#(okay hot update he said 'they wanted a dive so i gave them one' which. close enough

[the-kipsabian]

#kip sabian #aew #all elite wrestling #aewedit #wrestlingedit #wrestling #night gifs #what do you want from me boy? to be grateful for all that? because fuck yeah i am holy shit i am Looking #(im also fairly sure thats what he said its really hard to hear when tony talks over him but yeah checks out to me at least) #my beloved #kip in a box #(rp blogs dont reblog; saving and other personal use with tag credits is fine) #(okay hot update he said 'they wanted a dive so i gave them one' which. close enough #as apparently before this he asked the crowd if they wanted a dive #i completely missed that. my bad. im not going back to edit this tho lmao)

[gumnut-logic]

Take a Minute

This is another case of me just indulging myself. It took longer than expected and ended up at around 2400 words, none of which really go anywhere.

Many thanks to @i-am-chidorixblossom​ for the read through and cheering.

I hope you enjoy it.

-o-o-o-

The hatch creaked as the hydraulics let it down to the dry hard packed dirt. A small puff of dust billowed up around the hot cahelium and it caught in his nose, tickling in the heat.

The horizon was flat and the earth iron red as it disappeared into the ominous grey of the cloud blocking the sky.

Virgil’s boots made their own puffs of dust as he stepped off the hatch and emerged from under the shadow of Two. The puffs followed him as he walked the length of his ‘bird. The dirt gritted under his specialised soles as he avoided the heat of her cooling VTOL and the scorch of her now quiet thrusters.

His landing was precautionary. A warning light had come on during the flight home and dumping himself in the middle of the Outback for a mechanical check was preferable to taking a swan dive in the middle of the Tasman.

Outside appearances gave no clue to the issue and unfortunately, he would have to wait for her engines to cool off before attempting to access the thruster that was the problem.

A sigh and he turned back to look at the horizon.

He truly was in the middle of nowhere.

“Thunderbird Two, status report.”

Typical Scott. His brother was hip deep in a rescue on the other side of the planet, but his brother radar still managed the range.

“Status a-okay, Thunderbird One. Just taking a moment to gaze at the scenery.”

“John says you have a mechanical fault.”

“Quite possibly. Fine for the moment. Just need a little cooling time. I’ll keep you updated.”

“FAB, Thunderbird Two.”

And then it was back to the silence.

True silence.

There was no wind.

No water.

No birds.

Just the heat of a dying day leaching out of the sand, the creak of his cooling ‘bird, and the potential energy in the air.

It was going to rain.

The Kansas farm boy could tell that much. Even in another country and an entirely different environment, he could feel it.

He didn’t need fancy instrumentation to predict that.

The impending storm raised the hair on his arms under his uniform. It itched at his skin and spoke of change.

Ants crawled across his boots, winged queens and drones launching to join a cloud of them off to his right.

It was eerie.

He shifted where he stood, unsure of what to do next. He wasn’t one for killing time. Time was a valuable thing and needed to be used to its upmost. But this stop was unplanned and there was little he could do while waiting.

Sure, there were tasks. There were always tasks, nitty gritty maintenance jobs. He was never short of work.

But the air was still. The sense of building atmospheric release buzzed across his senses.

It was tantalising.

He shivered.

There were still a couple of hours before sunset, but the air was dark due to the heavy cloudbank looming over the landscape.

A thought.

A flash of guilt followed by stubborn determination.

He turned and climbed back on to the hatch and retracted it, only to lower it again a few moments later with a folded chair and a box in his hands.

He parked it in the sand.

The silence was a physical presence.

He opened the box to reveal a portable watercolour kit – a neat palette of half pans, a fine brush and a small block of high-quality paper.

It was an indulgence he kept aboard his ‘bird. One he had yet to use, so this was definitely an opportune moment. A tiny amount of time to throw down some colour and capture this red-on-blue-grey intensity.

It didn’t take him long to realise he had forgotten a couple of things. A muttering step back into his ‘bird and he returned with a small table and a cup full of water.

He finally managed to settle himself. Painting while wearing his uniform wasn’t the most comfortable. It was bulky and in the way. He did shed his gloves, which meant he had to take off his wrist controller. Scott would frown enough to dent his nose, but he couldn’t paint with his gloves on.

There was heavy lifting, but there was also sensitive and tactile manipulation. He liked to think he was capable of both.

A dip of his brush into clear water, a dab of cadmium red, and colour spilled onto the paper.

Payne’s grey filled the sky in soft billows with just a hint of ultramarine. He tried to keep his touch gentle. Watercolour was so unforgiving. Fast and delicate, the colours could easily be overdone and unlike acrylic or oils, could not be undone satisfactorily.

It took all his concentration to sketch out the worn landscape.

The parched air dried the colours quickly and it wasn’t long before he was flicking strands of yellow ochre spinifex in the foreground, the little painting almost done.

In the distance, the clouds rumbled warning.

He dabbed in a second layer to bring up the contrast, the greys echoing the thunder on the horizon. Just a touch of green brought out the red of the iron in the sand.

“I really don’t know how you do that.”

Virgil nearly fell out of his chair.

“Scott!” His heart thudded in his ears and he clutched the drying painting in his hands as it tried to slip from his fingers. “What the hell?! How did you…?” He shot to his feet and turned to find his brother standing behind him. Beyond, at a respectable distance, sat Thunderbird One.

Scott held up both hands, taking a step back. “Hey, I saw you were painting, so I parked back a ways. Figured you wouldn’t want VTOL messing with your paints.” But then his brother was smothering a grin. “You were kinda zoned out there, Virg.”

“You were in Prague! How did you get here so fast?” It was a stupid question. He was Scott Tracy. Fast was part of his genome.

But his brother frowned. “It’s been over an hour since I last contacted you. The situation is resolved. I was on my way back and thought I’d check in. John said he hadn’t had an update.”

Virgil stared at his brother. An hour? He brought his wrist up to check the time, but his controller was on the little table beside his chair with his discarded gloves.

Oh.

Scott arched an eyebrow at him.

Virgil grunted before putting the painting down carefully and retrieving his equipment. A moment later, his gloves were on and his wrist controller back in place.

It was indeed over an hour later.

Thunderbird Two would have cooled down enough forty-odd minutes ago.

“You were lost in your painting, weren’t you.” It wasn’t a question. His brother sighed, walked over to the table and picked up the piece of art. Blue eyes scrutinised it. “Nope. I don’t have a clue how you do that. It’s great, Virg.” He handed it over and somewhat numbly, Virgil took it.

He stared at the strokes in which he had been so absorbed earlier. The landscape stretched into the paper, reds bouncing off blues, the stillness captured in pigments.

Okay, so he had to admit, it was working quite well. He had muddied the colour a little in one corner and there was a patch where he’d left more white paper than was probably necessary because he was too worried about over doing the paint, but overall it mostly did what he wanted it to do. Oh, his wash hadn’t quite worked in that bit. Damn.

But…

He could get away with it.

“Earth to Virgil? You okay in there?”

Scott was smirking.

Virgil glared at him before cradling the watercolour block in one hand, picking up the palette with the other and packing it away. He stomped his way back to his ‘bird.

He ignored the laugh behind him.

He was stashing the paints in their locker when Scott joined him in Two, both the table and chair folded up in his hands. “Where do you stash these?”

Virgil gestured in the direction of the utility store and his brother put the equipment away.

Back in the cockpit, Virgil pulled up the suspect control and found the red light still glaring accusingly as Scott entered behind him.

“Give me ten. I need to inspect her starboard thruster.” He grabbed a safety line and threw back the overhead hatch. The gloomy atmosphere crept into the cockpit, but he ignored it and elevated the himself up so he could climb onto the top of his ‘bird.

“Virgil, you do know there is a storm coming in. You’re standing on the highest point for miles.”

“I’ll only be a minute.” Keep your pants on.

But his brother was right. His dawdling with his paints had cost him time and the weather was moving in.

He hurried across the back of his Thunderbird sliding carefully onto her starboard intake, and making his way down to the access hatch. He hooked in his safety line, prodded his controller to release the security, and hauled the hatch open.

Five minutes later, with several profane words that had Scott even more concerned, he yanked an obstruction out of her secondary intake valve.

It was a bright yellow, now somewhat grimy, Thunderbird Four.

No more than four inches long.

“I’m going to kill him.”

“Virg? What? Who?”

“Gordon.” He didn’t elaborate. The sky was well and truly rumbling now and he needed to get inside.

Tightening the valve, he gave it a good once over to check for damage. Another poke at his controller and the dash confirmed the issue resolved.

Access secured, he unhooked his line and made a run for the main hatch just as the landscape lit up white with lightning.

He leapt into his ‘bird as if he had that lightning on his tail.

His boots hit deck plates. Virgil reached up and threw the hatch closed and sealed away the angry sky.

Scott was staring at him.

Virgil met that gaze before walking past his brother towards his pilot seat. He casually chucked the little Thunderbird Four to his brother like the grenade it was.

Scott caught it. “What the hell?”

Gordon was dead twice over and he didn’t even know it.

“You better get back to your ‘bird. The sky’s going to open up any minute and we should probably be above it rather than below it.” Virgil poked at the weather read out. It was only a weather front, nothing compared to the cyclone forces the Thunderbirds were capable of tackling. “You might get wet.”

Scott was still glaring at the model in his hand. A distracted grunt.

Gordon was definitely dead.

Possibly more than twice.

“Okay, less imaginary brother murders and more getting back to your ‘bird.”

“Huh?”

Yeah, so now who was zoning out?

Virgil nudged his brother onto the hatch platform and stepped on himself, lowering it onto the red dust again.

He stepped off the deck plates just as the first fat rain drops started to hit the dust.

Damn. “Too late.” And as if he had given the sky permission, it really opened up.

Water hit dry earth in big splats, puffs of red rose only to be taken down by more rain. The stipple of water fast became patches and then the land deepened in colour. The bright iron red darkened almost to a burgundy. The spinifex he had so finely painted not half an hour earlier, shifted from a yellow ochre to a gold that almost glowed in the remnant light.

As Scott stepped up beside him, secure under the protection of Two’s nose, the landscape bleached suddenly and the sky grumbled and cracked. The air smelt of ozone and the sharp evaporation of precipitation in the heat. But there was more water than the air or the earth could take and it puddled in the indents between the rocks.

Some kind of thorny lizard darted out from a tuft of spinifex and hurried under the shelter of Two beside the brothers. At the lack of the rain on its back, it looked up as if surprised. Two reptilian eyes stared at them before darting back out into the rain.

Scott took another step forward and Virgil put a hand on his arm.

“You’re not going to try to run through that.”

“I’ve got to get back to One.”

“Why?”

“Because…” His brother trailed off.

Virgil squeezed his arm gently. “Take a minute. This is a desert storm. It will be short lived. We can wait.”

Blue eyes stared at him.

Okay, so waiting wasn’t part of Scott Tracy’s genome.

“Take a minute. Watch.” Virgil turned back to the storm and revelled in the release of the tension that had been building for the last couple of hours. He watched the rain hit the earth, the patterns, the dance of spinifex leaves. He listened to the roar, the wet splat against cahelium, the sigh as the water disappeared into the grass and the grumbles in the clouds.

Scott eventually turned to look and, for a short while there, they were just a couple of brothers staring out at the storm.

The fact they were sheltering underneath one of the most advanced technological creations on the planet was unimportant.

“This is all your fault, you know.” Scott’s voice was soft.

A grunt. “I think Gordon’s is the more likely culprit.”

“If you hadn’t stopped to paint, we’d be home by now.”

Virgil didn’t answer immediately. He took a breath. “But then we would have missed this.”

At that moment the sun finally hit the horizon and slipped through a gap in the clouds to light up the wet landscape in gold. Rain still fell, but it was as if it was liquid sunlight failing from the sky. Water glistened on everything and the clouds lit up from underneath.

Thunder rumbled in clouds turning pink in the east.

“Yeah, we would.” But the acknowledgement was distracted as Scott stared at the spectacle.

Perhaps they had something for which to thank Gordon. It was a moment that they would never have experienced if Virgil hadn’t had to stop.

He breathed in the freshened air and let it out with a relaxing sigh.

No.

Gordon was still dead.

-o-o-o-

FIN.

#thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds #thunderbirds fanfiction #Virgil Tracy #Scott Tracy

[justniaaa]

Unravel Me (4)

Gif by: @blackisblackisblack​

Rating 18+NSFW

Work Count: 3.4k

Pairing: Christopher “Rio” Martinez xblack!oc

Warning: Swearing, mentions of a gun

A/N: Hey my loves! I’ve missed you guys so much, so sorry for the late update. I’m not going to lie and say it wont happen again because it most likely will but I wasn’t expecting to be gone for so long. Anxiety/ Depression is a fucking bitch bro and like I said before even if my posting isn’t constant, I always want to make sure to give you guys content. Thanks for you for rocking with me and Enjoy chapter 4! Happy reading and please dont forget to like, comment and reblog <3

Summary: Toni forms an unsuspecting friendship with Christopher that turns into something more. As her feelings towards him continue to grow she starts to  unravel the secrets that surround him and in return, he unravels her completely.

Chapter 4: Let the games begin

After the eventful night between Toni and Chris, it was like the days went by rather quickly and before she knew it, Friday was here and Toni’s nerves were coming along for the ride. When she came home that night and told her girls about what transpired with her and the mysterious business mogul they gave out beaming smiles and all three of them jumped around, excited that Toni was going out on a date. And of course, don’t even get her started on Aaliyah, the woman was more than elated, and every chance she got she made sure to bother Toni about her new “boyfriend.”

Toni was walking in from work at Print Monthly and let out a yawn. Working two jobs, and writing a new article was slowly catching up with her, but with enough caffeine, she thinks she could make it through. She took off her heels and placed her keys on the entrance table trying to stifle yet another yawn, that was on its way out of her mouth. As she went further into the apartment she didn’t hear any movement from either of the girl’s rooms so she figured she was home alone. Toni went into her room not caring to turn on the light since she had a small night light in the corner and shut the door. She dropped her purse on the floor and took off her clothes, only leaving on her bra and panties. Toni sighed and shuffled to her bed, face planting into it as she wrapped her sherpa throw around her body. Since the AC was fixed the day before her place was nice and cool and all she wanted to do was take a small nap.

But before she could float away to unconsciousness her door was rushed open and the light flicked on, “Oh no bitch, get up!”

Toni groaned hearing Rocky’s voice and covered her face with the blanket, wishing for  a couple of minutes of sleep, “Antonia Kelis Thompson, up now!”

The blanket was ripped away from Toni, and she put her face into the pillow, “Just five minutes,” she groaned.  

“No, get up! Sage made you a smoothie to help with your energy before she left for the grocery store and you need to drink it so we can get you together for tonight.”

Toni turned her head and looked at Rocky, she was standing next to her bed with her eyebrow raised and a hand on her hip and the other was outstretched with said green smoothie in her grasp.

“It’s only six Rocky, we meet up at nine.”

True to his word, Chris hit her up and they set up a time and place to meet up, the place being an escape room to which Toni was particularly thrilled about. She had always wanted to go to one and she vaguely remembered mentioning it to him on one of their morning talks at the cafe. After they arranged their night out they continued texting each other throughout the day and it felt good to have that feeling of giddiness whenever she heard her phone ding and it possibly being him.

Toni huffed and sat up, sitting cross-legged on her bed and took the drink from Rocky’s hand. Taking a few sips she scrunched up her face from the taste but soldiered on when she saw the look Racquel gave her. When she finally finished the last bits of the smoothie, she put the glass on her nightstand and turned back to her friend.  

“All finished, what’s next on the list warden?”

Racquel rolled her eyes, “So damn dramatic, go take a shower and I’ll dive into that mess  you call a closet to find you something to wear.”

Toni stretched her limbs as she stood up from the bed while Rocky shooed her to the bathroom grabbing her towel from the back of the door in the process.

“And don’t forget to shave bitch!” Rocky yelled out.

“I shaved my legs yesterday, why the hell am I going to do them again?” Toni said poking her head out from the doorway, her confusion was evident.

“I’m not talking about your legs, girl,” Raquel said, winking. Toni didn’t plan on sleeping with Chris tonight but with how crazy the attraction was between them anything was possible. So with understanding and gratitude, Toni simply nodded and backed into the bathroom, closing the door and getting to work.

After the long half-hour of exfoliation, shaving, and showering, Toni came out of the bathroom feeling fresh and squeaky clean and walked into the sight of her bed strewn with clothes. She took in the sight of her best friends arguing with a piece of clothing in their hands about which outfit would work best. She chose to ignore them knowing that whatever they picked would be applicable and tightened the towel on her form, going to her vanity to do her makeup and hair. The girls interrupted her a few times showing her what they chose and Sage helped Toni curl her hair in the back. Music and bouts of laughter were heard throughout the home and the minutes ticked by getting closer to when Toni was deemed to leave. She was just putting on her light blue jeans when her phone went off, interrupting the song that was playing on her Bluetooth. Rocky and Sage continued talking about whether she should wear heels or sneakers, and Toni finished buttoning her pants walking over to her device. The name Chris was on her screen, and before the voicemail picked up she answered.

“Hello,” she said.

“There she is, thought you weren’t gonna answer,” Chris’s smooth voice came through the phone, making Toni’s stomach flutter with butterflies. She could vaguely hear noises of machinery in the background but she didn’t think anything of it because as quickly as the noise came it was gone, like he went into a separate room.

“I mean I didn’t have to pick up, especially since you're interrupting me getting ready for my date,” Toni sat down on the bench at the end of her bed.

“Oh, word? Who’s the lucky man?”

Toni looked down at her nails, “Some guy I met a couple of weeks ago, he ain’t all that but I decided to have mercy and give him a chance.”

Chris laughed into the receiver, “I bet he’s hype as fuck to take your pretty ass out.”

Toni shrugged like he could see her, “I mean, I am kind of great.”  

“That you are Antonia, that you are.”

Toni covered her mouth with her fingers, trying to control the megawatt smile that was threatening to break out. They knew each other barely a month and already the way Chris made Toni feel was slightly alarming. “Is everything okay though, because if you need to change the time or something that’s fine.”

“Nah we good, just wanted to check up on you. And make sure I wasn’t gonna do an escape room by myself.”

“No worries, I’ll be there,” Toni said grinning.

“Aiight, so I’ll see you soon yeah?”

“Yes, sir nine o’clock.”

Chris chuckled, “Aight mama, later.”

Toni hung up and put her phone back on the charger, “I’m guessing from all the flirting we just heard, that was him,” Sage asked.

She shook her head, “Yeah, he was calling to make sure we were still on tonight.” Toni went and looked at the shoe options they picked out, thankful that her friends lended out a helping hand.  

“We think the all-white Nike’s would look great with your outfit. Plus it will give your feet a break from the heels and you can run around as you play the game with your boyfriend,” Rocky smirked when Toni gave her a dirty look at her use of the “B” word.

“I agree,” she told them. After bending down to put her sneakers on, Toni stood up and examined her outfit in the mirror, liking how it looked. The white bodysuit accentuated her curves and the light blue jeans and sneakers really brought everything together, making her feel comfortable but be cute at the same time. Toni sprayed her perfume and got her crossbody bag and phone, listening to her friends give her a pep talk as she walked to the front door.

“We put some wipes in your bag and some mints as well just in case your breath gets hot,” Sage said, following behind Toni.

“Oh yes and some pepper spray if he decides to get handsy,” Raquel continued, bringing up the rear, “You never know he can turn into an asshole when the clock strikes twelve.”

Sage gave Rocky a glare and nudged her, “I doubt it will come to that, Racquel but it is always good to be safe.”

“Yes, it is,” Rocky grumbled, rubbing her sore side. Sage may be small but her elbow had some power behind it.

Toni turned to them when they reached the door, “Thanks guys for all the help.”

“We got your back girl, you know that.”

“And have fun tonight please, you deserve it and it will do you good to get some dick. It might help you stop being so damn uptight.”

“Sage!” Toni gasped, hitting the girl’s arm while Rocky stood next to her nodding in agreeance.

“I can’t stand you guys.” Toni picked up the keys she left on the small table by the door and opened her arms, “Alright give me some loving.”

They all came in for a group hug, just like they always did back in college, “Love you hoes,” Toni murmured.

“We love you too,” Sage and Rocky said together.

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

Pulling into the parking lot Toni texted Chris letting him know she had arrived and while she waited on his reply she stared down at her phone and went through her social media. Suddenly a knock on her window made her jolt in the seat and look up with a hand to her chest. She let out a breath when she saw it was Chris at her window, his eyebrow raised and his mouth curved into a smirk.

“Geez Chris, you scared the shit out of me,” Toni exclaimed through the closed window.

She reached next to her, to get her purse and took her keys out of the ignition, placing them and her phone into her bag. She unlocked the door and he opened it for her, a smile still residing on his lips, “My bad ma, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Toni side-eyed him as she got out, “Liar, you know damn well it’s too dark for your ass to be playing games.”

“Oh shit, don’t tell me big bad Antonia is scared of the dark.” Chris closed her car door behind her and Toni hit her key fob locking the vehicle. They began walking through the sparsely lit up parking lot, heading towards the building that had MadeYa Look Escape Room in bright lights at the front.

“Listen, frightening things live in the night, so don’t shame me.”

Chris chuckled as they walked side by side, his hands behind his back, “Nah, no shaming here baby. I used to be the same way, years ago.”

Toni felt a jolt at this new nickname, she hadn’t been called baby from the opposite sex in years and it made her feel warm inside to be hearing it from him. Toni decided to play it cool and not show how much the term of endearment affected her, but she secretly promised herself she would gush about it later in the privacy of her home.

“What made you stop being scared?” Toni asked as they finally reached the entrance.

She went to open the door but his ring covered hand was suddenly on top of hers, making her palm sweat on the cool metal of the handle, “When I became the scary thing to the monsters.”

Toni noticed the sudden shift between them as she gazed into his dark brown orbs. You would think after a statement like that she would be afraid but she felt perfectly fine, safe even. She didn’t know what to think about that, so she intended to not think about it at all.

“I forgot to tell you earlier but you look beautiful,” Chris said, his eyes not leaving hers, he was close enough that he could hear her breath stutter but didn’t comment. Toni bit her lip and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

“You got your nose pierced,” she said, surprised. Toni saw the faint glint of the piercing from the glare of the lights and even though she never dated a guy with one it was different and it fit him perfectly.

Chris took note of the change of subject but he nodded anyway and ran his tongue across his bottom lip, making it shine, “You like it?”  

“It’s cute,” She said with faux disinterest. Just like last time, with the close proximity they were in Toni could smell his cologne that was dark and subtle. They would kiss if she stood on her tiptoes.

“You ready for me to whoop your ass in this game?” Chris teased, and just like that the spell was broken and the light-hearted flirting came back into play.

Toni scoffed, grateful for the break from the tension “Please, the question is are you ready?”

With her hands still encompassed in his, they both opened the door and went to the front desk to pay and get instructions. The brunette clerk who they later learned was named Debbie was none the wiser to the something that transpired moments before, as she explained rules and questioned which room they wanted to play. While the middle-aged woman was talking, he had his hand rested on the small of Toni’s back and tried as she might she couldn’t focus on anything else but the heat of his palm. Luckily, another couple came in after them and they were able to play against the pair in the zombie apocalypse escape room. Before the game started Toni and Chris set up a bet for whoever solved the most clues even though they were on the same team. Toni ran her hand through her loose curls to put her hair up in a ponytail waiting for the countdown and noticed Chris’s outfit, “You don’t think you’ll get hot running around in your jacket?”

As per usual Chris was clad in all black but he had on a jean jacket over a black shirt this time rather than a regular button-up.  

“I’m straight,” Chris said nonchalantly. Before she could interrogate him further, Debbie’s voice came onto the intercom letting them know she was starting the countdown. Quickly, ten seconds turned to one, and the game began.

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

The couple walked out of the room breathless and delighted with how well the game turned out. They beat the newlyweds by a landslide with one minute to spare, and unfortunately to Chris’s exasperation, Toni solved most of the clues and now she had full reign over tonight.

“Congrats guys!” The clerk complimented as she handed them two free t-shirts for winning and even offered to snap a picture of them to put on their winner board. Chris declined grumbling about how he hated taking pictures but of course, when Toni gave him puppy dog eyes and reminded him she was the captain of tonight he grudgingly relented. Only on the grounds of them taking the photo on their personal phones and that Toni promised not to rag on him the rest of the date.  

Toni gave the woman her phone already opened to the camera app and they both took their place in front of the winner’s board. She didn’t know where to position herself, not wanting to be too much in Chris’s personal space if he wasn’t comfortable with it, but he made the decision for her when he put his arm on her shoulders and brought her in close, making Toni’s palms sweat. She quickly decided to wrap her arms around his waist praying he couldn’t feel her heart practically beat out her chest when she leaned against his side. They both looked at the camera with big smiles earning an “Awww you two are adorable!” from Debbie.

As Toni went to pull away, she brushed against something solid and what felt oddly like steel under his jacket. Stepping back Toni pondered over the fact that the object that she touched was most likely a gun and that was probably the reason why he didn’t want to take off his jacket before the game.

“Here you go hun,” Debbie said, passing Toni her phone.  

Toni graciously thanked her while she took the device and tried to school her features. She knew people had guns, even her father had some locked away at his house but something about him hiding it made her stomach roll.

They went out into the cool night and Toni walked next to Chris quietly still thinking, “So where to boss, since you running shit now.”  

A beat passed and she could see Chris in her peripheral take a look at her, wondering why she wasn’t responding.

“You good mama?” He inquired.

 She was acting like such a dumb ass, it wasn’t like he was her boyfriend he didn’t have to necessarily tell her why he had a gun and she was fine when he told her the monsters were afraid of him. So why did the gun affect her so much?

Toni looked over at him seeing his brows knitted in worry and decided to push the issue aside for a second. “Yep, but the real question is are you good after that ass whooping I gave you? Mr. I’m gonna win just watch.”

Chris groaned, “I thought you promised you wasn’t gonna flame me.”

“Obviously I lied, I just wanted you to stop whining and take the damn picture.”

“Nah, I just think you wanted a pic so you could look at it and fantasize about me all the time.”

Toni snickered and pushed him, “Please, don’t flatter yourself.”  

They were still talking when they finally reached her car. Toni leaned against her door, she could see his Range a couple of spaces from hers. “So what now Antonia?”

He asked while he stood in front of her, his hands in his pockets.

“Not sick of me yet?” Toni wondered, tilting her head.

“Never that darlin’.’”

Toni cleared her throat feeling her cheeks burn, damn him, he knew exactly what the hell he was doing. Not wanting to put it off any longer she made the choice to just ask him about the gun, not wanting to proceed with the night without being in the know.  “Can I...ugh this is probably so stupid but can I ask you a question first before we leave here?”

He straightened when he heard the way she stuttered like she was worried about questioning him, “Go ahead.”

Toni crossed her arms, “You can tell me it's none of my business and honestly it’s not that big of a deal but is there a reason why you didn’t want to tell me you were carrying a gun? I felt it while we were taking the picture.”

She was expecting him to get upset about her interrogation  but his posture went lax, seeming happy that that was what she wanted to ask.

“I didn’t say anything ‘cause I wasn’t sure if it was gonna freak you out. I use it for protection only and I should have told you instead of assuming.”  

Toni sighed and rubbed her forehead, “No, I apologize it just took me by surprise is all. I knew someone that carried and it always seemed like he used it more to showcase how much of a dick he was rather than use it as a safety precaution.”

“Hey,” Chris raised Toni’s chin, making her focus on him. “Don’t ever be scared to ask me somethin’.  Even if I don’t like the question, imma always try and give you as much of the truth that I can, aight?”

“Okay,” Toni said.

“Okay,” Chris dropped his hand and grabbed Toni’s holding it in his grasp, still looking at her, “So we gonna chill in this parking lot all night or we gonna go to the next spot?”

Toni lightly squeezed his hand with a mischievous glint in her eye, “I know the perfect place.”

“Aiight then,” Chris walked to the passenger side of her car waiting, “Let’s go.”

“You’re not gonna drive your car?” Toni wrinkled her nose, puzzled whilst unlocking the car.

Chris opened the door and simply said, “Nope I trust you,” before getting into the vehicle leaving Toni speechless.

Toni let out a harsh breath and whispered “This man is too fine,” getting into the car as well. It seemed like their night had only begun.

