#please spend your money better though i mean jesus christ space is really not a priority right now

[sunshineandaisies]

What’s in the Box, Peter?

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader 

Words: ~1.7k

Warnings: fluff, mentions of pregnancy

Note: Happy Mother’s Day to all the baby mommas, the fur mommas, the plant mommas, and all the momma’s in between! 

Ever since you started dating Peter during your freshman year of college, you always spent Mother’s Day with him and May. 

Of course, you always had the customary FaceTime call with your own mother but with the prices of plane tickets constantly increasing, going home to spend the day with your family just wasn’t possible when all your money went towards rent and school expenses. 

So spending the day with Peter and May became tradition, and quite frankly, you wouldn’t have it any other way.

May Parker had practically inducted you into the family after only a few months of dating her nephew, and she was the very definition of what you thought motherhood was all about. She was understanding whenever Peter found himself in trouble - whether it be as Peter Parker or his masked superhero alter ego - and she was always willing to lend an ear whenever you or Peter needed to rant about something (even if it was about each other). She worried about Peter - of course she did - but she let him have his space to make his own mistakes and learn from them. 

She may not have been Peter’s actual mother, but damn did that woman deserve the best Mother’s Day that you and Peter could muster.

You’d stayed at May’s apartment the night before rather than at yours and Peter’s apartment on the other side of the city to save yourself the commute in the morning, and you were infinitely glad that you’d done so. An extra hour of sleep was definitely worth you and Peter squeezing into the small bed in his old bedroom. 

Peter still woke up early, though.

He always did, unable to really sleep in the days leading up to Mother’s Day. He grew restless and quiet, and you didn’t need to ask to know why. 

He pressed his lips to your cheek before he left for his visit to his mother’s grave that morning, his jacket tugged on to protect himself from the early morning chill and a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He whispered a promise of coffee when he returned, and your appreciation for him doubled in an instant.

By the time he returned, you were busy making pancakes and humming along to the song on the radio while May tittered around the kitchen despite your insistence that she let you take care of making breakfast.

It was her day, after all.

“Good morning,” Peter greeted, pressing a styrofoam cup into your hand. He pressed his lips to your temple before greeting May with a hug and wishing her a happy Mother’s Day. He set a small, wrapped box down on the counter, making you cock your head in curiosity.

“What’s that?” you asked, pointing at the box in question with the spatula. You were sure that you had already gotten May a Mother’s Day gift. In fact, you had wrapped her gift yourself the night before. Had you forgotten something? 

“Just a Mother’s Day gift,” he replied vaguely, a smile curling his lips. “You’ll see after breakfast.”

Your gaze kept flitting back to that mysterious little box as you finished stacking pancakes onto a large plate, as you filled three glasses of juice and set the table, and as you and Peter caught May up on all of things that you had accomplished over the course of the last semester. You were just barely managing to contain your curiosity enough to actively keep up the conversation and not be rude, and Peter wasn’t helping any. 

The way that he seemed extra fidgety and the way that his gaze kept flitting to you more than usual while he talked to May about his plans once you were both finally done with grad school had you wondering if you did something wrong or even worse- if he was planning something that you didn’t know about.

Oh, God. Was he going to propose?

Outwardly, you were smiling brightly and nodding in agreement to what Peter was saying about your plans for the summer, but inwardly, you were panicking.

You loved Peter, you really did, and you’d be happy to marry him. Just not now. You’d had the discussion about marriage over a year ago, knowing that you both wanted it at some point, but you and he had both agreed that marriage was off the table until you were both done with school. You both had at least one year of grad school left, and that was only if you - ever the academic - decided to not continue your education with further certification. A proposal was at least a year away, so long as Peter adhered to the agreement you had made nearly two years ago.

You cleared the table with lightning speed once everyone had finished with their breakfast, wanting nothing more than to know what Peter was hiding. You retrieved May’s gift from Peter’s bedroom and placed it in front of her while Peter held onto the small mystery box, his fingers flexing and unflexing nervously. 

Jesus Christ, you were about to implode from impatience and anxiety and-

“This is so cute!” May exclaimed, holding up the small succulent in a pot shaped like a dinosaur. “Did you find this at that shop on 47th?”

“I think so?” Peter looked to you for confirmation, but you only shrugged in response. “Y/N picked out most of the stuff in there. She has a better eye for things than I do.”

“Peter did pick out the wine, though,” you pointed out, nodding towards the fancy bottle of white wine that had cost more than your electrical bill last month. “I will, however, take credit for the plant and the memory foam slippers.”

You shared a small smile with Peter as May looked over her gifts happily. “This is so sweet. Thank you.” She leaned across the table and pulled your both into as tight a hug as she could manage with a table in the way.

“Happy Mother’s Day, May,” Peter told her, and the few happy tears she swiftly brushed away with her thumbs didn’t escape your attention.

“Happy Mother’s Day, May,” you repeated, feeling so incredibly grateful to have May in your life. “You literally deserve the best Mother’s Day for putting up with this guy for most of his life.” You gently nudged Peter in the side with your elbow as you teased, chuckling as he rolled his eyes at you while struggling to fight back an amused smile.

“Whatever,” he scoffed, and it only made you and May laugh harder. “You both love me.”

And suddenly your laughter died as your attention was dragged back to that mysterious little box, now pushed in front of you by Peter. “What’s this?”

“It’s for you,” he answered as if it wasn’t already blatantly obvious.

“I get that, but why?” You observed the small gift nervously. “It’s Mother’s Day, Pete, and I’m very much not a mother. Not unless you count being a plant mother. You didn’t need to get me anything.”

“What?” His face twisted in confusion, brows knit together and lips slightly parted. “You don’t know? I thought you knew.”

What the hell? Your brows knit together as you looked from Peter to May, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. “Know what? I think I would know if I was a mom, Peter.” You let out a breath and started to pull at the wrapping paper. “I mean, thank you for the gift, but this was really unneces-” Your words died on the tip of your tongue as you saw what was tucked neatly into the small box.

You lifted the mug from the box, staring at the words written across the front in pretty pink script. 

‘Happy (Expectant) Mother’s Day’

You blinked, too confused to speak.

“I thought you said she knew,” you heard May whisper to Peter.

“I thought she did!” your boyfriend whispered in return. “I thought she was waiting for today to tell me!”

You finally snapped out of your trance, placing the mug down on the table and turning to Peter. “Can you please explain what’s happening?”

After a beat of silence, he answered, “You’re pregnant.”

You snorted in disbelief. “I think I’d know if I was pregnant, Peter.” You took a second to mentally count the days, and your heart began to beat erratically once you realized you had been so busy with final papers and projects to remember when your last period had been. Well, shit.

“You are,” he said confidently. He draped an arm around the back of your chair before taking your hand in his. “Some nights, when it’s really quiet, I can hear the baby’s heartbeat. Scared the hell out of me when I first heard it.” Instinctively, your hands dropped to your stomach, cradling it tenderly. Leave it to your boyfriend to find out you were pregnant before you did thanks to his hyper-senses. “I thought you knew and you were planning to tell me today, you know, because it’s Mother’s Day.” He scratched the back of his neck and laughed nervously, his gaze flitting to May before he met your eyes again. “I, uh, realize now that you didn’t know.”

“We’re gonna have a baby?” He nodded, lips curling into a smile. “I’m gonna be a mom?” Another nod. “I thought you were gonna propose! I was so nervous!”

“I mean, I can still do that if you want,” he offered, a mischievous twinkle in his chocolate eyes.

“No!” you exclaimed. “I think one big life change is enough for today.”

You shared a soft, sweet kiss with Peter before turning your attention back to the mug on the table. Your fingers curled around it, holding it gently in your hands as you stared at the words again and a smile tugged at your lips.

A gentle hand on yours called your attention away from the mug and to May. The older woman was smiling widely at you and her nephew, i she’d tears glittering in her eyes. “Happy Mother’s Day, Y/N.”

#peter parker #peter parker x reader #peter parker x you #peter parker x y/n #peter parker x fem!reader #peter parker reader insert #peter parker fanfiction #peter parker fanfic #peter parker imagine #peter parker drabble #peter parker fluff #peter parker x pregnant!reader #spider-man x reader #spider-man x you #spider-man x y/n #spider-man fanfiction #spider-man reader insert #spider-man #marvel reader insert #marvel fanfiction

[ncssian]

A Favor: Part Fifteen

Nessian Modern AU

Masterlist

a/n: NSFW!!😈😈 please disregard colorado window tinting laws for this chapter

***

Cassian has yet to regret getting Nesta that personalized record, despite the fact that she plays it everyday on repeat with a near obsession. Is this what true love is? Letting your girlfriend blast the same songs through your home again and again, and never tiring of it? Never tiring of her?

He doesn’t get to ponder on it, because while Nesta spends the week lazing pantsless around the house (“I’m getting ready for the party,” she states while he rubs her feet. “Spiritually and all that.”), Cassian has to figure out how to turn the cabin into an inviting space for forty wealthy guests.

All of Nesta’s shit gets shoved in the back of his bedroom closet. Personal items and framed pictures of the two of them are swiped off any surfaces. Lights go up around the house. Catering is secured.

By the time it’s all finished, the cabin has been stripped of all warmth and familiarity and turned into something chic and upscale, suitable for a small gala. Nesta stares around at the space when it’s done, her face revealing nothing.

Cassian points to the small sitting area on the second floor, directly above the open living room, that leads outside to the wraparound balcony. “We’ll be able to see fireworks from there,” he says. He turns to see Nesta’s face is still carefully blank, the way it is when she’s thinking too many things at once. “You sure you want to do this?” he asks. “It’s not too late to cancel the whole thing.”

She looks at him in horror. “It most certainly is. The party’s tomorrow.”

“Still not too late.” Cassian might not have that much power in the overall Night Court hierarchy, but for Nesta he could figure it out.

She smiles wanly but shakes her head. “We’re doing this, and we’re not letting it go to hell like last time.”

***

Nesta knows her sisters are aware that she’s on the guest list for the party (though she can’t imagine what Cassian’s explanation for that one was), but she still stiffens when she enters the cabin through the open door. Her eyes fall on various men and women that she’s never seen in her life, all glammed up and dripping self-importance, until recognizing Feyre and her boyfriend laughing with an older couple in a corner. The only thing that brings Nesta a little peace is that the snide woman, Amren, isn’t here tonight, having chosen to spend New Year’s with her boyfriend in California instead.

Nesta eases up when nobody takes notice of her, though a few nearby guests throw appreciative glances in her direction. She looks like a disco ball in her sequined wrap dress, and a freezing one at that. She shuts the door behind her, sealing the winter air out, but quickly pulls her hand away from the knob. It feels like the door isn’t hers to touch. She realizes that even though the cabin is her home, no one here except Cassian knows that.

Speaking of Cassian, she needs to find him. Nesta is not such an advanced creature that she knows how to survive in a room full of strangers on her own, and she no longer cares if anyone finds her clinging to Cassian weird.

She makes it three feet before she’s accosted by Morrigan, carrying her usual champagne glass like it’s an extension of her.

“Nesta!” she exclaims, loud and bright as ever. She smiles broadly, with too many teeth. “You’re here.”

Nesta blinks in response. She doesn’t understand how Morrigan benefits from this exaggerated excitement. Is it supposed to be insulting or polite?

“By the way,” Morrigan adds when Nesta doesn’t reply, “what exactly are you doing here?”

A heavy arm slides around Nesta’s shoulders, pulling her close. “I invited her,” says Cassian with a smile. “Because she’s my friend, and this place is practically hers.”

“Oh, I think that’s an exaggeration,” Nesta says sharply, trying to step away from Cassian.

He holds her closer. “No it’s not. We were roomies for over two months, remember?”

Morrigan winces, looking between the two of them. “Right,” she says slowly. “I keep forgetting that. Cassian is like this with everybody,” she says apologetically to Nesta. “Don’t take him too seriously.”

Nesta nods solemnly, wanting this conversation to be over. “I won’t.”

Her exit is made clear when the doorbell rings. “I’ll get it,” she says quickly, escaping from under Cassian’s arm.

Hurrying to the door, she swings it open.

Eris Vanserra stands looking irritated on the other side. He freezes when he sees Nesta, and then his face lifts into a smug grin. “Oh, this is too good.”

“So Cassian Madani was your sugar daddy all along?” Eris asks her later.

“Say sugar daddy one more time. I dare you.” Nesta stands near the stairs with her arms crossed, trying to pretend she isn’t associated with Eris. Which is more than a bit difficult when he keeps badgering her with questions, and Cassian is giving the two of them odd looks from across the room.

“I mean, what are the odds?” he laughs.

“My sister is dating his CEO brother.”

Eris throws her a look of surprise, but Nesta says, “How do you even know him?”

Eris sticks an hors d'oeuvre from a nearby platter in his mouth. “He manages security and logistics at every event Night Court is involved in. Can be a real pain in the ass to work with when I’m trying to get shit done for my dad’s company.”

“You’re a pain in the ass,” she retorts.

They’re interrupted by Feyre and Rhys appearing before them, Feyre with her hostess smile and Rhysand with an inquisitive look on his face. Nesta can’t tell which one of them is more attached to the hip of the other.

“Eris,” Rhysand greets smoothly.

“I see you’re already acquainted with my sister,” Feyre says. Her tone is tense, either because she’s still pissed at Nesta or—even worse—she feels protective of her.

“We’re classmates,” Nesta says tightly. “Does it matter?”

Feyre tries not to look hurt. “No—I just didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do.”

“Ladies,” a new voice says warningly. Cassian’s left whatever droll conversation he was stuck in and made his way over to them.

“Is the entire party congregating here?” Eris looks around himself.

“No, we are not,” Cassian says, all his usual friendliness gone around Eris. “I just came to ask Feyre to talk to the representatives from Spellbreaker before they pull all their money out of our latest operation.”

Feyre’s eyes go wide and her tattooed hand goes to her chest. “That’s not really my job—”

“Oh, come on, darling.” Rhysand slides a hand around her waist. “I’ll go with you; the art of negotiating is easier than it looks.”

Nesta nearly pukes in her mouth, but she maintains a careful blank face until Feyre and Rhysand are successfully out of sight. Cassian turns to Eris with a stony look. “You’re still here?”

Nesta sighs internally; this man has never hidden his feelings in his life.

Eris shares an amused glance with Nesta as if he’s thinking the same thing. “Is there anywhere else I should be right now?” he replies.

“Maybe in hell.”

Nesta claps a hand on Cassian’s shoulder and fakes a smile at Eris. “Tell your brother hi for me,” she says while pulling Cassian away. “I miss talking to a sensible redhead.”

“That’s because you have awful taste,” Eris calls after her. Nesta drags Cassian deep into the hallway, where no one lingers.

She releases him without flourish. “Are you doing okay? Because it seems like you’re having a harder time with this than I am.”

“I’m fine,” Cassian defends. “I was just hit with a terrible memory back there.”

“Like what?”

“That you’re friends with Eris.”

Nesta rolls her eyes. Friends is a very liberal term, but she won’t correct Cassian while he’s acting like this. “Thank you for helping with Feyre and Mor,” she says instead. “I didn’t need it, but I still appreciate it.” It’s a hard thing to admit, but she wants him to hear it.

“I was just trying to get you alone,” he says, leaning against the bathroom door. “I’ve been trying to get you alone all night.”

Nesta looks him up and down, from his white dress shirt and tied back hair to his uncharacteristically polished shoes. “For what?” she says warily. “If this is about a sex thing, don’t bother. There’s nowhere in this house for us to go without raising suspicion.”

Cassian pushes off the door with a dark look. “I wasn’t going to suggest staying in the house.” He holds a bronzed hand out toward her. “Wanna get out of here?”

***

Cassian doesn’t remember how he ever managed to fit all six-four of himself into the cramped backseat of his truck when he was fucking girls in college, but for Nesta he figures it out somehow.

Her pretty little dress is shoved down to her midriff, baring her arms and flushed breasts, and her skirt is bunched up high enough that Cassian can watch as he moves his fingers inside her. The glow of lights from the cabin lands on her perfect face as she throws her head back in pleasure, and he can only watch her in awe.

He laughs lowly when she whimpers and eases a third finger into her wet heat, in no rush to return to the party anytime soon. Let them all wonder where he and Nesta wandered off to.

But Nesta has far less patience than him; she pulls him in for a frenzied kiss and uses the distraction to slide her hand into his boxer briefs, palming his cock. He groans into her mouth as she pulls out the length of him from his unzipped pants, and it’s at that very moment that two voices interrupt their panting.

“Thanks,” a muffled female voice says from outside the truck. Cassian looks up through the dark tinted windows to find—Jesus Christ—Mor accepting a cigarette from Rhys. The two of them stand some feet away from the truck, unaware that anyone is occupying it.

“Some way to end the year,” Rhys is saying, watching the clear night sky. Nesta’s gone completely still beneath Cassian, not needing to get up and look to know who stands in the driveway. “Would have been even better without Nesta terrorizing Feyre at every turn.”

Sickness turns Cassian’s stomach at hearing such ugly words about Nesta come from his brother, but that sickness is quickly replaced by rage as Mor huffs a laugh. “She’s not that bad,” Mor says, taking a pull from her cigarette. “Though I could do without the attitude at every damn gathering.”

Rhys clicks his tongue. “She’s always been like that, even when the sisters were kids. It kills Feyre.”

Cassian glances down at Nesta, terrified of what he’s going to find on her face. But Nesta doesn’t look hurt or enraged like he expects. Instead, she’s listening closely with her brows furrowed, studiously intrigued.

Noticing Cassian’s attention on her, she meets his eyes and her breath hitches. A blush takes over her cheeks, and she clenches involuntarily around the fingers still deep inside her. Cassian realizes that his fury is written all over his face. And she likes it.

His anger at his friends flickers—or rather, transforms. Slowly, he pulls his fingers out of Nesta. He sits up a bit straighter and kneels properly on the backseat, earning a curious look from her. Hunching so his head doesn’t hit the truck ceiling, he wraps his hands around her thighs and maneuvers her legs up, up until they’re hooked over his shoulders. She nearly chokes at the new position.

He adjusts them so his cock is pressed right up against her sex, and looks out the window again, where Rhys and Mor are still talking. It’s all idle gossip, he knows, but... “What do you think, baby?” He slides his length over her slick folds. “Should I go out there and defend your honor?”

“Absolutely not,” Nesta gasps, shaking her head.

“And it’s like when she’s not quiet as a brick, she’s being rude,” Mor rants outside, flicking her cigarette. “I know Cass is friendly with everybody, but I have no idea what he was thinking inviting her here.”

“Oh, she’s not so quiet when I have my head between her legs,” Cassian murmurs at Mor. He glances down at Nesta with a knowing smirk. “She’s not so rude when I give her the right incentive, either.” He pats her bottom lip with his thumb, the bright red lipstick smearing. “Isn’t that right, Nes?”

“Bastard.” Nesta squirms, trying to line up her entrance with the head of Cassian’s cock. She’s not even listening to the conversation outside anymore.

“I think he likes her,” Rhys says, his breath clouding in the freezing night air. If only he knew. “We don’t always use reason when it comes to people we like.”

“Maybe,” Mor ponders. “But I can’t imagine it going anywhere. They’re too different.”

“I disagree,” Cassian mutters. He finally gives in to Nesta’s efforts and pushes inside her, sliding to the hilt in one thrust. She claps a hand over her mouth to stifle her moan.

“There are plenty of things we have in common, don’t you think, Nesta?” He sets a steady rhythm with his hips, pumping in and out of her. “Like how well we fit together.” Her head bumps the car door with every thrust.

“You—you’re gonna rock the truck,” Nesta tries to whisper. Cassian hides his smile in the crook of her knee at the rare use of informal contraction. She’s adorable.

“We wouldn’t want that to happen,” he teases, leaning forward to take a pert nipple into his mouth. A whimper slips past her lips; she’s nearly bent in half beneath him. With this new, deeper angle, Cassian moves slow enough that Nesta feels every solid inch of him.

His loose hair falls around his face as he drops his head to the center of Nesta’s chest. It takes every bit of restraint he knows not to suckle at the space between her breasts, not to leave reddened marks there that everyone will be able to see when they go back inside. But damn if this position isn’t driving him crazy.

Mor, Rhys, everything beyond the haven of the truck falls away. He doesn’t know if anybody is still outside, or if people have noticed his and Nesta’s absence from the party. He doesn’t care, not as he swears and thrusts particularly deep into her tight warmth.

Even her hand can’t contain the sound she makes at that.

Cassian moves one of his own hands to the crown of Nesta’s head, creating a barrier between her and the car door. With his other arm, he locks her thighs into place against his chest, and begins slamming relentlessly into her.

“CassianCassianCassian—”

He silences her with a searing kiss, and flicks her clit with a calloused thumb. Nesta scrabbles at his arms, at the seat upholstery, as her orgasm crashes into her. Her walls milk his cock almost painfully, and with a few more thrusts he’s coming, too.

As he rides out his climax, he intertwines their fingers together and presses them to the freezing window. Outside, there is no one to see the handprint they leave on the fogged up glass.

***

Nesta needs a moment to catch her breath while Cassian zips himself up. Leaning against the hard truck door, she achingly fits one arm back into the sleeve of her dress, then the other. “I think I have a bruise from where that seatbelt buckle stabbed me in the ribs,” she mutters.

“Where?” Cassian looks her over, but she waves him away and reaches over to dig in the back pocket of the driver’s seat, finding a packet of makeup wipes she left there some weeks ago. She plucks out a wipe for herself and tosses the rest of the packet at Cassian’s chest, which is covered in her lipstick marks.

He accepts the wipes with a “thanks” and begins rubbing at his reddened mouth and neck. Nesta watches him instead of wiping at her own lipstick, taking in whatever the light of the moon highlights: his unbuttoned shirt, his loose hair that fell forward into her face while they fucked, his skin peppered with her marks.

He notices her stare. “What?” he says, smiling.

“Have you ever done that before?” She nods outside to where Mor and Rhys were standing ten minutes ago. It wasn’t exhibitionism since nobody had seen them, but it still felt... dirty.

Cassian snorts, starting to button up his shirt. “I’ve done far worse.” He meets her eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten off to the sound of other people shit-talking my girl, though, so that’s new.”

Nesta blushes, and pretends to look around for her shoes to hide the reaction. She’s always known her bedroom experience was pathetically limited, but she’s just now starting to realize how much of that was Tomas’s fault. Not only was he boring when it came to sex, but he left her too hurt and untrusting to try anything with other men until Cassian came along.

Cassian nudges Nesta’s knee, and she finds him already holding her heels. Instead of letting her take them, he takes her feet and starts putting them on for her. “Clean yourself up,” he directs as he buckles a silver strap into place. “It’s almost an hour to midnight.”

Right. Cassian tosses her her panties, and she uses them to clean up the mess between her thighs before discarding them on the floor. “Don’t—” he tries to protest, but sighs and gives up. “You’re filthy.”

“You love it.” She picks up her forgotten makeup wipe to scrub at her smeared makeup. “Do I look okay?” She turns her face to him after a moment so he can check.

“You missed a spot.” He takes the wipe and rubs at her chin. “There,” he says softly, gazing more intimately at her than usual. “Beautiful.”

She most certainly doesn’t look beautiful right now, with the mess that’s been made of her face and hair. But he seems to believe it all the same.

I love you. The thought comes to her suddenly, unexpectedly.

“What?” Shock turns Cassian’s face.

Nesta blinks, realizing the words weren’t only in her head. “What?”

“You said—”

“I said ‘Let’s get out of here’,” she says quickly, swinging her legs down from the seat and reaching for the door handle. “Let’s go!”

She shoves out of the truck without waiting for Cassian and foots it for the cabin, breathing harshly like she just fell from a great height.

***

Nesta goes straight to the master bedroom to redo her makeup and pick up a new pair of underwear. She knows it’s cowardly to leave Cassian downstairs, stuck chatting with wealthy donors and unable to follow her, but she won’t let him confront her about the confession that spilled back in the truck. Not yet.

When she finally finds the courage to stick her head out of the room, she nearly jumps at the sight of Azriel leaning against the hallway wall.

“What are you doing in my brother’s room?” he says, as if he was waiting for her to come out.

The best lies are half-truths. “Avoiding people,” she answers vaguely, exiting the room fully and shutting the door behind her. She clears her throat. “What are you doing here?”

“Snooping.” He pushes off the wall and slides his hands into his pockets. “It’s interesting; I don’t think I’ve seen you all night, and now I find you in Cassian’s bedroom of all places.”

What is this, an interrogation? “I’m good at blending in,” Nesta says. “Few people ever notice me.”

“And I’m good at observing,” Azriel retorts, dark amusement gleaming in his gaze. “Where did you run off to earlier?”

Nesta looks him up and down, too bored to bother answering him. “I’m going to go now.” She shoves past his shoulder and walks away, leaving him too stunned to follow.

She comes across Elain near the top of the stairs.

“Nesta,” her sister says in surprise. Her brown eyes flicker past Nesta’s shoulder, to where Azriel still lurks in the hallway. She looks back to Nesta. “I wasn’t sure if you actually came tonight. I haven’t seen you at all.”

“Yeah, I’ve been hanging around.” Nesta waves a dismissive hand. It’s like Christmas Eve never happened between them. That’s the wonderful and terrible thing about sisters, Nesta supposes: there are no apologies, only moving on and moving past.

“Well, you look like you’re doing good.” Elain seems distracted. “I wish we could talk more, but I don’t have time for a fight tonight.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Azriel says, who’s snuck up behind Nesta. “If it’s me you’re worried about, I was just about to leave.” He’s addressing Elain, but won’t quite look her in the eyes. He turns to Nesta instead. “Happy New Year.” And then he’s gone down the stairs.

Elain stands there looking torn, wondering if she should go after him or not, but then Nesta says, “Why do you assume I would start a fight?”

“I—”

“Because if I remember correctly, our last fight was started by you.” She crosses her arms.

Elain sighs. “I just said I don’t have time for this.”

“I’m asking a question in response to a comment you made unprovoked.” When Nesta is calm, she can talk circles around Elain all night.

Elain throws her hands up. “It was just a stupid comment! I said it because we argue all the time. I can’t remember the last time we talked without arguing.”

“September twenty-eighth,” Nesta snaps.

Elain’s mouth drops open. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. You got the loan for your flower shop approved and you called me to celebrate. I was happy for you.”

Elain shakes her head, but Nesta can’t read what she’s feeling. “You remember the most inconsequential things.”

It doesn’t sound like an insult, so Nesta shrugs. “Don’t bother me and I won’t bother you.” She turns to go on her way. Of course, Elain doesn’t stop her. She’s never been one to get in the last word.

***

It’s ten minutes to midnight and Cassian still hasn’t been able to get a hold of Nesta since she ran from the truck. He doesn’t know why she’s running from such a simple truth, but he doesn’t plan on giving her much more time to hide. He has so much he needs to say to her—

A hand comes down on his shoulder as he’s about to slip away upstairs to find Nesta. Cassian turns to find Rhysand there, wearing the serious face he only uses for work-related business. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Cassian is not in the mood. He already had to repress the urge to find Mor and Rhys and tear into them when he returned to the party, and now he’s not sure if he can manage a conversation with his brother without snapping. Without spilling everything he’s worked so hard to hide.

“Not now,” Cassian says, trying to act chill. “It’s almost midnight and I’m trying to catch the...” He trails off as his eyes catch on Nesta, who’s appeared at the second floor sitting area with Eris.

“...fireworks,” he finishes. He turns to Rhys. “Let’s go upstairs to watch.” Half the guests, including the rest of his friends, are probably already outside for the countdown.

He keeps his eyes on Nesta as he climbs the stairs. Watching as she takes notice of him and quickly turns away, smiling at Eris instead. She lets the dickhead place his hand on her back to guide her out to the balcony.

Rage and disbelief take Cassian by the throat. Hiding in another man’s arms to avoid him? Coward fucking move, Archeron.

She steps outside with Eris, and before Cassian can follow he’s stopped once again by Rhys grabbing his arm. “Cass, will you slow down and listen to me for a minute?”

“What is it?” he snaps impatiently. They’re stopped at the top of the stairs, and other guests flow past them as they head for the balcony doors.

Rhys inhales, getting visibly irritated. He says, “I got a call from one of our overseas partners the other day—”

“Rhys!” Feyre calls from the balcony doors, waving her arms at him. “Get your ass over here, it’s almost midnight!”

Rhys turns to his girlfriend, his face lightening. “Be right there, darling.” He gives Cassian a sharp look. “We’ll finish this later.”

Cassian only nods and whirls on his heel, nearly shoving people out of his way to get outside. To get to Nesta.

Up on the wraparound balcony and down below on the frosty ground, guests are lined up with their partners, wrapped up in coats and eagerly awaiting midnight. He barely feels the cold, but he knows Nesta must. He should have grabbed a coat for her.

“Thirty seconds to midnight!” someone announces, answered by loud cheers.

Spotting shining red hair, Cassian grabs Eris by the suit jacket and whirls him around. “Where’s Nesta?” he demands over the loud chatter.

Eris makes a face like he’s been manhandled by a filthy dog. “Clearly not with me,” he retorts, shoving Cassian’s hand off him. “She got all pissy and went that way.” He gestures at a faraway section of balcony where most of the guests are crowding, hoping for an optimal view of the fireworks.

“TEN!” Someone starts the countdown. Others quickly catch on.

“NINE!” Cassian heads in the direction Eris pointed, searching through the sea of glitter and gold for a glimpse of Nesta.

“EIGHT!” He hears his friends calling after him distantly, asking where he’s going.

“SEVEN!” He catches sight of Nesta.

“SIX!” He doesn’t know what he’s thinking as he navigates through the crowd, reaching for her. But he knows she’s shining brighter than the moon right now. He knows he’s been fooling himself since the moment she stepped into his cabin this past September.

“FIVE!”

He closes in on her, her back turned to him.

“FOUR!”

Let’s not go out of our way to hide this anymore, they agreed after Christmas Eve. Let’s just be ourselves around our friends and family, and they’ll find out when they find out.

“THREE!”

In Cassian’s defense, he’s simply being himself in this moment.

“TWO!”

He takes Nesta by the elbow and spins her around. She meets his eyes in surprise. “Cassian. I was looking for you—”

“ONE!”

He pulls her into his arms and kisses her.

