#shaun and katy need each other

[reducal]

You know what would hit even harder in the feels than an onscreen kiss between Shaun and Katy ? An intimate touching of foreheads on the same level as that hug.

My little shipper heart would burst explode into flames.

[wint3r-h3art]

Boba Bae

Pairings: Shang-Chi x reader

Warning: None. Unless you don’t like fluffy Drabble about two idiots crushing on each other.

Summary: You’ve been crushing on him the moment he first came into your Ma and Pa boba shop. Well, you’re not the only person that feels that way.

A/N: Alright, I just need to get this out after I watched Shang-Chi. I always have a hc that Shang-Chi is basic and loves boba as much as anyone, so here is a cute little Drabble. I hope you like it. I apologize for any mistakes as English is not my native language. Any like, comments, and reblog are greatly appreciated! If you interest about their date let me know because I'll be more than eager to write it ahah

Part 2

The day has been slow.

You have been bored in the store, trying to stock up the shelf here and there just so that your time can pass by quicker. You also have been quite impatient lately too.

You haven’t seen Shaun, your favorite regular for a couple of days now. It’s not like it’s a big deal or anything, but he’s never missed coming into the store to order boba after his shift at the hotel. Weirdly enough you miss seeing his face. You always thought that he’s so cute and so sweet too.

You smile slightly to yourself as you breaking down the empty cardboard box to recycle it. You’ve never bothered to ask him for his number or anything because you’re too Goddamn shy. Every time you catch his eyes, you feel like you forget how to speak. Plus he is always with Katy, a very funny and friendly girl. They seem close when they hang out inside the store, so you always assume that they are an item, which is why you’ve never bothered with asking him for his number in the first place.

The bell at the door jingles and you rush back inside to wash your hand and quickly put on gloves that you didn’t see who just came in.

“Hey, what can I get ya?” you ask from the register only to feel your breath caught in your throat.

You’re greeted by his warm smile, and you’re unable to function momentarily. How long has it been? A week? Ten days? You lost count because that means you’re looking forward to him, right?

“Hey, Shaun,” you grin widely, unable to stop yourself.

“Hey,” he greets you by your name. A part of you feels elated that he remembers it at all. “Slow day today?”

You nod shyly. You can feel heat creeps up to your cheeks, tinting them with slight pink.

Shang-Chi doesn’t miss the slight tint of colors on your cheeks. 

He finds you cute the moment Katy dragged him here to get boba after theirs shift. He tried to protest her many time because as much as he likes milk tea, milk always makes his stomach ache. He’s not going to lie though that when he sees you that evening, he thought that you are the cutest thing he’s ever laid eyes on. It was worth it in a sense.

“Yeah. There was a rush earlier, but now it’s just me.” You sound awkward and you hate yourself for that. “Katy’s not here?” You ask as you noticed.

“No,” he smiles. “She’s helping wàipó tonight.” It’s a lie. Katy has convinced him or more like pushes him to come here and ask you out while the shop is still quiet. She has noticed the way you two looks at each other and is convinced that you feel that same about him. Of course, Shang-Chi is reluctant because no one really gives him much attention since his job is to park cars. No girls in San Fransico wants that.

“Haven’t seen you all week, I thought that something happened to ya,” you say it out loud without much thought, and you find yourself blushing deeply.

He smiles at that.

“Nothing happened at all, I swear. I just have to visit my family in Macau.” Again, he lies. There’s no need to scare you off with his family drama, at least not for now. Coming back to the west coast has been a nice break for him. At least till Wong needs him.

“Oh, that’s nice,” you say as a smile lingers on your lips longer than it should be. He notices it of course. Shang-Chi always notices your expression. It is why he finds you incredibly attractive in the first place. For someone that doesn’t talk much, your expression speaks louder than words.

“Yeah. Yeah, it is.”

“Do you want your regular today?” you ask. You know Shaun’s order by heart now. He always orders large black milk tea with Lactaid milk and extra pearls, and 50% sugar. He’s the reason why you managed to convince your parents to stock up on the Lactaid milk in the first place because you know he can’t drink too much dairy product.

“Uh, um yeah.” He feels nervous suddenly when he actually remembers why he came here in the first place. He awkwardly pays for his drink and waits, feeling nervous as hell while you make his drink. He cannot stop bouncing on his feet.

“Are you here till closing?” he asks, hoping you say no. Please say no. Please say no.

“No. My sister will be here with my dad for the closing. I’m heading home soon actually.”

Yes!

“That’s nice. Any plan for a tonight?”

The question catches you off guard. No one ever cares to ask you that before, and quite frankly you don’t know whether to lie to him in order to impress him or not. You decide not to.

“Uh, not really.”

You of course don’t notice the way his eyes suddenly light up at that. Now he just has to breathe and do it.

“Wanna do something tonight?”

You freeze for a moment, unable to function. Shang-Chi starts to panic. Fuck, fuck fuck!

You count to five and breathe out through your nose slowly as you let his words sink in.

“You can say no. I’m not forcing--”

“Yeah,” you cut him off. Somehow you just think fuck it. You only live once. If you have a man this cute asking you out on a date so spontaneously, you’d do the same. “I’d like that,” you smile sweetly at him as you hand him his order.

“Oh-uh. Oh, that’s great. Perfect! Uh, um I’ll wait here until your shift is over. Is that ok?”

You nod with a big smile on your face now as you move to clean up the counter.

_____________________

“Alright, pay up, Wong,” Katy says as Wong reluctantly hands her the 20 dollar bill and slaps it into her hand. They both bet on Shang-Chi of whether she’s going to go through the date with Shang-Chi or not. Wong bets against it, while Katy just knows that there’s no way you’ll say no to it. She just has a hunch from the moment she brought him into your parent’s little boba shop.

“Ah, too easy.”

[zi-i-think]

Hot and Respectful

Pairing: Xu Shang-Chi x fem!Reader

Rating: SFW

Word Count: 1,900+

Warnings: Making out; Alcohol; Checking people out; Curse words: Implied sex

Request: yes, @walking-anxious-disaster

Prompt: Gen-z and Spicy

10. "Why does he have to be so fucking hot!!! And respectful!!!"

2. "You know you're awfully red for someone who supposedly isn't attracted to me."

AN: I forgot that it was requested as a roommate au, which I feel so bad about, but it's close enough. I hope you like it!

Ah yes. The weekend. The best time of the week. Nothing special usually happened, but going to the clubs or to the karaoke bar was almost always a go to when making plans.

The Raven was a newer club in Los Angeles, and word on the street was it was a 15/10. Your friend Angie stated “it’s a place we’re all your best secrets get revealed.” By that, she meant she flashed the pretty bartender and got free drinks. Now they have a date next week.

You weren’t planning on flashing anyone. Just get some drinks, dance, flirt with a stranger. Typical club things.

Now, dressing in a crop top and your favorite pair of ripped jeans, you and Katy were dancing like there was no tomorrow. Shaun, or Shang-Chi and you recently found out, found you on the dance floor, carrying two cocktails in his hands.

“Woo!” You cheered, taking the drink from his hand.

“A toast!” Katy shouted, holding her own drink up.

“A toast? For what?!” Shang-Chi had to yell over the loud music.

“For being the hottest group of friends in Los Angeles!” You yelled. Deciding that was enough, you clinked your drinks and brought the fruity alcohol to your lips.

You couldn’t quite pinpoint what yours was. You could distinguish the vodka. It practically burned your throat just the way you liked it.

“What did you get me?” You asked Shang-Chi.

He glanced at the drink and his eyebrows furrowed as he thought about it.

“Some sort of strawberry, pineapple concoction. I don’t remember.” He admitted.

“We’ll, I’m going to need more of it.” You giggled and against you better judgement, chugged the entire thing. I’m one go.

“Woah there. Slow down.” Katy said, looking at you in bewilderment.

“Bad idea.” You shook your head and brought your hand to your forehead; a devil of a brain freeze hitting you like a monster truck.

“Do you need to sit down?” Shang-Chi asked, resting his hand your shoulder.

You shook your head and took a deep breath. You lifted your head up and the headache disappeared after a bit.

“I’m good.” You assured them. “But I need another drink.” You laughed.

The night went on. A couple more drinks and songs later, you and Katy were in one of the booths, lazily laying on each other. Shang-Chi sat beside you two, looking at his phone. He had some drinks, but not nearly as much as you and Katy.

“Oh! Oh! Hottie! 3 o’clock!” Katy smacked your thigh repetitively and pointed at a guy at the bar. He was attractive, you admit. He looked clean. A black dress shirt on. It was unbuttoned down his chest, revealing some tattoos and a chiseled chest. He had a clean-cut beard and piercing blue eyes.

“Katy.” You whispered not so quietly. “Are you trying to get laid tonight?” You giggled.

“With a man like that, hell yeah!” She shouted. “However, I kinda have a thing maybe happening with you-know-who.” She winked and nudged you with her elbow.

“What? Who?” Shang-Chi looked up from his phone.

“You don’t get to know.” Katy held up a rigid, obviously drunk finger. “Not till things become official.”

You giggled. You knew why Katy didn’t want him to know anything. She and Xialing had been talking. And neither of them want Shang-Chi to know anything till they a couple dates in.

“Y/n, you should go talk to him.” Katy shook your shoulder.

“I think I’ve had too much to drink. I don’t want to make a fool of myself.” You refused. Katy huffed, reaching over for her drink. At this point the ice had almost completely melted. You wondered how much of it was water.

Your eyes shifted to Shang-Chi. You weren’t sure what he was doing on his phone but you figured it wasn’t too important since he didn’t seem that interested. Your eyes lingered to his hands. God, what you’d give to have them run over your body. His blue sleeves were rolled up to his elbow, giving you just a peak of his large, muscular arms.

You’ve known about your own feelings for a while, but sitting on your drunk ass only seemed to multiply your feeling 10 times. You moved your head from Katy’s shoulder and rested you head on your hand, shamelessly staring at Shang-Chi while he was oblivious to it.

In your drunken state, your elbow slipped and your head fell off your hand, hitting the table. Hard.

“Ow.” You groaned. Your hand covered the part of your head that hurt. If felt like it was throbbing.

“Shit, are you okay?” Shang-Chi immediately asked, sliding down the circular seat to get a closer look at you.

“Shang-Chi, you have two heads.” You giggled. The man sighed and shook his head.

“I’m going to find you an ice pack.” He said before sliding out the booth and made his way to the bar. You and Katy were left sitting there with the loud music thumping, making your drunk brains feel like mush.

“Katy.” You groaned, fall back into your seat. She hummed in response. “I think I have a little-bit of a crush on Shang-Chi.” You giggled, and with your thumb and pointer finger, you tried to show how little a little bit was. Your eyes squinting.

“Hm. Tell me about it.” She nodded.

“He is such a man.” You sighed. “So cute. Like when and ugh. Those arms.” You grabbed Katy’s arm and lightly shook it. “Please! What does he have to be so fucking hot! And respectful!”

“Girl. You should just go for it.” Katy said. You looked up at her. She was staring blankly with a straw in her mouth.

“You think?” You asked.

Before she could answer back, Shang-Chi came back with an ice-pack and 2 bottles of water.

“No more alcohol. Get hydrated.” He placed both bottles in front of you two and opened them.

“Thank you.” You grinned. He just hummed in response and avoided eye contact. You didn’t think too much of it. But little did you know that just as you were talking to Katy.

You woke up the next morning with a killer hangover and in your pjs. You vaguely remember getting to your apartment and shooing Shang-Chi out who had so generously took you home.

You groaned as you got out of your creaking bed. You’re throat felt like you just swallowed a handful of sand. Your first mission: get water.

The floor all the way to the kitchen was cold, making you extremely uncomfortable the entire way and made your body feel clammy. Usually you’d be wearing your flip-flops. But they weren’t by your bedside and you were too lazy to go find them.

You got your water and started making your eggs for breakfast.

There was a knock on your door. A groan escaped your lips. The thought of having anyone in your personal space during your hangover was hell.

Temporarily turning off the stone, you went to open the door.

“What do you want this early in the morning?” You grumbled once you saw it was Shang-Chi.

“It’s almost 1 pm.” He told you, cocking a brow. “And I brought you coffee.” He held up a white cup for the hot drink. “With hazelnut. Oat milk. And no foam.”

“Thank you.” You said begrudgingly and took the drink. But you knew you couldn’t actually be mad at him. “Do you want to come in?”