Tag list: @aria725 @kikilovesdankmemes​ @briannab1234​

#manny montana imagine #rio good girls #rio good girls imagine #rioxoc #rio x black!oc #rioxblack!oc fanfic #nbc good girls #chapter 4 #unravel me #manny montana #myfic

[softbiker]

Born to Run - Chapter 14

Warnings: cursing, little editing, brief descriptions of violence

Word count: 2.6k

A/N: AND WE’RE BACK SURPRISE!! Seriously though, I feel horrible that I haven’t been able to update in so long - I was doing so well at first with the weekly updates and then it just kind of...stopped. Things got difficult. Sorry. But here we are, keeping things going with this fic! I’m excited! As always, feedback is appreciated! 

There’s something heavy across her waist when she wakes up.

She shimmies, trying to dislodge it, but the firm pressure only tightens when she does. Something warm snuffled at the back of her neck, the feel of soft whiskers scratching, and it’s - oh.

Bucky.

A little thrill shot down her spine - still does, even after these last few weeks. He’s only spent the night a couple of times - and the two of them remain somewhat clothed - but still. Her heartbeat picked up as he sighed again, breath coming hot along her neck.

She couldn’t shake this feeling, this nagging little notion, that she’d gone zero to 60 the moment she met him; in spite of the fact that they were taking things slow, something her trust issues and his gentleman’s upbringing insisted on, her brain felt like she was on a high-speed roller coaster, white-knuckling as she hurtled along the tracks awaiting the inevitable corkscrews and hairpin turns that would make her stomach drop.

Of course, with roller coasters, it helped if you had someone’s hand to hold.

She wiggled again in Bucky’s grip, trying to turn and face him, but he groaned in protest and tightened his spooning position. She rolled her eyes a little, patting his hand where it rested on her stomach.

“Such a baby,” she sighed, morning voice little more than a croak.

Bucky groaned again.

“‘S too early,” he grumbled, the sound muffled into the space between her hair and her pillow.

“Maybe for you,” Y/N huffed. “Some of us have jobs, you know.”

“I have a job,” he snorted.

“Oh yeah? Besides being a sexy biker?”

She heard his low growl rumbling before he quickly rolled to put his weight on top of her, his fingers wiggling into the soft flesh at her sides. She squealed and bucked under him, trying to escape, but he was too heavy to dislodge and she was way too ticklish to let him keep torturing her.

“Okay! Uncle! Uncle!” she cried, breathless. His fingers stilled, but his hands maintained their grip on her waist, the weight of his chest holding her down as he smiled, his face a few inches above hers.

“Hi,” he stage-whispered. His bed-head was in full disarray after his tickle attack, random strands fluffed out in different directions and hanging in front of his eyes. She blew a puff of breath past her lips, amused at the way he wrinkled his nose as the wayward hairs waved back in his face.

Good morning,” she smiled back, still catching her breath from the assault.

He leaned down for a kiss - a morning kiss, soft and tender, a small taste to break the night-long fast. The tip of his nose traced the length of hers.

“Still too early,” he hummed, lips working their way across her cheeks and nose and eyelids.

“Mm?” she hummed back, eyes closed.

“You know it’s Saturday, right?” he half-chuckled, nuzzling down into her neck. “Don’t have anywhere to be for a while.”

She peeked one eye open, a suspicious smile tilting up one corner of her mouth.

“I know that voice,” she bit her lip. He didn’t answer, leaving his face in its hiding place at her neck. “What are you planning, Barnes?”

“Somethin’ you’ll like,” he grinned, hands sliding down to the hem of her t-shirt.

“More like ‘something that’ll get you past second base’?” she teased. No matter how she played coy, though, her body couldn’t repress a shiver at his touch, fingers slowly climbing the skin under her shirt.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, honey.”

His head popped up and he gave her a sly wink. Surprised laughter sputtered from her lips, soon cut off by a firm kiss, his own laugh pressed into her mouth.

They didn’t get out of bed for a while that morning.

**********

Natasha dug in her pocket for an elusive piece of bubblegum she knew she had stashed there. It was becoming frustrating - the pocket was only so big. Maybe she put it on the other side?

The diner she was waiting in - Lakeview family restaurant - was the only decent place to eat in the next town over. A cup of black coffee, half-finished, sat on the table in front of her; she’s had two refills already and knows she should stop -

There it is.

Fingers grasped the missing bubblegum and wiggled it out from her jacket pocket. She popped it in her mouth with no hesitation, crinkling the wrapper and letting it fall to the table.

Another glance at her watch. She’s never known him to be late.

She had been disappointed, but not surprised, when Y/N didn’t take the deal. In fact, she acted like their conversation never happened - diving headfirst into this fling with Barnes, the two of them apparently believing this could somehow...happen at all. A happy ending, a real life? The secrets were stacked against them, Natasha knew. Barnes knew, too, but she suspected he was thinking somewhere lower than his brain in all this. He had been from the moment the good doctor moved in across the street. And the rest of the gang seemed all too happy to welcome her into the fold, ignoring the very inconvenient facts about their real identities, their jobs, their presence in this town. It could’ve gotten her killed. Almost did.

Which was why Nat only trusted one head in the group - the one on her shoulders.

She was doing this for them. They’d understand, maybe not at first, but eventually. And even if they didn’t, she could live with their anger. Better than their blood.

It’s taken a few weeks to get things in order, but she had finally made the call. Clearly, extraction was the best case scenario for the team now. The longer they lingered on this job, got comfortable with Hydra’s silence after Rumlow’s death? She didn’t want to play those odds.

A bell dinged above the diner door. She didn’t turn, refolding the gum wrapper in her hand as the booted footsteps approached slowly, quiet on the tile floor. She didn’t even look up when he wrapped his knuckles once against the table, before sliding into the booth across from her.

“Romanoff.”

“Fury.”

“Been a while,” Nick Fury raised his good brow as he leaned forward to prop his elbows on the table.

“Well, you know how it is, Nick. Busy with work,” she smirked drily.

The waitress returned, pen at the ready, and Fury requested a coffee and whatever fresh pie they had that day. Whipped cream on the side, please.

“You know, my doctor tried to convince me to try going keto,” he said conversationally as they waited. “Something about keeping my blood sugar steady.” He shrugged. “Decided I didn’t hate myself enough to do that.”

Nat rolled her eyes a little, unable to hide her small smile. She had missed Nick. But this, the chit-chat, the minutiae, was never what they were good at. People like them were rarely good at small talk.

“So.” He turned the skewered bite of apple on his fork, gliding it through the whipped cream before taking a slow bite. “I understand you have a proposition for me.”

“I do.”

He pursed his lips, nodded, never lifting his eyes from his plate.

“Then let’s hear it.”

**********

They were slipping.

Rogers. Barnes. The Avengers.

From what they can tell, the self-righteous pricks are too far up their own asses to see what’s been going on. No one saw his men tailing them on every run. No one noticed their movement in the shadows of the town, the palms they greased, the eyes that looked the other way. Nobody was looking when their numbers doubled in size, weapons making their way through with the new men. It all hummed under the surface, dry winter air nearly crackling with the static.

Any day now, any moment - all it would take was some friction, a spark, to light the whole thing up. Burn the fucking Avengers to the ground.

Which is why he was very careful to avoid such friction. No contact - that was the rule. Keep your head down, mouth shut, do what you’re told, and don’t start shit. All the men knew, and they were scared shitless of the boss, so they obeyed. But they were restless, he knew. Itching, jumpy, knuckles cracking. They wanted a fight, and he wouldn’t hold them back much longer.

No, not much longer now.

He knew an old friend of the boss would be passing through today - on to the next town over. Better head that way if he was gonna get to the rendezvous point on time.

**********

“I put together this team, you know.”

“They were already a unit when they were deployed in Afghanistan-”

“Yeah, yeah but I hand picked them all for this assignment,” Fury waved her off. “And now you’re telling me I made the wrong call?”

Nat sighed through her nose.

“I’m not saying they’re wrong for the job, but they’ve been out here for a long time and…” she glanced out the window at they highway just beyond the gravel parking lot. “To be frank, Barnes is compromised and the rest are content to let it happen. They need to be pulled out of the field to regroup. Period.”

“Mm.” Nick sipped his coffee. “And this has nothing to do with your...history with Barnes?”

“Don’t patronize me, Nick. I’m a damn professional, not a child. You know that better than anyone.”

“Yeah, yeah I do.”

They stared at each other across the table for a moment - Nat with her arms crossed, a deep line between her brows. Nick seemed content with a hand wrapped around his coffee cup, empty plate scraped clean of crumbs and whipped cream pushed away from him on the table.

“I trust your judgment, Romanoff,” Nick finally sighed, draining his coffee. “So what’s the move here?”

“Simple. Call it in, move on the evidence we have to clear Hydra off the streets, and send the team home for debrief,” she shrugged. “We’ve got more than enough to keep these guys put away for a little while - long enough that we can come up with a long-term plan and pump them for more intel on Hydra’s shadier business deals. Gotta be a weak link in there somewhere.”

“You gonna get ‘em to talk?”

“Somebody always talks.”

“Okay,” Nick nodded. “It’s far from the worst idea you’ve ever had. But I’m gonna have to make some pretty important phone calls. Probably have to go all the way to Pierce on this one.”

“Trust me, it’ll be worth it.” Nat tilted her head to one side. “You can salvage this whole operation before it goes south - now tell me that’s not worth a little bit of groveling to your boss.”

“Easy for you to say, you’re not the one having to do it.”

“I don’t beg, Nick,” she smirked. “You know that.”

He huffed, shaking his head.

“Oh, I know.” He rolled his good eye as he started to shuffle out of the booth. Natasha stood up too, readjusting the jacket around her shoulders. The sun was just starting to slip beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the parking lot outside the window. Her bike sat next to his sleek black SUV, the only visible vehicles parked on this side of the building.

Fury gave her a long look as he patted down his pockets, leaving a sizable tip for the waitress tucked under his coffee cup. Nat refused to meet his gaze, standing with her arms crossed, green eyes scanning the room. The other patrons at the cafe paid them no attention, as they slowly walked to the door side-by-side, Nat’s boots clicking softly on the tile floor.

“You don’t need to worry about this, Romanoff,” Nick sighed, pushing through the door first. The little bell above the door announced their departure. “I’ll take care of everything.”

“I’m not worried.”

He stopped at the door of his car, good eye sliding sideways for a glance at her. She was already straddling her bike.

“You’ll be hearing from me soon,” he waved, almost drowned out by the roar of her bike starting. He laughed under his breath, humorless, nostalgic, as she revved the engine a moment before throwing up gravel under the tires as she peeled away from the diner. He tried not to be irritated about the paint job on his car - already streaked with mud from these unfamiliar roads.

The highway was nearly deserted, nearly dark, as he started the long drive back to the city. Romanoff might not be worried - though he suspected otherwise - but Nick certainly was. It wasn’t like her to pull a stunt like this, and it wasn’t like his hand-picked team of Avengers to get sloppy on the job. And then there was the sudden silence from Hydra in the last weeks since their ringleader’s death; his team, and his higher ups at the agency, had always known there was someone else, a hidden hand pulling strings, but could never quite get the bastard to show their face. And now, when they all could feel something building like a wave, about to crest, Nat wants to pull the team out.

He shook his head. Too much to think about and a long drive ahead. His hand reached for the radio dial, searching past country stations and bluegrass stations and the lonely pop station - he settled on gospel, surprising himself. But it made him think of his mother, so he left it there. Flicked on the headlights, and then the high beams, showing him nothing in the darkening night besides the road stretching ahead and the now-empty fields, nearly flooded from last week’s rain.

After a while - could’ve been an hour, could’ve been 20 minutes - he heard them in the distance, that distinct roar of engines. His ears pricked; they were coming from behind him, the direction of town. Maybe Natasha changed her mind? Maybe the rest of the team was offended he didn’t drop by and they were going to haul him back to the compound for a barbecue.

Maybe he’s become one of those goddamn idiots who’s dumb enough to believe in luck.

When their headlights came around a curve a quarter mile behind him, he was nearly blinded by the sheer number. The noise was nearly deafening, and he flattened his foot against the accelerator, mentally calculating the miles between towns. Too far in either direction.

That was when he saw the group coming towards him, too.

With a steady stream of curses under his breath, he dialed Natasha’s phone number. The phone rang, twice, three times - he glanced over and saw that two of the bikes had pulled alongside him, riders covered head to toe in black leather, white skulls painted on their helmets.

“Motherfuckers,” he hissed. A jerk of his steering wheel, just a threat, and they braked a little, backing off. But there were three more directly behind him, not to mention the ones further back and up ahead.

“Come on, Romanoff-”

“Nick?”

“Natasha - we made a mistake, they’re moving now-”

“Nick, what are you talking about? What’s going on?”

The two bikers had pulled alongside him again, speeding up and slowing down to stay just out of his reach. One of them reached over to his hip, raising an arm right at the car-

The pop of the gun and his front tire were almost simultaneous; the car went squealing and swerving across the road, black marks burned into the pavement, before a wild swing of the wheel sent it flipping into the deep ditch next to the highway, where it landed upside down and creaking.

“Nick what the hell just happened?”

“Nick are you there?”

“Nick?”

#bucky x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky x you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader fic #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes imagine #marvel #marvel fic #avengers #avengers fic

[thecurseoflife]

CHAPTER 4 - Science and Magic

In only two and a half month, Varian and Camalia made eachothers very important in their respective life. But to be honest, since they were stuck together all the time, for someone with a normal schedule, it would have been more of a year of knowing someone rather than two months. The two were very close and they spent most of their time with eachother. They did kept secrets, but they both agreed it was important to have at least a glimpse of privacy. So, when Camalia was leaving for an entire day and part of a night before coming back drained and tired, Varian never said anything. Or when Varian was working on this idea he had back when Camalia had her first periods, the music mage never asked any questions. They would be lying if they said they weren't curious, but they wanted to respect their privacy.

But when you live all the time with someone, secrets and privacy become polar opposites.

If someone would know everything that was going on, it would be Ruddiger. The raccoon was either with Varian or Camalia. And strangely enough, they were always saying everything to him. He didn't really understand why, but sure didn't mind being the one that knew more than others. Some night, he would follow Camalia to the forest, and behind the biggest tree, near a cliff, he would watch her working on... something, before rehearsing a song. She often mumbled things such as "Yeah, that should break it" or "Is it really from my heart ?" and some time even "Oh god, what if this doesn't work out". To be honest, Ruddiger had no idea what she was working on, it was really a blur. But when they head back to the prison, Camalia often talked to the raccoon. She would explain how it had to be it. How she would have no idea what to do if it didn't work. How she worked on that for years. How she could finally get rid of them. That last part always kind of triggered him. He just hoped she wasn't talking about Varian and him.

Talking about him, Varian was really, really easy to read, the complete contrary of Camalia. Everytime the music mage was off to take a bath or work on her weird project, the alchemist would work on a way to erase everyone memories. It was the big idea he had when Camalia talked about how Masha had to look past his mistakes to see the real him. If there wasn't any mistakes, there was nothing to look past of ! He would work with all the tools Ruddiger gave him when he went out with the guitare girl. The raccoon listened hours of the alchemist talking about how it was a great idea, trying to reassure himself more than actually talking to his pet. He would also make countless tries with him, which always ended up with failing. But Varian didn't lose hope. But he was afraid of Camalia's reaction to this insane project, and he really didn't want to hear her say that this was crazy and that he shouldn't be doing this. So he kept it a secret.

KEEP READING UNDER THE CUT

This day, Camalia was out working on that thing again, and Varian was all alone in the prison, studying books about the human mind and trying to make a memory wiper. Thanks to the music mage, he had now a table, and even in the tight space of the jail, it was really useful, especially to do alchemy. Or hot cocoa. He took a sip of the one he made before starting to work. He yawned, it was getting late, and even if he could work at night now since they found a lantern, he still needed sleep.

-Just one more, I'm sure this one is going to work.

After a long hour of work, the mixture was ready. Maybe not to wipe memories, but it was ready. He just had to test it out first. He looked around and spotted a small sprout of grass growing in a dark place of the cell. He walked up to it and poured a little bit of the brownish liquid on it. The grass didn't seem to react at first. Then it turned black and crumbled away. Varian sighed and put the beaker on the table beside his cup of cocoa.

-Okay, I think I know what is wrong this time ! This is easy, I just have to...

The alchemist started to work again, confident and very tired. He yawned for the third time in the same five minutes and thought that maybe the cocoa would keep him awake. Still in the head in his work, he searched for the cup with his hand and drunk it all as soon as he catched it. But it had a very, very weird taste. Varian frowned and put the cup in front of his eyes. A cold sweat ran down his spine when he saw that the beaker was in his hand. And the cup, still filled with hot cocoa, wisely waiting on the table. He staggered backward, his vision became blurry and he felt his strength leaving. He fell on the ground, unable to move as he dived into unconsciousness.

Camalia had spent a lot of time working on her project, but Ruddiger had been really useful, she was glad she took him with her. When she entered the castle, everything was dark, and she only crossed the path of old lady Crawly, that just greeted her with a mumble. The music mage was in a great mood. She actually worked really well that day, and with a lot of luck, it should be ready on time. She strechted and yawned as she was taking the stairs to the prison. She was really tired and couldn't wait to meet her pillow with a satisfied sigh.

-Ball, I'm back !

She walked in the corridor, waiting for Varian to greet her as usual, but only the silence answered. She knew he wasn't asleep, the lantern in his cell was still on. Well, even if it did happens that he fell asleep while working.

-Ball, you're asleep ?

Still no answer. Ruddiger and Camalia exchanged a look before the raccoon hoped down and ran to the cell. When he got there his eyes widened and he let out a scared squeal. He came back to Camalia and pushed her forward, with hurry in his eyes. The music mage felt her throat tighten. She had a terrible feeling about this. Her legs were heavy but it didn't stop her.

-Varian ?

When she got there, she felt numb. Varian was on the ground, a broken... vial beside him. Everything on the table had fallen, and the only thing that catched Camalia's eyes was a cup of hot cocoa, full, and the empty vial, well, beaker, with a drop of brown liquid. She opened the cell with trembling hands, praying whoever she could that he was just asleep. She threw herself beside him and took his hand, listenning to his heartrate... if there still was one. Thank the king, there was. But it was... it was slowing down.  Camalia felt sick, way, way worse that when she had the periods. She let herself fell, still holding Varian's hand, and feeling his heart dying so painfully slowly. She couldn't breath, couldn't see, couldn't hear. Her world at that instant was the oh so slow beat she could feel in her hand. Ruddiger forcefully pulled her out of her trance and pointed at the empty beaker than at Varian, and then crossed his arms.

-Y-yes, right. Sorry Ruddiger, you're right, I have to pull myself together. Okay, okay, I-I can fix this. Think Camalia, for the love of all music mages. Think think... Okay, so he took some kind of... of poison. So the melody of heal won't work. Okay hum... Ruddiger, this might help, do you know what he was making ?

The raccoon nodded and took one of Varian's chalk. He drew people and the symbole of Corona above them. Everyone was angry at a replica of the alchemist. Camalia turned to the real one with worry before coming back to the drawings. The people was pointing at him, and they were talking about what he had done. Then Varian threw a mixture to the bubble where the drawing of his past was, and suddenly everything disappeared and they forgave him. Ruddiger stopped drawing and looked up at the music mage.

-A... He wants to... Oh man WHY are you so freackingshly dumb Varian ! Ok, he wants to wipe everyone memories, that's right ?

The raccoon nodded quickly.

-Okay, I have to breath. Camalia, you definitely don't have time to be absolutely MAD at him. Breath. What should I do. Alright, first, Ruddiger I want you to keep me updated about the state of his heartrate, can you do that ?

Ruddiger started to protest but one glare of Camalia made him obey. He taped at the rythm of Varian's heartbeat. It was a lot more slow than what the music mage anticipated. She pulled herself together and started to think. Varian had to drink the poison, so it was in his veins, and the melody of heal only worked on what it could touch. She had to make an anti-poison, but had no knowledge of it, and they didn't have time to go look for what they needed. They had to do with what they had. Camalia turned to the alchemist tools and started look through his stuffs,  not really knowing what she was looking for. She saw Varian's books on the human mind, and pointed them at Ruddiger with an angry look. It wasn't really important, but still. She did find something interesting. It was Masha's pain killer recipe. With the ingredients needed for it. The boy's heart rate was getting painfully slow, and he didn't have much longer. Camalia had to act, one way or another. She looked at the recipe, the ingredients and her guitare. She didn't have a choice. It was hit or miss. She took at deep breath and focused. She wiped the table of all the tools and started working, the slowing rythm of Ruddiger's feet following her in every single one of her movements.

It was all her fault. She should have been here. She shouldn't have given him that idea. She was guilty, and she should admit it. Isn't that right, Camalia ? If you didn't talked to him, maybe he wouldn't have this stupid idea. If you were there tonight, you could have stopped him from drinking that. If you two talked to eachothers, if could have worked out. But you didn't because you're scared and weak. You're disgusting. Camalia slammed her fist on the table, and hold her head, hoping it could keep them away. It was getting stronger, she'll probably go through a crisis very soon. But now was not the time to worry about it. The pain killer was done. She took her guitare and played the melody of healing, concentrating in the medicine. The green fog fell on it, before disappearing. The alchemist heartrate was so slow that Ruddiger had to hold his feet in the air to be sure to keep up.

-Okay, Ruddiger, it's done. I don't know if this will work, but it better be.

Ruddiger crossed his fingers... paws... things and Camalia had a weak smile. She held Varian's head and made him drink the medicine.

-Please, please make it work. Please... Please Varian, wake up.

The raccoon still had the alchemist's hand in his paw. He suddenly had a happy squeal and started taping quickly on the floor. Camalia allowed all the relief go through her body and she let out a very nervous laugh. She thanked every single person she could think of, you never know. A noise from the boy pulled her out of her prayers. He was waking up, sitting and looking very confused. Ruddiger immediatly went on his shoulders and licked his face.

-Hey Ruddiger ! Gross ! What has gotten into you ?!

He was tackled by the music mage warm and tight hug. Feeling his heart happily beating in his chest while he was completly lost about what was going on was probably going to stay with the girl forever. Suddenly the whole situation hitted Camalia back in the face and she pushed him back and properly slapped him.

-Okay now I am really, really confused ! What did I do to deserve that ?!

An insane giggle crossed the girl's mouth.

-Oh, oh you want to know what you did, uh ? Wow, never heard a bigger joke than that ! Hilarious ! Can't overthrow such an hilarious JOKE !

Ruddiger hid behind Varian's back, which was trying to stop the burn in his cheek where his friend slapped him. He was lost and a bit angry that point. He held Camalia's look.

-What's wrong, Camalia ? What did I do ? Why are you mad at me ?

She took him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him centimeters from her face.

-What is wrong, Varian, is that you tried to do MAGIC with SCIENCE and it obviously blew up in your face. And do you have ANY IDEA how I felt when I came back to see you lying on the floor ?! I thought you DIED ! And when I look closer, oh wait it's fine, you're not dead, you are in AGONY. You are the only friend I have and I'll really, really hate to lose you. Ugh, I can't believe you were so... so RECKLESS !

-What are you talking about ?!

-I know Varian. I know what you want to do.

Varian's angry face fell and he suddenly looked very guilty and worried. The music mage took that as a confession. She was still insanely angry at him for many, oh lord so many good reasons, but his look forced her to let him back on the ground. But it wasn't enough to stop her from pouring her heart out.

-I was terrified Varian ! I-I didn't know what to do, and you were... you were dying two feet away from me ! And do you know WHY you were dying ? Because you were stupid and reckless and crazy enough to do this ! And... and I didn't know ! I didn't and you could have DIED because of that. I want you to feel guilty and to-to deeply understand what just happened. Because I am not, I am NEVER going through that EVER AGAIN ! I never want to ! N-Never...

At this point, Camalia was crying, and rivers were flooding down her face. All the pressure was going down. The alchemist was looking anywhere but his friend, avoiding her burning glare.

-I knew it... I knew that you would think I am crazy...

-YES ! Obviously ! You don't do memories wiper with ALCHEMY ! It's magic stuffs !

The last words sunk into Varian as he lightened up. He turned to her, still unsure.

-Wait, you mean you don't think my project is crazy ? It's... it's just my method ?

-Of course ! I mean, I don't have a melody to erase memories, but I know a lot of magical artefacts that does that, and I was in a prison for ten years, so-

She couldn't finish her sentence, cut by the alchemist's hug. She was really surprised and didn't react until he broke it and looked at her right in her green eyes, gratitude and a growing friendship shining in his.

-Now you got ME confused. She joked.

He giggled, but the sparkle in his eyes didn't leave. When they cleaned up everything while joking around, when they finally drank that ho- that cold cocoa, when they sat down on his bed to talk about it, it didn't leave. They talked about how keeping secrets actually put them in danger, especially in an empty prison. They talked about Varian's plan, and how to improve it. Camalia jumped on the occasion to underline what she already said : that he really, oh man, did he really, REALLY needed to be more careful with alchemy. And that next time he has a plan like this, he had to talk about it to someone before doing anything, to prevent any new... accidents. He was really embarrassed to be scolded by his friend, even if he could see he needed it. So he listenned. And even then, the light didn't leave his eyes. Then they talked about her secret, what she's been hiding when she went in the forest.

-Well, I-I was practicing melodies.

Varian seemed surprised and a bit sad that she didn't want to test her melodies out with him in those hangouts afternoon they had. Ruddiger, on the other hand, was looking at the music mage with concern. He saw them on all those times they shared to analyze Camalia's melodies, and it had nothing to do with what he saw in the wood. She wasn't practicing melodies, she was building something and writing a song. He didn't know why, but he knew that she shouldn't be lying to him, especially at that moment. Clearly, his master was ready to open up more, and to put all his trust in her. It was a really, really bad time to lie. But the raccoon didn't do anything. He saw things in the forest that made him believe that it probably was for the best. Plus, if the guitare girl was ready to take the consequencies of her actions, then so it'll be.

-After the grass episode, I thought it would be better if I try melodies before we are stuck to the ceiling until our last breath.

-So we can keep testing them together ? Lightenned up the boy.

-Yes, of course !

They smiled to eachothers and a comfortable silence installed itself. Varian was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling while Camalia was sitting on the ground. That's why the alchemist didn't see what happened. Ruddiger approached the music mage and pulled her pants to catch her attention before angrily looking at her. The girl avoided his glare, guilt on her face. The raccoon realized she felt really terrible for lying to her friend at that moment. But in her eyes, he could see she didn't have a choice. The animal sighed and patted her knee, earning a smile from the guitare girl. He went on her lap and decided to rest there, a bit bumped out by what was going on. He couldn't believe that between the two humans, he was the one that knew more. Come to think of it, it wasn't really the best thing. A red and juicy apple landed in front of him and his thoughts magically disappeared. He jumped on it and started happily eating it, while Camalia, that gave him the fruit, was petting him absentely.

-Camalia... I-I think I am ready to talk about what brought me here. I mean, really talk about it.

Varian sat on the bed, looking at her with gratitude, friendship and complete trust. The music mage throat tighten seeing that, but she didn't let anything slip on her face. She smiled and sat beside him without saying anything, patiently waiting for him to begin. He took a deep breath and started.

-Everything started when I met the princess, Rapunzel...

FIRST / PREVIOUS / NEXT

#fanfiction #the curse of life #chapter #chapter 4 #tts #tangled the series #varian #varian the alchemist #fanwork #disney #tangled #rapunzel's tangled adventure

[smellycinnamonthundahfudge]

Safehouse

is this my entry to the first day of spideychelle month? yes it is. does it even vaguely follow the prompt for said day? probably not. am i doing this cus i’ve got a desperate case of the fomos? HELL YEAH, you know i do

i had this idea and thought that a couple of months after ffh was good enough to count as the future hahaha hope yall enjoy folks

Weirdly enough, the easiest problem to tackle in the hot steaming pile of garbage that Mysterio dumped on Peter and co.’s lives, was apparently the drone strikes allegations.

It was easy enough because stark tech was involved in the allegation and Ms. Potts was eager enough to clear her company’s name on any and all involvement in peter’s alleged crime, thus clearing his name in the process.

No, the hardest part was the adjustment period; the world now knew who Spider-man was and Beck had now effectively put a target on each and every one of Peter’s loved ones. MJ and Ned had hired bodyguards following them wherever they went (fortunately enough, no criminals had thought of to kidnap them or something, but better safe than sorry, peter thought).

Meanwhile, Peter and May were now living in a remote well hidden secret location safehouse. Peter and MJ were supposed to be dating now but maintaining a relationship isn’t really that easy when half the city’s criminal underlife wanna kill you. Suffice it to say, the entire affair sucked.

