#she loves to torture Buster this way

[tigresslanzhu]

Doctor’s Appointment

Receptionist: Dr. Tramsine will be with you in a few minutes, Mr. Moon. She’s running a little behind.

Ash: A little behind, eh? Sounds like a good place for a koala to get a shot!

Buster: {screams}

Rosita: Ash!

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week (#186):

“How can Zuckemborg let this happen?…”

Thelma (2024) is a lightly-paced, adorable comedy about a strong-willed 93-year-old June Squibb, who's scammed of some money, and is determined to get it back. I loved it because she reminds me of my own independent mother (94), and because we need more non-condensending movies about really old people. Also starring very old Shaft (Richard Roundtree) in his final role, very old Alex deLarge with an oxygen tank, and as 'Winston', the very same guy from 'Focus Group'. 9/10.

🍿

Last week I discovered British auteur Terence Davies, and saw 5 of his movies. Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988) is the first feature he directed, another period piece based on his own tortured youth in poor working class Liverpool of the 1950's. With abusive father Peter Postlethwaite, his traumatic memories remain bearable only when he reflects on the other members of his family. They only survive because they can sing. Unvarnished pub-life, where the rituals of drinking, and carrying on together transcend. No wonder the British film critics hold this film is such high esteem.

🍿

2 by Yugoslav Zvonimir Berković:

🍿 My apartment (1963), a young girl narrates her impressions of moving into a new apartment. A lovely snapshot of post-war realism.

🍿 Rondo was decidedly not what you would expect from socialist entertainment of that time. A psychological play of ménage à trois between a sculpturer, his wife, and a judge who starts as a chess partner to the man, becomes a friend of the two, and then seduces the woman. It was interesting, but eventually became unfocused. The actress, Milena Dravić, was one of these pretty European divas from the 1960's. 5/10.

🍿

My 17th & 18th by Agnès Varda, both about Parisian streets:

🍿 Varda made Daguerréotypes in 1976, when she had to stay at home with her baby. So she shot around the street where she lived, 90 meters on each side. It's basically the life of the little stores, and the customers who visit them. The local boulangerie, plumber, hardware store, butcher, accordion repairman, the small grocery, perfume maker and barber. Also, a driving instructor and a magician who dropped by for a show. Absolutely beautiful.

🍿 L'opéra-mouffe (Or as it was called in English Diary of a pregnant woman), one of her own favourite films, is a wordless, impressionistic poem about the Rue Mouffetard street market. What a great photographer eye she had! Lovely visuals with lovely-as-always score by Georges Delerue. Perfect! 9/10. [*Female Director*]

🍿

Three ages (1923), the first feature Buster Keaton wrote, directed, produced, and starred in. A 3 part anthology about love, repeating the same story during the "stone age", Roman times, and at present. The Stone age predate The Flintstones aesthetics. Includes some great, classic gags.

🍿

2 Nordic Noir (both from 1949):

🍿 Another classic Danish Noir from their most prolific period of the 40's and 50's, John and Irene is about a pair of small time ballroom dancers who travel all across Scandinavia, struggling to make a living. The woman, Bodil Kjer, is tired of their hardship, the man is naive and tries his best. Her unhappiness, and yes, nagging, driving over the edge. It's dark and tragic, dealing with powerlessness in a slightly different way.

🍿The debut film by Edith Carlmar, Death Is a Caress was the first Norwegian film directed by a woman. It used the same framing devise of flashback confession, and told again of an obsessive, ill-suited love affair. This time between a young auto mechanic and an older wealthy femme fatale. But it was weak and completely unconvincing. [*Female Director*]

🍿

Watching John Wick (after reading this fluff piece on GQ about the saintly Keanu Reeves). They killed his dog, so he seeks revenge on the evil Russians, check. I am not the target audience for this type of action flicks. But it's filled with nothing but male cinematic cliches: The Mustangs always revs, Whiskey for breakfast, it always rain during funerals, and the video game-action, wow, the action... 2/10.

🍿

2 shorts about pussies:

🍿 Pussy (2016) is a line-drawn animated short about a woman who relaxes alone at home, decides to smoke some pot and play with herself in the bath. Delightfully funny first film for a young Polish maker. Sweetest NSFW film of the week! [*Female Director*].

🍿 Pussy's Breakfast, a fantastic 1905 film about a girl and her cat eating breakfast, enhanced and colorized version. 9/10.

🍿

3 horrifying documentaries:

🍿 "Why have you avoided confronting your family past?"

I've been obsessively thinking about the Nazi "Final Solution" for 50+ years, so I've come to despised most movies about the holocaust. 'The Zone of interest' was different, because it tackled the subject soberly, with unsentimental brutally. Now comes the new documentary The Commandant's Shadow, which is like a companion piece to 'Zone', tackling the same topic, Rudolf Höss’ family life. But it approaches it from a different angle: The generational trauma suffered (only partially by his son who's 87 now) but mostly by his grandson. And it contrasts that with a parallel story about a Jewish survivor, now 98, and her adult daughter. Together, these four deal with the burden of knowledge, shared guilt over unspeakable horror that was not of their doing, but which cannot be diluted even after 80 years. It features (new-to-me) footage from inside the camp, including many of the selection. Harrowing and hard. 9/10. [*Female Director*]. [Screenshot Above].

🍿 Retribution, "Investigating Trump, Project 2025 and the future of the United States". A scary Australian doc. which was released just after the assassination attack on Trump, so it's very current. They interview both critics as well as some of the proud architects of Project 2025. Absorbing, alarming and well-done. 8/10.

🍿 People You May Know (2020) is about Cambridge Analytical, and the misinformation warfare conducted by the ultra-right with the help of Big Data. How the The Council for National Policy and others brainwash and radicalize evangelical Christians, in order to merge State and Church. It's highly disturbing and mostly-known information, but it was done in a sloppy, amateurish way.

I must stop watching documentaries about religion - It does nothing but aggravate me!

(These last two were found on a list by Mara Einstein, a professor of media studies with a specialty in religion and cults. She recommends the documentary 'Bad Faith' as the best documentary on the subject. Having seen it recently, I agree.)

🍿

3 more by Russian Aleksandr Petrov:

🍿 Petrov is a Russian animator who employs pastel oil paints on individual glass plates, a tedious process which causes his films to look dreamlike and surrealistic. He usually tells stories with old-fashioned agrarian themes, like classic Russian literature. I previously saw his Oscar winner 'The old man and the sea'.

The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is based on a Dostoevsky story, and is narrated by Alexander Kaidanovsky ("Stalker"). A suicidal man finds a reason to carry on after meeting a little girl. Fantastic hallucinations. 8/10.

🍿 My love, a romantic story about a boy and two young girls, done in the same dreamy style. It was released by Ghibli Studio, as they expanded their world-cinema offerings.

🍿 The cow (1989) is a symbolic little story about a village boy and his cow. Nominated for an Oscar.

🍿

A bunch more short films:

🍿 Larisa is a tribute to filmmaker Larisa Shepitko, made in 1980, a year after she died in a car accident at the age of 40. It's my first film by her husband, Elem Klimov. (I know! I couldn't make myself watch his 'Come and see', but now I'll see that, as well as her 'The Ascent')

🍿 Students at an Hungarian film school were shown a black & white photo of three peasant women standing all looking outside the frame, and were told to write a short story about it. Wind ("Szél", 1996) is the award-winning, stunning result.

🍿 In All the World's Memory (1956) Alain Resnais explored the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the enormous depository of everything that was ever published in France, as well as extensive collections of manuscripts, artworks, and priceless historical artifacts. As a record, it's rudimentary, and at 21 min. too short. But now I want to see a newer, better film about the topic. This National Library must be one of the greatest institutions in the world.

🍿 The French An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge won the 1963 Oscars. It is based on the Civil War writer Ambrose Bierce's story. A man is about to be hanged from a bridge, and his life flashes in front of his eyes before his neck breaks.

🍿 The Life and Death of 9413, a Hollywood Extra was a renowned avant-garde short from 1928, one of the few experimental silent film to receive general distribution. It was famously made for a total of $97 in German Expressionistic style, and was the first film shot by Gregg Toland.

🍿 "...It was time for secret games and conspiracies. The workers were ready to rebel. They had learnt a new word... Exploitation. Strangely enough, the three leaders of this underground movement went missing over a year. Rajan Shreshta, Narbu Lama, Charmie Gurung..."

Six Strands is a poetic Bengali story about mysterious, lonely lady who produces the most expensive Darjeeling tea in the world. It opens like a loving, magical nature documentary, but turns into a subtle, symbolic political manifesto. 8/10. Now I must see his award-winning feature 'Court'!

🍿 Outside in, a personal diary by an Irish filmmaker about the surreal experience of living in New York during Covid, when the the city was shut down and the streets were empty. Well done. 7/10.

🍿 A supercut of movie scenes that feature eggs, from a YouTuber named Patrick Tommaso. The list is here. Now I want eggs.

🍿 Stanley Pickle, a strange British short, with even stranger pixilation-type animation, about an automated boy who lives in the middle of nowhere. [*Female Director*]

(I also dreamt that I was running a marathon carrying two heavy backpacks, and that it was like watching myself actually doing it in a movie, but it was very difficult, and fortunately after a long while, I woke up…)

🍿

"Haben sie Homer und Peter mit Chevron pump?"

Because of this clip, I watched my first few episodes of Family guy, pulled randomly out of a list. S2E3, S4E1, S9E7, S11E4, S13E1, S17E11 .. I could easily add some more. Seth MacFarlane must be a fun guy to hang around and crack jokes with. Lots of gross-inappropriate sex and drugs jokes. I'm not too familiar with much Adult Animation otherwise.

🍿  

(My complete movie list is here).

[the--morning--room]

RESURGAM (Arthur Harrow x F!Reader) Chapter 1: "Humility is a Christian grace"

"'My dear children...it becomes my duty to warn you, that this girl, who might be one of God's own lambs, is a little castaway: not a member of the true flock, but evidently an interloper and an alien.'" -Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

WARNING: Child abuse (verbal, emotional)

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15

AO3

Reader, I present to you a story of love, justice, and the night sky; of a man who has no conscience and a woman who never learned to listen to hers. Her name is unimportant to me; I have known many countless thousands of human names in my time watching over them, and I simply cannot be expected to keep track of every single one. It's not as if she is anything special to begin with, not to a god, at least. In the interest of simplicity, I will refer to her as precisely what she is to me: a Thorn in the side if ever there was one.

As for the man with no conscience, I do know his name, and in the interest of your well-being, reader, I tell it to you in the hope that this knowledge will help you to avoid any possible encounter with him. This man's name is Arthur Harrow.

I, the unfortunate creature tasked with recording and narrating this godless nightmare of a love story, am the god Khonshu, master of the night sky and self-appointed distributor of righteous vengeance on humanity's behalf.

The Thorn's story, for our purposes at least, begins about sixteen years before Harrow entered her life. Harrow, at this time, was still a novice criminal prosecutor with brown hair and glass-free shoes. He was also my avatar, the Fist of Vengeance. In a different part of the same country, the Thorn was a sullen, watchful ten-year-old girl wearing a school uniform designed for a child several years her junior, and standing on top of a plastic chair. Her weak legs crossed awkwardly, she tugged with fumbling tiny fingers on the edge of her pleated skirt, the skirt that had gotten her into this mess in the first place.

No, it wasn't the skirt's fault. Even the Thorn herself knew that. It was her mother's fault for making her wear it, for not having the money to replace it with a more comfortably fitting copy. Or it was Marc Spector's fault for snatching her lucky hat, the one just like the hat Bessie wore in Tomb Buster, and putting it on his own stupid, dumb, big baby face head and laughing at her until her indignation graduated into rage and then into the wild fury that sent her careening, monkeylike, over both their desks and ripping it from his dumb curly hair and shrieking that he was the meanest person ever and that she hated him and never wanted to play at his house ever again, and also gave him quite the pathetic (albeit passionate) swat across the face.

Or it was the Teacher's fault for choosing this last moment to stride into the classroom and let his eyes fall immediately on the Thorn, half-squatting and half-straddling over Marc's desk with a rather impressive disregard for her own dignity. Luckily, he didn't see the slap. Unluckily, what he did see was the way the back of her tiny plaid skirt had flipped carelessly inside out, revealing just the slightest glimpse of the garment underneath.

He didn't yell. He wasn't that kind of man.

He was worse.

First, he said her name. She hated the sound of it in his mouth, his soft voice dripping with benevolent disappoinment that a stranger might easily mistake for genuine care.

The torture was underway.

"I assume you brought something to change into?" he said placidly, knowing perfectly well what her answer would be.

She shook her head.

"And what made you think that was an acceptable thing to wear to school?" he inquired innocently, surveying the frayed edge of the unholy garment with the cool contempt of an Academic (something the Teacher erroneously considered himself to be).

She doesn't remember what she said next, as the world around her had by now begun to adopt a kind of surreal sheen. There was a vague awareness of the students around her, but whether they were laughing, contemptuous, or simply dumbstruck, she could not have said. Somewhere very far away, Marc offered his sweater: "She can just tie it around her, then the skirt's not a problem anymore, right?" (Always the chivalrous defender, even in childhood—most humans would call this a great virtue, but I can only see it as Marc's most fatal flaw.) The hotly contested hat lay forgotten in the cold linoleum shadow under the desk.

Then all she knew was the closeness of the Teacher's body to hers, the simmering malice with which his claw of a hand gripped her shoulder, the invisible column of shame that sucked the air from around her, and the frail, unprotected nakedness of her thighs. The agonizing screech of metal on linoleum—a chair, adult-sized, chipped vomit-pink plastic, dragged to the center of the classroom just for her. She found herself on top of it, a martyr at the stake, her executioner poised to light the kindling.

Words. Not flames.

"Do you know why you're standing here?" the Teacher asked. "Why I've had to interrupt your classmates' education this morning?"

She thought of the climactic final showdown in Tomb Buster: Bessie tied to the stone altar, the undead Aztec priest preparing her for sacrifice. The harsh grin of moonlight glinting against the knife. A sneering voice from nowhere: "You see? This is where it has to end. There is no other way. No tree can ascend to the light of Heaven if it doesn't descend to the depths of hell!"

Again the Teacher said her name, the degradation of it scorching her back to the present.

"Do you know why we have a dress code? Who can tell me?" He addressed the class this time, his voice glittering with self-satisfaction. "No one?" Reader, not since the days of the "Great" Alexander himself have I witnessed such a grotesque display of misplaced cocksuredness (and coming from me, that is saying quite a lot).

"This classroom is a place for learning," he explained, "and we can't learn when there are distractions present, can we? For the same reason we don't bring footballs and electronic handheld gaming devices to school, we don't allow certain students to wear clothing that may draw the attention of other students away from their classwork and cause them to have thoughts and feelings that are not appropriate in a school environment."

"That doesn't make any sense," Bessie retorted, her glamorous curls pasted to her face with sweat. "Heaven, hell, why does it have to be one or the other? What ever happened to the good old-fashioned middle ground?"

Silence pounded against the impersonal grayish walls of the classroom. She couldn't speak. It was as if her voice had been ripped away by the iron tongs of humiliation. She tried to imagine how it would feel not to have legs. It would look pretty strange, a little girl's torso floating overtop the chair, plaid pleated skirt shivering in the naked air like the tentacles of a jellyfish.

"Wait a sec," Marc Spector interjected. "Did you just say her legs are the same thing as a video game? 'Cause, no offense, but that's kind of wack, man."

Oh, dear reader, you have never heard such a silence.

"Marc," the Teacher smiled coolly, "go to the principal's office."

Marc shrugged, and did as he was told.

"Where's your friend Dr. Grant now, when you need him the most?" the voice surrounding Bessie taunted.

As he was leaving, Marc turned to look the Thorn straight in the eye. He winked, gave an almost imperceptibly quick thumbs-up, and disappeared into the black hallway to seek out his fate in the principal's office.

"Well, Dr. Grant may have me beat for brawn, you've got me there," Bessie conceded. "It's true, I may not be a swashbuckling hunk with superpowers temporarily granted to him by the lunar god of the Aztecs, but I am proud of what I am: I am…an anthropologist!"

Her body was coming back to her. She felt her legs again. They were frail, pathetic little ten-year-old human legs, but they somehow supported her nonetheless. Her mind was returning as well, sane and conscious and billowing with righteous anger. Next would be her voice. She turned to the Teacher, looked him in the face. The glitter of inherent masculine certainty in her eyes wavered, and he came to stand in front of her. Her eyes were almost level with his.

"How dare you make a mockery of my classroom," he said, so softly that only the two of them, and of course, any gods watching silently over the scene, could hear the menace that slicked over his words. "You're disrespectful, immature, a self-serving little s—" his gaze flicked distastefully downward, to just below her cursed skirt, and back up at her, "well, you know what."

He turned back to the other students. "No one is to speak to her for the rest of the day. If I see any of you so much as look at her, it'll be a detention."

The Thorn's voice had clawed its way out of its prison of shame; it was bursting through the surface—

"You're sick." The words poured from her soul before she knew she was saying them. "You're a horrible teacher, and an evil, sick, perverted man. I will never, ever forget what you did to me today, even after I'm dead."

The teacher's face darkened. (No tree can ascend to the light of Heaven if it doesn't descend to the depths of hell.) "Well," he said, all pretenses abandoned, no longer the well-meaning teacher, but an adult man confronting an equal. "Is that all?"

It was not. "You'll get what's coming to you," she spat, speaking from somewhere outside of herself, "even if it takes a million years, you'll get what you deserve. All evil people do. God or the universe, whatever's out there, because you know there's something, they'll make sure you pay for how you treated people like me." She stepped down from the chair and walked out of the classroom. No one followed.

The school hallway stretched before her like a liminal nightmare. Somewhere down at the end, Marc was receiving gods-know-what kind of punishment for standing up for her. A throb of remorse went through the Thorn's heart as her earlier words came back to her like the aftershock of an earthquake: You're the meanest person ever, I hate you, I never want to play at your house ever again! Then the anticlimactic phip of her palm against his cheek.

The thrill of her victory over the Teacher had all but drained away. In its place was the ripe, purplish stickiness of shame, soaking and dripping over her insides. She felt it oozing from her heart, down her lungs, trickling over her ribs one by one, and at last laying to fester and congeal at the bottom of her chest cavity.

"You'll get what's coming to you," she had said to the Teacher, "even if it takes a million years, you'll get what you deserve." And she was no better than him, really. Marc was her friend. He had been joking with her, trying to make her laugh, and she had screamed abuse and attacked him. And even after that, he had defended her when she had no voice to defend herself.

In the end, she was no different from the Teacher. A person who hurt other people for no reason.

She turned back to the door of the classroom. It gaped, vacuous, a silent challenge. Behind her was the cryptlike hallway to the principal's office. To her left, a window was open just wide enough for a small body to slip through and escape into the beckoning woods.

Her options were few, and all equally inadvisable, but one was easier than the others by a large degree. Before another thought could invade her head, she swung a leg over the windowsill and struggled through to the sticky outdoors. The trees welcomed her, a lost fugitive desperate for sanctuary, and she vanished into a wall of green.

She walked until the August heat had made a nest of discomfort in her parched throat and her legs, slashed into bloody stripes by the choking undergrowth, screamed for rest. Somewhere to hide, that's all she needed. A special place just for her.

The forest heard her need, and all at once the cave was known to her. The narrow archway of its black mouth howled a soft, mournful promise: Safe here.

After stopping to craft a makeshift slingshot using a lopsided Y-shaped stick and a hair elastic from her wrist (Dr. Grant warned Rosser never to enter a mysterious cavern without a method of self-defense handy), the Thorn plunged into her new home. This, she thought, would work just fine. It was dark, sure, but she would teach herself to make fire by rubbing two sticks together, and besides, that wouldn't be a concern until nighttime. Every home needs a bed, so she gathered a heap of pine needles from the forest floor and spread them in a crude rectangular shape on the damp stone ground of the cave. By the time she was finished with these preliminary moving-in essentials, her throat was a furious desert fire of thirst. When her attempt to use a fallen leaf as a makeshift cup failed, and since no one was around to scold her for bad manners anyway, she dropped to all fours, pressed her face to one of the tepid puddles that dotted the cave's floor, and slurped until the filthy water was nearly gone.

