#super excited to continue poking at this story it's been so fucking good so far. breaking my heart
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she's just like a cat clutching desperately at the nearest surface with all its power after being picked up
#so sillay......... i like her dynamic with fu hua a lot it's fun. also i just like fu hua#i didn't Play anymore i was reading the mangas. read up to the second eruption... which like. holy shit#Holy Shit? i have too amny thoughts to be contained. too many feelings#sirin :( she was just a scared lonely baby... she was hurting so much#who cares if she almost completely destroyed the planet . my heart aches for her#and in the false reality bit. the fact that cecilia knew it was fake but she chose to love sirin as much as kiana anyway .#siegfried not knowing who she was tells me that the reality hadn't actually written sirin in as their second daughter#cecilia made that happen . it formed around her words#AND. AND LATER. CHOOSING TO HOLD HER IN THE FINAL MOMENTS BEFORE THE NUKE DROPPED#WANTING TO MAKE SURE THIS SCARED LITTLE GIRL LEFT THE WORLD FEELING LOVED AND SAFE#AUGHBAHAHSIDJ3(4*@?%(“#ich liebe dich.. a spell to make all my wishes come true :( :(((((((((#super excited to continue poking at this story it's been so fucking good so far. breaking my heart
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carve // k. bakugou
A/N: hello and welcome to my take on the all about bakugou bnharem collab! this is a potential intense read so please heed all warnings!
this is a continuation of quarantine that i wrote last year for a harem collab. it’s not required to read in order to read this story but feel free to read if you’re interested!
i am so sorry that i solely write for collabs now lol
CHARACTER PAIRING: bakugou katsuki x f!reader
WORD COUNT: 3,050
WARNINGS: heavy knife play (mentions of blood, wounds, weapons), super intense emotions, oral (f!receiving), good ol fashioned penetration, implications of a lighter skin tone if you squint
SYNOPSIS: your boyfriend suggested to try a new kink over quarantine yet life was beginning to resume some semblance of normalcy with no excitement in sight. what was going on?
want to enjoy more bakugou? i mean, c’mon, who wouldn’t?
head on over the the masterlist!
you did not, in fact, try anything risker. bakugou balked at the thought of hurting you once he got over the high he was in, lusting over the fact that you were able to put him in his place so easily, though he would never admit that. he wouldn’t admit a lot of things, in fact, like how he was afraid he was going to slip and cut too deep, how he thought you secretly didn’t trust him, how he wasn’t and never would be good enough. all these thoughts kept running through his head as time went on, as quarantine sunk deeper and deeper into chaos, as he got called back into action much sooner than expected and never really got a chance to spend time with you like he really wanted to.
over a year had passed since the last first and last time he had ever brought the knife up. you had asked him plenty, showing him different blades, trying to get him wound up, but he always pushed the thought away, fucked you into submission, or if you were being particularly relentless, let you fuck him. it kept you at bay for awhile but you both knew that things wouldn’t stay quiet forever.
it was on a normal tuesday evening that you sat him down for a serious chat. he had been gone for awhile, quarantines lifting up left and right, people getting vaccines and life returning to as normal as it could be after what everyone had went through. he was distant, stressed, unsure of life and frustrated with how he was feeling and you could tell. he didn’t, however, know that you were that observant and he was sure that you were going to kick him to the curb. honestly, how could he blame you with the way he was treating you, acting like you were some fragile doll that needed to be kept at arm's length wrapped in bubble wrap your whole life? fearing he would break some sort of trust between you two or worse, snap you in half. it wasn’t until he felt your gentle hand on his own that he realized he’d been consumed in his own thoughts.
“Katsuki, what’s wrong?�� you finally asked, not one to beat around the bush.
“nothing’s wrong babe, just tired, you know i’ve been working a lot,” he brushed off, going to stand up.
you didn’t give him the chance though, yanking his hand so that he was pulled forward, slamming into the table.
“don’t. lie. to. me,” you commanded, anger evident on your face, brows furrowed and eyes challenging straight ahead.
he sat down with a sigh, not sure of where to begin or even if he had the strength to say anything to you, but before he could, he heard your voice, unusually meek, ask “was it something i did?”
his hand tightened around your own before he realized he was squeezing harshly, quickly letting go and rubbing his fingers as if he had burned you, which he might as well have with the way you recoiled at his actions.
“Katsuki, please, if there’s something i did, at least tell me. i’m going crazy watching you run away from me without me even knowing what’s going on.”
fists clenching under the table, he huffed, attempting to collect his thoughts once more. he knew now that there was no running from this, no more hiding his feelings or wallowing in his own despair and pity.
“i’m afraid of hurting you. during sex, especially. with the knife kink, ya know?”
you cocked your head at his, eyes squinting as you tried to analyze what he had just said.
“i’m not made of porcelain. i think that, as adults, you and i can have a conversation about boundaries, safety, how to keep in communication and what to properly do during aftercare. it’s really not any different from the conversations we’ve had before in any part of our life, really.”
“but what if i go too far?”
“then i’ll just embarrass you by going to the hospital and telling them that my boyfriend’s monster cock split me in half. m’sure they’ve heard worse,” you teased, reaching out to poke at his forehead that was set in a permanent wrinkle, face scowling at how nonchalantly you were talking about this.
“i’m serious, what if i fuck up and cut too deep or nick an artery or accidentally slip and stab you or you sneeze and stab yourself or-”
“hey, ‘Suki,” relax. it’s why we’ll educate ourselves and take it slow. you’re not putting a knife to my neck after all. we’ll learn and talk together so that we’re both feeling safe and if you still don’t want to do it after then that’s fine! we have a great sex life as is. i don’t need every one of my kinks fulfilled to be happy and satisfied with you.”
despite the insecurities and confusion that settled in his brain like a thick fog, he nodded his head, agreeing to learning and trying this new experience with you. secretly, he was ecstatic, his cock twitching as he thought about carving his name into your body, but the logical part of his brain still wasn’t convinced.
you two spent the night educating yourself, figuring out what blade you wanted to purchase, how to keep it clean, how to safely take care of wounds, both minor and major, safety do’s and dont’s and going over boundaries and safe words. it was hours later that you both collapsed into bed, thoroughly tired yet satisfied after the conversation and education that had just taken place.
three days later, a nondescript package arrived at your door, simply labeled with the postage and address. you quickly grabbed it and rushed inside, careful to close the door quietly. Bakugou had the day off and spent most of the morning doing paperwork, only now choosing to workout in order to get rid of the boredom that was already seeping into his brain.
you tore the package open as quietly as possible and shimmied the box tucked inside the package out, careful not to damage anything, popping it open and smiling at the sight inside. a shiny blade stared back at you, hilt a forest green, deep and inviting. you pulled the object out, running your finger along the cool metal, admiring the way it glinted in the harsh kitchen light.
quickly, you scrambled into the bedroom, eager to see what Bakugou would think but when you peeked your head inside the room, it was dark. you frowned before realizing he had already sat down at his desk, tolling away at the mounds of papers he had to go through. sighing, you gently placed the blade down on the dresser, forgetting about it as the day went on.
it was only when you were in the shower later that evening, ready for bed, that you remembered you didn’t put it away. you hurried to finish, barely throwing a towel on yourself before whipping the door open only to see he had already spotted the object.
Bakugou was twirling it in his hands, testing the weight, prodding at the tip with his fingers, letting out a sharp hiss when the blade nicked his finger.
without thinking, you stepped forward, taking his hand into your own before slowly lifting it up to your lips, sucking on the wound, the taste of iron and his own sweet flavor hitting the roof of your mouth. you watched him with hooded lids as your towel dropped haphazardly to the floor, body still dripping from the shower.
“princess, you’re playing a dangerous game tonight.”
you only hummed around his finger, stepping closer to him, pressing your wet body to his, shivering at the warmth he radiated. he pulled his hand away from your mouth, choosing instead to cup your chin and bring it closer to him.
“are you sure you want to do this? do you remember everything we learned?”
“i’m sure, Katsuki, i promise. we have our safety words if things get out of hand, yeah? but i’m sure it won’t,” you reassured, blinking up at him with such sincerity it nearly took his breath away.
with the knife tucked firmly in one hand, Bakugou led you to the bed, laying you down gently, propping your head up and settling into your thighs, kissing, biting, sucking.
he took one deep breath, hands trembling, before the coolness of the blade just barely grazed your skin. you took a sharp inhale of breath but before he could ask what was wrong, he heard you beg for him to do it again.
his tongue came out to press flat against your clit and you jolted, his one hand coming down to hold you still and the other using the knife to trace lazy shapes along your thighs, up your pelvis and around your stomach.
you struggled to maintain your breath, the sharp scratch of the knife as it tickled your skin contrasted with the soft and soothing tongue of Bakugou as he leisurely lapped at your sensitive nub. you begged and pleaded for more friction, white knuckling the sheets as you tried to keep your composure but all he did was sadistically smile and hum, the vibrations driving you crazy.
he kept up that pace for a while, the blade leaving behind bright pink swirls on your skin, tickling and pinching you at the same time. it was all so exhilarating, knowing that something bad could happen and yet being at the complete mercy of your boyfriend.
Bakugou, on the other hand, was stalling for time. he wanted so badly to claim you as his own and yet he was still convinced this wasn’t what you wanted. he thought you were faking it or doing it for his own pleasure and yet in this moment, all he wanted to do was please you, make you feel good, make you know that nobody would ever lay a hand on you besides him, that you were and would be his forever. he felt so strongly about you and about you being his that he didn’t even notice he was applying more pressure to the blade until you let out a gasp.
immediately he sat up, blade dropping clumsily to the bed as he examined your hips, realizing he had nicked the thin skin on your pelvic bone. he stared blankly at the red welt, a pinprick of blood seeping out of the cut. numbly, he looked up at you, ashamed he had hurt you. before he had a chance to open his mouth and apologize, however, you surged forward, crashing your lips against his own, teeth gnashing. he was sure he tasted blood but the way you were kissing him, he didn’t think he could stop even if he wanted to.
“Katsuki, i need more, please. i need you, all of you, need your name carved into my body, need to know that i’m the only one for you.”
he paused, hands coming to gently push you away, looking into your eyes to see what kind of game you were playing but all he saw was that same sincerity and desire as always.
“i just hurt you know. what if i go too far?”
you grabbed his face fervently, squishing his cheeks with your hands.
“I trust you with my life. I always have and I always will. I am yours as you are mine. I want, no I need, this from you. Please.”
his heart practically squeezed in his chest, an unusual lump forming in his throat as he stared at you, at the way the tears pooled at your lashes, how you looked at him like he was the sun, how your warm breath caressed his face and your soft hands held him so tenderly. it was in that moment that he finally realized how much you loved him, trusted him, needed him as much as he needed you.
no words were spoken as he wiped away the tears from your cheeks, laying you back down gently on the mattress, knife picked up firmly in his hand as he splayed his other across your stomach, stretching and pulling at the skin to make it taut. he didn’t even think before he put the blade to your skin and began carving the first line in the K.
the first cut stung, a slow, agonizing pain as he sliced straight up and down, pinpricks of blood following in the wake of his actions. he looked up at you, making sure you were okay, but you were already placing your hand on the blade, urging him to continue.
the next few lines continued to sting but with it came an utmost sense of security and pride. he was carving you, embellishing his name into your body, carving you, marking you, molding you to become a piece of his own flesh. you were his canvas, his artwork, the beauty that was brighter than the stars. he was the sun, hot, fiery, full of temper and you were his moon, patient, calm, full of emotion. together, you two worked in tandem, balancing each other out, keeping each other in line, never able to fully connect but never being able to stay away from one another. but today, on this glorious evening, the sun and the moon meet, an eclipse in the night, destined to become one, and as the blade finished slicing you, the final stroke, the “I” to end it all, your souls merged.
Bakugou stared back at his own name, his first name, carved along your skin, rivulets of red pooling along your skin, eager to be released from their confines. his hand came to gently wipe away your skin, wincing as you hissed.
“let me get you cleaned up.”
he tried to get up, he really did, but when you reached for him, your voice wanton, begging him to fuck you, pleading, saying that you needed him now more than ever, he sunk back down onto the bed, his shirt flinging over his head, clothes kicked off to the side. gingerly, he climbed on top of you, not even getting a chance to adjust or make sure you were okay before you were trapping him in your legs, pulling your bodies practically flush, his cock sitting heavily against your aching cunt.
“baby, please, i want you too, so fucking bad, but i need you to tell me you’re okay first, need you to talk to me before we go any further,” he begged, eyes searching your own frantically to make sure you didn’t get lost in the emotions.
“m’okay ‘Suki, promise. just need y’so bad, please.”
he breathed deeply through his nose, cock twitching painfully, before he situated himself properly between your legs, gently thrusting into you, nearly gasping out as you sucked him in, soaking wet and eager for his touch.
“fuck baby, you’re so wet. been waiting for me to fuck you senseless, hm?”
you only whined out in response, hands curling around his neck to pull him closer to you, sealing him in a kiss and wriggling your hips.
he obliged without question, too consumed in the feeling of you, your scent, the stickiness of the blood, your hands in his hair, everything about you was driving him crazy. you were everything to him and he could feel in the way your body reacted to his touch, the way you cried as he kissed you, how you whispered over and over again how much you loved him, how you wanted to spend the rest of your life with him, how you needed him at your happiest and darkest moments in life, how you two would meet in every life and love each other no matter what, he felt it all. so much so that his own tears began falling, soaked in your soft skin, slipping between each kiss, sealing your fate with one another.
his thrust were slow and deliberate, taking his time, savoring every breath that he stole from you, every gasp and moan and cry and prayer as you worshipped him over and over again. your body was on fire, adrenaline making your toes curl and fingers tingle, head dizzy from lack of air but you couldn’t stop, meeting his thrust with your own, legs locked tightly around his torso, hands pulling him impossibly closer, loving the way his body set you on fire. you were drowning in the flames and yet only wanted to sink deeper into heat, consumed by the tranquility it gave you. you were at peace, body alight with pleasure as your chest met his, back curling off the bed as he rocked you through the most intense orgasm you had ever had.
it only took a few moments of your cunt clenching around his cock before he came, thrusts becoming sloppy as he rode you both through your high. breaths were caught, bodies untangling from one another as you came to your senses. after a few minutes, Bakugou gently began stroking your cheek, bringing you back to reality, going through his checklist as he made sure you were okay after what had happened.
after he had gotten you some water and began tending to your wounds, you looked at him, hand coming to gently grip his, stroking the calloused palms of your lover.
“thank you, Katsuki.”
he looked at you like you had two heads before scoffing, claiming that he only did what you two wanted to do before finishing cleaning you up, going to the bathroom to take his own shower and wash the blood off of himself. you laid there, donned in one of his shirts, taking in your emotions, when the door opened up, Bakugou stepping out dressed in sweatpants, flashing you a rare soft smile as he took in the name carved on your stomach.
“y’know, that’s just the beginning,” he started, coming over to lay down next to you, gently pulling you into his side, kissing the top of your head and watching the way you looked at him, expectant and full of love.
“you’re not going to just have my name carved on you, princess. soon, i’ll give you my last name too.”
#bakugou x reader#bakugou katsuki#bakugo x reader#bakugo katsuki#my hero academia#boku no hero academia#mha#bnha#my hero academia x reader#boku no hero academia x reader#tw: knife
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Rise From the Ashes; Just to See You Again
Chapter 7: The Stark Expo
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Penny glanced up from her camera to look at Ned, whose face was tight with concern. They were on a crowded bus on their way to the Penelope Stark Expo, and she might've not told May. Maybe.
She'd been out later every night trying to find leads to find that Vulture guy, but no luck. She'd never found that 'big deal,' or the other guys again. She didn't even know if she was close, though she had been going more to the outskirts of the city to try and find them, but she guessed they'd moved on or something after she'd caught them, because so far: Nothing.
"Why wouldn't it be?" MJ asked from Penny's other side, her nose in a book, "Penny sneaks out all the time, I doubt she'll get caught."
"Yeah," Penny supported, "And besides, I told May I was working and I am, just, not where she thought I would be."
Mr. Jameson had seen her photos of Spider-Woman and had been impressed, so he had sent her out to the Expo to get pics of the other heroes. She didn't quite know what stories he wanted to print, so she'd decided she would mostly focus on the science exhibits. And now Penny was on her way to the event of the year with her two best friends.
Ned seemed less nervous about it, returning to playing a game on his phone, though he continued to fidget the rest of the ride. While he played, and MJ read, Penny went back to her camera, fiddling with little parts and the lens. It was pretty old and she was constantly having to fix it with parts she found in dumpsters. It was amazing what people would throw away.
They finally got off of the bus around 6:00, by which the Expo had already started, as could be seen by the way it was lit up spectacularly and filled with people that streamed in through the entrance.
"Come on, let's go!" exclaimed Ned, already rushing in.
Penny took a moment to snap a picture before following him in. They thankfully didn't have to wait in line, the entrance being wide open, though there were medal detectors on both sides. Strangely, they didn't go off as she passed through with her suit and webshooters in her backpack. Maybe they only went off at things like guns? Or swords? She shrugged it off and continued in, MJ trailing behind unenthusiastically.
They wandered around for a few hours, stopping by every exhibit they could find and asking as many questions as they could get out before they had to move on. It was really cool. There were a couple of actual scientists from Stark Industries, but most of them were college students from science schools showing off what they had made. She was particularly interested in the ones from MIT.
Penny snapped pictures and wrote down the names of everyone they talked to so that the Daily Bugle could send over some reporters to interview them. She was in the middle of taking one woman's picture when Ned grabbed her arm.
"Penny, look at this!" he yelled, grabbing her arm and dragging her over. She flinched but made no move to stop him once she realized it was just her friend. As he dragged her she felt her spider-sense go off dimly, but before she could react there was loud cursing and she found herself on the pavement in a mess of tangled limbs.
"Oh my, God! I-I'm so sorry, sir!" Ned squeaked. Penny looked up from where she was sprawled on the ground to face someone that was eerily familiar to her, which she guessed would make sense since he was on TV all the time.
"It's alright, kid. No harm done," Colonel Rhodes said, already up and extending a hand to Ned, who took it without hesitation, "Are you two alright?"
"Y-yeah," stammered Ned.
"And you, Miss?" he asked, turning to her and holding out a hand. She hesitated, but took it after a moment, her breath catching in excitement. Which, who could blame her? It was War Machine.
"I'm fine, sir," she assured him, but paused when she felt her camera swing awkwardly from her neck. Penny looked down to see that it had been broken in the fall, "Shit."
"Oh, I'm sorry about your camera, Miss. I can replace it," War Machine told her, looking guilty about her pitiful excuse for a camera. She smiled graciously.
"It's fine. It's just a bunch of junk I put together anyway."
"But--"
"--Really, it's basically worthless, sir. I'll be fine," she cut across him, trying to convince him that she didn't need a new camera. She'd been looking for an excuse to try and make a new one anyway, she just didn't want to waste the one she had. Penny didn't know what she'd do about her pictures though. Maybe she could retake them on her phone? They wouldn't be as nice but...
"If you're sure?" War Machine tried again, raising his eyebrows.
"I'm sure," she assured him again.
"Well, then. Enjoy the expo I guess," and with that he walked away, though he still looked rather sorry about her camera.
The two of them stared at where the man disappeared in the crowd, momentarily stunned. As she watched him go she wondered if she would ever see him again, not just as a random kid, but as an Avenger. Penny was embarrassed to say she and Ned stood there looking like idiots for probably a good five minutes, their jaws slack.
"What are you losers looking at?"
Penny startled, jumping, and turned around to see MJ looking at her with her 'bored face.' Penny blushed furiously.
"War Machine!" Ned answered, his voice breathy with awe. Michelle raised an eyebrow.
"I don't see War Machine."
"He left! He touched my hand! He touched Penny's hand. An Avenger broke your camera, Penny!"
"You broke my camera, Ned," she snapped, though she was smiling.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, by the way...but I meannn, War Machine right?"
MJ rolled her eyes when Penny agreed. She couldn't help it! Colonel Rhodes was super cool! And an Avenger! It wasn't really her fault.
The trio began walking around again, circling back around to revisit exhibits for Penny, who blushed every time she had to ask to take a picture again. The lighting wasn't as good since it was pretty dark by then, but she made it work. The arc reactor blue lights had a nice aesthetic.
"What do they even do here? Like, is there some exhibit Stark does or...?" asked MJ, staring absentmindedly at the food stand that had a huge line of people. It smelled really good.
"I think they usually like--"
Penny jolted as a violent tingle ran up her spine, and working on instincts, she grabbed her friends, dragging them behind the food stand as quick as lightning. Thankfully all the stands were more like small buildings than anything and provided good cover.
"Penny, what---"
"---Shhh," she snapped, cutting across Ned. Penny tore the backpack off of her back and fished through it, taking out her suit.
"What's happening?" MJ whispered, poking her head out from behind the stand. Penny was just about to answer when--
"PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR NOW!!! I'M NOT FUCKING PLAYING!!!"
Penny pushed past Michelle to see what was going on. There were about six men with guns, alien guns. Just what she had been looking for. Maybe she could finally trace it back to whoever was making these weapons. But, there were a lot of civilians, who were being hustled against a restroom area. Penny observed them for a moment, but ducked back behind the stand when she felt another tingle crawl up her spine.
"Penny--"
"Shhh!!!" They were taking away a few people who had hidden behind the counter of the food stand. She listened, anger rising, to their frightened pleas and the violent yells from the man who threatened them with an extremely dangerous weapon. She wondered what it did, if it was like some kind of laser beam or---
Keep it together, Penny. A lot of people in danger, remember?
"Stay here. I'm going to go figure out what's going on," Penny told them in a hushed tone, taking off her jeans and pulling on her suit.
"Aren't you going to fight them?" Ned asked.
"No," she answered, pulling her mask on, "They have hostages, Ned. Stay here, don't get caught, I'll be back."
"Are you going to talk to the Avengers?"
"I don't know, Ned. Just be quiet!" she ordered, slipping away from the large group.
Spider-Woman continued unnoticed through the cover of darkness, eventually graduating from the ground to jumping from trees and stands as stealthily as she could. There weren't too many people to run in to, though she did pass another group of hostages and one man who was patrolling. She still didn't do anything--couldn't--and it was driving her a little crazy.
"Okay, Spider-Woman, you got this. Hostage situation, which is really bad, but the Avengers are here, so--" Shit. Where were the Avengers? Why hadn't they reacted? Why weren't they fighting?
She hoped that maybe they had just left early, and would be on their way back soon, but she knew it was next to impossible. It was Iron Man's daughter's birthday, there was no way any of them left. Which reminded her, what a fucking sucky birthday. Or a cool one, depending on how everything turned.
Her musings were cut short when she heard a short yell. Her head swiveled towards the noise so fast it would've made the old her dizzy. She listened for a moment, wondering if it was another hostage group or something. Penny didn't know, but she headed towards the noise anyway, as if on autopilot. She couldn't let anyone die tonight, not on her watch.
"--this isn't going to work, y'know, I mean--"
The voice was cut off with a quiet whack. Penny finally arrived on the scene, dropping into an incredibly well trimmed tree and flattening herself to a thick branch. The voice started up again, a little familiar to Penny, as she peered through the leaves, stifling a gasp at the scene below her.
There were three men carrying alien weapons similar to the ones she had seen earlier, though only one was pointed at the hostage. The other two lounged against the wall, as though it was an everyday thing for. The hostage himself had his arms behind his back, and he sat leaning against a wall with a permanent scowl on his face. It only took her a moment to place him.
"Sam Wilson," she whispered to herself, relieved. The Avengers were here. But then came the next problem. If Sam Wilson was a hostage then the other Avengers probably were too. Ugh, the day just kept getting better and better, "Okay, okay. You can do this. Web up the bad guys, get Falcon free. Easy, just, an everyday thing."
With a deep breath she shot out a web, hitting the man standing guard in the face, and dropped down from the tree, landing on her knee in a very classic superhero pose, if she may say so herself. She heard several gasps, and she shot up before anyone started shooting.
"Hey guys! Am I invited to the party?"
A bright blue blast shot past her, which she easily dodged.
"Guess not."
With two precise 'thwips,' she webbed the guns from the two men who had been talking, pulling them out of their grips and behind her. She didn't have time to web them down as the other man shot at her, though the aim was poor, hitting the tree behind her instead. It caught fire.
"Oops."
"Who the hell are you?" asked one, his face set in a deep scowl.
"It's that Spider-Girl freak. From Queens," supplied another. Penny sighed in mock exasperation.
"Spider-Woman. Why can't people get that?"
She shot another web, stealing the last gun and throwing it with the others. She then jumped forward and punched the man that still had webs on his face. He staggered back with a muffled grunt, and she almost felt bad as he fell. It wasn't really a fair fight if he couldn't see.
A thwack to her head that sent her stumbling reminded her that it was three against one anyway.
Penny sent a punch back at her attacker, following through just like her uncle had taught her. Problem was, she had a serious height disadvantage. Being only five feet tall she was probably about a foot shorter than both of her attackers, and she struggled to reach his face. Still, she tried her best, getting hits in when she could, and taking them when she was too slow.
After a few minutes of fighting one of them fell like a sack, knocked out cold. Surprised, Spider-Woman turned to see Sam Wilson, his hands still tied with rope, standing over the man he had knocked out.
