#it's ok she's gonna be a doctor soon enough and that will be her FLEX!!

[starcrossedxwriter]

Built for Love Part 11 (MBJ x Famous Black OC)

Warnings: a bit of angst, lots of fluff, NSFW

A/N: I don't wanna give a single thing away about this chapter so I'm just gonna say enjoy!

“What are you doing outta bed?” Michael paused scrambling eggs on the stove to throw her a glance that matched the exasperation and annoyance in his tone. “I told you I’d bring it to you.” 

Charlotte’s slippers made scuffing noises across the hardwood floor as she made her way to the kitchen island. 

“Thank you but you’ve sequestered me in that bed since Saturday and I didn’t fight you on it once. It’s Wednesday and if I lay there for one more second, I was gonna lose my mind. I’ve slept enough for a lifetime.” She glanced down at the kitchen island, heavy laden with breakfast. She spied breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, fruit, and biscuits. “Now who is all this food for??” 

“You,” he responded simply. “You needed sleep and now you need calories. You’ve been losing weight since we moved here and that stops now.” 

Charlotte could not deny that was true. It was unintentional but her soft curves had certainly lost much of their curviness since she moved to New York. She was not at her skinniest by any means, but the rigorous performances and practices, her regular workout routine, and the stress caused the pounds to shed without her even realizing it.

She popped a piece of cantaloupe in her mouth as she walked up to him. “This is very sweet and everything smells delicious. Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome. Now go sit.” 

Charlotte moaned. Dr. Jordan was the strictest fake doctor she had ever met in her life. He barely gave her a chance to stand and stretch her legs. 

“Babeeeee,” she whined, wrapping her arms around his midsection. Her forehead rested on his back. “I can stand for a few minutes. He fucked up my upper body, my legs still work just fine.”

“You need to rest and relax, Charlotte. Damn,” he muttered under his breath. “Worst patient I’ve ever seen.” 

“How many girls have you nursed back to health from near death, babe? Damn, I thought I was your first for once,” she joked. However, when it fell flat, she grimaced. “Too soon?” 

“Wayyyy too soon, baby. How’re you feeling?” 

“Fi-” she started to say but remembered her promise. It included this. She pressed her lips to his back, his taunt and bare muscles flexing at her touch.“B-better. Nightmares weren’t so bad last night… just a couple so that’s progress… torturously slow progress,” she added. “And I made an appointment with my old therapist. We’re gonna do virtual sessions till I get back to LA.” 

Michael turned from the stove, still in the grip of her arms, to face her. He gave her an encouraging smile. “That’s great, Els.” He was proud of her, he knew how hard that was… that she likely felt as if she was backtracking or starting over. “Why didn’t you wake me last night?” 

“You need to sleep too, Dr. Jordan. All this taking care of and fussing over me, I know you’re not resting.” 

“I’ll rest when those heal.” He lifted her chin lightly to look at the bruising on her neck. He knew they would get worse before they got better but his eyes glazed over with rage every time he looked at her bruises, particularly the ones around her neck. He could make out exactly where his hands were, a temporary brand to what he tried to do. 

Charlotte rubbed his arm, an attempt to soothe the brewing emotions she could feel inside him. She always admired his emotional intelligence, how he was able to reign in his emotions and rage even when he so clearly wanted to find the nearest punching bag or Shaun’s face and have at it. “I’ve had worse. It always looks way worse than it feels. Well, that’s not true. The first day, it felt worse than it looked. But it’s not too bad now. I promise. And I’d rather you rest now. I really am ok.”

Despite her assurances, she could tell he did not believe her. She sighed, wondering when she would earn his trust again. That was honestly the hardest part in all this for her, knowing that her actions had caused her to lose it in the first place. 

“How long is it gonna take for you to trust me when I say that again?” She asked quietly. She wasn’t angry, there were consequences to her actions and this was one of them. But it did break her heart. She hated the idea that he did not trust her words. This was their first real issue as a couple, the first time she had to contend with them not being on the same page. 

Michael sighed, his hand going to scratch the scruff of his beard for a moment. “It’s not a question of trust, Els. Because I do trust you. And I’m not tryin’ to hold this against you. But this taught me that for better or worse, your default is to deal with your shit alone. To hide and, if needed, lie to avoid bothering or worrying other people. And I get it, I understand why. But I won’t lie and pretend like this shit didn’t shake me up a lot. Being stuck in LA knowing something wasn’t right even though you promised it was. Seeing you after the show shaken and scared and not knowing why… seeing you nearly dead on the floor when I was one room over. That ain’t shit I’m gonna get outta my head anytime soon. When you say you’re good, I wanna know that’s true. But I also know it’s gonna take a lot more than a promise and a few days for that to happen. You gotta work on trusting me with your problems and your pain and that shit takes time. And in the meantime, I’m gonna work on taking you at your word but I might also just need… some reassurances that you’re really ok.”

 She understood why Michael was being so protective. She could tell he still felt guilty, though he shouldn’t, about not being there to protect her in the first place. And now, he acted as if she needed to be wrapped in bubble wrap at all times. He barely let her out of his sight and if it was not an absolute necessity, he barely let her out of bed. She understood the impulse. If it made him feel better to fuss, she would not deny herself or him that.

“I understand. I didn’t think about how all of that would affect you… scare you. And I am sorry. Whatever reassurances you need and fussing you wanna do for as long as you wanna do it, I won’t fight you on it. Promise.” 

“Thank you.” He kissed her nose, her face scrunching up a bit. “How’s the pain?” 

“Manageable. Head is still pounding, everything’s a bit stiff but I feel like I can get up and move around a bit. Or at least move from the bed to the couch for a change of scenery. Maybe convince the best and sexiest doctor in New York to take me on a walk after breakfast so I can breathe some fresh air?” 

He eyed her suspiciously. “You sure you're up for that?” 

“Probably not up for a long one,” she admitted. “But even if it’s just 10 minutes… the cameras and reporters have finally moved on to bothering someone else. We could escape for a bit. I’m going a little stir crazy, Bakari.”

“Fine. Just for a bit then Avengers on the couch?” 

“Thank youuuu.” 

She ate quickly, finishing two plates at Michael’s insistence.  

As they went into their bedroom to change, she raised an eyebrow in shock as Michael handed her one of his favorite sweaters. She had stolen quite a lot of his clothes in the last few months, in which they basically became her clothes and he never saw them again. However, this coveted sweater had always been out of her grasp. He had always made it clear it was one of the few items that were off limits because he knew he’d never get it back. However, she had tried it on one or twice when he wasn’t home and it was like wearing a cloud, so insanely soft.

“Wow… so this whole time all I needed to do was almost die to get this?? Chile, I would’ve done that months ago to get this sweater,” she joked. Though she could see the corner of his mouth twitch, he did not laugh. “Still too soon?” 

“If it was too soon 20 minutes ago, it still is, Els.”

“Sorry, Jackson wasn’t a fan of my dark humor about dying the first time either. But it helps to find some humor in it… somewhere. And you gotta admit, it is kinda funny…” She remarked as she pulled on a pair of leggings. They still had to bundle up, one thing Charlotte did miss about LA was the perfect weather year around. 

“Ain’t a single humorous thing about any of this, babe.” 

“I dunno… I mean no, it isn’t funny. But also, it’s kinda crazy… Since I met him, Shaun’s gone out his way to try to kill me twice… and each time, I’ve survived. Like he is really bad at murder… terrible. I mean, not complaining… Thank God for it. But I would just stop trying if I was 0/2 with the same person, you know? That’s embarrassing??” That did make a small chuckle escape Michael’s lips. “See!! It is kinda funny when you actually think about it.”

“I’m ignoring you,” he called as he went into the closet to pull out their winter coats, baseball caps, and shades. Thankfully, the press and paparazzi surrounding their building had started to dissipate. They had gotten a couple glimpses of her family and Michael coming and going but none of her, thankfully. That was the only thing that would have made this whole ordeal worse, her bruised and battered form thrown across the front page of every newspaper. She knew it was still a possibility, pictures of her injuries from the hospital could leak. The downside of fame, nothing was truly private. 

She shrugged as he helped her pull on her coat. 

“I’m just saying he’s bad at killing or I am just that good at surviving,” she muttered. “Maybe they should cast me in Black Panther too?” At his confused stare, she smiled. “Cause I clearly have 9 lives like a cat? I could be like your sexy evil accomplice… The Golden Cheetah?”

That did make him laugh for the first time in several days. His hands grabbed her jacket to pull her close to him. “I’ll talk to Ryan about it, how about that?” 

“That’s all I ask.” She stretched on her tiptoes to kiss him before he took her hand to lead them outside. 

Their walk did not last too long as Michael knew it would not. Not because Charlotte was not up for it but because neither of them wanted to be out in the cold long. But she still appreciated his willingness to acquiesce to her small request. A walk was really the only public thing she cared to do, at least, until all the bruises faded. And she did appreciate the activity, she wanted to keep her limbs from going too stiff. She’d be back on stage next week, the one thing she did have to fight Michael on. Chris was on the verge of an ulcer every day she was out. He called to check on her everyday. She knew he actually cared about her but she also knew he wanted his leading lady back… ASAP. She already felt guilty ruining his opening night, the least she could do is not send him to the hospital from the stress. 

But Michael did not push back too much once she promised to have security with her, given that Shaun was officially out on bail. Restraining order or not, she and Michael were not interested in testing whether Shaun would adhere to it. She let Michael pick and vet the guy, who came highly recommended.cHis accolades included knowing more than an acceptable amount of ways to kill someone with his bare hands so she could not deny she would feel more safe in his presence. And the theater security and box office had been alerted and prepped to ensure her ex did not step foot on the premises again. And he no longer, thankfully, even had a legitimate reason to, Chris letting her know he had been fired from his investment firm immediately after the news broke. 

Charlotte knew she would not know real peace or be able to fully move on until he was behind bars, which the DA warned could take a year given the docket unless he accepted a plea. But she would accept the small wins and forms of justice that she could get, she knew it was far more than many in her position would ever see. 

As she pulled her outer layers and hat off, she got a glimpse of her hair in the mirror. 

“Ugh.” 

“What?” 

“My hair… How can you stand to look at me like this? I look like a troll doll. I’m gonna have to go to the salon or pay someone to come and wash it. I look crusty as hell.” 

“How about we relax in the bath and I’ll wash it for you?” 

Her face lit up. She remembered when they talked about a similar scene in Creed, the intimacy of helping Bianca do her hair. Her heart swelled at the idea of recreating such a moment. The role of victim and caregiver over the last few days had stripped a layer of emotional intimacy the pair was accustomed to. She knew it would come back eventually but she hoped, perhaps, this small act would speed things up a bit.

“Really?” 

He gestured toward the bedroom, taking her hand to get ready for the tub. 

Soon, she found herself resting against Michael’s chest in the bath, bubbles surrounding both of them. He did all the work, his fingertips softly massaging shampoo and conditioner in her tresses, Charlotte could’ve fallen to sleep right there.

“Can I ask you something?” Her soft voice breaking the silence between them as Michael worked diligently and carefully to avoid causing her pain. It had been on her mind since they got home, stationed at the forefront for the hours and hours she spent resting or recovering in his arms. Several days removed, the shock had worn off for both of them, she felt like enough time had passed to finally talk about things unrelated to what happened or her safety. They could talk about the future, one she prayed to God she did not completely destroy.  

“Shoot.” He took note of the nervousness in her voice. He did not know what she could be about to ask him, what could cause her to be nervous. He was an open book. 

“At the hospital… you said you wanted to marry me…” her voice grew quiet, one of her legs drawing into her chest. “Did you mean that? Do you still mean that? Or was it just, you know, you caught up in the emotion of everything?”

His massaging stilled for a moment before he answered, “Yes, yes, and no.” Simple and to the point as he resumed his task. 

He could feel her body relax against him again at his answers. 

“You don’t wanna elaborate on any of those answers?” 

He laughed. “Nah cause it’s pretty cut and dry to me. I’m pretty set on spending the rest of my life with you.” 

And that was not him just trying to assure her, it was the truth. He knew in his soul Charlotte was the end game for him well before they went on their first date. He had just been waiting for her to catch on. And once she did, every step he had taken since, including this move to New York, was with the intention of spending every day of the rest of his life with her. 

“Even after all this? After I lied to you?” 

Michael knew she still felt guilty. Between the two of them, there was much guilt to go around in their household over the last 72 hours. Some of it was fair and some of it was not. But just as he was trying to work through his own guilt, he did not want Charlotte to continue to hold onto hers when he had forgiven her.  

“Els, I meant it when I said I forgive you. And when I say somethin’, I mean that shit. Stop beating yourself up over it. I’ve loved you since the moment you walked into the studio for our screen test. And I’ve just fell more and more in love with you with every passing day. All of this changed nothing for me, except reminding me that whatever time we have together, I don’t wanna waste it.” 

Her hands played in the tall bubbles of the bath as she contemplated his words. 

“That been on your mind since I said it?” 

“Yea,” she admitted. “You know, all my time in bed gave me lots of time to ruminate,” she chuckled lightly. “It’s just… I mean we just have never talked about marriage a-and the long-term stuff. I mean and I get it, we haven’t even been together a year. But w-when you said that, it made me really happy because I feel the same about you. B-But then I just… you know, obsessed over it for the last three days wondering if all this changed your mind or made you question whether I’m the person you wanna spend the rest of your life with.”

“Nah, I would’ve married you after our first date if I could’ve.” 

Charlotte chuckled and shook her head, small droplets of water spraying everywhere. “We would’ve been skipping about 10 steps there. I want a proposal,” she laughed. “Knowing you, it’ll be something sentimental that makes me break down in tears.” 

Thank God she could not see the giant smirk that fell on his face. 

“And a big wedding, I assume?” 

Charlotte tilted her head as if to contemplate. She knew he expected the answer to be yes, after all most girls dream of a grand wedding. But that had never been her. “Honestly? I was never the girl to dream about the big princess wedding… just the prince,” she teased. 

Michael ran a comb through a section of hair, working to detangle it. He was trying to be as gentle as possible, knowing her head still hurt, which meant the whole endeavor took longer than it should have.  

“Am I living up to the childhood fantasy?” He asked. 

“My wildest dreams couldn’t have conjured you up.”

“I aim to please.” He kissed her shoulder. 

“I don’t even really care about planning it. I had to endure J and Lauren’s wedding planning and whew… miserableeee. And they couldn’t even enjoy the day that much. I dunno, I don’t want to be more worried about whether some elaborate affair is going according to plan instead of actually enjoying my wedding day? I wanna be celebrating our love and the first day of our life together. I mean yea, I want a wedding of some sort but it could have 25 people in your backyard. As long as I’m in a drop dead gorgeous dress and you’re waiting on me at the end of the aisle, I honestly don’t need or care about anything else. I’d be fine with a big one if you want one but someone else’s gotta plan it.” 

“I’ve never put much thought into my wedding so you won’t get much argument outta me. I would push back on the backyard thing though. Maybe a small destination wedding or a small venue in LA, something like that.” 

“I like the sound of that.” 

“Speaking of destinations,” he mentioned, shifting gears of the conversation. If they went too much farther down this road, Michael would find a wedding planner to plan a small intimate ceremony for next week. “I think we’ll both finally have some time off in September when you finish here. Let me take you on a trip.” 

“Oooo you tryin’ to fly ya girl out?” Michael rolled his eyes at her antics. “Where would you want to go?” 

Michael immediately shook his head. His sweet girl was the opposite of decisive. She would let Michael make every decision if she could. And this time, he wanted to go where she wanted to go. 

“Nahhh ma, it isn’t to celebrate me. It’s for you. Where do you want to go?” 

“It should also be to celebrate us both… a bit delayed sure but we never really did anything to celebrate Creed. That’s your first big leading man blockbuster.” She flipped the script on him. 

“Fine, it can be to celebrate us both but you still need to pick.” 

“I really hate you,” she laughed. “Well, at least, help me narrow it down. What kind of vacation vibe would you want?”  

“Preferably somewhere relaxing where I can have you naked or only in a bikini for most of the trip.” 

She could not hide the sly grin on her face at his words, the heat that rose throughout her entire body. She forced the feeling to dampen. They had not had sex yet and given how the other night went, she imagined Michael would pump the brakes again. She understood, but she did not want to deal with the rejection again. 

“The Caribbean is an option but September is dead in the middle of hurricane season, so we’d have to be ok with it being canceled potentially.” Michael smiled, he was never one to consider weather patterns before traveling. He barely checked the weather before he stepped outside each day. But of course, Charlotte would think about that. “We could do something like a spot along the Mediterranean? Or something like that. I’ve been wanting to go back to the Amalfi Coast but maybe we should go somewhere we both haven’t been?” 

He learned something new about his girl every day. “When did you go there?” 

“My first birthday after Shaun… My family surprised me with a vacation there. I had spent most of that whole first year miserable and in bed. The first six months were the hardest. But by the time my birthday came around, I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but still wasn’t there. I was in therapy and still struggling to find me in all of it? And I was just really depressed so the trip was supposed to cheer me up a bit. Lauren, Jazz, one of our other friends, Chelsea, and I all went. And we had a ball,” Michael could feel her entire body light up as she spoke, as if the mere memories of that trip were fuel and power.

“We just ate and drank and ate some more and swam and went on boat rides and just… lived. God, it was the first time I felt uninhibited happiness and relaxation in years. It was kinda my Eat, Pray, Love moment as corny as that is,” she admitted. “One morning, I got up super early and went down to the beach by myself while we were in this town, Ravello. I had this necklace he gave me for my last birthday. Hideous, gaudy silver thing I’d never pick or wear myself. But I couldn’t let it go and clung to that stupid thing since the break up. Anyway, I watched the sun rise and I realized that I’d never be me again. The me before him was dead and gone. But I also realized that maybe that wasn’t a bad thing? Cause the me before him needed that necklace as proof that someone loved me, no matter how hideous and awful that love was. The me before him and during him needed any type of love, no matter the cost of it. And that part of me needed to die. So, instead of trying to resurrect the old me, I decided I would reconnect with the things that made me happy and forge something new. And then I ran into the water and tossed that terrible necklace into the sea. And then I regretted polluting the sea with something that was definitely not biodegradable,” Michael’s deep baritone filled her ears with laughter. “So long way of saying, it just represents new beginnings to me in some way. So even if we don’t go this time around, I’d want to go back with you at some point. But I’d honestly be fine with anywhere as long as I’m with you. So why don’t you just surprise me?”

“Fine. Don’t think I don’t realize you’re using my love of surprises against me.” 

She turned and winked at him before he helped her stand and get in the shower to effectively rinse out all of the products. Their afternoon of hair styling continued as she sat between his legs on the couch, Avengers playing on the tv as he moisturized and styled her hair. She savored the help, she hated dealing with her mane of hair. And the intimacy it had created was exactly as she had hoped. And he did an excellent job. Though she could tell his arms were exhausted by the time he finished tying her scarf around her clean and moisturized curls and coils into a pineapple on the top of her head. 

“You could’ve been a hairstylist in another life.” 

“You didn’t tell me it was such a work out. Boxing didn’t hurt my arms this much,” he laughed. 

“Well when you’re prepping for Creed 2 and wanna help me with my hair for extra arm training, let me know. I quite enjoyed not dealing with it for once.” 

Her injuries made it difficult to cuddle on the couch as they wanted so Charlotte laid with her head on his lap, his hand resting on her arm as they watched the movie. 

“Can I ask you something?” This time it was Michael’s turn, a question that had been on his mind for longer than a few days. He did not know if now was the right time or if there’d ever be a right time. And he did not expect an answer but he wanted her to know he would listen if she was ready to ever share it.

“Of course.” 

“And you don’t gotta answer if you don’t want to. But you never told me… what made you finally decide to leave? Was it whatever you dreamed about that night you got sick?” 

Charlotte’s eyes clenched shut. It was always a delicate balance. What of Shaun’s brutality to share and what not to. But she knew this was one of those things, the things she needed to learn to trust Michael specifically with. He was home and home was where you could bare it all… your whole soul. He asked and she would answer, no more hiding. 

“There’s a lot I haven’t told you about him. I mean a lot of it was the same old same. But somethings, I said I’d never tell anyone, Jackson, Lauren… even you. A-and that nightmare, it was bad, don’t get me wrong. Definitely made the ‘the CIA couldn’t get this out of me,’ shortlist. But the breaking point was, he saw me talking to a reporter after a show one night and thought I was cheating, God he accused me of cheating like twice a week, which just made me so upset. We argued all the way home. He asked me if I wanted to leave him a-and in my frustration and anger, I told him he wasn’t giving me many reasons to stay. Looking back, it was a real stupid thing to say, like pouring gasoline on a fire. But I w-was just so tired, tired of feeling like I was killing myself every day to be perfect and love him and getting so much pain thrown back at me. When we got home, he beat me. T-that wasn’t the bad part, that was par for the course. But then… he dragged me out onto our 11th story balcony. He picked me up and threatened to throw me off until I swore I’d never leave.” 

She watched as his entire body stiffened, his fists clenching with anger. She wanted to offer him some assurance, something to ease the feelings that brewed but there was not really anything that could be said. That story and her life just were what they were, upsetting and enraging and all. 

“He played God with my life for a few minutes, though it felt like an eternity, my body balancing on the railing like a rag doll with only him holding me there. There was one point, I tipped so far back, I actually thought he had let go and I s-saw my whole life flash before my eyes. I always thought people were being dramatic when they said that. But it’s true. Like a movie in fast forward and all I saw was every mistake that led me to that moment. When he was satisfied that I had begged for my life enough, he let me down and drug me back inside to finish the night. He knew I didn’t have much fight left in me after that,” she whispered, her hand wiping a tear. “Ugh,” she could not contain the groan of frustration at her own emotions. She hated that he still had this effect on her. “I don’t know why I’m crying over this o-old shit,” she shook her head. “He doesn’t deserve it. A-anyway, I decided that the next day that I had to leave or I’d d-die. I made a p-plan and left a week later.” 

“I’m sorry, honeybee.” There were no other words he could offer, though those sounded inadequate in the space. With every story she told him, he felt like a layer of the complex onion that was her peeled back. “I should’ve killed him,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. And it was true. The fact that he still drew breath was enraging, another thing he felt guilty for. For not ending the monster that haunted her. 

Charlotte reached over and grabbed his hand, their fingers interlocking. “Your soul is too good to be tainted by him. Besides, you did quite a number on him from what I heard. I didn’t know you had hands like that in real life, baby Creed,” she teased, thankful her joke caused a small smile to grace his features. “God, I wish I could’ve seen it… Saying that makes me feel like a terrible person,” her head fell into her hand, propped up against the back of the couch. “But j-just to see him, for once, feel a fraction of what I felt. Feels like a bit of justice for it all.” 

“That doesn’t make you a terrible person. You’re far from a terrible person. If he dropped dead tomorrow, you would be justified if you threw a damn party. Hell, I would throw a party and I only met him once. You’re allowed to want justice for all of it.” 

“Thanks.” She shifted, bringing her feet under her. “You know what’s crazy about it? I always regretted him… Regretted meeting him, agreeing to that first date, staying through all of that. B-but the last couple days, I’ve been thinking about my life right now… the last few months are the first time that I’ve felt like I was at home, like I know who I am and my soul is at peace. It’s pretty damn good. A little damaged around the edges, sure, but still so amazing that… If I had to go back and do it all again, I know in my soul I-I’d walk that same jagged path through all the pain, a-and landmines, and everything else if it was what I needed to do to end up here again, if it meant I would find home again.”

“And where’s home?” his voice was quiet as if he was worried the answer would not be what he expected, as if he were afraid to hear it. 

Charlotte tilted her head to study him, her hand going to cup his cheek, the scruff of his beard tickling her palm. 

“You.”  

Waves of guilt crashed over him, causing a tear to fall. The first one he had shed since the hospital. Charlotte whisked it away with her thumb. 

“Not feelin’ like I deserve that right now. You were in trouble and I didn’t even see it till it was too late. I never should’ve left you here. I couldn’t even keep you safe. What kinda fuckin’ home is that?” 

The guilt in his voice broke her heart. She moved, slowly and stiffly, but moved to slide into his lap. Her hands rested on his shoulders as she looked at him.

“Look at me.” It was her turn to demand as he so often did, demand that he overcome the guilt and shame that forced his eyes away from hers. She knew it was difficult, had struggled to find his eyes too many times for fear she would see confirmation of her guilt, her shame, her unworthiness. But it was never there and he would not find that in her eyes today either. 