Then she crawled to her pine needle bed, where she fell asleep thinking of her wallpaper at home, a jocular pattern of alternating hippos and crocodiles making an enthusiastic but fruitless attempt to dance ballet. She loved that wallpaper. She would miss it. Perhaps she could recreate it on the walls of her new home, like the cavemen did. But what will I use for paint? was her last thought before sinking away into sleep.

[amplifyme]

S3 underway!

Though Lovers Be Lost: You weren't lying when you warned me about the over-the-top summary. XD This episode got me, btw-- showing how V and C's dynamic could change and thrive, Vincent struggling, and Cathy wanting to celebrate their new gift only for Gabriel to claim it (literally believing in gifts now) as his own. Cathy's death was no her fault; and I'm glad, because it's more tragic and honoring to the best in her character rather diminishing it with another thoughtless action. Father and the community just waiting outside the tunnel for V and C got me laughing... little did anyone know. Vincent not remembering at first, his face very Buster when he was brought back home, slowly regaining names and his normal memories (the constellations with Father and Father realizing he's healed enough to joke with), and struggling over the loss of their bond... which, all told, was the worst thing to happen to the both of them. His tenuous bond with his son is intriguing. Cathy's betrayal (Moreno is brilliant), torture, imprisonment, labor, and death was cruel, cruel, cruel; but I am so glad the writers gave her dignity and strength. Gabriel: really enthralled with his character. Eyyyy, Elliot and eyy Bruch's right-hand man. Eyyyy Joe (though Joe forgets Cathy's special someone in the next ep., or assumes it's Elliot Burch.) Moreno: stellar.

Walk Slowly: Top-tier. The new theme song-- I LOVE IT. Vincent's walk as he carries Cathy's body back to her apartment; and his vigil until dawn forces him to go. His and Below's mourning was exemplary. Joe's tears and shaky and referral to Diana and meeting Diana was fantastic. DIANA. DIANA, DIANA, DIANA. I love her. I never would have imagined her so serious-- for some reason, I read her voice as fast talking, higher pitched-- a far cry from measured and deliberate. Her case... and jumping into a new one. I adore that Diana "met" Catherine first, and really connected with her through her little doll. (I also noticed that she seems to get flashes or insights by touching objects... hmmmmm.) Mark took me by surprise, wonder how long he's going to be around. Her interrogation of both Joe and Elliot was spectacular. Vincent finally seeking out Father, and Father knowing Vincent's grief and guiding him through it... wow. Vincent's fight with the Other, Catherine's necklace, remembering her words, shocking Father to death with the revelation. Joe and Jen and the FUNERAL-- all the people Above and Below. Diana observing everyone, marking their pictures with question marks (and Father with the most.) The children hugging Vincent while the others are at the funeral.... Diana's contemplation and Vincent visiting the grave after dark. Wonderful, wonderful episode.

I'll stop there; but I am seriously addicted and want to watch more and more. I love everything about S3 and it's making me way, way too happy for so unhappy a time in the characters' lives. :DDDDD

Here we gooooo...

Though Lovers Be Lost. I'm going to address a few things you've written and then pose a few questions.

Cathy's death was no her fault; and I'm glad, because it's more tragic and honoring to the best in her character rather diminishing it with another thoughtless action.

Yes! I've always thought, given the corner the creative staff had been shoved into by circumstances beyond their control, and knowing there was no way they were going to please all the fans, they did a tremendous job of making sure Cathy's death had meaning and some dignity and that the events that followed it honored her and her impact on V's life and the lives of all those she loved.

Father and the community just waiting outside the tunnel for V and C got me laughing... little did anyone know.

C'mon, how ridiculous was that? I snicker every time Mouse says, "So quiet." Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the two most quiet lovers in the history of ever. And exactly how long did they wait before Father decided to go in after them? And how did Cathy manage to undress an unconscious 200+ pound man, ravish him, and then redress him? I still have so many questions about this opening scene. It could have been so much better. But then I remember that Linda Hamilton was ripely pregnant when this was shot and had only agreed to 10 hours of filming for these first two episodes and likely wasn't up to a love scene - supposing they'd even considered shooting one. Not going to say any more about the whole lava and roses thing either. Like GRRM said, at that point the writers were scrambling and doing the best they could with what they had. Let's move on to better things, shall we?

struggling over the loss of their bond... which, all told, was the worst thing to happen to the both of them.

Here's the first of the questions I'd like to ask you. Any theories as to why the bond was lost? Because that's a debate for the ages and I'm always up for digging into that.

Yes, it was a bad thing to have happen. But I also think it was inevitable.

I also think Cathy was very ambivalent about having the baby once the initial shock of her pregnancy wore off. She looked distressed when she went to visit the nursery after she got the news. And then there was her daydream about telling Vincent, and his less-than-thrilled reaction. I know from a storytelling standpoint that she couldn't tell him she was pregnant when she went Below to do just that, and I love the way she was so gentle with him and her speech about gifts lost and found, but I've always wondered what would have happened if she'd told him then.

Are you picking up on the signs that Vincent possibly walked out of that cave more comfortably integrated with parts of Buster's personality than we'd seen before? We know he's stressed out and frantic, searching for Cathy, but he also seems less... patient overall. Less willing to swallow down the kind of emotions he would have before the cave and the madness, maybe? Thoughts?

His tenuous bond with his son is intriguing.

Yes, it is. Especially when you consider that he thought his bond with Cathy was being restored and it wasn't that at all. I love how he actually empathically experienced the birth of his son but didn't know that's what it was. He was convinced Cathy was on that helicopter with Gabriel and didn't have any idea she was wasn't until she called out to him. And he didn't have to "feel her go" again, as he did in The Watcher, and I'm so grateful for that, because once is enough. I also like that it took a while before her revelation to him about what happened in the cave and their son sunk in (after finding her crystal there, mid-fight with Buster).

Gabriel: really enthralled with his character.

I'll admit it: I love Gabriel. He's the perfect nemesis for Vincent at this point in his journey. He's batshit crazy, but in a whole different way than Paracelsus. And he has some of the best lines. Stephen McHattie nailed this role.

I noticed, too, that Joe seemed to have forgotten the convo he had with Cathy at the beginning of TLBL. I decided to chalk it up to it being late at night and he was tired and it was more than six months later that Diana questioned him.

Speaking of, I'm going to take the rest of the discussion of Walk Slowly over to its own post. See ya there in a bit!

[project1939]

Day 69- Film: Limelight 

Release date: October 23rd, 1952. 

Studio: United Artists 

Genre: Comedy/Drama 

Director: Charlie Chaplin 

Producer: Charlie Chaplin 

Actors: Charlie Chaplin, Claire Bloom, Sydney Chaplin, Nigel Bruce, Norman Lloyd, Buster Keaton 

Plot Summary: A washed up old Music Hall comedian saves his pretty young neighbor from committing suicide. He nurses her back to health and inspires her to dance as a ballerina again. Once she’s doing well, she tries to help him with his career, like he helped with hers. Things get complicated when she confesses she loves him and wants to get married. 

My Rating (out of five stars): ***½ 

This is another film that is hard to rate as a whole for me, because it was so mixed. A lot of it was moving and interesting. But then a girl barely more than 18 falls in love with a 63 year old man.  

The Good: 

Charlie Chaplin. He’s a star in every sense of the word- you can’t take your eyes off him. He can be funny, pathetic, sweet, and mentally tortured, and he does it all affectingly. Seeing him play a character confronting the decline in his career and his own mortality was almost hard to watch sometimes, because I cared about both this character and the real Chaplin himself. 

Claire Bloom. Her character was kind of boring in a lot of ways, but she transcended the material with her charm and warmth. 

All of the side characters/actors. There were lots of fun and interesting characters in this, and the acting was top notch all around. Even Chaplin’s son, who played Bloom’s young love interest, was good. You wouldn’t think he was cast only because of nepotism.  

Chaplin and Keaton! There is a long sequence of scenes near the end of the movie where Keaton plays another washed up comedian who is friends with Chaplin’s character. The two of them talk backstage and then perform a comedy routine together. Even though the routine isn’t the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen, watching Keaton and Chaplin together was absolutely priceless. I almost couldn’t believe it was happening. (Keaton’s old “stone face” still made me giggle a lot, btw!)

Chaplin resisting the love of Bloom. At least Chaplin mostly tried to discourage this young girl from marrying him. He never 100 percent committed to pushing her away, though. 

The mixture of comedy and pathos. This film probably lands more on the drama side than the comedy, but I liked that there was a strong mixture of both. 

The Bad: 

Bloom as a very young woman falling in love with the elderly Chaplin. It was weird enough, but Chaplin is a man with a long and disturbing history of marrying teenagers. I hated that the plot went there. For most of the beginning of the movie, I literally kept saying to myself, “Please don’t make her fall in love with him! Please!” When she did, I was angry. Why couldn’t he have saved a more mature woman, even someone in her 30s? Why couldn’t he and Bloom just have had a very sweet father and daughter or grandfather and granddaughter relationship? I don’t understand why anyone would write this, unless he was a 60-ish actor and wanted to play out a plot with a beautiful young girl. It was made more ludicrous when a handsome and kind young man she used to have a serious crush on vies for her affection. She flatly refuses him, saying she’s marrying Chaplin. 

I know I have a pet peeve about bad rear projection, but this had some terrible rear projection in it! Thankfully it was only a few scenes. 

The melodrama at the very end was a little too much for me.  

[diegogio]

Crackhead au: no more heroes x danganronpa au

Synopsis: chiaki survives the death trap but with no recollection but a bitch who not only tortured her but dozens of people as well for some reason. The person who saves her is actually soda. He wasn't there during the despair brainwash as he was busy with a loved one being in need (trust me it connects with the au) with the help of miu he helps chiaki be fixed however she s much more rude and just angry nowadays. As the world becomes a shitter she gets a beam katana off of ebay and encounters izuru who has found interest in chiaki. He says that junko is deciding a new game as the danganronpa one had some malfunctioning so instead she has something better. A chance of killing the remnants of despair and become the number 1 killer in the world. There are 11 ranks and 13 people bunched up for it and yes they are connected to the assins of nmh1.

Rank11: twogami felt perfect helter skelter as both are apparently "perfect" at their jobs but are the first being axed off at the beginning

Rank10: honestly i didn't know where i would put teru and i guess his kitchen blade is similar to deth metal but its a stretch

Rank 9: this one was perfect as id definitely would see kuzuryu be singing in an empty stadium like dr peace. I added peko because tbh they fit perfect together and makes the fight more interesting

Rank 8: if you're thinking dark skin relation fuck you. if you're thinking shinobu and akane are strong but good hearted women yes thank you.

Rank7: do i need to explain this one look at destroyman s returns and nekomaru for god sake

Rank6: again same with teruteru. Mahiru and holly at least have the same haircut :/

Rank5: yeah mikan deserves a better death so letz shake has a good replacement

Rank4: both hiyoko and ibuki would be stage frwaks like harvey in despair mode minus the russian accent

Speed buster was hard; as in extremely difficult to replace. That is until i realized i could replace her with the oldest woman in the class with their teacher and have a better role implemented than dgr3 think of

Rank 2: ok so you realize how i excluded gundam from the ranks. I plan to play badman s role (nmh3 role is still in process btw) . So having sonia be badgirl being a crazy bitch and all is pretty cool

Rank1: ok how about junko is like dark star the big bad you ve been waiting for. Only for mukuro to come in kill her sister the jeane way and get a bigger despair and psychologically fucked up backstory that makes chiaki shocked. A bit weird but i think it fits.

Rank?????: nagito as henry is good dont @ me.

As for izuru i feel he has a did with the experiment being a bit fucked and hajime being able to be a great con artist like sylvia idk

As for people who survive you ll see

Fun fact. The dgr composer did the nmh1 ost which is awesome

[waveypedia]

they don’t know you like i do

Rymin Week Day 5: Birthdays

1 2 4 6 7

Ao3

~

Ryan wakes up to a sloppy cheek kiss.

“Mmmm,” he sighs, unconsciously leaning into the source. It’s something soft and warm, and unquestionably familiar and comforting even to his sleep-addled brain. For a minute he slumps drowsily against the warm lump, whatever it is, until it unfortunately moves away. What a tragedy. The universe truly is against him. Just him against the world…

A hand, gentle yet firm, shakes his shoulder. “C’mon, Ry. Time to wake up.”

“Ughhhh,” Ryan mumbles, rolling flat on his back. His eyes don’t want to open. “Not yet.”

If Ryan was more conscious, he’d register the laughter in the other’s voice. “Today’s an important day. Do you remember?”

Ryan sat up, blearily rubbing at his eyes. “Izzit a show day?”

“No, not yet.” Ryan’s eyes opened just in time to see a slightly-blurry but nonetheless beautiful Min hovering in front of his face with an excited yet bashful smile. Ryan couldn’t help a smile of his own, just looking at his handsome boyfriend. Yet all thoughts were dashed when Min leaned in for a kiss, effectively cutting off all of Ryan’s brainpower.

When Min finally pulls away, he is grinning euphorically. “Happy birthday, Ryan.”

Ryan leans into Min’s shoulder. “Happy birthday, Min.”

After a few more kisses, Ryan reluctantly slips out of the warm bed (or lack thereof) and shakes himself awake. The sun is just barely peeking over the horizon, and the interior of the van is shrouded in long shadows. Min, who has never truly taken to getting up early, is starting to droop.

Ryan wraps an arm around his boyfriend. “Not that I don’t want snuggles, Min, but I’m guessing you woke me up for a reason?”

“Oh! Right. Yes.” Min shakes himself, rubbing fatigue out of his eyes, and stands up straight. Ryan scrambles to stand as well so he doesn’t lose his grip.

Min turns and makes eye contact, smirking mischievously. “Check outside.”

“Hmm?” Ryan makes for the van’s back door, tugging a sleepy but excited Min along with him. He opens it and sees… “Wait. We’re here?”

Min grins at him. “Yeah, I did some late-night driving so we could have the whole day to ourselves.”

Ryan laughs, euphoria tinging his voice. His emotions felt uncontrollable and unstable from sleep. He was still in that half-awake state where his emotions hadn’t quite settled yet, and all he could feel was a tidal wave of happiness and love. Affection for his amazing boyfriend.

“Miiiiin,” he faux-whines, squeezing Min’s side. “But now you’re gonna be all tired! And I want to spend time together on our birthday!”

Min coughs lightly, his cheeks coated with a heavy blush. “Well- I- I didn’t drive for too long, Ryan. I’ll be fine.”

Ryan gives Min a long, measuring look, then shrugs. “If you say so. You know yourself best, and I trust you. I’ll be watching you, though, buster,” he says warningly, pointing his fingers at his eyes and then Min’s own.

Min chuckles, somewhat awkwardly. “If it gets to be too much, I’ll say something. I promise, Ryan.”

“Good.” Ryan leans against Min’s side, before changing his mind and pulling his boyfriend into a full hug. “Now let’s go celebrate our birthday, huh? We have two years to make up for!”

Min leans down to rest his chin on Ryan’s shoulder. “I am more than ready.” 

--

They check into the hotel and unpack as quickly as possible. They’re used to getting situated quickly, (all those late nights performing made for good experience) but this time their haste is borne out of excitement instead of fatigue. Once they’re settled, they spent a little while lying on the bed, just cuddling and enjoying each other’s company.

Min lovingly brushes his fingers through Ryan’s hair. He’s done it so many times now since they first embarked on their tour, but Ryan will never get tired of it. He leans his head back into Min’s soothing touch.

He could stay like this forever, but unfortunately, that is not in store. He and Min have a few errands to run. They don’t quite feel like errands, though. Not when they’re spent in the company of each other.

They make a quick stop at the local supermarket for food and supplies. They’re nearly finished, and Min is already outside checking around for an Asian market. Ryan is about to pay and join him, but then his eyes catch on something magnificent.

“Min!! Min, come here! Come look at this!!”

“What?” Min is inside in an instant, eyes wide and hair messy. He looks slightly panicked, and he’s breathing heavier than normal. For a minute Ryan feels guilty for worrying him, but then Min relaxes at the sight of Ryan excited and unharmed. It’s all he can do to keep from bouncing on the balls of his feet - and as Min’s expression shifts from worried to curious, Ryan’s enthusiasm wins out.

“Look at this!!” Ryan gestures to a row of boxes behind him exuberantly.

Min frowns at the shelf, brow furrowed. Ryan can catalogue the moment he notices what Ryan’s trying to show him, because his eyes light up and he breaks out in a grin. “Brownie mix?! Oh, Ryan, you genius!” Min wraps him up in a hug, and Ryan grins into his chest. “We have to make this!”

“You read my mind,” Ryan says as soon as Min lets him go. He grabs a box and places it carefully in the shopping basket.

At the checkout counter, both he and Min can barely contain their excitement. They keep shooting each other mischievous, eager grins every few seconds. The cashier seems slightly curious, but evidently grows tired of them after a few minutes and rings them up with more than a few eye rolls. Once they’ve paid, they practically book it out of the shop, still giggling uncontrollably to themselves.

They can’t wait to make it back to the hotel. The rest of the shopping, usually a fun activity where they discuss all the new (and in Ryan’s case, cursed) food combinations they can try in their budget, feels much more like the chore others regularly lament it to be.

 But at last, they make it back. At the sight of the hotel parking lot, they break into a run that doesn’t even stop for the stairs, laughing all the while.

The hotel, of course, has a concierge bell. On impulse, Ryan sneaks back down while the concierge is on break and snatches it, overcome with mischevious giggles like a young child.

When he presents it to Min, safely back in their rooms, he blanches. “Ryan! You can’t just do that! We could get into so much trouble!”

“Ah, I’ll return it when we're done. And I won’t get caught. Don’t worry.” Ryan waves him off, brushing past him from where they stand in front of the closed door. Even though it costs money they don’t have, they’ve sprung for a little kitchenette this time. After all, when can you treat yourself (and your amazing partner) if not on your birthday(s)?

Ryan sets Not-Kez on top of the mini-fridge, in perfect view of his and Min’s tiny cooking spot. “Just like old times, eh, Min?”

“Not in the slightest,” Min says, sounding like he’s torn between a groan and a snort.

“Yeah, I know. This dull thing could never compare to the real Kez.” Ryan brushes his fingers over the disappointingly not-sentient bell, not dissimilar to how Min comforted Kez when she was upset. “It’s not nearly snarky enough.”

That gets a real snort out of Min. “Not counting the weird gravity, giant pig-baby, sentient porcelain cow, and giant kitchen.”

“Don’t forget the post-war American cookbook,” Ryan adds. “Brownies were the only good thing they had.”

“And the only thing we care to replicate.” Min starts pulling ingredients out of their shopping bag. He places the coveted brownie mix in its place of honor next to Kez. “Hey, at least we have butter.”

Ryan laughs. “Just don’t put the butter in the microwave, and we’re good. That goes for you too,” he adds, faux-stern, wagging his finger at Not-Kez.

Unsurprisingly, Not-Kez does not respond. Just another reason why the real Kez is superior.

“This is way easier with regular-size ingredients,” Min comments.

Ryan bursts out laughing, brushing Not-Kez in his haste to keep his balance. “Really? Who would’ve known?”

Min glances back at him, rolling his eyes. “Go back to your humble brownie expert act, please.”

“I am but a simple man,” Ryan parrots dramatically, clutching at his shirt like Min had done all those months ago. “A simple brownie man.”

Min laughs. “All right, all right, that’s enough out of you. Here’s your toothpick, so we can check for fudgieness. You know, so it’s not cake.”

Ryan bows. “Of course, of course, Your Honor.”

Min’s responding giggle is enough to sustain Ryan for years to come. Brownies aside.

