#nobody to take care of ... keel over and sleep forever

[dirt-str1der]

Mayumi made a replica of kiryus apartment key in order to get in whenever he locks the door and gaslighted him into believing that he gave a spare to her but its literally just an old credit card painstakingly cut in the shape of his key. Every time he opens the door and finds her in his house hes always like -_- oh.

#Yakuza liveplay #she keeps getting inside because kiryu looks so sad and sopping wet that she has a feeling if she leaves him alone for one night #he will just not shower and curl up in his little omega nest before waking up and changing into his unwashed unironed uniform and heading ou #sorry for saying omega nest actually thats just how alphas get when they get separated from their pack :( #nobody to take care of ... keel over and sleep forever

[slashermom]

How do the Sinclair bros celebrate their birthdays with their s/o? And what if there s/o is like super into birthdays and wants to make it special for them?

Bo

Truth be told, birthdays never really mattered to Bo.

Why should they when they were never truly about him? Attention was always fixated on Vincent and how it was Vincent’s special day.

He only kept track of them as he got older so he could know when he could legally buy his own smokes and beer.

But even now they’re not particularly a big deal to him.

You: It’s your birthday Bo! :D

Bo: *ducks head out from under the hood of his truck with a cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth* Well ain’t that sumthin’. You think I can get a free meal at Hooters?

He’s pretty adamant about keeping the celebration down to a minimum.

A drink and some birthday sex will suit him just fine.

But if you’re hellbent on giving him the birthday he deserves he’s not gonna stop you.

Not like he could if he tried.

Just as you suspected, Bo woke up completely forgetting that today was his birthday and went about his normal routine.

This gave you more than enough time to decorate the kitchen and part of the living room with birthday decorations and bake a good-sized cake.

You actually commissioned Vincent to make some little candles for the cake. You reminded yourself to make sure he came up and enjoyed himself and give him the gift you picked up for him. It was his birthday too after all.

You laid everything out neatly and triple checked all your little decorations and placements before the sound of the front door opening pulled your attention.

Bo went to let out a noise of question but you didn’t let him process the thought and shouted a joyful ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’

Raised eyebrows and wide eyes scan the Sinclair house with disbelief. You really went out of your way to do this for him?

Believe it or not, Bo may be prideful and confident but he also considers himself more trouble than he’s worth and knows he doesn’t deserve good things.

So this sentiment leaves the quick-witted man speechless for a moment.

You push him into the kitchen where all the gifts and cake are while you mention something about Lester stopping by.

You shove three presents toward him with a smile. You felt bad that you had to wrap them in old newspaper, completely forgetting about wrapping paper but it’s what in the wrapping right?

Bo will protest he doesn’t need anything. That you’re already making a man blush but you shake your head and tell him to open the damn presents already. So he does.

A pair of new work boots, a cap, and a shiny new lighter. Nothing too extravagant but all things he could use. Practical, you reasoned with yourself. You wanted to get him more but your budget was already stretched thin as it was and-

Bo didn’t allow much time for you to feel guilty about what you couldn’t give him. Quick to show his appreciation with a kiss and a genuine smile.

You make his heart feel so full.

You’ve done more for him in these few moments than anyone has his whole life and if this is how all birthdays are he’s gonna have to start paying attention to them more closely.

Vincent

Birthdays slipped away from Vincent after he left Ambrose.

With nobody there to wish him happy birthday or show any sort of appreciation for his day of birth he just let them slip away.

He knew how old he was or had a rough idea, but just hadn’t truly celebrated since he was a young boy.

Vincent wasn’t oblivious to his twin’s dismay at the day and wondered if he could ever make it up to him for all the years Bo was swept under the rug.

Most of the time, he spent his birthday hiding away in the basement from Bo. Vincent knew Bo probably didn’t know it was their birthday but he didn’t want to risk it and piss him off.

But you weren’t as weary about Bo as he was.

You were gonna give Vincent (and by extension Bo) a fantastic birthday!

You started off his birthday by waking up the sleeping artist with some breakfast in bed. A meal he often skipped or grabbed the bare minimum.

He was startled at first.

Didn’t know why you were being so generous to him before you explained that it was his birthday and he felt heat spread throughout his cheeks.

You remembered. You knew.

He wanted to jump right up and snatch ahold of you and never let go.

But Vincent settled on a lovely kiss.

You tried to convince him to take the day off but he reasoned that he had to get another wax figure in the museum. You eventually gave in and told him to take it easy today. It was his birthday after all.

It gave you some time to make sure you had everything.

As Vincent sat in his workshop long after your surprise this morning, he could still feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest. Vincent considers himself a very stoic person, but you are able to pull emotions from him almost effortlessly.

You checked on him multiple times that day.

Each time you would wish him a happy birthday and leave him with a kiss or a nice back/shoulder rub.

You did most of these things on a normal day but they felt more special today.

As the day came to a close and the night crept in, you began to get restless.

To kill some time, you ran down to the service station to drop off a piece of cake and Bo’s gift but he seemed to be preoccupied in the basement and there was no way in hell you were going down there.

Once you returned to the house and puttered around a bit more you grew tired of waiting and decided to bring the party down to Vincent.

Balancing his presents in one hand and his piece of cake in another you thumped your way down the stairs into his work space.

Vincent just stands there in shock for a few seconds as he asses the situation before him.

You mean to tell him you did more for him?

Vincent’s heart is beating so loud in his chest that he’s pretty sure he’s just gonna keel over.

Placing everything on a clean space on his workbench you usher him over to sit at the stool and open his gifts.

Vincent tells you that you didn’t have to do this, that he’s more than happy with the breakfast and all the birthday wishes.

You only shake your head and push the gifts closer.

He’s careful unwrapping each gift and each gift he pulls free of its wrapping he feels his breath gets caught in his throat.

A few sticks of charcoal, some nice new color pencils, two hardcover sketchbooks, and some paints.

A bunch of small items that made it seem bigger than it really was.

Vincent could only stare at the gifts.

He’s pretty sure that even if he was a big talker he would still have trouble finding the right words to express his appreciation and love for you.

He plucks your hand from his shoulder and presses it to the lips of his mask.

Vincent quickly decides that this contact is not nearly enough and stands from his seat to pull you closer.

You might not be able to tell but he’s got the biggest grin on his face. Even though it stings and aches he can’t help it. You make him so happy.

Lester

Much like the harsher of the two twins, birthdays were tricky for Lester.

He didn’t get to have too many at home before Trudy got sick and the ones he could remember were very brief and cold.

He had a few birthdays here and there in the system that were somewhat memorable but nothing special.

Lester did see other kids at birthday parties with their friends and family and did always wonder what that was like. But he knew better than to stare for too long.

As he got older, he would maybe treat himself to a meal out but besides that, it was just another day.

He spent many of them alone but that was gonna change this time around.

You knew Lester would get up early and be at work for most of the day if not till early evening.

Giving you the opportunity to go out and get everything. You had waited to pick up what you needed until now because you knew that Lester would be inclined to snoop. He always did during Christmas.

But you did make sure to slip his birthday card into the front seat of his truck for him to find sometime during the day.

You were left the rest of the just wait for the scrawny man to return and you couldn’t wait for him to see his reaction.

You had thrown up a few decorations but nothing too extravagant. You understood that simplicity was key.

After spending the day impatiently waiting for Lester to return, you finally heard the telltale squeak of the front door and his boots hitting the floor.

You rounded the corner to see Lester staring in awe at the decorations as well as the cake and gifts laid out in front of him.

He had the birthday card held tightly in his grasp.

“You do all this for me?”

You chuckled and nodded, going to pull him closer into the room but he instead pulled you closer and pressed a kiss to your cheek before grabbing your hand and tugging you toward the gifts.

Lester raised his eyebrows as if asking permission to open his own gifts. You told him to get on with it and he did frantically.

First, he unwrapped the new long sleeve shirts.

He definitely needed some new shirts. His old ones were forever stained with his work. Not to mention, they reeked even after you washed them more times you could count on both of your hands.

Lester was so excited he was already trying them all on.

Making comments about they’re so soft and you got just the right size and how he’ll never take them off.

But he was most excited about the new Bowie knife you had presented to him after he got done trying on all the shirts.

His old one was getting dull and although you found it comical watching him struggle against the hide of some poor dead critter it was time for a new one.

He cries.

Wraps his arms around you and whispers thank yous and I love yous into your neck. He really, truly, absolutely means it.

The moment was broken up by the sound of Bo kicking open the front door with a loud: “Happy Birthday you smelly son of a bitch!”

Lester pulled away to go meet his brothers and you laughed watching the three men converse in the entryway.

Lester spends the rest of the night glued to you. Every once and awhile turning to get a look at you and smiling to himself about how lucky he is.

#wowie #this made me realize I havent had a party or really celebrated in y e a rs #I think its because negative associations after getting a haymaker to the face at my wiggles themed birthday party #ignore me ive been 🅱️rinking #bo sinclair x reader #vincent sinclair x reader #lester sinclair x reader #house of wax 2005

[sherrybaby14]

The Option VIII

Summary:  Spring is in the air and you are looking toward the future, while Bucky’s not ready to give up on the present.  

Warnings: Little bit of smut, darkness (but not of the sexual variety), angst, paranoia, stupid decisions on both parties

Words: 5000

               The nip of frost in the air was fading and the sun was strong enough Bucky almost took off his jacket.  Spring was around the corner.  That fact strained Bucky’s heart.  This had been the best winter of his life.  He never wanted it to end.  

               “What will happen to the animals when we leave?” Peach looked up from feeding the chickens.  “Who will take care of them?”  

                 “One thing to worry about at a time.”  Bucky knew this conversation, she always started with a harmless question and snowballed into the larger one. With the change in weather, he was going to have to come up with a solution.  

                 “Have you gave any more thought to America?” There was the first stab at it.  

                 At least she didn’t lead with the question about her uncle.  Bucky didn’t want to have this conversation.  There was no chance it would end in anything but tears for her, but it was time.  

                 “I don’t think that’s on the table Peach.” He put down the ax and walked over to her.  “The people who are after you, any use of your name will trigger them.  They’ll collect you.  Even if it means crossing the ocean.  Hiding is our best option.”  

                 “What if we contact the press? Politicians? Bring light to the problem?”  To most, she sounded confident, but Bucky saw through the façade. He imagined she’d been having this conversation in her head for some time.  

                 “No guarantee that they will listen, or that they haven’t already been paid off.”  Bucky walked up to her and pulled her into a hug.  “Trust me Peach, there’s no going home after this.”  

                 “We don’t know for sure he was in on it.” Peach spoke with hesitation.  

