#vegas tries to fight a kitten and loses

[xxhappy-chickenxx]

snippets dump round 2!! i don't even remember the context of this but i thought it'd be cute if Pete brought a stray kitten home and control-freak Vegas felt immediately out of his element (dw, he comes around in the end) ~~

“Vegas-”

“No, Pete,” Vegas huffs, pacing around the bedroom. He can hear the… thing in their tub, meowing pathetically. His lip curls in disgust, “those things just piss and shit everywhere!” 

“Cats are actually very hygienic,” Pete frowns, “look, I know it’s unexpected, but he found me, Vegas, what was I supposed to do? I couldn’t find his mother and he was hungry!” 

“Not your problem,” Vegas says flippantly, distantly aware that it’s a very callous thing to say. Whatever, he’s a mob boss, or… ex-mob boss. Either way, he’s literally killed people, he can put a kitten out on the street. “I didn't know you were in the business of saving pathetic creatures.” 

“And yet I saved you,” Pete crosses his arms, clearly not budging on this. Vegas bristles at that, but sighs, crossing his arms right back. 

“If you keep it,” he grits out, trying to ignore the look of sheer joy that crosses Pete’s face, “it’s your responsibility, I’m not doing anything.” 

“I’ve taken care of your family for seven years,” Pete rolls his eyes, “a kitten compared to all that is nothing.” 

The final nail in the paw-shaped coffin is Macau, home from the movies with a soda that announces his presence before anything else does. 

“What’re you guys doing in here?” He rattles the ice in his cup, sucking the straw loudly. Before Pete can answer, another loud meow sounds from the bathroom, and Macau’s ears perk up comically. “Is that a cat?” 

“A kitten, actually,” Pete corrects him, smiling as he follows Macau into the bathroom, while Vegas sits defeated at the foot of their bed. 

“Woah, no way! Where’d you find him?” 

“You know the alley behind the market? He was pawing around back there, eating fish guts. I offered him a piece off my skewer and he ran right up to me, not afraid of anything.”

“Awww,” Macau coos at him, and Vegas rolls his eyes. He doesn’t understand how something so pathetic could be considered cute. The thing can’t even defend itself. “How old is he?” 

“No idea,” Pete hums, “I brought him straight home, we’ll need to look up a veterinarian.” 

Macau gasps, “Can I come?” 

“Sure,” Pete laughs, “We’ll go first thing tomorrow, but today, it’s getting late. We should try to get to the shops before they close, he’ll need food and a litter box.” 

“Let’s go!” His drink abandoned, Macau cradles the bundle of black fur against his chest, beaming as he exits the bathroom. “Hia, look how cute he is! Are you coming with us?” 

“Hm,” Vegas frowns at the little creature wriggling impatiently in his brother’s arms, “I need to get started on dinner. 

“Aw, ok,” Macau leaves their room, chattering to the kitten all the way, “let’s go, little guy, we’re gonna get you all the good stuff, you’re gonna love it…” 

Pete comes out of the bathroom a moment later, watching Vegas closely. “You’re sure you’re ok with this? We can always find him a new home.” 

“It’s just a cat,” Vegas huffs, “what’s the worst it could do?” 

A day later, Vegas learns the ‘worst it can do’ is use his tailored pants as a ropes course. He storms into the closet when he hears the hangers rattling, his hands clenching into fists at the sight of dozens of tiny rips and holes in his painstakingly curated denim. “You little shit!” he yells, turning when Pete runs in behind him, “Look at what he did!” 

“Fuck,” Pete murmurs, scooping the tiny menace into his arms, “poor little guy, you’re just trying to explore, huh? We’ll have to get him something to climb and make sure to keep the doors closed.” 

“That’s it?” Vegas asks, “You’re not going to discipline him?”

“How am I supposed to discipline a cat, Vegas?” Pete replies, his voice flat, “He doesn’t even know what he did wrong.” 

“That doesn’t matter!” Vegas rages, while Pete just blinks at him. In his arms, the kitten wriggles impatiently before flattening its ears and hissing at Vegas. He steps back, affronted. “Did it just hiss at me?” 

“I think so,” Pete snorts, “first time I’ve heard him do it. Glad to know you’re making a good first impression. I’m going to feed him and overnight a new cat tree,” he walks out, calling over his shoulder, “make sure you close the door behind you!” 

[kadeuxhyeonju]

KADEU: INDIVIDUAL TASK

; FOR THE RESISTANCE, FOR LOVE, OR FOR MYSELF? An Interview with Vega Gem Owner, Lee Hyeonju

Tell us about Hyeonju’s involvement with the resistance! Did leaving for six months affect his standing?

Hyeonju taps clawed hands against the wooden meeting table that is situated in the secret meeting room of the Vega Gem. His eyes are narrowed in thought as he reminisces his return from overseas three years prior.

“Hmm. A bit, I suppose. I left a notice of my departure with some of my trusted informants. Told the leaders I’d send word of my return when I found what I was looking for. I was hardly missed, though. There are plenty of informants and financial backers for the resistance. I was one of many and I’m not wounded by that knowledge. Six months is a long time to be away, to not be out of the loop. It’s only natural that my standing had fallen a bit by the time I returned. But it didn’t take me long either to reach that original standing.” He smiles wickedly. “I might have been gone for a time, but I assure you I was still very much in contact with many of my connections. And connections are everything if you want to be a good informant.”

How does he feel about Mallick leaving as a leader?

At that, the smile slips from Hyeonju’s lips. He stares down at his hands and is silent for far longer than is comfortable. The ice in his whiskey clinks against the glass as it melts. Finally, the hybrid answers:

“I’m happy for him. Truly. He’s a dear friend, him and his brother, Devjay. He’s responsible and cares for the Clubs in a way no other Clubs Ace has. I’m sure he’s needed as an Ace far more than as a resistance leader. Is this not the change the resistance has been seeking and fighting for for so long?

“Nuisances the both of them for leaving like they did, though. There’s a whole in our leadership…but I can hardly blame that sad, little kitten for that. What happened in Clubs was…unexpected. Mallick isn’t perfect. With that said, I suppose I’m a bit disappointed that we can no longer run in the same circles. Not with that Ace of Heart watching for any connections to the resistance. It’s a shame that everyone knows Mallick was a leader for our group. Now I can’t tease him alongside Devjay.”

Does the Vega Gem sell enough for him to maintain his status as a financial backer?

Hyeonju scoffs and rolls his eyes.

“I suppose you’ve heard those silly rumors about His Aceness no longer visiting my shop? Contrary to widely held belief, Joui’s patronage does not make or break my business. I earned my title as best jeweller in Kadeu long before His Aceness came around. And I’ve kept it, I’ll have you know. When I returned from my trip, Alexei bustled in with six months worth of inquiries as to when I would be back and when I would be taking on commission again.

“Sure, I used my savings I stalked away for the resistance to go on my impropmtu trip, but the last three years of non-stop work have more than made up for the sudden loss of funds for those six months.”

Is he more or less involved than he was before he left?

This time Hyeonju leans back in his chair, head tilted back as he answers, as if bored by the question.

“I wouldn’t be much of an informant or backer if I sat on my ass, now would I? I still gather information through my network. There’s ways to pass on those kinds of things without being caught, you know. And the money? I’m a Heart. No one thinks twice about someone like me ’squirreling’ away money. It’s easy to to pass on funds when the entire continent thinks your faction is full of nothing but theives and greedy bastards. Though…” He pushes forward and leans against the table, arms crossed, a furrow between his brows.

“I haven’t been able to communicate much lately with the leaders. Not after what happened in Club three years ago. Not after Mallick came out as a former resistance leader. In fact, unless it’s one of my regualr informants who doesn’t raise any red flags, I don’t see much of anyone from the resistance. It’s almost like I’m communicating with ghosts…”

Did he apprise Idris of his involvement with the resistance?

Worried, contemplative expression twists into one of suspicion and…protectiveness, perhaps? Hyeonju answers, but his flash of fangs is almost threatening. His eyes glint with something dangerous.

“How do you know about Idris? I suppose it doesn’t matter if you won’t be able to speak of it later.