“Every single time I’ve ever needed you, you were right on time. This was no exception. The truth is, you’ve been keeping me safe since the day I met you. I was so lost before I met you. I-I had healed my heart a-and my mind and my body as best I could. But my soul, I had vowed never to let someone so close to it again, had boarded it up with walls so high it would be impossible to let someone in again. To let someone see me again. And that was fuckin’ lonely,” she admitted. “A-and exhausting to force myself to keep my guards up like that, to deny everything I’d always wanted… a partner who saw me in my entirety and loved me for all of it. But I did it b-because it w-was better than the alternative. A-And then I met you. And you instantly knew the me I hid from everyone, you knew my soul and what it needed to finally mend. And you slowly but surely broke down every wall and barrier I had fought so hard to keep up so you could ensure I got what I needed, a safe place to land. And every day since, you’ve seen my soul in its entirety, all its light and darkness, its hopes and fears, its permanently damaged pieces and those that’ve healed. And you’ve loved me beyond my wildest dreams for it all. You are my peace and my solace and my safety every moment… that is the best home I could’ve ever hoped for.” 

She wiped her tears that fell before offering. “He w-wanted me to deny t-that. Before he…” she lifted her own eyes to the ceiling as she re-lived that moment. “Told me it was him or no one, wanted me to tell him I would c-choose him. And I couldn’t. It’s insane,” she acknowledged. “And I knew you’d p-probably tell me just to lie to save myself. But I couldn’t deny what I’ve known to be true since we kissed in your apartment in Philly. You are it for me. You are my choice every day, every time, no matter.” 

His lips crashed against hers, his arms wrapping around her tightly to pull her into his chest. Michael knew the depths of Charlotte’s love for him without a doubt. And he loved receiving a tear-inducing speech about it as much as he enjoyed doling them out on her. However, to know that, even in what could’ve been her last moments, she chose to love him loudly and unapologetically, hit his soul harder than he had ever experienced before.

No more words passed between them, each touch was a silent declaration of love between them that they did not have the words to capture. The day had laid them both bare in a way they had never experienced before or expected. And it was not their trauma guiding them, it was pure love. A desire and need to connect mind, body, and soul.

“You want… need me to stop?” He whispered as she sucked on the soft skin of his neck. In his heart, he knew the answer before the words left his mouth. He could tell in her movements that stopping would be near impossible this time. But he had to check, had to double check before they went down this road. 

She immediately shook her head. Charlotte’s brain was mush, a complete fog of desire, need, and pleasure as she kissed every inch of exposed skin she could find. She had never yearned for a person as much as she yearned for the man beneath her. She wanted everything, all of him. She knew now, in hindsight, that the first night, she had wanted him for all the wrong reasons. And she was grateful that he, once again, saved her from herself. But now, in this moment, she wanted to feel him, feel his gentle touch and caress, and savor every moment of his love for her. And she wanted him to feel her, not her brokenness and fear, but the life pumping through her veins, the love she held for him, that he was her choice. 

“No,” she whispered back, he was thankful to hear that word leave her lips. “Do you wanna stop?” 

“Not this time.” 

“Good.”

Michael immediately wrapped his hands behind her thighs and hoisted her up to carry her into their bedroom. She let him guide her to their bed, laying her down gently as he removed both of their clothes. Charlotte instinctively wanted to shrink up and cover herself, hyper aware of the bruises that littered her form. 

Sensing her thoughts, Michael immediately leaned over her and started to press his lips to each one, gentle and lingering kisses on every cut, scrap, and bruise that sent jolts of electricity through her form. A silent but touching reminder that she survived and told her he did not care how they looked. He worked his way down her body slowly but this time it was not the usual teasing he liked to do. He simply wanted to savor every second of it. 

He handled her with such care, as if she were perfectly sculpted glass that would shatter if he pushed too hard, too fast. She was not fragile, he knew that. She was strong and powerful. But her wounds were fresh. Fresh enough that he used every moment to assure her that his touch was different, would never hurt her as he had, and would never treat her body and soul with such pain and callousness. It had taken great restraint not to taste her or bury himself inside her the last few days, to be as close to her as he could, feel the life pumping in her veins. But she needed time and so did he, to reckon with what they both almost lost. 

He could feel the frenzy beneath him as he worked, her body writhing with silent pleas that begged for more.  But he did not want to rush. He remembered their first time, slow and measured as he took her apart piece by piece. He understood the impulse to rush but they had time, he kept reminding himself. Time with each other. 

He returned to her lips, a quiet directive to slow down landing on her ears.

“Slow down, baby,” he muttered, “Slow down.” Their foreheads rested against each other as he forced her to take a breath. 

“I need…” her words trailed off as she whimpered, her fingers twisted in the soft fabric of his t-shirt as if he’d turn to dust before her eyes if she let go of him. Her eyes searched his for understanding, that he knew exactly what she so desperately needed.

“I know, I know.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, her head leaning into it to find his lips again. “Hey, hey. Look at me.” Their eyes connected, brimming with tears as she took in his undying love for her. “We’re both here, safe and sound, and no one’s going anywhere. I promise. Let me take care of you.”

At her nods, he resumed his touching until he found himself at the treasure trove between her thighs, her flower dripping and begging to be touched by the man she loved. And that was all he needed as he spread her legs and wrapped his lips around her bud.

Charlotte’s back immediately arched off the bed as he feasted on her. It had only been days but she had missed the feeling of his tongue on her and inside her. He spelled out his love for her in gentle caresses that made her head spin. 

She melted against his mouth like chocolate, her cries of pleasure crescendoing with every movement of his skilled tongue. 

“That’s it baby, let me hear you.” He slid two fingers inside of her, increasing the sensations that already threatened to overwhelm her. 

Charlotte felt as if her body was in overdrive. Her hips rocked to meet every thrust of his hand, her thighs clamped around his head as he feasted on her. It did not matter how many times his mouth found its way to her core, he managed to reduce her to a mewling puddle begging for more, every time.

And usually, she let him stay between her thighs as long as he wanted, pulling out as many climaxes as he could. But this time, she needed more. She knew he wanted to take his time, take her apart and put her back together. But she could not wait. Her soul could not wait. She needed to feel him inside her. So much had been taken from her, so much had left her feeling empty in this life until Michael. Michael filled her up where her past and present trauma only drained her. And right now, she wanted to be filled. The emptiness ached and she wanted to be filled to the brim and overflow. 

She pulled him from between her thighs, bringing his lips to hers. She relished in the taste of herself but only for a moment before she whispered. 

“I need you. Inside me. I c-can’t… can’t wait,” she panted. “W-we have all night b-but I need to feel you now.” 

He acquiesced, the vulnerability in her voice more than enough to forgo his original plan. 

He kept her eyes on his as he thrust inside of her slowly. Charlotte moaned at the delicious stretch he always provided. Months, it had been months since she first felt that stretch and it still caused a gasp to escape her lips, her eyes to see stars, and every thought in her head to shatter. 

“J-Just like that,” she whimpered, all her senses squarely focused on him and the pleasure he graciously provided. All she could feel was the sparks of bliss at the end of every stroke and the trail of fire that marked where his hands roamed as he explored her body. All she could hear were the symphony of their moans, his deep grunts as he fucked her and her screams of pleasure. All she could see were his brown eyes, a look in them that made her own eyes mist with tears. She did not know why she was crying, whether it be from the intense pleasure or the look in his eye, a look that no man before him had ever given her, a look she would have never deemed herself worthy of. The look of pure love and adoration. 

Michael’s hips drove into her over, a primal growl escaping him as her muscles clenched around him repeatedly as he curved into her g-spot, their bodies made for each other. His eyes never left hers with every push forward and retreat. 

As he pulled out every trick he could think of to please her, pour his love into her, Michael could not help but think about how he almost lost this. How he almost lost her. He had plans for this insanely beautiful woman beneath… plans to grow old with her, to celebrate every milestone and moment of his life and hers together, to build a life and family with her. And all of it could’ve been gone. He had never experienced this before, a year ago he could not even convince Charlotte to go out on a date with him but now? He could not fathom his life without her. And that brief moment where he had to consider such a life… it had shattered him in ways he never knew a person could be shattered.

“I love you,” his voice shook as tears sprang to his eyes. “Fuck, I love you so much.”

“I-I l-love… you,” she moaned back, her words choppy and broken between her pants and moans. 

His mind drifted to the ring that he kept stashed in his bedside table, hidden in a box he knew Charlotte would never bother to open or examine closely. A ring he had started to design the day after that gala, the night she told him about her ex and decided to overcome her fears to choose him.

He knew she did not believe him when he said he had known he wanted to marry her since then. It sounded far-fetched, he recognized, to know that so early. Afterall, his friends called him foolish for designing and buying a ring for a woman who rejected him mere months prior. “Take your time,” they had all cautioned. “Make sure she is what you want.” But Charlotte was the one thing, the only thing, in this universe that he did not need time to consider, that he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he wanted. And he used this moment, every second spent in her sanctuary to show her how deeply his love for her ran, past his mind, past his heart. He loved her with every fiber of his soul. 

“You know how beautiful you are?” He asked as he draped her legs over his shoulder and leaned over to rest his forehead against hers. Charlotte gasped at the angle, he had not changed his pace one bit but this position allowed him to reach the depths of her pleasure center. Those tears she had kept in now spilled over as his words filled her heart and he filled her body with every stroke. That ache of emptiness? Gone. She was overflowing. “Do you know how much… I love you?” 

She cried out, unable to form real words or thoughts beyond obscenities and his name, which flowed without thought from her lips. 

“I’ll spend every day of my life loving you, keeping you safe. There’s nothing in this world I won’t do for you, Els. Nothing. ” His word was punctuated by a particularly deep thrust that turned Charlotte into a babbling mess as she came. “That’s it, baby. Cum for me.” 

“More. Harder. Everything you have, please,” her voice was strained, trying to speak while her body calmed down again. She understood his gentleness, appreciated it. But now, she wanted to feel him in the depths of her bones. She was his and she wanted to feel that in every ounce of her being.

Michael helped her flip over onto her stomach, this time instructing her to hold onto the headboard so she did not have to lay on the bed. He allowed her a moment to situate herself in the position he so enjoyed. He still practiced some restraint, refusing to unleash his usual power onto her still healing body. But he loosened the reins just enough to give her what she wanted and needed. 

There was nothing slow about how he rammed into her, her body thrusting forward with every delicious slam of his hips into hers. She was thankful he thought of the headboard, giving her the leverage laying face down on the bed would not have and protecting her bruises. 

“Yes! Y-Yes! T-thank you,” she moaned out as he fucked her with abandon. She surrendered to the pleasure, her screams bouncing off the walls as he made her cum again and again and again.

He took her in any and every position that would not cause her pain. He buried his face between her legs and feasted off of her before plunging into her again, Charlotte allowing her body to be at his mercy. They had all night and all the time in the world and she wanted him to use every moment of it. 

***

When Charlotte stirred again, she glanced over to find Michael sound asleep next to her. It was still dark outside, the clock reading 4:30 am. She laid there for a few moments, letting the soft sounds of Michael’s soft snores fill her ears. She turned and watched him for a few moments, the steady rise and fall of his chest. As she listened to him, the final part of a song she had been writing swelled in her heart. And when the pen called her, she did not dare ignore it. As quietly as she could, she climbed out of their bed and wrapped herself in her robe. 

She tiptoed out of their room and into the living room, grabbing her pen and notebook before retreating to the balcony of their apartment. She had rarely been out here, her own fear of them and the frigid New York winters keeping her from enjoying this one feature of their home. But tonight, not even her past or the cold chill could send her back inside. She curled up in a blanket in one of the chairs as she listened to the bustling sounds of the city fill her ears. 

It did not matter what time of day it was, New York City was always awake, always moving, always alive. Her lungs breathed in as much of the frigid air as they could before she breathed it back out. She knew she could not stay out there too long, it was freezing. But she also knew this was the only spot her singing would not wake up her sleeping boyfriend. 

Baby, the sound of you

Better than a harmony

I want you off my mind

And on me

Holding me closer than we've ever been before

This ain't a dream

You're here with me

Boy, it don't get no better than you

For you, I wanna take my time

All night

She closed her eyes, curled in a small ball, as her siren song filled the night sky though she knew no one but her and God would ever hear it. But that was fine, she preferred it. This was just for her, just for her to commemorate the love she found and was grateful to God for.

I wanna love you in every kind of way

I wanna please you, no matter how long it takes

If the world should end tomorrow and we only have today

I'm gonna love you in every kind of way

Give you all, give you all of me

Her eyes only opened at the faint creaks of a door, surprised to find Michael standing in the doorway of the balcony as she finished the last line. However, as she started to stand and finish singing, he shook his head. 

“Don’t stop. I wanna hear you.” 

And so she continued, this time, her eyes on his as she finished her song, the second verse she had been struggling with flowing from her lips as if it had lived in her heart all along. 

When you need it

'Cause I need it

I wanna fall like your favorite season

I'll never get up

Stay here forever, babe

It don't get no better than this

Your kiss

I wanna love you in every kind of way

I wanna please you, no matter how long it takes

If the world should end tomorrow and we only have today

I'm gonna love you in every kind of way

I wanna love you in every kind of way

I wanna please you, no matter how long it takes

If the world should end tomorrow and we only have today

I'm gonna love you in every kind of way

When she was finished, she sat up in the chair and glanced at him. 

“I’m sorry, thought going out here wouldn’t wake you.” 

He shook his head. “Bed’s cold without you, went looking for you and heard your voice. Wanted to hear you.” 

She smiled. “I’m glad you heard it… it was about you anyway,” she winked. “Back to bed?” 

“Umm… before we g-go,” he stammered slightly, Charlotte surprised to find a nervous energy suddenly surrounding him. He was usually so confident and assured, nervous was a rare emotion on him. “I have something for you.” He meandered to the balcony railing, standing directly in front of her before he pulled out the arm that he had bent behind his back, a small black velvet box in his hand. 

“You didn’t need to get me anything,” she offered with a small smile. If he had not been so nervous, he would have laughed at how she missed the obvious. The size of the box really only lent itself to one thing and she had not picked up on it yet. “Though I’m sure it’s beautiful.” 

He slid the box into her hand, Charlotte expecting to find a necklace or pair of earrings or something small nestled in the luxury box. However, all the wind seemed to knock out of her as she opened to find a sparkling and mesmerizing engagement ring, a giant pear shaped diamond set in the center with elegant but subtle diamonds nestled in the rose gold band around it. It was simple and yet, the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen in her life.

She glanced up from the box to find Michael in front of her on one knee. Every question that rose to her lips immediately vanished, caught in her throat as shock swept all of her senses. Her heart was beating so hard, she wondered if it was possible for it to beat straight out of her chest. 

“A-are you serious? I-If this is j-just a dream…” she whispered, her eyes moving to the sky as if she was talking to God. 

“N-No, this is real. Charlotte, I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. Every day, you love me with your whole being. You support my dreams, however far fetched and foolish they may seem, you push me to be the best man I can be. Not just for you and my family but for myself. With you, I’ve always been right at home. Falling in love with you is both the greatest decision of my life and the easiest one I’ve ever made. And every day, I thank God for bringing you and your beauty, your laugh, your spirit into my life. I don’t know what the future looks like, I don’t know how much time we have with each other. But I know that I want to spend every moment of my life loving you and being loved by you. So, this is me being sentimental and making you break down in tears,” he joked to their earlier conversations. “Charlotte Elsbeth Bennet, will you marry me?” 

Charlotte’s breathing was choppy as she took in his words. Tears flowed earnestly as she tried to form a sentence.

“M-Michael… God I love you so much. B-But are you s-sure about this? I k-know with everything that’s happened… W-we haven’t even been together for a year. Are you s-sure I’m what you want?” 

“I’ve had this ring for months… I started designing it the day after the gala last summer. I was waiting for the perfect moment, wanting to plan the perfect proposal for you back in LA. But what happened reminded me that I don’t want to waste our time planning perfect or ideal moments. I just want to live in all those moments with you, by my side. All day, something kept pulling me to this ring, telling me that this was our moment. And I think it’s because our best moments, the realest ones for us, are just us… being us, comfortable and safe with each other. No planning, no overthinking, no obsessing. Just being home with each other. So here I am, unsure about so much, the future and where this life will take me and us. But this moment,” his hand rubbed her knee, her face covered by both her hands as she quietly cried. “This decision is the surest I’ve ever been in my life. I am sure about you. I’ve never been so certain that you were the woman for me. Marry me.” 

Charlotte immediately launched herself from her seat and into his arms, the small box still wrapped tightly in her hand as she held him. 

“I love you so much,” she whispered before kissing him, her body resting on his bent knee. 

“I love you too…” he paused, realizing he never actually heard the magic word. “So is that a yes… or?” 

She let out a watery laugh. “A million times, yes! Yes, yes, yes!” The box fell in her lap as she cupped his face in her hands. “ Now you’re really stuck with me, Mr. Jordan.” she teased as her hands wiped the tears that flowed earnestly from her eyes.

He took the box from her and slid the ring on her finger, his heart swelling at how she admired the piece. She was not much of a jewelry wearer so he went for a ring that was simple, one she would not mind wearing every day, but was worthy of her hand. 

He wiped a tear from his eye and chuckled. “Good, that’s what I was hoping for. Mrs. Jordan has a nice ring to it.” He pressed his lips to her ring finger. His deep baritone filled the cold air as he let out an excited yell, standing and spinning Charlotte around. “Wanna go to the courthouse tomorrow?” 

“Slow downnnnn. Another surprise this week might actually kill me,” she laughed. “Anndddd I wanna be my usual flawless self for our wedding photos,” she gestured toward her bruised face. 

“You’re always flawless to me.” 

“Alright I already said yes, don’t lay it on so thick,” she offered in jest, causing him to pepper her face with kisses. 

“Well how about I take you back to bed and warm you up and I can make you say yes a couple more times?” 

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, “I think I’d rather you make me scream it.” 

“Oh that was always the plan.” 

And before she knew it, Michael had her on her back, their hands interlaced on the pillow as he made her scream that beautiful word over and over again until the sun came up.

Tag List: @certifiedlesbianbaddie @bangtanxmegan @reelwriter19 @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @hi888888sworld @msniaimani @destinio1 @lynaye1993 @chaoticevilbakugo @blackerthings @pipsqueak-98 @miyuhpapayuh @passionxwrites @gopaperless @injerafiend

A/N: Our babiesssssss!! I went back and forth on the proposal scene for a while lol and this just felt right so I hope you all enjoyed it! Every Kind of Way by HER is one of my favorite songs. This is not the end of our story buttttt we are getting close. Just three or four more chapters to go.

Drop a comment and let me know what you think/let me know if you want to be tagged!

#black writers #michael b jordan #michael b jordan x oc #mbjordanedit #michael b jordan x reader #creed 3 #black panther #michael b jordan fanfic #adonis creed #creed iii #mbj fanfic #mbjedit #michael b jordan smut

[gerbit]

Eve challenged Malcolm to a game of Don’t Wake The Llama! 🦙 Unfortunately, she lost but it’s okay Malcolm was ready to mend her broken spirit! ❤️‍🩹

#🤭🤭 #she may have stayed the night at malcolm's #sims 4 #sims 4 edit #ts4 #ts4 edit #sims 4 gameplay #ts4 gameplay #simblr #gerbit #trailer park girls #gen 1 #eve pleasant #malcolm landgraab #tbh she kinda sucks at most things so i'm not surprised she lost! #it's ok she's gonna be a doctor soon enough and that will be her FLEX!!

[heartofsnark]

Can You Feel The Sun? (Chapter Six): Do I Sink or Do I Float Now?

Notes: Still posting my little backlog of chapters!~  In this one we get Maelstrom, along with some Vik and Misty interactions that were really fun to write of course heavy on our precious boy Jackie too. 

Word Count:  9004

Chapter Warnings: Canon typical violence, cursing, installation of cyberware.

If you haven’t yet, you can read the previous chapter here!~

With a tightness in her chest and a heavy sigh, V answers Dex’s call. She’ll play it by ear and maybe wait until they’re in person to drop the news about Evelyn. The client really had to drag her into this bullshit, didn’t she? 

“How're things lookin', Miss. V?”

“Client had a recording that helped us out, Konpeki Plaza.”

“Beautiful. T-Bug already called, said she's workin' her magic. And the Flathead?”

“On it now and quick question, how are we getting into Konpeki?” 

“Through the front door, how else? I'm no leadhead. Ain't gonna leave no trace for them to follow 'cause we gonna do this clean an' on the hush-hush,” Dex confirms her beliefs, she needs cyberware, something. 

“Got it, on my way to get the Flathead, now.” 

“T-Bug says no chance at the chip without that bot. To work, then, Miss V.” 

He hangs up and V leaves Lizzie’s bar, night air cold on her exposed skin. She’ll swing by her apartment, drop by Vik’s, and then meet up with Jackie at All Foods. V makes a beeline to her car, starting a call and patching a call to Jackie through the radio speaker. 

“Jackie,” she signs one handed as she drives, “Met the client. Her name's Parker. Evelyn Parker.”

“OK. Whatcha waitin' for? Gimme the deets. Who is she? What's she like?”

“Shady as fuck. Doll, I think, fucks Yorinobu Arasaka and now she wants to fuck him over.” 

“Don’t seem that odd.” 

“She’s...off, Jackie. Hiding something, big, I just. Don’t trust her, don’t think she’s a bad person, just… not to be trusted.” 

“Yeah, sounds like nerves talkin' to me. Makes everyone seem suspect. Stress can kill you, y'know.”

“Yeah, yeah, so you tell me.” 

“What about Militech?” 

“I met with the corpo.” 

“V… “ 

“Hear me out, woman gave me hell and a spiked chip, wanted me to pay on Militech’s dime but the chip would have fried Maelstrom and left us cleaning up the mess.” 

“Of course, I told you, V.” 

“But, I managed to crack it. Maelstrom plays nice, I got a clean ten grand off of Maelstrom. Chrome snorters pull bullshit; we fuck them and send a middle finger to Militech while we’re at it. We can talk it out more when we meet.”  

“Alright, waitin' for ya at All Foods, ya know. Not gettin' any younger.”

“Well, grab something to eat, going to be a while longer.” 

“Chingada madre, V, what now?” 

“Konpeki Plaza, hotel we got to get into. They have a no weapon policy and way Dex talks that the only way in, is through the front door. “ 

“And?” 

“And, if shit goes sideways, I don’t want to be caught with my pants down,  in a gunfight without a weapon. Need cyberware, something they can’t confiscate, so I’ll be ready for worst case scenario. So, I’m grabbing my savings and making a trip to see Vik.” 

“Stress stress, all you do is stress, but I’m glad you’re finally spending your fucking money. What you trying to get?” 

“You’ll see when we meet up, who knows, might end up using it on some Maelstrommers.” 

“Hehe, see you soon, V.” 

V hangs up and parks outside her megabuilding, sliding her mask off and into her bag before running in. She keeps her head down and doesn’t talk as she rushes to just get her stash of cash out from under the bed. Willing the elevator to move faster and annoyed when she presses her hand to the intercom to unlock her door and it takes a second too long for the lock to validate her SID chip. She opens the under bed  compartment, finding her money stash next to her toy stash. Then it’s back out to her car and driving out to Vik’s. 

She parks in the same place Jackie did that morning, keeping her head down as she wades through the crowd, trying not to stare at the strippers in the club window across from Misty’s store and avoiding eye contact with Gary; the slightly crazy homeless man who likes to yell about conspiracies.  V peeks into Misty’s shop and smiles when she sees the woman at the little register and desk. Her face lit by the cyan neon sign advertising her prices for chakra readings. 

“Hey, V.” Misty smiles at her, she’s the cutest little thing, granted she’s a bit taller than V. A short airy chin length bob of bleached hair, heavy black makeup, and big green eyes. 

“Hey, Misty,” V signs as she walks in, her choker translator already turned on

“Heard you and Jackie have a new job.” There’s a hint of something sad to her voice, a pain to her eyes. 

“You don’t seem excited.” 

“Just...worried; bigger jobs, bigger risks.” 

“I know, I’ll do my best to watch out for him, promise.” 

“I know you will, V.” 

“You’ll have to read our cards when you get the chance.” Its become a tradition, the little peek into the future easing some of Misty’s nerves. 

“Please, Jackie’s heart chakra was a little out of whack and his aura needs tending. Keep him away from mean reds, if you can.” 

“I’ll do my best.” 

“Speaking of which…” 

“Oh no.” 

“You need to let me adjust your chakras, V!~” 

“Yeah… I don’t know about that one…” 

“Your crown and throat chakras are so messy, heart chakra too actually, you’re just spiritually kind of a wreck, V.” 

“You can tell that just by looking at me.” 

“I could tell after my first conversation with you.” 

“Funny, I’ll think about it. For now, I got to see Vik.” 

“He’s in the clinic, go on in.” 