“Yeah, sure.” He stepped in and followed you to the kitchen.

“Want some eggs?” You asked. The stone turned back on and the eggs were back to being scrambled in your pan.

“I’m good.” He sat down on one of the high chairs, letting him have a good view of you. Shang-Chi’s eyes ran up and down your body. His eyes lingered a bit at your ass. The things you did to him. Damn, the things he wanted to do to you.

He caught himself before getting too far ahead of himself. He bit his lips and adjusted himself in his seat. And when he felt his cheeks heat up Shang-Chi leaned on his hand, covering one of his cheeks.

“Is something wrong?” You raised a brow while you glanced at him. By now your eggs were done so you turned off the stove.

“I, uh. Just need some water.” He lied.

“Help yourself.” You gestured to the fridge.

You were too preoccupied with getting a plate from the cupboard to notice Shang-Chi sneak up on you. Well, technically he didn’t sneak up, but it was still a surprise for you when you felt him behind you, reaching over you to grab a cup.

“Woah, dude.” You jumped slightly. “Too close.”

Shang-Chi took note of your blush creep up your face. He loved seeing you blush. He felt confident here. Seeing you starting to get flustered.

“Why too close? I’m just getting a cup.” He teased smugly, pulling out one of your glass cups and waving it in your face. “Is it ‘cause you like me?”

Your mouth dropped. Flabbergasted. That’s what you were. You started to replay last night. At no point did you make any indications to him that you liked him. Or did you? Wait, did Katy say anything to him?

“Oh please.” You scoffed in denial and crossed you arms. You could only hope that your words were convincing. “You know the kind of people I’m attracted to. You’re not in that category.”

“Really?” You nodded and he carefully put the cup down on the counter and closed the space between your bodies. He placed both his hand on the counter on booths slides of you, effectively trapping you between him and the counter.

You’re heart could have jumped out of your chest right then. And your face felt so hot.

"You know you're awfully red for someone who supposedly isn't attracted to me." He said softly but the depth of his voice was enough to drive you crazy. Neither of you could take it. You both leaned in at the same time, completely closing the space between you two. It wasn’t needy or rough, but it was longing.

Your hands were first on his chest, running up and down to feel the muscles he was hiding under the thin black material. Your left hand cupped his cheek and you deepened the kiss. His tongue ran across your bottom lip and you opened your mouth enough for him to slip in his tongue.

God(s), you’ve been waiting forever for this.

His hands moved from the counter to your waist. As if you were in sync, you already knew what to do next. His hands squeezed lightly and you jumped up, his strength helped you up the counter smoothly.

The sound of breaking glass completely snapped the two of you out of your own world and you jumped off the counter, ready to fight some intruder. But it was only the cup that Shang-Chi grabbed earlier. The cup that your mom bought you when you moved in was completely shattered and sprinkled on the floor.

“Shit.” You grumbled, you must have hit it when you jumped on the counter.

“In hindsight, that was a bad place to put the cup.” Shang-Chi mumbled.

“I’ll clean it up.” You huffed. You took one step to leave the kitchen before turning around and giving Shang-Chi a quick peck on the lips. “Once I’m done sweeping this up, how ‘bout we get right back where we were.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He mummed, and gave you another peck on the lips.

[girl-of-many-fandoms]

Second To Her

Pairing: Shang-Chi x Reader

Summary: A relaxing day did a complete 180° turn for the worst

Warnings: angst, mild mention of smut

Part 1 Part 2

This movie easily became one of my top 10 in the MCU

MASTERLIST

----

"That's not fair Shaun!" his boisterous laughter filled my apartment as he continued to block my view of the television, making me mess up my aim in the game we were playing

"I don't know what you're talking about" being the smug bastard he was, he began to shake his marvelous ass in my face

"Move!" he continued his antics and I swatted his cheeks. Stunned at my actions he spun around, the fake shocked expression he displayed & his hand on his chest made me giggle

"You're going to pay for that" taking the controller from my grasp, he placed it on the coffee table

"How so? That's what you get for cheating mister" smirking he closed the distance, locking our lips together. Shaun is an excellent kisser, his lips were soft against mine as they molded perfectly together

He shifted me onto my back somewhere during our heated session, now he hovered over me on the sofa. My hands cupped his face while his found their way beneath the big t-shirt I wore. He pressed his knee up against my clothed cunt, a deep groan was ripped from his chest feeling how worked up I was already

I love each moment like this, the ones where it's just the two of us. None of my family members, no prying eyes, no jobs to rush to, no best friends

Just. Us.

The pad of his thumb brushed against my nipple sending vibrations through my body. Shaun began trailing open mouth kisses down the column of my neck making me vibrate?

Why am I vibrating?

"Shaun wait, I'm vibrating" he chuckled but didn't stop showering me with kisses

"I'm serious" pushing him away I stuck my hand beneath my ass and retrieved his ringing cellphone

Katy's name and photo lit up the screen, immediately shutting down my moment of bliss

With zero hesitation Shaun snatched the device and answered it sitting back on his heel. I took the chance to sit up and fix myself while they conversed over the phone

You spoke too soon Y/N

As the conversation went on I noticed how his calm demeanor changed as he bolted off the sofa and pulled up his jeans. He mouthed the words I'm sorry but I wasn't having it; rolling my eyes at him I got up and went to the kitchen to get myself a beverage

"Katy listen to me, take some deep breaths, I'll be there shortly" the conversation ended and he cursed beneath his breath

Most of the time when we both try to have a weekend to ourselves, something or shall I say someone always comes up and I have had enough of it

"Babe?" ignoring him I started cleaning up the mess we made during breakfast

"Don't be like that, please?" standing on the other side of the island he pleaded

"I know we said that weekends are for us but-"

"You just can't say no, especially to her" bitterness spewed past my lips as I glared at him. His jaw snapped shut, I could tell he was getting worked up just by the way I mentioned Katy

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means, you could never tell your precious Katy no whenever she calls!" to say that I was angry is an understatement

"Bullshit!"

"Oh please I'm sure if you were buried balls deep in me and she called, you'd leave! So don't pretend like you don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about!"

Our once peaceful day was now reduced to a screaming match but I could not have cared less, I am going to say what is on my chest

"It's a problem that she's my friend now? Well if that's the case why don't we talk about Grant, huh?"

"You're ridiculous, Grant is a friend of mine yes but at least he knows not to bother me whenever we make plans to spend time together, he respects boundaries unlike Katy!"

"Jealousy doesn't look good on you Y/N"

It's like arguing with a fucking brick wall at this point

"You know what Shaun, take your shit and get out" I'm done, I hate fighting, my throat hurts and I need my space from him

"That's it for us?" tears pricked my eyes the longer I stared at him, both of us trying to calm down. He fought off the urge to cry in front of me when he realized that I wasn't going to answer him

Without another word he spun on his heels and went to the bathroom down the hall leaving me to finally break. Covering my mouth I muffled my cries, instant regret washing over me

I don't want to lose him but after that fight we needed space and time to cool off. His footsteps entering the kitchen had me wiping away the tears, looking over at him, he stood there with a dufflebag slung across his body and the key to my apartment in the palm of his hand

"Here's your key" he cleared his throat waiting for me to take the piece of metal from him but I can't bring myself to do it

"Take it so I know that what we have is really over" his voice wavered at the end and I shook my head

"I gave it to you for a reason"

"You also put me out"

"We need time apart to think about our priorities in this relationship" nodding he put the key back on his keychain and shoved it into his pocket

"I'm sorry" he kissed the top of my head before leaving me standing there, watching him walk out the door

How did we get here?

[crazycookiecrumbles]

Double Secret Extravaganza

A/N: PRE Shang-Chi reveal into Shang-Chi, so it’ll switch from Shaun to Shang-Chi in the middle of it.

Also, I’m behind on work but procrastinating, hahahaha such is life.

Pairings: Shang-Chi x Avenger!Reader (not a Stark)

Warnings: The usual for me, lots of swears, fighting

Summary:  Your boyfriend said he had personal business to take care of, which worked out well for you because you wanted to do some things for yourself as well. Unfortunately, you didn’t think his personal business would mix in with your fight life.

Shaun was off dealing with some personal issues, something you understood completely. He gave you a quick kiss and said that he needed to run to help his sister, and you were fine with this. You completely understood this. As an Avenger, one of which was on a break after the whole world was fucked by a walking, talking purple thumb, you understood the importance of making time to help family.

Hell, you even offered to go along and help him, but Shaun told you he’d feel so much better if you stayed home, and that Katy was going to help him, and you would see him soon. Given that you had your own issues to deal with, this worked out in your favor.

Granted, he didn’t really know that your issues involved a fight club.

Look, it was a great way to make some extra money. You were (F/N) (L/N), Avenger, and you had been through a lot of shit. You weren’t even sure if you wanted to ditch all this superhero stuff and try to lead a normal life! Plus, with global security no longer privatized and Tony Stark now dead, your options weren’t as great and plentiful as they used to be, which brought you here, The Golden Daggers club.

Well, technically, it brought you out to your usual meeting spot first, where you would wait for a portal to open from Wong, and you would climb on through and get started.

Your match that night was against Emile Blonsky, otherwise known as Abomination (Bruce would not be happy to hear about this) and Wong, in a triple threat match that was going to make the three of you enough money to sit pretty for as long as you wanted, if you wanted to. 

For fights like this, rather than wear your usual gear, you retired it and opted to wear an old all-black stealth uniform. On top of that, you were pulling your punches. Plus, well, you had already been warned once by the owner that you’ve been hitting a little too hard and nearly killed just a few too many, so you were sort of on watch this time around. With your powers of cryokinesis, you were making a show of this, creating a miniature blizzard just to the daze the two men as you attacked them, then hiding in the snow as they fought one another.

Abomination knocked himself out, of course, and you and Wong danced around each other, fighting until you reached a stalemate and both of you were using your powers against one another.

“Holy shit. Dude, is that (Y/N)?” You swore you heard Katy shouting over the crowd.

A shocked, booming voice that was screaming your name startled you, and you whipped your head to the side to see Shaun after he had yelled your name, staring at you in what you assumed was a look of betrayal, confusion, and fear. It was probably all of them. You couldn’t really think straight at the moment. A feeling hit the pit of your stomach that was worse than those nightmares of going to school naked and everyone pointing and laughing at you.

And that’s how Wong knocked you on your ass and won the fight. As you were dragged out of the cage, Wong muttered behind you that he always told you to not lose focus in your fights, and here you were doing exactly that and losing in a total upset.

In the locker room, you sat on the floor with your back against the wall, nursing your own iced-over palm against your cheek as you listened to Wong scold both you and Abomination before leaving with him. Katy spotted you, along with Shaun, and Katy was the first one to run over and stand over you.

“Dude, you’re an Avenger! That’s sick! I can’t believe all this time you were a superhero and you didn’t tell us! Oh my god. I bet you make bank in here,” Katy gushed. “You should teach me that weird hand thing you did, you know, before you lost.”

You took a deep breath and looked at her before glancing at Shaun and back at Katy, “What the hell are you two doing here? I thought he had to save his sister?”

“Yeah, she’s somewhere around here apparently. Now he’s going to fight. Oh, and that’s not even his name! Can you believe that?”

“Huh?”

“Ladies, Bus Boy here has got to get ready for his fight! Driver girl, my guys will be happy to escort you to the bar and get you settled in to watch the fight,” He told Katy as she rushed out of the locker room, yelling for you to meet her for a drink.

You stood up and quickly walked over to Shaun as Jon Jon told him to take his shirt off, “You’re fighting? What the hell are you doing here, Shaun? I thought you were supposed to be helping your sister, not making more viral videos.”

“Me?!” He scoffed as he peeled off his clothes, “You know, you’ve got a lot of nerve (Y/N). What the hell are you doing here? Oh, wait. Don’t answer. You’re a freaking Avenger!” He laughed in disbelief and shook his head, “All this time I’ve been seeing an Avenger and you just, you just lied to me! What else are you lying about? Is that even your name?”

“Yes, okay! It is my name, and, yes, fine, I am an Avenger. Or a retired Avenger? I don’t know, the details on that are kind of iffy. But Shaun, you’re -- what the hell? Why are you here fighting?”

“Supposed to find my sister.” He repeated through gritted teeth

“In a fight club?” You scoffed, “Why would she be in a fight club? Don’t tell me she’s also some bad ass fighter or something.”

