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sestra-inestro · 5 years

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The Carry On - (1/5)

Pairings: mob!bucky x fem!reader

A/N: This is the series that is inspired by the oneshot I wrote like two weeks ago. This took me forever and is gonna be the long, crappy, filler part of the series but the rest with be much better and I wrote part two first because I’m a doof. I’ve also been in a film noir, gangster/Tarantino mood so als inspired by them. Alrighty enjoy!

Masterlist

Warnings: swearing, mentions of smut, no actual smut because I’m a TEASE, mentions of torture and violence.

The Carry On - mini series part one.

You sighed as you picked at the sleeve of your shirt. Waiting for Bucky was taking forever and he was already late. You were supposed to be picking out the invitations to your wedding today, before you met him for dinner. You had done most of the planning yourself considering his demanding work arrangements, which wasn’t his fault entirely. But being one of the city’s biggest Mob Bosses, half of the blame lands on him because he causes half the trouble. This was supposed to be one of the few things you’d choose together.

Looking at your phone again, you sigh before getting up.

“Leaving?” The woman at the counter asks. She’s been watching you wait for your fiancé for the last 40 minutes.

“Yep.” You approach the counter and look down at the many examples she had laid out before. Your eyes scanned over them before pointing to a grey background with white patterns in the corners. “That one.”

She nodded her head before collecting the rest of the examples. “We will have ready as soon as we can, Ms June.”

You huffed before turning to the door. “Take your time.” You called back before leaving the store.

Sam, who was assigned to be by your side whenever you went out, noticed you leave and pushed off the wall he was leaning on and ran after you.

“June!” He called out, catching up to you. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yep.” You said without care.

“But Bucky said he’d leave soon.” Sam raised his eyebrow, looking at his phone.

“Then you can tell him I’m going home now and I’ll meet him at dinner.” You informed him. “Or I can tell him myself. I’m done waiting.”

“No I’ll tell him.” Sam assures you before typing away at his phone.

You continued to walk down the small street of stores to the car as Sam received a message back from Bucky.

“He’s not happy.” Sam told you.

“I’ll deal with him.” You said before you reached the car.

Sam moves in front of you to open the door for you.

“Whatever you say, boss.” Sam smirked at you as you stepped into the car. As Sam shut the door and walked around to the drivers seat, your phone pinged with a message from Bucky.

B: Sorry baby doll

You rolled your eyes, sighed and shoved your phone in your bag. This has happened many times already, someone had him caught up at the office or the warehouse. You didn’t mind him working, you just wished he’d stop making promises he couldn’t keep.

Bucky stared at the message he sent, hoping you’d reply. He knows he messed up by missing another part of the wedding planning. Really he didn’t care if he had a say in the wedding planning at all. He wanted to see what you created, see you happy with things you liked surrounding you, in the prettiest dress you picked. He didn’t care if you even had a wedding at all, all he wanted was you to be his wife.

He proposed fairly early into your relationship, because he immediately knew that you were the one. You turned a blind eye to his malicious work ways and his alliances, the amount of men that come and go through the house. You’d said you always loved some company, even with just the house staff. You felt safer knowing you weren’t alone.

He also loved the way you shuddered underneath him and the way you circled your hips on top of him when he brought you release again and again.

A pained groan brought Bucky out of his mind.

“C’mon, Zemo.” Bucky sighed in frustration and shoved his phone in his pant pocket and turned to the man tied up in the chair. “Haven’t we gone at this long enough? I have a date with my future wife.”

Zemo huffed, his head that hung low bounced as he coughed out the blood that had pooled in his mouth from the punches Steve had landed in his face. Steve stood behind him wiping the blood from his knuckles.

“The days are long.” Zemo croaked out. “How many punches you got in you?”

Steve threw down the paper towel and gripped Zemo’s hair, yanking his head back by his scalp. “How many do you think you can take?” He growled in Zemo’s face.

“As many as you can give.” Zemo spat, some blood landing in Steve’s face.

Steve flinched and closed his eyes. Bucky watched as Steve slowly stood and wiped a hand down his face. Steve moves to punch Zemo in the face again but Bucky grabbed his arms.

“Woah, there buddy.” He pulled the handkerchief out of his breast pocket and handed it to Steve. “Take a break.”

Steve scoffed, snatching the handkerchief from Bucky and walking away.

“Now you’ve pissed my friend off.” Bucky leaned down to look Zemo in the eye. “Which is why I’m giving you one more chance.” Bucky raised a finger. “Now I’m not gonna pluck out any of you teeth or anything because we’ve been here way too long now. You just need to tell me the names of the people who robbed my cartel tell last week, or you stay here to sleep in the cold winters night of this nice, lovely, metal scaffolding warehouse of mine, where you’ll probably freeze to death.”

