#Might be unexpected to them and throw a wrench in their plans

[childrenofthesun77]

Back when mahiru thought his uncle might be dead he had a flashback to the accident that resulted in his mother's death, but one thing I noticed is that we don't actually see akira in this memory? It feels like either mahiru (or someone like lily or jeje) is supressing his memory here.

And if someone possibly killed akira on purpose, who was it and why?

#servamp #akira shirota #mahiru shirota #I mean the biggest plot twist would actually be that she faked her death and is actually alive/a vampire for whatever reason #But assuming she's dead who would have a motive #touma seems unlikely I feel like he would have taunted mahiru with that back when he mentioned killing several people #I forgot how old mahiru was when akira died but mikuni was probably still too young and also he used to hate humans getting killed #No idea why he's working with tsubaki to do a ritual that will kill all of tokyo now #Tsubaki maybe? He might know about what is so special about mahiru. In that case killing the mother (who also knew what's special about him #Would make some sense. She can't tell mahiru or anyone else about it if she's dead. #But killing her in a way that might have killed mahiru as well...assuming whatever is special about mahiru is needed for the ritual #Risky #But maybe mahiru's memories were faked like misono's were with the night kiriko died and mahiru wasn't actually there when akira got killed #Trying to kill tooru after he had to reveal his ties to c3 before he could explain to mahiru what's special about him #Would also fit with tsubaki #tsubaki would also have a motive not to taunt mahiru with it so nobody tries to look into it and finds out what killing her would achieve #If mahiru is needed for the ritual it's probably even better that mahiru and kuro found a way to get rid of the distance limit #because the enemies probably planned with the distance limit in mind meaning mahiru not needing to be there when kuro tries to stop tsubaki #Might be unexpected to them and throw a wrench in their plans

[freesia-writes]

Chapter 8: Intentions

During the Clone Wars, the Bad Batch is tasked with a variety of missions across the galaxy. An unexpected addition to their team throws a wrench in the mix, particularly for Tech, who finds a particular connection with this disillusioned Padawan-turned-mechanic named Vel throughout the events in this action-adventure romance.

COVER ART BY @zaana!! And this was my first fanfic ever, y'all! :D

Master List of Chapters

From the bridge of the ship, Hunter and Crosshair were watching with a bird's eye view of the entire thing. Hunter could sense from across the platform the internal struggle within Vel, and he scratched the side of his face, frowning as he dropped his hand.

"I'm not sure this is a good long-term plan," he said to Crosshair.

"What, her?" Crosshair replied, shifting his toothpick to the other side of his mouth as he reclined, feet crossed on the dashboard. "I would have left her on the roof where we first found her."

"She's handy to have around," Hunter mused. "But something is growing there that I don't think is in our best interest."

"Growing? There?" Crosshair asked, his interest piqued now. Normally he wasn't bothered with such things, but he put his feet down and leaned forward, looking out the forward windows at the pair below. "With Tech?" he laughed dismissively, "I think we should be more concerned about her untraditional solutions to emergencies."

"I'm serious," Hunter insisted, returning his gaze to the couple on the platform. "This kind of thing will only bring complications."

"What kind of thing?" Wrecker asked, appearing from his bunk.

"Hunter thinks there is something between Vel and Tech," Crosshair answered, turning to enjoy Wrecker's reaction.

"What! Ha!" Wrecker guffawed, nearly crushing Hunter in his effort to peer out the front window. "Alright Tech! I didn't think he had it in him!" he said upon seeing the two, giving a little fist pump.

"He shouldn't," Hunter responded sternly. "We weren't made for this sort of thing."

"Bah," Wrecker waved him off, "Let him enjoy it. We were made to fight and die. Might as well have some fun along the way, right Cross?" He ruffled Crosshair's short hair as one would a younger sibling, and was inevitably met with a disapproving huff as his hand was swatted away.

But Hunter continued watching them, hand on his chin, and said nothing.

***

The next dejarik match had a decidedly different atmosphere. Vel couldn't tell what it was, but Hunter was radiating discomfort. Had she said something? Was he still mad about her dirt analysis question? After a good amount of painstaking attempts at conversation and an equal amount of silence, she took out two of his pieces at once, and that was the last straw.

"Okay, that's it," Vel said, sitting back from the table, "What is going on?"

Hunter sighed, leaning back as well. "Listen. I don't know how to go about this, so I'm just going to be straightforward. I can tell there's something between you and Tech." His suspicions were confirmed as he instantly registered her shock, immediately followed by a flush of embarrassment. To spare her the need for a coherent response, he continued, "I don't think it's a good idea. That's not our path in life, not our kind of thing. You understand that, right?"

Vel was speechless.

"We need to stick to our purpose, and we all agree on that," he said, eyes shifting downward as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "So... we think it's best if you stay here on Coruscant."

"We?" was all Vel could spit out.

"Yes," Hunter replied, still not meeting her eyes.

"I see," Vel said, sitting up straighter now. She swallowed as if to preserve her pride and rose to her feet. "Okay. I'll finish the regulator wiring tomorrow and then I'll be gone."

Hunter watched her leave, fully aware of the hurt he had caused but confident that this was in the best interest of his squad. He had to protect them, and things like this could bring unfathomable complexity that was not only unnecessary but potentially dangerous. He took a deep breath and retired to his bunk.

***

Vel was unmistakably icy in her demeanor the next morning. She clattered around her makeshift quarters, realizing that she had packed her meager belongings a few times over and had nothing else to do. She finally squeezed herself between the panels in the maintenance corridor, finishing her final repair with a steady stream of expletives flowing through her mind, directed primarily at Hunter but including them all.

She felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under her, which wasn't a new feeling, yet it stung all the more this time as she had finally felt as though she was an accepted, worthwhile member of a group. She had done all she could to contribute to the squad, and hell, hadn't she even saved their butts at least once? Sure, they would disagree and maintain they were fine on their own. And maybe they were.

It just stung to realize that she had been so incorrect in her assessment. She felt like a fool. As she ran over all the things she should have said to Hunter, muttering under her breath, a face suddenly appeared between the narrow panels. Her heart fell another story as she recognized the oversized brown eyes behind the yellow tinted lenses. The pain quickly turned to anger, however, and she couldn't hold it in.

"Coming to see me off?" Vel snapped, "Or just going to go over my work as soon as I'm done?"

Tech was taken aback at the sudden vehemence, adjusting his goggles as a muscle-memory defense mechanism. "I apologize if I startled you?" he ventured, "And no, there is no need to check your work."

"Okay, great," she continued, turning back to the wires before her, plugging the final one in and shoving the panel closed with not a hint of gentleness. Tech backed away tentatively as she squeezed out of the narrow space, brushing past him to head for her cot, where she retrieved her weapon, pack, and cloak.

"Where are you going?" Tech asked.

"Oh, I'll figure something out," she retorted sardonically, unable to keep the words in. They were laced with venom, all the hurt she felt at his complete betrayal and total lack of care.

"We are leaving for Naboo soon," he continued, thoroughly puzzled at this point by her sudden change in spirit. He was concerned that she would not be back in time for their departure but did not want to interfere with her plans, as it seemed a highly touchy subject.

"Yes, I'm sure it will be lovely," Vel responded evenly, "Thank you for everything." And with that, she stormed past him to the lift. Her last glimpse before the door closed was his face, brow furrowed, big brown eyes watching her leave. 

Tag List: @merkitty49 @vimse @arctrooper69 @dystopicjumpsuit @starrylothcat @ghostperson69 @dreamie411 @savebytheodoresnonjosestuff @523rdrebel @clonemedickix @sinfulsalutations @ughhhhfoff @coraex @amorfista @nobody-expects-the-inquisitorius @followthepurrgil @littlefeatherr @sunshinesdaydream

(If you're on my regular tag list, let me know if you want to be tagged in this; I didn't want to spam ya!)

Click here to join or leave the tag list. <3

#the bad batch #tech fanfic #tech romance #the bad batch tech #star wars fanfiction #bad batch #star wars the bad batch #the bad batch fanfiction #slow burn romance #tbb

[acollectionofficsandshit]

hiiii can we expect the next chapter of TOU to be out by the end of this week? i’ve already reread it too many times and I need new content cause the rest of my life sucks rn

I've learned the hard way I can't give a hard timeline for when it'll be about bc apparently the universe just sees it as me tempting it to throw a wrench in my plans lmao so hopefully you will!!

Additionally, what I can offer you as compensation for my wildly erratic posting schedule and utter lack of content for several months is this... here you go, hope you enjoy because I haven't written anything spicy in a bit and I'm feeling rusty

He fucking hates this, watching you yield without pushing back, the flame of the fight flickering out before it had the proper time to climb to the raging inferno he knows it should be. All signs might appear to point towards the current location of you

Head bowed where he’s accustomed to seeing it held high, proud and challenging. Eyes sullen and downcast where there should be that blazing gaze of yours held in them, rightfully staring Daniel down, daring him to keep it up and find how just exactly how shit of a prize it’ll win him. That fucking look, God does Max have the most dysfunctional relationship with it. It wouldn’t even be right to describe it as a love-hate relationship when hate-fuck would be a far better fit. 

He’s still working through it, but he is woefully well aware exactly how much it says about his psyche and the current status of what he likes to call his list of almost nonsensical ‘high probability to be cause for concern, if not also deeply worthy of several therapy appointments’ things that have really fucking been doing it for him lately. 

So, strictly speaking, is it surprising to anyone at all that for whatever reason the thoughts in his head start to trend toward the filthy and the nasty and the debauched when you look at him like that? He’s of the opinion that that little fact would be breaking, unexpected news to exactly no one. 

Because, yeah, okay so what if you and your half hooded eyes and your addictive fucking ability to somehow manage to look down your nose at him while you stand several inches shorter than he does makes him want to find the closest empty room with a door that locks— actually, it’s not a must have that the door locks, he doesn’t give a shit because he’s had these fantasies on repeat for an obscene number of months and if other people want to watch, he’s not about to let a little audience stop him.

But seriously,  how the fuck does one look ​​capable of convincing him that he’s small and insignificant and so far beneath you he should have to ask you for permission before he gets on his knees and begs for it, for whatever you’re willing to give him, while simultaneously making him feel larger than life, unwavering in his certainty that you’re thinking the exact same thing that he is— and you’d have absolutely no qualms about letting him bend you over the nearest flat surface and fuck the attitude right out of you-

God damnit, he has to get better about his timing with this kind of shit because now is really not the time for him to be mentally wandering off down the ‘it’s been three months since I’ve fucked anyone and its all because of you’ version of memory lane.

#three of us #asks

[autolifenz]

How Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Differs from Extended Warranty?

In the world of car ownership, unexpected repairs can throw a wrench into your plans and budget.

That's where Best mechanical breakdown insurance NZ comes into play, offering a safety net that goes beyond the standard warranty.

But wait, isn't that what an extended warranty does, too?

Let's rev up our engines and delve into the differences between these two automotive protection plans

Unpacking the Basics

What is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?

Mechanical breakdown insurance, often referred to as MBI, is a specialised insurance policy designed to cover the cost of unexpected repairs after the manufacturer's warranty expires. 

Unlike your typical auto insurance, which focuses on accidents and external damages, MBI steps in when your car experiences mechanical failures. Think of it as a superhero cape for your engine and transmission!

Extended Warranty: A Familiar Ally

On the other side of the automotive protection spectrum, we have an extended warranty. This is an additional coverage option that you can purchase from the manufacturer or a third-party provider. 

While it may sound similar to mechanical breakdown insurance, there are nuances that set them apart.

Coverage Scope: What's Under the Hood?

When comparing the two, the primary difference lies in the scope of coverage. Mechanical breakdown insurance is generally more comprehensive, covering a wide range of mechanical failures and often including components like the transmission, engine, and suspension. 

Extended warranties, while offering valuable coverage, might have more limitations on what specific parts are included.

Term Limits: Racing Against Time

Another crucial distinction is the timeframe within which these plans operate. Extended warranties are typically set for a specific number of years or miles, whichever comes first. 

Mechanical breakdown insurance, however, might have more flexible terms, allowing coverage for older vehicles or those with higher mileage.

Cost Considerations: Pit Stop for Your Wallet

Let's talk numbers – the language that hits home for many car owners. Both Best Mechanical Breakdown Insurance NZ and extended warranties involve costs, but the way they're structured can impact your budget differently.

Payment Options: Tailoring Your Finances

Mechanical breakdown insurance often comes with flexible payment options, allowing you to spread the cost over time. 

Extended warranties, however, might require a lump-sum payment or instalment plans with interest. Consider your financial preferences and choose the plan that aligns with your budgeting style.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses: The Sneaky Speed Bumps

While both plans aim to minimise out-of-pocket expenses for repairs, there could be differences in how they handle deductibles and covered repairs. Be sure to scrutinise the details to avoid any surprises down the road.

Choosing the Right Gear for Your Ride

Now that we've taken a lap around the track of automotive protection plans, how do you choose the right one for your ride? Consider your driving habits, the age of your vehicle, and your budget. 

Mechanical breakdown insurance might be the ideal companion if you're looking for comprehensive coverage and flexible payment options. On the flip side, an extended warranty could be the right fit if you prioritise a fixed-term plan with potentially lower upfront costs.

Conclusion

In the grand race of car ownership, unexpected breakdowns are inevitable. The key is to equip yourself with the right protection. Extended warranties and mechanical breakdown insurance NZ are both valuable tools, each with its unique strengths. 

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. So, buckle up, do your research, and enjoy the journey with the confidence that your vehicle is well-protected.

Source - https://autolifecarinsurancenz.blogspot.com/2024/02/how-mechanical-breakdown-insurance.html

#mbi insurance nz #mechanical insurance nz #best mechanical breakdown insurance nz #breakdown insurance nz

[rdoverseas01]

Empowering Mobility: The Essential Guide to Car Battery Jump Starters

Introduction:

In our fast-paced world, the convenience of personal transportation is unparalleled. Yet, the frustration of a dead car battery can swiftly turn any journey into a standstill. This guide explores the indispensable tool that has become a savior for drivers worldwide – the car battery jump starter.