“I don’t know, (Y/N)!” He shouted, “You know, one minute I’m on the bus playing Candy Crush, and the next minute I’m fighting off my father’s assassins who are after my pendant, and now I’m here to help my sister and I find you here fighting a giant monster and a wizard!”

“Sorcerer,” You corrected him quietly.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” 

“Hey, I’m not the only one with secrets here!” You shouted as Jon Jon dragged him away, “Wait! Jon Jon we weren’t done -- god damn it! Wait, Shaun isn’t even your name? You can fight? What the hell is going on!”

Annoyed, you went and joined Katy by the bar, slamming yourself down on a chair next to her and glaring up at your boyfriend, who was also less than amused as he stared down at you, still in disbelief over who you were and your massive secret.

“So what even is his name?” You muttered under your breath.

“Shang-Chi. Can you believe that?” Katy asked as the fight started. “He went from Shang-Chi to Shaun. It’s unreal.”

After you watched Shang-Chi get his ass kicked by what you learned to be his sister, you quickly went to Xialing’s office to meet the both of them. You leaned against the wall with your arms crossed over your chest, meeting your boyfriend’s glare as he nursed his wounds and glared at you, all the while Katy was trying to hide the money she won at his expense.

“There’s a lot of tension here,” Xialing said, looking between you and her brother. “You know each other.”

“They’re dating,” Katy blurted out. “And totally just discovered the other one has super badass fighting secrets. I think they’re pissed.”

“It’s not important right now,” Shang-Chi huffed. 

You remained quiet and chose to osberve. You listened to Shang-Chi and his sister go back and forth before learning that the club was being raided. Xialing and Jon Jon disappeared to safety, leaving you with Katy and your boyfriend.

“Okay, we’ve got to go,” Shang-Chi said quickly as he broke the window and stepped out on to the ledge. “Come on!”

“I’ll stay here,” You said quickly. “I can give you guys some time.”

Shang-Chi stiffened as he realized how dangerous it could be, his father’s assassins fighting you, and how they would stop at nothing to take you out if it meant they got to the siblings.

“Don’t. Just get out here, come with us.”

“You need time,” You waved your hands, icicles forming in each. “I can give it. Go!”

“Wait, wait!” He shouted, making you look over your shoulder at him. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for lying to you. Please, please be careful. Come back to me.”

You smiled softly in his direction and nodded, “I’m sorry too. Don’t worry, I’m stronger than you think.”

“I’m beginning to see that.”

As much fighting as you did, there were just too many men who would avoid your warpath and go in search of Shang-Chi, Katy, and Xialing directly. The fighting only came to an end when Wenwu, who was heading to meet his son, spotted you fighting his men. He watched for a moment, interest in the woman his son was seeing was little as he observed you before sending five rings into your gut and knocking you clean out of the window.

You would free fall for quite some time before you were able to compose yourself and use your powers to fly back up just before hitting the ground. You shot through the broken windows and had a crash-landing next to Shang-Chi and his father, who looked down at you in disgust while Shang-Chi quickly knelt down and helped you up.

“Are you—“

“Captain Bangles over there is a cheap shot,” you muttered.

“That’s my father.”

“…Your father’s a cheap shot,” You muttered as you leaned on him and cradled your stomach. “Why do I feel like I just barged in on something bad?”

“You could say that,” he cleared his throat, “I am so sorry, (Y/N). I didn’t want you mixed in this.”

You exhaled slowly and squeezed his hand, “I mean, this isn’t how I had planned on meeting the family, but I’ll take it.”

And that was how you found yourself in the middle of your boyfriend’s origin story into his superhero-ness. Things were put into perspective rather quickly, and when you had a moment alone, both of you ended up apologizing profusely for lying about your pasts, and both of you found it easy to understand the other, given the secrets you were hiding.

And through this entire ordeal, you stood beside Shang-Chi’s side, no matter how much his father glared at you, or uttered that you were beneath him and not worthy of the man he had raised. You were going to stay by his side and make sure he, and those he loved, were as safe and sound as possible, as long as you could help it.

[myfunnylittlebrain]

Katy is undoubtedly Shaun's rock. She kept him grounded as he tried to live a normal life in San Francisco. If Shaun hadn't met her, he could have been a troubled youth and grew up using his special skills for the wrong reasons. So it is essential that Katy stayed by Shaun's side. Even when Shaun was welcomed to the circus (a.k.a. the crazy life of an Avenger), he would still need Katy to keep him grounded. I guess that was the reason why Wong also invited Katy to join them in figuring out the Ten Rings. He knew that such great power could eventually corrupt the soul. Katy will be very instrumental in keeping Shaun in check.

Wong solemnly said to Shaun and Katy, "From now on, the trajectory of your lives will be like nothing you've ever experienced before. And there's no going back. You both have a long journey ahead of you."

Wong was sure that there will be some serious shit that's going to happen because of the Ten Rings, and he needed the two to stick together for them to succeed.

Maybe in the next movie, a conflict will ensue between Shaun and Katy's relationship that will separate them. They would eventually realize that they need each other not only to balance the power of the Ten Rings but also to balance each other.

[kimhargreeves]

Irresistible-Shang-Chi x Reader

Summary: You and Shaun have known each other for years, from then on your relationship have grown. Katy is always there to tease and help you in her own way when the constant flirting between you and Shaun never stops.

(Holy crap this movie was amazing and the visuals! I feel in love with Simu Liu/Shang Chi already. I wasn't planning to see it but I'm glad I decided to go and watch it today. I'll be writing on Katy soon since she was adorable and Xialing was a badass.)

The streets were filled with our laughter and constant joking. People kept staring at us weirdly but Katy and I ignored them while Shaun tried to hide his face but chuckled at our conversation. "I can't believe you both got fired." I laugh when they shared with me on what happened.

"Ooh you should've been there! I was an expert behind the wheel." Katy began to ramble on and I share a look with Shaun and all he does it shake his head and tried to not laugh.

We both know her so well. "Really?" I smirk and Katy nods her head.

"It's a shame you didn't get to ride the car with us."

Katy and Shaun passed by on that expensive car they had while I was working. I was ready to hop out on the table but my boss gave me a disapproving look.

"Yeah, I wish I did. Hey, Shaun look what I made." I held out a plastic cup filled with his favorite drink, boba tea.

I wasn't a fan of the drink myself but wanted to learn how to make it for Shaun, so I started working at a boba shop. "I did it just the way you like it." I smile at myself and saw him sipping on it.

"Yeah? Is it as sweet as you?" He smirked and looked at me. I felt Katy grabbing onto my shoulder and losing it.

"So, how about we go and do karaoke tonight?!" She asked us both. Shaun and I looked at each other since we had been planning for a while now to go and eat sushi.

"Sure, why not." We both ended up saying. Katy hummed and I saw a wicked smile on her lips, a smile which reminded me the one the Grinch once used.

"How about a duet this time?!" Katy hopped in front of us and we stopped.

"But we're three." Shaun said eyeing her.

Katy scoffed and tapped his shoulder. "Use your tiny brain, Shaun. You and (Y/N) will sing together. I'll just be your lovely and beautiful audience."

I scoff and try to not laugh at her, "Are you both coming in?" Katy looks at us both when we reached her house. "My mom cooked some dumplings and other delicious meals."

"Sure."

"I'm afraid I can't this time." I told them and both of my friends stopped before entering the building.

"I have to do my laundry and cook for my mother. But we'll see each other tonight." I smile and waved my hand and started to leave.

I heard a loud smack behind me and felt someone running to catch up with me. It was Shaun. "I can't let you go home on your own, any men can try and snatch you away from me."

Shaun made me laugh and I felt his wrap an arm around me. "I'm happy to know I have a personal bodyguard."

"I wouldn't exactly call myself that."

"Then what would you?" I continue to joke. Shaun and I have always joked around with each other, yes we do flirt a lot but we don't feel any attraction to each other..or that's what I said to everyone first.

"Hmm how about your knight in shining armor." Shaun chuckled seeing my reaction when I blushed.

"You really have a way with words, Shaun." We both arrived and entered my apartment. "You coming in-"

Shaun seemed taken back when I was pushed away from the door when I opened and my mother decided to receive him instead. "Shaun! I knew I heard your voice from a block away, please come in!"

I huffed and got off from the floor and saw my mom enamoured with Shaun. "Would you like some tea?" My mother grabbed Shaun's arm and pulled him into the kitchen.

Slowly I made it into the kitchen and saw my mother in her warm clothes and bathrobe. She began to offer Shaun multiple things to which made him chuckle, "Please there's no need for you to spoil me."

"She really does love you, to tell you the truth my father and her really wanted a son." I joke and saw my mother give me a look.

"Your wonderful daughter made me some tea, so thank you for your many offers." My mother smiled and pulled him down to sit next to her.

My mother loved Shaun a lot, she always made sure for him to feel happy when he was with us and always made him many lunches whenever he was hungry. We both met Shaun when he first arrive to the U.S, he didn't have much so my parents offered for him to stay with us.

Shaun was just a year older than me and we really became friends over time since he was closed off to everyone. My parents ignored the looks they got or defended Shaun when some people criticized them for bringing in an unknown person, and said many awful things to him for being Asian.

My parents defended him and would cuss the people out. But now it's just my mom here, my father died years ago. Shaun was grateful for the many years she helped him out until he moved out about a year ago.

"Tell me, Shaun. When will you marry (Y/N)?" I spat out the tea I decided to pour to myself and ended up coughing by the sink.

My entire face turned red and so did Shaun's. "I-I.." Shaun gulped and seemed uncomfortable. I reached out and took his hand to pull him back outside.

I reached for the door and closed it behind me, I was too embarrassed to face him so I continued looking down at my feet. "I apologize for that, don't know what has gotten into her."

Shaun aughed and patted my shoulder. "No worries, guess I really am irresistible. See you tonight, then?"

Shaun smile always made me feel things, these feeling for him that never faded. I looked at him lovingly and nodded my head when I watched him leave.

I started walking back inside and was ready to ask my mother on why she asked him that in front of me. "(Y/N)! Katy's on the phone again!" I heard my mom shout while I was still outside watching Shaun leave.

Mom held up the phone for me to answer with the tired look on her face. Katy was known to call multiple times so my mother was no stranger to to her calls.

"Yes?" I answered the phone and was met with Katy's loud voice.

"I have the perfect song for you and Shaun to sing to! A romantic one! Promise me you'll sing it!" She exclaimed. I hummed along to whatever else she said next and was preparing myself for what she might say tonight.

**************

"You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet

Only seventeen!"

Shaun and I sang, we weren't too drunk but decided to have a couple drinks just to piss Katy off. Katy groaned and whined when Shaun and I took the microphones and decided to sing another song instead.

"That wasn't the song you were supposed to sing! Katy rubbed her face. She nonstops teases me and Shaun so there was no way she was getting her song request.

Shaun agreed with my plan and we only chose none romantic songs to sing. "You guys are seriously the worst!" Katy sat down and pouted like a child.

Katy took the microphones from us and it was her turn to sing. I felt Shaun reaching to the table to grab another drink as I felt my eyelids getting heavy and I began to fall asleep on his shoulder.

Last thing I felt was getting picked up by Shaun and heading back to my place.

**********

"You have a lot of explaining to do Shaun!" I began freaking out. My hair was all messy and my heart was still pounding. We were on a bus when we began to get attacked, well, Shaun was the one getting attacked.

He made some killer moves and expertly began to fight them, he jumped on the roof, reappeared on the front of the bus, punched some guys and did so many awesome things I never expected him to do. Katy was also very impressed.

"You're lucky your boyfriend saved us." Katy told me when the bus finally stopped and we all jumped out of it.

Katy and I began to follow him back to his apartment, he was packing up a few things. Shaun's hands began to shake and he began to quickly place some things inside a backpack of his. "Shaun!" I was getting scared seeing him this nervous.

My hands reached out and grabbed his. "Try and breath." He closed his eyes and slowly started to breath normally again. I forced a smile on my lips and nodded.

"Now, would you mind telling us what happened back there?" I tried my best to stay calm too since seeing him fight a bunch of angry and tough guys made me feel scared for him.

"They look my mother pendant." Shaun had only once mentioned me how his mother died but he didn't go into detail. "It'd my father, he sent them for me and he's coming for my sister too."

"You have a sister?!" Katy shouted. I was about to ask him too but she beat me to it. "What the hell! I thought we had no secrets between us."

