#while simultaneously pretending everyone who is not you got all the help they needed

[redrockbutch]

I really don't know how to explain to a wide swath of the online neurodivergence community that they let you rawdog ADHD even when you get bad grades, and it is actually Worse for children to be constantly shamed and belittled to the point they give up on schooling altogether forever than it is for young adults to have trouble remembering taking notes in college

[daytaker]

Can I request a fic where MC is sort of a pathological liar? and they lie about stuff that ultimately doesn't matter, but they can't help it? Also, if it could be Mammon x mc centric that would be amazing, but it doesn't have to be. I love your writing!! bye bye

POV: You are cldhart08. You forgot you sent this to me. Two full months later, you get a notification that daytaker replied to your ask.

Pants on Fire

Ships: (Lowkey) Mammon/Reader, Beel & Reader Word Count: ~1.1k CW: lying (general), lying about medical conditions, bullying Mammon

So you're a bit of a liar.

"I was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck. I wasn't breathing or anything, and my dad actually fainted.

...Or a lot of a liar.

"Did you know my second cousin actually dated Selena Gomez for awhile?"

One might even go so far as to call your lying 'pathological'.

"I actually have a severe tree nut allergy, so I'll pass on that. Thanks though."

There was never any logic to it. The lies just came out. You never felt guilty about it, because no one got hurt. So there wasn't really anything to worry about, right?

Wrong.

You sit on the floor outside of Mammon's room, hugging your knees, when a big, hulking form slumps down the wall onto the floor beside you.

"Oh... Hey, Beel," you say. You're not even trying to pretend as if nothing's wrong.

"Hello." He looks at Mammon's door, then at you. "Did you knock?"

You sigh, then demonstrate to Beel what happens when you knock on Mammon's door. A muffled voice comes from inside.

"Who is it?"

"It's me," you reply.

"I already told you! If you're a scummy, lyin' human, you can go eat nuts for all I care! I'm never talkin' to you again so you might as well stop wastin' both our times!"

"He's talking to you now," Beel points out, and it's hard to argue with his logic.

"Who the hell was that? Beel? Fine, then I'll only talk to you to tell you to fluff off, how's that?"

You rub your eyes tiredly and Beel leans in a little, speaking lower so Mammon can't hear him. "If you just leave, he'll come looking for you in about ten or twenty minutes."

"If I leave, he's going to think I'm not sorry." Hugging your knees, you shake your head. "I am sorry."

"Is this about the thing at the student council meeting and the nuts?"

You shudder at the memory.

----

You hadn't even thought about it at the time.

You never particularly liked nuts. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, chestnuts... not even peanuts outside their butter form. So when Mammon asked you why you declined to try a rather nut-heavy dish prepared by Barbatos himself, you simply told him you were allergic. "If I even get a whiff of them, my body goes into anaphylactic shock."

"What the hell's that?"

"Basically, my immune system goes haywire, and if I don't get the right kind of shot in the first few minutes, I'm a goner."

At the time, Mammon had seemed impressed by how close you skated to death, risking your life by casually allowing tree nuts to continue existing around you. And you? You'd enjoyed the brief attention.

At the time.

-----

That was weeks ago, so it was far from your mind as you accepted some human world trail mix from Beel while you sat, bored out of your wits, through another student council meeting. You picked out most of the nuts, of course, but in the end, you swallowed the imperfectly sorted handful.

And Mammon lost it.

"THERE WERE NUTS IN THAT!"

Diavolo, who had been in the middle of speaking, stuttered to a halt as everyone looked over to Mammon, who was simultaneously cradling you and screaming obscenities at an utterly bewildered Beelzebub. In the moment, you'd sort of frozen up and said nothing. Mammon...

Mammon was crying.

He was crying and yelling ridiculous instructions to everyone in the room and getting extremely angry when the others didn't seem to see what the issue was.

"They're gonna go into analgesic shock and die if we don't do somethin' fast! Do none of you bird brains get that?!"

He begged you to tell him how to get that shot you needed, that... what was it, an Apple Pen?

...It was several minutes before you were able to get the truth out.

Force the truth out, more like. Telling that truth made you almost wish you really had gone into anaphylactic shock. That seemed like an easier way to go than looking Mammon in the eye, in front of all his brothers and Diavolo, and explain that you didn't actually have that allergy. That you'd lied.

And of course, of course, the onus fell on Mammon for believing it.

Satan and Asmo sighed at how someone so stupid could function. Levi posted on Devilgram about how you'd epically trolled Mammon. Lucifer scolded Mammon for his overreaction, and Belphie just glowered at Mammon for waking him up with all his shrieking.

And you, you sort of...said nothing.

-----

"Ah," Beel says, nodding. "You feel bad that you made him look stupid."

"No," you groaned, frustrated at your inability to articulate exactly what it was that felt so off. "It's... He really thought I was going to die. I scared him. And then everyone treated him like a gullible idiot. So...I guess I made him look stupid, but..."

Beel stares at you. His expression is blank, but in a soft sort of way. It's oddly comforting.

"He got made into a laughing stock because I told him a lie, and he reacted to it....the way someone would react if they thought someone they really cared about was in danger. I feel guilty for lying and worrying him, and I feel worse that I just let everyone tear into him like always, when all he did was try to take care of me."

The door you're leaning against swings open behind you and you fall flat on your back in Mammon's doorway. The demon stares down at you with a mixture of righteous contempt and a flustered embarrassment that was so painfully typical of Mammon.

"Yeah! And you should feel guilty! You're a real asshole, ya know that?"

You blink up at him and offer a weak smile. "...Yeah, I know. I'm sorry."

Mammon folds his arms. "You really think you can just come snivelin' up to me and beg for forgiveness, and I'll just hand it to ya?"

Beel looks between you and Mammon, watching the conversation unfold with the same mild interest he'd show while staring at a somewhat unimpressive exhibit at the zoo.

"...Well, today just so happens to be your lucky day," Mammon continues. "The Great Mammon, the big guy himself, has decided to forgive your tiny mortal soul for bein' a total jackass and liar. You're welcome. Don't expect it to happen again."

Still lying on your back, you grin at Mammon. "Thanks, Great Mammon."

The demon clears his throat and looks away. "Anyway. Our turn to make dinner tonight, so..." With that, he walked right past you and darted down the stairs.

Typical Mammon.

[princeescaluswords]

How Many Times?

So, very recently, the fandom has come back around to Master Plan (2x12) once again, as it will until the end of time. Scott's decision to deceive Derek and his pack in order to save their lives while simultaneously deceiving Gerard in order to stop him from killing everyone (and becoming an alpha werewolf in the process) is one for which parts of the fandom will never forgive Scott. In consequence, they have described Scott alternatively as "manipulative," "self-absorbed," "full of himself," and most recently as "passive-aggressive." This novel approach has been explained as Scott disliking direct confrontation with others and so he works behind their backs for the greater good. (This tactic allows them to dislike Scott while acknowledging that he was the hero in the story).

The problem is that none of those descriptors are true. In fact, they're bullshit, and a very clear example of a fandom technique I've talked about before: Editing. This is where members of the fandom simply pretend certain scenes or parts of scenes didn't happen in order to justify their interpretation.

Because Scott did directly confront Derek and his pack on many different occasions during Season 2 in ways that were neither manipulative nor passive-aggressive. Don't believe me?

From Shape-Shifted (1x02):

Derek: Get in. Scott: Are you serious? You did that. That's your fault. Derek: I know that. Now get in the car and help me. Scott: No, I've got a better idea. I'm gonna call a lawyer. Because a lawyer might actually have a chance at getting him out before the moon goes up.

Also from Shape-Shifted:

Derek: Everyone wants power. Scott: If we help you, then you have to stop. You can't just go around turning people into werewolves. Derek: I can if they're willing. Scott: Did you tell Isaac about the Argents? About being hunted?

From Ice Pick (1x03):

Scott: Two's not enough for Derek. I know he needs at least three. So who's next? Erica: Why does there have to be a next when we've already got you? Scott: Who's next?

Also from Ice Pick:

Scott: Boyd. I just wanna talk. Hey, come on, Boyd, please. Did Derek tell you everything? And I don't just mean going out of control on the full moons. I mean everything.

From Abomination (1x04):

Scott: Derek? We need to work together on this. Maybe even tell the Argents. Derek: You trust them? Scott: Nobody trusts anyone! That's the problem. While we're here, arguing about who's on what side, there's something scarier, stronger and faster than any of us, and it's killing people and we still don't even know anything about it.

From Venomous (2x05):

Scott: Uh, I can talk to Derek, maybe convince him to give us a chance to prove that it's not her.

That's six separate occasions in four episodes that Scott went directly to Derek or a member of Derek's pack with concerns about their behavior, warnings about danger, or pleas to work together, and I'm sure I could find others if I put more time into it. And every single time, Derek or a member of his pack responded with a refusal to even listen to Scott or actual outright violence, once which ended up with Scott having to seek medical treatment after coughing up blood.

How many times does Scott have to reach out to Derek and his pack before his decision to act on his own principles is justified? This question is mostly rhetorical, because I know, you know, and God knows that there's no upper limit to that number for parts of the fandom. Scott is not entitled to make necessary decisions for the common good. After all, he's not white.

I can say with confidence that if Scott was a white male character, he could have. After all, they don't like Scott for 'going behind' Derek's and Stiles's backs (even though there is no evidence he went behind Stiles's back and that Stiles didn't know of Scott's Master Plan), but it only applies to him. Derek is entitled to hide the very existence of the alpha from Scott in Season 1. Derek is entitled to bite Jackson, the white male character who blackmailed Scott and sold Scott out to the hunters, and not tell Scott, who had to figure it out for himself. Stiles, himself, is entitled to conceal the fact that the message luring Allison to the high school in Night School (1x07) was sent from Scott's mother's e-mail account as well as directly lying (it's on the screen!) to Scott about his plan to get to the bottom of it. None of these things make them dislike Derek or Stiles the way Scott's Season 2 deception makes them dislike him.

I know the fandom standard is that all interpretations are valid, but I think I'm justified in arguing that if an interpretation is inconsistent or relies on pretending certain scenes didn't happen, it has to be recategorized not as interpretation but as a reaction. Calling Scott 'manipulative' or 'passive aggressive' is not valid.

The key, of course, is Entitlement. Derek and Stiles are entitled to behave like that because of what they've gone through and that they are putatively acting for Scott's own good. This makes them someone for which parts of the fandom can understand and empathize with. For some reason, Scott is not entitled to behave like that even after what he's gone through and that he's acting for other's good. This, in turns, makes Scott unlikeable, as he is 'full of himself' and 'self-absorbed.'

BUT THAT REASON ISN'T RACISM.

[c-c-cherry]

Teru fic??

EDIT?** I've actually posted the full fic that this snippet is from. You'll probably have a more fulfilling time just reading it lol --> Click!

This is a response to the little wip "challenge" I posted a little while ago. Askbox is still open for those! (there's a few I still need to answer too) :)

Sorry this took so long! I wanna say…good choice? Probably because I’m almost done writing this one and then I can move onto editing. Assuming the Area Hysteria people reading this have also read Tenacious Terrain (building on one of the memory flashes involving Ritsu but also works as a standalone fic), this one follows a similar format.

I’ve been treating it as my warm-up to get back into Mob after awhile while simultaneously trying to write for the main AH storyline. But I also think publishing this story first might help with what I want to do later between Reigen and Teru if that makes sense? I think it fills a lot of unspoken gaps that I've really wanted to explore in the hysteriaverse so I've been having a lot of fun getting into it.

I’ll shut up now — here’s a snippy!

***

The pair walked down the street just as the sun started dipping below the trees. Reigen didn’t ask if Teru's parents were waiting for him at home, and he was grateful for it.

Teru usually found himself talking endlessly when going out with Kageyama or even Ritsu, just to fill up the fact that both usually didn’t say much at all. There was no need to do that with someone like Reigen. His energy could silence a room. Teru had seen it with Claw, the way everyone turned and gave him total control back when they first got captured. 

Reigen was evidently powerful in both the psychic world and the business world, but his words alone still poked through the sharpest of swords, more than Teru’s power ever could.

“Mob and I come here if we end up working past dinner,” Reigen held the door open for him, and Teru watched as the man greeted the host as if he knew her. He took off his jacket and gestured for Teru to follow. “This booth has the best view. It’s great while it's raining, but sunny weather will do just fine.”

The man rolled up his white sleeves and sighed in content. Teru attempted to relax his shoulders and calm his heart, pretending he wasn’t having dinner with Reigen Arataka, 21st century’s greatest psychic and Teru’s new temporary boss. Thoughts about what to do with that daunting guardianship form still plagued the back of his mind but he forced himself to push it back further and look up at the approaching waiter.

“No bowl-cut today?” she asked curiously, passing out the menus, “I haven’t seen the two of you come around here in a bit.” 

“Who, Mob?” Reigen chuckled, “The kid’s got a marathon at school to run. I’ve got a few of his friends helping me out.”

Teru melted into the foam booth, letting it press up against his back as the two conversed. It had been awhile since he’d felt this cozy. He wondered if it was the ambience of this place, or Reigen’s mere presence putting him at ease.

“Before I forget,” Reigen rummaged through his briefcase once they had both ordered and pulled out his phone. “I’ll give you my number so we can keep in touch. I might need you earlier or later depending on exorcism appointments. It’ll be nice to have you filed away for when I need you this week.”

Reigen wanted his phone number? Teru stared down at his food piping hot in front of him. He wondered if Reigen would pay for this, too. Based on what Kageyama had said about him, the man would no doubt slip a few bills on the table regardless of whether Teru pulled out his card to cover his half of the bill. Reigen would probably walk him home too while he was at it. 

“Sure, I-” he stuttered, trying to find his voice. This wasn’t like him. Reigen must have known that too, despite barely knowing him at all. The man leaned over and placed his hands up defensively, his rolled sleeves slipping back down and grey jacket discarded beside him.

“Unless you think that’s overstepping. I just like to have everyone’s names on hand. If you aren’t comfortable with it, don’t worry about it. I don’t have to have you on-call all the time like I do with Mob…though it would be pretty helpful for emergency exorcisms…” 

Teru didn’t wait around to hear what else the man was saying. Reigen was so confident, so powerful, so cool, and all Teru wanted to do was impress him. 

Be reliable. He could be reliable. 

