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moriartyluver · 2 months ago

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FALSE LOVERS CHAPTER XVIII

"QUEEN TO E4."

tap tap tap

(Name) huffed, watching as William, who was sat opposite her, moved the chess piece along the checkered board. Her (eye colour) eyes scanned the board, looking for her next move. Smirking to herself, she picked up her knight, killing off one of his rooks. "Knight to B5."

The door swung open, revealing a worried looking Fred with Bond entering shortly behind him. "Lo-" He stopped himself, standing aside as the two geniuses finished their chess match. Bond raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Why's nobody speaking?" He asked, sitting down on a nearby chair.

"shh.." Josephine hushed "I think (Name) might win for once.."

Moran scoffed "That's unlikely, they've done this every few months since they met and William's won every single time."

"You've not seen how often she's been practising though.. and she has a whole exercise book full of William's techniques. She's obsessed with it, like it's her only wish to defeat William in a game of chess before either one of them dies, depending on who goes first." Albert said as William moved another piece, growing closer to..

"Checkmate!"

(Name) threw her arms in the air, a youthful grin on her lips. "I won! My god, I won!" She laughed joyously whilst William fought back a smile, forcing a frown on his face. It wasn't like he let her win, but he did see a pretty good opening earler and may have chosen to ignore it.

After a moment to let the victorious cheers from (Name) die down, Fred finally spoke up. "My Lord, someone's taken out the old court records.."

(Name) sat down, the room's atmosphere turning serious. The former soldier turned to Fred, raising a brow "It isn't..That Holmes guy, he's done it at last.."

"No, it can't have been." Josephine shook her head. "It doesn't allign with the activity we've been tracking."

"It was Milverton. Charles Augustus Milverton." Fred explained.

"The newspaper tycoon?" (Name) spoke up.

Fred nodded "He owns and manages several newspapers and advertising companies, he's also called the number one media tycoon in the country."

Oh god, it really was him.

Was it because of her? Did she somehow manage to aggravate him and now William was to suffer the consequences?

"He's a well prepared person who sent 5 different people to carry and pass on the record. I believe this was intended to learn about Lord William's past," He continued to explain whilst (Name) fidgeted in her seat, playing with the hem of her skirt.

"Sir Milverton," Albert recalled "I think I've greeted him a handful of times..."

Jack nodded in agreement. "I known him...he's a big businessman, not a noble. I would understand if it was Holmes but why would someone do that..?"

"Hey," James chimed in "I don't know what story you're talking about. What the hell is Will's old court record?"

"Ahh..my bad, I thought you already knew," Sebastian slung his arms over the armchair. "Before William and Louis were adopted by the Moriarty family, William had a trial against a nobleman.."

"And that was before Will became the Will we know now?" James asked. "Why would you leave something like that?..no way.."

"It was left out on purpose, as fishing bait of some sort." (Name) explained, feeling nostalgic. She remembered when she had found the court documents. If she thought about it, it was sort of the catalyst in the strange butterfly effect that lead to her being here now.

"Of course it wasn't a court case that was created to be bait in the first place, Bond..and as a result." William smiled.

"Whilst it's easy to physically erase the court record, it's impossible to erase the memories of William from that time from everyone in the orphanages and slums." Albert stated with a smug smile. "By keeping the court records of the trial which you'll come across if you talk to someone who remembers from that time...when a person who's looking into Will's past appears, we can find out their identity immediately."

"So that's why..." Bond trailed off. "Even though Sherlock hasn't gotten there yet someone has taken the bait. Milverton, he's a threat for the time being."

"He isn't a force to be reckoned with," (Name) said, recalling her few encounters with him. "And he has quite the clean slate. It was quite difficult to blackmail him back..."

"Blackmail him back?" William raised a brow. Typical (Name), she never was entirely honest with him..

"Anyways, the trial..Bond is still unaware of what transpired." She smiled, changing the subject, prompting Louis to tell the story. "How about you tell him the story?"

(Name) already knew this story of course, considering she had already taken out the old court records when she was about 18 years old, and still under the impression that William was the original William who was rumoured to be a mean spirited boy in his youth. After first meeting him, she had distanced herself from the teenager due to her fear that he was really still awful, even if it was a few years ago. She had heard stories of his being incredibly unkind to girls who liked him romantically, or bullying foreigners even if they were of the same social class.

Being within these wealthy circles, (Name) knew that some people were unkind and dismissive or rude to those they saw as 'less than', but William just seemed like an asshole, who just so happened to be intelligent, this prompting her rivalry with him. Finding out his true identity only made her feelings towards him more complicated. She had initially been unkind to him because she had assumed he was as bad as the rumours said, and even tried to beat him in school work to shrink his ego. A woman who just so happened to be a foreigner beating him in academics? That would shut him up.

Unfortunately it didn't.

And here she was, married to the man she used to hate, and even sleeping with him occasionally without a pragmatic purpose. God, her 16 year old self would hate her.

She felt suddenly quite ill as Louis told the story of the old court case, excusing herself to the bathroom. She felt dizzy, kneeling by the lavatory and with teary eyes and a few choked out sobs, her breakfast painted the inside of the toilet bowl. She wasn't even feeling very hungry that morning either, but William had encouraged her to eat, so she did, because for some odd reason, she couldn't really say no to him anymore, even when he convinced her to attend the tea party...

She threw up again. And again. And again, until her stomach felt empty and her tears stopped flowing.

"Oh fuck." She murmured to herself, her advanced vocabulary and elegant manner of speech out the window. "Fuck you Charles Augustus Milverton. This is all your fucking fault, you stupid bastard!"

Internally, she thanked the lord that everyone else was downstairs, whilst she was in the bathroom on the second floor, beside her bedroom, William's bedroom of the other end of her thin walls. She had spent an awful lot of time in there as of late, and now she was certainly regretting it. At least her mother wouldn't pester her anymore..but maybe it was just a stomach bug. This was Victorian England, after all. Doctors were still trying to get the hang of washing their hands right. But when she took into account the other symptoms..

She stood up, rather abruptly, and stumbled against the basin. God she was not cut out for this.

"If only he hadn't spread those rumours about me being infertile behind his stupid gossip magazine..it was payback for me buying his other newspaper company from him, wasn't it? It's not as if I did anything personal to him..I just wanted people to stop being suspicious about all the prostitution issues, and so what if I killed a few exploitative men? How did that affect him? I met him in person and he didn't even seem to mind selling the company over to me.." She rambled, washing her mouth out with water until she couldn't taste anything anymore.

Milverton, as discovered by (Name), had been involved in her life twice, and tried to create scandal for her both times.

Before she worked at Durham, (Name) was mostly in charge of the important jobs that needed to be done for William, but didn't require the entire group. One of these included dismantling an extremely large sex trafficking ring, and ended up in a few deaths of noblemen who had heavy involvement in it, exploring vulnerable women and girls, whilst profiting off it. Naturally, someone like (Name) would be furious at that, and ended up killing them.

Following the murders, one of Milverton's newspaper companies took this as an opportunity to spread fear, which was unsuccessful and tried again with the Jack the Ripper situation.

(Name) had written to Milverton, asking him to take down the headlines, lying about her motives. When he refused, she offered to buy the company for double its worth, and surprisingly, he took it. Now, within (Name)'s investment portfolio, she had a newspaper company she didn't know what to do with. Maybe she could've handed it over to her old friend, Engels.

Anyways, following that, she hadn't disappeared for a while from society, only making appearances when necessary, until she went to that masquerade ball, hosted by the Prince Of Wales, to find Irene Adler with Albert. Whilst she was there, she heard of rumours regarding her relationship with William, and her ability to get pregnant. Turns out, this started from a gossip magazine that (guess who?) Milverton (it was kinda obvious) owned. It was as if he had suspected something in her marriage with William, and her link to some criminal activity. So, that cunning bastard hit her where it hurts, and tried to put her in a trap. If she got pregnant, she would have to sleep with William, and if she didn't, she would prove that she was in a difficult marriage, possibly a contractual marriage.

As a result, (Name) slept with William for the sake of providing an heir to her parents, or at least that's what she told herself. It had happened a few more times since, and after the last time, she realised she needed to stop lying to herself and that you don't need to sleep with someone that many times to get pregnant.

And here she was.

Pregnant.

"Josephine?" (Name) said, quietly. She was unable to continue reading, the migraine she had worsening. She had been stressed ever since she had found out of her...condition. It was far from an ideal time to be with child, but an heir is an heir, so at least she had that. Romeo purred content lay on her lap as her free hand stroked his small back.

Everyone else was busy, and she and Josephine were in the drawing room, sipping tea or tidying up. William was with Albert at one of MP Adam Whitley's speeches, who they had been interested in the past week, so much so that William didn't even realise (Name) was having morning sickness, which was odd because she felt quite starved of affection as of late.

God she was a sick woman.

"Yes?" The brunette hummed. "What's the matter?"

"Have my parents sent any mail lately?" She asked.

Josephine thought for a moment before answering, the clock ticking louder in the silence. "It doesn't seem so, apart from that letter from your mother, where she was asking if you knew how to make an heir, because you weren't pregnant yet."

"She won't have to ask anymore," (Name) muttered, taking a sip of tea.

Josephine laughed absentmindedly for a moment, before snapping her head around to (name), realising what she meant.

"What?"

"You just said-" Josephine furrowed her thin eyebrows. She glanced at her lower torso, not seeing much change. "Are you..?"

"Thank god it isn't obvious yet." (Name) rolled her eyes. "Yes, I am.

"Who announces news like that? Wouldn't you just say, outright, 'Hey Josephine, I, (Name) (Last Name), am pregnant.'" She groaned, sitting beside her.

"(Name)'s pregnant?" An American accent spoke from the door way. Both girls yelped in surprise, even Romeo meowed in shock, turning to see Bond at the door. The three of them often spent time together, shopping, gossiping, etc.

"Please stop speaking like that," (Name) frowned. "I am with child." She whispered. Pregnancy was quite taboo in such an era. "And I only found out recently. A few days ago, really."

"Is it William's?" Josephine asked as James sat with them.

(Name) glared at her slightly. "Of course..what do you take me for?"

"There's a lot to unravel with that statement but first of all, we know how you're like," Josephine pointed out. "The only reason the ton doesn't call you a whore is because most of the men you've slept with are dead, usually your fault."

"Touché."

"And second of all, if I may," James chimed in, keeping his voice low. "You slept with William?"

"Yes." (Name) nodded "You can't blame me. I haven't slept with anyone since I went on that trip to (home country).."

"How many times?" Josephine asked, a serious face on her usually cute and cheerful face.

(Name) started counting on her fingers, losing count a couple of times before the other two just groaned, realising she was possibly a lost cause.

"Was it at least good?" The blond asked "I mean, I never took Will for the type to..you know.."

She paused for a moment, trying her best to remember each individual time to the best of her ability. "Well.." she trailed off as Josephine and James curiously leaned in. "Okay, so the first time was after that ball, the one we went to in order to recruit you," She gestured to James "And the ton kept gossiping about me not being pregnant yet after 2 years of marriage, so, after I returned, I saw William, we kissed and the rest is history."

"I suppose history really does repeat itself," Josephine joked "I thought you despised William..surely once would suffice."

(Name) narrowed her eyes at the joke, not appreciating the comedy of such a stressful moment. "I wanted to..make sure..? And besides, I've slept with worse men."

"So," James cleared his throat. "Are you going to tell him?"

"Tell him what?" (Name) questioned. "He knows how many men I've slept with. At least someone in that room was experienced.."

Bond almost choked on his tea at that.

"He meant to ask if you were going to tell William you're pre-" Josephine stopped herself "With child."

"At some point..but you know how things have been recently..I talked to William about plans recently and he..well, let's just say that if something goes wrong, we might have to undergo extreme measures soon." (Name) bit her lip, trying not to think too much about it. "But I will, when the moment's right. Then I won't have to sleep with him again."

"You say that as if you don't want to." James teased "You never told us how many times..~"

"When has it ever been acceptable to ask a lady such a question?" She stammered, embarrassed.

"Bet you did it after the tea party a couple of weeks ago," Josephine teased with him. "I couldn't find you or William the whole evening."

"I don't need to tell you that..!" (Name) exclaimed, heat rising to her cheeks as she stood up, walking out of the room.

"I bet he calculates things whilst they're doing it." James whispered, imitating William's voice "the formula for the curves of your body is y equals-"

"I can hear you!" (Name) yelled.

"...A message?" Albert muttered.

"Yes," Fred nodded, holding up the telegram. "It's addressed to the head of the family. The man who delivered it said he was given a pound by a man who hid his face. Inside of the envelope was a memo with the adress of a cemetery in chiswick written on it, along with a hankerchief with a 'W' embroidered on it."

"A 'W'..?" (Name) repeated, recognising the fabric.

William stood up from beside her. "Let's go."

Once the group had arrived to the cemetrey in the adress, they got out of the carriage. The moon shone brightly amongst the stars and the late winter air enveloped them in an eerie chill. Sensing (Name)'s discomfort or possibly his own, William reached out for her gloved hand, rubbing his thumb against the back of her palm reassuringly.

"I'm glad you came, Earl Moriarty." A hooded man spoke as they approached him. They all turned to face him as he revealed his face from the shadows.

"MP Whitely..?" Albert stood in front of him as he sat on a bench. "So it was you who called me here."

"Yes, that's right." He nodded, removing the hood.

"What's the reason for this meeting?" The earl asked. "I'm sure it's for something confidential."

"I sent the memo secretly, as not to bother you," the politician explained. "I'm sorry I didn't write my name. This is the evidence of the house of lord's corruption that you gave me." (Name)'s eyes darted to the document on the bench, then back to Albert. She had known of this, but as a foreign diplomat, she really had no place to speak on the issue. "I thought it would be best if I handed it over directly.."

"..why are you giving it back?" Albert asks abruptly, narrowing his emerald eyes.

"...." Adam Whitely sighed, a moments silence in the air. "Please try to remain calm when I tell you." He breathed again, holding up his right hand. "I just killed a man's with my own hands.

'This must be his first kill.'

The first kill is always the most difficult. For (Name) it was Theodore Arden, well, actually it was one of his siblings, which she often regretted, even if she didn't think of it in the moment.

For William, Albert and Louis, she always assumed it was the Moriarty family, more accurately Albert's brother, the original William. He was a young boy, barely 13. (Name) couldn't imagine killing someone so young. When she killed Theodore's 18 year old brother, she always felt horrible. He was the youngest person she had ever killed, and she was grateful for that in a sick and twisted way. But she wasn't superior to the Moriarty brothers, just because she killed older people. It wasn't something to brag about nor compare. Lives were taken, they were all equally accountable. And besides, not to boast, but she did have a higher murder count than the three of them combined.

