#and he asked if he could let Willow in my room so i said sure

[pickingupmymercedes]

Ways to say "I love you" part 2 - Lewis Hamilton

I think we all deserve a little something after the horror we went through in today's race ❤️

warnings: mentions of blood, accidents and bit of angst

wordcount: +2k

important: again, each drabble was writen as a snippet into different moments with Lewis. Special thank you for my 💗 anon for helping with some of the ideas

As always, my asks are open for corrections, ideas and just to chat too!

Over a cup of tea

“We need to talk this through, before it blows in our faces, Lewis” Serious expression on your face as you handed him the cup of tea on the balcony of your apartment overlooking London.

“Mhmm, we do?” He questioned confused.

“Yes…what exactly are we?” You couldn’t look him in the eye as you questioned him, too embarrassed you weren’t sure if what you felt the night before was real, even if come the morning he was still there, as he had been for the past two months.

“Those words last night meant nothing to you?”

“They meant the world, actually”

“But you don’t feel the same?” The confusion now passed on to him, forehead scrunching as he questioned if he hadn’t read your relationship right, and your body responding before your head could think it through as you reached for the hand he willingly let you take.

“I… I need to feel safe to say it back.” You responded after a few awkward seconds of silence as he waited for your response.      

“I want you, if you’ll have me. I really do love you. And you don’t need to say it back now, just let me know if this relationship is for real, because I want it to be.” He said looking into your eyes, anxiously waiting until you lifted your head to give you a smile.

“Thank you for understanding” You said buried into his neck as you took the tea away from his hands and brought him closer.    

Over a bottle of wine

“Found board games!” You excitedly exclaimed as you walked back into the house. Tiny feet stomping away and reaching you in seconds.

“Is there Monopoly? Uncle Lew said we could be here for daayssss” Willow was the first one to start taking the boxes as you handled her and Kaiden the pile you had just borrowed from the nearest neighbor

“Are they still stuck in New York?” You asked Lewis just as he set his phone down.

“Earliest forecast is tomorrow night, possibly” a concerned look to him as his mom and sisters got stuck in a snow storm on their way from England to Colorado.

“Guess we have these two to ourselves then”  

“Granny said it’d be good practice for you to take care of us” Kaiden chirped in but not fully aware of the shock in Lewis’ face at the remark.

“It’ll be fun when there’s two more girls to play with” This time Willow getting you to choke on the water you were drinking.

“Why two girls?” Lewis amusedly asked, aware you were still trying to hold the laughter in the kitchen

“Dunno” She simply shrugged as she helped her brother set up the game.

“Two girls, huh?! You know people say I’m a girl dad…” He brought back the subject as he picked up the mess left in the living room, a glass of wine open on the kitchen counter and two glasses already in your hands as you approached him after putting the kids to bed.  

“I think I’d be happy with that” Your soft smile easing the tension you felt in him as he mentioned kids with you for the first time, handing him his glass and dragging him to sit down on the sofa for a bit.

“I think I’d prefer a boy then a girl, you know, so he could be there for her.” He said after a bit of silence, almost as if he was pondering what would be best order, and you could feel the yearning to have kids of his own in his voice.  

“I agree with the internet people on that one, you’re too much of a girl dad, babe” You set your drink on the side table, cuddling closer to his chest as he pondered on his glass.

“Doesn’t really matter, honestly, just one would be more than enough. As long as I got you too”

As an apology

“What the hell was THAT for?” You threw your handbag and phone all the way across the kitchen island as you looked at Lewis standing at the door, an annoyed look to him.

“That guy shouldn’t have approached you” His mind still on the tall blue-eyed dude that tried to buy you a drink at the club.

“I can handle myself you know?! Never had the need for a knight in shining armor…” all your anger gone as you realized how absurd that sounded when said to your knighted boyfriend, a smile cracking the tough face you were fighting hard to keep.

“I love you, okay?! You may not need to be saved from a monster but you’re gonna have a knight by your side regardless.”

Taking the cue, he reached for you and brought you close by your waist, tucking one side of your hair behind your ear while using his other one to caress your check.

“Yes sir.” His sweet eyes turning into dark one as he heard you whisper the title and felt your hands rummage through his back. 

As a hello

You smelt his cologne before he walked back into the room from the bathroom, woody and citric tones overcoming your senses as a light tug at your exposed breasts demanded your attention back.

“Hey darling, you done there? Sure you don’t anymore?” The little fingers of your month-old baby girl clutching your fingers as you softly redirected her small mouth back to the spot her eyes wildly looked for.

“Gosh, I love you two so much” His remark a common occurrence in your daily routine in the bubble of nappies, changes and feeds your lives had turned into those past weeks, in the dead of the cold but sunny winter in Monaco.

“Hello to you too, hot stuff” he smiled back as you checked his toned abs adorned by the towel in his waist, sitting by your side in the headboard of your bed, hands caressing your thighs.

“You sure you’re going to be okay here this weekend?” Concern written all over his features as he stroked your daughter’s tiny legs.

“Your mom’s here, my mom’s here, we’re gonna be just fine Lew.” His eyes searching for any doubts in your mind.   

“I’m only a call away, okay?!” He whispered as he kissed your head, enjoying the last moments he would have with his little family for a few days before yet another season began. 

With a shuddering gasp

It’s funny how time really is relative, you thought as you slowly watched four cars pile onto each other in a traffic jam that had just about three other cars in front already. You weren’t even paying attention to the road before, only really looking up from your phone when your car suddenly swerved right and hit the grass on the side of the road.

“Are you okay y/n?” His whole body hovering over yours, hands already unbuckling your seatbelt as Lewis tried to grab your attention.

“C’mom babe, we need to get you out of the car, now” He tried again but you couldn’t respond back, still in shock from the near miss, your hands a wobbly mess as he squeezed it.

“I’m carrying you outside, okay?!” He didn’t even wait for a reply before lifting you like you weighed nothing, examining you in the process to check for anything hurt while he carried you to the rest of people waiting by the road.

It took a while, more than a few minutes for your eyes to start focusing back on your surroundings. He was knelt right in front of you, worry all over as he asked again and again if you were hurt.

“You saved us” You gasped quietly as your eyes finally reached his, his hands cupping your face the second he heard you, your lips already on his as you felt his arms taking you into his body.

In a letter

You’d been, since the beginning, the one he wanted, comings and goings through the years hadn’t been able to diminish the electric pull he felt whenever he saw your smile light up the room, even from afar. But as if the universe liked having a laugh at their expenses, time and time again you’d both find your lives going in complete opposite directions. So, as he sat in his desk writing his vows, he could only be amazed that by some miracle he had found his way into your life and into your heart.

“ … So, I vow to be your lover, companion, partner and ally. Through what may I promise to always be there. I might not have the answers or tools but I’ll walk with you, through the darkest of valleys or at the summit of our dreams.

I love you for you, because you give me the chance to be my truest self, because when you’re around I know we’ll find our way through. I love you, and from the moment I learned that, I’ve been giving it my all to be worthy of you.”

When the broken glass litters the floor

“Fuck, why did I do that?” Your exclamation coming out a bit louder than expected as your eyes started to water from the sharp pain in your hand, blood already dripping from the gush on the palm as you looked to the pieces of the glass on the floor.

“Babe? What’s happened, what was that noise?” His voice coming from just outside the bathroom door, fidgeting with the lock to try and get in.

“Please, let it be a good timing” Was all you could whisper to yourself, the knot in your throat almost suffocating you, the reality of it all too much to comprehend or process, your feet automatically swerving the glass and blood on the floor to get to the door.

“I hope you don’t have anything important going on in the next months” you said just as his eyes tried to scan you and the bathroom. His features with confusion all over as you handled him the stick with the 2 lines on them.

“What’s… but the doctor said…really?” You watched as all types of emotion tumbled across his eyes, overwhelmed an understatement to what you both felt at that moment.

You nodded just slightly after a few moments of his eyes questioning yours, the start of a smile forming on his lips as his arms reached you and engulfed you in a hug, crashing your injured hand in the process.

“Ouch, hand” He froze as you winced, putting two and two together, looking to the blood and the remains of the glass and seeing the injure on your palm for the first time.

“I do hope this kid takes after you and isn’t as clumsy” You pointed as he sat you down at the tub to check the cut. His smile reaching all the way to his eyes as he chuckled and looked at you.

“Nah, I hope this kid is every bit just like you.”

With no space left between us

You could feel his movements as he opened the parachute and brought you two back down to safe land, but nothing managed to tear your eyes from the immensity of the sky. There was infinity as long as your eyes could see and you were nothing in comparison, your thoughts long lost to the smallness of human race.

“You were awfully quiet up there, you good?” His voice a bit dry from the wind, your bodies tightened together as the guys got you both out of the mess of ropes.

“I think I’m still processing how small we really are” You answered almost to yourself, still trying to comprehend what you had just experienced.

“Another go at tandem is due then?” You saw the smirk in his face as you turned to look at him, his arms still very much wrapped around you and his fingers circling in your forearm.

“Thank you for dragging me out here, but how did you know I’d like skydiving?!” You reached back to his arms while they strapped you out of the seat, holding him closer, still with the ghost feeling of the wind around.

“I love you… that’s how I knew you’d love it.” He said to your hair as he held you to him, smug face as he reveled in the feeling of you.  

From very far away

The speakers blasted the victory song as each of the three drivers on the podium sprayed champagne around, everyone drenched and smiles thrown left and right, laughs being heard all the way around the Monza podium.  

As Lewis stood by the edge of the platform, he lifted his trophy at the sea of Tifosi, as a way to show appreciation for the support so far on the season and at his new home race, dedicating his win to them.

Turning to the pitlane he also pointed his trophy to the Ferrari team, scanning the crowd he found you at, just by Fred and Anthony, tears flowing down and a gleaming smile that could light up his entire soul. You tried mouthing something to him but he couldn’t quite make it out in the overwhelming state you were all in.

“I love you” he said to you, from the top of the podium, knowing that whatever it was you were saying, and whatever it was that happened, could be answered and resolved with those three words.

#lewis hamilton x reader #lewis hamilton x you #lewis hamilton imagine #lewis hamilton #formula 1 #f1 x reader #f1 imagine

[vase-of-lilies]

Sunday, Funday

❀ Mommies!WandaNat x Little!reader (f)

❀ MD/LG dynamics, fluff, forehead kisses🥺, featuring Pietro! 

❀ Request: mommies!wandanat having a fun day with little!r

❀ A/N: Thank you for the request, @fragilepuppi! I have adored and absolutely loved all of your requests so far. So thank you so so much! Sorry it took so long to post, I had written it but just hadn't posted it yet! But I hope you like it! This is a part of the Into the Tiny Verse series:)

“Mommy!!!! Mama!!!!!! Its Sunday!!!!!!!” You happily whisper-shout as you jump onto Wandas and Natashas shared bed. 

Unbeknownst to you, they were already awake, smiling to each other as they hear your pitiful attempt to be quiet in their room as you try to sneak up on them. Natasha is a spy, if she can hear a pin drop in a room full of talking and dancing people, then she can hear your soft pattering feet against her carpet. 

Wanda on the other hand, she knew you were coming in for the soul fact that she is emotionally connected to you. Her telekinetic abilities sensed that you were awake, and in need of something but felt your presence come closer to her. She knew you were on your way. 

Once you climbed onto your mommies bed, they pretended they were asleep so you could have the pride of giving them the element of surprise. Natasha smiled and kissed your forehead as you smushed your way in between her and Wanda, and you smiled up at her. 

“S’sunday mama! We gotta go have fun!” What you meant by that was a tradition that Wanda and Nat started with you where every Sunday the three of you would go out to get ice cream and go to the secluded park that stark built just for you and Peter. Your favorite part of the park was the tire swing that was connected to the large weeping willow surrounding the park. You could swing on it all day if you had the chance!

Your mommies helped you get ready for the day, helping you into your favorite pink, ruffly dress, the one with the bunny eating a carrot on the front, sat your wiggly body down on the couch to help you get your shoes on, and finally your jacket that you were stubborn about putting on. “But m’gonna get hot, mommy!” You whined as Wanda gently pulled your arms through the holes of your jacket. 

“Sweetheart, its raining outside and its only 60 degrees. You are wearing your coat or we will have to have a fun day at home.” Wanda said in a stern but gentle voice. You sighed and nodded in understanding as she zipped your jacket up to the top. The two women smiled at your appearance and took a sweet little picture of you, grumpy face and all. 

“Alright, do you want Peter to come with us?” Natasha asked, and you immediately shook your head. 

“No! Only wan mama and mommy,” you looked up at them and they looked like they were waiting for something else. “Please?” You finished, remembering to use your manners. Wanda smiled and held out her hand. 

“Alright, just us three! Lets go get your ice cream, and then we can go to the park. Sound good my little one?” She says and eagerly take her hand, pulling her to the door. Natasha shakes her head with a chuckle and follows along, getting her wallet ready for all the sprinkles you want on your [your favorite ice cream flavor] cone you get. As you skip along the hallway, they look at you in adoration, taking each others hands as they walk behind you. 

Leaving the compound was easy as everyone knew about yours and Peters ‘situations’. And with how powerful the avengers were, no one questioned what was going on. Sure some people gave judgmental looks, but they didn’t care. All it took to get someone running away was a glare from Nat and a glow-of-the eyes from Wanda. They took care of you and protected you with everything they had. 

As you got to your favorite Ice Cream parlor, you smiled up at the ice cream man. He was your favorite person to see other than your mommy and mama, of course! His name you didn’t know, but all you knew was he gave you extra ice cream scoops when your mommies were not looking. Wanda knew him personally and gave him a hug every time she saw him. They kind of look alike… you thought to yourself. But you shook off the thought and continued to watch as he poured extra sprinkles onto your cone. 

By the time you had gotten to the park, your face was covered in icy goodness and your hands were a sticky mess. Luckily Wanda was prepared and brought some water and soap, quickly cleaning you up before you went to play. Immediately when you were let go, you ran straight to the tire swing. It was like the playground didn’t even exist! Wanda and Nat followed you, knowing exactly what you were going to ask for next. 

As if on cue, you ask “Mommy? Mama? Can you p’ease push me? Wanna go sup’ high!”

With a big smile, Nat takes the first push, Wanda sitting down on the swing first and you happily climbing onto her lap. She wraps her arms around your waist and holds you against her tightly, not wanting you to fall off. Natasha pushes you both, the swing starting to move front and backwards. Your belly filled with butterflies as you soared through the air on the swing, your smile never falling! Your mommies loved it when you smiled like this, not a care in the world. Nothing could stop you form being this happy in this moment. Except one thing…

“Ok little one, its time to go home,” Natasha said, an hour later as you were now swinging alone while Wanda sat down on the bench. Your brows furrowed and you shook your head, holding onto the ropes of the swing with an iron grip. Natasha sighed and slowed the swing down, thinking to herself how cute you are, yet how stubborn and unwilling to leave something you loved behind for a couple days. 

“Noooooo, wan’ stay here forever…” you say weakly, getting sleepy from playing so long. Your mommies knew that it was time for your nap, and you knew it too but was having too much fun. Wanda gathered your things, and stood up. Walking over to the swing she knelt down. 

“Come on baby, we gotta get you down for your nap. Look how sleepy she is, Nat I don’t think that Bubbles would be too happy napping alone at home.” She brought your stuffy into this and your eyes watered. 

“Don wan bubbles to be alone!” You said, jumping off the swing and into Wandas arms. She smiled and gently kissed your head, letting you fall asleep in her arms as she carried you back to the compound. As your head laid on Wandas shoulder, Natasha watched over you two from behind you, watching you like a hawk. Your hand hung against Wandas back and Nat took that opportunity to clasp a charm bracelet around your wrist, a small token of their love to you, and a little surprise for when you woke up. 

Opening your nursery door, you felt Wanda lay you down in your bed, and you whined. You wanted to stay with your mommies, and nap with them. “M-mommy mama….” They knew you were too little to form any sentences now, so they obliged to your silent command and took you to their bed instead, Bubbles’s fluffy paw clenched in your fist. As they laid down with you, Wanda smiled at your sleeping form, sighing as you finally hit your dreaming state. 

“We need a better way to have her listen when its time to go…” Wanda said to Nat, who fully agreed with her.

“Until then, lets just stick with bubbles being lonely without her. She has the biggest heart and would hate to keep him waiting. I bet she will wake up and want Bubbles to have a bottle too.” Natasha chuckles and wraps her arms around you and Wanda, relaxing into the bed with you and her wife in her arms. All safe and sound. 

#wandanat x reader #Mommy!wandanat x little!reader #Wanda x reader #Wanda x female reader #wanda x little reader #Wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x little reader #mommy natasha x little!reader #natasha x reader #nat x reader #natasha romanoff x reader #WandaNat x reader #Natasha romanoff x you #natasha romanoff #Wanda Maximoff #Little reader #into the tiny verse #the toy lion the scarlet witch and tiny in the wardrobe

[to-thelakes]

banged up (3)

pairing; frank castle x fem!reader

summary; frank unexpectedly meets your roommate willow and you begin to realise your feelings for frank.

warnings; fluff, hurt/comfort, soft frank, awkward frank, descriptions of injuries and memories of torture (not too explicit/graphic tho), suggestive themes, realisation of feelings

notes; part 3 is here my lovelies! we've got more soft frank, an introduction to willow (who uses she/they pronouns) and some realisation of feelings. this chapter is such super sweet and i am getting carried away with this fic. i love these two together so much and i just want them to kiss and get married and have babies. that's all.

masterlist

part one part two

When you heard your roommate - Willow - come back at 9am, you didn’t get out of bed. You hadn’t had a chance to look at yourself in the mirror and you really didn’t need her worrying anymore than necessary. So you let Frank deal with it. But you could still hear their conversation through the slightly ajar bedroom door and it made you smile (which made your face hurt even more than it already did).

“Hi,” Willow sounded unsure as she closed the front door and discarded her shoes onto the shoe rack.

“Mornin’.” Frank was cooking breakfast and you could sense the hesitance in his tone - trying to work out whether Willow was a threat. But he knew you had a roommate and considering they’d come in with a key, he didn’t immediately go on the offense.

“So you a friend of my roommate’s or…?” Willow asked. You tried not to chuckle, knowing it would hurt, as you listened to Frank’s boots shift on the floor. He was uncomfortable, you just knew it. He had never been over at your place when Willow had come back off the night shift. There was one close call a few weeks back but you had mostly kept those two parts of your life separate.

“Yeah, stayed over last night,” He responded. Willow let out a soft ‘uh-huh’ before she ran her hands over her face. They were exhausted.

“She in her room?” Willow asked. Frank was caught off-guard by the question and he quickly realized that he didn’t know if she knew about the company you kept during the nights. How would they react to seeing you bloody and bruised? Frank was surprised that your roommate hadn’t said anything about him considering his face had been plastered on the news more than once over the past few years. But they hadn’t shown any indication that they knew who he was.

“Mhm, gettin’ her beauty sleep,” He responded, gesturing vaguely towards the room. Willow nodded and ran her hands through their hair before letting out a soft huff.

“Cool, okay. Well, I’m gonna go to sleep. Would you two make sure to keep the noise down? It’s been a uh- long night,” Willow finally said. She sounded exasperated and you couldn’t blame her. You bit your lip, feeling a little guilty for not saying anything to them beforehand but you didn’t exactly expect this to happen.

 Plus, you had spent most of last night in so much pain that you could barely think straight let alone have the foresight to message her about Frank being in your apartment, “You the guy she went on a date with?” Willow asked after a beat of awkward silence between the two. She was halfway to her bedroom door when she turned to look back.

“Nah, just a friend,” Frank dismissed. Willow nodded and then disappeared into her bedroom while Frank continued to cook. As you lay curled up on the bed, your phone dinged and you grabbed it to catch a glimpse of the screen; it was a text from Willow.

‘What the fuck is The Punisher doing in our kitchen?’ There was a brief moment before another text dinged through, ‘Are you fucking Frank Castle? I swear to everything that is holy…’ A giggle bubbled from your lips despite yourself and pain shot through your body in an instant. The brief moment of joy was replaced with burning pain as you twisted your face into the pillow, crying out. 

Tears pricked at your eyes and you gripped your pillow underneath your hands. It made it worse but also gave your mind something to focus on. The ache in your fingers was much less painful than your stomach.

Another message dinged through and you tentatively reached a hand out to glance over it. ‘Good on you for getting that vigilante dick, better tell me about it later’ ‘Hook me up with Jessica Jones? Lord knows I need that woman to rail me’. You couldn’t help the laugh that burst out of your chest but your laughs were interspersed with cries of pain and coughing that only seemed to make every part of your body feel worse.

‘Must have been a good night… heading to sleep now, talk to me later xx’ The last message dinged through and you whimpered softly as you curled back up on the bed. Frank appeared a moment later with painkillers and a plate of food. His eyebrows furrowed.

“Somethin’ happen?” He asked. You shook your head and slowly pushed yourself to rest back against the headboard, “You need some painkillers?” You nodded. You had probably had the last lot around 3 hours ago when you had woken up to find Matt in the apartment so you were more than happy to take more. You needed it.

“You know how to get in contact with Jessica Jones?” You asked as your head fell back against the headboard. You adjusted your legs a little before taking the plate of food from Frank. His head tilted slightly, a questioning look on his face.

“Wanting to add her to your roster of vigilantes to take care of?” He asked. You shook your head and stabbed your fork into a piece of bacon.

“Nah, Willow needs a good railing. Thought you might have contacts,” You shrugged, a wry smile spreading across your face. Frank stared at you for a moment, painkiller bottle cap off and in his other hand. His face made you chuckle but that just made your stomach hurt and so you quickly wrapped your arm around it, squeezing your eyes shut as your fork clattered to the plate.

“You’re real funny, sweetheart,” Frank muttered. You nodded your head, completely serious as you forced yourself to recover from the pain.

“I’m hilarious. God knew I would be too powerful if I became a comedian so he gave me no social skills and vigilantes for friends,” You responded, the corners of your lips turning up into a smile. Frank shook his head in disbelief as you let your stomach go, the pain subsiding a little.

“Whatever you say,” He then poured some painkillers onto a spoon before he gestured for you to open your mouth. You took the spoon into your mouth and swallowed it down.

“Y’know if Willow needs a railing, I think I need to be in an orgy or something. Nobody’s given me an orgasm in fucking years,” You grumbled. Frank didn’t know what to say as he poured another spoon of painkillers, “I just want God to give me a man that won’t cum in two seconds flat and leave me high and dry.” You were just bitching at this point but after your failed date and your torture, you were really beginning to wonder what the fuck you had done to get God - or whatever being was out there - to hate you so much, A soft sigh escaped your lips.

“This really bothers you, huh?” Frank asked after a moment of silence. You huffed out (though that made your chest hurt) and shrugged.

“I just got tortured and they got every fluid out of me except one. I’m not saying I wanted one of them to fuck me but the least I could have gotten was fucked in that fancy fucking restauraunt bathroom before I got kidnapped. Y’know,” You explained. You were half-joking but also, not joking in the slightest. He tilted his head as he looked at you and you reached out for his wrist, guiding the spoon of painkillers into your mouth since he seemed to have forgotten what he was doing. 

You swallowed the painkillers down before Frank pulled the spoon away and put it and the bottle down on the side.

His jaw clenched in thought as he tried to decide what to say. You could tell his head was spinning and it made your stomach turn (in a good way). Maybe it was because Frank had been taking care of you all night and he had been more attentive than any boyfriend you had ever had but you were sure that he would take of you if he fucked you. You found yourself almost wanting it.

“I need to piss,” You stated after a moment, distracting yourself from your unsavory swirling thoughts and giving the speechless Frank a reprieve. You had been fighting off going to the toilet for an hour or so, not wanting to face the thought of walking again. How you had walked last night was beyond you but you were desperate for the toilet so pain be damned, you needed to go.

“Come on,” He urged as he put the plate of breakfast to one side and got up from the bed. You shuffled around and wrapped your arm around his shoulder. He hauled you to your feet and with his help, you hobbled to the bathroom. You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror as Frank guided you closer to the toilet and you looked atrocious.

You were pretty sure you would have looked worse last night since you’d got the swelling to come down since but you still looked awful. Your face was covered in bruises, they were in various stages of healing but there wasn’t much of your skin that wasn’t discolored. Your left eye was bloodshot and there was a slash across your left eyebrow which made the skin swell. You definitely were going to have a black-eye when the swelling went down.