While she was distracted the last man standing aimed a punch at her. Thanks to her spider-sense she managed to dodge it, ducking low and punching the man in the gut hard. He stumbled, and Mr. Wilson knocked him on the head. Apparently he knew exactly where to hit, because the man dropped just like the other one had. She guessed being a full time Avenger probably helped with your fighting skills.
"Thanks," she gasped, turning towards the Avenger.
"Same to you," he responded, holding out his tied hands expectantly. She flinched back then reached out and ripped them apart easily, not bothering to try and untie them. She was useless with knots. The man wrung his wrists appreciatively, smiling at her almost curiously, "What're you doing here?"
"I like science," she admitted, "Didn't know all this was going to go down to be honest."
He laughed a little, though it sounded kind of strained.
"Yeah, they picked a hell of a day to attack. Tony's going to kill these guys."
Penny laughed a little, before remembering her manners. She held out her hand, smiling, even though he couldn't see it.
"Sorry, um, I'm Spider-Woman. Nice to meet you, Mr. Wilson," she greeted. He chuckled and took her hand, though he looked at her unsurely. Had she done something wrong?
"Just Sam, kid," Kid? Crap, she was not good at this secret identity thing, "Anyway, I'm going to take a guess everyone is having the same problem I had. Want to help out?"
"Yes! Oh my--um, I mean, yeah," Penny stammered out, trying to regain her composure. Mr. Sam seemed to think it was funny, smiling at her in amusement.
"Follow me, then," with that he ran off, and she hastily ran after him. They crept along, essentially doing what she had done earlier, though a bit slower since Mr. Sam couldn't jump around like she could.
After a few minutes they arrived at what Penny assumed was some sort of cell tower or something. She wondered why there was one at the Stark Expo. Was it special? Like, the greatest service on Earth?
"Can you climb up there? Get a better view?" asked Mr. Sam, craning his neck. Spider-Woman fixed him with a heavy glare, hoping that he could sense her sass.
"Yeah, sure."
She jumped, scaling a third of the thing in one leap. She kept crawling, keeping herself flat and sticking to corners to avoid being seen from any of the attackers. Penny stopped just before the top to turn and look around.
There were probably around eleven groups of hostages, five of which were really small, though it was hard to tell from so high up. She was about to move back down a little bit when a buzzing caught her attention. She looked up sharply, her ears directing her to the very top of the cell tower. She hesitated for a moment before leaping up onto the little platform, curious.
There was the normal part of the cell tower, though obviously more advanced than usual, and then there was a little box connected to it, blinking red and letting out low buzzing sounds. Penny racked her brain for everything she knew about cell towers, but she'd never heard about it, not even for one this highly advanced.
"You don't belong here, do you?" Penny wondered aloud, picking it up gently and examining it, mumbling, "What do you do?"
After looking through it, she realized that it was nothing good. She didn't think it was a bomb, but she guessed it was interrupting the signal. Penny ripped it from where it was leeching on the Stark tech and webbed it to the side of the tower, not sure what to do with it. Maybe she would take it back with her afterwards, they might be able to make something out of it. She put it back down and turned to a maintenance box, hoping that everything wasn't fried.
"Glasses?" she asked when she opened it. They were high tech and expensive looking, with a red trim and colored lenses sitting on a specially made stand. Penny grabbed it gently, almost reverently, to examine it. These were totally Tony Stark's glasses, and she guessed they were for emergencies or something. Like, maybe they could contact people? Whatever they were, she stuffed them in her pocket, reset the cell tower, and climbed back down.
"Report," ordered Mr. Sam when she reached the ground.
"I saw three groups nearby, but there were a lot more spread out, mostly big groups," he nodded, gesturing at her to continue, "Of the ones nearby, there was one big group, and the other two were rather small, only a few people and a hostage."
"Must be someone on the team," he concluded, "Where?"
"That way," she said, pointing to a path to their left, "They're both on the same path, just spread out."
They headed down the path she pointed out, creeping along slowly just like they had before. They walked in relative silence for a few minutes before she broke the silence. Penny Parker had never been one to stay quiet for long.
"Who do you think these guys are?"
"Probably Hydra," he sniffed, "but they said something about a phoenix earlier, so we won't really know until this is all over."
"Hydra? Oh, like the thing on the news a couple of years ago, right? That thing with SHIELD or whatever?"
"Yeah, exactly like that."
"Why do you think they're here?" she asked after another moment, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"I don't know. Revenge? A death wish? Probably a death wish. I mean, attacking on Tony's daughter's birthday? That's a bold ass move."
"No kidding," she answered. She had seen interviews online about Tony Stark and his daughter, he'd always been furious whenever someone said something rude or condescending about the girl. She didn't know if she'd ever seen someone look so mad, so furious. Even though those interviews were years ago she doubted that his attitude had changed.
They relapsed into the silence, and Penny cast out her hearing in front of her, trying to find out how close they were to the nearest group when a hand grabbed down on her shoulder.
She immediately grabbed it and twisted, throwing the person over her shoulder in a fluid motion. He landed on his stomach with a loud grunt. Penny kept his arm twisted, stepping on his back to keep him down when he struggled.
"Hey! Let me go, I'm with you!" the man protested, twisting his face to look up at her. She had to admit that he looked rather handsome.
"It's alright, Spider-Woman, you can let him up. He's a friend," Mr. Sam assured her, holding his hand out hesitantly as if she needed to be calmed down. Shit. Had she attacked an Avenger? Or, the friend of an Avenger?
Great first impression, Penny!
"Oh, sorry. Sorry! Sorry, sir!" she apologized profusely, stepping off of him and extending a hand, which he gratefully took.
"It's good. I probably shouldn't have grabbed your shoulder like that," the man said, waving off her apology. Penny stared at him hesitantly, not able to place the man from anything, not even as a scientist that would be presenting, "I'm Scott, by the way. Or, well, you may know me as Ant-Man."
She tilted her head.
"Y'know, Ant-Man? I mean, I've been doing pretty good as a superhero, I mean I even beat Sa--"
"That's enough, Tic Tac," Mr. Sam interrupted coolly, "The team's in trouble, we need to get moving."
"Oh, yeah, yeah, of course," Scott agreed.
Scott joined them as they headed to the nearest Avenger, who they reached within minutes. Mr. Sam held up his hand to signal them to stop as they came upon a small clearing near a fountain. She had to admit, even when under attack, everything was really pretty. In the clearing were the guards and the hostage, which she realized was Captain America. Dope.
"Spider-Woman," Mr. Sam whispered, catching her attention, "see that tree?"
Penny turned to look at the one he was pointing at, nodding. It was relatively small, but it would provide good cover with its bushy leaves.
"I want you to climb up that, can you do that without them seeing you?"
"Yeah."
"You'll stay up there until my signal. You're easily the heaviest hitter here," she blushed under her mask, "You'll web up their weapons while Scott and I jump out and take them down. Got it?"
She and Scott nodded their affirmation. With that Penny crawled forward, keeping low. Fortunately, the armed men seemed more interested in watching Captain America at the moment. The blond man noticed her almost immediately, his bright blue eyes meeting her white lenses in masked surprise. Thankfully, he made almost no indication that anything was happening and she was able to slip by unnoticed. Penny then waited in the tree for Mr. Sam's signal.
Despite how weird everything had gotten, it hadn't been a totally awful night. She just hoped Ned and Michelle were safe. And that Mr. Jameson wouldn't fire her for not taking pictures of any of this.
How many times had she dreamed about working with the Avengers, and okay, so maybe this wasn't really official, but it still kind of counted. Maybe this was how she'd be able to impress them, hopefully without them figuring out she was just a kid first. Maybe she'd at least be able to meet Iron Man before the night was over.
Just then a clicking sound reached her ears, coming from the bushes she had just come from. That was the signal.
Spider-Woman jumped from the tree, again, and webbed away the weapons before they had a chance to respond. She threw them behind her like she had before, though this time an Avenger was helping her out. As well as some guy that she didn't know.
The fight was over before it even started. Mr. Sam knocked a guy on the head like he had earlier, she webbed the other two to the ground, and Scott freed Captain America. He was apparently really good with knots, because he untied the rope almost immediately. Maybe he'd teach her how to do that, it looked pretty cool.
"Thanks, Scott," Captain America said. Like actual freaking Captain America, and not just those stupid videos. This was literally a dream come true, "Where are the others?"
"We're doing a pick-up situation. There should be someone else along this path if we keep going," Mr. Sam responded, walking towards Captain America and Scott after he double checked that the guy was knocked out. Captain America's eyes flitted to her momentarily, and she froze a little under his piercing eyes.
"Who?" the blond asked.
"Don't know. Who do you think, Spidey?" Mr. Sam asked, turning to her. She froze, feeling put on the spot as all eyes turned to her.
"Oh, um, I couldn't tell. They were too far away," she answered, trying to sound confident, "I'm Spider-Woman, by the way. Nice to meet you, Captain America."
"Just 'Steve,' is fine."
Oh my, God. Literally the coolest day ever.
"What's our next move, Cap?" Scott asked.
"Let's go get our team."
Previous Part /// Next Part
#iron man#spiderman#spiderwoman#irondad#spiderson#spiderdaughter#female peter parker#peter parker#tony stark#fanfic#irondad fanfiction
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Catching Up Part XI
A Joe Mazzello x Reader Fic
Summary: Reader is a writer for an entertainment news network and after Joe comes in to do an interview, they reconnect. Unexpectedly, they’re having a child together.
Word Count: 2.9 K
Tag List: @crazylittlethingcalledobsession @jennyggggrrr @somethinginthewayiam, @grandaddy-roger-trash, @rogerloveshiscar, @hopefully-aesthetically-pleasing, @danamaleksworld, @mrsmazzello, @reedusteinrambles, @rexorangecouny, @caborhapch, @kurt-nightcrawler, @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls, @queendeakyy, @hotttspace, @anxious-diabetic, @someone-get-a-medic, @psychosupernatural, @lizvxx, @cobra-anon, @anotherhystericalqueen The story’s almost over, but it’s not too late to be added to the tag list! Let me know!
A/N: This chapter is super fluffy. But, once again, setting some important stuff. Little Joey is arriving soon! Also, special appearances from Bri and Rog in this one :)
Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Part VIII Part IX Part X
Part XI here we go!!!
You were free of Nick, but you could not force yourself out of your anxiety about cameras. You were doing so much better now. You were at a point where Joe - but only Joe - could take your photo. After you got your closure with Nick, you allowed him to post one of you onto his Instagram. It made you nervous, and you wondered if people might discover your old shame, but you pushed that all away. Joe posted a photo of you, holding your little bump right after he’d made you laugh. It was a great shot.
That was something that helped. When Joe made you laugh, you were immediately relaxed, almost unaware that he was taking a picture at all. He knew just how to make you comfortable enough to get an amazing one of you. Even you couldn’t deny they looked good.
His captions melted your heart as well. The first photo he put up that included your face read: “This is my beautiful girlfriend. She’s amazingly brave, talented, and smart. She’s also giving me the greatest joy of my life. Y/N, I love you. I can’t wait to see our son grow up guided by the greatest mother in the world.” It got you choked up.
Everything would have been perfect if it hadn’t been for your pregnancy making you feel sick and tired all the time. Your headaches were pretty intense, and you still had nausea. You also had swelling around your ankles that you were positive couldn’t be normal. You had a doctor’s appointment before you would leave for Los Angeles, and you made a note to tell Dr. Barrow your concerns. Joe wouldn’t be going with you because he’d be in London for the UK premiere of BoRhap. You promised to send him a picture, though.
You weren’t sure you liked Dr. Barrow much. When you told him about what you were going through, he insisted it was normal pregnancy stuff. He seemed a bit uninterested and overwhelmed by the fact that he also had Dr. Jones’s patients. You felt completely dismissed and unheard.
“Dr. Barrow,” you said. “I don’t think you understand. These headaches are splitting -”
“They’re always ‘splitting’ to you ladies, aren’t they?” he returned with a tired wave of his hand. “I assure you, what you’re going through is normal.”
You frowned. “And it’s still okay for me to drive all the way to LA?”
He nodded. “Of course. As long as you get plenty of rest and continue to take your prenatal vitamins, you and your baby will be fine.”
You felt a little uneasy about him, but took his word that you’d be fine. That afternoon, when you told Joe about it over FaceTime, he seemed concerned, but unsure how to handle it.
“I guess we have to trust him,” he said. “He’s the professional.”
You shrugged. “I suppose so. Hey, do you want to see the picture?”
“Of course!”
You held up the sonogram. “Behold, my love, your child.”
He chuckled. “Aw, he’s amazing! I miss you two.”
“We miss you too,” you replied. “But I’m sure you’re having loads of fun in London.”
He began excitedly telling you what he and the guys had been up to. You smiled and listened carefully, laughing a few times. Your hand rested limply on your baby bump, phone dangling from the pop socket. All of a sudden, Joey gave a mighty kick, knocking your phone right out of your hand and it slid onto the bed.
“Joey!” you gasped, poking him gently. “That was rude!”
“Baby?” Joe’s voice came from somewhere in the covers. “What just happened?”
You picked up your phone and held it properly. “Your son just kicked the phone out of my hand.”
He laughed. “Wow, he’s a strong boy.”
“This is hardly congratulatory behavior,” you returned.
“Is he still moving?” he asked. “I wanna see.”
You lowered phone to your protruding belly, and focused the camera so he could see Joey’s little feet popping up. Joe gasped.
“It only gets more awesome every time I see it!” he said.
“Do you miss your daddy, Joey?” you cooed to your belly. “I miss him too.”
“I’ll be home soon,” he said as you brought the phone up to your face again. “Just one more day and then I’ll be on a plane.”
Shortly after, you said goodnight and tried to get some sleep. It felt awfully lonely in the house by yourself, but you took comfort in the fact that Joe would be home soon. Then you would start your first family road trip.
You followed the premiere coverage from your desk at work. Several people were watching, since you worked in entertainment. Emily sat with you, shaking her head in amazement.
“I can’t believe you’re going to the one in LA,” she said. “It looks so glamorous.”
“Or terrifying,” you said with a gulp.
You could see all the cameras and flashing lights as Joe and the rest walked down the carpet and into the theater. Your heart gave a nervous flutter.
“Oh, Joe’s talking,” she said. “Turn it up.”
You did so and you caught that the reporter was asking about you and the baby.
“Yeah, Y/N is doing great and so is the baby,” he said, beaming. “I’m so excited, I feel like I have so many blessings right now. Between this film and having a family, I just...I can hardly believe I’m so lucky.”
“How did you meet Y/N?” the reporter asked.
“We actually knew each other as kids!” Joe told her. “Fourth grade. We were friends and then she moved away, but we found each other again through work.”
“Wow, that’s amazing!” the reporter said.
“Right?” Joe agreed. “Where’s our Hallmark movie?”
She laughed. “So, are you two hearing wedding bells?”
“We’ve talked about it, and we know we want to commit to each other,” he said. “No plans to bite that bullet just yet though. We’re focused on getting the baby here.”
“That’s a good thing to focus on,” she said. “Thanks for talking with us, Joe. And congratulations!”
“Thank you!” he returned and walked over to the next camera.
Emily sighed. “The way he talks about you is so sweet. I mean, his eyes just light right up. That must be so nice.”
You smiled. “It’s wonderful. He’s wonderful.”
Forty-eight hours went by, and before you knew it, you and Joe were on the road, heading west to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t be able to stop and sight see because you were on a tight schedule to make it there in time for the premiere. Even so, Joe made it fun. He told you a bit about LA, since you’d never been before. Nervous as you were about the premiere, you were excited to be there with Joe.
The night of the premiere came. You and Joe were staying with Rami and Lucy. You honestly considered pretending to be ill to get out of it. You were so nervous, your body shook. Lucy had to help you into your dress and do your hair because you were just unable.
“Y/N, if you can’t do this, you don’t have to go,” Lucy said gently as she laid a curl across your shoulder. “Joe will understand.”
“No, I promised him I would,” you insisted. “Besides, like Joe always tells me, I can do anything.”
She smiled. “You two are adorable.”
“How do you do this, Lucy?” you asked. “What a good trick to keep in mind?”
“Focus on one thing at a time instead of the big picture,” she advised. “That way it doesn’t seem like so much. Stick close to Joe, and you’ll be alright.”
You nodded.
When you met Joe and Rami downstairs, they both gaped at the two of you.
“You look wonderful,” Rami said to his girlfriend. “You both do.”
“Lucy looks wonderful,” you returned playfully. “I look like a planet.”
“Hey, that’s my girlfriend you’re talking about,” Joe said, feigning offense.
You all chuckled.
“You look beautiful, baby,” he said seriously, kissing you on the cheek. “I love you.”
The four of you headed out to the awaiting limo to take you to the theater and the premiere. You felt so on edge that even a bump in the road made you grip Joe’s hand tighter. You hadn’t gotten to try having other people take photos and videos of you, and you were unsure if you could handle it.
“Fuck, I wish I could drink,” you said under your breath.
Joe laughed. “I wish you could too. I’m pretty sure you’re breaking my fingers.”
“Imagine what it’ll be like during childbirth,” Rami joked.
“Oh please, childbirth isn’t nearly as bad as they make it out to be in movies,” you said.
“You’re not scared, Y/N?” Lucy wondered.
You looked at her and shrugged. “Not really, no. My body is made to do it. And with an epidural, I won’t feel much besides pressure.”
She looked impressed. You gave Joe’s hand another nervous squeeze.
“I’m gonna check your pulse,” he said. “You still have feeling in your fingers?”
You nodded. “So far.”
“That’s good,” he said gently. He pressed his fingers to your neck. “Definitely got a quick pulse, but you’re doing so well, baby. I’m so proud of you.”
“I hope you’re not speaking too soon,” you muttered.
“I’m not,” he told you. “We’ve arrived.”
The car came to a stop. You sucked in a breath and looked wildly at him.
“You guys go,” he said to Rami and Lucy. “We’re right behind you.”
They shuffled out of the car. Joe took your face in his hands and held your gaze fiercely.
“I love you, Y/N,” he said. “Everyone here loves you. You got this. Stay with me.”
You nodded. He placed a swift peck on your lips. He moved so he could exit the car first. When he opened the door, you gulped. He stepped out, and you briefly considered telling the driver to go and take you with him. But you would not abandon Joe. Carefully, you scooted to the door, sticking one foot out and letting it hit the carpet. You reached out your hand, and Joe’s found it. You held your swollen belly and Joe practically lifted you out of the car.
The roar was deafening. The cameras clicked, reporters shouted questions, and music blasted from somewhere else. You held Joe’s arm and took a deep breath. The car pulled away as you stepped forward and you were forced to resign yourself to it.
You glanced at the cameras and felt your stomach drop. Joe’s arm secured you around your waist and you met his eyes.
“Stay with me,” he said again, and kissed your temple.
You let him lead you down the carpet closer to the cameras. Joe walked up to the first reporter, who was from the LA office of Everything Entertainment. You beamed at his consideration. He thought that if you knew the company you were talking to, you might feel more comfortable.
“We’ve been dying to see your beautiful baby mama up close, Joe,” the reporter said before grinning at you. “You look stunning.”
“Th-thank you,” you managed.
“How far along are you?” she asked.
“Just over six months,” you replied.
“Really?” she gasped. “You seriously look great to be six months pregnant. When’s the due date?”
“February 20th,” Joe answered.
“You guys excited?”
“We’re positively giddy,” he said.
The next few interviews went similarly. You found yourself relaxing more and more each minute. Everyone told you how great you looked, and you let yourself believe them. The security of having Joe beside you made you feel at home. Then, you saw two people who made your heart skip a beat: Brian May and Roger Taylor. You slapped Joe’s arm with excitement.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Holy shit,” you breathed, nodding your head toward them.
“Oh, yeah, let’s go say hi,” he said, grabbing your hand and taking you over.
They were talking to the rest of the cast already so you were grateful you could blend in. Joe clearly wasn’t letting that happen.
“Bri, Rog,” he said. “This is Y/N Y/L/N. My wonderful girlfriend who is having my baby.”
They both shook your hand and smiled kindly at you. You opened your mouth to say hello, but at that moment, little Joey kicked out once more. You gasped and clutched it.
“You alright?” Joe asked.
“He’s kicking,” you returned. “I guess he wants to say hello too. You guys wanna feel?”
They both agreed and placed their hands softly on your belly. You could hardly believe the founding members of Queen were gushing over your baby bump. They also told you you looked beautiful.
“A little boy, yeah?” asked Roger
You nodded. “Little Joey!”
“Very sweet,” said Brian. “Congratulations, to both of you.”
He hugged you and kissed your cheeks. Roger followed suit. Now you really thought you might faint.
Ben came bounding over to you suddenly. He embraced Roger first, then Brian, and then he practically tackled Joe, kissing his neck. Joe laughed, clapping Ben on the back as they swayed together for a moment.
“I missed you, mate,” Ben said.
“It’s been like five days,” Joe returned. “But that is five days too long, huh?”
Ben nodded and then came over to you. He grinned and rubbed your belly as he hugged you.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said.
“Hi, Ben,” you returned.
“You feeling alright?” he wondered.
You smiled and nodded. Gwilym came over next and greeted you just as warmly, though without nearly knocking Joe off his feet. He also kissed your cheek.
“Hi, Y/N,” he said. “You look so lovely. How’s the baby?”
“He’s fantastic,” you said. “Thank you for asking.”
Allen approached next, extending his hand politely before introducing himself. “It’s great to finally meet you in person!”
“You too!” you agreed.
When Rami and Lucy joined, the photographers started yelling, desperate for a shot of everyone together with Brian and Roger. You started to back out of the frame, but Joe and Ben each took one of your arms and forced you back in. You giggled and accepted it. You truly didn’t think this night could get any better.
The movie was fantastic. You were a sobbing mess by the end of it, because they told the story well, and you were so incredibly proud of these people who had become your friends. You felt it was a great success.
The afterparty was also so fun. Originally, you had planned to go back to Rami and Lucy’s, but Joe insisted on going to the afterparty. He said it was going to be great and you needed to be there. Rolling your eyes, you indulged him, but you really did end up having a great time. They got Queen karaoke going, and Joe was perhaps the most enthusiastic of everyone.
“If I could have everyone’s attention for a second,” Joe said, when the party was in full swing. “I have a little dedication I’d like to make to my beautiful girlfriend, Y/N. This song is called Misfire and it’s written by John Deacon.”
Everyone laughed, including you, but the music didn’t start.
“I’m kidding,” he said. “I’m not singing Misfire. But, Y/N, if you could join me up here.”
Rami helped you to your feet and onto the stage. Your heart was beating wildly as you felt the room of eyes on you. You turned to Joe, holding his gaze.
“Y/N,” he said, and you saw tears begin to form in his brown eyes. “This is a really special night, for a few reasons. First is the release of our wonderful film, Bohemian Rhapsody. Second is...well...I love you so much. More than I ever thought I could love a person. And you’re giving me something that I can never even hope to repay you for. Our son.”
“Joe…” you sighed, choking up.
“Hold on, I’m not finished,” he said. “I knew from the minute I met you - back in fourth grade - that no matter what happened, we’d be together. It was just a physical law of the universe. The years and geography kept us apart, but we’ve certainly done a lot of catching up since then.” The crowd chuckled. “I don’t want to waste any more time.”
He sank to one knee and your heart leapt to your throat. He pulled a ring from his pocket and held it out to you as you - and everyone else - gasped. The ring was beautiful. The stone was not a diamond, but a pearl. It was unique, like you and Joe, and your story.
“Y/N,” he began again. “Will you marry me?”
You could barely form words. Your brain buzzed with elation. Slowly, you nodded, tears falling from your eyes.
“Yes!” you finally choked out and he slipped the ring on your finger. “Oh my God, Joe, yes!”
He leapt to his feet and pulled you in for the kiss of a lifetime. This kiss was the seal of your promise to each other. The people around you erupted into applause. Ben whistled loudly. You and Joe came down the steps together, immediately getting hugs and kisses from your friends. But nothing else mattered when you locked eyes with Joe again. He was it for you. Your whole future. Your whole heart. Everything was just you and Joe.
#joe mazzello#joe mazzello x reader#joe mazzello x you#joe mazzello imagine#BoRhap#bohemian rhapsody#BoRhap cast#borhap boys#borhap imagine#bohemian rhapsody imagine#rami malek#gwilym lee#ben hardy#queen#queen imagine#Brian May#roger taylor#John Deacon#John deacon imagine#john deacon x reader#john deacon x you#catching up series
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So, this will eventually be a finished story, but for now… It’s Halloween. I’m excited. I just redid my icon and my header picture. And I just wanted to share this small piece with you guys.
It’s not Beta’d yet (obviously) and I’m hoping I can get the actual story done by New Years… but I don’t have high hopes for that time line :S
There is some bad language in it so far, so uh be aware? (Moira is cranky AF)
As for pairings : Currently it’s Pharmercy and Sigmoira – but it’s more that everyone thinks Moira and Sigma are together and they both dance around the issue. Also the Pharmercy is SUPER unhealthy. 0/10 do not model any relationships off of it, guys.
Anyways, enjoy.
________
Moira O’Deorain had troubling remembering things before her death. To be fair her death had probably been very traumatic, if the shackles on her wrists and ankles were any indication. That and typically one didn’t turn into a banshee if you happened to pass on peacefully. (Actually, she didn’t know anyone that turned into a banshee after death besides her, but that was neither here nor there.)