The point of the whole secret identity thing was so that peter could still have a normal life but now… it seemed like the possibility of getting back that life was completely destroyed. And he can’t even bring the man responsible to justice. Yeah, the whole thing just sucked.

There had to be a way out of this, and there probably would be, he’s already thought of a couple possibilities that were subsequently shot down (track down every single possible threat and have them arrested or threaten that they would be, create another fake spider-man so people wouldn’t think it was peter, give up being spider-man). But as long as that miracle epiphany hadn’t come to fruition yet, until there was a full proof plan that would guarantee everyone’s safety and help peter keep the spider-man name, this crap pile of a safety strategy was all they had for the moment.

And so yeah, for what seemed to be the longest time being, it was safehouse safehouse safehouse aanndd yup, you guessed it, more safehouse.

But, there was still one glimmer of hope left, despite it all. It was the monthly visit from Ned and MJ. Peter lived for those visits; he’d prepare everything they could possibly need beforehand and would pace their living room until one of them arrived at which point he’d give them all the biggest bear hug.

They all gave each other updates on what happened, so it was mostly just Ned and MJ talking about what was happening on the outside world, but Peter didn’t mind, he was just so happy they were there. And so they talked, caught each other up on how the other was doing, until eventually they were sick of talking and just decided to watch movies instead, this time they decided to binge the og star wars trilogy.

Lando and Chewy had just flown off in the Millennium Falcon when Peter “slyly” (MJ noticed it, Peter wasn’t fooling anyone) gave Ned a look.

“Oh wow, will you look at the time, I’ve gotta head home. My parents need help with this… thing, it’s really important,” says Ned who already left from his spot on the couch and was now packing up his stuff.

“Really? What thing, Ned?” asked MJ, with an amused smirk on her face.

Peter gave Ned another look which also didn’t pass by MJ. She knew why they were doing this, might as well just mess with them about it.

After a brief awkward silence where Peter was silently pleading to Ned to just think of something. Ned wouldn’t be able to explain why the next word he said was the first that popped in his head.

“BED! Uhhh they… need my help to flip a bed. It’s no big deal actually but, you know parents, do what they say and all that. Welp I’m out of here. Bye, Peter. Bye, MJ. Have fun!” and with a slam of the door, Ned hurried out of the apartment and left Peter and MJ alone in the living room.

“Bye Ned! Stay safe!” Peter remarked to the door, as Ned had jolted out of the place before Peter could say bye back.

“Must be some bed, huh,” Peter told MJ as he looked back at her.

MJ couldn’t help but laugh at the excuse.

“Peter, you know I know why you guys are doing this so why bother even making up excuses about it?” says MJ as she lies her head on the couch, but with a smile on her face, equal parts amused and exasperated at Ned and Peter’s whole routine.

“I have NO IDEA what you’re talking about, MJ, you heard Ned. He said he had to help his parents flip a mattress. That’s really important; those things are heavy, for you guys at least.”

“Mmhhmm yeah right, just like they needed his help watering plants, cleaning the roof, oh and what was it last time, walking their dog?”

“Ned’s a good son, MJ, I don’t see anything wrong with that,” said Peter with a shrug.

“Peter, Ned’s allergic to dogs, his family doesn’t have one.”

It takes Peter a beat to come up with “Maybe they were dogsitting??”

MJ just laughs out of exasperation.

“Fine, I’m done, just so you know, you guys aren’t fooling anyone and you guys are just doing this for your own benefit. Let’s just watch Return of the Jedi already,” says MJ as she snuggles up next to Peter.

“Once again, MJ, I have no idea what you’re talking about” says Peter with an amused smirk on his face while MJ just rolls her eyes at him.

“Ned’s just being a good friend- urgh I mean son. Good son heh,” as Peter awkwardly doesn’t look at MJ and just stares at the TV screen.

MJ just looks at Peter incredulously but fondly.

“Yeah, I can’t say I disagree with you on that,” says MJ with a fond smile on her face as she leans her head on Peter’s shoulder.

Peter finally looks back at MJ and just smiles. Yeah, he’s glad to have a guy in the chair, wingman, and best friend like Ned. And Peter and MJ finally just watch the movie in a comfortable silence, appreciating each other’s company without having to dial down their level of affection for one another.

But soon enough, the last film of the trilogy ends just as the blue sky outside was now turning a blazing red. The sun was setting, which meant it was going to be dark soon, which meant MJ was going to leave.

Peter always dreaded this part.

As the credits roll, Peter looks at the clock, and then looks back to MJ.

“I guess you have to go now too, huh?” asked Peter with an obvious sad demeanor, as he runs his fingers thru hers.

“Yeah” MJ looks down at their intertwined hands “I guess I have to.”

MJ reluctantly breaks away from their intertwined hands and starts to pack her stuff up and head to the door while Peter’s a few feet away just watching her do this, walking her to the door; all of this done in an uncomfortable sad silence.

Peter and MJ are now both at the door, both just waiting for the other to say something and pull the plug on their rare chance of meeting in person.

“I-” “I-” Peter and MJ both begin to say and both of them just giving an awkward chuckle at their synchronicity.

“You go first,” says Peter with a smile, waiting for what MJ was going to say.

“Heh just- just wanted to say…” MJ begins to say, before she just dives in and hugs Peter as tight as she could.

“I’m gonna miss you, Peter” says MJ burrowing her head onto Peter’s shoulder.

Peter hugs MJ back and burrows his head onto her shoulder, MJ’s hair is right onto his face but he actually likes it, smelling that faint aroma of lavender from her pretty curls.

“That’s actually what I was gonna say too heh” says Peter in a sad chuckle.

“I’m really gonna miss you, MJ” and at that Peter tightens his hug, in a sad attempt to almost stop her from leaving. But MJ loosens her hug and so Peter does too; MJ wipes her eyes in a preemptive strike to prevent any tears from falling as she does and just sadly chuckles too.

“Bye, Peter.”

She was just about to turn and walk away when MJ hesitates in doing/saying something and before she knows it, she just leans in and gives Peter a soft chaste kiss on the lips, her sadness pouring out of her goodbye kiss.

Her hand that she used to hold Peter’s face as she kissed him was the same one she used as she held Peter’s hand for the last time as she said “Goodbye, Peter” with both of their eyes closed and their foreheads still leaning onto each other.

She reluctantly breaks her hand free from Peter and quickly walks away without looking back, leaving Peter alone by the door, his fingers ghosting his lips, as he closed the door. He leans against the door once he’s inside, his forehead in a frustrated knot, eyes closed, sighing as he tries to summon the courage to pretend he’s fine.

He’s found himself leaning at the door for a couple of minutes now when May suddenly speaks, having erupted from her office, interrupting Peter’s self-pity spiral.

“Pete, you okay?” asks May, even though she already knows the answer.

Peter sighs and stands up properly, no longer leaning on the door as a crutch.

“I’m fine, May” says Peter with a sad smile.

“It’s just” Peter looks back at the door. “MJ left again.”

May looks at her nephew sadly and slowly approaches him.

“Oh Peter, I know you miss her a lot,” says May as she hugs Peter.

“Heh” Peter just sadly chuckles and agrees. “Yeah, yeah I really do,” says Peter as he hugs back his aunt, taking the comforting gesture as it is.

Peter braces himself for May trying to cheer him up again, a message of hope about how this will all end sooner than you think, and that it’s for the best, etc. Peter obviously knew May’s heart was in the right place but right now he just felt sad and pissed over always having his time with MJ cut short. So he sighed, as he tried to muster his appreciation for his aunt’s, while kind, unfortunately for naught, gesture.

“But we both know it’s for the best,” says May with a sad smile as she breaks away from the hug and looks Peter in the eyes and keeps her hands on his shoulders.

“We just need to do this for a little longer until-”

“Peter, wait!” screams an out of breath sweat drenched MJ busting out of the apartment door.

“MJ?” exclaimed Peter happily as he tore himself away from May’s hold and turned around to face MJ.

“You’re- you’re back,” Peter said in a happy couldn’t believe it reaffirmation that MJ was indeed here. Until he realized he didn’t know why she was back at which point concern flooded his mind.

“Wait, why are you back?” asked Peter, more confused than anything but his fear starting to bubble up, as he began to walk towards MJ and close the door behind her, while checking if there was anyone in the hallway.

As MJ hurriedly walked down the stairs of Peter’s building, she found herself questioning her actions. Each time after they met, she’s found it harder and harder to say goodbye and by now she was just so sick of leaving when all she wanted to do was stay, which was when she decided that enough was enough.

Buying Peter and her a little more time for just one night wouldn’t kill them. They’ll have the rest of the year (or god knows how long) to stick to their stupid arrangement, so for now, she was going to spend the night with her boyfriend and nothing on earth was going to stop her from doing otherwise.

MJ, having ran up how many flights of stairs that she had just gotten down from, couldn’t explain herself to Peter just yet as she was busy trying to catch her breath and maintain her upright position as she held onto her knees for support.

May looks at her nephew with fondness as he caresses the back of the girl of his dreams as she tries to catch her breath. May knew what to do next as she remarked that she was going to get MJ some water from the kitchen and proceeded to leave the two teens alone. Peter leads MJ to the couch as her breathing returns back to normal.

“Are you okay, MJ? Is anything wrong, did something happen?” asks Peter, still worried MJ might have been in danger or something but MJ merely waves him off and lies her head on the couch.

Peter simply sits next to her, unconvinced, waiting for verbal confirmation which causes MJ to give a small incredulous chuckle.

“I’m fine, Peter,” says MJ looking at Peter fondly, always appreciating his constant concern for her wellbeing.

“Are you sure? You’re not here cause you saw someone suspicious or anything?”

Suddenly, MJ looks at Peter with guilt and sympathy, sad that one of Peter’s first thoughts over her coming back was that because she was in danger.

So MJ caresses the side of Peter’s face in an attempt to comfort him or ease any of his worries, looks him straight in his eyes, and says “I’m safe, Peter” in the most unwavering voice she could muster.

Peter lets go of the breath he didn’t know he was holding and finally lets himself smile over his girlfriend coming back to him.

May finally returns with the water she promised and hands it to MJ.

“Thanks, May,” says MJ as she grabs the glass May offers her. “Sorry for dropping in suddenly by the way.”

“Oh it’s fine, honey. Your parents know you’re here?” says May

MJ merely nods as she gulps down the water, and after finishing her drink, just says a quick little “Yup.”

“Okay, good, I’ll just go and… make dinner then. What do you guys want?” May asks the two teens.

Peter and MJ just brush May off, saying whatever’s fine and just like that, the Parker matriarch left and went to the kitchen, leaving Peter and MJ alone once again. But just before she enters the room, she shoots Peter a cute little wink and thumbs up, just happy to see her nephew happy again, and Peter just lets out a small amused chuckle. May has always been supportive and though it was really awkward at times, this time he can’t help but feel the same happiness her aunt has for him as well.

“Soooo, MJ, what are ya doing here?” asks Peter with a smile on his face, trying so hard to play it cool, but failing amazingly at it, because he’s being honest, he didn’t even care. MJ was actually here and it didn’t even matter why she was. He was just so happy to get to spend more time with her than he expected.

“Uuuuhhh”

MJ knows why she came here and she knows for a fact that Peter probably does as well. But it doesn’t mean she was ready to admit she did something romantic spontaneous and unexpected just because she wanted to spend more time with him. And so despite very well knowing she’s being a complete hypocrite for doing this, she says this next.

“My parents were suddenly out of town on a business trip.”

Peter’s jaw drops the slightest and then one of the most shit eating grins he’s ever had starts to form on his face.

“Really?” asks Peter in an almost sarcastic tone.

MJ rolls her eyes. She probably shouldn’t be surprised to be regretting her decision this immediately.

“Yeah, loser, my mother got to go to this audition she thought she lost. They told me I could stay over at a friend’s house just for tonight if I wanted. It’s no big deal, just get over it already,” says MJ in her completely dead pan tone with just a hint of frustration and shyness.

Peter is so happy right now. He knows it’s ridiculous to be this happy just because his girlfriend is now doing the same thing he and Ned were doing, but he just can’t help keep the smile on his face in check. MJ surprised Peter in the most unexpected and wonderful ways he couldn’t imagine and just for a second, Peter thinks this safehouse thing might not have been so bad after all.

~end~

yaaayyy ok so i know it didn’t really follow the future spideychelle au mechanics, but i’d argue that this didn’t really deal with the problems caused by ffh. it’s like they’re putting all those problems on pause and they’re in this little safehouse bubble hehe

this will have 2 follow ups which imma post for week 2. one will be a prequel to this, and the other a straight up follow up hehe. this fic was really just supposed to be backstory/set up and it just got away from me haha

i’m gonna continue to try to be as much of a part of spideychelle month as best i can cus i really really wanna participate in it. i’m so excited just to actually be a part of something like this for the first time ever.  i hoped yalls liked this, cus i really did even despite all the mistakes/inconsistencies n all haha. thank ya alls if you actually read this whole thing and hooray for spideychelle hahaha yaay

oh and ps quick shoutout to @tare8chan, she was my beta on this and without her, i never would have changed the ending of this. her advice totally made it better imo so thank you so much for the notes and compliments and support and stuff huhuhu

looking forward to more spideychelle fics yalls. this gonna be real fun :’) <3

#spideychelle #spideychelle is canon bitches #spideychelle month #spideychellemonth #spideychelle fanfiction #spideychelle fic #:') #<3 #to keep the spideychelle dream alive #michelle jones #peter parker #ned leeds #may parker

[commander-rahrah]

Residency (An Open Heart Fanfic): PART THREE

Pairing: MC (Jordynne Holland) X Ethan Ramsey X Bryce Lahela; MC X Bryce; MC X Ethan

Masterlist: Click Here

Chapter Rating: T (Swearing, Kissing)

Word Count: 3700+

Description: Ethan cannot “get” the Rookie -- he can’t figure out the mystery, and it’s driving him crazy. A trip to Donahue’s and a couple glasses of scotch might make it better - or not. 

Disclaimer: Characters, storyline, and parts of the dialogue are taken from Pixelberry’s Choices. They fully own the characters, dialogue, backgrounds, etc. MC Jordynne’s background is my own creation, based loosely off of MC in-game’s personality and provided with more details.

Author’s Note: Here it comes: the jealousy... Eek! I really like flipping things from in-game and turning them into Ethan’s point of view. There are definitely more updates to come! If you want to be tagged in upcoming chapters, reply or DM me! :) 

Taglist: @drakewalkerfantasy  @owleyes374​ @professorortegasstudent

Previous Updates: Part One, Part Two

PART THREE:

Ethan rapped his hands on his wooden desk, breathing in through his nose deeply. Every orientation day was frustrating but this one topped all the rest. The Rookie, Holland — she got under his skin. He stared at the chocolate bar she got him, sitting on his desk — untouched. “You know, it’s okay to treat yourself sometimes.” Her voice echoed in his head, as he played with the corner of the wrapping.

She exasperated him — he reprimanded her in front of the entire waiting room, he scolded her with her first patient, praised Verma over her. But she still bought him the chocolate, she teased him back, stood up to him. He had taken this approach before with interns — tough love, a strong mentor to give them a backbone. But someone who would also leave him alone, for fear of further yelling or discipline.  

But she was so different, somehow.  She took his advice to heart, she let Verma take the credit for the save. Hell, she even went out of her way to help him with Barbara and her medication. He couldn’t figure her out. He didn’t get it. He was a world-class diagnostician — how could he not get her yet.

Glancing down at this leather watch, Ramsey realized it had been a few hours since he had last seen the Rookie. He would give her about one more hour, before stepping in with her patient. Grabbing his white coat off of the back of his chair, Ethan slid it on and adjusted the sleeves in front of the mirror on the back of his door. Tousling his hair slightly — he suddenly stopped himself. Who was he grooming himself for? Shaking his head, he went to grab onto the door handle when his pager went off. He was being paged down to Holland’s patient. She had figured it out — or was asking for help. Either way, Ethan was curious to see what she wanted.

He stood just outside of room 532 for a moment, watching as Dr. Holland spoke with her now-conscious patient. Her ponytail was becoming less and less perfect throughout the day — pieces of it falling over the nape of her neck and down her temples, framing her face. The white lab coat she had changed into after their emergency in the waiting room was still clean — a little wrinkled though.

She was speaking candidly, as her patient apologized to her. “You have nothing to be sorry for Annie.”

“But if I would have known about my allergy, you wouldn’t have gotten in trouble with that hot doctor.” He heard the young girl say.

A soft laugh escaped Jordynne’s mouth, “You don’t need to worry about Dr. Ramsey and I. I’m just glad you’re okay now.”

Ethan felt his face flush red, as he heard Doctor Holland link together he was the “hot doctor — heat spread down his neck. He had overheard some of the nurses and interns calling him that before, but he usually just rolled his eyes or ignored them. Now, he almost felt a twinge of a smile on his face. Suddenly, he couldn’t handle hearing anything else and he stepped into the room announcing himself with a cough.

Jordynne met his eyes, an uneasy smile spreading across her face.

“I’m told you wanted to see me?” He said, raising his eyebrows at her.

She nodded, grabbing onto the railings on her patient’s bed. “Annie’s going to be okay.”

“That’s good news. I imagine this wasn’t a random miracle…,” Folding his arms across his chest, he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. “So? I’m waiting to hear whatever brilliant insight you arrived at.” He tried to hide his curiosity — Did she actually figure it out? Or was it another failed attempt?

“I wanna know too!” Her patient said, using her elbows to sit up a little straighter.

“It was never the bacteria. But it was something that happened on her trip to Indonesia.” She turned her eyes back to her patient, “Annie, you told me you ‘went for’ your scuba license. You didn’t say you go it.”

The patient’s face reddened with embarrassment. “Because I didn’t get it.”

“You also told me that you’re prone to panic attacks when you get stressed out. Annie, did you have a panic attack while you were diving?”

She nodded, “I always wanted to go scuba diving… but once I got down there, I just totally freaked out.”

“And you resurfaced too quickly.” Jordynne handed her patient’s chart to Ethan. “The result? Decompression sickness and labyrinthitis.” She noticed the confusion cross her patients face, "Annie, that’s an inflammation of your inner ear, which caused your vertigo and nausea.”

Annie blinked, starting to understand what was wrong with her. “Oh!”

Ethan still leaned against the doorframe, the clipboard hanging in his hand lazily. “And what treatment do you recommend, Dr. Holland?”

“The symptoms can be eased with antihistamines… but the condition itself can only be treated with time.”

Annie’s face fell, “How much time?”

She grabbed onto her shoulder gently, “You can’t rush it, but within a few weeks, you’ll feel like yourself again.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Holland.” She smiled at her, her eyes filling with tears.

Ethan swiveled on his heel, heading out into the hallway. He waited for Jordynne to follow.

“So, I’ll fill out a prescription for some extra-strength antihistamines…” She started jotting it down on her pad, but he grabbed onto her pen. He clicked it closed and placed it back on her clipboard.

“Don’t bother. I already have.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the printed out prescription order and held it out for her.

She stared at him, her pink mouth opening up in surprise. “You knew? When were you gonna tell me?”

He glanced back down at his watch, “I’d planned to give you another forty-five minutes. I pulled up Annie’s chart to diagnose it myself, in the likely even you blew it.” He crossed his arms, staring at her, “But I wanted to give you the chance to right the ship, first.”

“Thank you… For giving me the chance.” She said, hugging the clipboard to her chest.

He narrowed his eyes at her, “Hm. I would’ve expected you to be angry.”

She shrugged, “No, I appreciate your help. But I’m never gonna learn if someone’s always holding my hand.”

He smiled at her, surprised that they were in agreement. “My thoughts exactly. But you showed your potential. Not to mention maybe the most important trait a doctor can have.”

“What’s that?”

“You listened.” He stared at her, admiring her. “You took the time to get to know your patient. Their story, their hopes, their fears… Sometimes those are the key to saving their life.”

Suddenly, Harper’s niece stalked up to the pair of them — looking flustered. “What the hell? You went and presented without me?” She glared at Jordynne, her arms raised up in the air.

Before Jordynne could reply, Ethan stepped in front of her. “Annie was your patient as well, Dr. Emery. What the hell have you been doing while Dr. Holland was making a diagnosis?”

Holland moved past him, stepping up to her. “Sorry, Dr. Emery. I should have kept you updated on the developments.” Ethan looked back at her, eyebrows furrowing in confusion again. Why does she keep doing that? Defending Doctors who are ready to throw her under the bus.

Dr. Emery’s glare softened slightly, “It’s okay. I wasn’t here. This was your win.”

Looking between the two of them, Ethan spoke again. “Dr. Holland, hospitals run on communication. Keep each other apprised.”

She nodded, keeping her eye on his — undeterred. “Yes, Dr. Ramsey.”

He turned his finger towards the other woman, “And, Dr. Emery? Patient assignments are not optional.” Looking back at Jordynne once more, he gave her a nod before stalking off towards the nurses' station. Glancing back at his watch, he realized his shift was almost over. Flipping through some charts, to keep him busy until his watch neared 9:00 o’clock. He let out a loud sigh as the large hand finally hit the nine, and he started heading towards the locker room to change. Longest orientation day ever.

_______________________________________________________________________

Loud music could be heard from the sidewalk outside of Donahue’s, lights flickering from the inside, and people going in and out for breaks. Ethan slid in through the open door, stalking over to his regular stool on the edge of the bar.

He wasn’t sure why — but he loved it here. It was the furthermost thing from his style — with the tacky neon signs, Christmas lights up year round, and a jukebox playing music he couldn’t stand. But most days of the week, Ethan found himself sitting on that stool, nursing a drink, listening to the awful music and watching the tacky lights.

Reggie placed a scotch tumbler on a white napkin in front of him, without Ramsey even having to ask. He gave him a curt nod, before grabbing onto it. Raising it to his lips, he took a swig — relishing in the warmth that spread down his throat into his belly.

He stared around at the patrons of the bar, studying them. There were a lot of his colleagues there that night — a lot of interns. The surgical interns were crowded around the dart boards — passing pitchers of beer and being rowdy. They reminded him of a fraternity. A few residents sat at a booth together, trying to wave Ethan over to join them — but he just gave them a nod, grabbing onto his scotch for another swig.

Just as the liquor went into his mouth, he noticed her — Dr. Holland. He coughed a little, finishing his swig — the sight of her making him gulp. She was wearing a tiny little number; a green shirt wrapped around her torso — leaving her shoulders and midriff bare. A black bralette peaking through, and a golden locket falling into the between her cleavage. High-waisted jean shorts hugged her hips, showing off her lean tan legs.

She had just finished a shot, placing the glass back onto the table. Her face scrunched up at the taste of the liquor before she tossed her head back laughing with some other medical interns. She had let her blonde hair out her ponytail — her wavy, long tresses falling down her back wildly.

The small group all raised their glasses together in a toast. He moved his eyes away from the group, feeling a wave of loneliness. He shook his head at himself — that’s why he came here, to be alone. To distance himself from the hospital, to enjoy his drink and talk to nobody.

Suddenly a voice shouted over the loud music, causing Ethan to turn around with a frown on his face. “Hey, Jordynne! Get over here, I’ve got a game for you!” A surgical intern was holding up some darts, waving them in the air at her — taunting her.

Ethan grimaced at him, turning back around — his eyes set on hers. He pursed his lips into a straight line — nodding his head to her. Before she could react, he turned his back to the TV on the top of the bar. He watched out of the corner of his eye, and she strutted over to the other side of the bar.

Heat spread over his neck, as he heard the surgical intern whistle low at her as she approached. Disrespectful. He thought.

Ethan found himself angling his body so he could keep watching her. He would flick his eyes back to the screen every once in a while, as though not to be too obvious.

“You really scrub up nice.” Bryce grabbed onto her, his hand resting on the bare skin on the small of her back. “Everyone, this is Dr. Jordynne Holland, the only good medical intern. Jordynne this is everyone.”

“Welcome to the party!” There were clinks of glasses as the group met each other.

The surgical intern licked his lips, “So, have you decided to switch teams? There’s still time, you know.”

Ethan furrowed his brows — she wouldn’t switch to be a surgical intern… Would she?

A laugh escaped her lips, a sweet sound in Ethan’s ears, “Sorry, I still prefer the part where I get to talk with my patients rather than cut them open.”

Good girl. Ethan thought to himself, smiling as he took a swig.

“Hey, we talk! I had a great conversation with a sweet old guy this afternoon. And then I watched my resident remove a lobe of his right lung.��

“Okay, that’s… actually pretty cool.” She looped her fingers through her belt loops, “So, darts, huh? I don’t wanna embarrass you in front of your surgery friends.” A confident smile spread across her face.

Bryce sized her up, “I think I can handle you. I’m a surgeon, remember? Very good with my hands.”

Ethan couldn’t help but roll his eyes — God, this guy was a flirt.

“But if you’re feeling cocky, we could place a little bet…” He offered.

“Fine. I’ll wager… a kiss.” She gave him a flirtatious look, licking her pink lips shiny.

The group of surgical interns started whistling loudly, shouting at Bryce to win the game.

Ethan went to take another swig of his scotch but found his glass empty. “Hey, Reggie.” The bartender acknowledged him from down the bar, starting to grab him another glass.

He had tried to stop watching them — she was an intern, she could play games with whomever she wanted, share drinks with whomever she wanted. But as they got to their last darts, he couldn’t help but glance at Jordynne out of the corner of his eye. The surgical intern was shooting — Jordynne was standing right behind him, on her tiptoes so she could reach up to speak to him — her chest pushed up against his back. Even from his seat at the bar, Ethan watched as she brushed her lips on his ear, whispering to him. An involuntary shudder went through Ramsey as he imagined her doing that to him.

Bryce’s dart went wide at her touch — causing him to lose the game. “Yes!” Holland screamed, throwing her hands up in the air — high-fiving a few of her friends that were watching. The group of surgical interns booed from the sidelines. Ethan smirked a little. Of course, she won.

“I believe you owe me.” Jordynne jabbed a finger playfully into Bryce’s chest.

Ethan had forgotten what they wagered until now.

Bryce grabbed onto Jordynne’s wrist, gently pulling her into him. “I am a man of my word…”. He hooked his arm around her waist, their faces inches apart. He said something to her, his voice too low for anyone else to hear. Suddenly, he dipped Jordynne dramatically backward, balancing her in his arms and they kissed. Different catcalls echoed throughout the bar, as the pair finally stood up and Jordynne pulled him back in for a second longer kiss. Ethan finally swiveled around his stool — having seen enough.

Grabbing onto his newly refreshed drink, he finished it in a large swig. That wasn’t a first kiss kind of kiss. He had had enough in his day to recognize that. He furrowed his brows as he thought — Did they know each other before Edenbrook? He didn’t get it. Shaking his head, Ethan got mad at himself — Why do I care?

The sound of a stool scraping nearby, caused him to perk up — sitting a little straighter. He watched as Dr. Holland hopped up onto the stool next to him, eyeing her out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t say anything.

She spoke first, swinging her legs on the stool so she could face him. “Something wrong, Dr. Ramsey?”

He glanced over to her, “Just noticing how… different you look out in the real world.”

A smile broke across her face, and she started playing with the gold locket around her neck. “You too Doctor. I like you without the white coat.” Her green eyes lingered on the few buttons he had kept undone on his shirt.

The bartender approached the pair, pausing in front of them. His eyes widened at Ramsey’s already empty glass — it hadn’t lasted very long. Reggie put his hands down on the counter, “So, what will it be?”

Before Ethan could speak, he watched as Holland eyed his glass — she was trying to guess what he was drinking. “We’ll have two scotches, neat.” She ordered with a smile. When the drinks arrived, she slid one over to Dr. Ramsey, before picking up her own.

He grabbed onto the glass, smiling at her with approval. “Why neat instead of on the rocks?” He questioned.

She didn’t miss a beat. “The ice changes the flavor.” Raising the glass to her lips, she took a hearty swig.

He smiled again, he couldn’t help it. “Right answer. But you know I can’t be bribed into favoring you, right?”

She chewed her lip, “It’s just a thank you.”

“For what?”

Her green eyes met his blue ones, “For pushing me to be better today.”

Ethan let out a breath, before grabbing onto his drink and finishing another one in one long sip. That was the first time someone had ever thanked him for being an asshole. He could get used to Holland. Signaling over the bartender again, he ordered the pair another round of drinks. “Two specials. Thanks, Reggie.”

The man let out a laugh, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the two sitting together. “Only for you, Ethan.”

