#should he happen to be a handsome stranger I fished out of a ditch well then

[disappearinginq]

We all know how I feel about romance. However, one near almost always exception to this rule is in westerns.

Specifcally, when the romance is between a gunfighter/outlaw and the woman. Because 99.9% of the time, the story is "I have taken in this sad wet cat of a man who is capable of great murder and because he's Decent Guy Who Must Repay His Debts but lacks any form of useful skill beyond murder, he promptly offers to kill the resident pain in my ass". and the moral quandrary she must answer is "am I still committing murder if I let him do it FOR me as an act of LOVE"?

And the answer is almost always "God is a little fuzzy on the deets, but this guy has pissed off a lot of people and no one is going to press charges"

[softlouve]

here are some fics that I’ve read recently that I absolutely loved (huge thanks to all the writers for writing & sharing their wonderful works 💛) and want more people to read. hope you enjoy! 

1. Pretty Please (With Sugar On Top) by angelichl / @angelichl ♡ 113k, Explicit

Harry is a sugar baby omega who cons rich alphas for a living. Louis is a rich alpha with too much self-control.

(a/b/o dynamics, strangers to lovers, mutual pining, miscommunication, soulmates au.)

2. Come My Love Again by softfonds / @softfonds ♡ 110k, Explicit

Harry Styles is handsome, clever, and rich. At least that’s what his friends say of him. He also thinks of himself as a matchmaker in Highbury, pairing people together when he finds the time. But when the arrival of a certain gentleman flips Harry’s world on its head, he starts to question everything that was once all too familiar to him, including his relationship with his good friend, Mr. Tomlinson. An Emma AU.

(historical au, friends to lovers, childhood friends, misunderstandings, miscommunication, slow burn, mutual pining.)

3. A Boy Is A Bullet by lavenderlilypad ♡ 103k, Mature

“Do I look like some hitchhiker, Louis? Do these look like hitchhiker thumbs to you?” Harry asks, holding his thumbs up as Louis continues to cock his head at him boredly. “Do they?”

Louis smacks Harry’s thumbs down and out of his face with a disgruntled moan, before working to fish his keys out of his pocket. “I won’t do that this time. Just c’mon.”

Harry shakes his head at himself as he approaches the car and prepares to round it in order to get in on the passenger side. If Louis ditches him again today he’s getting dye in his shampoo. For real this time.

With the approach of high school graduation, harrowing final exams, and surprise drunken kisses, dysfunctional best friends Harry and Louis have a lot to figure out in such little time.

(friends to lovers, high school au, coming of age, graduation.)

4. Love in the Dark by brightgolden / @brightgolden ♡ 90k, Explicit

Where Louis is an ambitious Advisor Council that is reluctant to find a mate, and his father takes the matter into his hand while Harry is the valedictorian in his kingdom destined for better things than an arranged marriage.

(a/b/o dynamics, arranged marriage, mpreg.)

5. Every kind of way by Halos_Boat / @halosboat ♡ 68k, Explicit

The kind-of friends with benefits AU where Harry lands up in the same group of friends as Louis after Louis' best friend dates Harry for a year. The first time they hook up, they agree it won't happen again. But when they do it again and decide on a casual arrangement, feelings start to get involved, and things get complicated.

(friends/fwb to lovers, this one doesn’t have that many tags but it is defo angsty, fluffy and smutty.)

6. Before You Speak, Don't Move by lavenderlilypad ♡ 45k, Mature

“We took Spanish together freshman year? You’re also in my best friend Zayn’s fraternity and I say hi to you like, all the time.”

Louis doesn’t look very much convinced even as Harry’s coming to stand in front of him, which one would think should jog his memory.

“Yes, but have we ever held an actual conversation,” Louis says, eyebrows knit together. “I take classes with lots of people.”

Harry is looking for a drastic change, and Louis offers him a deal he can't refuse.

(college/uni au, fraternity, fake/pretend relationship.)

7. Barefoot in Blue Jeans by indiaalphawhiskey / @indiaalphawhiskey ♡ 24k, Explicit

Louis Tomlinson is trying desperately hard not to fall for his son’s au pair, but he can’t, for the life of him, remember why.

(alternate universe, kid fic, slow burn.)

8. Enamored With You by superglass / @gaymoustache ♡ 22k, Teen & Up

Louis Tomlinson is a well-known comedian living in the center of Manhattan. He practices his sets at the coffeehouse that made him famous. When Harry Styles, a poor, new folksinger trying to make it big, steals his slot at the club, Louis does everything in his power to chase him away, and ends up falling in love instead.

(1960s au, enemies to lovers.)