That was right, but I never wanted Shaun to feel uncomfortable around me since talking about family made him feel nervous and quiet.

"I'm sorry I made you two worry, but my father is a dangerous man. I have to leave right now and get to my sister before he does."

"I'm coming with you." Katy said beginning to hurry out the door.

"Katy-" Shaun tried to say.

"I'm coming with you!" She shouted and began to run to her home. I sighed and turned to look at him again.

"There's also one more thing, my name isn't really Shaun." He said to me. I looked at him confused. "It's Xu Shang-Chi."

"Shang-Chi?" I asked trying to get his name correctly. He pronounced it again and this time I said it correctly and he smiled when I got it right.

"Well.. It'll be weird calling you that since I've known you as Shaun for years." I laugh and sat down on his bed.

"I know how you must feel, but you'll get used to my name."

"I'm going with you too."

"No, you are not. I want to protect you, you need to stay here. That way you'll be safe and out of danger."

"Shaun." I stood back up and sighed. "Shang-Chi.. I've known you for years and as your friend I want to be there and protect you. I may not know how to fight, but I want to be supportive of you."

Shang-Chi smiled down at me and he wrapped his arms around me. "Then be supportive of me by staying here. Katy and I will be gone for a couple of days." He pulled back and hoisted his backpack up on his shoulder and opened the door to leave.

"I'll be back soon." He smiled and left.

I sat back down in the bed and felt something under my hand when I rested it down on the mattress. I saw a card with a origami dragon on the front, it's the address to where he is heading.

"There's no way I'm letting him leave me." I got up on my feet and began running back home to get ready and board the first plane to the address Shang-Chi left on the bed.

[undiscovered-horizon]

Imagine reuniting with your high school sweetheart, Shaun, in a very unexpected way: fighting each other in an underground ring in Macau. - Part 2

(Part 1)

The locker room was as usual: not empty but its temporary occupants had no care for others around them. The smell was an odd mix of sweat and mold, although such fragrance wasn't out of place. Just very suffocating.

When Shang-Chi and Katy entered the locker room, you tossed a fresh towel to the man and asked whether he was alright. True, you did "play-fight" but in the spur of the moment, he could've gotten hurt.

"You're a total badass, (Y/N), I'm a fan," Katy began. "But I'm kinda wondering how you ended up in Macau from Europe."

"Yeah, about that..." you scratched your neck awkwardly. "It wasn't a complete lie," you said. "But I do realize that doesn't fix much."

Shang-Chi and Katy were standing in front of you, clearly awaiting not just an explanation but a full story, step-by-step on what happened. You could tell by their faces they were hurt and, honestly, had every right to be. With each second of silence, you felt worse: the person they had been friends with, and Shang-Chi used to date, was completely fabricated. Neither of them really knew you. You sighed and decided to take that leap of faith: faith that they conclude you're eligible for redemption.

"My parents deal illegal firearms," you stated, watching their faces. Both of them seemed surprised and shocked. Partially because it's not something you hear every day and partially because the daughter of international criminals probably taking Interpol's #1 spot didn't quite fit you, both appearance- and character-wise. "Some bad blood wouldn't dry up and they decided to move. I was in Europe for a few months before I took off on my own. Truthfully, it kinda had to do with you," you pointed in Shang-Chi's general direction. "We lived in Norway when your father came over to our house, trying to make a deal with my parents. He said he has a son around my age who lived in San Francisco. When it all clicked, I left Europe to find out more. Of course, I could have gone back to America and talked to you but after lying to your face, which I still can't forgive myself for, I wouldn't be able to look you in the eye and pretend as if nothing had happened."

A silence fell between the three of you. Feeling ashamed and guilty, you lowered your gaze, unable to look them in the eye. After a while, you could hear Shang-Chi and Katy quietly discussing something, which was followed by the woman speaking up:

"I'll leave you two to it. I'll be at the bar if you need something."

When Katy left, you realized the locker room was completely empty except for you and Shang-Chi. While you were sitting on a bench, he stood a few meters away from you, his eyes drilling into your silhouette. Your best guess was that he was about to lecture you, spill all the bad emotions that had been boiling inside him since you left. The silence between the two of you was getting more tense with each passing second. Both of you had so much to say but did not dare to throw the first stone as it was quite obvious that even the smallest pebble was bound to trigger an avalanche.

"I'm sorry, Shang-Chi," you said quietly, still not looking him in the eye.

"You could have told me."

"I know," you answered. "But I was afraid. It felt like I was walking on a tightrope, really. I was terrified that if I told you the truth, you would leave. I mean, we were kids, Shang-Chi. Kids don't befriend children of criminals," you said before adding quietly: "Kids don't date descendants of Interpol's podium."

"This kid would have," he said.

You lifted your head, looking at the man in surprise. Honestly, his reaction was what you hoped for but did not necessarily expect. Shang-Chi walked towards you, the used towel was thrown over his shoulder. His rough hand reached for yours. Although years had gone by, it felt so natural, for the two of you to hold each other's hands. Even though it felt quite different than when you were in high school: you were grown adults.

"Be honest with me," you began, unknowingly holding his hand tighter. "Do you think you can forgive me?"

"I already did," he reassured you. "I'm happy to see you."

You let out a soft chuckle which earned a smile from Shang-Chi. The two of you might have grown up but still, deep down inside, you were still the same teenagers that made the stupidest bets when going to the arcade and exchange comic books that you would read in science class. Among the chaotic life that the two of you lived at the time, it felt good to have something stable, to have someone stable.

[kimoralov3]

i just realized I've never done a post about just random was headcanons, and that is something that needs to be remedied

enjoy these random shang-chi headcanons :)

also mild spoilers? i don't think its anything too big that you couldn't have guessed from the trailers

i think i speak for everyone when i say: this man is fine as fuck

and i feel like subconsciously he knows that, he just isn't one to brag about it

i feel like he gives the greatest hugs i mean have you seen those arms

idk why but i felt like he ate crayons/play doh when he was younger (its ok babes i did too)

he's definitely the type to admire you from afar

like he thinks you're really sweet and adorable, but he just doesn't think that he's your type (which is a lie this man is everyone's type)

honestly there's only a 45% chance he'll ask you out without some sort of push from katy

but if katy isn't pushing him to ask you out

and you're pursuing him (flirting, insinuating that you're free, etc.)

he would take a while to catch on

if he doesn't catch on, one of two things will happen

either katy tells him to stop being oblivious and tells him that you're hitting on him

or you just straight up tell him

"shaun, i have been flirting with you for the past 6 months. do you wanna go on a date or not" "you were flirting with me?"

im sure ive said this before, but he is literally the sweetest boyfriend ever

like i feel like he can't cook for shit, but he's willing to learn just for you (he'd probably sign the two of you up for couples cooking classes)

if he can tell you'd had a bad day at work/school he'd make you your favorite tea and giving you a massage without you even needing to ask

i feel like he's the type of boyfriend to make you a playlist of songs that remind him of you

once you guys had been dating for a while (like at least a year) he'd finally tell you about his past

he was scared as to what your reaction would be, but he couldn't keep the truth from you for any longer

"so to hide from your dad, you changed your name from shang-chi to shaun? babe i love you but c'mon." "i was 15!"

nothing really changed between the two of you after that, in fact it weirdly brought you closer to each other

he no longer had to hide his panic attacks and nightmares from you, because now you could help him through them

but he'd definitely be worried about your safety, even more now since you know about his past, so he'd teach you how to fight

"i couldn't handle it if you got hurt because of my past."

[richincolor]

Collections to Note

I am amazed at how much authors can pack into a short story. It takes a lot of talent to have well developed characters and interesting storylines in just a chapter length piece. I am drawn to anthologies more and more. Here are two I've enjoyed recently and a few more I would like to get to soon. Please share titles in the comments if you know of others we should read. 

Battle of the Bands edited by Lauren Gibaldi and Eric Smith (Review copy - Final copy via publisher)

Publisher Summary: A daughter of rock ’n’ roll royalty has a secret crush. A lonely ticket taker worries about his sister. An almost-famous songwriter nurses old wounds. A stage manager tires of being behind the scenes. A singer-songwriter struggles to untangle her feelings for her best friend and his girlfriend. In this live-out-loud anthology, the disparate protagonists of sixteen stories are thrown together for one unforgettable event: their high school’s battle of the bands. Told in a harmonic blend of first- and third-person narrative voices, roughly chronological short stories offer a kaleidoscopic view of the same transformative night. Featuring an entry from Justin Courtney Pierre, lead vocalist of Motion City Soundtrack, Battle of the Bands is a celebration of youth, music, and meeting the challenges of life head-on.

My thoughts: I was excited to see another anthology with so many authors that I enjoy and for it to be about music was also a plus. Short story collections can be all over the place, but this one has stories that blend together well and the authors did a great job weaving in characters from the other stories. Most of the stories seem designed to cause warm fuzzies in the reader or at the very least bring a smile. It's one I'd definitely hand to someone who wants or needs a bright spot in their day.

Contributer list: Brittany Cavallaro, Preeti Chhibber, Jay Coles, Katie Cotugno, Shaun David Hutchinson, Ashley Poston, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Sarah Nicole Smetana, Jenn Marie Thorne, Sarvenaz Taghavian, Jasmine Warga, Ashley Woodfolk, Jeff Zentner, and Justin Courtney Pierre

Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise edited by Laura Silverman (Review copy: Digital ARC via publisher)

Publisher Summary: When everyone else goes to bed, the ones who stay up feel like they’re the only people in the world. As the hours tick by deeper into the night, the familiar drops away and the unfamiliar beckons. Adults are asleep, and a hush falls over the hum of daily life. Anything is possible. It’s a time for romance and adventure. For prom night and ghost hunts. It’s a time for breaking up, for falling in love—for finding yourself. Stay up all night with these thirteen short stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors like Karen McManus, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nina LaCour, and Brandy Colbert, as they take readers deep into these rarely seen, magical hours.

My Thoughts: This was a fun concept and I was pleased by the variety of stories. There were a few on the scary or chilling side, but there were also some lighter stories featuring friends or romance. Because the storylines and characters aren't connected to each other, this is a great one to pick up if you know you'll be reading off and on and can't commit to an entire novel.

Full contributor list: Brandy Colbert, Kathleen Glasgow, Maurene Goo, Tiffany D. Jackson, Amanda Joy, Nina LaCour, Karen M. McManus, Anna Meriano, Marieke Nijkamp, Laura Silverman, Kayla Whaley, Julian Winters, and Francesca Zappia

On My TBR:

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space edited by Zoraida Córdova with contributors Vita Ayala, David Bowles, J.C. Cervantes, Sara Faring, Romin Garber, Isabel Ibañez, and Anna-Marie McLemore

All Signs Point to Yes edited by Cam Montgomery, Adrianne White and g. haron davis with contributors Tehlor Kay Mejia, Mark Oshiro, Eric Smith, Emery Lee and Byron Graves (Coming May 31, 2022)

[stewblog]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings more or less immediately became one of my favorite movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Some of this is due to it being one of the best American-made martial arts movies I’ve ever seen. Some of this is due to it delivering some incredibly cool moments and imagery, the likes of which we haven’t really seen much of in the MCU, much less in American filmmaking in general these days. But it’s due also in large part to the fact that the movie is consistently fun, funny, brimming with exhilarating action scenes and moves like a rocket. It’s just a genuinely great time at the movies and I found myself grinning from ear to ear for most of its (just over) two hour runtime. There are more than 20 MCU movies, and while I highly enjoy most of them, it definitely felt like it was time for Marvel to deliver something different than yet another costumed superhero outing. And that’s precisely what’s been done here with Shang-Chi giving audiences a straight-up kung fu adventure film.

In a way, the excellence of Shang-Chi as an action movie is bittersweet. The action scenes were designed and shot by Brad Allan, a brilliant martial artist who spent years as a member of Jackie Chan’s personal stunt team. He had truly come into his own as an action designer and choreographer but met an untimely death about a month before this film’s release. What he delivered here alongside director Destin Daniel Cretton is some of the most impressive hand-to-hand action I’ve seen in an American action film.

Marvel movies have had plenty of exciting and fun action scenes but, as is the case with so many Western films, the performers simply lack the training and capability to convincingly pull off what is shown off with aplomb in many Asian films. That is absolutely not the case here thanks to the exceptional skill shown off by the likes of Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh and nearly every other actor who throws hands (and feet). Allan may be gone, but he left a heck of a legacy on-screen here and it is absolutely exhilarating to watch. Capable, highly trained actors being filmed in wide shots without an excess of editing to cover up their inadequacies makes for exciting cinema. Who knew?!