Teru pulled out his phone, flipped through his contacts and tried to find the phone number that he still hadn’t memorized after getting a new number a few months back. His father had paid for it, of course. He hadn’t seen his father’s face in years, but the man still paid for everything so long as Teru could forge his signature.

His head went back to those stupid forms in his bag. To think the school had waited this long before asking him to prove his parents’ existence outside of a signature.

“Here,” he pushed his phone over to him, pulling a grin over his face. “I’d be happy to help you out in Kageyama’s stead as much as you need.” He’d even be willing to skip school, maybe never show up at school again if it meant no one would interrogate him about his familial situation. But perhaps that was a different kind of commitment. 

Reigen smiled back, his eyes glowing with satisfaction. “That was quick. Thanks a bunch, Hanaza—"

“—Teruki,” he corrected, before realizing that he’d interrupted Reigen Arataka, 21st Century’s Greatest Psychic and the only adult who had ever asked him for his number to make sure he was around and alright. “Teruki’s fine. Or Teru.”

Reigen snorted, taking his chopsticks and dipping them into his bowl. “Teruki for now. But don’t think you can just go around calling me Arataka…at least, not in front of Ritsu. Sometimes it feels like that kid is just trying to find his footing before pouncing on someone like me.” Reigen’s eyes locked onto him, suddenly serious. “You wouldn’t want to be responsible for a dead man…would you, kid?” 

“Oh,” Teru’s face surely looked stupid, the way it glowed. “No, I would never—”

“Kids these days are so dense! I’m just messing around,” the man snickered back, followed by the slurping of noodles. “Mmmh..this place never fails to amaze my taste buds after such a long day.” He banged on the table softly with his fist. “Well, eat up! Here’s to a very productive first day.”

A thought grazed Teru’s head as he tipped the bowl up to his lips. 

It was a very selfish, self-serving thought. One that accompanied a methodical plan that slowly began to form in the back of his mind. Reigen was a responsible, giving person. He was mystical, busy, a very busy man. He lived here in Seasoning City. If Teru could guess, he was almost at the age of 30—a very responsible age for a very responsible, reliable, busy man. He was a model citizen, really. He even went above and beyond to inspire others around him.

As of this moment, Teru worked alongside Reigen. He had access to his files, which probably contained most of his information if he looked around hard enough for it. Maybe this would finally get the school off his back. 

And who says the man even has to know?

[multiplicity-positivity]

Okay, this got kind of long. I have a question, or well, more like several. I’m just very confused right now.

So, I’ve known about plurality for a while and also there’s other people in my head but like most of them are me or sort of me, so I didn’t think I/we would count and just kind of collectively decided to not look into it. Like, even tho it feels just kind of right to call ourselves “we” and stuff, it just never felt like something we should try and figure out with others. We were just winging it and deciding for ourselves on our own identity terms.

But recently a friend of ours came out as plural and that got us thinking about it. But we don’t want to say to them “oh hey I think we’re plural too!” because we- well, mostly I fear it’d come across as rude or that we’re trying to copy them. Also we still aren’t like really sure if we count as plural?

Also, about the whole possible plurality situation, it’s like I (the one writing this) am pretty much always more or less aware of what’s going on, even when it sometimes feels like one of the others is more in control and I’m just watching. idk if that’s normal that I never go into my mind.

Also, yeah, almost all of the other people in here feel like they’re also me. Which, I recently learned about median, but idk if that really applies. My situation is more like Al’s or everyone’s personality and appearance and stuff we’re derived from me and also sometimes I can kind of see into their brain, like their thoughts and stuff? Like we share the same consciousness.

And I’ve heard advice that’s men’s to be encouraging that goes along the lines of “you are pretending or making it up because that would require a conscious choice to pretend.” But like- sometimes genuinely don’t know if I’m pretending. It feels like VR, simultaneously real and make-believe. Because I can see the thoughts of the the others in my head and most (but not all) are derived from me, I kind of feel like maybe I am just faking it or confused or in the wrong community.

One last note I will put about how I kept mentioning that some aren’t derived from me. There’s only 2 (out of the 9ish others) that aren’t connected to me and I can’t really see into their thoughts and feelings. So like, if we were plural, there’d be a chance that maybe it’s just us three? But I still don’t know and they don’t know either and the other 7 who are me but aren’t also don’t know.

Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Grey + possibly others

Hey Grey, we aren’t quite sure how to respond to this… so we’re just going to take it one point at a time. All hyperlinks in this post head to Pluralpedia, a community-driven plurality wiki.

- If you feel like there’s other people in your head, you can call yourself plural. It doesn’t matter at all if they’re all copies of the same person or if every headmate is incredibly similar. Plurality just means being more than one. So if you feel like you’re more than one, or you share your body and mind with others, that’s really all it takes to be plural.

- You should get to come out as plural on your own terms in a way that helps you feel comfortable. If your friend thinks you’re “copying them” by coming out as a system not long after they did… honestly, we feel like that is their problem. You know yourself, and you know you’re not copying anyone by living your most authentic life/lives, and that’s what matters most. If you need some more advice on coming out specifically, you can check out our post on the matter:

- Having a frontstuck host who always remains at the front is actually pretty common in systems. We see this all the time in plural folks of all sorts. There is even a term, specutien, that describes systems with a permanently frontstuck member.

- It’s possible to be monoconscious, multiple headmates sharing the same consciousness, without being median, so it may be worth it to look into that.

- We feel like many, many systems feel like they’re pretending sometimes when they’re actually not. However, even if you really are pretending (sometimes or all the time), as long as the plurality framework benefits you, and if you feel comfortable and happy calling yourself plural, then you’re plural to us and you belong in our spaces. End of story.

For some resources for questioning systems, maybe check out this post:

In the end, we can’t tell you whether or not you’re plural - you’re going to have to discover that for yourself. But hopefully something here can help or at leas put your mind at ease, if only a little bit. Good luck with figuring this out, we know that sorting out feelings and trying to make sense of whether or not you’re plural can be really difficult at the beginning.

[subskz]

Rin.... Rin, I crave violence

I saw these and your girl got the most heinous thoughts bouncing around in the head.

SO

Cabin, Snow, There's Only One Bed, Accidental Confession, & Sex. Are you following?

I hope so.

~~~

Picture it: You, Channie, and Co. have decided to stay at a cabin in the woods for a couple of days in winter (see Channie's outfit up above) and as everyone else goes off to have fun in the snow, (I've grown to dislike the snow after having multiple snow days back to back bc I don't get snow often; Ms. Pink was nawt having it) you two decide to hang back

So you two kinda just shrug it off and try to stay preoccupied while by yourselves

And maybe that involves a game or two here and there, music stuff, cooking and things don't get heated until you two make a bet that you, just so happen to, win.

That bet? The other has to do whatever the other says until the others get back.

And you can't help but notice how eager he is to follow your directions and orders; or how he starts to act cuter around you and pouty when feeling a skosh playful.

So maybe you ask for a kiss to gauge his reaction; ofc Channie is malfunctioning so you're all like "jk jk im totally not-" then BOOM! A big ole smooch is what you get.

And then, he's like "omg oh god im so sorry" then you kiss him and he can't help but moan at it (perv Channie?... oh that's something i will be back abt, mark that down)

N e ways, let's talk abt sex now

Chan and his babyboy-isms seem to just increase tenfold; pouty, whiney, all flushed, wanting physical contact, oral fixation all on 10.

And, him being a service top, he is so hellbent on pleasing you. But he's also been dealing with this huge crush on you, so when he finally enters you, he swears he's entering the 5th dimension.

But also instantly blurts out that he has feelings for you... whoops. Can't help it, unfortunately; another victim of being brain mush as soon as he gets off :(

Give him a kiss on his lips and nose and tell him how you feel and help guide him; poor pup is just too into his subspace to even form coherent sentences anymore and probably too preoccupied with sucking on your fingers or chest 🤷‍♀️

Now, afterglow and post-orgasm clarity is such a real thing (it's happened once to me but i had the munchies like fucking crazy so it didn't last lmao) so Channie is embarrassed when he realized that he involuntarily confessed like that.

~~~

Sorry for the word vomit; currently half past 11pm and I've been sipping on black tea all-day so... :) 3rd eye is just working over time.

Also, I called a specific Hyunjin look back in 2021, so Pink is just Clairvoyant when it comes to Hyunjin specifically (it's bc we're both Pisces)

the fact that these pics led to this stroke of genius from you…put channie in a sweater n suspenders more often bc i’m actually gonna lose my mind over how much i love this 😵‍💫 him pining after you…simultaneously so shy but so eager…the desperate need to please you…the way he goes dumb the moment he’s inside you…blurting out his confession…it has all the elements of a perfect channie concept

HAHA yes let’s settle for the romantic atmosphere inside the cabin away from the snow…maybe even w a warm fire crackling to really set the mood ♡ channie being his sweet good-natured lil self and listening to everything you say without question…the thought of him getting playful at some point and pretending to disobey you w a cheeky dimpled grin…pure devastation. he’d look so adorably proud of himself it’s almost enough to let it slide, but you don’t even get the chance before he takes it back w a giggle and follows your order anyway 🥰

his heart-shaped lips look extra red and kissable bc of the cold who could resist <3 and god the way he’d just lean completely into that sweet, unbashedly needy side of himself once he sees how much you like it…the epitome of baby boy w the way he clings to you and nuzzles into your chest and starts to whine if he can’t feel your touch for even a moment. and nothing on earth makes me crazier than the idea of channie’s mind going blank the moment he feels you around him…suddenly he’s lost and clueless and needs you to direct him to do every little thing so he can satisfy you properly ❤️‍🔥 he may not be able to think for himself but he still carries out all your orders like a good boy! and ofc when his emotions are running so high and his head is so scrambled from the pleasure, he can’t help but babble on abt how much he loves you in a way that’ll have him absolutely mortified when that giddy haze finally wears off~

no need to apologize as u can see this resonated w me very much hehe ^_^ you and hyune really have some kind of piscean psychic link that no one else can comprehend i’ll look forward to what you predict next 😼

[ddrqoyote]

Why Discord is my poor little meow meow

Discord used to be god. Then the Elements of Harmony appeared and suddenly he wasn't. He kept his powers, a pretty sweet deal, but he couldn't do whatever he wanted anymore and he had to interact with people as equals.

This is something we all go through. I know this is the internet and we're all supposed to pretend we're humble no matter how obviously we're not, but forget that for now and acknowledge every single one of us literally, truly thought we were god at some point.

For most of us that was when we were toddlers, so it probably doesn't seem relevant. But when difficult things happen to us that change our personalities, the specific parts of us that got hurt can stay frozen in time, so we stay part-child even into adulthood. Obviously that's more pronounced in some people than others, but I think very few of us are totally unfrozen (how different would the world be if so many people weren't motivated by childish fears?)*.

There's probably a part of you that never stopped feeling the pain of your fall to earth, especially if you fell later than most people. Some people let it fester in a jealous rage, some people hoard everything they can and try to remove anything they don't like from their community, some people cover up the pain and talk about how hard and how good at sucking it up they are while not acting any more humble than the other groups because they actually do still want to be better than everyone.

With Discord, we get to see that happen in real time. And his responses are FASCINATING. His entire identity was wrapped up in being god, so all he can do is hide the nothing inside him behind endless distractions and playing parts. He's always dressed up as some stock character, like a cop or a 1950's father or a comedian or something, sometimes he even changes his voice. Now that he can't dress like god, he has to have another mask.

And he's desperate for approval from the SAME PEOPLE WHO TOOK IT ALL AWAY. He wants to look down on the Mane 6 and manipulate them so he can keep his place in the world above them, but he wants them to love him too so he needs to interact with them like a person. He wants them both so, so badly and he can't pick one. He resents them for destroying his old life, and he needs them at the same time. Fluttershy helped cause all his problems and he loves her! And I think he interacts less with the other ponies on purpose so he can tell himself Fluttershy is just his one equal and he's still better than everyone else (see how he reacted when she said to hang out with Spike and Big Mac, and how he simultaneously tried to impress them and sabotage any potential friendship before it happened).

If only he and Pinkie Pie had an episode together so they could compare notes on needing everybody to love them...

He's a complete mess and it's not fully resolved by the end of the series, and it's painfully relatable but also not really tragic when you think about why it's all happening.

*Look up Internal Family Systems therapy if you want to know more, it's the only kind of therapy that's actually worked for me.

[fairly-linked]

Some ideas you say? Sure! Have a handful :DD

Sky’s reaction to his crush being a dragon rider (like httyd :33), reader’s dragon could show up after the chain enters their hyrule and reader is like :OO FRIEND!! And sky, who has run into a handful of dragons on his journey is just like HUH???

Warriors with his s/o and they’re just talking shit and gossiping about the people from both of their hyrules. Wind could come in and join and eventually it just turns into a gossip circle

Hyrule and his friend flying around as fairies and causing chaos! Or just vibing in a floor away from the chain

Legend getting his hair braided by crush, he very blushy boi

Time and crush pretending to be married and the younger members parents cause they need guardians permission to enter a place or whatever

Four dating a jeweller! He makes the metal bands/chains while s/o inbeds them with all sorts of stones! Magical and non!

Hope this helps! You can do whatever you wish with theses!

Uuufffff Trippy you got some good shit---

I'mma have to go with the Wars one. I'm trying to come up with new shit... ugh.

So anyway, enjoy! (Sorry this was so short! Lost passion for writing halfway through the week :L)

Rumors (Warriors x Reader)

"Ugh, did you see that lady's outfit? Stripes and polka dots do not go together."

"I know, sweetheart, I know. Her man didn't look much better, with the red beard? Dude looks like a tall-ass leprechaun."

For once, it was a quiet day. Time had given everyone the day off since you'd all made it to a particularly nice town; so, he allowed everyone to break off into groups. Knowing you and your boyfriend Warriors didn't get to spend much alone time together, Time was nice enough to let you go off by yourselves when he paired everyone up.

Which brought you to now. You, in your love of sweets, had dragged Warriors to a little cafe not far from the inn the chain was staying at for the next night or two.

There, you both decided to engage in some... lighthearted chitchat, as you'd put it.

Your blonde boyfriend snorts. "Hey, did you see what Wind did to the Vet yesterday?"

"Uh, no? Tell me." You grin, making him do the same in return as he leans closer.

"He stole Time's wedding ring because he thought it was pretty, right?"