Understanding the Challenge:

As we rely on our vehicles for daily commuting, road trips, and adventures, a dead battery can throw a wrench into our plans. Various factors, from extreme weather conditions to the natural wear and tear of batteries, contribute to this inconvenience.

The Role of a Jump Starter:

A car battery jump starter emerges as the knight in shining armor during these moments of vehicular distress. This portable power bank is purpose-built to jump-start vehicles, offering a reliable solution precisely when you need it the most.

Key Components of a Jump Starter Kit:

Explore the essential components that make up a jump starter kit, from the compact power unit to the jumper cables and additional features such as USB ports and built-in flashlights.

The Convenience Factor:

Dive into the unparalleled convenience offered by jump starters. Unlike traditional methods that require the assistance of another vehicle, a jump starter empowers drivers to independently revive their dead batteries, especially in remote or off-peak locations.

How to Use a Jump Starter:

Unravel the straightforward process of using a jump starter, ensuring safety, proper cable connections, and understanding the additional features that enhance its usability.

Benefits Beyond Jump-Starting:

Beyond its primary function, discover the versatility of modern jump starters with features like USB ports for charging devices and built-in flashlights that make them invaluable tools for various situations.

Conclusion:

In the face of unexpected challenges on the road, a car battery jump starter is not just a tool; it's a reliable companion. "Empowering Mobility" aims to guide drivers through the intricacies of these essential devices, offering a sense of security and self-reliance for every journey. As we explore the uncertainties of travel, having a jump starter in your trunk might just be the key to keeping your plans, and your vehicle, on track.

#car accessories #accessories #car #jumpstater #jumpstaterkit

[linuxgamenews]

Experience Strategy, Creativity & Exploration with Roboplant

Roboplant farming tycoon game launches on both Linux and Windows PC. Thanks to the imaginative team at Rebelpug, the developer responsible for bringing this captivating experience to life. Available on both Steam and Humble Store. Welcome to Roboplant, a unique farming journey set in a future where humanity has branched out into other galaxies. Here, you step into the shoes of a space entrepreneur, due to create and manage hydroponic farms on alien planets. While facing vast landscapes, unknown horizons, and the chance to cultivate both Earth plants and intriguing alien flora. It's a blend of strategy, creativity, and exploration on Linux. Imagine you've just landed on a new, uncharted planet. Your first task? Build your base. Think of it as constructing a high-tech greenhouse, where each room, corridor, and piece of equipment plays a vital role. You'll be adding hydroponic setups, lab gadgets, and even decorations. Since it's not just about functionality; it's about creating a home on this alien world. Farming in Roboplant certainly goes beyond your usual garden variety. Sure, you can keep to familiar crops like lettuce or even colorful blue melons. But there's a whole world of unfamiliar plants waiting for you. These aren't your average veggies. They might need special conditions, unique care, and who knows what else. Your job is to figure that out and make them thrive.

Roboplant farming tycoon Trailer

Expansion and growth are key. To scale up your business, you need a blend of strategy and foresight. Get to know the ins and outs of your hydroponic tech, because that's your bread and butter. Selling your space grown produce is how you'll earn your keep, fueling your operation and research. Speaking of research, you're not just a farmer in Roboplant; you're an innovator. Due to delve into research, improve your tech, and maybe even dabble in genetics to create new plant species. It's a bit like playing nature but with high-tech tools. Now, let's talk about your crew. They aren't your average workers; they're robots, each with their own skills and needs. Yes, even robots need downtime. So, you're not just managing a farm; you're also managing a robotic team. Due to ensure they have spaces to relax and recharge. Think of it as creating a harmonious ecosystem where plants, tech, and robots coexist. Your mission isn't just about farming; Roboplant is also about saving Earth. You'll embark on various missions, each with its own set of challenges. It could be environmental events throwing a wrench in your plans or other unexpected twists. How you handle these will test your resilience and problem solving skills. Roboplant isn't just about planting seeds; it's about sowing the future, one space farm at a time. It's a mix of strategy, care, and exploration, set in a future where the sky isn't the limit – it's just the beginning. Ready to embark? Its available on both Steam (priced at $10.79 USD / £9.89 / 9,89€ with the 10% discount) and Humble Store. Along with support for Linux and Windows PC.

#roboplant #farming tycoon #linux #gaming news #rebelpug #ubuntu #windows #pc #Youtube #unity

[mppmaraudergirl]

For the one sentence prompt even though it's more, but Spotify recommended me this song today and it WORKS.

"We're not together, but we're not, not together and I kinda like it, but I can't do this forever. We're friends, just friends until we drink, until it's later and all your roommates are asleep, all of a sudden I've got your hands all over me."

Uh... TRN M outtake?? The dinner night that might have been? (Excuse typos pls)

The night inches by with the four of them around the large Potter dining table. Lily hasn't so much as looked at him since he arrived, and although he knows he is not innocent in what happened between them Saturday night, he can't help the annoyance that creeps up his spine.

He wishes he hadn't come. He wishes he had faked an illness of some kind and left—though that would have been a hard sell with his mum.

A bit of relief comes when he discovers Lily and his dad have already had their planning conversation and she should be leaving after dessert. But he barely has time to exhale before his mother is throwing another wrench in his plans, suggesting he give Lily a tour around their house.

He puts on his best show, leading her up the stairs, planning the smallest of detours into his room to drop off his bag.

"Just need to drop this here," James explains before pressing his old bedroom door open.

He takes a few steps inside before deciding to toss his bag onto the floor by his desk. When he turns around sharply to leave, he is surprised to find Lily has followed behind him—and his quick, unexpected turn puts him directly in her space.

They haven't been this close since—

He doesn't even get the thought out before Lily's fingers wrap around the fabric of his hoodie and she is dragging his lips down to hers.

James grunts in shock and then again when Lily presses his back against the wall behind him. Instincts take over, instincts and excitement and joy to be kissing her once more, and his hands curl around her hips. He tears their lips apart, focus shifting to her neck. When he picks her up, her legs wind around his waist.

With a careless kick of his heel, the door snaps closed behind them and he carries Lily to his bed.

"This—this doesn't," she says, voice breathless, fighting to escape her as James hovers over her. "This doesn't change... anything."

His grin is met with a glower but she doesn't push him away. "Is that right? So you're saying you don't want me to climb between your legs right now?"

She bites back a whimper, but just barely, and he takes that as encouragement, a grin still firmly locked on his face as he slides down the bed until his face is between her legs.

"Fuck you," escapes her as his fingers tug down her underwear. If not so thoroughly distracted, he might have noticed the vehemence in her tone, the anger bordering on agony. All it does to him now is fuel his actions, accelerant added onto a fire, a fire that will consume them both before long.

Her protests fade into blissful oblivion, even when she comes down. And then...

And then she's on her knees in front of him; his hands tangled in her hair, fighting to keep his eyes open and watch her mouth work over him.

The night will end in disaster, he knows, or objectively will know when his mind isn't solely focused on the way it feels fucking her mouth.

She will pull away again, put space between them that could span mountains. But for now, he doesn't care—she doesn't seem to either—and lets himself enjoy another moment with Red.

#the reckless now #trn snippet #sorta #if angst would have prevailed in chapter 10! #perhaps a more polished version of this would have made the cut 🙃

[wearywinchester]

Something Old and Something New — Part Two

Mechanic!Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: When life takes a turn and you take an unexpected break from college in Stanford with your best friend Sam, you return home to your job at your family’s co-owned garage. You return home to work alongside the guy you thought you hated—Dean Winchester.

Word Count: 4.9k

Warnings: angst, injury, blood, mild swearing, mentions of alcohol, fluff

Three weeks.

It’d been three weeks since you’d arrived back home in Kansas for an amount of time you don’t know if you’ve decided on yet. Three weeks of wondering the right way to tell Sam just how you felt about law school in actuality. Because since you’ve been back, you found it harder and harder to want to leave like you had planned to eventually.

Putting things off rapidly became your specialty when it came to this you’ve noticed, the very thoughts in your mind having revolved around this very subject yet you still can’t find it in yourself to pick up your textbook and study like you said you would. You’ve got a year left, you keep reminding yourself of that. A year before you finish and get your degree, a year before you can pack that up and put that chapter of your life behind you if you so pleased to do so.

But when you thought more about it, the worse it sounded as you mulled it over. Another year of doing something that didn’t make you as happy as it should. Studying law wasn’t something you believed to be thrilling even to the most eager student out there, even to Sam. You’ve caught him on more than one occasion throwing his textbook across his room. It was a complicated profession to study, one with a million endless words to read through and fully grasp should you want to be a success.

You wanted to be, but maybe you wanted to be a success in something else.

Your mind had been swimming with thought after thought on the matter, but apart from that things weren’t so bad. It hasn’t taken you long to settle back into your apartment, the place you’ve been missing ever since you left to go back to college a few months ago. It was a contrast to your place with Sam, housing quite a few more of your personal belongings. It was a place that’s all your own, and not that you didn’t love Sam’s company, but it was nice to come home to have time for yourself.

Even if you didn’t live an extraordinarily eventful life, you were content with your own company.

Things had fallen back into place at the garage over those last few weeks, some days far busier than others. Things were a bit different with Dean since that first day back. Not that he hasn’t been up to his usual tricks, not that the two of you hadn’t still bickered over trivial things like you’d done with each other for the better part of twenty-four years. That was still very much a part of your daily schedule and you don’t know if that’ll ever change.

But there was something different, something you couldn’t quite figure out.

The moment you saw the lack of cars in the parking lot when you’d pulled in you knew you were in for a day, could tell by the way the green eyed Winchester had leaned against the counter with his arms folded over his chest when you walked in the door with a squinting gaze.

“You’re late,” he says, head tilted and brow raised.

“No, you’re just always early,” you say.

He chuckles then, looking away from a moment before turning back to you, an expression on his face you knew all too well.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” You ask, tone cautious as you cross your own arms over your chest, keys jingling in the otherwise quiet garage.

The corner of his mouth quirks up at your words, something that only deepens the crease between your brows when you see it. You knew it meant nothing good, it had to, he doesn’t smile like that unless it’s something you don’t want to hear.

“Benny and Bobby went out to check out a new sign for the shop, ‘s just you and me today,” he says, his arms falling to his sides to slip his hands in his pockets.

Your eyes roll immediately, more so at the contentment filling his expression. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“Oh, I’m serious,” he says, pushing himself off the counter. “You were the one complainin’ about the sign anyway.”

You purse your lips at his words, ones that were very true but it didn’t help your cause for him to be right this time. It was doing the exact opposite and the grin sitting smug on his lips was more than telling that he knew exactly that.

“And,” he started, your sigh immediate as you tip your head back. “It’s a slow day today, so you get to help me work on Baby.”

“I don’t think I ever offered to help,” you said, putting your keys on the hook and your bag under your desk.

“Lucky for you, you didn’t have to,” he says, nothing but teasing in his tone as he reaches over the counter and swipes the candy from your jar.

“It’s 9 o’clock in the morning and you’re already steaming my stuff,” you say, huffing as you sway his hand away before he can get any more.

“Be in the shop in five, sweetheart!” He calls over his shoulder, finger pointed in the air in the direction of the clock before he disappeared around the corner.

It was hot, hotter than you’d like as you worked that day. The garage doors were open and the fan was on high, but the summer heat was proving to be just a little more persistent than your efforts. The radio had been turned up just a little louder than it would have been if Bobby had been there that day, a little louder than it would be had it been busier. All of the good classics had been playing in a steady list of hits all morning, Dean’s humming accompanying it along with a string of lyrics every so often.

Your hand stayed pressed to the wheel as you wiped your forehead with the back of your hand, returning your focus to tightening the very last lug-nut on the wheel.

“I gotta say, I’m impressed,” Dean says, muffled before he leans out from under the hood to look at you for a moment.

You miss the way he looks at you, at the way it’s far too easy for him to become distracted with the way your tongue pokes out in concentration or the smudge of grease on your cheek. You miss the beginnings of a smile on his lips before he ducks back down to work under the hood of his car.

“I know more about cars than you think, Dean,” you say, standing to your feet and wiping your hands on your jeans. “‘Sides, rotating tires isn’t rocket science.”

The smile he had widened a fraction, his head shaking as he leaned over the front end. It was only a matter of seconds before you heard a series of metallic clatters, a string of curses leaving Dean’s lips that had him huffing in irritation. You walked over to him with a raised brow, watching as he fished around somewhere under the hood blindly, his nose scrunched and his lip curled up as he struggled to reach what he was looking for.

He pulled his arm back out, empty handed and his knuckles were scraped an angry red as grease smudged darkly around them.

“What is it?”

“I dropped my wrench and the freakin’ thing is stuck,” he huffs, running his hands over his face. “I’m gonna need you to reach in there and get it.”

Your brow remained raised, eyeing his hand before your gaze flickers back up to his.

“C’mon, Y/n. Your hands are smaller than mine.” You roll your eyes at his words, peering over into the spot he’d been rooting around in before he spoke up once more. “Be careful.”

“Yeah, yeah,” you say, shooing him away as you catch sight of the tool glimmering brightly amongst everything else.

A huff leaves your lips as you try and figure out how to maneuver around everything just so you could get to it, your other hand pressing to the edge of the car to steady your balance. You could see just a little better than him but not anything significant, and you find yourself patting around in hopes your fingertips land on what you’re hoping to grab. Your luck was rapidly becoming the same as Dean’s when you came up short, though you might just top his.

The moment you moved your hand down further was proving to be a mistake— you may have grabbed the tool you’d set out to look for but the feel of something you hadn’t seen ran sharp and unforgiving along the side of your hand. It sent a jolt of pain through you as you gasped, a soft yelp sounding as that same metallic clatter happened a second time.