Though it is brimming with excellent action, the heart of Shang-Chi is actually found in the familial drama driving the plot. Shaun (Liu) is a fairly typical 20-something in San Francisco. He’s mostly content to work his day job as a parking valet with his best friend, Katy (Awkwafina) before spending their nights carousing and doing karaoke. But after Shaun kicks the living tar out of a group of henchmen, including a guy with a literal sword for an arm, on a bus, Katy demands to know who her lifelong friend actually is. Turns out his real name is Shang-Chi and he’s actually the son of a history-defining warlord who’s been alive for thousands of years thanks to ten powerful, magical (possibly alien) rings who trained Shaun since childhood to be an assassin. Ya know, normal stuff.

Shang-Chi’s dad, Wenwu (Leung), thinks he’s found a way to enter the mystical, ancient city his wife hailed from. Though she died more than a decade ago, Wenwu is certain he’s heard her voice calling to him to set her free from captivity. Though he’s willing to fight and kill to do so, Wenwu mostly just wants to reunite his family, and he especially wants his son to take up the mantle of leading the Ten Rings, his millennia-old crime organization.

Shang-Chi is, as expected, not too hip to his abusive father’s plans, but there still clearly resides in him a desire to be loved and accepted by Wenwu. It’s that push and pull between the light and dark within him that drives Shang-Chi’s emotional journey as he slowly comes to realize he can’t ever fully run from or hide his lineage, try as he might.

Liu has been acting for the better part of a decade (I really need to check out Kim’s Convenience) but this is without question his breakout performance and he handles leading man duties well. He’s handsome and funny, and though his charisma is somewhat low-key, he’s able to project enough stoic gravitas that you can always get a sense of what he’s feeling. If nothing else, he’s primed for a string of action roles based on how superbly he pulls off each fight scene. It’s always thrilling to watch a performer pull off their own stunts and fight moves, but Liu brings a very visible energy to his combat.

The real treat here, though, is watching Tony Leung make his Big Hollywood Debut. Leung is one of China’s biggest movie stars and he’s given more than enough incredible performances in truly amazing films to cement his status as one of the all-time great actors. But there’s something uniquely fun seeing him not just let loose in a big budget blockbuster, but to do so and not water down his trademark intensity. Leung’s greatest skill has always been his ability to communicate so much with just his eyes, and that intensity and passion is on full display here. Whatever shortcomings the script might have barely matter because Leung tells you everything you need to know about Wenwu with just a look.

If there’s a major shortcoming here it’s that there are elements of the script that feel notably undercooked. In particular there’s a moment before the big finale where Shang-Chi is brooding over his father’s treatment of him as a child, questioning whether or not he’s still just the assassin he was raised to be. It feels like something from a different version of the script where that self-doubt played a much larger part than what made it to screen.

And, as seems contractually obligated in these movies, the climax culminates with a lot of Typical CGI Nonsense. Though at least here that Typical CGI Nonsense is delivering a look at some mythical beasties and imagery that we don’t often get in these sorts of movies.

None of those frustrating elements (not even the often horribly glaring use of green screen composite shots) detracts enough from the experience to make this anything less than a total blast to watch. I’ve come to accept that most Marvel movies are simply going to have frustrating or undercooked elements to them in one way or another. But even grading on that curve, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings still manages to feel like a complete, thrilling package, one that I can’t wait to watch again.

Author’s Note: If you walk out of Shang-Chi jonesing for some more Tony Leung, check out The Grandmaster if you want more of him doing kung fu. Watch In the Mood for Love if you want one of his best, most internalized acting performances. And watch Hard Boiled if you want to see him co-star in one of the greatest, most over-the-top action movies ever made.

[magnoliabloomfield]

I JUST WATCHED SHANG CHI because it was free on Disney+ now and I’m cheap AND OH MY GOD I NEED TO SCREAM quietly on tumblr because I have a migraine BECAUSE THOSE GIRLS ARE EVERYTHING not to knock the Dora Milaje down at all, they’re both just so much more than even a chef’s kiss can say.

But here’s my favorite thing about girls in general. We see all the women in the movie with power, authority, respect, knowledge, experience, trauma and strength and we just go YES GIRL YES and ALL of us are empowered by it, we don’t sit there and go meh but they’re Chinese girls, can’t relate meblehbluhbebagh.

We just go: Girl? Being awesome? None of the plot hangs on gender differences, sexual relationships, or appealing to the male gaze? I LOVE THAT FOR HER!!!!!

And if we could just bonk the internalized misogyny out of some girls heads and just all join forces we’d be freaking unstoppable!

And I am so glad we are seeing movies move away from this kind of stuff:

To this kind of stuff

Cuz Katy is the love interest and I am willing to bet most women would rather have the Katy and Shaun storyline. No kiss? Doesn’t matter. She had no powers, no training, she just said hey man we are ride or die and she proved it, she stayed with him. And yes, that is something you can do for a platonic friend too, and I kind of love that they played it the way they did because it didn’t allow for for those Mary Jane mayhem moments of oh the villain grabbed your girlfriend oh no true love!! Two people were there for each other come hell and high water and it wasn’t because sex was on the line. Like, do you get it? Do you get it???? It’s amazing!!! And as a girl, finally seeing the love interest be someone like Awkwafina was a huge relief to something in me that I didn’t even realize was tensed up. Like, the unattainable beauty standard wasn’t there making me feel like crap. God. I loved it. I love this for us, for all of us.

[yinglipeggedwenwu]

[fic] 5 times Katy got isekai’d and met Wenwu in a past life

Chapter 1/5

Characters: Katy Chen, Xu Wenwu, mentions of Shaun/Shangqi Genre: comedy, gen Rating: PG13 for language I guess? Ships: no ship dynamics, but will imply movie-canon ships later Word count: 961 Notes/CW: spoilers for the movie, goofy premise, some dicey Mandarin that some diaspora Chinese kids may relate to. This is my first time throwing fic on tumblr so let me know if I need more tags or sth.

Takes place between Katy meeting Wenwu officially and the end of the movie.

Preview: “Hey guys, I’m so sorry, I can explain–” Katy says, knowing full well that she really can’t. The voices go quiet suddenly. A man stands in front of the others, arm out in the universal ‘chill the fuck out’ gesture. Damn bruh, Katy thinks, until she recognizes the man.

“Oh my god, it’s Shaun’s dad!”

KATY lurches awake. Goddamned falling dreams. It feels like she actually fell this time, though. She sits up on a hard, cold floor. “Where am I?”

This doesn’t look like any of the usual bars or karaoke rooms or bus stops she’s waken up at. She’s inside, which is a plus. It’s a large room with intricate, lacquered furniture. It smells like an herbalist shop. It looks like she woke up at a museum exhibit that would be titled ‘Oriental Room’ or something like that.

A cluster of shouts catch her attention. A bunch of dudes with long hair and old time clothes (like really old time) and really angry voices are bunched up at a set of wide double doors, and they look super pissed. Katy wonders if she blacked out and stumbled into a culture center or maybe a movie set?

“Hey guys, I’m so sorry, I can explain–” Katy says, knowing full well that she really can’t. The voices go quiet suddenly. A man stands in front of the others, arm out in the universal ‘chill the fuck out’ gesture. Damn bruh, Katy thinks, until she recognizes the man.

“Oh my god, it’s Shaun’s dad!” Katy pushes herself up to her feet, and she feels surprisingly clear-headed considering the bender that must have gotten her here. “It’s me! Katy! Remember? Kay-tee. You know, Shaun’s friend?” 

Shaun’s dad doesn’t react, even though the guys behind him are getting riled up. They’re grumbling in Mandarin-Katy knows that much-but she can’t quite grasp what they’re saying.

“Why’re you dressed like that? Are you guys, like, LARPing?” She gestures at the historic garb and the weapons that she just noticed they’re sporting.

Shaun’s dad hasn’t said anything yet, and he’s looking at her cautiously. Which-fair-Katy had only met him a few days ago, and it wasn’t exactly a picnic. But that was all a family thing! Katy just happened to be at the dining table where Shaun’s dad talked about his hallucinations and how disappointed he was in Shaun and basically ignored Xialing and–

Oh, duh! Katy smacks herself on the forehead with the palm of her hand. “Shang chi. I’m Shang chi’s friend. He goes by Shaun in the US. Katy.” She punctuates her reminder by waving her hand in a small semicircle in front of her chest. “Uh… Shangqi. Peng you. Shàngqì! Your son! Shāngqí? Peng you! Wo shi peng you! Shi Katy!”

Shaun’s dad and his crew are still looking really hostile, like she really isn’t supposed to be there. Shit, what if she accidentally crashed Shaun’s dad’s secret freaky sex party? Katy grasps at her feeble memories of Elementary Chinese 1, but Shaun’s dad still looks hella pissed like she just took a steaming dump on his polished floor. She looks down just to make sure she didn’t. 

He starts calling out to the guys behind him, and they begin slowly fanning out to the perimeter of the room. He steps forward, the only thing between Katy and the way out. His hands are at this hip, where he draws out a sword that is holy shit okay the blade is wider than her whole arm.

“No! It’s - we met! We’re cool! I won’t tell Shaun about your weird LARP sex party or whatever, I promise!” Katy pleads, her voice croaking in her throat. But as she appeals to him, Shaun’s dad just keeps taking slow, menacing steps towards her. And then Katy gets it: she’s having a dream. They haven’t met, not in her dream anyway. That explains why Shaun’s dad looks like a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon extra. And even though it’s a dream, Katy still instinctively backs away when Shaun’s dad points the business end of the sword at her.

He begins addressing her, but she has literally no idea what he’s saying. He might not even be speaking real Chinese - if this is supposed to be a product of her mind, then it’s definitely going to be some busted Mandarin coming out of his mouth.

“Bu yao! Bu yao!” Katy doesn’t know why she’s compelled to reason with Shaun’s dad in her dream, but it’s also a hella realistic one. The way her shoes squeak against the polished floor, the sounds of armor clinking around and in front of her. And Shaun’s dad looks as serious as all you can eat sushi.

Katy tries to will herself awake, but it’s not happening. She knows it’s a dream, she knows she’s gonna jolt awake and it’s gonna suck for a few minutes, but it’s also fucking scary right now. That sword looks hella sharp.

“Liu Bei!” Katy blurts out. Oh shit that doesn’t mean anything; that’s a character from Dynasty Warriors. 

W a i t. Dynasty Warriors is based on Chinese history. Maybe if Shaun’s dad recognizes some of these names, he’ll listen to her.

“Guan Yu! Z-zhang Fei!” Katy continues. “Cao Cao!” She grimaces. “No, Cao Cao’s bad. Bad guy. Bu yao!” She makes ostentatious thumbs-down gestures and shakes her head, like she’s on a kid’s educational program.

To Katy’s surprise, Shaun’s dad’s stance shifts. It’s not quite relaxed, but he doesn’t look like he’s going to pounce either. The guys around the room are eyeing each other, and they’re murmuring too. Shit, maybe this is a huge Dynasty Warriors role playing group she stumbled on. Okay, Katy thinks, I can do this.

“Chi bi?” she throws out, remembering the one movie she stayed awake for in that one Chinese culture elective. “Huo! Hen duo huo. Um, feng! Zhuge Liang… you feng.” She nods decisively with an enthusiastic thumbs up.

The room is silent after Katy’s verbal dump. And then Shaun’s dad leaps forward and stabs her right in the gut.

[praphit]

Shang-Chi! and the Rings of Daddy Murder Death!

When the trailer for this movie first came out, I was hyped! From the cast, to the bad ass bus scene, to Wong vs The Abomination,

 I was sold! 

Of course you had the people who came out saying "This is Marvel trying to be woke again. Hate crimes against Asian people on the rise, and here comes Marvel with Shang-Chi" We know this to be crazy, because Marvel already had this in the works, but certain people still reacted that way. But, even if that notion were true, would that be so bad?

It wouldn't absolve the ignorance, hatred, violence, and toxicity. But, if someone in Hollywood said "We've screwed over Asian people in films for like... ever. What if this time we choose a popular Asian character to base a movie on, and we DON'T do that?"