You gasp. "What?! Does he not know how important that is?"

"'Course not, he's a kid," he laughs. "But anyway, he snatched it, and when Time got mad and asked where it was, he blamed the Vet."

You laugh. "Because of his ring collection, right?"

Wars nods enthusiastically, taking a sip of his coffee.

"And the old man swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. That's why he's been awful quiet this morning. Wind's been pretty silent too, you know. Trying not to get himself caught."

You almost choke on your latte.

"Time bought it?! No! Poor Vet!" you laugh.

"He absolutely bought it-- Aw shit," he suddenly grumbles. When you follow his gaze, you see what he means: Time and Wind have entered the cafe, Time's gaze landing on the two of you almost instantly as he smiles. He waves the Sailor over, who still looks inherently guilty.

"Mind if we crash the party?" Time smiles. "I'm conducting a bit of an investigation here."

You and Wars glance at each other, before looking back to him.

"Uh, yeah sure," You nod, each of you scooting over. You'd been seated in a booth facing each other; Time sits next to you while Wind takes the seat next to Wars on the other side. The old man sighs.

"I want you two to tell me everything you know about my ring. I can't find it anywhere and the Vet is adamant he doesn't have it."

Both you and Wars simultaneously point to Wind, who lets out a a small "Hey?!"

Time snorts. "Oh, I already know it was him. I just want to know if you two knew where he put my ring, because he's not telling me."

You and your boyfriend shoot each other knowing glances. If Wind wasn't giving it to him, then that means...

"...Wind." you sigh, and Wars snorts.

"Oh goddesses, not the mom voice. You're in trouble now, kid."

Wind's eyes widen. "Oh come on, you too?! That's not fair!"

"It's also not fair that you stole Time's wedding ring and haven't given it back yet," You huff, clearing your throat.

The sailor still doesn't answer you, looking down at the table.

"...Wind. Did you lose it?"

Time looks at you, his right eye opening in surprise. He hopes that isn't the case, but...

The sailor nods solemnly. "I was going to give it back, and I dropped it in the creek... I looked for it for hours, but I couldn't find it."

Time sighs.

"Well, if nothing else, I hope this will teach you not to steal things from others. That ring was important, Sailor." His voice remains calm, but even Wind himself can tell he's angry.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Time sighs once again, standing up. "It's alright, Sailor. Let's be going, we'll leave these two alone for a while, okay?"

Wind nods, standing with him, and Time turns back to the two of you. "Thank you, you two. Meet back at the inn by sundown."

You and Wars nod as the pair walk out. Once they leave, your boyfriend is staring at you with a smirk, his head propped up in his palm as he stares you down.

"What?" you question.

He only chuckles.

"...You're gonna be a great mom someday."

You sigh, cheeks burning bright red as he continues to laugh; but you can't get the fact that he added someday at the end.

You also don't miss the flush of red on his own face.

Someday indeed.

[sabyfangirl]

Chapter 5: Just Swim

Back at the Tortuga, everyone was busy with what they were doing, except something kept bothering them.

"...Argh," Aviva, who was tinkering with an invention, sighed as she turned from her station to face Koki. "How do you think Martin's holding up?"

Koki gave her a sad look. "Look, I feel bad too, but we need to give him time to deal with it."

"I know, it's just..." She looked away. "I wish there was a way we could help."

Koki got up from her seat and went over to place a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder. Their eyes met. "Me too." Aviva gave her a bittersweet smile.

All of a sudden, a loud ringing soud pierced the Tortuga. The girls jumped.

"Koki, what's that?" Koki dashed to the big screen, followed by Aviva.

"It's a call...from Martin!" Koki let out, a mixture of surprise and worry in her voice.

The first thing they were met with after answering the call was a desperate-

"Guys, you gotta help! Something horrible just happened!"

Aviva and Koki flinched. "Woah, Martin calm down, what happened?" Koki asked.

"I-It's Gourmand, he captured Chris and Emerald!" Martin managed through teary eyes.

"WHAT?!" Aviva and Koki let out simultaneously. "Is that the sea turtle you guys named?" Koki asked.

"Yeah, and Gourmand's planning to cook him for sure!" Martin let out with glassy eyes.

"This is bad, do you have an idea about where they could've gone?" Aviva asked with hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, it looked like they were heading East." Martin then looked away, a look of regret on his face. "Ah man, this is all my fault, if only I weren't so scared of swimming, maybe I could've-"

"Don't say that MK, none of what happened was your fault," Koki interrupted him, wearing a firm yet reassuring expression.

"We'll get Chris and Emerald back, we promise!" Aviva added, backing up her friend's words.

Martin gave a weak nod, pretending to be convinced, although deep down he wasn't. Guilt lingered within him.

"Koki you track Gourmand down, while I try to come up with a way to stop him," Aviva said, receiving a firm nod from Koki. "Hang tight Martin."

With that, the call came to an end, leaving an emotionally unstable Martin staring at his creature pod, all by himself. He looked out on the sea yet again, a heavy sigh escaping his chest...

He felt completely useless.

At the other side of the beach, a small restaurant connected to a boat could be seen on shore. Inside, Goumand was busy handling the heavy sea turtle by placing him on his shell on his kitchen counter. "You sure are heavy," he gritted his teeth, "I like it," he snickered.

"Gourmand, let that sea turtle go, he belongs living free and in the wild!" Chris let out angrily, he was at the entrance of the restaurant, hands behind his back and stuck to a bar thanks to Gourmand's unbelievably strong sticky dough.

"Oh can it already, I'm so sick of hearing you and your pasky brother talk about animals like that, argh!" Gourmand gave him a rather repelled look. "Oh, don't hurt the animals, oh, they deserve to be living free and in the wild," he said mockingly, before cracking into laughter which truly aggravated the green Kratt.

"You won't get away with this!" Chris growled, his response only arousing the chef's confidence.

"Oh yeah?" He started approaching him intimidatingly, Chris' eyes widening with fear, before coming to a stop just millimeters away from him. "First you'll watch me cook your turtle friend, then I'll take care of you," he cackled in front of his face, his tone growing dark and obscure.

Chris gulped, sweat running down his face. "M-Martin will stop you," he stammered.

"Hah! Blueberry? That's a good one," Gourmand laughed, "I know he won't be bothering me anytime soon since he's too scared to swim in the first place, hahaha!"

Chris could feel himself boiling up. "Don't you dare talk about my brother that way!"

"Oh give me a break," Gourmand simply walked off, ignoring his last sentence. "Soon, it'll be time to cook," he giggled, walking over to the back of his restaurant.

Chris looked at Emerald apologetically, seeing the call for help in his eyes.

"Oh Martin, where are you?" He looked longingly at the beach, hoping to spot his brother, hoping for help to come.

Sitting on the sand and with his face buried in his knees, Martin was staring at the sea, a lot of thoughts running through his mind. The scene from earlier kept replaying in his head. How Gourmand captured his brother and that innocent sea creature, how he let him get away with it, how he was too afraid to jump in and try to rescue them. He couldn't swim. He just couldn't. He was mentally scolding himself for it, but he just couldn't.

He sighed heavily. Fear. He already knew what it was, but how to overcome it, that was a different story.

Afraid of a little swim?

That phrase resonated in his ears. He was afraid, but he also wanted to help more than anything. "Argh, what am I gonna do?" He rubbed his face with utter frustration, feeling lost and hopeless.

Just then, he felt the sand beneath him starting to dissipate, as if scattering around, creating some sort of depth under his legs. Startled, he pushed away but enough to observe the scene; from the dispersing particles of sand, emerged what seemed to be...a flipper? But a tiny one.

Martin gasped as sudden realization hit him. "A small flipper popping out of the sand, this could only mean one thing!" With a squeal of excitement, he lay down on his stomach, his face resting in his crossed arms.

He was about to witness the miracle of life.

Through the sand, came out a small, precious, fragile baby sea turtle. Martin's eyes went wide with astonishment and emotiveness. "Wow."

The little fellow amphibious shook the sand off its miniscule head, before looking up to meet eyes with the Kratt in blue; he could see the innocence in its tiny black eyes.

"Hey," Martin greeted with a soft voice, "welcome to the world buddy." He wore a warm smile on his face. And before he knew it, another sea turtle appeared, then another, and another... Soon there were too many baby sea turtles to count, Martin laughing enthusiastically.

"Wow, look how many of you there are! You know, a mom sea turtle can lay just about one hundred eggs, that's impressive, so no wonder you come in big numbers," he said knowledgeably, watching as the newborns made their way to...sea.

Martin's face dropped. Of course, the sea.

He swallowed hard, before getting up to follow the crawling beings. "W-Wait are you guys sure about this?" He kept following them, step by step, then stopped all of a sudden when the water started brushing his toes. "Woah," he flinched.

He then looked back at the sea turtles to find them, not much to his surprise, heading straight for the water; they all dipped in, one sibling followed by the other, no-one left behind.

Throughout that spectacle, Martin couldn't help but admire their bravery and great instinct; the ability to jump right into the sea from the moment you were born.

"Amazing," he finally said, "they don't learn it, they don't think about it..." Slowly but surely, he marched closer and closer... "T-They just do it, they-" he was met with a feeble wave that hit him right in midbody, but instead of freaking out, he let it sink in, he allowed himself to face how he felt, he allowed himself to process how he felt. He didn't run away. He stood strong. "They just swim," he whispered. "THEY JUST SWIM!"

With that, he dove into the water and started swimming. He was actually swimming. Tears on his face mixed with sea water marked his happiness. He finally did it.

As his head popped out of the water, he was met by the baby turtles who were just starting to swim about. "Thanks guys," his tone was delicate and full of emotion. And now that he got his swimming mojo back, he knew what he had to do.

He took out his creature pod. "Calling Wild Kratts!"

On the screen, appeared Koki who had a concerned look on her face. "Martin, are you okay?"

"Hah, never been better," he chuckled.

As she got a better look at where he was precisely, she gasped. "You're swimming? That means you're not scared anymore, hooray!" she cheered, which made Martin rub the back of his neck, laughing timidly. "Aviva, come quick, you gotta see this!"

Within few seconds, Aviva stood next to Koki who was pointing excitedly at the screen. "What is it Koki?" As she looked at Martin, her eyes lit up. "Martin, you overcame your fear, that's awesome!" She jumped joyfully, clapping her hands like a five-year-old.

"Yep, and I'm more than ready to save Emerald and my bro!" Martin said, a determined look on his face. But then, as in sudden remembrance, he added, "And I think I know just the creature power that might help." He pointed the camera at the baby sea turtles, peacefully swimming around.

"Aww," the two girls cooed. "I see exactly what you mean!" Aviva said with a smug.

"Yeah, but don't we already have a sea turtle disc?" Koki asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Actually that was the Hawksbill sea turtle, but these ones are green sea turtles, and even though they belong to the same family, they all have different features." Martin then jumped in, putting his knowledge of zoology to the test. "The Hawksbill sea turtle's shell has serrated edges, with overlapping scutes, and their lower jaw is V-shaped, giving them a hawk-like appearance." As he spoke, there was a video of the mentioned species on the big screen. "As for the green sea turtle, it's the largest of all the hard-shelled sea turtles, even if it has a pretty small head." Another video played on the screen, this time it was one of a green sea turtle.

"Oh, I get it," Koki finally said, her hand on her chin.

"So if I modify the Hawksbill turtle suit by adding the green sea turtle's features, it might just cut it!" Aviva then rushed off to start working on the disc, feeling more inspired than ever.

"Then you better do it fast, because who knows how long Emerald can last at Gourmand's mercy," Martin said, before ending the call.

He looked up, contemplating his surroundings, a small smile creeping on his face, but it was soon replaced with a firm expression.

He was going to save them.

Next chapter

Previous chapter

[anthonybialy]

No Secret About Poor Service

Kimberly Cheatle’s résumé has been assassinated.  She leaves on a gentle slope.  The Secret Service director directed neither.  Announcing her resignation after whoever tweets for Joe Biden finally revealed the alleged boss is bailing at term’s end shows dedication to both a stubborn defiance of competence and unwillingness to respect responsibility.  Ungrateful taxpayers don’t even credit her for the dumbest of luck.

The cunning strategy of keeping Donald Trump safe by having him turn his head at precisely the right moment shows how to do an assignment well.  We didn’t need the scariest close call there could be, but it’s there as a reflection of the atmosphere of utter incompetence created by a president who was a putzing doofus even before he had to learn his name every morning.

It’s always a bad sign when we learn the name of an agency’s head.  Democrats scold us for not praising the selflessly awesome servants who enable joy and productivity.  The only thing lacking is a good reason.  Democrats who define ruling as broadly as possible screw up every legitimate role along with those they seize.  Feeble bullies want to run your lives even though they can’t preserve them.  Pete Buttigieg adores Cheatle for making him look less inept by comparison.

You’re in luck if you desire examples of why public idlers can’t protect anyone from anything.  Those looking for capability will feel frustrated.  Firing should’ve come an instant after the bullet flew past.  But this isn’t Costco.  The lack of accountability following the definition of failure illustrates why everyone either admits to hating government or pretends it’s looking out for all of us while fuming at the opposite occurring.

The one agency that everyone admired has sunk to being as oafish as the rest, so at least we enjoy consistency.  Sniper interdiction sure seems like it falls under constitutional jurisdiction.  Oh so fearless architects of society can’t even shield the executive branch.

Liberals claim the state should be involved in everything outside its domain.  Meanwhile, it can’t achieve what’s within it.  An unmanageable entity that shrugs while those vying to be its head of state are forced to duck is surely proficient at educating whippersnappers and healing the sick.

Nostalgia is acceptable when present life sucks.  Even those posted to insulate politicians from harm were better during the Reagan era.  Agents exposed themselves to shots to guard a body.  The soft reboot is never as impressive.  The erstwhile paladin of competitors will have to get a job at her cousin's cleaners.

Trump’s raised fist replaced the most avatars.  But the agent hiding behind the person she was supposed to cover is the emblematic image of the fiends’s attempt even if tweeters don’t want to use it as their social media identity.  Two kinds of dastards simultaneously plied their respective crafts.

Facts were another casualty.  Journalists who didn’t seem particularly concerned about a wounded finalist for the top office naturally treated the unqualified coward like the victim.  You are such a sexist for pointing out the female agents and director screwed up their sole duty.