Zemo glared at Bucky’s face. His mouth clamped shut.

To his silence, Bucky clicked his tongue and shook his head. Turning on the balls of his feet, he gestured to Steve that they were done.

“Sleep tight, Zemo.” Bucky said carefree as he waltz towards the door. “Oh. And feel free to scream for help. Nobody can hear you.” Bucky winked at the tied man before stepped out and sliding the massive door shut.

Steve stood next to him and locked the warehouse door.

“That bastard.” Steve muttered.

“You know, maybe you should stick to be the good guy, bad guy Steve kinda scares me.” Bucky said to his best friend as they walked towards their cars.

“Yep, you go back to being bad guy.” Steve loosens his tie and wipes a hand over his face. “They all just spit on me.”

As they approached the cars, some of their men stepped out with guns and full uniform.

“I knew you were never gonna let him sit here by himself.” Steve chuckled as he watch Bucky’s men take point around the left side of the warehouse.

“Fuck no.” Bucky huffed, crossing his arms and he watched Steves men take point of the right side of the warehouse. “I’ll also knew you would never, either.”

Steve nodded, and smirked. He also crossed his arms and watched. “I also have men in the grass around this area.”

“Nice.” Bucky tapped him on the shoulder.

They had been best friends since childhood and nothing stopped them from becoming the kings of the city’s together. Their own businesses, own men and a shared alliance with Tony Stark, Thor Odinson and his half brother Loki who he shares a business with and T’Challa. They keep the peace with each other and work together with the others to try to keep business between them private. But recently, all five businesses men have had their cartel movements infiltrated and had finally caught one of the men involved with it. They also have suspect that an old partner of Tony’s, Brock Rumlow is involved too but they haven’t been able to catch him.

Bucky sighed before checking his watch. “Shit.” He hisses. “I have to get ready to pick up my lady.” Bucky stated as he walked around the car.

Steve rolled his eyes at the mention of you.

“Oh yeah, can’t forget about her.” He said dryly.

“Oh stop. I didn’t pick on you when you married Peggy.” Bucky eyed his friend.

“Yeah, because we had known Peggy for years.” Steve defended his wife.

“And you love her, right?” Bucky asked opening his car door.

Steve have him a ‘duh’ look.

“Well I’m in love with June, Stevie. I can’t help it.” Bucky said, sitting in the driver seat and turning on the engine, rolling down the windows to see Steve bending down to look at him with his brow raised.

“You barely know her.” Steve said with a dull tone.

“I’ve actually gotten to know her very. Inside and out.” Bucky winked at Steve.

Steve groaned in disgust. “Get out of here you maniac.”

“Bon voyage, my friend.” Bucky waved before driving off.

You had just finished putting on your dress, with the help of Rita, Bucky’s longtime General housemaid. After you shimmied into a body suit to tighten your body under your dress, she helped you climb into a classy form fitting black dress and fix up your make-up.

When you finished getting all your stuff together, Rita informed you that Bucky was here.

You trudged your way out of the bedroom and stopped at the top of the stairs, seeing Bucky looking up at you from the living room with wild flowers in his hand. You, still vaguely annoyed at him, gave him a look with a hand on your hip.

Bucky smiled sheepishly. “You’re beautiful.”

“Uh huh.” You responded.

“I’m a lucky man.” He tried again.

“I’m sure.”

Bucky sighed at your short answers to him.

“I’m sorry, okay?” Bucky looked up at you with puppy eyes. “I really wanted to be there but I got caught up. We got closer to the people who have been stealing our shit and this guy just would not give up and...” He trailed off as you have him an unimpressed look.

“Babe, it was just the invitations.” He tried to reason. “I can help you pick out the cake?”

“I did that last week.” You said, finally giving it to him. “And it’s not about the invitations Buck, it’s the fact that you promised me that you would be there. That maybe this was something that we could do together besides actually getting married. Or will I have to do that by myself too?”

“Of course not, baby doll.” Bucky’s eyes were now sad. He didn’t realise how much you wanted his input on this wedding.

As you saw his eyes, you felt a little pang if guilt in your chest. He does work hard to keep you safe in the house and he does pay for everything. He doesn’t treat you bad or insult you. And when he is home, you’re like his goddess.

You huffed before stomping down the steps towards him. He watched as the annoyed scowl on your face twisted into one of confliction. You walked up to him and looked him in his gorgeous baby blue eyes.

