#the unexpected

[anika-ann]

The (Un)Expected - S.R.

Type: one-shot, soulmate AU, good ol' meet-cute (soulmates meeting for the first time prompt)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader   Word Count: 8k

Summary: 

A soulmark shows the first words your soulmate will speak to you. A soulmark tells you there is the person for you out there. A soulmark tells you what to expect.

For that, Steve’s is a source of comfort and anxiety to him. You always had a complicated relationship with yours.

But maybe they will teach you a lesson in the end – that the only thing one should really expect, is the unexpected.

Warnings: brief angst, mention of cancer (not reader), canon-typical violence, mention of death (no major character), blood and injuries, language, FLUFF so take it easy on sugar before reading

A/N: written for the Community Revival Extravaganza hosted by the wonderful @stargazingfangirl18 and @labella420 . Thank you both so much for hosting and stirring life in the fandom! I loved seeing the traffic and positivity on my dash - you're doing god's work 💕

A/N 2: DIVIDER by @firefly-graphics; enjoy y'all 🥰

Steve Rogers was a sickly child.

He spent too much time to his liking in his bed – and even more time outside of it despite feeling sick for he couldn’t bear resting anymore, craving to explore the world instead – and was sneaked into a doctor’s office by his mother quite often as well. She only got him in as a favour, courtesy of her own good name – a nurse working double shifts and lending a helping hand wherever she could, a single mother working herself to a bone to take care of and set example to her only son.

A single mother, a nurse, a good person – a beautiful soul. She left this world too soon, but she left an imprint on Steve’s heart larger than any other person, perhaps besides Bucky, ever could.

All that told him, even as indirectly, that his soulmate would be one special dame. She would be kind, she would be brilliant and for that alone, he knew she would be beautiful.

Steve knew that as soon as he could read, as soon as he could decipher the words on his skinny forearm.

In a world where first words your soulmate would tell you were laced into your skin for you and your soulmate’s eyes to see only, his words told him his soulmate was a little miracle.

'I’m not a doctor yet.'

Steve had spent a fair amount of time around nurses and doctors to know that all nurses were women and the overwhelming majority of doctors were men – by the time he was ten, barely a few women were allowed to attend medical schools, let alone graduate. But you, you would be on your way to reach that. Brilliant. Driven. Desiring to help people, to heal.

It was only when other children, other guys and girls alike, began laughing at him for being too little, too weak, too bony, when his heart began to ache for a different reason than illness. If you were to be all these amazing things he had dreamed of, what were you to do with a sickly fella like him? With your words to him being these, it was a fair assumption to make that you would meet due to his health issues, perhaps a smart dame taken under a more experienced doctor’s wing during your studies. How disappointed you would be when your soulmate, the one person meant for you and chosen by destiny itself, would be… that?

That upsetting idea haunted him, hurting more than the bruises that had formed under fists of bullies Steve kept trying to save those even weaker than him from, more than stick and stones and words alike.

Then again… there was a little silver of hope in his heart, a little shy voice in his head. If you were to be his true love, then certainly you’d accept him, yes? If he tried, if he tried hard enough to be a good man, the best possible version of himself, if he worked hard to protect and feed his future family, set a good example for your future children as his mother had, worked towards making a better world, you’d accept him? If he could live with not being as great as others but never stopped trying, you would respect him and perhaps even loved him for what he was?

Then, of course, war came and those thoughts were pushed aside.

Then, he grabbed at his chance to fight that war, to do his part, to help – and incidentally, he also earned his chance to literally grow. Healthy. Strong. More worthy; but remaining good, because that was the one part of him he wanted to hold on to no matter what, that one part he would wish his love, wherever she was, would love him for, even if he suddenly shrank back into the back of skin and bones he used to be.

Then, he lost his best friend Turned into a failure.

And then… then he died.

One of his last thoughts were of you, a beautiful woman with vague appearance but strikingly kind heart and sharp mind. He prayed you’d get a new soulmate somehow, even as those cases weren’t heard of. He prayed you’d live a happy healthy life without him, at least as good as he would have tried his best to give you, to build with you, even as his own heart was breaking to pieces, regret veiling his body as water and snow and icy wind would, regret for missing his chance to meet the most special person in his world.

When he closed his eyes and still saw the white of ice and the blue of the deep sea, he’d swear he saw your face, crystal clear, for the first time – and the last time – in his life.

Seeing you, a stunning mirage, his last thought was that you were an angel gently leading him into afterlife.

When he woke up to a new millennium, one of the first things he did was checking his forearm; he words still sat there, taunting, mocking and heartbreaking, another screaming reminder of him not belonging here.

As years passed by, the sense of alienation subdued. Steve Rogers learned to belong, even as a piece of his heart was missing, longing for the past life – and the life he had never got to have – always humming in his chest quietly.

The mark on his forearm remained, a sad memento to a soulmate he had never met, turning him into a martyr.

But many people had rejected the idea of soulmates in this time, rebelling against their so-called fate, taking off on a path of searching love on their own. Steve learned they did so for various reasons – a sense of adventure before they’d truly find their one true love, a quest to choose the fortune and love on their own terms, a fuck-you to the universe when their soulmate turned out to be less than they imagined and hoped.

His own reasons, as he reluctantly started to look for a person to share his life with, were rather unique, but no one looked at him through their fingers for that. If anything, those who cared about him encouraged him, wishing for his happiness.

It was only when he got Bucky back – one of his greatest regrets not erased, not lessened since Bucky had endured unimaginable pain, but transformed, a piece of Steve’s past brought back to life – that he began to wonder about the almost blasphemous thought he had forbid himself from entertaining when he had been first brought back to life from ice.

Were you still there somewhere?

And then, a shier thought:

Is there still a chance for me to find my true soulmate?

And then, the shiest one of them all:

Is there a chance for me to find happiness with you?

When he had thought of that before, he was certain that since you were still alive – he had read reports of people claiming their soulmark changed colours if their loved one died – he had thought of you as an old lady who had hopefully lived her life as he had genuinely wished for her.

But what if fate, that little minx who had taken his best friend for life from him only to give him back, had somehow blessed Steve with a soulmark decades before you were even born? What he hadn’t lost his chance, what if you were still young enough to build a life with him? Was that even possible? There were aliens, flying suits of armour, other realms, downright magical weapons… he had been given a second chance at life. There were things happening Steve would have never thought possible before. So was there a chance…?

The idea of you being a doctor became much more plausible too – in this century, female doctors were a much more common occurrence. That, naturally, did not diminish your brilliance whatsoever, the fundamental idea of who you’d be never changing in Steve’s mind. The image only became less surreal in one way and a whole lot more surreal in another.

For his own sake, he didn’t give in into that hope fully; at least he told himself that despite lying awake at night, a ghost of a woman he had never met lying next to him, radiating non-existent warmth he wished with his whole being he could touch.

He wasn’t chasing after the ghost, didn’t allow himself that – there was no way to do so to his knowledge anyway – for the chances of success were rather slim.

But there was always hope, wasn’t there?

And the longing for love, whether it was in the hands of fate or in his own to find it, remained, built into his very body; etched into his bones, flowing through his veins, laced into his skin beyond the words on his forearm, always humming quietly in his heart.