9.  buttercup baby by cabinbythesea ♡ 15k, Not Rated

In this one, Harry is a twenty-five year old successful art dealer and Louis is a commercial pilot who thinks being twenty-nine is a horrifying personality trait.

(alternate universe, fwb to lovers.)

10. got my teeth in you by docklands / @hershelsue ♡ 9k, Explicit

Harry has been best friends with Louis since he can remember. Louis' carefree and nomadic spirit, so very different from Harry's desire for stability, is precisely what makes their dynamic so special. When Louis is brave enough to break the wall between them, they start sleeping together. Harry's thoughts spiral as he's caught up between his newfound feelings, the crushing weight of being a Literature major and the imminent threat of losing Louis forever.

(college/uni au, fwb to lovers.)

.

don’t forget to leave kudos ❤ thank you!

[piedpiperslists]

KSJ: Doctor / Medical AU

List of all Seokjin fics under 'Doctor / Medical' AU:

* s - contains smut

* Last updated: 13/08/2023

D R A B B L E S

“Call me if you need anything.” by yukheii doctor!Seokjin, established relationship

Crutches and Crushes by joopiterjoon doctor!Seokjin Summary: Your clumsy ass breaks your foot and your old college crush happens to be the McDreamy fixing you up.

Hello, Nurse by sugaurora doctor!Seokjin, nurse!reader, pregnant!reader Summary: Along with your babies, it looked like the New Year would bring something much more unexpected.

Little of Your Love by yoongiphoria med student!Seokjin, med student!reader Summary: Sometimes, you wonder if that entire night was just a dream, a wild figment of your imagination. You wonder if the perfect guy you'd gotten to know that evening exists at all.

* Looking After You by breadoffoxy prince!Seokjin, healer!reader Summary: You’re a healer who owes the Prince a life debt. Seokjin is a Prince who loves you more than anyone else.

O N E S H O T S

A Little Medical Magic by thisbrokenmask wc~5.1k / pediatrician!Seokjin, single mom!reader Summary: When you take your son to A&E in the middle of the night, you don’t expect the paediatrician to get on so well with your son. You don’t expect to ever see him again, either.

Chirstmas Under Wraps by joheunsaram s wc~12k / nurse!Seokjin, doctor!reader, fantasy au Summary: You always wanted to work in a small town, and when you finally got matched to a small hospital in Alaska for your one year sabbatical you never would’ve thought you’d be in a place where everyone believed Santa was real. Mass hysteria or magic? Only time will tell.

Code Blue by saladejin wc~4.5k / doctor!Seokjin, nurse!reader Summary: A possessive doctor and you as his subordinate. Flirt until you can flirt no more.

In the Eye of the Storm by 7deadlysinsfics s wc~11.9k / cardiothoracic surgeon!Seokjin, artist!reader, childhood friends to lovers Summary: After finding a naked woman in your boyfriends bed, your best friend offers you her beachside inn for the week as a way for you to relieve your heartache by keeping busy while she’s away for a family event out of the country. What you weren’t expecting was a man—who had previously canceled his stay at the inn—to show up along with a storm no one knew was coming.

One Step by cutechim wc~2.9k / pediatrician!Seokjin, single mom!reader Summary: Attending an ex’s wedding is never easy, but you might just have the perfect remedy—if you can pluck up the courage to take it.

Riding Fakie by ugh-yoongi wc~14.2k / skater!Seokjin, med student!reader, fake dating, enemies to lovers Summary: The one where you think you’re getting a fake boyfriend and end up with so much more.

Super Tuna by thebangtancloud wc~2.6k / doctor!reader, strangers to lovers Summary: Jin is possibly in the worst state Mr. World Wide Handsome should be in; a face burning with anger, a hand bleeding half of his 5 something liters of blood out, and a mouth that keeps cursing Yoongi for ditching their 'let's-go-fishing-at-the-lake' plans last moment. The last thing he needs right now is to meet a doctor who is just so bloody pretty that he cannot function anymore. Or maybe, that's exactly what he needs.

Syncope by ughseoks wc~2.4k / nurse!Seokjin, strangers to lovers Summary: You decided to donate blood for the first time, and your nurse is… really cute, to put it nicely. it’s just too bad you had to go and embarrass yourself by fainting in his arms.

T W O S H O T S / S E R I E S

Hit Play by hamsterclaw s med student!Seokjin, old friends to lovers Summary: You met Seokjin during a difficult time in your life, and seeing him again now reminds you of it.

[kinkykinard]

Doctoring December - Day 25

For @thefanficfaerie​.