***

a/n: punk 57 was a shit book but i gotta give it credit for the truck scene

taglist: @hellasblessed @sjm-things @thewayshedreamed @drielecarla @valkyriewarriors @superspiritfestival @aliveahaahahafuck @cupcakey00 @sayosdreams @rainbowcheetah512 @claralady @thebluemartini @nessiantho @missing-merlin @duskandstarlight @lucy617 @sleeping-and-books @everything-that-i-love @cassianscool @swankii-art-teacher @awesomelena555 @julemmaes @wickedqueenoffantasy @poisonous-bloom @observationanxioustheorist @gisellefigue08 @courtofjurdan @theoverlyenthusiasticwriter @wolfiixxx @cass-nes @seashade @royaltykxx @illyrianundercover @queenestarcheron @monstrousloves-explodinggalaxies @humanexile @that-golden-lyre @agentsofsheilds @mercy-is-alive @cassiansbigwingspan @laylaameer01 @verypaleninja @maastrash @bow-dawn @perseusannabeth @dead-on-the-inside666 @jlinez @hungryreadingaddict @anidealiveson @planet-faerie @shallowhighwaters @ghostlyrose2 @chosenfamily-valkyriequeens @rarephloxes @readiajin @nessiantrashh @live-the-fangirl-life @ifinallygavein

#nesta archeron #nessian #cassian #ncssianwrites #a favor #nessian fic #nessian au #for some reason i’m not showing up in the tags?? #i’m gonna kill everybody

[sadachmesarthim]

yes this is a rewrite, feel free to fry my ass on anon about it.

content: starker being mean to each other, peter parker has Supportive Friends™, tony has daddy and mommy issues, quentin beck is a Mean Boss™, smoking, secondhand smoke.

word count: 3.0k

square filled: coffee shop au  -> link to playlist here

part two is here!

a little vocab lesson before continuing: mobster = really high up in the chain of command for this group of coffee shops. they go around training new hirees, and often decide who gets to move up the line of command. they get to travel on company money, and are very well respected in the workplace. mobsters usually come in groups - siblings, hires from the same groups, etc. 

Tony didn't like Richland.

Sure, okay, it was a serious step up from Federal Way. He was free from his parents, he could do whatever he wanted in a house all to himself, no one knew who he was - it was a refreshing change, one he definitely needed now that he was graduated, all grown up.

He'd moved back east about two months ago. He'd wanted to get as far away from home as possible, stretch his legs - he went under the guise of missing his grandma, wanting to go to school. He wasn't a terrible liar, either. Howard and Maria'd eaten it up, encouraging him to go as soon as he could.

"If you go now, you could get there in time for summer classes. Maybe even get a job before they stop hiring seasonally. You never know, but you might as well try!"

So here he was. Still jobless, still not yet enrolled in school. Enjoying his time in the (now autumn) sunshine, biding his time before he ran out of money. He'd planned well - he had enough cash to keep him covered for a while, as long as he didn't go blowing it.

He'd blown it.

He was a sucker for good coffee, though, and he missed Outback. He'd worked at one back home for almost a year before he left, and now... now, it was like an itch he couldn't scratch - he needed the interaction, needed to go make friends. He was too much of a social butterfly.

Yet again, he found himself in his truck, on the way to the nearest stand. He was pathetic, really. Here he was, wasting more money on coffee, when he could be out hiking or climbing or... literally doing anything else.

He knew it was worth it the second he pulled in. The cutest kid was running lines that day - shorts hugging his tight ass deliciously, in a way Tony knew his operator would get in trouble for if a Mobster or Coach saw.  Christ, they lettin' just anyone work here now, that it?

He had to keep his thoughts to himself, though - the kid had just finished the cars in front of him, and was headed straight for Tony, iPad in hand. He took a breath, putting on his best poker face. He needed a fucking cigarette.

"Hey handsome! Welcome to Outback, what're we drinkin' today?" Shit, he's cute. All bright and cheery - it might be fake, sure, customer service voice and all - but boy, did he play the part well. All big eyes and wide smile. He looked up at Tony expectantly, right hand hovering over the screen of the runner iPad. Shit, he still has to order something.

"Hi, just a small iced white vanilla breve please." Tony watched as the kid pressed a few spaces on the tablet, shocked at how fluidly he moved. Tony'd never seen him at this location before, but he obviously knew what he was doing. Location transfer, maybe? Mobster? He wasn't sure.

"Perfect! I've got you in - anything else, love?" God, he was too much. There's no way this was just the sickly facade Outback enforced - no, this was all him. "Nah, I'm okay. I'm paying card today, too." He reached his hand out for the tablet, wanting to tip this kid specifically.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, this card reader's broken. The one up at the window's working though! My girl Maia'll be up there waiting for you!" He turned with a smile, skipping off to the next car.

Jesus, who was this kid? And what did Tony have to do to see him again?

•|||•

Return an application, apparently.

Maia, the girl at the window, had let him know that they were hiring. He didn't have to feign interest - he had relevant experience, could work his way up if he needed to - and he'd get to see the mystery boy again. She'd ran and grabbed a small stack of papers for him, which he dutifully filled out and brought back a couple of hours later.

The closing shift lead had briefly interviewed him, practically giving him the job on the spot. Apparently she'd met his sister on a Mob trip, before - it paid to have connections, but damn... someone in town already knew who he was. Oh well. Not a big deal. These were still new people, fresh faces - he could make a clean reputation for himself, a fresh start...

It was exactly what he needed. And if he needed to use a bit of his influence with his sister to get it... so be it.

•|||•

"Emma, please, just... don't be a dick when he calls you. I need this job, it'll be good for m-"

"Save it, Tony. I don't want your excuses. If I say I'll do it, will you leave me alone?" She was being unusually short with him. Fuck. She and Rhodey were fighting again.

"Yes, yes, anything. Thank you so much." He was met with a bored sigh.

"Whatever, dude. I'll put in a good word. Talk to you later." She hung up before he could say anything else. Whatever - it wasn't the worst conversation he'd had with his sister, but it left a lot to be desired.

They hadn't been doing well since she & Rhodey got together. It was on-again-off-again... and they were honestly both to blame. Neither one of them was good at commitment, and it showed.

It put strain on both of their relationships with Tony, and didn't do much to help keep him in Federal Way. He sought comfort in the isolation of a new town, but it didn't seem to be helping anything.

Leaving never did, but it was really all he knew how to do.

•|||•

Peter hadn’t been at Outback long, but he’d enjoyed every minute of it.

He’d gotten hired almost immediately after graduation, not wanting to waste a second of his summer not making money. It was a bit of a difficult transition - he wasn’t a big fan of Beck, his boss, and training was really overwhelming. But after he’d hit that twelve week mark... it’s like something just clicked.

He was a whiz on bar, he was making friends right and left. He and Maia’d even gone to get tattoos together a couple weeks ago during a flash sale. He was getting faster and faster at running cars, he knew almost all of his regular customers. He genuinely felt like part of the family.

That didn’t really change when Beck hired a new group, either. There weren’t too many of them, helping keep their group small. They’d been spending a bit of time in the stand here and there, going over the rules, the ins and outs of making coffee, taking their menu test.

The three he was introducing today seemed okay enough. He just barely caught the tail end of Beck's “congrats on becoming a full employee” monologue before the man set the fresh meat loose. Not that they could really go far - it was maybe a good spit's distance from corner to corner. But, if it helped them get their bearings...

He was pulled from his thoughts before they could take off too far. “Hey, Parker! Come say hi to the green beans!”

•|||•

The red haired girl was nice enough. They'd introduced themselves, exchanged snap usernames, gushed over Peter's tattoos, and bonded over the typical new job anxiety. He'd forged a sweet new friendship with Bri, and was hopeful she'd stick around. He'd seen people like her get chewed up and spit out in this industry, and he liked her.

The tall guy... was pretty boring, actually. He stayed on his phone for the majority of the introduction, opting to ignore Peter entirely. It was fine - he'd probably be gone by the end of the month. Not like they’d miss him - he barely passed his menu test, from what Peter’d overheard.

Then came Mr. Short, Dark, and Brooding - Tony, apparently - Peter remembered him from a few weeks ago. He’d given Peter a poorly concealed once-over, tried to take the runner iPad from right out of his hands... if he wasn’t so attractive, Peter’d pin him for a fuckboy.

Despite how much he looked like he’d wanted to back then, when given the opportunity, he didn’t really engage with Peter. He apparently wasn’t the type to keep eye contact, go in for a hug, make small talk. 0 for 2. Disappointing. Oh well. That’s fine - Peter was perfectly content as the only guy at this location (sans Beck, of couse). Too much testosterone didn’t foster a healthy working environment, and they all knew it.

The girls, especially. They all gushed over Peter - apparently being the token gay guy in the stand somehow made him exempt from the targetted harassment. Nearly every guy they’d hired had left within 9 months - coffee was definitely a female-dominated field.

Peter was excited to see how these two fared.

•|||•

The tall guy was gone within a week. Didn’t even leave notice, just up and stopped showing up to his shifts. Not that it was the end of the world - he was still in his probationary period, so he wasn’t even making tips. No sweat off Peter’s back.

Bri did really well, in comparison. Beck was unusually strict with her - lashing out during her initial first shifts, generally being a hardass. It was unnecessary, and everyone knew it - Peter often found himself having fridge or bathroom meetings with her to help calm her down. But she kept showing up, kept trying, and after a few weeks she was doing just as well as Peter and the rest of them.

Tony was even better. Peter’d heard through the grapevine that he’d worked at a different location when he was still in school. Why he had to go through training again was lost on Peter - Beck tended to be thorough when it came to these kinds of things, but Tony was arguably more experienced than some of Peter’s coworkers...

Apparently, it’s because he wasn’t one to play nice.

•|||•

It took them quite a while to work together. Peter’d found himself getting the shit end of the schedule, working 7-1s religiously. It was by far his least favorite shift - dealing with the morning and lunch rushes were nothing, if not exhausting. But he pushed through, and finally got a say in what he worked - a very comfortable 5 - close.

Tony seemed to fill the between-shift gap - 2-8 was his jam. He liked working later, but still getting home before dark. Apparently being a newbie meant drawing the short straw sometimes -

And the short straw just so happened to be barring with the twink from a few weeks ago.

He hadn’t been... avoiding him. Tony just... didn’t like the way he worked. Peter was flighty, always moving. It irked him... he was just so much, it made Tony’s head hurt. If he wasn’t so engaging he might actually piss Tony off - but he knew the kid had nothing but good intentions, and that made it bearable.

It didn’t translate to the bar, though.

It seemed nearly impossible for them to work well together. Tony’d been assigned the milk station for the last three hours of his shift - a long stretch, but nothing he hadn’t done before. Peter was on shots almost the entire time. Poor kid.

Tony’s sympathy ran dry when they actually began working. They were almost always on top of each other - Peter crowding his space and trying to do too much. It grated on Tony’s every nerve, made it difficult to function. Peter didn’t seem to notice at all - or if he did, he didn’t care.

It came to a head when Peter went for the fridge. 

It was a pretty well-known rule that the person on shots doesn’t reach for the fridge. Not only was it too far away from their position on machine, it requires them to go behind their bar partner, which is dangerous in a shop this small. Hot liquids, ice, sugar... they can cause spills, burns, falls... 

So of course this dumbass goes for the fridge. Opens the door. Grabs a can of cold brew with his bare hands before turning back around. 

And running into Tony face first. 

This would have been fine if it were literally anything other than a cold brew. This would have been fine if Tony wasn’t holding a fresh drink! But no - the universe lined things up just right, laid out the most well-planned disaster. 

As they made contact, Peter’s hands flew up in shock, dropping the very pressurized can. It exploded as it hit the concrete, spraying nitrogen and foam-y coffee all over them. This caused Tony to let go of the drink in his hand, coating both of their lower halves in hot, sticky milk. 

It was picturesque, the mess they made. 

Tony looked up at Peter in absolute shock. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?! Why were you in the fridge?!” 

“I was just trying to help! You were busy, I figured I could-” Tony cut him off before he filled the stand with more hot air. Not in the mood for his bullshit excuses. 

“I don’t care how busy you think I am - you ask before doing something outside of your station. Do you understand me?” The look in his eye was one Peter’d never seen before - it probably should have scared him, but frankly, it just made him angrier. 

“Who do you think you are to be giving me orders?” He was huffy, he could feel his cheeks burning red. He was an angry crier, and knew he was struggling to control his face. 

“My sister’s a Mobster. I think I know what I’m doing.” Oh. That explained it - his experience, his proficiency on bar... why he was such a dick. Peter’d never met a Mobster he liked, and if this guy was related to one... shit just made sense. 

•|||•

He spent the remaining few hours of Tony’s shift hiding in the back. They were better off separated, and neither complained. Tony could handle himself up front, and Peter was productive enough. He had chores to do, dishes to finish, the closing list to start... Getting an early start benefitted everyone. 

By the time 8 rolled around, the atmosphere in the stand had relaxed. They’d both had a chance to clean up, the girls on window had helped ease the tension with casual conversation. Bri had been running, and Peter spent plenty of time in the back with her, hushed enough to avoid the ears a few feet away. 

“I don’t see why he gets to walk all over us. You’ve been here longer, and the attitude isn’t necessary.” She was sitting on the edge of the sink, goldfish making their way to her mouth between words. “You know I don’t like him. I don’t see why you keep trying to be nice.”

Peter sighed. He knew she was right. “I just... I don’t want anyone here to feel left out, or like I did at the beginning. Beck can be mean... I want all of you to feel welcome.” It wasn’t a lie, either - he’d made a point to make everyone feel at home, to make this stand a family. Until Tony showed up, he’d been doing a great job. 

“I know buttercup. Just... don’t go bending over backward for someone that won’t even look you in the eye.” With that she hopped down, ready to clock out. 

Tony shuffled past them both, excited to do the same. Maia’d taken over the bar for him, alleviating him just before the four minute window was up. He didn’t even excuse himself, just inserting himself in their personal space without concern. 

Bri shot Peter a look before she left. Talk to him! 

He opted for bravery. He deserved an apology for Tony’s harsh words earlier today, and he was going to get it. 

He checked the cameras before walking back, making sure Maia wasn’t gonna wind up swamped if this took longer than necessary. Tony was collecting his things - he had to do this fast. 

“Hey, listen.” Tony looked up, unamused. “I know we didn’t exactly have a good shift, and yeah I’m partly to blame for that... but Beck doesn’t really vibe with hostility, and the girls...” 

Tony cut him off halfway through. “What, it makes them uncomfortable? They don’t like it when a man takes charge, has a little outburst? Sheesh, y’all really are a mess.” What the fuck?

“Okay, seriously. I tried to be nice. You owe me, and the rest of us, a serious apology for today, or I’m going to Quentin about it. It’s not that hard to say you’re sorry, Tony.” Good job Parker, firm boundaries. 

“I’m sorry? Sorry for what, doing my job? Fuck that, man. I’m out of here.” He opened the door and left, skipping past an oncoming car and heading toward his own. 

Peter followed him. It was stupid, sure - but he needed to assert himself here. This was his stand, his home - and he was damned if he was going to let some... some asshole trample all over his home like this.

He caught up to Tony quickly, stopping him before he could open the driver’s door. “Why are you such an asshole? The girls are obsessed with you, you clearly have a leg up against everyone else in your group. There’s no reason for you to be acting like this, dude. You’ve been here all of what, a month?” 

Tony took a long drag from his cigarette before answering. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. Now be a good little closer, and run inside. Finish your shift.” He exhaled the smoke into Peter’s face, getting into his car and driving away without another word. 

What a douchebag. 

#sorry i just flat out didn't like this #sfsummerbingo21 #starkerfestivalsevents #starker #peter parker/tony stark #peter parker x tony stark #coffee shop au #.mine #i'm so sorry mads #i know i'm a pain in the ass

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch23: In The Flesh Part 1: Who Doesn’t Love Revels?

Summary: Tony’s revels don’t go quite according to plan and the peace that the Avengers had been enjoying is shattered as a new foe appears.

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Bad language, violence and crazy assed robots.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

A/N: @angrybirdcr​ does it again!!!!

Chapter 22

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

“So, now the whole Hydra and Sceptre thing is over, you two gonna set a date? You’ve been engaged for what, ten months” Nat asked the elevator stopped and the two women stepped out. They’d gotten ready for the party in Nat’s apartment, and were fashionably late as it was already in full swing.

“Hmm, maybe. We haven’t really talked about it.”

“You surprise me you know.” Nat shrugged as they walked towards the bar. “It’s not like you’re known for your patience.” “I can’t wait to marry him, Nat.” Katie smiled, feeling her cheeks blush, looking around for him but failing to spot him “Thing is I’ve always wanted a late summer wedding and think we’ve left it too late to organise for this year…” “What is it Tony says?” Nat smirked “Throw enough money around and anything is possible?”

“Yeah, maybe… “ Katie muttered before she turned to the red head, a smirk on her face. “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to ask. You and Bruce? What’s going on there?“

"Nothing.” Nat shrugged.

“Though not for lack of trying?” Katie asked, and to her surprise Nat’s cheeks showed the faintest sign of a flush underneath her expertly applied rouge “C'mon Nat, you’re not as subtle as you could be. And for what it’s worth, he clearly feels the same… “

“I errr, I don’t know about that…”

“There’s a reason that lullaby doesn’t work coming from anyone else.” Katie said, stopping at the bar a few feet away from where Tony and Thor were talking to Maria Hill and Rhodey.

Natasha looked thoughtful for a moment, then grabbed her drink before she walked off, arching an eyebrow at her friend. Katie watched her go before she sidled up to Tony.

“You know, the suit can take the weight right?” Rhodey grabbbed a glass of champagne before he turned back to Tony as Katie also took one, nodding to them all as Tony dropped a kiss to her head. “So I take the tank, fly it right up to the general’s palace, drop it at his feet, I’m like boom…you looking for this.”

Rhodey gave a grin, and Katie waited for everyone to laugh, having joined the story half way through she wasn’t going to understand, but when no one did the smirk slipped from Rhodey’s face and he licked his lips.

“Boom…you looking…why do I even talk to you guys?” he sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Thor “Everywhere else that story kills.

“This is the whole story?” Thor frowned.

“Yes it’s a war machine story.” Rhodey shrugged as Katie took a sip of her drink

“Oh in that case, it’s very good then!” Thor grinned, turning to face her and Tony. Katie snorted at the look of exasperation Rhodey shot her way before he turned back to the God who took a drink of his beer “It’s impressive”

“Quality save Thor.” Rhodey rolled his eyes sarcastically before he smiled at Tony “So, no Pepper? She not coming?” Tony shook his head, “Nah.” he said softly. “What about Jane?” Maia asked, “Where are the ladies, Gentlemen?” “Well Miss Potts has a company to run.” Tony said, looking at her.

“I’m not even sure what country Jane’s in.” Thor nodded eagerly, a look of pride crossing his face “her work on the convergence has made her the world’s foremost astronomer.” Not one to be out done Tony turned to Thor “And the company that Pepper runs is the largest tech conglomerate on Earth so…”

Thor nodded, and then upped his game “There’s even talk of Jane being given a…err.. nobel prize.”

As he talked Katie rolled her eyes at Maria and Rhodey, the 3 of them sharing a look.

“Yeah they must be busy because they’d hate missing you guys get together…” Katie sarcastically quipped.

“Testosterone.” Mariah coughed out, “Oh excuse me…” “You want a lozenge?” Rhodey asked, playing along. “Yes please.”

Katie laughed as the two of them walked off together before she patted her brother’s shoulder as he huffed out a chuckle before Thor simply smiled

“But Jane’s better.”

Looking around Katie finally spotted Steve. He was playing pool with Sam and he looked good. He was wearing a light blue shirt and it fit him well. It was tucked into smart, dark blue jeans and his toned waist sported a tan belt whilst he was wearing his brown leather jacket.  

Katie watched as he hit the cue ball, Sam beckoning his hand, instructing the ball to move to where he wanted it to, but it didn’t and Steve straightened laughing as Sam dropped his head in a defeated motion. Leaving Tony and Thor, the two still discussing Jane and Pepper, she walked over to her to Steve who was watching Sam’s shot he straightened up, shrugging off his jacket. He then bent back over the pool table and Katie stopped for a moment, simply admiring the view before Steve looked up and their eyes locked.

“Is there anything you’re not good at?” Sam groaned as Steve made a seemingly impossible shot. "How do you do that, man?”

Steve didn’t answer. Jesus Christ, just when he thought she couldn’t get any more beautiful… she was in a skin tight navy blue lace dress, which finished just above her knees with a V neckline at the front with sleeves that finished a few inches above her elbows. He felt his mouth drop open slightly as she made her way round the table and she couldn’t help but smirk to herself as she reached Steve’s side. His arm snaked round her waist and he had to fight off the little groan that bubbled in his throat as he felt his hand brush her skin, realising the dress was backless .

“Of course the man who spends his time ricocheting his shield off of hard objects would be a natural at calculating trajectories and angles.” Sam continued to chunner as he eyed the balls on the table, Steve paying him no attention as he dropped a kiss onto his girl’s cheek.

“You look incredible” He said, eyes still wide.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, flushing a little. “Hi Sam!”

Sam’s eyes jerked upwards and he straightened up, grinning. “Damned girl!” He kissed her cheek gently. “Don’t you scrub up well?”

The arm round her waist pulled her closer as Steve spoke a little more gruffly than normal.

“Your turn, and in answer to your question it’s nothing to do with calculations, I’ve just always liked pool, was the one thing I could always beat Bucky at.”

He dropped another kiss to the side of Katie’s head and then moved to take the next shot, potting the black and winning. Sam groaned.

“I don’t know why I even try.” He rolled his eyes as the three of them made their way over to find a quieter spot so they could catch up.

Sam filled them in on his latest six-week wild goose chase for Bucky. The only hard evidence he had found recently was a blurry security camera image from a store in Fort Worth of all places, showing a man that could have been Barnes - assuming Bucky’s hair had grown past his shoulders and he had stolen a motorcycle. In turn they told him about the raid on the base in Sokovia, the three of them heading through the party goers and making for the stairs that led up to the mezzanine balcony.

“Sounds like one hell of a fight, sorry I missed it.” Sam smirked, taking a sip of his drink and eyeing up one of the girls that walked down the stairs, catching Katie’s eye with a wink.

Steve grinned “If I’d have known it was going to be a fire fight I’d have called.”

“No, I’m not actually sorry” Sam chuckled, “I’m just trying to sound tough. I’m very happy chasing up cold leads on our favourite missing person’s case.” he said, a hint of sarcasm on his voice as Steve turned to him, smiling again. “Avenging is your world…your world is crazy”

“Be it ever so humble…”  Steve said, trailing off as they looked over the balcony at the party goers distributed across the large lounge area below.

“You found a place in Brooklyn yet?” Sam asked, looking over at us sipping his drink.

“Not sure I can afford a place in Brooklyn.” Steve replied, as Sam turned round so his back was leaning against the glass barrier. He looked at Katie, puzzled and she shook my head slightly, telling him not to press it further.

“Well, home’s home ya know…” Sam replied simply, glancing around the room before he grinned. “What about a date for the wedding?” “You been talking to Nat by any chance?” Katie eyed him and he shrugged, a guilty look on his face.

“We may have had a chat before…” His eyes scanned the space behind her and he nodded at someone. Katie turned to look and spotted a girl was sat on one of the chairs behind us.

“Her name is Sarah, she works in R&D.” She supplied “She’s nice.” “So am I.” Sam grinned, patting her on the shoulder and heading over in her direction.

Steve snorted as the pair of them watched Sam leave, heading off to try his luck before Steve moved so that he was stood in front of Katie, his hands either side of her hips, trapping her between him and the balcony.

“Wedding date?” He arched an eyebrow.

“Yeah Nat asked if we were going to set one now our HYDRA and Sceptre chase was over.” Katie replied. “Well, I’d be lying if I told you I hadn’t thought about it.” He smiled. The sooner the better as far as he was concerned. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs Rogers…or Mrs Stark-Rogers, or Mrs Rogers-Stark, whatever the hell you’re gonna call yourself.” He said as she chuckled before he looked her up and down again “By the way, you know that dress is very tight.”

“Don’t you approve?” She asked him innocently.

“Very much…” He said, “It looks great on you. It will look even better on the bedroom floor later.” “That’s very presumptuous of you Captain Badass…” She looked up at him coyly.

“Yeah. It is. What you wearing underneath it?” His eyes flashed mischievously.

“Not a lot. It would ruin the lines.”

His eyes darkened and he gave a low growl “Stop it.”

“You asked.” She shrugged. “Come on, I want a drink. Let’s go and mingle…might help keep you distracted…”

***** 

“Captain Rogers!” Thor’s loud voice cut across the room. Steve looked up from where they were stood to see he was waving and gesturing.

“Be back in a moment.” Steve said Katie, dropping a kiss to her cheek before he headed over to Thor who was stood near some sofas which sported a handful of war veterans.

“I gotta’ have me some of that.” One of the older men exclaimed as Thor poured a small measure of ambler liquid into a glass and handed it to Steve.

“Oh no, you see this was aged for thousands of years in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunnhilde’s fleet.” Thor told the older men as Steve gave the glass a curious look and took a sniff. It had a pleasant enough smell. “It is not meant for mortal men.” Thor warned mockingly.

“Neither was Omaha beach blondie.” The small man on the couch said. “Stop tryin’ to scare us.”

Thor looked to Steve, who shrugged as if to say the man had a point before Thor sighed and nodded. “Alright.” He said then pouring only a drop, if even that much into each man’s glass.

Steve took a sip of the spirit from his glass and nodded, appreciatively. “Not bad…”

“Now if that doesn’t have an effect on you, nothing will.” Thor said, watching the old men carefully who were all sipping their drinks and pulling faces, letting out whistles, before he looked at Steve again.  “This stuff could knock out Banner, when he’s big and green…”

“It’s actually pretty good.” Steve smiled “You got this from home?”

“I can summon certain things with my hammer.” Thor nodded. “I have a cask in my room upstairs.”

“I think it may have just claimed its first casualty.” Steve muttered, taking another sip and nodding at one of the old men.

Thor turned round and shrugged “I warned them…”

The two Avengers stood chatting for a while, until one by one the old men fell victim to the Asgardian strength liquor and they had to call in reinforcements in the shape of Rhodey and Sam who had brought the Veterans. Thor and Steve helped escort them out, Sam bid them goodbye, stating that he better make sure they all got home ok before he got his ass whipped by a nurse.

“And not in a good way.” He grimaced.

Steve walked back into the room and headed for the bar to grab a drink that wasn’t Asgardian, as that stuff had gone to his head, giving him a nice, fuzzy feeling. Natasha and Bruce were there, and he was amused to see the red head smiling suggestively at the Scientist. Trying not to earwig, he caught the tail end of their conversation and smirked, commenting to Bruce that it was nice, before the Doctor had stuttered and tried to explain what was going on.

“It’s okay. Nobody’s breaking any by-laws!” Steve chuckled, his hand raised “If they were, well Katie and I broke them first.”

Bruce smiled.

“It’s just, Nat’s not the most… open person in the world. But with you she seems very relaxed.” Steve finished.

“No, Natasha, she…she likes to flirt.” Bruce said and Steve shook his head

“I’ve seen her flirt, up close.” Steve smiled, reaching over the bar for two bottles of beer as he spotted Katie approaching. “This ain’t that.” Bruce looked down as Steve continued “Look, as maybe the world’s leading authority on waiting too long, don’t. You both deserve a win.”

With that he smiled as Katie slipped her arms round him from behind. He handed her a beer, kissed her head as the pair of them headed away.

“Wait…what do you mean up close?” Bruce called. Steve let out a chuckle and turned back to the man.

“It was a mission, didn’t mean anything.” “What did you just say to him?” Katie asked as they crossed the room towards where Clint was sat at a drum kit, Tony showing him the various pieces of the instrument.

“Oh I overheard Natasha, she was being very, well, sweet” Steve smiled. “Banner was trying to shrug it off, saying she was flirting so I told her I’d seen her flirt, up close, and that was different.” “Steve!” Katie rolled her eyes. “God, you can be a dumbass at times!”

“What?”  He frowned.

Katie sighed. “Bruce doesn’t need to know about Nat flirting with other men.” “Yeah, well I told him not to wait too long or he would regret it.” Steve shrugged, and Katie felt something in her stomach as she turned to face him.

“Like you?” she turned to look at him “With Peggy?” Steve sighed, instantly realising what he had said. “No, I didn’t mean that.” He shook his head “What I mean is I constantly let so much get in the way of just letting myself be happy. And with you, well I should have asked you out months before I did.”

“You do want to marry me don’t you?” Katie almost whispered, the doubt which had suddenly flooding her system was evident in her tone and Steve let out a sigh.

“Of course I do!” He mentally kicked himself for being such an idiot. He didn’t ‘regret’ not being with Peggy because his future was right there in front of him. He reached out and wrapped and arm round her, pulling her to him. “Doll, I love you so much.” She looked up at him and as his eyes locked onto hers she felt the worry leave her system, she could tell by the shine in his eyes he was telling the truth.

“Can we set a date then?” She asked and he smiled, and nodded.

“Yeah, let’s do it. Talk about it tomorrow, properly?”

Katie nodded and he placed a soft kiss to her lips before they were interrupted by the loud sounds of drums and symbols coming from across the room along with a few cheers as Clint began to thrash out a beat.

******

When the party goers began to filter out later in the evening all that was left were the Avengers along with Maria Hill, Rhodey and Helen Cho all spread out across several couches and chairs. Half eaten takeaway containers littered the surface tops along with empty bottles, dirty glasses and the remnants of a chocolate fondue- Tony’s idea.

Katie, Steve and Thor sat on one couch, Katie nestled between them both, her bare legs hooked over Steve’s. He had a flush on his cheeks, and a slight glaze in his eyes.  She grinned.

“You’re drunk.” She whispered to him.

“A little” He grinned back. Katie laughed and gently brushed the back of her hand across his warm cheek.

“Thunder boy!” Clint’s loud, tipsy voice interrupted everyone. “You gonna tell us the secret of that hammer?” “Secret? I do not understand.” Thor frowned.

“Why none of us but you can pick it up?” “I’m the God of Thunder.” Thor shrugged, drinking another mouthful of his drink.

“It’s a trick.” Clint gestured at the hammer which was innocently placed on the table in the middle of the group.

“No it is much more than that my friend.” Thor chuckled, sitting back comfortably in his spot. Steve gestured for Thor to pass him the hip flask he was currently refilling his glass with and he obliged before turning to Clint.

“‘Whosoever be worthy shall haveth the power,’” Clint mocked in a deep voice gesturing to the hammer, 2 drumsticks in his hand as he twirled them through his fingers “Whatever man it’s a trick.” He said in his normal voice shrugging.

“Well please be my guest.” Thor said extending and inviting hand out to his hammer as Steve took a drink from the flask.

“Really?” Clint questioned excitedly, at Thor’s nod he sprung up from his spot on the floor but calmly approached the hammer, not wanting to seem overly eager. Katie raised an eyebrow at Thor but he only shrugged bringing his glass up to his lips.

“Oh this is gonna’ be beautiful.” Rhodey teased setting down his cards to watch.

“Clint it’s been a tough week, we won’t hold it against you if you can’t get it up.” Tony joked from his spot on the other couch.

“You two know I’ve seen this before right?” Clint pointed out, looking at Thor then Katie referencing the first time the 3 of them met. Thor sniggered as Clint wrapped his hand around the hammer’s handle and pulled, of course nothing happened.

“I still don’t know how you do it.” He said releasing the hammer with a laugh.

“Smell the silent judgement?” Tony continued to gibe.

“Please Stark by all means.” Clint waved a hand toward the hammer.