Dean turned his head, the sight of your scrunched face having him cross the garage in a few bounding steps.

“Ouch!” You groan, pulling your hand out and groaning.

“What happened?” He asked, eyes bouncing from you to his car before returning to you.

“I scratched my hand on your car, Dean. What’s it look like?” You say, squeezing your hand in hopes that it’d make it hurt less, even if it was just a little bit better.

“Dammit!” Dean says the moment he sees your hand, the moment he sees the scarlet smudging around the scratch you refused to let him see to avoid this kind of reaction. “Y/n I told you to be careful!”

You could hear the frustration in his tone loud and clear, and if you hadn’t fed off of that very same frustration you’d be able to see that there was something different in the way that he looked at you. You didn’t know the way worry clouded his mind in that moment, or the flash of fear that ran through him when he’d first heard you gasp. But you didn’t, you did what you knew best when it came to Dean Winchester—you bickered.

“Okay, well that’s not helping me now!” You argue, your good hand wrapping around the other as you hold them to your chest. Your cheeks burned under his stare, narrowed and discontented. “And I was careful, by the way. Don’t worry, your pretty car is fine.”

“Y/n, you’re freakin’ bleeding, okay?” He says, voice still loud and still frustrated but the worry on his face was clear. “And don’t be ridiculous.”

“‘M fine,” you huff, turning away from him. You made it all but two steps before he spoke up, stopping you in your tracks.

“Y/n wait,” he said, voice softer than before. When you turn back, you can see the dimples at the corners of his mouth and you can see the flare in his nostrils—you can see the softer look in his eyes. You could see the bit of hesitation he held onto in that moment. “Let me patch you up.”

You shifted on your feet, a quiet huff leaving your lips. “Dean, I can do it myself.”

He shook his head, a laugh leaving his lips as he brushed past you to head into the garage. “C’mon.”

You rolled your eyes when he walked ahead of you, hopping over the counter by your front desk, patting your seat with a smile on his lips. You sit down as he squats to rifle through the cabinets, grabbing the peroxide and blindly putting the bottle on the counter. He snagged a fresh towel and a few gauze, a wrap and a few bandages that was a bit more than necessary.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this thing stocked with first aid supplies before,” you say, a laugh in your words as you feign surprise.

“Yeah, well,” he starts, standing to his feet as he sets the other stuff down. “Benny just might be even more clumsy than you. I gotta be honest, I never thought that’d be possible.”

“Would it kill you to be nice just once, Winchester?” You ask, squinting up at him as you bite the inside of your cheek.

He pretends to ponder the question just to get on your nerves, just to see you frown the way you do because he knows it never lasts long. You know he’s got something to say, can see it by the way his smile returns. “I like to think I’m very nice. But for you, maybe it’ll kill me.”

You lips pursed and your jaw clenches, his head tilting as he flashes you his award winning mocking smile. You could feel that same frustration from just minutes ago bubbling in your stomach, the urge to grab the supplies from the counter and do it yourselves having grown almost too much. But the moment he looks at you, all teasing aside, his gaze just a little bit softer, a little bit more intense, that’s what has you changing your mind.

He sits down on the other chair, his thighs parted so he could scoot closer to you to make things all the more easier and much less cumbersome. “Let me see what you got goin’ on, butterfingers.”

You give him an exasperated look before you glance down at the hand you still held close to your chest, eyeing the crimson smeared on the fingers of your other hand. It throbbed and it burned, the grease on your hands surely doing you no favors. But, with all the hesitancy in the world you pulled your hand from your chest and extended it out towards him, cheeks burning at the sight of it because it looked much worse than you thought it did. Much more than you played it off as not more than five minutes prior.

His brows furrowed as he took your hand, turning it to get a better look.

“Baby really got you good, didn’t she?” He hummed, grabbing the towel he’d gotten before pushing himself up to his feet to go wet it at the sink.

Your gaze cast downward at the cut running jagged along the outer side of your hand, swiping your finger along it in an attempt to brush away some of the dirt still smudged on your skin.

“Don’t do that,” Dean says, sitting down in front of you once more.

You roll your eyes as you sigh, eyes bouncing up to catch the way he bit the inside of his cheek as he looked downwards and shook his head, green eyes flickering up just briefly in time to catch your gaze.

“Have you always been this bossy?” You ask, watching as he takes your hand in his, gentle as he turns it.

“Oh, shut up,” he says, but you don’t miss the way the corner of his mouth quirks up, a smile he tries to hide as he swipes his tongue over his lips.

He takes the dampened towel in his other hand, careful as he blots and presses it over the wound, the once clean fabric now stained a crimson as he swiped it over your hand. His eyes look up at the way you tense, brief and wordless and he saw the way your lip sat between your teeth, at the way you’ve got your brows knit together. But he looked away before you could notice, lightening his touch before he cleaned away the dirt and blood on your other hand.

He set the towel on his lap, snagging the bottle of peroxide before flipping the cap open with his thumb.

“This is gonna hurt, sweetheart,” he mumbles, looking up when he hears the softness of your laughter. “What?”

You shrug your shoulders, your hand still enveloped in his own. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call me that in a way that wasn’t sarcastic.”

Your tone was full of faux shock, near theatrical as you pressed your free hand to your heart, one that made him roll his eyes immediately.

“Don’t get used to it,” he says, but you can hear the lighthearted tone he held. You nudged his boot with your shoe, heaving a sigh.

He moved his hand to hold yours a little more comfortably, the cold metal of his ring brushing across your skin. It brought you back to the current moment, but not quite as much as the clear liquid pouring over your skin, stinging and burning as it bubbled white over your irritated wound. A gasp sounded then, your brows furrowing once more.

“A little heads up would’ve been nice!” You say, nearly pulling your hand from his grasp.

“I did,” he says, offering a teasing smile.

You slump back in your seat with a huff as he releases your hand for a moment, for the first time in what feels like ages, ripping open a bandage before returning his attention back to you and the task at hand. He pressed it over the length of the cut on your hand, the one that still burned from the peroxide just a mere minute before.

It was then that your gaze fell on him, at the crease between his brows as he tried his best to keep from causing any more pain unbeknownst to you. At the sweat beaded across his freckled cheeks and nose from the warm summer heat, a single drop of it having trailed down to the very tip of it. As if you’d shared the same thoughts, he’d paused his actions and grabbed the collar of his shirt, tugging it upwards to swipe across his face.

It was a matter of moments before he’d begun wrapping gauze around your hand, tearing it free from its roll with his teeth before tucking the loose end into itself.

“You’re good as new,” he says, looking up to meet your gaze.

You felt your cheeks burn at the fact that it became apparent to him that you’d already been looking, something you knew you should stop doing but for the life of you, you couldn’t.

Your eyes bounced over every inch of his face to avoid his gaze— at the slight raise of his brow, at the sweat accumulating on his cheeks once more, at the freckles smattering across his nose and more importantly, more distractingly, the freckle sitting pretty on his lips. You knew that the longer you averted his eyes the more foolish you looked, and right now you were batting a thousand at doing just that.

Your mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, and words, whatever they may have, been sat on the very tip of your tongue and it became increasingly more obvious that your hand was still in his. The closeness of your proximity wasn’t far behind that either.

It was then that your phone rang, pulling your attention as your hand fell from his grasp. You sat for a moment longer, flustered, before you pushed your chair from him to reach it, the smile on your face evident.

He watched that smile grow as you pressed the phone to your ear, the rest of your attention rapidly becoming stolen for the time being.

“Sam!” You say when you answer.

At first, you miss the way Dean swallowed thickly, still sitting in the same spot. But it’s the muffled squeak of the chair’s wheels rolling across the concrete floor that had you glancing over at him, seeing the familiar furrow of his brows that was more than just nothing, at the tension heavy in his jaw as he looked away from you. You watched him while you listened to Sam, at the way he swept off the trash and crinkled it in his fist, tossing it in the garbage before disappearing around the corner.

His change in mood wasn’t lost on you, but it was something you quickly pushed from your mind with mere confusion when Sam repeated your name what had to be two or three times.

—

It was much cooler that evening as the clouds started to accumulate, the sun dipping low enough to stave off the heat that hung heavy in the air. The sunshine that did peek through the windows, broken into stripes by your blinds had painted everything it landed on a deep orange, dimming the later it’d gotten.

You sighed as you rinsed off your dishes from dinner, loading everything in the dishwasher for the night. When the doorbell rings your brows furrow, gaze shifting to the clock on the microwave. 8:14 pm.

You dry your hands on a tea towel, trying your best to avoid your bandages as you smoothed down your clothes, heading to the front door in curiosity to who could have been at your door at this time of day.

When you unlock the door and open it a crack, the crease between your brows deepens, the door opening wider once you see who’s standing on the other side of it.

“Dean?”

He stood there, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. He’s got a change of clothes on now, a pair of jeans on that have a rip in one of the knees and a t-shirt that’s free of black grease stains and sweat. And despite the summer weather he’s got a flannel on over top the sleeves rolled up to his elbows in true Dean Winchester fashion. But perhaps the most noticeable thing was the half-smile he wore as he looked at you.

“What are you doing here?” You ask, leaning against the doorframe as you cross your arms over your chest.

“You uh—you left this at work today,” he says, lifting his hand as your sweater dangled from the tip of his finger.

You laughed softly at the sight of it, eyes rolling at the sight of the sweater you never failed to show up with should you get cold at work or anywhere you are. Odds are, you didn’t need it most times but sometimes you do.

You tilt your head and raise your brow, knowing full well that he himself knew he could have just left it there overnight.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you wanted an excuse to come and see me.” He rolls his eyes then, tossing the sweater at you as his lips purse. “Spit it out, Winchester.”

“Just wanted to see how your hand’s holdin’ up, that’s all,” he says, shrugging his shoulders as he glances down at the bandage still wrapped around your hand. It’s got a few dirt smudges on it from his hands earlier that day, but that was the least of your concerns.

“‘M fine, Dean.”

He nods, hands stuffed in his pockets before his brows furrow.

“You still haven’t unpacked?” He asks, and you follow his gaze to the suitcase and duffel bags still sitting where they’d been in the corner by the doorway. The same spot you’d left them the day you came back home.

You turn back to him, breathing out a sigh. “It’s a long story.”

“I got time,” he says, the corner of his mouth turning upwards into a half smile.

“Is this your way of inviting yourself inside, Dean?”

“Is it working?”

You bite the inside of your cheek as you squint up at him, a few moments passing before you let out a huff and step to the side as his grin widens.

“Nice place. Who would’ve thought you’ve got decent taste,” he says, closing the door behind him.

“That’s not exactly a compliment, you know.”

“Isn’t it?” He says, eyeing the records you’ve got stacked by the tv.

You shake your head as you make your way to your kitchen, opening the fridge to grab two beers off the shelf. When you spin on your heel you find him leaning against the little kitchen table you’ve got, his gaze bouncing around the room as if to take everything in as his fingers tap against the hardwood.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in here before,” he says, taking it from your outstretched hand.

“I’ve tried to keep it that way,” you jest, catching the way he laughs at first, his expression falling neutral once he realizes your words before he follows you out to your back porch.

It’s quiet when you take a seat, the colors of the sunset becoming more muted the lower the sun dips into the horizon. It’s become routine for you to come out here in the evenings, taking a moment for yourself to unwind at the end of the day. Your apartment back with Sam doesn’t have a backyard, not even a balcony though you suppose it wasn’t quite so bad. But it wasn’t this.

He took a seat by you, cracking open his beer and taking a long swig or two as he looked out at the trees.

“I wasn’t worried about you ruining my car earlier, you know,” he says after a few beats of silence.

You laugh softly to yourself, nodding at his words. “Either you’ve gotten good at lying, or you really mean that.”

“What do you think?” He asks, amusement in his tone.

“With you, I can never tell.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet,” he says, nudging your foot with his boot as he shakes his head and looks forward.

You knew he meant it, by the way he’d looked at you when he said it you knew he did. Dean Winchester might not outright say how he’s feeling unless it’s in the form of his teasing at you in particular, but his looks give it away every single time.

“So why did you come back,” he asks, tipping his head back and taking a sip from his beer. You chuckle at the question, soft and half of humor, half not. “Oh, c’mon. It can’t be that bad.”

You tilt your head as you look at him, lips pursed for a moment as you shake your head. You were hesitant as you mulled it over in your head, but you found there was no use in playing it off. There was no way around it.

“It doesn’t exactly feel good being a twenty-four year old running away from college to come back home because they decide they don’t like the degree they’re studying a year before graduation. ‘Sides, I also ran back to a job where I’m stuck working with a green eyed dork,” you say, eyes glimmering with mischief as you hide your smile behind your beer bottle.

“Speak for yourself, I’m a joy to be around!” He scoffs into his own bottle, his smile in his voice. You sigh, resting your head against the back of your chair as your eyes fall closed for a moment. “It ain’t that bad. Can’t blame you for leaving if you didn’t like it.”

“Whatever you say, Winchester.”

It’s quiet save for his chuckle, the crickets singing and the lightning bugs flashing whenever they so pleased amongst the backyard.

“Have you told Sam?” He asks after a little while, watching as you pick at the label on the tinted bottle.

“No,” you say, softer as you exhale a sigh. “Not yet.”

“Wow,” he says, brows raised slightly in surprise as he nods. “I thought you told him everything.”

There’s a laugh in his words, quiet and it held something a little different than humor, something you couldn’t quite put your finger on but you didn’t question it too much as he looked at his feet.

“Yeah, well, not this,” you say, swiping your tongue over your lips as you thought about just how you were supposed to do it. You didn’t know. “Speaking of Sam, why’d you get all broody when he called earlier?”

“Broody?” He asks, brow raised slightly.

“Yeah. You had that pout goin’ on like you do when you sulk.”