Thankfully, you didn’t see how damaged the rest of your body was but you knew that it wasn’t pretty. You could feel the sutures that kept your skin together on your arms. Without them, you would have bled out.

“Need me to stay?” Frank asked as he moved one of your hands to rest against the sink. You shook your head and he let your other hand move from around his neck. He stepped back, “Keep the door unlocked, yeah?” You nodded and he then disappeared out of the bathroom. A long breath escaped your lips, trying to work up the courage to step over to the toilet. 

Despite the ice pack and the rest, your ankle still felt awful. You didn’t think it was broken but it was definitely sprained. You could vaguely recall a boot being stamped over it and you rolled it in your heels before you had been kidnapped. It was painful and putting even a little bit of pressure made you want to cry.

But you had to do it so you did. You limped to the toilet and pulled your underwear and pants down before you sat down. Your arms hurt and as you peed, you looked over them, taking in every suture and stitched up cut. You could remember how it felt when they sliced you the first time. After that, it became just a blur of pain.

Your wrists also looked awful. At first, they hadn’t bothered to tie you up. Instead, they put you in a dark room with lights that flashed intermittently to disorient you. Then, someone appeared, sliced your skin open wherever they could and disappeared. You hadn’t been able to fight back even if you wanted to. It all became far too much, far too quickly and when you had eventually collapsed, they tied you up.

Your wrists were still red raw, layers of skin stripped away. The rope had been the only thing keeping you upright for most of the time, you could still remember the burn in your calves. You sighed, pressing your hands over your face. It took everything in you not to start crying. You sucked in deep breaths, stabilizing your breathing before you wiped and clambered off the toilet. You dropped the seat, flushing and then going to wash your hands.

But the soap against your cuts made you whimper and hiss in pain, tears pricking your eyes. When you were done, you just rested your hands against the edge of the sink. The thought of moving made you want to cry and you were staring back at yourself in the mirror. Your eye really needed an ice pack.

There was a knock at the bathroom door and you said that Frank could come in. He nudged the door open as he looked at you. The tears were threatening to spill down your face at any moment and he frowned, stepping towards you.

“Hey, hey,” He murmured softly as he gently pulled you into a hug. His arms were tight enough to know you were safe without being so tight that it hurt your already battered and bruised body, “You’re safe now, you got that? Nobody’s gonna touch you.” You sniffled against his chest, tentatively moving your arms to wrap around him. You were trying so hard to be careful of the stitches, not wanting another one to pop.

“Don’t know how I didn’t tell them,” You admitted softly, “It hurts so much.” He nodded and pressed a kiss to your forehead, “Don’t understand how you can do this,” You added after a beat. Frank ran his hands down your hair.

“I know, sweetheart.” He murmured. You sighed, your bottom lip quivering as you held Frank a little tighter, “Need to eat some breakfast, come on,” He said after a moment, supporting half your body weight to head back to your room where your breakfast plate was. 

Once you were back on the bed, Frank adjusted the pillows so you could sit up comfortably. Then he grabbed the other plate of breakfast food and the two of you sat together, eating in silence.

Frank’s presence was enough to make you feel safe and you didn’t want him to leave.

-

Despite your complaints, Frank left the house at around 6pm to get some takeout for the both of you. He had been with you all day, talking to you, lying down with you, feeding you painkillers and snacks and getting anything that you needed. You appreciated it immensely but the thought of him leaving the house sent your anxiety off the charts.

But he promised that he would be back soon and that he was a call away if you needed anything. So, you reluctantly let him leave with that in mind. But of course, the second that Frank leaves the house, Willow made her appearance. You were curled up in bed when there was a knock at the bedroom door.

Every single possible scenario ran through your head before Willow called your name, “I know you’re not asleep and Frank’s gone.” You sighed and told them that she could come in. Willow pushed the door open and for a moment, she was smirking. That was until she saw you and her entire teasing, smug demeanor dropped.

“What the fuck?” It was an involuntary response and you sent her your best attempt at a smile, “Was this him?” She snapped. You scoffed and that made your chest hurt.

“No,” You stated bluntly. Willow’s eyebrows furrowed, not believing you for a goddamn second. You probably wouldn’t have believed you either, “He’s the one that saved me. Got grabbed during my date,” You explained. Willow didn’t know what to say and so she simply pushed your bedroom door to and moved to sit by your side. 

“What did they want?” She asked softly. You shrugged and they scoffed. You let your eyes fall closed, you were exhausted. It had been an incredibly long day.

“Just know that Frank found me, got me the fuck out,” You murmured. Suddenly everything made a lot more sense to Willow and they let out a sigh, pushing her braids behind her ear.

“Is that why he didn’t want me to see you even though I knew you were awake?” Willow asked. You nodded which made you wince, “Jesus, girl. Was it him that stitched you up?”

“Yeah, used most of the kit, sorry,” You murmured. Willow scoffed.

“It kept you alive, I don’t give a fuck,” Willow responded. You gave her a grateful smile before your head fell back down against the pillows. Just keeping your head up made you exhausted and you let your eyes close, “I’ve still got some of my prescription painkillers from my shoulder injury. You want them?” You bit your lip, debating whether that was a good idea, “I wouldn’t offer them to you if they would make it worse.” 

“You’re not a Nurse,” You murmured. Willow chuckled and nodded their head, “But please,” You added after a moment. You were so grateful for even the chance at stronger painkillers, it hopefully would make it easier to function. Willow surveyed you battered and bruised form for a moment before she stood up.

“And I’m gonna wrap your ankle, it looks awful,” Willow stated. You let out a grumble of acceptance before letting your eyes fall closed. You just wanted to relax but you also felt so bad. Willow had enough on her plate without worrying about you. You knew that she had plenty of her own issues to deal with between family, friends, her ex. Her roommate being tortured really wasn’t something you wanted to put on them.

It was a few moments before Willow returned and she had a fresh glass of water in their hand. They placed it down on the side before perching on the edge of the bed.

“Before you bitch, I know you hate pills but you either take it like a big girl or be in pain,” Willow stated. There was no arguing with that tone and you groaned softly in annoyance before slowly pushing yourself up to rest against the headboard. Willow then placed the pill in your hand before you grabbed the glass of water. You put it on your tongue and instantly chugged the water.

The pill washed away with the tsunami water and it was gone. Willow smiled before she shuffled down to bed, “Gimme a pillow,” She ordered. You grumbled in annoyance before grabbing one from beside you and throwing it their way. She grabbed it, put it under your ankle and then began to wrap your ankle, “I have a question,” Willow said after a beat. You groaned, tilting your head back. Willow asking questions never meant anything good, they were a menace at their worst and nosy at their best. You grunted in annoyance.

“What?”

“The Punisher wouldn’t just stay around anyone’s house all day and night. I mean, he should have taken you to the hospital but he didn’t. Gonna explain why?” Willow asked as she continued to wrap your ankle.

“It’s complicated.” It was literally the only way to explain. You and Frank had always been complicated. You knew Frank because of Karen. She had asked for help with something Frank needed probably a year or two ago. Karen had been madly in love with Frank then. You had a feeling she still was but she wasn’t as obvious with it anymore.

But when Frank had found out you had helped (and knew he was alive), he freaked. You couldn’t blame him but he had found you and threatened you. It made you terrified to even go near him and when it was released to the news that he was alive, that terror turned to worry. Even if Frank was terrifying and vengeful, you knew he had a code. He hadn’t hurt you despite the fact that he had no reason to trust you wouldn’t tell people he was alive.

Karen had been worried about him too and she had somehow managed to rope you into a scheme to make sure he was okay when he had gone to the hospital. That then led to you helping break him out of the hospital with Dinah Madani, a literal Homeland Agent. It had been a weird time in your life but somehow Frank saw you as someone to trust.

So, one night, he found his way to your apartment as he bled out and you saved his life. Ever since then, he checked in on you every week and often came to you to get patched up - as did Matt. You didn’t exactly have any medical training but you had a steady hand and the best leftovers to feed the injured so they had both found you to be someone to trust.

It boggled your mind that you had grown a friendship with Frank especially after your rocky start but it felt good to have someone who you knew protected you. You also had called him more than once while completely trashed and he always came to pick you up and take you home like the gentleman he was.

But it was complicated. That was the only way you’d ever be able to explain your friendship with Frank because you didn’t think he would ever actually let you in and trust you. It didn’t really bother you but you sometimes just wanted to be there for him like he was for you.

“You want to fuck him, don’t you?” Willow asked bluntly. Your eyes widened and you used your good foot to kick her in the side.

“I want anyone to fuck me at this rate, as long as they do it right,” You snapped. Willow chuckled at your comment, shaking her head as they continued to wrap your ankle.

“I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to fuck him. He’s the only man who's ever taken care of you while you’ve been sick,” She pointed out. You scoffed, opening your mouth to rebuke that claim. The past few boyfriends you had hadn’t been all that bad but then you remembered every time you had been sick, none of them had come over. You groaned.

“Jesus Christ,” You mumbled. Willow nodded, glancing over at your down-trodden expression. It all seemed to make so much more sense now, “That’s probably why I wanna fuck him so bad, he actually pays attention to me.” There was a pause before you added, “Not gonna happen though.” Willow cocked an eyebrow before they returned back to your ankle, doing one more pass of wrap before she was done, “Willow, he lost his wife. Don’t think fucking anyone is his priority anymore.” Willow hummed in agreement before she pulled away from your ankle. It was wrapped up nice and tight but not so tight it’d block your circulation. It would just hopefully keep the swelling down for the next few days.

“He’s missing out,” Willow stated as you began to shuffle to lie back down. They moved the pillow with your ankle, keeping it elevated, “I’ve heard you give head, pretty sure those men go to a different universe.” Your eyes widened and you kicked Willow with your good foot.

“You perv!” You accused, pouting at her. Willow chuckled.

“Don’t suck your boyfriends off in the bathroom then I won’t hear it,” Willow shrugged nonchalantly. 

You pouted, sinking into the bed, “Noted. I’ll keep giving head strictly to the bedroom.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Willow mumbled. You rolled your eyes and moved your arms to rest over your face. You were so tired but the prescription painkillers were at least helping. The numbing pain had been replaced with relief that was also making you drowsy as hell.

“I’m gonna go get ready for work. Will you be alright?” Willow asked. You nodded.

“Yeah, Frank’s gonna be back soon. I’ll be fine,” You dismissed. Willow nodded, pressing a kiss to your forehead just as the apartment door closed which meant that Frank was back. You eyed her for a moment before she smiled and disappeared. Her and Frank shared a curt conversation before she headed into the bathroom.

You stayed where you were, eyes closed. Your stomach was turning in anxiety after that conversation. You did like Frank and it was ridiculous and terrifying and suddenly it felt like you didn’t know how to act around him.

“You and Willow close?” Frank’s voice startled you and you opened your eyes. He still had his coat on, wrapped snugly around his torso. A takeaway bag was in his left hand and there was a smile on his face.

“Yeah, they’re a fuckin’ menace though,” You muttered before slowly pushing yourself to sit up. Frank went to come over and help but when he realized you weren’t grunting or hissing in pain, his eyebrows furrowed, “She gave me some painkillers, strong ones,” You answered the question before he even asked it. Frank nodded and he placed the bag on the bed. He then unzipped his coat and pulled the beanie off.

You opened the bag and it was from your favorite Italian takeout. The familiar smell hit your nostrils and you groaned in excitement before unloading the bag onto the bed. Your muscles still ached and there was an acute sense of pain but the painkillers that Willow had given you were making it so much easier to ignore. You felt almost normal.

“Careful, sweetheart. You still got stitches,” Frank reminded you as he placed his beanie and coat on your dresser. He then came over to the bed and sat down across from you. He had ordered you pizzas from the Italian place down the street and you could have kissed him. You would have kissed him if you had the courage. 

“Shouldn’t have got me my favorite then,” You responded, a wry smile on your lips. You flicked the box open and of course it was your exact pizza order. The grin spread wider and it hurt your bruised cheeks but you didn’t care. You grabbed the pizza slice and shoved it into your mouth, taking a bite. You let out a groan of appreciation, “Fuck, forgot how good this was,” You muttered, mouth full of pizza.

“Feelin’ better?” He asked. You nodded your head, a smile spreading across your face.

“Are you going out tonight? With Matt?” You asked curiously. Recently, the two men (despite their differences) patrolled together and then if they got injured, invaded your apartment for the night. That hadn’t been the case last night since from what you could remember, it was early when Frank had saved your ass.

“Nah, stayin’ here to make sure your sorry ass doesn’t get grabbed again,” Frank responded. A smile began to spread across your face despite yourself and you quickly shoveled pizza in your mouth to ignore the bubbling feeling of happiness, “That gonna be a problem?” He asked, noting how you seemed to have tensed up.

“No, no, I don’t mind. It’ll make me feel safer. I’m glad,” You rambled, “The painkillers are making me drowsy so… probably need the protection.” You added. Frank nodded and he continued to eat his own slice of pizza. The two of you fell into comfortable silence and for the first time since you had woken up to Frank taking care of you, you didn’t feel any pain. It was a mercy.

#frank castle #frank castle x reader #the punisher #frank castle x you #frank castle fluff #frank castle x fem!reader #frank castle x female reader #the punisher fluff #the punisher x reader #reader-insert #banged up

[katz-chow]

This is so Phillip Graves coded....thoughts? Also love your work♡^^

bang bang

a/n: STOP NO I LOVE THIS SONG. you're so right babyboo this is so graves coded. how much of life passed by him because of how much time he dedicated to his work. let me show you. angst, good ending, gn! reader, not how i normally write graves, him being an ass, slight suicidal themes, one religious bit, ignoring mw3

Phillip hadn't meant to leave you all alone all those years ago. Memories of weeping willows and tall grass in the scorching summer heat before school started to flood his mind as he drove through sun-bleached roads in the Hill Country. He was finally going home, back to the place where he could finally retire. Sure, he hasn't been back here in 5 years, but he was working and doing important missions within the military, you knew that.

He made sure you knew that when he left for the cold plains of Colorado to start up the Shadow Company. "It's dangerous work, Sweetheart." He said as he held your hand close to his chest. You were crying, begging to come with him, the shiny new ring on her your finger gleamed in the airport lighting.

"No. it's too dangerous, I don't want them coming after you..." He said when you called him a few weeks later after he informed you that he was going overseas. Again, you begged to be able to call him, to have any grasp of him and who he belonged to. And again, he denied it.

You suggested letters on a call a few months later, after he had gotten back from that first mission. He seemed more on edge, hardened...not your Phillip. He cursed and groaned, "When will you understand how dangerous everything is?! Use your brain and think will you? If I send back letters, they'll know where to find you. If you send back letters, they'll know where to find me. Hell, they can probably trace this call right back to you at this very moment and I can't do shit about that!"

You ended the call, frustrated tears rolling down your cheeks. You threw the sheets off of you and screamed into the pillows. You missed him and, of course, he just wanted you to be safe.

Soon, his signal got weaker and weaker. Letters were out of the option except for a rare one-pager or a post card sent from him. Mexico...seemed like a nice place to be, while you're stuck here in Texas, without your husband.

One month turned into two, and then 4 years, and then...he was dead. One of his old military buddies showed up to your door along with a shadow you've never seen before, a flag in hand.

You didn't cry during the funeral, there was no body. You didn't cry when you were handed the flag. You didn't cry on the drive home. You didn't cry until the sun went down and the normally empty house seemed colder, the last smoldering coal cooling down. That was when you couldn't take it anymore. Your knees sank down and hit the hardwood in your living room, framed pictures of the two of you hiking in California glimmered with the faint kitchen light that seemed so, so far away.

You felt the surge of guilt roll over you he was right, he was only keeping you safe from the mess of the world while you got to stay at home. But instead of admiring him and his care, you screamed and cursed and kicked and...cried. You cried out to him and he had no choice but to swallow the stinging in his chest whenever you asked when he was coming home. You couldn't see it at the time. Funny how these things work, it takes death to make you see it.

“If God teaches in this way, by weakening you into a vulnerable thing in order to beg for mercy, he is not a kind god. If this is the case, kill me too. If it’s cowardly than I accept being a coward, if it means I can be with him again.”

His death wrecks you. You don’t come out of the house anymore, not even to get groceries. You order things at your doorstep. You only open the door for people to send their condolences, but never allow them to go in nor do you want to go out. The house is no longer pristine and ready for him to come home at any minute anymore, because you know he won’t.

So imagine the sound of an engine cutting off in front of your house. Then the sound of a large car door closing. And then the keys turning the lock open. You don’t move from your nest of a bed, you figure you had forgotten to eat and the hallucinations are coming in. So you stare at the window blinds, bright sun outside causing a slight glow in your bedroom. You sigh. A lovely day gone to waste again, shame…

“Honey? I know you’re here, your car’s parked out…” His voice chirps as you hear heavy footsteps make its way around the small house. Then the sound of the door opening, your back facing it. You keep your eyes ahead, preparing for the part where everything fades to black and you fall asleep. You start to see the familiar figure in your peripheral and then his face knelt down to meet yours on the bed. You look at him, tiredly and sadden, dismissing the vision as you closed your eyes.

“I’m sorry, Baby…” His knuckles brush against your cheekbones and your eyes dart open and wide, looking up at him.

“Phillip…?”

His hand caress your face as yours reach out to him, fingers pinching and pulling at his face. He smiled softly. “It’s just me, again…Hi..”

Tears formed in your eyes as you sat up in bed, scrambling into his arms as you both sit on the floor. You screamed and sobbed and hit him as he held you close. “I thought you were fucking dead for almost a year, a whole fucking year, you asshole!”

Phillip didn’t seem fazed with your words nor your fists weakly hitting his back as you buried your face into him. “I know I’m sorry…I’m here now. I’m real, it’s okay, we’re okay.”

Your Phillip was home, safe and in your arms. He knew you would react in some way, but somehow he didn’t know it equate to you physically hitting him. He held you as tight in his arms as you would let him as you cried and screamed.

You succeeded in pulling away from him, tears turning into sniffles and a furrowed brown.

"I miss you."

A harsh pain whipped onto the side of his face, hard enough to pull his gaze from you to the bookshelf in the back against the wall.

"Don't do that again." You stared at him, tears silently rolling down your flushed cheeks as sniffled, lip quivering.

"I'll be here."

#katzwrites #cod mw2 #call of duty #call of duty modern warfare 2 #cod #modern warfare 2 #cod mwii #fanfic #phillip graves x gn!reader #phillip graves hc #phillip graves #phillip graves x reader #phillip graves x you #cod graves #graves x reader #philip graves x reader #philip reader #phillip graves cod

[onceuponaoneshotfanfic]

Something There (Chapter 9)

7.1k words Roy Kent x Reader Warnings: Language, moment of violence (yay!), one scene of angst, lots of fluff and buildup A/N: Okay now THIS is my favorite chapter! I listened to Taylor's 'Daylight' for most of this, highly recommend 😘

Series Masterlist

He wasn’t letting go of her. Not this time.

Roy squeezed her tight, letting his cheek rest on her hair, the hair that smelled like fucking lavender and vanilla and was just as soft as he remembered. She felt good, pressed close to his heart like this. Right. Like she belonged there. The way she clung to him, trembling ever so slightly, told him that she was thinking the same thing.

Saying something would break the spell. So, Roy kept his mouth shut, wishing they could stay here, in this little office with its humming air conditioning and fluorescent lights, and forget about reporters and tabloids and non-boyfriends and hell, even forget about football. All he wanted was right there, in his arms, clutching to him like he was a life preserver in a storm.

But of course, staying frozen like this forever wasn’t a real option.

The sound of someone walking through the Greyhounds office had them releasing each other, not quite stepping away, as if they couldn’t bear parting, not quite yet.

Ted stood in the doorway, mouth open and eyebrows raised, glancing from one manager to the other. “I, uh, just wanted to see how you’re doin’,” he finally said, nodding to Buck. “That was a hell of a press conference, Coach.”

“Thanks,” she murmured, wiping her damp face; Roy realized she’d been crying into his shoulder. “I’m, uh, pretty tired. Should be heading home.”

Ted nodded, his face telling Roy he was sorry for interrupting. “Yeah, you get some rest. You deserve a good night’s sleep.” He offered a small wave. “Goodnight, coaches.”

Both managers mumbled their goodbyes to Ted before turning back to each other.

“I should go home,” she finally repeated, taking a step backwards to her desk, where her things were waiting to be packed up.

Roy nodded, suddenly unsure about what to do with his hands if they weren’t holding her. “Yeah, yeah. But listen-” He cleared his throat, eyes on the ceiling. “You… deserve to celebrate. Taking first place, the press conference, surviving all the shit we’ve been through. Maybe next week, when you’re up for it, I could… buy you a beer or something?”

When he forced himself to look at her, the corners of her red lips were tugging upwards. “Yeah. I’d like that, Kent.”

Before he could say anything else, his mobile vibrated in his pocket, further breaking the spell. He pulled it out, only vaguely registering the name on the screen.

“Answer it,” she hummed, starting to pack up her bag. “I’ll see you later, yeah?”

Roy nodded and started backing into his own office. “See you later.” He turned, answering his mobile as he walked through his office, into the changing room. “Hello?”

“Roy.” Trent’s voice was that serious tone he often used. “I, uh, got that information you asked for.”

Oh, shit. “Right, right. Anything… interesting?” he glanced over his shoulder as he entered the empty hallway, making sure he was alone.

Trent’s sigh sounded tired. “Oh, it’s interesting, alright,” he muttered dryly. “So, the photos were taken, but they weren’t going to be released. Keeley had done a good job convincing The Richmond Star to sit on them.”

“The fucking Richmond Star?” Roy’s chest tightened; he knew that paper.

“Yeah.” Trent paused. “They were going to just ignore them until… one of their reporters saw them. And gave them to another publication.”

Roy stopped in the middle of the hallway, ready to punch a wall. “Any idea who the reporter might’ve been?”

The hesitation on Trent’s end gave Roy his answer before the writer even spoke. “George Willows.”

“FUCK!”

Trent cleared his throat. “Figured you’d feel that way,” he hummed. He sighed. “I hate that it’s him. She’s… she’s lovely. She doesn’t deserve that.” The next pause was heavy. “Are you going to tell her?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Gotta… gotta think.” He let out a low, growling sigh. “Thanks, Trent. Really.”

“Good luck, Roy.”

~

Keeley had, thankfully, forgiven me for going off-script. On the contrary, she thought my rant was brilliant and long overdue. Rebecca, while concerned about the language and the reaction from shareholders, was proud of me.

After a the most light-hearted practice the Whippets had had in weeks, I found myself in my office, going over the report on our next opponent, determined to keep our first-place status.

“Hi there, Coach.” Ted Lasso stood in the doorway, smile on his face. “How was training today?”

“Good,” I chirped, waving him in. “Anything I can do for you, Ted?”

He shrugged and leaned on my desk. “Just didn’t get to chat last night.” His eyes searched my face curiously. “Sorry for, uh, interrupting.”

My face went warm. “It’s fine,” I murmured, looking down at my report. “We were just-”

“No need to explain,” he assured me, clearly trying not to grin goofily. “It was an emotional night for ya. For Roy too.” He raised his eyebrows. “The two of you… deserve something good. Some happiness.”

“The two of us,” I repeated with a little cough. “I mean-”

Ted placed his hand on top of mine, silencing me. “Lemme just say one thing. I know we’re practically strangers and it’s none of my business, but I dunno. I feel like I know a thing or two about a thing or two.”

My curiosity was piqued. “What’s up?”

After a quick glance around, Ted leaned in close. “Roy… he thinks you’re special. You know that right? Because it’s obvious to anyone with eyes. Heck, Helen Keller would be able to tell ya that Roy thinks the world of you.”

My heart stuttered as I looked at Ted. “I- you know, he-”

“But Roy’s pretty darn special too,” Ted continued. “He is so darn good. He’d do just about anything for the people he cares about. He’s got to be one of the most passionate people I have ever had the pleasure of knowin’. The man is a great coach and an incredible friend.” He cleared his throat. “Like I said, just a real special guy. And…” He shook his head. “I dunno. I think, and I’m sure a lot of other people think, that maybe you two… could be somethin’ special… together.” He threw his hands up as he hopped off my desk. “I said my piece. You can ignore me if you want, like I said it’s not really my place to talk.” He started towards the door, pausing halfway out of the office to look at me one more time. “But Roy… well if you let him, he’d care about you like no one’s business.” With a friendly nod, he was gone, leaving me alone with thoughts full of Roy Kent.

~

It was like Roy’s mind was at war with itself for a couple of days after the Whippets match. On the one hand, he was so angry with what he’d learned from Trent. Of course fucking Willows was behind this whole mess; the man was scum, after all. And the fact that her trust had been so fucking violated just crushed Roy. And now he had to figure out a way to tell her that didn’t look like he was just trying to break them up. Fucking hell.

But, even with all this inner turmoil, Roy couldn’t help feeling… happy. She was smiling at him, cracking jokes, and a couple of times he caught her gazing thoughtfully through the window from her office to his. Something had shifted, and Roy’s heart was soaring.

Still. How was he supposed to tell her who was behind their shared hell?

He was contemplating this when Rebecca bumped into him in the hallway.

“Oh, Roy, just who I was hoping to see.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Really?”

She nodded, stepping closer. “I was wondering how you’re doing. We haven’t had a chance to talk since… well, the other night.” Her eyebrows flew up. “That press conference was interesting, wasn’t it?”

“Interesting,” Roy repeated, shifting his weight and his gaze. “Yeah, you could call it that.”

As if summoned by Roy’s discomfort, the Whippets’ coaches walked by, chattering quietly. The two managers locked eyes, and Roy was the recipient of the softest smile, the kind that made his breath hitch and his fingertips tingle. He nodded back, keeping his eyes on her as she continued down the hall; to his absolute delight, she glanced back at him before disappearing around a corner.

Rebecca’s face softened as she watched the manager squirm. “Roy Kent, when are you going to fucking tell her how you feel?”

He sighed, glancing around, praying no one could hear the two of them. “Rebecca-”

“No, don’t ‘Rebecca’ me,” she scolded in a low voice. “Come on, Roy, I’m sick of seeing you stumble around here in this little daze. There’s something between you two, we all know it. It’s so damn obvious. It’s been there for months. Hell, it’s probably been there since the day she arrived. So go fucking tell her that you have real feelings for her.”

“Rebecca,” he warned, face burning. “It’s not that fucking simple-”

She rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you? Stop getting in the way of your own happiness. Stop acting helpless, because you’re not. You’re Roy fucking Kent! You deserve to be happy.”

Roy felt his blood boil as he finally snapped at his boss. “And you’re Rebecca fucking Welton! So when are you going to stop pretending you don’t love Ted and let yourself be happy?”

The color draining from Rebecc’s face told Roy he was right on the money. It wasn’t as if it was some great secret; everyone knew there was more than friendship between the owner and former manager. Well, maybe everyone except the owner and manager in question.

“Exactly,” Roy went on, confident that he’d ended this particular conversation. “When you talk to Ted about your feelings, I’ll talk to Bucky about mine.” He nodded, more to himself, and began to turn to walk away; Rebecca’s hand on his wrist stopped him in his tracks.

“Fine.”

Before Roy could say another word, Rebecca dragged him down the halls of the Dog Track, ignoring the curious looks of the people they passed as her heels click, click, clicked against the tile. She didn’t stop her quick pace until they were in the Greyhounds office, where Ted was chatting pleasantly with Beard.

Ted’s eyes lit up at the sight of Rebecca. “Well, hey there-”

“Ted Lasso,” Rebecca commanded, releasing Roy’s wrist. “Are you ever going to kiss me?”

Roy had never seen Ted’s face so pale. “I-” the American choked, Beard wide-eyed next to him. “Well, gee- Becca, we-”

Rebecca took a step forward, raising a cool eyebrow at Ted. “Oklahoma.”

“Well, shoot.”

He cupped her face carefully and pulled her into a deep kiss; behind them, Beard’s arms were in the air as his mouth widened in a silent scream. Roy felt his ears go warm, his heart drumming with a mix of annoyance at Rebecca’s frankness and joy at seeing these two finally admit how they felt. He could also feel a twinge of envy in his chest; fuck, he wished he could be so honest.

Rebecca released Ted and turned to Roy, a goofy grin on her face. “There,” she hummed triumphantly. “Your turn, Kent. Off with you.” She looked back to Ted, fixing the collar on his polo shirt. “This one and I have some things to discuss.”

Blinking a few times, Roy turned his head towards the Whippets office, where Lucas stood with wide eyes. Realizing the answer to his current problem had been just through that door this whole time, Roy quickly ducked into the office, leaving the lovebirds behind.

“What in the world-?”

Roy shook his head and closed the door behind him. “Don’t fucking ask.” He glanced around. “She around?”

Lucas shook his head, clearly trying not to grin. “Want me to go get her for you?”

“No.” Roy cleared his throat, ignoring the heat on his face. “Lucas… I need your help with something.”

~

Today was the day, I decided. For a couple days now, I’d wondered if Roy was going to remind me about that beer he’d offered me. Even though we were on better terms than we’d ever been- saying hello when we passed one another, laughing, heck just smiling at each other- he hadn’t said anything else about grabbing a drink.

Of course, I didn’t mention a word about that to George. Things were icy since the press conference, with him insisting on going out to dinner the night after, which resulted in my picture going up on Twitter. But honestly, I didn’t care too much. Like I’d told everyone- I wanted to focus on my team.

Which I was admittedly struggling with since hugging Roy Kent.

Still, I did my best to get on with my day, running practice like I wasn’t wondering why Roy hadn’t asked me for a beer again. By the time Lucas and I made our way back to our office after most everyone else had left for the day, I was mentally composing a text to the Greyhound if he was free the next night. I threw my bag over my shoulder, mumbling something to Lucas about George picking me up for dinner. When I saw the sour look on his face, I sighed.

“What?”

He blinked at me. “What, what?”

“Luke,” I started slowly. “You’ve been weirdly quiet today. And the couple times I’ve mentioned George, you made these faces like you want to throw up. Is there something I should know?”

I had never seen such discomfort in my assistant coach’s expression; it had my stomach knotting up. “Bucky…” He ran his hands over his face. “Yesterday… I found out who leaked your photos.”

My heart nearly stopped in my chest. “You… you…” I clutched my bag, knuckles turning white as my voice lowered. “Who was it?”

Lucas closed his eyes, wincing. “George.”

It felt like all the wind was knocked out of me. “George?” I repeated, barely croaking it out. “As in my George?”

“Yeah.” Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, not quite looking me in the eye. “Trent Crimm, you know Trent, apparently he did some digging around… and found out that the Star had the original photos and… and George, well he passed them along to another publication.”

I sank into my chair, staring up at Brandi Chastain. “Why would he do that?” I whispered.

Lucas leaned on my desk, tenderly placing a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Bucky. Really. I know I pushed you to go out with him, I know I-”

“No, Lukey,” I murmured, using the nickname I only called him when he was truly upset. “You didn’t know. Don’t you dare feel bad.”

He shook his head. “I’m gonna kill him,” he muttered, leaning back. “I swear, Bucky, when he walks through that door, I’m gonna-”

“You’re gonna go home,” I told him, standing up. “And you’re going to get some rest, and you’re going to come into work tomorrow like normal. And you’re going to go to tomorrow night’s Greyhound’s match with me. And we’re going to keep winning and leave all this shit behind us, alright?”

“What are you gonna-”

I shrugged. “Gonna tell him I know. Gonna give him exactly two seconds to explain himself. Then gonna have him permanently banned from Nelson Road.” I stood and offered Lucas my closed fist. “I’ll be fine.”

Lucas tapped his fist to mine. “Call me when you get home.”

After he left, I sat in my chair, not bothering to take off my bag, just staring at the hallway door. When George appeared, he was wearing that smile, that boyish, charming smile, the one that used to make my heart flutter.

“Hey, you,” he hummed, not noticing the stony expression I wore. “What d’you want for dinner? I heard about this great new restaurant-”

“Why the fuck did you do it?” I was on my feet, face burning. “Why the ever-loving fuck would you give those photos to someone to publish?”

He cleared his throat, shuffling his feet. “No, see, Buck-“

“Fucking explain it,” I interrupted, bringing my face to his. “Tell me why you would put me through absolute hell. Why you would do something that put my reputation, my job, my everything at risk.” I blinked, refusing to let this man see my tears. “Tell me, George.”

For the first time since we met, his face held no confidence, only panic. “See, this is what happens to women who-who sleep with Roy Kent,” he stammered. “Honestly, aren’t you glad you found out now and not later? That being with Roy Kent is the wrong thing for you?”

“Oh my fucking-” I felt like everything was spinning. “You absolute jackass,” I groaned. “You piece of absolute shit. Because you were jealous that I had sex with Roy Kent, you told the world I had sex with Roy Kent? And this was supposed to make me want to be with you? I should fucking-”

“Buck?” Roy stood in the doorway between our offices, eyes wide as he stared at me. “You alri-” His gaze landed on George. “Oh, you fucking twat.” He stormed across the office, putting himself between us, chest to chest with the reporter. “You have three seconds to get the fuck out of here, otherwise, I will cut off your-”

“Roy.” I pulled him back by the shoulder, shaking my head at him.

He immediately stepped back, eyes never leaving George’s face and fists staying clenched at his side.

I whirled back around on George. “You need to leave,” I said in my lowest voice. “And you need to never, ever fucking talk about me, think about me, or write about either of us ever again. Or I will hunt you down and show you why I led the NWSL in fouls in my first season.”

George scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Maybe the two of you deserve each other,” he grumbled, nodding towards Roy. “Two washed-up has-beens, coaching low-rate teams, trying to stay relevant. Apparently the only time you’re relevant is when you’re getting fucked by that broken old bastard. No wonder you want to keep him around.”

It had been a couple decades since the last time I punched a boy on the playground, probably after an insult much less vulgar than this one. But as I looked at the smug look on George Willows’s face, I definitely remembered how. My fist connected harshly with his jaw with a satisfying thump. He staggered backwards, clutching his face.

“Bitch,” he hissed, stumbling towards the door. “Fucking bitch.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled, cradling my fist in my other hand. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

We stood in silence as George trudged out, the sounds of his footsteps echoing through the otherwise empty halls. When I finally turned to look at Roy, he was already gazing at me with wide eyes, clutching his own jaw. The look of pure admiration in his eyes was almost enough to make me forget what I’d just learned.

“Fucking hell,” he breathed. “That might have been the coolest fucking shit I have ever seen.”

I blinked at him for a moment, ignoring the pain in my hand. “Did you know?” I asked softly, taking a step towards him.

He looked down at my hand, tentatively taking it and holding it up. “Let’s get you some fucking ice,” he murmured. His soft eyes met mine again. “And then I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

Roy kept my hand in his as he led me to the treatment room, only letting go so he could find an ice pack while I hopped up on the treatment table. He turned back to me, more confident now as he lifted my hand off my lap and pressed the ice pack to it, watching my face carefully as he continued to hold my hand. I scooched closer to the end of the table, letting my knees brush against the front of his thighs.

“I… asked Trent to do some digging,” he finally began. “And he called me after your press conference.”

“That was the phone call you got in the office.”

He nodded. “Yeah. Yeah.”

I tried to focus on his words instead of how incredibly close he was, close enough that I could feel his warm breath on my face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Think about it,” he chuckled glancing down at our hands. “You know I fucking hate the guy. You know I wasn’t… excited about you being with him.” He shrugged. “It’d look like I was just trying to break you up or some shit, like I was… I dunno…”

Like he was jealous.

“No, I get that.” I ducked my head, willing him to look me in the eye again. “So you told Lucas?”

He glanced up through his eyelashes. “So I told Lucas,” he confirmed. “Told him he could even call Trent if he wanted to confirm. You… you could call him too if you want. If you need to confirm.”

“I don’t need to.”

The corner of his mouth tugged upwards. “Well, I’m not going to pretend that seeing you punch that twat wasn’t the most bad-ass thing I’ve ever seen.” He cleared his throat. “But I am sorry it happened this way.” His eyes were again on our hands, his thumb slowly stroking my skin. “I… would never want to see you hurt.”

“Thank you.” I followed his gaze, a warmth filling my chest as I realized how nice his hand felt in mine. “Can I ask…” I trailed off.

“Anything.”

I wrinkled my nose, thinking for a moment. “Why’d you hate him in the first place? The whole thing with throwing a chair at him?” I couldn’t help but grin. “Which I now realize was probably well-deserved.”

He gave a full smirk now. “Fucking ’course it was,” he hummed. “It’s… pretty shitty, honestly.” With a sigh, he threw his head back, as if wondering where to start. “See, he always had some shit to say about my private life when I was a player. And it was really fucking annoying.” He scowled as he looked back down. “And, see, there was this whole thing… with Keeley… and some fucking video of her… a private video…”

“Oh.” It suddenly made sense why Keeley had fought so hard for me and my photos; fuck, I wanted to hug her.

“Yeah. We were already broken up, and it had nothing to do with me, but, you know, fucking hurt like hell to see her go through that.” He cleared his throat. “And George fucking Willows decided to ask me if I’d seen the video and if I knew who it was for. So, I threw my fucking chair at him.” He shook his head. “That’s why I was so pissed seeing the two of you together, even without… the gala stuff. And I should have fucking said something. Should’ve told you exactly the kind of shit he was from the moment he started sniffing around you. It’s my fucking fault.”

I shook my head. “Come on, Roy. You know I wouldn’t have believed you back then. I wouldn’t have even let you finish one sentence about him.”

After a heavy pause, Roy offered me a small smile. “We’ve… come a long fucking way, haven’t we?”

“Yeah.”

My heart hammered as we gazed at each other, holding hands in the quiet treatment room. It felt just like the night of my press conference, when we hugged in my office and just held each other. Quiet, calm, natural. Good. Like we weren’t dealing with all the shit we were dealing with, like we were just frozen in this moment. Like we could finally have a moment of peace.

“Any chance I could drive you home?” His soft eyes were begging me to say yes.

But the realization of everything that had just happened tonight came crashing down around me; as tempted as I was to accept the ride home, maybe suggest a detour to a pub, I knew I needed to say-

“Some other time.” I cleared my throat and nodded down to my hand. “Kind of want to walk. Just take the evening to myself. Get some rest. Ice this thing some more.”

If he was disappointed, he wasn’t going to tell me. “Yeah, I get that.” He stepped back and helped me down from the table. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”

I nodded. “Yeah.” I squeezed his hand before reluctantly letting go. “I’ll be at your match, by the way.”

“Well.” He smirked, flexing the hand I’d been holding. “Here’s hoping I can impress you as much as you impressed me the other night.”

My face warmed as I tried to figure out what to say; honestly, I just wanted to prolong our conversation, not say goodnight and walk out of this room and away from whatever moment we were having. Seeing Roy haloed in the fluorescent light, I wondered what would happen if I just leaned forward and-

“Oh.” Will stood in the doorway, holding a laundry basket. “Hello, coaches.”

Roy took a small step away from me, eyebrows raised. “Will.” His eyes shifted to me before returning to the kitman. “How much this did you hear this time?”

Will shrugged. “Walking home, going to the game, impressing each other.”

“Right.” Roy cleared his throat and turned back to me. “Goodnight, Coach. I’d shake your hand but…” He nodded to my hand, still red from the ice pack, and let out a little huff of a chuckle. “Anyways, goodnight.”

“Night,” I echoed, turning back to the door. “Goodnight, Will.”

He nodded to me, clearly trying not to grin. “Goodnight, Coach.”

As I walked out, I could hear Roy’s voice, rough and low.

“Will. Not a fucking word.”

“I know.”

~

Roy wasn’t sure the last time he’d been this nervous for a match. It had nothing to do with their opponent; he knew his team could beat Sheffield, that was no problem. But tonight she would be watching him, and that had him feeling a bit like he did when he was a young man and would have a girlfriend come watch him for the first time: giddy, excited, desperate to impress.

As he took his spot in the dugout, he found himself looking up into Rebecca’s box. Sure enough, there were both Whippets’ coaches, chattering with Rebecca and Ted and Keeley, laughter all around. His heart melted a little, seeing her so carefree, as if she hadn’t just been betrayed and wasn’t still being watched and judged. Ever since her press conference, she seemed to not care anymore; she ignored the papps who still wandered in the parking lot, she had told Keeley to not bother mentioning any Twitter trends, and she laughed at the cover of some magazine featuring an unflattering photo of her mid-sentence in that press conference.

Almost as if she could feel his gaze, she looked down at the dugout, locking eyes with Roy. Her red-lipped smile widened as she gave a little wave, one Roy found himself returning with a grin of his own. He ignored the clearly amused looks from his friends in the owner’s box, as well as the knowing chuckles from his fellow coaches. It was clear to everyone at Nelson Road that something had changed, and for once, Roy found that he didn’t care about people knowing his business.

Not when his business was her.

“I see we have some visitors,” Beard hummed, raising his eyebrows at Roy.

Roy shrugged, turning his attention to the pitch. “Yeah,” he murmured, wondering if his blush could be seen from the owner’s box. “Nice of them to come.”

The two assistant coaches exchanged grins, shaking their heads at the pleased expression Roy couldn’t quite hide.

To Roy’s delight, the Greyhounds outdid themselves, playing better than they had all season. It was almost as if the guys knew he was hoping to impress her; it wouldn’t completely surprise him if that was exactly the case. When the final whistle blew on a 4-1 win, Roy found his eyes gravitating to the owner’s box; she was already looking at him. She offered him a grin and a playful shrug, almost as if to say Yeah, you impressed me. He tapped his fingers to his temple, saluting up to her with a smirk.

He could get used to his, having her at his matches. He considered asking her to come again to bring him luck, because she clearly did tonight. He definitely felt damn lucky receiving that smile after a win.

His stride was uncharacteristically light as he entered the changing room, where he shouted compliments at his team, who were all wearing the most shit-eating grins he’d ever seen. Those grins only grew when the Whippet coaches popped in to offer their congratulations. As she went around giving hugs and high-fives to the team, Roy couldn’t help but notice the way her eyes kept shifting to find him; he was sure everyone else noticed too.

Finally, she approached him, offering her hand. “Good job out there, Coach.”

He gently shook her outstretched hand, melting a little at her wince. “Your hand alright?”

“Definitely bruised,” she mumbled, making a face. “But fucking worth it.”

Roy nodded. “Well, if you need some help icing it some more…”

“You’re my first call,” she assured him, smirking. They stayed there for a moment, exchanging smirks, fully aware of the eyes on them. It took Jamie asking if she saw his two goals to finally bring them back down to earth. After answering Jamie, she gave Roy a friendly little shove and turned to walk out.

“Oi.”

She stopped, looking back at him with a coolly raised eyebrow.

Roy shrugged, suddenly bashful. “So? Did I impress you?”

Her coy laugh had his heart stuttering. “I’ll let you know when you buy me that beer you owe me.” With a teasing wave, she linked arms with a smirking Lucas and strutted out, taking Roy’s gaze with her.

Shaking his head and chuckling to himself, Roy made his way to his office, where he found Ted, Beard, and Nate all waiting for him, expectation on their faces. He raised his eyebrows at them, closing the door behind him; he had a feeling he didn’t want the team to hear whatever this conversation was going to be.

“Yes?”

Ted spoke up. “Y’all are pretty darn cute together.”

Roy scoffed, pretending he didn’t love hearing the word together. “Fuck off,” he mumbled, not really meaning it as he took his seat.

Nate leaned on his desk dreamily. “You ask her out yet?”

“No.” He glanced down at his hands, thinking about holding hers. “Should I?”

“Yes,” all three men practically shouted.

Beard leaned back in his chair. “Roy, it’s pretty damn obvious the two of you like each other,” he pointed out. “You two’ve been very friendly, smiling at each other like you’re a couple of kids. And tonight she was like your own personal cheerleader. Please put us all out of our misery and ask that woman out.”

For once, Roy didn’t argue. Instead, he looked at his friends with something close to anxiety in his eyes. “How?” He cleared his throat. “Everything that’s happened… Don’t think I can just walk up and say ‘Hey let’s go to dinner and a fucking movie’, now can I?”

“That’s true,” Beard murmured, raising his eyebrows at Ted. “Sounds like what Roy needs is a…”

Ted snapped his fingers. “Grand gesture.”

Roy wrinkled his nose. “Excuse me?”

“Y’all are in the third act of your love story,” Ted explained, practically bouncing. “The rules of rom-communism state you need a grand gesture to show her how ya feel, somethin’ special and big, like- like runnin’ through the airport or holdin’ a boom box over your head or paying the dowry for her teenage sister to marry a slimy soldier.” He shrugged. “Show her how important and special she is to you.”

“Grand gesture,” Roy mumbled, tapping his fingers on his desk. “Grand fucking gesture.”

Sure. Roy could do that- right?

~

The following week was a blur of football, the announcement that Ted Lasso would be coming back onboard as a scout for both teams, continuing to field annoying questions from journalists, and, dare I say, flirting with Roy Kent. We had resumed running together in the evenings, time now filled with making fun of the reality tv playing in front of us as we pretended that we weren’t eyeing each other yearningly. Well, maybe I was the only one yearning; while I definitely caught his eyes leaving a burning trail down my body as I ran on the treadmill, he still hadn’t mentioned that freaking beer he promised me. Even after I took him up on his offer to drive me home a couple of times, he always stopped right in front of my building and wished me a good evening before I hopped out of the car.

Maybe we were friends. That was good, right? After all this time, being friends with Roy Kent was a relief to everyone at the Dog Track.

But damn, I thought as I sat at home on that late Friday afternoon, listening to the sounds of the rain that had us calling an early weekend, our first free one in a while- I didn’t want to be just friends with Roy Kent.

Underneath all the shit that had made me hate him for months, there was something special, as Ted as said. Roy was kind. Caring. Passionate. Almost funny. He loved his team and his friends and his adorable little niece. He completely understood my pain about retirement and the determination to stay close to the game. He’d been protective of me and supported me and, hell, even inspired me.

And the tabloids would be thrilled to hear that I thought he was fantastic in bed.

Fuck, I realized with a groan as I slumped further into my couch. My dumb ass loves Roy fucking Kent.

What the hell was I supposed to do with that?

The afternoon wore on, with the rain coming down progressively harder as I tried to distract myself with a movie and my playbook. But my mind kept wandering back to those brown eyes and that bearded smile, reevaluating every interaction we’d ever had, right back to that first night in the club. Clearly Roy was attracted to me; that had been pretty clear from the start, even when we were constantly arguing. But did he like me?

As I wondered about all the smiles and looks he’d been giving me lately, a timid knock at my door sent me jumping. Probably Lucas, I thought as I stood, adjusting my Richmond fleece sweater. We hadn’t said we wanted to hang out tonight, but he could always be counted on to randomly stop by with food and a movie.  

But when I opened the door, there was no one in front of me. I frowned, ready to turn around and close the door, but something at my feet caught my eye: a small box, darkened by the rain, with a folded note taped to the top. I bent down and opened the note; its sloppy writing read:

I hope you never play nice again. Except maybe with me.

“The fuck?” I breathed. I bent down again to open the box and stood up holding a black and white soccer ball. As I turned it over in my hands, I slowly began to realize it had writing all over it: autographs. The names were familiar to me: Julie Foudy. Kristine Lilly. April Heinrichs. Mia Hamm. Brandi Chastain.

The 1991 United States Women’s Team.

I looked back at the note, realizing I knew that handwriting.

Roy.

I quickly shoved the ball and note back into the box and tossed it inside, stepping in only to put on the sneakers I kept by the door. Not caring about putting on a coat or checking my hair, I ran outside as fast as my stupid ankle could carry me, immediately finding myself drenched in the rain. I looked both ways, my heart sinking when I realized how empty the street was. Finally, I saw that giant black car, the one that had brought me home earlier that afternoon. And walking towards it was someone in a black leather jacket.

“Kent!” I called out, breaking into a full sprint, ankle throbbing. “Fucking Kent!”

The figure stopped, tense and motionless. Roy turned around, brown eyes wide as I kept racing to him. He walked towards me until we stood face to face. He studied my face as I put my hands on my hips, breathing hard from the run, pretending that my ankle wasn’t killing me.

“You alright?”

I shook my head. “The fucking… the ball. You won it? Back at the gala?”

“No, actually.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, looking pitiful and beautiful with the rain dripping down his bearded face. “I did put a bid on it. But I got outbid.” He cleared his throat, bouncing slightly. “So I tracked down the wanker who won it. Had to pay twice as much as he did, and I’ve got to make an appearance at his idiot kid’s birthday party but…” He shrugged. “D’you like it?”

“Yeah.” I nodded feverishly, the nervousness in his eye making me desperate to assure him. “Fucking love it. But why…” I stared up at him, resisting the urge to wipe the rain off his cheeks. “Why would you do all that?”

His eyes roamed my face, as though searching for something. Finding whatever it was he was looking for, he took a miniscule step closer, our bodies nearly touching. “Because that team… it means something to you. And you… well, you mean something to me.”

I swallowed hard, not caring about how drenched I would be by the time I got back to my apartment, or that I hadn’t locked the door behind me, or the fact that anyone could walk by and see us. All I cared about was hearing whatever Roy Kent had to say. “I do?”

He nodded anxiously. “Yeah.” He put an uncertain hand on my arm, watching me carefully for a reaction. When all I did was continue to gaze up at him with what I knew were adoring eyes, he went on. “Right. Just… just let me say this, alright? And then you can tell me to fuck off and we- we can go back to ignoring each other, or this friendship thing, whatever you want, I honestly don’t-”

“Roy?” I raised my eyebrows, desperate for him to keep going.

“Right, right.” He took a deep breath, hand still on my arm. “I feel about you the same way I did the night of the charity gala. I just think you are the most incredible woman I have ever met. I fucking admire you, all that you’ve done and all that you are. And I care about you, so fucking much.” His hand left my shoulder to cup my cheek, his grip soft and warm and everything good. “I cared about you the night of the gala. Probably cared about you for a long fucking time before that, but I was too stupid and prideful to realize it until we were already in the middle of everything. And my biggest regret in all of this was not waking up before you so I could keep you in my bed and make you breakfast and assure you that you were never going to be a one-night stand. You never fucking could be.” He shook his head gently. “Not you, Buck.”

Roy ducked his head and brought his face to mine, moving slowly, almost as if he was trying to give me a chance to stop him. Instead, I grabbed him by his jacket and pulled him to me, crashing my mouth into his in the most desperate kiss I’d ever felt. My head turned light as my body remembered Roy and his hands and his mouth and his body, as if it had missed him even more than my heart had. Suddenly, I recalled what I’d thought the night of the gala, as he kissed me for the first time on his couch.

Roy Kent was everything I never knew I needed.

His other hand grabbed my hip, tugging me flush against himself, humming a little as my lips parted for him. The rain poured down on us, drops of water sliding between our faces, but neither of us seemed to notice; we were too wrapped up in finally, fucking finally, winning. When his tongue gently brushed against mine, I gave a soft groan; fuck, I’d forgotten the beautiful taste of Roy Kent.

I’d kissed plenty of men plenty of times. Hell, I’d kissed Roy plenty of times the night of the gala. But, as his fingertips dug into my hip, I realized how starved I’d been for this kiss, the one that held way too much heat and way too much affection. How long had I been waiting for it? Since the press conference? Since the gala? Since the first time I saw him shirtless on a treadmill? Or from that first time I spotted him at that club, leaning against the bar, miserable and rude as hell?

His hand slid from my hip to my back, trying to pull me closer, if that was even possible. Somewhere in the kiss, I lost track of whose heartbeat was whose; my entire body was pulsing and tingling. The rain sounded so faint and far away compared to the sound of Roy’s breathing and soft groans against my mouth. I wanted to swallow those groans, to rip off that leather jacket, to let myself have everything I’d been stupid enough to deny myself all these weeks.

Sensing that I probably couldn’t handle much more, lest we really give the paparazzi something to publish, Roy pulled back, face soaked and smiling. “Fucking hell,” he whispered, his thumb stroking my face. “I take it you don’t want to just be friends then?”

I laughed, probably the most real laugh I’d felt in a while, and gave his jacket a playful tug. “Fuck no. Who’d want to be friends with Roy Kent?”

He leaned down and kissed me again, slowly, tenderly this time, smile pressing against smile. “Play nice,” he mumbled against my mouth. “Or I’m taking my football home.”

“How about I play nice,” I murmured as I leaned back, smirking, “if you finally take me out for that beer you’ve been teasing me with? I believe you still owe me one, Kent.”

Roy smiled and let me go, taking my non-bruised hand and interlocking our fingers. “Fuck that,” he chuckled. “Everything we’ve been through, I’m buying you a whole damn bar.”

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#roy kent something there #he's here he's there he's every fucking where #roy kent #roy kent x reader #roy kent fanfic #roy kent fic #roy kent fanfiction #ted lasso fanfiction #ted lasso fanfic #ted lasso fic #ted lasso

[aphroditesmoon]

heaven :-♡

gwen stacy x fem!reader

summary: you love eachother, just maybe not enough.

warnings; angst, hurt/comfort, lowkey manipulative reader (not w gwen), canon divergence, atsv spoilers.

wc: 2k

"NOW I BEND LIKE A WILLOW THINKING OF YOU, LIKE A MURMURING BROOK CURVING ABOUT YOU, AS I SIP THE REST OF THE COFFEE YOU LEFT, A KISS LEFT FOR YOU."

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎○○○○○○○○▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

THE FIRST TIME you were sure that you loved Gwen Stacy was when she had put herself before you from an arrow aimed straight at your heart. “I could’ve handled it.” Your voice was more devastated than angry. Because how can you be angry at someone who took an arrow for you. She bled out a little too much for your liking. The wound wasn’t deathly, as everyone said. But you trembled anyways, and you cursed her for trying to be heroic.

When she woke up 2 hours after her wounds cleaned up and sewn together, she saw you cry for the first time since she’s known you.

The annoying beeping sound of the machine by her side wasn’t helping. But as she opened her eyes to you with a teasing grin, pale face glowing under the illuminating white lights of the medical room and her fingers curled gently around your tightly closed fist, you relaxed. “Stop trying to get yourself killed. Cheating death is my thing, not yours.” You had tried to joke with her, failing terribly when the words came out wobbly and upset.

“If I had known you would’ve missed having me around so much, I wouldn’t have tried.” She responded hoarsely. You let out a small choked laugh and shook your head. “If you wanted my attention so badly, you could’ve just asked.” Gwen chuckles tiredly, her eyes strained themselves to be kept open.  

You had stayed with her the whole evening until she was finally feeling better. The whole night was spent in silence, after. Neither of you had felt the need to say anything in between the mutually understanding of longingly shared looks and glances. And when she let herself lean against you, your arms moving to wrap around her felt like it made most sense than anything else in the world.

The first time she knew she loved you was when she had took a visit to your room, and a painting of her that was still in the works, stood in the middle like an masterpiece under a spotlight. And she realized that she loved the way you saw her, and she’d like to love you the same way you did.

You painted her the same way you had perceived her, the blue-eyed girl with so much good and bravery in her only someone who knew her as deep as they loved her could have seen. The painting was hung next to a portrait of your dead father. And that night, she had kissed you on top of your roof as the clock stroke 12 with the background noises of loud New Year house parties in your neighborhood. The both of you had gotten to know eachother with your lips and your hands holding onto the other like a sinking ship while the fireworks and night stars watches from the sky.

The last time you saw Gwen Stacy, you only let your gaze soften and holding hers for less than a second before looking back down to your hands, avoiding her gaze. You hear her voice for the last time as Miguel is relentless in sending her back to her universe, despite everyone in the room knowing the risks. “I thought we were supposed to be the good guys.” She thought wrong. Or at least, she understood Miguel wrongly. His role is to uphold the system, letting things fall into place at it should be, whether it be a good thing, or the opposite.

“We are the good guys.” The larger man had said before repeating it louder. He had misunderstood himself too.

Sure, it was a leader’s job to get his own hands dirty for the greater good. But what he’s truly fighting for, was the consequences of his own actions. A consequence that forced him to believe that others could not possibly achieve what he could not. A projection of his own guilt and insecurity.

 He had looked at you differently then, your loyalty was made clear with your silence. But not a lot of people understand that sometimes cowardice is often mistaken as confidence in one’s decisions. You should have done something, you should have gone after her, should’ve spoken up to Miguel and told him you wanted nothing to do with this betrayal. But you were afraid that he was right. You have lost your own father as a canon event, what makes Miles any different?

4 days have passed since the incident. Miles Morales was still missing, unidentified in his universe. 

Miguel O’hara and Jessica Davis along with 5 other spidermen have made their move, splitting up and jumping from universe to universe. They had started their search in earth 42 once they had realize that he wasn’t in his own universe. And yet, the most expected outcome was proven wrong. Not a single trace of him was found there, every single cameras were shown to be a clean slate, not a single abnormality.

The Miles they had found there was not the Miles they wanted.

“It’s impossible.” Miguel had stated. “It’s almost like he was never born.” But he did, the crying and praying existence of his parents had proven that. And yet all records and all signs of him had disappeared.  “Someone must’ve meddled with the footages and paperwork when we were gone.” You suggested surely. He has snapped his head towards you, brows burrowed in confusion. “Someone, from the inside.” He says slowly, turning back again to his desk, thinking hard. “Someone who knows how to handle the technology here.” You added, watching the gears in his brain work. “Someone…” You tried slowly. “…who could’ve stopped him in the first place, but didn’t.” You watch his head flinch as he processes your accusation. “Margo."

"That’s it, it had to be her.” His eyes widen and he no longer second guesses his words.

“We need to find her, and interrogate her.” He decided then. You nodded absent-mindedly, walking closer to the door of his office.

“Her parents are gonna freak if their daughter disappears.” You say it like you cared, like you had hoped he would care. But you didn’t really, and you know he wouldn’t. “I don’t care.”  And so Margot was taken into the Spider-Society physically for the first time to be held against her will for interrogation.

If it were any other spider-person, Miguel would’ve already used drastic measures. But with Margo, who’s fear was so visible, and intentions so obviously genuine, he gave in. He had made sure to be the one doing the interrogation, a glass room where no one else was allowed into. And he had pleaded, begged, scolded, and yelled for her to give him something he could work with. But she insisted that her worst crime in the society was not holding Miles back when she could’ve.

How he manages to still be this patient, you’re not sure. The bags under his eyes were getting more visible, and his snapping are more frequent. “What do you even gain from keeping secrets for him?” He had questioned her. “Neither of you owe eachother anything. And when I have to clean up the mess for his choices, you will bear the guilt and everything that comes with it as an accomplice.” 

Margot says nothing, She sulks as he speaks, until finally you watch how she raises her head to look at the reflective glass, staring straight at you as if you’re visible in her line of sight.

Miguel sighs and make a move to leave the room when suddenly, the electricity dies, and darkness envelopes every part of the building. The glass door was automatically locked. "What the fuck-"

 You take a deep breath, immediately walking away from Miguel’s calling, straight to the camera supervision. The usually blue lit area was as dark as a moonless night. You pulled out Margo’s computer with her own separate wiring from the other computers that’s directly wired to the building’s electricity.

There is less than 6 minutes before the electricity is back on again. You pulled out a paper and a pen as the today’s 15 hours recording of CCTV loads. Your hands moves quickly to jot down the hours and seconds of every recording Miles Morales in it with the accurate transcription of his whereabouts. The files were then immediately deleted. The computer being shut off and placed back where you found it. You wipe your hands on your thighs, as if cleaning the evidence off of you. Taking a step back after you fixed the computer back on it’s place, your breath hitched.

You stiffen as you take in the presence of another person. “Took you long enough.” Gwen Stacy stands behind you fully masked. “Don’t talk to me like you’re on my side.” She snaps. “I am.” You don’t turn out as your hand raises up, waving the folded paper in the air. Gwen snatches it from you and unfolds it to give it a glace through. “How did you know I was coming?” She asks finally.

3 more minutes.

“The same way I know your dad is still alive, I keep tabs.” Feeling the tension softly loosen, you drop your shoulders, breathing out a tired sigh while you spin yourself to be face to face with her. “Is this supposed to be an apology?” Gwen asks. You say nothing, waiting for her to continue. “Cause it’s a shitty one.” You smiled.

You didn’t need to see her face to know that she was frowning, to know that she was angry. “You didn’t care about me 3 days ago, why now.” Your expression is stoic as your smile fades off. “I’ve always cared about you. I also just happen to care about my job just as much.” Gwen scoffs. “Then why are you helping me, if you care so much about what Miguel thinks.”  You shrugged. “I know whatever I say wouldn’t have been able to convince you to let Miles go.” Gwen beings to move, walking in circles around you, step by step. “Nothing can get me to give up on someone I care about.”

“Then there’s your answer.” Gwen shook her head to herself, eyes flinching away from yours. “Prove it, leave.” Your eyes shut themselves off tightly. "Gwen-“

“No, you said you cared for me. Then, choose me. No more half-assed, push and pull kind of love. Choose me, and stick with me.” You open your eyes to meet hers that were already looing at you.  “You want me to give away all of my whole life, for what?” “For us!” She whisper-shouts in frustration. “No, for him.” You pressed.

Her face changed under the mask. Every expression she makes, was engraved in your head, to know someone from their littlest to their biggest and still be in a position where you realize that you might had not know her at all.

“He’s not your responsibility, Gwen. Why fight for him?” Gwen is silent. “Why fight every battle except ours? He owes you nothing.”

Every second you had decided to side with Gwen before this, you had not regretted them. But you had chosen her over everything since the moment you met. You had risked your life, your job, your fate, to side with her. And now, once again, she asks you to choose her. Despite the risks, despite what it would mean for you. “Choose me.” You repeat her words, watching her step back in hesitation, a knife through your chest.  

“There it is.” You whisper, barely audible for her, but she heard you anyways. You smiled bitterly and counted down the last one minute in your head. “If you come back here again, he won’t let you leave. And he won’t go easy.” Gwen snaps out of her trance and twists and turn the handmade watch Hobie had given her, disappearing in a strike of light. She was gone before either of you could have said or looked at the other in a way you both knew would hurt. Lights begin to flicker to life, a queue for you to run back towards the mess you made in the name of love, and accept the fact that it hadn’t been enough, all of it was as good as nothing. But she was safe, and you had given her the last bit of yourself that you had afforded to risk for her.

#gwen stacy fanfiction #gwen stacy x reader #spider gwen #gwen stacy #ghost spider #atsv #across the spiderverse #atsv spoilers

[nicoline1998enilocin]

Special treatment

PAIRING | Steve Rogers x Female!Reader

WORD COUNT | 3.1K

SUMMARY | After being retired for 5 years, Steve asks you to join the Avengers on a mission. You ask him not to give you any special treatment, but he feels very protective over you and can't help but keep an eye on you throughout the whole mission.

WARNING(S) | This is your official trigger warning, do not proceed if any of these topics upset you. Mention of kidnapping, mention of miscarriages, mentions of rape resulting in an unwanted pregnancy.

Likes and reblogs will be very much appreciated 💜

Main Masterlist | Steve Rogers Masterlist

''I don't know, Steve, there's a reason I've been retired for 5 years. You do remember I retired, right?'' you ask him with a scowl. ''Yeah, of course, I remember, it's not the same without you in the Compound,'' he says with a slight blush on his face. He has never quite gotten over the crush he has on you, even after you moved on from your role as an Avenger. ''But I think it's really for the best if you return for this one mission, we could use your help, Sunshine.'' You shook your head because you weren't sure if you were ready to go back into it like this. You never fully recovered from the incident that pushed you to leave. Besides, you had someone else to think about now too.

While Steve talks on, you can't help but think about the events leading up to your retirement, and why you left everyone without so much as a goodbye. You were captured by HYDRA during a mission and held captive for nearly 6 months without being able to leave your room. Due to your super soldier genes - you were born as one, unlike Bucky and Steve - they tried to breed you until they figured out a way to get more super soldiers this way. The first few months were very unsuccessful, eventually leading to a miscarriage each time. This broke you physically, mentally, and emotionally, but you kept going, fighting until they could find you, and they did. After almost 6 months, the Avengers found you, and Steve was there to save you.

It turns out that during the last insemination they did, they were indeed successful in breeding you. At that point, you were 6 weeks pregnant with your daughter, who you decided to keep even though the pregnancy wasn't wanted. You couldn't get yourself to get an abortion and wanted to give your baby a fair chance at a beautiful life. Now, your daughter was almost 5 years old, and she was the absolute best thing that has ever happened to you. However, the Avengers never even knew you were pregnant, except for Tony. He is the only one besides you who knows about her existence. He was both happy and sad at the same time, but he promised to take care of both of you for as long as necessary, and he never wavered from that promise.

''Can I think about it before I give you an answer?'' you ask him, you need to discuss this before you say yes, even though you kind of want to. ''Of course Sunshine, but we need an answer soon so you can be briefed with the rest of the Avengers. They would love to see you again too, by the way, they all miss you,'' he said in a last effort to convince you to do it. ''I'll let you know tomorrow,'' you said with a little smirk on your face. You and Steve catch up a little more before you have to go, you have to pick up your daughter from school. ''It was really good to see you again, Steve. I'll let you know tomorrow about the mission,'' you say before giving him a big hug, he squeezes you a little before letting go. ''Alright, take care Sunshine,'' he says before you get into your car and drive off.

When you're waiting for your daughter to get out of school, you decide to text Tony. You need to talk it over with someone, and he seems to be the best option right now, none of your other friends would likely understand what you're going through.

Y/N: Hi Tony, dinner at my place tonight? Need to discuss something. Also, Willow misses you and wants to see her favorite uncle!

Tony: I miss my little Willow tree as well, so I'll be there. I'll bring take-out and wine at 7.

You smile at your phone, and before you can answer him, she comes running out of school. ''Hi Willow, how was your day today? Did you have lots of fun?'' you ask her and she runs into your arms for a hug. ''Yeah, we did some math today and it was VERY hard!'' she said with a scowl on her face, which made you laugh. ''I get it, I don't like it either. Shall we go home? Uncle Tony is coming over tonight so we have to make sure the house is ready!'' As soon as you mentioned, Tony, she ran off to your car, she couldn't wait to see him, the two of them honestly have the best bond together. ''Is Uncle Tony coming for dinner?'' she asks and you nod. ''I have to make him a surprise,'' she said when she sat down in the car seat, already talking about what drawing she will make for him.

~ That same evening ~

Like clockwork, Tony rang your doorbell at exactly 7 PM, making you jump a little because you didn't know it was already time. You were wearing a simple outfit that was nice enough to welcome guests in, but not too nice since you would be lounging around the house anyways. Willow ran to the door to greet him, she's been impatiently waiting on the couch for the last 15 minutes and sprinted to the door. ''UNCLE TONY!'' she said before jumping into his arms, he put the bags of take-out on the floor before he rang the doorbell, already suspecting this would happen. ''Hey little Willow tree, how was school today?'' he said, and he blushed a little when she planted a big kiss on his cheek. ''It was not good, had to learn very difficult math today and it was no fun,'' she explained, making him laugh.

She finally let him in the door and you were getting 2 wine glasses ready as well as a cup of apple juice for Willow. ''Hi Sunshine,'' Tony said when entered the dining room, which was connected to the open kitchen. ''Hey Tony, thanks for coming over at such short notice, I hope Pepper didn't mind,'' you said with a small smile on your face. ''She's out with her girlfriends tonight, so I had the house all to myself anyways. At least now I have something fun to do!'' he said and he put the bags down. You walked over to him and wrapped your arms around his shoulders, pulling him in for a much-needed hug. ''I missed you,'' you tell him, ''I really need to discuss something,''. All three of you sit down and discuss what Steve asked this afternoon.

''I think you should do it, Sunshine, I do,'' he says when you're done talking. ''Not only might it be good for you to get out of the house to do something other than your usual routine, I think it would be good for you to see everyone again, we all miss you,'' he says, a little bit of sadness visible in his eyes. ''And we could use your help during this mission, Steve wouldn't shut up about him going to ask you for the past few days, it was getting unbearable at this point,'' he mentioned which made both of you laugh loud. ''Okay, I'll do it, thank you for the advice,'' you said before lifting your glass of wine to your mouth, thinking about what it would be like to get back into the field.

~ The next day ~

Y/N: Good morning Captain, I've thought about it and made some arrangements, so I'll be coming on the mission. When do you need me to be at the Compound?

Steve: Good morning Sunshine! The briefing is at 2 this afternoon. See you then!

Y/N: I'll be there, and I'll bring pastries to make sure they'll welcome me back with open arms 😉

Steve: We will always welcome you back Sunshine, no matter what ❤️

You smile at the last text Steve sent you, even though you left without saying goodbye, you knew there would always be a place for you at the Avengers when you needed it most. In all honesty, you did miss it, the missions, the fun moments, the whole gang together, but you needed to take care of yourself first. Tony told them that they were shocked and didn't understand it, but they all respected your decision to retire right then and there. ''Gonna miss my Sunshine now,'' Steve said when he heard, and he was heartbroken, but he did stay in touch with you over the years. Even though you didn't see each other often, you always felt happy and safe in his presence.

When it's time for you to get ready for the Compound, you're looking through your wardrobe for an outfit that isn't leggings and a sweater, which is basically what you live in now. You decide on a casual outfit with Chelsea boots, ripped jeans, a beige shirt, a green cardigan, and a brown hat that matches your shoes. You put it on and instantly feel like your old self again, you haven't felt like this in a long time. You grab your purse and phone and walk to the bakery near your house to get the promised pastries. You pick up quite a variety, ending up with 4 boxes of pastries that will be without a doubt devoured before the end of the meeting. You put them in your car and make your way to the Compound, Steve made sure you could enter without a problem.

You arrive 30 minutes early, so you immediately go to the conference room to put the pastries down for now. Since there's nobody there yet you decide to see if Tony is in his office. You knock on the door and he orders you to come in. ''Are you always that grumpy to your best Avenger?'' you say with a huge smile, and when he lifts his eyes to you, his whole posture and face immediately soften. ''Sunshine, what a nice surprise! You look stunning today, what's the occasion?'' he says with a wink. ''Oh, just wanted to look good for my pastry delivery is all,'' you said with a chuckle. ''I was here earlier than planned so I decided to come by your office and see if you wanted to come down to the conference room with me, have first dibs on the pastries,'' you said and he agreed.

You make your way back down to the conference room and no one's there yet to your surprise, so you just sit down and chat with Tony a little bit. Around 1:50 PM more Avengers are coming into the room, all of them very surprised at your attendance for this briefing. You give all of them a big hug and tell each of them how much you've missed them over the last few years. When Bucky walks in, your eyes light up immediately and you almost jump into his arms. ''Hi doll,'' he whispers in your ear, before giving a soft kiss behind it. ''Not here!'' you whisper back before giving him a big hug. You and Bucky have been in a friends-with-benefits relationship for around 7 years, and it still works out great for both of you, even though you don't see each other as often as you'd like.

The last one to enter the room is Steve, the person who asked you to join the mission. ''Hey Sunshine, you look gorgeous today,'' he says before pulling you in for a hug, which you happily give back to him. ''Thank you again for doing this,'' he said with your face in his hands. ''Of course, I'm glad I can help,''. you say before sitting down, and Steve starts the briefing. ''So, as you all have noticed, Y/N is here with a special reason. I've asked her to join us on this mission, because we could use her help, it's going to be a difficult one this time,'' he said before explaining the whole mission to everyone. When the briefing is over you quickly walk out of the conference room followed by Bucky, seeing how the briefing was shorter than intended. Steve wanted to tell you something, but you were gone before he had the chance.

~ During the mission ~

''Please, be careful Y/N!'' Steve said in your earpiece, making you roll your eyes. ''Steve, how many times do you need me to tell you I didn't want any special treatment? I can take care of myself! Now please be silent, otherwise, you don't have a sniper on this roof anymore,'' you sneer at him. You told him you didn't want any special treatment, you're the best sniper the Avengers ever had, and being a former assassin also worked heavily in your favor during this one. ''Sorry...'' he said with a soft voice, making Bucky chuckle next to you. ''It's unbelievable, even after all these years he's still overly protective over you,'' he said, never losing focus on the target. ''It's sweet, but it can be a bit much sometimes,'' you say with a sigh.

The mission was successful, and you were happy to be back on the quinjet so you could get out of your tactical gear. You were done sooner than expected so you let Pepper know that you would pick up Willow from school yourself. ''Why are you changing now, Sunshine, there's more than enough time to do it back at the Compound,'' Steve asked. You didn't quite hear who it was, so you just said ''I have to pick up Willow from school,'' and suddenly you heard multiple gasps behind you. ''Who's Willow?'' Steve asked curious. ''I-, uh... Well, it's a bit of a long story, but she's my daughter. She's almost 5 now, and the reason I retired without saying goodbye,'' you said with a deep crimson color on your face. ''When I was captured, HYDRA agents raped me and impregnated me to breed more super soldiers like me, and that is why I have a beautiful daughter named Willow now,'' you explained.

''HYDRA doesn't know about her existence, Tony made sure that all the evidence about her was wiped from their systems. He's also the only one who knew about her existence, as well as the fact that I retired to give her a beautiful life,'' you say with a combination of sadness, heartbreak, and proudness at the same time. ''I've practically raised her alone these last few years, but Tony helps out financially, after that mission it was hard for me to get out of the house and get a job, so thanks to him I am a stay-at-home-mom now,'' you say with a smile, thinking about Willow and everything that led to this point. ''I didn't know, I'm so sorry that happened to you,'' Steve said with tears in his eyes, pulling you in for a tight hug. ''It's okay Captain, I've been dealing with this for the last few years and have accepted that it happened, I can live without any regrets now. And honestly, it was kind of nice to get back into the field with all of you again,'' you say with a smile on your face.

~ 2 weeks later ~

Willow's school was closed for the day due to really bad weather, so you asked Steve if you could bring her by the Compound to meet all of the Avengers. Ever since you told them you have a daughter, they have all been dying to meet her. ''Are you ready to go meet some more of mine and Uncle Tony's friends?'' you ask her and she happily nods. She was wearing a brightly colored dress with her sparkling rain boots, which she wanted to show off to everyone. ''Alright, let's go then,'' you say and you walk her to your car and strap her in the car seat. It is about a 45-minute drive to the Compound and you're glad Willow fell asleep for a quick nap, so she would have more energy when meeting all of the Avengers. When you arrived she was still asleep, but you got her out anyways, she kept sleeping in your arms.

You entered the Compound with Willow in your arms, walking to the elevator. When the ding of the elevator sounded, she woke up and was a bit confused about where she was, but quickly remembered where you were going. ''Welcome back, baby, you fell asleep! Are you feeling better now?'' you ask before moving some curls out of her face, she happily nodded. When the elevator reached the floor where the living room was, you got out, excited to see everyone. You wore heels today so everyone heard you walking towards them. ''Hi everyone!'' you said and waved at them, not being able to give hugs with Willow in your arms. ''Hi...'' Willow said with a soft, shy voice, and it made you chuckle. ''Everyone, this is Willow, my beautiful daughter,'' you said with a proud look on your face.

Everyone came up to you and Willow and introduced themselves, and just like you, she took an immediate liking to two certain super soldiers. Bucky almost melted at how cute she is, making you wonder what happened to him. ''Are you okay, Buck?'' you say chuckling, and all he can do is nod and adore your daughter. When it is time to see Steve, she immediately stretches out her arms to be held by him, and you let her. ''Hi, I'm Steve! It's nice to meet you, Willow,'' he said. ''No, you're Captain America!'' she said and it made everyone laugh uncontrollably. ''You're completely right, I AM Captain America, but my real name is Steve,'' he explained to her, she listened intently to every word he said.

When she said hello to everyone and got settled a little, you sat down on the couch to talk with everyone, telling them all about Willow and how she was growing up. They couldn't get enough of her, and by the time it was dinner time, she was exhausted and fell asleep on your lap. ''Do you want to stay for dinner?'' Steve asked, and you happily agreed, you missed the family dinners with all of them, and now that Willow was there too, it was perfect. When it was finally time to go home, Steve walked you out. ''I'm glad to have met her, she's just like you,'' he said, softly brushing her cheek. You put her in your car seat and gave Steve a big hug. ''Thank you so much for inviting me to the mission, and showing me what I missed out on,'' you say and kiss him on his cheek, making him turn deep red. ''Still not over your crush, I see,'' you tease him, leaving him behind with a pair of wide eyes and confused about how you know about his crush. You stepped into your car and drove home, waving at him and thinking back to the amazing day you both had.

#steve rogers #steve rogers x female reader #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers x y/n #steve rogers x reader #captain america

[specialagentlokitty]

Giles x reader - spectacular

Hi im the one that asked for more Giles sorry I don't speak english very well so I don't know how to write this the prompt 15 from your 2024 prompt list and the reader being a vampire or a shapeshifer or something like that and english not being their first language - Anon💜

15: “What is it about (Y/N) you love so much?” “Aside from being the most spectacular person I have ever met, everything. I just wish there was a way I could say that.” “Turn around.”

A/N: italics will be a different language, whatever one y’all want it to be!

Walking into the shop, you made your way down the steps and over to the counter where Anya was standing.

“Rupert?” You asked.

She looked up, pointing to the back room.

“I think Giles is back there in not sure.”

You nodded, making your way into the back room where Giles was setting up some training equipment.

“Ah, thank you for coming, I realise this isn’t exactly how you enjoy your spend your time but we could really use the help.”

You sat down on the couch, and he walked over, sitting next to you.

“I think I know what kind of demon we’re looking for, but I can’t be so sure, I was wondering if you’ve seen anything like this before.”

He handed you a sketch, and you took it, looking at it.

“He’s ugly.”

Giles chuckled a little bit, nodding his head.

“Yeah, not the best looking demon there is that’s for sure.”

You grinned a little at him, handing the photo back to him.

Your English wasn’t the best, you knew some, but for the most part you stuck to speaking the language you were born speaking.

Giles on the other hand couldn’t speak your language very well, but he understood it, he could read it and understand what you were saying if you spoke slowly.

“I have seen him before, yes. Deals with uh… my kind… shapeshifters.” You said.

Giles nodded his head.

“So a shapeshifter is doing this?”

“Yes.”

Giles glanced at you.

“Would you know why? Or who? How to kill it?”

You nodded quickly and you jumped up, walking over to the weapons on the wall.

You searched them carefully before stepping aside, gesturing to one of them and he walked over to pick it up.

“Silver?”

“Yes, silver burns is shapeshifters, and the demons we summon.”

He nodded.

You looked at him, and you tapped his chest with a finger, right above his heart, and then you tapped his forehead.

“You go for heart or brain, like a vampire.”

Giles smiled at you.

“Thank you (Y/N).”

You smiled back and you looked around before turning your gaze to him.

“I’ll go see if I can find the demon or the person who summoned him.”

Giles nodded, watching as you changed forms in a blink of an eye, standing before him as a raven.

It was your favourite form to take, you enjoyed being able to get high into sky, get a better view of everything.

He held his arm out and you flew up, perching on his forearm, letting out a small caw, and you looked at him, tilting your head a little.

He walked out the room, and over to the front door, opening it and stepping outside.

“I’ll be here.”

You hopped down his arm, and then you took flight, circling a few times before you took off to go find the newest threat to Sunnydale.

Giles smiled to himself as he watched you fly away.

“Giles?”

“Buffy?”

He turned to look at her, and they walked into the shop again.

“Was that (Y/N)?” She asked.

“Ah yes, I thought perhaps she would have some insight and she did. She is going to try find the demon or the one who summoned it.”

She nodded and they sat down at the table, waiting for the others to arrive so he could share the information you had shared with him to them.

He told them what you had told him, and that you were going to find to find out what you could do they waited there for you.

Giles was looking through books, separating them into two different piles.

“What’re you doing?” Willow asked.

He glanced at her, smiling a little as he set a book aside.

“(Y/N) asked me for a few books I think that she would like.”

Willow grinned a little bit as he reached for his cup to take a drink.

“What is it about (Y/N) you love so much?”

Giles choked on his drink, patting his chest a few times and he set his cup down.

“Where on earth did you get that from?”

“Come on, we can all see it. You’re totally in love with her.” Buffy said.

“It’s true, and kind of gross to think about. But true.” Anya said.

Giles looked to all the grinning young adults and he sighed, slowly sitting back down in his chair.

He sighed, taking his glasses off and he stood up again, unable to look at them as he thought for something to say.

He couldn’t exactly lie to them, because he knew if he did they were just going to meddle in his personal life.

“Aside from being the most spectacular person I have ever met, everything. I just wish there was a way I could say that.” He said softly.

They all snickered a little.

“Laugh all you like, it’s true.” He said.

You had entered the shop through the sewer system, and you had quietly made your way through it.

You had heard what they had asked, and you decided to stay quiet to hear his response because you were curious.

You liked him, a lot, and you didn’t want to make the move in case he didn’t feel the same way, because it had been a long time since you cared for somebody the way you cared for Giles.

So when you heard his response you waited.

After hearing it you grinned from ear to ear before composing yourself.

“Turn around.”

Giles whipped around and you walked over, standing in front of the table.

You relayed everything you could the best you could, and Giles helped you explain it all to the group before Buffy decided what they would do.

She settled for them taking it out sooner rather than later

They left and Giles didn’t know if he should say something about what he said or leave it, and while he was lost in through my trying to figure it out you walked over.

You stood next to him, tapping his arm and he looked at you, immediately smiling softly.

“You’re pretty spectacular yourself.”

You said it quickly and he struggled to figure out what you said and you laughed softly and his bewildered look.

He furrowed his brows a little and you leant up, kissing is cheek before stepping away, a small grin on your face as he looked flustered.

“See you around, yeah?”

He nodded his head still stunned for words.

You had just kissed his cheek, and all he could think about was how gentle you were, how you smell slightly like flowers and pine trees.

He wanted to talk to you before it was too late but you had already left the shop, but it made him smile from ear to ear.

The next time he saw you he was going to be sure to ask you for coffee or to dinner, he just had to work up the courage to do that

#buffy the vampire slayer imagine #buffy the vampire slayer #Buffy the vampire slayer x reader #buffy the vampire slayer x you #Rupert Giles #Rupert Giles x reader #Rupert Giles x you #Rupert Giles imagine

[knight-princess]

I’ve had the start of this in my drafts for ages, suddenly inspired to finish it tonight. Might be just it’s own standalone thing or it might be chapter one, I don’t know yet. It follows the finale, with the group leaving the Immemorial City, setting off home, and is from Airk’s point of view. The header is by hgstuff

Airk trudged along in silence. Everything had fallen quiet now, weariness and grief weighing the mood down. He didn’t know if the silence was easier to bear than the quiet laugher had been, the bickering he couldn’t share. Sure, his sister had walked with him for a bit, and her worried glance often strayed to him, even as she walked step in step with Jade. But . . . they were a unit, his sister and these, who had come on the quest to rescue him. Trials and hardships had hammered them together into a whole. Even the way they moved, the way they walked, aware of each other, reminded him of nothing so much as the many limbs of some great beast. But he . . . Well. Everything was so confusing. So much had happened. He couldn’t get his thoughts to stay still long enough to sort any of them out. He wondered if he ever would.

“Hey, question,” the man’s voice seemed loud compared to the quiet the group had fallen into as they walked deeper into the darkening evening. Boorman, that was it. Somebody had called him Boorman. Did the name ring a bell, somewhere in the mess of his memory? He wasn’t sure. He didn’t ask. “How’re we getting back up the waterfall?”

Airk frowned. He didn’t remember a waterfall. But then, he didn’t remember much at all of the journey to the city. What did he remember? He forced his thoughts in order, a purposeful search of a ransacked room. He remembered claws, clutching his ribs so tightly he thought they’d crack. He remembered clouds, and cold. Whatever they had flown over, if he had noted anything at the time, it was lost to him now.

The silence stretched. Then, “I don’t know why you’re all looking at me,” Willow grumbled. It was strange, seeing him here, the Willow Ufgood, from his dads stories. Airk was having a hard time processing that, too.

“Oh I don’t know,” Boorman said. “World famous Willow Ufgood, most powerful sorcerer, fixer of all problems. No reason.”

“Boorman. Shut up.”

The Wyrm had feared Willow Ufgood. He could feel the thought, oily slick, somewhere in his mind. It horrified him, the sudden feeling of fear and resentment that thrummed through his blood. Not mine, he told himself. Deny it, hide it, cover it. Not mine. He tried to focus, to separate the feeling from his dads hero stories of the man.

Boorman was still talking. Airk knew he’d missed something of what the man had been saying, but then, nobody else was paying him much mind either. “Oh yeah,” he carried on, “let’s all jump off the cliff at the end of the world, with no idea how to get back. Great idea guys. Good planning. You know, I was kinda joking when I said that next time I should plan the quest, but now I’m really thinking -”

“Boorman, shut up.” Elora this time, and for a wonder, Boorman did fall silent. Perhaps it was the hollowness of her voice. She looked terrible, worse and worse, the longer they walked. Her footsteps dragged, and a small flute hung limp from her hand. Her hair glinted red in the sunset. That, too, would take getting used to. Her gaze met his and jerked away. Airk sighed. There was a lot that would take getting used to. So much had changed.

“Guys.” Jade’s voice cut through the weary bickering. She and Kit walked close, his sister still decked in the armour that had come from gods knew where. Another adventure he hadn’t been party to. “We need to make camp,” Jade said. “Before it gets dark.”

They did not have much with them. Airk wondered if they had travelled the whole way so light, or perhaps lost their supplies along the way somewhere. It scarcely mattered. What they had, they put to use. Soon, a small, scrawny fire began to breath in a hollow they dug to safeguard it from the wind that swept them.

“Shame we can’t magic up some food,” Boorman muttered morosely. Clearly, what little they had had not been enough to satisfy him.

“No, can’t magic up food,” Elora repeated. She passed a wan smile between herself and Willow, who chuckled softly. More inside jokes. Airk tried to crush the resentment he felt. Why did he feel so angry? They’d come to rescue him, he reminded himself. The quest they’d bonded over had been for his benefit. He was free, free of the Wyrm. Wasn’t he?

“Airk? You okay?” Kit. Kit’s voice, raised in concern. He flinched, flashes of memory racing through his head. He recalled his sword striking hers, with all the strength he could muster. He recalled how he had gone to strike Elora, sitting exhausted before him, how angry he had been when Kit stood in the way. He recalled wanting her dead, with every fibre of his being. He tried to banish the memory. He didn’t want that. He didn’t want to remember that. He didn’t want that to ever have been part of him.

“Airk?” Kit called again.

Faces, he’d always been good at wearing faces. For the court, the nobles, his mother, the girls he distracted himself with, each a different face, each a different performance. So many faces he’d worn, over the years. He sometimes wondered if anyone had ever seen him. He pulled up a smile. “I’m fine,” he said through clenched teeth. He willed himself to believe it.

“People who are fine don’t usually sit alone in the dark when everyone else is gathered around the fire,” Willow murmured, not unkindly.

“Join us, Airk,” Jade said. She’d always been a steady one. She’d always been good for Kit, a good match, the rock to Kit’s wildfire. He wondered what their mother would think, of how close the knight sat to the princess, how their fingers laced together. He frowned, focusing for the first time today on what she wore. Her armour was unfamiliar too. He was suddenly daunted. Kit was changed, Jade was changed, and Dove, Elora, Elora most of all. She had spoken fair to him earlier in the day, of how glad she was to see him again. But in the hours they’d walked, she’d sunk into a deep melancholy that even the fire couldn’t thaw. He wondered if she were angry with him. He had raised a sword against her; he had helped the Crone attempt to trap her. He wouldn’t blame her if she hated him. She certainly didn’t join her voice to the others as they invited him. She just rubbed the flute in her hands and stared into the fire. He thought he saw a tear drip off her chin, but then, it could have been a trick of the rippling firelight.

He hesitated long. In the end, Boorman sighed, stood theatrically and, easy as picking up a kitten, lifted him by his jacket collar and swung him over to the fire. He found himself sandwiched between Boorman’s tall lanky frame and Kit. Boorman flashed him a grin. “You’re welcome,” he said, and went back to poking the fire.

A ghost of a smile flitted across Airk’s face. “And who are you, again?” he asked. He wondered when his voice had got so rusty.

“Oh no,” Jade lamented. “Don’t, don’t get him started, he’ll go on forever -”

But it was too late, and Boorman had begun an enthusiastic recounting of his entire life, seemingly from the moment of his birth. Airk listened, trying to enjoy being rescued, having his sister at his side again, the warmth and good fellowship. He tried to let it drown out the memories.

As the fire sank low, his fingers drifted across the scars littering his face. He floated off into sleep, focusing in the rhythmic breathing of his companions to steady his own racing heart, and tried not to dream.

#airk tanthalos #willow 2022 #willow fanfiction #willow fan fic #I haven’t done anything like this in ages #it’s always so interesting trying to get into the characters heads #I should probably make this a series or something

[avatarmerida]

Dreaming and Watching

Corny little huntlow oneshot about what I think the finale title could mean 💚💛

—

The Collector lured them into a circle, bouncing around the room, delighted to have new play things.

“Oh boy oh boy oh boy!” The whimsical voice echoed in glee. “Just imagine the games we can play with these guys, King! We’ve never had players like this before!”

“Yeah! Games! Of course!” Luz laughed nervously. “W-we’re so excited to play games with you!”

“Yippe!” He exclaimed, twirling in the air. “What should we play first? Let’s do something new! What kind of games do you like?”

“We like all kinds of games!” Amity said, trying to steady her voice. “W-we like nice, safe games! I think those are the most fun!”

“Hmmm, no that sounds boring,” the Collector decided, not taking it into consideration very long. “I wanna play make believe! Do you guys have good imaginations?”

“I’ve been told mine is a little too good sometimes,” said Luz quietly.

“You have a human imagination!” The Collector laughed, spinning around her on a bed of stars. “Oh wow! I bet you could think of some fun things!”

“Yeah, I bet I could!” Luz said. “I bet we all could, but I think we also know how things can-.”

“Do you have an imagination?” The Collector turned to Hunter who raised his arm instinctively in front of Gus and Willow.

“Um, I guess so?” He said carefully. “It’s.. not like all this exactly, but I-.”

“Wo-hoo! A grimwalker game! I can’t believe I finally get to play with the grimwalker!” sang the godly child, happy with the answer. “Let’s learn more about you! We never got to talk!”

“Um... okay?” Hunter said cautiously, Willow reached out to hold his hand to assure him she was there as the Collector held his eye contact.

“Hmm so if you have an imagination, is it a fun imagination or a scary one like your scary uncle?” Pondered the child, wanting to make sure he approved what Hunter brought to the imaginary table. “Cause I don’t like scary. Ya know, I’ve always wondered what goes on in your mind! I never got to ask! But why ask when we can just see?”

The Collector quickly spun around Hunter, nearly knocking Willow over in the process, as she refused to let go of his hand. When the star child leapt up he held what appeared to be Golden dust in his arms. He threw it in the air like confetti and as they fell they connected to form a wall of golden glitter. The group look on in confusion as the rest of the room darkened so the focus point could be known. Suddenly, like a movie screen, an image appeared.

It was Hunter, dressed in a Hexside uniform sporting every track color happily walking down the hallway with his arms with books.

“Wait, when did this happen?” Gus asked, knowing this wasn’t the uniform he had worn as a disguise when they first met.

“Is this in the future?” Amity wondered, noting the hair Hunter had was more similar to his current look.

As the Hunter on the screen finished gathering his books, Flapjack appeared beside him and landed on his shoulder. This was clearly not a known timeline.

“That must mean...” started Luz.

“It’s my dream,” realized Hunter. “It’s the dream I always-.” He paused and looked with wide eyes to his side at Willow, still holding his hand and fixated on the screen. He gulped. “Uh-oh.”

Dream Hunter proceeded to walk down the halls of Hexside, his face wore a wide smile and he walked with an obvious confidence he hadn’t known since his Golden Guard days. Every student he passed acknowledged him, offering a wave or friendly hello, clearing showing how welcomed and known he was, how naturally he it, how obvious it was that he was meant to be there.

“Ya know, we really don’t need to see this!” Hunter called as the dream continued to play. “My imagination isn’t very impressive actually so I’m sure there’s something else you’d rather-.”

“Shhhh!” The Collector called down. “I’ve never seen this one befoooore! No spoilers!”

The group didn’t know what the Collector’s intentions were, but they couldn’t deny it was nice seeing Hunter like this, even if it was only in his dreams.

“Hey Hunter!” Gus called, turning the corner to catch up to him

“Oh look! There’s me! There’s me!” Exclaimed the real Gus with excitement, pointing to himself.

“Hey Gus!” Dream Hunter greeted his friend and they did their signature handshake. “You ready for that test next period?”

“‘Course!” Said Gus with ease. “It’s child’s play. Are you ready for Cosmic Con this weekend?”

“Always!” Hunter said, hyped. “We’re definitely gonna win best costume!”

“We always do!” Gus agreed. “I’m gonna go snag us some seats next to each other so we can do some last minute flash cards before the test, don’t be late!”

“I never am!” Hunter called as Gus disappeared into the classroom.

The real Hunter felt the real Gus nudge his ribs. Hunter looked over to him and Gus gave him a wide smile.

“I dunno what you were so nervous about, this is awesome,” whispered Gus. “And you made me taller too, thanks dude.”

“Haha yeah of course,” Hunter replied, turning his attention nervously back to the screen. “It’s not over yet.”

“Hunter! Thank you so much for letting me borrow your history notes!” Said a dream Amity, as Hunter passed her locker. “They really brought up my grade. Your footnotes were especially helpful.”

“Of course! Anytime.” Hunter said with a wide toothy grin. “And if you ever need help studying, I’d be happy to tutor you.”

“Really? That would be so great!” Amity beamed in a way that felt somewhat unnatural, mostly likely because Hunter had no real world source to base this response on. “It’s amazing how you managed to be the top student and still find time for tutoring!”

“What can I say? I’m great at making schedules,” he said with a modest shrug. “You can keep the notes, I’ve got them all memorized.”

He offered dream Amity finger guns as he continued his trek, whistling as he walked utterly content.

On the ground, the real Amity viciously glared at him, daggers in her eyes. “I’ve never gotten below an excellent grade in Isles history,” she whispered to Hunter harshly over Luz’s shoulder.

“Well yeah duh it’s a dream! It’s not real, Blight!” Hunter whispered harshly back.

“It’s your dream, it’s my nightmare.”

“Amity! That’s no way to talk to your tutor!” Willow joined in the harsh whispering. Amity gave her a sour look as the Collector shushed them again.

Hunter was starting to sweat, hoping to Titan that Willow didn’t notice. He also hoped the Collector would be unimpressed with his imagination and move on to something else before they got too far. But the dream continued playing.

“Hey, hermano!” Luz called, running to catch up with him obviously on her way to Amity’s locker. “Mama is making sancocho y tostones for dinner tonight! You’ll be there after flyer derby right?”

“Of course!” He assured with a smile. “But I might be a little late, I’ve got a date tonight.”

“Bring her!” Luz exclaimed as she reached Amity’s locker and he continued walking. “You know she’s invited too!”

“Of course!” He called back, laughing to himself as he turned the corner and finally found his destination.

“Oh! Look, there’s me!” Said Willow excitedly, not noticing the sickly, panicked look that overtook Hunter’s face.

“Heh, ya know maybe we should stop watching before we get too-.”

As Willow fully entered the dreamscape, a sort of rosey haze overtook the scene and time seemed to slow down. She leaned against a locker that was meant to be Hunter’s, clutching her books tightly to her chest. When she spotted him, a wide smile overtook her face and her braids swung to the side in slow motion.

“Hi,” she said sweetly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and biting her lip.

“Hi Captain,” he responded in the same sweet tone, effortlessly leaning against the locker and looking down at her with adoring eyes. “Are you waiting for someone special?”

“Oh, just my boyfriend,” she said with a dreamy sigh. “Maybe you know him?”

“Hmm, yeah I think I do.” Dream Hunter confirmed as he leaned down to press a gentle but obviously familiar kiss onto Willow’s lips. Dream Willow smiled and happily rose up onto her tip toes to kiss him back placing a hand on his cheek to imply she intended to keep him there awhile.

The real Hunter was mortified.

He dared glance to his side where the real Willow stood, saying nothing but fiddling with her braid and he couldn’t tell exactly what she was feeling. Hunter cursed himself for not insisting everyone close their eyes. The rest of the group had begun whispering among themselves, directing their eyes away from the screen as politely as they could, not knowing what else to do as the dream counterparts of their friends had been kissing for awhile now.

“Does uh, anything else happen?” Amity asked gently after a minute. “Is like Belos gonna come and ruin things or...?”

“No this is uh this is it,” said Hunter, inhaling sharply. “This is... this is the rest of the dream.”

“Ooooh.” Said three out of the four onlookers. Willow still said nothing, as a soft red overtook her face.

“And so you have this dream... a lot?” Gus asked. “Wait, is this why you kiss your pillow so-.”

“Okaaaay! I think we can move on now!” sajd Hunter shakily, his face red and sweaty. “Let’s look at someone else’s dream, Huh? Let’s uh let’s invade your privacy and see how you like it!”

“Ugh, dreams about school? And kissing?Ew!” The Collector declared, sticking out his tongue. “That’s no fun! Do you all dream about school and kissing?”

The group mumbled a serious of affirmation seeing that confirming this would save them from Hunters fate and keep their dreams private.

“Ugh, that’s so boring!” groaned the Collector dramatically. “Why would you dream about something you can do in real life? That’s like wasting a dream! We have a loootta work to do here!”

He and King vanished into a cloud of color and sparkles and the gang knew they were safe for now. They all let out a sigh of relief as Hunter offered them a burning glare. They looked at him apologetically before diverting their attention to the ground, Luz said something about making a plan for when the Collector returned and the group quickly jumped on board, happy to have something else to talk about.

“Traitors,” Hunter mumbled under his breath.

“Hey,” came a soft voice beside him, the only person not hiding in the group.

“Uh, hey,” said Hunter, clearing his throat as the realization that having his dream exposed may have also been embarrassing for Willow. Despite that possibility, she had not let go of his hand. “Listen, I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable, I didn’t know he was gonna do that and I should’ve-.”

“Don’t listen to what the Collector said,” Willow advised with conviction, cutting him off.

“What?”

“About your dreams not being special,” she clarified. “I’ve had dreams like that, about being able to walk down the hallway not feeling scared or worried or like people were staring at me and whispering. That might not seem necessarily exciting or impossible to other people, but that doesn’t mean it is wasn’t a dream worth having. It’s okay to want things to be nice and calm, especially after everything you’ve been though. Sometimes the most simple things seem like the most impossible.”

“Oh, uh thanks,” he said, relieved. “Ya know, it was actually the first dream I’ve had in a while. Before, they were mostly nightmares and there were times when I didn’t dream at all.

“Well, I’m glad you’re having good dreams,” she smiled. “And I’m glad to be a part of one.”

“Yeah?” Hunter chuckled.

“Yeah,” said Willow brightly, giving his hand a squeeze. “I wanna help you get all the things you’ve dreamed of. All of the things.”

Hunter looked down at their linked hands before looking back up to her face as he was met with a playful wink. A familiar rosey frame surrounded Willow again. It wasn’t exclusive to his dreams, just to her. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Like I said, I’ve had dreams very similar to yours. The only difference is that in mine you’re waiting by my locker.”

#huntlow #winter toh #huntlow fanfiction #Willow park #Hunter toh #toh #the owl house

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || Burning Down

Previous

Natalia wiped the steam away from the shower door, as the water dripped to a stop. She then moved towards the mirror, using her arm to clear her reflection. She looked younger, more gentle, no scars were along her face, she didn't have that permanent frown that Daryl used to point out, her hair was long, and straight.

Natalia took in the few moments of quiet before getting out, wrapping an towel around her.

She left the bathroom, letting the heat follow her, moving towards her bedroom, but when she opened the door, it was Harry's office.

He was sat at his computer, Winnie was on her lap, playing with his phone.

"Finally, she's been screaming her head off for you, you haven't heard her?" were the first words that fell out his mouth.

"Harry?" Natalia spoke in a hushed whisper.

"Lia, take Willow." He held the two year old up for her to take, which she did, running a hand over her curls, kissing her cheeks, she couldn't help that her eyes had teared up.

"You're... you..."

"You okay, what have I told you about having those showers so damn hot?"

"I'm... I'm fine, great, I'm great." She held Winnie tighter to her, the little girl snuggled up, rubbing her nose along Natalia's cheek.

"Lia, I- I got a lot of work to do, here. You mind making a sandwich or something? I'm starving."

"Y-yeah, of course, of course I will, sure." She smiled, walking away. "Winnie, my waterlily, my special little flower." Natalia murmured to the girl, as they headed towards the kitchen. 

The two year old giggled in glee, like she always did, when Natalia said that.

"You're alive." She spoke in a sing song voice, "And so is your daddy, none of this makes sense, but you're not dead... or maybe I'm dead, is mommy dead, Winnie, my waterlily? Is Mommy dead?"

"Mama dead." She babbled. "Mama dead! Mama dead!"

"Ookay. That was a mistake, should we make Daddy his sandwich, yeah? So he can shut up and be a decent person for once in his life?"

Natalia hesitated before she opened the door, Winnie on her hip, plate in her hand.

"Harry, I have your- OH GOD! Oh, oh my god!" She screamed.

There he was, Harry, 'cept it was dead Harry, he was devouring Winnie, ripping her apart as her blood spouted everywhere, and all she could do was scream and cry, crying out for her mama.

Natalia stared wide-eyed, this couldn't be, Winnie was on her hip, but when she glanced, the girl was gone from her side, she was in fact in pieces.

"Harry! Stop it, please! Stop it, please!" Natalia begged. "Our daughter, that's our baby, just stop!"

She went to pull him off, but that's when he turned on her, snapping his jaws at her, trying to take a bite, and when he did, her instinct kicked in, she smashed the plate down on his head, shattering it, then she reached for the lamp, hitting him hard, over and over and over, until he went limp, his head split open and his brain poured all over the floor and their daughter.

"Winnie! Willow! Hey, baby, hi, baby, speak to me... speak to me, baby, you're gonna be okay." She weeped.

But It was too late, she was dead, bleeding out with her flesh torn, cut open and chewed, it was too late.

Natalia opened her eyes, she was in the shower, again. She turned off the water, got out and wrapped an towel around herself, she checked her reflection quickly, still young, then left, heading for that room once again. She burst through the door, startling Harry and Winnie, they were alive, again.

"But- you- I just- but... it doesn't make sense." She rambled.

"Lia, just take the kid, will you, I'm busy. When's lunch ready, I'm starving"

"Nat... I'm so sorry, baby... I'm sorry, she did this to you." Such a familiar voice spoke, but it sounded so far away, like it was coming from above, like it was God himself.

"Daryl?" She whispered.

"You gotta fight, you fight and you wake up, you can't die, and I ain't gonna let you die."

"Daryl!"

"What the hell are you going on about?" Harry asked her. "Who's Daryl?"

"Oh- no one, he's no one. just some guy at the shop, he- uh- was real piece of work. Sorry, lunch." She grabbed Winnie, quickly fleeing the room, and instead of making his request, she sat in the living room, she sat in the living room unmoving, and she didn't plan on it, either, he couldn't hurt her if they stayed there.

That's when she had disappeared, it was like Natalia had blinked, and she had disappeared.

"Mama! Mama!" Winnie screamed loudly, all the way from upstairs.

"No! Not again, no!" She screeched, sprinting up, towards Harry's office.

She threw the door open, and there he was, chewing on her intestines as she cried for her mother.

Natalia opened her eyes, she was back in the shower, she turned off the water, sitting on the toilet seat as she thought about what to do, how did she get out of this hell, because this was hell, she was in hell, she had died and was now in hell.

She stood up, opening the drawer and grabbing a pair of scissors, leaving the bathroom, she opened the office door and jammed the scissors into Harry's skull, before he even got the chance to speak, she did it a few times, to make sure that he was dead, then she took Willow and went downstairs, sitting on the couch, he was dead, so he couldn't kill her.

"If you're tryna scar your kid for life, you're doing a mighty fine job of it." A booming Texan voice laughed.

Natalia looked up, Abraham Ford was sat on her couch, opposite her.

"Abraham?" She asked, "You're- you're alive?"

"Last time I checked." He chuckled, looking at his arms.

"But- but how? I watched you die? You're in hell?"

"You think we're in hell?" Glenn had appeared next to the red head.

"Glenn?!" She gasped.

"You never told us you had a kid." He smiled, looking at Willow.

"I- I have five." She admitted.

"You and the guy upstairs, so you were busy busy, before all this shit." Abraham joked.

"No, no, me and Daryl, we have kids."

"Heyho, and I didn't think the man had the chops in him." Abraham grinned, delightfully. "Only been pining over you that whole time, finally got some."

"You- you and Daryl? But you guys never had kids." Glenn furrowed his brows. "I mean, you have Evie, but she's not Daryl's."

"No, no we have twins, twin girls, and a baby boy."

"Not anymore, you don't." Abraham told her, staring ahead.

"Abraham!" Sasha walked into the room, sitting on the arm of the chair, cuddling into the man. "You're gonna scare her."

"She's a big girl, she can handle the truth." He told the woman.

"Just ignore them." Glenn told her. "Maggie, is she okay?"

"Maggie- she's. She had a boy, you have a son, Glenn, Hershel." Natalia told him.

He smiled to himself, looking down in thought.

"She tried so hard, for you, she fought for your vengeance."

"But she's not dead." He looked at her.

"I- No, she's not, but I haven't seen her in years, we both left, we left Alexandria, and she left The Hilltop, she joined a different community, we haven't heard from her for a long time." She admitted.

"She's gone, again." Abraham spoke up, pointing at her lap, where Winnie was missing from.

"What? But she- No!" She jumped from the couch, running up the stairs, she threw the door open and Harry, who had been dead was once again, ripping Winnie apart. "You were dead! I killed you!" She screamed, as he pulled him off of their daughter.

Natalia opened her eyes, she punched the bathroom wall, as she let herself cry, why was she back here?

She turned the water off, wrapped the towel around her and grabbed the scissors again, leaving the bathroom.

She took a deep breath before she entered the office, it had to work, he couldn't hurt her, if she beat him to it.

Natalia stabbed the scissors into Willow's skull, killing her.

"What the hell?!" Harry twisted to look at her. "What did you do? What did you fucking do?! Natalia, why did you do that?!" He screamed at her. "Winnie... Winnie, baby, it's Daddy, just open your eyes, please, baby, just open your eyes. What the fuck is wrong with you?" He turned back on the woman, after attempting to shake the toddler awake.

"You can't hurt her, now, you can't hurt her, because I beat you to it. It's over." She dropped the scissors, leaving the room.

Natalia opened her eyes, she was back in the shower.

"What do you want from me?!" She shouted. "What am I supposed to do? Just tell me what I'm supposed to do, please! What do I do, what do I do, just, what do I do?"

Natalia got out the shower, wrapped the towel around her, and proceeded to walk to the other room, her old bedroom, she got dressed, and ignored the office, if she stayed away, they couldn't get to her, that's what she thought, at least.

But, when she closed the closet door, there they were, on the floor, he ripped out the two year old's organs, as blood drowned the both of them.

"No, no no, no, no, no!" Natalia cried as she ran out the room, slamming the door shut, and bolting down the stairs.

"Ah, you're back." Tara greeted her, she had joined the others.

"You're here, too" She whimpered, throwing herself on the couch.

"Y'know, you could be a bit happier to see me, you didn't get to say goodbye, remember?"

"I didn't get to say goodbye to any of you." Natalia reminded.

"So, you're just gonna leave them up there?" Abraham asked.

"Nothing I can do about it, out of sight, out of mind."

"So, when did you have all these kids with Daryl? He never wanted kids, at least that's what it seemed like." Glenn spoke up.

"What's their names?" Sasha asked.

"When did you guys make the pancakes?" Abraham pried, receiving a slap to the chest from Sasha.

"Uhm, I'm not sure... but the twins names are Daisy Caroline, and Bambi Elizabeth, sorry Sash."

"It's fine, Sasha wouldn't go with them, anyway." Sasha sniffed.

"Carol's still alive, why does Sasha get an apology, I was very much alive, at the time, too." Tara sassed.

"And my son is called, Archie Carl."

"Carl?" Glenn asked.

"Yeah, uhm..."

"I made her promise." Natalia looked at the doorway, seeing the teen boy leaning against it, a grin across his face, like he always had.

"Carl!" Natalia stood up. "It's you, you're here!"

"Yeah, it's really me." He laughed, hugging the woman when she jumped at him.

"Rick, rick, your dad, is he here, too?" Natalia asked, but Carl looked confused.

"My dad, why would my dad be here?" He asked.

"Yeah, this is the dead club, Rick ain't dead." Abraham told her.

"But- but there was an accident, Rick died, we all think he died, we never found his body."

"Nat, my dad's not here, if my dad was dead, he'd be here, he's not here, so he's not dead." Carl told her.

"Oh, no, it's happening, again."

Natalia looked at Tara, blood was seeping from her neck, running down herself.

She looked to the others, but they gave no reaction, they couldn't, Abraham's head was gone, brain matter and blood caked his body, his neck ended in a stump, Glenn's forehead was bashed in, his eye popped out, blood pooled from the large wound, she could see parts of his own brain, Carl was ghostly pale, a large gunshot wound was through his skull, where he had shot his brains out, and Sasha was a walker, but Natalia only noticed for a second before Walker-Sasha was lunging at her, knocking her flat on her back, trying to bite at her.

"Sasha, stop! What happened, you were all fine, you were all just fine!" She shouted, pushing the walker-Sasha away from her.

"You did this to us." Glenn said.

"You did this, you caused all of this." Abraham joined in.

"None of this would happen if we never found that stupid house." Carl uttered, and then, they all joined in, chanting it, over and over and over, then Harry was there, holding a dead Willow, he had joined in.

"You did this. You did this. You did this."

Natalia opened her eyes, she was in a bed, a white bed with white sheets, she hurt all over.

She looked down, her arm was in a cast, there was writing all over it, messages, with names, Rosita, Daisy, Gracie, Judith, RJ, Jerry, Bambi, looked like her friends and family had all signed the cast, but why, why was she even wearing a cast.

Then she realised where she was, she was in the infirmary, but not Alexandria infirmary, she was at Hilltop, why was she at Hilltop?

The door was wide open, and that's when she noticed the six year old in her face.

"Mommy, mommy, come on! Get up!" Daisy demanded, pulling at her.

"Daisy? Honey, what's going on? Where is everyone?"

"Mommy, we have to go! They're here, they're here and everything's on fire, come on!"

"What? Honey, slow down, what are you going on about?"

Daisy stopped prodding at her mother, a serious and scared expression was on her face.

"Mom, the whisperers are here, and they are fighting and burning the place down, Daddy said we couldn't move you, because you were still asleep, Ezekiel was the one in charge of evacuating us, but you were gonna die if I didn't come and get you, now, we need to get out of here, and I don't know how to do that, and I need you to get me out of here, and I can't find the other kids, or Daddy, I can't find anyone, so please, get out of bed, and let's go!"

"Okay, alright, okay. We're gonna get out of here, and we'll find the others." Natalia kissed her daughters head, "Pass me my weapons, you got your bow?" She asked, pulling out the two cannulas, one was pumping her with what she could guess was either IV or some medicine that her brain couldn't find the word of, and the other was clearly blood.

"Yeah, on my back." Daisy answered, flying to the chair to gather her mothers weapons.

"Good girl, and who's blood is this?" She asked, as she carefully shifted off the bed, but holy shit, did her whole torso ache, she must've bruised or fractured her ribs, by the pain.

"Daddy's, he said he can give his blood to anyone, and we didn't know what type you were." Daisy came to the bed. "Here."

"Thanks, baby. How long was I asleep?"

"I don't know." Daisy answered, helping her armour up. "We got here, today. Uncle Aaron said that Jerry took you straight here because of the explosion, and you looked really bad, and then they attacked home, Judith shot the huge guy, and then Mary and Aunt Rosita had to fight him so we could hide, then we came here, to see you, then Daddy came, but he was hurt too, he said that Lydia found him and patched him up."

"Why was your dad hurt, what happened?"

"Mommy, I'll tell you later, but we gotta get outta here!" Daisy demanded, she was getting more frustrated by the second.

"Alright, you need a knife, if you need to, anything that looks like a walker, you kill it, don't think about it too much." Natalia handed the girl her own knife. "And you stay by my side at all times, alright? I don't want or need you running off, we stick together like glue, now how bad is it, out there?"

"Walkers everywhere, fire's on most of the buildings, and people, and the whisperers are attacking for sport."

"Alright, but we can handle that, y'know why?" Natalia asked, holding the girls hand, the other was holding a knife.

"Because we're Dixons?"

"Because we're Moore's."

It was loud when they had ran out of the infirmary, the sound, the smell and the aroma of screams, fighting, bloodshed and death surrounded them.

"Baby, you stay with me at all time's alright, if I turn my head for a second and you're gone, I swear to god, Daisy Caroline-"

"Mommy, look out!" The girl pointed at the whisperer who was lunging at them.

Natalia ran to the side, pulling Daisy along, to avoid his hit, running ahead.

"We need to get out of here, and we're going to do that the best we can without provoking a fight."

"Got it!" Daisy agreed.

"Cover your mouth, honey, I don't want you breathing this shit in" Natalia instructed as they continued to run and dodge.

"Mom!"

"Hey, no, you do as I say." She snapped.

"No, Mom, look!" A wall of walkers was building up, and some of them was on fire.

"Oh, oh shit, okay, we fight what we can, and we avoid the rest, got it, you stab them down, and then you take them in the head, alright?"

"Judith taught me how to do it." The six year old glared at her.

"Oh, right. Yeah."

They worked together to clear a path, Daisy had impressed Natalia beyond believe, she was impressive, but so graceful, like a dancer, though she was so small, it was incredible.

They managed to get through, but before Natalia could notice, a whisperer was running at her, it didn't attack her, but its blade cut across her stomach, slicing her, and then she heard the yelp of her daughter, as she noticed they had nicked the girl too, they cut her small delicate arm.

Natalia saw red, she twisted, ignoring the agony her body was feeling, stabbing the man in the head, ending his life, then she grabbed her daughter and ran, ran so fast, out of Hilltop, away from it all, avoiding anything coming at them, people, walkers, whisperers, fires, they had to get out of there.

It was daylight when they had stopped running, they didn't know how far away they were from Hilltop.

"Mommy, my arm" Daisy whimpered.

"Alright, okay, baby, let's sit down, lemme see." Natalia helped her daughter down onto an overturned log, sat in the middle of a field, where they could see all around them.

She kneeled in front of the girl, pulling up the sleeve of her green sweater.

A small cut was along her forearm, it wasn't deep, but it had been bleeding.

"Uhm, hmm, honey, I know it hurts, but trust me, it's not bad, okay?"

"Daddy said that you broke your arm in 3 places." Daisy told her, pouting.

"I did?"

"Yeah, but they managed to help you, that's why you have a cast, and he let us sign it, so that when you wake up, you'll know that we love you."

"Baby, I already know you love me, and I love you, but thank you, you made it pretty." She smiled, "But we need to do something about your cut. What you got in your bag?"

"Daddy packed us both "survival kits" full of everything we might need." Daisy said, using air quotes.

"A what?"

Daisy carefully took the bag off of her back, giving it to her mother.

"Food, water, a first aid kit, a blanket in case we get cold, extra socks to keep our feet safe and clean, and spare clothes." She repeated her fathers words.

"Your dad packed all this?" Natalia asked, holding onto the straps.

"Yeah, so that we'll stay safe, Bambi has one too, but she stayed with Ezekiel, Archie too, but Gracie has his, because Judith was carrying him."

Natalia's eyes began to well up, but she ignored it, rifling through the bag for the first aid kit.

Daryl was the kind of father who provided and protected his kids, because he loved them, not because he was expected to.

"Can you talk me through it?" Daisy asked.

"What do you mean, baby?" 

"Like, tell me what you're going to do, explain why you're doing it, so that I know for next time someone else is hurt."

"Oh, yeah, I can do that." Natalia nodded. "Okay, first things first, we have to clean the wound, make sure there's nothing yucky in it, that way it will help prevent from infection." She used the water, pouring it over the cut. "Then, oh, your dad is thorough." She picked up a small clear bottle from the inside of the first aid kit, giving it a sniff. "Yep, that's alcohol, so and this Is the hard part, cause it's gonna sting, but this sterilises the wound, but it's okay, alright."

"I can take it." Daisy was determined.

"That's my girl." Natalia kissed her cheek, before pouring a small amount of the liquid over the cut.

Daisy winced at the pain, letting out a small noise, but other then that, she took it like a champ.

"You are so brave, oh wow, I'm so proud of you." Natalia encouraged, as she used a cloth, that Daryl had also packed in the first aid kit, to wipe at it. "See, all done, now we need to put a bandage over it, do you wanna pick which one?"

She held up a set of three, one with flowers, another with puppies and kittens, and the other had love hearts and sparkles.

"Mommy, come on." Daisy laughed, looking at her.

"Alright, flowers it is." She grinned, putting the others away, opening the box and pulling out a flowered bandage, peeling it and placing it upon Daisy's cut. "There you go, good as new." Natalia kissed the bandage.

"Mommy, what about your cut?" Daisy asked, pointing at Natalia's stomach, she looked down, spotting the line of red along the white long-sleeved t-shirt she was wearing, truth be told, she hadn't really felt the pain until just now.

"Oh." She lifted her shirt, a bandage was already wrapped around her ribs. The cut along her stomach wasn't deep either, but she would have to patch it up. "Hey, baby, you know how I taught you to fix up your arm, you think you could help me?"

"Yes, okay!" Daisy answered much too excitedly for Natalia's liking, but she gave  her the benefit of the doubt, being six years old and all that.

They worked together to patch up the cut, and Natalia required a lot of patience to do it, but finally, they managed it.

"You said Lydia was back, she came back with Daddy..." Natalia sat next to her on the log.

"Yeah, she found him and helped him, so he brought her back to the hilltop, she cried when she saw you, she told Daddy she was really sorry, but he didn't want to talk about it."

"Were you eavesdropping, when you heard all this?"

"No, Daddy just thought I was asleep, that's not my fault." She shrugged.

"Alright, and where was Evie during all this?"

"Evie, tried to help you, with your injuries, but because she kept crying, Alex and Aunt Rosita sent her away, to wait with us, but when we were allowed to see you, she said she couldn't come see you, that she was too scared to say goodbye, but then, I didn't really see her after that, I'm sorry, Mommy."

"No, baby, don't be sorry, okay? You have nothing to apologise for, y'know, if you didn't come save me, I would have died last night, you saved my life, baby."

"It was teamwork." Daisy answered, snuggling into Natalia's side.

Natalia wrapped an arm around her, hugging her tightly, as she lifted a hand to her temple, rubbing along it, she felt a pang of soreness, then felt the hardness along her head, a familiar touch of stitches, that must've been from where they had said she was bleeding before she passed out.

"I miss Bambi." Daisy sighed, when they had sat there for a little while more.

"Me, too, baby, I miss all of them."

"What are we gonna do?" Daisy asked her, looking up at her face.

"You feel like walking? Dad ever teach you how to track?"

"Yeah! We can track them!" Daisy exclaimed, jumping up from the log.

"Alright, lets track them down." Natalia wheezed, holding her ribs, as she got up, holding Daisy's hand.

"Your dad manage to pack a torch in that "Survival" bag?" Natalia asked, once it was getting dark, again.

"Yeah, Mommy, can you grab it, my arm hurts too much to do it."

"Sure baby." She sighed, opening the bag, her unbroken hand diving in to look for the flashlight, muttering "fibber" under her breath.

She clicked it on, shining into the darkness, giving them a little bit of light as they walked through another field.

"Alpha's dead." A voice had said a few metres away from them, and Natalia quickly yanked Daisy down. "Because of you."

They peered ahead, turning the flashlight off as they tried to spot who was there, what they could see was five bodies, though one looked to be restrained, whilst another had his hands up in surrender, the other three were stood opposite.

"That's Daddy!" Daisy hissed to Natalia.

"Shush!" She told the girl.

"Mommy, look, it's Daddy, there." She pointed at the man who's hands were up in surrender.

"Oh shit, it is." Natalia let out a sigh, and the man next to him, just so happened to be Negan, because, of course it was. "Alright, we need to rescue Daddy, okay, can you shoot the walker there?" She pointed at one of the whisperers, "If you take him down, Mommy will finish him off, and I'll take care of the others."

"You got it." Daisy nodded, grabbing her bow and an arrow.

"We kneel... to the new Alpha." The whisperer continued.

An arrow shot through the other man, going straight through his skull, and he soon fell to the ground.

Natalia stared at her daughter wide-eyed, but then soon snapped out of it, throwing an knife at the woman, and she fell, too.

"Mine." Both girls called at the same time, before an arrow and an knife imbedded in the skull of the last whisperer.

"Hey, that's cheating, he was mine!" Natalia said, as they got up, walking forward, together.

"Nuh uh! I totally got that first." Daisy argued, staring up at her mother.

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Didn't!"

"Nat?! Daisy?!" Daryl called, spotting the two, then he lunged at them, hugging Natalia in particular.

"Daddy!" Daisy squealed as he enveloped them in a hug.

"You're alive." He weeped. "You're alive, you're both alive."

"Yeah, yeah, we're alive, who shot him first?" Daisy asked, wrapping her arms around her fathers neck, pointing at the dead whisperer.

"It was me, just say it was me, we don't have to spare her feelings." Natalia told him, kissing his cheek, but also turning to the body

"I definitely saw an arrow first." Negan spoke up.

"No one was asking you" She glared at him.

"Ha! In your face, Mommy!" Daisy pointed at her, wiggling out of Daryl's hold so that he would put her down. "Negan, you're back!" She ran to the tied up man. "Daddy went looking for you, but he couldn't find you."

"Yeah, sorry about that, kid, I was a bit busy." He shrugged.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Natalia whispered to Daryl.

"He was with her, with Alpha, claims Carol was the one to let him out so he'd kill Alpha." He told her quietly, holding her tight, as he checked the stitches on her head. "He kidnapped Lydia and Evie, but they managed to escape, now we have no idea where they are."

"What?" She demanded. "I almost died in a cave, I just went through hell, literal hell, like I was in hell, when she already had him doing her dirty work?!" She burst.

"Thank you!" Negan snapped.

"Nat, just calm down, alright." Daryl rubbed her arms up and down.

"Calm down? Calm down!" She slapped his chest, pushing him away from her. "You want me to calm down! How dare you! I risked my life trying to save her, look at me! I'm mangled the fuck up, because of her, when he was already doing what she was setting out to do, and she knew the whole time! I'm going to kill her, I'm actually going to kill her!" She dry laughed. "And you're not stopping me! Oh my god, I- we're getting divorced."

"Nat?"

"What's divorced?" Daisy asked Negan.

"Kid, make yourself useful and untie me." He said, lowly, turning his back to the six year old, bending down slightly so she could reach.

"My daddy taught me these knots." She examined them, whilst her parents continued to argue about their marriage.

"Your daddy's an ass." He muttered. "Use that knife, there, hey that's your mommy's knife, she threw it at me once, it was hot."

"Ew."

"Daryl, look at my face, my fucking arm! I got sliced up just trying to escape! Did you know that our daughter ran away from safety, to help me get out of there, she also got cut! Our child! Because of your friend! Because she couldn't leave shit alone!"

"Daisy got hurt?!" He whipped around, staring at the two. "Daisy! Get away from him!" Daryl snapped, gesturing her away from the now untied man.

"Yes, she got hurt, one of those skin freaks, came at both of us, her arm is cut Daryl! And who's fault is that? Carol's!"

"Speaking of-"

"Shut up!" They turned on the man.

"Speaking of..." Negan continued. "We gotta find out where the missing head is, so I can earn back my spot back at home." He grinned. "I'm moving into the neighbourhood, officially."

"You are?!" Daisy looked at him.

"No!" The couple snapped.

Next

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon smut #the walking dead daryl #twd daryl #carl grimes #carol peletier #daryl fanfiction #glenn rhee #michonne #rick grimes #daryl dixion smut #daryl x y/n #daryl dixion x reader #daryl imagines #twd daryl x y/n #daryldixonalonetwd #darylxnatalia #negan x reader #the walking dead negan #twd negan #negan smith

[steddie-island]

Christmas Magic

@steddiemas day 22 - Santa shenanigans | WC: 560 | Rating: G Also read on ao3

“Are the girls finally asleep?” Steve smiled up at Eddie from his spot on the couch. “Yeah.” Eddie took Steve’s book out of his hand and pushed his glasses up onto his head before lying down against his chest. “They got two stories, Harper had a glass of water, and I promised that we would wake them up if we heard reindeer on the roof.” He tucked his head against Steve’s shoulder and they wrapped around one another. 

“And you made sure they were both fully asleep?” Steve asked as he carded Eddie’s hair back off of his face. 

“I did.” Eddie tilted his face up to kiss his husband’s jaw. “So… are you ready?”

Steve grinned, pecked Eddie’s lips, and gently pushed at his hip. “Let’s play Santa.” 

This was Eddie’s favorite part of Christmas. Of course he loved other parts– the cookie decorating, cracking out Wayne’s hot chocolate recipe when it got really cold out, the nights they spent in a pile of blankets on the floor watching Christmas movies. But playing Santa? That was where he really got to shine. 

The living room was staged just perfectly. There was a tree in the corner with gifts stacked around the base of it. Next to the gifts they had a table set up with a glass of milk and a plate of cookies waiting on it. The stockings were hung up on the fireplace, and a fire had been burning low all day. 

Step one was putting the fire out, and knocking some of the logs and ash loose, like someone had slipped on them while coming down the chimney. Ash was smeared on the edge of the carpet– after Steve made sure it would come out of the fabric first. 

Then they grabbed Eddie’s favorite boots and the baby powder, and while one held the boots the other sprinkled the powder around the foot of it. They made a path from the fireplace to the tree, then to the table, then all the way back to the fireplace. 

The paper used on the Santa gifts was completely different, and Eddie took his sweet time writing their Harper and Willow’s names and from Santa in curling script on the gift tags.

Steve drank the milk, and Eddie ate the cookies, with just a bit of each left as evidence. The pièce de résistance this year was a silver bell, left right beside the fireplace, with an untied piece of ribbon, like it had simply come loose and fallen while Santa had made his exit back up the chimney.

It was so simple, only took half an hour to set up, but Eddie could already imagine the looks on those precious faces in the morning. They would have to spend a lot more time cleaning it up, but it was more than worth it. 

Steve wrapped his arms around Eddie and kissed the side of his head as they took in the scene together. “Think they’ll like it?” he murmured.

“I think they’re gonna lose it,” Eddie said. He grinned wide and caught Steve’s hand before tugging him towards the stairs. “Come on. I want my Christmas present now.”

Steve stopped to turn the lights off, leaving the living room glowing with the light coming from the Christmas tree, and he chased Eddie up the stairs to their bedroom. 

#steddiemas #Festive Friday #Steddie fic #Steddie ficlet #Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson #Christmas ficlet #Steddie drabble #My writing #My fic

[haveyouseenthisskeleton]

I'm sorry but funny ideas come to me late at night so I have to send this ask rn or I'll forget about it. so imagined what if the skeleton's adopted child is basically those terrifying children from horror movies

Undertale Sans - It's 3 am and he tries to pretend so hard he's not seeing his child staring at him and S/O sleeping on the doorsteps. That's two hours they're doing this now and Sans thinks he will never be able to sleep again. He is freaking out and desperately try to shake his S/O awake because he swears to Asgore he is terrified.

Undertale Papyrus - "OH, HELLO CHILD. EVEN IF I APPRECIATE YOU NOT WALKING ON THE WET FLOOR, COULD YOU PLEASE NOT WALK ON THE CEILING EITHER?" The child doesn't answer and pass next to him, growling like an animal. Papyrus sighs. Ah, children. Aren't they cute? Undyne and Alphys are frozen in shock in the couch. What the hell.

Underswap Sans - He breaks into the room, pissed of. "TIMMY! STOP MAKING YOUR UNCLE DOG SPIN ON THE CEILING THIS MOMENT!" The child pouts and lets the dog goes back on the floor. The dog runs away in terror to join Honey. Blue starts lecturing his child about doing horrible things in the middle of the day. Please wait the middle of the night when no one can see you!

Underswap Papyrus - He looks up from his book. "what are you holding?" "A chainsaw, I'm going to use it on the neighbour." "oh, ok, have fun." The child leaves the room. Honey freezes for a moment, then jumps out of the couch. "oh shit, no, wait!" He runs after the kid.

Underfell Sans - He was looking himself in a mirror when you jumpscared him out of nowhere by making his reflection attacks him. Red screams bloody murder and crawls out of the bathroom, soul beating so fast it mights explode. That freaking kid. What the hell were you thinking when S/O wanted to adopt them specifically?!

Underfell Papyrus - He's in the middle of the shop. The kid is doing a litteral banshee scream because he said no to buy the last toy he saw on TV. The humans around are all on the floor, ears bleeding while Edge is simply lecturing the child, unaffected. It's not because you scream loud that you will have what you want! He can scream loud as well!

Horrortale Sans - Poor Oak is on the couch, head fills with wiggling worms. Willow is lecturing the child to death. "I KNOW THIS IS TEMPTING BUT YOU CAN'T FILL YOUR DAD HEAD HOLE WITH WORMS BECAUSE YOU WANTED HIM TO STOP HUGGING YOU. LOOK AT THAT MESS! MAKE THEM DISAPPEAR WITH YOUR DEMONIC POWERS THIS MOMENT YOUNG MAN! AND APOLOGIZE!" The kid sighs and obeys.

Horrortale Papyrus - Things are flying everywhere in the house. Willow sighs loudly and turns towards his kid. "WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT INVITING EVIL SPIRITS TO PARTY IN THE HOUSE? YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO ASK ME FIRST. YOU WILL CLEAN THE MESS." The child makes Willow's mouth disappear because they're angry. Willow frowns and lectures the kid with sign language instead.

Swapfell Sans - This is the worst possible timeline. Nox is hiding in his bunker, trembling in terror after his kid found out that sneaking on him and breathing in his neck makes him jump in terror everytime. Nox is having a mental breakdown. He hates this kid. He keeps asking S/O when the orphanage is taking them back. As he's finally calming down, he feels a cold breath on his neck. He screams and turns away, finding his kid upper half has crossed the wall somehow. He bangs on the scelled door to beg S/O for help.

Swapfell Papyrus - You're having dinner, trying to ignore all the animals with redeyes staring at you from every windows of the house, waiting for one of them to get out of the house to kill them. This is fine. Rus doesn't even need to get out ever again anyway. It's no use to say anything to the child, he could just open a window as a revenge.

Fellswap Gold Sans - "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?" "My friend." "...YOUR FRIEND? WHERE IS HE?" "Right next to you." "... SURE. WHAT DOES HE LOOK LIKE?" His kid gives him a drawing of a very scary clown holding a huge scythe. Oh nice. What the hell. Wine smiles, a bit tense, then says to his kid to not go to sleep to late. He is also locking the door of his room tonight.

Fellswap Gold Papyrus - He was going to the kitchen like every morning to make breakfast but can only find humans organs in the cupboard. Coffee tries to not panick, at least there is coffee. He high pitched screams when he serves himself a cup of coffee and finds a human eye floating in the drink. He begs his kid to stop doing this.

#undertale #underswap #underfell #horrortale #swapfell #fellswap gold #sans #papyrus #undertale ask blog #undertale asks #undertale imagines #undertale headcanons

[featheredadora]

hello! hope you're having a nice day

i have been interested in keeping a pet canary for a bit, but i don't know about any good care guides for them, do you perhaps know one? (it's aight if you don't or if it's too much information to write)

Hi there!

I think canaries are wonderful and really sweet little birds, so it is nice to hear people appreciating them!

That said, I'm afraid I don't really have a specific guide to point you to, sorry! I remember before I got Sunshine for my nan I spent a few months reading just a ton of different guides about canaries (I found it quite overwhelming combing through so much info tbh) but that was more than three years ago now, so I don't really remember which resources I found particularly helpful.

In any case, if you are interested in some thoughts from me personally, I've put some stuff beneath the cut:

In terms of info I have from my personal experience (you might already know all of this, sorry), a lot of the care is not dissimilar to other kinds of birds. Sunshine eats a diet of canary seed mix, superfine pellets, and a range of veggies (he in particular likes to have a piece of tenderstem brocolli clipped up every day. But he also loves romaine lettuce, and chop made from kale, peppers, carrots etc).

Cage-wise, the bigger the better, with an emphasis on length over height - but super important to get very small bar spacing, because canaries are so small that there is a risk of them getting their heads stuck otherwise. Lots of natural perches of differing widths too, and I would personally include a flat perch as well, for variety.

But my experience with Sunshine has also been different from my other birds in lots of ways too! My other birds like to stay out of their cages basically all day, whereas Sunshine prefers to stay in his cage for the bulk of the day. He asks to be let out (usually just a couple of times a day) and will then fly and play around the room for a while, but he then returns to his cage and is happy to play about in there for a bit.

In terms of toys, I have heard that canaries 'don't really play with toys', but this hasn't been my experience with Sunshine. He needs lighter, easier toys though - his favourites are a string of sola wood discs, a paper pinata toy, and a willow ball stuffed with crinkle paper which he likes to pull out.

I've also found that his nails grow a LOT faster than my other birds, so we take him to the vet for a nail trim every few months (if you can do this yourself at home, that's probably better, but Sunshine gets super stressed out if ever we try to grab him). Oh and one last thing, he LOVES having baths. More than any other bird I've known. Annoyingly, Sunshine refuses to use a proper bird bath and will only use his water pot (so I have to clean and refresh it multiple times per day), but I would still say getting a nice little bath for your friend is important!

So yeah, sorry I couldn't be of more help! As with any bird, the best possible advice I can give is to get them registered with a good avian vet for their regular check ups, and also to make sure your house is bird proof (safe for them during out-of-cage time, but also safe from items which could give off fumes, like spray deodorant, candles, most non-stick cooking stuff, etc).

This ended up being both super long, and super basic, sorry! But in any case, thank you for giving me chance to talk a bit about Sunshine (who I love and adore), and I hope you and your future little friend will be really happy together!

#asks #somebodytolove31 #birblr #canary #usual disclaimer here of I am just some guy who likes birds #but I hope this was maybe a little helpful or interesting!

[spacesquidlings]

The Babysitter Is A Vampire Chapter 2: Tea Time Drama

Summary: Now that he's been introduced to the chaotic children he's been tasked with watching, Astarion quickly learns he's got his work cut out for him. Things are not going to be a simple tea party.

Pairing: Astarion x Female Tav (Aspen)

Warnings: None

Previous Chapter

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

Astarion quickly learned that he was quite talented at being a tea party guest. So talented, in fact, that perhaps he had missed his true life’s calling.

Cadence, Willow, and Aisling had hurried around, collecting mismatched cups and spoons and plates, arranging them on a low table that had been shoved into a corner of the room. They tossed everything around haphazardly, with Willow coming back around to straighten up all the dishes and to arrange everyone’s beloved toys around the table.

Astarion did little but supervise, at first. At least until Willow came up to him, jumping up on her toes until she snagged his hand to grab his attention.

“What is it, my dear?”

“We need snacks,” she said, her face somber but for the dance of light in her eyes. “And we need the tea!”

He turned to Aspen, her hair a mess from a toddler chucking a bowl of sticky fruit at her. He hesitated, not wanting to burden her further, but she only smiled, coming closer to slip her hand into his.

“What is it, my love?” She asked, wiping her forehead with her free hand as fruit juice trickled down from her scalp.

It would have been embarrassing to admit what was churning in his mind had he been with anyone else. But Aspen was always gentle with him, always patient. He knew that he could be honest with her, that he could show her every part of himself, no matter how broken or incompetent or bloodstained he was.

“They wanted to host a tea party,” he said, by way of explanation. “But we seem to be missing the key ingredient here.”

She nodded, a smile like a crescent moon curving across her lips. “Ah, I see.”

“And I don’t actually know…” He trailed off, looking down to where their hands were intertwined before continuing. “I don’t know how to make tea.”

“That’s no problem.” Aspen squeezed his hand, bringing it to her lips to scatter kisses over his knuckles, the inside of his wrist. “I can make it for you.”

“And treats!”

They both started, looking down to find Willow still standing close by, her expression borderline mischievous.

Aspen tapped her cheek, feigning thought, smiling wider. “And what kind of treats would you like?”

“Cookies! And cake! And uh…” She trailed off, her face growing somber once more. “And my favourite is pie. Please.”

Aspen chuckled, bobbing her head. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you,” Astarion murmured, squeezing her hand in return. “For helping me. I don’t think I’m much good at this.”

“I’d do anything for you,” she breathed, kissing his hand again. He would have liked it if she’d kissed his lips, but he supposed this was neither the time or place. “And for someone who’s never really dealt with children, you are doing a marvellous job.”

He arched a brow. “I’m pretty sure they almost staged a coup.”

She shrugged. “That’s just regular kid stuff.”

He would have liked to speak with her longer, to listen to the gentle rise and fall of her voice, a lullaby that was forever soothing his anxieties when she was near. But one of the toddlers was wailing, and Willow was tugging at his free hand again, asking him to come and play.

“I love you,” Aspen said, giving his hand one last squeeze before letting it go. “I’m just going to put the last of the little ones to bed, and then I’ll get the treats, alright?”

“Alright.” He did his best to smile, although he wished the smaller children did not take up so much of Aspen’s time. He wanted to hear more of her praise, wanted her to beam at him, at how well he was handling everything. “Don’t miss me too much.”

She shot him a wry smile before scooping up the wailing child and disappearing from the room.

Astarion would be lying if he said his heart did not ache, that he did not already miss her now that she was gone. He had teased her, but the truth was that he missed her terribly, that he was no better than a lovesick fool counting down the moments until his lover’s return.

Not that he could dwell on how he wished she would return soon, not with the children clamouring to begin playing, even while they were devoid of snacks. So he let himself be directed to a spot between Willow and a large stuffed bear that he thought might have been named Oak, although he wasn’t entirely sure. Every time the twins started trying to name all the toys they confused each other, and the conversion quickly devolved into bickering until Ellie started reciting one of her stories.

Glory stood abruptly, shaking her tea cup. “I would like to make toast!”

“Toast is for breakfast!” Ellie shouted, frowning.

“Not toast,” Glory muttered, stomping her foot. “I have something to say!”

“Well why didn’t you just say that!”

“I suspect we’ll be here all night if someone doesn’t stop those two,” Astarion muttered, twirling his empty teacup around his finger. Beside him, Willow giggled, covering her face when he looked over at her.

“And what do you find so funny?” He teased, flipping his cup over and leaning closer. “What are you laughing at, little one?”

She shook her head furiously. “Nothing!”

“That sounds like something!”

She snickered again, peeking up at him from between her fingers. “You’re silly.”

He didn’t know why her comment made him so pleased, and yet it did. He beamed, he couldn’t stop himself from beaming, as he leaned back in his seat. “Thank you, I happen to be quite hilarious.”

She giggled again, although she was no longer hiding herself. “Rigel thinks you’re silly, too.”

“That is the highest of compliments from Rigel.” He didn’t think he could smile wider, and yet he did, the clamour of the other children melting away for a moment.

“He likes you.”

“He’s quite a good judge of character, then.”

“And,” she added, her voice dropping to a whisper. “He really likes Miss Aspen, too!”

“Oh my.” Astarion held a hand to his lips, feigning surprise. “Well that is so wonderful to hear. I really like Miss Aspen, too.”

“Do you think she’d like him?”

Astarion lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I think we should ask her when she brings the snacks.”

“Hey! Hey, look at me!”

Astarion turned his attention to Rose, who had stood now, too. She had her hands planted on her hips, a wide smile on her face. “I’m gonna sing!”

He blinked, unsure whether this was standard protocol at a tea party. “Alright, go ahead then, my dear.”

She cleared her throat, launching into an off-key version of a song that Astarion had never heard of before.

Glory, her toast forgotten in the mayhem that was Ellie, slumped back in her seat with a huff. “Can someone pass me the muffins? I need to give one to Glitter.”

“That’s you!” Aisling cried, waving a hand at Astarion. “You’ve got the muffins!”

He frowned, looking down at empty air. “I do?”

“Yes!” She sounded beyond exasperated with him. “Gimme the muffins, I’ll give them to Glory!”

Astarion bit the inside of his cheek, trying to stop himself from laughing as he mimed picking up a plate, passing it to Aisling. “This one?”

“Yes, this one.” She was perhaps the most exasperated child he had ever met, and she rolled her eyes theatrically before passing the “plate” to Glory.

An idea struck Astarion then, and he grinned as he leaned over the table. “Be careful! You’re dropping the muffins.”

Glory gasped, playing along immediately. “Aisling! You dropped the muffins! I can’t give those to Glitter!”

Glitter, a soft pink stuffed bear, seemed to have a look of disdain on her fluffy face, and it did little to help the laughter bubbling in the back of Astarion’s throat.

“I didn’t drop any muffins!” Aisling cried, jabbing a finger at Astarion. “It was him!”

He lifted his hands, palms out. “I was careful, it couldn’t have been me!”

“I saw you!” Willow cried, chiming in. “I saw you drop them, Aisling!”

Glory gasped, leaning down only to hold her hand up, holding what Astarion assumed was an invisible muffin. It looked more like an orange to him, but he wouldn’t call her out on it now that he’d begun to sow his chaos. “Look at this! You dropped it! It was you!”

“No, I swear!”

Astarion leaned across the table, closest to Ellie. “You know what I think we ought to do?”

Ellie stared at him wide-eyed, shaking her head.

He mimicked pushing a plate of some unknown pastry towards the girl. “I think we ought to throw these at Aisling.”

Ellie gasped, but her eyes glittered with mischief. “What would Aisling say?”

“She lied about dropping the muffins, didn’t she?” He clicked his tongue, pulling his bottom lip out into a pout. “Now poor Glitter won’t have her favourite muffin.”

Another gasp came from the child, more scandalized this time. “Dats right! And if Glitter can’t have muffins, then none of us can!”

Astarion would be lying if he said he wasn’t smiling a little as Ellie pretended to pick up an imaginary pastry, shouting to get Aisling’s attention.

“Dis is for Glitter!”

Aisling blinked, looking aghast. She had obviously not been hit by a real pastry, but she looked horrified all the same. “What did you do?”

“I threw a cookie at you!”

Aisling scowled. “No you did not. Those are cupcakes.”

Astarion pretended to lift a cookie from the plate, miming taking a bite. “I don’t know, it feels like a cookie to me.”

He almost felt a little bad as Aisling fumed, her cheeks turning red. “Maybe they’re cookies made of cupcakes!”

“Oh that’s a new recipe, you’ll have to show me how to make them,” he quipped.

Marie dropped her head, lines forming on her brow. “What’s happening?”

“We’re attacking Aisling!” Ellie announced, leaping to her feet. “For dropping all of Glitter’s favourite muffins!”

Glory was on her feet next, lifting her cup and pretend dumping it on Aisling. “For Glitter!”

“We shouldn’t be wasting the food,” Cadence whined, although she was drowned out by the whoops of the rest of the children as they all leapt to their feet.

“Take that!” Aisling shrieked, lobbing something right at Glory.

One of the twins, Rose he was pretty sure, picked up her tea cup and threw the invisible liquid right at Cadence. “Ha! Dats for beating me at mermaids!”

Although she had been against their game at the start, Cadence got into it quickly, pretending to splutter before tossing her cup’s invisible contents right back at Rose. “Got ya!”

“No you didn’t! You missed!”

“Oh no, there’s cake in my hair!”

“You almost hit Glitter!”

“Don’t throw cookies at Lucy, you’ll make her cry!”

Astarion didn’t even have to participate any longer, instead sitting back as the chaos unfolded. It was a bizarre sight, the children that had seemed so serious and somber when he’d first met them, now with flushed cheeks and bright eyes. 

Glory and Aisling were no longer at odds, instead teaming up to pretend to make more food before tossing them at anyone who got too close. 

Marie was stacking pillows on top of her chair like she was trying to build a fort, although she kept pretending to get hit by food and threw herself to the floor every few minutes with a shout of feigned agony.

“‘Scuse me…”

Astarion looked down to see Willow still pressed close, her wolf clutched in her arms. “What is it, darling?”

“Can you keep Rigel safe for me?” She whispered, holding her wolf up. “He’s scared of flying things.”

He nodded, delicately taking the wolf and settling it in his lap. “I’ll keep him very safe.”

“Thank you!”