Now, (being that this movie supposedly leans on Chinese culture, with Shang-Chi being Chinese) China might argue that they still did them wrong (valid racist historical ptsd, cultural splicing, the whole martial arts thing, plus the main character is actually Canadian). It's not my place to weigh-in. But, I will say that making Shang-Chi Canadian, NOT a martial artist, but instead a hockey player, who loves Drake, and co-starring another Canadian, like Micheal Cera or someone 

probably wouldn't have worked as well for the MCU. Then, maybe Canada would have a problem with Marvel. I don’t envy movie-makers in this context. 

When I was a kid I was big into Black Belt Theater, Bruce Lee movies, 

Bruce Leroy, 

and within my love for martial arts and fighting entertainment was 

Shang-Frickin-Chi. 

I liked it, though I remember it being a lil racist. It's weird going back in time to see your fav childhood shows and books that wouldn't fly today:

I mean we've certainly been a lot more sensitive these days:

Regardless, Shang-Chi is here! (played by Canada's main man Simu Liu) He goes by the name of Shaun! 

Don't let that name fool you. Shaun will whup that ass! He says "Bleep all those super powers, and serums, a suits, and magic, and the rubber bones of Widow! That's some ol bullshit! All I need is my Wu-Tang style!" A style fueled by his daddy issues. And he's got some serious daddy issues. To be fair, his dad is the villain of the story. If your father was the active villain of your story, you'd also have issues.

Awkwafina is his sidekick

(much better than Michael Cera would be), she plays as Katy. That's fun. Every Katy I've ever known has been fun... and a heavy drinker:) This Katy is here to drive fast and crack jokes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your new Marvel duo!

It's not just daddy issues for Shang-Chi, but mommy issues (she dead), avoidance issues, his sister kicks him in the balls. He didn't even seem shocked. I mean, his balls were shocked, for sure, but it seemed like she just did that all of the time. I'm imagining Christmas when they were kids. "Here's your gift, bro. KNEE TO THE NUTS Merry Christmas" What kind of relationship is that? And why?! - well, he did abandon her for like 10 years, but... you know, that's plenty of time for her to get over it, right?? So, we'll say sister issues, his daddy training him to be an assassin issues, and his friends have issues with him! - AND KATY! They don't respect Marvel's new duo. They think Shaun and Katy should be doing more with their lives.

They are both valets during the day, and at night they rock drunken karaoke. That seems like the perfect life to me.

But, Daddy and his power rings couldn't allow them to keep living the dream. I haven't mentioned the ten rings yet. 

They give him super-duper-magical martial arts powers, and make him eternal. AND made him an asshole.

To be fair, he was probably already an asshole before the powers. He's been killing a lot of people. You figure he's been around for 1000+ years. His wife is dead, and he has no hobbies. It's not like he kills a few people and then goes home to read a book, or play video games, or make TikTok videos. It's sunrise to sunset killing all day, every day for generations. Then, he forms an evil terrorist group called "Ten Rings" to amplify his killing.

"Murder Death Rings" are what they should be called.

"Daddy Death Punchy Time"

""Dead Doomy Rangs of Killer Dad"

"The Legendary Killer Rings of Deadly Death Death Murder Pops"

"The... " sorry, I've been drankin a lil bit while I write... I lost my place.

I like "Daddy Death" Where was I?

Right! He can't have Shaun being happy! We've gotta get this plot going, so he sends the only white dude he can find in this movie to start some trouble for them. I guess, there might have been a couple of more white people in the film, but they all got the snot beat out of them in that bus scene. This white dude's name is "Razor Fist", yep... "Razor Fist!". 

At least they didn't stick to the original design. 

Ridiculous. How does he use the bathroom?

He's played by Florian Munteanu, who is a former heavy weight boxer. Yeah! Was also in "Creed" his nickname is "The Big Nasty". Isn't that a drink? A bartender once offered me to sample a drink called "The Big Nasty". I chose to go with a drink that doesn't have "nasty" in its title. ... I think he was offering me a drink.

???

"Daddy Murder Death" and "Sharp Fisty Man" spark this thang. And Shaun becomes Shang-Chi, beater of ass!

The visuals in this movie are the best Marvel has done to date. The action is so good. I just got finished raving about the action in "Black Widow"; this surpasses that. I dug the cast. I know some people don't like Awkwafina, but... get over it. She was great in this; everybody was!

I loved the soundtrack! I'm not normally the "I loved the soundtrack guy" , but it was perfect. It begs to be mentioned.

No issues with the story. And the emotions that they're stirring in you. Whew!

One moment I'm enjoying the beater of ass, then Katy is making me laugh, then the slew of issues got me in my feelings, then the visuals wow me, then more swelling issues, back to ass beating - all the way through.

And the ending! True, Marvel has a formula (and this sticks to it), but if it ain't broken, why bleep with it?? The ending was Game of Thrones-ish, but with light so a brotha can see, and all the colors of the rainbow - like a Skittles commercial with martial arts.  Fun! - so not like GOT at all, I guess. The only fun they had was when there was torture or prostitution going on.

I don't have anything bad to say about the movie. They could have shaved 5-10 mins off, but I won't take off for that; there's just too much to love about this!

Grade: A+

Fun for the whole family! I can see the fam working through some issues after the watch.

Daughter: "You know, Dad. That asshole dad of Shang-Chi kinda reminds me of you."

Mom: "Daughter! You do NOT talk to your father that way!"

Daughter: “Just sayin...”

Dad: "That's interesting, cuz his ungrateful, bitch of a daughter reminds me of YOU!"

Mother and Daughter: *gasp

Son: *laughs

Dad: "All I want you to do is take your school work seriously and maybe date a guy who doesn't smell like weed!"

Daughter: "I'll have you know that's his natural smell! And maybe I'd focus more on school, if I didn't have to focus on YOU being such a BLEEPING ASSHOLE, DAD!"

See, that's healthy dialogue, right there. Maybe the family that watches this movie buys mommy a bunch of guns for protection, so she doesn't end up dead like the mommy in this movie. Like a ridiculous amount of guns!

And I could see brother and sister kicking each other in the crotch to resolve their differences. BUT, if they're close-by, fighting each other, then there's no time to abandon one another.

Marvel does it again!

Whichever of the Marvel films is your favorite, this one will probably be up there as well.

[girl-of-many-fandoms]

Second To Her // 2

Pairing: Shang-Chi x Reader

Summary: Conversations in the dark are much better

Warnings: none

Part 1 Part 2

I have one more fic lined up to be posted and then I'll be focused solely on studying for final exams, I hope you all enjoy this one 💕

MASTERLIST

----

Y/N's POV

Groaning for what seemed to be the millionth time I threw the covers off of me and sat up on the bed. It's been a week sleeping in a bed without Shaun to keep me warm and I hate every second of it, yes the pillow he slept on faintly has his scent but I needed him

2:25am

The stupid clock next to me flashed it's angry red colour at me, mocking me. Stretching my hand to the nightstand I grabbed my phone, a smile played on my lips at the sight of my wallpaper; Shaun was hugging me from behind, both our smiles could've lit up a town

I should call him

Chewing on my bottom lip I contemplated if I should, it's late and I don't want to disturb him

Y/N just close your eyes, you'll fall asleep soon enough

Locking the device I returned it to its original spot and attempted to get some rest

------

Shang-Chi's POV

2:40am

I hate this

Sitting up against the headboard I combed my fingers through my hair; I can't take this for much longer

Well, it's technically your fault that you're not next to her

The voice in my head was right, I am the cause of my own misery. I should've told Katy that I couldn't come over that day but she was freaking out and I couldn't leave her like that

Y/N was right, over the week that we've been apart I really thought about all the times I flaked her off to run to Katy whenever we were spending time together and let me just say, it happened way more than I had initially thought

I love Y/N there's no doubt about it; she's kind, intelligent, caring, beautiful and witty, she also packs a mean punch

I miss having her next to me, hearing her voice

I'm an idiot

Call her

Picking up the device I unlocked it, her beautiful face lit up my screen. Opening my contacts, I scrolled down to her name and without any regards to the time, I called her

Please answer

----

Y/N's POV

My eyes opened at the vibrations of my phone. The device lit up and I reached for it

Shaun

Answering it I put the phone to my ear

"Hey"

"Hey"

"Sorry for waking you, I know it's late"

"You didn't wake me up, I couldn't sleep"

"Me either" there was a short pause in conversation, we both just sat there in silence listening to each other's breathing

"Shaun I-"

"I miss you Y/N"

"I miss you too"

"I have have so much to say but I can't say them over the phone, can I come over?"

"Sure"

"Okay, great I'll be there in a few minutes" I hung up and got out of bed. I missed him so much and we really need to talk about us

I made my way down the hall to the living room and turned on the television to occupy myself until he got here. I don't know why I'm feeling anxious, I've seen him so many times before, maybe it's because the last time we spoke we ended up in a screaming match

There was a jingle of keys at the front door before it opened; Shaun walked in and locked it behind him. He stood there awkwardly, visibly fighting the urge to immediately find his way over to me

"That was quick"

"Yeah, well I had to get here before you changed your mind"

I gestured for him to have a seat on the other end of the sofa and he did. He wiped his palms on the grey sweatpants he wore a couple times

"I'm going to speak, I just need you to hear me out" angling himself to face me he continued

"I'm sorry, I know it's a weak ass apology but I truly am. The things you said about me always running off to Katy was right, I hadn't noticed how often that happened until you brought it up" he paused reading me to get a sense on how to continue

"I'm sorry for not realizing what I've been doing all those times, could you forgive me?"

"You're an idiot" his frown deepened not knowing where I was going with this. Getting off the sofa I moved to stand in front of him

"It took you so long to realize what you'd been doing, can't say I'm surprised because I'm not" his eyebrows were drawn together as he waited for me to continue

"You're an idiot, yes" I straddled his lap, his hands immediately resting on my hips, his confusion melted away and a smile now sat on his face

"But you're my idiot, I forgive you but don't ever let it happen again unless she's actually in danger or something is drastically wrong" cupping his face in the palms of my hands I lovingly stared down at him

"I promise, I love you Y/N"

"I love you too"

He puckered his lips and I kissed him, I kissed him like he was the oxygen I needed to breathe. I needed this, him, I needed him. Our innocent kiss quickly turned into a heated make out session, my mouth fell open when he thrusted his hips upwards brushing his hardening member against me

As if I weighed nothing, Shaun stood up and took us to the bedroom. I left kisses along his jaw and down his neck as be laid me down on the queen sized bed

"You know, I think we were in the middle of something last time" his voice was an octave lower; he undid the buttons of the shirt of his I wore to bed

"My memory is a bit foggy, remind me"

Let's just say that he did remind me of where we left off, how beautiful I was and how much he loved me, many, many times.

----

Part 2 as requested!

@fofocuddlypooops

[crazycookiecrumbles]

Scream For Me (3)

A/N: Third part after Scream For Me (2)

Feedback? Comments? Please and ty!

Masterlist

Pairings/ Characters: Shang-Chi x Avenger!Reader (Shaun x Reader, takes place before events of Shang-Chi movie), Katy Chen, Xu Xialing

Warnings: fighting, adult themes ex: alludes to sex/sexual themes

Summary:  You’re finally home, and Shaun has less time than he thought to deal with his secret.

WC: 5,667

When you were allowed to leave the facility, Shaun was doting on you hand and foot. From helping you sit up in bed (you didn’t need the help) to pushing you in a wheelchair out the building and not letting you stand at all until it was absolutely necessary. He was being extra caring lately. You knew it was because he felt guilt over what happened, but you might as well reap the benefits.

Scott was an absolute gem of a man. He picked the two of you up at the facility and drove you to Shaun’s apartment. He told the two of you to call him if you guys needed anything, or even just to hang out, and then he left the two of you alone to be in each other’s company. 

Shaun had contacted your boss to explain the situation to him, and then when you felt better, you texted him to elaborate on everything and come clean on who you were, given that you feared that, perhaps, this might come back to haunt him. It surprised you that your boss knew who you were. What really surprised you was how forward he ended up being: taking care of your belongings by having them removed from the apartment and put into storage. He even said that you could have one of the floors in his building until your apartment had been repaired, or, hell, indefinitely. According to him, there was quite the appeal in having an Avenger performing and living at his club.