"My family was killed by one of the yard's officers who I trusted. I-I killed him...There was no way I could forgive him...the officer who killed them had his wife and child kidnapped and killed if he didn't do it..but now, I'm not even sure it was true." Whitely stated at his hands as he spoke, unable to make eye contact with anyone whilst his voice grew shaky and eyes wet with tears. "And now..I don't have the confidence to turn myself in."

"I've killed a person," he continued. "Since he was an officer, it'll be easy for political opponents to use his death to block not just the bill, but the rose to equality itself...this problem isn't just mine anymore."

He was right. This was more complex, like it had been set up like this.

'Milverton, you bastard.'

"What are you going to do?" Albert asked.

"I can't keep living without being brought to justice." Whitely said, his voice cracking as he looked at his hands. "If possible, I would like to repay for my sin with my life."

"I see.." William spoke from beside her, a few feet away.

"..you are..?" Whitely turned his attention to the mastermind.

"Albert's younger brother, William." He introduced himself.

"Younger brother.." Adam muttered, a soft smile on his face. One of defeat. "you also have a younger brother. Mine used to talk to me when things got hard.."

(Name)'s eyes softened at that. Sibling bonds were special, she knew that. Even if she only had one for 9 years of her life, she wished each day that she could trade her life for his. She would never be able to fill the shoes he could, even if, when alive, he never thought he could. God she missed him.

"If everything you said is true, then it's clear that you were targeted by someone. That person tried to prevent equality from entering this country by driving you to madness." William spoke.

"William." She said, frowning at his choice of words. She saw herself in Adam. In a weird sort of way. She too had driven herself insane for the sake of avenging her brother. It was like looking in the mirror.

She remembered the night she came him after killing the Viscount Arden, and all his family. She remembered sitting on her bed, her university work on her desk, and falling back against the sheets, as if she had just had a tiring day at school, and hadn't killed about 10 people and exploded their family home. She remembered peeling her blood soaked clothes off, trying to forget the images of a mangled Theodore from her head whilst his father screamed and sobbed as he watched. She remembered soaking her body in warm water, staring at her reflection and seeing a blurred vision of herself, like she had changed. She remembered sitting in her bed, and picking up the book beside her that she had ripped right from William's hands, after realising it was the only one in the library. She remembered his cute little frown, almost a pout as she snagged it, rushing over to the librarian to check it out, god she couldn't even remember what book it was.

And somehow, after a few months of nightmares and paranoia and finally arrest, things returned to normal, even if her hands were permanently stained with blood. Eventually, by the time she had her debutante ball, she had learned to forget. She became so good at forgetting that she had permanently blocked out all those horrid memories, even when she killed Ashfordshire, and even when she married William. If he had never gotten himself kidnapped, she would never have remembered. She didn't know if she wanted that or not.

"Essentially, you were taken advantage of," William said. Was he thinking of Milverton too?

"Ha..I guess you could say that." Whitely chuckled nervously. "I was the one who chose to kill him...I'm sure there are other ways I could have dealt with him..."

"When the people we love are hurt, all reason disappears and we are left with a mere desire for revenge if pushed hard enough." (Name) reassured him. He looked up at her, recognising who she was.

"Regardless," he said "It's over for me."

"It's not over yet.." William whispered. "If you still wish to pay for the sin that you've committed with your life.." He held out his hand, a determined expression on his face. "I want it, that life of yours."

"It's seem's Adam's taken the apple," (Name) Said, opening the door to William's office. He was alone, as usual. "I always found it odd that the bible blamed it on Eve."

"You aren't the only one." William spoke, eye's glued to a paper on his desk. "It's very like you to make jokes like this."

"Is it now?" She chuckled, shutting the door behind them. Before they left after seeing Adam, Josephine pulled her to the side and convinced her to tell William about her recent issue. One she had still not absorbed. "I..actually came here to talk to you.."

"Mhm.." William hummed, "You always do that, come into my office or bedroom, and talk. Your younger self would be appalled. But, please tell, what is it?"

A lump formed in her throat, finding it difficult to say. Would she outright say she was pregnant, or ease into a conversation about it. She glanced at his desk, opting for the second option. Her eyes widened as she saw the book he was reading.

"I was just thinking..about that book." She pointed to it, picking it up. It was Homer's Iliad, an old copy, but relatively new in comparison to when it was originally written in Ancient Greece, before the philosophers and thinkers. "Do you remember..? Us in the library..."

William paused for a moment "oh, I do..You practically stole it out of my hands because it was the only copy at the time. What prestigious university doesn't have more than one Illiad."

(Name) smiled fondly at the memory. It was always William who remembered little things like that. One of her married friends would complain about her husband not even knowing her favourite colours, or foods..William was never that kind of man. "Oh, I'm sure some others else took out the other ones when we had our little.."

"Blatant robbery?" He raised a brow, prompting her to giggle and sit on his desk where there was space. "Sweetheart, you practically ripped it out of my hands, and very forcefully might I add. I remember being quite upset, even Albert would remember how much I complained to him. He was very familiar with you, even though you didn't meet until much later."

Her (eye colour) eyes softened at his words, placing the book back down. "Was I really mean to you..?"

"I didn't mind..it was worse when you ignored me.." He whispered, seeming quite vulnerable.

"Yes, well..a lot can change in 8 years.." she hummed, still contemplating on telling him the truth. Now would be the perfect time to do so, but..he looked so sad, like a puppy who didn't have a home.

"Mhm.." he hummed again, all the memories of them in university together merging as one.

"I mean..you'd never expect us to be married, even if it's contractual. And we have an even more complex relationship than we did back then," she spotted a smile form on his lips, deciding to keep trying to cheer him up. "And even back then when we both didn't really have many friends, but now, we have people we can trust and rely on.." (name) took his hand in hers, squeezing reassuringly.

William nodded "I suppose you're right...I just hope things change positively from now on, even if the circumstances aren't the best.."

She brought his face closer to hers, kissing him tenderly as she leaned down. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her onto his lap with a little squeal, his lips still with hers. After a few times kissing her, he had certainly gotten the hang of it, even if it was difficult to concentrate with her unbuttoning his shirt, sliding her palms against his chest.

"I thought you said you had something to talk to me about.." William breathed against her lips, pulling away slightly.

(Name) shook her head, then leaned in for another breathless kiss "It's not important right now..besides, we don't have much time, so you better be quick."

"Mm.." he laughed in between groans, his hand resting on the small of her back, his other hand caressing her thigh. "Give me five minutes..I won't take too long..I've learnt from the best after all."

"You flatter me, darling," She chuckled "But I agree..I've shaped you into quite the man, haven't I?"

"Take it all..It's all yours, my love." He offered, tugging at her dress to reveal more of her soft skin. “I lied, Angel. I’m going to need at least 15 minutes..”

"Looks like it might rain soon..."

The clouds were grey over the Houses of Parliament. People crowded around from all different walks of life. Nobles, doctors, factory workers...even killers.

"It's already time for the meeting to start..."

"Is MP Whitely even going to come..?"

"All of his family members and the officer guarding them were killed?" On man asked, taking a cigarette out of his mouth.

"Yeah..the culprit is still unknown and at large as well." Another man beside him replied. "Perhaps the actual target was the MP himself. If he shows up they might try to kill him again."

"Ah!" Heads turned to an incoming carriage, watching as Adam Whitely arrived.

"He's here!"

"Move out of the way!"

"It's the MP's carriage!"

Journalists and members of the public crowded around the carriage as the politician tries to leave the carriage, asking questions about the reason murder of his family members.

"...My dearest family," Whitely spoke, silencing the crowd. "Along with the officer guarding them, were killed...but! No matter what happens in the future, I will continue to fight for this country's equality!" He beamed, hand on his chest "That's just who I am!!!"

The people cheered, chanting his name and praising his resolve.

"The white Knight of our country, Whitely!" They cheered, whilst he smiled and waved. Before he could enter parliaments, someone, a masked stranger, charged toward him with a knife in hand, piercing through his chest. Adam Whitely fell to the ground as everyone gasped in shock.

"Wha-?"

The man tipped his hat, using a robe to fly to the top of the Houses of Parliament.

"The MP! He's been stabbed!! C-Catch that man!” Someone yelled, urging the police officers from the yard, but he was too out of reach. They couldn’t get him in time.

“Ha..” The silouhette, now amongst the grey clouds, spoke. “The MP, his family, the officer…all of them were killed by me. Everything was orchestrated by me: The Lord Of Crime..”

“T-The Lord of crime?!” They had all assumed he was just a myth.

“I’m the one who will drag London down to the depths of hell!” He yelled from the top of the building, holding his hand out dramatically. “Now, catch me if you can!”

And with that he was gone.

A/N: finally got this long ass chapter out before second year of college starts tomorrow!! I’m doing to shoot myself!! 😀😀 jk jk. Anyways yes I used the accidental pregnancy trope, yes it works with the plot. Deal with it. I can’t lie I cracked up when I was writing about fl josie and bond. When she started counting on her fingers 💀 personally don’t blame her. Also next R U mine chapter coming out soon. Bye bye!!!

#moriarty the patriot #—false lovers 💋#william james moriarty #william moriarty #william moriarty x reader #yuukoku no moriarty #mtp william #moriarty the patriot x reader #yuukoku no moriarty x reader

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scoobydoodean · 1 year ago

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SAM: What if he doesn't hulk out? I did a little homework. Uh, I've been checking out the lore on rougarous. TRAVIS: What? My 30 years of experience not good enough for you? SAM :What? No. No, I-I- I just wanted to be prepared. I mean, not that you didn't. DEAN: Sam loves research. He does. He keeps it under his mattress right next to his KY. It's a sickness. He looks over at SAM DEAN: It is. SAM: Look, everything you said checked out, of course, but uh. I found a couple of interesting stories about people who have this rougarou gene or whatever. See, they start to turn, but they never take the final step. DEAN: Really? SAM: See, if they never eat human flesh, they don't fully transform. DEAN: So what? Go vegan, stay human? SAM: Basically. Or in this case, eat a lot of raw meat, just not... DEAN: Long pig. SAM: Right. DEAN smiles a little, TRAVIS is just sitting next to him, having watched and listened to SAM about this under silence.

This is an interesting scene in 4.04 Metamorphosis to me. Sam just kind of bursts in with "Thanks for including us in this hunt you've been involved with for 30 years, but I think we should ditch your plan, Travis!" It's easy to see how an older, more experienced hunter is going to chafe at Sam assuming he knows things about the lore that Travis doesn't when Sam just learned what a rougarou is that day. The potential to create tension with Travis is normally something Sam would have assessed beforehand. He might have pulled Dean aside to talk to him about what he's found alone first so Dean is prepared to have his back in talking to Travis about giving Jack a chance. Here though, Sam gives Dean no heads up, and yet Dean instantly assesses and adapts, working to calm rising hackles by injecting humor into the conversation as Sam flounders. He quickly smooths things over for his brother, casting him as a passionate researcher, with a little teasing thrown in to remind Travis that they're all friends—they're all buddies here—no need to take offense. "We're all having a good time! Remember when we learned the term "long pig" earlier?" Dean continues the scene by easily taking Sam's side while also raising his eyebrows and nodding along with Travis's points. It ends up barely coming off like there's any tension at all because of Dean! Because Dean very effectively plays up an attitude where there are not any sides at all and he is just adjusting to everything he's learning (and so is Sam!) They're all just having an amicable discussion—nothing for Travis or Sam to get mad at each other about!

#pk rewatches spn number ?#my smart bby #4.04 #what? i read: people edition #season 4 #the flannel business

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dis0rderly-cl0wn-nerd · 4 months ago

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Crack A Smile and Cut Your Mouth

Ledger!Joker Origin Story

Chapter Four - Desert Sands

Warnings: Depiction of 9/11

Chapter Summary: The US goes to war with Afghanistan and Jack gets called for his first deployment.

Author’s Note: This one was again shorter than I wanted it to be 😔 I didn’t outline this part of the story (chapters 3-5) well enough so I’m kinda winging it here. I really really want to write the upcoming chapters but I have to actually get there in the story first lol. Also I realized that haven’t updated this fic since May so I’m gonna work extra hard to get more chapters done this month. It will be easy since I have the future chapters outlined pretty well. Anyway, as always enjoy! <3

Taglist: @alittlesmartcookie

If you would like to be added to the taglist please let me know! <3

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2 Years Later

Coming back from his usual morning PT, Jack entered the main building, sweaty and almost out of breath. He was just about to turn and go back to his quarters when soldiers gathered by the TV in the front lobby grabbed his attention. They looked concerned about something.

What’s wrong with them?

Raising an eyebrow, he walked towards the commotion curiously. As he looked up, the images he saw on the television shocked him.

“Breaking news. A plane has crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center. As of right now, 8:52 am, we have very little information on this incident. We still don’t know the cause of the crash, how many are injured, the people on the ground, etc. Updates will be made as they come.”

There were many gasps and confused murmurs among the soldiers. Soon a commanding officer came out into the lobby to restore order. He instructed everyone to get back to their respective areas, causing the soldiers to snap out of their daze and scurry out of the room at his orders.

As the morning went by, more reports came in. Another plane hit the South tower. That was when it became clear that this was no accident. The next one struck the Pentagon and lastly a plane intended to strike the capital was reclaimed by the passengers and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

Jack didn’t know what to think. The US was moved to defcon 3, which meant a state of readiness was put in place for all the military bases throughout the nation. Fort Benning was no different.

Everyone on base was shaken. Even the more experienced soldiers who’d seen the worst of combat many many times were shook. Nothing like this had ever happened before and so close to home.

Uncertainty was in the air before, but now it was brewing ten times stronger. As the days passed, war was most definitely imminent.

…

One Month Later

Running his fingers through his hair, Jack let out a frustrated groan. He dialed his home phone number and waited anxiously for an answer. Finally his mother picked up the phone.

“Hello?” Her meek voice answered.

“Mom?”

“Jack? Hi honey! How is everything?”

“Uh, good right now. But I have some news.”

He paused and took a breath. “I’m getting deployed in two weeks.”

“Oh… Where?”

Jack bit his lip. “Afghanistan.”

“Oh God.” Jacqueline barely managed to choke out.

She went quiet for a while and Jack could tell she was probably crying.

“For how long?” She finally asked.