“Yes, I told him. I told him of everything I’ve been up to these nearly 50 years since I last saw him. I told him things I never would have told him when we first met. I told him of my life. What is spoken to Idris will never leave that Fae’s lips. I trust him. So I told him.”

Hyeonju leaves it at that, refusing to answer any more questions about the Fae.

How does he see his position changing or evolving in the future?

The hybrid, wound up tight from the previous question, relaxes just a bit. His eyes take on a curious look.

“Changing? Evolving? What could I offer that I haven’t already? I certainly won’t offer my life. I joined this cause so I could keep it, thank you. The only way I could see any type of ‘change’ or ‘evolution’,” he mocks, “is if they decided to appoint me as a leader. And I assure you I have no interest in having so many lives under my care. It takes all my effort to look out for myself. I leave that work to those like Mallick and Fallon.”

Do any of his personal goals relate to the resistance itself or the movement?

Ah, this is a tried and true question Hyeonju has no problem answering. He speaks without hesitation.

“The movement. The resistance is simply a tool to get what I want. Isn’t that what it is for everyone else? If I put my goals into an entity of such impermanence, I would lose sight of my goals the moment the resistance fell apart. It’s a fool’s belief to think your goals are what make up the resistance. It’s the unspoken agreement between us all to work together to achieve our individual goals.

“What are my goals? The same as always. Freedom. Not the kind that requires you to run away to attain it. The kind that lets me rip out the throats of those who would dare strip it from me in the first place.”

With that, the interview concludes. Hyeonju holds out a hand so suddenly it startles the interviewer.

“A horribly invasive chat that was. Let’s never do it again shall we?”

The interviewer nods quickly, not liking the look in the hybrid’s eye. They make a beeline for the exit. A manabeast appears before the interviewer suddenly, sending them sprawling across the floor. The scramble back, trying to get away from the large, vicious beast. Behind them, claws sink into their neck, drawing blood. They can feel it running down their back, soaking their shirt. Hyeonju’s voice murmurs pleasantly in their ear even as the manabeast growls only a few feet away.

“Did I not say earlier that I wouldn’t allow you to speak of any of this? Letting you live is too much of a gamble. I apologize, but I’ll make it quick.”

Chills go up and down the interviewer’s spine, their heart beating in double time. A deep chuckle rumbles in their ear.

“What a shame, sending a human into a fox’s den.”

[buckybarnesbingo]

The second game of 3 Prompt Summaries!

Here’s the example rounds, and the rest are under the cut!

Prompts by @rebelmeg - blanket, "don't touch that", roommates

Summary by @psychiccatpanda - Generally speaking,  Bucky really loved having Tony as a roommate.  He liked to have fun, enjoyed movies, shared some musical tastes, you know - important things.

One of the drawbacks, though, was walking into one of Tony's experiments.  They'd had the fire department out more than once... in the last month.  As he walked in, there was no sign of his roommate - just a large blanket-covered lump in the middle of the living room.  When Bucky started to lift the corner to peek at the project underneath, Tony shouted, "Don't touch that!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @rebelmeg - blanket, "don't touch that", roommates

Summary by @writing-mermaid - The blanket is lying in the middle of the couch. "Don't touch that !", Saskia yells at Winnie and Morgan. Sam sighs, how his daughter, Bucky's and Tony's will be roommates for three days, if they are already fighting over a blanket ? Sam, alone with a bunch of 5 years old, will have to figure this out all by himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @rebelmeg - red, angst, safehouse

Summary by @dreaminglypeach - The door to the safe house is unlocked when they get there. It’s unlocked, open, and there’s blood everywhere. Bucky tries very hard not to panic.

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Prompts by

@psychiccatpanda - "Oops."

@blurockets - Winterwidow

@writing-mermaid - "It was an accident"

Summary by @magicadraconia16 - When your partner is the famous Black Widow, the very last thing you want to hear in the middle of a black op is "Oops". Closely followed by an uncharacteristically sheepish, "It was an accident." He should have picked Clint after all.

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Prompts by @psychiccatpanda - Sam Wilson, Red Thread of Fate, and "Oops."

Summary by @rebelmeg - "Oops." Bucky muttered the fateful word a split second before alarms started going off, prompting Sam to whirl around in disbelief. "Did you seriously just trip the lasers?" "I'm sorry! I don't have the fancy birdbrain goggles like you do." "YOU CAN SEE THEM WITHOUT GOGGLES, BUCKY, THEY'RE NOT INVISIBLE RED THREADS OF FATE OR SOMETHING!" Okay, so their sneaky infiltration was ruined now. Here's hoping their extraction plan will still be intact by the time they finish their mission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @rebelmeg - Blanket, "Don't Touch That", Room mates 

Summary by @blurockets - "Touch that and you lose vital fingers," a tired voice said from the depths of the couch. Clint stared back at the knit blanket that was draped from the recliner he wasn't even using. When you’re trying to build a blanket fort with your niece and nephew on the compound while it was a mass space mission you had to get creative if you didn’t want to break locks. Or Where the former Winter Soldier has a blanket and Clint is stuck rooming with him and has questions about it.

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Prompts by @rebelmeg - Angst

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo  - There was a saying he had heard somewhere, he wasn't sure where, not that it mattered now, anyways, but one he thought fitting: "The sound of silence is the loudest sound of all". It felt fitting, stuck in this miserable place, for god knows how long, waiting to be rescued. there was no sound here, in the soul stone. and the other dusted couldn't speak either. just... silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @rebelmeg​ - red, angst, safehouse 

Summary by @writing-mermaid - Red, this is red, red and thick. And he doesn't know if they'll have time to reach the safehouse. And the more he's waiting, the more her blood flows on the ground. But will they make it safe, especially with all those HYDRA guards on the way. But he must past through them, it's a matter of life and death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @magicadraconia16 - "Hand on heart, I will kill you", T'Challa, kitten

Summary by @rebelmeg​ -  "Heeeeere kitty kitty kitty," Bucky whispered to himself, peeking out through the slat in the vent, lying in wait for his prey. Unfortunately for Bucky... T'Challa was finding the cat jokes less and less funny. Bucky had about three seconds worth of a head start when T'Challa looked him right in the eye through the wall vent, and said in a dangerous tone, "Hand on heart, I will kill you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@dreaminglypeach​ - Race Cars

@writing-mermaid - Tony

@psychiccatpanda - Sam Wilson 

Summary by LLightz - Tony's idea of "team bonding" this month was to hire everyone a top of the range sports car and act out some street racing movie Steve had never seen but everyone seemed very excited out... especially Bucky who always had a thing for speed, and well, Steve wasn't going to deny him, plus Natasha was already throwing down challenges, and Clint was always up for any crazy stunt... So, it came as no surprise when the 2 ex-Russian-assassins and a man who regularly failed to use parachutes ended up practically playing chicken with cars that were definitely not legal, and even then ... "how do I make this car go faster Tony????? came Bucky's shout into his headset... yep, someone was definitely gonna get hurt! Flying overhead and easily keeping pace, Sam was filming every moment...

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Prompts by @rebelmeg​ - Red

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo - Red. a color that covered his hands and his past, a ledger full of that scarlett color that haunted his nightmares and his waking hours. when an oppurtunity comes to change the red from ever staining his fingers, will he take it?

OR

Bucky Barnes has a really shitty century -- but it's starting to look a little brighter.

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Prompts by @psychiccatpanda - Red Thread of Fate:

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo - the moment HYDRA found out about his thread, they were determined to snip it. too bad for them that it was tied to a man whose serum enhanced the strength of everything, down to that thread.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@blurockets - Lake House AU

@dreaminglypeach​ - Wanda

Angst_BuriTTo - "It's ok, It's my time."