That being said, Moira did remember a few things. She had been a witch in a small coven in the woods outside Aldersbrun. She used to have two dogs and a pet rabbit, plus a small hutch of rabbits she kept for meat and … magical experiments. Her little cottage near a large pond was dilapidated now, but it had been quite cozy when she had been alive.
She also knew - like she knew her own name - that the Witch of the Wilds, otherwise known as Angela Ziegler, was a massive winged cunt.
A massive winged cunt who was currently knocking on the rotted remains of her cottage door.
“Sod off!” Moira yelled through the door, rummaging in a ratty torn bag, checking that it had what she need to check her snare traps. She didn’t have time for this, she needed to get out and (hopefully) get some rabbit meat for dinner.
“Oh Moiraaaaaaa,” the literal witch sing-songed, apparently ignoring her, “is that anyway to talk to an old friend?”
“If you were an old friend, you’d know that is how I talk to everyone, now feck off!” Moira yelled over her shoulder, stuffing her favorite skinning knife in the bag. Thank the moon and stars she had a ward on the door keeping the bitch out.
“You didn’t use to be like this,” lamented Angela. Moira looked over her shoulder and noted the blue eye of the witch looking at her through one of the many holes in the door. Did this witch know no boundaries? “I would know, you know. Since I’m an old friend.”
Moira resisted the urge to poke the witch’s eye out with a long clawed finger. She was pretty sure that Angela couldn’t break the ward as long as no part of her got through the door. Sadly, if Moira poked her eye out, she’d probably get some blood on her claws and then Angela would be able to get inside. Pity.
“I don’t have friends now, and I doubt I changed that much from when I was alive. Now leave!” Moira barked out as she slung the bag over her shoulder. She needed to get going, the sun was rising and she had shite to do.
The blue eye that had been peering through the hole in the door retreated. “But wouldn’t you like to know for sure?” came the purr of a determinedly persistent witch. “I could restore your memories, you know. And your house.”
Moira mouthed the next words sarcastically as Angela said them, “I would only ask for a very small thing in return.”
Every single time, this is how the conversation between them went. Moira was tired of it. Maybe being blunt would help get rid of her. She didn’t want to open the door with Angela right there. Bitch might take it as an invitation to come in.
“No. I’ve seen what you ask for in return! Quite frankly, I don’t even know if I have a soul anymore, so stop asking!”
“It doesn’t have to be your soul…” Angela purred. Moira could see that she had plastered herself, well-endowed chest first against the door, a half lidded blue eye peeking through a hole. “Your mind or magic will do…. Hmmm, maybe even your bod-“
“No!” Moira was not going to play those games! Especially not with her! “Don’t you dare even go there! I am done with this conversation! Now leave before I start screaming!” She would start doing her banshee wail, if that’s what it took to get rid of this witch on her doorstep, but she’d rather not. She’d probably wake half the forest, and Akande, the fish monster living in the pond, did not appreciate that.
“Wait!” The witch sounded genuinely panicked. She had also stumbled away from the door a step or two, just in case of screaming. “I just wanted to beg a favor of you!”
Moira scoffed. That wasn’t new either. “Let me guess, you got bored with your latest conquest and ‘accidentally’ did them a mischief?”
“No!” Now Angela just sounded indignant. “Fareeha is doing just fine!”
Moira rolled her eyes. How well could anyone be after having their soul stuffed in enchanted armor and their original body possessed by another spirit?
“What I need from you, my beautiful banshee,” Angela continued in her sultry you-definitely-want-to-take-this-deal tone, “is help me and my servants in assaulting the Castle this year. It happens tomorrow night, and I believe with you on our side, we can have the upper hand for sure.”
Oh bollocks, it was that time of year again, wasn’t it. She had finished her warding preparations last week, but she needed to stockpile a few extra days of food, too. Moira sighed, she had to get rid of this witch, now, or else everything would be behind schedule.
“No. I’m working.” That was… not the best answer, but it was fairly accurate. Angela didn’t need to know what the work was exactly.
“What do you mean working?! You’re dead!”
Maybe a dose of truth would get her to leave, Moira thought as she snapped back, “Every single fucking year, you either win or you lose your fight with the castle defenders with minimal difference either way, but the rest of the fae and supernatural folk suffer. When you win, the humans send more hunters, who tear up the forest looking for you but finding the rest of us poor sods. And when you lose, there’s a power struggle between idiots until you reform.”
The witch was silent for a moment. Moira hoped that she would take the hint and leave now, but sadly, the brat then asked, “And what does that have to do with you?” and Moira’s already thin patience frayed even more.
“I sodding live here, you insufferable harlot! I have to deal with the aftermath!”
“Harlot?! Harlot?!“ Ah, shite, now the witch was pissed off too. “How dare you! Like you’re one to point fingers! I bet you’re just going to go disappear for a few days with your own man whore, the astro-mancer who lives on the edge of your territory!”
Oh. That. BITCH. That was it!
Letting her fury take over, Moira threw open her door and screamed right in the stupid witch’s surprised face.
The force of her scream forced the witch to topple backwards and be dragged by the sonic blast along the gravel laden ground of the walkway.
“Ugh. I don’t know why I even bother!” The witch huffed as she got up; reaching for her fallen hat and tugging her rumpled clothing back into place. “I’m just trying to help you!”
“I don’t need your help! Now begone!” Moira screeched, no longer caring about the neighbors.
The witch plopped her signature hat back on her head, hopped on her broom side-saddle and flew away with only a “hmph!” thrown over her shoulder in lieu of a goodbye. Which was fine by Moira.
“Good riddance.” She muttered under her breath.
She stepped outside (finally!) and shut the door behind her. But as she turned back to start down the gravel path, a new visitor zipped into view. Oh god, it was that annoying will-o-wisp, Lena. What else could go wrong today?
“Yes, Lena?” Moira sighed.
The Will-o-wisp rocked back and forth on her heels, mischievous smile plastered on her face, “Sooo, I couldn’t help but overhear part of your row with the Witch…”
Moira dug her claws into the strap of her ratty bag. “Get to the point,” she growled.
“You ARE going to the astro-mancer’s house instead of helping her, aren’t you?” Lena asked, cocking her head to one side.
Moira counted to ten in her head, then exhaled. “Yes-“
“And you ARE setting up wards at his place to keep her out, right?” Lena interrupted.
Moira blinked. She set up those wards to keep the bitch out, and keep her from bothering poor Siebren yes. But why was Lena asking this now? “Well, yes but-“
“AND you ARE setting up protections to keep hunters away too, right?”
Moira was still confused as to where this was going. “Yeeessssss….” She answered slowly. “But what does-“
“Do you think Emily and me can spend a couple of days crashing at his place, too? I helped defend the castle last year, (and they don’t need me this year thankfully) but I think the witch is pissed off at me. And yeah, she can’t do nothin’ to me, but she might target my new girlfriend Emily. Well, I say new – but is it really new if you were already dating in a different dimension? Anyways, have you met Emily? She’s a doll! Best human I’ve ever known! We need more humans like her! She doesn’t even ask about how I technically don’t exist in this plane or why I’ve got a pumpkin shackled to me chest-“
Moira blinked a few times at the sheer amount of word vomit Lena was spewing in her direction. But eventually her mind caught up and parsed the first question.
“Lena!” She said sharply to get the will-o-wisp to shut up for two seconds. “It’s not my house. You’d have to ask Siebren if he would allow it.”
“But what about your wards?”
Moira furrowed her brow. “What about them?”
“Don’t you have to let us in or else I’ll get poofed?”
“No? That’s not how they work. Who told you that?”
“Sombra! You know, the new bride of Junkenstien’s monster that actually doesn’t want anything to do with him? Anyway, Sombra said you had to uh…’white-list’ us to get in through the wards or else we’d be poofed!”
Moira had NO idea what the hell Lena or Sombra were talking about. “Look, Lena, the only people who can’t go near Siebren’s house are the Witch of the Wilds, her known cronies, and hunters. Everyone else can go into his house as long as you politely ask Siebren, the actual owner of the house. So go ask him, not me!”
Lean’s face lit up. “Everyone can go?”
Moira froze. Oh shite. She should not have told Lena that. “Now, Lena, wait! Hold on a mo-”
But it was too late, the seed had been planted. Lena started babbling again, “Oh oh oh! We could make it a party! We could invite all the fae and supernaturals of the forest! Like a giant feast and slumber party! Oooooh! We could do party games! Like bobbing for eyeballs! Or pin the tail on the hellhound! Ahhh! This is the best! I’ll go ask him right now!”
Moira called out, “Wait, Lena!” but Lena just chirped “Thanks luv! Hope to see you there!” and zipped away like a hyper active flea.
Moira stood there in silence for a second, her mind reeling. The wards were done and so were the protections to keep nosy hunters away, but she didn’t have nearly enough food for a party much less several days of waiting out hunters with that many mouths to feed.
“Well,” came a low smooth voice behind her, “you know your soft hearted idiot mage is going to say yes to her. And yes to anyone else that asks.”
She turned around to see Akande, the fish monster, resting his head on his arms on the shore of the pond, webbed feet kicking lazily behind him.
“Good morning, by the way,” he added with a small wave of his webbed fingers. ”It’s always so lovely to be woken up by a screaming match between two magic users before the sun has risen. Especially when you are nocturnal and trying to fall asleep.”
Moira sagged her shoulders. “How can I make it up to you this time?”
Akande smirked. “Make sure there’s a tub of water filled for me at your precious Siebren’s place. I’ll come by and ask for his official permission tonight.”
She groaned, and pinched the bridge of her nose with one hand, but nodded.
“Oh and don’t worry, I’ll make sure to get the word out that the guests for this particular party need to bring their own food provisions. I sincerely doubt you’ve got enough stashed away for that many people. Besides, you’ve only been hoarding human food, have you not?”
Moira felt a surge of gratitude, “Yes, all the food has been for him, so I don’t have to leave and restock it.”
“And what about for you? Do you have some food for you tucked away?”
Moira shook her head. She trod a weird line between fae and undead, so her sustenance needs were tricky. If Siebren remembered to put out offerings of milk and honey, she’d be fine, but usually he forgot and she’d have to sneak in eating the life force off a passing bird or another small creature while he wasn’t looking. “I’ll be fine.”
Akande raised one fishy eyebrow, but didn’t call her out on it. “Well, at any rate, I’ll bring in something as payment for the hospitality.”
Ugh, every time Akande brought her food it was a large stinky fish. Only now it would be several large stinky fish. Great.
“You better get going; the sun’s rising. And I know you don’t do well in the noon-day sun. See you later tonight, Moira.” And with that, he pushed himself back into the pond and disappeared into the water.
Moira sighed one more time for good measure and then set off to go find some food for the upcoming “party”.
#overwatch#overwatch fanfic#overwatch writing#overwatch halloween#overwatch moira#moira o'deorain#ow moira#banshee moira#overwatch mercy#ow mercy#angela ziegler#witch mercy#overwatch sigma#ow sigma#siebren de kuiper#astromancer sigma#overwatch tracer#ow tracer#lena oxton#will o wisp tracer#overwatch doomfist#ow doomfist#akande ogundimu#swamp monster akande
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Untitled Iwaoi Short Story #1
“Wow…I still can’t believe it, Iwa-chan. Auntie invited me to be in a legit fashion show,” Oikawa beams happily and puts his arms behind his head, leaning back in his seat. “I mean, a fashion show for teenagers since she makes clothing for that particular age group-but still!” he raises a finger in the air, matter-of-factly, “I get to be featured as one of her star models! I think I’ll be put in somewhere near the end. Pretty cool, huh?”
Iwaizumi stares grumpily ahead, his hands gripping the steering wheel of his truck a little too tightly. “Sure, Shittykawa.”
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Iwaizumi didn’t originally want to take Oikawa on this weekend trip, but Oikawa had convinced him, somehow. He thought back to the week before when Oikawa had rushed over to their usual table in the cafeteria, slammed his tray down and had announced his aunt’s invitation to the whole group.
Matsukawa raised his head up from where it was resting lazily against the palm of his hand. “Wait, whatdya mean?”
“Since when have you been interested in clothes?” Iwaizumi asked, popping a fry into his mouth.
Hanamaki nodded, “yeah bro, it’s not like you’ve ever considered that as an actual career choice. I mean what’s in it for you?”
Oikawa sat down, took off his schoolbag, and sighed. “It’s simple. I’m not. But think of how many girls I could get once they all find out I’m a model! I’ll be the talk of the town! I mean, I already am pretty popular here. Why not share my good looks with the rest of Japan? It’s only fair.” He added the last sentence smugly, as if it was a simple conclusion that anyone could make just by looking at him.
“So where is this show again?” Mattsun asked.
“Don’t you dare say Tokyo,” Iwaizumi added.
Oikawa gave out a short laugh. “Oh don’t be ridiculous, my aunt’s line isn’t that popular yet. But it’s gonna be in Mito, so not too far from here.” He stared off ahead into the distance wistfully, then frowned slightly, “but Mom’s gonna be out of town this weekend helping with some school charity or something like that…” He thought for a few seconds, then immediately straightened up, turning to Iwaizumi.
“Uhm, no.” Iwaizumi replied to Oikawa’s frantically pleading look.
“What??”
Hanamaki and Matsukawa snickered, getting up to take their trays back. “Well tell us how that trip goes, Iwaizumi,” Mattsun said, trailing off after Maki.
“Iwa-chan, please?? It’ll be so much fun! It’ll be like a mini-road trip! You love road trips!”
Iwaizumi glowered at the brunette across from him. “I know you’re only asking me because you still don’t have your license.”
“Yeah well-that’s not the point here, the point is,” Oikawa let out a small huff, closed his eyes, and restarted, “This trip…this show could be momentous to my high school career! Think of the girls, Iwa-chan! Think of how proud my aunt would be!” Oikawa grabbed Iwa’s shoulder and looked into his eyes, attempting to give him the most sincere, pleading expression, “Think of the home-cooked meals!!”
When that didn’t convince Iwaizumi, Oikawa slumped his shoulders and looked down at the table, trying to think of something. “Iwa-chan, ya know, there’s that new Godzilla movie coming out the weekend after this…,” Oikawa started, noting how Iwaizumi flitted his eyes towards him, still not speaking, “I guess we could go see it, if you wanted…” he trailed off, letting Iwaizumi piece it together.
“I am so gonna regret this…” Iwaizumi finally said.
“YES!” Oikawa exclaimed, balling his right hand into a triumphant fist. “Don’t worry, Iwa-chan, this’ll be the best road trip ever!”
“Yeah, yeah, Shittykawa. You’re helping pay for gas.”
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Oikawa’s voice snaps Iwaizumi back to the present. “-and of course they’ll be quick changes backstage, photographers, and I’ll be getting my own makeup table and chair! I mean, these people don’t fuck around, it’ll be super official-“
“Mmph.” Iwaizumi responds absently, trying to put on a neutral face.
“-of course none of the other models will hold a candle to yours truly. If I’m great at volleyball, who knows what else I’m good at-“
Iwaizumi wants to be happy for him. He does. No, he is- happy and excited for him, in his own way. But something deep down keeps bothering him. He doesn’t know exactly what it is, all he knows is that Oikawa has been on this subject for the past hour now and if he doesn’t shut up soon Iwaizumi might have to throw him out the window.
“-and I mean I knew I was good looking and all, but damn, model status? I mean I honestly should’ve seen this coming like-“
Iwaizumi interrupts Oikawa’s endless stream of talking, “Oh yeah Shittykawa, another chance to have an even more inflated ego, can’t wait.” He throws out that last part sarcastically.
“Whatever do you mean Iwa-chan?” the brunette asks, oblivious to Iwaizumi’s growing headache, “It’s only right that the rest of Japan sees my natural beauty! Sorry that I just have a better fashion sense than you.” He sticks his tongue out at Iwaizumi, throwing up a peace sign.
“Oh yeah, sure, plaid shorts with a navy blue shirt and sweater that don’t even match. Got me there, fam.”
Oikawa snaps his eyes towards Iwaizumi, his face changing from a smug grin to visible annoyance. “Okay seriously?? Now you’re just being an ass…So mean…What crawled up your butt and died?”
“Alright, I’ve officially had enough.” Iwaizumi thinks to himself. His body reacts before he’s able to say anything else and he slams on the break, quickly moving onto the shoulder. Seconds later, the truck comes to a halt. Oikawa’s head hits the back of his seat and he gives Iwaizumi a look of anger, but it quick turns into one of concern.
“What do you think, asshat?”
Oikawa is momentarily tempted to shoot back another snarky retort in response to that, but he knows Iwaizumi too well to not notice when something is actually bothering him. “Um…I don’t know? Are you upset that Etsuko from Class 2 confessed to me last week?...I politely declined her confession, if you were wondering about that-“
“I know that, dumbass.” Iwaizumi responds, with a little bit more calm demeanor to his voice.
“Then what’s the matter? Seriously, Hajime, I’m not a mind reader ya know…I can’t help you if you don’t even tell me what’s actually bothering you.”
Leaning his head back into his seat, Iwaizumi, lets out low sigh. “I just…” As he’s trying to come up with what to say, the thoughts he’s kept to himself for a while start bubbling up to the front of his mind. He picks through the myriad of sentences he could use to explain his current feelings, but the more he thinks about want he wants to say, the more everything seems stupid, dramatic, and ultimately superficial. He brings his thumb and forefinger up to the bridge of his nose. “No, ya know what, forget it, it really doesn’t matter.” But Iwaizumi knows that once Oikawa thinks that he’s pissed him off, he’s not going to stop trying to figure out what’s bothering him. Sometimes it’s a blessing to have someone like that in your life, but this time it feels like a curse.
Oikawa leans forward closer to his best friend’s side. He knows that there must be a good reason Iwa-chan is avoiding the topic. Iwaizumi has never liked to make a big deal about his internal struggles in life. Whatever this is must be important.
Iwaizumi looks out the window of his truck, not knowing how to continue this conversation. It’s just…so stupid. “Why am I so bothered by such a trivial thing??”
A few awkward moments pass and then Oikawa gently pokes him in the shoulder. “Uhm, Iwa-chan….You know those things I said early when we were arguing….they were just jokes, yeah? But if it felt like they weren’t…then I’m truly sorry. I never meant to actually insult you… Are you…concerned about something that I was teasing you about?”
Iwaizumi huffs, “Tsk. No, Oikawa. It’s not any of that. I know I probably said a couple stupid things to you as well.” He turns resolutely and meets Oikawa’s gaze. “Okay. Ya know those times where random girls from the other team’s fan section will come up to you after the end of our games and ask you for autographs?”
Oikawa shrugs. “Yeah, why?”
Iwaizumi turns his head to look forward again. He couldn’t keep this conversation up if he had to look Oikawa in the eye at the same time. It was already embarrassing enough just thinking of the words. “Or those times at lunch when Maki and Mattsun are making a bunch of jokes, arguing about who’s the prettier one and it usually comes down between you and Suga from Karasuno?”
“Mr. Refreshing? I never regarded him as actual competition in the looks department but- Wait they actually do that? How I do not know about this??”
Iwaizumi shakes his head impatiently. “They talk about it when you get up to put your tray away. Now please let me finish.”
“Sorry.” Oikawa adds quickly.
Iwaizumi takes another short breath and starts again. “Well, those things always happen to you and it’s cool and all but…sometimes…” He nervously runs a hand through the top of his spiky hair, a faint blush starting to dust his cheeks. “I just get…kinda jealous I guess.” He quickly finishes the last part of his sentence, praying Oikawa won’t laugh his ass off.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he sees the look of genuine surprise and slight confusion on Oikawa’s face.
Oikawa takes a minute to process what Iwaizumi’s just said, honestly taken aback. “You’re actually jealous? Of me? Like, being regarded as what? Pretty?”
Iwaizumi is suddenly aware of his entire face flushing up but is determined to try and salvage what’s left of this uncomfortable and weird conversation. This definitely would be on his top ten list of most uncomfortable conversations ever. Like, ever. Mandatory puberty conversations included. “Yes, fine, okay nerd?? I’m jealous of you. Everyone including my own mother is always talking about how ‘you have such great bone structure’ and ‘oh, you’ll make such a fine husband one day!’ You ever notice how that never happens to me? I mean, I don’t know, it doesn’t matter and it’s such a stupid thing to make a big deal out of but damn, for once I just want someone to regard me like they regard…you. I mean, shit, am I ugly or something??” He frantically turns to Oikawa towards the end of that sentence, gesturing to his own face.
Oikawa watches as his best friend turns toward him asking the most ridiculous question he’s ever heard in the entire universe. Even when Iwaizumi’s stressed, his black eyebrows knitting together, he still manages to look incredibly hot. His dark, intense eyes, the blush gathering across his glowing, tan face… it really should be a crime. “Get it together Tooru, that’s a thought you can linger over for later…”
Oikawa laughs lightly and smirks at his friend. “Oh Iwa-chan. Trust me on this, you are not ugly…Far from it actually.” Realizing that he’s been looking at Iwaizumi’s lips a second too long, he clears his throat and turns back to look out the front window. That was probably too much.
“You idiot,” he thinks to himself, “Way to make yourself look like a thirsty bitch.” He just hopes Hajime doesn’t pick up on his brief flirtation.
Iwaizumi raises his eyebrows as Oikawa finishes his remark. He’s suddenly very pulled into Oikawa’s wide, brown eyes, noting that his shining orbs are the same color as freshly turned-up soil on a spring day. “Uh, thanks Shittykawa,” he mumbles hoarsely.
“Well!” Oikawa smiles brightly, “Now that that conversation’s out of the way, do you mind getting back on the road? My aunt is still expecting us to show up in time for dinner ya know.”
Iwaizumi clears his throat awkwardly and leans forward towards the steering wheel. “Sure, sure.” He puts the car back into drive and quickly merges into the lane.
The two teenagers make their way along the scenic road, the sky now turning a light, dusty pink over the trees. It’s quiet for a while, but not altogether uncomfortable. Oikawa decides to put his earbuds in and stretches out his long legs over the front glove box area of the truck, watching the scenery whoosh by. Iwaizumi has one of their many mix CD’s playing softly in his stereo, silently mouthing along some of the lyrics here and there.
Oikawa keeps returning back to their most recent conversation in his mind. Although Iwaizumi looks more relaxed at this point in the trip and it seems that the small, faraway smile has returned to his face, Oikawa can’t help but think that Iwaizumi truly doesn’t grasp his own beauty. Sure, maybe only one or two girls have ever confessed to him since their first day of high school together, but that doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things. High school is, after all, a very brief and insignificant time in a person life. Even Oikawa, the Grand King, knows that much.
“Fuck it.” Oikawa mutters, taking out one of his earbuds. He laughs softly to himself, looking down at his lap.
Iwaizumi’s ears automatically pick up on the curse word. “Hm?” he grunts.
“Look Iwa-chan,” Oikawa says, still looking down, “I know you still probably don’t believe you’re pretty, but you are. Very much so. And I’m going to prove it to you because that’s just who I am.” He grins brightly at Iwaizumi for a couple of seconds, leans his head back against the seat, and closes his eyes.
Iwaizumi doesn’t quite know what to make of that. “Whatever you’re planning, I wouldn’t recommend it,” he states weakly.
Oikawa smiles, his eyes still closed, enjoying the warmth of the setting sun on his face. “Don’t worry… Just enjoy the trip and leave the rest to me.”
The offhand tone in his friend’s voice feels eerily cryptic for some reason. He knows Tooru would never do anything to intentionally hurt him. “Still,” Iwaizumi shifts his right hand on the wheel, gripping the leather a little tighter, “Oikawa does tend to have a flair for the dramatic.”
END OF PART 1
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A/N: Uhm, wow, I love iwaoi with all my heart and I don’t know why I haven’t done a one shot/short story on them in all my time on tumblr! Just a short story I thought of today as I thought about how no one ever regards Iwaizumi as pretty, just handsome or a hunk, or whatever. Pretty and self-confident Iwa-chan for the win! If you ended up reading this far then please leave me a comment or a like to let me know what you think! Sorry if there are any grammatical errors in this, I don’t have a beta reader. I have more ideas for this short story so stay tuned! We’ll see if I end up writing more of this in the near future. Oh, and if anyone wants a beta reader for their fic I am more than willing to help out for free! I actually love proofreading things and making creative suggestions for plot lines and stuff!
#elo speaks#elotheweeb#iwaoi#haikyuu!!#haikyuu#my fics#one shot#short story#oikawa tooru#iwaizumi hajime#matsuhana#hanamaki#matsukawa#validate me lmao
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Cullen/Lavellan modern AU: Five Minutes
Chapter 7 of the Piperford modern AU Luck of the Law is up on AO3!
In which there is a tiny bit of drama and a LOT of texting. I just really really love texting in fics, ok? Like A LOT. THANKS TO @schoute FOR INDULGING ME IN MY STORY ABOUT HER BABIES!!
Read here on AO3. A small excerpt only here, since formatting “texts” in Tumblr is basically a circle of hell.
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Piper bobbed her head happily as she scrolled around on the karaoke laptop for a good song. The Hanged Man would be opening in an hour or so, and Hawke was behind the bar lazily counting the cash before the start of shift.
“Come on, Pipes, throw something on already!” she called.
“Yeah, yeah, hold your halla,” Piper retorted, but with no real annoyance. In truth, she was still feeling so elated from last night’s date with Cullen that it felt like nothing could bother her. Some idiot taxi driver had almost rammed into her when she was biking to the grocery store this afternoon, and she was in such a good mood that she hadn’t even jumped off of her bike to yell at him like she usually would.