“Here we go.” Katie sat up slightly as Tony stood unbuttoning his suit jacket with a flourish.

“Never one to shrink from an honest challenge. It’s physics.” He shrugged. “So if I lift it do I then rule Asgard?”

“Yes of course.” Thor responded easily.

“I will be reinstituting Prima Nocta.” Tony slipped his wrist through the leather strap. He grunted pulling on the hammer but it didn’t move.

“Be right back.” Tony quickly left the room pulling off his jacket as he went.

Steve took another drink from the flask before handing it back to Thor who simply smirked as Clint continued to protest the fact they couldn’t lift the hammer was down to some kind of scientific illusion. When Tony returned they all let out a laugh as he had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up and a detached Iron Man gauntlet on his hand. He gripped the hammer again and pulled even engaging the thrusters but still nothing. He coaxed Rhodey into helping him with his War Machine gauntlet but even together with both thrusters fully engaged they couldn’t do it. Finally they gave up.

“Banner you want a piece?” Tony asked on his way back to his seat.

Bruce rose to the challenge but didn’t take it serious, instead pretending to Hulk out. “Nothing?” He questioned awkwardly shuffling back to his seat as Natasha’s smiled at him, shaking her head.

“Cap?” Hill questioned from where she was sat on the floor opposite, next to Clint, wearing his leather jacket. Katie shrugged when he looked to her for approval, then over her shoulder at Thor. Grinning, he placed down his drink and moved Katie’s legs from where they were swung over his, getting up to try his hand.

“C'mon Cap.” Clint grinned “No pressure.”

Steve stepped round the table, shooting a determined look at the hammer before wrapping both hands around the handle and beginning to pull.

Katie felt her mouth drop open as there was a squeak and the hammer moved ever so slightly. She cast a quick look at Thor next to her, whose playful smile had been completely wiped off his face and he was now staring intently at the item on the table. Steve readjusted his grip, pulled again gritting his teeth, then held his hands up in surrender.

“Nothing.” Thor shook his head as Katie looked at him. He avoided her stare

“I saw that.” Katie whispered into Steve’s ear when he took his seat once again, returning her legs to where they had been resting on his lap.

“Don’t know what you mean.” He said immediately, his hand curling round her leg so his fingers were resting on her thigh and gave an expectant raise of his eyebrows. Rhodey clearing his throat rather loudly, made them turn to see all of the men wearing the same look, watching her.

“Kiddo?”

“Oh no,” Katie shook her head immediately. “I know my limits.”

“Widow?” Clint looked at Nat

“Yeah that’s not a question I need answered.” Natasha said, drinking from her beer bottle and also refusing the challenge.

“All deference to the man who wouldn’t be King, but it’s rigged.” Tony brought the attention back to him as he got up to retrieve another beer. Katie gestured at him to get her one as her bottle was empty.

“You bet your ass.” Clint said.

“Steve, he said a bad language word.” Maria said her voice taking on a mocking tone pointing at Clint innocently.

“Did you tell everyone about that?” Steve asked looking at Katie who shrugged, then to Tony who ignored him.

“The handle’s imprinted right? Like a security code. 'Whosoever’s carrying Thor’s fingerprint’ is I think the literal translation.” Tony said finishing up on his ridiculous line of thought as he crossed to the bar.

“What an interesting theory…but I have a simpler one” Thor said, getting up off the couch and easily picking up his hammer, giving it a little toss in the air for added teasing “You’re all not worthy.”

Everyone began to protest in jest and someone threw a coaster at him from the table, when a loud screeching noise caused them all to flinch.

“Worthy?”  A deep voice drawled and they all looked over to the back of the room to see a half destroyed Iron Legion bot standing there. “No, how could you be worthy? You’re all killers.” The bot said gesturing to the group who had begun to stand in preparation.

“Stark?” Steve questioned tensely, pulling Katie behind him. In response Tony took out his phone and began poking around on it.

“Jarvis?” Tony questioned aloud when he was getting no response.

“I’m sorry, I was asleep. Or I was a dream?” the robot continued speaking tilting its head as if trying to recall a memory.

“Reboot, legionnaire we got a buggy suit.” Tony said continuing to poke at his device.

“There was a terrible noise and I was tangled, in strings.” The robot looked down, wires dangling uselessly all around it’s body. “I had to kill the other one, he was a good guy.”

“You killed someone?” Katie frowned.

“Wouldn’t have been my first call, but down in the real world we’re faced with ugly choices.”

“Who sent you?” Thor questioned with authority.

“I see a suit of armour around the world.” The robot responded but this time it was Tony’s voice that sounded.

“Ultron.” Bruce summarized with a horrified look as Katie snapped her head round to Tony who continued to stare at the robot.

“In the flesh.” Ultron tried to stand tall but failed. “Or no, not yet. Not this chrysalis.” It said looking down at its body again. “But I’m ready, I’m on a mission.”

“What mission?” Thor questioned

“Peace in our time.” Ultron said again in Tony’s voice and then the wall behind it burst open and more legionnaires flew into the room.

Everyone sprang into action. Gun shots, repulsors, people jumping onto the backs of robots… it was a short but fairly intense fight which was finished when Steve spun round and launched his shield into the last robot.

“That was dramatic.” Ultron commented still standing but swaying from side to side. Steve was stood in his typical combat stance, shield up in front of him, Clint to his left. Katie straightened up from behind the bar where she had taken cover, gun still held in front of her.

“I’m sorry, I know you mean well, you just didn’t think it through. You want to protect the world, but you don’t want it to change. How is humanity saved if it’s not allowed to change? With these?” It questioned reaching down to pick up one of the legionnaire’s disembodied heads, “These puppets. No. There’s only one path to peace, the Avengers extinction.”

He was cut off as Thor launched his hammer with enough force that it burst through the middle of the robot before flinging back into his hand. Steve looked at him, but Thor glared straight ahead.

They all paused for a second, each taking stock. The apartment was a mess, the bar was smashed to pieces, walls broken, windows shattered. Katie took a deep breath, lowered her gun, dropping it onto the bar top and ran her hands over her face as she stepped from behind the bar carefully, trying to avoid stepping on glass as she had kicked her shoes off earlier when they had sat down.

“You alright?” Steve asked, crossing the room and looking her over.

“Yeah, you?”

He nodded and glanced down her body gesturing with his eyes for her to do the same. She did and she noticed her dress ripped up the right hand side, stopping halfway up her torso. The skimpy underwear that she had teased Steve about before was about to become common knowledge.

”Great…” she groaned, rolling her eyes and looking around for something to cover herself up with. Steve handed her the nearest item, which turned out to be Tony’s jacket. He held it out for her and she slipped her arms into it swearing as she did so.  “Four hundred fucking notes down the drain.” and with that she turned and left with Natasha, the pair of them heading to get changed.

When Katie came back the lab was in chaos. Pepper was shouting at Tony from a speaker in the middle of one of the desks asking him why none of the servers were working. Tony, in turn, was barking instructions, to Banner and Natasha. Katie headed over to help and between the 4 of them they managed to get 3 out of the 5 StarkSats back up and running.

“All our work is gone.” Bruce sighed, taking off his glasses and looking at the computer screen in front of him.” Ultron cleared out, used the internet as an escape hatch.”

“He’s been in everything. Files, surveillance…” Katie looked up from a computer screen and Nat crossed the room to look over her shoulder. 

“Great. He probably knows more about us than we know about each other.” Natasha muttered.

“He’s in your files, he’s in the internet. What if he decides to access something a little more exciting?” Rhodey asked.

“Nuclear codes.” Maria Hill looked up from where she had been pulling glass out of her foot.

“Nuclear codes. Look, we need to make some calls, assuming we still can.” Rhodey suggested

“Nukes? He said he wanted us dead…”. Nat said, looking round

“He didn’t say dead. He said extinct” Steve interrupted her, bristling slightly.

“He also said he killed somebody.” Clint said

“But there wasn’t anyone else in the building.” Maria looked up, tweezers poised at her foot.

“Yes there was.” Tony sighed, his shirt collar and waistcoat were both open and he flicked his phone to project a 3D image of JARVIS. Only it was completely and utterly decimated.

“No.” Katie muttered as Steve drew a deep breath, crossing his arms as he looked at the image.

“This is insane” Bruce looked at the image, running his hands through his hair.

“JARVIS was the first line of defence.” Steve said gently. “He would’ve shut Ultron down, it makes sense.”

“No, Ultron could’ve assimilated Jarvis.” Bruce shook his head. “This isn’t strategy, this is…rage”

At that point Thor stormed into the room, full battle suit on, and stomped over to Tony, wrapping his hand around his throat and picking him up off of the ground.

“Uh, it’s going around.” Clint commented calmly.

“Thor…” Katie shook her head “Let him go.”

Thor ignored her.

“Alright, c'mon,” Tony choked uselessly trying to pry off Thor’s hand to no avail the God’s grip was unrelenting. “Use your words buddy.”

“I have more than enough words to describe you Stark.” Thor sneered.

“Thor,” Steve snapped sharply. This time the God took notice and dropped Tony, still not taking his eyes off him. Steve was the only one he would ever take commands from “The legionnaire?”

“The trail went cold about a hundred miles north of here,” Thor answered turning to Steve. “And it has the sceptre, which means we have to retrieve it. Again.” He shot a look back at Tony, glaring.

“Genie’s out of that bottle. Clear and present is Ultron.” Natasha surmised as she perched on the edge of the desk Katie was sat at, crossing her arms over her chest looking as unimpressed in Tony and Bruce’s actions as everyone felt.

“I don’t get it,” Helen Cho mumbled. “You built this program, why is it trying to kill us?”

To everyone’s disbelief Tony started laughing.

“Uh-uh.” Bruce said, shaking his head at Tony, telling him that this was no laughing matter as Katie glared at her brother, swivelling in her seat.

“You think this is funny?” Thor questioned in the same tone, looking at Tony.

“No?” Tony answered, turning to face the group, trying and failing to look serious and stop his chuckles from escaping. It didn’t work. “It’s probably not, right? Is this so terrible? Is this very terrible? Is it so, is it so…” He laughed again. “It is, it’s so terrible.”

“This could have been avoided had you not played with something you do not understand.” Thor said, his tone grave, his finger pointing at Tony.

“No, no I’m sorry,” Tony interrupted though it was unclear if he was apologizing for the interruption or apologizing for creating Ultron. “It is funny. It’s a hoot why you don’t get why we need this.”

“Tony, maybe this isn’t the time-” Bruce started to warn only for Tony to cut him off too.

“Really? That’s it for you? You just roll over, show your belly, every time somebody snarls?” he whipped round to look at Banner.

“Only when I’ve created a murder-bot.” Bruce said his face sporting a look as sarcastic as his voice.

“We didn’t.” Tony stressed nearly begging. “We weren’t even close. Were we close to an interface?”

Bruce shrugs nodding to say that they were close enough.

“Well, you did something right.” Katie said, rolling her eyes.

“And you did it right here.” Steve piped up glowering at Tony. “The Avengers were supposed to be different than SHIELD.”

“Anybody remember when I carried a nuke through a wormhole?” Tony changed the subject in lieu of a real response raising his hand in the air.

“Nope, it’s never come up.” Rhodey sarcastically responded while everyone else either groaned or rolled their eyes.

“Saved New York?”

“Never heard that.” Katie propped her elbow on the desk, chin resting in her palm.

“Recall that? A hostile alien army came charging through a hole in space. We’re standing 300 feet below it. We’re the Avengers. We can bust arms dealers all the live long day, but, that up there?” Tony continued as his voice turned softer. “That’s, that’s the end game. How were you guys planning on beating that?”

“Together.” Steve told him his voice a lot less colder than it had been a moment ago.

“We’ll lose.” He said taking a step closer to where Steve was stood, looking at him sadly.

“Then we’ll do that together too.” Steve said determined but assured.

“Thor is right. Ultron’s calling us out.”  Katie said gently.

“Yeah, and I’d like to find him before he’s ready for us.” Steve said, looking round. “The world’s a big place. Let’s start making it smaller.”

“I didn’t mean for this to happen you know?” Tony sighed eventually, “It just…”

“I suggest we get some rest.” Steve said eventually as Tony trailed off “Reconvene in a few hours, come up with some sort of plan. Unless anyone has a better idea” Of course no one did.

*****

Chapter 23 Part 2

#stark spangled banner #steve rogers #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers fic #steve rogers x ofc #steve rogers x original female character #Katie Stark #mcu fanfic #mcu #the avengers #chris evans #chris evans characters

[shinsorokiri]

UA Idol | Chapter Seventeen

Hitoshi Shinsou x Reader

Word Count: 2,225

Warnings: Language, mentions of hangover, banter, big nerves

A/N: Ah and we are BACK. Sorry for the long ass and excessive break, school got to be a little bit too much and mentally I was ~struggling~ quite a bit, but here I am now. Finals week is soon and I’ll be on break and my brain has been pumping out the creativity again which is great!! I have gotten so many ideas for what I want to happen, so stay tuned! Also, if anyone has any song suggestions or anything like that let me know! I might put them in for someone! Okay, that’s all! Thank you for dealing with my inconsistency, and I hope you enjoy loves! 🖤

───────────────────────────────────

Luckily, you both woke up without Denki and Mina coming back to the room. You also were feeling so much better than before. And maybe it was because after the two of you woke up, Shinsou just refused to let you leave his arms. For like a half an hour. “Okay, Shin, I really think we should get up. It’s literally one in the afternoon and Mina and Denki probably think we’re like, dead, or something,” you say, wiggling out of his grasp. He frowns and sighs overdramatically, causing you to giggle before going to your suitcase. Maybe you’d go out to a coffee shop or something and figure out what you were going to sing there? That could be very beneficial to you right now. Or maybe you should just stay in and mess around with your guitar? Browse through your playlists? Sweatpants, or shorts? “(Y/n).”

Shinsou’s voice pulls you out of your thoughts and causes you to look over at him. He’s sitting up now, his hair is still a mess, but he pulls it off and just looks… well, hot. Not to mention that little smirk he has on his face and the way his hand is running through his hair. “Hmm?”

“You were just staring at your clothes without doing anything else. Are you still hungover? Because if so, I think you should come back to bed and let me hold you for a few more minutes.” You roll your eyes at his cheeky ass. “No, Shin, I need to prepare for sound check in two days and so do you, so no more of that. Even if I really want to,” you mumble the last part, but Shinsou still hears it and boy oh BOY does it make his heart swell. “You make some fair points, do you have any ideas yet?” he asks, reluctantly getting out of bed. You shake your head no, reaching down to grab some things. “No, I was going to try to figure it all out all day today but we’re getting… a late start now… aren’t we?”

“Well, how about we go grab some coffee or something and talk about it together? I’ve noticed we do our best work with each other, and I don’t mean to sound like, the word that ends in friend and starts with b, but I would like to spend some not hungover time with you,” he walks over to you, wrapping his arms around you. You feel your cheeks burn and you would be lying if you said you didn’t smile because godDAMN he’s a cutie. “Fine, fine. You’re right, we do do our best work together… so I guess I can get behind it…”

“Mhm, that’s the only reason why,” he teases, and you roll your eyes wiggling your way out of his grip. You make your way to the bathroom to change and freshen up considering you just felt like you were dying for the past multiple hours. Somehow you managed to make yourself look presentable again, and honestly you felt so much better afterwards. You may have also been in a good mood because halfway through you getting ready, Shinsou began strumming away on your guitar and singing some songs he probably came up with on the spot. You’d be lying if you said his voice couldn’t instantly put you in a better mood. You walk out of the bathroom, and when Shinsou looks up to see you all smiley and happy his heart skips a beat. This is crazy to him. This little agreement y’all made was about to be a challenge. How could he not fall in love with someone like you? Well, he can’t mess this up, so he’s not going to. No matter how hard it might be. “Someone’s in a good mood.”

“Yeah, well actually cleaning yourself up after feeling and looking like death personified does things to you. You should try it.”

“Woah now, hold on. Are you saying I look like death right now?”

“Well, you don’t look alive. But that doesn’t mean you don’t look good. And that is unfair and makes me upset so because of that, you must change and freshen up,” you say and he scoffs. “Oh please. You could literally draw all over your face with sharpie and super glue and you would still be the most beautiful person in the room, miss me with that shit.” You roll your eyes, but the smile on your face betrays the façade you’re trying to put up. “Shut up and go get dressed, loser,” you say and he grins. “Well, considering you’re all ready to go, come on up to mine and Denki’s room. Then we can just head out.”

“Sounds like a plan.” You grab your bag and make sure you have your phone, room key, laptop, and some money before the two of you make your way out of your room. This is honestly crazy to you. Not only are you literally on television and you’re going to be watched on television as well, but you met Shinsou through this. Of course, you probably would have met him regardless because Denki and Mina were bound to catch up again at some point, but it’s still crazy to you that you met this man. He was actually amazing, and not only are you in his presence, but you’ve kissed him. A lot!!! At this point you don’t think it would be too crazy to say that you, in fact, are the main character. “Here we are. Hopefully Denki and Mina aren’t passed out in there.”

“Wouldn’t matter if Mina is, she could genuinely sleep through anything,” you inform him, and he opens the door. “Looks like we lucked out,” he says, holding open the heavy ass hotel door for you. You walk in and can immediately tell which bed is Denki’s and which one is Shinsou’s. Denki is chaotic, even in his living spaces. “This shouldn’t take long. Question, though.”

“Answer.”

“Should I deal with this heat and wear long sleeves or actually wear something appropriate?”

“Appropriate. It’s fucking hot here dude. Besides, save your good outfits for the stage,” you say, and he gives you finger guns. “You’re absolutely correct. I’ll change and then we can head out.” You nod, and he goes into the bathroom leaving you alone to look at Shinsou’s things he brought with him. And that’s not weird. You two are… kissing friends? Huh. Maybe you should work out whatever you guys are while still not putting a label on it- no you know what, you two are just friends. Friends. Friends who platonically sleep together and are extremely attracted to each other. That’s all. You shake your head, trying your best to stop thinking about this situation. You sit on his bed, picking up his guitar just like he did with yours in your room. You start absentmindedly stumming, probably playing some song you learned years ago. But you weren’t singing because you’re too busy thinking of a song to sing for an audience. It has to be written by someone already which sucks for you because you hate doing that, but it’s necessary. And it needs to be well known so everyone else can enjoy it as well. Oh God this is harder than it should be. “That’s pretty.” 

You jump slightly at Shinsou’s voice, and you expect him to laugh but instead he just sits next to you and looks genuinely concerned. “Hey, are you okay? You’ve been spacing out a lot…” You can tell he’s very worried, and he reaches out and grabs your hand causing you to feel actually a lot better about this decision weighing on your mind. “I’m just stressed about this next performance. It’s in front of people and it has to be a song already written which means I need to put my own flair on it and like that should be easy, but it also won’t be because the audience needs to also recognize it and-”

“Slow down, (Y/n). You’re going to be fine, believe me. Remember, the judges are still the ones sending us through right now and they adore you.”

“Anything could happen though! And I just don’t know if I’ll even be able to do well in front of an actual crowd of people, like Mina has natural stage presence and so does Denki and Kirishima and somehow even Bakugou has a way with a crowd and don’t even get me started on you, I mean seriously Shinsou everyone lo-”

“Hitoshi.”

“Huh?”

“Call me Hitoshi. Or Toshi. Whichever you prefer, but you’re a little too close to me to not call me by my first name now.” You just stare at him for a moment, giving him the chance to continue on. “And relax, (Y/n). You’re literally amazing. And I know you’re humble but trust me, you have one hell of a presence onstage and you’re more talented than the majority of the people here. I’ll help you pick a song; all songs are up for grabs. And luckily UA Idol doesn’t care if you use explicit songs because explicit songs are some of the best ones and I know a few that I think you would fuck with. Calm down, kitten. It’s gonna be okay.”

Jesus. Christ. This man. This man will be the death of you. “Okay?” he asks, placing his hand not holding yours on your shoulder, forcing you to look in his eyes. You just gulp and nod. “Okay… Toshi,” you say, his name felt great coming out of your mouth. He finally grins. “Let’s go, coffee is on me.”

“Wait what? No, it is not.”

“Yes, it is.”

The two of you actually bicker over that the entire way to the coffee shop, and sadly for you, he makes sure he’s the one who pays. You throw some choice words at him before the two of you sit down at a table outside. “Alright, so let’s brainstorm some songs.”

“Alright, well, I think best bet would be popular songs, something a lot of people know and something catchy enough that people can vibe with even if they don’t know it.”

“Mmm, yeah. Good call. Tragic call, but good call,” he says, pulling out his laptop as you pull out his. The two of you pull up your playlists, starting to compare and contrast songs until you both have a list. “Right, so I could sing That’s What You Get by Paramore-”

“Not pop.”

“No, but it is well known. And I could play guitar with it if you really think about it…”

“Tempting. Others?”

“Undrunk by Fletcher, vulgar but a good option.”

“Both true statements.”

“And then there’s My Consequence or Clean by Hey Violet, it’s catchy, but not a lot of people… know… about Hey Violet.”

“That’s true. Their biggest song is technically Guys My Age, so those two are not as well known. These are all really good options though.”

“Thanks. What about you?”

“Well, there’s Riptide by Vance Joy, a classic and I’d get to shred on my ukulele skills.”

“Nice, nice, others?”

“Oh. No, I’m doing Riptide. Safest bet, really. Everyone knows it, I can put my own spin on it, catch me playing a uke. All good things, so let’s decide yours, kitten.”

You roll your eyes at him, shooting back the last of your coffee and looking at your list. Would you prefer to do something like Clean or My Consequence because they tend to be your songwriting vibe? Yes. You would. But not enough people know about it and if you want the crowd to interact with you, you need to pull out the big guns. “I think it’s down to That’s What You Get or Undrunk,” you say, rubbing your chin. Why was this so hard?”

“Okay, so instrument playing or dancing. Because I know you and I know if you do Undrunk you will have a dance routine that goes with your whole performance, so everyone knows you mean business.”

“You’re right. But… I honestly, I don’t know.”

He frowns. He knows this decision is literally eating you alive, and he wants to help. He knows you don’t necessarily want to sing either of the songs you’re choosing between, so he makes the decision for you right then and there. “You’re doing My Consequence.”

“What? I can’t, it’s not known enough.”

“So what? You want a real challenge? Sing a song not everyone knows. You can also definitely put your own spin on that song, play some instruments, come up with an original (Y/n) arrangement, use Mina and me and Denki and literally anyone you need to do the back-up vocals. You can do that. Easy,” he has full confidence in everything he’s saying, and you definitely already thought about doing all of that and had ideas for it in your brain before he even said it. You pause for a moment to consider what he said before glancing up at him. “You really think that’ll work?”

“I don’t think. I know it will.”

You smile at him. He’s right, why were you even trying to talk yourself out of this anyways? “Thanks, Toshi.”

“Any time, kitten. Now what do you say we head back to the hotel and get to work?”

#shinsou x reader #hitoshi shinsou x reader #shinso x reader #hitoshi shinso x reader #my hero academia x reader #mha x reader #bnha x reader #boku no hero x reader #bnha shinsou x reader #shinsou x you #hitoshi shinsou x you #shinsou #hitoshi shinsou #shinso #hitoshi shinso #my hero academia #mha #bnha #bnha shinsou #boku no hero academia #anime #ua idol

[what-is-your-plan-today]

Stark Spangled Banner Ch23: In The Flesh

Summary: Tony’s revels don’t go quite according to plan and the peace that the Avengers had been enjoying is shattered as a new foe appears.

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Bad language, violence and crazy assed robots.

A/N: As part of SSB 1 year birthday party, I’ve added in a bit here which I got from the deleted scenes as I really liked it. Hope you enjoy!

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist

Open for Tags and suggestions- send me and ASK!

“So, now the whole Hydra and Sceptre thing is over, you two gonna set a date? You’ve been engaged for what, 10 months” Nat asked the elevator stopped and the two women stepped out. They’d gotten ready for the party in Nat’s apartment, and were fashionably late as it was already in full swing.

“Hmm, maybe. We haven’t really talked about it.” “You surprise me you know.” she said as they walked towards the bar. “It’s not like you’re known for your patience.” “I can’t wait to marry him, Nat.” Katie said, feeling her cheeks blush, looking around for him but failing to spot him “Thing is I’ve always wanted a late summer wedding and think we’ve left it too late to organise for this year…” “What is it Tony says?” Nat smirked “Throw enough money around and anything is possible?”

“Yeah, maybe… “ Katie smiled before she turned to the red head, a smirk on her face. “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to ask. You and Bruce? What's going on there?"

"Nothing." Nat shrugged.

"Though not for lack of trying?" Katie asked, and to her surprise Nat’s cheeks showed the faintest sign of a flush underneath her expertly applied rouge "C'mon Nat, you're not as subtle as you could be. And for what it’s worth, he clearly feels the same… “

“I errr, I don’t know about that…”

“There’s a reason that lullaby doesn’t work coming from anyone else.” Katie said, stopping at the bar a few feet away from where Tony and Thor were talking to Maria Hill and Rhodey.

Natasha looked thoughtful for a moment, then grabbed her drink before she walked off, arching an eyebrow at her friend. Katie watched her go before she sidled up to Tony.

“You know, the suit can take the weight right?” Rhodey said, grabbing a glass of champagne before he turned back to Tony as Katie also took one, nodding to them all as Tony dropped a kiss to her head. “So I take the tank, fly it right up to the general’s palace, drop it at his feet, I’m like boom…you looking for this.”

Rhodey gave a grin, and Katie waited for everyone to laugh, having joined the story half way through she wasn’t going to understand, but when no one did the smirk slipped from Rhodey’s face and he licked his lips.

“Boom…you looking…why do I even talk to you guys?” he sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Thor “Everywhere else that story kills.

“This is the whole story?” Thor frowned.

“Yes it’s a war machine story.” Rhodey shrugged as Katie took a sip of her drink

“Oh in that case, it’s very good then!” Thor grinned, turning to face her and Tony. Katie snorted at the look of exasperation Rhodey shot her way before he turned back to the God who took a drink of his beer “It’s impressive”

“Quality save Thor.” Rhodey said, sarcastically before he smiled at Tony “So, no Pepper? She not coming?” Tony shook his head, “Nah.” he said softly. “What about Jane?” Maia asked, “Where are the ladies, Gentlemen?” “Well Miss Potts has a company to run.” Tony said, looking at her.

“I’m not even sure what country Jane’s in.” Thor said, a look of pride crossing his face “her work on the convergence has made her the world’s foremost astronomer.” Not one to be out done Tony turned to Thor “And the company that Pepper runs is the largest tech conglomerate on Earth so…”

Thor nodded, and then upped his game “There’s even talk of Jane being given a…err.. nobel prize.”

As he talked Katie rolled her eyes at Maria and Rhodey, the 3 of them sharing a look.

“Yeah they must be busy because they’d hate missing you guys get together…” Katie sarcastically quipped.

“Testosterone…” Mariah coughed out, “Oh excuse me…” “You want a lozenge?” Rhodey asked, playing along. “Yes please…”

Katie laughed as the two of them walked off together before she patted her brother’s shoulder as he huffed out a chuckle before Thor simply smiled

“But Jane’s better…”

Looking around Katie finally spotted Steve. He was playing pool with Sam and boy did that man look good. He was wearing the same light blue shirt he had worn for their first date and it fit him just as well as it did then, even though she was convinced his chest and shoulders were broader now, a fact he bashfully denied. It was tucked into smart, dark blue jeans and his toned waist sported a tan belt whilst he was wearing his brown leather jacket.  

Katie watched as he hit the cue ball, Sam beckoning his hand, instructing the ball to move to where he wanted it to, but it didn’t and Steve straightened laughing as Sam dropped his head in a defeated motion. Leaving Tony and Thor, the two still discussing Jane and Pepper, she walked over to her to Steve who was watching Sam’s shot he straightened up, shrugging off his jacket. He then bent back over the pool table and Katie stopped for a moment, simply admiring the view before Steve looked up and their eyes locked.

“Is there anything you’re not good at?” Sam groaned as Steve made a seemingly impossible shot. "How do you do that, man?"

Steve didn’t answer. Jesus Christ, just when he thought she couldn’t get any more beautiful… she was in a skin tight navy blue lace dress, which finished just above her knees with a V neckline at the front with sleeves that finished a few inches above her elbows. He felt his mouth drop open slightly as she made her way round the table and she couldn’t help but smirk to herself as she reached Steve’s side. His arm snaked round her waist and he had to fight off the little groan that bubbled in his throat as he felt his hand brush her skin, realising the dress was backless .

“Of course the man who spends his time ricocheting his shield off of hard objects would be a natural at calculating trajectories and angles.” Sam continued to chunner as he eyed the balls on the table, Steve paying him no attention as he dropped a kiss onto his girl’s cheek.

“You look incredible” he said, eyes still wide.

“Thank you.” she smiled at him, “Hi Sam!”

Sam’s eyes jerked upwards and he straightened up, grinning.

“Damned girl!” he said, as he kissed her cheek gently. “Don’t you scrub up well?”

The arm round her waist pulled her closer as Steve spoke a little more gruffly than normal.

“Your turn, and in answer to your question it’s nothing to do with calculations, I've just always liked pool, was the one thing I could always beat Bucky at."

He dropped another kiss to the side of Katie’s head and then moved to take the next shot, potting the black and winning. Sam groaned.

“I don’t know why I even try…” he rolled his eyes as the 3 them made their way over to find a quieter spot so they could catch up.

Sam filled them in on his latest six-week wild goose chase for Bucky. The only hard evidence he had found recently was a blurry security camera image from a store in Fort Worth of all places, showing a man that could have been Barnes - assuming Bucky's hair had grown past his shoulders and he had stolen a motorcycle. In turn they told him about the raid on the base in Sokovia, the three of them heading through the party goers and making for the stairs that led up to the mezzanine balcony.

“Sounds like one hell of a fight, sorry I missed it.” Sam smirked, taking a sip of his drink and eyeing up one of the girls that walked down the stairs, catching Katie’s eye with a wink.

Steve grinned “If I’d have known it was going to be a fire fight I’d have called.”

“No, I’m not actually sorry” Sam chuckled, “I’m just trying to sound tough. I’m very happy chasing up cold leads on our favourite missing person’s case.” he said, a hint of sarcasm on his voice as Steve turned to him, smiling again. “Avenging is your world…your world is crazy”

“Be it ever so humble…”  Steve said, trailing off as they looked over the balcony at the party goers distributed across the large lounge area below.

“You found a place in Brooklyn yet?” Sam asked, looking over at us sipping his drink.

“Not sure I can afford a place in Brooklyn.” Steve said, as Sam turned round so his back was leaning against the glass barrier. He looked at Katie, puzzled and she shook my head slightly, telling him not to press it further.

“Well, home’s home ya know…” Sam said simply, glancing around the room before he grinned. “What about a date for the wedding?” “You been talking to Nat by any chance?” Katie eyed him and he shrugged, a guilty look on his face.