Summary by @magicadraconia16 - He thought he'd been stood up. And he had to admit, two years was a long time for her to catch up to him. But instead, oh, instead, that terrible accident that had finally burnt him out... that had been her. He tried to tell her, to warn her, to demand that she actually stand him up, but her only response was, "If it's my time, then that's okay." No, it was NOT okay!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

Angst_BuriTTo - FBI AU

@dreaminglypeach​ - Wanda

@psychiccatpanda - oops 

Summary by @blurockets - "So your definition of messing with probability is asking the universe what if this happened and you make it happen?" Agent Barnes asked as he sat beside a woman in a red outfit that would not be remiss on a stage in Las Vegas. "And my powers make it happen" She corrected "And the iron man suit just happening to crash on top of the ferrari?" Bucky asked pinching the bridge of his nose wondering just how he was going to file this report. "Oops?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @your-ginger-angel​ - Historical AU

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo - Pharaoh Buchanan was known throughout Egypt for his kindness and his generosity, but also for his fierce skills in battle. When an Assassin is sent to kill him, his subjects are surprised that instead of disposing of the small blond would be assassin, he takes him to his bed.

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Prompts by

@dreaminglypeach​ - Wanda

@writing-mermaid - "It was an accident" "What ? You just tripped and fell on his lips ?" 

@psychiccatpanda - Sam Wilson 

Summary by @writing-mermaid - "I'm telling you, it was an accident !"

 Wanda runs behind her brother. "What ?"

 Pietro answers, "You just tripped and fell on his lips ?" 

At those words, and without knowing about who they were talking about, Sam Wilson bursts out laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@rebelmeg - Angst

@psychiccatpanda oops

@writing-mermaid - Tony

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo - "oops." that's all that Thanos said when he dropped the lifeless body of Steve Rogers to the ground of Wakanda. Tony could do nothing but stare in disbelief -- he never got to apoligize. he never got to have that talk. he never got to get to know this new, harder Steve Rogers. he felt just as broken as the neck of the man staring sightlessly into the sky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts - FBI AU, vacation, "it was an accident" 

Summary by @your-ginger-angel​ - When Steve agreed to this vacation, it was with the understanding that Bucky would be putting his FBI badge in a drawer and leaving his work phone at home. He made Bucky swear that they were going to keep work at home this time. But when Bucky comes back from the corner store and the local cops are in tow, he knows that there's no way Bucky can keep out of trouble. "What do you mean you managed to catch a drug dealer just by going for soda?" Steve whispers, trying to keep himself from blowing up in front of the cops. "It was an accident?" Bucky replies with a pleading look in his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@rebelmeg - Safehouse, red, angst

@magicadraconia16 - Kitten, "Hand on Heart, I will kill You" 

Summary by LLightz - Bucky could barely see through the red mist of anger in his head, but he could still hear the soft pained meaows coming from behind the restaurant, and he made his way towards the tiny kitten he'd spotted, injured and hiding under a dirty tossed-out rag... Scooping him up into his big warm hand, he hoped he never came across whomever had hurt his defenceless little creature because "Hand on Heart, I'll Kill You" he muttered out loud. Cradling his new friend to his chest he made his way back to the safehouse...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @your-ginger-angel​ -  Historical AU 

Summary by @writing-mermaid - (ancient Greece au) Y/N is a priestess, sold by her parents at a young age. She's born to serve the God Apollo. Bucky is a soldier, and he's send to Apollo's temple after a war the king he serves won. Since the beginning, Y/N and Bucky aren't getting along, but they will have to, because here he is and here he'll stay, following his king's orders. But the more they spend time together, the more they are longing and pining for each other, craving for each other's touch, despite their hate. With one question in their mind, must they do war to please each other, make love and stay quite or silence their difference ? (and the thing is that the question in question comes from a French song from a musical and I was keeping it in French as the title haha)

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Prompts by @writing-mermaid - "It was an accident" "What ? You just tripped and fell on his lips ?", Big bro, Tony

Summary by @dreaminglypeach​ - Warning for abusive relationship ”I didn’t mean to,” Tony says. “It was- it was an accident.” Rhodey scoffs, folding his arms as he stares at the dumb kid who has metaphorically glommed onto him and doesn’t seem inclined to let go anytime soon. “Right,” he says flatly. “You just tripped and fell onto his lips. Sure, that happens to me all the time.” “It wasn’t like that!” Tony looks almost too pathetic for Rhodey to continue berating him, his left eye puffy and ugly, purple fading to blotchy green around the edges. “It just- Ty apologised, he didn’t mean to, Rhodey, it won’t happen aga-” “Tony,” Rhodey interrupts, as calmly as he can. “Tones, no. You gotta break up with him.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @rebelmeg​ - bot fic, "catch", ceiling

Summary by @themadhalewrites - After Tony had lost mini robot Bucky to a ceiling fan he created humanoid robot bucky who develops feelings for his creator.

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Prompts by @magicadraconia16 - Rhodey, cuddling, cheeseburgers 

Summary by @rebelmeg​ - It wasn't the WEIRDEST thing Bucky had ever seen. Though it was kinda up there. Seeing Tony and Rhodey in the armors, it definitely gave off a BAMF sort of vibe. Like you definitely didn't wanna mess with them, like, ever. But when Bucky happens upon them in the communal living room one night, curled up on the couch and sharing a blanket while they eat their way through a big takeout bag of cheeseburgers... he starts to reevaluate his thinking. Especially when they offer to share their blanket and burgers.

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Prompts by

Angst_BuriTTo - SPN AU

@your-ginger-angel​ - Christmas

@magicadraconia16 - Rhodey 

Summary by @blurockets - It's the road trip from hell where Rhodey and Bucky on the way to a Christmas wedding. Run over a demon and have to deal with possession, learning the supernatural is real and have to still try to reach their best friends wedding in time.

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Prompts by LLightz - on fire, rivals, forgotten 

Summary by @rebelmeg​ - "I can't believe you set me on fire!"

"THERE ARE NO FRIENDS IN GAMING!" 

In which Bucky gets really into gaming, is a terrible team player, and occasionally forgets to eat or respect basic hygiene.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@rebelmeg​ - bot fic

Llightz - on fire

@your-ginger-angel​ - Christmas

Summary by @magicadraconia16 - He usually spent the latter half of December getting blackout drunk to forget... well, to forget. This year, however, he'd promised to stay on the wagon and had locked himself in his lab to keep that promise. Trying to roast chestnuts over a bunsen burner didn't really work, though. Especially with DUM-E on fire watch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts - SPN AU, cuddling, ceiling 

Summary by @your-ginger-angel​ - Steve as Dean and Bucky as Cas. "It was horrible, Bucky," Steve whispered as he buried his face in Bucky's neck. "I haven't had this dream in years, but there she was, on the ceiling and burning." "Steve," Bucky cradled Steve in his arms and swore he would keep this man safe. "I'm sorry I couldn't save your mother and I'm sorry I couldn't save you." "But you did, Bucky," Steve replied as he looked up into Bucky's eyes. This angel had done everything for him and what had Steve done to thank him? Nothing, that's what. Well that would change, starting today. Steve wasn't much of a cuddler, but this felt so good that he's pretty sure that he can't go back to the way things were before. And it seems that Bucky doesn't want to either.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@themadhalewrites - Murder

@writing-mermaid - "he's my friend" 

LLightz - Forgotten

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo - "He's my friend". those words rang through his mine, no matter how many times he tried to forget them and move on. 

It had been 6 months since that fateful day, and Tony had done a lot of thinking, some soul searching, and had, recently, come to one conclusion: He had attempted to murder Bucky Barnes. He had tried to do the same thing to Barnes what HYDRA had forced the poor bastard to do to his parents. He had dropped the charges a week ago against Barnes and Rogers -- they were acting in self defense after all. sure, Steve could have told him about his parents-- but Tony knew Steve enough that the blond had probably not told him because he wanted to protect him from bringing up old demons. How many times had Tony complained to Steve that his father was a cold hearted drunk and his mother, while kind, wasn't around as much as she should have been? Steve had probably thought that bringing up those memories would reopen scares that had only barely healed. 

hence why the 'rogues' were back, and why tony was hiding in his workshop. 

he didn't know how to apologize. Rogers had already given him a heartfelt one, along with Barnes, and then Tony ran away after a stuttered acceptance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by

@writing-mermaid - Mermaid

@themadhalewrites​ - Stolen Organs

@rebelmeg -  "catch"

@your-ginger-angel​ - Farming AU 

Summary by LLightz - The catch of the day was the finest specimen they'd ever seen; not another mermaid but a mountain of a merman, not like the tiny useless weakling they currently held but finally a strong one that they could breed the others with so they could begin their organ harvesting operation...