In the age of information and science, the concept of having your ideal partner for life chosen by some mysterious abstract entity called Fate was literally otherworldly. Alien. Absurd even.

And yet, it still ruled the lives of many.

Which, in all honesty, was almost even more fascinating than the existence of soulmarks itself – the belief people had for them despite being no logic to them at all.

Perhaps it was the little piece of human soul, an inner child people so desperately wanted to cling to for its own beauty and purity, a child who never wanted to stop believing in magic, fate, dragons, mighty knights and kind-hearted ladies, in all things of fairytales and happy-endings the most. Because to a point, that was what soulmarks were – and little fairytale-like book of destiny.

One that not even science seemed capable of beating.

And you should know; you were somewhat of a scientist yourself. And despite how unfathomable the nature of soulmates was, you could not say that you rejected the idea of them, of someone who was born to belong with you, someone you could share your life with, the right partner in the crime of life. Basic bodily needs aside, wasn’t that the most fundamental need of all? To love and be loved; to belong?

Who wouldn’t wish for that reassurance that they could have that, that some strange force of universe itself created a person like that for them? They were the god’s strongest soldiers you supposed; because you were certainly not immune to that tempting comfort.

But you weren’t obsessed – and you prided yourself in the fact. Mostly because the sheer fanaticism of the world over soulmarks, the one thing that kept defying science – besides alien portals, magical blue cubes, demigods walking the Earth and things alike – was dialled up ad absurdum.

There could be billions of dollars poured into research of curing cancer. Cure autoimmune diseases. Helping the homeless. Slowing down global warming. Erasing poverty and famine. Protecting nature, endangered species. Discovering new worlds, exploring space.

But no. Governments poured billions of dollars into researching soulmarks. How was it they existed? How was it you could cut through skin, you could cut off skin and the mark would reappear somewhere else? What was the grand scheme of them? Why was it that only two people who belonged together could see them and the person speaking the words could only see it on their soulmate’s skin after they spoke the words, almost like a fail-safe that couldn’t seem to be broken with any tricks?

It wasn’t a question of physics as far as people knew; they had tried to build sets-up of various optics, thermovision cameras and complex sets of lenses and mirrors, and none of the reports you had ever heard of claimed success. It wasn’t genetic markers either; no one had discovered a sequence of DNA responsible for soulmarks, let alone turned whatever discovery they would have made into a tool of reading anyone’s but their own and their soulmate’s mark. It didn’t seem to be chemistry either; no one had made a groundbreaking discovery or at least they hadn’t informed the scientific or any other community so far.

But by gods, forget the space race. Attempting to be the first one to somehow read everyone’s soulmark and then create an algorithm to monetize it as the one and only soulmate dating app, now that was a competition overflowing with cutthroat madmen. Not to mention the crowds looking to temper with soulmarks, to make another one appear on someone’s body; or worse, to erase the original soulmark and instead design one capable of manipulating the outcome of a soulmate match.

You found the force of that obsession insane – and frankly, all the attempts morally wrong. While dedicated to science and loyal to discovery, you found soulmarks to be something sacred, one of the things that should not be touched by filthy human hands; god knew humanity, while doing a lot of good, had mucked up about just as much.

You were not alone in that belief. There were, in fact, numerous demonstrations against scientists experimenting with soulmarks, people protesting against anyone creating such tool and using it to temper with natural course of things no one fully understood, not for the lack of trying. However – as expected everywhere where politics and money were involved – these protests were in vain.

They were as vain and futile as the research of the marks itself.

As for your own soulmark, you had a rather complicated relationship with it.

On one hand, it gave you a sense of peace – there was someone for you, even as sometimes it did not feel plausible at all. You had time too – because based on those words, you would not meet your soulmate until in your twenties at least. You had plenty of time to become who you were meant to be before a man could turn your life upside down, even as that was not supposed to be what soulmates did, at least not in a bad sense of the word.  

On the other hand, it was a ball and chain. You would not find you soulmate sooner than in your twenties and sometimes, you missed them despite not having met yet. When imagining what your meeting could be like based on their first words etched into your skin, you feared they might be a little disappointed – even as you did not let that stop you from pursuing the life you wanted. And despite you wanting to choose the career either way, it felt like someone – be it god, fate or another cosmic entity humanity was yet to discover – had chosen the path for you the moment you had been born if not before.

'Doctor, are you alright?'

Four simple words that couldn’t be more ordinary and yet extraordinary for they represented one of the most meaningful encounters of your life. The source of as much comfort as anxiety.

You couldn’t stand hospitals ever since you were a child. The cold environment reminded you of the strange icy feeling that had settled in your chest over the months you had been visiting your dying father, your naïve eyes watching cancer bite off his energy and smiles first, before it swallowed his whole body and soul. He had been a ghost long before he passed; and in your mind, despite all rationality even years after, that ghost haunted any hospital you visited.

Learning what your soulmark was as a child, you had spent countless nights crying, soul torn into pieces, pushed and pulled between the visceral desire to live up to your soulmark and the crippling nausea at the mere thought of dealing with people drowned in misery caused by any illness in the cold institution they called a hospital.

However, the curious kid you had been, you had fallen in love with science itself.

And that one day at school, when a classmate of yours had brought their father to the class to talk about his job as a doctor, you had burst into tears. You began to sob in the middle of him explaining to third-graders that he was not a medical doctor, but a physicist with a doctorate earning him the degree of a doctor as well. You remembered your teacher leading you outside of class, concerned and absolutely baffled, trying to sooth you helplessly even as you were completely inconsolable – because you did not need consolation.

You were crying the happiest, most relieved tears of your life.

You could still be a ‘doctor’. And you genuinely wanted to be one, not just because of what your soulmark read. You had always wished to help people indirectly, even as you looked back at your life now. Sure, your soulmark could have been adding fuel to your drive when your motivation had been running low, but this was who you desired and was meant to become.

A molecular biologist. A doctor in making. Researching the effects of medicinal drugs with hopes to improve them.

A scientist not researching soulmarks, thank you very much.

And yes, there was the lingering feeling of missing a person you hadn’t even met yet – especially when Doctor Simmons’ face lit up like fluorodeoxyglucose in PET scans whenever she saw Doctor Fitz – but you had other things to focus on. And you had time. There was no pressure.

You were not a doctor yet, after all.

Naturally, just because you dodged the joys and sorrows of being a medical student and later on, a medical doctor, it did not mean that you had it easy. No one working on their doctorate did. But when you decided to pursue your degree and work in research, you signed up for that.

You signed up for a lot of things.

It was a little peculiar for you to be on the SHIELD campus in the science division without a doctorate. It was a known fact that SHIELD only recruited best of the best, this Science ad Technology in particular: you needed at least one doctorate to even walk through the door, which was something you were reminded a lot because you did not meet that requirement and here you were.

But SHELD owned the best equipment and you were fortunate enough to get in by the lovely game of fate, being good and driven enough and having met the right people at the right time. SHIELD Academy’s Science & Tech division had the unique equipment you often needed for your research. Your research was interesting enough for people who had perhaps more power over your little life than fate itself. Stars aligned.

It was no walk in a parc, but you were no fool; jumping after that opportunity after having one too many doors shut into your face was a no-brainer. Even though it meant signing up for a whole extra load of shit.