I’m not saying women are unable to thwart murder plots against campaigners.  But these particular women sure couldn’t.  It turns out all those cruel right-wing conspiracy junkies got details right.  The eternally helpful press will act like they endorsed the truth all along instead of branding those who noticed it as duplicitous misogynists.

Changing the definition of what’s real is part of the career description for contemporary reporters.  Respectability for what they do vanished just as it has for the bumbling Secret Service agents they shroud from consequences.

Sentinels of objectivity got in plenty of lying practice while defending a diminished White House dweller who’s always been infected with mendaciousness.  Like claiming Barack Obama didn’t lead Biden off the stage before then proclaiming the incumbent is unfit to double his time in power, the acceptance of actuality just took a couple days.

What’s next: the Secret Service enlists a female for the sake of it?  Oh: the parody came true.  The prototypical DEI appointment set back diversity, equity, and inclusion.  If you want to halt the assertion that hiring based on superficial characteristics has become the standard, stop hiring applicants who can’t shelter a potential president.  Now, vote for her opponent unless you want to be labeled prejudiced against her race and gender.

Cheatle was the Pepsi of directors.  The serving of empty energy fittingly served as the unpalatable Coca-Cola substitute’s security director.  No, it’s not okay.  She can return to ensuring sodie pop cans don’t get shot.  I’m sure she can get her gig back: it’s not like her blundering almost got a candidate killed any more than there are quotes that haunt her like “I thrive on chaos.”

Mean Republicans cheering employment loss are always moaning about having to perform tasks.  Cruel capitalists think an occupation is for creating value instead of an entitlement in order to earn a living wage.  Results during shifts are predictable.

Usually, a federal stooge having to seek a position in a productive field merely offers economic benefit.  But saving confiscated cash with the loss of a useless worker is merely the start.  Cheatle was still overseeing the survival of Trump and the incumbent after a nefarious twerp with a grudge and ladder nearly rewrote the timeline on her quasi-watch.

If you’re unable to notice a high place would be an appealing perch for an aspiring murderer of the prominent individual you’re supposed to keep alive, this may not be the department for you.  The embodiment of terrible work not only avoided getting fired the night of her greatest shame but left on her own terms in a summary of Washington that’s a bit too perfect.  She’s convenient to point at for those who think the federal labor pool is exponentially too deep and filled with people who can’t swim.  But I’d rather have contenders be safe.

[all-things-fandomstuck]

First off, this is a rant, and I am pissed. If you don't care, keep scrolling. This is your only warning. Also, mood music, because that's just how I feel about it.

You ever just hit the point where you're fucking done? Like, with an entire person and the situation they put you in, and the situation they want to drag you into?

Because that's me today.

I literally had the thought "I'm tired of following in the shadow of a lesser man who thinks he's a god". And honestly, I'm over it.

Mr. White Knight who thinks he's sacrificed everything for everyone else, who's done nothing but run away and then expects everyone else to follow, and then got pissed off when they got sick of it.

Also, this fucker has the audacity to call his cheating a "rebound". Hey jackass, it's not a fucking rebound if you're still in a god damn relationship. You were fucking married and you fucked a coworker 17 years younger than you, and then went on about how your relationship was already headed towards divorce when you didn't even want to work on it in the first place! Oh, and you had the audacity to tell your wife that you "tried every psychology trick in the book" on her! I hope you never work in the psych field again.

I am, of course, talking about my father. He was never there, and now, he's getting pissed off because his kids don't want to be around his girlfriend. He moved in with her after three months, they've been dating for a year, and now he's all like "I'm going to follow her wherever she goes". However, I have the sneaking suspicion that he's cheating.

And now, he wants to drag me to a state I really don't want to go to on this promise of "Better Opportunities, Theme Parks, and It's gonna be something different!", despite the fact that I've technically lived in that state multiple times, and it's NEVER different. "But you've never lived in that area before!" Good, and I don't want too!

He got all upset when I mentioned my siblings don't want anything to do with his girlfriend, and turned it into a "poor woe is me, my kids hate me". Narcissist much? Honestly, we kind of do, because he's pretending to be a man he's not for points with a woman that he himself once said he "wouldn't have for long". Like, what the fuck does that even mean? And then he said he'd like to marry her one day? But the he got upset when I told him that me and my siblings would never consider her a step mom, just the woman he would be married to? Like, fucker, you're not replacing our mom, you're just moving further out of our lives. And then he had the audacity to go "So I'm never supposed to be happy again?" Honestly, I hope he never is. He doesn't deserve it in my opinion l.

And I've tried explaining things to him, but he doesn't want to listen without turning it into an "everybody hates me" bitch fit.

Not to mention, he wants to treat me like a child while simultaneously telling me to act like an adult. I'm twenty-fucking-three, I stopped being a kid a while ago, please treat me like one. That means quit expecting me to jump whenever you say so while praying it was high enough. I'm not someone who can be bossed around by someone who obviously doesn't know what they're doing. Also, he's banned me from saying the word "seduce" (I was talking about something one of my buddies did as their DND bard) and told me I can't wear certain items of clothing. Bitch, if I wanna wear booty shorts and thigh high boots (not that I would ever), I'm gonna do it! I don't need your approval! And he can't even do the "my house, my rules" thing, because it's his girlfriend's house!

So, I'm done. I'm saving up the money, and I'm leaving. I'm headed back to my mom, and the rest of my family, helping her out, and getting an actual god damn proper meal for once, cause I'm sick of getting bitched at for eating parts of a meal that nobody fucking told me they were making, so I hardly eat anything, and honestly, it's fucking killing me. I'm emotionally exhausted, physically exhausted, because there's three adults in this house, and apparently, nobody knows how to do fucking dishes because they pile and pile and pile, and then its a half hearted "Thank you" when I do them, despite being sick and tired of doing them from my job.

Speaking of, if my fucking bosses could stop jerking my hours around and attempting to change my job description for what little time I'm still gonna be there, that'd be great! Changed me from night shift dishwashing to early morning "Night Cleaning". What the fuck is "Night Cleaning" if I'm coming in at 8 am? And why does it sound like it's just cleaning up the shit that the night crew didn't do?

But yeah, I'm just fed up with everything and everyone. I can't live on my own because it's too damn expensive, I refuse to live with my grandparents again, because I WILL fucking DECK my grandmother if she suggests I switch my degree field one more time.

And that's another thing! She won't stop trying to tell me how to live my life! She keeps trying to get me to go into a trade, or do something else. Today's suggestion was Nursing! I don't want to be a nurse! I want to be an archeologist! And she knows this! She's been trying to convince me to do literally anything else for as long as I can remember. Oh, and she keeps telling me shit like, "When you have kids". Bitch, I'd rather cut out my own damn uterus with a fucking spoon, without pain killers. Or, "When you get married". If I find someone I like who's on my fucking level and will respect me and treat me as such, then, and only then, will I consider the possibility.

I'm just so over these fucking people. So, I'm reclaiming my peace, and cutting them out of my life, because I am DONE. Just plain DONE.

Also, if someone cooks for you, is it really such a difficult thing to eat it? I make enough for people, we even have leftovers, and I'm apparently the only one who will eat them. I made an apple crisp, and I took pride in that damn thing, and everyone had a bit, and then I had more, but it got left to mold! I thought people were eating it, but no! I worked hard on that damn it!

If you read this, thank you for your time. As much as I didn't want to make this post, I felt like I needed to get it out there, and vent, because like I said, I'm done. I'm done playing nice and getting nothing out of it but more pain, and feeling like I'm not good enough for these people. I'm choosing me this time. Also, I might not be on here as much while I get things sorted, so if I drop off, that's why. I hope you all are having a much better day than I am.

[brionysea]

Grief’s an Expensive Emotion by Randomness_is_my_order [multichapter, complete, 30k. max-focused madwheeler]

“What do you want Wheeler?” Mike’s jittery foot-taps started just as he replied, “Did you eat breakfast?” “What?” Max blinked, then glared. “How is that any of your business?” For a moment, she was sure Mike would glare in return, say something fiery or insulting or mocking then they’d both go back to how things were – ignoring each other until interaction was absolutely necessary. But that didn’t happen.

Grief can cause distance between close friends and bring closer the distant ones.

Max should’ve known that Mike Wheeler can’t help but meddle with her business. But as their reluctant friendship blossoms into profound understanding, Max is amazed at how much they have in common and how much this friendship feels like something she can enjoy, instead of something she has to endure. -----

this world is gonna pull through by scoutshonour [one shot, 3k]

“And are you insane?”

“No, but clearly you are because you’re driving seventy when you should be going at least a hundred. What’s taking so long, Jonathan? We don’t have any time to waste, and after what we just did to that agent, I’m sure you’re not above the crime of speeding, right? C’mon, I know you wanna — hey, why aren’t you interrupting me!?”

“You were having a moment.” Jonathan sinks his foot lower on the gas pedal. “Let it out. It’s fine.”

The leather seat crinkles as Mike leans back. “No,” Mike sighs. “It’s not.”

(or: Jonathan and Mike have a talk on the drive to Nevada.)

Left Unsaid by Vialana [one shot, 1.7k]

It was only when Mike offhandedly – and with a bit of exasperation – mentioned burying a body in the desert during his explanation of the trip to find El that Hopper realised Mike was really not okay and probably hadn’t been for some time.

Why'd You Jump? by stardustandswimmingpools [one shot, 1k]

It's only been a week since El vanished, and it's a question that's been haunting Dustin for a week.

Pull me from the edge by GhoulSanderson [one shot, 1.3k]

What if Lucas showed up at the cliff and saved Mike?

Because I need more Lucas and Mike content.

patchwork by sunflowerabbit [one shot, 6k. kind of mileven but only in the sense that losing el hurt mike a lot. very easy to read as elmike]

He doesn’t exactly feel sick, but cold inside. Hollow. It’s like simultaneously feeling everything (relief, sickness, wistfulness) and nothing all at once. Absentmindedly, Mike thought, I should remember that so I can write it down sometime. Could use it in a story. - There's about six weeks in between the night he got El back and the night of the Snow Ball. Mike spends them mostly drifting in between confusion and a sense of detachment. He doesn't really understand why it doesn't feel like everything's back to normal, or at least that he's got everything figured out now that El's back. It should.

i'm so good at telling lies (that came from my mother's side) by andiwriteordie [one shot, 7.8k. has some eldest wheeler siblings too]

“Do you ever… just… feel like you’re pretending to be someone you’re not?” Mike whispers, daring to open his eyes and look at his mom. “Like… you’re just… trying to be what… everyone else wants you to be instead of… instead of who you really are?”

His mom’s face falls, and the knot in Mike’s stomach twists painfully. But then, a look of understanding forms on her face, and she offers Mike a smile—sad and knowing.

“All the time, Michael,” she admits softly, tears welling in her own eyes. “All the time.”

Or:

The one in Karen learns the truth about the Upside Down, and Mike finally admits some truths about himself too.

A Hundred Thrown Out Speeches by DaintyDuck_99 [one shot, 1.2k]

Max is oddly quiet. The only sound that shatters the silence is the obnoxiously loud rip of duct tape every once and a while, a long freeeeeeeet that makes Mike clench his jaw.

When she does speak, her voice comes out soft, without a defensive or sarcastic edge.

“I get why El was your mage, now. Lucas, he—told me all about it.”

Mike swallows the acrid retort that immediately rises like bile. Yeah, well he shouldn’t have.

He sighs and says, “What did he tell you about her?”

You're my best friend (I love you forever) by bottomless_abyss [one shot, 4.7k]

“What are you so sad for ?” She asked, the question sounding meaner now that she said it. She gripped the strap of her backpack a little harder, pursing her lips as she barely met his eyes. Not once in her life was she hesitant to do that. She was always fighting head-on, staring into people’s soul. “Who said I was sad ? I’m just tired.” He retorted. She threw her bag next to him, to which he didn’t react, and sat next to him. “It’s a nice place.” She said, picking at her nails. “It’s quiet.” He said, ending their conversation. Max hummed, bringing her knees against her chest. Minutes passed by, clock ticking above their heads as they watched the leaves forming waves, following the rhythm of the wind. Max didn’t dislike it, she didn’t. But Mike’s silence, as good as it was, was also worrying. “What are you thinking about ?” She asked, not sparing him a look, and she knew he wasn’t looking at her either. She felt him move, adjusting himself against the wall, and let out a sigh. “It sucks.”

hearing without listening by eightfifteen (funkylittlebidiot) [one shot, 1.8k]

But he also knows that she wouldn’t have asked for his company if it isn’t a bad day. Despite their begrudging friendship, he’s still firmly the last on her speed-dial list. Well, maybe right above Dustin, but that’s because he knows Dustin can be downright unhelpful in emergencies. Steve is right when he complains about him having an attitude.

Even Will, who she’s never really been close with before, has the benefit of a, living close by, b, being El’s brother - oh and c, not being Mike.

I'll Walk With You by urdearestmom [one shot, 5.8k]

Damn Lucas for putting the idea in her head. She’s sure she never would’ve considered it on her own. Damn Lucas and his stupid advice, damn Dustin for ever speaking to her that day and getting her involved in all their mess, and damn Mike for hating her from day one.

give up on me if you want to, we both know you won't by chamb3rs [one shot, 9.3k]

August 26th, 1985

Mike-

For the love of God, stop leaving your tuna sandwiches in our locker, it smells like someone died, seriously. I will throw away your lunch box if I see it in here before noon and I'm not kidding. Your mom can send me an invoice.

-Max

or; Mike and Max are assigned the same locker during their freshman year of high school. It goes about as well as you'd expect. Better, maybe.

okay guys this is a cry for help

i am in desperate need of fanfics about Mike and his platonic relationship so please please give me recommendations

there is so little about Mike's friendship with Lucas and Dustin i need more of that also yall know how obsessed i am with madwheeler and i want more platonic elmike too

or his familial relationships like with Nancy or Holly

and oh i would love to read fanfics that explore his relationship with Joyce, Hopper and Jonathan too!

oh and can't forget Robin i love to think about their potential friendship

it does not matter if it's serious talks or just him having fun with his friends i just need some fanfics that focus on his other relationships so please if you know some or wrote a fic with some these relationships please please please tell me i am begging!

it can have a side byler too (like if it's Mike coming out or it focuses on more than one of his relationships)

just please give me recommendations i really am desperate

[idiacide]

oh i’d love to see that post with all of the twst characters core flaws/vulnerabilities that you’re talking about! you seem to have a really good insight into all the characters so i’d really enjoy hearing your thoughts on the subject

Ok I got a couple of people asking for this so. Here goes. As another reminder: a core vulnerability is not the same thing as a character flaw (though it can have overlap). Rather, its the soft spot, the thing that if poked causes the greatest amount of pain/embarrassment/insecurity/all at once. In some extreme cases their entire personality can be constructed off of trying to reject this part of themselves, while in other cases it may be something they refuse to ever deal with directly. Most notably of all though, from my point of view the core vulnerability is the thing which they are literally unable to fix (if it is something that needs fixing) without someone else's help. Whether its a friend, partner, or even a rival, someone needs to force them to look directly at it.