She finally picked a song: Howlin’ For You by the Black Keys. The heavy drumbeat and gritty guitar riffs thrummed through the Hanged Man’s speakers, and Piper relished the sound as she made her way behind the bar to start cutting up the drink garnishes.
Hawke smirked at her. “This song again, hey?”
Piper pulled out a small knife and cutting board and selected a freshly rinsed lemon from the draining board beside the sink. “What do you mean?”
Hawke shrugged. “You’ve been listening to this super-sexy song a lot today. You had it on loop in the shower this morning. Something on your mind?”
Her tone was exceedingly innocent. Piper snickered as she picked up the knife. “Is this what you’re doing when you stay over in the spare bedroom? Listening in while I take my shower? That’s pretty pervy, even for you.”
“It’s hard not to listen when your music is blasting through the entire upper floor,” Hawke retorted. “Not that I mind. By all means, blast your sexy jams all you like.” She started to grind her hips in an exaggeratedly sexual dance and slowly shuffled closer to Piper.
Piper laughed and elbowed her. “Get out of here before I cut you.”
“Ooh, kinky,” Hawke drawled, then cackled raucously as Piper put the knife down and playfully pushed her away. They scuffled childishly for a minute, Hawke pulling Piper’s hair while Piper poked Hawke’s notoriously ticklish sides, then returned to their tasks.
“Seriously though, I’m glad you had a good time last night,” Hawke said. “I knew Cullen was a good guy. I just had a fifth sense about it.”
Piper rolled her eyes with a smile. “Uh-huh,” she said. She’d told Hawke about Cullen being a good sport about the concert, and that they’d spent the rest of the night just walking around the city and talking, but she hadn’t gone into more detail than that. The date had just been so perfect that Piper wanted to keep the details to herself, like a dragon hoarding a treasure trove of sweet memories.
“When are you seeing him again?” Hawke asked.
“I’m not sure,” Piper said. “We haven’t set anything concrete yet.” She started briskly slicing the lemon into wedges. Cullen had texted her around noon as usual, and they’d exchanged a flurry of flirty messages before he’d had to meet with Hawke during his lunch, but neither of them had mentioned a second date yet.
“Your ears are pink,” Hawke said matter-of-factly.
Piper self-consciously wrinkled her nose as she arranged the lemon wedges in the garnish tray. “Don’t look at my ears.”
“It’s cute!” Hawke protested. “If it makes you feel any better, his ears were just as pink when I went to his office today and found him texting you. It was fucking adorable.”
“Shut up,” Piper groaned. She put the knife down and hid her stupid smile and her hot cheeks with her hands. “You’ll jinx it.”
Hawke barked out a laugh as she returned the cash drawer to the register. “Don’t be stupid. That’s not a thing.”
Piper tsked at her. “Says you. My luck’s been holding pretty well so far. I’d like to keep it that way, thanks.”
Hawke shot Piper a curious look. “Seriously?” she said. “Do you really think luck has anything to do with what happens in a relationship?” She washed her hands, then picked up a second knife and cutting board and a citrus juicer.
Piper shrugged casually. “Could be. Who knows? Luck probably plays as much a role as anything else. I mean, you can never really know what people are going to do, right? People are a fucking mystery.”
Hawke didn’t reply. A few seconds later, Piper raised an eyebrow at her friend’s uncharacteristic silence. “What’s up?”
Hawke shrugged as she continued juicing the limes. “Just thinking. People really are a fucking mystery, aren’t they? They’re usually a pleasant surprise, though.”
Piper huffed. “And sometimes they’re a nasty surprise.” She turned to the sink to wash her hands. She hadn’t really meant to get philosophical, and she was kind of regretting the turn this conversation was taking.
She fished around for a crude joke to distract Hawke, but Hawke beat her to the punch. “Well, I hope Cullen will surprise you by being nice and nasty in bed,” she said bluntly.
Piper threw her head back and laughed, half in genuine amusement and half in relief as the mood immediately lightened. “Fuck’s sake, you are obsessed. When’s the last time you had sex?”
Hawke gasped in mock outrage. “How dare you ask a lady such a question! Uhh, six months or something like that.”
Piper tutted in disappointment. “Well, that explains it. You clearly need some cock. You’d better get busy.”
Hawke snickered and bumped her with her hip. “I will if you will.”
They grinned at each other, then continued their start-of-shift tasks as they chatted about idle things. Some time later, however, they were surprised by a knock on the door of the Hanged Man.
They looked up, then glanced at each other. They weren’t opening for another twenty minutes or so.
“I’ll get it,” Piper said. She sauntered around the bar toward the door and checked the peephole.
It was Cullen. He was dressed in his full suit and tie and he looked slightly nervous, and Piper’s heart instantly leapt with excitement at the sight of him.
She opened the heavy black door and grinned. “Why, hello there, counsellor. Did Hawke forget something at your office this afternoon?”
He smiled as he stepped inside. “No. I, er… came to see you, in fact.”
Her eyebrows rose with happy surprise. “Me?”
“Yes,” he said. “I was thinking - and we hadn’t had the chance to say… Piper, would you care to go out with me again?”
She grinned at his swiftly reddening cheeks, then laughed. She couldn’t help it. He was just so sweet. “Of course,” she said. “I told you last night that I wanted to.”
“I recall,” he said. “I just wanted to confirm.” He cleared his throat and tugged at his tie.
She studied him with a nearly painful rush of fondness. “You could have just texted me,” she said.
He scoffed and dropped his hand back to his side. “I’m not quite as swift at texting as you. I figured this would be… faster.”
Bullshit, she thought affectionately. He was a perfectly fast texter. She raised her eyebrows and coquettishly folded her arms. “Coming all the way to Lowtown was faster than texting me?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “All right, no, it wasn’t. But…” He trailed off and met her eyes, and Piper’s amusement faded as he studied her with those lovely chocolate-brown eyes of his.
The scarred corner of his lip lifted slightly. “Some things are better said in person,” he said softly.
Piper bit her stupidly grinning lip and dropped her eyes. Like his clockwork-reliable texts from last week, she recognized this visit for what it really was: an excuse to see her.
Fuck’s sake, she really wanted to kiss him. She didn’t know if she’d ever wanted to kiss anyone this badly in her life.
But Hawke was standing behind the bar juicing the limes, and Piper could practically feel Hawke’s attention on the back of her head.
She took a deep and calming breath. “Well, consider this a confirmation,” she told him. “I would love to go out with you again.”
He smiled and released a breath of his own. “That’s wonderful. I… yes. So, er, when is your next free evening?”
“Wednesday,” Piper replied, with a hint of regret. A whole five days away…
Cullen nodded. “Then I will see you on Wednesday. I suppose we can text to sort out the details.” His eyes twinkled with a hint of humour, and Piper laughed.
“You can bear to text, even though it takes sooo long?” she teased.
He chuckled. “Yes, Piper, I will text. For you.” He took a step back toward the door of the Hanged Man. “I must get going; I’m not quite finished my work for the day. But I’m grateful for your time.”
She chuckled as she followed him to the door. He was so damned polite. “All right. Don’t work too hard,” she said, even though she knew it was futile.
He smiled at her. “I… will do my best,” he said. “Goodnight.”
“Bye,” she said. She watched with a goofy grin as he walked over to his car, then returned his casual wave as he slid into the driver’s seat.
She went back into the Hanged Man and made her way back to the bar. “All right, all right,” she said to a widely-grinning Hawke. “Say whatever you’re going to say. Just get it out of your system.”
Hawke shrugged. “I’ve got nothing,” she said. “He’s just…” She trailed off and juiced another half-lime, then tilted her head. “This is great, okay?” She waved her hand vaguely at Piper. “This whole thing you guys have going on. I just want to sit here and eat popcorn and cry while I watch you guys flirting-”
Piper laughed and pulled a rag and the cleaning spray from under the sink. “Creators, we really need to find you a hobby.”
Hawke tilted her head back and groaned. “Please, take pity on me. Your life is like a nice escape from mine. I honestly can’t wait for this damned case to be wrapped up.”
Piper winced and immediately sobered. Hawke always put on such a cheerful face that it was easy to forget sometimes about the murder charges.
“Just one more month until the court hearing, right?” Piper said encouragingly. “Your charges will be dropped, and everything’ll be fine.”
Hawke grimaced. “Your turn not to jinx it, now.”
Piper scoffed. “Please. It’s Cullen. If he thinks the charges will be dropped, then they’ll be dropped for sure.”
Hawke nodded. “Yeah, of course. And if it seems like he’s not convincing the judge, he can just pop the top button of his shirt and distract them with a glimpse of his sexy chest.”
Piper laughed, but she couldn’t help but feel a rush of sympathy as she studied Hawke’s determined smile. It had been a month since Malcolm’s death, and aside from a few brief bursts of tears that Hawke immediately made fun of herself for, Hawke had barely talked about her father’s death, or about how things were back at her house.
Not that Hawke could really talk about it, given the charges and the legal matters and all. But Hawke was a big one for talking about her shit in detail - all couched in humour and jokes, of course - and it made Piper’s heart hurt a little bit to see her working so hard to keep it to herself.
Piper sprayed one section of the bar, then briskly started wiping it down. “You’re staying over at our place tonight, right?”
Hawke shrugged. “Ah, I shouldn’t. The house is kind of in a shambles. I don’t think the dishwasher’s been emptied in two days-”
“Fuck that,” Piper announced. “It’s just dishes. Especially if they’re clean. Come over,” she coaxed. “I really need your help with another stupid level of Portal 2.”
Hawke primly turned her nose up. “I thought Isabela was your new Portal partner.”
Piper rolled her eyes. “That was one time!”
Hawke mock-pouted for another moment, then sighed. “I’ll think about it,” she said. “In the meantime, tell me about your next date. When’s it going to be?”
Piper raised one eyebrow at her irrepressible friend. “What, you weren’t listening in?”
“No, actually,” Hawke said, with as much dignity as she could muster. “I try to limit my spying to what I can see and hear without straining my eyes and ears.”
“A strategic stalker? Well, I guess that’s… something,” Piper deadpanned.
Hawke snickered, then screwed the cap onto the bottle of freshly squeezed lime juice. “Come on, then. When are you seeing him again?”
“Wednesday,” Piper said. She shifted along the bar and sprayed the next section.
“Five whole days?” Hawke said with dismay. “Ugh, that’s so long. Well, good luck with your lady blue balls until then.” She turned away to stock the fresh juices and garnishes in the fridge.
Piper snorted with amusement. Exactly what I was thinking, she thought, but she didn’t say it. Silly and superstitious it might sound, but she really didn’t want to jinx the budding ties between herself and Cullen. Their first date might have been perfect, but Piper wanted to make sure it hadn’t been a lucky fluke.
As it turned out, she was wise to have been cautious in her expectations.
Read the rest on AO3!
#piperford#cullen rutherford#cullen fic#cullen modern AU#Luck of the Law#cullavellan#cullen/lavellan#cullen x lavellan#pikapeppa writes
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100 Random Things About Daisuke Okana
1: goes by the name of Daisuke Okana 2: 21 years old 3: born on a Wednesday at 8:47 AM on February 29th 4: works as a detective 5: always has a way of fucking things up (and thus gained the nickname "Ohno" - used in the context of "Oh no, Daisuke!") 6: generally pretty chill and laid back about shit 7: always the calm one 8: despite this he gets really excited way too easily over the stupidest, simplest shit 9: smooth-talking charmer who's also kind of an airhead 10: knows he has a tendency to fuck shit up so he always goes out of his way to do better - though he usually just fucks up even worse than before 11: really great stamina 12: doesn't really care for material stuff at all, but when someone gives him a materialistic gift he cherishes that item like it's some kind of blessed artifact 13: spends about 10 hours a day just snacking or eating 14: generally whenever you see him there's a 70% chance he'll be eating something 15: sweet but very very clumsy 16: can't seem to get his shit together 17: the only kinds of music he ever listens to is either hardcore dubstep or really shitty pop music (Skrillex and Britney Spears come to mind) 18: lovES CATS 19: dedicated smoker and has been for 7 years 20: bisexual as hell 21: has a lot of really unusual quirks 22: his social cues are kinda fucked sometimes 23: he's either really great at reading people's emotions or absolutely hopeless at it, just depends on how his day's been so far 24: never goes anywhere without his lucky penny tucked safely into his coat pocket 25: he's a super sweet guy and he absolutely Can Not take it when people are upset with him because he feels so damn guilty about it 26: really fucking smart despite being such an airhead (university graduate with honors) 27: possibly might have some level of high-functioning autism but nobody's really sure 28: hates memes but at the same time is a total memelord 29: he has a really bad habit of using the office computer to send funny cat videos to his coworkers 30: His Voice Is Like Fucking Silk 31: if he hears one of his favorite songs on the radio he'll immediately start singing along no matter where he is 32: instantly becomes Illiterate without his reading glasses 33: manscaping expert (seriously this guy's entire body is fucking h a i r l e s s) 34: MASTER OF MARIOKART AND STREET FIGHTER 35: loves zombie horror movies (his favorite movie of all time is Shaun of the Dead) 36: afraid of thunderstorms and the dark (but shhhhhh that's a secret) 37: owns three cats - Mr. Pickles, Bowtie and Whiskey (whom was supposed to be named Whiskers but his phone changed it and it sort of stuck) 38: always seems to have exactly what you need at that exact moment - need a pair of scissors? he has em. need an extra sock? he has that too. also snacks 39: here's a secret - he has no idea how to tie a tie (all his ties are clip-ons) 40: here's another secret - he has a three year old daughter (the marriage didn't work out and now he's only allowed to see her three times a week because his ex is a spiteful bitch) 41: he's a very good daddy tho and his daughter practically worships him 42: can't cook whatsofuckingever 43: loves the wintertime because then he gets to run around in the snow 44: airheaded man-child 45: has a scar on his left shoulder from that one time he casually took a bullet 46: actually kind of artistic and doodles a lot 47: one time his neighbors called the cops on him because they heard him screaming and stuff getting broken and they thought he was being murdered - in reality a bat had flown in and he was having a very difficult time getting rid of it (the cops helped him out with that tho) 48: LOVES pulling stupid pranks on his coworkers, especially his partner 49: his partner kinda hates him apparently so he's always doing dumb shit to try and make him smile - often fails 50: collects socks (only the cool kinds with awesome patterns though) 51: he'll generally dress however you tell him to but you're in for one hell of a struggle if you tell him he can't wear his favorite coat and his favorite pair of fluorescent green glow in the dark socks 52: he'll get really aggressive when he's protecting his loved ones but most of the time he's just a gigantic marshmallow 53: he hates when he makes people upset with him and he'll pull out all the stops to get that person to forgive him 54: he watches a lot of cartoons with his daughter and long story short he's memorized every single fucking episode of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic (unintentionally, of course. dude ain't no brony.) 55: LOVES BOARD GAMES 56: super athletic and goes to the gym every night after work 57: will not hesitate to go on a 45 minute rant about why the best television show in history was Doctor Who 58: a bit of a slacker but dependable as fuck when it matters most 59: hates spiders 60: his hair is suuuuuuuuuper fluffy and soft 61: he'll let his daughter give him makeovers and dress him up like a princess 62: he doesn't mind this at all and the only thing that matters is seeing her smile 63: one time after a visit with his daughter he came to work he next day and completely forgot the fact he had a bunch of brightly colored hairpins in his hair and a Hello Kitty headband on (he was pretty chill about it when people told him this information) 64: his number one weakness is food 65: loves ramen noodles oh my fUCKING GOD he loves rame noodles 66: he loves getting praise and compliments from people because he knows he always messes things up so when he gets praised it makes him feel extra special 67: he'll usually let you say whatever you want to him and tease him to your heart's content - he generally just does not care if you're poking fun at him because he only wants to make people smile. and if you're at your happiest when you're making fun of him, well, he'll let it continue 68: 100% cannot function properly in his daily life without his morning cup of coffee (with whiskey added, obviously) 69: despite having an ex-wife and a kid he HAS actually been with dudes in the past (that's actually part of the reason why his wife left him) 70: WILL FUCKING NOT let people mistreat his loved ones 71: cancer survivor 72: generally lives off of McDonald's, rice, and ramen noodles 73: he'll go grocery shopping like a normal but usually not unless it's the day before his daughter gets dropped off (he's fine living off the bare minimum, but he'll be fucking DAMNED if he lets his daughter eat fucking ramen noodles for lunch) 74: he's actually SUPER ticklish 75: an expert at guns and shit 76: very knowledgeable about cheese????? for some weird reason????? 77: he can literally rant for two hours on all the types of cheese and how good or bad they are compare to others 78: recently he had to buy a new phone because he couldn't turn off the capslock and there was a whole week whrere he was just scREAMING AT HIS COWORKERS THROUGH TEXT and it was very awkward 79: he can and will fall asleep literally fucking anywhere 80: despite being a dedicated smoker he NEVER smokes around his daughter EVER 81: when he's not working a case he'll spend every second of his free time either working to get full custody of his daughter or trying to get his partner to open up more and be more sociable 82: loves singing and playing this prized guitar and he'll often do karaoke night at the bar on weekends 83: not an alcoholic but he will go to his favorite bar at least three nights a week because he's super great friends with the bartender (who also happens to be his best friend from high school) 84: he won't get drunk on those nights and while he may have a drink or two, but generally he just drinks water since he's there to socialize, not get wasted 85: loves sweet foods and desserts 86: juuuuuuuuust a little bit vain 87: also sort of flirtatious 88: just a little bit tho 89: always VERY enthusiastic about the smallest things (you could tell him to meet you at a fancy hotel and he'd literally just stand in front of the room's door for three minutes just staring at the doorknob like "check out this awesome doorknob! it's so shiny! i can see my reflection in it!") 90: just a big gigantic soft fluffy marshmallow up to 98% of the time 91: he loves showering his loved ones in compliments and random yet VERY EXPENSIVE BORDERLINE BANKRUPTING gifts 92: approximately 6-something-ish feet in height 93: really bad at swimming 94: master at playing pool 95: LOVES hugs and physical affection 96: has a secret manga collection but nobody knows this 97: sort of a dork 98: loves stupid comedy movies and silly tv shows 99: cannot ever resist the opportunity to make a cheesy joke or a pun 100: only true anime fans will get this but generally his ENTIRE character is a cross between Kotetsu Kaburagi, Dazai Osamu and Lockon Stratos (yes, I know, I'm VERY original here)
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Exquisite Corpse
An exquisite corpse story is a bit of writing fun where a series of writers tell a story together. In this case, each writer was only given the main prompt (if they wanted it) and the last line written by the person before them. With nothing to go on but a handful of words, they did their best to move the story forward.
The writers for this story (in writing order) were @zephrbabe, @ibelieveinturtles, @catrinasl, @dragongoddess13, @sarastark, @phoenix-173, @bloomsoftly,and @dresupi. I’m super proud of them because it’s actually semi coherent, and totally fun!
I’m going to drop the prompt here, and then put the story below the cut. If you’re interested in participating in something like this in the future, let me know. If there’s enough interest, I’ll facilitate another one.
Some days are just lovely- the crisp autumn breeze stirring leaves as they fall, watching pedestrians traipse about in their jewel-toned scarves and jackets and boots, bottomless pumpkin spice lattes- and other days... well.
Other days you get shot at for ordering a pizza.
Darcy Lewis, erstwhile science minion-turned-SHIELD agent, fired back from behind an overturned table and cursed Clint Barton's terrible taste in toppings and pizza parlors. The StarkPhone in her sweaty hand went to voicemail.
“Barton! Was this a fucking test! If this turns out to be a test, I will not only bedazzle all your bows, I will never buy you pizza again!” Darcy mashed the end call button with her thumb, and dialled the first guy she knew would be able to help.
“Branson and Branson Law Offices, how may I direct your call?”
“Cameron, it's Agent Darcy Lewis, Tango-057455-Bravo. Barton sent me to this pizza place and I said the wrong thing or something, and now I'm in a firefight-” Darcy let off another few rounds, and definitely winged one of the shooters “-and I need backup.”
“Oh- oh, uh, okay, I've got your location,” Klein said, voice evening out from his surprise. She couldn't hear over the shouting and gunfire, but she knew Cameron was tapping away at his keyboard. He'd have backup here lickety-split.
“Okay, uh, Agent Lewis? I've got backup on the way.”
“Thank Thor and his shiny beard,” Darcy huffed, ejecting her empty clip. “How soon?”
“It'll only be a few minutes. Captain America was in the vicinity.”
“Yeah? Well I don't think we've got a few minutes,” Darcy said, turning around to peer through the nearest window. “Can you hear that?”
Cameron huffed indifferently. “I don't hear anythi-,” and the building across the road exploded.
“That's it, I'm out of here!” Darcy yelled, diving for cover against a nearby wall. “This is NOT what I signed up for!”
She risked a quick look around as there was another explosion, and the floor disappeared from beneath her. She dropped into the hole, hitting her head as she flailed for something to hold onto, and the world went dark.
When she woke up, she could still hear explosions above her, as well as what sounded like gunfire. The hole she'd fallen through was mostly blocked by debris, but there was just enough light seeping through for her to see that she was alone. And half buried beneath chunks of plaster and a short timber beam. She gave the beam an experimental push and when it moved easily, she only needed a couple of good shoves to free herself.
She dusted herself off, examined herself for injuries - a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing to worry about - and then cheered quietly to herself when she spied her phone lying a short distance away.
“Dammit. No reception. Where on earth am I?” she muttered. “HELLO? IS THERE ANYBODY THERE?”
She waited until the dull echoes died away, but there was no response.
“Okay, then. Guess I'll have to rescue myself for now.”
She flicked her phone's flashlight on to get a better look at the room she'd landed in. Small, old, and damp, with a submarine-style door barely tall enough for her to pass through at one end. She picked her way carefully across the rubble from the fall, and pulled experimentally at the wheel on the door until it moved. After several minutes of tugging and cursing, the heavy door opened with an unearthly screech.
The long narrow room on the other side was lined with ancient red brick, stretching off into the gloom. Water dripped slowly down the walls, gathering in puddles on the floor.
“Okay - this isn't giving off creepy monster vibes at all.” She set off down the tunnel, glancing behind her every so often. It wasn't as long as it pretended to be, and before too long she came to a t-junction.
“Really? You can't just lead me straight to an exit?” Darcy sighed. Both directions looked the same at first glance, but a closer inspection revealed a trail of... “Is that slime?”
She crouched down for a closer look, and then almost jumped out of her skin when something moved in the shallow puddle.
She chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip as she peered down the tunnel. “To slime? Or not to slime?” she wondered. “And how will they know which way I went if they come looking for me?”
She idly poked at a crumbly looking brick, jumping back in surprise when a small chunk broke off and tumbled into the slimy water. The slime began to glow.
“Huh. Slime it is.”
Darcy continued to follow the trail of slime, turning frequently to check the luminescent trail she was leaving behind her.
She trudged and plodded and trekked along the curve - which had been revealed by the trail of glowing slime - of the never ending corridor until eventually she came to another door.
This door was not old and rusted. This door was made of some sort of silver metal, gleaming dully in the torchlight. It had a wheel right in the middle.
On a whim, Darcy turned off her phone's light, closed her eyes for a minute to help them adjust, and then looked again. The glowing slime gave the door a sick, creepy appearance, but without the bright glow of her phone she could now see that there were faint traces of the luminescent slime on the wheel of the door. Traces in the shape of handprints.
“Well, you've come this far,” she told herself. She pocketed her phone, wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans, and carefully gripped the wheel, avoiding the existing handprints as best she could.
The wheel turned smoothly and silently, and with a silent prayer to Thor, she pushed the door open and stepped through, not noticing that she was leaving a glowing trail of slime with every step she took.
The door slammed ominously shut behind her, and the darkness closed in. "Right," she said aloud, her voice sounding less confident and way more sarcastic than she'd planned. "Glad I'm not afraid of the dark, or anything."
With her hand on the wall to her left, she headed down the hallway, unnerved by the absolute silence. Honestly, the slightly foreboding dripping sound she heard once every ten seconds or so was kind of comforting.
Soon, she reached a junction. The hallway ended, and another, perpendicular to the one she had been following, stretched out of sight to either side. Squinting, Darcy could see a sign, complete with arrows, to direct the unwary traveler. "DEATH" was apparently to the right, and to the left, the much less ominous "BUSINESS OFFICE."
Darcy frowned.
If it was pitch black, how could she read the signs?
"Okay, calm down," she told herself. "Maybe I spontaneously mutated dark vision." She mashed her eyes shut to test the difference between having them open or closed. There was a definite change, and Darcy began to get excited about her future superhero career as The One That Could See In The Dark. She even brainstormed a few code names: "Optigirl!" got dismissed as not cool enough. "The Vision?" Taken. "The Piercer…” No; she didn't work at the jewelry kiosk at the mall anymore.
Despite the lack of an awesome superhero name, Darcy's powers did seem to be improving. The arrow on the wall directing... visitors? toward "DEATH" seemed to be dark red in color, and on closer inspection, proved to be the source of the dripping sound she had been hearing.
"That is unsettling af," she pronounced, stepping away from the sign before her apparently heightened senses showed her what the substance slowly but steadily raining from the ominous notice actually was.
She backed into the hallway she'd originally walked down, and discovered something. "Aw," she groused. "I'm not a superhero; I'm just standing in a pool of creepy glowing slime."