V gives Misty a pat on the shoulder as she walks around and goes out the back door of the older woman’s store into the alleyway behind it. A soft meow rings out, just before the stairs that go down to Vik’s is a little sphinx cat with big golden eyes. The merc crouches down and scritches it’s back, smiling at the cutie, softly meowing back at it. Its such a cute kitty. One more little pat and she separates herself from the cat and goes down the stairs to Vik’s clinic. She’s not sure how Vik can stand to stay in the dank basement level clinic all day, but she’s thankful he’s always easy to find when she needs him. Through the little metal gateway door she can already see him at a workbench, watching a boxing match on a small TV. 

“Viky! How’s my favorite ripper?” She greets him as she walks through, grinning as the older man spins his chair to look at her. 

The ripper’s eyes drop down for a second seeing the box she has held to her stomach with one arm. He smiles softly, the expression forming wrinkles around his eyes. He’s an older man, dark hair just starting to thin on the back of his head. Tattooed forearms with memories of his boxing days and tinted glasses on his nose. 

“Good to see you too, V. It's been a while. To what do I owe the pleasure today?”

“Got a new gig, new fixer, sure Jackie’s already talked your ear off about it.” 

“Dexter Deshawn…  Known quantity, from the Afterlife. No denying you're movin' up…” Vik tells her but there’s a drag in his voice, V is starting to get the distinct impression that no one is as excited for this as her and Jackie are. Hell, she’s not even as excited as Jackie, Evelyn’s offer still heavy on her mind. 

“Something you’re not telling me?” 

“Keep your guard up, that's all. I've heard some things about Dex. He's not as "chill" as he makes himself out to be.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she nods, Dex doesn’t seem to shady at the moment, but she trusts Vik’s opinion, “as for right now, plan is for me and Jackie to get into a hotel, pretend we’re guests. Hotel’s got a strict no guns policy, so… need a weapon they can’t take off of me.” 

“That so? You finally caving and getting the projectile launcher?” 

“No, I was thinking Mantis Blades, actually. Quieter, if shit goes off the rails it’d be better to have something that doesn’t tell everyone where we are.” 

“And you get to add two more blades to your collection,” Vik teases, knowing her affinity for swords, knives, and daggers over firearms. 

“Hey, doesn’t hurt to stick to what I know, besides with shit getting real… need better tech.” 

“Well alright,” Vik stands and kicks away his wheeled seat, walking towards his work station, and getting the injector, “but lemme guess- hasn’t paid you yet.” 

“No, but, I brought what I got. I know it’s not enough but, if you’re fine with me paying so much now and the rest later, I-” 

Vik puts a hand up and stops her from pushing the little box of cash at him, a soft smile on his face. Jackie likes to say Vik has a soft spot for her, sometimes she doubts it but when he gives her that soft almost kind fatherly look, she can’t help but think Jackie might be right. 

“Keep it.” 

“No, don’t be ridiculous, I should at least give you something upfront, I-” 

“We'll work something out later. Right now I'm just out to make sure you get back in one piece. Keep that back for now and we can figure it out once you get paid, alright?” 

“Got no idea what I did to deserve you, Vik.” 

“Who knows?” He laughs and shoots an injection into his forearm, to help steady and loosen up his organic hand, flexing the fingers on his ripper glove, “go ahead and get comfy.” 

V nods and puts her cash stash in her bag before climbing up into the doctor’s chair, taking a deep breath. Even with Vik, the only doctor she trusts, she always finds herself nervous in his chair. She’s slowly grown more accustomed to the importance of cyberware and tech in Night City, but it still just feels overwhelming at times to think of carving out pieces of herself for it. V is fairly sure other than monks she’s one of the only people past the age of eighteen who doesn’t have optics, kids carving their eyes out as soon as a doc is willing to do it. This is important, she needs to be prepared for the worst case scenario, but she is about to have a significant portion of her arms removed to be replaced with swords. The gravity of that still sits heavy on her chest. 

“Jack in and lay those major league arms down for me.” 

Vik pulls up two tables on each side of the chair and V lays her arms down for him, trying to steady her breathing. Her eyes linger on the brand on her left wrist, the one that marked her place within her nomad clan.  She wonders if that part of her arm will be taken off, skin removed with synthetic Real Skin stuff.  He sits in his little wheeled stool, looking over her scans. 

“Looks like you’ve actually been taking your meds.” 

“Got an alarm on my phone now, nearly forgot just this morning,” she switches to spoken English, though her hands twitch to sign, she doesn’t want to move them just in case. 

“Whatever helps, last thing you need is your body trying to kill itself.” 

“But it's so good at that.” 

“Oh I know it is,” he pushes himself to get to the other side of the table, pushing a sharp injection into her arm just below her elbow, “a bit of anesthetic.” Then he pushes her sleeve up higher, so he can reach her bicep, another shot. 

“What’s that one?” 

“Anti-anxiety, though judging by the wide eyed look on your face, it’s gonna take a second to kick in.” 

“Oh, yeah… sorry.” 

“It's okay, know this ain’t your thing. Most arm cyberware is fairly invasive, but I got some tricks up my sleeve. Do my best to give you the tech you need and leave as much ‘ganic material intact as I can.” 

“I know, I trust you.”

Slowly, her body numbs. The strong anesthetic spreads into her blood and impacting every inch of her. Her breathing feels more stable and her heart rate seems to slow back to normal, a sense of calm coming over her. Vik is a good man, she knows that, he’d never do anything that isn’t needed and wouldn’t ever try to hurt her. He starts to roll out the tech to carve her arms open and put blades inside. 

She closes her eyes and lays her head back, because she doesn’t want to see, it will just freak her out more. Put her trust in fate and more importantly Vik to take care of it. V feels nothing, only soft whirrs of tech. 

“Feel anything?” 

“Never do. Ask me that every time, you know. Not as if things are gonna be any different today.”

“Sure thing, kid, I mean not like there's any risk of a stroke or paralysis. But... heh, what do I know? I'm just a doctor.”

“Okay, okay, I getcha.” 

“You got your contacts with you?” 

“Yeah, in my bag.” 

“Once we get your blades in, I’ll take a look at them, think we can bump them up with some Kiroshi tech.”

“You’re the best, Vik.” 

“So, I’ve heard.” 

“Oh, nearly forgot, you’ll get a kick out of this. Coach Fred in my building wants me to do some fights.” 

“Does he now?” 

“Mmhmm, really tried to sell it too, he believes in me. Dude, I’m fucking five feet tall, but okay.” 

“Well,” Vik chuckles, “to be fair, you may be small, but I’ve seen you take down guys twice your size.” 

“That’s merc work, Vik; don’t think they’d let me stab my opponent in the ring.” 

“That is usually frowned upon.” 

They make small talk as he works, the chatter easing her nerves, the little traces of anxiety the medicine can’t touch. Vik tries to convince her she could hold her own in a boxing fight, though unlike Coach Fred, it feels less like a sales pitch coming from Vik. From him it feels more like a dad trying to convince their kid they’ll be good at soccer if they just get out there and try it. 

“Alright, we’re done, kid. Take a look.” 

V takes a deep breath and does just that, Looking down at arms that still seem to be very much her own but with silver detailing from her knuckles to her elbows. They look nice, the Mantis Blades and Projectile Launcher are the better looking arm cyberware options in her opinion. Like accents, little detailing, rather than making arms look more tech than flesh. It’s her nails still, painted her favorite bright blue, she can still see her freckles. And when she twists her forearms she finds her brand still there. 

“Wow, really did save as much skin as you could.” 

“Mmhmm, still you, just a few added touches. The blades act on intention and reflex, stand up and give it a try. Just don’t cut anything I need.”

V gets out of the chair, taking a few steps to the most cleared off portion of the room. Vik scoots himself back on the stool. Just what she’d need, to finally get cyberware beyond the basics and end up accidentally gutting her favorite ripper. With the thought and a tensing of her forearms, the blades extend out. 

“Woah.” 

She marvels at it, the way her flesh has opened up, can see the metal compartment almost where the blades were stored and hidden inside. Carefully, she retracts the blade in one arm to touch the other. Curiously she touches where the skin meets metal, nerves in the flesh still, but when she touches inside of the compartment she feels nothing. She presses down into the steel and when she does so hard enough, she can feel it start to put pressure on real organic tissue. She pulls her fingers away and retracts the blade; extending and pulling them back a few times, getting the feel for them. 

“Take it you’re a fan?” 

“Its so cool.” 

“Still wish you got the Launcher instead?” 

“Maybe a little bit,” she tests out signing, thankful the metal additions don’t interfere with her ability to do it, “I’m good with knives and katanas, so having a cannon in my arm would add a bit of variety.”

“Maybe your next job.” 

“You can take them out and do that?” 

“Mmhmm, now-a-days even the military grade stuff is designed to be adaptable, you can rip ‘em out and change it up whenever you see fit. So, you can have whatever new tech you want when you want it.” 

“The innovations of consumerism, huh?” 

“Something like that,” he laughs, “hand me your contacts and I’ll upgrade them for you.” 

She does just that, watching him take the contacts and put them in a device. While he tinkers with those, V keeps playing with her new toys. Making sure she knows exactly what will and won’t trigger the blades. Flexing alone won’t extend them, folding and twisting her forearms. It requires the intention too, linked to she assumes her neural plants and cyberdeck.  Which means she should be able to hug someone without decapitating them, a skill she does occasionally enjoy having. Even if Jackie says her hugs are half ass.  Got to hug people like you’ll never see them again, because in Night City that might be the case; according to him. 

“All done, test them out,” Vik hands her back the contact case and she carefully places them in. The interface lights up for a moment, adjusting to the new tech.  She looks around, her vision a bit clearer. 

“Image looks clearer.” 

“Installed threat detection and weak spot detection tech too. Anyone who isn’t known to you, who the soft picks up as an enemy sees you, it’ll highlight them and tell you what their weak points are.” 

“That’s awesome, I don’t know what to say Vik, this is incredible.” 

“Figured, if you needed the blade for some hotel, you’d probably have to ditch the mask. So, it doesn't hurt to bump up the contacts.” 

“Yeah...oh…guess your right, can’t play corp hotel guest in a mask, can I…” 

“Just now realizing that?” 

“Maybe… but more importantly. The blades, the contacts. I don’t know what to say, Vik, I…”

“Say you’ll take this and remember the dosage. Two whiffs now and another two in an hour,” he hands her a medicine inhalant, “mild stim. Should boost neurotransmission in the short term and muffle some of the side effects while the implant takes.”

“Thanks Vik, seriously, I owe you big. You sure you don’t want some cash up front? I really don’t mind, I-” 

“Won’t hear it. Go on, kid. Show 'em what you're made of,” he grins at her, rolling back over to his desk, “And once you hit the big leagues, don't forget where you came from.”

A part of her wonders if it’s meant as a joke or a serious concern, knowing how much he seemed to worry about her getting a job from Dex. No matter if she hits the major leagues, Vik will always be her go to ripper. She comes up behind him where he’s gone back to watching TV and throws an arm around his neck in a sort of hug, squeezing him close. The kind of hug Jackie would mock, but full scale embraces are still...weird. 

“Couldn’t if I tried, Vik, thanks again.” 

“No problem, kiddo,” he pats her hand where it sits on his chest, “grab your candy and get going.”  

V giggles, and  pats his shoulder as she pulls away. She wonders if any of his other patients end up grabbing candy from the bowl on his desk. If Vik does the same joke with anyone else now that she kicked it off, a part of her hopes not. She grabs a handful of honeyed candies, popping one in her mouth as she leaves his clinic through the metal gate. The cat is still there when she gets back out to street level, she gives it a few more scratches, then takes the pathway back through Misty’s shop. 

“Vik take care of you?” The bleached blonde greets V as she comes in. 

“Sure did, I got swords in my arms.” 

That gets a giggle out of her, V showing off the indentations and designs of the Mantis Blades. Misty runs her fingers along them, smiling at the merc. 

“Very nice, take it you’re off to meet Jackie, now?”  There’s still some worry in Misty’s eyes, a sadness to her tone. 

“Yeah, got to get a combat bot. Shouldn’t take too long, Maelstrom isn’t anything we haven’t handled before. You know that.” 

“I do, I do,” Misty fiddles her fingers together, “its not them I’m worried about, it’s just this whole… thing with Dex and this heist. Just got a bad feeling. The bigger your jobs get, the more risks, you know. I’m sorry...sure you don’t want to hear me whine.” 

“Hey, hey,” V touches Misty’s shoulder, “its not whining. You love Jackie, it’s only natural to be worried.” 

“Thanks, Jackie thinks this job will set us up for life, that he’ll finally be able to take care of me like I deserve… “

“And what do you think?” 

“That is dreams are gonna get him killed one day and he doesn’t seem to care…” 

“He cares, he does. He just...thinks the risk is worth it, that if he does this he can build a better future.” 

“I know, just can’t shake the feeling he’s flying too close to the sun, I guess,” Misty says, wrapping her arms around herself. V knows that anxiety well and can’t say she even has the best feeling about this job. But, this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. 

“Hey, want to go ahead and do that tarot reading? Might make you feel better, see what the fates got in store.” 

“Yeah,” Misty smiles softly, “I’d like that.” 

Misty grabs her deck, the one V and Jackie picked out for her, as the merc comes around to the other side of the table. Jackie and V will be with each other the whole time, so if V’s future comes up clean, it means he can’t be too bad off. If nothing else, it offers a little distraction from anxiety and it won’t kill Jackie to wait just another ten or so minutes. 

“If my future’s clean, Jackie’s won’t be too bad. Guy’s always had better luck than me, anyway.” 

“I think he’d say otherwise,” Misty laughs, shuffling the cards, “now, focus on the recent past and what you expect in the future.” 

First card down, a man walking towards a cliff with a dog trotting along after him. 

“The Fool, that’d be you.” 

“So the cards think I’m an idiot, cool,” V rolls her eye, not missing the shadow of a smile across Misty’s lips. 

“The Fool symbolizes the beginning of a journey. You brim with enthusiasm, yet remain unaware of both your capabilities and the threats you face.”

“So...the cards think I'm an idiot.” 

“Just a little bit,” Misty teases, laying down the next card, “The Wheel of Fortune,. The danger is greater than you think. It will come suddenly, without warning. Conflict is unavoidable.”

“Fair enough.” 

Another card down, this one upside down. 

“The reversed Chariot reveals that such danger is tied to your love of risk. Do not aim too high, V.”

“I’m short, got nowhere else to aim.” 

Misty looks up at V under her brow, despite the hint of a smile, the meaning is clear. This is serious and V should take it with some level of seriousness. But, if she’s honest, V’s just happy to see Misty smiling at all. 

“And finally, The Magician… interesting.” 

“Why’s that?” 

“You may meet someone fascinating, someone charismatic. Maybe even someone you will grow to love?”

“Ew.”

Misty laughs as V makes a face at the word love and how Misty dragged the word out; the implication clear and gross. Why the fuck is fate concerned with V’s romantic life when she’s about to pull off a heist on Ara-fucking-Saka. 

“You can’t ‘ew’ fate, V!” Misty scolds her between giggles, smile now wide and bright. 

“I can when fate is being fucking gross.” 

“Love isn’t gross, V. It's beautiful.”  

“Ew.” 

“Get out of my shop,” Misty laughs and rolls her eyes, putting the cards back in her deck. 

“Talk to you, later.” 

Misty waves her off and V leaves out, content that she lightened Misty’s mood if only for a moment. She avoids eye contact with Gary as she makes a beeline back to her car, putting her new contacts back in the case and that in her bag. As useful as they are, she’ll use her mask for the Maelstrom job. For the usual reasons; enjoying her anonymity and well, people tend to take her a bit more seriously when they can’t see her baby face.  

V pulls up outside of All Foods, an abandoned food plant that Maelstrom has turned into their newest HQ.  Jackie is already parked sitting on his arch, poor guy has been waiting on her for entirely too long.  She puts her mask back on and hops out, walking up towards him, seeing his posture brighten up when he spots her walking down the street. 

“About time, V. Mi madre always said patience pays off, but christ.” 

“Sorry, a lot of shit to take care of. Most prepwork we’ve ever had to put in.” 

“Well, fill me in.” 

“Ran through the BD with the client and T-Bug, know where the chip is and where we’re trying to get too. But we need the bot from Maelstrom to nuke the hotel’s subnet and make sure we don’t catch lead from a turret. Dex paid them for it, but we got no idea if they’re going to honor that.” 

“He paid up front, hijole.” 

“Yep, I met up with the Militech rep too. Gave me the spiked chip, but I reworked it. Got a chip with clean eddies on it and a newly...adjusted… chip that will spike Maelstrom and Militech.” 

“So, what’s the play?” 

“Doubt they’re going to just honor the original buy, but if they play nice, figured we return the favor. Give them the clean eddies and call it done.” 

“But Maelstrom don’t play nice.  Gang world ain't too complicated, Might's right, the strong survive. Either you fuck others, or you get fucked.”

“Then we fuck them over right back, they want to play dirty, give them the spiked chip and take what we want. Spike chips in my left pocket, clean one in the right,” she pats her pockets, “so if you see me get the chip from the left, get ready.” 

“Understood and the new chrome?” 

“Mantis Blades, like I said, hotels got a no iron policy and if shit goes wrong, I want to be ready. And, hell, if Maelstrom plays dirty, I might get a little practice tonight.” 

“How the hell you swing those?” 

“Vik, gave me chrome on credit, again. Too nice for his own good, I swear.” 

“Pff,” Jackie laughs, “only when it comes to you, chica.” 

“Don’t know why.” 

“Told ya, he says you got a good heart. Probably give you a second one for free just for that.” 

“Enough, enough; lets get this taken care of.” 

“Into the borgbeasts den, then.” 

“Onward.”  With that Jackie climbs off his bike, leading the way and she follows behind. 

“I hate these 'borg fuckers. Just had to be them…” 

“Gang like any other,” V tells him. 

Night has fallen over the city, lit by streetlamps and fires in a trash can. Northside all but abandoned, one of the only places where the night isn’t colored by neon citylights. They walk past trash and shrapnel, towards the door. An intercom button on the wall. 

“Take the Valentinos. They follow God and the Santa Madre. Honor means something to 'em. You know what they want, how they get it, and what pisses 'em the fuck off. With Maelstrom, you just never know.”

“Think you might be a touch bias?” 

“Heh, maybe,  go on, let 'em know we're here.” 

With the V presses the intercom button waiting for it to ring, a few moment pass before a low growl of a voice finally responds. 

“Hm, don't know you.”

“Dex sent us.” V is increasingly thankful his name is easy enough to quickly finger spell. If they keep working with him, she may have to come up with a name sign though. 

“Main room. We been waiting,” the Malestom member tells her and the front doors slide open. 

The first room is dark with only a fluorescent light and the red glow of active turrets within it. There’s a distinct stink of mildew, rot, and mold. The stench of it choking V as she steps in after Jackie. 

“Cozy place. Could use a few plants, though,” Jackie makes a snide remark, as his heavy steps ring through the room, tech lines the walls and is stacked up on shelves, “Oh yeah. They look damn well prepared.”

“Food factory turned into a fucking armory, lovely.” 

“Gear from the Jacked convoy, gotta be… Must've been all over it like maggots on dead meat.”

“Everything’s marked Militech,” she confirms as they take a corner and walk down a short flight of stairs. 

“Psycho borgs chromed out with military-grade hardware worth millions... Should be fun.”

“Yeah, a real party.” 

They take a turn past a cluster of steel lockers, grime coated, with old abandoned anti-contamination suits still inside. Another turn past a neon red lit elevator shaft, the old factory is a mechanical maze. No doubt a reason why the chrome gang picked it; walls covered in their graffiti. They walk up another staircase; mines on every step, deactivating before them. 

“Anti-personnel mine,” V comments, “directional shrapnel spitter.” 

“Subtle…” 

Around a corner, through another passageway, and up another flight of stairs. Each step echoes, the entire place dark except for blips colored by red and the odd white fluorescents. Jackie stops when the steps lead to a door. Nodding his head at it, giving V the go ahead to open it. She rolls up the shutter door and is suddenly blinded with bright stark white light, chill curling around her and creeping through her thin cropped top. It makes sense, the former meat packaging plant needing a room to stay cold. 

“Stay cool… They’re just tryin’ to spook us,” Jackie tells her as she steps forward. 

Bright yellow forms patterns across the metal floor, spot lights, and stacks of crates marked Militech. Security cameras and she sees the first glimpse of Maelstrom members since they’ve stepped into the plant. One sitting on a crate, armed and watching with their signature red glowing optics. Another on a platform over seeing them. 

“Get in the elevator, fuckin’ sheep,” the Maelstrommer barks at them. 

“Thought those cabrones only swiped a couple crates, not a whole fuckin’ semi,” Jackie comments under his breath as they walk past the crates and to the end of the room. Double doors open up to a freight elevator. 

“This is going to be a hoot, ain’t it?” The doors to the elevator close and it starts it’s journey upwards. 

“It’s all right, keep chilled, V. Remember, we're on their turf.” 

“Yeah, because I’m the one who loses their chill.” 

“I’m always chill-” 

The elevator comes to a stop before Jackie can finish his though, the door on the other end opening and a Maelstrom member staring at them. He has the red glowing spider like optics and little mechanical dreads on the back of his head. What’s visible of his arms and chest is a mishmash of scar tissue and metal.  Over his shoulders, she can see two other gang members. One holding a shotgun and the other plugged into a netrunner chair, glowing under the light of red screens. 

“What do you want?” He’s the guy who spoke to them over the intercom. 

“Got a bot we need, model MT0D12, Flat Head. Our fixer already paid for it, we’re just here to pick it up.” 

“Hmm, names Dum-Dum,” he points to the side with his gun and starts to move back into the room, “Now, couch. Plant it.”

She walks into the room, and it seems like this could go well. They’ve been mostly chill, gruff sure, but nothing bad. In the center of the room just before a large roll up garage door is a table and two torn up red leather couches. Another Maelstrom member sits on the table. She doesn’t hesitate, sitting down on the couch closest to her, looking at the bright vending machine the gangers have graffitied over. Dum-Dum puts one foot up on the other couch and follows his line of sight to Jackie, who moves a little slower, his arms crossed as he moves next to the other couch and only stands. 

“Ahh, well, shit. Goes for you too,” Dum-Dum tells him and she expects Jackie to listen, he said himself this is their turf and they should keep try to stay chill. 

“I'll stand.”

Or… he’ll let his pride get the better of him and refuse.  Its hard to read the emotions on a Maelstrom member's face, so chromed you can tell what the hell is going on. But the shift in volume is telling enough. 

“This so fuckin' hard? Fuckin' ass on the fuckin' couch!”

“Make me,” Jackie says, voice low as he gets into Dum-Dum’s face. As much as he can while being nearly a head taller than the Maelstrom member. 

“Thought you'd never ask. Sit your ass down 'fore I plant a bullet in your skull.’

“Jackie,” she signs with one hand and pats his shoulder,  catching his attention, “think it’d be best to just sit down, keep everything chill, remember?” 

“This ain't gonna end well but… shit…” And with that Jackie finally sits down, sinking into graffiti covered red leather. 

“Well, all right,” Dum-Dum gets a drug inhalant from his pocket, sitting down on the table in front of V and offering it to her,  “Come on, gotta lighten up. Take a hit.”

The inhalant is red and purple; if she had to guess, Black Lace. An upper that’s high is said to feel reminiscent of manic Cyberpsychosis. Corps used to feed it to their troops by the gallon, cuts off pain receptors and made everyday men into unstoppable killing machines. 

“Appreciate the offer, but weed’s the hardest shit I touch,” V dismisses the offer as politely as she can. She knows it’d endear her to them, maybe, but… drugs aren’t really her thing. And when it is, she prefers mellow to mania. 

Dum-Dum huffs the inhalant, dipping his head back and smoke billowing from his nose. Then exhaling a steady stream of it. She can see Jackie cringing and trying not to breath in the aftermath of Dum-Dum’s high. 

“Whatever you say, straight edged princess.” 

The member sitting next to Dum-Dum moves as nother brings out a large Militech case, black with a yellow lock. It’s put down on the table with a heavy thud. 

“Here we go. The Flathead, model MT0D12.”

“Need to see it.” She’s not going go off of good faith, assuming it’s all there and works. 

“Suit yourself.”

He opens the case and she sees the spider like bot inside, it's almost cute, Dum-Dum shakes the control shard at them as he talks. 

“Fuckin' tricked out this thing. Dynamic, thermo-optic camo armor.”

He puts the control shard into a slot at the base of his skull, all but the middle of his optic eyes going dim as the bot comes to life within the crate. It stands at attention, moves it’s head and shimmies it’s legs. Just a cute mechanical spider; why did they make military combat tech cute? 

“Full cognitive immersion with a Raven controller.”