Fandom: MCU. Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader. Prompt: Requester’s Choice - Sprain. Word Count: 1946. Rating: 13+. Warning(s): none.

“Damn it.”

You collapse back to the ground after a third unsuccessful attempt at standing and kick the root you’d tripped over a short while before with your uninjured foot, cursing its existence.  Running a hand over your face, you flop backwards into the snow, shifting uncomfortably as wetness starts to seep in through your clothes.

Reaching into your jacket pocket, you fish around for your phone, praying you can get cell reception where you are.  A quick glance at the screen reveals no bars and you curse again, stashing the phone once more.  You kick out in frustration, this time cursing your no-good dog, the one who had ditched you the second his leash was free of your hand.

In all the irritation, you fail to notice the sound of footsteps crunching through the snow nearby.  You don’t realize you’re not alone anymore until you hear a familiar bark and snuffle.  You turn your head just in time to watch your border collie bound over to you, his breath condensing into clouds around his face, half-obscuring him from view.

“Hey, Bandit, you naughty boy,” you say softly, reaching up to give his neck a scritch as he leans in to lick at your face.  “Okay, okay, I’m glad to see you, too.”

“Are you alright?”  A man’s voice calls from a short distance away, startling you.

You turn your head, grabbing onto Bandit’s collar so he can’t escape again.

“Excuse me?”  You ask tentatively.

A tall, handsome man dressed much more appropriately for a wintery hike in the woods than you are appears at your side, taking a knee and meeting your eyes.

“Are you hurt?”  He asks.  “Your dog was pretty frantic when he found me, led me right back here.”

You roll your eyes, giving Bandit a good rub behind the ears, earning yourself another kiss.  The stranger holds out a hand, Bandit’s leash dangling from it.

“I took it off so he didn’t get himself caught on anything,” he explains.  “Anyway, do you need a hand?”

Your brain slowly starts to catch up to what’s going on and your expression relaxes.  You nod gratefully.

“Yeah, yes, please,” you say quickly.  “Thank you.”

He holds out a hand and you take it, holding on tightly and pulling yourself into a sitting position.  His hand comes to rest on your back, steadying you as you settle, letting go once you’re comfortable.  You take quick stock of yourself, searing for any other signs of injury, feeling glad when you find none.

“So what happened?”  The stranger asks.

“I was taking Bandit out for a walk when he saw a squirrel,” you explain.  “He started pulling so we ran into the woods.  It was all going swimmingly until we came across that root there and, well, the rest is history.”

The man’s gaze flicks to where you’re pointing, and then slowly travels up your body from your feet, wordlessly taking in your general condition.  He makes a wordless noise of consideration.

“Are you able to stand up?”

You shrug.

“My ankle hurts pretty badly, but I guess I won’t know until I try,” you reply.

The man nods, holding out a hand to you.  You reach up to take it, allowing him to pull you to your feet.  He’s strong and easily able to assist you, and you take a moment to appreciate his physique beneath the winter clothes before snapping out of it.  You flash him a friendly smile.

“Thank you,” you murmur.  “And I just realized that I haven’t even introduced myself yet.  I’m Y/N.”

He smiles back, keeping a hand under one of your elbows to steady you as you flamingo a bit, balancing on one foot, not quite ready to test the other one yet.

“Steve,” he replies.  “It’s nice to meet you.”

You laugh a bit, nearly toppling over.  Luckily, Steve has great reflexes and wraps an arm around you, pulling you up against his chest before you can get too far.  You grimace a little at your awkwardness and look up to meet his gaze.

“I wish it was under better circumstances, but yes, you too.”

You shift away a little, hopping awkwardly, and grit your teeth.  You slowly lower your injured foot, crying out in agony the moment you set it down and put any weight on it.  A white-hot pain shoots up through your ankle and you buckle, nearly falling over again.  Thankfully, Steve catches you easily, gracefully sweeping you off of your feet and into his arms.  Bandit runs around the two of you, barking his concern.  Tears form in your eyes as you fight to steady your breathing amidst radiating waves of pain coming off of your injured foot.

“Looks like you’ve done a fair bit of damage there,” Steve comments.  “I’m a paramedic, and if it’s alright by you, I’d like to take you back to my place and take a look at that for you.  I live just through the trees there.”

You feel your face heat in embarrassment at your predicament and you shake your head.

“I wouldn’t want to impose,” you decline.  “I’ll be alright.  My car’s just back in the direction of the dog park.  If you can help me back there, I’ll be just fine.”

Steve frowns.

“I don’t think you should be driving on that foot,” he insists.  “Really, it’s no problem.  I can wrap it for you, you can warm up for a bit, and then if you’re feeling alright I’ll happily drop you back off at the dog park to pick up your vehicle.”