                 Bucky had to stifle back the grunt of disappointment, not wanting to rehash the uncle argument again.  

                 “I am the only person in the world who can help you. Who you can trust.”  He rubbed his hand up and down her back.  “I have your best interests at heart.”  

                 “I can’t stay here forever.”  She didn’t hide the quiver in her voice.  

               Bucky squeezed her tighter, knowing she was on the verge of tears.  He didn’t like the singular.  

                 “We won’t.”  The snow at their feet was two inches deep, at the most, some patches of dead grass were even showing.  “I’ll figure something out.  Soon.”

~~

               After dinner Bucky took your hand and walked you to the stairs.  You yawned as you headed up, both of you spent most of the day outside and the first few bouts of fresh air always made you tired.  

                 “It’s not bedtime just yet Peach.”  Bucky chuckled.  

                 You squeezed his hand, glad he was up for some bedroom activities.  You’d only had sex once the entire day and it was when you woke up.  The constant orgasms gave you a distraction, but days like today allowed the thoughts you wanted buried to surface.  

                 I am the only person in the world who can help you.  You didn’t have a passport or any money or knew where you were really. You were one hundred percent dependent on him.  That wasn’t right, it wasn’t natural.  It made you feel like property, helpless.   A shiver went down your spine.  

                 You chastised yourself for thinking these things. Bucky cherished you, worshiped you. It wasn’t his fault you got caught up in this web.  

                 But then again, you thought contacting the press was a good idea.  They would hail him a hero for saving you.   His point about not knowing if it would work made you sink.  Was he right?  How many articles have you read about human trafficking?  Not a lot.  In fact, you didn’t know a single survivor by name, and you couldn’t be the only one to get away.  

                 Then there was the matter of your uncle’s involvement.  How deep in was he?  You figured once you got out of the country and back to the internet you would find the proof you needed.  Did he host a press conference looking for you?  Did he call the consulate?  There would be some record if he cared.  

                 “What’s bothering you Peach?”  Bucky walked into your bedroom and turned around, sitting on the bed and pulling you into his lap.  

                 “Nothing.”  You didn’t want to worry him or say the wrong thing again.  

                 He never did a good job hiding his disappointment and that almost hurt as much as the reality of what these thoughts meant. Bucky liked it.  He liked being in control, he liked owning you.  It didn’t matter that he hadn’t purchased you, you were his and completely at his mercy.  

                 No.  He would never hurt you.  He loved you.

                 “I love you.”  You said the phrase out loud, unclear on whether or not you were telling him or reassuring yourself.

                 Bucky beamed at you. That prideful look warmed you to your core.  You draped your hands around his neck when he went in for a kiss.   This was real.  He was real. Nobody kissed anyone this way if there wasn’t true love behind it.  The way his hand went to the back of your head and his lips were soft and demanding at the same time.  

                 The excitement and want in you was instantaneous. His hands found the bottom of your shirt and you stood up, breaking the kiss as short as possible while you both peeled off your clothing.  

                 When you were nude he sat back down, his fingers digging into your hips as he pulled you forward.  You knew what he wanted and as you straddled him you gripped the base of his cock, lining it up with your pussy so you could impale yourself. Even when you were on top it was his choice.  

                 Before you could begin the descent he grabbed you harder and pulled his lips away, pressing your foreheads together.  

                 “Say it again.”  He gulped. “Please say it again.”  

                 “I love you.” There was no hesitation.  You meant it.  You loved him. “I’ll always love you.”  

                 He let out a grunt of approval and pulled you down. You let go of his cock and brought your hands to his shoulders as you quaked with the fullness you’d craved all day.

                 “I love you.” His eyes bore into yours, even in the darkness of the room you could still make out the blue.  “Forever.”  

                 The intensity sent a chill through your body and excited you further.  You rocked your hips while he lifted you up and down, bouncing on him and bringing your sensitive spot to life.  

                 “Mmmmm.”  You let out a moan when he pulled you all the way down, his cockhead poking at your cervix.

                 You started rocking faster, the still position allowing your clit to rub against his pelvis.  This was unexpected, a rarity where you were going to control your own release.  You picked up speed, bucking against him.  

                 The spring tightened in your stomach and the pleasure was imminent.  You broke this kiss and rested your head on his shoulder, moving even faster.  The orgasm hit you with full force and you did not hold back the moans as you collapsed further onto him.  

                 “What a good girl I have.”  Bucky put an arm on the bed and one on your back as he spun you. “My good girl.”  

                 You wanted that.  To be his good girl.  To be his. Your brain couldn’t focus on any other thought as he railed into you.  His pumps bringing forward yet another wave of pleasure.  He was fucking away all the bad thoughts.  All the problems.  Nothing else mattered as long as the two of you were together.  

                 By the time Bucky finished you were in a state of pure Euphoria.  You were laying on your stomach while he was on his side, his fingers lazily running up and down your spine.  Sleep was seconds away and you welcomed the change in reality.  

                 “Peach.” Bucky kissed your back.  “I’ll figure it out.  I promise.  I won’t keep you here forever.”  

                 In the back of your head you knew it was stupid, and you wished you could blame the sex messing with your judgment, but the question that had been gnawing at you for some time escaped your lips.  

                 “If I wanted to leave, would you let me?”  It was a nicer way of asking if you were a prisoner, but when Bucky’s hand stopped and his head left your back you knew he got the gist.  

                 “Do you?”  He shifted behind you.  “Want to leave me?”  

                 “No.” That was the truth too.  You didn’t think you would ever find someone like him and weren’t sure how you’d gotten this lucky.  

                 “Then what does it matter?”  His arm covered your back and he laid down next to you.  

                 Bucky’s answer was logical, but for some reason, it didn’t bring you the comfort you were looking for.  Your eyes popped wide open and sleep slipped away.  Instead, you starred out in the darkness and tried to keep the thoughts you couldn’t handle at bay.  He loves you.  You love him. He loves you. You love him. He loves you.

~~

               For the first time since Peach came into his life Bucky was terrified to fall asleep.  He hadn’t had a nightmare since she was next to him, but he knew if he shut his eyes one wasn’t far behind.

                 It wouldn’t have been of the torture Hydra put him through.  It would’ve been worse.  Peach leaving him.  That was not an option.  

                 With the change in weather she was getting antsy. That was all.  She had a right to ask questions.  Even ones he didn’t like.  

                 He knew she wasn’t sleeping either.  Her breath didn’t carry the even keel he’d grown accustomed to.  The right thing was to wake her up, talk to her, tell her the truth.  

                 She wasn’t a prisoner, but he would never let her go.  He knew what a control freak he was, and tonight he let her take the lead because he sensed that was what she needed.  

                 Maybe that had been a mistake.  Maybe that was why she asked that question.  The one he didn’t know the answer to.  Would he let her go?  Never.  Did that make her his prisoner?  

                 He had to show her how safe she was with him. Peach was temperamental, and he didn’t want her terrified.  In the morning he would show her the proof.

                 The question still left an ache. She wouldn’t leave him.  She loved him.  Bucky worshiped her.  She would never leave him.  Never. If pushed, he’d make sure of it.  

~~

               To say you tossed and turned all night would be an understatement.  When the sky finally lit up you rolled over to see if Bucky was awake.  To your surprise, the bed next to you was empty.

                 You popped up and clutched the sheet to your chest, unable to remember the last time you woke up alone.  Your body had grown used to orgasm to start the day and you frowned staring at the cold spot.  

                 “Shit.”  You brought your hand to your forehead as you rolled out of bed.  

                 You should not have asked that question.  How upset was he?  The man treated you like a Princess and you again accuse him of being a jailer.  What was wrong with you?  

                 Just because you’re not locked in a dungeon, doesn’t mean you’re not locked away.

                 No.  You shook away the thought when you ran to Bucky’s closet and dressed in the first thing that would fit you.  You would apologize, show him how sorry you were.  The guilt at even thinking such thoughts was tearing you apart.  

                 “Bucky?”  You rounded the stairs into the kitchen.  “I shouldn’t have asked that question.  Come back to bed. I’m so sorry.”  

                 “I think you should sit down.”  Bucky was standing at the kitchen table.  

                 He didn’t look up and you couldn’t see his face.  

                 “Can we please, just go back to bed?”  Your lip trembled with fear.  Fear that you’d upset him, not of what he was going to do to you.  You told yourself that as you walked over to the table.  

                 “You’re not in trouble.”  Bucky looked up and there wasn’t anger in his eyes, more of a sadness, and that in and of itself was almost more devastating.  “And I don’t want to talk about what you said last night. You’re not leaving me.”  

                 “Never.”  You walked over to the table.  

                 “I should have shown this to you when I first saw it.”  Bucky sat down first and you pulled out a chair.

                 He slid a piece of paper over to you.  When you opened it up all you saw were words in another language.  But then your heart dropped.  There was a huge photo, taken from your facebook page.  It wasn’t even a profile picture.  How would they be able to see it?  

                 “I don’t…how?”  You looked up at Bucky.  

                 “It says you’re missing and offers a large reward for information and an insanely large reward if it leads to your return alive.” Bucky folded his arms.  “It also refers to you as darling niece.”  

                 “So my uncle does care?”  Rage flashed over you, ready to jump out and strangle Bucky.  

                 But it fizzled almost instantaneously.  

                 “He has enough money to offer giant rewards, but not enough to fly me directly into Istanbul?”  The spike and drop of emotions made you too aware of your heartbeat and erratic breathing.

                 Bucky noticed too and he shot up from the table and came to your side.  Placing one hand on your back and one hand on your chest.  

                 “Breathe Peach.”  

                 You grabbed on to his wrist, almost to steady yourself as you took in air.  

                 “Maybe it doesn’t mean anything.  Maybe the organization knew your uncle was looking for you.”  Bucky was lying.  

                 You knew and he knew it.  But for some reason, it brought your nerves down. Accepting the lie for a little bit would lessen the pain.  

                 “We’re not safe here.”  You spun in the chair toward Bucky.  “People in the market that day, saw me leave with you.  I’m sure at least one of them called these people for the money.”  

                 Bucky nodded.  You reached out and ran your hand through his hair.  That was why he cut it.  He knew.  

                 “It wasn’t safe to travel in the snow.  There wasn’t a choice, but to stay here.” Bucky tried to keep calm.  

                 Part of you was annoyed he kept this information, but for the most part, you were grateful.  You would’ve spent the last few months terrified and on edge.  You shut your eyes and took a deep breath.  

                 You’d been living in a fantasy land with Bucky. Pretty much forgetting how much danger you were in.  What would happen if they found you?  They would separate the two of you, sell you to someone.  It made you want to throw up.  