The bot goes invisible which is impressive, but V’s eye is drawn elsewhere. A steady creak and she sees the garage door behind Dum-Dum is starting to roll up. Screens and the back of a leather chair, a man sitting down visible. She can’t truly tell, but if she had to wager a guess, Royce. 

“Pimped out, prototype actuators made of titanium-vanadium-Kevlar composite.” 

Dum-Dum continues to sell them on the bot as the door fully opens behind him, the chair turning and her seeing that she was right. Royce, the newest Maelstrom leader looking into the deal with the same glowing red optics, though his set so far back in his skull he’s missing gray matter. 

“'N' watch this,” Dum-Dum says he sends the bot to move around the base,  “Fully integrated link, too, so when the spider starts crawlin' up walls, danglin' from ceilings…” He starts to sound sick, his stomach churning as he sees the view of the bot. 

“Could lose your lunch?”  V can’t help but tease, Royce is up now, one hand on the garage door. Like he’s waiting,  ready to pounce the second he hears something he don’t like. Those red optic staring V down. 

“So, what you think?” Dum-Dum asks as he returns the bot to its case.

“Exactly what we’re after, we’ll take it.” 

“Preem, sure, yeah,” Dum-Dum puts the control shard back in the case, “let’s see your cred.” 

“Brick already got paid for it.” 

A metal boom rings out, those words snapping Royce into action as he punches his fist against the door. Stomping forward and Dum-Dum jumps, rushing off the table as Royce marches towards V. 

“Brick got it…heh,” the red shine of metal, a gun pressed to her head, “I don't see any fuckin' Brick around here, do you?!”

“Fuck Brick then, lets cut a new deal,” she doesn’t hesitate, refuses to flinch or show fear. 

He presses the gun in tighter, leaning down into her face, the red optic nearly blinding. So close she can see the scars around the tech and just deeply imbedded they truly are, He lets out a low hum as he leans in, testing her and she doesn’t pull away, doesn’t break eye contact. Then he pulls back. 

“Hah! Now that's good business sense! All right, you want the Flathead? I better see some eddies.” 

She reaches into her left pocket. She would have done this clean, would have paid and been on her way. But Royce wanted a fight, wanted to put iron to her head and try to shake her down. So, she’ll burn his whole goddamn operation to the ground. 

“Got them right here,” she hands him the credchip. 

“Just like that? Without battin' a fuckin' eye?! Hahah!”

“Need the bot, just take the cash and hand it over, no trouble needed.” 

“Look at this fuckin' girl scout! You know all your knots, got all your badges?! Hahaha!”

“Hilarious, you want the money or not?” 

“Y'know, ya never did say who sent you, never did say who you're workin' for?” 

“Yes, yes I fucking did, Dex.” 

“Dexter DeShawn… The lard ass who punching-animal-fucked half of Pacifica? Mean he ain't dead?”

“Swear to god, I’m going to blow my own brains out before you can! You want my fucking money or you want to bore me to death?” 

“Fine,” he starts to grab the chip when there’s a shake in metal, a rumble and an alarm starts to blare. Walls of the factory shake, the faint sound of gunfire. 

“What the…? Shit Militech!” Dum-Dum yells out, they must have known the corp was on their tail. 

“Rusty fucking cunt,” Royce curses and the Maelstrom members start to rush out and V moves; grabbing the Flathead case and stuffing it into her backpack as soon as eyes aren’t on them.

“Shit, Militech got antsy” Jackie tells her over the alarm. 

“Who gives a shit, we got-” 

“Hey!” Dum-Dum yells back at them, from a higher platform, and for a moment she thinks he’s going to fight them for the bot, “lets get the fuck out of here, follow me.” 

Her and Jackie exchange a look, V just shrugging, if he wants to help out why not. V quickly climbs up the yellow ladder up to the platform, following behind Dum-Dum, Jackie not far behind her. Dum-Dum opens a door and it opens into what a room with consoles and the stench of meat hanging in the air. 

“Ay, huele feo, this meat! Ack.. I can taste it,” Jackie sounds like he’s on the verge of puking his guts up. 

“Production line, besides, thought you liked meat?” 

“We'll ride the line. Flip it on.” 

V follows behind Dum-Dum, climbing up a set of crates and onto a scaffolding. The production line is blocked, unmoving in years she’d assume. But on a console is a large red button lined with yellow, she punches it and metal sheets moves from the way, production line whirring to life as red lights color the metal passageways.  Dum-Dum jumps across the small gap and climbs down the ladder. 

“Hey, Doo Dum or whatever your name is, why you even helpin' us??” Jackie asks as V jumps the little gap and platforms but skips the ladder, jumping down the short distance. 

“I'm not. Helpin' myself. Soon as the shootin' starts, I got two walkin' bullet sponges with me. Sponges who'll shoot back.” 

The three walk through the narrow corridor, production line billow steam at them as the pathway opens up to another raised section of scaffolding, a section of it missing and allowing them to drop through and down onto another that surrounds a large hangar, gunfire rings out. Malestrom and Militech soldiers screaming at one another. 

“C’mon let’s go!” 

“You say come on one more time!” 

Dum-Dum rushes down the platform and into the thick of it, quick to fight alongside his fellow Maelstrommers. And god, she’s not a fan of the gang, but watching soldiers with military grade armor and equipment trying to shoot down the group of mini-borgs… Maybe she just hates corps that fucking much.  They could sneak out, let Maelstrom and Militech tear each other part, run with the bot and the eddies. 

“That whackjobs got no chance,” Jackie says, “maybe we give ‘em a hand.” 

“Lets.” 

And she jumps the banister of the platform, landing clean onto a Militech soldier’s back and extends her Mantis Blades. They slice cleanthrough his neck and he goes limp underneath her, bleeding onto the production floor.  V is up the next instant, running full charge into another man’s chest, knocking him off his center of gravity, landing on his chest and stabbing her blade through his heart before he can throw her off.  Back on her feet and fighting in the next moment. 

There is no stealth here, no technique or strategy, just kill or be killed. She moves quick, swinging a blade up to slice a soldier navel to throat. Bringing a blade clean down into another’s shoulder. Takes another’s legs out and they slice clean off, the tactical armored clothes like butter to the Mantis Blades. 

A Militech boot lands square on her chest before she can slice through them, the kick knocks the air from her lungs, staggering her backwards Her head collides with a metal door, Mantis Blades retracting as she hits the ground. The Miltech worker points his gun at her. But before his finger can pull that trigger, a machete is brought down into the junction between his shoulder and neck, ripped back out in a spurt of blood. The man goes down, Jackie behind him. 

“Got you, chica.” He says, pulling her up, a layer of blood has started to stick to both of them. And as she gets to her feet, she catches a glimpse through the window in the door. Bright red lights of servers, a large computer. 

She looks past Jackie into the room, a large swath of Militech agents taken down. Maelstrom still battling the few left in the area. She doesn’t know what will be waiting for her when she breaks through, Meredith’s promise of seeing her soon if V pulled anything like this. 

“C’mon,” V opens the door and quickly yanks Jackie into the server room. 

“The hell are you doing?” 

“Want to check something, bargaining chip, just in case,” 

Blood coated fingers swipe open the computer screen, pulling up the messages and files Maelstrom has saved. A message named Transports- LOA catches her eye, any Nomad worth their salt knows LOA is used by corps who intentionally “lose” their cargo.  She opens it, the message from Anthony Gilchrist telling one of the gang members how to get their hands on the convoy. Meredith has her mole.  V jacks into the console and downloads the fill to her neural implants. 

“What’s up?” 

“Militech rep wanted to find her mole. She tries to get payback, I got intel,” V jacks out of the terminal, “lets go.” 

They rush out of the server room and throw themselves back into the fray, slicing through Militech soldiers, as if they were never gone. V goring a soldier with both blades as Jackie blows the brains out of the last one. 

Dum-Dum leads them through the rest of the plant, turns and curves and stairways, a maze of metal. The three cutting their way through Militech soldiers one body after the other, clearing the room after room. Until they open a door at the top of a stair case, showing what may have once been a massive garage portion of the plant. 

“I’ll melt your fuckin’ skin off!”  Royce screams and laughs from inside a Militech armored exoskeleton, using it to fire off a massive gun that bursts flames around the feet of the soldiers. They shoot and fire at Royce along with a large automated robot

“We gotta help him!” Dum-Dum yells out, rushing into the fray to help his boss, Royce cackling as the soldier try to shoot him. 

“He's fuckin' happy! That's almost contagious!” Jackie laughs, him and V jumping in to help. 

Dum-Dum, Jackie, and V focus on the soldiers; trying to get their fire off of Royce, so he can focus on the heavy duty robot blasting back at him. Pure reflex as bullets fly, blades slash, and body after body falls down at their feet. Chaos, adrenaline; Royce’s manic cackling making them want to laugh too. Last bit if human soldiers down,  Its all on taking down the hulking robot that, it’s armored outside burned and damaged, but not destroyed by the heavy fire Royce blasts it with. V sheaths her blades within her arms, getting her gun from it’s holster and firing round after round into the tech. Jackie and Dum-Dum do the same; five guns, it sputters and sparks, one finally piercing the core of its circuits. The heap of metal collapsing. 

“Khe. The hell're you still doin' here...?” Royce scoffs when he sees Jackie and V are still there. 

“Helping, apparently,” V signs in response, she doesn’t expect much in the way of gratitude. But a little acknowledgement that her and Jackie did a lot of heavy lifting here would be nice. 

“Take your fuckin’ bot and go.” 

She was going to anyway, not caring about nor needing his permission to steal what they need, but the fact that he’s giving it to them is not lost on V. Maybe it’s his own odd way of showing gratitude for helping tear through Militech soldiers. Or maybe he’s just too tired to give a fuck. 

“I'll walk 'em out,” Dum-Dum offers.

“You here to kick our asses out” 

“Huh? No. Wanted to let you know I like your style,” he points them down a hallway, a door marked exit, “here you go.” 

“Can’t fucking believe that guy,” Jackie grumbles as him and V start out the towards the exit. 

“What is your problem with him? First the couch and now this?” 

“Don’t like the fucker’s tone,” Jackie says opening the exit door, “guy rubbed my dick the wrong way.” 

“Well, maybe you should stop letting random dudes rub your dick,” V teases him for his choice of words as they finally get a breath of fresh air, well, as fresh as Night City air gets. 

“Fuck- oh shit.” 

“Oh fuck.” 

Outside the All Foods gateway is Meredith Stout, surrounded by Militech marked vans and a handful of guards. They block the only exit, standing between the mercs and their vehicles. Meredith’s eyes land squarely on V; lips pulling back in a sneer, eyes brimming with contempt. 

“That the Militech bitch?” 

“Un-fucking-fortunately.” 

“You.” Meredith all but snarls, glaring V down as the mercs walk closer, standing before the corpo. 

“Me.” 

“Hmm, bet you didn’t expect to see me here, did you? Thought you could fuck me over, kill your tail and you could just do whatever you wanted?” 

“You gave me a spiked chip, were going to leave me cleaning up Militech’s mess. You tried to fuck me over first.” 

“And somewhere at the start someone fucked the corp, but in the end the corp always wins. Try as hard as you want, all you’ve done is proven I got nothing to lose by getting rid of you.” 

“Oh but you do,” V’s word make Meredith’s eyebrow raise, “I mean, if you want to know who your mole is.” 

“You know?” 

“Yeah, Maelstrom was so busy trying to fight off your men, didn’t even notice me looking through their computer. Got the file on me, could send it to you, but if you’re just going to kill me, not much point.” 

“Send the file and I’ll let you go.” 

“And how do I know you won’t blow my brains out the second it goes through?” 

“You don’t, but you do know I’ll kill you if you don’t send it.” 

V rolls her eyes and her mask interface lights up as she sends the data to Meredith; the corpo woman’s eyes glowing a bright blue light as it transfers. 

“I fucking knew it,” Meredith blurts out, “Gilchrist you sack of shit.” 

“We good?”

“I got what I needed… you know, this was pretty clever of you.” 

“Was it?” 

“Throw me off, get me to attack the plant, get Maelstrom on your side, but get the info to keep Militech happy too. Bet you’re ten thousand eddies richer and got your bot, didn’t you?” 

“Maybe.” 

“Mind like that, maybe a couple years down the line, you could be standing where I am.” 

And V’s stomach churns, her actions being compared to corporate skullduggery and backstabbing. V did what she had to and in the end she didn’t side with the corp. She bites the inside of her lip and she glares through her mask at the corporate cunt. 

“Think I’d rather ride a sandpaper dildo, actually.” 

Meredith scoffs, “let them through.” 

The sea of Militech soldier parts; the two mercs allowed to walk through. Jackie all but collapses, leaning against his motorcycle, there’s still blood sticking to his hands. She’s still coated in a heavy layer herself. 

“Not going to lie, wasn’t sure we’d make it out of that one. But, hey; no begging, no debt, eddies in a pocket and we got the bot. That’s the way to do biz, V.”

“We make a good team, plus I’m starting to think we’re just really lucky.” 

“Ain't you a ray of sunshine. But, V, it ain't a matter of luck. You decide, chica. Remember that, part of why I love this town. The city of endless opportunity. And brotherly hate. But if you got the cojones and know how to use ‘em, you can do damn near anything.”

“Or die trying.” 

“Even then you go out with a bang! And the street'll talk, the street'll remember. Win-win.”

“Rather the street talk about me while I’m alive to hear it, but maybe that’s just me; so what next?” 

“Call up Dex, let him know we got his bot for him.” 

V does just that, pulling up Dex’s contact and calling him, patching the call into Jackie’s too. Her friend’s optics glowing as the holophone rings. Dex answering after just a moment, puffing away on a cigar in the video panel. 

“How're things lookin’, Miss V?”

“Managed to grab the bot.” 

“And how’d it go? Run into any trouble? And what about the Militech angle, Bug told me you hacked some sort of cred chip?” 

“Course there was trouble, but ended up not even needing the chip. Was ready to spike Maelstrom, when Militech got antsy. While they were ripping each other’s throats out, we got the bot and an extra ten thousand eddies for our trouble.” 

“You got some balls, Miss V.”

“So, what now?” 

“Now, we get to work on doing the job I hired you for- grabbing that biochip. Get some sleep, you and Jackster. Because tomorrow, we start prepping for the real heist. Have a car picking you up in the morning.” 

With that, the fixer hangs up, Jackie and V exchanging looks. 

“What you think he’s got in store for us?” 

“I don’t know, we’re gonna have to play corpo to get into that hotel, should be interesting.” 

“Either way, I’m off for the night,” Jackie says, climbing onto his arch, “hasta luego, V.” 

She waves him off, watching him drive off down the streets of Night City. Her body and mind feel tired, limbs heavy and still caked with blood. But, she’s not sure how well she’ll sleep tonight. Nerves and excitement, there’s no telling what tomorrow will hold. 

#cyberpunk 2077 #cp2077 #silverv #johnny silverhand #female v #jackie welles #misty olszewski #viktor vector #meredith stout #aidan becker #aidan v becker

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Entrapment

Character: Bucky Barnes

Summary: One day, Bucky finds an injured wolf on his morning run. He can’t help but feel like his only choice is to rescue it. 

Word Count: 5,050 - One Shot

Bucky had to stick to a routine. His anxiety, his depression…it would flare when he didn’t go through it. His psychiatrist told him to be weary. That soon the very thing that made him feel in control could one day be the thing that controlled him.

So, Bucky tried to keep it simple. Wake up at 5AM. Go for a run. Eat breakfast. Catch up on the world of today. 

But his morning run wasn’t really running. It was a damn marathon. Sam tried to join him once and deeply regretted it. Steve didn’t bother joining, despite his physical capability to do so. He recognized it as a form of therapy for Bucky and didn’t want to interfere.

Bucky loved his morning runs. Sometimes he listened to music; other days he just wanted to listen to the world waking up. It made him feel more human. It also made him realize he was such a small part in the giant world around him.

He enjoyed running through the woods and around the lakes. His Brooklyn upbringing never let him experience nature like his life did now.

Today was a no-music day. Which meant that Bucky heard every noise. 

But it wasn’t a sound that had made him slow down to a walk. There was a chill that went up his spine – a sixth sense that he had built through his training. 

He had to take a moment to regain his breathing so the sounds of his panting didn’t overwhelm his hearing.

He looked around him wildly.

There was a crack of a branch.

Had someone followed him? Was someone watching him?

He was just about to unstrap the knife he always kept at his side.

But then there was moment in front of him.

It was a wolf crossing his path. But it wasn’t walking. It was limping.

That’s when Bucky saw that one of its front paws, pastern, and hock was completely torn up. Blood was apparent against its light fur.

 It had mostly likely stepped into a claw trap. But wolves were very rare in this area. Even more rare were bears. It’s strange that anyone in the region would even put out such traps.

The wolf was eyeing Bucky. It showed no sign of attacking him. But its eyes were so wild with fear that Bucky knew it would fight him if it felt threatened enough.

That’s when Bucky realized it was actually staring darkly at the knife that was now in his hand, like it knew that was the real threat.

“Not gonna hurt you, bud.” Bucky spoke gently and slowly sheathed the knife back in its casing at his waist.

The wolf’s ears perked forward as it listened to his words.

“That looks pretty bad,” he pointed to the wolf’s injuries. Then a thought suddenly occurred to him and he looked around. “Where’s the rest of your pack, huh?”

The wolf continued staring him down.

Bucky knew a few of his teammates would say it was best to shoot the animal down, that it would be the humane thing to do. The wolf would be an easy prey for other animals in the woods. It wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight.

But there was something about the wolf that made Bucky pity it. But more importantly, he felt like he related to the animal.

“Maybe I can help you,” Bucky muttered. He felt a little ridiculous talking to the wolf. But he swore his words seemed to calm it a bit.

Bucky took a step forward. The wolf immediately snarled and let out a growl.

Bucky held up his hands and stepped back. “You’re right. You’re right. That was stupid.”

He sighed. “But I can’t help you if you don’t let me near you. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

It was honestly surprising the wolf had humored him this long and stayed. It should’ve run off the moment it spotted him.

Bucky tried to think of a plan. He needed a tranquilizer. This animal was too wild and scared to accept help. But Bucky knew if he returned to the compound, there was a chance he would never find the beast again.

Bucky had to keep eyes on it.

He decided to kneel, staring deep into the wolves eyes that so clearly held a soul.

“Listen, I can help. But you gotta trust me. I won’t get near you. But you have to follow me. I know people that can help you. I promise nothing’s gonna hurt you.”

To his shock, it looked like the wolf was seriously considering his offer, listening to him as if it spoke his language.

“So, I’m going to start walking back home…and I hope you come with, OK?”

Bucky slowly turned and made his way back the direction he came. He walked slowly. Then he paused, turning his head a little, and listened very closely.

There was a shuffling behind him.

He turned to see the wolf had walked closer to him. But as soon as Bucky’s eyes were on it, the wolf stopped.

Bucky smirked and continued walking. He kept his pace slow, knowing that every step for the wolf must be excruciating.

Then he realized he had to give the compound a heads up. He couldn’t just show up with a wolf without warning. 

He grabbed his cellphone that Steve made him promise he’d always keep on his body.

“Hello?” Steve answered.

“I’m about to ask you for a weird favor…”

Eventually there was a break in the woods and Bucky could spot the compound in the near distance. He turned and recognized that the wolf appeared panicked. It could sense it was getting too close to civilization and a population of people. Its instincts were telling it that it was no longer safe, that it should run back into the woods where it belonged.

Bucky knelt down and look into the wolf’s eyes again.

“Hey, I made you a promise didn’t I? I ain’t gonna hurt ya.”

Suddenly, it’s hackles raised and it bared it’s fangs. The growl sounded even deadlier than the one it gave Bucky earlier. But its gaze was on not him.

Bucky turned around to see that Steve was standing back a few yards behind him.

“You gotta back up, Steve. You’re scaring it.” Bucky warned.

Steve did as he was told, eyeing the wolf wearily. Of all the ways he could go, Steve was sure a wolf attack wouldn’t be it. But he’d rather not get into a brawl with the beast, nonetheless.

“Got what I asked for?”

Steve nodded and subtly handed a gun to Bucky. “Banner said the dosage should be heavy enough. Said to aim for the neck.”

Bucky took it and pointed it at the wolf.

To his shock, the growling stopped and it no longer bared his teeth. Instead, it started whimpering and whining at the sight of a gun being pointed at it. Like Bucky aiming it toward it was the greatest betrayal.

Bucky’s heart broke at the sound. But he pulled the trigger and the tranquilizer dart landed right in the wolf’s jugular.

It let out a yelp and leaned on its hind legs at the impact, before falling to the ground.

Bucky winced at the sight.

“Buck, why are you doing this?” Steve asked curiously, yet held no judgement.

Bucky walked toward the animal and easily picked up its limp body in his arms. “It was all alone and it needed help.” That was the only explanation he really had.

——————

Bucky ran a hand through the wolf’s white fur as one of the doctor’s stitched up the wolf’s injuries. He thought it was a light brown from a distance. Now he realized it was pure white, just dirtied with blood and mud.

“Well, she should make a full recovery,” the doctor said as it wrapped the last of the wolves injuries.

“She?” Bucky questioned.

The doctor smiled. “Yes, and she’s a tough one too. That trap broke a bone. The fact that she was able to walk all the way here is miraculous.”

Bucky rubbed the wolf’s fur gently and smiled shyly. “She’s a fighter.”

“We should keep her in an enclosure.”

Bucky’s face darkened. He was all too familiar with what it felt like to be locked in a cage.

The doctor seemed to read his mind. “I promise it’s for her own good. We can’t monitor her recovery if we release her and she’ll push herself too far. The smaller the space, the more she can rest her leg.”

Bucky’s jaw flexed. He didn’t like it. But he knew it was for the best.

———————

They had locked her into an empty room on the lab floors. There was nothing for her to break and the glass was bullet proof. She was perfectly safe inside.

But that didn’t stop Bucky from watching over her.

When she woke up from the sedative, the wolf seem to panic at its unknown and new surroundings. She started pacing and whimpering. With her fear, she started running in circles frantically. Her eyes whipped around the room, trying to find an escape of some sort.

She wasn’t supposed to be running or jumping as she healed.

But Bucky knew she wouldn’t calm.

He thought for a moment. Was he really about to do this? “Fuck it,” he muttered before unlocking the door and slowly stepping in.

She immediately paused to watch the intrusion.

The wolf started whining at the sight of Bucky, like she recognized him and mistook his entrance as perhaps a rescue.

“You gotta calm down, girl. Or you’re going to hurt yourself further. You gotta rest.” Bucky whispered as he kept his distance.

The wolf seemed to consider his warning and advice. Then she stopped her pacing and decided to lay down. Her face was balanced on her front paws as she looked up at Bucky.

He smiled at how the wolf turned adorable so quickly.

Then he went to the door, to leave her alone again. But she started whining the moment his hand neared the handle.

“Alright. Alright. Alright,” he sighed with a smile. “I won’t leave.”

He pressed his back to the wall and slide down so he was sitting.

It seemed he couldn’t escape the gaze of the wolf. She watched him closely.

Bucky leaned his head back and crossed his arms. It wasn’t until then that he realized he hadn’t slept in quite some time. Now that he knew his new little friend was safe and sound, he finally allowed himself to notice how heavy his eyelids were.

He didn’t know how long he had been asleep when he felt something wet wiping across his face. Was that someone’s tongue?

Bucky’s eyes flickered open to find that the wolf was licking his face.

He chuckled and tried to escape it. “Come on. Stop it,” he managed to beg through the laughter.

He was brave enough to try and push her head away, but she fought against it. Her mission was to give him endless kisses.

That was when Bucky heard the door start to open.

It must’ve been why she was trying to wake Bucky up. She heard the warning sounds of an intruder.

When the door opened, she jumped between Bucky and the door with a protective stance. Her hackles raised once again and her growling was terrifying.

Steve’s eyes widened at the sight before him.

“Hey, hey, hey. Easy, girl. He’s a friend,” Bucky tried to coo.

“I-I was just bringing her some food and water.” Steve tried to tell him as he backed up slightly, taking the wolf’s warning very seriously. “Are you crazy sitting in here like this?”

“Are you crazy for walking in here then?” Bucky countered. Then he sighed. “Just put it down slowly and get out of here, punk.”

Steve nodded and did what he was told.

As soon as the door closed, the wolf relaxed. Then she turned around and started kissing Bucky’s face again.

“You’re a protective little thing, huh?” Bucky laughed in between licks. “Why don’t you go eat that food and water?” He suggested pointing to them.

She followed his gaze and considered it for a moment before making her way over. It was a bowl of raw meet that she devoured in seconds. Bucky wondered when the last time she ate was.

When she finished the water too, she came walking back to Bucky. She walked in a little circle, not caring that she was brushing against him as she did so. Then she finally settled and laid down.