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Prompts by @your-ginger-angel​ - Mechanic AU 

Summary by @writing-mermaid - A forest, in the middle of nowhere. Bucky's car refuses to start. He's waiting for a tow truck for an hour, when one finally stops near his car. "I've ask for a breakdown mechanic, not his girlfriend", he says at the girl going out of the truck, "I'm the breakdown mechanic", she answers, "but, if you want a man to take care of your car, you'll have to wait for more time", she adds, wiping a stain of grease of her nose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by @themadhalewrites - Luna eclipse, murder, stolen organs

Summary by @dreaminglypeach​ - It’s a dark night when Bucky goes to let the dog out, the way it always is here when it clouds over. He likes it here, far from the city and all those vulnerable regular humans, but if the moon isn’t out, it’s goddamn dark here. Still, dark or not, Bucky is very much not expecting to trip over a body.

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Prompts by

LLightz - rivals

@writing-mermaid - mermaid

@themadhalewrites​ - lunar eclipse

Summary by @writing-mermaid - The Lunar eclipse, that time of the year all mermaids are waiting for this to go on Earth. This year, two rivals, Natasha and Y/N, both of them fighting for the same man.

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Prompts by

@magicadraconia16 - Cheeseburgers, cuddling

@writing-mermaid​ - Europe

@themadhalewrites - Lunar Eclipse 

Summary by LLightz - As they sat watching the lunar eclipse with their friends, eating cheeseburgers and enjoying the companionable silence, they took advantage of the darkness to sidle further towards each other until their legs pressed tightly, sending each other looks and smiles hidden in the night that promised more of these soft moments in their future... He could imagine retiring somewhere in Europe, maybe Iceland, he always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, and it had a small population... he could dream of cuddling out on the open grass under the stars without a care in the world... but for now, as the light flooded back to them, they moved an acceptable distance apart once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts - Ghost au, fluff, pancakes 

Summary by @your-ginger-angel​ - Bucky missed pancakes. As a ghost, he could smell, he could see, and sometimes he could even touch, but since he didn't need to eat, he couldn't taste anything that passed his lips. In fact, it just looked gross when he tried to eat. But Steve, the new guy renting Bucky's old apartment, was the sweetest ever because he took the time to describe exactly how his pancakes tasted. And if Bucky tried to catch a taste of those pancakes on Steve's lips despite the fact that he couldn't taste, well, Steve didn't have to know.

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Prompts by @your-ginger-angel​ - domestic avengers, ocean, chef AU

Summary by @themadhalewrites - The team had brought a restaurant on the beach but the only two working were tony and bucky. Bucky had been trying to do knife tricks a knife slipped and now while the rest of the staff were playing in the ocean Tony was stitching up bucky.

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Prompts by Angst_BuriTTo - Once Upon a Time AU

Summary by @writing-mermaid - "Papa !", the little girl shouts looking at Bucky from head to toe. "Wha... What ?", the later says, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish out of his bowl.

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Prompts by LLightz  - Identity Porn, wrong door, pancakes

Summary by @dreaminglypeach​ - Bucky is tired, hungry, and fucking fed up of trying to find the place he’s supposed to be meeting Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. He gets that they’re young and use the google for absolutely everything, but that is no excuse for giving him such craptacular directions. He finally thinks he’s got the right place, but the teenage boy who opens the door with a plate of pancakes in his hand looks unaccountably surprised to see him.

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Prompts by @themadhalewrites - Pregnancy 

Summary by @writing-mermaid - “Penny for your thoughts”, Steve says, coming silently behind me. “I’m pregnant, Steve”, I say, still looking outside. “Is it Bucky’s ?”, he questions. “Of course, it’s Bucky’s, who else would it be ?”, I shout, turning to him, rushing out of the room.

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Prompts by

@your-ginger-angel​ - Chef AU

@themadhalewrites - New Love 

@rebelmeg - Fluff 

Summary by @blurockets - (stuckony) Watching Tony argue with the new food prep robots he was fiddling with trying to make Bucky's life easier while they were still fiddling with his arm had to be one of the cutest things he'd ever seen. Watching Bucky throw a peeled clove of garlic into the processor with his good hand while he used 'The Beast' to hold the the wayward robot in place. Steve took a photo quickly trying to preserve the moment. He was going to draw it later. He was going to preserve it as best as he can. They were covered in flour and giggling and there was no where else he'd want to be. From being yelled at by one man to the other man invading his kitchen and fixing everything. This still was a whirlwind. It was amazing.

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Prompts by

@blurockets - Ghost AU

@your-ginger-angel​ - Ocean

@writing-mermaid - snow

Summary by Angst_BuriTTo - There was a legend, down by the ocean docks, that if you sailed in snowfall, that the Winter Siren would sing and drag your body to the ocean floor, and use your bones to make its nest. 

Steve Rogers didn't believe in such nonsense.

OR

"So, the legend is true."

"What gave it away -- the razor sharp teeth, or the tail?"

"In hindsight, it's 1932, and fairy tales are just that, TALES. I didn't expect that my mother's fairy-tale would be TRUE."

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Prompts by @rebelmeg - Body Swap, Fluff, Heat 

Summary by LLightz - Bucky loved to cuddle up against the soft and ridiculously warm furry expanse of Steve's body, feeling completely safe wrapped up in his best friend as they licked each other clean before falling asleep. So when he woke up one morning, feeling oddly large and clumsy, with a small kitten under his paws that looked exactly like he used to, he was terrified... feeling terribly exposed in this new body, and why were his thoughts so muddled and slow?

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Prompts by @rebelmeg - body swap, fluff, heat

Summary by @lbibliophile-mcu - The first thing Sam notices as the fog of sleep starts to clear, is the warmth. He usually prefers to keep the bedroom cool while sleeping - read somewhere that it helps convince the body to slow down and conserve energy. The second thing he notices, is the bed - and he is so glad that it is a bed, that drastically reduces the potential consequences for waking up somewhere unfamiliar. The mattress sinks under his weight, cradling him in a totally different way to his own firm bedding. Combined with the several fuzzy blankets and veritable mountain of pillows surrounding him, he is feeling more than a bit smothered. The third thing, he notices when he runs his hands over his face and finally blinks open his eyes. Because those hands... he squints at them blearily, waves them around a bit to make sure, then sighs and flops back. Two hands, one pale and one metal. Well, at least that explains why he is waking up in Bucky Barnes' bed.

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Prompts by @steverogersnotebook - Mutual pining 

Summary by @writing-mermaid - (2nd part of the ancient Greece AU) Bucky left a year ago, during this time, Y/N became the High Priestess of the Temple of Apollo. When he left, she told him she had desire for him but they couldn't give in to their passion. One year later, will the passion still be here and will they succumb to it despite the fact that physical love and desire is forbidden for a High Priestess.

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Prompts by @rebelmeg - Body swap 

Summary by @writing-mermaid​ - Who never dreamed of living in the body of the opposite sex just for one day ? Not Y/N, anyway, and especially not when she finished in the body of an Avenger.

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Prompts by Angst_BuriTTo - Northern Lights, Russia, Once Upon A Time (TV Show) AU

Summary by @fightingforcreativity - The lights were beautiful. Natasha remembered faintly her father taking her up north. As north as Russia gets he had told her when she had asked where. They would sit, freezing and waiting until finally the night sky lit with northern lights. A beautiful arrangement of all colours, vivid and tangible in a way nothing else was. She was reminded about one of those rare childhood memories, when clint zapped through the channels from one station to the next until landing on the once upon a time. The show, despite not playing there, tugged at her memory. She felt like she knew, livid, the characters life.

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Prompts by @blurockets - Winteriron, Ghost au, SCI FI au

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ - Tony was not afraid. He was not. Ghosts were a story for old folk and kids and there are no ghosts in his fucking home. Nope. Science told him differently. And Tony would know, as leading scientist on the Stark-Space-Ship 'The Winter Soldier'

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Prompts by @rebelmeg - body swap, fluff, heat

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ -  Hot. Hot hot. It was too damn hot for this to be his bed room. Why was it so hot? Tony blinked his eyes open, fearing to find himself in a cave. But instead he was in an opulent room. The bedsheet felt like silk and the ceiling looked like one of those in palasts and- "What the hell?!" Tony stared at his hand. At his black hand and then his brain caught up with the voice, which was not his!

