#actively protesting. she takes everything i say and do personally. it's note even fucking funny.

[therevengeoffrankenstein]

.

#why does my mother have to be so terribly difficult? the divorce affected her too ofc (it was her idea and her divorce. not mine.) #but she acts like i'm personally attacking her every time i even so much as mention my home state or talk about my dad #in a positive manner for too long. like? she acts like i'm okay with everything that turned out and that i'd just get used to all the #changes and immediately disregard my life before. when that is not the case at all. #nobody's a mind reader but just because i'm not saying anything doesn't mean i don't have feelings about it. it's on her for #expecting something of me she didn't even care to ask how i really feel about it. #she talks a lot about how harmful assumptions about others are but then turns around and assumes i'm peachy keen because i'm not #actively protesting. she takes everything i say and do personally. it's note even fucking funny. #and she says i'm sensitive. i've been a fucking champ about it for the most part bc she's a #pussy ass cheating lying skank who thinks she can gaslight and manipulate me into submitting to her. #i can't believe she fucking gets mad at me for wanting to cook my own separate meal but also expects me to want to know how to drive and #have my whole next 5 to 10 years all planned out. and heaven forbid i move out or even want to live with my dad (/s) #she says i'm so smart and above everyone else my age intellectually but then she treats me like a child!! she regularly insults my #emotional intelligence. i guess because i had to teach myself all that nitty-gritty that she doesn't know better. maybe. but it could be #presumed that when she says i'm soooo smart she's including my emotional maturity. she literally says i'm Smarter Than Her (!!!!) and #and i'll 'do amazing things' but also expects me to want to live with her until i'm thirty!!! #there's nothing wrong with living with your parents but there's no way in hell i'm staying any longer than i have to living with her. #if push comes to shove i have a couple friends i can go live with closer to home. #i literally fucking hate it here. help me. #personal #don't rb ig lol #parents tw #divorce tw #emotional abuse tw #/vent

[razorblade180]

Twin Snowflakes 26: Preparation

[part 1 of 2]

TSF pt25 here! <-

“THANK YOU, PEOPLE OF MANTLE!” Summer yelled, shredding each note of her personal favorite songs. One after another she played to her heart's fill. Each song was more aggressive and brimming with vigor than the last. Summer would’ve played till dawn if she had her way but neither her body or promise to her brother would allow that. It wasn’t time to leave yet but she needed a break.

Summer begrudgingly got herself to get off the stage to let others perform. Their music wasn’t terrible by any means but the other musicians could easily stand to have more practice. A rave audience isn’t hard to please however, so the crowd ate up the talent all the same. A little insulting to her own performance but eh, this wasn’t an actual contest. Summer was happy enough blowing off steam and listening to the beats from behind the stage. Not even she could deny the beats and tempo. Her hips couldn’t help but sway!

From the corner of her eye she could make out a familiar figure keeping an eye on her. “Did Nick tell you to keep an eye on me, Eliza?”

“Not really.” She walked over and poured herself a cup of water. “I was training in the area.”

“Are you saying he had nothing to do with you being here?”

“Oh no, that would be a lie. You know Nick, always negotiating. He really knows how to persuade a person. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could sell a heater to someone living in Vacou. Anyways, he didn’t ask me to stalk you or anything like that. He knew where I’d be and told me if I could swing by for a spell. No harm in that.”

Summer smiled. “Funny. That sounded like you were defending him. Don’t want me getting upset with my own brother?”

“Shut up. It would be a pain if I caused unnecessary controversy in a household. Need I remind you that you both have duties to the school that require your full attention? Frankly I’m glad I arrived. I don’t go to your concerts so my opinion of your performance skills was limited.” Eliza sipped her water, giving Summer’s attire and overall attitude a once over. “Where’s all this when you're getting harassed in the halls?”

“That’s...school is different.”

“Pfft, yeah okay.”

“It is!” Summer said, defensively crossing her arms.

Eliza watched the girl's face soften into the meek and reserved Summer she was used to. To think that’s all it took to shut her down. “I swear you and your brother don’t have a consistent bone in your body. Whatever the case, I don’t really care much as long as you bring your best effort to rehearsal and the live performance.”

Summer squinted. “Not the actual tournament?”

“Hey I don’t participate in the duos. You can bomb that for all I care. But you know, Nick is counting on you to pull your weight. Also it would be pretty annoying if you lost to Max and his asshole know-it-all, Darren. Gods know he’d talk about it until graduation.”

“Was the fight that happened in the school bad?”

Eliza shrugged, “Can’t say. Wasn’t there. He’s always been a thorn to me though so I don’t doubt he made things ugly. He was very rude to Veronica in the principal’s office as well. An act I find inexcusable.”

Summer couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Look I know you admire her and all that jazz, but I’d bet she didn’t help the situation.”

“My views on her have nothing to do with it!” Eliza huffed. “I would think you off people would be sympathetic to a person like her.”

Summer leaned against a wall. “Call me jaded, but Veronica has a habit of bringing out the worst in people.”

Eliza frowned. “You know her better than I. Tell me, is she the type to lie about being harassed?”

Summer didn’t have to think long, especially after learning more about her in the forest. Then there was Veronica’s sketch journal. Summer still couldn’t make sense of all the scratched out pages. On top of that, Blake’s request made Summer even more uncertain. “No. Veronica’s a piece of work, but she isn’t a liar. She might actually be too honest if you asked me. I’ve never had to deal with Darren personally but Nick’s not a fan by any means.” Summer bit her bottom lip. She couldn’t believe it, did she just defend Veronica’s qualities!? It was only fair. Veronica did almost end up a frozen husk.

“Well it’s good to know we can all agree on at least one thing without fail. So not to rush you but how long are you planning on staying in a place like this?” Eliza asked, watching all the party animals.

“Haha, not your type of crowd?”

“The crowd is fine. I can handle a little noise and rowdiness, but it is technically a school night. I- ah! Summer!?” The girl had taken Eliza by the hand and started pulling her to the dance floor.

“If you keep bringing up assignments 24/7 then all you’re gonna look like is a stick in the mud. Live a little. School sucks!”

“School is important!” Eliza protested.

Summer grabbed Eliza’s other hand and started making them sway side to side, back and forth. The blood rushing to Eliza’s cheeks made Summer giggle. “Awww you know you dig it. I’ll make a deal. Cut loose with me for a few songs and I’ll gladly let you dance me right out the front door. Show me that colorguard rhythm!”

Eliza watched the petite girl actively laugh without reservation. Summer jokingly shimmied towards her and swayed her hips, getting lost in the music. Just how much did this girl go out to rave? She looked like she belonged here! The beat got more intense by the moment with no sign of stopping. With her pride in check, Eliza began to sway steadily, getting into the music.

Summer’s eyes lit up. “Aye!”

“Two songs and then we’re out of here.”

“Works for me! Show me what ya got!” Summer turned up the heat by dragging Eliza deeper into the chaos. She might not be as persuasive as Nick, but Eliza quickly found out Summer was definitely more pushy. Forget the tournament. Eliza was beginning to think they’ll beat her at everything!

xxxxx

“This is crazy. How did I not know about this!?” Nick said, walking down the rainy sidewalk.

Veronica smirked as she held Nick’s hand, allowing rain to pass right through them. “Why would you? I barely have any reason to use my semblance; let alone in the more complex ways.”

“You don’t use it when making clothes?”

“Haha, I’m not entirely sure how it would help. Unless I wanna get out of my clothes and into something new in an instant. Not a real trick to show others. Unless…” she blushed at her lewd teasing, refusing to finish the punchline. “Never mind.”

“Okay?” He had a feeling he knew where that was going but chose not to pull that grenade pin. “Speaking of clothes, that brings up a question. Why aren’t our clothes falling off now?”

“Control. Anything I touch can phase like me. My clothes are touching me, so are you. I can keep it strictly to myself though with control and timing. I can also start it and end it on any spot on my body; which is why we aren’t falling through the street.”

“That sounds hard.”

“Little bit. Really flexing my semblance like a muscle right now. Still, I’ve done harder, like not breaking surface tension.”

Nick did a double take. Did he hear that right? “Surface tension? Like...for water?”

Veronica nodded. “Yeah that’s the one. Well I’m not actually walking on water. It’s more of me beginning to fall through the water with my semblance, and shutting it off quick enough to push me back up just above the surface. Took a lot of practice but I got it most of the time. Waves suck.”

“Don’t you burn through your aura quickly?”

“Well it’s like flicking a switch on and off. Also I’m quick about it; not to mention not fighting anything in the water. I’m bound to fuck up them.”

“Still sounds like an extremely large amount of work and multitasking. You got real talent. I’d get a headache.”

“Says the king of multitasking.” Veronica chuckled, “It’s less thinking and more of reaction; knowing how to feel the shifts to the things connecting you.”

Her explanation was interesting. Veronica had an understanding of her semblance to a complex level though she didn’t fight. And here was Nick, struggling with a candle exercise for a semblance that didn’t interact with physics or molecules. “A reaction huh? Maybe I should try that more often? It might help with-”

“Valerie.”

“What? No my-” His hand was squeezed a little before being brought up to point towards the Schnee gate. Nick’s eyes went wide. Valerie stood by it with her mother’s car, staring just as surprised. “Oh…” Nick said.

The three stood quietly, not prepared in the slightest. Valerie was the most shocked. She was prepared for an awkward conversation with Nick by the door. Not catching him outside in a suit; next to Veronica. Nora, who was in the car, wanted to take initiative but found her lips tucking themselves in.

“Oh boy. Maybe convincing Val to see him was a bad move on my part.” She thought. Ren was gonna have a field day whenever Nora got back home.

Done with the shock, Veronica finally spoke. “Umm I can give you two a minute, if you need it?” All the events that happened tonight made her feel very pleased. Veronica did not want to taint those moments and knew it would be for the best to remove herself from this before she said anything...emotional. She turned to Nick and smiled awkwardly. “I’ll see you inside?”

Nick could only blink while he thought about it. Veronica was a bit quicker to the draw though. “No, no, it’s...clearly you two are in the middle of something. I was just leaving anyways” Val said, a hint of irritation and even a bit of sarcasm crept into her voice. It might not have been that big of a deal but for some reason it made Nick tense up.

“This is only happening because of you.” He said instinctively, catching everyone off guard. “I don’t see how you can be upset about a thing you caused. I did invite you originally.”

“Don’t see how that has to do with anything.” Valerie lied, clearly offended. “You can do what you want.I only came here to-”

“It’s always your terms.” He interjected, grumbling a bit. “You tell me you want space and we’ll see each other at the tournament, but then show when you feel like talking. If I did that you’d be pissed.”

“Hey! I came here to try and smooth things over.”

“Yeah well maybe I don’t want things smoothed over right now? I...I have nothing to say to you right now. We’ll talk at the tournament.”

Valerie let out a subtle gasp. Her brows furrowed and she bit down on her lip harder than she meant to. “Forget it. If you wanna be made then be made. Tournament it is.” Valerie didn’t waste another breath, getting back into the car so it can drive off.”

Veronica was in disbelief. Did that really just happen? In now way did she think the conversation was going to be good, but she at least thought there was going to be one. She might’ve thought this best if it wasn’t for Nick visibly sulking next to her as he started walking her up to the manor. The solemn look on his face did nothing but make her feel bad. Not to mention a little guilty.

“Hey...I know this is a dumb question but are you okay? If I influenced that in any way during dinner, that wasn’t really...what I mean is...”

“I know, and don’t worry. That wasn’t me being caught up in my emotions. I just really want to think about all of this for at least a couple days. Besides, I made a deal with Eliza. I might not keep it if Valerie tries patching things up.”

“You’re plotting on her? That’s...wow. Now I know for sure that you’re pissed.”

Nick rubber the back of neck. “For once I think I’ll get greedy, act the way I want. Does that make sense?”

“Make sense? It’s my language. Fair warning, your best quality is that heart of yours.” She poked his chest. “Keep it safe, or I’ll be the one getting greedy by knocking the optimism back into ya.”

“Oh is that right? Haha, maybe try praying to me first, then I really know you must mean business!” He teases.

Veronica gave a playful shove. “Like I’d know how to start one? I think I’ll stick with the tough love approach.”

“Tough love huh?” Nick opened the front door. His eyes never left the girl as she walked in, seemingly content. Veronica eventually looked back at him and gave a head tilt.

She blinked, “What?”

“Nothing.” He chuckled. Nick was starting to think that just maybe, he understood Veronica’s choices and beliefs a little more than he used to. If he learned anything from tonight it was just how differently they saw the world around them. “Well I guess this is the end of our date. Didn’t go as planned but I’ll admit it, I really liked spending alone time with you.” He said, rubbing the back of his head.

Veronica couldn’t stop herself from letting out an anxious chuckle.“Hehehe, what’s with the sweet talk all of a sudden? Trying to butter me up?”

“No, just being honest with myself. A date should end as well as possible.” Nick stepped towards Veronica and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Eager to not let this moment linger, Nick swiftly left for Summer’s room to see if she was back. Without thinking about it tonight, Nick had left two girls red and speechless. One of them standing in the main hall with a smile growing wide; while the other watched the rain fall during a quiet ride home, frustrated and jaw clenched.