“I don’t know. Nobody knows anything right now, Mom. It shouldn’t be more than a year though.”

“Alright. Call me before you deploy. Be strong. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mama.”

They said their goodbyes and Jack hung up. He sighed, wanting to punch a wall.

His duty called but that didn’t stop him from wanting nothing to do with this deployment. After a moment, he took a deep breath and composed himself.

This was his first deployment so he had no idea what to expect. He only had what people told him to go by. His mind was still processing the news that he was going since he was just informed this morning.

Man up, Jack. You signed up for this. It’s gonna be fine. Mom will be fine.

One of the soldiers on Jack’s squad poked his head in the room.

“Hey Napier, sergeant needs to see you.” He informed him.

“Okay. What for?” Jack asked as he walked towards the doorway.

The soldier shrugged. “I dunno. Probably more deployment stuff.”

Jack nodded and the other guy departed. He sighed and started down the hall to go see what his sergeant wanted.

…

Two Weeks Later

The hum of the aircraft’s engine buzzed in Jack’s ears as he gazed out the small window. The ocean below glimmered as the afternoon sun shone down. Jack had never flown before and even though the circumstances were bleak, he couldn’t help but admire the beauty beneath him.

Their destination was still several hours away so Jack was content to just sit and stare at the vast sea. Other soldiers were either sleeping or staring out the windows same as him. It was quiet inside the aircraft save for a few whispers here and there and the engines whirring.

Jack couldn’t help but worry about his mother. A few days ago she visited Fort Benning to see him before he deployed. She looked so distraught, like any mother knowing their son was going into combat would. She gave him so many hugs and kisses that day.

Jack thought it was a little much but he understood why she would be upset so he didn’t complain. He hugged her right back and assured her that he would be fine. After she left, his concern became more focused on her, not himself.

Ever since he left home he worried about her. But this time not only was he away from home, he was out of the country. He couldn’t be there if something happened to her or if Scott did anything. That thought gave him more anxiety than his current situation.

Several long hours later, the sun was beginning to set and the base was in sight. The aircraft landed with a jolt and everyone began piling out, awaiting instruction.

Jack stretched, relieved from sitting for so long, and took in his surroundings. The landscape was nothing but sand for miles in every direction. He looked up and not a single cloud was in the sky. The air was cooler than he expected but then he remembered deserts were cold at night. In contrast the sand felt hot against his boots. It hadn’t yet lost its heat from the sun.

The barracks in the base weren’t that bad. Certainly better than a rock in the middle of the desert. Jack knew it wouldn’t always be like this. The coming days when he would eventually be called into battle would definitely be worse.

But he couldn’t think like that. He just had to suck it up and deal with it. Worry causes things to go wrong and that’s what gets you killed. He refused to die here. No way.

Jack diverted his attention to making his bed. That would keep his mind off the coming days. Sure repressing emotions wasn’t healthy but it sure was convenient.

Once everyone settled in for the night, Jack laid on his bunk and stared at the gray ceiling. He tried to get to sleep but he just couldn’t. The worry was consuming him. He had a lot to think about. His mother, himself, what was gonna happen…

He forced himself to take a breath and slow his thoughts.

It’s going to be fine. You will be fine. You’re making it worse by worrying. Nothing good ever comes from that. Just calm down.

His mental pep talk seemed to appease his mind for a while. At last letting his anxieties drift away, he began to fall asleep. He had no idea what was ahead but at this moment it didn’t matter anymore. He wanted rest so he was getting it. And he would need it for the hellish days to come.

#ledger joker #jack napier #heath ledger #the dark knight #nolanverse #cross posted on ao3 #my writing

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danthediamondminecart · 2 months ago

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guess who couldn't hold it in

(I WONT SPAM I PROMISE 😃😃😃😭😭😭👍👍👍👍)

I just wanted to ask a teeny tiny lil question, can you give us a semi-detailed summary of how you potray the BLSMP battlers????

Like how do u wanna show them in the series, cuz i have a feeling we r potraying them VERY differently, and i wanna know how YOU think of them before i start to theorize once again >:3 (hopefully i will soon)

And also, ships. Can you ramble abt rbb ships?? U said u were gonna ramble abt some??? Im still waitin' Xd

Cuz some of them r so weird dude like WHAT 😭😭😭😭🤚🤚🤚🤚

I’ll start with the ships question first, because I feel like the second question is a hell of a loaded one. Basically, I’m not a shipper, and don’t really get it. But ship and let ship, don’t ship and let ship, as long as you’re not being an asshole about it, I won’t get upset. Hence why I haven’t made one of ‘em ‘ranking ships’ lists, because I really don’t care.

Won’t stop me from having capital-O-Opinions, though. My friends will know that TanqrCraft became a bit of a NOTP for me because of its overabundance and some poor interactions with the forefathers of the ship (2021/2022 RBB fandom was wild, guys, be glad you weren’t there), and my theory on PinkNebula feels controversial, as I've said. I am slowly working on the PinkNebula essay, but it’s not a priority, so it might not come out for a while.

As for the second question, as much as I love rambling about characterisation, I think attempting to show how I characterise all fourteen of BLSMP’s main cast (including Jimmy and Russo) would be quite difficult, especially trying to keep it short. I do have my hypothetical 'bios' for a hypothetical ref sheet, but those are as much about their backstories and set-up than it is about their personalities.

So…who’s up for a drabble under the cut? This is something that I feel like definitely happened during BLSMP, but it doesn’t fit anywhere during the story, plus you know the cast, so you don’t need a scene like this.

Perhaps I'll post this as supplemental material (like, in a separate 'work') on AO3?

“You know, Russo.” Jimmy pipes up, snapping Russo out of his thoughts. “Remind me. How many Robloxians got trapped again?”

“Twelve.” Russo answers. “How come?”

“Well, you know. I don’t know any of them, and I kinda want to know a little bit about your friends! Well, I know, BigB, but you get the gist.”

“Jim, if I attempted to explain my friends to you, we’d be here all day.” Russo chuckles a bit.

“Okay, well, why don’t we make it a game?” Jimmy suggests. “You attempt to explain your friends to me in 3 sentences or less.”

“Oh?” Russo raises an eyebrow, so Jimmy elaborates.

“Like, uh, using BigB as an example. Kind but mischievous, enjoys mucking about, cares deeply for his friends.”

“Hmm. Okay, I can do that, though I’m probably going to go over the limit. Repeatedly.” Russo takes a second to think, before starting. “We’ll go in alphabetical order:”

“AshleyTheUnicorn, RB Battles S2 finalist. Fearless, reckless, goes headfirst into battle, always encouraging her friends to be the same, BigB, we both know and love him, but he’s a little quieter around Robloxians from what it sounds like, DenisDaily, also a finalist - can charm anyone that he meets with just his smile, generally more aloof unless it’s a matter to do with someone’s wellbeing, DylanHyper, though we usually just call him Hyper - yet another finalist, prone to nervousness but also the smartest person in a room, if he's got a plan for something he'll have considered every detail, Flamingo, aka Albert, lover of chaos and breaker of rules, the type of person to kidnap people for fun, but does love his companions in his own way-"

“Slow down, what do you mean kidnap-"

“KreekCraft! Another finalist and the former victor. Jack-of-all-trades, super confident as long as you don’t question him and his determination is unmatched (even when it gets unhealthy), LeahAshe, finds it easy to make friends and teases them all, generally likes to act as both a mediator and as the cause of strife, adaptable but cowardly at times, MeganPlays, likes to know everything she can about everything and is always curious, a bit of a pessimist, and tends to hold grudges for longer than she can even remember, PinkLeaf, quiet and dislikes social situations, but with one heck of a temper so don’t anger him (we all think he’ll be the favourite to win Season 3), prefers to run away from fights both verbal and physical, iAmSanna, or just, well, Sanna, unafraid to speak her mind even with a sword pointed at her, super perceptive and spots everything, prone to intense emotions of whatever variety, Sketch, an ‘act-first-ask-questions-later’ kind of guy, likes to mess about and has a tendency to end up as a bit of a load, will look out for his team though always himself first, Finally, there’s TanqR, current reigning champion. Normally laid back and chill but has a fiery side, likes his control, likes the fact that people are intimidated by him, would rather solve his problems through punching.”

“Okay, there’s a lot you glossed over there, but I won’t bring it up.” Jimmy’s still reeling from the ‘kidnaps people for fun’ comment. “Ooh, ooh, actually, do me! You’re good at the 3-sentences thing, do me!”

“Hmm…only if you do me. SolidarityGaming, you’re, hm…prone to yelling and making mistakes, but more courageous than you first appear, and dedicated to whatever cause you choose.”

“Aww, that’s…you know, with the way that started, I really wasn’t expecting you to be nice there.” Jimmy admits, somewhat bashful. “As for you…well, you’re optimistic at all times and clearly will do whatever it takes to protect your friends, though I have to say, you’ve got some wild ideas.”

“I’m going to take that last part as a compliment.” Russo jokes, leading Jimmy to giggle.

“Well, your friends sound like a colourful bunch.”“We’ve gotten pretty good at controlling the more chaotic personalities. Uh, not perfect, but pretty good.” Russo replies.

“I certainly hope so.”

#once again let me know if i should post that drabble to AO3 lol #it was fun to pump out in 30 minutes!#its difficult to condense the literal paragraphs i could write abt each of these guys #but i did my best! esp since i was avoiding spoilery traits lol #blsmp #battle life smp #yandan answers #yandan rambles #rb battles #rbbblr #roblox battles #life series fan session #life series fan series #life series fanfic

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moistmailman · 2 years ago

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Breath of the wild AU part 2

*at hateno village*

Pyrrha: *sweating while doing yard work at her new house*

Nora, walking up: Heyo!

Pyrrha, smiling: Hello Nora. What are you doing out of your tower? The residents here claim you're a hermit.

Nora, feigning being offended: Hey, being a hermit isn't all that easy you know? A girl gotta get some fresh air every once in a while. Renny is amazing and all, but he can be hard to keep a conversation going with.

Pyrrha: Well since you're down here, do you want something to drink? Got some water.

Nora: Nah, just wanted to say hey and ask a few questions. How's your memories? Anything came back to you?

Pyrrha, scratching the back of her head: A bit of pieces here and there, but I still feel like a giant chunk of my life is missing.

Nora, smirking: Remember anything about prince boy?

Pyrrha, slightly blushly: Jaune? Y-yeah, some more stuff about him came back to me. Still kinda spotty though.

Nora: Well? Come on then. Give me the deets.

Pyrrha: Uh....I don't have any vegetables growing yet.

Nora: What? No, not beets- girl talk, Pyr-Pyr.

Pyrrha, raising an eyebrow: What's there to talk about?

Nora, smirking: Oh come on. More memories came back about Jauney, right? Don't pretend the way you feel about him didn't come back too.

Pyrrha, blushing: I don’t know what you’re implying. Jaune and I are just friends.

Nora: Who had to spend every second of the day with each other?

Pyrrha: And? We’re friends, but I also was tasked to protect him as well. So obviously I would spend a lot of time with him.

Nora: So you’re telling me you saw that relationship as strictly platonic?

Pyrrha: Obviously?

Nora: Well there are memories that you haven’t remembered yet that beg to differ. Like I remember one time after a long ass day you two were found cuddling with each other. The guard who found you two freaked out.

Pyrrha, blushing:.........

Nora, frowning: Really? No reaction? I was expecting you to claim I was at least lying about it. That’s kinda boring, not gonna lie. It’s like as if- *gasp*

Pyrrha, blushing:.........

Nora, smiling: Hold on! You already remembered that memory, didnt you?!

Pyrrha, blushing madly:........*goes back to yard work*

Nora, laughing: Oh don’t ignore me! Come on! Let’s have girl talk about it!

Pyrrha, face on fire: We probably already had girl talk about it, so why bother?

Nora: So you admit you remember!

Pyrrha: I didn’t say that!

Nora: You basically did! Now come on, let’s talk about again!

Pyrrha: So you admit we talked about this in the past already!

Nora: Obviously! It was so entertaining to make you blush that bad! And now I have the opportunity to do it all over again! So come on already!!!!

Pyrrha: We aren’t talking about this!

Nora: You said that last time, and that didn’t stop me then, won’t stop me now! Now come on!

Pyrrha: *vigorously focusing on yard work*

Nora: Admit it, you liked the way he held you, didn’t you?

Pyrrha: Look, can we just please not talk about this?

Nora: I’m pretty sure you said that last time too.

Pyrrha: *groans*

Nora: Just admit it, and I’ll stop. It’s not like you didn’t admit it last time. So what’s the big deal?

Pyrrha, face on fire:......f-fine....I-it felt...nice, okay? It made me feel like he’s protecting me for a change......

Nora:......*snorts*

Pyrrha: What?

Nora, laughing: You didn’t admit jack shit to me last time!

Pyrrha, eyes wide: WHAT?!

Nora: You were stubborn as hell last time! Kept to your guns and didn’t admit anything! Look like finally won though!

Pyrrha, covering her face: This can’t be happening! How did I fall for that?!

Nora: This is amazing! Patience has finally paid off! I’m running on an amazing high right now!

Pyrrha: Can we stop?! You won, okay!

Nora, smiling: Okay, Fine. We’re done for now. *looks around* So, nice house you got here.

Pyrrha, going back to yard work: Thanks.

Nora: Gonna take Jaune back here once you save him?

Pyrrha: Kinda have to. The castle’s not habitable at the moment, and he got no where else to stay.

Nora: How many beds you got?

Pyrrha: One currently.

Nora, smirking: Oh hoho, one you say? Trying to relive that memory in the near future?

Pyrrha, blushing: S-shuddup!

#rwby #pyrrha nikos #jaune arc #arkos #nora valkyrie #rwby au

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bonesandthebees · 1 year ago

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Okay, I’m going to start the analysis off by saying that I do really love the crime boys in this. They have such and interesting and fucked up dynamic. Their little sneaking in and being clingy was very cute. That being said, I am very glad we get another chapter where Wilbur is isolated from Tommy for the biggest chunk of it. It kinda feels like a breath of fresh air. Especially with the fight and how much Tommy pushed last chapter. And this time it’s not spend with Niki, rather, the majority of the chapter is spent with Phil which 1. SANDDUO and 2. Is very interesting for analysis because we’ve only gotten a few conversations with them and those where very interesting. And now we got basically a full chapter.