You signed up to be the weird girl. The privileged girl. Hell, even the stupider than local average girl, because you were only an engineer at this point.

You signed up for being the young girl, even as you had met a few people there who had started younger, having actually earned their first PhD at age 17 or less.

You signed up for mockery and misogyny, for as you were aware the level was blissfully low here compared to other workplaces, especially where science was concerned; in exact science, you observed, more than anywhere you ever heard of, it was customary to keep that one insufferable employee, because they were simply that good at their job, no matter that they had cost the department a few other employees.

You signed up for living on campus with other SHIELD recruits, which meant living in close quarters with other divisions; as a result, some days the whole area seemed to swim in testosterone emitted by the hulking special agents in making from Operations.  

But that was okay. You could do it.

There were bright sides too, many of them. Like pursuing your dream career. Being among like-minded people whose brain, to a large point, ran on the same wavelength. Hooking up with a handsome but notbrainless recruit from Operations or Communication here and there, some flings, some relationships, because if you were to wait for the love of your life, you might as well not wither completely. You were only human and you had needs along with your lifegoals.

You more than willingly signed up for working with Agent slash Doctor Jemma Simmons.  With her two PhDs and rich experience from the field, she had left the action behind in order to work on her third PhD and help humanity without having her life on the line every day. She was hard-working, with no-nonsense approach and lovely sense of humour with plenty of stories to back it up; she was overall pleasant person to work and be friends with and despite having been through amazing and terrifying experiences other people couldn’t even imagine, she remained surprisingly down-to-Earth.

Sure, she had her quirks like insisting on having a gun at hand at all times and stashing a few small vials of altered Molotov cocktail, a mixture of chemicals which would ignite upon the vial breaking, in one of the nearby cabinets – but you supposed there were worst things to get used to than that in a coworker or a friend. She used to be an active agent after all; in fact, unofficially, she remained one. Much like anyone, you knew that certain habits died hard and being through what she had been – she confessed to you that she once spent months on a nearly deserted ancient planet, among other things – left a mark. If this made her feel safer, you’d take it.

Another great thing about Jemma, Doctor Simmons, was that she was adorably English and was in dedicated relationship with Doctor Fitz who was a Scotsman, so that was the spice of long workdays at times; especially if you agreed to play Scrabble with them and a few friends in the evening.

But there were things you had not signed up for when following the alluring promise of a prestigious spot and unique equipment.

And one of them was a damn Nazi revival group in the form of fucking HYDRA attacking the lab while you were in the peaceful process of waiting for your PCR to finally be finished.

Influx of men in full tactical gear interrupting Jemma updating you the vacation plans, Fiji and all the rare species of fishes that could be observed there when scuba diving.

When you heard the first shouts, breaking of glass and dull echoes of gunshots from afar, your immediate thought was that you had been having a good day and that the experiment had been coming along nicely – and that whatever mess was happening was for sure about to ruin all your progress.

By the time panic settled in, Jemma was practically tackling you down, hand over your mouth to muffle your startled squeak at the sudden movement, her eyes alert and serious, screaming at you to keep quiet.

The sickening shouts of HAIL HYDRA, COOPERATE AND YOU’LL GET HURT LESS was what sent your brain crashing into reality; that and the distant agonized cries of people, coworkers and recruits you knew and met in the hallways every day, following the sounds of gunshots growing in volume and frequency.

You could hear Jemma shuffling next to you further.

You yourself were unable to move beyond stifling a cry behind your suddenly sweaty palm as another female voice wailed in pain.

Blood seemed to freeze in your veins despite your heart thundering in your ribcage and your temples and it helped you shit at all that you were aware that was such thing was literally impossible. By the time Jemma’s hand grabbed yours again and squeezed hard, you realized you were shaking – half in anger, half in paralyzing fear, half in utter shock. It didn’t matter it didn’t add up.

What mattered was the gun in Jemma’s hand. She was holding a gun, ready to shoot, because there were enemy agents, fucking HYDRA burst through the door, guns blazing. And killing people.

You were whispering with exasperation worth of a shout before you knew what you were doing.

“Why?! Why the fuck-“

“Probably the samples they brought in today, precious cargo,” Jemma whispered back frantically, loading the gun and reaching into another cabinet behind her. You only stared at her in utter confusion and mute horror, rapid heavy footsteps approaching and sending your already racing heart into a madness. “Gun or cocktails?”

“I can’t shoot a-!”

Before you could finish, the familiar sound of the sliding door opening and a horrifying echo of tactical boots reached your ears, a set of vials pressed into your palm.

You gulped, pulse thundering in your temples.

Those goddamn Simmons’ cocktails as you named them since she had insisted on keeping around.

You couldn’t believe the moment was here that you were actually grateful for them, even as they seemed to burn in your hand even with the vials themselves intact.

Your eyes snapped to Jemma’s face to question it wordlessly at least, but she wasn’t looking at you; she was listening intently, lying in wake as if she was the predator and not the prey you felt like.

Your own breathing seemed too loud as you allowed yourself to squeeze your eyes shut for but a moment, a desperate attempt to wake up from the nightmare; but the morning didn’t come.

Instead, a gunshot rang in the room, glass shattering somewhere above your head to your right, sending a waterfall of shards flying next to you.

And causing you to cry out in fright.

Which revealed your position to the agents flowing into the lab.

Without a thought you snapped your eyes opened, jumped to your feet and threw two vials in the direction of a black blur with a shockingly clear red patch of the mythical Hydra monster in the middle; peripherally, you saw Jemma attacking as well, deafening noise of gunshot nearly blowing your eardrum.

You crouched back behind the counter so fast you felt vertigo swing you to the left, sharp pain erupting from your palm. It was pure miracle your right hand didn’t clench in instinct and shatter the two remaining vials, setting yourself on fire as well.

As well.

Someone was screaming – a man, you realized – the acid smell of burned flesh and plastic and various chemicals punching your nose and your stomach hard. You had hit someone with the vial. They screamed because of what you had done. You had-

You had no time to feel sorry. You had no time to properly think fucking serves them right.

More steps, more gunshots, movements you weren’t sure how happened or came to you in the first place, flashes of light and crimson and noise and godawful smell--- and pain erupting in the back of your head and suddenly you were barely catching yourself on the counter with your slippery palm--- your fingers brushed metal, knees weak but hands grabbing with all your might, lifting and swinging, a sickening crack on your right before you were falling, landing on your wrist, back hitting the cabinet door and making even more noise as you sent equipment clattering around.

However, the loudest sound was another gunshot; but the strangest sound was unfamiliar whizzing and metal hitting metal and someone most definitely shouting “clear!” that sounded as distant as a whisper over the ringing in your ears.

Instinctively, your head snapped to the voice as you tried to prop up on your hands to see; the world swam in front of your eyes, dizziness forcing you to fall back on your ass and squeeze your eyes shut in hopes to stop the world from spinning, a sting in your palm drawing a hiss from your lips.

You could hear Jemma’s talking to someone, her words blurred into a mumble despite her voice sounding firm and methodical; footsteps, quick and heavy but somewhat soft, accompanied by a brush of air against your skin, making you open your eyes again just as navy blue with speckles of silvery grey glinting in a flickering light filled your vision.