Nora took care to drive slowly. Getting home quickly would only mean Valerie would march to her room. Nora let out a sigh. “Whether it’s me or your father, one of us is gonna make you talk about this. So-”

“What’s there to talk about? I’m upset and he’s upset, because we want different things. So we’re taking a break. Simple as that.” Valerie leaned against the cold glass.

“And what is it exactly that you want?” Nora asked. She was given no answer. Not that she was expecting one. “I love you, but if you don’t know the answer yourself then how can you expect Nick to not upset you? Life is like any sport you play. Gotta know the rules if you wanna do well. Only way to figure that out is knowing yourself.”

“I know myself pretty well.” Valerie huffed.

“Really?” Nora dragged out. “So tell me, do you like Nick, romantically?”

“No.” She said instinctively.

If Val could see Nora’s face then she would’ve been upset that she was rolling her eyes, not believing her daughter. “Okay, but just so you know, taking a break is not what most friends say about another.”

Valerie’s eyes widened. She turned to her mother to see her focused on the road like she hadn’t said a word. Val went back to looking at the window. “Good to know.” Valerie controlled the urge to huff. Talking to Ren might’ve been less painful.

xxxx

Nick walked into Summer’s room to find it sisterless and a little cold. “Guess she’s not home yet.” He closed the door behind him as he went further in. Nick made sure to keep the light off but turned on the heater. A cold room was the last thing this night needed. His chill hadn’t kicked in all this time so Nick had no real reason to worry about Shiva, yet his nerves would feel better actually seeing Summer come home safely. Pulling up a chair to sit in may have been a bit much but he did it anyway. Overbearing or not, Shiva would never be a subject he’d take lightly. Not like he had in the past when he was younger, naive of the danger that thing had. He could his body ache at the thought of it. Pain fades and the body heals, but it also remembers. Not like he needed a reminder. Not when the memories rear their ugliness often in his dreams.

A scroll rang loudly, bringing Nick out of the dark thoughts. He reached in his pocket to see it was in fact Summer who was calling.He wasted no time answering. “Where are you? I thought you’d be back by now?”

“That didn’t sound like hello.” Summer grumbled. “Relax, I'm close by. I actually called to ask for a favor. You’re home right?”

“Yes?”

“Cool. Can you open my window?

Nick walked over to her window and opened it. In the distance he could spot his sister and Eliza outside the gate from the right side. “Done. What-”

“How’d you do that so fast? Were you already in my room!? You aren’t snooping are you!?” She yelled.

“Quiet before you get caught. No, I wasn’t snooping. Pretty sure whatever secrets this room holds is one that would scar me. Though I’m curious about your journal, wherever you hid this time. Perhap under your nightstand?”

“Do you really want to rummage around a young woman's nightstand?” Summer could hear her brother let out an overtop gagging noise. “Grow up.”

“Say it to my face. You better hurry before I decide to close this and watch you hit the glass like a pigeon.”

“Fine, ya baby.” Summer hung up. “Thanks for walking me home, as well as helping me stay dry.” She looked up to see the small dome of water floating over her from Eliza’s magic.

“Exactly what was the plan if I had said no or not shown up at all?”

“Glyphs aren’t just for platforming and dust ya know? Not that it matters. I knew I’d see you tonight.”

Eliza scoffed, “Tah! That confident in your predictions about your brother?”

“Well yes, but that’s not it. It’s not a secret you practice at the pier. It’s also terrible luck on your part you almost shot a captain with a bolt of lightning. One time.”

“W-What!? B-but how would-”

“Is it a Marigold thing to be attracted to my family like a magnet? That captain is my cousin. He says your aim could use work. Bye!” Summer made glyphs to trampoline over the gate and platform through the air and through her window.”

Eliza couldn’t believe it. Why was this her life!? It had to be a joke. Atlas or Mantle, you’re bound to be in Schnee territory. It would’ve been fine if she wasn’t practicing moves to fight one! Now she needed a new training spot. Who knows what they might now. “Damnit, now Nick’s offer is even more to my best interest!”

“Sup bro. How was your date?” The rock n’ roll twin kicked off her shoes and took the black wig off before falling backwards onto her bed.

“Well Valerie was at the front awhile ago.”

Summer sat up. “Okay, that’s not what I expected. Did I miss a fight? No wait, I’m pretty sure I’d hear Veronica scream bloody murder because there’s no way her dress would stay flaw-” her rambling was cut short when Nick suddenly sat beside her and fell on her lap. “Woah. Hey, are you still sick!?”

“No, just tired. The past week has been a little...draining. To be honest I don’t think I even have the energy to shower right now.”

“Well you probably smell better than me right now so I’m not complaining.”

“How was the rave?”

“Fun. Got Eliza to dance a little. The crowd worshipped my performance.” She chuckled.

“What did you sing?”

“Nothing special. A few Linkin Park songs; an experimental original. Oscar thought it would be a good idea to take a few of my journal entries and vent it out through music.”

“Hmm, anything you’ll share to your actual fan base, or me?”

Summer looked at her ceiling to let out a composed sigh. “I don’t think I’m quite ready, or the song for that matter. It and myself are...a work in progress. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Just know your fans think you can’t do wrong and there’s no world where I won’t support you. Family and all that.”

“Love you too.” Summer patted his head. “Sorry if I’ve been causing you trouble. Well, more than usual. Tomorrow is a new day.”

“That’s the spirit. Push yourself but not too hard. That’s my territory. Speaking of which, I’ve been racking my brain with ideas. You can talk to Shiva in that headspace whenever you like right?” He felt her hand stop. Nick looked up to see Summer look apprehensive.

“I can...but it’s not a thing I look to do. Plus tonight has been good. I really don’t want that to-”

“Summer, do you trust me?”

Nick’s words were calm and real. Summer didn’t know what he had in mind. It wasn’t like Nick to invite danger. Her eyes looked to the floor to the orange glow of her heater. Like usual it appeared that her brother had already taken strides for her and everyone’s sake. Just how far would he go, ever making herself feel like she’s at a stand still? Maybe tomorrow could start today. Just a little bit.

“What’s this idea of yours?” She said cautiously.

“Nothing too crazy. You’re just gonna take a page out of Veronica’s playbook.”

xxxxx

You would think a person would know what goes on in their head. Unfortunately, that’s hardly ever the case. Summer never got a full understanding of what went on upstairs in her mind. Then again that would only make sense. She was in therapy after all. Though no amount of emotional talking could explain why her headspace imagery was inconsistent at times. A void of nothingness, her own room, those were the usual shapes that took place. However, this time she found herself back at the frozen lake. Going back and triggering an episode must’ve left a lasting impression. At least her trauma brought variety. The only separation from the real place was the ice ceiling and a distinct lack of cold nipping at her skin. Her psyche though, it was definitely feeling something.

She began walking through the white hell of her own making until she found her target, Shiva. The being was skating across the lake like how Summer once did. “Shiva.” Summer called out.

The woman of ice and snow looked over, surprised. She stopped right in the middle of the lake. “Well, well, well, come to properly thank me? You’d be in a grimm’s stomach by now if it wasn’t for me. You and that idiot girl. Tell me, is she in pain from our encounter?”

“I’m not here to thank you or chitchat.” Summer bluntly stated. “This is an in and out thing.”

“I’ll take that as a no then? Pity. I wouldn’t mind seeing her cry and despair. I bet her tears are uglier than yours. Though I'll say that this look you have going on isn’t gross. Honestly it helps to see you better in this place. You’re always so pale when you’re talking to me. Afraid I might hurt you?” A smirk spread across her face. “Oh I do hate you so.”

“Feeling is mutual. I came here to tell you that from this point on things are gonna change.”

“Pfft, heard that before. You’re all talk.”

“Am I?” Summer reached her hand out. Right before her eyes, the shape of a shovel formed. Hiding her surprise, she focused on Shiva’s own shock. “My mind, my rules. If I can subconsciously make this hell then I can shape it to an extent. Summer tossed the shovel at Shiva for her to catch. “Keep that safe for me.” Summer’s body began to slowly fade from this space.

“And what exactly is this for?”

“Your grave. Feel free to dig it yourself.” Her final words before disappearing completely while witnessing a smug smirk vanish before her eyes. Right as she faded, Summer could hear one last remark.

“We’ll see who buries who.”

Summer opened her eyes to find herself back in her room. Good, she hadn’t moved an inch. “Well I’ve thoroughly pissed her off, but it actually felt good to be the one harassing her. Thank Ni- huh?” Summer failed to realize she’s been talking to herself. Nick was fast asleep already! “Unbelievable. What if I would’ve messed up?”

“Zzzzzz.”

“Quite the convincing answer.” Summer returned to rubbing his head. He felt a little warm but nothing serious. Taking breaks needed to be at the top of his list from now on. Only way that would happen is if things weren’t hectic. It was time to step up. “I’ll do right by you. I promise. Just...give me a little more time.”

Her eyes became heavy. It appears the day’s events weighed on her more than she realized. Both twins fell into slumber there for the entire night, finally getting some rest.

#rwby #rwby twin snowflakes #summer schnee #val valkyrie #nora valkyrie #eliza marigold #veronica belladonna #nicholas schnee

[darksunrising]

Sola Gratia (10/?)

Masterlist

Rating / Warnings : Graphic descriptions of violence, Viewer discretion is advised (short paragraph)

Fandom : Bram Stoker’s Dracula, BBC’s Dracula, various Dracula and vampire lore.

Part 10/? (2730 words)

Author’s notes : Beware ! A Dracula-less chapter (-ish) ! I promise, he’ll be back soon, he really wants to go to that Renaissance fair... (Also yay, part 10 !)

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Mary Van Helsing.

I asked Leah if she hadn't made a mistake. She almost took offense. I sat back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. What ? How ? Van Helsing ? I mean, that could just be a freaky, freaky coincidence. I laughed nervously to myself.

“Hah, you gotta admit that's funny the Van Helsing kid wants to study the Balkanic middle ages”, Leah laughed. Ditto.

Seeing as I didn't reply, she asked if I felt alright. I took a deep breath.

“Leah, there's something I need to tell you.”

“Yeah, of course, what's- Oh, fuck.”

She turned back to her laptop, and started frantically typing, cursing under her breath as she did.

“Someone got my position. Jeez, whoever those guys are, they really don't want anyone finding out they exist !”

“What do you mean ?”

“I mean there's a very good chance we will have an unpleasant visit pretty soon.”

She sounded nervous, which was a strange color on her. She activated an emergency shutdown, and closed her computer, taking a moment sitting still, eyes staring into the void. She then stood up decidedly.

“We don't know who it was, could be nothing”, I tried to reassure her.

“Yeah well, not to boast or anything, but if they got through my defenses, I really don't wanna know. Listen, let's just crash at my place, there's a chance they pinged on the VPN and actually here.”

She was so determined, I didn't even think to contradict her. She left her laptop there, only taking her bike helmet. I grabbed my bag, and followed her out of my office. Even though she was tiny, I had trouble keeping up with her fast paces. As we sped through the corridors, I caught a glimpse of dirty hazelnut hair, and grabbed Leah's arm to take a hard right into another hallway. Felt like running into Helder right now wouldn't be the best turn of events. Plus, I was supposed to give a class he was attending, so, that.

“Thinking back exit ?”

“What else ?”

We kept half-jogging to the end of the corridor, turning a few curious heads on the way, pushed on a service door, and slipped outside. The sun blinded me a second, as we made our way to the parking lot. Leah dug her keys out of her pockets, and unlocked the pad on her motorcycle, cursing a few more times every time she ripped around the keyhole. She turned to give me her helmet, and stopped halfway, wincing. Ah.

“Eris Cetero and Leah Fox. I'm going to need you to come with us.”

A very sharply dressed woman was standing a few paces away, icy stare and tightly pulled dark hair. She looked composed, unyielding, and was flanked on both sides by two men built like wardrobes, poorly dissimulating a handgun under their suit jackets. Not the kind of person to try to run away from, then.

“Listen, we didn't mean any harm. We could all just forget it.”

Sometimes, her bluntness had some perks. She had moved over in front of me, her hand grasping mine.

“You are not in trouble. At least not with us”, the woman continued. “We thought we would wait more, but you forced our hand.”

“We have no idea what you're talking about”, Leah kept going, still on the defensive.

I said nothing, trying to keep a straight face.

“My name is Mary Van Helsing. I work in the Murray Institute for the Neutralization of Abnormalities. We have a lot to discuss, especially with you, Miss Cetero.”

Ah shit. Let's think about this rationally. There was no way I could escape that situation. I also didn't want Leah to get in trouble, and I started to see she was about to keep on going if I didn't do anything. I took a deep breath, which had her stop.

“Alright. We have crossed a line digging into things we shouldn't have. You are entitled to some explanations, and if you feel like this can't be done in a parking lot, so be it. Lead the way”, I declared, trying to be as calm and composed as I could.