Darcy had never been more disappointed to be standing in a pool of creepy glowing slime in her life.
It was helpful, though, in distracting her from the looming "DEATH," so she leaned down to examine where it might be coming from. She didn't touch, but she did sniff. It didn't smell like anything. Well, at least nothing she'd expected creepy glowing slime to smell like.
There was a large amount of it around where she'd been loitering at the juncture of the hallways, and when she looked behind her, she could see her progress down the hall, and the door she'd left behind her.
Footprints. Her footprints, glowing.
"What even is my life?" Darcy wondered, annoyed. She leaned against the wall and checked out the bottom of her shoe; had she stepped in something?!
Nothing.
"Okay. 'Creepy Glowing Slime Feet' is not a cool superhero name," she said with a frown. "But there are probably some X-Men who've worked with less!"
Darcy decided to ignore her creepy glowing slime footprints for the moment and instead drew in a fortifying breath, psyching herself up to take the left turn before trying the right; after all, a "BUSINESS OFFICE" couldn't be worse than the blood-dripping dire prophetic warnings of "DEATH," could it?
"On second thought." Darcy muttered to herself as she stepped through the door. She didn't know what kind of business they did here but it certainly wasn't something she wanted to find out.
The office was arranged like any floor; cubicles throughout the bullpen and glassed in offices around the walls. If there just so happened to be case upon case of various weapons stacked on every available surface, well who was she to judge. There were floor to ceiling windows on the far side and her saving grace.
"Yes." She hissed between her teeth making a beeline for the emergency exit in the far left corner. She pushed the door open carefully and peeked into the stairwell. It seemed safe enough but if life had taught Darcy anything it was that anything had the potential to be dangerous.
Even though it was dark, Darcy decided to take her chances with the alley. She quickly darted behind the dumpster, but she tripped over someone already hiding there. He let out an “oof!” but his quick reflexes allowed him to catch her before she hit the ground.
“I should have known you would be here, “she said. “ Mob nonsense and a pizza place has your name written all over it.”
“Hey!” he tried to sound indignant, but then just shrugged and pulled her behind him.
He looked her up and down as much as he could in the tight space. “You got your weapon on you, Taser Girl?”
“Clint, you know full well tasers are illegal in New York!” she hissed, trying to keep the noise down in case she had been followed. He just looked at her expectantly. “Fine,” she sighed, pulling it out of the ankle holster Natasha had insisted she wear.
“Ok. Be ready, just in case. And try not to shoot me with it this time.”
“Don’t you want to call for backup first? Green Lantern? Black Widow? Aquaman?”
He just shook his head. “Darcy, I know you know full well that most of those are fictional.”
“I do not know that. How would I know that? You know, before New Mexico, I didn’t believe in aliens or killer robots either. Why should these be fictional?” Her snort of disgust was tinged with a dry humor.
“Ok,” Steve conceded, “But where are we gonna find boots small enough to fit this cat? And how are we gonna get them on the cat to begin with?”
“Steve, my sweet summer child,” Darcy responded, “Magic. Magic is the answer to any and everything since this nightmare of a day started. All I wanted was to pick up coffee for my scientist, but Clint had to go ruin that for everyone with his disgusting desire for fruit and fish on pizza. So now, it’s up to us. I’ll go find the boots, you keep that cat where it’s supposed to be. We’ll worry about the rest when we come to it.”
Steve just shook his head and picked up the long haired three legged cat and sat on the couch. “Whaddaya say, Buck? Great British Bakeoff?”
A smirk lifted one corner of his mouth, wreathing his expression in mischief. His eyes, though, sent a shiver coursing through her. Where the curve of his lips was light and teasing, his gaze was a molten blaze on hers.
“I don’t know, doll. I guess we could.” One shoulder lifted in an artless shrug, as he ducked his chin to peer at her through his lashes. It was all on purpose, tiny gestures expertly designed to catch her attention. Despite recognizing it for what it was—admiring it, even—Darcy’s breath caught in her throat and her heart pounded in her chest. All of a sudden she felt very outclassed in the flirting department. “Unless…”
“Unless what?” she prompted after a moment, filling the silence when he didn’t finish the thought.
The smirk was back in full force, and his eyelid dropped in a slow wink.
“Unless you’re scared of getting shown up in the kitchen by an old man.”
In the blink of an eye, Darcy straightened up and took a step backward—when had they gotten so close, anyway?—to shove the sleeves of her sweater up over her elbows. Barnes was gorgeous and all, with that scruff and those eyes and that body and pretty much everything else about him, but no one came between her and her pastries. No one.
Some of her determination must’ve shown on her face, because he blinked slowly and leaned away. A wary expression flickered across his face, but it was already too late.
In the blink of an eye, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. With a sharp smile and fire in her eyes, she leaned in. Ignoring the scent of his cologne—any other time, she’d be tempted to rub up against him and curl up into the welcoming heat of his body—she rose to her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
“You’re on, Bucky. Hope you’re not a sore loser.” She was close enough that her breath ghosted over his ear as she spoke, close enough to catch the faint shudder that ran through his body at her proximity. Well, wasn’t that interesting.
When she pulled back, his expression was smooth and even except for a faint spot of color high on his cheekbones. The smirk was all hers, now, and it flirted at the edge of her lips. There were worse things than knowing she could affect a man like Bucky.
His eyes were warm and heated on hers, pupils dilated with restrained want. A genuine smile pulled at his mouth, pleased that she gave as good as she got.
“Care to make a wager, doll?” he asked. His eyes sparkled, like he knew she wouldn’t be able to resist the dare.
He was right.
“A bet, Bucky? This gets more and more interesting,” she purred, a lioness ready to pounce on her prey. His throat bobbed, and she followed the motion before glancing up to meet his gaze. “What are your terms?”
He chuckled, “That was quick, I expected to have to convince you a little more…”
Darcy shrugged. “To be fair, I was already on board before you asked me. But you seemed like you had a whole… thing to get through.”
Pietro blushed before running his hand through his hair. “I honestly thought you hated the idea of being my undercover partner the first time, so I didn’t really expect you to want to do it a second time. Or possibly third, fourth… what have you. I didn’t expect you to want to continue this… professional relationship.”
“What would give you that idea?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “Could it possibly be the fact that you circled like a hawk whenever I was talking to contacts at the party? Or maybe the fact that you got handsy in the elevator when I specifically said not to…”
“Hey! That was to protect you from the needle that the mob boss was trying to stick you with. He stuck me instead and that shit doesn’t work on me, so we were fine.”
“You blew our cover.”
“I saved your life.”
“Semantics,” she replied, smirking haughtily.
“So if I’m a terrible partner, why are you agreeing?”
“You’re not a terrible partner. You’re a terrible agent. You’re a fantastic partner, couldn’t ask for a better one.”
“Oh…” he trailed off, blushing again. It was pretty adorable, if she did say so herself. There was just one more thing to get squared away.
She coughed. “I just need to ask you one more thing, Piet. And you can’t laugh when I ask you this.”
“What?”
“Are you going to be able to do this without falling in love with me?”
His eyebrows went up, the corners of his mouth twitched, but he didn’t laugh. “I think I can manage.”
Smiling, Darcy stuck her hand out. “It’s a deal, then. Go tell Coulson to draw up the paperwork. I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership. I look forward to working with you exclusively, Agent Maximoff.”
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JERMY FARTZ (S2E4) MASTERPOST: NO BREAKING INTO PARTS, WE SCROLL LIKE MEN
I laugh at that name every time, and I’m not even sorry.
So I haven’t touched the 2 latest episodes because I’m lazy, but this was so much fun that I had to devote some time screaming to it! So get ready kids, because there is screaming (and spoilers) below the cut.
Though first: someone who’s never seen Camp Camp tell me what’s going on in this picture:
This episode has my favorite people. As in, Gwen and David. Yeah, there’s gonna be a lot of them in this post, and I’m not even sorry.
But first! Have some squished Nikki:
I love her.
FACE DOWN BOOTY UP
THAT’S THE WAY WE LIKE TO —
. . . Moving on.
Can we take a moment to appreciate Max’s sassy little wrist flip?
Also can someone explain to me how Camp Campbell won anything athletic against the Woodscouts? That seems to defy logic.
There are so many good things going on in this picture, but the most exciting is that GWEN IS SMILING! ACTUALLY SMILING FOR REAL!
Don’t believe me? Look at this saucy little zoom in:
LOOK HOW HAPPY SHE IS! Also, if we can indulge me for a moment (and I’d like to see you stop me): She’s not smiling because of the game. She’s not smiling because the kids are happy.
That smile is 100% aimed at David.
Girl’s in love, is all I’m saying.
Nikki, what the fuck are you doing?
A lot of this is going to literally just be a dumping ground for pictures I think are cute, because I still don’t really understand what a “masterpost” is. So in that vein, Max is cute. Space Kid, in the background: also cute.
Man, they kinda look like they’re reenacting a super low-budget version of West Side Story, huh?
But I feel like it needs more ~camp.~
THERE WE GO! Thanks, David. Always there to sparkle things up when I need you.
One of the reasons I can’t stand Pikeman — besides the, y’know, all of him — is how he makes David sad. Look at David’s sad sad face and tell me you don’t wanna punch this twerp just a little bit.
Then again, he also makes Max make this face, and this is a great face.
Allow me to deposit in front of your eyeballs some Davids:
There we go! Aren’t we all feeling a little bit better now?
I HEARD MY BOYFRIEND COWORKER WAS BEING AN IDIOT AND CAME AS FAST AS I COULD!
Honestly, “Gwen desperately trying to stop David from doing something really stupid” is one of my favorite dynamics. They continue to be everything I need in life. Looking at this picture caused 75 new Forestwater Gwenvid stories to appear in the AO3 feed. (Ha, no. Wouldn’t that be awful?)
She so badly wants to save him (and her, let’s be real) from himself and I love it.
And that’s the moment you realize David is an incurable idiot. (Who totally gambles because Mr. Campbell does it and he wants to be like dad.)
I don’t even have anything to say, I just love this picture to pieces. Every expression is gold.
Here are some cute Davids:
And OH MY GOD LOOK AT MAX’S FACE:
LOOKIT HIM
HE LOOKS LIKE FUCKING GRUMPY CAT I’M WHEEZING
I’m not sure what’s the best thing about this: Gwen’s face, how proud David is, or the fact that literally everyone is just d o n e with his bullshit.
(Just kidding. The answer is always Gwen.)
I have a moral conflict regarding her, because on the one hand I want nothing more than for her to be happy, but on the other . . .
look
how great
her angry faces are.
Also take a moment and appreciate David. I think something valuable gets broken in his brain this episode, because he makes this face for a solid 45% of it.
Though I mean . . . I’m not complaining. It’s a damn cute face, and he looks like a sad kitten.
(Do I relate all things I find adorable to kittens? Mayhap.)
1) Gwen is precious. I feel like this is a given at this point but will continue to point it out because I have a need to.
2) What is up with David’s center of gravity? Am I the only person who wouldn’t be able to balance like that?
Let me show you: an emotional breakdown in 4 pictures:
This is not a well woman, guys. She’s not holding on to her chill even a little bit.
(Also the way David looks down at his chest after she pokes him in it, like he’s saying “me?” I love him so much, guys. He is kitten.)
Davey trying to win the family over with sweet dance moves and a charming smile.
It doesn’t work.
Though Lordy, I literally made a goose-like honk at Gwen’s face.
(It’s at this point, at 11 p.m. on a work night, that I decided not to break this up into separate parts like I did for the first episode. This might be a terrible idea.)
(Editing this at almost 1 a.m. on a work night: It was a terrible idea.)
These 3 pictures are less than 2 seconds apart. I fucking love the animation on this show.
(And hey, it’s my icon! Hi icon!)
Why is beat-up David so attractive? Is it me? Am I just a monster?
Not a single face here isn’t great. These beautiful babes.
So the general plot of this episode (not that you come here for plot synopses. You come here for pictures and lots of screaming) is that everyone at camp has to be nice for 24 hours or they have to surrender their best camper to the Woodscouts.
It . . .
. . . doesn’t come naturally to them.
Wait, no. This is the picture I want described by someone who’s never seen Camp Camp before.
I cropped out what they’re reacting to in this shot.
That’s because I love you.
(Starting to regret this whole “not breaking into parts thing.” Will I be weak enough to cave? Who knows?)
(Editing note: Nope! I wasn’t! Oops!)
Is it me, or is Max more expressive this season? Maybe I just wasn’t paying attention previously, but it seems like his faces are way more entertaining in these most recent episodes.
In an epic battle of who can be the most charming while leaning, Nikki goes for a classic jazz hands approach that’s sure to impress the judges, Neil opts for a safe routine with minimal leaning but excessive raptor arms (points for originality), and Space Kid brings home the gold because he looks like an old-timey farmer holding up invisible suspenders/overalls, and that’s not easy to accomplish while wearing a space suit made out of cardboard and underwear.
Observe: 3 Very Angry Beans. You can tell they’re Very Angry Beans because of their Very Angry Mouths. Approach with caution.
I would die for David. Just wanted to throw that out there.
I wish I didn’t find Max’s suffering so adorable. (Editing note: I also wish I used a thesaurus. Oh well. Hope you like variations on the word “adorable!”)
Then again, I wish I was asleep and also I’d like some carrot cake, so it’s just an evening/early morning of disappointments.
Why golly, is it time for more Gwen faces?! I believe it is!
AWOOOOOOO
WEREWOLVES OF CAMP CAMP
shut up I think I’m funny
David’s making The Face. The Face that makes me think something’s broken inside him, because he makes it throughout this entire scene with very few exceptions.
But again, it’s a great face.
(Also look at Nikki and Gwen sizing each other up. Isn’t it cute?)
I think my favorite thing about this episode is, like in S2 Ep. 3 — which I’ll get to eventually! — we see Gwen genuinely does care. This is more than just a paycheck for her; she wants the kids to be happy and respect each other, she wants them to learn and even have fun (provided that fun isn’t ruining her life). She’s worried about Jermy, and she trusts and respects the campers to understand what she thought they were doing that was uncool and why.
She’s actually good at her job, and at any other camp she might even enjoy it to some extent. She’s just been very beaten down by the Campbell kids to the point of apathy and, ahem, “crippling anxiety and regret.”
Basically Gwen’s what happens when Max succeeds at what he was trying to do to David all season 1.
Pfft. Cute. I love Jermy just for the suffering he inflicts on the mains. (Also he’s surprisingly aware of what a disaster he is, without being depressed about it. I can respect that.)
David’s making that face again.
Why does he keep making that face?
David’s brain might have gone all Blue Screen of Death, but Gwen’s actually sets on fire:
I feel like maybe I should take back what I said about her being good at her job. She’s still not great with kids, okay?
But she cares. That’s the important part.
I don’t know if Petrol will get the credit he deserves for this episode, but he’s just pure comedic gold. Every time he shows up it’s fucking funny.
The Most Important Things in Forestwater’s Life Right Now: A Triptych
David’s face
David’s moonwalking
Gwen’s face
(Also: Petrol. Continuing to make me giggle way too loud and disturb my neighbors.)
If you’ll forgive me a little shipping (and if you’ve scrolled this far, I think it’s pretty clear you’ll forgive basically anything): Look at her soul-crushing despair. That is a face you give someone when you’re close enough to communicate to them without a word.
Okay, I mean what she’s communicating is “kill me,” but I still think it counts. You don’t give that kinda eye contact to a casual acquaintance, is all I’m saying.
I feel like I haven’t properly communicated how much I love every expression this woman makes.
Is that clear yet?
Look how proud David is that his babies are participating!
This is entirely for @hopefullypessimistic84, who could always use a cute Nerris in her life.
MAX
MY BOY
My favorite part about the next few pictures is how you can clearly see every thought in Gwen’s head as she’s thinking it.
“All right, you’ll be fine. Just think positive! Be David!”
“Okay no, don’t be David. Never be David. But remember how much you like not living with your parents! Do it for the rent money!”
“Yeah, look at you, girl. You got this!”
“Please don’t let David or Max fuck this up.”
“Oh, Christ.”
“Oh, CHRIST.”
“Literally no one else is gonna take care of this shit. This is your job. You HAVE to.”
“Still better than living with your parents. Technically.”
Petrol continues to be very very good.
Max pulling out his hair in frustration at having to be nice is a beautiful thing and I want more of it.
He is an angry elf.
NURF! BABY! Why are you sad? You did such a good art! You should be so happy!
Please don’t cry, Nurf. I love you.
This shot is also for HopefullyPessimistic, and I hope she appreciates it because it was really hard to get. Nerris was onscreen for like 2 seconds and the cup was in her face for most of it.
Petrol.
Is.
Hilarious.
He somehow became one of my favorite characters? How the fuck did that happen?
This show is sometimes just so pretty, guys.
Pfft.
Some brief Preston appreciation, because I don’t pay him enough attention. With an appearance by Petrol.
1) David is pure and beautiful.
2) Gwen is fucking done. With everything, but especially David.
3) QM is . . . what’s he doing to his hand? Because it really looks like he’s ripping off his fingernail. That’s . . . I mean, I don’t wanna tell you how to live your life, especially since I’m pretty sure you’re older than most municipalities so clearly you’re doing something right, but I feel like that’s not a great idea, my man.
I didn’t know that Max slowly losing his mind was my aesthetic, but apparently it is because these pictures make me laugh my ass off every time I see them.
Nurf has Sassy Eyebrows.
(Editing note: My thoughts started deteriorating around midnight. You might be able to tell by the quality of my commentary.)
I’m sorry. I know Dolph is a super controversial character and all . . . but goddamn it, he’s cute as fuck. I can’t help but like him.
*Daniel neck crick*
Max is such a force to be reckoned with that a dog pile must be created to contain his rage.
Also I’m not sure where Ered or Harrison’s heads are in that nightmare, but it can’t be comfortable. That’s some serious dedication to the cause, kids. Nikki’s clearly having the time of her life. And Space Kid . . . uh, good effort, I guess?
These are pictures of a fully-grown man mocking a child who has been put under his care. Does that make them any less adorable?
No. Such is David’s terrifying power.
Tremble before his cuteness, bitches.
“I’m an asshole!”
But he’s a daggum lovable asshole, isn’t he?
Max’s relief at finally being able to call David a moron and tell him to suck a dick . . . I don’t wanna say he looks like a happy kitty.
Just know I’m thinking it very very loudly.
What a sweet child.
Final Petrol appreciation: he still has the whistle in his mouth. He is a good and loyal boy.
It’s The Face.
Again.
(Gwen is lovely. As usual.)
Look at this smug motherfucker. He even makes this little “hmm” noise which is so cute, like everything worked out the way he’d planned it. Anyone who says David isn’t a dick isn’t watching the show closely enough. He’s a selfish douchebag a lot of the time and it’s one of the best things about him.
Yes, Gwen. That is the appropriate reaction. (Also she backhanded him. That was no open-palm affair; that’s knuckles in his cheekbone. Gwen’s cold.)
Oh, and sorry about the volume slider. If it wasn’t 12:30 in the morning I’d totally fix that.
David makes a sad little “eunghh” sound when she hits him. It is also too precious for words.
Look at his hair floof! Look how it floofs!
(there is a nervous giggle here. I melted)
I once saw a man so beautiful I started crying?
Something these pictures will never be able to accurately communicate:
1) The way there’s this lovely light 1980s-sitcom Very Special Episode music playing in the background, like David’s going to impart a moral. (Spoiler: he doesn’t)
2) The way Miles’ voice kept cracking like a fa — a bunch of pine birch sticks this whole episode. You might be surprised to find that I think it’s adorable. I’m not sure how you possibly could be surprised by that, but you might be.
“Maybe I AM an asshole.”
“Just . . . sometimes, okay?! Sometimes!”
The best moral and possibly my new favorite line to randomly quote.
LOOK AT THE BLUSHY BOY
LOOK HOW HANDSOME HE IS
HOW PURE
HOW FLUSTERED
WATCH HIM STORM OFF WITH THAT LITTLE ANGRY POUT
HE’S PROBABLY OFF TO ANGRY-CRY AND WRITE IN HIS DIARY
MAYBE CALL HIS MOM AND ASK IF SHE’S DISAPPOINTED IN HIM
HE IS THE SWEETEST
Even if I didn’t love every minute of the episode leading up to this (and I do), these last 5 seconds would absolutely skyrocket it to one of my favorites of the entire show. Just look how fucking cute this is. Look at it!
David is bad at being a person and we love him for it.
And here ends the longest, stupidest thing I’ve ever written. I’m genuinely curious to see if anyone made it all the way through. If you did . . . you deserve a cookie or something. Definitely mention in the tags or send me an ask saying you did, because I wanna know who’s almost as nerdy and lame as I am!
#campcamp#campcamp season 2#gwenvid#cc gwen#cc david#cc nikki#cc neil#cc max#campcamp masterpost#cc jermy#cc woodscouts#cc nurf#cc nerris#cc petrol#cc preston#cc space kid#cc dolph#cc pikeman
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Entry 150 - Gloria
Today I helped make a big discovery, I guess.
During breakfast, Flare told us about this place he had found with Merry, Myrmidon and Philly.
“It is super cool! A lot like the castle in Forward! But sized for dragons!” he said. “And there’s lot of art and stuff… it’s really official!”
I glanced over at Merry, Myrmidon, and Philly, who were being quiet. Merry looked especially uncomfortable.
“So you think we should check this out, terror?” I asked.
“Yeah! We should look around some more, probably,” he said.
“Yeah, we should,” Ivana said.
“You want to come with?” I asked.
“A castle is where the leader should live, right? The Queen? It’s got to have more concrete information than just going to random buildings,” she said. “It’d be a fucking waste of time for me to look elsewhere, now that we know it’s there.”
“We’ll head there, then,” I said, before taking another sip from my bowl.
“I shall continue my research,” Baroness said. “I have had some... complications to my approach I must consider.” She didn’t really need to be at breakfast, as she didn’t eat, but she always sat in the corner anyway while we planned.
“That sounds fine,” I said. “Merry? Myrmidon? Philly?”
“Ah, I am not sure,” Myrmidon said. “Merry and I have some things to discuss, but we will figure things out and likely continue our search locally.”
There was something going on that I didn’t know about.
“Well, let me know if you need any help,” I said. In a different situation, I’d pry. But we had limited resources. If we were going to figure this thing out, we didn’t have time to waste, and Ivana was right: this castle thing could have something.
I’ll have to keep an eye on them, though.
Soon, Flare was leading the way to the castle, with Ivana and I flying behind.
“Is this place dangerous, terror?” I asked.
“Oh, probably!” he said. “I set off a couple traps yesterday, I think? I broke them, though.”
“You should have gotten me,” Ivana said, annoyed.
“I did, today!” Flare said.
“I meant before you set off those traps. Oftentimes anything protecting something really valuable destroys it unless you deactivate it.”
“Oh,” Flare said. “Well, I’m sure it’s fine!”
Ivana made a frustrated noise.
Soon, we landed in front of the castle structure. It was impressive, I had to admit. Sort of an attempt to construct something that felt like the Peak, I suppose.
“Okay, well, have fun looking around!” Flare said.
“What?” I said, frowning. “What are you up to, terror?”
“Oh, I have to meet Merry, and then I’ll come back!” he said.
“When did you set that up?” I asked.
“I didn’t?” Flare said.
His ridiculous god again. I took a breath. “Fine. Be careful.”
“Of course!” he said, and took to the air.
“Just letting him go?” Ivana asked. I wondered why. Was she reading my face and saw my concern?
“What else am I supposed to do?”
“I don’t fucking know, control your son?”
“He’s all grown,” I said. “He can make his own decisions. And anyway, I figured you’d appreciate him out of the way while we look around.”
Ivana nodded. “Who fucking knows what he’s already destroyed…”
We walked inside to find ourselves in a big entrance chamber. I looked up at the huge image that covered the wall, of many different lineages living together, and the depiction of what must have been the White Queen.
“Amazing we had no idea about any of this,” I said as I looked it over.
“Don’t sit there being wowed, we have information to find,” Ivana said, already heading up a set of stairs to other chambers.
We were soon walking down a passage filled with side chambers, each of them filled with corpses. They were mostly regular-looking spaces. Offices. Bedding chambers. We were slow going because Ivana insisted on checking for traps. But there were none.
Eventually, we found what looked like a library, and even with the mask on, I could tell Ivana was excited.
“Fucking finally,” she said, and headed in, perusing the shelves, stepping carefully over the corpse of what looked like a Green. “It is going to be super difficult to pull these and read them without damaging them, though.”
“Moreso than those ledgers you were looking at?” I asked.
“Those had partitions between most of them. Separated by time period. These are cover to cover and shelved fairly tight,” Ivana said, clearly thinking. “I’d rip the covers off and damage pages pulling them.”
“So all these books are just lost?” I looked over the shelves. Who even knew what these were about? There had to be lost knowledge here, about this territory if nothing else.
“I mean, a team of professionals instead of a fucking thief pretending to be an historian could probably get them down safely,” Ivana said, and sighed. “Give me a bit, I’m going to see if there are any particularly loose I can confidently pull.”
I waited around a bit as she slowly combed over the shelves. There wasn’t a lot I felt I could do here.
“I’m going to keep looking around,” I said.
“Hm? Sure,” Ivana said, engrossed in her search.
I walked back out, looking down the rest of the passage, into the chambers. There was lots of look at that I’m sure would have thrilled a researcher, but I saw nothing that caught my eye.