You think on it for a moment, weighing your options, and finally agree when you realize that none of your ideas are any better than his.

“That would be great, thank you,” you concede.  “I really appreciate it.”

Steve smiles and nods, adjusting his grip on you a bit to make sure you’re secure before heading off in the direction he’d come from.  Bandit trots behind the two of you, content to behave now that you’re being looked after.  The walk is a little bumpy, but also fairly short and within a few minutes, a row of fences comes into view.  Steve carries you toward a gate in one of them, setting you down on your good foot for a moment so he can open it before picking you back up to carry you through it.  Bandit follows and the gate swings closed in your wake.

Inside the house, Steve sets you down on a couch in the living room and you hover awkwardly, not wanting to get melting snow all over his floor.  

“Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be right back,” Steve says warmly.

You nod, setting your feet down, wincing as pain blossoms in your ankle again.  You sit back a bit, shifting until you find a comfortable enough position to settle in.  You’re not left to your own devices for long before Steve returns with a medical kit and a few towels.  He sets them down on the table and pushes it out a little further, sitting down on it opposite you.  He shakes a couple of the towels out, throwing them down at your feet to mop up the muddy mess your boots are creating.

“I’m going to take your boots off, okay?”  He says.

You give him permission and he gets right to work, starting with the boot on your uninjured foot.  He makes quick work of the laces and sets the boot aside once he’s done, moving in for the other one.

“This is probably going to hurt,” he warns.  “If you need me to stop, just say so.”

You nod, already gritting your teeth against the coming onslaught of agony.  You take a slow, deep breath as Steve carefully lifts your foot into his lap, shutting your eyes tightly as he starts to untie your laces.  

The first flare of pain as he starts to wiggle your boot off is intense, but it subsides fairly quickly to a dull throb and the rest of the procedure isn’t nearly as bad.  It takes a minute or two but eventually you’re free of both your boot and sock, and Steve’s warm, competent hands are cupping your ankle, supporting it a little.

“How’s that?”  He asks, glancing up at you.

“Fine,” you say lightly.  “A little painful, but I can take it.”

Steve makes a noise of acknowledgement.

“This isn’t a contest of your bravery,” he remarks.  “I’m going to examine your ankle now and it’s probably going to hurt a bit more, but I don’t want you to be tough, I want you to be honest.  If something hurts, let me know.  It could be important.”

“Okay,” You agree.  “Go ahead.”

He looks down again, carefully tilting your foot one way and the other, testing your range of motion.  You hiss occasionally as the pain becomes more intense with the manipulation, but overall he’s very gentle and you can hardly complain.  Soon enough, he’s finished with his assessment and he goes back to cautiously steadying your ankle between his hands.

“Looks like it’s most likely just a bad sprain,” he explains.  “I can’t say for sure without an x-ray so I recommend you get one, but I think you might’ve gotten lucky.  If you can hold on another minute, I’ll wrap it for you and that should make it feel a whole lot better.”

“Thank you,” you say softly.  “Really, this is too kind of you.”

“Don’t mention it, I’m happy to help.”

You smile, watching as he reaches into his kit and pulls out an elastic bandage.  You take a few slow, deep breaths to ease the pain as he begins to wrap it around your foot and ankle, relaxing as the compression around the injury eventually starts to feel good.  By the time he’s done, it feels well-supported and stable and you find yourself feeling glad that he’d been the one to find out, knowing you could never have wrapped it so effectively yourself.

“Done,” Steve says a moment later.  “If you lift your leg for just a moment, I’ll grab a pillow so you can prop it up for a bit.”

You do as he says, watching as he stands and reaches for one of the cushions on the couch.  He settles it under your foot and you rest it on the coffee table, wiggling your toes a little and wincing in discomfort at the pain it brings.

“I really should be getting back to my car,” you say.  “If the offer still stands, that is.”

Steve chuckles as he repacks his kit, zipping it up and taking a seat on the couch next to you.

“It does,” he assures you.  “But if you don’t have anywhere to be right away, I’d love to have you for a little while longer.  At least until your clothes dry and you warm up a bit.”

Only as he mentions your clothes do you realize how soggy you are and feel yourself start to shiver a bit.  Steve gestures for you to unzip your coat and he takes it as you shrug out of it, hanging it over the arm of a chair nearer the fireplace across the room.

“I really don’t want to impose,” you insist, though your protest sounds weak, even to you.

“It’s no trouble, honestly,” he says kindly.  “I’ll feel better knowing you’re warm and dry before I let you go.  

“Well, you’ll have to let me make it up to you, then,” you say firmly.  “Dinner once I’m back up and about?”