“We may have had a chat before…” his eyes scanned the space behind her and he nodded at someone. Katie turned to look and spotted a girl was sat on one of the chairs behind us.

“Her name is Sarah, she works in R&D.” she supplied “She’s nice.” “So am I…” Sam grinned, patting her on the shoulder and heading over in her direction.

Steve snorted as the pair of them watched Sam leave, heading off to try his luck before Steve moved so that he was stood in front of Katie, his hands either side of her hips, trapping her between him and the balcony.

“Wedding date?" he arched an eyebrow.

“Yeah Nat asked if we were going to set one now our Hydra and Sceptre chase was over.” Katie replied. “Well, I’d be lying if I told you I hadn’t thought about it.” He said, and he had. He really had. The sooner the better as far as he was concerned. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs Rogers…or Mrs Stark-Rogers, or Mrs Rogers-Stark, whatever the hell you’re gonna call yourself…” he said as she chuckled before he looked her up and down again “By the way, you know that dress is very tight…”

“Don’t you approve?” she asked him innocently.

“Very much…” he said, “It looks great on you. It will look even better on the bedroom floor later.” “That’s very presumptuous of you Captain Badass…” she said, looking up at him coyly.

“Yeah. It is. What you wearing underneath it?” he said, his eyes flashing mischievously.

“Not a lot…” she smirked “Would ruin the lines…”

His eyes darkened and he gave a low growl “Stop it.”

“You asked…” she shrugged. “Come on, I want a drink. Let’s go and mingle…might help keep you distracted…”

***** 

“Captain Rogers!” Thor’s loud voice cut across the room. Steve looked up from where they were stood to see he was waving and gesturing.

“Be back in a moment.” Steve said Katie, dropping a kiss to her cheek before he headed over to Thor who was stood near some sofas which sported a handful of war veterans.

"I gotta' have me some of that." One of the older men exclaimed as Thor poured a small measure of ambler liquid into a glass and handed it to Steve.

"Oh no, you see this was aged for thousands of years in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunnhilde's fleet." Thor told the older men as Steve gave the glass a curious look and took a sniff. It had a pleasant enough smell. "It is not meant for mortal men." Thor warned mockingly.

"Neither was Omaha beach blondie." The small man on the couch said. "Stop tryin' to scare us."

Thor looked to Steve, who shrugged as if to say the man had a point before Thor sighed and nodded. "Alright." He said then pouring only a drop, if even that much into each man's glass.

Steve took a sip of the spirit from his glass and nodded, appreciatively. “Not bad…”

“Now if that doesn’t have an effect on you, nothing will.” Thor said, watching the old men carefully who were all sipping their drinks and pulling faces, letting out whistles, before he looked at Steve again.  “This stuff could knock out Banner, when he’s big and green...”

“It’s actually pretty good.” Steve smiled “You got this from home?”

“I can summon certain things with my hammer.” he said. “I have a cask in my room upstairs.”

“I think it may have just claimed its first casualty…” Steve muttered, taking another sip and nodding at one of the old men.

Thor turned round and shrugged “I warned them…”

The two Avengers stood chatting for a while, until one by one the old men fell victim to the Asgardian strength liquor and they had to call in reinforcements in the shape of Rhodey and Sam who had brought the Veterans. Thor and Steve helped escort them out, Sam bid them goodbye, stating that he better make sure they all got home ok before he got his ass whipped by a nurse.

“And not in a good way…” he grimaced.

Steve walked back into the room and headed for the bar to grab a drink that wasn’t Asgardian, as that stuff had gone to his head, giving him a nice, fuzzy feeling. Natasha and Bruce were there, and he was amused to see the red head smiling suggestively at the Scientist. Trying not to earwig, he caught the tail end of their conversation and smirked, commenting to Bruce that it was nice, before the Doctor had stuttered and tried to explain what was going on.

“It's okay. Nobody's breaking any by-laws!” Steve chuckled, his hand raised “If they were well Katie and I broke them first.”

Bruce smiled.

“It's just, Nat’s not the most... open person in the world. But with you she seems very relaxed.” Steve finished.

“No, Natasha, she...she likes to flirt.” Bruce said and Steve shook his head

“I've seen her flirt, up close.” He said, reaching over the bar for two bottles of beer as he spotted Katie approaching. “This ain't that.” Bruce looked down as Steve continued “Look, as maybe the world's leading authority on "waiting too long", don't. You both deserve a win.”

With that he smiled as Katie slipped her arms round him from behind. He handed her a beer, kissed her head as the pair of them headed away.

“Wait…what do you mean up close?” Bruce called. Steve let out a chuckle and turned back to the man.

“It was a mission, didn’t mean anything.” “What did you just say to him?” She asked as they crossed the room towards where Clint was sat at a drum kit, Tony showing him the various pieces of the instrument.

“Oh I overheard Natasha…she was being very, well, sweet” he said, “He tried to shrug it off, saying she was flirting so I told her I’d seen her flirt, up close, and that was different.” “Steve…” Katie rolled her eyes, he could be such a dumbass at times.

“What?”  he frowned.

Katie sighed “he doesn’t need to know about her flirting with other men.” “Yeah, well I told him not to wait too long or he would regret it like me.” Steve shrugged, and Katie felt something in her stomach as she turned to face him.

“Regret?” she turned to look at him “You mean like you with Peggy?” Steve sighed, instantly realising what he had said “No, I didn’t mean that.” he shook his head “What I mean is I constantly let so much get in the way of just letting myself be happy. And with you, well I should have asked you out months before I did.”

“You do want to marry me don’t you?” Katie asked, the doubt suddenly flooding her system.

“What? Of course I do!” Steve said, mentally kicking himself for being such a dumbass. He didn’t ‘regret’ not being with Peggy. His future was right there in front of him. He reached out and wrapped and arm round her, pulling her to him “Baby, I love you so much.” She looked up at him and as his eyes locked onto hers she felt the worry leave her system, she could tell by the shine in his eyes he was telling the truth.

“Can we set a date then?” she asked and he smiled, and nodded.

“Yeah, let’s do it. Talk about it tomorrow, properly?”

Katie nodded and he placed a soft kiss to her lips before they were interrupted by the loud sounds of drums and symbols coming from across the room along with a few cheers as Clint began to thrash out a beat.

******

When the party goers began to filter out later in the evening all that was left were the Avengers along with Maria Hill, Rhodey and Helen Cho all spread out across several couches and chairs. Half eaten takeaway containers littered the surface tops along with empty bottles, dirty glasses and the remnants of a chocolate fondue- Tony’s idea.

Katie, Steve and Thor sat on one couch, Katie nestled between them both, her bare legs hooked over Steve’s. He had a flush on his cheeks, and a slight glaze in his eyes.  She grinned.

“You’re drunk.” she whispered to him.

“A little” he grinned back. Katie laughed and gently brushed the back of her hand across his warm cheek.

“Thunder boy!” Clint’s loud, tipsy voice interrupted everyone. “You gonna tell us the secret of that hammer?” “Secret?” he asked “I do not understand.”

“Why none of us but you can pick it up?” “I’m the God of Thunder…” Thor shrugged, drinking another mouthful of his drink.

"It's a trick." Clint gestured at the hammer which was innocently placed on the table in the middle of the group.

"No it is much more than that my friend." Thor said with a chuckle sitting back comfortably in his spot. Steve gestured for Thor to pass him the hip flask he was currently refilling his glass with and he obliged before turning to Clint.

"'Whosoever be worthy shall haveth the power,'" Clint mocked in a deep voice gesturing to the hammer, 2 drumsticks in his hand as he twirled them through his fingers "Whatever man it's a trick." He said in his normal voice shrugging.

"Well please be my guest." Thor said extending and inviting hand out to his hammer as Steve took a drink from the flask.

"Really?" Clint questioned excitedly, at Thor's nod he sprung up from his spot on the floor but calmly approached the hammer, not wanting to seem overly eager. Katie raised an eyebrow at Thor but he only shrugged bringing his glass up to his lips.

"Oh this is gonna' be beautiful." Rhodey teased setting down his cards to watch.

"Clint it's been a tough week, we won't hold it against you if you can't get it up." Tony joked from his spot on the other couch.

"You two know I've seen this before right?" Clint pointed out, looking at Thor then Katie referencing the first time the 3 of them met. Thor sniggered as Clint wrapped his hand around the hammer's handle and pulled, of course nothing happened.

"I still don't know how you do it." He said releasing the hammer with a laugh.

"Smell the silent judgement?" Tony continued to gibe.

"Please Stark by all means." Clint said waving a hand toward the hammer.

"Here we go." Katie sat up slightly as Tony stood unbuttoning his suit jacket with a flourish.

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge. It's physics." he shrugged. "So if I lift it do I then rule Asgard?"

"Yes of course." Thor responded easily.

"I will be reinstituting Prima Nocta." Tony slipped his wrist through the leather strap. He grunted pulling on the hammer but it didn't move.

"Be right back." Tony said quickly leaving the room pulling off his jacket as he went.

Steve took another drink from the flask before handing it back to Thor who simply smirked as Clint continued to protest the fact they couldn’t lift the hammer was down to some kind of scientific illusion. When Tony returned they all let out a laugh as he had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up and a detached Iron Man gauntlet on his hand. He gripped the hammer again and pulled even engaging the thrusters but still nothing. He coaxed Rhodey into helping him with his War Machine gauntlet but even together with both thrusters fully engaged they couldn't do it. Finally they gave up.

"Banner you want a piece?" Tony asked on his way back to his seat.

Bruce rose to the challenge but didn’t take it serious, instead pretending to Hulk out. "Nothing?" He questioned awkwardly shuffling back to his seat as Natasha's smiled at him, shaking her head.

"Cap?" Hill questioned from where she was sat on the floor opposite, next to Clint, wearing his leather jacket. Katie shrugged when he looked to her for approval, then over her shoulder at Thor. Grinning, he placed down his drink and moved Katie’s legs from where they were swung over his, getting up to try his hand.

"C'mon Cap." Clint grinned "No pressure."

Steve stepped round the table, shooting a determined look at the hammer before wrapping both hands around the handle and beginning to pull.

Katie felt her mouth drop open as there was a squeak and the hammer moved ever so slightly. She cast a quick look at Thor next to her, whose playful smile had been completely wiped off his face and he was now staring intently at the item on the table. Steve readjusted his grip, pulled again gritting his teeth, then held his hands up in surrender.

"Nothing." Thor said, shaking his head as Katie looked at him. He avoided her stare

"I saw that." Katie whispered into Steve's ear when he took his seat once again, returning her legs to where they had been resting on his lap.

"Don’t know what you mean." he said immediately, his hand curling round her leg so his fingers were resting on her thigh and gave an expectant raise of his eyebrows. Rhodey clearing his throat rather loudly made them turn to see all of the men wearing the same look, watching her.

"Kiddo?"

"Oh no," Katie said immediately shaking her head, "I know my limits."

“Widow?” Clint looked at Nat

"Yeah that's not a question I need answered." Natasha said, drinking from her beer bottle and also refusing the challenge.

"All deference to the man who wouldn't be King, but it's rigged." Tony said bringing the attention back to him as he got up to retrieve another beer. Katie gestured at him to get her one as her bottle was empty.

"You bet your ass." Clint said.

"Steve, he said a bad language word." Maria said her voice taking on a mocking tone pointing at Clint innocently.

"Did you tell everyone about that?" Steve asked looking at Katie who shrugged, then to Tony who ignored him.

"The handle's imprinted right? Like a security code. 'Whosoever's carrying Thor's fingerprint' is I think the literal translation." Tony said finishing up on his ridiculous line of thought as he crossed to the bar.

"What an interesting theory…but I have a simpler one" Thor said, getting up off the couch and easily picking up his hammer, giving it a little toss in the air for added teasing "You're all not worthy."

Everyone began to protest in jest and someone threw a coaster at him from the table, when a loud screeching noise caused them all to flinch.

"Worthy?"  a deep voice drawled and they all looked over to the back of the room to see a half destroyed Iron Legion bot standing there. "No, how could you be worthy? You're all killers." The bot said gesturing to the group who had begun to stand in preparation.

"Stark?" Steve questioned tensely, pulling Katie behind him. In response Tony took out his phone and began poking around on it.

"Jarvis?" Tony questioned aloud when he was getting no response.

"I'm sorry, I was asleep. Or I was a dream?" the robot continued speaking tilting its head as if trying to recall a memory.

"Reboot, legionnaire we got a buggy suit." Tony said continuing to poke at his device.

"There was a terrible noise and I was tangled, in strings." The robot looked down, wires dangling uselessly all around it’s body. "I had to kill the other one, he was a good guy."

"You killed someone?" Katie said, frowning.

"Wouldn't have been my first call, but down in the real world we're faced with ugly choices."

"Who sent you?" Thor questioned with authority.

"I see a suit of armour around the world." The robot responded but this time it was Tony’s voice that sounded.

"Ultron." Bruce summarized with a horrified look as Katie snapped her head round to Tony who continued to stare at the robot.

"In the flesh." Ultron tried to stand tall but failed. "Or no, not yet. Not this chrysalis." It said looking down at its body again. "But I'm ready, I'm on a mission."

"What mission?" Thor questioned

"Peace in our time." Ultron said again in Tony’s voice and then the wall behind it burst open and more legionnaires flew into the room.

Everyone sprang into action. Gun shots, repulsors, people jumping onto the backs of robots… it was a short but fairly intense fight which was finished when Steve spun round and launched his shield into the last robot.

"That was dramatic." Ultron commented still standing but swaying from side to side. Steve was stood in his typical combat stance, shield up in front of him, Clint to his left. Katie straightened up from behind the bar where she had taken cover, gun still held in front of her.

"I'm sorry, I know you mean well, you just didn't think it through. You want to protect the world, but you don't want it to change. How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to change? With these?" It questioned reaching down to pick up one of the legionnaire's disembodied heads, "These puppets. No. There's only one path to peace, the Avengers extinction."

He was cut off as Thor launched his hammer with enough force that it burst through the middle of the robot before flinging back into his hand. Steve looked at him, but Thor glared straight ahead.

They all paused for a second, each taking stock. The apartment was a mess, the bar was smashed to pieces, walls broken, windows shattered. Katie took a deep breath, lowered her gun, dropping it onto the bar top and ran her hands over her face as she stepped from behind the bar carefully, trying to avoid stepping on glass as she had kicked her shoes off earlier when they had sat down.

“You alright?” Steve asked, crossing the room and looking her over.

“Yeah, you?”

He nodded and glanced down her body gesturing with his eyes for her to do the same. She did and she noticed her dress ripped up the right hand side, stopping halfway up her torso. The skimpy underwear that she had teased Steve about before was about to become common knowledge.

”Great…” she groaned, rolling her eyes and looking around for something to cover herself up with. Steve handed her the nearest item, which turned out to be Tony’s jacket. He held it out for her and she slipped her arms into it swearing as she did so.  “Four hundred fucking notes down the drain.” and with that she turned and left with Natasha, the pair of them heading to get changed.

When Katie came back the lab was in chaos. Pepper was shouting at Tony from a speaker in the middle of one of the desks asking him why none of the servers were working. Tony, in turn, was barking instructions, to Banner and Natasha. Katie headed over to help and between the 4 of them they managed to get 3 out of the 5 StarkSats back up and running.

“All our work is gone.” Bruce sighed, taking off his glasses and looking at the computer screen in front of him.” Ultron cleared out, used the internet as an escape hatch.”

“He's been in everything. Files, surveillance…” Katie looked up from a computer screen and Nat crossed the room to look over her shoulder. 

“Great. He probably knows more about us than we know about each other.” Natasha muttered.

“He's in your files, he's in the internet. What if he decides to access something a little more exciting?” Rhodey asked.

“Nuclear codes.” Maria Hill looked up from where she had been pulling glass out of her foot.

“Nuclear codes. Look, we need to make some calls, assuming we still can.” Rhodey suggested

“Nukes? He said he wanted us dead…”. Nat said, looking round

“He didn't say dead. He said extinct” Steve interrupted her, bristling slightly.

“He also said he killed somebody.” Clint said

“But there wasn't anyone else in the building.” Maria looked up, tweezers poised at her foot.

“Yes there was.” Tony sighed, his shirt collar and waistcoat were both open and he flicked his phone to project a 3D image of JARVIS. Only it was completely and utterly decimated.

“No…” Katie muttered as Steve drew a deep breath, crossing his arms as he looked at the image.

“This is insane” Bruce looked at the image, running his hands through his hair.

“JARVIS was the first line of defence.” Steve said gently. “He would've shut Ultron down, it makes sense.”

“No, Ultron could've assimilated Jarvis.” Bruce shook his head. “This isn't strategy, this is...rage”

At that point Thor stormed into the room, full battle suit on, and stomped over to Tony, wrapping his hand around his throat and picking him up off of the ground.

"Uh, it's going around." Clint commented calmly.

“Thor…” Katie said, shaking her head “Let him go”

Thor ignored her.

"Alright, c'mon," Tony choked uselessly trying to pry off Thor's hand to no avail the God's grip was unrelenting. "Use your words buddy."

"I have more than enough words to describe you Stark." Thor sneered.

"Thor," Steve snapped sharply. This time the God took notice and dropped Tony, still not taking his eyes off him. Steve was the only one he would ever take commands from "The legionnaire?"

"The trail went cold about 100 miles north of here," Thor answered turning to Steve. "And it has the sceptre, which means we have to retrieve it. Again." He shot a look back at Tony, glaring.

"Genie's out of that bottle. Clear and present is Ultron." Natasha surmised as she perched on the edge of the desk Katie was sat at, crossing her arms over her chest looking as unimpressed in Tony and Bruce's actions as everyone felt.

"I don't get it," Helen Cho mumbled. "You built this program, why is it trying to kill us?"

To everyone's disbelief Tony started laughing.

"Uh-uh." Bruce said, shaking his head at Tony, telling him that this was no laughing matter as Katie glared at her brother, swivelling in her seat.

"You think this is funny?" Thor questioned in the same tone, looking at Tony.

"No?" Tony answered, turning to face the group, trying and failing to look serious and stop his chuckles from escaping. It didn't work. "It's probably not, right? Is this so terrible? Is this very terrible? Is it so, is it so…" He laughed again. "It is, it's so terrible."

"This could have been avoided had you not played with something you do not understand." Thor said, his tone grave, his finger pointing at Tony.

"No, no I'm sorry," Tony interrupted though it was unclear if he was apologizing for the interruption or apologizing for creating Ultron. "It is funny. It's a hoot why you don't get why we need this."

"Tony, maybe this isn't the time-" Bruce started to warn only for Tony to cut him off too.

"Really? That's it for you? You just roll over, show your belly, every time somebody snarls?" he whipped round to look at Banner.

"Only when I've created a murder-bot." Bruce said his face sporting a look as sarcastic as his voice.

"We didn't." Tony stressed nearly begging. "We weren't even close. Were we close to an interface?"

Bruce shrugs nodding to say that they were close enough.

"Well, you did something right.” Katie said, rolling her eyes.

“And you did it right here." Steve piped up glowering at Tony. "The Avengers were supposed to be different than SHIELD."

"Anybody remember when I carried a nuke through a wormhole?" Tony said changing the subject in lieu of a real response raising his hand in the air.

"Nope, it's never come up." Rhodey sarcastically responded while everyone else either groaned or rolled their eyes.

"Saved New York?"

"Never heard that." Katie propped her elbow on the desk, chin resting in her palm..

"Recall that? A hostile alien army came charging through a hole in space. We're standing 300 feet below it. We're the Avengers. We can bust arms dealers all the live long day, but, that up there?" Tony continued as his voice turned softer. "That's, that's the end game. How were you guys planning on beating that?"

"Together." Steve told him his voice a lot less colder than it had been a moment ago.

"We'll lose." He said taking a step closer to where Steve was stood, looking at him sadly.

"Then we'll do that together too." Steve said determined but assured.

"Thor is right. Ultron's calling us out.”  Katie said gently.

“Yeah, and I'd like to find him before he's ready for us.” Steve said, looking round. “The world's a big place. Let's start making it smaller."

“I didn’t mean for this to happen you know?” Tony sighed eventually, “It just…”

“I suggest we get some rest.” Steve said eventually as Tony trailed off “Reconvene in a few hours, come up with some sort of plan. Unless anyone has a better idea” Of course no one did.

******

The normal schedule at the tower was utterly disrupted the next morning. Maria had come to Katie and Steve’s floor to inform them the team was assembling in the lab and had given them both a quick briefing. The previous night they had been able to reboot most of the servers, and the environmental controls of the tower were finally online again, but there was still no trace of the sceptre or the robots. Thor was busy trying to get help from someone on Asgard, Clint was working with some old contacts to see if he could get anything, whilst Tony and Bruce were trying to track him from the lab where Katie had a suspicion they would probably had been all night

The elevator doors opened with a ding; Steve, Katie and Maria exiting and she continued her report on what she had found out about Ultron so far, following them up the stairs as she did.

"He's all over the globe. Robotics labs, weapons facilities, jet propulsion labs. Reports of a metal man, or men, coming in and emptying the place,"

"Fatalities?" asked Steve.

"Only when engaged," replied Hill, beginning to type on her tablet while she continued to talk. "Mostly guys left in a fugue state going on about old memories, worst fears, things moving on their own, and 'something too fast to see'."

"Maximoffs." Katie concluded.

"That makes sense he'd go to them. They have someone in common," Steve said nodding as they reached the top of the stairs.

"Not anymore." Maria replied handing the tablet over to Steve. On it was a picture of Strucker lying on his bed in his cell; dead. On the wall behind him, the word 'peace' was painted in blood.

"Bit of a mixed message don't you think?" Steve asked.

“Is it? I mean if it were my mission, world peace, I'd probably take out Strucker too.” Katie shrugged as Steve looked at her, before glancing back down at the tablet in my hands. “Ultron could be in any system, he could be pulling planes down out of the sky if he wanted.” she sighed, “What if he's just doing what he's supposed to?"

"If I thought Ultron was bringing peace I'd hang up my shield." he shook his head, leaning against the banister.

"Would you?" Maria questioned curiously. Steve looked at her, taking a deep breath and cocking his head slightly to the right.

“Let me know if he leaves any more messages.” he said simply, ending the conversation.

Katie shot Maria a look, mouthed thanks at her and then headed after him.

As they walked towards the lab they both heard Clint talking on the phone to someone, apparently someone with authority.

“I answer to you. Yes Ma’am.”

He looked over, saw the Captain and ended the call. “I gotta go…” He looked at Katie, then Steve, waved the phone and said “Girlfriend.”

“Any of your old contacts come through?” Steve asked, seemingly on the outside accepting his explanation, although they both knew full well he had been talking to his wife. Only Steve wasn’t supposed to know that.

“Still waiting.”

“Wait faster” Steve said simply, turning and heading off down towards the lab. Clint shot Katie a look before he glanced down his phone and headed off in the opposite direction. Katie caught up with Steve who cast a glance over his shoulder at Barton.

“Girlfriend…” he quipped and she laughed

“I know, as far as cover stories go, explaining away your wife as a girlfriend is pretty lame.” They entered the lab and immediately could her a gabble of voices as Rhodey was talking to Natasha and Tony through one of the screens.

“If you hear something we need to hear it too.” Nat said as Steve strode past towards Thor who was pacing behind where Banner sat at a computer.

“That goes for you too, watch your six.” Rhodey replied.

“Any help from on high?” Steve asked, as Thor walked down the few steps into the lower part of the lab. He shook his head.

“He’s either away from his post or he’s been ordered not to answer” Thor said, striding across the floor as they both turned to walk back towards Katie “Ultron can’t hide forever”

“He’s not exactly hiding.” Katie said, handing Thor the tablet. He glared down at the offending item and the picture it was displaying.

"What's this?" Tony asked moving to get a closer look only to have the tablet slapped into his chest by the obviously still annoyed God.

"It’s a message," Steve replied. "Ultron killed Strucker."

"And he did a Banksy at the crime scene, just for us," Tony said sarcastically waving the tablet.

“This is good…” Nat said, glancing at the picture, her brows knitting together.

“No, it’s not good!” Banner said, shaking his head as he rounded her chair

“No, Nat’s right, he’s showing us his hand, this isn’t his pattern” Katie nodded down to the tablet on the desk. “I mean why send a message when you've already given a speech?" 

"Strucker knew something that Ultron wanted us to miss" Steve concluded.

"I bet he-" Natasha mumbled searching something on the computers. "Yeah, everything we had on Strucker's been wiped."

“And that’s good?” Banner asked, as everyone looked at him.

"Yes because he didn’t wipe everything" Tony said suddenly.

Moments later they were all in a room where a bunch of paper files were kept, files that had been rescued from SHIELD. They pulled the boxes containing information on Strucker and it seemed from most of them that he had gone rogue long before the events a few months prior.

"Strucker had a lot of friends." Katie mumbled as besides her Thor was throwing random files across the room after deciding they were of no use.

"Well these people are all horrible." Bruce commented digging through his own box.

"Wait," Tony said pointing to the file Thor was flipping through. "I know that guy. From back in the day. He operates off the African coast. Black market arms."

Steve stopped what he was doing to shoot Tony with a glare

"There are conventions. Alright?” Tony explained “You meet people. I didn't sell him anything. He was talking about finding something new, a game-changer. It was all very Ahab"

"What’s this?" Thor questioned, pointing towards one of the pictures of the man Tony had found. I peered over at it too.

"Uh, it's a tattoo, I don't think he had it," Tony said

"No, those are tattoos, this is a brand," Thor corrected, pointing towards a spot on the man's neck right underneath of his left ear which obviously was a mark that had been burned there as it still looked red and raw in the picture.

"Yeah," said Bruce as he placed himself in front of the computer, quickly searching what the mark meant. "It's a word in an African dialect meaning 'thief'. In a much less friendly way."

"What dialect?" Steve asked.

"Uh, Wak- wakanada – Wakandan," Bruce said jumbling the pronunciation a few times before getting it right.

Katie swallowed and looked at Tony. “Tony, if this guy got out of Wakanda with some of their trace goods…"

"I thought your father said he got the last of it," Steve said, cottoning on.

"I don't follow," Bruce interjected. "What comes out of Wakanda?"

Steve, Katie and Tony all shared a look before Steve looked back at Bruce and stood to the side gesturing to his shield.

"The strongest metal on Earth”

*****

Ulysses Klaue’s warehouse was located in an old ship in a Salvage Yard off the African coast. Unfortunately Ultron, fresh from the murder of Strucker, had gotten there first, along with the Maximoffs

The fight had started, Katie and Tony both tangling in the air with Iron Legion bots and Ultron himself as everyone else took them out on the ground also trying to deal with the Maximoff twins, which was proving easier said than done.

"The girl tried to warp my mind," Thor grunted, over the comms,"Take special care I doubt a human can keep her at bay, fortunately I am mighty."

“Where is she?” Katie asked, looking round, her heat scanners showing her nothing.

"Thor?" Steve bellowed into his earpiece "Thor, do you read me?"

Thor didn't answer.

Taking down another bot, Katie flew off down the hallway, in search of the god, but was knocked sideways by something into a pile of scrap metal. She stood up and prepared to take off again but, the world became dark, dim and gloomy. She paused, suddenly wary, trying to remember why she had come here in the first place.

She was in a church, at the end of the aisle. Steve was stood at the front, Bucky next to him. Both in smart suits. She frowned as she started to walk towards them when music started and everyone stood up. Katie was beyond confused, and she turned in the direction everyone was looking at to see Peggy Carter walking down the Aisle, in a beautiful white gown. She looked just as she did in the 40s photos Katie had seen.

But she didn’t belong like this, in the time. As Peggy glided past her, she turned to see Steve looking at the woman, his face smiling, features soft. And Katie felt he entire world collapse around her as Peggy reached the front of the aisle and Steve took her hands in his.

“Steve…” she managed to croak out. The Soldier looked at her from where he was stood and he smiled kindly at her.

“I hope you understand…”

“You love me.”  Katie choked out and Steve shook his head.

“You could never be enough.” He said, shrugging “I’m sorry. It’s her, it’s always been her. You were merely a welcome distraction”

“No, no…that’s not fair, you said I was, you said I was yours…” she cried, dropping to her knees as the world shook around her.

Steve had seen Katie get knocked sideways out of the air, and was heading down to help when suddenly, he felt cold. Everything in front of his eyes seemed so far away, and a wave of calm spread over him. There was no rush, was there?

He was in a ballroom in the 1940s, loud jazz music hit his ears and the sounds of people laughing and joking. He tentatively stepped forward through the crowd but flinched when an explosion flashed near him. No, not an explosion, a camera. Then there was a gunshot. No, not a gunshot, a bottle being uncorked. Confused he looked around and saw a man lying on the ground, his friend dabbing at blood on his shirt, but it wasn’t blood. Steve looked again and he saw it was red wine.

All around him, people were celebrating, but all he saw was war and death.

Then, a very familiar laugh made him turn and he saw his girl in a gorgeous pink dress and she was being spun round the dance floor by Bucky. His face was creased into a wide smile, both his arms intact as he whirled Katie around the floor. She looked the same as she always had, but…she didn’t belong in this time of his life.

“Are you ready for our dance?” another familiar voice spoke as a hand tapped his shoulder. He spun round to find Peggy stood there, in a blue dress, her outfit and hair and make-up belonged here, in the 40s, in his past, but Katie didn’t. His eyes turned back to Bucky and Katie who were now swaying slowly, foreheads pressed together and he could do nothing but stare as Bucky dropped a kiss to his girl’s lips.

Then he was dancing with Peggy, but he had to stop, this wasn’t right.

She was his girl, not Bucky’s. He was with her, not Peggy. He needed to get to Katie…

“What’s wrong?” Peggy asked him. “The war's over Steve," she told him smiling, "All of them." She added. "We can go home. Imagine it."

The party in the ballroom stopped. Everyone disappeared and the room went deathly silent.

He gave a loud gasp, it felt like he had plunged into an icy lake. He blinked, resisting the urge to vomit, taking deep breaths and slowly everything came back into focus and then he remembered where he was and why. The fight, Ultron, the warning from Thor….and Katie, where was she? He staggered to his feet, and stumbling slightly set off to find her.

She wasn’t far away, she was knelt on a walkway just below him suffering the effects of her own vision. Steve swung down a level, gently landing in front of her and knelt down on all fours.

“Katie…”

She could hear a familiar voice talking, through the fog and suddenly it cleared as if someone had poured a bucket of iced water over her head. She blinked, before she let out a groan of pain and dropped forward, grasping at the rough metal of the walkway beneath her palms- somehow and for a reason she didn’t know, she was knelt on the floor on all fours, and no longer in her suit. Every inch of her body was aching and her head felt like it was full of cotton wool and horrible lights were flashing behind her eyeballs, like she had had the worst migraine ever.

“Hey, you’re alright…” Steve said as she sat back on her heels, his hands either side of her face as she drew her eyes up to look at us.

“You’re …” she reached out to touch his chest, feeling the roughness of his uniform under my skin. “You’re still with me?”