I was met by a look of disbelief on Leah's face, and an emotionless nod from Mary, who turned on her heels without a word. Can't believe my incredible charm hadn't worked on her yet. Leah's hand softened, and I took a hold of it as we walked to the intimidating sedan waiting for us.

~ ~ ~

The ride took a bit longer than I thought. From the moment Leah started going deeper in her search, and the moment they arrived, it couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes, and yet, it took well over half an hour to get to our destination. Maybe they were already close, and we just got unlucky. Seemed about right.

We remained silent the whole car ride. You couldn't have hacked through the tension using a damn chainsaw, at this point. Leah and I held hands, so tight I saw her knuckles going white. She was shaking a little, and I hated myself for putting her through this. If only I weren't a nosy fucking idiot.

We arrived to a decrepit-looking building, most likely turn of the 19th century architecture. Above the entrance, the stone looked like it had been engraved, a while ago, but the script was almost completely worn out. Inside, the emptiness gave an echo to every step, the ground overrun with cables coming from other parts of the house. We kept on going straight forward, went down a slope, and arrived to a huge freight elevator. It made a shrieking noise as it went down for a while, so deep we might as well have gone straight down to hell. If you believe in that sort of thing.

The elevator shook as it stopped, opening on a surprisingly high-tech complex.

“Ladies, welcome to M.I.N.A.”, Mary told us as we stepped off.

The first room was a large hall, open on two more stories, visible through balconies, on which were plastered neon lights. In neatly aligned cubicles, employees worked on god knows what, piles of paper cluttering all desks, the intermittent sound of phones and the indistinct chatter of radio making the noise almost unbearable. Mary kept on walking, some people greeting her as she passed them, and giving Leah and I the strangest looks. Ooh, boy. That was about to be fun.

She opened large fire-breaking doors, and we went on a corridor, making a few turns. As I had learned by now, I memorized the turns. Right, left at the weird plant, another left at the water fountain. She opened a door for us, leaving us to enter before her. That looked awfully like an interrogation room, with one table at the center, and two uncomfortable chairs. The double sided-mirror occupying one of the walls was also a dead giveaway.

One of the guards stopped Leah as she went after me. As she protested, they told us they would explain the situation separately. If they actually knew anything, that might be the smarter option. I reassured her, smiling, and went into the interrogation room. One of the guards came with me, and closed the door, only to stand in a corner, silent. I dragged out a chair to sit, waiting for anything to happen.

“Not really talkative around here, huh ?”, I asked, knowing I wouldn't get an answer.

Moments later, Mary came back into the room, holding a few files, one distinctly bearing my name. It does something to your ego, to have your name on a secret society's secret case file, in their secret underground bunker. The woman sat on the other side of the table, leaning forward on her elbows.

“Miss Cetero, do you really have no idea why you're here ?”, she asked.

Of course I know why I'm here. You know I know. You saw me try to fly into the wind with my partner in crime as soon as we knew you found us. I just had to put my best performance on. Tremble, Hollywood.

“Well, we did hack into some pretty secure servers to get information that we weren't supposed to get”, I told her, and shrugged. “That seems pretty clear to me.”

“There's that, but I want to talk about something else.”

Her face was completely unfeeling, yet her voice was soft, a bit too maternal for my tastes. I had a little smile, encouraging her to talk. There was no risk if I wasn't talking.

“Do you believe at all in the, quote-unquote, supernatural ?”

If she kept talking to me like I was a particularly simple child, I'd show her something supernatural pretty damn soon. I worked to keep down the wave of righteous anger crashing against the insides of my chest.

“Do you mean... ghosts ?”, I ventured.

“Among others. I'm talking more specifically about vampires.”

Her eyes were gleaming behind the rectangles of her glasses. I didn't react, other than a little laugh. Alright, keep it up, play dumb.

“Vampires ? Come on, is this a joke ? Did Leah put you up to this ?”, I giggled.

Not that dumb, fuck's sake. Nobody was this stupid. I actually wanted to kill myself. I was so in character my voice went up an octave all on its own. Repressing a shiver, I kept on smiling like a brainless fish.

“I'm afraid I'm dead serious. As... Phantasmagorical as it may seem, such creatures exist, and we believe you, and your friend, may be in grave danger.”

Well, that seemed to actually work pretty well. Not really trying to think of the reasons why I had so little trouble passing as brain-dead, I had a nervous laughter, and kept going.

“Do I have to look around for a man in a black cape next time I leave my building, Mrs. Van Helsing ?”

“Doctor Van Helsing, actually. And rather, you should look around for the man you know as professor Vlad Balaur.”

Ah, direct, I see.

“I'm not sure I get your meaning.”

“We have good reasons to think Vlad Balaur is a vampire, trying to pass himself up as Vlad Dracula Tepes, a character you of all people know well.”

I didn't say anything, but my heart sank to my stomach.

“In what I will tell you, I want you to assume everything I say is true”, she started, leaning back. “In 1896, a team made up from Jonathan Harker, Quincey Morris, Mina Murray-Harker, and Abraham Van Helsing, put an end to the reign of terror of the vampire known as Dracula. It seemed he was no other than Vlad Tepes, the Impaler, who supposedly had, quote-unquote, “died” during the 15th century. At his return to London, he decided to create this institution, to be certain that should such a horrific event happen again, people would have the knowledge and resources to deal with it.”

She took a pause, gauging my reaction. I tried to keep my innocent façade, but has strictly no idea wether she could tell I was faking. The feeling of dread creeping its way into my mind didn't help either.

“Bram Stoker was an accomplice to the whole ordeal, and published his book, which was explicitly branded as fiction. You know the rest, concerning the sometimes questionable turn of the theme into popular culture. However, vampires, among other numerous creatures, are still a threat on humanity today. And a lot of them take inspiration from ancient figures, like Count Dracula. This would not be the first time one of them fashioned himself the Dark Prince Returned.”

“I'm sorry”, I interrupted, “But how can you expect me to believe any of that ? Do you even have any proof ?”

I tried to keep my panic out of my tone. I didn't want to believe it, but what if she was right ? She couldn't be, right ? He knew so much about everything, and... I tried to calm myself down. Just need to get through this, I'll talk this out with the man himself. All would be well.

“Even if you were right, even if professor Balaur was a vampire”, I began as she only kept staring at me. “He never tried to hurt me, or had any reprehensible behavior toward me or Leah. Why would I need to be worried ?”

She looked at me for what seemed like hours, and finally pulled a file from her pile, and slid it towards me. She then sat back, and lit a cigarette. She offered one, and I declined politely, asking what was in the file.

“All around the city, for the last month, we had a count of twenty-four murders”, she declared. “Look at the pictures, and you tell me what kind of person could have done this.”

Shaking a bit, I opened the file, and instantly had to put a hand over my mouth. You can watch hours and hours of horror movies, and never get used to anything like that. Everything was red. Seeping into the fabrics, clothing, mattresses, drapes. Splattered on the walls, dripping from the ceilings. Body parts, bent in impossible angles, flesh frayed, shredded in long clawing marks, leaving the internal organs and their contents spilling out of the deformed corpses. Throats. Open. So torn apart it just looked like a bundle of rubber tubes. On one of the victim's descriptive notes, I glimpsed the word “pregnant”. I closed my eyes, looking away. There were hundreds. Mary offered again, and I took the cigarette. I closed the case file, taking a long drag.

“What happened in Romania, Miss Cetero ?”, she asked, a bit more softly.

I raised my head to meet her gaze. “I... Nothing happened. I- I visited some museums, hiked a little, why do you ask ?”

My eyes welled up with tears, and keeping on a neutral smile was a physical effort at this point. I kept seeing flashes of teeth, the horse, inside out, bled dry.

“We believe he might come from there, which is why he would identify with Dracula. He could have taken a liking to you there, and followed you here.”

“I think I would remember an encounter with something that does... that does this on a daily basis”, I snapped, fighting through tears. That couldn't be right. It couldn't.

“Your memory could have been wiped. It's not uncommon, once again.”

I started to feel dizzy. Maybe it was the cigarette. I didn't smoke very often, so that was probably that, right ? I must have remained silent a while, because Mary leaned forward, putting back the file on the pile.

“Listen, I will make this as clear as possible”, she snapped. “If we are to stop this creature, we need your full support. For some reason, he trusts you more than most. You cannot tell him about your knowledge of this place.”

She slid a card across the table.

“If you are ever in danger, or need any information, call us. We will call you if necessary.”

She put out her cigarette on a portable ashtray, and I did the same, mechanically.

“What did you tell Leah ?”, I asked.

“Nothing more than she needs to know, which does not include anything about Vlad Balaur. We think the less people know, the safer it is.”

I nodded, and slipped the card into my pocket. Nothing about this felt safe, or right, or anything but confusing, and nauseating. They escorted me out, and I still felt engulfed in cotton, everything muted, even when Leah nearly jumped into my arms as I got out. I barely realized I walked, or the time spent in the car, until they dropped me off at home.

I dragged myself to my apartment, and went straight to bed, half expecting to see him there, on the balcony. Instead, I found a note. I opened the window, and took the folded sheet of paper. The same he used back in Romania, and the same fine, elegant handwriting. It was weighed down with a polished rock, which I noticed, upon further inspection, contained a multitude of little fossils.

I have heard historians like old things, here is one.

For another, I will be back soon.

All my love,

Vlad.

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Taglist : @carydorse​ @angelicdestieldemon​ @bloodhon3yx​ @thewondernanazombie​ @battocar​ @moony691​ @mjlock​ @thebeautyofdisorder​ @festering-queen​ @paracosmfantasy​ @my-fanfic-library

#sola gratia #sola gratia part 10 #dracula #bram stoker's dracula #dracula netflix #dracula bbc #dracula castlevania #dracula x human #dracula x reader #dracula x oc #vampire x human #slow burn #enemies to friends to lovers #enemies to lovers #romance #fanfiction #fanfic #dracula fanfic

[starlitshores]

This might end up being an unpopular opinion, but I’m actually okay with public figures - specifically white hockey players - showing up late to speak out against racism and in support of Black Lives Matter.

The statements that some players have made today sound more thoughtful and considered than I would have expected from them (the bar was low). That takes more work (and, we can hope, self-reflection) than smashing the share button on a corporate sponsor’s statement or an image that only lasts one day.

And yeah, we can choose to think positively and make the assumption that the younger guys who smashed that share button did so because their thoughts, feelings, and gut responses truly align with the messages that Black Lives Matter and bigotry is wrong and we need to do better.

But for some of these guys? Their statements sound like they had to actually take the time to open their eyes to the world outside of their privileged bubble and to actually listen. They had to take the time and sit with it and then figure out how to write a public response. And when they did, they were honest enough to admit that before this, they didn’t even notice. Not just that they have never experienced racism in any form themselves, duh, but that they were somehow walking through life willingly ignorant to reality.

And we can all sit here and go “You ASSHOLE. How did you NOT KNOW?” because I’m not trying to be funny how did you miss Michael Brown’s death and the Ferguson protests six years ago? How did your heart not break hearing about Tamir Rice over eight years ago? How have you not seen the long long lists of names of Black lives lost to police brutality? How did you not even hear about BLM holding up Pride parades IN YOUR SUMMER CITY to protest the presence and inclusion of cops? HOW?

However, everything we’ve all been sharing for the last week, we’ve been sharing in an echo chamber. We already care. So, fellow white people - and this may be obvious to many and is not intended to be repetive or condescending - we’re probably not really educating each other. But we do need to take the weight off our Black and other minority friends and educate other white people. That’s one of the big things we can and should do. And we need to accept that it’ll be uncomfortable and infuriating because the people who need educating are the ones who haven’t been paying attention, haven’t cared, and/or have actively been on the other side. (You know, the ones we don’t want to talk to at Thanksgiving or school or work. For REASONS.)

I’m biased as fuck about this because I teach racist white kids for a living. And I get one semester to shake those deeply ingrained prejudices loose enough that when I present new information or new opportunities to learn and expand their understanding of the world, something gets through. And whether it’s a 15 year old girl sobbing that she’s been a horrible person her whole life (we had a chat about white guilt and forgiving your child self in order to move forward as an ally) or a grown ass rich man finally not looking away and acknowledging his own privilege, I’ll take it. It’s a step.

What I took away from these statements, as lukewarm as some of them were, and as close-to-but-not-on-the-mark as others were, was a little ray of hope.

Based on NHL history - even though he’s answered questions about YCP and queer players and even used the word “paradigm” correctly in his response - I did not expect a player like Jonathan Toews to make any statement let alone one that I saw several white hockey fans in the comments respond to positively. And I definitely didn’t EVER think he’d also make a reference to the experience of North American First Nations in what I personally saw - ymmv - as a little dig at his team’s racist as fuck logo. (Please please please advocate for a change in the logo and branding, Jonny...)

