#she once asked me over slack ‘could I convince you to send me a file because walking back is ✨the biggest hassle✨

[bioswear]

You all are so welcome for Steph Gingrich posting

[thekillingmoonmoon]

living legend

masterlist

Pairing: Kishibe x Fem!Reader Warnings: None this chapter Synopsis: with mounting debts and everdwindling funds, will you take your coworker's offer? Length: 1, 2 k

And baby you, all the things you do And the ways you move, send me straight to heaven And baby you, what you never knew What I never said, is you're my living legend

Masterlist

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

“Are you serious?” you groaned at your phone, the latest email from your landlord open and glaring at you. “Never, but I might be for you,” Kishibe answered as you stepped into the elevator. You laughed, long used to the subtle flirtations the older man sent your way, sure that every young woman in the office got the same glitter in his eye and severed smile. You settled into the elevator beside him and groaned, looking down at your phone once more. “What’s got you looking so glum?” Kishibe asked, popping a breath mint and offering one to you, he must have just come from having a smoke outside.

“Rent,” you grumbled, “It’s gone up by ten percent, and with my student loan -” you groaned, taking the offered sweet and throwing it in your mouth. You wished you could go have a smoke, but Makima needed the files tucked under your arm. “This place not pay you enough?” Kishibe asked and you shook your head, “Not even close,” you sighed, “I’m only gonna start saving by the time I hit thirty,” you paused, “and that’s if I get a promotion at the end of this month.” “The one you and Himeno are fighting for?” Kishibe gave you an unreadable stare, You sighed “Yeah, and I feel bad because she needs it just as much,” you pinched the bridge of your nose. The elevator dinged as you got to the executive floor. “You got plans for lunch?” Kishibe asked, and you grumbled again, “No, I left my lunch at home,” you cussed, “I’ll have to get bread –“ “Good,” Kishibe interrupted you, “I’ll fetch you by your office at one,” he looked you over, “You got a jacket to go with that skirt?” You looked up at him and nodded, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. “Good, see you then,” and then he was gone, disappearing down the hallway to his office, leaving you in a fluster, cheeks hot as you stepped out of the lift. Why was he doing this?

...

“How’s it going?” Kishibe knocked and peeked inside your office on the lower floor. You looked at him, surrounded by files. “How does it look?” you grimaced. “You still up for lunch?” He asked, and you shrugged, “You didn’t give me much choice,” he tilted his head, “but I need the break,” you concluded, grabbing your bag and jacket from the back of your door “Let’s go, before Power discovers I’m gone,” You said, peering down the corridor. Kishibe scoffed and held the door open for you, his hand skimming the small of your back as you worked past. He took you across the street, watching as your eyes grew wider and wider as he punched in the highest number in the elevator across the street, taking you to the best restaurant in Tokyo. “Kishibe?” you looked at him, and he shrugged, “My treat,” he said, “I always wondered if the food here was good.” The foot was more than good. Your eyes fluttered close at your first bite, savouring the explosion of flavour over your tongue. “I take it's to your liking?” Kishibe chuckled across from you. You nodded eagerly, cheeks flushed at the taste. “Good,” he took a bite of his food, dark eyes never leaving yours as you sipped at your wine. He had convinced you to drink, citing the need to be slightly tipsy when you got back to the office and had to deal with your coworkers. “That Power,” you shook your head, “Yeah?” “It’s as if she and Denji share one brain cell,” you sighed, “and it’s always hungry,” he scoffed and you found yourself melting back into your seat. You looked out over the city, wondering if this was what it was like to be Kishibe and Makima – to dine at the top of buildings, eating the best food the country had to offer, spending more on a single meal than you spent in a month on groceries. “What are you thinking about, sweetheart?” Kishibe sipped at his whisky, startling you from your reverie. You gulped, and decided that honesty was the better policy, “Wondering if this is what it’s like to be you,” you admitted, “Or to have the means you do,” you clarified. “Would you like to find out?” his next question took you from left field. “Pardon?” Kishibe straightened a bit in his chair, sipping from his whisky before looking across at you. “As you know, I’m single,” oh you knew. And in the darkest parts of your heart, you were glad. You couldn’t imagine Kishibe with someone, his eyes following them when they moved, a gold band burdening his left hand. “Yes,” You narrowed your eyes. What was he suggesting? “It’s not what you’re thinking, doll,” his nicknames spilt so easily over his tongue, smooth and sweet like the wine on your tongue. “How do I put this..” He paused, “think of it as a contract,” he explained. “A contract entailing what?” you were ready to leave, gathering your purse together at any sign of anything untoward. “I need someone to live with me,” Kishibe said simply, “a roommate if you will. Lately,” he sighed, “I’ve been struggling by myself.” “How?” you could not imagine Kishibe struggling with anything, ever. He seemed so together, so straightforward, so confident. “Take a meal for example,” he pointed to the empty plates before you, “Can you imagine eating this alone?” You looked at him, at those unreadable eyes, dark and deep. “You’re lonely?” he shrugged. “You could say that,” he said casually as if he hadn’t admitted something so vulnerable about himself. “What do I do?” You asked, shifting back into your seat, settling, listening. “Live with me,” he said as if he were commenting on the weather, “share meals with me, have a drink with me occasionally,” he tilted his head. “And sex?” You decided to ask outright and he shook his head, “If I was asking you to be my sugar baby, I’d just ask you,” he said. And you accepted it. You looked at him, at his unfathomable eyes, at the relaxed way he lounged in his chair. He wasn’t lying, and you wouldn’t say you weren’t tempted. Having one less expense would make your life a hell of a lot easier. “I’ll think about it,” you finally said, surprised at the slow smile that stole across his severed face. “Good.”

...

Another email. Another godforsaken email. This time from the university, asking for this month’s payment on your student loan. You dropped your head to your desk, startling both Denji and Aki as they walked into your office. “What’s up, Boss?” Denji asked, immediately getting elbowed by Aki, “Have some respect, pest,” Aki hissed, before looking at you, “Are you okay?” You shrugged, “as okay as any person my age in debt would be,” and Aki nodded in understanding. From what you understood, he lived with Denji and Power, and you wondered why you hadn’t thought of getting a roommate sooner. Or becoming a roommate. You dealt with Denji and Aki as quickly and professionally as you could, missing the way Aki’s eyes lingered on your drawn face, how he hung back as you ushered them out of your office, telling them to get home and get some rest. You plopped back down behind your desk. Your email pinged again. You picked up the phone. “Kishibe, sir?” “Yeah,” came the gruff response. “I’m in.”

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[donald4spiderman]

The City

masterlist

-

Summary: Reader is thinking about moving to California. Spencer’s determined to get her to stay.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x BAU!Fem!Reader

Warnings: none

Category: Fluff (angst if you squint)

**Inspired by Ben’s poetic confession in Parks and Recreations, S3E14**

Here’s a draft i forgot to post

-

**not edited yet**

Spencer’s POV

As a profiler, I’ve mastered the observation and analysis of behavior— we all have.

Picking the minds of serial killers is second nature— so why is it so hard for me to figure out why (Y/N) is behaving so strangely?

In the recent months, her witty and charming energy has dwindled into a lethargic imitation. Whether she’d admit it or not— (Y/N) can be extremely enthusiastic about certain things— especially our job.

So, when I watch her drag her feet, inch by inch, into the BAU each morning, It’s hard to contain my concern.

I know Morgan has noticed, and I’m sure everyone else has too. They’re probably just too scared to say anything. (Y/N) doesn’t enjoy people prying into her private life, so we all stay a comfortable distance away.

I watch her a lot... more than I’d like to admit. It’s hard to be unaware of her nervous behaviors— the nail biting, hair twisting, skin picking— I practically have enough data to make a correlation graph. I can tell when she’s upset, and it’s happening more than usual.

(Y/N) has always been kind to me. Even when I was at the peak of my stammering, slicked-back hair phase, she treated me with more respect than I deserved. I can only imagine how awkward I must’ve been (or, still am), and I thank her for not belittling me.

I guess I’m validating the Benjamin Franklin Effect when I say this— but I feel like I owe it to her to ask what’s wrong. Over the years I’ve built up (arguably) the closest friendship with her, so it only makes sense for me to bite the bullet for the team.

It’s partially due to the fact that I’ve developed a slight (if not major) crush over time, but who wouldn’t? A gorgeous, intelligent, quick-witted women is kryptonite for any person. Our conversations are always stimulating, she gives the best advice, and she’s always there to comfort a team member.

So, it pains me to see her struggle through a paperwork day. I wish she would reach out to anyone for help, but it’s not in her nature.

“H-Hi.” I smile as I approach her desk. Her tired eyes look up at me, and she smiles back.

“Hey, Reid. What’s up?

I rub the back of my neck nervously. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Morgan and Emily watching me struggle to form a sentence. They giggle as they watch.

“I-I was... um. D-do you want to get coffee with m-me? Not now! I mean— after work!” Morgan stumbles out of the bullpen, barely containing his laugh. I must sound pathetic.

(Y/N) nods hesitantly, “S-sure. I don’t know why you want to get coffee with me, but I’m free.”

“Really?” My surprise shocks her. “T-that’s gr-great! I can drive you!”

She chuckled, “I think I’d rather drive us. I’m pretty sure you can’t drive a mile without hitting a curb.”

I nod fervently. “Sounds good.”

As I make my way back to my desk, I send a glare in Emily’s direction as she continues to smirk at me.

-

(Y/N) grabs an empty table in the café, and we sit down, huddling close to our warm drinks. She orders a cinnamon latte, I order a black coffee with an unhealthy amount of sugar.

I place the drinks down. “Did you know that cinnamon is shown to reduce systolic blood pressure. It’s commonly used in South Asia and works by dilating blood vessel.”

She nods, “Surprisingly, I did know that. You’re gonna have to teach me something else, Doc.” I laugh in response, enjoying the relaxation that radiates off of her.

“I feel like we don’t get to, um, t-talk as much as I would like to.” My words get caught in my throat and she gives me a lopsided smile.

“Well, we don’t exactly have the most leisurely job.” She states, sipping her drink.

I bite my lip, she looks down. I convince myself that my mind is playing tricks on me, because there’s no way (Y/N) would glance down to watch me pull my bottom lip between my teeth.

“I know... but you used to talk more.”

“I’ve been busy lately. Tired too.” She mumbles.

I mean forward slightly, my voice is a hushed whisper. “A-are you... okay?” I’m anticipating an defensive response, but all she does is sigh.

“I’m alright. I just... I’m getting tired of being here— in D.C.”

My eyes widen and my brows knit together. “W-What! Why?”

(Y/N) shrugs, “I don’t know. I just expected to feel... really, really attached to D.C when I first moved here. I love my job, and I love you guys— but nothing’s keeping me here.”

My face drops. My disappointment is adamant because she scrambles to reassure me.

“It’s not that I don’t absolutely love working with you guys. You’re my best friend, Spencer. But... I came to D.C to... I don’t know... settle down.” It comes out as more of a question rather a statement. “It’s sounds weird, right? Me, settling down?” She laughs. “I-I don’t mean a husband and a family necessarily. I moved here because I wanted to belong somewhere.”

“You don’t feel like you belong?”

“I feel... I feel like everything I have right now is temporary. It’s not the feeling I expected to have. I just want to have something permanent in my life for once.”

I remain silent, lacking the proper response.

“Please don’t tell anyone!” She pleaded.

I smile solemnly, “I won’t. I promise.”

In that moment, I make another promise. Not just to (Y/N), but to myself. I’m going to show her how many things she has here for her in D.C.

I’m going to prove how much I believe she belongs.

-

I started by bringing her coffee each morning— a cinnamon latte from the same café we went to.

The first time she seemed pleasantly surprised. I sped through the doors of the bullpen, my coat and slacks absolutely soaked due to the rainy D.C weather. She giggled at the sight of my hair plastered to my forehead. I was certain that I looked like a wet dog.

“Morning!” I greeted, placing down both cups of coffee on her desk so I could fix my hair. “I-uh-I got you coffee. A cinnamon latte, of course.”

(Y/N) smiles brightly, “You’re the best. Thanks, Reid. I definitely needed this.”

Hotch and Rossi are watching me curiously, pretending not to look up from their files. At this moment, I could care less.

“It’s n-nothing.” Suddenly I’m blushing furiously under the weight of her stare.

“Thanks, again.” She clears her throat, “Y-you’re a really good friend.”

She smiles. And I smile.

-

In the next three weeks, (Y/N) and I grow closer at a rate faster then ever. I try to do something small for her everyday. Finishing up a file for her; Bringing her coffee or water; Sitting next to her on the jet. It appears to be working— she looks much more relaxed and happy. Her sarcastic humor is back and she engages more with the team.

We’ve decided to hang out after today. I find myself enjoying every minute with her, even if all we do is talk, eat, and walk around aimlessly. I’m sure she’s tired of me, but my infatuation with her only grows.

Tonight, we’re sitting at the park, watching people on their late night jogs, dog walkers, babysitters. We finished eating Indian food at a local restaurant. Turns out we’re both regulars at the same place, it’s a shame we haven’t run into each other.

She’s sitting criss-cross on the bench, her elbow rested on top of her knee. “You know,” She starts, “D.C is pretty great. I don’t think I’ve felt this... content in a while.”

I smile, even if it’s too dark for her to see. “Th-thanks. D.C is a great place, despite averaging 39 inches of rain annually.”

She means her head back against the bench. “I still don’t know. I feel like I’m just waiting for something. I don’t even know what that something is... a sign maybe?”

“A sign?” I laugh.

“Y-yeah... a sign. I’d usually make a pros and cons list and research the differences between the two places but... this decision feels too personal to look at it as just statistics.”

In this very moment, I decide to toss all my concerns, questions, what if’s, into the wind. This is my final move; my last resort; my Hail Mary.

My hands are trembling, and it takes me seconds to force the words out of my throat.

“W-well, besides the higher cost of living and considerably gloomy weather, D.C can be a p-pretty great place to reside. It has a busy political culture and is one of the most diverse states in the country.” I pause for a little longer than necessary.

“But, besides statistics and facts, if w-we look past objectivity, to me: D.C is where my friends are, and my friends are my family. Um... I like The City because it’s home to so many great people. A-and I know it’s hard to see the good in things considering how much violence we see on a daily basis, but certain people make me believe that things aren’t all that bad.”

(Y/N)‘a listening attentively, making me even more nervous than I thought possible. “D.C— The City— is beautiful. It’s charming. It’s a warm, cinnamon latte on a rainy day, o-or a late night walk in the park. To me, it’s home.” I catch her smirking a little bit, and I can only hope that she understands what I’m trying to say.

“Plus, The City is really good at her job. The City’s an excellent profiler. But, the city’s an even better friend, and an even better person. It doesn’t hurt that The City has great hair, and gorgeous eyes, and a perfect smile. And, she does this cute thing where she twists the ends of her hair, even if I keep telling her to stop. The City’s beautiful and definitely out of my league. She probably wants nothing to with me now, but I don’t care. I really like The City. And, even if she doesn’t like me back, she should stay, because there are so many people that like and love The City. ‘Cause who wouldn’t.”

(Y/N) is full on grinning right now, and it’s hard to stay patient when so much is on the line.

“Wow.” She giggles. “You really like The City.”

I chuckled awkwardly, “Y-yeah. I really do.”

“I mean, if you think The City’s so great, maybe I should stay. Plus, I’m sure The City likes you too.”

I feign confusion, “Really? I don’t know... The City can be kind of closed off sometimes.”

“Trust me— The City definitely likes you back. And I don’t think The City appreciates you saying that about her”

“Oh really?” I gasp. “Let’s ask her.”

I turn my head around, then proceed to look back at (Y/N) in the most dramatic fashion.

“Hey.” I laugh.

“Oh, Hi Dr. Reid!” She feigns surprise to match my frivolousness.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, b-but I really like you. And, a little birdy told me that you like me back.”

She laughs heartily, “Well, that little birdy is a pretty reliable source.”

Soon, her head is resting on my shoulder. My body’s stiff and the air is caught in my lungs, but I feel more content than I have in years. Somehow the weather is warmer, and the sun is brighter, and things just seem... better.

“This is a great city.” She mumbles, peering up at me in the most adorable fashion.

“Yeah,” I smile, “It really is.”

-

“Pawnee’s a really special town, I love living there. And, I look forward to the moments in my day where I get to hang out with the town, and talk to the town about stuff. The town has really nice blonde hair too. And, it’s read a shocking number of political biographies for a town, which I like.” - Ben Wyatt

[papipopsicle]

SHY AWAY PART FIVE

Pairing: Bucky Banes X Reader

Summary: In which an imitation Captain America leads to Y/N leaving her holiday early and coming back to the field. Stuck between her only two friends, she's forced to reveal a secret she'd kept even from herself.

Song: Rain by Grandson

Warnings: swearing, small amount of John Walker (if he's in here, he's a warning)

Words: 1.4K

A/N- "Doar spune când, James, am sã-l gut ca un porc." Translates to "Just say when, James, I'll gut him like a pig." in Romanian.

MASTERLIST

feedback is always appreciated

"And if he was wrong about you, then he was wrong about me." The words ricocheted through Y/N's mind as Walker tried his hardest to coerce the trio into helping him. The brunette woman didn't care for his manipulative tactics, unable to focus on anything other than Bucky's dejected tone and melancholy visage.

He couldn't be more wrong, and she wished with everything in her conscious being that he could view himself through her eyes even for just a moment. They may be ever so slightly rose tinted, she admitted to herself, knowing she held her friends to a higher standard than most people. But she had good reason to.

"James Buchanan Barnes." Y/N mumbled the name, finding an instant affinity to the way it sounded in her hushed voice. She sat atop Steve's bed, two months had passed since Hydra and Shield both fell, the two free agents for the first time in three years. The file Natasha had given him lay flat across her lap, ogling at second photo attached, "That Sargent uniform... there is nothing I wouldn't let him do to me while wearing that."

Steve leant against his doorframe, entertained by his friend's enthralment, "And in his Winter Solider gear, and when you saw him pulling me out of the Potomac. I'm starting to think it's not just the outfits, honey."

A small part of her brain accepted in the hierarchy of humans in her life, Bucky was at the top. Y/N tried to convince herself he was equal with and just as platonic as Sam. Prior to 'The Blip', she was so head-sure when it came to that - but now her head swam with his voice and drowned a happy death in his scent.

"A word of advice then, stay the hell out of my way." John's strident voice pulled Y/N from her thoughts. Sam's hand lay on the small of her back, guiding her away from the imitation Captain. She felt like slicing open his neck right then and there, he didn't deserve the shield even for a minute. He could keep the stupid outfit, but the shield meant something to her, to most people.

"Doar spune când, James, am sã-l gut ca un porc." Y/N growled, shaking away her anger as the three walked in the opposite direction to John and his companion.

The air was quiet for a few minutes, maybe even ten. Y/N looked for the nearest hotel, finding an appropriate one and guiding the boys down these unfamiliar streets. Only a quiet 'this way' or 'next turn' came from her, seeming so unnaturally ordinary like an exploring tourist. Sam gave Bucky a once over, checking on his friend, finding his gaze firmly attached to the woman two steps ahead of them.

They may not be the closest kind of friends, but Sam could read the super soldier with ease. He smirked, choosing once again not to mention his findings, especially after the fragility of his self worth shone through the therapy session.