Jordynne squinted at him, “Your on first name terms with the bartender?”

Ramsey shrugged, “He’s an old friend. I come here most nights.”

She put her elbow on the bar, propping her head up with her hand as she asked, “You don’t have anyone waiting at home?”

He hesitated — he thought of his empty two bedroom apartment downtown. His dog Jenner was at his neighbor’s tonight, so only a dry plant in his living room really required his attention at home. He thought about what it would like to have someone waiting — have a home cooked meal with a partner, to hear tiny feet (that weren’t paws) run to the door in excitement when he came home after a long shift. Shaking his head, he snapped back to reality. “I’ll come here even when I do. I need some buffer between the hospital and the world. An airlock.” He let out a sigh, “Don’t take the job home with you, Jordynne.”

She nodded, looking like she took his advice seriously. “I’ll keep that in mind… but you didn’t answer my question.”

Ethan looked at her — he knew she wasn’t going to drop it. “No. Nobody waiting at home tonight.”

Before she could ask anything else about it, Reggie set down the mixed drinks onto the bar in front of them. “Here, try this.” Ethan matched her, taking a sip at the same time. He licked his lips, savoring the sweet and sour flavor. “Well, how’s it compare?”

Her eyes went wide as she swallowed, “It’s amazing!”

He rolled his eyes at her, “Either you’re sucking up to me, or…” He trailed off, a smile setting on his face. “You’ve got surprisingly refined taste for an intern.”

She flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder, smirking at him. “I’m surprising in a lot of ways.”

He tried to hide his gulp as the smell of her shampoo and perfume wafted towards him with her movement — she smelt like orange blossoms and jasmine. “You’ll have to prove that.”

He grabbed onto his glass, raising it up to her in a toast. “To your intern year. In the hopes, you don’t completely blow everything you’ve worked your whole life for.”

“Morbid. I like it.” She let out a laugh as they clinked their glasses together.

Taking out his wallet, Ethan placed a few bills underneath his drinks, waving at Reggie. “Well, Rookie it’s probably about time you go collect your friends over there before they have to go back to the hospital to get their stomachs pumped.”

Jordynne’s fingers went to the bills on the table, grabbing them and folding them up. She tucked them into the breast pocket of his sweater, before tapping it with her hand. “I said it was a thank you. It’s on me.”

He furrowed his eyebrows, “I had more before you came over —“

“Ramsey.” She looked up at him with big eyes, “Just let me do this. Besides, like my new friend Elijah said — I’m 100K in debt anyways. What’s a of couple scotches gonna matter?”

He let out a chuckle, “Fine Rookie. You win this time. Only this one time. Got it?”

She let out a big smile, revealing her white teeth. “Understood. You like to be in control.” She winked at him, “See you tomorrow Doctor Ramsey.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Ethan took the long way back to the hospital, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked — enjoying the fresh air. It had been a long day. Longer than usual. He couldn’t be bothered to go home — he was just going to have to be back in four hours anyway. Like he had said to Jordynne — he also had no reason to go home. He thought of his leather sofa waiting for him in the hospital and let out a sigh.

As he neared the front entrance, he fumbled in his pockets for his key fob. He heard a commotion on one of the nearby paths, and he glanced over as he approached the doors. It was the group of medical interns from Donahue’s, holding onto each other, laughing and joking. They were all excitedly chatting

about something before dispersing in their separate directions.

Holding onto the door handle, he watched as Jordynne walked off with one of the petite interns — her blonde hair waving in the breeze, her arms wrapped around herself in an attempt to stay warm. He was relieved to see that the surgical intern wasn’t with her — not that it was any of his business.

Shaking his head at himself, Ethan stalked into the hospital trying to get the mysterious, blonde intern out of his head.

Part Four

#choices #choices: stories you play #playchoices #pixelberry choices #choices open heart #choices oh #open heart #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #open heart fanfiction #open heart fanfic #ethan ramsey #dr ethan ramsey #dr ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #mc x ethan #mc x ethan ramsey #mc x bryce lahela #mc x bryce #bryce lahela X mc #bryce x mc #ethan x bryce x mc

[ticklikeabomb]

The Language of Limbo - Part 3

Pairing : Chris Evans x Plus Size Reader ; Marvel Cast x Plus Size Reader

Warnings : Language

Word Count : 3.5k

The week went on just as the previous ones : wake up, prepare yourself, go train with Mason who you discovered was also hired as stunt man for the movie, go back home, have something small to eat and crash down on your bed.

It was so far, the beginning of shooting. You grabbed your suitcase and headed to the airport, catch the plane for Atlanta. The stewardess guided you towards your seat and you noticed that your neighbor was already there looking out the window. Taking a book out of your bag, you sat down, put your seatbelt on and shot off your phone. Not really fond of airplanes, your hands and nails gripped the armrest next to you, while you closed your eyes and waited for the takeoff to end. When the plane was stabilized, the stewardess came back and asked you if you wanted anything to drink. "Yes, some sparkling water please." She nodded and focused on the man seated beside you. You dived back in your book but couldn't help listening to what she was saying. "I'll bring it right away Sir and if you need anything, anything at all I'm at your disposal", she seductively claimed. You raised your eyebrows, surprised of her openly flirt with one of the passengers but didn't look further into it and continued reading. "It would be all", replied the man. Five minutes later, she put your orders in front of you and left abruptly. 'That was weird', you thought.

Another 20 minutes passed by when the man besides you cleared his voice and spoke to you. "I see you don't like planes." You lifted your head and looked beside you. There he was again : Chris Mothafucking Evans. Your eyes widened and you gasped, "Hey" He chuckled and replied, "I was wondering how long it would take you until you noticed that I was your neighbor all along but you were so concentrated in your book and didn't even looked my way once, that I lost patience."

"Sorry, didn't see you. Are you stalking or something? We keep bumping into each other all the time", you joked. He laughed louder this time before denying such accusations. "I could ask you the same thing", he smiled. "Nah, I'm not I swear", you laughed along. Now you understood why the stewardess was such a flirt. "Good. I guess we could take this opportunity and talk, get to know each other since we're gonna work and spend 4 months together", he suggested. "Yeah totally", you managed to reply smoothly. "Oh and thank you again for that lift the other day", he commented. You shook your head and told him it was nothing. "I hope you slept well then." You frowned confused and he chuckled. "You know, you said that you wouldn't sleep well knowing that I would take my car but since you dropped me at the hotel, you must have slept well." You gasped and replied, "You remember that?" "Of course I do", he said and leaned closer. "I told you I could hold my liquor." Having him so close to you, heat and shivers began to slowly creep up your body. Your only reaction was to nod and face your glass of water before taking a large gulp of it. Focused on your drink, you didn't notice Chris's smirk. You spent the rest of the flight talking about your respective lifes. It was nice to get to know the man behind the myth, without all the glam surrounding him, without hiding himself. It only made you fall even more for him. 

Since you were heading to the same place, you and Chris decided to share the cab and drove to the set. When you arrived, the staff showed you your trailer and informed that you were needed for the final fittings regarding your character's clothes. You dropped your things in what was serving you as home for the next few months and immediately headed to the clothing trailer, leaving your stuff for later. You greeted the crew and they gave you the clothes. After the readjustments, you marched towards your trailer when you crossed road with members of the cast. "Hey how are you?", greeted Scarlet, Mark, Jeremy and Robert with a side-hug. "I'm good what about all of you?", you asked with a wide smile. "We're fine", answered Mark. "We heard you had company in the plane", commented Robert. You chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, God news travel fast in here." They laughed and affirmed that they did but mostly because they've seen Chris before bumping into you and he told them you were on the same plane. "Anyway, I've got to go. Don't forget people, Downey town at 7pm", yelled RDJ while going away. "Downey town?", you wondered. "Oh and you too Y/N", he shouted and disappeared at the following corner. Scarlet circled her arm around your shoulder and whispered, "It's Robert's side of the set. He has like 5 trailers so we named it Downey Town. He invited the whole cast for diner." You gasped, "Oh okay. That's really nice." You were arriving at your own trailer and were about to dismiss yourself to take a shower when Scarlet told you she would come get you at 6pm and show you around the set. "Alright, thank you", you said and went inside.

You had two hours before Scarlet would show up, so you took your clothes out of your bag, disposed them in the small closet before grabbing your toiletries and heading towards the shower. Since it was still hot you decided to let your hair dry out naturally, put on a jeans and t-shirt with sneakers and checked your watch. You had exactly 10minutes left and texted your best-friend. A couple of days after the table read, they authorized you to tell your family and close friends that you were casted in the movie, so you immediately called Aaron and informed him of the good news. No need to say that he was beyond happy for you, best friends having the chance to be part of the same cinematic universe.

To Aaron : I've arrived on set. The flight was ok. You're never gonna believe who sat beside me.

From Aaron : Beyoncé?

To Aaron : Ha ha … *I wish tho*. The most righteous person ever…

From Aaron : Beyoncé??!!

To Aaron : Dude…Captain fucking America…well Chris Evans to be precise.

From Aaron : Ohhhhh H-I-M !!!

He knew of your long-time crush about Chris and used every opportunity he had to tease you about it.

To Aaron : Don't start. It was weird at the beginning but then we began talking and he immediately made me feel at ease. He's really nice and his eyes…god his eyes. He's so cute.

From Aaron : 😏😏😏

To Aaron : Alright I've gotta go. RDJ invited everyone to Downey Town. Kisses to the fam. ILY

From Aaron : HE WHATTTT? How come I've never been invited to Downey Town? Anyway, have fun and keep me updated. We love you too. Sam and the girls say hiiiiii.

You chuckled at his last message and shook your head. You opened your door, still looking at your texts and smiling and heard Mackie say, "Someone's happy." You smiled even more and greeted him, really excited to work with him. He and Scarlet showed you around, telling you where to find the make-up trailer, cafeteria and small gym disposed for the cast. "Awesome thanks guys". "You're welcome", answered Scarlet. You arrived at the famous 'Town' and holy shit they weren't kidding, because the place was huge. You were sitting beside Chris Hemsworth and Tom Holland and were enjoying talking to them, since you hadn't had the opportunity to do so. They were telling you the magic feeling of surfing and you listened attentively, captivated by the passion they were putting into their stories. "That sounds amazing." "It really is. You somehow feel free", mentioned Hemsworth. "But besides surfing, Australia is also amazing for their wildlife : koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, their huge spiders." At the mention of spiders, your face crisped in disgust because you hated spiders. "Seems like Y/N doesn't like spiders", remarked RDJ. You shook your head, "Nah I hate spiders, they creep me out." You heard Tom gasp in shock. "The disrespect. I feel attacked", he said mockingly, to which Mackie rolled his eyes. "Ain't sorry", you replied back with a laugh. "Ohhhhh snap", snickered Mackie proudly and you laughed louder. "Come on Y/N, not you too", sassed back Tom. You only shrugged in amusement and continued talking with other actors around the table. Since it was getting late, everyone went back to their trailers because the following day was the first day of shooting.

Following day

You didn't get much sleep because you were too excited and found yourself at the small gym at the other end of the set to do some stretches. You thought that being that early you would be alone but found some of the actors already working out. "Aren't you brave, waking up so early", said Chris Evans. "I could say the same for you", you teased back. "Ready for your first day?", he asked more seriously. You sighed and declared yes even if you were a little nervous about it all. "I know what it's like. I was a mess on the first day of Captain America : First Avenger, but then it becomes a routine and you will get used to it, you'll see." You nodded, "I hope so." You let him continue his workout while you found a little corner, isolated and planted a mattress on the ground before starting your yoga session. An hour later, you head back to your trailer, took a shower and went to the makeup trailer. You greeted the crew and let them do their magic, while going over the lines for the day.

Elizabeth soon followed and you both talked about what's going on with your lifes since last time you were together. " Your sister got a baby?", she gasped after you revealed it. "Yeah, it's a little boy. He's 3 now." "Congrats for the parents. You must be happy to be an aunt." You smiled, seeing that little monster's face in your mind and replied, "Yeah, he's so cute, already a little rebellious but it's a child right?", you chuckled. "Of course and don't forget you got to be the cool aunt." You nodded and laughed, "That's true. He was no idea what's coming".

"Y/N, five minutes and you're headed to the dressing trailer", called out one of the director's assistant. "Showtime", you breathed out to Lizzie who crossed her fingers for you, "Break a leg." You give her a wide smile and exited. Your first scene was already one were you would have to wear your suit and you couldn't contain your excitement once you put it on. "Wow, it looks amazing, thank you guys", you told the dressing staff. They smiled seeing how happy and beautiful you looked and wished you good look. While marching to the shooting set, you crossed roads with Mason who was dressed in an Iron Man suit. His whistle caught the attention of the people around and you shook your head. "You look amazing", he told you with a wide smile. "Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself." You saw him blush a little and had to bite down your lip to not let the small chuckle escape your mouth. "Iron Man, hein?", you smirked. "Yep, what can I say I am indeed a Genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist."

Seeing him quote Tony Stark made you laugh loudly and again catch the wandering eyes of the people around. Mason was about to respond when Joe Russo called you. "Sorry have to go." Mason grabbed your hand and looked into your eyes, "Don't forget our training and you'll rock that scene. Good luck." You nodded, cherishing his support and thanked him. The Russo Brothers indicated you the position of the camera angles and their vision for the shoot. You listened to their details attentively and nodded along, saving their instructions in your brain. You walked at your standing point next to the original Avengers and took a deep breath. "And…ACTION". It took four takes for the initial dialogue and 8 takes for the fighting scene to get it in the box. "CUT !", the directors shouted. "Amazing start people. Lunch break before we head back at it, in an hour." You grabbed a bottle of water and saw the cast join you. "You did amazing dear, keep going", complimented RDJ and the others followed his comment with their own encouragements and how awesome your moves were. "Thank you guys, it means a lot", you breathed out with a wide smile. The day went by until late evening.

The days passed and you were getting more at ease with everyone, joining them whenever it was to tease someone or roast. Chris's (Evans) birthday was coming soon and you still had no idea what you would get him. It was hard to find something for someone who already had everything. You began asking discreet the others actors questions about his tastes or funny stories they could tell you. "Why all those questions regarding Chris?", asked once Scarlet with a smug smirk. Your eyes almost popped out of your skull being busted. "What? No, I'm not. Just trying to get to know you", you mumbled not convinced by your own excuse and seeing the face of Scarlet and the others, neither were they. You dropped the questions and tried to come up with something by yourself. One day you were walking beside Chris who asked you if you wanted to go over the lines with him. You agreed and he proposed to work in his trailer. He motioned you to sit down where you wanted and disposed a bottle of water in front of you. "Thanks", you smiled back. He dropped his script and phone on the table in front of both of you before asking you if you didn't mind if he left you for 5 minutes to take a fast shower. You gulp harshly, thoughts of his glorious body overflowing your mind before clearing your throat and replied, "Ehm yeah, no, no problem. You go do that."

He chuckled and fumbled through his dressing before heading at the back of the trailer. You took a gulp of the fresh water to cool you down, when the phone rang. First you thought it was yours but looking at the devices in front of you, you saw that it was Chris' phone. It wasn't your attention to sneak at it but saw his brother's name pop on the notification bar. That's when the idea of asking his brother for a birthday gift came up to you. You quickly grabbed your phone and went through Twitter and finally found Chris' brother's social media.

You hit the DM's button and wrote : "Hello how are you? My name is Y/N. This may sound weir but I'm currently working with Chris on the new Marvel movie. I'm really sorry to bother you and who knows, you probably won't even pay attention to this message but I was wondering if you could help me. I know his birthday is in a couple of weeks and was wondering if you had any idea of what he might like. I'm kinda lost here and really wanted to give him something that I know he will love. Here's my number if you prefer texting. Again sorry if I'm disturbing and I hope you have a nice day."

You were sure he wouldn't reply, probably thinking it was another fangirl, so you didn't made a lot of hopes in it. Chris got out of the shower and seeing your concerned expression he asked, "Everything alright?". You looked up to him and give him a small smile, "Yeah just a little tired is all." "If you want I can go over the lines by myself and let you rest." You shook your head, assuring him that it wasn't necessary. "Don't worry, I also have to go over the lines anyway. I don't know them by heart yet." He nodded and sat in front of you and began working on it right away. When you were done, you headed back to your trailer and checked your phone and saw a text from an unknown number.

Unknown : Hi, I'm fine. What about you? I confess that when I saw the message on Twitter I was skeptical but then I remembered Chris telling me your name and that you joined the production. It's nice to virtually meet you. Regarding me helping you, totally. Text me back whenever you have time. -Scott.

You were squealing in your bed, happy to have some guidance in that matter. You texted him back, thanking him for his reply and wrote down the small list with gift ideas you had so far. He told you that some of them were cool but that Chris already had them or did them, like the one when he was skydiving.

The past few weeks you and Scott hit it off, even texting randomly. He would ask you advice for personal matters and you would do the same. You could say that you were beginning to become friends.

You were currently training with Mason when Kevin Feige stepped inside the room, making everybody stop on what they were doing. "Y/N, can I have a second", the Marvel president said. You cleaned your face and marched towards him, your body slightly shaken, scared of what he had to tell you. "Y/N there has been a change. I'm really sorry to announce you this because you've been doing great in portraying Y/C/N but unfortunately, I'm forced to let you go and recast you." Your mouth opened wide, not believing you were getting fired. "You will still be part of the movie I can guarantee you that but you will be playing a minor character, a tech Shield agent to be exact." "Why?", was the only thing you managed to say. He saw the pain in your teary eyes and slightly bowed his head in shame. "It's not my duty to tell you the circumstances of this change but I can see how painful it is for you. Our biggest executive producer requested the change for someone else.I know this was a life changing opportunity but I had no other choice then agree to it"

You gulp harshly, hurt until the pain was subsided with anger. At this point you didn't care anymore and said, "May I say something even if this might cost my place in the production?" He nodded and you told him how you were feeling. "I understand what you're telling me and even if I shouldn't argue with that because I'm literally no one in the business to say something but it pains me. A lot. I know that one of the goals in the MCU is to promote diversity and including a plus size female playing such an important character with such an arc would have change a lot in the industry. Finally, plus size females would have had a figure, someone representing them and it's gone. It's taken from them."

"I understand your point of view but it will not change the situation. I'm giving you the opportunity to complete your contract by portraying another character. It's up to you now if you still want to do it or not", he replied back. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath before exclaiming firmly, "I'll be the best tech Shield agent you'll ever see." He nodded and before he could state something else, the gym doors opened and you saw her enter the building. Goosebumps, the bad kind, raised all over your body and you breathed harshly. "Hiiii, have you heard the good news? I'm playing Y/C/N after all", spat Rebecca proudly. "Congratulations", you hissed back in fake kindness. You could see the mischief in her eyes and it made your stomach churn. "Mason", called out Kevin Feige. He sprinted to your group and heard the president tell him he would have to prepare Rebecca as fast as possible for the role. He frowned and looked back at you and saw you trying to hold it together in front of them. He was about to ask why when Feige cut him and said, "That would be all !" Mason nodded while clenching his teeth and Feige exited the room but not before handing you the new script, with your new lines. Rebecca stepped closer and whispered in your ear, "I told you, you wouldn't see the last of me. You see I made myself a promise. The promise that I would turn your life into a living hell and I think it's starting just fine." She winked at you before seductively sashaying over Mason. You were on the verge of crying and had to exit the room quickly. Mason shot you a pained and apologetic look seeing you exit the room before his features hardened once facing Rebecca who had a victorious smirk plastered on her face. "Let's get to work !", spat Mason rather harshly towards her.

You had no idea how, what was supposed to be the best moment of your life turned so shitty in matter of seconds. Little did you know that it was only the beginning.

* gifs not mine, credit to owner*

PERMANENT TAG LIST : @arrowswithwifi @poetic-pixie @theshortegg @kyber-hearts-and-stardust-souls @prettybubblesintheair @yafriendlyfangirl @marshmallow-witch @ms-cellanies @the-feckless-wonder @cfisher290 @thefangirltheycallviolet @river-fics @lilulo-12 @fanfictionrecommendations-com @spetzerfehn @angieptt @wayward-timetravel-collecter @ashley17jacobs @lokithedancingqueen @wildsoul1221 @introvertedsin @robertconradjr @francezka10 @titty-teetee

SERIES TAG LIST : @halee-bear @sanellv @alwaysenjoythelifeyoulive @teatimewithhiddles @mooniessuniverse @meggie-mouse-28 @krissyq @moviefan97 @morningstar09

#chris evans #chris evans x plus size reader #marvel cast #marve cast x plus size reader #fanfiction #fanfic #marvel #mcu #robert downey jr #mark ruffalo #jeremy renner #chris hemsworth #scarlet johannson #anthony mackie #tom holland #aaron taylor johnson #elisabeth olsen #kevin feige #russo brothers #series #drama #angst #scott evans

[jennycalendar]

imperfections (47/?)

read it on ao3!

as y’all know, i can’t promise regular updates, bc my motivation for this fic is absolutely bonkers. fingers crossed we see another chapter soon, tho, bc i had a lot of fun writing again!

As it turned out, Ms. Calendar had set aside a hefty file of articles and manuscripts about something called the First Evil, marking it re: Angel’s return, which would have made researching a lot faster if they’d found it right off the bat. It took five hours of reading all the useless stuff before Xander went into Giles’s office to look for pizza money and came out with a very resigned expression, holding the file out in front of him. Still, Buffy figured it had given Giles and Ms. Calendar more than enough of a break, even if it had been at everyone else’s expense.

Cordelia thought differently. “She could have at least mentioned that she’d taken literally all the useful stuff and hidden it,” she complained as they pulled up in front of Giles and Ms. Calendar’s place. It was still pretty weird to think of it as Giles and Ms. Calendar’s place instead of just Ms. Calendar’s place, but—weird in a good way. Like how Buffy felt when Faith flipped her hair or applied lipstick all slow. Or, okay, not that, but that was the only other weird-but-good feeling Buffy could think of.

Off topic. “We gave Ms. Calendar a break,” Buffy reminded Cordelia. “She probably didn’t think all the Angel stuff would come up again.”

“Thank you,” said Faith. “Don’t give Jen a hard time. She flips out every time Angel’s mentioned. If she thought she could help, she would have.”

Cordelia huffed, but she looked somewhat placated as she parked the car.

Buffy got out first, then opened the door for Willow and Faith, waiting in particular for the latter. “Hey,” she said. “Are you doing anything for Christmas?”

Faith blinked, then blushed. “Uh, yeah, actually,” she said. “Giles is having a whole not-Christmas dinner—”

“Oh, you’re going to that,” said Buffy, feeling stupid. “I kinda forgot you live with Giles now too.”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, my mom wanted to know if any of my friends wanted to come over for Christmas,” Buffy began, “but now I’m starting to wonder if she and I could drop in on Giles and Ms. Calendar’s not-Christmas dinner.”

Faith looked a little surprised. “But you were gonna invite me to Christmas with your mom?”

“Yeah,” said Buffy. She felt like she might be blushing too. “Things have been really weird with Angel lately, and they kinda seem to be just getting worse, but—you’ve been really, really cool about it, and you didn’t have to be. So…thanks.”

“Hey, sure,” said Faith, giving her a small, encouraging smile. “Slayers gotta stick together, right?”

The door opened. “I thought I heard reckless driving,” said Giles, squinting at Cordelia in a way that would have been reproving if he didn’t have like fifty hickeys on his neck. Ew. “You do know that there’s a speed limit for a reason, yes?”

“Can you tell your girlfriend that next time she’s got important information, it’d be great if she didn’t hide it in your office?” Cordelia shot back.

Giles considered this. “Touché.”

“Wait, you guys knew?” Xander objected.

“We figured it out about ten minutes ago, if that helps at all,” Ms. Calendar added, peering out from behind Giles. “Also, Rupert made dinner, if you all want to take a break.”

But Oz frowned. “Uh, I hate to break it to you guys,” he said, “but there’s like eight of us, and your kitchen table only has three chairs. I’m really not seeing how a Scooby dinner is gonna be possible when you have a three-person kitchen plus all those boxes in the living room.”

For some reason, Ms. Calendar and Giles both blushed, not looking at each other. “Well, I mean, we’re making it work,” said Ms. Calendar, at the same time that Giles said, “It’s a tight fit, but it seems the most reasonable—”

“Oh,” said Cordelia. “You guys are pretending to be all casual. Listen, you’re clearly the worst kind of sappy about each other, and Giles keeps on trying to kill Angel every time the guy so much as looks at Ms. Calendar, so what’s so bad about moving into a bigger house? I mean, it’s not like Giles is gonna throw away all his books to make room for us. The man wears tweed on his days off.”

Ms. Calendar and Giles exchanged a very resigned look. “So that’s a no to the dinner, then, Cordelia?” said Giles.

“Hey, I’m all about free food,” said Xander, and pushed past both Giles and Ms. Calendar into the house.

The kitchen-table thing was solved when Ms. Calendar brought a few extra folding chairs out of a hall closet, though Faith and Buffy did end up having to sit on the counter together. Ms. Calendar came over and sat with them after a few minutes, though mostly she just let Faith steal food off her plate. “Should we talk research now or later?” she asked the room at large.

“Ugh, later,” said Cordelia.

“Now, I think, is best,” said Giles. “It’ll be brief. Jenny’s resources are quite thorough.” The last part was said in the same way most normal people would say Jenny’s super hot, which was extremely disturbing.

“Yeah, this file’s really comprehensive!” Willow piped up, sifting through the various printouts. “There’s this one bit about the guys who conjure up the First—maybe those are the people making your dreams all weird!”

Thinking back to one of her more recent (and more R-rated) dreams, Buffy winced. “Can I see those guys?” she asked, hopping off the counter to peer over Willow’s shoulder. Sure enough, the pencil sketches looked a lot like the weird priest-y guy who had showed up when she and Angel were—well. “Great,” she said. “Now I know whose teeth I’m gonna kick in.”

“The only problem with that is us not knowing where they are,” Xander pointed out. “We could hit up Willy, maybe, you know, intimidate him?”

Ms. Calendar took a sip of tea to hide her smile. Faith, biting back a grin, said, “Yeah, Xander, you go kick Willy’s ass for us.”

“I don’t think that that’ll be necessary,” Giles began.

“You don’t think I can take Willy?” Xander squared up, raising his fists like a boxer and nearly knocking over his glass of milk. “I can take him! I’m tough—”

“We’re not disputing your manliness, Xander,” said Willow, giggling. “It’s just that Ms. Calendar marked off a lot of stuff about them already.”

“Yeah, I think you guys are overestimating my research,” said Ms. Calendar, setting her mug down to cross the room as well. Faith followed. “Most of that stuff I marked off is vague, prophetic Watcher crap. No offense, honey,” she added to Giles.

“None taken,” said Giles.

“So I get to go intimidate Willy?” Xander asked hopefully.

Ms. Calendar and Giles exchanged a look. Then Giles said, “Take Faith with you.”

Xander punched the air in victory and really did knock over his milk. Giles and Ms. Calendar let out identical shrieks and dived for the research, nearly upending the table in their haste to get it all out of the way. Most of the milk ended up landing on Cordelia, who (to everyone’s surprise) nodded resignedly, kissed Xander on the cheek, and said to Willow, “It really is just a hazard of dating him.”

Faith finished dinner and headed into her room to change. If she was going to some demon bar, she didn’t want to wear the extra-nice sweater, no matter how good it looked with her leather jacket. But just as she was taking off her shirt, the door opened, and then she heard Buffy gasp, “Oh, oh no, oh my gosh I should have knocked—”

“Easy, B,” said Faith, pulling off the sweater and beginning to fold it as she turned around. “We’ve both been in a girls’ locker room before. Shut the door, will ya?”

Buffy obliged, but she did it without looking away from Faith. Specifically, without looking away from Faith’s bra. “That’s a nice bra,” she said in a squeaky voice. “Is it a push-up bra?”

“Have you been in a girls’ locker room before?” said Faith, bewildered. “Didn’t peg you for the type to get all freaked by a chick without her shirt on. Maybe if I wasn’t wearing a bra—”

“So anyway,” said Buffy very loudly, “I, uh, I just wanted to make sure you knew that the rest of us are gonna be pulling an all-nighter seeing how we can stop the First. Giles and Ms. Calendar both say that I’ve gotta beat up the Bringers, but they want to make sure the Bringers don’t have any secret strengths or anything, and, and are you going to put a shirt on?”