Also important: the severity of the vulnerability differs from character to character. For characters like Jack or Epel, they may be resistant to dealing with their Issue, but they aren't extremely defensive of it either. For characters like Azul or Leona, though, their own hyper awareness of that vulnerability means that they've built a lot more walls between themselves and the glowing red weak point at their core.

CORE VULNERABILITIES

Riddle Rosehearts: Achievement. This one's an obvious pull (all of the Overblot guys are gonna be pretty obvious). Riddle defines himself entirely by his admittedly large capacities. He's the guy Who's Right. He knows everything worth knowing and he can do everything a promising young mage should be able to do. This contributes to two of his flaws. One: his superiority complex. Like many people who are intelligent and talented, Riddle tends to assume that if other people applied themselves more they could also do what he does, and the fact that they aren't on his level must mean he's simply a Better Person than they are. Two: his extremely tight need for control. This doesnt stem from a need for power, I'd argue, so much as a need for validation. If a person is in charge, it must be because their judgement is correct. If his judgement is questioned, then that must mean he's wrong about something, and that could mean that he isn't getting a Good Grade in being a Person, something that he can't sustain. Thus, dissent has to be wiped out and humiliated as quickly as possible. Otherwise his whole self perception begins to collapse inwards.

Trey Clover: Apathy. Trey gets a reputation as being a generally caring guy. He's the hardworking vice of Heartslabyul, with the patience of a saint to deal with that tyrant's tantrums. Its a convenient fiction for Trey, even if he does grouse about people taking him for too nice a guy. The truth is that Trey doesn't help people out of some deepseated empathy or messiah complex. At his absolute core: Trey just wants a little peace for a change. He wants things to be quiet, he wants to return to the placidity of day to day life. And it kind of doesn't matter what it takes to get it. If everyone is able to pretend that things are fine...then maybe its not worth agitating the waters to actually solve the problem.

Dont get me wrong: Trey's neither fundamentally selfish or uncaring. He really does love the people in his life, and is willing to work for their happiness and healing. As we saw with Riddle, when he gets the kick in the pants he needs to act there's nothing he can't do. But he does need to be kicked. The polite smiles, the quick bandaid solutions, and the ready agreeability are all ultimately the walls around the fact that deep down: he wishes people could keep their shit together for more than five consecutive minutes so he didnt have to do it for them.

Cater Diamond: Loneliness. This is simultaneously extremely obvious and very well-hidden. Cater's been shuffled from place to place his whole life. He's learned how to be personable, how to ingratiate himself with people and make them think of him a certain way. He's fun, adorable Cay-Cay, who's maybe a little obnoxious but such a friendly guy its hard to hate him. At the same time, he refuses to let many people past a surface level friendship. Vulnerability, insecurity? Its not a cute look. It doesnt look good on a Magicam feed. And really, what's the point in letting someone know him that intimately? They'll be out of his life, never to be seen again, one way or another, and he'll be stuck with missing pieces that may never grow back. For Cater, people are fun, they're adorable, they're beautiful, they're essential. But theyre never permanent, and you should never trust them completely with yourself. At the very least: he wants to be in charge of when the strings get cut.

Ace Trappola: Egoism. ("Is that a vulnerability"- yes it is. Give me a second) On some level Ace really and truly does see himself as the main character of one of those movies he'd watch with his brother. Contrary to popular belief, I don't think that the cockiness is meant to cover some deep insecurity. If that were the case, he wouldnt be so ready to stand up for himself when he knows he's in the right. Ace has a hard time conceiving of other people as fully realized individuals with their own wants and needs. While its easy to see how aggravating it is for others, some of its most surprising fallout is directly on him. Its difficult for him to realize that someone's upset with him, much less why. He knows theyre not a mind reader, yet can't really grasp why someone would be hurt by something when he didnt really mean to hurt them. He doesn't contemplate how his actions impact others and can be thrown off completely if something happens that he didnt intend. It makes him defensive, and oftentimes, a lot lonelier than he ever wants to be. Truly, he's not a bad guy. Or a cruel one. Having Ace on your side is having one of the most dedicated fighters you'll ever know to work on your behalf. Its just going to result in a lot of hurt feelings if he's ever forced to confront the fact that "his way or the highway" sometimes means you'll take the highway.

Deuce Spade: Deuce is tricky. Even if he doesnt wear all his flaws on his sleeve he at least wears them just under the surface. Not a lot of secrets with this guy. If I had to pick one thing that really embarrasses him though: his hunger for approval. Deuce spends a lot of time cognizant of the fact that he's let a lot of people down before, and if he wants praise and affection he should have to earn it. At the same time, I think the desire to please at all kind of mortifies him. Deep down it makes him feel greedy and selfish. It feels like he's not actually doing the right thing because its the right thing. He's doing it to get the reward of people thinking well of him. That feels like a dirty motive to him, hence why he spends so much time denying it.

Leona Kingscholar: Caring too much. Ironic from the guy who's entire schtick is that he truly deeply can't be bothered. The truth is, though, I think he'd be much less demotivated if he cared a little less. Leona's curse, at its most fundamental level, is knowing too much. He knows the limitations that have been put on him, exactly how far he will be allowed to go. No matter what he does or how hard he tries: he will never be Falena. He will never be the firstborn. He will never have had a childhood where his gifts were praised, rather than just used as one more reason why he's a disappointment. And what's worse is: he cares. He CARES that he's limited by circumstance. He cares that he will never have the love that's given so freely to his brother. Its why he spends so much time putting up a facade of apathy, and why he gets so angry when people buy into it and chastise him for not trying enough. If he tried, there'd be no avoiding the kind of pain that comes with never going as far as you know you can. Every effort he puts him makes him that much more aware that what he really wants is forever out of his reach. Better to seal that core a million miles away, and pray that eventually, it goes away for real.

Ruggie Bucchi: Insufficiency. Much like his housewarden Ruggie is simultaneously hypercompetent while being deeply aware of his own limitations. For however clever, tricky, and hardworking he is: he's still a hyena from the backend of nowhere. On some level he knows he'll never be able to make the changes he wants to see in the world. Not without help. Its even engrained in his Signature Spell: for someone to Laugh with You...there has to be someone who cares to listen at all. Unlike Leona, putting up a front of laziness isn't an option for Ruggie. He may get called a bootlicker, may hate himself for the people he'll suck up to...but in the end, won't it be worth it if he gets what he needs? He's not enough on his own. He needs to amplify his voice through a roar that carries louder. And maybe someday, that power will be given to him directly, instead of by a proxy...

Jack Howl: Resentment and envy. He has a code of ethics that he sticks to no matter what: you get what you can take with your own hands. No more and no less. If you can't win it on your own power then what's the point in whining. Just get stronger, push yourself further, till its finally within your grasp. Its a philosophy that works for him, and he's certainly not planning on letting it go anytime soon. He'd rather die than be dishonourable. At the same time though...there's something about geniuses. People born with talent. Who could roll out of bed ready to mop the floor with the competition...and people who can't be bothered to put in the effort. This is a VERY small vulnerability. For the most part Jack believes in his own ability to work his way towards any goal. Even if the odds are stacked against him, he'll triumph. But at the same time it drives him insane that other people, especially people who he KNOWS could be doing better, can't understand that very simple truth. This isnt hard. Why dont they get it. Why dont they TRY. And why...cant he beat them when he cares so much more than them.

Azul Ashengrotto: Really, his whole personality is a core vulnerability. To make it a little more succinct, though, Im settling on Being Unmasked. Azul doesn't really see himself as a person who's grown and changed and developed since he was little. Deep down, he's still firmly convinced that he's that stupid crybaby octopus who no one wanted to play with, and if he isnt careful everyone will find out and turn on him. Its part of why he's so greedy for scamming others out of their talents. Its one more layer to the cover story, so that no one will be able to look beneath. The truth is that he HAS grown so much since he was little. He's gotten a lot more able to process his emotions. He doesn't crumble in the face of bullies, he instead flips the situation to his advantage. More than that, he's cultivated his diligence and intellect into genuinely admirable qualities that could easily stand on their own two feet (or, 8 legs). He doesnt need the masks. He's just been too scared to find that out on his own.

Jade Leech: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. The twins are hard for this kind of exercise, because the twins dont really conceptualize anything about themselves as something to be ashamed of. That doesn't mean that they think they're perfect or flawless or anything. Just that they don't really see a need to beat themselves up over it. Its not good or bad. Its just how they are. Jade in particular tends to turn his weaknesses into strength.

So why have I settled on this one? Jade clearly has no trouble putting himself in a backseat role. Indeed, he does it intentionally, seeking out stronger personalities and ambitious individuals to throw his lot in with. The side effect of this, though. Is that a LOT of people tend to project onto him. This is the case even with people who are theoretically close to him, like Azul. At times it can feel like no one knows the real Jade, and the little glimpses he does give them only serve to chase them off. It doesn't particularly bother him from an emotional standpoint, and yet Id argue that there's the occasional glimpses of him wanting to show what he can really do on his own (Bean day being a big one, he's so unusually personable and self motivated when his brother and Azul arent around), and being just a littttle bit irritated with people who buy so easily into his many facades. No one knowing who you are can be a big benefit in his line of worker. But sometimes...you want to be seen for yourself.

Floyd Leech: His brother. Again, Floyd doesnt really DO insecurity or masking. He is who he is, and he couldn't change it even if he wanted to. What's the point in getting all worked up about it? He's definitely not jealous of Jade by any means. He loves his brother, is proud of who he is. Why would he ever want to be Jade? Jade is Jade. As a result, though, it really does piss him off a little how often theyre compared. Jade is Jade. He's great but what does that have to do with him? Its annoying. Makes him feel like he has something he needs to prove, but in that frustrating itchy way that makes him want to start breaking stuff. Starting with whoever keeps trying to make him feel like he needs to compete.

Kalim Al-Asim: Went in-depth in the previous post. His title.

Jamil Viper: Jealousy. Its not his biggest flaw but it is the one he has the most self loathing about. Because its always directed at people he secretly sees as inferior. It stings that much more for it. He hates feeling envious of people who he knows he's better than in so many ways, and its the most likely thing in the world to kickstart his cruel streak. He lashes out because it easier than confronting the genuine inadequacy he feels at his core. Like maybe if he was a little stronger, a little more talented, a little more charismatic, whatever it is they have that he lacks...maybe then he wouldnt have been overlooked. Maybe someone would notice how much pain he's in then.

Vil Schoenheit: Insecurity. He shouldnt be flawed enough to be insecure, full stop. Vil's gotten beyond the point of punishing himself for perceived faults, into punishing himself for feeling like he has to punish himself. If he was really perfect, there wouldnt be any insecurity, would there? Its a decidedly neurotic way of being in the world. Makes him prone to self obsession like nothing else, as well as to lashing out at others when their praise feels too condescending. Are you suggesting he doesn't KNOW hes perfect? Intolerable. Die.

Rook Hunt: Rook is a man composed of nothing but walls and misdirects. Its rare to hear from him on his own emotional state. He spends far more time reacting to the feelings and desires of everyone around him. Furthermore, he's not a guy with a very extensive relationship with shame. People finding him weird or offputting is met with a smile and a laugh. As such Im mostly resorting to speculation here. If I had to guess what's tucked under that big hat of is, I'd say Rook has a far more extensive relationship with anger than he'd ever be willing to let anyone see. He keeps a very VERY tight grip on it, quick to accommodate the large egos around him and even quicker to brush over slights and make piece. But I don't think he ever really forgets, and very rarely does he completely forgive. The only time he'll let his anger really go to work is on behalf of others. And its only then that one can get a glimpse of just how terrifying this man could be as a proper enemy.

Epel Felmier: Gender presentation. I don't really fall into the camp of "Epel doesn't like being perceived as girly therefore he's a misogynist". Maybe its trans guy projection but there's a difference between feeling insecure about your masculinity and being disgusted by women. Its easy to say "it should be enough to be secure in who you are", but when there's a perpetual disconnect between who you are and how you're treated because of your looks I think its understandable to want to distance yourself as much as possible from your public perception. (Maybe Book 5 will change my mind, who knows). The reason its the core though is that I'd argue his issues run a lot deeper than getting annoyed when someone asks if he's a girl. Epel's real problem is...he actually does LIKE some of this stuff. His time at Pomefiore means that he's come to respect the work that Rook and Vil put in, as well as the general importance of beauty. He's even come to appreciate some of it aesthetically. Something can look "girly" and still meet his standards for cool. But by now...it feels like he's not ALLOWED to admit he enjoys it. It feels like an admission of defeat, like people are just waiting for him to admit he likes some of this stuff to go "see, I knew you were like that all along". His pride won't allow it. So he feels perpetually caught, forced to maintain a specific performance for the rest of his life just to get the scraps of the treatment he wants.

Idia Shroud: Idia's a rare case where the core vulnerability isn't surrounded by walls. His core vulnerability IS the wall, that deflects from his other character flaws. Idia has a darker side. He's possessive, scheming, and has an arrogance and capacity for cruelty that often goes uncommented on. None of this troubles him more, though, than his terror of failure. Its not hard for Idia to feel rejected and misunderstood just by virtue of existing. How much more so on the event that he actually fucks up. Better to scheme and plan and hide until he's certain nothing can go wrong. It makes him slow to act, makes him terrified of being stuck without his scripts and gadgets and plans. He hates this about himself more than anything, the fact that he cant ever feel in command of a situation just by entering it. In the end, though, leaning on that fear is the only way he knows how to keep all the balls in the air.