--

After the brownies are done, they curl up in bed with the tray. It’s torture waiting for the brownies to cool down, but a hospital visit from burns would certainly put a damper on their birthday. Not to mention cut into their already lacking budget and tight schedule.

“We’re going to get crumbs in the bed,” Min grumbles when Ryan presents him with a properly-cooled brownie. “Have you ever slept on crumbs, Ryan? Do you know how fun it is?”

“You say that like I don't eat in my bed all the time,” Ryan replies flippantly. He sits down next to Min and purposefully takes the biggest bite possible. They both watch as crumbs scatter onto the bed. Min sighs.

Ryan pauses. “Or. Well. I did.”

“You are literally sitting in your bed right now, leaving crumbs,” Min says, poking Ryan in the side playfully. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes, though. When their gazes lock, Min conveys a silent message. Are you okay?  

Ryan nods. Min relaxes, and grudgingly grabs a brownie. “Hmm. These are good.”

Ryan laughs. “Well, what did you expect? They were made by the brownie experts, after all. Or have you forgotten?”

“Forgive me for doubting cheap grocery store mix,” Min deadpans. His smile has returned in full, which in turn only brings a matching smile to Ryan’s face. “But it is quite good.”

“I agree.” Ryan downs his brownie. Somehow, he gets the feeling they won’t be talking much while they eat.

They devour the majority of the pan. It’s with some effort and self-restraint on both of their parts that they finally put the tray away - they both want leftovers, but fresh, warm brownies are difficult to refuse. In the end, the afternoon slips away, dangerously towards dinnertime, and the brownies end up safely stowed in their bag.

Dinner is a quieter affair after the brownie debacle, but it’s no less fun. They head downstairs to find a good restaurant in the area. (And so Ryan can drop off the inferior Kez - he nearly gets caught by the concierge, but slips away just in time. He catches her looking around, baffled, at the mysteriously appearing and disappearing concierge bell as they leave. Min shoots him a glare that feels like it could kill him, but in the end they escape unscathed.) After they make their escape, they end up at a small place with a live band playing on the corner stage.

Ryan nudges Min. “That could’ve been us, you know.”

“Maybe next time we pass through this town,” Min agrees. “But… thanks. I know you would’ve performed on your birthday if it was up to you, but I appreciate you spending it with me.”

Ryan rolls his eyes, although he’s smiling. Perhaps a little too emotionally. “Please, I’d be spending time with you even if we were playing,” he reminds Min. “But really. It’s nothing. I’m just happy to be with you, however we spend our time.”

Min reaches across the table to take Ryan’s hand. His eyes are shining in the soft candlelight. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Ryan smiles affectionately. His heart feels like it’s full to bursting. His vision is getting a little blurry. “I think I do, Min. Because I feel exactly the same way.”

Min’s responding smile is enough to make Ryan’s entire year.

--

The rest of the night is a blur after that. All Ryan really remembers is that he had fun and that he somehow loves Min even more than he did before. Which should be impossible, but it’s the truth.

They end up curled up in the bed together. Right as always, Min complains about crumbs, but his heart isn’t in it.

They don’t stay up too late. As much as Ryan loves his party-filled late nights of adrenaline and bad decisions, they both got up quite early. By the time Min’s arms are tucked securely around him, Ryan is asleep in an instant.

 Well, not quite.

He’s in that state of almost-asleep-but-not-really when whatever visually discernible features the hotel room has in darkness are starting to blur beyond recognition when Min says it.

“I love you, Ryan.”

Ryan leans back, cuddling himself into Min. “I love you too.”

~

oh god this is so late again why can i please stop getting inspiration boosts exclusively at 9pm (i did write 1.5k words in an hour though that's not bad!)

i keep eating on my bed and then every night i'm like god what are these CRUMBS who brought fucking CRUMBS into my bed how dare you skdfhgfkdsk this fic is just projection but in the weirdest, most mundane ways

the beginning of this is actually the first thing i wrote for rymin week! i wrote it a week or so before after i finally figured out my prompt ideas (thank you for talking it out with me sae) and then proceeded to write nothing else but day 1 before the event began skhfjksl. i'm a mess thank you for coming

the worst part of writing post-train is the lack of kez. in a perfect world she got off the train with min and ryan and she and morgan became their floating concierge bell and castle road trip friends. i miss herrrrr

title is from masterpiece theater iii by marianas trench. i rediscovered this song a few months ago after years of not listening to it but the warriors map to it used to be my favorite thing years ago. the actual video didn't come out until i was nearly done with the books but i used to watch the planning video over and over again

if you ever wanna talk infinity train, writing, these amazing characters, or really anything hmu here on my tumblr or twitter! thank you for reading, and please leave a reblog/like/comment if you enjoyed it!

@ryminweek

[funkyrabbit]

i am losing my MIND over arthur’s first day

i fucking loved this special, i’d give it a 9/10 only because the character models and animation suck as usual, but other than that i was really impressed. samir is great, and alex finally has more depth after 20+ years!

the rest is tl;dr bc it’s just me going absolutely feral as i watched the episode but i’m posting it anyway

*spoilers*

- dw said she’s five, so arthur is nine? they’re all officially a year older? will they still be a year older in all future episodes?? i have so many questions 

- dw making arthur into her packmule and making him carry her shit, lol love it

- buster wishing dw gl on her first day of kindergarten was wholesome af whY IS THIS BOY SO SWEET

- ARTHUR STILL HAS HIS LUCKY PENCIL?? OMG

- YAMLET IS ALIVE ??? he was turned into french fries at the end of “prunella the packrat” what is this 😂😂 buster has more than one yamlet...

- buster and his rock shaped like iowa

- buster’s lucky hat from “friday the 13th”!

- ”anyway you two should probably be split up. you’re a bad influence on each other” DW YOU DID NOT JUST TELL THEM TO BREAK UP

THEIR FACES

- francine and muffy riding to school in muffy’s limo eating quiches was the most sapphic thing that’s happened in recent eps and i’m Loving it

- binky getting mr. ratburn for the third time in a row 😂

- i still have no idea how mrs. grimslid went from pe coach to teaching fourth grade??

- ARTHUR AND BUSTER ARE IN SEPARATE CLASSES ???? WHAT?? 😭 NOOOOO

- “I guess I should’ve brought my lucky pencil” oh NOOO 😭

- buster clinging to his horseshoe in fear as he walks in the opposite direction of mr. ratburn’s class...aww...

- OK UHHH I DO NOT LIKE MRS. GRIMSLID SHE’S MAKING BUSTER SO UNCOMFORTABLE LIKE GO BACK TO THE GYM AND LET BUSTER BE W/ ARTHUR IN MR. RATBURN’S CLASS 😭 SHE MADE HIM TAKE OFF HIS HAT!

- kevin is chill. i like kevin

- samir is adorable!! i love his card tricks aaaa

- this girl who speaks italian tryna flex 😂😂 i can’t

- they put “dora” on dw’s name tag rip

- dw’s teacher is so cute,, they have the same name,,

- A;LEX IS SPEAKGFIN???

- ALEX HASN’T SPOKEN IN LIKE 23 SEASONS. THIS IS HUGE.

- “i love the drawings. they’re so detailed” i love how alex’s comic has better art than this animation 😂 seriously oasis??

- jenna and brain staring at alex and arthur as they talk abt the comic: 👁👄👁

- “you and i have been in the same class for years, but we’ve never really had a conversation” breaking the fourth wall lol

- i know it’s a terrible recolor but i like mr. ratburn’s new suit!! the color of the tie looks a little out of place but other than that it’s v nice!!

- pls someone save francine from getting tortured by tommy tibble that is a fate worse than death

- I CAN’T?? REMEMBER ANOTHER TIME WHERE WE SAW BOTH OF MOLLY’S EYES THIS CLEARLY?? this episode is making history

- MUFFY PAN AND TINKER BAILEY ARE GIVING ME LIFE

- “learning directions is very grown up, i just use an app” relatable

- IM SOBBING ARTHUR’S HAVING AN IMAGINE SPOT WHERE HE CREATES A PORTAL INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION W BUSTER -

- THEY’RE HOLDIGN HANDS AHHHHHHHHH

- THEY’RE TRYING TO HOLD ON TO EAHC OTHERS’ HANDS BUT THEY CAN’T OH NOOOOO

- arthur got separated from buster and he’s holding onto his lucky horseshoe 😭 

- 86 year old arthur is married to 86 year old buster and is just pulling 9 year old arthur’s leg about not knowing him. fight me

- ”I don’t want any other best friends. i want buster!” okay but this isn’t the first time this has happened. arthur has these anxiety-induced imagine spots whenever he has the slightest idea he might lose buster as his best friend and vice versa. these boys care about each other so much 😭

- the tough customers creating “project icebreaker” was so wholesome i rly love how in the newer seasons the writers gave the tough customers way more depth, they’re not really bullies anymore but i kinda like that

- emily and muffy bonding at the end was actually p wholesome...i wonder why the writers really didn’t have them interact before. it really does seem like they’d get along.

- alright i’m dying to know if they’ll still be in third grade in the next episode 😂

[busterkeatonfanfic]

Chapter 30

The idea came about as they were sitting in the semi-dark watching the previous day’s rushes of Snap Shots on the retractable projector. It was the rough stuff before the cuts, several takes of him being jostled by the crowd thronging to see the ticker-tape parade and being thrown against Marceline, falling more in love over her shoulder as he scented her perfume. Nelly laughed more than he expected her to. There were even a couple belly laughs. 

When he turned to her for an explanation, she ran her hand over the top of his head and to the base. “Oh Buster, your face,” she said, combing her fingers through his hair and caressing him. “I don’t know how you make it do that, but it always tells everything.”

Hearing that cheered him up. With the premiere of Steamboat nearing, he’d started to feel nervous about the critics again, which in turn made him nervous about Snap Shots. What if it was another turkey and the writers were right all along with their dictionary-sized script? Encouraged, he told her a little about where he thought the film was heading and she nodded, agreeing with his plot. 

“I ought to go wash my hair or I’ll lose the will,” she said, when there was a lull in the conversation. 

“Aw, forget your hair,” he said. He was having the time of his life showing her the pleasures of the Villa and was reluctant to call it night. 

“Absolutely not. Now it smells like chlorine, anyway.” 

He’d been able to persuade her into the pool before night had fallen. She wouldn’t hear of wearing one of Nate’s bathing suits, and was probably right that they wouldn’t have fit her bosom. Instead, she wore one of his one-piece suits and they splashed for an hour, challenging each other to races and engaging in a little idle necking. They hadn’t redressed afterwards, just donned cotton robes from the bathhouse and walked around the house in bare feet. Caruthers cooked ribs for dinner with asparagus and French-cooked new potatoes on the side, and they’d eaten in the breakfast room. 

“Chlorine-schmorine,” he said.

“I’m serious,” she said, withdrawing her hand. She gave him a playful but firm prod. “C’mon, Mr. Cameraman.”

“Oh, thinking about becoming a Ziegfried Girl?”

It was a joke, but as he took her upstairs to his bedroom it occurred to him that he did have a camera. He’d bought it over the winter, only to realize he had nothing to shoot. Natalie didn’t like the daredevil poses he put the boys in, calling them ‘dangerous,’ and he wasn’t about to aim the camera at her dour face after she lectured him. So he put it in a corner of one of his closets and forgot about it. A hitch of excitement went through his stomach as he entered the bathroom with Nelly. She would get into the water and she would be naked. 

“May I?” said Nelly, gesturing to the clawfoot tub. 

He nodded, throat going a little dry.

She sat on the edge and turned on the taps, keeping her fingers under the stream of water until it was to her liking, then plugging the drain. 

“I’m not going to get a lick of privacy, am I?” she said, lifting an eyebrow. 

He shook his head. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” 

She rolled her eyes and half-smiled at him. While the tub filled, she stood at the porcelain sink and went through the familiar motions of letting down her hair. He sat on the toilet seat looking up at her and smoking a cigarette, pretending not to be as interested as he really was. She brushed her hair with his silver hairbrush after unpinning it. It was halfway down her back, and so thick she had to hold sections up to brush the under layers. Once she’d finished with her hair, she turned off the bathtub taps and gave him an exasperated look, although he could see she was teasing. The cotton robe came off. He didn’t have much of a chance to admire the way his bathing suit looked on her much curvier frame before she shucked it down. He whistled.

“Hush,” she said, dipping a leg into the tub. She put the other leg in, sat down, and examined his selection of shampoos and soaps. He could have offered her Natalie’s more expensive shampoos, all scented like flowers, but knew she wouldn’t have it. So cocoa nut oil shampoo it was. She drew up her knees and disappeared into the tub, dunking her head, and sat up with her hair drenched. He looked at her bubs, the rich brownness of her hair, and knew he wanted to fix the sight forever. He ignored her questions as he stepped out of the room, went into the hall, and turned on the lights in his closet. The camera and tripod were where he’d left them. He grabbed them and stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray on his way back to the bathroom. 

Buster liked Nelly for so many reasons, and to them he added the fact that she didn’t bat an eye when he returned to the room with the camera. “I hope you’re not thinking of using those photos for Snap Shots,” she said coolly, as he set the tripod up a yard from the bathtub. He opened up the camera, withdrew the bellows, and fixed it in place.

Nelly hummed, scrubbing her head with shampoo. “We’re all alone, no chaperone, can’t get our number. The world’s in slumber—let’s misbehave!” she sang. 

He laughed. “I’m trying, but it takes an age to set this damned thing up.” He screwed it on the tripod and inched it forward to adjust the focus.

“They say the spring means just one thing to little lovebirds …”

“We’re not above birds,” he countered. 

“Let’s misbehave!” they finished together, and laughed. 

“Okay, think I’ve got it just about right,” he said. He felt for the cable of the shutter release and clicked it. 

“Say, where are you going to have these developed?” she said, pausing in her lathering. “I don’t want anyone else to see them.”

He clicked the shutter again, capturing her quizzical expression and the way her raised arms lifted her bubs. “Got a darkroom of my own, honey.” There was one in the detached shed on the Villa grounds where he cut film, though he’d never used it. 

“Oh.” She resumed lathering. “That’s fine.” 

He noticed that she couldn’t pile her hair atop her head when she washed it, but rather started at the top and worked her way down to the long coil lying against her shoulder. For a minute, he didn’t click the shutter, but simply watched her add shampoo and lather, humming “Let’s Misbehave.” A feeling swam in him that had nothing to do with lust. He shook it off and said, “Look at me. Chin up.”

Nelly pursed her lips and thrust her chin at him, giving him a saucy look. He clicked the shutter. She laughed at herself in the aftermath and he clicked the shutter. She crossed her arms across the edge of the bathtub, her bubs settled across them, and his lust returned lightning-fast. 

“You’ve got great tits,” he said, wanting to see if he could get her to blush on camera. He knew she half-hated, half-loved when he used language like that with her. 

“Bus,” she admonished. As predicted, there was the blush. 

He clicked. “What about touching one of ‘em?” 

She clucked her tongue, but cupped one breast and stared at him like she couldn’t wait to be fucked. His pulse was starting to thud in his ears. He straightened from his crouch and moved the tripod closer. Nelly gathered her hair in a bunch at the crown of her head and thrust her chest at him, smiling. It was a beautiful pose. “Now I’ve got to do the part that takes forever, rinsing.”

Buster peeked out from behind the camera. “You could rinse out in the shower.”

“If I do, will I have company?” She leaned forward on the tub again, her bubs so full and inviting he could practically feel them in his mouth. 

He nodded, his throat dry again, and stood so he could start the shower. When he announced the temperature was right, Nelly scurried, dripping, across the floor and into the metal cage. She flung her head back and the white shampoo foam sluiced down her hair and into the drain. Buster shed his robe and bathing suit and stepped into the shower, and she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him, slipping her tongue into his mouth. She was soft, warm, and slippery and he wanted nothing more than to make love to her again, but he intended to keep his promise about the prophylactics.

When her hair was rinsed and the water ran clear, he lowered himself to his knees. He always treasured the look that came into her eyes when she realized what he was about to do. She was slick and he pressed a finger into her as he swirled and flicked his tongue. It no longer took him very much time at all to make her come. On cue, she quickly began to writhe. If he could snap a photo of them doing this, he would.

She almost drowned him when she came, clutching his head against her and making the water flood into his face at an uncomfortable angle, but he didn’t care. He licked her until she pushed him away. 

“I want you,” she said with a whimper, when he rose again. 

The beast in him agreed, wanted to take her right then and there. He growled against her neck and rubbed himself on her. “Not without a thin,” he said, trying to be sensible. He also didn’t know if he could manage the angle. “You could kiss me,” he suggested, feeling breathless. 

Her eyes were heavy. She tugged at his prick. “Here?” 

“Mmm-hmm,” he said, his heartbeat drubbing in his ears. 

She sank to her knees. He watched her hollow her mouth over him, the fringe of her eyelashes downcast, hair fanned down her back and over her shoulders. His hand went to her hair and his eyes closed without him even knowing it. He endured the sweet torture of the silk heat of her mouth for all of two minutes before his climax roared up on him and he was a goner. Nelly kept him in her mouth and by the time he opened his eyes again, he wasn’t sure whether she had spat or swallowed. 

“That enough misbehaving for you?” she said, standing with a groan. 

He nodded, feeling weak and leaning back into the spray of the shower. 

They shared the soap and washed up. He found towels for them in the linen cabinet. Nelly twined her hair up in one and knotted the other between her breasts. She aimed the tripod at him as he toweled his hair. “Oh no,” he said. “Not in my birthday suit.”

She ignored him and fiddled with the focus. “You’ve got some of me in my birthday suit.”

“ ‘Cause it’s your birthday next week,” he said, tying the towel around his waist in haste. 

She gaped at him. “How on earth did you remember that?”

He’d filed it away during their weekend at the cabin, although he wasn’t about to ‘fess up. She wasn’t aware yet, but he’d planned a surprise for her at next Friday’s party that she didn’t know she was attending. “They say the spring means just one thing to little lovebirds …” he said, pulling his toothbrush out of the porcelain holder in the wall. 

Nelly clicked the shutter. “Fine, don’t answer. I do want a picture though. It’s only fair. Are you going to misbehave for me or not?”

He laughed at her persistence, and turned around and loosened his towel, but draped it in front of his prick instead of losing it altogether; he wasn’t interested in looking small in the picture. He gave her the deadpan that came so natural whenever a lens was aimed at him.

She laughed. “You’re so damn somber.”

He stared at her, deadpan. 

“Okay, just one more and I’ll leave you alone.”

As soon as she’d taken the picture and stood up, he offered her a full smile. He laughed as she swatted his rear end, and handed her a spare toothbrush. Nelly sat on the end of his bed and braided her hair a few minutes later, dressed in the cotton robe again. He busied himself carrying a down bedspread onto the bed on the sleeping porch and turning down the sheets. 

“Aren’t we sleeping in here?” Nelly said with an expression of concern when he took her hand. She was probably worrying he’d take her back to Natalie’s bedroom. 

“Uh-uh.” Once they were on the porch, she relaxed. There was a nip to the night air that was going to make the down comforter just the thing. He patted the bed. “Take off your robe.” She bared herself to him again and he was reminded afresh what a good idea it had been to take a mistress. He took his off and pulled the bedspread up to their shoulders. Nelly snuggled close, smelling like coconuts. Though he’d sneaked girls into his room several times before, he’d never dared bring one onto the porch.

The state of his marriage was always nagging him, like a cut he kept bumping and reopening, but snug under the covers with Nelly with the cold breeze playing against his face, he forgot it for the time being.

Notes: I’m early this week! It may be a longer wait for Chapter 31, though--that will be a long one and a pivotal one. Please exercise patience. Soundtrack: Irving Aaroson’s “Let’s Misbehave”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JctNtRfHRLU Pretty risque for a song from 1928!

[lagoona-dogfish]

A Ball Busters Biography. Part 1:

In two of our last few sessions we were coming to the end of a tournament arch and also dealing with some wise guys who thought it would be a good idea to steal the prize money from the WINNERS OF A BATTLE TOURNAMENT. Please note: the point of view might change and also the writing style will also change kinda, like, a lot. Lmao I'm not a writer. Pls god let this post it took so long to write.