But what shocked Bucky most of all was when she rested her head on his thigh.

“Doesn’t take much to gain your trust, does it, doll?” Bucky chuckled.

Then, taking the risk, he brushed a hand down her fur. She closed her eyes in content, not seeming to mind him petting her like a well-trained pet.

Soon, they were both fast asleep.

Hours later, Bucky felt like the weight against him was different. It was heavier. But what really caught him off guard was the absence of fur. His hand was no longer tangled in it. Instead, it was resting against smooth and warm skin.

Bucky’s eyes shot open. There was no longer a wolf sleeping against him, but a naked woman. Not just a naked woman, a beautiful one. Her y/h/c flowed behind her back as her cheek still rest against his thigh.

Bucky would’ve convinced himself he was having a dream until he saw that her forearm and hand were will wrapped with the gauze he’d seen the doctor put on the wolf earlier.

Was she a werewolf? Was she shape shifter? Or had she been put under a witch’s curse?

Bucky tried to be a gentleman and ignore her nudity. But he couldn’t stop his gaze from running down her body. 

Christ, she was beautiful.

Then he snapped out of his daze. Without waking her, he tried to subtly shift his body so he could take off his jacket. He managed to do so and then draped it over her body, giving her a bit of modesty.

Bucky had to wake her. She couldn’t sleep on this hard and cold tile floor. She needed a bed and to get properly cared for.

He brushed some hair away from her face.

“Doll, you gotta wake up,” he whispered. She hummed and winced. But then she seemed to sense that something had changed. Her eyes snapped open.

She shot up and gasped.

Her eyes were wide with fear and panic.

“Hey, hey, hey. You’re OK. You’re safe,” Bucky urged.

She looked down at her naked body, surprisingly not panicked by being so exposed. “I shifted,” she muttered. Then she blinked and a smile broke. “I shifted!”

Then she realized she wasn’t alone.

She quickly stumbled to her feet and put a great distance between her and Bucky.

He held up his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m a friend.”

She gripped his coat tighter around her body and eyed him wearily.

Her face started to change, like she was suddenly remembering something.

“You…You helped me,” she whispered.

Bucky, ever so slowly, got to his feet, but still held his hands up.

“I found you in the woods. I had… no idea you were human. Are you…Are you a shapeshifter?”

She nodded. “Someone was hunting me. I got caught in their trap. When I get hurt…I can’t-I can’t shift back to my human form. It’s too painful and my body resists.”

Bucky frowned. “How long were you like that?”

Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know. Days? Maybe weeks?” She swallowed. “I can…lose myself to the animal the longer I’m in that form.”

Bucky nodded. “Maybe we should get you checked out. Make sure nothing else is wrong.”

She ignored his comment and looked around the room. Then she seemed to be studying him. Her eyes paused on his metal arm. “Am I at the Avengers’ headquarters?”

He shifted his weight, but nodded.

An unsettling silence filled the room.

“Thank you…for helping me,” Y/N finally muttered. “If it weren’t for you, I might’ve stayed that way forever or,” she shook her head, “…died.”

“I understand if you don’t want some doctor touching and examining you,” Bucky stated. “But at least let me get you some clothes.”

She nodded after thinking about it. “OK.”

Bucky nodded too and started toward the door. Then he realized something. “What’s your name?”

She seemed to become shy from the question. “It’s Y/N.”

Bucky smirked at the name. He stepped forward and offered his hand. “I’m Bucky.”

She shook timidly and tried to give him a small smile.

“Come on. Let’s get you those clothes.”

She nodded.

Luckily, Bucky’s jacket was big enough to cover her, just exposing her legs and bare feet. But that didn’t stop people from gawking at her as they passed them in the hall. It was mostly agents and scientists. The Avengers were probably hanging out in the residential quarters.

Bucky glared at anyone that gave Y/N a funny look, who already seemed uncomfortable with their scrutiny.

“Don’t mind them,” he tried to tell her. “They’re just not used to seeing a pretty woman with me.”

She smiled a little at his joke.

When they got into his bedroom, Bucky scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. He’d never brought a girl to his room before – let alone to the compound even. There wasn’t much to see. There were weapons scattered across the dining room table that he had been cleaning. There were a few pictures hung, mostly from back in the day. There was a book shelf with every inch taken up. A record player sat in the corner.

He cleared his throat. “Let me find something for you to wear.”

A few minutes later, he came back with one of his hoodies and a pair of sweatpants.

“Thank you,” she carefully took them from his grasp. “I’ll wash them and make sure you get ‘em back.”

But Bucky was already shaking his head. “Don’t worry about it.”

Then she looked around awkwardly.

“Oh! The bathroom is right over there,” Bucky pointed to a door on the other side of the room.

When she came back out, his heart rate sped up a bit. His clothes were so baggy on her. She looked adorable and kept pushing the sleeves of the hoodie up so her hands weren’t engulfed by the fabric. “Umm…do you live around here?” He asked.

“Excuse me?” She fiddled with her hands.

“Sorry,” Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose.

Apparently it was easier for him to talk to a wolf than a god damn woman.

“I was just asking so I could take you home,” he clarified.

“I live in the woods. Not far from here. It’s a little cottage, kind of hidden away. You guys are probably my closest neighbors.”

“Do you want me to take you home?” He asked carefully.

She looked at him for a moment. This was such a strange circumstance. She was embarrassed and felt out of place. But there was something so calming and lovely about this man’s blue eyes. They were soft and gentle, just like him. Y/N was suddenly angry with the way the media had portrayed this poor man.

Y/N finally nodded at his question.

“OK. You’ll just have to show me the way,” he explained.

The car ride was peacefully quiet.

“Is it just a wolf?” Bucky finally couldn’t hold in his question any longer.

“Hmm?”

He took his eyes away from the road to look at her. “Can you only change into a wolf?” Then he panicked. “I’m sorry! That’s probably a rude question.”

But she was laughing at him.

“It’s fine. It’s not rude,” she assured him.

Bucky let out a breath.

“It’s not just a wolf. I can turn into anything I put my mind to. Mammals, fish, amphibians, insects. Some just take more effort than others.”

“That’s…” Bucky began.

“Freaky?” She offered.

He looked at her again. “I was gonna say magical.”

“Well,” Y/N sighed. “That’s a much nicer way of putting it than I’m used to.”

Bucky had a little flash of anger, thinking about people making Y/N feel like a freak.

“It’s this private drive up here on the left,” Y/N pointed out an unmarked road that he would’ve easily missed.

The road went on for almost half a mile before Bucky saw a little cottage at the end.

Y/N had been right about the Avengers being her closest neighbors. There wasn’t a soul for miles. It was a quant and cozy home, isolated from the rest of the world.

Bucky stared at the cottage through the windshield. “You sure you’re going to be alright here by yourself?”

Y/N smiled at his concern. “I have been for years.” Then she saw how he seemed unconvinced about her safety. “Wanna come in?”

He watched her for a moment, probably trying to figure out if she was being sincere with her invitation or not. “Uh…sure.”

Y/N found the spare key hidden behind the outside light and unlocked the front door.

Bucky was right about the place looking cozy. He immediately spotted a fireplace that looked like it was used all day, every day. There wasn’t an inch of space on the walls that wasn’t covered. It wasn’t like she was an unhealthy hoarder, just that she collected things she found beautiful and fascinating.

“I know it’s really…busy,” Y/N commented quietly.

It was then that Bucky realized this place was her little oasis. It was secluded because it freed her of judgment from others. He couldn’t imagine a shapeshifter being their true selves in a concrete jungle of a city. She’d be on the front page of every newspaper if she shifted into any animal besides a rat or pigeon.

“It’s very homey,” Bucky replied sincerely.

But suddenly he felt like he was intruding on her safe haven, like his presence was sullying it somehow.

“Bucky?” Y/N interrupted his negative thoughts.

He looked up at her.

“Thank you – again – for everything. Really. You saved me.”

His face softened at the kindness within her words.

“It was the right thing to do,” he shrugged, trying not to show how affected he was by her words.

She scoffed at that. “I don’t think you realize how many people would’ve just tried to shoot down an injured animal, whether it was from mercy or the glory of a hunt. There’s not many people that would risk their life to try and help a dangerous wolf.”

Bucky didn’t know how to respond. She pointed out something about himself that he hadn’t even realized. It was true, most people wouldn’t have made the effort to look after a wild beast.

“I should,” he cleared his throat awkwardly, “get going.”

He couldn’t tell if she was disappointed or relieved by his sudden departure.

“Bye, Bucky.”

“Bye, doll.” His blood ran cold. He hadn’t meant to use that term of endearment.

When Bucky got into his car, he gripped the steering wheel tightly and stared at Y/N’s cottage.

Was he being absolutely ridiculous? 

There was no doubt he was drawn to her – a way he’d never been drawn to a woman before. Hell, he had felt some sort of pull toward her when she wasn’t even human.

Why didn’t he ask if he could see her again? Why hadn’t he asked for number?

Because he was a coward. That’s all he was these days: a coward.

————-

A couple weeks went by and Bucky’s life went back to normal. The only reason the team had found out the truth about the wolf was because Tony freaked out when he found the footage.

Sam, Nat, and Steve were the only ones that caught the difference in Bucky.

Bucky was always quiet. But now his quietness had turned into introspection and reflection. It was obvious he was lost in his head now, instead of just keeping out of everyone else’s conversations.

But Bucky kept to his usual routine still.

On this morning run, he decided to opt out of the sounds of the world and drown them out with music.

He had to run off more steam as usual. Was it sexual frustration? Romantic frustration? He couldn’t figure it out, but he absolutely knew who was responsible for it.

Bucky had already run 20 miles by the time he slowed to a stop. He was right at the edge of one of the surrounding lakes. The beach was filled with rocks and pebbles, not the sandy paradises one usually imagined.

There was a pause between songs, which allowed Bucky to hear a rustling behind him.

He whipped around in a defensive stance.

His eyes widened when he found a grizzly bear staring at him from no more than 10 feet away.

Bucky quickly recovered and realized there was no chance there was a population of grizzly bears in this area.

He smirked then.

“Y/N?” He asked gently as he took slow and cautious steps toward the ginormous animal.

The bear started walking heavily toward him.

Even if Bucky was convinced the bear was Y/N, his anxiety was still skyrocketing from such a large and deadly animal invading his space.

But the bear didn’t stop coming closer.

Instead, it rubbed his head against Bucky’s chest, startling the poor man. It continued brushing against him, making it clear it wanted to be pet.

“Alright, alright,” Bucky laughed as he rubbed the fur around its thick neck.

This went on for a few minutes when the bear finally pulled away, but kept its face just mere inches from Bucky, who kept a grip on its neck.

“Can’t tell if it’s really you in there or if you lose a bit of yourself, doll.” Bucky commented.

The bear tilted its head slightly at his words. Then it leaned forward and licked his face.

Bucky’s face scrunched and he let out a laugh. “Well, thanks for that.” 

He wiped the slobber off his face.

But when he opened his eyes again, there was no longer a bear standing in front of him. His amusement dropped.

Y/N stood before him, with a mischievous expression and a naked body.

Their was no shame or self-consciousness in her nudity. Her shoulders were pulled back proudly and her head was held high with confidence. 

It didn’t matter since Bucky could only stare into her y/e/c eyes.

“You were so curious about my abilities, figured I’d go ahead and show you,” she smiled charmingly.

“And you couldn’t change into – I don’t know – a bunny or maybe a deer?”

She laughed. “And miss an opportunity to scare the crap out of you? Not a chance.”

Bucky shook his head at her antics and put his hands on his hips. “What’re you doing here?”

Her playfulness was gone now. In its place was a somber expression. “I can’t seem to get you out of my head Bucky Barnes.”

“I know the feeling,” he mumbled back.

“I just need to know,” she began. “Why did you help me that day? What kind of man sees an injured wolf and makes such an effort to save it?”

Bucky shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I don’t know.” She took a defiant step towards him. “Yes. You do.”

He glared at how she was pushing him and sighed. “A broken thing. All alone. Lost and with no help in sight. It….” He tried to find the courage to say the next thing. “It reminded me of myself, OK?”

She gave him a sympathetic look and closed what little distance was between their bodies. Her hand cupped his cheek, smoothly moving across his stubble.

“My friends and family always ask if I’m lonely living in my little cottage in the woods,” she explained. “But there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.”

Her eyes searched for something in Bucky’s. “But you, Bucky Barnes, are surrounded by people constantly – people who love you. Yet, I can’t help but feel like you’re the loneliest man I’ve ever met.”

Tears filled Bucky’s eyes at being read so easily.

“So lonely, in fact, that you saw a broken animal and related more to it than the people who try so hard to understand you.”

Bucky tried his hardest to keep his tears back. “You’re not lonely?”

She gave him a sad smile and shook her head. “No. Despite my recluse lifestyle, I’m not hiding from myself like you are.”

“How do I stop?” He asked desperately.

“You gotta let people in, Bucky. Then facing yourself won’t seem so scary.”

Bucky nodded slowly, realizing she was right and only telling him what he needed to hear. He rubbed his face and tried to clear the tears away.

He laughed sarcastically. “That stupid psychiatrist they’re paying thousands to has been digging through my brain for a year now, and has never explained that to me so simply. Fuckin’ idiot…”

She giggled at that and Bucky swore the sound made his heart stop for a second. “Maybe it’s time to get a knew one then.”

Y/N walked backwards then, starting to take her leave. Bucky hated the growing distance between their bodies. “Yeah? So why I don’t just hire you?”

“It’s not professional to date your clients,” Y/N teased.

“Oh, so we’re dating now?”

She tilted her head and pretended to think about it for a moment. “Well, we did just kiss…”

Bucky laughed, realizing that she was referencing the wet kiss she’d given him in her bear form.

“Wait!” He stopped her in a panic.

She paused.

“When am I gonna see you again?”

Y/N smirked. “You know where I live.”

And before Bucky could say anything else, Y/N had shifted into her wolf form just like the day they met. The wolf watched Bucky for a moment, staring inquisitively at him.

But when Bucky took a step forward, the wolf booked it, sprinting back into the woods like a bat out of hell.

Bucky rubbed his face and shook his head. “Jesus, that girl’s gonna give me a run for my money.”

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

I usually don’t write other things when I’m in the middle of writing a series. But I’ve always wanted to write something with a shapeshifter!reader and this idea had just suddenly come to me.  I’m very curious what you all think. Please let me know ❤️

One Shot - Masterlist

#bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes angst #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes reader insert #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x shapeshifter!reader #shapeshifter!reader #marvel reader insert #bucky fanfic #bucky one shot #bucky x shape shifter reader

[askthelittleassistant]

You Got A Friend In Me pt.2

((Second part, coming right up! After this y’all’re free to ask to yer heart’s content, time to get the real party started!))

“Hang on, hang on, mind running that by me one more time, while we’re seating properly?” 

Shop, without thinking, tucked Dark into her hoodie pouch and hopped back up into the chair, struggling a bit to pick herself up as she jumped up and clambered onto the table with a huff. Soon she remembered where exactly she was and her feverish courage quickly wore off as she stuffed her hands into the hoodie and held Dark, fidgeting with him whilst she quickly made her way closer to Henrik as he took his seat.

“Ah, well, I take it you know why he came here?” Henrik gestured vaguely as he rubbed his forehead.

“Uh… well, he didn’t actually… tell me, but, I assume it’s ‘cause of… Anti?” There was a hint of worry as she spoke his name.

“Ja, Dark came here to discuss what could be done to better… ‘control’ him; he was admittedly upset when I had said we don’t actually have much control over him… I suspect he must have been messing with Marvin before he ah… well-” “Before some kinda magical mishap happened and turned Dark into this?” Shop pulled the doll out and held him up, his brows raising and lifting to simulate an annoyed eye roll as he seemed to hold onto her fingers for added support, though she couldn’t help the small smile that curled on the edges of her lips at the thought of what sounded to be a rather passionate discussion over her safety.

“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case; we tried to have Marvin reverse the effects, but as you can see, it ah… only got worse… I can have him come back out to try again and-”

“No no, we’re not gonna do that.” Shop mused aloud, even the little Dark in her hands managed to turn his head just a bit as a reaction to the statement. “I’m sure Marvin feels very bad for what he did, but you should give him time to figure out how to reverse this. Properly.” She leaned in to emphasize the importance of the matter.  

If Dark could speak, or even just emote more than simply moving his eyebrows into a raised position to suggest surprise, he would actually be commending Shop on such a… mature decision. From his experience with her, she always chose the faster, though often times, more risky route to solving her problems. This was… different...

“A-are you sure? You are welcome to stay if need be!” Dark snapped back to the conversation, not even realizing he had been spacing out, deep in thought as Shop tucked both him and her hands back into the hoodie pouch.

“We’ll be fine Henrik, I promise, it’d be nice to head back home for a few days anyway. Besides, you have my number now, so you can always call when you all get all this magic stuff figured out, cool?”

“Ja, I suppose…” Henrik briefly removed his glasses to rub the worry from his face before addressing Shop again. “Would you like me to join you to the door? I would like to see you off safely.” He refrained from mentioning anything about also making sure Anti hadn’t left the house, again, to practice with his knives in the woods, believing this might worry Shop to no end, based on her previous encounter with him.

He’d be right.

Shop nodded quickly, stopping herself while rubbing her thumb against Dark’s yarn head of hair. “I wouldn’t mind, thanks Doc.” She quickly added before finally bringing her hands back out to walk to the edge of the table to climb down; Henrik stood up and quickly walked over to where she was headed, hands held up in an offer. “Oh my dear, you do not need to climb down if you wish, I can carry you over, seeing as you will have a long walk ahead of you!”

Shop hesitated, flexing her fists as she looked up to german doctor before gingerly shaking her head. “I don’t mean to offend you, but I don’t think I know you well enough to just let you carry me, sorry... I’ll be fine, no worries!” Her tone brightened towards the end of her response, but Dark could feel her nervous heartbeat quicken at the offer, and he was sure her body must have been tense, even as he was jostled around again as Shop made her way down back to the floor before being bounced around with no sense of direction, hardly listening to anything being said above him as he tried desperately to control his arms and grab some fabric to steady himself, to which he actually managed to do by the time he heard the other two say their goodbyes.

“I will be sure to call you as soon as we have got a solution, safe travels!”

“Thanks, but you guys better take your time with that stuff, we’ll be patient, promise!”

Dark jumped as a hand snaked back into the hoodie pouch and cupped to hold him, the distance movement of Shop waving as she stepped away from the cabin continuing to jostle him, though this time it was more bearable thanks to the hand holding him in place. Though, it wasn’t long before he was getting dragged back out into the open air, only having a moment to admire the expansive scenery before being brought face to face with a sincerely worried face looking him up and down.

“H-hey bud… are uh… how are you doing?...” Shop was obviously nervous and worried, though she was trying to swallow that fear to make sure Dark was ok, not that she was doing a very good job at it.

Dark motioned a sigh and bounced his hand on its side in a ‘so-so’ motion, managing a shrug at the same time.

“Yer doing ok?.... Well I guess that’s good then, it’s good to see you moving too, especially with how I found you…” Shop recalled as she walked down the trail, more questions popping in her mind. “I guess my biggest concern right now is if you’ll be able to walk with those spindly legs of yours.” She joked as she used her free hand to tug gently on his foot, warranting some angry eyebrows and aggressive shooing from the doll’s hands.

“Ok ok, sorry! Just curious! Did that hurt?...” Dark shook his head in response. “Huh, well, I guess I’d be annoyed too if I were you…” Shop walked on in silence, her arms tucked into her sides as she held Dark as a comfortable level, looking around the woods cautiously for any signs of danger before she felt a small tap on her palm, looking down to see Dark was gesturing to her to get her attention.

“Hm? W-what’s wrong bud?” Dark pointed up at Shop, flapping his arms up and down before shrugging. She was confused by this gesture, nearly forgetting the event that had ultimately led to all this, making her straighten out as she solved the little puzzle. “Oh! Are you wondering why I don’t just fly us home?” Dark gave her a solid nod of affirmation, which made Shop stop walking to think. Why WASN’T she flying them home? It suddenly felt like rocks fell in her stomach, and she couldn’t hide the worried and almost scared expression on her face. In truth, she was actually scared of what became of her wings, and if somehow she would be shot down again like first and only time she truly got to fly free.

Dark noticed his assistant’s concerned expression immediately. Still, he was proud that he was able to convey the right message to her, even if her fast response implied that she too had been thinking about it. Her frozen stature was starting to get worrisome, so he gave her hand a few more commanding pats to snap her out of whatever was going on.

Shop shuddered and snapped back to reality and out of her thoughts, raising Dark to meet eye to eye. “Sorry bud… just, thinking.” She said quietly before going to walk again, her steps a bit shaky now. “I just… you reminded me of my wings… I kinda got scared… we don’t really know what’s happened to them…” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, opening them back up with a spring in her step. “We can worry about that later though! I feel alright, and I think we have a more pressing matter at hand-” She smiled as she lifted him up to emphasize her joke, which earned her an scowling eye roll as the manor came into view.

#shop writes #toy!dark #g/t #giant tiny

[jon-daddy-dominus]

Kitten's Collar

Chapter, 33

As Alexis rounded the corner of the building, she slowed to a stop, when she saw Steve sitting on the ground in the middle of the parking lot shaking his head side to side, as if he was trying to wake himself up.

"What the hell?" She heard someone call from behind her.

Steve's two friends went running over to him, and began helping him to his feet, as Alexis scanned the parking lot, looking for Clints truck.

"What happened man?" One of them asked as Steve jerked his arm free from his friends grasp.

"Some old redneck guy just walked up out of no where and hit me." Steve growled.

"He didn't say anything?" One of them questioned, as the other quickly asked, "Where'd he go?"

"I don't fucking know, Trad! We didn't hangout! He was walking toward me, and said, I needed to mind my manners, and fucking punched me."

Turning to Alexis, Trad yelled, "You know who that guy was?"

Alexis's eyes grew big, and she shook her head without saying anything.

"Yeah, I bet not... fucking cunt." Steve yelled.

"Come on man, let's get out of here." The other guy said, opening the door to their car.

"Your friend better hope I don't find out who he is, bitch!" Steve yelled from the passenger seat, as his friend pushed the door closed.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, Alexis's phone pinged.

*** I'm so sorry, Kitten. I hope you don't get in trouble, I was just gonna leave, but I when I seen that douchebag come out, I couldn't stop myself. I really am sorry. 😕***

Quickly she replied.

*** It's ok Hun, they're gone now I thought they were gonna call the cops but they just left.***

*** You're not in trouble are you?***

*** No Honey I'm fine but it's probably not a good idea to come back anytime soon lol ***

*** haha yeah, I kinda figured that. ***

*** Are you ok? ***

*** Yeah, Sweetheart, I'm fine. My hand is a little sore, but as long as you're okay, I'm fine.***

"Yeah baby I promise I'm good. A little turned on but I'm fine lol ***

***😂😂 You are something else, Kitten! ***

*** I gotta get back to work text me later 😗😘😍***

*** Ok beautiful, I'll text you after I talk to Dale and let you know what's going on. ***

*** ok hun ttyl ***

"How's it goin man?" Clint asked, stepping into Dale's hospital room, walking over to the bed to shake his hand.

"Okay, I suppose. The sponge baths aren't too bad, but the groceries are awful." Dale grinned.

"That's good, then. I'm bout ready for you to come on back to work. Some of these clients are driving me nuts with their bullshit."

"Yeah, some of them, are a huge pain in the ass." Dale chuckled, whencing in pain, attempting to push himself upright in the bed.

Stepping closer, Clint heals his hand out for dale to grab on to.

"Thank ya, son. I'm about useless right now." He stated, taking Clints hand, and pulling himself up straight, as Clint adjusted his pillows for him to lean back on.

"Have a seat, bud. Tell me how things are going." Dale said, nodding toward the empty chair.

"Well, ain't much to tell. The Drumwood job is a week behind because of the rain, and Tommys got his son overseeing it now, so that's definitely not helping speed things up." Clint chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're shittin me?" Dale groaned in disbelief.

"Nope. Last week I pulled up, and Billy was out there with a set of prints on his hood, barking orders at the other GC's, and they were all lookin at him like he'd lost his mind. I'm pretty sure I pissed him off, cause when he started his shit with me, I told him I had our part of the job covered, and if there were any changes I'd let him know. He stomped off and started talking to somebody on the phone. I'm thinking it was probably Tommy." Clint laughed.

"I wouldn't doubt it. I don't give a shit how many degrees he's got, that boy's still dumber than a bag of hammers, and his daddy ought to have better sense than to just stick him on a site with his holier than thou attitude. Cause sooner or later one of them fellas is gonna whip his cocky little ass." Dale grumbled.