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Prompts by @writing-mermaid - Phantom of the Opera AU, mutant, snow

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ - Snow used to be his favorite form of water. Bucky had loved to play in the snow. To have snowball fights with his sisters and if Steve was doing well with him too. He had adored snow. Then, something changed, he changed. Now all that snow did, was making him uglier, disposable, worthless. He hides away so that snow never touches his frame anymore. So that the snow won't burn anymore of him. The catacombs were his home now. One day though, the most beautiful voice he ever heard made him risk it all. He needed to know who that brunet opera singer was.

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Prompts by @themadhalewrites - Pregnancy, new love, "not my baby"

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ - It was said that every woman would fall in love at least once in her life and then could never love another man like that anymore. Peggy strongly disagreed. She had felt love for Steve. She had felt love for her husband. But... the love she felt for the child growing in Maria Stark, the love she felt for this tiny baby which was not born yet, that was a love she wouldn't be able to feel again. "You're not my baby, darling, but I love you like your mine already." She whispered to the belly while Maria smiled softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompts by LLightz - Identity Porn, wrong door, pancakes

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ - Steve was not panicking. He was Captain America after all. He can't panic. Steve was just.... not expecting his neighbor to look so much like his ex-boyfriend. He was totally not expecting a James Buchanan Barnes look alike as a neighbor. When Steve had seen the man first, he nearly choked up and barricaded himself in his home, cooking the one meal he always had found comfort in, pancakes. The blond refused to acknowledge that he might be indeed panicking, when said neighbor broke in the following night, looking around confused and just mumbled, "Shit, I'm sorry. Wrong door. Gimme a call alter about the costs." and vanished again. He was god damn Captain America and he- ok. Fine Steve was panicking.

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Prompts by @steverogersnotebook - Mutual pining; stargazing; single parent

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ - Every night at 11 pm on the dot, the blond would step outside his tiny apartment and look up, hoping to see the stars he was used to. Every night at 11:05 pm, a brunet with his daughter would step on their balcony, (way bigger over in the better parts of the town) and would look in the sky hoping that the pain of losing his wife would one day stop. Every day at 11 am sharp, Steve Rogers would connect his business laptop to a meeting with his best friend and secret crush, Bucky Barnes. They would talk and they would argue and they would do business and then they shared something from their lives. Bucky shared stories of how Natasha was developing and Steve would listen and sometimes talk about that nice old lady from three doors down the floor. Neither man would ever say something, until they do.

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Prompts by @your-ginger-angel​ - domestic avengers, chef's Au, and Ocean

Summary by @fightingforcreativity​ - As a chef, Bucky prided himself to know where his ingredients came from. So when the family known as the Avengers asked for the best, Bucky was suggested and found himself in the position to cook for them. The brunet had always dreamed about cooking for those big names like Romanov and Stark and Rogers and Barton, but the things those heathens wanted to consume turned his stomach. So he took it as a challenge. He had the perfect recipe. He just needed to catch that rare fish from the coast of Hawaii, easy, right?

[hitandrunduorp-a]

Diverging Paths

@hxnterwxlf​

//TBH I’ve had this on my google docs forEVER, and after rereading it again I wanted to share it. Set in the ‘School Days’ AU, rather than Ezhno being sold off... Mattie’s life ended up taking a different turn instead...\\

______________________________

It had been close to six months since Matthew moved from the little town, now half a state away from the native. Though apart, Ezhno would almost always be talking to his boyfriend, be it through countless text,  or hours on end phone calls...

Matthew had told him he was adjusting well enough to the new school and home. His parents went back to being an officer and a nurse, and the blond spent a bit of time with some girls he’s made friends with, and now was almost like an older brother to them.

Though eventually everything...stopped? No texts, no calls, nothing...and for close to a month, Ezhno would only be able to worry and panic. What was going on?!

Eventually, he’d finally get a call...but it wasn’t Matthew who spoke.

“Umm, i-is this Ezhno?” A familiar voice could be heard, quiet and dazed, but it was unmistakable.

“...Andrew?”

“Ah, it is you...! Awesome...”

“Andrew! W-What’s going on?! Where’ve you guys been?!? Where’s Mattie?!” Panic slowly set in as he listened, hearing Alfred groan a little in pain. Was he alright?

“...that’s...why I called... Are you able to chat for a bit? Oh, I, uh, suggest you sit too...”

“...what happened?!” A deep sigh could be heard through the phone, and a moment of silence until the twin spoke up once more.

“...It’s been a hell of a month, I tell ya... You remember the girls, Mattie's’ friends? Well, a couple of them had boyfriends, nasty bastards that all but hit them... He... he helped them escape their relationships and kept them protected... The guys had tried a few times to jump him, but they’re scrawny little potheads; not really much of a threat to Mattie.

...one day though, when I was walking home...my club meeting was cancelled, so I ran, trying to catch up to Mattie and walk home with him. I passed an alley and...and I saw him cornered by the two guys...and a third one I didn’t recognize. I jumped in to help Mattie and after a few minutes of fighting I...remember a sharp pain and just...falling. Turns out, I found out that the third guy was a drop-out who was in a gang...and he had a knife,” Another soft groan escaped the twin as he could be heard moving, assumingly trying to get comfortable.

“Our phones at one point fell from our pockets and got wrecked during it all. The two assholes freaked when they saw what happened and ran; they wanted to intimidate Mattie, not go to jail for murder...

...This...is where things get fuzzy... I remember waking up in the hospital, and Mattie was at my bedside, asleep. A nurse came in and explained that I...nearly died from blood loss when I arrived...

...a week later, while I was healing still, I tanked again. Turns out the knife was severely dirty, more than the doctors thought. I got really sick from a bad infection and... and Mattie was right there, watching my vitals go from fine to absolute chaos... They apparently had to sedate him to finally get him out of the room.

I’ve...only been home for less than a week, or I’d have found a way to call you sooner...we don’t have landlines, and I’m using my mom’s phone right now...” Through all this, Andrew’s voice had been growing quieter and shakier, sounding as if he was trying to keep from breaking down.

“...where’s Mattie, Andrew...?”

“...he’s gone,” Those two words made the other’s blood run cold. He didn’t...he didn’t mean- “He’s not dead but...he’s gone...”

“...wh-wha...?” Ezhno could only stare ahead blankly as he heard the twin sigh heavily.

“...when Mattie finally returned to school, the girls avoided him and downright ignored him...I was still heavily sedated so I...I could barely talk to him... I found out later that the guys, the exes, had threatened all of them that if they talk to Mattie, they’d kill me, him and then them... they were so scared for our safety, and, well, as he wrote in the letter for us...it was too much for him,” Ezhno was shaking, a mixture of fear, anger, and disbelief.

“...where are those guys?” His anger bubbled in his chest, but what he hadn’t expected was the soft, tired chuckle from over the phone. “...what are you not telling me, Andie?”

“Well, as I said...Mattie wrote he left because he was so alone and hurt...but I remember...the last night I saw him. He looked so calm and peaceful as we talked. At first, I thought he was calm because he had decided on leaving...

...it’s been a week since he left...and turns out yesterday, three bodies were found; mauled and mutilated. It apparently took a while to finally ID the guys...I think you can guess who they were. Being the place they were at, the police chalked it up to ‘gang-related’, and left it at that...”

“A-Andrew...you can’t be insinuating-”

“I can, and I am,” The black haired male tensed at Andrew’s seemingly calmness over what he was saying. “This has him written all over it...”

“Andrew, are you hearing yourself?! Mattie would never kill someone!” Ezhno snapped. That dear sweet blond he loved so much...he couldn’t! He always looked so guilty for hurting someone!!

“...If I hadn’t seen him nearly do this before, I’d agree with ya, bro,” His heart stopped, emerald eyes widening as he trembled. He was out in Whisper’s den, the wolfdog having been asleep this whole time and only waking at his human’s outburst.