“You were talking to me, remember?” Faith reminded her, amused, then hesitated. Going to a demon bar was okay enough, but pulling an all-nighter with the rest of the Scoobies actually sounded a lot more her speed. “Hey,” she said. “Would it be okay if we swapped Slayer jobs? I haven’t really been feeling the whole seedy-bar thing lately.”

Buffy blinked, surprised. “Okay,” she said. “Research duty can be kind of boring, though.”

“Eh,” said Faith, smiling a little awkwardly. Research was boring. Spending time with a whole bunch of people in a warm house more than made up for that. “I’ll manage. Plus, you seem like you could do with some info-finding that’s a little more solid than books right now.”

Buffy nodded, smiling back. She looked a little sad. “Kinda, yeah,” she said. “All this stuff with Angel is really hard to deal with when I don’t know how to stop it. And if he’s enough of a danger to hurt Ms. Calendar—” Her smile faded and she looked down.

“Easy, B,” said Faith again, softer and less playful, and she crossed the room to place a hand on Buffy’s shoulder.

Buffy stilled at her touch, looking up. There was a quiet, nervous look on her face. “You’re still not wearing a shirt,” she said in a small voice.

“That a turn-off for you?” teased Faith lightly.

“Kinda the opposite,” said Buffy. Before Faith could completely process what had just happened, Buffy turned bright red, then said very fast, “Okay I gotta go help Xander with the demon thing see you later bye!” and bolted, leaving the door wide open as she ran.

Faith pulled her sweater back over her head, still staring. She thought about Buffy staring at her bra, and Buffy holding her hand, and all the weird, awkward moments that Faith had chalked up to a curious straight girl, and then she thought about how Buffy’s brand of “curious straight girl” really seemed one hell of a lot more like “bi girl in denial.”

“Huh,” she said, and tried to stop grinning. She had a feeling Jen would pick up on the cause of her stupid, unstoppable smile.

It was about one in the morning when an extremely frustrated Buffy called them from a pay phone. “All I got out of Willy was that they’re underground,” she said. “Which really, really isn’t a lot to go on. Any luck on your end?”

“Unfortunately not,” said Giles ruefully. “We’ve found bits and pieces of information about the Bringers themselves, but not quite as much about where they might be located. We’ll keep you posted, but for now—take the night off. Get some rest.”

“Will do,” Buffy agreed, sounding a little disheartened. “You too.”

Giles hung up. “Buffy says they’re underground,” he informed the group. Willow had already fallen asleep on the sofa, and Cordelia and Xander were snuggled on the floor, but Jenny, Oz, and Faith all gave him varying nods of response without looking up from their own books. “Is there anything that any of you have found in Jenny’s notes?”

“Not a lot,” said Faith. “Most of it is just dumb poetic shit. Like—” She put on an affected, Shakespearean accent, “For they are the Harbingers of death. Nothing shall grow above or below them. No seed shall flower—”

“Hold on,” said Xander, pulling himself up and off the floor to rub at his eyes. Cordelia made an indignant noise. “Ms. Calendar, remember when we went down to check out discount Christmas trees at, like, the one lot in town, and there were a bunch of dead ones that the guy was selling off for next to nothing? He said they’d just up and died in early December and he didn’t know why—”

“I remember that lot!” Jenny snapped her fingers, pointing at Xander. “We were gonna surprise everyone with a Christmas tree, but all of them were either dead or expensive so we just gave up and went home!”

“Nothing shall grow above,” said Faith significantly.

“Or below,” Jenny finished, then stood up. “Let’s go get some Bringers.”

#fic #the braveryverse #imperfections #gotta uh. officially change the tags on ao3 from ''faith & buffy'' to ''faith/buffy''

[mermaidxatxheart]

Some Rules are Never Meant to be Broken Part II

Part I

Pairing: Paramedic!Bucky X Reader

Rating: Mature

Genre: Greek/Roman Gods AU, Drama and maybe some Mystery

Warnings: PTSD, Heavy flirting and still a lot of fluff, and some emotional therapy.

Word Count: 9,041 not nearly as long as part one

Summary: Reader is a Muse living life as a tour guide at a museum. Bucky is struggling with returning home from war and adjusting to civilian life. He used to be a paramedic and now works security, but what he really misses from his pre-war life is his ability to draw. Cue the reader, determined to do her job and get him back to a point where he can do what he loves most. But, spending that much time with anyone always leads to romantic feelings, which is against her laws. Will she be able to resist Bucky long enough to help him and not get her in serious trouble?

You’re unable to say anything for a second, trying to be quick about collecting your thoughts. 

“Back for good?” you ask finally. He looks over at you with a small shrug. 

 “At least for a while. Hopefully, I won’t have to see her much,” he says. You look around the space. You need a distraction from picturing him with the gorgeous redhead. 

 His apartment is spacious with off-white walls and linoleum covering the floor. It’s an open floor plan, no real distinction between what’s living room and what’s kitchen. The entire space feels very industrial, but you can’t put your finger on why. There’s a small dining table, two chairs like yours. A workbench is centered behind the couch, bolted to the floor. It was spotless, though. Not a tool left on it. A metal cabinet was on the far wall, locked shut. A door was shut to the left, his bedroom you assume, since the washer and dryer were in cubbyholes in the kitchen. 

 “You lied to me,” you tell him suddenly. 

 He looks up at you in surprise, his mouth tugging down at the corners. “About what?” he asks, handing you a glass of wine. 

 “You said your apartment was barely functional.” You gesture around the space. “Look, you have some pictures on the walls, a TV, books. I was expecting a sleeping bag on the floor.” 

 He shakes his head, cracking a smile. “It just used to have more stuff in it, is all, and I don’t really like the décor. I just never got around to changing it to my style after Nat left.” 

 “Oh.” you watch him walk back to the island, his back to you. The definition of his muscles is clear even through the fabric of his shirt and you can’t help but stare. 

 “Did you have a good day off? You were supposed to see one of your sisters, right?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder. You blink out of your reverie about his ridiculously good physique to answer. 

 “I think I’d rather spend my next day off with you instead,” you tell him, getting up and moving over to the island. He looks up at you. 

 “That bad?”

 You shrug, leaning over and resting your elbows on the block wood counter. “They think they know everything. It’s frustrating to always be talked down to.” your fingers trace patterns in the wood. 

 “I can understand that. They don’t like you spending time with me.” he guesses. 

 You snort derisively. “They don’t like me spending time with anyone. Our... we have this.... you see, um...” you shake your head. “Let’s just say it’s complicated and leave it at that. They just think that because they’re older it makes them smarter.”

 He watches you for a second and you think you’ve cornered yourself. He’s going to ask why you got so nervous all of a sudden and then he’s going to find out about Crossbones and that’s definitely something that would not help you do your job. But he just tilts his head with a half shrug. “That’s definitely not always true.” 

 You’re anxious to change the subject now. You don’t want to talk about Callie anymore, or your family or your unfortunate situation. “Your ex, she called you Bucky.” you start, tilting your head up to look at him. 

 “A nickname Steve gave me. My middle name is Buchanan,” he explains. 

 “Does it bother you when people call you that?” you ask. 

 He places his metal hand over yours and you realize you had been twisting a napkin nervously. “No, it doesn’t.”

 “So why introduce yourself as James to me?”

 He shrugs and you twist your hand in his, your delicate fingers tracing his cold metal ones. “I have no idea. It just came out. As does most everything else when I’m talking to you.”

 There’s silence for a while as you follow the plate lines on his hand. “How was your day?” you ask. 

 He groans. “Probably just as good as yours.” 

 “Tony still not have anything new?” you ask. 

 He shakes his head, closing his eyes. “And I got into an argument with him about it.” 

 “When he does an update, does he replace the mechanisms inside?” you ask; an idea starting to form. 

 “Sometimes, or the computer chips.” he looks down at you. “Why?”

 “How does he get inside? I don’t see any releases.” You turn his hand over, your fingers trailing up the inside of his forearm. 

 He presses his lips together, reaching over with his right hand. His nails catch on something and a few of the plates pop open like a hatch, revealing the mechanics inside. 

 Having always been fascinated with the advancement of machinery, you had taken its inventors under your flag of a muse. Your sisters claimed medicine advances or something more glamorous. 

 James- Bucky’s arm dominates your attention. You tilt his arm this way and that to see inside better. You lift a finger to nudge aside some wires before pausing. “May I?” you ask, finally looking back up at him. 

 He’s staring at you, his handsome face impossible to read. He nods mutely and you explore a little more, forgetting about etiquette and not being too invasive. 

 “Have you ever taken it apart?” you ask, lifting it to eye level to peer inside further. 

 His voice is uneven when he answers. “Why would I do that?”

 “Well, it’s not completely sealed, which means dust and skin particles can get inside.” 

 He quickly pulls his arm back out of your grasp and snaps the plates closed in one fluid movement. Your hands are left hanging in midair, supporting nothing. He turns his back on you, walking a few feet away and holding his arm to his chest. 

 “Sorry,” you mumble, face heating and feeling foolish. You aren’t sure exactly what set it off. Maybe the digging around inside his arm, maybe talking so casually about it, maybe all of the above. You sit absolutely still, unsure if you should leave and give him space; or just wait and give him some time to calm down. 

 “Okay. I’m sorry,” he says as he turns back around. 

 “I can leave if you need more space.” you offer quietly. 

 “No, please-I’m okay now.” he takes a step back towards you. 

 “Was I too-“ you trail off, unsure of your words. 

 “I did mention I wasn’t completely comfortable with it yet, right?” he chuckles awkwardly. 

 “I should have thought about that.” you sigh. 

 “Y/N, I’m just... you’re so...” he shakes his head. 

 “Infuriating? Dense?”

 “Unreal,” he says finally. 

 “Unreal,” you repeat flatly. That feels like even less of a compliment that infuriating. 

 “You look so mad.” he cracks a smile. 

 “Unreal. How-...” you clear your throat, trying again. “In what way am I unreal?”

 “Everyone, for as long as I’ve had this useless thing, everyone has avoided me, avoided it. Avoided talking about it, looking at it, probably even thinking about it. And then here you come, impossibly open to this horror freak show. So accepting and you just don’t care. Everyone is afraid to say the wrong thing, afraid to upset me. And you just.... dive right in. Do you know, the first twenty times Tony had to open the hatches, he stammered and stuttered his way around it, never even actually saying the words? He couldn’t look me in the eyes. He can’t look at me while he’s working on it, or he can’t look at the arm while he’s talking to me. Steve, god, he tries. He tries to be a good friend but it’s just as much of an adjustment for him and he’s trying not to say the wrong thing; to not remind me of what happened.” he rants, pacing around the kitchen, almost as if he forgets you’re even there. 

 “But you, you don’t pussyfoot around it. You’re all like ‘oh, you have a metal arm? Awesome. You could accidentally kill me with it? Great, let’s do dinner. It opens?! Let me poke around inside.’ Your attitude is so unfamiliar, unsettling, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.” he stops in front you, his beautiful blue eyes finally landing on you. “What are you?” 

 You freeze inside, scrambling to maintain a calm exterior. You feel like the rug has just been yanked out from under you. Then, your mind catches up with your guilty conscience and you realize it was a flippant comment. He doesn’t actually suspect you’re anything but human. 

 “A goddess, remember? You said so yourself not so long ago.” you remind him, gesturing towards the front door. 

 His face melts into a smile, crinkling at the corners of his eyes and he covers his face with both of his hands for a minute, taking a deep breath. 

 “Also, that’s the most I’ve heard you say at once in the entire two weeks I’ve known you.” you comment, setting down your wine glass. 

 “It just... happened,” he mumbles from behind his hands. It should happen more often; his voice is dangerously appealing to you. 

 “Maybe,” you start slowly, taking his wrists. “It’s just a part of you. Maybe I don’t need to separate you from your arm. I didn’t know you before you lost it, so this, to me, is just who you are. And why wouldn’t I accept you this way? And, maybe, if I’m being completely honest, the intricacies of the mechanics and computers inside intrigue me.” you admit as he lowers his hands. “I’ve spent some time in war-torn countries before and amputees are more than the sum of their parts. You’re more than your arm, James,” you say gently. 

 His eyes find yours and he leans forward an inch, two inches, his head tilts towards yours and it pulls you in like a magnet. You find yourself rising up on your tiptoes, caught in the force of him. Your skin burns hot and suddenly, he’s gone, pulled back as his hand digs in his pocket. His wide eyes search yours apologetically as he pulls out his phone. You shiver slightly at the absence of his body heat.

 “Steve, this better be good,” he grumbles. 

 You back into the counter as he turns and steps into the living room, speaking quietly into the mobile. Your heart is racing in your chest and you press a hand to your skin, feeling the thump-thump of it. Calliope’s face swims in front of your vision, her beautiful face smug in a classic ‘I-told-you-so’ fashion. 

 “Shut up.” you mutter, squeezing your eyes shut, forcing her away. 

 “What was that?” he asks, coming back into the kitchen. 

 “Nothing. Is everything alright?” you ask as he stuffs his phone back into his jeans pocket. 

 “Yes... No... Steve needs my help with something. I’ve told him I’m busy,” he starts, dropping his gaze. 

 “What does he need help with?” You ask. 

 “A design for one of his biggest clients.” he sighs. “I can walk you home. Knowing him, it will take a while.”

 “Can I not come with you?” you ask in confusion. 

 His head whips around. “You actually want to?”

 “I would get to spend more time with you, right?”

 “Ye-es.” he draws out the word, taking the question out of the tail end.

 “Then I’m going. Besides, I want to meet your friend,” you say, walking towards the front door to get your coat. “We can do dinner after.”

 “Oh, shit.” he lunges towards the oven and turns it off. “I would have left that on.” he shakes his head before following you over to the door. He pulls his boots on before slipping his arms into his leather jacket. 

 Once outside, he hails a cab, opening the door for you. You slide in first, getting settled as he ducks in. You’re almost surprised that his big frame even fits. He gives the cabby the address and sits back. Confined in such a small space this close to him, you can feel a tension rolling off him that you hadn’t noticed before. Wanting, needing to be even closer to him, you slip your hand into his warm one and lean against his shoulder. You can feel him glance down at you, but he doesn’t pull away. 

 “You were going to ask me something,” he says suddenly. 

 You frown, trying to recall everything you’ve said since entering his apartment. “I was?”

 “Before, when that... guy showed up at your place.” he reminds you. 

 “Oh! Yeah. The museum is having a gala for the opening of a new exhibit next week. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.”

 “As your date?” he asks after a minute. 

 “No, as my butler. Of course, as my date. I already see you every night, anyway. It won’t be too terrible.” 

 He snorts and you feel him hesitate. “You sure you don’t want to ask anyone else?”

 “James, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” you say. 

 He stays quiet for a minute, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of your hand absently. “No, I’ll go,” he answers, his voice steady, sure.

 Your smile hurts your face as you kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

 The cab stops in front of a building, but as you get out you realize it’s not the SHIELD offices, but another apartment building. 

 “So, when you said we were going to see Steve, for some reason I assumed it would not be at his house.” you chuckle, slipping your hand back into his. He grins down at you and leads you inside, pressing the code to get into the door. He crosses the marble lobby to the bank of elevators and pushes the up button. Inside is quiet, eerily still as the doors closed. 

 “I’m getting a horror movie vibe, here,” you tell him and he laughs, bumping your shoulder gently with his own. 

 “Don’t worry. Steve is probably the nicest guy I know. I would even go so far as to say too nice.” The doors open with a quiet ding and he leads you down a hall before knocking on a door. You tuck behind him slightly as the door opens. A man is on the other side, just as tall, just as wide, just as rock solid muscular. 

 “Thank god you’re here, I’m drowning.” the man starts before turning back into his apartment. 

 Bucky turns to look at you before gesturing you to go in first. His hand on your lower back guides you in and he shuts the door behind you both. 

 “I’m really sorry to pull you out of your hot date, Buck. I hope she wasn’t too mad at you.” Steve turns around, his eyes immediately landing on you. 

 “She wasn’t.” Bucky smiles, helping you out of your coat, although he did look slightly embarrassed.

 “Hot date, huh?” you tease, watching as he shrugs out of his own jacket. 

 “Uh, sorry, Buck.” he turns to you. “I’m Steve Rogers. It’s nice to finally meet you,” he says, holding out his hand. 

 You shake it firmly with a smile. “I never would have guessed. I’m Y/N.”

 “What are you stuck on, Steve?” Bucky asks and Steve gestures for him to follow. They head over to a large art desk with pages spread all over it. You watch them curiously, seeing a little bit different side to James, more animated, slightly more at ease. 

 Steve, on the other hand, is wound tight like a coil. It’s painfully visible under the blue shirt that is almost the exact same shade as his sky-blue eyes. You’re beginning to think that the two men only buy their shirts in extra small, one wrong move and they were going to rip right off. There have to be bigger shirts out there. The contrast between his broad shoulders and his narrow hips is almost comical. He looks like an upside-down Dorito. His short blond hair is a mess as if he’s run his hands through it a thousand times distractedly. 

 “Sorry to interrupt your date, Y/N. Do you want to order food for here?” Steve offers, pulling you out of your thoughts. 

 You glance at Bucky, trying to judge his reaction. “If James wants to order, that’s fine with me. And if he wants to wait until after like he planned originally, that’s fine with me, as well,” you tell them, getting off the couch and walking over to them. You rest your hand on Bucky’s lower back, leaning to peer over the papers they had been staring at. 

 “We can order in,” Bucky says, glancing down at you. 

 “That’s fine.” you agree, tracing the square footage on one of the dimension lines. It takes you a second to convert the numbers in your head, but you’re floored when you realize how big this building is going to be. 

 “Is this a house for someone?” you ask, looking up at Steve. 

 “Yeah. We designed his office space two years ago and now he’s redoing his home. He asked for me specifically, but it’s freaking me out a little. He gave dimensions for the outside, three stories tall.” Steve shakes his head with a small sigh. “I’m worried I may have bitten off more than I can chew,” he says with a glance at his friend. 

 “To be honest, Steve, I don’t really know why you called me, other than the fact that we’re best friends. I’m not a designer or an architect.” Bucky says apologetically. 

 “But you’re an artist.” Steve starts. 

 “Not anymore.”

 Steve’s face colors red and he drops his gaze. 

 “I can help.” you offer. “Do you have a pencil and big paper?” 

 “Yeah. I’ll be right back.” Steve rushes off to one of the closed rooms and Bucky turns to you. 

 “You don’t have to.”

 “He’s your friend and he’s stressed out. I want to help,” you tell him, your fingertips pressing to his forearm, letting the inspiration flow into him. Not too much to drive him crazy without being able to do anything about it, but enough that he could come up with ideas to help his friend. It was a fine line, a useful skill you had learned a long time ago. “It will be fun.” 

 He links his fingers with yours as a small sigh escapes his lips. “Alright.” he holds the backs of your fingers to his mouth for a second until Steve comes back. 

 “Alright, what do you have in mind?” he asks, handing a stack of papers, a pencil, eraser and colored pencils to you. You sit in front of the desk and prop the papers up to draw more easily. 

 “What do you know about them?” you ask Steve, sketching the dimensions of the kitchen first. 

 “He and his wife travel a lot. They love the Mediterranean. They have a ton of pictures of them in Greece and Italy. Um... they love to cook. They have a daughter, she’s getting married. The wife loves to sculpt and garden. He likes golf and soccer... I don’t know what you’re really looking for.” he says with a shrug of his shoulders. 

 “No, that’s perfect. Big kitchen, lots of counter space, storage and a Butler’s Pantry, I think.” you muse, sketching out the stove, the oven, and the fridge. You add details to the sketch like black splash subway tiles behind the stove in traditional blue and white Greek colors. Towards the bottom of the sketch, front perspective is a large island with a vegetable sink.

 “What if you put small columns on the bottom of the island on either side of shelf space, like at the Parthenon?” Bucky suggests, leaning over your shoulder and pointing to it. His breath tickles your ear but you nod, sketching the columns, getting the exact shape of them perfectly. You label the proportions in a small font based on the bigger size of the room. 

 You slide the page over to Steve while you start on the next wall of the kitchen with the sink and the fridge. You sketch a farm sink with an arched bay window that looks out over the backyard, lots of counter space and a hidden fridge. 

 The next sketch is the third wall, which contains the Butler Pantry, even more, counter space and extra storage for whatever. 

 The last wall of the kitchen is next and you draw out a half-wall with a half bar at the far end where the walls connect. 

 “What about an archway, like the Colosseum?” Bucky suggests, pointing to the end of the half-wall. 

 “That’s perfect.” you look over your shoulder at him, grinning. You sketch out the column, supporting a brick archway on both sides. You draw a countertop, with the tops of bar chairs visible on the other side for a breakfast bar. 

 “You’re seriously good at this,” Steve says, studying your sketches.

 “Eh, it’s all your information and I really like Bucky’s idea of the columns and arches. It’s something you can incorporate throughout the place without it being cheesy,” you say; as if Greek or Roman aesthetics could ever be considered cheesy. 

 “What did you want to order, Y/N?” Steve offers. You glance up at him as you start to frame the living room. 

 “Whatever you two want is fine. I’m not picky,” you say, turning back. 

 You sketch out the living room while they order the food. You make it nice and bright and homey, with Roman blinds and a lovely reading cove on a beautiful window bench. You keep with Bucky’s theme of columns separating the front hall from the living room and archways between every column. 

 You’re actually grateful for the break when the food gets there because your hand is starting to cramp. 

 “I’ve got water, beer, milk, soda.” Steve lists off, glancing at you. 

 “I’ll take a beer, it’s fine,” you say, moving over to the couch, sitting at the end and leaving space for the two friends to sit together. 

 Dinner is immensely enjoyable. You find out that Bucky and Steve have been best friends since early childhood, nearly inseparable. 

 “I never would have guessed you were from Brooklyn,” you tell Bucky and he chuckles. 

 “So, Y/N, what are you doing tomorrow? Any chance I can harangue you into doing some more designs?” Steve asks. 

 “So, I have two lectures tomorrow, but you’re more than welcome to stop and you’re more than welcome to harangue me after.” you chuckle. 

 “Sounds fair.”

 “That will give me time to come up with more ideas.”

 It’s late by the time Bucky insists you leave, mostly after a particularly embarrassing story about him that Steve was telling. 

 Your face is flushed from laughing and having a good time as he leads you outside. You slip your hand into his ever-cool metal one and lift it to your cheeks. He watches you for a long moment as you close your eyes. 

 “You feel like you’re burning up,” he comments quietly. 

 “I’m alright, it just feels nice,” you tell him, before allowing your hands to slip back to your sides, still intertwined. “Are we going back to your place?” you look up at him curiously. 

 “It’s already pretty late, didn’t you say you have a lecture in the morning?” he replies, his mouth pulling down in the corners. 

 “Already trying to get rid of me? Doesn’t bode well for us.” you say with a laugh, pushing your sister’s face out of your mind. He gives a small laugh while closing his eyes. 

 “I’m not trying to get rid of you, I just don’t want you to be exhausted for tomorrow.” 

 “I guess that’s an acceptable answer. As long as you walk me home.” you counter and he grins. 

 “What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t do that?” 

 The walk home would be long, but as long as you get to spend more time with Bucky, it’s worth it. 

 “I had fun meeting Steve tonight, I’m glad we went over,” you say, slipping to his right side and pulling his arm around your shoulders, linking your fingers together. 

 “I’m not so sure I’m glad about it, what with him spilling all my terrible stories.” he laughs. 

 “Are you kidding? Those were the best parts.” A tingle crawls up the back of your neck and you turn to look around. The streets are empty, a few cars parked next to the curbs but, not a soul around. And yet, you still have the feeling of being watched. Maybe it’s someone inside their apartment, curious as to who is out so late. 

 “What is it?” he asks instantly, following your gaze. He squints, trying to see into the shadows. 

 “Nothing. I’m just not used to being out so late.” you shrug, not wanting to worry your soldier. He hesitates a second longer but apparently doesn’t see anything. He shifts his arm around you, pulling you closer against him, but the feeling is more protective now as if he’s trying to shield you. 

 You try to lighten the mood as you walk and it seems to work mostly. He walks you up to your apartment and you hesitate outside the door, fidgeting with the keys in your hand. 

 “Are you sure I can’t convince you to come inside and stay a while?” you ask, your hands falling to the sides of his shirt. He smiles slightly. 

 “I think it’s best if we call it a night for right now,” he says. 

 You blow out a sigh. “I suppose that’s fair.” You drop your gaze to the floor, trying to control the wistfulness you can feel on your face. 

 “What’s your lecture on tomorrow?” he asks. 

 “Art history in the medieval era.” you look back up at him. “I don’t suppose you’d like to sit in and listen? It’d be kind of boring, it’s not necessarily my favorite era of art.” 

 “I’d love to watch you bore students to death.” he grins and you laugh.

 “Great. I’ll leave a pass for you at the desk of Jefferson Hall,” you tell him. He watches you for a second, eyes searching yours before he leans down and kisses you. 

 His lips are impossibly soft against yours as heat spreads across your body and the air is pulled out of your lungs. His right hand cups your cheek, pulling you in closer as his tongue swipes across your bottom lip. Your lips part for him as you card your fingers through his long hair as you rise onto your tiptoes. His left hand grips at your waist, squeezing unintentionally hard. He pulls back, his eyes a little wild as he stares at you. You press a softer kiss to his lips with a smile. 

 “Goodnight, Bucky. I’ll see you tomorrow,” you say before turning and opening your door. Once it’s closed, you lean back against it, taking slow breaths. After a minute, you hear him walk away, your smile growing even wider. 

 What is wrong with you?

 You cross your apartment to look out the window facing the front of your building. You see him exit a minute later, pause in the street and look back up to your window. You wave and he smiles slightly, waving back. You turn back into your apartment, but something doesn’t feel right. You turn back to the window. 

 Bucky is walking away, but there’s something... odd. That tingle on the back of your neck is there again, like when Apollo is talking about you. But you don’t see anyone around. 

 “Stop being paranoid,” you tell yourself with a huff and turn back to your apartment to get ready for bed. 

 ***

 The lecture hall is dimmed for your slideshow. You can see maybe ten rows back, but the whole back of the theater is shadowed in darkness. Your students are diligently taking notes as you speak about the history of the pieces. 

 The back door opens and a person is silhouetted against the bright light from the hallway. They approach one of the back rows and you smile to yourself when you see that it’s Bucky. He takes a seat as you change the slide to a picture of a fresco. 

 “This fresco is titled The Effects of Good Government. It was in the City Hall of Siena in 1338 And was completed by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. It is one of six different scenes that are part of a bigger picture. Commissioned by the Council of Nine, the pieces Allegory of Good Government, Allegory or Bad Government, Effects of Bad Government in the City, Effects of Bad Government in the Country, Effects of Good Government in the City and Effects of Good Government in the Country are civic rather than religious. The purpose of so many pieces-“ you cut off as the door opens again and a chill goes up your spine. You squint to try and see who has come in, but they remain in the shadows and you can’t see anything. Bucky is frowning at you out of the corner of your eye, suddenly on alert. “The purpose of these pieces was to remind the Council of Nine what was at stake as they made their day to day decisions.”

 “Maybe somebody should hang those in the White House.” one of the boys laughed. Some of the other students chuckle appreciatively but quite a few remain silent. Politics is never a decent thing to bring up in polite conversation. 

 You change the slide to the next picture, a man with horns, tusks and squinty eyes. “This is the Tyrant in the Allegory of Bad Government.” You try to focus, but you’ve lost your train of thought now. “How about we all take a five-minute break,” you suggest, setting down your clicker. The student all break up into smaller groups and Bucky approaches the stage. 

 “You alright?” He asks as you sit on the edge, dangling your legs over.

 “Yeah, I’ve just lost my train of thought. I think you’re distracting me.” you tease. 

 “I didn’t think you could get distracted.” he chuckles. 

 “Oh, I get plenty distracted.” you return, your gaze dropping to his biceps. “Lots of ways for you to distract me.”

 “Who was it that came in after I did?” he asks curiously, his hands resting on your knees. 

 “I’m not sure, I couldn’t really see. I only knew you came in because you sat in the lighted part,” you tell him, your fingers tracing his hands. “It’s probably just another member of faculty sitting in. They do that sometimes.” you shrug. 

 He glances behind him at the students taking their seats again. “I think your five minutes of distraction is up,” he says with a smirk. 

 You groan and he helps you slide over the edge of the stage. He goes back to take his seat and you’re aware of eyes following him. The guys are intimidated and the girls are drooling. You can’t blame them either way. You take a deep breath, closing your eyes before you go back up there. 