Again, the sneaking-in had me stressed, more so than any previous sneaking because of the chapter summary. Something was going to go wrong. I was just sitting there reading with “they are going to get caught” on repeat in my head. And the further they get the more stressed I got because surely they would get caught. But rest assured, Phil was just waiting for the dramatic entrance in Wilbur’s room. This literally feels like a coming-of-age movie where the teen gets caught sneaking back in. It’s like waiting in the dark in the middle of the night to flick the lights back on.

And this is where things get fun (for us, the characters are having a Time). So on the first read, it feels like Phil is starting at Wikbur because he’s either angry and trying to figure out if this was somehow his idea or trying to get why he came back by looking alone. And the second read it’s clear that he’s probably very pointedly starting at the blood on his face and trying to stay calm because there could be so many explanations, but it’s not a good sign. I wonder if Tommy noticed the blood at any point.

Then we get the question fire while Phil is taking no prisoners. It’s also very clear that he’s pinning his anger entirely on Tommy. He knows his damn kid is a trouble makers. Angry/disappointed father mode has been activated. And the questions have 3 functions though the main one is

1. Damage assessment. Figuring out what happened a a how much danger it put them in. This is mainly the [“Where did you go?”] sequence and definitely the [“Did anyone follow you back?”] sequence. Phil’s trying to figure out how fucked they are and of course, our boys are dumb enough to lie about someone seeing Wilbur which is the one actual threat they should definitely tell Phil about. But that would get them (Tommy) into more trouble and mean admitting that it was a bad idea.

2. I think Phil is also trying to estimate how aware Tommy was of the danger and how many risks he took. In a way, it would have been less bad if it was just a stupid thing he did not realising that risks, but it’s not. Tommy was fully aware of the risks and he made the conscious decision to put everyone in danger because he Thought it would be fine. It very clearly shows that he hasn’t learned shit from the Jack situation. He’s actively getting worse. And it’s so interesting to see Tommy trying to double down and defend himself. His only argument is that he knew it would be fine. He doesn’t see that that’s the issue. And he doesn’t get that Phil keeps asking about the safety measurements because Tommy broke his trust so now he can’t be trusted at all.

And then there’s 3. And this one wasn’t realise the goal, but it’s something Phil is trying to put together regardless. It’s if Wilbur is staying willingly. And Phil already knew he got a chance and didn’t take it, but it’s different from literally taking him out. And I think Phil might have realise what Tommy was trying to do. He specifically asks [“At any point in the night, did you leave him alone?”]. It’s again seeing how much risk Tommy took and raises the question of why Wilbur is here if he had an easy chance to leave (which Phil sounds the rest of the chapter trying to figure out).

Honestly, that entire conversation is just Tommy digging himself a deeper hole and I kinda hope they keep him separated from Wilbur a bit longer. Maybe that will make him realise his mistake. Either way, he finally gets some consequences, because the previous once clearly weren’t good enough. I wonder if Phil and Techno will have to start the damn night watch again because of this.

(1/?)

-🌲

spruce <33

you get me yes glass!crimeboys is so fucked up but they're very sweet at the same time. it's exactly what you said. they were literally sneaking in like mischievous children only for phil to be waiting like in teen movies when the kid walks into the living room and turns on the light and dad's just sitting in the chair with his hands folded in front of him lmao

I was so excited to write this chapter for the sandduo dynamic. I've been wanting to show them interacting more for ages now but I had to wait until they were both at a point where it felt realistic for them to have these kinds of conversations. it's all about that pacing, yknow?

actually phil didn't notice the blood immediately. at first he was staring at wilbur because he was trying to figure out if tommy had dragged him back unwillingly or something like that, but because he was staring at him so intently, he then noticed the blood and immediately zeroed in on it. tommy did not notice the blood though, because wilbur's hair was covering that part of his face for the most part. trust me, if tommy had noticed the blood he would've said something

yeah. phil knows his kid. he knows this is tommy's fault lmao. he wanted to focus on the most pressing issues first, which of course starts out with the danger assessment to see how fucked they are. while it is partly worse that tommy knew full well what the risks were and went for it anyway, in a way it's a bit of a relief for phil because at least tommy is aware of that stuff. he's just making stupid choices with that knowledge, but he knows what he's doing. that also pisses phil off more though.

as the convo went on phil fully realized what tommy was doing with wilbur. and he's not happy, but when he learns that wilbur willingly stayed, that makes him reconsider some things. which then sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, because phil wants to figure out why. why would wilbur choose to stay? what's going on in his head? he knows there's a lot more to the pythia than what meets the eye and that he's got some issues he's struggling to work through, but he doesn't really get it until this chapter. because now he has solid evidence that the pythia doesn't want to go back to the palace, so phil has reason to find out why that is.

#ask #spruce anon #through a glass divine

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mire-mire-mire · 6 days ago

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Day 4 - 11/4/24

I woke up at like 6:40 because of course I did. I thought about going back to sleep but I was like "eh, might as well walk before it gets hot". And then I walked and it was already hot.... I heard a bunch of brown-headed cowbirds which was fun because we don't get them around here too too much. They sound super cool too, like water drops. I walked a little bit further than yesterday and did end up hitting 7k steps. Yay!!!!!! It took about an hour (with various bird-related stops), burned about 300 calories, and was about 3.2 miles, aka more than a 5k!!!!!! This boosts my confidence because I was able to walk a 5k with relatively few breaks. So I think I could be able to run a 5k at some point. I should start looking at 5ks around March (about 4 months) to set a goal. That way, I have a timeline to work with. I may also download the Couch to 5K app because my step mom said it was a good resource for beginners.

When I got back, I wanted to get some yogurt, but we were out! So I made some Special K with Red Berries and added some more red berries (strawberries and raspberries). We still have like three containers of raspberries so I may make some up for lunch. I also made a cup of grapefruit and basil tea that I really liked. It tasted straight up like sugar on grapefruit, but without the sourness. Towards the end of the cup I got more earthy hints of basil. I also had the last bit of the almond coffee cake we get.

I did my workout which was pretty good for my level. It focused on my lower body. It was shorter though, about 15 minutes (without warm up or cool down). I think I have a bit better of an idea of how to do the standing knee flexions. I don't think it's the *right* way to do it, but it feels like I'm actually doing something. I pull my leg back a little further (so my thigh does end up moving) and clenching (flexing?). I enjoy doing leg workouts actually, I think it gives a good, manageable burn. Calf raises are fun (though my balance still isn't great) and side leg raises are easy. For cool down, I did two rounds of lying hamstring stretch (raise one leg straight up), lying glute stretch (pulling my knee to my chest), and standing quadriceps stretch (standing and holding my foot behind me to my butt). The hamstring stretch is my favorite because I can really feel the stretch and it feels good. I don't really feel my glutes being stretched during the glute stretch, more like the tops of my thighs, but it still feels nice. I also did two rounds of split squat stretches which is difficult because of my general lack of flexibility and balance. The demo video shows the guy taking his knee all the way down to the mat which I absolutely cannot do, so I just do my best.

I'm going to make lunch now. We're out of colby jack cheese, so I may make a sandwich with more of the chicken and American cheese. I think I'll also rinse off some carrots and raspberries for a Sweet Treat.

I'm not sure what I'll do for dinner. My grandma will be home, but I may try to cook something. Beans are always a favorite and we have some rice stuff in the pantry. I can cut up some carrots and celery to add. I'll root through my pantry and fridge and report back.

#food #goals #daily #workout

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truck-fump · 7 months ago

Text

Is It Inflation? Or Is It Greedflation?It’s a paradox. Inflation...

New Post has been published on https://robertreich.org/post/747397511991459840

Is It Inflation? Or Is It Greedflation?It’s a paradox. Inflation...

youtube

Is It Inflation? Or Is It Greedflation?

It’s a paradox. Inflation is dropping but prices aren’t coming down. How can this be?

Because corporations have enough monopoly power to keep them high.

Here’s just one example that will make you fizz: Pepsi.

In 2021, PepsiCo, which makes all sorts of drinks and snacks, announced it was forced to raise prices due to “higher costs.” Forced? Really? The company reported $11 billion in profit that year.

In 2023 PepsiCo’s chief financial officer said that even though inflation was dropping, its prices would not. Pepsi hiked its prices by double digits and announced plans to keep them high in 2024.

How can they get away with this?

Well, if Pepsi were challenged by tougher competition, consumers would just buy something cheaper. But PepsiCo’s only major soda competitor is Coca-Cola, which – surprise, surprise – announced similar price hikes at about the same time as Pepsi, and also kept its prices high in 2023. The CEO of Coca-Cola claimed that the company had “earned the right” to push price hikes because its sodas are popular. Popular? The only thing that’s popular these days seems to be corporate price gouging.

We’re seeing this pattern across much of the economy — especially with groceries. Inflation is down. You see, the rate of inflation measures how quickly prices are rising. Prices are now rising far more slowly than in the past couple of years. And while supply chain disruptions really did make it more expensive to produce a lot of goods, the cost to produce them now is rising even more slowly than prices.

But consumer prices are still up, allowing most corporations to keep their profit margins near a 10-year high.

They can get away with overcharging you because they have monopoly power — or so few competitors they can easily coordinate price increases.

If Pepsi and Coca-Cola had lots of competitors, they wouldn’t be able to raise prices so high because someone would make cheaper substitutes, and consumers would buy those instead. But Pepsi and Coke own most of the substitutes!

This isn’t just happening with Coke and Pepsi. Take meat products. At the end of 2023, Americans were paying at least 30% more for beef, pork, and poultry products than they were in 2020.

Why? Near-monopoly power! Just four companies now control processing of 80 percent of beef, nearly 70 percent of pork, and almost 60 percent of poultry. So of course, it’s easy for them to coordinate price increases.

And this goes well beyond the grocery store. In 75 percent of U.S. industries, fewer companies now control more of their markets than they did twenty years ago.

So what can we do?

Well, it’s largely flown under the media radar, but the Biden administration is taking on this monopolization with the aggressive use of antitrust laws.

It’s taken action against alleged price fixing in the meat industry — which has been a problem for decades.

It’s suing Amazon for using its dominance to artificially jack up prices — one of the biggest anti-monopoly lawsuits in a generation.

It successfully sued to block the merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, which would have made consolidation in the airline industry even worse.

But given how concentrated American industry has become, there’s still a long way to go. Inflation is down. But many people don’t feel it because prices are still high, and in some cases are still rising because of continued price gouging.

This is where you have more power than you might think.

You might not be able to break up big corporations, but you can keep up the pressure on our government to fight corporate monopoly power.

And help spread the truth by sharing this video.

#Uncategorized

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kandyshoppe · 5 months ago

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I feel either Vargas or Trein would ask to have a simple lesson on humans since A) you’re here and they should know some saftey basics and B) he’s behind in grading and could use some help distracting the boys while he finishes that…

Vil asks how your shedding season is, and is surprised when he finds out humans don’t really shed. More so just lose hair here and there or when they get older they can go BALD! Gasps, and starts looking up ways to help you not go bald

Epel asks what are some signs of manliness, and is AMAZED that different cultures have different views, and that you view manliness as kindness or something, not just muscles.

Cater asks about styles in your world, and is excited about how MANY styles and options there seems to be and how while some are more popular, none are viewed as the “right” one. Wants to go shopping in your world.

Deuce asks what courting rituals you have, with a BRIGHT blush, and when you tell him you don’t have any, EVERY BOY groans cause now they’re gonna have to actually talk about their feelings!?! Gross. But they perk up a bit when you explain that common love languages. Gift giving, words of affirmation, physical contact, and quality time are easy to do!

Kalim asks about parties, and making friends! Is excited that you also had parties, but get frustrated when you say love languages also worm with friends. How does that even work?

Ortho asks about family units, and thinks it’s cool how families can look so different from eachother! Two parents and lots of kids, two people in love, one parent and kids, even a single person and their friends! He views you as family and is excited if you view him as family too.

Riddle asks about the more medical aspects, such as proper temperature you should be at, and signs of sickness. It’s much the same with most hybrids he realizes, flushed or paler, tired, and just an off feeling. He makes sure to keep note of your behavior just in case now

Floyd asks if humans can swim, and when he finds out yes, he gets so excited to take you to the pool! But when he finds out you have to learn, and it’s not an instinct he gets a bit upset, cause learning is boring!

Ace asks if all humans are as « annoying » as you, always poking your nose into other peoples business and trying to help. He’s surprised that nope, many humans actually keep to themselves, but others are like you.

Malleus asks if all humans are as fearless and brave as you, side eyeing Ace for being rude, and you again explain humans are not all the same, some are braver than you, some or more afraid.

Jack asks how hybrids are in your home, and everyone gets a bit upset when you say hybrids don’t exist where you’re from. No faes,no merpeople, no beastmen, no hybrids, and no magic. Sounds sad and boring.

Sebek asks about human hierarchy, he has a bit of knowledge about humans already,p from his father, but none about groups of humans. When you explain that hierarchy isn’t just strongest, but smartest or even richest usually, he gets upset cause it sounds difficult to actually raise yourself in the human hierarchy. He is interested in the idea of “popularity” though.

Ruggie asks about money,and when you answer some areas are more poor than others he gets sad. He probably thought your world would have been better than here. Is happy to hear about how many people are trying to make life better for those who live in areas that struggle though!

Rook probably asks how you fly, and Idia is so excited about the idea of flying machines! Airplanes sound so cool! Probably has much more exaggerated idea than they are, but he’s excited.

Azul asks what foods you can’t eat, and when you say you can eat most of what they eat you just cook it, he gets excited and starts writing ideas for « human recipes » to add to the menus

Trey asks about recipes and cooking, and you share a few favorite foods. Later he invites you to come cook some with him. Azul is also writing all of what you had said and is trying to perfect the recipes before he invites you over.

Jamil asks about human hobbies, and is surprised you basically have all the same type of hobbies. He expected without magic you would have different kinds, but apparently you just do them all a bit differently.

Leona asks about sports, since you’ve never heard of spelldrive but had heard of basketball. The amount of sports you have makes his head spin a bit.

Jade asks about the terrain, and is so amazed at the idea of Mt Everest, and how many mountain ranges there seems to be! Not to mention the fields, the forests, the deserts! He wants to explore them all!

Lilia asks about history, and gets sad hearing about how many wars there have been, and how many are still going on.

Silver asks if you’re happy here, and smiles when you say yes.

The bell rings, and most of the boys follow you, continuing to ask questions, and poor Vargas realizes he got to entranced with your lecture he hadn’t graded any papers. Trein would have finished though, but let you continue since everyone was so interested.

So, since in the hybrid au humans are a bit rare, I feel like misinformation of humans is easy so like…picture the boys being so confused! Like!

