#still trying to get used to this new tablet please pardon me

[frosty-tian]

Finished doodles for...

@ninjakirkki, @moroccos-apprentice, @capn-romeo, and an unfortunate bonus for @nukenai.

[camistired]

stranger

scenario: trying to show Bucky that your there for him during tfatws, but he keeps ignoring you

a/n: i started writing this yesterday after watching the first episode of tfatws. if people like this, i might make this a whole ff following the show, so let me know if you like this. also please ignore any mistakes or if it’s wordy, i haven’t written anything in months. i am open to criticism!

edit: i didn’t realize i didn’t name until i was trying to add it to my masterlist, so please ignore the half-assed name, please and thankyou

reader has been left gender-neutral and has no specific race written

spoiler warning

It had been a few months since everyone started reappearing, yourself included. The last thing you remembered was waiting out the fight with Thanos with Shuri, and you remembered feeling lighter then usual and you watched as your friend turned to dust before your very eyes. However what felt like the same breathe, you watched as her being was rebuilt by the same dust the took her away.

It had been a lot to process, to know that you and others close to you had basically died, and came back to the same exact fight happening. It was worse to come back to know that one of your dearest friends was dead and she couldn’t be brought back like the lot of you. It sucked standing in-between Bucky and Sam at Tony’s funeral.

You had missed five years of life, and for what? For some giant purple pyscho titan to stop over population and then become a space rancher? In your eyes, it was complete and utter bullshit. But you can’t change the past.

With Steve’s retirement, Bucky’s pardon, and Sam still kicking ass and saving people as The Falcon, you felt lost. Everyone else has scattered around to handle everything by themselves. But you thrived off of others, that’s just how you worked. So, sitting lonely in your single bedroom Brooklyn apartment, you let out a loud sigh.

You stayed in New York, purely for Bucky’s sake. The man is a hundred and six, and is an ex-assassin, he doesn’t need your help. Especially since you can barely hold a gun without nearly pissing your pants. But you knew the man was basically alone. He spent his past ninety years being in and out of ice fighting, except when he had his moment of peace in Wakanda.

You’ve tried to reach out, called him every now and again, but it was always went to voicemail. You left so many voicemails, your surprised it isn’t full by now. But you’ll keep leaving them, no matter if he actually listens to them or if he just deletes them immediately. You hoped that they gave him some sort of comfort if he did ever listen to them.

You looked at the time, it was a quarter past eleven. You let out another sigh. Something you still haven’t been able to get down was your damn sleep schedule. Sometimes you stayed up until two - three in the morning and sleep into the afternoon, and that was on a good day. You tried to establish a routine, but it just  never worked. If you tried to go to bed earlier, you end up either staring at the ceiling till sunrise or waking up in the middle of the night, for no reason. You didn’t have to use the bathroom, you didn’t have a nightmare, you just woke up, and you couldn’t go back to sleep, no matter what you tried. You’ve expressed this to your brother, you suggests maybe you go see a therapist, maybe do a sleep study, but you just shut the ideas down. That was the last things you wanted to do, was be monitored.

However, you couldn’t do this anymore. You forced yourself out of bed and changed your clothes from your normal sweatpants and baggy t-shirt to leggings and a slightly less baggy shirt. If you couldn’t fall asleep naturally, might as well take a walk around the block and maybe take a melatonin tablet or two, see if that does anything.

Locking your door, you start walking down your hall when you see a man walk away from your neighbor’s, Yori Nakajima’s, door. You’ve known the old man for as long as you lived here. You’ve tried to help him out as much as he will let you, and even though he’ll never admit it, he appreciates the help. He tries to repay in small ways, he even offers you to join him and a younger friend of his for sushi down at Izzy, but you always turn him down. You helped to help, not get anything in return.

You walked up to Yori’s door but he closed it before you could reach his door. You sighed and instead decided to talk to the man walking away.

“Excuse me!” You called out, walking towards him. He seemed to tense up and walked a little faster but you touch his arm before he could go much farther.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, I just have a few question...”

He cursed under his breathe but he didn’t move. That’s when you noticed the way he held himself. His body language very much showed he was uncomfortable, and whether he was doing on purpose or subconsciously, he was leaning away from where your hand met his arm.

You moved your hand back down to your side but you walked in front of him and you froze when you saw his face.

“Bucky?!”

He seemed to shy into himself more when you recognized who he was, making you instantly felt bad. However, examining him he looked different. His hair was a big one, ever since you first met Bucky,  his hair was shoulder length. But he looked a lot cleaner with shorter hair, his loose curls a lot more prominent now. However, that  seemed to showcase the most change. It felt as if he went backwards more than anything.

His jacket, the gloves, the brooding energy radiating off of him. He felt like the man you met back when the whole “Civil War” mess was happening.

He softly addressed you, but he still never looked at you directly. It was concerning especially since you considered you two close. But maybe it was because you two haven’t talked properly? Maybe because he’s been ignoring your calls? Whatever the reason, you didn’t care. It made you feel better he was out talking to people, no matter that it was your older neighbor, he was interacting with people. It made you wonder if he had talk to Sam, but you doubted it.

“Long time no see, stranger. Glad to see your still alive.”

He looked at you with a blank expression, and you recognized that looked. He was looking for a tell, if you were angry at him or not. In all honesty, you couldn’t find it in yourself to be angry like he excepted you to be. You’re glad he was doing something, he didn’t have to be okay fully, just as long as he was going out.

“I’m not angry, Bucky.” You said flatly, as his eyes met yours. You could tell that he relaxed, physically. “I mean, concerned, sure. Scared you had locked yourself in your apartment, definitely. But not mad. Just... wished you would have called. Sent a text to let me know you were okay... Anything, really.”

He sighs, “I know... I should have done something- said something. I just have a lot going on.”

“Everyone does. Half of the population got turned into dust, we’ve lost a lot of friends. It’s just... we’ve gotta stay together, you know? We can’t rely on Steve anymore... And the more we’re by ourselves, the more we’re just creating terrible coping mechanisms, ya know?”

He seems to be taking in your words and you just smile at him softly. “Just think about it, okay?”

You begin walking down the hall before you turn towards him again, “Oi! And Barnes?”

He looks up at you, “Yeah?”

“If I don’t hear from you soon, just know I will hunt you down and beat your ass! No more of this distancing, stranger shit. I know how to find you now. And you know where I live!”

You smirk as you turn around to finally go on that walk, but little did you know that Bucky had a little smirk of his own as he took in your words.

“No more distancing, no more acting like a stranger... I have to start nurturing my friendships...”

[starshine583]

Crossing a Line (18)

(I’m just gonna keep changing the title set up until I’m satisfied lol anyway, enjoy reading chapter 18 of the Le Paon AU as the tension rises!)

Part 1 / Part 17 / Part 19

The lead of the pencil scratched across the paper as Marinette drew another flower. True to his word, Felix had passed her classroom after each period, subtly giving her a nod or wave to acknowledge the check in. Marinette decided to mark off the classes by drawing flowers. That way, anyone- *cough* Alya *cough* -watching would think she was just doodling. The strategy’s worked well so far, and now she only had one class left before lunch.

Marinette pulled her lip between her teeth and reached down to fiddle with the peacock miraculous again. She’d hardly let it go since her confrontation with Felix. He seemed genuinely surprised about the consequences of the wish, but she’d seen too many ‘genuine’ things from him to trust that again. So It helped ease her mind a bit knowing that Felix was currently powerless. If he did intend on twisting the odds again, he’d have to jump through a few more hoops than before. 

That begs the question, though: If Felix was telling the truth, what happens next? She’ll get back her miraculous and heal Emilie, but will Felix keep fighting with Hawk Moth? What if he still felt a morbid sense of loyalty towards the terrorist? What if Hawkmoth pressures him to get the miraculous anyway as payback for the peacock miraculous? Does this whole fiasco boil down to what Hawkmoth really wants?

“Hey, girl! You ready for lunch?” Alya asked, drawing her from her thoughts.

Marinette blinked. “Lunch?”

“Yeah, it’s time for our lunch break.”

Marinette turned to the rest of the class, who were already filing out of the classroom. Was class over? She didn’t realize she’d spaced out that long.

“Anyway, I was thinking of the park? We haven’t eaten there in a while.” Alya continued thoughtfully.

“Oh, actually,” Marinette said, “I’m eating lunch with Felix today.”

She held back a wince when Alya’s gaze snapped to hers. “You’re what?”

“Yeah..” Marinette sighed, standing up to gather her things. “He- um -we have a few fashion things to talk about? So we decided to eat lunch together.”

“And when were you going to tell me?” Alya asked, clearly offended that she’d been left out of the loop.

“It only just happened this morning.” Marinette offered sheepishly. “It’s really not that big of a deal.”

Please don’t make it that big of a deal.

“What? Girl, that’s a big score! Even if it’s not an official date, it’s still lunch together!” Alya insisted, now getting giddy with the news. Great. “I’ll forgive you for forgetting to tell me, but I want all the deets afterwards as an apology!”

Marinette plastered on a smile. She couldn’t blame her best friend for accidentally hitting a sore spot. Her romantic feelings for Felix fading away because of a betrayal involving both of their miraculous is a scoop that even Alya couldn’t have guessed. Marinette didn’t guess it either. “Sure, Alya.”

The two girls said their goodbyes, and Alya pranced off to tell the rest of the girl gang about Marinette’s “unofficial date” with Felix. It was a hollowing feeling, watching everyone get to live their lives as if nothing earth-shattering had happened. Marinette was barely holding it together, fueled by her rage and determination alone, and no one knew. Well, no one except Felix, but he’d been the cause of the damage. That wasn’t exactly a comfort for her. Will she have to act like nothing’s happened between them for the rest of her life? That will be hard considering Alya and the others are still trying to push them together.

Marinette checked her phone as she walked towards the cafeteria. She’d tried to call Chat Noir as Jiāng húlí several times, but he must not have been transformed. It went straight to voicemail. She had to give Master Fu the fox miraculous soon after, so she crossed her fingers that he might get the message of her distress and contact her.

A part of her wondered what he would say if he knew what had happened. He’d been the first to warn her, after all. He told her that Le Paon wasn’t to be trusted, and what did she do? She threw away the statements without a second thought. All because of some fickle emotions. At least she’d learned her lesson: Villains can shine and sparkle like heroes (or more) as much as they want, but at the end of the day.. At the end of the day, they’re just that. Villains. 

Felix may sound sweet and worried, and she may still be in love with him to an agonizing amount, but Marinette is committed to not learning that lesson a second time.

~~~~~~

Felix brushed a hand against his vest as he slipped his tablet into his bag. He hadn’t realized how accustomed he’d grown to wearing the peacock miraculous. Without it on, his outfit felt.. incomplete. 

“Do you think we can make it to that restaurant in time?” Allegra asked to no one in particular, wrapping her purse around her shoulder.

“If Felix gets his driver to take us.” Claude replied with a smile.

Felix glanced up from his bag. “Oh, I can’t join you for lunch today.”

Claude snorted. “Come on, Fe, you can’t get out of it that easily.”

“Yeah, you should have learned that when you tried a lame excuse last semester.” Allan added with a smile.

Felix rolled his eyes. “No, I really can’t. I’m having lunch with Marinette today.”

The group paused, their eyes widening from shock.

Then-

“What?!” Claude burst out.

“You finally got together!” Allegra cheered. 

“When did that happen?” Allan asked.

Felix waved down their reactions, along with his own guilt. “It’s not like that. In fact, I..”

Her near-murderous glare resurfaced in his mind.

“I don’t think it’s going to work out between us.” He admitted softly.

The group frowned, each sharing a look with the other.

“But you guys are perfect together.” Allegra attempted to console. “You’ve gotten along wonderfully so far.”

“She accepted your offer to lunch, right?” Claude added. “That’s a good sign.”

Felix held back a bitter laugh. They were not talking about the same situation.

Allan gave him a gentle pat on the back. “Don’t worry, man. If you love her, and she loves you, everything will turn out fine.”

But is love enough to overcome betrayal?

He hoped he was wrong when he said he didn’t think so.

“I’ll see you after lunch.” Was all Felix ended up muttering. Marinette would be waiting for him. No need to break her trust in him further, if that was even possible. 

“Bye..” Allegra said, a hint of concern in her tone. Felix was concerned too. Not only had he lied to Father about his knowledge of Ladybug’s identity, he had secretly stolen Ladybug’s earrings, and now he was giving them back, all without Father's consent. This was no doubt the best course of action, but that didn’t mean the consequences would be any less severe. Felix imagined he’d be pulled from school when Father found out and grounded from everything. Marinette would most certainly be banned from their premises a second time. 

He’d backed himself into a corner, and the only option now was to race against the clock and heal Emilie before Gabriel could figure out their plan and unleash his rage. 

-

Courage was the first thing to go as Felix approached Marinette’s table. She’d chosen to eat outside, taking the table furthest from the school grounds. It gave them the most privacy without actually leaving. He wouldn’t expect anything less from the clever Ladybug, but it pained him that she felt the need to take such precautions. 

Quietly, he set his bag on the ground next to the chair across from her and sat down. Marinette didn’t react. She merely sat there scribbling something in a notebook. He peered over the paper as best he could without standing and managed to catch a couple of words.

Escape Plan.

Felix looked down at his hands, shame churning and twisting inside him. So there really was no trust left between them, huh?

“How were your classes?” He asked, if only to break the soul-crushing silence.

Marinette shot him a glare immediately. “Don’t act like you care.”

Felix tensed. “I-” I do care. So much. “I was just trying to make conversation.”

Marinette scoffed and set down her pencil. Or rather, slammed it on the table in annoyance. “You want to talk? Fine. Who’s Hawkmoth? How did you two become partners?”

Felix grimaced. She always managed to ask the hardest questions. “That’s a.. long story.”

Marinette narrowed her eyes, and he could tell he’d given the wrong answer. What else could he do, though? Hawkmoth was his Father. Felix couldn’t just give him up.

“Fine.” She said, pure agitation in her voice now. “How did you know who I was? What gave me away.” 

“Ah, well..” He might as well tell her, right? They both knew each other’s identities so what was the harm? “Yesterday, after the akuma attack, I saw you swinging off alone and thought I’d follow you-”

“Wait.” Marinette interrupted, her eyebrows knitted together. “Did you say yesterday?”

Felix nodded. “We’d been planning to follow you for a while, but Chat Noir always got in the way. Yesterday was the first time I’d been able to catch you alone. That’s when I saw you transform.”

A mix of emotions washed over her features, mostly skepticism. “So you mean to tell me that you haven’t known Marinette was Ladybug this whole time? That you only found out last night, a few hours before you stole my miraculous?”

Now Felix was frowning. “Yes? Did you think I would risk saving you or coming to your house as Le Paon if I knew you were Ladybug? I can be reckless, but I’m not that reckless.”

Marinette didn’t reply. She stared down at her notebook, lost in deep thought. When she finally spoke, though, it was soft, and he almost had to lean forward to hear it. 

“Then why?”

“Pardon?” What did she mean ‘why’?

Marinette looked up, and Felix’s heart sank when he saw the tears brimming in her eyes. 

“Why?” She repeated, harsher and louder than before. “Why waste all those nights coming to my house or talking with me at school if you didn’t know who I was? What was the point if not to get close enough to take the earrings for the wish?” 

“Marinette, I..” Felix trailed off, frozen by her sudden grief. She looked so desperate, so broken, and he did this to her. 

He reached out to her, touched her hand to comfort or relieve or something, but she pulled away.

“Why say you love me,” She whispered, looking back down at her notebook, “if you didn’t mean it?”

Felix almost shot out of his chair at the accusation. Was this what she’d been telling herself since yesterday? That all of their times together, their not-quite-dates, their kiss, his love.. was some sort of elaborate lie to get jewelry? No wonder she was furious! He’d be beside himself if he found out she was lying to him like that!

“Marinette,” He began carefully, “I know our friendship is currently unpleasant and shaky at best, but please trust me when I say that I meant every word I said to you.” 

Marinette sniffed and brushed a few stray tears away. Each one dropped another anchor on Felix’s heart. 

“How can I?” She asked after a moment. “How can I trust you when you didn’t trust me? We spent months together, Felix! We had sleepovers and deep, late night talks and ate ice cream together and supported each other over everything. After all of that, why would you-” Her quiet sob cut her short, and she shook her head. “Why didn’t you just talk to me?”

Now that was a question. Why didn’t he just talk to her? He thought he was avoiding hurt by taking the earrings quickly, but that obviously failed. He may have avoided physical injuries, but he’d much rather those at this point. 

No, the real reason was that Felix didn’t want to be torn over whether he should continue to save his mother or not. He had the miraculous. He had the wish. He saw the light at the end of the tunnel and didn’t want to know if the light would be dimmer than he’d originally thought.

“I was a coward.” He admitted, burying his hand in his hair. “After missing my Mother and wishing her back for so long, I was afraid of what you would tell me when I told you the truth. I didn’t want to acknowledge the fact that the miraculous might not bring her back.”

Gosh, he’d made so many mistakes. He shouldn’t have accepted the peacock miraculous. He shouldn’t have let his Father terrorize the city for so long in a misguided cause. He shouldn’t have procrastinated about talking to Ladybug for possible peace. He shouldn’t have kept fighting when he learned that Adrien was Chat Noir. He shouldn’t have taken Marinette’s earrings when he learned the truth. He just shouldn’t have.

Marinette sighed, bringing him from his thoughts. “Okay.”

Felix’s eyes widened. “Okay?”

Marinette brushed the last bit of tears from her eyes and nodded. “I can’t say that I completely trust you yet, but.. If you’re serious about this, I’m willing to give it a shot.”

Felix’s heart skipped a beat.

“T-That’s all I need!” He promised. Talking with him during lunch had been better than he’d dreamed. Giving him another chance was an absolute miracle for him. “Thank you.”

Marinette didn’t answer. With the conversation more or less finished, she pulled out her lunch box to start eating. It was then that Felix’s own stomach growled, and he coughed. The tension from their predicament caused him to forget the reason they were able to meet outside and talk in the first place.

“So.. I have a question.” Felix said as he pulled out his own lunch. “If that’s alright with you, of course.”

Marinette briefly glanced up from her soup. “..I guess.” 

Felix drew in a small breath. “Assuming you didn’t follow me like I did you.. how did you know who I was?”

Marinette jokingly sucked in a breath between her teeth, giving a ‘yikes’ expression. “Yeah~ my discovery wasn’t as nice as a simple stalking.”

Felix smiled. Seeing her jest brought him a small, renewed sense of hope that everything might turn out okay between them after all. “So? What happened?”

“Remember that night you came to my house after getting shot?” 

He actually grimaced and touched his side. “Do I? If I didn’t have Duusu, I’d still be wincing every time I breathed.”

“About that..” Marinette said, pulling on her pigtail slightly. “I may or may not have actually been the one to heal you.”

Felix blinked. That.. that made a lot of sense. “But Duusu never mentioned anything about you healing me?”

Marinette dropped her pigtail to push her fingers together as she explained, “When you passed out on my bed, you ended up detransforming too. That’s how I figured out your identity. Of course, I freaked out a bit, but you were still bleeding so I put that aside for the time being.”

A small smile crossed Felix’s lips. Only Marinette could push through a ‘huge reveal’ like that and talk as if it were nothing.

“It was around that time that my powers activated and healed your wound. Duusu was very sweet about the whole thing, and after a small conversation, she promised not to say anything unless you asked specifically.” Marinette finished. “You have no idea how frustrating it was. I couldn’t talk to you about the miraculous because I wasn’t ready to reveal myself yet, but you wouldn’t talk to Ladybug.”

Felix let out a sheepish laugh. “Right.. I’m sorry I put you through that.” 

Marinette shrugged. “Can’t take it back now.”

Felix nodded. No matter the amount of regret and guilt welling up inside him, he couldn’t change the past. He supposed he could soothe himself by saying it wasn’t all bad, though. Taking the peacock miraculous was undoubtedly a horrible decision, but it led to him seeing Marinette on a more personal level, which then led to a more personal friendship between them. Well, for him it did. She wasn’t aware of his identity at the time.

“Hold on.” Felix spoke up, sitting up slightly at his miniature revelation. “You said you figured out my identity when I passed out from the gunshot. That means you knew who I was when I kissed you.”

A blush bloomed across Marinette’s cheeks. “Well.. yes.”

“And you kissed me back.”

Her blush deepened. “Yep.”

Felix’s heart pounded in his chest. “So.. what does that mean?”

It was selfish and unfair to ask her such questions during these trying times, and some might say it should be obvious by now, but he wanted- no, he needed the confirmation. Did she love him or not?

“I..” Marinette fiddled with her utensil as she searched for words. “It’s complicated. I can’t say that I don’t love you-”

Felix sucked in a quiet breath. 

“-but it’s different now.” She answered honestly. “I just.. I need time. I’m still on the edge because of what you did, you know?” 

“Take all the time you need.” Felix responded, hoping his eagerness didn’t bleed through his voice. Marinette loved him! I mean, they’ve already kissed, like, twice, but still! Just to hear it from her lips made his heart nearly burst. 

A small smile graced Marinette’s lips, and she went back to eating, as Felix did a moment later. It was hard to eat when one’s entire body was buzzing with euphoria, though.

The bell rang a few minutes later, causing them to say their farewells to each other and separate. Felix knew there were still a decent amount of trials left to face before this was over, but after that confession.. He couldn’t help feeling a tad optimistic.

~~~~~~

It was commonplace for students to flood out of the classroom at the end of their last class, and although Marinette usually picked up the pace to leave, she was certain she’d made record time that day. Felix must have had the same idea, because he was at her side within seconds as well. She offered him a small glance, acknowledging his presence, but nothing more. 

The conversation they’d shared over lunch had been relieving to say the least. When he essentially told her that he still loved her, she nearly sank to the floor with the amount of weight that’d been suddenly lifted from her shoulders. That meant this dwindled down to Felix wanting to save his Mother and making the wrong decision to do so. However, Marinette didn’t want to let her guard down just yet. She had no way of knowing how informed Hawkmoth was on the situation. Even if Felix means well, there might be traps lying ahead of her at the Agreste Mansion that he’s unaware of. 

“By the way,” Felix spoke up, earning her gaze again, “Father may or may not have banned you from our house after your last visit, meaning we’ll have to be careful about your entrance.” 

Marinette pursed her lips. That probably shouldn’t surprise her. “When did this ‘banishment’ happen?”

Felix’s eyes flicked up briefly in thought. “Uh.. I think a few weeks ago? I meant to tell you before today, but things kept coming up.”

Marinette hummed, knowing the exact ‘things’ he was referring to.

“Oh, Marinette’s coming with us today?” 

Marinette turned to the new voice and saw Adrien exiting the classroom. She almost forgot that he’d be riding with them.

“She wanted to borrow a book from our Library,” Felix answered smoothly, “So I invited her over.”

Adrien smiled. “Great! I have to practice piano, but I trust Felix to help you out.” 

“Thanks.” Marinette said politely. I hope I can trust him too.

“So how did you get Father to agree to this?” Adrien asked next, mostly facing Felix now.

Marinette didn’t miss the subtle look of agitation that Felix shot his brother. 

“He doesn’t know.”

Adrien’s eyes widened, and an amused smirk slipped onto his lips. “Oh? How do you plan to get her inside then?”

Marinette crossed her arms, a smirk of her own creeping up. She’d like to know that answer as well.

Felix playfully rolled his eyes. “I have my ways.”

-

A shiver ran up Marinette’s spine as Felix led her through the back entrance to the Agreste Mansion. Who would’ve thought that the only secret way in and out was a walk-in freezer that connected to the outside world? It made her wonder how Felix managed to come across this little escape tactic. Was it pure coincidence? A mere observation when orders arrived? Or had he been actively searching for a hidden exit?