Then, a face; an extremely handsome face even as a helmet made of blue similar to the rest of his suit covered the upper half of it, framing a pair of the dreamiest blue eyes you had ever seen, as beautiful as blurry as a dream indeed.

Somewhere in the back of your brain it started clicking into place – that the man in front of you looked a whole lot like Captain America and he was there to kick HYDRA’s ass; he was hunk and looked righteous and unfairly pretty, the cut of his jaw sharp enough to appear as if sculpted by ancient masters of art and it might be softened by the leather strap holding his helmet in place but that only brought out the sheer beauty of his lips even with a small bloody split on them.

And he was talking to you, his leather-clad hand gently grasping your arm as you involuntarily swayed to side when moving your head to take in the entirety of his large figure.

“Doctor, are you alright?” he asked slowly, velvety voice sweet and heavy with concern at once, the gentle but firm hold on your arm growing stronger when you blinked owlishly, the connection between the meaning of his words and his apparent intention to talk to you slow and fragile.

Your tongue felt as if made of lead even as it tasted of bitterness of adrenalin, but you willed yourself to answer, a knee-jerk reaction more than anything else.

“’mm… not a doctor yet.”

As you responded, you brain began to clear; and it occurred to you that it was a fair assumption for him to make.

You had grown used to clarifying, but hadn’t done so in months, because everyone already knew. However, he was an outsider to this lab and he couldn’t know you were the exception to the local rule. And you were wearing a lab coat, one that now had to be covered in mixture of chemicals you did not wish to identify, but perhaps you should try, because your forearm was beginning to burn.

The beautiful man kneeling in front of you silently observed you for what seemed like an eternity and half, surprise written all over his face. You couldn’t blame him; you were the weirdo of the lab. The fact the person who had purposely stacked explosives at hand was less of an anomaly than that was a thing to consider, but your head hurt too much to think about that and your heart was still beating unhealthily fast and his error seemed so insignificant in the grand scheme of things of HYDRA having attacked your lab and Captain America being right in front of you, holding onto your arm.

His soft baffled smile as he hung his head and shook it a bit with a breathless chuckle, and then lifted his downright shining gaze back to you, well that certainly made for a spectacular distraction from such unimportant thoughts.

Did his thumb just brush your arm as he still held you up a bit?

And had anyone ever told him he had a stunning smile that could melt hearts even if it was barely there and it was certainly melting yours?

“Apologies, miss. I’m going to help you get to medical, alright?” he suggested, those damn gorgeous eyes roaming your face with what almost seemed like wonder, even as his voice sounded all kinds of reassuring. “You’re safe now, I promise.”

Safe. You were safe. Because there had been HYDRA agents, but Captain America and actual SHIELD operatives had come to the rescue. And because Jemma was-

Jemma. Your straightened, dull ache pounding in your back as you did so, vision clearing a fraction with the sudden realization that you couldn’t hear your friend anymore. Your friend whom you owed your life very likely, but even if you didn’t, you would have-

You craned your neck over Captain America’s impressive frame, head snapping from left to right, nausea rising with the movement, but that didn’t matter, you had to-

You turned your alarmed gaze back to the man who was still holding you, an urgent question on your lips.

“Jemma? Is she--- Doctor Simmons, brunet, lab coat-“ you paused, realizing bitterly that you had just described half of the Science and Technology. “Female. She’s a doctor and an agent too, she was with me had a gu-“

A warm squeeze on your arm, the concern which had grown even more evident on Captain’s face melting away and giving way to a soothing smile.

“She’s alright. She’s already left to be checked up and to give her statement.”

Your shoulders sagged, your head dropping a bit; the violent vertigo that seized your body at that was not pleasant and you tried to blink it away, gaze catching the reflection of the still-blinking fluorescent lamp on the Captain’s shield.

Oh. That was probably what had made the whizzing sound before. As your brain conjured an image of that, a spinning shield flying through the air, you cursed yourself mentally for letting your mind even go there since you had already felt like you were the flying piece of metal and the thing you’d hit eventually would be the floor.

“My head is spinning,” you muttered absently as you attempted to refocus your gaze, praying to gods of religion and science alike you wouldn’t throw up on the poor caring man.

Why was he still sitting here with you? Surely there were much more important things to tend to than one little post-grad? How was he so kind and gentle? Wasn’t he known for inspiring speeches in a deep serious voice and for beating up villains with both his physical strength and brains?

So many questions and no answer in those pretty blue eyes.

In fact, the number of your questions grew exponentially when the hand on your arm released the pressure and gently rubbed your elbow instead; his free hand carefully cradled the back of your other hand, the contrast of leather and his warm skin surprisingly sensual, suddenly making you understand why so many regency era literature spoke of hand-holding as indecent even as it was barely Fifty Shades of Grey level of filth.  

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Captain Rogers said, snapping you from your thoughts. “Let me help you up and they’ll check you up too, including this nasty cut, okay?”

Huh?

Purposely slowly as not to make the vertigo worse, you glanced at your hand in his, feeling a fresh sting just by looking at your palm, your gaze instantly snapping away.

And falling straight onto two intact vials full of liquid of a distinct colour, lying carelessly about two feet away from Steve Rogers’ tactical boots. Your heart jumped in your chest, your hazy mind finally growing aware of your surroundings.

“Shoot! Careful around those, they’re highly flammable!” you warned him swiftly, his gaze snapping to the vials in question, while ours slowly trailed over the utter, utter messthe lab had become.

The sheer amount of broken glass, spilled chemicals, broken pipettes, torn papers and unidentifiable piles of junk was staggering and it was actually a miracle nothing had exploded yet – and as a cherry on top, a few feet away, a relatively small portable PCR machine, the very equipment you had been using, downright murdered along with your experiment and a smudge of blood around it. Jesus.

“Okay, that’s good to know. More the reason to get out,” Captain Rogers remarked, slight amusement lacing his voice, only growing stronger as he continued. “Keep a lot of these around?”

You could have scoffed, but you didn’t. You have no idea, pal.

“My friend is paranoid…” you explained, still staring at them, even as you mentally added ‘or not’, since those little things might have very well saved your life. As your gaze returned to Captain Rogers, your eyes caught on something else, having you sit up straighter in sheer horror. “Is that a stab wound?!”

You gulped at the sight, even as your uninjured hand instinctively reached out towards it – as if you could fix it. The already dark suit, a lovely navy blue, appeared downright black at left his side, right where it seemed to be singed by a flame.

Had that injury been there the whole damn time he had been sitting here with you, eternally patient with your slowed brain, Simmons’ cocktails lying around in one huge chemical dump in risk of exploding any damn minute?

You logically knew the answer had to be yes, but it made zero sense – and his answer made even less sense.

“Bullet, actually. Some sort of chemical damaged the Kevlar lining and they got a lucky hit. It’s just a graze.”

“A gra-“ you choked on the word, spit stuck in your throat causing you to cough and a groan escape past your lips as the sudden rapid movement sent your head pounding again.

“Hey, you-“

“You’ve been shot and you called my cut nasty?” you questioned through the tears, earning a smile worth giving up a career for – painfully warm, kind and… almost fond.

You truly must have hit your head hard.

…as if it hadn’t been evident before.