“Yeah baby course I am.” He said, frowning slightly, wondering what the hell the Maximoff kid had forced her to see. Deciding there was plenty of time to discuss that later he waited with her quietly whilst her breathing began to even out. She let out another groan, scrunching her eyes shut as the pain behind her eyes became too much and she lurched sharply to the left, throwing up all over the metal walk way.

Steve gently rubbed her back as she retched again, groaning in pain.

“It’s ok…” he soothed gently “I got you…” Eventually she stopped and the throbbing in her temple subsided somewhat and she wiped my mouth, sitting back down on the floor harshly. “What happened?” she whispered.

“The Maximoff girl.” Steve said gently by means of an explanation, his hand reached round to gently stroke her hair.

“It was… it was so real.” she said, glancing around.

“I know, tell me about It.” he said swallowing, kissing her forehead. Katie was surprised to find he was shaking slightly as well, drops of cold sweat were beaded across his brow “We need to get back to the ship. Can you stand?”

“Yeah” she said, and together they stood. Katie was a little bit shaky at first but Steve held her up and took a deep breath, shooting a furtive glance around.

“Clint?” Steve spoke in to the coms as Katie got back into her suit.

“Cap, you back with us?”

“Yeah, how is everyone?” he asked as they made their way slowly up the stairs. Katie didn’t trust herself to fly. Instead she kept the face plate open, needing the fresh air.

“Nat’s in a bad way, she’s still not out of it.”  Clint replied. “What about Nova?”

“I’m alright…” she said, shakily as they left the warehouse, blinking in the light of the sun, the light making her heave again and she bent over, emptying what little was left in her stomach on the floor. “Sorry…” she mumbled as she straightened up and turned to Steve who shook his head.

“Nothing to be sorry for Doll.” he said, looking at her, hands reaching out to gently stroke her face. He looked around and spoke, mopping at his brow. “Thor?”

“I’m here…” the God’s voice came, he also sounded shaky. “That witch, she warped my mind after all. Her power… I’ve never seen or felt anything like it.”

“Tony?” Steve asked as we set off walking, slowly, across the sandy stretch to where the jet was parked.

“She got to Banner.” Tony said over the coms, “And whatever she showed him… well, Hulk just levelled a local town…”

“Casualties?” Steve sighed, looking at Katie.

“I dare say a fair few.” Tony replied “Veronica and I did our best.”

As they reached the jet Thor landed next to them bringing Clint who in turn was carrying Nat. It was clear to see that everybody, bar Clint was severely shaken. It was a blessing that at least one of them had presence of mind. Clint got the jet off the ground, tracked Tony’s whereabouts, helped get a semi-conscious Bruce settled while Tony took off the suit. It all seemed very distant to Katie and Steve, who both felt like they were watching the interior of the jet through a fog.

"It was always her," Steve’s voice echoed in Katie’s ears, and it hurt, a deathly pain deep in her being. She tried to swallow, tried to breathe, but the sickening panic she had felt during her vision threatened to wash over her again. Besides her Steve wasn’t faring much better. Bucky dropped a kiss to his girl’s lips. He moved slightly in his seat. It was an involuntary move, almost like he had been startled by something, which he had been, and Katie spotted it. She unclipped her belt, stood up and gently sat on his lap, pressing her head into the crook of his neck, shivering. He pulled her closer, kissed the top of her head and the pair of them just stayed there, not a word uttered between them.

Katie fell asleep, and when she woke up it was dark through the front of the window, showing they’d crossed time-zones. She was still on Steve’s lap, his head was lolling against the head-rest of the chair, his arms still around her whilst he also slept. Gently she untangled herself from him, and stood up, stretching. Clint was still piloting the jet to wherever it was they were headed and Tony was looking at something on a tablet a few seats away.

“Hey kiddo” he said, putting his arm round her as he settled into the seat next to him. “Feel better?”

She shrugged.

“Well you’re doing better than Nat” he said, and Katie looked over. She was sat, staring at the floor. Her eyes darting to the sides every so often.

“She still not come round?” Katie asked, laying her head on her brother’s shoulder.

“She’s with us…” Tony said, tossing an arm round his sister “But she’s really shaken…hasn’t said a word.”

“Seems I got off relatively lightly” Katie mumbled as she glanced over at Steve who was still asleep.  

“Wanna talk about it?” Tony asked, his chin resting on her head.

“Erm… I saw Steve and Peggy” she muttered, looking down at her engagement ring, twirling it round her finger “it sounds silly but… they were getting married and I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t with me. Then he told me…” She trailed off, swallowing, she felt sick again.

“You know none of its true, right?” Tony said, his eyes locking onto hers “He loves you, not Peggy. The Maximoff brat is messing with your head.

 “I know…” she said the tears springing into her eyes. “ But it was so real, physical, I could touch things and people. I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t need to…” Tony said, gently reaching out and wiping her tears away with his thumb “I had one, at Strucker’s base when we got the Sceptre.”

“I knew something else had happened to you” Katie sighed “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I thought it was just a funny turn but now I know it was her. I saw you all dead. I felt it. The whole world too. Because of me. I didn’t do enough.”

Katie slid her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.

“So that’s why you restarted the Ultron thing again” she said gently

“Yeah… really worked out that didn’t it.” He sighed.

“We’ll fix it.” Katie replied softly, shrugging as she sat up.

“How do you know?” Tony looked at her with eyes that were so like her father’s. She could do nothing but shrug back.

“Because we have to.”

*****

It was dawn as they all stepped off the jet and followed Clint as he confidently led them up to the porch of a large farmhouse, literally in the middle of a field. The sleep seemed to have done most people good, although Natasha was still not quite right, so Clint supported her as they walked up the path. Steve had his arm round Katie’s shoulder; hers in turn was round his waist, but not for support, for comfort.

"What is this place?" Thor asked looking around at the farmhouse and its surroundings.  

"A safe house?" Tony responded unsure.

"Let's hope." Clint opened the door and stepped inside, with everyone else curiously following close behind. "Honey? I'm home."

To nearly everyone's surprise, a woman, who Katie figured was Clint’s wife, walked out from the kitchen and into the living room. She had long brown hair and was holding a bunch of colouring books in one hand, but one thing that was hard to miss was that she was very pregnant.

"I brought company. Sorry I didn't call ahead." Clint told the woman as he walked up to her and gave her a kiss.

"This is an agent of some kind." Tony muttered pointing at the couple.

"Guys, this is Laura."

"Hi," she greeted awkwardly, "I know all of your names."

Tony not knowing how else to react just gave a small wave that was just as awkward.

"Oh, incoming!" Clint warned as the thudding of feet and loud voices of young children hit their ears. A boy and a girl hurried into the living room, both running over to Clint as they yelled "daddy".

Steve’s face was a picture, despite herself Katie almost laughed at the genuine-fake shock he wore across his features.

"Hi sweetheart! Hey buddy!" exclaimed Clint while kissing the top of their heads. "How are you guys doing?"

"These are smaller agents." Tony said, adding to his previous statement.

"Did you bring Aunty Nat?" the little girl questioned.

Nat stepped forward, suddenly finding her feet. "Why don't you hug her and find out?"

"Sorry for barging in on you." Steve said, always one for keeping his manners.

"Yeah we would have called ahead, but we were too busy having no idea you existed." Tony remarked with his usual sarcasm. Katie shot him a look.

"Yeah well Fury helped me set this up when I joined." Clint explained, his arm around his wife. "Kept it off SHIELD's files and I’d like to keep it that way. I figured it's a good place to lay low."

Thor, who had been extremely quiet since arriving, made to step closer to the group but a loud crunching noise stopped him. Katie and Steve looked down and he raised his boot seeing the lego house he had just crushed. He glanced upwards and caught Steve's eye, then Katie’s as he kicked the broken pieces underneath the table. Then a toaster popped and all 3 of them glanced at it, before Thor turned and hastily left the room. Katie looked at Steve and the pair of them followed Thor out.

"Thor," Steve said, and he stopped dead.  

"I saw something, in that dream." he explained. "I need answers, I won't find them here."

“Be careful” Katie said to him, he nodded and then with a whirl of his hammer he was gone.

They both turned to go back into the house when Steve stopped dead, the image of that damned vision flashing in front of his eyes.

“We can go home…imagine that”

He was home, with Katie, there was no home without her…

Katie, who had been heading back into the house, noticed Steve had stopped. She turned to look at him, his face was glazed slightly, a look on his face she knew extremely well, the one he got whenever he was thinking about his past.

“Peggy is the love of his life, always has been.”

Katie tried to ignore the flash back and gently spoke to him, her voice shaky.

“Steve?”

He suddenly focussed and looked at her, smiling softly.

“Walk with me?” he said, inclining his head away from the house.

Katie nodded with a swallow, taking his outstretched hand, the pair of them heading down a worn path through the field outside the house. Neither of them said a word for a while, they just walked taking in the large fields and the various trees and shrubs and they reached a clearing which was clearly where the family spent a lot of time. There was a picnic bench to the right of a large oak tree which sported an archery target, 3 arrows currently protruding from the middle circle. 2 bikes lay propped the trunk under the target and a baseball glove lay discarded on the floor.

Frankly Katie loved the levelheadedness of it. Steve loved the normality of it.

“You know, all I ever wanted was to join the army, hold down a good job, have a wife and a family…” Steve broke the silence as they both walked towards the bench. Katie looked up at him as he glanced around. “I mean a farm was never really what I imagined but…”

“A town house in Brooklyn?” She smiled softly as she took a seat.

He watched Bucky spinning her round the dancefloor.

He swallowed thickly “It doesn’t matter where, I just want to build a life with you, whatever madness that brings with it.”

“You could never be enough.” He said, shrugging “I’m sorry. It’s her, it’s always been her. You were just a welcome distraction.”

Katie turned her face away, blinking away the tears. She knew it wasn’t real, she knew it was all a dream but there was part of her that would never stop wondering, whether given the chance he would go back and live his life over with Peggy. Was he settling here for second best?

“Sweetheart?” he said, his voice cracking slightly.

“I’m sorry just… she really did a number on me and now my head is all over and…” she looked at him as he moved so that he had one leg either side of the seat and he was turned side on to face her.

“What did she make you see?” he asked.

She took a deep breath and told him, by the time she got to the part about him saying she wasn’t enough and was a mere distraction, she was really biting back the sobs as Steve reached out and pulled her to him. She pressed her face into his chest, breathing him in, relishing his touch and the fact he was real, and there with her.

“Seems like she got us all pretty bad…” Steve said, his voice thick.

“What did you see?” Katie asked quietly.

“She showed me a dance…” he took a deep breath his arms still around her “But it was back in the 1940s. You, me, Peggy and Bucky were there.”

“Dancing?” she frowned “In the 1940s?”

“Yeah, I know. For once you were the one out of time.” He mused gently, looking at her for a second before he carried on “But you were dancing with Bucky, you were with Bucky, and I was with Peggy and she was telling me the war was over and that I could go home…”

“Maybe my vision wasn’t that far off after all.” Katie said gently.

He pulled back from her slightly, and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“No matter how much I try to ignore it, how much I love you there’s always going to be part of you that’s back there, and a wishing you and Peggy had gotten your dance…”

Steve blew out a breath through his nose, shaking his head. She’d got this all wrong “Baby that’s not what I saw, at all…”

“You know sometimes I notice that look in your eyes, that haunted look like you're somewhere else...” she continued, looking at her hands “I convince myself I'm seeing things because the thought that you might be wishing you could be elsewhere breaks my heart…”

“Baby, I-“

“If I am second best then, fine, I get it but I need to know….” she looked at him through her tears. “If you knew then, what you know now, and had the chance to… would you do things differently?”

He took a deep breath and moved slightly, reaching into his pocket for something. When he turned round Katie noticed he had the compass with Peggy’s photo inside it in his hands.

“You will never be second best.” he shook his head as he turned the compass over, in his hand. “That dream I had was awful.” he sighed “Not because Peggy was with me but because you weren’t.”

He clicked open his compass and passed it to her. The black and white picture of Peggy was gone, and inside was a photo she instantly recognised as one they’d gotten from a photo booth in Coney Island on her birthday last year. They were both looking cross eyed into the camera, happy and carefree, joking and playing. An hour or so post the photo being taken, he’d asked her to marry him.

"I changed it over the moment we got back that day.” he said gently, “I love that photo, it reminds me of just how much you make me smile and that I can just be me around you. I don’t have to be Cap or anyone else, just Steve.” he reached out with his still gloved hand to brush her hair behind her ear. “You wanna know what my biggest fear is? Losing you.”

She glanced up at him, her eyes searching his but even as she did she knew he was telling the truth. Steve didn’t lie.

”That part of my life with Peggy is over, and it’s okay. I can live without it, but I cannot live without you." He sighed, his voice slightly choked and he moved his hands up to wipe the tears off her cheeks that she wasn’t even aware she had shed.“So would I do things differently? Not one fucking second.” He gently pulled her face to meet his in a soft kiss and whispered. "Please believe me kitten.”

“I do…” she said as her lips met his again, melting into his hold. She kissed him back, urgently, needy and he was happy to oblige, his arms wrapping round her, pulling her into him.

“Bet I look a right state…” she said eventually as she pulled away, her head resting against his. He chuckled slightly.

“Well we could both probably do with a shower…” he nodded, looking up over at the house, “Why don’t you go back in? I’ll grab us some stuff from the jet.”

She nodded and he kissed her forehead once more as the two of them headed in opposite directions.  Steve watched her go heaving out another sigh as he stood up. Frankly it said something about their deep rooted issues that their visions took them both to losing one another to other people and not death. Especially after everything that had happed the last year and what was going on right around them now with Ultron. But it also made perfect sense, neither of them could face being without the other. They’d fallen in deep, real deep, and whilst in some ways it was frightening in others it was so, so right.

There was absolutely no doubt in his heart at all where Katie sat in his life. And that was forefront and centre. He just hope she realised that too.

By the time Steve had made it back she was already asleep on the bed in the spare room Clint had directed him to. Dropping the bag gently to the floor so as not to disturb her he headed into the bathroom and stripped off out of his suit. He lay his forehead against the cool tiles, the warm water was soothing as he washed away the grime of the fight. He dried off, changed into a pair of jeans and an under-armour shirt and headed back into the bedroom. Katie was still out of it, and deciding that a nap seemed like a damned good idea he slipped onto the bed besides her. Sliding one arm underneath her he pulled her back so her back was pressed into his chest, his other arm gently draped over her, his hand tangling with hers.

“I love you so fucking much.” he mumbled into her neck as he closed his eyes “So much.”

Tags

@the-omni-princess​

@momobaby227​

@geekofmanythings16​

@angelofhell-666​

@thewackywriter​

#stark spangled banner #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers x oc #steve rogers #captain america #tony stark #iron man #natasha romanoff #black widow #clint barton #hawkeye #thor #bruce banner #hulk #mcu #mcu fanfiction #marvel #marvel fanfiction #fanfic #fancfiction #avengers #avengers fanfiction

[springday-aus]

Enemies to Lovers!AU with Doyoung

moodboard link 

Group: NCT 

Member: Kim Doyoung 

Genre: fluff, romance 

Type: Bulletpoint AU 

Word Count: 1.8k

okay so Doyoung is the mom friend of the lil high school!Dreamies

he’s got these mama bear instincts whenever he’s around them 

all he wants to do is protect them because the world is awful 

except for Donghyuk 

Doyoung thinks Donghyuk can protect himself 

I’m kidding……. not really though 

anyways 

he’s always making sure they’re always hydrated and eating all their meals 

if they weren’t, he would make sure they got their reusable bottles filled or treat them out 

sometimes he’ll just make large ass portions of food and give them some 

Chenle and Jisung literally exploit this down to the core 

Doyoung did catch on…... and nagged them……… 

……… only to keep feeding them later on lol

speaking of nagging 

jeSUS 

Jaemin: “my ears are getting closer to bleeding because of Doyoung” 

Jeno: “he lectures me more than my actual mom”

Jaemin: “………….that sounds about right”

and like the dreamies…. they make these jokes all the time, but like…. 

at the end of the day….. everyone knows that it’s Doyoung’s way of showing that he cares 

so, where do you fit in? 

well, with the mom friend, there’s the dad friend 

that’s you 

you’re the whole package, from the dad jokes to the barbeque skills 

you care for the dreamies just as much as Doyoung 

like giving them relationship advice or spending some free time with them so they get to relax from school and life stuff 

since you aren’t with them as much, you even give them some money from time to time if they need it 

it’s like a cute little family 

but….. there’s a catch………. 

despite being the mom friend and the dad friend……. y’all do NOT get along 

it’s almost like y’all got a bad divorce 

Renjun: “I feel like I’m being asked which of my parents I like better”

Jisung: “how are we even supposed to respond to that?” 

Renjun: “I suddenly don’t speak Korean”

Jaemin: “tHAT’S NOT FAIR” 

anyways

one time y’all got dinner together as a whole group and…. 

yIKES 

let’s just say there was an argument…… 

in front of the kiddos……. and the restuarant….... 

and it was NA S TY 

like y’all were real close to throwing some hands 

no one dares to bring it up to this day nor does anyone try to plan another full fam outing…… 

Jeno: “we’re not involved, but we’re involved”

Chenle: “hmmmm, we love tea” 

anyways 

even though all of nct know what’s up……

(because Doyoung doesn’t ever stop to complain about you—cue side eye from literally everyone) 

it didn’t stop them from planning a whole group vacation

and I mean WHOLE group so that means... 

with you

because the dreamies begged Doyoung…….. 

when Doyoung asked you to come, you really stretched it 

You: “sorry, what was that??? you??? need??? me???”

Doyoung, with gritted teeth: do it for the kids, do it for the kids

basically, Johnny and Jaehyun have lake houses near the shore and for spring break, y’all went together 

and they thought it’d be fun to have everyone there

could you imagine a space that’d fit all of these boys like……. jesus christ 

anywho—lakehouse, plus ot…. (god knows how many members there are now) 

let’s just say like 20 of them 

so, when you and Doyoung first arrive, y’all just kind of ignored each other…. 

because like no one wants to get between y’all 

but like, as time went by, the small things started to build-up 

like Doyoung’s side comment on your outfit….. 

and your comment on his food…….

oof 

Lucas: “how much did I miss???” 

Taeyong: “you have no clue dude” 

so everyone just let it happen 

however…. some of the dreamies thought of this as an opportunity 

by dreamies, you know I mean Donghyuk, Chenle, and Jisung…. 

basically, the troublemaker line 

so, you all planned to go kayaking on the lake right 

obviously, Doyoung planned it because the dreamies wanted to try it  and they were like

“LET’S INVITE DAD” 

Doyoung: “............................. I guess” 

so y’all head out and it’s fun 

like y’all have actual fun as a group 

even though you and Doyoung are in the same kayak…… lowkey ignoring each others presence 

……….. until Donghyuk decides to come out of nowhere…… 

and fucking takes your ores 

and with pleasure—he’s literally laughing when he sees your faces 

Jisung: “WORK OUT YOUR PROBLEMS YOU ARE ADULTS” 

Chenle: “DON’T BOTHER CALLING UNTIL YOU TWO ARE MARRIED AGAIN” 

**cue them quickly trying to row away in order to avoid you and Doyoung’s wrath**

so what happens? 

almost nothing for like 30 minutes 

but then Doyoung speaks up 

Doyoung: “we can just pretend we like each other until we get to shore” 

You: “that’s an idea that would have been nice about 20 minutes ago” 

he just loses his temper with you and explodes

Doyoung: “literally, why are you so rude to me?” 

can you believe the fucking audacity??? 

Doyoung’s literally been so rude to you since like week one and you could not figure out why

he’s always giving you nasty looks and it rubs you the wrong way 

meanwhile, Doyoung can’t understand what your deal is with him 

like you’ve been shutting him out since y’all met 

both of you understand that y’all are only rude to each other……. because the other person’s rude……. 

right???? 

You: “I should be asking that—why are YOU so rude to ME??” 

Doyoung: “what are you talking about? you clearly started this whole fiasco” 

You: “eXCUSE ME??? you literally look down on me all the time and I don’t understand why—did I do something to offend you?”

Doyoung: “....... I just thought…….. you…. had a problem…. with me……”

You: “.... I thought you had a problem with me…..” 

…... well…. things have officially become awkward 

so nct did find out what the lil troublemaker line was up to and came to get y’all 

but like….. it was weird…. 

because y’all looked embarrassed as hell about the whole situation 

later that night, after everyone went to sleep 

you were out on the shore, looking at the beach with a lil fire you made and a glass of beer 

Doyoung comes out as well and he spots you 

so he heads over to you with a glass of wine in hand and sits next to you 

not super close to you, but close enough for you to notice 

Doyoung: “you might want to head in, you could catch a cold” 

You: “if that’s the case, why are you out here?”

Doyoung: “..... valid point” 

y’all just kind of sit there in silence, looking out at the waves…. it’s nice 

it’s kind of the first official time y’all are not fighting 

even in the dark, you can see he’s got handsome features

with the anger subsided…… you can see he’s got a good face 

it’s okay though, he’s just noticing how cute you are too

eventually, he speaks up: “I’m sorry for the way I treated you before... I just thought you were rude to me so” 

you didn’t think he’d say anything about the whole misunderstanding

You: “don’t be, it was my fault too for assuming, I’m sorry too” 

tsk, tsk, common miscommunication 

anyways, after that moment, you two were slowly making up for the bad times on the rest of the trip 

y’all are kind of in your own little bubble, 

whereas, everyone’s just confused 

Jaemin: “are we in an alternate universe?” 

Jeno: “maybe bc one of their plans actually worked” 

Chenle: “this is why you should listen to us more” 

Jisung: “we come up with the best plans” 

Renjun: “no” 

meanwhile

Mark: “I’m confused, do they like…. not hate each other?” 

Donghyuk: “Mark, can you please keep up with the program?” 

this even continues when y’all get back

the dreamies like to call this “the process of re-marrying” 

because lowkey y’all end up lowkey dating 

eventually, y’all do go out without the dreamies and it’s….. nice bc it’s kind of an official date 

first, it was all casual like lunch 

or brunch bc there was a coupon date deal and Doyoung wanted to use it 

then y’all moved to dinner…. and then movies….. and other dates like when the fair came to town, shopping dates, or browsing through IKEA 

you swore that you needed to get a new desk chair and y’all literally left with nothing LMAO

okay but like the dreamies rights? 

they def followed y’all on some of the dates 

the whole hoodies, fake mustaches, holding up the menus shit 

Doyoung: “should we tell them we’ve seen them since the bus stop?” 

You: “nah, they’ve been following us for a while, they might as well stay to get something to eat” 

Jaemin: “WE’VE NEVER BEEN CAUGHT LOOK AT HOW SLICK WE ARE” 

Doyoung: *pays for their meals*

Donghyuk: “I can’t believe I got roped into this shit” 

anywho 

dating Doyoung feels like having a housewife 

he’s constantly making sure you’re eating six meals a day 

(because he read online that it’s better for your metabolism) 

which is without the snack breaks 

…….. which Doyoung also preps for you……… 

and the dreamies of course

he’s got like EVERYTHING in his bag because ANYTHING could happen 

also he’s gonna do that thing where he checks to make sure you got everything 

imagine him with a little satchel and you literally have everything in your clothes with deep ass pockets 

Doyoung: “where’s the medicine?? where’s the tissues???” 

You: “babe, I only need my keys and my wallet” 

anyways 

he’s always gonna give you a kiss on the cheek before you go 

there’s the full parent dynamic in the works 

and even though the dreamies are glad “the parents” have made up 

they do that thing where they scream when y’all kiss, or show just general affection in front of them 

Chenle: “JISUNG IS STILL TOO YOUNG TO SEE THIS MONSTROSITY” 

Jeno: *covering Jisung’s eyes* “you’re the role models here, what type of example are you setting for us” 

Renjun: “happy for you, but ew” 

Doyoung: “I want new kids” 

anyways lots of warm hugs from Doyoung 

like full-on hugs—he doesn’t give half-ass hugs

(unless it’s to Donghyuk……… joking) 

that also means cuddling sessions for days 

You: “I need to pee” 

Doyoung: “................ just two more minutes” 

the mom in him is like super supportive 

like I’m talking ALL the banners and the pompoms 

also cheers with your name 

god he’s so embarrassing but you love him 

bro I’ll bet good money that he gonna start nagging you too 

but you know he means well 

cause even though he’s telling you to stop playing in the rain with the dreamies, nagging you about your procrastination on your work, or complaining about the messes you make 

you best believe that he’s gonna make you soup when you get sick, help you with your work, and help you clean up 

Doyoung: *telling you about how you need to dry your hair immediately after to prevent colds and headaches from occurring* 

also as he’s nagging, he’s got a towel and a hairdryer in his hands 

You: **heart eyes** “I love you” 

Doyoung: “you better, I’m not working this hard for you to die early” 

You: “jusT LOVE ME BACK” 

Doyoung: “so needy, I love you too idiot”

#admin grandma #grandma aus #aus #fluff #nct #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct u #nct u imagines #nct u scenarios #nct 127 #nct 127 imagines #nct 127 scenarios #kim doyoung #kim doyoung imagines #kim doyoung scenarios #enemies to lovers!au #enemies to lovers!doyoung #group: nct #member: kim doyoung

[angelic-holland]

Seeing the Thing 10

Summary:  I want you all to myself this time. Conflicted looks good on me. I'm trying desperately. I want you all to myself this time. I want to give you space but the amount between us is wrecking me. 

Word Count: 2.9k

Warnings: none! 

A/N: yay for early upload!

“Morning,” you hear a gruff voice say and your eyes widen when you look up, seeing Tom’s face squished into the pillow, his arm around your middle, yours were squeezed between the two of you. 

“Hi,” you squeak, brain running through the events of the night before.

“You look like you needed sleep but I wasn’t sure when your first class was, it’s only eight now so you can go back to sleep if you wa-,”

“Did you say something last night?”

“What?” “I was falling asleep, and you were saying something, or at least I thought you said something but maybe I wa-,”

He cuts you off with a quick kiss, morning breath and all. 

Your nose wrinkles slightly and he laughs, “yes, I uh, I did.”

“Oh, for real?”

“I mean, did you really think I hated you?”

“No I just,”

“I did hate you for a while, always felt like you were stealing my best friend from me-,”

“He’s my best friend too.” 

“I know but he was my best friend first-,”

“Does that really matter?”

“I just mean that-,”

“I need to get to class,” you cut him off, you don’t want to hear about how Harrison was his friend first and that you stole him or some stupid territorial shit boys went through. You also wanted to get to the bottom of what his “I like you” meant. You figured beneath the gloomy anger in his eyes and the hostility when you were around other people that he didn’t hate you. You knew from the way his neck would stretch so your lips fit perfectly with his that he didn’t hate you. You knew from the way his fingers ran along your collarbone and he asked you questions to keep your mind off of your panicked thoughts that he didn’t hate you. You just wish you had the guts to ask him how much he liked you.

“Yeah, me too,” Tom nods, sitting up slightly. He chuckled and you looked to see your hand still curled around his shirt.

“Sorry bout that,” you let go of his shirt and he shrugs.

“Didn’t mind.”

“Alright, get lost, needa get to class.”

You watch as Tom gets up. You look down and see his clothes on your body. 

“Here I can-,”

“It’s fine, as much as I want you to get naked right now it’ll make us both late for class. Just give them back at some point, or keep them, whatever.”

“Ok, I uh, yeah,” you reply before he gives you a small smile and is gone.

Keep them.

They were comfortable, cozy, you wanted to stay in them as you grabbed Ben and Jerry’s and watched Netflix in bed, but instead you had your psychology of childhood class at 9:45. 

After class you took your coffee to the quad and sat with Gianna underneath a huge oak tree. 

“Everything good?” She watches as you bury your head in your hands. 

“I uh, might’ve fucked up.”

“What did you and Tom do?”

“Hey! Why’s it gotta be about that?”

“Because, you uh, confirmed it stupid, you get all defensive when I’m right about something.”

“Shush, yes, okay, I may have fucked up there.”

“Oh my god you slept with him, please tell me you slept with him.”

“Shhh! Jesus Christ anyone could be walking around okay?” Your eyes dart around to the students walking across the quad, others laying on the grass near you, book or phone in hand. 

“Well, did you?” Gianna pokes your shoulder and you grumble, flopping onto your stomach.

“It was bad.”

“Oh shit really? All I’ve ever heard was how good of a lay he is.”

“It wasn’t him, it was definitely me.”

“Why? Couldn’t get in the right mood?”

“I was in the mood, you know, but you know how sometimes you just get distracted and think of other things? And sometimes they just can’t find your g-spot? I dunno, it was a combination of all these things and I feel bad because I uh,”

“What? Please don’t tell me you faked it.”

“I did.”

“Girl..”

“I know, I know, it’s dumb and it doesn’t make me feel good to do but it usually works and they normally think I get there but Tom knew.”

“Oh my god, what did he say?”

“He was mad.”

“Understandable. So are you a thing?”

“No.”

“No?!” Gianna all but shouts.

“No, I don’t know, he uh, said he liked me? So he uh doesn’t hate me anymore,” you laugh weakly.

You feel the smack of Gianna’s hand against your shoulder, “Hey!”

“Of course he doesn’t hate you, he had sex with you dummy.”

“I guess but-,”

“And what do you want from him?”

“Huh?”

“Like I want Harrison to hold my hand when we walk to classes and whatever, but I don’t want any of that cheesy romance stuff, he tried buying me flowers one day but I told him he better spend his money on something useful like food for us to eat.”

“I dunno, I guess I don’t want flowers, that kinda cheesy whatever, besides they die way too quickly anyways. It’s not like he’s- like we’re- I don’t know. Okay, hear me out, you know that scene in Princess Bride?”

“I know every scene in the Princess Bride you’ve made me watch it like five times.”

“It’s the best movie ever made so of course you should see it at least five times.”

“You’re pushing it.”

“Okay, hear me out G, you know right after Wesley saves Buttercup from Vizzini? And they’re arguing on the hillside.”

“Yes.”

“And she is pissed at him when he reveals he ‘killed’ Wesley? And pushes him down the hill?”

“Are you saying you want to push Tom down a hill? Because I totally understand that but-,”

“No, and then he says ‘as you wish’ and it’s everything that Buttercup needs to hear?”

“So some sort of declaration of feelings?”

“I guess so? Then I’d be willing to fall down that hill too but I just don’t want to get in over my head without anything to show for it.”

“Sometimes you just gotta, you know, be like ‘hey! hot boy! I like you!’ But if you’d feel more comfortable waiting for him to say something, by all means. I wasn’t exactly subtle when I flirted with Harrison, but in all honesty I should’ve just been like ‘hey dork be my boyfriend’ but I didn’t. So you do you.”

“Thanks G.”

“And besides, it’s normal for guys to not know how to get you off right away, but you can’t just assume they won’t ever get there, sometimes you just need to teach them.”

“Thing is, Tom’s definitely not used to that, not being able to get a girl off, so uh, I don’t know if he’d be down for a little lesson.”