 You are a 5,000-year-old goddess of the arts. You have inspired millions to greatness. You can give one lecture with a gorgeous man in the room. 

 Don’t be an idiot. 

 Bucky

She’s amazing. I never cared about history, let alone boring political art history, but I’m hanging on her every word. 

 After her lecture was over, I waited as the students filed out and she packed her laptop away. I could feel their eyes on me, but I pretended they weren’t there, as I usually did. 

 I’m not sure what changed in the atmosphere, but something was wrong. I looked around, glancing behind me. All I can see are students walking out to go to their next class. 

 “Stop being paranoid, Barnes,” I mutter to myself, pushing the feeling down. It’s not easy, to let go of being hyper-vigilant when you’re so used to it for five or six years. It becomes so ingrained in you that actually admitting you don’t need it anymore is almost as painful. But for Y/N’s sake, I need to move on. I had wanted to do it for Natasha, but I just wasn’t capable then. I think I’m ready now. 

 “Hey.” she appears in front of her, her perfume washing across my face as she pops up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. 

 “Ready?” I ask, taking her bags from her. 

 “Yeah, so my second lecture is canceled because they need this room for something else. So, I’m all yours for the rest of the day,” she says and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. 

 “Oh, scratch that. You’re Steve’s for the rest of the day. You did promise him more drawings.” I remind her. 

 “Oh, right. Well, we have time to go eat first, right? Just the two of us?” she asks, slipping her hand into mine and bumping into me. 

 “How am I supposed to even try to resist that?” I laugh. 

 “That’s kind of the point.” she grins. “How do you feel about pizza?” 

 “Like I could eat two by myself.”

 Her laugh is infectious as we exit the building. “Okay, I know this amazing place. It’s a bit of a walk, but it’s so worth it,” she promises. 

 “I’m fine. Probably better than you.” I tease, looking down at her heels. 

 “Listen, I walk five miles around the museum almost every day in these. I can handle a walk to get pizza. And if I can’t, then I guess you’ll just be carrying me the rest of the way.” 

 I laughed, tipping my head back. “I can handle that.” 

 “What about if I can’t make it? Who’s gonna carry me?” I ask and her head turns slowly towards me before she cracks up. “Will you? I’m very delicate, you know.”

 “I’ll call a cab.” 

 I feigned being hurt. “You wouldn’t carry me?”

 “What’s adorable is that you think I’m actually capable of carrying you. I don’t know if you’ve looked in a mirror lately, but you’re giant. Even if I were to carry you, your feet would still be touching the ground.” 

 I grin and drape my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer against me. “I suppose it’s the thought that counts.” Her arm snakes around my waist, holding herself tight against me as we walk. 

 “You’re in a good mood today,” she comments. 

 “Well, let’s review. I’m here with you, it’s beautiful outside, and I don’t have to deal with Stark poking me with pliers and wrenches and anything else he can reach. You’re a million times better company.” On an impulse, I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Why wouldn’t I be in a good mood?”

 “I’m glad I can help.” she smiles up at me and standing there, in the sun, her hair all lit up with the reds and golds from the light, I’m completely floored by how beautiful she is. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t noticed before, I’m traumatized, not dead, but there are little moments like this where she looks at me a certain way and I have a hard time pulling my eyes away. 

 “This is it.” she heads into a brick building and I follow her inside. It smells like hot clay, dough and melting cheese. My stomach rumbles a little less quietly than I would like and she laughs at me while my face heats.  “Looks like we made the right call to get food.”

 I look down at my torso, glowering. “Traitor,” I mutter and she lets out a peak of laughter. 

 “To be honest, my stomach has been doing that since this morning. I didn’t have time for breakfast.” There’s a strange look that flits across her face, unease maybe? 

 “Overslept?” I guess. She takes my hand again and we move closer to the counter to order.

 “I couldn’t sleep last night. Too many things in my head, I guess.” she tries to be subtle about looking up at me, but it just ended up giving her this flirtatious smoldering look. 

 God, she’s dangerous.

 “Was the kiss that bad?” I tease and she groans, leaning against me for a minute. 

 “That good actually. I almost called you to come back over and do it again.” 

 “I had the same problem. I guess that’s a good sign, though. Right?” We step up to the counter and realize we haven’t actually discussed food yet. “The sausage and mushroom sounds good,” I suggest. She nods to the guy behind the counter. 

 “A large please.” she reaches for her purse but remembers that I still have it. 

 I pull out my wallet and swipe my card before she can protest. “Go pick out a table.” I nudge her in that direction and she sticks her tongue out at me. I sign my receipt and follow her over. 

 “This blue looks perfect on you,” I say as I sit down across from her. It’s a bright lacy thing that sits lightly against her skin, showing off her toned arms. 

 She smiles widely up at me. “Thank you. I almost didn’t buy it, but I changed my mind at the last minute. Callie was trying to talk me out of it.” her face darkens for a second. 

 I squeeze her hand gently. “Well, good call not listening to her.” She turns her hand over on the table and holds mine. I feel something cold on her finger that I didn’t notice before. I move her hand to the top and notice a spiral ring shaped like an arrow that’s been wrapped around her middle finger. 

 “This is interesting,” I comment. 

 “In honor of a friend of mine,” she says and I suddenly feel guilty for bringing it up. 

 “Oh, I’m sorry. What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

 She laughs. “Nothing, he’s fine, but if I didn’t wear it, he’d be upset and then we’d have a real problem.” 

 I tried to control my features. She used the word friend, but bile coated my mouth as jealousy wormed its way into my stomach. I didn’t like that she was wearing jewelry for another man.

 “Bucky?”

 I look up at her and I have another compulsion to tell her the truth, like the other night when she asked so many questions. 

 “I’m... I don’t think I liked hearing that.” I say and her mouth tugs down at the corners. I instantly want to take it back. “I mean, I’m- “

 “Jealous?” The smile is back, reaching her eyes mischievously.

 “Yes.”

 “Is it bad that I really like that?” she ducks her face as our food is delivered. “I don’t get many opportunities to have someone be jealous over me.”

 “And now you’ve had it happen twice,” I say, pulling a slice onto a plate. The crust is hot and puffy, just the right amount of pull as it comes apart from the rest of the pizza. 

 “Twice?” she asks, pulling her own slice and blowing on her fingers.

 “When Rumlow showed up at your place. I really didn’t like it, and you were speaking so quietly. I thought maybe he was your boyfriend, or an ex, somebody who has a place in your life... in your heart. But then you were kicking him out and I loved watching his face as I shut the door in it.”

 She laughs quietly. “Rumlow is a jerk and will never have a place in my life, don’t worry about that. And as for my friend,” she holds up her hand, indicating the ring, “he’s just a friend, more like a brother if I’m being honest.” she raises her eyes to the ceiling for a second before whispering, “a bit insufferable.” 

 I grin and take a bite.

 ***

 Steve isn’t there when Bucky lets us in. 

 “Are you sure he won’t mind?” you ask as he sets your bags down. 

 “Positive. I can’t tell you the number of times he’s been lurking in my apartment when I’m not there.” he grins over at you. 

 “That’s not creepy or anything.” you laugh, taking a seat at the art bench again. You pull your already completed sketches towards you, capturing the feeling of the rooms again. 

 “See any more paper laying around?” you ask. 

 “Hold on. I know where he keeps it.” Bucky disappears as you study the blueprints a little more. You need to make sure you have the dimensions correct. He comes back out and sets several sheets in front of you. “See? I know things.” he presses a kiss to the top of your head and heads for the kitchen. “Want something to drink?”

 “I’ll take some ice water,” you reply, sketching out the walls for the rooms left. 

 By the time Steve walks in, you’re almost done. You can hear him toss his keys into the metal bowl by the front door and kick off his boots. Bucky is stretched out on the couch, arm flung over his eyes, exhausted from watching you draw for the first twenty minutes. 

 “How’s it going?” Steve asks, walking over to you. If he’s surprised to see you there, he’s good at hiding it. He drapes his right arm casually around your shoulders, pulling the sketches towards him with the left. 

 A little bubble of something floats in your chest at his actions. Appreciation, maybe? You’re not entirely sure, but you really like the way he seems to have accepted you in Bucky’s life so easily. He could have been wary of you, warning you to treat his best friend only the best way possible, he could have been rude to you since he probably knows Bucky’s ex. Instead, he welcomes you like he’s known you his whole life. 

 “Wow, you’re almost done.” he muses, lining the frames up. 

 “Do you like them?” you ask, looking up at them. 

 “They’re great. My client is going to love these. I better watch out, you’ll be taking my job soon.” he grins. 

 “Nah. Unless you have any more clients that are really into Greek and Roman revival.” you laugh. 

 “Bucky mentioned you’re from Greece.” Steve nods. “How long had sleeping beauty been asleep over there?” he jerks his head towards the couch. 

 “About two hours?” you guess, rubbing your wrists. You didn’t realize how stiff they had become. 

 “I’m not asleep,” Bucky mumbles from the couch and you laugh loudly.

 “I’m sorry, was that not snoring I heard a little while ago?”

 “Must have been from you because I’ve been listening to you talk to yourself this whole time. Couldn’t catch a wink if I tried.” 

 Your eyes get wide and you look up at Steve. He’s trying desperately not to laugh. “He’s in a mood today,” you explain, sticking your tongue out at the back of the couch. 

 “Be nice to her, Buck, she’s doing me a huge favor,” Steve says once he can control his face again. 

 “I’m always nice to her.” he hooks his hand over the back of the couch and pulls himself up. “Aren’t I?”

 “A perfect gentleman.” you answer deadpanned. Steve snorts and heads for the kitchen. 

 “I’m sure he is. Come on, Señor Simpático. You can help me make dinner.” he claps Bucky on the shoulder as he walks past. 

 “This should be a disaster.” Bucky winks at you and hauls himself to his feet, following his friend. 

 Bucky

“You were totally sleeping.” Steve laughs as he starts pulling things out of the fridge. 

 “And risk freaking out on her? No way. It was hard not to, though. I had to keep pinching my arm.”

 “That tired?” he asks, looking at me with concern. 

 “That comfortable. Being around her is too easy.”

 “Leave it to you to find something too easy. Bucky, come on. She might be more understanding than you give her credit for.”

 “Natasha wasn’t. And she knew me for years beforehand.” I sigh. 

 “That girl in there is not Nat.” he looks at me, a guilty expression on his face. “She was at SHIELD today,” he says and I hang my head. 

 “I know. She was waiting outside my apartment yesterday to talk to me about it. They’ve hired her temporarily.” 

 “Does Y/N know?”

 “Yeah. She showed up while we were... communicating.” I roll my eyes and lean against the counter. 

 “What does she think about it?” 

 “I swear, you’re like a 15-year-old girl at a sleepover, always looking for gossip.” 

 “Just answer the question, jerk,” he mutters. 

 “I don’t know. She seems okay. Hasn’t really acted any different.” I look down at what he’s doing. “Why are you making so much food?” 

 “Well,” he starts and I groan. “Please tell me it’s not Sam.”

 “Would you rather I invite Tony over?” he fires back and I cross my arms over my chest. 

 “What about Lang? He’s always good for a laugh.”

 “Scott? I’m not sure I want a known thief knowing where I live.”

 I scoff. “If he really wanted to steal all of the stuff you don’t have, he could easily find out where you live. Besides, he’s reformed... mostly.”

 “Boy, she’s right, you are in a mood tonight.” he looks at me. “It’s Sam. And you two are going to behave tonight and be civil.”

 “I will if he will,” I mutter and Steve gives me a look. “Yes, mom.”

 “Get out of here.” he sighs. 

 I walk back in to see her rolling her neck from side to side. “Everything okay?” 

 “My neck is stiff from sitting in one spot for so long,” she says, rubbing it. 

 “Here.” I moved over behind her, scooping her hair off the back of her neck. There was a mark there, just at the base, almost faint like an old scar. Only it’s too pretty, not jagged enough to be an accident. “What’s this?” My fingers trace it lightly and her hand flies back to touch it. 

 “Oh, nothing. What were you going to do?” she asks, gathering all of her beautiful hair to the side. 

 I placed my hand gently on her shoulder and squeezed the muscles, beginning to massage them. They were tight, hard to move. She hung her head forward, a small noise escaping her mouth. 

 “Use your other hand, too. I feel lopsided.” she pats her left shoulder. 

 “Y/N, I can’t- I don’t want to hurt you.” I start. 

 “I’m tougher than I look.” she insists, reaching behind her and pulling my hand up to her shoulder. “Besides, if you act like you’re afraid of it all the time, you’ll never get used to it.” 

 I test my pressure with my thumb, pushing it into the fleshy part of her muscle. It’s like using a hand that’s asleep and numb to try and pick up needles. 

 “Mm.” she hums. “Go just a little bit more.” 

 I push slightly harder and she grips the edge of the art desk. 

 “Perfect,” she whispers. 

 I try to keep the pressure the same as I begin to move my hand, left first finding my rhythm before moving my right hand in sync with it. It takes a long minute, but her muscles become pliable under my hands, less like stone and more like putty. I drag my thumbs up the outside columns of her spine with the same amount of pressure and I can feel they’re just as stiff. I focus there for a minute and the muffled noise she makes almost makes me lose all control. 

 “Anybody want a refill?” Steve calls from the kitchen and I jerk my hands away. 

 “Yes, please,” she calls with a sigh and leans back against me. “You have magic hands.”

 I snort, rubbing my right hand down the side of her arm. “I don’t know about that. What are your muscles made of, anyway? It’s like I was touching a statue.” 

 A sort of hysterical laugh escapes her mouth. “Let’s just say it’s been a long time since anyone has done that for me.” she takes my hand in hers, pressing the back of it to her mouth. Her lips are warm against my skin, so soft and silky. “Thank you for doing that.”

 A knock sounds at the door and Steve comes in to answer it. “Hey, Sam. Right on time.” he steps back and lets Sam Wilson in. “Tired already, Y/N?” he comments as he turns back around. “Sam, his is Bucky’s new friend.”

 She gives a chuckle that I can feel in my chest. “Nice you meet you, Sam. Just comfortable, Steve. Do you need help with dinner?” she asks, sitting back up. I wanted to pull her back against me and never let go, the feeling of her touch is becoming addicting. 

 “I’d hate to pull you away, not that Buck would let me.” he laughs with a look at me. 

 I shrug. “I’m capable of letting go,” I say, completely unconvincingly. She laughs easily and stands up, stretching before following Steve into the kitchen. 

 “So, what are we making?” she asks and Steve launches into an explanation. 

 ***

 “Thanks again for dinner, Steve. It was delicious,” you say, pressing a kiss to his cheek. 

 “It was the least I could do since you finished those designs for me two weeks ahead of schedule.” he laughs. “I don’t know how I’m going to explain it.”

 “Oh, that’s easy. You turn in one or two at a time so that it looks like you’re still working on them.” 

 He grins. “Night, Bucky. See you tomorrow.” They shake hands and the door shuts behind you as Bucky drapes his arm around your shoulders. 

 “Is it terrible that I don’t even want to go to work tomorrow? I’d rather just spend all day with you,” he mumbles as you walk. You tip your head up to look at him. “That scares the hell out of me.”

 “That you like a person more than work? Most people would call that normal, babe,” you tell him with a laugh, trying to make him feel better. 

 He looks down at you, a flash of surprise across his face and then he laughs. “Maybe. Maybe I just haven’t been normal in so long that normal is the new weird for me.” 

 “I think it’s high time we fix that, don’t you?” you wrap your arms around his waist and he hugs you to him. 

 “Definitely.” he opens the door to your apartment building for you, following you up to your floor. Not once does he let go of your hand, and no matter what you tell your sister, you know you’re in deep; and that spells trouble for you if anyone were to find out. 

 He lingers outside your door as you search for your keys in your purse. “You need a clip,” he says and you look up at him, confused. “For your keys, to hook them on the strap of your purse so they’re right there.  That way, you don’t have to stand outside your apartment like a lunatic.” he grins impishly. Your mouth slowly falls open in indignation. 

 “I am not a lunatic.” you nudge his rubs and he just grins wider. 

 “If you insist.” 

 You finally find your keys and he takes them out of your hand. “James.” you protest and he sighs slightly, eyes closing, but it certainly doesn’t strike you as annoyed or impatient. 

 “I never really liked going by James, but I’d be willing to make an exception if you’re the one saying it.” he takes a step closer and you roll your eyes. 

 “Again, with the cheesy pickup lines?”

 “Is it still a cheesy pickup line if it’s the truth?” Another step and you’re forced to take a step back or fall over.

 “I think so. That’s the whole reason they become cheesy in the first place, isn’t it?”

 “So, telling the truth is cheesy?” One more step and you’re pressing into your door. Suddenly your shirt feels too tight and the hallway is too small and he’s so big. He smells so good, like soft cologne and bread baking and outside. The smell of him swirls around your head, making you dizzy. And he looks so perfect, just standing there, holding your keys to your apartment, towering over you and suddenly you just want his mouth on yours. But you want him to make the first move, to take the lead. 

 As he stands there, slowly driving you insane, you swear he knows what he’s doing to you. Your heart is pounding and your skin is so hot. He better kiss you soon or you’re going to lose the little self-control you have and it won’t be pretty or graceful. 

 “Goodnight, Y/N,” he says, handing your keys back to you, his mouth twitching at the corners. He turns, leaving you standing there with your mouth open, breathless and anxious. You wait it out for a full minute, thinking he was surely going to come back and kiss you goodnight, but he didn’t reappear at the top of the stairs. You ram your key into the lock and rush into your apartment. Yanking back the curtains, you look out into the street, seeing him grinning up at your window. You throw open the pane and stick your head out. 

 “You vlákas!” you shout and he cackles, taking a step back. 

 “Sweet dreams!” he calls with an infuriatingly attractive wink. You watch him walk away, both furious at him and wildly attracted to him. 

 Your eyes catch a movement across the street and you look over. There’s a man standing there in the alleyway, half hidden in the dark. You can’t make out much of his features, save that he’s looking straight at you, a smirk playing at his lips. You gasp and duck back inside, smacking your head on the wooden frame as you move. 

 “Styx!” you curse, rubbing the back of your head. You shut the window, pull the curtains closed and hurry to lock your front door. The man in the alley has unnerved you. 

 What’s worse is that when you closed your blinds, you were certain he was staring after Bucky. 

  Tags (open)

@everythingisoverrated @thefridgeismybestie @dsakita @part-time-patronus @i-dont-want-to-be-called @ellaenchanted91 

#writing #bucky barnes #bucky barns x reader #fanfic #some rules are never meant to be broken #marvel #part 2 #update

[spartanguard]

Charming and Henry have experienced being mermen, but will Snow get a chance to try being a mermaid with her son-in-law?

snow in the water (A Tall Tail: MerMay/June)

Ahh, what a great prompt! Snow trying a fin on for size is long overdue! This also kind of ran away from me, and takes place shortly after the events of the main story. | Rated PG, 5.5k

update: check out Jules amazing art! 

Only in Storybrooke could a moment turn from peaceful to petrifying at the drop of a hat.

Killian had been cleaning up on the deck of the Jolly Roger after a night spent below the sea with Emma, dressed only in jeans due to the summer humidity, and enjoying the calm of the morning. Emma had gone into the station early but he was due to meet her later.

As he was sweeping, a voice called out, “Permission to come aboard?”

He glanced up at the visitor, and smiled. “Of course, milady!” he replied, beckoning Snow to join him as he set the broom aside. “And what brings you to my humble abode this morning?”

“I was out for a walk when I saw you; just thought I’d come say hi, and maybe take a break so I don’t die of heatstroke.”

“An excellent plan, your Highness.”

“Killian—”

“You’ll never get me to stop.” She always protested when he used her official title, which was exactly why he did it. (And I suspect she’s at least somewhat amused by it.)

They made small talk for a bit until an ungodly screech came from the forest.

“Um, what was that?” she wondered aloud. It had sounded familiar, but Killian couldn’t place it.

More shrieks cried out, and the thunder of heavy wings flapping shortly followed. Then the first creature broke through the treeline. “Bloody hell, it can’t be.”

“Oh my god, it is.” Flying monkeys—a whole pack of them. And they were heading in their direction.

Frantically, Killian began searching for cover while Snow stared at the oncoming army in horror. But of course, there was none to be found on the ship’s deck, and I don’t trust that the winged beasts won’t follow us down the hatch. There was only one option, especially as it became more and more apparent that he and Snow were the targets.

The first creature reached the mast, landing on it and screaming bloody murder. Snow seemed frozen in place, staring at it, but Killian’s eyes fell on Emma’s enchanted bracelet, sitting on a barrel.

Another flying monkey landed on the mainsail, tearing jagged holes in it as he scrambled for purchase, and more were coming behind it.

“Snow!” he shouted. “We need to get underwater!” But she made no reaction to his command; she only stared at the oncoming assault, like a young sailor shellshocked by a first battle. There was no time for that, though.

Quickly, he grabbed the bracelet and jumped to her side in as few paces as possible. “Snow, put this on; we have to get under the surface—now.” She jolted out of her trance when he tugged her arm in the curve of his hook, then gaped for a moment when he put the enchanted jewelry in her hand.

As if clearing the fog from her mind, she shook her head, looked up, and nodded. “Okay.” She followed his lead in sitting on the railing, slipping the bracelet on while he pulled his cuff off, and then diving in without a backwards glance.

Immediately, he went as far down as he could, in case for some reason those monsters could swim. A glance back showed him that Snow was right on his tail, and thankfully no one else. He finally stopped when the murk of the harbor filtered the sun to just a hazy glow; Snow attempted to halt, but she was still unsure of how to work her new appendage, so he grabbed her to slow her down.

Both stared up at the surface with baited breath, waiting to see if their attackers had followed, but thankfully, nothing came.

“Good thing they can’t swim, too, eh?” he quipped, trying to lighten the mood, but Snow still seemed agitated.

“Where did they come from and why did they go after us?” she wondered aloud, still looking up. “And what are they going to do to the town?”

“Whatever it is,” he started, calmly, belying his own worried thoughts, “we’ll do what we always do: figure it out and defeat the foe. I once told your intrepid daughter this, but I believe the same applies to you: I’ve yet to see you fail.”

“Are you sure?” She was staring at him, clearly searching for affirmation; how odd to be the one giving Snow White hope.

“I’m positive, Snow.” She gave a tiny smile, but clearly needed some distraction. “Come on; let’s head to the cove and then get in touch with the others; it’ll be much clearer, and probably quieter, there.”

Wordlessly, she followed him as he slowly swam, giving her a bit of time to get used to the motion of having a fin; like the rest of her family, she picked it up quick. “That’s quite a fetching tail you have, milady,” he observed on the way.

“Oh, uh—thanks.” It was a pearly white, a few shades lighter than her pale skin, with darker gray and black splotches reminiscent of a koi fish. It was terribly unique and perfectly Snow. “It wasn’t what I was expecting, honestly.”

“No?” Perhaps she expected green, like her and Emma’s eyes? Or a dark, sleek color to match her hair?

“Well, this isn’t the first time I’ve had a tail. Ariel and I sort of…switched limbs for a hot second.”

“Ahh, I thought there was some history there.”

“It was only for a few minutes—I never even got in the water with it—but it was definitely her tail, looking back.”

“And which do you prefer?”

Snow finally gave him a genuine smile. “Mine. But don’t tell her!”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry; I won’t.”

They settled into the kelp beds once they got to the cove and Killian called up Emma on his shell phone, letting her know what had just happened in the harbor.

“Well, hopefully they don’t carry anyone away, because we’ve got a big problem in town. Zelena got out.”

“Bloody hell; what’s she doing?”

“Basically going on a rampage. She’s got Robin in a force choke and is screaming about how we ‘can’t take her baby away from her’.”

“The baby that she hasn’t had yet, and won’t have for several months?” Snow commented.

“Apparently,” Emma sighed.

Weeks ago, once everything had been squared away with Rumple, Emma and Regina had gone to retrieve Robin and Roland from New York after Regina fielded a call from “Marian,” who was really Zelena in disguise. And lo and behold, she was with child. She’d been locked up at the hospital ever since they got back.

“Emma, do you want us to come?” Snow asked.

“No; you’re better off where you are. Check back in a couple of hours.”

“Alright, love; stay safe.”

For a moment after saying goodbye, the two sat and looked around, neither one good with sitting idle while danger was afoot. “You’ve no intention of staying down here; do you, milady?”

“Hell no.”

He grinned. “Alright. Let me check to see if the surface is clear.”

When he broke through, the sky was empty save for a few gulls. He could hear the cries of the winged monkeys far off, though, and faint screaming from town. With his hand, he beckoned for Snow to come up; she’d followed him partway then let him do the reconnaissance.

A moment later, she popped up next to him and brushed her hair from her eyes, glancing at the sky. “Looks like we’re okay.”

He led her over to his rock and they both pulled themselves up on the ledge. Snow’s now-wet clothes clung to her, but at least she still had something; his jeans had definitely been lost. “I can see why you prefer to go shirtless,” she commented, tugging her soaked top away from her skin.

“It has its mobility perks,” he agreed. “Now what?”

“I guess I have to get pants on the way back into town,” she said with a shrug, starting to fiddle with the cuff. “Hopefully, I won’t—”

She was cut off by another high-pitched screech; the monkeys were back. “Oh, bloody hell,” he cursed, and they both slipped back into the ocean, but hovered just under the surface to watch. The monkeys began to circle overhead, but made no moves to dive down or attack like they had earlier.

“Well, they can’t get to us, but they definitely know we’re here,” he deduced. “Let me try something.” He popped his head out of the water, waiting to see if it earned any reaction from the beasts; curiously, it did not.

Again, he gestured for Snow to join, but this time, she’d barely broken the surface when the first monkey came swooping down, and she instinctively ducked back down below to get away from it. Calm returned when it was just him. He scowled to himself; it’s not hard to figure out what that means.

Back under, he quickly asked, “I know this is an odd request, but might I have your shirt? There’s a hypothesis I need to test.”

Unperturbed, she did as asked, stripping down to her black sports bra and handing the top to him. “What do you think’s going on?”

“Unfortunately, I think they’re only after one of us.” He resurfaced and tossed the shirt onto the rock; as expected, the monkeys swarmed it, latching onto Snow’s scent and proceeding to tear the garment to shreds.

He sighed as he submerged. “It seems, milady, that the simians have been sent after you.”

“Me? Why?” She was stunned.

“If Zelena is involved, who bloody knows. She likely has a vendetta against all of us for one reason or another.”

“But I haven’t done anything to her! If anything, she’s the one who’s—ohh,” she cut herself off, a look of realization taking over. “She thinks I’m going to do the same thing—that I’m going to take her baby.”

“A likely guess, milady.”

Heavy silence settled on them for a bit. “So now what do I do?” she wondered, voice small.

The captain in Killian knew there was only one thing for Snow to do. She won’t like this, though. Remorsefully, he told her, “I hate to say it, your Highness, but I think you’re going to have to stay down here for a bit.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

Don’t get her wrong: Snow loved spending time with her son-in-law. (Okay, it wasn’t official, but it may as well be; he was her daughter’s True Love, after all.)

And she had to admit, now that she’d actually gotten to try one out, there were definitely some perks to having a tail instead of legs and being able to breath both above and under water.

But I’ve done the hiding out thing enough for one lifetime. History had taught her that it was better to face a foe head-on than try to avoid it or run away; she’d learned her lesson there a few times.

She didn’t want to make anyone else a target, though, least of all her family. If lying low kept them safe, then she’d have to deal with it for a few days; hopefully, that’s all it will take.

She must have been visibly moping, because suddenly, Killian was in front of her. “Hey—like I said, we’ll figure this out; we always do. The important thing is keeping you and your family safe, and I’ve long since pledged to do just that.”

She gave a small smile; that was the second time today he’d been the one to bolster her—I guess we’re rubbing off on him. “Thank you, Killian.”

He nodded, blushing slightly, and continued. “I was planning on heading back up to see if I could be of any assistance, but I can stay here if you’d pref—”

“No, no—go ahead,” she cut him off. “I’ll be fine,” she said, feigning confidence—but she wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince more: him, or herself.

“Here.” He grabbed the shell that hung around his neck and pulled it over his head, offering it to her. “Take this so you can keep in touch.”

“Are you sure?” She knew how important that shell was to him; for a long time, that had been his main communicative link to Emma, and they obviously still used it often.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you might need it more than I over the next few days.”

She sighed; he was right. If there was a hit out for her, there was no telling when she’d be okay to resurface. “Thank you. And thank you for getting me down here safely in the first place,” she quickly added. “I barely made it the last time I tried that.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve jumped into the ocean to escape danger before?”