Jade thinks ALL mushrooms hurt you, not just some, so if you try to eat a mushroom dish he all but dives across the table to snatch the plate from you!

All aquatic boys think you will sink like a stone, and are afraid of you even taking baths unaccompanied!

Humans are the only animal with the capability to throw things with strength and accuracy, which I feel the boys never knew, so when you toss a paper wad into the trash, everyone goes nuts! That is if none of the dog boys instinctively chase it…

Humans eye sight and hearing are quite weak, not to mention their sense of smell, but humans are great at smelling specific scents. Mainly the smell of fresh earth/the rain and rotting. So picture poor reader entering into the kitchen and immediately recoiling at the smell of dampness and meat, or even funnier if they bring an umbrella on a bright sunny day while everyone laughs at them until it’s pouring rain and reader is nice and dry.

Speaking of hearing, tiny ears means bad hearing so everyone thinks they need to yell for you to hear them, and your ears are ringing at the end of the day.

Since human teeth are more so designed for veggies, I feel many would expect you to be a herbivore. So the first time you eat meat, or something they don’t expect at the very best, they’re just so scared you’re gonna get sick!

All teachers hovering over reader during classes because « small tiny baby, must protect »

Thats pretty funny and interesting, I wonder if one of the teachers ends up asking you to teach the class about humans. It could be funny; they get to ask all their silly questions and learn actual facts.

It's nice till one of them asks if you're into beast guys or about your junk.

#twisted wonderland #twst #ask #reblogaroo

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why4anne · 2 years ago

Text

Hockey at home

Pairing: Jack Hughes x reader

Word count: 1.4K

Category: Fluff

Summary: You do the hockey at home interview with The Hughes family.

Warnings: Brotherly banter

Requested?: Yes/No

Note: Hi guys! This is based on the hockey at home interview the Hughes family did for Mother’s Day during lockdown. I know I said it wouldn’t be out in a couple of days but I wanted to give it to you guys as soon as possible because of all the activity and love I received on my last one-shot. I hope you enjoy it!

Masterlist

You were sat in the living room together with the entire Hughes family as you waited for David Amber to connect to the zoom call. You were mindlessly playing with Jack’s hand while squirming nervously. This was the first time you were doing an official interview as Jack’s girlfriend. Sure, after a year of dating you had been in the background of a couple of clips here and there but never like this and it made you nervous. Jack, being the amazing boyfriend that he is, noticed your nerves and tried to soothe you to the best of his abilities. His thumb tracing the back of your hand while he tried to sit as close to you as possible.

“It’s going to be fine.” He whispered softly in your ear. The words being drowned out by the chatter of his family but you heard them clear as day.

“What if I say something wrong? I’m not even a part of the family, should I even be here?” You asked anxiously while desperately trying to see if you looked alright in the viewfinder of the computer.

“Hey! Look at me. You look absolutely breathtaking as always. You are just as much a part of my family as anyone in this room and I know that you will do amazingly.” He said while he looked at you with adoring eyes, almost like a puppy.

“Do you really think so?” You asked for confirmation.

“I know so, baby.” His words finally put a smile on your lips as your nerves subsided a bit.

“I love you, Jack.” You smiled at him.

“I love you too, Y/n” He smiled back.

“You two are absolutely disgusting, you know that right?” Luke asked the two of you with a look of disgust on his face.

“Yeah, I think I just got like three cavities from just listening to that conversation.” Quinn agreed with the youngest Hughes.

“Just because you two can’t get girlfriends doesn't mean you have to dig at me for loving mine.” Jack shot back.

“We wouldn’t dig at you guys if you weren't verbally making out right in front of us.” Luke said.

“Alright, enough! Quinn, Luke stop making fun of your brother. The interview is about to start.” Ellen took control of the situation. She was one of your biggest role models. Raising three rowdy hockey boys couldn’t have been easy. They were difficult enough right now as young adults. You could only imagine how difficult they were as kids.

As soon as the clock turned 11 am the zoom call started.

“Welcome back to hockey at home and one of the great hockey families joins us now in Michigan, it’s the Hughes family. Jack, Quinn, younger brother Luke as well as Jim, Ellen and Jack's girlfriend Y/n. And happy mothers day to you Ellen.” David started the interview.

“Thank you David and thank you for having us.” Ellen answered him politely.

“The pleasure is all mine. Now shall we get into the questions?” He asked.

“Sure!” Everyone agreed. After several generic hockey related questions, the questions started to get more personal.

“Who would you say is the biggest momma’s boy of your three sons?” David asked. Everyone started smiling at that question.

“Oh, if I answer this I'm in trouble. So I would say it depends on the situation.” Ellen tried to speak around the question.

“No, just answer the question. Rapid fire, just answer it” Jack smiled from beside you. The sound of his voice made the smile on your lips grow even bigger.

“Yeah, just answer the question.” Quinn agreed with his brother.

“Jack” Jim piped up from behind you.

“Jack” Luke also answered.” You shook your head slightly as you smiled. It was true though. When Jack is tired he becomes extremely clingy in the best way possible. He wants hugs, kisses, cuddles, the whole lot and you were always right there to give them to him.

“I would say Quinn. I mean if Quinn is sick forget about it. Like if Quinn has a little itty bitty cold or a rash or anything it’s game over. So I'm gonna go with Quinn.” Ellen answered.

“Yeah, because now Jack just clings to Y/n instead of mom.” Quinn defended himself.

“I do not.” Jack disagreed.

“Yes you do. We literally found you sleeping on her chest on the couch like an hour ago.” Luke teased.

“Y/n is this true?” David asked you for confirmation.

“I guess. I mean I don't really know how much of a momma's boy Jack was before we met but from how clingy he is with me it wouldn’t surprise me.” You smiled timidly and you hoped that it was a good answer to the question.

“C’mon, you were supposed to defend me.” Jack whined as he threw his head back. He was still smiling though so you knew he wasn’t upset.

“Sorry babe.” You apologized half heartedly as you kissed his cheek. You could hear the gagging sounds Quinn and Luke made but you couldn’t care less. After spending lockdown with them they had become like your own brothers and you were more than used to their teasing by now.

“Alright, moving on. First to get married in your prediction?”

“Luke.” Ellen answered quickly. Everyone started to laugh as Luke got bashful. “No but I honestly think and hope it will be Jack and Y/n.”

“Yeah probably.” Jim agreed with his wife. They had both seen just how in love their middle son was with you and how much happier he was now compared to before he met you so to them, and everyone else in the family, the answer was clear as day. Jack smiled at you and you smiled right back at him. This felt like truly getting his family's approval and you felt honored. The fact that his parents trusted you enough with their son's heart to wish you would marry him in the future meant the world to you.

“That is if one of these two don't decide to throw a curveball at us.” Jim pointed between Quinn and Luke as everyone started laughing once more.

“Who is the fastest skater?” The interviewer asked after your laughter settled down.

“Definitely not me.” You answered immediately and everyone chuckled once more. “I mean I can skate fine without falling but compared to three NHL players, one former NCAA player and a former world championship player I look like Bambi on ice.”

“That’s not true, babe. I actually think she skates at a skill level above the average person.” Jack declared in an attempt to hype you up. He always did that when you said something bad about yourself, even if it was only as a joke and his brothers were always quick to call him out.

“Simp!” The two other brothers said in unison.

“Who would be the first to call you after a game?” You were thankful for the interviewer asking the question. Effectively shutting the three brothers up before they would start arguing.

“Quinn” Both Jim and Ellen agreed on.

“The last is Jack.” Ellen added with a smile.

“We won’t hear from Jack for days.” Jim teased his son.

“He’s busy being all mushy with Y/n.” Luke piped up.

“Seriously guys, again? What is this? Bullying Jack day or something?” Jack complained playfully as he shook his head.

The rest of the interview went well. With Quinn getting the last word to thank his mother on behalf of the boys.

“You did so good, baby.” Jack cooed at you in an admiring voice after the interview was over.

“Thank you, Jacky.” You said back as you leaned in for a kiss. As you closed your eyes and got lost in the kiss you heard kissing sounds behind you. Both you and Jack broke apart and turned to see both of his brothers mocking you guys.

“Oh my god, seriously, guys stop it!” Jack said, slightly irritated. The two boys started laughing as they walked away from the living room. Claiming it was because you guys made them sick.

“Now where were we?” Jack asked as he turned to you.

“I don’t know. I think you will have to remind me.” You challenged.

“That won’t be a problem.” The moment he finished his sentence his lips were back on yours. Overall I think it is safe to say that your first interview went well.

#jack hughes imagine #jack hughes x reader #Jack Hughes fanfic #jack hughes fic #Quinn Hughes #Luke Hughes #nhl fic #nhl writing #nhl #hockey #Why4anne #Why4anne fanfic #hockey fanfiction #hockey fic #Hughes #Hughes brothers #Hughes fanfic

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yellowbluemoonshine · 3 years ago

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Vanitas & Misha Analysis;

One of the thing i love in Vnc is the parallels between characters. I love how Misha is the opposite of Vanitas when it comes to way they deal their trauma and of course, it will be different cause their trauma is really different.

Misha is the cheerfull, optimistic type. He smiles, even in worst situtions. He easiely attachted to people to the point he will easiely trust strangers and be manipulated by them (teacher).

Vanitas is the cold, pessimistic type. He always put distant between himself and others to the point he will call Noe as stranger even after everything they had been through together.

Misha presents himself as cute, fragile, defendless little child. Most likely because 1- he was raised as prostitute so he was raised to act as cute 2- he wants people to like him, if he be adroable enough, he thinks people will like him 3- he doesnt want other people to hurt him. Acting defendless child will at least work on some people so they will pity him and wont hurt him. (Though, he is still a child).

Unlike Misha, Vanitas is more pridefull type so he will always present himself as cool, independent and strong, even when he needs help. Misha wants people to take care of him, he is too independent and he is a child so he is honest with himself. For little affection, he would do anything while there is nothing Vanitas would hate more than being pitied.

If Misha is always honest about his feelings and say whatever it is in his mind, Vanitas always hide it. Misha is very simple, he simply likes warm things and hates pain while Vanitas is always complicated.

How ironic that we still doesnt get Vanitas’s full story even though he is main character but the moment Misha come, he throw his backstory to the audience. Its also interesting that Misha’s desire is a lot look like typical protagonist’s desire than Vanitas’s while he is the antagonist.

Vanitas is obsessed with revenge, he will ignore his all relationships for the sake of it. Misha is opposite, he said he wont forgive his brother but he still cant even properly get his revenge cause he still love is brother. His relationships is far more important for him than anything. He is obssesed with his relationship to do point he will do anything for it.

Even their purpose is opposite. Misha wants to rewrite Luna’s existence while Vanitas wants to erase every single part of it.

Misha’s unable to let go of Luna is similar to Jack (From Pandora Hearts). They both couldnt let go of their loved ones and they try to bring them back to the life. They both became prostitute, they both didnt have father figures, they had unhealthy relationships with their mother etc etc. They are similar characters. But here’s the difference; Misha is child when all of those things happen while Jack is an adult.

Jack had friends and he could move on but rejects it until the end while Misha cant. Because he doesnt have friends. He doesnt have a family to return. Vanitas says ‘I cant come with you’ but he also doesnt say ‘You can come with me’. He is rejecting to be Misha’s family in a way and Misha knows it.

Unlike Jack, Misha is also capable of opening his hearth to the others so there is hope for him. His interaction with Domi is proof of it. ‘I love kind people’.

And we still not fully know Vanitas’s story but he is character who always lives with grief. For Misha, this was the first time he actually had family so its first time he is dealing with grief while Vanitas had family at some point before Misha and Luna.

First mother’s death, later father’s death, then Luna’s and Misha’s. He thought Misha was dead. Because of all this grief, he hates himself cause he blames himself for all of it.

This is why when No 71 was mentioned, Vanitas looked broken.

I think, for Vanitas, Misha is like shackles, something that holding him back cause he is not responsible for him but he feels he is. Misha symbolise everything Vanitas wants to escape and he doesnt want to face and by not facing with past, Vanitas knows he is leaving Misha behind and thats mostly likely why he looks so broken whenever he thinks Misha ad his pain. He feels guilty. Though, i do believe that they both like each others as siblings but it became painfull for both of them.

Vanitas’s biggest fear is loosing someone he loves cause of himself while Misha’s biggest fear is being alone forever.

Their relationship is also similar to Gilbert and Vincent from Pandora Hearths so most likely, they will face with each others again and hopefuly solve the conflict. Because chapter 55.5 wasnt enough.

I think Misha will eventually understand what Vanitas means. ‘Deads wont come back’, ‘It will not be the same’. Misha mostly likely will experience with hard way and he wil realize that this is not the same warmth he felt and he will need help.

We dont know why Vanitas is so desperately try to erase all ot if (i think there is more to do than what Vanitas says to Misha in chapter 55.5) but i think at some point, he might give up on this. Instead of constantly dealing with revenge and guilty or erasing to past, he might decided to face with it. So he will face with Mikhail properly. He will accept that he was trying to run away from Misha all this time and hopefully stop doing it.

I think its really important for both of them. This is how they resolve the conflict between them and heal from their trauma. This is something they both needs to do, i think. Well, we will see. I love them, especially Misha.

#vnc #vnc meta #vnc analysis #vnc parallels #vanitas no carte #vanitas #misha #mikhail #crossover meta #CrossOver #pandora hearts #jack #gilbert #vincent #tw abuse #trauma #trauma siblings #vnc theory

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storiesforallfandoms · 4 years ago

Text

oh captain ~ jack sparrow;pirates of the caribbean

word count: 2488

request?: yes!

“Can you do a Captain Jack Sparrow smut where the reader has a kink of calling Jack her captain”

description: in which she loves to call him her captain, even in the most intimate of situations

pairing: jack sparrow x female!reader

warnings: swearing, smut

masterlist

It all started as a joke.

I came aboard the Black Pearl in search of my sister, Elizabeth Swann, and her secret lover, Will Turner. It was no secret that they were travelling with notorious Captain Jack Sparrow and, although my parents did not exactly like Will Turner, they had sent me as a way to tell Elizabeth that they were giving her their blessing to marry Will.

Of course, the moment I - a single, young maiden that had often been described as “beautiful” by my suitors - stepped on to the ship, the captain himself couldn’t keep his eyes off of me. There was many a moment in which Elizabeth had to actually tell Jack that he was being too forward or too crass with me. I liked to play along with his games as well and would tease him back. My favorite way of teasing him was to call him “Captain” in a sarcastic manner.