                 “Eckkk.”  You keeled over and started to dry heave.  

                 Bucky swooped you up and carried you to the bathroom. Your stomach continued to try to expel nothing while Bucky rubbed your back.  

                 “Calm down Peach.”  He whispered in your ear.  “Try to focus on me.  You’re having a panic attack.”  

                 You shut your eyes and zoned everything out, concentrating on Bucky’s hand rubbing your back.  

                 “That’s good Peach.”  Up and down.  “Good girl.”

                 Your senses stopped flaring and your stomach stopped turning.  You lifted your head and Bucky took your hand, pulling you back up on wobbly feet.

                 “We have to leave.”  Bucky guided you back to the kitchen table.  “Now. Today.  Please. I can’t stay here anymore.”  

                 “I have a contact in France.  Once we get there he can set you up with a new identity, passport, everything.”  Bucky pulled the other chair so it was next to you.  “From there, I figure we’ll take a boat.  Less risky than the airport.  Head to Central America. Try to disappear.”  

                 “Okay.”  You were numb and would agree to anything right now.  “Wait, like a cruise ship?”  

                 “I don’t know.” Bucky shrugged. “Maybe.  We’ll figure it out once we cross the border.”

                 “My picture is going to be everywhere.”  You cringed.  “The whole country is looking for me.”

                 “I don’t think to change your hair is going to cut it.” Bucky cracked his jaw. “It would be easier to climb the mountain into Romania, but we’d have to wait another month and you don’t have any sort of climbing gear.”  

                 You shook your head.  Your nerves wouldn’t survive a month.  

                 “I’m going to have to get us a car, figure out a way to hide you, maybe a false trunk.”  Bucky sighed. “But that means I either steal one or buy one.  Either way, it involves me going into town.”  

                 “Won’t stealing one draw more attention?”  You wondered how many people described Bucky. Were they looking for him too?  

                 “This country doesn’t exactly have car dealerships.” Bucky kissed your shoulder. “I’ll have to find someone who is selling a car and then meet with them. ��Stealing might be easier. It will have to have a trunk too.”  

                 “Do it.”  You didn’t care in the slightest.  “Whatever will get us out of here the fastest.”  

                 “Alright.”  Bucky stood up.  

                 “Today?” You looked over at him.  

                 “Today.” He nodded.  

                 You stood up from the table and wrapped your arms around his neck.  He pulled you closer and his hand cupped your head as he placed a light kiss on top of it.

                 “I’m sorry, Bucky.”  Tears burned your eyes. “I’ll never leave you. I promise.”  

 ~~

               Bucky should have planned this out weeks, if not months ago.  He was too busy enjoying himself and now it felt rushed.  

                 At least he felt justified in his decision to keep the flyer from Peach.  He wasn’t expecting her to accept it this quickly and thought she would more think it was legitimate from her uncle.  But the response was her nerve frazzled.  

                 She would have never relaxed once the entire winter if she’d known.  Of course, it didn’t change anything but somehow made it real.  Bucky could relate to that.  

                 He stomped his feet on the basement floor. Would there be time?  Or maybe he was ready to leave it behind.  Either way, he couldn’t worry now.  

                 Bucky went to his shelf and pulled the box out of the hiding spot.  He took out a gun and a stack of cash as well as the lock picking kit.  He was about to put it away when a bad feeling hit him.

                 He reached into the box and pulled out another pistol.  Was Peach capable of defending herself?  

                 Would you let me leave?  

                 He knew Peach like no other.  Did she really accept the flyer as fact that quickly or was she up to something?  Why was she so insistent on today?  Red flags started popping up.  

                 Bucky grabbed a duffle bag off the top shelf. He empties the cash and weapons into the bag and did a survey of the basement.  Anything else they would have to take?  

                 He grabbed the medic bag and then remembered he had another cash bag in the crawl space.  He moved some boxes and got that too.  

                 Peach wouldn’t leave him.  He trusted her.  But there was still something hanging over him that this was an act.  There was a brief flash of anger when he said the beloved niece line.  Was she just waiting for him to leave?  Did she still not accept he was her only option?  

                 Even if she didn’t know what was good for her Bucky did.  And if she wanted to be sneaky, two could play at that game.  

~~

               You should have spent the last few months getting ready for today, but instead, you’d spent them in bed with Bucky.  Not that it was a waste, but now it felt like things were moving at lightning speed and you were useless.  

                 “Hey, are you alright?”  Bucky came up from the basement holding three huge duffle bags.

                 “It’s sort of surreal.”  You stood up from the table.  “Can I do anything to help?  Should I pack?”  

                 “We’re going to leave everything we don’t need.” Bucky opened the cabinets under the sink and put the duffle bags inside.  “When we cross the border I want it to look like I’m coming back.”  

                 Everything was on him.  You sighed and looked at the ground.  This house once felt like the safest place on earth, but now it felt like you were being hunted and your sole protector was about to leave you along.  

                 “Everything will be okay Peach.”  Bucky walked over to the table.  

                 You looked up at him as he eyed you.  He was taking in your face like it was the last time he was going to see it.  You stood up to meet him.  

                 “What if we went together?”  It was dangerous for him too.  “I’ll hide in a bush with the bags while you steal the car?”

                 “Do you want someone to see you?”  Bucky’s eyes narrowed.  

                 “What? No!”  You put your arms around his waist. “Truthfully, I’m scared.  I don’t want to be alone.  We’re not the only people who will be taking advantage of the snow melting. These people, they could be closing in on us.”  

                 “You know I love you Peach?  That I would do whatever it took to protect you?  Keep you safe?”  Bucky kissed the top of your head and ran his fingers through your hair.

                 “I know.”  You didn’t like his tone like he was justifying something.  He was still mad about your question last night. “I’m grateful.  For everything.”  

                 Bucky sighed before stepping out of your grasp.

                 “I’ll be gone for a few hours.”  He grabbed your hands and kissed both of them.  “I know it makes you uncomfortable, but I want you armed.  Shoot anyone who comes to the door who isn’t me.”  

                 You cringed at the thought.  Were you capable of that?  Hurting someone?  Killing them?

                 “Shit.”  Bucky reached around. “I forgot the gun in the basement.  Could you go grab it?  I left it on the far side.”  

                 You nodded and turned towards the stairs. You paused in the doorway.  The basement was awful, and the far side was the worst part.  You didn’t step foot in there unless you absolutely had to.  

                 Bucky knew that.  You turned to ask him to get the gun, but he stepped into the bathroom. Besides, he was taking care of everything.  It was the least you could do.  

                 You took the steps two at a time and when you landed went straight towards the back.  You turned and went into the other side and headed for Bucky’s shelves.  You expected to see a gun sitting out, but there wasn’t anything out of place.  

                 There was a tiny window above the random toilet, and that was the only light in the short area.  Your eyes scanned the shelves again, wondering if you missed it.

                 “HEY BUCKY.”  You didn’t know if he would be able to hear you from back here so you turned to go back into the other section.

                 You stopped in your tracks when you saw him standing in the doorway, your heart jumping in your throat.  

                 “This is for your own good Peach.”  Bucky started sliding the metal door.

                 “WHAT?”  You lunged forward.  “Nooo!”

                 The metal snapped into place and you started beating your fists.  

                 “Why?”  You weren’t claustrophobic, but you didn’t understand what he was doing.  “Let me out!”  

                 “You’re not thinking clearly Peach.”  Bucky’s voice was on the other side.  “I won’t be able to do this if I don’t know you’re safe.”

                 Your hand went to the knob and you tried to tug, but the thing wouldn’t budge.  

                 “Please don’t leave me down here!”  You continued to slap the door.  “I wasn’t going to run.   What if someone shows up?”  

                 “Stay quiet Peach.”  Bucky hesitated.  “I don’t think it will come to that, but if you hear someone hide.”

                 “NO!” You slapped the door again.  “LET ME OUT!! LET ME OUT!!”  

                 “I’ll only be gone a few hours.”  Bucky’s voice shook. “I can’t lose you.  I need you to trust me.”  

                 “No. No. No. No!”  You yanked on the door handle again.  “Please, I’ll be so good.  I promise I’ll be your Peach, I’ll be your good girl.  I love you.  I’ll never leave you ever.  Just let me out.”  

                 Your tears started to fall.  The other side of the door was silent, but you knew he was still there.  

                 “Don’t leave me down here.  Please!”  

                 “A few hours.  Behave.”  There was a push off the door.  

                 “Bucky?”  You slapped the door.  “BUCKY DON’T LEAVE ME!”  

                 Silence.  He was gone. You cried as you slid down the door to the floor.  No longer able to hide what had been staring you in the face the entire time:  you were his prisoner.  

~~

               Bucky didn’t like any of this.  He hated leaving Peach alone. He hated hearing locking her in the basement. He hated hearing her scream and beg.  But he didn’t have the time to dedicate to making sure he could trust her right now and if all he could think about was her running away then he wouldn’t be able to do his job.  

                 His bike neared the main road, about two miles away from the house.  He turned and headed to the same town he saw Peach’s poster in.  Bucky didn’t like the idea of visiting it again, but it was the closest one.  

                 Twenty minutes there, probably an hour to find a car and twenty minutes back.  Finding the car was going to be the hard part.  People who lived in tiny towns didn’t have them.  It was the ones in the country who needed the transportation and the houses around here were intentionally hidden as well as Bucky’s was.

                 He didn’t want to worry Peach with that information. It was worrying him enough.  The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself, so if he couldn’t steal one then he would have to talk to someone about buying one.  

                 It might be quicker though.  He could picture it already in his head.  Go to the restaurant, ask the bartender who could get him a car, then go meet some shady guy.  Tell him what Bucky needed.  Pay him a deposit.  Pick up the car the next day.  

                 It wasn’t a horrible plan, the only problem was interacting with minimum of two people and the waiting for the next day part.  

                 But it would get him home to Peach faster.  They could have one last night together in the house.  He didn’t want to cross the border at night anyway.  That drew too much suspicion.    

                 He decided to keep his options open.  If there was a perfect car he could nab he would do it, or else he would take the purchase route.  Bucky accelerated the bike, eager to get this over with and back to his Peach.

~~

               “I wasn’t going to run.”  Your back was against the metal door, with your feet in front of you.

                 All the concerns you had about your situation with Bucky vanished the second you saw that flyer.  So what if he was controlling?  Did you care? Didn’t you get off on it in fact? Didn’t you like making him happy? Weren’t you happy?  

                 Why did you have to make that comment?  Why couldn’t you let things stay as they were?

                 This was your fault.  You’d forced Bucky into locking you down here, but that didn’t make you hate him any less for it.  