Ortho Shroud: Imposter syndrome. Its rough being built to replace someone who vanished under such tragic circumstances. Ortho works hard to keep up his cheery disposition. He's meant to balance Idia, be the perfect younger brother and keep him from falling into despair while he works towards his goals. He loves Idia, he truly does, and wants to make him as happy as possible. At the same time though, he can never fully escape his predecessor. No matter how much he tries. Though he'd never admit it, there are times when he resents even being asked. As much as he loves his big brother...is this really all he is? Just a way to fill that void? And why cant he stop feeling so guilty for not being able to fill it better? Would Idia be happier if the real Ortho were here? Would he be braver, come out of his room more, finally live up to all that potential?

What is he doing wrong?

Malleus Draconia: His desire to be recognized by others. Its not like he's struggling for praise. He's been on a pedestal his whole life, praised for everything. He's the Briar Prince from out of time, one of the most accomplished magicians of the age, and a powerful force in his own right. So...its more than a little humiliating to feel like really all you want is to be treated like a friend. He pretends it doesnt bother him when he's constantly overlooked and excluded, because he cant imagine anything more degrading than letting them see that it DOES impact him. It will come to a boiling point soon enough. But for now he just tries to let Lilia and Silver fill the gap as much as they're able.

Lilia Vanrouge: When you get as old as Lilia does you learn to stop hiding from yourself. Immortality (or at least functional immortality) means that eventually you get bored with your own insecurities. Might as well either change them or accept them. As a result, vulnerability has a softer meaning for Lilia: its his children. He's not in denial, exactly, and yet how much he truly values them tends to be a little unspoken. He's more a playmate than a father at times. Make no mistake though: anyone who messes with them will make one of the most dangerous enemies in the world.

Sebek Zigvolt: His humanity (well. Half-humanity). Sometimes it really is that straightforward. We're learning about Briar Valley in bits and pieces. Humans may not be an underclass, necessarily, but I think its fair to say that they're held at arms length given how much pushback his mother received for marrying a human (especially a magicless one). And that TERRIFIES Sebek, a guy who wants approval from all relevant authority figures as fast as he can get it. It terrifies him to feel like he's been disqualified from something by virtue of birth. As a result, he lashes out at people closer to humanity than him and sucks up endlessly to fullborn faeries, hoping that they'll be able to validate him by proxy. He can grow out of this in time. But for now he feels himself teetering on the edge of some kind of abyss. He'll claw as hard as he can so no one will push him into it.

Silver: Shockingly functional bitch, considering the circumstances of his life. However, his core vulnerability is a mirror to Lilia. Silver's core vulnerability is his father. Largely, this is positive. Silver would do anything to keep his father safe and repay him for raising him. They have a warm and affectionate relationship, if a little odd by human standards. But unlike Lilia I think there really is a dark side to Silver's vulnerability. For as many lengths as Lilia went to to make sure he never felt inferior, children compare themselves to their parents. Its hard for Silver not to notice his own faults when he's put next to Lilia, Malleus, or even Sebek. And that's a hurdle. How is he supposed to repay them when his efforts must seem so laughable and meaningless? What can he provide that they couldnt obtain themselves without effort?

What good is he?

[cjsinkythoughts]

Suits, Dresses, and Heels

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Word Count: 4000

Warnings: !FATWS SPOILERS!, Cursing, More Mentions of PTSD, Gun Violence, Slight Mentions of Drinking, Club Dancing (You’re all gonna hate me for that part, but I’m not sorry)

A/N: Here’s Part 4.2 - The Second Part to Episode 3 - as requested. This is a little more scene-by-scene, but there are some off-screen moments. I’ll be posting Part 4.3 (which will have the rest of the episode) later tonight.

There’s a bit more information on Reader, but not as much as the last chapter. Sharon comes in during this part, so you get to see her and Reader’s relationship.

Also, I have mixed feelings about Zemo at this point. Not in the story, the Reader’s not a fan as you learned previously, but for me personally, he’s surprised me a couple times by coming back and helping.

Anyways! Thank you so much for reading! This isn’t beta’d so excuse any mistakes! Check out my other parts before you read! Thank you again! Stay tuned, loves!

FATWS MASTERLIST

cjsinkythoughts MASTERLIST

!SPOILERS UNDER CUT!

The dress was far too tight for your liking, and showed way too much skin. Not that you didn’t like being a tease every once in a while, but for this mission, you’d rather have more cover and movement.

You had to admit though; Zemo had nice taste. The dress fit deliciously - which made you wonder how he got your size. The color and cut was devastatingly flattering. Plus, he let you do your own makeup.

Being the only female, you were in a separate area of the jet getting ready. Once you were done, you made sure to knock, even though you’d walked in on Sam changing too many times to count while on the run and had seen Bucky answer the door in nothing but a towel. It was mainly for Zemo’s sake, just a warning that you were walking in whether or not they were ready.

“Damn, girl! You clean up nice!”

You rolled your eyes at Sam, painted lips quirking up as you studied him, shooting him a wink. “You should try a mirror, Sammy.” You turned to Bucky to find him staring wide-eyed and slack-jawed at you. “What do you think, Buck?”

His mouth snapped shut and he cleared his throat, eyes exploring the dips and curves your body. “You…” He blinked once. Twice. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, his intense eyes making you heat up, before he shook his head. “You look good.” He rushed out, before spinning on his heel shoving past Sam who was snickering.

“Where’s Zemo?” You noticed he wasn’t in the main area of the plane when you walked in.

“Rearranging our ride once we get there.”

You huffed, fixing your hair. “Oh God. We’re really doing this.”

“Yup.”

“Okay.” You looked down at yourself before looking up at the boys. “Something’s gonna go wrong, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely.”

“No doubt.”

Giving a slight groan at their simultaneous answers, you nodded. “Let’s try not to screw up too badly, boys, alright? I at least want to live long enough to see Peter graduate.”

Sam rolled his eyes with a scoff. “That kid’s a punk.”

“You’re a punk.” You shot back.

Bucky raised his hand. “I second that punk thing.”

“For which one?”

“Both of them.”

You chuckled as Sam gaped at Bucky, who shrugged innocently. The former assassin tilted his head in your direction to shoot you a grin and a wink, making you laugh more. Shaking your head, you go to make a joke when Zemo walked in.

“It’s time. We’re landing now.”

And just like that, the teasing atmosphere dissipated, leaving you anxious and regretful.

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

You walked by Bucky, arm linked with his metal one, listening as Zemo told Sam about his “character” he was to play.

“He’s a known womanizer - always has a gorgeous lady on his arm.” Zemo gestured towards you. “It’s the only way they’d let in a woman.”

“Aren’t we going to see a woman?” You questioned, gently patting Bucky’s metallic bicep when his hold on you tightened.

“Which makes it more imperative that you don’t act threatening. Women don’t make the same mistake men do; they don’t underestimate other women.”

You nodded. He had a point there. Bucky faced you, a frown on those pretty lips. “I don’t like this.” He mumbled.

“You think I do?” You whispered back. “With you being him again? Even if it’s just pretend? And need I remind you whose idea this was?”

“I know, I know. Just…” He sighed. “Promise me you won’t get hurt on purpose.”

Your forehead creased. “Why would I-?”

“To protect people. You always do. And I get it, I do. It’s why you started this in the first place, but…save yourself first, this time, okay?”

“Buck-”

“Promise me.”

It wasn’t often you could see the fear in his eyes, hear it in his voice, but you could then. Unable to do anything else you nodded, a soft, “okay” falling from your lips. He nodded back, pressing a kiss to your head, before letting you go as a car approached.

Bucky helped you in - the heels you were wearing were no joke - before sliding in himself, Sam getting in on the other side of you. “And you two can’t be…” Zemo gestured to the two of you as the car started moving, eyeing your still connected hands. “Doing that.”

“This isn’t my first theater production.” You snapped at him. “We’ll be fine.”

He raised his hands in surrender, turning back to look out the windshield. Once you arrived, you gave Bucky’s hand one last squeeze, before accepting Sam’s hand to get out on his side, linking your arm with his like you were doing with Bucky earlier.

“I finally get to see one of your performances, baby.” Sam grinned at you.

You smirked back. “Best seats in the house, too, Smiling Tiger.” He groaned at your jest, nudging you playfully with his elbow as you giggled.

“This way.” Zemo cut in, jerking his head in the direction you’d be going. You took a breath, steeling yourself, before the three of you nodded at each other and followed his lead.

You found the fellas reactions amusing, their heads turning to study and scan everything they could see. You were more subtle in the way you analyzed your surroundings, feeling a bit more at home in this situation than, say, fighting super soldiers on top of semi trucks.

Your jaw tightened, as did your grip on Sam’s arm, when Zemo started speaking Russian, the four of you pushing through a crowded bar. Sam ran his fingers over your arms, giving your hand a little squeeze, silently reassuring you.

It was a bit obvious Sam hadn’t done much undercover work, put he stayed in character and you were impressed. Especially when the bartender started cutting up the snake, which you had to look away for because if there was one thing you couldn’t do…it was snakes. You nearly gagged when Sam reluctantly downed the drink. 

Bucky eyed you, lips pursed in a way you recognized as him trying to hold in a smile. That made you feel a little better, hiding your own smile by turning into the crook of Sam’s neck. “Not. Funny.” He growled through clenched teeth, lips not moving.

“Kinda is.”

He grumbled under his breath, before the two of you tuned into the conversation between Zemo and a thug that came up, learning about the apparent power broker of Madripoor, which you a bit of from your time undercover there.

Sam held you tightly when Zemo turned to Bucky, knowing what was about to happen.

You didn’t like it. You didn’t like how easily aggressive he became. You didn’t like the little smirk Zemo gave as Bucky attacked. You didn’t like the cellphones being pointed in his direction. You didn’t like it.

“Didn’t take much for him to fall back into form.” You gave Zemo a warning glare, a shaky breath leaving you.

He’d been doing so well. At least, for someone who had been through what he had. Especially considering it’d only been a few months since he’d been pardoned - half a year since everyone came back. You knew bringing Zemo on board had been a bad idea, but-

A squeeze to your hand pulled you out of your thoughts. You let out an inaudible sigh of relief as Zemo allowed Bucky to let the man he was choking go.

“Selby will see you now.”

One step down. You hoped that would be the hardest part, but you knew it most definitely wouldn’t be.

“You good?”

Bucky sniffed, giving you two a curt nod, before following Zemo. You bit your lip. “That wasn’t really an answer, was it?”

Sam shook his head. “No. No it wasn’t.”

Selby wasn’t exactly what you were expecting, but you’d come to expect that. You stayed on Sam’s arm, giving the guards coy smiles and playing with the fake nails you had on in faux-boredom.

When she purred at the man besides you, you and Bucky glanced at each other, with you resisting the urge to scrunch up your nose. “And who is this gorgeous creature?”

Your eyes snapped back to Selby, giving her a slightly bashful smile. “Celeste Addams. Pleasure.”

“Trust me, dear. The pleasure is all mine.” Alright, you thought as she scanned you with a smirk. She was swinging for both teams. You could work with that. “What’s the offer?” She looked back to Zemo.

Zemo gave her the offer - information about the super soldier serum for the Winter Soldier and the code words to control him. Your blood boiled as Zemo touched Bucky, fingers grabbing his chin. You swore, once this whole thing was over, you would kick Zemo’s ass. You should make a list, just to keep track of all the things he’d done, and no doubt would do, to piss you off. That way he’d know why exactly you were beating his ass.

A name came up, Dr. Wilfred Nagel, along with the knowledge that the super soldier serum was, in fact, in Madripoor. You and Sam met eyes. Second step down.

But before they could get anything else, Sam’s phone buzzed. You ducked your head, closing your eyes, mumbling “fuck” when you saw it was Sarah. Sam’s responses just made you inwardly cringe even more.

“The bank, yeah. We laundered so much mo-” He chuckled nervously. “Yeah. They’ll come around.”

Is he fucking serious? For the love of God, Sammy…

And then she called him Sam. Next thing you knew, Selby was shot and you, Bucky, and Sam were taking out a guard each, you growling at the fact that you couldn’t use your legs because the dress was too damn tight.

You had no choice but to trust Zemo’s lead, but word traveled very quickly here, and less than a minute after walking outside, you were getting shot at.

“C’mon!” Bucky grabbed your arm, pulling you besides him.

“Can you not right now?!”

“I can’t run in these heels!”

You glared at Sam, the killer six inchers on your feet feeling like hell. “Hell no! You did not just say that in front of me!”

“You started it!” You scowled at him, following Bucky into an alley, only to duck as shots rang out. Chest heaving, you looked around for the source of the bullets that killed the men chasing you.  Your “guardian angel” as Zemo put it.

She soon appeared in all her stunning, blonde badass glory. “Sharon?”

Sam quickly explained the situation, trying to get her not to shoot Zemo who she had a gun pointed at.

“I stole Steve’s shield, remember? I also took the wings for your ass,” she pointed the gun at Sam, then Bucky, “so that you could save his ass, from his ass.” And the gun was back on Zemo. She shot you a smile. “And your ass is looking beautiful as always.”

You grinned back. “Thanks. You’re not looking too bad yourself.”

As she spoke, your lips turned down. You had tried calling her after Germany, but it always went to voicemail. First thing you did when you got back was try to get everyone pardoned, but it was a process. And then you found out about Wanda and ever since…

Sharon was your first real friend. She was only a couple years younger than you and had been one of your first partners during your time with SHIELD. And the fact that she’d been on the run for years now, even with the Blip, her family not having seen or talked to her since…that was exactly why you couldn’t take a break. She was family and you found there was nothing more important than family. But when she needed you, you were out searching for someone who didn’t want to be found.

How were you supposed to choose between two sisters? How could you cope with the fact that you chose the wrong one?

“Sharon, we need your help.” She laughed at Bucky’s statement. “Please,”

She glanced at you and you nodded. “I’d appreciate it, Share.”

She gave a sigh before nodding. “This isn’t over. I have a place in High Town. You should be safe there for a while.”

She turned and started walking, and you were about to follow, when you remembered something.

Spinning around, your fist connected with Zemo’s cheek, Sam and Bucky shouting in surprise while the man stumbled back. “Don’t you fucking dare touch him like that ever again, or I will break every bone in your body.” You threatened, your expression twisting into a scowl as you grab his hand and bend it awkwardly. He grunted but didn’t move, knowing one wrong turn would break his wrist. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal.” He ground out.