Steve’s expression softens and he smiles warmly, nodding.

“It’s a date.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Doctoring December Masterlist

[lunarrpmemes]

Adventure Time: Elements Starters

Skyhooks

“That was definitely the longest adventure we’ve ever done.” “Let’s go take hot showers!” “Look at this fish. It’s... gummy?” “We’ve gotta get to the bottom of this hot shower.” “Home always looks different after a long trip.” “Everything being pink is probably not a big deal, and also I’m tired.” “Why do you worry so much, worry baby?” “Don’t worry, we’re only teasing you because you’re a baby.” “Hey! You look like me!” “Welcome, stranger! It’s so cool that you’re inside our house!” “We’ve obviously stumbled into an alternate dimension where everyone’s a different version of themselves. Yawn.” “I’m in control of my emotions.” “Drink up, babies!” “I used to have a LOT of fear and sadness - but now I’m FINE!” “No! That is body juice.” “What’s that? Do you spurn my fluids?” “Looks like someone’s feeling a little SOUR.” “Stop striding! It just keeps you agitated!” “Hey! You’re meat!” “They look so happy. Like dogs.” “Something smells nice. Nice and toasty.” “She’s everywhere.” “You fixed ‘em? But they’re your friends!”  “Goodbye, boys! It’s better this way!” “They’ll be back. They have nowhere else to go.” 

Bespoken For

“Why does it look like a four-way pizza?!” “Everyone is not dead. It’s much worse.” “What am I gonna do without my besties around?” “Bird watching sounds cool.” “I’m going out to get some magic ingredients.” “Cool. Bring me a snackie.” “You a toucan?” “I’ve tried so hard to help you.” “It’s saddening, it’s maddening, I’m rapping, and- and--” “No, I don’t remember who she is. But I know how to find out.” “It’s okay. I know you don’t remember me.” “Hey, wanna go on a date with me tonight?” “I think she might be an exotic bird.” “You need to get a nice bespoked suit.” “No, that’s just the muumuu, dawg. I’m jacked.” “Pretty fly for an ice guy.” “I’m really into skulls and old teeth in jars, too.” “Well, that was terrifying.” “Maybe you’re going after someone who doesn’t exist anymore.” “Why not take him as he is? After all, you’ve been through a lot of changes yourself.” “It sounds depressing when you say it that way. Think of a different way to say it.” “I don’t wanna be that guy who just hangs out with his girlfriend all the time and doesn’t see his friends... Man, I wanna be that guy so bad.” “These are some low-grade fairies.” “Where did the weird lady go?” “I wonder if my roomie has any more of these soothing donuts.” 

Winter Light

“We’ll enter via the sewer line.” “This is a place mat from a seafood restaurant - and this word search is way too hard!”” “I made these sweaters and ear muffs for you guys. They’re bespoke.” “It’s a lot colder now, too.” “Oh, I get it. The top one’s fake.” “This is crazy. It’s like being at the bottom of an ocean.” “Ice to meet you.” “You betta believe it, bucko.” “Do you wanna come with us? We’re on a secret mission.” “She’s, like, ruined the whole world and all our friends.” “Yes, I draw elves. It’s what I like to do!” “It’s not a sewer, but it’ll have to do.” “Oh no, you have an icicle. You look like your kids!” “Back in my old basement, where it all began.” “Cool boy say what?” “They denied their precious birthright.” “Instead of embracing their powers, they were overrun by them.” “Monstrous. Like life itself.” “If you’re so upset about this, you should fix it.” “The universe is an abyss of suffering.” “Best Friends Gang, retreat!” “Everyone leaves, except me. I remember Father made me stay at the table until all the eggs were eaten.” “Well, that sucks and I hate it.” “The goose... Is loose.” “My mystic soup is great for combating Ice Magic.” “I feel drained like a dirty bath tub.” “Ancient magic was actually my major.”

Cloudy

“Woah, neat-o.” “Graduate student? What the heck is that? You graduated, but you’re still a student? Doesn’t make any sense.” “Can the Dog do anything about this?” “What are you doing? Swaddling me?” “Look what happens when you go to sleep!” “Turn around! I can’t go when you’re looking at me.” “Yes sir. I sure like cuttin’ hair.” “All this stuff happened because I acted selfishly.” “I was talking about important stuff!” “I’ve been trying to distract you from all this, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy with the way things are going!” “You know what I’ve been thinking? What if we’re dead?” “I try to keep my worries hidden, but where does that send ‘em? To my kidneys? That can’t be good.” “I can get into that. Maybe when I’m thirty-five.” “I don’t care, don’t look in this direction. It makes me feel like you can hear my most private business.” “Since when is it such a hassle just to take a whiz?” “Are you being digested in there?” “Thanks for not digesting me.” “Nothing happened to us, so now we get to fix it.” 