Goosebumps crawled across her skin, and she gave in slightly to the cold, letting herself shudder and rubbing her hands against her biceps for warmth.

Felix glanced over his shoulder at her, seeming blissfully untouched by the drop in temperature. “Are you cold?”

“What? Being cold in a freezer? Of course not! I was just about to take off my jacket.” Marinette retorted. 

Felix chuckled, his breath clouding in front of him. “I see we’ve resorted to sarcasm now? You must truly be at your limit.”

“Yes, it’s been a long day for all of us, I’m sure.” Marinette replied, pulling her jacket tighter around her.

Felix reached ahead and pushed open another metal door, revealing the kitchen area of the Mansion on the other side. Marinette didn’t hesitate to dash through the doorway. She shuddered again as the room temperature wrapped around her, neutralizing the previous chill of the air. Sweet, blessed heat.

“Is that better?” Felix asked, closing the metal door behind him.

Marinette nodded. “Much better, thank you.”

Felix offered a smile. “Of course. The library’s right around the corner.” 

The two made their way out of the kitchen and down the hall. Felix checked for Gabriel’s secretary or Gabriel himself, and when he called the all clear, they slipped into the library together. 

Marinette caught a glimpse of Adrien walking up the stairs as they moved. He noticed her too and shot her a wink. Marinette allowed herself a small smile at the sight. At least Adrien wasn’t knee-deep involved in this miraculous mess.

“Thank you for doing this.” Felix commented as he walked to one of the aisles. “It really does mean the world to me that you’re still willing to help Mother after everything we’ve done.”

Marinette shrugged, not missing the fact that he said ‘we’. It seemed strange that he would group Hawkmoth in with his actions in relation to his mother, as if this might have been a goal for his partner as well. “I’m the hero of Paris, right? I have a responsibility. I can’t just turn my back on the people who need me.”

Felix nodded. “Right..”

He stopped at the end of an aisle and brushed his fingers across the second to top shelf. Once he got to a certain point, Felix stopped and pulled out a couple of books. Behind the books lay a rectangle outline on the back of the shelf. Marinette watched with awe as he easily pulled the rectangle out of the wall, revealing a small drawer.

“When did you make that?” She asked, marveling at the detail.

“Well, when you have a Father like mine, you learn to-” Felix stopped short, his body stiffening.

Marinette frowned and took a step forward. “Felix? Are you okay?”

Felix didn’t respond, instead staring down at the drawer in disbelief. 

“They’re.. They’re gone.”

Marinette’s heart stopped.

“Gone?” She repeated. “What do you mean gone?”

“I-I mean gone!” Felix said, his voice quickly rising in panic. “They were right here! I put them in this pocket and went to bed, and I haven’t touched them since!”

Marinette to control her breathing as she took in his words. If the earrings weren’t here, where were they? “Felix, if this is some kind of trick-”

“No! I swear they were right here!”

“Indeed they were.”

Marinette’s blood ran cold when Gabriel’s voice rose behind them. Felix shot up as well, pure terror exploding across his face. The sight unnerved her to the core. She’d never seen Felix so scared.

“I’ll admit I’m impressed.” Gabriel mused. “That little drawer of yours is a magnificent hiding place. Had it not been for our security cameras, I don’t believe I would have found it.”

Marinette’s gaze flicked to the ceiling, where a tiny camera was placed. A touch of annoyance swirled through her mind. She should have known there would be cameras everywhere.

“I have to say I’m disappointed, Felix.” The man continued. “I gave you the opportunity to help your poor, sick Mother, and what do you do? You lie and go behind your own Father’s back. I wasn’t even aware you knew who Ladybug was, let alone that you got her earrings.”

Despite the fresh wave of adrenaline coursing through her, along with the steadily growing horror, Marinette turned to face Gabriel. The news that Felix had been acting of his own accord the entire time surprised her, but that wasn’t what caught her attention. Only two people aside from herself and Felix knew about Felix’s motives or the fact that he was Le Paon, and Gabriel Agreste certainly wasn’t Master Fu. 

“Hawkmoth.” She said, her hands clenching at her sides. It wasn’t a question.

Gabriel looked down at her, a disturbing, small smile creeping onto his lips. He didn’t appear to be bothered in the slightest that she’d discovered his identity. 

She felt Felix take a step closer to her.

“Ah, Mlle. Dupain Cheng.” Gabriel purred. His eyes shined with absolute glee in a horrible, psychotic way, like he’d finally lured his prey into the perfect trap. “I thought I made it quite clear that you are not welcome on my estate, but my son clearly has trouble following the rules. However, I have to wonder: Why would he bring you to the miraculous’ hiding place? Perhaps Felix decided to show me Ladybug’s identity after all.”

“Father that’s enough.” Felix stated sternly, finally regaining his voice. He stepped around Marinette, putting a make-shift barrier between her and Gabriel. “There’s no need to fight. Marinette has a solution to heal Mother without the wish! She just needs her earrings back to do it.”

Gabriel scoffed, his smile immediately fading. “Don’t be naive. She only wants her earrings back! You think she won’t say anything to get them?”

Marinette saw the edges of Felix’s expression fall.

“Isn’t it worth trying?” He continued, his voice falling from stern to pleading. “We can’t use the wish, or someone else will get hurt. There’s a curse that comes with it. If we save her life with the wish, someone has to take her place.”

“You wouldn’t sacrifice anything to have her back? To be a family again?” Gabriel shot back. 

“Not when we don’t have to!” Felix countered. “We don’t even have Chat Noir’s ring yet. The least we can do is try to heal her peacefully without consequences!”

“So you’re choosing that brat over me? Your Father?” Gabriel asked, his eyes narrowing with disgust and disapproval. 

Felix clenched his fists. “You’re choosing to sacrifice someone’s life over saving everyone!”

“No.” Marinette spoke up, having enough. How could a father pull their own son into terrorist attacks? How could he push Felix into danger time and time again with no remorse? It was unspeakable!

She stepped forward and stood tall as she continued, “He only wants the power. This stopped being about Emilie and family a long time ago.”

Gabriel scowled. “How dare you question my integrity! Losing Emilie was the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, and I will do anything to get her back!”

“Where are my miraculous?” She demanded, ignoring his ‘righteous fury’.

“Safe.” He responded sharply. “And out of your reach.”

“I won’t let you use the wish.”

A grim smile twisted onto Gabriel’s lips once more. “I’d like to see you try now that you’re powerless.”

Marinette was tempted to smile herself as she grabbed the peacock miraculous from her back pocket. “Not quite.”

Let’s see what Felix miraculous can really do.

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[saundraswriting]

Interior Design Ch. 6: First Day

SUMMARY: Today marks your first day as a SI employee...more specifically the Avengers' personal interior designer.

WARNINGS: None.

NOTES: Sorry it has been a while. Been busy. 

As always you can read it on Ao3 here!

Masterlist // Ao3 // Previous

The next morning you were up with the sun. You laid in the bed for a moment, relishing in everything that happened yesterday. You sat up in a quick movement. 'I have to give Ms. Potts the contract. I have to get my sample books here. I should also finish with the other clients I have waiting too. I should speak to each member I can to get a idea...maybe a powerpoint to show the difference in styles.' You thought to yourself. A plan in mind you got ready, silently thanking the universe for dry shampoo. Once done, you pulled out the contract and read it over before signing it. There wasn't anything you were against, so you signed and placed it on your desk for later. You decided to head to the kitchen, remembering the sleek looking espresso machine on the counter.

You headed out, your bag full of your necessary tools. You were deep in your tablet by-passing everyone loitering in the kitchen as if by magic until you got to the machine. Not hesitating you grabbed a mug and set the machine for a quad risotto shot and waited for it to brew. While waiting your phone rang, you answered it knowing it was one of your clients.

"Yes, ma'am? I am sorry I had to take an unexpected trip out of the city. What can I do for you?" You said pulling up her file on your tablet.

"Y/N, I love your work always, but this time something happened. The table just doesn't fit right. I am very unhappy. I hate glass top tables and the coffee table is glass." Your client said.

"Ma'am...I would never had ordered you a glass table. I have a distinct note in your file. I will immediately look into this. Please give me a moment. The company is still there correct? I will call you back in a moment." You hung up, muttering under your breath before calling another number. "You idiots. Get that table out of there. That is the Tohru account not the Bells. Yes. I know. I have the order right here. I ordered the gold leaf marble table, that glass table isn't to be delivered until next month. Take it back right now." You demanded, rubbing you forehead harshly. "Thank you very much." You hung up, you began typing rapidly on you tablet at the same time asking you phone to call your client. "Ma'am, they will be taking that table back this minute. I am sorry for the confusion. I had to take a trip unexpectedly and wasn't there to oversee everything. I hope you can pardon this mistake. I will be seeing you in a few days when your actual piece comes in. I am currently emailing the company to ensure this next delivery goes off without a hitch." You finished your email with a glare to your tablet.

"Thank you so much, Y/N. I appreciate all the effort you put into this. You are always so good to us. I'll send you a tip right now for all your help." Your client bid you good bye and hung up. A second later your phone chimed with an alert your client had deposited a large tip with only a smiley face emoji.

"She is too much. My goodness." You slumped against the counter and remembered your coffee that was probably done brewing. You pulled your mug over and fixed it up. The first sip has you moaning in pleasure. "It isn't even 8 am." You whispered into your mug.

"You gonna join us for breakfast or keep murmuring sweet nothings to your coffee?" Clint asked from the table. You tensed expecting comments on your lack of manners.

"I am so sorry. I am a coffee addict. Nothing before coffee. I don't really eat breakfast, but thank you. I did want to talk to you if that was okay?" You asked hesitantly.

"Sure. I don't mind. Honestly this is probably the best time to get us, before we scatter for the day." Cint answered.

"Oh, good." You hurried over and pulled out your notebook. "I need to get ideas from all of you. I have some examples of different styles and themes to give you ideas. I need preferences and things to get samples ready. I am starting with your individual rooms. It will help build a connection between you and I." You told them. "I have several other things happening at the moment so I will be coming back and forth for a while which is why I want to get ideas so I can build layouts and idea boards and bring them to you for approval." You continued. "I know that it seems overwhelming but my job is to make it less so. If you even have 15 minutes at some point today to speak with me I would appreciate that. My job is to do all the work. Your job is to say yes or no. So who wants to go first?" You looked up from your notebook to meet several curious glances.

"I have some time around 10:30 or so. I can meet with you." Clint said. His agreement seemed to break the ice and everyone else began chiming in on when they could meet. They all were cooperative in making it easy to meet with them, and once breakfast was over Tony came in.

"Mr. Stark, can I ask a favor? I was wondering if you could escort me to Ms. Pott's office? I have the contract all signed and I have a question for her." You asked. Tony nodded. The table began dispersing and with it you did. You gathered your things and waited in the kitchen.

"You're leaving? " Steve asked with a pointed glace at your bags.

"Yes, Captain Rogers. I have things to do at my office and all of my things are there. I have a lot of work to do before I start working. I have to speak to Ms. Potts and then I have to meet with all of you and then I will be on my way back home. I am just trying to be one step ahead of the game." You explained.

"I'll take your bags to the door for you while Tony takes you to Pepper. I will see you later." Steve grabbed your bags but you stopped him with an arm on his.

"Thank you, Captain Rogers. Can I also ask if you would sit in with Sargent Barnes' meeting? I don't want to overwhelm him." You said, looking at the ground.

"Yeah, of course. I'll have him come to mine, how is that?" He suggested. You smiled up at him gratefully.

Tony came that minute to walk you to Ms. Pott's office. Steve took your bags like he said he would. On the ay there, you made a point to learn the way, not wanting to be escorted back. Tony disappeared when you arrived offering "Meetings, you know." with a quick wave.

Pepper was more that willing to hear out your requests for several of you favorite catalogues and sample books to be ordered for the Avengers to look through. She also accepted your contract with a bright smile. She also gave you her personal cell number and a few other important people in case you needed them. You also got your badge and biometrics scanned to finish your hiring process.

You headed back to the Avenger's side, seeing the living room empty you set up in there, getting more ideas together for the meetings. You were scrambling putting together examples of some of your favorite design motifs like industrial, contemporary, oriental, art deco, bohemian, Scandinavian, rustic, country, modern, classical, minimalist, coastal, glamourous. You also added geometric, traditional, transitional, floral and such. You tried to keep it simple but informative. You listed pros and cons of all of them and before you knew it Clint loudly arrived in through one of the openings into the living room.

" Hey, kiddo. I just need to grab a drink and then we can get started. Do you want anything?" Clint said as he walked by.

"No. I am-" You tried to deny him, you were interrupted by F.R.I.D.AY.

"Agent Barton, Ms. L/N has not had any thing by mouth since breakfast and that was only a large coffee. You should ask her again." Friday told him. She sounded almost disappointed in you. You narrowed your eyes at the ceiling, unable to make words only noises.

"Get used to it. That is what she does. She loves us as much as an AI can. Now, let's try again. Can I get you something to drink?" Clint shook a bottle of water and raised an eyebrow.

"I guess I will take a water. I swear if my meetings run late because of bodily functions, I will never forgive her." You threatened. Clint laughed.

"You heartrate skipped implying that you don't mean that, Ms. L/N. But I appreciate the sentiment." F.R.I.D.A.Y. said. You just sighed and shook your head.

"Come on, Agent Barton. We should get going. This isn't going to take long. All this talk is for it getting you opinions on the very basic thing...theme. You pick what you like, what parts you don't ad I take that information to find pieces to go in your room and then we put it all together. I will do this for everyone in every room and then for the common rooms I will take the common things or needs and then ask everyone's opinion." You explained.

"You will do this for everyone today? That seems a lot." Clint said.

"I need to get ideas, that is all I can do. All my sample books and such are in my apartment. I will have more to work with when I come back. I have some pressing work to do to. I am have clients currently." You patted the seat next to you, gesturing at tablet, notebook and laptop before you. "Shall we get started?"

The meetings with the Avengers went well. The start of each meeting was rocky but as they warmed up, it got easier. You got about 1/2 of those who had rooms, You still needed the more...Very Important Powerful Beings and their opinions. But this was a start. There wasn't much repetition the styles they wanted, and it honestly went how you had predicted. Clint had chosen a geometric motif with hints of industrialism. Natasha had gone with muted bohemian style. Wanda had chosen a more glamorous bold style while her brother had chosen a soft coastal theme. Vision agreed with Wanda's help a very bare bones approach considering his android-ness. He accepted a sleek contemporary look but only to satisfy you and Wanda. Tony was a very new age tech room that you figured would end up being a crash pad and extra lab. Thor went with a more traditional art deco theme, it seemed to make him happy and sad at the same time. Sam was the most undecisive until you convinced him of the perks of mid-century modern vibes. Bruce wanted a more classical theme, a relaxing space to turn off. You made some notes to help that idea stay number one. Steve and Bucky took some time.

"Sargent Barnes, I know this seems like a lot but I promise, nothing you say here is your forever answer. You have time to change your mind, if we finish and you don't like it so be it. We will work on it until you do. This is your room, your space. You don't have to answer to anyone on why it is the way it is. My job is to make you happy and comfortable. So just answer my questions honestly and then we go from there. if you aren't sure then that is okay too." You pulled up some of the more radical themes you had worked on. You felt him saying 'no' would be first easier than saying 'yes'.

"That is gaudy. I was alive when that was losing steam as a trend. I don't want to relive it." Bucky denied the art deco, bohemian, glamorous, nautical and new age theme.

"That is a great start. However this is where it gets tricky. You know what you don't like, but now we need to find what you do like. If you like a whole idea, great. If you only like pieces of it, also fine. My job is to make it work." You next pulled out some of the rustic, industrial and minimalistic ideas. The palette was a little warmer than Steve's Scandinavian minimalist choices. Bucky like the wood/metal contrast and the open concept and natural lighting seemed to catch him too. You had an idea for the ceiling to have it painted to look like there were pipes and so made a note. You also made a note about a pipe bookshelf and plant wall.

"Captain Rogers, Sargent Barnes. This was fun. I will be having some magazines and sample books delivered here for everyone to look through if they want. If not we will have plenty of time to talk about it. Sargent Barnes, I know today was a lot for you, but I have to say...I am very proud of you. Today can't have been easy with the interrogation as light as it was. I unfortunately have to get going. I need to be in the city for the next few days but if you or anyone else has questions, I left my contact info on the fridge." You stuck you hand out to shake and Steve snorted.

"A minute after meeting me, you gave me a hug and made me cry, now you want to play coy and offer a handshake? I don't think so doll." Bucky pulled you into a fast hug before bidding you good day and heading back to his room. Steve gave you a slightly longer hug, beaming at you.

"You are amazing. I never thought we would be doing this today. He seemed like he was having fun. Thank you again. It means a lot to us that you are working so hard." Steve said.

"Captain Rogers, you all save the world weekly. The least I can do it make your bedrooms into a safe space. Now, are you gonna be a punk or you walking me out?" You asked winking with a smirk.

The two of you walked to where Happy stood next to a car that you were sure already had your stuff packed. "I am glad he trusted me enough to talk with me. I want him happy, and comfortable. Tell everyone I said bye and I will see them soon!" You squeezed Steve's arm before heading to the car, letting Happy open the door for you.

Happy opened the door for you to exit the car. You bid him a warm goodbye, taking yourself and your bags up to your apartment to begin the hard part-putting the ideas of others into a plan of action.

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

So what did you think? How am I doing? Thoughts, comments, concerns?

[captainjimothycarter]

From the list of ship tropes--I would love to see a Steggy drabble with modern!Peggy casually sitting on Steve's lap during an Avengers meeting :D

This is not what you wanted but this is what came out? I am not sorry. warning there is semi description of violence

--

If there was an opposing eye in the room about the love of his life slowly waltzing towards him with a slow sway of her hips, no one said a damn thing. And good for them to learn not to, to finally learn not to oppose the Captain unless it was vital to do so. Steve was not a cruel man. He has lived far too long to become cruel and heartless, but he is a man who rules with a hard iron fist. He will take the debates and other people’s points of view and he will consider them, but at the end of the day, his word is the law.

And the only people to oppose them, well they are no longer under his organization now are they? 

After waking up in the ice and being told that all he knew was now gone, Steve dropped off the face of the earth. How could anyone expect him not to? He was a man who no longer knew himself, no longer knew what was going around him. Who had to figure out just who Steve Rogers was behind that mask. And with it, came meeting a little brunette far, far away from the city he once called home.

When he finally emerged two years later, Steve had long made a name for himself as leader of the Avengers. The public would know them as saviors people with power, money, and well, powers who did right for the public. Who took the corrupted politicians, the corrupted cops, and grounded them to a pulp. There was no warning with them, there was no buying their votes or buying their good sides. There was swiftly handling the matter. Swift and clean, leaving no mess behind, but they always knew who killed them. There was always a calling card left behind.

And once you started to take out a few of the politicians and cops, well the matter basically handled itself. At least until you got those brave, stupid souls who thought they could challenge Steve. Who thought they could attack the public rather that was with relentless taxing or bills or ridiculous laws or even cops who killed mercilessly and without reason. Those are the ones Steve loved to personally get his hands dirty with, otherwise, he had people who did his work for him. 

He made the public a better place. He made the schools safer with hired veterans as guards, stronger laws opposed to gun violence, with more money fluctuating into schools than anyone ever dreamed of. He made more laws protecting the poor, protecting immigrants, easier processes in all to become a citizen. Laws and personal hand went into making it easier for veterans to get assistance rather that was with money, food, therapy, or even a home. He made medical access much easier for those around them. He did not want anyone to suffer the preventable loss of a parent, just as he had. Several times.

While the media might call him a villain or mobster, Steve just called himself a civilian doing the right thing. He never wanted to lead the Avengers, it just happened and he was damn good at it. He took his point of view from living through the horrors that he did, where being gay could’ve gotten you killed, where being poor was a death sentence, and made sure that no one would suffer in that matter. While politicians tried to tarnish his name and call for his head, the public willingly protected and loved him.

And Steve was loved by his peers. He loved them as well. They worked well together, making New York in whole a better place. Slowly they turned their eyes towards the rest of the States, but that was a long time coming.

Everyone knew who Peggy was. Her word was rule as much as Steve’s was, even if her accent made the rules seem a bit posher than his Brooklyn accent. The last politician who underestimated her as she went undercover to see if a civilian’s tip was true on rather or not the bastard was dumping toxic waste into public water, he was no longer among them. Not just for the tip being true, but for the fact he tried to corner her in the office with bad intentions on his mind.

Peggy didn’t even get to blink twice before Steve was there, piano wire in hand, face streaked with blood, as were her clothes and his. She was furious for two minutes, insisting she could handle herself and didn’t need Steve to save her until he pointed out the man was intending to kill her with poison on his lips. It still wasn’t good to her pride that Steve had saved her.

“You look well-rested,” Steve hummed as she walked around the meeting table and plopped down into his lap with ease. He wrapped one arm around her waist tightly, the other tapping on the tablet that Clint had slid him.

“I told you I wasn’t that tired,” she sighed, giving a roll of her eyes. Her legs tucked underneath his, making herself more than comfortable as she studied the tablet too. “When’s the next meeting?”

Steve hummed as he looked up at Clint who shrugged his shoulders before looking down at his watch. “Oh,” the archer breathed. “Two minutes from now. Security just said Natasha and Banner are back from their medical run. Thor and Tony are coming up now. Sam is stuck in a few meetings at the VA but he’s sent over the reports via Red Wing.”

“That’s fine about Sam, I expected with the added hands and funding he will have his hands full. I’ll text him in a few to remind him Banner had hired a few more doctors to be on sight and a few more psychiatrists so Sam isn’t trying to do it all.”

Peggy yawned and stretched, very cat-like, tucking her face into Steve’s neck. Her breath tickled his ear. “Hm. Sam is still going to try,” she reminded him. “He reminds me too much of you, biting off more than he could chew. You’ll have to physically drag him away if you want him to rest.”

“I’ll just send you to do it,” he chuckled. “He likes you better than me.”

“Of course he does. Who wouldn’t?”

Childishly, Steve stuck her tongue out at her, one Peggy captured in her mouth. Clint politely looked away at the pair kissing, relieved when the rest of their team finally came in. The heavy thump of Thor’s hammer made Steve look up, unembarrassed about them kissing.

“Christ,” he breathed at the bags under Tony’s eyes. “The hell happened to you, Stark? I sent you home to rest!”

Tony, still in the armor with the face mask melted back, shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back into the chair. It wasn’t odd of him to have these bags under his eyes. They were just about a permanent part of his feature as his trademark goatee. “You did and I decided that was a stupid order.” At Steve’s pinched face, he rolled his eyes. “Stephen - Dr. Strange - and I got discussing a few possible solutions to the toxic waste still hanging around the public water. We’re confident we’ve found a solution but it’s taken long hours to even complete the formula.”

Steve’s tongue clicked on the roof of his mouth, lips firmly pressed. “That’s amazing and I thank you both for that but you need rest or you will be useless. Don’t make me order Jarvis to ban you from the lab again. Please get some rest tonight. No lab work. I’m glad, really glad about what you two have accomplished and I am sure it will work, but it can wait 24 hours. We have Hill and Peggy’s niece guarding the areas and setting up ropes and cameras. It should be enough for a week.”

“You two were doing more than just working,” Clint snickered, ignoring the look Tony threw his way. “Oh c’mon, I walked in on your naked ass being pounded by Stephen. That’s a sight I’ll never forget!”

“It’s not my fault you don’t knock, Barton. Learn to knock.”