Perhaps there are others who haven’t yet spoken up because they don’t feel ready. Either they’re not informed enough, or they don’t know how to say it, or they’re coming out of some murky dark hole of racist shit, or their white bubble just popped and the world is scarier than they realised. And there are for sure others who haven’t said anything because they’re quite happy in their white bubble and/or because they’re on the cops’ side and don’t want to bother with the PR. (Note: Eichel is an American captain, and Parise is from Minneapolis so their freedom and expectation to speak is, I’d argue, different.)

What I do know is that I’m okay with a late statement from someone who is doing the work and means it, and will happily hold them accountable for living up to it in future.

EDIT: I removed a section about Tyler Seguin. I’ve seen so much negativity about Tyler lately, especially regarding his stint in the Bahamas and that beer pong thing. And I think I allowed that and his past immature comments/behaviour to make me a bit more apologetic than I wanted to be regarding one of my favourite players. My literal gateway into hockey. I still want to acknowledge those past behaviours and my own worry when I saw that he posted because my bar for him IS higher than for other players based on what I’ve seen him do in his community and I was worried he might not meet it. He exceeded it. And since his original statement, he has STEPPED UP. He did a great interview with The Athletic, and the boy is now out there at a BLM protest in Dallas. That’s my baby and I’m proud. The end.

#hockey #white privilege #nhl #black lives matter #blm #totally my opinion and ymmv #long post #text post

[negasonicimagines]

Hyperbole

request: “Could I request a fic where Reader is an accident prone person and keeps messing up trying to be a hero and is portrayed as a villain but has good intentions and keeps trying to explain that they aren’t bad and Ellie is the first person to believe them and then they get close cause of that???” + “I would like to request a fic where reader is new to the school and is having trouble with bullies and classes and Ellie finds them having a break down and a ton of angst and general hurt/comfort ??? Sorry if this is a lot”

synopsis: When everything you say comes true and people do whatever you say, you have to watch your words. You do the best you can, but sometimes you get too comfortable and forget. No one believes that your intentions are pure… Until one day. Even after that, though, life isn’t perfect.

author’s note: These requests seemed to fit really well together, I hope y’all don’t mind that I combined them! Sorry if the ending isn’t the greatest, I kinda pushed myself through some writers’ block with that one so it wasn’t perfect.

warnings: Nothing that isn’t standard to X-Men. (No incest while Wolverine creepily watches, though, so I guess this has less content warnings than X-Men.)

Since you found about about your mutation around four months ago, all you’ve ever wanted is to help - but when you asked that bank robber to just stop and he collapsed dead, you were immediately labeled a villain.

“You don’t understand, I’m trying!” You told the Avengers at the time - they approached you first - but because you told them that, they didn’t understand and may never.

Sure, there’s times when you’ve been able to do the right thing. You can coax a cat down from a tree by simply saying “The cat in front of me is safely in its owner’s arms,” and perform other such small acts of kindness, but they never seem to outweigh the major fuck-ups that have you written off as a bad person.

Until today.

“We just want to help you, Hyperbole,” Professor X himself says, rolling towards you.

“Stay back!” you warn, and his hands freeze on the wheels.

You look at your World History teacher, dead on the ground. You’d told a friend that her brain’s the size of a pea, and it was so.

“I didn’t mean to,” you tell them. “It was an accident.”

“I’m sure it was,” Cyclops scoffs.

“It was!” you protest, eyes welling up with tears. You hate this - you hate being on the run from your parents because you off-handedly said they’d kill you when they found out about that quiz you failed a couple months ago; you hate that your best friend still eats worms after you joked she eats like a bird, you hate all of this and just want it to go away. Your powers don’t work on paradoxes, though, so it’s not as simple as saying “I’m not a mutant anymore.”

“How?” a girl asks. She’s one of the newer ones, closer to your age. You can’t remember her codename.

“Negasonic,” Colossus warns. Right, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, like the song.

“Well, everything she says comes true, right? So if she says it was an accident, then it was. What happened?”

“I said that she has a brain the size of a pea. I- I wasn’t even thinking about it,” you explain, shocked that someone is actually giving you the benefit of the doubt. “People do what I tell them to do, too. So, when I told Professor X to stay back because I didn’t want to hurt him…” You gesture to the man.

“Your first kill…” the professor breathes, looking to you in realization. “You told him to stop.”

“Yes, I just wanted to help; wanted him to stop robbing the bank,” you agree, nodding eagerly.

“And the Empire State Building?”

You choose your words carefully, not wanting to repeat the incident: “I said that there was a stray mutt the size of the goddamn Empire State Building wandering around New York. Next thing I knew, Thor was striking the Empire State Building with lightning and the Fantastic Four were wrangling a giant dog. It was an accident, it’s always- It’s often an accident.”

“Thank you for reminding us all that it’s important to give our fellow mutants the benefit of the doubt, Miss Phimister,” Professor X commends the drop dead gorgeous girl who believed you. “What is your given name, Hyperbole, and can you make it so that I can move closer?”

“You can move however- You can move as you choose to move,” you tell him. “My name is Y/N. My name is Y/N L/N.”

Professor X suggests to you that you do your best not to speak until you get into the habit of speaking carefully on the flight to the school, and you practice his advice, communicating in writing, gestures, and with Ellie, texts. You’ve been at the school for about a week, and she’s your only friend so far.

Y/N: Thank you for believing me.

Ellie rolls her eyes. She cares for you in her own way, but that doesn’t mean she’s not annoyed that you’re constantly thanking her. It makes Ellie feel… Chivalrous, and a strange feeling bubbles up in her chest when you gaze at her in that way you do.

“It’s not a big deal. It’s rough having a mutation where it’s easier to hurt others than to help them. I get it, that’s all.”

You give her an insistent look. It’s easier to talk with her over text, so at least there’s that. If you had to talk to her verbally, you’d be a blushing, stuttering mess. With this, all you have to do is shoot her some expressions and type whatever you want to say.

Y/N: It’s a big deal to me.

Her resting face (translation: scowl) intensifies, and her cheeks turn a little pink with what you assume is frustration. You don’t want her to be angry enough with you to abandon you, so you quickly apologize.

Y/N: I’m sorry.

Her eyes linger on her phone screen a little longer than it takes to read the message as she sighs, annoyed expression fading.

“It’s fine. I’ve just got P.E. next period, not looking forward to it.” It’s true that she doesn’t enjoy the strenuous physical activity that is training, but what she’s truly upset about is how absolutely perfect you are. The only reason she vaguely stands a chance is because you’re too nervous to put yourself out there, for some reason.

Against her own selfish desire to have you for herself, Ellie says: “You should try to make friends in your next class. Some okay people are in there, they just don’t know you’re… You.”

You nod - not sure what she means by that - and the both of you finish your lunch in silence before heading off to your separate classes.

You don’t actually go to your next class, though, fucking off to the roof of the school. The judgmental glares and unintelligible whispers you’ve received this week drive you nuts; you just can’t stand it all.

You miss home.

You run back inside before you’re any more tempted to do something that Ellie might regret - you know she only bothers with you so that neither of you are completely alone - dashing down the stairs until you find your shared dorm, eyes blurred with tears. You sob and sob, not sure how long it’s been but all of the sudden Ellie is there.

She doesn’t say the things she “should,” she knows. She doesn’t shush you and tell you everything’s okay, because she’s always thought that was stupid; telling you to shut up and that your problems don’t exist as a method of comfort is ridiculous.

“What’s going on?” Ellie instead asks, and you weep more because you can’t just tell her without potentially fucking up again. “Right, dick move, okay, uh… Just- Just let me know what I can do when you can.”

Her presence alone is comforting when it comes to coping with all of this.

You continue to sniffle and shake, but your tears subside and you’re able to write on your whiteboard.

Everyone hates me

“I don’t hate you.”

For now but once I fuck up

She grabs your hand to keep you from continuing to write, and you could drown in the depth of her eyes.

“The more you worry about that, the more likely it is to happen. Trust me.”

Okay then I have you for now but that doesn’t make me any less stupid

“What do you mean?”

I tested into that stupid AP English class and I don’t understand any of it at all

“That doesn’t make you stupid, it’s AP. You can get a class change, you just have to talk to the teacher.”

TALK

...Accompanied by a glare before you erase the board.

I just fucking hate it here I miss my real life I miss my real friends and my parents

“Your… Real friends?”

You know what I mean

She scoffs. “Yeah, I do.” Her expression’s illegible, but your best guess is done with you.

And then she walks out.

You know you’ve fucked up, but you don’t follow her. You don’t deserve her friendship, you don’t deserve any of this - good or bad. You don’t deserve anything.

You lay back on your bed and just stare at the ceiling. You wish you could just stay like this, silent and not hurting anyone. Not even yourself. You’re drenched in misery, sure, but you’re in so deep it almost feels like nothing; like those last moments of drowning before everything slips away.

You can imagine what your friends would say to this:

“Come on, I’m eating worms and you’re the one who’s depressed?”

“Seriously, calm down, Y/N. You’re so overdramatic.”

Sure, they’re not the greatest friends, but they were all you had and you feel you owe them for that. You miss them. As you think about it, though, you realize that Ellie hasn’t said anything like that. She listens to you. She relates to you.

You can’t believe what you reduced her to, even if you didn’t do it consciously.

“Hey.” She’s back. Why is she back? You don’t deserve her. You don’t sit up. “You’re not supposed to have shoes on the bed,” she remarks. You don’t even scoff, which tells her your funny bone isn’t working, which tells her you feel even more like absolute shit than you did earlier.

She kicks off her shoes and takes yours off for you, laying next to you on the bed.

“I’m sorry,” you tell her, and she tries not to let her shock show. Your voice is raspy with lack of use, so you clear your throat. “I’m sorry,” you say again, now stifled by your throat tightening. She’s been here for you the whole time and you weren’t even careful about what you said in writing. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. This is… An adjustment. For both of us, honestly. I should’ve been more patient.”

“You’re already more patient and understanding with me than anyone else.”

“So?” Ellie asks, head turning so that she can look at you better.

“What do you mean, so?” You scoff, smiling in confusion as you face her. “You don’t- You don’t often invalidate my feelings, that’s already more than I’m used to and more than- More than I feel I deserve.”

“Getting better already,” she notes, the ghost of a smile on her face. “And what I mean by ‘So?’ is that even if I’m not a complete asshole all the time, that doesn’t make me a perfect person. No one is.”

“That’s fair,” you admit. “But-“

Ellie looks at you pointedly and you blush, turning back so that you’re flat against the pillow. She feels something warm inside as she observes your side profile, and not the typical fire of anger that she feels when looking at a person because everyone’s just so fucking obnoxious and- She wants to kiss you.

She turns back to look at the ceiling, like you’re doing, cheeks on fire as well. The tension is awkward, to say the least, but there’s something intimate about just laying here together. She pulls you closer, not on top of her but nestled in her side. You adjust to the position, but don’t say anything, instead balling up part of her loose tee shirt in your hand that happened to rest on her stomach.

“Hey, Y/N?” Ellie nervously starts, and your eyes hesitantly cut up to her. “Do you wanna go see a movie or something, sometime? Together?”

“Sure?” You’re confused and slightly disappointed, you’d expected a more serious question - for better or for worse.

“I- I meant, like, together, like…”

“A date?” You ask, and the fruit appears in your hand. You offer it to her, and she shakes her head, failing to hold back an amused smile. You whisper something about it going to someone who needs it. 

“A date,” she agrees. “And- And maybe neither of us will go on dates with other people?”

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” you wonder, unable to contain your glee. A blush spreads across your cheeks and a smile spreads across your lips.

“Yeah,” she confirms - clearly a little embarrassed - and you know that there’s at least one thing your lips can do that won’t cause damage. You rise up to her level from where she had you tucked under her arm, pressing a kiss to her cheek. 

You return to your original comfortable position quickly, of course, as to not make out with the wrong part of her face; however, she pulls you back in for a kiss in the place you do want to make out with - at least, the one on her face. You respond eagerly as her fingers tangle in your hair before you eventually part, sitting up.

All you have to say is: “Wow.”

Ellie nods.

“Like… Wow.”

Ellie nods again.

“I’m the one who’s not supposed to be talking, so please say something-”

“Something,” she blurts.

“...Before I fuck up and do something like that.” You huff out a laugh. “Maybe- Maybe this isn’t a good idea. I really don’t- Don’t want that kind of control over you. Over anyone, but definitely not someone I’m dating.”

“I trust you. And- And I know we haven’t known each other that long, but I’m sure you’re aware that that means a lot coming from me. Don’t worry.”

You wish she was the one who was able to make you do whatever she wanted so that it’d be easier for you to not worry.

“It’s gonna be okay,” she reassures you, and you can’t help but break down again. Sure, you’re happy that a hot girl with a fantastic personality is now your girlfriend, but that doesn’t cure you; doesn’t make you feel like you deserve it. Only one thing can free you from what you are, and you’re not that daring. “I- Uh, I’m sorry.”

You shake your head, face hidden in your hands, and she wraps her arms around you. It’s a bit awkward, sure, but the embrace is appreciated.

“Sorry- I’m sorry, I just- I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” you repeatedly apologize, sobs garbling your speech.