“Yeah, once. Off a cliff, too. Only survived because of Ariel, though.”

“Is that why she gave you her tail? To prevent more death-defying feats?” he teased, smirking.

“That was probably part of it,” she laughed back. “I can kind of see her point now.”

He chuckled with her, then said his goodbye, letting her know they’d be in touch soon. And he swam off in the direction of his ship, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Okay; now what exactly does a mermaid do?

For a bit, she just swam around, exploring; she’d never have guessed there was so much flora and fauna down here, nor that it was so varied. The murky, polluted harbor had given her a bad first impression, but the clearer cove was filled with grasses and plants, and all manner of fish and sea creature.

Late in the afternoon—well, she guessed, based on where the sun was—she was lying in one of the kelp beds, which she was surprised to find was as plush as Emma had told her it was. The silky fronds brushed against her skin and tail, which was still an odd sensation—that she had scales and not skin on part of her body. But she had to admit, lifting up her tail to admire it, that it was really beautiful, especially as the sun glinted off of it, even on the ocean floor.

She jumped when she heard a male voice breathe, “Wow.”

“David?” She sat up and looked to the side, and there he was, floating, with a tail too, and dropping the bag he was carrying (though it just kind of floated there). She’d seen his tail before, but she forgot how perfectly it fit him, with its striations of lighter and darker blue that perfectly complemented his eyes. Hello, gorgeous.

“Snow,” he said reverently. “You’re…you’re stunning.”

She had to shake herself from her own reverie to reply, and found she was blushing. “You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself,” she tossed back.

In a second, he was on top of her, kissing fiercely. She wrapped her tail around his to anchor herself as she got lost in his kiss and touch and damn, now I understand why Emma and Killian spend so many nights down here.

They finally broke to catch their breath, but didn’t let go of each other. And Snow’s brain finally caught up to her. “Wait—how are you here?” she wondered breathlessly.

“I’ve got Hook’s cuff.”

“Then where is he?”

“Um…in our bathtub.”

She snorted. “Oh, I bet he’s not a fan of that.”

“Actually…it was his idea. He and Emma are going to watch Neal tonight and try to figure out the Zelena situation, and suggested I take the cuff to be with you. Oh! That reminds me.” He reached for the Shell now hanging on Snow’s neck and spoke into it. “Emma? You there?”

A moment later, they got their reply. “Yup. Everything okay? Mom, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Snow answered. “What happened with Zelena?”

Emma’s sigh came through the shell. “We got close enough to try to slap one of the magic-blocking cuffs on her, but when she noticed, she just disappeared. We checked her old farmhouse but there were no signs of life there. So it’s quiet for now, but everyone is on alert.”

This is just like last time, she thought, remembering their first battle with the witch months ago. Trying to take the edge off the conversation, she quipped, “Leroy must be asleep, then; no way he’d stay silent when danger is brewing.”

“Actually,” Emma started, but David spoke over her.

“That’s the other thing…all the dwarves have gone missing.”

“What?” Where would they have gone? Are they hiding, too?

“Mom, how many monkeys were there?” Emma asked.

In the heat of the moment, Snow hadn’t really taken the time to count; but now that I think about it… “Seven,” she concluded sadly.

“That’s what I suspected,” Emma said unhappily.

“It makes sense that she’d use people familiar with you as her minions when you’re the target,” David added.

“So we can’t shoot our way out of this one, basically,” was what Emma got from it.

In the background, they heard Killian say, “Surely one or two won’t be missed.”

He received instant and simultaneous admonishment from Snow and Emma.

“Anyways,” Emma continued, “That’s where we are now. So unfortunately, you’ll have to lay low until we can either figure out how to switch the dwarves back, or stop Zelena altogether.”

It wasn’t what Snow wanted to hear, but she’d honestly been expecting it. “Yeah, sounds like it,” she agreed sadly.

“But don’t worry about it tonight, okay?” Emma was quick to assure. “Killian and I have everything taken care of here; so you and Dad just enjoy yourselves tonight.”

“Okay.” It was half-hearted. “How’s Neal?”

“Enjoying the novelty of taking a bath with a merman,” Emma laughed.

“Oh my god, take a picture! Take ten pictures!”

“I’ve probably taken twenty.”

“And you’ve been no help whatsoever!” Killian shouted. “Have you any idea how slippery an infant is?”

Well, that’s good practice for someday, Snow thought with a smile.

“Well, he looks pretty clean to mean. You did good, pirate,” Emma teased. “Alright, I’m gonna put him down now then get some salt in this tub. Talk to you guys in the morning!”

“Take care! Hug Neal for me!” Snow called, hoping she was heard over the ensuing giggles that faded out. “They’ll be okay, right?” she asked David.

“I think so.” He thought about it a bit more, then shrugged. “I hope so,” he corrected, and they shared a giggle.

She hummed and wrapped her arms around him again. “So…now what?”

“Well, I brought some food,” he started, nodding towards the bag he’d dropped, “so there’s that. Otherwise, the night is ours.” He pressed himself just a bit closer to her.

It’s been quite a while since we could say that. She tightened her tail around his and smiled—a sultry one she saved just for him. “I think I can handle that.”

The following morning, after a blissful night spent together, Charming checked the surface to see if the coast, quite literally, was clear. But he came back down, shaking his head. “They’re still there.”

“Dammit.”

“Maybe Hook was right; we wouldn’t miss one of them—”

She hit him in the chest. “David! Those are my friends! Think of all they’ve done for us.”

“I was just kidding,” he assured her, swimming out of her hitting range, but he still earned himself a sideways glare. I’m not sure I completely believe him.

“Well, I better get this back to its owner,” he continued, gesturing to his cuff.

Snow sighed sadly. “Yeah; he’s probably tired of the tub.”

David swam back to her, wrapping her in his arms. “Hey. We beat her once; we’ll figure it out again.”

“I know,” she answered, and she did. “I just hate feeling useless. Especially when I don’t have the excuse of pregnancy this time around.”

“You staying safe is the most important thing you can do right now.”

She huffed again; why does he have to be right? “I know. Give Neal a kiss for me?”

“Of course.”

It was the same thing for the next few days: David spent the night while Killian and Emma took care of Neal, and the days were mostly monotonous, exploring Storybrooke’s seafloor with the occasional visit from Killian (and Henry tagged along once).

She wasn’t out of the loop by any means—they let her know when anything happened. A few more people had gone missing, and the number of monkeys circling the cove had correspondingly increased. It looked like Zelena had ransacked the nursery Regina and Robin had started, but they didn’t see her do it; it was just safe to assume from the fact that everything was trashed and dyed green. But they’d come no closer to catching the witch, or figuring out how to reverse the monkey enchantment.

“I know we’ll figure this out; any minute now,” David assured her, but they were both losing confidence as the days went on. And dammit, I miss my babies.

Finally, several days into the debacle, Snow was just lounging around at lunch time, having exhausted any other options for the day, when Emma’s voice sounded from the shell.

“Mom! Mom? Are you there?”

“Emma? What is it?” She sat up in a flash, gripping the shell. What’s happening?!

“The monkeys are gone! We figured out how to switch them back. You can come up now!”

Snow grinned, but had to ask: “And what about Zelena?”

“Dad and Hook are cornering her now.”

“Oh, thank goodness.”

“I’m at the docks, if you want to come up; and I’ve got a change of clothes for you.”

“Give me two minutes.”

The muscles in Snow’s tail were burning with how hard she was working them, swimming faster than she had yet. Finally; I can be with my family and eat something that isn’t cold and wet!

The closer she got to the harbor, the cloudier the water got, until she was surrounded by dock posts and anchors, the Jolly Roger’s being the largest of them all. “Are you by the ship?” she asked, making sure she got the right one.

“Yeah,” came Emma’s happy reply.

Snow figured out which dock that was and then popped up at the end of it, greeted by her daughter’s smiling face kneeling at the edge. “Oh, Emma,” she started, just so overwhelmed after a week of being away. She reached up to cup her face. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” she replied, joining her hand with Snow’s and lightly squeezing it.

Snow was about to pull her hand back so she could pull herself onto the dock, but when she even flinched her hand, Emma’s grip tightened—painfully. “Emma? Is everything okay?”

Before she could reply, those familiar, awful screeches rang through the air: the monkeys were back. Going into mom mode, she cried out, “Emma! Let go of me and take cover!” while watching the beasts begin to circle overhead.

A voice that was definitely not Emma’s answered. “Now why on earth would I do that when I’m the one who called them?”

No. Dread filled Snow as she looked back in front of her: Zelena. The witch was grinning wickedly in her thin hospital scrubs and robe, an almost manic glee in her eyes to match her riotous, fiery hair. Right away, Snow began to tug her hand, trying to free it from the witch’s grasp, to no avail. “Where’s Emma?” she shouted.

Zelena ignored the question. “You honestly thought you could hide from me under the sea? A lesson you learned from your little mermaid friend, no doubt. Clever, I’ll give you that, but given that you’re trapped now, you’re probably going to regret that.”

A monkey swooped down, screaming, only missing Snow by inches. “Zelena, I don’t know what you think I’m going to do to you, but whatever it is, I’m not,” she told her, hoping that would call off the assault.

“Do you expect me to believe that? I know you’re in league with my sister! I saw the nursery! It had your awful design taste all over it!”

Snow bit her tongue; now is not the time to debate interior decorating. (And besides, that room was all Regina.) “I promise you, I want nothing to do with you or your baby; I’m busy enough with one!”

Another monkey dive-bombed them, but this one was shot out of the air with a jet of water. “Oy!” Killian called out from where he floated, several yards away. “You and your hellbeasts go back to where you came from!”

“Oh, I’d almost forgotten about this little development,” Zelena stated, much too happily, turning her attention to Killian. “How ironic that I once baited him with a mermaid and now he is one. But we can’t have any interruptions like that, now, can we?”

Killian looked like he was about hit Zelena with another blast but abruptly froze in place, grimace locked on his face, and sunk below the surface.

“What did you do to him?” Snow yelled at her.

“Nothing of your concern; not in a few minutes, at least.” Suddenly, Snow was flying through the air, carried by an unseen force. “She’s all yours, my pretties!” Zelena shouted into the air.

The monkeys began to swarm dangerously close, circling her and getting within striking range. Pain erupted low on her tail as one scratched her, then her lower back stung with another. The dwarves-turned-beasts were screaming hysterically and flying incredibly haphazardly, striking each other and taking chaotic paths around each other.

This is it. Snow braced for an inevitable impact, a tear streaking down her face that she wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to her family—until she was falling back into the ocean.

Zelena’s voice sounded much different when Snow surfaced, the monkeys still swarming overhead. “Help! Somebody! I can’t swim!”

One of the monkeys must have knocked Zelena into the water, because she was struggling to stay above water a short distance from the dock. And then she disappeared in the waves.

Immediately, Snow dove under to find her, eyes scanning the murky harbor for a flash of red hair. She first caught a glimmer of gold; Killian was still frozen in place on the ocean floor, but seemed no worse for the wear. And she didn’t have to worry about him drowning like she did Zelena.

Finally, after a bit more swimming, she saw her, slowly sinking and flailing frantically. As fast as her fin would move, she darted to the witch, slipped her arms under hers, and kicked her tail to get them above water.

Snow barely broke the surface, to try to avoid simian wrath, but propped a coughing Zelena up so she could get air. Slowly, she towed her back over to the dock and helped her onto it. A monkey tried to attack, but Zelena stopped it with a wave of her hand, freezing it in midair.

When she finally caught her breath, she brushed her dripping wet hair from her face and gave Snow an incredulous look. “I tried to kill you; why on Earth did you save me?”

Does she seriously think I’d have left her? “I could never sit by and watch someone drown without doing something, regardless of our history.”

Zelena settled a hand on her midsection, a small bump now evident as her wet clothes clung to her. “And you really don’t want to steal my baby?”

“I wouldn’t wish that pain on my worst enemy,” Snow assured her, then added, “which is kind of you right now.”

To Snow’s surprise, Zelena started crying. “No one thinks I can handle this. They all think I got knocked up just to spite Regina, but that was only half of it! I’ve got no one else; just this baby. And I know it’s hard work, but I want to do it. I want this child, more than anything.”

Unable to turn a blind eye to someone in such emotional distress, Snow pulled herself up on the dock next to Zelena, literally offering her a shoulder to cry on—and, to her shock, she took it.

Crap. Now how do I console someone who has been my enemy for the past year? But she remembered what those crazy hormones and raging emotions were like.

“Okay, first things first, can you call off the army and unfreeze Hook?”

Zelena sniffed and nodded her head against Snow’s shoulder; with a flick of her wrist, the monkeys disappeared and the dwarves, and a couple others, were there on the dock.

“IT’S THE WI—” Leroy started to shout, until Snow told him to can it and head back into town.

Killian reappeared, looking puzzled at the picture before him but wisely not saying anything. Snow pulled the shell necklace off of Zelena as she continued to sob, tossed it to the pirate, and mouthed the words “Find Emma.” He nodded and slipped away.

“Alright, so you’re sure you want this child?” Snow began when they were finally alone.

“Yes; so much.”

“You’re not going to abandon it when you get bored or it won’t stop crying or anything?”

“Absolutely not! I may be wicked but I’m not heartless.”

“Okay. We’ll have to discuss it with Robin, and you’ll have to prove yourself, but if you really want to keep this kid, I’ll help you.”

“Really?” She asked, still sniffling, and sat up. “After all the awful things I’ve done to you, you’d help me?”

Maybe it was just her forgiving spirit, or maybe it was residual guilt for what they did to Maleficent. But she’d also seen how being given a second chance had affected Regina and Killian; maybe Zelena just needed that, too. Maybe this is my own.

“Really. But you can’t wreak havoc on the town anymore. And you’re probably still going to be locked up for a while.”

“That’s fair.”

Snow gave her half of a smile before running footsteps sounded on the planks of the dock. “Mom? Are you okay?” There Emma was—for real this time, followed by a still-shirtless Killian and a concerned David.

“Yeah, we’re all good here,” Snow said, giving Zelena an encouraging pat on the knee.

She smiled back at her through her tears, then carefully stood up in front of Emma, arms outstretched. “I believe I’m due for some cuffs.”

“Uh, yeah,” Emma answered, taken aback, but quickly slapped both a magic-restraining cuff and handcuffs on her while still staring at Snow. “Mom, what happened?”

“I’ll tell you later; just get her back to the hospital.”

“Alright…oh, and I love your tail!” she gushed before leading Zelena back to the waiting squad car with Killian.

She and David watched them for a bit, before he turned back to her. “What did you say to her?”

He knows me so well. She just shrugged and said, “I offered her a second chance.”

David chewed his lip in thought for a moment. “I’d argue it, but I’ve got nothing.”

“I know something you can get,” she said, playfully.

“Oh yeah?” he chuckled. “What’s that?”

She held her arms up. “Me?”

Laughing, he bent down to where she sat. “I think I can manage that.” And he scooped her up, only slipping a bit on the scales.

“My hero,” she teased as she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Not that I mind carrying you, but why not just take the cuff off?”

“David! I’m not wearing any pants!”

“And that’s a problem because…?”

She lightly smacked him on the chest in admonishment…then gave him another kiss.

A few hours later, she was back on two legs, wearing a shirt and pants, and holding her son, finally feeling like everything was back to normal.

Oh, and Granny’s lasagna smells extra delicious tonight. (Though a week away probably had something to do with that.)

They were having a long-overdue family dinner in the diner, now that everything was relatively calm again. The cacophony of the restaurant was a bit jarring after so long in the quiet of the sea, but definitely a welcome change. And thank goodness for hot cocoa with cinnamon. Even if it was still the thick of summer outside, Snow was desperate for some hot food. You can only go so long on cold fruits and veggies.

When the meal had wound down and they were just relaxing, Neal asleep on her shoulder, Emma asked, “So, Mom, do you think you’ll be borrowing my cuff for anymore mermaid adventures?”

Snow chuckled back. “Don’t get me wrong; it had its perks, and there was definitely some novelty to it. And I totally understand why you guys spend the night down there so often,” she added with a wink (Emma cringed; Killian winked back). “But…” she started, trailing off as she gazed at her family around her. She was okay leaving the underwater thing to Emma and Killian and staying here on land. “I think this is where I belong.”

thank you for for reading! tagging some mermates: @kat2609 @mryddinwilt @cocohook38 @xpumpkindumplingx @optomisticgirl @thesschesthair @shipsxahoy @initiala @wingedlioness @fairytalesandtimetravel @clockadile @kmomof4 @snowbellewells @branlovesouat @wordsmith-storyweaver (if I missed you, let me know and I’ll tag you in the rest!) I’m trying to do one prompt a day; stay tuned! 

#snowing ff #mermaid!killian #mermaid!snow #cs ff #why am i posting fic at 5am? #my ff #sherlockianwhovian #a tall tail

[amisbro]

Deep Dive:  Shining Live’s Missing seasons(?)

I know that me talking about Shining Live at times gets annoying and it gets frustrating.  This is why this is under a cut already so if you see the title as someone I knew on here that would occasionally tag their posts you can “keep calm and scroll on”. This post comes at a time when ,during the recent collection event (which I love more than I thought I would btw...best event type ever IMHO regardless of outcome for me) I had reached the end of the story songs and I had seen an ask recently about HEAVENS coming into the game.  I think what a lot of people are going to have to realize is ,until Broccoli and KLab make a statement about them either being or not being included at some point its going to be a question asked.  Its going to be a question asked because whether people want to admit it or not HEAVENS is gaining popularity (recently a shop in Japan released a line of plushies for the group which is kickass) so fans asking when they will be included into things is only going to keep up until something is officially said or done...just how it is. One question that I saw asked recently was about the “Duet Idol songs” that had STARISH and HEAVENS involved. Now let’s go over something because I feel like this needs to be repeated When this game was originally announced per a partnership with Broccoli and KLab it was over 2 years ago...May to be specific.  When this happened (at the time) HEAVENS’ only song was of course “HEAVENS GATE” so it would make sense to not include them Since then HEAVENS has had the Idol Duet songs with STARISH and HEAVEN SKY.  in a little over 3 weeks the group will be a part of “Shuffle units” (and I have concerns that I expressed on twitter about those) so that will make another batch of songs for them. Here is where the title of this post comes in Currently in Shining Live there are two seasons of songs that are prominently featured Maji Love 1000% Maji Love Revolutions Now...this WOULDN’T be an issue but we know that the game HAS featured (and the songs are currently on the song list as well) Ai no Reincarnation and Poison Kiss which both came from that season right?  Well they also featured (in the campaign) Maji Love 1000 (Rainbow Version) which...that’s fine BUT I wondered if KLab understood that that song was performed AFTER STARISH had already beaten their opponents in HEAVENS at the UtaPri awards?  ODD! This brings me to the idea of the “missing seasons” So far to date when the seasons are put into the “Setlist events” the seasons prominently featured are the ones I mentioned which...fine! HERE IS THE ISSUE! I get that they want to feature STARISH and QN because the game is currently called “Shining Live” and I say “currently” because of something I will bring up in a bit.  The issue is that as it stands they haven’t added any of the Season 1 songs (which I had suspected would have happened by now) OR if they were going to just flat out skip that then at least do the “Gen 1 Shining Theaters” (I need an excuse to play Masquerade Mirage at nausea alright?!) Now here is something that has been suggested they could do with the HEAVENS songs (and characters) if they are to appear in the game The songs could appear in the game but just not have HEAVENS OR HEAVENS can be in the game but possibly not voiced Allow me to break down the issue with both of these ideas Idea 1 This idea might not fly with fans because of the idea that if you put in HEAVENS GATE you would expect (since the vocals are HEAVENS anyway) that they would put in the characters to perform the song.  This would make sense because not having HEAVENS perform their trademark song in the game would be like if a really bad cover band did “Invisible Touch” by GENESIS (and you can argue that the last incarnation without Phil Collins as front man was REALLY BAD even if they did have some of the original members I grew up with). Like if you put in HEAVENS GATE but keep it strict to just STARISH or QN my question would be this So are Broccoli going to basically have them do a cover of the song for the game?  Okay if so who matches what characters vocal range from HEAVENS because otherwise you are gonna have fans get real hot trust me.  I’m not saying you’ll lose players but what would happen is some would demand the genuine article This brings us to the second idea Idea 2 Could HEAVENS be put in the game and not voiced?  Yes that is possible and it might shut up fans of the 7 “Renegade Princes” but it might also cause great anger because if you put them in the game but don’t let them be voiced and yet STARISH and QN are voiced there will be those that feel that HEAVENS is being treated unfairly just because of popularity reasons...despite the fact that HEAVENS HAS beaten STARISH on the Oricon once on the daily BUT people don’t want to talk about that...just live in this falsehood that they have no popularity. What would happen if HEAVENS did get this treatment?  Would there be enough outrage among at least the “Domestic” (Read:  Japanese) fanbase to force KLab to get them voiced or else they would stop playing the game?  Like okay in Stand my Hero (I know weird diversion but work with me here) there are some characters not voiced when there are like 2 side characters that are.  I get that there might not be that much outrage there but we also have to remember that that game is also 3 seasons long in what...a year’s time?!  Shining Live is a year old and we haven’t finished the first season songs yet! One thing I thought about is that when they do a season of songs its going to start with Season 3 because that had the STARISH “Cross-Unit” (That’s so bullshit but okay) and the QN Idol songs.  Now I thought about THAT because of the four seasons its the only one that has both units featured. “So okay then” I hear you starting to ponder “if that is the case then what do you do with the other seasons and especially Season 1 since it is featured in the main story?” See that’s where it gets tricky for me because to me that should have come AFTER the the season songs for Season 1 (and yes I know Season ED singles come out before the character singles but for that kind of chronology it would have worked better) and then called it a day...same with Season 2. The thing that forever perplexes me about KLab’s choice to not start to introduce S2 songs is they not only included ML2K ,ML1K (Rainbow) ,Ai no Reincarnation and Poison Kiss but they also did (if I remember last year) the single for Shining Star Xmas...its starting to look more blatant than anything that HEAVENS wouldn’t be in the game somehow even if (for now) to supplement a story with a STARISH character...hell do an event story with like Tokiya and someone and have Yuuma voice Eiji when he appears in the story.  See what kind of reaction THAT gets! Now I know I harped on S2 but we need to discuss S4 as well The last I checked (and I could be wrong) “Legend Star” was a STARISH song right?  The only way I could see that song being blocked for now is because HEAVENS did vocals in it but I am 99% positive that didn’t happen (and if someone can prove me otherwise I want you to do so.  I am genuinely curious about that) so why that song has not appeared yet when the season (as of next month) will be two years old boggles my waterlogged brain. Here is a completely crazy thought...and I don’t THINK this is the case but it very well could be Could it be possible that ,for January when the EN version’s anniversary comes up, they start “season 2″ for the game and thus start adding in Season 1 on up because the fact that it seems that the content has seemingly dried up this early doesn’t seem possible right? Like I tried to think when the last time the game had a BIG update and I think August was when they did the Anniversary and then like what...a month or two later they did the revised Birthday boxes right? Like I’m half expecting a big announcement of some kind of update to content in the game as far as songs go.  I thought that the game would have done something for this collection event where you had to unlock songs in the list but the only song of consequence they do that with is “Top Star Revolution” (which is a song I never gave proper dues to because it was a Natsuki song but its actually really good!) There is a part of me that believes still that S2 and 4 WILL be included in the game (along with 1 and 3 in the main story) BUT they are waiting for things to calm down a little with the schedule because HEAVENS has the radio show that starts next Wednesday (And I’m going to listen to it for sure) and you have the 6 releases with the shuffles and also HEAVENS’ min album eventually dropping and that was a cluster we need to discuss in the next post. Now WHEN would I think they would include HEAVENS in the game (or the songs as a starting point)? Earliest would be January in a content update and the latest would be March-April.  I do think they are coming its just a matter of how they want to handle it and I think there is a plan in place but no one is privy to it yet. Here is hoping we will learn soon right?

#Amisbro #deep dive #HEAVENS #duets #shining live

[halothenthehorns]

The Supernatural Gospel

Chapter 8- Welching

The boys head back to the restaurant, this time for a real meal, and are relieved not to see either Amy or Rachel still hanging around with awkward questions. They manage a decent conversation amongst the bustling patrons about music at least, the jukebox playing some old disco song Dad would have been giving scorn filled looks too, entertaining them both. Sam did finally ask at least one nagging question that had been bothering him. "So why do you have the impala anyways?"

"Dad gave it to me," the pride Dean managed to say this with could have had its own statue built in a monument. "Said I was ready to head out on my own and to take care of her."

Sam found himself gruntled at the painted image, he almost wished he had been there to see it. Dean looked so happy just telling him, he imagined his brother had pissed himself with joy at the actual key exchange.

As Sam polished off his plate and Dean savored the last few bites of his, Sam excused himself to the bathroom, fiddling with his phone for a few moments as he contemplated calling Jess, but he had nothing to update her with that wouldn't be either a further lie or stilted runarounds of how things were going on either end. Dean didn't mention it when he got back, though the table had been cleared and the bill paid.

By the time they stopped to get gas and made it to the bridge once more, night had fallen.

  Dean and Sam walk along the Sylvania bridge, then stop to lean on the railing and look down at the river. The cloudless night allows the moon to bathe the steep drop to the pebbly water below flowing not too loud.

"So this is where Constance took the swan dive." Dean spoke aloud what had brought them here, where Dad would have gone next. The idea of retracing his footsteps wasn't good enough for him, they still felt one step behind as there was no visible clue their dad had ever been here.

Sam echoed his thoughts verbally. "So you think Dad would have been here?" Eyeing Dean like he somehow still thought his brother was holding something back.

Admittedly, this still wasn't adding up to something their dad hadn't handled a million times, and Dean tried to reassure this much. "Well, he's chasing the same story and we're chasing him."

He keeps walking along, eyeing every bit of metal for something they'd missed in the daylight.

"Okay, so now what?" Sam prompts.

"Now we keep digging until we find him. Might take a while." Dean would tear apart the whole thing right now if he thought it would do any good, what was Sam expecting exactly?

Sam wasn't following him. "Dean, I told you, I've gotta get back by Monday—

Dean turns around. "Monday. Right. The interview." Sam was expecting this to be a weekend trip, for them to find Dad tied up like some damsel in distress, they could cut him free and he could run off again. Would he really go back before they finished this?

"Yeah." Sam agrees.

"Yeah, I forgot." No he hadn't, he'd been pretending otherwise. or he had, the natural ease of the two of them working together having already vanished the absent years from his mind, but who could tell? "You're really serious about this, aren't you? You think you're just going to become some lawyer? Marry your girl?" Dean had really thought once Sam saw how serious this was, he'd wake up, or at least prioritize better. Couldn't he just reschedule the interview? How long was that going to take?

"Maybe," Dean putting it like that, said aloud for the first time, did make it sound ridiculous to his own ears, which made Sam cling all the harder to the dream. "Why not?"

"Does Jessica know the truth about you? I mean, does she know about the things you've done?"

Sam did step up close to Dean then, right in his face. His voice held an edge of finality he rarely used with his brother usually reserved for his dad. "No, and she's not ever going to know."

"Well, that's healthy." Dean scoffs. "You can pretend all you want, Sammy. But sooner or later you're going to have to face up to who you really are." Why he hadn't accepted it yet Why he fought so hard against it every step of the way Dean had never understood. Clearly this time apart had only deluded his brother more.

Dean turns to keep walking along the bridge, and this time Sam does follow, seething. "And who's that?"

"You're one of us." Dean proudly proclaims.

Sam's long legs carry him in front of his brother before he even knows it, stopping the two in their tracks. "No. I'm not like you. This is not going to be my life." If Dean hadn't started this asked he would have been happily at home with Jess right now, asleep! Instead he was on this freezing bridge having the same old argument he felt he'd had his entire life.

"You have a responsibility to—"

Dean was just like Dad, and Sam wasn't going to take it from either of them anymore. "To Dad? And his crusade? If it weren't for pictures I wouldn't even know what Mom looks like. And what difference would it make? Even if we do find the thing that killed her, Mom's gone. And she isn't coming back."

Dean's movements are a blur, Sam is pinned to the bridges railing before he even has a hand up to defend himself, his big brother scowling at him. "Don't talk about her like that." There's barely repressed anger in his voice, but he releases Sam and steps back only a moment after.

Sam didn't know a thing about Mom, and that was just as much Dad and Dean's fault as the demons. They didn't talk about her at all.