He offered you the wild flowers, giving you the biggest set of puppy eyes you’ve ever seen.

“I don’t want to be a brat.” You said, taking the flowers.

“You’re not babe. You’re right.” He rubbed your arms. “I keep making promises I can’t keep. I knew I wasn’t going to make it.”

“Sam said you were gonna be pissed when I left.” You looked at your feet.

“Yeah at myself.” He put a finger under your chin and gently lifted your face to look at him. “I’m sorry baby.”

He pouted before leaning in slowly and capturing your lips in a gentle kiss.

“I’m still annoyed.” You said after pulling away. “No matter how guilty I feel, I can still be annoyed at you.” You pointed at him with the flowers before moving to the kitchen to put the flowers in water.

Bucky smirked as he watched you. “That’s why I brought you something else.”

You pushed open the kitchen door to see a little, grey Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy sitting patiently on the floor, it’s tail wagging at the sight of a human.

You froze and gasped. The little puppy dropped its head and shuffled its way towards your feet.

Carefully you bent down and the puppy crawled into your hands and you lifted it to your chest. You turned back to Bucky who had a hopeful smile on his face.

“Oh my gosh.” You said with wife eyes and the puppy nuzzled under your chin.

“Do you like him?” Bucky asked with his hands behind his back.

“I love him.” You kissed the puppy on the head, earning little licks in return.

“I thought he would ease your your hostility against me for a little while.” Bucky joked and you frowned at him.

“You can’t buy me a puppy every time you annoy me.” You said and scratched the puppy behind the ear.

“Of course not.” Bucky chuckled. “We’d have a full house.”

You smooched the puppy as Bucky stepped forward.

“Am I forgiven?” He gives you the puppy eyes again.

“Hmm.” You pretend to think. “Sure.” You give him a smile.

Bucky’s face brightens and he leans forward to capture your lips again.

After finally trusting Rita to look after the puppy and separating you from him, Bucky drove you to a quiet area of town and led you to an empty restaurant.

You frowned as you got out of the car. “This is dinner?”

“Yep.” Bucky smiled brightly.

The restaurant looked extremely fancy, and even with your dress and heels, you felt under-dressed.

“There’s no one in there.” You said, taking his arm as he offered it to you.

“I know. I booked the entire night to ourselves.” Bucky grasped your hand and kissed your fingers. “We have nothing but time.”

Bucky opened the door for you to reveal a dimly lit dining room, a massive fish tank lining the wall filled with different types of gold fish, and only one table with two chairs. Faux plants lined the walls and the windows to the restaurant, giving it a homey feel and the air was warm. But you still felt the tiniest bit intimidated.

As soon as you say down, waiters placed a covered dish in front of you, shocking you.

Bucky smirked at your face, confused by the silver cover of the plate.

“I ordered your favourite.” Bucky winked.

You scoffed. “I doubt this place does cheese burgers with extra cheese.” You laughed and placed a napkin on your lap.

Bucky winked again before taking off the cover and making you laugh. Seated on your plate was a neatly made In N Out burger and fries.

“I thought you’d appreciate this more than what this place normally makes.” Bucky’s eyes watched you as you smiled down at your food. “And I hope the Double Double counts as extra cheese.”

You looked at him ridiculously. “Um, no.” You held up a finger, ready to educate him. “It has two slices of cheese with two patties. It’s evened, not extra.”

“Alright, alright.” Bucky laughed and held his hands in surrender. “Enjoy your food.”

You pushed back the sleeves of your dress and your hair out of your face while muttering. “Don’t mind if I do.”

Bucky admired the way you visibly relaxed. He was going to take you to the formal dinner that Tony was hosting to discuss the recent events in business. But considering so much he has missed with you, he decided to take you somewhere where just you and him could enjoy yourselves.

You ate your food and enjoyed discussing some of the recent decisions you’d made about the wedding. He approved of every single decision.

“So,” You started after finishing off the burger and picking up a fry. “What’s new in the business?”

Bucky smiled at your interest.

“Well, we caught a guy that had been invading our private sales.” Bucky spoke in code, incase of any rats hanging around.

“You give them a good talking to?” You asked.

“Real good talking to.” Bucky wipes his mouth talking to you more. “We got some new information from Natasha. She just came back from her honeymoon.”

Natasha Romanoff was Tony’s own little mole that had been placed undercover as Natalie Rushman inside the gang of Hydra about a year before you met Bucky. She was feeding them as much information as she could while also playing the newest, youngest and most loveable wife of Alexander Pierce.