"Oh, I agree, but he did it."

"What about the airport?" Dale asked.

"Airport's ahead of schedule by almost two months." Clint smiled.

"How'd you manage that?"

"I fired that "know it all" Shaun, and gave Charlie his position. I couldn't take Shauns lyin, and excuses anymore. He was showed up almost an hour late every day for a full week, and all them guys were just sittin around waiting on him."

"Ha!" DALE laughed out loud. "That's my cousin Susannes boy, I've been wanting to get rid of his lying ass for a while, but Susannes always been good to me, and I didn't want to send him back, to leach off her, but I reckon she ain't got no choice but to put her foot down now." Dale continued laughing.

"I reckon not... sorry." Clint responded.

"You get a chance to go check that job in Smoaks?"

"Yeah, Dale, I don't know about that one man. It might be too much to take on right now. They're wanting to start in three months, and we're a minimum of five months out on all our jobs right now, and I just don't think we've got the man power, or the equipment to spread that thin, and still keep up with the jobs we've already got goin on."

"Well, cowboy, it's your rodeo right now, so make the call, and I'll back your decision." Dale paused for a minute. "Clint... I trust ya son. If I didn't, I never would've turned the company over to ya."

"I know, I just wanted to clear it with you, before I turned it down." Clint replied.

"Everything still going good with the little gal you been seeing?"

Clints eyes lit up, and a loving smile slowly emerged on his lips, as he nodded. "Yes Sir, Alexis is a good girl. I think alot of her."

"Uh oh..." Dale grinned. "You better grab one of them doctor's the next time they pass the door, I think you done got bit by the love bug."

"May be... I haven't felt like this in a long time."

"You thinkin about poppin the question?" Dale grinned, raising a curious eyebrow.

Clint squinted one eye closed, and twisted his mouth to the side, lowering his head. "I don't know boss."

"Don't know, what? Do you love the girl?"

"More than anyone I've ever loved before."

"Then what's the problem?"

Clint shrugged his shoulders, and rolled his head to one side. "Scared... I guess."

"Scared of what? Does she love you?"

"She says she does." Clint mumbled.

Dale's expression grew serious. "Clint... I want ya to listen to me son... and I want ya to listen good. Boy, I don't know all the details, except what ya told me, and little things I've picked up on, over the years I've known ya. So I know ya ain't had an easy life, and I know there's been some folks in your life that's been... well, alot less than good to ya son."

"It's not..."

Dale's cut him off. "Stop. Let me finish. I've seen the way you are with folks, and I know how you are with me. Anytime I've ever tried to help ya, or do somethin nice for ya. You get this look about you. Like you don't trust me. Like you're always waitin on the other shoe to drop. It's like anytime someone's nice to you, inside your head, you're always expecting them to have some kinda ulterior motive for doin it. Like everybody's tryin to hurt ya. So you keep your guard up to protect yourself... and I get it son. You've been hurt... alot. Probably way more than you should'a been, but you've let that pain put the idea in your head, that you're not good enough for anyone. That you don't deserve to be loved. You've convinced yourself that you're unlovable, and now, anyone that shows any kind of affection toward ya, you think they're up to somethin. Like they're lying to ya, just so they can get close enough to hurt you. And that just ain't true. Cause I love ya son. With all my heart, I love ya, and I wouldn't ever do anything yo hurt ya. You're like a son yo me, and I wanna see you happy. I wanna see you happy, healthy, prosperous... You try to put on this hard ass act, but you're a hell'uva good man, and you deserve to let yourself be happy. I'm not saying you're a push over, cause ya aint. Hell, you're probably one of the toughest sum'bitches I've ever meet in my life, but you're also one of the most honorable people I've ever known, and honor is somethin most folks ain't got these days. You deserve to be loved son. You deserve to be loved, by someone who loves you back, and if you've actually let this little gal get to know the same Clint that I know, there ain't a doubt in my mind that she really does love you, cause you're a damn good man Clint, and if I had a daughter, I'd pray to god that she married a man just like you."

Clint didn't say anything, he just sat there, staring quietly at the side of the hospital bed.

"Clint. If you ain't never listened to me about anything else, I hope you're listenin now. If you love this girl, the way I think you do? Don't let yourself push her away because your scared. Cause if you do, you'll never let yourself live it down. It'll haunt you the rest of your life. So, if you love her. Tell her. And ask her to marry you, and when she says yes? You put everything you've got into makin it work. Marriage ain't easy, but I think you know as well as I do, that anything worth a damn, ain't never easy."

Clint slowly lifted his head to look Dale in the eye. His face was flushed red, as he flexed his jaw, and swallowed hard, trying to hold back his tears.

When he seen that Dale's face was soaked from his own tears, Clint couldn't hold back anymore. He swallowed hard once again, as his jaw trembled, and his face scrunched up.

The salty liquid trailed from Clints eyes, and trickled across his cheek, before settling in his beard. Getting up, from his seat, he leaned down and carefully hugged Dale, whispering in his ear between ragged breaths. "I love you old man. You know that right?"

"I know, and I love you too son. Now get the hell outta here, so I can straighten myself up. The pretty nurse is coming today, and I don't want her thinking I'm some kinda pussy." Dale laughed, patting him hard on the back with his one good arm.

Clint pulled himself away, and wiped his face clean.

"What the hell'd you do to your hand?" Dale asked, seeing Clints right hand was swollen, compared to his left.

"Ahh... being stupid." Clint joked.

"Well, that don't surprise me." Dale laughed.

"How are we doing today Mr. Coats?" An attractive middle aged nurse asked, as she stepped up beside the bed.

"Alot better now that you're here!" Dale grinned, wiping the last of his tears away.

"This must be your son. He's even better looking than his dad." She smiled.

"Yes Ma'm, you could call him that, but he's got a long way to go, before he's this pretty." Dale laughed.

Looking over at Clint the nurse grinned warmly, "this one's a big ole flirt! He's always giving me the nicest compliments, and making me feel good about myself."

"Yes Ma'm, he's quite a character." Clint smiled down at Dale, who was now using his head to silently motion Clint out of the room.

"Alright "Pop" I guess I'll see ya later." Clint laughed as he stepped around the end if the bed. "It was nice to meet you." He said yo the nurse, as he headed out the door.

"You too!" She called in return.

Clint pulled up to the porch behind his house, and put the truck in park. He didn't get out, he just sat there listening to the radio, and thinking to himself until his concentration was broken by Billy-Bob jumping on his hood and pawing at him through the windshield.

"What the hell do you want, ya jackass? Get off my truck!" He yelled, laughingly.

As he stepped out of the truck, Billy-Bob bounded off the hood, up the steps, and up onto the rail of the porch, rubbing his face against Clints arm, as he made his way inside.

Taking a seat on the couch, Clint scratched Billy-Bob's head, as his mind began to wander. "Maybe Dale's right. Maybe I should tell her how I feel? I'm pretty sure she already knows though. What if she doesn't feel the same, and telling her, makes her realize it? What if I tell her, and she's like, "I'm not ready for all that." and she leaves me? I mean, she is a good bit younger than me. What if shes not ready to settle down? What if she thinks this is what she wants, and I tell her, and five years from now, I'm head over heels for her, and we've got a kid, and then she decides to leave? I don't think I could handle that. What if she breaks my heart, and trys to take my kid from me? What if I end up like one of those guys who only gets to see his kid every other weekend, and she gets mad and trys to stick me with a huge child support payment? I mean, I don't have any issue with taking care of a child that belongs to me, but that's not the kind of life I want. I want to see my kid every day. I want to see that smile, and hear that excited "daddy's home!" Whenever I come in from work. What am I talking about? I haven't even decided if I'm going to tell Alexis I love her, and I'm worrying about a kid that doesn't even exist. I think Dale's right. I think I'm just being paranoid. I mean, I don't have to ask her to marry me right now. I just need to let her know how much she means to me. And I can't keep assuming that she's gonna run for the hills, just because I tell her I love her. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna tell her. I'm just gonna open myself up, and tell her how I feel, and pray to God that she doesn't break my heart."

Billy-Bob's ears perked up, as the front door opened. "Hey Honey." Alexis smiled lovingly.

[bluesfortheredj]

Just another Taron imagine, because he's so damn easy to write for! Just stop being so cute for like one second so I can write my other stories people have requested, jeez. You walked into the room and a magazine came flying at your head, hitting your ear and landing on the floor next to you. "What the fuck?!" You exclaim, clutching the side of your head with your hand. "Oh my god I am so sorry! That was not meant to happen! Jeez, I'm so sorry," Taron rambled, running up to you and looking at your head. "What were you even doing?" You ask, half laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. "I was showing how I did that thing with the tray," he says, kissing the side of your head gently. "Right- wait, did you just...?" "Sorry, just kissing it better," he says, a blush creeping across his face as you turn to him. "Oh. Erm, thanks," you say shyly, looking down at the ground in front of you. He picks up the magazine, flashes that beautiful smile of his at you and heads back over to Colin and Pedro. You smile to yourself and carry on walking through to the table where some bottles of water are dotted around. Picking one up, you twist off the top and take a sip, looking over at the men laughing and joking around. "(Y/N)?" A voice questions from the corridor. You look up and see Sam, a guy you'd gone to drama school with, standing there and waving. "Sam!" You say, putting down your water and gesturing for him to come in, "what brings you here?" "Doing some press for my show! I don't need to ask why you're here," he laughs, wrapping his arms around you, then gesturing to the posters of the new Kingsman film around the room. "Ha, is it that obvious?" You chuckle, "how have you been?" "Good! Really good thanks! How are you?" "I'm great, it's so good to see you! How long has it been now?" "You too! Oh man, too long. Years! I've gotta shoot, but put your number in there and I'll give you a text later so we can catch up properly," he says, holding out his phone to you. You nod, taking his phone and typing out your number. "All done. Good luck, see you later," you smile as he kisses you on the cheek and leaves. You turn back around and walk straight into Taron's broad chest, bouncing off of it a little and stepping back. "Who was that?" He says, trying to smile, but you notice it doesn't reach his eyes like his usual one. "An old friend from school," you answer. "Nice! Cool! Okay," he says, a little too enthusiastically. "Taron!" Pedro calls out. "Sorry, be right back," he says, walking quickly over to the corner of the room. "You told her?" Pedro asks. "Not quite. Kind of asked about the strange man that walked in instead." "Come on man! You gotta be cool!" "I just hit her in the head with a magazine as soon as she walked in the room. I think I'm beyond that already," he says, holding his head in his hands. Pedro puts a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it a little, then you appear behind Taron. "We've got our shoot now," you say, making Taron jump and put his hands down. He makes a worried face at the guys then turns to you and grins from ear to ear, making your heart skip a beat. He holds his arm out for you to link yours with, and starts walking to the set with you stuck to his side. His arm squeezes yours against his side tightly, a hand resting on your forearm. You look at your arms and smile, making sure your face is hidden from his. "Hi guys!" The small photography team greets you both as you step inside the room and you smile and shake their hand, your arms still unintentionally linked. "We just need you to change into your outfits from the film, then we'll get going," the photographer says. You both nod and go to walk towards your changing rooms, then get stuck as you realise you're still attached to each other. "Sorry!" You and Taron say at the same time. You look up from your arms and start laughing, then untangle them and head behind your screens to get changed. He walks out first, his suit hugging his body perfectly, then you step out in a short figure hugging dress and cowboy boots, just like what you wear in the film. "Right, just look like you're head over heels for each other. I know you can do it, the film proves that!" The photographer smiles. "That's easy," Taron whispers. "What was that?" You ask. "Huh? Did I say something? I think I just breathed really loudly," he says, making an excuse. You'd heard exactly what he'd said, and so wanted him to admit it, but he seemed to be a tough nut to crack. You turn side on to the camera, placing a hand on his chest, and slip your fingers inside his shirt a little, between two of his buttons. Then you rest your head on his shoulder, your arm draping across his back as you smile dreamily toward the camera. He wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you into his side, then kisses your head as he rests his other hand on yours right over his heart that was beating so hard it moved your fingers up and down. "You okay?" You whisper. "Yeah, you?" He whispers back. You nod slightly, then as you step away from him your vision gets hazy and you fall backwards. Taron grabs onto you, falling to his knees to catch you just before you hit the ground. "(Y/N)? (Y/N), what's wrong? Can you hear me?" He says frantically. People gather around you and a paramedic appears in the room with you just as you start to come around. They ask you lots of questions and you mumble your way through them as they take your sugar levels and blood pressure. "Blood pressure's a bit low, make sure you keep drinking plenty and make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible so he can rule any underlying causes out," the paramedic instructs. You smile and nod at him as he packs his things away and everyone disperses at the same time, leaving you and Taron, still on his knees next to you. You sit up slowly in front of him and he grabs you, pulling you into his chest as tightly as he can. "You scared the shit out of me, (Y/N)," he says, heart rate even faster than before. "I'm fine, it's nothing," you mutter into his shirt. "Nope, no it isn't. Wait there," he says, letting go of you and getting up. He speaks to the people in the room and they nod and leave, shaking hands as they say goodbye. He phones someone up and paces the room as you sit on the floor, sipping some water. Soon enough, he rushes up to you, taking your hands in his. "Come with me," he says seriously. You nod and he helps you to your feet slowly then leads you out of the room and to the lift. People start recognising you just as the doors shut luckily and you manage to get away quietly, not wanting crowds around you just after fainting. Taron leads you to his room in the hotel you were in, ushering you through the door before him in silence. "Lay down," he nods to the bed. "Aren't you gonna buy me a drink first?" You smirk as you sit down on the duvet. "I'll do this the proper way afterwards. For now, you need rest," he smiles as he gets you a glass of water and sets it down on the bedside table, "drink this and just lay back and relax." "Thanks Taron." "Anything for you," he winks, making your head feel light again. You drink the water and lay down on the bed, kicking off the boots you had on. You drift off to sleep not long after your head hits the pillow and Taron lays down next to you, watching as you frown in your sleep, looking serious as you dream about things he can only imagine. You roll over onto your side, an arm landing on his chest, then snuggle into his body unknowingly, tangling your legs with his and resting your head on his shoulder. Taron freezes, unsure of what to do as you sigh contentedly when you've made yourself comfortable. One of his arms is trapped between you, but he manages to wriggle it free and rest it on your bare leg. "Ok, this is fine. Be cool," he whispers to himself as he sees your dress has hitched up with all your moving around. Eventually he relaxes enough to drift off as well, only waking when you jump in your sleep and your eyes fly open to see Taron beneath you. "Are you okay?" He asks, holding onto your arms. "Yes, yes I'm fine. Sorry, I forgot where I was for a second," you apologise for waking with such a start and disturbing him as well. "Oh, don't be silly," he smiles, your arms still firmly in his hands, his shirt stretched to capacity as his muscles flex beneath it, buttons pulling at the button holes down his chest, showing tiny bits of his skin to you, then his trousers, so neatly creased at the front, his thighs filling them perfectly. Your eyes stay on his thighs, then back up to his broad chest, and you realise you're staring at him with your mouth hanging open. He lays there smiling at you, watching your eyes glide up and down his body, then he clears his throat. "I've gotta go, sorry," you say, being snapped back into reality and pulling away from him. "No, don't, please," he says, not letting go of your arms, "stay. I'll leave you for a bit if you want. Sort some stuff out downstairs with the others. You stay here and make your doctors appointment and just relax." "Okay... But, do you have to go?" "I could just text them if you want me to stay." "I do." "Right then, come here cowgirl!" Taron exclaims, pulling you down onto his chest and cuddling you. You wrap your arms around his chest and smile into his shirt, feeling light headed again, but for a different reason now.

#taron imagine #taron egerton x reader #taron egerton #imagine #fluff #fanfiction #fanfic #kingsman #eggsy unwin #eggsy #reader insert

[pomegranate-belle]

I'm having like massive fucking difficulties picking a mere 500 words from MK1-END, so I kinda want to just give you the entire section beginning 'The elevator is locked, and there’s no way out. They’re all going to die.' and ending 'What’s happening around her, around them, fades away, but she can feel soothing heat and sadness and an ache in their chest,' and let you decide how much from that you want to do, and how.

Oh boy, I have a feeling this is gonna get long but… Oh welllmao

Ok, so… This first part is sort of the first time we’reseeing into the main ZTD cast – like, before that there’s sections that shiftaway from Kyle and Maria, but they’re short and they’re still tangential to thejourney those two are taking. But it’s way, way more exciting to have Kyle-Mariashow up from a different point of view than theirs. Also I might have some CSexperience but I know -5 about hacking, I am admitting that now, that wasdefinitely part of the reason the narrative shifted away from them at thatspecific moment lol

After that, it kind of devolves into Delta, and Delta’sthought process. I’m gonna be honest with you I wasn’t really… Convinced bywhat he says in ZTD and I think that ended up reflecting here. I think I kepthis arguments relatively in line with the ones he makes in the game, but I hadthe others, Maria especially, cut in with my objections to his logic. The wholestory is about Kyle and Maria working together, sharing their strength back andforth to save their families, but when they argue against Delta in unison, thatwas the one thing I really wanted them to connect on. The idea that they’d hadtheir worlds manipulated by him and that instead of just acquiescing they wererejecting his right to do that.  

It’s sort of the climax of the story, I think. In the sensethat it’s a culmination of their shared strength and their determination tochange the timeline they’ve been put into. But the part immediately after:

“You’re lying,”Maria realizes slowly.

Her lips are numb,and she doesn’t quite know the meaning of what she’s seen, but it’s there.Something, huge, something he’s not telling them. She thinks it must be aboutLeft, but she’s never been able to learn enough about him or about Free theSoul to be able to determine now what Delta’s motives truly are.

That was actually one of the first parts of the story Iwrote. And it really reflected my own views when I reached the ZTD True End forthe first time. We never got the backstory about FtS that we were promised, soeven though I was absolutely certain Delta was lying to us, there wasn’t enoughcontext to figure out why or about what.

And then we return to the gun. It’s er… Well, I guess wecould call it Chekov’s Gun, couldn’t we… I tried not to draw direct attentionto it, but the question of ‘where’s the gun, who’s holding it, where is itpointed’ was on my mind the entire scene inside the Test Facility. Which ofcourse leads to the gun ending up in Diana’s hands. Sort of a mirror to themoment in the game where we put her in a similar situation as Delta does here.I always knew I wanted it to be her. Eric is the gun-happy nutbar, but Dianaand Delta’s relationship is too interesting not to try and play with like that.

Maria jumping into Delta’s body was also something I wantedto explore kind of from the beginning. Just because we the player (or in thecase of this fic’s canon, Maria herself) were inside Delta’s PoV the wholetime. The thought of going back to it knowingly, even though she didn’t wantto, was interesting. And the truth is that the part about him not letting go ofher… My brain was absolutely 100% on that scene near the end of Anastasia lmaosorry Delta you are Rasputin now.

And then, after all the drama, I had to insert a littlelevity. Thus the “oh no she’s hot” exchange, which was an enormous amount offun to write. And it was a good transition into the Phi/Maria from the prompts.They (obviously) don’t interact in canon, so it was tough to try and find adynamic for them and a way to parse the attraction so that it wouldn’t read astoo sudden and unrealistic. With ? being Maria, I had a lot more leeway withthat, since she ended up getting to know everyone from VLR really well bydefault. But I mean, being the big fucking romance dork I am, I had to do the Lady-and-the-Tramp-esquebit where they touch hands.

I added in my own little headcanon about ZTD Dr. Klim – I’msure if you look at my old ZE posts it’s there somewhere – being the youngSigma from VLR. I was very proud of that bit because time loops always N

I couldn’t resist Carlos scolding Maria for the cuss words,probably because that stupid “Language!!” gag from AoU was on my brain. I alsocouldn’t resist namedropping Dio because I just gd love that garbage clone.What a fucking tool.

The exchange afterwards between Dr. Klim and Diana was atough one. Not in the sense that it was difficult to imagine the exchange, butin that I wasn’t really sure how to resolve it. Of course Dr. Klim was havingthe same problem, so maybe that’s why it worked out in the end. I think Idefinitely drew on a lot of Doctor Who related angst for that exchange.Everything from the Journey’s End exchange to that phone call in Deep Breath.The idea that the version of the person that you love is gone and a strangerthat is also paradoxically him is taking his place is one that’s pretty uniquebut it fits in ZE and in Doctor Who, thanks to the power of time travel.

This part here:

He takes a moment,breathes. Flexes the fingers that are and are not his own. The way he looksdown, aside, is one Maria knows intimately because Kyle recognizes it as hisown – a nervous tic to hide his fear of rejection.

Is one I added one one of my later passes, I think. But I’mreally proud of it. There are definitely ways in which Kyle and Sigma aresimilar and I think that this sort of emotional fragility is one of them. Ireally liked the thought of expressing that similarity through a gestureinstead of words.

Originally, I wasn’t going to have Kyle express a desire toleave so soon. But after the scene between Dr. Klim and Diana, this sort ofsinking feeling hit me. Or Kyle? Both of us I guess. Because it’s true he doesn’treally belong in 2028. He could, maybe, eventually… But then it hit me that hestill had unfinished business in 2074. And maybe that was always in the back ofmy head, that need for a resolution with Luna, just because she’s so near anddear to my heart. And the reason that Kyle begins to see her differently isbecause he sees her through Maria’s eyes, so in that way she’s helping him onelast time.

Their exchange about meeting again, I’m sure I’ve admittedto this before somewhere, is absolutely based on the “End: Lost in the Waves” FEFates DLC. That, in addition to the epilogue, was added on my second or thirdpass through the fic. Originally it ended with Phi and Maria holding hands, butI wanted to see Kyle again, so changes were made.

In the same way that I wanted to hint to a Kyle-Lunaresolution, I knew I had to start mending the ties between Sigma and Kyle,which is what his exchange is all about. I can’t remember who it was that madethat comic about Sigma getting attached to his clones but they kept dying andeventually he cut himself off from them but I think that played a lot into howI conceptualized their relationship. Now that their mission is done, there’snothing holding them back, there’s no longer a wall between them. And Kyle wasnever sure if that was really the problem, or if Sigma just truly didn’t care,so that reassurance is really important to him.

And of course I couldn’t have Kyle leave without talking toDiana. But in addition to having no idea what they would say to one another, Ialso wanted to expand a little bubble of privacy to them. Playing with the waythe body-sharing works was part of it too, because I think up until that pointthe only one who’d leaned back out of control far enough to mute the outside worldwas Kyle. I wanted to see it from Maria’s perspective too, and emphasize thatat their core – emotionally – they’re still connected no matter how far theylean apart.

I guess that’s all of it lmao wow.. I hope that didn’t soundtoo pretentious, I’m sure I got a little long-winded but look….. I revised thatfic like ten times before I posted it and it’s really one of my most polishedworks and I am So Damn Proud of it!

#long post #zero escape #writing #chessanator

[butterflysuki77]

Begin: BTS OneShot

*A/N  I ran across this text post by @taedamn and became inspired!  (I promise I’m still working on Scars too, but this just overtook my brain.)  I hope you enjoy!

Begin

Pairing: Min Yoongi x Jeon JungKook

Genre: Angst, Unlikely Friendship, Dabbles of Fluff

Work Count: 4.3K

 Yoongi stood at the sink behind the counter, washing coffee mugs. Damn it this place was depressing…. no one but sick people coming in and out… And if they weren't sick, they were depressed because someone they knew was sick… or they were an exhausted doctor or nurse that could barely focus so they came in, grabbed coffee and ran out again…. He put the last mug in the drying rack and peered over his shoulder.

He was still here….

 The kid didn't have a cup or a plate or anything, he hadn’t ordered anything for the last hour… he even barely drank coffee, maybe one a day… if that. But he came every day at 3pm, just after his physical therapy, and stayed till closing. Yoongi didn't quite know what to make of the little brat… he didn't want to make anything of him, really.  He’d worked at the hospital coffee shop long enough to know the golden rule… Never get involved with the patients. They either got well and left, or….more often than not… Yoongi shook his head and started to dry the mugs with a dish towel, but he felt himself glance over his shoulder again. The kid had white earbuds on, and was mouthing along to whatever song was playing. Yoongi never caught him actually singing though… just mouthing along.  Yoongi felt the corner of his lip twitch, and coughed slightly, grabbing another mug and drying it.

“Hey Yoongi!” Yoongi almost dropped the mug in his hands, but he covered pretty well. He glanced behind him at the nurse… Red scrubs today, he noted to himself.  He grunted an acknowledgement without saying her name and continued drying another mug.  He didn't have many of these left, damn it…

 “Was Kookie any trouble today?” She asked the same thing every time she came to pick him up, and Yoongi answered the same way he always did.

 Slow head-shake.  She laughed.