“Anyway,” Peggy sighed, already rubbing at her temples. “Anthony please refrain from fucking in the public labs. If you must insist on doing so, just...clean up properly. Natasha, doll, did we learn anything about Hydra or Aim’s whereabouts?”

Natasha’s lips pursed at Steve visually stiffening, trading a look with Peggy. Peggy’s fingertips dipped below the table to rub at Steve’s knee, offering comfort through touch. “We did,” she finally said, carefully. She could feel Steve’s eyes boring two holes into her. This was a delicate subject for all of them.

“You are aware of Clint’s brother still in the circus?” Another pair of baby blue eyes were staring right at her. “I made contact with him. He’s constantly on the move and no one suspects a carnie. He’s made a lookout in Hydra’s old spots during the war. Lots of them have abandoned labs that I’ve noted in my report, but there’s one that Barney has said that still looks to be in some use. It’s in the report as well. But…”

She took in a deep breath and tapped on her own tablet, flicking her wrist to airdrop a file to Steve’s screen. “Those are the shots of the Winter Soldier. Barney is sure of it. His last two victims mirror where we’ve sent donations to in order to help with the last few disasters. They’re following us.”

Steve clenched the tablet in hand, tight enough to threaten to crack the screen. Even Peggy murmuring soft words in his ear couldn’t distract him as he studied the face on the screen. Hidden behind mask and goggles, it was impossible to make out just who was under that mask. Knowing Hydra, knowing how personally they are at hand, it was even harder to make out with the recent string of murders if they were a puppet or not. 

“I’ll call a few people in Germany and Russia,” Peggy said immediately, forcefully taking the tablet from Steve and replacing it with her hands. “They’ll keep a lookout. The Howling Commandos are still about, unknownst to the public thanks to Erksine’s serum being repeated. They’ll follow up with Barney’s lead too. Relay the message that we are in favor of Barney and he will be granted pardon when he’s in New York.”

“But-” Clint started, Natasha, silencing him with a look.

“Not now, Clint.”

“But,” Clint insisted, gritting his teeth. “You need someone to trail him too. Change every few days. Not that I don’t trust my brother, I don’t trust the company he keeps. Anyone can slip in and kill him the second that they are aware he’s working with the Captain.”

“That’s a good point,” Steve sighed, scrubbing at his face. “We’ll send in Daisy Johnson. She can easily blend in and I think would enjoy the chance to stretch her new powers. Thank you for this, Natasha. It’s going to come in handy. We’ll lead a trap to lead him here. Eventually, I or Peggy will be on that list. Hydra isn’t stupid enough to go after one of you.”

“Let them try,” Thor murmured, palming at the hammer and making the table shake with each stroke. “I am still behind in my friendly bet with an Agent Coulson on our count of Hydra agents down.”

“Same bloodthirsty man I’ve always loved,” Bruce laughed, looking about as tired and strained as they all felt.

“Aye, Captain, there are few more camps set up on the local borders that are being prevented from coming into the states. I know of the governor who says they are on our side but they refuse to allow them in. I was able to drop off medication and supplies with Tony’s help, but they will not last long. How should we proceed?”

“Of course he’s not. I didn’t expect him to,” Steve sighed, pinching his brow. “Peggy, are you up for a quick handle of the situation? If not, I can send-”

“I’ll go,” she replied at once, kissing his temple and hopping to her feet. “Meet me in the bedroom, will you? Once we’re done here?”

Steve watched as she paused on her way out to tussle Tony’s hair and hug Thor around the neck. She always loved to try to make him jealous in some ways, it just never worked with the team.

“Take Peggy,” he told Thor with a friendly nod. “Tony as well. You can sleep on the jet, I’m afraid it won’t be much of a cat nap. How severe do you think the medical situations are?”

“Severe enough to deplete the supplies I gave them that are to last a week three days ago,” he sighed highly, shaking his head. 

“I can go,” Bruce said at once, surprising them all. His feet were always on the ground in-home. No one bothered to tell him elsewhere. He had plenty of medical and special cases to attend to. “It sounds like they’ll need my help if we’re to get the camps inside the border and processed already. I’ll pack my bag. Tones, c’mon.”

With the pair gone, Steve rubbed at his face and stood up, throwing the tablet onto the table so it clattered. “Clint,” he sighed. “I’m sorry about dealing with your brother and not telling you about it. It was...an insistent matter. We’ll make him safe. And I know that will be on your mind with worry but for now, I need you to go make a round of the police precincts for me. Natasha, do you mind doing the hospitals? Switch off midday so no one is suspicious. I have intel telling me there’s a mole somewhere and I suspect there. Soon as we get it, kill them silently. No card.” 

He paused, considering the situation with a shrug of his shoulders. “Moles are important to catch, but look out for the corrupted ones. Doctors abusing their power. Not listening to people. Police with too many tickets, especially close to their end of shift. Check where their money is going. Inform the captains that their disband is coming soon and the other programs are going to be up and running by next week. We’re pushing it hard. It gives them time to reconsider where they will go within the system and if they resist you know what to do.”

With Clint gone, it left just him and Natasha. He wasn’t surprised when she hugged him tightly around the shoulders. He sighed into her, tension melting away. “Do you think it’s him?” he asked, pulling away with knitted brows. 

“I know it is,” she sighed, patting his cheek. “That doesn’t mean he is a lost cause. The Howling Commandos will lead him to our trap and it will work. It has to work. Shuri and her brother are already working on means to accommodate him and take in the facts of his brainwashing. It won’t be easy but we’ll have him safe soon. Then…”

“Then we can send someone in his place to get the intel we need.” That was part of the plan Steve didn’t like but they had no choice. If they were to destroy Hydra, it would be from the inside out.

“Any ideas as to who that will be?” Natasha had to half jog to keep up with Steve’s steps. 

“Right now? No. I need to make a decision soon, but everyone is useful elsewhere and I can’t afford to pull them away. Most of us are too recognizable. I am wary about sending Peggy in. She...knows the history but living it is another matter. I know she will argue otherwise but…” He rubbed at his brow and shrugged his shoulders.

“Clint can do it.” This wasn’t the first time Natasha had insisted on these ideas. “If we can get Barney to slip in as his handler, it will be added cushion if something is to go wrong. Trust me on this one.”

She did bring up a few good points, but the consequences heavily outweighed the benefits if he was to get caught. Clint was valuable and yes, Steve was wary about losing his team. “I’ll consider it,” he said, stepping onto the elevator. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow. Just make sure he sleeps tonight.”

“And you make sure you sleep. The world’s problems are not yours to bear,” she reminded him, even if he rolled his eyes.

“It is when you’re me,” he huffed, kicking at the door. “When your decisions, when your actions fail and you make the world a worst place when you’re trying to do better. I won’t let any more people needlessly die by their hands or any others. For now…”

He pressed the button to his floor in the penthouse and smiled warmly at her. “I’m going to go enjoy a night with my wife.”

--

As expected, Peggy was waiting for Steve. Unexpectedly, she was waiting for him in the hot tub. She watched him under hard eyes as he stripped out of his clothes and slowly sunk into the warm, roaring waters. He ignored the fruit and champagne as he swam towards her, arms wrapped around the woman he called his life partner.

She sighed in content against his lips, sitting in his lap with her legs around his waist. The way he held her close, it was desperate need of contact, for the grounding sensation to keep his head on straight. She would always be there for him. She’d been his rock for so long and she would continue to do so.

“Tell me you’ll be safe,” he whispered, despite how he knew she’d do everything in her effort to come home. This was a simple mission. In and out. Get the people in, on the jet, and to safety. 

“You know I will be,” she whispered against his lips, cupping his cheek. “I promise you I will be safe and I won’t die out there. I won’t even scar.”

He smirked and nipped her lip at the teasing remark. “Not after last week you won’t,” he huffed, rolling his eyes. “Much to your disappointment.”

“It only means you can stop treating me like a glass doll. And that I’m thankful the serum worked on me too.”

“Good,” Steve sighed, pressing a kiss to her temple and resting his head on her chest. “Because my world will shatter if I lost you, Pegs.”

“Then don’t plan to ever lose me.”

Tip Jar 

[aliceslantern]

Heartlines, a Kingdom Harts fanfic, chapter 28--Epilogue

Twelve years ago, Xemnas betrayed the royal court of Radiant Garden to his father, Xehanort. Prince Ienzo flees to another city and begins university in the aftermath, hoping the anonymity will protect him from eager eyes with ill intent. The darkness spilling across the country, as well as an individual from his past, cut short Ienzo's new beginning and bring new conflicts to light. Strained between the desires of his magic and his heart, Ienzo's choice will change him forever.

Modern Fantasy AU, Soulmates, Zemyx. Updates Fridays until it's done.

Chapter summary:  Time passes. The kingdom recovers. A prophecy comes full circle.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

Life was a work in progress. There were periods of unrest in the kingdom which were not always easy to smooth over with words, but Ansem did not want to use force. “Remember, Ienzo, a riot is the language of the unheard.”

Flowers began to bloom in Radiant Garden again. There was still signs of destruction everywhere--rubble, smashed out windows, destroyed buildings. But piece by piece, it was getting put together. The resistance based itself in the capital city and started what it called a “restoration committee,” not just to restore the city, but the whole kingdom.

Demyx spent a lot of time at the beach with Amalia, now that they both had their forms. Ienzo wondered if it would be salt in wounds to go to Destiny Islands at some point. He would ask when he felt ready.

Something else was growing too.

When he felt the nausea, the fatigue and dizziness, and the achiness, Ienzo did not delude himself into denial as he did the last time. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror, good and hard. He held his hand in front of his stomach and reached out, tentatively. Something was there, a potential for a new life. But he did not feel the overwhelmed sense of panic he had when he was first pregnant with Amalia. He was still young, ridiculously so, but would this be so terrible?

He sought Even, who was busy puttering around the labs. There was light in his eyes again, joy, at having something productive to do. In fact, he did not seem bothered by Ienzo’s interruption. “No bureaucratic nonsense today?”

“My father insisted I take the morning off.”

“Your daughter?”

“Out swimming. I swear, sometimes I have difficulty getting the two of them to come home.”

“...It is good, to see Demyx happy again. I was… concerned.”

“Were you? You could barely stand each other in the beginning.”

Even rolled his eyes and pulled off his goggles. “Adversity draws people together,” he said. “I wonder often… if I have hardened my heart too much. I am trying… to let people back in.”

“And how is that going?”

He considered. “It is going,” he said. “But better than being stalled. Good to be… active. And to see you some semblance of safe at last.”

Ienzo came a bit closer. He was working on one of the replicas, a faceless white mannequin half covered with a sheet. “Does it feel good to see your work come to fruition?”

“It is bittersweet--putting it mildly.” He sighed. “If not for… that creature’s breakthroughs, this would not be possible.”

“It is still your creation.” Ienzo paused. “Even, have you met Xion?”

He fussed with tubes of mystery fluid. “Who?”

“Xion, Xemnas’s… ward. I shall have to introduce you.”

His eyes snapped up. “Why?”

“Because she is one of the replicas.”

“Of whom?”

“Of nobody. Herself.”

Even grasped his shoulders. “And you only tell me this now, boy?”

“Please be gentle with me, Even.”

He seemed to be reeling. “...Why?”

“I find myself to be in an indelicate condition. As it were.”

He turned red. “ Again ? Child, you know what causes that, right?”

Ienzo chuckled. “Would it be so terrible, to get the childrearing over with while my father is still able to help me rule?”

Even pressed a hand to his forehead and sputtered wordlessly. After a moment, he composed himself and held a hand over Ienzo’s stomach. “...Quite. I do not know whether to laugh… or cry…”

“Go seek Xion. She’s a guard on the upper floors. I know that’s where your heart is.”

He was already taking his coat off, grabbing a tablet computer. “Yes… right… we can discuss this later…” And he was out the door.

Ienzo returned to their rooms. To his surprise, Demyx and Amalia were back. “Done for the day already?”

Demyx gestured out the window. “It’s gonna storm. Plus I figured I owe you some lunch.” He leaned forward to kiss him, and Ienzo could taste the salt.

“Ra!” Amalia said.

“Right, rain.” Ienzo crouched down and smoothed the wet hair from her face.

“I’m gonna get cleaned up. What do you feel like? There’s this new place that’s opened back up not far out of the gates--”

Ienzo followed him into the bathroom. Demyx laughed a little.

“Look, I’d be so down, but like, she’s right in the other room--”

“I’m pregnant.” He didn’t know why the words had to leave him now, without ceremony.

Demyx just blinked. “Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

“Oh…” A small smile. “Oh… Do you want to--”

“I… want them.” He swallowed. “Get it over with while we’re young, right? While my father is still helping me? I can’t imagine going through this while being fully responsible for everything else.”

Demyx hugged him. “Round two?”

“...It seems so. I mean, to be fair, we were not the least bit careful, and it has been happening quite a lot lately--”

He kissed his forehead. “They’re going to be great.”

---

As it stormed later that night… Ienzo lay awake. He’d been even more of an insomniac during pregnancy, and he hadn’t much missed that. But he could not sleep. Demyx, who could basically sleep at will, had one arm draped over his stomach.

A particularly loud peal of thunder made Demyx stir, and from the other room Ienzo heard Amalia shriek and start to cry. Demyx’s eyes fluttered open. “It’s okay,” Ienzo told him. “I’ve got this. Go back to sleep.”

The drawing room had been turned into a nursery more fully now, the soft light of the mobile reflecting the rain in the room. Amalia was still crying. Ienzo leaned over the crib and hefted her into his arms. He settled in the old rocking chair. “It’s just a storm, sweetheart,” he said.

“Bad,” she said. “Bad, bad.”

“I know. It scared you.” He rocked gently. “I’m here. I’ll keep you safe. How about a story?”

Ienzo told her a story he’d learned from Demyx, about a rainbow fish that gradually gave up its scales to help others. He let his power cast a quiet illusion along the walls, of a deep blue sea, of that same fish swimming seemingly in midair. Somewhere in this, she fell back asleep, and rather than put her back in her crib, Ienzo remained there, thinking.

She hadn’t mentioned a sibling in the Forecast. Her words had been “we live with dad and grandpa in the castle”. If he gave birth on schedule, that child would be her age by the time of the Forecast.

But at the same time, toddlers were selfish. It could’ve just slipped her mind. Perhaps she was closer to Even or Ansem than her own sibling. Ienzo took a deep breath. Part of pregnancy was being illogically anxious.

It would be fine.

---

Perhaps it was for this reason, but Ienzo kept news of this child from Ansem. A few weeks passed, tremulously. He kept at work, meeting officials, sitting in committee meetings, deciding, deciding. Helping organize a parliamentary election.

After one such meeting, he was gathering his papers to return to his study when he felt a cramp, hard. He gasped aloud. “Are you alright, your highness?” Lydia asked. She was back to her post as librarian, and she’d brought him some books.

He blinked. “I’m… fine,” he said woodenly. Cramping during the first few months was normal, wasn’t it? Might be worth getting himself examined anyway. “It is nothing.”

“...Alright. Well, pardon me for overstepping, but perhaps you might rest. It’s been a long day.”

He swallowed, trying to choke down the dread. “I shall. Thank you.”

He made his way back not towards his rooms, but towards Even. The pain stuck him hard under the heart, and he had to duck into a bathroom before he lost composure. He wasn’t sure what whisper of an instinct told him so, but he pulled down his pants and checked his underwear.

Blood. A not-insignificant amount. He stuffed one of the small folded hand towels between his legs--mentally apologizing to the launderers--and hazily kept going. He almost stumbled getting the lab door open. “Even,” he said, and perhaps it was his tone, but the man immediately looked up.

“Ienzo, what--”

“Something isn’t right. With the baby.”

He grabbed him immediately and herded him over to one of the replicas’ exam tables. “And yet you drag yourself all the way down here instead of going to the infirmary.”

“I wasn’t--I didn’t want--”

He touched his face. “I know, love. Wait--are you--”

The blood must’ve seeped through the hand towel. “Fuck,” Ienzo murmured. He felt the coldness of Even’s magic assessing him.

He turned pale. “Ienzo, I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

“But is it--”

“There’s no heartbeat, and you’ve lost quite a bit of blood. There’s no… life.”

Another cramp overtook him. “They weren’t in the Forecast--I tried to convince myself it was not so--”

“I know. I know, love. We should get you to the infirmary--”

“Please, no.” He felt more wetness between his legs.

“You’re losing too much blood to justify receiving care from only me.”

How awkward, and humiliating. Even carried him like a child. Hazily, he was changed, cleaned, given something to absorb the blood, fluids, painkillers. He let himself ride this quasi-consciousness, until a hand took his. “Zo?”

“Demyx? I--I’m sorry…” He swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat. “I lost it…” His hair obscured things from view.

“The important thing is you’re okay.”

“She didn’t mention them, I should’ve known--”

Demyx drew him close and held him for a long time.

---

It took him a while to recover from the miscarriage. Not so much physically--he was back to “normal” within several days--but emotionally he felt scrambled, exhausted. He did not know it was possible to love something so small so much.

Ansem insisted he take time off. Demyx waited on him hand and foot, but he was shaken too. Ienzo slept too much, could barely look at Amalia. He was taking a bath, his mind positively going nowhere, eyes unfocused on the ceiling tiles, when he heard small footsteps. “Da-dee?”

Wearily, he looked over. “What is it, love?”

She was holding her favorite stuffed animal, a unicorn she’d named Pinky. She offered it to him.

“Thank you, but I don’t want Pinky to get wet.” He set the toy on the chair by the tub.

She leaned over the lip of the tub. “Hurt?” she said.

“I’m just tired, love.”

“Hurt,” she asserted.

Ienzo sighed. “Yes, I’m sad. You know it’s okay to be sad sometimes, right?”

She nodded. “Help?”

He kissed her. “You already are.”

---

Perhaps because it was through this particular lens of sadness, but suddenly it seemed strange that he, governed so by emotions, be the one responsible for the welfare of this country. He, whose sole “mandate to rule” was his power. Why was it that, despite humanity’s long and colorful history in this country, there had never been strides made towards democracy, or anything other than absolute power?

There had been abdications, in the past. Ienzo found himself reading about them voraciously. There had been some good reasons for such actions--fundamental disagreements about faith and the way the country should be governed, a lack of acceptance of sexuality or gender, the heir apparent believing they were not competent enough--and some not so. Considering the convoluted transfer of power, from firstborn to firstborn only , it was amazing the monarchy had not collapsed under its weight or lost its power somewhere in the past. Should the firstborn, say, die in a tragic accident, or from an aneurysm prior to having an heir, that power was simply lost for a generation. And should that first child be sufficiently… along , enough in utero, and something were to happen to them, that counted.

Ienzo needed to talk to Ansem. “Father?”

He took off his glasses. “What is it?”

“Can I talk to you?”

He offered a smile. “Of course. How are you feeling, dear heart?”

He sighed and sat down. “This has all been very… overwhelming.”

“I’m sure. Loss of a child… even one that is not yet living… is very heavy stuff indeed.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about… mortality. Human weakness. Limitations of the body.” He found himself looking at his knees. “The fragility of my… power. How does it make me qualified to rule? The child I lost… could very well have been Amalia, some months along the line. Suddenly that power is gone.” He touched his abdomen. “Father, this whole monarchy… is starting to feel very…”

“Pointless?” He rubbed his brows. “I agree entirely. But the last thing people need right now is a radical change in government. We’re only just settling. Imagine what might happen if we suddenly propose some other form of rule?”

“...I know.”

“Once this is all over… I’m wondering if we should…”

“...Abdicate?” He cocked his head slightly.

Ienzo took a breath. “Am I a traitor for even thinking it?”

“Oh, Ienzo. No. Not at all. Class division is part of how we got into this mess in the first place. That you seek to abolish it shows your love for your people. Perhaps it might be worth it to consider the schema as to how this will be put in place.”

Ienzo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Truthfully?”

“Truly.”

“...Thank you.”

---

Time passed.

Amalia was growing so quickly . She started to speak more clearly, in longer sentences. She started to show more magic. Once, Ienzo walked into her room and saw books hanging in the air all around them. “Look,” she said. “They’s flying.”

Demyx expressed his own desire to do work of some kind. “People need art,” he told Ienzo. “They’re going to need a way to deal with all that pain.” Together, they jumpstarted a national art program. To finally be active, to finally be helping people in a meaningful way… Ienzo felt… fulfilled.

This was all going to take work, probably constantly. But that there might be a day where they could have a simple, happy life with their family gave him pleasure.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have been surprised, but one spring day Amalia asked if they could go on a picnic. The day was sunny, the flowers were in bloom. He was sitting on a blanket on a patch of grass in the plaza. He worked the teardrop-shaped pendant absently with one hand. He knew that at some point they'd have to formally get married as long as he was in the public eye. But for now... this was enough.

“Daddy, look!” She opened her hands, revealing a small magic flower. “I made it!”

“Oh, sweetie, it’s beautiful.” The deja vu struck him with insistence.

She smiled widely, and reached to be picked up, so he did. “Can we go to the garden?”

“Of course.” Demyx was supposed to meet them there after his lesson in the city. He took the picnic blanket and set off.

“Do you think this is real?”

“What do you mean, love?”

“This. Right now.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I dunno… a ‘motion I had.”

“A feeling?” Ienzo offered. Then, “I had a dream when I was pregnant with you.”

“When I was in your tummy?”

“That’s right. And you sent me a memory, of this moment, right now.”

“What I say?”

“You told me about our friends. The ones who met you when you were a baby.”

She laughed. “Isa and mister Xemnas.”

“Yes. You told me everything I needed to know. It’s because of you this is all like this, you know?”

“I know,” she said, unimpressed. “Where’s daddy?”

“He’s on his way.”

They passed through the castle gates to the gardens, which were lush and full again. Aerith was tending to the flowers; she waved. “Hi flower lady,” Amalia called loudly.

“Hey yourself,” she said back.

Ienzo set down the blanket on a patch of clean glass.

“There’s my favorite girl.” Demyx set down the sitar. He scooped her up and gave her a kiss. “Did she give you much trouble?”

“Not today. Not yet. Did you get the i-c-e c-r-e-a-m?”

“Ice cream!” Amalia shouted.

“Zo, she’s too smart for that.” Demyx laughed. “Sold out, I’m afraid.”

Ienzo sighed. He’d been looking forward to it all day.

“But I did get these from someone at the lesson.” He handed Ienzo a bag with a pastry box inside. “Egg tarts. Several people told me they are to die for.” He sat down with their daughter.

Ienzo took them out and handed one to Amalia. “...Do you know,” he began. “Today’s the day.”

Demyx frowned. “What day?”

“It all came full circle. The Forecast. On the way over here.”

“Oh… wow. Really?”

He smiled. “And the future is again aqueous.”

“Like that’s a bad thing? Look, if we knew every minute, we’d always be trying to plan things. We wouldn’t get to decide.” He brushed a crumb from their daughter’s mouth. “Because of her… and you… we do now. I’m okay with that.”

“I… am too.” He swallowed.

“It’ll be us against the world.” His eyes were so soft.

“I know that.” He chuckled. “It’s terrifying, to have the choice. I think I’d like to finish university first.”

“School, school,” Amalia said eagerly. “Me and daddy go to school.” She was going to go to nursery school in the fall.

“Daddy’s going to school for big kids,” Demyx said to her. “You’re going with kids your age. Little.”

“Not little.” She huffed, then brightened. “School and make lots of friends!”

“She’s like you all right,” Ienzo said.

“Dunno. She’s too smart for her own good--like you.”

“I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up,” Ienzo admitted.

“I wanna be a cat doctor. Or a rockstar. Or maybe…” Amalia stuck out her tongue in thought. “Wanna be an explorer .”