He chuckles then, shaking his head as he fumbles and twists the bottle in his hands. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Y/n/n.”

You only nod, eyeing that look on his face.

“He’s coming up here to visit in a couple weeks,” you say, your smile evident the more you talk about it. The more you think about you the more your face lights up. The more you beam.

That’s what it was.

The thing that had him all broody. He sees the way your face lights up when you talk about him, when you talk to him. He sees that smile, the one that makes him weak in the knees so much that he’d never ever admit it because there isn’t ever a reason to. Because you smile just like that over his brother. He doesn’t even have to be there for you to do it. He gets it though, he does.

He was excited to see his baby brother, there was no doubt in that, but he couldn’t help the feeling that was simmering in the pit of his stomach.

His mouth opens and closes once, words sitting on the tip of his tongue. He clears his throat then, glancing at the watch on his wrist.

“I uh—I gotta head home. Wanna get an early start tomorrow,” he says, standing to his feet.

“Oh,” you say, watching as he flashes you a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yeah,” he says, nodding as he stands there and looks at you a moment more. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Night, Dean.”

You watch as he slips through the door and back into your apartment, setting his empty bottle in the sink before walking out of view. It wasn’t long before you heard the rumble of his car when he started it as you sat by yourself on your back porch, that familiar rumble heightening as he put it in drive before he drove off.

You bit the inside of your cheek then, resting your head against the back of your chair as you sighed. You sighed because as you sat there by yourself, you found yourself wishing maybe he’d have stayed a little bit longer.

—

Series Taglist: @myloversgone @colereads @stoneyggirl2

General Taglist: @flamencodiva @stixnstripesworld @elegantbutedgy @humanmistakes @agalliasi @campingmonkey @deandaydreaming @lanea-1 @akshi8278 @kidd3ath

#dean winchester #dean winchester series #dean winchester x reader #dean winchester fluff #dean winchester x you #dean winchester angst #dean winchester oneshot #dean winchester imagine #dean winchester fanfiction #dean winchester fic

[kaiparker-avengerssmut]

Their Doll 13

Thump

B.Barnes x Stark!Reader, S.Rogers x Stark!Reader

series synopsis:  y/n Stark, all records of her non existent, and yet Hydra still find her. When she is kidnapped by a certain super-soldier and no one believes her, she finds herself searching for unexpected familiarity in her not-so-distant past.

Series Warnings: smut, violence, torture, swearing

Chapter Summary: y/n goes on her first and only mission at HYDRA with Bucky

Warnings: swearing, violence, blood, death

A/n: The timeline in this has been altered, as there I things I wanted to include but I also wanted this fic to follow the storyline/timeline of Winter Soldier and Civil war.So for purposes of this fanfic, Peter Parker was discovered by Tony at a much younger age - when he was bitten - and has been an intern with him since, almost like a protégée.(For the purposes of this story Peter was bitten much younger too - more like when he was 9 or ten rather than 14/15)

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

This was the first mission I was assigned to with the Soldier. And I had a strong feeling it'd be the last. The Soldier's mind seemed less distant, clearer recently. I never complained, of course, as it meant two things: one, I actually had someone to talk to here that didn't want to either murder me or rape me and two, he was really fucking good with his dick when his mind was sharper.

We were currently holed up in a train carriage, which was stacked ceiling-high with wooden crates all marked 'stock'. Stock of what, neither of us knew. We had sneaked on, jumping onto the top of the train as it passed a hill we'd been waiting for. Once on top of the train, the soldier helped me into the back - which is where we currently are. It appeared like he'd done this a hundred times before - and one thing I did pick up on was his hesitance while scaling the side of the train. I didn't think much of it - I for one was nervous as shit when we were simply clinging to the small ladder down the end of the back carriage.

We were huddled close, the coldness seeping in from the mountains surrounding the track, the chill in my flesh making me shiver slightly and lean further into the Soldier. His arm was thrown over my shoulders, his own teeth chattered slightly but I could tell he was trying to appear unaffected by the surging weather.

I took the time to replay the briefing for the mission in my mind. Sneak in, stay discreet, use the vents to find the room with the politicians in, take them all but one out, frame the one who remained alive. God I'm happy I'm not doing this alone.

We had a plan. We would sneak in through the back entrance after sniping the two guards that were meant to be stationed there. From inside the door, just a meter to our left was easy access to the vents that we could crawl through for 50 minutes and we'd be directly above the room they were all set to gather in at 18:00. Once there, I'd use my voice to bring them into a state of unawares, from which The Soldier would shoot them all except one. I'd then use my powers to convince the left over that he was the one who did it and the Soldier would give him the gun that was used.

From there, I'd sneak down and take photos of the files they were discussing - HYDRA hadn't told us what they were but I was sure it was something that would deeply concern them - and then we'd leave the way we came.

Simple enough, really.

"You seem on edge." I commented, observing the way his eyes never remained in one place. "Something bad happen here?" I prompted when he only looked at me.

"I- I don't know." He came back with, eyes boring into mine. "You know the plan, right?" He asked, eyes still locked on mine like magnets. I nodded, humming in affirmation. "Good, I don't know if they'll fight back or not, so be ready." The soldier said, head tilting towards my waist in gesture of my belt that wrapped around the black tactical suit, holding various knives I could throw and a small, but powerful, gun.

I never liked using the gun, I always found the loud noise distracting. I preferred knives, and as my aim was particularly good whilst throwing them, I had little need for a gun unless I ran out of blades. But that seldom happened.

The temperature seemed to change, warming only slightly. A subtle thing that very few would pickup on, but as trained assassins you learn to notice the subtle things. I today, I knew this temperature change meant we'd entered the city. The pollution and bustling of people always increased the temperature, and only by a few degrees but when you were freezing your ass off, you tend to notice the discrete change.

"Time to get our asses moving." The soldier muttered before rising to his feet, offering me a hand as he did so.

"Let's get this show on the road." I murmured once on my feet, standing back as the soldier wrenched the door at the side of the carriage open.

"Roll once you land, it'll make the impact less brutal." He commented before he was diving from the train, landing with a smooth roll over the gravel, which crunched beneath him. I took a deep inhale, leaping from the carriage with nothing but hope that I'd land it rather than end up dead in the process.

My eyes sprang open as I landed, shock rolling through me as I realised that I was alright. A wide smile beckoned my lips, curling them upwards into a grin and I pushed myself from the floor and up onto my feet.

"That was the easy part." The soldier assured me as he walked towards me, my smile instantly dropping and his face falling into a hard expression. I new that face - it was his mission face. One that meant no more messing around, because shit was about to get real serious and real dangerous.

"Let's go." I said, beginning to walk towards the mass of buildings. The soldier followed quickly, directing us to slip behind the first block of apartments we came across so no one in the city would see us.

As we snuck our way to the centre, we flattened ourselves against the wall - melting into the plentiful shadows. As we approached our target, I felt the soldier's hand wrap around my bicep, pulling me back.

"Stay here. I'm going to get higher ground. When you see them drop, continue on and get into that door." He ordered gruffly, and before I could agree he was gone.

I crouched down slowly, now aware with how close we were to the two security guards that any sudden movement had the possibility of catching their attention. I leant into the side of the building, observing the two men as they blatantly ignored their surroundings. We're they trying to make this easy for us?

I felt a sneeze rise in my throat, that tangy feeling settling over my nose as I covered the lower half of my face with my hand. Try as I might, I couldn't prevent the unwanted noise, the small sound catching one of the guard's attention.

"Over there!" He hissed, tapping the other on the shoulder furiously in order to get their attention.

"What is it? I can't see anything." They dismissed, clearly trying to turn back around before the first guard yanked his attention back. I stayed as still as a statue, for once extremely glad that I was completely clad in black.

"I heard someone. Over there." The guard exclaimed, pointing almost directly at me. I held in my breath, eyes widened as I sat petrified. That's when my weight shifted, a small twig I didn't know was beneath my shoe snapping under the pressure. I stopped myself from wincing, the snapping noise echoing and completely giving away my position.

"There they are! Quickly, shoot them!" The second guard shouted, pointing at me as the first fumbled with his belt. I took the opportunity, pulling a blade from my belt as quick as I could and preparing to throw. But two pained shouted caught my attention, my gaze raving to see the two men sprawled on the floor, foreheads pierced with bullets.

My gaze drifted upwards, the soldier crouched over the top of a clearly abandoned bridge, gun in hands and still pointed towards them. A scowl was etched on his features, the lower banks of his face now covered by an ominous black mask.

I snapped from my trance, darting along the back of the building until I reached the door. Once I reached it, I cursed under my breath, realising it was locked as I tried to tug it open. I sighed in frustration, reaching into a pocket on the side of my leg and pulling out a pin.

I crouched by the door again, trying to not be caught a second time as the piece of metal wiggled around in the key hole until I heard the  soft, tell-tale click that signalled the door had unlocked. I stood up, tucking the pin back into my suit and moving to open the door. As I slowly tuned the handle, edging the door open enough to check inside, the Soldier appeared beside me.

"Great job." He deadpanned, eyes cold as he glared at me.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault, blame the gardener that decided daisies were a good idea!" I retaliated in a whispered-shout.

"Just shut up and go." He demanded, brushing past me and into the building once he realised it was clear. Once I'd collected my thoughts as called him a wanker under my breath, I pushed through the door after him to be met with the sight of the soldier's muscles bulging as he tried to pry the vent door from the wall as quietly as he could.

The metal clanked gingerly as he removed the door, placing the vented slab to the side of the now-clear entrance before turning to me and gesturing for me to follow. I got to my knees, crawling through the hole in the wall and placing the vent back in place behind me to lower suspicions.

We crawled through the vents stealthily, the concentration on us apparent as we both counted the meters. I almost crashed straight into the soldier's behind when he abruptly stopped, so I assumed the vent we needed to take out the plan was in front of him. He climbed over it quickly, so we were either side of the slats in the floor.

The soldier looked at me, bringing a finger to his lips as one of the politicians went in a rant.

"It's ridiculous! They expect us to vote on this and we don't even have all the information!"

"Well maybe if you'd read the file, you'd know the answer to all these bloody questions you keep asking!"

The soldier pointed a finder towards the men below us, before moving the same fingers so it was pointed at my mouth. I gave him a curt nod.

The tune flowed from my lips freely, easily, as I began humming. I almost stopped when I saw one of the men tense through the vent, knowing we'd been caught and probably executed or something. But when his shoulders relaxed my fear dissipated, the song falling from my continuously.

I noticed the metal plugs now in the soldier's ears as he leant over the vent, which he'd now pried open and had slid toward me slightly. His gun was pointed down the space he'd created, eyes cantered in on presumably one of the targets. Then he fired, and I flinched as I heard a hollow thump as the body slipped limply to the ground.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The man who had tended remained alive, still relaxed and eyes glazed over. The soldier motioned for me to move, pushing the vent conger completely out of his way before jumping down into the room, the expected thud as he landed never coming. Wow, this man really is light on his feet.

Maybe he should've been a ballerina, that little voice in my head sung, a smug smile drawing over my lips at the thought of the Winter Soldier in a tutu.

I snapped out of it, following him down and landing crouched, almost disappointed at the tiny thud when I landed.

I barely noticed I'd stopped singing until the burning pain in my shoulder pierced through my thoughts.

"Get down!" The soldier shouted, shoving my down my my good shoulder and taking a lethal shot to the remaining politician's throat. He fell the the floor with a garbled cough, the splatter of blood across my cheek making my wince. The soldier chucked the gun to the table, scooping up the files and pushing them desperately into one of his big pockets on the leather he wore before yanking my up via my arm. "We have to hurry." He gritted through clenched teeth, using two clasped hands under my foot before hoisting me back into the vent.

He all but jumped up after me, replacing the grate before placing two hands on my cheeks to centre me. Hot tears ran down my cheeks, my breathing fast and uneven and my eyes refusing to meet him.

"Hey, look at me," my eyes found his, "I know you're in pain, trust me." He said, a tiny smirk pulling at his lips as the words tumbled from his lips, "but right now, you're running on adrenaline and we need to take advantage of that. So you're going to turn around, and you're going to crawl to the end of this vent and get out of the building. Quietly." He instructed, and I began nodded. I went to turn around, but he used two gloved, metal fingers I redirect my head to him. "It's nothing personal." He said with a  pitiful smile before whipping a few hanker chiefs from his pocket and stuffing them into my mouth. "Bite down on them if it hurts." The soldier clarified when I gave him a confused expression.

...

The sound of the alarm seemed to follow us and we ran, my hand clutching my shoulder as my big down aggressively at the cloth in my mouth. The soldier was behind me, making sure I didn't fall behind with my injury.

The blaring noise of the alarm stressed me out, knowing that they were probably looking for us making my pick up the pace despite the burning in my shoulder.

"There!" The soldier exclaimed, my eyes low finding the black car that we knew would be to pick us up. As we approached the end of the alley we walked down, the soldier over took me, sprinting forward to hold the door open for me.

I stumbled into the back of the car, being ushered farther in as the soldier climbed in behind me and slammed the car door shut.

The vehicle began moving, the chauffeur barely paying kind to us as my chest heaved and a scream broke through the cloth in a muffled shout.

The panicked look on the soldier's eyes is all that I could focus on, his mask off now and his lips moving but I couldn't seem to hear him. Black crept up on me, clouding the edge of my vision as it invaded my senses.

...

"Someone's finally awake then." The displeased    chide of the General filling my ears as my eyes fluttered open.

"You have to leave her alone! It wasn't her fault!" The soldier's voice said desperately, I could hear the worried tone edging his words.

"Quiet. She's the reason you failed your mission, Soldat. I won't have it happen again." The general snapped, my vision fully in focus now.

The general was stood before me, my hands strapped to the ceiling and my toes barely touching the floor. The pain in my shoulder screamed at me, but I could no longer feel the sickening wetness of my blood dripping down my back. They must've taken me to the medic on the flight home.