Slime Central

“Here’s some trail mix for the road.”  “They’re two wack-a-doodle peas in a wack-a-doodle pod.”  “Something about it makes me feel weird in the ethics.” “You don’t wanna stare at happiness too hard, yaknow? Cuz it stares back, man...” “This smells like a locker room for a dead fish.”  “Okay, you look dope.”  “You guys on a team, yet?”  “No, you can’t be on my team!”  “You got something to say?”  “As always, the prize is absorption into the body of our bumpin’ leader.”  “Skate to assimilate!” “Isn’t assimilation amazing?”  “It might be comfy, like a hug that turns you into a hug.” “She can’t absorb us if we’re self-absorbed.” “You need a three person team to compete, and I’m taken.”  “But I’m the plucky underdog!”  “No, you’re just terrible.”  “No, wait! Discontinue the beat!” “They love me! I’m a true Cinderella story!”  “Today’s losers will now be punished with shameful absorption.”  “It’s like being in a warm bath full of snot.”  “It’ll work out somehow.”  “May as well give in to it...”  “This isn’t an uplifting underdog ending.”  “I’m not assimilating!”  “She’s gonna be rejecteeeed.”  “No, I totally faked it.”  “Even though I shoplifted this super cool outfit, I still didn’t fit in...”  “I guess I don’t fit in anywhere.”  “Whatever happened, he was always like... ‘it’ll work out.’“ “Stop being so selfish, I’m the one hurting here!” Happy Warrior“He’s probably having fun, and doing way better without you.”  “Your laugh is really annoying.” “Don’t talk that way about the skyhooks!” “Please keep your hands and bags away from the cloud’s edge.” “Don’t torture yourself! And don’t drop your phone into Fire Kingdom, dummy.” “If I don’t, you’ll die. Hah!”  “So... You guys wanna do something? Got any music?”  “You guys aren’t just, like, boring and old, right?”  “This doesn’t look so bad.”  “You see that bird? Gross.” “No, I’m just super cool.” “I got RAGE!”  “You cannot defeat me!” “Let’s take his armor.”  “I’m going, but I swear vengeance, okay?”  “Your cooking stinks!” “Man, this place used to be nice... er.” “I can’t, she’s like family!” “My flame shield protected me from the Change. The rest of the kingdom... Is lost.”  “She is spicy with anger.”  “We used to really bond over music, and.... Stuff.”  “This is as far as I go.”  “She said some... Hurtful things.”  “I’ll give her a good talking to. I’ll talk her into next week.”  “My wolf is also a loner.”  “When did he get cool? Everyone slept on that.”  “Die in a ditch!” “You used to be about the laughs!” “You can’t run the saw, then stay outta my woodshed.”  “The duck found a secret tunnel!”  “We’re just friends, and I’m proud of that friendship. Getting there took a lot of trust building and emotional growth.”  “... Do you do squats?”  “That big, gross dragon is your ex?!”  “This place is a toxic, aggro-macho-scape.” “That was messed up, and not who you really are!” “The only friend I have is violence, and the only thing we do when we hang is FIGHT!”  “I’m gonna ruin your universe.”  “Honestly, I could still see those two working out.”  “This is terrible, nobody’s paying attention to me!” “That’s a huge extrapolation from what I said.” “Surely, this is the end of all things.”

Hero Heart

“Is this about your ex?” “This is about the purity of battle.”  “Just listen to the beat of your hero heart!” “I only hear the drums of war.” “You’re hurting me physically and emotionally.” “Becoming a crazy, fiery bad boy has made you even more of a babe.”  “It’s a real magic flying carpet!”  “We lost him to the flames of war!” “You got any lotion? Your skin is so... Hydrated.”  “Aw man, I don’t think you should play this game ever again.”  “Look at all these thirsty customers!” “Ice cream pies for all our hot new friends.”  “Jeez, who sneezed in your cornflakes?”  “Look, weird lady - I don’t know you, and you don’t know me, but we’re the only sane people left in this crazy, mixed-up world.” “Lets get in there and mash their potatoes!”  “My children have come home.”  “Oh, a dragon, how fun!” “I see you’ve been playing with matches.” “Fight me, nerd!”  “Ooh! Are we wrastlin’? Fun!”  “Everyone I know is spazzing out on each other.” “Is this the end? Will I be the last witness to the glory of this world that I chose above all others?” “I don’t think I can save the world on my own.”  “Curse these superior genes.”  “Your face tastes like my happy place.”  “My little Sugarplum - you’ve returned to accept your sweet fate!” “This charade has run it’s course.” “In your hearts, you are all sweet!”