You pushed a little more, making him wince, before letting go and rounding back to Sharon, who was smirking at you. “Let’s get moving.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She jerked her head back over her shoulder to where a car was waiting, leading them over.

You quickly followed after her with Bucky on your heels and Sam dragging Zemo along. Speaking of heels, as soon as you got in the car - getting shotgun for the first time ever at Sharon’s insistence - you prodded the stupid shoes off your feet.

“Nice kicks.”

“Yeah.” You scoffed. “Unless you’re trying to kick.”

“Did you rip the dress?”

“I was tempted to.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you in something more comfortable. And you’ll look just as good. Not that you wouldn’t look good in literally anything.”

You chuckled, giving her a look. “Let’s not test that theory.”

She smiled back, nodding. “Fine. I’ll let you pick something out.”

Sam huffed, crossing his arms best he could, being squished with the two other fully grown men in the back seat. “Women.”

The two of you exchanged looks, rolling your eyes at the three pouting guys. “Men.”

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

“I’m gonna go check on the boys. But I’ll be right back.”

You nodded, looking through her closet. No dresses. And absolutely no heels. Flats, if you had to, but you’d definitely prefer sneakers right now. You decided on shorts and an off-the-shoulder blouse, grateful for the looser clothing.

“They’re idiots.”

You laughed and looked over at the door as Sharon entered. “Yeah. I know.”

“Cute.” She commented on your outfit, sitting on her bed. “They explained the situation. Sam said if I help, he’d clear my name-”

“Sharon.” You sighed, biting your lip. “I tried. I really did. I-”

She shook her head, smiling at you reassuringly. “No, I know. It’s why I’m not mad at you. Sorry I didn’t call back. How’ve you been?”

You shrugged. “Fine, I guess.”

“Even with the whole ‘Cap is back’ thing.”

“Walker’s the government’s pet. He’s not Captain America. He’s not…”

“Steve?”

Looking up at her from the ground, you nodded. “Yeah.”

“Do you miss him?”

You smirked, wagging your eyebrows at her. “Do you?”

She rolled her eyes, tossing a pillow at you. “It’s kinda weird now, isn’t it?”

“Maybe a little. But I can’t blame you. Have you seen him shirtless? Good God.”

Sharon laughed, shaking her head as you joined her on the bed. “How come it’s always you getting wrapped up in these things?”

“I have no clue.” You chuckled, crossing your legs underneath you. “First I’m answering a phone call from Bucky at five in the morning and next thing I know, I’m being kicked off of semi trucks, breaking criminals out of prisons and running in six inch heels.”

“You answer Bucky’s calls at five in the morning?”

You gave her a look. “Sharon-”

“No, no. Hey. That’s cool. Some girls like bad boys, some like jocks, others like nerds. You like super soldiers from the 40’s. Everyone’s got a thing.”

A playful shove turned into a pillow fight, which turned into a sparring session, during which you pin her on her back. “You’re getting better.” You complimented, getting up.

She glared at you, taking your outstretched hand and letting you pull her up. “I guess that’s why you’re an Avenger.”

“That’s still weird to say.”

“Why? You’ve been an Avenger since, what? Ultron?”

You nodded, straightening your clothes. “Officially, anyways.”

“Right. Because you were there for the Battle of Manhattan as the secret seventh superhero.”

“Yeah…I miss it. The anonymity. I’m pretty sure I’m one half the Senators’ speed dials.”

Sharon frowned, brows pinching together. “What about the other half of the OG? Where are they?”

“Thor’s in space, Bruce is MIA - which I can’t really blame him for - and Clint’s retired with his family.”

“You think he’s gonna stay retired?”

You shrugged. “I hope he does. He’s been trying to retire for years. He deserves it. Knowing him, though…probably not.”

Sharon crossed her arms, nodding at you. “So that leaves you.”

“Yes it does.”

“Do you ever think of taking a break?”

You gave a half-sigh, half-groan, making her smirk in amusement. “It’s…come up a lot recently. I dunno. I think I’m burning out, anyways.”

“What makes you say that? I was watching you guys with Selby. You’re still one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

“I-I’ve been having…problems.”

Her eyes narrowed, her hands setting on her hips like a mother about to scold her child. “What kind of problems?”

“Just flashbacks. Of different things. It happens at random times. Certain triggers; something someone says or does, or something I smell or hear.”

“PTSD?”

“Something like that.”

“Has it affected you in the field?” Hesitating to answer was answer enough and she nodded. “Then…maybe it’s time you do start considering retiring.”

You snorted, shaking your head. “At 36? There’s no way.”

“C’mon. It’s not too late for you to settle down. Go one a few dates. Meet someone. Maybe have a couple kids-”

“Woah, woah. Slow your roll.” Your features scrunched up in incredulity. “Pump your breaks. No one said anything about marriage or kids.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying…think about it. I heard even Bucky’s been on a few dates.”

It was your turn to narrow your eyes at her, hearing the suggestive tone in her voice and seeing the eyebrow raise. “Yeah. He has. A few. I told him to. Told him it might be good for him to, I dunno, get back out there.

“Or, you could just…go out there with him.”

“Not you too! Have you been talking to Sam?”

“Is it Steve? Is that what’s stopping you? Because you know he’d just want you to be hap-” She stopped as he phone vibrated, grabbing it and reading the text. “Company’s arriving.” She pointed a finger at you. “You got very very lucky. This conversation isn’t over. I’m not dropping this.”

You bit your cheek and nodded. “Alright, mom. Can we go party now?”

She breathed out a laugh and nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go party.”

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

“Hey, gorgeous! There you are!”

You smirked at the boys as they met you near the top of the stairs, eyeing Sam and Bucky appreciatively. Damn, could Sam pull off a turtleneck. And Bucky in black and skinny jeans? Sharon sure had good taste. “Today’s the day for attractive outfits, huh, gentlemen?”

“I’ll say.” Bucky hummed, glancing at your own outfit. “You look beautiful, doll.”

“You look very dashing yourself, Barnes.” You grin, pulling at the lapels of his black blazer and fixing the collar. You smoothed your hand down the front of his shirt, looking up at him with an eyebrow raised when he caught your wrist, keeping your palm over his heart.

He clenched his jaw, taking a breath, before letting it out, almost dejectedly, and letting your hand go. “Um,” He cleared his throat, hand falling down by his side. “Did, uh, did Sharon say anything more about these friends of hers to you?”

“Nope.” You shook your head. “Just told me to enjoy the party.”

“I guess we should go enjoy the party, then.” Sam nodded towards the stairs, where the music was floating up, her guests already pouring in.

You made your way downstairs, looking around the room. Sharon sure did know how to throw one, that’s for sure.

People were pushed together, dancing to the beat of the music, drinking, with colored lights flashing every which way. Bucky’s hand found yours almost instantly, and you smiled at him. “C’mon.”

“What?” His eyes were wide as you dragged him towards the groups of people dancing. 

“Dance with me.”

He shook his head violently. “I-I can’t.”

“I thought you used to be a dancer?”

“Used to. And I was a swing-dancer. Not…” He gestured around to the people bobbing up and down, moving their bodies with each other.

You waved dismissively, pulling him closer. “All you need to do is feel the beat. I’m sure you can do that, can’t you, Mr. Tough and Scary Assassin?”

He licked his lips, looking around nervously. You brought his hands to your hips, making his eyes snap back to yours, your own arms winding around his neck. You started moving rhythmically, nodding your head to the music, smiling up at him and giggling at the adorable concentration on his face.

“You, uh, you go to parties like this a lot?”

“I specialized in undercover operations, remember? I practically lived at these places for some of them.” He licked his lips, his grasp on your hips tightening. “Loosen up a little.” You laughed, catching his jaw between your fingers and making him look at you instead of the crowd surrounding him. You scratched at the scruff, speaking softly, but loud enough for him to hear. “It’s just me.”

He nodded and, slowly, a bit hesitant, started moving his body with yours, relaxing his tense muscles the longer you two danced.

“Nice hit, by the way. With Zemo earlier.”

You shrugged, turning in his arms, biting your lip when he pulled you closer, your back to his chest. “I didn’t like the way he grabbed you. It was unnecessary. I was thinking of making a list, actually.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” Your arms wound around his neck again, your head falling back to his shoulder. “Of things he’s done so far that warrant’s me beating his ass once this is done.”

He chuckled, warm breath tickling your cheek, thumbs tracing circles on the bare skin just above the waistline of your shorts. Your own fingers had found home in his hair holding his head where it was, his lips centimeters away from your ear. “Share it with Sam. I’m sure he has a few things to add.”

Your breath hitched as his metal fingers danced along your bare navel, arm tightening around your waist. “I’m sure he does…I thought you said you can’t dance.”

“I guess I just needed to warm up. I’m a bit rusty after eighty years.”

“Don’t seem that rusty to me.” You breathed out, turning your head to look at him. His tongue ran across his lips again, his eyes glancing to your own.

“Hey, guys!” The world and your situation came crashing down on you, the music you didn’t realize you’d been tuning out, along with the crowd’s boisterous laughter and cheers, rushed back to yours ears. The little bubble with just you and Bucky shattered. You both stepped away from each other; you cleared your throat and pushed down the heat that had nothing to do with the hundred bodies in the one room, while Bucky rubbed the back of his neck, the tips of his ears red with no help from the colored lights. Both of you were panting lightly, avoiding eye contact with the other three staring knowingly at you. Sharon nodded her head, gesturing behind her. “I found him.”

Sam nudged Bucky - who was staring at you, his jaw ticking and his throat tightening as he swallowed thickly - before jabbing his thumb in Sharon’s direction. “Here we go.”

You nodded, eyeing Bucky with a small smile. “Here we go, Buckaroo.”

[romanoffsbish]

Your Sister’s Hot…

Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

Yelena Belova x Fem!Reader(Platonic)

Yelena's POV

I just finished freeing the last of the widows that I could get to. I found Y/N, she was my best friend in the Red Room after Nat and I were separated. She was only two years older than me but she vowed to take care of me. Then we were separated years later due to the subjugation process. I'm just so happy it's all over. I have my best friend and my sister back.

"Y/N, would you like to go with me to tell my sister that I'm all done?"

"Duh! Where else am I meant to go? You're stuck with me Yel!" She replied with a cheeky grin.

"Wouldn't want it any other way!" I reply truthfully

"I'm excited, I can't wait to meet the famous Black Widow." She playfully boasts.

"Yeah, yeah, she's just sooo great..." I groan causing Y/N to breakout into fits of laughter.