So basically this is what happens, it's one of the last match ups with our guy Muk fighting against a gang leader, The Shark. Our new friend Birdperson (yeah that's the actual name their character is going by) sees a shady looking fellow scurry off into the hallways of the arena. Birdperson tracks this guy through a strange portal, passing by some guards who were presumably knocked out by the shady guy. Through the portal into a beach-like plane.

Birdperson can see the shady fellow- later we'll find out he's named The Orca- sniffing around for burried treasure. Literally! This is apparently where the prize money is being hidden. Birdperson tries to fight The Orca, they duke it out, Birdperson barely escapes with their life, but he manages to keep The Orca from stealing the prize by luring him off. By the time Birdperson gets back to the top side of the arena, Muk's match with The Shark is over, Muk basically decimated the guy in one round. Now the only competition left for Muk was a fellow party member. The Ball Busters will be winning no matter how the next match goes.

Anyway, Birdperson then goes to Muk and tells him about this Orca and the prize money. At this point Rat and Frodi are the next in the ring and the rest of the perty isn't around. So together, they head off to catch The Orca and make him talk.

Muk and Birdperson aren't afraid to be seen chasing this guy in the streets and catch him swiftly. They drag him to a warehouse and tie him up, not interrogating too much at the time. For the intentions of this story, this is basically where this session ends. Next session we pick up with a salty Rat and triumphant, but terrified Frodi. Beating Rat in the tournament only means he'll have to face off with Muk, who has so far brutally knocked out every opponent in one round, not even showing mercy to the party's allies. Rat and Frodi don't have time to lament their current losses, though. At this moment Birdperson introduces themselves into the room. Informing the duo of the whole Orca ordeal.

On their way out, they are confronted by The Shark. He's wants the Ball Buster's help in finding his fellow gang member, The Orca. Our troup of adventurers agree to helping The Shark, not letting on that they know he's the one behind their nearly swindled prize. They ask for a token of his and The Orcas comradery to help gain The Orcas trust if they do find him. They then depart with one of two friendship bracelets shared between a shark and an orca, spun together with many homoromantic sentiments. With this bracelet, the Ball Busters are able to convinced The Orca that his very best friend has betrayed him!

Theye learn that the gang leader of the Riggoty Spigots, The Shark has been working together with the Head of the guards, who was previously, disaffectionately dubbed "Commander Qweef" by The Ball Busters. The Ball Busters not only were able to convince The Orca of a betrayal of contract, but a betrayal of the heart as well. Claiming they found the friendship bracelet discarded right before The Sharks bedroom. Rat told a tale of Commander Qweef and The Shark's forbidden love! They must've been planning to cut you out this whole time! Our dear Orca friend may have thought he was in on this treacherous scam, but perhaps they were all tricked today.

There was a proposition. If The Orca assisted in ending Commander Qweefs poot of an existence and moved away to Pearldovia, start his own gang, and become our contact... The ball Busters would let him live and promise to deal with the sorry cheater shark. Luckily, Rat was on a roll. They succeeded in bargaining and The Orca informed the Ball Busters that The Shark, Commander Qweef and him were supposed to reconvene on the roof of the Riggoty Spigots tavern in the lower side of town that night.

Rat and Birdperson went, sneaking through the shadows like the natural creatures of the night they were. They scoped out the spot, seeing that Commander Qweef was standing alone on the roof. Birdperson disguised themself as The Shark and dawned the friendship bracelet. Rat headed inside to distract The (real) Shark while Birdperson went to the roof with Commander Qweef. As he approached the Commander, Birdperson found him peeping at the brothel across the street with a spyglass. Thus began their discussion. Though we know naught of Birdperson's past, that night he was an expert deceiver. Birdperson promised the Commander that they had found the ones responsible for their botched heist earlier in the day and had tied them up in a warehouse, just ready to be tortured by only the best torturer in town, Commander Qweef himself. Commander Qweef was extremely Tantilized by this idea and agreed to head right over, after retrieving his torture kit from home. So that Qweef swept off into the night, followed by a Birdman's shadow.

Now, Under the roof of the Riggoty Spigots tavern and then under the first floor of that. There was Rat, urging The Shark into his office with promise of very important news. Here Rat lied to the fullest extent rat knew. Rat told The Shark about a betrayal... Not only of contract, but BY THE GODS- OF LOVE TOO!

Rat told The Shark almost exactly what was said to The Orca, but switched their places in the story. Saying they had come upon Commander Qweef's house while tracking The Orca and upon entrance they saw the house packed up and left in a hurry.  Only a hastily half burnt pile of papers, journal and a few clothes left behind. With inspection it seemed that the papers were documents and letters readying a secret move to Renu, a far away continent. In the journal a few pages intact, writing of the passionate love between Commander Qweef and The Orca and their plans to leave behind The Sorry Shark and move away to newer opertunities together.

Rat was even impressed with herself that she could break both the hearts of this strange crushing pair. Well, they do say triangles are the strongest shapes. The pointiest too. As Rat was leaving, a gangster walked by. Back into the office of The Shark. Rat almost left right then and there. So confident that her plan had seemed to work, but at the last second she couldn't resist turning back around to listen in. They were talking about Muk and The Orca in the street. They had been seen by civilians after all and The Shark's own gang had been tracking The Orca's kidnapping as well.

Rat had to think quick and quack she thunk. Running herself through the office door in a burst. SHE FORGOT ONE MORE THING- there's something weird happening in town, recently Muk's arch nemesis had come around, looking for trouble there was no doubt about it! And around with Muk's nemesis had come his twin as well. "Be careful.", Rat said "we don't know WHAT they could be planning!".

The Shark was hesitant to believe yet another ridiculous rant, but with a roll so high and undeserved, Rat pulled The Shark's mind back to her side. Then left in a hurry. Dashing back to the warehouse to lie in wait for Commander Qweef. By the time she got back all the Ball Busters had gathered, hiding themselves to attack the Commander. It was hardly a challenge for Birdperson to follow unseen, with the exception of one time he nearly got caught, but he disguised himself again as a drunken old fool. Harmlessly stumbling through the night.

At last, Commander Qweef made his enterance through the warehouse doors. He saw one blue tiefling tied up in a chair. He called out once for whoever else might be there, before five attacks came at him without mercy. "KILL THIS PIG BEFORE HE CAN SQUEAL!". it only took about two rounds, the Ball Busters had roped him to the ground. Before you knew it the Commander Qweef's corpse was shrunken and The Orca was off on the fastest ship to Pearldovia.

The Ball Busters only had one thing left to do. They headed back to Commander Qweef's house and snuck in. They forged a few documents and set them ablaze, they stole most his clothes and all his gold away. It's hardly stealing if he's dead, Or away in Renu, whose to say?

So that's the story of the Ball Busters and their hijinx with the Riggoty Spigots and the Commander of the guard.

[atlafan]

My Everything - Part Five

A Take it Slow Sequel

What happens with Harry and Y/N after he proposes? How will the two navigate the engaged life while also continuing to juggle their jobs, friends, and families? Let’s find out.

Warnings: Little bit of angst, fluff, and smut (we got some butt stuff as well)

a/n: not proofread fam, I didn’t have the strength.

Masterpost

Harry was beyond excited to go to the Cape with you today, and just spend the day together as your little family. Buster was being a good boy in the back seat like always. There wasn’t much traffic like the two of you suspected. He looked really cute today, he was wearing a forest green sweater with a pair of loose jeans. His pearls out and proud.

The first location you’d be checking out was an inn with indoor and outdoor accommodations. It wasn’t right on the beach, but you could see it in the background, and that’s all that mattered to you.

“Here it is, love.” Harry says to you as he pulls into the parking area.

“It’s even prettier in person.” He hums in agreement.

You get Buster’s leash on and help him out of the car. You both head inside and tell the woman at the check in desk that you were there for a tour.

“Ah, the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Styles.” A man says, approaching the both of you. “Welcome to our inn.”

“Thank you.” Harry shakes his hand and so do you.

“And who’s this little guy?”

“This is Buster, our little fur baby.” You giggle. “We’re hoping to have him bring the rings down the aisle.”

“Very cute, we see that more and more these days.” He pats him on the head. “Shall we?”

You both nod and follow him out to the main ballroom.

“So we accommodate both buffet and a served dinner. We know a lot of people opt for buffet these days because it is less expensive, but know we have the room for both. We can also set up the ballroom pretty much anyway you’d like. Nice round tables and what not. Typically we have the dancefloor over there along with the DJ.” He points to one end of the room. “The bar usually goes there.” He points to another direction. “But other than you have complete creative freedom.”

“Couldja see yourself dancin’ out there, babe?”

“Oh for sure. Aw, Harry, our first dance.” You hug his arm quick and continue to follow the man.

Harry completely forgot that a couple hundred people would be watching the two of you dance…he knew how to dance, but he wanted to make it really special for you.

“There’s a door that leads out here to a nice patio.” He opens the door for the both of you. “Folks can take drinks out here, but there is a gate that doesn’t allow them past a certain point. We can set up tables and chairs out here as well. It’s a beautiful view of the water, don’t you think?”

“It’s lovely.” You say.

He leads you out back through the ballroom and to where the bathrooms were. Then through another set of double doors to the outdoor space where the ceremony would be.

“That gazeebo is breathtaking.” You say as you walk up to it. You look out back towards the inn. “Looks like there’s plenty of room for chairs, sweetie.”

“Mhm, this is a gem for sure.”

“There’s a path down that way to the beach as well. Many couple do their first looks down there, and family photos since it’s a bit more private.”

“Good to know.” Harry says. “Are we doin’ that? A first look?”

“They’re cute, but I’d really like the first time you see me in the dress to be when I walk down the aisle.”

“I feel the same way actually.”

“Can you show us what a room might look like? Maybe a bridal suite as well?”

“Of course! Right this way, I’ll show the bridal suite first, it’s just down the hall from the ballroom.”

The bridal suite had a ton of chairs and mirrors and a bathroom. It was ideal. He shows you wear the groom and his party typically get ready as well, and then shows you what the honeymoon suite looks like.

“Will you two be having separate rooms the night before?”

“I think that’s the plan.” You say as you walk in. “This is lovely.”

“Jacuzzi tub too.” Harry says, poking his head into the bathroom.

“We have dog accommodations as well. We can make sure there’s biscuits and a bowl for water in whatever rooms you stay in.”

Lastly, you follow the man to his office and take a seat.

“I know it was a lot to see, and I’m sure you’re considering some other places.”

“We are.” Harry says. “Can we see your packages and stuff like that?”

“Of course.” He gets a piece of paper from his desk and explains the different packages and prices. It was honestly really fair and surprisingly enough under $10K.

“I’m just curious, could we see like when your open dates are? That might sway our decision in the end as well.” You say. You knew Harry would have a lot to discuss over lunch before going to the next location.

“Sure, when were you two thinking?”

“Ideally, next fall…” Harry says. That sounded really soon to you, and way too much to handle in a year.

“But we’re flexible.”

The man takes out a calendar and shows you both.

“As you can see, we’re completely booked through next fall already. I think people wised up that that’s a bit cheaper too. However…” He flips to April 2022. “If you’re looking to still save a few bucks we have some open weekends as early as April. It’s not terribly hot, but not too cold either.”

“Could I take a picture of that?” You ask.

“Certainly.” You take your phone out and snap a picture of the calendar.

After a few more questions you thank the man for his time, and head to the small restaurant the inn had to test out the food a bit. They allowed Buster to sit at your feet.

“So…what’d you think overall?” Harry asks.

“I love it, honestly. I wonder how the other place will compare.”

“You didn’t seem too, uh, broken hearted that it wouldn’t be able to be next fall…”

“Harry.” You sigh. “I just don’t think it’s realistic with everything else going on this year. Hell, I’m going dress shopping with Erica next weekend, and the weekend after that I’m supposed to meat El and her other bridesmaids for our dresses. I’d rather have a bit more time so we’re not stressed, you know?”

“I get it…felt sick when I saw 2022 though, I’m not gonna lie.”

“I know.” You laugh. “It feels really weird to wait that long, but I have a feeling it’ll fly by.”

“I’ll be twenty-eight by the time we get married…”

“Mhm, and I’ll be turned twenty-seven.”

“You really wanna wait that long?”

“Well…” You lean a little closer. “I could use that time to get off birth control so we could go on our honeymoon and we could…you know…” Harry sits back in his chair to contemplate all of it.

“I suppose it would give us more time to keep saving for all the things we want…” He takes a sip of his water. “God, what torture, havin’ a fiancé as sexy as you and not bein’ able to come inside yeh. Damn shame.”

“Harry!” You shush him. “Please.” You shake your head. “There’s other places on my body you can do that.”

“We’ll need to be really careful so you don’t get pregnant beforehand like El and Lou.” He laughs.

“Mhm, very careful.”

“Okay, I suppose that’s a good compromise. I wonder what dates the other place will have open. They could have some sooner, you know?”

“We’ll just have to see what they say.”

Needless to say neither you nor Harry liked the second venue nearly as much, and it was way more expensive. The dates were also farther out. Your choice was easy enough to make, so you decide to just drive back to the first place and talk to the man.

“Back so soon?” He says, delighted.

“We love it here.” You say, sitting down in his office. “And we didn’t want to risk not getting a good date. We think April 2022 is perfect.” You give Harry’s hand a squeeze.

“We’d like the package with the buffet…” Harry says. “The silver.”

“Excellent choice.” Harry writes him a check for the deposit. “We’ll be contacting you shortly to do a food tasting. Please take some time to look over our menu options. Did you enjoy lunch?”

“We did! It was delicious.” You say.

“Wonderful. We’ll help you every step of the way best we can. I’ll be your direct contact so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any and all questions.”

“Thank you so much.” Harry says and shakes his hand.

You both squeal once you’re in the car.

“April 18th, 2022…can you believe it? We’ve set a date!” You say.

“I’m so excited, baby.” He kisses you. “Let’s get home, I need to get in there.” He gives your thigh a squeeze and you giggle.

“Sounds good to me.”

//

“Harry, if I don’t get up now I’ll be late to Erica’s bridal appointment.” You giggle.

Harry wouldn’t get off of you, he had you pinned to the bed.

“But it’s our anniversary.” He mumbles as he kisses your neck. You look up at him and smile. “This day last year I asked you to be my girlfriend.”

“I believe your exact words were, am I your boyfriend?”

“And you said, would you like to be.” He kisses you again. “So, you can’t leave until I’ve had my way with you.”

“Of, is that so?”

“Mhm.”

“Couldn’t you have your way with me when I get back?”

“You’re not gonna be home until like dinner time.” He pouts.

“Baby, please don’t make me feel guiltier than I already do…besides, I need you to go on Vista Print today and see what you want the save the dates to look like, remember?”

“Fine, but we’re havin’ a quickie in the shower.” He looks down at you. “If that’s what you want of course.”

“I do.” You kiss his nose. “Thanks for double checking.”

Harry managed to suck a huge hickey on the back of your shoulder. You were just happy it wasn’t you who would be getting in and out of dresses today.

“Oh! That’s been my favorite so far, honey.” Your mom says as Eric comes out in her fifth dress.

You had stayed relatively quiet. You didn’t really like any of the dresses she picked out, but then again Erica wasn’t you, and she had a different sense of style. You look over at Bridget who was more focused on the flute of champagne the store provided. You roll your eyes and look back at Erica who was looking at you.

“You haven’t said a thing…”

“Sorry, it’s just, I’m not the one who’s going to be wearing the dress, you are. Do you like it? Is it comfortable, can you walk and dance in it?”

“I think I love this one. I haven’t loved the others.”

“Then you should get this one.” Your mom says. “You have to love it, especially at these prices.”

“Good point, this is it, this is the one.” She squeals.

You all go out for lunch after.

“When do you think you’ll wanna go dress shopping Y/N?” Erica asks.

“No idea. I have some time yet. Probably after the holidays.”

“That’s a good idea, that way that holiday weight will be gone.” Your mom laughs.

“I don’t typically gain a lot over the winter…besides I could completely change my mind and go shopping in London when Harry and I go again for Christmas.” You shrug.

“You wouldn’t want us there?” Erica asks, frowning.

“It’s not that-“

“And who would you go with? Anne and Gemma?” Your mom asks.

“Maybe. I’m not saying I would buy anything out there, but if I happen to walk by a bridal shop and see something I like I’ll probably go in.”

“Must be nice to just go to London whenever.” Bridget says under her breath.

“Well, that’s what happens when you have a real job and make a life for yourself and don’t live in your mother’s basement.” You huff.

“Y/N.” Your mom says.

“No, I’m sorry. We dance around this all the time, and no one ever scolds her for the comments she makes. I’m so sorry that your three younger siblings managed to get their shit together and you couldn’t, Bridget, really I am. But I’m not going to sit here and let you shit on the things I get to experience. And I don’t get to go whenever I want, and neither does Harry. He’d go a lot more if he could.”

“If you’re going to have an attitude like this then maybe I just won’t be involved with any of your plans.” Bridget says.

“Good, music to my ears actually.” You sit back and cross your arms.

“That’s enough girls.” Your mom says. “Neither of you really mean that-“

“It’s my wedding, I can do things how I want. Erica wanted us all here to help her find a dress, that’s great. But that might not be how I want to do things.”

“It’s not always about you.” Erica says.

“Really? Then who is my wedding about?”  

“It’s about you, of course, but it’s also about the people that love you.”

“Well pardon me for not always feeling totally loved by own my family. You know if Harry had said he wanted to get married overseas I would’ve done it in a heartbeat, and then what you have done Bridget? Mum would’ve paid for all your accommodations, and you wouldn’t even offer to pay her back.” You look away from the three of them, and then to Erica. “I’m sorry, this is your day.”

“The dress shopping part was fun…I’m happy I finally have a dress. And you know what color I’d like the bridesmaid’s dresses to be, so you can shop with your friends how you like.” She smiles.

“So are we just going to pretend you two aren’t fighting right now?” Your mom says to you and Bridget.

“She started it…s’not my fault she’s bitter.”

“I’m not bitter, I like my life just fine, thanks.”

“Mhm.” You roll your eyes. “So, what’s next, what else do you need to get done?” You ask Erica.

“Well, honestly, not much. Venue and food is good to go. The DJ has been booked. All of the stressful stuff is done. Now we get to plan the fun stuff like the bridal shower and the bachelorette. But that stuff won’t be until months from now. Don’t you have another wedding you’re pretty involved in like a month before mine?”

“Yeah, our friends Louis and Eleanor.”

“Oh, they just had a baby over the summer right?” You mom asks.

“Mhm, Eliza May, she’s so stinking cute. Anyways, they’re getting married like exactly a month before you, and I’m in her wedding party. Harry is Louis’ best man.”

“Will Louis be his?” Erica asks.

“Yeah, but he hasn’t asked him yet. We’re going to ask Niall to officiate. We’re going to take him to dinner soon to surprise him.”

“I’m surprised Harry was okay pushing things off until next April since he was so eager to get engaged.” Your mom says.

“He really wanted it to be next fall, but with all of this stuff going on it would’ve been too much. I didn’t wanna take away from Erica. Plus, I still have so many classes to take. We compromised though…”

“On what exactly?” Bridget asks.

“Well…I told him I would get off the pill a little sooner so by the time we get married we could start trying for a baby sooner.”

“Isn’t that exactly how your friend Eleanor got pregnant?” Erica asks.

“Yeah, but they just weren’t being careful. And nothing’s happening just yet. It’ll probably be another year until I get off of it. He wants a baby so badly, so I think my promise of that perked him up.”

“I think it’s sweet he wants to have a kid with you, honey.” Your mom says. “It takes a real man to not be afraid of something like that.”

“Today is technically one of our anniversaries…he asked me to be his girlfriend a year ago today.”

“Why didn’t you say something?! No wonder you’re all pissy, you should be home with him.” Erica says.

“It’s okay, we’re going to hang out tonight.” She puts a hand on the back of your shoulder and you wince.