“I heal fast. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be alright, doc.”

A knee-jerk reaction – again. What was it with him? Had he hit his head, forgetting you had already explained – you had, you hadn’t imagined that, right? – and now he called you a doctor again, turned into a familiar nickname, no less.

“I’m not a doct---- holy shit.”

It slammed into you like a train, struck you like a lightning, even as neither of those things had ever happened to you – yet, you imagined it had to feel like this.

A massive force, a force of nature, realization as bright and as unexpected as a lightning from a clear sky.

Doctor, are you alright?

He had asked that. He had asked that. He had said your words. He had said your goddamn soulmate’s first words to you, what must have been minutes ago, and only now it hit you.

You were left staring at him with wide eyes, myriad of emotions written all over his face, including  slight amusement and what you had earlier inexplicably identified as fondness, because the reason why he was still sitting here with you – though perhaps that was what he always did when rescuing, what did you know, you didn’t, this was your first meeting, that was why he had said the words – was that unlike you, he had realized you were his soulmate right away.

He kept watching you, silently letting you process the crucial revelation, a tight but no less kind smile on his lips.

“You said my words,” you said oh so intelligently. “You--- what… what did I—say?”

It was perhaps the stupidest question of all you could have come up on the spot, but you genuinely couldn’t remember – and wanted to know what words he had been looking at his whole life.

…this part of life? Or before the ice too? How did he feel about that? How did he feel about you? Was he disappointed? He didn’t look like he was, but didn’t even know what you had said—

What you did know and remember was that you were supposed to be smart and yet it had taken you an eternity to even notice you were facing your soulmate you had been probably spewing complete nonsense, you were now stammering like an idiot and for someone who had been worried, always, even if in the back of their mind, if their soulmate would find them good enough, you were generally making a bloody awful first impression.

But seriously, what had been your first words-

“You said you weren’t a doctor yet,” Captain Rogers reminded you, voice soft with affection of someone who had imagined hearing those words at least as many times as you had wondered about yours, hoping they would be pronounced by someone who’d respect you and cared about what kind of person you were, and would hopefully, eventually care for you. Loved you even. The tender way the syllables rolled of his tongue, spoken as if they tasted of honey, nearly chased fresh tears to your eyes. Alright, perhaps your first impression hadn’t been as bad as it appeared in your – albeit injured – head.  “But if you really don’t remember saying that, that’s not a good sign. We need to get you medical attention. Come on. Hold on.”

Blinking slowly, still processing the light and yet suffocating feeling that found residence in your chest as it was starting to truly settle that this man, this painfully beautiful and criminally gentle man, was your soulmate, he was leaning closer to you, his hands guiding yours to wrap around his neck, a wordless order you had obediently followed, and then one of his arms was sliding under your knees and his other wrapping around the middle of your back.

And then your vertigo hit you anew because you were suddenly up in the air, hands gripping hard at anything you could reach – conveniently, the only thing was him, because he had lifted you upin his arms, some of your weight resting against his chest – despite the pain that shot up your left hand.

“Whoa-“ And then, because your memory did serve you at least a little: “You--- have been stabbed.”

“Shot,” he repeated patiently, fondly almost, and you did recall he had said that.

You recalled despite the scent of pleasant aftershave and peak man suddenly enveloping you as much as his arms and the firm armour – or perhaps that was the muscles underneath? And those pretty blue eyes were watching you with a glint of amusement and a surprising amount of affection for a guy saying he had been hit by a bullet, while effortlessly carrying the girl he had just met in his-- very, very strong, muscly arms and perhaps your head was not only spinning because of the sudden height you found yourself at.

…amusement? How was he amused? Was that-- was that a joke? Was he making fun of his bullet wound, playing it down? 

“That’s… really not better.”

He grinned down at you as he made his way to the exit.

Walking. Watching you. Grinning and not even really looking where he was stepping.

Oh no.

Oh no, he was one of those people. You had met men like him at Operations, except for some reason – perhaps some sort of a soulmate telepathy – you had a feeling in him, that the peculiar recklessness many people from suffered, the disregard for their safety, because they could handle it, was dialled up to eleven in him. On a one to five scale. Because scaling mattered; you were a scientist. You’d know.

However, he did make it out of the laboratory without blowing anything up – perhaps at least that recklessness was balanced up by enhanced senses of a supersoldier and indeed, healing fast. And you hoped with your whole heart that walking out unscathed was a conscious effort, be it for him (somehow you doubted that) or for the cargo he was carrying (you had no doubt about that, not when he was looking at you like that). At least he had kept the helmet on; you were thankful for that, even as you’d love to see him without it.

See your soulmate.

You knew what he looked like everyone knew what he looked like. If they had missed the WW II. ed, they could barely miss the news about an alien invasion he had had a hand in stopping, the fall of majority of SHIELD, and other exciting horrifying news.

“I’ll be fine, doc. Now let’s get you away from exploding vials and lab equipment you could knock me out with. I’d rather be safe when I ask you out for dinner.”

You gulped, gripping him a bit tighter as a memory hit you – literally.

The PCR machine. You had done that. You had grabbed it and used it to smash into a HYDRA agent’s face, using the nearest improvised tool of defence. Jesus.

I really did that?

“You… saw that?” was what you asked instead, a few second ticking by as the rest of his words registered in your brain – and god, you really hoped your cognitive abilities would restore soon and the head injury had not caused permanent damage. “Oh.”

As much as your heart started pounding at that, a pleasant somersault in your stomach for a change, it was a little unfair to sort-of ask you when you were in your current predicament. Being carried like that, so close to him, so gentlemanly and tenderly handled despite your weight no doubt straining him, especially since he had been shot – grazed –, yoursenses wrapped in everything that was him and pulling you in, you were fairly certain you might say yes to just about anything he’d ask.

And not just because he was your soulmate.

Your soulmate carrying you in his arms, while wearing a very flattering suit of armour.

“If you’d like, of course,” he added with slight hesitance that only made your heart race further, because he was laying out his own heart for you already, expressive, genuine, and maybe sweetly handsy but not pushy despite his title and rank technically giving him every right to do whatever the hell he wanted. “But either way, I’ll save the real question for when I know you’re not suffering from a concussion. That sounds good?”

“Yes, Captain,” you replied dutifully. It did sound good, his consideration warming you from inside out. His voice sounded good too. “Sounds good to me.”

His smile was bright as the sun itself and basking in its light and warmth felt just as precious. Except he was to be your private sun forever shared with other to a point, but yours. Chosen by fate itself, defying all you had ever believed, beating time by decades, only so you could find each other.

“Looking forward to it, doc. Maybe I’ll get to know your name too while we’ll be at it,” he teased lightly, but without malice. “My name is Steve.”

Steve.

You knew that. You liked that.

Hand trembling a little, but not because you worried he’d drop you as you partly let go of his shoulders, you reached for the clasp on his helmet, a fluttery feeling in your chest eager to indeed see Steve rather than the Captain.

You felt your lips curl up and mirror his when he gave a tiny nod at your brief hesitation, your fingers finally undoing the strap and revealing his face with his help.

His hair was adorably ruffled, a slight shade of dust on his cheeks whispering of where the protective gear had been; but scientifically speaking, as well as speaking directly from heart, he was absolutely beautiful, his tender smile telling you he thought the very same about you.