Nat's POV

We just lost, big time! Thanos snapped and as upset as I am I'm also relieved. Yelena called, unaware of what's happened, and she called to tell me she's finished freeing them. I told her to come and see me, I just NEED to see her in person.

~~~

Yelena's meeting me at the compound, she was wary until I told her everyone's gone. They've all left to try and cope with the losses. I've got nothing better to do than try to hold everything together. Yel just landed, but to my surprise she's not alone. The most beautiful girl I've ever seen stepped out besides her. She had a widow suit on, so I guess she was a straggler? Based on how she's reacting with Yel I think she's more than that. A friend, a love interest? Hoping she says friend.

She's got beautiful y/h/l, y/h/c hair. Her eyes are this beautiful shade of y/e/c. She has a gorgeous smile, and an even more beautiful laugh. Yel must've said something stupid because I was blessed enough to hear it.

Yelena's POV

Y/N and I just arrived and within thirty seconds Y/N looked starstruck. Gross!

"Pick your jaw up off the floor!"

"Your sister's hot!" She bluntly replies

"Gross!" I replied making vomit noises

Y/N found my genuine reaction funny and started laughing her ass off. As I look up I see Nat returning the googly eyes, double gross! Not my best friend and my sister being horndogs over the other.

"Natalia!" I repeat while snapping at my dumb dumb of a sister. She's just staring off to where Y/N was. So! I move Y/N from my right to my front into Nat's eyesight. Y/N just giggles in confusion, oblivious to the fact that she's the reason for my sister's state.

"Oh shit!" Nat says as Y/N's now directly in front of her

"Finally!" I shout while throwing Y/N a little too roughly back to my side causing her to squeal and hit the ground with a groan.

"Cyka!" Y/N growls out

Nat immediately went to Y/N and extended her hand out to help her up.

"Are you okay, detka? Please excuse my dumbass sister."

"Hey! You two couldn't stop being all googly eyed so I had to break the trance somehow!" I shout in defense

"Was not"-N ... "You're insane"-Y/N

They both reply simultaneously

Nat's POV

Okay... I was distracted, but googly eyed?

No way! I completely ignore Yel as she's annoying me and I turn to the pretty girl with a smile.

"Natasha Romanoff, and you are?" I ask with my arm extended out

"Oh, I know who you are... I'm Y/N, last name unknown." She cutely replies, and shakes my hand.

"Oh, I'd be more than happy to share mine." I reply with a wink resulting in a flustered Y/N.

Before she can even respond Yel faux gags.

"I'm standing right here!" .. "Let's go inside, you better have food because we are hungry!" Yel snaps at me while dragging Y/N away with her.

Y/N turned back to smile at me really goofily...

That's when I realized I had been watching her walk away, when I should've been following to let them in. So I look down embarrassed and quickly approach them.

Y/N's POV

I was definitely googly eyed, but Yelena truly is insane for throwing me around. Crazy bitch.

Natasha can pretend she wasn't but I'm also a trained spy. I can see her subtle nervousness, also she was just staring at me as I walked away. I felt her eyes boring into my ass, and I had decided to taunt her with a sway of my hips. Then I waited for fifteen seconds before turning to catch her staring, and I couldn't help but grin widely. Then she looked down to hide her current fluster. Checkmate!

Yel's POV

These horndogs are keeping me from eating! I'm about to fight them…

Y/N's POV

"I'm hungry!" Yel whines

"Well, all you get is PB sandwiches because if I cook we all die." Nat replies

"Well, if you have suitable ingredients, I can cook. I used to do the cafeteria work in the red room." I reply knowing damn well I'd have to hold Yelena back if all she got was a PB with no J sandwich

"No, I couldn't ask.." Nat began before Yel interrupts

"Yes! Go! Now!" Yel shouts while pushing me towards a random door as if she knows where the kitchen is.

Natasha then walks towards me shaking her head, then proceeded to grab my hand and guide me to the actual kitchen.

"You can use anything that's available. Nothings off limits, even if it is labeled as such. If anyone chooses to grovel they can take it up with me!" Nat says with a wink as she leaves the kitchen.

"Hurry!" Yel adds with the semblance of a threat while being pulled out of the kitchen.

Based on what I've found in this random ass stock I'm making a spinach and mozzarella quiche and some banana nut muffins.

Yel's POV

Now that I'm alone with Nat she's not all smiley. It's actually kind of rude... Now she is crying...

"Natasha, what is it?"

"The world's falling apart and seeing you here in front of me just makes me happy. Brings me a slight sliver of peace..."

"The tears could've fooled me.. Ow!"

She slapped me ...

"Seriously, I'm just grateful I didn't lose you too!" Now she is hugging me and it actually feels really nice.

"So, the widows, they're free!" I change the subject

"Well, the one's that weren't blipped that is..." Natasha brings it back

"Well, yeah! Can you just relish in it? Something good happened! I got my best friend back! So I am taking the win!"

"I thought I was your bestfriend!" Nat pouts

"No! You're my best sister. Y/N is my best friend."

"I'm your only sister." Nat responds with an eye roll.

"However, I see the appeal. Y/N's great!"

"Yeah, she's mine!" I reply with a slight glare.

"We can share. Your best friend, my future wife." Nat laughs out

"You're skipping like at least five steps.." I groan

"Nat, she really is amazing! She took care of me after I was separated from you, and until we were put into the subjugation process. She's selfless, talented, and a total optimist. So please, don't break her." I seriously assert with a slight pout.

"Yelena, I wouldn't dream of breaking her! I don't see why you would even think I would do that... You know me, I don't get flustered, but here I am, a blushing mess around her."

"Yeah, I know... it's gross!" I whine

"What's gross? Definitely not this!" Y/N interjects as she enters with the plated food.

"I... love... you!" I say, directed at the food

"Aww. I love you too!" Y/N happily coos.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, you too." I mumble while digging in and receiving a light shove from Y/N.

Nat's POV

The food Y/N served us, with her accompanying gorgeous smile, is divine.

"Thank you detka."

"You're welcome Natasha."

"Nat, everyone calls me Nat." She corrects me

"Tasha it is then!" She replies with a cheeky grin

"Ooh! I love it." Yel mocks

"Absolutely not!" I scoff

"Oh, um. Okay. Nat's fine." Y/N awkwardly tries to remedy the situation.

"Oh, no, you can call me whatever you want kotenok."

She immediately blushes and looks down

"Well, let me take the dishes." Y/N tries

"No! Yelena can handle them. She can actually do something for once!" I reply sweetly to her while sending Yel a glare.

"It's not a problem." Y/N tried again

"No, I got it!" Yel replies after I send her another harsh glare. I just want a minute alone with her.

Y/N's POV

I can feel Natasha's gaze on me and I can't help but feel shy all of a sudden.

"So, y/n/n, what are your plans?"

"Uh. I haven't really got any. I don't have much of a resume, unless you count my mind control assassinations as a resume point of focus." I awkwardly laugh out

"Oh, detka... I didn't mean to... How about your dreams? Let's go with that." Nat tries to reroute the conversation

"Tasha, it's okay, no offense taken. I want to use my skills for good. They were forced into me and intended for evil, but if I can use them for the opposite then I'd feel like I would have the control back they took. Be able to make up for all the harm I have caused. After awhile of that I'd like to settle down with the woman I love and have a family. Adoptions cool, whether that be kids, cats or both. I'd like to travel the world, but on my own terms. I'd want to sightsee, and have time to take it all in. I want to do stupid things, like learn to surf, or go skydiving. Mostly, I just want to find love and be loved though."

Nat's POV

Watching Y/N talk about her dreams is refreshing. She's so optimistic and it just makes me feel warm inside knowing how wholesome her dreams are. She's not dreaming of being rich or famous. She's dreaming of love, white picket fences, and making things right even when she's done no wrong. Our dreams are practically identical.

"What about you? What dreams does the great Black Widow have?" She teases back with a cute smile

"Well, I've also wanted nothing more than to work to clear my ledger. I have worked tirelessly to do it, and one day I think I'll be satisfied and settle down myself. I'm into travel, and marriage, I just have to find the right person. I'd want to live on a generously sized plot of land, near a river. I'd want to be able to sustain myself on my own land, but still be close enough to the city. So I could be able to go out for date nights and get the groceries I'd crave, like ice cream!" I chuckle out

"Ice cream sounds nice, I'll add that to my dreams too!" Y/N innocently responds, making me realize she's probably never had any...

I smirk in response, having the perfect idea.

"Want to get out of here? I can introduce you to the delicacy, and the many flavors it comes in?"

"Really?!" Y/N all but yells in question.

"Of course detka! It would be a dream come true for me to take a pretty little thing such as yourself out." I reply with my hand extended out to bring her with me.

"I'll get Lena...?" She questions

"Nope!" I reply as I drag her giggling form out to my bike.

"We'll be back later!" I shout to Yel as I close the door preventing any rebuttal.

Y/N's POV

We just walked into this place called Baskin Robbins. They advertised something about like 31 flavors, which seems excessive. Natasha, after some minor threatening it seems, has convinced the teenage boy behind the counter to give her a sample of every available flavor.

She lined the tiny samples meticulously along the tray to mimic the way they're displayed in the tubs. She got some water for a 'palate cleanser' and brought me the ice cream with a bright smile.

"Here! Try each one, then I'll buy you whatever your heart desires."

After I tried many flavors, some absolutely nauseating, like strawberry cheesecake

(or y/l/f flavor - I just hate this one)

Nat's POV

Watching Y/N try something as simple as ice cream just warms my heart. I remember when I first got out, I was the same way. The first slice of pizza I had was mesmerizing.

*bleh* I hear Y/N all but gag.

Y/N definitely doesn't like the strawberry cheesecake (y/l/f). Her reactions are hilarious. Except for when she innocently moaned for icing on the cake. That just made this experience far less wholesome for me and slightly distracting.

"Settle on a favorite yet, detka?" I lowly husk out.

"Well you! You made my day, I love Yel, but you're stealing her spot quickly." She winks causing me to chuckle

"Definitely torn between icing on the cake and y/f/f."

"No need to choose love. Cup or cone?"

"Surprise me, do what you recommend! What flavor are you getting?"

"Cone it is. I'll even get you a fun one! Sorry to disappoint you but I'm getting one scoop of strawberry cheesecake, and one scoop of vanilla bean."

"Oh... I don't know if I can forgive you for this atrocious taste you have." She playfully remarks

"So, does me liking you equate to atrocious taste?"

"No, actually it might be the only thing redeemable about your taste. You seemingly survive on PB sandwiches, literally with no J and that's questionable to say the least. Even I ate better in the red room." She laughs

"Hey! Don't mock my taste in cuisine. I like it simple."

I faux annoyance, with a pouty lip, as I get up to order our ice cream. Leaving a $20 tip for the teen I scared earlier.

Y/N's POV

So, Nat got me what's called a waffle cone bowl. She added whipped cream, and sprinkles with cherries on the side.

"I wanted you to have the full experience!" Natty says while popping a cherry, with the stem, into her mouth. She maintains steady eye contact with me before pulling the perfectly tied stem back out of her mouth.

"Uh. Thank you..." I stutter out while trying to remain composed, because that was hot.

The teasing is fun, but I'm already enamored, the games been won. It was won after the first nervous hello, I'm incredibly easy to win over and it helps that she's gorgeous.

Nat's POV

It's gotten late, and I decided to take Y/N to pick up a few slices of NY pizza.

"Detka, it's unconventional to have dessert, then dinner, but it actually happens more than you think. So, the nights not over, you're trying pizza!"

I excitedly rush out as we exit the establishment, pulling her out with me as she tries to keep up.

We get on my bike, and I hand her my spare leather jacket, and a helmet. As we climb on she wraps around my waist, pushing her front into my back with no nervousness this time.

~~~

As we got back to the compound we see Yel sprawled out on the couch snoring. It's adorable.

"Pizza!" I shout disturbing her oh so peaceful slumber, causing her to roll off the couch. She then runs to us excitedly, which just causes

Y/N to break out into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

I sat them down at the table and placed their slices in front of them.

Their eyes grew wide and I couldn't help the amusement that was dancing across my face.

"Welcome to New York!!" I yell, pulling their attention to me.

"Dig in!" I add as I go to collect us drinks.

After dinner I take Y/N and Yel to my room, offering them my PJ's. Then for my comfort I inform them that we'll all be sharing my Queen sized bed. After the dusting, I just need to keep Yel here next to me. I also don't mind a chance to have Y/N cuddled up with me.

"I call little spoon!" Yel shouts

I'm already in the middle so I open my arms to welcome my "scary" ex assassin, cuddle bug of a sister into me.

Y/N seems uneasy but I send her a smile and pat to my left. She seems to calm a bit before laying down.

Y/N's POV

Judging by the snoring I've all but confirmed Yel's asleep. I'm currently laying behind Natasha, trying to steady my nervous breathing, and fast paced heart back to a normal pace. Clearly I'm not doing well..

"Detka, are you okay?" Nat groggily whispers, shifting to face me with a gentle smile.

"To be honest, I'm a little nervous." I chuckle out

Her eyes soften and she reaches over and places her hand on my shoulder.

"I don't bite... unless asked to." She jokes out but that just increased my nerves.

She quickly noticed this.

"Hey, y/n/n. No need to be nervous..." she tries to reassure me

"Except there is... You're special, and I'm out of practice and I don't want to mess anything up." I mumble out

She immediately cups my face and makes sure I'm facing her with our eyes locked.

"It's okay, just breathe love. You couldn't mess this up even if you tried. One day with you and I'm the happiest I've been in ages. You bring this sense of peace to me. You're special too! I'd love to get to know you, if you choose to stay and do the same."

"I'm in, like so in!"

Nat chuckles and shifts closer to me, pulling me in for a hug.

"I'm in too if you will both just shut up... Also, if someone spoons me again!" Yel groans

As Nat and I chuckle I feel my body shift abruptly. Nat's rolled me to the middle and she pulls me into her. So now we're sandwiched with my back against her, and Yel's back against me.

"Now sleep detka!" Nat commands me in a whisper as she places a couple subtle kisses to my neck before burying herself against me.

I fall asleep fairly quickly now that I'm sandwiched between my best friend, and my newfound—hopefully forever—lover.

This being the most peace I've possibly ever felt.

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3,143 words

It’s Okay (Next fic)

[wintersxani]

Hi could you do a billy request where the girl is Steves younger sister and starts sneaking around with billy . When a girl at school makes a comment about her relationship everyone learns she's just like billy . Also can you put a part in where it mentions her being taken with will

Please and thank you

𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩 | Billy Hargrove x fem!Harrington!reader

Warning(s): trauma, smut mentions, flashback/past mentions, language

Word Count: 754

Characters: Billy Hargrove, Steve Harrington, Tina, Carol Perkins

A/N: I apologize if I misunderstood some parts of the request, but I tried my request to fulfill it! I hope you enjoy <3

In November of 1983, you had been transported to the upside down, along with Will Byers and Barbara Holland. All three of you simultaneously fought for your life, two out of three making it out. You and Will Byers had been rescued from the Upside down thanks to a powerful 12 year old girl, who had found all three of you.

Unfortunately for Barbara Holland, her fight was cut short, and didn't make it out like you and Will had. You were only one year younger than your brother, Steve Harrington. You were the reason he was mixed up into all of this, which you felt guilty for, but you had no clue how you got yourself into this in the first place.

After being ripped out of the nightmare that you had been trapped in for what seemed to be forever, your dreams had been plagued by your experiences every night. You'd wake up screaming, crying, scared out of your mind, and so much more. Many nights you had to sleep in your brothers room, who had no clue what to honestly do.

You had been the luckiest of the three Upside Down survivors. All that you had been stuck with was nightmares and trauma that you had no one besides Will, a boy much younger than yourself, to talk to about. Your parents weren't involved with your brother and you all that much, and you knew they wouldn't believe you if you talked about your fears, so you kept quiet.

The nightmares didn't stop until 1984, the next year. All because you met a boy that had been the newest to your school, quickly dethroning your brother. It felt wrong to like Billy Hargrove, he was Steve's biggest rival, and the two practically hated each other's guts.

Billy took your brother's reputation as his own, and although you felt bad for your broken hearted brother, who had been dumped by Nancy Wheeler, you believed he needed it to break through his ego and make him a better person, and it did.

While you were off sneaking around with Billy Hargrove, your brother was hanging out with the Middle Schooler's that helped in your rescue. No one knew about you and Billy, about your quickies in the back seat of his blue camaro, hook up's in the empty school classroom's, or just pretending to spend the night at a friend's house but really, you were in his bed.

You'd rather die than let your older, very protective brother know about what was going on between you two, but in October of 1984, truth came out. You had no idea how, and Billy denied that he said a word, but it was too late.

As you walked down the halls of Hawkins high, every head was turned to you, whispers surrounding as faces popped in shock. Carol and Tina strode up to you, crossing their arms in disapproval. "So.. you and Billy are fuck buddies or something? I'm surprised he even noticed you, what'd you have to do to have him hook up with you? Who knew y/n Harrington was a whore." Carol cackled aloud, sending gasps through the hallway.

Naturally, nearly every girl in Hawkins was either jealous of you, hated you, or was shocked. You weren't popular like your brother, you were just known to be 'King Steve's little sis,' and you hated that. Even though you hated to admit it, you liked people recognizing you, and knowing your name, even if it was because of what you were doing, or with whom.

"And you aren't?" You laughed back, Billy striding in after both Carol and Tina gasped in shock. Billy's arm slung around your shoulder as the two of you stared the catty girls down, Billy whispering 'wanna beat their asses?' into your ear, sending a giggle through your mouth.

"Nah, they're not worth it." You cackled, hitting your shoulder into Carol's sharply as you passed, sending a kiss over your shoulder. You were almost like an equivalent to Billy Hargrove, but female, and maybe not as aggressive, but you had the confidence, and a sharp tongue; Billy loved that about you.

When Steve found out about you two, he immediately disapproved of your relationship with Billy, but he was happy to see that you weren't affected by your past anymore, and he was happy that Billy made you happy, even if he wasn't the person he wanted to make you happy. Your happiness was what mattered over anything else.

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