“No, no, don’t apologize. It’s hard, I know it’s hard. I’ve got you. I’ve got you,” she consoles. “I’ve got you.”

“But- But what if I…?” You remove your hands from your face so that you’re able to meet her eyes.

“You won’t,” she says, sounding like she truly has all the faith in the world that you won’t. You’re not entirely reassured, but… 

This is enough. She is enough, more than. You nod, and she pulls you closer now that you’re not shielding your face. The both of you recline on the bed for- 

For you’re not sure how long, but long enough for you to feel at least better, even if things aren’t perfect; even if you aren’t perfect, and yet everything’s perfect. 

That’s an idiom, though, not a hyperbole.

#negasonic teenage warhead #negasonic x reader #negasonicteenageimagines #negasonic teenage warhead x reader #negasonic teenage warhead imagine #Ellie Phimister #ellie phimister imagine #ellie phimister x reader #X-men #x-men fanfiction #x-men imagine #X-men x reader #marvel #marvel imagine #marvel fanfiction #marvel x reader #deadpool #deadpool 2 #sapphic x reader #wlw x reader #wlw imagine #sapphic imagine #lesbian fanfiction #sapphic fanfiction

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #261

“i hate you for every time you ever bled for me.”

If you have a job, how long is your shift? I'm unemployed. Do you ever wear your hair in a pony tail? It's too short for that. What language did you take up in high school? Latin for one semester, then I took four of German. Do you like sunflowers? It's illegal to live in the South and not lmao. Have you ever held hands with someone in a car? Yeah. Would you rather be called honey or baby? Hunny. What is your favorite card game? Even though I never learned it super well, I used to enjoy Magic: The Gathering and have actually been like dying to play it for months lmao. How many emails were you sent today? None. What was your favorite Christmas gift you got last year? Well I mostly got money life chose I didn't get to use, lol. I honestly don't really remember anything else prominently... sounds bad, but yeah, so is my memory lmao. What have you thought up yet for this year’s list? Well it's only April, but a treadmill or something like that is at the top right now. Do you have any embarrassing usernames? Ha ha, none that I still use. Do you have a backpack in a shape of an animal? No, but I almost got a meerkat one. But it was too small. :'( Have you ever waxed your legs? OW no. My hair is too long and thick. Have you ever taught a little kid to flick people off? lol wow no. Have you ever itched yourself until your skin was raw? I do that remarkably easy, especially on my legs. I literally have long scars from it. Do you always clear your history after using the computer? No. Have you ever had your food stolen by a bird? Ha ha nah. Are you responsible for stuffing someone's stocking? No. Do you make your own smoothies or juices? No. Do you like oatmeal raisin cookies? I absolutely hate raisins. What age do you think is too old to still live with your parents? It greatly depends on a lot of things: the person's health, financial position, etc. Have you ever watched Bob's Burgers? A couple times. It was pretty funny if I remember correctly. Denim, leather or varsity jacket? UUUUGGGGGHHHHH leather. I've wanted one since middle school. ;_; Has a teacher ever caught and read a note you were passing in class? No. I honestly didn't pass notes, but I find it mean as FUCK when teachers do this. Privacy is a goddamn thing that should be respected. I do not support passing notes in class, like you're there to learn, but having it shared in front of all your peers is not the fucking answer. I get heated about this shit. What's your favorite perfume that you own? I only own one that's called "Blush" from rue 21. It smells really nice, though. Do you clean things that are already clean when you're bored? No. I'd rather clean something that isn't already. Do you have an older brother? Yes. What do you do when someone overweight complains about being overweight? Lol I'd probably say "mood," but it depends on our relationship of course. Like there're times to be humorous and light-hearted about it and other times when you don't make it about you. If they're clearly more sad and especially if I don't know them well, I'd say something like "I understand," because I can almost guarantee I do about this. Have either of your parents ever been to jail? No. Have you ever been to jail? No, I'm a good noodle. :) Are your collarbones prominent? No. ;_; You can see them, yeah, but they're not like very obvious. It's one of my biggest motivators to lose weight though because I am dyinnnnggg for dermals there, but I think it would look weird without that contrast. Have you ever in your life worn overalls? When I was a kiddo. Ugly things. Do you own anything tribal print? No. Do you watch any beauty gurus on YouTube? I'm not even very interested in beauty, yet I love Jeffree Star??? Nikkie is cool too. I've found I watch more for personalities than content, in all genres of vids. Do you like Skittles? More like LOVE. Do you have a PillowPet? No. If you do, what kind of PillowPet do you have? N/A Do you have sleep paralysis? Thank the fuck to god no. That shit sounds absolutely terrifying. Is there anyone at home right now you wish wasn't? No. Do you like Placebo? Tbh I can't think of one song by them rn. I know I've heard them, Mom's even got a CD I'm sure I've tried out long ago when I got into her music, but obviously nothing stood out well enough, at least back then. Has anyone ever carried you to bed? As a kid, yeah, usually my dad. Could you happily date someone prettier than you? Yes???? Do you know anyone with cancer? Both my mom and grandmother right now. Are you easily offended? No. Do your parents buy you most anything you want? HI we've always been poor so no. Not just that, but they knew better than to spoil us. Have you ever tried to jump a fence? I have. Do you watch My Strange Addiction? No. How attracted are you to the last person that kissed you? A bit above moderately ig. Have you ever known a white supremacist? HUNNY I live in the South. In regards to who do you think "what if?" Jason as a fucking whole is my absolute "what if." Do you like the smell of a barbecue? Yes, even though I enjoy like almost no food at most of them. Doesn't stop it from smelling good. Has anyone ever called you apathetic or unemotional? I can't even imagine someone calling me that, no. I'm the polar opposite. How much money do you spend in a month on clothes or accessories? None in the average month. What was the last clothing item you wore that doesn't belong to you? A pair of Mom's pants. I didn't have any clean pairs. Do you own anything with your state or providence's name on it? No. Got no interest in sporting anything relating to a boring-ass, bigoted, racist state. How often do you hold back from saying what you are thinking? WOW A LOT!!!!!!!!!!! Do you like the Paranormal Activity movies? Yeah, I do. I mean yeah, they're fake, but what horror movie isn't even though it claims it is, honestly. How do you like your oatmeal? Apples & cinnamon with a bit of sugar. Does it make you feel better when an ex starts dating someone unattractive? No. Appearance doesn't mean shit when it comes to what the heart wants. What's your favorite way to eat peanut butter? In a sandwich w/ grape jam. Do you fall in infatuation easily? Infatuation, I'm not sure. Who has initiated most of your first kisses? Considering almost all previous relationships, usually me as they all knew I needed to go slow. I'd only do it if I was aware they'd wanted to kiss already, though. Do you like bows? Omg yes, cute shit. Has a boyfriend ever made you breakfast? Yes. Jason first went to college to be a chef. Are you more likely to show affection through your words or your actions? Probably words when you consider I'm slow with physically doing that, but I'm honestly really affectionate either way when I'm comfortable with you. Do you like Cheez-Its? VERY MUCH SO omg keep them away from me. Do you ever use coloring books? Not anymore. How do you feel about instrumental music? I have to be in the mood for it. Have you ever been on a trapeze? No. What's the coolest natural event you've ever witnessed? I still don't know to this day what it was, but I THINK it was a star exploding. Scared me, man. Seeing the big lunar eclipse last year was also wicked cool. Do you know how to use chopsticks? HA, I never could. Not with my tremors. Do you buy chocolate after Valentine's Day when it goes on sale? No, I don't need chocolate. Do you think bunnies are cute? I would fight God to give a lop-eared bunny one (1) pet. Do you personally know anyone who is an author? I've had a friend get something published in a magazine before, and during one stay at the psych hospital, I met a published poet. His stuff was really good. Last time (if ever) you were on an airplane, where were you going? Otw home from Illinois. Do you know anyone who is left-handed? Yeah? I'd assume everyone would at least know one... If people could read your mind, what would they usually find? The thought "I'm bored" every five minutes. What's a song that makes you feel happy? "Jump" by Van Halen came to mind first. How did you meet your best friend? YouTube. Do you need money to be happy? To a degree, yes. Money can buy happiness - but again, to a degree. Saying it doesn't is bullshit. What's a good idea you've had recently? Probably just OC ideas, lmao. I've thought of some decently cool stuff recently. what is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cinnamon rolls uggggghhhhhh How many slices of pizza do you usually eat? Two or three if I'm seriously hungry. If you could switch places with someone for a day, who would it be? Is "Mark's girlfriend" even remotely surprising lmao but no seriously she's an amazing and productive person like I WISH. What's the last song you listened to? "Roots" by In This Moment is on rn. Do you like the movie Zootopia? Ye! Do you ever go on Pinterest? Yeah. What's the last kind of chocolate you ate? A Reese's. Tell me a line from the song you're listening to: "I'm stronger than I ever knew - I'm strong because of you." Have you ever participated in a march/protest? No. Have you ever performed in front of a large audience? Yeah, for dance classes and school stuff. What did you eat the last time you went to the movies? Popcorn. I may have gotten sour gummies, too? Idr. Who was the last person to see you cry? Mom. Do you listen to music every day? There are rare days where I don't. I'll be watching too many actual videos. Do you have a hard time making decisions? A STUPID hard time. I'm extremely dependent, including when faced with decisions. I second-guess myself with everything. Do you start the shower water before or after you get in? Before. How many times have you been to a museum? A good number of times. We live pretty close to an art + science one. Are you going to be getting any new pets soon? Most likely not. Would you rather be a Panda or Grizzly bear? A panda so it wouldn't be legal to shoot me lmao. Do the stairs in your house have carpet? We only have one floor. Can you do a twirl like a ballerina? Oh wow, no. Even when I was a dancer, I SUCKED at that. When you were younger, were you ever in a relationship with someone you now realize was way too old for you? No. Is your family dysfunctional? To a degree. How old were you the first time you travelled alone? 22? What's the longest hotel stay you've ever had? I don't know. Not long. We only ever really stayed at one when we had to go to Myrtle Beach for annual dance competitions, and those were only like, a weekend. What architectural style was your childhood home? Uhhh idk. Very normal. Tell me a bit about your last relationship. What was it like dating them? It was great, but also stressful because of distance. What's the largest animal you've seen in the wild? Maybe like a large buck or something. Do any of your friends or family members have strange occupations? Not that I'm aware of. Have you ever been in weather so severe that you feared for your safety? Oh yeah. What political issues are the most important to you personally? Gay rights and the pro-choice stance. Does your neighborhood have a community garden? I've never even heard of such a thing. What small thing makes you automatically distrust someone? Acting secretive or cryptic about who they are as a person. Of all the states/provinces in your country, which one is your favorite? Visually that I've seen a good number of pictures of, Utah. Are there any obscure foods you've eaten that most people have never tried? I very much doubt that. What's the kindest thing a total stranger has done for you? I'm unsure. Have you ever used a meal kit delivery service? Yeah, I did one of those diet things before... but the name is evading me, even though it's super common. Nutrisystem, maybe? Do you have any pets? If so, how old are they? Venus is around five, and Roman is two. Do you have any psychological issues rooted in events from your childhood? My psychiatrist and former therapist predict my discomfort around men, particularly when they're behind me, and extreme fear of rape is rooted in two kids from pre-k that used to chase, randomly hug the hell out of, and try to kiss me. I'd actually entirely forgotten about it until we really started to dig deep, so I guess it's a repressed memory. Do you remember your locker combinations from high school? WOW no, son. What's your favorite DIY crafts youtube channel? I don't watch DIY stuff. What was your high school's mascot? Firebird. Who were your best friends in high school? Hannia, Megan, Maria, Girt, and Dennis were The Crew. Who was your first boyfriend or girlfriend? Aaron was my brief puppy-dog love, but Jason was my first real boyfriend. Would you rather sleep on the top bunk or bottom bunk? Bottom. If I slept on the top, but bottom is getting crushed lmao. As a little kid though when Nicole and I shared a room, I had to have the top bunk until I got a bit older. What insects are you afraid of? BEETLES, CICADAS, AND LARVA GET THE FUCK OUT. Honestly most insects scare me to a degree. Have you ever had a secret admirer that left you notes? I think the aforementioned Aaron did in middle school at least once before we dated. What was your favorite thing to do at sleepovers when you were younger? Swimming in the pool, if they had one. What's one way in which you're still a child? I'm dependent as shit on my mom. What's one way in which you're old? I now say "back in the day" sometimes lmfao. Do you feel old or young? Or do you feel both at different times? Both at different times. Did you ever skip a grade or get held back a grade? No. When you look at your baby pictures, do you recognize yourself? Only once at a certain age. What is your favorite thing to do in the pool? Just kinda swim around and think, or watch nature. Have you ever taken a picture at the perfect moment? I know I have, but they're evading me, gaaaah. What color(s) eyeshadow do you wear the most? I only ever wear black. What’s your favourite brand of peanut butter? Uhhh never really paid much attention to brands. Do you put all your stuff for class in one binder or several? When I was in school, I had one binder with dividers, but I also had specific folders too. What’s your favourite Lunchables meal? The nachos. How many languages can you recite the alphabet in? Two. What’s your favourite flavour of sunflower seeds? I hate those. What’s your favourite flavor of muffin? Chocolate oof. Have you ever had carpal tunnel? I do. I haven't had problems in a couple months, though. Are you one of those people who is really smart but has no common sense? OW FUCK OFF. How old were you when you met your first love? I was just shy of 16. Did you get ice cream from the ice cream truck when you were little? Do they still have an ice cream truck where you live? We occasionally did as a kid, but they definitely don't have that where we live now. Has the last person you kissed met your family? She met my mom, dad, and younger sister. What was the last strong emotion you experienced? Who was responsible for it? Remorse. Myself. Have you ever had to cancel a bank account? Yes. Was the last conversation you had an argument? No. If you knew you had the right person, would you marry them today? I am not in the financial or mental position to get married right now. Where was the last place you got completely wasted? I've never been "wasted." If you could have anyone as your roommate, who would you choose? Sara. Have you ever changed the prices of items at a store? Wow no. Well, MAYBE when I actually worked in stores and I was supposed to, but I don't remember doing that. Do you go for walks often? I never do because of having no area to (my house is along a dangerous curve), and I need to be very careful because of muscle atrophy in my legs. I need to have easy access to a place to sit and recover or else I get very close to collapsing. As mentioned, I desperately want a treadmill. Would your parents disown you if you got pregnant? No, I'm 24 years old. My mom would never in her life do that at any age anyway. How strange do people say you are? Idk?? That's not something I really try to find out because my AvPD would possibly make me cry asldkfjwe. Have you opened food at a grocery store & ate it without or before paying? I would never do that without, but I have before in cases of being very dizzy and knowing I desperately needed food. How artistic are you? I think I'm pretty artistic, but more in concept than actuality... Like I have so so so SOOOOOO many ideas, particularly with drawing, I just don't. Do it. Can you legally drive? Not currently, because my permit has been expired since last year. Did anything dramatic go down yesterday? No. Do you find smoking unattractive? Very. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to be around your ex everyday? No, thankfully. Have you seen someone recently you used to talk to, but don’t anymore? No. Are you comfortable sharing drinks with your friends? No; I don't even share drinks with family. Honestly, have you ever written something on a bathroom stall? No, I hate that shit. When you were a kid did you ever look up “sex” in the dictionary? Actually no. I literally didn't learn anything about it 'til family life in the 5th grade. Is there anything written on the shirt you’re wearing right now? No. Are you shorter or taller than most of your friends? I'm a normal height, really. Honestly, do you double dip? If I'm sharing, no. All you have to do is break the chip. What was the last junk food you ate? I had a little bit of popcorn yesterday.