"Please, don't you think she's endured enough? She was shot for god's sake!" The soldiers reasoned, and I could see him fighting against his restraints. But the general ignored him.

"I think you're memory is getting too sharp. I'll be sure to get you reset once I'm done." He dismissed, a wince finding me as three guards filed into the cell. "Make her pay." He barked, standing back.

The guards grinned sickeningly, my eyes widening as a scream of protest trying to escape the silencer as I caught sight of the bats in their hands. It felt like the air had been punched from my lungs when one of the bats made contact with y stomach, and I already knew the area would be bloody and bruised when they were done.

"And don't stop until she passes out."

#smut #image #images #captain america smut #captain america fanfiction #captain america #winter soldier smut #winter soldier #winter solider fanfiction #black widow #Tony Stark #steve rogers image #steve rogers x reader #steve x bucky #steve roger fanfic #steve rogers #steve rogers smut #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #bucky fanfic #bucky Barnes fanfic #bucky x you #marvel fanfic #marvel smut #marvel #hydra #shield #avengers #avengers fanfic

[captainamericasbeard]

Empathy Ch. 2

Pairing: Bucky x Empath!Reader

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: nightmares, a little blood.

Summary: Y/N is an empath tasked with helping the Avengers but healing only comes if you want it.

A/N: Why yes I’m posting chapter 2 just 2 days after chapter 1. I have no self control. Tags definitely aren’t working so reblogs would be deeply appreciated.  If you’d like to be tagged just send an ask and I’d be happy to knock up a list.

Empathy MASTERLIST ll MASTERLIST

The door shut behind you and you heard Steves soft steps retreat. You looked around your new room and were grateful to see little homey touches. The bed was made with a clean, fluffy, white duvet. A few books had been placed on the bookshelf and there was a couch and tv. A sweet bouquet of flowers sat on the nightstand. Signs of welcome that did not extend to the team’s attitude. You sighed with a shrug of your shoulders. That was a problem for tomorrow.

You quickly emptied your overnight bag into the chest of drawers and your toiletries in the bathroom. You tossed your book onto the nightstand and flopped down in front of the tv. It had been an exhausting day and you were ready to switch your brain off for a little while. You flipped through channels pausing here and there but you found yourself unable to settle on anything. Instead your mind kept wandering back over the conversation after dinner. You had expected resistance, you were just a little sad about how much resistance you encountered. And while Bucky’s attitude was not unexpected it was disheartening. He was clearly in a lot of pain and wanted nothing to do with you. Your stomach did a little flutter when you thought of his blue eyes on yours and you rolled your eyes at yourself. It was just like you to crush on a man who actively hated the sight of you.

You gave up the tv and your pointless stream of thought and got up to change into your pjs and cozy up under the blankets with your book. You were soon lost in its pages, the thrilling tale pulling you in and washing away the day. Hours passed and eventually you realized the words were blurring together and you were having to reread sentences to make sense of them. You glanced at the clock on your nightstand and were shocked to find it read 2:30. You marked your place and put the book down. You turned the light off and rolled over and you were asleep in seconds.

What felt like moments later you were ripped from your sleep by an excruciating pain cutting its way through your stomach. Your eyes flew open and landed on the clock which only read 3:30. You barely registered the time before another wave of pain took over you and you squeezed your eyes shut to block it out. Your head was full of voices screaming and that’s when you realized this was no ordinary stomach ache.

“No stop! Please,” one voice begged.

“Please, please don’t kill me!” another voice begged.

You were inside Bucky’s nightmare and it was the last place you should be if you were ever going to earn this man’s trust. You rushed to block out the voices with your mind, closing them behind a door you knew you should never open. The voices stopped but your pain redoubled and you retched. You tried to get out of bed but you got tangled in your sheets and fell to the floor with a sob. As you lay there clutching your stomach and sobbing you heard doors fly open down the hallway. Your door was wrenched open flooding your room with light and blinding you. You felt someone kneel next to you.

“Don’t touch me!” you cried out in warning and there was a shuffle of feet as someone backed away from you.

“What is it, what’s wrong?” came Steve’s Captain voice. You opened your eyes and there was Steve standing in the doorway feet apart and fists clenched ready to leap into action. Bucky knelt close to you. His hair was matted with sweat and he was still breathing heavily. You met his gaze and he understood.

“I was having a nightmare,” he murmured. You nodded as tears continued to stream down your cheeks.

“I caused this?” Bucky asked. His features were lined with guilt.

“Bucky this is your own pain your looking at.” You wiped the tears from your face and sat up. The pain was subsiding now that Bucky was awake.

“Have you experienced something like this before, Y/N?” Steve asked.

“Not to this extent. When I’m reaching out to someone who’s in pain I can have physical symptoms. But I’ve never experienced it like this before,” you answered. You desperately wanted to beg Bucky to let you help him but you were afraid you’d scare him off. You were surprised he was even sitting here talking with you and making eye contact. The three of you sat in silence for a few moments before Bucky spoke up.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“It’s not your fault,” you reassured reaching out to place a hand on his but he flinched and pulled back standing up quickly. “I’m sorry Bucky, I wasn’t going to do anything.”

“I don’t want you touching me,” he said, reverting to his gruff manners. With that he stalked out of the room. Steve moved aside to give him space and you both flinched when the door slammed.

“I wasn’t going to do anything I swear. I would never do anything to any of you without your permission,” you pleaded with Steve.  

“I believe you,” Steve said, “but Bucky’s not the trusting type.”

“I understand. He’s been through a lot. More than most,” you said.  

“More than you know,” Steve said. “Can I help you up?” he offered.

“Yes, you can touch me now. I’m calm.” You extended your hand to Steve and he pulled you to your feet. Your head swam and the room tilted so you quickly reached out to grab Steve’s shoulders. He held your arms and waited for you to steady.

“Sorry. I’m just a little rocky,” you explained.

"That’s alright. Let’s get you to bed,” he said. He wrapped an arm around your waist and moved you to the bed, throwing the covers back for you. You climbed in feeling achey all over and curled up in a ball letting Steve pull the covers back over you.

“Try to get some rest,” he said and you nodded feebly, your eyes already pulling closed of their own accord. Steve chuckled. “Goodnight Y/N,” he said, walking to the door and pulling it closed behind him.

…

It was late morning when you opened your eyes again and you still felt exhausted and tender all over. The night’s events had taken its toll on you. You dressed slowly in a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt from your alma mater. You grabbed your book and padded down the hallway towards the kitchen. It was Saturday so at least you didn’t have work to worry about. You planned on spending a thoroughly relaxing day on the couch with your book.

The kitchen was abandoned when you arrived though the evidence of a hurried breakfast remained. You fixed yourself a fresh cup of coffee in the french press and found some cereal in the cabinets. You ate standing against the counter waiting for your coffee to brew. You finished your cereal, placing the bowl in the sink for later and doctoring your coffee with cream and sugar.

As you snuggled into the couch with the coziest blanket you could find and took a sip of your coffee you realized just how quiet it was.

“Where is everybody?” you wondered out loud.

“The team was called away on mission early this morning,” came a calm, ambient voice. It was a testament to your agility that you didn’t spill coffee all over yourself in surprise.

“Who was that!?” you asked in shock, sitting upright.

“I am JARVIS. I run the house and can answer any questions you may have,” the voice said.

“Oh, ok.” You’d heard of JARVIS but had completely forgotten about him until this moment. “Um, when will the team be back,” you asked hesitantly. You weren’t sure what information might be off limits.

“That I can’t say with certainty, though it was not expected to be a long mission.” JARVIS answered.

“Ok, well, keep me posted if you can,” you replied.

“Of course, Y/L/N.”

You took a steadying sip of your coffee and tucked into your book. In the back of your mind you were nervous to see Bucky again after last night but you pushed those thoughts away. You read for a couple of hours until your neck started to ache. Getting up and stretching you decided to clean up the kitchen and take a shower. As you were stepping out of the bathroom, wrapping your hair in a towel, JARVIS’ voice came to life again. You were more prepared for it this time so it only mildly startled you.

“The team is 5 minutes out from the compound. You are requested in the medical bay,” he said.

“Is everything alright,” you asked, panic rising in your belly.

“Captain Rogers received some injuries that will be attended to but there were civilian casualties. Your services may be required.” Your heart sank into your stomach. You could only imagine how this would affect the team but you were about to find out first hand. You dressed in a rush and threw your hair up and out of the way before you set out for the medical wing.

You arrived just as the team was being helped through the doors. Everyone had a sullen expression on their faces. Sam was limping and Natasha looked pretty beat up but Steve was clearly worse off. He had an arm slung over Bucky’s shoulder and was bleeding freely from the side. Bucky got him over to a table where Steve sat down with a groan. Bucky caught your eyes.

“What are you doing here,” he asked. You felt like you were intruding on something private.

“My presence was requested,” you said defensively.

“By who, Fury?” Natasha asked.

“JARVIS, actually,” you said. Steve chuckled.

“Damn meddling A.I.”  Steve said.

A technician rushed into the room ignoring the rest of the team and focusing on Steve. They reached for a pair of scissors but Steve quickly held out his hand

“Can we not with the cutting? This is my favorite suit.” Bucky rolled his eyes.

“He’ll be fine,” he said to the rest of the team and they moved through the room to the other beds to get checked over. Apparently this was a post mission routine. A technician came up to Bucky who tried to blow them off but they were insistent, attaching a blood pressure cuff to his arm and sticking a thermometer in his mouth before he could object. You took his distraction as an opportunity to get closer to Steve.

“You gonna be ok,” you asked worriedly

“I’ve been worse. Don’t worry, Y/N.” The technician had pulled his suit off to reveal a bullet wound. You looked away from the wound and back at Steve’s face to find him watching you intently.

“Why are you here, Y/N,” he asked quietly.

“I keep telling you, I’m here to help. JARVIS said… well he said things didn’t go well.” Steve’s face turned to stone and he looked away from you. “I can already feel your pain Steve, there’s no point trying to hide it from me.” He looked back up at you and the breath went out of your lungs. There was so much hurt in his eyes.

“I tried,” he whispered.  

“I know you did. Everyone knows you did.” You realized the attention of the team was on you once again so you chose your next words carefully. “Can I offer you some peace?” Steve held your gaze for a few moments before nodding. You reached down and locked your fingers with his calloused ones and closed your eyes. Slowly you reached out, letting him feel your presence in his mind. The pain of the day was fresh and right on top so you scooped it up and took it away. Your grip on his hand tightened briefly and a tear rolled down your cheek. You opened your eyes to find Steve watching you intently with a blissful look on his face.

“Sorry,” you said wiping the stray tear away with the palm of your hand, “emotional transference happens sometimes.”

“What do you mean,” Steve asked.

“I mean, it hurts a little,” you answered with a shrug.

“It hurts when you help us,” Bucky asked, his usual steely expression softened for just a moment.

“It always hurts,” you reply simply.

“Then why do you do it?”

“Because you’re in pain and I can take it away. Better?” you ask turning your attention back to Steve.

“Much. Thank you. I think I might actually sleep tonight,” he said with a small smile.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Rest up.,” you say patting him on the shoulder. The technician is finishing their last stitches as you turn to leave. You catch Bucky looking at you and his expression is unreadable. You smile at him softly and leave the team to the hands of the med bay techs.

TAGLIST (Just tagging those that showed interest in the last chapter.)

@alyxkbrl​ @sirenphrynne​

#Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #empath #empath!reader #bucky x empath!reader #sam wilson #natasha romanoff #Steve Rogers #fanfic #marvel fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction

[ghost-of-winters-past]

white silence and the fragile reality

summary: The world had been destroyed and put back together again, but not without sacrifice and while Sam and Bucky were ready to move on you were afraid of never being able to fill out the footsteps you were trying to follow.

characters: bucky, sam, reader (platonic)

warnings/synopsis: post-endgame (spoilers), pre TFATWS, slight mentions of loss/death, a little angst, one or two swear words, otherwise just best friends being there for each other, fluffy ending. This is based on the request by @superwhoflarrow123​ I had so much fun writing this and I really hope it’s anything like you imagined! (roughly 2.5k words)

The compound halls were empty, the flickering fluorescent lights made the whole place look as if it was haunted and honestly, sometimes you actually thought it was. Sometimes a shiver still ran down your spine whenever you passed Tony’s lab or Nat’s favourite red armchair in the space that once was a cosy movie room but now just felt empty. And more often than once you had to swallow down the lump in your throat that caused bittersweet tears to flood your eyes when watching their favourite mugs collect dust on the upper shelves. You still remembered the endless days and nights you spent in quiet sorrow with Natasha during the five lonely years together in these very halls. The peanut butter sandwiches you silently prepared each other every morning and the unexpected tight hugs soon became your only form of solace, afraid that the other might slip away too.

Now everything should be different. The world was saved, Thanos defeated and yet you felt like a piece of you was missing now more than ever. You realized it just a month after Tony’s funeral while standing in the fancy compound kitchen cooking chili that you were planning to take to one of the shelters that cared for those who got lost during the Blip and haven’t truly found their way back home yet. The smell reminded you of a time long gone, a time you thought you’d never want to think of ever again. You still remembered the evenings Steve’s, Bucky’s and your family spent together when all of you were just kids, heating up canned chili and playing old board games while the last of your firewood burned down in the fireplace, never daring to move too far away from it because the heating broke a long time ago and the small cramped apartment otherwise was cold and grey. You remembered being so incredibly proud and still shedding one or two tears when sending Bucky off into war, but that feeling of sadness was nothing compared to the excruciating pain you felt when under heart-wrenching sobs Steve told you that Bucky fell off the train and you thought: that was it. Life couldn’t be more painful than this. You soon had to learn that it definitely could.