"So, what are you thinking?" Sam asked smoothly.

Bucky observed his surroundings before speaking, alert of all the pedestrians around him, "Well, I know what we have to do. When Isaiah said 'my people'..."

"Oh, don't take that to heart." Sam comforts him, his usual calm nature alleviating any awkwardness left from the station, "That's not what he meant."

"No, he meant Hydra. Hydra used to be my people, they were when he and I met." Bucky said lowly.

Sam let out a large sigh after a moment, piquing Y/N's attention, "Not a chance."

"Walker doesn't have any leads..." Bucky trails off, and Y/N covertly slowed her steps to fall back in line with the two men. She wracked her tired brain, piecing together the conversation she hadn't cared for, until a horrible conclusion struck her.

"I swear to all the gods out there," Y/N began in a hushed voice, her tone not playful like usual, "if you want to see Helmut, ask him to cooperate and help us on this, I am absolutely on board."

Both men scrunched their faces at her change of tune, knowing to be even more wary than when her voice sounded serious. She turned to face them, stopping their journey to the hotel to address the two properly.

"He knows all of Hydra's secrets." Bucky aims his words at Sam, "Don't you remember Siberia?"

The question was obviously rhetorical, but Y/N remembered it far too well. The event that fractured her only ever family. Being who she was, the accords were never going to fly, but the aftermath they lead to was catastrophic. She went on the run with Steve and Sam, finding ways every now and again to slip away for weeks at a time to visit Bucky.

"So you're just gonna go sit in a room with this guy?" Sam asks blatantly doubtful.

Bucky eyes both of his friends warily, "Yes."

"I'm sorry, how are you so okay with this?" Sam directs at Y/N, who had already began walking in the direction her map lead to. She assumed the conversation was over, not feeling the need to explain herself.

Y/N doesn't stop her ambling towards the hotel, now only a few minutes away. The boys surely follow after her, "It's pretty simple Sammy, I'd rather have someone I hate twelve percent less help us make things right before John even has a chance."

"Twelve percent?" Bucky queries, both him and Sam quickening their paces to catch up with her.

"Yeah," She threw a grin over her shoulder at them, "obviously an estimate. But, if I actualised my hatred at this current time, Helmut is at steady seventy five percent, while John is presently at eighty seven percent."

The two men nodded at her theory, silence settling over the group as they walked the final few minutes to the hotel. It was a small independent Bed and Breakfast with a black illuminated sign reading 'Sutton's B&B'.

"Three rooms please, whatever you have will do we aren't picky." Sam asked the tired elder lady at the front desk, flashing his pearly whites for extra charisma. Y/N found out a long time ago that her presence often frightened most women, she didn't have much experience when it came to charming them, that was Sam's area of expertise.

Bucky stood beside Y/N as Sam spoke with the front desk lady, his body nearly falling slack as the brunette woman leaned her weight against him. He steadied himself, wrapping his right arm around her figure- he had no reason to, other than he felt like it. They didn't shift away from each other when Sam turned back with a key each for them.

"I've been real nice and given Bucky the double, because I doubt he'd fit in a single bed. Y/N and I are sharing a twin single." Sam quietly said, feeling himself betting closer and closer to asking what was his friends deal.

He wanted a couple more days to clear the air before questioning the two, and maybe by then they'd have a straight answer for him rather than them both denying it.

"Night, James, message me if you need anything." Y/N implored in a hushed tone as the trio reached the super soldier's room for the night. She squeezed his side tightly and a small kiss landed on her forehead as they parted.

Bucky unlocked his door, smiling at his two friends, "Goodnight."

The old door clicked behind him, and Sam tugged along the sleepy ex assassin "Come on, you need to sleep if you want to destroy John Walker."

"Sammy?" Y/N asked with a small yawn, eyes attempting to find their room.

He pointed at a door a few steps away, locating their number, "Yeah?"

"You always know just what to say." She hummed, using her key and immediately flopping down on the small bed with a thud.

part six?

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[laylacooke]

The Cat’s Meow (Pt. 2) || Regan & Layla

timing: Mid August (before Cabin Trip) [continued from here.]  parties: @kadavernagh​ & @laylacooke summary: Meow?

Layla’s heart was beating fiercely in her small compacted chest. Orange fur heaved up and down as she finally stopped running and had made her escape from Luna and Indy. But confusion still hung heavy over her mind, along with no immediate ideas of how she was going to get out of the situation she was in.

She hadn’t been able to catch a mirror on the way out, but when she had tried to speak Ariana’s name the only thing that came out was a pitiful meow. A meow that had alerted her to more than she had wanted to know in the moment.

It had to be a dream, right? No, more like a nightmare. God, was she stuck inside another nightmare? She had just escaped that reality. But then it hit her like a double headed dildo to the face...Cordy. It was the only possibility, right? She had just seen the woman the day before and pissed her off. Maybe she could go see her and this would all go away. Maybe she would be Layla again. Maybe just maybe - Screeeeeeech! “Watch it you stupid cat!” Eyes wide, the small ginger cat hunkered down in fear realizing she had almost gotten hit by a car. Focus, Layla. Or the next time you’re going to look like Binx from Hocus Pocus.

Quickly escaping from the street, before another car came, Layla realized she needed help.

Remmy? Moose might eat me.

Kaden? Uh-uh. He’s an animal catcher and a hunter for fucks sake.

I’ve got it!

Picking up one paw after the other, the small, furry animal made her way through town as she tried to avoid the temptations that were starting to overwhelm her. Fresh fish. Blagh. A large juicy rat! Oh fuck no. Chasing a bird? Maybe. No, Layla. No. Mind on the mission. Mind. On. The. Mission. It was the small child that was now chasing her screaming ‘kitty’ that put a little extra pep in her step. Stop! No! Bad child! Bad! She let out a horrific meow as the toddler grabbed onto her tail pulling her backwards, and with no choice, she released her claws and swatted at the child. Seeing him tear up broke Layla’s heart, but she couldn’t stop, especially now when his mother was chasing after her and trying to kick her away. I’m sorry!

With a huff, she continued moving forward; little legs growing tired with the occasional breaks scattered throughout, but when she looked up, she realized she had made it.

Waiting for the right moment, Layla weaved her way through the legs of the person entering the building. Maneuvering up the stairs with stealth, she finally arrived. Regan’s apartment. She had saved the medical examiner when the woman was only five inches tall, and now, it was Regan’s turn to save her.

It had become a ritual. Coming home, spreading out the case files from “The Collector’s” victims, and scrutinizing the images and autopsy reports until her eyes felt numb. Regan was thumbing through them again when she heard an insistent meow outside of her door. For a moment, she wondered if it had been a hallucination. She wasn’t sure she’d ever hallucinated a cat before, though. Maybe it was best to check. Reluctantly, she shuffled over to the door, opening it to see -- “How did you get in here?” Regan frowned down at the animal. Did Nadia get another cat? Or did Ms. Carmody? The old woman always seemed a little pleased when there were cat carcasses on the lawn; maybe she had a soft spot for them. Before she could close the door on the cat, it slid past her legs into the apartment. “Hey! Stop! Sit!” She tried to command it like she would Abel, but the animal seemed determined to stay inside. Her wings rustled in annoyance. She shut the door, at least for now, lest anyone who wasn’t Nadia walk by. It was just her and the cat, now. She studied its orange fur and bright eyes. The animal looked relatively healthy, as far as she could tell, though she wasn’t exactly a veterinarian. “Fortunately for you, cat, I’m dating someone in Animal Control. He’ll find you a good home. One that isn’t here.”

Regan had taken the bait, and Layla was in. The world, including the M.E’s apartment was so much bigger as a cat. Everything seemed to be duller and her field of vision seemed limited to a degree and made the already drab apartment seem even less exciting. However, that didn’t matter. Trotting over to Regan, the small cat rubbed across her leg continuously, until she mentioned Animal Control. Fucking Kaden. He was going to be the foil in her plot. Hissing at the idea, she left the woman’s side and ran to the nearby couch. Jumping up onto it, she started to pace back and forth, rubbing on the cushions trying to be loving. If she thinks I’m cute, maybe she won’t let Grandpa haul me away. She meowed softly; her big yellow eyes making contact with Regan’s hoping to win her over.

The cat yowled as Regan mentioned Animal Control, like the animal had some idea of what that meant. That wasn’t possible, was it? She didn’t know very much about cats, but dogs could recognize their name and some commands. Did this one actually know what that meant? Kaden surely wouldn’t euthanize the cat; it would be brought to the shelter and adopted out into a home that would be at least adequate. The cat flung itself around the apartment and ended up on the couch, coating it in fur as it rolled around. Regan frowned at it, then looked down at her slacks. Fur clung to her shins where the cat had rubbed. Great. She brushed it off, then took a cautious step toward the animal. She wasn’t keen on touching it. What if it had rabies or something else? It could have been exposed to anything outside. “Cat,” Regan announced, unsure how to address it, “this isn’t going to work. There’s too much screaming and not enough tuna here for you. I don’t know how to take care of a cat! I’ve never had any animal before and half the time I don’t even know if Abel is afraid of me and-- and this is ridiculous. I’m talking to a cat that turned up in my apartment.” She pulled out her Nokia to shoot Kaden a message: How do you catch a cat?

When Regan addressed Layla as Cat, she meowed in response, Yes? However, what the woman had to say wasn’t exactly what Layla wanted to hear. Please don’t let Kaden take me away. Please! Her eyes grew wider as she paced back and forth nervously. Maybe if I lay down and be a good cat, she won’t send me away with Captain Putain. Circling in one spot, Layla found a place to settle into and laid down. Her tail swished back and forth on its own accord as she continued to look at Regan. Meow. It was soft and welcoming. Inviting Regan over to pet her. She could be a good cat. Layla could exist peacefully with Regan, until she could figure out a way to get the woman to help her, so long as Kaden didn’t come with a cage and pole to snag her with.

Was the cat pacing? Was that normal cat behavior, or did it indicate some neurological concern? Regan really needed to get Kaden over here to catch this animal. It probably needed extensive veterinary care. Was it a stray? It stopped walking across the living room after a minute, planting itself in front of her, and all she could do was stare down at those bright eyes. “Do you want something?” She asked it. “Food? Do you want food?” It probably wanted food. What did cats eat? Tuna, of course. Right? She hadn’t purchased any since she realized she couldn’t tolerate fish anymore. Regan walked past the cat into the kitchen to see what she could find. Peanut butter, yogurt, granola, lettuce, sprouts… nothing a cat would be interested in. “Uh, I might need to ask Kaden what cats eat, and then go shopping. Not that you’re staying here. I mean, for long.” She aimed a glance at the animal. “Really, it’s a bad idea. An extremely bad idea.” Was she trying to convince herself, or the cat? She wasn’t sure and didn’t want to dwell on it. Sighing, Regan knelt down on the floor to get a closer look at the animal, nearly tripping over her wings. It had healthy, orange fur and seemed bright. For a stray, it was in good condition. She wondered if the cat was microchipped. The vet would be able to figure that out. “Do you have any owner?”

Food had briefly crossed Layla’s mind on the way over, but it was more temptations than anything. However, she was getting hungry. Listening to Regan, she wanted to speak to her badly. Say something other than a variation on the ever so popular meow, but it was useless. Instead, she watched the woman walk to the kitchen and listened as she rambled on about food and why she shouldn’t keep Layla the Cat and what Kaden would suggest. However, what she hadn’t expected was for Regan to come back and kneel down just to further inspect her. With the M.E that close to her face, Layla was at least able to respond to the ‘owner’ question with a swift shake of her head, no, indicating she didn’t have an owner. Did cats shake their head yes and no? Probably not, but she was no ordinary cat and not being able to communicate with words was driving her bananas. When she got out of this, she was going to have some strong words with Cordy...well, if she got out of this.

Did the cat just… did it just shake its head? Regan gawked down at the animal. It had to be a coincidence. There was no way the cat understood the question, right? Which, sure, she felt more than a little ridiculous for asking it in the first place, given that. And she was only going to feel more ridiculous now that she was continuing to verbally engage with a cat. “You don’t have an owner?” She asked cautiously, standing up again. Her wings gave a disgruntled flit and she brought her hand to her forehead. “I’m going insane,” she said simply, “that’s the explanation. And you’re going to get checked for a microchip once I get you to Kaden. But that’s… something I’ll have to do tomorrow.” She looked out the blurry window, noting that the sun was setting. “You can stay here for now, but no sleeping on the bed, and no swatting at me. Understood?”

Layla had found Regan’s reactions amusing to say the least. Erm...meow the least. Letting her golden round hues follow the woman, the cat meowed. You’re not going insane, because if you are then that means I should wake up from this nightmare any moment, but I haven’t yet, so you have to help me find my way out of this situation since Ariana couldn’t! The mews were continuous and full of inflection but resulted in nothing. Well, not what she had wanted, but Regan had given her permission to stay, so at least that was something. Hearing the stipulations, she nodded her head yes. I think I can handle that. No swats, and, fine. No bed, but I bet you’ll come around. If my little cat body is any reflection of my human cuteness, I’m going to win you over like a bettin’ man gettin’ lucky for once. Challenge accepted. She narrowed her eyes for a moment before hopping off the couch and going back over to Regan. Chirping sweetly, she rubbed against her leg hoping to be picked up.

Why was it meowing like that? Was something wrong? Was it supposed to do that? Regan grimaced down at the cat like it was a light she’d just shattered. It wasn’t broken, right? But then it stopped meowing, and-- she jumped as it leapt from the couch, wings taking her a few inches off the floor. That sent another wave of panic through her and she fluttered back away from the animal, dropping back down to the ground. It seemed intent on following her, though, and rubbed against her shin again. Why did it keep doing that? Regan reached down and gave it a quick, cautious stroke on the top of its head, then tore her arm back away from it like it might seize her. “What? I’ll get you food tomorrow. I don’t have anything that I can-- is it water? You want water?” She brought a small bowl full of water from the kitchen and set it down on the floor, hoping to retreat into the bedroom while it was distracted.

Oh, if a cat could laugh! Layla watched as Regan proceeded to freak out. If you could only see the way you’re acting, Dr. B. While getting picked up didn’t work out quite like she planned, the water now sitting in front of her was well appreciated. Moving in, she slowly leaned forward. Seeing her reflection in the water startled Layla, but once she had accepted it, she leaned closer towards the bowl of liquid. Okay, just...you can do this, Layla. Just like...Her tongue easily began lapping up the cool water from the bowl. It was refreshing, to say the least, and while she stood there consumed by the taste of the water in her parched mouth, she hadn’t noticed Regan slip away into the bedroom. By the time she looked up, it was too late. Eyes scanning the room, she let her nose lead her to the door. I hear you in there. Meows rang out sounding closely like the word ‘hello’. Hello? Helloooooo. Hello?

Regan had just brushed her teeth and wiggled into her nightshirt when she heard meowing from the other side of the bedroom door. Her arms sagged with exhaustion and she felt a little bit like screaming. Hadn’t she told the animal she wasn’t allowed on the bed? So much for it being able to understand. Maybe it just wanted to be near her. Domestic animals evolved to be in human proximity, right? She sat down on her bed for a moment, debating. Would it keep meowing out there if she didn’t let it in? Would she be able to get any sleep if she did let it in? Regan groaned, standing up. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” She opened the door, standing back as she watched the cat to see what it might do. “Remember, no bed. You can sleep on the floor. And no. Swatting.” Abel had stuck his nose in her wings plenty of times, and she could only imagine what damage a cat might do. Just thinking about the claws made her wince. Regan waggled a finger at the animal before falling back on the bed with a long, drawn out sigh. “Goodnight, cat. Tomorrow, you’re going to the vet.” 

Layla continued to say the one word she could as a cat, “hello”, until she heard the door open. With wide innocent eyes, she looked up at Regan. She listened as the woman spouted off the rules again, before she trotted into the bedroom, tail swishing back and forth. There had been nowhere to lay on the floor. And Regan would be warmer than curling up trying to rely on her own body heat for warmth. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was to sleep peacefully, especially knowing she was going to the vet tomorrow; which had caused her anxiety to spike. What would going to a vet be like? She already hated going to the doctor. She would deal with that issue in the morning, but for now, she just wanted to not feel so lonely, and completely ignoring the ‘sleeping on the bed’ rule, the small, orange tabby launched herself up onto the edge of the mattress. Slowly and cautiously walking over the covers, once she reached Regan, she curled up in a ball next to the woman. Snuggled in closely, before the fae could object, she began purring softly and closed her eyes. 

Regan flicked off the light and settled in. It was always a struggle trying to get comfortable these days, given the unwelcome wings, but somehow, it was starting to get a little bit easier. She gave the cat one final expectant look that said stay on the floor, then she closed her eyes. Regan didn’t even feel the animal soundlessly jump on the bed, not at first-- but something soft and burning hot curled up next to her, and Regan didn’t have the energy to argue with a cat. Besides… it was like having a tiny campfire right next to her, and was the purring really so bad? She’d wash the sheets tomorrow. Regan draped an arm over the animal, allowing herself to hope, just for a moment, that its presence would lead to a nightmare-less slumber.

[dontcare77ghj]

Cold

Steve x reader x Bucky x Natasha

It had started with you and Natasha. The two of you had been together years, before SHIELD had brought you in, working together as the best assassin duo in the world. You were both trained in the red room to be the best and together you became the best of the best.

Clint had found the two of you in Budapest with the intent to kill you both, but he’d seen something in you two that he believed redeemable. Instead of killing you both, like he’d been told, he took you both into SHIELD and convinced them you were good.

Fury had recruited you two to join his team, he called the Avengers, this is where you met you third. This is how you met Steve Rogers.

You and Natasha had fallen for the blonde solider. The two of you were talking late one night, when you blurted out your feelings for the man, Natasha had smiled gently and admitted she felt the same. It was months after this when you two finally talked to Steve.

Steve said he felt the same way, but he was apprehensive, this was not what was done back in his time. The three of you had sat down and you explained to Steve what polyamory was, after this conversation Steve had become confident in his emotions and the three of you had entered a relationship together.

Not long after, the three of you found Bucky. You three of you had worked together to reverse the brunettes brain washing, and when it broke, you helped the man return to a semi normal life. The four of you had been getting closer for months and one night you found yourself having a familiar conversation, but this time with Steve and about Bucky.

Bucky was much more open to the concept of entering a relationship with the three of you. He easily admitted to feeling the same about all of you and eagerly entered the relationship with the three of you.

The three of you had all been together for three years. The four of you worked together perfectly and became an unstoppable team, there was nothing the four of you couldn’t overcome. Especially the cold.

“Steve, it’s one meeting. Tell Fury to piss off.” Natasha sighed, and rolled her eyes, as she pulled her curls into a ponytail.

“You know I can’t do that.” Steve replied leaning his head out of the shower door. “It’s Nick Fury, would you tell him no?”

“Oh God no.” Natasha snorted. “You don’t say no to Nick Fury. But you’re Captain America! The golden boy! You’re allowed to say no.”

“No, as Captain America I have to pick up the slack around here.” He said, shutting the door.

“Are you calling us lazy?” You asked entering the bathroom. “Rude.” You commented upon hearing his affirmation.