In the meantime, Shaun hadn’t left your side at all. The entire time you stayed at the facility, he was right beside you doing any and everything you needed, even more if he could. While you two had been gone, Katy grabbed some things from storage for you and brought it to Shaun’s apartment because, according to him, he did not want to leave you alone and out of his sight, even though he had taken off of work for the week to be with you and knew his paycheck was going to suffer for it.

At Shaun’s apartment, he smiled seeing food left on the table with a note in front of it. Katy and her mom delivered food to him and cleaned his apartment, knowing that he wasn’t home and was taking care of his girlfriend. He also appreciated the little comment at the end that Katy was annoyed she had to clean Shaun’s apartment because her mother said it was the right thing to do. So, naturally, Katy drew a dick at the end of the card.

Shaun ran over and grabbed a blanket from his bed and brought it over to you. With a furrowed brow you stared up at him like he was insane, then opened your mouth to speak.

“No, no, remember. Doctor said you shouldn’t use your voice, not until the next checkup.”

You rolled your eyes, “She said I couldn’t scream, but a whisper is okay.”

Shaun sighed, “I guess, but, babe, I just want you to get better.”

“And I will, but you don’t have to worry or wrap me in random blankets. Okay?”

He sighed, “Okay.”

“But I will take some of that delicious food. It looks like it’s still warm.”

Shaun smiled and went to get two bowls, “They left it a couple of minutes ago.”

“Remind me to send them a gift,” you replied as Shaun served you. “Thank you. And, really, you don’t have to take care of me. I can go stay at the club. It’s totally fine.”

“Nope, I’m taking care of you,” Shaun said.

“And what about work?”

“Well, —“

“I’m not going to be the reason you miss work,” you said. “So, either you go to work, or I start paying you what you’d make. So what will it be?”

He narrowed his eyes and glared at you playfully, “You are a stubborn brat, huh?”

“Takes one to know one, doesn’t it?” You replied. “Shaun. You can go to work. I will be okay.”

He sighed and took the seat next to you, “Fine, fine. I’ll go back to work tomorrow.”

“Good,” You smiled and started eating. “And please tell Katy thank you for being there for me.”

“Of course I will,” he agreed.

Shaun loved having you in his apartment. Part of him wondered if it would be too soon to ask you to move in. He also wondered what he should do with his own secret. Should he tell you now, while you were recovering? Should he tell you after you were better so it was less stress on you? 

And do you know what he hated? How Sam and Bucky shut him out when it came to finding out who did this to you. It was obvious that they had found something in your apartment. They knew enough to be able to find a lead, but they refused to tell him due to ‘security reasons.’ It was bullshit. Part of Shaun wanted to go ahead and find this man himself. He was confident he could do it, get vengeance for you, but that would require leaving your side and that was the last thing he wanted to do.

Still, he couldn’t resist.

“Do you know who did this to you?” He asked as the two of you ate together. “Do you remember what happened?”

Frowning, you shook your head. “It’s a blur, really. I was tired. I got into my apartment, and I can’t remember what happened after that. I just remember waking up at the SHIELD facility.”

He chewed on his lip, but nodded at your retelling of the events, “Did, you know, Sam and Bucky, did they find anything?”

“They have a lead on who executed the hit, not who paid for it.”

“Who was it?”

You smiled and shook your head as you stirred your food, “I will not tell you.”

“Come on, babe. This guy tried to kill you — “

“Right. So what I need is my very sweet boyfriend to find out who it was, and then what, run off seeking vengeance?” You chuckled and shook your head to yourself, oblivious to how mildly insulted Shaun looked. He felt like you thought he was incapable of doing anything.

“I could protect you, you know,” he said. “Whoever did this, I can —“

“Shaun,” you sighed. “I love you. I believe you. The last thing I want is you stewing over this. Let them take care of it. You don’t have to worry. Drop it, Shaun. Please.”

Through gritted teeth he muttered that he would drop it and bowed his head. You reached over and squeezed his hand, bringing it to your lips to kiss his knuckles, “I’m sorry for not telling you who I was. It was selfish of me to think that it wouldn’t affect you in any way.”

He raised his head and smiled softly as he returned the kiss to your hand, “I get it. You were protecting your identity. After all — I didn’t even realize who you were.”

“Yeah, how did you not know?” You laughed. “Are you not a fan?”

He blushed slightly, “I didn’t say that!”

“So you are a fan.”

He huffed in frustration while you giggled at him, “It’s just — Siren’s got that whole high neck collar thing, and you used to wear a mask before SHIELD fell and stuff, so — “

“Okay, okay. Don’t worry. I’m not mad at you for not being a super fan and recognizing me instantly,” you teased. “Everyone focuses on Cap and Iron Man, anyway — or Thor, not the woman who shredded the armor off of a Leviathan, but, whatever.”

“Well, don’t worry, I’ll start wearing Siren shirts now,” Shaun grinned.

“Aw, my number one fan,” you cooed and pinched his cheek. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”

~*~

True to his word, Shaun was a prince charming, whether it was out of extreme guilt for leaving you alone, for harboring a secret incredibly similar to yours, or just because at his core that’s just who he was. He’d get you anything you needed, insisted on you being hydrated with various teas, soups, and other herbal remedies he knew of or he asked around for to make sure you were at the peak condition. After all, he had an Avenger at home to take care of.

One morning, Shaun rolled over in bed after his alarm went off and draped his arm around your waist. You were already awake, anticipating his wakeup call, and playing around on your phone. When you felt him grab your waist you smiled and dropped your phone to the side.

“Couldn’t sleep?” He murmured as he pulled you in close.

You shrugged a shoulder, “I expected your alarm. Plus, I have to go soon, anyway.”

Shaun frowned, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Dr. Simmons is actually in the area today before she leaves for something, I don’t know, it’s classified. So she’s going to check me out and give me the go-ahead to start screaming.”

Shaun hummed and rolled on top of you, forearms resting on either side of your head as dipped his head down to kiss your forehead, “Well, as much as I love hearing your quiet little whimpers,” he murmured as he moved down to kiss your neck “It would be nice to make you scream.”

You flushed, eyes rolling to the back of your head as Shaun littered your neck and collarbone with kisses, “You have work…”

“I can be late,” he replied, hands sliding down your arms, fingers interlacing with yours, and bringing your hands up to trap against the headboard. “And you are always worth being late for.”

You chuckled, “You are so much trouble, Shaun.”

He winked. “Now, can you be quiet, or do I have to make you be quiet?”

You shifted underneath him as you anticipated what his next move might be, “Surprise me.”

Your morning together consisted of him foregoing his morning workout in favor of cardio with you instead. Shaun would have much rather stayed in bed with you all day, but you both had places to be and things to do, ‘shitty adulting’ you had called it before you kissed him goodbye. Shaun went in one direction to walk to Katy’s house and pick her up for their early shift. You went in the opposite direction, hopped on the bus, and went to meet Simmons.

You arrived at the very normal-appearing office building and walked through the doors. You pursed your lips immediately upon entering and discovered that, of course, the entire facade was a lie as the inside of the building looked like a shitty little warehouse.

“Oh, here we are, (Y/N)!” Simmons called out to you with a wave of her hand. You waved to her and walked towards her with your hands stuffed in the pockets of a hoodie you had stolen from Shaun. “How are we feeling today?”

“Much better,” you smiled kindly as she had you sit in a chair while she took out her portable scanner.

“Excellent. Today, I want to see what your pain level is like when you use your powers,” she explained each tests the two of you were going to do as she scanned you over. “Everything looks normal from my scans. Just let me look inside…”

You tilted your head back and opened your mouth. She peered inside with her tiny little flashlight and hummed, “Beautiful healing. Have you done anything in addition to the antibiotics?”

“My boyfriend has pumped me full of so many herbal teas and soups I think I’ve become a walking medicinal shop.”

She chuckled, “While I am a huge proponent of science, natural remedies are incredibly supportive and more helpful to the body than we realize. Your boyfriend was right to do that for you. All the hydration and other benefits from his treatment work wonders for injuries like this.”

“He’ll be so happy to hear that he’s doctor approved,” you joked.

She grinned, “Great. Now, I’m going to put in my earplugs and stand behind that ballistic glass. I want you to start off with quiet  focus of your screaming and progressively get louder. Your targets are over there.”

“Two things,” you raised your hand. “I’ve never done a, um, quiet ….focused screaming. The other, won’t people hear me?”

“Heavens, no. I’ve got a device shielding this entire building. No one outside will hear anything, not even if a grenade went off!” She laughed, “I mean. Not that I have a grenade. Anyway, what do you mean you’ve never done a quiet scream?”

“That sounds….well, that sounds impossible.”

She hummed, “All this time in SHIELD and yet such limited use of your abilities. Ms. (Y/N), don’t be fooled. You can scream at the top of your lungs all you like, but you don’t always have to do that to get the results you want. Focus your vocal manipulation. I think you’ll find that to be quite sufficient.”

You shrugged and decided to give it a shot. Standing up from your seat and walking over to the targets, you let out a quiet stream of sound, almost like the hoot of an owl, and focused on the glass cup in front of you. When the glass broke, you stepped back in surprise and turned to face Simmons.

“See?” Simmons clapped her hands excitedly, “Sound is so much more than just screaming. You are the Siren, use all aspects of sound to your advantage!”

The two of you continued your testing together. By the time you reached your loudest scream, you felt a pang in your throat. She sat you down and looked over everything once more to see the cause of it. It was determined that, since you had not been using your powers and spoke at mostly a whisper for the last few weeks, that you simply were out of practice and needed to work yourself up back to max power.

“Thank you, Dr. Simmons,” you said as you gave her a hug. “You’ve quite literally saved, and changed my life.”

She cooed and hugged you back, “It was nothing, dear. And please, call me Jemma,” she said with a warm smile on her face as she pulled away. “It was a true honor and a pleasure to work with you. I’ve heard so much through my years at the Academy about you, and the stories surrounding you, I mean, wow. It’s just — it’s not every day I get to work on an Avenger.”

“No, but Shaun told me you said you’ve worked on Inhumans before,” you began, which made Jemma suddenly wish she wasn’t so talkative. “Who?”

“Oh, Doctor-Patient confidentiality,” she said quickly. “Well, I should —“

“Jemma,” you reached out and grabbed her wrist softly. “When I was a SHIELD agent, we barely knew anything about Inhumans. We didn’t even have a name for it. I got an anonymous tip after SHIELD fell and that’s the only way I figured out what I was. What more do you know?”

Jemma felt sorry for you. You weren’t the first person she’d known who was like this, an Inhuman who grew up without her parents and was left alone and, funny enough, adopted by SHIELD. The only difference was that SHIELD kept you since you were a child and raised you within their ranks, while the one she knew was adopted much, much later.

Jemma squeezed your hand in both of hers, “Just know that you’re not alone, and I assure you, you are much, much stronger than you think you are. Take care, (Y/N). Here’s my card. I may not always answer, but if you need me, call. Hopefully I’m on the same continent.”

You snickered and stared at the card before shoving it in your pocket, “There’s that SHIELD ambiguity shining through nice and strong.”

She shrugged, “Once an agent, always an agent, right? Take care, now.”

Jemma left first. You took a moment to lean back against a wall and think about what she told you. You’d known you were something called an Inhuman for awhile now, but none of you really knew what that meant, as none of you had ever come across one before. It was all very secretive and strange, and new, but as life went on and the world’s problems just kept growing, it fell to the back of your mind. As long as modern medicine could work on you, it didn’t seem like a priority.

Shaun mentioning that Jemma had worked on Inhumans before made you think that you actually had a chance in finding out some real information, but, again, another wall. Well, fuck it. It was worth shooting your shot.

Now that your appointment was done, you left the building and went to get some coffee on your way back to Shaun’s. You figured you’d treat yourself to a drink, maybe a little shopping, go back to his place and practice a few of your songs before deciding whether or not you were ready to return to work.

While you were waiting for coffee you opened your phone to check social media. You were stunned to see that on Twitter a bus had lost control of its brakes and ran rampant in San Francisco. You clicked on the videos and saw that there was footage of a man fighting inside of a bus. 

Wow, small world. That’s the same jacket Shaun wore this morning. And pants. And shirt —

That was Shaun.

Bus Boy was Shaun!? What the fuck was this? You rewound the clip and watched Shaun pull off some astonishing moves. The last time you saw anyone fight anything like that was definitely not a civilian. She was a trained, expertly skilled fighter with more black belts than you thought humanly possible. So why did this man look as skilled as Agent Melinda May?