“Oh how nice.” You smiled. You’d met Natasha before and she was gorgeous.

“It might be another year before she can come back and work for us.”

“That’s good.” You say before munching on your last fry.

“God, I love you.” He mumbled under his breath. There was no way you could be real.

“What’s that baby?” You raised a brow as you heard him mumble.

“I said I can’t wait to marry you.” He told you, watching your eyes fill with love before you launched at him, attaching to his lips in a passionate attack.

3 months later, the wedding reception.

The reception was in full swing. You had a slightly non-traditional wedding. No one heard your vows except you and Bucky, then you joined your friends for the reception. You had finally met T’Challa and his right hand woman Okoye. As well as Steve’s wife Peggy and Tony’s wife Pepper. A bunch of your family had turned up and some friends. Once you and Bucky had your first dance, you changed into something much more moveable so you could enjoy the wedding comfortably.

You were browsing through the snack table when a voice boomed behind you.

“Mrs Barnes.” The deep voice said.

You turned to see a handsomely long blonde man with blue eyes, smiling bright at you with his hand out to you.

You reached and accepted it.

“Thor Odinson.” He introduces himself.

Your face lit up in realisation. “Oh, Mr Odinson. Nice to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, M’lady.” He said charmingly. “I hear you use to be a Vet Nurse.”

You nodded. “Yes, in fact that how I met Bucky.”

“Oh really?” He raises his eyebrows.

“Yeah, him and Tony came stumbling into the clinic I was working at chasing someone.” You explained, remembering that moment you first laid eyes on Bucky.

“Wow. I do love animals myself, though I never could have become a vet myself.” He smiled to himself. “I get too attached.”

“I love them too. I always wanted to work with animals. Just didn’t think it would end so soon.” In truth, you missed being surrounded by animals and meeting new ones.

“June.” Bucky’s voice interrupted. “Mind if I steal my wife back, Odinson?” He stepped to you and wrapped an arm around your waste.

Thor smiles at his ally before raising his hands in a playfull surrender. “She’s all yours.” Thor winked at you. “Nice to meet you, June.”

“You too.” You wave him off.

Bucky looks down at you, gosh he looked so good in his suit.

“What?” You giggled at him.

“You’re just so beautiful.” He rubbed his nose against yours.

You reach up gently and wrap your arm around his neck, pulling him down softly to meet you lips. You couldn’t get enough of kissing him today. He was finally your husband and you couldn’t wait to love him with all of your body.

You deepened the kiss by turning your head, your tongue massaging itself against his and you other arm gripping onto his shoulder. He pulls your body against him, pressing your chest against his and feeling the strength of his heart beat. His hands gripped you in such a delicious way that you wanted to melt in his embrace.

You pulled away for air and Bucky leant his forehead against yours, breathing heavily.

“Are you ready?” He asked, breath fanning against your face.

You look around to see that some guests had gone and it was now a relaxed mood, not that you cared. You just wanted to be with him.

“Yes.” Your voice came out on almost a beg.

“Alright.” Bucky pressed another soft kiss to your lips before pulling you with him to the small stage where a lone microphone stood.

“Hello, everyone.” Bucky pulled the attention of the rest of the people in the room. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate this beautiful woman and me. But now it is time we part.” Bucky smirked to the crowd. “We have to start our honeymoon.” You and Bucky then ran out of the venue, giggling like children and into the car on the way to the hotel you’d spend the night at. Making out and touch in the car, you couldn’t wait to get your hands on each other. As soon as the car stopped, you and Buck leapt out and into the building. Bucky fumbled with the room key while you kissed his neck, purring in his ear and gripping him any where you could get a hand full.

As he finally got it open, he pulled you inside and slammed you against the door as it shut. He attacked your neck and moved his hands to take off your outfit. His hands were rushed and he couldn’t wait to feel your skin. Getting frustrated with the fabric, he ripping it at the sides causing you to gasp.

“You only needed it for one night anyway.” He mumbled as he immediately latched onto your nipple, one hand gripping the skin on your hip and the other kneading your other breast.

Your head rested against the door with your eyes closed, enjoying his lips on you. Warmth grew in your core, wetness slicking up your folds as Bucky made his way down your body. He massaged your skin as his kisses trail down to your navel.

“I want to feel every inch of you.” He mumbled against your skin.

His lips were hot against your skin as he sucked a purple bruise on you hipbone. The fabric that had been ripped from your body and bunch up at your knees was now being pushed down you legs and you stepped out of it.

Bucky stood back up and tucked his hands under your thighs, making you jump and wrap your legs around his waist.

