrows scrunched in confusion, as if you had just told him that the earth was a cube and the sun was a big lamp. Like what he was hearing was completely illogical. “Why would I agree with him?”

That’s when Alex finally snapped her eyes up to look at Magnus. “Oh, come on! I saw how you looked at my skirt this morning. You think I’m weird too!”

“What? No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did! Don’t lie!”

“Okay, I might have stared but it wasn’t because of the skirt- well, no, it was because of the skirt, but not like that! I just haven’t seen you in a skirt before and you looked good! I was just surprised. Not that you looked good, that’s normal –“ Magnus stopped abruptly. He was rambling.

“I don’t think you’re a freak,” he said slower. “Same goes for Mallory, Sam, Halfborn and T.J. I’m sorry that boy said those things about you and if you give the signal they’ll have a hell of a week, but neither me nor any of the others agree with them. You are who you are and no stupid git has a right to tell you that’s wrong. It’s none of their business, anyway.”

Alex looked at him with something akin to amazement in her eyes. It wasn’t until Magnus stopped talking that he realized how strong his voice had sounded.

“Thank you, Magnus,” she said softly. “Sorry I jumped to conclusions.”

“It’s okay. And you don’t need to thank me. You joined our friend group and that means we are all ready to inflict our wrath upon anyone who has wronged you. We have several different options for you to choose from.”

Alex raised an eyebrow and giggled. “Really? Like what?”

Magnus smiled wide. “Well, let me tell you what is included on the menu…”

#mcaga #magnus chase #alex fierro #fierrochase #Magnus chase and the obligatory hogwarts au #ch2 #fanfiction

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ericdanielmedina · 8 years ago

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By Their Fruits

Imagine you are at a farmers market. You want to buy some fresh fruit. You head over to the booth that sells peaches (I like peaches, so I’m going to use peaches for my example). When you get there, you find a huge pile of peaches stacked on top of each other. There are so many to pick from, but you don’t want to pick just any peach. Your peach has to be perfect. So what do you do? You inspect the peaches. You check for bruising, signs of deformation, mold, and level of ripeness. You pick up each peach individually and begin turning the fruit around in your hand. If it’s bad then you put it right back. If it’s good, then you add it to your bag. Then, you do the same for however many peaches and other fruits you want to buy. We are able to distinguish a good fruit from a bad fruit simply by looking a little closer at it. If we didn’t stop to analyze a peach or any other fruit, then we’d have a bag full of good and bad peaches, apples, grapes, strawberries, and that would be a very risky thing to do, not just with our money but also our health. As people, we know the characteristics of a good fruit versus a bad fruit just as Christians and even non-Christians know the characteristics of an authentic follower of Christ.

First of all, I don’t want to say the word “judge”, because we’re reminded by Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” So, I’m going to say “examine”. We examine people like we examine our fruit. For this, I want to look at Matthew 7:15-16a: 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits”.

I first want to focus attention on the first part of the verse (v15). The verse in it’s entirety is looking at people who come to preach the gospel of Christ, but are misleading people down the wrong path. Think of Westboro Baptist Church or a cult religion. These are people who may call themselves Christians or followers of Christ, but their ways of thinking are inaccurate according to Scripture. According to those Christian protestors you always see on your college campuses, they believe if you love anything but God, then you are instantly condemning yourself to hell. I once saw a sign that read, “Sports fans are going to hell”. I get that people can be pretty obsessive about their favorite sports teams (i.e. my mom), but being a Giants fan or any other sports fan isn’t going to condemn anyone to hell. Sure, an obsession or addiction isn’t good, because we shouldn’t have any other gods but our God (Exodus 20:3). However, it’s not an unforgivable and eternally punishable sin. These are the kind of so-called false prophets we read about in Matthew chapter 7. These people are preaching the word of God, but are twisting the true meaning of it’s context.

However, we can also interpret this verse to people who claim to be followers of Christ, but we don’t see anything Christ-like about them. These are people who go to church but curse like a sailor, speak vulgarly about other genders, sleep around with other people, are selfish, and lack love and compassion for others.