                 All your illusions about everything were shattered. Your uncle had sold you to a sex trafficking ring.  Said traffickers were searching for you as close as the nearest town.  Your lover had no problem locking you up in a dungeon. You were fucked.  Your life was fucked.  

                 Right now the trapped feeling was making you itch. You pushed yourself up from the floor and started to fan your shirt, hoping to get some air.  Then your eyes went straight for the window above the toilet.

                 There was no way you could fit out of it, maybe an arm to wave around, but to what end?

                 “Hey traffickers, I’m down here?”  You laughed.  Things were so fucked you’d gone delirious.  

                 But you could use some air.  The ceiling was low in the basement, but the pipes made it difficult to reach where the latch was.  

                 You stepped up on the seat and managed to fit your hand between the pipes.  You undid the lock and gave it a push, but nothing happened.  The thing was sealed shut.  

                 Pretty much all of your fears were confirmed, you were not the first person locked in the basement.  It was designed to hold someone.  You were stuck down here until Bucky got back.  

                 What if he didn’t?  You covered your mouth to stop the scream.  What if he didn’t come back?  What if something happened to him and you were locked down here forever?  

                 You turned around, crouched on top of the toilet, trying to talk yourself out of another panic attack when a glimmer in the boards above the door caught your eye.  

                 You jumped off the toilet, taking giant steps until you made it to the door and reached up, feeling under the ledge.  

                 If anything this made you realize locking you down here wasn’t forethought.  It was never planned.  Your fingers grabbed the key.  You were shaking when it slid right into the lock and turned with ease.  

                 You shoved the metal door and it slid right open. If Bucky had put any thought into it whatsoever he would have been more prepared.  Maybe you weren’t a prisoner after all.  

  A/N:  Thank you for reading!   

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #marvel fanfic #fanfic #reader insert

[maxhoemo]

lovers to strangers - ENDING

When Max awoke, he was surprised to find himself alone in bed. Maybe Ian was in the bathroom, or he’d got up already.... Rubbing his eyes, he got up and threw on his robe. Getting some water from the kitchen, it was apparent Ian wasn’t here. He thought maybe Ian had gone out to get them some breakfast. A long shot, but it could be true. It soon became apparent though that Ian wasn’t coming back. He’d abandoned him. He should have known this was all too good to be true. Ian didn’t want him. He wanted a “normal” life with a normal girl. To make his parents proud. Max felt a tear roll down his cheek. He didn’t particularly like feeling sorry for himself, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. His life just seemed so bleak now. The only way he could see it was that he’d grow old and die alone, watching Ian live his life with someone else. Or, worse, he’d be stuck with Randi for the rest of his life. He’d either become so complicate and obedient he would basically cease to be himself. A spineless yesman giving into her every demand as quickly as possible. Forever flinching at the sound of her voice. Of course, there was always the possibility that she would simply wind up killing him before that could happen. Either on purpose, or by accident. Being awake was so depressing. He might as well go back to sleep.

Unfortunately, when your brain is a buzz with worry and stress, this can be the perfect recipe for a nightmare.

The sun was shining. The grass was so green, it was practically glowing. Max made his way through the flowery meadow, looking for somebody. For Ian. But why is he here? He see’s him, stepping through the hanging branches of a willow tree. He’s wearing a black tux. Kelly on his arm, dressed as she always was.

“Max!” Ian snarled, grabbing him by the shoulders. He’s suddenly closer than he seemed a second ago. “What are you doing here!?” he demanded.

“Nobody wants you here!” Kelly screams.

“Nobody likes you! Nobody wants you! Just get lost! Go away!” Ian begins to shake him violently. “You’re so stupid! Go away! Leave us alone! I’m sick of looking after you! Go home! Go home!” He pushes him away with all his might.

The sun is still shining, beating down on Max. He’s not in a meadow anymore, he’s walking down the sidewalk. Towards his house. Ian must have sent him home. He opens the door. Randi is there, laughing. “I knew you’d come back! Nobody likes you! Nobody wants you!” She grabs him by the arm and pulls him close. As soon as she does, she has a gun in her hand. Or was it always there? “You’re so stupid! You shouldn’t have come back!” She goes to pull the trigger...

Max’s eyes shot open. He clutched his chest as he caught his breath. He’d slept til 4pm, according to the bedside clock. He needed to get up. He needed to have a smoke. It was a habit he’d picked up to calm his nerves. Before, he would self medicate by getting drunk. But he was on edge far less frequently back then, and besides, he figured it wasn’t a good idea to be inebriated around Randi. He sat by himself at the kitchen table. Not even thinking, just staring into space. Needless to say he was rather startled when someone walked in.

“Ian...?”

“Hey, Max.”

“Ian. Why did you leave this morning?” More hurt coming through his voice than he intended.

“I know. I’m sorry. I just needed to be by myself for a while. I needed to think. I just....” He let out a sigh, taking a seat next to Max. “...Felt so guilty....”

“Guilty? You mean.... Because of her....?”

“Yeah. I don’t wanna be a cheater, you know? It doesn’t feel good...”

Max didn’t respond. He only feared the worst.

“I just... Have to make up my mind....”

“No. Ian, please don’t leave me again!” Max begged, voice breaking. “I can’t handle it this time! Please, please Ian!” He clutched his sweatshirt sleeve desperately, as if to prevent him from leaving though Ian made no move to leave.

“Max, please don’t cry....”

“I can’t help it. I love you. I need you.”

“I know. I love you too. I... I didn’t even think about cheating, I was only thinking about how badly I wanted you.”

“Ian. Don’t make me leave. I don’t care if you’re with her! You can keep me here in this house for the rest of my life! I don’t care! J-just come and use me if you feel like it.... I-I’ll watch you marry her... I’ll watch you raise your kids. I’ll babysit for you. As long as I can have some small piece of you, I’ll survive. But I can’t without you. Please. I’ll just love you in secret while you spend your life with her. I don’t mind.”

“No Max. I don’t want that life for you....”

“Please Ian, Please....” his voice quivering. “let me be your second choice.”

“No...” The thought made Ian weak. He wasn’t sure he wouldn’t break down like Max himself in a minute. “You’re not my second choice. I love you so much Max, I just wanna be with you. I don’t care about anything else anymore. I don’t care about leaving Kelly. I don’t care if my parents and my whole family disown me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I just realized this right now, but it’s always been true. Ever since that summer we first met. I was just too scared. I forced myself to want something else, but that was so fucking stupid Max!” Gently, he lifted Max’s face from the crook of his arm and looked him in the eyes. 

“Y-you... Are you seriou-Do you really mean all that?”

“Fucking right I do! Let’s do it, Max! Let’s be together. You can move in with me.”

“Ian...” Max wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him as tightly as he could. He’d never let him get away again. “But...” his voice fell. “What about Randi? I’m still married to her....”

“Don’t worry about her!”

“B-but she’ll be so mad.... W-what if she comes looking for me.”

“She can’t hurt you anymore. I promise.” Ian pushed him away so they could look at each-other. 

“What if you can’t protect me?”

“Nobody is ever gonna hurt you again. Not her. Not anyone. Not some psycho on the street. Nobody. I promise.”

He sounded so stern and assured, Max couldn’t help but believe him. “What about you?”

“I’ll never hurt you!”

“You did... Emotionally, I mean....”

“I was fucking stupid to do that! I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“I believe you.... Ian, this is all I’ve ever wanted. I used to daydream about this to make it through the day. If this is a dream I’m gonna be pissed.”

Ian laughed. “Me too, fuck!”

.....

three weeks later

“Ahhh...” Max yawned, emerging from Ian’s hallway. “Morning.” Ian just chuckled. “What’s funny, cunt?”

“Morning was a while ago. It’s 3 in the afternoon, cunt.”

“Eh. That’s morning in my books. Let’s go get some of that all day breakfast.”

“Anything for you, Princess. Should I carry you there, Sleeping Beauty?” he teased, wrapping his arms around Max’s waist and hoisting him off the ground.

“Aye! Put me down. You’re gonna hurt yourself, scrawny-ass....”

“Scrawny?” he asked in fake offence, putting him back down. “Maybe it’s because my girlfriend has a big, round ass,” Ian gave him a smack to prove it. 

“That’s boyfriend....” 

“Oh sorry. I just get confused with all the panties I’m constantly picking up off the bathroom floor.”

“Fuck up,” he smirked. “You love it.”

“There’s nobody else’s mess I’d rather live in, babe.”

Max leaned over the kitchen island to give Ian a kiss as he grabbed the car keys from the other side. As he did, a second, colder wetness touched his face. He opened his eyes, laughing as he pulled away. Sohma had jumped up, her wet nose being what he felt being rubbed on his face. “Aww, she’s jealous! You want a kiss too?” He bent down, only to have his kitty let out a huge sneeze. “Ahhh, sick!”

Ian practically keeled over laughing. 

“It aint that funny....” He crinkled his nose in annoyance, wiping his face with his sleeve. 

“Hey. Even covered in cat snot, you still look beautiful.”

“Gross.... You always know just what to say.” 

“How pathetic that that’s really what I think.”

“Maybe a little...  But only a little.” 

#this is sappy as hell but i wanted to give you guys something nice after all the angst

[jr4de]

Hey there folks, this here’s a little thing I did for the Overwatch Femslash Exchange, an awesome project that I was excited to be a part of! It’s a mostly cute and silly piece, a date between Mercy and Sombra; some naughty implications in there (because, I mean, Sombra) but it’s SFW overall.

It’s for @hiddeninthunder! And I should tag @owfemslashexchange as well, who’re the people who organized this whole lovely thing, so go shoot them a thanks if you think this idea was cool. Read it below the cut!

Angela “Mercy” Ziegler sighed, sagging in her chair a little as she clicked through screen after screen of diagnostics, test results, computer simulations, and on and on and on.

“Virus seems,” she paused for a yawn, “to react to... Alpha-level inhibitors,” she muttered into a recorder, her chin slipping off of her hand and nearly falling to the desk, forcing her to sit abruptly upright with a sudden noise.

“You look tired.”

She turned around at the voice, low and warm, smiling when she saw Winston in her doorway. “Oh - I suppose I am,” she sighed, “but I just need to finish this bit of work before I head home to sleep.”

The other scientist, of whom she’d always been fond, cast his huge eyes toward the couch in her little office - covered in blankets and with a few pillows as well. “Uh, home. Sure.” He smirked and Angela sighed, opening her mouth to protest, but he waved her words away with a hand as he loped into the room.

“Don’t worry about it, I-” he chuckled briefly, rolling one shoulder in a shrug. “I know what it’s like to get caught up on a project and keep going far past the point of it being sensible.”