“You already are, silly.” Demyx tickled her, and she squealed.

“I do still want to help people. Maybe psychology, or…” He trailed off. “To be determined.”

“Well, you’ve got time.” Demyx picked up one of the egg tarts and all but crammed it into Ienzo’s mouth.

He scowled, but then, “These are good.”

“Right?”

---

The sun was setting. Ienzo watched it from his alcove in the library. This was his favorite spot, its light, its smell of varnished wood and old books. But he wasn’t reading.

“...It is lovely, isn’t it?”

Ienzo looked up and saw Even, for once without his lab coat, his long hair pulled back into a ponytail. “Where were you?”

“I was… with your father. I’m afraid he made me take a walk in the garden.”

Ienzo felt his lips twitch into a smile. “Well, was it a nice walk?”

He wondered if he was imagining the blush. “It is good to get fresh air,” he said evasively. He leaned against the desk next to Ienzo. “So I hear you’re to… abdicate.”

“In several years, once things settle, but… yes. And Demyx will abdicate on Amalia’s behalf. No more royalty. Whatever we have left will simply be ceremonial, if that.”

Even chuckled gently. “All the time I spent defending the monarchy, and you’re giving it up. You are making me gray, child.” But he said this pleasantly. “Yes… change is not so bad. The world needed it. We needed it. We could not… run forever.”

“Do you feel good, to no longer be running?”

“I do,” he admitted. “I felt such a coward for so many years. To get my hands dirty is a relief.”

“I have to thank you, for all you’ve done for me. I took you for granted.”

Even reached over and brushed the hair out of his face. “Well raising you certainly wasn’t easy.”

He laughed a little.

“In all seriousness, Ienzo, I didn’t do it entirely out of duty. I loved you--and I still love you--as if you were my own. Bonds don’t change, the… lines between hearts.”

“Heartlines?” He raised his eyebrow. “My father must be rubbing off on you. You were never so philosophical.”

“I am trying to open my heart.” He put a hand to his chest. “And it is painful, but I feel I am… growing. Never thought I would have to at my age.”

“And what of things with Xion?”

“She is a lovely girl. She’ll do well once she starts school. We’re trying to spend time together. In a way… she is my child.” A sigh. “Though this research… what right have I to create new life?”

“You saved many who would be the seeker of darkness’s victims.”

“...A cold comfort.” He tapped his fingertips together. “Come, then. That husband of yours is attempting to cook.”

Ienzo felt a shimmer at “husband”, but was it not true? Ceremony or no ceremony. “He’s a good cook, Even, you just have an unenlightened palette.” He stood and together they began to walk.

“...I’ll just chalk it up to cultural differences. I suppose… all of this could’ve been much worse, yes?”

“It could’ve.” He paused. “Will we… once I leave this place, Even, will we still be part of one another’s lives?”

He seemed perturbed. “Of course, Ienzo. Always.” He squeezed his hand. “Don’t fear change the way I did.”

“I won’t.” He swallowed, feeling an unexpected rush of emotion. “I promise, I won’t.”

[the-delta-42]

Poor Baby

Based on This Post by @nerdasaurus1200

Poor baby

Ladybug internally screamed as she raced home, she had a single dot left on her earrings and her parents were expecting her to be in her room, given the fact she had been grounded for being out late. Chat had found it hilarious that her parents grounded her because she was Ladybug and she wouldn’t tell them such, although, she could tell he was slightly envious, given that his own homelife wasn’t great. Quite the opposite, actually.

She spotted her skylight the was directly above her bed, it was still open from when she went out. Ladybug was thankful that it hadn’t rained, she didn’t think her parents would by the spilt bottle of water excuse again. Diving through and landed in a crouch on her bed.

“Tikki, spots off.” Pink light engulfed the room as her transformation dropped, Marinette let herself relax before she stood up and closed the window, before turning around and coming face to face with both her parents looking at her in dumbfounded shock.

“Marinette, you’re Ladybug?” Whispered her mother.

A voice, deep down in Marinette’s subconscious, told her to play dumb.

“Who’s Marinette?” Blurted Marinette.

The voice was now screaming not that dumb.

“So, this is why you’ve been skipping class?” Said her father, crossing his arms.

“Yes, no, well, kinda,” Marinette started to babble, “I don’t think everyone would be pleased if I just leave an Akuma until my classes finish, but I could do that!”

Tom and Sabine exchanged a look, before settling a disapproving look on Marinette.

“I can’t tell if you’re giving me that look because I said Akuma attacks could wait or the fact I’m excusing skipping class.” Said Marinette, internally crying, being a normal functioning human being was hard.

“You were impaled.” Said Sabine, “Not five minutes ago.”

“It’s too dangerous.” Said Tom, making Marinette bristle.

“There’s no one else to do it, Chat can’t reverse the damage or purify the Akuma, all the others were exposed by Chloe, the Guardian was captured by Hawkmoth and had to wipe his own memory and-” Marinette took a deep shuddering breath, as tears started running down her face, “a-and Hawkmoth has the tablet the Guardian was using and he’s going to use it and-” Tom wrapped his arms around his daughter, allowing her to breakdown.

“The next time an attack happens, you come and get us, okay?” Said Tom, making Marinette look up at him. Sabine silently passed a tissue to Marinette, so she could wipe her nose.

Marinette’s lower lip trembled, before she gave a shaky nod, before breaking down again.

Hopefully, the next Akuma attack wouldn’t need any assistance.

.

.

.

The Universe just loved to prove Marinette wrong, didn’t it?

Ladybug ducked under the Akuma’s swing, narrowly avoiding her head coming off. Ladybug thought back to the promise she’d made her parents, as well as the conversation that came after it.

To summarise it, it involved how anyone who saw the temporary Heroes’ identities couldn’t actually place a face to a name, making Marinette think on how the Miraculous worked, after that Marinette had fallen asleep, not able to think long before she passed out from exhaustion. That was an enjoyable conversation Marinette had with her parents when she woke up.

There was an explosion, who had Ladybug steel her nerves, swallow her pride and duck away from the fight to grab the Fox and the Turtle and pray that her parents weren’t in her room waiting for her.

Ladybug landed on her bed, getting a small cough from the chaise.

Tom and Sabine’s arms were folded as they looked at the Heroine.

“Maman, Papa,” Ladybug laughed nervously, “I was just coming to get you.”

Sabine raised her eyebrows, making Ladybug’s shoulder slump. Ladybug fished around under her bed and pulled out the Miracle Box, opening it, she pulled out the Fox and the Turtle, which she handed to her mother and father respectively.

“Fox, Miraculous of Illusion, Turtle, Miraculous of Protection.” Said Ladybug, as Trixx and Wayzz appeared, “Trixx, Wayzz, Maman and Papa, Maman and Papa, Trixx and Wayzz.”

“Greetings.”

“’Sup.”

Everyone looked at Wayzz, before going back to business.

“Maman say ‘Trixx, Let’s pounce.’ Papa say ‘Wayzz, Shell on.’”

A flash of green and orange later her parents were wearing the Miraculouses. Ladybug looked at her father.

“How come your suits are better looking than mine?” Demanded Ladybug, folding her arms and huffing.

“You can ask them that later.” Said Sabine, as she hauled herself out of the skylight, “So, what do you call us?”

“Maman and Papa.” Said Ladybug, dumbly.

“I meant hero names.” Said Sabine, looking down at Ladybug.

“I generally leave that up to them.” Said Ladybug, as Tom moved away from the window so she could climb up.

“Okay, I’ll be Húlí.” Said Sabine, resting a hand on her hip.

“And I’ll be Tortue.” Said Tom, making Ladybug give them a deadpan stare.

“Maman is lucky I don’t understand Chinese anymore, but really,” Said Ladybug, as the three headed towards Chat, “You’re calling yourself ‘Turtle’?”

“You call yourself Ladybug and He calls himself ‘Black Cat’, I reserve the right to call myself ‘Turtle’.” Tortue folded his arms.

“New heroes?” Asked Chat looking at Húlí and Tortue.

“Yeah, meet Húlí and Tortue.” Said Ladybug, gesturing to the two.

“Fox and Turtle, nice.” Cackled Chat, making Ladybug freeze.

“Maman, really?” Groaned Ladybug, making Húlí giggle.

“Maman?” Questioned Chat, before grinning, “M’Lady, I didn’t realise I was meeting your parents!”

“Chat?” Asked Ladybug, “Did you say you had a Girlfriend?”

Chat froze, “Oh, yeah, about that…”

There was a crashing sound, making the four look down the street.

“Akuma now, talk later?” Asked Ladybug, before she shot off, Húlí following her.

Tortue and Chat followed, slightly behind.

“What is going on with your Girlfriend?”

“W-well, she thinks something is missing,” Said Chat, nervously scratching the back of his head, “namely another person and she knows who I am and suggested Ladybug, but I don’t know how Ladybug would respond to that.”

Tortue was silent.

“Do you know who Ladybug is?” Asked Tortue, making Chat blush.

“Well, Kagami thinks she’s Marinette,” Said Chat, looking down, “b-but then she’d be out of anyone’s league.”

Tortue stopped, before cocking his head slightly, “Adrien?”

Chat froze, “Oh no, Ladybug’s gonna kill me.”

“No, she won’t.” Chuckled Tortue, as they caught up with Ladybug and Húlí.

“This shouldn’t take long.” Said Ladybug, before Húlí stalked up to the Akuma.

“Wait-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Screamed Ladybug, as Húlí stopped a metre away from the Akuma.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Said Húlí in her ‘mother’ voice.

The Akuma, miraculously didn’t say anything, only looking guilty and staring down at their feet.

“Well?” Pressed Húlí, her hands going to her hips.

“Trying to get the Miraculous.” Mumbled the Akuma, quietly.

“Pardon, I didn’t hear you.” Said Húlí, her eyes narrowing into a glare.

“Trying to get the Miraculous.” The Akuma repeated, louder.

“And why are you doing it?” Said Húlí, her voice deadly calm.

“Because Hawkmoth told me to.” Said the Akuma, making Húlí let out a bark of laughter.

“Because Hawkmoth told you to.” Húlí repeated, “Tell me, if Hawkmoth told you to jump of a cliff, would you still do it?”

The Akuma quietly shook their head.

“Item. Now.” Húlí’s voice was stern, making the Akuma hand their object over to the woman, who in turn, passed it to Ladybug.

One quick heal later, Ladybug was standing away from her parents, who were fussing over Chat Noir.

“Ladybug, can I have a quick question?” Asked Alya, making Ladybug jump a foot in the air.

“Oh, okay, sure.” Said Ladybug, turning and facing Alya, who was joined by Nino.

“I noticed two new heroes in the field today,” Began Alya, “A new Fox and Turtle, while I’m aware of the Miracle Queen incident, it didn’t take you long to replace Carapace and Rena Rouge. Did they do something wrong or upset you in any way?”

“That’s not recording is it?” Asked Ladybug, getting a quick nod from Alya.

“Alya, you and Nino didn’t do anything wrong.” Said Ladybug, desperately trying to keep Alya happy with her.

“Then why is there a new Rena Rouge and Carapace?” Asked Alya, gesturing to the two new heroes, who were still fussing over Chat.

“My parents found out my identity and refuse to let me out of their sight.” Explained Ladybug, tiredly.

Alya took one look at Tortue and immediately recognised him as Tom and a searching look at Húlí told her that it was Sabine. Then Alya realised that Ladybug said her parents and Tom and Sabine only had one child with them.

“Marinette?” asked Alya, cautiously searching Ladybug’s face.

Ladybug emitted a sound that sounded like a Pterodactyl; and Alya couldn’t help but laugh at her.

“Did you tell them, or…?” asked Alya, Ladybug laid her head on Alya’s shoulder, letting out a small whine.

“They saw me detransform in my room.” Mumbled Ladybug, oblivious to her parents noticing her with Alya and Nino.

“Aw, you poor baby.” cooed Alya, patting Ladybug’s head.

“First my parents, now you,” Whimpered Ladybug, “I’m a terrible guardian, I can’t even keep my identity secret properly.”

“Marinette, breathe.” Soothed Alya, rubbing Ladybug’s back.

“Marinette!” Gasped Chat, making Ladybug jump and spin around.

Ladybug groaned.

(I am willing to write a follow up to this)

[the--sad--hatter]

No Survivors - Chapter Two

Fandom: None, this is an original work of fiction.

Genre: Sci-fi, fantasy, space opera

Rating and warnings: 18+ ONLY. Contains scenes of graphic violence, death, gore, cursing, and scenes of a sexual nature.

Disclaimer: All content and characters are created and owned by me, and my work is NOT to be reposted anywhere else without my explicit permission. Reblogs are fine, and very much appreciated.

The No Survivors Tumblr Blog | Masterlist 

Blurb:

6000 years into the future and humanity is thriving, having made their home in The Emerald Galaxy, lightyears away from their home planet. They’ve come a long way since the days of Earth. Lifespans have tripled, interstellar travel is a daily occurrence and humans have successfully integrated with alien species. All is well.

But for Captain Ice, nothing has been well for a long time. The once distinguished Captain is now a disgrace and a liability, carrying the weight of the cost of war on her shoulders. All Ice wants to do is carry on drinking herself into an early grave pod, but the Emerald Empire has a use for her yet.

Deep in The Emerald Galaxy lies Sector 12, or The Empires armpit as it’s referred to in polite company. When Sector 12’s Captain retires, General Felicity Hart decided to rid herself of a nuisance and instructs Ice to form a new crew and take over the job of glorified janitor.

Humanity survived the annihilation of its home planet and a journey across the universe, but can it survive the adventures of a disgraced Captain and her mismatched crew, or will there be… No Survivors?

The tall towers of the citadel were dark and imposing, carved from the black obsidian that was abundant in the mine shafts of Heart. Inside the looming spires the same darkness was copious, dark marble and stone as far as the eye could see, onyx around every corner that J`ess`inca ‘Jess’ Crowley had turned on her way to the laboratory she spent every day in, though she’d come to see it more as a self-imposed prison. She idly pretended to be diligently taking notes as her boss talked very quickly and very inaccurately about cell stabilisation until she couldn’t take it anymore.  

“Doctor Marx it’s impossible, even if you were able to create a shield around each individual cell, the rapid shrinking would damage them inside it and that’s before you displace them and then resize. Teleportation just isn’t possible” She interrupted.

He paused and looked up from his screen, putting extra effort into his sneer so his lowly assistant knew how little he thought of her.

“You’re my assistant, you’re here to take notes not give your opinion.” He snorted derisively, the white wispy hairs of his unkempt moustache fluttering from the breath.

She didn’t know his exact age, but the wrinkles and grey hair indicated he had to be at least 260 years old. How someone could live for two and a half centuries and be so tactless and obstinate, she would never understand.  

“It’s not my opinion, it’s the facts.” She argued calmly.

Doctor Marx could look down on her all he liked, she would never let the opinion of someone she didn’t respect have any effect on her. Before Doctor Marx could foolishly rebut the logic, a sharp rap on the labs open door had the two doctors turning around.

“Yes? What do you want?” Marx demanded impatiently.

He was more than used to having to provide his services to the Empire’s army so he wasn’t overly concerned, though admittedly most Captains didn’t bother to come to him directly. He might have been disinterested with the woman standing impassively by the door, cutting an imposing figure but Jess was intrigued. Captains were not a rare sight in the Citadel, in fact the base was crawling with them, but none like this. She was clad in the standard garb, the leather Captains coat they were all identified by, but she didn’t wear it the same way every other Captain did. It was loose, worn and battered and ill-fitting and yet the woman wore it more naturally than any of the stuffy uptight Captains that roamed around.

“I’m recruiting for my new team and I need a scientist.” The woman shrugged.

Jess felt a little jolt of jealousy run through her. All crews required a scientist and a medical doctor to to accompany the teams across the galaxy and partake in their adventures. It was the kind of adventurous life she had dreamed of, but as bright as her future once seemed, she knew better now. Her life was never going to be more than surviving, never living.

“Well we’re busy. Go away.” Marx snapped.

He clearly thought his research was too valuable to be abandoned in favour of running around the galaxy with a group of trigger-happy goons but that was no excuse for being so disrespectful, especially to someone who outranked him. Jess sighed and walked over to her, extending her hand with an apologetic look.

“I’m Jess Crowley, Doctor Marx is in the middle of something. He doesn’t mean to be so rude.”

The Captain smirked knowingly and took Jess’s hand in her own, grasping it firmly.

“Pleasure to meet you, Doctor Crowley. I’m Captain Ice.” She introduced herself, watching carefully for the inevitable reaction.

Jess felt her own eyes widen as Marx looked back up from his screen in shock and awe. Captain Ice was more than legendary, she was iconic. Jess was too young to remember The War properly, the one that had taken her father from her, but she had heard the stories. Hidden away from the sharp ears of the Empire the truth was whispered reverently, ‘The Empire didn’t win the war, Captain Ice did’. Enough people had seen the Captain for her existence to be confirmed but she was so elusive that she had become something of a folktale. Nobody knew the truth about The War, who it had been with or why, all they knew was billions of people had died, an entire sector of the Galaxy had been destroyed and that when it was all over, Captain Ice had been the only person The Empress had personally thanked. Legend had it that The Empress had decreed that Ice was the only subject in The Empire who would never kneel for her, and that The Empress had herself knelt for Ice.

“Captain Ice, I’m so sorry, I had no idea. Please accept my apologies. Recruitment you say? By Ice herself? What an honour. I would of course be happy to accept.” He stammered.

Even Marx wasn’t immune to the reputation of the Captain.

“You can go away, I’m here for her.” Ice dismissed him, not taking her eyes off of Jess’s.

Jess physically recoiled, trying to stuff away the spark of hope that flamed to life in her heart, even as she protested.

 “Me? Oh, but I’m Marx’s assistant I can’t…”

“Doctor J`ess`inca Crowley, you received highest honours in your graduating class from the Empire Academy. In all fourteen of your subjects. You are most definitely the smartest person in the Galaxy and yet here you are, taking notes for a crackpot.” Ice interrupted.

“I beg your pardon?” Marx spluttered.

“Get out.” Ice ordered with all the care of swatting a bug.

“This is my laboratory!”

“Now.” Ice snapped in a tone that brokered no argument, fixing him with a chilling glare that had him looking terrified and hurrying away.

As soon as he scarpered from the room, practically tripping over his own feet in the process, Ice turned back to the young Doctor with an expectant look. Jess inhaled shakily before she straightened her shoulders and stood tall.

“I’m flattered, really I am, but I’m staying here.” She said resolutely, hiding her disappointment in having to pass up the chance to live out her wildest dreams.  

Ice hummed thoughtfully and nodded, wandering around the lab, peering at the screens with scant interest. She found a large model of the Galaxy in the centre of the lab and reached into the centre of it to snap the model of Planet Heart from the display and tossed it in the air like a ball as she regarded Jess thoughtfully.  

“Humanity cracked the secrets of space travel, broke the light and sound barriers, invented gravitational force fields and synthetic atmospheres. We have eradicated most of the diseases that threaten us, slowed the aging process, tripled our lifespans and we did it all six thousand years ago. We still haven’t got teleportation right, which means we probably never will. Even if we did, Marx isn’t going to be the man behind it, which means you can’t steal the technology from him.” She announced, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Jess swallowed her heart back down as it jumped into her throat. If Ice knew the truth then she was done for. The Captain wasn’t here to recruit her, but to arrest her.

“Steal it? I wouldn’t, that’s not what... I mean why would you think that?” She asked thickly.

“Because that’s what you are being paid to do, so you can pay off your brothers considerable gambling debts.” Ice explained.

Jess’s shoulders dropped. It was over, she had been discovered.  

“You’re here to take me in.” She whispered.

“No.” Ice corrected.

Jess frowned. For one of the first times in her life she didn’t understand.

“I told you, I’m recruiting you. I’ve paid your brothers debts. You’re free, so is he. Welcome to the crew Doctor Crowley.”

Ice tossed the model planet through the air one last time before she held it out to Jess with an expectant look. Jess reached out, her fingers tentatively closing around the miniature replica of the planet they were standing on, the rich green sphere pressing into the palm of her hand.

“Why?” She asked softly, squeezing the planet in her hand.

“I have a new assignment and I need a crew for it, which means I need a scientist and a doctor. You tick both categories because you really are the smartest person in the known worlds. And because Captain or not, I don’t particularly care about the law.” Ice scoffed, pulling a small tablet from under her coat and passing it to Jess.

“Now, according to The Code, I still need at least one cadet, a first lieutenant and a mechanic. Let’s get going.” Ice finished briskly, making a beeline for the door.