He handled you gently, making sure your legs shook at the touch of his tongue to your core and his tip to your sweat spot. He made sweet love to you and you were so glad he could fuck you like that for the rest of your life.

Tags: @kiwi-comics

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the-zodiacs-written-in-the-stars · 4 years

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Chapter 20: Sander & Sonia

Sebastian heaved a sigh as he sat in a circle with his beloved and her best friend. So it turned out that Joss Parker was Gemini and apparently, that was how Angel had gotten into this mess – she had received a pearl-necklace from Sonia Gold during a photo-shoot and got to activate it when Joss and Angel got involved in an... attack, at Liddell's Sweets. Which was quite peculiar.

“I received the bookmark from Sander”, noted Sander, his arms crossed.

“How... Why would...”, started Joss and shook his head in confusion. “No, no. That's impossible. Why would Sander and Sonia have... two of the pearls? And hand them out like that? I can't...”

“You, what, can't believe your crush would be involved with space-aliens trapped in marbles like they're Pokémon?”, drawled Sebastian dryly, looking over at Angel. “Can't imagine what that must be like, at all. Look. Whatever is going on, this can't be a coincident.”

Joss sighed and tilted his head to avoid looking at them. It wasn't that Sebastian didn't feel for him, really. Joss was one of Sebastian's very few friends. And he knew just how long Joss had been fostering that crush on Sander. The idea that Sander may be involved in something shady – because honestly, why would they have those gems, for so long, and then hand them out like this?

“I will talk to them tomorrow”, declared Joss seriously. “But none of that now.”

“Okay and what would you request now...?”, asked Sebastian suspiciously.

“We're complete, as complete as it can get so it's time for you two to meet the rest of the team.”

“What does as complete as it can get mean, Joss?”, asked Sebastian warily.

“One gem, the Libra, is... in the hands of the enemy”, sighed Joss. “Now come.”

“Where are we going?”, wanted Sebastian to know.

“Where the majority of our team lives”, replied Joss.

~*~

Jamie was laying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. The room was so nice and so large. He loved living here. The entire mansion – oh, the kitchen was a dream, he may actually be in love with it. The pool and all the other ridiculous rooms were nice too. But the kitchen? It made his knees weak.

“I just still can't believe they're Cancer and Sagittarius”, muttered Jamie.

He had known that for a few short weeks now, but knowing it and actually accepting it...? They had gone on missions together now too. Jamie had come to rely on them in battle and he was living with them; the pub was still being renovated, it had been burned down and damaged too much for an easy fix and Jamie couldn't put into words just how grateful he was that not just him but also Ally and Andy had found a place to live here. The thought of Ally and Andy being homeless again had hurt Jamie even more so than the loss of his life's savings and pride and joy.

“Why not?”, asked Leo confused, pawing the pillow next to Jamie.

“They were... supposed to be safe”, whispered Jamie. “A safe crush. A billionaire and his fiance. Not in a billion years would anything come of it, would I be more than... the cook in their favorite diner. Now... Now I'm living with them, fighting alongside them... growing close to them.”

“Isn't that better?”, asked Leo, seemingly even more confused now. “Now you can have them!”

“No”, grunted Jamie and rolled his eyes. “And now it's an even worse idea than ever, because I rely on their generosity to live here and... we fight together, the literal fate of the world... rests on our shoulders, I have no use for any romantic distractions, Leo. It'd only mess with the team and the team is already fragile enough as it is because we're too many and too different in personality.”

Leo hummed, though he seemed no less confused than before. Well, human emotions were kind of complex and weird, it figured that Leo didn't quite have a grasp for it. Heaving a sigh, Jamie got off the bed and got changed for the day. Not that he had a whole lot to do. The bar was still being renovated, the kids were going to school, Matt and Mike went to work... Jamie was mostly alone during the day. He liked to clean up, read in the library, cook – lots of cooking. Jamie didn't do too well just sitting around with no actual work to do. He was a doer.

“He—ey there. Figured you'd be going out of your mind by now. I let myself in.”

“You shouldn't break into other people's houses, Babs”, sighed Jamie fondly.

Babs shrugged where she was sprawled out in the sitting room. “Eh. I'm sure they don't mind.”

“What are you doing here?”, sighed Jamie as he continued his way toward the kitchen.

Babs got up to follow him into the kitchen. She sat down at the table, watching how Jamie got everything out to bake bread. He loved fresh, warm bread. It just... It made everything a little better.