“You’re truly so god damn clueless sometimes, if he likes you, he’s going to want to make you feel good, okay? Even if that takes all night or several tries. It shouldn’t matter.”

“I think I already bruised his ego enough.”

“Nah, he’s got plenty,” Gianna winked with a shove of your shoulder, “go get some.”

After your conversation with Gianna, the day passed in a blur, one coffee into the next, lecture hall after lecture hall until you found yourself in the back corner of the library, curled up in a ball in your chair, rebooting Qlab for what felt like the 30th time today.

You groaned before shoving your computer forward, giving you enough space to rest your head on the table. You knew logically you should go to bed. Just because the library had an all night study lounge and cafe didn’t mean you should spend all your time here. That didn’t stop you from using it though. As Qlab finally opened and stayed open you set to work mixing the sounds for the scene in the bar, light chatter with Toxic playing softly in the background. In your efforts to not get your asses sued for copyright you found a cover that was somewhat distorted. You checked the time on your phone, your brain starting to turn to mush. When was the last coffee you had? Lunch time? After your third class? That was… 10 hours ago. 

You set to work scrubbing the distortion from the Toxic sound bite, planning on grabbing a coffee after you finished this bit.

***

Tom saw you working at the corner table out of the corner of his eye. He was typing his term paper on his laptop, getting distracted each time you let out a soft sigh or would lightly tap your hand against the desk. A few other tired students sat around the section of the library that was opened this late, coffee cups and paper strewn over desks.

He noticed you didn’t have a coffee next to you and shut his laptop, packing his bag before walking over to the Night Owl cafe.

“One vanilla misto and a royal English please.”

He glanced over his shoulder as the woman behind the counter made the drinks, watching as you pushed the computer forward and rested your head on the desk. 

He chuckled softly at your small groan, turning quickly when you sat back up, typing away again.

“Thanks,” he pays for the drinks and carries them over to you.

***

You glance up as a mug is set in front of you, taking one earbud out.

“Hi,” Tom says, standing awkwardly at the side of the desk with another mug in his hands.

“Hi,” you nod at the coffee, “this for me?”

“Yeah, uh, it’s nothing, just lady at the Night Owl thought I said vanilla misto when I said royal English so she made this and I wasn’t going to drink it but I saw you were here so I figured you might want it?” Tom rambles and you stare at him confused.

There was definitely no way that’s what happened, but if Tom felt better telling you that than admitting he just bought you a goddamn coffee then you’d let it slide.

“Thanks,” you smile after a moment of him tapping his foot and you blinking out of it, taking a sip of the coffee.

“Yeah, yeah, so uh, working on homework?” He asks and you gesture to the seat next to you.

“Nope, trying to overlay this track with another for the show.”

You watch as Tom shuffled behind you, setting his cup of tea down and sitting down.

“What does that mean? Like you’re mixing two sounds?”

“Sort of, see this clip here?” You point to the track of Toxic.

He nods, you don’t catch his eyes glancing at you, glimpsing at the way your hair shaped your face or your ear peeking out from your hair, the way your fingers would tap along your cheek as you explained whatever it was you were explaining to him. He most definitely zoned out because you turned, eyes squinting as you frowned.

“So?”

“Cool.”

“I asked if you wanted to listen to it.”

“Oh, yeah, sure, sorry,” Tom sets his mug down as you hand him one earbud. 

He attempts to put it in his ear while you put the other in yours. You both realize you’ve got the wrong one and you lift your hand to take the earpiece out, laughing quietly in the otherwise silent library. His fingers brush against yours as he takes the earbud and you feel heat rise to your cheeks as he hands you the correct piece.

“Thanks,” you mumble and he nods, placing the right one in his ear before dropping his hand next to your laptop. 

You eye his hand, fingers tapping against the table as you press play.

The two of you listen to the sound cue, you replay it as Tom’s pinky runs along your arm. 

“What do you think?” 

You can feel the goosebumps rise along your arms, he can as well, a shiver, something that’s rising above the surface that neither of you will comment on.

“Do you want to hear the chatter over the music or the other way around?”

“See, I’m not sure, I think that having it playing underneath the chatter, at least people will hear the instrumentals of it and hopefully understand the point I’m trying to make. Because the scene isn’t supposed to be a wild club with roaring music, it’s just a small bar in a hole in the wall town in Maine.”

“Then I think you’ve made your point.”

“You sure? Is it too clunky? I feel like it doesn’t blend well enough and Harrison’s gonna think it sounds ridiculous and I’ll have to redo it and then I’ll spend another night here when all I wanna do is go back to sleep and-,”

You didn’t realize you had worked yourself up, breath coming in short harsh gasps, your hands shaking against the keyboard until Tom’s hand curled around your wrist, sliding down to rest against the top of your hand.

“It’s okay, I think it sounds great. Then again I don’t know much about this stuff but it doesn’t take a genius to know that this sounds fantastic.”

“You sure?” 

Tom nods, his hand just a firm presence on your upper arm.

“Okay, yeah, I uh, I’ll wait to hear it in the space before I make a decision but yeah.”

You relax against his touch, playing the next clip.

“Is that Cupid?” Tom grins, listening to the beginning notes.

“Yep, Harrison gave me a very specific set of songs for transitions, I think this is pretty fitting going from Sad and Glad to This Hurts.”

“Hmm, fitting. What other songs do you have?”

“Thank God I Found You.”

“Okay, that’s between this one and Getting it Back? Right?”

“Yeah, hey, why don’t you sound design?”

“Because these buttons and whatever? I have no idea what’s happening on your laptop,” Tom laughs, resting his head on your shoulder. 

“You’re tired,” you comment.

“Only a little,” he rubs his eyes with his other hand.

“Come on, you should go to bed.”

“No, wanna listen to the music,” Tom whines and you roll your eyes.

“I don’t want you drooling on my shoulder,” you laugh, nudging him slightly.

“Fine, at least let me walk you back, don’t want you crashing in two hours and sleeping here.”

“You’re right,” you sigh, closing your laptop.

Tom hands you your headphones and waits as you pack up your bag. 

He brings the mugs back to the Night Owl before falling in step with you out of the library. 

“I have a question,” Tom asks, the backs of his knuckles brushing against the back of your own. You feel his finger twitch against yours, almost instinctively reaching for it. All it would take was the twitch of yours and you’d feel the warmth of his hand in yours. 

But it’s late and you’re tired and you don’t want to run into anyone you might know, anyone who might get back to Harrison that you and Tom were holding hands. So you take a slight step to the side so your hands aren’t even brushing anymore. 

“Okay, shoot.”

And Tom notices, of course he notices, even just the slightest movement that brings you farther away from him. And he huffs out a sigh before crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Nevermind, it’s uh, not important.”

“Oh.”

And silence fills the air, cold and biting like the wind, waiting for either of you to say something as you crossed the quad, walking across the street, no traffic at midnight on a Monday.

“Everything you, uh, say is important,” you mumble as you increase your pace, damn it, now you just sound like a mom trying to comfort her insecure kid.

Tom’s silent as you round the corner to your building.

“Okay thanks for uh, for walking me back,” you speak up as you get to the landing on the stairs for his floor.

“Anytime,” Tom smirks, dropping his arms, leaning his head to meet yours, he kisses you, lips insistent as his hands grip your shoulders, pushing you back against the wall.

“Stop,” you push him off, brushing past him and up the stairs.

“What? I can’t kiss you?” Tom asks angrily, feet stomping behind you.

“Not here! Not in public! Especially right where Harrison might show up!”

“Would that be such a bad thing? If Harrison knew?” Tom asks, watching as you fumble with the lock on your door before pushing it open.

“Because!” You try to keep your voice down but everything was just so frustrating. You wanted to tell him, you really did, tell him you were scared Harrison would think it’s a bad idea, whatever this was.

“Go on, tell me,” Tom follows you into your room, closing the door behind him.

Part of you is aching to tell him to leave, to just leave you be and let yourself wallow in the anguish of unspoken words. 

The other part sets your backpack on the ground by your bed, taking a step back as Tom steps forward.

“Cat got your tongue?” He laughs, watching as you sway from foot to foot.

“Because if I tell Harrison, then it’s-,”

“What?”

One step backward from you, legs pressed against the edge of your bed.

He walks towards you, a glint of a smile on his face as he sets his backpack on the ground.

“Then it’s real?” He asked, tilting his head to the side as his hand rested on your hip.

“Maybe,” you breathe out as he pulls you close, body flush with his.

“Oh darling, it was real since the first time I kissed you,” Tom smiles that dazzling smile that you’re sure wooed every girl he’s ever been with because it was starting to do the same to you, stomach doing nervous flip flops as he kissed you.

Real.

****

Taglist: @tom-hollands-blog @unicornsyy @practicallylivesonline @jackiehollanderr @khhbby @amyalpha @peterbxrnes @relise-thefury @euphorictom @lkd2505 @fandomdarlings @saysomethingspiderman @cvrecem @legendsofwholock @pumpkinsinnerpie @particularmila @darktwistydiamond @aestheticqueen18 @marveltho @lunatic--charm @deathofmissjackson @nedthegay @ad-iuficium @peteunderoos @maybemona @mybesttobobcratchit @superheroesaremytea @hollandjmc

#tom holland #tom holland series #tom holland x reader #tom holland x fem!reader #tom holland reader insert #tom holland fem!reader insert #tom holland college!au #tom holland x y/n #tom holland fluff #tom holland angst #tom holland x reader fluff #tom holland x reader angst #seeing the thing series #seeing the thing

[girlinthepictureframe]

The Briefest Kiss Part 13

Thank you for all your kind words and likes and reblogs! ❤️ This story is now on AO3 as well. Here’s the link for those of you who are interested! 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20921534/chapters/49736201

Present Day 

April 2019

Alex sat in the back of the chartered jet, on route to Argentina with the rest of the Monkeys. Matt and Jamie were joking around in the front while Nick had fallen asleep half an hour ago. He'd like to get some rest as well, but it just wouldn't come to him. Instead, he kept checking the time. Still too early to call, wasn't it? “Fuck it,” he murmured and pressed dial. 

Miles picked up after the first ring. 

“Good morning, Miles. This is Alex, calling for our fourth, scheduled 'let's have a phone friendship'-call. How are you this morning?” The disdain for their situation, but mostly for Miles' idea of a separation, dripped from every syllable. 

“You ever start a conversation with me like that again,” snipped Miles from across the ocean, “I'll hang up. Got it?”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Too early for your sense of humor, ey?”

“No,” retorted Miles. “But this is the fourth time you call me and use that passive-aggressive tone of yours and you know how much that tone pisses me off, which means you're doing it on purpose. You're mad at me and I get it, okay? You don't like this. Well, guess what?” said Miles as his voice got louder, “I don't like it either. But it is what it is. And for what it's worth, you and I are busy. You're doing your tour and I'm doing mine, so it's not as though I'm stopping us from hanging out at some beach or whatever!”

Alex knew that. He knew Miles was busy. He was busy, himself. And if fucking annoyed him that he hated that fact. He ought to be enjoying it. It was the last leg of their tour and it had been a good tour! He should be having the time of his life at the moment. Instead he felt trapped. Worse, he felt shut out of Miles' life. “That's not what I'm saying! But you're the one who decided that we need distance. And then you fucking kicked me out of your apartment! So excuse me for being a little bitter about that!” 

“I didn't kick you out, Al.”

“Yes, you did. Call it whatever you want, but that's what it was.” After that night, they hadn't spoken for half a week aside from the occasional and impersonal text message. And Mexico had been no different. Miles had barely spent any time with him and when he had, they had always been around other people. Never alone. “You're treating me as though all of this is my fault.”

Silence fell over them. A few moments passed before Miles spoke up. “I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention.” Another beat. “You’re different than I am. I always worry and my head is filled with different scenarios of all that could go wrong. You let your heart guide you. You're reckless. And I don't mean that in a bad or mean or insulting way. I'm just trying to explain myself. I fear I'm not doing well with that.”

Alex leaned back, closed his eyes. “Are you blaming me for that kiss?”

“No, no.”

“Sounds like it, Mi.”

“You told me to lose control, Al!”

“So you are blaming me!” He took offense. “I was caught up in a moment,” Alex reminded him. “You're the one who kissed me all slow and…” The memory of it caused a shiver to run up his spine. “You know well enough how you kissed me!” 

“I know what I did,” snapped Miles. “Why the fuck do you think I'm staying away from you, huh? I told you I can't control it.”

“Stop punishing me for that,” bit Alex back. 

Silence fell over them again. Alex took a few deep breaths, rubbed the weariness from his eyes and leaned forward, propping his heavy head up on his hand. 

“I feel like I'm losing my mind,” admitted Miles, breaking the quietness. “I don't want to snap at you. Alex, I miss you! But all it takes is one look at you and all my resolve melts away.”

“So does mine,” said Alex defensively. “I wasn't trying to seduce you,” he whispered, occasionally remembering that he wasn't alone on that plane. “But whenever we're that close, I just forget everything else. My mind blanks and all that's left is…you know what!” He sat up straight again. “You barely talked to me in Mexico. You treated me like a stranger! That hurt.”

“Louise was there!” Miles shot back. “That—”

“That what?” demanded Alex to know when Miles abruptly stopped speaking. 

“I didn't want to be in the way,” finished Miles, using words that Alex could tell were chosen carefully.  

“That's not what you wanted to say, Miles! Don't lie to me!” 

“It fucking hurt, okay? Happy now? Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Was it? Alex didn't know. If that's what he wanted to hear, didn't that also imply he had purposely paraded her around in front of Miles? Had he done that? Was he that sick of a bastard? Had he been that bitter about Miles' wish for a bit of space? And how could he have known that her presence would hurt him? “That’s not…”

“Damn it, Al! What are we doing?”

“I don't know, Mi.”

“You know, yesterday, I was actually looking forward to our call. I had this idea for a riff that I wanted to share. And Victoria told me a joke that I thought you'd really like. I wanted to tell you that my coffee maker broke. I knew you'd be happy to hear that, since you hate that thing so much! All this stuff that real friends talk about.”

Alex would have loved to hear all that. “Then why were you so grumpy when you picked up?” 

“Cause I had just woken up from a dream.”

“And?”

“And you’re not here,” confessed Miles.

Alex felt his eyes grew heavy and his skin turn hot. How he wanted to be there, in bed, with Miles! This early in the morning, the pillows and sheets would be warm and soft and Miles would be, too. He would be sleepy and he would have that lazy, subtle little smile on his face that always let him know that he had dreamt well. Alex would wiggle closer towards him, maybe brush his leg against his dick to tease him just the slightest bit. And he would kiss him. He’d take his time and be tender, until he would know that Miles was awake. Then he would kiss him harder, deeper, vigorously. He’d roll on top of him, grab his arms, pin him down and…

Alex shook his head, swallowed hard. “Oh,” was all he could reply.

Miles seemed to understand. “Exactly.” 

“Should we hang up?” asked Alex, unsure how to handle this whole mess.

“Not yet,” pleaded Miles. “Tell me about your day. Tell me boring things.”

Alex turned to stare out of the window and found the endless horizon staring back at him. “The hotel staff temporarily lost one of Nick's guitars,” he began and took Miles step by step through the day's events. They talked for another hour, about benign little things that carried no meaning at all. At the end of his story about how the Monkeys' driver got lost on his way to the airport, Alex could hear the hoarse, breathy sound of Miles' soft snores. 

The desire to be lying next to him in that moment became almost unbearably painful. That feeling of being stuck returned to him. And there was nothing he could do to make it go away. “Sleep well, Mi,” whispered Alex and ended the call. 

Two weeks later. 

“You really don’t mind if I toss all those guitars into the trash?”

Huh? What? Of course he would mind! These were his guitars! Alex shook his head, turned to stare his father with a look of shock. “Why would you want do that?”

“Jesus Christ!” said David Turner and placed the heavy box with old cables and what-nots onto the floor. “You were listening, then!”

Alex rolled his eyes as he wiped the dirt from his hands. “Yes. Sorry, dad. Got a lot on my mind today.” Even though it was a chilly spring day, he was sweating nonetheless. “How many more boxes are there?” He tried not to sound as annoyed as he felt. “I thought you and Miles already did the heavy lifting?”

“We did a lot of it,” said his dad as he picked the heavy box back up. “But there’s a whole lot of stuff in this garage that I want out. And then we have to paint the ceiling. Else we can’t begin to build the new racks.”

“We?” asked Alex, with dread. 

“You said you were staying for a bit!” 

Only because his mother had promised him that there was no home-improvement planned for the duration of his stay. Otherwise he wouldn’t have shown up. Played. By his parents. Once again! Story of his life. “You know I could pay for people to do all that for you? I’d be happy to!” He’d pay a fortune not to have to do the work himself! 

“Where’s the fun in that, son?” He handed the heavy box to Alex. “Go put that with the other stuff. Your mother and I are very appreciative of the fact that you so generously want to spend your hard-earned money on us, but every once in a while she and I like doing a bit of the work ourselves!”

Why, Alex would never understand. But what choice did a son have than to buckle up and help! So he went and put the box with the other stuff. 

“Want to tell me what’s on your mind?” asked David as he rummaged through a bucket filled with nuts, bolts and screws. 

“You’ll never need those again,” pointed Alex out, only to receive a stern glare in return.

“You don’t know that!” He picked the bucket up and handed it to Alex. “Go put that—”

“With the other stuff,” finished Alex. Bloody thing weighed a ton! “Nice of you to offer your ear but…” 

“I’m not your mother?” His father chuckled. “She may understand the matters of your heart a bit better than I do, but you’ve been glum and moody for almost a year now. If her words haven’t helped you by now, maybe it’s time you give me a chance.”

Alex smiled. And felt bad. He had great parents, didn’t he? He shouldn’t have spent the day bitching about helping with the garage. “How about a break, dad? Do you want something to drink?”

“A coffee would be quite welcome at the moment. There’s a new coffee machine in the kitchen but I don’t know how to work it. Would you mind?”

“Of course not. Plain black coffee?”

“No,” grinned David. “Café latte with foam, please. Thank you, son.”

A what now? Alex shook his head as he made his way inside. And then he saw it. In the corner, by the fridge. A big, tacky, bright red machine with a blinking LCD display, a few gaudy chrome buttons and two empty mugs waiting to be filled. Oh, it had to have been him! There was no way his parents would ever buy themselves something as big and ridiculously expensive as this thing. And it was expensive! He knew, ‘cause he’d been there, four years ago, when Miles had went and gotten himself the previous model of that fucking coffee monster! Who had ended up carrying that stupid thing up the three flights of stairs to Miles’ apartment that day? Well, not Miles! He’d been busy carrying the Saint Laurent bag filled with a new pair of shoes!

Alex made his father his desired cup of coffee, then went back to the garage. “Here.”

“Thanks.”

“When did he drop by?”

David looked up mid-sip. “Who?”

“Miles. When he did drop by? He’s the one who got you that fucking coffee machine, isn’t he? He knows how much I hate those. He’s getting a kick of letting me suffer!” 

“It’s a coffee machine, Alex. Don’t be dramatic. And if you must know, it was Miles. He came by last week. Called it a very belated Christmas present. Your mom already fancies herself in love with that machine.” He chuckled at that. “It’s a little big, yes. But quite efficient! And very good at its job. I’ve never tasted coffee that good! Why don’t you like it? You love coffee.”

A simple coffee maker got the job done just as well. And if one wanted fancy coffee, then one could walk to a coffee shop and get it. The idea of putting overly big machines into a kitchen was beyond him. Also, it annoyed him that Miles hadn’t told him that he’d dropped by his parents’ home, even though they had spoken on the phone a few times since. It annoyed him almost as much as the fact that his parents had actually gotten to see him, while he was stuck on the bloody phone with him. 

David sat down on an old wooden chair in the corner, taking another sip. “Very good coffee, indeed. When you’re done with those two boxes, we should call it a day. It’s already late and we’ve yet to find something to eat. I told your mother I’d fire up the grill, but I’m not sure we’ve got anything to put on it. By the way, will you ever tell Miles that you’re in love with him?”

Alex was in the midst of lifting yet another, even heavier box when his father’s words sank in. It slipped right out of his hands and he barely managed to jump away in time to avoid having it land on his feet. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I fear we’re out of steaks.” When Alex met his eyes, David smiled warmly. “Talk to me about Miles, son.”

“I got to hand it to you, in terms of bluntness, mom got nothing on you!” 

“Don’t tell her. Let that be our secret.” He grinned. 

Alex sat down on the now ignored box. “How do you know?”

“Aside from the obvious? That boy has spent the last ten years or more walking in and out of our house as though he lived here. Then his visits become less frequent. Eventually they stop. And, coincidentally, at the same time you become a hollow shell of your former self.”

At that, Alex scoffed. He wasn’t a shell, was he? A little preoccupied with his thoughts, maybe. “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

“Am I wrong?”

Well…he had been distant lately. And downtrodden. And maybe he had listened to a few too many depressing songs, realized Alex. He shook his head and admitted defeat. “No.”

“The pictures hurt you, haven’t they?”

“How the fuck do you know about the pictures?” Alex had been on the plane back from South America, on route to London to visit Miles, as friends did. The tour was done. He had also planned on visiting his parents. The entire thing had been completely above brow and Miles wouldn’t have been able to take offense or accuse Alex of breaking another one of Miles’ ridiculous and annoying boundaries! 

But on the plane, he had gotten bored. It had been a very long flight. So he had checked the Daily Mail gossip page. And there they had been. Pictures of Miles with his former girlfriend, partying in a club, huddling together, whispering to each other, smiling at each other. It had hurt. Badly. But he wasn’t allowed to take offense, to be hurt, was he? He had a girlfriend in France, waiting for him to return. And Miles was single so his friend had done nothing wrong! However, that didn’t change a thing. No matter how often he had tried to explain it to his heart since then, the stupid just wouldn’t listen and stubbornly kept hurting. So Alex had traveled directly to his parents, instead. 

“I saw them on Twitter,” explained David, pulling Alex out of his thoughts. 

“What?!” His dad was dropping bombshell after bombshell!

“How am I supposed to keep up with what the bunch of you are doing?” David asked indignantly. “I’d like to know it if one of you does something that might require a few stern words or a compliment. Twitter is quite efficient to stay on track.”

“You don’t know how to work the coffee machine but you know Twitter?” 

“You don’t know how to work Twitter but you know the coffee machine!” Retorted David. 

Point taken. Alex sheepishly looked away. 

“When Miles visited, back before you all went on tour,” Alex’s father continued, “I could see the light return to your eyes. You were laughing and playing guitar and enjoying life a little more. I’m not blind, Alex. I watched you on tour together. I’ve seen you around each other. I don’t wrap myself around my best friend when we hang out. We don’t kiss each other’s cheeks all the time. I don’t hold his hand when I walk with him through the house. I can see the look in your eyes when Miles is near. Whenever you think he caught you staring at him, you quickly look away, even blush, and crack a silly joke that nobody but Miles finds funny. Your mother and I have shared quite a few giggles over that.” He was giggling now. “For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen Miles look at anyone the way he looks at you.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if it were true? But it wasn’t. And his father was imagining things, sad though that was. “Miles and I…he and I…” Alex struggled to find the right words. As always! “We’re both male.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” deadpanned his father.

Alex groaned. “I’m trying to say...I mean...for as long as I’ve known him, I never worried about going too far and crossing a line. I never thought there were lines to cross. Because, well, I mean…we had girlfriends. It never occurred to me that…”

“You thought that, because he’s a guy, you could get close to him without risking your heart?”

“Relationships end. Friendships are supposed to last forever. I never meant to fall in love with him. I never thought I would. I never even thought I could, because he’s a guy! But it’s becoming clearer to me these days that my heart never cared for that. I think I may fallen in love with him at first sight.” He gave his father a helpless, hopeless shrug of his shoulders. “The other stuff…the attraction, the physical…ugh, it’s really hard to talk to you about this,” admitted Alex and looked at the ceiling, blushing hard. “It’s always been there. I just never noticed it before. At least not like I do now. But now that I have, I can’t…un-notice it, even though I want to un-notice it so badly.”

David got up, put the empty mug away, and took a seat next to his son. He wrapped an arm around his shoulder, gave it a squeeze and pulled him against his side. Alex placed his head on his father’s shoulder, closed his eyes and just reveled in the comfort he was receiving. “It’s so complicated now.”

“Now? Did something happen between the two of you?” 

Alex marveled, and would forever remain grateful, at the fact that his father was utterly unfazed by the fact that his supposedly straight son had just admitted to being in love with a man. His dad was treating it as the most normal thing in the world. It allowed him to be more honest than he believed himself capable of. “He and I…we did…you know what…last year. It got messy after that.”

“How?”

“I got scared. I had all this feelings,” Alex said quietly, scooting closer into his father’s arms. Who would have thought that, at over thirty, a parent’s embrace could still be so wonderful. “I didn’t know what to do or how to react and I ran. That’s when we stopped speaking. When he came here, we agreed to be friends again. And only that. Only friends. But it’s much harder than I thought!”

“Tell him that,” suggested David.

Alex chuckled sadly. “I have, I think. Miles doesn’t want to be with me. He’s not in love with me. I can handle that. It hurts, but I can handle it. We agreed we’d never do that thing again because it would ruin our friendship. He said he would never risk losing me for a bit of sex. And I love him even more for that.”

“You got it bad, don’t you?” He gave Alex another squeeze. And smiled widely. “But it all sounds so sad and tragic when you tell it. It doesn’t have to be!”

Alex was stunned. “How can it not sound that way? I’m madly in love with my best friend who doesn’t love me back!”

“Alex, come on. Get up, son. Let’s go shopping. We’ll get burgers and fries and that green stuff that your mother likes so much when we eat it.”

Alex followed his father towards the car. “Vegetables?”

“Precisely.”

“Dad, wait! What just happened? I tell you why I’m sad and you smile and want to go shopping? What did I miss?”

“The answer,” smirked David. He came to a stop in front of the car, turned towards his son and gave him a quick hug. “Everything you’re trying to figure out is already in here,” he said and tapped Alex’s forehead with one finger. “Take a break with me, clear your head, and then, when I grill the steaks and you finish up in the garage,” he interjected, “you go and ponder what you just told me. And I guarantee you, it’ll make you feel better and show you what to do next. I’m serious about the steak, though. I am hungry!” 

“If you think you know the solution to all my troubles, why won’t just tell it to me?”

“There are a few things in life that one needs to figure out for one’s self, son. You wouldn’t believe me anyway,” said David as he got into the car. “You’re coming?”

Alex groaned but got in. 

“Remind me, we need milk and cocoa powder as well. And those white foamy sweets.”

“Marshmallows?”

“Yes! Your mother loves those with her hot chocolate. I’m telling you, that coffee machine is the best gift we’ve ever gotten! It’s so versatile!” 

I once bought you a car, Alex wanted to point out. But whatever! Stupid coffee machine. Stupid, single Miles and his stupid, fancy coffee machine! 

Later that night, Alex all but sprinted across his old bedroom when his phone rang. “You got ‘em a bloody coffee machine!?” It truly did bother him!

He heard Miles’ laughter. “I needed a new one, I told you! And they had one on sale. It was a really good deal, so I got it for your parents. You should be happy that they’re enjoying it. They are enjoying it, right?”

“Don’t sound so smug,” grumbled Alex as he laid back on his bed. “Speaking about gifts, how come they get one and I don’t? You’ve yet to pick up yours and still haven’t said a word about mine. May I remind you that we missed out on celebrating Christmas and my birthday together, which means you’re two gifts short!”

“I have gifts for you,” mumbled Miles and Alex had to concentrate on making out the words. “The gift I got you for your birthday is pretty big. It’s in London. You just have to drop by and pick it up.”

“Big how?” asked Alex. “You made a huge fuss about my gift for you, which you – in my humble opinion – refused to accept for an entirely ridiculous reason!”

“Not big like that.” Miles hesitated. “The box is big. It’s actually a bit of a funny gift. The one I got you for Christmas…well, I kinda got it for you last year, long before we…you know…and I haven’t given it to you because…it might be the different kind of big. And after the huge fuss I made about your gift for me – which, in my humble opinion, was entirely reasonable – I really shouldn’t give mine to you. But I really want you to have it. It’s a dilemma.”

“Oh, it’s not!” Alex reassured him, grinning. “I’m not like you! I have no issues accepting big gifts! When will you be in London so I can get my gifts?”

“Impatient much?” Miles laughed. “I won’t be back before next week. I’m visiting a few old friends. Then I’ll head to my mom. And there’s a birthday party near Sheffield two days from now, so I’ll be near your parents. Maybe I drop by for coffee!” 

“Whose birthday?” asked Alex dryly, deliberately ignoring the coffee quip. 

“I don’t know,” admitted Miles. “Friend of Victoria’s. Came by one of our shows. He invited everyone, said it’ll be a huge party. The whole band is going. What are you doing next week? You’re back in Sheffield, aren’t you? Admit it, you’ve spent a good portion of your day pointlessly glaring at the poor, innocent coffee machine!” 

“I haven’t. I don’t glare pointlessly. I glared at it angrily.” Alex sank deeper into the cushion. “Don’t know about next week yet.” He hesitated for a moment, but then did suggest what he’d initially intended to do anyway. “We should meet, Miles. It’s been a while.” Almost three weeks.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” That wasn’t the reply Alex had expected.

“Okay,” repeated Miles. “Let’s meet. In London. Soon. So you can get your gifts.”

“And my shirt,” which Alex had absolutely not forgotten about.

“Does that mean I can keep the belt?”

“Dream on!” Both laughed. It felt so good to laugh with him. And even though he’d never, ever admit it to Miles, Alex had to agree that talking to him via phone was a bit easier and less distracting than speaking to him directly. “Miles? Are you busy at the moment? You got plans tonight?” Are you meeting your ex, he really wanted to ask.

“Nope. Just me and the TV tonight. You?”

“Me and no TV. It was a long day.” Was it a bad thing that it made him happy that Miles had no plans for the evening? He pushed the thought away. “Did some working out, sort of. Dad had me carry a lot of boxes. That bloody garage! I think I’m getting old. In the old days, I could go for days without sleep. But now? It’s sad, truly.”

Miles was laughing again. “I feel for you, babe! But you’re right. I also like my off-days much more than I used to!” 

Alex was shaking his head at himself. One little word. Babe. And here his fucking heart was, fluttering around in his chest like those four little letters actually meant something. 

Words. 

Meaningful words. 

Alex frowned. A thought had just crossed his mind, but it had been too brief, too fast, to take note of in time. It made him feel strange and restless, all of sudden. Like he’d glimpsed at something very important without realizing it. And now that he tried to get a closer look, it was gone. Where did one search for a thought?

“Alex? You’re still there?”

“Huh? What?” 

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” said Alex, without feeling okay. He sat up straight. “Did you ever feel like…like…” “Like what?” asked Miles, clearly interested. 

“I can’t even say,” Alex described. Or rather failed to. “Something just crossed my mind! Just a second ago! But I don’t know what! I just…argh! You must think I’m crazy!” 