He turns away from Sam and tries to collect this back to basics. Find Dad, the two of them could manage that, then-

A barefoot woman was standing on the lip of the bridge. A white nightgown flapping in the breeze, her face obscured by long black hair.

"Sam," Dean calls without taking his eyes off her.

His brother's at his shoulder in the same second, the two watching carefully as Constance Welch looks at them, and then steps frees herself over the edge.

Dean and Sam sprint to where she vanished, eyeing the water below and their surroundings so as not to be caught off guard when she appeared next.

"Where'd she go?" Dean demands of nothing.

"I don't know," Sam answers anyways.

Behind them, the impala's rumbled to life, her headlights shining directly onto them.

"What the-" Dean's hand automatically flies to his pocket, as if actually thinking someone had filched them.

"Who's driving your car?" Sam demanded.

Dean pulls the keys out of his pocket and jingles them. Sam looks in disbelief between the two, but the car doesn't care what their eyes believe as it jerks into motion heading right for them, tires squealing.

"Dean? Go! Go!" Dean clearly needed the motivation, as he clearly took far more issue with his car attacking him than running, but when Sam got him turned around they both took off running, not nearly fast enough. The roar of the impala's engine was right on their heels in moments. Dean knew the mechanics of that car better than his own skeleton, and she could rev up from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds. They were not going to make it off the bridge in time.

They can both feel the hot exhaust like a pouncing animal when the two turn sharply for the bridges edge, and have not a moment to hesitate as they leap off the railing.

The car comes to a screeching halt, engine roaring its displeasure.

#Supernatural #fanfiction #John winchester #Sam Winchester #Dean Winchester #The Winchester Gospel #Chuck Shurley

[theartificialdane]

Blue ain’t your color - Part 6

Dedicated to @talkaboutartassholes @imanationalphenomenon and the Vitan playlist <3

In which a date is arranged.

“You don’t seem fine.” Sutan gently rubbed his thumb back and forth, trying to make Violet relax, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what was different from the last time they had done this.

Sutan: Hey, are you awake?

Violet: Yes, why?

Sutan smiled and leaned back into his chair. It was a little after eleven, and Sutan was pretty sure he was the only person left in the office, not that he minded. His days often going by in a blur of everyone and their mother needing something, so it was nice to have the place to himself, giving him time to think, even though his thoughts wandered to a certain black haired woman.

Sutan: Dinner at Annisa tomorrow?

Violet: Can’t. Busy.

Sutan wrinkled his brow. Busy? It had been two days since Violet had practically snuck out at the crack of dawn, and even though they had texted, they haven't actually seen each other. Sutan stood up, getting a cigarette from his drawer before he opened the window, leaning out of it as he returned to his phone.

Sutan: Come on lovely eyes, I miss you. I haven’t seen you in two days. How hard is Fame riding you over there if you can’t go out?

Violet: I think the question is how you’re not busy, Fashion Week is in 18 days?

Sutan smiled. Fashion week was indeed in 18 days, as if anyone would let him forget it. Fame had uprooted the entire friend group, her hysteria about her autumn collection threatening to consume everyone until Bianca had told her to shut up, sit down, and eat her spaghetti.

Sutan: All sensible brands have already booked their models, even though I got a very interesting text from Raja yesterday ;) What department do you work in?

Sutan glanced over at his desk, the reason he was late laying in the stacks and stacks and stacks of portfolios he was pulling together for his darling sister.

Violet: Wouldn’t you like to know Mister?

Sutan: I’d love to know, thank you for asking.

Violet: Well keep guessing, because I’m not telling you.

Sutan laughed, Violet still holding out on him, the girl demanding to stay a mystery, but Sutan didn’t mind playing the long game. He stubbed his cigarette and closed the window, going back to his desk.

Sutan: Come over baby, please.

Violet: …. Fine.

***

“Okay so everyone listen up.” Sutan looked at his girls, Celia, Fo, Naima, Jaslene, Alison and Raven all sitting in a conference room at Elite, Sutan on the edge of the table, his glasses on, a huge stack of files in his hands. “That includes you Raven, don’t make me take your phone.”

Raven sighed but put her phone into her bag. Ever since she and Raja had gotten engaged, Raven had been glued to her phone, flashing her diamond all over the web.

“Thank you.” Sutan smiled, only just catching Raven rolling her eyes. Raven had a tendency to always toe the line, always push that little bit further, a habit she somehow still had even after years of working with him, but it was also that dissatisfaction and that fire that made her work as hard as she did, and kept his sister on her toes. “Now that I have your attention, I have the first batch of assignments and fittings for New York.”

The girls cheered, all of them excited. Sutan stood up, walking around the table as he gave every girl a file, Jaslene smiling brightly when she saw that he had booked her for Marc Jacobs, while Celia groaned as she realised that she had once again been handpicked for Adam Lipper. Sutan

“Now, does anyone have any questions?”

***

“Joseph? Your assistant said you’d be here.”

“Hi, I’m in here!”

Sutan smiled as he walked through the studio of fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra, the New York space one of his favorite to visit, the studio a perfect representation of the parisians sophistication Joseph mixed with american sexy. “I got you the measurements.” Sutan turned the corner, finding the designer and his team working on the shoe selection for the upcoming show. “and a caramel macchiato.”

“You got me coffee?”

“Of course, you’re my favorite Joseph.” Sutan smiled and handed the cup over, Joseph taking it with a grateful expression, along with the updated portfolio and measurements of Allison, one of Joseph’s favorite models to use.

“You know you could have emailed these, right?”

“I could.” Sutan sat down, taking a sip of his own coffee. “But if I had, who would show me your collection before it hits the runway?” Sutan glanced at his watch, Joseph clearly falling for his flattery. He still had a couple of hours before he had to meet up with Violet, so he leaned back, Joseph already rolling the first rack out, Sutan instantly eyeing a silver dress he knew Allison would look beautiful in.

***

“You’re late.”

It was the first words out of his mouth as he opened the door. He hadn’t meant to say it, at least not like that, but as he saw Violet stand there, it was the only thing he could think of, the woman almost two hours late.

“I know, I know, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to” Violet was talking so fast Sutan could barely separate the words, not even looking at him as she apologized. “things just got so busy at work and then I couldn’t find a-” Sutan reached forward, grabbing the front of her dress and pulling her to him, kissing her until he felt her relax.

“You’re okay, I’m okay and we’re okay.” Sutan smiled, gently running a hand down Violet’s back. “Just call me next time, okay?”

Violet nodded, completely dazed as Sutan pulled her into his apartment and closed the door behind them.

“I… Umh… I brought dessert. Since I didn’t make it in time for dinner.” Violet smiled, a little shy as she held up the dessert box, which was clearly meant as an apology. It looked delicious, but Sutan wasn’t ready to let her entirely off the hook. He helped her out of her clothes, smiling at the amount of bags she had brought with her. Some of them made sense, like her handbag and the duffle he knew had her gym clothes, but what he didn’t get was the extra tote and the overnight bag as well. He still didn’t know exactly what Violet’s job was, but as he carried the bag his suspicion that she was from the fashion department grew bigger and bigger.

“It’s work stuff.”

Sutan laughed, totally caught in his act of trying to evaluate what was in the bag. “So it’s not your portal sex shop?”

“You asshole.” Violet smiled, and Sutan relaxed, the tension from earlier gone.  “Do you want the cake or not? It’s a chocolate and hazelnut Louvre from Payard Patisserie, I even got us forks.”

“Of course I want it.” Chocolate was one of his faves, but as he stepped forwards Violet, smiling at the fact that she was no longer wearing her heels, the woman the perfect height now to overpower. “But there’s something I’d much rather have for dessert.” Sutan took Violet’s cheek in his hand, gently caressing her with his thumb as he tipped her head upwards, placing a tender kiss on her lips and Violet melted against his chest, letting him take her weight completely.

Violet  gently broke their kiss, her voice only a whisper as she played with the buttons of Sutan’s shirt.

“What do you want for dessert then?”

“You, I want you, Princess.”

Violet looked up, meeting Sutan’s eyes, her voice so low he had to strain to hear her.

“Take me then, make me yours.”

Sutan smiled and picked Violet up as if she weighed nothing, making her squeal in delight, her legs around his hips as he carried her into his bedroom, cake completely forgotten.

***

Sutan’s bedroom was just as Violet remembered it; he kept it in a modern style with green and dark brown accents. As Sutan sat Violet down she saw something, a smile growing on her face. “Are those candles? Did you light candles for me?”

“If you had been here on time, there would’ve also been music.”

“Really?” Violet looked around, feeling a little bad until she got an idea. “Sit down.”

“What?”

“Sit down!” Violet smiled as she pushed Sutan down on the bed, quickly identifying his ipod, laughing to herself when she found one of the songs she knew. The tones of “Any Time, Any Place” started playing before Sutan realised what Violet was doing, which made him laugh in surprise, delight on his face as Violet walked out to the middle of the bedroom floor, her hips slowly swinging to the beat of the song.

Violet slowly pulled her work jacket off, revealing her arms one by one before she threw the jacket into the corner of the bedroom, raising her arms above her head as she danced for a while. She could feel Sutan’s eyes burning into the small of her back at how he was watching her ass. Violet undid her hair, shaking her head a little as the long black locks fell down ber back.

Even though it was late August it was still hot enough outside for Violet not to be wearing much, so she took her time, taking off her skirt, her hands slowly and sensually exploring her body, before she turned around, a smile on her face when she saw Sutan’s expression. She knew she was good at stripping, knew it with a certainty not many possessed, but right now, right here, performing for just one man made her feel sexier than anything else she had ever done. Violet grabbed her top, teasingly almost pulling it off before she put it on again, keeping eye contact with Sutan while she finally, finally removed her blouse, the song ending as Sutan reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her down onto the bed with him, their lips crashing together while the next number started.

***

“Fuck… How are you real!?” Sutan pulled back, his pupils completely blown before he dived down again, kissing Violet like a man desperate for air, Violet’s hands working on the buttons on his shirt, their hips grinding together to the same rhythm, Violet’s heel digging into the small of Sutan’s back.

“Please.” Violet gasped; she was aching, her panties completely soaked through, the warmth of Sutan against her only making it worse. “Please…”

***

“What do you want, baby?” Sutan smiled, moving his hips, letting himself rut against Violet, his trousers rubbing on the crotch of her soaked panties. She was so warm and delicious, so ready for his touch as she whimpered and tried to twist, working her body to get friction where she needed it most. “Do you want me to fuck you?” Sutan leaned down, kissing Violet’s neck, his body covering hers. “Take you good like I did the last time?” Violet nodded, closing her eyes, a small ‘please’ leaving her lips and Sutan smiled. Violet was a joy in bed, so utterly responsive to his touch, a little shy, but that wasn’t anything he wasn’t ready to peel from her, petal by petal until there was nothing left but raw and naked desire. “Want me to fuck your pretty pussy? Want me to fill you?”

“Yes.” Violet reached up, her nails digging into Sutan’s forearm, the sharp points hurting slightly, but he didn’t mind, not when it made him feel like a king to have Violet cling to him. “Please, yes.”

Sutan hummed and pulled back, Violet instantly getting his clue, her eyes opening and Violet reached behind herself, arching her back and unhooking her bra. She was gorgeous, and Sutan couldn’t help but make a show of getting undressed too, taking off his shirt, their eyes locked together as his hands went to his belt, Violet starring, her fingers forgotten in the wristband of her panties.

“Fuck…”

Sutan realised he had stopped, his belt open and his fly down, but with Violet looking at him like that, her skin glowing in the candle light, he had no choice but to change the plan. He had to taste her, had to eat what was so clearly offered to him. Sutan grabbed her hands, moving them away and started kissing his way down Violet’s chest, skipping past her breasts, his lips dancing over her stomach until he could grab the edge of her panties with his teeth, a smile on his lips as Violet gasped. She wasn’t the only one who had a surprise up her sleeve, and he would gladly show her all his tricks, after all, if you wanted to keep a lady in your bed, you made her come hard, and you made her come often. Sutan pulled her panties down, the scent of her filling his nose as he kissed his way up her her, his hands quickly discarding the silk material, when he noticed that Violet had gone completely quiet.

Sutan looked up at her, his lips connected to the inside of her thigh, and he realised something was very, very wrong. Violet was still, her eyes scrunched together, her lips sealed shut. “... Baby?” Sutan ran his hand over Violet’s stomach, all of her muscles tight, trying to catch her attention. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes I’m fine, keep going.”

“You don’t seem fine.” Sutan gently rubbed his thumb back and forth, trying to make Violet relax, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what was different from the last time they had done this. Violet had seemed so enthusiastic. Was it the candles? No, that was stupi-

“Just do it!”

Sutan’s thought were interrupted as Violet snapped at him, and he dropped her leg before he even realised when he had done, moving away from her completely.

“Hey, hey.” Sutan moved up the bed, laying down next to Violet, propped up on his elbow so he could see her, her eyes wide and almost a little frightened. He reached out, taking a chance as his hand landed on her stomach once again. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to with me…” Sutan watched her, shame and discomfort clear on her face, and he hated it.

“I’m sorry.” Violet smiled, a small, apologetic smile, as if she had done something wrong. “I just don’t…” Violet gestured vaguely towards her legs, “I don’t like it very much.”

Sutan let out a breath of relief. He leaned down, gently and carefully kissing Violet’s lips, her body fully relaxing as they were back in territory she was comfortable with. Sutan had realised pretty early on that few things turned him on more than a woman who was happy about being with him, the fact that both him and Raja had been ugly all through high school only making it that much more of a joy when they got scouted to model in LA and he started to get attention. Sutan loved showering a woman in gifts and attention, but nothing had ever made his stomach turn more than when he realised that a girl in college had slept with him, only because she wanted him to take her to his agency. It was the reason he never slept with models, the idea of it too close to comfort, and Sutan liked his image, treasured it and treasured his girls trust. He broke the kiss with Violet, looking at her face.

“Don’t ever apologize.”

“But I ruined the mood..” Violet bit her lip, her pearly white teeth sinking into her plush bottom lip, and Sutan felt his cock twitch.

“You haven’t ruined anything lovely eyes.”

Sutan moved his hand lower, smiling happily as Violet gasped her cunt still hot and wet. He rubbed the pad of his index finger over her, spreading her wetness, playing with her. “Nothing is ruined, lovely eyes, nothing at all.” Violet’s hand was so thin and dainty, her fingers barely the size of his pinky, and he knew his own hand had to feel so much better. Sutan dipping his fingers into her. Violet moaned, and Sutan smiled. Oh he would have so much fun teasing her, taunting her and working her right back to the edge where she would have no choice but to beg, Violet so beautiful when she begged, but then, she surprised him, Violet grabbing his wrist.

“Not like that.” Violet eyes where closed, her fingers covering Sutans as she moved, showing him what to do, her cheeks pink, her brow furrowed in concentration, her pointer finger moving back and forth, Sutan following her lead as she showed him exactly how she liked to be touched. She was gorgeous, and when she finally, finally, finally released him, Sutan went in with all he had, using his hand on Violet until he was cramping, tears running down Violet’s face from yet another orgasm.

#galactica #blue aint your color

[peterjonesparker]

so @spideyxchelle said she needed part two and also gave me some quality ideas so here is peter’s perspective because i am a sucker who’s soul belongs to her. update because i forgot to tag my wife @spideychelle-romanogers, the lovely @spideychelleblessup, and an angel @bellamywarriorblake.

part one here.

peter parker is a professional (ao3 link)

Let it be known that Peter never claimed to be a great driver. He’s still new and gets distracted by small things because his spidey sense is always going off. In all actuality, driving and Peter probably shouldn’t mix. But May had insisted. So, really, it’s May’s fault that Peter dents the car by hitting a tank of a car that’s parked near their apartment. But he needs to expunge that thought from his head lest May make him pay for more than just the damage to the car.

Thus, Peter takes a job as a lifeguard at the local pool for the summer. And he takes to it surprisingly well. It almost feels like being in the suit. People look to him as this hero and the kids at the pool basically idolize him and always ask him to play with them. The parents like him too because they get to relax when he’s working and the kids just follow him around and try to trick him into jumping in the pool. He likes everything about being a lifeguard. Well, there’s one thing that’s beginning to become an issue.

MJ comes to the pool with her sister during Peter’s first week on the job. Which, in itself, is not a problem. He and MJ are friends. They’re on the decathlon team, she sits with them at lunch sometimes, they have a lot of the same classes and do projects together. He greets MJ the minute they get their and meets her sister who has, like, the greatest name ever: Leia. They come fairly often and Peter always makes sure to at least say hello to MJ when she comes. Sometimes he waves from his lifeguard chair when she looks up from her book. Usually, she just goes back to her book. But on some rare and lucky occasions, he gets a smirk and a small wave out of her. But his favorite days are the ones where it’s slow so he can walk over to where she’s reading by the pool. Sometimes she’s on a pool chair, sometimes she’s kicking her feet lightly in the water. Either way, he walks over and plops down next to her, starting a small conversation. (And, okay, maybe being this close also gives him a better view of her in her swimsuit but that’s another story and he doesn’t have to go into it right now.)

But, so like, everything’s good, right? He loves everything about being a lifeguard? Why wouldn’t he? He gets to wear a swim suit to work every day, mess around with kids who idolize him, preen a bit when some teenage girls smile at him. Everything’s great. Until one fateful Tuesday when he hears MJ shriek and some of the younger kids have pushed her into the pool. He’s about to go over to check if she’s okay, but then she’s back above the water and scowling at the kids. (Rest in pieces, little dudes.) And then she’s pushing herself out of the pool and he feels like the heavens have opened up and are singing and he’s just seen God. It’s as if the world has started to move in slow motion and there’s water dripping down her body and her hair is slicked back and he watches the muscles in her arms flex. She’s scowling at the kids and says something that scares them away. Peter’s still just standing there, in shock, mouth slightly agape because oh my goodness, MJ is so hot.

“You know you could just ask her out instead of gawking.” It’s Leia. She’s got her arms crossed over her chest and she’s leaning her weight onto one leg, head cocked to the side as she glances over at her sister. “She’d probably say yes. I think.”

He laughs, a bit forced. “Wow, you’re really funny, Leia.” And then he rushes off, getting Charles to cover him because he needs to “go to the bathroom”. But really, he needs to wait a good fifteen minutes for the erection in his swimsuit to die because that is so unprofessional.

And then MJ becomes an issue. Because she’s always at the pool and on the rare occasion she goes into the pool, he inevitably gets a boner and he can’t save someone with a boner! If he dives into the water, the swim suit material will stick to his body and everyone will see!

Peter deals with this new development rather poorly. He starts talking to MJ more. Maybe if he sees more of her and interacts with her, he’ll get desensitized and won’t react as strongly. (Not the case.) It has the lucky result of giving him a huge crush on MJ and now he finds himself waiting for her to arrive at the pool. If she doesn’t, his day isn’t as fun. He even likes interacting with Leia. Though she spends most of the time teasing him about his very obvious crush on MJ. (Just like her sister, my god.)

Then one day he’s talking to MJ when Leia comes over and tries to get MJ to dive into the pool. Which, he’s not going to lie, he would love to see. MJ diving into a pool? That means she’ll have to push herself out and that’s basically his favorite sight from this whole summer. So he eggs her on and wishes her good luck.

Then he’s yelling at her to jump where she’s hesitating on the diving board and he feels his leg being pulled and suddenly he’s in the pool, surrounded by a bunch of laughing kids. He doesn’t have the heart to be mad so he just laughs and pushes himself out of the pool so he can watch MJ dive. But then she’s screaming and falling into the pool and his heart drops. He jumps in immediately and grabs her, pulling her up to the surface.

He puts her on the ground by the edge of the pool and her eyes aren’t opening and he’s panicking but this is why he trains. So he pushes against her chest while singing “Staying Alive” in his head before going down to blow air into her mouth. He goes back to pushing her chest and then goes back to her lips to blow in air and then her mouth is moving and she’s gasping and he pulls back, stunned. Because it felt a little too much like a kiss. But she’s fine, sputtering a bit, but she’s fine.

Leia runs over and hugs MJ and the crowd that he hadn’t realized gathered begins to disperse. He helps MJ to her feet and hopes she doesn’t notice the blush on his face. He scratches the back of his neck to try to hide it. “Jesus, MJ, if I’d known you were going to nearly drown I never would have told you to jump.” He feels a little sheepish and hopes she isn’t mad at him for egging her on.

She laughs, which he figures is a good sign. “Yeah, well, no one is more disappointed than me.” He smiles. “Wasn’t exactly how I pictured our first kiss going.”

And, what? Did MJ just say what he thought she’d said? Her eyes widen and she looks a bit scared, so she must have. And he starts to smirk because MJ likes him. MJ’s pictured kissing him before and he’s over the moon. “Oh, so you’ve pictured our first kiss before?”

She tries to deny it but Leia, his main buddy Leia, exposes her and he’s over the moon because MJ likes him. And then, smug as ever, he says, “Don’t worry, MJ. I’m sure our second will be much better.” She lifts a fist but he just laughs because this is the greatest moment of his life.

So he texts her later that night about going to a movie. (soooo, you maybe want to see a movie before that second kiss??) (Leia had suggested this new indie movie MJ had been talking about for weeks.) She texts back: you’d be so lucky. And he would be. And he is because she says yes and their second kiss is much, much better than the first.

And their third and fourth and thirty seventh kiss are much better. But, personally, his favorite kiss isn’t their twentieth (which leads to second base) or their fifty second (which ends with them having sex for the first time), but their forty third. It’s a light peck. Small, unassuming. But she kisses him right after he says that he loves her for the first time. She gives him a peck on the mouth and leans back, smiling brightly. And then she says she loves him too. And that’s his favorite.

#spiderman homecoming #spiderman: homecoming #spideychelle #peter parker #michelle jones #michelle x peter #peter x michelle #peter x mj #mj x peter #sh #otp: i'm just kidding i don't care #i write things #lmao #here #here is peter's perspective #why am i a scrub?

[laurelwinchester]

it's depressing to be a dean stan in the supernatural fandom right now. this fandom pays him dirt. it's even worse to be a laurel stan. i'm both rn and i feel like there's nothing positive to look forward to. do you have any fluffy or cute headcanons about daddy!dean and mom!laurel from your fic with little mary beatrice?

i’m sorry you’re feeling down, anon. it is a pretty rough time for dean stans right now. and, well, it’s aways been rough for laurel stans. but yes, i always have headcanons for mary bea and her adoring fans parents!

- so, as mentioned in the fic, dean was a stay at home dad for the first three years of mary’s life. they spent all day every day together. if you ask her who her best friend is, she’ll say, always, “daddy!” that’s why they were both so lost when he eventually had to work and she had to go to preschool. they had never been away from each other for that long. for a lot of things, he is the first one she runs to. he is her default setting and she is his. mary definitely skews towards the “daddy’s girl” side of things. however, with that said…

- laurel was mary’s hero before she was anyone else’s. not because she’s the black canary but because she is her mom. mary worships her mother. anything laurel does, mary wants to do too. if laurel is out in the backyard gardening, mary wants to help. if laurel is outside doing yoga in the sunshine on sunday mornings, mary drags out another yoga mat and tries to do the downward dog. mary would follow her mom anywhere. black canary may belong to star city, but everything laurel lance does is for mary.

- dean and laurel are 99.9% sure that mary was conceived in the hallway between the living room and the bedroom of her old apartment. it’s not something either of them obsess over because why would they but at the same time he does find it amusing that out of all of the times they had sex, the one time they made a baby was “the time we fucked in the hall ‘cause we couldn’t make it to the bedroom. course that’d be the time.” and by amusing, i mean he has had literal full body laughing fits about it. laurel just does not get what’s so funny about it???? he does, however, complain about the song that was playing (bittersweet symphony, one of laurel’s favourites) because “ugh that song’s fuckin’ obnoxious.” and then laurel takes offense to that because “honestly how dare you speak ill of one of the greatest hits of our generation.’’

also, okay, this got long so i’m putting the rest under a cut.

- because mary is deaf in one ear, she has some issues with vertigo and balance so she occasionally suffers from headaches, dizziness, and nausea. it’s not a huge deal, she’s in physical therapy to help her with it, and it might lessen as she gets older. but aside from it making her a bit clumsy and more susceptible to motion sickness, her balance issues have made her a REALLY terrible dancer. she has zero problems with this because she loves to dance so she’s going to dance regardless of how bad she is at it. dean never misses a chance to say, ’'maybe it’s not her balance, maybe she just inherited her mom’s dancing skills” because surprise! laurel is an awful, awful dancer.

- no, seriously, laurel is a really bad dancer. she’s okay with slow dancing but anything more than that and she is flailing. which is strange because she’s usually quite light and graceful on her feet. back when she and dean were planning a real wedding, tommy tried to teach them how to do the mambo and it did not go well. as dean likes to say, while laurel turns red in embarrassment, “it was like that dirty dancing montage except she never got better.” (for the record, no, dean is not an amazing dancer. laurel is just that bad.)

- mary is a naturally shy kid. that’s just her personality. she’s okay once she warms up to you, but she’s shy. people always comment that they don’t know where she would have gotten that from but, like…her parents? she clearly got it from her parents. laurel wasn’t necessarily shy when she was a child but she was definitely a wary and somewhat hesitant kid. her parents said she was an “old soul.” dean, on the other hand, was totally a shy little kid. before the fire, before he was forced out of his shell and could no longer afford to be shy, he preferred to spend his days at home with his mom and no one else. she was his best friend. and now he’s his daughter’s best friend.

- laurel introduced mary to the spice girls as soon as she could. in retaliation (because there’s only so many times he can listen to mary screeching at him to, “spice up your life, daddy!!!!”) dean got her into led zeppelin. mary’s favourite song is sea of love because that’s her and her mom’s song, and one time she listened to out of the woods by taylor swift on repeat for two hours until her dad finally managed to bribe her into turning it off, but her first request in the car will always be “d'yer maker” by led zeppelin. dean is super proud of that. she has never once pronounced it correctly. also, she tells people to listen to the spice girls when she thinks they’re sad.

- social media is, for the most part, not a part of their lives. laurel has an inactive facebook account that she hasn’t updated since 2012. charlie made dean make an instagram account but he’s never used it. but they both have snapchat accounts. not because they’re at all interested in it but because mary thinks it’s hilarious. the dancing hot dog makes her giggle hysterically. not that it’s hard to make her giggle hysterically, she just really loves that hot dog.

- if you were to ask dean and laurel about the moment parenthood became real to them, dean would talk about that one time when they were driving to kansas and mary inevitably got car sick and he had no choice but to dive into the back and catch it in his hands because they had forgotten to bring a bucket with them. laurel would most likely say, voice dry and sarcastic, “i dunno, man, felt pretty real when she was crowning.” but both of these things are lies. the realest moment, for both of them, was the day they were told that their daughter had pendred syndrome. that she was most likely going to lose some, if not all, of her hearing and that she was facing other potential health issues. the day they learned that their baby girl was going to life a different life, possibly a harder life, that all their plans had been blown out the window, was the day the reality of parenthood really sunk in for them.

- most people assume that dean is the fun parent and laurel is the stricter parent but nah, it’s the other way around. that’s not to say that dean isn’t fun, of course, because if the floor is lava or she wants to jump in puddles wearing the nice dress her grandmother sent her for christmas then he is all for that. but laurel is the one who told her about the puddles in the first place and waved a plastic magic wand and said the floor was lava. she’s the cookie sneaker, the best fort builder in the world, and the spontaneous picnic planner. laurel is the one who says, “hey, let’s go on a weekend trip to coast city and take mary to the beach.” dean is the one who gapes at her in response and says, “it’s eleven o'clock on a friday night and you’re telling me this now?” and she’s just like, “yeah, we’ll just throw a few bags in the car and leave tomorrow morning!” and then his brain explodes because that’s not how it works?????

dean is the one who’s got all the lists and charts in his head because he wants mary to have the safe, normal childhood he didn’t have and he is trying his hardest to make it perfect. he’s trying to recreate the pieces of the mother he remembers in every pie he bakes for his daughter, every trip to the park, every night he reads her where the wild things are. laurel is the one who wants to make the magic and the whimsy that her grandmother gave her, put the galaxy on her daughter’s bedroom ceiling the way bea did for her, and create the warmth and the fun that her mother never managed to get the hang of.

given that mary is a joyful, happy, always giggling, remarkably well adjusted little girl, they must be doing something right.

#dean x laurel #otp: the beauty of wild things #dean winchester #laurel lance #mary beatrice winchester #fic: how the light gets in #asks #anon #my fic #spn x arrow