“We need a game plan”, stated Babs. “I mean, it's all fun and games, running around, collecting little marbles when we actually manage to beat one of the symbiotes. But it's hardly a plan.”

“We're already gathering all the intel we can. Without an in with the... enemy... how are we supposed to catch a break? There is nothing to plan”, argued Jamie pointedly.

“Sure. Sure”, agreed Babs. “But, you know... there's gotta be something.”

“If you just came here to bitch and moan because you're bored... go study.”

“Ouch. Why would you hurt me like that”, huffed Babs offended.

“At least come and help me”, sighed Jamie, a small amused smile on his lips.

~*~

Canceling date-night was definitely not something Lizzy wanted to do. Rick deserved better. Alas, it was inevitable. Apparently, they were having an impromptu meeting with the team now, over at the di Girasole villa. She peppered Rick's face with kisses and left him some tarts that she bought specifically for him on her way back from work. That should appease him.

“Okay, I'd love for us to wrap this up quickly so I can get back to my boyfriend, because we had plans. As in, a reservation at my favorite restaurant. And I'm hungry. Don't make me hangry.”

“Right, so... let's make this quick”, agreed Mike as he side-eyed her. “I've seen her hangry.”

“It is not pretty”, agreed Jessie. “So, Angel, Basty, welcome to the team, good to have you, bye?”

No one looked impressed by that and Basty cleared his throat. “The thing we need to talk about is that Angel and I received our jewels differently than you guys did.”

“What. They didn't just pop up in your pockets?”, drawled Babs. “Bizarre.”

“Please refrain from unnecessary comments, cousin”, requested Basty unimpressed. “No, they didn't just show up at random. I was handed this bookmark, specifically. By Sander Hancock.”

“Doesn't ring a bell”, noted Mike, face scrunched up.

“He's the CEO of Gold Standard”, supplied Matt.

“And the other one, this pearl-necklace here, I got from Sonia Gold herself”, supplied Angel.

“...Okay that's suspicious”, agreed Matt with a serious look on his face. “For them to have not one but two of the gems... and hand them out to someone capable of using them, at that.”

“What do we do with that?”, asked Mel, eyebrows furrowed. “We can assume they're on our side, since they chose... well. And not an enemy. But...”

“I think not all of us should go and confront them”, offered Basty.

“No kidding. I'm not to keen on revealing my secret superhero identity to my boss”, agreed Lizzy. “And it'd be seriously risky to just entrust her with that...”

“Angel, me and Joss are going alone”, stated Basty. “To confront them.”

“As good a plan as we could get”, shrugged Jessie. “But... be careful.”

“Also, while we're all together like this. I do think we should... plan ahead more”, threw Jamie in. “Ever since we became one team, thinks had been... more chaotic.”

“Agreed. I propose we go back to the... teams we fought in before. At least for minor missions.”

“Matt's got a point. Maybe we should. Less stepping on each other's toes”, agreed Tanya.

“We got each other's contacts. We can call for backup if something more serious is attacking, but generally, one or two of them... we can take care of in a smaller group”, agreed Mel.

“Gre—eat. So it's decided, we're done, I can go and still make date-night?”, asked Lizzy.

While speaking, she had already gotten up and grabbed her coat. Whistling once, she summoned Jessie to her side – still living with Rick and Lizzy, Jessie did rely on her as a ride. Before anyone could start another history lesson and rehashing of everything they knew – both Mel and Tanya seemed to really love doing that and considering that they now had two shiny newbies to catch up on, this meeting may just take another four hours. No, thanks.

“How are you holding up, Liz?”, asked Jessie softly as they got in the car.

“Peachy. Real fine. So good”, muttered Lizzy.

“C'mon. I know this is exhausting. Babs, Jamie and I have the current advantage of being out of work so we can patrol the city during day-time. But you're juggling your new superhero identity, your very time-consuming job, your boyfriend – and your friends. I know Nox and Alina are worrying about you. So did Joss, well, until he learned the truth and joined our merry band of... whatevers. It's okay to run on fumes, Liz.”

“It's not. I'm fine”, muttered Lizzy dismissively. “I'm an expert at shouldering a lot.”

“...I... know you're strong, Liz. You're like the strongest non-Jamie person I know”, whispered Jessie gently, reaching out for her best friend. “The thing is you don't have to be strong at all times.”

Lizzy smiled, just a little bit, and shook her head. “I just... I just need a vacation, you know? No work, no world-dominating aliens, just Rick and me, going home to New Orleans, visiting my parents – eating my dad's cooking again.”

“Sounds like a good plan”, hummed Jessie, voice soft. “Send me a post-card then, mh?”