He was meant to be yours; as you were meant to be his.

And you couldn’t wait to get to know him.

You could tell there were people around you and they were probably staring; but for the moment, you didn’t care at all. You had just met your soulmate.

And you weren’t even a doctor yet.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Steve. But I have to admit…” you said, teasing him with a pause, rewarded by his eyes earning a curious glint, “that the Doc nickname is kinda growing on me.”

Complete masterlist

Steve Rogers masterlist

Oh this feels like coming back to my roots 🤭 but hey, this challenge is a revival of all thigs good of the past, so why not go with the good old-fashioned soulmate meet-cute with a little angst beforehand, right?

AND BEHOLD I WROTE SOMETHING SHORTER THAN 10K. SHORTER THAN 8K ACTUALLY! It’s an extravaganza miracle 😂

Also. There might be some unrelated smut in the works, but I will not finish that today so... won't be part of the cum together extravaganza... ah well 🤭

Thank you for reading and potential feedback 💕

May the Fourth be with you and the rest of May be kind ✨

[weirdlookindog]

Nestor Redondo (1928-1995) - Cover art for The Unexpected #164, DC, 1975

[black-is-beautiful18]

The Unexpected- The Proposal

K’uk’ulkan x Black!reader

A/N: This has been sitting in my docs for awhile now and I felt inspired so I finally finished it lol. I also used a translator for Yucatec Maya, so if it’s not all correct that’s why. Enjoy! ❤️

—————————————————

“I don’t get it. Why do I have to go?” Y/N demands even though it sounds more like a whine.

Shuri laughs and rolls her eyes playfully.

“We’ve been over this already. I have my own duties that conflict with my usual schedule. So today I need you to meet with him.” The princess explains as she busies herself with one of her latest projects.

“But I’m not a princess or a diplomat. You told me he has a temper. What if he gets upset that it’s me there and not you?”

Y/N leans against the table as Shuri looks up at her giving her an exasperated yet amused look. “You may not be a diplomat but you are sweet and that smile of yours is enough to put even the toughest of warriors at ease. Plus, you have something in common with the king. You’ll be able to relate in some way. Just take it from there.”

Groaning, Y/N puts her head in her hands.

“Fine. I’ll meet this fishman, but I don’t even know what to say to him.”

Shuri smiles. “You’ll do just fine. Use that brain of yours. Draw him in with your knowledge of Wakanda.”

Y/N rolls her eyes.

“As if he’d listen to me go on about our history when I’m sure he just wants to make sure you haven’t gone back on your word.”

Shrugging, Shuri looks down at her project which appears to have something to do with adjustments to her suit.” I’m not, but sending someone in my place is far better than no one showing up. Then we’ll have another problem on our hands.”

“Fine. I’ll go, but you owe me. This is not my thing.” Y/N huffs as she turns to leave.

“Thank you!”

“Yeah yeah!”

————————

Waves lap at the bank of the river as Y/N paces restlessly. She was nervous. So nervous that she’d nearly been late, which is very unlike her. If it weren’t for Aneka it’s safe to say that she’d still be tearing apart her closet right now. Wearing a sleeveless teal sundress, gold bangles, matching necklace, and a pair of sandals the Dora accompanying her assured her that she looked perfect. Her braids were up in a ponytail. The gems she’d carefully placed there this morning glimmering in the sunlight. Now all she had to do was not blow an alliance with a dangerous underwater kingdom ruled by a king who’s people worshiped him as a god…No pressure.

According to Shuri, now that the alliance was in place the king had…calmed down a bit. However, she warned Y/N to be on her guard since she would be a new face.

“Y/N please. If you pace anymore I think I will be sick.” A voice complains.

Offering a sheepish smile Y/N turns to Aneka and Nia who were with her today. Nia was new but good at her job, so that’s why she’d been given the task to come along. It’d be a good experience and Aneka trusted her.

“Sorry. I’m just nervous.”

“We’ve noticed.” Nia responds, giving her a soft smile in return.

“Shuri would not have asked you to do this if she thought you couldn’t do it. Take a deep breath and relax before you turn the sand to glass.”

Y/N glares at Aneka who shrugs. As she’s about to respond she sees movement out the corner of her eye. She’d pass it off as just a trick of the light or the fact that they are near water if it weren’t for the three presences she felt beneath the surface. They were steadily moving closer to the shore. Where did they come from? Usually she can sense things miles out or even leagues below the surface. How had she not noticed?

“We’ve got company.” Y/N mutters turning to the water.

She puts her shoulders back and quickly rehearses a greeting in her head only for her brain to short circuit as a man, flanked by two Talokanil, steps out of the water. Now don’t get Y/N wrong. She’d seen glimpses of the strange man when he and his people flooded Wakanda. Shuri had even told her of her time in the city of Talokan and described him in hopes that Y/N would be familiar with such descriptions. She was not. If she’d seen a man this handsome before…well she’d definitely remember him.

Water drips down his body and Y/N mentally yells at herself to stay focused. His friends really aren’t helping though. With their blue skin they’re both just as beautiful. However, their king is stunning. His winged feet only seemed to add to the strange allure he has about him. The way his jewelry shines in the sun and against his brown skin…Even with that intimidating spear in his hand Y/N is in awe.

Feeling a gentle nudge in her back Y/N nearly has a heart attack, but quickly covers it up with a smile as she steps forward.

“Hello. I am Y/N,” She dips in a graceful bow. “The princess sends her regards for she wasn’t able to make it today.”

The Talokanil behind the king exchange glances that don’t go unnoticed by Y/N. She feels butterflies dancing around in her stomach but works through them.

“I assure you everything is as it should be. Shuri simply had other duties to attend to.”

The king raises an eyebrow. “More important than our alliance?”

Y/N’s heart skips a beat at the sound of his voice. While his tone is inquisitive it also has a hint of playfulness to it. Well that’s good, right?

Y/N chuckles.

“To bear the role of the Black Panther means to always expect the unexpected. You never know when you will be called away. Surely you can understand that K’uk’ulkan.”

At the mention of his name, the king of Talokan seems to swell with what can only be described as pride. His eyes rake over Y/N taking her in before giving a charming smile that nearly makes her swoon.

“Well if that’s the case will you walk with me?”

Not expecting that response, Y/N’s jaw drops.” Um…”

She looks back at Aneka and Nia who give each other curious looks before Aneka nods encouraging her to accept. Turning back to him she notices that his companions seem to also be trying to figure just exactly what their king has in mind. However, seeing him embed his spear in the sand seals her resolve.

“I will.”

—————————

“So you are a friend of the princess?”

I chuckle glancing over at him.

“We’ve known each other since we were children. Though while I was learning the history of our great country and it’s spiritual aspects she took interest in the sciences and technology. Now look at her. The overseer of all our technology and an even more brilliant inventor.”

I pause and turn to him.

“Though I’m sure you know that already.”

He stops as well, a charming smile forming on his lips.” The princess has a brilliant mind, but I’m more interested in you.”

“Me? What could I possibly offer you?” With a furrowed brow and hands on my hips, I find myself to actually be interested in what he might say. The king obviously doesn’t know me, but he certainly acts as if he knows something.