Skyhooks II

“You left my friend down there.” “Don’t worry, I’ve got a new plan - a plan where nothing that happens here matters.” “He sees me like a handsome older brother.”  “Its me! I’m saving your tight butt!” “Maybe you’re not made of the same stuff as us.” “No more learning!” “Huh, musta dozed off. And bound myself.” “People say ‘you shouldn’t live in the past.’ But I say ‘why not?’“ “This book is strange, but when you puzzle it out, it’s mostly all charges and frequencies.” “My wonderful ___ will never become this sad, pathetic creature strewn before me.” “I thought I could do it, but I can’t. Being with you is like looking at my old life through a funhouse mirror.”  “I think you need to be the most ‘you’ that you’ve ever been.”  “I do believe in myself. I’m a blossoming debutante on the war path.” “Just relax, you’ll be obliterated soon.” “I - I guess I’m a special person, and I am worthy of respect!” “Can you turn this off and we can talk, maybe?”  “Boy, did I fail deep.” “Maybe I’ll try again in another thousand years.” “I’m not sticking around to see how this ends.” “I didn’t like being ditched earlier.” “I already saved your life, so quit telling me what to DO!”  “You mean these jewels love me more than they love those dum dums?”  “You bossed him back to normal!”  “The jelly is out of the tube!” “Oh, blessings. What a trip.” “Uh... Did you recently get a haircut?”  “Please be careful with yourself.” “I’m... A hero.”  “You really donked up.” “You and I can fix whatever this is, together. Whenever.”  “I was really scared when you left.” “I love you.”

[n3rdybird]

Let’s be lonely together.

James “Bucky” Barnes x Reader

Takes place post Winter Soldier when Bucky is laying low in Europe/Romania. Written for @izawrites 6k follower challenge, using the prompt “Let’s be lonely together.”  Hope you enjoy and congrats to Iza for her follower milestone.  Follow her for some excellent writing.

"Let's be lonely together." Bucky Barnes x Reader Written for Izawrites 6k follower challenge

The first time your eyes met, it was just a brief second.  You were two cocktails into your evening.  You sat at the bar alone, sipping your drink and letting your eyes wash over the other patrons.  It was a fairly quiet place, a few boisterous groups, but for the most part, everyone seemed to be talking quietly.  When you saw him, sitting alone, you felt a bit better that you weren't the only one drinking solo.

Your friends had bailed on you, leaving you to travel by yourself.  It had been a "long time planning, never seemed it was gonna happen" trip.  After college, when you all started your different post graduate lives, your friends and you had made a pact.  To keep in touch, and that in five years, you all would go on a trip abroad.  The trip you all dreamed about, but being broke college kids, could never afford.

And you all stuck to the pact.  For the most part.  Weekly conversations had turned to monthly check-ins.  Lunch dates and girl's nights seemed few and far between, and even the one's that had everyone's RSVP sometimes got cancelled due to family or work priorities.  You had tried your best to keep everyone together, to be the one to initiate plans, being the one to call rather than wait for them to call you.

This trip was supposed to change all that.  Planning was going well, everyone seemed onboard, sharing ideas for excursions or pinning restaurants that had to be tried.  It was going to be a reunion trip to remember.  But as time went by, your friends began to waffle.  Saying they weren't sure if it was a good time, or that their bosses may not allow for time off.

So when you were the only one boarding the flight, you knew in your heart, that it would never be the same again.

Although bummed, you decided that the trip was going to be all about you.  One of those cheesy life changing Lifetime-movie types of trips.  You were gonna discover yourself and hidden passions, maybe have a whirlwind romance.  You took in museums and architecture and ruins.  You sipped ridiculously complicated coffee orders and people watched.  You wandered down streets and backroads and took in gardens and parks.  It was great.  You did things on your schedule and didn't have to wait on anyone else or compromise about what you ate or what you did.

But now, two weeks later, travelers fatigue was setting in.  You were tired of seeing all these amazing things and not having anyone to share it with.  Discovering a shop you know one of your friends would love, and have them not be with you.  And if one more waiter gave you pitying look when you said table for one, you might have to hit someone.

So you found yourself scanning the bar for anyone to talk to.  You scanned the room again, when you noticed someone.  It might have been his blue eyes peaking out from under shaggy brown locks.  Or his impressive physique, even if it was slightly hidden due to his hunched shoulders.  It was the familiar loneliness you saw hanging over him like a cloud.  The same cloud that currently muddled your thoughts.