Jess stood there for a moment longer, tablet in one hand and… the whole world in the other. She laughed softly in disbelief as it all started to sink in. Her brother was safe from the thugs who threatened him, she was free from Doctor Marx and a living legend was walking down the hallway after literally just handing her the whole world. Slipping the model planet into her pocket she hurried after the her Captain.

 ~~~

He knew that most of Earth’s history had been lost, or twisted beyond recognition, but believed that the old tales of warriors who fought for the spectators were true. Standing before the cheering crowds with sweat dripping down his face and his opponent groaning on the floor beneath him, he knew it had to be true. The allure of adoration, the thrill of victory, the burn of exertion, it was addictive.

“You have a long way to go before you’re ready to rise up the ranks, Corporal.” He scoffed, stepping over the bleeding person he’d defeated.

When he’d made lieutenant he hadn’t for a second imagined that he’d end up here, stuck on the same planet he’d spent his childhood, stowed away in the training rooms so he couldn’t embarrass his family any further. He’d made the best of it, acting like it was a choice, using the opportunity to show off his combat skills. He spent his days preparing men and women for a future he couldn’t achieve and his nights in the arms of whatever adoring fan took his fancy, all the while trying to convince himself that it made him happy. So what if he never made it to First Lieutenant, never advanced up the ranks, never achieved the same glory his sister had effortlessly snatched from her competitors? He had everything he needed here, in the training pits below the citadel.

He eyed the crowd of cadets and citizens, eyes drifting over them until he found one that stood out to him. Someone he could wrap himself around, bury himself inside, a distraction for the night. Beautiful men and gorgeous women alike were considered and discarded until his gaze fell on two anomalies. Two women, standing together, one in a lab coat and the other in a Captains. That wasn’t what caught his attention about them though, it was the lack of interest in him that had him walking over to them. The lab coat didn’t even glance up at him as he approached, her eyes glued to the tablet in her hand. The Captain just stared at him impassively.

“Captain. Doctor?” He greeted them, slamming his fist into his chest as he was expected to do in the company of a Captain.

“Lieutenant Hart.” The Captain responded, stating his name blankly.

“I see my reputation precedes me, but I don’t know you two. Which is strange because I know most of the Captains, especially the beautiful ones.” He tried, turning on the charm that always had people warming to him.

“I’m Doctor Crowley, we actually have met. You tried to buy me a drink once.” The lab coat informed him, finally looking up at him.

“Tried?” He pressed, bemused.

“Tried.” She confirmed, firmly no less.

He nodded respectfully, accepting the unspoken terms of their interaction she had set out for him. The Captain cocked her head at the Doc, amused or confused he couldn’t be sure.

“I’m Captain…”

“Ice.” He interrupted her introduction. “The whole citadel’s talking about you. More than usual that is. The legend has finally returned and she’s taking over Sector Twelve. I’ve heard about your little recruitment drive and as soon as the doctor introduced herself I knew who you were. I thought you’d look more intimidating.” He noted.

The same day she’d been made into a legend was the same day he’d been branded a failure, and yet he had never crossed paths with the woman before. He knew all about her of course, well, as much as anybody knew. Probably a little more than most, though not much. The woman was shrouded in so myth and mystery that to see she was just flesh and bone, and not very tall, was anticlimactic.

“I’m not the only one with a reputation.” Ice reminded him.

He dropped the friendly grin and clenched his jaw at her vicious remark.

“You should be nicer to the people you are trying to recruit.” He snapped.

He knew why she was here, there was no other reason for her to seek him out.

“Trying to recruit? I’m a Captain, you’re just a lieutenant. I can draft you to my crew if I want.” She pointed out, far too smugly for his liking.

“My sister is the General, you can’t force me to do anything.” He spat, furious at having to bring up Felicity.

“I don’t see any other Captains offering you the chance to add First to your Lieutenant title and it was your sister who said I could have anyone in the Citadel for my crew, and look where you happen to be standing.” Ice told him, looking pointedly at the ground.

“I have no interest in patrolling the Armpit of the Galaxy for a washed up has-been of a Captain. If you want me, you have to fight for me.” He sneered, his lip curling back over his teeth.

He issued the challenge hoping to get a reaction of some kind, but she disappointed him, slipping off her coat without blinking. The Doc held her arm out for it, already so obedient for her new master. Ice stepped forward, rolling her shoulders to loosen them up.

“Terms?” She asked, raising her hands defensively and placing her left foot back.

“First person whose back hits the ground loses.” He suggested, a little shocked he’d been goaded into issuing the challenge and that she had accepted so easily.

Ice was unreadable, nothing tangible or recognisable behind her eyes. He wasn’t stupid, he knew that someone who could wear a mask that effectively only showed emotion if they wanted it to be seen, so he had a sick feeling in his gut that he was being played. She had reminded him of his reputation and put him down just to get his hackles up. Most likely so she could humiliate him, break him down and prove she was his superior.

He clenched his hand into a fist and struck out, aiming below her raised arms for her ribs. His fist never connected, she moved back and trapped his wrist between her forearms, twisting his arm between hers and pulling him forward, off balance. He let himself stumble forwards, falling to his knees and twisting his upper body so he could slam his elbow into the soft flesh of her waist. She didn’t even grace him with a grunt of pain, but it clearly hurt her because he was able to free his trapped arm and spin away, getting to his feet and facing off against her again.

“You’ve got a lot more fire than your name implies.” He snarled at her.

“Ice can burn you just as badly as fire can.” She smirked, waving him forward to try again.

He feinted left, like he was going for the bruise he’d likely already left and she didn’t flinch, reading his body expertly. He felt a flicker of begrudging respect. He opened his mouth to ask her if she was frozen in place but before he could get the words out she stepped forwards, faster than he had ever seen another human being move. He never stood a chance, the impact of her fist slammed into his ribs, knocking the breath out of his lungs. She wasn’t overly strong, but she was strong enough. It was her speed and dexterity that made her deadly, because as soon as her knuckles left his ribs she fluidly turned her back to him and stepped into his body, wrapping her arm behind her - around his waist. It all happened in a split second, too fast for him to realise what had happened, never mind defend himself against it as she leant forward, pulling him with her so he was flipped over her shoulder.

As his back slammed towards the ground something twisted inside his heart and it was only decades of Empire training that saved him. He got his feet on the ground first and threw his hands underneath his body, holding his back centimetres off the ground. He saw her raise an eyebrow at his gambled manoeuvre, and her nod of approval sent a wave of anger blazing through him.

He neither wanted nor needed her approval. She was the darling of the Empire, respected by every person residing within it. A life that should have been his, had he not fucked it up. He was the first son of the first family of The Emerald Empire, in the days before the democracy that ruled The Empire now, he would have been a Prince. She was a nobody who had risen through the ranks on nothing more than her own ability, earning what should have been his birthright. She was better than him in every way, and they both knew it. He didn’t want her approval, because it was just thinly veiled pity.

He used his upper body to flip to his feet, holding back the snarl inside his chest as he attacked, raining blow after blow down on her. Most of them were blocked with ease, but a few landed. The seconds ticked away as they engaged in a violent dance, spinning across the floor in a macabre and dangerous waltz. For every blow he managed to land on her, she retaliated with two more. They were far from evenly matched but though she was faster and nimbler, he was stronger and built to take more damage, thus neither of them achieved the upper hand. He realised it was going to be stamina that won the fight, and there was barely a sheen of sweat on her skin. If he wanted to win he wasn’t going to do it by playing to his strengths, he had to play to his weakness.

He waited for an opening, a chance to step forward and leave his face unprotected, steeling himself for the hit that would be coming as a result of it. He’d known it was inevitable, he’d opened himself up to it, and yet he still didn’t see her move. It was only after the side of her fist slammed into the space between his neck and his shoulder that he knew she’d done it, by the pain shooting through him. Agonizing as it was, it was what he needed. He stumbled back, wincing in pain. Ice almost casually followed and kicked his legs out from under him, letting him fall to the ground. At the last possible second he grabbed her wrist and pulled her body into his, cradling her against his chest.

The dull thud of them hitting the ground signalled the end of the fight, the silence that followed only broken by his laboured breathing.

“You lose.” He whispered, pushing himself upright until he was kneeling on the ground.

Ice lay on her back, stunned. He’d used his own fall to bring about hers, pushing her under him in a move she couldn’t have foreseen. After all, she was a warrior and in a real fight, he’d have just gotten himself killed.

He stood up and held his hand out to help her up, but was unceremoniously shoved out of the way.

“Are you alright? Did your head connect with the ground?” The Doc demanded, clucking worriedly and looking over her slightly bemused Captain.

“No, it didn’t. His hand was cradling my head, because he didn’t stumble at all. It was a manoeuvre wasn’t it?” Ice deduced, looking up at him with more of that respect he hated.

He forced a smirk onto his face to mask the ire, glancing around as he only just registered that they’d had an audience. They were clapping for him. For the first time in his life he turned away from the adoration and watched as Ice climbed to her feet, gently swatting away the Docs attempts to help.

“Well done, nobody’s bested me in a long time. A deals a deal, I won’t recruit you.” Ice declared, tugging her coat out of the Docs arms and slipping it back on.

“Seems you’re not washed up after all, you are as good as people think you are,” He admitted, “It just so happens that I’m better.” He added, unable to help himself.

She just nodded, seemingly agreeing with him and walked away. Apparently she meant it, she wouldn’t be trying to recruit him after all, and that meant she had no further use for him. Shaking off the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach he turned back to the crowds and held out his arms.

“Who’s next?”

~~~

“I want to ask if you let him win but I can’t think why you would let your ego take a beating like that.” Jess muttered, side eying Ice with lingering concern as they left the training bays.

Ice pulled the door open and held it for her, frowning slightly.

“I don’t have an ego.” She stated as Jess passed her.

It wasn’t a rebuttal or protest, just a simple irrefutable fact.

“But you’re….”

“I’m what?” Ice pressed when the doctor trailed off.

“Captain Ice.” She uttered, like it should be explanation enough.

“Putting that massive IQ to good use I see. See Daniel, he has an ego,” Ice said, waving her hand in the direction they’d come from, back towards Lieutenant Hart, “And people with ego’s are easy to manipulate. They either develop an ego because people inflate it for them or because they need to inflate it themselves as a shield. Either way, you bruise the ego and you’re an enemy. I need a First Lieutenant, not an enemy.”

“So you don’t have an ego because you don’t want to be weak?” Jess formulated, trying to make sense of her new superior who was more forthcoming than she had expected.

It occurred to her that Ice wasn’t really being all that talkative, she was just answering Jess’s questions, treating her like an equal, letting her work her brain. It was refreshing.

“I don’t have an ego because I am weak, and I know it. Most of the tales they’re telling about me these days aren’t true, and the ones that are have been embellished. Listen to me Doctor,” She demanded, stopping dead in the middle of the corridor and staring Jess down, “Better people than me died in The War… My reputation is fuelled by their bloodshed and built on a foundation of their bones. You’re a scientist so don’t put stock in fairytales, examine the evidence yourself and form your own opinion.”

It was said gently, she wasn’t being scolded, but still, she had to prove that Ice was right to seek her out for the job, to save her from monotony and crime.

“Who’s coat are you wearing?” She asked.

Ice quirked her eyebrow and tilted her head to the side slightly, curious about the sudden line of questioning.

“Captain’s coats end at mid thigh, yours ends mid-calf. There are creases in the leather around the elbows from the amount of times you’ve pushed the sleeves up. The coat wasn’t made for you, it was made for someone much taller.” She continued, pointing out her deductions calmly.

The corner of Ice’s lip twitched minutely in a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ motion.

“You’re right, I was someone else’s. It’s mine now though.” She validated, starting to walk onwards again.

She wanted to ask whose it was but it somehow didn’t seem kind to press the issue any further. After all, most Captain’s didn’t retire.

“Why Lieutenant Hart?” She asked, moving to what seemed like a safer question.

Apparently she’d assumed wrong because Ice just shot a blank look over her shoulder instead of actually answering.

“Why do you need a crew at all? What’s the assignment?” Surely Ice would answer that one, since Jess was going to find out sooner or later anyway.  

“I’ve been assigned to Captain a sector.”

“Which one?” Jess gushed, rushing to fall into step beside Ice again.

A new solar system, dozens of potential planets to explore. The things she could learn and discover, the adventures she could have. Her mind filled with visions of the acid rains of Tregelorth in Sector 3, the black diamond moons of Artemis in Sector 412, the iridescent hallucinogenic gas from the trees of Fairthorlia in Sector 77….

“12.” Ice announced as she swung open the outer doors and stepped outside.

“The armpit?” Jess asked somewhat dejectedly, her daydreams shattered.  

“You were raised here on Heart weren’t you?” Ice scoffed, glancing up at the teal skies above them.

“Yes?”

“Then the armpit is an upgrade considering you grew up in the Empire’s asshole.” Ice informed her.

“What?”

Ice held her arms out, gesturing to the expanse of the Planet.

“This is where all the Empires shit comes from.”

NS Taglist (OPEN) 

@cateyes315​ @severepienerdturkey @justellu​

I can’t explain how grateful I am to everyone who has read this. I’ve had this concept in my mind for years and I have wanted to tell this story for so long. 

Reblogs (especially reblogs), comments, likes, anything you’re willing to give is massively appreciated. 

[willow-salix]

Here's my offering for the first week of @gumnut-logic "FAB FIVE FEB". I used the prompt of "ball". Enjoy!

Selene yelped and ducked as the tennis ball flew past her head as she entered the kitchen. 

"What was that?" 

"Ball," John answered, his focus on his tablet. 

"Why did a ball just launch itself at my face?" 

"Sorry, Selly! Wasn't intentional."

"I thought I was safe in the kitchen," she commented to no one in particular as she carefully took a seat beside her spaceman and stole a sip of his coffee. 

"It's never safe in this kitchen," Virgil pointed out helpfully as he bit into a slice of toast. 

Alan tossed the ball again and Gordon caught it neatly, throwing it back. This went on for another few minutes, the ball sailing over the table at which they all sat, Selene flinching each time it came a little too close to her face. She watched them as she drank her coffee, thoughtfully provided by Virgil, trying to figure out why this particular activity was taking place at half past eight in the morning, it was way too early for that shit. Nope, she had nothing! 

"What are they doing?" she asked John, curiosity getting the better of her. 

"We're throwing a ball," Alan answered before John could. 

Well yeah, that explained it. She rolled her eyes at their lack of information. 

"How long for and why?" 

"Well, Alan found the ball under a sun lounger and he threw it at my head," Gordon took up the narrative. 

"Of course he did. So what, this is some weird retaliation on your part?" 

"No, me catching it and aiming for his crotch was."

"But I dodged and caught it."

"And you decided to move to the kitchen, when?" 

"Alan threw it back, aiming for my chest but I caught it and aimed for his foot, but he kicked it up and caught it again. Then we kinda just aimed at various body parts for a while before we got a bit tired and just started throwing it normally."

"And you were still outside at this point?" Selene felt a headache coming on and just about managed to dodge backwards as the ball skimmed the tip of her nose. 

"Yep!" 

"Again, why are you in here?" She threw her hands up in frustration, could none of them ever answer a simple question? 

"Well neither of us wanted to call time and be the first to give in," Gordon shrugged as if it were obvious, which, given how competitive all the boys were, should have been. 

"So you just kept going?" 

"Yep, it's been two hours now," Alan looked pleased as fuck with that statement. 

"And you're in here why?" 

"Because we got hungry," Alan tossed the ball to Gordon and quick as a flash, grabbed a slice of toast off Scott's plate and took a large bite, dropping it back down as Gordon caught the ball and threw it back. 

"You aren't even stopping to eat?" 

"No, that would be giving up, and Tracy's aren't quitters," Gordon bit off half a banana in one mouthful, his cheeks bulging like a hamster's. 

"You're so weird, all of you!" 

"What did we do?" John asked, having the nerve to look offended. 

"They're your brothers!" 

"Not like I made them this way," 

She couldn't even drag up the energy to argue his logic, really, what was the point? 

"I'm going to get some work done, someone call me when they're done."

"Why is it bothering you so much?" Virgil asked innocently enough, but she'd learnt never to trust them fully. 

"I…" damn this was going to be embarrassing, "I'm just not good with balls, or anything being thrown really."

"Why? What's wrong with us throwing things, don't you trust us?" Alan looked hurt. 

"It's not that I don't trust you, though I probably shouldn't," she ignored his outraged huff. "I just have an issue with it, that's all."

"An issue with us throwing a ball?" Gordon didn't look impressed. 

"Yes! Balls hate me, everything that can be thrown hates me. They literally target my head. I've been hit by basketballs, netball, tennis balls, a hockey puck, a football, a ping pong ball and a shuttlecock. Any time people are throwing things it hits me. Every damn time, so pardon me if I don't want a concussion on a Saturday morning."

Gordon sniggered and she glared at him. 

"Is something funny?" 

"No, well…" he paused to catch the ball and lob it back at his brother. 

"Spit it out. I know you have something to say, you always do."

"I'm offended by that."

"You can't be offended by the truth," John added helpfully. 

"I said spit it out!" 

"I was only going to make a comment about how lucky my brother is."

"What? I am? Why?" 

"Because balls are attracted to her head." 

John snorted in amusement, but shut up as she glared at him. 

Alan tried to hold it in but failed, bursting into sudden laughter, losing control as he threw the ball and it veered towards Virgil. 

"Catch it!" Gordon yelled and Virgil rose to the challenge, catching the ball easily and tossing it back to Gordon. 

"You're in the game now, you can't leave, you're part of this," Alan declared.

"I'm what?" 

Gordon tossed the ball to Alan who caught it and threw it to Virgil. 

"You're part of the game, we decided outside that we're going for the world record, longest game of catch, they have the largest but not longest," Alan announced, proud of his idea. 

"I'm out!" Selene tried to get up but the ball whizzed too close and she shrieked, protecting her head. 

"It was nowhere near you," Gordon insisted. 

"Yeah, we wouldn't hit you with a ball, you can trust us."

"Not after that comment I won't."

She waited until the ball went winging its way back to Alan and ducked out of the way, crossing the kitchen bent double to avoid the projectile. 

"You're all crazy, I'm going to work outside in the garden where I can't be targeted!" She took off through the wide open doors to safety. 

"One of these days she's going to curse you, and I'll laugh," John grinned swiping at something on his tablet. 

                                     ***

"It's been four hours, surely it's safe by now?" Selene asked Armstrong, who declined to answer, not even bothering to open his eyes. 

"You're not helpful you know," she stroked his soft fur, warned by the sun. "You stay out here and keep baking, you're nearly ready."

She got to her feet, taking the natal charts she had been plotting with her to get John to help with. She laughed evilly to herself, help with, who was she kidding? She was going to make him do all of it. 

She peeked around the kitchen door, wary of any flying objects but found it empty apart from Grandma. 

"Is it safe?" 

"Yes, dear, I made them get out of my kitchen when they almost knocked over the mixer." 

"Wise decision," Selene glanced into said mixing bowl, seeing a number of eggs shells floating in what could potentially be cake batter but just as easily be wallpaper paste. She made a mental note to avoid whatever it was if it made it to the table. 

She gave Grandma a kiss on the cheek as she left, heading upstairs to the living room. There was no way they were up here…

"Aghhhh!" she screamed in terror as the ball hurtled towards her like it was shot from a cannon.

"Catch it, Sel!" 

She made a grab at it, fumbling awkwardly but managed to keep hold of it. Instinctively she threw it back in the direction it had come, then stopped dead. 

"Shit!" 

"You're in the game now," Scott told her, the look of resignation on his face telling her he'd been caught too and been drafted. 

"How did you get involved?" 

Scott shrugged, not really knowing himself. 

"I needed to pee and Scott stepped in, but then he didn't want to quit either, so he stayed," Alan explained cheerfully. 

"Oh, you didn't…"she shook her head in disappointment." I thought you were the sensible one?"

"Sorry."

"How the hell did you guys even get up here with that thing?" 

"Carefully," Virgil answered from his spot on the couch, catching the ball Scott threw his way and tossing it to Gordon. 

"We went up a step at a time and threw it back and forth, but the rules are that you can't throw it back to the person who threw it last, not unless you're just joining, so we had to run around each other to get up them." 

"There's rules now?" 

"Of course there are, this isn't a game you know," Alan informed her haughtily as he caught the ball from Gordon and threw it back to Scott. 

"How silly of me to think you were just playing catch."

Scott threw the ball her way and she lunged to catch it, almost dropping it. 

"I'm so shit at this," she threw it to Virgil who caught it one handed, just to show off and threw it to Gordon. 

"Can't I abdicate or something and let John have my place?" 

"No, because I'm not stupid enough to get involved," her annoying other half piped up from his place of safety behind Jeff's desk where he had been quietly working. 

"You would if you loved me," she squatted in perpetration as Scott gently threw the ball underhand to her, giving her a sporting chance. 

"This is why you're my favourite," she told Scott as the ball dropped neatly into her cupped hands. 

"I thought I was your favourite!" Alan whined as she lobbed the ball at Virgil who was enjoying this far too much. 

"You were until you threw a ball at my head."

"Unfair."

"Technically I'm her favourite," John commented a little smugly. 

"She doesn't moan when your balls go near-" 

"Shut up!" Selene threw a cushion at Alan, who caught it and frisbeed it at Gordon. 

"New projectile in play! Good idea, Sel, this'll shake things up a bit." 

"Oh my fucking gods! What's wrong with you lot?" 

"They're bored," Scott shrugged as he threw the ball to her then caught the cushion from Gordon. 

"No shit." Selene caught the cushion he tossed her way, which was much easier than the ball, and whipped it to Virgil, who grabbed the corner and sent it hurtling at Gordon with barely a pause. 

                               ***

"How much longer are we going to be doing this?" Selene complained as she caught the cushion and threw it to Virgil then caught the ball that came next, grabbing it with both hands against her chest before taking aim to continue the round. "How long have I been here?" 

"Two hours and nine minutes," John helpfully informed her. 

"It feels like forever! You guys have to be near a record by now."

"We're not quitting, we'll keep going until the ball touches the floor," Alan insisted. 

"This is your fault, blondie!" 

Alan bowed regally then straightened and deftly caught the ball and tossed it to Scott in one easy motion. 

"Show off," she once again fumbled the thing. "I hate this."

"Yet you keep playing," John pointed out. 

"If you ever want your balls to get any attention again I'd shut up, dude," she warned him, giving him a squinty eyed death glare. 

He snorted, unconcerned. "You'll crack before I do." 

"Like hell I will!" 

"I can spend a month in space, you'll be grabbing my butt within a week."

"That's the last time I let you near my chest balls for a very long time!" she caught the ball and threw it at his head. 

John automatically caught it before it hit him in the face and then realised what he'd done. 

"Fuck!" 

Alan cracked up laughing, just managing to catch the cushion that launched at him.

"You're up, bro!" Scott grinned gleefully as John hauled himself up and threw the ball at Virgil who caught it and tossed it to Gordon. 

Scott passed the cushion to Selene, who caught it and passed it on. 

"I knew you couldn't resist us!" Alan crowed joyfully as John moved to stand in the growing circle. 

"This is ridiculous," he caught the cushion that sailed over from Virgil's direction. "This isn't even a real game." He threw the pillow at Gordon who got fancy and caught it with his eyes closed.

***

"This ball has been thrown continuously for thirteen hours," Alan told Kayo proudly as she appeared in the room.

"Thirteen hours? Is that what you've done all day? All of you?"

"For various lengths of time, yes. Some of us were unfairly attacked," John looked pointedly at Selene who stuck her tongue out in retaliation.

"Why is there a couch cushion involved?"

"Selene threw it at Alan's head," Scott informed her.

"And she threw the ball at John because he thinks that she wants his butt more than he wants hers," Alan caught the cushion and threw it to Scott then caught the ball as it flew his way.

"Here, catch, you can play too!" he threw the ball to Kayo.

"No thanks," she ducked and they all watched in horror as the ball sailed over her head…

"G-Grandma says that dinner is read- WOAHH!" Brains' eyes grew wide behind his glasses as the ball hurtled towards him. He panicked, stepping back out of the way, his hands coming up to protect himself, face screwed up in terror as the ball neared.

"Catch it, Brains!"

"I...ca-can't!" Brains shrieked and they all held their breath…

A mechanical beep sounded and suddenly the ball was plucked out of midair.

Brains huffed out a sigh of relief, lowering his arms to smile at his saviour.

"Th-thanks M-MAX."

"MAX," Alan called, waving his arms to get the robots attention. "Throw it back!" He held out his hands, ready to receive the ball.

MAX chirped happily and wound his arm up.

Alan hunkered down, flexing his fingers.

Ting!

MAX swung his arm back and let go, the ball sailing behind him as he followed their instructions to the letter, throwing it backwards.

"Are you guys coming to dinner? Look, I made a lovely-"

They all gasped in horror as the ball landed in Grandma's cake with a wet splat.

Alan dropped to his knees in disbelief, his head cradled in his hands.

"Nooooooo!"

Gordon wailed in sorrow as if he'd ripped his favourite shirt.

Scott sagged in relief and flopped down on the couch.

Virgil just stared, feeling the same sense of loss the younger two did, since he'd been in there the longest.

"Thank God for that," John sighed, immediately leaving the circle to go to his desk.

"WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU BOYS ABOUT PLAYING BALL IN THE HOUSE?"

Selene looked over at the ball perched on top of the mound of cake, frosting and fruit.

"Huh…"

"What?" Kayo asked from the safety of Virgil's piano stool where she had retreated.

"Well, technically the ball didn't hit the floor…"

Grandma yelped as both Alan and Gordon launched at her, grabbing the plate of cakey mess and raced down the stairs.

"We can wash it off in the pool!"

"I'm out!" Scott escaped to his room.

"I need food," Virgil vanished after him.

"What just happened?" Brains asked in bemusement as Grandma trailed after the younger two, yelling that if they took that cake into the pool she would make them eat it.

John slipped his arms around Selene's waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"That was sneaky," he kissed the side of her neck in just the right spot, knowing it would make her melt. As predicted she shivered in response, leaning back against his chest.

"Want to escape while we can?" he nuzzled his nose into the dip beneath her ear.

She grinned, tipping her head back to look at him.

"Is that a bat in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?"

"Want to find out?"

Selene turned in his arms, ignoring the gagging noises coming from Kayo, and wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoes to steal a kiss.

"You know what?" she mumbled against his lips.

"What?" he whispered back.

"You can go play with your bat and balls on your own, because Tracy's don't quit and you said I'd crack first."

She released her arms from around his neck and sailed out of the room to the sound of Kayo's hysterical laughter.