Until I walked up another staircase into a large chamber. A large glass panel illuminated seating that had a dead White on it. It looked a lot like the chamber the Queen used at the Peak for very official meetings where she needed to look in charge. But there’d clearly been a fight in here.
Before me was the corpse of a Blue. It had a hood on over it’s head, that looked like it would disintegrate if I touched it. It took me a second, but I remembered where I’d seen a hood like that before. Men who had claim to the pre-Unification Blue royal line wore them for some old tradition I didn’t really know anything about. I’d met an older guy at a Council function that dressed like that back when I first joined.
This would have happened after the Unification, if I’m keeping everything we’d learned in my head. But the Blue royals would have still existed back then, if people were still tracking them today. One of the Harvest Knights was a Blue royal, too, at least in the children’s stories.
I kept staring, thinking, but as I did I noticed something. Through this Blue skeleton, the floor was odd. The flooring in this room was fancy and smooth. There was a big spot under the Blue that was marred, like unfinished stone. And next to it was a key.
I hesitated for a moment, but reached my claw carefully around bones and grabbed it.
It was a perfectly normal key. But this Blue had in theory died hiding it. Maybe it opened something important.
I headed back to the library and Ivana.
She had apparently gotten a book, and was looking through it carefully.
“Anything good?” I asked.
“It’s about building these kinds of structures,” Ivana said. “Probably interesting to someone, but pretty fucking useless to us right now. Did you see anything on your sightseeing tour?”
I held up the key. “I found this.”
Ivana looked at it. “What’s it to?”
“No idea. A door, probably. Looks like that kind of key. But I found the first chamber I’ve been in so far that looked like there was a fight in it, instead of dragons just falling over, and one of the bodies was concealing this, so maybe it’s important.”
Ivana took the key from me and looked at it a bit more. “Not bad,” she said.
“Was that supposed to be a compliment?” I asked.
“Not if you’re going to make it fucking weird,” she said. “Let’s go find this door. I could almost certainly get in without this key, but maybe you’re right, and it’s a clue something important is in there.”
It didn’t take us long to find one of the few doors on the upper floors that were locked. Ivana tried the key, and the door opened.
Inside was a chamber that seemed to have been adapted. There were plenty of normal, dragon-sized things, but on top of them was bits and pieces of furniture designed for someone smaller. There didn’t seem to be anything particularly special about the chamber, besides it’s mismatched nature.
Ivana walked over to a desk and looked at a book sitting open on it.
“A diary,” she said. She carefully closed it, and pulled a piece of cloth out of a pouch, wrapping the book in it. “A diary could be very useful.”
We poked around the chamber a while longer, but found nothing particularly out of the ordinary.
“Nothing in here that seems worth dying for,” I said. “Maybe it was just their chamber key.”
“This room is for one of those little White dragons with how it’s furnished,” Ivana said. “You said you found this on the body of a Blue. So something was up.”
“Good point,” I said.
“And we won’t know if there’s something in here worth dying for until I read the diary.”
“Another good point.”
“Mommy! Nobody!” Flare was yelling from somewhere. Ivana and I exchanged a glance. “Where are you? I’m back!”
“Guess I better see what he wants,” I said.
“I guess I’ll come with to the entrance,” she said. “It’s getting late and I want to start reading this.”
We headed back down to the entrance chamber. Flare waved at us when he saw us on the stairs. “Hi!” He said.
“Everything okay, terror?” I asked.
“I need to think about some things,” he said. “I’m not by myself anymore and stuff. Not that I ever was before, but like, all the humans just kind of went along with whatever? Maybe because they were so small? Or maybe I just never noticed what I was doing to them? I feel like maybe I’ve misjudged this quest in some ways. I need to look out for you all more and try to learn. I have to be better.”
That was not the response I was expecting. “Uh, well, that’s good. I’m glad you’re thinking about all that,” I said.
“She meant with your screaming for us to get down here,” Ivana said.
“Oh!” Flare said. “Well, I just thought I’d show you the door!”
“The door?” I asked.
“Yeah, the one I found yesterday, with the traps? I guess you were in the upper levels and didn’t look at it?”
“Show me the door,” Ivana said.
We headed down this time, way down, following Flare. Occasionally Ivana would yell for us to stop and disarm something.
And then we reached it.
The door was huge and made of stone. It was covered in magical lines and things. Above it was an image of the White Queen, resting a claw on an egg nearly as big as her.
“There we fucking go, that’s more like it,” Ivana said, moving to the door to examine it.
“It’s got a magical whatever on it,” Flare said. “So I can’t get it open or anything.”
Ivana had pulled a tool I didn’t recognize out of a pouch and was poking at the edge of the door. “I’ve seen a lot of door seals, but this one is really strange. Give me a bit.”
So we did. Ivana got visibly more and more frustrated. Finally, she stepped back, and jammed a piece of gum into her mouth, blowing an angry bubble. “I don’t know how to break this open,” she said. “I’ve never hit a fucking door I couldn’t open.” She blew another angry bubble. “We’ll have to ask the skeleton. This magic is complex.”
“Let’s gather everyone here tomorrow, then,” I suggested. “We’re all in agreement that this place is important. We could use more eyes on it to make sure we don’t miss anything.”
“Sure!” Flare said.
“I just need Baroness,” Ivana said. “But whatever, you’ll fucking bring everyone anyway.”
We flew back to try to get some rest.
As I laid down to sleep, I could hear Ivana muttering loud curse words under her breath. Eventually, I couldn’t take it and got up to stick my head into the other chamber.
“What’s so frustrating?” I asked.
Ivana jumped a little in surprise. Which was odd. I never caught her by surprise. “Fuck, you scared me,” she said.
“So you’re not invincible after all,” I said.
“Fuck off.”
“Just try to keep it quieter? You’re keeping me up muttering at that book.”
“Yeah, sure. Sorry,” she said. “I just…” She took a breath. “Going to have to confirm some things before I say anything. So give me some time here.”
“Is it worth dying for?” I asked.
“...possibly,” she said. “Now leave me alone so I can read.”
I did my best to get to sleep.
I could tell, tomorrow was going to be quite a clawful.
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Rise From the Ashes; Just to See You Again
Chapter 7: The Stark Expo
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Penny glanced up from her camera to look at Ned, whose face was tight with concern. They were on a crowded bus on their way to the Penelope Stark Expo, and she might've not told May. Maybe.
She'd been out later every night trying to find leads to find that Vulture guy, but no luck. She'd never found that 'big deal,' or the other guys again. She didn't even know if she was close, though she had been going more to the outskirts of the city to try and find them, but she guessed they'd moved on or something after she'd caught them, because so far: Nothing.
"Why wouldn't it be?" MJ asked from Penny's other side, her nose in a book, "Penny sneaks out all the time, I doubt she'll get caught."
"Yeah," Penny supported, "And besides, I told May I was working and I am, just, not where she thought I would be."
Mr. Jameson had seen her photos of Spider-Woman and had been impressed, so he had sent her out to the Expo to get pics of the other heroes. She didn't quite know what stories he wanted to print, so she'd decided she would mostly focus on the science exhibits. And now Penny was on her way to the event of the year with her two best friends.
Ned seemed less nervous about it, returning to playing a game on his phone, though he continued to fidget the rest of the ride. While he played, and MJ read, Penny went back to her camera, fiddling with little parts and the lens. It was pretty old and she was constantly having to fix it with parts she found in dumpsters. It was amazing what people would throw away.
They finally got off of the bus around 6:00, by which the Expo had already started, as could be seen by the way it was lit up spectacularly and filled with people that streamed in through the entrance.
"Come on, let's go!" exclaimed Ned, already rushing in.
Penny took a moment to snap a picture before following him in. They thankfully didn't have to wait in line, the entrance being wide open, though there were medal detectors on both sides. Strangely, they didn't go off as she passed through with her suit and webshooters in her backpack. Maybe they only went off at things like guns? Or swords? She shrugged it off and continued in, MJ trailing behind unenthusiastically.
They wandered around for a few hours, stopping by every exhibit they could find and asking as many questions as they could get out before they had to move on. It was really cool. There were a couple of actual scientists from Stark Industries, but most of them were college students from science schools showing off what they had made. She was particularly interested in the ones from MIT.
Penny snapped pictures and wrote down the names of everyone they talked to so that the Daily Bugle could send over some reporters to interview them. She was in the middle of taking one woman's picture when Ned grabbed her arm.
"Penny, look at this!" he yelled, grabbing her arm and dragging her over. She flinched but made no move to stop him once she realized it was just her friend. As he dragged her she felt her spider-sense go off dimly, but before she could react there was loud cursing and she found herself on the pavement in a mess of tangled limbs.
"Oh my, God! I-I'm so sorry, sir!" Ned squeaked. Penny looked up from where she was sprawled on the ground to face someone that was eerily familiar to her, which she guessed would make sense since he was on TV all the time.
"It's alright, kid. No harm done," Colonel Rhodes said, already up and extending a hand to Ned, who took it without hesitation, "Are you two alright?"
"Y-yeah," stammered Ned.
"And you, Miss?" he asked, turning to her and holding out a hand. She hesitated, but took it after a moment, her breath catching in excitement. Which, who could blame her? It was War Machine.
"I'm fine, sir," she assured him, but paused when she felt her camera swing awkwardly from her neck. Penny looked down to see that it had been broken in the fall, "Shit."
"Oh, I'm sorry about your camera, Miss. I can replace it," War Machine told her, looking guilty about her pitiful excuse for a camera. She smiled graciously.
"It's fine. It's just a bunch of junk I put together anyway."
"But--"
"--Really, it's basically worthless, sir. I'll be fine," she cut across him, trying to convince him that she didn't need a new camera. She'd been looking for an excuse to try and make a new one anyway, she just didn't want to waste the one she had. Penny didn't know what she'd do about her pictures though. Maybe she could retake them on her phone? They wouldn't be as nice but...
"If you're sure?" War Machine tried again, raising his eyebrows.
"I'm sure," she assured him again.
"Well, then. Enjoy the expo I guess," and with that he walked away, though he still looked rather sorry about her camera.
The two of them stared at where the man disappeared in the crowd, momentarily stunned. As she watched him go she wondered if she would ever see him again, not just as a random kid, but as an Avenger. Penny was embarrassed to say she and Ned stood there looking like idiots for probably a good five minutes, their jaws slack.
"What are you losers looking at?"
Penny startled, jumping, and turned around to see MJ looking at her with her 'bored face.' Penny blushed furiously.
"War Machine!" Ned answered, his voice breathy with awe. Michelle raised an eyebrow.
"I don't see War Machine."
"He left! He touched my hand! He touched Penny's hand. An Avenger broke your camera, Penny!"
"You broke my camera, Ned," she snapped, though she was smiling.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, by the way...but I meannn, War Machine right?"
MJ rolled her eyes when Penny agreed. She couldn't help it! Colonel Rhodes was super cool! And an Avenger! It wasn't really her fault.
The trio began walking around again, circling back around to revisit exhibits for Penny, who blushed every time she had to ask to take a picture again. The lighting wasn't as good since it was pretty dark by then, but she made it work. The arc reactor blue lights had a nice aesthetic.
"What do they even do here? Like, is there some exhibit Stark does or...?" asked MJ, staring absentmindedly at the food stand that had a huge line of people. It smelled really good.
"I think they usually like--"
Penny jolted as a violent tingle ran up her spine, and working on instincts, she grabbed her friends, dragging them behind the food stand as quick as lightning. Thankfully all the stands were more like small buildings than anything and provided good cover.
"Penny, what---"
"---Shhh," she snapped, cutting across Ned. Penny tore the backpack off of her back and fished through it, taking out her suit.
"What's happening?" MJ whispered, poking her head out from behind the stand. Penny was just about to answer when--
"PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR NOW!!! I'M NOT FUCKING PLAYING!!!"
Penny pushed past Michelle to see what was going on. There were about six men with guns, alien guns. Just what she had been looking for. Maybe she could finally trace it back to whoever was making these weapons. But, there were a lot of civilians, who were being hustled against a restroom area. Penny observed them for a moment, but ducked back behind the stand when she felt another tingle crawl up her spine.
"Penny--"
"Shhh!!!" They were taking away a few people who had hidden behind the counter of the food stand. She listened, anger rising, to their frightened pleas and the violent yells from the man who threatened them with an extremely dangerous weapon. She wondered what it did, if it was like some kind of laser beam or---
Keep it together, Penny. A lot of people in danger, remember?
"Stay here. I'm going to go figure out what's going on," Penny told them in a hushed tone, taking off her jeans and pulling on her suit.
"Aren't you going to fight them?" Ned asked.
"No," she answered, pulling her mask on, "They have hostages, Ned. Stay here, don't get caught, I'll be back."
"Are you going to talk to the Avengers?"
"I don't know, Ned. Just be quiet!" she ordered, slipping away from the large group.
Spider-Woman continued unnoticed through the cover of darkness, eventually graduating from the ground to jumping from trees and stands as stealthily as she could. There weren't too many people to run in to, though she did pass another group of hostages and one man who was patrolling. She still didn't do anything--couldn't--and it was driving her a little crazy.
"Okay, Spider-Woman, you got this. Hostage situation, which is really bad, but the Avengers are here, so--" Shit. Where were the Avengers? Why hadn't they reacted? Why weren't they fighting?
She hoped that maybe they had just left early, and would be on their way back soon, but she knew it was next to impossible. It was Iron Man's daughter's birthday, there was no way any of them left. Which reminded her, what a fucking sucky birthday. Or a cool one, depending on how everything turned.
Her musings were cut short when she heard a short yell. Her head swiveled towards the noise so fast it would've made the old her dizzy. She listened for a moment, wondering if it was another hostage group or something. Penny didn't know, but she headed towards the noise anyway, as if on autopilot. She couldn't let anyone die tonight, not on her watch.
"--this isn't going to work, y'know, I mean--"
The voice was cut off with a quiet whack. Penny finally arrived on the scene, dropping into an incredibly well trimmed tree and flattening herself to a thick branch. The voice started up again, a little familiar to Penny, as she peered through the leaves, stifling a gasp at the scene below her.
There were three men carrying alien weapons similar to the ones she had seen earlier, though only one was pointed at the hostage. The other two lounged against the wall, as though it was an everyday thing for. The hostage himself had his arms behind his back, and he sat leaning against a wall with a permanent scowl on his face. It only took her a moment to place him.
"Sam Wilson," she whispered to herself, relieved. The Avengers were here. But then came the next problem. If Sam Wilson was a hostage then the other Avengers probably were too. Ugh, the day just kept getting better and better, "Okay, okay. You can do this. Web up the bad guys, get Falcon free. Easy, just, an everyday thing."
With a deep breath she shot out a web, hitting the man standing guard in the face, and dropped down from the tree, landing on her knee in a very classic superhero pose, if she may say so herself. She heard several gasps, and she shot up before anyone started shooting.
"Hey guys! Am I invited to the party?"
A bright blue blast shot past her, which she easily dodged.
"Guess not."
With two precise 'thwips,' she webbed the guns from the two men who had been talking, pulling them out of their grips and behind her. She didn't have time to web them down as the other man shot at her, though the aim was poor, hitting the tree behind her instead. It caught fire.
"Oops."
"Who the hell are you?" asked one, his face set in a deep scowl.
"It's that Spider-Girl freak. From Queens," supplied another. Penny sighed in mock exasperation.
"Spider-Woman. Why can't people get that?"
She shot another web, stealing the last gun and throwing it with the others. She then jumped forward and punched the man that still had webs on his face. He staggered back with a muffled grunt, and she almost felt bad as he fell. It wasn't really a fair fight if he couldn't see.
A thwack to her head that sent her stumbling reminded her that it was three against one anyway.
Penny sent a punch back at her attacker, following through just like her uncle had taught her. Problem was, she had a serious height disadvantage. Being only five feet tall she was probably about a foot shorter than both of her attackers, and she struggled to reach his face. Still, she tried her best, getting hits in when she could, and taking them when she was too slow.
After a few minutes of fighting one of them fell like a sack, knocked out cold. Surprised, Spider-Woman turned to see Sam Wilson, his hands still tied with rope, standing over the man he had knocked out.
While she was distracted the last man standing aimed a punch at her. Thanks to her spider-sense she managed to dodge it, ducking low and punching the man in the gut hard. He stumbled, and Mr. Wilson knocked him on the head. Apparently he knew exactly where to hit, because the man dropped just like the other one had. She guessed being a full time Avenger probably helped with your fighting skills.
"Thanks," she gasped, turning towards the Avenger.
"Same to you," he responded, holding out his tied hands expectantly. She flinched back then reached out and ripped them apart easily, not bothering to try and untie them. She was useless with knots. The man wrung his wrists appreciatively, smiling at her almost curiously, "What're you doing here?"
"I like science," she admitted, "Didn't know all this was going to go down to be honest."
He laughed a little, though it sounded kind of strained.
"Yeah, they picked a hell of a day to attack. Tony's going to kill these guys."
Penny laughed a little, before remembering her manners. She held out her hand, smiling, even though he couldn't see it.
"Sorry, um, I'm Spider-Woman. Nice to meet you, Mr. Wilson," she greeted. He chuckled and took her hand, though he looked at her unsurely. Had she done something wrong?
"Just Sam, kid," Kid? Crap, she was not good at this secret identity thing, "Anyway, I'm going to take a guess everyone is having the same problem I had. Want to help out?"
"Yes! Oh my--um, I mean, yeah," Penny stammered out, trying to regain her composure. Mr. Sam seemed to think it was funny, smiling at her in amusement.
"Follow me, then," with that he ran off, and she hastily ran after him. They crept along, essentially doing what she had done earlier, though a bit slower since Mr. Sam couldn't jump around like she could.
After a few minutes they arrived at what Penny assumed was some sort of cell tower or something. She wondered why there was one at the Stark Expo. Was it special? Like, the greatest service on Earth?
"Can you climb up there? Get a better view?" asked Mr. Sam, craning his neck. Spider-Woman fixed him with a heavy glare, hoping that he could sense her sass.
"Yeah, sure."
She jumped, scaling a third of the thing in one leap. She kept crawling, keeping herself flat and sticking to corners to avoid being seen from any of the attackers. Penny stopped just before the top to turn and look around.
There were probably around eleven groups of hostages, five of which were really small, though it was hard to tell from so high up. She was about to move back down a little bit when a buzzing caught her attention. She looked up sharply, her ears directing her to the very top of the cell tower. She hesitated for a moment before leaping up onto the little platform, curious.
There was the normal part of the cell tower, though obviously more advanced than usual, and then there was a little box connected to it, blinking red and letting out low buzzing sounds. Penny racked her brain for everything she knew about cell towers, but she'd never heard about it, not even for one this highly advanced.
"You don't belong here, do you?" Penny wondered aloud, picking it up gently and examining it, mumbling, "What do you do?"
After looking through it, she realized that it was nothing good. She didn't think it was a bomb, but she guessed it was interrupting the signal. Penny ripped it from where it was leeching on the Stark tech and webbed it to the side of the tower, not sure what to do with it. Maybe she would take it back with her afterwards, they might be able to make something out of it. She put it back down and turned to a maintenance box, hoping that everything wasn't fried.
"Glasses?" she asked when she opened it. They were high tech and expensive looking, with a red trim and colored lenses sitting on a specially made stand. Penny grabbed it gently, almost reverently, to examine it. These were totally Tony Stark's glasses, and she guessed they were for emergencies or something. Like, maybe they could contact people? Whatever they were, she stuffed them in her pocket, reset the cell tower, and climbed back down.
"Report," ordered Mr. Sam when she reached the ground.
"I saw three groups nearby, but there were a lot more spread out, mostly big groups," he nodded, gesturing at her to continue, "Of the ones nearby, there was one big group, and the other two were rather small, only a few people and a hostage."
"Must be someone on the team," he concluded, "Where?"
"That way," she said, pointing to a path to their left, "They're both on the same path, just spread out."
They headed down the path she pointed out, creeping along slowly just like they had before. They walked in relative silence for a few minutes before she broke the silence. Penny Parker had never been one to stay quiet for long.
"Who do you think these guys are?"
"Probably Hydra," he sniffed, "but they said something about a phoenix earlier, so we won't really know until this is all over."
"Hydra? Oh, like the thing on the news a couple of years ago, right? That thing with SHIELD or whatever?"
"Yeah, exactly like that."
"Why do you think they're here?" she asked after another moment, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"I don't know. Revenge? A death wish? Probably a death wish. I mean, attacking on Tony's daughter's birthday? That's a bold ass move."
"No kidding," she answered. She had seen interviews online about Tony Stark and his daughter, he'd always been furious whenever someone said something rude or condescending about the girl. She didn't know if she'd ever seen someone look so mad, so furious. Even though those interviews were years ago she doubted that his attitude had changed.
They relapsed into the silence, and Penny cast out her hearing in front of her, trying to find out how close they were to the nearest group when a hand grabbed down on her shoulder.
She immediately grabbed it and twisted, throwing the person over her shoulder in a fluid motion. He landed on his stomach with a loud grunt. Penny kept his arm twisted, stepping on his back to keep him down when he struggled.
"Hey! Let me go, I'm with you!" the man protested, twisting his face to look up at her. She had to admit that he looked rather handsome.
"It's alright, Spider-Woman, you can let him up. He's a friend," Mr. Sam assured her, holding his hand out hesitantly as if she needed to be calmed down. Shit. Had she attacked an Avenger? Or, the friend of an Avenger?
Great first impression, Penny!
"Oh, sorry. Sorry! Sorry, sir!" she apologized profusely, stepping off of him and extending a hand, which he gratefully took.
"It's good. I probably shouldn't have grabbed your shoulder like that," the man said, waving off her apology. Penny stared at him hesitantly, not able to place the man from anything, not even as a scientist that would be presenting, "I'm Scott, by the way. Or, well, you may know me as Ant-Man."
She tilted her head.
"Y'know, Ant-Man? I mean, I've been doing pretty good as a superhero, I mean I even beat Sa--"
"That's enough, Tic Tac," Mr. Sam interrupted coolly, "The team's in trouble, we need to get moving."
"Oh, yeah, yeah, of course," Scott agreed.
Scott joined them as they headed to the nearest Avenger, who they reached within minutes. Mr. Sam held up his hand to signal them to stop as they came upon a small clearing near a fountain. She had to admit, even when under attack, everything was really pretty. In the clearing were the guards and the hostage, which she realized was Captain America. Dope.
"Spider-Woman," Mr. Sam whispered, catching her attention, "see that tree?"
Penny turned to look at the one he was pointing at, nodding. It was relatively small, but it would provide good cover with its bushy leaves.
"I want you to climb up that, can you do that without them seeing you?"
"Yeah."
"You'll stay up there until my signal. You're easily the heaviest hitter here," she blushed under her mask, "You'll web up their weapons while Scott and I jump out and take them down. Got it?"
She and Scott nodded their affirmation. With that Penny crawled forward, keeping low. Fortunately, the armed men seemed more interested in watching Captain America at the moment. The blond man noticed her almost immediately, his bright blue eyes meeting her white lenses in masked surprise. Thankfully, he made almost no indication that anything was happening and she was able to slip by unnoticed. Penny then waited in the tree for Mr. Sam's signal.
Despite how weird everything had gotten, it hadn't been a totally awful night. She just hoped Ned and Michelle were safe. And that Mr. Jameson wouldn't fire her for not taking pictures of any of this.
How many times had she dreamed about working with the Avengers, and okay, so maybe this wasn't really official, but it still kind of counted. Maybe this was how she'd be able to impress them, hopefully without them figuring out she was just a kid first. Maybe she'd at least be able to meet Iron Man before the night was over.
Just then a clicking sound reached her ears, coming from the bushes she had just come from. That was the signal.
Spider-Woman jumped from the tree, again, and webbed away the weapons before they had a chance to respond. She threw them behind her like she had before, though this time an Avenger was helping her out. As well as some guy that she didn't know.
The fight was over before it even started. Mr. Sam knocked a guy on the head like he had earlier, she webbed the other two to the ground, and Scott freed Captain America. He was apparently really good with knots, because he untied the rope almost immediately. Maybe he'd teach her how to do that, it looked pretty cool.
"Thanks, Scott," Captain America said. Like actual freaking Captain America, and not just those stupid videos. This was literally a dream come true, "Where are the others?"
"We're doing a pick-up situation. There should be someone else along this path if we keep going," Mr. Sam responded, walking towards Captain America and Scott after he double checked that the guy was knocked out. Captain America's eyes flitted to her momentarily, and she froze a little under his piercing eyes.
"Who?" the blond asked.
"Don't know. Who do you think, Spidey?" Mr. Sam asked, turning to her. She froze, feeling put on the spot as all eyes turned to her.
"Oh, um, I couldn't tell. They were too far away," she answered, trying to sound confident, "I'm Spider-Woman, by the way. Nice to meet you, Captain America."
"Just 'Steve,' is fine."
Oh my, God. Literally the coolest day ever.
"What's our next move, Cap?" Scott asked.
"Let's go get our team."
Previous Part ///
#Iron Man#spiderman#tony stark#peter parker#irondad#spiderson#spiderdaughter#spiderwoman#fanfic#irondad fanfiction
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Dear Yuletide Writer 2017
ninety6tears | Thanks for checking out my thoughts and prompts! I have a tendency to go on and on in my letters but if you’re excited to be writing any of my requests, please take as much or as little from my ideas that you need.