Angela actually laughed lightly at that, shaking her head. She knew she should’ve gone to sleep a while ago, but she was just on the edge of being able to direct the computers to run some more tests. Another twenty minutes of work on her part and the machines could be making progress while she slept, and she wanted that.

Twenty minutes. An hour, tops. Maybe two at the outside.

“I just need some coffee,” she groaned, rubbing at her eyes heavily with the balls of her palms. She smiled at Winston’s chuckle and his huge hand patting her on the shoulder, seeing bright spots and splotches that slowly resolved into his face.

“I’ll get you a pot,” he nodded, turning to head back to the door. “Black, double-strength-”

“-no cream, no sugar, no nonsense, yes,” Angela called after him. “Thank you, Winston! You’re a life-saver!”

They’d worked together on some projects before and formed a nice friendship - Winston wasn’t a doctor, but he was a good scientist and he had a good head on his shoulders, and had proved indispensable on solving a few problems. Particularly given that they tended to come up against some truly absurd problems here in Overwatch.

Angela returned her attention to the screen which was blurry at first, then wavy, and she rubbed at her eyes again with a heavy sigh. “Should’ve got coffee an hour ago,” she muttered to herself as she shook her head.

Of course, an hour ago, she’d thought she only had ten minutes of work left.

In lieu of hot caffeinated goodness, Angela leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms up over her head and groaning as sore muscles and ribs complained for the first few seconds but then started to relax and feel better, and the groan shifted to a sigh instead.

She didn’t expect a voice in her ear, warm and smooth. “Hey, chica.”

Between the shock of hearing anything at all, and the further shock of it being the voice of who it was, and her precarious position, bad things were practically guaranteed. Angela jolted slightly when she heard Sombra’s greeting, twitching and sending her chair keeling over backward - she yelped and flailed, but there was nothing to grab on to.

She didn’t hit the ground, though. While there was nothing for her to catch, something else caught her - or rather, someone, as Sombra chuckled and waved her camouflage off, holding Angela in her arms.

“Careful there, angel,” the hacker grinned at Angela’s still-shocked expression, the light pink creeping into her cheeks. “Falling for me all over again, huh?”

“Sombra,” Angela half-whispered, half-groaned, glancing around nervously. “You can’t be here - how did you get here anyway? What if somebody finds you, what if-”

“Yeah, well, that’s what makes it exciting!” Sombra snickered, setting Angela’s feet down on the floor. The doctor ran immediately to the door, turning the lock and double-checking it, but it wouldn’t stay locked forever if somebody wanted it open - Athena could override that, and she knew it.

“You need to leave,” she hissed, peeking through the door’s peephole. “I think the hallway’s clear, you can-”

Sombra interrupted her, waving a hand and bringing several screens up. Screens which showed the hallways of Overwatch’s Gibraltar facility. “Oh, oh yeah,” the hacker murmured, “the hallways are clear. Not that it matters to me anyway - come on, amiga, you know me better than that, I could get out any time.”

“Yes, I know, and you need to,” Angela insisted, turning away from the door. She had planned on protesting further, but was stopped when she noticed Sombra’s exaggerated pout. “What?”

“You haven’t even said hello yet!” Sombra crossed her arms, sticking her lip out even further. “You’re gonna make a girl feel unwanted at this rate.”

Angela let out a noise somewhere between a groan, a sigh, and a laugh as she crossed the floor quickly to her girlfriend. She wrapped the hacker up in a brief hug. “Hello, Sombra, it’s lovely to see you, but this was an incredibly dangerous plan and maybe a little bit stupid, and,” she withdrew from the hug to peck a kiss on Sombra’s pouting lip.

Sombra, however, wasn’t quite happy with just a peck. Her arms uncrossed and she caught the back of Angela’s head, holding it there for a moment - holding them in the kiss as their mouths shifted against each other with a host of soft noises. She felt a triumphant little thrill as Angela’s fingers finally twisted into her hair and the doctor sagged into the embrace.

Angela got too distracted by her work sometimes and Sombra knew it - she’d seen it time and time again over the months they’d been together, and she was happy to help break her girlfriend out of it a little.

Plus, she just liked kissing.

They held it for another few moments before parting somewhat breathlessly, grins replacing their former expressions. “Now that’s a hello I can get behind,” Sombra murmured appreciatively.

Angela giggled, blushing slightly as she dropped her hands to catch Sombra’s. “It- this really was a sweet plan, but you can’t-”

“Oh come on! You don’t even know the plan yet,” Sombra pointed out with a grin, tugging Angela over toward the couch. “C’mon, sit - I’ve got eyes on the whole facility. Nothing’s gonna happen, relax.”

Angela didn’t really want to relax, but she knew she probably should and it was so difficult to say no to Sombra when she had that grin on, and that twinkle in her eyes. Angela forced herself to sit (nervously) on the blanket-covered couch, watching (nervously) as Sombra stepped around the couch and Angela could only wonder (nervously) whether anyone else would stop by.

They usually didn’t, when she was working on things, and it was late as well. Somewhere near midnight - a glance at the clock showed it to be one-thirty, in fact. Probably nobody would be up and around except for her, Tracer, and Winston. It helped ease her nerves a little.

What helped more than that, though, was everything that Sombra started doing - she came back around the couch with a wicker basket in hand, and immediately had Angela’s curiosity. Sombra pulled out a white-and-red checkered sheet from the basket and laid it out on the floor, and Angela started giggling. When Sombra started to pull out candles and light them, Angela tried to help, but the hacker waved her off.

“Hey! No, you stay sitting, angel,” Sombra insisted. “Hardly a surprise picnic if you’re doing half the work!”

Angela had to laugh at that, shaking her head softly as her grin grew and grew. Sombra had proved to be unexpectedly sweet and delightful in their time together - she had a front of aloofness, certainly, and there were certain extents to which that was true. She was definitely a deeply passionate person, but that translated into more than just deep kisses and frantically grasping hands.

It also meant little gifts whenever she came back from travels, it meant hidden surprises to be found, it meant a constant kind of thoughtfulness and attention which never failed to make Angela’s heart swell.

Candles, lit; white wine, poured; sandwiches and a platter of cheese and crackers, laid out. Then, Sombra sat down with a grin and looked up to Angela on the couch. “Well? You gonna join me, angel?”

The doctor laughed again as her heart leapt slightly at the little epithet, feeling more awake and lighter than she had in hours as the concern and stress sloughed from her mind. “Of course I will,” she replied with a smile. “It would be quite rude to refuse such a feast.”

“Damn straight it would,” Sombra chuckled, “but uh, y’know, I kinda just ate, so actually both these sandwiches are for you.”

Again, Angela laughed, sitting down on the blanket and taking a glass of wine in hand - she noticed a thermos in the basket as well, and wondered what it was, but that could wait. She raised her glass with a smile as Sombra did the same with a grin, and they clinked them together.

“To dangerous but wonderful surprises,” Angela teased lightly, drawing a laugh from Sombra’s painted lips.

“Hey, that’s my middle name, chica,” the hacker shot back with a grin, tipping back her glass for a swig. Wine wasn’t exactly her thing, but she made an effort at it at least - and it was alright. She was learning to like it more and more.

“Mm, quite a mouthful, that name,” Angela smirked as she took a sip, sighing through her nose. A nice crisp Zinfandel, perfectly chilled, and she wasn’t surprised. Sombra had a good eye for details. Despite her chaotic appearances she was actually quite precise.

“Speaking of mouthfuls, eat up,” Sombra insisted, shuffling around the blanket to be behind Angela. “C’mon, I know you, chica - I bet you haven’t eaten in eight hours.”

“I-I ate dinner!” Angela blushed lightly at the teasing.

“Yeah? What? And when?”

“I- well-” Angela frowned slightly, picking up one of the sandwiches. “I hardly keep a journal of it all. I don’t remember exactly.”

She didn’t, either, genuinely didn’t remember exactly but she was pretty sure it had been around six and she’d only had a bowl of soup, and didn’t really want to admit to that.

Sombra, laughing, snapped her fingers. “Luckily, you’ve got me looking after you,” she murmured over Angela’s shoulder as a screen floated in front of them - security footage from the mess hall of a certain blonde-haired doctor eating a (small) bowl of soup at five forty-eight in the afternoon.

“So, maybe not quite eight hours,” Sombra murmured as Angela sighed a laugh. Then the hacker started to rub at her shoulders and the laugh shifted into a groan as Angela slumped backward into her grip.

For a few moments, they both happily let the meal go forgotten. Sombra worked the balls of her thumbs deep into tight knots in Angela’s shoulders and down her back, and as she did she peppered light kisses down her neck, over the edge of her ear, on every patch of skin she could reach.

Angela sighed and stretched an arm back, running fingers through Sombra’s hair and holding her head in against her neck, letting out a slight gasp when a soft kiss was emphasised by a little nip of teeth. The gasp swiftly shifted to a laugh as Angela twisted to the side a little so she could turn her head over and meet Sombra’s eyes with a grin. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?”

“Not for a sandwich,” Sombra responded in a deep and warm murmur, eyes twinkling, “but I could definitely eat…”

Angela laughed brightly, slapping at Sombra’s shoulder and sitting upright. “You’re incorrigible!” Still, she couldn’t deny that the idea was a good one. It had been a very long day, and just having Sombra close meant her heart was running a little faster, her blood feeling warmer than it had. It would be all kinds of wonderful to cuddle up underneath the blankets on the couch.

There was still the slight fact that she was technically trespassing, though, and Angela really didn’t want to broach that particular topic with her coworkers and teammates at the moment. Things weren’t quite as they seemed when it came to Sombra, but they didn’t know that, so it was easiest to just keep their relationship hidden.

Even if that meant they didn’t get to see each other as often as either of them might’ve liked.

Angela sighed slightly as she picked up the sandwich again, Sombra’s hands dropping to her sides, her ribs, massaging lightly still. She felt energized at the contact, brighter and better than she had minutes ago.

“Thanks for this,” she murmured softly, before taking a bite of the sandwich and even surprising herself with the moan that came out. Her stomach jumped at the idea of food and she took another bite, larger, and focused on chewing it down as quickly as possible.

Sombra chuckled, shuffling forward to rest her chin on Angela’s shoulder, legs on either side of her and arms wrapped around her torso. “No problem, chica, I just wanted to see you and - I mean, hey, who doesn’t want to pull of a romantic picnic for their girl every now and then, huh?” She snickered before squeezing her girlfriend lightly. “Hey, you might wanna slow down there. Not so romantic to choke to death on a sandwich, y’know?”

With a laugh, Angela shook her head, blushing slightly. “Sorry, I just- it’s very good, and as it turns out, I am quite hungry.”