“It’s alright kotyonok.” Natasha said smirking and pulled you into her. “While Steve goes to his boring meeting, you, me and Bucky are going to stay here and have some real fun.” She added leaving kisses down your neck.

“Hey, that’s not fair.” Steve complained.

“Tough. You can still to stay.” Nat suggested, smirking against your skin. “What’d you say, kotyonok, do you want Stevie to stay?” Nat asked pulling away from your neck.

“Nat, that’s not fair to Stevie.” You moaned. “You know Fury will just send him on more missions, and then he’ll never be home.”

“Thank you, Y/N.” Steve said loudly. “At least someone’s on my side.”

“Not for very long.” Nat said wrapping an arm around your waist. “Finish up your shower, you gotta go soon. We’re going to wait for Buck to get back.” Natasha added pulling you out of the en suite.

“That’s what I was going to tell you before you distracted me.” You said turning in the woman’s arms. “Bucky called, he said he’ll be back in a little.”

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” Bucky cut in as he entered the room. He was still dressed in his running gear with his hair up in a bun.

“Hey, Buck.” You and Nat greeted in sync. You pulled out of Natasha’s arms to pull the man into a hug.

“How was the run?” You asked, placing a kiss onto his cheek.

“Good, Sam was an ass, but that’s standard at this point.” He replied leaving a kiss on your hairline.

“When are you two going to learn to get along?” Nat asked as she tucked herself into Bucky’s side.

“Probably around the same time Stark stops calling me android.” Bucky said with a shrug and placed another kiss to Nat’s head. “Where’s Steve?” Bucky asked looking around the room.

“In the shower.” You answered. “He’s got a meeting with Fury in half an hour.”

“If he wants to be on time, he has to get out now.” Natasha said as she pulled away and walked into the bathroom. “Oh shit.” Natasha cursed loudly.

“Nat, are you okay?” You asked quickly moving into the bathroom, Bucky right behind you. Natasha had turned the shower off and was kneeling in front of a shivering Steve. “Stevie.” You breathed squatting next to Nat.

“What’s wrong with him?” Bucky asked yanking a towel off the rack.

“I don’t know, he was like this when I came in.” Natasha answered as the two of you moved to the side. Bucky pulled the shivering man off the floor and wrapped the towel around him tightly.

“Stevie look at me.” Bucky commanded taking the mans face in his hands. “Steve.”

“Buck, so cold.” Steve uttered through chattering teeth. “I don’t want to go back.” He said as you ushered him into the bedroom.

“Go back where, Steve?” You asked, taking a spare blanket off the bed and wrapping it around him.

“The ice. I don’t want to go back.” He whimpered.

“You won’t go back. You’re safe, Dorogoi. We’re here.” Natasha said crushing him tightly into her. You and Bucky followed suit and pulled the, still shivering, man into an embrace. The four of you stood there for a long time, whispering soothing words to calm the tall blonde.

Natasha pulled away slightly to look up at the man. “How ‘bout I call Fury and tell him you won’t be coming?” She asked only receiving a nod from Steve. “OK. Buck, you want to get him something warm?” Natasha asked this time looking at the other super solider.

Bucky nodded and pulled away from Steve as well. While he went into the closet, and Natasha left the room to make a call, you held onto Steve tighter.

“You want to tell me what happened?” You asked, maneuvering the man to sit on the bed.

“I don’t know.” He whispered. “The water got cold and I was back in the plane. I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to lose anyone.” He said holding onto you tightly.

“You won’t be losing any of us.” You promised, running your fingers through his hair. “I promise.” You added kissing his cheek.

“We’re with you Stevie.” Bucky said coming back into the room. “Let’s get you dressed, and we’ll spend all day here, ok?” Bucky asked getting a nod from the man. The two of you quickly helped Steve into the warm clothes and got into bed with him.

Natasha came back into the room shortly after Steve had drifted off. “Everything OK?” She asked crawling in next to Bucky.

“The water got cold and he had another flashback.” You explained causing her to nod. “What’d Fury say?”

“He had a few choice words, but he won’t bother us today.” She said, curling into Bucky’s back.

“Good.” Bucky responded. He wrapped one arm around Nat and stretched his other arm across you and Steve. The three of you laid in silence, the only sound were the gentle snores of your fourth, until you all drifted off together.

Bucky had a problem with the cold. Everyone knew this. After being forcibly frozen for decades at a time, it was understandable. But SHIELD had received information that someone had gotten their hands on some of Stark’s old weapons. So the four of you had been sent down to shut down the operation and destroy the tech.

“Okay, Steve you and Y/N will enter through the front, Buck and I will go through the back. Wait for the signal before you rush in.” Natasha stated looking over the schematics of the building. “The informant says the tech will be somewhere in the middle of the building, so we’ll meet up there.” She added before giving you all a look. “They are reported to be hostile, so, shoot first ask questions later.”

“Let’s go.” Steve said strapping his shield on. The four of you split into the two groups and made your way to your positions. You and Steve were hidden in the front line of trees, carefully waiting for the signal. “After this, I say we use Tony’s card to get something real to eat.” Steve said after a few minutes.

“That sounds like a good plan.” You agreed with a smile. “We could get some of the Pirozhki you liked.” You suggested receiving a kiss on the cheek in response.

“Now that’s a good plan.” He said with a smile. You opened your mouth to  say something, but were cut off by a loud bang. 

“Guess that’s the signal.” You said with a laugh, watching as people in dark colors streamed out of the building. “Let’s go.” You said and ran towards the building once the people were out of sight. 

The two of you easily made it in and saw no-one once in. “Nat, Buck are you two in?” You asked holding your gun in front of you. 

“I’m in.” Natasha’s voice came over the com’s. “James, went after a couple people who ran out. They had some of the tech on them.” Natasha explained.

“How close are you to the meeting place?” Steve asked as you made it closer to the middle. 

“Already there.” She answered coming up from behind a corner. She had her batons out and a smirk on her face. “I’ve only seen a few people, everyone else must have gone to check out the explosion.” She said coming up to you.

“We haven’t seen anyone.” Steve said checking opening one of the three doors. Natasha and you each checked a door each, there was no tech in sight behind your door but computers and files galore.

“Jackpot.” You and Natasha coursed.

“I’ve got the tech.” Natasha said.

“I’ve got files. Nat you want to hack the computer, while we destroy the tech?” You asked moving to her door.

“On it.” She replied rushing into the other room. You and Steve set about carefully destroying all the old Stark tech, without killing yourselves in the process.

“Buck, come in.” Steve said into his com once the tech was ruined. “Bucky, respond.”

“Steve I’m on my way back.” Bucky came through the earpiece. “I got em, I’m almost ba-” Bucky began but stopped halfway through his sentence. “Shit.” He cursed, the sound of gunshots echoed through your earpieces.

“Bucky, what’s going on?” You asked already rushing out of the room.

“Y/N, you and Steve go help Bucky.” Natasha commanded. “I’m almost finished with this transfer.” She said.

Neither you nor Steve responded, both of you rushing out to the back of the building. 

“Bucky, talk to me.” Steve ordered as you barreled out of the back door. “Where are you?” He asked. You scanned the surrounding land, eyes squinting at something in the difference.

“Steve!” You yelled pointing to the two figures in the distance. The two of you sprinted forward, Steve in front of you, with weapons raised. Once you were closer, Steve threw his shield at the man shooting at Bucky knocking the weapon out of his hands and you shot him the head. 

The enemy fell to the ground, blood staining the white ground, and Bucky turned to face the two of you. You both began to walk towards Bucky only to stop at the loud cracking that permeated the air. Bucky looked at you with wide eyes before he fell.

The ground beneath him had swallowed him, liquid splashing around the area he fell.

“Bucky!” The two of you screamed as he disappeared. You both ran forward, caution to the wind, and stared at the space he had fallen through.

Steve dropped his shield to the ground with a clatter and dived head first after the brunette. 

“Steve!” You called dropping to your knees, you stared down at the ice trying to find any sign of them.

“Y/N! What’s going on?” Natasha demanded over the com. “Y/N, answer me!”

“Bucky fell through the ice and Steve jumped in after him.” You explained hurriedly. “I can’t see them, Nat!” You panicked looking into the icy water. “I’m going in after them.” You announced ripping off your jacket and boots. 

“Y/N , don’t be stupid.” Natasha scolded. “You’ll drown if you do that.” 

“And if I don’t they could already be dead.” You snapped. “I’m going in.”

“Y/N, don’t!” Natasha yelled but it was too late, you had already jumped into the icy water.

 Your whole body tensed at the stinging sensation but you threw it off as you swam down. You caught sight of two dark lumps below you and dived down to them. Gripping onto the lumps you began to drag them, with some difficulty, up to the surface. 

A hand shot into the water and pulled the three of you onto the surface. You let out a gasp as you were yanked onto the ground. The sound of spluttering caused you turn to the side. Steve was hunched over, choking on the water forcing itself up his throat.

“Steve.” You got out through chattering teeth and crawled over to the man. “It’s okay.” You said patting him on the back as he finally stopped. 

“Where’s, Buck.” He spluttered looking behind you. Natasha was kneeling next to the unconscious man, giving him CPR. You and Steve dragged yourselves closer to the pair and watched as the red head breathed life into the man.

Bucky let out a choked gasped and rolled over to his side as water spewed out of his mouth. The three of you let out sighs of relief and said soothing things to the still retching brunette.

When Bucky finally stopped throwing up, he sat up with the help of you three. Natasha looked the three of you over, all of you drenched, shivering and slightly blue, and said, “Fuck all of you.”

Natasha pulled Bucky in for a tight hug and kissed him soundly on the lips before doing the same to you and Steve. “I’m serious, fuck you all.” She repeated after kissing you.

“Love you too, Nat.” You said with a laugh. 

“You’re all going to give me a heart attack.” She said looking you all over. 

“Sorry, Nat.” Steve said taking her out of your arms while you wrapped yourself in Bucky’s. 

“Are you okay, Buck?” You fretted looking the man over. He smiled slightly and tightened his arms around you. 

“I’m fine, doll. I promise.” He said through chattering teeth.

“Come on.” Natasha sighed. “We gotta get out of here before you all freeze, or you know the guys who own this building come back.” 

“Shouldn’t we stick around and take them in?” Bucky asked as you helped him stand. 

“Not necessary.” Nat said. “Fury wants the informant to stick around and collect some more information, we were only here to get the weapons disarmed.”

“Good.” You said wrapping Bucky’s arm around your shoulders. “Let’s get out of here then because I’m dying for a hot shower.” You added causing Bucky to smirk.

“Is that an invitation, doll?” He asked making you hit him lightly in the ribs,

“Shut up.” You told him with a grin. The four of you picked up your things and quickly made your way away from the building. It took a while, but you finally made it back to the hotel without anyone seeing you.

Once you made it back to your hotel room, you all stripped out of your frozen clothes and stepped into the toasty shower. The rest of the night was spent eating warm Russian meals, being bundled into blankets by Natasha and showing each how much you loved each other.

This is not how you wanted your night to end up. All you wanted was to be at home with your boyfriends and girlfriend, but no, here you were at some gala trying to find some HYDRA scientist.

“I have eyes on the target.” You murmured taking a sip of your drink. You were stood at the bar, watching the target who was across the room.

“Good job, Y/N.” Steve praised from his spot in the back of the room. “Keep your distance but don’t let him out of your sight.”

“You act as if this is my first time doing this Steve.” You commented under your breath with a smirk. 

“I know it’s not, but I’m a worrier you know this.” Steve said over the coms.

“You don’t seem to be a worrier when you jump out of planes.” Bucky commented, he stood next to Natasha, who was talking with some posh woman about something.

“You’re never going to let that go, are you?” Steve sighed as you smiled in amusement. 

“Guys.” Natasha cut in as they walked away from the woman. “We’re supposed to be watching the target, not arguing about how much Steve is an idiot.” She chided making Steve let out an indignant sound.

“Shit. The targets gone.” You said scanning the room. 

“Fan out, he has to be around here somewhere.” Steve said. 

“On it, Cap.” You all said and split up. Slipping out of the party, you walked into the back of the hotel. You caught a glimpse of someone slipping into the kitchen.

“Got cha.” You said under your breath. You quickly followed the figure into the kitchen and found nothing. Walking in further you could hear someone breathing but still couldn’t see him. “I think I’ve found the target.” You said into your earpiece.

“Where are you?” Bucky asked. You were about to say when you felt a breeze behind you. You spun around only to be met with a blunt force to the temple. The last thing you remembered was Bucky’s voice over the earpiece and a blurry figure standing over your body. 

When you woke up it was cold. It was freezing. A dim light hung above your head and you could see you were in a freezer. Standing on shaky legs you walked over to the door only to find it wouldn’t budge.

“Fuck.” You stuttered. Reaching up, you felt for the earpiece only to find it was missing. “Double fuck.” You cursed. “Hello! Open the door! Someone open the door please!” You yelled, banging on the thick doors. 

The sound of movement outside made you increase your cries for help. “Bucky! Nat! Steve! Someone, please!” You called before listening closely to the outside. The door didn’t open but the sprinklers did turn on.

“Fuck!” You yelled as the icy water burnt your skin. “Let me out!” You cried as it became colder. Your body felt numb as the water and cold air hit your skin. Curling up into a corner you attempted to shield yourself from the spraying water.

A loud bang outside the freezer caused your head to snap up. On trembling legs, you stood and made your way to the door. Weakly banging on the door, you started yelling again.

“Someone please, open the door! I’m in here, someone please!” Thundering footfalls came closer to the door. There was a sound of something being thrown and the door was wrenched open. You almost fell face first as your knees buckled, but an arm wrapped around your waist to keep you upright.

“Kitten!” Steve cried out as he saw the blue shade your skin had turned. “Nat, get Sam in here to deal with him, Buck let Banner know she’s going to need a once over.” Steve ordered, lifting you into his arms and turning to face your other lovers.

They stood over the unconscious body of the man you’d been looking for and each had a worried look on their face. At Steve’s command, the two began to speak rapidly into their com, Sam barreled into the room not even a minute later.

“Banner’s out front. I got this, go get your girl help.” He said clapping Steve on the shoulder. This was all they needed before you were hurried out of the hotel and into a waiting van out front.

“She needs to be warmed up.” Bruce commanded once you were in the van. Natasha quickly shed you of the frozen dress and you were then wrapped in both Steve and Bucky’s jackets.

Bruce gave you a thorough check over, declaring that it was only a case of mild frost burn and a concussion.

“I feel fine.” You said as you pulled up to the tower. “Honestly.”

“You may feel fine, kitten, but we just want to make sure.” Steve said as he picked you up.

“But there’s nothing wrong with me.” You whined as you all walked into the tower.

“Kotyonok, you have a concussion.” Natasha interjected. “And you were locked inside a freezer, let us worry.”

“I don’t want to make you worry, though. I should’ve known better, I should’ve known he was behind me.” You said as Steve walked into your room.

“Doll, none of this is your fault.” Bucky said as he took you from Steve’s arms. “There isn’t anything to be at fault.” He added walking with you into the bathroom.

“Zaichik’s right, kotyonok. We still accomplished the mission and we still got the guy.” Natasha said as Bucky sat you on the counter. “The only thing left to do is get you warm and keep you awake for a little while.”

“Are you kidding me?” You groaned. “I nearly get frozen to death and I don’t even get to go to sleep yet.” You whined causing the three to laugh slightly.

“Sorry, kitten, but it’s just a precaution.” Steve said from the doorway. He pushed off the doorway to help you take off the two jackets and your underwear. “Let’s get you warmed up.”

“You really want to have sex now, Rogers?” You asked with a smirk.

“Not right now, sweetheart.” Steve said shaking his head. “What is with this group and wanting sex after near deaths?” He asked no-one in particular.

“It’s called adrenaline, Stevie-boy.” Natasha said as she too got undressed. She stepped into shower, which Bucky had set up, and helped your cold form in. A gasp left your mouth at the feeling of the warm water hitting your frozen self. Natasha held you tightly to her and were soon encompassed by more warmth as both boys entered the shower too.

“It’s alright. You’re ok.” Natasha soothed as you shivered. “We’re all safe. We’re here.” She added. The boys both agreed and added their own soothing words.

“It’s okay, doll.”

“We love you, kitten.”

The four of you all stood in the shower for nearly an hour, before you all got out. The four of you all got into bed together, you clad in one of Bucky’s shirts and a pair of Steve’s tracksuit pants.

“Are you sure I can’t sleep now?” You asked from between Natasha and Steve, Bucky laid behind Natasha.

“No, doll, you have to stay awake.” Bucky said with a smirk.

The four of you laid together in bed, you laid awake, talking for hours until one by one you all slowly began to fall asleep.

“Whatever happened to, ‘I’m Russian, the cold never bothers me.’ Huh, what happened to that?” Steve mocked with a smile.

“That ended when someone shoved ice down my top!” She said glaring at a still laughing Bucky. The four of you had finally decided it was time for a vacation. Since most of you had issues with the cold, Tony had offered you all the use of his house in Australia.

It certainly wasn’t cold, that was for sure, in fact it was incredibly hot. So hot that, while in the home, you were all walking around in your underwear for most part.

It was the hottest day of the week so far and Natasha, in particular, had really felt it. She’d complained about the sweltering temperature even with the air conditioner on. So, Bucky, had taken it upon himself to help her cool down.

About an hour and a half ago, Natasha had gone for a nap. Because she was still feeling the heat, she had laid on top of the covers in only her underwear. While she was going for her nap, you, Steve and Bucky had set about lazing around. Or so you thought.

You and Steve were in the living room watching some day time TV show, when a loud yell echoed through the house. You two had jumped off the couch, you grabbing the gun you’d stashed in the couch, and rushed into the bedroom to find a laughing Bucky and an angry Natasha.

“What the hell happened?” You asked dropping the gun on the bedside table. “Nat why are you dripping?” You questioned looking at the woman who was indeed dripping onto the floor.

“I don’t know, why don’t you ask him?” She snarled glaring at the brunette.

“Bucky, what did you do?” Steve asked looking between the two.

“Well she said she was hot, so I just helped her cool down.” He said with a smile.

“He threw a bucket of ice water on me and put ice in my bra.” She snapped glaring at Bucky. “God it’s cold.” She said pulling at her bra.

“Here.” You said moving behind her to pull the wet material off her body.

“Whatever happened to, ‘I’m Russian, the cold never bothers me.’ Huh, what happened to that?” Steve mocked with a smile.

“That ended when someone shoved ice down my bra!” She said glaring at a still laughing Bucky. She pulled her bra off and flung the item at Bucky.

“It’s too hot, it’s too cold, you’re never satisfied, are you?” Bucky asked sarcastically.

“I’ll show you unsatisfied.” Natasha said with a smirk. “For the rest of the week, there will be no sex for you.”

“Tasha, there is four of us in this relationship, deducting you and me, that means there is still two other people I can sleep with.” He said arrogantly.

“After that romantic sentence? Yeah, you’re on your own.” You snorted.

“And if Steve, wants to keep his underwear ice free, he wont touch you either.” Natasha said giving Steve a look.

“Sorry, jerk.” Steve apologized causing Bucky to look at him in shock.

“You’re going to leave me unsatisfied for three days, because Nat threatened you? Traitor!” Bucky declared dramatically. He dropped down on the bed before jumping up when he laid on the cold sheets. “Shit!”