“You’re right on one part; he hates hurting people. He’s got a giant bleeding heart, and he cares so much about others...But you saw what he did when Mel ruined his life; he didn’t do all that because it ruined only his life. It affected you, me, mom and dad...That was why he went out of his way to destroy her image. When he heard she offed herself? Shit, I heard him laugh at that...

...Mattie’s dangerously protective, and between not being able to contact you, nearly losing me twice, and finding out the girls were being threatened?

...I’m damn sure he left because he knew what he was planning on doing...and I don’t think he can face mom and dad for that sort of sin,” Andrew sighed, rubbing his face a little. Ezhno stayed silent, eyes staring hard at the ground, not even reacting as Whisper sat up, pressing his cold, wet nose against the teen, trying to make him feel better.

“He...left a letter for you. He asked in mine that I...that I get it to you. Do you know where I could, uh, mail it to you or something?”

“...Hold onto it for a bit for me, will ya? I’ll...I gotta go...but I’ll come visit and get it myself,”

“...alright. And Ez? I’m...I’m sorry...that I couldn’t have called you sooner about this... I’m so fuckin sorry, man...”

After the call, Ezhno could only cry and scream in frustration, emotions running wild. 

He lost his light, his sun, his life...

He was all alone...

______

My dearest love,

If you’re reading this, then I suppose Andrew managed to get this to you...unless you ARE him, in which case, put the letter back, Andie.

...I wanted to start off by saying; I’m sorry.  I’m sorry for many things; for losing contact with you, for not being stronger, or smarter… but what I’m most sorry for right now, is… that I may not see you for a while… Things have happened, and I’m sure Andie’s told you the brunt of what happened. I can’t stay here anymore, it all...hurts. And I know I’m going to do something I will regret...not because I’ll regret the action, but because of how it will affect all those around me.

...I’m going to be going away for a while. I think I need some time alone...and I don’t think I could face you, not with a clear conscience...but I promise you, I’ll come home to you one day…

...if you...hate me for this, I wouldn’t blame you, or during that time you find another...someone who better deserves you, who makes you happy...I’ll hold no ill will...I just want you to be happy, live happily, and if you find your happiness with another...then I hope one day we can be friends again at least?

I love you, Ezhno. Now and until my dying breath, my heart only belongs to you. And I hope that one day...you can forgive me for this… 

Forever yours,

Mattie

Ezhno read and reread the letter. It’s been two years since then, and he’s never stopped waiting, hoping...looking. With the letter was a cheque, and a post-it note attached to it, asking the other to use it to find a home, and escape his uncle...and after a long while, he’s managed to do so, a small cottage hidden deep within a forest...but that wasn’t where he was right now.

He kept in contact with Andrew, who after a while started getting postcards, never signed, but they knew who it was from...it had to be him. So, here he was in Las Vegas, the last lead they had for now...course, who knows if he was here...but Andrew hadn’t received a new one in a couple months…

It was late, Ezhno wandering the flat with careful eyes. Shops littered the streets, prostitutes shamelessly handing out call cards to passerbyers, and others advertising various casinos and strip clubs, trying to entice customers into pouring their wallets out. The native sighed heavily, before deciding to give up for the night. He had been searching all day...but he figured he’d go get a drink or two before going back to his hotel room.

Finding a gay club he walked in, looking around boredly. It was a lot like the old place he worked at, the major appeal of the place being the anonymity it held with the workers, everyone wearing masks of some sort; some more elaborate, Venetian masterpieces, and others who didn’t seem to mind possibly being recognized, wearing thin wire ‘masks’ that looked more like veils in a way.

Finding a seat, Ezhno waited for one of the servers to come by and take his order as he watched someone perform on stage. They were alright, but an amateur for sure...He guessed they must have started recently.

“Alright gentlemen~ Give a round for our new little kitten~” Called it. Some hollers and whistles were heard, the performer was flustered as he bolted off, mentally making Ezhno chuckle. Sorta reminded him how Mattie would get...so flustered and adorable...but that dancer was brown haired and darker skinned, olive-ish, so he knew it wasn’t him…

“I know, I know, all you hungry dogs are just dying for this next guy~! You know him, and you all love him~ Come and play, Vixen!” Lights cut out for a moment, and as they came back on, the next performer was already center stage, back against the pole as the music kicked up.

This dancer was far better than the last, his body keeping in time with the music. Wearing a small red ‘cloak’ and hood, all that could be seen on his face was his lips as he sang, and the fox-like mask that hid him from the crowd.

♪ Each and every day

Hiding from the sunshine

Wandering in the shade

Not too old, not too young ♪

♪ Every night again

Dancing with the moonlight

Somewhere far away

I can hear your call ♪

His voice rang, his body moving fluidly with the beat before he walked, moving off the stage and towards the crowd. Ezhno hadn’t realized how hard he’d been staring, finally pulling his gaze away as he looked around, seeing all the enchanted men around him, looking just as the DJ said; like nothing more than starved mutts.

♪ Sneaking in the pain

Every truth becomes lie

I won't trust myself

Once I hear your call~  ♪

As the performer walked, he would momentarily sit in some men's lap, teasingly holding their chins, or trailing a finger down their chests. Unless they were slipping bills into his short shorts, any who got handsy were left behind, the performer moving to another customer to tease...at least, until he got to Ezhno.

♪ I'm out of my head

Of my heart and my mind

'Cause you can run but you can't hide

I'm gonna make you mine♪

He slipped himself onto the native’s lap, but unlike any other man, he was all over him, hands none too shyly rubbing the other’s chest. Being so close, Ezhno could see the mask’s subtle details, looking almost like it was painted to look like flames burning around the dancer’s eyes...though trying to see behind it, there was a thin veil of black fabric, hiding the other’s details...they looked almost blue...but not quite...

♪ Out of my head

Of my heart and my mind ♪

The other smirked, moving to the side to nip Ezhno’s jaw ever so slightly, pale hands wrapping around the other in a type of ‘hug, as he grew closer to the older male’s ear.

♪ Cause I can feel how your flesh now

Is crying out for more… ♪

Ezhno felt stunned, but he wasn’t sure why...and questions would be left unanswered as all too soon, the other had slipped off his lap, giving him a small wink as a few gold curls peaked out of the crimson hood… and soon he was back on stage, continuing his routine, many not caring about what just happened, while others were glaring daggers into the native.

When he was done, and a few kisses were blown to the crowd, the dancer disappeared behind the curtain, men hollering and howling. Ezhno though, just stared at the drink he was brought, finally. For the first time in a long one, his heart was racing. 

“Sir?” A larger man walked up to him, a security guard going by the tag on his hip. “Could you please come with me” “Why?” “Well, lets just say that a certain ‘Vixen’s taken a liking to you,” So, the dancer wants to see him? Maybe at least he’s going to get some answers. So, as much as he didn't want to, he ignored the glares and scowls as the guard guided Ezhno, and eventually stopped at one of the private showrooms. 

Walking in, he would see it was set up almost like a miniature version of the main room; a long, plush bench built into the wall at one side, a stage with a pole on the other, and off to the side was a minibar. ‘Vixen’ was currently sitting on the bench, legs crossed and a glass of wine in his hand...to most, the scene would be quite seductive…

“I’m glad you accepted my invitation~” He motioned for Ezhno to sit, and he obliged, but at no point did he look happy. It was obvious he was here for something, and pleasure wasn’t at all a factor here. Vixen moved onto his lap again, but he didn’t do anything, not like out on the floor. “...why did you want me here?” “Mmm, why not~?” The smaller mused, a hand slowly trailed to loosely rest around the other’s neck again, one hand gently dragging a finger along Ezhno’s jawline teasingly. “You’re a new face~” The boy purred, moving ever so closer to Ezhno. “Really?” He growled lowly; this was a waste of his time. “I’m not in the mood to be playing games, fox,” “Ooh~? How boorish~” The other teased. Their noses were nearly touching before squeaking as he was pushed back off and onto the bench as Ezhno got up to leave. He wanted a drink, but now he needed a whole damned bottle…

“...My, my~… Is the Wolf really so upset that he can’t find his little bunny~?”