“Sorry, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I just…pulled a muscle at the gym the other day.”

//

When you get home you’re hit with an intoxicating aroma: tofu curry. Buster greets you and you walk into the kitchen.

“Hey baby!” Harry says just stirring the mixture before letting it simmer.

“It smells so good in here.” You give him a kiss. “I made sure to eat light at lunch because I knew you were going to make something yummy.”

“And I made chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.”

“Aw, remember the first time I made those for you? And you had to show me how to eat them properly.” You giggle.

“How could I forget, that was like the first time we really made out.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “How are your sister and mum? Erica find a dress?”

“Mhm, and it suits her really well. I got into it a little with Bridget at lunch, but other than that it was good, pretty normal.”

“Why’d you get into it with her?”

“Sometimes I just can’t bite my tongue, you know me. She made a comment and I chose not to ignore it. It’s fine, it happens.” You shrug. “Like I said, pretty normal.”

“Well, I’m glad you don’t bite your tongue. She’s thirty-three and you’re way more mature from what I’ve gathered.” He kisses your forehead. “Go sit in the dining room, I got it all set up with candles and everything.”

“You’re too cute.”

You go out and sit down. He set it up really nicely. A few minutes later he comes out with two plates full of the delicious curry, and the naan bread you both like.

“Mm, oh my god, you’ve outdone yourself.” You say after taking a bite.

“Glad you like it, baby.” He smirks and then he starts laughing.

“What?”

“Nothing, I just remembered what we did the night we made things official.” He takes a bite of bread and grins at you.

“Which was what?”

“You let me down on you for the first time.” You nearly choke on your food. The memory came flooding back to you. “You begged me to let you move yourself against me.”

“Harry, please, we’re at the dinner table.”

“So? Not like there’s any kids around.” He looks over his shoulder at Buster. “I know he’s a smart dog, but I don’t think he fully knows what we’re sayin’.” He winks at you and you nudge him.

“Sometimes I think it’s really silly with how timid I was.”

“You had good reason. It just made things more exciting and creative. Like sometimes I’d nibble on you and other times I wouldn’t use my teeth at all. I feel like I really got to learn what your body reacted to the most.”

“I’m happy I could help you conduct your study.” You shake your head and continue eating.

You help clean up and then you both sit on the sofa with the strawberries. You giggle as you feed them to each other. Harry slowly drags one around your lips before letting you bite down on it. He pulls you in for a kiss, sucking on your bottom lip. Your hands tug at his hair and he groans against you.

“Bedroom.” He says against your lips and you nod.

You both race down the hall and into the bedroom. You get all your clothes off and you both get onto the bed. He kisses down your body and spreads your legs apart. His thumb works your clit while his tongue licks into you.

“Fuck, oh my god.” Your head rolls back. “Been thinking about this all day, you have no idea.” He moans against you as you tug on his hair. He loved when you talked like this. “You really know what do with it, Harry, shit.” He rubs you really fast, making you come all over his tongue. He licks his lips as he sits up. “Your turn.” You grin.

He lays down and you get between his legs. You don’t waste any time getting your mouth on his tip. You suck on it while your hand works the rest of him. You cradle his balls while you take more of him in your mouth. You groan when you taste more of his precome. It wasn’t so much that you liked the taste, it was more that you loved making him feel so good.

“Y/N.” He moans. “Want you to come sit on my face.” You pop off him.

“But I already had my turn.” You say confused.

“Didn’t realize it was a one and done situation.” He smirks. “Get your ass up here.”

“Let’s do it at the same time.”

You crawl up his body and turn around so you can still suck his cock. You gasp when you feel his tongue on you again. You were a bit more sensitive now. After he makes you come again he has you lay on your back. You think he’s going to get his dick in you, but he starts fingering you instead. He spreads your legs really far apart as he curls his fingers up inside you. He takes his fingers out and sucks his pinky into his mouth before continuing. He looks down at you and sees how wet you are, and how it’s dripped down to your other hole.

“What? You’re making me self-conscious, what are you looking at?” You prop yourself up on your elbows.

“What do you say, can I get this in there while I finger you? You’re awfully lubricated for it.” He holds up his pinky and wiggles it at you.

“Okay…”

“Really?”

“Yes, but only your pinky, and don’t just stick it in.”

“Would you let me rub around it first?”

“Sure.” You put your hand on his shoulder and he looks at you. “Happy anniversary.”

“Couldn’t have asked for a better present to be honest.”

“I get to do it to you after.” You pout. “Pleaseeee.”

“Already a step ahead of yeh, I showered already and everything.”

You smile and lay back down all the way. You feel his fingers lightly graze around your little hole and it doesn’t feel that bad. You had let him rub the tip of his dick against it enough times that this really wasn’t that much different. You feel him insert his middle and index fingers back into your core to further relax you. You gasp when you feel his pinky go inside your ass.

“Okay?” He looks at you.

“Mhm.”

“Could you…unclench so I can move it?” He chuckles.

“Sorry.”

Harry uses his other hand to rub slow circles on your clit and you’re able to relax a little more. You truly weren’t sure what the appeal of doing this to a girl was, but as he continued to do what he was doing, you felt stimulated in a way like never before.

“You’re so fucking wet, you like it, angel?”

“Feels good, yeah. Make me come, Harry.”

“Yeah, you want me to make you come again?”

“Please.”

His fingers pump faster, and you grip the sheets until you cry out. He was really giving you a good time tonight, but then again, it was an anniversary.

“Can I just fuck you for a bit before we get to all the other stuff?” He says.

“I need your dick so bad, please, put it in.”

He smirks and does as you say. You both moan once he’s all the way in. You hold him close to you and wrap your legs around his waist.

“I’m gonna come if you keep your legs like that.”

“Good, I want you to. You’ll get hard again, don’t worry.” You bite down on his shoulder and he loses it.

When he pulls out he sticks his fingers right in to collect the mixture and he hold them up to your mouth for you to suck on how you like. You lap around his fingers and suck them clean.

“Yup, that didn’t take long.” He looks down at himself and you both laugh.

“Go get the towel while I grab everything else sweetie.”

He nods and grabs his towel to lay on the bed. You grab the lube and the strap and place them both on the bed. Once you get him fully prepped and stretched, you get the strap on, and thrust into him.

“Holy shit.” He groans. “Hit it right away, angel.”

“I did? I must be getting better at this.” You smile and lean down to kiss him quick.

You stroke his cock while you rock in and out of him.

“You look so fucking good like this, Harry.”

“So do you.” He grits his teeth and you can tell he’s getting closer.

“Wanna make a mess, Harry? Wanna just come all over me?”

“Fuck, yeah I do.”

His come spurts out in ribbons all over your necks, chest, and stomach. You wait for him to catch his breath before pulling out. He props himself up on his elbows to look at you.

“You’re absolutely filthy.” He tuts his tongue a few times. “Gonna have to take a good, long bath to getcha all clean.”

“I guess so.” You smile.

Harry sits behind you in the tub as you lay your head on his shoulder.

“You’re so special to me, Y/N.” He coos. “My special girl.” He kisses your temple and you look up at him. “Love you more than anything.”

“I love you too, Harry.” You give his thigh a little squeeze. “I feel really lucky.”

You and Harry barely had a fight since you got engaged. It was like you were in this new honeymoon stage where you were always on each other’s side. Not that you were looking for a fight or anything, but the two of you had just been way more agreeable lately. Maybe it was your meds doing their job, or maybe it was the excitement of planning the wedding of your dreams with your soulmate. You loved the feeling of not being able to wait to see him, and you loved even more feeling so wanted the minute you stepped through the door. There wasn’t much more you could ask for.

[rainbowwing251]

An Unexpected Change in Routine (Super Smash Bros. Tickle Fic)

A/N: I suddenly have the urge to write more ler!Shulk fics. And you know what? I’m going to do it!

So who’s getting the lee treatment this time? Why, it’s none other than Cloud!

But before we get to that, I must give all of you some obligatory warnings:

No romance or NSFW. Considering some of the sentences in this fic, there is heavy emphasis on the no NSFW part.

There might be spoilers for Final Fantasy VII in this fic. If you haven’t beaten the game yet, take caution.

And I guess that’s it for the warnings. I hope you’ll enjoy the second instance of a ler!Shulk fic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cloud felt the sleepiness in his brain as he woke from a deep sleep. He didn’t dream of Zack, Aerith, or Sephiroth, which was a bit odd to him, but he didn’t feel like questioning it.

Sadly, he had gotten used to seeing those three faces in his dreams, despite all of his prayers for a peaceful sleep. However, for some unknown reason, his prayers were answered at some point during the previous night.

Why now? Why did it take so long for him to not have a nightmare about the carnage that had occured in the fight against Shinra and Sephiroth? Why did he have to suffer for so long? Who or what was responsible for the nightmare-free night that just happened? Those questions would come to his mind sometime later in the day, but right now, his mind was incapable of thinking about anything.

Well, anything that wasn’t Shulk. Cloud quickly noticed that he wasn’t lying next to him, and he nearly shot up out of the bed in fear. “Where is he?”

Normally, Shulk would sleep with him and cling onto him like a child. If it was anyone else, Cloud would have shoved them off of him in a heartbeat, but Shulk? He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t bear the thought of a sad visionary.

Not only that, but he found it to be quite cute. Shulk was surprisingly affectionate once he got to know someone, but he would be too shy to show it during the day. When the sun goes down, however, the restraint is gone, and he will shower his loved ones with physical affection (though none of the affection was romantic or questionable in nature). Cloud experienced this for the first time when his room and the Hom’s room got merged into one by Master and Crazy Hand.

He didn’t know why the two hands had given them a single bed instead of two separate ones, but oddly enough, he wasn’t mad at them. Shulk was one of the more “calm” fighters in the roster (likely due to his shyness and his tendency to get lost in his work), so despite the awkwardness, he didn’t see anything wrong with them sharing a bed. If anything, Shulk was the one who felt a bit uncomfortable with it at first.

As the two of them grew closer and began to see each other as brothers, the younger blonde warmed up to the idea. He told the mercenary that he wasn’t used to being in close proximity with another person (even though his friends would cuddle with him on a regular basis), but after a few nights, he grew to love the feeling of being physically close to someone that he cared for.

One day, he timidly asked Cloud if they could cuddle. The latter was shocked by the request for two reasons: One, no one had ever asked him if he could cuddle with them, not even Tifa or Aerith, and two, Shulk had found the courage to ask him this. No longer abashed by the idea of sleeping beside him, Cloud responded with a “yes”. Ever since then, the scientist would huddle up to him every time they went to sleep, and Cloud’s heart would melt every single time without fail.

They would hold each other until they woke up in the morning. Usually, the merc would wake up first, and he would either sit there and watch the younger blonde sleep, or try to wake him up.

At first, when he chose the latter option, it was difficult for him to get the other’s eyes to open up, but after Shulk taught him about tickling, it became significantly easier for him to wake him up.

Ah yes, that was another benefit of sleeping next to your “brother”. Ever since he learned about lees, lers, switches, and how he could effectively tickle another human being (or at least any sort of humanoid being), it became a morning routine for Cloud to tickle the younger blonde until he was wide awake and begging for mercy.

Clearly, he wouldn’t have to do that this morning, since Shulk was already awake and nowhere to be found. He wanted to get up and find him, but fatigue had a strong grip on his consciousness, and he was slowly succumbing to sleep once more. He nearly missed the sound of someone turning the door knob ever so slowly.

“Hm? Who could that be?” He thought as he watched the door open.

At first, he didn’t see anyone, and it nearly made him jump out of the bed to grab the Buster Sword off of the wall. Looking down didn’t help matters, as he saw an unrecognizable hand come out from behind the door. It pressed the button that activated the room’s sound-proofing barriers, and the merc let out a small yelp in response. At this point, Cloud was trying to calm himself down as he began to shake in fear. He had dealt with the supernatural before, so he should collect himself and get ready for battle.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar titter from behind the door. Even though the sound-proof barriers were on, they didn’t work that well if a door or window was open.

“That little shit!” Cloud facepalmed at himself as the door opened to reveal a very giggly Shulk on the other side. He should have known better than to think that there was a ghost in the Smash Colosseum.

“Mohohorning Cloud!” The Hom was still laughing as he closed the door behind him and greeted his “brother”.

“You’re such a jerk…” Cloud mumbled, trying not to smile at the younger boy’s giddiness.

“Eh?” The giggling stopped, and the happiness began to fade from his face. “Are you mad at me?”

“No, but you didn’t have to scare me like that. I thought there was a ghost hiding right outside of our room.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry. I thought you were still asleep, so I tried to be as quiet as possible. I didn’t know you were awake…” Shulk apologized as he sat down on the opposite side of the bed.

“No worries, but can I ask you something?”

“Sure!” Cloud could hear the happiness return to Shulk’s voice. “What’s up with that?” he wondered.

“Why did you turn the sound-proof barrier on?”

“Oh, um, about that…” The younger blonde started, but suddenly went silent. A five second long silence fell between them, and during that time, Cloud noticed that something was off with that statement. While Shulk sounded a bit embarrassed about… whatever it was that encouraged him to turn on the sound-proof barriers, it didn’t sound genuine at all. Cloud was about to ask him about this, but before he could say anything, he was pushed onto his back by the younger blonde.

“I was thinking about a change in our morning routine.”

It didn’t take long for the mercenary to put the pieces together after hearing that statement.

“Don’t you even darEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!” In an instant, Cloud’s body was hit with a barrage of tickles from all directions and spots. Shulk would switch spots every second, clearly intending to weaken him before he got the chance to fight back.

“GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHULK, STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!”

“Sorry, not interested.” The heir taunted him with his own catchphrase as he continued to torture him. Hearing this, Cloud nearly fell into hysterics, laughing even harder than before.

He had never suffered like this before, and Shulk had only been tickling him for a whole minute. Even when Tifa and Aerith teamed up to tickle him in between missions during their days in AVALANCHE, they were never this merciless. Sure, Aerith’s teasing was a bit cruel, and Tifa was a surprisingly evil tickler, but they had never studied the art of tickling like Shulk did. When it came to tickling, Tifa didn’t think too much about techniques or worst spots, she just went all in. Aerith was afraid of hurting Cloud back then, and looking back, he wished she’d felt the opposite. Who knows what she could have done to him if she hadn’t restrained herself?

For now, he couldn’t think about the “what ifs”. Actually, he couldn’t think about anything that wasn’t related to the tingling sensations that were shooting through his body at lightning speed. Shulk was being way too cruel to him right now.

“BROHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOTHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHR! IHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI WIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHILL GEHEHEHET YOHOHOHOU BAHAHAHAHAHAHACK FOHOHOHOHOHOHOR THIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIS!”

Shulk let out an unnerving chuckle that reminded the older blonde of Zack when he got into a ler mood. “Are you sure about that? Do you think that you will have the energy to move when I’m done?” He leaned in a little bit closer to his “brother’s” face and spoke in one of the most terrifying voices known Cloud, “I don’t think you will. Not when I’m through with you~”

“Where the hell did that voice come from?” Cloud somehow managed to ask himself as he fell deeper and deeper into insanity. “Since when could he pull this off?”

“I WOHOHOHOHOHOHOHON’T SUREHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHENDEHEHEHEHEHER!”

“Surrender? Oh no, I’m not forcing you to do anything for me, brother.” A light giggle fell from Shulk’s lips as he leaned down to whisper into Cloud’s ear, “I just want to make you laugh.”

And with that, Shulk moved his hands to the merc’s underarms and scribbled his fingers all over them. At the same time, he began to blow small raspberries into his neck.

“SHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIT NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! GEHEHEHEHEHEHEHT OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOUT OHOHOHOHOHOHOF THEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHRE!”

The visionary spoke between each raspberry he blew, “‘Get out of there’? Get out of where?” Suddenly, a second raspberry was blown. When it was done, Shulk continued, “I’m tickling two spots at once right now! You’ve got to be more specific if you want me to stop~!”

“YOHOHOHOHOHOU KNOHOHOHOHOHOW WHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHERE!”

“I do?” A third raspberry sent Cloud’s nervous system into overdrive. “Are you sure? Like I said, I’m tickling two different spots right now. You need to be specific!”

Noticing that his “brother” wasn’t thrashing as much as he was before, Shulk pulled his head away from Cloud’s neck and slowed the ticking down until he was lightly tracing the outer edge of his underarms. Cloud’s laughter died down, but it didn’t stop completely.

“Thahahahahahanks, buhuhuhuhuhuhuhut yohohohohou’re stihihihihihihihi thehehehehehere…”

“Am I?” Shulk said as his voice returned to the teasing tone from earlier. He looked down at his hands and feigned surprise. “Ohhhh, so that’s the spot you were talking about!”

Cloud bit his lip, determined to hold back his laughter. The action came from a feeling of frustration that rose within him once he realized that Shulk’s teasing was that effective on him. Unfortunately for him, he caved under the gentle tickles that plagued his underarms.

“Yohohohohohou knehehehehehew thahahahahat, yohohohohohou jahahahahahckahahahahahahahass!”

“Jackass?” The heir stopped his tickling, slightly surprised at the sudden insult. “And to think that I was being nice and merciful!”

Cloud took this opportunity to catch his breath and plan an attack. “I didn’t mean it, brother…”

“Oh, don’t worry, I know you didn’t mean it.” Shulk said, allowing a smirk to grow on his face. “But I think that warrants a punishment. Don’t you agree?”

“Dear Gods that smirk!” Cloud was almost shaking again, but this time, it wasn’t due to the possibility of the Smash Colosseum being haunted. It was due to his “brother’s” behavior. His smirk was hauntingly similar to Sephiroth’s smirks, the kind that he wore when he and Cloud would clash with one another.

Sephiroth had tickled him once before, but did Shulk see that? He had to have seen it! Why else would he be able to mirror his smirk?

Shulk’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts, “Alright, since you were showing signs of exhaustion earlier, I’m going to make this the grand finale before I take my leave. Are you ready for this…” he leaned in towards his face once more, “…Cloud?”

The only response he got was an arm reaching out for his stomach. Fortunately, he predicted this (not through a vision, but by reading Cloud’s face) and swiftly dodged it.

“Nope, not happening.” He taunted the other before he went in for the kill. His left hand skittered over Cloud’s knee, and his right hand drilled into the center of his underarm.

The last thing the merc thought before he exploded with laughter was “What the actual fuck is this?!”

“AAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” He practically screamed at the sudden feeling of his worst spots getting the most brutal torture from the gentle hands of the younger male.

“Dear Bionis! I didn’t know you could scream like that!” For the first time in this entire tickle session, Shulk was genuinely surprised. “Good thing I turned on the sound-proof barrier, huh?” He knew he wasn’t going to get a response out of Cloud, since he was unable to say anything coherent though his laughter, but he figured that it was worth a try.

“Maybe I should be a bit more merciful…” he pondered out loud, “…but I promised a grand finale, so I guess I’ll ignore that for now!”

Knowing that any further teasing would likely break him, Shulk remained silent for the rest of the time that he spent tickling Cloud. He would occasionally move his right hand down to his knee and his left hand to his underarm, but other than that, the visionary stayed in one spot (or rather, two spots).

As soon as the older blonde’s laughter went silent, Shulk stopped, this time for good. He sat in front of him as he recovered, making sure that he wasn’t in pain or feeling any sort of lightheadedness. When it became apparent that he was feeling fine, the Hom jumped off the bed and ran out of the room, leaving Cloud to lie on the bed. Once he regained his breath, he thought about everything that just transpired.

“That was cruel… When did he get so good at being the ler?” He knew that he read up on tickling on a regular basis, but there was no way that he could get that good at it without practice, right?

As much as he wanted to know about Shulk’s research, he was too busy thinking about revenge to care. Slowly getting up off of the bed, he immediately conjured up a brutal tickle attack of his own. As he turned off the sound-proof barrier, he quietly chuckled to himself as he thought of a possible location that the heir could be hiding in.

“Brother… you better be prepared for my sweet revenge.”