“Yeah, next time think it through, Zaichik.” Natasha laughed as she pulled you two out of the room.

“Where are you going?” He called.

“We’re going for a swim in the pool. And then we’re going to fuck.” Natasha stated causing you to laugh as Bucky whined.

The three of you stripped out of your minimal clothing and jumped into the cool water. Swimming up to Nat you pushed her into the wall of the pool.

“That was mean.” You commented, pushing your body into hers. She let out a hum and ran her fingers down your sides.

“I’ll let him off later.” She said offhandedly. “But for now, I do believe I said we were going to fuck.” She recalled before beckoning Steve over. Natasha attached her lips to yours and began to heatedly make out with you. Steve’s large body came up behind you and pushed you further into Natasha as he began to kiss your neck.

The three of you were so focused on each other, that you didn’t notice Bucky had snuck up behind you until…

“Again!” Natasha shrieked after the bucket of ice had been tipped over the three of you. The three of you jumped back to glare at the smirking brunette.

“C’mon, sweet cheeks, it was funny.” Bucky defended, he began to back away as the three of you started to get out of the pool.

“Y/N get some ice. Steve, get him. Bucky, run.” Natasha stated causing Bucky to quickly run as the blonde ran towards him. The rest of the afternoon was spent chasing each other only ending when all the ice was gone.

Even though you all had your own problems, with the cold especially, together you could face them all. You were after all, an unstoppable team.

Leave feedback. Leave a comment. Reblog. Give it a like. Buy me a KO-FI.

Coming soon;

Natasha x reader x Steve

Steve x reader x Bucky

Bucky x reader x Natasha

Natasha x reader x Clint

Sam x reader x Steve x Natasha

[ddreammcatcher]

BAU Corporations

My next entry for @cmbingo. This fills my business au square. 

part 2

I stand up and stretch from my desk. I walk to the glass window overlooking the city. I’m the CEO of BAU corporations. My father started the company twenty years ago. When he died, I inherited the business. I didn’t want the business to start with. I got used to the lifestyle and what the expectations with the job were. It’s been five years since I became CEO. The company has broken many sales records since I took over. Most people think that all I care about is money.

My door is knocked on. “Come in.” My secretary Penelope walks in. “Hotch, your 10:00 interview is here.” “Thank you. You can send her in.” Penelope leaves. I take a seat behind my desk. The door is knocked on again. “Come in.” A petite woman with blond hair walks in. “Helly Mrs.Jareau please take a seat.” She hesitantly takes a seat and leans away from me. “Do you have a problem with me mrs.Jareau?” I make eye contact and she quickly looks away. “No sir.” She’s scared and I can tell. I’ve been through too many employees to not know the signs.

“Mrs.Jareau, this is only going to work if you are honest with me. Now, what is the issue?” She scoots back on the chair as far as she can. “I’m sorry sir. It’s just that…” I stare at her. “Just what? I don’t have all day.” I’m annoyed at this woman I hardly know. Unless she can turn it around in the next five minutes, she’s not getting the job. “I’m sorry sir. I just admire you.” I glance at her. I know that she won’t fit in with our team the moment she says that. “I’m sorry Mrs.Jareau, but I don’t think you’re the right fit for the job.” She looks sad. I push a button and Penelope opens the door.

“You don’t have another interview for half an hour Hotch.” I nod. “Thanks.” She closes the door. Penelope is the only person whose first name I use. She’s also the only one allowed to call me Hotch. She was my best friend in college. When I took over, she didn’t have a job, so I hired her on the spot. It took a little convincing for her to be my secretary. There were a couple other women doing it before her and she would get mad about it. She finally decided to do the job herself.

I spent the half hour working on a pitch for our next meeting. I’m trying to hire someone with new ideas that fits with the team. My team respects me and knows what I expect. When they don’t finish the work they were given, I give them some stupid punishment like not being allowed some privilege they had earned in the past.

My door is knocked on. “Come in.” Penelope walks in. “Hey, your next interview is here.” “Thanks. You can send them in.” I sigh when she leaves. A woman with black hair walks in. “Did I tell you you could come in?” I glare at her. “Your secretary said I could come in. I didn’t think I needed to ask again.” She holds my gaze as she says this. “Have a seat Mrs.Prentiss.” She sits, her hands resting on my desk. “What makes you think you can do this job?” “I’ve been working in the industry for years. I’ve traveled all over the world and have contacts that can help me.” 

I glare at her. “Are you trying to brag Mrs.Prentiss?” “No sir, I’m sorry sir.” I nod. “What do you think of the eco project we’re beginning?” I’m curious about her. “In all honesty, it’s crap.” I raise my eyebrows. “You want to be eco friendly, but you’re not changing anything in your company. You need to change something to make it real.” She sits in silence realizing she just insulted my business. “Mrs.Prentiss, I am unfortunately out of time for today. I pick up a file that no one but me has seen. “I want to see you back here on Monday at 7 sharp. Look over this and write up a report on it.” I hand her the folder. “Thank you sir.” I open the door for her. 

I close the door behind her and Penelope walks in. “You walked her to the door Hotch.” “Yeah, I think I’m going to hire her. I gave her a file to look over. It’s a fake project, but I want to see how she does with it before I offer her the job. You can cancel the rest of the interviews.” She smiles. “This means you can be done early and come out for drinks with me and Morgan.”

Penelope has been trying to convince me to go out for drinks with her and her boyfriend for months. I don’t like social situations, which is why I didn’t like this job to start with. “Pen, I have work to finish today.” She sighs. “Fine Hotch. Only because you found someone to hire. Don’t forget I know the one thing that will always make you come with.” She laughs. I groan. “I shouldn’t have told you that.” “Too bad.” I flip her off as she leaves and she just laughs at me.

I finished the pitch I was working on earlier. Once I’m done, I pull up Emily Prentiss’ file. I click on it and open it. It has a lot of information in it. She signed forms giving us access to all of it. Her school transcripts could have been better. She has places with lots of absences. She got good grades even with missing school. She has a business degree and a minor in psychology and Spanish. It’s something I wouldn’t have thought of. 

I look at her background check. Her adult life has been clean. Yet she has a juvenile record. She got arrested for stealing food. She said it was for her and her mom. She was given probation and had been clean since then. There was also a sealed case report. I decided to not look at that.

I push a button and Penelope comes in. “Penelope, when Mrs.Prentiss gets her on Monday, have her change into the required outfit.” She nods. The required outfit is a white button up shirt, a red tie, a black blazer with the company logo on it. There is a black skirt or black slacks. The shoes are all black dress shoes. If you are wearing a skirt, you must wear the white knee high socks as well. Your hair must always be secured out of your face. I go home to an empty house again. All I’ve focused on for the past five years is my job.

The next Monday at 7:30, my door is knocked on. “Come in.” Emily walks in. Her tie is not tied and shoved into the blazer pocket. The blazer is hanging over her arm. She has a pair of black slacks on and the correct shoes. Her hair lays in long waves over one side of her face. “Here’s your file.” “Take a seat.” I look over the report and am very happy at how she did. “You got the job.” I state. “Thank you sir.” She gets up to leave. “Mrs.Prentiss, we are not done here.” 

She sits back down and pouts. The pout gives me butterflies. “Mrs.Prentiss, your uniform is not worn correctly. Fix it or I will fix it for you.” She doesn’t move. I give her five minutes. “Fine. I thought we weren’t going to have this problem. I noticed it a little on Friday, but I was hoping I was wrong. Stand up.” She does. She set her blazer on the desk. I pull the tie out and lift her collar. I tie the tie in place and start to take her hair in my hands. She jumps away from me. “What the fuck.” I frown at her. “I gave you the chance to do it yourself. Now, your hair has to be pulled back. For now, I’m going to put it in a ponytail.” I take her hair again and she shudders, but let’s me do it. I then hold out the blazer for her to put on.

“Mrs.Prentiss, are we going to have a problem with your uniform in the future?” “No sir.” The door is knocked on. “Sir, I’m ready if she is.” “Prentiss, this is who you will be reporting to. This is Alex Blake.” Emily nods. Alex gives her a glare. “I understand sir.” I nod. “Mrs.Blake, I want a report of her progress at the end of the day.” “Yes sir.” I excuse both of them.

Emily’s POV

I follow Alex out of the room. We walk down a few hallways. She leads me into a room broker up into cubicles with one private room. I follow her to the furthest cubicle from the door. “This is your desk.If you don’t behave. You will lose privileges.” “Okay.” She sighs but let’s it go. Alex leaves me to get settled.

Hotch touching my hair really bothered me. I thought that things were maybe getting better. My dad used to come home from his day job and hit me and my mother. I left home as soon as I could. I haven’t had a man touch my hair since then. 

I get to work on the file on my desk. Alex walks in at the end of the day. “How did it go?” “Pretty well.” I hand her the file. She opens it and flips through it. “This is good, but not great. I’ll give you some pointers. Also mr.Hotchner wants to see you in his office at 7 tomorrow.” I nod.

Hotch's POV

Tuesday morning, my door is knocked on. “Come in.” Emily walks into my office. “I heard you wanted to see me sir.” I can hear the annoyance in her voice. I give her a once over. Her tie still isn’t on. Her hair isn’t pulled back, just her bangs are pinned back. “Mrs.Prentiss, fix your uniform.” She puts the tie on, but doesn’t touch her hair. “Your hair needs to be tied back.” She slowly does it. I hand her a file. “Look this over. I want it revised and returned to me by the end of the day.” “Yes sir.” “You can go now Mrs.Prentiss.” She gets up and leaves.

Penelope walks in two minutes later. “Hotch, what did you do to that poor girl?” I glare at her. “Pen, she needs to learn the rules.” “Give her a break. It’s her second day. What happened?” I sigh. She knows me too well. “Nothing.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “I know something happened, so tell me.” “Have I ever told you how much I hate you?” She laughs at me.

I sigh. “Fine. Sean’s coming.” “I’m sorry Hotch. I know how hard that is for you.” I nod. “He still believes that I stole the company from him. He should be here on Friday.” She puts her hand on mine. “I’ll make sure someone picks him up at the airport and brings him straight to your office.” “You’re the best Penelope, now I have work to do.” She smiles and leaves.

I spend the rest of the day going over briefings from meetings I had yesterday. I take notes on what I want to revisit and what just needs to be finalized. At 5:30, my door is knocked on. “Come in.” Emily walks in and hands me the file.

“Take a seat.” I can tell that she’s tense. I read over her report. “You have a knack for this. This file and yesterday’s were tests for me to see how you would do.” She seems confused. “I want you to be in charge of the eco project.” Her jaw drops. “You will give me weekly updates. Before you make changes, you need to get my approval.” “T-thank you sir. Can I ask, why are you letting me be in charge?” She’s skeptical. “You’re willing to take risks. You called me out on the first day. You’re willing to speak your mind and I think you can make this a great project.” She’s stunned. “Here’s my card. Give it some thought. Tomorrow you can work on other projects that have already started to be developed. Let me know what you decide.” “Thank you sir.”

She lets herself out. Penelope comes in. “I thought you had left for the night?” She glares at me. “What?” “Did you apologize to her?” “No, I didn’t. I know I should have, but I couldn’t do it.” She shakes her head. “Hotch, you need to cut her some slack.” I shrug. “She’ll be fine. I just gave her the eco project.”

She gasps. “I thought you said that was done and you were going to move on to rollout.” “Well, she called my bull.” I slightly smile. “You like her don’t you.” I blush. “Shut up Penelope.” “Hahaha, okay, I’ll see you tomorrow boss.” I shake my head as she leaves.

Friday comes all too soon. Emily still hasn’t given me an answer. I really want her to do it. She would be great at it. Sean should be here soon and I’m not looking forward to it. Penelope texts me that he’s landed. I groan. Time to be an adult and play nice. He gets here half an hour later. My door is knocked on. “Come in.” Sean walks in.

“Hello Sean.” “Hello Aaron, we need to talk.”

[ask-de-writer]

SEA DRAGON’S GIFT : Part 70 of 83 : World of Sea

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SEA DRAGON’S GIFT

Part 70 of 83

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

140406 words

copyright 2020

written 2007

All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form, physical, electronic or digital is prohibited without the express consent of the author.

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Copyright fair use rules for Tumblr users

Users   of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights.  They may   reblog the story provided that all author and copyright information   remains intact.  They may use the characters or original characters in   my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical   compositions.

All sorts of fan art, cosplay, music or fiction is actively encouraged.

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New to the story?  Read from the beginning.  PART 1 is here

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Until he was ready to cast his net over the whole school, he was going to keep it that way.  It had been tricky politics to get the ship’s Council to agree to keep the contents of the note from the crew, except for the fact that it would enable them to recover Kurin. Master Juris had been the most difficult to convince.

“There may be more than just recovering me behind the Longin  coming early, Tanlin,” said Kurin earnestly.  “Captain Mord has been acting strange ever since I was poisoned.  I don’t know what he will do anymore.”

“I have had an idea about that problem,” said Barad, approaching them across the gently rolling deck, a mass of parchments in his hands. “I had the scribes give parchment and pen to all who can write. These are instruments of personal surrender to you in accordance with the Council Edict.  Tanlin, my love, yours is here.  You were busy, so we prepared it for you.  It only needs your signature.”

Barad proffered a parchment to each of them.  “Kurin,” he smiled, though solemnly,  “you and Tanlin are the only people in the world that I would trust enough to do this.  This one Kurin, is your receipt for and acknowledgment of the surrender of the Grandalor and her entire crew.”

Wordless, disturbed by the responsibility just placed on her young shoulders, Kurin signed.  Tanlin handed her the last surrender document, along with her prized knife, hilt first.

“Ye ‘old us in yer ‘ands, Kurin.”  She looked entreatingly at Kurin and added, “Oi know t’at we’ll be as safe wit’ ye as t’e Dragons allow.”

Getting over her surprise, Kurin immediately handed back Tanlin’s dagger. She knit her brows under her shock of white hair and thought. Somewhat skeptically, she asked, “Just how completely does this put me in command?”

Without hesitation Tanlin answered, “W’atever ye order’ll be dune at once.  T’ do any less wad be mutiny.  T’e Grandalor’s yer sole property.”

“Then get Darkistry up here,” Kurin said decisively.  “I want her in on our plans for contact with the Longin.”

It took only a few minutes for Darkistry to come, literally running.

“You didn’t have to run,” said Kurin with a pleased sparkle in her eye.

“I run everywhere, now that I’m off the invalid list,” Darkistry replied, panting just a bit.  “It’s helping to get my leg back to strength.”

“Good. Are you up to combat steering?” asked Kurin seriously, “We may need you at the helm in an hour or so.  The Longin has been sighted, coming alone, over a day ahead of the other ships of the flotilla.”

“But – the Longin is your home ship,” protested Darkistry.  “You can’t mean for me to sink her!”

“I certainly hope not!” said Kurin animatedly.  “But it may be necessary to bluff her or even,” she tried to swallow a lump in her throat, “teach her the same kind of lesson that you gave the Fauline.”

The others all looked at Kurin with sympathy.  They understood how hard that last order must have been to give, for no matter it was phrased they understood that it was an order.

“How do you want me to handle the contact phase?” asked both Tanlin and Darkistry at virtually the same time.

Kurin thought for a moment.  “I don’t know anything about combat situations.  How would you do it, Darkistry?”

With complete sureness, Darkistry answered, “I’d pull tight into the eye of the wind, maintaining bare steerageway, and let most sail go slack.  I’d furl no sail but maintain the crew ready to catch the wind.  That would let the Longin approach from downwind, which is where I’d want to keep her.  We’d look helpless.  Actually, we’d be ready to set up an attack run on a moment’s notice.”

“That sounds good,” said Kurin, now into the intellectual part of the problem.  “Do either of you have any ideas that may help?” she inquired of Tanlin and Barad both.

“Hostages,” said Barad promptly.  “If they want any of us to go aboard, we need to get them to send folk aboard the Grandalor.  We can take them for security against our safe return.”

Chapter 25: Contact

Aboard the Longin, Acting Captain Kotance Warn Grinna had been busy since he had received the message revealing where the Grandalor was hidden. He had sounded out crewmen and women who might be interested in becoming officers on the Grandalor after they took her.  He had recruited a cadre of folk who were looking for a shortcut way to officer’s shares.  Apparently, they were like minded to himself.

Now, he ordered his picked men to their stations.  “Is everybody clear on this?   To insure that there is no interference with the plan, you men guard the shops.  Don’t let the Masters out or send messages until we have captured the Grandalor.  Guard detail, go!  Boarding party, form up.  Cron, go get knives from the armory.  Prepare to launch the boats!”  Just a few more hours – a day at the most …

Aboard the Dark Dragon, Sula watched with consternation as the Wide Wing that had been circling and wheeling in the sky ahead of them as a guide, suddenly left them behind.  It swept up high, stooped toward the bows, pulled out of the dive streaking north, almost out of sight, climbed and repeated the performance.  Then it circled up high and began riding the wind, straight north, as swiftly as a Sea Hawk could fly, out of sight.

“Something’s as wrong as an Ord in a net of fish!” she signed emphatically. “Sound the hailing drum.  I need to go aboard the Soaring Bird as soon as possible.”

She turned to the Officer of the Watch and her fingers told him, “Mister Morson, you will have the ship in my absence.  Our target is the local 00 West by 800 North.  As soon as I, Captain Sarfin, and the Council representatives have transferred, put on all sail and come as swiftly as possible.  Rig for battle but do not engage without clear orders from myself or Captain Huld.  We will link up at the target.”  She did not waste time asking if the orders were clear.  Nobody on her bridge needed to be told twice unless they asked for a repeat.

While the hailing drum was calling the Soaring Bird close, Sula ran to Captain Sarfin’s quarters.  He looked up from the parchments that he was working on in surprise at her haste.

“Sula, what’s the hurry?” he inquired mildly.

“The Wide Wing just left for the north as fast it can fly.  It dived to our bow and pointed north, twice, then left.  Something is wrong, and I don’t know what.  Pack all that you need, especially the Council parchment.  We are transferring to the Soaring Bird as soon as possible.”

“We?” asked Sarfin, starting to gather his files together. “Is it really so bad that you will leave your ship?”  

“Yes,” Sula replied.  “I will be packing in a moment.  We need the fastest warship possible and the Soaring Bird is it.”

“I see.  It will only take a few moments to pack my duffel.”

“Good, I will meet you at the starboard boarding ladder,” Sula said as she left to get the Council’s witness and the prosecutor.

As fast as he packed and got to the deck, Sula was there before him.  It took a few more moments for the Council’s witness and the prosecutor to arrive.   A crewman stood beside Sula holding a heavy crossbow with a long light line attached to the quarrel.  That line was bent to a larger rope coiled neatly in a tub.

The Soaring Bird was pulling into position alongside.  Sarfin watched with admiration as the two ships crept closer and closer, both sailing forward with undiminished speed.  He knew the artistry with which both helms were being handled.  When the ships were only about thirty feet apart, the crossbow-man fired and the quarrel sailed across the Soaring Bird’s deck, trailing the line.

Eager hands on the other ship seized the line and pulled it over to them, dragging the rope across.  Soon the rope was secured between the two racing ships and a bosun’s chair rigged to it.