#survey #quiz #questions

[ravennhearted]

The Boy with the Dragon Tattoo

Summary: Jon Kent and Damian Wayne have been teammates for three years, the famed duo Robin and Superboy - but they've also been something else: soulmates. They just... haven't realized it quite yet.

[you can also find it on my ao3 here]

Jon stared at his arm, a smile tracing its way across his lips as he watched the picture appear. They were smooth black lines, one after another, until there was a giant dragon curling around his forearm, its mouth roaring into his palm.

“You’re such a sap,” Kathy said from next to him, rolling her eyes even as she smiled.

He made a face at her. “Shut up.”

“God, you can’t even say that without smiling,” she said, shaking her head.

“Hey,” Jon said, poking her with his pencil. “If your soulmate was as good of an artist as I mine is, you’d be just as much of a sap.”

“No talking,” Ms. Walters called from the front of the classroom.

Jon winced, glancing up at her. Only she hadn’t looked up from her computer. She was still sitting there, staring at the screen like it would fulfill her life or something.

“No, I wouldn’t,” Kathy said. Jon looked at her, glancing between her and the teacher. She ignored him. “You’re the only one with heart-eyes around here.”

He scoffed. “Please. I see the way you look at your arm when you write notes back and forth. You’re just as much of a sap as I am.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Am no–”

“Do I need to separate you two?” Ms. Walters asked, actually looking up and glaring at them.

“No,” they chorused.

“Then do your work,” she said, gesturing towards the papers on their desks before looking back at her computer.

Kathy rolled her head towards him and smiled. Then proceeded to sit up straight and do a mock impression of Ms. Walters that was somehow stunningly accurate. She had that perfect I-don’t-give-a-fuck mixed with I’m-going-to-kill-all-of-you look.

Jon pressed his hand against his mouth to keep from laughing, his shoulders shaking.

She grinned in triumph before turning back to the pointless math worksheet that’d been handed out at the beginning of class.

Jon pinched his nose to keep from laughing. Letting out a long breath Jon looked down at his work. Only he looked at the dragon again instead.

It really was impressive. It was one of those Chinese-style dragons, with the long curving body and no wings that somehow just floated magically through the air. Not that a giant lizard with wings was any less magical or unrealistic, but still. It was at least a little less unrealistic.

He’d always liked that kind of dragon better, but looking at this… he might just have to change his mind.

Grabbing a pen, he wrote to the side of the dragon it’s beautiful.

He stared at his arm for a minute. Then another. And another.

Sighing, he grabbed his pencil and went back to the worksheet.

It wasn’t like they ever answered, after all.

--------------------------------

Damian stared at his arm as the two little words appeared. It’s beautiful. His heart did that funny thing it always did when they would respond. That half-skip. The one that made his stomach flutter even as a small smile spread across his lips.

He let his pen hover over his arm, an inch away from a blank part of his skin. He twirled his pen, back and forth, before setting it down on the table and standing up.

It wasn’t like he had to respond. Or that he should. For a variety of different reasons. One of which was his nightly activities. Another of which was the assassins that had raised him.

Besides, he didn’t draw on his arm for them. He did it because he liked to draw, and using a canvas other than paper was a good way to improve his skill. It wasn’t because he liked the little comments they left. The way the words were always messy and barely legible. Or that stupid smiley face they’d sometimes draw.

Clenching his hand, Damian walked into the kitchen and found Pennyworth setting a plate at the counter. “Good timing, Master Damian,” he said, handing him a fork. “I just finished lunch.”

“Thank you, Pennyworth,” Damian said, sitting down in front of the plate of rice and sautéed vegetables.

A glass of water was set in front of him. “You’re quite welcome, Master Damian. If you need me, I’ll be in the library tidying up.”

He nodded, barely looking up from the dragon on his arm.

“And Master Damian?”

He looked up to find Pennyworth in the door, looking at him with a smile.

“I suggest that you write something back,” he said, pointedly looking at his arm. “But that’s just the advice of an old man.”

Before he could answer, Pennyworth had walked out of the room.

Damian glared at his arm. No, he shouldn’t. He shouldn’t even draw on his arm. He should make sure his soulmate stayed as far away from him as possible.

He stabbed a piece of broccoli and shoved it in his mouth.

------------------------------------

“Want some help?”

Superboy hovered a few feet above the fight, watching as Robin fought off five armed thugs at once. He knew better by now then to just jump into the fight without asking first. The bruises on his back from when Robin had flipped him over his shoulder last week for doing just that still hurt.

“No,” Robin said, roundhouse kicking on in the face and throwing a batarang at another.

He pressed his lips together, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. “You know, I’m already here–”

“A questionable decision,” he said, slamming one of the men's faces into the wall.

Superboy winced. “Not really, since we’re supposed to be partners–”

The third guy fell to the floor, clutching at his now-broken arm. “Is that what you’re calling us now?”

“It’s what our parents call us.” He crossed his arms.

“Are you pouting?” Robin asked turning to face him fully. And got what looked like a metal pipe to the back.

Snarling, Robin spun around and actually leaped at the guy, tackling him to the ground before knocking him unconscious.

“I am not pouting,” he said, puffing out his chest.

“You are,” he said, taking out a grappling hook. “This is unbelievable.”

Superboy opened his mouth to protest, but Robin turned away from him and shot his grapple at the last thug, wrapping him in the nearly unbreakable cord from head to foot. He fell to the ground, wiggling like a worm.

“Do you have no shame, Superboy?” Robin asked, crossing his arms. “We’re in the field. You’re supposed to intimidate these people.”

“I’m intimidating!” His voice cracked.

Robin raised an eyebrow.

Okay fine, that wasn’t very intimidating, but it wasn’t his fault his voice cracked. Blame puberty. God knows he does.

Floating to the ground, he asked, “Do you want me to fly these guys to a police station?”

Robin just scoffed and turned his back on him, grabbing the men and leaning them against the light pole closest to them.

“I can help,” he said, inching closer to one of the unconscious thugs.

Robin grunted as he dragged the third thug to the street. “I don’t need your help.”

Superboy stopped, eyebrows bunching together. “You sure?”

He dropped the thug next to the others, turning to face him. “I’m sure.”

Ouch. He tried not to let the hurt show on his face. From the way Robin rolled his eyes, he didn’t do a very good job.

His stomach went hot, his hands balling into fists. You know, he could get why he was rude and closed off sometimes. The whole raised-by-assassins bullshit he’d had to go through explained that. But mean? Dismissive? That wasn’t something he could explain away.

It wasn’t even like Robin was like that with everyone. He’d seen him be nice. Not often, and it was always a little awkward, but he could do it. It was just never directed at him.

“Do you hate me?” he asked to his back. “Because if you do, just tell me. At least then I’ll know where we stand.”

Robin looked over his shoulder. “Are we really going to do this here?”

“Yeah,” he said, crossing his arms. “We are.”

“Fine,” Robin said, dropping the last body by the light pole. “I don’t hate you. I just don’t trust you.”

That was… he didn’t even know how to react to that. He didn’t trust him? After everything? All the missions? All the times he’d had his back? All the times he’d saved him? And he still didn’t trust him?

“You don’t trust me?”

“I don’t trust you.”

“Why?”

Robin huffed, unspooling a grapple and tying the thugs to the light pole. “Would you like the list chronologically or alphabetically?”

Superboy stared at him. “Why do you do that?”

Robin looked at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That,” he said, gesturing at him. “Any time things get even a little bit personal you insult me. Do you even realize you’re doing it? Is it just me? Or are you just that closed off?”

“I’m not closed off,” he said, standing up straight and jutting his chin up.

“Name one friend that isn’t part of your family.”

Damian opened his mouth. Nothing came out. Jon raised an eyebrow, tilting his head.

“I don’t need this from you, Kent,” he said, turning and aiming his grapple at the nearest building.

“Well you need it from someone,” Jon said, grabbing his arm. And froze.

Because there was what looked like the start of a maw on his arm. One that looked familiar.

“Let go, Kent,” Damian growled. “Or I’ll make you.”

“What’s on your arm,” he said, trying to push up his sleeve.

His back slammed into the ground, Damian’s arm pressing into his neck, cutting off his air. “Don’t. You. Dare.”

“What is it?” he choked out, because it looked like…

“It’s none of your business,” Damian growled.

Jon grabbed his arm and pushed up his sleeve, revealing the dragon on his arm. “I think it is.”

Damian stared at his arm, jaw working. He watched him swallow hard. Then push off him, standing up in the alley and starting to pace, back and forth again and again.

Slowly Jon pushed up onto his elbows, looking at him. At his soulmate. Because Damian was his soulmate. Damian was the one who had been drawing those beautiful pictures on his arm for years. He hadn’t even known he could draw.

Damian. Damian Wayne. He was his soulmate. He’d known his soulmate for almost three years. Three years, and he hadn’t noticed. They’d somehow gone three years without realizing it. Him, who had freaking super-hearing, and Damian, the son of the world’s greatest detective. Between the two of them someone should have figured it out.

Carefully Jon stood up. “Damian.”

He whirled towards him, pushing up his sleeve and fully showing the dragon he’d drawn this afternoon. “Why.”

Jon frowned, his eyebrows pulling together. “What?”

Damian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just… surprised.”

“Yeah, well, that makes two of us,” Jon said, taking a step closer to him. “What did you mean?”

Damian looked at him. Took a deep breath. Balled his hands into fists.

Jon watched, listening as his heartbeat started to pound faster and faster. In the entire time he’d known him, he’d never heard his heartbeat become erratic. Not when they were in trouble, or in a fight, or one of them was hurt. Never. It just didn’t happen. Yet his heart was pounding right now.

Sighing through his nose, Damian pushed off his hood. “I meant why are you of all people, my soulmate?”

Jon flinched, taking a half step back. “Do you not want me to be?”

Because that’s what it sounded like. It sounded like Damian was mad that it was him. That he didn’t want him. That he was some sort of… disappointment or something.

“No,” Damian said.

Jon flinched.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Damian growled, hands balling into fists. “I do not… mind having you as my soulmate, I just do not understand why.”

“What?”

He was lost. Or missing something. Or both. Probably both. When it came to Damian, it was usually both.

“Why is someone like you my soulmate?” Damian asked, taking a step closer and looking him up and down.

Jon frowned, crossing his arms. “You know, Robin, if you’re trying not to insult me, you’re doing a terrible job.”