The first time I said it was in response to Jack’s very bossy tone as he told Elizabeth and I to do something. “Oh, of course, Captain.”

I could see a fire light in his eyes even then as he looked at me. “What did you say?”

“Well, you insist that we on the boat here refer to you as your supposed title,” I had told him. “I was just saying it. I thought you would like that.”

“The way you said it,” he pointed out. “It wasn’t very...crewman like.”

“Oh, my apologies, Captain.”

The fire ignited in his eyes again, but he decided to leave it be this time and to go on to yell commands at his other crewmates.

That’s how it all started. It was just a joke, a way to poke fun at Jack without being too harsh. I used the nickname almost every time I saw him, and almost every time I could see a look on his face that was hard to understand.

That was, until I found myself bent over his desk moaning the original teasing nickname repeatedly.

I never expected to find myself falling for Captain Jack Sparrow. Elizabeth had told me many a story about his attempts at courting beautiful maidens, including herself despite her love for Will. The stories led me to believing that Jack was just a man who wanted to use then leave a woman. I wrote him off as nothing more than a scoundrel, a pirate captain. Oh, what a fool I was.

No one on the ship knew of our love affair, especially not Elizabeth. I loved my sister dearly and I knew she would never judge me for who I had fallen in love with, however I also knew she couldn’t keep a secret from our parents for the life of her, and the last thing I needed was to break my parents hearts by telling them that their youngest daughter had fallen in love with a pirate.

That’s why I continued to use the teasing nickname in such fashion in front of my sister, but every time I used it, I could see that spark of desire in Jack’s eyes.

There was one day that we were on course for some sort of treasure that Jack was dying to find.

“It’s been lost for hundreds of years,” he was explaining to Will. Elizabeth and I were trying to help some of the crewmen and overheard the conversation that both men were refusing to tell us. “Wealth and riches beyond your wildest dreams. You could buy over Elizabeth’s parents with that sort of money.”

“I don’t think anything could buy over Elizabeth’s parents at this rate,” Will joked. ��But do you really believe it to be truth? I’ve heard it’s nothing but a - ”

“A pirate’s tale,” Jack finished. “A way to lead pirates to their deaths? I’ve heard those stories, too. But there’s only one way to find out.”

“Mad man is going to get us killed,” Elizabeth whispered to me. “He only cares for the riches he may get, he doesn’t think of the countless lives he’s risking.”

“Of course he doesn’t,” I responded. “Anything that will shower him in gold and recognition is his top priority.”

“What are you two talking about down there?” Jack called from his perch at the steering wheel.

Elizabeth and I shared a teasing glance before Elizabeth responded, “Just about how smart you are, my dear captain! This journey can only go right!”

Jack raised an eyebrow at the obvious sarcasm in Elizabeth’s voice before his eyes landed on me.

“We were discussing how much recognition you will get once you find this totally real treasure you’re looking for,” I said. I paused a moment before giving Jack a brief smirk as I added, “Captain.”

He shuffled a little, trying to make his lust seem like he was just annoyed with me and Elizabeth. I couldn’t help but smirk triumphantly at him before turning back to Elizabeth, who was also giggling.

“You both doubt me,” he finally said after a long stretch of silence, “but I’ll show you both, and this whole boat, that I am right and this treasure is real.”

He came down from his perch and walked into the room that was designated as “his office”, his eyes meeting mine for a split moment. “I’m going to study the map for some time, please do not disturb me.”

What he really meant was, No one else come disturb me, I will be fucking (Y/N)’s brains out.

I felt myself becoming tingly between my legs, a regular sensation that Jack was able to get out of me. I tried to keep a light look on my face, but it was hard to do so when all I wanted was to follow him into that room.

“You two should be kinder to him,” Will said, although he, too, was laughing. “He’s been kind enough to let us travel with him.”

“After trying to get under mine and (Y/N)’s skirts for a few months,” Elizabeth added. “He knows that we like him and that we are grateful for him. It’s just so easy to tease him sometimes.”

Tell me about it, I thought to myself.

“Maybe we should leave the captain alone to his mapping for a while,” Will said, wrapping an arm around Elizabeth’s waist. It was his only silent way of asking Elizabeth for what Jack was trying to get from me.

“Perhaps we should,” she responded and gave her husband to be a light kiss on his lips.

The two left without another word to me, which was alright by me. It meant that I didn’t have to make up an excuse as to why I was “disturbing” Jack when he asked me not to.

Once I was sure they were too busy with one another to notice me, I turned and raced for the door. I hastily did mine and Jack’s secret knock before shoving the door open. I was shocked to see that the room before me was empty - the desk where Jack usually sat waiting for me was empty, and there was almost no sight of him at all.

Before I could even consider why this had happened, the door slammed behind me and I felt someone take hold of my throat and shove me against the closed door. Jack’s lips met mine and I felt the familiar explosive feeling I had whenever we kissed. His hands were already roughly pulling at my skirt, trying to pull it up around my hips.

“Someone is impatient,” I breathed against his lips. “You told everyone not to disturb you, remember? You don’t have to be so fast and so rough.”

“But if I take you quickly once, I can take you again before anyone notices that we’re even gone.”

His dirty words ignited a fire in me. I giggled as he picked me up in his arms and laid me down on his desk. The poor thing had seen more of our action than any actual work that Jack had ever done. I was surprised that it was still standing after all this time.

I took hold of the back of Jack’s neck and pulled him in for another kiss. Our lips moved so perfectly with one another as his hands trailed up my bare legs, his cold rings leaving shivers where they trailed. I pulled at his pants, trying desperately to get them off. He chuckled against my lips, the vibrations running through my entire body.

“Who is the impatient one now?” he asked.

“Not like the great Captain to leave a girl waiting in her desire,” I teased, hoping the nickname would be used to my advantage.

Lucky for me, I knew that was the one thing that could break Jack. He roughly pulled at the strings around the back of my dress, causing it to loosen and fall off my body completely. Once my dress was a heap on the floor, Jack pushed me onto the desk so I was laying on my back. I watched as he undid his pants and pulled them down just far enough for his hard member to pop free. Just seeing how hard he was from the little amount of teasing we had been doing was enough to make me start dripping in anticipation.

I gasped as I felt him pushing himself into me. No matter how many times we had sex, I still continued to be shocked by how big he was. He made my eyes roll into the back of my head just by filling me with his hard cock.

His hand found my hair and he roughly pulled me up so my body was pressed against his. “What’s my name, love?”

“Captain,” I breathed, dying to move my hips against his to get some sort of friction between us. But I knew that would only result in him punishing me for being naughty.

My response earned me a few slow thrusts. I bit my lip as to not moan too loud, but it was hard to keep quiet during one of our rendezvous. They were often few and far between, leaving the two of us very pent up and needing of release when the time came.

“Say it again for me my pet,” he purred.

“Captain,” I moaned, wrapping my legs around his waist to pull him as closely as I could. “Oh, Captain.”

The grip he had on my hair tightened as he began to thrust into me more, now going at a quicker and more steady pace. I pressed my lips to his to try and muffle my moans, which were now starting to become loud enough for anyone who would be passing by to hear.

I moaned out the name a few more times, which led to me being laid back over the desk yet again with Jack leaning over me, his thrusts so rough now that the desk was being moved. I arched my back against him, trying to get him as far into me as he could go. One of his hands was gripping my thigh while the other was wrapped around my throat, pressing slightly against the sides every now and then, and causing me to feel lightheaded.

Jack was always able to hit a spot in me that made my brain turn to mush and my eyes roll back into my head. I could barley think straight when he was pounding that spot relentlessly inside of me, especially at that moment when the only thing I could feel was waves of pleasure rippling through my body.

I managed to pull my thoughts together enough to utter out a sentence, “I’m so close, Captain.”

“Let me feel you come undone around me, my pet,” he said. I could feel him twitching inside of me, indicating that he was close to finishing himself.

My fingers curled into the desk as I felt myself hitting my climax. My entire body seemed to curl in some way as I felt myself contracting around Jack. His hands slipped under my arched back, pulling my body up to press against him as he did his final thrusts and finished inside of me.

The aftermath of our love making rarely lasted long in fear of being caught. Jack held me for a short amount of time, kissing the top of my head and whispering sweet nothings into my ear, before he finally had to pull away from me and begin to redress himself. I pulled my dress back up.

“You mind tying me back up?” I asked him, turning around to present my still bare back to him.

He laced the strings through their proper holes and tied it tight enough that it would stay up, but not too tight to cause discomfort.

“Do you really think you’ll find that treasure you’re on route for?” I asked him once he was finished. “Do you think it’s real?”

“I choose to believe every treasure is real until proven otherwise,” he responded. “I know everyone on the ship thinks that I’m leading us to our deaths, but I truly believe there is something waiting for us at our destination.”

“Well, if you believe it then I believe you,” I said. “What do you plan on doing with your riches once you get them?”

“I’ll share them amongst the crew,” he started. “There’s supposedly enough to keep a dozen men from having to work for the rest of their lives, and I have just a little over a dozen men on this ship. What I keep for myself I’m going to use to get a better ship. The old Black Pearl is starting to see her end I’m afraid. And, with whatever is left, I intend to buy you a rock so big and so stunning that any royal woman would be jealous of it.”

He lifted my hand to his lips and gave my knuckles a soft kiss.

“You intend to marry me?” I asked him.

“Of course I do. Why do you seem shocked to hear that?”

I chuckled. “Well, the stories I’ve heard about the great Captain Jack Sparrow, none of them made it sound like he would ever settle down with a woman.”

Jack smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist, looking lovingly into my eyes. I could get lost staring into those beautiful eyes of his.

“A man must know when the right woman has come along,” he told me. “Especially a pirate. And the moment you stepped foot on my ship, I knew you were the right woman.”

“You sweet talker,” I said before pressing my lips to his. “When you do get me that ring, just know that I will say yes.”

“Of course, my love. And I cannot wait to have you to sail the seas with for the rest of my life.”

#jack sparrow #jack sparrow imagine #jack sparrow smut #jack sparrow x reader #captain jack sparrow #johnny depp #johnny depp imagine #johnny depp smut #johnny depp x imagine #imagine #one shot #smut #request #fanfiction #fanfic #fandom

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starryknightwrites · 2 years ago

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I actually agree with you. If you'll notice, I said "Between Chloe defenders' unwillingness to give her any responsibility for her actions and the writers' determination to ruin her completely, I can't choose a side."

Disclaimer: I know not all Chloe fans are disillusioned to the point of blaming the class and Marinette for her actions or acting as if they are in some way culpable for not doing enough for her. But I've seen this opinion floating around in multiple places lately, thought it was ludicrous and it irked me so I wrote a post about it. Even with Marinette's advice, that does not even make up 1 percent of the blame for Chloe's behavior and trauma. The damage had already been done.

It is 99% down to the adults in her life AND Chloe to change. I know it's not easy to change. It often takes time, hard lessons and different experiences. I have negative personality traits due to the way I was raised as well, but when it came down to it, I had to take responsibility for them and work to better myself. I learned that through trial, error and epiphany. I could depend on no one else to do that for me. I learned that others should not be expected to pain themselves by accommodating poor treatment from me due to my trauma. That's not healing. It's a cycle of trauma and I don't blame them for not always having the best reactions either. They weren't my therapists. They were people too with their own hangups and issues just trying to figure things out. How could I expect angelic behavior from them with all of their intricacies while I'm acting like a bat out of hell? It would be narcissistic of me.

It was this idea that Chloe should be coddled by children her age or that they should be held accountable for her worsening in particular that I took issue with. I am not defending the writers' choices for Chloe from Season 4 on at all. In fact, I'm just as irked by them, but I'm keeping from writing about that in detail until I actually see the episodes (I haven't fully read the leaks, but it's pretty bad from what I've seen).

While I've never been a Chloe stan or even felt that the writers owed her a full redemption arc (I was alright with her being a Captain Jack Sparrow like character. Always teetering back and forth), I am completely aware that they have had a vendetta against her and her fans since Season 4. I wasn't even engaged in the fandom when I saw Queen Banana and it was still obvious to me that something went very awry in the writer's room. So I too don't have a lot of hope that Chloe's fall will actually mean anything. As I said in the original post, the leaks seem more vengeful than anything. And Andre's behavior is appalling. Unlike the class, he is an adult man who is responsible for Chloe as her father and someone who enabled her and demonstrated to her time and time again that abuse of power is okay.

The writing feels like a salt fic. I'm not on board with it. I'm just also not on board with the opposite side of spectrum and the blame game. If the writers are being vengeful- and they likely are- I really wish Chloe's issues had been dealt with properly with her learning through trial and error and having an epiphany (maybe through losing Sabrina or bonding with Zoe against Audrey). Or even just remaining mostly static with the odd realization here and there (which is probably most realistic). What it looks like they're doing is actually pretty vile.

It is not the victims' responsibility to save their bully.

(Miraculous Season 5 Spoilers be here)

I don't know who all needs to hear this, but I've been seeing some... takes... around the ml fandom. Between Chloe defenders' unwillingness to give her any responsibility for her actions and the writers' determination to ruin her completely, I can't choose a side.

It's not Chloe's 14-year-old classmates' duty to save and bend over backwards for her anymore than it's Audrey's 14-year-old daughter's duty to save and bend over backwards for her. Her classmates are kids with no experience dealing with abusive parents or who can barely sort out their own home problems. Not trained therapists who must know exactly what to do to make it through to Chloe. They're also kids who suffer from Chloe's cruelty all the time and are understandably hesitant to get in her face constantly touting self improvement methods. How counterintuitive to human behavior would that be? Twice bitten (or in this case 100+ times bitten), twice shy.

I'm sure Audrey has some trauma/valid reasons for being a jerk too, but no one is suggesting that Chloe spread herself super thin in the face of her assholery so that she can just CHANGE her.

Chloe's classmates have been nice and open to her, given her chances, gone to her party and tried to include her in group events. They often only lash out at Chloe when she lashes out at them (if that), which is constantly. Marinette went out of her way to get her back in school and made an attempt to get her mother to open up to her. A misguided attempt, but AGAIN, Marinette is a child. She is not a therapist and she was meeting Chloe where she was. She knew Audrey would laugh in her face if she tried to use the "she's your daughter and you should treat her better" route.

Anyone who says the class didn't try hard enough with Chloe/ didn't give Chloe a chance hasn't met a middle school class. Those kids could be horrific to Chloe with all she has said and done. But they're generally nice. And they demonstrated kindness to one another ALL THE TIME so it's not as though Chloe doesn't know how to be kind.