“I would never think that of you. Did the idea for a song come to you? A lyric? A melody?”

“No.” Alex tried to recall that elusive thought. “I think not. Feels different when that happens.”

“Well, let me know if you figure it out,” Miles told him. “You got me all curious now!”

A loud groan slipped from Alex’s throat. “Ugh. I bet I won’t get a moment’s sleep tonight. I just…I had a thought. But I don’t know what thought that was. It’ll keep me awake all night, I swear! It was something about…words.” He felt as though he was trying to recall the entire plot of a book he’d never even read! 

“Words, huh? That’s a vague description. Good words? Bad words? A specific word? Words that somebody has said to you? Or wor–”

“Stop!” There it was again. And there it went away again. “Argh!” Alex drove a hand through his hair, only to hiss in pain. Shit. He’d forgotten that hair, once grown to a certain length, would tangle and knot and not part easily. “Damn hair!” 

“I’m not there with you,” Miles reminded him somewhat pointedly. “So if you jump from thoughts to hair to words and back, I’m unable to follow you. Oh shit!” 

“What? What happened?”

“Oh no! Oooh! I was supposed to go to the dentist today for my routine checkup! I completely forgot about that!” 

Alex rolled his eyes. Speaking about jumping from one thought to another! “Damn it, I thought something bad had happened!” 

“It is bad!” Miles was adamant. “I don’t like letting people wait around for me! It’s rude and not fair. I should have canceled sooner. I knew I wouldn’t be in town today. Gotta call tomorrow and apologize!”

“To the dentist?” Alex scoffed. At least he wasn’t the only one who was crazy!

“To the person who makes the schedule! Mock me, I don’t care. But I don’t like people to think I’m some prick who believes he can come and go as he wants. I’d never do that! Which, if I may remind you, is the reason the guy who drove the bus when you and I did our tour liked me a lot better than you!”

“Well, he might have liked you better but while you were sitting in the bus like the well-behaved little rockstar that you are, I was sleeping out! So, which one of us made the wiser decision? I believe I did!” Alex grinned when he heard Miles begin to laugh. 

“Fair point,” agreed his friend, taking it in stride. Alex yawned and Miles laughed louder. “Wow, you weren’t lying when you said you’re getting old! I think it’s time you try that whole sleeping thing! Slumber well, Al.”

“Night, Mi.” He hung up with a chuckle. 

I’d never do that.

Alex bolted upward and zoomed in on Miles’ words. “He’d never do that.” The thought came back. Clearer, this time. “He’d never risk that.” Miles loved Alex. As a friend, yes. But he loved him. And he’d never risk losing him as a friend for a bit of sex. He had said so himself. And if he would never do that? What did that mean? 

Alex got up, paced the room with large, impatient strides. They were friends. They loved each other. But…if Miles would never risk their friendship just for a bit of sex, then…then it hadn’t been just a bit of sex. And if it hadn’t been that, did that mean that it had been more? 

With a groan he stripped off his hoodie. Suddenly he felt warm, sweaty even. His head was overflowing with thoughts. His entire body was pulsating, throbbing with something he couldn’t define. His eyes landed on the phone which lay on top of the comforter. 

Miles. 

We’ve locked our hearts in. 

Alex’s breathing became uneven as he was hit by memories of Miles explaining his feelings to him. His friend had been so honest, so open, this entire time. If only Alex had paid closer attention to his actual words! Or even just his actions! All those nights that he’d spent in Miles’ arms, pretending that it was just a friendship-thing? When had he ever felt the need to sleep in Matt’s arms? Or Jamie’s? Or Nick’s? Hell, when had he ever desperately desired to sleep in Taylor’s arms? None of them would have ever even allowed him into their beds, or arms. None, except Taylor. Because Taylor had loved him. But not as a friend!

Miles had always opened his arms for him, Alex realized. Without any hesitation. He’d held him, squeezed him, kissed him, caressed him, even sucked him and fucked him and none of that had felt platonic! Alex came to a stop, held onto his desk and closed his eyes. He remembered those kisses, remembered the way Miles had deepened their contact, had groaned and moaned into his mouth, had sighed in pleasure and begged in need. 

Miles had told him they were different, but they weren’t. Not that different. Alex tried to recall his own romantic escapades, tried to recall what he had felt then, but those brief affairs and one night stands that he used to have were all pale and dim compared to the fireworks and explosions he’d experienced with Miles. The ones that had come before Miles didn’t matter to him. They had never left him drowning in want. They had never made him feel loved, the way Miles had made him feel loved. They had never made him surrender completely. 

Images of Miles’ face flashed in front of Alex’s eyes. Images from their night. Images of Miles staring at Alex with complete and utter fascination, as though Alex was a living, breathing miracle and Miles was overwhelmed by his beauty. No one had ever looked at him like that. 

That fucking hurt!

And how could Miles have been hurt by Alex if there were no feelings which could have gotten hurt? If Miles had wanted him there when he had woken up that night, then he couldn’t have been disgusted by him! And if the attraction was still there, as Miles had told him, as he had demonstrated by kissing him again, then he didn’t regret it. Did he? If the only reason it couldn’t happen again was the risk of losing their friendship, it meant Miles absolutely didn’t regret it! 

We’ve always pretended that all we did was play around. 

So if they hadn’t pretended, if they hadn’t played around, if everything had been real, then…

Could it be? 

I’d never risk losing you for a bit of sex.

If Miles hadn’t risked it for a bit of sex, he had risked it for something more. And more than sex was…love. 

Was Miles in love with him? Alex dropped to the chair next to him and just sat there, in silence. Motionless. Was that possible? Did he dare to believe that the one person he loved so wholly might actually love him back? Alex tilted his head to the side, to look at his phone again. Well, he couldn’t really call him and ask him, could he? 

Oh God! What was he supposed to do now? Wait until they met again? How long would that take? He couldn’t even go to Miles because he didn’t know where, precisely, Miles was at this very moment. And he couldn’t call and ask Miles, because hearing his voice right now would make speaking entirely impossible and Miles would never just tell him without asking why. What then? Same problem! He couldn’t tell him on the phone. “Fucking hell,” shot Alex and closed his eyes. 

Party. 

Wait, there was a party. A birthday party. Everyone was invited, Miles had said so. That meant Alex was invited as well, right? But whose party was it? He needed to call somebody other than Miles for details. Victoria! He could call Victoria! Alex jumped up, grabbed the phone from his bed and – then stopped. It was already midnight. He couldn’t call her now. That would be strange. And it would raise flags. Victoria would then call Miles, who, in return, would call Alex. Voila, back to problem one. Fucking phones! 

He’d do it tomorrow. He’d find a way to explain it to her. 

Tomorrow. Oh, tomorrow was so very far away. 

And it’d be days until he saw Miles. Days! 

Alex sank down on the bed and laid back again. 

Days! 

He’d never last that long. 

Spoiler for Part 14:

“Fuck talking,” declared Alex.

“Fuck me,” said Miles.

#the briefest kiss #milex #milex fanfic #milex fanfiction #miles kane alex turner #fanfic #fanfiction

[madamlaydebug]

In a speech of 1882, Frederick Douglas relates his experiences as a slave during the Christmas season.

"The days between Christmas Day and New Year's were allowed the slaves as holidays. During these days all regular work was suspended, and there was nothing to do but keep fires and look after stock. We regarded this time as our own by the grace of our masters, and we, therefore, used it or abused it as we pleased. The holidays were variously spent. The sober, industrious ones employ themselves in manufacturing cornbrooms, mats, horse collars and baskets, and some of these were very well made. Another class spent their time in hunting oppossums, coons, rabbits, and other game. But the majority spent the holidays in sport, ball-playing, wrestling, boxing, running, foot-races, dancing and drinking whiskey, and the latter mode was generally most agreeable to their masters. A slave who would work during the holidays were thought by their master undeserving of holidays. There was in this simple act of continued work an accusation against slaves, and a slave could not help thinking that if he made three dollars during the holidays he might make three hundred during the year. "Not to be drunk during the holidays was disgraceful. "

We were induced to drink, I among the rest, and when the holidays were over we all staggered up from our filth and wallowing, took a long breath and went away to our various fields of work, feeling upon the whole, rather glad to go from that which our masters had artfully deceived us into the belief was freedom, back again to the arms of slavery. It was not what we had taken it to be, nor what it would have been, had it not been abused by us. It was about as well to be a slave to master, as to be a slave to whiskey and rum. When the slave was drunk the slave holder had no fear that he would escape to the North. It was the sober, thoughtful slave who was dangerous and needed the vigilance of his master to keep him a slave."

☆☆☆Excerpts from Afrikan People and European Holidays: A Mental Genocide Book One☆☆☆

In the spirit of Black Unity and love and with all due respect to my race I submit that it is absolutely amazing how so many of my people can gullibly accept something simply because it exists. Unfortunately a large segment of Black People will embrace and put their energy into a thing, without ever really analyzing the impact, for better or for worse, it may have upon them and their posterity for generations to come. This is the case with Afrikan People and European holidays, especially the most European of all holidays, Christmas.

There are even those among us who will look upon you as though you have the plague when you inform them you do not indulge in the celebration of the European fantasy commonly called Christmas. This attitude on the part of some Blacks exhibits their ignorance and lack of understanding of world history, without which one cannot understand the present or the future.

The main purpose of this chapter is to appeal to the common-sense and superior intelligence which lays dormant in so many of us, by introducing some very basic historical facts about Christmas. Because of the production limitations on the size of Book I, we are unable to give a full treatment of this subject in this chapter; however, we will devote more time and space to the study of Christmas, its origins and the deep dark secrets behind its true significance in Book IV of this series under the heading, "Xmas Madness: An In Depth Study of the Christmas Fantasy." Nevertheless, as you study the present chapter you find the information of the origins and purposes of Christmas as set forth here, reveal that the celebration and significance of this European holiday is indeed foreign to the nature of Afrikan people. As the facts unfold it will become clear to you that Christmas is not a part of us as a people, for it is certainly not a real part of our history.

The question may arise as to why we refer to Christmas as the most European of all holidays? The answer is in two parts, firstly, the practice of Christmas observance is the essence of ancient customs and beliefs of the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Teutons, Nordics, Germans, Slavs, and other come-lately-European-people. Although some vague remnants of Afrikan and Asian customs are still remotely present in its celebration and despite the claim of its exponents that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ (which we shall shortly see that it is not), this celebration is a direct extension of European customs and practices (many of which are shockingly eerie and disgusting as well) which took place during the coldest and darkest part of the year. Secondly, Christmas supports the existing economic power of Euro-America and European countries. What it does is bring up the slack in the gross national product at the end of the year. Any and everything is put on the market for the consumer, that is we produce less than 1 percent of the goods in this country, in the world as a matter of fact. This means, in essence, that as a people we help keep the economy of the United States of America and the western world in motion.

In 1978, as a race, we spent over 70 billion dollars in America alone, and that's not taking into account the expenditures and transactions that could not be statically recorded, which would probably push the figure to over 100 billion dollars. Where did all that money go? Why do we not see the benefits of same in our communities? Why are we still in the impotent position of seeking from others, that which we should be providing for ourselves? It is truly fantastic when you consider the fact that we have very little control over the tens of billions of dollars that come and go out of Black settlements each year. Why is that? The answers to these questions are too involved to be discussed here, but needless to say one of the key factors of our role as "vehicles of purchase" is the enormous amount of money Black People spend on Christmas each year.

Not only do you have a tendency to buy the most expensive gifts, but feel you are compelled to do so. Madison Avenue has so thoroughly taken over your mind that you fear the scorn and disapproval of your friends and loved ones if you don't spend that money on Christmas. This is why we refer to Christmas as the "Merry Mess", because it is one of those European instruments of mind torture that gets you in a mess and keeps you there.

Again, the main purpose of the information in this chapter is to help you liberate yourself from this madness which has imprisoned you and keeps you groveling at the feet of your natural enemy.

Saturnalia

The Roman festival of Saturnalia was celebrated December 17th trough December 23rd. Later intron history it was extended until December 24th - 25th. December 25th being observed as the birthplace of Saturn by his devotees and Mithra by the followers of Zoroastrianism. Essentially Saturnalia was the feast of the winter solstice when the days began to lengthen and the sun starts its journey back towards the earth. This celebration was especially significant to Europeans because of the harsh and cold climate in most of their countries which left the land barren and non-productive. In a place where there was little summer it can be readily seen how this festival would have such great importance. On the second day of the Bacchanalian celebration of Saturnalia young pigs were offered on the altar and blood pudding was made. This disgusting dish was a primary delicacy of the European, a people who wants painted themselves blue (This is where the term blue blood comes from) and ran naked from cave to cave, busting each other in the head with clubs and engaging in combat over a piece of raw meat. When Afrikans were building the pyramids and wooing their ebony queens with incense and live poems, many Europeans were making overtures to their women by grunting Ugh!, smacking them upside their heads with a club and dragging them off by the hair to copulate. This is why rape is such a sensationalized phenomenon in European culture today.

During the six day festival of Saturnalia, slaves were temporarily freed to attend the festival. It is said that during this season, the slave holder would grant the slave any request except his freedom. Also during this period, the roles were supposedly reversed and the slave vicariously walked in the shoes of the master, who would serve him his breakfast in bed and many other ammenities which custom obliged, but when the festival was over a slave in the Roman Empire was still a slave. The Saturnalia which later became known as Christmas was one time referred to in Europe as the "Festival of Fools."

Christmas Lights

Lights were extremely valuable in ancient Europe because of its inclimate and foggy weather. Every since the post ice age Europe has been known for its cold and dreary climate, in ancient times, it was considered by most of the Sarah's inhabitants as a most undesirable place to live. Over the millenia, these harsh conditions gradually subsided in the southern portions of the continent until by the time of the Grimaldi invasions (called the Mesolithic Age) it was somewhat inhabitable. During the age of the Afrikan circumnavigation of the world it was a long time before they ventured to go into Europe again. Often as the ships manned by ebony crews sailed along the Mediterranean Sea, through the gloomy fog and must off the coast of Europe they could hear the eerie moanings, strange groanings and barking sounds of its inhabitants. In antiquity the continent of Europe was considered by many people of color to be a bottomless pit filled with unimaginable horrors, a forbidden land inhabited by hellish demons. Some have said that the word Europe means "you're roped in."

Another significant fact which deals with the importance of lights to the European experience took place during the Puritan prohibition of the celebration of Christmas, at which time the common folks would put lighted candles in the windows to let the Catholic priests know that the yuletide was being celebrated in that home.

Santa Claus

The designation Santa Claus comes from "Sinter Klaas" the Dutch name for St. Nicholas (referred to by some thinking people as St. Capitalist), a 4th Century bishop of Asia Minor who became the Russian patron saint of children, bankers, pawn brokers and thieves.

The origins of the Santa Claus hoax goes back to the time when in many northern European countries ghosts, witches, trolls, vampires and other demonic creatures were thought to stir aboard on Christmas Eve. It was on this night that Satan or Santa, the demon/saint (for there was little differentiation between saints and demons in Europe at that time) riding on a jackass or goat would lead the demons in a marry rivalry as he shared with them the intoxicating substance from his wassahl bowl.

According to German mythology Santa/Satan first appeared as a hairy imp named Pelz Nichol. In Holland and other European countries the original "old Nick" another terminology for "the devil" was depicted as a very stern person who rode across the frozen wastes on the satan's goat and left a whip instead of toys for naughty children. With the coming of European Christianity to the north the demon/saint "old Nick" evolved into St. Nicholas a bishop of Myra in Turkey, who lived sometime around 300 C.E. he is said to have transported himself on a grey horse or white jackass, an ancient Egyptian symbol of Typhon, the devil.

Tradition says that St. Nicholas restored to life three slain children who had been hacked to pieces and stored in brine by a wicked innkeeper. He is reportedly to have saved three young maidens from being sold into slavery as prostitutes by their father, through secretly providingthree bags of gold for their marriage dowries. This, the three balled or three belled emblem of pawnbrokers became one of St. Nicholas' sacred symbols. This dubious 4th Century bishop of Myra eventually became the patron saint of Russia. He was also designated the patron of children, pawnbrokers and theives. As a matter of fact during the middle ages in Europe thieves were called "clerks of St. Nicholas."

In reference to St. Nicholas and his criminal affiliationsthe Ansaru Allah Community News statss:

"He is really the patron saint of thieves and gangsters, who were tagged the "Knights of St. Nicholas." He is the patron saint of the pawnbrokers and their emblem is traced to him. Pirates emblazoned his likeness on their flags. Other wards of St. Nicholas are spinsters, sailors, etc."

St. Nicholas' increased prominence in Western Europe was a result of Italian merchants who were reputed to have stolen his bones from Myra and brought them to Bari, on the southeastern coast of Italy, May 9, 1807. The celebration of St. Nicholas' festival which took place December 6, the supposed date of his death was banned by Henry VIII when he founded the Church of England. Later in English history the festival was resumed when Queen Victoria married the German Prince Albert at which time St. Nicholas became Father Christmas. After the Protestant Reformation St. Nicholas was replaced by Christ child called Christ Kindl or Christ Kindli in parts of Germany and Switzerland. From this name came the character Kris Kringle, the "jolly old elf" figure who brings gifts at Christmas time sometimes accompanied by Pelz Nichol.

According to this particular tradition Pelz Nichol sometimes called Jan was a little black elf who Santa appointed the traditional H.N.I.C. to keep the elves in the factory busy making things. From this story we can see that St. Nicholas was indeed a cold blooded capitalist. You never hear of the elves in the shop getting any compensation or fringe benefits for their work. In fact St. Nicholas hardly ever went into the shop, the brother was in there taking care of the business. The legend says that St. Nicholas gave the toys and gifts away for free, well if this be the case, how come people are still paying money for them every year?

In 1822, Clement C. Moore, an American minister and poet, first described Santa's fur-trimmed suit and his sleigh pulled by reindeers. The description appears in Moore's famous poem called "T'was the Night Before Christmas." This poem firmly established Santa Claus on the American scene. The idea of his sled being drawn by eight reindeer comes from the Norse legend of Odin's white horse Sleipnir, who had eight legs and was according to this tale the fastest horse in the world. All in all the concept of the modern Santa Claus is a symbol of the poverty and selfishness of Europeans who only shared gifts with one another once a year at Christmas. In sharp contrast to this is the traditional system of Afrikan Ujamaa which encourages sharing with your neighbor on a day-to-day basis. How ridiculous is the idea of sharing things once a year when people have need of things every day.

One of the traumas of the Santa Claus myth is the fantasy that people tell there children about them. Imagine after you have worked hard to buy toys and gifts for your children, then turn around and lie to them by giving credit to some big fat white man named Santa Claus. When the children reach the age where they begin to question this madness, you wring your hands in frustration trying to figure out how you are going to tell them there is no Santa Claus. Do you know what you are doing when you do this? Do you? You are running risk of planting deep within the child's subconscious mind, the seeds of distrust for you as a parent. And for what? To what purpose? Don't you know that at the very same time you are unwrapping the gifts on Christmas morning, greedy white capitalists are at home setting around the tables with their families and counting your money. The next time you are tempted to go sneaking around on Christmas Eve after the children are asleep, stop and ask yourself why am I doing this? What is the meaning of this insanity? Even though like the rest of us you have been brainwashed by the economic powers that be, you are still supposed to be an intelligent accountable adult. So shake yourself of this foolishness and put aside these childish things. It is not too late for you, there is a better way.

Christmas on the Old Plantation

As regards Christmas and antebellum slavery, Mother Jenny Proctor, born a slave in Alabama in 1850, was eighty-seven years old when interviewed, but recalled: "Old master would kill a hog and give us a piece if pork. We thought that was something, and the way Christmas lasted was according to the big sweet-gum back log what the slaves would cut and put in the fireplace. When that burned out, the Christmas was over."

In a speech of 1882, Frederick Douglas relates his experiences as a slave during the Christmas season.

"The days between Christmas Day and New Year's were allowed the slaves as holidays. During these days all regular work was suspended, and there was nothing to do but keep fires and look after stock. We regarded this time as our own by the grace of our masters, and we, therefore, used it or abused it as we pleased. The holidays were variously spent. The sober, industrious ones employ themselves in manufacturing cornbrooms, mats, horse collars and baskets, and some of these were very well made. Another class spent their time in hunting oppossums, coons, rabbits, and other game. But the majority spent the holidays in sport, ball-playing, wrestling, boxing, running, foot-races, dancing and drinking whiskey, and the latter mode was generally most agreeable to their masters. A slave who would work during the holidays were thought by their master undeserving of holidays. There was in this simple act of continued work an accusation against slaves, and a slave could not help thinking that if he made three dollars during the holidays he might make three hundred during the year. "Not to be drunk during the holidays was disgraceful. "

We were induced to drink, I among the rest, and when the holidays were over we all staggered up from our filth and wallowing, took a long breath and went away to our various fields of work, feeling upon the whole, rather glad to go from that which our masters had artfully deceived us into the belief was freedom, back again to the arms of slavery. It was not what we had taken it to be, nor what it would have been, had it not been abused by us. It was about as well to be a slave to master, as to be a slave to whiskey and rum. When the slave was drunk the slave holder had no fear that he would escape to the North. It was the sober, thoughtful slave who was dangerous and needed the vigilance of his master to keep him a slave."

Conclusion

Finally, Christmas, historically, has no real religious significance except to the European world, as such it has no real meaning to us as a people for if does not culturally project us in a positive light. Therefore, its failure to meet this need means that it can only be working against our best interest. Understanding that there are still some immature members of our race who feel they couldn't live without Christmas, we appeal to them to stop the wild spending and acting so foolishly during the Christmas season and divest themselves of this mania. This supposed happiness obtained from the MERRY Mess is too brief to pay such a physical, mental, spiritual and economic price for.

Now we invite you to examine the next two chapters of this book which demonstrate and explore the historical roots and meaning of the Seven Black Holy Days of Kwanzaa, a holiday of freed Black people.

~ Rev. Dr Ishakamusa Barashango

[jcylenz]

....ALL OF THE “IM NOT FROM THE US” QUESTIONS (or alternatively 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 but i’ll come back for more mwhahshs)

1. favourite place in your country?

Balaton without a doubt. It’s the biggest lake of the country and it has such an amazing atmosphere and feel to it, I really love spending my time there. I usually go at least once, if not more times a year and definitely spend some vacation time there, plus my grandma is from a city next to the lake, so really just many ties there.

2. do you prefer spending your holidays in your country or travel abroad?

I love both? I love going abroad and exploring different cultures and seeing the world (I say that as if I’ve been to so many places when I really wasn’t), but there are also so many beautiful places in Hungary so ya know, both. Gimme both.

3. does your country have access to sea?

Nope, but it used to. We were just chopped up and lost 2/3 of our country after the two world wars.

4. favourite dish specific for your country?

Uhhh, SO MANY. Honestly I love Hungarian cousine so fucking much. Gotta love lecsó and pörkölt and Hortobagyer meat pancakes and Gulash and all the Hungarian food, please don’t make me choose.

5. favourite song in your native language?

Tábortűz by Emberek, and you’re just in luck cause there is a youtube video in which you can read the English translation.

6. most hated song in your native language?

I can’t think of any right now most because I just make myself forget about all the stupid songs my country creates.

7. three words from your native language that you like the most?

Szeretlek, which means I love you. Cipőfűzővégcédőpöcök, which is that protecting thingy at the end of shoelaces. And megszentségteleníthetetlrnségeskedéseitekért, which is this.

8. do you get confused with other nationalities? if so, which ones and by whom?

I don’t think as a nation we get confused with others, we have a pretty unique culture and people, but I do know that a lot of people confuse Budapest and Bucharest, if that counts here.

9. which of your neighbouring countries would you like to visit most/know best?

10. most enjoyable swear word in your native language?

“Menj a picsába!“ Which is mostly the same as “Go to hell!” but in the Hungarian version, if you wanna translate it word for word, it reads “Go to the pussy!“ which makes no sense whatsoever in English but it does make sense in Hungarian s2g.

11. favourite native writer/poet?

Géza Gárdonyi, who wrote, among others things, wrote the book called Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. It’s my favorite Hungarian book without a doubt, favorite classic as well most likely. It tells the story of a siege of a Hungarian castle in Eger in 1552. The siege was a really big thing in Hungarian history and the book tells the story of some of its most famous figures, how they grew up, how they actually got to the castle and how the siege went down, and now I really just wanna reread the entire thing all over again.

12. what do you think about English translations of your favourite native prose/poem?

Never really read any of them, so I don’t have opinions.

13. does your country (or family) have any specific superstitions or traditions that might seem strange to outsiders?

Hmmmm. Probably the strangest is that for us, Santa Clause comes on December 6th and then Jesus Christ brings the Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day.

We also have a tradition on Eastern Monday where the guys go around the houses to “sprinkle” the girls so they wouldn’t “wither like flowers”, which means you either get buckets of water poured all over you or you they pour a bunch of badly smelling parfumes (like REEEEEALLY BAD ONES) onto your hair and it’s such bullshit and I hate that day with a pure passion.

14. do you enjoy your country’s cinema and/or TV?

Lately I’ve been enjoying it more and more. There was a good 15-20 years period when literally nothing was done that was good or even acceptable but now more and more good movies are made and now we have some good tv shows too which is nice. I still mostly watch foreign stuff though.

15. a saying, joke, or hermetic meme that only people from your country will get?

Uhh, can I pass this? I really can’t think of anything.

16. which stereotype about your country you hate the most and which one you somewhat agree with?

I actually had to look up what kind of stereotypes there are about Hungary, but I really didn’t like the one that kept popping up about Hungarian girls being easy. Fuck that shit, that is really really stupid. The one that I agree with is about our food - that we use a lot of fat and paprika in our food. 100% true. Most of our traditional dishes include both of them and a lot of it but not in a bad way? Like ok I get that probably most people would find them too much, but I do believe if they give it a try, they will realize that it’s actually really good and tasty and you can’t actually taste the fat or anything, it just makes it better. People also say because of our dish types that we eat like kings and I am happy to accept thatxD (it’s most said cause we eat a lot of meat, we have fish soup, different meat soups, we eat stuff like stuffed cabage, stuff that used to be at big feasts)

17. are you interested in your country’s history?

YESSS. I love our history, I think it’s incredibly interesting, incredibly rich and full of amazing stuff. Hungary is over 1000 years old, so many things happened during that time - we had our highs, we had our lows, but we always came out on top and survived in the end and I think that is amazing and something to be proud of.

18. do you speak with a dialect of your native language?

I mean, I am not sure? I don’t think so, but I might be wrong. I mean, there are stuff people say differently on other sides of the country, but it’s not that much distinct. It’s more noticable when it comes to those Hungarians who unfortunately don’t live in Hungary anymore (those who live in the neighbor countries because after the ww 2/3 of our country was taken from us)

19. do you like your country’s flag and/or emblem? what about the national anthem?

I love our flag, though then again it might just be that that is what I know. But it’s nice. I am not too happy about the anthem, it’s too depressing to me.

20. which sport is The Sport in your country?

Football (and by football I mean soccer football) which is a shame cause we suck at it. Like, we won 3 olympic gold medals in a row in waterpolo, but ya know, fuck logic. And I could list so many other sports our country is really good at, but people go nuts about football, so what can you do. (And I am not saying I don’t like the sport, I always watch the world cup, but it’s sad to see the country putting so much money into something we are shit in, putting the players up on a pedestal and forgetting about those who actually get really nice and amazing results.)

21. if you could send two things from your country into space, what would they be?

Uhhhhhhhhh. Paprika and a picture of the Balaton.

22. what makes you proud about your country? what makes you ashamed?

I am generally really proud of our history, that despite whatever shit we were put through, we are still standing, after 1100+ years of being here. And I am ashamed of the general homophobia and fatphobia and racism and the way most people handle this topic aside from the youth. We are really behind on this. Also the fact that we actually have a movie that is called “Coming Out” and it’s about the most stereotypical gay man you’ve ever seen getting hit by a motorbike and suddenly turning straight and him coming out as straight cause legit that is the dumbest and most horrible thing I’ve seen on tv and I want to set everyone who worked on it on flames.

23. which alcoholic beverage is the favoured one in your country?

Beer and wine is pretty popular, plus pálinka, which a Hungarian specific really high % level alcoholic beverage (like 45%-60% even) that we drink in shots.

24. what other nation is joked about most often in your country?

Uhhh, probably Chineese people? It’s really bad, really just the usual racist stereotypical stuff and I hate it.

25. would you like to come from another place, be born in another country?

I think every country has its problems and I am glad I was born here because of the places and the language itself - it’s so fucking beautiful and amazing and lyrical. Would I wanna live here for the rest of my life, though? Nope, definitely not.

26. does your nationality get portrayed in Hollywood/American media? what do you think about the portrayal?

Not really. I specifically remember a Gilmore Girl episode where Michel spoke some stupid Hungarian shit, but other than that… most of the time they call our food shit and make fun of us. Which is really not cool and I hate that so much. (B99 did an episode once where Charles was praising a Hungarian restaurant with a sausage platter and I was SO EXCITED but then Jake called it shit and I knew immediately that most people will believe Jake cause they played on Charles’ weird taste and that everyone will think it’s just one of Charles’ ticks again and it made me so sad srsly. STOP TELLING PEOPLE OUR FOOD IS SHIT, IT’S NOT TRUE)

27. favourite national celebrity?

pass

28. does your country have a lot of lakes, mountains, rivers? do you have favourites?

We have a couple of lakes, two pretty big river and like REALLY SMALL mountains. Most of them I would more likely call them bigger hills instead of mountains tbh. But the biggest geographical thing is definitely the Balaton, which is a big ass lake that most people go to during the summer. It’s also the biggest lake of Eastern Europe which is nice. I love that place, that is definitely my favorite.

29. does your region/city have a beef with another place in your country?

Uhhh, the uni in my city has a beef with the uni I went to cause they used to be under the uni I went to and then they seperated from them and there is some weird who was right stuff going on but other than that not really.

30. do you have people of different nationalities in your family?

Nope.

#kid-gorgeous #answered #answered: ask meme #about #hungarian #LOOK AT THIS #HALF A YEAR LATER #BUT I FINALLY FINISHED THIS

[minaminokyoko]

Venom: A Spoilertastic Review (that is mostly just a rant)

When the end credits to the Venom movie started, just as Eminem began his embarrassingly uninspired rapping, I turned my head to one of my two friends and asked her, "What the hell did I just put into my eyeballs?"

To be frank, Venom is one of the most peculiar, bizarre, baffling films I've seen in years.

I want to preface this review by saying I was against this idea when it was announced. I thought it was beyond idiotic to make a film about a supervillain whose entire creation hinges on a certain Webhead, and since Sony lent him out to Marvel Studios (the only smart fucking decision they've made in probably over a decade, imo), they went off half-cocked with the hair-brained idea that they could create an anti-hero solo flick for Venom instead. To some degree, sure, they were warranted because the general audience these days has low fucking standards and if you put the words "comic book movie" in front of them, they're usually going to lap it up no matter how terrible it is. After all, fandom doesn't care about things being accurate anymore, by this point, if you dangle fresh meat like Tom Hardy riding a motorcycle in front of them. As long as there's an attractive person at the helm, fandom will just adopt it as canon and ignore any red flags, as they have already done. That being said, I still think this is one of the most blatantly stupid things done for money and for notoriety from any studio toting around a popular comic book character.