[ayma-nidiot]

In the White Light - Prideshipping fanfic Chapter 18

Also on AO3.

Author’s Note: This chapter is named in honour of an old Boueibu chat @queenofthefaces and I used to be a part of.

This chapter also features hints of Scandalshipping.

Chapter 18 – Big Ass Spider

Mahad returned from the infirmary, back to the court meeting currently taking place in the throne room. “Pharaoh, you’ll be glad to know that your companions have made it out of the Shadow Game alive and well. After they’ve recuperated, I’ll ask them about the foes they’ve faced.”

“Excellent work, Mahad,” Yami Yugi acknowledged as the High Priest sat back down.

Those fools actually survived a Shadow Game? Kaiba, who had reluctantly agreed to sit in on this meeting, tittered. I guess every dog has his day.

“So now that we’ve discussed everything we know so far about our enemy, what is our best course of action, pharaoh?” Isis asked.

“I want you and Mahad to stay and guard the palace while the rest of us move out.”

“A sound decision, Your Majesty,” Karim remarked. “Monster attacks on the palace have been rather scarce lately and have mostly been concentrated in the villages.”

 “Then I will send you and Shada with some of my forces to help protect the villagers. If you find the time, ask them for any information that may be useful to us. You have my permission to leave.”

“At once, Your Majesty.” With that Karim and Shada bowed before equipping themselves with their Millennium Items and DiaDhanks, and heading out the palace.

“But what of you, Priest Seto-”

“That’s Kaiba to you,” Kaiba corrected Mahad with a curt voice.

“My apologies… Er, what will you, Kaiba, and your companions do?”

“We will head out to Anubis’ chamber. Seeing as how he was one of our greatest enemies in the past, perhaps our new enemy is affiliated with him in some way. In fact, I’m almost certain that the zombies you’ve been seeing are getting revenge for their master.”

Kaiba knitted his brow at this announcement. “That… is a very dangerous idea, Yugi. Did the desert dry up your brains? Or are you that eager to repeat history?”

“I’ll have to agree with Kaiba,” spoke Isis. “It is possible that Anubis’ spirit may return and attack you again.”

“Not if they take two of our strongest soldiers.” Mahad called out into the hall, “Mana! Kisara! Your presence is requested in the throne room.”

“Your Eminence.” A young woman with long blue hair and plain beige robes presented herself.

“You called, Master?” A sprightly girl who looked just like Dark Magician Girl joined her. “Oh! Hello again, Pharaoh!”

“Dark Magician Girl! I’m so glad you’re all right after what happened on Atlantis.”

“Likewise, Your Majesty. I’m honoured to fight alongside you again, and on such an important mission, too. Oh, yeah, one more thing. In this world, call me Mana.”

Kaiba had nothing to say to Mana, and instead was more interested in the other young woman. She looks a lot like Maiden with Eyes of Blue!

It was then that this young woman noticed Kaiba staring at her. “Oh! Pardon me for not introducing myself properly. My name is Kisara and… well, we’ve technically met before.”

“I should say the same.” Kaiba took Maiden with Eyes of Blue out of his deck and showed it to her.

Mahad elaborated, “Kisara is the original owner of a powerful ka – or, as you call it in your world, monster – the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.”

“Then consider myself charmed.” Kaiba bowed before arising from the table. “Well, Yugi, if we’re going to go on this death mission, then let’s make it quick.”

“Hey, if rich boy is comin’, then so am I!” declared Joey.

“Figures… But you’re not riding on my back this time, Wheeler. Use your own damned dragon for once.” Kaiba turned to Mokuba.

“Ooh! Can I come?” Mokuba asked.

“Kaiba, I’m not sure taking people without Duel Disks is a good idea,” Yami Yugi warned. “I don’t want my friends to get hurt, and I’m sure you don’t want Mokuba to get hurt either.”

“Don’t you think we know that?” Tristan growled.

“I… I’m not afraid of zombies!” Téa spoke confidently. “We’ve faced them before! And don’t forget all the other trials we’ve been through… We’re tougher than you think, pharaoh.”

“Don’t worry, babe, I’m strong enough to protect us all.” Kaiba held Yami Yugi by the waist. “Don’t you know who I am?”

“My love, overconfidence is a deadly enemy. At least let me do my share of the protecting.”

“Oh my gods, guys, you can flirt after we’ve defeated Anubis’ zombies!” Joey already started running towards the palace exit and started flying on Red-Eyes Black Dragon with Tristan and Yugi. “Last one there’s a rotten egg!”

“You moron. You don’t even know where to find the damned place!” Kaiba shouted after him.

While the remaining people decided who would be riding with whom, Weevil overheard the conversation. Having just emerged from the infirmary, he made sure to stay out of sight. “Looks like Yugi and company are going to some creepy guy’s tomb to face some creepy zombies and get some awesome treasures! We better follow them!”

“Ohohoho, no. Not on your Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth, we’re not. Remember last time? We’re taking the Slash Dragon this time.” Rex summoned this monster.

“Fine, whatever. Just transform into that rabbit form of yours so we don’t blow our cover.”

“I… Um… Okay, I’ll try…” Rex concentrated all of his energy in his torso, but all that came out of it was a loud fart. “Sorry that I’m not cool like Kaiba. I can’t just transform into an animal the way he can.”

“I’ve noticed!” Weevil covered his nose for a few seconds. “Well, hun, you’re going to have to try again!”

“Since you’ve called me that, I’ll try once more for you, baby.” Rex winked before focusing again, and luckily for him, this transformation was successful. “Haha! See? Second time’s the charm. Now make sure you take care of my Duel Disk.”

“Yeah, yeah… Now hurry up before those lamebrains leave without us.” Weevil got onto the Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, and Rex hopped into his arms.

“Hmm…” Kisara closed her eyes, summoning the Blue-Eyes White Dragon - which she, Téa, and Mana promptly mounted.

“Impressive that you can summon one of my favourite monsters out of thin air!” Kaiba transformed into the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon. “But so can I.”

“Oh boy, oh boy!” Though Mokuba normally was mature for his age, he acted excited, despite the danger of the mission. “Finally, I get to go for a ride!”

“Come, I’ll help you up.” With that, Yami Yugi helped Mokuba and himself mount Kaiba’s back.

“Okay, Mokuba, it’s going to be quite a long ride. So you better hold on tight,” Kaiba advised when everyone had left the palace. “Both onto me and onto my Duel Disk.”

“You got it, bro!” Mokuba liked the breeze that greeted him as Kaiba took to the air. “Wow, what a view! The skyline is so pretty!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty, but don’t forget what we’re supposed to be looking for,” spoke Kaiba.

“Right, uh… Some stone building with a huge jackal statue in front of it.”

“How did you know?”

“Because I see it right there!” Mokuba pointed at the middle-of-nowhere building. “Wh-Whoa!”

When Kaiba had dived to the sand, and Mokuba had faceplanted, Kaiba sighed. “I told you to hang on tight… Now please don’t do anything unnecessary from here on out.”

“Got it,” Mokuba sheepishly replied after Kaiba turned into a human, and he gave him back his Duel Disk.

Kaiba noticed that Mokuba had stiffened up as the party walked deeper into the chamber. “You can talk, you know. Just don’t touch anything.”

“It’s much more elaborate than the last time we’ve visited,” Téa noted.

“And best part is, there aren’t any zombies!” exclaimed Tristan.

“Don’t jinx it, man…” Joey picked up a dagger. “Hey lookit, it’s the Dagger of Fate!”

“‘Last time?’” Téa’s remark intrigued Mana. “You mean you’ve been here before?”

“I’d rather not remember it…”

“You sure looked cool doing that double roundhouse kick, though!” Joey did a few air punches. “And so did the rest of us!”

“Yeah, you sure looked cool running away from the zombies.”

“Oh, stuff it, Tristan.”

Kaiba interrupted the silly talk. “That was around the time I summoned the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon and nearly kicked Yu- I mean, the pharaoh’s ass. How I still have the card after all that happened with Anubis – and how I can transform into said card – I wish I knew.”

“It’s like I told you during our first time travel, my love. Anubis cursed you after he died.”

“Huh…” Kisara’s voice sounded from even deeper in the chamber. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that, pharaoh.”

“Did you find something?” Yami Yugi lead the other companions to this deeper part, which began to jog his memories. “This…”

“Babe?”

“This place… It’s where I heard… Priest Seto’s last words.” Yami Yugi trembled. He would have fallen to his knees, too, if Kaiba hadn’t held him tall.

Kaiba changed the subject. “So, Kisara, what did you find? …Great. Another giant rock. You can never get enough of them in ancient Egypt, can you? Let me guess, it displays some kind of ‘epic’ battle? Or some other occult nonsense?”

“I don’t know how you can utter that overused phrase of yours after all that’s happened.” Yami Yugi stepped forward to get a better look at the giant stone tablet. The dragon in the middle, which took up nearly half of the tablet’s space, was the first thing to catch his attention. “This tablet looks just like the one I keep at the palace.”

“Guess again, pharaoh.” Kaiba pointed at the only two other pictures on the tablet – a small rabbit and a large spider. “I remember that giant rock well, and it certainly didn’t have a big ass spider on it. Now then…”

“Kaiba?” Kisara looked concerned as Kaiba reached for the sapphire on the Shining Dragon’s head.

“Will you tell me what I want to know?” Kaiba let the powers of this tablet take him and his companions into a vision quest.

“And to think, you didn’t believe in ‘occult nonsense.’”

“Wheeler, if there was a perfect time to shut up, it’s now. Or really any time you think of opening your mouth.”

“Why you…”

“No, Kaiba’s right. Look at who’s here! It’s Anubis!” Mana pointed at a man with messy long blond hair, a cape, and a teal jewel in the middle of his forehead.

Yami Yugi looked at the elderly man standing next to Anubis. He bore the Millennium Eye and wore nothing but flowing white robes. “So… So, it’s true. Aknadin really was Anubis’ accomplice.”

“Tch!” Anubis, clearly displeased at his latest creation, crushed it and sent it into a ball of shadows. “Yet another weak monster! Perhaps using just servants of the Thief King aren’t enough… I have to find the scumbag himself. Maybe then I can stop conjuring things like mere rabbits.”

“If I may?” Aknadin spoke up. In his right hand, he held up a young man – bound and gagged – by the collar. “If we can’t transform the left hand of the Thief King into something powerful, then maybe the right hand will work.”

“I suppose he will have to suffice for the time being…” Anubis sighed as Aknadin threw the young man in front of him.

“Mmmph!” The young man whimpered loudly as eight spider’s legs sprouted from his body, and his form changed.

“Yes…” Anubis admired the black and red spider that towered over him, and the four Red-Eyes Black Dragons it killed. “Finally, a monster that can defeat Aknamkanon!”

“Are you really sure?” Aknadin pointed at this monster that faded as soon as it attacked.

“No… No! What could have been wrong this time?!”

“I’ve heard that certain monsters require certain spells in order to survive. Such may have been the case with this one.”

“Then that’s the last time I’ve tried an experiment using foreign techniques… I’ll have to use Egyptian magic that can rival the Pharaoh’s Incantation. In fact… Speaking of the Pharaoh’s Incantation… Hahahaha!”

“That’s… so disgusting!” Téa started crying. “So Anubis used to perform experiments transforming humans into monsters?”

“Guys, it looks like it’s time for a scene change,” Tristan noted as the vision quest abruptly changed scenes – this time, to the throne room.

“That dickweed looks a lot like Kaiba! Let me at ‘im!” Joey tried to “swim” over to where Priest Seto stood, but only flailed about midair.

“Wheeler, just shut up and watch.” Kaiba looked to the elderly man who knelt in pain.

“What’s… happening to me?!” The elderly man could feel his time at an end, and it scared him to not know why.

“Pharaoh Aknamkanon!” Priest Seto knelt down, trying in vain to invoke the power of the Millennium Rod. “No! Don’t go!”

“S-Seto…” Aknamkanon’s soul began to fade into the shadows. “Can I see you… smile for me… one last time? One more smile… before I go?”

“Pharaoh… I… I’m a sorry excuse of a High Priest… Aaaaargh!” Seto threw the Millennium Rod at the wall, nearly breaking it in a fit of rage. “Father… Just you wait, I’m coming for you!”

Tristan asked, “What… the hell was that about?”

The scene changed yet again to Anubis’ chamber, and Kaiba responded, “Do you guys always talk during the movie?”

“Hahahaha!” Anubis held up an object that resembled the Millennium Puzzle. “With this, the Pyramid of Light, there will be no failures in my experiments any longer!”

“Then what will your next experiment look like?”

No sooner had Aknadin asked this question when an intruder made his presence known in the middle of the chamber. “Father! I should have known that you have allied yourself with Anubis!”

“Hmm… I think we’re about to find out what my next experiment will be. Aknadin, as you know, those in the royal family carry the blood of the Creator. As such, I believe they’ll serve as perfect vessels for an all-powerful monster!”

“As amazing as that sounds, I do not wish to risk my own life for your experiment.” Aknadin gave his son a sly smile. “But I willingly offer my son. Do with him what you will.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Hey!” Seto couldn’t resist the zombie army that swarmed and bound him. “Father! You fucking traitor!”

“Hehehehe…” Anubis held the Pyramid of Light in the air. “O most blessed goddess, our Creator of Light! I present to you the Pyramid of Light, crafted from the very ba of Pharaoh Aknamkanon himself! I ask you to infuse your ka with the ba of His Highness Priest Seto! Make him into a monster that can rival even the gods themselves!”

“Oh my gods…” Seto watched as his skin became aglow, and the zombies’ grip on him became even more painful. “Aaaaaargh!”

“Irot ow et on ekaoy… Edam ih ukatabah ukakat!” This dark incantation gave Seto the fuel to complete his transformation. “Arise, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon!”

“Graaaaar!” Seto easily killed the zombies that bound him, but before he could motion to kill Anubis and Aknadin, the former uttered more words of the Dark Incantation.

“With these words from my lips, you have no choice but to obey my every command! Now go! Show the common people just who rules this land!”

“I’ll have to thank you.” Aknadin started to pack his things, with the intention of returning to the palace. “You have made me the father of a god!”

“…Wait. Stay silent.” Anubis heard light footsteps coming from the chamber entrance. Soon after, a singing voice followed. “No! It cannot be! How is the pharaoh still alive?”

“Look again, Anubis! It’s not Aknamkanon that stands before you…” The Millennium Pendant was now in Aknadin’s sights. “It’s his son! He’s using the Pharaoh’s Incantation!”

“Impossible!” Anubis watched as Seto turned back into a human. “Not even Priest Mahad had been able to separate his ba from the ka of his monster! …Wait, Aknadin, where are you going?”

“Anywhere is better than here! If the new pharaoh is to execute you, then I’m not letting him take me down with you!”

With that, Aknadin fled the scene right before Mahad and Isis stormed in. The vision quest now panned to the desert just outside the chamber, with Seto staring down an unfamiliar enemy.

“So… That’s how it happened…” Yami Yugi felt a tear run down his cheek. “Father… Anubis killed him!”

“I’m shocked too, babe.” Kaiba wrapped a quivering arm around Yami Yugi’s shoulders. “But there’s still more to see.”

“Yuck! That guy’s got a dragon head for a dick.” Tristan’s remark elicited a light slap to the face from Téa.

“Huh.” The enemy unfurled his purple wings as he towered over Seto. “I was under the impression that I would be facing the pharaoh. But all that I see is a priest who was too dimwitted to bring his Millennium Item to battle.”

“I don’t need the Millennium Rod this day,” Seto declared. “For you see, I am a weapon unto myself. Zorc! Your reign of terror will end today!”

“Hahaha! You really think so, boy?”

“Hah!” Seto jumped onto the base of the building and climbed it. When he reached the top, he jumped off, transforming into the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon without freefalling. “Yeah. Yeah, I really do. You cannot defeat the power of the gods!”

“You? Power of the gods?” Zorc shot a Zorc Inferno in Seto’s direction to counter the Shining Neutron Blast coming at him. “Don’t make me laugh!”

After many more exchanges of attacks, Seto spoke, “I’ll give you credit for one thing. Of any foe we of the royal court have faced, you are the strongest.”

“Flattery isn’t going to save you – or your precious pharaoh for that matter! Why don’t I remind you?” Zorc suddenly vanished.

“Damn…” Seto tried in vain to look for Zorc. Instead, the Dark One found him, making his presence known with a sharp Zorc Inferno to the back. “Urgh…”

Zorc was pleased to see Seto barely managing to remain airborne. “You must realize that you cannot defeat me! Though in my final act of mercy, I’ll spare your life if you give me the pharaoh.”

“No! I refuse to give you the man I love more than anything!” Seto closed his eyes as his body glowed a light blue.

“Then you’ll- Huh?”

“I’m sorry, my love… But I really will be taking my love for you before Osiris.” Seto shed one last tear before launching himself at Zorc full force. “Shining Nova!”

“Argh! Damn you… Horakhty…” So were Zorc’s last words as Seto’s lifeless body fell to the sand.

Joey felt as if he were being sucked into a vacuum. “Whoa, man! I think the movie is ending, you guys!”

“I… I…” Before Yami Yugi could truly process what he had just seen, the surroundings became fuzzy. Soon, he and his companions were brought back to reality.

[splat-dragon]

I'm on my way Home sweet home ~Home Sweet Home, Motley Crue

It had taken nearly four years, but finally they were coming home.

 Not without a lot of concessions, granted, but they were going home. Stark had finally gotten over himself and let Bucky use B.A.R.F (Steve was certain that the man had had the technology for longer than he’d said he had, but in the end Bucky had finally had his triggers removed and had come out of Cryo, so he’d put that as one of the lowest priority things he needed to talk to Tony about), worked to get them pardoned and brought back.

 The UN had seen their mistakes, had locked up Ross in the very prison he’d locked them up in, though sadly hadn’t collared him as he’d done to Wanda—considering he had no powers to mute, there was no point to it. Still, though Steve didn’t usually care for revenge, he wished nothing more than to see Ross restrained and collared like he deserved.

 They’d been made to sign the Accords, though, and he chafed for it. The UN, despite seeing their mistakes, hadn’t been willing to tear them up completely, not after having already had so many superhumans sign them, having so many already under their thumbs. He’d tried to read them really, he had, but they’d been written to confuse them, so full of legalese, and though he’d asked his legal representative, Tony had assigned him one who wasn’t willing to work with him, the woman had only confused him further. But he’d understood enough, that they weren’t as bad as the ones he’d fought so hard against, and the one thing he had understood was that it was still possible to make changes, so along with the others he had signed and been allowed onto the Quinjet headed back to New York.

“Where the hell is Stark?” Clint grumbled, crossing his arms, and out of habit Steve said

 “Language,”

 though he’d gotten more than used to the language Clint and, to some extent, Wanda, tended to spit when it came to Tony. It was something they’d need to work on, now that they were a team again, but he did agree with them, though he didn’t have a chance to say anything before Wanda was providing her own two cents, “We’re not worth his time, don’t you know that Clint? Mr. High and Mighty can’t be bothered to pick us up himself.”

 They’d arrived on the tarmac to find a handful of nondescript black cars waiting for them, an unfamiliar woman in a grey pantsuit standing flanked by a handful of men and women, all in the same uniform. For a long moment, it had felt like a trap, and magic began to unfurl from Wanda’s hands in red flames, Clint had reached for a bow that wasn’t there, Natash for the empty holsters on her hips—they’d been made to hand in their weapons on the Quinjet—until she stepped forward and introduced herself as Henrietta Rask, their representative among the Avengers Counsel.

 “Representative?” Steve had asked, and she’d asked if he’d read the Accords, looking like she couldn’t decide if he was dumb or just plain stupid when he’d explained that he’d skimmed them, on account of them being too confusing, but that he understood the basic idea. So she’d said that she’d explain once they were in the car-it was a decent drive. Which was… strange, considering that the Tower wasn’t far from where they’d landed at all, but they just assumed the woman didn’t know what she was talking about, her identification had checked out after all.

 She was finishing up some paperwork with the people with her (S.W.O.R.D., the organization that was replacing SHIELDRA, agents), leaving them to talk. Natasha and Clint were going in one car, Scott and Wanda in the second, Sam and Bucky in another (Steve was not happy about that, but Henrietta had reminded him that he had needed some things clarified, so he’d acquiesced), and Steve with Henrietta in the last.

Steve was not a happy man, and Henrietta was not a happy woman. As it turned out, it was her job to be the go-between for them and the Avengers Counsel (as he should have guessed, really, what else would a ‘representative’ be?). Anything they needed, they told her, and she’d pass it on. Any complaints would be passed on, or requests. He’d nearly blown a gasket when he’d said ‘but that’s Tony’s job!’ because it was, when they needed something they told JARVIS, or whatever Tony had built now that JARVIS was the Vision, or Tony himself, and she’d told him again that it was no longer Tony’s job, but the Avengers Counsel’s.

 He wasn’t happy, but he shook his head and went along with it, adding that to the list of things he needed to talk to Tony about. It wasn’t the woman’s fault that Tony had her hoodwinked, too.

The drive led them to the parts of New York that were more open, sprawling, where they saw more trees than buildings, and at a red-light he caught Scott looking at him from his car’s rear-view mirror, his confusion echoed on the younger man’s face. Though Lang had never been to the Avenger’s Tower, it was impossible to miss, and the entire world knew where it was. And out here it was not.

 “Where are we going,” Steve demanded, turning to Henrietta—while the ‘Avengers Counsel’ wasn’t her fault, bringing them out into the middle of nowhere wasn’t funny, and if it was Tony’s idea of a prank, it wasn’t a funny one, was immature even for him, and she’d have to be in on it too.

 She looked up from the tablet she’d been fiddling with, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow, “To the Compound, Mr. Rogers, as you would know if you’d read the Accords,”

 “Captain,” he corrected, frowning, “we’re supposed to be going back to the tower!”

 “No, Mr. Rogers, you are not. The Avengers are being housed in the Avengers Compound. Once the term of your house arrest is over you are, of course, welcome to find lodging elsewhere.”

 His jaw clenched so tight he felt his teeth groan, “What about the tower?”

 Henrietta sighed, “Mr. Stark sold the tower, it no longer belongs to him, Stark Industries, or the Avengers Initiative. Even if you wished to return there after the term of your house arrest, you could not, it has been turned into an office building. Unless,” she grins, “you care to sleep in a cubicle.”

 He gapes at her, opens and shuts his mouth like a fish, “He… he can’t do that! The Tower… the Tower is our home!”

 “Home or not,” and from the way she said it, it was clear that she did not agree with him, “the Tower was Mr. Stark’s property. Not SI’s, not SHIELD’s, which no longer owns any property anyways, not the Avengers Initiative’s. It was his personal property, so it was his to do with as he wished.”

 “But,” he started, didn’t have another word, started again, “but,” and wasn’t sure if he should be relieved, caught flat-footed, when the car rolled to a stop, Henrietta slipping her tablet into her bag and stepping out of the car before he could get another word out. Without much of a choice, he followed, greeted by Clint’s exclamation of “What the fuck is this?”

 “This, Mr. Barton, is the Avengers Compound, as you would know if you’d read the Accords.” the man’s face went a rather impressive shade of puce, but she powered on, “Any current and future Avengers will be given the option to be housed here, although you seven will be living here for the duration of your house arrest, as was outlined in the contracts you all signed.

Ignoring any of their ‘comments’ (being polite, their head in the Counsel was going to be made well aware of the things they said—they still had many hoops to jump through, and while an attitude check wasn’t one of them, a psychological profile was ), she led them into the building and up to the front desk, where a kindly-faced old man sat behind a desk, offering them a smile as she handed them badges, “This is Stan, he’s one of our front desk employees. Any time you enter or leave the Compound, after informing and having received permission of course, you need to present them with your badge. Please try not to lose them, your first two replacements will be provided free of charge but after that each replacement will be provided at a cost of ten dollars.”