 His hand gripped the doorknob when he froze, eyes snapping back at the other who was sitting there, an amused grin on his lips. His hood had fallen, revealing the golden blond locks that framed his face, and Ezhno could only stare, emerald eyes wide. “Or maybe he can’t find him...because he was never the ‘innocent little rabbit’ he was believed to be…”

He felt like he was in a trance. Ezhno walked back over, before falling to his knees before the other, disbelief written all over his face. Vixen moved again, slipping down to the floor with the other, wrapping his arms tightly around Ezhno as he pulled the other close, their lips barely touching…

“It’s been a while...mon cher loup~”

[theonewhereiramble]

The One With the Decade Ending

Since we are just days away from 2020, I wanted to reflect on the past 10 years.

2010: Took my life in my hands and jump started my weight loss journey. Was in my second semester of college, still unsure of my future career goals but tackling 19 credit hours with a 3.97 GPA. That summer, my grandma had her first of 3 heart attacks and I took care of her. My insistence of getting her up to walk is what lead me to choosing a path in nursing. She thought I would be an excellent nurse with my no BS attitude. I became an RA to cut down on student loans and to live roommate free since I had the best freshman roommate ever and didn’t want to risk meeting someone awful. Our different majors took us out of the same dorm. Thanksgiving break my grandma had her second heart attack and this encouraged me to work harder to get into nursing school.

2011: I lost my brother in January due to medical negligence in Florida. In April, I lost my grandma to her third and final heart attack. I didn’t show up to any of my finals because everything happened during finals week. My GPA wasn’t wrecked completely, as my grades were high enough without my finals. Some let me take the test later due to the circumstances, others said my percentage was already high and not to worry about it. I spiraled down a dark path of binge drinking and not really sleeping for a few months. My family was torn apart. The dynamic was weird. I lost who I was. I had to be the strongest person for everyone even though my grandma was my best friend and I was wrecked the most from the lost. My mom decided all attention needed to be on her despite the fact she hated my grandma. I moved back home and commuted to school. I turned 21 in October and gained a sense of confidence to go after a guy I wanted for 5 years. I was admitted into nursing school in December and would start in January.

2012: Most of the beginning months are a blur. I studied my ass off for nursing. It was truly a struggle and I had to rewire the way I thought and studied. Most difficult time of my life. My boyfriend had cheated on me and we broke up. We ended up getting back together and then I cheated on him during my friends bachelorette party. My friend got married and my boyfriend and I ended up getting an apartment together. I found my second cat in the dumpster of our complex. We saved each other and my ex hated him. Our relationship ended a month later but he refused to move out and I wasn’t moving back home. So we coexisted and then I found out just how much of a psychopath he actually was. November came and I met the love of my life - I just didn’t know it at the time.

2013: The love of my life and I decided to see each other casually. Neither of us wanted anything serious, or so he claimed. In February I fell in love with him. We had a difficult relationship and just fought all the time. In May, I took a random roadtrip to NYC. Then in June I moved in with him because he didn’t like my living situation. It didn’t feel right so I moved out again. He accused me of cheating on him and I never worked so hard to prove to him or anyone I wasn’t. He adopted a cat because my two made him want a cat of his own. In July, we gave living together another shot. Things just ended up working and the fighting stopped. In October, my friend found a kitten on her porch and my boyfriend fell in love with her so we then had 4 cats and a dog. Also, unbeknownst to me at the time, he started planning how he was going to propose. He got his best friend and mine involved.

2014: I graduated with my bachelors and was admitted into a grad program for teaching. It was an accelerated program of the bach of ed. My dog attacked my kitten and I spent many days in and out of veterinary hospitals. I started dreaming of working in one. I had no passion for nursing after my grandma’s death and thought I needed a career change. Teaching was always an interest as well. After I graduated and before I started grad school, I went to NYC with 2 of my friends. My boyfriend and his friend were also in NYC, but as a surprise. I was proposed to in Central Park. I started grad school and realized that it was not a good decision and dropped out after one semester. I revisited different desires I had in a career in what I wanted to be when I grew up as a kid. In November I started volunteering at a local vet clinic to see if vet med would be a good place for me. I clicked instantly with all the staff and never felt more at home than I had at that time.

2015: Well, to be honest I don’t remember much of 2015. I focused on vet school prereqs and applied to go on a trip to Thailand to work with elephants. I was accepted for the May 2016 trip. I also applied to OSU vet school and was given an interview invitation. My fiance and I started looking at houses to buy. We had complications with one, as the owners we not ok with the “low” appraisal and tried to get us to pay $30k more due to their own sentiments. We declined and decided to keep searching. We put an offer on another house, we were due to close and the day of the lender told us since my fiance was technically a contract to hire it wasn’t going to be closed that day. We said forget it, it’s not our time to buy a house. A week later, that house flooded causing thousands in water damage. A blessing in disguise.

2016: I was accepted to OSU vet school for the class of 2020. I was offered a job at the clinic I volunteered at. I had the best time in Thailand treating elephants and helping at a spay/neuter clinic, all under the supervision and advisement of a veterinarian. Thailand has less strict laws on what people without a license may do. I started paying back my student loans, which were over $100k already. I had decided it wasn’t the right time for vet school because I didn’t want the extra debt. I started being smart about money. I married my best friend in December.

2017: We spent the first 6 months traveling to places new and old. Vegas, Boston, and San Francisco were all new. In January, a sickly kitten appeared on my porch and wanted to meet my cats desperately. He went into the back yard and I was fearful my dog would kill him. I brought him inside and kept him in the bathroom until I could get a clean bill of health on him. We decided to keep him as I was convinced cats find me when I need them the most. In April, my sister committed suicide leaving behind 3 children. In June, my husband was offered a job in California. He accepted. In August we lived just north of San Francisco. In October, I was woken up in the middle of the night by a wild fire. I was on the verge of evacuation and my husband was in Chicago for work. He flew home that day. The smoke was so terrible for months and going outside was not advised. We went whale watching for our 1 year anniversary. We didn’t receive any of our belongings until Christmas Eve. I hated living there and just wanted to go home. My husband loved living there.

2018: I was finally starting to love California. I was making friends and looking forward to exploring. I got my dog in a routine. Things were looking up.The smoke was still bad but if we went south of the bay it was ok. My husband started hating it because his job was awful. In February I said goodbye to my childhood cat. I flew home on an emergency because my dad was having his 4th open heart surgery. I wanted to see him because I had a gut feeling he wasn’t going to make it. He was admitted into the hospital in preparation. He acquired an affection to his Dr. ordered antibiotics to cover the bases. In March he finally had his surgery, after a month in the hospital. He came out of surgery just fine. Over the weekend, he started to go down hill. On Wednesday March 21, I walked into work, my cousin called me to tell me his kidneys were failing and he was going septic. I promptly walked out of work, called my husband to come get me as we carpooled and booked a flight home. I landed and went right to the hospital. A half hour later I took him off life support said goodbye to my dad. I planned his funeral and had to fly home the day after it. A week later, I said goodbye to my childhood dog. My husband decided we should move home because I had gained guardianship of my niece and nephew. My dad was my niece’s best friend. Losing her mother and her grandfather less than a year apart took its toll. In May we decided to explore a bit of California. We visited Yosemite and that sparked my desire to visit every national park. In June we moved back to Ohio and I went back to my old job. In August I was hired at a major hospital in the cardiovascular ICU. My husband fought in court to gain custody of his daughter. I started my own side photography business which was responded to very well. I visited NYC with my friend, her boyfriend, and my husband.

2019: I wasn’t adjusting to night shift well. I was lonely and with my own thoughts too often. In March I miscarried and was depressed for many months. I started to try to craft more as a creative outlet and found I love woodworking. I picked up running again and stuck to it. In May I went back to NYC. I ran my first race ever in June. Also in June, I visited Mackinaw Island and the UP with my friend and we visited some of her grandma’s childhood. I left night shift and started working day shift, still in the ICU. In July, I joined a group that takes shelter dogs out for runs or hikes. In August, I ran my first half marathon. In September, I ran my second. In October, I planned a trip to Quebec for my birthday. After some mishaps and difficulties booking a hotel (there was a marathon that weekend) I said forget it and planned a different trip. I went to Shenandoah, Washington D.C. and Great Falls Park with my husband and my dog. My grandma celebrated her 93rd birthday. In November I sprained my foot but decided to run a half marathon anyway. It got to the point I could no longer walk, and thus ending my running season prematurely. I signed up for a full marathon in 2020 despite that. In December, I went back to NYC. My foot was finally healing so I began running again.