Without hesitation, Sarfin got into the flimsy seeming contraption and allowed himself to be secured to it with a line.  Immediately, the crew of the Soaring Bird began pulling on their end of the rig, and hauled Sarfin across, swaying only feet above the waves below, to the safety of the deck.  The moment that he was freed, the Dark Dragon’s crew pulled the bosun’s chair back for the Captain’s Council prosecutor, Captain Farrol of the Muline, and then the witness, Captain Urson of the Marganser.  Sula was the last to transfer.  As soon as she alighted on the deck of the Soaring Bird, the lines and ropes were sent back to the Dark Dragon.

Immediately, tocsins and horns began to sound, and both ships separated to a safe distance.  They began to add more sail and drew everything into tight trim.  The Soaring Bird pulled quickly away from the swift, but definitely slower Dark Dragon.

TO BE CONTINUED

<==PREVIOUS   NEXT==>

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[iwillbeinmynest]

Hold On Loosely - Biker!Steve x Reader(f)     Chapter 8

Authors Notes:  If you’d like to be tagged please send me an ask. I keep better track of tags that way.

Word Count: 1.1k

Special Thanks: Here’s to @itsanerdlife for fueling my Biker obsession and being my Beta for this whole thing. To my girl over at @girl-next-door-writes who also beta’ed for me. And an extra shout out to @bettercallsabs for this beautiful graphic. She is amazing and y’all need to check her out!!

Notes/Warnings: (My notes and warnings are for the story as a whole. Some notes and Warnings will not apply to every chapter.) smoking (I do not support smoking. keep your lungs clean y’all.) drinking, (be of age, don’t be stupid) minor violence, backstabbing, attempted murder, anxiety, stress, mentions of death, car accident, trauma, …I think that’s it. let me know if I’ve missed something.

Master List

 Steve couldn't hide his smile as he opened the front door to Y/N's house. He pushed it open then gestured a quick ‘Ladies first’.

 Y/N jaw fell slack. “Oh my gosh… Steve.” She looked back at him before huffing in amazement. “How did…” her voice faded as she took in the beauty of her home. Her once wrecked interior was now fresh and repainted. All of the broken or stolen furniture had been replaced and there wasn't a single scratch on the walls.

 “Nat put the prospects to work.” He shoved his hands in his pockets after closing the door and setting the alarm. “It still smells a little like paint so, weather permitting, we’ll open the windows tomorrow and air the place out.”

 She shook her head. “She didn’t have to do this…”

 “She wanted to. She likes you.” Steve stood close behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. 

 She reached up and put one of her hands on his. Y/N did everything she could to keep from crying but her eyes still watered up. 

 “I don’t know what to say.” She chuckled and turned to look at him. “Thank you.”

 Steve kissed her forehead. “You like it?”

 “Of course I do!” She looked up at him with the biggest smile he’d ever seen her wear.

 “You should go see your office.” He turned her around and pushed her towards her hallway. 

 Y/N gave him a curious glance before she continued in the nudged direction. When she got to the door she stopped. “Oh my…” Her words failed her and she couldn’t move. When her legs finally worked again she walked into the center of the room and turned, taking the whole remodeling in. “How-”

 “I told you,” Steve grinned from the doorway. “Nat likes you.”

 She blinked three times before closing her slacked jaw and looking at Steve. “She didn’t know anything about my office other than it was trashed. How did she know that I needed a new filing system and a bigger desk?” 

 He shrugged. “She’s just that good.”

 “Why won’t you just take credit for it?” She asked him plainly.

 Steve licked his lips and looked at the floor while he shifted his weight. The smile on his face morphed into uncertainty. “Cause guys like me can’t.”

 “What does that mean?” Y/N ran her fingers over the new dark wood desk to feel how smooth it was.

 He shook his head. “Nothing.”

 “Steve…” 

 When he looked up at her he could tell she wasn’t going to let it go. He sighed. “I didn’t pay for it, Nat and Buck did. So, it’s not something I can take credit for.” Steve could feel his nerves starting to bug out and he began to talk quicker. “I’m just a mechanic, a bike mechanic at that. I can’t support you or buy you fancy gifts so you might as well just think that this was all Nat. I mean, look at you! You’ve got clients and important meetings. You run your own business and a successful one, too. You deserve fancy dinners and huge flowers and a house with 2.5 kids. No wonder you were with a guy like Danny, he had the big house and good income. I can’t-”

 Y/N shut him up by shoving him backwards into the hall. “You got a lot of nerve, Rogers.” She frowned.

 There was a pause. No one spoke, they just looked at each other. 

 Of course he’d messed things up. Him and that mouth of his. He never did know how to talk to women. They way she looked at him, it hurt. Like she’d been punched in the stomach. She opened her mouth to say something but he watched the thought pass and she sighed.

 “I’m gonna go put some coffee on. You want any?” She couldn’t look at him any longer. She wondered what she’d done wrong to make him think that.

 Steve shook his head.  

 Y/N left him standing there in the hall and disappeared into the kitchen.

 Before Steve had a chance to man up and talk to her, he heard her phone ring.

 “Hello,...hey, yeah, I’m home....I do, I love it. Thank you so much. You really didn’t have t-...No, of course…”

 Steve didn’t listen to the rest. He walked out the front door and stood on her porch for a moment before getting onto his bike and riding off.

 Y/N paused when she heard the door open and close. With Nat going on and on in her ear, she pulled back the curtains and watched Steve mess with his phone before pulling out of the driveway.

 Just as he rode down the street, her phone buzzed in her ear. She let Nat continue to ramble about how she pulled it all off while Y/N checked her notification.

 STEVE:

 Running to the store be back in a bit. Please set the alarm. The code is Danny’s birthday.

 Y/N sighed and put the phone back to her ear. “Yeah, no, it is crazy. I really can’t thank you enough.”

 “Well, you deserved it.” It was obvious that Nat was smiling on the other line.

 “How do you figure?” Y/N entered Danny’s birthday and listened to the high pitched beeps that alerted you the alarm was set.

 “Look,” Nat’s excitement seemed to calm. “He’d kill me for telling you but, you’ve really changed Steve. He’s lost pretty much everyone he’s ever cared about except for Bucky and he’s always been real careful about who he lets himself get attached to. I mean, it’s been years since he’s had a girlfriend. But with you, honestly, I haven’t seen him this into a girl...well, ever.”

 Y/N didn’t know what to think.

 “He really likes you, Y/N. I know he’s a mess when it comes to women and I’m sure he’s already done something to make you think he’s not into you but, he is. Just cut him a break, he’s a moron.”

 “I guess he is, isn’t he?”

 “Oh, great. What did he do?” Nat sighed.

 “He thinks I’m too rich for him. Made some comments about what I deserve and why I was with Danny.”

 Nat cursed under her breath. “Ignore him. Please don’t let him scare you off. He talks out of his-”

 “Yeah, I noticed.”

 “I’m sure he just got nervous. He was probably trying to convince himself he didn’t deserve you. He’s self destructive like that. In his own twisted way it’s because he’s got it bad for you.” Nat explained.

 “Yeah, okay.” Y/N nodded as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “Thanks, Nat. For everything.”

 “Anytime, sweetheart.” And she hung up.

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

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[theclaravoyant]

the start of something

AN ~ so i definitely did curse myself when i promised this like a month ago but i have been in a slump lately and I FINALLY crawled out long enough to finish this fluffy piece of shameless awkward skimmons flirting ft. a little trope I like to call Unnecessary Physical Contact

this is sort of a sequel to Swinging My Way, Baby? but I liked the original too much as a standalone to make this an official chapter two. all you need to know is the location (their college) - Daisy is on the softball team and has invited Jemma to meet her after practice for a date

shameless fluff with some adorkable nervous flirting. Rated T. enjoy!

read on AO3 (2000wd)

the start of something

Jemma Simmons quite liked early mornings at the best of times. She liked the sunshine, the crisp air, the birds singing. She liked the routine of it, and the walk down autumn-coloured streets to the college. She loved the fall especially; it reminded her of the beauty and the relentlessness of life, which was just the kind of encouragement one needed in the morning. This particular morning, however, she had an extra reason to smile. She could barely restrain it, in fact – and why trouble herself to do so? - as she skipped down the steps to McLean Field, and headed toward the batting cages and softball green.

The softball team was wrapping up practice, running and tossing as if in some kind of drill. Jemma did not follow it, but she would be lying if she said that bothered her too much as she admired the show of athleticism on display. Her eyes wandered between the figures as the players broke formation, waving and farewelling each other. It was not long before she spotted Daisy, jogging across the field toward her, flushed but smiling.

“Hey!” Daisy greeted. “You came!”

“Yeah,” Jemma agreed. “I’ve got a hot date.”

“What? Where is she?” Daisy made a show of looking around for the mystery woman, and laughed. In truth, she had been looking forward to this as much as Jemma had, if not more. She had been thinking about it ever since she’d convinced her fingers to type out the invitation and send it to Jemma. Now that she was living the moment, she could hardly believe she’d been so nervous. Jemma’s face was lit up with laughter, and combined with her cute beanie and coat and apparently effortless fall-catalogue aesthetic made the whole scene remind Daisy of something from a film.

“So, coffee?” Daisy offered.

“Sure,” Jemma agreed, “but uh - that hot date promised to teach me how to hit a six, so maybe later.”

Daisy blinked, surprised, and glanced at the pile of equipment the rest of the team had left nearby. She hadn’t really expected Jemma to be seriously interested in softball, it was just a helpful ruse – and a universally accepted one, or so she’d thought. Still, she knew better than most that the heart wanted what the heart wanted. And she was on the pack up roster this week, after all, so she could swing it. Literally.

“Are you sure?” she checked. “In those shoes? And what does ‘hit a six’ mean?”

Jemma shook back her hair, and took off her gloves. “Oh, my apologies,” she corrected, and affected an American accent to add, “I meant ‘a homer’.” `

Daisy rolled her eyes, and strode up to the pile of practice bats. She selected her favourite –electric blue aluminium, a little battered and with paint chipped off in parts, but still good – as well as a practice tee, and then she backed up into the field, goading Jemma to follow.

“Alright, hot shot. Come on then.”

Jemma’s heart leapt in her chest as Daisy plunged the practice tee into the earth. It was at once, a rush of attraction – she was strong, and in her element, and this was something a little different from the standard coffee date – but at the same time, no shortage of fear. It was all well and good to talk the talk, but in truth, Jemma had no idea how practically coordinated she was… or was not. It was not that she was unfit; far from it. It was just that… well… there was a lot going on with one’s hands, eyes, and mind, and she had been too busy flirting to remember that she didn’t actually have the faintest idea what she was doing otherwise.

And then Daisy held out the bat.

“Uh.” Jemma hesitated, just for a beat, but it was enough to catch herself out. How was she to take it? How was she to hold it? Like a sword, a mallet, a racquet, a baton? How had she gotten to this point, standing in the grass, about to make a complete fool of herself in front of Daisy? Fantastic. In the span of a few seconds, she’d overthought it so much by that she’d scarcely be surprised if she downright dropped the blasted thing.

Daisy raised a curious eyebrow. It was strangely comforting to watch Jemma “Brilliant At Everything, Including Saying the Word Brilliant” Simmons confront her own overconfidence, but Daisy couldn’t let her flail for too long. She took the bat back, demonstrating the hold.

“Like this, remember?”

“Right. Yes.”

Jemma finally took the bat, and though she fumbled with its obvious foreignness, she didn’t seem too fazed. In fact if anything, Daisy thought, that scowl of concentration meant she was genuinely interested in putting her money where her mouth was and learning how to hit this thing out of the park. Daisy bit her lip. She liked a woman who liked a challenge, especially when said woman decided to shuck off her coat as well. She cut a fine form in a cardigan and neat slacks, and though she looked a little out of place, she was fit and determined. Daisy found herself perusing the curve of Jemma’s hip with such admiration that she all but ignored the woman’s otherwise poor form until her first attempt at bat crumbled into a twisted, poorly aimed, overzealous mess.

“Oh, bloody hell!” Jemma cried, but it was more of a whimper than a curse. She hit the tee with an unflattering clang and the ball bounced off half-heartedly, and the base of the tee ripped up a clod of earth and grass as it keeled sideways. The bat all but fell from her fingers.

Jemma closed her eyes for a long moment, cringing on every conceivable level of consciousness. She looked a fool. She had probably insulted Daisy by not taking it seriously, something she loved and had been invited into. Was she going to get Daisy in trouble? Oh no.

Instead, Daisy laughed. It was a gentle sort of chuckle, barely mocking at all.

“Don’t worry, that happens to all the newbies,” Daisy promised, fixing the tee and resetting the ball. “You’ve just gotta stay grounded. Here. If you don’t mind…”

She disappeared back behind Jemma for a moment, but it was only a moment, and then Jemma’s heart was pounding for an entirely different reason. Daisy reached in from behind to steady her hands on the bat, and stayed there. Jemma felt with every fibre of her being the warmth of Daisy’s breath on her neck; her weight where their legs brushed; her breasts just ever so slightly pressing against Jemma’s back.

Hesitation. Daisy’s fingers tensed around the bat, wondering if she’d pushed it too far. It was only a first date, after all. Maybe she should have just stuck to coffee. But then –

“Like this?”

Jemma asked, and if Daisy was not mistaken she was holding her breath a little as she moved her hand to wrap it over Daisy’s. Jemma’s fingers were cold, but Daisy felt a stinging warmth where their skin touched. She swallowed hard. She’d brought this tension on herself. Jemma laughed, and Daisy knew it was for her. The sly little minx was enjoying herself – she should have known, she was not the only one to have seen enough rom coms to recognise this move.

(She would later find out that Jemma had learnt it from the X Files. Funnily enough, that’s where she most vividly remembered it from too.)

Then, because Jemma was full of surprises today, she swung with force and a shriek of panic-slash-delight, and sent the ball careening – well, not that far, but still. She collapsed into more laughter; this time, not a smug little chuckle, but crinkle-nosed hysterics, as she jogged through the grass to collect the ball. Daisy found herself beaming too, despite the flush in her cheeks, as Jemma held the ball out to her.

“I think I’d best leave it to the experts, hm?” Jemma speculated.

“I don’t know,” Daisy suggested with a shrug. “I think after a few more training sessions, you could really be something.”

Was she thinking, Jemma wondered, of more skin-on-skin, breath-on-breath ‘training sessions’; like this one, but perhaps, in more private and opportune locations? Or was it coffee and dinner and films and stargazing on her mind, and that something they could be… maybe in that sunlight-yellow breakfast nook Jemma had always dreamed about?

There was a little smile on Jemma’s face at whatever she was thinking, and Daisy drunk it in, surprised at her own enrapturement. She hadn’t spent a lot of time imagining her own future, but it was easy with Jemma. The now was, at least. They jested with each other, talked; they read each other like nobody seemed to have done before. If she were being honest, Daisy wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted, or thought they could be. All she knew was that she wanted to spend more time with this woman. Any time. All the time.

They stood two arm lengths apart, holding the ball between them and thinking. Overthinking. Until each of them decided, in the spirit of those thoughts, to step in and close the gap.

“I – um,” Daisy murmured. She wasn’t used to feeling so many butterflies with her crushes.

“I think I rather like you,” Jemma confessed, and Daisy laughed and filled the space between them with frosty air. It seemed so soft, so simple put that way.

“Me too,” she agreed.

“If I’m being honest, I actually don’t have a great deal of interest in softball,” Jemma continued. “It was all a ruse. I was rather hoping to kiss you, actually.”

“Good, because I was rather hoping you were hoping to kiss me.”

Jemma blushed, and Daisy smirked and raised her eyebrows; a little bit of a challenge, but one she knew Jemma would take as an invitation. Especially when she tugged on the softball they were both holding between them, pulling Jemma even closer.

For her part, Jemma didn’t need to be asked twice. Her nose was cold and she wasn’t sure exactly where she was sticking it, but she was a practiced kisser and if she stood on her toes just right she could almost find the perfect angle for her and Daisy to fit together. Satisfied, she grinned against Daisy’s lips when she heard the softball drop to the grass between them with a dull thud, and felt Daisy’s arms wrap around her hips instead.

They stood in that little pocket of embrace for a long moment, until they started to realise that the world was still moving around them. Jemma took a deep breath, and sighed it out. Daisy looked around at the mess she had left to clean up. The day was pressing on, and time waited for no woman… but maybe they could chase after it for a while.

“I still have time for tea before my first class?” Jemma suggested.

“Help me put away this junk and I’m there,” Daisy agreed. “I haven’t even eaten breakfast.”

And so help her, Jemma made it almost thirty seconds – she collected her gloves and picked up some of the equipment and made it a few paces behind Daisy before it finally slipped out –

“You know, it’s not just a saying, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

“I know,” Daisy promised in a sing-song voice, though, she didn’t really know. And she was all too happy to see that spark of knowledge flare up in Jemma’s eyes as, hardly missing a beat, the woman launched into a paragraph. And maybe it was a little ironic given the grounds across which they were walking, but Daisy didn’t think she’d ever been so happy to shut up and listen.

[mandowh0re]

Say You Won’t Let Go

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x f! Reader

Warnings: None

A/N: Songfic using Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur. I fell in love with this song when I heard it and had to write a songfic using it. I also know this isn’t my best work but I’m a little rusty cut me some slack.

Happy reading!

I met you in the dark. You lit me up.

Natasha’s eyes immediately fell on you when you walked into the room.

She had met you a few brief times before. You were Pepper’s personal assistant and would sometimes be up on the common floor as the two of you worked on Stark Industry matters.

Pepper had hired you about a year ago, and almost immediately she and Tony all but adopted you as their own.

Natasha was a goner the first time she laid eyes on you. Though she didn’t admit it to anyone, not even herself.

You were in the common room when Natasha walked in. A nightmare had woken her and she decided to take a walk around the Tower.

There you were, in the dim lights of the few lamps on, fussing over the files in front of you.

“Who are you?” Natasha asked, her body preparing for a fight, when you stood abruptly and turned towards her.

Her breath caught in her throat and her stomach did a flip.

“I’m sorry! Sorry! I’m Y/N. I’m Mrs. Potts’ assistant. I was just working on some things and I guess the time just got away from me,” You explained as you hurriedly gathered your things, “I’ll head out now. I’m sorry again for startling you.”

You rushed past her into the elevator, giving her a small smile as the door closed.

You made me feel as though I was enough.

When you started hanging around the Avengers more often, everyone immediately took a liking to you. Pepper and Tony gave you your own floor to live in. It was easier for everyone involved if you just lived in the Tower.

Natasha though, stayed on the outskirts of the group and any conversation when you were around.

The feeling you gave her terrified her to no end. She felt like this only once before, and it didn’t end well.

The Red Room and it’s teachers didn’t take kindly to their students falling in love.

But you persisted. You wouldn’t give up until she finally smiled back at you. It was infuriating to her how you could just bat your eyes or smile her way and she would just lose control over her own thoughts.

Every instinct in her told her to run.

But she couldn’t force herself to move even if she wanted to.

Nobody besides Clint or Fury had made an effort for her before. Not before you.

We danced the night away

Deciding she had had enough of walking on eggshells, Natasha crossed the room until she was standing in front of you.