You could still see the inside of the plane whenever you closed your eyes. You could still see yourself grabbing Steve’s hand while he said goodbye to Peggy that restored your belief in true love and then just holding on to each other as tightly as you could, waiting for the end. You didn’t remember the crash or the ice, just how you woke up in a strange room that was supposed to feel familiar and yet you could just feel it from the moment you awoke: nothing would be the same anymore. The world you knew was gone. Of course, you and Steve stuck together, helping each other adapt to a world that was so different from the one you once knew and finding a new purpose with The Avengers. Finding Bucky probably was the scariest and happiest day of your life and from then on you did everything in your power to hold onto that small sliver of hope that maybe everything could be okay again. Your small family finally was united again and it felt like it was a new chance for all of you. You just never thought it would end like this.

It was two months after Tony’s funeral when you could finally bring yourself to leave the compound again and try to pick up the pieces of your life. The wet grass made a squishing sound under your boots and the air smelled like fresh rain and new beginnings as you walked over to the front gate of the compound. The black shiny car parked in front of it was the first sign of normal buys life after you were alone for so long that you had to take a short moment to breathe before you pushed open the once automated gate. “Hey, you still remember us?” Sam’s familiar cheery voice called out through the rolled down driver’s window and that was the first time a small smile tucked at the corners of your mouth again.

From then on you decided to make an effort again. You wanted to heal, not only for your own sake but for theirs too. And you knew, Sam and Bucky would be right by your side. The compound started to feel a little more alive again, memories of long lost days turned from black and white to new colours whenever they were around. And they were around a lot. Finally, you were able to think about anything else than what you had lost, but then one day you saw the familiar shield leaning onto the side of the couch and Sam looked at you like one would at a lost child. “Time to move on,” he said softly and you knew he was right.

It was a sunny day, the rays of warmth caressed your face in a way nothing else could and in the air hung the smell of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers. The blue, white and red shield soared through the air like a metal frisbee, occasionally blocking out the bright sunlight from your view. The soft summer breeze carried Sams laughter over the field and it almost felt like nothing had changed at all. “Hey, Buck! I’ma throw my shield as far as I can and you go see if you can catch it, yeah?” Sam urged the brunette but only earned a scowl in response. “I’m not a fucking dog, Wilson.” You snorted and shook your head when Bucky actually started walking over the field backwards, one eye on the shield and waiting for Sam to eventually throw it. “If you catch it drinks are on me tonight!” You could hear Bucky swearing under his breath but as soon as the shield was cutting through the air he started running after it as if his life depended on it and Sam cackled next to you. Everything seemed so normal and easy, no trace left of the sadness of the last months and for the first time in what felt like ages you actually allowed yourself to think about the future again. The small smile that had played on your lips faltered as you started to realize what you were actually doing. Sam had told you about his plans just one or two weeks ago, said he had a responsibility now that he needed Bucky’s and your help with and when you agreed to work with him you hadn’t thought about it yet. But now it rolled over you like a big wave threatening to drag you underwater. “Now be a good boy and bring it back, buddy!” “Fuck you!” Bucky yelled and instead hurled the shield so high that it looked like it was cutting through the clouds. “Be right back,” you mumbled without even looking at Sam and turned around. “You okay?” you heard him ask concern lacing his words and you just waved your hand dismissively in his direction before stalking off. You ignored Sam and Bucky’s bickering behind you as you wandered in no specific direction. You didn’t know where you were going or what you were planning to do, it just suddenly had felt like an ice-cold hand was wrapping itself around your heart and you knew you needed to leave. Pictures flashed through your mind, past fights and battles and between all the mess there was one calming constant: Steve. A sob escaped your lips and you clasped your hand over your mouth, not hearing the footsteps that were trailing behind you.

“Hey.” You suddenly felt a warm, familiar hand wrapping itself around your arm and when you didn’t make a move to turn around Bucky was stepping in front of you, his grasp gentle and his baby blue eyes concerned. “Hey,” he said again, voice gone really soft when seeing the single tear rolling over your cheek that you immediately wiped away with the back of your hand and an annoyed grunt. “What’s wrong?” your best friend asked and suddenly you couldn’t hold back anymore. You didn’t care about how he would feel about you anymore. He was gone for five years but you knew him since kindergarten and you quite literally faced the end of the world together. “I can’t do it!” you burst out. “I can’t do this, okay?” you started to sob, your arms flailing around trying to make him understand what you meant with this and a soft look took over his features. “Can’t do what?” he asked gently and pulled you to sit down with him in the grass. “All of this!” you yelled, your chest heaving under the panicked weight you were trying to get off. “I’m not like you and Sam, okay? And I’m definitely nothing like Steve. I’m not the hero type!” you claimed hoarsely but Bucky just shook his head. “Why would you even think that after everything that happened? After everything you did over the last five years?” You let out a sarcastic laugh. “I was helpless, Bucky! If it would have been down to only me all of you would still be…gone.” “No. Stop doing that! Stop comparing yourself to them. You are as much of a hero as they are.” You wiped the tears from your cheeks again and shook your head. “Only because Steve was still there. I can’t do this without him,” you mumbled and Bucky just let out a little sigh before pulling you into his broad chest. It was silent for a little while. The happy chirping of the birds almost seemed as if they were mocking you.

“I miss him too, you know?” Bucky spoke again quietly and sighed again while resting his chin on the crown of your head. “You still remember him before everything went to shit?” he asked and you could almost hear the nostalgic smile on his face. You huffed. “He was a skinny idiot with a hero complex.” Bucky’s laughter rumbled through his chest and made your head vibrate a little. “I would have been caught dead before telling him but I always thought he was the bravest of us,” he said and memories of a beaten-up blonde kid with smudged bloodstains on his upper lip and raised fists filled your head. “He would have been squished like a pancake if it wasn’t for us,” he continued and a little smile tucked at the sides of your mouth. “I know what you are trying to do,” you grumbled. “Then shut up and listen.”

Bucky lifted his head from your chin and you could see him looking at you from the corner of your eyes, but you just kept staring at the line of trees surrounding the compound area. “You know what the first thing was that came to my mind after I escaped Hydra and got my memories back? How I had let you and Steve down.” Your head whipped around, mouth parting a little and a soft “Bucky,” escaping your lips. You could never imagine the pain he had to go through while being captured and even after escaping and it hurt you to know, that he felt like it was his fault. You wanted to assure him, to tell him that there was nothing he could do that would make you feel let down, but he just kept talking. “You and Steve were doing these amazing things, saving the world and shit and I was doing all this fucked up stuff. It just felt like I wasn’t worthy to be your friend anymore, y’ know?” Regardless of his words, there was a little smile lighting up his face. “I told Steve how I wasn’t worth saving because of all the pain I brought upon this world and you know what he said?” he laughed a little, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “The world has changed and none of us can go back. All we can do is our best, and sometimes the best that we can do is to start over,” he quoted and you immediately knew where it came from. “Peggy.” A smile grew on your lips as you thought of the fierce brunette that changed not only Steve’s but also your life. “Should’ve known he can’t come up with shit like that,” Bucky laughed and you snorted grinning and then wiped at your tear-stained cheeks. You knew what he was trying to tell you. He wanted you to feel comfortable with letting your past behind, to start fresh and just try your best. “You are not alone.” Bucky looked at you all serious but gentle again and this time you didn’t dodge his gaze. “I’m with you. And so is Sam. No one is expecting you to be like Steve. Honestly, no one even wants that. We want you. You are amazing and strong in your own ways and I really think we can’t do this without you. We will do this our own way and we’ll mess up, but that’s okay. We’ll be together. As a family.” Your vision was starting to get blurry again and Bucky tugged you against his chest again. “Thank you,” you croaked out, sniffling quietly, knowing you didn’t need to say more. You sat there together for a little while longer just enjoying being able to hold each other again after all that had happened and only let go of each other when you heard Sam’s fake offended voice.

“Are you really havin’ a sentimental moment without me right now? I feel so betrayed!” You chuckled and stuck out your hand to tug down Sam so he was sitting next to you, not bothering to hide the tears in your eyes from him anymore. “We promise to never have a sentimental moment without you ever again, ‘k?” you assured him and let your head rest on his shoulder. You knew that he understood what you meant. They were stuck with you know and they wouldn’t have it any other way. The sun was slowly settling, tinting the sky a golden hue and the air getting chillier so that the three of you decided to get back inside and leave the training to another day. As they were walking towards the compound Sam and Bucky were bickering, as usual, arguing about what to order for dinner and casually bumping shoulders with each other until even that degenerated and they were full-on shoving each other. You shook your head grinning as you trailed behind them, but before following them inside you turned around one last time. Your face soaking up the last warm sun rays you whispered a little promise into the evening air. “I won’t let you down.” You watched the sun disappearing behind the trees before turning back around. Sam and Bucky were standing at the terrace door watching you. “You comin’?” Sam called out and you took a deep breath. “Coming!”

#sam wilson #bucky barnes #the falcon and the winter soldier #the winter soldier #mcu #fatws #anthony mackie #sebastian stan #marvel #marvel fandom #avengers #avengers fandom #reader insert #one shot #angst #fluff #platonic #friends #mcu x reader #marvel fanfiction #fan fiction #bucky barnes one shot #mine #falcon

[fluffymcu]

Letting Loose

Part FOURTEEN

This series is TICKLE related.

Series Summary:  You’re the little sister of the one and only Captain America. You’re also the youngest girl on the team, so that automatically makes you the avengers’ little princess. And they spoil you as such. They have become your amazing family and you don’t know where you’d be without them. This series will show random adventures and fluffy events in the daily life of the reader and her family, along with an unexpected turn later on as you read.

A/N: I’m so excited to be writing this series! This is my first time writing one and I’m a bit nervous but I hope it all goes well. :)  Hope you enjoy!

Word count: 3,656

Previous Next

———

Ruby Anne sat up in her bed looked around her room briefly, sighing and rubbing her eyes. After the little argument between you two, she had decided to take a nap, hoping a little sleep would take her mind off the subject. But it didn’t. Waking up only reminded her how painfully lonely she felt. Maybe the death of her mother had finally set in and now it’s hitting her harder than before. She needed... comfort. That’s something she didn’t think she’d need, actually. But, she did. She finally began to feel guilty about pushing everyone away. All they were trying to do was give her comfort, and make her feel like she belonged. But she refused to accept their help, and it ended up here; alone and depressed. She stared at the wall in front of her, determination painted on her face as she thought of a plan to start over. When she concluded that she would have to change her attitude and let the team help her, she sighed as she realized another thing she would have to face willingly: Tony. With a deep inhale, she got out of bed and put on some clothes and made her way down to the lab for the first time since the tour. 

You were in the living room with Peter and Steve playing UNO when you saw Ruby Anne walk down the hall. You 3 exchanged surprised looks, trying not to make it look obvious. You turned to look at them with your jaw dropped when you saw her go in the one way direction of the lab. “Is she going to the lab?” You whispered to them. They both shrugged and raised their eyebrows. You felt a bit of hope flashing inside you, but you couldn’t celebrate yet. You still didn’t know what she was going down there for.

To say Tony was surprised to see Ruby Anne knocking on the glass door to his lab would be an understatement. He quickly stood up, wiping his grease covered hands on a rag before motioning for her to come in. “H-Hi, come in. I was just working on some old suits. Got nothing else to do heh.” He chuckled awkwardly, leaning on a table. “Is there something you need?” To his surprise, he was pretty nervous, since Ruby had never come to visit him; let alone talk to him at all.

Ruby stood there, gathering her thoughts and sighing. “I guess.... it wouldn’t be so lame to go shopping... with you.” She said, shifting in her weight a bit. Tony stood there for a moment before smiling lightly, but deep inside, he was overjoyed.

“Of course, yeah. Let me just uhh let me just put on a clean shirt.” He smiles, rubbing his hands on the shirt that was muddied with dirt and oil. Ruby nodded and left the lab to wait for him. Tony’s smile widened as she left and quickly went to his room to get dressed, already planning on the many things he wanted to buy her.

——

A few minutes later, you see Tony and Ruby walk by the living room dressed up to go out. Your eyes widen in shock and you bow your head, suddenly extremely interested in all the little creases in the uno cards. As soon as the main door closes, you scream and throw your cards up in the air, jumping on the sofa. “ OH MY GOD THEY’RE ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING TOGETHER AND TONY WAS SMILING!” You squeal, Steve and Peter chuckling beside you and nodding. “Ooh! What do you think they went to do? They were dressed pretty casually, so you think they were going to the park? A movie? Shopping? I hope they went shopping. Ahh! This is so exciting!” You squealed.

“Okay okay, calm down, Princess. Things are looking good at the moment but let’s not get our hopes up so high right now. Let’s wait to see how it goes.” Steve said, smiling at you as he grabbed you arm to pull you to sit down. “Now. I’m going down to the gym, I give up this game. Peter’s clearly winning and I don’t want to be here for his braggy victory dance.” He chuckled, giving Peter a sarcastic smile before getting up to leave. Peter rolled his eyes and smiled. 

“Well, if I’m being honest I have a lot of work due by tomorrow so imma get started on it. We’ll finish this some other time when your brother’s not being a complete SORE LOSER!” Peter sang, shouting out the last part enough for Steve to hear. You snickered and nodded. “Alright. I’ll go see if Clint wants to play a little since he has no life.” You smirked, getting up and going to find Clint.

About half an hour later, you and Clint are still playing UNO and Clint was in the lead. I guess some of that “Steve’s sore loser attitude” rubbed off on you, because you were really considering cheating to get back to #1.

When Clint turned on the ground slightly to drink some water from his cup, you quickly leaned over to get a glance at his cards to see what color he didn’t have, so that you’d change it to that. But he turned back around quicker than you expected, startling you a bit and making you lean back and act as normal as you could. It was too late by then.

“Were you looking at my cards?!” Clint asked, his jaw dropping in shock and amusement. You quickly shook your head and denied it. Clint’s smile grew. “Yes you were! Oh you little cheater! Come here!” He growled, grabbing a hold of your legs. You screamed and began to resist, scooting away as much as you could.