Their morning routine may have been a little bit different today, but nonetheless, it came full circle.

[missjackil]

My 15x14 Opinion

Last Holiday

Hey guys!! My Chuck! It’s been so long I almost forgot I do this! I missed these guys so so so so much, it’s great to have them back, but it’s awful knowing there’s only 6 episodes left 😭 

I really liked this episode, for the most part, and I’ll get to that part that I didn’t like in a moment. Now without further adu, let’s begin.

I was immediately amuzed with Dean’s Scooby boxers! I mean, c’mon, we all were right? Now we meet Mrs Butters. Right away, I couldnt decide if she was good or sketchy, and I sure that was the point, but I knew she was legit when talking about her family, the MOL, “My boys” she called them, and well, that tugged at my heart strings, because Sam and Dean will always be my boys. 

Coming to the bitter end of the series, we get a brand new classic scene. Dean in the sleeping gown, fashioned exactly like the one he wore in Skooby, complete with night cap, so excited for Sam to try it, that he forgets he’s naked undernearth and Sam gets an eye full.... twice LOL wtf was that about Sam? Needed to check a second time to make sure it was actually Dean’s dick you saw? (I see you 😉) 

I love the moment Mrs Butters took with Sam to take a breath, smile, and enjoy the world he fights for. I for one have wanted him, and Dean as well, just to enjoy themselves for a bit and Im so glad they got the chance. 

The montage through the Holidays was priceless, I knew I needed this, but didnt know how much I actually needed this! Seeing my boys smiling and laughing, eating and carving Pumpkins, just flooded my heart!! Oh and Sam got a nice chunk of ham so I guess he’s not a vegan LOL. How great was it to see Sam in his birthday crown? He was mildly embaressed but smiling, it was precious! Now I can keep the memory of him celebrating his birthday with his family and not that “Amelia” flashback *gag*

I love to see Dean all happy and childlike. The busts on his age were pretty damn funny! Loved the Ghost Busters montage too, and what better way to end it than the boys crashing down a door and Dean with the grenade launcher and Sam with the Thor hammer LOL

The timeline throws me a bit now as to how long Mrs Butters was with the boys. It’s obvious it was more than a day, but was it for months? Did they really end the festivities in May which would make sense as to why Sam had a Birthday and Dean didnt, and Jack got one at the end (more on that soon) if it was for months, then it seems very odd that it took that long for Mrs B to turn on Jack and not learn he’s a nice kid. Hmmmmm.

So the one portion I didnt like, of course is Sam’s date with Eileen. It’s far too  close to the end to bring up a “girlfriend” topic and I could get through that goodbye kiss I had to watch months ago believing it was a “goodbye” kiss and not a “Hey lets hook up next time you’re in town” kiss. Not to mention the comments after were equally unnecessary and nauseating. Ok... nuffadat

So, in true Supernatural form, it goes from happy to sooo not happy! We find out Mrs B is pretty bad ass, and can rip of dudes heads with her bare hands, and she thinks Jack is a monster, and Dean outta kill him. Dean wont so he gets locked away with Jack. Now this was a very important part to me and I hope to others. Jack asks Dean if he still thinks hes a monster and Dean is ready to be honest. He tells Jack what he did isnt easy to forgive and he is still mad but he’s trying, and hes not gonna let this woman take him out. I think that really encompassed what it means when they say “Family always has your back”. That person that you could hurt so terribly, unintentionally, who may still very well be pissed and yet wouldnt let anyone hurt you, is your family ❤

So moving on, We get Sam tied to a chair ad tortured.... again. This time though, he gets his fingernails pulled out, very graphically! UGHHHHHHH that hurt so much!! WTF SPN W T A F!! And yet, he’s the one to talk Mrs B down. That’s Sam for ya! I’m glad they didnt end up killing her, especially knowing the lengths they go to protect each other. 

Then, Dean makes Jack a bday cake. AWWWWWW!! How effing sweet!!!

One thing I think was a big missed opportunity is the chance to talk a bit about Henry Winchester. I thought for sure he’d be brought up, but alas...

Overall, I really liked it. (ALmost) perfect episode to come back to before we get our asses whooped over the next 6 weeks. 

So on a scale from Bloodlines to Lebanon, I’ll give Last Holiday a solid 7. had they not thrown in the Eileen thing, it would get an 8.5

See ya next week!

[scentedsongrebel]

Waiting for light (1/3)

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Female! Reader

Summary: After a mission gone wrong, Bucky finds himself living in his worst nightmare.

Warnings: Cursing maybe?, sexual references but no actual smut, Violence, memory loss, gun use, incorrect medical terms (maybe), angst, so much angst, Mentions of faith and god (no talks of religion), please tell me if I miss any...

Word Count: ~7k

A/N: So this is my entry for @xbuchananbarnes ‘s Dani’s Awesome Writing Challenge Mix Vol. 1, #danisawesomewcmix. Congratulations on your milestone, you totally deserve it! My prompt was 7.“I’m gonna die surrounded by the biggest idiots in the galaxy”. 

This would be a 2 part series because it got too long and I had to split it. I’m so sorry for the heavy angst in this one but this story was in my mind for a while and it fit perfectly in my prompt.

Also sorry if it gets too dramatic. I live for the Drama!

This story is not edited yet.

The sun shines with the remnants of a hectic day as it prepares for its slumber. Right in the path that is eliminated with the last specks of light, a Man drags a Woman.

One arm around her neck keeping her close, the other holding a gun to her head. He slowly moves back, dragging her with him until they reach a point where there was no going further.

The Avengers surround them from all sides, weapons raised and warnings screamed. The Man seems to not care as he presses the revolver harder into your head, eliciting a groan of pain from your lips.

Your legs hurt from the bone you're sure you've broken and blood runs down different wounds, locations of which are unknown.

"You gonna kill me" he smiles devilishly "I'm gonna take your girl with me"

An increase in the pressure around your neck causing you to see black spots.

"Listen Castle" Steve moves in closer "We can work through this just let her go"

"Work through this huh Captain?" Castle spits blood on the ground "I know how this gonna work, I leave her, you kill me"

"No you leave her and we let you live" Tony raises his hand, the mask of his iron man suit opening up.

"I would consider that option of course Stark but what is life really" The guy muses then laughs menacingly "I serve Hydra, my purpose is Hydra and what better way do die than by serving Hydra"

"I can name so many better ways" Tony tries to move forward but a warning glare and pressure of the gun against your head is warning enough to stop him

Castle shakes his head, a wicked smile staying on his lips "Taking the Soldat's girl with me, punishing him for everything he did to Hydra after his betrayal, seems like the best way to go and because I love to increase the pain, you got any last words sweetheart?"

You cringe at the use of the name only Bucky is allowed to call you as you try to pull away the last time before looking the love of your life directly in the eyes.

"Bucky" you whisper, eyes shining with tears you use everything in you to hold back. He tries to reach out to you, tries to say something but the only sound coming out of his petrified mouth his a whisper of your name, so faint you may have missed it if you weren't so acquainted with every movement of his lips.

"Bucky listen" you whisper as a drop of tear rolls down your eye "You have to move on, take care of my babies please."

"Y/n"

"Nat, you take care of my girl and boys. Help him move on, move forward, use your Nat skills to force him into dating again"

Natasha shakes her head, her gun raised at the perpetrator. They all stand hopeless, you are at the end of the cliff, one shot, one wrong move and its over for you. Her eyes give you an answer but you still smile. Assuring her through it that you want her to do that for you. You know she will come around someday.

"And at least I’m gonna die surrounded by the biggest idiots in the galaxy”

And you can see how that one line affects everyone of your friends, your family. For 10 years you've said this exact line before every mission. As a little stress buster, a hammer on the ice that embraces the entire atmosphere in its cold clutches before every single mission. Because no matter how easy a mission, a fear of this being the last one for someone pertains.

The idiots, your idiots you are gonna die surrounded by would be Steve, Natasha, Tony and your Bucky. Maybe if there were more there was a chance for you but you know at this point it isn't. These are the last moments and you wanna make sure they know you were yourself when you leave.

"Bucky take care of m yourself and my babies please"

"No Y/n you are not-"

"That's ENOUGH" the guy screams in your ear readying his gun and Bucky reacts on instinct. It was now or never. Pulling out his gun and shooting directly at the Man's face, another one at his hand, making sure to miss you.

The man falls back off the cliff, taking with and Bucky lets out an ear piercing scream.

"Y/N" be runs to follow you down the cliff before being harshly grabbed by Natasha and Steve. He is sobbing, openly now like the rest of them are before a gush of wind shoots out through and up flies a figure from the end of the cliff.

His wings flap a last time before Sam lands down on the ground. An unconscious figure in his arms.

You.

-------------

The loud voice rings through the open air as many people cringe and nonchalantly try to cover their ears so as not to offend the source of the noise.

You sit on Bucky's lap, between his legs on the front most table (a little away from the stage thank god!) because he insisted that now he is legally certified to keep you as close to him as he wants.

Steve tried to remind him that is not what marriage means.

Bucky tried to remind him he was an irritating punk.

A loud screech reaches your ears and Bucky buries his face in the back of your neck trying to muffle the sound.

"Why would you put me through this" he whispers in your ears from behind.

"Shhh" you turn your head to the side a little to talk to him "He was so excited to do this performance. What was I supposed to do? Tell him no?"

"That's what any sensible bride would have would. You are ruining our wedding"

You roll your eyes and turn more in his lap to get a better view of his face

"Our wedding is perfect. No one can ruin it"

Bucky shakes his head, smiling and taking your kips in a soft kiss which is broken up when Sam plays a very high note and Bucky has to take a wincing break.

"You know, I hate the let anyone do anything they want for our wedding rule"

"But Honey" you say turning back to look at the happy Sam trying and horribly failing at playing the bagpipe "It makes them so happy. They are all excited for us and I wanted them to be able to take part in this however they like"

Bucky groans and turns you to face him again as nuzzles into your neck.

"You are gonna be the death of me Mrs. Barnes" he places a soft kiss on your jaw

You let out a soft laugh just as the instrumental noises get louder and now people have started covering their ears, leaving behind any thoughts of discretion.

"I love you" you say, moving your arms around his neck.

"I love you too" he says and then gives you a kiss on the lips and then whispers in your ear "And I can't wait to get you away from here and all to myself"

You laugh at that whispering a me too in his ear before turning back as Sam reaches his ending verse.

When the performance is over, the round of applause is so loud, you are sure people on the streets can hear it despite the fact that you stand on the roof of a very tall building.

Bucky even gives a standing ovation and you know all this is because the thing is over. You just shake your head as Tony is whistling

 in excitement and Clint is popping champagne in celebration. God these guys were so extra sometimes.

Just as the applause dies down Sam beams at his audience, not really understanding the reason of the clapping.

Just as Sam comes down the stage and Bucky thinks he can celebrate the end of his ear being tortured. There is a new person getting on stage.

Steve smiles at the audience as he plugs in his electric guitar that he has been taking lessons for. Bucky's eyes widen and for a moment he thinks maybe it will be fine but then Steve hits the first note, singing too this time and he gets back down on the chair, pulling you to his lap again.

You give him a small guilty smile "Its not that bad"

Bucky sighs

"Your gonna be the death of me Mrs. Barnes"

----------------

Bucky sat at the fluffy chair Steve had bought for him saying if he's gonna spend all his free time here the least he can do is keep him comfortable and back pain free. Bucky is not sure he can even have back pain.

He leans forward, holding your hand close to his heart as he speaks "and then she asked me If plants need rain and sun to grow, and rainbows are made of light and water, are rainbows plant food?"

He laughs as he tells you that, looking over at your bed laid body for a sign to want to say something back. When you stay still he sighs and continues "What did I say you ask? I just nodded and agreed with her" a deep laugh "I mean what else am I supposed to even say right? God Y/n our little girl is getting so smart with age-"

"Definitely taking after and mother than"

Bucky swiftly turns around, taking up a protective stance in front of you as he turns to look at the intruder.

"Geez chill Barnes. Its just me" she raises her hands, then crosses them before leaning on the door frame sideways for support.

"What have I said about sneaking up on me" Bucky asks with a sigh, sitting down again

"Not to do it or you may end up killing me" she says nonchalantly

"Yet you don't stop"

"Yet you don't kill me"

Bucky just shakes his head, taking hold of your hand and placing a soft kiss on you knuckles.

"How is she?" Natasha asks from behind him

"Like she is everyday" he says plainly

She just nods her head, staying quiet for a while before moving forward and taking a seat herself on the other side of your bed

"Buvk we need to-"

"No"

"James listen we need to-"

"Don't you dare say it Natalia" he growls at her, eyes holding so much anger any other person would have ran for their lives. But Natasha was not any other person maybe that is why she was the one here for this talk

"Well Steve is too concerned about you to say it, Sam is too emotional, others don't have the courage to do it which means I have to be the one to say it"

He glares at her which she returns with concerned eyes. They stay there looking at each other for a while before Nat sighs and starts

"We have to decide if she would have wanted this"

"I have to decide and my decision is made"

"James its been 6 months"

"They said there was brain activity" Bucky screams at her

"They also said that she may always be in vegetative state. Do you really think Y/n would want that?"

At the mention of your name he quickly turns to look at you. His beautiful girl, his wife, lying of the bed, lifeless. Your hand is connected to an IV and a ventilator provides air to your body. Your head bald and bandaged after surgery and a feeding tube going in your nose. Your eyes are closed and Bucky had to close his too because its getting too much. He turns back to Natasha.

"I don't care what she would have wanted"

"James-"

"No don't James me Natalia. You won't understand. I will not let my kids grow up without their mother"

"A mother who may never wake up"

And that is enough for Bucky as he suddenly gets up from his chair pushing it back causing it to fall down with a loud BHOM!. He turns to Natasha, eyes blaxing with her anger he moves closer to her.

Natasha takes a step back, scared for her well being for the first time since she entered the room. He comes closer until he is just inches from her and looks down at her figure

"What do you want me to do huh? Kill her" he growls "Add the love of my life to the list?"

"James" Nat can feel the tears form in her own eyes as a single drop falls down Bucky's. She knew this conversation was going to be hard. It was hell for her to even think about the mere possibility of having to pull the plug on you but in times like these someone had to be a voice of reason, to hold everyone together.

"Natalia" he whispers through more tears "I can't tell my Matilda and Nixon I didn't fight for their mother when they grow up and ask about her. I can't let go until the doctors tell me there is no chance for her to wake up. Not the she may never. I want the she will never before I even think about it ok? Because if I have to, I am okay, completely happy to live with this hope, to be able to hold her hand and smell her scent, to listen to her heartbeat. So please let me have this for a while before I think of other things and if you or anyone has a problem with this then tell me and I will take my wife and kids and get away from your lives".

Nat just shakes her head as a sob escapes her lips and she moves forward, engulfing Bucky in a hug as she lets out cries. He stays still for a second before hugging her back, letting out his own silent sobs.

"She will be okay" He says pulling away from Nat and looking at you "I know she will"

----------------

All the avengers look up at the door when someone barges in. Nat's shoulders are slumped and her usually stiff posture is crumpled as she takes a seat at the table of the conference.

Tony moves to ask her something but she is faster to speak

"I can't do it" she sighs shaking her head. Her eyes bloodshot and the only indication of her previously crying state. "I thought I was ready but I'm not"

"None of us are ready" Steve moves to place his hand on hers "We just need to talk about this as a possibility so as if one day-" he stops to take a deep breath "if one day, if we have to we are prepared to be their for Buck and the kids"

"Bucky also needs to think about this possibility" Pepper points out shaking her head "We need to say this to him no matter how much it hurts because its not just him, he would have to hold it together for the twins"

"I hate this" Sam grumbles looking at his hands on the table in front of him

"We all do birdbrain" Tony sighs from his place looking around at the dejected faces of his team mates, friends and family minus two "Well all hate this with a passion"

----------------

The birds were chirping in welcome to the early morning sun while Bucky was looking at your sleeping form.

There were very few days that would start this way. Usually you both were not early birds in any chance and tried to stay in bed as long as you can before yoh needed to get off and get to work.

Bucky lets the soothing rhythm of your steady heartbeat calm his mind as he closes his eyes in bliss. He loved these mornings with you. Even if you two would move away sometime during the night, by the mornings you just found your way back into his arms.

He listens to the steady dhap dhap fhap dhap before something catches his ears and he swiftly opens his eyes.

Moving to get a clear sound and yes he can hear it. He carefully moves your hands away from his waist as he starts to move away ignoring from whining groan.

He moves the blanket covering your naked body and moves his hand over your stomach before bending and placing his ear on it.

And his heart skips a beat as he hears it. Loud and clear. He hears it.

"Bucky" you groan as you move to sit up, leaning against the headboard "What happened"

Bucky ignores you as he moves to place his ear against your stomach again and yup its still there.

His eyes fill up with tears he can't control and he looks up at you wifh those shining blue eyes.

"Hey baby what's wrong" You try to move closer to him, moving your hands to his cheeks

Bucky shakes his head, trying to process, trying to let out words but all he can do is give you a soft smile as a tear rolls down his eye.

"I hear heartbeat" he says slowly

Your eyebrows knit together and a frown makes home on your face "Umm. Yeah I know you can hear my heartbeat. It stopped being creepy long ago"

"No" Bucky shakes his head, trying to pull himself together, to control the sea of emotions going through him right now

"I-I-I hear a-a heartbeat" he says slowly, smiling at you and pointing at your stomach

You look at him in confusion for a while, clearly early mornings are not good for you and now he is gonna make sure you get as much sleep as you want. A moment before understanding draws on your face and you move your hand to cover your mouth

You look at your husband with wide eyes and he nods his head through the tears and suddenly you let a little happy sob

"I'm pregnant?" You look at him questioningly

Bucky nods his head excitedly "There is a heartbeat right here" he points at your stomach "faint but it there".

You try to move your head towards your stomach, to have a listen yourself but failing of course before looking at Bucky again

"And and you are okay with this?" You ask slowly

"Could not be more happy doll" he whispers moving closer and taking your lips in his "you have given me everything I never thought I could have"

You smile at him before pulling away "Wait" you say holding up a finger to stop him from kissing you again "We can't celebrate until we are sure"

"I am sure doll" he moves a string of your hair that was falling on your face behind your ear.

"No no" you laugh trying to speak as he keeps kissing you again and again "We need a doctor confirmation"

"Whatever you want" he says as he lays you down on his bed and starts his expedition of your body

"Just be ready to be pampered a whole lot more now my love"

------------------

"And this one" his little girl moves another piece of drawing in front of him as he scans through all the drawings previously laid in front of him. Pictures of what he could only guess are of the four of you together. His family in stick figures. One of all the Avengers and their kids. One of him and his metal arm, one of the black widow with her symbol besides her, captain america with his sheild, the falcon flying in the sky, the iron man and so many other drawings that would be nothing but ugly for someone outside these four walls. But within, these were masterpieces that were all gonna be pinned at the pin board you had specially bought to pin these drawings to when the fridge doors were full.

"Wow these are all so pretty sweetie" he says with adoration "it seems like they were made by an artist"

She laughs at that moving another piece of art near his face and he feels his heart stop "This one is Mom"

She says brightly looking at his face for another compliment. He looks the drawing over, a woman with her hair pulled up because you never understood how girls like Nat didn't get irritated by the hair constantly falling on their faces. The stick figure rendition is a little weird but the little Mom besides the figure makes him smile.

"This one is the best" he gives her the biggest smile she can nodding his head

"It is isn't it" she says taking hold of the picture and waving it up and down "that's because its of mom"

Bucky fakes a look of shock, looking at the picture again "oh yeah that's why it looks so good. Because your mom makes everything she is a part of beautiful doesn't she"

Matilda nods her head vigorously before giving the picture back to her father "So can we put it up on the board"

He nods his head "All of these belong on the board. These are all brilliant. You're gonna be a little artist like your Uncle Stevie aren't you?"