The dress you had on was a satin green evening gown that dipped just below your breasts and hugged all of your curves in a way that made Natasha’s head spin.

“Dance with me?” Natasha asked, though it sounded more like a demand than a question. You didn’t second guess it though, and only smiled in return, taking her hand in yours.

We drank too much.

The sound of your laugh as you threw back another shot had Natasha’s stomach in knots.

While your voice was like sleeping on silk, your laugh was the most radiant thing she’d ever heard. She then made it her personal goal to make you laugh every day.

She downed her own shot, catching a glint in your eyes she hadn’t seen before.

I held your hair back when you were throwing up.

You coughed and spit into the toilet. Your chest was heaving as you attempted to catch your breath.

You felt like shit and you knew you looked like a wreck, but for some reason Natasha was still sitting there with you, holding your hair.

Then you smiled over your shoulder, for a minute I was stone cold sober. I pulled you closer to my chest.

What the hell was wrong with her? Here Natasha was, sitting in a bathroom with a woman she barely knew, holding her hair back while said woman retched into the toilet.

But repulsed didn’t describe her feelings in the slightest.

As you sputtered and fought to catch your breath once more, you looked back at Natasha and offered a weak smile in thanks.

And it was like a train came out of nowhere and slammed into her. All of the alcohol suddenly disappeared from her system and her breath caught in her throat.

Pulling you back from the toilet, Natasha leaned against the your bathroom wall, pulling you with her.

You nestled your head in her neck, your breath tickling her skin as you attempted to keep them even.

And you asked me to stay over. I said, I already told you. I think you should get some rest.

“Stay with me tonight?” You asked, your eyes getting heavy and your quiet voice and even breathing signaling to Natasha that you were falling asleep.

“You really need to sleep. You’re going to have a hell of a hangover tomorrow.” She said as she rubbed your back, not planning on going anywhere else tonight.

I knew I loved you then. But you’d never know. ‘Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go.

Natasha didn’t talk to you for a week after the Christmas Party.

She knew she was hurting you. But she knew if she let this go any further, it might be more than just your feelings that got hurt.

She convinced herself she had to distance herself from you. Force the feelings away, cast them out.

I knew I needed you, but I never showed.

You weren’t having it. You cornered Natasha one day when she was the only one in the kitchen.

“What the hell, Nat!” You yelled, “I don’t understand! I thought we were finally getting somewhere but all you’ve done since then is ignore me. What did I do? What is so wrong with me that you can’t even stomach talking to me, let alone be in the same room anymore?”

Natasha closed her eyes. This isn’t what she counted on. She thought you’d be mad at her, not questioning yourself.

“I’ll hurt you.”

“A little late for that, don’t you think?” You replied. But there was no heat behind it. There was no heat behind any of your words. The only thing she could hear in your voice was hurt and confusion.

“I’m sorry I thought we had something. I’ll leave you alone for now on.” You turned away from her with tears in your eyes. You got two steps in before she grabbed your wrist and spun you around to her.

You didn’t even have time to question what was happening, because right then she took your face in her hands and kissed you.

She let all of her feelings pour into that kiss. She finally let herself feel.

She didn’t let go until she committed the taste of your lips to memory. Until her head was spinning off her shoulders and she had you reeling with her.

I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old.

Just say you won’t let go.

The moan that left your lips as Natasha climbed on top of you, biting her way to your lips made her thoughts cloud over even more than they already were.

She caught your wrists and pinned them above your head, kissing you and sinking the both of you into your mattress.

Just say you won’t let go.

When you came down from your climax induced high, Natasha kissed your forehead and laid next to you. She pulled you flush against her body, wrapping her arms tight around you.

“I love you.” She whispered to you as you fell asleep against her.

I’ll wake you up with some breakfast in bed. I’ll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head.

Your eyes opened as light poured into the room. Reaching over, you frowned when you found that the other half of the bed was empty.

“Good morning, beautiful.” You heard Natasha say. Pulling yourself up, you slipped on your glasses to see your wife bringing you a tray of food.

When she set it down, your stomach growled at the sight of your favorite breakfast foods. You also noticed a small card on the corner of the tray that read “Happy Birthday”.

“You didn’t have to, you know.” You smiled up at her as she leaned down to plant a kiss on your forehead.

“Of course I did.”

I’ll take the kids to school. Wave them goodbye.

Natasha watched from the classroom door as Lillia hurriedly greeted her friends.

She couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t been able to take her daughter to school much lately due to Avengers work, but you never once complained. You took her to pre-K every morning, sending her a picture of Lillia every time.

And I’ll thank my lucky stars for that night.

When you looked over your shoulder. For a minute, I forget that I'm older. I wanna dance with you right now.

When she got back to the car, Natasha leaned head back on the head rest and let her mind wander back to the night she fell in love with you.

She remembered your green dress, your E/C eyes boring into hers, and the way you glided across the floor in her arms.

She remembered how you drank just to keep up with her, which ended up with the two of you on your bathroom floor as you puked your guts out.

She giggled at the memory, remembering how you looked back at her. Your face was pale and tired but you smiled back at her nonetheless.

Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever. And I swear that everyday'll get better. You make me feel this way somehow.

Natasha has just gotten back from a particularly rough mission. You were there waiting for her when she walked through the door.

It was late, so she knew Lillia would be in bed.

She dropped her bag on the ground, staring at you as if to beg you to catch her. Her legs couldn’t take her any farther.

Crossing the room in three strides, you caught her in your arms as she fell to the ground crying.

Both of you stayed that way for a while, her gripping onto you as tight as possible as she calmed down, and you rubbing her back and combing her hair with your fingers.

You sang her her favorite song. The one that reminded her of you. The one that you danced to at your wedding.

I'm so in love with you. And I hope you know. Darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold.

Natasha sat beside you in the medbay holding your newborn baby boy.

You were sleeping soundly for the first time in months, and she was more than happy to hold Eli while you did so.

The heart monitor’s steady beeping and your even breaths kept her calm. This pregnancy had been high risk for you, and Natasha had been worried sick the entire eight months.

You’d been rushed into an emergency c-section last night after you passed out. Luckily, Steve caught you before you hit the ground.

It was a whirlwind, Natasha caught in it as everyone rushed you down to the medbay. Her thoughts jumbled up as you lay unconscious on the surgical table.

She prayed for the first time in her life that night.

The entire team had been worried, but Natasha felt like she was going to go out of her mind with panic.

Looking down at her son, a tear slipped down her cheek. He was so tiny, born a month early and slightly underdeveloped. But Dr. Cho had reassured the two of you that both mom and baby would be fine.

We've come so far my dear. Look how we've grown. And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old.

The four of you sat on the couch as a family watching Tangled for the umpteenth time, per Lillia’s request.

Natasha looked over to see you with the baby asleep in your arms, Lillia sprawled out across both of your laps.

She couldn’t believe this was her life now. Not once did she ever imagine that she would be a wife, nevermind a mother.

But here she was, with her two kids and beautiful wife, watching Disney movies before bed.

And it all started that night of the Stark Industries Christmas Party.

Just say you won't let go

Natasha was stirred from her thoughts when a hand grabbed hers, and she looked over to see you had grabbed it while smiling at her.

Just say you won't let go.

I wanna live with you, even when we're ghosts. 'Cause you were always there for me when I needed you most. I'm gonna love you till my lungs give out. I promise till death we part like in our vows

Natasha opened her eyes, blinking a few times to focus her swimming vision.

“Nat? Oh my God!”

She grunted as she was enveloped in a tight hug. She didn’t even need to see to know who was hugging her.

Slowly she brought an arm around your neck, reveling in your touch.

You pulled back, tears streaming from your face.

“When we said ‘till death do us part’ that wasn’t permission to get yourself killed!”

She chuckled, then immediately regretted it. She grabbed her chest, struggling to pull in deep breaths.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” She spoke softly, her voice thick with emotion and heavy with medication.

“Idiot,” you giggled in reply.

So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows. Finally it's just you and me till we're grey and old.

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

Oh, just say you won't let go

***

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[dcladies-secretsanta]

Titans

TO: @dccomicsbookshelf

FROM: Your Secret Santa 

Done Right Steph and Cass were surveying Gotham from their favorite perch in the city, all the bats had a favorite vantage point. Theirs happened to be the very top of a semi popular casino. Way up on the neon blue sign saying “Fortune!”. It wasn’t really known for its originality. It was a fairly quiet night in Gotham, they’d only had to stop five bank robberies and three were at the same place down the block. Cass was quietly enjoying ice cream and watching the sober people entering the casino as the distraught and less than sober people leaving.

“I think I’ve had my fill of inaction. I kinda want to beat someone up.” Steph said with a huff. Cass tilted her head.

“Yes.” She said with a decisive nod. Steph pulled out binoculars and scanned the skyline, that was when the lenses went dark. Steph pulled away and blinked in surprise at the hovering amazonian. Donna Troy was smirking at them.

“My sisters in arms, Starfire and I require your aid, will you join us?” She asked, Steph always forgot how ripped donna was. She was starring a little too long at her arms.

“Uh yes, Yes! Sorry, we’re in. RIght Cass?” Cass nodded tossing her cone which elicited a a faint cry of anger from below.

“What’s the crisis?” Asked Steph Donna extended her arms and each batgirl grabbed a hand as Donna flew northward.

“A most peculiar alliance has formed between unlikely allies. It would seem Riddler, Dr. Light, Captain Cold, and Mr. Zsasz have taken hostages in some heist. The purpose is yet unclear but it is dire nonetheless.” Donna said, Cass threw a sideways glance at Steph who hid a snicker.

“Why, do you need our help? I’m sure you and Starfire could easily handle them.” Hell one of them might have been able to take on all four of them.

“We require a more subtle unit in this battle, we know nothing of the layout of the building, nor what hostilities may lie in wait. Additionally Star and I are not particularly adept at avoiding notice.” Cass smirked.

“Yes.” Steph grinned. “Alright, so Cass and I sneak in, get the scoop, you bust in, we rescue the hostages and beat the bad guys. Sounds easy enough. Where’s Star?”

“Star awaits at the scene, making sure it does not escalate why I gathered reinforcements.”

The rest of the flight was mostly silent, and brief, Donna was pretty fast. They arrived at the Gotham science department, it was odd because none of the listed villains had a particular fixation with science. Star was watching the building from a rooftop across the street.

“Oh salutations friends! I’m so glad you have joined us!” Cass chuckled and waved. “Any developments Star?” Steph asked pulling out the binoculars to see into the building, She sighed as she couldn’t see anything.

“The police are doing their best but they are, as they say, at a standstill.” “Cass let’s enter through the roof access, Donna, Star, take these, this is how we’ll stay in contact.” Steph handed them earpieces. She and cass then slipped into the darkness and Donna soon lost track of them.

“Do you think our friends have the what it takes?” Star asked concerned.

“Without a shadow of a doubt Star.” Star hovered back and forth. “Be at ease, they are skilled warriors, you need not fret.” Star nodded and took a few deep breaths.

“Am I correct that there are six sidekicks to the Batman?” Donna smirked “Verily there are two more, the one called Oracle and the mighty Batwing.” Starfire shook her head.

“Nightwing had always said his family was quite complicated.” “There is even another, she is not counted among the children, a batwoman, and Batman has a lover called Catwoman. I’ve heard a few of them speak fondly of an Alfred and a hound called Ace. I think it is more complicated than even they are aware.” Star giggled.

“I would very much like to meet a ferocious Bathound!” They both laughed quietly at that. “What is next a Batcow?” Donna said between fits causing them both to erupt into laughter again. After a few moments the giggles and tears subsided.

“Are there more of you Donna?” Donna shrugged. “I suppose I have no room to jest for there is another Wonder Girl named Cassie, Diana has a Kangaroo named Jumpa, and I heard rumour of a brother. There’s also a fierce Amazon by the name of Artemis, she has been Wonder Woman once or twice.” Star nodded smiling.

“Is it nice to have such a group?” Donna nodded. “We are bound by the deepest sense of sisterhood, I know that even in times of peace my sister will always be there with me.” She said fondly staring up at the night sky lost in memory. “Surely a Princess of Tamaran has many warrior friends?” Donna said turning her attention to the fiery alien.

“Well I have a as you say, caretaker who was most kind. I have a sister but my sister is... most unpleasant. We used to be close, the last few times we’ve encountered one another it has ended in violence.” Star said closing her eyes to the hurtful memory.

“Not all sisters are from blood or comradery in arms, some are formed through friendship.” Donna said placing a hand on Starfire’s shoulder. Star smiled.

“Thank you Donna, your words are quite the comfort.” “Spoiler to Troia, Black Bat and I have located the hostages, it looks like there’s 9 scientists. Meanwhile the bad guys are rounding up the tech from one of the labs. It looks like they plan to destroy it. I can’t tell what it is from my vantage point but it looks like it deals with brain waves of some kind. I see a few headgears.”

“Well done Spoiler, what of bombs or traps?” “There’s none that we can make out but Riddler is a tricky son of a bitch.” “Do they have a route for the escaping?” Star asked. “Strangely no, they look like they might plan to just head out the front door. Their only superpowered members are Cold and Light, and while they’re dangerous they could potentially be overwhelmed by gunfire. Another strange thing is that they aren’t talking to one another. It’s just silent, no arguing or barking orders.” Star and Donna exchanged a perturbed glance.

“Are you able to cause a distraction or rescue any of the hostages?” Steph laughed over the radio.

“When you see it fly in and grab some hostages alright?”

“See what?”Star asked confused only to be answered by a boom, and a billowing of smoke that could be seen through the windows.

“Ohhh, I should have known, Nightwing is fond of the smoke bombs.” “Let’s go!” Donna shouted and the two swooped inside, a quick sweep said the smoke was surrounding the bad guys and the hostages were clustered together in the corner. Donna and Star extended their hands allowing three people to grab a hold per arm. One climbed on Donna’s back and they swiftly carried the hostages out to the police. “What are the villain’s interest in your work?” Donna inquired. “The devices they are gathering up are telepathic enhancers and inhibitors. Some generate pockets of psychic interference, others can amplify a psychics range and power levels.” Said a dark skinned woman. She looked like the head of the team.

“Did they say anything else?” Star asked. “No, they just moved silently, they didn’t even seem very interested in us. Several of us were secretly texting family and the police. They didn’t even care. It may be my work clouding my judgement but they act as if they are being controlled.” You could almost see her mind working to put the pieces together.

“Thank you, you’ve been most helpful.” “Spoiler, Black Bat, We are headed in. Be careful there’s a possibility they are being controlled.” Star and Donna flew in once more to see the batgirls engaged in battle. Cold and Light were firing blasts of ice and light at Cass and Steph who were dodging with incredible acrobatics. Cass hurled batarangs, two were frozen but the third detonated sending cold flying. Donna swung her lasso at Zsasz who had run swiping his blade at Cass and yanked him toward her. Star and Dr. Light began hurling light blasts at each other. Their light beams ricocheting dangerously. Riddler threw his own projectiles that Steph avoided easily. Cold got up and hurled more ice daggers at them. Cass and Steph propelled upward, Cass swung around delivering a devastating kick to Cold’s jaw, Star managed to blast Dr. light in the chest while Steph descended from above to land on the riddler. Cuffing him in the process.

Steph and Cass high fived over the defeat of the villains. “Fantastic job friends!” Star cheered. “Who are you working for Zsasz? The Lasso compels you to obey my command.” Zsasz struggled and gasped but did not answer. Donna blinked.

“Answer me!” She commanded, Zsasz suddenly went slack. “Little heroes, you can’t expect me to give up my secrets so easily, you may have won the day, but trust me. I’ll be back.” And with an ominous chuckle Zsasz became unconscious. The four of them stood around feeling a slight sense of foreboding and quickly delivered the criminals to the police.

From a rooftop a few buildings away a woman watched the proceedings with disdain. “Shall I convince them to finish the job your highness?” Asked the man next to her with a wicked grin.

“That won’t be necessary Psimon, the children may have interfered in the destruction of the originals but with all the confusion I believe the research we’ve gathered will make sufficient copies.” Queen Bee smirked at the tablet that now had all the files from the project. Riddler may be annoying but he was useful with a computer.

“Come psimon, I think we have a few upgrades to work on.” and with that the queen of Bialya and her henchman disappeared into the night.

Back at the crime scene out heroes were busy celebrating. “We should do this again, I have a feeling that this particular mission isn’t over yet.” Steph said.

“Agreed.” Said Cass. Donna and Star smiled. “I’d like that.” “As would I!” And the four walked off into the night as well with the beginning of a beautiful team up.

[alexiela73]

So there was a request I had been working on. I hadn’t been able to finish it at the time and my friend had told me it was possible to save it as a draft on tumblr. So I handed her the computer, she posted it and when it wouldn’t save as a draft, she ended up accidentally deleting it. So here it is, and I apologize to the person who requested.

The request was McCree, Soldier and Hanzo flirting with a guy and then he sends them a naughty selfie.

McCree

“There you are,” McCree drawled, placing a hand on the shoulder of a man sitting at a bar in a small rural town. A cigar hung from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes alight with amusement. “Been lookin’ everywhere for you.”

In a matter of minutes, the man had his hands tied up behind his back and Jesse was sipping a scotch at the table beside him. This man was a criminal he’d been chasing for almost two months now, and had somehow managed to slip by him every time Jesse had closed in.

The man looked pleading, not having expected to be found here. “Please! Come on, man. It was just one diamond...and nine pearl necklaces. Can’t you cut me a break?” he begged.

Downing the last of his liquor, McCree gave a shake of his head.

“Sorry, pal. Can’t do that. There’s a large bounty on your head and I’m here to collect,” McCree said with a grin. Before the criminal could reply, there was a beep and McCree pulled out his phone. “Excuse me for a minute, will you?”

Still facing the criminal and sitting beside him, Jesse opened up a file you had sent him. It took a moment to load, before suddenly Jesse could only stare at the picture.

The silence as well as the dumb expression on Jesse’s face filled his captive with curiosity, and when Jesse didn’t move or look away for another minute or so, the captive found himself wanting to see what had the cowboy shocked.

Getting up, he went to stand behind the cowboy and look over his shoulder and the image he saw made his cheeks warm. After a moment, Jesse’s cigar slipped from his mouth and hit the floor.

The criminal whistled low. “Hot damn. That ass looks tight,” he says in appreciation.

Jesse made a noise of agreement. “It’s tight. Nothing is as heavenly as that ass,” Jesse said, nodding slowly, his eyes seeming to study the picture hungrily, heat rising in his groin. There was already a tent in his pants.

“His cock looks delicious-bet you love sucking that,” the criminal said, giving Jesse a pat on the back.

Jesse shook his head. “It is delicious, but its even better when he’s on his knees and his lips wrap around-Wait, excuse me?” Jesse cut himself off, before he slowly turned around to face the criminal as realization took over. The criminal almost didn’t realize the look of anger on his face at first.

“Don’t talk about my boyfriend like that!” he snarls and punches him in the face. The criminal was out in seconds, blood pouring from his nose. 

Glaring down at him, Jesse glanced once more with longing at the picture before sending you a quick text, then slid his phone back into his pocket as he prepared to take the man to jail.

“See you home in fifteen- Jesse.”