~*~

They had decided to do this the next day, since their meeting ran late. It gave Joss another couple hours to brace herself. Still, even as she brushed her hair in the morning, looking into the mirror, she didn't feel ready for this. Sonia was... she was more than just a friend. She was Joss' idol, when Joss had had no one else, Sonia had been there. She had been a guiding force like the older sister Joss never had. And in the face of having lost her family – well, not literally but sometimes this felt worse than if her parents had died – she had found solitude and warmth at Sonia's home.

The thought that Sonia could be scheming in any capacity, be involved with all of this in anything but a stellar way... the thought broke Joss' heart. She took a deep breath and braced herself for the meeting to come. All day during work, she had already avoided Sonia and Sander.

The ringing of her doorbell alerted her that it was time. Taking a deep breath, Joss left, being greeted by Angel and Basty at the car. They exchanged a look and drove in silence, until they reached the villa. It loomed in the distance, even minutes before they reached it.

It was a beautiful, modern building. Strange architecture, white structure with many windows. The villa stood at a cliff overseeing the ocean. The view was beautiful, Joss knew that. She sighed.

“I'm sure this is going to be fine”, whispered Angel, reaching out to take Joss' hand. “They... chose us. So... their intentions must be good, right? They... must.”

Joss hummed, hoping those words to be true. They reached the gate and, once they identified themselves, they were led in. The drive up to the house seemed to stretch forever, but when they did park the car, Sonia and Sander were already standing in the driveway. They looked so... regal, at all times. Sonia was like a queen, her suits like uniforms.

“Joss, my dear. And you bring... friends”, noted Sonia slowly.

One perfect eyebrow was raised at them. Sander rolled his eyes fondly but offered them a welcoming smile and opened the door to welcome the three in.

“Are we making up for book-club...? But without Melanie?”, inquired Sander.

“We're here to talk about your... gifts”, stated Joss in a monotone voice.

“Ah, that's a conversation best held over a glass of wine.”

Sonia casually led them toward the balcony, getting the wine on the way. Joss didn't quite feel like drinking wine. Alcohol clouded the mind. She wanted and needed to stay sharp on this one.

“No games, please. You know what they were. And you know why you gave them to Sebastian and Angelique, specifically”, stated Joss, eyes sharp as she stared at her old friend.

The smile on Sonia's lips was playful as she sipped on her wine. Basty and Angel were sitting slightly uncomfortable, shifting and focusing on their wine for now. Joss appreciated that they let her lead this conversation for now. It was the look on Sander's face that wrecked her though; so open and genuine and... friendly. Oh, she knew why she had fallen for him...

“Fair enough, my dear”, agreed Sonia after a moment. “Phoenix, sweetie, come out.”

She twirled the bracelet on her wrist. Golden, like all her jewelry, but with a salmon-colored round jewel in the center. A warm glow emitted from the jewel, just like Joss had seen countless times by now from her own and from those of the others. And just like she was used to, a creature was summoned. A bird, soft pink in color, warm, with a golden glow to the feathers. At Joss' skeptical look, Sonia offered her wrist so Joss could take a closer look at the bracelet.

“I wouldn't know what animal to associate with Libra, so... is this it?”, inquired Basty fascinated.

“No, it is not. Libra is a dog. And this isn't the symbol of Libra either. A dot within a circle, that's... that's the symbol of the sun?”, observed Joss confused. “What is the meaning of this?”

“This is Phoenix. She is not a Zodiac. She's a constellation, but one of three very special ones, linked with... celestial bodies”, replied Sonia. “Phoenix is the guardian of the sun.”

“Lepus”, called Sander out.

There was a brooch attached to Sander's suit-jacket, one that Joss had noticed quite a couple weeks ago but never really gave much thought to. The brooch, a silver crescent-moon with a brown jewel sat at the tip, started glowing. Angel made the most delighted sound and immediately lunged forward to pet the bunny. A dark-brown bunny with a lighter fluff around his neck and mighty wings growing from its back. Silver dotted its fur in star-patterns.

“Oh, you are simply gorgeous”, cooed Angel excitedly.

“This is Lepus, he is linked to the moon”, explained Sander.

“But... and correct me if I'm wrong, the constellations are the enemy?”, asked Basty.

“That's a very black and white way of looking at it”, chided Sonia unimpressed. “Not all constellations side with Serpentarius. Especially not Phoenix, Lepus and Lupus.”

“I'll bite: Why's that?”, asked Joss slowly.