You thought back to the night of your fight. You couldn’t remember what happened at the apartment, but you could remember Shaun screaming at you asking if his father had sent you. that replayed in your mind over and over again as you thought about Shaun’s demeanor, his movements, that subtle fighting stance he took when he tried to shield you from those men.

The look of utter rage in his eyes when he thought about the man that attacked you, that far-off glare that screamed ‘revenge’ as he was lost in his own thoughts.

Shaun was lying to you, just as you lied to him, and you missed so many obvious signs.

“That motherfucker,” you growled under you breath as you sped towards the door.

Your name was called by the front counter, so you quickly spun around, went back to the counter, thanked them for your coffee, shoved a bill into the tip jar, and stormed out of there while sipping your drink angrily, which meant your brows were pointed down, your forehead wrinkled, and you sucked up so much of the iced beverage in one go you gave yourself a brain freeze.

By the time you reached Shaun’s apartment, you stood on the other side of the door just as Katy had ripped it open. She was about to make her grand, angry exit, and then she saw you. Her eyes widened as she stared at you, the look on your face was unreadable, which told her that Shaun was absolutely about to die.

“Oh, shit, I have to see this,” she muttered under her breath as she stepped aside, let you in, shut the door behind you, and leaned against it to watch.

Shaun’s shoulders sank even more as he watched you slowly walk up to him.

“Hey, honey,” he said quickly. “How was your appointment?”

You spoke louder now, a smile on your face as you shrugged your shoulders, “Great! I’m in fighting shape.”

“Oh!” His voice cracked slightly, “That’s so great!” He stepped forward to hug you and you quickly stepped backwards.

“Yeah, isn’t it?”

Shaun studied you closely. He knew. He knew that you knew about what happened that day, but maybe, just maybe, he was wrong. “Why aren’t you hugging me?”

You tilted your head to the side and stared up at him, “You know, I didn’t tell you that I was an Avenger for a multitude of reasons. To protect myself, mostly, and over time it was to protect you. I live a very complicated, scary life.”

“I, I know that, babe — “

“But not once did I guilt trip a motherfucker like you did,” you snapped. “Who are you!?”

“I can explain —“

“Oh, sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” You laughed. “So this is what it’s like when the shoe is on the other foot, isn’t it?”

“It’s complicated. Okay? It’s not like I’m a superhero!” Shaun shouted, hands thrown out to his sides before resting on his waist. “I’m not a superhero, okay? I’m not like that. I’m not like you. I’m not good.”

You scoffed and crossed your arms over your chest, “Don’t give me that.”

“Give you what?”

“This, ‘oh, I’m so broken and damaged’ speech .Save the bullshit. I don’t want to hear it,” you looked around his apartment and laughed. “So, what. What is this. Secret lair? A base for something? What are you, huh? Why does daddy want you so bad?”

Shaun’s jaw clenched, “You don’t have to be like that.”

“No, I don’t have to be like that, but I get to be because you snapped at me and you were upset and felt so betrayed when you found out I had a secret. Yet this whole fucking time you’ve been hiding another life too! Who does that? You played me.” You laughed in disbelief and walked around the apartment to really look everything over and wonder what else was hidden in plain sight. “How dare you, Shaun?”

“How dare I what? Try to live my life?”

“Lie to me and act like such a victim when you did the same shit!” You snapped.

He groaned. He didn’t have time for this conversation. He genuinely did not have time, because he needed to go save his sister. Shaun shook his head and grabbed at the postcard you had picked up off of his bed and shoved it into his pocket, “Look. I know you’re mad at me, but can we please, please talk about this another time? I can explain better then.”

You raised an eyebrow, “Oh, yeah? You’ve got somewhere to go?”

“I need to go save my sister in Macau,” Shaun explained. “It’s an emergency. Just — please. I know we need to talk, and I want to explain myself to you, I do, but I’ve got to go.”

Oh, you were going to remember this moment.  Now he was talking about saving his sister and he didn’t even ask you for help. You. A literal Avenger who saves people all the time, and he wasn’t even asking for your help. So what was his game, here? What the hell was all of this for, if neither one of you clearly trusted the other enough with your secrets? If he couldn’t even ask for help.

“Okay,” you said quietly. “You live your life. I’ll live mine.”

Shaun was throwing clothes into his bag and froze at your statement, “Wait. Wait, wait, wait, what the hell does that mean?” He asked you. “What do you mean, live your life? You’re my life.”

You shrugged your shoulders, “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think I am. Let’s be honest. We’re liars. We lied to each other and never shared who we truly are. We clearly don’t trust each other. So, yeah. Live your life, Shaun,” You grabbed your backpack laying in the corner that had some of your stuff in it. “I’ll live mine.”

Shaun struggled. On one hand, he felt a burning need to chase after you and make this right. On the other, time was dwindling and he knew he didn’t have more of it. “Wait, (Y/N), please! Where are you going? We —“

“I’ll be at Lux. I’ll see you around, Shaun.” You nodded to Katy as you went right out the front door. Katy looked back at Shaun, said she’d meet him with her stuff, then left the apartment and ran after you.

“Wait, wait, hey, hey, hey,” she said as she walked alongside you, not once trying to stop you because she could see practically see the anger radiating off of you like an old cartoon. “Are you, are you really leaving Shaun?”

You shrugged your shoulders, “I don’t know, Katy. Part of me feels like I just had to up the pain factor and hurt his feelings like he hurt mine. The other part of me wonders if this is just — I don’t know, Katy. I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe it.”

Katy nodded. She surprised you by throwing her arms around you and squeezing you in a tight hug, “You’re the freaking best, (Y/N). And I know Shaun’s an idiot, and you can choose to do whatever you want, but I know he loves you so, so much. I saw a side to Shaun I’ve never seen before in the ten years I’ve known him when you were attacked, so, I don’t know. I hope that means something.” She sighed, “I gotta go save his sister — he has a sister, apparently, Xialing. I — this is such a mess.”

You smiled softly and returned Katy’s hug, “It does, Katy. Thank you, and be safe.”

Katy left her own way and so did you. You both had things that needed to be done and time was of the essence. Well, yours wasn’t really pressing. Yours was just you sitting in the apartment your boss had left for you. It was pre-furnished, so you sat down on the sofa and stared off into space to think.

Shaun forgave you. He didn’t leave you after your secret came out. Then again, he had the same exact secret, so he probably, in his mind, thought this made the two of you even. Although, he did accuse you of being sent by his father — you didn’t know what the daddy issues were there, but they were definitely there, and, fuck, what a mess that must be, holy shit. Were you grateful your parents were dead, or bitter you didn’t have them around to have this sort of drama with, you weren’t sure.

Regardless, a part of you was hurt that Shaun wasn’t asking you to join him, but that Katy, who was amazing but not a skilled fighter, was obviously going. You already knew he was lying, so what else was he trying to hide and keep from you that you couldn’t go? 

But….once an agent, always an agent, and your need to help people outweighed your anger, barely.

“God fucking damn it Shaun you piece of shit,” you muttered as you reached into your wallet. You dug around and pulled out an old business card. You read it to yourself and ripped the card in half, then in half again and watched as it glowed in gold before all the pieces disappeared.

A moment later a golden portal opened up a few feet from you and Wong stepped out of it and stared at you, “I have a phone now, you know.”

You shrugged and nodded, “I know…but I always wanted to use that card.”

He rolled his eyes, “What do you need?”

“If I tell you an address to a place in China, can you get me there?”

“Sure,” he nodded. “What’s the place?”

You told him the name as you shoved your phone in your pocket and watched as a smirk formed on his face, “What?”

“Anyone in particular you’re looking for?”

“Xialing, apparently,” you said. “Shaun’s sister.”

Wong nodded, “I’ll take you to her.”

~*~

Wong was great. He got you to this club called the Golden Daggers, and you were utterly amazed at what you were seeing. This was a fight club just like you’d see in television. Huh. You really needed to get out more, didn’t you?

He was greeted and praised by people, and he was immediately approached by a quirky young man who was praising him from a previous fight that Wong had, which took you for an absolute loop. You zoned out for a little bit, but before you know it, this same man, Jon Jon, was singing your praises and saying he could set you up with a match that very minute if you wanted to.

“No, I’m good,” you told him. “I’m looking for someone. Her name is Xialing. I don’t know if she’s a fighter or —“

Jon Jon looked to Wong who nodded to him and said goodbye to you. Jon Jon led you away to an office. Even from down the hall you could see a woman in all black sitting at her desk and monitoring something on the computers. She sat up when she saw Jon Jon knock on the door. She beckoned him inside, and he spoke to her, gesturing to you before she gave the okay. Jon Jon opened the door and ushered you into the office.

“I am Xu Xialing,” the young woman stood up from behind her desk and walked forward to meet you. “An honor to meet you, Siren. It’s not every day an Avenger walks through these doors requesting my presence.”

You extended your hand to her and smiled when she shook it, “(Y/N) is just fine. Thank you for seeing me, because I definitely don’t have an appointment or anything.”

She hummed, “I noticed. A drink?”

“Sure, anything,” You took a seat and watched as yet she filled two glasses with an alcohol you couldn’t quite make out from where you were sitting. She handed you the glass, then leaned against the front of her desk.

“What brings you here? Are you interested in fighting?” She inquired.

You exhaled slowly, “I’m dating your brother.”

You could hear a hair drop in that office. Xialing immediately ordered everyone out of her office. When the last person left and the door was locked, she set down her drink and crossed her arms over her chest, “You know Shangqi?”

Your eyebrows went up, “Oh, is that his name?”

Xialing’s face changed within seconds. She went from confused, to amused and smirking as she realized what was happening, “You don’t know who he is, do you?”

You shook your head and chugged half of the drink, “One minute I’m getting iced coffee, the next, I see my boyfriend online going viral for a bus fight. I had no idea he could even throw a punch with a semi-decent form, and that was, that was just unreal.”

She nodded in understanding, “I saw his video. He’s not bad, I suppose. But how did you know about me, or where I am?”

You cleared your throat, “Well, Shaun — uh— I mean —“

“Shangqi,” she nodded.

You sighed, “Of course it’s a fake name I get. Asshole. Anyway, Shangqi said that you were in danger. I didn’t get a lot, something about your father. But he’s on his way here. It should take him about two days with travel.”

Xialing raised her eyebrow, “And Wong brought you here? Why didn’t you bring my brother, then?” She didn’t wait for an answer, “Ah, you’re angry with him for lying.”

“I’m more angry with him for getting upset with me over the exact same thing. He didn’t realize I was the Siren. He lost his shit, and then doesn’t tell me his shit either.”

Xialing shook her head and took a swig of her drink before sitting in the chair next to you,” Typical Shangqi. Says one thing, does the exact opposite. Runs off to be a moron.”

You nodded in agreement, “Fucking idiot. Also, he didn’t even ask me for help. Me. Not to toot my own horn, but I’d like to have a hero on my side for these things. I don’t know, I’m so angry with him.”

“My brother is an idiot, and that’s being generous,” she shook her head as memories of him leaving flashed in her brain. “So, we have two days before my brother arrives and pretends to be some hero.”

“Oh, no, not even,” you snickered. “He’s all, ‘I’m not good’ and all that garbage.”

Xialing rolled her eyes, “I can’t even imagine how you tolerate him.”

You shook your head and folded your hands on your lap, “Honestly, fuck if I know at this point. I want to throttle him.”

Xialing smirked, “I should throttle him.”

You raised an eyebrow, “What are you thinking?”

With a smirk, Xialing casted her eyes towards you and raised an eyebrow suggestively, “I’m thinking I should get to know the woman who has dated down to my brother, and that I should greet him with a warm welcome.”

You looked surprised before you grinned, “You know, Xialing, I wasn’t sure what I expected when I got here today, but you know what, I’m happy I decided to show up and beat him to the punch. But what about your dad?”

Xialing rolled her eyes, “Let him try. I will not bend to his will.”

You nodded, “I respect that.”

“Thank you,” she raised her glass, “to us, better than the men in our lives.”

“Damn straight.”

“Unless of course you have a good relationship with your father, then he is the exception.”

You shrugged, “Nah, he’s dead. We can pretend he was a piece of shit for the sake of a toast.”

Xialing chuckled and leaned over extending her hand. You grinned and extended your hand as well. The two of you clinked your glasses together and took a sip, definitely looking forward to the look of surprise on Shaun — or, well, Shangqi’s face.