Snickering again, Sombra planted a soft kiss on the back of her neck, grinning as the hairs there stood up on end at her passing. “Yeah, I figured you would be.” She didn’t have any real concerns over Angela choking, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tease her a little.

For the next few minutes, she just held on and breathed deeply, nuzzling against the back of Angela’s neck, getting whiffs of laboratory and operating room, and soap that had faded over the past two days or so, sterilizers and ozone from the electrical equipment, vanilla and cinnamon from somewhere. Sombra doubted it was baking, but it brought a smile to her lips anyway, all of it. Her favourite scents in the world.

After she was done eating, Angela took Sombra’s hands in hers and squeezed at them gently. “All finished now. Here, come and-” she dropped the sentence, but not Sombra’s hands. Those, she tugged on gently, standing and pulling Sombra over to the couch.

They slumped down to it, the cushions squished and formed by hundreds of hours of Angela’s sleeping form on top of it. She grabbed a couple of the blankets and wrapped them both up like a burrito, and then sighed with perfect contentment as they settled in to just lay there.

One of Sombra’s arms slipped up underneath the hem of her shirt, palm flat against her side and stroking up her ribs. The little bit of skin contact was so lovely, it felt warm and comforting, and Angela unbuttoned her shirt thoughtlessly as she kissed at Sombra’s forehead and stroked at her hair.

The hacker took advantage of the opportunity quickly, dipping down to kiss Angela on the now-exposed shoulder before sitting up just enough to shuck off her own shirt. When she laid back down again, she slid a bare arm behind Angela’s back and laid her head down on the doctor’s shoulder, wrapping her other arm around the front in a tight embrace.

“Much better,” she murmured, nuzzling her cheek against skin that was interrupted by only a bra strap. Angela laughed and nodded, stroking her fingertips lightly up and down the soft, warm skin of Sombra’s ribs and inhaling the scent of her hair. Something fruity, tangy - kiwi, maybe, Angela wasn’t quite sure, but she knew she loved it.

“You really should leave before you get found,” Angela whispered, but the insistence had bled from her voice. Replacing it was a tired sort of resignation, and it was echoed in Sombra’s sigh.

“Yeah,” she grumbled, trying to burrow her head in deeper to Angela’s shoulder. “I know. I really am keeping an eye on things, though, but… yeah, I’ll leave in a bit.”

“Not too soon, please,” Angela smiled, the expression widening when Sombra looked up to her with a grin.

“‘Course not.” Sombra snickered, stretching her neck out to kiss Angela on the lips, just softly, just briefly.

Angela had somewhat different ideas, though. The hand at Sombra’s side rose to her hair and tangled there, holding her head, shifting it to the side, letting the kiss deepen. Sombra didn’t complain about that in the slightest, though - she let out a soft moan of approval, her lips sliding against Angela’s as she repositioned and ran a hand up her back, tracing the fine fuzz along her spine.

She knew Angela liked that. A second later she got the shiver and the little whine she’d been looking for, goosebumps breaking out across Angela’s skin.

“You should let me know next time you want to visit me at work,” Angela whispered breathlessly, parting the kiss just for a moment - Sombra’s mouth fell to her neck, though, kissing and sending bright waves of sensation rippling below her skin. “I can make more time, maybe take a break and head outside somewhere safer.”

Sombra chuckled, brushing her lips against goosebumped skin as she grinned. “Didn’t I already say? Half the fun’s in thinking you might get caught. Who wants a safe picnic? That’s boring - now, this,” she caught the back of Angela’s head with one hand and bit gently on her collarbone, laughing lightly at the groan which flew from the doctor’s mouth. “This is exciting!”

“I can’t- can’t disagree with you there,” Angela sighed, heat flooding her cheeks, her neck, her core, her everything, spreading out like flares from the sun as Sombra’s hands roamed over her skin and she returned the favour. They didn’t get to see each other often enough. They deserved to be uninhibited, unfettered, unhindered.

Unfortunately, fate has a sense of humour.

Angela’s eyes flew wide as there was a knock on the door.

“Doctor Z- uh, Angela? I brought the coffee. Are you alright? The uh… door’s locked?”

“Winston,” Angela hissed a whisper as Sombra grinned and waved, and then shimmered away into invisibility. “I, um-” Angela turned around on the couch to face the door, pulling the blankets up and over Sombra’s invisible form. “Come in,” she called out, “and err, door, unlock!”

The door unlocked itself at her command, Winston turning the knob a moment later with a curious and slightly concerned expression on his face. He had a large carafe of coffee in hand, but his expression split into a chuckle and a grin as he looked into the room.

“Oh, having a little nap?”

“Y-yes! Yes I am,” Angela grabbed onto the provided excuse tightly, even as Sombra started kissing at her ribs and belly. It wasn’t fair in the slightest, and Angela grabbed a tight fistful of purple hair under the covers, but that just spurred the hacker on.

“Sh-short nap, I think,” Angela continued with a light and forced laugh. “Twenty minutes or so.”

Sombra made a slight noise and bit her side.

“Or m-maybe more like forty minutes,” Angela corrected herself, stifling a noise. “Mm. Or an hour.” Sombra didn’t seem to react to that, so Angela laughed and nodded. “Yes, yes that would be best - sleep cycles and circadian rhythms and all that, it won’t do to sleep for too short a time, you know?”

Winston shrugged, not knowing much about that kind of stuff, but it made sense. Sometimes he woke up from a ten-minute nap feeling refreshed, but one that lasted half an hour left him feeling sloggy and dull. At the end of the day, he trusted Mercy to know what she was talking about when it came to medical things.

“Whatever you think’s best,” he shrugged, “the coffee should still be hot either way when you wake up. But, you know, uh… if you just go to sleep? Not such a big deal, I think.” He smirked. “You don’t need to work every hour of every day, you know.”

Angela laughed at his teasing words, and also to cover the fact that she wanted to gasp as Sombra started to unbutton her pants. “Yes, well, you know what they say - n-no rest for the wicked, ha!”

“Wicked, sure, yeah right,” he rolled his eyes and shook his head, ambling over on both feet and one fist and setting the carafe down on Angela’s desk next to the computer. “Just leave this here, shall I?”

“Excellent! Thank you, Winston.”

“No problem at all. Have a good nap or sleep or whatever, Angela.”

“Of course I will. Thank you. You can um- oh, lock the door on the way out.”

Winston chuckled as he headed out, waving over his shoulder. “I’ll let Athena know you’re not to be bothered for the rest of the night unless it’s an emergency!”

Then the door closed, and locked, and Angela immediately threw off the covers that were causing her to overheat now, and revealed Sombra’s grinning face.

“That was so mean!” Angela hissed, smacking at Sombra’s shoulders, but the hacker just laughed and curled up and took it.

“I know it was!” Sombra giggled and shook as Angela continued to smack ineffectually at her. “It was great!”

The laughter flowed freely as slaps softened until they were strokes and caresses, mouths losing their grins to become occupied with each other instead. With the door locked, with the knowledge that nobody would be coming their way, Angela was able to relax even more - which, after all, had been the point of the whole thing.

That, and to have a bit of fun, at least.

In the end, she even did nap, drifting off into unconsciousness afterward with Sombra curled up in her arms. The last thoughts in her mind were that soft, tangy, fruity scent of Sombra’s hair, the warmth of her skin and the slight difference where implants ran underneath it, and how incredibly wonderful it felt to just hold her like that.

She woke up an hour later, to her phone alarm gently sounding - wind chimes, a tune that brought a smile to her lips even though it wasn’t one she had picked. Sombra was gone, but she wasn’t really surprised to find that.

Angela stretched out with a yawn to grab her phone, flicking the alarm off thoughtlessly with a thumb. When it went away, though, the screen showed something else - a picture of her sleeping face taken over Sombra’s bare shoulder, the hacker grinning like a fool.

The photo was captioned “Morning, beautiful” and it made Angela giggle and grin, and immediately flick to her contacts to send a message.

“Thanks for this, so much. It was wonderful - I really needed a break, I think. Thank you.”

The response came only a moment later. “Hey, you can always count on me to help you avoid work!” Angela laughed at that, shaking her head as another message came through. “It was good though, yeah. We should do it again some time.”

Her cheeks were sore from grinning as she tapped out a response, pulling on a lap coat almost thoughtlessly. “Good idea! Are you free Tuesday?”

“For you? Always, angel.”

Angela sighed and pressed the phone to her chest, shaking her head softly and wondering how exactly she got so lucky. Yes, technically, Sombra was a wanted fugitive - but technically, so was she, so was Winston and Tracer and all of the others. Overwatch was illegal, but that didn’t mean it was wrong.

Yes, Sombra was helping Talon at the moment - or appeared to - but to the people in the UN, everyone in the reformed Overwatch was appearing to do all sorts of horrid things.

Something Angela had learned quite thoroughly was that there was more to life than appearances.

She smiled and set some music playing as she settled in her chair again, waking her computer from its sleep and picking up the recorder in hand. “Now, where was I? Let’s see… oh, yes: the samples of the virus which we have cultured seem to have a high level of response to Alpha-level inhibitors. More research is required to see whether this is correlative or causative. Of particular note are the effects of more complex compounds such as…”

There was a large part of her mind which had been trained in to this, switching in to research mode as easily as one might flick on a lightswitch, and that left the rest of her free to think about purple eyes and grinning lips, picnics and get-togethers, and little sweet souvenirs...

#Overwatch #Overwatch fic #Fanfiction #Original #My writing #Sombra #Mercy #Sombra/Mercy #I continue to hold true on my streak of sucking at Tumblr #hiddeninthunder #owfemslashexchange

[fairyscribbles]

Home - Fate (LAY, PT.1) [CHRONICLES OF THE WOLF SERIES]

Guess who’s here~~~~~ 

*a little heads up- this story occurs a few weeks after the last chapter! The pack has moved from their old house and moved closer to the Capital to escape Donghwan and heal...and maybe to find someone special :)*

-

[ Yixing | Step by Step ]

\ Fate

 It must've been weeks since you left your homeland for hopes of a better future, yet that better future still didn't show its face. Disapppintment came reeling its ugly head at every corner, from the first highwayman you met who managed to take half of your spices away and then broke your wrist when you tried to fight him, to the general unsuccess of finding a town where you could start your sales. The road was cold and unforgiving, the first nights you didn't sleep a minute because of the fears of unnatural beasts that roamed these lands.

Everyone knew that. It wasn't safe to stay outside at night, because amber eyes will fall upon you and no one will see you again.

You must've traveled a long time, because the unforgiving scrape of desert changed into miles and miles of lush woods, and you weren't sure what scared you more. In the desert, you could at least see your enemy coming. Here, everything was hidden from your sight, even the road that was supposed to keep you on track.