Chloe is 14. Not 4. She knows what kindness looks like. She's not an alien, scouring the dictionary and hoping someone will PLEASE teach her how to kind. She, at this point in time, does not want to be kind. Funny thing about recovery. You have to want it. YOU have to want it. Any professional will tell you that. It takes more than people continuously bending over backwards in the face of your cruelty. All that will result in is doormats. Sabrina has been "kind" and bending over backwards for Chloe for years. Well, a lot of good that's done. No. In order to heal and to improve, you must be at a point of accepting responsibility for you and DESIRING change.

Chloe isn't there yet. Nothing her classmates do will change it. Maybe it'll take time and reflection. Maybe it'll take a new setting. Maybe it'll take a harder fall. But she's not ready and that's no one's fault but her crappy parents and hers.

I don't mind Chloe having to suffer an incredible low to rise, though I'm not sure if that's what the writers are doing. The leaks for future episodes seem a tad too... vengeful- especially where Andre is concerned.

But let's not lean all the way to the other end of the spectrum and eliminate Chloe's personal responsibility from the matter. The primary factor in her turnaround will be CHLOE.

#miraculous ladybug #ml leaks #ml revelation #chloe bourgeois #ml fandom critical

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whirlybirbs · 4 years ago

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( chapter 6′s gif by @buckysbarnes from this lovely set ! )

✪ — VACANT MIRRORS ; B.B. | 6/?

summary: gunshot wounds, panic attacks, and evil next door neighbors.

pairing: bucky barnes / f!reader

tags: set before & during tfatws, friends to lovers, therapy positive, trauma healing techniques, ptsd mentions, the normalization of anxiety disorders, and a good ol’ slow burn

word count: 5.3k, a filler before the real sexual tension.

a/n: be warned, this chapter has a diy medical procedure where bucky removes the slug from rabbit’s shoulder. it’s nothing too graphic, but keep that in mind! also, i wanted to say thank you to everyone who has rec’d, reblogged, commented, kudos, liked, looked at this fic. the response to every chapter has been so overwhelmingly kind and i’m so thankful that i have the oppurtunity to share this fic with you all. that being said, i broke this chapter up. next week has some spice. ;-)

( PREVIOUSLY | AO3 | MASTERLIST | NEXT )

Bucky wakes up with a headache that feels like someone’s tapped an icepick between his eyes. A fire-bright burn radiates under his ribs.

It’s a slow creep back to reality — he just lays there and stares at the peeling wallpaper that meets the corner of the ceiling for a while, knowing deep in the back of his muddled, confused thoughts that he most likely has a nasty concussion, maybe a few broken ribs.

How? Hm. Fighting. Music? The club.

Rabbit.

He sits up fast and Bucky’s blue eyes struggle to adjust in the low-light of the scarcely furnished apartment. The searing pang of his headache is enough to make his stomach churn, but he’s had worse. So much worse. This is manageable. So, he swallows down the nausea and looks around the room like a wounded animal — and almost immediately, relief greets him at the sight of you in the armchair across from the couch.

Your hair is a mess, falling from it’s previous style that you’d proudly worn to The Glass Cannon. Your lipstick is smeared, there’s glitter on your cheeks, and your make-up has transitioned from starlet beauty to broken-hearted bombshell. Bucky notices, with a bit of dismay, that you’re even missing an earring. There’s a nasty bruise forming along the peak of your cheekbone and a gash there from when Alexei had cracked you across the face with the pistol — and even despite all this, Bucky can feel his heart clench at the sight of you. A good clench. The sort that makes his heart kick into a stutter step.

You look… well, you look like someone who’d had the shit choked out of them and then was shot.

Shot.

Your jacket, punched clean through with the single bullet hole, is hanging over the back of the chair and there’s gauze taped to your shoulder. You’re leaning your good cheek in your hand, attention turned totally to Bucky, where you’ve fallen asleep. From here, you’re a picture of exhaustion.

Anxiety flashes in his heart and he swings his legs over the edge of the couch.

Suddenly, there’s a hand on his shoulder.

“Take it easy.”

It’s the woman from before, Kiwi, and she’s got an ice pack in her hands. It’s wrapped in a ratty, green dish towel, and she hands it off to Bucky with a pitiful little look. Rounding the couch, Bucky finally gets a better look at her.

She’s older than you, maybe by a handful of years, but sharp and beautiful nonetheless. Her hair is dark as night and the tips are drenched in a lime colored dye. Her eyes are dark, too, ringed by kohl and glitter, and Bucky wonders if he’s ever seen her before.

“You heal quick,” she says quietly as she plops down into the chair across the room. On a makeshift desk, there’s a laptop, “Care to explain how you know our dear friend Rabbit here?”

Bucky shifts uncomfortably. Again, his eyes fall on your sleeping form.

He maneuvers the ice pack in his hands, then gently presses it to his ribs. He melts a bit, ignoring the evident tears in the silk shirt. He feels bad — he’d busted some of the seams in the midst of the brutal scuffle and it seems like this artifact of Jaimie’s was most likely beyond salvation.

His dog tags jingle against his chest.

“Therapy,” Bucky croaks, “We, uh, we met in therapy.”

A new voice comes into the picture now, one that’s muffled by a mouthful of food.

“That’s cute.”

It’s the other one, Climber. He’s traded in his all-black, all-polyurethane outfit for an expensive looking t-shirt. Without the strobes, without the tunnel vision, Bucky can now see the intricate buzz cut that sits beneath the mountain of blue curls on his head. There are patterns buzzed into his tight-shave. He’s got a smile, too, the glimmers a little too artificially. Bucky spies crystals inset on his incisors between bites of what looks like a bowl of cereal with no milk. Spoon and all.

“I don’t think we’ve properly met,” Climber says as he plops down next to Bucky on the couch, “What’d you say your name was?”

A hand is jutted his way. Bucky blinks. He shakes it with his vibranium hand.

“I’m Bucky.”

“Well, I’m gay and you’re gorgeous,” he says candidly, giving it a good shake, “So, if that’s of any interest—”

“Can you please shut up, Climber?” comes an irritated rasp from you in your armchair. Bucky turns to watch as you raise your head and rub your eyes, “Christ, I just fell asleep.”

“And your little supersoldier just woke up,” Kiwi chirps from her preoccupation with the laptop and contents on it, “So why don’t you stop being a little baby and let him look at that gunshot wound.”

Bucky’s face falls flat. He drops the ice pack to the coffee table with a thwunk.

You sit up, gingerly trying to maneuver yourself so as to not bother both your ribs and your shoulder. It takes a moment, but finally you’re sitting up with only a dull ache of pain throbbing beneath your skin. Now, the real sting comes from the bitter look Bucky has pinned you with.

“You haven’t cleaned it yet?”

“The shits in the kitchen,” Kiwi waves at Bucky, as if to say told you so, “She fuckin’ refused to let me take care of it.”

“You’re going to get an infection if it stays in you any longer,” he snaps, standing to his feet, “Get up.”

“Kiwi isn’t exactly the most gentle person I know,” you manage to supply as an excuse as you move through the room, “And I know that thing isn’t coming out without a fight.”

He can feel the grey hairs coming in already.

You stand slowly, and Bucky looms behind you as you weave into the small apartment’s kitchen.

It’s barely lived in, but a few years ago it most definitely had life. Now, it’s mostly abandoned save for a few necessities. Kiwi had told you, a long time ago, about this spot — it was her parent’s place before the Snap. After the Blip, they ended up moving back to Massachusetts. Now abandoned by anyone seeking to really live in the one bedroom, it sits collecting dust until Kiwi inevitably needs it.

Like now.

“Up on the counter.”

You wince at his tone, but still thankful to be away from Kiwi and Climber’s prying eyes.

For the entire time Bucky had been out, you’d been subjected to a myriad of questions — all were fair, really, since Bucky did just bust out the Avenger-level super-moves on some Russian mafiosos for your sake, vibranium arm and all. The arm was really the biggest stuck point in the conversation as you tried your best to explain the nature of your relationship with the unconscious supersoldier on the couch. It was met with plenty of looks, both curious and skeptical.

You’re slow to hop up on the dusty marble countertop. From there, you watch Bucky poke through the kit that Kiwi had pulled from under the sink.

Then, with the calculated process of a man who has pulled one too many bullets from himself, Bucky slams the kit shut and wanders into the bathroom.

He returns with a pair of large tweezers. He’s silent as the dead as he rummages for a pan, fills it with water, and sets the gas burner on. He stares, watching the pot boil, as his foot taps against the floor.

You swallow down any comments.

There’s a clean towel beside you, and Bucky casually reached into the boiling water with his vibranium hand to retrieve the tweezers — whether or not he purposely ignored the pain is lost on you. You’re too busy anxiously spiraling into silence.

(He’s trying to ground himself, to feel something other than panic. It’s a mild spike, but it’s still panic. Because you’re hurt. Because you still have a fucking casing lodged in your shoulder and he doesn’t want anything bad to happen to you. Ever. Because he saw it happen and then it was black, and now that anxiousness is creeping in.)

Rubbing alcohol, tweezers, gauze, tape, and… Jack Daniel’s.

It’s from the top of the fridge. It’s got a layer of dust on it — and it’s unopened.

Bucky unceremoniously pops the cap and hands the open bottle to you.

You take it and pause.

Bucky’s gaze is cold.

“You’re gonna want to take a few swigs, Doll.”

You almost snarl. You take a long drink then, ignoring the burn of the whiskey down your throat. It’s only when you’ve had enough to nearly gag that you hand the bottle back and then hiss:

“Don’t call me Doll.”

He takes the bottle and unceremoniously slams it down on the counter.

His movements are rough as he washes his hands — and if Bucky was a better person, maybe he’d take a second and parse through why he was feeling so damn irritable. But, no, no, he could figure out that he was angry at himself and you and Alexei Gardzov and Innessa Sidrova and fucking… everyone because he can’t have any normal relationships in his life without there being bloodshed or pain or suffering. That was enough, and he didn’t want to dig deeper into the nipping fear of losing you, not now, not when he had a job to do—

You suck in a sharp breath when his fingers brush your collarbone. He gently moves the delicate strap of your bodysuit, ignoring the soft skin beneath, and pulls the gauze away from your shoulder.

Your jacket had taken most of the impact it seems. Bucky frowns deeply at the pink fibers clinging to the entry wound. It’s a nasty puckered bit of flesh, smeared with blood, right in the soft muscle of your left shoulder. The hole is a little smaller than a quarter — Bucky recognizes it as shot from a 9mm almost immediately. He’s taken a few of these in his days. He’s glad it wasn’t close range. The burns from the muzzle flash make for nasty scars. He’d know. He has one on his back, right above his hip.

Bucky’s jaw is tight. He’s gritting his back teeth. His headache throbs angrily behind his eyes.

Bucky leans, eyeing the wound carefully. His limited reaction is enough to spark a little light of bravery in your gut, and you move to look at the hole — only to find a vibranium hand rooting your jaw in place. It’s gentle enough as it recorrects the line of your gaze straight ahead. His thumb rests on the curve of your chin as his index climbs your jaw, and the vibranium is warm and cold all at once. It’s an odd sensation. Not bad, but not flesh.

You like it.

(You find your mind quickly flashing with the thought of what that hand would feel like in other places. You ignore it.)

Your eyes are stuck on Bucky.

He’s clearly upset — the pinch between his brows and the evident scowl on his lips is enough of an indication. The bridge of his nose is busted and there’s a bruise crawling under his left eye. The shirt you’d given him is a wreck, and as he bends to snatch up a rubbing alcohol soaked pad, the feeling of shame creeps up on you. The anxiousness that’s settled in the pit of your stomach doesn’t help.

Arguably, it exacerbates the symptom.

The whiskey is slow to make an impact.

But, when Bucky finally swipes the gauze across the wound, your ankles have begun to tingle and it isn’t blinding white pain you feel — not yet. It’s sharp and it feels like he’s touching your shoulder blade when he presses his fingers into the holes to clean the immediate area. That has you grimacing tightly.

His obsidian-hued hand holds your face still through it.

So, you opt to stare.

His arm reminds you of some pottery you’d seen back at the Museum of Modern Art once, on a school trip. In a dimly lit room, spotlights lit up a row of vases that had been gilded back together with gold-dusted sap. You’d sat there for nearly an hour, staring at those things. You can’t remember the name now, not while Bucky does one more pass across the wound. It started with a ‘k’. It was beautiful. You loved that exhibit. Why can’t you — fuck — remember the name? Kinsi… kinsigumi? Gumi. Kintsi —

You grit your teeth and grip the counter tightly. He pauses. You exhale.

You inhale.

Kintsugi.

The seams of his arm remind you of Kintsugi.

It’s beautiful.

Bucky’s eyes flit to yours. He sees your stare.

Maybe it’s the pain, or the half-cocked daze, but the look in your eyes is enough to spur an immediate reaction. Bucky scowls. He yanks his hand back, retreating to the supplies on the counter. He’s pulled, hard and fast, and now he seems miles away.

Quietly, and with a bit more chill than he intended, he speaks. “If it was making you nervous, you should have said something.”

It.

Your head snaps to him.

“What?” you ask, nearly incredulously.

He’s silent. He has the tweezers in his hand now.

Your eyes narrow critically — and instead of shame and anxiety, it’s hurt that flies off your tongue. It’s drenched in enough pain that Bucky hears it in the waver of your voice.

“You think I’m afraid of you?”

It’s nearly a whisper.

He swallows.

He ignores it. He has to. He doesn’t want to know the answer. Either way that conversation goes is enough to drag him into territory he can’t handle right now. Not when he needs to do this without his hands shaking.

“This is going to hurt.”

Your mouth is open — be it shock or anger, he’s not sure. Bucky, however, makes a point of ignoring your expression and your reaction by handing over the whiskey once more. You snatch it from his hands quickly. There’s a look on your face that makes his chest ache. With one last pass over him with your eyes, you take a long swig.

You feel like crying.

You won’t, though. Not now. Not while he does this.

You deserve this.

And holy fucking hell does it hurt. It’s like someone’s taken a hot poker and punctured your skin, then rotated it around and around and around. You can feel every time the tweezers touch the bullet because the metallic little click echoes in your chest. It’s enough to make your head spin, and you grit your teeth and close your eyes and try to breathe — but even after a handful of minutes, when Bucky finally retrieves the slug, there’s no relief. Just a desperate throb.

Your hands are shaking when you reach for the whiskey once more.

You do cry, finally, when Bucky packs the hole.

He rolls the gauze up tightly into a cylinder and, as gently as he can, pushes it in.