Basics: The whole spectrum from G-rated gen to explicit PWP is fine. I've got no preference over POV/tense/narrative style, just use whatever comes to you! I love pastiche for lit fandoms but something that feels more off the beaten path of the original style can also be fun.
I love: Angst, pining, subtle UST, first times, or established relationships with some level of conflict to be resolved. Intense friendship stories. Protectiveness in close relationships as well as in those that wouldn't obviously appear to be protective at first. A character or characters experiencing a type of attraction that isn't the status quo for them. Relationships that broke up/had a falling-out, maybe a long time ago, and neither of them ever really got over it. Any kind of amusing/surprising interactions between characters that don't usually get one-on-one time in canon. Characterization that focuses on the nature & nurture of who people have grown to be and the unique ways they take care of or need other characters. Insecurity/hangups over worthiness. AUs*, whether they interact with our expectations from the original story or tell it in a thoughtfully different way, as a fork-in-the-road or a completely different genre/setting that strikes you as something that would bring some good stuff out of the characters/relationship(s). You are welcome to poke around my AO3 bookmarks or my tumblr or even my goodreads to see what fandoms I'm familiar with if the idea of doing a crossover or fusion* appeals to you (crossovers can get controversial but I say as long as big fandom characters don't take center stage, anything is fair game). [*I would always love to see fusions etc. with: The Bone Clocks, Harry Potter, It Follows, Old Kingdom, Pacific Rim (though I'm not as into PR as its own fandom, so more of a fusion than a crossover or less focus on its characters would be preferred). I'm rarely picky about AUs, but I'd always like to see college/high school - or the more rare school faculty AU, sci-fi, slavery as a non-kinky theme, sex work as a non-kinky theme (though i wouldn't be offended by shippy hookerfic), historical settings, and good old fork-in-the-road ideas that bring a whole different set of conflicts and emotional moments.]
I can handle: Underage, dubcon, noncon, torture and incest. Character death. Love triangles. Infidelity.
I don't want: Canon divergent fix-it scenarios unless prompted (AUs where the original conflict never happened doesn’t fall into that; I just don’t want “X didn’t die or make that big mistake” as a main premise). Soulbonding/magical soulmate tropes. A/B/O, mpreg, or any body fluid kinks. Highly described sex toys. More than a mention of Alzheimer’s/dementia.
You might look at this meme for a more thorough list of kinks/tropes I'm into, but only bother if you're curious! Dublin Murder Squad Series - Tana French Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy, Richie Curran . I love these two as a ship, as a partnership, and/or as a brief but intense friendship. Scorcher is a bit of a pill especially as he's portrayed in Faithful Place, but part of what I love about this series is Tana’s ability to complicate characters in different lights, and the warmth between these two in Broken Harbour as well as the tragically missed opportunities for Mick to open up to Richie were part of what finally endeared me to the character. I think the first moment in BH when I started to actively like him was when he got protective for Richie’s reputation after he couldn't handle the autopsy.
I'm not sure whether or not Mick and Richie could ever make up especially as they won't be running into each other professionally, but if you're open to the slashy interpretation I could kind of see some angsty reunion where they run into each other and Scorcher is still so bitter but also so isolated and touch-starved that they end up fucking anyway. Or maybe there could be a missing scene with something of a near-kiss or touch, some time while they were working together. I'd also love to get a glimpse into what Richie was thinking about Scorcher just before or throughout BH, since it's hard to imagine him being extremely fond of Scorcher from the very beginning. Any moment from Richie’s perspective throughout BH would be lovely, though, as long as you don't dwell on his encounter with Dina more than its aftermath. I don't have any specific AU prompts, but I always like twists on the detective genre, especially with shippable partners, so if their quick and unexpected friendship is there, or even if it's awkward yet caring, that's what I'd love to get in an AU. Maybe Richie could handle some sf/f equivalent of investigative work a little better, or maybe it would be heartbreaking for him all over again. I’ve requested this series every year in numerous ways, and wouldn't say no to an appearance of Frank, maybe involving Olivia (Liv knows Kennedy well enough to seemingly dislike him, or dislike who Frank is with him, and I’ve always wondered about that). if in doubt about whether I might enjoy anything a bit (or a lot) off the grid of my requests, I'd probably love it. I won't spam you with potentially irrelevant prompts but any character or pairing I talked about in previous years is something I'd still be happy to see. Far From the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy Bathsheba Everdene, Gabriel Oak . I really love these two as a kind of friends-to-lovers trope in a setting where men and women rarely had opportunities to be 100% friends. Some interpretations reduce Gabriel to the guy that's just pining on the sidelines waiting for her to return his feelings, but I like how the professional relationship forms into a true companionship between confidants aside from his resignation on the possibility. I like that it's never a sweeping passion for Bathsheba but she comes to hold his opinions and his regard for her as singularly important while taking forever to directly reconsider her feelings (even while absently imagining what it would be like to be married to him and considering him her first sweetheart), and that in turn Gabriel doesn't put her on a simplistic pedestal or sugarcoat things for her even as his affection doesn't waver. I like that she's treated as arrogant as a matter of forgivable fact, and that her being loved by him in vain is something she wants selfishly until it's not actually in vain. I love that she's authoritative in order to keep him at a distance but then pines for him to remain significant in her life. Any moment from their working relationship that shows that Gabriel starts to fall even more in love with the real her, despite all reasons against it, would be great; or some moment from Bathsheba’s viewpoint that shows her neighborliness actually becoming a deeper trust...I don't really approach this as a super-steamy ship but feel free to try to convince me there was some UST on a level that Hardy didn't indulge in, or give me something in bed from the honeymoon period if that's your thing (would she have been pleasantly surprised by him, if Troy was not the most considerate partner?). One AU scenario I wondered about: When Bathsheba has that talk with Gabriel (in chapter 51) about whether she should commit herself to Boldwood, and admits to herself after that she’d wanted him to give some indication he'd still be willing to marry her, I wonder how things would have gone around then if their mutual wanting had just slipped out somehow...because wouldn't it be more of a forbidden or at least ill-timed desire, considering Gabriel’s logic of a more dutiful commitment not being a disrespect to her missing husband, and the risk of the two of them driving Boldwood off the deep end? Or what might have happened if Gabriel had overheard the way Boldwood pretty much scared her into promising herself to him at the party? (Hardy handles his ~madness~ with some degree of sympathy, but feel free to treat Boldwood as just a jealous creep if that's your angle, especially since I can't imagine Gabriel being very sympathetic to him at that point.) My one annoyingly lectury fandom-specific do-not-want: Please, please do not imply that Gabriel only reconsiders leaving at the end because of the marriage possibility. In the novel he clearly thinks twice about it just because of how much it upsets Bathsheba, but multiple adaptations screw this up.
It - Stephen King Ben Hanscom, Beverly Marsh
.
You don't have to write both characters or feature them as a pairing (though I do ship them and love to imagine how they might go on together as adults)--I partly picked them because I'm curious about the things that happened to them between the childhood we’re shown and the eighties, from the big events to the smaller moments.
They're obviously both one of the less happier people when they come to being reunited, Beverly just escaping Tom and Ben, for vague reasons, still being quite solitary despite his success. I'm intrigued by Ben as the character who probably changes the most over that time, seemingly becoming this more cynical and self-deprecating man we meet in that intense bar scene but always retaining a kindness towards others, having survived not just the monster he doesn't remember but the severe bullying he continued to endure. I love the determination he's capable of and the fact he decides to lose weight as a “fuck you” to his asshole gym teacher, but I wonder if his self-image remained shaky for a while after and if he had a sense of imposter syndrome as he came of age, probably being treated in a way he wasn’t used to because of his looks and later his talent. That bartender observes that he never seems to pick up any dates, but maybe he tried and it just never felt right because he just wasn't good at feeling close to people, or for some other reason…?
I feel like the description of Bev finally abandoning her father is only briefly referenced, and I'm always curious about that--was there an inciting event that meant her father would know exactly why she left, if there was ever any doubt about that? Was it the sudden decision of a runaway who didn't have an easy place to hole up? I'm also intrigued by Bev apparently being this high-class designer who still lives the better parts of her life in a simple and relatable way: as someone who never got the hang of being popular but has that one true friend in Kay. I like to imagine that with Ben she would still have a glamorous but quiet life, with precious few people who bring out the real her. I’d also like to get to know her as a teenager...In general I love Bev’s combined softness and feistiness and would love to see some of that, maybe her rediscovering it in a way after she’s lost touch with her childhood.
If you want to bring in other characters, I have to say the recent movie was enjoyable but didn't show the talents of the Losers club or their teamwork as well as I'd have liked, so I would adore an AU that brings them into a different conflict as a team. I love them all together as adults (keep in Stan if you want!) in pretty much any AU you can think of (an Inception fusion? members of a school faculty? mundane college friends à la St. Elmo’s Fire or The Big Chill?), but I also love school settings and all the kids together.
You could even give me bits of what's going on with all the Losers over the years following childhood, or in those first months/years they begin drifting apart, with a vague haunted connection between them. I just like being in the company of these characters and their strengths and flaws and loneliness, with the knowledge that that loneliness won't be forever, with maybe a shadow of the past that's both horrifying and hopeful hanging over them, or some vague memories surfacing in times of intense emotions.
There isn’t any pairing among the main seven that I wouldn’t like as long as it doesn’t heavily contradict Ben/Bev as endgame (though Eddie/Richie is super popular and I don’t feel like I’m short on them, but a hint of that would be fine).
The Long Walk - Richard Bachman Peter McVries, Ray Garraty . Oh, this disastrous OTP of mine...I always felt that Ray's cold reaction to Pete popping the handjob question came from being hurt that Pete was basically making light of how close they were by offering what was either a total joke or something that would feel desperate and impersonal (he didn't want him to do it in that way). It's a very paradoxical ship in my mind, because it takes the intensity of the situation for this ruthless love to form between them, but because of their inability to express any of it in this vacuum the only sincere thing is the acknowledgment that any future involving both of them is impossible. If you're only interested in focusing on them as a friendship I would still be very happy, and I'm hardly demanding anything sexual; even though strange things do happen on the walk I would prefer nothing to get physical between them unless it happens outside of that situation. But in my mind Ray absolutely has some self-destructive anxiety about his masculinity/sexuality, and I'd like to see that at least not contradicted if it's not a theme you're going for. Since we're never in Pete's head, it would be great to get anything detailing how his initial distance from Ray quickly erodes into the protectiveness he obviously can't help over him, if there's a spark of empathy there even before the first time Ray saves him, or what he's really thinking or trying to say at some of his more cynical and cryptic moments. I wonder what it was that Parker said to him to imply he thought he and Ray were "queer for each other" and how this apparently was covered without McVries feeling the need to deny it? I'd love an AU in which some revolt or rescue does manage to at least stave off danger for a time - some situation where there's no real hope they won't be found and killed but gives them time to interact outside of the rules, even if much of that amounts to passing out while huddled together, would be a nice bittersweet twist - but if you wanted to write a successful coup actually saving their lives and ending the walk, I would love to see how their relationship remains in the aftermath; maybe Ray ends up staying with his girlfriend and they only meet up every once in a while because they share this traumatizing thing, and they have an essential but troubled friendship (and maybe they end up fucking a couple times but don't really talk about it). In the realm of more absolute alternate universes, I'm eager if it's keeping intact the angst and the masculine insecurity and the very teenage conversations and McVries being such a defeated self-punishing sourpuss that his sweetness towards Ray feels like a small miracle. A bigoted boarding school atmosphere, an aggressive correctional camp, anything where a compulsive make-out might happen in the bunks or the showers and then be stiffly denied later on sounds like a backdrop I'd love for these boys if you want to do something bleak-but-not-as-mortally-bleak. I prefer to think of McVries as having complicated depression that doesn’t just stem from girlfriend probems; I'd prefer you mention the incident with Priscilla as little as possible, but any focus on Pete’s scar is totally fine.
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Through the Storm
Note: Wow, wow, wow. Here's a chapter after ages... Apologies everyone, I havent had any time to write after all and I've totally fallen off the boat with this story. I'm all wrapped up in other stuff and my inspiration/motivation for this one is kind of minimal for the time being. I'm going to let myself focus on all these other stories going on inside my head and hopefully get back to this soon...? On a totally different note, this specific chapter is one of my first attempts at writing a battle. I had one person read through it a while ago and they enjoyed it... So hopefully you will as well! Thank you to every single reader of this story thus far, you're all amazing!
"Soundtrack" From the Start--Previous Chapter
Chapter Eighteen
Lillie provided a rude awakening by shaking and shouting at me, by the time I'd opened my eyes to tell her to get lost she'd already flicked the lights on and started to climb onto my bed. I quickly slid away before she could step on me, my exhausted limbs cracking with the rapid movement. I blinked until the heavy lethargic feeling of botched sleep faded. Finally focusing on her words.
"Get up!" She shouted, leaning over the mattress and poking at my cheek. I slapped her hand away.
"What's going on, Lill." I snapped, attempting to rub at my still sore and swollen eye. It hurt to the touch so I was forced to let the itch just fade.
"Red, Green, Gold, and Moon are having a double battle! Don't you want to see Moon kick some butt?!" She said with a beaming grin.
I grimaced, isn't it too early to battle? A glance toward the clock told me it was nearly noon. Shit, I slept too late. "Of course I do." I grumbled.
"So get up!" She shouted again, bouncing on her knees and shaking the bed. Something twitched in the deepest part of my memories and I momentarily saw a much smaller version of Lillie doing the exact same thing, but rather than excitement driving her to bounce... it was fear of being caught.
I shook my head and sat upright, breaking myself from the inky dark thoughts. I grabbed her shoulders to stop her bouncing. "I am up. Now get out of here so I can get dressed."
"Okay." She laughed, "I'll be in the hall waiting for you." She jumped off the bed and bounced off into the hall, pulling the door closed. She's way more cheerful than normal...
Unfinished paperwork sat on the desk, the light still on from the night before. I'd been up until one in the morning before I took Moon's words to heart and went to bed. Wicke had wanted it done by today and I really should have gotten straight back to it, but I was far more interested in watching Moon battle. It'd been a long ass time since I'd seen her doing anything competitive with her Pokémon.
I tossed clothes on and grabbed my phone, stepping out into the hall to see Lillie standing across from the door. She was smiling at the ground, entirely lost in thought. "What's got you so happy today?" I asked, heading towards the stairs in expectation of her following.
She didn't respond, just continued to smile. When she did speak she was entirely off topic. "Are you excited to see Moon?"
I let out a short laugh, "excited to see her or see her battle." The kitchen smelt strongly of bacon and eggs, making my stomach growl. I didn't eat anything yesterday, fuck.
"I'm guessing the answer would be the same for both questions." Lillie giggled.
"Yup." The house was eerily silent considering that there was supposedly a battle happening soon. No one was in the kitchen or dining area and the living rooms were empty as well. Lillie guided me towards a set of sliding glass doors by the large table we'd sit at a few times now. The backyard was a small clearing surrounded by dense woods, a single path leading further down to another clearing where a small group of people had gathered.
I stepped outside and started down the path, Lillie racing to catch up with me, having been preoccupied with sliding her muddy shoes back on. She'd clearly been out already. Gray clouds still hung overhead, heavy and foreboding of more storms to come. Though there was enough of a sprinkle to be annoying to walk through without a hood. I immediately regretted my choice of not grabbing a sweater.
Moon stood at the end of the path, bouncing on her toes with her arms shoved deep into the pockets of her blue hoodie. She seemed to be bouncing in rhythm to something. I stepped up next to her, letting my arm brush against hers as I did. Lillie mirrored my movement on her other side causing the poor girl to stumble back and look between both of us confusedly.
Lillie giggled, "Hi, Moon!"
"Hi!" She laughed, "That was really freaky!" She pulled her hood down, exposing the black headphones plugged into her ears.
"Sorry, I had to do it." Lillie said before bouncing over to stand next to Hau with a smug smile towards me. Purposefully leaving me alone with Moon, huh? I had no reason to complain.
Moon looked up to me and I smirked, the blue of her sweater made her eyes pop. The color so much more intense and so very beautiful. She took a step forward so she was next to me once again, and slightly closer than before. It would have felt more natural to interlock arms considering how close she was, but I couldn't bring myself to do something so bold. "Good morning." She said, smiling sweetly. "You slept late."
"Yeah." I rubbed at the back of my neck, "I would have slept a lot longer if Lillie hadn't woken me up." I grumbled, glancing over to my sister once again. Her hand was tightly intertwined with Hau's.
Huh. Guess one of them is bolder than I am then.
Moon started bouncing on her toes again, what is up with these two being so energetic today...? "You're going to throw your schedule off more if you sleep that late."
"I'll get back on track." I laughed, about to ask how she had slept when she was suddenly shoved forward by someone else coming down the path. An arm wrapping around her shoulders.
"You ready to whoop some lackin' champs ass?" Gold said with a grin at her. My eyes rolled at the sight of him. I didn't want to be annoyed by his presence, but he was always so touchy with Moon. The two had clearly grown close and I couldn't deny that spark of unwanted jealousy that flared up every time I saw his mop of black hair and smug smirks.
"We'll see how well I can do after two months of not battling." Moon laughed, "I'm feeling kind of rusty."
"It's alright, so am I." Gold assured.
"At least you have your normal team though!" Moon said, "Two out of three of my Pokémon I haven't battled with yet."
Gold shrugged in response, "That dog thing seemed pretty strong when the charizard attacked. And umbreon are super specially tanky if you use them the right away."
"Is he talking about silvally?" I laughed. Ignoring the further comments about umbreon. I'd heard Moon talk about Pokémon like that in the past, but only with Kukui. I couldn't make sense of the words in relation to a Pokémon. It was something only champions and former champions seemed to understand, some complex battling techniques possibly.
"I'm guessing that's what you mean by dog thing?" Moon said with an echoing laugh. "She's a silvally."
Gold shrugged, "I wouldn't know, dude."
"To be fair, there's only two currently in existence." I said, noticing that Green and Red had settled into their positions on the opposite side of the clearing. I assumed they wanted to get started. I clapped Moon's shoulder as I started over towards where Lillie and the other bystanders stood. "Good luck, Moon."
A brilliant grin flew across her lips, "Watch, I'm going to win even without practice with these two."
I chuckled, "Don't get too big of a head, Moon. These are you're peers."
Brendan had assumed the role of referee for the battle, he stood in the center of the clearing as everyone settled off to their areas. I could see the overbearing amount of excitement rolling off the guy, rivaled only by Hau's incessant elation over being around champions. Though, I had to admit that I was a bit excited to see this as well. All four of them were known for their skills in battle, enough so that even Lillie, a newbie to any sort of Pokémon training, could vouch for it.
I watched Moon, quickly discussing something with Gold before selecting her first ball with not a bit of uncertainty. Confidence was evident through her posture, the way she held the ball and her stance… Fuck.
Lillie pulled on my sleeve as Brendan started calling out the rules for the match. "Who do you think she's going to use first?"
"I'm guessing lycanroc." I suggested, knowing enough of her patterns to suspect her first moves.
"Yeah. It'll be Kai." Hau said, crossing his legs and placing his arms behind his head. "She always starts with stealth rock."
Lillie seemed a bit lost, staring blankly at the field as Brendan rushed off to start the match. I wondered how much she even knew about battling at this point, I couldn't imagine it was enough to understand the motives behind a champion's choices.
Brendan yelled out, "Go!" And suddenly four balls flew forward, the three of us tensed as we waited to see the choices.
Green had sent out a large, intimidating looking arcanine. It appeared from its ball with its head low, posed and ready to charge at any given moment. Red had opted for a water type to counter the sole fire type, a large lapras that seemed confident in its abilities the minute it hit the grass.
Gold had released an ampharos, a Pokémon I'd seen maybe a handful of times since I'd started battling and mostly in passing. Lillie gazed at it in awe, clearly never having seen one herself. Hau and I had assumed correct for Moon's choice, her lycanroc, Kai, popped out of her ball. Unlike the other three Pokémon it immediately launched an attack, rocks flying from its ruff and scattering across the side of the field the opposing team stood on. Lillie gasped as the rocks suddenly started floating, the edges clearly sharpened as much as possible.
"That's stealth rock." I said when she looked to me confusedly.
Almost immediately after the rocks had been tossed out, Green's arcanine rocketed across the field - its body becoming shrouded in flames and aiming straight for Gold's ampharos. The Pokémon dodged easily and smacked it's assaulter with what looked to be an iron tail. The arcanine was barely deterred by the attack and span back around to launch another assault of its own.
Moon's shout brought my attention back to her lycanroc that had stealthily slid behind the arcanine as it turned. "Accelerock!" This strike on the arcanine was much more destructive, making the Pokémon stumble to the ground, kicking up an obnoxious amount of mud in the process that splattered towards the still lapras.
"Do it now!" Gold yelled to his ampharos, Lillie wrapped herself around my arm as the clouds above suddenly turned black. A loud crack of thunder splitting our eardrums before a huge strike of lightening crashed down on the opposing lapras.
"That's so smart!" Hau shouted, tossing his arms towards the ground over dramatically.
"Why?" Lillie asked.
"Thunder rarely hits unless it's raining! So he used the weather to his advantage." He explained with wide eyes.
"So is Moon." I quickly detailed, bringing their attention back to the field as her lycanroc used accelerock on the arcanine once again. The Pokémon caught up in the mud was unable to avoid the attack and the slippery state the field had become only sped up the rock type Pokémon. Landing a critical hit straight into the side of the large fire Pokémon.
Both Red and Green's Pokémon had been defeated so quickly, a look of shock crossed their faces as they recalled the fallen teammates. Moon and Gold shared a quick high five before readying themselves for more.
"That was so fast." Lillie said, her voice small. "I fought Moon back in Kanto and she didn't work that fast then."
Hau grinned, "She's an expert, Lillie!"
"That was pure luck!" Green shouted towards Gold and Moon as he pulled another ball out.
"Nah, that's the power of actual champions." Gold said smugly, "no offense to Red." He tossed another ball in his hands despite the fact that ampharos still stood on the field, yet to take a single hit.
"It was partially luck of the draw." Moon shrugged.
"Hey!" I turned to the voice just as Green's next Pokémon popped out, a machamp. Kai's going down next with that on the field.
A girl with tied up blue hair was walking towards us, she had appeared from behind the tree line with a bag strapped over her shoulder. She waved pleasantly to the three of us standing on the side lines.
"Hi there." Lillie said, looking guarded. Hau took a step in front of her protectively. "Who are you?"
"I'm Krys, from Johto." She said, the smile on her face very kind. She stopped in front of Hau and extended a hand to him, "Gold told me to come here, I'd have him introduce me but it's not exactly an option right now. With the battle and all."
Hau shook her hand, his guard dropped that quickly. "Nice to meet you, Krys! I'm Hau!"
"Oh you're Moon's friend!" She grinned.
"So you are the Krys that Moon talked about." Lillie said, her guard dropping as well as she shook the woman's hand. "I'm Lillie. We're all here for Moon."
"I figured as much." The Krys girl said with a laugh. Her gaze met mine, "So you're Gladion then?"
I simply nodded, my interest with the whole meet and greet severely lacking in comparison to the two next to me. I turned back to the battle just in time to see Moon recall her lycanroc with a grimace. A venausaur was now on the field as well, the long vines from the plant on its back waving in the air like snakes. Between the large grass type and the renowned fighting type on the field, Kai had stood no chance. She sent out umbreon next, both Red and Green seeming shocked to see the pokemon.
Gold recalled his ampharos, it was still in fighting condition but had clearly taken a good amount of blows while I was distracted. The next thing he tossed out was a very large, formidable typhlosion that he regarded lovingly as Exbo.
Krys was suddenly next to me, cheering for the Pokémon. "You got this Exbo! You could take every Pokémon on this field out!" The typhlosion turned to her and roared in response before tossing it's self into battle. It went straight for the venausaur as Moon's umbreon ran circles around the machamp, confusing it. I wonder what Moon has planned for this umbreon... It's at a type disadvantage right now...
"Krys! You're here!" Gold shouted, waving his hand to her. Moon's face had lit up at the sight of her as well.
"Yeah! Sorry, I would have been here sooner but the storm made it hard." She called back.
I rolled my eyes, of course someone new had to show up now. She's distracting them from the battle. I shouted to Moon, "Don't get distracted!"
Her face blanked momentarily before she nodded, looking more determined than she had before. She shouted to her umbreon, apparently named Rosemary, to use toxic on the dizzy machamp.
After the Pokémon had landed the attack and successfully poisoned its foe, the umbreon and typhlosion switched positions. The typhlosion followed Gold's orders to hit the machamp with aerial ace, though the hit only made the Pokémon stumble momentarily before it grabbed hold of the typhlosion. The machamp harshly smashed the fire type to the ground, causing a shout of pain to escape its mouth.
Krys inhaled sharply through her teeth as Gold recalled the fallen typhlosion disappointedly, sending a togekiss out onto the field. Moon's umbreon was now on top of the venausaur, causing the Pokémon below to stir angrily. The togekiss swooped in, striking the venausaur with an air slash and dealing massive damage to the grass type.
"Now it's just a lot of brute power." Lillie whispered, having focused back on the battle as well. "Like one hit knockout power."
"I think they're pretty evenly matched so it makes sense." Hau said.
Another long, rolling rumble echoed from overhead, the rain picking up pace quite a bit. Another storm blowing in. I wonder if they'll wrap this up before it gets worse. "Moon's using her umbreon like a distraction." I muttered.