She was startled when their companions decided to join them after all, the glowing mix of blue, green and pink was obnoxious to the eye, but when the fish, capricorn and owl all bowed down to the phoenix and the bunny, Joss officially did not know what to make of this anymore.

“Because we're their bosses”, replied Phoenix, her voice silky and serious. “The three guardians are the supervisors of the Zodiacs. We landed here first. We attracted them. That is why they all landed in the same place; because we were there. Those that had not been picked up, Sonia took.”

“We spent months searching for someone fit, not just the birth-date but also the duty”, explained Sonia. “The irony, I did want to give one to you, Joss.”

“Why... didn't you seek us out earlier?”, asked Joss, not entirely convinced.

“We are not supposed to intervene. Not that early. They're supposed to form, without intervention”, stated Lepus, nose twitching in that admittedly adorable bunny-way. “However, having lost Libra has forced our hand. And Serpentarius seems to grow impatient.”

“Can you... tell us what they're planning?”, asked Angel hopefully.

“That is not...”, started Phoenix and shook herself, spreading her impressive wings. “Serpentarius had been bonded with a human... and it's the human's motivation that is driving them. We don't know the human, so we can't tell. Serpentarius' gain in this is to take over this planet; the human vessel however... without knowing all pieces, we can't know the full picture.”

“So, how do we find that out?”, inquired Basty. “Is there a way...?”

“So far, it seemed that Serpentarius' intend was to unite you. To mock and provoke. Those small attacks seemed intended to lure you out. Now that you are complete...”, mused Lepus.

“Except we're not”, noted Joss. “We're missing Libra.”

“Libra is Carroll Lewis”, stated Sonia like she was reading them the weather.

“Wait. Wait, that... the billionaire?”, squeaked Angel. “The scary redhead?”

“The scary redhead”, confirmed Sonia, gritting her teeth. “I saw the jewel on her during a meeting the other week. I tried taking it from her, but... that didn't work. She is too clever to just let it be stolen, she knows how valuable it truly is.”

“Okay... a billionaire with high-end security is... not necessarily the ideal enemy”, grunted Basty.

“There's more of you than her and you now know where she is. You have the element of surprise.”

“Sander, that is a horrible idea”, chided Sonia seriously. “She's going to have multiple unattached constellations there and surely people to use them on. Even the element of surprise won't be a guarantee for a win. They're going to risk too much with a direct confrontation; they're not ready for that. You've seen the news. Not even half the team are properly trained.”

“That is a fair assessment, but with every passing day, more people get hurt, things get destroyed, Serpentarius has more time to plan”, argued Sander seriously.

Joss leaned back and stared at the glass of wine in consideration now. Both Sander and Sonia made good points there. Attacking with the element of surprise may be their best bet to get the gem from Libra, however they really were not exactly... well-trained. Despite Joss' best efforts.

“We definitely need to regroup and form a plan of attack. And put more training hours in”, stated Joss seriously. “You two in particular. You haven't had any training.”

“Oh no. No, no, I don't... I will not do any fighting”, grunted Basty, shaking his head. “Books are my weapon. Not whatever this is going to be; physical fights. No. Not happening.”

“I told you not to pick this one”, sighed Sonia disappointed.

“He would be better suited for Gemini than fun-loving Capricorn, but he is still an asset”, argued Sander with a strict frown. “Every team needs its brains.”

Sonia rolled her eyes at him and refilled her glass. Reluctantly, Joss took her glass after all.

“The constellations, they can bond just like our companions? I thought they could only... take over”, whispered Joss, eyes on Lepus and Phoenix. “All, or just the three of you...?”

“Oh, all. Just like your companions, they too can change your physical form. It all depends on how we manifest, what our intention is”, explained Phoenix.

All Joss could do was nod and take a slow drink from her wine. Sonia was talking to Angel now, while Basty seemed rather fascinated by the five talking animals, asking them a ton of questions. It gave Joss the chance to lean back, for just a moment, to concentrate.

“How... are you doing, Joss? I apologize for keeping this from you, though we were not sure you were one of the chosen ones. We could have supported you, had we known.”

Looking up, she saw Sander sitting down next to her, a concerned expression on his face. She shook her head. What was she supposed to say to that? For months, she had fought alone. Now she had this... team. Now she learned she could have been working together with her crush for so long. Her phone in her pocket buzzed and when she checked to see if it was important, the message blinking on her screen was from Savitri – long shift, tired. Thinking of you. It made her smile, very gently.

“I'm doing fine. And I have all the support I need”, whispered Joss softly.

Read here on AO3!

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#Project: Written in the Stars #Superheroes #Story: Written in the Stars

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