Is Venom as bad as legendary awful comic book movies like Catwoman, The Spirit, Batman & Robin, Daredevil, Green Lantern, or Spawn?

Well, no.

And that's almost the only positive thing I can report about it, personally. 

In short, Venom is inept. That's the word I'd choose, aside from bizarre. It has no fucking clue what it's doing at any given time, from start to finish. It's too wacky to be serious, too serious to be a parody or satire, too mature for kids, too childish for adults, too mainstream for nerds, and too nerdy for mainstream. It's just a piping hot fucking mess.

So let's dive into why. Spoiler alert.

Overall Rating: D

Pros:

-Note: I am being very fucking generous by giving this movie points for anything at all, just so y'all know.

-It's not boring. Other comic book movies that have failed, whether it's the really bad kind or just the mediocre kind, have failed worse than this movie simply because at least there aren't any dead periods. Venom doesn't have awful pacing, even with its sloppy, uneven story. It moves along at a steady rate and you can never accuse it of being a borefest like Superman Returns or something. Even though most of it is incomprehensible from a story standpoint, it keeps your attention throughout.

-The doctor boyfriend surprisingly averted the usual stereotype/archetype for this kind of story. For example, in the first Ant Man, the cop boyfriend who is with Scott's baby mama is a smug, overprotective dickhead who later gets better. Most of the time when a main couple breaks up, the girl picks some douchebag who is either so much better than her former lover that it just feels insulting or it's just a one-dimensional asshole for us to hate so we want the two of them to get back together. Hell, doctor boyfriend was actually TOO nice and understanding and helpful. There is no way in hell I'd have stuck it out after seeing Eddie bite the head off a goddamn lobster. I'd have sent his ass to a mental hospital immediately, fuck the regular hospital. That being said, I like the movie averting the trope. It was a welcome change and was awfully refreshing too.

-Even though this is one of his strangest fucking performances to date, Tom Hardy is doing what he always does and gives 110% to a film that really doesn't even deserve him. I've already been hearing rumors that he's not pleased with the final product and that doesn't surprise me, but he does what he can with that awful script and I appreciate the effort. In fact, the only reason I sat through this turd is for Tom Hardy. He is a dedicated, talented actor and even when he's in tripe, he's still busting his beautiful ass to make the best of it anyway. I like him a lot and I'd go to bat for him any day, which is the only reason I coughed up the money for Venom when I knew damn well it'd be a trainwreck.

-The effects are at least decent. Not always. But Venom and the symbiotes actually feel as if they're really there and it's not just the actors staring at a ball on a stick. I appreciate it, since Sony goes in and out of quality regarding CGI.

-Despite the fucking travesty of a fake clown wig on his head, Woody Harrelson is an excellent choice for Cletus Kasady. Everyone knows that. I just hope they get him a better hairpiece next time, sheesh.

Cons:

-Jesus fucking Christ, where do I fucking start?

-Plotholes. This movie doesn't have plotholes--it has plot canyons. It's plothole Inception, for God's sake, with holes inside of fucking holes. It's so clear that the movie doesn't give a rat's ass about anything because there are some of the most ridiculous moments you're expected to swallow with the power of Willing Suspension of Disbelief. It's why it took me a whole two days to try and write a review/analysis of the film. There is so much wrong with it that I frankly wasn't sure where to start and how to process it all. The best I can try to do considering the overwhelming number of holes in the story is go chronologically. First off, Eddie stealing Blondie's confidential documents (Note: Michelle Williams' character was so bland and unimportant I can't remember her name and I don't care to look it up because we all know she doesn't matter, so she is now Blondie) but then not doing his actual job as a journalist when making wild accusations is the first monumentally dumb thing in the film. Why the hell did he go through the trouble of breaching her personal security and trust if all he was going to do was rant about it to the Bad Guy without proof? What did he think it would accomplish? Why would you just confront the guy instead of looking for more proof? Plus, you stole that information, which means it's inadmissable in court since it was obtained illegally, so you still wouldn't have a case anyhow. Any writer with half a brain cell would simply have it so that Eddie read the document, became curious, and started snooping around Life Foundation himself looking for hard evidence that would stand up in court to get justice for the victims. The way they did it in the film makes no sense, but it's because they wanted to bust up the couple and make Eddie a "loser" to kickstart the rest of the film. Then, the girl who tattled on the Life Foundation 100% did not need Eddie Brock to do that. She had full access to the lab and the trust of her superior. All she had to do was document everything herself, send it to Eddie to pass along to his boss, and then skip town with her fucking kids to avoid being murdered. Hell, she could have given it to the authorities anonymously. Third, why after everything went tits up in the lab did she fucking return to the lab as if they wouldn't immediately know it was her? She was seen outside the lab seconds before Eddie set off the alarms and her palm print is recorded having opened the door to the lab. Why the fuck did she go back after she let Eddie in there with no way to cover her tracks? And then she actually told on herself and Eddie, which led to her death. I can't comprehend that level of stupidity at all. It's staggering. Because I'm trying not to turn this into a seven-page single spaced review, I'm just going to stop here and not try to point out all the other plotholes in detail, like the fact that the cops only get involved one time and are never seen again despite the fact that they'd be all over the explosions and missing people associated with the Life Foundation or Eddie's phone working perfectly after he swam under the fucking bridge or Eddie leaving his phone for his boss instead of just sending him the goddamn pictures or the symbiote magically knowing where Eddie was after they took him from the hospital. We'll be here all day if I keep going. I'll just reblog CinemaSins' eventual video of this movie and feel satisfied that way.

-The movie makes zero attempts at explaining anything about the symbiotes except for "they're vulnerable to fire and sound frequencies, need a host to survive, and eat brains." What is even stranger about the lack of explanation is that this isn't a long film. They could have easily added about ten minutes into the story to give us an overview of where they came from, what their world was like, how they found human contact, and why they were on that comet. All we can do is infer things, which pisses me off because this is YOUR story and YOUR new continuity that you just fucking made up on the fly, so I don't know the rules here and it's shitty of you to just gloss over it all. Why is it called Venom? Is that a translation from whatever the hell the symbiote was called on its own planet? Did it hear that somewhere and decide it liked the word? Why? Why does it get touchy if you call it a parasite when that is literally what it is? Is it like Ratigan from The Great Mouse Detective and it's just in denial? We have to guess that it knows whatever Eddie knows, but why does it have any conceptual knowledge of romance and relationships when it attempts to get Eddie to apologize to Blondie or when it says it "likes" her? Or that Eddie "changed its mind" at the end? And how can a symbiote even be a loser? That concept is almost universally human and it's a giant sentient piece of fucking tar? How can it possibly be a loser on its own planet? There is just no damn context for majority of the shit surrounding the symbiotes in the movie and it's all the more frustrating since we spend a great deal of time in the lab with them during the movie and yet we learn almost nothing.

-Eddie and the symbiote don't actually form a proper bond or partnership. This is one of the things that's irritating me about people who seem to have taken to the movie. I was told multiple times by people that the movie is stupid, but the repartee between Eddie and Venom is enjoyable. Not really, no. Are there quips? Yes, there are quips. But quips do not inherently create a bond. Anyone can bounce dialogue off each other. If said dialogue does not change the characters, then it's just lip service. Sadly, though, a lot of people don't notice that absolutely nothing between Eddie and Venom lines up. Venom helps Eddie survive the attacks, but is killing him in the process. It's self-interest alone. The truly confounding part is when they get Venom off of Eddie and find out Venom has basically been consuming Eddie's organs to stay alive inside him, Eddie acts betrayed and storms off, but then when Venom returns wearing Blondie as his guise, he just accepts it and they go off to the badly filmed climax. What the hell changed in between those scenes? Nothing. Eddie still runs the risk of dying being piloted by the symbiote, and while Eddie has motivation to stop Bad Guy (again, another character that is so thin I can't be bothered to learn his name) from bringing the symbiotes to earth, Venom is given zero reason to want that at all. As mentioned above, there's no backstory. Is Venom concerned his race will consume the earth? If so, who cares? There's seven billion people and Venom has already found Eddie, who is a suitable match for him to survive, so why does he care at all? Eddie would survive an invasion anyhow. It makes no damn sense. Films that have dealt with symbiotic relationships always establish a common ground at some point but Venom doesn't for some inexplicable reason. I'm incredibly frustrated that everyone's just going "tee hee, look, they're best friends now, it's cute" when in fact Eddie is just running around committing murder randomly without ever really contemplating how serious it is, even though he claims to only be eating bad people.

-Nitpick: Fridging two different female characters, the homeless lady and the Life Foundation tattletale, rubbed me entirely the wrong way. Both of them were in Eddie's vicinity, both die, and both are never brought up again or shown to have impacted Eddie's motivation or life. They are simply used and discarded, which is another thing that makes this movie feel so hollow.

-The tone is all over the fucking place. It can be argued that Venom never went full serious and is always sort of tongue-in-cheek, but there's just this ridiculous whiplash feeling when you watch it spike from an action scene to "wacky" Brock antics to Venom quips. Eddie's personality even before the symbiote is just confusing as hell. It's like stuffing a bunch of random character traits into one man and all of them are fighting to get out at once like the characters from Split. The most consistent thing is he's sarcastic, but even then his moods range far too widely to get a bead on him. He can be dry one minute and then frantic and excitable the next, and that's before the symbiote. After the symbiote, it's like they gave Tom Hardy cocaine and steroids. The man's acting is simply all over the damn place. He accepts near-impossible things sometimes with a shrug and other times he freaks out. The movie just doesn't know what the hell it's attempting to accomplish, and that's why mood and tone are important to set from the get-go with a film. It just slingshots between a faux-horror film and a snippy action flick over and over again until your head feels pulverized.

-The final action sequences is one of the dumbest, messiest things since Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It's an ugly, dark, jumbled up mess. It's so indistinguishable that Godzilla (2014) can take potshots at it. Why in perfect blue hell did they choose two symbiotes with such similar appearances to showdown with each other on top of a rocket at night? It's so hard to see what the two of them are doing, who is winning or losing, or what kind of movement is happening at all. We also are never given the full range of their abilities, so the only real stake is when they pull off their hosts and their bodies are vulnerable, but even then it appears that Venom can raise Eddie from the dead seconds later anyhow. I'm stunned the movie couldn't even do a fake out death properly, which is so fucking easy that even Disney can do it. Eddie dies and is revived in less than fifteen goddamn seconds. The camera doesn't even linger on his body to sell the emotion (not that we'd ever have one, he is just barely a character anyway) before it just takes it right the hell back. That's filmmaking 101, for God's sake, and the movie blows it too.

-The last scene in the movie. In its entirety. I haven't been that exasperated since I stupidly forced myself to watch Pacific Rim: Uprising. There are so many things wrong with it that it's hard to know how to tackle it. I don't care that Eddie stopped that guy from extorting the shop owner--he openly turned into a 10 foot tall alien and ate a guy in front of her, and the movie just laughs and shrugs like it's just totally fine, like that woman isn't about to lose her shit, call the cops, or fuck, the NSA/FBI/CIA/Avengers on Eddie for making her a witness to murder, and endangering pretty much anyone around them. To say nothing of the fact that there is no reason a 10 foot tall alien with a million sharp teeth needs to say a single word to threaten someone. You are the threat, buddy. Your existence is the threat. Why did you need to insist on threatening to bite things off? You're terrifying and nothing you say is going to somehow make you scarier, especially when you just ate the guy anyway. It's like they just made that scene for the final trailer, much like that "I thought she was with you" comment all the way back in Batman v. Superman despite in-canon it made no sense. It's so unnecessary. And don't get me started on the fact that the crook actually asked the giant alien who it is. Fuck you. That was a lazy, transparent attempt to spoonfeed the wretched cliche that Michael Keaton's Batman made famous. (Consequently, all movies ever, please stop doing this cliche. Stop it. Just find another way to announce yourself. It's really tired, y'all, let it go already.) No human would ever look at that thing and ask it who the fuck it is. He'd piss himself and die of fright. Period. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Piss. Die. Period.

-Nitpick: Why was there that weird Godzilla (2014) trailer noise every time Venom attacked someone? Did they just steal it from public domain? They used it almost like the Inception horn cliche that Hollywood was obsessed with for a while and it took me right out of the scene every damn time.

-Nitpick: They really thought we're so stupid that we needed Kasady to actually say his character's name out loud. Look, you fuckers, you know goddamn well that end credits scenes are extras and that people can go home and Google things instead of you literally spelling it out for us. Hell, you know that not that many Average Joes and mainstream people went to this movie anyway since Venom is a second-stringer villain and your main demographic is die-hard Eddie Brock fans anyway. So having Kasady say the damn name “Carnage” in the post credits scene really was the final fart in my general direction. Give us some fucking credit, man. Venom has barely five plotlines to his whole character anyway. Of course we knew you were going to drop Carnage for the Sequel Hook, you condescending twat of a film.

Look, I get it. I'm hypercritical because I write fiction for a living. There are plenty of movies where turning your brain off is required in order to enjoy it, but I think this movie is asking me to get an entire lobotomy to be able to swallow the big-ass pill it's offering. It's just so sloppy and uncaring and yet it's holding its grubby little hands out for your money and your love and I think it's undeserving of it on every last level. It has zero comprehension of what it's trying to accomplish since it's a money grab, and its artistic choices are nothing short of bonkers. It's so strange that it even veers outside of the So Bad It's Good category for me. I can't in good confidence recommend it to anyone even though it's almost like a study in what not to do in both comic book movies and movies in general. It's weird in a distasteful way rather than in a charming way for me, honestly. I know people have rallied around it for being different and out there, but I don't think different and good are the same thing in Venom's case.

#Venom #Venom 2018 #Eddie Brock #film review #movie review #film rant #rant #movie rant #spoilers #spoiler alert #don't @ me #i don't care #anti Venom

[not-close-to-straight]

Letters to Bucky (Part Seven)

MASTERLIST HERE.

****************************

“So do you actually know any of these people?” Bucky asked, carefully grasping a champagne flute, wrinkling his nose at the taste.

“Technically I know everyone in the room.” Tony remarked, draining his glass and reaching for another. “We all run in the same circles, grew up at the same country club. Do I actually know any of them? No. Do I like any of them?” he took a big drink from his glass. “Well, I'll be able to pretend I like them after a few more glasses of this.”

“Geez Tony.” Bucky chuckled. “Why do you come if you hate it so much? Don't you have better things to do?”

“I definitely have better things to do. But with great money comes---” Tony motioned around the room. “Great nonsense. All this kind of crap. I'm supposed to show up because my company is the one that throws the damn thing. Pepper has told in me in no uncertain terms that if I don't show up, she would quit, or push me down the stairs or something equally violent.”

He shrugged and finished off his champagne before stepping closer to Bucky and lowering his voice. “Ah, you know, while we're on the topic of money. We didn't actually do a whole lot of talking earlier. About the whole me secretly being a billionaire and all that.”

“Yeah, well there's so much more to do with our mouths than talk, sweet thing.” Bucky murmured, then grinned when Tony nearly snapped the fragile glass stem in half.

“Yes well.” Tony coughed. “That's a valid point. But um, do we need to talk more about me being...me? Is this going to affect things? Are we still going to work? We can still right letters and everything, right?”

“I don't see why you being you will change anything.” Bucky was scanning the room, watching the crowds of rich people try to outbid each other in the silent auction. “I'm leaving tomorrow evening and we will be back to writing letters and maybe a phone call, right?”

He bumped their shoulders lightly.“So I can pretend I don't know your last name, or that you own seventeen cars and a plane and are dictator of your own island--” Tony smirked, “and you can pretend you don't stutter every time I wink at you and--”

“Hey!” Tony protested, but Bucky winked at him, and completely proved his point when Tony tripped over his next words. “I—I--I--”

Then Tony frowned and shook his head. “Wait-wait what do you mean, tomorrow? You're leaving tomorrow?”

“My R&R is only ten days, Tony.” Bucky answered quietly. “Today is day nine. I never heard from you, so I didn't want to intrude, but I-- I just couldn't leave New York without trying to see you, you know? And I figured if I showed up and you didn't want to spend time together, at least I'm closer to the airport, even if I have to stay in a hotel.”

“Stay in a hotel.” Tony cursed softly. “You aren't staying in a hotel Bucky. You're staying with me. screw the party, let's leave.”

“We just got here, honey.” Bucky pointed out with a smile, fighting back a cheer over Tony all but demanding they stay the night together. “And even though your secretary only weighs like ninety pounds, the woman is terrifying and I don't really want to make her angry.”

“They got photos of me here, that's all the proof I need to convince Pepper I did my part. Bucky, if you're leaving tomorrow please let's get out of here so we can spend some time together.” Tony nudged him back, wetting his lips invitingly.

“And by time, I mean real time together. Like time involving throwing pillows on the floor and watching the sunrise through my bedroom window.”

“I love the way you think.” Bucky took the champagne from Tony and finished it himself, sending Tony a look that had sweating. “Why don't you find us an exit, honey?”

“Oh, look a door! Let's go.” Tony took off through the crowd, and Bucky followed, trying not to look like he was chasing him, even though chasing Tony was exactly what he wanted to be doing.

They were just in sight of the exit, the night sky beckoning from outside the window, when a fairly high pitched, fairly annoying voice cut into their escape.

“Anthony! Anthony Stark, been looking for you all night!”

A slender man in wire framed glasses stepped right in front of Tony, putting an all- too-friendly hand on his shoulder and halting him right in his tracks.

“Now, you wouldn't be leaving already would you now?” he asked with a mock frown. “We haven't even had the chance to catch up!”

“That was the point.” Tony bit out, managing a barely there smile.  “Got too many thing to do tonight to talk some bullshit with you, Justin. But I wrote my check and did my part for the children so--”

“So let's stay and have a drink!” Justin motioned for a couple glasses of champagne, but before he could hand Tony one, Bucky stepped in with a glass of his own, pressing it into Tony's open palm.

“Uh--” Justin looked down at the two glasses in his hand and laughed awkwardly. “Well, looks like I'm drinking for two tonight!” He tossed back one glass and started on the second.

“You know I didn't realize we had any military personnel here tonight.” Justin continued, looking Bucky over with an interested expression. “Or at least not any enlisted officers. What's your name, soldier?” he tossed up a mocking, half hearted salute, and Bucky straightened to his full height, shoulders back, chin high, and held out his hand to shake.

“Master Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes.” He said authoritatively. “Assistant Detachment Commander and Operations Sergeant for the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha.”

“Oh my.” Reaching for Bucky's hand, the man looked him over again. “A Master Sergeant. Special Forces. That's lovely. I'm Justin Hammer, but I'm sure you already knew that.”

“Justin Hammer from Hammer Tech.” Bucky squeezed the slim hand resting in his own until Hammer jerked away, covering the movement with a cough.

“That's right. I'm sure you use a lot of my product. Keeping you boys-er, men- safe out there.”

“Your product and Stark's as well.” Bucky replied evenly.

“So.” Hammer looked between the two of them. “When Tony is done bending your ear about all the new weapons he wants to sell you, why don't you come find me? We won't have to talk business at all.” He smiled in a way that he probably assumed was flirtatious, or at the very least engaging, but Bucky didn't smile back.

“I'll be too busy.” he said evenly. “But I'll let you know if that changes.”

“Tony.” Hammer brushed off the slight without even noticing it. “Let's have dinner soon. I feel like we have lots to catch up on.”

“He’ll be too busy.” Bucky replied, in what Tony had dubbed his ‘Master Sergeant’ voice, and even the annoyingly oblivious Justin Hammer took a step back. “But he’ll let you know if that changes.”

“Sure. Sure.” Knowing he was beat, Hammer offered them both a half hearted smile. “Well, I won't keep you. Plenty of people for me to see. Have a good night.” And with that, he turned and walked away, calling out to someone else at the party.

“Well, he's annoying.” Bucky said, taking the untouched glass from Tony's hand and setting it down. “Are we still leaving? Tony? You ready to--- uh, what? What's wrong?”

Tony was staring up at him, hands flexing at his side as if he was trying to keep from grabbing at Bucky, his eyes sparking bright.

“What is it?” Bucky asked, starting to worry when Tony didn't say anything. “Was that not okay? I warned you I was going to mark my territory. Did you think I was kidding?” Tony didn't answer, just kept watching him and Bucky cleared his throat awkwardly. “Say something, Tony.”

“I just… wow,  that whole Master Sergeant voice is like twice as interesting in person.”

Bucky's blue eyes lit up, and he moved a little closer into Tony's space. “Twice as interesting hm? You think so?”

“Oh, at least twice as interesting.”

Bucky lowered his voice, let a little bit of command drop into it. “Didn't I tell you to find us an exit?”

“Jesus Christ.” Tony breathed a laugh. “We are leaving right the hell now.”

***********************************

“Oh welcome back Mr. Stark. How was the evening?” The doorman asked politely. “Enjoy the benefit?”

“Great, thank you Matthew. Really made a difference tonight, wrote a really big check for the kids, all that sort of stuff.” With a quick grin at the man, Tony pushed Bucky towards the elevator., muttering, “Move your ass, soldier.”

The doors closed, and Tony breathed a sigh of relief, loosening his tie. “Alright, no one else should be bothering us for the rest of the night. Benefit over, Pepper can't yell at me, I managed not to clock Hammer. Good evening all around.”

“Really, Tony? AC/DC?” Bucky asked, dragging his fingers through his slicked back hair, listening with a half smile to the chords of Highway to Hell coming from the speakers.

“Bucky baby I live at the top of this damn building. You think I want to hear elevator music for ten minutes?” Tony stuffed his tie into his pocket, undoing his suit jacket and the top button of his shirt. “First thing I did when I bought this place was change the music.”

“Is that how long this ride takes?” Bucky glance around the elevator, eyeing the mirrored walls and tall ceiling. “Ten minutes?”

“You know I've never counted actually, it's probably really about four or five minutes or maybe even less? It just seems like a really long--OH!”

Tony startled when  Bucky pushed him right against one of the  walls, covering his mouth with a possessive kiss, sliding his tongue against Tony's lips until he opened up beneath him.

“You are so gorgeous, Tony.” He murmured, tasting and licking into Tony's mouth hungrily, one big hand pinning Tony's hips to the wall, the other stroking and running through his hair, messing up those perfect spikes, and tugging until Tony dropped his head farther back, opening wider so Bucky could taste more. “That's right, sweet thing, just like that.”

Wedging a thigh between his legs, Bucky swore softly when Tony ground down against him. “Just like that, Tony, perfect. Perfect.”

Bucky was just reaching for the collar of the white dress shirt, fully planning on tearing the damn thing and scattering buttons every which way when elevator slid to a stop, and the doors opened on one very surprised Pepper.

“Tony!” She looked away awkwardly while the men separated. “You aren't supposed to be here. You were definitely supposed to stay long enough to give a speech and--”

“Bucky's leaving tomorrow.” Tony interrupted. “This will shock you, but I do have some priorities, Pepper. Right now Bucky is priority number one. Now really, be a dear and leave?”

“Tony--”

“Leave.” He repeated, and it was about firmest he'd ever been with her, so Pepper stood aside and waited politely until they'd exited the elevator, and then left without another word, informing the security guard at the front door that Tony was not to be disturbed until lunch tomorrow.

The suite was quiet after Pepper left, and when Tony sent Bucky a sly look from under his lashes, the soldier burst out laughing.

“How is such a little woman so fierce?! I thought she was going to ground you!”

“She probably will take my car keys away or something. I'll have to buy her something nice tomorrow.” Tony admitted, heading towards his bar. “Whiskey?”

“Please.” Bucky slid his dress jacket off his arms, setting it over a chair carefully so it didn't wrinkle for the morning. “I don't know how you can drink champagne.”

“Quickly.” Tony said as he grabbed a few glasses. “And in great quantities. Only way to get through those charity dinners.”

“I can get on board with that.” Bucky reached for his glass and clinked it against Tony's. “Here's to good whiskey and gorgeous billionaires.”

Tony chuckled. “Nah, to hot soldiers who do risky things like show up unannounced on my doorstep.”

“To letters that take weeks to arrive and are worth every minute of waiting.” Bucky countered. “Every letter from you was worth it, Tony.”

Tony moved around the bar to stand in front of him. “To flirting without ever worrying it might not be okay, because it was pretty much impossible to stop once we got started.”

Bucky licked his lips and leaned closer. “To checking the ‘yes I like you’ box even though it had only been a few letters.”

“To hearing your voice every time I read your poetry.”

“To phone calls that keep me awake and smiling at night.”

Tony moved until their toes met, until their chests were just a hairsbreadth apart.“To falling for someone without even seeing them.”

Bucky's eyes darkened to a stormy blue, his voice suddenly hoarse “To finally seeing them and falling even harder.”

Tony put his glass down and reached for Bucky's hand. “Bucky. I think you should take me to bed now.”

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

#winteriron #tony stark #bucky barnes #james Buchanan barnes #love letters #pen pal au #soldier fic #so much fluff

[spikeyandspeedles-blog]

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 🍂

Hi all! Speedles here again :) K wanted to write a post (she said she had nothing better to do, lols), so here it is! P.S. Please don't tell her if you like my posts better than hers ;)

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[This was written during the last week of October. I hadn't had time to finish it until this week, and even though this is the October update, the topic happened to be quite Thanksgiving-y ^-^ So: HAPPY THANKSGIVING from the Hwangs!]

I'm currently sitting in bed with the lights off, writing a blog post. In bed, because I got cold. With the lights off, because I'm trying to save energy and/or I'm too lazy to get out of bed and turn them on. Probably both. Writing a blog post, because the internet is down and I therefore 1) can't send the emails I was going to send, 2) can't make dinner (recipes online), and 3) can't communicate with Daniel to ask why the internet is down because I haven't re-charged my data plan yet. Whew. Now we all know what's up.

What else is up? The sky, yes. But you know what ELSE is up?!?! FALL BREAK IS UP!!!! That's right, peeps: fall break is happening in T-minus five hours, which is a pretty spectacular fact as far as the Hwang household is concerned. The last thing that happens to be up is that this blog has been pretty un-informative as of late, so I'm trying to change that. October went by faster than probably any other month on current memory. I remember that at some point September sorta morphed its way into slightly cooler days and darker evenings, but by the time I actually checked the date it was already the 17th. Then I checked the date again and it was the 26th. And tomorrow, the 27th, is the first day of our very own week of break. We're pretty excited.

School has been a whirlwind, but of the fun, crazy, learn-a-ton sort. The program continues to be a perfect fit for D, which means he's loving the classes, loving the work, and always has lots to talk about with his professors and fellow classmates. However, he also has LOTS of homework. Our current schedule involves working until 3am most nights and then sleeping until 9am, possibly with some naps thrown in later on. I'm grateful to have lots of personal-project work as well as real (!) work to do, so we can hang out by working in the same room… just like college :P

I'm always amazed and humbled by God's provision for us over the past 2.5 years--it's a bit like one's birthday every week, seeing what sorts of things He'll bring along that you hadn't planned for. In the case of these last few months, we have been given a flat, jobs for both of us, food, health, safety, friends, spiritual encouragement, and gifts from some of you on top of that!

FLAT (D is still working on his blog post… but until then…)

The other day, D was commenting on the fact that God has been teaching us about the insignificance of our own work. Not, of course, in many ways, but specifically in relation to His work in our lives, whether that be salvation or finding us a place to live. We had asked Him for a flat, and had put in hours of emailing agencies and visiting possible places, but nothing panned out. When He brought us this current place, it was by no work of our own; instead, someone else had already done the calling, visiting, and talking with agents. Our flat is "practically perfect in every way": lots of space, a private bathroom for us, a sunny screened balcony, a big dining/entertaining area (including a ten-person set of china--plates, bowls, teacups, the whole nine yards), a kitchen with lots of counter space, and tons of storage in each room.

FINANCIAL PROVISION

Even when it seems impossible, God has always given us the money we need to pay bills, eat, and buy toilet paper each month. Most recently, we have been incredibly blessed by the generous gifts of family and friends, and are so grateful to receive that love.

Also: we got jobs! In October, D was contracted by a producer he works for regularly to write string arrangements for a Matt Papa album. It was a pretty crazy few days with very little sleep, but worth it. As for me, the tutoring company I was accepted at in September finally had some students for me, so I've been helping them with English reading, writing, and speaking for a few hours every week. However, because the job pays very well, I am able to spend the rest of my time keeping the house clean and making food… which takes a while, especially when you're trying to save money and therefore make like EVERYTHING from scratch :P Also when you don't have any small kitchen appliances and the oven only has a top element (this is a thing in Spain--I have no idea why?).

FOOD

Our working food budget is very small. It's a fun challenge (D might not be as quick to say so :P), but also discouraging at times. More than ever, we strive to faithfully live out Jesus' instructions to "not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink." And just in this past month, He has provided food for us in a multitude of ways: through gifts from family, through dinners hosted by friends, through our flatmates' leftovers, through good sales at the market, and through recipes that make a little go a long way.

HEALTH and SAFETY

We walk or ride the city bikes everywhere. It's great exercise, and so working out and commuting just happen at the same time, which is super. Despite all the pedestrians, cars, Vespas, motorcycles, and other cyclists, we have been protected from injury while commuting and otherwise traveling around the city. We have also been kept from sickness, despite a cold apartment, little sleep, and sick friends.

FRIENDS

First, HUGE shout-out to our family and friends from the States who Skype, chat, email and pray for us so often. Our stay here really would be impossible without your love and encouragement. Despite the time differences, we've been able to Skype friends often, and keep up with the goings-on in both our families. God has also provided us with good friends here in Valencia: at church, at En Vivo (the independent campus ministry), and at school. We also have two wonderful Christian flatmates who are interning at En Vivo until the end of December, as well as a Filipino friend from church who stays with us on the weekends.

SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT

We continue to be blessed by the ministry of our church, through the Word preached and through the community of fellow believers. Neither of us had the experience of finding and becoming part of a church in a totally new place before, but we have definitely seen how our Father brings His children together despite differences of culture, language, and worship style. It makes me excited for the total understanding and harmony that will exist in our collective adoration of Christ in heaven! I've also really enjoyed listening to sermons from our home church in Montana (Lolo Community for anyone interested; all the sermons are online) when I'm working by myself in the house.

We are thankful for these many and bountiful blessings from our Father, and thankful for you who exhibit and channel His love to us! I'm also especially thankful today (and during our time here) for His Word, which is CRAZY COOL you guys :D It is truly life-giving, so read it read it read it :D

Hehe OK, signing off for now; it'll be time to write the November update soon! O.o

With love,

Katherine and Daniel (and Spikey and Speedles)

#happy thanksgiving #valencia #almostdecember #finallyanotherblogpost #Christmasmusictime!