 “How could he be, right?”  That's where the conversation usually ended, but she continued for some reason. Yoongi grabbed another mug. “He has every reason to be mad at the world and at life, but he smiles, cracks jokes… he’s the sweetest kid alive.”

 Yoongi didn't want to know all this. He didn't care! He didn't want to care! He just nodded, trying to brush her off, but she leaned against the counter.

 “I'll just let him finish this song…” she said. Yoongi glanced back at the kid...Kookie. He was now in the middle of an air guitar solo and head banging, mouth open wide in a silent high note. Yoongi pursed his lips together and sighed, trying not to let the inner laughter out.  The nurse looked up at him again with a sad smile.

 “He used to be a dancer, you know?” She turned back to watch the silent rock show. “He's been doing physical therapy, but the doctors don't think it's going to do much good.”

 “What happened to him?”  The words escaped Yoongi’s mouth before he even realized he'd said them.

 “Hit and run accident,” she said. “They never caught the guy either.”  It looked like the kid’s song was ending, and she pushed off the counter. “Time to go back to his room!  Same time tomorrow?” She turned and winked at Yoongi, which he only acknowledged with a slight head tilt.  He watched as she walked over to the kid and tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped a mile and smiled up at her, his nose scrunching in a way that made him look…. Yoongi turned around and started to put the dry mugs away.  No guy had the right to look like a fucking bunny… not even a rabbit… a bunny. He listened to the squeaking of the wheelchair as the nurse pushed Kookie towards the door.

 “Thank you!” He called out, the same way he did every night. “See you tomorrow!”  Yoongi ignored him, the same way he did every night. He'd been coming for about two full weeks now, and he always said that… Thank you! See you tomorrow!

 He’d been a dancer…. and now he couldn't even walk.

 “Shit…” Yoongi said under his breath. Just the kind of thing he didn't want to know about him. How could he smile like that though? How!?  Yoongi clenched and stretched his left hand a couple times, then shook it out.  He turned to watch through the large picture window as Kookie smiled his bunny scrunch smile up at the nurse while she wheeled him down the hallway.

 Bunny… Kookie… Something had to be off. The kid couldn't be that sweet. He should be bitter about what had happened to him.

 Yoongi clenched his left fist again, feeling the pull of muscle and bone...to the point of pain.

 He certainly was….

 ~

 Jungkook… that was the kid’s name.  He’d continued his ritual now for over a month, and Yoongi felt himself being drawn in.  He couldn’t be though… he couldn’t let himself get invested… couldn’t let himself think about what the kid had gone through… what he was still going through.  But even so… he’d found himself watching him… and had actually… Yoongi grimaced… actually spoken to the kid.  He sighed, trying to calm the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he walked over to Jungkook...he refused to call him Kookie.

 “Done?” he asked calmly, gesturing to Jungkook’s empty mug and plate full of crumbs.

 “Yep!” he said looking up at Yoongi and scrunching his nose.  Yoongi rolled his eyes and reached for the plate and mug.  “I don’t think you’ve had a day off since I’ve been coming here!  Do you work every day?”  Yoongi hesitated, then nodded.  He wanted to leave… to escape… but as soon as words left his mouth, the kid took it as an invitation for conversation.  “Living your dream?  The cool, mysterious barista of Central Northwest Hospital?”  Yoongi coughed and turned away.

 “Shut it, kid…” he growled.

 “Shut it, kid…” JungKook mimicked.  Yoongi swallowed a laugh and kept walking.  “Can I get some water, please?”  Yoongi held up a hand in acknowledgement.  It was nearly 11pm, and the cafe closed at midnight.  There was nobody else here…. There never was.  Yoongi gritted his teeth as he poured two glasses of water and started to walk back towards the kid’s table.  He’d never actually sat down with him before… and for some reason… he was nervous to.  He wasn’t sure why.  He put the glass down in front of the kid, then sat down at the table next to his… There… he wasn’t really sitting with him… they weren’t even at the same table…  Yoongi took a sip of his water, and Jungkook was quiet for a minute or so.

 “I’m a dancer…” JungKook said, quietly.  Yoongi’s hand stopped halfway down on it’s way to set the glass back on the table.

 “Is that right…” he said, setting the glass down and turning to eye JungKook up and down.  He raised an eyebrow at him, and JungKook laughed.

 “It’s true.  I’m not dancing right now… but I am a dancer…  It’s who I am.  And I’ll dance again soon…”  The slight laugh that escaped Kookie’s mouth this time was more nervous laughter… hopeful laughter… I’m trying to convince myself it’s gonna be ok laughter.  Yoongi took another sip and sighed.

 “Sure, whatever you say Kid…” He wouldn’t try to build his hopes up.  It was better to know right away if something was impossible.  Better to not even try to fight something that was impossible.  No matter how much it hurt to realize it…  Yoongi flexed his left hand.

 “Sure… uh… whatever you say, Kid…”  JungKook mocked him again.  Whenever his friends did that, it pissed him off, so they never did it after the first time they tried… but for some reason, the kid made him want to laugh whenever he did it.  He held it in though, as though he hadn’t even heard it.

 They were quiet for another few minutes.  What the hell was he even doing?!  Why was he sitting here with a little brat who couldn’t even walk?  

 “I know what they say…” JungKook said, breaking Yoongi out of his thoughts.  “There’s like… only a 5-10% chance that I’ll ever walk again… let alone dance.”  Yoongi felt a prick in his eyes, and blinked a couple times until it went away.  “But I don’t care.  I’m not gonna give up.”

 “It’s better to deal with reality now than to waste years wishing you could change something that’s impossible to change…”  Yoongi couldn’t stop the words leaving his mouth.  They spilled off his tongue… he practically gagged on them like bile… “It’s better to just get on with life… to find something new and stop wishing for what might have been.”  It was too much… and the kid was too bright for his own good.

 “Is that what you did?”  Yoongi flexed his hand and stood, downing his water in one long gulp.  Without acknowledging what the kid said, he turned to him.

 “You done with that?” he asked, harshly.

 “Not yet…”  JungKook’s eyes looked worried.  Before Yoongi could turn to leave, he said, “If you did, that’s ok…”  Yoongi did turn then, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.  “I know it doesn’t work out sometimes… but I have to try… it’s who I am…”  Yoongi looked at him over his shoulder.  “Was it who you were?”  Yoongi walked away, no answer or acknowledgement, and stayed behind the counter, not speaking to the kid for the rest of the hour.

 Finally Wendi came in… blue scrubs today…  and leaned against the counter.

 “Kookie’s been having a tough time lately…” she said sadly.  “He’s struggling a lot, and frustrated.”  Yoongi grunted a reply and continued putting away the dishes.  “We’re a little worried about him… has he said anything?”  Yoongi thought for a moment and shook his head no.  He hadn’t really said anything…  He looked over his shoulder and followed Wendi’s gaze toward JungKook.  No music tonight… he just sat there, staring out the large-paned windows at the city around them.

 “He seems to like it here…” Yoongi said.

 “Well, duh Sherlock!” Wendi smirked at him.  “It’s a great view… and…” she eyed Yoongi up and down in a way that made him feel like blushing, but he didn’t, “...the company is pleasant?”  Yoongi coughed and put away another mug.  Wendi laughed and walked over to JungKook.

 “Time to go, Kookie!”  They chatted as she started to wheel him out, and Yoongi kept his back to them.  His eyes closed tightly.  It was coming… he knew it was coming.

 “Thank you!” He called out, the same way he did every night. “See you tomorrow...”  Yoongi sighed.  “...Mysterious Barista-Man!”  Yoongi raised his right hand in acknowledgement, and could practically hear the gasp from Nurse Wendi.  He turned and looked out the window to see the kid twisted in his wheelchair.  When their eyes met, the kid smiled and waved.  And for the first time in a long while… Yoongi smiled.

 ~

 Another month had passed, and Yoongi could feel himself becoming too invested.  He didn’t know why, but he needed JungKook to succeed… to continue dancing.  It had to happen for someone, right?  And if anyone deserved it, it was the sweetest fucking kid on the planet.

 Last week, a group of cheerleaders had come in to visit their friend who had broken her leg falling off the top of the pyramid.  They’d all huddled and giggled and made eyes at little Kookie, and Yoongi had been shocked at the look of sheer panic on his face.  He’d actually laughed outright, causing stares in his direction.  He went over and sat down with him at his table and let his assistant hand things for a few minutes.

 Turned out… little Kookie was afraid of girls.

 “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do…” he said, frustrated.  “It’s like they speak their own language… not to mention they…” he leaned in to almost whisper, and Yoongi leaned in too… “...they… bounce…”  Yoongi sat back in his chair and laughed, drawing the attention of the cheerleaders.  Yoongi looked at them and winked, and they practically shrieked, becoming a little fluster-ball of giggles.  JungKook looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

 “Dude!”  he chided quietly, trying, but not succeeding in keeping his eyes from the bouncing giggle group.

 “Kookie,” Yoongi said, finally saying the name that he’d been calling the kid in his mind for weeks, “...the fact that they… bounce… is an amazing and wondrous thing.”  JungKook’s face turned bright red.

 “Dude!” He whispered angrily.

 “You’re old enough to learn how to flirt...and if you’re scared, practice on Nurse Wendi,” he laughed.  Didn’t you ever dance for the ladies?” Yoongi asked, wiggling his eyebrows.  JungKook turned even redder, if that were possible.

 “I don’t know,” he finally said.  “Did you ever play for the ladies?”  Yoongi’s bright mood fell, and JungKook looked shocked by his own statement.  “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean-”

 “How did you…”  Yoongi started, but his throat tightened up and he just looked at JungKook with a tight expression.

 “I guessed….” he said, looking down at Yoongi’s hands.  “Piano… right?”  Yoongi tightened his hands into fists.  He stood and JungKook looked pained and frantic.  “Please don’t leave…” he said.

 “I have to get back to work…”  Yoongi didn’t even look back as he made his way to the counter.

 The kid had no fucking right….

 Now… a week later… he sat across from JungKook at 11pm. The unreasonable anger had worn off… so he ought as well tell the kid.

 “It was my dad…” he said.  “He found out I had signed up at college as a music major… piano.”  JungKook’s eye widened, but he didn’t say anything.  Yoongi turned his chair to the side a bit so he could look out the large window at the city lights.  “I was supposed  to sign up for business, or engineering… but I’d auditioned and gotten a scholarship.”  Yoongi’s hand tightened around his glass of water.  “When I got home, he beat the crap out of me… then when I was on the floor, he stood on my wrist and took a hammer….”  Yoongi’s voice broke, and he couldn’t continue.  No tears… but his throat was so tight he could barely breath, let alone continue talking.  He took a deep breath.  “Needless to say…” Yoongi raised his left hand and flexed it, “...my piano playing days are behind me.”  

 He finally looked over at JungKook, to see the kid’s eyes full of tears, and his heart cracked.  He blinked rapidly and looked away, but couldn’t stop himself glancing over again.  Tears ran down the kid’s cheeks and his eyebrows were furrowed…  He looked like a sad but angry bunny, and Yoongi almost laughed.

 “What are you crying for?” he asked him, blinking back tears and sniffing loudly.  “It’s not like it happened to you…”

 “But…” Kookie started, “But Hyung…”  Hyung?  “...  Hyung, I…”  He lifted his forearm to his eyes and turned away.  Yoongi respected his privacy and returned his gaze to the window.

 “I could have had surgery, and physical therapy… but I was still technically a minor and needed my guardian’s ok on any procedures.  My dad said no to anything that wasn’t a basic necessity.  The doctor said then that if I refused it’d be impossible to fix later…”

 “Did you ever go?” he asked, suddenly serious.  Yoongi looked at him as another tear slipped down the kid’s face.

 “What?” he asked.

 “Did you ever go back to the doctor, when you left your parents…?”  Yoongi’s heart constricted.

 “...No,” he said, quietly.  “I never did.”

 “Go!” he said, a little too loudly… forcefully.

 “Jungkook, it’s too-”

 “It’s not!” he said, reaching for Yoongi’s wrist across the table.  “It’s not too late until you’ve tried!”  Yoongi could feel his hands starting to shake and tried to pull away, but the kid had a vice grip.  “Promise me… promise me, Hyung.  You’ll try…”  Yoongi pulled his hand again and JungKook let it go this time.  

 They stared at each other for a long while, until Yoongi heard footsteps enter the cafe.  He stood, looked over at a smirking Wendi, and sighed a deep sigh.  He looked down at JungKook seriously…

 “I’ll go…” he said, and the kid’s face lit up, “...when you go on a date.”  And the utter horror that swept over Kookie’s face made Yoongi smile an evil, downright wicked smile.  He walked back to the counter, nodding at a confused Wendi on the way.

 JungKook didn’t say anything as he left that night.

 ~

 Over the next month, Yoongi noticed JungKook’s mood getting worse. He still smiled, putting up a brave front… but it was becoming even more clear that therapy wasn't going well. Yoongi’s heart ached, and he didn't know what, if anything, he could do for the kid.  They didn't talk about much, and Kookie didn't bring up Yoongi’s hand or piano since Yoongi gave him the ultimatum.  It was almost time for Wendi to show up, and Yoongi just sat and watched JungKook mouth the words to the song on his headphones. It seemed like a slow ballad of some sort… and Yoongi found himself wondering what Kookie’s singing voice sounded like.

 “Hey, I have to ask you something…” Wendi said, startling Yoongi out of his thoughts. He looked at her and waited. “What the hell kind of conversations are you having with that kid?” she asked seriously.  Yoongi was puzzled.

 “I...don't know? We talk about a lot of stuff… usually random…” he cocked an eyebrow. “Why?”

 “Earlier today,” she leaned in and whispered. “He told me he liked the way I ‘bounced.’”

 Yoongi threw his head back and laughed.

 ~

 Yoongi didn't know why he'd come.  He didn't care… he didn't…  Kookie hadn't said anything about having a date or even that he talked to a girl… but when he imagined that little bunny scrunch smile actually saying that to Nurse Wendy, he couldn't help but feel obligated to at least… talk to the doctor…. And hey, he had to admit, Nurse Wendi had a hell of a bounce.

 It was at this hospital, not his old one… but when he’d made the appointment, he'd given permission to have his medical records transferred.  Now here he sat in front of a doctor in a small office on the 12th floor during his break and waiting as the doctor scrutinized his file.

 “So you never got surgery… why?”

 “My guardian refused it…”. At Yoongi’s answer the doctor’s brow furrowed.

 “This was an incredibly serious injury…” he said. “May I ask how it happened?”

 “A hammer…” Yoongi wouldn't say more.  The doctor’s face darkened even more.  He sighed.

 “Well, I won't know for certain what we’re dealing with until we get some x-rays done. That's the first step.”

 Yoongi did the X-rays, and waited in the office for the doctor to come back. He felt sick to his stomach. It had been 4 years… it had been too long… nothing could be done… why was he even here!?  The door opened and the doctor came in.  Yoongi held his breath as the doctor came in and sat down, his face serious.

 It was bad…. it was…

 The doctor lifted his head…

 And smiled.

 ~

 An hour later, Yoongi sat in the closet in the back room of the cafe, his head buried in his arms. He had tried to make it through the day, but the second JungKook had come into the cafe, Yoongi couldn't hold it together anymore. He’d escaped to the back room and his emotions overtook him. 4 years he had wasted on thinking it was impossible… 4 years he hadn't even tried. He missed it… he missed his piano so much it wasn't funny. He hadn't even looked at one since…

 Yoongi wiped his eyes and headed out to the cafe. He had to tell Kookie.

 But Kookie was gone.  Where was he?  It wasn't even 4pm yet, he'd just gotten there when Yoongi left….  Yoongi waved at his assistant and motioned to the door, receiving a nod in response. He ran out the glass doors into the hallway and looked to either side… nothing.  He saw Wendi, running out of a room down a couple of doors, and disappearing again into another.

 What was going on….  Yoongi couldn't breathe. He started down the hallway only to freeze at the sound.

 A group of nurses and a doctor came rushing out of the room, JungKook on a gurney in the middle of them… clutching his chest and screaming.

 ~

 Yoongi sat in the coffee shop late…. it was 1am and he hadn't even done the dishes yet…. he needed to close it down…

 He didn't care….

 He knew better! He should never have let himself get drawn into a patient’s life….

 “Damn it…” he swore under his breath and pressed his forehead to the table.  It was a bone fragment from the accident. It hadn't been a problem, but with all of Kookie-.... Jungkook’s physical therapy, it had shifted and…. he had been in surgery for hours now…

 Yoongi stood abruptly and ran his fingers through his hair.  Not the kid… he pleaded… he didn't even know who he was pleading to, but he couldn't help it. Not the kid….anyone but the kid...I'll never touch a piano again, I'll never…. I'll never…

 Yoongi began to sob.

 ~

 Yoongi took a deep breath as he stepped through the hospital doors into the lobby.  It had been almost two years since he'd left the coffee shop, but now he had a new job.

 A gig.

 He went to the elevator and pressed the button for the 8th floor, where the cafe was located.  He kept taking deep breaths. He was nervous, but it'd be fine.  It'd be okay.  When the doors opened, he stepped out into the hallway, and turned left, making his way to the large glass doors. Through the picture window into the cafe, he saw the gleaming black baby grand piano sitting on a small round platform in from of the floor to ceiling windows. The city lights glowed red, green and yellow behind it, almost like miniature stage lights. He stood for a moment, staring at it.

 He smiled.

 Yoongi walked through the doors and made his way to the counter. His old assistant was the manager now and had booked him immediately when the owner had come up with the idea of adding a piano.  Yoongi had jumped at the chance.

 Within a few minutes, he was sitting down on the bench and letting his fingers run slightly over the keys.  He was home again… he was himself again.  And it had been because of Kookie.  Yoongi missed him.

 After about five songs or so, with mild to moderate interest from those sitting down and those out in the hall, Yoongi interlaced his fingers and stretched out his arms in front of him.  He was a little stiff, but that came worth the territory. He needed to work his way back up.

 “Hey! Mysterious Piano Man!”

 Yoongi whipped his head up and smiled.  He stood and walked over to the young man standing at the counter, wrapping him in a big hug.

 “When did you get back into town?” Yoongi asked, laughing.

 “Yesterday!” JungKook said with a grin, backing away, but leaving a hand on his shoulder.  “You didn't think I'd miss your first gig, did you?”

 “Any requests?” Yoongi asked with a smirk. “But no mouthing along, if you wanna sing you actually have to sing.”  Kookie laughed.

 “Paper Hearts?” He wiggles his eyebrows and Yoongi rolled his eyes.  Without a word he walked up to the piano and began playing. JungKook walked up as he played the introduction. He sat down next to Yoongi on the edge of the piano bench and started singing.

 People took notice then. Jungkook’s voice was good… really good. Yoongi remembered the first time he actually heard JungKook sing. He'd smacked the kid in back of the head and said he'd do the same if he ever caught him mouthing words again.

 When the song was done, there was a good round of applause and Kookie turned and ruffled Yoongi's hair.

 “Any other requests?” Yoongi asked him with a smirk.

 “Beethoven’s Pathetique?”  JungKook laughed at Yoongi’s wide grin. “But only the second movement!”

 “Just because it was a Billy Joel song…” Yoongi grumbled. “Get off, I need more room.  Get us some coffee and I'll be down after a couple more songs.”  Yoongi met Kookie’s eyes. “I want to hear all about that dance academy you're going to.”  JungKook winked at him and hopped down, walking over to the counter.

 Yoongi watched him and let himself smile. There was something about watching Kookie walk... in this place especially.  It was surreal.

 Thank you… he said to whatever powers had come to the hospital that night and had touched those surgeon's hands… to whatever powers had pushed Kookie through hard intense rehab until he was walking within a year… to the powers that had allowed Yoongi to quit that year and go study full time at school… to the powers that had granted him one of the best friends he'd ever had or would have in his life.

 Thank you….

 And he began to play.

 ~

 The End

*A/N ~  As always, any comments or feedback greatly appreciate!  Thanks for reading!

#bts #bts love yourself #love yourself #bts fanfiction #bts fanfic #suga #bts suga #min yoongi #bts suga fanfic #min yoongi fanfiction #jeon jungkook #bts jungkook #jungkook fanfiction #jeon jungkook fanfic #kpop fanfic #kpop fanfiction #bts oneshot #sugakookie #yoonkook #bts angst #suga angst #jungkook angst #bts fluff #suga fluff #jungkook fluff #sugakookie fanfic #yoonkook fanfic #bts reactions #bts request #bts inspires

[missbitchwitch]

A Princess Peach Story

I’m now on archive of our own under the same username. Might be easier to read over there.

Chapter 9

“Jr! Quite! You will wake the princess.”

“But- but Momma... sh- she fell.”

“WHY?!!”, he blubbered

He was shuddering for breath, but did his best to continue.

He tried sniffling up the mucus and tears but they continued to stream down his face no matter how hard he tried.

“Is momma gonna die too?”, he whimpered.

Bowser lifted himself from his bed. It took more effort than he was willing to admit but he thought he pulled it off almost effortlessly for Jr. He shuffled toward him,each step was like driving a nail in each leg but the pain was small compared to the ache Bowser felt for his child.

“Come here kiddo.”

Bowser opened his arms wide and wrapped his tiny Koopa in a hug.

The boy was trying to stifle his cries but that only made them stronger and harder to control. He held his son under his chin and gently patted his shell.

Kami was giving him a disapproving stare but Bowser challenged her with his own. She wasn’t happy with him exerting himself, but he wasn’t going to silence his son, not when he wasn’t sure how long he had left to comfort him. Kami just shook her head and left the room.

“ Hey kiddo, listen here,” he growled.

“ Nothing bad is gonna happen to momma. She just got too hot, she’s not used to the heat here yet. Everything is gonna be ok.”

Jr sniffled and said, “Are you sure Papa?”

“ Am I ever wrong kid?”

“ Well you always tell everyone you aren’t.”

Ha! His kid was such a smart ass.

“Well since I’m king around here you better believe it!” He flexed to emphasize his point.

“ Haha you’re so weird dad.”

His smile was watery but he would take it. He placed Jr on the ground and nudged him closer to his bed.

“ When was the last time you had a nap kid?”

Jr looked around the room as if the walls could provide an answer for him. He wasn’t meeting his eyes and that was Jrs tell that he was gonna attempt to lie.

“Ummm...”

“ That long huh? Why don’t you nap with your old man tonight huh? Let momma rest in your bed tonight.”

Jrs face brightened, “ Momma’s gonna stay here with us?”

“ Haha of course! She came all this way to see us, I’m sure she would like to visit us as soon as she wakes up.”

He thought Jr looked worried about something but a giant yawn seemed to occupy whatever he was going to say. His eyes began to droop and if Bowser hadn’t picked him up, he would have passed out on the floor. When that kid needed sleep, he dropped like a sack of potatoes.

He chuckled to himself and placed him on his side of the bed. He snuggled up until he was mostly under the covers. Bowser shook his head, that boy was gonna kick him in his sleep until he was black and blue. Hopefully Kami wouldn’t be back for a while. He didn’t feel like sitting through a lecture.

He let Jr burrow until he could find a comfortable spot and walked back over to check on Peach. His heart swelled just looking at her. He never thought he would get a chance to see her this unguarded. She always seemed ready to knock his block off any time he tried to speak with her.

Even the way she dressed was like an armor used to protect herself from him. She was always done up to perfection. Hair styled and shined, dresses crisp enough that even the slightest shift was as loud as a door slamming. He honestly couldn’t tell you if her skin felt as soft as it looked, the little bits he could see anyway. Her outfits were always so modest they covered her like a warrior koopas shell. He even felt her make up was also a mask she used to keep him at arms lengths. She was almost too perfect, a goddess you were never allowed to touch and always out of reach.

Although the circumstances were less than ideal, he never wanted Peach hurt or uncomfortable. He had to admit to himself, he preferred seeing her like this. Hair mussed and damp with sweat. Her make up gone from the sweat and damp cloth the doctors used to cool her down. She seemed so much smaller in her night dress. He assumed the volume of her skirts made her seem larger than she was, like and animal puffing it’s self up if faced with danger.

Maybe that’s why she always wore that uncomfortable looking thing. He never did give her any warning when he took her. Perhaps she was always ready for battle then.

He wanted so badly to run his fingers through her hair, hold her close and just breath her in. His fingered twitched at the thought but he kept them clenched at his side. She had never invited him to touch her when she was awake, he would not steal it from her while she was unaware.

Her brow was furrowed as if she was privy to his thoughts and was disturbed by them. He sighed and turned to leave when he heard the tiniest of whimpers. Curious he turned around, something wasn’t right. Her body seemed as taught as a bow string. He could see the muscles in her neck straining. Her breathing was fast and irregular. Her eyelids kept flickering and from what he could see her eyes were continually shifting.