She nods her head following him as he moves to pin the pictures on the board "Yes and Uncle Steve said he would buy me that big water color set for my birthday"

"Uncle Steve loves to spoil you doesn't he" Bucky mutters, moving to pin every single picture on the board. His eyes fall on every other picture previously attached to the board you had made sure covered an entire wall of the kids' playroom so there was always room for their art. There were works of both the kids from school and some they made at home themselves. You had always taken pride in everything your children created and never let anything be put anywhere except for this board.

Just as he attaches the last piece of drawing on the board a thought pops in his head

"Hey you didn't draw a picture of your brother?" Bucky asks curiously looking down at her "You always draw one of him too"

She frowns at the mention of her twin and looks down at her shoes

"I don't like Nixon". She mutters angrily

"Well of course you don't like him he's your brother, you love him" Bucky teases, bending down to reach her level

Her face scrunches at his comment and she shakes her head in disgust

"No, I don't love him, I hate him"

Bucky shakes his head "What does mom say about that word?"

"That we should not hate anyone" she mutters still looking down "but-but Nixon just makes me so angry"

Bucky can't help but smile at that, his kids just can't seem to go a day without fighting it seems

"And what happened this this?"

"I showed him the picture of mom I drew" she starts to say looking at Bucky with shining eyes "And when I said I will show it to her when she wakes up, he said she won't wake up"

Bucky feels his heart stop at her words and he freezes on the spot. 'How did- What did he-' . A million thoughts run down his mind. He had worked so hard to keep his kids happy and feel everything was alright. He had made sure they don't have to bear the burden of the harsh situation. He had made sure they don't have to worry about this exact possibility then how did he find out? Who the hell told his little boy things they didn't deserve to tell him.

Anger shoots through his veins which he tries to control as he looks at Matilda with a smile, trying to mask his real emotions like every time

"What?" He shakes his head "That's not true"

Matilda nods at him and moves her arms around his neck and he takes her in his arms

"I said that but he said he heard doctors talking about her in the medical area"

Bucky had made sure their were no talks about your condition in front of his kids. He made sure there was no doctor near the room when he brought his kids over for visits with their mother and kept and eye and his ears alert to make sure they don't hear anything they don't need to.

Then who the hell was this doctor that told this to his son. Bucky felt rage again only calmed by the crying daughter in his arms. Someone was gonna loose their job for making his daughter cry like this.

He rubs his hands on her back, trying to keep himself together for her sake and muttering soothing words of its fine, mom's fine in her ears.

He talks to her, reassures her of her mom's well being for atleast 10 mins before the 'when will she even wake up' and 'I miss her's' quieten down she starts to fall asleep in his arms, tired from an entire hectic day of school, drawing and crying.

He hates that his children have to go through this. He hates that his bad luck, the beef that the old ladies of faith have with him is affecting his wife and kids like this. Hates how he tells his kids he would protect them from anything yet not being able to protect them from this heartbreak.

He picks Matilda up and moves to her room - separate from her twin's because you and Bucky could not deal with more fights of which color would the walls be and what bed would belong to which child-

He tucks his little girl in her bed, kissing her forehead and wishing her goodnight before switching off the main light and turning on the night light.

He looks at his daughter one last time before sighing and leaving the room.

He needs to have a talk with a little man.

---------------

"Will you stop pouting like that" you say from your place on the bed

"I don't like this" he says with a frown

"Well you don't have to" you give him a small smile "What do you want me to do? Not get the life saving operation"

"Well I need you to take care of yourself" he moves forward in his chair to hold your hand

"Then what would you do?" A cheeky smile. Bucky is not amused

"This is not a joke Y/n" he says seriously "Its not just you anymore, what would I say to the kids if something happened to you. You can't be so reckless during missions"

You sigh moving to make space on your hospital bed so he can lie besides you. When you pat the bed, gesturing for him to join you in he seems hesitant before he sighs and gets on the bed with you, moving his arm to place it around your shoulder

"I'm so sorry James" you say moving closer to him and resting your head on his chest "You know how long we were hunting Castle for. He was the last one of those after our kids, I couldn’t have let him get away and if I hadn’t had been injured, you know there was no chance he could have pulled something like that”

Bucky sighs nodding his head "Now we can be free, maybe I can finally retire"

Your hand that was rubbing circles on his chest stops its motion and you move away to get a clear view of his face. He gives you a small smile before he pecks your lips

"I've been thinking about it, about being a stay at home dad" he says "I am tired of fighting. I am done with this business. Maybe I was for a long time but I never knew how to stop and now I do. I wanna take care of my kids and wait for my wife to come home from saving the world"

"Bucky" you whisper moving your palm to rest on his cheek

"I know you love the fight and I don't want you to stop but for myself I just want to be a house husband. I have enough money from the government to not be short on money. And well with my beautiful hard working bread earning wife, I would never have to work"

You laugh at that, resting your head back on his chest and smiling

"I like that idea, if that is what you want"

"I do, more than anything doll"

There is a knock on the door and you both look up to see the nurse "We have to start the pre-ops" she says giving you both a sad smile "I'll be back in a minute"

The fear that Bucky thought had melted away returns as he moves to get up from your bed

"James"

"I'm okay" he looks at his feet as he sits down and starts wearing his shoes, avoiding eye contact

"Hey look at me" he shakes his head "I will rip off my IV if you don't"

This makes him quickly look up "Don't you dare"

"Good now that you can see me" you say moving a little in your bed to get comfortable before gesturing for him to give you his hand which he does "Whenever your mind takes you to dark places just pray"

Bucky rolls his eyes "You know I don't believe in all that"

You nod your head "And I am not telling you to, just I don't know who you do it to maybe the sun, the moon, to someone you lost, god, anyone, just pray"

"And everything will get better?" asks sarcastically

You shake your head "It will give you hope to hold onto"

----------------------

Hope he was holding onto like his life depended on it which it did. Head trauma they said. Surgical complications leading to a coma. The hit that you got on the head by the rock protruding out of the mountain before Sam got you was more severe than any of them thought.

The doctors said the labs don't always show the exact situation until they are in the Operating Room and so you never woke up from the surgery.

There was significant brain activity that they could say maybe you would wake up but not enough to tell when that maybe would come or if it ever would. Bucky was ready to wait as long as it took.

He knocks on the door twice before a little come in is sounded from the inside and he pushes the door open.

His son sits with his own drawings, using the water colors Steve had bought for both of the kids to share which did not end well and Steve had to buy two new ones. Having gotten a very important lesson in raising twins. Always get two of everything.

Nixon keeps his head in his drawing as he dips his paint brush in the black color paint.

"What you got there" Bucky asks as he sits down in front of his son. With both his kids as tiny artists, he had learned to respect their dedication to their works.

"I'm painting" Nixon nods his head, still not looking at Bucky "I know you are here to scold me"

"Hey" Bucky calls out to his son who does not look up from his painting, having abandoned coloring on the paper "Hey honey look at me"

Nixon shakes his head before his eyes fill up with tears. Bucky moves the paints and painting from between them and moves to take his son in his arms.

Whoever did this. Which ever irresponsible person told all this to his son, whoever did this to his baby has another thing coming for them.

"Hey its okay hey buddy" Bucky rubs soothing circles on his son's back, trying to calm him down. This was the second time today he finds himself in this position and the hopelessness he feels is beyond anything. He couldn't lie to his children, couldn't look them in the eyes and say something even he was not sure about. So reassurances it was. Words he told himself every night.

His children needed you. Just like he did.

After what seems like a while of just his son crying and Bucky trying to hold it together, Nixon pulls away, muttering through his sobs.

"I wanted to tell Mom about my new friend Tyler and show her the star Miss Huffman gave me and and-"

Another sob and Bucky pulls his son into another embrace,

"Its okay"

But Nixon pulls back again, going on

"So I went to see her when you went to the store and Aunty Wanda thought I was sleeping and I went to mom's room in medical and when I was hiding the people there were telling each other that she may not wake up"

Bucky shakes his head, moving both his hands to cup his son's cheeks as he looks up at the ceiling for a minute. Hold it together Barnes. You can't let him see you cry and scare him more.

"Hey Buddy?" Bucky whispers after a moment, wiping away his son's cheeks of any and all tears. Nixon just nods his head, sniffling his nose.

"You know Mom and I never lie to you" a nod "So I will tell you the truth, okay?"

Nixon nods his head again "okay"

"Mom is sick" Bucky starts moving to sit both himself and his son on the bed and pulling the covers over themselves "She got hurt on the head. You know how we always tell you to wear a helmet or take care of your head when playing?"

Nixon nods his head "Yeah"

"That is because when we get hurt on the head, it takes a lot of time to get better"

The boy sniffles his nose and Bucky pulls out his handkerchief from his pocket, giving it to him

"So Mom got hit in the head"

"Yes, while fighting the bad guy, her head was hurt and so she will take a little longer to wake up"

"But they said-"

"Its the doctor's job to say that" Bucky tries to come up with a convincing reason "That is because they don't know how strong your Mom is now do they"

Nixon shakes his head at that "She is very strong"

"That she is and that is why she would wake up"

"But when?"

Bucky sighs at that. A question he asks himself every single day. If only he had an answer.

"I don't know" his son frowns at that and Bucky pulls him close "But do you know who does?"

Nixon looks at him questioningly

"God" Bucky shakes his head. His memories taking him to you "When you don't know what else to do, just pray. To anyone you want to, just pray"

"And Mom would get okay?" Nixon asks excitedly

Bucky shakes his head smiling "You would have some kind of hope to hold on to"

"Huh" the little boy mutters, clearly not understanding anything Bucky says.

"Nothing, come on its your bed time. How about I stay right here with you tonight"

Nixon nods his head excitedly and moves to make space for Bucky to lie down with him. He starts to talk about his day and telling him things he wishes to tell his Mom when she wakes up. Bucky hears patiently to every word the little boy says before falling asleep in his father's arms.

Bucky looks at his sleeping form, moving away the hair strings falling on his forehead and sighs.

He needed to be more clear with both the kids about things. Because as much as he wants it to, he can't control everything they may find out and its best if they hear it from him.

-----------

"Sergeant Barnes, Captain Rogers requests your presence in the Medical Wing"

Bucky jerks awake from his bed as F.R.I.D.A.Y 's voice announces through his bed room walls.

"Y/n" he whispers before hastily putting on a shirt and running out the room.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y can you please ask Wanda to come to my house to look after the kids please" Bucky says as he hastily puts his shoes on and opens the main door of his apartment in the Avengers compound.

"No need I'm here" Wanda says as she stands on the other end of the door

"Wanda what-"

She shakes her head "I don't know its just, I got a message from Nat to look after the kids"

Bucky nods his head, his heart beating wildly in his chest "They are asleep in their rooms, Thank you so much"

She puts her hand on his shoulder in reassurance. Bucky looks at her and she nods her head, he nods back before running out his apartment and towards the medical wing.

By the time he reaches the medical wing, he is completely out of breath and wheezing. All his thoughts focused on one thing. He prays to whoever he can that its not something bad.

Steve is standing outside your room and when he sees Bucky coming his way he tries to stop him

"Buck-" Bucky is having none of that as he tries to push Steve away and get inside

"Steve what is it" Bucky growls angrily "Let me go see my wife"

"Bucky listen" Steve says shaking his head and putting his arms on Bucky's shoulder to hold him back "Before you go in you need to listen to me-"

But before Steve can say anything any further Bucky's eyes move through the open door of your hospital room and your form sitting on the hospital bed, looking at Natasha as she says something.

Bucky feels his heart stop as tears of joumy start to fill his eyes. This was the moment. She was awake and even though he feels a tinge of sadness in his heart that he was not the first person you met after waking up, he feels elated beyond belief that you were there is front of his eyes awake and responding.

Steve words reach deaf ears as Buvky pushes him away and runs into your room before Steve could stop him.

You look away from Natasha and towards him and Bucky can feel his heart stopping.

You were awake. This is real.

There is a recognition in your eyes and before he can think anything, Bucky finds himself running towards you and taking you in a bone crushing hug. You seem to have stiffen, not responding to the hug initially before you move your hands towards his shoulders and push him away with as much force as you can master.

He looks up at you completely confused before you look at him too, holding eye contact for a moment, before your eyes seem to go distant. After what seems like minutes of silence and staring, you let out and ear piercing causing the occupants of the room to over their ears, everyone except Bucky who is frozen in place.

"Natalia" you turn to Nat, pointing frantically at Bucky"he is the one who tried to kill me, that man is the one who shot me"

"Wha-" before Bucky can say anything, Steve pulls him away from you and out of the room, Bucky does not give much of a fight as his eyes stay fixed on the door that your nurse closed after Steve pulled him out.

"That is what I was trying to tell you Buck" Steve says sadly running his hand through his hair "We think she has something called Partial Amnesia, she does not remember us, she only remembers her past, only remembers Nat as Natalia"

Bucky feels tears roll down his eyes freely as he looks at Steve hopelessly

"And she remembers little bits and pieces of things" Steve says sadly "She remembers you shooting at her not at the person behind her"

"She thinks I tried to kill her" Bucky says before he completely breaks down and loses his balance as Steve runs to catch him.

------------------

I'm so sorry but I just realized, I didn't specify the kids' age. They are twins and are 6 years old.

PART 2  Coming Soon....

[angrylizardjacket]

Yaaasss!!! Jelous Ben was si cuteee and we love a supportive mother, her mom is fantastic and a savage. I hace a question, how did you come up with reader's character in x-men?? I legit googled it as I thought it was a real character, so welk done.

i love her mum so fuckin much, dude, she’s supportive but can still be embarrassing at times. i wrote her, not like my actual mum, but like my dad now that i think about it. dude literally told me over the phone that he’d physically fight people for shittalking me (not just in general, there’s more context, but the point still stands). idk i think it’s disingenuous to not let parental characters have certain flaws, like they’re allowed to be overprotective and spiteful, as well as caring and supportive. i love her too.

oH SHIT DUDE LEMME TALK ABT MY GIRL CASSIDY TEMPLE I LOVE HER SO FUCKING MUCH AND I”VE PUT SO MUCH THOUGHT INTO HER THAT THIS WILL HAVE A READ MORE

so cassidy’s powers are actually based off of an xmen oc i’ve already written 70k about, Aoibheal Cassidy, younger sister of Banshee, Sean Cassidy, and Cassidy Temple’s name is a reference to her, since originally I was going to essentially have Y/N playing Aoibheal (because it’s my fic and i can include an homage to my xmen oc as a treat). the powers themselves are based loosely on Multiple Man from X-Men: The Last Stand, except Cassidy’s clones can’t live a life of their own like his can. In the xmen fic, aoibheal starts off with having unlimited clones, and they can explode because i thought it was neat tbh.

From the original fic, Molotov Heart, chapter 3, rubatosis:

[Context; humans experimenting on mutants between X-Men First Class and X-Men Days Of Future Past have caught Sean and Aoibheal and they experiment on them even though Aoibheal’s powers have not manifested (she is approximately 13) and they kill her brother in front of her]:

Stunned into silence, she can feel something white-hot building inside of her, all the rage and fear and pain becoming almost tangible.

She mutates.

Copies of Aoibheal, clones, appear around them, filling up the space between the now screaming and bewildered 'doctors'. Aoibheal herself doesn't seem to notice the clones, bawling her eyes out, an action the clones themselves are mirroring, and she thinks of nothing but freedom and escape, focusing on the white-hot feeling inside of her until it overwhelmed her. With the force of a bunker-buster bomb, the clones began to combust, began to explode, first a few, and then all at once. Killing the human personel who had kept her hostage, the blast reduced the warehouse to mere cinders, freed Aoibheal and left her clothing in tatters, but she was alive damn it.

The reason Cassidy has a limited number is because i needed a way to have her powered up as a horseman, like a distinct power up, rather than just something unseen like heightened reflexes and strength. 

I would like to point out also, that it’s not stated, but Cassidy’s explosions (NOT AOIBHEAL’s) are never to do with heat, they’re always about force. the explosions themselves are never hot, never have anything to do with fire or anything like that, she builds up force inside of the clones, and lets it tear her apart from the inside out as a wave that destroys the things it comes into contact with.

The scream was originally hereditary, like Banshee, it developed as her secondary mutation.

From the Marvel Wiki:

The Secondary Mutation (or "Second Mutation") is a phenomenon in which an existing mutant undergoes another mutation, gaining additional powers, such as healing, or a change in appearance.

Secondary mutation is noted as the appearance of new powers, or an increase in existing powers.

It was stated by Beast that the secondary mutations usually occurred in the twenties of the subjects, and generally appeared in time of great stress.

From the original fic, chapter 8, nodus tollens:

The appearance of the secondary mutation:

The world falls apart in a blur of movement. The gun goes off just after Raven jumps and makes a break for the window, the bullet curves as she crashes through the glass, following her on the way down. Tackling Erik earns Hank a mean right hook to the jaw, but Aoibheal’s there, looking at Trask like a dear in the headlights, memories whipping through her head like a hurricane - the sick fuck looks pleased to see her – her mouth falls open and she screams. She and the clone scream in tandem, their voices supersonic as the surrounding people clutched their ears for dear life; struggling to keep a hold of the feeling in her chest that caused her to explode, the clone detonates like a firework, scorching the wallpaper while Trask is stumbling to the door. There’s blood leaking from his ears but Aoibheal can’t move, can only scream and relive the memory of her brother’s murder over and over again.

Hank discussing it:

"I've never seen a secondary mutation so vastly different!" No longer blue or furry, [Hank’s] smile is excited as he looks over at her. Sharing the cockpit feels almost familiar by now, with Aoibheal curled up in the passenger seat nursing a glass of water. "It makes sense though, your original mutation – the explosions – would be an extension of your temperature immunity, but your secondary mutation is hereditary."

Cassidy’s scream, however, unlike Banshee’s, only effects things with ears, not inanimate objects like glass. Of course she could learn the right pitch to get glass to shatter like an opera singer, but generally speaking, her scream only effects things that can hear. 

OKAY LETS TALK ABT THE STUFF I FABRICATED FOR THE FIC

oh GOD I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH MAGNETO

not as in romantic, as in he is literally her character’s main inspiration in the films. i’m literally making a fake trailer right now that’s intercut with moments from his DOFP speech that was broadcast to the whole of america.

i love dofp (possibly to my detriment) but i always thought it was weird that no-one was ever like.... magneto has a point. BECAUSE HE HAS A POINT. he’s speaking directly to disenfranchised and SCARED mutants across the nation, and yet everyone’s heralding Mystique as the new face of mutant kind. YES she made a point, but like.... did no-one vibe with magneto when he promised the destruction of mankind? i would. anyways.

so i thought it would be interesting for this character, Cassidy, to have this hero-worship of Magneto, taking his words to heart like scripture, ultimately making her a foil for Phoenix, Xavier’s protege. 

it’s why i specifically included this:

“You should be,” you hissed, putting your all into the words as you spoke them, and you hear Ben inhale sharply beside you, “we shall inherit the Earth.”

“What follows is a struggle as Cassidy and the figure – revealed to be her clone – proceed to kill the man. When they’re finished, and the man’s dead on the ground, Cassidy straightens her outfit, and we hear –“ as the director reads, Michael begins to slowly clap, “a slow clap, and it’s revealed that Apocalypse, as well as Storm, Angel, and Magneto, had all witnessed the event.”

“We are the future, we are the ones who shall inherit the Earth,” Michael reads as he stops clapping.