It’s a horrible choke of pain that you smother into your palm and pant through. It reminds you to breathe, and while you stare up at the water damage on the kitchen ceiling, Bucky tapes a square piece of gauze over the bruised wound and wraps your shoulder tightly. He takes his time, but there’s a curtness to his actions.

Finally, when he begins to clean up the mess of bloodied gauze, you speak.

“If you’re mad at me, then just say it.”

He snaps almost immediately, like a kicked dog. “And say what, Rabbit? That I almost lost you?”

Your mouth slips shut.

Bucky pauses what he’s doing. He drops the gauze onto the towel and he bares both hands against the counter top. He leans and exhales and drops his own head back — then, you can see his own waves of anxiety knocking him against the shore of composure. His eyes move back and forth, he inhales, and then after a long while he speaks.

It’s calmer. Not so horribly mean.

“You should have told me about Alexei.”

You go to speak — but he stops you.

“I mean really, really told me,” he explains, “Had I known he wanted your fucking head mounted on a spike, I would have kept you far away from that place.”

“We had to—”

“No,” he says sternly, standing up full height, “No, we didn’t. We never have to do anything that’s going to put you in danger. Never. I won’t do it again. You should have fuckin’ told me.”

You’re quiet.

“A few more inches to the right,” he says, gesturing to your throat with his finger. His eyes are expressive and he’s speaking like he’s lived this experience, “You’d be dead. Cold and dead and I’d be here, carrying the fucking guilt around with me because I wouldn’t have been able to do anything.”

His voice splinters at the end — but he’s moved to throw away the gauze and dump the tweezers in the sink. He can’t look at you as he says it, and you know that. Because, just like before, people like you and him have a hard time looking the truth in the eyes.

You slide off the counter.

Your heart is sad. It’s heavy and mournful and weighed down with guilt.

“Bucky.”

It’s soft. He’s scrubbing your blood from his hands.

He doesn’t turn around. He can’t. He can feel the prick of an anxious breakdown beginning to climb into his eyes. Instead, he scrubs and scrubs and scrubs and your blood is stuck in the plating of his hand and it’s not going to come out—

Think of what could have happened if it had been a few inches to the right. The arched spray. Blood everywhere. She can’t speak through the gargle, she’s going cold, she’s gone. And, like always, you’re alone again, Bucky.

Then, your hands are on his.

The touch is enough to stop him. It’s enough for him to move aside at the large, inset kitchen sink. You exhale slowly as you run the water a little warmer and gingerly run his hands under the tap. Your hands are smaller than his, a bit more delicate, and he’s stunned into a sharp silence at the feeling of your fingertips gently washing away the crimson blood.

You grab another dish towel from a drawer beside the stove.

Then, in the dim light of the kitchen, you take both his hands and dry them.

It’s the vibranium hand that you pay special attention to, though. And Bucky feels like a fucking idiot — just standing there, just watching as you run the rag between the gilded plating and use gentle pressure to get into the harder to reach spots. You turn it over, and you dry his knuckles.

You take your time.

You don’t look up when you speak. You’re focused. Almost reverent.

He doesn’t deserve this.

“I’m not afraid of you,” you say sternly.

His mouth is dry. “Rabbit…”

Bucky shifts on his feet and takes a deep inhale. He feels lightheaded.

The whiskey, and the closeness of the two of you, makes your skin warm. His whole nervous system feels like it’s on fire.

“I didn’t mean to stare, I don’t ever mean to,” you apologize as your hands still over his arm. He watches your irises trace the plating above his wrist. The rag is forgotten, its purpose null. Your words are heavy, and Bucky can hear a little shake in them as you swallow, “I just… think it’s beautiful.”

You’re beautiful.

Even now, blood-soaked and sweat-stained. With makeup running down your cheeks and your composure in shambles. Even now, on the run and apparently wanted, you’re incredibly beautiful. Bucky hates how easy it is to admit and how hard it is to keep off his tongue. It nearly gets the better of him. He watches your eyelashes flutter. When you look up at him, the world is suddenly drowned in honey.

“I’m sorry.”

You mean it.

Your bottom lip wobbles.

Bucky, immediately, regrets being so goddamn cold.

You were just trying to help — you were just trying to do the right thing.

“Stop it. Come here.”

The hug is the first time you can remember touching him like this. You think you’ll always remember it, too. It’s sturdy and warm and gentle and honest and you bury your face into the shoulder as his arms come up around your neck. He’s careful of your own injured shoulder, and his fingers find the base of your neck. Around his waist, your fingers dig into the back of his shirt. Both of you ground yourselves in the other’s arms, and for the first time in a handful of hours, you both find peace.

Quiet, sturdy, lovely peace.

And the two of you stay like that for a while in the quiet little kitchen.

It’s not until Climber’s voice rises from the living room that you’re pulled away from Bucky — and even then, your face linger inches from one another for a moment too long. Neither of you say a word, only swallow down confessions that could have been, and move on.

“Oh, girlie, you’re gonna wanna see this.”

Bucky frowns. With your brows knotted tightly together, you weave through the kitchen and back into the living room.

Kiwi has sat up and both her and Climber have their eyes on the bulky flat screen on the dust-covered entertainment center. It’s cable news, and as Climber leans to turn the television up, a picture of you flashes across the screen.

It’s a photo from your arrest six months ago.

“Local authorities are asking that anyone with information on the whereabouts of this young woman call the FBI’s anonymous tip line—”

“Is there a reward?” Climber whispers almost excitedly, eyes on the screen.

“—Authorities are offering $100,000 dollars to the person who provides enough information to lead up to this dangerous fugitive’s capture.”

“Dangerous fugitive?” hisses Bucky.

“A hundred thousand dollars?” cries Kiwi, “Who the fuck did you piss off?”

You inhale deeply as you wave your hands. “The bigger question is who the fuck knew I was going to The Glass Cannon last night. Because they’re looking for me — not you.”

You point at Bucky and the gears are turning in your head.

The pacing is almost immediate, and Bucky crosses his arms tightly as you begin to walk back and forth behind the full length couch that Climber is currently spread out on.

It’s cut short, though, by Kiwi’s laptop chiming successfully.

“Well,” she stands quickly, “I have a feeling that someone knows you’re onto them. And the facial recognition software just got a match. A three point one, too.”

Your eyes brighten.

You’d given Kiwi the photo of the young Innessa, with all her decorated furs and blonde curls. She’s laughing and she’s young and she’s in love and it’s hard for you to imagine a woman like her to be dangerous. While you’d made sure Bucky was propped up comfortably on the couch and then finally calmed down from the adrenaline high enough to get comfortable yourself, Kiwi had dug out the hard-drive she kept on her at all times and began pulling data from the Alexandria Library files.

It had been a handful of hours, so it was clear that Innessa had hid herself well in the vast, expansive database SHIELD kept for all those years while it was in operation.

Bucky is quick to gather behind Kiwi, eyes scanning the screen.

Sure enough, when you come to look at the photos pulled up on Kiwi’s screen, there’s a hit. There’s an identification card photo of an older woman, maybe in her forties, pulled up alongside the photo Bucky had given you. Her hair is no longer blonde, but deep auburn color. She’s marked as having worked with Rumlow — a supervisor of some sort. Makes sense. You didn’t need to see a picture of Crossbones to remember Brock. Even when you’d interned, he’d been infamous.

And that was when he was one of the good guys.

There’s a handful of other photos of her — candids, professional photos, and even one where she is shaking Tony Stark’s hand.

And in all of them, you see your next door neighbor Bonnie McLayne.

“Fuck.”

Bucky blinks. Kiwi turns to look at you over her shoulder.

Again, you speak. Your eyes are wide. You can’t look away from the screen.

“Fuck, fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

“Rabbit…?”

“Fuck.”

Bucky’s face narrows considerably, confusion melting to make room for realization.

His voice is quiet.

“Do you know her?”

“Oh my god,” you say loudly, shaking your head and blinking, “Oh my fucking god, that’s my neighbor.”

Bucky can feel his whole face go clammy.

“The neighbor who—”

“—Who I showed your fucking picture to,” you nearly shriek, “Like it was some cute little matchmaking game!”

Immediately both hands are over your face as you throw your head back. Now, the pacing has begun, and like you’re being carried on autopilot, you begin to move back and forth and back and forth and—

“You don’t think she’d hurt Poke, do you?”

“Rabbit.”

“Oh god, oh god—”

Oh.

Oh, you’re having a panic attack.

Oh, that was quick. Brutally fast. Nearly immediate.

After all, she knows where your family lives. She gets Holiday cards from mom to give to you. She’s been your closest friend for nearly six years. But she’s not Bonnie, she’s Innessa fucking Sidrova. She’s seen you with Bucky. She knows — she knows a lot and you don’t know anything and you’re miles from home, from Poke, from Mom, from Ana… Oh, god, the baby. The baby.

“The baby.”

Bucky’s voice is level. “Rabbit, you gotta calm down.”

“I have to call my mom.”

“No,” Kiwi snaps immediately, “They’re going to be watching for your cell phone pings. No calls, no texting, none of it. And god forbid this woman is one step ahead of the FBI—”

“Oh, god.”

You gasp like a fish out of water, paralyzing fear sending you to lean against the back of the couch.

You claw at your chest and try to remember what Dr. Hart said about these sorts of moments. Square breathing. In and hold and out and hold. Again and again.

“Sit down,” Bucky says as he returns to your side, nearly sweeping you up long enough to plop you down into the armchair from before, “And do me a favor and breathe.”

The whiskey isn’t helping right now.

“I’m trying.”

Another gasped breath.

Climber and Kiwi watch.

Bucky shakes his head sternly, kneeling on one knee and snagging your hands. “Don’t try. Just do it. You can do it. Just follow my lead — you’re the sidekick, after all. Remember? C’mon. There’s the smile. Breathe.”

So you do.

In, hold. Out, hold. You draw a square with one hand on your jeans and hold onto Bucky’s with the other.

Again, in and hold. Out and hold.

And again.

And then, you just listen to Bucky’s breathing.

You’re not sure how long it takes — half an hour, ten minutes, who knows — but finally you’re able to calm the spiraling thoughts in your head. Finally, the loudness quiets down, you catch your breath, and the world isn’t falling apart. The bite of anxiety still remains in the hollow of your chest and Bucky can see that when you finally open your eyes and squeeze his hand.

There’s that look again between the two of you. The one from before, in the kitchen.

“Good?” he asks quietly, blue eyes swimming with some sort of emotion you can’t really pin down. Not now. Maybe, if you’d been a bit more collected, you would have seen it as infatuation. But, no. It’s just… nice.

You swallow and nod.

“Damn, girl,” says Climber from his spot on the couch, “Now I’m starting to get the whole therapy thing.”

“Thanks, dickhead.”

“That’s recent, isn’t it?” he asks, genuine worry crossing his face as he stands to gently pass a hand over your back, “I don’t remember it ever being this bad.”

Your face is sad. “I was just partying through it back then. Distraction was always the best method and then… When I had no more distractions and it was just me? Alone? And, psh, the accident with Jaimie? It got worse. So much worse.”

Climber’s eyes soften. “I’m sorry, bunny.”

You try to put on a brave face.

Bucky stands from in front of you and begins his own pacing. This one isn’t so much born out of anxious nature — but more of a tactical logic born out of keeping you safe.

This wasn’t exactly the turn he was expecting.

“You didn’t recognize her?” he asks after a moment, voice high and tight.

“I’m sorry,” you wave a hand, exasperated, “She doesn’t exactly look the same as she did in the 70s.”

Kiwi frowns at the screen. “Definitely botox.”

Bucky squints. He looks to you for an explanation.

You vaguely gesture to your face.

His brow lifts, he closes his eyes, and he sighs.

Kiwi is next to pipe up. “It explains why the feds are looking for you, especially if she saw you with the one man she knows is looking to hunt her down — so, I think it’s best the both of you lay low for a couple of days.”

“Not to mention,” Climber wags a finger, “Bucky the Babe over here did just piss off one the smaller Russian crime families in New York. So, there’s always that ontop of the evil Nazi-HYDRA-woman-next-door.”

You groan.

“Poke has enough food for a week,” Bucky says nearly reading your mind, “He’ll be fine.”

“So, what? We just wait here? Until something happens?”

“Sidrova is going to try and bait us out,” Bucky mutters, “She knows she can’t just disappear. She’s been settled for too long and we know too much. Engaging us in an altercation is how she’ll do it. Plus, I have a feeling she wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to shoot me in the knees after a few decades. So, we wait.”

“Few decades?” Kiwi whispers.

“How old are you?” Climber asks.

“Hundred and six.”

Both of them just blink at an unphased Bucky.

You sigh, finally standing on wobbly legs. “This feels like a bad idea. I’m just stating that for the record.”

“Better than her hunting the both of you down,” Kiwi supplies, “You can stay here. There’s cable, there’s booze, and there’s plenty of instant ramen to last you until winter.”

“Stale cereal, too.”

“Wait— where are you two going?” you ask, narrowing your eyes, “You’re leaving?”

“Keeping our hands clean,” Kiwi says, closing her laptop, “And letting you be the sidekick, bunny.”

The sadness in your heart grows a little heavier at those words, but there’s a little bit of pride in Kiwi’s tone. As she stands, she moves to wrap her arms around you in a gentle hug. Quietly, she murmurs into your hair.

“Your dad would be proud of you, y’know.”

Bucky watches.

Climber is next, and that hug is bigger, more brotherly, more like sunshine and less like autumn.

“Don’t be a stranger, Rabbit.”

“I’m sorry,” you blurt out as the two of them gather their belongings, “For dragging you both into this. But, thank you. You didn’t have to help me—”

“Yeah, we did,” Kiwi chirps as she knocks Bucky on the arm three times, “Keep her safe, aakarshak purush.”

The Hindi rolls off her tongue with ease.

Bucky laughs. “Bahut lamba.”

Kiwi pauses mid-step. She narrows her eyes. There’s a smile on her lips. “Your pronunciation isn’t bad.”

He shrugs plainly. “I get lunch almost everyday at the Indian place below my apartment, so. The owner has been teaching me some stuff on the side.”

An approving nod.

Kiwi hucks you the keys across the room.

She points at Bucky.

“I like him. Try not to fuck that up, eh?”

And then, the two of them are gone.

And it’s just you and Bucky in the empty apartment.

#vacant mirrors #bucky x reader #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barns x you #bucky/reader #winter soldier x reader #mcu imagine #tfatws imagine #A LITTLE LATER THAN PROMISED BUT SHE IS HERE

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