Was she having a nightmare? He had never seen someone act this way while asleep. Should he try to wake her? Leave her be?

As he struggled with his decision, Peach had actually made one for him. He heard her cry out one more time and saw tears pooling under her lashes.

He didn’t even think, he sank down to his knees next to her and placed her tiny hands in his massive claws. He held her hand as if it was made of priceless glass. Holding her bare hand was thrilling but she was still restless. Slowly he began to run his thumb over her knuckles, trying to give her some comfort while trapped in sleep.

If he could he would take away whatever she feared. He just prayed to the stars above that it wasn’t him she dreamed of and that caused her such distress. Not long after he started he noticed her fall into what he hoped was a peaceful sleep. She no longer cried out and her face looked relaxed in sleep. It seems all too soon that he had to let her go, but as he did so his bedtime ritual with Jr took over and he placed a chaste kiss on her unfurrowed brow.

Bowser wanted to slam his head into the wall, after he made such a big deal about making sure he didn’t touch her without permission, he went into dad mode and screwed it up. Maybe luck was on his side and she wouldn’t even know it happened.

He hoped now that Peach was at his side he would get better. She came here, she used the air ship he gave her specifically for the use to visit him. Could she perhaps be changing her opinion of him? Whatever her reasoning he needed to show her how much he cared and while doing it, try not to muck it up.

He gave her sleeping form one last tender look and whispered to himself, “ You came Peachy. You came for me.... please..”

He didn’t believe in making wishes to the stars but in that moment he had almost begged them for that to be the truth.

Shaking the urge off like bath water, he retreated to his bed to watch over the most important people in his world for as long as he could.

#princess peach #bowser #bowser jr #super mario #powser #fanfiction

[amaluelmwood]

He Who Came And Never Left - Part 02

@spikeghost moooaaarrr 

PART 01

Fandom: Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies), Star Trek Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James T. Kirk/Leonard “Bones” McCoy/Spock, James T. Kirk & Leonard “Bones” McCoy Characters: James T. Kirk, Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Christopher Pike Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Academy Era, Medical Procedures, Slow Burn, Paranoia, Divorced McCoy, Cadets, Hospitals, Past Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Past Torture, Cadet McCoy, POV Leonard McCoy, Hand wavy science Series: Part 1 of Augment Kirk Summary: Under the supervision of Admiral Pike and half the Starfleet Medical Authority, McCoy is tasked with opening a recently discovered stasis tube and dealing with the person found within. That person is one Jim Kirk, an Augment who was last awake in the 2020′s. --- Day 01

The recovery room is near silent as Leonard leans over the patient, the only sounds the faint whisper of breathing and the unobtrusive notes of the biobed scanners as they work. He carefully checks the patient’s vitals, eyes on the scans and fingers pressing lightly into pale, warm skin.

“Pulse is strong and steady,” he mutters just audible enough for the computer to capture and record. “Temperature within basic human norm,” he glances at the screens, “Brainwaves reading Theta and-”

Leonard stops as the waves begin to shift from Theta to Alpha, from Alpha to-. Frowning slightly, he lifts his hand from the patient’s wrist, reaches up to lift an eyelid to check pupillary response.

“Shit!”

The patient grips his wrist in a steady, strong hold, stopping Leonard from even trying to move, for risk of breaking the delicate bones of his wrist.

“Doctor McCoy!”

Leonard lifts his free hand, waves the security guard back as the patient opens his eyes and looks right at him. Leonard doesn’t blink, doesn’t look away, allows the patient to lock their gazes.

“Stand down, Officer Zh'chyrreq,” he orders clearly, concisely. “They’re not goin’ to hurt me. Are you?” He addresses the patient directly, doesn’t move a muscle and stays calm through sheer force of will.

The patient blinks and their grip loosens minutely, enough that Leonard can feel the blood rushing back into his hand.

“See. There we go, Officer Zh'chyrreq, they’re just confused.” He keeps his voice calm, uses his rarely used Nice Doctor voice to help his patient adjust to being awake again after so long. If this kid is what he suspects, they’re unlikely to be feeling charitable towards medics and security officers. He needs to make sure they feel safe.

“We’re not gonna hurt you, kid. You’ve been asleep a long time, we just wanna make sure you’re ok.”

The eyes leave his and flick toward Officer Zh'chyrreq. Leonard can see the exact moment the kid registers that Setet isn’t human, the blue skin and antennae giving it away somewhat. Wide eyed, pupils suddenly blown in what must be fear, the kid looks back up at him, the grip on his wrist tightening again, so Leonard speaks quickly, wanting to head off any disastrous reaction.

“Officer Zh'chyrreq’s Andorian, kid. Andorian’s are allies of humanity, have been for a while now, she’s not goin’ to hurt you.”

The kids eyes flick back to Setet, but they relax a little again as she steps back, hands held loosely at her sides even as she watches them intently. Leonard flexes his wrist slightly, regaining the patient’s gaze.

“I promise to explain everythin’ to you as soon as I can, kid. I’m gonna need my hand though.”

“Jim,” the kid rasps, lips barely parted and voice rusty, unused.

“Jim? That your name, kid?”

The kid - Jim - nods very slightly and the grip on Leonard’s wrist disappears altogether, their hand dropping back to the biobed mattress with a light thump. Thier grip was strong, he’d felt his bones grinding together within it, but apparently they’re still weak from their long sleep and the rush of movement has tired them out again already.

Leonard tries for a smile, “Ok, Jim, that’s good. I’m Doctor Leonard McCoy, I’m your primary physician.” He stands a little straighter, twists his wrist slightly as it regains feeling. Jim keeps watching him, eyes focussed, expression still lax. He can’t tell anything about the kid yet, maybe not at all until the kid feels like actually talking and not just offering a single syllable for a name.

“Do you understand, Jim?”

Jim doesn’t speak this time, simply nods very slightly again.

“That’s great, Jim,” he telegraphs his movements clearly so the kid doesn’t startle as he reaches for the PADD, and the kid watches his every move as he does it, “I just need to check some of your vitals, ok, Jim? Will you allow me?”

Jim continues to stare at him for a long moment, and he glances at the readings that scroll across the PADD out of the corner of his eye. Everything looks normal, too normal, especially for someone who has been asleep for as long as this kid probably has. Everything is stacking up and pointing in the direction of his hypothesis being correct and it makes him uneasy.

Jim nods after a long moment though, so Leonard breathes out his tension in a short sigh and - once again telegraphing his every move - he pulls out the penlight. Leonard flicks his eyes to Setet, but she continues to watch them in silence, stance loose but ready, so he carefully leans down over Jim again.

The kid makes no complaint as he flicks the penlight first in their left eye, then their right, checking pupillary responses - normal - then checks their pulse again, watching the biobed sensors as he presses his fingers into Jim’s wrist. The kid simply watches him, saying nothing, and it’s more than a little disconcerting by this point, but Leonard keeps going, he has a job to do.

“Can you sit up, Jim?”

Jim takes another long moment to apparently consider the question, before they nod again. Jim ignores Leonard’s offered hand and slowly, carefully, leverages their torso up. They slowly twist until their legs dangle off the side of the biobed, the artificially heated blankets tangling up around their thighs and hips. Jim grips the edge of the bed in white knuckled hands, though their face remains soft, free of any expression as they watch Leonard as intently as Setet watches the room.

“Ok, that’s great, Jim. Are you feeling any pain?” The sensors aren’t registering any neural activity indicating pain, but he always prefers to ask as well.

Jim blinks, as if surprised by the simple question, then shakes their head.

“Are you feeling weak?”

Jim shakes their head again, then stops, shrugs lightly and then nods, all without taking their eyes off Leonard.

Leonard snorts and Jim’s eyes widen in apparent shock again.

“Kid, I’m not here t’judge you. If you’re feelin’ weak, it’s only t’be expected and probably a nutritional thing. And you ain’t exactly been usin’ your muscles for a while, either, you’re lucky you’re not atrophied all to hell. Thank whoever built the pod you were sleepin’ in, kid, they did good work apparently.”

He looks down at the PADD and swipes the screen until it shows him the information he wants, “Yeah, ok, you’re lacking in some minerals and vitamins, but that’s an easy fix.” He looks back up at Jim and gives them another smile, “We’ll start you off on some simple vitamin rich broths, we don’t want you throwin’ it all back up again. See how that goes for a couple days, then get you on real food - how does that sound?”

Jim simply shrugs again, but they seem a little less wary. Leonard takes that as a win.

“Alright, kid, I want to check your physical responses,” he explains as he puts the PADD back, “Which means I’m gonna touch you, is that ok with you?”

Jim immediately closes off again, but after a moment they nod, slowly.

Leonard looks them in the eye, calm and steady, “If you want me to stop, if you’re uncomfortable in any way, tap the bed three times and I’ll back off, ok? I’m not gonna do anythin’ you don’t want here, ok, Jim?”

Jim stares for a much longer moment, a slight crinkle appearing between their brows. It’s the first real facial expression Leonard has seen them show and he’s not entirely sure how to read it. Is the kid confused? But the crinkle vanishes and then Jim nods.

With a glance over at Officer Zh'chyrreq, to check she’s ok with this - she nods - Leonard slowly begins to go through the checks. He makes sure to keep telegraphing every move he makes and is especially careful not to do anything that could in any way cause even slight discomfort as he slowly takes Jim’s limbs through the motions needed to check the responses, in both their joints and their muscles.

When he reaches to test Jim’s neck the kid jerks away and taps the bed sharply. Leonard immediately backs off, hands raised, palms open as he steps back, giving Jim the space they seem to need. “Ok, Jim. Ok, we can check that another time.”

Jim’s breathing and heart rate have risen slightly, so Leonard stays at a slight distance as the kid watches him warily, the slight crease back between their brows again. Leonard picks the PADD back up and makes some notes about Jim’s responsiveness, the range of motion of their limbs, the lack of pain. He puts in a note about the broth jim will need for the first few days and writes a short paragraph about the kid’s name and their reactions to both Officer Zh'chyrreq and himself. He makes a further note about the kid’s possible selective mutism - it could be psychological, or it could be physical. Until he can actually check Jim’s neck, he won’t really know for sure, despite the scans.

As he replaces the PADD again, he goes to pat Jim’s knee but thinks better of it before actually touching them. Jim apparently notices and the slight crease reappears as th kid watches him.

“Alright, Jim. You can lay down again now if you want to.” He doesn’t move to offer help this time as jim slowly lowers themself back onto the biobed. He does, however, rearrange the blankets in a perfunctory manner that can’t be misread as anything but necessity.

“I’m going to let you rest for a bit. I’ve put in a note about the food you’re going to need - depending on how your stomach deals with it, you’ll start off at small bowls every couple hours, you can have some sweet tea and fresh fruit juice as well. Now,” he pauses and lightly crosses his arms over his torso, “I’ve had to let my superiors know that you’re awake, so, they’re going to want to visit you.”

Jim gives him another expression. Raised eyebrows, wide eyes, slightly parted lips. Surprise? Apprehension?

Leonard drops his arms, runs one hand through his hair as he looks at Jim, “You’re of great interest to them, Jim. But,” he lowers his hand again, “As your primary physician, I have some say over when and how many people can visit you. And you get to turn them away if you don’t want them near you. You don’t have to talk to them at all if you don’t want to.”

He shakes his head and gives Jim’s still wide eyes a grim smile, “It’s a moot point right now anyway, kid. I’m not lettin’ anyone near you ‘til I reckon you’re ready for’em.”

Jim visibly relaxes, eyes closing briefly and Leonard smiles again, more softly this time, “Alright. I’ll let you rest. Officer Zh'chyrreq will be stayin’ with you, but she’s here to make sure no-one can hurt you, ok? If you want me, let her know and she’ll call me right in. I won’t be far.”

He watches as Jim relaxes further, as their eyes flicker, lids heavy and body lax. He pats the mattress beside Jim’s knee, noting the way Jim watches his hand under their heavy lids, and turns to leave the room.

“Comm me when Jim wakes up, ok?” Setet nods and, satisfied, Leonard leaves the room.

#mckirk #leonard mccoy #jim kirk #star trek #star trek alternate original series

[vintage-story-time]

MANHATTAN MADNESS by Chili Peeler

Chapter 15

Jim paced around the apartment, wound up with excitement and nervousness, for almost a half hour after getting back to the apartment. Finally, he put on some trunks and went to lie down on a sunchair on the patio. The sun was well past its zenith but felt good. He went through the scene in his mind over and over, how he was going to lay everything on the line and see what happened. He wanted to sound confident and in control when he revealed what he knew. And in his mind, he'd played back his sister's possible reactions. Maybe she'd apologize and fight off his advances for the rest of the trip...maybe she'd tell him she was glad he knew, that she and Julie were going to tell him anyway, that she wanted to fuck him again .... whatever her reaction, Jim knew he had nothing to lose. She'd tricked him into sex so their brother and sister relationship had been irrevocably changed at that point.

It was almost 4:30 before his sister got back to the apartment. He heard her call out when she entered but he stayed where he was. She'd be able to see him through the open glass door. 'All right, time to act like a man.... show her you're ready for what she obviously wants,' he thought as he saw her come through the patio doors. "Hey! Whatcha been up to today?" Elizabeth said as she came out into the sun. She seemed relaxed enough, smiling and moving nonchalantly. 'Man, is she cool! Spent the day sucking and fucking her brother in a red sex suit and now she looks like she's back from church,' he thought. "Oh, I had a really good day," he answered as he flexed his arms and chest muscles, showing off his body to his sister. She hadn't seen it with her hood on but now he saw her eyes taking it all in. "Yeah? What did ya do? Just lay around here in the sun!" she teased as she raised her foot and poked his side. "No...I had myself a real good workout today.....worked up a good sweat," Jim said, not lying as he ogled her legs....the legs that had wrapped around him earlier. "I wouldn't mind working out like that every day while I'm here." His answer had been loaded with double entendre and he watched her face for some flicker of excitement or fear that maybe he knew. But she appeared to just take it at face value. "What did you do go for a run or something? I hope you didn't go to Central Park without me?" she said as she tilted her face to the sun. "Uh, no...I just did some exercising..um..indoors." Jim said. "How did your doctor's visit go?" "Oh, it was fine...OK," Elizabeth said as she drew her hair back over one ear in what Jim thought was a nervous gesture. Had he not known it had been her, he never would have even noticed the gesture. "Well, don't stay out her too long...you'll burn." Giving him a smile, she went back into the apartment, leaving Jim to ponder his next move. 'OK.....she's not going to confess apparently..unless she's waiting for Julie and the two of them will do it together......I'll see how things go when Julie gets back....Damn! I wish she'd make this easier for me. Well, I'm not going to go back home without getting her to open up.' Jim vowed as he closed his eyes. After another fifteen minutes, Jim got up and went inside to take a much needed shower. His sister was sitting on the couch, going through some mail and she told him that Julie should be back soon and they were going to go out to dinner. He went in his room, stripped down and got in the shower. Finished, he dried off, blow dried his hair and put on some jeans and a polo shirt. He went back out into the living room to find Julie had arrived back and was sitting on the couch with his sister, both facing each other. Their conversation tailed off as he came out of his bedroom and he wondered if he was the topic of conversation. "Why, hello Jim," Julie said dramatically, "Lizzie and I were just discussing how we've got to do a better job entertaining you." Julie, her face turned away from his sister, gave him a wink. 'Don't wink at me, you man in sheep's clothing,' he thought as Julie continued. "You've been here almost 48 hours and we haven't even taken you to one of our New York's famous restaurants. How does some Mexican food sound?" "Uh...great," he said, "Is what I'm wearing OK?" "That's fine," Elizabeth said, getting up and heading for her bedroom, "I'm gonna put on a better blouse." That left Julie and he alone in the living room. She patted the couch next to her, obviously wanting him to sit beside her but he moved past and sat down in the chair. She scooted down nearer him. "Why did you take off like that?" she asked, pitching her voice lower than normal conversation. "I might have shared a cab with you." "I wanted to be alone...I had some thinking to do." "Oh, OK, no big deal...you really made my client quite happy." Julie's hand moved onto his knee and Jim shot up out of the chair. To

say he was skitterish would have been an understatement. Knowing Julie was as much of a man as he was had him upset. "I...better get my shoes," he mumbled and headed for his bedroom, leaving the puzzled Julie alone. 'That was good, Jim,' he berated himself as he got his shoes, ' Way to be calm and collected.' He grabbed some socks and headed out again into the livingroom. His sister was back, pulling on some low heeled shoes and wearing a cream colored silk blouse with her khaki shorts. "I hope you're hungry. We were thinking about going early, if that's OK?" his sister said. "Sure, let's go. I'm starving." Jim said, noting the strange look on Julie's face. She was obviously wondering why he was acting so distant. They cabbed to the restaurant, a place called Domingo's, which was in the lower level of an office building somewhere across the East River. The interior was done in an adobe like wall covering with a mixture of Latin art work and neon lights on the walls. They were seated at a booth in the back and Elizabeth scooted in first so she was between him and Julie. "Can I get you any drinks?" the waitress asked as she lay their menus in front of them. "Yeahhh!" Elizabeth said. "Let us have three Cadillac margaritas with salt on the rims. Thanks......ever had a Cadillac before?" she asked him. "No, not a Cadillac..I've had margaritas but I didn't think they were all that great," Jim said as he dug into the chips and salsa the waitress had left. "Oh, you probably had some horrible mix...I'm not sure they can make a decent margarita in Nebraska," she kidded. The drinks came and Jim had to admit they were a lot better than the ones he'd had previously; pouring the shot of Gran Marnier in the drink really gave it a nice zip. The waitress came back and asked if they wanted another round and they ordered another round and that came soon along with their meals. And then during the meal, Jim ordered another margarita while the girls sipped their second drinks. At the end of the meal, Jim was feeling mighty good. Elizabeth reached in her purse and pulled out a cigarette and lighter. She lit up and Jim was surprised. "I didn't know you smoked?" he said. "Well, a girl's got to have her secrets," Elizabeth said with a laugh and Jim saw Julie and her exchange a glance. He knew what his sister's eyes were saying: 'Poor Jim, he doesn't know about you and me, Julie ....he doesn't know about the fun we had with him today...how we fooled him....' Jim decided to air out some of his sister's secrets. "Sis, I know a lot of your secrets." 'Oh, shit.' Julie stiffened when Jim uttered that sentence. She'd gotten a bad feeling when she'd come out to find Jim gone...it was so unlike him. Up to that point, she'd had him jumping through hoops. Now he was sitting there with that 'I know something I shouldn't' grin on his face and three Cadillacs to boost him on. She just hoped he was talking about her and Elizabeth being lovers; she could do some damage control on that. But if he'd found out who Kitten was...... Jim watched his sister's smile waver, then she took the bait he'd laid. "Yeah, right! What secrets of mine do you know?" Elizabeth said playfully. "Well, let's see...there's you and Julie being lovers....you stripping in that club of yours....and that great time you cooked up this afternoon. I tell you, when I found out it was you..." Jim stopped when his sister put her hands to her face and looked at Julie. He had expected her to be surprised but her eyes began to tear up. "Liz, he knew right away we were lovers," Julie said tenderly as she scooted closer to his sister. "I told you it was a risk inviting him." "Beth, I'm sorry, I thought since we, you know.." Jim tried to apologize. "All right..." Elizabeth said through a sniffle. "How did you find out about where I work?" Jim did not know how to answer that one. He wasn't sure he should say Julie had taken him; apparently

things weren't as he thought. "I took him there," Julie confessed. "WHAT!" How could you?" Elizabeth said as she pushed away Julie's arm. "Julie, you had no right to do that!" "I'm sorry," Julie said, "He knew about us and I could tell he would enjoy it.....I mean, he's not hung-up..." "You thought he would enjoy watching me...." Elizabeth's eyes were flashing with anger now. "And did you tell him I would be there or did you just surprise him?! No, don't answer that..I know the answer." "Lizzie, don't be like this." Julie said. "You be quiet!" Elizabeth said to Julie, then turned to her brother. "And you mentioned this afternoon...what do you know about that?" Jim now realized that his sister did not know he had been the one that had enjoyed her charms. He'd misread the whole thing; it had been Julie working alone. He didn't answer her, just looked at Julie. He wasn't going to spill the beans to his sister, let Julie make up something if she could. "Come on, Jim. Look, I'm not mad at you....." she placed her hand over his, "How did you find out about this afternoon?....What? Did Julie let you watch?!...." "Beth, I didn't know it was you..." was all Jim could say. He saw understanding appear on his sister's face and she whipped her head at Julie. Julie just sat there, using her fork in the remnants of her meal and looking at Elizabeth in resignation. "It was him, wasn't it?......God, Julie!" Elizabeth was sieving now; she grabbed her purse and scooted against him, wanting to get up and out of the booth. He quickly stood and she slid out to stand by him, all the time watching Julie, who just sat there. "Beth, I'm sorry, I thought you knew it was me...I never would have brought it up..." Jim said. "We'll talk about it later....don't worry, it's not your fault...I got to be alone for awhile...I'll see you back at the apartment" She kissed him on the cheek and then turned to Julie. "You, I don't want to see!.....You find somewhere else to stay!" Then she walked away, not looking back. "Well, Julie. Would you like to explain what the hell has been going on?" Jim said as he sat back down. His anger was back up; instead of looking forward to continuing his sexual activities with what he thought was a wild and willing sister, Julie now had probably just ruined his whole relationship with her. "I think you see what happened...after getting to know you, I decided that you would like to screw your sister......was I wrong?" Julie was back to her calm self again. "How could you think that?" he said weakly. "Well, most brothers would probably leave a strip club if they saw their sister up on the stage...you certainly didn't leave." Julie put a credit card on the bill and pushed it to the edge of the table. "I could tell you liked her for more than a sister." "All right, let's assume that I did," Jim said, leaning over to lower his voice. "Why didn't you tell me it was her and give me the option? Who gave you the right to make me and my sister.....commit a crime? Because that's what it is. A crime." "If I'd given you the option, you'd have chickened out. As much as you wanted it. My way was perfect.....you could both get it and not have any hang-ups. I must admit that I started the whole thing with the intention of getting all three of us in bed before you left.....does that shock you?" Jim had to admit that before he'd seen Julie and his sister through the mirrors, he would have loved having his sister and her buxom lover in a three-way. But he knew now that Julie was not a woman. "No, what shocks me is that you are not a woman....a female." He saw Julie's face lose her composure and he liked seeing her be hurt for a change. "I got to admit, you really had me fooled. Were you laughing to yourself when I was fucking your ass?" He wished he could yell it at her but he wasn't sure that their voices weren't carrying as it was to the adjacent boothes. The waitress came and picked up the bill and went away.

"Look, Jim....I should have told you. I'll admit that I take liberties that I shouldn't....I think of myself as a woman and always have, since I was in my early teens...I was just in the wrong kind of body. When I could get away from home, I started to make myself into the woman I wanted to be. You don't know how much work I've had done to get to this..." she swept her hands down her body. "I just never the guts to go all the way with my sex change. I don't have to tell you what it's like to have a woman like a man.....I'm attracted to men and women. I can get my share of guys that want a dick and a woman in the same package. And women, like Liz. But when I can have a man like you, a real heterosexual, and he doesn't know....yeah, it's more exciting. But believe me, I wasn't laughing to myself.....I was just wishing that I wasn't such a...freak." Jim felt sad for her despite all she'd done. He couldn't really be angry with her for setting him and his sister up like she had; he secretly wished he could do it again with Elizabeth. "Anyway, you shouldn't beat yourself up over it....I had myself covered up and I lied to you. All you saw and felt was a woman and I just wish you could see me as a woman. If you could do that...I might still be able to bring your sister around to our way of thinking." "Look, Julie....I can't lie to you. I thought Elizabeth knew it was me and you two had working together...and I brought it up because I was hoping maybe if it was out in the open and she knew I was OK with it, then me and her might be able to do it again." Julie smiled at that. "But, you..I mean, I don't think I could ever..." "Jim, what is a woman?....soft flesh, tits, a loving mouth, a hole to stick your dick in? I've got all that....so why not enjoy it? You're a long way from home, no one's ever gonna find out and it doesn't mean you're a homo....it just means you like to have a good time. " 'She's got a point...it'll never get around back in Nebraska....and I've already done it with her once...' Jim thought. It was hard not to consider doing it with her again when she looked like the girl from the movie Weird Science only with huge tits. "I'll make you a deal," he said, "I'd like to do it with Beth again...if that happens, I wouldn't mind if you were to join in. But, I doubt very much that that is going to happen....you saw how mad Beth was." The waitress brought back the bill and Julie signed it and handed it back to her before she could leave. Julie stood up and said, "I've seen Liz more upset than that.....I may know her better than she thinks."

#MANHATTAN MADNESS by Chili Peeler #Chapter 15