“Nohohoho Clihihint!” You beg, Clint wrapping your feet in a headlock, making you very nervous. You didn’t really mind being tickled most of the time, but you hated your feet being tickled. It was unbearable. The team knows this, but it doesn’t stop them from doing it when they want to be evil.

Clint chuckles at your stuttered protests and tightens his grip on your feet. “This is what you deserve. I hope you learn from your sins!” He quips before mercilessly scratching his blunt fingers over your soles.

You shriek and thrash around as much as you could, kicking out your feet. You were in stitches in under a couple of seconds, cackling as he scratched under your toes.

“STOHOHOHOP IHIHIT I CAHAHAHANT!” You cried, rolling around to distract from the unbearable feeling. Clint chuckled and only shook his head.

“Oh, you can, y/n. If you had what it took to cheat, you have what it takes to take the punishment.” He smirked, scribbling his fingers over the arc of your foot.

Your hysterical laughter caught Wanda’s attention as she passed through the hall. With a small smirk, she entered the small reading room and approached your hysterical form.

When you noticed her presence, you immediately reached out to her for help. “WANDAHAHAHA! HEHEHELP ME PLEHEHEHASE!” You begged.

Wanda smiled sweetly, making you get your hopes up before saying something that made your stomach drop.

“Okay, I’ll help...” She led, taking a seat on the couch and lifting her hands up, twirling her fingers a bit. Suddenly, red wisps of power held your wrists down to your sides, unable to move.

“NOHOHOHOOO!” You cried, trying and failing to wrench your hands out of the hold. Clint turned to look at you and smiled widely.

“Yeheah! Thanks Wanda!” He cheered and turned around you target your hips. You arched your back with a loud squeal and shook your head side to side. If only someone could actually help you!

Your stomach began to cramp from all the laughter and restraint when Clint moved up to digging his fingers in between your ribs, ruthlessly tasing them. “Is there something you might wanna say y/n?” He asked. Wanda smirked beside him and used some of her power to gently swipe across your neck. You helped and erupted into louder giggles, trying to shield your neck but everywhere you’d recoil, it’d find another spot.

“YEHEHEHES! IHIHIM SOHOHORRY!” You squealed, praying that that was it. Clint chuckled and lifted up your shirt to blow a big scratchy raspberry on your belly. “AHHH!”

“Sorry for what? Huh?” He asked, shooting his hand under your arms, making you throw your head back.

“FOR CHEATIHIHIHING!! IHIM SORRYYYY!” You cried, falling into silent laughter. Wanda let you go with a giggle and so did Clint. You brought your arms to hug yourself and layed on the floor panting with your eyes closed.

“I really hate you both sometimes.” You sighed. Wanda stood up to crouch down next to you and poke your side.

“Oh, you don’t mean that.” She chuckled, before leaving the room. Clint was still chuckling as he helped you sit up a bit.

“Well, now that we got that corrected, I suggest we start over, since you’ve already seen my cards,” He chuckled, giving you a playful glare. You sighed and nodded you head, the both of you getting back in the game.

——

About an hour had passed and you had finished your game with Clint a bit ago, so now you were making yourself a sandwich with some Doritos when Steve walked in the kitchen. “Whatcha makin’?” He asked, circling the island to stand next to you. You finally finished with putting the other half of bread on top and bringing it up to your face a bit.

“A sandwich. With chips.” You said. Steve hummed and bent down to get a bite but you moved your sandwich away. “Nooo,” You sang.

“Just a bite!” He whined, attempting to bite the food again. You turned away to shield your sandwich with a smile.

“Your definition of ‘bite’ is shoving the whole thing in your mouth.” You chuckled. Steve sucked his teeth, trying to hide his guilty smile.

“Share.” He said, poking your side. You flinched and slapped his hand away.

“Don’t.”

“Then share!”

“You’ll eat it all!”

“No I won’t.”

“Liar. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah a little.”

“Then I’ll make you a sandwich.” You smiled, taking out the ingredients again.

“Yeah?” He asked with a grin. You nodded, standing a few feet from your plate. “Great, thanks! I’ll have a bite outta yours while I wait.” He smiled, grabbing your sandwich and taking a bite before leaving the kitchen.

“I-” You gasped, freezing in place as you watched him leave the kitchen with a smirk. You narrowed your eyes and groaned in mild annoyance before making his sandwich. Just then, Tony and Ruby came through the front door and you smiled widely. Ruby Anne muttered a small “Thanks.” to Tony before going up to her room to set the many shopping bags down. Tony approached the kitchen and you bounced on your heels excitedly. “So... how’d it go?” You asked.

Tony smiled, crossing his arms and leaning on the counter. “It was okay! She didn’t talk much but we went out together, did some shopping, so that’s a step; I’m proud of it.” He shrugged.

You nodded with a wide grin. “You should be. I’m so glad you guys did something together! Hopefully it’s not the last time.”

“Yeah, hopefully not. What’d you do when we were out?” He asked.

“Not much, just played cards with Clint and practiced some ballet for a few minutes. Then I got hungry so I made a sandwich and is I’m making Steve one, since he was hungry too.” Tony hummed and nodded.

“Alright then. Imma head back down to the lab, call me if you need anything.” He says before leaving the kitchen. You nodded and finished making your brothers food and called him down.

“STEVEN, YOUR SANDWICH!” You heard him faintly respond with a “coming” and you were about to take your plate and leave, but stopped in your tracks. You turned to look at his food before a mischievous smirk found its way onto your mouth.

With a giggle, you took a bite out of his sandwich to even the score and happily skipped up to your room.

————

The next morning, you, Peter and Ruby Anne go to school, and you notice that she’s wearing some new clothes. You smile and compliment her as you all walk through the halls. “I really like your outfit! It suits you.” You say. Ruby doesn’t say anything in return, but she smiles lightly and nods at you before continuing to walk to class.

“Hey, hey y/n!” You heard Jeremy whisper over to you from across the room. You sighed and rolled your eyes, ignoring him as best you could. You were starting to think maybe he did like you.

But why would he expect me to like him back if all he does is annoy the crap outta me?

“Hey, y/n/n look over here!” You kept your attention in the teacher, despite all the calls, texts, paper airplanes, notes, paper balls hitting your head. Your while desk was basically covered in paper balls and notes. You felt someone tal your shoulder so you turned around to see Camila, one of your classmates. She hands you a note and you take it and open it.

Look to your side

You turn to look and you don’t know why you fell for it, but there he was. Wiggling his eyebrows at you. “Hey.” He nods. You inhale deeply, showing your frustration and turn to look back at the whiteboard. You couldn’t wait for the bell to ring.

After what felt like forever, the bell rang and dismissed the class. You gathered your stuff and rushed out the room before Jeremy could catch up to you. Thankfully, Peter was at the lockers already and so was Ruby. You all met up and went outside to go home.

——

You’re home practicing ballet in your room when you hear a knock at your door. You get up from the ground and open the door. “Ruby. Hey!” You’re surprised that she’s come to your room. “Come in. Is there anything you need?”

Ruby steps in and she has a neutral expression in her face. Something different from the usual scowl or furring of the brows she wears all the time. A moment passes before she shrugs and speaks up. “I was uhh... thinking about what you said the other day. And,, I guess I have have been too harsh on you and Tony. And the whole team actually. You were right. You were only trying to help make me feel welcome. And I pushed you away.” She said, taking a deep breath. “So, with that in mind, I think it’s time I finally start letting you guys in, and pushing the grudges away instead. So. I’m gonna lit all this behind me and... hopefully you guys aren’t too mad at me to do the same.” She nods, staring awkwardly at the ground.

You stood there for a few moments, processing her words before smiling widely and engulfing her in a hug. “Yay.” You sigh. This caught her off guard, but eventually she returned the gesture, wrapping one arm around you and patting you awkwardly on the back. After you break from the hug, ruby smiled a bit before turning and leaving without another word. You stand there with a smile on your face. You feel good.

Things are finally turning around.

———

A few days have passed by, and you noticed Ruby Anne was a little more present around the team, actually going down to the table for dinner, even though she’d leave right after she’d finish her plate, and accepting your offer to hang out with Peter in your room. This was one of those times

You had a movie playing in the background while you and Peter were trying to decide on what game to play. Ruby was sitting in your bean bag a few feet away and you and Peter were standing next to your bed, a bunch of board games and cards laying on the mattress. After a small argument about which game to play, you both decided to pick monopoly and sat down in the floor close to Ruby. “Okay. So, ruby have you ever played monopoly before?” You asked. She shook her head and leaned forward to get a better look at the game.

“That’s ok. We’ll show you.” Peter said, smiling at her. She timidly returned the gesture and you both explained to her how to play the game.

The time flew by, you had finished your game of monopoly, ate some pizza that Thor brought home, watched half a movie, and now you were about to play another game.

“Ooh! How about we play twister? That’s always fun.” Peter suggested. You perked up at the idea. You hadn’t played twister in a looong time.

“Oh yeah but all three of us are gonna play and we need someone else to watch us and score.” You sighed. Peter hummed.

“I can score.” Ruby shrugged.

“You don’t wanna play?” You asked

“I’m fine for now. I can host the game if you want.” She said.

“If you’re sure, then sure.” You smiled, handing her the spinner. You and Peter stood on the mat, waiting for instructions.

——

You were now in the middle of the game, and you and Peter were tangled up in a knot almost. You were in a back stand and Peter was sprawled over you, one of his arms looping under you on yellow, and his leg curved under your knee. You were panting a bit, having to basically carry Peter’s weight on you while being in the uncomfortable position.

“Okay, Peter, your hand on red.” Ruby said. Peter groaned as he spotted the red dot on an almost unreachable place. He leaned over a bit, now mostly off of you and placed his hand in red. This caused him to almost tip over and fall. You giggled a bit at his attempt to stay up.

“Just give up Peter, you’re bound to fall. I, on the other hand, am in a stable position.” You quipped, tilting your head up to brag.

“Oh yeah?” Peter smirked, looking at you from upside down and using his hand to poke around your sides repeatedly. “Are you sure you’re stable?”

You squeaked and let out nervous giggles as you struggled to stay upright. Since your back was arched, your whole torso was stretched, making it more sensitive to touches. “Hehehey! No tihihickling, you cheheater!” You cried, dissolving into more laughter as he began you skitter his fingers over your belly. You squeal as you feel your arms become weaker and you start to tremble. Ruby smirks at the sight and shakes her head slightly. She’s seen the both of you get into these play fight almost every day since she’s been here. And if she’s being honest, it was pretty entertaining and amusing. Though she’d never admit it.

“Things aren’t looking too good for you, y/n/n. I see you’re struggling a bit. Why don’t you just ‘give it up’?” He teased, using your words against you. Fine, if he wanted to play dirty, so should you.

You lifted a leg, careful to keep your balance and pushed at Peter’s hip, to get him to fall. Peter chortled and resisted your push, sneaking his hand under your shirt and dipping his finger in your belly button. “AaaAhH!”

It took so much for you not you crumble up and shield your belly. “PETEHEHEHER!”

“I think I’m winning!” He sang, risking his position to move up and flutter his fingers in your neck. You screamed, unable to resist from crumbling down to the floor and shrugging your shoulders up. You were a giggling mess and instead of stopping, Peter continued. “Yes! I win I win I win!” He cheered, letting himself down from the position to continue attacking your neck. Ruby let out a small giggle at the whole scene, covering her mouth quickly when she did. Neither of you heard it, since you were to busy being tortured.

“OKAHAHAHAY, STOHOP IT!” You squealed, arching your back when he began to shake your ribs mercilessly. Your laughter went silent and your body instantly went in survival mode, slapping at his chest. Peter sat back with a chuckle and let you go. “Gohohod. You’re such a loser.” You whine.

“If I recall correctly, you’re the only loser here.” Peter smirked, giving your belly one last pinch before standing up and helping you up.

“Ugh... whatever. I would’ve won if you hadn’t cheaten.”

“I wouldn’t have cheaten if you wouldn’t have provoked me.” He quipped, smirking at your defeated look.

You decided to leave it at that and roll your eyes. “Fine. So, changin the subject, what should we do next? And this time, you gotta play, Ruby Anne.” You said, pointing at her accusingly, making ruby crack a small smile.

You played a few more games, making sure Ruby felt included in everything, and over the next couple of days, you three began to hang out more often, and Ruby started to become a regular in your friend group.

However, Ruby found that the more she hung out with you guys, the more she secretely started having feelings towards Peter...

Whenever he’d smile at her, she’d smile back openly. And she found herself feeling more eager to hang out with you both, because she knew Peter would be there. And now, when you and Peter would play around and be platonically intimate with each other, she found herself wanting that. With him. In a not-so-platonic way. And as if she didn’t already have 100 million things going through her head, now she had to keep her feelings under control around one of the people she sees most of every day.

Great. She thought

_____

Hopefully this chapter was okay,

#ticklish!reader #ticklish #tickle fight #avengers tickle #marvel tickle #tickle fluff #peter tickles reader #peter x reader #peter parker x reader #avengers #marvel #marvel mcu

[greensaplinggrace]

Hi! for the Dragon Age prompts, how about an assassin Fenris and Anders au?

Ask and you shall receive! Although I really hope you didn’t have any preferences for who was the assassin. I only realized after I wrote it that you might have meant assassin!Fenris. This is actually a one-shot right now, but I’m planning to write a few more chapters if all goes alright.

*TW for violence, attempted murder, near death situations, asphyxiation

- If you want to send in a prompt, the guidelines are HERE and HERE!

---

Fenris wakes to the sound of crickets chirping. A cool breeze sharpens the air above him, where sheer green curtains curl lazily in the air. He breathes in deeply, then blinks.