The king glances back to where his own guards and the Dora stand further down the river. They’re a good distance away but still close enough should anything happen. Bast forbid that. Both groups stand rather awkwardly but they are determined to do their duty. He steps closer and a panic builds in my chest. With him this close to me I can smell the ocean. It’s always been one of my favorite smells but this makes me want to embrace him just so that I can take in more of it.

I notice the amusement in his eyes mixed with something else that I can’t quite place, and take a step back. He only follows me and I feel as if I’ve entered a game of cat and mouse. He is obviously the cat and I, unfortunately, am the mouse.

“K’uk’ulkan?”

I don’t mean to sound so uncertain or small but how can I possibly function with him so close?

His eyes roam over me for a moment before meeting my eyes once more. Leaning down, he takes on such an intimidating aura that I have to fight not to look away from him.

“I saw you that day.” His voice is low even though we aren’t that close to our companions. What he has to say is for my ears only.

“You move faster in water than any surface dweller I have seen. Stronger too.”

My eyes widen and he tilts his head to the side with a knowing smirk. At that point I do look away, setting my gaze on the water.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was ushered away just like most of my people.”

A click of his tongue and a low growl sends a chill down my spine.

“Mentiroso.”

My eyes shoot back to his and I stare at him defiantly. I don’t need my kimoyo beads to tell me that this man, this god, just called me a liar….and he’s right.

”I am not. You were seeing things.”

Even as I say it I see images in my mind of me diving into the river to rescue those who had been swept up by the waves or pulled into the water by Talokanil soldiers. K’uk’ulkan says nothing and I purse my lips keeping my facial expressions neutral. He begins to circle me slowly. Assessing me.

“…What do you want?”

“Nothing. I just find it…interesting. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone like you. Does your princess know?” He’s stopped behind me now but I refuse to face him.

“We grew up together and some things are hard to hide when you are so close.” What is he getting at?

K’uk’ulkan hums softly and walks back around me so that we are facing each other once more. His eyes are full of mirth and even mischief. Nervously I begin to fidget, twisting one of the rings on my right hand.

“I have a request.”

My eyes narrow. “I’m listening….”

Reaching down he gently takes my hand into his and lifts it to his lips. His hands have the roughness of a warriors but his lips are soft. Bast.

“Allow me to court you.”

It’s not a question.

“E-excuse me?” I mean to sound demanding. Make it sound as if he’s insane, but it all comes out in a surprised squeak.

My hand is still against his lips as he chuckles. It tickles a little.

“It is rather…traditional, but it would put many minds at ease if this alliance had more to hold it together. The elders have also been pestering me about giving my people their own queen mother and producing an heir.” He says it so casually that I’m left speechless.

I snatch my hand away from him and take a step back.

“I don’t even know you, and you are the reason Queen Mother is dead.” I hiss. The very mention of Ramonda sends a sharp pain through my chest. She treated me as if I were one of her own children. Losing her was devastating.

Stepping closer he takes my hand once more, holding it firmly so that I can’t pull away this time. “You and I both know that there are doubts on both sides. Would not such a moment ease their fears and allow us to move forward? To build trust?”

This man is crazy!

Preparing to pull away I freeze. He has a point. There are more Dora and soldiers patrolling the rivers. There have been whispers of evacuation plans in case another attack happens. I’ve sat in on the meetings of King M’Baku and the council. The elders are fearful that the Talokanil will go back on their promise of peace as soon as the first disagreement occurs. That this king who is worshiped as a god will want more….My heart speeds up as I go through the options. There aren’t many but I understand. I relax and look him in the eye.

“Give me time to think about this. Shuri…Shuri won’t be happy, and the elders will demand to know exactly why it is that you’ve chosen me. If I agree, you are asking me to expose myself. To also give myself to someone I don’t know.”

“I know this. That is why I will give you a week to consider and get things settled. Take this and call for me when the time comes. I will answer.” He pulls a conch shell from his waist and offers it to me. Gingerly, I take it looking at it curiously. When did he get this? Had I been so distracted that I didn’t notice it?

“I will call. I promise.”

A tender kiss is placed on my wrist this time and I almost swoon.

“I know you will…In Eek'e'.”

My star…

Before I can even react he kisses my hand and pulls away. He calls something to his guards but I’m too dazed to listen to the translation.

“Shall we?” The king of Talokan holds out his arm allowing me to take it. We walk back down along the bank of the river, the shell tucked safely in my free arm. I feel my face heating up as Aneka and Nia give me questioning looks as we approach. I am saved only when K’uk’ulkan turns to me, capturing my attention. “We will leave you here. Don’t forget what we have discussed.” Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I nod.” Of course. I made a promise and I intend to keep it.”

I’m met with a scoff but I see the amusement in the god-king’s eyes. He nods and promptly turns around stepping back into the river with the two Talokanil soldiers following close behind. I watch their heads soon disappear beneath the water and I sigh wishing for at least another kiss on my hand or wrist.

“What was that about?” Nia’s light voice fills the air startling me out of my thoughts. That’s when everything comes crashing down and realization hits. With a groan I facepalm getting strange looks from the two women accompanying me once again. I offer them only one answer.

“I am in so much trouble.”

————————————————

@stars8melanin @prettyvintageafternoon

[ghoulsbounty]

currently writing The Unexpected pt 2 and I am just absolutely feral for Wade Felton (particularly DBF Wade Felton) in a way that I wasn't aware of before I wrote for him.

[browsethestacks]

The Unexpected #01 (2011)

Art by Michael Kaluta

[ungoliantschilde]

the Unexpected, Vol. 1 # 163 by Luis Dominguez.

[gameraboy2]

The Unexpected #140 (1972) Cover by Nick Cardy

[sagekjs21]

Random Bit of Advice #2

@pinestripe37Sometimes The type of help and healing that you have needed for so long can be found in a source that seems illogical to you. Intellect is meaningless. Normalcy is meaningless. Pride is meaningless. Even fairness and equality may become meaningless for a time. God's Will holds all of the meaning. When you are simply on the verge of breaking, God will provide you with someone that you can break against, someone that can see you shatter and help you pick up your fragments. Then you both hand them over to God, and He doesn't simply mend them; He creates something even stronger than what existed before. Doing something that seems to make no sense is sometimes the best solution. Bravery, humility, and the earnest desire to follow the Will of God are what matter most. Follow His leading. When you are nearly broken, listening to His instructions will produce healing. Following God's Will, even when it contradicts assumptions you've made about life, will ALWAYS provide more blessings than you could have ever imagined. Thank you, my friend.❤️

[ofleafstructure]

The Unexpected #193 ; Luis Dominguez

[peggysousfan]

Bellarke on the Ark- The Unexpected

On the Ark there are laws that must be followed to the letter, if not they will face the ultimate punishment- Death. Everyone must ration accordingly, work as scheduled, and bare no more than one child. That is to say once they are married. But for those that are expecting our of wedlock? Will find themselves on the other side of the Ark’s airlock. The father will float first, the mother second once the child is born. No exceptions. Especially to those with relations outside of their own stations.

What will Clarke Griffin, the daughter of Chief of Engineering and Lead Surgeon on the Ark, do when she realizes her implant has failed and she and her boyfriend from Factory have an unexpected surprise on the way? 