Soldier

Soldier had met you at a formal party with the government. It had been like any tradition party held by high status agents, with a bit of dancing and fine dining. Gabriel, Jack and Angela had all attended, sitting at a large round table with three others.

You had been one of the three others, and Jack couldn’t help noticing how handsome you looked in your tuxedo and velvet black tie. While Angela and Gabe had managed to strike conversations up with the other two, Jack had hesitated, unsure of how to just begin a conversation that wasn’t just political.

Considering your part was as an assistant, Jack wasn’t sure if he should be discussing any of his thoughts with someone from the opposite party. But that didn’t stop you from starting a conversation with him, instead talking about the city.

“It’s beautiful here, don’t you think?” you asked, a smile curving your lips as you gazed at Jack. The way your eyes slowly slid up and down him told him that the city wasn’t the only thing you found beautiful here.

Clearing his throat, he toasted his glass of champagne toward you in salute. “Indeed it is. The weather is wonderful, and I find the company here to be quite enjoyable,” Jack said smoothly.

Resting your elbow on the edge of the table, you rested your cheek in your hand as you swirled your champagne around in the other, watching Jack with half lidded eyes. “I see. I’ve unfortunately not found any company so enjoyable yet, but I will admit my...interest has been perked by one of the guests here tonight,” he said, voice low and sultry.

Heart skipping a beat, Jack knew he was incredibly attractive to you. He wondered if you were flirting because you were actually interested, or because you hoped to lower his defenses and possibly let loose a secret or two.

“Hopefully this guest will maintain your interest, if given the chance,” Jack said, and wondered how delicious the champagne would taste on your lips.

Before you could say anything, Jack was asked to go speak briefly to the host. Without thought, he excused himself and went, not realizing he’d left his phone on the table. With a wicked gleam, you excused yourself from the table before disappearing to the bathroom.

Jack returned twenty five minutes later, and was disappointed to see you’d left the table, your chair pushed in. Noticing his phone on the table and open, he frowned when he saw that there was a new folder in his phone.

Opening it, Jack’s breath caught at the pictures that he found. The fact that you’d managed half of those in the bathroom were amazing, and best was the picture at the end with the caption “If your interested, I’m waiting on the balcony. Don’t worry, I know how to be quiet.”.

Swallowing hard, Jack’s cock was hard, straining against the material of his pants as he thought of you out on the balcony and what you implied. After a moment, he couldn’t stop himself.

Standing, he excused himself once more and made his way out to the balcony. The two of you were out there for likely thirty minutes, and let me tell you, nothing has ever been as thrilling to you as getting fucked outside on the balcony, a few feet from the balcony doors.

Hanzo

The two of you were out on a mission together that required a lot of stealth and focus. While some of your team had gone on ahead, Hanzo and you had moved to another area, prepared to take on the target alone. But if he didn’t miss, then the two of you wouldn’t need to engage.

Hanzo glanced at you as you continued to talk beside him, before starting to climb a very large brick wall with just enough crevices and clutches for the two of you to climb it. It was not something you wanted to do, but Hanzo started up with ease, seeming to have no trouble at all. You supposed it would be easy.

“You know,” you said as you began, eyes alight with a wicked glint. “My view would be even nicer if you’d wear a little less,” you teased.

Hanzo grunted as he climbed, moving at a bit of a faster rate. “Do you plan to focus any time soon?” he asks, as you’d been flirting for probably half of the mission so far. 

A grin slid on your face. “Oh, I’m focused. Focused on how I’m going to want you in bed tonight,” you said with confidence and you couldn’t help yourself. Hanzo was a dream, and you had been craving him for awhile. Just because he could be grumpy or an ass didn’t stop your body from wanting him.

“You talk a big talk,” Hanzo growled, managing to get to the top and he glanced down at you disinterestedly, noting how you were further down still then he’d realized. “Could you move a bit faster?”

Chuckling, you gave him a wide grin. “You’ll be saying that tonight too,” you said with a wink, and Hanzo turned and walked away from the side of the wall.

Climbing, it took you another minute to get to the top and when you did, you didn’t see Hanzo anywhere. But you knew where he was headed, so you began in that direction too. You’d sworn you had seen the telltale signs of pink cheeks before he’d hurried off.

On your way, you went through your photo gallery and found a very nice shot of you holding your hard cock, with an expression that begged to be touched. This was probably your favorite, because it had specifically been made for Hanzo. You were suppose to give it to him as a gift when he finally agreed to be with you but it might do better convincing him instead.

Sending it, you managed to find the area Hanzo was suppose to be in. He was there, standing at the window, pale light outlining him. He had an arrow notched, and he seemed to be waiting for a perfect moment.

As you came up beside him, you saw the target was in perfect view, with no obscurities. Seconds ticked by, and Hanzo made no move.

“...Hanzo?” you asked with a frown. “You need to shoot.”

Another moment of silence, before you felt his arm go slack and the arrow lower. When you looked at his face, it was flushed and Hanzo was almost embarrassedly looking away. There was a little blood on his nose, and you could see the barest light shining in his pocket.

Ohhh, you thought, the picture. Smirking, you patted him on the back as the target disappeared. “Next time, buddy. Don’t worry, you’ll have a blast tonight though,” you said, and he only groaned in shame.

Hanzo enjoyed getting his ass fucked hard that night, let me tell you.

[star-trekkin-across-theuniverse]

Resource Management, pt13

Word Count: 2383 Tags: @supermoonpanda @rayleyanns @sistasarah-sallysaidso @feelmyroarrrr @anyakinamidala @dirajunara @anotherotter @little-study-bug @rampant-salamander @goodnightwife @samaxraph99 @anotherotter  @outside-the-government @kingarthurscat @coyote-in-space @originalpottervengerlock @dolamrothianlady @curiositywillbethedeathofme @superheroesofbothuniverses @mtriestowrite @wanderingkat77

“I could have sworn you were supposed to be a genius!” I exclaimed, stomping toward Stark with murder in my heart. “Do you have any idea what kind of compromise you have caused? In light of the current situation at SHIELD?”

“In all fairness, there is a method to my madness,” Stark shrugged. I resisted the urge to choke the life out of his smug fucking throat.

“Start talking because I’m feeling a little like I’d like to get in some target practice.” I cocked an eyebrow.

“I guess it’s a good thing I swept for bugs already then.” Stark took a seat. His movements had a careless grace to them that emphasized that he really wasn’t the least bit concerned that I might hurt him. Fury should have started training me years ago. I could feel the rage boiling to the surface, and clenched my jaw.

“You’ve read her personnel file, Stark. Do you want to risk her hitting you?” Phil prompted.

“Right. Here’s the shortest, most condensed version of the story I can give you. SHIELD has been compromised. I want to know by whom. I need to know. And you need to help me.” He stood as he spoke, and walked over to Phil. He poked him. Then squeezed his bicep. Then poked him again.

“Stark.” It was a warning.

“It’s remarkable, Phil. I can’t believe it,” Stark shook his head. “You look so life-like.”

“Mr. Stark,” I cleared my throat. “We know SHIELD is compromised. My data analysis suggests HR was specifically targeted.”

“And why would anyone want that information?” Stark asked.

“You’ve seen how detailed those reports are. You could practically determine what toppings I’m likely to order on my pizza and how often I think about sex from them,” I blurted and immediately blushed.

“Phil looks good. My guess is you think about it a lot,” Stark wiggled his eyebrows at me. I sighed and dropped into my chair.

“Make your point, Stark.” Phil crossed his arms and glared at Tony. Tony made his way back to the chair and with the same practiced grace, dropped back into it.

“What she said. You can determine exactly the type of person each employee is by looking at his or her personnel file. If you were a big terrorist organization, that would be pretty handy information to have. You know, if you were going to recruit within the ranks.” Stark cracked the knuckles on one hand and was about to start on the other. I grabbed his hand to stop him.

“What you’re saying, Tony,” I was too surprised to keep up the formality, “is that anyone could be a traitor based on savvy recruiting tactics incorporating information gleaned from a personnel file.”

“So it would stand to reason that –“

“That we could pinpoint who might be a traitor by scanning personnel files,” I interrupted. “Can your fancy-ass AI get us in the files without using my login information?”

“JARVIS has been able to since about five minutes after I first opened any of the files,” Stark nodded.

“We need to know who might be a traitor,” I was thinking out loud. “We need to scan for debt, or weird past history, and –“

“And what are we going to do with this information once we have it?” Phil broke back into the conversation.

“Forward it to Fury. Let him tell us what to do next,” I shrugged.

“And if Fury is compromised?” Stark asked.

“Are you kidding?” I was pretty much finished with Stark sass for the evening. “Are you abso-fucking-lutely kidding? Fury? Compromised? That would be like saying Captain Rogers doesn’t know the words to the Star-Spangled Banner. If there is anything in the world I am certain about, it’s that Fury is one of the good guys.”

“I’m not,” Phil countered. I spun to stare in surprise.

“Wha –“

“I still don’t know why he saved me. I still don’t know how. I know I wasn’t in Tahiti. I almost know, I almost remember what happened. But Fury won’t give me answers.” Phil’s shoulders were tense. “I don’t know that he’s one of the good guys.”

I dropped into my chair, certainty gone. I was pretty sure that despite my on-again-off-again dislike for Tony Stark, we could trust him. He could buy half the world if he wanted to, so there was no reason for him to covertly become some terrorist superpower. And he was obnoxious enough that he wouldn’t be able to lead a bunch of baddies without them trying to mutiny. I trusted Phil, ironically because he didn’t talk shop despite my advanced security clearance. Well, and the sleeping together relationship thing. You don’t get terribly far in relationships when you don’t trust your sleepover pal. But if Phil could question Fury, then who was trustworthy? I rubbed my fingers across the bridge of my nose, trying to release the tension.

“We can’t be the only three fighting this battle. I’m not even a field agent,” I complained. Phil nodded.

“We need to identify allies, instead of trying to root out traitors,” he agreed.

“Where do we start?” I asked. Stark spun around in his chair.

“We have the Initiative.” He steepled his fingers and narrowed his eyes, thinking. “Cap’s girl is probably safe. I don’t think Cap’s righteousness would surge for a traitor.”

“Jesus, Tony, what are you, twelve?” I snapped. It was gross, but I kind of agreed. I suspected Cap had some sort of trustworthiness detector.

“I love that you use my first name when you’re mad at me. Does she do that to you too, Phil?” Tony smirked. I stretched my hands and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself.

“Don’t think I’ve made her mad yet,” Phil shrugged. “Romanov and Barton are probably safe though, I agree. Thor’s off planet right now. Do you know where Banner is?”

“Yeah, I know where Bruce is.” Tony was playing with his phone. Messaging someone, probably.

“You people mind telling me what the fuck is going on? On a Saturday night? In a restricted building?” Fury walked through my office door. “And why the fuck are the two of you even in the same room?”

He glared at Phil. I glared at Stark, hoping he’d admit to what he’d been up to. Remarkably, he did. In a few minutes, he’d explained everything he’d done to infiltrate SHIELD, admitted to pulling ‘some’ personnel files, and made it clear that I was not at fault. I suspected I was still going to get a dressing down from Fury, but it was the thought that counted.

“Sir, how would you like us to proceed?” I asked when Stark had finally finished his explanation.

“You, particularly, need this.” He handed me a small leather wallet. I gave him a confused look and flipped it open. It was a SHIELD badge.

“Sir?”

“You have level one competencies on the range. Barton confirmed that this morning. You’re at least a level five on your hand-to-hand, but Romanov will assess you on Monday to ascertain how good you are. You’ve proven yourself more than once tactically and strategically. You will wear your sidearm at all times. You will not hesitate to drop anyone you feel is a threat to your own wellbeing, or the safety of your fellow SHIELD agents. This will not be going into your personnel file, as far as anyone who can access the system will be able to tell, you are still an overworked, underpaid HR manager,” Fury explained.

“Except I’m now an overworked, underpaid HR manager who can shoot people who piss me off,” I raised an eyebrow.

“As tempting as it may be, shooting Mr. Stark would be a felony,” Fury smirked.

“How do we know we can trust you, Director?” Phil asked. Fury turned to face him.

“You don’t. But I’ll make this easy for you. Your assignment is to determine who is loyal to SHIELD. I don’t want you sending me reports. Keep that between the three of you. It’s up to you to decide whom you trust. But I’m not going to ask for a list of names. Watch your backs.” As quickly as he’d come in, he headed back out into the night.

I curled into Phil’s side and yawned. It had been a late night. After Fury had left, we’d made it clear to Stark that it was up to Phil to reveal himself to the other Avengers when he felt ready. It had taken a bit of convincing, but Stark finally got on board. The relationship between Stark and Phil wasn’t as tense as I was expecting, but it’s not like they stripped down to compare chest scars either. I think Stark had probably been a thorn in Phil’s side too many times to make him feel really companionable, but Phil’s ‘death’ had definitely changed Stark. I caught him staring at Phil with slack-jawed wonder a couple of times, but more surprisingly, I caught him looking on Phil with a great deal of respect. I thought that would probably come in handy at some point.

Phil wrapped his arm around me and kissed my forehead. If the sun streaming in my window was any indication, it was mid-morning.

“When do you have to head back to your team?” I asked, my voice rough with sleep.

“I should head back soon. We’re still assigned to the cleanup. The preliminary damage report came in on Friday afternoon, and unbelievably, there’s very little structural damage. Again, pointing to an inside job.” He trailed his hand down my shoulder.

“I’m scared, Phil. This is not what I signed up for,” I admitted. He kissed my forehead again.

“Did you really never wish to be outside of HR? Not even once?” He teased.

“Maybe,” I admitted.

“A girl doesn’t get a black belt in every martial art invented and not ponder life as an agent, I suppose.”

“Not every martial art,” I laughed and shimmied up the bed until we were face to face. I kissed him, gently. His free arm came up to my shoulder and he pushed me onto my back, and trailed kisses from my shoulder across my collarbone, and down to the valley between my breasts.

“It’s normal to be scared, Annie,” he spoke between placing his lips against my skin. “Even those of us who did sign up for this feel fear. Sometimes.”

“Do you think we’ll be moving back into the Triskelion?” I was distracted. He was distracting.

“You won’t be. Fury wouldn’t have spent money on that office if he intended to move you back. But they’re talking about putting in new windows this week. Fixing the exterior. Then repurposing the worst damaged areas.” His lips had made it to my hipbone, and his hand was rough on my thigh. He was finished soothing me with words.

“Are you going to bring your team in on this?” I gasped.

“This? Now? No. This is between you and me.”

Stark wanted to meet for dinner. I did not want to meet with him on my own, and Phil had gone back to the bus, so I begged off. I was exhausted from processing all the crap that had changed so quickly in my universe, and I just wanted an enormous cup of tea, trashy television and an early night. He made me promise to meet on Monday, but I hedged on that as well. I was going to have my first training session with Romanov, and I was nervous as hell despite Fury and Phil’s reassurances. The woman was going to kick my ass across the countryside. And then, in all likelihood, back again.

I was just settling in with my tea when I heard a knock at the door. After the lecture I’d received about door safety from Phil, I peeked out the peephole. It was Erin. My stomach dropped. I wanted so desperately to tell her everything, but I didn’t want to put her at risk too. I took a moment to steel my nerves and opened the door. She pushed past me.

“I went out with Matt again. What is wrong with me?”

“Did you go to a rugby game this morning?” I teased. She nodded. I laughed.

“I swear I used to know a girl who looked just like you who swore she would never settle down,” I teased.

“How am I supposed to be the yin to your conventional, commitment-happy yang if I’m going to Sunday morning Rugby games?” She complained from the kitchen. She was already fixing herself a cup of tea.

“That’s definitely a reason to dump his ass before it gets serious,” I deadpanned. “Wait, you went to a rugby game. Totally too late.”

“Shut up!” She complained. “Is that a box of bullets?”

“Yeah, for my sidearm,” I confirmed.

“The fuck? You have a sidearm?”

“Not that I’m particularly effective with it, but yes. I’m getting some remedial learning,” I yawned. It had been a long weekend.

“I will lose my mind if I have to start taking additional training,” Erin complained. Obviously Fury hadn’t spoken to her yet. Well, I wasn’t taking that bullet for him. He could give her the happy news himself.

“It’s not so bad,” I shrugged.

“It is. And it’s bullshit. I think they’re too worried about this attack. I’m sure it was random, and wasn’t targeting us at all.” She pulled the teabag out of the cup and tossed it into my composter. I kept my face neutral, but was troubled by her blasé attitude. She was going to get hurt if she didn’t start taking the threat seriously. But again, I didn’t want to be in the middle of an Erin shitstorm, so I was going to leave that conversation to Fury as well.

I flicked the TV over to some ridiculous comedy, which was Erin’s usual cue to launch into a detailed narrative about her weekend, but even the competition between the TV and Erin’s expressive way of speaking were doing nothing to keep me awake. I finally shut the TV off, and sent Erin home. I needed to be up to run in the morning, and her office was right next door to mine.

[7deadlycinderellas]

There Once was a Town in Maine, ch12

Ao3 link

Lacey sits cross legged on the floor, facing the open elevator.

The camera on her old phone had been easy enough to rig. She’s still not sure what’s below her, but she wants proof whatever it is. The electric lantern too, was easy enough.

She places them in the elevator, sets the trigger to start recording, and slowly pulls the cord to close the doors and start its descent.

She counts carefully. And five minutes later, she pulls it back up.

The lantern has been knocked over, but thankfully her camera is fine. She picks it up, and slowly rewinds, not sure what she expects to see.

The light is barely a speck in the darkness, until the darkness moves, and an eye the size of a hubcap appeared, surrounded by dark purple scales.

Lacey puts the phone down, and buries her face in her hands. If she can make even herself believe what she’s saw, she’ll find them tomorrow.

**

Emma stays over that night. Mary Margaret is borderline inconsolable, and while Emma promises that she’ll help in any way she can, her knowledge of medical law is very small.

She drags over her laptop and sleeps fitfully on the couch, doing what research she can. Nothing she can find says anything about how anyone could possibly take power of attorney from a legally competent spouse.

The file she has on Lily’s kidnapping is sitting on her desk back at the apartment. Emma feels like she should have pulled the trigger on it a long time ago. But here, alone, she admits to herself that she was scared. Nothing in this town followed the laws or logic she knew. None of it played by the rules.

Well now, may she shouldn’t either.

She wakes up early to leave, but not before checking on Mary Margaret. The apartment bedroom is small, but despite the delicate and attractive furnishings, it bears the fruit of the loneliness she must have felt since her husband’s illness. His things still sit in the bathroom untouched, his shoes sit by the coat rack, and when Emma peeks in on her, she can’t help but notice one side of the bed is almost pristine.

She makes a pot of tea and leaves it on the counter with a note.

“If what I want to do works, Regina won’t be a problem anymore”.

She returns home quickly, needing to catch Neal and Henry before they leave for the school.

“Henry, I need a favor today”.

“What?”

“At lunch today, use your phone to get a video of Lily. Have her say her name, her birthday, and her parents names. Then send it to me, and come straight home after school.”

“Okay,” he replies, and goes down to get in the car.

Emma turns to Neal. “I’m going to go see your father again.”

When he sighs, she puts both hands on his shoulders,

“I might need his help, and he knows the people in this town better than anyone.”