You noticed you were going differently when your path was crossed by a small stream and the fact that around you, there was absolutely no damage from a human foot apart your gentle tread. Nobody has been through this lands in ages.

The sun was slowly coming down- you could see it through the small cracks of the trees. Your first night in the woods, impossibly lost, because all the directions look exactly the same.

You wanted not to let the panic run over you, but your food supplies ended five days ago, and your stomach clenched uncomfortably. You had just enough of water supplies and the amount of sleep you've gotten the past days wasn't sufficient. Under the heavy weight of your spices, you felt the need to just drop down on the ground and sleep until something finds and kills you.

You shook that thought away- no. You have to survive. You just have to, you thought determinedly, pressing on and crossing the small clearing. Your walk was long, and the sun already left you alone to wander around in the woods by yourself. Everything was so much scarier with the soft whisper of the leaves that sounded just like someone was nearing, but everytime you turned around to stare fearlessly at your attacker, nobody was there.

You didn't know what was more scarier- that you were all alone or the possibility of someone being with you.

You pressed on, fighting the heavy weight of your eyelids. You staggered from side to side, holding onto the trees for support. Your breathing was already deep, announcing the coming of sleep and you looked around in desperate hope to see something to save you.

Was your sight fooling you? Or did you really see...a warm light?

A light from a household?

You didn't care if it was an illusion or not- it was your only hope, and so you staggered to it with small steps. The more you walked toward it, the further it seemed, but then, luckily, you were able to break through the tree barrier to lay your eyes on the magnificent looking house.

That was the last thing you saw before you fell to your knees and keeled over.

-

Yixing sighed, placing more of his shirts into his chest of drawers. The move was long and necessary, but he felt a little bit sad for leaving. He loved that area where they lived, the forest a beautiful lush green and full of life. Here, nearer the capitol, it was different, the wildlife scarce and the woods thinned by the people of the city.

He missed home, but he was sure he could build one here. One of their own. With their enormous pack by now.

All the mates traveled with them- even the shadowy Bom and hot-headed Bora, which meant the house was as lively as ever with the beautiful mated couples and the others.

Yixing sighed, folding another shirt. Don't get him wrong, he is happy for his brothers, but he can't help but feel a little lonely. Where is his mate?

Yixing has been in this world for a long time, and he has traveled partially alone (until he found Luhan and Kris). To be honest, Yixing is done with feeling alone. He wants something new.

His ears picked up a new movement outside the house. His eyes immediately glimmered into a protective hue. Someone was nearing the house.

Yixing dropped the shirt he was folding, sneaking to the window slowly, so he wouldn't be seen. His nose picked up a scent which was fairly...feminine?

Even the figure under the cloak looked female, all tiny and curved, but since he met Bom and Bora, Yixing learned not to underestimate small little ladies that looked like damsels in distress.

Well. Except for this one, because the girl staggered one last time before falling to her knees and into the green grass. Her breathing stabilized even when her heart was still off the charts, beating crazily at the amount of fear and pressure she has been through.

Yixing couldn't just stand and look at her. His need to help forced him to rush out of the house and gather the cloaked girl into his arms, walking back to the house.

"Who is that, hyung?" Sehun asked with mild interest as he looked up from the book he was reading.

"Don't know."

"Hyung..." Sehun sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose at Yixing's response.

"You know what we said about bringing in strangers." Yixing groaned, carrying her upstairs. Her face was still covered by her cape, yet the rocking moment made the cowl slowly slip off.

"I know Sehun-ah, but there is no way I will let someone die at my-holy hell." Yixing interrupted his speech when the cowl fell off and he reached to grab it. He intended to put it back on her face so the light wouldn't stirr her, but he was only reduced to a gasp when he finally set her eyes on her.

And the whole world shifted.

Her face was one of those which you can never forget, that will stay in your mind burned forever, and Yixing doesn't mind that at all. Shit, he gasped as he leaned against the wall heavily, holding her a bit tighter.

His mate only made a small snort at the sudden movement and nuzzled closer to him.

What kind of coincidence is this?

He immediately tightened his arms around you, his heart slamming hard in his chest as he exchanged bewildered looks with Sehun.

"God, don't get me wrong, hyung. I'm happy for you, but it's really starting to make me lonely."

Yixing smiled ruefully at their youngest before blinking down at your sleeping face. You were making soft noises, distressed little moans like you were expecting to be shaken every time. He would've set you down on the bed, but he was a little overwhelmed. He couldn't bring himself to move past the shock and release you.

"Should I... go tell someone?"

Yixing sighed. "Maybe the alphas. They... need to know we'll have another mouth to feed."

Sehun chuckled. "Good thing we all ended up with our own rooms."

Yixing could only smile slightly at the runt who turned around to go find one of the alphas. He silently hoped it would be Kris, because for some reason he felt a lot calmer with the tall alpha than with Junmyeon.

Slowly, delicately, Yixing settled you down onto his bed, careful not to wake you, before he pulled his arms from under you almost reluctantly. His fingertips felt itchy when they weren't touching you, and his beast whined, begging him to reach out and run his hand over the soft skin on your arm. Yixing sighed, looking at your face with a quickly beating heart. You possessed some features that looked foreign in this country but they were very familiar to Yixing- they reminded him of his hometown, far back in the east.

He could've expected that, he realized, looking out of the window.

That his mate would resemble everything he held close.

'Home' felt appropriate.

He looked back towards the door just as his alpha approached. Before Kris's tall form even rounded the corner, there were already two females preceding him. Jesus, Sehun couldn't have saved it for when his mate wasn't unconscious?

"Is... is it true?" Bom whispered, not even flinching when her mate's long arm wound around her.

"Unnie, there..." Haerin pointed to you still wrapped up in your cloak, but she didn't make another move.

"Okay. Now that you've seen her, you two go."

"But-" Bom turned in Kris's hold. Her mouth was turned way down, and Yixing smiled. It didn't matter that Kris managed to tell her; she was still rebelling against the idea of mating, and Yixing knew that Kris was uncomfortable that she was still unmarked.

He leaned down and kissed her gently. "I know. We'll talk about it later."

Sighing, she wiggled out of Kris's hold and grabbed Haerin's hand to lead her away. Which left Yixing with his sleeping mate and his brooding alpha who was shutting the door behind him.

"So..." Kris began, sliding a chair forward and dropping down into it. He gestured to you while Yixing dragged a blanket over your body.

"I'd like to wait until she wakes up. Then I'll figure it out for sure."

"You're already sure," Kris chuckled, gesturing to the way Yixing's hand lingered on your arm.

Yixing let out something that was between a growl of anger and a whine of pain. Why the hell did this have to happen to him?

His alpha seemed to read his mind and he smiled, reaching out to pat his back comfortingly.

"Don't worry, Xing. You can get used to it after a while." Yixing smiled at his alpha before looking at your slowly calming expression.

"Her body had to realize that she's with someone safe now." Kris supplied with a curious tone, looking down at you with eyebrows risen.

"Is she hurt anywhere?" Yixing shook his head, his eyes looking over you to make sure once more.

"She is exhausted and famished."

"Okay...well once she wakes up, you could come bring in some food." Kris advised gently, sitting up from his place and moving to leave.

"And Xing?"

"Yes, duizhang?"

"I know it's impossibly hard to do so, but you shouldn't hold her." A growl burst through his throat so unexpectedly, you whined in Yixing arms. He felt immediately sorry for growling at his alpha like that.

"Even though you recognized your mate, she still has no idea. And when she wakes up, in a stranger's home, in a stranger's arms...I don't think it's a good idea." Kris only finished with a small smile before leaving him with his mate, still squirming in his arms so cutely that he never wants to let her go.

Kris just sighed. "Believe me. I understand... I'll go talk to Junmyeon."

Yixing watched his alpha walk through the door, giving him one last sympathetic look before closing it behind him. When he looked down at you, he found your body curling against his arm. His hand was still planted on the bed beside you, and you'd found his wrist and latched on fairly tightly. Except Kris said no.

And he understood. You didn't know him. It would be bad enough to wake up in an unfamiliar room with a houseful of unfamiliar people... More than half of them weres...

With you wrapped around the arm of one of the wolves. It would probably make you freak and try to run, and in your condition, running isn't a very good idea.

But it was almost impossible to rip your hand away from his arm, when your fingers were digging into his flesh so needily it made his stomach flutter.

"How am I supposed to leave when you don't want me to go?" He muttered quietly, leaning down to gently brush his lips against the top of your head.

You made a noise that sounded entirely too close to contentment, and Yixing sighed. He needed to get away. He slid off the bed onto the floor, propping his chin on the edge of the bed and staring at you - his mate... huddled under his blanket... on his bed.

Yixing felt a little dizzy. This was a lot of shifts to take in a matter of minutes, but his beast seemed perfectly satisfied with the situation.

"Sweet dreams, my dear..." he muttered quietly to you, before willing his body to stand up and leave the room, leaving you to get rest.

-

#yixing #yixing story #lay #lay story #exo lay story #exo yixing story #group: exo #exo story #exo werewolf story #werewolf story #werewolf au #series: Chronicles of the Wolf

[aworldawordatatime]

Original Content Day 2: A Strange Winter’s Journey

Prompt for today:

Prompt #2: First person narrative.

I can’t tell you exactly when I slipped through a hole in my world and stumbled out into another.  Turns out that other versions of the world have very similar parks with gravel walkways that feature incredibly trippable rocks.  I mean, honestly, I don’t even consider myself a clumsy person, and I think I may have slid forward and nearly fallen on my face at least three times. The only reason I was even out in this stupid, unfamiliar park in the stupid wintery cold in the stupid first place was because I was visiting my parents for the holidays. Now, let me say that there are unintended drawbacks to no longer working in retail and therefore being asked to work on said holidays to get out of having awkward Conversations about What You Are Planning To Do With Your Life Now That You Have A Serious Job and having to walk a fat, constantly farting dog of indiscernible origin while he decides to simultaneously take forever to find the perfect place to poop and that walking is for other dogs.  By the time I noticed that it was getting dark awfully fast and there was a distinct lack of lamp posts, Buford was lying stubbornly in the gravel with his paws up in the air and a particularly stupid look on his droopy, grizzled face.

It’s not that I hate dogs. I don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression here.  The problem is that, in order for me to explain the disdain I have for the dog, I must also explain the disdain I have for my younger brother, Arven.  Yes, my parents decided to name him Arven. Still, it does not excuse his penchant for making incredibly costly decisions and then dropping them whenever it gets difficult. Much like college. Or his new, $20,000 electric scooter, which our parents were left paying off his loan because they stupidly cosigned for it.  Or the dog. Buford.  Arven was so very proud of himself for taking in a rescue dog that “nobody else wanted.”  That is, until it stopped helping him score with the ladies and the dog became something that he didn’t want either.  So, to the parents it went.