With a deep breath, you swiped your drink off the counter, the condensation making it a little difficult to hold onto the glass.  You slid between tables, maneuvering around the other patrons before coming to a stop in front of his table.

"Can I sit here?" you blurted out.

The man froze, as if he was surprised you even spoke to him.  He looked away, gripping his drink tightly.  You chewed your lip.  Obviously your plan wasn't a good one, and you nodded your head in apology.  For all you knew, he didn't understand English, and he had no idea what you were saying.

"I'm sorry to bother you, I'll just-" and you motioned back to the bar as you turned away.  His arm shot out, and he touched your elbow gently.  When you looked at him, he seemed to be staring at his own hand in shock.  As if his hand reached for you without his knowledge.

"Why?" he questioned softly, though he may have been asking himself and not you.  You had barely heard him over the din of the bar.  You cleared your throat, setting your drink down.

"Why what?"

"Why do you want to sit here?" he asked, keeping his eyes on you warily. You let out sigh and sat across from him, pulling your drink to your lips.  You swallowed a mouthful and tried not to stare directly at him.

"I'm gonna just say it.  I'm lonely and probably about this close," you started, putting your thumb and index finger about an inch apart. "This close, to drinking myself into oblivion. And you... you seemed lonely too. And I figured," you said, swirling the ice in your drink.

"Why not come sit with you.  Let's be lonely together," you explained, finishing your drink, and waving down a waitress to bring you another drink.

"If you don't want the company, you can just walk away.  Or I can just sit here and be quiet.  But let me just share one drink with you.  Let me pretend for a few minutes."

His gaze was still wary, and he stared at you for a few moments, not saying anything.  Finally, he threw his head back and let out a short laugh.

"So I look lonely huh? Is it that obvious?"

You shrugged, giving him a wry smile.

"It's not a bad thing, per say, but I guess it takes one to know one." The waitress reappeared with a new drink for you and a fresh beer for your new friend.

"And why would young gal like be lonely? You're obviously on vacation."

"You're right.  I should be having the time of my life.  It's my dream vacation.  But the why is a long and very boring story.  Much too long of a story for one drink," you said, waving off his question.

He seemed to take your answer as is, and nodded.

"So what shall two lonely people talk about then?"

You pursed your lips as you wracked your brain for anything to talk about.

"If you were stuck on a deserted island with a beautiful woman," you paused taking in his expression. "Or man, no judgement.  Would you rather their top half be fish? Or their bottom half?"

His laughter rang out at your weird question, and you felt a real smile come to your face.

Over the next few hours, it was like a dam had spilled and all you could do was talk.  You relished in even the silliest conversations, and your drinking partner was a saint for putting up with you.  Eventually your reason for loneliness had come out, how you felt left behind and stagnant in your life.

"I don't blame them.  They all have lives," you explained. "Families, great jobs, 10 year goals, mortgages.  The plan was for all of us to have fun, to recharge, get away from everyday life.  But the only one who needed this trip, was me."

You blinked rapidly, not wanting your eyes to betray you and start sending tears down your cheek.  You looked at him, and he gazed back, your feelings reflecting in his eyes.  You shrugged, throwing up an "I'm fine, whatever" smile.

"No wonder they ditched me. I've been awful, just laying all this shit on you.  And you've said barely a word of your own life.  I'm a self-centered asshole, and I apologize.  So tell me stranger, do you regularly allow trainwrecks to park themselves at your table, or is this a first time thing? Cause you're doing great." 

Your propped your chin on your hand and nearly headbutted the table when your elbow slipped off the table. He snorted into his beer as you resituated your arm and again took on the appearance of an enraptured listener.

"Maybe another time doll, you look about ready to pass out," he said, the endearment slipping off his tongue easily.  He slid out of his side of the booth and helped you to your feet.  You tucked some money under an empty glass, covering both yours and your stranger's drinks.  When he tried to argue, you silenced him, telling him to consider it as his therapist's fee for listening to you ramble all night.

As you made your way into the crisp late night or extremely early morning air, you paused while sliding into your sweater.

"Did you mean what you said?" you asked.  When he looked at you quizzically, you clarified.

"I asked you about your reason, and you said another time.  Did you mean it?  I don't even know your name, but-" you stopped and plucked up the courage to continue.

"But I'd like to see you again.  If that's possible."

If you thought he was handsome before, the soft smile he gave made him beyond drop dead gorgeous.  He pushed his hair away from his face, fidgeting a little.  He held out his hand to you, hesitantly.  When you took it, his warm hand clasped yours gently.

"James.  My name is James."