The window is open, he thinks in alarm, and then there’s a blade over him, a dark form beside his bed, and suddenly he’s rolling. With a shout, he dodges the incoming blow, throwing a knee at the figure beside his bed. There’s a yelp of surprise, the figure falling back as Fenris launches from his bed and tackles the man to the ground.

He grapples at the writhing limbs beneath him. The blade hisses through the air again, nicking the side of Fenris’s throat with near deadly precision. Blindly, Fenris scrambles at the arm until his nails bite into the other man’s shoulder. Then he ducks, curling his elbow around it, and wrenches sideways with all his might. The man snarls and kicks out, forced to relent lest he dislocate his shoulder.

What follows is a brutal struggle, but eventually Fenris has him on his stomach, arms down. Attempting to pin him is proving more difficult than he’d expected, however. They both wrest for control, the dagger making appearances with more and more frequency as time passes. Fenris yells for help, slamming his palm into the back of the other man’s neck, shifting to keep his hips down and his legs locked.

Nobody answers.

Venhedis. Where the fuck is Hawke?!

With all of Fenris’s battle experience it should be easy to contain such an unskilled rival. Yet the man is persistent and possessed of a strength his lithe frame belies. Every attempt to disarm him is met with wily resistance, and every time he thinks he’s finally got the other man fully pinned down he squirms out of it again.

It’s almost enough to make Fenris activate his brands - almost enough to turn his bedroom into a bloodbath right here and now. Except that the trouble isn’t worth destroying all of his hard work; the research on his desk and the evidence he’s so close to completing. Certainly, it should not even be necessary in the first place.

The assassin tries to brace a hand against the floor for leverage but Fenris easily knocks it aside. He grabs a handful of coarse wool and hair to slam the assassin’s head down, catching the wrist still holding the dagger with his other, and is unprepared for the leg that sweeps his knees out from under him. Fenris tumbles to the ground as the body beneath him rolls, barely deflecting the dagger in time as it plummets toward his eye. He curses up a storm when it cuts open his forearm, vowing to fire every single accursed guard who was supposed to be on watch tonight.

The foreign chuckle that follows is entirely unexpected, the halt in battle even moreso. Fenris nearly falters when the sound echoes through the room. His gaze hones in on the wry twist of lips beneath a dark cowl, and out of some ridiculous sense of honor Aveline must have planted in his head, Fenris freezes in place as well.

“Who knew the prince would be so foulmouthed?” the assassin says, voice accented and lilting with amusement, and Fenris thinks he must be an idiot for speaking at all.

“Anybody with half a brain,” Fenris snaps back, “so I can see how you wouldn’t.”

“...you’re really not at all what I expected.”

“An easy kill?”

“Er, yeah, sort of.”

Fenris scoffs and then kicks him in the stomach, honor be damned.

The fool falls back with a startled wheeze, defense breaking, and Fenris takes advantage of the opportunity to lunge forward. With practiced movements, he finally takes hold of the stranger’s wrist and twists, bringing it down on the cold stone floor as he does so. There’s a snap and a cry, dagger clattering across the room, but Fenris doesn’t waste time celebrating. Knocking aside the assassin’s legs, he uses his own knee to pin the man’s uninjured arm to the floor.

In seconds, he has his hands wrapped around the other man’s neck.

Short blonde hair is revealed as the hood falls away, twisted and matted with blood. The split on his forehead paints half his face in shining red, but the rest of his features are lost in the dim light the moon provides.

Fenris presses down. Boot heels scramble at the ground behind him and a broken hand comes up to tug futilely on his own.

“Who sent you?” Fenris growls venomously, teeth bared. It’s supposed to be menacing. Terrifying. Enough to make anybody freeze in horror.

The assassin merely sneers defiantly, as if the fear itself is challenge enough to resist. “Will you let me go if I tell you?” he asks roughly, mockingly. “I promise to be ever so quiet. We don’t want anybody getting any ideas about the state of your honor, after all.”

Fenris can hardly believe his ears. “Have you no sense of self-preservation?”

“I’ll have you know that I am very concerned for my safety! I just can’t tell you that specific piece of information.”

“Then you will not be leaving this room alive.” If he has no information of use, then Fenris will kill him. It is not so unusual for him to kill someone with his bare hands, although he wishes he had his sword to make this faster.

Perhaps he will grant this man a merciful death and use his brands to tear out his heart.

“Don’t be selfish, love. I’ve got other suitors waiting, you know.”

Or perhaps not.

Fenris narrows his eyes, fingers tightening, and squeezes until the man begins to buck his hips in desperation, strangled gasps escaping his lips. “You’re mouthy for an assassin.”

“Thanks,” the stranger chokes out, broken hand sliding abruptly up Fenris’s arm to meet his shoulder. “Let me show you what else I can do.”

Ozone fills the air a split second before Fenris’s brands flare. Electricity crackles between them in a violent burst, sending Fenris flying through the air. He lets out a grunt as his back meets the wall with a sickening crack. Pain sears through his chest, shoulders screaming, and he collapses on hands and knees.

Furiously, Fenris looks to the assassin who now sits crouched in the middle of the room. He cradles the dagger in his hand once more, a feral smile pulling at his lips, smug and vicious in simultaneous abandon.

“Mage,” Fenris snarls, fists clenching on the cold stone floor.

The stranger laughs in response, and Fenris has never wanted to tear someone’s heart out more. “Am I? I hadn’t noticed.”

Pale moonlight flashes across the silver edge of his blade as he raises it. Fenris expects blood next, a wound cut across his skin to feed dark magic, but instead there’s a snick as his dagger meets the curl of metal on his boot. A dim spark jumps into the darkness, instantly snuffed by the hand that rapidly flies out to catch it.

Fenris watches as fire blooms in the stranger’s palm.

“You would burn me alive?”

“I would kill you, yes.”

“At whose behest?”

“You’re incredibly stubborn, did you know that?” Fenris wants to scoff. He’s the stubborn one? Anybody else would have cut their losses at the possibility of choking to death. “What does it matter who hired me? You deserve to die.”

Firelight flickers along the shadowed edges of his face, features painted in stark relief. A straight nose and full lips. Golden eyes.

Mage, he thinks again, in equal parts fear and hatred, and prepares to light his brands.

“What arrogance leads you to believe you may judge my actions so? You know nothing of me.”

“I know enough.”

Then the mage moves, lightning quick, a web of fire arcing up his arm, and Fenris bathes the room in blue. He launches to his feet and fades into the other man’s space, fingers curled into claws, and only briefly registers the faintest hint of surprise in wide golden eyes before he sinks his hand into the other man’s chest. When Fenris’s fingers brush his heart, the mage goes stark white.

Unfortunately, this does not keep him silent.

“You just fisted me!” he blurts out, wild and panicked, and every thought in Fenris’s mind simply disappears.

“What?”

Fire erupts between them. A blazing inferno that spouts in one abrupt, blinding ascent, forcing Fenris to rear back and away from the other man. He instinctively begins to shield his eyes, but the need for it has already passed. As quickly as the light begins, it ends; leaving nothing but a writhing darkness and spots in Fenris’s vision.

He blinks to chase them away, searching the shadows for the assassin, and notices the glint of a blade seconds before it strikes. Fenris twists to avoid a killing blow, roaring at the explosion of agony in his shoulder. The room floods with blue light once more.

“Scheisse!” the assassin curses, stumbling back at the reappearance of his brands, and those would have been his last words - would have been his last moments - had there not come a sudden, deafening crack from the bedroom door.

“Your Majesty!” someone’s deep voice calls into the room, heavy chainmail gauntlets slamming noisily against wood. “Your Majesty! The castle is under attack!”

And Fenris glances over, distracted only for a brief moment. A half second. Nothing.

But it’s enough.

When Fenris turns back around, the assassin is gone. His curtains flutter, the sill of his window scuffed and scratched. The dagger on the floor has disappeared. And there is no man. No assassin.

Nothing but the scorch marks on Fenris’s ceiling to prove he existed at all.

#fenris #anders #fenders #dragon age #da2 #fanfiction #promptfills #mywriting #myworks #myfics

[hp-ace-fest]

HP Ace Fest Masterlist

We’ve come to the end of this little fest! Thank you to everyone who participated - you’re free to share and promote your work all you want now!

Here is a list of all the created works and their authors, give them some love!

*

(Can I Sleep On) The Air Mattress With You? by stevie_RST

Prompt 59: Fluffy warm snuggling & cuddling moments between Ace!Sirius & Remus.

Just a soft, sweet fic (with a little anxiety) of Sirius and Remus cuddling and realizing their feelings based on the song "Air Mattress" by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.

Ace Of Hearts by KrysKrossZee

Pansy stumbles upon a secret organisation that just might hold the answers about herself that she didn't even know that she was looking for. 

Because Dragons by KazOfScotland

Four times that Charlie Weasley was questioned by his mum as to why he wasn't dating someone and he didn't want to answer, and the one time that Molly asked and he answered her with the truth.

Written for the HP Ace Fest and the prompt: Ace Charlie coming out to his mum who questioned why he was her only child not dating.

Cake co. by toutcequonveut

Draco is the ace of cakes! Or: the story of how Draco Malfoy goes from war criminal to baker incredible, makes some unexpected friendships, and learns more about himself along the way. A journey of growth told through cake. 

Dance With Your Fear by cdav

After the war, Harry and Draco find themselves back at Hogwarts where everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives.

They slip into old habits to cope and find themselves creating new ones, surprising each other in the process.

The Definition of Monstrosity (Or How Harry Made Dumbledore Reassess his Beliefs) by KaterineBlack

Prompt 86 - Harry calls Dumbledore out on demonizing aro/ace people. "No one owes the world love, sir. Calling Voldemort a monster because he's aromantic is rude as hell. Call him a monster because he does monstrous things!"

Everything's coming up aces by nearingexistence

After the war, Draco has a lot of time to think. He's not used to that. Thankfully, Blaise is there to help! They get to talking about identities and Blaise suggests Draco accompany him to London Pride. 

the ground begins to shake (every time she comes my way) by cjmasim

James plans to live out the rest of his life pining over Lily, and he's learned to be okay with that. They're friends now, and that's more than he could've realistically hoped for a year ago.

It's Lily who throws a wrench in the plan.

Hermione's Problem by TheWanderingAvarian

Hermione has a problem: she likes Padma Patil. But does she actually like her? Having never felt this way before, she decides to ask several people how they knew whether they were into people of the same gender. They all offer sound advice, but something's missing, and she's not quite sure why...

I'm Not Broken by vivi1138

Sirius is gone, and it's up to Regulus to carry on the family legacy. What should, at worst, be a mild annoyance for someone who understands his obligations, becomes a living nightmare. When Regulus finally snaps, what can he do but follow in his brother's footsteps? A tale of self-discovery, reconciliation and understanding.

Invisible Identity by Pegasus143

Fred and George thought they'd avoided "the talk". Luckily, they had a plan in place.

Lies by Omission by tigerlilycorinne

Blaise would like to say I love you– or at least ask Neville out– but he ends up sort of… falling into bed with him instead, and Neville, well. Neville doesn’t know how to say he’s asexual– he’s not sex repulsed, but he feels like maybe this is information he’d like to convey.

But while Blaise and Neville are best mates, there are things like holding hands and kissing and snuggling that friends with benefits do and friends don’t.

So he’ll tell Blaise… some other time.

the lovers,the dreamers, and me by Ace Fest Mod / Anonymous

School nurse Sirius helps students figure out their identities.

My Cup of Tea by FivePips

Sirius runs a queer coffee shop, Remus waits outside to meet up with a friend every week -- until they finally come in one day.

Our Different Desires by TheUltimateUndesirable

Gellert and Albus start their plotting to right the wrongs done to the wizarding world by the muggles. For Gellert there is no denying that working together as partners their mission will be quite easy, but does Albus truly hold the same desire?

Repulsed and Repulsive by MerakiForest

Sirius is uncomfortable with all the girls (and some boys) talking about him and his body, and James finally gets him to admit it.

Revelations and Awkward Situations by SensibleRen

Who knew that browsing through the library for dragon books would lead Charlie Weasley to make an interesting discovery. What happens after he goes up to Professor McGonagall for advice?

Salt and Sand by WolfyWordWeaver

James Potter and Sirius Black have dedicated their lives to exploring the oceans and discovering the secrets of the mythological. When their journey leads them to the island of Sirens will they live to tell the tale?

the sense of a full circle by porcelainsalt (bluedreaming)

Luna and Neville through the seasons of the year.

shines like gold by accioxmarauders

“I love you so much, you know that, right?” Remus whispered, closing his eyes, leaning his forehead against Sirius’ temple, his thumb caressing his cheek idly, here, here, here. Sirius felt the tightness in his throat intensify, but he still swallowed it away.

“I love you too, Re, so fucking much,” he managed, letting his eyes fall shut too, his arms coming up to hold Remus tightly against his chest. Stay, stay here, stay with me, he thought, over and over, his own personal mantra. Please stay.

A Tale of Two Hearts by Aneiria

‘So, what,’ Neville said, curiosity colouring his words. ‘You don’t like girls?’

Blaise laughed shortly and looked away from Neville’s beautiful hands, staring blindly out of the greenhouse windows.

If only Neville had any idea of the truth.

To Know What She's Seeking by PaulaMcG

In January 2002 Cho takes pleasure in flying and dancing, and becomes aware of a deep need not long before she learns to see herself more clearly.

What Is This Feeling? by onyxjay

Sirius laughed. It was a lovely sound, Remus thought idly. “As if you need to spend an hour in the shower. You're pretty enough.”

His face went a little pink, and Remus felt something stir in his stomach. This wasn't the first time this sensation had happened, but it was still rather puzzling. Why did Remus get these strange feelings? It wasn't like this was the first time he'd been complimented; James liked to joke about how quickly Remus would catch the girls' attention if he kept punching puberty in the face — as James so eloquently put it.

In which Remus realizes he may see Sirius in a different light than everyone else.