And, of course, as the eldest and the most responsible, it fell to me to walk the damned dog when my mother’s knee began acting up due to the cold and my father’s back was aching awfully as well.  I was sitting around eating far too much chocolate for my own good, anyway.  I needed the walk. That’s what I told them, and that’s what I told myself as well.

Still, I hated the cold. I hated the gravel. And Buford's gaseous emissions were beginning to make me wonder if he might be useful to the chemical warfare section of the US armed forces.

But then, I noticed the lack of lamp posts, as I said earlier, and I began hearing things shifting in the darkness that were far too large for the average suburban neighborhood squirrels and crows.  Something made a noise that sounded like a snuffling bellow, and even Buford was instantly on his feet and cowering between my legs as though that would do either of us any good.  

“Are you lost?”  I nearly screamed at the sound of the oddly-accented  voice behind me and whirled around so quickly that I nearly tripped on Buford's leash and keeled over. A figure stood in the twilight, face obscured by the shadow of the trees.

“Um,” I said, like an idiot. “Maybe? My parents just moved last year, so I’m not too familiar with the area. It’s easy to get turned around.”

“I’ll help you get back. Don’t worry.”  I still couldn’t place his accent. It reminded me a bit of an Irish lilt, but certain parts of the words he used were stressed at the wrong syllable.

“Thanks, I really apprecia—” As he came closer, I went silent and my pulse began to race. Buford was shaking against my leg so badly that I thought he was having a seizure.

The young man before me seemed to be around my age- maybe a bit older, but he was clean-shaven, which made him seem a bit more youthful.  He had almost unearthly smooth skin, which shone a slightly greenish tint in the dying sunlight.  His eyes seemed a bit wider set than I was used to.  But it was his hair that I stared at most.  Dark green vines, dotted with pale, pink flowers were woven into braids down the back of his head. His braided vine-hair reached the small of his back, and I could tell by the nearly sheer material he wore wrapped around his body that he obviously didn’t feel the cold the same way that I did.  Two long, pointed ear tips poked out of his hair on either side of his head, which I might have made a dorky Lord of the Rings joke about being a “four-ears,” but then he smiled.

His teeth were serrated, like a shark’s.

I backed away, feeling like a coward. This was too much, even for me.  

“Please don’t freak out!” He sounded earnest, but I wasn’t exactly sure if earnest voices meant the same thing here, wherever here was.

“I might find it a bit less difficult to freak out if you didn’t look like you were capable of going all Jaws on me,” I joked. What can I say? Fatalistic humor is my schtick, even in a terrifying situation.

“I could say the same for you and your weird, smooth teeth.  And your...needle-like hair.  It’s creepy.”

“Uh...ok,” I replied. He had a point, actually.  As weird as he appeared to me, I’m sure I looked just as weird to him.

“My name is Myonar,” he said, sticking out his elbow.  I regarded it with a confused expression and he withdrew it with a shrug. “My stupid brother tore a hole in space-time continuum yesterday, so I’ve been sent to repair it.

“You have one too?” I exclaimed before I could stop myself.

“I am not sure what you are referring to,” Myonar said, looking puzzled.

“A stupid brother!” I exclaimed. “Oh, I could tell you a hundred stories about how he ruined Christmas or a birthday or spent too much money and guilted my parents into bailing him out.”

Myonar nodded sagely. “And every time, they say ‘oh, don’t take it too personally. He’s still young!’”

“RIGHT? YOU DO FEEL MY PAIN!” I exclaimed, not thinking twice as I wrapped my arms around him in solidarity.

“You’re...freaking me out again,” he said a bit hesitant, after a moment.

I jumped away and apologized.

“It’s not far to the hole, but you’ll want to stay close,” Myonar said, “there’s a lot of hungry night creatures out tonight.”

As if to illustrate this point, something with a long tail darted out of the woods for a moment before disappearing when Myonar shined a light on it.  The creature had warty skin and very little hair, but that was all I could make of it.

With Myonar as a guide, I dragged Buford back the way we had come, which was surprisingly challenging in the dark.  I found myself hanging onto Myonar’s arm, which made him turn a strange shade of blue.  

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Never better,” he squeaked back.

When we finally found the tear, I could barely tell it was even there.  The pulsing color turned the patch of world on the other side a muted color.

“Do I...just walk through it?” I asked, curious.

“Well, that’s the basic idea,” Myonar said. “But since you’re here, maybe you can help me close it at the same time.

“That sounds dangerous,” I said, wondering what it entailed.

“It might be,” he replied. “I’ve only read about this in theoretical books, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“Well, if I can help you with your brother problems, maybe I’ll have some luck with dealing with mine in the new year.” I rolled up my sleeves. “Where do I start?”

“Well, Myonar said. “First you have to step back into your side of the world.  Then you have to peel up one of the the edges with your fingers and hand it to me so that I can pull it through the hole and I’ll do the same.”

It sounded crazy enough that it might just work.

First, I tossed Buford through the hole. Don’t worry. He was fine. In fact, he did a happy little doggy dance on the other side and nonchalantly lifted his leg on a bush to pee. Then it was time for me to go through.

“Be careful. Don’t hit your head on my universe,” Myonar said, flashing those sharp teeth in a grin.  Oddly enough, I felt a bit endeared to them, now that I knew they weren’t meant for me.  

I stepped through gingerly, and only realized after the fact that he’d take my hand to help me through.

“Now hand me the corner!” he called out, his voice garbled and strangely quiet through the rip. I looked around for anything that could seem like a corner, but it was hard in the dark and the cold (did I mention it had begun to snow in my universe? Damned stuff).  Finally, my half-frozen fingers caught on something that felt like the ragged edge of a tapestry.  I pulled. A hole in the universe is surprisingly hard to close, especially with one’s raw strength.  But I managed to push the tip of the corner through the hole.

“You’re a lifesaver!” I heard, and then a pop! And then the window into another universe was gone altogether.

Buford and I made record time  getting home, and it turned out that we’d been gone long enough for my parents to seriously consider going out to search for me despite their respective conditions.  Thankfully, even with Buford curled up and farting contentedly in his sleep in front of the fireplace, I was rather content to rest under a blanket and sip my tea.

“Oh?” my mother said, her knowing tone making my ears turn pink.  “Did you meet a cute boy today, by chance?”

“Something like that,” I mumbled back, sinking into my blanket and feigning sudden interest in the car auction show that was playing on the television.

“Maybe you should bring him home for dinner next time you go on a walk,” my father suggested affably.

“That’s impossible...for several reasons I’m not even going to bother explaining,” I said, “besides, I’m here to spend time with you guys.”

“And Buford!” my mother crooned, looking affectionately at the dog.

“Yeah...I guess so,” I said, and that was that.

I suppose that, all things considered, it could be worse.  Like my-brother-went-and-ripped-the-space-time-continuum worse.

Oh well. I’ll take what I can get.

But that night, I dreamed of lying next to a boy with dark green vines for hair.  His lips tasted like syrup and spring, and though his grin was as sharp as ever, I could tell that he smiled just for me.

#original fiction #horror #alternate universe #at least 500 words #prompt

[brokenheartsville510-blog]

Conflicted Heart

Sometimes, Loverboy just wants to quit on the world. Sometimes, he wants to continue loving her. Sometimes, he just wants to numb the pain.

Sure, Loverboy has his flaws. He has a questionable history. He is not perfect by any means. But for the first time in his life, Loverboy is ready to risk it all. Give up on everything he's known all his life. Put to rest his tendencies. Change his lifestyle. Leave the Partyboy phase behind. Finally retire and get rid of Mr. Lucky. Saying no to the bottle. Go against everyone's judgmental opinions and be with the woman he loves, despite the age difference and other circumstances.

The girl saw it at a much different light. She saw an older man who has known her all her life declare his love for her and she thought it was gross. She saw a fat, short man with physical imperfections. She saw a belligerent drunk who will never, ever give up the bottle. She saw the ghost of Mr. Lucky, who is only out to sleep with her and leave her forever. She saw the Partyboy who will never be happy with a much reserved and quiet life. She saw the whole world and how they will hate her should she pursue Loverboy.

Which poses questions: Despite all that, why does Loverboy choose to still love this girl? Why is he tormenting himself over someone who obviously never gave a damn? Why love someone who will worry about what others think versus the love and admiration Loverboy will give her?

Maybe he's nuts. A sucker for pain. He'd rather torture himself over the girl than move on with his life.

Maybe he's scared. Afraid to love again. It's very traumatic losing the girl and she also happened to be his best friend. His confidante. His go to girl for advice and even just to talk.

Maybe he's hopeful. He's waiting for the girl to come around. To change her mind. Maybe she'll see his love to be real and they'll live happily ever after.

It's hard to take love back once you give it away. We don't pick and choose who we love in this life. Sometimes it just happens. Sometimes it happens with people we didn't expect or foresee. Loverboy certainly didn't expect to fall in love with his best friend who is 10 years his junior.

Loverboy has a broken heart. He has a conflicted heart. He is fighting the fight of his life. He wants to get over the girl. To move on. To reclaim his life. But in a sense, she has served as an inspiration to Loverboy. 36 pounds down. Not exactly a fat ass anymore. He's even dramatically decreased his drinking. He doesn't go out with his friends. He's taking a sabbatical from social media. The gym is now his happy hour. He's living a much healthier life. The girl doesn't see that. Or maybe she does but she just doesn't care.

Some would say Loverboy deserves a better fate than this. He said, for now he'll keep an even keel. He'll keep the girl and his love for her in the back burner. He's going through wholesale changes in his life. Asking why, he responded gladly. He said he's doing it for himself. He's doing it because he wants to live a longer and healthier life. He's doing it because he's a free agent with no ties and looking good and feeling good has become a priority. Lastly, he said he's doing it for the girl. Hopefully when she sees the new Loverboy, she sees a changed man and she'll regret ever letting him slip away.

Loverboy ended by saying this: He may have lost the girl but the girl lost someone who truly loved her. His intentions were clean and his love was real. Nobody saw that and no one backed him up. He fought an uphill battle and Loverboy was dead on arrival.

I wish you well, Loverboy. I hope you find someone who will see the real you. The loving man that you can be. The girl never saw that, but some other girl out there will. You have a big heart and the world needs more people like you. Keep doing you, Loverboy. Make her regret the day she broke your heart. Hopefully someone finds your aching heart and mends it. You deserve the best.