After a long moment, Neal says,

“I can’t help remembering what he told you before. That we’re going about this the wrong way. Going after Regina about Lily feels...real world”.

“I know,” Emma responds, eyes downcast, “But it’s all I know to do, and I feel like if I can’t fix this than someone’s going to get really hurt because of my actions.”

Neal takes both her hands in his and pulls her close.

Once Emma’s calmed down a bit, she says.

“I couldn’t even hug her. The book says she’s my mother, and I couldn’t even bring myself to hug her. It’s like something inside of me is broken.”

“Whether she is or not- and let’s be real, put on wigs and you two could pass for sisters- there’s nothing wrong with you. She may be your mother, but you didn’t grow up with her. Just because she gave birth to you doesn't mean you're going to have this amazing relationship overnight. You’re friends, good friends, and that’s what you should concentrate on being for her”.

Emma lets her muscles go slack, and allows Neal to hold her upright for just a moment.

***

Lacey stares at the video on the phone again. She thought maybe that if she slept on it, it would have changed somehow, or that she would have a better idea of what to do.

But there’s a dragon living underneath her library. And she can’t just send someone that video and expect anything good to come of it.

She’ll show them in person, as soon as she can get up the courage to leave the front door of the library.

**

Emma enters the shop without really any idea what’s going to come of it.

Mr. Gold is behind his counter again, examining something. Emma sees what he is- a small town shopkeeper with a very odd set of skills and more influence than he ought be able to have. His other identities- a man of dark magic, friggin Rumpelstiltskin, her own father in law….they all flit around in the background.

He looks up, and Emma’s not quite sure if he was expecting her or not.

“I’ve been told you do a bit of law work, Mr Gold,” she starts off, straight to the point.

“Find yourself in a bit of a pickle, Miss Swan?”

“Please cut the crap Mr. Gold. What I’m saying is, if I made certain accusations against Mayor Mills, would you be able to back me up?”

He sits on his stool, resting his hands on the counter in front of him.

“What might I ask, are you accusing her of?”

“You’ve met Lily right? The girl she adopted, well she didn’t. I knew her when we were younger, and her parents still have her reported missing. There’s nothing legal about Mayor Mills keeping her here.”

Mr. Gold sighs a bit.

“When we first came to this town, Regina asked me to find her a child. She had some kind of maternal urge that this place wasn’t satisfying. I never directly refused her of course, but even I had my doubts about the possibility of her caring for a child. “

“So it’s not just me who thinks she treats the girl badly?”

“Dig into her past, and you might find out dear mayor a bit deficient in role models. But nonetheless, I have no reason to impede your charges. I could even be convinced to testify that she didn’t seek out any proper legal channels for her adoption if you do me a favor today”.

“I thought I already owed you a favor?”

“Might be better to call this more of a solid. I have a few things which I didn’t feel comfortable storing in the shop. I gave them to one of my tenants a long time ago- they should still be somewhere in the basement of the Storybrooke library.”

“Really all you want me to do is go the library and get something?”

“It’s a small bottle, labelled with parchment, ‘essence of true love’”

“I’m not even going to ask what that means”.

He chuckles. “It may be more necessary than you could understand in the coming days.”

“Why did you keep it there? Is the librarian that trustworthy?”

“More than you could understand,” he replied solemnly.

He then reaches under the counter and hands Emma a sword.

“You may find this necessary.”

Emma looks the old man up and down.

“Uhh, thanks?”

And she leaves the store for the library, entirely unsure of what she’s getting herself into.

**

The librarian, as it was, had just managed to take her first steps outside the street for the first time in twenty-eight years.

**

Neal hated hospitals. Modern medicine was entirely alien to him when he came to this world, and his experiences since had not improved his first impression. The cold, sterile air, the clean, bleached and starched linens and uniforms made his skin crawl.

But still, he pushed himself through the green and white painted hallways, bouquet in hand,

He finds Mary-Margaret in the bedside chair, head in her hands.

“Hey,” he says, softly. “Henry told me you didn’t make it to school today, I thought you might not want to be alone”.

He places the flowers in their plastic vase on the side table.

“Thank you,” she manages to sniff. “The doctors have already been by. They’re all so damn sorry,” the curse sounds foreign in Mary-Margaret’s mouth, but she owns it. “Emma’s right, there’s no reason the mayor should be able to do this. Everyone in this whole damn town is so scared of her, and no one seems willing to do anything about it.”

“Hopefully, Emma’s plans will distract her long enough that she’ll forget what she planned to do.”

“Is that where she is right now?”

Neal nods.

“Good- I know it’s not fair, we haven’t been neighbors that long but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Emma was avoiding me after last night”.

“Don’t take any offense at it. Emma’s not really good with feelings. She prefers try to make the problem go away to dealing with the emotions they cause. Plus, you’ve always been really motherly to all of us, and I don’t think she really knows how to deal with that.”

“Oh,” Mary-Margaret says quietly. “I know she’s mentioned that she had a really tough childhood, but I never would have thought-”

“It’s not your fault. Neither of us had good childhoods. It’s part of the reason I think why we worked so well together- we both wanted to give the other something they didn’t have. It’s why we’re both so intent on being good to Henry. But I think Emma sort of resents people caring about her sometimes, because she never had it growing up and part of her still doesn’t think she deserves it.”

Neal isn’t quite sure why he’s telling her all of this. He’s avoided speaking about his own childhood for so long that he barely recognizes the words coming out of his mouth. And the thing about Emma- he’s never told her that he recognized what she did. Why she sometimes tried to push people away. But talking to Mary-Margaret is easy to talk to, comforting and understanding. She seems like she would have been a great mom, and it sucks to know that Emma’s never going to get to have that.

Mary-Margaret gazes down at the prone figure on the bed, machines beeping steadily for the moment.

“I wish every day that he will just wake up, like nothing ever happened, and this will all go away. It all came on so suddenly, it almost feels like it’s possible”.

“I guess there’s always hope,” Neal tells her.

His phone buzzes in his pocket. It’s a message from Ruby, which reads ‘Lacey left the library, she’s at the diner now and wants to show you something.��

Confused, Neal puts it back in his pocket. It’s about time to pick up Henry from school anyway.

“I’ve gotta go,” Neal says, standing up, “We’ll come back to check on you later if you don’t come home.”

“Thank you, “ she says, wiping her nose again, “But I think I’ll come home for dinner and try and get some more sleep.”

Neal reaches out and puts one hand on her shoulder and squeezes.

When he reaches the car, Neal’s phone buzzes again. It’s from Emma, this time a single line.

“Yeah, there’s a fucking dragon under the library.”

Neal sighs. This is the beginning of the end, he can tell. Nothing in their lives is going to be normal for a long time.

[kazosa]

Second Chances - Jeff x Reader: Chapter 14

Summary: Reader and Jeff work a project and become fast friends. The project ends and they go their separate ways, neither forgetting the other. With Hollywood being a small community, you two bump into one another either at events or projects, but there is always something keeping you apart. Will the obstacles ever end? Chapter 14 Summary: All of the happenings in California Warnings: language (probably), confrontation A/N: I have a few ideas to continue this, but it’s still developing. Please leave comments or let me know if you want to be tagged, etc Word count: 2700(ish) Catch up here: Masterlist

Tags: @jml509  @jasoncrouse  @yellatthetopofyourlungs  @bookchic20  @prettyepiic  @rizflo-blog  @curious-sub7  @backseat-negan

“You like fucking my husband?”

     Even if the car hadn’t been blasting the A/C, you would still have felt the chill from the other side of the car. Of all the days she could show up, why this one? How did she even know? How did she get on the lot? If you hadn’t been so crabby from being awake since 0430 and it was now quickly approaching 1930, and you hadn’t even left the lot yet, you might have been intimidated by Anya Longwell.

     You slowly turned your head to look at her, hoping your face adequately displayed your annoyance. She was wearing large, dark sunglasses inside a fully tinted car. She was wearing a white tank top and green linen pants. She had the look of an actress from the 40s. Her tanned skin being shown off by fine gold jewelry and sandals on her feet.      What to do? Sweet or Salty?      “Yes, I do, the man is insatiable. I’ve barely slept in the last four days,” you answered her question. “Get the fuck out of my car.” Tapping on the window.      “Ms. (Y|L|N)? I think you locked me out,” Patrick, your driver, said.      “No, Patrick, I didn’t. I’m not alone, please get security!” you called to him. Your turned your attention to Anya, “You’ve got 5-10 minutes to say what you need to say before security gets here.”      “You need to stay away from my husband. You’re the reason this all started. He still loves me!” she ended on a shrill note. You couldn’t tell who she was trying to convince.      “Jesus, lord, help me,” you muttered rubbing your forehead. You had zero time for this shit. “Jeff didn’t cheat on you, not with me. When I met him, he seemed pretty lonely and he and I became friends and that was as far as it went. Nothing started because of me.”      “But you loved him back then, didn’t you? I know I’m not wrong about that,” she countered.      You sighed, “Yes, I did, but I never acted on it. I wasn’t even sure what I felt was love,” you told her.      She started sobbing, “Oh God, I’ve lost him.”      “You lost him a long time ago. That doesn’t mean what you had wasn’t real. It doesn’t mean you can’t find love again, it just won’t be with Jeff,” you told her in such a way as to indicate it wasn’t up for discussion.      Anya took a tissue from her purse and dabbed her eyes. “I see why he likes you. You’re tough when you need to be and nice when you don’t have to be,” she sniffled.      “This isn’t going to be a thing, is it? Am I going to be looking over my shoulder forever?” you asked her.      She scoffed, “No. I’m embarrassed. I’m too old to be acting like a middle school brat.” She reached for the unlock button. “I was grasping at straws that weren’t there. I won’t bother either of you again. I…” she paused taking off her sunglasses. Her eyes were red and puffy like she’d been crying a lot before your meeting. “I hope you can forgive me.” Anya didn’t wait for an answer, she practically sprung out of the car.      You got out on your side and saw her walking quickly away from the car and the guards that were approaching with Patrick. You rested your arms on the top of the car watching as Anya walked away. Patrick looked frantic.      “(Y|N) are you okay?!”      “I’m good,” you waved, nonchalant, but your heart was pounding in your chest.      One of the guards came over to you and the other went to catch up to Anya.      “Are you okay?” officer Mathis asked.      “Yes, I’m fine, we both are. She just scared me. I wasn’t expecting to see her,” you told him.      “Do you want to press any charges?” he asked you.      “No, but could you make sure she gets home okay? She’s had a rough day,” you said. “Call her a cab or something?”

     Security needed you for another ten minutes before they had the information the needed for their report and let you and Patrick go on your way. Once you were off the lot, Patrick looked at you in his rear-view mirror.      “I am so sorry, (Y|N),” Patrick said. “I only left the car to get you.”      “It’s okay, Patrick,” you said. “She didn’t mean any harm. She knows she screwed up. And I’ll survive a hot car for a few minutes if you lock it from now on.”      “Are you always this nice?” he asked, expecting an ass-chewing.      “Nah, sometimes I’m cute,” you smirked. “I can rip you a new one if you want, Patrick, but I really just want to go home. Would you put the divider thingy up?”      The hum of the electric motor on the divider began almost immediately. You pulled out your phone from your bag. The green light was blinking. You pushed the button to light up the display. Two missed calls from Jeff.      You flipped open your phone and held down the #2 button. “Calling Jeff” You sighed and closed your eyes as the phone rang.      “Hey, sweetheart,” he answered.      You felt a knot in your shoulder relax. Your hand absently went to the star that hung around your neck.      “Hello m’love,” you said like a hum. “On my way.”      “Sweet. So, tell me, how was your first day?” he asked.      You glossed over the small details, but you filled him in on Jared and his antics. He was happy to hear about Julius and asked if he was still stuck in the 70s. You told him he was and that his pantsuit today was spectacular. Jeff told you to give him his best when you saw him again. Then you got down to it. You told him about Anya.      “You’re too nice. You shoulda kicked her ass,” he said, the fury evident in his voice. It always dropped in tone when he was mad. Thankfully, you rarely saw his temper and it was never directed at you.      “C’mon, you know that’s not fair. She…” you sighed, you really were too nice. “She was just having a hard time coming to terms with letting you go.”      He paused for a few moments. Jeff had cut her little slack since she filed for divorce.      “I’m not asking you to be nice. I’m just saying it’s hard on her too, even though she filed,” you said.      “How’d I ever get someone like you in my life?” he asked.      “Bad taste and pure luck,” you joked.      As usual, he knew what you meant, the bad movie you both worked on, and maybe Anya, too. The pure luck was just that they happened to meet on that shit-show.      “Ouch! Well, I’d do it all again if it means I get to have you. We already know what a catch I am,” he was such a charmer.

     Somehow, you’d managed to find time to figure out how the gear shifting worked on motorcycles and got some good practice time in. You were getting better quickly, but Jeff insisted on taking you to and from work for another week to get you solid on the bike. It was nice, you got to take little naps on the way home. After one week of getting up before the sun, he thought you were good enough to ride in on your own.

     Work was good too. You figured out what it took to get Jared to where he needed to be, on time, and production was happy. Once you got that worked out, the rest of your work became much easier and you were less exhausted at the end of the day. Sometimes, you even ran lines with Jared.      “You sure you never acted before?” he asked you.      “Oh yes, I love the craft, but I freeze up when people are watching,” you explained.      “You were great with me just now,” he said.      “You, I know. We’re cool. It’s different when it’s for show,” you clarified. “I just can’t manage to spit it out when the money is on the line.”      “You should try it again some time, go to auditions. I’ll help you if you want,” he offered.      You chuckled at the thought, “You’re a sweet guy.” You didn’t say any more, but the seed idea had been planted, just the same.       Some of your favorite days were rain delay days. It only happened twice, but on those days, you and Jared hung out and talked books and travel and whatever else came to mind. You figured out why it was Jared ate so much food and never put on any weight. He literally couldn’t sit still. He was active all the time. If he wasn’t exercising, he was a voracious reader exercising his mind. He was great to talk to also, you learned a ton from him. He thought it was cool that you’d learned to ride a motorcycle, as well as appreciated your gaming skills.

     You were finishing up a night shoot and everyone had gone home already. After night shoots, people scattered like ants from set where wrap was called. You had forgotten to put your jacket in your bag and went back to Jared’s trailer to grab it. When you went to start the Norton, it wouldn’t turn over. You had a small panic before you called Jeff for help.      “It’s okay, sweetheart,” he said.      “What the hell am I supposed to do? I’m not gonna sleep in Jared’s trailer, I need to get home to let Bisou out,” your panic was still going.      Jeff was out of town doing a guest spot on another show and couldn’t come down to Burbank to help you.      “Baby, it’s okay,” he said again. “Let me get off the phone and see what I can do. I’ll call you back.”      You walked around the lot pacing off your nervous energy. Maybe five minutes passed before Jeff called you back.      “That was quick,” you answered, “please tell me you have good news.”      You could hear him sigh, he was so patient with you and your stress. “(Y|N), my buddy Norman is already on the way. He’s not too far from you and he used to fix bikes back in the day.”      “Is this the buddy Norman that sends you all the weird shit?” you asked.      You hear Jeff chuckle, “Yeah, that’s the one. He’s a good guy. If he can’t get the Norton running, he’ll take you home.”      “Okay, I’ll be on the lookout for him,” you said.

     You went to the security shack to let them know you were having a guest and where you’d be. Twenty minutes later, you heard the rumble of another motorcycle pull up. He pulled off his helmet to reveal his short cut sandy blonde hair. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans with converse shoes and black Ray-Bans. He strode over to you, his hand outstretched. You knew you’d seen him before, but you couldn’t remember if Jeff had introduced you.      You took his hand, noticing it was already greasy.      “Hi, I’m Norman,” he said. “Jeff’s told me a lot about you.”      “Nice to meet you,” you said. “Jeff told you about me huh? All I can remember is that he told me you can fix bikes.”      “Yeah, used to do it in my past life,” he said, looking at the bike, then you.      “I’m sorry, have we met before? I feel like we’ve met,” you say.      “Nah, I get that a lot,” he said. Was he blushing? “So, what’s going on?”      You told him what you knew, which wasn’t much and he started fiddling with the bike. He had you watch so that if this happened again, you’d know what to do.      “Ah, fuck it, you got shit to do, right?” he said, frustrated when he couldn’t get it running.      You nodded to him.      “Alright, get your stuff, let’s get outta here. I can come back later and take it to my buddy’s shop,” he said putting his tools away.      He handed you a rag and you cleaned off the little bit of grease you had on your hands.      “Now you’re a real biker chick. Not a real one until you’ve had to work on your bike in the middle of nowhere. It’s not nowhere, but it may as well be,” he said as you clicked your helmet chin strap in place.      “Ready?” he asked.      “As I’ll ever be,” you said.      “Hop on,” he told you.      You swung a leg over and your feet found the pegs. If he drove anything like Jeff, you’d be hanging on for dear life, so you wrapped your arms around your new friend’s chest. It finally hit you how you knew Norman.      “Oh shit, you played Murphy McManus. Dude, I liked your movie,” you said into his ear.      He patted your hands that were gripping your own arms. “Jeff told me you were a cool chick.”

     Norman got you home in no time and Bisou was so happy to see you. She was a good girl and didn’t make a mess in the house. Norman made sure you got inside okay and assured you he’d take care of the Norton for you, but that you’d probably need to make arrangements for tonight to get to work.      “Can you work something out?” he asked. “I’ve got a thing I have to be at tonight, but if the bike isn’t ready by tomorrow, I can take you then.”      “Oh, you’re sweet. Yeah, I think I can call Jared to get me,” you said. You thanked him profusely for his help and told him that you, he and Jeff would have to get together sometime to have dinner and drinks. He thought that was a good idea too and you both said your goodbyes. You decided you liked that guy, Norman.

     Jeff was absolutely wonderful. Living with him had been a dream. You and he got along so well, it was almost gross. There was only one thing that caused a little fight between the two of you, it was about his manager, Marne. Marne was a family friend and had been doing a decent job, but she was also the one who got him the gig on the crap movie you two met on. That was about the nicest thing you could say about her. She had not been doing the best job of getting scripts for Jeff and you let him know it.      “I’m not going to fire someone that’s been like family to me,” he said.      “She could be doing so much better for you! Hell, I bet I could get you a better script than what she’s been pulling in,” you said, hot.      “Oh, you think you can do better than someone who’s been doing this work a hell of a lot longer than you? You’ve been in this business for four years, (Y|N), Marne has been doing this for over 20,” Jeff countered, just as hot.      “Looks like it’s time for Marne to retire!”      You dropped the conversation after that, but you hoped it had stuck in his mind a little bit, at least. A few days later, because you could be just as stubborn as he, you finally said you were sorry for your outburst about Marne. After all, it was getting close to time for you to go back to Philly and you didn’t want to leave Jeff on a sour note.      “I’m sorry I was an asshole,” you told him. “I just want all of the good things for you.”      You were sitting on the back patio having dinner. Jeff took a drink of his whisky. “I’m sorry I took a shot at your experience.”      “Well, I was being an asshole… I kinda deserved it,” you conceded. It didn’t mean you thought you were wrong. Marne could have been doing so much better.      A few days later, the Norton was packed away in Jeff’s garage, you played with Bisou in the backyard for a few hours and then you were back on a plane to Philly. Alone, again.