“Magneto,” you breathe reverentially, and when you look to him, you and Michael share a sharp smile.

which is a direct quote from magneto’s speech in Days of Future Past:

You built these weapons to destroy us. Why? Because you are afraid of our gifts. Because we are different. Humanity has always feared that which is different. Well, I'm here to tell you, to tell the world, you're right to fear us. We are the future. We are the ones who will inherit this earth, and anyone who stands in our way will suffer the same fate as these men you see before you. Today was meant to be a display of your power. Instead I give you a glimpse of the devastation my race can unleash upon yours. Let this be a warning to the world. And to my mutant brothers and sisters out there, I say this; no more hiding, no more suffering. You have lived in the shadows in shame and fear for too long. Come out, join me. Fight together in the brotherhood of our kind. A new tomorrow, that starts today.

which ALSO is what turns her into the next big villain for the franchise, because she sees Magneto, the man she kind of thinks of like a god, turn on and help kill Apocalypse, the man who claimed to be an actual god, and side with the people who, ultimately, don’t want to destroy the human race like she does, and also killed the man she loved. she takes Magneto’s ideologies and turns them up to 11. he fucks off to create a mutant paradise away from prying eyes and is happy, she won’t be happy until all humans are punished.

it’s why, in the beginning, she and raven can’t still work together, because raven wants to rescue mutants, but not at the expense of unnecessary human lives, and cassidy sees all humans as complicit in the torture, and therefore deserving of punishment. 

she has deemed herself judge, jury, and executioner of human kind, and they have all been found guilty.

i’m so excited to see if i get around to writing some of the next film because i really want to explore the dichotomy of Xavier’s ‘no-one is ever really gone/there’s always hope’ and magneto’s ‘you were right to be afraid of us, we are the ones who shall inherit the earth’. Everyone has given up on Cassidy in one way or another, whether it be by betrayal or death, and so when she finds this symbiote who literally becomes a part of her, makes her stronger, and is happy to kill people with little regard for who they are, she’ll take it. 

EDIT: here’s the first 26 seconds of the fake trailer (Y/N here is played by Jurnee Smollett, aka Black Canary from Birds of Prey)

ANGEL & RIOT

i wanted y/n to kiss ben hardy that’s literally it. 

actually no that’s not it 100%, i think it’s super amusing in a kind of bleak way that he got fridged for her, like his death, both in the “””comics””” (as in the comic universe for the fics) and in the film, causes her to seek out a force that would help bring him back to life. in the “””comics””” she originally seeks out a mutant, but when the mutant who can bring people back refuses to help her, she’s told of experiments at The Life Foundation, who are working on engineering the next step in human evolution, and she’s thinking that they’re experimenting on mutants again, like trask, and goes in guns blazing, but instead finds symbiotes. she bonds with a symbiote, thus becoming Riot Control, and the symbiote initially promises her all these things, including being able to find a way to ressurect angel, but eventually (in the “””comics”””) the power he gives her overtakes her need to ressurect her love, and riot ends up using her to try and build a ship to bring more symbiotes to take over earth.

IN THE FILM

okay OKAY okay OKAY so she’s looking for a way to ressurect angel at first, but riot’s in her ear while he’s seeing all her memories, and is convincing her to get revenge on the people who are responsible for his death (nightcrawler, jean, and Magneto specifically) so its not that the xmen are just in the plot by happenstance there’s like actual beef, love it. 

I also love that Cassidy’s powers are handicapped when she’s got Riot, since her scream would injure or even possibly kill him. Yes i specifically paired her with a symbiote for that reason, which is also the reason why her clone explosions aren’t heat based. 

but anyway, can i spoil the ending? i wanna spoil the ending;

so there’s this big showdown between riot control and the xmen, and jean confronts cassidy, trying to talk her down like ‘what would angel think if he saw you? What you’ve become?’ and Cassidy’s furious, thinking that jean’s trying to guilt her, like, angel would be so ashamed

“Keep his name out of your fucking mouth, you have no idea what he’d think-”

“He’d be terrified of you.” And it’s so fucking like, cruel and cold coming from Jean.

“Shut up.”

“You have become a monster; you have maimed your idol-” [we cut to a shot of magneto looking all fucked up and bloody, watching with anger in his eyes] “and you have left Angel for dead. If you’d really cared about him, you would have already gotten him back. Instead, you come for revenge against the people who could have helped you -”

or something like that, and riot control has a whole breakdown, lashing out, snarling that no-one could help her, and when they tried, they ended up dead (angel, apocalypse) and she starts losing control, and her voice starts to distort in and out of riot’s, making it clear he’s taking control of her completely. 

there’s this big, final fight, which culminates with jean grabbing cassidy’s face and trying to burn riot out of her.

“No-one is beyond help.” And Jean’s like, got tears in her eyes, desperate to save this girl who’s caused so much pain, but who sees herself as so wretched and beyond help, and we see the symbiote burning away and screaming, but also the physical signs of cassidy’s mutation as like, peeling away in embers, like the black scales around her eyes, and the way her whole eyes are seen as black is now clearing away, and she takes both of Jean’s hands and forces her to keep holding on, to keep looking in her natural fucking eyes for the first and last time as she burns out too.

“You can’t save everyone.” and then Cassidy’s just ash in the wind.

also this ending, in a meta-sense, makes sense, because after this Disney buys Fox and there’s no more this-universe X-Men films, so they had to do a self-contained story, there couldn’t be things left super unresolved.

OR maybe she’s fine, maybe she gets saved and riot burns out of her (spoilers, he fucks off and doesn’t die, hence, Venom (2018); it takes him about 20 years to recuperate) i haven’t decided.

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

Reunion - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - The Reunion (Previous Chapter)

Rated: T

Fandom: Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Pairing: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough (Zerith)

Summary: Zack and Aerith finally get the reunion they both desperately deserve. (Part 1 of 2)

<><><><>

Fanfiction.net

A03

<><><><>

Aerith fell to her knees and Zack wanted nothing more than to run to her, but of course, Cloud picked a fucking wonderful time to stop supporting his own weight (as little as he could) and sent Zack nearly spiraling face-first into the floor. At the last second, he caught himself on the door frame and reluctantly had to accept that he had to keep Aerith waiting a few moments more so he could set Cloud down somewhere first.

"Hang tight, Spiky. I'm gonna set you down somewhere comfy you can rest." Zack whispered near Cloud's ear. "I'll come back for you, but right now, I gotta go see Aerith - I told you all about her, remember?"

The blonde let out a breathy version of what Zack could discern as his name.

Zack smiled in relief that Cloud's lucidity was coming back (fucking FINALLY) as he gently maneuvered Cloud over to one of the pews that wasn't completely rotting through. Zack lowered Cloud gently onto the wooden seat and made sure he was lying down comfortably before turning to leave.

"D-Don't…go, Z...ack…" Cloud muttered when he pulled away and Zack's heart lurched upon turning back around only to see Cloud shakily reaching out for him.

Pursing his lips, Zack removed his Buster Sword and the leather straps of its holster, laying both down before kneeling next to Cloud. Automatically, Zack took Cloud's shaky outstretched hand, squeezing it gently between both of his.

"I am not leaving you. I would never do that. I'll be just a few feet away..." Zack swallowed down the sudden lump in his throat upon hearing Aerith's sudden cry and knew he needed to get to her now. "…We're safe here and I'll be back, Cloud. I promise."

Cloud looked up at him and Zack choked back a sob when he seen Cloud looking back at him.

A few seconds later, the blonde's hand went slack; he closed his eyes and Zack knew he would soon be sleeping peacefully (he knew from experience given his many wonderful naps he'd taken in Aerith's church as she tended her garden). Laying down Cloud's hand down beside him, Zack brushed his fingers lightly through Cloud's Chocobo tufts before rising to his feet.

A quick internal pep talk later, Zack turned around to the girl he'd unwillingly left behind for way too damn long.

<><><>

As he approached the huge patch of colorful flowers where Aerith knelt, Zack stopped in his tracks when she suddenly put her hands over her mouth. Even muffled behind her palms, it did nothing to silence the most gut-wrenching sobs he ever heard come out of a person. The fact that it was his Aerith (a girl who hardly ever cried) made his own heart feel as if it was being brutally yanked from his chest with a pair of rusty tongs.

Zack would rather endure four more years of Hojo's torture than ever hear Aerith cry like this again…

"...Aerith…" he whispered, surprised his voice didn't crack as he made it to her, standing a few feet in front of her before slowly kneeling to her level. Carefully, ever so carefully, making sure not to hurt her flowers ('Most people are more careful around flowers, you know' '…I guess I'm not most people'), Zack scooted closer.

Instead of responding, she shook her head as her hands finally fell from her face only so she could hug herself around the middle. Her eyes still were locked on his and the utter agony lacing those red-lined watery green orbs and the tears dripping down her anguished face had his whole body ache.

Zack wanted nothing more in that moment than to grab her and wrap her in the safety of his arms.

To touch her to make sure she was real. Feel the silken softness of her skin against his heavily calloused palms, cradle her petite frame safely against him, press her tear-streaked face into the hollow of his throat and comfort her like she did for him the night his friend and mentor, Angeal, died.

…but Zack was afraid.

Yes, him. A First-Class SOLDIER who was trained and naturally feared nothing, laughed into the face of certain death more times than he could count, was absolutely petrified into stasis. Utterly terrified that if he reached his hand out, that Aerith would reel back or push him away.

…and that would kill him.

If the girlfriend (if she still was considered that at this point) he'd spent the last five years wanting nothing more than to be back in her arms, pushed him away - it would destroy him. Zack was horrified to think that the tears she was currently crying were not from relief from his reappearance but stemming from anger or sadness that he dared come back after leaving her alone and waiting for so fucking long (even if he had no choice in the matter)…

If Aerith rejected him now, Zack truly had no idea what he would do…

Zack imagined her screaming at him to get out, that how dare he come crawling back after leaving her alone for so long (even if he couldn't even recall her even doing so much as raising her voice before). Imagined him sitting in shocked silence but knowing he needed to respect her wishes, he'd nod, grab Cloud, leave back out those doors and never come back if she asked him to. He'd be leaving his tattered, bleeding heart lying at her feet and departing as nothing more than an empty shell but he would…for her.

So, he patiently waited as she finally opened her mouth to speak.

Zack mentally and emotionally prepared himself for anger, bitterness, hatred but instead of telling him to leave or some other horrific statement he'd expected, she finally cried out with the most broken voice he'd ever heard in his life.

"I - are…Am… A-Am I… *sob* …Am I d-dreaming…?"

Zack slowly approached her like one trying not to scare off a skittish animal.

Brilliant emerald eyes were huge with pools of shimmering tears clumped on her thick black eyelashes, cheeks and nose splotchy and red from crying but damn if she still wasn't the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen even in the state she was in. Her soil-coated hands and dirty fingernails, sweat limp hair (must have been hot today), dirt-covered frumpy yellow apron covered in a tacky flower pattern and…wait…

…was that a pink dress like he'd asked her to wear when he saw her again…?

Coincidence probably…but, wait… was that -

…The ribbon…

Aerith was wearing the same worn pink ribbon he'd bought and tied in her hair during their very first date over 7, or was it 8, years ago by now?

It was still there…she was still wearing it even after all this time…

Zack heart lurched and he didn't bother muffling the sudden sob that tore from his throat before finally answering her in a breaking voice, "…If this is a dream, than we both are, Aerith."

Aerith looked him in his eyes; emerald gaze scanning his face for an indeterminate amount of time as she visually traced every inch, every line, every single mark on his face before gazing straight back into his eyes and it was like his entire body and soul was completely bared before her. His skin prickled under her scrutiny - down to the very marrow of his bones - wondering what she was thinking but he didn't have to ponder long.

"...Oh, ZACK!" she abruptly cried, reaching out to him with trembling hands and in a split second, he was only inches from her. Still, he didn't touch her; worried she wouldn't react well to his sudden affections, so he waited as she reached out and touched him first.

<><><>

Aerith couldn't remember a time when she felt more of a sense of complete despair and utter relief all at once when her fingers finally reached out and touched the fabric covering his chest. Shaking digits and soil-coated skin of her palm experiencing warm cloth with the rock-hard musculature underneath versus the air that she expected.

How this Zack didn't fade into dust but was right here in front of her…

It wasn't like those other times when he'd disappear before reaching out to him…

Because this Zack didn't vanish…

Aerith sobbed loudly as she fully pressed the palm of her hand over his sternum, head fell forward slightly as she felt the frantic pounding of his heart and his chest rising and falling with unsteady breaths under her trembling palm. How absolutely wonderful it all felt.

All those nightmares - the horrific visions of blood, rapid gunfire, cold rain, a bullet-riddled chest and unpreventable death - of Zack fighting until his body physically couldn't hold him up anymore. Watching in utter horror and helplessness as the love of her life was ruthlessly gunned down and left for dead on blood-drenched cliffs. The dark sky opening up to pour sheets of icy rain over his battered, broken body until his heart stopped, breath ceased and all that beautiful life faded forever from his sky blue eyes…

Almost every night it was the same damn dream that felt way too real. All those endless nights she woke up soaked in sweat and tears, sobbing and screaming his name into her pillow, begging for him to come back. To please, just be alive, Zack… In those endless nights, how she would give anything just to be able to see him again.

And, like a long-awaited answer to a faithful prayer, here he was.

…He was back.

Zack kept his promise…

"...Y-You're real…" she whimpered, inwardly in the back of her mind knowing she sounded utterly wretched, but she didn't care when after five years, her Zack was back. "You're here…you're really here…" she uttered tearfully.

"...Yeah, I'm here…" he said with a sad smile and a trembling lower lip. "I'm sorry I took so long…"

Watching breathlessly when he blinked, her eyes following the few crystalline tears that slid down his tanned, sculpted cheekbones and slipping off his sharp jaw and it was like everything inside her broke straight open.

Aerith pushed aside all those fanciful ideas and detailed plans of what she would do upon seeing him again and just threw herself into him.

Not even giving a single thought to the flowers under her knees that were crushed and uprooted in her reckless actions - nothing mattered but Zack.

Clinging tightly to him as close as she could possibly get without outright crawling under his skin, Aerith hugged him. Knuckles and fingers ached as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and frantically gripped the fabric of his shirt and buried her face against his neck. The thrum of his pulse against her cheek and his heart wildly hammering against her breast was the absolutely most wondrous feeling in the entire world. She bit her lip and the sharp pinch of pain informed her instantly that she wasn't dreaming - she was awake - this was real…

And it was like she came alive again.

Zack was really here.

Alive.

Breathing.

Holding her just like she dreamt he would upon his return…

All those lonely miserable seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years faded into oblivion with the sensation of those wonderfully muscled arms returning her embrace. Big, warm calloused hands dragging and tenderly caressing in comforting circles across her back as he curled his body around hers like a protective barrier until she was completely surrounded by him. His incredible warmth, unsurpassed strength, intoxicating smell… Everything was just like she remembered and she never wanted to be without it again.

"Oh, Zack…I missed you…" she sobbed into his tear-soaked throat.

<><><>

Zack was taken aback when Aerith abruptly flung herself into his unsuspecting arms.

Instinctively, he immediately accepted her into the circle of his embrace. Slight weight, the feminine softness of her petite body, dainty fingers clenching tightly onto his newly-acquired sweater and warm, teary face burrowing into his throat had him letting out a sudden cry that he didn't even bother stifling. Normally steady hands were shaking as he eagerly ran his thickly calloused hands against the fabric of her pink cotton dress, loose braid, stray wisps of auburn silk kissing his knuckles and sinfully smooth skin of her arms and shoulders.

Zack finally wrapped her up and simply held her like he had been dreaming about for five fucking years…

So much pain melting away with her touch and affections even after so long apart. The agony of his previous hellish torture, pain, aches, fatigue of the battle he somehow survived, and all the damn stress he'd been carrying like an herculean burden for the past half-decade melted away as her arms tightened around him like she refused to let him go.

Zack wouldn't mind if she didn't either…

"Oh, Zack…I missed you…" she wailed into his neck, nose brushing against his pulse point and he let out a huff of a laugh, a few tears trickling down his face as he nuzzled his cheek against her hair.

He sniffled, swallowed back another sob before replying, "I missed you too, Aerith…so much…" Lower lip trembled as he gently brushed his lips against the crown of her head in an imitation of a kiss.

Aerith let out a soft cry at his voice and burrowed her face deeper into his throat, arms tightening around him. In turn, Zack cradled her closer, being so careful to make sure he wasn't hurting her or squeezing to tight. Inhaling deeply and shoulders slumping in abject relief, Zack felt himself relax and muscles completely unwind for the first time in five whole years.

The scent of the garden was a mocking comparison to how Aerith smelt - the earthiness and clean, fertile soil clinging to her clothes and skin, the fruity shampoo she still used wafting from her hair and the distinct smell of lilies that trailed her wherever she went even when she wasn't among her garden.

…For the first time in so damn long, Zack felt safe…

So much so that time itself felt non-consequential in Aerith's thin arms.

For years, Zack was nothing but a jittery bundle of nerves. Whether it was waiting for Hojo to start their torture of himself or Cloud, debilitating anxiety when Cloud screamed but then stopped, eventually even quit responding to the messages he'd scratched into the glass of their Mako tanks. Or just how utterly and terribly alone he'd felt for so damn long. The escape and running and running and running; the constant anxiety and agony of wanting nothing but to be free and away from under Shin-Ra's thumb.

Body and nerves frayed, constantly expecting an attack, an ambush, always running and hiding and fighting just to survive until the next morning… But as Aerith's hands loosened in his sweater, fingertips and short nails dragging pleasantly over his shoulderblades and spine in comforting circles and mindless shapes, that deep ache he assumed would always be present began to fade away…

"...Zack?" Aerith asked, breaking him from his thoughts (he could have easily fallen asleep for a year like that) as her face finally left the hollow of his throat to look up at him with those gorgeous green eyes he'd missed so damn much.

The ex-SOLDIER reluctantly released his tight embrace to look at her properly, "Hmm? What is it? …Is everything alright?"

"It is now," she said with a teary smile, "…but, I just need to know…" Aerith bit her lip before finally asking, "…Where were you, Zack?"

Zack froze.

His cheek twitched and hands started shaking but he forced them still before she could notice (she probably still did though…she was always way too observant when it came to him).

Old but terribly loud demons began screeching within the confines of his head and he pulled back slightly further from Aerith in fear that she could somehow hear the echoes of them. Sephiroth speaking nonsense in a moldy basement surrounded by dusty books (nothing like the stoic proud man he knew before), a town on fire and all those innocent people dead or dying in the blaze. Being thrown like a ragdoll down metal stairs with the masume wound pierced straight through his side, Cloud falling next to him and he couldn't even reach him before it all went black. Waking up in a sterile lab, Cloud's screams of pure blinding-white agony joined by his own, Hojo's demented laugh or even the roar of the horrendous saw that crudely cut his ribs open to get to his organs…

No!

Aerith couldn't know what really happened.

His beautiful flower girl still retained that same innocence even if it was burdened by five years of waiting and difficult slum life - he still saw a brightness in her he never wanted to dim. Would die before ever letting that happen and Zack wouldn't be the one to take that light away from her. It was his burden he refused to share - especially now.

"It's…I…Aerith, I can't, I -" Zack struggled for words, the tremors returned but Aerith's gentle hands returning to caress his shoulder blades had him calm almost instantly and he leaned into her healing touch.

"No, I'm sorry, I-I shouldn't have asked," Aerith looked chastised, more tears gathering as she must have seen the horrific memories that etched themselves on his expressive face. Zack had always been easy for her to read; with her, he was sure to carry his heart on his sleeve and it seems five years did nothing to temper that.

"No, Aer. I will. ...I'll tell you someday…but not now…" Zack shook his head, "Hell, maybe not for a really long time. Maybe never, I just..."

"Zack, you don't have to, I'm sorry, I -" Aerith sobbed and Zack gingerly brushed his hand against her cheek as an interruption; she trembled and leaned into his palm.

"...I will when I'm ready - okay?" he decided on.

Aerith bit her bottom lip as it trembled between her teeth and she gazed knowingly into his eyes before finally nodding, "…whenever you're ready..."

The slight break in the intimate moment before was quickly recovered when Aerith leaned forward to rest her head back on his chest. "I'm sorry. It really doesn't matter now...I'm just so happy that you're back...that you're here with me," she admitted against his sternum, hands caressing his back mindlessly.

Zack was relieved when she dropped the subject; uttering a simple, "Yeah. Me too…" against the top of her head. Forcing his heart to calm and remember that he and Cloud were safe now, Zack wrapped his arms loosely over her thin shoulders as his eyes slid closed.

<><><> 

(Link to Chapter 4)