 “We’re not children!” Wanda snapped, despite how often Steve said she was ‘just a kid!’, “We’re not going to be wandering around losing these.”

 (She’d lost hers by Saturday.)

They rode in the elevator up onto the second floor, wherein Henrietta stepped out and they followed her. “You will be staying on this floor. The first floor contains meeting rooms as well as the hospital wings, so unless you are injured, visiting your doctors, or meeting with the Counsel, then you won’t be spending much time on it. The third and fifth floors are exactly the same in layout as this one, they will provide housing for future members of the Avengers Initiative. The fourth floor is the common floor, it contains the kitchen, the dining room, as well as the training room. As a courtesy, you have been given one week to rest and recuperate and get used to the Compound, but starting the Monday after that you will be expected in the training room every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3pm to train.”

 She led them to the top line of the A, “This is the common room of your floor,” but she didn’t get out another word before Wanda burst out,

 “What is this?!” gesturing to the room, hands sparking red. “Where’s our stuff!?

 Henrietta frowned, “All of the things you purchased with your money were put away into storage units upon the sale of the Tower,” a slight lie, they’d been put into storage by Vision while Mr. Stark was in the hospital after Siberia, but tomayto tomahto. “If you wish to collect them, then please tell me once you have gathered the funds to pay the fees of your unit.”

 Wanda’s face turned colors to match her hair, “That’s not fair! ” she stamped her foot like the child she claimed, sometimes, to be, “That’s our stuff, he can’t just take it away!”

 Like she was speaking to a child, Henrietta said again, “Mr. Stark is not taking your things. When he sold the tower no one knew that you’d be getting pardons, storing your possessions in the Compound would have taken up unnecessary space.”

 The Witch puffed up, hair beginning to float around her, and Henrietta’s hand twitched towards her watch, but Clint crossed his arms, “Don’t bother Wanda, it’s just Stark throwing a tantrum. Steve’ll talk to him and sort this out.”

 Steve nodded—this was just one thing among a long list of things he nodded to straighten out with Tony. “Don’t worry Wanda, I’ll get your things back.”

 That settled her, some, and her hair laid back down along her shoulders, but still her face was a rather alarming shade of red as she gestured to the common room, “What are we supposed to do? We can’t leave the Compound!”

 Henrietta looked over the room—it wasn’t bad, if you asked her. A scattering of couches, sofas and armchairs, all aimed at a large tv, and more than a fair few bookcases with a decent selection of books. “There is plenty for you to do and, technically, Mr. Stark was not required to provide you any sources of entertainment. You have cable, as well as the internet and books. If you wish to purchase any more books you can have them delivered and they will be brought to your rooms or added to the bookshelves, and you are welcome to subscribe to any streaming services that you can afford.”

 Seeing the way Barton was turning colors (she was starting to become concerned for his blood pressure), she turned on her heel and began to lead them down one of the prongs of the A, before he could say something, probably offended by what he had clearly taken as an insult to his financial situation.

 “Men, you are housed in this hall, women on the other. Mr. Wilson is in room 1a, Mr. Barton is in 2a, Mr. Lang 3a, Mr. Barnes in 4a, and Mr. Rogers in 5a.,” she rattled off, “the rest of the rooms are empty for the time being. At the end of both hallways you will find a small kitchenette, as well as a supply room containing toiletries and other such necessities.”

 Nodding, she looked at the Rogues, “I am aware that you have had a long day, and a lot of information dumped on you at once. So for now I will be leaving you to get settled in, I’m sure you all want to get some sleep. If any of you need anything, there’s food in the kitchenettes, and FRIDAY is willing to answer any questions you might have.” Without giving them an opportunity to speak up, Henrietta stepped into the elevator and was gone, intending on going to medical and getting the strongest migraine medicine they could give her.

 “FRIDAY…?”

[the-absent-writer]

kuroshio: a short story

All eyes are on her as she glides across the stage, her sequined costume throwing rainbows and prisms on the walls of the music hall. She moves like a river: elegant and smooth, but if you look closely there is power, a force that will sweep any unsuspecting man away and pull him under the waves. They call her Kuroshio, after the current.

The soft notes of the piano melody follow her when she dances, her body the conductor and her arms the baton. The spotlight is an admirer of hers; a slave to graceful leaps and turns. Hands and fingers slowly lead the last few piano notes to their final resting place and she ends the routine, bare feet striking the wooden stage. The audience bursts into applause. She takes a bow and leaves the stage. The house lights go on and the seats are abuzz, some taking their leave while others chat about the performance.

A shadow moves in one of the private boxes on top, leaving, but not exiting, making its way towards the dancer’s dressing room. The guards outside the small room nod, opening the door. The dancer is seated at a vanity in the back, still in costume, and the figure steps behind her, illuminated by the lights of the mirror. Kuroshio whips around, surprised. He is monstrous, taller than anyone the dancer had ever seen before. Green eyes startle her, a sharp contrast to the browns and blacks she’s used to seeing. His scarred hands reach out in an invitation to her.

“Do excuse my sudden appearance, my dear Kuroshio-sama, but I simply had to speak with you,” he purrs, his voice a deep purple velvet. He moves to sit next to the girl and she turns away from him, picking up a small tablet sitting on the vanity. She taps the screen a few times and a robotic voice fills the air.

“I beg your pardon. I do not know who you are, nor your intentions, but I will not hesitate to call security if you do not remove yourself from my private dressing room.”

The man chuckles, arms moving to rest at his sides.

“So the rumors are true. You are mute.”

Kuroshio’s eyes narrow. He waves a hand, dismissive.

“Nevertheless, I do believe I owe you an introduction. My name is Touma. I run a modest organization, the nature of which I unfortunately must withhold, but you have caught the eye of many within the group. The reason for my visit today is in regards to that. I am extending an invitation to you to join our organization, Kuroshio-sama.”

More tapping, and the robot voice returns.

“Touma-san, while I do appreciate the offer, I do not know enough about you or this organization to even consider it. I am content with my current position here. I thank you, but I must ask you to please take your leave. Do have a pleasant day.”

Touma reaches into one of the many pockets of his suit, producing a business card. He sets it on the vanity and moves towards the door. He hesitates, and turns back towards Kuroshio. 

“I do hope you reconsider, Kuroshio-sama. My organization will be glad to have you. In the event that you do change your mind, however, please give my assistant a call. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to hear from you.” He exits the room, chuckling. A dread settles itself onto Kuroshio’s shoulders, no doubt a result of Touma’s prediction. She picks up the card he left, turning it over in her hands. Its gold embossed edges catch the light and she squints at the simple text stamped on it:

TOUMA HIGUCHI JYUGORI +8108075032034

Kuroshio sets the card back down and scoffs, an exhale without a voice. Why would this Touma have the nerve to interrupt her? What kind of name is Jyugori? What even is Jyugori? Maybe the Internet would have the answers. She reaches for her tablet, opening up a browser andsearching for this mysterious organization. Kuroshio steels herself for the results. If Touma wouldn’t tell her the work they did, then it must be pretty bad. Her first thought is yakuza. He certainly looks the part, what with his expensive-looking suit and dramatic business cards. A small smile appears on Kuroshio’s face at that thought. The mafia, recruiting a small-time dancer. Imagine the headlines!

The tablet beeps to indicate the search is done, interrupting Kuroshio’s mafia daydreams. The second result catches her eye, an opinion piece regarding gangs in the city. Curious, she taps the link and skims the article. So Jyugori is a gang. Figures. Kuroshio is about to click backwards when she sees a picture of Touma at the bottom of the webpage. It’s grainy, most likely taken from surveillance footage from one of the cameras around the city. It would otherwise seem ordinary, as it was his gang, but the caption turns her stomach.

TOUMA-HIGOKU (PICTURED) OUTSIDE CLUB KETSU

Higoku. A criminal. Kuroshio’s eyes widen and she feels her stomach flip. A convicted felon had been in her private dressing room. She puts the tablet back on the vanity and picks the business card back up. Scowling, she tears it into two, then four, then eight, letting the pieces fall to the wooden floor of the dressing room. She shivers and scratches at the high neck of her costume, a nervous habit.

There’s a knock at the door and her manager’s face appears, stopping by to congratulate Kuroshio on the show and to tell her she’s okay to go home, there’s nothing more to do. She thanks him with a nod and the door shuts again, leaving her alone. Trying to shake off Touma’s visit, she steps over to the small closet in the corner of the room and shrugs off her leotard, replacing it with street clothes. She wraps a scarf around her neck, picks up her bag, and steps out of the room, nodding to the security guards as she leaves the building.

It’s foggy outside, the streetlights a hazy glow in the diminishing evening light. There’s a sound behind her, like footsteps, and Kuroshio steals a quick glance. Nothing. Her eyebrows knit together and she hurries her pace, burrowing herself further into her hoodie. Kuroshio makes her way to the subway station next to the theater, her dark hair stiffening as the hairspray in it meets the cold underground air when she descends the stairs. There’s an ominous air to the station tonight and it makes the hair on the back of her neck prickle. Kuroshio readjusts her scarf and glances at the schedule on the wall. She’s just missed a train, next one’s in twenty minutes. Kuroshio finds a bench near the train platform, pulls a book out of her bag and settles in. She’s barely opened it when she hears the sound again. More footsteps, but this time louder, like there’s more of them, echoes bouncing off the station’s tiled walls and into her ears. A sensation Kuroshio could only call anxiety fills her body and she freezes, hands trembling as she closes her book.

Kuroshio risks looking behind her. She swivels slowly around and is met with the barrel of a gun two inches from her face. Her heart kicks into overdrive, shooting pure adrenaline through her. Her eyes become saucers, but her vision seems to narrow, all focus on the weapon in front of her. Kuroshio inhales sharply, body paralyzed by fear. The gun clicks, bullet in the chamber, and her blood runs cold. She can almost see her body on the cold pavement, crimson flowing from her head like the Tama River. 

Clapping punctures the tense silence and the gun lowers, freeing Kuroshio from the prison of her mind. She finally looks at the man holding the weapon and her only thought is confusion. He looks like a soldier, wearing the uniform of the Self-Defense Forces. She squints at the insignia on his chest, expecting to see a Japanese flag. There’s another flag there, one she doesn’t recognize, a white ring on a black background. She tears her gaze away from the strange flag, eyes drifting to the rest of the station. It’s filled with soldiers, all wearing the same emblem.The sea of camouflage parts to reveal a woman in a long red coat, the source of the clapping.

The woman steps towards Kuroshio, black heels clicking against the station floor. She stops when she reaches the bench Kuroshio’s sitting on, shoving a gloved hand in her face. The soldiers close ranks behind her.

“Sonohara. Pleasure to meet you, Kuroshio. I hope you can forgive our sudden entrance, I did think it was a bit too strong.”

Kuroshio takes her hand, stunned. This makes two strange people in a single day. It’s a new record. Sonohara smiles, moving to sit next to Kuroshio, hands back in her coat pockets.

“I bet you’re very confused right now. I’d be too if a whole bunch of soldiers appeared out of nowhere. Let me explain. I’m the current head of Shisuna. We’re a small agency within the Japanese government trying to keep the gangs in Tokyo under control and stop them, Jyugori in particular, from getting any stronger. You can probably guess why we approached you now of all times.” She places a hand on Kuroshio’s shoulder, leaning in. Kuroshio tenses.

“I don’t think I have to warn you about Touma, but just in case I will. That man is dangerous.”

Sonohara’s grip on Kuroshio’s shoulder tightens and her serious expression twists into a grimace.

“He’s a monster who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Stay away from him. Join Shisuna. We’ll be able to keep you safe. What do you say, Kuroshio?”

Kuroshio’s taken aback. Sure, Touma’s scary, but she didn’t think he was as much of a monster as Sonohara thinks he is. She thinks it’s odd that Sonohara’s recruitment pitch revolved almost entirely around Tomua while Touma’s didn’t even mention Shisuna or Sonohara. Kuroshio’s instincts are screaming at her to get away. Any woman who brings a whole army to try and recruit a dancer is dangerous. Even Touma didn’t try and intimidate her like Sonohara is trying to. Kuroshio reaches into her bag for her phone, fishing it out and starts typing her response.

“I’m sorry Sonohara-san, but like I told Touma-san, I am comfortable with my current position and don’t see a need to join any new organization. Thank you for your offer, though.”

Sonohara’s face darkens and she stands up stiffly. She signals to the soldier next to Kuroshio, beckoning him forward.

“I’m very disappointed, Kuroshio. I had hoped we’d reach an understanding, but it seems that isn’t going to happen. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you leave. I can’t risk you going to Jyugori. Goodbye, Kuroshio. Minamoto, take care of her.”

She turns to leave, the soldiers once again parting to let her though. They follow her out, boots throwing echoes over the walls. The soldier from earlier, Minamoto, turns to her and raises his gun once again. The panic sets in again and Kuroshio isn’t sure what to do. She’s back in the mental prison, tunnel vision and paralysis returning. She can’t die here. Not now. There’s still so much she has to do. Kuroshio is panting, her heart pounding out of her chest. Minamoto clicks a bullet into place, finger on the trigger. He’s about to pull it when what sounds like an explosion rings through the station. Minamoto jerks and collapses on the concrete with a thud, a bullet lodged in the back of his head.

Kuroshio wants to scream, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. She backs away from him, her back hitting the edge of the bench. He’s dead. She’s hyperventilating now, breath coming too fast and the adrenaline is making her hands tremor, like little tiny earthquakes are pulsing through her.

“Are you okay, Kuroshio-sama?”

She jerks her head up towards the voice, terrified. Touma is standing there, gun in hand, still smoking. He tucks it away and moves towards Kuroshio, who can’t back away any further. He stops a few feet away from her and extends a hand.

“I know. I’m probably the last person you want to see right now. I’m sorry. I didn’t think Sonohara would actually make contact so soon after I did.”

His voice is kind, so much different than the last time they met. His eyes meet hers, and they’re soft.

“Please come with me. We need to leave before she comes back. My assistant is in the car outside. I promise I’ll explain everything.”

Kuroshio tentatively reaches a hand towards Touma, heart still racing and her whole body shaking. Touma smiles softly and crosses the few feet to take her hand. She stands up and follows him out, feeling numb. They go up the stairs silently, and are out, the evening light having faded into the purples and blacks of night. True to his word, there’s a car and a woman standing there. Her green dress is bright under the streetlight. She drapes a blanket around Kuroshio’s shaking form and opens the car door, gently urging her inside the vehicle. Touma sits next to her, tapping the window twice to signal the driver to go.

The adrenaline starts to wear off and Kuroshio feels empty. Numb, even. There’s nothing going through her head now that she’s out of danger. Touma seems to sense this, and turns towards her.

“I’m sure you want an explanation.”

Kuroshio nods slowly.

“I should start with an apology. I panicked when I first tried to recruit you. I didn’t expect you to be so adamant about your rejection and I went full sociopath. I’m sorry. I assure you, I’m not actually like that at all. Anyway, I tried to recruit you for more than just you catching the eye of our organization. Jyugori is a gang, but we’re not the bad guys, I promise. Sonohara lied to you. Shisuna is in fact a government group, but they’re not trying to keep us from gaining power. This is going to sound like it came straight out of a shonen manga, but they’re creating soldiers. I can’t say super soldiers, but that’s the best example I can give. Those men you saw in there are only a small sample of their power. They probably wanted you because you’d make an excellent soldier. You’re thin and small and would make the perfect assassin. We got lucky and got to you first, but Sonohara came after you tonight because I talked to you. She saw me try and snatch you away and thought she needed to hurry. Jyugori is trying to keep her and her organization away from as many people as we can, but their numbers are growing. I’ll be honest, I’m getting

desperate, and sloppy as a result. Do you believe me?”

Another nod. Kuroshio isn’t getting any hostility from Touma, nor does she think he’s lying.

“This probably isn’t the best time to bring it up, but I’ll extend an invitation to you again. We’re almost at the base. Don’t worry, it’s much different than the previous one. If you were to side with Jyugori, you could keep this from happening to anyone else. I won’t ask you to leave your current position. All I ask is that you keep an eye out for Shisuna and Sonohara, and pass on any information you hear about them. Does that seem fair? What do you say?”

Kuroshio hesitates. If she were to join for real, then she could keep Sonohara away from anyone else. Would it be selfish of her to say no? Jyugori couldn’t stop it from happening to her, so what’s the point?

Touma seems to sense her hesitation, and clears his throat.

“I won’t force you to make a decision right away. You’re welcome to stay with our organization for the time being and get to know everyone. We’ll keep Sonohara off your tail regardless of the choice you make, though. It’s all up to you.”

Kuroshio shakes her head. She knows what she has to do. The panic and fear has worn off and given way to pure anger and rage. She’s angry with Sonohara and her goons for going after her, angry at the world for doing this to her. She raises her head to Touma, and her eyes are ablaze, fury lifting her up.

“I see. Welcome to Jyugori, Kuroshio.”

[vaultgirl2077]

Dear John.

The pair made their way out into the bustle of the club, sitting themselves down at a sofa a little away from the bar and VIP room.

The club was almost full tonight, Charlie seemed rushed off his feet and Magnolia was basking in the eyes of the patons fixated on her.

Maya had excused herself to the bathroom while the buzz wore off. As if waking from a dream, she was feeling more alert and painfully embarrassed at all she had revealed. She’d told him things she hadn’t told anyone, some she was even scared to admit to herself.

She must have been gone a while...

When she returned, the crowd rose to the floor, a signal that Mags had finished her break, ready to enchant the audience with her spell once more.

Maya sat back down, arms across her chest and noticeably colder since her departure. In an attempt to seem normal, she poked her tongue out at the ghoul opposite her.

Hancock didn’t buy it but he didn’t want to push the boundaries. He stuck to what he knew best.

“So, you got a ride of choice? I’m usually a Mentats Ghoul myself. Makes me feel intellectual.” He pulled a container out of his coat pocket and offered it to Maya, she took two of the small tablets and knocked them back with her drink.

“Heh. Not shy are ya? Two a day keeps reality at bay.”

“I don’t tend to ‘ride’ much for fun these days. Don’t know what half the shit is anymore,” She said as she dragged her fingers through her hair, “I usually only use chems for dealing with enemies now. I mean I still can’t kill someone unless I’ve had a hit of Psycho. Sound’s pathetic doesn’t it?” A sardonic laugh and she broke eye contact. “I guess tonight is my first real joy ride for the last couple of hundred years. I have you to thank for that.”

“My pleasure, sister. You can always come to me whenever you need a little chem break.” He winked and began searching his coat. When he found what he was looking for, he locked her gaze once more. That inviting smile formed into a hard line for the briefest of moments. “And to answer your question, no, it ain’t pathetic to need an extra push to kill. It means you aren’t the same as the scum you gotta take care of.” A pause. “Gotta ask though, what happens when the psycho runs out?”

“I don’t let it run out.” She answered simply. But she knew what he meant. She’d face that bridge when she came to it.

Hancock chuckled with a shake of his head. “Fair enough. Good answer.”

Without a word of warning, he slipped off the sofa and knelt down in front of her, presenting her with a syringe that had two vials of orange liquid attached to it. Maya eagerly edged closer to him, leaning forward out of curiosity.

“Since this is your first real ride in Goodneighbor, let’s make it one to remember. Those Mentats started to kick in yet?”

Maya nodded, her pupils had started to dilate and she felt a spike in her intellect. Everything was suddenly so defined, the heightened perception made her aware of the intricate details in her surroundings.

”Good. Now this little gem is called Daddy-O. You take this whole thing and we ain’t gonna be on the same planet. But...You take a small hit of it with those Mentats and you’re gonna have one hell of a night." The needle caught the light. "You trust me, doll?”

Maya nodded once more.

Because she did... So much did she trust this man who she barely knew.

Her heart began to race, she was hungry for it.

Hancock flicked the tip of the needle as she slouched back into her seat. Delicately, he snuck his rugged hand under her leg and lifted. Goosebumps erupted on her skin at the caress, butterflies forming in the pit of her stomach with the anticipation.

He stroked his thumb on the inside of her thigh and stretched the skin. Maya let out a sharp gasp as the needle penetrated, the rush was instant as the foreign chem coursed through her system.

The ghoul’s hand lingered on her sensitive skin as he retracted the syringe, only a small portion was missing from the vials. He replaced the needle before injecting a larger dose into his ruined forearm.

The subtle hues of the room swiftly became more saturated. Ripples lingered in the wake of where the light had moved and the smoke seemed to solidify. Whisps dancing to the music and hugging the customers it engulfed.

Hancock guided her away from the growing crowd of the bar and back to the VIP lounge, the patrons swarming as the night grew later and privacy was becoming an issue.

They were in the doorway when Hancock took her by the hand and pulled her towards him. Maya staggered off balance and he used the opening to expertly hooked his arm around her waist, forcing their bodies to connect as he pulled her close.

Within moments they were swaying, synchronized and moving perfectly in rhythm with Magnolia’s song.

.

'You leave me breathless, weak in the knees...I'm feeling reckless, pardon me please...The fallout’s blowing through...But baby, it’s just you…🎵'

Hancock mouthed the lyrics with a smirk, tracing circles on her lower back as they danced. His obsidian gaze almost predatory as it locked on her lips and then refocused on her eyes.

It had been too long since she felt this magnetic pull, her head swimming with the undeniable attraction she felt for him. She tried to tell herself it was down to the circumstances and intoxication but it was without sincerity. A fool to try and lie to herself when she knew he reality.

'Help me, help me, rescue my heart...Save me, save me, from falling apart…🎵'

Maya draped both her arms around his ruined neck. The ghoul was so much taller than her petite frame that she hung on him. Surprised by his height when he was this close. His usual relaxed demeanour and slender body making him seem smaller from a distance.

The more her honed eyes focused on his face, the more she was fascinated by the ridged contours of his skin. Delicate fingers teased his nape, provoking an involuntary growl that rumbled in his chest.

The chemistry drove their bodies closer. Hancock's now free hand grazed her arm and found her waist, skillfully maneuvering his leg in between hers and propping her up against the wall behind them. The hand on her hip snaked up her torso and guided her arm above her head - Holding it there as a quiet moan escaped her lips.

Maya's body was entranced by his magnetism, every sensation heightened due to the cocktail of chems and alcohol.

Coherent thought had all but vanished, replaced with a throbbing primal ache that was begging the ghoul not to stop.

'Take me, take me, baby I’m sure...🎵'

Instinct did most of the guidance. With the weight of his strong but slender body pinning her to the wall, her frame conformed to him, seeking to breach any space between them.

Hancock's scarred lips were barely an inch from touching hers, both of them were breathing heavily, the anticipation unbearable as the inevitable came closer.

Even in the ecstasy of the moment, she felt strange. Aware she was being reckless, making a fool of herself.

She hadn’t let herself go like this since before Nate.

Always responsible. Always solving the problem. Always positive.

Lady Luck, right? It would all work out.

Until now...Until she woke up.

For the last decade her baby had been raised by the people who murdered his father and she didn’t know if she'd ever find a way inside their impenetrable base.

No one else ever had and they had more power than she could ever hope to weild.

This time there were no silver linings, nothing to do but to fuck it all and escape, even if it was just for one night and in the arms of some man who made her feel good.

Her previous life and her husband were gone and slowly becoming a memory. Didn’t she deserve some pleasure after the weeks of suffering, just wishing for it all to end?

For one fucking night, didn’t she deserve to feel something other than heartache?

.

'You've got the power. You've got the cure...🎵'

.