Damian tsked, the sound echoing through the alley. “I am not trying to insult you, I simply mean that it makes no sense why someone like you who is so…”

“So what?”

“Good,” he said, eyebrows pulling together. “Someone so good.”

Jon’s mouth popped open. Oh. Oh.

“Damian, you’re good too,” he said softly, taking another step forward.

He scoffed. “The blood on my hands would say otherwise.”

“You are good,” he said. “What you did when you were with the League, that’s not on you. You did what you had to to survive. It’s not your fault.”

Damian frowned, looking at his face.

“It’s not,” Jon said, taking another step closer. “And if you need me to, I’ll remind you of that every day.”

Damian shook his head. “You need to stay away from me.”

“Not gonna happen,” Jon said, taking another step closer.

They were an inch apart, so close that Jon could feel his breath on his face.

“Why are you stubborn?” Damian growled, leaning closer.

Jon just grinned. “Does that mean you’re accepting this?”

“No.”

“I think you are.”

“I’m not.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you still so close?”

Damian blinked.

Before he could step away, Jon leaned forward and pressed his lips against Damian’s.

It was sloppy, and messy, and last maybe five seconds, but Jon felt like he was on top of the world.

Because he’d finally found him. After years of trying, he’d finally figured it out. And it was Damian. Damian, who was smart and amazing and confident. Who was everything.

He pulled away, grinning at the half-startled, half-happy look on Damian’s face. One that turned into a mock-glare as he said, “Don’t you dare do that again.”

Jon grinned. “No promises.”

#jondami #jondami week 2019 #day three #Jon Kent #Damian Wayne #Alfred Pennyworth #Kathy Branden #super sons #one-shot #damijon #soulmates #soulmate au #fluff #it's basically all fluff #i felt like writing fluff #don't judge me

[ghostbustermelanieking]

prompt: msr version of the castle/beckett kiss in knockdown, preferably ust seasons!!!! you’d be my FAVE

ohhh anon, i love this prompt!! this isn’t an exact replica of that scene, but i do hope you enjoy it. (for reference: the aforementioned scene is here.)

—

They're walking through Arcadia Falls together, practically arm inarm like a couple of perfectly happy newlyweds. Scully wants to laugh at theirony of it, when they couldn't be further away from the picture they’recreating.

Mulder's arm is around her, and she can't decide if she wants toshake it off or just lean into it. Barely a month ago, he was constantly at herapartment while she recovered from her gunshot wound: bringing over movies forthe two of them to watch or playing cards on her bedspread, his hands on hershoulders or her knee or her hair, warm and callused. He couldn’t stop touchingher, and she didn’t want it to stop. And then everything fell apart, to thepoint of a letter of resignation half-drafted and sitting dormant on her deskback in Georgetown. She would've turned it in, but Mulder almost died. Mulderalmost died, and then there was a bank robbery where he almost died again, andshe had several straight nights of nightmares where they both did die. Shechickened out, and now they're here, in fucking California pretending to bemarried, and Mulder won't stop touching her, and she resents that she can'teven enjoy it. The thought of resignation flickers in the back of her mind likea flame.

It's February in California, and it's actually kind of chilly, soScully can't completely complain about their close proximity. They're walkingthrough the Falls under the guise of “getting to know the neighborhood”(Mulder's overeager explanation), for the sole purpose of trying to discern anystrange activity. They still don't have any idea what happened to the Klines,much less who is responsible for their disappearance. So Scullysuggested a walk, but now she mostly just feels ridiculous. All they've seen isrow after row of identical houses. And besides that, who actually tourstheir new neighborhood like this? It feels like too much even for the cornypersonas that they've managed to create. A dog would make this make more sense;Scully suddenly misses Queequeg the way she always does in moments like this.(It's silly, but she never felt this lonely when she had a dog.)

“Hey,” Mulder mutters, low, in her ear. “Someone shot us a weirdlook back there. I think I recognized them from the move.”

“Was it the neighbor who protested the basketball hoop?” Scullyasks, just as quietly—she’d witnessed that whole scene from the end of thedriveway. She steps to the side a bit in an attempt to both regain some space(and hopefully some sanity), and to look Mulder in the eye.

Mulder looks a little confused, but he rubs his hand briefly,affectionately over her back before pulling away. “No, I don't think so,” hesays. “Whoever it is was nosing around the boxes we kept the files in, though.”

She remembers that man. If it hadn't been for the destruction ofher lab equipment, that would've been her main focus during the move. She looksbriefly over her shoulder and sees the familiar man at the end of his lawn,hands in his pockets. “Think he's onto us?” she murmurs.

Mulder shrugs, and then says in a loud, overly cheery voice, “Gee,this neighborhood is beautiful, isn't it, honey?”

Scully resists the urge to roll her eyes as she bobs her head upand down in response. “This was the perfect assignment for you, Mulder, wasn'tit,” she says dryly, scuffing her lower lip with the edge of her teeth. “Justan excuse for you to act like a cheese ball for a week.”

“Mm-hmm.” He’s close again, her shoulder against his chest and hishand against her shoulder. He nuzzles her hair with his nose, so sweetly thatshe wants to cry, and whispers, “He’s tailing us, Scully.”

They’re coming to the end of this street; Scully makes a sharpturn at the last house, verging away from the neighbor. Steps away from him alittle and takes a few renewing breaths, gulping back the temptation to cry orscream or just run away. “If we head this way and loop around,” she saysloudly, overly cheerful, “we can be back at the house in time to make dinner.I’m starved.”

“Good idea,” Mulder throws in for effect.

He’s looking at her a little funny, but she just ignores him.Clenches her jaw and pretends that this is the normal walks she takes everyday. Purposeful strides. A stunningly cold breeze ripples through the air,pushes at her stiff housewife hair, and she shivers involuntarily.

“Are you cold?” Mulder asks softly. “Wait a sec, c’mere.” And he’speeling off the light jacket he’s wearing, and he’s draping it over hershoulders, and she really is going to cry now.

She hardens her face, resists the urge to shrug the jacket off.Resists the urge to just lean into this, just wrap herself up in all of thisand let Mulder touch her and moon over her, and forget that it’s all just forshow. She accepts the jacket, in case anyone is watching from the window, butshe also replies to him in a soft, furious voice. She says, “You don’t have todo this.”

“Do what?” His voice is still light, teasing; his hand is suddenlyon her back. “Give my wife my coat if she’s cold? I don’t want you to—”

“You don’t have to do this,” she snaps, suddenly notcaring. She wonders if Mulder ever gave Diana his jacket on a case, wonders ifthey’d ever done anything like this. Wonders if they can ever break throughthis. She motions to the air sharply, her fake ring glinting in the settingsun. “Give me your coat. Walk around with your arm around me. Make it personal.”

She says that last part with venom lining her voice, and when sheturns towards him in a jerky motion, she sees the stunned look on his face. Helooks hurt, somehow, and she viciously wonders how he could possibly be hurtwhen she’s just said to him what he’d said to her. She crosses her arms overher chest almost protectively, and is about to say more, when she sees it. Thenosy fucking neighbor gaining on them, his face screwed up in determination.“Mulder,” she says softly, urgently. “Don’t turn around, but that neighbor frombefore, he’s…”

Mulder seizes her face in his hands, his palms warm and callusedon her cheeks. He leans in before she can ask what he is doing, and kisses herdesperate and hard. Her mouth falls open under his in a stunned sort of way.His nose is mashed against her cheek and he is kissing her fiercely, his thumbsstroking her hair and the side of her face. Her hands fly helplessly to hisside, crumpling his sweater in her fingers and tugging him a little closer. Hisforehead bumps against hers as he pulls back, the warmth radiating off of himand his jacket slipping over her shoulders, and she kisses him again, brieflyand very nearly chastely, but not quite. And she might have done it again if itwasn’t for their new neighbor behind him. “Hey,” he says pointedly, standing atMulder’s shoulder. “Hey. Mr. Petrie?”

He pronounced it wrong, Scully notes as she lets go of Mulder. Herbrain is foggy, an astonishment that feels eight months late. No bee, no virus,nothing to stop anything of it. She breathes unsteadily, and is grateful fortheir cover as an excuse, rubs her hands against her slacks and forces a smileat the neighbor. For effect.

“Oh, sorry!” Mulder says with a hearty laugh, but it sounds allwrong. Like he’s just as thrown as she is, breathing too hard. “Didn’t see youthere. I was just…” He shrugs, tugs Scully close and tucks her into his side.“I couldn’t resist kissing my beautiful wife. She really is something, huh?”

The neighbor is unamused. “You knocked over my lawn ornament,” hesays irritably. “Do you know what kind of trouble that could get me in?”

“Oh,” Scully says, blinking owlishly. “Oh, I… I’m sorry, sir.”

Mulder nods, squeezing her close with one arm. “So sorry,” hesays, like he really couldn’t care less. “Won’t happen again.”

The neighbor shoots them both a hard look. A weary look. “You justmake sure it doesn’t,” he says. “And maybe keep the canoodling to the home,okay?”

Scully’s cheeks turn red, although she isn’t sure if it’s fromembarrassment or annoyance. “Sure thing,” Mulder says cheerily. The neighborhuffs irritably and turns away, walking back the way he came.

Scully’s face is hot, her mouth practically tingling. She takes afew more deep breaths before moving away, her hand scraping over Mulder’s chestas she turns towards him. She says, “Mulder…” without having any real idea whatthe end of that sentence is.

He laughs nervously, brings a hand up to rub at his hair. “Thankgod we didn’t blow our cover,” he says anxiously. “Skinner probably would’vebeen pissed if we didn’t even last a day out here, huh?”

And that’s all it takes. She takes a few steps back, hands tuckedin her pockets and blows air out of her mouth. It was all to preserve theircover, like all of this has been. She’s making it personal again. She ducks herhead, gives the ground a hard look. “Yeah. Thank god,” she says quietly. Scuffsher shoe against the ground and clears her throat. “I’m headed back, Mulder,”she says wearily. Pretends she can’t still taste him, feel his fingers againsther face. “I’m going to see if I can figure out dinner. You can stay out and keeplooking, if you want.”

She peels off the jacket and hands it back to him before turningaround and starting back to the house. “Wait, Scully…” Mulder protests frombehind her, but she ignores him. Keeps walking through the idyllic neighborhoodthat is not hers and that she doesn’t belong in.

The sun is sinking below the horizon. She walks home.

#i dont know what this is but it was fun to write lmao #this feels weird but oh well #xf fanfic #i wrote this

[neptunicus-blog]

An Evening with Loki

Summary: You and Loki finally get a chance to get to know one another when you are assigned to go on a weekend mission together. Very cute, fluffy fic. Gender neutral reader 

Author’s note: This is like the first imagine I’ve ever written. Its really slow, but it’s cute. Let me know what you think.

Warnings: alcohol, swearing, spooky stuff I guess. I think that’s it, let me know if I missed anything please 

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word count: 3518

Part 2  Part 3

You and Loki had never been really close, not because you didn’t like each other, but because you were never alone with one another in the tower long enough in order to get to know each other properly. Sure, you ate dinner together and sat with one another in the living area of the compound; sometimes you even trained together as partners. The only exchanges you had with each other in these instances consisted of you asking him to pass the salt, or him asking you to pass him the remote. The problem was that neither of you had gotten a chance to just sit down and start asking questions, the simple stuff like – where are you from? what’s your favorite color? why are you here? Both you and Loki desperately wanted to get to know one another. From each of your perspectives, it seemed that you would get along with each other really well. There were countless times when most of the avengers would be gathered together for a party or a mission briefing and Loki would make a sarcastically witty comment, leaving you with a dumb grin on your face. Whenever you saw Loki just living his life, you always thought you would like to join him; he could be sitting in the kitchen reading or outside watching the stars and you wished you could join him. You always thought it was funny how you both obviously enjoyed the same activities yet engaged in them separately. It never helped that Loki was always surrounded by Thor. You liked Thor, you really did – he made you laugh all the time just by living his life. But again, you didn’t really know him, you wouldn’t call him a friend but you wouldn’t call him a stranger. From Loki’s perspective, you were always hanging around that damn red white and blue guy with his little soldier friend. He mostly saw you hanging out with them in the evenings, sitting in the kitchen and sharing a drink with Bucky. Loki always wished he could just walk up and join you, he wanted to scream out that he too liked to casually drink and bullshit with friends. But he stayed quiet, and so did you. Now granted, you had only been together in the compound for almost two weeks, so there was still time to get to know each other. It really bothered you how badly you wanted to be his damn friend though, you couldn’t even pinpoint why you were so obsessed with the idea. Little did you know, Loki felt the same way about you, maybe even more so than you.

So, when the news came that you would be going on a mission together, you saw your opportunity. Tony, Bruce, Cap, Bucky, Nat, Wanda, and Loki were all with you in a conference room going over details of the mission. There were four cabins located on a grid out in the pacific northwest. The cabins were on four corners of a base where some aliens were expected to convene somewhere in the middle. You would leave Friday and hopefully return Monday morning. Your duties were to patrol your surrounding zones and remain inconspicuous, as if you were just a regular person out on a camping trip. You were told that there might not even be a threat and they miscalculated all of this, but you all needed to go in case they were right. This was exciting you thought to yourself, you loved camping, you loved the mountains, nature was your happy place. This was going to be like a little vacation for you.