The best example I can give here is our current President of the United States, Donald Trump. Throughout his campaign, Trump constantly reminded Republicans and his supporters that he was indeed a Christian, as if that was a bonus for voting for him. He read and still reads from Scripture from time to time. He acknowledges God as the creator of all mankind. And he has a strong respect and compassion for Christian refugees in Syria. So, to sum it all up, he reads from the Bible, believes in God, and cares for the Christian people. To some Christians, that sounds like a pretty good Christ-like person, right? Yes, those are some good characteristics to have as a Christian, but if you look closely those are only words, not actions. Remember, just like the peach, we have to look a lot closer. Just because he reads from the Bible during a press meeting doesn’t mean he reads the Bible daily. Because he believes in God doesn’t mean he actually worships God or has a relationship with him. And just because he says he cares for Christian refugees doesn’t mean he truly knows how to love people.

Now, I’m not saying that Trump is not a Christian. That’s between him and God, but this leads me to verse 16, “You will recognize them by their fruits” . If I were to look at all of the characteristics that make up a Christian, I would be hesitant to call him a follower of Christ. Of course, no Christian is perfect. A year ago, I would be hesitant to call myself a follower of Christ. No Christian should ever say to a non-believer or even a fellow Christian that they are better than him or her because they aren’t spiritual enough. For this, you can check out my ‘Spiritually Unfit’ blog. For me, characteristics of a Christian include: love for others, humility, slow to speak and slow to anger, looks to God for guidance, and is constantly seeking God to improve his or her life. If we were to examine Trump, we would see that he is racist, sexist, proud and arrogant, lacks compassion for others, is not slow to anger, has a sharp tongue (or, in this case, thumbs), and constantly lies. I can go on, but you get the gist of it. We are examining Trump like we examined our peach and Trump definitely has some “deformations” that can easily be seen by others. Donald Trump doesn’t represent the typical Christian. He’s brash, rude, and doesn’t care if people like him or not.

For Christians who may say, “Oh, I’m better than Trump. I don’t ever say nasty things about women. I love and respect everyone”. I have met many Christians who never say anything nasty about women, but they sleep around with them to “fulfill their sexual desires”. You see, as long as they feel it’s consensual, then it’s okay to engage in sexual activity regardless if it’s out of love or not and if Christians just see girls as a sexual gateway then their ways of thinking is no different than of Trump’s. We have to remember that we, as Christians, are constantly being watched by the world. We already have a bad name given to us by society. And I’m not saying to be good in public but naughty in the privacy of your own home. We have to be able to set the example no matter where we are. This goes back to 2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”. We are meant to be representatives of Christ and I know it’s not an easy thing to do all the time. If anyone knows about failing his duties as an ambassador of Christ, it’s me. But why is it so important to be an ambassador? Because if we want to draw others to Christ, but we are engaged in our own agenda, how are we supposed to do so without being a hypocrite? I have a friend who is in the beginning stages of learning about God and Christianity. When I am around my friend, I always show a great amount of Christ-like behavior. If I am trying to guide my friend through Christianity and I’m over here talking about sex and cursing like a sailor, then my friend is going to get the wrong impression about what Christianity really is and may retreat. That’s not what I want and that’s not what we should want to do.

People are going to be examining us by our fruits daily and the question you have you have to ask yourself is, “am I a good or bad fruit?” Because once other Christians see those “deformations” they’re going to put us right back not because they don’t care or love us, but because of 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character"”. We are told to help one another if a brother or sister has gone astray and off the path of righteousness, but we also have to be careful that we don’t fall into temptation of their sins along the way (Galatians 6:1). Having good fruits isn’t meant to impress other people. It’s meant to build a stronger relationship with God. I don’t always say the right thing at the right time, but I always have to be careful that what I say or do won’t make others see me or Christianity in a negative way. When I think of being an ambassador of Christ, I am always reminded of those woven bracelets that we used to wear as kids that read: WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?). Asking ourselves “what would Jesus do?” is easy, but it’s actually answering the question that’s not easy.

In the end, we have to be able to examine ourselves. We have to say to ourselves, “Okay, is what I am doing Christ-like?”, “Am I being a good ambassador of Christ?”, “What are the things I need to work on?”. Of course, we won’t ever be a perfect peach to people. We will always have “bruises” and “deformations”, but if we recognize our flaws, then we become more aware of who we are and who we should be. To God, that’s just peachy.

#God #Christianity #Fruits #Fruit #Trump #Jesus #Christ #Christian #Spiritual #Spirituality

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