"Yeah it hasn't really done any damage aside from poison." Krys said, a hand to her chin as she watched the small dark type Pokémon jump off the back of the venausaur. "It's interesting."
The togekiss struck another hit on the venausaur, another flying type move I didn't recognize. It knocked the horrendously strong venausaur back a few steps, yet it persisted to fight longer. Moon's umbreon had jumped back over to the machamp, dodging rapid punches and kicks that the Pokémon threw by the command of Green. I could tell by the look on Moon's face that she was waiting for something. Her body tense.
The venausaur had grabbed hold of the togekiss and smashed it to the ground with its vines very similarly to how machamp had done with typhlosion. But togekiss seemed barely phased by the impact, immediately hitting the opposing Pokémon with some strange psychic type move that knocked it out. Red recalled the Pokémon, hesitating before grabbing for his last ball. He didn't send it out right away though, to my surprise.
"What's ol' silent Red got up his sleeve?" Krys said in acknowledgement of the hesitance.
Whatever it was, it seemed to hinder his teammate as the machamp, although very destructive and competent on its own, was now facing two opponents whilst taking damage from the lingering poison. Moon suddenly shouted at her umbreon, "Sucker Punch!"
I laughed as a strange, dark energy appeared ahead of the umbreon and slammed harshly into the machamp just as it was about to throw another punch at the defending Pokémon. "She was timing its attacks, wasn't she?"
Hau spoke up, "I've always wanted to try that move out but I always screw it up."
"You have to be able to predict the next attack, I mean that was a pretty easy prediction for Moon considering how simple Green's fighting style is... but still." Krys replied, I cringed a bit at her confidence over her understanding of the battle. She's not wrong, but who is she to talk.
The togekiss finalized machamp's downfall with a strong hitting flying type move once again. Green recalled the Pokémon before it could hit the ground and swore very loudly as he tossed the next out. An alakazam appearing and immediately hitting the togekiss out of the air with psychic energy. Red finally tossed his ball as well, a pikachu popping out.
"Pikachu?" Both Hau and Lillie said with varying amounts of confusion. Moon said something about that a while ago.
Togekiss was knocked out by whatever move the alakazam had used once it was sent out. Gold recalling it and seeming annoyed about sending out his ampharos. He'd made a mistake in holding onto it until the end, now another electric type was on the field and the alakazam wouldn't take much damage from electric types. But Moon was a step ahead, she had seemed to predict Green's last Pokémon and she quickly ordered her umbreon to use dark pulse, the attack taking out the alakazam before it could do anything more to Gold and Moon's teams.
"Are you serious?!" Green shouted, grumbling rather loudly in reaction to the quick ending of his Pokémon.
Moon was grinning again and Gold commended her for the quick knock out. Hau and Lillie were cheering for her as well and the tuckered out umbreon seemed thankful to be recalled as Moon did so.
Gold said something to Moon, his voice too quiet to hear as she quickly tossed out her only other Pokémon and I couldn't help but grin as her silvally appeared in the rain and mud. The feathers on its head a murky brown, giving away its current ground typing. Though I was the only one aware of it.
Lillie elbowed me, smiling and giggling as she noticed the smirk on my face.
A sudden wind whipped past, surprising everyone. The gust strong enough to make both Lillie and Moon stumble. Another rumble from above shook the ground, the sound of heavy falling rain rapidly growing louder and louder as a heavy sheet of the cold water blasted everyone. The battle paused, Red recalling his pikachu to Green's dismay.
Gold had left the field, running towards the small group on the sidelines with his hands cupped over his eyes to see. Hau had enveloped Lillie inside his coat and was shouting over the sudden downpour and whipping winds that they should head inside before it got worse.
Gold and Krys shouted, repeating something similar to what Hau had said and ordering everyone back to the house. The ampharos returned to its ball and Moon's silvally let out a very disappointed whine as she recalled it as well. I was just barely able to hear Gold and Krys shout something to each other about lugia before I ran over to Moon who looked very lost, confused, and upset.
Note: I'll be posting one more super short chapter after this one, just have to code through it then it'll be up c:
#gladion x moon#gladion#gladion fanfic#lonashipping#mahinashipping#pokemon#romance#adventure#Hau x Lillie#through the storm#through the storm chapter eighteen
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Childhood story #2
The wedding
“Fucking dishes,” Shisui closed the tap before taking the gloves off. He threw them on the counter causing it to get wet again.
“Can you put these in the cupboard?” Itachi held two mugs. The curly haired teenager ran his hand through his hair before looking rather annoyed.
“Do it yourself, ‘Tachi!” He snapped.
“Owh, Shisui, I want to but...My height in total is 145 cm. You think I can reach that far?” The eleven years old shoved the mugs back in Shisui’s hands and the older boy was left with no comeback.
“Fine, whatever.”
“So is the moodiness coming from your acne getting worse?” The voice of Itachi sounded teasing.
“It is acne...Wait you said that..I thought you meant pimples.” Shisui put the mugs back in their place.
“You know it is normal around your age-”
“I know that! You don’t have to lecture me.” Shisui sighed annoyed.
“You know what might help-”
“You shutting up about it. You aren’t a doctor. You are allowed to lecture me if you are wearing a white coat and a stethoscope around your neck, like my dermatologist.”
“At Least I know how to spell ‘stethoscope’.” Itachi grinned evilly the moment Shisui looked down at him.
“You were one of mom’s big mistakes.”
“After you.” This kid was on fire, and Shisui only got more frustrated with it.
“Owh...Now I feel bad.” Both Shisui and Itachi looked at Madara, holding a dirty glass, “No wait..I don’t!” With a satisfied look on his face, he put the glass down. “Good luck, suckers.”
“I take that back. He was her biggest mistake.” Shisui said pointing at Madara, who was walking away while sticking up his middle finger.
“Something we can agree on.” Itachi looked at Shisui and they both chuckled before grabbing the gloves.
“Niisan~ Are you ready for our wedding?” The voice seemed to come from behind the corner. Both Shisui and Itachi turned their heads and saw a small bit of Sasuke’s shoulder, who was hiding behind the wall.
“Otouto, I will be done in a minute-” He wanted to walk towards the six years old, but the boy heard the steps and suddenly covered his eyes, “No~Niisan, it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding!”
“Ah~ right! Give me half an hour.”
“Half an..Hour..” Sasuke repeated questionable.
“When you look at the clock and see the long line reach the number 12. Alright?”
“Yes!” The kid ran the other way and Itachi couldn’t help but to smile seeing his baby brother run to the garden.
“What is that about?” Shisui asked.
“Owh he wants to marry me. I read about it, it turns out that some kids go through this phase.”
“Why don’t you read a comic book, like every darn kid.”
“Are you jealous?” Itachi raised a cocky eyebrow. Shisui scoffed and turned back to the sink.
“At the very least I expected to be invited to the wedding of my own brothers.” He joked.
“Very well, half an hour by the oak tree in the park. Don’t be late for the ceremony, and as a gift, I would recommend some tomatoes from the fridge, also there is no free bar.”
“Why should I even be going?” Shisui shook his head.
“Can I borrow your white top? I sort of promised him to wear white.”
“No,”
“Comen on! I promised!” Itachi argued.
“Won’t be the first promise you break in his life.”
“Don’t be mean. I won’t ever do that. And I don’t need your top. I will ask mom.”
“Right, ask for her dress while you are on it.” Shisui rolled his eyes, though it didn’t bug Itachi one bit. As Itachi wore his white pants and his mother’s blouse he had some minor struggles braiding his hair as Sasuke had requested.
“Itachi, what are you doing?” Izuna cocked his head confused.
“Ah, could you help me braid my hair?” Without having to ask for a second time. Izuna was already on it. He sat on the couch while Itachi sat in front of him. “So, I am going to braid a lock on the right and then on the left. Then I will join them together in the back.” He said it like he was really good at it, though the end results were two crappy braids joined together with a hairpin.
“Dad?” Itachi saw his father read the paper, “Could you walk me down the aisle? I am getting married today..Sort of..”
“Are you an adult already? They are right...Time flies by.” Fugaku lowered the paper to look at his son, sitting on the ground. “You look just like your mother.”
“Dad, stop the lame jokes. They are not funny.” Itachi showed one teenage characteristic that stayed with him till the early twenties; he rolled his eyes dramatically.
“Sasuke wants to marry me,” Itachi stated, causing Fugaku to drop his paper on the ground.
“It is apparently a phase kids go through,” Shisui added.
“I know that!” Fugaku raised his voice, “Why you? I am his daddy..He is supposed to ask me to marry him.” The old man seemed to be hurt.
“Maybe he knows you will die fast anyway. You are already so old.” Shisui received a deadly glare from his father. “Besides, shouldn’t we worry about him not marrying mom, who is like the only female in this house?” The curly haired boy got ignored.
“It is probably nothing personal, dad,” Itachi said.
“Why am I not invited?” Izuna asked.
“You can come, it’s in the park,” Itachi said and got up from the ground.
“He is there alone?” Shisui’s eyes looked concerned for a moment.
“No, Obito is with him. I think he dragged Madara along.” Itachi grabbed the two candy rings. “You can be the ring man.” he handed the rings to Izuna. “Don’t eat them.”
“I will tag along. I can tease both of you forever with this.” Shisui smiled.
“Yeah seems life is teasing you with the acne,” Fugaku muttered as he got up.
“Dad!” Shisui shouted.
Oxoxoxoxxo
“Ah, there is your bride, Sasuke. Look!” Obito pointed at the grass seeing Itachi walk towards them.
“Aaaah~ aniki is so pretty!” Obito chuckled seeing how adorable Sasuke was as he looked in awe. “Ah, daddy is here too!” He clapped his hands from excitement.
“Am I the only one finding this weird?” Madara sighed, sitting on the grass next to some stuffed animals. “And why does a teddy bear get to be the best man? I am a human.” Madara glared at mr. Roary. “I sure hope his real wedding has an open bar.”
“Shush, it is starting.” Obito threw a branch at Madara.
“Dude..He wore his good shirt for this.” Shisui took a seat next to Madara.
“Even a tie...A ninja turtle tie, but a tie,” Madara added, “So they involved dad in this too?”
“He even got offended why Sasuke wants to marry Itachi and not him.”
“Why do I have such a weird family.” Madara exhaled exhausted.
“We both.”
“Shut up, if freak shows still existed you would be known as Acne-boy the personification of Acne. If you were a comic book character you would be Acne-nator and your super ability would be to gross people out.” Madara turned his head to the imaginary aisle, his hair touching Shisui’s face, causing the boy to sneeze. “Are you catching a cold? Are you alright? Do you want my jacket?” Madara asked, looking at Shisui from the corner of his eyes.
“You need to see a therapist,” Shisui muttered before looking at Obito standing in front of the oak tree, holding a sheet of paper while Itachi and Sasuke were holding hands.
“We gathered here...In front of this oak tree to-”
“Kidding me? You really studied the lines-”
“It is from the internet, now shush!” Obito pointed at Madara, indicated the other to ‘zip it’. He continued reading the after the sheet of paper before lowering it, “So you two have your own vows?” He asked. Sasuke nodded eagerly before grabbing a sheet of paper from under mr. Roary.
“Come on! He can’t even read!” Shisui threw his head back, not believing the sight.
“Hey! Objections come later!” Sasuke pouted before turning his head back at Itachi. He cleared his throat and turned the sheet of paper around, showing the drawing to Itachi. “Niisan, this is us! Over like..Uhm..ten years! When we are old.” Sasuke pointed at the two stick figured in the middle, “But we are still happy and we have fun. We always play games and eat dango and tomatoes. I drew these hearts because will still loved you very very much.” He looked up and smiled a teeth showing smile while his cheeks turned pink, “I also drew the moon and the sun because I will love you day in and out. And Maddy made me glue the balloon there because he said I needed it for our honeymoon.”
Shisui eyes widened looking at the glued on condom. He turned his head to Madara.
“He doesn’t know what it is anyway!” He muttered before getting the very same look from Fugaku.
“And I know, there will be times that..I am messy and I think you are nagging. Like, Sasuke take a bath or Sasuke get in your pajamas or Sasuke go to bed and clean after yourself. But I love you no matter what.” He smiled lowering the drawing and grabbed the candy ring to put around his brother’s finger. Itachi laughed and poked Sasuke’s forehead.
“No matter what you decide to do in life. I will love you forever.” He said before joining their foreheads together before putting the other candy ring around Sasuke’s finger.
“With the ‘imaginary’ power invested in me by the country of Konoha. I declare you...Married.” Obito ripped the sheet of paper in two, “You may kiss your spouse.”
“What is a spouse?” Sasuke asked and looked at Obito who pointed at Itachi. “Niisan!” He wrapped his arms around his older brother and pushed his lips on top of Itachi for a short mini-kiss. Itachi lifted his little brother up and Sasuke automatically pressed his cheek against his brothers while wrapping his legs around Itachi.
“So, I have been promised ice-cream.” Madara ran his hand through his hair and looked at Obito.
“This is a beautiful moment and all you can think of is the bargain that made you come here.”
“Hella.”
“Hella, what does that mean, niisan? I mean...Waif..No....Husband?.. I mean spouse!”
“Look at you learning fast, little genius!” Obito patted Sasuke’s head.
“This is a beautiful moment. Let’s celebrate with some ice cream.” Fugaku said as he stood up.
“Yes! yess!” Izuna jumped up and down, “but now that Itachi and Sasuke got married.” Izuna looked at the two before looking back at Fugaku, “Can I marry Madara-nii?”
Fugaku lowered his head before exhaling deeply.
“Children...More like back stabbers…”He muttered.
------------------
*11 years later*
“Niisan,” Sasuke looked at his brother stepping inside the car. He was busy on his phone as his other hand was wrapped around the seatbelt.
“No, you can’t skip therapy. No discussions.” Itachi didn’t even look up.
“Can I have your hand?” Sasuke asked.
“Why?” Itachi asked he frowned while looking at the display.
“Come on, I won’t bite.”
“I don’t know about that.” Itachi put his phone down.
“Come on, worse case scenario, you will lose an arm.” Sasuke rolled his eyes.
“I don’t know about you, but losing an arm is a pretty big deal for me.” Itachi sighed and gave in to Sasuke’s ‘pleading’. He turned his head to look at the window before feeling something wrapped around his index finger.
“You may look now.” Sasuke’s voice sounded slightly excited. Itachi didn’t react to it. “Niisan..”
“You said ‘may’-”
“MUST!” Sasuke threw his hands in the air, “you are impossible!” Itachi smirked as he then turned his head around. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at the candy ring around his finger. He looked closer, making sure his eyes weren’t tricking him.
“I walked past a candy shop and they were playing that 50 cent song so..I went to check it out and turns out they are making the exact brand again. I couldn’t help myself to get you your cherry flavored one...Since I ate yours back then.” Sasuke scratched his cheek before looking at his niisan.
“Nii...San..D-don’t cry! I didn’t mean to offend you or anything-” Sasuke gasped as Itachi suddenly jumped on him, his head hit the window, but it wasn’t too hard. “Aniki!”
“I still love you so, so, so much~ Otouto!!” He exclaimed, his chest pressed tightly against Sasuke’s. The younger Uchiha chuckled, letting his hand stroke Itachi’s back.
“Y’know as two old farts...I must admit...You are still pretty...Now get off me before people get the wrong idea-” He stopped mid-sentence, causing Itachi to turn his head around and see Naruto drag Sakura from her arm away from the car.
“Too late anyway.” Sasuke sighed as Itachi smiled and wrapped his arms around his little brother again.
-Special thanks to @emeneska-chan for editing-
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Some shit I’m writing. (Yes, it’s been a while.)
Tuesday, 11:06 P.M.
The city is always relatively dead around this time. Each night I find myself creeping up to my third story apartment, I can never tell whether I’d rather it be exciting or dead. I couldn’t take part even if it were, but I guess it gives me an idea to entertain for a little while. The wind is quiet, as it always is this time of year. Dead center of June. Fucking hate it. By the time I’m at the door to my place, I’m drenched in sweat, well, more sweat, and that much more frustrated when I have to fumble around in my bag for my keys in the hallway of the apartment building; a tasteless combination (clearly designed by someone who’s never seen a fucking color wheel) of olive green walls, crème colored lights, and a carpet that was the most uncomfortable shade of orange. Granted, it’s a cheap place, and somehow, I managed to avoid having neighbors that make living there worse, but, one has to occasionally wonder who gave the green light on that design scheme.
Sweating, irritated, and simply done with my day, I finally manage to grasp the keyring buried in my bag, due to its definitive amethyst crystal keycharm, slide the key in the lock, turn, and hear the oh-so-sweet sound of the tumblers clicking out of place to let me into my home. Apartment 310. Not much light being shed in, with the exception of slits of light peeking through the blinds that cover up my arcadia doors, and the tiny red and green lights of technology left on stand by that composed my entertainment center. Looking in that direction, toward the small, dark brown coffee table placed in the center of the living room, separating the entertainment center from my lovely, cobalt, sectional (one I managed to swipe from a Savers), I noticed a tall bottle sitting in the center, with no lid.
“Shit,” I maneuvered to the table, grabbing and lightly shaking the bottle, “can’t believe I left this out all night.” Without a second thought, aware there wasn’t more than a nice half glass, I tipped the bottle to my lips, and polished off whatever wine I had been drinking the night before. Dry, bitter, and warm. I really should have put that away yesterday. Though, I admit, I did already feel somewhat better. Less frustrated anyway. I headed toward the back of my apartment, dropping my bag on the countertop that led into the kitchen as I did so. Shifting to the door at the very end of the hall, I passed by a room I wasn’t particularly fond of seeing these days. I could just close the door. But I never do. I guess it’s my own brand of masochism. In a relatively small, dark room, with thin, white curtains that covered the window in the back, sat a canvas perched on an easel. It’s been there at least a few months. Next to it, sat a grocery bag with freshly bought acrylic paint poking out, the store receipt crumpled on the ground next to it. Near the window, sat a desk, filled with artistic clutter; paintbrushes, pens without ink, scratch paper, magazines torn to shit, you name it. As I’d realized myself caught up in thought, simply standing in the doorway and degrading myself, I continued to walk to the end of the hallway, and into my bedroom.
At least here, there was evidence of life, be it an unorganized and arbitrary one. In the center, sat a queen-size that was very evidently a gift; the mattress was thick, with a decent firmness, sitting atop a smooth, wooden bedframe that was colored a beautiful pastel blue. On top of the mattress, thick comforters were tossed aside, hanging graciously over the edge, while my pillows were flat, and definitely well used. My floor was a dim shade of brown, wood, slightly glazed over with a gloss, that probably looked really nice ten years ago. Thankfully, it was hardly visible, courtesy of the gratuitous amounts of clothing scattered about. The room itself wasn’t particularly large, with the bed taking up a good 40 percent of the space, but that didn’t stop me from neglecting the upkeep of my sleeping space. To the far right of the bed, was a small closet with a two sliding, wooden doors, decently full of clothes and old school stuff; to the far left, against the wall, was a tall, canary yellow bookshelf, adorned in various stickers and nicks it acquired over the numerous years. As I lazily maneuvered my way over to the bed, I slipped out of my shoes, unclipped and slid the bra from underneath my shirt, tossing it on the floor, and flopped into the comfortable embrace of my bed. On a heavy exhale, I rolled over, and reached out to the night stand to my right, fishing for the USB cord to charge my phone, unintentionally noticing the time on the alarm clock that rested there as well.
“ Goddamn it,” I muttered, realizing it was already nearing 11:30, meaning I needed to get to the kitchen and open a bottle of wine before I had to get to sleep. I grabbed my phone from my pocket, and quickly checked the interface; one missed call and two text messages, both from Anya. Without realizing it, I had been nervously gnawing on my lip. Plugging my phone in, I placed my phone face down in the comforters, stood up and proceeded to the bathroom, grabbing a nearby t-shirt as I left the room. I removed my disgusting work shirt, and slipped into the shirt I just grabbed; a large, purple tank top, and undid the messy bun my hair had shaped itself into over the course of my 9 hour shift. I unraveled my hair, shook it out, before wrapping it back up into a semi-messy bun. As usual, I stuck a pair of heavy, black chopsticks into the bun, and sauntered into the kitchen, where my wine rack sat. I flicked the light switch and to my displeasure, I noticed that I only had one bottle of wine left, and that in two weeks, all of my bills for the current month were due. Normally, this wouldn’t have been a problem, if I hadn’t already been behind on just about everything I had to pay at the moment.
Stress began to encroach, and I felt the rise in my heart rate as my breath intensified. “What better a time to drink?” I said to myself, grabbing a corkscrew from a nearby drawer. I grabbed the virtually black bottle of wine, a delicious, $7, 2015, Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon, and popped the cork out, catching a whiff of a bittersweet wine that I was about to guzzle. Without the need for a glass, I grabbed the bottle by the neck, and a water bottle from the refrigerator, as I made my way over to the couch in my living room. I placed the bottles on the coffee table in the center of the room, while I reached my hands into the couch creases for the television remote. Feeling an solid object with buttons, that wasn’t a self pleasure device, I pulled the remote from the couch and turned on the TV, and the sound bar that was also, most definitely a gift. The 20-something inch Vizio made a tiny jingle as the white light illuminated the lettering beneath the screen, and the screen itself flickered on. Shifting through the television apps, I made my way to Netflix, and waited as the red loading screen cast a crimson light throughout the otherwise darkened living room. Three profiles popped up; Anya, Familia, and Nia Who Really Needs to Pay For Her Own Account – that last one is me. A small chuckle escaped my lips as I began scrolling through shows, coming to my personal favorite; Hannibal. I’d seen it thousands of times, but ask any girl my age in this generation, nothing was better after a 12 hour shift than watching a man cook and murder, while you competitively drink alone to each time a cooking sequence takes place. Not to mention the artistry of the show itself, sweet Christ, the way its handled is simply perfect. From the individual shots, to the color palette, and even the costume design; its truly amazing. Time passed, and casual sipping, in addition to three separate cooking scenes, had brought me to nearly less than half a bottle of wine. In watching Hannibal in some scenario involving pigs and a pedophile, my mind began to drift, or rather, as I shifted attention away from the television and looked around my apartment, my mind came back to the same place it always does when I find myself knocking back a bottle after work.
Down by the table in the center of the living room sat a small garbage can, packed to the brim with take-out boxes and various alcoholic beverages, with an empty bottle of cheap champagne sitting on the floor right next to it. Taking note of the fact that I should probably take all of that trash out, the realization that the wine was finally working its magic dawned on me when an all-too familiar feeling began to encroach.
“Another day, another bottle.” I muttered as I stared at the empty champagne bottle and all of the bottles peeking from the top of the trash can. A few moments passed as I sat in silence, the television awaiting my next Netflix choice, looping the advertisement of whatever was selected at the moment, and the only other audible sound was the quiet hum of an air conditioning unit.
(That in itself is a miracle; the air conditioning here is just under livable, on a good day.)
However, in these moments of silence, the few I allow myself during the day, also being the ones I spend a good portion of my day avoiding, my thoughts drifted into an objective observation of my life thus far. Starting with the garbage can filled with booze, I stared, and I felt my stomach contort briefly, with the feeling of shame, and disappointment. Not only was it gross, and unappealing to have a full garbage can in plain sight at all times, but I was also aware that that alcohol was all from this week. Every night after work, and after class, I stopped by the liquor store that was across the street from where I got off of the train each night, and grabbed a bottle of wine. At one point, I would have told you that I strictly only drank red wine, and only when I was planning on working on, or had just finished a project. Now, the clerk who’s usually there, a super laid back guy named Adem, knows me by name, and always saves one bottle of the cheapest wine he has for me at the end of every night, typically alternating between a terrible Pinot Noir that’s only a step above Arbor Mist, or a Cabernet that is worth the $5.75 I pay for it. 7 days a week, roughly $42 a week. Initially, it began as a way to enjoy the end of a week, or the extra kick I needed to push me through a piece, but now, it’s all I look forward to after work and class.
And for what? I knew, that once I went to bed, I was waking up to go and repeat this seemingly endless cycle over, and over again, with no real chance at achieving all that I had sought to become for so many years.
Reflexively, I grab the bottle resting on the table, as if I had been stirred into action to take this swig, and take a drink. The bitter, and subtly sweet wine glide smoothly behind my tongue, and hopefully, given I don’t exactly remember eating today, straight to my liver, keeping my depression at bay. At least for the moment. Smacking my lips, I scratch the itch on the back of my head, while I raise the bottle to see what I had left to finish off before I passed out. Understanding this was gonna hit me like a house of well-made bricks once I stood up, I decided the best plan of action, based on the fact about only a half a glass of wine was left, coaxing me to just finish it already, was to down the rest in one go. I rubbed my stomach, and began to knock back the remaining wine, officially ending my night. My mouth tasted of fermented grapes, and my eyes felt heavy. Dropping the bottle on the floor, next to the living room trash can, I had looked down to notice that I had spilled some of the wine on my shirt; the deep maroon liquid morphing the purple top into a deeper, indigo color upon where the droplets had hit.
Or maybe it was just dark and I couldn’t necessarily see.
Regardless of the reason, I had decided the night was officially at a close, and if I had any intention of waking up for class on time, I would have to go to bed right now. I rose to my feet at a gradual rate, and almost instantly, a wave of dizziness and slight nausea welcomed me into the world of the Lush.
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