Friday rolled around and everyone was packed and ready, boarding the jet and getting some last-minute details. You were so darn excited that you weren’t even really bothered to listen until Tony piped up and said he and Bruce would be taking the cabin furthest North. This brought you back to reality and you realized you would be sharing the cabin with someone, duh. There were four cabins and, wait, how many of you? – 1, 2, 3… eight, eight people, so two people to a cabin. Your mind was getting frantic trying to figure out who would want to share with you, does anyone here even really enjoy your company that much that they would spend a weekend with you? While you were spiraling, Nat spoke up stating that she and Wanda could take the cabin furthest South. Fuck – did everyone already pre-pick who they would be bunking with?  While your state of panic was increasing, Loki’s eyes were slowly getting wider, his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He knew neither Cap nor Bucky would be sharing a cabin with him, they would rather die first probably. He already knew he would be sharing with you, he just never really gave it too much thought. Now that the moment was here, he was nervous. What if she makes a scene and demands to be with someone else - He thought to himself. While Loki was living through all the bad possibilities in his head, Tony spoke up again and nonchalantly said, “alright, then Cap and Buck, I need you guys to the East. (y/n) and Loki, I need you guys to the west. Everyone be safe out there”. You sighed a huge sigh of relief in your head, thank God Tony practically assigned you guys together, this way you wouldn’t have to awkwardly ask Loki if he wanted to share with you and then choose to be on the eastern or western half. The flight was much quicker than expected. While both you and Loki were settling down and breathing a little easier, the jet landed and everyone shuffled out with their belongings. You were the last one out and were searching for Loki, he stepped up right beside you and gave you a very small smile – it was comforting, as if he was trying to tell you that he was here with you, right by your side, don’t worry. Everyone partnered up and started walking towards their cabins, you turned to Loki and quietly said, “well I guess were walking”. “I guess so” was all Loki could manage to say back. Loki thought to himself that he could snap his fingers and you two would be in your cabin, it sure would be easier, but he didn’t. What Loki did do was turn to you and ask you to hold still. He looked at your backpack and a green shimmer appeared over it, nothing in appearance changed but right away you felt that it was almost weightless. “Oh wow, thanks man” you excitedly said. Loki smiled again and said, “well we are going to be walking awhile, this will make it more enjoyable”. You looked down and started walking again, murmuring a quiet “thank you” once more.

The landscape was breathtaking, Loki noticed not the landscape at first, but the way you were looking at it, enjoying it and trying to take in as much as you possibly could. He noticed that you looked completely content, you didn’t care that you had been walking for over a mile by now, you were just happy to be there. This lightened Loki up immensely, and this is when the light-hearted conversation began. It started with Loki commenting “I think you are enjoying this too much for it to be called a mission”. You chuckled lightly and said “yeah, this is more like a vacation to me, I love it out here. Don’t you?”. Loki thought to himself and decided that he too loved it out here, but upon further reflection decided that he would probably enjoy walking around anywhere with you. The conversation continued like this for 7 miles through thick brush, streams, and everything you could imagine would be out there. When you both finally arrived to the cabin, you stood there looking at it like it was some great prize. “It’s cute” was all you said, gaining a genuine snicker from Loki. He began walking in and you followed protesting, with a long drawn out, “whhaaaat, I’m serious”. “I know you are” is how Loki responded while you both dropped your bags in the living area.

The cabin was absolutely beautiful, it was small but seemed huge because it was mostly all windows. For a cabin, it was lavishly decorated, Tony cut no costs you thought to yourself. There was an amazing fireplace, leather couches, and very shiny kitchen. The bathroom was stunning, there was a double vanity with a gorgeous shower that you couldn’t wait to try out. Even Loki admitted that the bathroom was absolutely “grand”. While you were both exploring the cabin, you took the staircase up into the loft which had a large king size bed. The room was tight, there was little walking space and the ceilings were lower. You were in a loft after all, but windows surrounded one side of the bed and there were two great skylights letting in light. You immediately got excited thinking about the view of the stars and moon you would have in the night sky. While you were planning on stargazing later, Loki was only thinking of one thing, there’s only one bed. Internally, Loki resigned himself to sleeping on the couch by the fire, that’s the polite and gentlemanly thing to do after all. You were just too happy to even be there, the thought never crossed your mind that there was only one bed, it was like you were a little kid again.

After exploring the cabin thoroughly and snooping around through everything with Loki, which to Loki’s surprise, he noted that you were quite snoopy and didn’t mind getting in a little mischief. You had even broken a fancy bowl that was being used as decoration and to Loki’s splendor, he watched you go “hm, that sure is something huh” and put the broken bowl right in the trash. When you were done, you turned to see Loki watching the whole incident and you simply shrugged your shoulders and went, “what, it was ugly anyway”. For the first time that day, Loki grinned openly. “So, what do you say we make ourselves some dinner?” was all you had to say for Loki to come over and open the fridge, scanning for something good. You joined him and you both hummed in agreement that there were nearly too many things to choose from. The fridge was packed, as were all the cabinets and the freezer. Tony really took care of you guys. “Oh look, we can make shrimp scampi. That’s quick and easy”, you stated. Loki just said alright and then added, “you’ll have to instruct me though, I will have no idea what I am doing”. You assured him it was easy and got out all of the ingredients, spices, and cookware. While you were grabbing the shrimp, you grabbed yourself and beer and asked Loki if he wanted one. Loki’s heart leapt, this was it, he thought to himself. “Sure” he said trying to be extra casual about it, he didn’t want to appear as excited as he really was. He was living the dream he thought to himself, he was going to cook dinner with (y/n) and casually drink while doing so, it was like all the Midgardian movies he had been watching with Thor. (y/n) showed Loki how to remove the tail from the shrimp and Loki snapped his fingers, preparing all the shrimp at once with his magic. “Holy shit, okay” you said as you nearly choked on the beer you were swigging. You started cooking the shrimp and the noodles and went to grab another beer for you and Loki, telling him to stir both things. Minutes later, you were adding wine and lemon juice while Loki was adding salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, and basically anything you pointed to. He was having fun and so were you, there was never any question that you would not get along with him, he was your type of person. Another beer later and dinner was served at the island table in the kitchen, you both sat and ate and laughed about anything and everything. You weren’t drunk, no, neither of you were lightweights in any sense of the word, but you were both giddy. The alcohol mixed with the pure excitement and joy of making a new friend had you both over the moon. Loki was overjoyed to be having a normal conversation with someone, no mentions of his past mistakes or mischievous nature; just talking and laughing about irrelevant things. (y/n) was again, just happy to be there and happy to be talking with her new friend; you never thought of Loki as a bad person and you never judged him for anything, mostly because you were so relaxed all of the time that you really didn’t care.

After dinner, you both cleaned up together, enjoying each other’s company and the silence of the woods around you. It was completely dark by now and you told Loki that you wanted to shower before you went to bed. Loki sat himself by the fire place, on the couch, and got out one of the books he brought. While Loki relaxed, you made your way to the bathroom with your pajamas and bag full of your shampoos, conditioners, skin care products, you know, the works. You shut the bathroom door and found some big fluffy towels in the closet and laid them out on the large vanity. While you were doing this, you heard the closet door creak behind you. You stopped immediately and turned to face it. Nothing was there. When you turned back around your towels were on the floor. Needless to say, you got scared. You might be an avenger and more than capable of taking care of yourself, but this was spooky, come on. You busted out of the bathroom nearly running into Loki who was getting himself another drink. “Woah, woah, woah, what the hell happened, what’s wrong?” he asked you frantically. You calmly stated that “things just got a little spooky in there”. Loki stared blankly at you, book and beer in hand, did she just say things got “spooky” int there? “Um, alright, I’m not really sure what you mean (y/n)” he said trying not to sound snobbish. “I thought I heard something” you said shyly. At this, he walked into the bathroom and looked around, took a swig of his drink and turned to look at you. “Oh, come on Loki, it’s kind of scary here alone, out in the middle of nowhere, waiting for bad guys to arrive” you pleaded. “I suppose” Loki said not really agreeing with you but giving you the benefit of the doubt. “I’m gonna leave the door open, can you just hang around close, like in the kitchen or something and make sure nothing happens?” you asked him. Loki was slightly taken aback, she wants me to protect her? Me? Of all people, she feels comfortable asking me to protect her? Loki assured you that you were fine and then told you to “take your damn shower already so I can take one, it looks nice in there”. Loki sat in the kitchen and continued to read, but he was really just staring at the pages of the book, thinking about his own things, not reading. He thought of how tough and brave you were, he had seen footage of you from previous missions, he had seen you in training. You were ruthless, fearless, you would challenge anyone to a fight. He recognized that you wouldn’t even back down from fights you knew that you would lose, you were truly courageous. So why the hell are they scared to be alone in the shower? Like lightning, it struck him. You’re vulnerable in the shower. Loki smiled lightly to himself, sure you were fearless and one of the toughest avengers, a great fighter, but that’s because you are always ready for a fight. Loki always has his magic, naked or not he could defend himself. Loki almost giggled thinking of someone coming to attack you in the midst of your shower, sure you could put up one hell of a fight, but you have no armor, you’ll probably get soap in your eyes, you might slip, you don’t have any knives on you, you’ll be embarrassed. What a mess that would be. Loki felt honored to be protecting you in your most vulnerable time, it was silly, but he felt honored nonetheless. Moments later you appeared before him fresh faced, in your pajamas and fuzzy socks with dripping wet hair. Loki thought you were truly a spectacle to behold, he had never seen you like this and he was grateful he got to see you so pure. While Loki admired you, you grew a little insecure; you didn’t know what he was thinking and you just assumed he was judging you. You turned away and told him the shower was all his. Loki got up gently and went to the bathroom, you expected him to shut the door, but he never did. You sat on the kitchen counter and picked up the book he had left in there, careful not to lose his place.

When Loki exited the bathroom, he saw you sitting on the counter reading his favorite book. He thought to himself that this is what angels must look like, so pure and so innocent. “How was your shower” you politely asked him. “Relaxing” he stated blithely. “Are you ready for bed” you asked casually, “yes, I suppose I will need to grab a pillow from the loft and bring it down” he said trying not to hint any displeasure. “Why? Wait – you don’t want to sleep with me?” you asked a little frantic. Loki’s eyebrows furrowed a little in confusion. “You don’t like me?” you asked again quickly. “I promise I won’t do anything to you while you sleep, I don’t snore, I’ll try not to kick you”. you started ranting a little, eyebrows scrunching, beginning to pout. Loki was speechless. Woah, he thought to himself. Before you could continue pleading your case Loki stopped you, “I’m sorry, I would like to share the bed with you. I just thought you would be more comfortable if I slept down here”. “Oh, well, the couch isn’t even comfortable and the bed is huge and if we get attacked in the night it would be better if we were together, plus I think the stars are out tonight and there’s probably a really good view from up there” you calmly said. “Alright” was all he said as he gestured for you to go up the stairs.

You both climbed into bed, laying on your backs looking up at the stars. You both enjoyed some lighthearted pillow talk before things grew silent for a while. You turned on your side to face him. The moonlight illuminated the room just enough that you could make out his features slightly; you couldn’t tell if his eyes were open or not, but if he held up his hand, you thought you would be able to tell. You faintly whispered “are you still awake?”. He rolled onto his side to face you and gently whispered “yes”. You didn’t have a response, you weren’t even sure why you asked him that, you didn’t have anything else to ask him. Your mind began to wander to how tomorrow would go, patrolling around with him when Loki said something that made your heart flutter. “I’m glad we finally got to know each other (y/n)”. You smiled to yourself and happily but quietly said, “me too, I really like you”. Now it was Loki’s turn to smile to himself. You both rolled back onto your backs and fell asleep with small smiles on your faces.

Loki was the first to wake in the morning. His breath hitched in his throat and his heart stopped. He was holding you, no not even holding you - he was spooning you. he had his leg over yours, his arms completely around you, grasping your hand, his body was tightly pressed to yours. He sat still for a long time, he decided that it would be better to let you wake up and decide how this situation was going to go down, - plus, Loki didn’t want to move, he may have even held you tighter. He was so content, he felt no anger, only good things. He felt you stir under him and he loosened his grip and closed his eyes. He felt you roll over, into him even more, pushing him on his back. Your head was now on his chest and you tossed your leg over him, your arm across him, gripping him like a huge teddy bear. Loki peeked one eye open, seeing that you were still contently asleep. He smiled a huge smile to himself and closed his eyes again, completely at peace.

#loki #loki laufeyson #loki imagine #loki x reader #loki x you #loki fanfic #loki fluff #loki love #loki odinson #loki of asgard #loki of jotunheim #loki is not dead #thor #thor odinson #marvel #tom hiddleston #imagine loki #fanfic #loki fanfiction