Maya tilted her head forward just enough to gently graze her lips against his before pulling away, testing his reaction as she tasted the smoke that lingered there... 

That was all the encouragement he needed to take control. Hancock captured her in a fervent embrace.

Several moments of his expert mouth exploring her own and he broke the lifeline, nudging her face to the side so he could pepper expert kisses along her jaw and neck.

Devouring her as her skin erupted in goosebumps from the contact of his breath.

“You sure about this, doll? Ain’t sure if you even know what you’re doing. Last thing I want is to take advantage.” His voice was a tender, slurred rumble in her ear before he pulled his head back to search for hesitation in her eyes.

“Trust me. I know what I’m doing, Hancock.” Maya kissed him forcefully, no reluctance this time as her lips crashed against his.

Any prior reservations thay the ghoul held dissolved, he responded ardently, drunk on the ecstasy that was her taste. His fingers wove themselves into her hair, pulling her deeper into him with increased urgency.

At the peak of the moment, just as they were about to fall entirely, a familiar voice broke the spell.

“Seriously, Boss? Three in one week? Have some class. Where’s that Silver Shroud you were –“ Fahrenheit stopped abruptly as she realised the new girl Hancock had pinned to the wall  was Maya.

“Oh, I see...When you said you didn’t want to be disturbed, I didn’t realise it was that kind of meeting.”

Hancock’s lips lingered on Maya’s as their senses returned and they caught their breath. He carefully lifted his body away from her to glare daggers at his bodyguard.

Fahrenheit couldn’t prevent herself from smirking as she tried to stay serious.

“Boss, we need to talk.” Once more she glanced at Maya. “In private...It’s urgent.”

Hancock didn’t question it. Then Fahrenheit addressed Maya.

“Shroud, your friend from earlier is upstairs with Ham. Didn’t seem to understand that you two didn’t want to be disturbed. Idiot tried three times to get in, each time with a different costume and accent. Someone should tell him that those glasses are a dead giveaway.”

Maya laughed as she adjusted her dress and patted down her hair.

Typical Deacon.

Hancock told Fahrenheit that he’d be with her in a minute and to let the Railroad agent inside. Once the redhead departed, the two turned to face each other with reality restored.

“You sure know how to show a ghoul a good time.” He lifted her chin and kissed her softly. “I won’t be long if you want to take this fun meeting upstairs where we won’t be disturbed? Best Christmas present I’ve had in a long time.” The ghoul teased as he pulled away with a wink and smirk, following Fahrenheit to the bar.

Christmas present?

With a frown, Maya looked to her Pip-Boy as Deacon’s silhouette in a blond mop of a wig approached her.

Her heart sank

“00:24, 12/25/2287”

Her first Christmas without Nate and she was here doing whatever the hell this was with a man she’d just met?

It had only been two months without him...

With a the guilt swelling in her chest and choking her, Maya glanced over to the ghoul before darting for the stairs.

Never had she fled a place so quickly in her life.

[saundraswriting]

Interior Design Chapter 2: Arrival

SUMMARY:You get to the Compound. You get a run down of what you are begin offered. You get the promised tour and meet-N-greet, and make a fool of yourself. But this is your dream job.

WARNINGS: NONE

NOTES:This is an everyone lives/no one dies, Living in the compound, Non Civil War compliant, No Sokovian Accords AU.

Previous / Next

At exactly 2pm a broad man with some facial hair opened the door to the car that had just pulled in front of you. "Ms. L/N. I am your driver, call me Happy. I am to drive you upstate to the Compound." He helped you in and tucked your bags into the trunk.

"Hello then, Happy. Call me Y/N. Thank you for the ride." You were trying to hide your nerves behind your manners.

"There are drinks back there if you want. Beyond that sit back and relax." Happy said pulling into the never-ending rush of traffic. You sat quiet, prepared for the slow-moving endeavor that was driving through NYC but Happy moved through alleys and side streets to move through and around the traffic, having seemed to memorizer the traffic light timing. It was impressive.

"Are you sure that you don't have some sort of driving enhancements?" You asked your companion.

"No. I just have spent too many years running errands for Mr. Stark." Happy said. He looked up at you through the rear-view mirror. "Not that you are an errand or anything."

"Happy, that is exactly what I am. Thank you though. I am not exactly on Mr. Stark's priority list to have him come and see me." You tried to ease his concern. You turn to look out the window and gape, Happy had some how driven you out of the city and on your way truly to the Avenger's Compound. You wanted to push on the Driving enhancement but kept it to yourself.

"Oh my. I am really going. I'm doing this." You muttered to yourself.

"Y/N, they are just people. Yes, super enhanced or gifted but still people. People who want a place where they can be themselves. You see superheroes? I see tired people with super burdens." Happy said. "Now, relax."

Happy's  advice helped significantly to calm you down. It was something to remember, you were helping them make their house a home. Someplace for them to turn off. You pulled out your tablet and pulled up your designing program to open a new project. You had a kitchen, living room, media room and about a dozen bedrooms in the project. The rooms were customizable to an extent but you chose to work with what was provided. It was simple but effective to help plan layouts of things. You added comments on each room of things you would need to look at or plan for. The kitchen and pantry needed to support the massive appetites that the team would have and each bedroom needed to be assigned for better focus. You did layout some basic things like beds and end tables such. You knew everyone would like it different, but you figured the rooms would be almost exactly the same build. After about 90 minutes of basic fiddling you saved it.

"Y/N, we are just about there. I believe in you. The idea of what you need to do seems scary and overwhelming but you'll figure everything out in time." Happy said. The car pulled onto a hidden road and you watched as it followed the curves and bends as a gate rose up to meet them. Happy pulled into what seemed the front of the building and helped you out of the car and grabbed your bags.

The two of you entered the empty foyer. "Hey, F.R.I.D.A.Y, can you tell Pep and Tony we're here? And do you know where Ms. L/N will be staying?" Happy spoke to the open room.

"I already did. They are on the way. Ms. L/N is located in room 12." A disembodied Irish voice rang out.

"Well, you heard the robot lady. I'll leave you here for Tony and Pepper. I will drop your bags off. F.R.I.D.A.Y, introduce yourself. Y/N, it was a pleasure meeting you." Happy took your bags and headed off down the hall leaving you alone and nervous.

"Ms. L/N, I am F.R.I.D.A.Y. I am a artificial intelligence system designed and maintained by Tony Stark. I run the Living Areas for the Avengers and the Iron Man Suits." The voice spoke once more. You looked around for a camera or speaker to speak to but couldn't find one so you looked to the ceiling.

"Oh, nice to meet you Ms. F.R.I.D.A.Y. Please call me Y/N." You told the ceiling.

"Very well, Ms. Y/N. Welcome to the Avenger's Compound." She responded.

Oh, good you two already met. You turned at the voice of Tony Stark.

"Come on, we can continue this in my office." A willowy red-head was with him, who you correctly assumed to be Pepper Potts.

The three of you walked to her office while making small talk. Tony asked about your education and where you came from. You told them about your suspicions of Happy's driving enhancements. The two others laughed and Tony agreed with you. When you finally arrived at Pepper's office, you sat in front of it, her behind it and Tony leaned against it.

"This is going to be a quick as I can make it but there is a lot to cover. First, the contract is a long-term non-exclusive for your benefit. This is just to start, if you chose to extend it then we would make you a permanent employee. You will have to sign Non-Disclosure agreements since you will be dealing directly with the Avengers. You will have the time and means to work with you current and future clientele like I said before. Your current place of living is also your center of operations but we could move all that here for you if you would rather. The contract itself is for the initial decorating for the personal and common living areas for the Avengers. Then also the major holidays and change in seasons or trends or any requests of the Avengers. We would also have you on for light  maintenance and housekeeping mostly for when the Avengers aren't around, like vacuuming and changing a lightbulb. if you see something in disrepair either fix it, put in a work order or order new. We do have a team for more particular fixes, and the team takes care of a lot on their own as it." Pepper explained. You nodded along and made some jotted down some notes.

"What about supplies? Payment? Limitations? Labor?" You asked. Pepper smiled slightly, secretly pleased at your questions, you were thinking, that was good.

"We pay for everything. You have full rein, there are no limitations. Pardon the rooms, that is where you would work with each resident. WE are at your beck and call for anything you would need help with." Tony took over the explanation. "I will be completely honest. I want you to accept this contract, move in entirely and then extend your contract to be a permanent employee. I want that because I like you and I know that everyone else will but we can revisit that later." Tony said. Pepper handed over a copy of the contract. you placed it in your bag and jotted down Tony's comments

"Alright, then I will review this tonight and think about it. I don't like to make decisions in haste but I will tell you that I have no doubts about this. I am attracted to every single part of this including moving in fully. I only am worried about how I would get to and from the city, I make a lot of trips." You told them.

"So do we. Most days we make a trip to the city. But you can always borrow a car and head in. The Tower is SI's still you can park there and do your thing. A minor detail." Tony said. You nodded and shrugged, it was a minor detail. "Now we are going to go. I want to show you around and have you meet one or two people. I will be your personal tour guide while Ms. Potts runs my company." Tony pushed off of the desk and you took it as your cue to go. You held a hand out to Ms. Potts.

"Thank you Ms. Potts. I am grateful for the opportunity." You followed Tony out the door waving to the already busy woman as you left.

You followed Tony to the elevator and down several hallways. He talked a mile a minute about everything, you weren't even trying to keep up. You were sure he just liked to hear himself talk. You tried to learn the layout but you weren't sure. It seemed that the common areas he was leading you to were in the center of the right side of the 'A'. The personal areas seemed to stack on top of that point fanning out.

"So the first level is mostly common areas. Gym and pool and such, the living room, kitchen, pantry the size of a small country, all are down here. Then the next level is the second level is rooms, they kind of fan away from the common areas in groups of 5. The all lead to the small inclines that meet around the living room...like a funnel?" Tony tried to explain.

"Oh, so everything is connected but also has its definition? Good idea to help go from mission to home mentality." You commented. Tony snapped his fingers.

"I knew I like you. Sorry it is a little bit of a walk, Pepper's office is on the SI side, near SHIELD. We are almost there." Tony said. You nodded. "I also had F.R.I.D.A.Y put better more accurate blueprints on your tablet and laptop. So you can better plan. I figured then you can use your app to better prepare the rooms." Tony seemed hesitant. You wanted to be mad but it actually was a help more than a hinderance.

"I don't mind. That helps a lot, but maybe next time ask?" You said. Tony seemed to relax. You knew that he had your entire history but you knew that Tony wanted to help his team and protect them so you weren't upset that much about the privacy invasion.

"Very well. Now, your domain ma'am is everything you see before you. Welcome to the Avenger's Living Quarters Ms. Quartermaster L/N!" Tony waved his arm in a large sweeping motion. You were facing the living room from a behind diagonal, near the kitchen. The floor was an open floor plan. You could see beyond the kitchen was a long hallway. There was a door next to the kitchen, you assumed it was the country-sized pantry. The Living room was a large entertainment area. The kitchen and living room were divided by several couches-or one massive sectional-and on each side of the living room was a slight incline into what you assumed were the bedrooms.

Oh, it is nice." You said. You pointed to each point and Tony confirmed your thoughts, You nodded and beamed. There was nothing done to the space other than the bare minimum. A fresh clean slate with free rein. "I think I have some ideas." You clapped excitedly gathering the attention of the few people in the room. You froze seeing them see you.

"Hello! I am Y/N L/N. I am interviewing to be your Quartermaster. I am in charge of decorating your living spaces." you grinned and waved childishly.

"Oh! We talked about this this the other day. When we asked about who to contact, F.R.I.D.A.Y brought you up as did Pepper." A large blonde blue-eyed man came up to you. You knew the Avengers had gotten new members but you lost track around 2016 or so. Even so, you knew Captain Rogers. You knew that he and Tony had been fighting over his best friend the brain-washed assassin who had killed Tony's parents. but most of the others had fallen through the cracks. "Let me introduce these couch potatoes." Steve led you to the couch, Tony trailing behind. "This is Sam Wilson, Air Force paratrooper, AKA the Falcon. This is Clint Barton, Archery expert and 80% deaf, AKA Hawkeye. This is Natasha Romanov, Super-spy aka Black Widow."

"Hey there, girlie. Welcome to the team." Sam said.

"Well, I haven't accepted yet. There is a lot to consider." You shrugged.

"If you are here, meeting us. You've accepted." A deep voice rasped from the entryway to your right closest to the kitchen. You turned to face them and your breath caught in your throat. His hair was long, greasy and clumpy, his skin pale and dry, the bags under his eyes were deep, and his scruff was unruly. The man made his way into the kitchen barely looking at you.

"Sh. Don't say that too loud. I haven't told Tony yet." You stepped over to the kitchen, you head tilted in curiosity. Steve reached out to grab you but you ducked out of the way. You knew who this man was, you knew everyone considered him dangerous, but he looked so sad and tired. You wanted to try to help. "Sargent Barnes? Thank you, for serving your country all those years ago in the 107th. I am sorry you had to suffer so very much to get here. and well..."You trailed off and lurched into his space before your courage gave out. "Welcome home, solider." you mumbled into his chest squeezing as tight as you could. You felt him freeze under you and you let go instantly. You had pushed a massive line and didn't want to make it worse. You knew a hug wouldn't fix him but it might help in that very moment. You stepped away and saw Sargent Barnes was indeed frozen, looking at you with a mix of awe and relief on his face. His eyes were overly wet and his arms were raised like he didn't know if he should wrap them around you or push you away. You didn't wait for him to thaw before hurrying to Tony's side.

"Mr. Stark, Sargent Barnes was right. I will take the job. Also Captain Rogers, you should get him a plant or two. Coming from someone extremely depressed and still struggles with it, plants help. Something that depends on you to live without major consequences can do wonders for mental health. Sargent Barnes needs to care for something, now that he no longer has to protect you Mr. Super-solider." You tugged on Tony's sleeve realizing that you stepped over the line immensely, the embarrassment and anxiety causing you to shrink on yourself. Tony took the hint and pulled you down the opposite hallway Sargent Barnes came out of. You looked behind you one time to see Steve and Bucky locked in a hug both of them crying silently. The wall then blocked your line of sight.

Previous / Next

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

Hello! I am an idiot who thought the key to happiness was another WIP. Let me know what you think!

[somethingjustsouthofbrilliance]

Rescue me (a Tony/Stephen merman! AU) part 7

I’m traveling with my family atm and, while I’m able to write more (a nice bonus), I don’t always have a reliable hotspot to upload what I’ve written. I’ll try my best, but, please, be patient with me should the updates take a bit longer than usual. :)

Anyway, here’s the next part. We’re switching to Tony’s POV for this one. Tagging @ssironstrange  @tonystark5ever @starkstrangequill @strangemischief @mrsstarkstrange @theelvishsociopath @cora-devil @savedbyholmes @tralfazziod @slytherinironstrange @livgg15 @ennastarkfanfics @le-ephemere @dan-doggo @emmagan @the-gay-gang @gandalfsoda @whyimnotcreativequestionmark

Anyone else wants tagged, let me know.  As always, I’m looking forward to your comments (likes and reblogs are more than appreciated, too :))

***

 Stephen stopped coming to the shore.  And Tony would have liked to believe it had nothing to do with his accidental revelation of Howard’s treatment of him, but he was no fool.  He knew it had upset Stephen.  Saw the flash of anger cross the pain-pale features.  And then disappointment, inevitable, inescapable. The story of Tony’s life – he had never been anything but.  For his mother, who silently turned her head away in shame.  For his father, who spat the words to his face even as he beat him senseless (because “that’s all you’re good for, boy!”)  

 Stupid.  Worthless. A waste of space.  Nobody wants you.  Nobody ever will.

 These words had been drilled into him day after day, year after year.  And he believed them.  Waded listlessly through his wretched torment of days, wishing for it all to be over, to go to bed one night and to Just. Not. Wake. Up.

 And then he met Stephen – beautiful, magical Stephen with kind, enchanting eyes, gentle touches and soft, inviting lips.  And for the first time in his life, Tony found himself looking forward to each new day instead of dreading them.  Dared to love.  Dared to hope.

 He’d been such a fool.

 Of course, of course, it didn’t last.  It couldn’t have.  Not for someone like him.

 He remembered the look of regret in Stephen’s eyes when he swam out into the deeper waters, testing his newly healed tail.  Remembered the soft smile of apology before Stephen dove under the waves and disappeared from view.  

 He should have known. He was Tony Stark, after all.  A worthless fuckup.   A leper nobody ever wanted to be around.  And Stephen finally saw the same flaws Howard always so enjoyed pointing out.  It just took him a bit longer than most.  But he left all the same.  Everyone always left.

 Tony blinked, a tear slipping traitorously down the pale cheek.  He wiped it off on his shoulder, gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus on the task before him.  They were leaving soon.  For good, apparently, according to his father.  Something happened a few days ago that had Howard spooked.  So much so that he decided to abandon the oceanfront property and move everyone and everything across the continent to an old family mansion in New York.  So much so that, when Tony protested the move, fully expecting to face retribution for such open audacity (because the thought of leaving Stephen felt like a knife to the heart, and he honestly didn’t care at that point if Howard decided to murder him for real), Howard didn’t even hit him once.  He had pulled his arm back as if to strike, but he never did. Just growled at Tony to get a move on or else.  And Tony had been so stunned by the unexpected reprieve that he couldn’t move even if he’d tried.

 In the end, it didn’t matter.  Stephen was gone, and Tony had no more reason to stay.  No more reason to do anything, really.  To think, to breathe, to exist.  He almost found himself wishing Howard would beat him again, just so he would feel something.  Or maybe stop feeling altogether.  Forever this time.

 He shook his head, forcing his watering eyes to focus.  Stephen was always curious about the human world, and Tony had promised to make him an internet-ready tablet he could use under water.  Up to the depth of 12, 000 feet is what Tony had in mind.  And Tony was going to keep that promise.  Stephen deserved that much.

It hadn’t been an easy task with one hand that was still mostly useless.  Took him a lot longer than it should have.  But he managed, and the device was finally ready to be tested.

 He put down the miniature welding tool, closed the back lid, listening to the telltale hiss announcing the activation of the special watertight seal.  Pressed the “on” button, smiling when the screen lit up obediently in response.  

 It was time to say his goodbyes.

 ***

 When Jarvis knocked on his door 10 minutes later, calling him to the car, he was ready.    As ready as he was ever going to be.  He just needed to do one last thing.

 “I’ll just be a minute, Jarvis,” he defended, when the butler placed a cautiously restraining hand on his uninjured shoulder as he tried to slip past him.

  “Beg your pardon, young sir,” Jarvis objected, his tone worried, “but your father is already waiting rather impatiently.  And you know how he gets.”

 Tony knew, of course he knew.  His body was a perfect map of the way Howard got every time Tony did something he didn’t appreciate.  But he had promised Stephen, and he might not get another chance.

 He told Jarvis as much. Because Jarvis knew.  Jarvis had been there.  Jarvis had seen them.  Jarvis understood.

 Jarvis gave him a look of such obvious pity that Tony felt his stomach churn in warning, the taste of bile strong in his throat.  

 “Just give me a minute, Jarvis, please,” he pleaded hoarsely, looking away to hide the tears that were always too close to the surface these days.

 Jarvis squeezed his shoulder and let go, silently stepping aside.  Tony didn’t hesitate anymore.  Ran as fast as he could out of the house, stopping only when he reached the very edge of the wooden pier – their impromptu meeting place.  He lingered there a moment, scanning the watery horizon before him with a desperate, hopeful gaze.  

But it was in vain, and he shook his head in defeat, closing his eyes briefly, allowing himself that one moment of weakness, one moment of grief.  Then he took a breath, small and shaky.  Put the tablet down on the edge of the pier, making sure it was visible from the water.  Straightened out, a broken smile twisting his lips. 

“Bye, Stephen.”

***

Links to part 6, part 1

Check out more of my stories under the “somethingjustsouthofbrilliance writes” tag

[junglelong]

Diskwarrior 5 never loads or boots

DISKWARRIOR 5 NEVER LOADS OR BOOTS HOW TO

DISKWARRIOR 5 NEVER LOADS OR BOOTS MAC TORRENT

DISKWARRIOR 5 NEVER LOADS OR BOOTS UPDATE

DISKWARRIOR 5 NEVER LOADS OR BOOTS ANDROID

Their solution has been to supply a bootable DVD with DiskWarrior on it but that DVD will not boot your MacBook Pro, which is what their message is telling you DW 4.4 does work on Mountain Lion, just not their DVD boot disk.Īs a general rule, it's a good idea to maintain a bootable backup of your HD and you could boot from that to fix your problematic external. Can someone please just tell me if it'll work on my computer? I need to get my files on my hard drive back asap.ĭiskWarrior needs to be run from a boot disk other than the one you're trying to fix. Other places I've seen it will only work up until OS X 10.7. However on their front page it does say that version 4.4 does work on Mountain Lion. I've found out that DiskWarrior 4.4 will do the trick however in their support page it says " The current DiskWarrior DVD cannot start up the new MacBook Pros introduced June 11, 2012" which is what I have and I'm a bit sketchy about spending $100 on something that isn't even supported by my computer. I'm currently running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3. About halfway through trying to transfer the files, I got a pop up saying "The Disk you inserted was not readable by this computer." even though it had been working fine. I've messed up big time (many times) and never made it to rebuild a directory or fix a drive with the first aid from disk utility.Yesterday I plugged in my old WD 750gb external hard drive, trying to back it up on to my new 1tb hard drive. Maybe another advanced level user might confirm what I am saying. Please note that I am not working for them and do not gain anything from them talking about it here, beside saving me a lot of headaches. One day I saw a Genius at an Apple Store using it, made so research and discovered that it makes miracle.

DISKWARRIOR 5 NEVER LOADS OR BOOTS ANDROID

Quicken App is compatible with iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android phones and tablets. The App is a companion app and will work only with Quicken 2015 and above desktop products. Not all Quicken desktop features are available in the App. I have tried many other solutions, such as TechTool. I've messed up big time (many times) and never made it to rebuild a directory or fix a drive with the first aid from disk utility. That said, I seldom use it anymore, other than to rebuild a Disk catalog if it is beyond a certain fragmentation value.

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I have used DW for years without issue, and will update to v5.1 when it is released. I would advise that you contact Alsoft after 12/27 when they are back from Christmas break, and inquire about when v5.1 and APFS support will be available. The version 5 product should still work on non-APFS drives (it won't recognize APFS drives). Alsoft had intended a v5.1 update to DiskWarrior to make it fully compatible with High Sierra and APFS, but being in the epicenter of hurricane Harvey caused unplanned delays.

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Find out how to upgrade to macOS Mojave.Īlsoft had intended a v5.1 update to DiskWarrior to make it fully compatible with High Sierra and APFS, but being in the epicenter of hurricane Harvey caused unplanned delays. Find out how to upgrade to macOS Mojave > Read announcement Hide announcement Upgrade to macOS Mojave With features like Dark Mode, Stacks, and four new built-in apps, macOS Mojave helps you get more out of every click. Announcement: Upgrade to macOS Mojave With features like Dark Mode, Stacks, and four new built-in apps, macOS Mojave helps you get more out of every click. Please pardon our dust as we work behind the scenes to make improvements to the community. Read announcement Hide announcement On Wednesday, December 5, starting at 9:00am PST| 12:00pm EST, Apple Support Communities will be down a portion of the day. Announcement: On Wednesday, December 5, starting at 9:00am PST| 12:00pm EST, Apple Support Communities will be down a portion of the day. 64-Bit – Today’s large disks can have large directories.Using the latest 64-bit technology allows DiskWarrior 5 to handle even the largest disks.

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