[thisdaynews]

Fury v Wallin: Bloodied British fighter takes points victory over battling Swede

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/fury-v-wallin-bloodied-british-fighter-takes-points-victory-over-battling-swede/

Fury v Wallin: Bloodied British fighter takes points victory over battling Swede

Fury struggled with deep cuts to his right eye from the third round

Tyson Fury battled to a rugged points win over Otto Wallin as he fought for over nine rounds with heavy cuts to maintain his unbeaten record in a dramatic bout in Las Vegas.

The 31-year-old Briton, a 1-25 favourite with bookmakers, was expected to walk through Sweden’s Wallin but found his cut at the mercy of repeated checks from the ringside doctor, prompting moments of stunned silence at the T-Mobile Arena.

A punch in the third round drew blood above Fury’s right eye and when officials began to show concern, he visibly showed urgency, switching from patient boxing to planting his feet in a bid to land heavy, destructive shots.

He did, with a barrage in the ninth forcing Wallin to sway before a hard right hand piled him into the ropes in the 11th as Fury came through the type of examination few expected with a unanimous 116-112 117-111 118-110 points win.

“It was a great fight, I got caught on the eye and that changed the fight,” said Fury. “For the majority I could not see out of the eye. Then there was a clash of heads and I got cut again.

“A good 12 rounds, he was tough. It’s all heart and determination if I can keep going I will do. He was 20-0, didn’t know how to lose but I was the better man.”

Wallin said: “I did everything I could, I tried my best and Tyson is a great champion. Nobody can question my heart or question that I’m a good fighter.”

5 Live Boxing with Costello and Bunce: Fury battles through cut to beat Wallin

Relive Fury’s points victory over Wallin in Las Vegas

Cut creates a man possessed

Fury is now unbeaten in 30 professional fights

A heavy shot from Wallin in the 12th offered one more threat at the end of a tussle which thrilled those in the arena. With Fury bloodied and grinding out shots, cries of “Tyson, Tyson, Tyson” poured down to ringside, dragging more from him.

Wallin, who lost for the first time in 21 outings, was seen as an easy night’s work on Fury’s route to a rematch with WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder but he admitted he tried to hit Fury’s cut “even more” and his come-forward tactics delivered a true scrap.

Had the bout been stopped because of the cut, Wallin would have landed a technical knockout win and with ringside medics checking the gash during the sixth and before the seventh round, Fury was nearing a crisis scenario.

Just as he did when he climbed from the canvas to force Wilder backwards in the final round of their December thriller, he fought fire with fire. His punches became menacing, his face filled with anger rather than poise and two huge right hands sent Wallin backwards in the seventh.

A hard hook on the ropes in the ninth began another onslaught, with Fury glaring into the eyes of his resilient rival on the bell like a man possessed.

Wallin’s trainer Joey Gamache clutched his towel in the 10th and the concern on his face made it appear he may draw an end to proceedings. His charge deserves immense credit in what was his first bout since the death of his father.

And Fury, too, deserves plaudits as he showed an orthodox stance, southpaw stance, hit and move tactics, and, ultimately, immense grit in his fifth bout since a 30-month spell out of the sport. Not for the first time in recent memory, he served up a compelling watch in testing circumstances.

A grand Mexican entrance

Fury made an understated entrance on Mexican Independence Day weekend

The downside for Fury is he will inevitably draw criticism for the fact only 8,249 of the 20,000 seats at the arena were filled.

Concerts featuring the likes of Calvin Harris and Drake on the strip may have played a role but Fury will probably care little as this was in many ways a bucket-list event for him on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has taken this Las Vegas fight night in the last two years, while the likes of Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather have filled the coveted fixture in the past.

And Fury entered the ring in a style befitting an occasion, sporting a poncho featuring the Mexican flag, a sombrero and then boarding a parade float to travel ringside.

Those here could have been forgiven for thinking such an entrance may have fallen flat with a routine win and early on it felt like Fury was toying with his opponent before finding his range with a three-shot combination in the second round.

It looked like he was slipping into gear, only for Wallin to turn what Fury thought may have been a boxing exhibition into a up-close, blood-filled tussle.

Some may ask what Fury gets out of beating the likes of Wallin. The answer is money, further US profile and, crucially, the type of in-ring activity he simply did not have when, just six-months into his comeback, he faced Wilder last year.

When the cut heals, this will have further developed his engine and ring craft and ultimately done him no harm at all.

What now for Fury?

Before Fury left the ring, his white shorts now a light shade of red, he had already mentioned Wilder as his next opponent.

Both have repeatedly spoken of a rematch, which, if you listen to the Briton, is slated for 22 February.

That date looks a tall order given Wilder should have a fixture with Luis Ortiz in November and, as is the way in boxing, the rumour mill says he may have plans that do not include Fury.

Fury has said he would explore legal options if the American goes elsewhere and he has even spoken of fighting in December to keep sharpening his skill set in readiness.

Before the fight, speaking on a podcast with Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury said he would beat WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion Andy Ruiz with “one arm tied behind his back”

Promoter Bob Arum this week barked “he’s not fighting in December” as he wants to take any risk of a slip-up out of the equation and after tonight’s cut, that now looks hugely unlikely.

Wilder may feel tonight’s scare shows he can get at his rival if they meet again. Team Fury will undoubtedly think their man is in far better shape now than he was in their Los Angeles thriller.

This hard-earned win was a case of job done. As those in attendance spilled out of the arena and back on to the famous Las Vegas strip in search of good times, fans around the world will now hope all roads lead to an adventure with Wilder.

‘As weak as a kitten’ – reaction

Tyson’s father, John Fury, said he was “proud” of his son for “how he mauled his way through”, but also said changes needed to be made to the fighter’s preparation and team.

“It’s the worst I’ve seen from Tyson,” he told BT Sport Box Office. “He has to be honest and say things are not right. For a man to be in that condition after eight weeks camp it looked like he had nothing after round two.

“His strength and power went tonight, he was as weak as a kitten from the first round. At 18 stone 1, I’ve warned him and warned him. He is a 19-stone fighter.

“If I had my way, the lot [Tyson’s team] would be gone. If they keep that team that will be his career [gone].”

On the two cuts around the right eye, John Fury said: “An injury like that could finish a career, he might need surgery on that.”

Former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno praised the courage shown by Tyson Fury

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis praised the work of Fury’s cutman

Read More

[book-picks-for-pride]

PRIDE MONTH FANTASY/SCI-FI PICKS FOR YA

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy(Lumberjanes (Collected Editions) #1) by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, Brooke A. Allen(Illustrator)

At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together... And they're not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.

Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

There are a few things Henry Denton knows, and a few things he doesn’t.

Henry knows that his mom is struggling to keep the family together, and coping by chain-smoking cigarettes. He knows that his older brother is a college dropout with a pregnant girlfriend. He knows that he is slowly losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s. And he knows that his boyfriend committed suicide last year.

What Henry doesn’t know is why the aliens chose to abduct him when he was thirteen, and he doesn’t know why they continue to steal him from his bed and take him aboard their ship. He doesn’t know why the world is going to end or why the aliens have offered him the opportunity to avert the impending disaster by pressing a big red button.

But they have. And they’ve only given him 144 days to make up his mind.

The question is whether Henry thinks the world is worth saving. That is, until he meets Diego Vega, an artist with a secret past who forces Henry to question his beliefs, his place in the universe, and whether any of it really matters. But before Henry can save the world, he’s got to figure out how to save himself, and the aliens haven’t given him a button for that.

The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan

How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.

But Apollo has many enemies—gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go... an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Ash by Malinda Lo

Cinderella retold

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their difference, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess.

But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the story of how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation. He's stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann. Ultimately, it's up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

What if you aren’t the Chosen One?

The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions...