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study-coffee-chicago · 1 year

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Holiday Away (A Halstead Brothers + Halstead Sister Imagine)

A/N: I figured I'd write a festive imagine! Don't forget to vote and comment!

Enjoy!

"Hey! The Halsteads are here!" Hermann exclaimed as you, Jay, and Hailey walked into Molly's.

"Three-fourths of us," you answered. "Will's at work."

"He'll be here later though, Hermann. Don't you worry," Jay reassured him.

"Good," Cindy said. "We have more than enough food.

"Where's everyone else?" you asked, meaning the rest of 51. You knew that everyone's schedule always got screwed up during the holidays, so some people on their normal shift got stuck working a different one.

"Pretty sure Stella and Kelly picked up a bit of overtime, so they should be here soon. I don't know when all the rest of them will be here," Herrmann answered.

"Well, I went out with Gallo, Violet, and Ritter last night and Gallo and Ritter were three sheets to the wind when we left, so they're probably sleeping off hangovers," you said.

At this, Jay's eyes widened. "You didn't tell me that. Did they get home okay? I told you to call me or Will if you needed a ride home."

"Violet said she'd get them back to her apartment at least. And, she texted me when she was back, so don't worry. Jeez, have a little faith in me, Jay."

Jay rolled his eyes.

"Guys, we can continue this conversation when we have some food," Hailey said.

Jay nodded. "Good point."

The three of you grabbed Thanksgiving food with all the fixings from the bar and sat down.

The minute you sat down, in waltzed Adam, Kim, and Makayla followed by Kevin and... you gasped.

"Vanessa?!" you exclaimed and jumped up.

"Looks like they pulled it off," Kevin said as you ran up to her and gave her a hug.

You pulled away and gave a confused look to Kevin. "Pulled what off?"

"We all knew for months that she was coming home for Thanksgiving, but we decided to surprise you."

"Well, consider me surprised!"

"Alright, grab some food and then you can catch up!" Hermann yelled. "Cindy will murder me if all this food she and her book club made goes to waste!"

"Christopher!" Cindy yelled.

Hermann shrugged. "What? It's true."

You all laughed and then let the rest of Intelligence fill their plates while you helped Jay push together a table so that you could all sit together.

When Vanessa sat down, you decided it was time that you broke out your Spanish...despite how rusty it was from two years of online Spanish classes plus your current gap year between undergrad and grad school.

***

Half an hour later, Kelly and Stella walked in. And then, fifteen minutes after them, came Gallo, Violet, and Ritter.

"Hey!" Stella yelled. "If anyone wants drinks, c'mon up to the bar!"

"They ain't free, though!" Hermann yelled again. Cindy gave him a side-eye. "Fine. Fifty percent off, but only because it's a holiday. And, Lee Henry will be here with the other kids soon, so if he wants a drink, don't give it to him! He's still a few months away from the legal drinking age."

A few of the first responders laughed and then you waited for a few people to get up and go to the bar and then you went up.

When you ordered your drink from Stella, you had to yell over how loud it was starting to get. Some of the doctors and nurses from Med had just walked in, so there were even more people here. You couldn't believe it had only been you, Hailey, and Jay just a little over an hour ago.

"Hey, Y/N," Stella greeted. "What can I get for you?"

"Something fruity and a bit strong," you said.

Stella raised her eyebrows and she shared a look with Kelly who was sitting at the bar right next to you.

"Everything okay?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine," you answered. "Just started to get a bit crowded in here and I know my social meter will go down in about an hour."

"Your what?" he asked.

"I won't feel like being around people in an hour," you clarified.

"Fair enough," he said.

Then, Violet came and stood next to you. "Hey, Y/N. You hungover at all from last night?"

You shook your head. "I only had two drinks last night, remember? And they were super spaced out. You have any trouble getting Gallo and Ritter back to your place?"

"The hardest part was getting Gallo in and out of the car and up the stairs. Luckily Ritter wasn't as drunk as Gallo so he helped me with that part."

"Good. He drinking anything tonight?"

Violet smiled. "Well, he said no more drinking last night, but in about hour he'll probably break that. But, Ritter promised he'd only have two drinks tonight so I don't have to deal with both of them like I did last night."

"Well, that's good."

Then, Stella came out with your drink and you handed her some money. When you got back to your table, Makayla asked if you'd play her in Trivia Crack, to which you happily obliged.

***

You had been here for a little over three and a half hours and to say it was loud would be an understatement. Stella and Kelly were here, and so was Gallo since they didn't have close family to go to. Violet and Ritter had left a while ago to go spend some time with their families and Adam, Kim, and Makayla had left so that they could break into the pie that Makayla and Kim had made last night and Adam promised that they'd decorate for Christmas tonight, too. Will was here and since he had to drive himself home, he was capping himself at two drinks, so he wasn't as loud as Jay was because he was officially three sheets to the wind as of two drinks ago (Hailey had officially cut him off and Stella would now be serving him soda water with a splash of alcohol on the straw so that he assumed the drink was alcoholic). And there were lots of first responders who you hadn't met who were on shift and just stopped by for a Thanksgiving meal because they weren't able to spend the day with their families since they were working.

Unbeknownst to you, Hailey had had many a panic attack in her life and had been watching your body language. She had noticed how your brow was slightly furrowed all the time and how your eyes seemed to be hyper-focused on your drink in front of you and how your foot was bouncing on the leg of the chair.

"Can we go home soon?" you asked.

"I just got here," Will said. Then he caught your gaze. He too noticed your face. "Okay, how about we leave in an hour?"

An hour. You could do that.

"Okay. An hour. Yeah, that works," you agreed.

***

At least, you thought you could do an hour. Everything was normal and then you had to use the bathroom. You didn't go in there to avoid people, but to actually use the bathroom. But, when you were walking to the bathroom, you finally grasped how many people were there when you had to squeeze past people and were constantly saying excuse me and sorry.

There were too many people here and they were judging you. They were looking at you, talking about you.

You finally made it into the bathroom and, by some miracle, it was empty. You stood at the mirror and gripped the sink as hard as you possibly could because you needed to get out of here and you needed to do it now.

You couldn't go back through the crowd, but you didn't have your phone to text Hailey. It was still back at the table.

You still needed to pee though, so you made your way into a stall and you tried to focus on your breathing.

Was it getting faster? Shallower? Or was that all in your head?

Fuck, you didn't know anymore. You didn't know anything. You didn't know why you were feeling this way and why you always dreaded having to be around people and why you hated the holidays, but it happened and it always happened. And every year, you forgot how bad it was and then you agreed to do things and then Thanksgiving rolled around and you knew you were in a hellish month and a half of having to do too many things and see too many people and wear too much makeup and—

Oh, God. Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God, oh, God.

It was happening.

You weren't to the point of hyperventilating, but you knew that in about a minute your breath would be coming out in gulps.

You grabbed your left wrist with your right hand and dug your nails in as hard as you could. You hissed at the pain, but it gave you something else to focus on. You needed to get out of here and into Jay or Will's car before you became the talk of everyone's next shift.

"Y/N? Is that you?"

Shit. Stella.

"It- It- I'm fine," you said. But, even you wouldn't believe that statement.

"Doesn't sound like it. Are you sick? Do you want me to get Hailey? Or Will or Jay?" She asked.

"H- Hailey. Get Hailey."

"Okay. I'll be right back. Just, stay here."

Then, you heard footsteps and the sound of the door opening and closing.

Oh, no. Stella knows. Now people are gonna know you can't even handle seeing people for dinner and what if they tell people? What if they check you into the hospital for a psych eval? It wouldn't be crazy since you were around doctors and nurses. Or worse, what if Jay, Hailey, and Will didn't want to deal with you since you ruined Thanksgiving and they put you on a 72- hour psych hold? What if they—

"Y/N, hey, it's Hailey," Hailey said gently. "Stella's outside the bathroom. She's just telling people that there's an issue with a toilet so they don't come in." She paused and you looked down and saw that her feet were right outside your stall door. "Can you open the door?"

Slowly, you opened the door.

Hailey's eyes wandered down to your left wrist, which she saw was scratched up and she made a mental note to make sure it got cleaned when you got home. But, she knew that the important thing to focus on right now was your breathing.

"Y/N, I know these suck, okay? But, I'm gonna have you squeeze my hand and just focus on my breathing, okay?"

You nodded. "Sit- Sit down?" you asked.

"Sure, we can sit down."

You moved about ten feet and then slumped against the bathroom wall next to Hailey. She knew the floor was probably filthy, but she didn't care. All she cared about was making sure you, her little sister-in-law, was okay.

It took multiple tries and squeezing Hailey's hand as hard as you possibly could, but you eventually got your breathing back to normal.

Hailey wrapped an arm around your and pulled you into her as you finally began to cry.

"It's okay," she said gently. "It's okay."

You just continued to cry.

You had ruined Thanksgiving.

"Do you wanna go home?" You nodded. "Do you want me to have Stella take you out the back way and then Will can meet you there? I would take you, but Jay's drunk and he'll be more likely to listen to me than to Will when I tell him we need to leave later." A ghost of a smile appeared on your lips as you nodded. "There's that Halstead smile. Now, I'm gonna go get Stella and then have her stay in here with you and I'll talk to Will, okay?"

You nodded one more time and she squeezed your hand once more and then stood up and left the bathroom.

Not fifteen seconds later, Stella walked in, taking Hailey's place.

"C'mere," Stella said and held her arms out.

You stood up and hugged her as the last of your tears trickled down your cheeks.

"Let's get you outta here, kid," Stella said and quickly got you out of the bathroom and thorough a door marked employees only which was a door five feet to the left of the women's bathrooms. Then, you and she weaved your way through the many boxes in the back until you finally made it to the back exit.

When you got out, you were met with the smiling face of your oldest brother.

"Hailey said it would probably be best if I took you home and I think I agree. I don't need a shiner from having Jay punch me when I'm trying to shove his drunk ass in my car."

Will expected a laugh from you, but when nothing came, he just thanked Stella and led you to his car...which was parked half a block away.

"What do you say I stop at the gas station and grab us each a pint of ice cream, hmm?" Will asked when he started driving.

"We already had pie," you answered, your voice monotone.

"It's Thanksgiving. No one's counting. And, I think we should."

You shrugged. "Okay."

"And Jay doesn't get any because he'll just puke it up anyway."

"Get some for Hailey, too," you reminded him quietly.

Will smiled. He was just happy you were saying something instead of just answering questions.

"Do you know her favorite flavor?" he asked.

"Strawberry," you answered. "But, I think she only says that one's her favorite because Jay doesn't like it so he won't steal it."

Will laughed at that. "Okay, one pint of strawberry ice cream for Hailey, one pint of cookies n crème for you, and one pint of whatever looks good for me."

***

"Not so fast, missy," Will said after you walked in the door, grabbed a spoon from the kitchen, and made a beeline for your room. You turned to face him. "Gotta clean up your wrist first."

"How'd you know about that?" you asked. "And, they're barely even there. It's fine, Will."

"Hailey texted me about it while I was in getting ice cream and you were in the car. And, I don't care if they aren't deep. I'm cleaning them. Simple as that."

You knew there was no point in arguing with him and all you wanted to do was go to sleep after you ate your ice cream.

"Fine," you agreed and then put your ice cream on the counter and made your way to the bathroom.

You pushed yourself up onto the counter while Will busied himself grabbing supplies from the first aid kit.

"Jay really keeps this thing stocked, doesn't he?" Will commented.

"Him and Hailey are cops," was all you said to that.

Will just nodded, sensing you didn't want to talk that much, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't try like hell to get you to talk about what happened. After all, as the oldest, wasn't it his job to get to the bottom of it?

"Hand please," Will said after he got the alcohol wipes and bandaids out. You obeyed and held out your left hand, palm up. Will quickly inspected it. And, you weren't lying when you said the scratches were just superficial. "They're not deep at all."

"Told you," you mumbled.

Will busied himself with washing his hands and then opening the packet of alcohol wipes, hoping you'd say something. You didn't.

"This is gonna sting," He told you, and you bit your cheek as he wiped down your wrist. Then, he waited for it to dry and put a bandaid on it. "There. All better."

You got off the counter. "Can I have my ice cream now?"

Will knew bribery wasn't a good way to get someone to open up and though he would never use it on a real patient, you were his little sister, and therefore, that rule didn't apply to you.

"Depends," he began, "You gonna tell me what happened back at Molly's?"

"Nothing really happened," you told him. Because it was true. Nothing technically happened; your nervous system just decided to screw you over.

"People just don't have panic attacks for no reason, Y/N." He wasn't saying this in a rude way but in a caring way.

You sighed. "Jay's stubbornness is rubbing off on you."

"Good."

"Fine. There were too many people. I'm gonna go eat my ice cream now... in my room... alone."

"Just remember to throw it away when you're done," Will reminded you because he knew that was all he was going to get out of you right now. "Don't need an ant infestation in your bedroom."

You just nodded and made your way to the kitchen and grabbed your spoon and your pint of ice cream from where you had left them.

When you got into your room, you changed into a pair of comfy pajamas and then sat on your bed and opened your ice cream.

Then, you popped in your headphones and opened an audiobook on your phone, so that you had something else to listen to instead of your own thoughts, and started eating your ice cream.

Half an hour later, you had thrown away your empty pint of ice cream and laid in bed, ready for sleep to finally overtake you.

But, all you could think about was how you had ruined Thanksgiving and how you still had to somehow make it through Christmas and New Year's with all those people and parties without this happening.

Eventually, you cried yourself to sleep.

***

"How's the headache?" Will asked Jay the next morning.

"Will? What? I know you have a key, but—"

"I asked him to stay," Hailey said, walking out of the kitchen holding two cups of coffee. She handed one to Jay and left her cup of coffee on the table. Then, she pulled a bottle of Advil from her hoodie pocket and handed it to Jay. "Take 'em, mister."

"I will," Jay answered. "But, why'd have Will stay?"

"Well, between you being drunk off your ass and Y/N having a rough night, I can only deal with one thing at a time. He's here in case you were still drunk and Y/N had another panic attack."

"I'm gonna be honest here," Jay began, "I only vaguely remember last night."

Will and Hailey quickly filled him in, even though he remembered most of the night up to when you had to go home.

"So, did she talk to you?" Jay asked after he downed the pills and took a sip of his coffee.

"If you mean did she tell me anything useful, not really. She just said that there's too many people."

Hailey nodded. "That can happen. Overstimulation and stuff like that."

"Maybe I can get through to her," Jay suggested. "Sometimes I get that way with fireworks."

"That's a trigger, Jay," Hailey stated. "Not the same thing." She paused. "Or it could just be everything piling on together."

All of a sudden, something clicked in Will's head. He remembered working a case a couple years back where a woman came in and had chest pain. As it turned out, she was just having a panic attack. After speaking with Dr. Charles, they learned that the cause of it was the holidays on top of everything else happening in her life.

"Maybe it's all the people she has to see between now and New Years," Will suggested. "We had a patient come into the ED because of that once, thought the panic attack was a heart attack, happens more often than you'd think."

"Well, we can't force it out of her..." Hailey trailed off.

"True," Will agreed. "But I can phrase it as a yes or no question."

"And if it is, then what do we do?" Jay asked. "No Christmas parties? Just do Christmas with us four this year? Stay in on New Years?"

"We'll figure that out when we get there. But, start thinking of ideas just in case."

***

"Hey," Hailey said gently when she heard movement in the kitchen from her place on the couch next to Jay. She had been reading while Jay had been watching football highlights from the many games that happened yesterday. She nudged Jay and he turned his head to look at you. "You want some breakfast? Or, more like lunch now, I guess."

"I got it," you said. You knew if you talked any louder that you'd start crying, so you quickly made your way to a cabinet and took out a bowl and then a mug so that you could focus on making your breakfast.

You hadn't even had time to spoon yogurt into your bowl before Jay was up and placed a hand on your shoulder.

"Hey, talk to me, kiddo."

At that, you finally broke. You cried like you had last night. Except, this time, Jay wrapped his arms around you in his overprotective-big-brother way that always took away your bad dreams and worries when you were a kid.

"Let us in, Y/N," Jay whispered. "What's going on?"

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to r- ruin Thanksgiving!"

"Oh, no," Hailey said as she made her way over to you, holding a cold glass of water for you to drink when you could. "You didn't ruin in."

"I did! I'm sorry!"

Jay pulled away from you and put his hands on your shoulders. "Hey, look at me." You looked up at him. "You didn't ruin anything. And, even if you did, I didn't remember the second half of last night anyway."

The last part almost got a smile out of you. Almost.

"Do you know why any of this happened?" Jay asked.

Hailey sighed. Her husband obviously still didn't understand regular anxiety as she did. So, she decided it was time for her to step in. "What he's trying to say is, what was happening before you ran into the bathroom? What was the last thing you were thinking? Because sometimes it's not one specific thing that you can easily identify."

You looked down and thought for a beat.

"I was thinking that there were a lot of people."

"Okay, good. That's really good, Y/N."

And, I know that there's a lot of people we have to see and parties we have to go to for Christmas and New Years and- and I didn't want to tell you I don't want to go because you guys might think I'm stupid—"

"Whoa, hey," Jay said quickly, effectively cutting you off. "We'd never think you're stupid."

You wiped your nose as it started to run.

"You should. I think I'm—"

"Nope, none of that," Jay cut you off again. "How about you eat and then go take a shower and then we can watch movies all day? Because Lord knows this hangover's kicking my ass."

You nodded. "Yeah, yeah, okay."

Then, you took the glass of water from Hailey and chugged it before going to take a hot shower to wash away your multiple breakdowns from the past twelve hours.

***

"Hey, you—"

"I got something," Jay told Will over the phone as soon as he heard the water running. "And, as much as it pains me to say it, you were right, about the holiday anxiety thing."

"She told you that?"

"I don't know if she meant to say it or it just tumbled out, but yeah."

"So, what do we do?" Will asked.

"How much time off do you have saved up?"

Will sighed. "Jay, what are you planning?"

"I'm not planning anything. This just popped into my head, I swear. So, how much time off?"

"Enough. Now, what were you thinking?"

"What if we go up to the cabin, say on the 19th? We can spend Christmas and New Years up there. I'll ask Voight for furlough later and get back to you. I don't think it'll be an issue, though."

Will sighed. "Listen, that's two and a half weeks. I have enough, but everyone wants off for the holidays. But, if I can't swing it, you just bring Y/N up there and have Christmas without me."

"Will—"

"No, I'm serious. I'll be fine. I'm more worried about her." He paused. "Wait, how's she getting time off?"

"I'm gonna talk to her about going tonight so that she can request time off when she goes into work. It's easier for her to get off than it is for us, anyway."

"Yeah. Well, let me know. And, I'll talk to Goodwin tomorrow. Y/N's doing better then?"

"A bit. She was still upset, but then me and Hailey talked to her. She's showering now and then we'll see how she is."

"Okay, keep me updated."

"Will do. Let me know if you get the time off."

***

3 weeks later

"Why are we leaving so early?" you complained when you and Jay were carrying things out to his truck.

"Because we have to pick Will's sorry ass up. And, if you don't complain anymore, we'll stop for breakfast on our way to pick him up."

You looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "You're not lying to me?"

Jay shook his head. "Nope. Now, how about you jump in the trunk and I'll hand you everything?"

"We're covering this stuff with a tarp, right?" You asked.

"Oh, yeah," Jay agreed.

It was snowing a little bit right now, so you knew as you drove north, that the snow would only get heavier.

"Good." You looked at the boxes sitting on top of Jay's suitcase, duffle, and toolbox. "Are any of these presents?"

Jay handed you your suitcase and your set it down in the bed of the truck. "No snooping. Some you will get tonight, though."

"Tonight? Really?" you asked excitedly.

"Just a couple little things from me and Will."

"You wanna give me a hint?"

"Hmmmm, how about no?"

"How about yes?"

"No."

"Fine."

Ten minutes later, the truck was packed and you were doing one last double-check through the house while Jay said goodbye to Hailey. Voight said he needed at least one detective in Intelligence for the next few days, so Hailey was gonna fly out early in four days—on December 23–and then Jay would go and pick her up while you and Will stayed at the cabin and then she'd stay up there through New Years and ride home with the three of you.

Now it was time to grab breakfast, pick up Will, and then it was off to Wisconsin.

***

You thought that you were dying. Actually, maybe that was a little too dramatic. You just wanted to jump into an ice-cold lake. Maybe that would make your headache, dizziness, and nausea stop.

You leaned your head against the window. You had taken Dramamine fifteen minutes ago when you three had stopped at a gas station to grab drinks and go to the bathroom, but it wasn't kicking in yet.

"Will," you groaned.

"You okay back there, Short Stack?" he asked and turned around.

"No. How long does this take to work?"

Will studied your face. "You look a little pale." He turned back to face forward. "Jay, take that exit up there and pull into the first parking lot. Y/N looks like she's gonna throw up."

Jay glanced in the rearview mirror. "I'll turn down the heat," he said and fiddled with the dial. "Five minutes, kiddo. Hold on for five minutes."

"It takes about thirty minutes to an hour to kick in, so when we find somewhere to stop, we'll stop for about twenty minutes, and then you should be good. Just close your eyes."

"Okay," you mumbled.

Will said something to Jay, but you didn't catch it.

"Yeah, I'll get it out when we stop."

"Okay, good," Will said.

You didn't know what they were talking about, but frankly, you didn't care. You just wanted the spinning to stop.

Five minutes later, Jay pulled into the first parking lot he saw, which happened to be one for a church. And there was no one in the parking lot other than you, which you were grateful for because you really didn't need other people seeing we you throw up the breakfast that you had eaten earlier.

The minute Jay put the truck in park, you were out of the truck and doubled over.

You heard a door slam and then Will was right next to you.

You dry heaved a couple of times.

"Ugh," you groaned. "I just wanna puke so that it'll stop, but nothing's coming out!"

"I know, I know," Will said. "But sometimes that's all it is."

You groaned again. "I wanna sit down, but I don't wanna sit in the truck because it's too hot."

Will looked around and he saw the church entrance covered by an awning, keeping the area below it free from snow. "How about we walk over to the doors and you can sit under the awning? How's that sound?" You nodded and started walking towards it with Will staying close to you in case you got dizzy or something like that. "Jay's grabbing you some Benadryl from the first aid kit and some water. Hopefully, that'll help."

"Yeah, because I'll be asleep until we get to the cabin," you said as you slumped against the building.

"Exactly."

Will was squatting in front of you, but you needed him to sit down next to you.

"Sit down," you ordered.

"Why?" Will asked, a smile appearing on his face. "So you can use me as a pillow?"

"Yes."

"Fine." He reluctantly agreed and slumped down against the building and you quickly leaned against him and closed your eyes. "Better?"

"Hmm, much."

You heard quick footsteps approaching and opened your eyes.

"Here," Jays said and squatted in front of you two and held out a pill and a bottle of water. "Take this. And then I gotta get a picture of you two to send to Hailey. You two are adorable."

You took the pill and water from Jay and glared at him playfully.

"Yeah, yeah," Will said. "Laugh it up, Jay. But, your ass is sitting in the back because I'm driving now and Y/N needs the front seat so she doesn't puke."

Fifteen minutes later, your Dramamine had finally kicked in and you were back on the road, this time with Will driving, you in the front seat, and Jay stuck in the back.

***

"Perfect. Got it," you heard Jay say as you were just starting to wake up.

You blinked and opened your eyes to see that you were exiting the highway and then you turned to see Jay throwing himself back into the seat where he had been sitting. That got your attention.

"What happened? What were you doing?" you asked and shot up in your seat. Your question was answered by Jay just smiling at you sheepishly and pressing a few buttons on his phone.

A notification popped up on both your and Will's phone.

"Check your phone," Jay told you.

You glared at him and reached for your phone.

It was a notification in the group chat between you, your brothers, and Hailey, which you had named Halsteads x4.

There in the chat was a picture of you sleeping with your mouth wide open and a spot of drool on the front of your hoodie.

You looked between Jay and Will twice and then looked down at your hoodie.

Yup.

The drool was still there.

You wiped at your face just in case there were drool marks near your mouth that the camera didn't pick up.

"That picture doesn't go anywhere except that chat. You hear me?" you ordered.

"Hmmm, I'll think about it," Jay said.

"Yeah, me too," Will agreed.

"You two are assholes."

Will laughed. "Love you, too."

Then, another notification popped up in the same group chat. It was from Hailey.

Awww, she drools almost as much as you, Jay.

"Ha! Shots fired!" you yelled. "I am so glad you married Hailey."

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Jay said sarcastically. "Just park up there," he told Will.

"What are we doing?" you asked.

"We're switching drivers," Jay answered. "I can maneuver this truck on the backroads better than Will. We don't need to run head first into a tree tonight."

"I drive fine, thank you very much," Will argued.

"You almost gave me a heart attack when you slammed on the brakes. Twice! I'm surprised you didn't wake Y/N up!"

"Well, I'm not getting out of the front seat, so you get to sit in the back, Will."

"You are so lucky you're the youngest," was all Will said to that.

***

"So, which one of you is checking for mice?" you asked when Jay put his truck in park in front of the cabin.

"I sprayed that place with rodent repellant and set so many mouse traps before we left in July, you'll be fine," Jay told you.

"No!" you yelled immediately. "You have to go check. I'm not gonna be screaming for one of you to come downstairs in the middle of the night to come catch a mouse for me!"

"Just go check, Jay," Will agreed.

"And you're not coming because...?" Jay asked.

"I'm the one who gets to tell you if your mouse bite is infected if you get bitten. And, you have a gun, I don't."

Jay sighed and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Yes, because if a mouse runs in front of me, I'm gonna shoot it, which is gonna put a hole in the floor. Think, Will!"

"I do more thinking at my job than you do!" Will argued.

You leaned your head against the passenger seat.

Hailey will be here in four days...Hailey will be here in four days..., you kept repeating to yourself.

"Just make sure there's no mice, please. You both do lots of thinking at your jobs. Just, go check the cabin, Jay."

You swore you heard him say that he hated being the middle child when he got out of the truck.

***

Half an hour later, you and Will finally entered the cabin. Jay had confirmed that there were no mice and he hadn't seen one...except for the one in the oven that he burnt to a crisp and then took care of it and put the oven on the self-clean cycle while he searched the rest of the cabin. And, if he did see any more mice while he was searching the rest of the cabin and had to get rid of them, well, he made sure not to tell you that because he wanted you to be able to sleep tonight.

"I get Mom and Dad's room, right?" you asked.

"Yeah," Jay confirmed. "Until Hailey gets here. Then you switch with me and get the loft."

"I should get to share a room with Hailey and you and Will should just stay upstairs," you said.

"I'd like to sleep with my wife, thank you very much." You burst out laughing and Will almost dropped the box he was carrying. "Not like that! Jesus Christ!" Jay tried to walk it back, but it was too late.

"As long as we don't hear any noises, feel free," Will joked with a shit-eating grin on his face. This, in turn, earned him a punch in the arm from Jay.

"I don't need to think about that, you nasties!" you yelled. "La, la, la, la, la, la!" you yelled as you made your way to your room to put down your suitcase and duffle.

Ten minutes later, you had everything inside and had just finished putting fresh sheets and blankets on your bed.

You walked out of the room and asked about the thing you wanted to do the most since you learned about it this morning.

"Can I open my presents now? Please?" you asked.

Jay and Will laughed. "It's like you're five," Will commented.

"At least I don't snoop for my presents. Jay," you said and turned and glared at him.

"That made me into the detective I am today."

"Oh, bullshit!" Will yelled. "But, yes, you can open your presents."

Jay walked upstairs to the loft and came down with two bags.

"Merry early Christmas, kiddo."

You took the bags from him and quickly opened the bigger one first.

Inside, were two Christmas sweaters. One was gray and had a pug wrapped in Christmas lights on it and the other was green and said Fleece Navidad and had a sheep with a Santa hat on it.

"They're so cute!" you exclaimed.

"We figured you needed something festive," Will said. "And, me, Jay, and Hailey all have the dog one so we can match."

"That part was Hailey's idea," Jay chimed in. You opened your mouth to say something, but Jay quickly cut you off. "And she's bringing them up with her. Our's are not here."

You gave him a fake pout, causing both he and Will to laugh. Then, you moved on to the next bag.

"A face mask...body scrub...shower fizzers...fuzzy sloth slippers...nail polish," you said as you took items out of the bag.

"Hailey had the idea for a little self-care kit for you," Jay explained. "So, most of this stuff was her idea."

"Um, I found the slippers, thank you very much," Will said.

You laughed. "Thanks, you guys. I love it."

"I vote hot chocolate and at least the first two Home Alone movies," Jay suggested. "Everyone good with that?"

"As long as you spike the hot chocolate with Bailey's," Will said.

"I second that!" you agreed.

Jay rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll spike the hot chocolate."

***

"Wake up. Y/N, wake up," you heard Will say as he began to gently shake your shoulder.

You rolled over and opened your eyes. "Hmmm. We're on vacation. Let me sleep."

"It's 2:00. You've slept like fourteen hours."

That got you up.

"What? How?"

"Well, you fell asleep on the couch last night—"

"I know that. I mean how did I sleep that long without waking up once?"

"You were tired. Now, get up and get ready. We're cutting down our Christmas tree."

"What? I thought there was a dinky fake one that mom and dad left in the attic from when you and Jay were little."

"Yeah, but we thought it would be more fun if we cut down a tree. It's cold out, so wear layers. And before you ask, yes, coffee is already made."

"Okay, I'll get ready. Hopefully, Jay doesn't hurt himself with the chainsaw."

"Better him than me."

"Will!"

He put his hands up in a sign of surrender. "What?" Will laughed. "It's true!"

You chucked a pillow at him. "Now get outta here so I can change."

***

"Wait!" you yelled as Jay turned on the chainsaw after the three of you picked out a tree.

"What? What's wrong?" Jay asked as he quickly turned off the chainsaw.

"I need you to pick up the axe."

"Why?"

"Yeah, why?" Will parroted.

"Just humor me and pose like you're gonna chop down the tree. Or whack it once. I don't care."

"Why?" Jay asked again.

"For an Instagram post."

"You're not gonna let this go, are you?"

"No."

He sighed. "Fine."

You took out your phone and filmed Jay taking a whack at the tree with the axe.

Then, you pocketed your phone and walked closer to Will. "We don't have a lumberjack, we have a lumber Jay."

Will smiled and shook his head. "That's what you're gonna caption it, aren't you."

"Yup. Shocked you know what that is."

"Oh, Jay's gonna love that. And, I am not that old."

"I'd beg to differ."

"Can I use the chainsaw now?" Jay yelled.

"You're good!" you yelled.

"Will, get over here and direct me!"

Will walked over and you trailed behind him—at a safe distance—to watch this.

"Why am I directing you and not Y/N?" Will asked.

"You know how she is with directions. You're helping me shove this thing into the truck so I can back it up to the door of the house so we can get it inside, too."

"I have very valuable hands!"

"There's extra gloves. Now, c'mon! We're burning daylight here!"

You laughed. "Okay, now you are both officially old!"

***

Later that night after getting the tree inside and decorating it, Jay and Will were both immersed in their card game upstairs on the floor of the loft. They tried to convince you to come play with them, but they were playing Euchre and you had no idea to how to play, and to be honest, you had no desire to learn how to play.

So, you decided now was the perfect time to sneak off to Jay's truck and try and find the wifi password for it.

You grabbed Jay's keys off the hook by the door and then quietly opened the door and went outside.

You thought the smartest thing to do would be to open the driver's side door with the key instead of hitting the buttons.

You did this and then got in the driver's seat and looked for the wifi network.

Nothing.

You reloaded your settings and even turned your phone off and on again, but still nothing.

You turned the key in the truck and the engine quickly revved to life.

But, this alerted your brothers and they came running outside before you could even attempt to put the password in.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jay yelled as he yanked open the door. "Get out! Now."

"Jay, relax," Will told him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure Y/N has a perfectly fine explanation for this." He locked eyes with you. "Don't you, Y/N?"

"I wanted the wifi."

"For?" Jay probed and raised an eyebrow.

"To watch the Hawks game."

"To watch—" Jay looked down and shook his head and started laughing. "You wanted my truck's wifi to watch the Hawks game?"

"Yeah," you answered quietly. Even though you were 22, Jay could still easily change into the scary detective in front of you in a heartbeat.

"Why didn't you just come tell me?" he asked.

"Because I thought you'd say no."

"And you're right."

"Jay! Why would you—" Will started, but Jay quickly cut him off.

"Right that I won't let you connect to it. But, I'll pull the truck around closer to the cabin, put it in auxiliary, and then you can watch the game on my laptop. That sound okay?"

"Yes!" You jumped out of the truck so that Jay could get in and move it.

At the end of the night, the three of you were all exhausted from cutting down the tree and the game was high scoring and went into a shootout that Jay almost forgot to go back outside and turn off his truck.

***

The next day was a very relaxing day. You used all your self-care stuff and read a book and drank warm wine throughout the day while Jay and Will spent time in the barn doing who knows what.

The next day was spent similarly, except for the fact that it was mostly Jay who was holed up in the barn all day while you convinced Will to make cookies and watch all of the Santa Claus movies with you.

Will periodically went out to the barn to help Jay, and even though you wanted to go in, every time you tried to, you were stopped by either Jay or Will—one time Jay had to actually carry you back inside the cabin—and they wouldn't tell you a single thing about that they were doing in there.

Now it was finally the 23rd and Hailey was going to be here soon. Jay had to wake up early to get to the airport to pick her up, but he had promised that he'd bring breakfast back for you and Will, mainly because Will couldn't cook and you hated cooking things for multiple people (you always made either too little or too much).

***

Once Jay got back with Hailey and the four of you ate breakfast, you quickly led Hailey into your room.

"What's the rush?" she asked with a big smile on her face.

"I need help wrapping Will and Jay's gifts and I need to do it before they make me go upstairs because Jay snoops and there's a lock on this door."

"Ohhh. I got it."

"Also, did Jay tell you what the two of them were doing in the garage? They've been holed up in there for two days and when I try to go in, they stop me."

Hailey shook her head. "Jay didn't mention that."

You crossed your arms over your chest and cocked an eyebrow. "Are you just saying that because he told you to say that or because you actually don't know?"

Hailey laughed. "I really don't know, Y/N. You look like Jay when you do that, though. He does that a lot in interrogations."

You quickly uncrossed your arms. "Please never say I look like him again."

Hailey shook her head. "Okay. Now, what are we wrapping?"

***

"You wake 'em up," you hissed at Will on Christmas morning.

"No, you," Will argued back.

"You've seen the body parts! I don't need to see a penis on Christmas!"

"Well, I don't need to see my brother's penis or my sister-in-law's boobs. Seeing a patient's for medical purposes is different."

"You're older!"

"That's seriously the best argument you could come up with?"

"Yes, now—"

"You know we can hear you, right?" Jay yelled from the living area below you. "Me and Hailey have been up for an hour."

"Oh, well this is awkward," you said quietly so that only Will could hear you.

"We're coming down now, Jay!" Will yelled down and then proceeded to get out of bed and walk downstairs.

When Will was downstairs, you made your way over to the closet and changed your shirt into the sweater with a pug with Christmas lights on it. Then, you grabbed Will's from the dresser and headed downstairs.

"You forgot this," you told Will.

You had suggested that all four of you wear your matching Christmas sweaters today and Hailey enthusiastically agreed. After that, Jay texted you that this would be Hailey's first Christmas where she's not alone or with her family and he wanted to make it as special as possible. And, it would be the first one where they were actually married.

Will quickly put on the sweater and Jay threw a Santa hat to you.

"You're Santa this year, kiddo," he told you, which meant that you would be the one passing out the presents.

"Ho, ho, ho," you said and placed it on your head.

Then, you grabbed your present to Jay and Hailey to give to them.

***

Half an hour later all the gifts were open and you thought you had done a pretty good job with your gift-giving this year. You had given Hailey and Jay a set of brand-new pots and pans since they were always complaining about the ones they had. And then, you added something small for each of them such as a pack of fancy face masks and tea for Hailey and a six-pack of beer from around the world for Jay. For Will, you had gotten him a customized stethoscope with the Blackhawks logo and their colors inscribed with his name. You reassured him that Maggie had helped you order so it was up to doctors' and nurses' standards.

"We have one more gift for you and Hailey," Jay said.

You looked around. "Where?"

"Grab your shoes and come out to the garage."

As the four of you walked out to the garage in the cold weather and through a dusting of snow on the ground, you asked Hailey if she knew what was going on.

She said she had no idea.

"Merry Christmas," Jay said with a huge smile on his face as he opened the garage.

Sitting in the center of the garage was what looked like a homemade hockey net, made out of what looked to be wood and painted red and black for the Blackhawks and then rope tied in small knots between the posts as the net. There were two hockey sticks and when you looked closer you saw that one said your first initial followed by Halstead on the shaft of your stick and then H. Upton-Halstead on the shaft of Hailey's. There were also two pairs of hockey skates and a burgundy bag filled with hockey pucks.

"Now you see what we've been doing in the garage for so long," Will told you.

"You two built all this?" you asked, astonished, as you picked up your stick.

"We just built the net," Jay answered. "Me and Will know a guy from playing pickup who knows a guy who makes custom sticks, so he made those." Jay looked at Hailey with a puzzled look. She looked like she wanted to cry. "You okay, babe?"

"I just- I don't know how to skate," she answered quietly.

Jay put an arm around her. "That's okay. I'll teach you."

"We thought of that," Will said and quickly came back with a folding chair. "You can bring this on the river to help keep your balance." He turned to you. "As for you, I'm teaching you how to hockey stop."

"Why?"

"Because, when we play two-on-two, you're on my team and I don't want to lose."

Jay scoffed. "We both know I'm the better shooter here."

"The rule is we have to keep the puck on the ground. No wrist shots, bud. I don't feel like having to do impromptu stitches."

"Hmm, we might actually win," you said.

"What do you guys say?" Jay asked. "After we have cinnamon rolls for breakfast, wanna start skating? And then we can come in and all work on lunch together?"

"You promise I won't have a broken arm after this?" Hailey asked.

Jay laughed. "I will try my best."

Then, the four of you went back inside and ate a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and coffee. Then, you brought everything down to the frozen river and started lacing up your skates for a day on the ice.

Over the next week while you were at the cabin, Hailey successfully learned how to skate and how to protect the puck with her stick, and Will successfully taught you how to hockey stop—you were better at stopping with your right skate forward than your left skate—and Jay taught you how to do a wrist shot. And, nobody needed stitches or broke an arm or any other bone.

You would say that this was a great way to spend Christmas away from everyone, but still with the people you loved.

A/N: See? I told you it would be festive! As always thank you for reading and please remember to reblog and comment! As always, if you want to be added to my taglist, just tell me and I'll add you!

Taglist: taglist: @theambracer88 @virtualreader @kelelas-life @celyndavies @brookerz122493 @musicismyescape27 @anotherfan07 @thexplosivegirl @dreamingwithlens @xoxmariaxox @911ls-tarlos @iamasimpingh0e @i-like-sparkly-things @herecomesthewriterwitch @liampayne88 @glitterquadricorn @luvreading67 @smoothdogsgirl@afriendlyneighborhoodhufflepuff@actlikesummerr @lcothr523 @star-wars-lover

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thecleverqueer · 1 year

Text

Random Thoughts during the first two episodes of “The Wrong Jedi” Arc from “The Clone Wars”:

• Part one- Random thoughts during The Clone Wars S5:E17 “Sabotage”:

*R7 really is an underrated droid. I hope he gets to shine in “The Bad Batch” with Ahsoka’s drug-smuggling ex.

*Everyone praises Anakin’s flying abilities, but Ahsoka is a pretty badass pilot herself. I guess most of the Jedi are… those reflexes.

*Ahsoka stole Leia’s line.

*I’ve yet to figure out how Ahsoka saves after jumping out of her ship onto Anakin’s where she loses her footing and goes flying back. It seems to defy all logic. Got to hand it to Ahsoka though…. the kid is athletic AF.

*I find it interesting that the Jedi council had enough faith to put Anakin and Ahsoka in charge of the investigation behind the bombing of the temple because they were NOT THERE when the bomb went off and would be impartial, but then decided that Ahsoka did it a few episodes later.

*I like the fact that Barriss just happens to waltz by right before Anakin starts to interrogate Letta. Subtle touch.

*This episode honestly feels like someone on the creative staff binge-watched a few seasons of CSI and said, “Yep. We’re doing it, but in a different galaxy.”

*”I would have thought working for the Jedi paid better.” -Ahsoka. Yikes. Turns out, no. Those poor folks couldn’t even afford to change out their lightbulbs. They were living in a dark, dingy, seedy apartment in practical squalor.

*Letta just slick pushes a dude into Ahsoka so hard that he falls on top of her. I swear, poor Ahsoka constantly gets dumped on in this series.

*Ahsoka takes the high road. Literal, yet symbolic.

*I like how Anakin says , “no one ever said he was dead”… but like, Ahsoka literally said Jakkar was the bomb in the prior scene, so… that was implied, dumbass.

*I really want the backstory behind Letta feeding the nano droids to Jakkar. Was he a willing participant, or did she and Barriss do some real shady shit? Damn. That story could be insane.

*”There are going to be Jedi that disappoint us, Ahsoka” is the understatement of all-time, but I guess we’re working towards that…

• Part Two- Random thoughts during The Clone Wars S5:E18 “The Jedi Who Knew Too Much”:

*Damn. Who invited Palpatine and Tarkin to the Jedi funeral!?

*Jeeze… I know you’re worried about your grieving girlfriend, Ahsoka, but Yoda called for a moment of silence. So, shhhh!

*The glances that Ahsoka and Barriss keep sharing as they walk down the hallway of the temple after the funeral are dripping with homo-romantic undertones, but do go on telling me that Barrissoka isn’t canon.

*”Revenge is not the Jedi way.”-Anakin. Hmm.

*”The evidence seems clear, Ahsoka, nothing will ever change.” - Barriss. Barriss helped plan the temple bombing, and she is realizing that it served literally no purpose. The war is still raging, people are still dying, and she still can’t be with the girl that she loves. Ouch.

*Ahsoka: I hope Chancellor Palpatine knows what he’s doing.

Tarkin: I assure you he rarely does anything without a strategy.

This line basically tells me that Palpatine planned all of this shit out. It’s a ploy to get Ahsoka out of the picture. Palpatine knows that one way or another, it’s gonna happen after all this.

*The look that Barriss and Ahsoka share as Barriss walks away from their conversation in the hallway was the one that forced me to ship them. It took their relationship right on out of the heteronormative lens for me. There is literally NO heterosexual explanation for THAT LOOK. It’s like the storytellers and animators were basically saying, “we can’t do this outright because it’s a cartoon in 2012, but we’re going to sauce it up with this subtext so if you’re paying attention you’ll see it.” That was my “Hold up. Holy shit! WTF is this!!?” moment.

*Ahsoka just watches Barriss walk down the hall alone. Ahsoka’s face is locked in an excruciating state of angst until Anakin notices, then knowing that his little sister is all about this girl is like, “go be with your friend, Ahsoka.”

*I’ve said it before… the conversation that Ahsoka and Barriss have after Ahsoka chases Barriss down the hall doesn’t feel like it’s all about the temple bombing.

*You can tell that Barriss is upset about her life choices. She sort of winces as Ahsoka runs off, as if to say, “I can’t let her find out that I was behind this.”

*Letta asks for Ahsoka because that’s the only Jedi that Barriss mentioned. I guarantee Barriss doted on Ahsoka constantly. Barriss probably had everyone conviced that Ahsoka was the best Jedi ever (to Ahsoka’s peril).

*Ahsoka’s speeder driving feels kinda reckless. I’m not going to judge. I have no right to judge reckless driving habits.

*I still have doubts that it was Barriss who force chokes Letta from afar (and that it wasn’t Palpatine). What I do know is that Palpatine made sure that Ahsoka was in that cell when it happened.

*The “I don’t know what happened” line did sound guilty. I mean, we all know that Ahsoka didn’t do it, but… I can see why others might think that she did based on her actions.

*Tarkin walking all smugly towards Ahsoka’s holding cell to a remix of the Imperial March isn’t at all suggestive.

*”Curiously, the sound isn’t working on this one.” Hmm. Curious indeed.

*The fact that in two scenes prior Tarkin is telling Ahsoka that the facility is secure, and that they don’t let “just anyone” run about makes me wonder how someone just conveniently placed that key card in front of her cell. It is something else. Shit was an inside job.

*So, then the question becomes, “how did Barriss get in the facility, and why is she so damned terrible at improvisation?!” Did she not stop to think that knocking the Clones out would only make her girlfriend look more guilty? Come on, Barriss.

*Anakin and Rex rushing to the prison to try and save their sister’s ass is a peak big brothers move, and you love to see it.

*Barriss then cuts the clones down with the lightsabers, and you just wonder WTF… like, I know you don’t want to get Ahsoka killed, but you’re going to get Ahsoka killed. And, Ahsoka’s just like, “Shit.”

*Now Rex, you know your little sister did NOT kill those clones.

*Anakin’s harebrained Clones-stunning-Ahsoka training may not have prepped her fully for order 66, but it probably did help her in her prison escape. She hella dodges some stun-firing clones in that sequence.

*The scene before Ahsoka goes full on “The Fugitive” is one of my favorites. She’s borderline hysterical, and it’s got so much unfettered emotion (from both her and Anakin, honestly) that you forget for a moment that they’re even Jedi. The yelling, the arms flailing around, shit… You can tell that she feels completely betrayed, but worse, she knows that she’s f*^%ed.

*Anakin let her go. He could have caught her with the force, but he watched her go. He knew she was right.

#star wars #ahsoka tano #the clone wars #sw tcw #barriss offee #ahsoka and barriss #ahsoka being gay #barrissoka #the wrong jedi #anakin skywalker #captain rex #emperor palpatine #admiral tarkin

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ratcatcher0325 · 10 months

Note

Hi this is a question for both Alexander and Natalie, what is one thing that you like about the other person? (It can be a silly answer or an actual serious one, whatever you guys choose)

Hello Anon!

Another dual question, I see. Natalie, you should be grateful my loving and faithful audience has deemed you worthy to occasionally include you in these asks. You're welcome! I believe some small amount of my celebrity has rubbed off on you.

Oh please, no one ever said you were humble, did they? Well, I hate to break this to ya, but there isn't exactly much star power to begin with, little sir! You're only as big as my hand, you can only shoulder so much!

How original. We're going straight for the height jokes. Fantastic. That was a low blow, Ms. Marquez.

... Now you're roasting yourself, I don't even have to do anything. This is amazing!

I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. Shall we actually answer this question now? Or are we going to continue to waste this poor person's time and space on their screen with ridiculous banter?

Fine. Alright, I'll wave the white flag. Let's see... Oh, what do we like about each other? Jeez.... Nothing is really coming to mind....

Oh... Right. Yes. I find her rather infuriating most of the time.

Uh huh, we'll see what you have to say next time I give you more pain meds... High Alexander loves me.

You have no proof of that! I still think you're fabricating that entire ordeal!

What I like about him is how easy he is to tease. You should see his little face right now, Anon, he's all flustered and red, it's awesome! No, but on a serious note, I really admire his intelligence and work ethic. He's like... a little machine. He won't stop when he's set his mind on something. It's kinda amazing (and super annoying when it causes you to get stabbed in the eye with pieces of wadded up paper). But, yeah, he's probably one of the smartest people I've ever met, in this adorable travel sized package! It's great! (he just rolled his eyes at me, Anon, I can tell he loved that.)

I suppose common courtesy requires that I respond in kind? Fine, but I'm only doing because I'm being pressured. For the vast majority of our time together, I've found Natalie to be clumsy, bumbling, loud and, honestly rather annoying. But.... I suppose... If I had to say something... I'd say I appreciate her giving heart. She may not always get things right, but she can't be knocked for trying her damnedest. She's been a very attentive nurse of sorts (excepting the bath/smoke alarm incident which we will not discuss here, because I have no desire to raise my blood pressure at the moment) and I appreciate her learning more and more how to handle me with care. I suppose... and this stays between us Anon, I don't mind it when she holds me. It can sometimes even be pleasant.

Wow, you heard it here, first folks. Ol' Xandy gave me a compliment and he didn't immediately burst into flames. Incredible!

Do you see what I have to endure, Anon?

Don't be fooled, he loves it! He'll just never admit it cuz he's a little grouch at heart!

Thanks for the ask!

Love,

Natalie

Alexander

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skylarmoon71 · 10 months

Text

Eobard Thawne (Flash) Chapter 23 - Final

When you finally wake up, you’re not really sure what time it is.

The pleasant aches in your body have disappeared. But you still feel every touch. Every thrust.

Every position.

Your cheeks heat up as you cover your face.

“I can’t believe it.”

You’re both speedsters, so you weren’t shocked at Eobard’s stamina. But even for him that was..intense.

Was it possible to lose count of how many times you came in one night. Because you sure as hell did.

“Feeling a little post sex embarrassment.”

You squeal, because he’s laying there with a proud smile.

“H-How long have you been awake?!”

“A while. I was just admiring my bashful lover.”

Your blush deepens. It’s a little weird to see this sweet dopey side of him. The smile he wears is so soft.

“I hope that I’m the only one who ever gets to see those expressions.” It’s a soft musing, and he brushes the hair out of your face.

“It’ll only be you.”

He’s the only one you want.

~~~

Walking into the Star Labs is embarrassing to say the least. Eobard is wearing a big smile. The first thing you notice is Eli. He approaches, and he looks excited. He moves to hug you but then stops.

“What’s wrong?”

You already had your hands out.

“I want to hug you but I’m not sure what fluids are attached to your body.”

You flush.

“We were practicing.”

“EOBARD!!”

He doesn’t look the least bit guilty for traumatizing your future child.

Eli just grumbles with a disgusted look on his face.

“Didn’t realize my dad was so shameless.” You should expect the behavior by now. Everyone else in the room is just wearing smiles. You may not have recalled all that happened, but it’s clear that there’s a story.

When Eli takes a step towards Eobard holding out his hand, you don’t expect it.

His head is hanging low.

“I’m sorry about what I said. I was hurt and angry. I-I should have had more faith in you. Thank you..for bringing her back.” Eli won’t really meet Eobard’s eyes.

Eobard nods, and you expect him to go in for the shake. But when he steps closer he pulls him into a hug. Eli is stunned, and so are you.

“I love you, and I can't wait to meet you in the future. I’ll do it right this time.”

Just when you think there would be no more surprises. It takes Eli a moment to respond, and when he does, he buries his face into his father’s shoulder and holds on tight. The scene makes your chest warm in the best way.

“Family hug!!” You cheer.

You run into them and Eli begins laughing.

“Mom, we’re trying to have another moment!” He says between the tears and laughter. This is the second time that you’ve done this, and you can tell it makes him secretly happy.

“I know.”

You’re smiling just as widely as you leave a kiss on Eli’s head. Eobard does the same, right after he looks at you, leaning in for a kiss that you return happily.

The team is watching from the sidelines, and Cisco wipes the corner of his eyes.

“Are you crying Ramon?” Harry asks.

“No! I just had something in my eyes. Don’t judge me!” Caitlin laughs.

All of you jolt when you hear a crackle of lightning. A huge portal opens behind Cisco and he screams grabbing unto Harry. The dark haired scientist sends him a look, and Cisco pulls away clearing his throat.

“I wasn’t scared.” Cisco defends.

Harry doesn’t believe a word.

You pull back from Eli, and you can see from the look on his face that he doesn’t truly want to leave.

“I have to go..”

You know, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. It’s hard seeing such a bright future and then slowly waiting for it to become reality. Eobard gives Eli one last pat on his head.

“Thank you for everything, son.”

Those words bring back the tears in Eli’s eyes. He laughs it off.

“Jeez you got so soft.” He wipes his eyes into his shirt as he moves towards the portal. You grab his hand out of instinct and he halts, looking back. When you realize you release.

“S-Sorry I just..” You aren’t sure what to say.

He smiles.

“I know.”

He doesn’t need an explanation. He runs in for one final hug, kissing you on the cheek. When he pulls back, he shows a peace sign.

“Say hi to baby me I guess!!” He’s wearing a grin.

Before he steps inside, he takes one last look at everyone.

“Thank you all, for everything.”

Barry means to thank Eli. Because his appearance has solidified Eobard’s humanity. Something he can’t say he always thought was possible.

“As they say in this time, catch you on the flip side!”

You smile at him with all the love you felt since the moment he showed up. He looks pretty cheeky, zooming right into the portal with a salute. The portal is gone shortly after. There’s a strange sense of relief. Because although you wish he could stay forever. You know he’s back where he belongs. So you don’t dwell on the fact that he’s gone.

Because you know you will see him again.

“Goodbye Eli.”

You never thought you would be here. Having a family with Eobard of all people. But you don’t regret a thing. You’re just happily awaiting what the future brings.

#eobard thawne #family #feelings #change #care #Barry Allen #humor #fluff #love #eobard x reader #futures #heroes #protective #promises #timelines

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oddygaul · 2 months

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The Hunger Games Cinematic Universe

To preface, it does feel a little weird to critique these movies as if they sprung from nowhere. They’re all pretty faithful adaptations, which is relevant because many of my problems with this series are structural / worldbuilding issues, and so aren’t necessarily the fault of the adaptation as much as the source material itself. On the other hand, it’s pretty easy to rattle off some adaptations that took risks and made something fairly transformative - Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, or anything Masaaki Yuasa has adapted come to mind - so fuck em, they’re fair game.

(I’d seen the first two movies a decade ago, and read the trilogy after that. Ballad and the Mockingjay films were new to me.)

The Hunger Games

Okay, so the original holds up as far as I’m concerned. What sets it apart from much of the post-apocalyptic or action YA that I’ve seen is ultimately how grounded it manages to keep its portrayal of all the kids. I think a lot of fiction with a similar premise tend to falls prey to Anime Syndrome: yes, all the characters are 16 or 17 or whatever, and the authors will make them do some classic teen angst things like get into stupid arguments and be deeply hormonal, but they fail to have the kids react to the horrifying situations they find themselves in convincingly. This is the plight of any battle shounen: the characters are literally fighting to the death against some manner of horrible supernatural monster, or even other human beings, yet will be written like a little devil-may-care badass, or even be stoked about getting to tEsT tHEiR LiMitS! If you’re going for a fun action show, that’s fine, but if you’re trying to sell it as a drama, you’ve already lost your biggest chip.

The Hunger Games (the first one, mind) never forgets that all its characters are young as hell. The absolute shaking terror of the cornucopia, the wide eyed panic as Katniss and Foxface come face-to-face and realize that neither of them wants to do harm, even Cato’s eleventh hour realization that his entire life and persona are ultimately meaningless*, all fill the story with a pathos that makes the movie work, despite some inherent YA cheese.

*Probably my favorite addition to the movie.

I really love the stupid-ass beard they gave this guy

Catching Fire

Yeah, this is where it starts to fall apart for me. The first act prior to the Games is pretty compelling; our look into Katniss’ PTSD, her and Peeta’s inability to reintegrate into society as if nothing happened, and the acute, sudden horror they’re slammed with upon realizing they’re being forced back into the games are all handled incredibly well. The first half hour of this movie feels like slowly waking up from a bad dream, only to realize you’re still asleep.

After that, though… eh.

I think what bothers me about the Games themselves in this one is that everyone taking part is an adult now. Part of what makes the concept of the Hunger Games so brutal is the age of the contestants - and not merely in a pearl-clutching, oh-jeez-it’s-so-horrible-to-see-this-violence-done-upon-the-youth sort of way. There’s just a special abhorrence tied to watching a bunch of children, who ought to have their whole lives ahead of them, slowly have the dawning realization that their whole world is now this mere microcosm, in which their only options are murder or death. Watching this emotional turmoil play out differently for each character is what makes the setup compelling; horrible, wrenching, but compelling.

So, having the idea for this one be that these grown-ass adults, each of whom has (by definition of being a victor) gone through this incredible trauma before, is willing to go back again and fight like it was the first time? I dunno, it feels goofy to me. And I’m not saying they have a choice to participate - I know it’s mandated - I mean that once they’re in the arena, half of them seem to go “oh well, here I go killin’ again!” like they’re clocking in for a job. It’s not like they’re sliding back into their old psychology by force once they’re in the arena, either - even in the training center, the careers are doing their usual sneering badass routine. You could make the argument that successful careers are the most likely to have child actor syndrome - that they stopped emotionally maturing after the Games and are stoked to be back in their element, Football Player That Peaked in High School style - but that feels so reductive.

I guess the fact that half of the tributes get in on the Secret Rebellion Plan kind of addresses this - they are working toward a goal in the background - but it still feels off. I wish the movie spent more time exploring the mindset of all the contestants before the games started to flesh out their motivations. As is, the Games here no longer feel like blood sport exploring the psychological response to trauma - they’re just blood sport.

Also, the violence feels very sanitized. Say what you will about the shakycam used in the first movie (it is undoubtedly excessive at times), but the confusion it provides combined with the blood makes the 74th Games feel absolutely terrifying. It gives the sense that no one is prepared for how primal things are becoming as the situation descends into a barbaric haze of violence. In Catching Fire, meanwhile, the bloodbath feels like it’s by-the-numbers for everybody - Katniss and friends group up and just start killin’ Bad Guys** right off the bat like it’s nothing, barely even watching their backs as they talk to each other. I read that the director of #2 and on made an intentional decision not to show blood, because he doesn’t like ‘glorifying violence’... I truly don’t understand how showing a bunch of characters cleanly and effortlessly killing other people like they’re in a Marvel movie is any better.

**This is just a symptom of my larger issues with the worldbuilding, but I really think the careers and their motivation get such short shrift in these movies. They explore it a bit in the first movie, but in Catching Fire they’re fully content to have the careers be easy Evil Bad Guys that the viewer isn’t supposed to feel bad for when they die. It’s another touch that betrays its YA roots, and reminds me of Harry Potter - “Welcome to Hogwarts! We’ve sorted you into the evil house for evil, no-good children, which exists because we need to have antagonists.”

This is also where the rebellion bits start popping up, but I’ll talk about those in a moment because…

Mockingjay I & II

…that’s what these entire movies are about and it’s so, so dicey.

Honestly, to me it feels like Collins had a great idea for a standalone book, but then, by dint of it being YA, was obligated to have the characters eventually band together to take down the big bad Capitol, and just didn’t have a great grasp on how the wider world worked or what a strong revolution story looks like. I think this story worked the best when it was only a small snapshot of the world, with all the periphery implied; the more it’s forced to get into the real nitty gritty of how the setting works, the more ramshackle and unbelievable everything feels, and Mockingjay is where it hits a breaking point. It’s not that there are plot holes, exactly, it’s that we see so little of the wider world that everything feels grossly oversimplified.

I think this is where these films’ dogged adherence to the source material really screws them over. While the books are also lacking in worldbuilding and context from the perspective of other characters, it makes sense there because the books are all first-person POV. Of course we don’t get cutaways to citizens in the Capitol ruminating on their role in all this, or seeing the inner workings of the Peacekeepers to give them any characterization whatsoever outside of being blank plastic suits, because Katniss doesn’t see that. Since the movies have fully done away with this conceit, though, the omission of these supporting scenes feels glaring - especially when the movies are trying so hard to push this theme that everyone has their own fight, and both sides have a reason for their actions.

So, on that note, thematically it’s a fucking mess. It dips its toes into a dozen different themes without really firmly exploring any of them, leaving it feeling indecisive and tonally inconsistent. For example, Mockingjay I spends its intro showing the effect Katniss’ PTSD is having on her, and challenging the idea that just because someone has gone through trauma, they’re a hero and ought to be set up as the mouthpiece of the revolution - how can you ethically put the responsibility of leadership on someone who gets the shakes every time they hear a bang? …but then, not to worry, show her a cool superhero outfit and she’s out there shooting down gunships with fuckin Hawkeye arrows by dinnertime.

And the wider revolution story has many similar issues. What’s your message? Dictators are bad? Wow, what a take. Both sides committed atrocities, so they’re both bad? Politics are hard and messy, and you just gotta keep your head down and hope you can retire to the country? Yeah, way to really take a hard stance on that one.

If I put all that aside, it generally works as a character piece - Katniss and Peeta’s development over the course of the story, in particular, is well done through and through, and it feels rare to see a broad appeal series like have the nerve to take its leads to such dark places. There’s also a lot of surprisingly great character acting throughout; my personal standouts are Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, and (surprisingly) Woody Harrelson, but there’s honestly not a bad actor in the bunch, which is impressive. Still, with the subject material being so heavy, it’s hard for me just to take it at face value like that, and I wish they shored up the weaker elements a bit.

I’m just saying, if you spend that much of your screentime showing crowds of children being murdered by IEDs, I think you ought to be building towards a strong statement.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Yeah, this one felt like a waste of a movie in a really weird way. The execution was incredibly well done - lots of solid acting, production design, etc, which is a huge waste because the basic premise of the movie is fucking worthless.

So, the whole point, I would say, of doing a prequel is to flesh out interesting parts of your universe that you didn’t have time for in the original work. Unanswered questions, a character’s past that you want to learn more about, a deeper dive into parts of the world or lore that weren’t touched on but caught people’s imagination. The Hunger Games series has plenty of gaps that need to be filled: I said above how incredibly small the world seems due to barely exploring any of the capitol, other districts, etc., so it was ripe for a prequel or spinoff! Let us spend some time in other districts, see how other people live and feel about the whole thing. Even if we’re not going post-war, and are going back to the era of the Games (which of course we would), there’s 75 years worth of questions to explore.

Instead of focusing on any of that, the premise of this movie (/book) is “Hey, you know the villain from the original story that seemed like a huge, irredeemable piece of shit? Let’s spend a two and a half hour runtime telling you his backstory, which will show you that actually… he’s always been a piece of shit”. Wow. Spellbinding.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with a main character being a bad person. Particularly, if your character is charismatic, they don’t necessarily have to be right or good to be interesting to watch; there’s a certain magnetism to watching that for a lot of people. It’s never been my cup of tea, to be honest; whether pegged as comedy (Always Sunny) or drama (Breaking Bad), I get fed up really quickly when I hate everyone in a piece of fiction. But done correctly, it can still be interesting - showing how a character ended up where they are, showing you a rare good side of them you’d never seen, or showing that they used to be moral, but just happened to be tested one too many times and fell off the deep end.

Snow is none of these. He’s a piece of shit from the first time we see him, he consistently acts like a piece of shit to everyone around him, and then he ends up, in fact, being a piece of shit***. What’s interesting about that?

***I think the most generous interpretation I could give of his character is a piece of shit who briefly dabbles in transactional friendship after Lucy Gray saves him from the rubble, then shortly thereafter returns to being a piece of shit. Which I still do not find especially compelling.

Even outside of that, it’s one of those prequels that does nothing but make the world feel smaller - rather than expanding on any of the dozens of untouched ideas in the series, we spend a bunch more time in District 12, and show that, actually, it turns out Snow and his hangups are the only reason anything happened in this universe for nearly 100 years. From Katniss’ name to the Hanging Tree song she sings, turns out half the things we learned in The Hunger Games resulted from this one particular guy’s life story. In a series that already felt like the world was too small and was in desperate need of expansion, further narrowing the scope feels like such a misstep.

Why yes, I did need to know exactly what the Kessel Run was!

Odds & Ends

I mostly blocked out my memories of Mockingjay the book from the single time I read it back in the day, because I thought it was booty, but the one thing I remembered liking that they changed up was Finnick’s death. In the book, he’s just there one moment and gone the next, without any fanfare or time to grieve, which serves to make his death feel especially cruel. I suppose it was inevitable, but counter-intuitively, the Big Hollywood Death Scene they gave him here felt a lot less impactful.

-------

A point about the series in general: boy did the costume design bother me. It’s interesting, because all I remembered about it from when this series blew up was the gaudy Capitol style and how crazy the internet was about it. Watching these movies again, I feel like that success was a total fluke, because everything else is goofy as hell. The way that every district has their own bespoke fucking Civil War re-enactment outfits is wild - look, the ‘District 11 is just one big Southern plantation’ thing was always really obvious, but seeing each district dressed up like they're from competing historical re-enactment groups was wild.

The prequel turns this up to 11. I feel like someone on the team though they were real clever - this one’s set 60 years earlier, so let’s make all the outfits and design retro! What? People in flapper clothes, the lake scene with their 1940s swimsuits, even the logo and graphic design in the Hunger Games broadcasting room looking like it’s from the 50s - it doesn’t make any fucking sense. Yeah, they’re set decades before the original books - in the year, like, 2300. What, everyone just forgot how to do graphic design again after the war? Fashion is cyclical, but not like this…

--------

Also, movies 1 and 2 in particular definitely have some uncomfortable racial dynamics going on. I was already weirded out that a lot of the districts seem to be separated by ethnicity, but as you go on, it’s hard to ignore how nearly every Black person seems to exist solely to help Katniss along in her quest before dying horribly and usually on-camera. Rue, Thresh, Cinna, even that old man that flashes the salute in District 11… it’s remarkably consistent.

#will's media thoughts / virtual brain repository #movies #the hunger games #catching fire #mockingjay #the ballad of songbirds and snakes

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mad-madam-m · 2 years

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T&B2 Thoughts: Episode 13 – Constant dropping wears away a stone.

This one is mostly incoherent screeching and me waving screenshots in your faces; I apologize in advance.

- Aaaaaand dammit, they're giving me feelings about the twins again and their weird little family.

- Look. Look. I am a sucker for violent, chaotic characters who 1) enjoy the violence just for shits and giggles and 2) also have someone they care truly and deeply about (e.g., Spike from Buffy, anyone??). And Fugan and Mugan very much fit that profile.

- So Ouroboros wants the world to fear NEXT. But why?

- LORD seeing Barnaby just go fucking ballistic on Fugan gave me chills. And then you have Kotetsu speaking up when the rookies want to stop him, because he trusts that Barnaby has a plan. Because Barnaby always has a plan, always knows what he’s doing, even if it doesn’t look like it to an outside observer. And Kotetsu knows that now.

- And here we are, finally back to the first scene of the season.

- I think this is actually a hint that Barnaby did have a plan and wasn’t just going batshit because Kotetsu was hurt: his power is still active when he lets out his final attack. In order to test his hypothesis, he needed to attack Fugan a lot with the Hundred Power, but he needed to make sure he had enough time left to survive the attack Fugan would hit him with. And he hits that balance, which tells me he was very aware of what he was doing.

- And Barnaby's sacrifice pays off. Fugan’s arms are broken, and they know his weakness: with the way the drug boosted his NEXT abilities, his body literally can’t hold up under the amount of power he absorbs. It’s going to tear him apart.

- And even as hurt as Fugan is, he's afraid to stop here—not for himself, but because Ouroboros could hurt Brahe. We see that they're stuck between a rock and a hard place, too.

- NO SHIT WHO COULD POSSIBLY HAVE FORESEEN THIS TURN OF EVENTS

- If we see Rosicky bite it in the next cour, I will not be terribly upset.

- Fuuuuuuck now that Barnaby and Kotetsu are basically out of commission, we’re down to just the kids.

- And we have Black and Cat working together to protect Thomas because he's the only one with a strong attack. They really are trying, but there’s so little they can do against Fugan and Mugan.

- YEAH LARA'S MOM YOU SEE WHAT THE HERO JOB REALLY IS

- I admint, I was viciously pleased to see her so horrified. I’m not proud of it.

- It does make me wonder if she’ll change her tune in the second half of the season, and try to stop Cat from being a hero, or if she’ll double down that much harder.

- Jeez Barnaby and Kotetsu are in rough, rough shape. And the fight’s not over!

- I knew, I knew that whatever was inside Kid’s charm would be something like this, and I was absolutely not disappointed with the reveal. The drawing is so cute, my heart.

- And it’s her partner’s faith in her that gives Cat the courage to stand up and stop the twins.

- OH LOOK I'VE BEEN IMPALED

- Relatedly, boy Cat is gonna have some PTSD from this.

- I’m fine I’M FINE I’M FINE

- Okay but the way it looks like Fugan is right, that Thomas is using Kotetsu to protect himself, keeping Fugan from attacking...and then the realization hits that Kotetsu is holding himself up, and Thomas is holding Barnaby.

- Three minutes ago Kotetsu could barely stand, but clearly he’s summoned his “I need to hold up my boyfriend” powers from the depths of his soul.

- I love that they try to get Fugan and Mugan medical help *sobs*

- And it’s Kotetsu and Barnaby together explaining how they figured out Fugan couldn’t absorb his own attacks. Even when they were lying there broken and bleeding, they were still paying attention. And it’s a reminder that Kotetsu, as goofy and reckless as he can be, is still very observant; they both are. It’s another reason they’re perfect partners.

- I’m not crying it’s just raining on my face.

- That's how they were petrifying the heroes: Brahe’s NEXT ability. And it only lasts as long as he keeps one hand in a fist, and he let it go so that he could hold his sons before he dies. And it’s for no other reason than he wants to hold his sons. I'm fine.

- I don't see how it could've ended any other way for them, but damn I kinda wanted the heroes to end up with the very chaotic murder twins as weird "violence is our first resort!" cousins. That would’ve been hilarious.

- Mr. and Mrs. Lyle getting a brand-new son-in-law. I’m sure they won’t object.

- KID’S FACE when she realizes Cat saw the silly drawing. Genuinely horrified, never expected that to see the light of day. I can’t even. XD

- I love all the hero partners so much, they’re all so wonderful.

- My thoughts exactly, Kotetsu.

- HOW ABOUT TONIGHT

- LET'S HAVE OUR DATE TONIGHT

- LET'S HAVE A TOAST WITH OUR IVS

- AND THE SEASON ENDS WITH THEM LOOKING AT EACH OTHER FONDLY AND LAUGHING TOGETHER I'M STILL GOING FUCKING FERAL OVER THIS, MONTHS LATER.

- BARNABY IS LAUGHING. BARNABY. LAUGHING. WITH KOTETSU. BECAUSE OF KOTETSU. GOD.

- THEY FINALLY GOT THEIR FUCKING DATE IN A WAY I ABSOLUTELY DIDN’T EXPECT BUT YET IT’S STILL KIND OF PERFECT.

- And Gregory Sunshine disappears into Stern Bild with a case of the drug that enhances NEXT powers, with a look that says “I’m going to cause problems on purpose.”

Y’all honestly, I was trying so hard to keep my expectations at a minimum with this new season, and the series absolutely blew past them. I got everything I wanted and then some, and I can’t wait to see what cour 2 will bring.

I love this fuckin’ show.

#Tiger & Bunny #Tiger and Bunny #Tiger & Bunny 2 #M watches TNB #M writes meta #M rambles

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parknights · 1 year

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Parknight imagines, miscellany 20: well-versed

Parker's not used to receiving BOLOs via text, but he gets one from Knight this morning:

-BOLO: V agreed to let actress Chloe Marlene shadow me, so today might be complicated.

Oh, jeez. Vance is letting Hollywood into the building…? Parker wonders what the rest of the story is, but no sooner does he think this then he encounters a hubbub in the lobby at NCIS.

A woman dressed in all white tries to disperse her entourage as she signs in. "I'll be happy to wait for Agent Knight, then," Parker overhears her saying.

Parker sighs and steps forward, nodding to their distraught receptionist. "I'll take it from here, Sherry," he says, and she nods her thanks. To the assumed actress, he continues, "I'm Special Agent Parker. Special Agent Knight is part of my team, and I can take you to her. Miss Chloe Marlene, I presume?"

Chloe flashes a movie star's smile at him. She's slighter than Knight but has similar coloring, as if an artist had been given Jess Knight's vague description and filled in the blanks with their personal preference. But Chloe politely holds out her hand for him to shake. "Nice to meet you. I guess word gets around about me. But your director signed off on me studying Agent Knight."

He shows her to the elevator and lets her in first. "Not exactly. I heard from Knight herself. And that's 'Special Agent' Knight, by the way."

Impressively, Chloe whips out a little notepad and jots it down. "Got it. So Director Vance is the big boss and you're team boss…"

"Of the MCRT. Major Case Response Team," he supplies.

Chloe's eyes go big and wide at their official title. "Wow. That sounds impressive. I was looking up stats on Special Agent Knight to help prepare for my character based on her, but." Chloe taps her notepad to her chin and tucks it away. "Anything you want to tell me about what it's like to work as a team?"

Parker opens and closes his mouth. What to say? He's been on this team not much longer than Knight, but Knight's been part of NCIS a lot longer…and she's much better acquainted with being a team player than he is. At that, he chuckles to himself. "Knight is…the first person who comes to mind when you think of the term 'team player.'"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. She's good at building bridges between people, making them see eye to eye. She's a quick thinker, on her feet. A helluva fighter, too, out in the field. Although, given the right topic, a helluva fighter if you get into an argument with her." Parker muses on the times they've had spats, both serious and more often than not ridiculous and when he's clearly been in the wrong. "She's…a stubborn one, but that's a good quality of hers, trust me. Pursuing a lead or having faith in her loved ones. Tying up loose ends or being supportive. There's nothing she does halfheartedly."

The elevator's quiet for a beat, and Parker realizes Chloe's eyes are on him for a wholly different reason now.

Because she asked for his professional opinion of Knight only for him to gush personally about her. Without filters.

Finally, Chloe smiles. "Wow. This Jess Knight lady is really loved, isn't she?"

And this, this is what Parker didn't mean to occur, but he knows he's dug a hole, letting his and Knight's secret spill.

But Chloe's smile is small, actually, and kind—one that hints she'll keep their privacy.

So Parker rubs the back of his neck nervously and concedes the truth with a nod.

Then the elevator doors open and Parker pretends he didn't just wear his heart on his sleeve as he introduces the actress to the team.

(But Chloe glances at him once more that very morning when she first spies Knight and gives her own nod, of approval.)

-follow for more imagines & Parknight content-

#ncis #parknight #parker x knight #knight x parker #alden parker #imagine #s20e13

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thebulletcrusade · 5 months

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Deleted Footnotes from what my book was supposed to be

(No, I am not dead. Otherwise this would have been a smaller story. Jeez, have a little faith in your protagonist.)

Bullets rained down, a few grazing me slightly(you can’t dodge every bullet)

(not the first time I’ve been in a hospital, or handcuffed in one).

“What do you want?” the old lady barked(I remember her name, but it's more fun to call her old lady).

I sigh, then lift myself on the stall(a few men scream at this)

Note - the main protagonist, a man going by the nickname Bullet, has gone through 5 major character personality changes, at first being a more serious person(was supposed to be a war veteran) but was changed to a sarcastic asshole with a tendency to be disliked and a little bit of a temper. Now he’s different, but that’s what he was supposed to be.

#my writing #oc #incoming #book #my books #character development #Deleted stuff

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nijigasakilove · 7 months

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Probably the best ayakashi triangle has ever been tbh. Legitimately very good episode from start to finish. Stakes, action, romance, there was everything in this one.

Shirogane earned a lot of respect from me today. Genuinely good dude who understandably became anti human after some of the shit he went thru. Suzu and Matsuri have restored a lot of his faith in humanity and he and Suzu make a perfect team. I mean, can you imagine the snarky little asshole Shirogane from earlier in the show being willing to die for a human?

Wow that ninja art from matsuri was sick. The OST during that scene combined with the voice acting gave me chills. Not something I’d expect from an Ayakashi Triangle episode.

Even if it’s just for a little while, being able to see Matsuri back in human form(not just a copy of him) was cool. Almost thought he’d go in for the kiss on Suzu. Even Souga senpai knew to give them some time alone because of how emotional that moment was for them.

So yesterday and today we get episodes with downbad waifus who are overly horny for the MC 😂 Suzu was ready to take off her clothes and go at it in the FOREST. Like jeez girl at least get some dinner first.

Hilarious ending with Matsuri transforming back into the female form, not before Suzu got a look at his goods which I’m sure she’ll be remembering for a long time.

Great ep.

#summer anime 2023 #anime summer 2023 #2023 summer anime #summer2023anime #ayakashi triangle #ayakashi triangle anime #ayatora

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libratvulizardheadcanonstrove · 2 years

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FE 16 Playthrough: Part 5:

In-Game Dates: 4/22, 4/23, 4/26

Great Tree Moon, and a lot of talky stuff that I cannot pause. Huh, Adrestia is in the south. And I guess the the monastery is in its own like little independent state?

But we’re here! At the actual game location! I do kinda feel for Jeralt here tho. Twenty years of evading with his kid just to be brought back by pure bad luck. And I do wonder how much of what Rhea and Jeralt say is just for the sake of appearances (Byleth existence, the mom dying, etc). The fucking monastery theme is a big whiplash tho. Yeah, Jeralt’s worst fears are happening - doo-do-doo-da-da-doo. Jeez man. Also wait. They don’t want the Ashen Demon merc to be in their army, but to teach?? It is a little like “Wouldn’t the way more experienced Jeralt be the better teacher?? He technically taught Alois (and Leonie) so there’s already teaching exp??” However, it might have something to do with Jeralt and his “defiance” being too much of a liability for teaching the students. A blank slate though? Yeah, they won’t put anything to question the Church in their heads. OMG, Alois is the one who recced us for teaching?

When we cut to Seteth and Rhea talking in private, my first instinct to him saying we’re a child is “Ugh, game, we’re twenty-one! You literally tell us this later! We’re not some peer to these actual teens!” Then I thought “Wait, he’s old as hell and has to constantly manage everyone else’s shit”. So, I’ll let it slide this time game. And I guess the “suspicious individual” they’re talking about is the Flame Emperor?

FINALLY I CAN START TO RUN AROUND!! My first quest is to talk to the three leaders, but I’m encouraged to talk to all of the students. I run into E first. Decided against grilling her too much this playthrough. I ran into the Deer kids first and they’re so cute! NOT CLAUDE SHADING THE OTHER HOUSES FOR THEIR MESS! Claude, look... you’re right, but you shouldn’t say it.

I decide to see the Eagle kids as well so I’ll preemptively miss them. And I’m probably looking too deep into this, but when Ferdinand says the “legitimate” son of the Aegir family, could that imply illegitimate sons? God Hubert can’t help talking like a vampire huh? Okay gonna talk to my kids-oh sonuvabitch, does Sylvain really have to be the first to see?? Well, this my first Guy!leth playthrough, so maybe he can be a bit more tolerable. Damn, Felix really is on sight huh? Just like a real autistic person in RPGs!

I talk to Dimitri and he says “I bet I can benefit greatly from your guidance!”. Like, yeah man, you have no idea how much the plot is gonna make you rely on me and my guidance to the detriment of your own agency. I am gonna grill him on the Lions.

Ingrid: They literally go “Ingrid has no weaknesses as a unit”, yeah, okay game. But okay, her strengths are Swords, Lances, Riding and Flight. Decent on-set stats, but lowest is Defense. And her Personal Skill gives her boosts with Gambits.

Annette: you know, this is the first time I’m actually looking at her Personal Skill. She can automatically use Rally to give +4 Strength to someone. I guess I should try to pair her with a martial unit. Strengths are Axes, Reason and Authority, while her weaknesses at the start are Bows and Armor. Much more obvi mage stats.

Mercedes: absolute white mage with that Personal Skill. A two-for-one heal! And huh, she’s got a lotta weaknesses. Swords, Spears, Axes and Armor. While her two strengths are Reason and Faith. Keep an eye on her Luck and defense.

Sylvain: Right his Personal Skill is about being a fuckboi. Actually, that might be mean to fuckbois, my bad fuckbois. But yeah, it also means he does a smidge better in combat when next to a girl. Strengths are Lances, Axes and Riding. Only weakness is Bows. HOLY SHIT HIS RESISTANCE IS 2!

Ashe: our little lockpick boi. His only two strengths are Axes and Bows. And his only weakness is Reason. Decent stats.

Felix: the “don’t give him Battalions” unit. Strengths are Swords, Bows and Fists. Really suggesting an Assassin endgame. Weaknesses are Reason and Authority. God, his Strength is high and his Res is low.

Dedue: His Personal Skill suggests he’s a good guard for skinny entrances. Wow, he’s gotta lotta strengths. Lances, Axes, Fists and Armor. While his weaknesses are Faith, Riding and Flying. HOLY DAMN HIS STRENGTH IS HIGH, AND HIS RES IS 1!

Dimitri: Strengths are Swords, Lances and Authority. Weaknesses are Axes and Reason. I was about to freak out that his strength is higher than Dedue’s, but I remembered I got him leveled up lol. Keep an eye on that Res.

I go back to Rhea and the staff to pick my house. Seteth is making it known that he doesn’t trust me (fair, it’s called good taste). Hi Flayn. Right there’s the mock battle coming up. I go to talk to the kids (and manchild Sylvain). Ugh, the grossness with the teacher aspect begins, where literally the only option is to tell the kids to treat me like a friend. Not really bad now on its own, but with later shit... Dimitri says that we’re not in the kingdom, maybe pointing to me being onto something earlier? Wow, Mercie is self-aware that’s she’s the White Mage. And how dare you make Sylvain have kind of a point about only bonding through fighting?! And Ingrid’s like “Shut up nerd! This is the jock house! You wanna go talk about your feelings, go to the Golden Deer!”

Oh, it’s the 26th now. We’re getting lightly hounded by Hanneman, which is cool with me because he’s a nerd with Igor-from-Persona’s voice. Oh, it’s lore time. Well, it’s nice that Hanneman gets to info-dump ig? Especially if it is maybe compatible with my silly headcanons to basically give everyone superpowers-a surprisingly common thing with me. Also, that was a pretty short lore-dump. And it’s cute to see Hanneman be a dork.

Okay, next post will be the first free-roam around the monastery!

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hurricanranabaybay · 3 years

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aew dynamite | november 11, 2020

#jade cargill #aew #all elite wrestling #aew dynamite #my edit #my gifs #she's so freakin' gorgeous *o*#saw people on twitter and reddit already dismissing her for her promo and i'm like wtf?#it's her first time have a little faith jeez #i'm definitely looking forward to see more of her in the ring

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shurisneakers · 3 years

Text

harmless (xiii)

Summary: Bucky volunteers to go stop a small time villain, but nothing can prepare him for what exactly he has to deal with. (Bucky x villain!reader)

Warnings: cursing, frustrated bucky, dramatic reader, smidge of angst, guns, little bit of violence, obnoxious flirting, and kidnapping lol

Word count: 6.2k

A/N: welcome to chaos week >:) this is the first of three updates coming out this week (if i can finish the last one in time). big thank you to my love @no-shit-sherl0ck for the kidnaped!reader idea, and that one anon who suggested the inator that’s used here. i know you wanted to see it in a zoo but i couldn’t really figure out a way to use that so i referenced it a bunch in previous chapters. oh and also @ginevranights for this specific imagery

Previous Part || Series Masterlist

Who the fuck kidnaps a villain in this day and age?

Saturday started normally enough.

Nat kicked Bucky’s ass in training, evening the score to 120 and 120. He blames it on the lack of sleep. She tells him that it’s his fault he stayed up late to binge watch 911 Lone Star.

He still thinks it was worth it.

The team’s sunshines and rainbows that morning. Someone had cooked up a batch of pancakes and fresh orange juice. Someone else burnt the bacon but left to feed his dog before anyone could complain.

Nat opened up the newspaper. Different sections went to different people until Bucky got stuck with the entertainment section. Fun, considering that he doesn’t even recognise half the names. He’d have to pretend to be interested until the next rotation.

He watches the orange juice levitate in front of him from the corner of his eye and just assumes that Wanda’s getting a refill even though she could have just asked him to pass it. He smells the next batch of bacon burning and figures that Clint is back.

Sam’s beside him, annoying him about how long it takes for him to read about which new celebrity relationship just ended and Bucky retaliates by reading even slower. Fuck you.

He’s on his second stack of pancakes absolutely drenched in maple syrup when the doors to the elevator open and Marie steps out, laptop in her hand.

An instant chorus of hello’s and invitations to have some charred bacon resound through the table. She politely declines them with a small smile, instead opening her laptop and placing it in front of Bucky without further ado.

He looks at her questioningly, slowly swallowing whatever was in his mouth.

“An email for you.” She tuts her head towards it. “It has a video attachment of your friend.”

Bucky has plans to not watch the video in front of everyone, given that the content could range anywhere from you reading out fanfiction about him to a deep-fake of him singing a Whitney Houston song.

Both of which you have done before and would do again, without any hesitation.

“Aren’t you gonna watch it?” Wanda asks from across the table.

He slowly shakes his head no, cutting his stack into smaller pieces.

“If what’s in it is real, it’s important,” Marie stresses.

“What’s in it?” he inquires instead, hoping that the team would stop staring at him. If Marie was implying strongly that he needed to watch then something was wrong.

“Just watch it, man.” Sam’s statement has everyone agreeing with him. Bucky can’t refuse now, and if the team makes fun of him for the next month about how he looks good belting Greatest Love of All, he’s going to personally assassinate you.

He clicks on the email, noticing it came from a throwaway address. Probably untraceable, if the cards are played right.

The video opens to grainy footage, which is stupid considering modern technological advancements. If this is one more of your stupid LARPing sessions, it could definitely wait till after lunch.

But, he instantly recognises your silhouette strapped to a chair and suddenly the room feels very cold around him. His hand automatically clutches onto a bead from the bracelet you gave him that still remained tied to his left arm more often than not.

“Speak,” someone commands off camera.

“About what?” You sound annoyed, exasperated even.

“Why you’re here.”

“I’m here because you have unaddressed feelings of childhood insecurity.”

“I warned you to take this seriously.”

Bucky’s eyes widen slightly but his body relaxes the minute he reads the situation.

The team’s crowded around him, he can feel it. His attention remains on the screen in front of him.

“Who even are you sending this to?” You don’t sound the least bit threatened. “My roommate’s not at home but my cat is and I don’t think she’d care.”

”You’ve made a complete joke out of villains everywhere. Fraternising with the enemies, the Avengers,” he spits the name with so much vitriol. “You’ve erased what it’s like to be truly evil. Turned us into a laughing stock.”

“If it takes one person to undermine your whole movement then maybe it wasn’t strong enough to begin with.” You look at someone outside the lens, face scrunching in distaste. “Also your costume’s ugly.”

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., can you trace this voice?” Bucky asks, receiving an immediate confirmation. “Figure out who it is.”

“On it.”

“Tell them. Tell them we are a serious threat and are to be feared.”

"No,” you say resolutely. “You’re an overgrown manchild. Go watch Teletubbies or something.”

“She does not give a shit,” Clint marvels at the situation, a piece of half eaten burnt toast between his fingers.

You didn’t. And if he knew you in the slightest, which he prided himself on at this point, you already had six different ways of getting out of there.

“She knows she’s going to be fine,” Bucky murmurs, returning back to take a bite of his pancakes. “She’s probably still there just to irritate him.”

He zeroes in on your wrist to see if the teleportation watch was still there but no, your wrists are bare. Guess you forgot.

“You have to.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s how a real villain does it.”

“A real villain- what are you, gatekeeping the villain community?” You scoff. “You sound like a fuckin’ incel.”

“Just send them a message,” the guy bellows, hitting a table.

“She’s going to frustrate them to death.” An accurate observation, Sam.

“Okay, jeez, fine.”

Bucky just knows that you rolled your eyes at that moment.

He had faith in you, or in your abilities at the very least. While every wisecrack could possibly inch you closer towards harm, you probably wouldn’t be making them unless you felt completely secure in your situation.

“Help, I’m totally kidnapped and in danger. Save me because I can’t do it myself. This man is too powerful and strong and sooo scary.”

“Do you think she has a strategy?”

“Definitely.”

“You’re not worried, James?” Wanda asks curiously. “I thought she was your friend.”

“She is my friend.” He reaches over to take the jug of orange from across the table. “That’s why I’m not worried.”

“Are you going to fight the Avengers?” you interrupt his endless tirade. “Because that’s a stupid plan. You get how that’s a stupid plan, right?”

“Let them come. I’m prepared.”

“With what? A stick you found outside? A Nerf gun? Man, you’ve tied my hands with fuckin’ zip ties, you can’t be serious-”

“Shut up,” he roared and the stand shakes slightly from where he stamps his feet. “Our army is enough.”

“Wow,” you exhale. “I wish I had your confidence, I really do. I want to study you under a microscope.”

“I have reinforcements.” It sounds like he turns to the camera to address it directly. “This is a warning. Your friends have an hour to find you or things are gonna turn ugly. This is what real evil looks like.”

“Evil dresses in a dollar store Speedo, apparently.” The man pays you no heed, instead picking up the camera. “Hey, sarge, if you’re watching this, don’t bother. I’m fine, it’s not even the real me-”

The camera cuts to black.

“When was this video sent?” Nat looks at Marie, eyebrows drawn together.

“About ten minutes ago.”

Bucky clicks out of the email, determined to get at least half his breakfast in him before he left to see what’s up with your situation. A notification pops up immediately.

[email protected] just sent you an email.

A video attachment.

“We got another one,” Bucky informs the team, drawing their attention back to the screen from the informal conversation that had erupted between them about what they could do.

This time, there’s a subject line included.

Attack on the Clone.

"Ain’t that a Star Wars movie?" he asks, craning his neck to look at Clint.

"That's Attack of the Clones," Sam corrects. "Probably autocorrect."

Bucky narrowed his eyes in suspicion at him, jaw sliding outward before falling back into place. Enough times had Sam called him Fucky in the group chat and gotten away with it for him not to be wary.

“Or a code,” Wanda suggests, too many crime thrillers read and podcasts listened in her spare time. She occasionally brought them over to Self Care Saturday, introducing him to the world of true crime as a bit of light content while they snacked on chocolate chip cookies he baked. “Like the Zodiac.”

“For what?” Bucky peers over at her.

“All I remember from that movie is them rolling around a field together,” Clint mutters. “Maybe that’s how you’re supposed to save her.”

“I’m not saving anyone. Look at her, she’s fine.” Is he the only one who saw it?

When he’s met with skeptical looks and no other useful suggestions, he presses play on the video.

This time it's clearer footage. It hardly takes him a second to ascertain where it was.

"That's her lair." It showed the pathway leading up to the flat concrete building, exactly where the intercom should be.

There was a black Sedan parked haphazardly outside, engine still on judging by the sound of the radio blasting an AC/DC song.

Within a few seconds, someone drags you from the entrance of the lair to the car, despite your very clear protests and opposition, shoving you inside before it takes off in full speed, tires screeching.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y., track the car from that video. Check all the CCTV and surveillance footage from around the area that you can find," Bucky commands, taking a sip of orange juice.

"Why would they send us that?" Clint pipes up. "They make their email untraceable but send us a video of the fuckin' abduction itself?"

"I don't know." Bucky shakes his head, setting his glass down. "She probably convinced them to."

It was an unusual scenario, he realised that. But his eyebrows lower in contemplation, his lip caged between his lip before a thought suddenly occurs to him. A laugh in disbelief almost escapes his throat ad he pushes it down with some freshly cut strawberries.

"And they listened?"

"I don't think you realise how annoying she can be." He knows, though. He knows. "Bet they regret it, though. I should tell them to keep her for a little longer."

"Voice recognition registers voice to someone named Chad, better known by his alias Soul Crusher. Surveillance footage places the car about thirty minutes away. Exact location sent to your phone GPS."

Soul Crusher. That was worse than Dr. Strange.

"I can make that fifteen." Bucky shrugs, setting down his fork and knife. If his hunch is right, the team didn’t really have to get involved. “See you guys later.”

“Do you want any of us coming with you?” Wanda gestures to the crowd at hand.

“I got it.” He pushes away from the table, depositing his plate in the sink, dropping an extra piece of bacon on the ground for Clint’s dog. “She’ll be alright.”

They watch him trail out of the room briskly, heading up to his room to change.

“Is it just me or is he too casual about this?” Clint continues staring long after he leaves.

“Both of them are weirdos.” Nat pulls open the newspaper again, going back to the sport’s section. “Who knows what goes in their heads.”

“Can confirm that not a lot goes on in his.”

Without Bucky to retaliate or grumble, a Steve walking into the room, sweaty and shiny after training becomes the new subject of jokes that morning.

For the first time in months, he’s had to bring a weapon or two along with him. Two revolvers and a couple of knives kept out of plain view. He wouldn’t need more than that anyway.

True to his word, it takes only fifteen minutes to get there, thirteen if he didn’t stop for the chain of ducks that crossed the street.

He’s also dressed in a little more leather than he usually reserves for your meetings. A jacket that brings to act as a windbreaker and tightly laced up combat boots make him look like he either stepped off a runway, or more menacing than usual depending on who was looking.

The GPS points him to an old warehouse near a more subdued part of the city. It was abandoned by the looks of it, and had been for a while judging by the lack of upkeep. Prime real estate.

He pulls off his helmet, hanging it on the handlebar along with his backpack before kicking the stand into place. The bike’s a few metres away just in case they decide to blow something up.

Bucky looks up at the warehouse, assessing the most damage he could do to it if at all it was needed. That thing could barely stand on its own, a grenade would absolutely decimate it. That wasn’t good news for you.

He sighs once before putting on his death glare, straightening out his shoulders into a stature that screams stone-cold, and pushes the door open, gun raised.

A mini-army of people ranging from their early twenties to late thirties stood guard at the entrance, all with rifles pointed at him. He counts fifteen, maybe eighteen.

“Oh, hell no,” a voice erupts from the back, followed by the sound of his gun being thrown to the ground. “No one told me that he was coming.”

Bucky raises an eyebrow, his death glare not shifting and Glock not lowering.

“I’m out.” The same guy raises his hands up to show he meant no harm, slowly brushing past Bucky as he squeezed out of the building.

“You got five seconds to leave before I shut this door,” Bucky gives the rest of them an ultimatum. Not like there was a point anyway. SHIELD was sending down some people to account for the one day rise in new morons.

They all looked at each other, swallowing thickly before raising their weapons.

“I hope he’s giving you good insurance.” The second he finishes his sentence they all cry out in what sounds like a fucking war chant, launching themselves at him.

______

“They’re here.” Someone presses his ear to the door as if the gunshots and screaming weren’t enough.

“Brilliant. We’re ready.” Chad picks up the knife, running his finger along the sharp end. You try to see if you can use your Twitter-ordained powers of manifestation for a paper cut.

“How much are you asking them for?” You put forth a query instead, when it disappointingly doesn’t work.

“Asking who for what?” Chad stops his dumb intimidation tactic for a second.

“You know,” you insist like it was obvious, “my ransom. How much did you ask them to pay?”

“We didn’t-” He looks around at the other people in the room for confirmation. “-we didn’t ask for any.”

“Because I’m invaluable?” Your head droops to the side in mock flattery. “Aw, you guys.”

“We didn’t think of it,” someone from the corner behind you speaks up, coming to the aid of their boss.

“Now that’s just rude.” You tut, shifting maybe an inch or two in your bounds to try and get more comfortable. “Leaving aside your lack of preparation, let’s just assume he bursts in here, desperate and ready to bargain. How much would you ask for?”

“Three million,” Chad says confidently, gathering a nod and sounds of agreement from everyone else.

“Are you serious?” Your jaw drops, a scoff escaping you. “That’s all?”

His self-assurance falters a little bit, you can see it under his 5 Minutes Craft mask.

“Three mill-” You stop mid-sentence. “With this wiring? Ridiculous. Make it ten, I demand it.”

“We’ll ask for fifteen mil,” Chad proposes, his teammates agreeing again, a little more delighted than last time.

“Ask for thirty, you coward,” you argued. “Thirty million and a jet.”

“You’re not worth that much.” The dipshit diagonal to you pipes up with his unwanted and, frankly, useless opinion.

“And you are?” You whip around the best you can. “Henchman number four?”

“Megedagik,” he informs, standing up a little taller now that he was given some importance. “It means ‘killer of many’.”

“Did you just say your name was Mega Dick?”

“Megedagik,” he corrects.

You stare at him hard before turning away. “Alright, other than Mega Dick here, does anyo-”

A knife lands right next to your feet, driven at least an inch into the ground. You look up at the guy you managed to piss off within four sentences, his face now a beet red.

“These are brand new, asshole,” you barked, shaking your shoes around. “You’re gonna pay if there’s even a scratch on it.”

“Permission to kill her?” Meg growls, casting a side eye at Chad.

The boss man looks at you thoughtfully, assessing the repercussions of what might happen. You raise an eyebrow.

“Slow and painful,” he settles.

A small smirk makes its way onto your face.

“Title of your sex tape,” you quip as the man in the corner storms towards you.

_____

It’s all a flurry, really. A bunch of inexperienced newcomers versus one of the most skilled assassins the world had ever seen? Ten minutes tops.

Bucky doesn’t do any serious damage. A couple of broken bones but only out of necessity, a lot of concussions, and maybe a bullet wound, or three, here and there.

Most of the time he spends thinking about things that have absolutely nothing to do with what was going on. He forgot to take his laundry out of the machine. There was a biscotti recipe he had been procrastinating on trying. His succulents needed watering but he could do that once he was back. Was he wearing his good combat pants or was it the pair that had a hole in the pocket?

His left hand thrust outwards to shove someone away while he stuck his right hand into his pocket to check if it had frayed away. The person he pushed slams into a wall with a loud groan and no, his pants didn’t have a hole in them.

He stops to take a breather, assess what was going on. There are bodies scattered all around, mostly writhing in pain from minor injuries. Someone very bravely stands up, hands posed in front of him in a regular fighting stance.

“You sure about this?” Bucky asks, reaching for one of the concealed knives he hadn’t had a chance of using yet. It twirls rather nimbly between his fingers for something so dangerous, the hilt finally landing in his palm for a sturdy grip.

The man takes one look at the knife before sitting right back down on the ground.

“Good choice,” his voice drops to an octave lower than his self-esteem. He’s tired of this old routine but it works like a neat little party trick, often getting him the result he wanted. “Where?”

A few fingers point down the hall to the only room whose door was closed.

He makes sure to step over everyone who was lying along the way, ears tuned in to even the smallest of noises just in case one of them decided to attack him from the back. It doesn’t come.

He doesn’t bother creeping down the hallway. With all the ruckus that just went on outside, he’s pretty sure it’s obvious that they had an intruder.

Bucky kicks in the large steel door with ease, given that it was barely hanging on its hinges. His gun’s raised, muscles tight, and senses on high alert for any immediate threats.

It lands with a large thud, reverberating through the room. He’s reminded of your first meeting with him.

There’s a chair in the middle of the room with a person tied to it by a mixture of rope and tape. Others found themselves slithering around on the floor in a similar fashion, trying to get out of their bondages.

“Hey, James,” you call out, drawing his attention to you. You were sitting atop a table, legs swinging back and forth without a care in the world, a blade in your hand.

“You okay?” He tucks the gun into his waistband when he realises that none of the henchmen are going to be going anywhere soon.

“All good.” You hop off the table with a little spring in your step. “Did you bring your bike? I need a ride back to the lair. I think I left the TV on when I was, you know, getting kidnapped.”

“You coulda teleported back home before all of this even happened.” Bucky does a quick assessment of your body to make sure there weren’t any bruises or anything of the sort. “Avoided the whole thing.”

“Don’t have the watch with me.” Odd, since he knows you consider it one of your essentials but it just fuels his theory further. “Besides, if I just quit before we started, they’d keep messing with me over and over again.”

“Do you want me to punch someone’s face in?” He glances around the room at the ones wiggling about on the floor like fucking worms. “I’d be happy to.”

“Nah, I got a few in myself.” You rotate your wrist, other hand still holding onto the knife. “You know what, maybe I’ll have another go.”

He simply makes a noise in acknowledgement before he places a hand on the hem of your shirt, gently reeling you back. “I think you fixed ‘em up real good. That’s enough for today.”

“Fine but only ‘cause you said so.” You huff, looking past him and at the weirdos on the ground. “You hear that? This man just saved your life. Say ‘thank you’.”

A muffled chorus of what sounded like appreciation echoed through the room. Bucky awkwardly looks around.

“Damn right.” You walk over to the guy in charge of the whole event, bending down to his level. “If you ever try to fuck with us again...”

You stare straight into his eyes, unblinking. You hold up the knife to his Adam’s apple. Chad doesn’t dare to move other than the thick swallow.

You raise your finger and flick him in the forehead. “Get a better costume.”

The corner of Bucky’s lip quirks upward.

“Let’s go, sarge,” you announce, standing upright again and making a motion to follow you. “D’you have an extra helmet I could use?”

“Yeah.” He had brought one along in his bag, assuming that you’d need one once he noticed the watch was missing in the footage.

“Yay.”

The only storage space on his bike was under his seat and it’s just enough for an extra revolver. Clint asked him if it was his way of flirting with someone, give ‘em a quick spin around the city and then show them his gun. If looks could kill, Clint would be 7 feet under.

“You sure you wanna ride it, though?” He cringes immediately when he realises what it sounds like, waiting for you to smack the innuendo in his face. “We could wait for SHIELD.”

“Don’t really have another choice, Bucky,” you say absentmindedly, strolling out the room as you tossed the knife behind you.

He frowns at your indifference but turns around for a second to look at Chad. The man in question looks back viciously, his grandeur from that morning basically deflated and left to die along with his reputation.

“Might wanna reconsider the name,” Bucky remarks, doing a quick sweep of the area once more. “Soul Crusher.”

He waits until both of you are outside the cell and the door is shut on the ringleader and his circus clowns, handlebar twisted out of place so that they don’t escape for the time being.

“One second,” he calls, touch gently lingering on your forearm to stop you without even thinking twice about it. A famously uncharacteristic move for him.

"Hm?” You don’t even look like you notice his action.

“You sure you’re good?” he asks seriously, actual concern slipping through the question. “Do you need medical assistance?”

“They couldn’t hurt me anyway.” There’s something strange about the way you say it, almost assuredly. “I’m good.”

“Okay,” he concedes, his hand darting back when he realises it was still on your arm. His eyebrows furrow when he realises how instinctively he had reached out in the first place. He didn’t touch anyone, ever.

“What are we gonna do about them?” you inquire, stepping over someone on the floor to get to the exit.

“Marie told Agent Hill. They’re sending someone over.”

“They’re sending SHIELD for these wannabes?” Someone groans in protest from somewhere and you elect to ignore them. “Ew.”

“Just to make sure confidential information isn’t compromised in any way.” There’s a large bang that comes from the room they just left. Maybe one of them shot their teammate by accident. They were more than capable of doing it.

“I would never,” you exacted a little more solemnly, pushing the door open with your elbow to let the sunlight flood in.

“I know.” He doesn’t realise how dark it was in the warehouse until he steps out into the noon sun. “I’m pretty sure this is more about the fact that you were abducted.”

“For me?” The smile doesn’t quite reach your eyes the way he kinda likes. Something definitely felt off. “I love being class favourite.”

He doesn’t reply, a small grunt as he twists the handle of the warehouse door upwards, effectively jamming it.

“Can I drive?” You bat your eyelashes at him innocently, disregarding the loud screaming that came from inside as those less injured probably regrouped for a last ditch attempt.

“No,” he doesn’t hesitate in replying, handing you a helmet and buckling his own securely.

“But I just got kidnapped,” you complained, watching him swing a leg over the bike and straddle it. Okay then.

“All the more reason for you not to drive right now.” He mentions for you to get on, squinting at the warehouse a few feet away.

“Fine, but next time I’m driving,” you grumble, climbing on the back.

“Do you even know how to?” His head is tilted to look at you from the corner of his eye, voice heavier on account of the obstruction on his face.

The door starts shaking violently and he knows for a fact that it won’t hold up for much longer. Some of those who he had knocked out probably had been shaken awake again for manpower.

“I can learn.” You take a pause, mischief seeping into your next words. “You can teach me.”

“No.” He didn’t exactly practice what was considered safe, law abiding driving. He just got from one point to another and that’s all he cared about.

“Then I’ll do it myself.” You sound determined. “I’m going to leave a note for us in the lair.”

“You do that.” He revs the engine when something solid hits the metal door. As guessed, their usage of props to push it down faster was coming into play. “Now, can you hold on to something? We need to go.”

If only those idiots just realised that the windows covered by newspapers were right there, ready to be broken.

“Only if you promise to let me drive next time,” you say defiantly, drawing this whole ordeal out.

“Whatever,” he urges. “I promise. Now can we go?”

“Wait for it...” There’s a devilish smile on your face. “One.”

There’s a loud creak as the door finally gives way.

“Two.” The same people you left tied up in the room burst out, almost stumbling over each other in the process.

“Three,” he completes it on his own, not waiting for you to finish because God knows how long you’d stretch it out just for the drama.

Your excited screech of laughter as he narrowly misses a rod that gets thrown at him like a fucking javelin temporarily distracts him from the brain freeze he gets when your arms wind around his waist to hold yourself in place.

There’s angry screaming and bullets that whiz past in an attempt to get him to stop but a swift turn around a corner, pulling the both of you out of their sight is enough to get rid of them.

“We should get a few weapons and go back,” you yell over the wind rushing by, barely audible.

“You do that in your own free time,” he shouts in response, yanking you through narrower lanes and less popular streets.

“Maybe I will, you bore.”

Still, you shut up for the rest of the ride, only grumbling when he stops the bike to tell you that no, you cannot let go just because you want to throw your hands in the air like in the movies.

You hop off when he finally pulls up on the street outside your lair, adrenaline still pumping through your veins. He waits patiently as you unbuckle the helmet, switching off the engine.

“You gonna drop me off at my door too, now?” You snicker, fingers pulling off the helmet.

He looks at you for a second before dropping the kickstand into place and dismounting from the motorcycle.

“I was kidding.” You laugh, handing him your headgear that he shoves into his backpack.

“You’re pretty capable of gettin’ abducted along the way.” An absurd notion, considering it’s a short path from the road to the door.

“Oh, how chivalrous.” You let him tag along anyway, for his peace of mind.

“My ma didn’t expect any less.” A couple of sharp lessons from Winifred Barnes and Bucky was nothing short of a damn angel.

You knock on the door three times, crossing your arms over your chest as you waited.

“Aren’t you the one with the key?” Bucky questions, one hand on his waist.

The door swung open in the middle of his sentence revealing... you.

Another you.

“Nah, she has it.” Ex-Kidnapped-You raises your head in acknowledgement at Doorway-You.

“Ah.” He fucking knew it. An unnatural sense of smugness blossoms in his chest.

“Hey,” the both of you said at the same time.

Doorway-You looked way more relaxed, a little less grimy and dishevelled but exactly the same.

“Buck, I see you met my other half,” the you from the doorway greets him. “Or other whole, actually.”

“Sure did.” He sends a glance at Ex-Kidnapped-You.

“You can go on in. Big first day, huh?” Doorway-You refers to the you beside him.

“You wouldn’t believe,” Ex-Kidnaped-You mutters, pushing past the entrance and disappearing inside.

“She gonna be okay?” His gaze trails after your clone.

“Oh yeah, just needs to recharge.” You turn around to make sure she’s fine. “She’s made of some pretty strong carbon, technically almost indestructible.”

No wonder ‘you’ said they couldn’t hurt you.

“Heya, sarge.” You draw his attention back to you. “Always good to see you.”

“Can’t really say the same about you.”

“Ever the emotional repressor, Mr Barnes. I like this little leather show you got going, did ya wear it just for me?”

He shifts his balance to his other foot, feet slightly wide apart. “Take it that the clone machine finally worked?”

“I was in the middle of celebrating.” You sigh, recalling the events of that morning. “Teleported home for a second to get some champagne and when I came back she was gone.”

“Irresponsible.” He tsks, head shaking in disappointment.

“Sorry I didn’t take amateur kidnappers into account for my risk factor analysis, Bucky,” you shoot back, pressing on his name for added annoyance. “Anyway, I did the responsible thing. I sent all the evidence I had to you guys.”

“Real clever.” Bucky looks at you in dry amusement. “Attack on the clone? Really?”

“Hey, always make time for a good pun.” You finger gun, lopsided grin on your face. “Did the team like it?”

“They thought it was a typo.” Or a code. He really had Wanda to thank for his big revelation. “Your video didn’t help either.”

“Don’t tell me they couldn’t make out it was me.” You laugh, crossing your arms over your chest.

He doesn’t reply, pursing his lip inwards in sympathy, but more so to conceal a smile.

The happiness drops from your face slowly, horror taking its place. “Don’t tell me they couldn’t make out it was me.”

“Good job, your machine worked,” he adds helpfully.

“C’mon, there were so many differences,” you whine, the success of your endeavour the last thing on your mind.

“That is your literal clone,” he points out, only to see you- clone you- walk into the giant box in the corner of the room, bright green light emanating from it like a xerox machine.

“How could they not tell the original apart from a copy?” You look genuinely offended. Insane. “Not even Sam?”

“Guess you’re not unique enough.” A rise and fall of his shoulders signify his attitude towards this whole thing. “Think I like your copy better, too, actually.”

“You’re so mean.” You puff in disbelief. “I’m a 100% original. How many mad scientist teachers do you know?”

“Two.”

“I don’t mean now, that’s not even the-” You poke at his rock hard chest. “You are so much more annoying than when I first met you.”

He thinks it’s good relationship development.

“I have to deal with you every weekend.” He watches your finger drop from his chest. “Picked it up along the way.”

“Boo hoo, talking like you don’t have deep, deep feelings for me.” You roll your eyes. “I see right through you, Bucky Barnes.”

“Can you see the part that couldn’t give less of a shit?” He gestures to himself. “It’s all of it.”

“You think you’re such a comedian, huh?” You narrow your eyebrows. “How did you know she was a fake then, huh?”

Busted.

“Probably ‘cause you didn’t talk as much today,” he dodges. “Actually had some peace of mind for a change.”

“You knew before you got there, you liar.” You push past his fabrications. “You figured it out before everyone else.”

“You literally put it in the title.”

“Yeah, but the rest of the team saw it too.”

“Rest of the team didn’t know you were building a goddamn clone machine for months.”

“You remembered that?” You pulled away, palm over your heart. “Oh, sarge, you paid attention to me.”

His nose twitches.

“You said it, like, eight hundred times.” He could use both his hands to count the number of references you had offhandedly made in the last three weeks alone.

“Why'd you go save me when you knew it wasn't real?” you continue to challenge relentlessly, knowing fully well that he was fibbing.

“Because you fuckin’ peer pressured me. Had the whole team around me when you sent your little video during breakfast.”

“Just admit it,” you coo, ignoring all his justifications. “You noticed it was fake me right away but showed up anyway because you’re wildly in love with me.”

“No,” he says stiffly.

“No as in you won’t admit it you have a crush on me, or no as in you didn’t know it was fake me?”

There was no winning this.

“Good day to you.” He pulls the motorcycle helmet on to hide the expression that plain as day screamed the former of your two options.

“Also,” you bring up indignantly, “she even got to ride the fucking bike and I’ve been asking to drive it for months now!”

“We-” he chooses his words carefully. “-compromised.”

“Oh, you did?” Your voice lowers at the newfound information, interest piqued. “I’m gonna hold you to that then, whatever it is.”

“Doesn’t count.”

“Absolutely does,” you huff. “A promise is legally binding. Blue’s Clues taught me that.”

“Bye, Y/N.”

“You’re my knight in leathery armour,” you swoon, switching sides immediately, “Kinda.”

“See you next week,” he says in farewell, determined to leave before you made it worse. “Try not to get killed by then.”

“Why, so you can do it yourself? Protective much?” You pull him back when he starts walking away, laughing slightly. “Wait a second, you weirdo.”

He sighs, staying put anyway, arms crossed impatiently over his chest.

You pull out the pen tucked behind your ear and slowly tap him twice on each shoulder in a makeshift knighting ceremony. “For your sacrifice.”

He rolls his eyes at the ludicrousness, tongue clicking against the roof of his mouth.

You ignore his lack of enthusiasm, pressing your fingertips to your lips in a small kiss and then to his nose, given that it was the only part of his face you had access to.

“That was for your bravery.” You grin brightly at him and he sure as hell is glad he’s wearing the stupid helmet because he can feel his cheeks light up a bright crimson.

“Thanks.” His voice sounds gruffer than a second ago. He clears his throat.

“Now you’re my knight in leathery armour,” you fawn, nearly falling over yourself dramatically. “Let’s ride into the sunset together. I love you.”

“You’re ridiculous,” he calls out over his shoulder, turning away to return to his bike. “I despise you.”

“But you don’t.”

He really didn’t.

also i managed to fuck my phone up really bad so all proceeds from my ko-fi go towards getting it fixed

Next part

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #mcu fic #bucky fic #bucky barnes fic #bucky fluff #bucky barnes fluff #bucky angst #bucky barnes angst #harmless fic #winter soldier x reader #Winter Soldier #bucky barnes #bucky

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viridwns · 3 years

Text

Can't help but fall in love with you.

Time: present

Paring: Chuuya x f!reader

Characters: Chuuya nakahara, Dazai osamu, Mori ōgai, Fukuzawa yukichi from BSD

Warnings: none ig.

Request from: @trixiegalaxy . I hope you are happy with this!

You were just looking for a job. A simple job.

You really went from being a secretary with mountains of paperwork your boss left you to being in the middle of a truce meeting.

"No illusions this time fukuzawa?"

"It's a truce meeting right? I don't see the use of using my members ability."

You really didn't want to be here. What were you even thinking! The job that you were offered after just moving into this city was to perfect to be true. You knew something was up, but you still accepted it anyway.

When you were asked to come to an important meeting by Dazai, you didn't think any of it. I mean maybe you had to take notes or something. So ofcourse being the good subordinate you were, you said yes.

Curse this handsome looking man. If only you had listened to your guts when he asked you to join him for a double suicide.

You tugged at Dazai's arm wanting to know why in the hell he brought you here. "What the actual fuck Dazai" you whispered at him a frown setteling upon your face. He looked at you with a grin and winked. Wanting nothing more to bash his head in a voice interrupted your thoughts.

"I can see you brought someone new. I've never seen her face here before."

You looked at the mafia boss. He was smiling at you.

Gulping down the lump in your throat you tried to look as brave as possible. Standing up straight with your chin up.

"She's our new secretary. Thought i'd bring her with us for some experience." You heard Dazai say.

Only Dazai, fukuzawa and you were here. On the other side you could see the mafia boss, a man with no eyebrows? And a short, but intimidating man with a fedora.

Yeah you didn't want to get caught up into this.

"I'm gonna quit the next opportunity i get" you muttered. Regretting not listening to your mother to stay in the little village and not moving to the city.

"Knowing you Dazai, she isn't just a secretary. Just tell us what her ability is."

Wait what?

"Hah?" You said without realizing.

First of all how did Dazai know about your ability. Second of all how could it be of any use here?

"Ah you caught me. She indeed has an ability. Up to you to figure it out."

Dazai said, his famous grin plastered on his face.

"Cut the crap mackerel. This is a truce meeting. Stop this shitty act and just tell us why she's here." The man with the fedora stept forward. His gloved hand pointing at you.

Honestly you don't even know anymore why you were here.

"Can we just set our agreement. My schedule is busy and the only way we can stop (bad guy name) is if we work together."

Your boss spoke up. Looking tired as usual.

"Sorry, but it seems like your hiding something from us. Are you going to attack us when we turn around hm?"

The mafia boss looked at him with an amusing smile.

"Stop this nonsense Mori. Just agree to the plan. You know it's the best thing to do."

"Fine. Tomorrow at midnight i'll send Chuuya and you'll send Dazai. Deal?"

"Deal."

----

Why the fuck.

wHY THE FUCKING FUCK WERE YOU HERE.

That chuuya guy and Dazai were supposed to be going on a mission together.

so why in the hell were you here waiting infront of a shed at 12 AM with Dazai at your side.

Simple answer: you fell for his tricks again.

"Isn't the sky pretty y/n."

"Say one more word and i'll make you regret using me for my ability."

An angry scowl was placed on your features as Dazai pouted.

"Ah come one y/n-kun don't be so mean."

You snapped your head to the right to face him.

"Oh i'm mean? You literally send me here to join you for a suicide mission. I'm only going to be dead weight anyway!"

He chuckled

"Oh don't worry, you're going to be a great help for this mission."

Giving him a confused look, you were about to say something when a voice interrupted you.

"And can i ask why she is here?"

You looked to the left to see Chuuya standing there with a hand on his hip.

"Why is everyone so irritated this night. Well i wouldn't expect less from Chuuya, but you are never irritated y/n."

"For everything there's a first time." You said with a sigh.

This was going to be a long night.

"Just shut up you mackerel. I'm not in the mood for your shit."

Chuuya walked closer to the two of you. He was intimidating as ever, but gosh did he have anger issues.

Dazai tried to open his mouth, but knowing him and his passion for annoying people you interrupted him.

"If we go left from here, we'll eventually see the base of the enemy. There's a way in from the left side of the building without being seen. It's our best shot to sneak in."

You finished looking at the two men.

You could see Chuuya staring at you with a certain look in his eyes.

"Is there something on my face?" You asked, your hands wiping your face.

It looked like you suprised him by the sudden startled look on his face.

"N-no Let's just go. The sooner we start, the faster we finish."

Chuuya walked past the two of you. Cursing something under his breath. You could swear you saw a light pink covering his cheeks.

----

"Where the fuck did that maniac go?!"

You sat on the ground covering your ears with your hands. Not wanting to listen to Chuuya's whines anymore.

It all happenend so fast. The three of you broke into the enemy's base and found a good hiding spot, but somehow the three of you got caught. Chuuya and you ran, thinking Dazai was right behind you two, but when you locked yourselves into a lab, he was gone.

Looking at the furious ginger you tried to calm him down.

"It's Dazai we're talking about. C'mon have some faith in your partner."

You smiled lightly, but it soon faded as you were met with an angry scowl.

"He was my partner. I can't even believe he brought you."

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

You didn't know either why he brought you, but he could be atleast a bit nicer about it.

"Well i'm sorry for being here, but thanks to me we could break into this place. Also can you just calm your tits. Your behavior isn't helping the situation."

You stood up to look him in his eyes. Your smile being replaced with a more serious look.

"I-." He tried to say something, but instead moved to the other side of the room.

"You're such a nausionce."

Knowing if you would pick a fight with him now nothing good would come out of it.

"I know, now let's find a way out."

Looking around the room, you could only find some medical suplies and some samples of God knows what.

Chuuya began helping you after sulking for a bit in the corner. He checked all the cabinets and only found food and more medical supplies.

"I found nothing, you?"

You asked the man while sitting down on the large dental like chair in the middle of the room.

"Nothing useful no."

Chuuya leaned at the wall infront of you.

"Going outside is also not an option. There are cameras outside the door. So they'll know our location immediately."

You let out a frustrated sigh. Massaging your temples.

"God i'm so stupid. I should've paid more attention to our location."

The man infront of you scoffed.

"Not going to disagree with you on the first thing, but you couldn't have known where we were and we were all in a state of panic. It makes you forget things."

Being a little shocked that he also could be nice, i mean he did call you stupid indirectly, but the words he said did make you feel better.

"Thanks Chuuya. That means allot to me." You said to him smiling.

"Yeah yeah whatever." The pink hue could be seen again on his cheeks as he looked away.

Giggling softly at his flustered state.

"What are you laughing at brat?!"

Ah there was the angry chihuahua again.

"Nothing, just you."

"You bi-."

Chuuya was cut off by voices on the other side of the door. You jumped of your chair looking at Chuuya with a panicked expression.

He motioned to the closet and you nodded your head. Quickly moving over to the closet, you and Chuuya squeezed yourselves in.

The space was cramped, but it was the only solution for now. Knowing that Chuuya's ability would make to much of a commotion.

Feeling Chuuya's warm breath on your lips, you now noticed how short he actually was. His head not coming above your nose. It was adorable really.

He also smelled like wine, but it wasn't smelly or something. It was quite a pleasant smell and not to mention very attractive.

Blushing at your thoughts you looked up.

'Omg why am i thinking this now. He's so attractive- NO Y/N FOCUSE.' you internally screamed.

"This door is locked kiri, maybe the intruders are in here."

A soft rattling noise was heard and the door knob moved a little.

"Damn i don't got the keys. Let me go get them."

You heart footsteps leave the door, but you knew someone else was waiting infront of it.

Suddenly you could feel a light bulb just pop above your head. You had a plan, but you didn't know if it would work.

"Shit what do we do." You could hear Chuuya mutter.

"I might have an idea." You whispered.

----

"Are you crazy?! You can't just do that y/n!" Chuuya whisper yelled.

You were putting on one of the labcoats hanging in the closet. Your other clothes were in Chuuya's hands.

You were wearing your hair loose with a skintight labcoat flaunting every curve of your body.

"It's the only plan right now. And with my ability it is almost guaranteed it will work." You whispered back. You hated this plan as much as he did, but it was your only chance. And you felt sexy as fuck right now.

"I got them!." You heard a man's voice say. Footsteps getting closer. "Took you long enough, now open the door."

"Jeez okay fine."

"There is no time Chuuya." You said closing the closet doors. You could see Chuuya trying to protest, but he gave up.

Scurrying over to one of the counters pretending you were organizing something the door opened.

You heart starting to beat faster and your hands shaking. 'Calm down y/n. You got this you sexy motherfucker'. Your breathing slowed a little and a voice was heard from the doorway.

"Hey you! Put your hands up!"

You looked up to see two men in trenchcoats with guns pointing at you.

"What's this commotion all about gentleman? I'm just trying to do my job here."

You raised your hands and slowly walked over to the men.

"Stay still! Tell me your name."

Stopping your movements you bit your lip.

"My name is..." should you tell them you're real name? Or just make one up.

"Go on woman, we don't have all night."

Slightly annoyed by his tone, you decided to use your own name.

"L/n, y/n l/n." You said

"Never heard of you. Have you?" The man turned to his colleague.

"No, take her in custody."

Panicking internally, you needed to come up with a lie right now! Your ability won't work unless the men touch you.

"I uhmm. I was waiting for one of the men. He hired me for some private time. If you know what i mean." You winked at the two men. Hoping they would buy your lie.

You could see them blushing slightly.

"Who hired you?"

"Dunno. We do these things anonymous."

You walked over to the chair and slowly crawled on it. Trying to nonegelantly show your ass.

"Hey i said don't move!"

The second man said. Coming closer to you.

"Okay, okay calm down." You sat down and put your hands infront of you.

"I'm just here, because he still got 30 minutes left. Rules from my boss. Can't go away till the time is up." You shrugged and flipped your hair. Leaning on your knee with the other hand.

You really had to stop yourself from cringing.

"Well i got to ask you to leave ma'am." The first guys said, putting his gun down and walking over to you.

"Fine, but if you get a call from my boss, don't blame me."

"Ofcourse. You are just doing you're job." The second guy said with a blush on his face.

'Ugh men.'

"You have to lead me the way tho. The other guy insisted on blind folding me." You seductively bite your lip and winked again.

"Of- ofcourse come with us please."

The second guy cleared his throat and offered his hand. Smiling you took his hand and hopped of the chair.

'Now the other guy.'

'Accidentally' stumbling you fell into the first dudes arms, causing him to catch you.

"Oh shit. Clumsy me. Can't even walk properly."

You gave out a short laugh and the guy brushed his jacket.

"It's okay. Now come o-."

Not being able to finish his sentence, he fell to the ground. His partner following him.

"Yeah that's right you two go to sleep. I'll find my way out from here."

Chuckling at your own humor you snatched their guns.

"Wait how-."

Chuuya stepped out of the closet a blush on his cheeks and a confused expression.

Standing up straight you walked over to him and picked up your clothes from his hands.

"It's my ability 'sweet dreams'. If i touch the person and whisper 'sweet dreams' in the next 5 minutes. The person or persons will fall into a coma. They'll wake up when i fall asleep or when i forget i put them to sleep. So i have to keep thinking about them."

You finished off with a smile. Putting your own shirt on again.

"I can see now why Dazai brought you." He said with a slight smirk on his face.

"It isn't all that fancy and i never really used it before."

"Why come you never joined the port mafia or hell even the ADA."

You sighed a little.

"Well it could be a useful ability, but i don't want to be a hero or villian or other shit. I'm happy as i am now."

Chuuya looks at you with a soft expression.

"That's a shame. Would've loved to see you in action more. Or hell even fight against you."

He looked away from you. His hand behind his head. You laughed a little.

"I would absolutely demolish your ass." You said, crossing your arms with a triumph look on your face.

"Hah you wish princess. You won't be able to even come near me!"

You blushed at the sudden nickname. Your hands falling to your side.

"W-we'll see." You cursed yourself for stuttering.

He walked passed you to the door. Whispering something in you ear.

"I wouldn't mind seeing you try to seduce me like the two men you seduced just now."

Your ears felt hot and you were sure you looked like a tomato right now. Chuuya walked out the door and you just stood there. Coming out of your shocked state you ran out the door to slap him. "Come here you asshole." You whisper yelled. Chuuya almost dying from laughter shushed you. "We don't want the enemy to find us now. Do we. Otherwise you have to put on that outfit again."

Smacking him on the back of his head. You couldn't wait to get this mission done.

----

"Ah what a night. Good thing you guys saved me back there. They were cruel!"

The brunette man was stretching his limbs.

It was 5 in the morning and Chuuya and you were finally able to take the boss out (well Chuuya did that part while you freed Dazai.)

"Oh shut up you damn piece of shit. Thanks to you it took us the whole night to finish this job and most of all you brought y/n in unnecessary danger."

"Hey it's okay. I'm fine. Luckily we all are. Let's just head home go to sleep and go back to enemies in the morning." You quickly said walking inbetween the two men.

Dazai yawned.

"Sounds like a great plan y/n! Altough i thought you were gonna quit the job."

You put your hands around Dazais arm.

"Nah can't do that after such an adventure now can i?"

You and Dazai chuckled while Chuuya just sighed.

"Get a room jeez." He said annoyed.

"Ah c'mon Chuuya. We make a great team! I can't wait for the next truce." You said rather excited for this hour.

Coming at the end of the forest you knew you had to say your goodbye's to the men.

"Well y/n i wish you a pleasant night and i'll see you at work again. Chuuya i hope you get hit by a car."

Dazai smiled and turned around to walk away.

You laughed and waved him goodbye.

"That fucker." Chuuya muttered holding up his middle finger.

"Ah come on Chuuya. He may not show it, but i know he sees you as a friend."

"Pff sure in your dreams."

Sighing you face palmed yourself.

"Well i guess this is it then. Goodnight Chuuya."

You knew it was wrong. He was your enemy and you had to put your feelings aside, but you couldn't stop yourself. You never had so much fun in your whole life and to be frank, you didn't want the night to end here yet.

You kissed him on the cheek and turned around.

"Thank you for this wonderful, but crazy ass night." You gave a sad smile. Although he couldn't see it.

Suddenly you felt someone grab you wrist. Spinning you around. You were met with a flustered Chuuya his eyes fixated on the ground.

Standing there in an awkward silence for a few seconds, he finally spoke up.

"Look. I worked with many people before, but i never had so much fun with someone. And-" he became quiet for a bit. Taking a deep breath he continued: " and i never felt like this before. You give me this warm feeling and i hate it, but i can't get enought of it. When i first saw you at the meeting i just knew you were different. So please let's not end this night just yet."

He tilted his head to look at you a serious expression on his face.

"Chuuya-."

Your voice was cut of when a pair of warm lips crashed your own. They were rough, but soft at the same time. Being a little stunned you forgot to kiss back. Chuuya pulled away again taking a step back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what came over me."

This time you shushed him and kissed him back. His arms finding a way on your hips and your arms grabbing his hair to deepen the kiss.

After a few seconds you both pulled away, out of breath. Your fourheads touching eachother and your noses brushing eachother.

"That was- wow."

You said with a small smile.

Chuuya chuckled lightly.

"I won't go easy on you now if we meet again y/n."

"Oh i'm counting on it."

You grinned. Wanting to make this night last longer. He pulled you in for a kiss again and you let him. Nothing making you happier as you are right now.

Little did you two forbidden lovers know that a brunette man was staring contently as his assumptions were right.

----

Sorry it took so long :,)

#chuuya x y/n #x y/n #bsd headcanons #bsd x reader #y/n #bsd chuuya #chuuya headcanons #chuuya fluff #chuuya nakahara x you #chuuya nakahara x reader #chuuya nakahara #bungou stray dogs #bungou stray dogs x reader #anime x reader #anime #chuuya x reader #×fics

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babygirldennis · 3 years

Text

This shit is fake bby!!!

Here she is.. My masterpost of all the dumb, illogical bits of info contained within these s15 “leaks” that make me fairly confident they are complete bullshit. It also includes my little tinhat theories that have absolutely no evidence.

I will be putting it all under a Readmore in case you don't want to risk it or if you simply Do Not Care

First up, I'd like to point out that these call sheets repeatedly give very detailed backstories to characters that have few lines which conveniently paints a picture of each episode's plot. And I'm not an expert so correct me if I'm wrong, but after looking at other similar casting calls, they only ever include the demographic and necessary skills.

Basically who in their right mind would write up casting calls that give away so many spoilers? Seems like that could cause and issue if they were leaked lol. But anyway that's my 1st point. But onto the actual content

So the conceit of this episode as a whole is that during the pandemic, the gang "gamed the system" and received three (3!) Loans to start businesses that went bankrupt. One of these businesses is implied to be the one started by dee and charlie who end up selling to Qanon shaman. Already this is so impossible baby.

1. We've already seen the gang try to get a loan and it didn't work. They don't have good ideas. Ur telling me, they managed to finagle 3 separate loans for 3 separate business ideas from an actual bank?

2. Maybe I just have bad reading comprehension but how does one have a business that is both fictitious and bankrupt?

3. If the customer is supposed to be Qanon shaman, an actual real life guy, why are the only descriptors white and male? They say he's shirtless so are they going to paint on all of the tattoos he has? And if so, doesn't that kind of ruin the dramatic reveal when charlie "throws in" the viking helmet? Why would he do that anyways? Sus.

Moving on

Alright this episode would fucking blow for obvious reasons but im going to refrain from looking at this through my gay dennis thruther lens because im biased.

Purely from a narrative standpoint, a woman hasn't been shown to be interested in dennis in nearly 5 years during the wade boggs episode. Ever since, every single woman he approaches has been actively creeped out by him. And now I'm supposed to believe that 3 "smart, passionate woman" (In Their Twenties!!!!!!) agreed to go on a date with him? And Anna even slept with him! Just because he what? Agreed with her? I'm not buyin it.

Plus the concept of this scenario lacks any potential for comedy. When iasip gets political, they always discuss a very specific topic using hyperbolic situations and flawed metaphors. If this is supposed to be a political episode, what ultimately lukewarm point would rob be trying to make here? So far we know they're ranting about

The patriarchy

Privilege

Socialism

No more personal responsibility(?)

The... nature of power in society(??)

How on earth would an episode like get approved? This shit sounds like a Ted talk. It sounds like it was written specifically to sound like a political episode so boring and pointless it would generate outrage and mile long essay posts from Tumblr users and reddit users alike. Almost like this one lol.

On a completely unrelated note, do not try and convince me that Frank "casual cock ring wearer" Reynolds is unable to perform.

Jeez this is getting out of hand fast. Let's move on

Ok now we're starting to getting into the Ireland of it all. Let me go on a bit of a tangent here about all this.. Now I thinq there are just 3 possibilities. Either this is all a publicity stunt and there is some truth to the Ireland rumors, the entire thing could be bogus from some weirdo fan (ps, if a fan did write this I want you to know I fucking hate you. You did this to me), or it is a publicity stunt but Ireland is just more bullshit.

I am going to assume it was a publicity stunt, otherwise I just wasted my entire evening and I can't have that kind of mentality rn. Additionally, I'm Going to tinhat here for a second and say that the Ireland rumors are true, but the details are different.

I say this because if they were going to do filming in Ireland, they probably figured that that information would be impossible to hide. In essence, my completely unfounded hypothesis is that this leak was their fucked up little way of controlling the situation while simultaneously messing with us.

Ok tangent is over, returning to the casting calls. From the looks of it, dee starts a "scam" acting class and has some very devoted students (Note that Tony was also the name of the porn shop owner. Seems weird!) Presumably after the gang replaces her with a monkey as the title suggests.

Honestly, there isn't too much here that's a red flag to me... seems like a nice little dee-centric episode that is the link to the Dublin angle. Assuming I am At All right, this could be a genuine plotline for Dee. However, the monkey could be a red herring and there could be a whole different side plot with the guys. who's to say. Next one!

Ah yes this is the dennis we all know and despise.. no red flags for me here really, I'm also running out of steam because idk if it shows, but I am majorly sleep deprived atm. Anyway I'm going to the next one

Okay this is where things start getting weird again ough a migraine just hit, anyway back to my earlier point about how casting calls would never contains major spoilers bc the people who see these wont be under any kind of NDA..

These ones reveal that bonnie dies. Again, that info wouldn't be in a casting call.

But also they suggest charlie has a irish penpal named Shelley who is his biological father. First off charlie is illiterate, although as pointed out by @undeadbreeze shelley could also be communicating in symbols. However, this scenario is still unbelievable to me for a couple reasons:

1. Bonnie's last name is Kelly obviously, and we know it's her maiden name because Jack's last name is also Kelly. But Shelley's last name is... also Kelly? In the context of this big ol hoax, it feels like it was written to show that look! his last name is the same as charlie's! That's how you know that's his dad! But It would be way too big of a coincidence if charlie's dad happened to have the same last name bonnie.

And 2. There's the whole mystery of charlie's long-lost sister from 'charlie got molested' but never any mention of a brother which according to this, shelley has been pretending to be his brother for years. And we all know how much rcg loves their continuity, it seems uncharacteristically lazy to just tack this on without any prior buildup.

And finally let me talk about mac for a second and specifically the line in gus's summary "both are gay men who are attracted to the priesthood for all the wrong reasons"

Iasip has commented on pedophilia in the priesthood many times in the past which leads me to believe that they are implying that mac is a pedophile? Please let me know if I completely misread the implications of that statement, but if not, then that is completely insane and one of the biggest indictators that this is fake. Mac is awful, just like everyone in the gang but he is definitely not a pedophile.

However even if i did completely misread that, it's still proof this is fake.. For all his faults, Rob put a surprising amount of care and effort into mac's coming-out. It hasn't been perfect, but Mfhp in particular firmly established that mac's faith is integral to his identity so Its unlikely that rob would throw all of that away for a cheap shot at priests.

Ok my brain is irradiated sludge at this point, but in conclusion. I hope that 1. I'm right, at least about it being fake (Otherwise damb that'll be so humiliating for me) And 2. This eases ur fears a bit. I don't want to lose all faith in future seasons bc I love iasip and miss the gang. If you read this far youre insane but I literally love you so goddamn much because I spent so so long tapping this out on my silly little phone

Please feel free to add on or message me your thoughts and opinions I need to know I'm not the only one who uhhh went a bit insane. And finally: whoever made these is a cunt. Mwah.

#iasip #s15 spoilers #oy vey.....#they could also be written by a reddit fan who is too much of a pussy to just write fanfic but that seems kinda unlikely?#cause 1. itll be disproven so everyone will know u just... wrote weird fanfic #and 2. there are a lot of little details that are so random that even if this is a fan just messing with people.... why put in so much effo #wahtever im pressing post #actually tho what gge fuck is that priest line supposed to imply #i guess for mac it could be talking about his view that god smites enemies and u must fear him blah blah #i jus don't know what it was supposed to imply about gus!!!#bc they describe gus like he is fat mac with healthy views on the bible which :]#then that last line just gives me whiplash what does that mean!!

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onlydreamofmysoul · 3 years

Note

The new (and last 😭)sweater weather chapter put this situation in my head and I don’t have the talent to make it real:

How would Remus react after he learns he can be a player on the team? and how does the rest of the team react? and how does the media react? and what does Sirius say? and what is his first game like? And what does Jules and his family think? AND AND AND ????

Of course u don’t have to do anything and I adore your writing just thought I would share some of my frantic ramblings.

I’m getting lots of ones like these! My brain has been spinning with so many ideas but one that stuck with me were Remus’ old superstitions.

Characters and their wonderful world by @lumosinlove

Half Sheer Dumb Luck

Calf stretches before thigh

Remus just stared at coach Weasley.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“We’d like to offer you a place on the team.”

Remus wasn’t sure he could trust himself to blink, never mind talk. “Is this a joke?”

Arthur stepped forward, his face calm and reassuring. “Remus, no, of course not. I’m your friend. I wouldn’t do that to you. We, all of us, the organisation, the team, we’ve reviewed your tapes. We’ve seen you play. And we want you on the team.”

“The team knows.” It was a statement, not a question.

Arthur nodded.

“Sirius knows.”

He nodded again.

“This is real?”

Arthur smiled as he nodded this time. “As real as me standing here right now.”

“I’ll have to be ready.” Remus’ hands were shaking. “There’s so much to do.”

Coach stepped forward and placed his hand on Remus’ shoulder. “Yeah, there is. But I don’t think there’s a better man up for the job.”

“Oh my god.” Remus thought his knees were going to give way.

Arthur grinned and pushed Remus away from him lightly. “Now go talk to your boy. Not being able to tell you has been killing him.”

Remus nodded and walked away in a daze. Sirius was right where he left him, chatting to Thomas and Noelle. He smiled when he saw Remus.

“He… he wants me to join the team?”

Thomas let out a whoop. “Loops knows!”

The tent went up in cheers but Remus could only see Sirius.

“Is.. Would that be okay for you?”

Sirius frowned, pulling Remus right up against his chest. “Would that be okay? Oh my love, there’s nothing in the world that I would love more.”

Remus laughed, tears beginning to pool in his eyes. “I’m going to be on the Lions.”

Sirius kissed him, slow and filled with love. “You already are.”

“I’m going to have to train non-stop.”

“I’ll help you.”

“You’ll train over the summer?” Remus asked disbelievingly. Sirius kissed his forehead, then his nose and finally his lips. “I’ll do anything for you.”

The rest of the team then decided they had enough waiting and piled on, a massive group hug in the middle of the wedding reception, Remus right in the centre.

Two bottles of water on the bench.

“Mom, I have some news.” Remus said over the video call, his voice shaking. He could practically see his mother looking at his hand to see if there was a ring.

“It’s not that mom jeez, can you grab dad and Jules too?”

Remus waited until they were all together for him to speak again.

“So, the Lions organisation found my old tapes.” He began, “They started looking after they saw me play at family skate.”

Jules was just listening, bouncing in his seat waiting for Remus to get to the point. His mother looked concerned, but his father looked, almost knowing.

Remus swallowed, wishing he could tell them in person - he and Sirius were visiting next week but Remus needed to tell them in order for it to feel real. He was glad he was sitting on the couch at home, he needed some sense of normality.

“I’ve been asked to join the Lions.”

“I don’t understand. You already work with the Lions?”

“No mom, not as staff. I’ve been asked to join. As a player.”

Julian let out a whoop so loud Remus might have heard it without a phone. “Re, did you say yes? You had to say yes, please tell me you said yes!”

Remus laughed, nodding his head. “Of course I said yes.”

Hope promptly burst into tears and there was a definite pool forming in his dad’s eyes.

“Oh Re,” His mother breathed, “Oh my darling this is so, so wonderful.”

“No one deserves this more than you.” His dad was saying. “I am so proud.”

“Re does that mean I get to come to all of your games! Oh my god, you’ll be famous! I mean, you’re already famous, but you’ll be more famous! Re! You’ll be rich!”

Remus burst out laughing, looking around at the ridiculously large house he was in already, “I don’t think I need the money Jules.” While his mother rolled her eyes.

Julian gasped as another thought flew into his head. “Remus! I need to get your jersey!”

Sirius walked into the room, and perked up, “Oui! We need your jersey Re!”

Remus covered his face with his hands. “I don’t even have a jersey.”

“Yet.” Sirius corrected, curling up next to him and kissing his cheek. “You don’t have a jersey yet.”

Right foot first to step onto the ice.

“Es-tu prêt?” Sirius asked as they stood outside the locker room. Remus took a deep breath in.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

The clamour of the locker room was deafening, but Remus wouldn't have it any other way.. He nearly cried laughing when he saw that Nado and Kuny had decorated his new stall with pictures of Sirius, all copied and printed from social media with edits of Sirius shirtless and captions and endless heart-eyed emojis. He hugged Leo who was in the stall next to him and when he sat down to lace up his skates, he relished the feeling that he was part of the team. Because he was part of the team now, really and truly.

He met the new PT - Dorcas, with whom he knew he’d become fast friends. He also set about telling her all the ins and outs of working with the boys, their little superstitions, their tells when they were lying about their injuries. She just smiled and thanked him and told him to kindly fuck off and enjoy his first day, he could tell her all this another time.

The boys made a big show of letting Remus be the first out onto the ice (After you my good man) and while Remus rolled his eyes and smacked the back of a few heads playfully (Finn, Thomas and James), this was the moment he had waited for all of his life.

Right foot first, he stepped onto the ice.

Pasta and marinara before home games,

“Loops, what are you doing? I told you I would cook before your first game!”

Remus smiled and tilted his head up to kiss his boyfriend, placing both hands on his chest. “Baby, I love you, but you can cook precisely three dishes, and this isn’t one of them.”

Sirius pouted. “Your mom is teaching me.”

Remus nodded, “I know, that’s the only reason you can make those three dishes.”

Sirius shook his head smiling but he kissed Remus, nipping his bottom lip playfully.

“Are you nervous?”

“Terrified.”

“You’ll be incredible.”

“And if I’m not.”

Sirius kissed him. “If you’re not well then,” Sirius shrugged with one shoulder, “Then you try again next time. What was it a wise man once said? You always have more than one shot.”

Remus scrunched his nose. “That makes me sound like an old man.”

“A sexy old man.” Sirius commented and Remus just groaned. “Oh my god get out of here.”

Chicken and broccoli before away.

“Ha!” Sirius exclaimed when Remus walked into the kitchen and stopped short at the sight of his boyfriend cooking. “Je prépare le dîner ce soir.”

“... You don’t know how to make this one.”

Sirius put a hand to his chest in a wounded gesture. “You think I would give you food that is not good on a game day? Mon loup, how little faith you have.”

Remus felt a smile playing on his lips. “So you’ve magically learned how to cook?”

Sirius shook his head. “Non, that wouldn’t be magic, that would be a miracle. I have however, been taking lessons from your mother. Secret face-time lessons, when you’re out. I’m getting quite good.”

“You’ve been taking secret fact-time cooking lessons from my mother?”

Sirius nodded and held out a spoon for Remus to try. Remus dodged the spoon and kissed him instead. “I love you.”

Eggs morning of, pancakes after a win

“So,” Remus said, stepping into the locker room. “Who’s up for some pancakes?”

The roaring affirmative made Remus laugh before a warm weight barrelled into him.

“Hi Jules!”

Jules had taken to wearing both Remus and Sirius’ jersey at the same time to games, because he apparently couldn’t choose a favourite. He alternated between which one he wore on the outside. Today, it was Remus’, with LUPIN splashed across the back, the number 6 bold in the centre.

“Can I come get pancakes too?”

Sirius appeared behind Julian and threw him up into the air before setting him back on his feet, Jules giggling the whole time.

“We could never get pancakes without my favourite Lupin!”

“Hey!” Remus protested, but he looked at Julian’s set of jerseys and smiled.

“I suppose you can have two favourites.”

Finn, walking by, cupped his hands to his mouth. “Preach!”

Drag the puck around the crease twelve times.

“Hey Loops, are you coming to stretch?”

Remus smiled at James. “I’ll be over in a second Pots, I just have to do something first.”

James nodded and went to skate away before pausing. “Wait!” He looked at Remus sheepishly. “Blue?”

Remus shook his head fondly. “You’re so lucky I knew you’d ask for that.” He said ducking to grab a bottle of blue Gatorade he had taken from the kitchen for exactly this purpose. “Love you Fruit Loop!”

“Not as much as me, I hope.” Sirius commented as he stepped out onto the ice. “You coming?”

Remus shook his head. “Just gotta, you know.”

“Skate around the crease twelve times.” Sirius smirked. “I thought you weren’t superstitious.”

Remus flushed a dark red. “I’m not! But I’m not going to risk it either!” He laughed when he realised Sirius was teasing him and pushed him away lightly.

“Oh shove off, you can’t say anything.”

Sirius just continued to smirk at him as he skated backwards. “Love you too.”

Remus looked around the packed stadium as the anthem played and he pressed his star necklace to his lips. Looks like he had another tradition.

#sweater weather lumosinlove #lumosinlove #coast to coast lumosinlove #Remus Lupin #Sirius Black #coops #o'knutzy #wolfstar

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