Willow didn’t give him a second look before she launched towards Cadence, waving her teacup as she shouted about throwing doughnuts at Rose.

He patted the stuffed wolf, surveying his work as the children laughed, screaming as they pretend to get hit with the flying confections, throwing themselves to the ground before crawling back up with renewed vigor.

“And what do we have here?”

Astarion turned to see Aspen had returned, steam curling from the spout of a brown teapot cradled in her hands.

“Oh, hello my darling,” Astarion said, his focus snagging on her as she came up to their little party.

“We’re playing!” Willow squealed, running up to her. “Do you wanna play with us?”

Aspen set the teapot down, humming in thought. “Hmm, I’m not sure. What game are you playing?”

“Tea party,” Glory announced, her face flushed as she heaved deep breaths.

“Crazy tea party,” Cadence amended.

“Oh my,” Aspen said. “I don’t know, that sounds pretty crazy. And pretty loud.”

“We were just having fun, Miss Aspen,” Willow whined, slumping onto a pile of pillows that had collapsed from Marie’s attempt at a fort.

“I know,” she said, her smile soft. “But you know, everyone has to be quiet now. The littlest ones are all upstairs sleeping.

Glory heaved a deep sigh, pouting. “But we’re playing!”

“I know. And you can keep playing, but you have to do it quietly, okay?”

Around the table, all the girls gave sullen nods, staring down at their overturned cups and plates and chairs.

“Alright. Now then, would you all like some snacks.”

Like embers to dry kindling, their faces erupted into light and smiles as “yes please” echoed through the room.

She grinned wider. “I’ll be right back, then.”

Another moment later and Aspen returned with brown packages piled high in her arms. Forgetting all about their violent tea party, the children flocked around Aspen as she settled everything on the table, trying to peek over her shoulder into the packages.

“What are all those, Miss Aspen?” It was Cadence who asked it, leaning so far over her shoulder it looked like she might slip and fall forward onto her face.

“Well this is cookies,” Aspen began, unpackaging the first box to reveal a pile of cookies. They were smothered with orchid pink and sunshine yellow frosting, drowning in sprinkles in the shapes of stars and hearts.

The girls squealed, and even Astarion could hardly contain his delight at the sight. These cookies looked fresh, the frosting melting away at the edges, and he wondered what Aspen had done to get them.

Next was a package of little cakes, intricate designs curling across their frosted sides and tops. Coral flowers and golden suns, emerald fish and azure waves. Edible gold had been dusted across the cakes, making them shimmer in the wan light.

“There’s one for each of you,” she sang, cheeks flushed with pride. Her lips were pulled back in a grin, their rose-petal shade telling him she had been biting them ferociously before she’d returned, and again he was left wondering what exactly she had done to gather these treats.

“And finally…” She trailed off, throwing open the top of the final package with a flourish.

Nestled inside was a collection of little tarts, hearts and stars carved over their golden crusts, deep red and purple filling seeping out.

Even Astarion’s mouth was watering at the smell, imagining how it would feel if he bit into it, imagining the flakey crust, the tart berries on his tongue.

“Little pies!” Willow shrieked, staring down into the package in wonder. “They’re so pretty!”

“You said pie was your favourite,” Aspen said, her soft smile making Astarion feel warm, making him feel like he was melting as surely as the frosting was. “I’m only sorry I couldn’t get a bigger one for you.”

“They’re perfect!”

She spun around suddenly, launching herself into Aspen’s arms. “Thank you! Thank you Miss Aspen!”

Aspen laughed, and his heart soared, caught like the gossamer wings of butterflies in a breeze. He couldn’t understand it, the why of his joy, but in the moment he didn’t bother to consider it. He only savoured her smile and the warmth that grew in his heart like flowers blooming in the spring. He was allowed to be happy, to have no reason for it, to delight in his partner’s smile and laughter.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said, smoothing back Willow’s hair. “Why don’t we get your plates organized, and everyone can enjoy their snack and tea.”

A chorus of delighted shouts rang out, almost immediately followed by hushed sorry’s as Aspen tapped her pointer finger to her lips.

Astarion worked alongside her, doling out the treats at the children’s request, settling them on plates while she poured steaming, amber tea into their little cups.

It was only once the children were all settled, chattering about whatever nonsense was delighting them at the moment, did Astarion slump back into an abandoned seat, fatigue reaching across the edges of his mind.

Aspen came up beside him, her brow creased with worry. “Are you okay, my love?”

He leaned his head against her leg, sighing as she settled her hand on his head. “I’m alright, just a bit tired.”

“They’re quite a handful, aren’t they?”

He nodded, that inexplicable warmth and tightness in his chest only growing more taut. “They’re quite hilarious, though.”

She hummed. “As are you, my love. You looked like you were having lots of fun playing tea party.”

“You know,” he said, contentment washing over him as she ran her fingers through his hair. “I think I would have made a fabulous tea party host in another life.”

“You are just brimming with all sorts of surprising skills,” she teased.

“And that’s why you love me so, isn’t it?”

She smirked. “Among other things. But I wouldn’t care if you were a talentless fool, I would still love you.”

“Now why would you say something like that?”

“Because,” she sang, drawing out the word slowly. “I love you, and you’ll always be you, Astarion. I love you for your heart, not the things you can do.”

He felt his eyes burning, and he pressed his face fully against her thigh, hoping to staunch the tears before they fell.

He had never before thought himself a crier, and yet sometimes she would say things with such softness, with such adoration, that he did not know what to do with the emotion that brimmed within him. All he could do was cry, her hands stroking his hair, his back, holding him until the tears slowed and turned to salt on his cheeks.

“It’s a rotten thing, you know,” he muttered, not sure if she could hear him. “After all these years.”

“Not to me. It’s yours, and I will love it even after I draw my final breath.”

He took a shuddering breath, closing his eyes. “You really need to stop being so nice to me, it’s turning me soft.”

She snorted, stroking his hair. “I think that’s one request I will not be able to fulfill for you, my love.”

He did not say it, but he was glad for it. That there was always kindness and patience for him in her smile, waiting in her arms.

Not that he needed to say it, anyways. He was sure she already knew; that he savoured the gentleness she showed him.

“I don’t mind if you’re a little soft,” she said, her voice a caress. “It means you’re all the better to cuddle with.”

“Darling, if you want to cuddle all you have to do is ask.” He peeked up from his hiding place, watching her from beneath the fringe of his lashes. “I’d be happy to oblige.”

Laughing, Aspen pried herself free from his grip, only to lean down and drop a kiss to his head. “I will take you up on that, you know.”

“I hope you do.” He tried to sound sultry, giving her a lazy smile as she drew away. But it was hard when his hope was genuine, when he truly wanted to just be wrapped in her arms, to rest while listening to the steady beat of her heart.

“Miss Aspen!”

Returning to the present chaos he found Willow had come up to them, her stuffed wolf clutched in her arms. She had her focus fixed entirely on Aspen, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she stared up at her.

“What is it, love?”

Willow held up her stuffed wolf, wiggling him for Aspen to see. “This is Rigel!”

“Hello, Rigel. How lovely to meet you.”

Willow giggled as Aspen reached out to shake Rigel’s paw. “Do you like him?”

“I think he’s wonderful. He looks very handsome.”

Another giggle, Willow’s hair falling over her face like a curtain as she ducked her head. “He says thank you.”

“Thank you for introducing us!” She gave another pat to the stuffed wolf’s head. “It’s made my day.”

“Miss Aspen, you’re silly.” And with that, Willow ran off, waving before either of them could get a word in edgewise.

“Do you think she meant that as a compliment?” Aspen asked, turning to Astarion with a quirked brow. “I can’t tell if it was.”

Grinning as he tipped his head back, he reached up to brush his knuckles across her cheek. “I think it is the highest of compliments from her.”

“She was clinging to you an awful lot today,” she said, her voice lilting. “It seems like she’s grown fond of you.”

He looked away so she could not see the warmth flooding his cheeks. “Well of course she has. I’m quite easy to adore.”

“Astarion.”

Still he would not look at her, would not meet her eyes. How could he explain the fondness he felt in return, to the small elven child with her somber eyes and her matted stuffed wolf? 

“Yes, my sweet?”

“Why won’t you look at me?”

He cleared his throat, fixing his attention on a scratch on the wall, where the wallpaper had been shredded. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She hummed, making it clear she did not believe him in the least.

“Fine, be that way.”

The sound of rustling clothing told him that she was moving to stand, preparing to go. But this was the first time they had been able to share more than a few moments together since they had entered the house, and he was loath to let her go already.

“Wait.” He was reaching for her hand without realizing it, snagging it so she could not move away. “Don’t go. I only…”

Aspen knelt beside him, smoothing his mussed hair from his face. “What is it, my love?”

“I was only joking around, I didn’t want you to go.” He sighed, melting a little as her fingers continued to flit through his hair. “I don’t know what I’m feeling right now.”

“That’s okay,” she murmured, tingles blooming beneath her touch whenever her fingers grazed his brow. “You don’t have to know.”

“Yes, but…” He trailed off, words failing him. He had found more often than not his words were constantly failing him, now that he was no longer following the roguish script he had created when trying to charm people. Being genuine and honest was difficult, and even more trying was being honest about how he felt, was putting words to the tangled emotions that lay in the shadowed parts of his heart.

“It’s alright not to know.” Her hand fell away, and for a moment she rested her head on his lap, looking up at him with such contentment and love that his eyes burned once more. “You don’t need to. You can take as much time as you need to understand what you’re feeling.”

How someone could be so patient, he did not understand. He had seen her grow restless with so many things, unable to lie in wait for enemies to approach, not bothering to strategize for more than a few moments before charging into a dungeon none of them knew. Even just waiting for her food to be cool enough to eat, so impatient she squirmed, struggling to take bites that burned her tongue and had her guzzling water before she took another bite of what surely tasted like wildfire.

And yet with him she was always patient, always gentle and kind. Her touch soft, her words and her eyes warm. She was what sunshine felt like on his skin, brushing against him, seeping into the marrow of his bones, so even his undead heart was warm, even the blood that congealed in his cold veins burned.

A part of him worried that she was putting aside too much of what she wanted, making herself small so that she could fill the empty spaces of her soul with him. But she was honest with him, and how she felt came to her lips easily, and she wasn’t particularly adept at keeping secrets. It didn’t take much to get her to unveil whatever she tried squirreling away inside her heart.

It was only self doubt that made him question whether he was taking up too much space, making him feel like he was spoiling things, ruining things.

He was no monster, not in her eyes. And if she saw someone who could be good, if she saw someone who deserved the love she spoiled him with, then he would believe her. There was, after all, no one he trusted more than her.

“Thank you, my darling.” His words came out raspier than he had intended, his voice cracking.

She gave him another contented smile, her eyes falling closed. “I love you, and I’ll always be here with you.”

He ran the pads of his fingers over her brow, relishing in the warmth of her skin seeping into his. “And I with you, my love.”

She hummed softly, a song she often sang to him at dawn, the watery morning light seeping across the sky, turning it grey before the gold of the sun set the world ablaze. She would sing to him, running her fingers through his hair before she fell asleep, and he would hold her close until dusk turned everything to flame and it was safe for him to walk into the world once more.

“Astarion,” she breathed, her eyes still closed, lashes fanning out over the curve of her cheek. “Can I ask something of you?”

His heart ached, wishing he could give her everything she desired. But he could do this at least, he could answer a question for her. “What is it my darling?”

Now her eyes did open, mischief hidden within them. “Could you keep playing with my hair? That feels very nice.”

His hand had been hovering over her hair, but now he drew it away, wiggling his fingers to taunt her. “Hmm, I’m not sure about that, my darling. I’ve done so much today already.”

With a huff, she sat up, lips pulling into a spectacular pout. “Perhaps I will just go.”

Before she could fully stand he reached out to snag her arm, drawing her close and coaxing her back into his lap. “I didn’t say no, darling. Only that I’ve done a lot today.”

She hummed, one brow quirked as her eyes danced. “You’re awfully benevolent.”

“I am,” he agreed, smirking. “I’m terribly benevolent, and kind. And I’m quite beautiful, too.”

Her eyes were already closed again, a lazy smile on her lips. “Oh the most beautiful.”

He was certainly beautiful, but in this moment she was the one who was most beautiful by far.

“I’m so glad we’re in agreement.”

She cracked one eye open, finding his. “You’re terribly sweet, too. You’re making my teeth ache.”

Bringing his hand down to her cheek, he stroked the corner of her lips. “Darling, I’d do anything for this pretty smile.”

Had they been alone they would have been able to stay like that all night, perhaps into the day too. The warmth of her skin seeped into the spaces between his bones, into his marrow, across nerves until his hands tingled as they had when he’d first reached towards the sun, when the tadpole had still been buried in his brain and it had given him the freedom to stand in the light.

They were, however, not alone. Would likely not be alone for hours yet.

A shout erupted, drawing them from their reverie. Aspen sat up quickly, climbing to her feet as Willow fell onto the floor, head tipped back as she wailed.

“What’s happened?” Aspen ran over to her, kneeling down as she continued to sob, her cheeks turning ruddy from crying.

“Aisling spilled her tea!” Ellie cried, jabbing a finger at the little girl in question.

“Snitch!” She shouted back, but she looked terrified.

“Where did she spill it?” Astarion was on his feet now too, coming towards them and the mess that the room had begun in the few moments he hadn’t been paying attention.

Willow was blubbering, rubbing her eyes as snot dripped down her face. She was incoherent, and he couldn’t make out what she was saying.

Beside her, Aspen tried to calm her down, drawing her close for a cuddle as she sobbed. “It’s okay, it’s all okay.”

“It’s not okay!” her voice cracked, splintering like dried kindling.

It was only when one of the other children lifted up a sopping wet Rigel, stained amber from the tea, did it all make sense.

“Oh no,” Aspen murmured, eyes widening when she saw the poor toy. “Is it because Rigel was hurt?”

Willow gave a dejected nod as another sob bubbled from her mouth. “He’s hurt!”

Sighing, Astarion crouched beside Aisling, her countenance white as a sheet. “Did you mean to spill it?”

There were tears in her eyes, the tip of her nose turning red. “No! No, it was an accident!”

Her bottom lip was quivering now too, and Astarion patted her head, unsure of what to do next. It had been so long since he had been a child, he didn’t know how he was supposed to respond. He didn’t think this sort of issue required a timeout or a punishment, but how did they fix what had sent Willow into hysterics?

Aisling stared at Astarion, looking a little baffled. She was no longer crying through, which he considered a win. “What are you doing?”

“Comforting you?”

She giggled then, scrubbing her face. “You’re weird.”

He sniffed, narrowing his eyes. “You’re weird.”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

Aisling giggled again, and Astarion struggled to keep his expression as one of petulance. It was relief that he felt, relief and satisfaction that he was able to calm her down and slow the flow of her tears.

Once she had calmed completely he dropped his hand, resting it on his knee. Willow was still crying, although it sounded like it was starting to slow, more quiet whimpers than wracking sobs. He tried to think of what to do now, what to say. Everything had been an accident, but Willow was still distressed, and in her mind Rigel had been hurt.

He tried to think about what he would do, and when that drew a blank he thought about what his friends would do, what Aspen would do. If this had been him, if he had hurt someone unintentionally.

What would she say to him? What would she do?

“I know you didn’t mean to spill tea on Willow’s toy,” he started, speaking slowly as he thought through his words, as he kept his tone gentle and even. “But you still spilled tea all over Willow’s toy, and you’re going to have to apologize.”

Aisling stared at him with watery eyes, and, like freezing water sluicing over him, fear washed through his mind as he worried that he had said something wrong, that he had made things worse.

Tension coiled in his chest, pulling his heart taut as seconds ticked by, Willow’s sniffles the only sound in the room. Aisling continued to stare at him, no longer looking on the verge of tears, but not looking like she was preparing to apologize either.

He drew breath, trying to figure out what else he could say so she did not cry anymore, but the words died on his tongue as she gave a sullen nod.

“Okay.” Her voice was raspy as she turned to Willow, grabbing at the hem of her shirt. “Willow?”

Still clutching Aspen, Willow turned her tear-stained face to Aisling, bottom lip trembling. Her fingers dug into Aspen’s shoulder in a way that must have been painful, sniffling sadly.

“I’m sorry,” Aisling said, ducking her head. “I’m really sorry.”

Willow said nothing, but new tears streaked down her cheeks, gathering at her jaw before tumbling into her lap.

“I didn’t mean to hurt him.”

Willow sniffled, eyes staring down at where Rigel lay, tea soaking into his matted fur. “He’s ruined.”

“Oh, that’s not true,” Aspen murmured, smoothing back Willow’s hair. “He’s not ruined.”

“He’s dying!”

Aisling flinched as Willow burst into another bout of tears. “Willow, don’t cry!”

That seemed to do the exact opposite, and she cried all the harder, burying her face in Aspen’s shoulder, smearing snot across her shirt.

The tension in Astarion’s heart grew more taut, his blood seeming to boil, urging him to do something. He felt almost frantic, wishing he could find a way to calm the child’s tears. Not because it was annoying, but because she was sad. She was so horribly sad, her most cherished thing in the world drowning in spilled tea.

He stood, moving closer to Aspen so he could take a better look at the wolf. Amber liquid had pooled beneath it, seeping out from the stained plush. He lifted it gently, lukewarm tea dripping down his hands and wrists.

“Darling, I think Rigel can be saved.” He crouched down beside Aspen so he could show Willow her toy. “I think we can work a little magic to save him, and then he’ll be good as new.”

Her tears subsided, although she still frowned as she dug the heel of her hand into her eye. “He can?”

He nodded, hoping the smile he gave was reassuring. “He can, darling. He’ll be ready for you before you go to sleep.”

It was like a switch being flicked, her tear-stained face lighting up with hope like the sun emerging after a storm. “Really?”

“Of course, dear,” he smiled, feeling more confident now that she was no longer crying. “He’ll be all better in no time.”

She whipped around to stare up at Aspen, beaming. “He’s gonna live!”

“He is! He’s going to be okay!” Aspen giggled, wiping away the tears from Willow’s cheeks. “But before that, I think you have something to say to your friend.”

She turned to Aisling, frozen still as a statue. “She apologized, and you weren’t very nice to her.”

Willow huffed, looking angry for the first time since Astarion had met her. “She hurt him.”

“Yes, but it was an accident.” Aspen kept her voice kind, but she was firm as she chided her. “She didn’t mean to hurt him, or to make you sad. She’s trying to make things better.”

Willow sulked, looking away. “But I’m mad.”

“You can be mad, but she’s trying to make things right. Do you think you can forgive her?”

Willow shook her head viciously, looking like she was on the verge of tears once more. “No! Never! I hate her!”

Aisling flinched, shoulders coming up to her ears. “I didn’t- I didn’t mean to-”

“I hate you!”

Astarion stepped between the two girls then, blocking them both from view. “Hey. That’s enough.”

He was surprised at the firmness of his tone, and even more surprised by how he had stepped in before anything escalated, stopping both children in their tracks.

“We don’t need to be making any hasty declarations right now,” he said. “It’s getting late. Willow, why don’t you go with Aspen to clean up. Aisling, come with me and we can fix up Rigel. The rest of you…”

He hadn’t thought that far ahead. He’d been too focused on the two fires that were calming the two girls down and needing to clean Rigel. The other children had completely slipped his mind.

“The rest of you can clean up everything and start getting ready for bed,” Aspen finished. “Stack the boxes of treats on the table, put all your plates and cups on the table, and then head to your rooms for the night, okay?”

A murmured chorus of “okays” echoed through the room, followed by the sound of shuffling as the children began to clean up, restoring some measure of order to the room.

Aspen hefted Willow into her arms, cooing softly as she tried to staunch the last of her tears. “Why don’t we go take a bath? I know that always helps me to relax.”

The sound of footsteps fading as they climbed the stairs, Astarion turned to Aisling, who still stood clutching her shirt, watching him with wide eyes.

“I really didn’t mean it.”

He smiled, bending down to ruffle her hair. “I know you didn’t, kid. But let’s go clean up this wolf, and maybe then Willow will forgive you.”

Next chapter

#astarion bg3 #astarion ancunin #astarion baldur's gate 3 #bg3 astarion #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #astarion x tav #astarion x oc #astarion x reader #astarion x female tav #honey the sweeter the sun

[coraniaid]

Anne is such a well constructed episode.  It’s not the best season opener (that’s Bargaining) and it’s not my favorite season opener (probably When She Was Bad), and if you’re feeling cynical you could argue it’s at least partly a pilot for the Angel spin-off series in disguise (since … it is?), but it’s just so well put together and full of so much foreshadowing and symbolism and references to previous episodes.  I really like it and I really liked rewatching it, almost more than I was expecting to.

The last time I watched it I remember being annoyed by the fact it didn’t focus entirely on Buffy in LA.  I thought the scenes set back in Sunnydale were a distraction from her story: I don’t care about Xander and Cordelia’s relationship and I don’t care about the Scoobies' attempt to stake one very obliging random vampire.   And yet, for some reason, this time around I felt a lot better disposed to this half of the episode.  I do still think it would have been interesting to have a whole episode away from Buffy’s friends, and that the Sunnydale plotline is a lot less intense than what’s going on in LA. But I think it’s a mistake to conclude the scenes in Sunnydale are a waste of time or don’t do something important.

The juxtaposition between a Buffyless Sunndale and a Buffy who’s stopped being Buffy felt a lot more deliberate this time around, whether that meant cutting directly to Buffy’s dream about Angel after Willow said she wished she knew where she was, or the way the big, noisy crowd at the first day of school hard cuts to Buffy sitting alone in silence in her tiny rented room, or Joyce asking Giles “and who exactly is she?” right before Lily comes back to the diner to ask Buffy for help.  And, having set up this pattern, the fact that we never once cut back to Sunnydale while Buffy and Lily are trapped in the hell dimension suddenly feels weirdly claustrophobic, and makes that final jump back to Joyce at home at the end work a lot better than it otherwise would. 

I also really really like Lily.  As Chanterelle in Lie To Me she wasn’t really given much to do, but Julia Lee is really good here as – not quite a proto-Faith, but another alternate Buffy who’s quietly hinted to have a pretty horrible backstory.  That pause after Buffy asks her “what do they call you at home?” speaks volumes, as does the way she assures Buffy she wouldn’t tell anyone about who she is or where to find her because “I know how it is when you’ve got to get lost”, or how quickly she resigns herself to believing they’re in hell later because she “always knew she belonged here”.

And, almost at the same time, she’s also a great comic foil (asking Buffy if she can “come with her” right after agreeing that they should split up, or coming back to apologize to her when she's meant to be getting away "in case we die").  I love that she gets to push Ken off the balcony mid-speech (in fact, I almost think the episode would be stronger if that really was the last we saw of Ken: I’m not sure his reappearance later just to be killed by Buffy herself really adds much).  And I love the argument about Rickie’s death (that isn’t really about Rickie) that she has with Buffy: “he didn’t do anything wrong, why would this happen to him?” versus “These things happen all the time. You can’t just close your eyes and hope they’re going to go away.”

I really like the fact that Lily (as Anne Steele) goes on to be a minor character on Angel, but I do wish we’d had some hint that Buffy really had stayed in touch with her after this episode the way she promises she will.  Once again I am imploring the Buffy writers, decades after the fact, to please let Buffy have a few more friends. 

(Oh, and, look: neither Buffy nor Lily get magically pregnant and die this episode!  The possibility doesn’t even come up!  Maybe this wasn’t a stealth Angel pilot after all...)

And I've not even touched on the wonderfully unsubtle foreshadowing of Ken’s repeated lines about kids “getting old fast here”, or the way this episode almost acts as a proto-Bargaining (with Willow very clearly taking charge of the group in Buffy’s absence, even taking on the Slayer role in the pre-credits scene), or Oz throwing his stake at a retreating vampire and then ruefully noting that “that just never works” as it bounces harmlessly wide, or just how much everyone in Sunnydale seems to miss Buffy in their own different ways, or Larry insisting this is the football team’s year if only they can “keep discipline, maintain focus and not have quite so many mysterious deaths”.  Or that last shot of Buffy back home, and how it’s deliberately framed from her mom's perspective rather than her own.

Honestly, I just think Season 3 is so good and I love it so much (I furiously remind myself, knowing that Dead Man’s Party is up next and will try its best to convince me I’m wrong…)

#btvs #buffy rewatch 2023