Will Clarke’s Alpha Station family, and members of the Ark’s council, be able to save her life? Will they be able to save the life of their grandchild and it’s father? Or will Clarke and Bellamy pay the ultimate price?

                                                           ~~~

This was inspired purely from a photo of Bellamy from season 1 on the Ark. And once I found a photo of Clarke the story plot came to mind. It’s like the book from when Glass was pregnant and was imprisoned. So kind of like a book/ TV show mashup but with bellarke? 

There is also a color version added below! And if anyone wants to write this idea, feel free to do so! All I ask is that you tag me so I can read your beautiful work!

[thequeendomhq]

THE UNEXPECTED ~

NAME. UTP AGE & BIRTH DATE. UTP SPECIES. Druid ( UTP ) FACTION. Raiders of the Veiled Sea OCCUPATION. Pirate

Taverns and alleys were no place for someone like you who had learned to curtsey by the time you were four. The high life was yours to have and to hold, and it suited you for a while, until stuffy diplomats and nobility seemed to get in the way of everything worth living for in life. No one said you were smart about it, or that it was the right choice, but the moment your dreams called to you, the moment you realized why a life confined was not for you, and you wasted no time in taking your journey to the Arches. A Dúnedain was a promise to the threads of fate, and you never looked back. Your path took you everywhere throughout Lysara, a free spirit amongst the shores of your former home. It was a case of wrong place wrong time, but for you, it was exactly where you needed to be. You were a witness to something you shouldn’t have been, whisked away to Caribella where you had to defend yourself in your trial by combat. Dúnedain keep the peace, and when you emerged victorious, you realized this was where you were meant to be.

CONNECTS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

this skeleton is currently open

[weirdlookindog]

The Unexpected #169 - DC, October 1975.

Cover art by Luis Dominguez.

[black-is-beautiful18]

Woo

K’uk’ulkan x Black reader

Translations: I used translators for these so if they’re wrong please let me know.

Umakhulu- grandmother- Xhosa

In eek’e’- my star- Yucatec Maya

In reina- my queen- Yucatec Maya

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

After a nice walk along the river, where Y/N proceeded to tease him about her mother’s words, Namor wanted nothing more than to kiss her. Her skin glows under the light of lanterns and lamps that line the river. And the added moonlight? She’s absolutely ethereal.

Noticing his eyes on her, Y/N giggles and looks up at him.” What’s the matter? You’re looking at me as if…as if I’ve hung the moon in the sky.”

“I don’t think that would be hard to believe.” He muses with a smirk that sends her heart racing.” Oh please. I can do many things, but not that. I’m far too young for that anyway. My umakhulu may know who did though. Or at least someone who was around when it happened.” Y/N then purses her lips and shakes her head.” On second thought it might be in the archives.”

As she begins rambling K’uk’ulkan can’t help but chuckle. How cute. She’s begun reciting facts about the moon and her family.

‘’Mother is the youngest of 14 children. The youngest twin, but umakhulu miraculously had twins with each pregnancy. From the stories I’ve heard it’s safe to say that that there was never a dull moment in that house.’’ Y/N says with a laugh gaining one from the great god-king as well. Seeing her happy makes his heart swell and fill with adoration. Is it love? It just might be.

‘’And what do you think of children?’’ His voice is low and has grown husky as the image of his eek'e' round with child. Oh how beautiful she’d be.

The question surprises Y/N so much that she stops in her tracks and looks at him in shock.

‘’Like if I want children of my own or in general?’’

K’uk’ulkan smirks tilting his head to the side.’’ Both.’’

Feeling her face grow warm, Y/N looks down at her feet too embarrassed to meet his eye. While she enjoys his bluntness it still surprises her and leaves her speechless. ‘’Well…yes. I want children when I find the right person and they are joys to be around.’’ She chuckles and lifts her head giving a shy smile.’’ As for how many…I think I’ll decide that after the first one.’’

A gasp leaves Y/N’s lips as the god-king gently wraps his arms around her waist pulling her closer before taking her right hand, lifting it, and kissing it.’’ And how do I get you to say yes to me? To be mine? You would be worshiped and praised as is your right. The people of Talokan, our people, would see you as a queen, a goddess, and a mother.’’

His declaration reminds her of her mother’s own words spoken to her only a few hours ago. Music can be heard even this far from the party but it’s a nice steady rhythm that has Y/N swaying as she gets lost in her own thoughts. Looking up at the handsome man in front of her, Y/N searches his face.

‘’And what about you? What will I be to you?’’

He pauses and looks to be speechless for a moment before chuckling and pulls her so close that Y/N swears she can feel his heartbeat. Kissing the palm of her hand his lips slowly move towards her wrist. Just like when they first met.

‘’Now what kind of question is that? You will be my sun. My moon and the stars. You will be my goddess and I will worship you day and night. Every word that falls from my lips will be nothing but total praise and adoration. I swear this to you.’’ As he says this he moves his face closer to hers, their noses touching. Closing her eyes, Y/N whimpers, her heart hammering in her chest.

‘’What is it in eek’e’? Speak to me.’’ His lips now find their way to the corner of her lips causing goosebumps to erupt on her skin.

‘’Yes.’’ She breathes out before she can really think but then again does she need to? Her mother was clear. They will be together, but that’s not why she said yes. She said yes because she wants that future. She wants to love and to be loved. She wants him.

‘’Forgive me, but I didn’t hear you.’’ Y/N feels his lips lift into a smirk against her skin as she groans. K’uk’ulkan laughs and kisses her cheek,’’ Worry not in eek’e’. I’m only teasing.’’ He coos making her giggle.’’ Don’t be mean to me or else I’ll send you away.’’ Pulling away the god-king raises an eyebrow.’’ Send me away? You wouldn’t dare.’’

With a smirk of her own Y/N crosses her arms and turns from him beginning to walk back in the direction of the party.’’ You don’t know that K’uk’ulkan. I will banish you back to the ocean and you shall never return.’’ A growl sounds behind her and she fights back a laugh only to squeal as she’s pulled back into the god’s arms.’’ Banish me? Would you be so cruel to me in reina?’’ He kisses her neck, holding her tightly his beard tickling her in the process. Laughing, Y/N squirms out of his hold and makes a run for it.

‘’I would!’’ She calls out over her shoulder only to let out a gasp when she sees that the king of Talokan quickly gives chase, seeming to not care if he is caught having fun. If this was to be Y/N’s future then she wanted every single part of it and she would not accept anything less.

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

A/N: Hi! It’s been awhile. Only a month or so but still. A lot was happening with family emergencies, and it sort of sent me into writer’s block. I’m back tho! This is a little shorter than I would like for it to be but I hope you enjoy and hopefully the next chapter will be up soon. ❤️

Tags: @lunamoonbby, @artaxerxesthegreat, @alexa-33, @queenshikongo3 , @ant1r3al1ty, @lostpirateinwonderland, @nunya7394, @louderfortheback, @danika1994, @weepingwitchofthewest, @chaimantis, @jurneesjourney, @stars8melanin, @prettyvintageafternoon, @bratbxbyx, @blackreaderatrisk

[classicartverso]

Yanick Paquette - The Unexpected

[missjaguar]

pisces season 🔮